Wittman-Warner Chesapeake Bay Bill ready for President Obama’s signature

The U.S. House of Representatives today, Dec. 10, 2014, passed the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2014, sponsored by Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA), by a vote of 416-0. 

The legislation will increase coordination and transparency within Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, in addition to reducing duplication of federal and state efforts. 

The bill passed the U.S. Senate on December 2, 2014, and is now cleared for the President’s signature.

The Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2014 requires the development of a cross-cut budget to detail the activities of all federal agencies that are involved in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.  Additionally, the legislation would create a Chesapeake Bay Program Independent Evaluator to review and report to Congress on restoration activates in the watershed.  The Chesapeake Bay partnership includes 10 federal agencies, six states and the District of Columbia, over one thousand localities and multiple non-governmental organizations.  To date, the complexity of the participants has resulted in a muddled effort.

“The Chesapeake Bay is one of our nation’s prized historic resources,” Rep. Wittman said.  “While many entities share a commitment to restoring the health of this economic driver for communities and industries across the Commonwealth, we must ensure that federal, state, and local efforts are not working at cross purposes, and that the restoration effort as a whole is coordinated and efficient.  With today’s action, we are one step closer to ensuring that the Chesapeake Bay remains the economic foundation of our region and a national treasure that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Rep. Wittman first introduced the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act in the House of Representatives in 2008.  Versions of the bill have passed the House alone or as part of broader packages in each of the last three sessions of Congress.  Sen. Warner first sponsored the bill in 2011.

“Restoring the Chesapeake Bay will not only preserve a national treasure, but will reap huge economic and environmental benefits to the Commonwealth and the millions of people who live within the Bay’s watershed. This legislation allows us to better manage and coordinate the activities of dozens of state and federal stakeholders to increase accountability and make sure that every dollar spent is making progress towards cleaning up the Bay. I want to thank Congressman Wittman for his tireless efforts over several years to enact this legislation, and I was very pleased to help get it across the finish line,” Senator Warner said.   

In drafting this legislation, Rep. Wittman drew heavily on his 23 years of experience as a shellfish specialist monitoring water quality and environmental health issues in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  In addition to generating billions of dollars in economic activity, the Bay provides tens of thousands of jobs in the commercial seafood and recreational fishing industries.  Since coming to Congress, the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay has been one of Rep. Wittman’s top priorities.