Biden-Harris Administration Announces $206 Million Funding to Restore Chesapeake Bay
The funding also aims to protect underserved communities nationwide.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Aug 11, 2023
The EPA is currently seeking applications for what the agency claims is the single largest investment in its Chesapeake Bay Program Office’s Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grant and Small Watershed Grant program. The EPA launched the program in 1999.
In a release dated August 8, the agency announced that $206 million in funding is available for the restoration of Chesapeake Bay—the largest estuary in the United States—and its surrounding watershed. The funds are part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda and will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and regular EPA appropriations.
“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, we have unprecedented funding going to communities for on-the-ground projects that will improve their local environments and ultimately the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz said in a statement. “This historic funding, along with the great momentum and stronger cooperation among the many partners, is enabling us to accelerate our work to achieve clean waters and a healthier, more resilient and economically stronger Bay and watershed.”
Eligible community-based organizations can apply for two separate funding opportunities, each of which will fund the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction (INSR) Grant and Small Watershed Grant (SWG) programs for four years. The application process involves responding to two Requests for Applications (RFAs), which are available on grants.gov, by mid-September.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor for Environmental Protection.