Scott Celebrates $7.4 Million In Federal Funds for Chesapeake Bay Conservation Efforts

NEWPORT NEWS – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), a co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, celebrated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announcing  $7.4 million for  projects supporting conservation efforts throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The funding, which includes more than $4 million for projects in Virginia, was made possible by the Chesapeake Watershed Investments in Landscape Defense (WILD) Act which Congressman Scott introduced in 2019 and was signed into law in 2020.

“The Chesapeake Bay is one of America's greatest treasures and restoring the watershed is vitally important,” said Congressman Scott. “I was proud to see the Chesapeake WILD Act signed into law to fund projects, like these, that will reduce pollution, improve water quality, boost recreation opportunities and improve the long-term health of the Bay.”

The list of funded projects in Virginia includes: 

1. Friends of the Rappahannock (Rappahannock River Watershed): Building Collaborative Capacity for Conservation and Public Access in the Rappahannock River - $60,996
2. Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia (Richmond County): Reacquiring Ancestral Lands on the Rappahannock River to Restore Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats - $750,000
3. Valley Conservation Council, Inc (Shenandoah Valley): Permanently Protecting Wildlife Corridors in the Shenandoah Valley - $749,544
4. James River Association (James River Watershed): Restoring Freshwater Mussel Communities and Riparian Buffers to Enhance the James River Watershed - $748,519
5. Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia (State-Wide): Establishing an Indigenous Conservation Council for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed - $183,000
6. The Elizabeth River Project (Elizabeth River Watershed): Creating a Model for Urban Habitat Restoration within the Elizabeth River Watershed (VA) - $650,000
7. Friends of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (Suffolk, VA): Collaborating with Partners to Conserve and Improve Public Access to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - $582,239
8. Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation (Arlington and Alexandria, VA): Improving Aquatic Recreation Access and Opportunities at Four Mile Run Park - $75,000
9. Northern Virginia Regional Commission (Prince William County): Introducing a Companion Mussel Species to Serve as a Biomarker for Future Brook Floater Survivability - $75,000
10. Criminal Injustice Reform Network (Hampton and Newport News, VA): Piloting an Engagement-Based Approach in Underserved Communities to Protect and Restore Tidal Marshes and Blue Crab Populations - $74,991
11. Smithsonian Institution (Fauquier County): Developing Best Management Practices for Enhanced Landowner Participation in Eastern Box Turtle Conservation - $74,997

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