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HR 6893

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

119th Congress Introduced by April McClain Delaney and 6 co-sponsors

Reauthorizes NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office to lead coordinated, science-based efforts for restoration, education, data sharing, and habitat management in the Chesapeake Bay Program.

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-763.
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Bill Summary · HR 6893

Overview

HR 6893, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, seeks to reauthorize NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office and expand its activities. Introduced in the 119th Congress and later amended and reported, the bill emphasizes support for the Chesapeake Bay Program, integrated coastal observations, education and workforce pathways, habitat and living-resource management, and interagency collaboration to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Main purpose and intent

  • Reauthorize and empower NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO) to lead and coordinate federal efforts related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
  • Align Office activities with the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Chesapeake Bay Agreement, and the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council.
  • Expand education, training, science, and restoration initiatives to improve living resources, habitats, and coastal resilience.

Key provisions and changes

  • Reorganization and leadership:

    • The Director of the Chesapeake Bay Office must have knowledge/experience in Chesapeake Bay research or resource management and oversees the Office’s administration and program implementation.
    • Administrative references to the Secretary of Commerce are replaced with the Administrator (NOAA head) for certain duties.
    • The bill reorganizes and streamlines certain NOAA-CHESAPEAKE integration provisions, removing some prior subsections and adding new responsibilities.

  • Program activities (Section 307 amendments):

    • General authority for the Administrator, via the Director, to implement activities for the Chesapeake Bay Program and related coastal stewardship.
    • Establishes a governance-software mechanism to ensure projects funded have peer review and scientific/technical merit.
    • Requires consultation with the Chesapeake Executive Council to ensure alignment with the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and related plans.
    • Supports an Integrated Coastal Observations system for the Chesapeake Bay, including data collection, data products for policymakers, managers, scientists, and the public, and collaboration with federal/state partners.
    • Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System: potential support for the interpretive buoy system, real-time data, and educational uses, including integration with the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

  • Education, training, and workforce development:

    • Creates a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program to expand preexisting education efforts.
    • Grants may be awarded to support education and training projects addressing environmental problems, classroom education, teacher professional development, and capacity-building for school districts.
    • Coordinate education initiatives with other federal agencies.

  • Coastal living resources and habitat:

    • Establishes a Chesapeake Bay Coastal Living Resources Management and Habitat Program to support management, protection, restoration, and characterization of key habitats and living resources (oysters, blue crabs, marshes, SAV, striped bass, etc.).
    • Program activities may include grants, contracts, and technical assistance targeting restoration and sustainable use.

  • Reporting and governance:

    • Biennial reports to key congressional committees and the Secretary of Commerce, including an action plan with research, monitoring, and data needs, and integration recommendations with partner activities.

Who would be affected

  • NOAA and its Chesapeake Bay Office staff and leadership.
  • Federal agencies, state governments, local governments, and organizations participating in the Chesapeake Bay Program.
  • Educators, students, teachers, and universities participating in the education and training program.
  • Stakeholders in living-resource management and habitat restoration, including oyster and crab fisheries, marsh restoration, and water-quality improvement initiatives.
  • Policy makers and resource managers who rely on integrated coastal observations and shared data products.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Bill progression: introduced December 18, 2025; referred to House Natural Resources; considered and amended in 2026; reported with amendments (H. Rept. 119-763); placed on Union Calendar August 20, 2026.
  • Required biennial reporting to Congress; action plans accompany each report.
  • Program activities would be implemented through the NOAA Administrator and the Office Director, with interagency coordination and adherence to the Chesapeake Bay Agreement.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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