Editorial Notes

Codification

November 7, 2000, referred to in subsecs. (h)(2)(C), (D), and (i)(1), was in the original "the date of enactment of this section", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106–457, which amended this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

2020—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 116–188 added subsec. (j) and struck out former subsec. (j). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005. Such sums shall remain available until expended."

2016—Subsec. (i)(3). Pub. L. 114–322 added par. (3).

2000—Pub. L. 106–457 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (j) for former subsecs. (a) to (d), which related to continuation of the Chesapeake Bay Program and establishment and maintenance in the Environmental Protection Agency of an office, division, or branch of Chesapeake Bay Programs, interstate development plan grants, progress reports from grant recipient States, and authorization of appropriations.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense

Pub. L. 116–188, title I, §111, Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 921, provided that:

"(a) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Chesapeake bay agreements.—The term 'Chesapeake Bay agreements' means the formal, voluntary agreements—

"(A) executed to achieve the goal of restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed ecosystem and the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed ecosystem; and

"(B) signed by the Chesapeake Executive Council.

"(2) Chesapeake bay program.—The term 'Chesapeake Bay program' means the program directed by the Chesapeake Executive Council in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay agreements.

"(3) Chesapeake bay watershed.—The term 'Chesapeake Bay watershed' means the region that covers—

"(A) the Chesapeake Bay;

"(B) the portions of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia that drain into the Chesapeake Bay; and

"(C) the District of Columbia.

"(4) Chesapeake executive council.—The term 'Chesapeake Executive Council' means the council comprised of—

"(A) the Governors of each of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia;

"(B) the Mayor of the District of Columbia;

"(C) the Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission; and

"(D) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

"(5) Chesapeake wild program.—The term 'Chesapeake WILD program' means the nonregulatory program established by the Secretary under subsection (b)(1).

"(6) Grant program.—The term 'grant program' means the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense grant program established by the Secretary under subsection (c)(1).

"(7) Restoration and protection activity.—The term 'restoration and protection activity' means an activity carried out for the conservation, stewardship, and enhancement of habitat for fish and wildlife—

"(A) to preserve and improve ecosystems and ecological processes on which the fish and wildlife depend; and

"(B) for use and enjoyment by the public.

"(8) Secretary.—The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

"(b) Program Establishment.—

"(1) Establishment.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 2020], the Secretary shall establish a nonregulatory program, to be known as the 'Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense program'.

"(2) Purposes.—The purposes of the Chesapeake WILD program are—

"(A) coordinating restoration and protection activities among Federal, State, local, and regional entities and conservation partners throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

"(B) engaging other agencies and organizations to build a broader range of partner support, capacity, and potential funding for projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

"(C) carrying out coordinated restoration and protection activities, and providing for technical assistance, throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed—

"(i) to sustain and enhance restoration and protection activities;

"(ii) to improve and maintain water quality to support fish and wildlife, habitats of fish and wildlife, and drinking water for people;

"(iii) to sustain and enhance water management for volume and flood damage mitigation improvements to benefit fish and wildlife habitat;

"(iv) to improve opportunities for public access and recreation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed consistent with the ecological needs of fish and wildlife habitat;

"(v) to facilitate strategic planning to maximize the resilience of natural ecosystems and habitats under changing watershed conditions;

"(vi) to engage the public through outreach, education, and citizen involvement to increase capacity and support for coordinated restoration and protection activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

"(vii) to sustain and enhance vulnerable communities and fish and wildlife habitat;

"(viii) to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and plant corridors; and

"(ix) to increase scientific capacity to support the planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary to carry out coordinated restoration and protection activities.

