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CHESAPEAKE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

TOXICS 2000 STRATEGY

A Chesapeake Bay Watershed Strategy for 

Chemical Contaminant Reduction, Prevention, and Assessment Chesapeake Bay Program

A Watershed Partnership

In October 1994, the Chesapeake Executive Council adopted the 1994 Chesapeake Bay

Basinwide Toxics Reduction and Prevention Strategy in fulfillment of the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement.

In June 2000, the Chesapeake Executive Council adopted the Chesapeake 2000 Bay Agreement committing

to fulfill the 1994 Toxics Strategy goal of a “Chesapeake Bay free of toxics by reducing or eliminating the

input of chemical contaminants from all controllable sources to levels that result in no toxic or bioaccumulative impact on the living resources that inhabit the Bay or on human health.” To ensure progress towards

this goal, the Executive Council further committed to reevaluate and revise the strategy by Fall of 2000. 

We have made significant strides in chemical contaminant reduction, prevention, and assessment activities

through both regulatory and voluntary programs.

➣ Industries and federal facilities have achieved their

basinwide goals of reducing Toxics Release Inventory

chemical releases and transfers and over 250 businesses are participating in the voluntary pollution prevention program, Businesses for the Bay.

➣ In 1998, farmers practiced integrated pest management (IPM) on over 3.8 million acres (or 79%) of

agricultural cropland surveyed in the Chesapeake Bay

watershed.

➣ Between 1990 and 1999 nearly 1.3 million pounds of

un-used pesticides were collected and properly disposed of through programs offered in 100% of watershed counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

➣ Between 1993 and 1999 nearly 700,000 used pesticide containers were collected and recycled through

programs offered in 100% of watershed counties in

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

➣ We continue to take actions to better understand and

manage the chemical contaminant problems in the

three Regions of Concern.

We have improved our understanding of chemical

contaminant sources, loads, and impacts.

➣ The 1999 Toxics Characterization and other federal

and state characterizations report the status of chemical contaminant effects on living resources:

• The three areas designated by the Executive Council as Regions of Concern: Anacostia River, Baltimore Harbor, and Elizabeth River still remain. It

THE TOXICS STRATEGY REEVALUATION AND REVISION HAS SHOWN THAT:
may take years for these river systems to show a

measurable response to chemical contaminant

clean-up efforts.

• Ten tidal river segments have been characterized as

Areas of Emphasis with significant potential for

toxic effects on living resources and over 200 areas

throughout the watershed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia have

been defined by the signatories as impaired or

threatened due to chemical contamination.

• Eight tidal river segments have been characterized

as Areas with Low Probability for Adverse Effects

where chemical contaminant problems are

unlikely.

• Twenty tidal river segments have been identified as

Areas with Insufficient or Inconclusive Data where

the status of toxic impacts on living resources is

unknown.

• Fish consumption advisories have been issued by 

the states in 21 areas in the Bay watershed due to

chemical contaminants that have accumulated in

fish tissues.

➣ The 1999 Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Loading

and Release Inventory reports:

• Nonpoint sources, particularly urban stormwater

runoff, represent a substantial source of chemical

contaminants to the Bay and its tidal rivers.

• Point sources are subject to direct regulatory controls and have met many of the Bay Program voluntary goals, yet data indicate they may still

represent a significant source of some contaminants to the Bay and its tidal rivers

We still have work to do to:

➣ Prevent and reduce chemical contaminant inputs and

eliminate toxic impacts on living resources that

inhabit the Bay and rivers.

➣ Eliminate all chemical contaminant-related fish consumption bans and advisories.

➣ Clean up contaminants in the sediment in the three

Regions of Concern. 

➣ Sustain our progress and ultimately achieve the Toxics Strategy goal, in the face of increasing population

and expanded development within the watershed.

We still have more to learn about:

➣ Chemical contaminant loads and impacts from animal

agriculture, pesticide use, groundwater, urban

stormwater runoff, and point sources.

➣ The sources and controllability of chemical contaminants from household products, human wastes, and

residential activities.

➣ The potential for chemical contaminants to cause

toxic impacts on aquatic-dependent wildlife in the

Chesapeake Bay watershed.

