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Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its final regulations for designating Mallows Bay a national marine sanctuary--the first new sanctuary to be created in 19 years. Pursuant to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary will go into effect after 45 days of continuous Congressional session, estimated to fall at the end of 2019.

The National Trust joined several local community partners, national conservation organizations, and preservation, recreation, and education advocates who have worked towards this outcome for several years in lauding the designation:

“As one of our nation’s most historically significant marine resources, it is only fitting that the Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay should gain this distinction,” said Paul Edmondson, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Marine sanctuary designation will increase public access to the site and spur greater appreciation of this special place, while preserving what makes it unlike any other place in the country. We commend NOAA for its leadership in recognizing and protecting the centuries of history represented in the waters of Mallows Bay.”

Read the complete press release here.

Each year the Alice Ferguson Foundation organizes water cleanups in the Potomac River Watershed. This spring, one of these cleanup events will be held on April 28^th from 10AM-2PM at Mallows Bay Park in Charles County, Maryland. Participants will have a chance to speak with local historians about the Ghost Fleet and can help with the cleanup on shore or on the water.

More information about this event can be found here.

The Winter 2018 edition of Preservation magazine highlighted the efforts to designate the Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay as the first national marine sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay.