Hoyer Announces $43,500 Grant for Piney Point Lighthouse

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) announced the award of $43,500 for a project to enhance visitor access to the Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park in St. Mary's County. The funding was awarded through the National Park Service's Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network grant program, which ties together more than 156 museums, state parks, wildlife refuges, Indian reservations, water trails, and other sites in six states and the District of Columbia, to enable visitors to appreciate the far-reaching role the Chesapeake Bay has had in the culture and history of the region.

"As one of the oldest original lighthouses built along the Potomac, the Piney Point Lighthouse is a unique and highly-visited destination point within the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network," stated Congressman Hoyer. "I am pleased to announce the award of these grant funds, which will build on the work we have done over the years to preserve the historical integrity of the lighthouse and enhance the visitor experience at this scenic site."

Specifically, the project will replace a small, deteriorated pier located in the park's north campus in Piney Point Creek and add a 6'x10' floating step down platform to facilitate the launching and retrieval of kayaks in the protected creek off of the Potomac River. The access enhancement will support the continued development of the Potomac River Water Trail and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail on the River.

The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network program allocates matching grants of $5,000 to $50,000 for projects that advance Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network goals. Past Network grants have funded new maps, improved signs, and expanded trails that have helped enhance the public's ability to learn about and enjoy the Bay's natural and cultural resources, and empower citizens to be good stewards of the this great national treasure. Last year, Maryland's Congressional delegation helped to secure $1.65 million for the program. 

Twenty-five of the 156 gateway sites are within Rep. Hoyer's 5^th Congressional District, including the Piney Point Lighthouse, Piscataway Park, Smallwood State Park, St. Clements Island-Potomac River Museum, Historic St. Mary's City, Point Lookout State Park, Calvert Cliffs State Park, Sotterly Plantation and Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.

Recently, Congress passed legislation (H.R. 5540) to permanently authorize funding for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network grant program.  In addition to preserving funding for the Network, Congressman Hoyer and the Maryland delegation have successfully increased the federal commitment to improving the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. In May, Congress approved a Farm bill with $438 million in new Bay conservation funding and last year, passed a Water Resources and Development Act reauthorization that strengthened the ability of the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake Bay oyster restoration, water pollution control and environmental infrastructure projects.

For more information on the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network, visit www.baygateways.net/index.cfm.