➣ The long term impacts from low levels of chemical

contaminants below thresholds associated with adverse effects on the Bay’s living resources. 

➣ How to deal with contaminants in sediments.

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BASED ON THESE FINDINGS, THE TOXICS 2000 STRATEGY WAS DEVELOPED through a year-long

process that incorporated broad stakeholder involvement. Through the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and other

federal, state, and local regulatory programs, significant strides have been made in controlling chemical contaminants

and protecting living resources and human health. Further chemical contaminant reductions from both point and nonpoint sources are expected in the next decade through implementation of the Clean Water Act for those waterbodies

defined as impaired by the jurisdictions. This Strategy commits to voluntary efforts that build on the successes of

the state and federal regulatory programs and go beyond compliance with existing regulatory point and nonpoint

source programs to preclude the need for costly regulations and remediation in the future.
Chemical Focus

With the thousands of chemicals that are being released

into the watershed each year, we recognize the need to

focus our limited resources on reducing or eliminating

releases of those chemicals that we know are presenting

the biggest risk to Chesapeake Bay living resources or

human health, based on our current state of knowledge.

Many of these chemicals of concern in the watershed are

persistent or bioaccumulative and pose a risk to living

resources or human health. They include:

➣ chemical contaminants identified in the 1999 Toxics

Characterization that are at levels that may cause

toxic impacts to living resources,

➣ chemical contaminants responsible for listing a waterbody as impaired or threatened on the State and District 303(d) lists, and 

➣ chemical contaminants responsible for finfish and

shellfish consumption advisories. 

Chemicals of concern include both currently-used chemicals and historically-used chemicals. We recognize that

some chemicals are no longer in use and may be more

difficult to control, but nonetheless remain a concern

because they persist in the environment at levels that

pose risks to living resources. We may target additional

chemicals of concern for reduction and prevention

actions as new data become available from our efforts to

characterize toxic impacts and learn more about emerging chemicals of concern. Appendix A is a current list of

chemicals of concern. 

We also recognize that our knowledge of toxic impacts

and chemicals that are causing toxic impacts is incomplete. Long term effects from low levels of multiple contaminants in the water and sediment of the Bay and

rivers are not fully understood. Therefore, where feasible, we believe it is prudent to encourage reducing or

eliminating loads of any chemical contaminant in the

watershed through pollution prevention and other voluntary measures. Therefore, several watershed-wide commitments apply to the Toxics Release Inventory

chemical list, a list of over 640 chemicals EPA has determined are being used, manufactured, or released in the

environment that may pose threats to the environment

and human health. These chemical releases are reported

annually by many point sources in the watershed. 

Geographic Focus

In order to address chemical contaminant-related problems in the watershed effectively and efficiently, we use

an integrated, risk-based approach to focus limited

resources in areas impacted or at risk due to chemical

contaminants. We commit to stepping up our voluntary

efforts in impacted areas where chemical contaminant

problems are known: the Regions of Concern, the waterbodies impaired by chemical contaminants on the jurisdictions’ 303(d) lists, and areas subject to finfish or

shellfish consumption bans and advisories. We also

commit to stepping up voluntary efforts in areas at risk:

Areas of Emphasis where there is significant potential

for toxic impacts on living resources, areas adjacent to

land use activities that have a higher potential for contributing persistent or bioaccumulative chemicals such

as highly urbanized watersheds or watersheds with

intensive agricultural practices. Additional impacted

areas and areas at risk may be identified as new data

become available from our characterization efforts.

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Strategy Goal: Through implementation of this watershed-wide strategy, the Chesapeake Bay Program signatories

re-commit to fulfilling the following goal:

Our goal is a Chesapeake Bay free of toxics by reducing or eliminating the input of

chemical contaminants from all controllable sources to levels that result in no toxic or

bioaccumulative impact on the living resources that inhabit the Bay or on human health.

WHAT DO WE WANT?

A TARGETED APPROACH
Restoring Impacted Areas

To restore the Regions of Concern and other impacted

watersheds we commit to:

➣ by 2001, initiate a series of technology exchanges

with scientists, managers, and engineers to identify

approaches, methods, and technologies for addressing

contaminated sediment that are applicable to the

Chesapeake Bay Regions of Concern.

➣ by 2002, based on these technology exchanges, each

Region of Concern jurisdiction will review, revise,

and begin implementing plans to deal with contaminated sediment which identify locations to target for

sediment remediation, applicable technologies and

approaches for addressing contaminated sediment,

and stakeholders to partner with to ensure that the

plans are implemented. 

➣ prevent or reduce current chemical contaminant loads to

these regions by taking voluntary actions that go beyond

point and nonpoint source regulatory programs.

Restoring and Protecting Areas at Risk

To ensure that pollution prevention, restoration, and

assessment actions are taken to benefit areas at risk due

to chemical contaminants so that these areas can be characterized as Areas with Low Probability for Adverse

Effects we commit to:

➣ conduct more detailed source assessments and loadings inventories to better define and manage chemical

contaminants inputs from all sources, including contaminated sediment. 

➣ prevent or reduce current chemical contaminant loads

to these regions by taking voluntary actions that go

beyond point and nonpoint source regulatory programs.

Protecting Un-impacted Areas

To ensure that Areas with Low Probability for Adverse

Effects remain un-impacted we commit to:

➣ regularly monitor these areas to detect early warning

signs of increased chemical contaminant loads or ambient levels that may pose a risk to living resources.

➣ encourage sound land use and development activities

to prevent additional chemical contaminant loads

from entering these rivers,

➣ prevent or reduce current chemical contaminant loads

to these regions by taking voluntary actions that go

beyond point and nonpoint source regulatory programs, particularly in areas under growth and development pressures. 

Addressing Finfish/Shellfish 

Consumption Bans and Advisories

To ensure that finfish and shellfish are safe to eat by all

Bay watershed residents and visitors Bay Program signatories, in partnership with the departments of health,

the environmental community, and relevant federal

agencies, commit to:

Develop Contaminant Prevention

and Reduction Strategies

➣ By 2002 develop and begin implementing strategies

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HOW DO WE GET THERE?

The signatories commit to the following objectives and commitments to reach the overarching Toxics

Strategy goal. Actions are focused on (1) restoration, protection and prevention and (2) monitoring,

assessment, and research. Some commitments apply watershed-wide to address common issues across the

watershed, while others apply to specific impacted areas and areas at risk.

Objective: Through voluntary pollution prevention and restoration, we commit to (1) restore

impacted areas and areas at risk due to legacy and present sources of chemical contaminants

so that they can support living resources and humans that depend on them and (2) to protect

those rivers that are not currently impacted by chemical contaminants to ensure that they

remain un-impacted for future generations.

TAKING RESTORATION, PROTECTION AND PREVENTION ACTIONS

To accomplish this objective, the signatories commit to:
to prevent or reduce chemical contaminants responsible for fish consumption advisories. 

➣ By 2002 in areas where the most substantial source of

fish consumption advisories are sediments contaminated by legacy pollutants, evaluate the feasibility of

various remediation measures to reduce the risks

associated with contaminated sediment. 

Evaluate Fish Tissue Monitoring and 

Outreach Programs

➣ By 2002, evaluate finfish and shellfish tissue monitoring programs and consumption estimates to determine

whether they are sufficient for developing, updating,

and confirming consumption bans and advisories

caused by chemical contaminants and recommend

any necessary improvements.

➣ By 2002, evaluate the technical and public outreach

components of finfish and shellfish tissue monitoring

programs and progress reporting and recommend any

necessary improvements to ensure that advisory

information is accurate, understandable, and easily

available to the public.

➣ By 2002 and every two years thereafter, report on

progress in terms of the area (or river miles) of finfish

and shellfish grounds assessed, area under advisories

due to chemical contaminants, and a summary of

trends in contaminant levels in finfish and shellfish in

areas under advisories, areas at risk, and un-impacted

areas. 

➣ By 2004, institute the improvements to programs

identified above and assess major fishing areas in the

Bay watershed, complete risk screenings, identify

specific sub-populations at risk where necessary, and

issue consumption advisories where appropriate.

