Water Quality Improvement Efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to Benefit from $22.4 Million in Watershed Restoration Grants
Summary
Washington, D.C., June 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced $22.4 million in grant awards to support water quality improvement efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The funds will help partners engage farmers and agricultural producers, community-based organizations, homeowners, churches, businesses and municipalities to improve local water quality and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.In addition, NFWF and EPA have further prioritized investments that accelerate implementation of natural and nature-based watershed restoration practices that provide long-term water quality improvement benefits, increase aquatic and terrestrial habitat for at-risk species, and enhance climate resilience for human and wildlife communities. Importantly, these awards will provide important contributions to collective goals and outcomes of the CBP (through the 2014 Watershed Agreement, and NFWF, through its Chesapeake Bay Business Plan), including restoring 170 miles of riparian forest buffer, implementing agricultural best management practices on 40,000 acres, and reducing annual nitrogen pollution by roughly half a million pounds. Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District ($1,972,000) will accelerate implementation of stream corridor projects and practices to diverse landowners across the upper Susquehanna River basin, reducing annual sediment pollution by nearly 200 tons through development and implementation of stream restoration plans, creation of accessible education opportunities for underserved landowners, and engaging 200 volunteers in conservation efforts to improve water quality and promote ecological and habitat benefits. Working with federal, corporate, foundation and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 6,800 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of more than $10 billion.