Gov. Ralph Northam made a road trip to Mathews on Tuesday to announce completion of the largest oyster restoration project in the nation, in the Piankatank and Great Wicomico rivers.

SHERRY HAMILTON / GAZETTE-JOURNALGov. Ralph Northam, left, talks with VMRC Commissioner Steve Bowman during a boat ride out of Queens Creek Marina in Mathews to visit one of the oyster reef restoration sites in the Piankatank River on Tuesday. The governor was in town to celebrate the completion of restoration work in the Piankatank and Great Wicomico rivers.

Speaking at Queens Creek Marina at Hudgins, Northam said it was “great to be back in Mathews” and said he was excited to be able to visit an oyster reef and see first-hand “the great work in the bay.” He spoke of oyster’s importance both in keeping the Chesapeake Bay clean and in providing a delicious source of food.

“Oysters are not only important to our quality of life,” he said, “but to the economy, as well—billions of dollars a year.”

...