Despite many noteworthy accomplishments by the Chesapeake Bay partners, the Bay remains degraded. This has resulted in continuing threats to aquatic life and human health, and citizens being deprived of the Bays full economic and recreational benefits. Through its reporting responsibilities, EPA could better advise Congress and the Chesapeake Bay community that (a) the Bay program is significantly short of its goals and (b) partners need to make major changes if goals are to be met. Current efforts will not enable partners to meet their goal of restoring the Bay by 2010. Further, new challenges are emerging. Bay partners need to address: uncontrolled land development; limited implementation of agricultural conservation practices; and limited control over air emissions affecting Bay water quality. EPA does not have the resources, tools, or authorities to fully address all of these challenges. Farm policies, local land development decisions, and individual life styles have huge impacts on the amount of pollution being discharged to the Bay. EPA needs to further engage local governments and watershed organizations in efforts to clean up the Bay.

Cover title. "Evaluation report"--Cover. "July 14, 2008"--Cover. Includes bibliographical references. "Report no. 08-P-0199"--Cover.

"Summarized several evaluations conducted by the Office of Inspector General in response to a congressional request. [Authors] evaluated how well the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with its Chesapeake Bay partners in cleaning up the Bay.