National Park Service Recognition for the Chesapeake Bay One Step Closer

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Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted unanimously to advance the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (S.2620) out of committee.

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If passed into law, the CNRA would create a network of landmarks along the Chesapeake Bay and unite new and existing National Park Service sites and trails, as well as partner parks. The key goals of this initiative are to increase sustainable public access to the Bay so a more diverse range of visitors can enjoy it, preserve its natural ecosystems and tell the untold stories of Indigenous peoples, free and enslaved Blacks and others with historical connections to the Bay.

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“Thanks to Senator Van Hollen’s leadership, this is a great day for the Chesapeake Bay, with another step forward in the four-decade effort to establish National Park Service recognition for the nation’s largest estuary. The Chesapeake Bay is as spectacular as Yellowstone or Yosemite, as great as the Great Smokies and as grand as the Grand Tetons,” said Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn.

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“Establishing the Chesapeake National Recreation Area expands resources for environmental protection and makes it clear that the United States cherishes the Chesapeake, the birthplace of American identity. As a great gift to future generations, this legislation ensures public access to our nation’s largest estuary while providing for the needs of those who live here and depend on the Bay for their livelihood,” continued Dunn.

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“Chesapeake Conservancy is deeply grateful to the TeraWulf Charitable Foundation, a private, philanthropic organization focused on funding and participating in social health, environmental and sustainability programs, for their significant financial commitment of $1.25 million that helped the Chesapeake Conservancy and its partners advocate for the establishment of the Chesapeake National Recreation Area, which is one step closer to reality,” continued Dunn.

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“The TeraWulf Charitable Foundation is proud to have supported the effort to elevate the national significance of the Chesapeake Bay and thrilled to see that this legislation has cleared a key Senate Committee,” said Paul Prager with the Easton-based TeraWulf Charitable Foundation. “The Foundation made its inaugural financial commitment to support this significant ecological, cultural and economic initiative for the Bay and looks forward to its continued progress towards full enactment.”

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Feature Photo by David Sites

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