Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009

The Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009 (S. 1224) expands the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office to better address modern environmental challenges. The bill directs the office to focus on climate change adaptation, coastal hazards, and the protection of vital regional species such as oysters and blue crabs.

For citizens, this legislation emphasizes hands-on education and public safety by establishing a watershed education and training program for students and teachers. It also supports the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System, which provides real-time data for boaters and explorers along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail while integrating that information into a broader coastal safety and mapping network. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program to fund local projects aimed at restoring habitats and improving the overall health of the bay’s ecosystem.