Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education,...
To reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.
This bill, known as the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, aims to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The bill seeks to support ongoing efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region to protect and restore the bay's ecosystem. It would provide funding and resources to help with scientific research, education, and restoration projects in the watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay region, including parts of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and other states, would be directly affected by this bill. The reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Office of NOAA will support jobs in scientific research and environmental restoration, as well as educational programs aimed at improving public understanding of bay conservation. The efforts will benefit local communities, industries like fishing and tourism, and the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
As of the last update on September 14, 2026, the bill has passed in the House. It was introduced on December 18, 2025, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and underwent several committee hearings and markups before being reported out of committee on July 15, 2026. The House then debated and passed the bill, as amended, on September 14, 2026.
