{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-celebrate-senate-passage-of-historic-92-million-reauthorization-of-the-chesapeake-bay-program-and-other-key-watershed-conservation-measures", "Van Hollen, Cardin Celebrate Senate Passage of Historic $92 Million Reauthorization of the Chesapeake Bay Program and Other Key Watershed Conservation Measures", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "vanhollen", "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) celebrated passage this week of America\u2019s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act in the U.S. Senate. The legislation reauthorizes important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and throughout the country. The bipartisan legislation builds on previous efforts to protect and preserve ecosystems from evolving threats such as invasive species and wildlife diseases.\n\n\u201cA healthy Bay is central to the health of our communities and our local economies. That\u2019s why we fought to pass this legislation that includes key investments in protecting and preserving the Bay -- including through the Chesapeake WILD program, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and the Chesapeake Gateways. These resources will strengthen our efforts to improve water quality, restore the Bay, and enhance public access to Maryland\u2019s natural treasures,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cThe America\u2019s Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE) of 2024 is a victory for the Chesapeake Bay. Collaborative conservation has always been at the heart of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort and the ACE Act of 2024 reaffirms the federal government\u2019s role in the stewardship of the Bay and provides the program stability during this dynamic period in the restoration effort,\u201d said Senator Cardin.\n\nThe comprehensive wildlife package includes a provision to reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chesapeake Bay Program at $92 million each fiscal year through fiscal year 2030. The EPA Chesapeake Bay Program is the linchpin of the restoration effort, which coordinates the unique multi-state and federal partnership. Other key reauthorizations include:\n\nThe Chesapeake Watershed Investment for Landscape Defense (WILD) Act which will allow the program authored by Senator Van Hollen and supported by Senator Cardin to continue to serve the region. It provides resources to conserve, steward, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats in addition to advancing related conservation values like public access and community engagement. The legislation authorizes the program at $15 million each year until 2030.\n\nThe Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program. Gateways Network is a system of 200 natural, cultural, historical, and recreational sites, trails, museums, parks, refuges that provide a broad range of entry points or \u201cgateways\u201d to experience the Chesapeake Bay. The program is administered by the National Park Service, which provides $3 million each year for five years\n\nThe National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, known as NFWF. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a core partner of the Chesapeake Bay Program, helping to target federal conservation dollars and match investments with private funds.\n\nIn addition to Cardin and Van Hollen, the ACE Reauthorization Act is co-sponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.)., Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Linsdey Graham (R-S.C.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Angus King (I-Maine), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by Ducks Unlimited, the Congressional Sportsmen\u2019s Foundation, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the National Wildlife Federation, the American Sportfishing Association, the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the National Audubon Society.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-cardin-celebrate-senate-passage-of-historic-92-million-reauthorization-of-the-chesapeake-bay-program-and-other-key-watershed-conservation-measures"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4490911271423101, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}