Two separate assessments of the health of the Chesapeake Bay indicate that most jurisdictions within its watershed are not on track to meet target goals to cut nitrogen and phosphorus discharge levels by 2025. But new plans and programs put in place in 2022 could improve the restoration trajectory, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
On Oct. 4, EPA released results of its evaluation of two-year environmental compliance milestones for bay jurisdictions that fall within its watershed: Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York,Delaware, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. A day later, environmental advocacy group Chesapeake Bay Foundation released its annual State of the Blueprint report.