U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to reauthorize NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay office and bolster restoration efforts in the bay’s watershed.
“The Chesapeake Bay is the heart of so many Virginia communities, supporting fisherman and local businesses, offering unique educational opportunities to students, and serving as a hotspot for recreation,” U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) said in a release. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation that works to ensure the Bay remains a resource for generations to come.”
Together, Warner, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), and U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland) have introduced the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act. An identical bill has been introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (R-Virginia), U.S. Representative Jennifer Kiggans (R-Virginia), and U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-Maryland).
In addition to reauthorizing the Chesapeake Bay office, the bill would direct NOAA to support work that protects and supports living resources in the bay. It would also establish a competitive grant program to support environmental education projects.
“The Chesapeake Bay plays a critical role in Virginia's economy and seafood industries, and we must take steps to protect the waters and shores of the region,” Kaine said. “The Chesapeake WATERS Act will provide vital training and education for the many stakeholders across our schools, businesses, and nonprofits that want to help preserve and restore the Bay for generations to come.”
The bill has been backed by conservation groups the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Choose Clean Water Coalition.
“All of us who call the Bay home owe a debt of gratitude to NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay office. From cutting-edge climate science, to outdoor education, to leading one of the largest oyster restoration efforts in the world, NOAA is building a stronger future. This bipartisan legislation ensures NOAA can keep doing this vital work. We’re thankful for the leadership of Senator Warner and our other members of Congress around the Bay,” Chesapeake Bay Foundation Senior Policy Director Keisha Sedlacek said in a release.
