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Allows the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to join Maryland state management teams for the Whole Watershed Program as an advisory member and to coordinate with state, local, and federal partners. The Office may offer technical assistance and provide financial resources to projects located in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Act also sets a short, official title for the law.
The bill brings more federal technical support, coordination, and funding to Chesapeake Bay restoration—improving water quality and speeding projects—at the trade-off of greater federal influence over priorities, added administrative requirements for local partners, and modest potential taxpayercost
Residents and recreational users in the Chesapeake Bay watershed get more technical help for local restoration projects, improving water quality, habitat, and recreational access.
Communities and municipalities in the watershed gain increased access to federal funding for conservation and infrastructure work, raising the overall pool of resources for restoration projects.
State and local governments can use federal coordination to streamline planning and implementation of restoration projects, reducing duplication and project delays.
Maryland’s Whole Watershed Program and environmental organizations receive an official federal advisory voice that can strengthen technical standards and oversight of statewide restoration efforts.
Local communities and project applicants may see project priorities shift toward activities that meet federal criteria, potentially sidelining locally preferred projects.
Local and state governments and partner organizations could face increased administrative and compliance burdens from added federal advisory involvement and expectations.
Taxpayers could incur modest additional costs if the federal office expands activities beyond current scope to support more coordination or funding.
Designates the Act as the "Maryland Whole Watershed Program Federal Partnership Act."
Designates the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to serve as an advisory member of the State Management Team for the Maryland Whole Watershed Program and any substantially similar State program.
Authorizes the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to coordinate with State and local governments and Federal agencies to carry out its advisory role.
Authorizes the Chesapeake Bay Program Office to provide technical assistance and financial resources for projects carried out in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Defines 'Chesapeake Bay Program Office' as the office established under section 117(b) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1267(b)).
State governments (particularly Maryland) and local governments are the primary institutional actors affected: they can include the Chesapeake Bay Program Office in state management teams and receive coordination and assistance. Project implementers within the Chesapeake Bay watershed—such as municipal stormwater programs, conservation groups, and agricultural operators—may receive technical support and could access financial resources when available. The Chesapeake Bay Program Office gains an explicit advisory role in State-level watershed management, which could increase federal-state coordination. The provision does not create an automatic funding stream; any financial assistance depends on existing authorities or future appropriations, so fiscal impact on federal budgets is uncertain and likely limited unless additional appropriations are provided. No new regulatory obligations or unfunded mandates are imposed on states or localities.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced March 4, 2026 by Sarah Elfreth · Last progress March 4, 2026
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Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House