Chesapeake Bay: Trump revokes 2009 restoration framework

President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14428 on September 16, 2026, revoking the 2009 Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration framework established under President Barack Obama. The new order redirects federal water quality funding toward direct restoration projects and shifts the focus toward measurable outcomes in nutrient and sediment reduction.

A primary objective of the order is to address local stormwater management fees, which the administration characterizes as “rain taxes” that impose financial burdens on residents and small businesses. The Environmental Protection Agency has been directed to coordinate with watershed jurisdictions to assess the impact of these fees and encourage their repeal.

The administration cited progress in the region, noting that jurisdictions including Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia have met or neared significant sediment and phosphorus reduction goals. Research cited in the order suggests the Bay’s annual dead zone may rank among the smallest since 1985.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has expressed concern regarding the loss of federal oversight, arguing that federal coordination is essential for managing watersheds that cross state boundaries. The foundation also noted that stormwater systems play a critical role in managing flooding and reducing polluted runoff.