The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been a part of the collaborative, multi-jurisdiction Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement since 1984.
NOAA’s recent work on the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement (PDF) is recounted in Biennial Report to Congress Fiscal Years 2021–2022 (PDF). The report contains highlights from FYs 2021 and 2022 (October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021 and October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022, respectively). Topics include fisheries science, oyster restoration, environmental education, and climate, among others.
The report mentions Virginia a number of times, including:
Working with other agencies and organizations, NCBO completed oyster reef construction on the Tred Avon and St. Mary’s Rivers in Maryland and on the Great Wicomico and Piankatank Rivers in Virginia. NOAA and partners planted more than 1 billion juvenile oysters onto Maryland reefs in 2021 and 2022. Partners have now completed oyster restoration work in seven of 10 rivers planned toward the Chesapeake Bay Program’s goal to restore oyster reefs in 10 Chesapeake Bay tributaries by 2025. Reefs restored under this initiative now total more than 1,300 acres – an unprecedented scale globally. Monitoring results show that 99 percent of these reefs are meeting or exceeding established success metrics. These reefs are improving water quality and clarity, enhancing fish habitat, and generating jobs and income for surrounding communities. (emphasis added)
Image by 👀 Mabel Amber, who will one day from Pixabay