Funding for Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection and Restoration
The Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, announce $1,117,528 in funding for the Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection and Restoration Grant Program.
This announcement highlights awards made to 6 innovative projects to be implemented across the county designed to improve water quality and treatment, reduce stormwater and sediment runoff, and implement resilient living shorelines.
“The Chesapeake Bay is our region's most treasured natural resource," said County Executive Steuart Pittman. "Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed from pollution is among our county's top priorities, and the many innovative projects funded through this grant program allow us to continue that essential work.”
"It's great to see the County and local organizations working together to help solve local issues," said Erik Michelsen, Watershed Protection and Restoration Program Administrator. "Our grant program has been a great resource when it comes to assisting communities in implementing restoration projects to improve our waterways and we look forward our continued partnership with the Trust to expand and enhance the program.”
In addition to the project at Herrington Harbour North, 5 other awardees announced today will not only implement on-the-ground restoration projects that treat rainwater runoff and improve water quality of local streams and waterways, but will also combine public and private stakeholders.
“Our successful partnership with Anne Arundel County makes it possible to extend support to organizations who see the economic value in being good watershed stewards and collaborate with environmental experts to ensure success,” said Dr. Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
The purpose of the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program is to reduce pollutants through the implementation of watershed restoration practices. Projects in this program accomplish on-the-ground restoration that treat rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces at a cost-effective price and/or demonstrate the accomplishment of another metric that aids the County in meeting local water quality and runoff reduction improvement goals. To be considered for funding, projects had to be planned to occur in Anne Arundel County, and applicants were encouraged to engage at least one partner that represents a stakeholder group based in the county.
The Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection and Restoration Grant Program awardees are:
Arundel Rivers Federation, $378,487 Gravely Community Association - Kings Branch Stream Restoration To address erosion of Flat Creek’s “Gravely Grand Canyon” through the restoration of 3,432 linear feet of stream and the creation and enhancement of existing habitat.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, $298,868 Cape St. Claire Living Shoreline and Marsh Project To implement a resilient marsh and living shoreline project at the mouth of the Magothy River in the Cape St. Claire community.
Arundel Rivers Federation, $192,940 Herrington Harbour North Headcut Stabilization, Wetland Enhancement, & Living Shoreline To stabilize an eroding channel in the Herrington Harbour North marina complex and enhance existing wetlands in a southern portion of the County, a region that has seen less restoration work than other areas of the County.
Chesapeake Rivers Association, $161,544 Circle Drive Outfall Restoration in Winchester on the Severn To correct and stabilize the original Winchester Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance (RSC), to implement a new RSC along Circle Drive, and to treat and remove existing invasive bamboo species from the project area.
Arundel Rivers Federation, $47,331 Beechnut Kennels Bioretention Project To provide water quality treatment of stormwater runoff from an outdoor dog kennel area and associated impervious areas, as well as to demonstrate to other small businesses ways to reduce pollutants entering the local watershed.
Annapolis Roads Property Owners Association, $38,358 Mayapple Watershed Remediation To address stormwater runoff entering and exiting an existing parking area by removing a portion of the impervious parking surface and installing infiltration berms and associated native plantings.
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About the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (WPRP)
The WPRP, a division of the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, is responsible for implementation of the County’s stormwater restoration project strategies that meet mandated federal and state water quality requirements. For more information about the WPRP, click here.
About the Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a nonprofit grant-making organization established by the Maryland General Assembly dedicated to improving the natural resources of the Chesapeake region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. The Trust’s grantees engage hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in projects that have a measurable impact on the waterways and other natural resources of the region. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on a state income tax form, donations from an online boating, fishing, and hunting license system, contributions from individuals and corporations, and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local governments. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for fourteen years: 92 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.
