[Music]
- [Narrator] The first national marine sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay region and the first
new designation in the United States in more than 20 years was the result of more than four years
of collaboration among federal, state, local, and community partners.
Designated in September 2019, the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
is a largely undeveloped landscape and waterscape in Charles County known as one of
the most ecologically valuable areas in Maryland. The site has nearly 200 known historic
shipwrecks dating back to the Civil War, as well as archaeological artifacts dating back 12,000 years.
The area is known best for the remains of more than 100 wooden steamships known as the "Ghost Fleet."
These ships, listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
were built as part of America's engagement in World War I.
The shipwrecks and associated underwater structures serve as habitat to populations
of recreational and commercial fisheries, osprey, and several marine species in the bay.
The Ghost Fleet lies in an embayment best accessed by Mallows Bay Park,
which is managed by Charles County and owned by the State of Maryland. Historically, the park
has provided the public with motor boat and soft launch water access, but minimal programming or
interpretation of the shipwrecks or the history of the site. The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration worked with state,
local, and community partners to develop a detailed plan to conserve
and promote the natural, historic, cultural, archaeological,
recreational, educational, and scientific resources of Mallows Bay
through NOAA's sanctuary nomination process.
As a national marine sanctuary, efforts will focus on the protection,
access, and interpretation of the area's maritime cultural features,
including the Ghost Fleet, as well as other vessels
and related maritime infrastructure. The nomination was supported by
organizations and individuals at local, state,
regional, and national levels. Supporters included
elected officials, the Piscataway Conoy Confederacy,
historical societies, businesses, museums, and environmental
recreational, conservation, tourism, and educational groups.
This partnership will create recreational and educational
opportunities, support local tourism, study the ecology
of the area, share the history of the native peoples,
and highlight Maryland's rich maritime history .
Community partners established a steering committee to organize trash
cleanups, school field trips and outreach events
install a water quality monitoring buoy, and develop interpretation materials
such as water and land trail maps, in addition to supporting research and
data collection. Upon its designation, Mallows Bay-Potomac
River National Marine Sanctuary joined a network of 14
sites throughout the United States and its territories.
The Sustainable Growth Commission extends its congratulations to Mallows
Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
for winning a 2020 Sustainable Growth Award
in the Preservation and Conservation category. [Music]
- On behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and the Charles County
Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism, we offer our
collective thanks to the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission
for the Preservation/Conservation Award. In addition, we extend our appreciation
to the Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources, Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio,
Maryland Secretary of Planning, Robert McCord,
the Maryland Historical Trust, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
is the newest addition to a system of 14 marine sanctuaries
and two marine national monuments administered by NOAA.
- Together as a united team, we are extremely proud to be part of preserving
the beauty of Mallows Bay and support the protection of this amazing sanctuary for
future generations to enjoy.
- We are grateful to the vast community of visionaries and partners who
championed the original sanctuary nomination in 2014, and who continue to enable exceptional
programs that benefit its people and protect its precious resources.
While Eileen Minnick and I proudly accept this award,
we are humbled by the dedication and leadership of these community partners.
NOAA is pleased to be working alongside the State of Maryland,
Charles County, Maryland, as co-managers of the sanctuary
to further public appreciation and stewardship aligned with the
Preservation/Conservation Award. Thank you.
- Thank you.