Revised Bay Watershed Agreement Could Help Protect Local Tourism Industry

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced recent revisions to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to improve wildlife populations, reduce water pollutants, and restore habitat. With a localized approach, officials hope to protect and sustain economic opportunities including local tourism industries.

According to a recent press release, Maryland representatives joined officials from around the Mid-Atlantic region to put forth a revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that includes firm timelines, required pollution reductions, and ambitious goals for improving the health of the Bay. The announcement highlighted that the economic importance of a healthy Chesapeake Bay underscores the need for this work.

A major focus for Maryland agencies within the revised agreement is on improving shallow waterways, such as streams, coastlines, and rivers that come through counties across the state. The intent is that this localized attention can lead to big improvements in specific waterways that benefit nearby communities and their economic prospects. According to reports, the Bay contributes about $3.2 billion in economic activity and an estimated 55,000 jobs through tourism to Maryland. Additionally, the state’s seafood industry generates about $600 million per year and directly supports 3,300 jobs.

The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Principals’ Staff Committee approved the revised Agreement at its Oct. 28 meeting. The Bay Program’s Executive Council–led by Governor Wes Moore and composed of governors from Bay watershed states–is expected to meet in Maryland in December to formally approve the Agreement.

This effort comes at a time when many local agencies are focusing their own infrastructure plans on sustainability for tourism and economic growth in the context of a changing environment. An upcoming 2025 MACo Winter Conference panel titled, “If You Build It, They Will Come: Infrastructure As a Tourism Strategy,” will host local experts from multiple counties and regions across the state discussing what that future looks like.

MACo’s Winter Conference, “Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next,” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD, on December 10-12, 2025.