"(3) Duties.—In carrying out the Chesapeake WILD program, the Secretary shall—

"(A) draw on existing plans for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, or portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Chesapeake Bay agreements, and work in consultation with applicable management entities, including Chesapeake Bay program partners, such as the Federal Government, State and local governments, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and other regional organizations, as appropriate, to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

"(B) adopt a Chesapeake Bay watershed-wide strategy that—

"(i) supports the implementation of a shared set of science-based restoration and protection activities developed in accordance with subparagraph (A); and

"(ii) targets cost-effective projects with measurable results; and

"(C) establish the grant program in accordance with subsection (c).

"(4) Coordination.—In establishing the Chesapeake WILD program, the Secretary shall consult, as appropriate, with—

"(A) the heads of Federal agencies, including—

"(i) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

"(ii) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

"(iii) the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service;

"(iv) the Chief of Engineers;

"(v) the Director of the United States Geological Survey;

"(vi) the Secretary of Transportation;

"(vii) the Chief of the Forest Service; and

"(viii) the head of any other applicable agency;

"(B) the Governors of each of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia and the Mayor of the District of Columbia;

"(C) fish and wildlife joint venture partnerships; and

"(D) other public agencies and organizations with authority for the planning and implementation of conservation strategies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

"(c) Grants and Technical Assistance.—

"(1) Chesapeake wild grant program.—To the extent that funds are made available to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall establish and carry out, as part of the Chesapeake WILD program, a voluntary grant and technical assistance program, to be known as the 'Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense grant program', to provide competitive matching grants of varying amounts and technical assistance to eligible entities described in paragraph (2) to carry out activities described in subsection (b)(2).

"(2) Eligible entities.—The following entities are eligible to receive a grant and technical assistance under the grant program:

"(A) A State.

"(B) The District of Columbia.

"(C) A unit of local government.

"(D) A nonprofit organization.

"(E) An institution of higher education as such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).

"(F) Any other entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate in accordance with the criteria established under paragraph (3).

"(3) Criteria.—The Secretary, in consultation with officials and entities described in subsection (b)(4), shall establish criteria for the grant program to help ensure that activities funded under this subsection—

"(A) accomplish 1 or more of the purposes described in subsection (b)(2); and

"(B) advance the implementation of priority actions or needs identified in the Chesapeake Bay watershed-wide strategy adopted under subsection (b)(3)(B).

"(4) Cost sharing.—

"(A) Department of the interior share.—The Department of the Interior share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project, as determined by the Secretary.

"(B) Non-department of the interior share.—

"(i) In general.—The non-Department of the Interior share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program may be provided in cash or in the form of an in-kind contribution of services or materials.

"(ii) Other federal funding.—Non-Department of the Interior Federal funds may be used for not more than 25 percent of the total cost of a project funded under the grant program.

"(5) Administration.—The Secretary may enter into an agreement to manage the grant program with an organization that offers grant management services.

"(d) Reporting.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 30, 2020], and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the implementation of this section, including a description of each project that has received funding under this section.

"(e) Authorization of Appropriations.—

"(1) In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

"(2) Supplement, not supplant.—Funds made available under paragraph (1) shall supplement, and not supplant, funding for other activities conducted by the Secretary in the Chesapeake Bay watershed."

Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery

Pub. L. 113–273, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat. 2967, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2014'.

"SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

"In this Act:

"(1) Administrator.—The term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

"(2) Chesapeake bay state.—The term 'Chesapeake Bay State' or 'State' means any of—

"(A) the States of Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and New York;

"(B) the Commonwealths of Virginia and Pennsylvania; and

"(C) the District of Columbia.

"(3) Chesapeake bay watershed.—The term 'Chesapeake Bay watershed' means all tributaries, backwaters, and side channels, including watersheds, draining into the Chesapeake Bay.

"(4) Chesapeake executive council.—The term 'Chesapeake Executive Council' has the meaning given the term by section 117(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1267(a)).

