Grants available for watershed restoration projects

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Maryland Department of the Environment welcome requests for the Watershed Assistance – Two-Year Milestone Support grant program. This program will support design assistance, watershed planning and programmatic development associated with protection and restoration programs and projects that lead to improved water quality in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Maryland portion of the Youghiogheny watershed, and the Maryland Coastal Bays.

The purpose of this assistance is to promote local engagement in the Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) process by pursuing projects that advance the near term goals of the WIPs. The WIP milestones reflect the near-term commitments of Maryland’s partners in the collaborative effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and our local rivers, lakes and streams. The framework is designed to accelerate nutrient and sediment reductions to benefit local communities and the Chesapeake Bay. Funding will help grantees accomplish the earliest phases of restoration projects, and will assist with programmatic project support.

The Funding partners welcome requests from local government and non-profit applicants seeking to fund projects within counties for which 2014-2015 Two-year Milestone commitments have been provided to the Maryland Department of Environment. For local partners that have not yet submitted milestones to MDE, proposals will be considered if substantive milestone commitments are provided by a local government representative to MDE prior to the application closing date

Award amounts range from $5,001 to $70,000. A match is encouraged but not required.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Sept. 5.

For more information or to apply visit the Chesapeake Bay Trust website. The site also includes examples of restoration projects.