Yaw Elected Chairman of Tri-State Chesapeake Bay Commission

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) has been elected to chair the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC) for 2026. In reclaiming the gavel, Yaw said he intends to lead the Commission in driving innovative policies that will support the newly revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

"With the entire partnership united behind a revised agreement and committed to success, now is the time for bold ideas that deliver healthy streams and a restored Chesapeake Bay," Yaw said. "I'm proud that Pennsylvania is being recognized as a leader on clean water and a showcase for innovative projects that highlight local benefits. We've made tremendous progress and I'm looking forward to scaling up our efforts over the coming year."

Yaw serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and spearheaded Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Fund in 2022. The landmark fund, now backed by a historic $50 million annual recurring investment, is Pennsylvania's largest-ever commitment to address non-point sources of pollution like runoff from agriculture, acid mine drainage and stormwater.

Its establishment coincided with creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which has become one of the most successful initiatives of its kind. ACAP empowers local conservation districts to work directly with farmers, sharing costs for practices that reduce sediment and nutrient runoff.

Yaw said progress is reflected in the Chesapeake Bay's health report card from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The Upper Bay, which is fed primarily by the Susquehanna, earned its best grade in over 20 years in 2024 and continues to score higher than most other areas of the Bay.

For their leadership in establishing the Clean Streams Fund, Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training recognized Yaw and fellow Commission Member Sen. Scott Martin (R-13) as joint recipients of the 2025 Karl Brown Award for Conservation Leadership. In 2023, Yaw received a Clean Water Champion award from the Choose Clean Water Coalition.

"Sen. Yaw has been a strong champion for clean water in Pennsylvania for many years," said Anna Killius, CBC executive director. "We are excited to have his leadership and experience back as chair this year."

A member of the CBC since 2014, Yaw will also remain chair of the Commission's Pennsylvania Delegation. He now takes over leadership from Maryland State Sen. Sara Love (D-16). Yaw will lead the 21-member Commission, including senators and House members from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, along with a cabinet secretary selected by each governor and a prominent citizen member from each state.

The CBC is a policy leader in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. As a tri-state legislative body that advises the legislative branch of state government, its mission is to identify critical environmental needs, evaluate public concerns and ensure state and federal actions to sustain the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Commission works directly with the state general assemblies and the U.S. Congress and serves as the legislative voice within the Chesapeake Bay Program.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Yaw's website at https://www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and X @SenatorGeneYaw.

CONTACT:

717-787-3280