WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today lauded Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (EPA) Lisa Jackson’s announcement that four Maryland localities would receive technical assistance under the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Local Government Green Infrastructure Initiative. The EPA, along with the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Local Government Advisory Committee, will engage local communities to help meet Chesapeake Bay water quality targets.

The grants, ranging from $100,000 to $150,000, will be awarded to Prince Georges County, Cambridge, Havre de Grace and Easton. Each of the localities will use the money to reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering the Bay.

“These grants will provide local communities with real assistance in helping clean up the Chesapeake Bay,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.  “They will help in the development of critical infrastructure that will enable us to protect and restore the Bay.  These grants will assist four Maryland communities to improve stream health and achieve conservation goals.”

“The Chesapeake Bay is part of who we are as Marylanders – our heritage and our culture,” said Senator Mikulski, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Maryland’s communities want to do the right thing by the Bay, but they can’t do it on their own. These federal dollars will help our communities improve their infrastructure and preserve the Bay for generations to come.”

Since its inception in March 2012, NFWF has awarded more than $2.2 million to 37 localities. Below is specific information about the grants that were announced today: 

• Cambridge – $150,000 – The City will integrate green infrastructure and innovative stormwater management into revitalization of two main thoroughfares that intersect with Route 50 and serve as the City’s “main streets”. The Project also will include identification of priority opportunities to implement stormwater retrofits throughout the City.
• Prince George’s County – $150,000 – The County and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission will integrate green infrastructure and habitat restoration priorities into its codes, policies and programs, and develop sustainable financing strategies.
• Havre de Grace – $100,000 – As a centerpiece to the City’s green infrastructure, they will undertake a major initiative to restore an urban stream to its natural function, and reduce sediment pollution to the Susquehanna.
• Easton – $100,000 – The Town will develop tools and strategies to implement a community forestry program. The program will increase the Town’s urban tree canopy, with a focus on stream corridors and converting turf to trees.

The Chesapeake Bay Program regional partnership focuses on improving the health of the Bay though multilateral cooperation. Partners include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative body; and advisory groups of citizens, scientists and local government officials.