Governor Ehrlich Announces $14 Million In Rural Legacy Grants And $6 Million In Proposed Federal Funding For Corsica River Restoration
ANNAPOLIS – Standing on scenic farmland in northwestern Baltimore County, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. was joined by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen L. Johnson in announcing $6 million of proposed new federal funding to aid in the Corsica River Restoration project. Governor Ehrlich also announced $14 million in Rural Legacy grant awards and the designation of the Mattapany Rural Legacy Area in St. Mary’s County.
“The Corsica River Restoration project is an unprecedented environmental effort involving multi-levels of government,” said Governor Ehrlich. “We applaud the EPA for its support in our efforts to restore an entire river system. The Corsica River project solidifies Maryland’s role as the state leader in Chesapeake Bay Restoration efforts.”
“President Bush's $6 million dollar budget proposal for the Corsica River once again illustrates his commitment to preserving the natural wonders of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Administrator Johnson. “With the leadership of local and state partners like Governor Ehrlich, we will ensure the Bay remains a national treasure for future generations.”
The Federal FY 2007 Budget submitted by President George W. Bush requests $6 million for the Corsica River Restoration project and future targeted watershed initiatives. This model project will demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated approach to watershed management that will implement the processes, partnerships, assessment, and implementation tools needed in restoring water quality and removing a nutrient-impaired watershed from EPA’s 303(d) list of “dirty” waters.
The project brings together multiple state, federal, and local government agencies with an initial focus is on reducing nutrient pollution and sediment runoff through a proven set of urban, suburban and agricultural best management practices, and restoring bay grass acreage and oyster habitat.
“Today is another landmark day in our efforts to reduce nutrient runoff and restore the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Conserving these lands in key watershed areas will directly improve water quality feeding into the Chesapeake Bay.”
The $14 million of Rural Legacy grants for 13 counties and land trusts for land conservation in 20 Rural Legacy Areas across the state are to be presented to the Board of Public Works (BPW) for approval. The Rural Legacy Program (RLP) provides grant funding to protect large, contiguous tracts of land and to enhance natural resource, agricultural, forestry and environmental protection while supporting a sustainable land base for natural resource based industries. Through cooperation with local governments and land trusts, the program helps conserve land through easement and fee simple purchases within designated rural legacy areas.
This year the Rural Legacy Advisory Committee and Rural Legacy Board received requests for over $80 million in grants. The Board consists of the Secretaries of the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Agriculture (MDA), and Planning (MDP). The Advisory Committee and Board reviewed the requests following the instructions of Governor Ehrlich and the BPW to focus conservation investments on land that directly impacts the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and Maryland’s most significant natural resources.
Today’s announcement was made at the Trenton Mills Farm, which is part of the Piney Run Rural Legacy Area (PRRLA) near the border between Baltimore and Carroll Counties. Under the proposal, PRRLA will receive a grant for $1.5 million. Since the Board approved the designation of the PRRLA in 1998, over 3,600 acres and 22 miles of riparian buffers have been protected using RLP funds.
“Protecting these lands improves the water quality for the Prettyboy and Loch Raven Reservoirs, two of the drinking supply reservoirs for the Baltimore Metro area and protects one of the largest, contiguous easement blocks of land supporting agriculture and natural resource systems in the Eastern United States,” said Governor Ehrlich.
The newly designated Mattapany Rural Legacy Area (MRLA) in St. Mary’s County along the Chesapeake Bay was awarded $1.5 million. The grant will be used to acquire conservation easements and fee simple interests to protect MRLA’s rich farmland, forests, wetlands, historic sites, and wildlife habitat. Conservation within the MRLA will provide water quality benefits to the Chesapeake Bay and the Saint Mary’s River watershed, which has been described by the Smithsonian as the most beautiful and pristine estuary on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. Protection of property in the MRLA will also provide open space buffer to the military installation, Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
One out of every five acres in Maryland is currently under conservation. To date, the Ehrlich Administration has preserved nearly 60,000 acres of fields, forests, open space, and farmland. For a list of Rural Legacy grant awards by County, please see the attached PDF file.
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