ANNAPOLIS, MD — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recently announced over $3.4 million in grants to enhance water quality in West Virginia. These funds, coming from the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grant (INSR) program, will attract more than $3.2 million in matching contributions, making for a total conservation impact exceeding $6.6 million.
These grants aim to improve nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment reduction across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The INSR program, under the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF), facilitates local conservation efforts in partnership with various federal and private entities.
“With 2024 marking 25 years of partnership between NFWF and the EPA in advancing efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed, we’re thrilled to celebrate this programmatic milestone with a record annual investment of $25 million in voluntary and community-based projects across the Bay watershed,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.
West Virginia received two grants:
- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay ($2,000,000): This project aims to restore 240 acres of riparian forest buffers by promoting riparian buffers and agricultural best management practices on private lands.
- Trout Unlimited ($1,411,700): This funding will focus on stream and riparian best management practices, improving outreach and technical assistance, and establishing new riparian buffers and maintenance programs. The initiative will restore nine miles of riparian habitat and cut annual sediment pollution by nearly one million pounds.
The INSR program has, since 2018, emphasized strong partnerships and community involvement in watershed restoration efforts. These funds will engage farmers, community organizations, homeowners, businesses, and local governments to enhance water quality and the Chesapeake Bay’s health.
“These grants reflect our continuing commitment to protect the Chesapeake Bay and preserve our nation’s environmental legacy for future generations,” said EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office Director Martha Shimkin. “It is inspiring to be working with so many awardees who have long been committed to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.”
The NFWF and EPA continue to prioritize investments in natural watershed restoration practices to deliver long-term water quality improvements, bolster habitat for at-risk species, and enhance climate resilience. These efforts align with collective goals set by the 2014 Watershed Agreement and the Chesapeake Bay Business Plan, including restoring 170 miles of riparian forest buffer and improving land and water conservation practices.
Since 2006, the INSR Program has granted over $200 million to more than 250 projects, reducing 36 million pounds of nitrogen, nine million pounds of phosphorus, and nearly 800,000 tons of sediment across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