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Point source facilities have made significant progress in preventing and reducing their chemical contaminant loads to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Although point sources are subject to regulatory controls,

there are additional voluntary steps that can be taken to further reduce and prevent chemical contaminant

loads and improve point source loadings estimates to the Bay and rivers. The following objectives and commitments target point source facilities such as federal facilities, industries, publicly and privately owned

treatment works (otherwise known as municipal wastewater treatment plants), stationary air emission

sources in the watershed, businesses, commercial establishments, and state and local government facilities.

Stormwater runoff is addressed in the nonpoint source section of this Strategy.

Zero Release Objective: To achieve the following Chesapeake 2000 Bay Agreement commitment “Through continual improvement of pollution prevention measures and other voluntary

means, strive for zero release of chemical contaminants from point sources, including air

sources. Particular emphasis shall be placed on achieving, by 2010, elimination of mixing zones

for persistent or bioaccumulative toxics.”

To accomplish this objective, the signatories commit to:

ADDRESSING POINT SOURCES

Mixing Zone Phase Out

➣ Strive to meet water quality standards for persistent or

bioaccumulative chemical contaminants at the point

of discharge through continual improvement of pollution prevention measures and other voluntary means.

• By 2001, establish a baseline for the facilities not

meeting water quality standards at the point of discharge for persistent or bioaccumulative chemical

contaminants and by 2003 and 2007 report on their

progress in reducing concentrations at the point of

discharge in order to eliminate mixing zones.

• An initial emphasis shall be placed on phasing

out mixing zones for persistent or bioaccumulative chemical contaminants in the following

areas:

– Regions of Concern,

– Areas of Emphasis,
– 303(d) listed waters for persistent or bioaccumulative chemical contaminants,

– Areas under finfish or shellfish advisories caused

by persistent or bioaccumulative chemical

contaminants. 

Chemical Release Reductions

Industries have made significant progress in achieving

chemical reductions over the past decade. Between 1988

and 1997 they reduced their releases of Toxics Release

Inventory chemicals by 67%. Since that time, many

more chemicals and industries have been added to the

Toxics Release Inventory. Therefore, we are setting new

goals with more recent baselines to achieve further

reductions from both industries and publicly and privately owned treatment works. 

➣ By 2010 reduce by at least 20% the 1998 Toxics

Release Inventory chemical releases and off-site transfers for treatment and disposal from 1998 levels by

working with publicly and privately owned treatment

works and industries (including air sources) throughout

the watershed. Particular emphasis shall be placed on

reducing chemicals at the source. By 2005, evaluate

progress towards this commitment and commit to

greater reductions where necessary by 2010.

➣ By 2005, in impacted areas and areas at risk, reduce

by 15% chemicals of concern from 1998 levels by

working with publicly and privately owned treatment

works and industries (including air sources). By 2005,

evaluate progress towards this commitment and commit to greater reductions where possible. Within five

years of identifying any new impacted areas or areas

at risk, achieve a 15% reduction of chemicals of concern in these new areas.

➣ By 2006, reduce by 40% Toxics Release Inventory

chemical releases and off-site transfers from 2001

levels from federal facilities (including air sources)

throughout the watershed, through innovative pollution prevention, effective facility management, and

sound acquisition and procurement practices.

➣ By 2006, in impacted areas and areas at risk, reduce by

50% chemicals of concern from 2001 levels from priority federal facilities. Within six years of identifying

any new impacted areas or areas at risk, achieve a 50%

reduction of chemicals of concern in these new areas.

Because chemical contaminant loads from publicly 

and privately owned treatment works come from a diversity of sources (such as industries and households) they

face many challenges in meeting these point source

commitments. Additionally, since the publicly and

privately owned treatment works do not report chemical

releases to the Toxics Release Inventory, it will be particularly important to quantify releases so that progress

can be tracked and releases of industries discharging to

treatment plants are not double counted. To overcome

these challenges, the publicly and privately owned treatment works will:

➣ By 2002, in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay

Program, complete an education effort and establish

partnerships with local government pretreatment and

pollution prevention programs to encourage industries and Bay watershed residents to reduce their

chemical contaminant loads to publicly and privately

owned treatment works. Relevant information defining specific sources of chemical contaminants found

in municipal wastewater will be gathered in order to

develop a target audience for outreach efforts.

