The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Protection Program, passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 1984, requires each local jurisdiction bordering the Bay and its tributaries to develop a program to protect natural resources, shorelines, and water quality. The act calls for restrictions on shoreline development, designation of a buffer area around tidal waters, and development of comprehensive local guidelines to ensure long-term protection of the Bay’s natural assets. A four-mile designated drive through Patuxent River Park and Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary shows the outstanding natural resources of the Bay found on the Patuxent River and highlights the combined efforts of state and local governments to protect the Bay and its tributaries. The route features educational displays, observation towers, and a 1000-foot elevated wooden bridge, and it was developed cooperatively by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, with most funding provided by Program Open Space, a land preservation program of the State of Maryland.