Virginia Senators Richard Stuart and Jeremy McPike and Delegate Alex Askew have been appointed to the Chesapeake Bay Commission. They will join Delegate David Bulova, who recently took over as chair of the commission, and Delegate Rob Bloxom, who has served on the commission since 2018.
The commission is a tri-state partnership that seeks to provide coordination and leadership of state legislative and policy actions to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The commission also provides important input to Congress on Bay policy and budget issues.
The Virginia representatives will serve on the commission during a pivotal time, as leaders chart a path forward as they approach a critical deadline for Bay restoration goals in 2025.
Stuart’s district includes parts of the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and Spotsylvania County. McPike’s district includes parts of Prince William and Stafford counties and Askew represents parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
The appointments come several months after the January announcement of Bulova as the commission’s chair. Bulova represents parts of Fairfax County and Fairfax City in the Virginia General Assembly. As a leader on environmental issues, he has worked closely with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) during his tenure. In 2019, CBF named him Virginia Legislator of the Year.
“We are excited to continue our work with these Virginia representatives as we enter this critical stage of Bay restoration,” Chris Moore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director, said in a press release. “The commission’s bipartisan work is key to advancing Bay restoration legislative and budget priorities.
“Their strong track records on the environment in Virginia as well as Bay restoration will help pave the way for innovative and inclusive approaches to ensuring Chesapeake Bay can be preserved for generations. We congratulate Delegate Bulova, Delegate Bloxom, Delegate Askew, Senator Stuart, and Senator McPike on their appointments.”