The Chesapeake Bay Program is a multi-governmental, interstate, cooperative partnership that includes the states of Virginia; Pennsylvania; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representing the federal government. The EPA works locally through its Chesapeake Bay Program located in Annapolis, MD. The top executive from each Bay program participant -- the governors of each state, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the EPA administrator, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission chairman -- make up the Chesapeake Executive Council, which has been directing the Bay restoration since 1983.

Representatives from each of the jurisdictions, along with officials from other federal agencies, local governments, and citizen representatives, meet regularly to carry out the policies set by the Chesapeake Executive Council.

DEQ, specifically, works with other state agencies, local governments, and citizens through its Chesapeake Bay Program in the following general areas: nutrient point source reduction, toxic substance reduction, and a monitoring program.