On May 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of $40 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for actions to help restore the Chesapeake Bay and advance efforts to promote environmental justice and counter climate change.

Pennsylvania will receive $5.59 million to support farm-based actions to improve local rivers and streams in locations most beneficial to the downstream Chesapeake Bay.

The $40 million is part of $238 million targeted for the Chesapeake Bay region over five years under the infrastructure law.

The $40 million includes $25 million to be administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) Chesapeake Stewardship Fund ($15 million in Small Watershed Grants and $10 million in Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants).

Pennsylvania benefits from the NFWF grant awards as well.

“This a major step forward, thanks to the Biden Administration and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to change the trajectory in restoring the rivers, streams and lands that impact the Chesapeake Bay," said U.S. EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. "This funding will not only help farmers, local leaders, state agencies and non-profit groups making tremendous efforts towards the Bay restoration but real help to local communities who need it the most.”

Click Here for complete announcement.

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[Posted: May 2, 2022]

5/9/2022