Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Releases Annual Report

Partnerships Prove to be Catalyst for Chesapeake Bay Restoration

The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund released its annual report, which details the program’s activities in the state, including the restoration of 653 acres of wetland, 207,900 linear feet of stream, and 1,165 acres of streamside tree buffers.

The Trust Fund, which is administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, invested in the removal of nearly 40 acres of impervious surface and the installation of 14,164 urban trees and 566 stormwater retrofits.

“The Trust Fund is a catalyst for state and local partners to collaboratively focus our limited financial resources on the most effective and efficient projects aimed at enhancing and restoring the Chesapeake Bay,” Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “Utilizing sound science and the latest technologies, the fund leverages community buy-in for local projects that ultimately improve the quality of our state’s most precious natural resource, the Chesapeake Bay.”

Since 2009, this unique financing program has directed $348 million to local governments and nonprofit organizations for more than 2,000 nonpoint source pollution projects that mitigate and reduce harmful nutrient and sediment runoff from entering the bay. Staff work with local partners on stormwater infrastructure improvements and employing the newest technologies to improve water quality.

Governor Larry Hogan has his continued commitment to bay restoration by fully funding the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund at $51.3 million. That investment includes $21.54 million to help local communities meet their nutrient and sediment reduction goals in support of the state’s Watershed Implementation Plan. In addition to competitive state grants, the Trust Fund will target $11.25 million for cover crops and $3.29 million to support staff at the local soil conservation districts.