With more than 1,650 local governments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, cities, counties, towns and boroughs play a large role in protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.

To help local governments implement programs that improve local communities and local waters, officials from selected Chesapeake Bay Partner Communities are launching a Peer Match program to help other local governments do their part to help the Bay.

“Each local government in the Chesapeake Bay watershed can help take part in the restoration of this national treasure,” said Lititz, Pennsylvania Mayor and Bay Program Local Government Advisory Committee Chair Russell Pettyjohn. “When local governments wisely manage their lands, reduce stormwater runoff and create a stewardship ethic among residents, both the Bay and the local community win.”

Peer Match aims to promote sharing of innovative actions taken by local governments to help protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The program also stimulates new partnerships and actions by local governments that request outside expertise.

As part of the mentoring process, local governments will work together to identify priority areas of assistance and expertise. A one-day mentoring session will focus on a facilitated discussion of specific needs, barriers and recommended actions that the local government can implement to improve the health of its local waters and the Bay. A local site tour of innovative programs will also show how these programs can be put into action.

Communities with similar profiles, such as comparable population and financial resources, will be matched to transfer the most useful information and experiences. All travel expenses are covered by the Bay Program. Mentored communities must complete a brief application to gauge areas of needed assistance.

Visit the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Network webpage for application information.

3/11/2005