Capitol Hill Water Wins
The 118th Congress ended with a mixed record, but the Choose Clean Water Coalition made headway helping secure policies and critical investments supporting clean water throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. This was due in no small part to the effective advocacy efforts of the Coalition's member organizations, and the work of our very strong Chesapeake Bay watershed congressional delegation.
In March, the Coalition hosted our 12th Annual Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill, also known as "Lobby Day." More than 100 Coalition members gathered on Capitol Hill to advocate for robust funding for Chesapeake federal programs as well as for the passage of key legislation to further restoration and protection efforts in the region and nationwide. In a historic first, Coalition members visited with Members and staff in all 49 House and Senate offices representing the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
“As a former marine scientist and a lifelong recreational fisherman, I care deeply about protecting our precious Chesapeake Bay. This past year, I’ve been particularly proud to work with my congressional colleagues and conservation advocates to advance my America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act, which has now been signed into law. I’m grateful to the Choose Clean Water Coalition for their help in securing continued record investment in our nation’s coastal habitats and public waterways, preserving our marine life and water quality in the Bay for future generations to come.”
The Bay and its rivers and streams started out the year with a major win with the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bills maintaining historic high funding levels for several key Chesapeake-specific programs. These include the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program ($92 million); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Chesapeake WILD ($8 million); U.S. Geological Survey's Chesapeake Science and Monitoring ($17.5 million); and the National Park Service's Chesapeake Gateways ($3 million).
One of the last acts of the 118th Congress was passing a key package of conservation programs called America's Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act. This legislation contains eleven key conservation programs, including three specific to the Chesapeake. With its passage, ACE reauthorizes these critical programs through at least 2030. Spearheaded by Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), the bill passed with tremendous bipartisan support, including most of the Chesapeake congressional delegation.
There were a few important pieces of legislation that progressed but did not make it over the finish line. These include the Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA), introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD), to establish a unit of the National Park Service focused on the Chesapeake. Legislation to establish the CNRA passed the Senate but did not receive a vote in the House. Other legislation that didn't receive a vote includes the federal Farm Bill, as well as Chesapeake-specific Farm Bill legislation (Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act) led by Congressman Wittman and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD). We will build on the progress for these bills in 2025 and continue harnessing the collective power of the Coalition's more than 300 member organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to advocate for their ultimate passage.
Header photo: Coalition advocates with Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA).