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HR6893119th CongressWALLET

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

Sponsored By: Representative Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

Passed House

Summary

Director-led Chesapeake Bay WATERS program would reorganize NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office to centralize NOAA authority and expand efforts on coastal hazards, education, habitat restoration, and integrated ecosystem science.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for habitat and oyster aquaculture

NOAA would fund work to restore and manage key Bay habitats and species. Grants and technical help would support oysters, blue crabs, marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, striped bass, and menhaden. Fish and shellfish aquaculture would be eligible if it has a valid Federal or State permit. Projects would include activities such as oyster research and restoration, habitat mapping, and programs that build community and habitat resilience. NOAA would be able to use grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

New Bay observing system and buoys

NOAA would build an integrated observing system for the Chesapeake Bay. It would coordinate monitoring with Federal and State agencies in tidal Bay waters. The Office would collect and analyze data and share clear products for managers, scientists, teachers, and the public. It would support the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System and add waypoints and real-time data for the Captain John Smith trail. Buoy data would feed into the national integrated ocean observing network.

Stronger NOAA Bay office and oversight

NOAA would lead Bay work through a strengthened Chesapeake Bay Office. The Office would be run by a Director with Bay expertise. The NOAA Administrator would give the Director needed authority, staff, and the power to sign grants, contracts, leases, and cooperative agreements. Projects the Office funds would have to pass clear peer review to show scientific merit. Every two years, NOAA would send Congress and the Commerce Secretary a report with a two-year action plan for research, monitoring, and data.

More Bay learning for K-12 students

NOAA would start a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program. It would give grants for classroom and distance learning, field experiences, and teacher training. The program would also offer education and career-path internships. It would help school districts build capacity to run high-quality environmental programs. It would focus on students and teachers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and coordinate with other federal agencies.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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