The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making $206 million available to community-based organizations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to fund projects that will protect and restore the Bay. The funding is coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and regular EPA appropriations. $96 million will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law while another $110 million will come from regular EPA appropriations.
The EPA is seeking applications for two funding opportunities:
The Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction (INSR) Grant Program will fund projects that use innovative strategies to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in the Bay.
The Small Watershed Grant (SWG) Program will fund projects that protect and restore habitats in the Bay watershed.
Both programs have been successful in making progress towards restoring the Bay. The INSR Grant Program has helped to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution by 22 million pounds of nitrogen, 4 million pounds of phosphorus, and 971,740 tons of sediment. The SWG Program has helped to protect and restore the diverse and vital habitats of Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. The SWG Program has provided more than $109 million to 496 projects that have permanently protected 169,000 acres under conservation easement, restored more than 1,550 miles of riparian habitat and 14,000 acres of wetlands, and engaged more than 125,000 watershed residents in volunteer conservation and restoration efforts.
The EPA is hoping that the new funding will help to accelerate the restoration of Chesapeake Bay. The agency is also committed to directing 40% of the benefits of these investments to disadvantaged communities.
The deadline to apply for funding is mid-September. More information about the funding opportunities is available at "grants.gov."
Photo Credit: pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: New York, General, Government & Policy