mallows bay-potomac river national marine sanctuary Dedication of mallows bay-potomac river national marine sanctuary November 9, 2019 Mallows Bay Park Nanjemoy, Maryland photo: Duke Marine Robotics & Remote Sensing Presented by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries together with the state of Maryland and Charles County, Maryland. allows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary, the first national marine sanctuary designated since 2000, encompasses M18 square miles of waters and submerged lands within the tidal Potomac River, in Maryland state waters. The sanctuary protects nationally-significant maritime cultural heritage resources, including the historic remains of World War I era wooden steamships known as the “Ghost Fleet.” The sanctuary also includes Native American sites, remains of historic fisheries operations, and Revolutionary and Civil War battlescapes. he Ghost Fleet ships were built as part of the country’s engagement in World War I. Although the ships never saw action, their construction at more than 40 shipyards in 17 states reflected the massive national Twartime effort that drove expansion and economic development in many communities. Today, nature has reclaimed the ships, and the overgrown wrecks provide habitat for fish, beaver, and a variety of birds including osprey, bald eagles, and blue heron. photo: Duke Marine Robotics & Remote Sensing Program Presentation of Colors AEGIS Training and Readiness Center Color Guard ProgramNational Anthem Neci Jordan, Charles County, Maryland Welcome Sammy Orlando, Chesapeake Bay Regional Coordinator, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Tribal Blessing Mario Harley, Vice Chair, Piscataway Conoy Tribe Remarks Donald G. Shomette, Historian/Author of “The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay” The Honorable Lawrence J. Hogan, Governor, State of Maryland The Honorable Chris Van Hollen, United States Senate Reuben B. Collins, II, President, Charles County Board of Commissioners Mary Neumayr, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Dedication of Sanctuary Flagpole Neil Jacobs, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observations and Prediction performing the duties of Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., U.S. Navy (ret). Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Deputy NOAA Administrator Closing Remarks Sammy Orlando, Chesapeake Bay Regional Coordinator, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Following the program, explore the sanctuary with our partners: Guided kayak tours with REI Guided nature walks with Maryland Audubon Society (Please visit the Welcome Table to sign up. Space is limited.) Join us in the tent at the following times to learn more about the history of the sanctuary: 11:45 a.m. Dr. Susan Langley, Maryland State Underwater Archaeologist, Maryland Historical Trust 12:15 p.m. Donald G. Shomette, Historian/Author of “The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay” AccokeekCommunity Foundation ChampionsMaryland World War I Centennial Commission CommunityAlexandria Seaport Foundation ChampionsMaryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees Alice Ferguson Foundation Nanjemoy-Potomac Environmental Coalition Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center American Canoe Association National Aquarium Atlantic Kayak Company National Association of Black Scuba Divers Calvert County Maritime Museum National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Charles County Archaeological Society National Trust for Historic Preservation Charles County Chamber of Commerce North Point High School Charles County Historical Society Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club Chesapeake Bay Commission Partnership for the Mallows-Potomac NMS Chesapeake Bay Foundation Piscataway Conoy Tribe Chesapeake Bay Trust Port Tobacco River Conservancy Chesapeake Conservancy Potomac Conservancy Chesapeake Paddlers Association Potomac Riverkeeper Network Citizens Advisory Committee, Preservation Maryland Chesapeake Bay Program Quantico Yacht Club College of Southern Maryland REI Conservancy for Charles County Smarter Growth Alliance for Charles County Council for Maryland Archaeology Sotterley Plantation Diving With a Purpose Southern Maryland Audubon Society Friends of Mallows Bay Southern Maryland Heritage Area Consortium Institute of Maritime History Southern Maryland Paddlers JC Parks Elementary School Southern Maryland Sierra Club Jr. Scientists in the Sea Southern Maryland Waterscape Maryland Historical Society Sport Fisheries and Tidal Fisheries Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society Advisory Commissions Mason Springs Conservancy St. Mary’s College of Maryland Mattawoman Watershed Society Team River Runner Maryland BASS Nation Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs Government Partners CharlesGovernment County Board of Education PartnersU.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Office Charles County Government U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland Congressional Delegation Chesapeake Bay Office Maryland Department of Natural Resources U.S. National Park Service, Maryland Historical Trust, Chesapeake Bay Office Maryland Department of Planning Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.