Program Description
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. The District has been a partner since its inception. Other Bay Program partners include the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, representing the federal government; and participating citizen advisory groups. The DC Department of Health is the DC agency responsible for carrying out program activities related to the Bay.

Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Strategy
In June 2000, Chesapeake Bay Program partners adopted the Chesapeake 2000 agreement, a strategic plan to achieve a vision for the future of the Chesapeake Bay. Under this agreement, the signatories pledged to take the next step in nutrient reduction by establishing revised nutrient goals based on the Bay’s water quality. The original strategy addressed reductions in the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus but did not include a sediment goal. The revised strategy will recognize that the District fulfilled its commitment made in the original 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement to reduce the controllable portion of these nutrients by 40% below 1985 levels and will indicate how it plans to meet its new nitrogen allocation of 2.4 million pounds/year, phosphorus allocation of 0.34 million pounds/ year, and sediment allocation of 0.006 tons/year.

The DC Department of Health with contributions from other District agencies has completed The District of Columbia 2004 Nutrient and Sediment Tributary Strategy*. This report describes a strategy to reduce pollution in the District of Columbia waters as well as the Chesapeake Bay. It also provides a summary of accomplishments and updates on the District’s approach to nutrient and sediment reduction.