➣ By 2005, in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay

Program, quantify the historic and current release of

chemical contaminants from publicly and privately

owned treatment works and dischargers to these treatment plants. Identify and fill data gaps.

➣ By 2005, in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay

Program and the environmental community select target chemical contaminants being released from publicly and privately owned treatment works, develop

reduction targets, and implement reduction activities

through pretreatment and pollution prevention partnership programs.

Businesses for the Bay

➣ Businesses for the Bay participants will prevent at the

source or recycle a total of one billion pounds of hazardous substances between 1999 and 2005. Hazardous substances include those materials listed on

the Bay Program’s chemicals of concern list and

EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory and Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics lists; hazardous air pollutants

(HAPs); criteria air pollutants; and hazardous wastes. 

➣ By 2005, Businesses for the Bay will have 1,000 participants throughout the watershed. Of this, 50% will

be small businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

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➣ By 2005, Businesses for the Bay will have a total of 300

individuals volunteer as mentors to provide pollution

prevention assistance to those in need throughout the

watershed. These mentors will annually conduct 500

interactions with those in need of assistance.

➣ In 2005, the Pollution Prevention Workgroup will

establish new Businesses for the Bay goals through

2010, as appropriate.

Sustainable Business Development

➣ By 2002, in cooperation with the departments responsible for economic development within each jurisdiction develop strategies to inform and assist new

companies in the Bay watershed to strive for zero

release of chemical contaminants through pollution

prevention and other methods.

Improving Point Source Loadings Estimates

➣ By 2001, in cooperation with Bay watershed point

source facilities, develop an approach for addressing

uncertainties in point source chemical contaminant

loads estimates in the 1999 Chesapeake Bay Basinwide Toxics Loading and Release Inventory. Specifically, the Chesapeake Bay Program signatories 

will work in cooperation with the point source community to:

• quantify “typical pollutant concentrations” for specific point source sectors and extrapolate loadings

to these sectors throughout the watershed.

• develop a method to account for contaminant concentrations in the “in-take water” (Bay/river water

used for a facility process such as cooling) to calculate the net load they are discharging to the Bay.

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This Strategy considers nonpoint sources of chemical contaminants as agricultural and urban/suburban

stormwater runoff, atmospheric deposition, and groundwater. Although much remains to be learned about

the load of contaminants from these sources, loadings estimates reveal that some nonpoint sources such as

urban stormwater runoff can represent a substantial load of chemical contaminants to the Bay watershed.

Although nonpoint sources are subject to some regulatory controls, there are additional steps that can be

taken to further reduce and prevent chemical contaminant loads and improve loadings estimates to the Bay

and rivers from nonpoint sources.

Zero Release Objective: Through continual improvement of pollution prevention measures and

other voluntary means, strive for zero release of chemical contaminants from nonpoint sources.

To accomplish this objective, the signatories commit to:

ADDRESSING NONPOINT SOURCES

Program Coordination and Progress Reporting 

Periodic reports of progress will ensure that our efforts

remain focused and on track.

➣ By 2000, the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Implementation committee will establish a joint workgroup of the

Nutrient and Toxics Subcommittees to coordinate urban

and suburban stormwater management programs across

and within Bay Program jurisdictional boundaries to

improve water quality. Particular emphasis shall be

placed on making recommendations to federal, state,

and local nonpoint source program managers to:

• integrate chemical contaminants, nutrients, and

sediment stormwater-related programs to address

the nonpoint source and development commitments in the Chesapeake 2000 Bay Agreement,

• prevent chemical contaminant loads from developing lands and reduce chemical contaminant loads

from developed lands,

• develop tools to help local governments achieve

these voluntary commitments.
Chemical Contaminant Reductions

In order to achieve the zero release objective, reductions in

chemical contaminant loads from developed areas and

lands that have a high potential for contributing contaminants must be achieved. Particular emphasis shall be

placed on achieving, by 2010, implementation of innovative stormwater management technologies and pollution

prevention measures on lands where stormwater loads of

chemical contaminants are not currently managed.

