Citizens Advisory Committee
TO THE CHESAPEAKE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Diverse Voices Unified for the Chesapeake
2005 REPORT TO THE
CHESAPEAKE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 29, 2005
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Chesapeake Bay Program
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CHESAPEAKE DAY

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Citizens Advisory Committee to the Chesapeake Executive Council
2005 Annual Report
(Issued November 29, 2005)
Throughout 2005, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) has continued to sharpen its focus on overall
funding for Bay restoration and progress on the Tributary Strategies, particularly as it relates to Water
Quality. The Committee has engaged with Bay Program staff, technical committees, and numerous
stakeholders on these issues. Based upon this work and internal CAC discussions, CAC is pleased to
offer the following summary report and recommendations to the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive
Council (EC).
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The Chesapeake Bay Program is at a critical juncture today, and the Executive Council has
an opportunity to strengthen its leadership role in establishing priorities and taking further
actions to achieve the goals of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. As citizens we see a
strong desire for improvement in the health of this national treasure, and broad support
for the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement goals. The recent General Accountability Office
evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay Program highlighted areas of important reform. We
urge the Executive Council to embrace the GAO recommendations, specifically in targeting
greater priority effort and funding toward the "Keystone Commitments." We do not
recommend that Bay restoration objectives or strategies be limited to currently available
resources. If we aim merely to do "what we can with what we can identify today", we will
have missed a leadership opportunity to foster creative approaches toward the real
Chesapeake Bay Program objective - restoration of a healthy and productive Bay. We
applaud the actions of the Executive Council in 2005 to encourage additional federal
support for Chesapeake Bay restoration. With the continued challenges facing the
Program as we approach 2010, strong and visible leadership from the Executive Council
will be a key factor in achieving the desired Bay restoration progress.
CAC recognizes the Chesapeake Bay Commission's work on the Farm Bill 2007 Reform
Project as an important focus area for additional Bay restoration support. We encourage
the Executive Council to develop a unified watershed-wide strategy to gain congressional
adoption of greater conservation funding directed toward the Chesapeake Bay region with
the 2007 Farm Bill.
CAC continues to believe a Financing Authority will help leverage available funding and
ensure funds are directed toward the highest priority areas for Bay restoration. We
acknowledge the work completed this past year by the Bay Program's Financing Authority
Committee in response to the Executive Council's Directive. We recommend that the
Executive Council move forward to advance the Chesapeake Bay Finance Authority out of
the conceptual phase and into reality.
CAC views the Tributary Strategies as the most critical element of the Bay restoration
effort. While there has been progress toward completion and initial implementation of the
Strategies, much remains to be done. We encourage further use of the Chesapeake Bay
Commission's report, "Cost-Effective Strategies for the Bay," as guidance on where
available funds should be spent in restoration efforts. We anxiously await further
development of specific, targeted Tributary Strategy implementation plans. We believe the
public deserves action plans with dates and funding for maximum accountability and to
foster ongoing Program support.
The importance of agricultural partnerships to the success of the Tributary Strategies
remains very clear, and CAC commends the Executive Council for strengthening the
agricultural tie during the past year. Including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment as a representative on the
Principals' Staff Committee will continue to improve linkages with the agricultural
community. We continue to encourage broad participation of USDA resources throughout
the Bay Program.

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•	With recent public attention focusing on hurricanes, flooding, and the role of wetlands as
nature's "sponges", we believe the Executive Council has a unique leadership opportunity
to accelerate progress toward wetland protection and highlight the importance of wetlands
to our nation's most productive estuary. We encourage the Executive Council to move
forward in 2006 to establish goals for wetland preservation in alignment with the Tributary
Strategies.
•	CAC is pleased that the Executive Council has continued to support their Scientific and
Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) recommendations regarding additional research on
the C. ariakensis oyster before moving forward with broader introduction of a non-native
oyster in the Chesapeake Bay environment. We continue to believe the recommendations
of the STAC, including completion of a thorough Environmental Impact Study, serve as a
sound and prudent roadmap for success on this difficult policy question.
