Maryland Communities To Receive Majority Of Chesapeake Bay Trust Funding For Green Infrastructure Projects
Sourced from CBS Baltimore
The Chesapeake Bay Trust will be steering over $1 million toward 13 environmental projects in Maryland and its surrounding states, according to trust staff. Nine of those projects are in Maryland.
The Chesapeake Bay, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection announced Friday that it would be spending $1,058,720 on projects across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia as part of the Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program.
The funding will help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff, staff said.
It will go towards increasing the amount of green spaces in urban areas, improving the health of local bodies of water; create “green jobs,” reduce energy use, and enhance livability in cities and communities, according to trust staff.
The trust aims to facilitate and encourage communities implementing traditional “gray” infrastructure projects such as repaving roads or reconfiguring intersections and to add green elements at little additional cost, staff said.
Ultimately, the projects are expected to lead to cost-effective savings on stormwater treatment, flooding abatement, and other community benefits.
The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Initiative began in 2011. Initially, it was led by water experts at EPA and then expanded into the program it is today, according to trust staff.
To date, 245 projects have received funding and $14.4 million has been invested into greening communities, staff said.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
