In December, Prince George’s County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announced funding for new projects to support stormwater restoration efforts throughout Prince George’s County. In total, $1,050,000 was awarded through 13 projects.
The Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program sought proposals in two specifics areas:
water quality projects that achieve nutrient and/or sediment reduction (funding from $20,000 – $200,000 was available for each project);
and engagement projects that aim to involve residents in efforts to improve local watersheds ($5,000 – $50,000 was available per project).
The projects include on-the-ground efforts such as rain gardens, bioretention practices, and impervious pavement removal as well as outreach campaigns related to green workforce development and stormwater management. Non-profit organizations, community associations, civic groups, and faith-based organizations were encouraged to apply, as well as municipalities, higher educational institutions, and public agencies.
The collaborative Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program was created earlier this year to encourage on-the-ground restoration activities that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution and community education activities that engage Prince George’s County neighborhoods, faith-based organizations, non-profits, and residents in the restoration and protection of local rivers, streams, parks, and other natural resources.
2014 Stormwater Stewardship Grants include:
1. Alice Ferguson Foundation, $23,836: This grant funds the development of a clean water educational course for citizens who are interested in obtaining stormwater management jobs.
2. City of District Heights, $34,862: This grant will support the design and installation of a highly visible rain garden to allow the area to better handle stormwater runoff while promoting green infrastructure.
3. Town of Landover Hills, $126,578: Funding through this project will install rain gardens, a bioretention swale, and permeable pavers as a centerpiece in a community park.
4. The Low Impact Development Center, Inc., $55,895: This project will provide a highly visible demonstration area for the seven stormwater practices promoted by Prince George’s County’s Rain Check Rebate Program.
5. Town of Forest Heights, $49,794: This grant will train a team of high school students to water, weed and mulch 500 street trees as well as educate homeowners about the benefits of trees on their own properties.
6. Anacostia Watershed Society, $48,000: This grant will educate and train residents in watershed protection issues and empower them to design and implement projects that prevent stormwater runoff and engage additional community members.
7. City of College Park, $66,180: This project will treat stormwater flowing from roadways and demonstrate the use of bioretention, tree planting, and tree boxes for improved stormwater management.
8. City of Greenbelt, $187,700: This project will include the redesign, retrofit, and treatment of impervious surface, replacing it with low impact development techniques and environmental site design practices.
9. Pheasant Run Home Owner’s Association, Inc., $11,730: This grant will fund a citizen engagement campaign focused on erosion, stormwater runoff, and pet waste reduction.
10. Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, $25,000: This initiative will include workshops to educate faith leaders on stormwater runoff and provide tools to help congregations overcome technical and financial obstacles to project implementation.
11. The Empowerment Institute, $152,145: This grant will remove 20,000 square feet of existing asphalt and replace it with stormwater facilities with native plants to help filter and store rain water.
12. Neighborhood Design Center, $79,308: Funding will assist community groups, small municipalities, schools, and faith based organizations with creating a comprehensive plan for how they can retain and treat stormwater on their property, rather than having it flow into storm drains and local waterways.
13. Alice Ferguson Foundation, $188,972: This grant includes construction of a rooftop rainwater collection system and cistern, rain garden and bioswale as well as educational programming for students, teachers, and Prince George’s County residents.
In addition to 13 Stormwater Stewardship grants, the Chesapeake Bay Trust also announced funding for five new projects in partnership with Prince George’s County through the collaborative Rain Check Rebate Program.
source: Chesapeake Bay Trust
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