"(5) Chief executive.—The term 'chief executive' means, in the case of a State or Commonwealth, the Governor of the State or Commonwealth and, in the case of the District of Columbia, the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

"(6) Director.—The term 'Director' means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

"(7) Federal restoration activity.—

"(A) In general.—The term 'Federal restoration activity' means a Federal program or project carried out under Federal authority in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2014] with the express intent to directly protect, conserve, or restore living resources, habitat, water resources, or water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including programs or projects that provide financial and technical assistance to promote responsible land use, stewardship, and community engagement in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

"(B) Categorization.—Federal restoration activities may be categorized as follows:

"(i) Physical restoration.

"(ii) Planning.

"(iii) Feasibility studies.

"(iv) Scientific research.

"(v) Monitoring.

"(vi) Education.

"(vii) Infrastructure development.

"(8) State restoration activity.—

"(A) In general.—The term 'State restoration activity' means any State program or project carried out under State authority that directly or indirectly protect[s], conserve[s], or restore[s] living resources, habitat, water resources, or water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including programs or projects that promote responsible land use, stewardship, and community engagement in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

"(B) Categorization.—State restoration activities may be categorized as follows:

"(i) Physical restoration.

"(ii) Planning.

"(iii) Feasibility studies.

"(iv) Scientific research.

"(v) Monitoring.

"(vi) Education.

"(vii) Infrastructure development.

"SEC. 3. CHESAPEAKE BAY CROSSCUT BUDGET.

"(a) In General.—The Director, in consultation with the Chesapeake Executive Council, the chief executive of each Chesapeake Bay State, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission, shall submit to Congress a financial report containing—

"(1) an interagency crosscut budget that displays, as applicable—

"(A) the proposed funding for any Federal restoration activity to be carried out in the succeeding fiscal year, including any planned interagency or intra-agency transfer, for each of the Federal agencies that carry out restoration activities;

"(B) to the extent that information is available, the estimated funding for any State restoration activity to be carried out in the succeeding fiscal year;

"(C) all expenditures for Federal restoration activities from the preceding 2 fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and the succeeding fiscal year;

"(D) all expenditures, to the extent that information is available, for State restoration activities during the equivalent time period described in subparagraph (C); and

"(E) a section that identifies and evaluates, based on need and appropriateness, specific opportunities to consolidate similar programs and activities within the budget and recommendations to Congress for legislative action to streamline, consolidate, or eliminate similar programs and activities within the budget;

"(2) a detailed accounting of all funds received and obligated by each Federal agency for restoration activities during the current and preceding fiscal years, including the identification of funds that were transferred to a Chesapeake Bay State for restoration activities;

"(3) to the extent that information is available, a detailed accounting from each State of all funds received and obligated from a Federal agency for restoration activities during the current and preceding fiscal years; and

"(4) a description of each of the proposed Federal and State restoration activities to be carried out in the succeeding fiscal year (corresponding to those activities listed in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1)), including—

"(A) the project description;

"(B) the current status of the project;

"(C) the Federal or State statutory or regulatory authority, program, or responsible agency;

"(D) the authorization level for appropriations;

"(E) the project timeline, including benchmarks;

"(F) references to project documents;

"(G) descriptions of risks and uncertainties of project implementation;

"(H) a list of coordinating entities;

"(I) a description of the funding history for the project;

"(J) cost sharing; and

"(K) alignment with the existing Chesapeake Bay Agreement, Chesapeake Executive Council goals and priorities, and Annual Action Plan required by section 205 of Executive Order 13508 (33 U.S.C. 1267 note; relating to Chesapeake Bay protection and restoration).

"(b) Minimum Funding Levels.—In describing restoration activities in the report required under subsection (a), the Director shall only include—

"(1) for the first 3 years that the report is required, descriptions of—

"(A) Federal restoration activities that have funding amounts greater than or equal to $300,000; and

"(B) State restoration activities that have funding amounts greater than or equal to $300,000; and

"(2) for every year thereafter, descriptions of—

"(A) Federal restoration activities that have funding amounts greater than or equal to $100,000; and

"(B) State restoration activities that have funding amounts greater than or equal to $100,000.