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POINTS OF RECOMMENDATION
LEADERSHIP
We believe the Executive Council continues to have an opportunity to strengthen its leadership role in
accelerating the pace of Chesapeake Bay restoration. We applaud the direct action by Executive
Council members in Washington during the past year to encourage additional federal support for the
Chesapeake Bay. As citizens we continue to see broad support for the actions outlined in the
Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, along with strong desire for real, measurable improvement in the health of
this national treasure. With the challenges facing the Program as we approach 2010 and numerous C2K
commitment deadlines, along with daunting funding and policy questions, strong and visible leadership
from you, the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, will be a key factor in achieving the desired Bay
restoration progress.
The recent General Accountability Office evaluation of Chesapeake Bay Program effectiveness
highlighted several areas of important reform. We urge the Executive Council to embrace the GAO
recommendations, specifically in targeting greater priority effort and funding toward measurable
progress on the Keystone Commitments. We do not believe however, nor recommend, that Bay
restoration objectives or strategies should be limited to "currently available resources". If we aim
merely to do "what we can with what we can identify today", we will have missed a leadership
opportunity to foster creative and innovative approaches toward the real Chesapeake Bay Program
objective - restoration of a healthy and productive Bay.
FUNDING
The Citizens Advisory Committee acknowledges the challenge of funding the actions needed for Bay
restoration, especially with current budget pressures and competing national priorities. We also
highlight the strong citizen support for a healthy Bay, as well as the importance of a restored Bay
ecosystem to our region's economic health. During the past year each of the Bay Program signatories
has taken steps to broaden financial support for Bay restoration programs - from Pennsylvania's
"Growing Greener II" legislation to Virginia's targeted water quality funding. We encourage each
jurisdiction to take further concerted action to increase funding, including leveraging of federal funding,
to implement the Tributary Strategies.
•	CAC recognizes the Chesapeake Bay Commission's work on the Farm Bill 2007 Reform Project and
associated recommendations. With the continued gap between identified funding and Chesapeake
Bay 2000 Agreement implementation costs we are convinced this is an important focus area. We
encourage each jurisdiction and the Chesapeake Bay Commission to develop a unified watershed-
wide strategy to gain congressional adoption of conservation funding directed toward the
Chesapeake Bay region with the 2007 Farm Bill.
•	In our 2004 report, we encouraged the Executive Council to establish the Chesapeake Bay Financing
Authority as quickly as possible. CAC continues to believe a Financing Authority will help leverage
available funding over the long term and ensure funds are directed toward the highest priority areas
for Bay restoration across the watershed (including the headwater areas). We recognize the work
completed this past year by the Bay Program's Financing Authority Committee in response to the
Executive Council's Directive. We recommend that the Executive Council move forward to
advance the Chesapeake Bay Finance Authority out of the conceptual phase and into reality.
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TRIBUTARY STRATEGIES
CAC views the Tributary Strategies as the most critical element of the Bay restoration effort. While
there has been progress toward completion and initial implementation of the Strategies, much remains to
be done. CAC strongly recommends each jurisdiction tighten priorities and move forward with those
strategies with the largest return on investment. We encourage further use of the Chesapeake Bay
Commission's report, "Cost-Effective Strategies for the Bay," as guidance on where available funds
should be spent in restoration efforts. We anxiously await further development of specific, targeted
Tributary Strategy implementation plans. The public deserves action plans with dates and funding for
maximum accountability and to foster ongoing Program support.
•	CAC acknowledges Virginia's legislative accomplishments during the past year toward Bay
program funding and targeted requirements for point sources of nutrients. We encourage continued
progress toward an effective point source trading program and further implementation of the non-
point source elements of the strategy.
•	CAC commends Pennsylvania for moving forward with establishment of Waste Water Treatment
Plant nutrient limits, development of the PA nutrient trading program, and passage of the Growing
Greener II and ACRE legislation with targeted funding for Bay restoration projects. We look
forward to further progress in the important non-point source area as County Implementation Plans
are completed.
•	CAC recognizes Maryland's passage of Bay Restoration Fund legislation, directing funding toward
the significant point source portion of Maryland's nutrient reduction plans. We look forward to
further detail on Maryland's implementation plans, including the non-point source elements.
•	CAC highlights progress in the District of Columbia with the recent action to create the DC
Department of Environment. We believe this cabinet-level department will provide improved
mechanisms for effective watershed restoration in the District. We look forward to hearing more
about the organizational changes designed to streamline progress and allow for creative approaches
to water quality improvements.
AGRICULTURE
The importance of agricultural partnerships to the success of the Tributary Strategies, especially key
non-point source contribution components, led CAC in 2004 to recommend inclusion of the Secretary of
Agriculture as a member of the Chesapeake Executive Council. CAC commends the Executive Council
for strengthening the agricultural tie during the past year. Including the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment as a representative on the Principals'
Staff Committee will continue to strengthen the important link with the agricultural community. CAC
believes the Bay Program and USDA partnership is particularly important as the Bay watershed looks to
the increased conservation funding opportunities in the 2007 Farm Bill. We continue to encourage
broad participation of USDA resources throughout the Bay program.
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WETLANDS
With recent public attention focusing on hurricanes, flooding, and the role of wetlands as nature's
"sponges", we believe the Executive Council has a unique leadership opportunity today to accelerate
progress toward wetland protection and highlight the importance of wetlands to our nation's most
productive estuary. We encourage the Executive Council to move forward in 2006 to establish goals for
wetland preservation in alignment with the Tributary Strategies.
OYSTERS
CAC is pleased that the Executive Council has continued to support their Scientific and Technical
Advisory Committee (STAC) recommendations regarding additional research on the C. ariakensis
oyster before moving forward with broader introduction of a non-native oyster in the Chesapeake Bay
environment. We continue to believe the recommendations of the STAC, including completion of a
thorough Environmental Impact Study serve as a sound and prudent roadmap for success on this
difficult policy question.
CONCLUSION
The Citizens Advisory Committee would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Chesapeake Bay
Program Office and the jurisdictions for all the hard work that you continue to do. All parties have
responded positively to the Committee's requests for information.
CAC fully supports the Executive Council in moving us forward in allocating the funds to meet our C2K
goals. We offer the enclosed recommendations and our availability to brief the EC members during the
course of the year on the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. We look forward to an active and successful
2006.
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CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC) BACKGROUND
In November 1984 the EC announced the appointment of 25 members to a new Citizens Advisory
Committee. These appointments gave substance to the commitment made by the EC at its initial
meeting, in January 1984, to emphasize citizen involvement in the implementation phase of the
Chesapeake Bay Program.
CAC meets quarterly throughout the Bay Watershed in each signatory jurisdiction. CAC provides
assistance to the EC, Principals' Staff Committee, Implementation Committee and all Bay Program
subcommittees, as needed in implementing Chesapeake Bay agreements. Members communicate with
their constituencies to increase understanding of the agreements and programs to restore and protect the
Bay. The membership is broad-based with representatives from agriculture, academia, business,
conservation, industry, builders and civic groups.
Since 1984, CAC has provided a non-governmental perspective on the Bay cleanup effort and on how
Bay Program policies affect citizens who live and work in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. CAC is
composed of 12 gubernatorial appointments from the States of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania; 4
mayoral appointments from the District of Columbia; and 9 At-Large appointments made by the Board
of Directors of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. This ensures diversity among our membership.
CAC was actively involved in the drafting of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement (C2K). The EC endorsed
this Agreement on June 28, 2000. CAC participated throughout the drafting process, focusing on the
importance of addressing land conservation. CAC has placed a similar priority on monitoring the
progress towards achieving the goals within the C2K, by actively participating in the establishment of
Keystone Commitments and tracking the progress of the Tributary Strategies.
