The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is applying adaptive-management approaches to improve both the operation of the program and meeting restoration goals of the Chesapeake Action Plan. The CBP is adopting an adaptive-management system to improve the strategic and operational activities of the CBP partnership. Ecologically-based adaptive-management principles, based on the Department of Interior Technical Guide are being used in COAST to address restoration and protection of the ecosystem. The relation between the CBP adaptive-management system to improve operations and the COAST components is shown below.

A goal of ecosystem-based adaptive management is to have a science-based, structured decision process to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, and adapt management actions as more is learned about the effects of management actions and environmental conditions on the ecosystem. There are limited funds to improve the condition of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Therefore, the COAST adaptive-management framework for water quality addresses the CBP partner needs to:

• Focus on different sources of nutrients and sediment (agriculture, suburban/urban lands, and waste-water discharge)
• Identify geographic areas where management actions should be enhanced to address these sources.
• Prioritize what management actions should be enhanced and accelerated based on maximum ecological and cost benefit.

Learn More:

• U.S. Department of Interior Adaptive Management
• CBP Adaptive Management Model