Scott, Wittman, Elfreth, Kiggans Celebrate House Passage of Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act

September 14, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act , which was introduced by Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) and Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02). This legislation reauthorizes key programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO). Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. NOAA’s CBO provides a variety of services that advance the restoration of the Bay and support local businesses, schools, and coastal resilience. CBO manages the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System which collects water quality, meteorological, and oceanographic data used by scientists, fisherman and those recreating on the Bay. CBO also oversees the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, a competitive grant program for environmental education projects that connect students throughout the watershed with the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act authorizes the Chesapeake Bay B-WET program for the first time in the program’s history. “The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and a critical resource for the millions of Americans that live within its watershed,” said Congressman Scott . “NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office is essential to ensuring that government, industry, and nonprofits have the technical and scientific information necessary to improve the health of the Bay. This office also oversees the successful Chesapeake B-WET Program that has connected countless students to hands-on, environmental education programming throughout the watershed. Today’s passage of the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act is a major step towards ensuring that this office can continue supporting the restoration of the Bay and connecting future generations with the environment around them.” “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 Congressman 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.” “I am incredibly proud to represent the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, which conducts critical scientific research and programming to restore the health and habitat of the whole Chesapeake Bay watershed. I was thrilled to see my colleagues come together on the House floor today to pass the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act to ensure this office is properly resourced and – for the first time ever – authorize the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program to support hands-on outdoor learning for students,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “If you talk to folks back in Annapolis, they will describe the Bay as ‘transcending politics’ and that it’s ‘like a religion.’ I couldn’t agree more. That is why I will continue to work collaboratively with our partners – Democrat and Republican alike – to ensure the Bay can be enjoyed for generations to come.” “The Chesapeake Bay is vital to the coastal communities, local economies, and natural resources we are fortunate to have in Virginia,” said Congresswoman Kiggans . “The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act ensures NOAA can continue providing the research, restoration support, and educational opportunities needed to keep the Bay healthy and thriving. I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation through the House, and I’ll continue working to see it signed into law.” “NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office is central to the Bay restoration effort, from providing essential water quality monitoring data, to supporting our understanding and management of our fisheries, to fostering a greater appreciation of the Bay through environmental education,” said Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission . “Passing the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act will ensure these critical functions continue and uphold a strong, science-based foundation for the work of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.” “A healthier Chesapeake Bay starts with science, restoration, and education. This legislation does all three by supporting NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office and Bay Watershed Education and Training program,” said Keisha Sedlacek, Senior Policy Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “These programs lead research and restoration work that create cleaner waterways, support fisheries and local economies, and build resiliency to climate change. Education grants allow thousands of kids to learn hands-on outside, building future leaders. We applaud the House and the leadership of Reps. Bobby Scott, Sarah Elfreth, Jen Kiggans, and Rob Wittman for advancing the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act. We urge swift action from the Senate.” “The Choose Clean Water Coalition wholeheartedly endorses the Chesapeake WATERS Act, which reauthorizes NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO),” said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. “Many federal agencies play a critical role in restoring the Chesapeake Bay, and NCBO plays a critical role. They are a leader in restoring the Bay’s oyster population, protecting striped bass and other native species from the onslaught of invasive blue catfish, and helping steward the next generation through outdoor education experiences. It is vital they receive continued support as we enter the next chapter of the Bay restoration effort.” Full text of the bill can be found by CLICKING HERE . ### Issues : Chesapeake Bay