H.R. 6893: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

This bill would reauthorize and update the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Office. In practical terms, it keeps the office operating and changes its structure and responsibilities so it can continue supporting Chesapeake Bay research, restoration, education, and resource management.

Main changes

• It formally sets up the Chesapeake Bay Office to be led by a Director with experience in Chesapeake Bay research or resource management.
• It gives the NOAA Administrator authority to delegate duties and staff to the Director so the office can carry out its work.
• It removes some older statutory language and replaces it with updated program directions.

What the office would do

The bill directs NOAA, through the Chesapeake Bay Office, to carry out programs that support the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Executive Council. The office would work on activities that help protect and restore the Bay’s living resources and habitat.

The bill specifically includes support for:

• Scientific review and quality control for projects receiving funding, including peer review and other checks to make sure projects have scientific merit.
• Coordination with Chesapeake Bay partners so NOAA’s work aligns with the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and related plans.
• Integrated coastal observations, including collaboration with universities, agencies, nonprofits, and others to improve environmental monitoring and data collection in the Bay watershed.
• Weather and ecological forecasting tools, including use of the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System and related monitoring assets.
• Education and training programs for students, teachers, and career pathway internships focused on the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Habitat and living resources work, including restoration and management efforts for oysters, blue crabs, salt marshes, submerged aquatic vegetation, striped bass, menhaden, and other important species.

Education and training program

The bill allows NOAA to create or continue a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program. That program could:

• Expand existing Chesapeake Bay education efforts;
• Improve student and teacher understanding of the Bay ecosystem;
• Provide internships and career pathway opportunities;
• Support teacher training, classroom materials, field experiences, and distance learning;
• Help school districts and partners deliver environmental education.

Habitat and fisheries-related activities

The bill also allows NOAA to set up a Chesapeake Bay coastal living resources management and habitat program. That program could support grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance for:

• Native oyster research and restoration;
• Aquaculture that follows valid federal or state permits;
• Submerged aquatic vegetation restoration;
• Projects that restore and strengthen coastal habitats and communities;
• Habitat mapping and monitoring;
• Research on fish and shellfish important to the Bay’s ecology and economy.

Reporting and agreements

The bill requires NOAA to submit a biennial report to congressional committees and the Secretary of Commerce describing the office’s activities and progress in protecting and restoring Chesapeake Bay resources. Each report would also need to include a two-year action plan with recommended research, monitoring, and data collection activities, plus suggestions for coordinating NOAA work with Chesapeake Bay Program partners.

It also allows NOAA to enter into contracts, leases, grants, and cooperative agreements, and to use federal, state, local, tribal, or other public resources with consent, when needed for Chesapeake Bay work.

Relevant Companies

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