Press questions focus on accountability and whether 2025 targets should be reset

Annapolis — During a short press question-and-answer period, reporters pressed governors and federal officials about accountability, the possibility of resetting TMDLs and what emphasis on shallow water restoration means for deep‑water work.

Scott Broom, WUSA 9, asked whether the council advocates raising or resetting TMDLs. Governor Glenn Youngkin responded that while some time frames were unrealistic, the goals themselves did not need to change: "I committed early on in our administration that the goals didn't need to be changed. We just need more time to achieve them." He called for a clear plan and sufficient funding.

Governor Moore reiterated that the partnership must work with the Principal Staff Committee to establish achievable, not merely aspirational, goals and to strengthen accountability. "We will work with the new administration to ensure that our collective goal of making sure that we can protect The Bay is ... fulfilled," he said.

Jane Nishida, EPA acting deputy administrator, said measurable outcomes and monitoring are essential: "One of the key elements to the success of the Bay program is having those measurable outcomes and accountability and working very much with the partnership groups that we talked about here." The council did not endorse any immediate changes to TMDL numeric targets in the public session; instead members directed staff to develop monitoring and accountability proposals as part of the Beyond 2025 work.

The press period ended for lack of time, and the council adjourned public questioning after a final online question about shallow‑water preservation.