ACA Supports Proposed Mallows Bay - Potomac River (MBPR) National Marine Sanctuary - 2017

On March 27, the ACA sent an action alert to members in Maryland and Virginia.  This alert called on these members to voice their support of the proposed MBPR Sanctuary.

• Letter to State of Virginia (PDF)

ACA Supports Virginia Senate Bill 629 - Freedom to Float - 2014

The ACA believes this bill is a smart approach to allow non-motorized vessels to use non-tidal rivers, streams, and creeks for the purpose of recreation. SB629 allowes paddlers to float on drainage areas of at least seven square miles. These paddlers are not held liable for civil or criminal trespass for travel upon non-tidal rivers, streams, or creeks within this strict drainage area solely for recreation. 

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Supporting Climate Protection on Earth Day - 2013

On May 22, 2013 in Fredericksburg Virginia, where the ACA's National Office is located, Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw helped celebrate Earth Day by signing the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. 

The support for this agreement is significant because more than two-thirds of the American population currently live in cities which are disproportionately affected by global climate change. Over 1,060 mayors across the nation have signed the agreement.

Under the Agreement, mayors of participating cities commit to take following three actions:

• Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies to urban forest restoration projects to public information campaigns.
• Urge their state governments and the federal government to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012.
• Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation which would establish a national emission trading system. The United States Conference of Mayors supported the creation of the federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, providing for the first time, grants to cities, counties and states to fund energy-efficiency projects.

Chesapeake Bay Treasured Landscape Initiative - 2010

The ACA has joined 22 notable other organizations and agencies in calling for the creation of a Chesapeake Bay Treasured Landscape Initiative in response to President Obama's Chesapeake Executive Order 13508.

The main focus of this initiative is to acquire a strong federal commitment and funding for:

• Conserving the Chesapeake's landscapes
• Enhancing public access
• Improving interpretation and public education
• Promotion of citizen stewardship
• Restoration of critical fish & wildlife habitats

The ACA serves on the Access Committee and has a goal of adding 300 access points by 2025.

• EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson Letter (PDF)

Potomac River - White's Ford - Access

The ACA is assisting the Northern Virginia Reginal Parks Authority in the development of a canoe and kayak launch at White's Ford on the Potomac River.

Volunteers Mike Aronoff and Greg Mallet-Prevost are providing valuable input.