The idea of a Chesapeake National Recreation Area has been around for decades. Over the past year, detailed plans have been developed which bring intentionality in planning, conservation, growth, and public access to the Chesapeake Bay, defined as the Chesapeake Bay itself “and any tidal segment of a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay in any State.” With the draft legislation:
- The National Park Service (NPS) will be permitted to acquire or partner with Burtis House, Whitehall Manor, Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse, and the North Beach of Fort Monroe by voluntary sale or donation to serve as the first sites within the CNRA;
- A CNRA Advisory Commission of local stakeholders will be tasked with advising the NPS on the design and implementation of the CNRA management plan and make recommendations for additional partner sites and property to be added to the CNRA;
- NPS may only acquire additional lands or property through voluntary donation, purchase from a willing seller, exchange, or transfer from another agency in consultation with the CNRA Advisory Commission;
- NPS can enter into voluntary "opt-in" partner site and cooperative management agreements with and provide federal funding to state and local governments, tribal governments, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and private landowners that wish to be included in the CNRA, in consultation with the CNRA Advisory Commission;
- The Superintendent of the NPS Chesapeake Bay Office will administer the existing Chesapeake Gateways Program in coordination with the CNRA; and Permanently reauthorize the Chesapeake Gateways Program at $6 million annually.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) are seeking public comment through February 12, 2023 on the proposed legislation and map (overview below). Virginia residents and stakeholders are encouraged to comment.
Writes Virginia Mercury journalist Meghan McIntyre in Lawmakers propose creating Chesapeake National Recreation Area:
The proposal would unite a series of park areas and visitor centers owned and operated by the National Park Service as well as privately owned properties along the Bay on a voluntary basis to deliver more federal resources to the region.
By doing so, the proposal would open up new funding streams and allow the National Park Service to better coordinate planning at different sites in and around the Bay watershed.
Lawmakers hope that could then spur economic growth, bolster conservation efforts and increase public access in the Chesapeake Bay.
The plan has been under development for many years. In 2021, Van Hollen and Sarbanes jumpstarted the proposal and created a diverse working group made up of legislators, industry reps, advocates, and corporate reps. The full list is in Chesapeake National Recreation Area Fact Sheet.
Learn more about this issue on Sen. Chris Van Hollen's website, Chesapeake National Recreation Area.
Read more about this issue:
- Lawmakers propose creating Chesapeake National Recreation Area (Maryland Matters)
- Chesapeake National Recreation Area, after decades in discussion, heads to Congress (Bay Journal)
- Maryland legislators introduce plan to designate Chesapeake Bay a national recreation area (The Hill)
- Energy & Environment — US joins $20B deal to cut Indonesia’s coal reliance (overnights) (The Hill)
- Chesapeake National Recreation Area one step closer as Maryland legislators announce they’ve drafted legislation (The Baltimore Sun)
- Chesapeake Bay could become national recreation area (WaPo)
- Sarbanes, Van Hollen, Members of Working Group Unveil Chesapeake National Recreation Area Draft Plan for Public Input and Review (press release) (Senator Sarbanes)