WASHINGTON, DC – Greek-American Congressman John Sarbanes shared the following update on March on the environmental education and environmental justice efforts for Chesapeake Bay:

The Chesapeake Bay is an amazing natural resource and a national treasure. For years, I have worked alongside advocates and community members to promote environmental literacy and protect the Bay so Marylanders can enjoy it for generations.

Last week, Senator Chris Van Hollen and I welcomed Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, to the Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park for a roundtable discussion about the many ways our region is connecting people to the Bay with an emphasis on environmental education and environmental justice. Our enthusiastic, collective effort to protect the Bay sets a nationwide example for the fight against climate change.

We also discussed a proposal I’m co-leading with Senator Van Hollen to designate a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area as part of the National Park System. It was great to be joined by Bay advocates who shared with Ranking Member Neguse what this proposal will mean in terms of educational, interpretative, stewardship and access opportunities for our state and the entire country.

In addition to protecting the environment, we must strengthen our infrastructure on the front lines of the climate crisis. Yesterday, I joined Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, County Executive Pittman and Mayor Buckley in announcing that $3.46 million from this year’s federal spending bill will support the redevelopment of the Annapolis City Dock, an economic hub, international heritage site and essential community space that has endured increased flooding every year.

This funding will help Annapolis design and engineer flood mitigation and resiliency infrastructure to withstand the effects of rising sea levels.

I will continue to be a voice for the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding community and a strong supporter of robust environmental protections in Congress.

Congressman John Sarbanes

Maryland’s Third Congressional District