Chesapeake Progress

Helping federal, public and internal oversight groups track the Chesapeake Bay Program's progress toward the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

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Our Commitment

The Chesapeake Bay Program is committed to tracking our progress toward the goals and outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The accurate, up-to-date and accessible information found here helps oversight groups hold us accountable for our work. We envision abundant life, clean water, conserved lands and a diverse range of citizens and stakeholders who will steward an environmentally and economically sustainable watershed.

Our Latest Progress

Recently released data
Riparian forest buffer

Forest Buffer Planting Increases, But Lags Behind Goal

While 2021 saw the most new forest buffer plantings since 2016, this constitutes only 25.6% of the annual goal.

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A Diversity Workgroup meeting

Diversity Survey Shows Challenges, Raised Response Rate

While the percentage of people of color rose slightly overall, the percentage in leadership fell.

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A hydrologic technician taking samples from a stream to monitor water quality

Water Quality Shows Mixed Results

An estimated 29.6% of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries met water quality standards during the 2018-2020 assessment period.

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Outcome Status Updates

The recent progress and attainability outlook for these outcomes were prepared for the March 2023 Quarterly Progress Meeting.

The recent progress and long-term outlook status for each Outcome as well as when each status was last updated, grouped by Goal.
Land Conservation
Land Use Methods and Metrics Development Outcome
Recent progress increase. Updated March 2023
Outlook onCourse. Updated March 2023
Land Use Options Evaluation Outcome
Recent progress increase. Updated March 2023
Outlook onCourse. Updated March 2023

Our Funding

$536 million was invested by federal agencies for environmental restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in fiscal 2022. Learn more about our funding