ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program have announced over $9 million in grant awards to enhance water quality in Maryland. These grants, part of the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grant (INSR) program, will leverage over $11.8 million in matching contributions, bringing the total conservation impact to over $21 million.
The INSR program, administered by NFWF in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program and EPA, is a key funding mechanism supporting nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reduction activities across the Bay watershed. This initiative is part of NFWF's Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF), a 25-year partnership between NFWF, federal, and private funders. The CBSF provides grant funding, technical assistance, networking, and information-sharing programs to support local conservation and restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
"With 2024 marking 25 years of partnership between NFWF and the EPA in advancing efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed, we're thrilled to celebrate this programmatic milestone with a record annual investment of $25 million in voluntary and community-based projects across the Bay watershed," said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.
Grant Recipients in Maryland
The five awarded grants in Maryland include:
- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay ($2,000,000): This project aims to increase the adoption of riparian buffers and agricultural best management practices on private lands through tailored incentive programs and flexible funding, resulting in 240 acres of restored riparian forest buffers.
- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay ($2,000,000): This funding will expand successful supply-chain-driven corporate partnership models to enhance agricultural conservation practices across Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, impacting 500 acres with high-impact agricultural and manure management practices.
- Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake ($1,860,500): This project will accelerate water quality improvements and green stormwater infrastructure practices in underserved communities, resulting in better stormwater management and nearly 2,000 trees planted across 50 acres of urban, suburban, and developed lands.
- Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association ($1,366,100): This funding will support improved agricultural nutrient management across 20,000 acres in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, utilizing trusted agricultural advisors and established partnerships.
- Sustainable Chesapeake ($1,999,500): This project will expand manure injection and nutrient management practices, impacting 13,600 acres by promoting private investments in new equipment and enhancing outreach and education for nutrient management planners and conservation professionals.
Emphasizing Partnerships and Community Engagement
Since 2018, the INSR program has emphasized robust partnerships and collaborative approaches as critical to effective watershed restoration efforts. The funds will help partners engage farmers, agricultural producers, community-based organizations, homeowners, churches, businesses, and municipalities to improve local water quality and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
"These grants reflect our continuing commitment to protect the Chesapeake Bay and preserve our nation's environmental legacy for future generations," said EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office Director Martha Shimkin. "It is inspiring to be working with so many awardees who have long been committed to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed."
Long-term Benefits and Climate Resilience
In addition to water quality improvements, NFWF and EPA have prioritized investments that accelerate the implementation of natural and nature-based watershed restoration practices. These practices offer long-term water quality benefits, increased habitat for at-risk species, and enhanced climate resilience for human and wildlife communities. The awards support collective goals, including restoring 170 miles of riparian forest buffer, implementing best management practices on 40,000 acres, and reducing annual nitrogen pollution by approximately half a million pounds.
A complete list of the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants recipients is available here.
Since its inception in 2006, the INSR Program has provided over $200 million to more than 250 projects, reducing 36 million pounds of nitrogen, nine million pounds of phosphorus, and nearly 800,000 tons of sediment across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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