"(c) Deadline.—The Director shall submit to Congress the report required by subsection (a) not later than September 30 of each year.

"(d) Report.—Copies of the report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations, Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, and Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.

"(e) Effective Date.—This section shall apply beginning with the first fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 18, 2014].

"SEC. 4. INDEPENDENT EVALUATOR FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM.

"(a) In General.—There shall be an Independent Evaluator for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, who shall review and report on—

"(1) restoration activities; and

"(2) any related topics that are suggested by the Chesapeake Executive Council.

"(b) Appointment.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 30 days after the date of submission of nominees by the Chesapeake Executive Council, the Independent Evaluator shall be appointed by the Administrator from among nominees submitted by the Chesapeake Executive Council with the consultation of the scientific community.

"(2) Nominations.—The Chesapeake Executive Council may nominate for consideration as Independent Evaluator a science-based institution of higher education.

"(3) Requirements.—The Administrator shall only select as Independent Evaluator a nominee that the Administrator determines demonstrates excellence in marine science, policy evaluation, or other studies relating to complex environmental restoration activities.

"(c) Reports.—Not later than 180 days after the date of appointment and once every 2 years thereafter, the Independent Evaluator shall submit to Congress a report describing the findings and recommendations of reviews conducted under subsection (a).

"SEC. 5. PROHIBITION ON NEW FUNDING.

"No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act."

Findings and Purposes

Pub. L. 106–457, title II, §202, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1967, provided that:

"(a) Findings.—Congress finds that—

"(1) the Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and a resource of worldwide significance;

"(2) over many years, the productivity and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed were diminished by pollution, excessive sedimentation, shoreline erosion, the impacts of population growth and development in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and other factors;

"(3) the Federal Government (acting through the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency), the Governor of the State of Maryland, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Chairperson of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the mayor of the District of Columbia, as Chesapeake Bay Agreement signatories, have committed to a comprehensive cooperative program to achieve improved water quality and improvements in the productivity of living resources of the Bay;

"(4) the cooperative program described in paragraph (3) serves as a national and international model for the management of estuaries; and

"(5) there is a need to expand Federal support for monitoring, management, and restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries of the Bay in order to meet and further the original and subsequent goals and commitments of the Chesapeake Bay Program.

"(b) Purposes.—The purposes of this title [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1251 of this title] are—

"(1) to expand and strengthen cooperative efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay; and

"(2) to achieve the goals established in the Chesapeake Bay Agreement."

Nutrient Loading Resulting From Dredged Material Disposal

Pub. L. 106–53, title IV, §457, Aug. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 332, provided that:

"(a) Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of nutrient loading that occurs as a result of discharges of dredged material into open-water sites in the Chesapeake Bay.

"(b) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 17, 1999], the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study."

Executive Documents

Ex. Ord. No. 13508. Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration

Ex. Ord. No. 13508, May 12, 2009, 74 F.R. 23099, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America and in furtherance of the purposes of the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), and other laws, and to protect and restore the health, heritage, natural resources, and social and economic value of the Nation's largest estuarine ecosystem and the natural sustainability of its watershed, it is hereby ordered as follows:

PART 1—Preamble

The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure constituting the largest estuary in the United States and one of the largest and most biologically productive estuaries in the world. The Federal Government has nationally significant assets in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed in the form of public lands, facilities, military installations, parks, forests, wildlife refuges, monuments, and museums.

Despite significant efforts by Federal, State, and local governments and other interested parties, water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay prevents the attainment of existing State water quality standards and the "fishable and swimmable" goals of the Clean Water Act. At the current level and scope of pollution control within the Chesapeake Bay's watershed, restoration of the Chesapeake Bay is not expected for many years. The pollutants that are largely responsible for pollution of the Chesapeake Bay are nutrients, in the form of nitrogen and phosphorus, and sediment. These pollutants come from many sources, including sewage treatment plants, city streets, development sites, agricultural operations, and deposition from the air onto the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the lands of the watershed.

