Wittman’s WATERS Act Passes House
Monday, September 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) voted in favor of H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act — legislation he co-led with Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03). The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act passed the House and awaits consideration in the United States Senate.
“As a lifelong outdoorsman, vice chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I am proud to have co-led this bipartisan effort to protect the Chesapeake Bay,” said Rep. Wittman. “The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act would ensure that the Chesapeake Bay remains healthy for generations to come — protecting our coastal economies and preserving a national treasure. I will continue to advocate for this legislation as it moves to the Senate.”
Background:
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act strengthens the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) commitment to the Chesapeake Bay and provides NOAA with resources to support ongoing federal, state, and local efforts to restore the Bay, manage fisheries and habitat restoration, and provide environmental education opportunities.
Specifically, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act:
- Reauthorizes the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO), which has been a leading partner in the Bay restoration effort and fishery community. The bill allows NOAA CBO to collaborate with universities, nonprofits and other stakeholders to promote integrated coastal observations, including monitoring and observing restoration activities in the Bay; collecting and analyzing data related to marine resources; and organizing information for use by policymakers, resource managers and the public.
- Directs NOAA to support coordinated management, protection, characterization and restoration of Bay habitats and living resources, as well as the Interpretive Buoy System along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
- Reauthorizes the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, which awards education grants to better connect residents to the Bay and its restoration.
Issues:
Environmental Conservation