Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office, designating it as NOAA's primary representative in the watershed. The bill mandates that the Office's Director possess specific knowledge and experience in Chesapeake Bay research or resource management, and be responsible for its administration and operations. It expands the Office's coordination role to represent NOAA for the Chesapeake Bay Program, focusing on coastal resource stewardship. The legislation broadens the Office's scope to include new areas such as coastal hazards and climate change , education , and integrated ecosystem assessments . It establishes a framework for program activities, requiring peer review for funded projects and consultation with the Chesapeake Executive Council to align with the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. Key new initiatives include an Integrated Coastal Observations system to monitor water quality, deploy new technologies, and disseminate scientific information for resource management, specifically supporting the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program to enhance understanding among students and teachers, provide internships, and offer grants for educational projects. It also creates a Coastal and Living Resources Management and Habitat Program aimed at coordinating the management, protection, and restoration of priority habitats and living resources like oysters, blue crabs, and submerged aquatic vegetation. The Director is granted authority to enter into agreements and utilize resources from other entities, and is required to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing progress and future action plans.