➣ Between 2001 and 2005, the Bay Program jurisdictions will work with local governments and other

stakeholders to develop and begin implementing

projects and programs that demonstrate reductions in

nonpoint sources of chemicals of concern from those

areas that are impacted or at risk, including federal,

state, and District lands. Specifically, implement:

• projects and programs that reduce stormwater

chemical contaminant loads through pollution prevention measures, innovative site design, best management practices or other technologies. 

• projects and programs that reduce the use of pesticides, promote less toxic alternatives, or employ

other voluntary efforts that ultimately reduce pesticide loads to the watershed.

➣ Between 2005 and 2010, evaluate the effectiveness of

these demonstration projects and programs in reducing

chemical contaminant loads, report resulting nonpoint

source loads reductions, and transfer successful pollutant

reduction measures to other areas within the watershed.

➣ By 2010, reduce nonpoint sources of chemicals of concern to the Regions of Concern by at least 30%,

through implementation of pollution prevention means

and other voluntary nonpoint source programs and

through accounting of reductions achieved through

regulatory programs. By 2002 baselines will be developed for each region.

Chemical Contaminant Prevention

Particular emphasis shall be placed on achieving, by

2010, a no net increase of chemical contaminants from

developing lands by using a combination of pollution

prevention, sound landuse practices, and innovative

technological solutions.

➣ By 2005, reduce chemical contaminants at the source

by working with the development community to

develop construction materials and techniques and

landscaping designs that reduce pollution at the

source.

➣ By 2005, reduce chemical contaminants at the source

by working with land owners to prevent chemical

contaminants from being deposited on their lands as a

result of lawn care, vehicle maintenance, and other

activities.

➣ By 2010, ensure that the appropriate stormwater

management technologies are in place to offset any

residual chemical contaminant loads from newly

developed lands.

Improving Nonpoint Source Loadings Estimates

➣ By 2002 synthesize literature on pesticide use on all

lands, loads, and impacts and make recommendations

for filling in key data gaps.

➣ By 2003, Bay scientists will synthesize available

information on groundwater contributions of chemical contaminants to the Bay and its rivers. 

➣ By 2004, complete initial monitoring and assessments

to determine the potential for toxic impacts from

episodic chemical contaminant loads from agricultural and urban/suburban runoff on living resources.

➣ By 2005, Bay Program signatories will improve estimates and reduce uncertainty of urban stormwater

runoff loads, using all available data from the

National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System

Phase I and II stormwater programs, Total Maximum

Daily Loads development efforts, and demonstration

projects and develop methodologies to extrapolate

these loads to other watershed areas.

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Assessing the Status of Toxic Impacts 

on Living Resources

➣ By 2005, update the 1999 Toxics Characterization by

conducting the necessary biological and chemical

monitoring to characterize the status of chemical contaminant effects on living resources in those tidal

rivers characterized as Areas with Insufficient or

Inconclusive Data and in the mainstem Bay. In 2009,

update the Toxics Characterization using any data collected since the previous characterization. 

• By 2003, identify toxic impacts on benthic communities by analyzing concurrently-collected sediment

contaminant concentrations and benthic community

data.

• By 2004, acquire relevant chemical contaminant data

that is collected by local governments and is of 

sufficient quality to aid in updating the 1999 Toxics

Characterization.

Estimating Chemical Contaminant Loads 

from the Watershed

➣ By 2007, refine the 1999 Chesapeake Bay Basinwide

Toxics Loading and Release Inventory including

chemical contaminant loads from upstream sources,

agricultural runoff, urban/suburban runoff, atmospheric deposition, point sources, and groundwater.

Improving Coordination and 

Information Sharing

➣ By 2001, in cooperation with Chesapeake Bay scientists, develop and maintain a web-based clearinghouse of on-going chemical contaminant monitoring,

research, and assessments to enhance coordination

and information sharing.

➣ The Toxics Subcommittee will host regular scientific

seminars to learn about innovative and cost-effective

methods for monitoring and assessment, data interpretation, and data integration.

Anticipating Emerging 

Chemical Contaminant Issues

➣ By 2001, review the state of knowledge regarding 

the potential for animal agriculture to cause toxic

impacts on the Bay’s living resources and develop

recommendations for filling in key data gaps and

implementing any necessary management actions.

