First Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week June 4-12

Chesapeake Bay Commission members will launch a series of events to highlight the first Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week June 4-12 that will be celebrated in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Commission chairman Sen. “Mac” Middleton who represents Charles County, MaD, and Commission Executive Director Ann Swanson will appear on Maryland Public Television’s public affairs program “Direct Connection” on June 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Del. Tawanna Gaines and Del. Barbara Frush will familiarize members of Prince Georges Kiwanis Club with the role of the Chesapeake Bay Commission while on a boat tour of their local waters led by the Anacostia Watershed Society.

Middleton, Gaines and Frush will head to Southern Maryland later in the week to join Commission member Bernie Fowler at his iconic Patuxent River Wade-In to measure water clarity, an important indicator of Bay health. The 29th annual Wade-In will be held at 1 p.m. on June 12th at Jefferson Patterson Park in St. Leonard, MD.

Commission member Va. State Sen.  Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. will join Shenandoah Valley agriculture leaders on June 8 at 2 p.m. to celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week by showcasing a farm operation taking action to restore the Bay.  The farm recently installed stream fencing along tributaries of Long Meadow under the Commonwealth’s successful livestock stream exclusion program.

In Pennsylvania, Delegation Chairman Rep. Garth Everett appeared on WKOK Newsradio’s “On the Mark” program Friday, June 3 at 8:30 a.m. and Commission member Senator Gene Yaw will be a guest on the same program on Monday, June 6.  Also onJune 6, Delegation Vice Chair Representative Mike Sturla was to hve held a news conference at 10:30 a.m. on the Capitol steps to announce House Bill 2114, a new water use fee to create a dedicated fund for water quality improvements.

To be a part of the first annual Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, events in MD, PA or VA can be found here: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/takeaction/events

Recognizing the rich history, pivotal economic importance, and astounding beauty of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission worked collaboratively in seeking passage of resolutions designating a week-long recognition of the Chesapeake Bay.  Through this designation, the legislatures encourage residents and environmental and educational groups to host events, activities, and educational programs to increase awareness of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to the states, region and United States.