Congressman Robert Wittman (R-Va. 1) is taking stab at cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, looking to implement techniques used in other states.
Legislation authored by the lawmaker won approval Wednesday from the House Committee on Natural Resources, clearing the way for the bill to be heard in the House.
“As we look for ways to make government more efficient with its resources, this legislation helps aid clean-up of the Chesapeake Bay while bringing accountability to the dollars focused towards restoration,” Wittman said in a press release. “With over 30 years working firsthand on the waters of the Bay, one of my highest priorities is to achieve restoration of this historic body of water.”
Wittman, a shellfish specialist monitoring water quality prior to joining congress, says his plan utilized budgeting techniques and management styles used in Florida’s Everglades and on the Great Lakes.
His plan would also create a partnership with six states and the District of Columbia, as well as create an independent evaluator position to monitor activities in the watershed areas and report back to congress.
An effort to clean up the bay has been underway for more than 25 years.
