Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act would reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chesapeake Bay Office, which supports restoration efforts in the Bay. If enacted, the bill would direct NOAA to manage and restore Bay habitats and living resources, support an Interpretive Buoy System that collects water quality and oceanographic data, and authorize environmental education programs that connect students throughout the watershed with the Bay. The legislation would provide federal resources and funding to help local businesses, nonprofits, schools, and residents participate in coastal resilience and restoration efforts. Currently, the bill is under consideration in the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, with subcommittee hearings held in March 2026. The bill has not yet been voted on by the full House.