The Board of Public Works Wednesday approved $525,091 in Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share grants, which help farmers install best management practices that significantly reduce nutrient runoff in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and accelerate Bay restoration. The O’Malley-Brown Administration has supported more farmer pollution reduction projects cost-share program than any other administration in the nearly three decades since the program began. The Board approved grants for 42 projects in 17 counties that will prevent soil erosion, manage nutrient pollution and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Together, these projects will prevent 4328.81 pounds of nitrogen, 1855.59 pounds of phosphorus, and 2026.5 tons of soil from entering the Bay and its tributaries. These projects are funded by state general obligation bonds. “Our farmers are true partners in protecting our natural resources, and Maryland continues to support their efforts by providing grants to install proven conservation measures and innovative, state-of-the-art practices,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Working together, we can ensure a smart, green and growing environment for future generations, preserve open space, and maintain the rich agricultural heritage of our State.” For the past 28 years, the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program has been providing farmers with […]
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