Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act Passes as Part of Larger Conservation Package

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria supported passage of the America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (S. 3051), which included the text of her bill, the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1620). This important bill authorizes a total of $455 million in appropriations for the Bay Program through FY2025. The bill text is in Section 109 of S. 3051

“I am pleased the House has passed the America’s Conservation Enhancement Program, which includes my bill to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Program,” said Congresswoman Luria. “The Chesapeake Bay is an irreplaceable economic, environmental, and recreational resource that we must preserve for future generations of Coastal Virginians.”

The Chesapeake Bay Program helps coordinate restoration efforts and distributes grants to states for efforts that restore the Chesapeake Bay. By fully funding the Program, Congress will help states, including Virginia, get the resources they need to clean and preserve this natural treasure. Although Congress has continuously provided funding for the Program, it has not been formally reauthorized in law since 2005.

Since taking office, Congresswoman Luria has maintained her promise to be a strong advocate for the Chesapeake Bay. Congresswoman Luria fought to secure $90.5 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program in the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations package, which passed the House. This builds on her legislative successes from last year, in which she secured $85 million for the program.