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• Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. Partially enclosed by Maryland and Virginia and almost 200 miles long, the Chesapeake Bay outlets into the Atlantic Ocean.

  On May 12, 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order which instructs the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to coordinate the efforts of several federal departments in addition to working with state governments to reduce pollutants flowing into the bay. The executive order also provides the EPA enforcement authority if any of the states miss established goals.Washington Post: Obama Expands Federal Role in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup (May 12, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Largest estuary in the United States
  2. Area: 64,299 square miles
  3. Home to approximately 16.6 million peopleOfficial Site: [Chesapeake Bay History
  4. It is estimated that 170,000 new people move into the Bay watershed each yearOfficial Site: [Chesapeake Bay History
  5. The Chesapeake Bay watershed includes parts of six states, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia as well as the entire District of ColumbiaOfficial Site: [Chesapeake Bay History
  6. Shoreline: 11,000 miles
  7. Approximately 150 major rivers and streams in the Bay watershedOfficial Site: [Chesapeake Bay History

• Bridges and Locations

  The Chesapeake Bay has two crossing points. Virginia Beach and Cape Charles are connected by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge connects eastern and western Maryland.

  The land around the bay was originally settled by the Algonquian tribe and the word "Chesapeake" is derived from the Algonquian phrase for "Great Water."

• Seafood

  Chesapeake Bay has a prominent fishing industry with many species highly specific to this area. Striped bass and oysters are some of the most collected seafoods. Blue crab is a highly coveted dish, especially as the populations have depleted in past decades. Blue crab is available from other areas in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean, though higher prices may be charged for authentic Maryland crab.

• Restoration Categories

  • Reducing Pollution
  • Restoring Habitats
  • Managing Fisheries
  • Managing Fisheries
  • Fostering Stewardship and Education

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Environmental Protection Agency | Barack Obama | Maryland | Virginia | Eastern Shores | Delaware | Pennsylvania | West Virginia | New York State | Chesapeake Bay Bridge

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