1. Level of Protection.
Federal and State Rural Development participation will conform with the Maryland Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Act and the rules, strategies and initiatives formed by the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission established by this act. The commission is presently developing criteria for local program preparation and approval.
Local governments will have primary responsibility for developing and implementing a program for the critical area within their boundaries, subject to the review and approval of the committee.
2. Agency Jurisdiction
State of Maryland. Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Commission. Eastern Shore Office, 31-A Creamery Lane, Easton, Maryland 21601, (410) 822-9047 Western Shore Office, 45 Calvert Street 2nd Floor, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, (410) 974-2426. The Western Shore office is open during normal business hours - the Eastern Shore office open irregularly.
3. Location of Resource
Federal and State Local governments will produce maps and programs to be followed. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 162 Prince George Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, is another source of information regarding the bay's environment. Three related organizations are: the Patuxent, the Potomac, and the Susquehanna River Commissions.
Protecting the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Environment
The Mid-Atlantic coast is home to some of the best fishing in the world. In addition, its beaches attract millions of visitors annually. The coast has experienced significant ecological changes over the last 40 years. Mid-Atlantic coastal waters suffer from the effects of the region's dense population and heavy industrial activity. In addition, run-off from the land carries fertilizers pesticides, animal waste, vehicle fluids, and litter into the water. Our ocean beaches, from Delaware south to Virginia, are influenced by drainage from the Hudson River, the Delaware Bay and the Chesapeake Bay. This web site will tell you what the U. S. EPA's Mid-Atlantic office and our state and local governments are doing to monitor and protect these waters and what you can do to help.
The Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO) represents the federal government in the implementation of strategies to meet the restoration goals of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP). The CBP is a unique regional partnership leading and directing restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Our mission is to lead and empower others to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem for future generations.
http://www.epa.gov/region03/chesapeake/
The CBP was formed to provide coordination and support the goals of the historic Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 1983. On June 28, 2000, the Chesapeake Executive Council signed Chesapeake 2000 - a comprehensive and far-reaching Bay agreement that will guide Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their combined efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake 2000 Agreement guides the Bay Program partnership efforts through the year 2010.
For more information, please contact us at:
U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency Region III
Chesapeake Bay Program Office
Mailcode: 3CB00
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215)
814-2200
Fax (215) 814-2201
1-800-YOURBAY
Our main office is located in Annapolis, Maryland.
Chesapeake Bay Program Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 109, Annapolis City Marina, Annapolis, MD 21403, Phone 1-800-YOURBAY