Cardin Introduces Bay Bill

BERLIN -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chairman of the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, this week introduced legislation to reauthorize the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails program run by the National Park Service. 

Cardin’s bill continues a successful program that helps visitors appreciate the far-reaching role the Chesapeake Bay has had in our region's culture and history while boosting our tourism economy.

“The Chesapeake Bay binds our region together through our culture and history, our economy and our way of life,” said Cardin. “The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network is instrumental to making the entire bay experience accessible, attractive and enjoyable for Marylanders and all Americans.  I am proud to help continue federal support for this important program supporting the natural gateways to the Chesapeake Bay.”

Originally authorized as a pilot program in 1998, the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails program set up a network of Chesapeake Bay-related sites, such as parks, wildlife refuges, and trails. The network has grown to 160 sites in all six states in the Chesapeake Watershed.