We must protect the Chesapeake Bay for generations to come

OPINION:

For communities across Virginia’s First District, the Chesapeake Bay is more than just a body of water; it is the backbone of the economy and a way of life. The Bay is a major economic driver, supporting thousands of jobs that families in our region depend on and generating over $1 billion in economic activity. Spanning over 64,000 square miles, the Chesapeake Bay is one of the most vital resources in our nation, but it continues to face challenges.

I grew up in the Chesapeake Bay watershed region and spent countless hours outdoors hunting, fishing and enjoying the natural beauty of my surroundings. Before coming to Congress, I worked as a marine scientist and director of the Division of Shellfish Sanitation at the Virginia Department of Health. I believe we must do everything in our power to responsibly steward America’s environment and vast natural resources

In Congress, I have supported numerous pieces of legislation that aim to preserve and strengthen the Bay’s health. Most recently, I introduced the Advancing Water Research and Collaboration (AWRC) Act, which strengthens the critical partnership between states and the federal government to coordinate, plan, organize and conduct research at public universities across the nation. This piece of legislation also ensures that water research will continue to address evolving challenges and protect the Bay for years to come. Environmental stewardship is not just a responsibility it’s an investment in future generations.

Protecting our waterways and fisheries has long been a priority of mine. My leadership on the bipartisan America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act focused federal resources to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It strengthens conservation programs that improve soil health, reduce runoff and enhance water quality all while helping farmers lower costs and boost productivity. This law signed just last year enhances wetland protections, reduces pollution, increases recreational opportunities in Virginia and promotes public-private partnerships to restore habitats while respecting state and local expertise.

I also introduced the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act this Congress, which works to boost voluntary conservation efforts that help achieve water quality goals, increase soil health and provide economic benefits throughout the region. The bill directs federal funds to the approximately 83,000 farms in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to help create a more robust agriculture workforce throughout the area.

Building on these efforts to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, I’ve also focused on addressing threats within the water itself. For decades, the invasive blue catfish have threatened the Bay’s ecosystem, harming biodiversity and creating economic challenges for the region’s watermen. To address this growing threat, I partnered with Rep. Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., to introduce the Mitigation Action & Watermen Support (MAWS) Act, which recently passed the House with bipartisan support. This legislation creates a new market for blue catfish, reducing their population within the Chesapeake Bay while supporting the seafood industry. The MAWS Act takes meaningful steps to support the environment and local waterfront economies, thus ensuring that the Bay remains an economic engine for the region.

As we put these priorities into action at the local level, it is also essential that we balance conservation with maintaining access to our waterways. Through the Community Project Funding process, I secured federal funding for dredging Winter Harbor in Virginia’s Mathews County, which will restore safe navigation and strengthen the harbor’s waterfront. Investments like these ensure that our coastal communities can continue to thrive while we protect the resources they depend on.

Protecting the Chesapeake Bay is personal to me, and I will continue advocating for policies that ensure our nation’s public waters and lands remain healthy for generations to come: generating economic activity, boosting local economies and ensuring Americans can enjoy the great outdoors.

• Rep. Rob Wittman serves as vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee. Prior to his election in Congress, he spent 26 years working for the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Shellfish Sanitation and as an environmental health specialist for local health departments in Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions.