E.P.A. Awards $2.6 million to Protect Mid-Atlantic Region Wetlands. Maryland is Among 6 Plans to be Funded

DOVER (October 2, 2014) - E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin announced today at an event in Dover, Delaware, that EPA's Mid Atlantic Region has awarded a total of $2,642,270 in Wetland Plan Development Grants to 6 recipients.

The Maryland Department of Environment was awarded $37,500 to develop Maryland's Wetland Plan Plan. The project will include monitoring and assessment, developing regulations, voluntary restoration and protection and water quality requirements for wetlands.

"Wetlands are one of our nation's most unique ecosystems and they play a significant role in protecting our nation's water supply," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "Continuing to strengthen Maryland's wetland Plan is essential for protecting and restoring these valuable resources and keeping our lakes, rivers and streams clean."

The Clean Water Act acknowledges the dangers of having pollution upstream. As water flows downstream, it carries pollutants with it. And because wetlands are instrumental in eliminating pollution, they have a huge impact on water downstream.

Grant recipients also included the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control ($443,233), Penn State University ($668,764), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ($400,000), the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences ($392,773) and the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources ($700,000).

Wetland Plan Development Grants are used to build and refine comprehensive wetland programs, with priority given to backing plans that address the 3 priority areas identified by the EPA: developing a comprehensive monitoring and assessment program; improving the effectiveness of compensatory mitigation; and refining the protection of vulnerable wetlands and aquatic resources.

For more information about the wetlands grant program, go to: http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/wetlands/grantguidelines/index.cfm

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