Restoration of the health of the Chesapeake Bay will require a renewed commitment to controlling pollution from all sources as well as protecting and restoring habitat and living resources, conserving lands, and improving management of natural resources, all of which contribute to improved water quality and ecosystem health. The Federal Government should lead this effort. Executive departments and agencies (agencies), working in collaboration, can use their expertise and resources to contribute significantly to improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Progress in restoring the Chesapeake Bay also will depend on the support of State and local governments, the enterprise of the private sector, and the stewardship provided to the Chesapeake Bay by all the people who make this region their home.

PART 2—Shared Federal Leadership, Planning, and Accountability

Sec. 201. Federal Leadership Committee. In order to begin a new era of shared Federal leadership with respect to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, a Federal Leadership Committee (Committee) for the Chesapeake Bay is established to oversee the development and coordination of programs and activities, including data management and reporting, of agencies participating in protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The Committee shall manage the development of strategies and program plans for the watershed and ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and oversee their implementation. The Committee shall be chaired by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or the Administrator's designee, and include senior representatives of the Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Commerce (DOC), Defense (DOD), Homeland Security (DHS), the Interior (DOI), Transportation (DOT), and such other agencies as determined by the Committee. Representatives serving on the Committee shall be officers of the United States.

Sec. 202. Reports on Key Challenges to Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay. Within 120 days from the date of this order, the agencies identified in this section as the lead agencies shall prepare and submit draft reports to the Committee making recommendations for accomplishing the following steps to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay:

(a) define the next generation of tools and actions to restore water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and describe the changes to be made to regulations, programs, and policies to implement these actions;

(b) target resources to better protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters, including resources under the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended, the Clean Water Act, and other laws;

(c) strengthen storm water management practices at Federal facilities and on Federal lands within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and develop storm water best practices guidance;

(d) assess the impacts of a changing climate on the Chesapeake Bay and develop a strategy for adapting natural resource programs and public infrastructure to the impacts of a changing climate on water quality and living resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(e) expand public access to waters and open spaces of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries from Federal lands and conserve landscapes and ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(f) strengthen scientific support for decisionmaking to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, including expanded environmental research and monitoring and observing systems; and

(g) develop focused and coordinated habitat and research activities that protect and restore living resources and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

The EPA shall be the lead agency for subsection (a) of this section and the development of the storm water best practices guide under subsection (c). The USDA shall be the lead agency for subsection (b). The DOD shall lead on storm water management practices at Federal facilities and on Federal lands under subsection (c). The DOI and the DOC shall share the lead on subsections (d), (f), and (g), and the DOI shall be lead on subsection (e). The lead agencies shall provide final reports to the Committee within 180 days of the date of this order.

Sec. 203. Strategy for Protecting and Restoring the Chesapeake Bay. The Committee shall prepare and publish a strategy for coordinated implementation of existing programs and projects to guide efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay. The strategy shall, to the extent permitted by law:

(a) define environmental goals for the Chesapeake Bay and describe milestones for making progress toward attainment of these goals;

(b) identify key measureable indicators of environmental condition and changes that are critical to effective Federal leadership;

(c) describe the specific programs and strategies to be implemented, including the programs and strategies described in draft reports developed under section 202 of this order;

(d) identify the mechanisms that will assure that governmental and other activities, including data collection and distribution, are coordinated and effective, relying on existing mechanisms where appropriate; and

(e) describe a process for the implementation of adaptive management principles, including a periodic evaluation of protection and restoration activities.

