EPA awards $600,000 to Delaware for wetlands protection
PHILADELPHIA (October 7, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $599,273 grant today to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) for wetlands protection.
“Wetlands comprise about one-quarter of Delaware’s land area, which contributes greatly to the state’s ability to protect water quality and natural resources,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Acting Regional Administrator Diana Esher. “This funding will support several projects to protect, restore and sustain healthy and resilient aquatic resources throughout Delaware.”
Projects supported by the grant include:
- Assessing wetlands in the Delaware portion of the Pocomoke watershed.
- Hosting the 2022 Delaware Wetlands Conference (10th annual).
- Helping to establish Delaware’s first statewide freshwater wetland protection program.
- Designing a demonstration project to evaluate the beneficial use of sediments for wetland restoration.
- Updating and promoting a tidal marsh migration model that helps predict where marshes will recede or change due to sea level rise.
- Supporting the inland bays and Nanticoke watershed with submerged aquatic vegetation.
- Expanding education and outreach.
The funds were provided through EPA’s Wetland Program Development Grant program, which enables state, local and tribal governments and others to conduct a range of projects that promote research and pollution reduction efforts related to wetlands.
For more information on the program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/wetland-program-development-grants-and-epa-wetlands-grant-coordinators.
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