The Chesapeake and Coastal Service administers the following state and federal funding programs. Some of these funds are made available to partners outside of DNR through the Grants Gateway; please see the descriptions below for more information.
The Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund allows Maryland to accelerate Bay restoration by focusing limited financial resources on the most effective non-point source pollution control projects as identified in the State’s Tributary Strategies and the 2-Year Milestones. State agencies must work with local and federal partners to administer funding through new and innovative approaches that leverage the funds to the greatest extent possible, target the funds to the most cost effective locations and practices, engage the community at large, and hold everyone accountable.
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Grant
The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) provides Maryland with the means to administer our Coastal Zone Management Program and the opportunity to work together with our partners at the local level to develop programs, plans and strategies to deal with specific coastal issues. Annual grants provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are subdivided into sections with specific objectives. Maryland addresses coastal issues through acquisition and construction projects, coastal zone enhancement projects, creation of new enforceable coastal policies, reducing community vulnerability to the effects of sea level rise and implementation of the Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a partnership program between NOAA and the coastal states. NOAA provides funding, national guidance and technical assistance. Each reserve is managed on a day to day basis by a lead state agency or university, with input from local partners. The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR-MD) is Maryland’s place-based program supported through partnerships with NOAA, local site partners, and others to support programming at three locations: Monie Bay in Somerset County; Otter Point Creek in Harford County and at Jug Bay in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties. CBNERR-MD staff work with local communities and regional groups to address natural resource management issues, such as impacts of climate change, non-point source pollution, habitat restoration and invasive species. The Reserve protects estuarine habitat as natural field laboratories for research and living classrooms for education and provides training to improve coastal resource management.
Aquatic Resource Education Program (ARE)
The Aquatic Resource Education Program of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for angler education, developing outdoor ethics, stewardship and conservation to increase the public understanding of the nation’s water resources and associated aquatic life forms. The Aquatic Resource Education Program is part of the Sport Fish Restoration Program. Spending for the Aquatic Resource Education Program is authorized in the Sport Fish Restoration Act. Maryland’s Aquatic Resources Education (ARE) Grants Program assists public and private schools (pre-K -12) and environmental education centers that are part of the public school system by providing funding for aquatic based projects.
Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant (CBIG)
The Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant (CBIG), funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), enables Maryland to provide resources for state programs that improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Maryland focuses these funds on initiatives that reduce nonpoint source nutrient and sediment pollution.
