Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration

2009-05-15Executive Order 13508
Signed by: Barack Obama
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Headline: Federal Agencies Ordered to Protect and Restore Chesapeake Bay

What it does: Federal agencies must develop coordinated reports, a restoration strategy, and implement pollution-reduction and land-conservation measures for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Real World Impact:
  • Creates a federal committee to coordinate Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.
  • Requires pollution control and stormwater guidance for federal lands and facilities.
  • Directs agricultural programs to focus conservation in priority watersheds.
Topics: water pollution, land conservation, government coordination, climate impacts, public access

Summary

This order directs federal agencies to lead a coordinated effort to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. It creates a Federal Leadership Committee chaired by the Environmental Protection Agency, requires agencies to prepare reports and a restoration strategy, and calls for guidance, research, and focused conservation actions.

The order affects agencies managing federal lands, agriculture programs, defense installations, and science and conservation offices, and it aims to reduce nutrients and sediment pollution, improve habitat, expand public access, and adapt to climate-related impacts.

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