The Committee shall review the draft reports submitted by lead agencies under section 202 of this order and, in consultation with relevant State agencies, suggest appropriate revisions to the agency that provided the draft report. It shall then integrate these reports into a coordinated strategy for restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay consistent with the requirements of this order. Together with the final reports prepared by the lead agencies, the draft strategy shall be published for public review and comment within 180 days of the date of this order and a final strategy shall be published within 1 year. To the extent practicable and authorized under their existing authorities, agencies may begin implementing core elements of restoration and protection programs and strategies, in consultation with the Committee, as soon as possible and prior to release of a final strategy.

Sec. 204. Collaboration with State Partners. In preparing the reports under section 202 and the strategy under section 203, the lead agencies and the Committee shall consult extensively with the States of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Delaware and the District of Columbia. The goal of this consultation is to ensure that Federal actions to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay are closely coordinated with actions by State and local agencies in the watershed and that the resources, authorities, and expertise of Federal, State, and local agencies are used as efficiently as possible for the benefit of the Chesapeake Bay's water quality and ecosystem and habitat health and viability.

Sec. 205. Annual Action Plan and Progress Report. Beginning in 2010, the Committee shall publish an annual Chesapeake Bay Action Plan (Action Plan) describing how Federal funding proposed in the President's Budget will be used to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay during the upcoming fiscal year. This plan will be accompanied by an Annual Progress Report reviewing indicators of environmental conditions in the Chesapeake Bay, assessing implementation of the Action Plan during the preceding fiscal year, and recommending steps to improve progress in restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. The Committee shall consult with stakeholders (including relevant State agencies) and members of the public in developing the Action Plan and Annual Progress Report.

Sec. 206. Strengthen Accountability. The Committee, in collaboration with State agencies, shall ensure that an independent evaluator periodically reports to the Committee on progress toward meeting the goals of this order. The Committee shall ensure that all program evaluation reports, including data on practice or system implementation and maintenance funded through agency programs, as appropriate, are made available to the public by posting on a website maintained by the Chair of the Committee.

PART 3—Restore Chesapeake Bay Water Quality

Sec. 301. Water Pollution Control Strategies. In preparing the report required by subsection 202(a) of this order, the Administrator of the EPA (Administrator) shall, after consulting with appropriate State agencies, examine how to make full use of its authorities under the Clean Water Act to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters and, as appropriate, shall consider revising any guidance and regulations. The Administrator shall identify pollution control strategies and actions authorized by the EPA's existing authorities to restore the Chesapeake Bay that:

(a) establish a clear path to meeting, as expeditiously as practicable, water quality and environmental restoration goals for the Chesapeake Bay;

(b) are based on sound science and reflect adaptive management principles;

(c) are performance oriented and publicly accountable;

(d) apply innovative and cost-effective pollution control measures;

(e) can be replicated in efforts to protect other bodies of water, where appropriate; and

(f) build on the strengths and expertise of Federal, State, and local governments, the private sector, and citizen organizations.

Sec. 302. Elements of EPA Reports. The strategies and actions identified by the Administrator of the EPA in preparing the report under subsection 202(a) shall include, to the extent permitted by law:

(a) using Clean Water Act tools, including strengthening existing permit programs and extending coverage where appropriate;

(b) establishing new, minimum standards of performance where appropriate, including:

(i) establishing a schedule for the implementation of key actions in cooperation with States, local governments, and others;

(ii) constructing watershed-based frameworks that assign pollution reduction responsibilities to pollution sources and maximize the reliability and cost-effectiveness of pollution reduction programs; and

(iii) implementing a compliance and enforcement strategy.

PART 4—Agricultural Practices To Protect the Chesapeake Bay

Sec. 401. In developing recommendations for focusing resources to protect the Chesapeake Bay in the report required by subsection 202(b) of this order, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, as appropriate, concentrate the USDA's working lands and land retirement programs within priority watersheds in counties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These programs should apply priority conservation practices that most efficiently reduce nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay, as identified by USDA and EPA data and scientific analysis. The Secretary of Agriculture shall work with State agriculture and conservation agencies in developing the report.

