New Legislation Brings Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area One Step Closer to Reality

Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD-03) introduced the bipartisan Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act. If passed, this legislation would establish a new Chesapeake national park site, the Chesapeake National Recreation Area.

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has long supported a Chesapeake National Recreation Area, which would bring land-based areas of the nation’s largest estuary under the protection of the National Park Service. Crucially, this new national park site would expand public access to the Bay’s shores and waters.

This announcement follows years of dedicated advocacy by NPCA and Chesapeake Bay partners, including conservationists, sportfishers, historic preservationists and the watermen who have protected the Bay for many generations. In May 2021, Senator Van Hollen and Representative John Sarbanes formed a Chesapeake working group to explore the designation of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area managed by the National Park Service. Last year, Senator Van Hollen and Rep. Sarbanes announced their intent to file this new legislation.

Statement of Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association:

“There is only one Chesapeake Bay, and everyone deserves a chance to experience its wonders. Working together to create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area would expand public access to the largest estuary in the nation, bring economic growth to nearby communities, and help the National Park Service, native Tribes, and Chesapeake watermen interpret thousands of years of impactful history. Introducing legislation is the next step to make the dream of this park a reality.”

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.5 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit [www.npca.org]