ESSEX, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment, Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced grants for 21 community-driven environmental projects at two major wastewater treatment plants. The $1.7 million in funding aims to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and enhance green spaces.

The announcement was made at Cox’s Point Park in Essex on Back River, where significant progress has been made in reducing nitrogen pollution. Since 2022, nitrogen pollution has decreased by over 60% at the Back River plant and over 78% at the Patapsco facility.

Selected projects focus on trash removal, stormwater management, and increasing green spaces. Projects include the design and fabrication of a trash wheel to be installed on the Back River, community litter and stream cleanups, rain barrels and permeable pavement, youth educational and workforce development programs, and native plantings. A robust water infrastructure system makes Baltimore more attractive for living and working.

“This is environmental justice in action,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “These actions are about fairness, and people, and prosperity. I am honored to stand with the City of Baltimore to show the power of working together for a healthier community.”

“This announcement is an important next step in our work to protect and repair neighborhoods that have suffered real harm from wastewater pollution,” said Mayor Scott. “With these projects, we’re creating good-paying jobs, cleaning up trash, improving drainage, planting trees, and establishing new green spaces.”

Funding for these projects originates from a settlement agreement addressing unauthorized pollution discharges from the wastewater treatment plants. The Chesapeake Bay Trust will distribute the funds using a participatory grant-making model, ensuring community involvement throughout the process.

“This community-designed grant program delivers resources right back to the people impacted to support their solutions for their neighborhoods,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Governor Wes Moore has allocated over $400 million in his FY26 budget for wastewater plant upgrades and other Chesapeake Bay-related projects. These investments aim to create jobs, enhance public spaces, and boost tourism and the seafood industry, which contribute significantly to Maryland’s economy.

The awarded environmental projects are:

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Baltimore County – $7,729 for the school to start a water testing and pollution monitoring program on Back River.
• Civic Works, Inc., Baltimore City – $52,786 for litter cleanups in East Baltimore communities overburdened by dumping.
• The 6th Branch, Baltimore City – $154,263 for residents, students, and community leaders to engage in interactive workshops to install pollinator gardens at three urban farms.
• NeighborSpace, Baltimore County – $9,149 for community members to learn about native wildlife, plants, and trees and to host stream clean-ups to improve forest and stream health.
• Intersection of Change, Baltimore City – $51,667 for the continuation of “Urban Youth in Agriculture,” a workforce development program to engage youth in sustainable farming practices, at the Strength II Love farm in West Baltimore.
• Friends of the Patapsco Valley State Park, Carroll County – $30,000 for improved trail stability along the Patapsco riverbank.
• Faith Presbyterian Church, Baltimore City – $6,275 to plant trees and install rain barrels that expand the site’s greening efforts.
• Living Classrooms Foundation, Baltimore City – $222,539 to install greening practices that will improve water in the Lancaster Street canal.
• Lillie May Carroll Jackson Charter School, Baltimore City – $64,346 to implement a rain garden and permeable pavement that treats stormwater and to create an outdoor education space.
• Gwynns Falls Community Association, Baltimore City – $8,740 to develop two community-led planning efforts to transform the Lower Gwynns Falls Park and nearby vacant lots into thriving greenspaces for recreation.
• GeN’xt Ministries, Inc., Baltimore City – $158,435 to implement several green stormwater practices at Huber Memorial Church.
• Howard County Conservancy, Baltimore City – $7,190 to educate students on local climate change impacts and to develop an environmental action project based on what they learn.
• ONE More… ONE Less Mentoring, Baltimore City and County – $44,000 to support environmental education through conservation-focused programs and explore strategies to manage the invasive Blue Catfish population.
• Blue Water Baltimore, Baltimore City – $37,361 for water quality sampling and data reporting in the Herring Run watershed.
• Blue Water Baltimore, Baltimore City – $44,539 for community-led water sampling, reporting, and engagement in restoration efforts.
• Back River Restoration Committee, Baltimore County* – $655,363 to design and build a trash wheel that will be installed on Back River.
• Butchers Hill Neighborhood Association, Baltimore City – $8,228 for native planting events and a community composting program.
• Back River Neck Peninsula Community Association, Baltimore County – $40,700 to plan for future restoration projects in Back River.
• Cylburn Arboretum Friends, Baltimore City – $8,118 for restoration, maintenance, and education on the benefits of urban forest management.
• Friends of Herring Run Parks, Baltimore City – $50,296 to improve community access to green spaces for outdoor recreation and to host clean-up efforts to support a healthier Herring Run watershed.
• Grow Home, Baltimore City* – $48,276 for greening, pollution reduction, and stormwater practices at Farring Baybrook park.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Wikipedia / Kristian Bjornard

Please follow and like us:

Do you value local journalism? Support NottinghamMD.com today.

Related