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Creates a Chesapeake National Recreation Area spanning parts of Maryland and Virginia as a new unit of the National Park System to protect the Bay’s natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources. It gives the Secretary authority to acquire land by donation, purchase from willing sellers, exchange, or interagency transfer (but not by condemnation), requires a management plan and coordination with existing Bay programs, and establishes a temporary advisory commission to help guide planning and public access. Also authorizes permanent “as‑necessary” funding for the Chesapeake Gateways program, allows cooperative agreements with states and nonprofits for interpretation and restoration projects (with public access), and sets rules for maps, boundaries, and limited administrative land acquisitions outside the area for visitor services.
“Advisory Commission” means the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Advisory Commission established under section 9(a).
“Bay” means the Chesapeake Bay, including its tidal tributaries, in Maryland and Virginia.
“Bay Program” means the Chesapeake Bay Program authorized under section 117 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1267).
“Chesapeake Gateways” means the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network authorized under section 502 of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 and referenced at 54 U.S.C. 320101 and Public Law 105–312.
“Map” means the map entitled “Chesapeake National Recreation Area Proposed Boundary,” numbered P99/189631, dated June 2023 (5 pages).
Who is affected and how
State and local governments in Maryland and Virginia: Will be partners in planning and coordination, may donate land or enter cooperative agreements, and will work with the Secretary to reduce park traffic impacts. They retain jurisdiction over fish and wildlife and are protected from forced land acquisition.
Local communities and residents near the designated boundary: Could see increased federal land protection, expanded public access and visitor services, and potential tourism benefits; they may also face local traffic or infrastructure impacts that the Secretary must try to minimize during planning.
Private landowners within the boundary: May be approached for voluntary sale, donation, or partnership; their land cannot be taken by eminent domain under this Act.
National Park Service and federal agencies: Will manage the new unit, absorb administration duties, plan land acquisitions, coordinate with Chesapeake Gateways and other Bay programs, and may accept transfers of federal lands.
Nonprofit organizations and local partners: Eligible to enter cooperative agreements to restore and interpret resources and to help provide public access, potentially receiving federal partnerships and funding opportunities.
Visitors, recreation users, and the tourism industry: May gain new trails, visitor facilities, and interpretation sites (including potential facilities in Annapolis and Fort Monroe), supporting recreation and local economies.
Commercial and recreational fishers and aquaculture operators: The Act expressly does not change federal fishing authority or state fish and wildlife jurisdiction, so existing regulatory regimes remain in place.
Overall effects
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Christopher Van Hollen · Last progress April 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Introduced in Senate