In 2001, CAC invited four young, non-voting, delegates to participate in CAC. Each signatory
jurisdiction is responsible for selecting a young individual to bring a new perspective on Bay issues. The
Delegates contribute to CAC deliberations, as well as periodically complete a specific project of their
own, focused on a Bay priority. CAC believes the Young Delegate program introduces restoration and
protection of the Chesapeake to a generation that will inherit the Bay. The program has been very
successful, and past Young Delegates have gone on to work in a variety of activities contributing to Bay
restoration.
While the membership of CAC has evolved through the years, the message remains consistent: The
Citizens of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are concerned with the health of the Bay and insist that
resources be allocated to meet the goals of the C2K.
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2005 CAC MEMBERSHIP
MARYLAND
Robert J. Etgen: Rob is Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, a regional land
conservancy which has protected over 35,000 acres of Chesapeake Bay landscapes. Rob has been active
in Maryland land preservation since the mid - 1980's and is currently on the Boards of Scenic Maryland
and Maryland Nonprofits where he serves as Public Policy Committee Co-Chair.
Kathleen W. Glaser: Kathleen is a professor at St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Verna Harrison: Verna serves as the Executive Director of the Keith Campbell Foundation in
Annapolis. She retired from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources after serving as Assistant
Secretary for 20 years. Verna serves on the Executive Committee of CAC.
Kathleen L. McHugh: Katie is the Executive Vice President and Legislative Affairs Director for the
MD State Builders Association. She currently handles policy priorities for the building industry in the
legislative and regulatory agencies. She lives in Annapolis where she enjoys sailing and running. Katie
serves on the Executive Committee of CAC.
G.	Steele Phillips: A retired farmer from Dorchester County, Steele has been an at-large appointee since
1991. He is a Supervisor of the Dorchester Soil and Water Conservation District, and on the President's
Advisory Council and a former Trustee of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Steele also sits on the Board
of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance Board. Steele represents
CAC on the Bay Program's Nutrient Subcommittee.
H.	Richard Seibert: Dick is the executive vice president and chief operating office of the Annapolis
Center, a national non-profit educational organization. Dick has also served as the vice president for the
Resources, Environment and Regulation Department of the National Association of Manufacturers; has
worked for the State of Louisiana in the offices of Camp and Barsh. He worked in the Federal Energy
Administration. Dick resides in Annapolis and is an avid sailor.
William S. Shepard: Bill lives in Oxford, Maryland. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of
Maryland in 1990, and was a career Foreign Service Officer from 1964 to 1985. He has served as
National Security Advisor to Senator Robert Dole. He writes on national security topics, and has also
started a series of mystery novels. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and a Fulbright grantee.
There is one gubernatorial Maryland Vacancy.
PENNSYLANIA
Bill Achor: An at-large appointee from Pennsylvania, Bill is the Environmental Coordinator for
Wenger's Feed Mill, Inc., a family owned and operated feed mill with locations in Pennsylvania and
Maryland. Wenger's serves the poultry and swine industry and was the first feed mill in the Mid-
Atlantic to incorporate the use of Phytase in their animal diets. Bill is very active in nutrient and
renewable energy advisory groups throughout the Bay watershed. Bill is a past recipient of the
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Businesses for the Bay Mentor of the Year Award, and currently serves as Chair of the Businesses for
the Bay program and on the Executive Committee of CAC.
John Dawes: John is the administrator for the Western PA Watershed Program. He served as an
alternate Commissioner on Governor Ridge's 21st Century Commission on the Environment and was
part of a policy team for the Heinz Endowments Environmental Program. He currently serves as
President of the Board of POWR - the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. John is
also an Angus breeder on his Huntingdon County farm.
Jim Elliott: Jim serves in an At-Large capacity. He is an attorney with Hunton and Williams in
Washington, DC, specializing in environmental law. Jim serves on the Bay Program's Budget Steering
Committee.
C. Victor Funk: C. Victor Funk is a retired Chief of the NonPoint Source Management Division of the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council
awarded Mr. Funk the "Unsung Hero" award in 1992 for his support to the Bay Program and for
promoting cooperation between agencies.
John (Drew) Hadley, Chair: A resident of Tunkhannock, Drew is the Global Environmental Manager
for the Procter and Gamble Paper Products Company. Previously, Drew was the Site Environmental
Leader for the Procter and Gamble Paper Products plant in Mehoopany, Pennsylvania, and he has been
active in water and air quality issues in PA for the past 20 years. Drew serves as the CAC Chair.
Dr. Patricia Levin: Dr. Levin is a Registered Nurse, Folklorist and Genealogist. Pat is currently an
Adjunct Professor in American Studies at Franklin & Marshall College. An at-large appointment, she is
active in planning and community issues in Lancaster County.
Betsy Quant: Betsy is a family business operator, serving as Office Manager, Accountant, and Chief
On-Site Assistant for Canoe Susquehanna and Ironwood, an electrical, plumbing and heating firm.
VIRGINIA
Nancy L. Alexander: Ms. Alexander is an Assistant Vice President at SunTrust Bank, as a systems
analyst, residing in Chesterfield County. She is a graduate of William & Mary with a BS in Biology. Her
volunteer work with Ducks Unlimited and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation keeps her active in wetland
conservation. She presently sits on the Bay Program's Non-Tidal Workgroup.
Jeff Corbin: Jeff is a chief scientist and deputy director of the Virginia office of the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation
Andrew Protogyrou: Mr. Protogyrou is an attorney and partner in the firm of Protogyrou & Rigney.
He resides in Norfolk.
John E. Tankard III: Ed is Vice-President and Co-Owner of Tankard Nurseries in Exmore. He resides
in Eastville.
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William J. Whitney: Jack has served as an At-Large appointment since 1989. Jack was formerly the
chief environmental planner for Virginia Beach and is now Director of the Virginia Beach Department
of Agriculture. Jack is a past Chair of CAC, and currently serves on CAC's Executive Committee.
There is one gubernatorial Virginia Vacancy.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Carl Cole: Serving as an appointee of the District of Columbia, Carl is a Management Consultant for
small and minority owned businesses. He is the former Director of the Climate Institute.
William Martin, Jr.: Appointed by the District of Columbia, Bill is a retired Patent Agent with the US
Patent Office. He is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. A boat owner, Bill is active
in boating, fishing and golf.
Jack Nelson: Jack is a Program Manager with the Employment Compliance Technical Assistance
Division of the US Department of Agriculture. A District appointment since 1991, Jack is active with
the Highland Beach & Venice Beach Citizens Associations.
John McNeill (Neil) Wilkie, Vice-Chair: An appointment of the District of Columbia, Neil is
Managing Director of the Davidson Capital Group, LLC. Prior positions since retiring as Vice
Chairman of Morgan Guaranty International Bank include serving as Washington Area Managing
Partner of Tatum CFO Partners and CEO of Eurotech, Ltd., a DC based public company involved in
nuclear waste remediation. Neil serves as Vice-Chair of CAC and served as a Vice-Chair of the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Blue Ribbon Finance Panel.
CAC YOUNG DELEGATES
Maryland:	Jeremy Rothwell, Washington College
Virginia:	Lynn Walker, James Madison University
Pennsylvania:	Erika Huyett, Penn State University
District of Columbia: Eric Lind, University of Maryland
CAC is staffed by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
Jessica Blackburn
CAC Coordinator
6600 York Road, Suite 100
Baltimore, MD 21212
Phone: 410-377-6270
Fax: 410-377-7144
E-mail: jblackburn@acb-online.org
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