Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On September 4, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $23.8 million in Small Watershed grants to support restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Of this funding, $11.6 million is sourced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), while $9.3 million comes from regular annual appropriations. The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) through a grant from EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office.
The 56 grant awards aim to improve water quality, restore habitats, and promote community stewardship within the watershed. These grants will leverage an additional $12.8 million in matching contributions, resulting in a total conservation impact of $36.6 million.
The Small Watershed Grants (SWG) program is a key funding mechanism of the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, designed to support voluntary community-based projects that protect and restore diverse habitats within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Major funding for these awards is provided by the EPA, with additional support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Altria Group.
The SWG program operates under NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF), which has been a 25-year partnership between NFWF and other federal and private funders providing grant funding, technical assistance, networking opportunities, and information sharing to support local conservation efforts.
"Investments such as these are paramount to ensuring progress across the Bay and in all sectors,” said EPA Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We are proud to work with our partners and fund these projects to make a difference in the restoration of the Bay watershed."
Martha Shimkin, Director of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office, added: "We are proud to fund these projects which will support restoration of ecosystems throughout the Bay watershed. From blue crabs to brook trout, we are focusing on restoring and conserving our living resources that are both important to the local economy and our region’s natural heritage."
Examples of 2024 grant recipients include:
- **Advancing Brook Trout Conservation in Potomac Headwaters**: Trout Unlimited received $997,500 with matching funds of $447,000 for a total project amount of $1,444,500.
- **Camp Winslow Living Shoreline Restoration**: GreenTrust Alliance was awarded $117,500 with matching funds of $28,200 for a total project amount of $145,700.
- **Expanding Community Science in Otsego County**: Otsego County Conservation Association received $144,500 with matching funds of $16,500 for a total project amount of $161,000.
- **Congressional Cemetery Stormwater Revitalization**: Anacostia Watershed Society was granted $72,300 without any matching funds.
- **Restoring Shoreline Habitats at Janosik Park**: Nanticoke Watershed Alliance was awarded $451,300 with matching funds of $1160;00 for a total project amount of $567;300.
- **Reconnecting Brook Trout Habitat in Pine Creek Watershed**: Trout Unlimited received another grant totaling $936;800 matched by $574;800 for an overall project cost of $1;511;600.
- **Accelerating Living Shoreline Restoration in Virginia's Northern Neck**: Friends of the Rappahannock were granted $755;500 matched by $536;800 leading to an entire project sum of $1;292;300.
A complete list of 2024 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants recipients can be found on EPA's website.
For more information about CBSF or downloading related documents visit www.nfwf.org/chesapeakeExit EPA’s website.
