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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chairs Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Fund Conservation Efforts Across the Bay Watershed

March 5, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force Co-Chairs Reps. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) introduced a slate of bipartisan bills to reauthorize funding for conservation and clean-up efforts throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

“The Chesapeake Bay is an unrivaled natural resource that spurs recreational and economic opportunities for millions of residents across the Watershed region,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “My constituents – many of whom live on the Bay’s shoreline – know firsthand the importance of investing in its long-term health. I’m proud to join with my colleagues Reps. Scott and Wittman today to introduce this bipartisan legislation to reauthorize critical conservation programs that will continue to enable our on-the-ground partners’ ongoing efforts to clean-up the Bay, protect our wildlife and ensure future generations can enjoy this cherished national treasure.” 

“Restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay is vitally important for the millions of people that rely on it for economic and recreational opportunities. I am proud to work with my fellow co-chairs on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Taskforce, Rep. Sarbanes and Rep. Wittman, to introduce these bills. I am particularly proud that this package includes a reauthorization of my Chesapeake WILD Act that I introduced to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats throughout the Bay watershed. These bills will ensure our communities can continue utilizing the Bay while protecting critical habitats and supporting flood mitigation infrastructure,” said Congressman Scott.

"This slate of bipartisan bills is a once-in-a-generation advancement to clean-up, protect, and conserve the Chesapeake Bay, which is integral to our way of life in Virginia’s First District," said Congressman Wittman. "This legislative package is just another example of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force’s commitment to providing additional resources and advancing critical conservation programs the preserve wetlands, reduce pollution, and increase recreational opportunities for generations to come."

Together, this legislative package would extend funding through Fiscal Year 2030 for three effective programs that promote recreation, conservation and clean-up efforts throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, authorizing:

  • $100 million per year for the Chesapeake Bay Program, the successful federal-state partnership that coordinates efforts to reduce pollution in the Bay;
  • $15 million per year for the Chesapeake WILD Grant Program, which helps local entities rehabilitate fish and wildlife habitats through the Bay Watershed; and
  • $6 million per year for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, which supports efforts to improve the condition of habitats and enhance public access to the Bay and its rivers.

These programs were last funded through the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, which became law on October 30, 2020.

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