Bill · S. 971· Senate(119-S-971)
Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/11/2025
- Last activity
- 3/11/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 establishes the Chesapeake Bay States Partnership Initiative to help producers implement conservation activities. This initiative focuses on improving water quality, restoring resources, and increasing agricultural resilience to climate change. The bill amends various laws to expand conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. It also introduces a turnkey pilot program for establishing forested riparian buffers. Additionally, the act provides for workforce development through grants and expands direct hire authority for the NRCS. Finally, it adjusts regulatory oversight for certain wild-caught invasive catfish.
Yes· 3 of 15
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill specifically targets water quality improvement and habitat restoration in the Chesapeake Bay.
Would farmers be better off under this?+7
The bill provides direct assistance, technical resources, and new incentive payments for agricultural producers.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
It invests in rural workforce development and agricultural resilience in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Assistance for Producers: The Secretary will establish an initiative to help producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed implement conservation activities to improve water quality and increase agricultural resilience (Section 2(b)).
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Habitat Restoration: Funds will be used to assist producers in enhancing land and water resources through erosion control and habitat restoration (Section 2(c)).
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Streamlined Conservation Agreements: The bill allows for updates to existing agreements without full renegotiation, which can include new incentives like riparian forest buffer management payments (Section 3(a)(3)).
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Technical Assistance via Pilot Program: A new turnkey pilot program allows for the establishment and management of practices like forested riparian buffers using third-party technical service providers (Section 4(2)).
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Educational Opportunities: The act expands grants and fellowships to include junior colleges, community colleges, and postsecondary vocational institutions, specifically for paid work-based learning (Section 5(a)).
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Workforce Support: Funding is provided for teaching enhancement projects that address the need for trained professionals in food, agricultural sciences, and rural development (Section 5(a)(1)).
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Efficient Hiring: The NRCS is granted direct hire authority to quickly appoint qualified candidates for technical assistance positions (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Pilot Program Participants: Owners or operators participating in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Turnkey Pilot Program are prohibited from receiving any cost-share, practice incentive, or management payments under that specific subchapter (Section 4(4)(B)).
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Access Requirements: Those participating in the turnkey pilot program must provide access to their land for the establishment or management of eligible practices (Section 4(4)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+7Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Students+4Good For Young Adults+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Rural Development+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+5Improves Public Land Management+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 3/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia