Chesapeake Bay Program
On this page:
- Background
- Eligibility
- Available Technical Assistance
- Connection to Other EPA, Federal or Non-Governmental Efforts
Background
The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership aimed at restoring and protecting the watershed in collaboration with multiple state jurisdictions (i.e., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Delaware, New York and West Virginia), federal agencies, local governments, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. The program aims to conserve 30% of the region's land by 2030 through enhancing agricultural sustainability, protecting critical landscapes, improving water quality and fostering climate-aware community engagement. Collectively, these actions form a robust framework aimed at fortifying the region's resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of evolving climate challenges.
Funding under the program is generally geared toward the goals and objectives of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and the program's Climate Resiliency Management Strategy, as well as the milestones established for offsetting the effects of climate change in each jurisdiction’s Watershed Implementation Plan.
As the program supports a wide range of projects aimed at restoring and protecting the watershed, its financial assistance can help communities, governments and organizations prepare for, adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change.
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Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grants: These grants support the seven Bay jurisdictions to meet the goals and outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, with emphasis on programs that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.
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Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program: Administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the program supports local, grassroots-level greening efforts in urbanized watersheds.
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EPA's Chesapeake Small Watershed Grants: Currently administered and leveraged by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, grants are awarded to local governments and non-governmental organizations working to protect and improve local waters and habitats across the Bay watershed, while building citizen-based resource stewardship.
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Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grant Program: Managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in partnership with the EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Program, the program supports projects that aim to significantly decrease nutrient and sediment pollution in the Chesapeake Bay and its waterways.
The most up-to-date information on new grant funding opportunities and open Requests for Proposals is available on the Chesapeake Bay Program website.
Eligibility
Who is generally eligible to apply?
A wide range of entities are generally eligible to apply for program funding opportunities, including state and local governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and sometimes private interests. While specific funding opportunities within the program may have their own set-asides for certain types of projects or applicants, the program generally aims to leverage funds from various sources to support comprehensive restoration strategies. A non-federal match is required for many of the grants, reflecting the partnership model of the program that seeks to maximize the impact of federal funding with state, local and private contributions.
Subrecipients and contractors involved in projects funded through the program must also meet eligibility criteria, often dictated by the specific requirements of the grant or funding source. This can include compliance with environmental regulations, financial auditing standards and project-specific requirements, such as having a Climate Action Plan in place or meeting specific climate-resilient design standards. For specific details on eligibilities, applicant requirements and sub-award requirements, visit the Chesapeake Bay Program's website and current Request for Applications.
The activities performed under these funded projects are covered by the Justice40 Initiative. Visit Justice40 at EPA to for more details on eligibilities, applicant requirements and sub-award requirements.
How can projects funded by this program incorporate adaptation and resilience considerations?
The Chesapeake Bay Program employs multiple strategies and diverse partnerships to safeguard natural buffers, enhance biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. Examples of climate adaptation and resilience projects supported by the program may include:
- Restoration of wetlands and floodplains to improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat and enhance flood resilience.
- Implementation of green roofs, rain gardens and permeable pavements to manage stormwater runoff, reduce urban heat islands and improve community resilience to extreme weather events.
- Adoption of conservation practices on farms to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, improving soil health and water quality while increasing agricultural resilience to climate variability.
- Waterway restoration in urban or suburban areas to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality and provide natural flood mitigation.
- Tree and vegetation planting along waterways to stabilize banks, filter pollutants and provide shade, reducing water temperature, supporting aquatic life and contributing to overall ecosystem resilience against climate change impacts.
As part of the Justice40 Initiative, climate justice is integral to the program's efforts to ensure that overburdened and vulnerable communities have the resources and knowledge to participate in and benefit from restoration and protection efforts. Visit Justice40 at EPA to for more details on eligibilities, applicant requirements and sub-award requirements.
Available Technical Assistance
In addition to financial assistance opportunities, the Chesapeake Bay Program provides a variety of technical, planning and public outreach and education assistance to the states, local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and others across the region, including through the Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting team. Examples of assistance include monitoring and assessing the impacts of changing climate conditions (e.g., sea level conditions) on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem; assessing the effectiveness of restoration and protection policies, programs and on the ground efforts; and strategic planning and expertise to support the communications needs of Chesapeake Bay Program partners, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of Chesapeake Bay health and environmental education and opportunities for meaningful citizen action within the watershed.
Connections to Other EPA, Federal or Non-Governmental Efforts
Support offered by the following programs can be used in combination with the Chesapeake Bay Program to help advance climate resilience.
- Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership: This partnership includes 19 federal agencies working with 40 state agencies and programs, 1,800 local governments, 20 academic institutions and more than 60 non-governmental organizations, including businesses, nonprofits and advocacy groups. Federal agencies work closely together as part of the Chesapeake Bay Program to coordinate efforts and resources and interact with state partners. Local governments are also very active in the Chesapeake Bay states and the larger program partnership, particularly through the program’s Local Government Advisory Committee, as well as other private sector partners.