PART 5—Reduce Water Pollution From Federal Lands and Facilities

Sec. 501. Agencies with land, facilities, or installation management responsibilities affecting ten or more acres within the watershed of the Chesapeake Bay shall, as expeditiously as practicable and to the extent permitted by law, implement land management practices to protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters consistent with the report required by section 202 of this order and as described in guidance published by the EPA under section 502.

Sec. 502. The Administrator of the EPA shall, within 1 year of the date of this order and after consulting with the Committee and providing for public review and comment, publish guidance for Federal land management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed describing proven, cost-effective tools and practices that reduce water pollution, including practices that are available for use by Federal agencies.

PART 6—Protect Chesapeake Bay as the Climate Changes

Sec. 601. The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior shall, to the extent permitted by law, organize and conduct research and scientific assessments to support development of the strategy to adapt to climate change impacts on the Chesapeake Bay watershed as required in section 202 of this order and to evaluate the impacts of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay in future years. Such research should include assessment of:

(a) the impact of sea level rise on the aquatic ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay, including nutrient and sediment load contributions from stream banks and shorelines;

(b) the impacts of increasing temperature, acidity, and salinity levels of waters in the Chesapeake Bay;

(c) the impacts of changing rainfall levels and changes in rainfall intensity on water quality and aquatic life;

(d) potential impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, and their habitats in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed; and

(e) potential impacts of more severe storms on Chesapeake Bay resources.

PART 7—Expand Public Access to the Chesapeake Bay and Conserve Landscapes and Ecosystems

Sec. 701. (a) Agencies participating in the Committee shall assist the Secretary of the Interior in development of the report addressing expanded public access to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and conservation of landscapes and ecosystems required in subsection 202(e) of this order by providing to the Secretary:

(i) a list and description of existing sites on agency lands and facilities where public access to the Chesapeake Bay or its tributary waters is offered;

(ii) a description of options for expanding public access at these agency sites;

(iii) a description of agency sites where new opportunities for public access might be provided;

(iv) a description of safety and national security issues related to expanded public access to Department of Defense installations;

(v) a description of landscapes and ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that merit recognition for their historical, cultural, ecological, or scientific values; and

(vi) options for conserving these landscapes and ecosystems.

(b) In developing the report addressing expanded public access on agency lands to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and options for conserving landscapes and ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay, as required in subsection 202(e) of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall coordinate any recommendations with State and local agencies in the watershed and programs such as the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.

PART 8—Monitoring and Decision Support for Ecosystem Management

Sec. 801. The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior shall, to the extent permitted by law, organize and conduct their monitoring, research, and scientific assessments to support decisionmaking for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and to develop the report addressing strengthening environmental monitoring of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed required in section 202 of this order. This report will assess existing monitoring programs and gaps in data collection, and shall also include the following topics:

(a) the health of fish and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(b) factors affecting changes in water quality and habitat conditions; and

(c) using adaptive management to plan, monitor, evaluate, and adjust environmental management actions.

PART 9—Living Resources Protection and Restoration

Sec. 901. The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior shall, to the extent permitted by law, identify and prioritize critical living resources of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, conduct collaborative research and habitat protection activities that address expected outcomes for these species, and develop a report addressing these topics as required in section 202 of this order. The Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior shall coordinate agency activities related to living resources in estuarine waters to ensure maximum benefit to the Chesapeake Bay resources.

PART 10—Exceptions

Sec. 1001. The heads of agencies may authorize exceptions to this order, in the following circumstances:

(a) during time of war or national emergency;

(b) when necessary for reasons of national security;

(c) during emergencies posing an unacceptable threat to human health or safety or to the marine environment and admitting of no other feasible solution; or

(d) in any case that constitutes a danger to human life or a real threat to vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures at sea, such as cases of force majeure caused by stress of weather or other act of God.

PART 11—General Provisions

Sec. 1101. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) authority granted by law to a department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Barack Obama.