Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce Advancement of the Proposed Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary Designation

WASHINGTON- Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senator Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (both D-MD) in releasing the following statement today after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the release of a proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on the designation of the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary:

"Today, NOAA announced a proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We are encouraged that the nomination process continues to move forward, and we look forward to hearing from business and community leaders during public meetings in the coming months. We will be working with NOAA to make sure the public fully understands the need for and impact on the ground of this designation and has their questions addressed."

Mallows Bay was nominated in September 2014 for the designation with wide community support. NOAA will take written public comment on this proposal from January 9, 2017 until March 31, 2017, and will hold public meetings to collect comments and provide further information on March 7 inLa Plata, Maryland and on March 9in Arnold, Maryland.

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