RICHMOND — Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Directive Ten on Dec. 5, acknowledging the Commonwealth’s critical role in positioning Virginia for continued success in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.
According to the governor’s office, the directive will build on existing progress by launching a series of strategic initiatives to ensure cleaner water, support our farmers and agricultural communities, and sustain the Bay’s living resources, including oysters and blue crabs, which are vital to Virginia’s economy.
“The Chesapeake Bay is a crown jewel of Virginia’s abundant and unique natural resources, representing an iconic piece of the Commonwealth that has a personal connection to the people who live, work, and play on the Bay and its tributaries,” said Youngkin. “Virginia remains fully committed to our Chesapeake Bay efforts, and this directive will prioritize evaluating investments, executing targeted implementation of Bay programs and initiatives, operating under realistic strategies, and exploring innovative ideas.”
The announcement comes ahead of a meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council next week in Annapolis, Maryland.
Youngkin’s order instructs the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, along with state agencies, to take a leading role in the next phase of Bay restoration, reevaluate Bay funding and support to ensure effective investments, and develop clear guidance that will enable adoption of practices that protect the Bay, while ensuring the viability of agricultural businesses, according to the announcement.
“As we look beyond 2025, our Administration is focused on building an effective and efficient approach that ensures the future of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Travis Voyles. “We must work together to bring all sectors to the table, working towards a common goal of a healthy Bay for generations to come.”
The governor’s office noted that as a signatory of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, Virginia has committed to being a Chesapeake Bay Program partner and working towards the 2025 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) targets, which established 10 goals and 31 outcomes to restore the Bay, its tributaries, and the lands that surround them.
The Chesapeake Bay Program is the regional partnership that directs and conducts the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. In addition to Virginia, members include Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, the federal government, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission.
“Chesapeake Bay restoration is at a crossroads. Gov. Youngkin rightly recognized that, to leave a thriving Chesapeake Bay for future generations, Virginia needs leadership, innovation, and a focus on measurable results. Virginia’s upcoming legislative session is a prime opportunity for the Commonwealth to continue our important investments in cleaner waterways and iconic living resources,” Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore said following the announcement.
“Over the next year, leaders across the Chesapeake Bay watershed are expected to update the multi-state agreement that guides Bay restoration,” he added. “We’re encouraged that Gov. Youngkin’s directive points to the importance of living resources like crabs, oysters, and wetlands, and calls for accelerating the need for monitoring to assess our results, and targeting investments where they will make the biggest difference. We thank Gov. Youngkin for his recommitment to the Chesapeake Bay Agreement at this critical time.”
