PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 27, 2023
Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act
This bill establishes the Chesapeake National Recreation Area in Maryland and Virginia as a unit of the National Park System (NPS).
The Department of the Interior may acquire land and land-based resources within the recreation area boundaries by (1) donation, (2) purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, (3) exchange, or (4) transfer from another federal agency.
Interior, in consultation with the Chesapeake Executive Council, must prepare a management plan for the recreation area as specified by the bill. Interior must also conduct transportation planning, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and state transportation agencies, to minimize traffic in the surrounding community. Additionally, Interior must establish an advisory board for the recreation area.
Finally, the bill directs NPS's Chesapeake Bay office to administer the Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network in coordination with the recreation area.
People & committees
Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3] · D–MD
Legislative record
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Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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