$21 Million Available for Chesapeake Bay Restoration Projects

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Focuses on Water Quality;
Local Governments and Nonprofits Encouraged to Submit Letters by Jan. 19

Terrapin Park Driftwood Sunset by Mark Dignen

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites local governments and nonprofit organizations to apply for funding to help restore the Chesapeake Bay and improve water quality.

Through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, the department plans to allocate and award about $21 million to local projects aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution caused by excess nutrients and sediment.

Governor Larry Hogan has lauded the program and demonstrated his commitment to Chesapeake Bay restoration by becoming the first governor in Maryland history to fully fund the Trust Fund for two consecutive years.

“The Trust Fund focuses on shovel-ready projects that achieve the greatest environmental benefit at the best cost,” Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “The program works with our partners in local governments and nonprofits to maximize benefits, targeting funds geographically, engaging communities and holding everyone accountable to the results.”

The Trust Fund helps the state accelerate bay restoration goals by focusing resources on specifically designed and implemented projects, and has directed over $400 million to over 2,100 projects while supporting 2,200 jobs. It directs critical grant funding to the most cost-effective and efficient water quality improvement projects in the state that result in the highest level of pollution reduction as a return of the state’s investment.

Interested applicants for funding in Fiscal Year 2019 are encouraged to submit letters of intent by Jan. 19, 2018, with full proposals due March 30, 2018. Awards will be announced by July 2018.