H.R. 6893: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act
Sponsor
Robert Scott
Democrat · VA-3
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Mar 26, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Why it matters
Introduced on 2025-12-18, this bill would sharpen NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay role at a time when climate risks, habitat loss, and workforce needs are all rising across the watershed.
The bill also gives the office practical tools. The Director may enter into contracts, leases, grants, and cooperative agreements, and may use land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities from U.S. departments, agencies, States, local governments, Indian Tribes, and political subdivisions, with consent and with or without reimbursement. Every 2 years, the office would have to report to Congress and the Secretary of Commerce with an action plan for the next 2-year period, including recommended research and monitoring activities and ideas for integrating NOAA’s work with Chesapeake Bay Program partners.
What does H.R. 6893 do?
Biennial reports every 2 years
The Director must submit a report every 2 years to Congress and the Secretary of Commerce. Each report has to include an action plan for the following 2-year period, including recommended research and monitoring activities and recommendations for integrating NOAA activities with Chesapeake Bay Program partners.
Director must have Chesapeake Bay expertise
The office is headed by a Director who must have knowledge and experience in research or resource management efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration must also delegate to that Director the authority and staff necessary to carry out the office’s duties.
Peer review required for all funded projects
The Director must establish a transparent mechanism to ensure all funded projects undergo peer review and have acceptable scientific or technical merit. That requirement applies across the office’s funded work and is meant to raise the quality and credibility of NOAA-backed Chesapeake Bay projects.
Education program targets students and teachers
The Director may establish a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program focused on elementary and secondary students and teachers. The program must continue or expand existing efforts, improve understanding of the ecosystem, provide career pathway internships, and meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
Restoration program names 5 priority species
The bill allows the Director to establish a coastal and living resources management program that supports priority habitats and species, specifically oysters, blue crabs, submerged aquatic vegetation, striped bass, and menhaden. Naming those 5 resources gives clearer direction about what NOAA can prioritize in Chesapeake Bay restoration and management.
Office scope expands to climate and observation systems
The office’s work would explicitly include coastal hazards and climate change, education, and integrated ecosystem assessments. The Director may also support an integrated observation system consistent with the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, including the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System that provides real-time data and supports the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
Who benefits from H.R. 6893?
Elementary and secondary students and teachers
They could gain expanded watershed education programs specifically aimed at elementary and secondary students and teachers, along with improved understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and more direct access to training opportunities.
Young people seeking environmental careers
The bill specifically authorizes career pathway internships through the Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program, which could create clearer entry points into science, restoration, and resource management work.
Researchers and academic institutions
Academic entities could work with NOAA on integrated observation systems and other Bay science efforts. The bill also requires a transparent peer-review mechanism for all funded projects, which may help serious research institutions compete on scientific merit.
Commercial and recreational fishing-related communities
Communities tied to oysters, blue crabs, striped bass, and menhaden could benefit if NOAA expands management and restoration efforts for those specifically named species, along with submerged aquatic vegetation that supports Bay habitat.
Who is affected by H.R. 6893?
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office staff and leadership
The office would have clearer duties, a stronger identity as NOAA’s primary representative in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and new operational requirements like peer review for all funded projects and reports every 2 years.
NOAA Administrator
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would be required to delegate authority and staff to the Director, making NOAA headquarters directly responsible for empowering the office to carry out the bill.
State, local, Tribal, and federal partner agencies
These partners could see deeper coordination because the Director may use their land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities with consent and with or without reimbursement, and the 2-year action plans must include recommendations for integrating NOAA work with Chesapeake Bay Program partners.
Trail users and waterway visitors
People using the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail could benefit from real-time data supported through the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System, which the bill authorizes the Director to support as part of a broader observation network.
H.R. 6893 Common Questions
Which species would NOAA prioritize in Chesapeake Bay restoration under the WATERS Act?
Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), NOAA could prioritize oysters, blue crabs, submerged aquatic vegetation, striped bass, and menhaden in its coastal and living resources program.
Can the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office give grants to schools and teachers?
Yes. Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), the Director may award grants for classroom education, distance learning, watershed experiences, teacher professional development, and school district capacity building.
How often would the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office have to report to Congress?
According to HR 6893 SEC. 3, the Office must submit a report every 2 years to Congress and the Secretary of Commerce, including a 2-year action plan.
Does the WATERS Act require peer review for all NOAA-funded Chesapeake Bay projects?
Yes. Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), the Director must create a transparent mechanism to ensure all funded projects undergo peer review and have acceptable scientific or technical merit.
Can the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office support the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System?
Yes. Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), the Office may support the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System for real-time data, trail waypoints, and integration into the Integrated Ocean Observing System.
What qualifications would the Director of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office need?
According to HR 6893 SEC. 3, the Director must have knowledge and experience in Chesapeake Bay research or resource management efforts.
Can the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office use land or personnel from states or tribes?
Yes. Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), the Director may use land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities from federal agencies, states, local governments, and Indian Tribes with consent, with or without reimbursement.
Does the WATERS Act let NOAA enter contracts and cooperative agreements for Chesapeake Bay work?
Yes. According to HR 6893 SEC. 3, the Director may enter into contracts, leases, grants, and cooperative agreements to carry out the Office's work.
What climate and hazard work would the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office handle under HR 6893?
Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), the Office's scope would expressly include coastal hazards, climate change, education, and integrated ecosystem assessments.
Can students get Chesapeake Bay career pathway internships under the WATERS Act?
Yes. Under the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act (SEC. 3), the watershed education and training program may provide career pathway internships for elementary and secondary students and teachers.
Based on H.R. 6893 bill text
HR6893 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Mar 26, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
House: Committee Action
Mar 19, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
House: Committee Action
Dec 18, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
About the Sponsor
Robert Scott
Democrat, Virginia's 3rd congressional district · 33 years in Congress
Committees: Education and Workforce, the Budget
View full profile →
Cosponsors (6)
This bill has 6 cosponsors: 4 Democrats, 2 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 3 states: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia.
Committee Sponsors
Natural Resources Committee
3 of 43 committee members cosponsored
18 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 6893 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Natural Resources
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Environmental Protection
- Introduced
- Dec 18, 2025
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 26, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with text, actions, sponsors, and status for the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act.
Official NOAA IOOS site relevant because the bill ties Chesapeake Bay observations to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act and regional observing networks.
Official National Park Service page relevant because the bill links buoy-system support to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
H.R. 6893 Bill Text
“To reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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