Bay Plates Help Keep Summer Fun On The Water A Reality

With summer in full swing many Virginians are heading to the water. Daily thousands of Virginians visit their special spot on the Chesapeake Bay to beat the summer heat. But each day thousands more retreat to one of the many rivers and streams that eventually flow into the Bay.

Keeping these rivers and the Bay clean is an important part of keeping this summer tradition alive. Virginians can help by buying a Chesapeake Bay license plate. These colorful plates feature a blue crab, oysters and bay grasses and proclaim the owner a "Friend of the Chesapeake."

They offer more than symbolic support. For each plate purchased $15 goes to fund restoration, conservation or environmental education projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With nearly two-thirds of Virginia included in the watershed, many local streams and rivers benefit from these projects.

"In a way the term 'Bay plate' is misleading," said Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources John Paul Woodley Jr. "The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund has made projects possible throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed from the Shenandoah Valley, throughout the state's northern Piedmont, Northern Neck and Tidewater regions. Millions of Virginians reap the benefits of these projects."

Since 1996 nearly $1.7 million has been made available to local governments, not-for-profit groups and state agencies for projects benefiting Chesapeake Bay tributaries as well as the Bay itself. However, the advisory committee that oversees the restoration fund has received nearly $5 million in requests.

"These 'Bay plates' are a fun, colorful and inexpensive way to work to improve water quality in their communities," said Woodley. "We're all concerned about a clean Bay, rivers and streams, and this gives us all a way to get involved."

Virginia's Chesapeake Bay license plates cost $25 annually and can be obtained as part of normal license renewal or new plate purchase through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. They can also be ordered online at www.dmv.state.va.us. More information on the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund can be found online at http://dls.state.va.us/cbrfac.htm.

Posted: 8-16-2000