# USFS and States Renew Chesapeake Bay Forest Agreement

The U.S. Forest Service and seven states including Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia have renewed the Chesapeake Bay Shared Stewardship Agreement for an additional five years. This renewal focuses on coordinated forest conservation, restoration, and active management across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, aligned with the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals. The agreement emphasizes support for private landowners and landscape-scale restoration efforts, creating procurement opportunities for contractors specializing in forestry management, ecological restoration, and related environmental services.

- The renewal signals continued federal and state collaboration, with state forestry agencies investing an estimated **$26 million annually** in forest health and sustainability programs.
- Procurement professionals should anticipate solicitations for forest management, restoration projects, and private landowner assistance services across multiple states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- Contractors with expertise in ecological restoration, forest conservation, and land management can leverage this agreement to engage with multi-state initiatives and federal-state partnerships.
- This coordinated approach may influence procurement planning by emphasizing landscape-scale projects and integrated stewardship strategies across jurisdictional boundaries.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Environment
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 17, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS)
- Delaware State Forestry Agency
- Maryland State Forestry Agency
- New York State Forestry Agency
- Pennsylvania State Forestry Agency

### Key Quotes
> State forestry agencies invest an estimated $26 million annually in programs that support the health and sustainability of these lands.
> — Ellen Shultzabarger, Deputy Chief, Shared Stewardship Program

> The agreement outlines a comprehensive strategy to conserve, restore, and actively manage forests across the watershed.
> — Tom Schultz, Forest Service Chief

### Sources
- [States and U.S. Forest Service renew landmark agreement to restore and protect Chesapeake Bay watershed forests | US Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/newsroom/releases/states-and-us-forest-service-renew-landmark-agreement-restore-and) - USDA