Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Designation Act

This law officially established the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, creating the first national water trail in the United States. It designates approximately 3,000 miles of waterways across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, following the historic 17th-century voyages of Captain John Smith.

For citizens, this designation protects the historical and natural landscape of the Chesapeake Bay while expanding opportunities for public recreation, such as boating, kayaking, and educational tourism. The law also includes specific protections for private property, ensuring that the federal government cannot acquire land for the trail without the express consent of the owner.