By Ann Mills & Nancy Stoner, for the Bay Journal News Service

Right now is a pivotal moment for the unifying environmental issue in our region: the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams.

For more than a decade, federal agencies, the six states in the Bay watershed, the District of Columbia and hundreds of nonprofit organizations have worked collaboratively toward a 2025 deadline to meet goals for a healthier Chesapeake Bay. While we will not fully meet most of those goals by next year, we have made notable progress in reducing pollution to the Bay.

And we can point to some major successes, such as reestablishing the Chesapeake’s historic oyster reefs and upgrading sewage treatment plants throughout the watershed.

But the remaining challenges are daunting, and there’s no clear roadmap yet for the next phase of Chesapeake Bay restoration. Still, there is plenty of reason for hope.

Thanks to the work of President Biden and Congress, an influx of federal funding from legislation like the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, along with increased appropriations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, has the potential to turn the tide and get the restoration on track. It’s vital that federal agencies coordinate to ensure those investments lead to the greatest possible benefits for the nearly 19 million people in the Bay watershed.

Meanwhile, we’re happy to say, EPA administrator Michael Regan has committed to reviving the Chesapeake Bay Federal Leadership Committee, which will convene this fall for the first time since 2015.

To understand the significance of this, consider that the Chesapeake’s restoration touches nearly every other issue facing our region — from climate change to fisheries to development to agriculture and, of course, tourism.

Success requires six states and the district working together in lockstep on initiatives to improve local waterways and communities throughout the watershed. This includes helping farmers adopt conservation practices that boost stream health, planting trees along trout streams, working with communities to increase access to greenspace, upgrading wastewater treatment plants and much more.

Federal investments have mobilized further support with increased funding, capacity and expertise from state agencies, nonprofits, universities and community leaders.

In addition to the EPA, there are numerous federal departments working with Bay watershed states toward meeting Chesapeake Bay restoration goals. They include the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Interior and Transportation — each department playing a critical role in the overall effort.

President Barack Obama created the Federal Leadership Committee in 2009 in through a Chesapeake Bay restoration executive order. The committee guided the restoration effort for six years, culminating in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement among the federal government, six Bay watershed states and the District of Columbia. The agreement set clear goals for Bay restoration with a 2025 deadline.

We were both honored to serve on this team, which played a pivotal role in ensuring broad and consistent federal leadership of the restoration effort. But the committee has not met for nine years, and we think the time is right for its second act.

Successes so far in the Bay’s restoration are largely because of collaboration among many partners toward common goals. This laser focus helps investment and resources make the biggest difference for the Bay. It improves the lives of the watershed’s residents; boosts local economies; ensures safer and cleaner water for people; and protects habitat for fish, birds and other aquatic and terrestrial species.

President Obama’s 2009 executive order was a historic moment that set the modern-day Bay restoration partnership in motion. Echoing President Ronald Reagan’s words from a quarter century earlier, Obama recognized the Chesapeake as “a national treasure” and called on the federal government to lead a renewed effort to restore and protect the Bay and its landscapes, habitats and wildlife. Even in these divisive political times, restoring and protecting the Chesapeake continues to be a bipartisan endeavor.

Now, as we approach 2025, we’ve reached another important moment for the Chesapeake Bay region. Federal leadership is once again key to making the next chapter in the cleanup effort successful.

We applaud the EPA for its recommitment to taking on a leadership role in the Bay restoration effort and ensuring federal agencies and departments use their collective resources, capacity and expertise. As we embark on the next phase of restoration, we need the federal agencies to join forces and set a bold new vision for clean water in the region. With federal investments still coming and the 2025 deadline approaching, it is time to seize the moment and build on current momentum.

Ann Mills is the former U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy undersecretary for Natural Resources & Environment, a former member of the Chesapeake Bay Federal Leadership Committee and current executive director of the Agua Fund. Nancy Stoner is the former acting assistant administrator for water at the EPA, a former member of the Chesapeake Bay Federal Leadership Committee and current president of Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the Bay Journal. This commentary is distributed by the Bay Journal News Service.