WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) highlighted $3,423,000 in direct federal investments to improve the health of the Anacostia River, upgrade stormwater infrastructure and mitigate flooding across three communities in Prince George’s County.
“Water is our most valuable commodity and should be clean and safe for everyone. For too many areas in Prince George’s County old, aging infrastructure has caused unsafe drinking water and damaging floods that put communities at risk,” said Senator Cardin. “Prince George’s County municipalities are leading projects to protect our water and communities, and Team Maryland is supporting that effort. This investment will help build on the progress that we’ve made for cleaner, safer water and demonstrates the continued partnership with federal and local governments to support our communities.”
“Protecting water quality and improving flood resilience are critical to the health and safety of our communities. These direct investments will strengthen local stormwater infrastructure in our Port Towns and historic neighborhoods in Prince George’s County to mitigate flooding risks, upgrade local water systems, and safeguard wildlife habitats. We’re excited to see our local partners put these federal funds to work for the good of Marylanders,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“Climate change is real. It impacts communities from Cottage City to Cheverly to Ocean City Maryland and all across our state and world. These community funding projects address water quality and water safety mitigation. I thank Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for their leadership in helping residents in Prince George’s County to have a healthier Anacostia watershed and safer storm drainage controls for homeowners and businesses,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey, (Md-04).
The federal lawmakers secured $225,000 for the Anacostia Water Society’s ongoing work to improve water quality in the Anacostia River and boost the health of its fish and vegetation. Over 2 billion gallons of raw sewage and storm water are dumped directly into the river each year and runs through areas of Washington, D.C., Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. The lawmakers also provided $670,000 for Cottage City, an Anacostia River port town, to support its efforts to address stormwater drainage issues that impact nearly half the town’s families.
“Today marks a momentous occasion for the Town of Bladensburg as we celebrate two significant awards for federally funded appropriations in the Port Towns. This achievement underscores the dedication and hard work of our esteemed United States Senators representing the great state of Maryland. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Senator Ben Cardin and Senator Chris Van Hollen for their tireless efforts in securing federal resources that bolster the vital work and services within our local communities. Their unwavering commitment ensures the Port Towns and our residents continue to thrive and prosper,” said Bladensburg Mayor Takisha James.
The Town of Cheverly received $1,688,000 to upgrade its storm drain systems and develop a flood mitigation plan to prevent damage to homes and businesses in wake of the unprecedented flooding in September of 2020.
“’In the ripple of every drop managed, we sow the seeds of a sustainable tomorrow.’ We appreciate being united in purpose and have such gratitude for the collaborative efforts that strengthen our community,” said Cheverly Mayor Kayce Munyeneh. “A heartfelt thank you to Senator Ben Cardin, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Glenn Ivey and Team Maryland for their unwavering support. We are committed to building a greener, more resilient future for all. The event on April 22, 2024, Earth Day, fortifies Cheverly’s ability to address stormwater management in town, marking a pivotal step towards environmental stewardship and community resilience.”
The City of Bowie received $840,000 to replace the aging lift pump assembly that their current water supply relies on and ensure a safe and reliable water supply for residents.
“We are very grateful to Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for their many and persistent efforts to bring funding to the City of Bowie to make much needed improvements to our aging water plant. They are a great team and are always investing in the lives of their residents. Their hard work does not go unnoticed,” said Bowie Mayor Tim Adams.
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