Eastern Shore native forged regional cleanup partnership, acted to limit shoreline development, save rockfish
Former Maryland Gov. Harry R. Hughes, who launched the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort, died Wednesday at his home on the Eastern Shore. He was 92.
The state’s 57th governor, in office from 1979 to 1987, forged the federal-state partnership that for the last 35 years has labored to reverse the decline of North America’s largest estuary.
Two-term governor made Chesapeake Bay restoration a lasting touchstone of Maryland politics and policy. (1987 photo by Dave Harp)
An Eastern Shore native, Hughes made saving the Bay a lasting touchstone of Maryland politics and policy, taking steps that might seem radical even today. He pushed through a landmark law limiting development along the Bay shore, for one, and braved the ire of watermen and other Shore politicians to impose a moratorium on striped bass, a popular sport and commercial catch, to save it from overfishing.
News of his death drew public tributes from Maryland politicians and environmentalists. Gov. Larry Hogan issued a statement calling him a “Maryland legend” and ordered flags flown at half-staff.