United StatesOrder revokes prior Chesapeake Bay directive and redirects agency resources
This order revokes an earlier Chesapeake Bay directive and tells federal agencies to focus available resources on measurable water-quality projects.
What it does
Executive Order 13508 is revoked. This order does not itself cancel state or local stormwater fees.
Federal agencies must focus available money and staff on Chesapeake Bay projects that directly reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, subject to existing law and funding.
EPA must examine stormwater-fee burdens and explore lower-cost approaches while encouraging states and localities to repeal or rescind those fees.
Argument forFocusing available agency resources on projects with measured pollution reductions could direct more support to cleanup work with trackable results.
Argument againstEncouraging repeal of stormwater fees could reduce local money for water infrastructure because the order provides no replacement funding.
More detail
The President revokes Executive Order 13508. The revoked order concerned Chesapeake Bay protection and restoration by states and municipalities. The order states that the revocation takes effect through its issuance on September 16, 2026.
The Secretaries of War, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Homeland Security, along with EPA's Administrator, must review agency support and prioritize resources for direct cleanup projects. The direction covers federal programs supporting the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, especially projects that reduce nutrient and sediment runoff. Agencies must shift support away from activities that do not show measurable progress toward water-quality goals. Implementation must follow existing law and available appropriations.
EPA must coordinate with watershed jurisdictions on stormwater fees and encourage states and localities to repeal or rescind them. The work covers Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, including fees paid by their residents. EPA must explore approaches that do not increase costs for individual residents. The order encourages repeal but does not require states or localities to end their fees.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Where it stands
- Signed
- Published
History
- 2026
- Sep 21Published in the Federal RegisterPublished
- Sep 16Signed by President Donald TrumpSigned
Environment & EnergyGovernment & EthicsTaxes & Budget