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

# Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act would establish new federal programs focused on training, education, restoration projects, and scientific research in the Chesapeake Bay watershed—one of the largest and most economically important estuaries in the United States. The bill aims to improve water quality and ecosystem health in the bay and surrounding watershed, which spans parts of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and West Virginia. **Who It Affects:** This legislation would primarily affect communities, businesses, and environmental organizations in the Chesapeake Bay region. Fishing industries, farmers, municipalities dependent on the bay for drinking water, and recreation-based businesses would be impacted.

The bill would also support job training and educational opportunities for workers in restoration and environmental fields in these coastal areas. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (HR 6893) remains in committee and has not been voted on by the full House of Representatives. Sponsored by Representative Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), the bill has not yet advanced to a floor vote, meaning it's still in the early legislative process.