BALTIMORE, MD—The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation yesterday that would reauthorize several key Chesapeake Bay restoration programs. The bill, known as the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act, passed with a vote of 366-21.

The legislation would extend the ACE Act of 2020 for another five years, through fiscal year 2030. The bill designates $92 million annually for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program, $15 million annually for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) program, and $3 million annually for the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails program. These programs award competitive grants for local projects aimed at restoring the Bay, its tributaries, and essential fish and wildlife habitat. These projects also preserve important cultural, recreational, and historical resources across the six Bay states and the District of Columbia.

The legislation was sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.).

The legislation also includes funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) until fiscal year 2030. Established in 1984 by Congress, the NFWF administers conservation grants nationwide, including two of the Bay Program’s main grant programs and Chesapeake WILD grants.

The Senate previously passed a version of the bill in May that included higher funding levels for the programs. The House version, however, maintains current funding levels for all three programs. Both chambers must now reconcile their differences and agree on a single version of the bill to send to the President’s desk. The Senate bill was co-sponsored by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Federal Director Keisha Sedlacek expressed support for the legislation, stating that the Bay restoration effort faces a critical juncture with the 2025 deadline and a new presidential administration approaching. Sedlacek said that “renewing the ACE Act will ensure the Bay jurisdictions and their federal partners have the resources and authority they need to tackle coming challenges.”

Sedlacek said the “America’s Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act nearing the end of the legislative finish line with such strong bipartisan support” is encouraging. “The 119th Congress is almost over. We urge the House and Senate to quickly reconcile their differences in funding levels and send this important bill to President Biden’s desk.”

The Senate passed a higher-funded version of the bill in May. The House version maintains current funding levels for all three programs. The two chambers must agree on which version to send to the President.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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