Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) has been elected chairman of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission (CBC) for 2026. In his new role, Yaw plans to lead the commission in developing policies that support the recently updated Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
“With the entire partnership united behind a revised agreement and committed to success, now is the time for bold ideas that deliver healthy streams and a restored Chesapeake Bay,” Yaw said. “I’m proud that Pennsylvania is being recognized as a leader on clean water and a showcase for innovative projects that highlight local benefits. We’ve made tremendous progress and I’m looking forward to scaling up our efforts over the coming year.”
Yaw also chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and was instrumental in creating Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Fund in 2022. This fund, supported by a $50 million annual recurring investment, represents Pennsylvania’s largest effort to address non-point sources of pollution such as agricultural runoff, acid mine drainage, and stormwater.
The Clean Streams Fund led to the creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which enables local conservation districts to work with farmers on practices that reduce sediment and nutrient runoff.
Yaw noted improvements in the Chesapeake Bay’s health report card from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. The Upper Bay, primarily fed by the Susquehanna River, received its highest grade in more than two decades in 2024.
For their roles in establishing the Clean Streams Fund, Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training honored Yaw and fellow commission member Sen. Scott Martin (R-13) with the 2025 Karl Brown Award for Conservation Leadership. In 2023, Yaw received a Clean Water Champion award from the Choose Clean Water Coalition.
“Sen. Yaw has been a strong champion for clean water in Pennsylvania for many years,” said Anna Killius, CBC executive director. “We are excited to have his leadership and experience back as chair this year.”
Yaw has served on the CBC since 2014 and will continue as chair of its Pennsylvania Delegation. He succeeds Maryland State Sen. Sara Love (D-16). The CBC includes legislators from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, along with cabinet secretaries chosen by each governor and citizen members from each state.
The CBC provides policy guidance on restoring the Chesapeake Bay. It advises state legislatures on environmental needs and public concerns related to sustaining resources within the watershed.
Yaw represents communities across several counties including Lycoming and Tioga in Pennsylvania’s 23rd Senatorial District. He leads efforts on environmental issues while supporting housing initiatives and contributes legal expertise to education programs according to his official website. He has also contributed through community service activities such as coaching Little League Baseball and youth soccer [source].
He began serving in the Pennsylvania Senate after his election in November 2008 [source].
