The Chesapeake Bay Agreement is a historic agreement signed in 1983 between the six states surrounding the Chesapeake Bay and the District of Columbia. The agreement was created in response to the growing concerns of pollution and degradation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which is one of the largest estuaries in the world.

The agreement established a framework for cooperation and commitment to restore and maintain the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program, created as a result of the agreement, is responsible for implementing the restoration efforts outlined in the agreement.

The Chesapeake Bay watershed covers over 64,000 square miles, spanning parts of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The Chesapeake Bay is home to over 3,600 species of plants and animals, including important commercial and recreational fisheries.

Over the years, the Chesapeake Bay has suffered from pollution caused by urbanization, agriculture, and other human activities. The pollution has resulted in the loss of habitat, decline in fish and shellfish populations, and harmful algal blooms. The Chesapeake Bay Agreement has been instrumental in implementing measures to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution, protect and restore habitat, and improve water quality.

The Chesapeake Bay Program implements the restoration efforts through a partnership approach, bringing together federal, state, and local governments, as well as agricultural and business communities, conservation organizations, and scientists. The program sets goals and tracks progress towards meeting those goals, using science-based data to ensure the success of the restoration efforts.

One of the key components of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement is the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) regulations, which aim to limit the amount of pollutants entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The TMDL regulations set limits for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment, which are major contributors to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Agreement has been instrumental in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay over the past few decades. However, there is still much work to be done to fully restore the bay and maintain its health for future generations. The Chesapeake Bay Program continues to work towards achieving this goal through partnership and collaboration.