Congresswoman Elaine Luria Convenes First Chesapeake Bay Advisory Board of the 117th Congress
Press Release
Yesterday, Congresswoman Elaine Luria convened her office's Chesapeake Bay Advisory Board to discuss environmental issues critical to Coastal Virginia's economy and way of life. The meeting marked the first of the 117th Congress and its sixth during Congresswoman Luria's tenure.
"In Hampton Roads, addressing environmental and conservation concerns is critical to our way of life and our economic vitality. That's why our Chesapeake Bay Advisory Board provides a constructive venue for assessing solutions at the local, state, and federal level in order to ensure our pristine coastlines are preserved for future generations," said Congresswoman Luria. "In the midst of a public health emergency and economic crisis, it is more important now than ever that Democrats and Republicans work together at the local, state, and federal level to tackle the challenges caused by climate change that threaten communities throughout Coastal Virginia."
During the board's meeting, members reflected upon successes from the past year as well as expressed priorities for 2021. Participants included elected official Delegate Nancy Guy, as well as representatives of federal and local stakeholders and experts including: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Bay Back Restoration Foundation, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Lynnhaven River Now, Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center, the Nature Conservancy, and Virginia Conservation Network.
A focus of this board's quarterly meeting was a discussion of the pandemic's impact on aquaculture and agriculture sectors within Virginia. Throughout the pandemic, Congresswoman Luria advocated for further relief for aquaculture and seafood industries to both Congressional leadership, the USDA, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the Vice Chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.
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