➣ By 2007, conduct the necessary monitoring and

assessments to determine whether aquatic-dependent

wildlife is experiencing toxic impacts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with particular emphasis in the

three Regions of Concern.

➣ Hold symposia as needed to explore the relevancy of

other regional, national, or worldwide chemical contaminant issues to the Chesapeake Bay watershed

(such as emerging chemicals of concern like pharmaceuticals) and develop additional commitments for

addressing these issues if necessary.

Reporting Progress

➣ Through 2010, continue to conduct the necessary

monitoring and assessments to evaluate progress of

eliminating toxic impacts in areas where management

actions are underway, better defining chemical contaminant problems in the areas at risk, and ensuring

that unimpacted areas are not getting worse.

➣ Report annually progress made towards the strategy

goal.

➣ By 2010, reevaluate and revise as necessary, the

basinwide toxics strategy.

While we commit to taking restoration and protection actions now with our current state of knowledge, we

also commit to improving our understanding of chemical contaminant impacts in the watershed and knowledge of emerging threats. We also commit to conducting the necessary chemical and biological monitoring,

assessments, and research to measure progress towards achieving the Toxics Strategy goal. 

Objective: To improve our understanding of how basinwide chemical contaminant loads and

impacts are related and to conduct the necessary monitoring, research, and assessments to

measure progress of our management actions.

To accomplish this objective, the signatories commit to:

CONDUCTING MONITORING, ASSESSMENTS, AND RESEARCH
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Community-based Watershed Management

➣ By 2001, develop a chemical contaminant fact sheet

for citizens, watershed organizations, and decision

makers that provides more detailed information about

the issues and terms referred to in this Strategy.

➣ Work with small watershed stakeholders to incorporate into locally-supported watershed management

plans actions to eliminate and prevent toxic impacts in

15 tributary watersheds by 2005 and an additional 20

by 2010 where appropriate by:

• providing relevant information and tools to public

and private stakeholders, including citizens, community-based organizations, watershed organizations, local governments, decision makers and

elected officials so that they can effectively participate in governmental meetings, watershed management planning, and activities to address chemical

contaminant issues in their rivers.

• encouraging integrated approaches for reducing and

preventing loads of nutrients, sediment, and chemical contaminants from both point and nonpoint

sources.

• promoting protection and restoration of vital living

resource habitats such as wetlands and riparian

forest buffers that play a key role in restoring and

protecting environmental quality.

Anticipating Future Changes on the Watershed

➣ Encourage advances in zero release technologies,

innovative and cost-effective nonpoint source controls,

methods for dealing with contaminants in sediment,

and approaches for sound land use planning. 

➣ Conduct the necessary assessments to measure early

warning signs of impeded progress due to changes in

land use on the watershed.

In order to achieve the Toxics Strategy goal, we encourage a community-based watershed management

approach that tailors restoration, protection, prevention, and assessment actions to the needs of specific

small watersheds and to chemicals of concern (both currently and historically used) to make the best use of

limited financial and human resources. To guarantee long-term success in eliminating and preventing toxics impacts in these small watersheds, it is essential that people who live, work, and play in the watershed

understand chemical contaminant issues and are actively involved in developing a plan for addressing chemical contaminant problems in their watershed and ensuring that progress is made and sustained. 

Objectives:

To promote a community-based watershed management approach to protecting and restoring

rivers from chemical contaminant-related problems and increase the opportunity for citizens,

watershed organizations, and decision makers to learn about chemical contaminants and their

impacts on the Bay ecosystem. 

To anticipate future changes and activities on the watershed such as population growth,

expanded development, and transportation and ensure that the appropriate voluntary pollution

prevention measures are in place to sustain progress towards eliminating toxic impacts in the

watershed and to ensure that un-impacted areas are protected for future generations.

To accomplish this objective, the signatories commit to:

HOW DO WE SUSTAIN OUR PROGRESS?
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ADOPTION STATEMENT

BY THIS STRATEGY, we rededicate ourselves to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We agree to report regularly on our progress and consider any additional actions necessary.

FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND

FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 

FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY COMMISSION

DATE: December 2000