WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unanimously voted the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act out of committee. This is a critical step forward as it is now set to be considered by the House and Senate.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen first introduced the act in July 2023, alongside cosponsors Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
The act aims to establish a Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). The CNRA would designate a collection of new and existing parks and protected lands along the Chesapeake Bay as part of the National Park System.
The CNRA would also increase public access to the Chesapeake Bay and aims to strengthen the culture of stewardship across the region.
Leaders of organizations that are dedicated to the preservation and resilience of the Chesapeake Bay shared their responses to the unanimous vote, including the Federal Policy Coordinator of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Annabelle Harvey.
"The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure worthy of national recognition. Its natural wonders, unique maritime culture and thousands of years of fascinating history deserve the additional resources, attention, and access a national recreation area designation would bring," Harvey said. "The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is pleased to see the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee acknowledge that by approving Sen. Van Hollen's Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act. We thank the committee for moving this important bill forward and urge congressional leaders to act quickly to complete work on it."
