Corbett Signs Chesapeake Bay Agreement

Gov. Tom Corbett on Monday joined with regional leaders to sign the latest version of the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. 

“This agreement is a sensible way to approach improving both the water quality and the environment of a region that means so much to all of us,” Corbett said. “I applaud the cooperative efforts of all bay watershed entities that have made this historic agreement possible.” 

Mentioned as goals in this latest version of the agreement were sustainable fisheries, vital habitats, water quality, toxic contaminants, healthy watersheds, stewardship, land conservation, public access, environmental literacy and resiliency of the bay ecosystem, the Governor's Office said.

The first Chesapeake Bay Agreement was signed in 1983.

On the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council are the governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland; the mayor of Washington, D.C.; the chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Commission; and the Administrator of the EPA. With this new version of the agreement, the “headwater” states of New York, Delaware and West Virginia were added as signatories, the Governor's Office said.