Maryland has proposed more than $52 million in fiscal year 2013 funding for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. The proposal includes an additional $27.8 million provided by the Capital Budget. The dedicated fund supports projects designed to reduce nonpoint source pollution that reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund was created in 2007 to provide dedicated funding for the most cost efficient Bay restoration practices, targeted to areas where pollution reductions will be most effective.
The Trust Fund is made up of monies generated through motor fuel tax and rental car tax in Maryland. Now in its fourth year, the Fund has targeted a total of $58.15 million to date for projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution: $23.5 million in FY 2012; $22.7 million in FY 2011; $7.3 million in FY 2010; $9.6 million in FY 2009.
Highlights for fiscal year 2013 include:
$2.20 million for Agricultural Technical Assistance, a $1.6 million increase over last year, to create 23 new Soil Conservation District positions (39 in total supported through the Trust Fund) to assist the farming community in implementing best management practices.
$12 million for Cover Crop Implementation to support Maryland’s FY12-13 milestone goal of planting 355,000 acres of cover crops annually.
$8.97 million for Installation of Natural Filters such as riparian buffers and wetlands. Projects have been identified in priority watersheds in the following counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Somerset, Queen Anne’s, Washington and Worcester.
$27.8 million for Local Stormwater Projects to support Statewide initiatives to reduce nonpoint source pollution – 63 local projects have been identified for funding. $27.76 million will be directed to counties, municipalities and watershed organizations to implement stormwater Best Management Practices, and natural filters restoration projects such as wetland restoration.
Jurisdictions identified for funding:
Anne Arundel County 12 Projects $6.34M
Baltimore City 2 Projects $3.03M
Baltimore County 10 Projects $4.85M
Cecil County 1 Project $0.40M
Dorchester County 1 Project $0.10M
Frederick County 1 Project $0.77M
Harford County 1 Project $0.09M
Howard County 6 Projects $2.52M
Kent County 2 Projects $0.80M
Montgomery County 11 Projects $3.92M
Prince George’s Coun ty 6 Projects $3.42M
Queen Anne’s County 9 Projects $1.47M
Talbot County 1 Project $0.07M
The complete FY 2013 Workplan and supporting materials can be viewed at dnr.maryland.gov/ccp/funding/trust_fund.asp
source: MD DNR
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