Potomac Conservancy supports the creation of the Chesapeake National Recreation Area
The Bay watershed’s national park status would improve water quality, boost conservation efforts, and promote accessibility
photo by matt rath, chesapeake bay program
Potomac Conservancy is thankful to U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes (both D-Md.) for their leadership in creating the Chesapeake National Recreation Area, a new unit of the National Park System in the Chesapeake watershed!
Last year, as part of a robust multi-agency working group, Potomac Conservancy actively participated in shaping the guiding principles for the creation of the Chesapeake National Recreation Area that would ensure the Chesapeake Bay is recognized for its natural and historic significance.
wetlands in north point, md. photo by timothy pohlhaus via flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Those of us who live and work in this region know that the Chesapeake Bay watershed is a natural wonder fully deserving of national park status.
We strongly support the goals of the new recreation area to recognize the Chesapeake’s national significance, conserve and interpret these resources, expand public access, enhance tourism and local economies, engage watershed communities, promote diversity and equity, improve water quality, and advance the conservation goals of the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.
We endorse the acquisition of land and land-based resources via willing donation, purchase from a willing seller, and/or exchange or transfer from another Federal Agency. We also support the requirements that nothing in the newly introduced Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act would impact or affect commercial or recreational fishing or enlarge or diminish jurisdiction of each state, with respect to fish and wildlife management.
photo by timothy pohlhaus via flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Establishing the CNRA will allow all stories of the watershed, its residents, and its history to be shared with visitors from across the world. The creation of the CNRA will enhance public understanding of the Bay at participating National Park Service sites and partner sites to tell the story of the outstanding, remarkable, and nationally significant resources of the Bay watershed.
We look forward to working with Sen. Van Hollen and Rep. John Sarbanes on the passage of this important bill to establish a new national recreation area in the Chesapeake!