HARRISBURG – The state Senate today unanimously approved a resolution designating the week of June 5th through June 11th as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, according to Senator Gene Yaw (R-23).
Senator Yaw, who also serves as a member of the state’s Chesapeake Bay Commission, said the second week of June was selected because it book-ends two long-standing, successful outreach events in the watershed. During the first Saturday in June, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosts “Clean the Bay Day” during which thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves and take direct action to clean their waterways. In Maryland, on the second Sunday in June, Bernie Fowler traditionally holds his annual Patuxent River Wade-In event, attended by hundreds over the past 28 years, from schoolchildren to governors, U.S. Congressmen and Senators.
“The Chesapeake Bay is the largest and most productive bay in the United States,” Yaw said. “Collectively, the Chesapeake’s three largest rivers – the Susquehanna, Potomac and James rivers– provide more than 80 percent of the fresh water to the Bay. With nearly 1,800 local governments in the Bay watershed, including towns, cities, counties and townships, Bay Awareness Week will seek to engage, strengthen and promote environmental stewardship in those local governments, as well as increase Bay awareness throughout our tri-state region,” Yaw added.
Legislators from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia worked collaboratively in seeking passage of resolutions designating the week-long recognition of the Chesapeake Bay. Through this designation, the legislatures also 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.
Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, Senator Yaw has served as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission since 2014.
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