U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative John Sarbanes Release Guiding Principles to Create a Chesapeake National Recreation Area

Momentum Continues to Build for National Park Status for the Chesapeake

Annapolis, MD – Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn issued this statement following an announcement by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes releasing key principles developed in collaboration with a working group that will guide their work to create a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA).

“The Chesapeake Bay is unquestionably a national treasure, worthy of federal recognition and resources to enhance the visitor experience, increase public access and celebrate the Bay’s diverse and nationally-significant places and stories. A national park unit dedicated to the Chesapeake Bay is not a new idea but an idea whose time has come. I applaud Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Sarbanes for their diligent and inclusive leadership on this initiative, which is demonstrated by the CNRA Guiding Principles drafted by the congressional working group and released to the public today.”