CBF Appreciates Sarbanes Leadership Moving Bill to Renew Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network

(WASHINGTON, DC)—The House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed legislation spearheaded by Rep. John Sarbanes and supported by 15 bipartisan original co-sponsors to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network through 2025.

The Network is a system of more than 170 parks, wildlife refuges, maritime museums, historic sites, and 1,500 miles of water trails where people can experience and learn about the unique places and stories of the Bay and its rivers. This partnership of linked sites is administered through the National Park Service’s Chesapeake Bay Office.

Last month, the Senate passed a broad conservation package with identical language to renew the Network through 2025, taken from legislation authored by Sen. Ben Cardin.

Jason Rano, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Federal Executive Director, issued the following statement upon passage of the bill:

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation appreciates the leadership of Rep. Sarbanes and his colleagues in securing bipartisan House passage of legislation to reauthorize the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network through 2025.

“By helping people appreciate the natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources of the Bay and its rivers, the Network plays a meaningful role in promoting a broader public commitment to restoring and protecting this national treasure. CBF is grateful to Rep. Sarbanes for the meaningful role he’s playing to ensure its future.”