The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have settled a lawsuit with a binding agreement to reduce pollution across the largest estuary in America.
According to the settlement, EPA will be required to take specific actions by specified dates to ensure that pollution is reduced to a level whereby it can be removed from the federal "dirty waters list".
According to William Baker, Chesapeake Bay Foundation President, the original notice of intent was filed in October 2008 under the Bush administration. The suit was filed again on January 5, 2009, and negotiations began under the Obama administration. Mr Baker said that while the process has taken longer than they would have liked, they were pleased with the result.
President Barack Obama on May 12, 2009, signed an Executive Order that recognises Chesapeake Bay as a national treasure. He called on the Federal Government to lead a renewed effort to restore and protect the bay.
The EPA has launched detailed strategies to reduce pollutant loads to meet water quality standards and will be implementing pollution controls to achieve targets.