The initiative is aimed at providing financial and technical assistance to local governments needing to reduce water pollution to help restore the Chesapeake Bay.
EPA Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin said now more than ever, the Chesapeake Bay needs the creativity, innovation and ingenuity of local governments.
"This new EPA funding will enable local governments to implement the best solutions to on-the-ground challenges they face in helping to restore the Bay, and share those approaches with other towns throughout the entire watershed," Garvin said.
Up to $750,000 grants will be administered by NFWF through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, and competitively awarded to local governments to design and implement projects demonstrating the integration of green infrastructure into existing programs to meet community needs and improve local waterways and the Bay.
With a combination of grants and technical assistance, the initiative aims to help local governments overcome obstacles to meeting pollution reduction goals for local waters and the Bay.
The Bay TMDL requires about 25% reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution, with all of the of the pollution reduction measures needed for restoring the Bay in place by 2025.
