U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $12,901,800 in National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for restoration and resiliency projects to improve coastal communities and their fish and wildlife habitats.
The funding was made available through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The federal funds will bolster climate resiliency and reduce the risks and devastating impacts of rising seas, coastal flooding and intense storms in coastal areas and habitats.
“Climate change is an existential threat that affects every community, but coastal communities are particularly vulnerable,” said the lawmakers. “This funding will help Maryland communities implement comprehensive solutions to address issues like flooding and coastal erosion. Across the state, we’re investing in projects to restore and protect our shorelines and habitats and create more sustainable, resilient communities.”
The federal grants have been awarded to the following:
- Backyard Basecamp, $202,600, for Design and Permitting for Stream Daylighting and Restoration of Biddison Run in Baltimore City
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation, $843,500, for Restoring Oyster Reefs and Improving Resilience in the Severn River through Community Engagement
- Delmarva Resource Conservation and Development Council, $2,253,400, for Advancing Coastal Resilience through Salt Marsh Restoration in Coastal Bays
- Dorchester County Council, $700,000, for Utilizing Living Shoreline Techniques to Reduce Erosion in the Hoopersville Village District
- GreenTrust Alliance, $1,519,900, for the Final Design and Permitting for the Blossom Point Shoreline Stabilization Project
- The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, $819,300, for Establishing a Nature-Based Resilience Pilot with the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative
- The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Restoration, $1,340,400, for the Restoration of an Urban Stream to Create a Holistic Stream, Wetland
,and Shoreline Complex - South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, $1,294,500, for Designing the Smith Cove Environmental Justice Project
- South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, $1,500,000, for Restoring Medstar Harbor Hospital Wetland and Shoreline
- Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board, $2,428,200, for the Living Shoreline and Terrapin Habitat Restoration Near Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF is a 501(c )(3) nonprofit that supports the conservation of plants, animals and ecosystems alongside federal partners like NOAA. The National Coastal Resilience Fund is a partnership between the NFWF, NOAA, U.S. Department of Defense, Shell USA, TransRe, SalesForce and Oxy.
This program supports on-the-ground projects to engage communities and reduce their vulnerability to growing risks from extreme weather, rising sea levels, flooding and other coastal hazards by strengthening coastal ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.
