Senate unanimously passes Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act

Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun on Dec 18, 2024

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The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act, a bill to give parts of the Chesapeake Bay over to the National Park Service to form a federally recognized recreation area.

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. John Sarbanes, both Democrats, announced the bill’s passage in a news release Wednesday.

“The Bay is a treasure to Maryland and to the entire country. And with today’s passage of our Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act, we’re one step closer to recognizing its importance and the opportunities it holds on the national stage,” said Van Hollen in the release.

“The CNRA will provide greater resources for conversation, increase public access, and support economic opportunity around the Bay. We’ll continue working to get this legislation across the finish line.”

Introduced in 2023, the bill would place some new and existing Chesapeake Bay sites under the umbrella of the National Park Service.

The release says the bill promises additional federal funding for conservation of the bay, as well as historical and cultural preservation. Black and Indigenous histories, the proud tradition of watermen and waterwomen and the bay’s impact on the region’s economy were all specified in the release as areas of focus.

The bill garnered support from a wide array of stakeholders, the release says, including “local elected officials, environmental and historical preservation groups, economic development organizations, racial justice advocates, seafood and outdoor recreation businesses.”

The bill will proceed to the U.S. House next before potentially heading to President Joe Biden’s desk.

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