The Chesapeake WATERS Act reauthorizes and expands the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office to strengthen protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The bill updates the office's structure by requiring a director with expertise in Chesapeake Bay research or management, and establishes new programs focused on coastal observation systems, watershed education and training, and living marine resources management—including oyster restoration, fish populations, and submerged aquatic vegetation. The office will work collaboratively with federal and state agencies, schools, and scientific institutions to monitor water quality, conduct research, and provide education to inspire environmental stewardship among students and teachers. The bill requires NOAA to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing the office's activities and progress, along with action plans for the following two years, though no specific funding amounts are included in this legislative text.
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