Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation supporting the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, an important and popular program administered by the National Park Service that connects local communities to the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and tributaries through outdoor recreation, educational programming, and interpretation.

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The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2427) would extend congressional authorization for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network program through fiscal year 2025.

Chesapeake Conservancy President & CEO Joel Dunn applauded the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the legislation.

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“Thank you to Congressman Sarbanes and to all the members of the Chesapeake Bay delegation in the House for working to advance and pass the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Reauthorization Act. Our shared efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay are needed now more than ever, but we also need to make sure residents and visitors have a chance to actually get out and explore the incredible natural beauty, culture, and history of the Chesapeake. The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Program and the National Park Service help to provide public access to these resources and in turn, foster a stewardship ethic that we need to protect the Bay now and in the future. By getting people outside, the Gateways Program also supports the Chesapeake region’s booming, multi-billion dollar outdoor recreation economy and creates jobs throughout the watershed.”

The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-03) and co-sponsored by many members of the Chesapeake Bay delegation including Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01), Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD-07), Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04), Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Congressman David Trone (MD-06), Congressman Donald McEachin (VA-04), Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-at large), Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-at large).

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Feature Photo by Amanda Walker