Governor Martin O’Malley has proposed $25 million in fiscal year 2012 funding for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, a 25 percent increase over 2011. The dedicated fund supports projects designed to reduce non-point source pollution that reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
“Even during these difficult fiscal times, Maryland has been able to strengthen our efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor O’Malley. “With 90 percent of these funds being directed for projects and infrastructure that will employ installers, designers, engineers and construction services, the Trust Fund will not only help us achieve our restoration commitments, but will create jobs and support local economies.”
Established in November 2007, the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund was created to provide a dedicated source of funding to accelerate Bay restoration by focusing resources on practices that are the most cost efficient and are targeted to the areas where pollution reductions will be the most effective.
“The Trust Fund supports critical efforts to significantly improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin. “Pending legislative approval, the on-the-ground fixes identified for funding in FY 2012 represent nearly a third of the overall annual nitrogen reduction needed from non-point sources.”
The Trust Fund is made up of monies generated through motor fuel tax and rental car tax in Maryland. Now in its third year, the Fund has targeted a total of $38.4 million to date for projects that reduce non-point source pollution: $20 million in fiscal year 2011; $8.81 million in fiscal year 2010; and $9.6 million in fiscal year 2009. It is anticipated that when fully-funded, the Trust Fund will generate $50 million annually.
In addition to supporting Maryland’s commitment to cover crops and planting trees in targeted areas across the State, the Trust Fund will direct $6.2 million to local communities to assist in clean-up of local rivers and streams.
Prince George’s County will receive $2.88 million to construct a large-scale urban stream restoration in the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River.
“I want to thank Governor O’Malley for his environmental stewardship especially during these difficult economic times,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “This funding that will be used to restore the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River not only benefits the residents of Prince George’s County but also the District of Columbia, the region, and most importantly, future generations that count on us today in order to inherit a cleaner, greener, and better environment tomorrow.”
Other projects to be funded include:
* $1.2 million to Howard County and the Columbia Association for stormwater retrofits and forest buffer restoration in the Little Patuxent watershed
* $640,000 to Baltimore
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