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Anacostia River and Tributaries MD & DC Comprehensive Plan
Request: $397,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Funding would be utilized to enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its local partners to complete a comprehensive plan, which will identify environmental restoration and conservation projects throughout the Anacostia watershed that may be undertaken to address the degraded river system that is a gateway to our Nation's capital. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will set a framework to identify specific projects that local, State, and Federal stakeholders can undertake to improve the health of this river and bolster the quality of life for all who live in the watershed. Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery, MD & VA
Request: $2 million
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District
803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 Oysters are essential to the well being of the Chesapeake Bay. Oyster reefs not only provide critical habitat and feeding grounds for other essential species, but also serve as natural filters screening out algae, sediments, and pollutants. Unfortunately, due to disease, pollution, and over fishing, oyster populations are only between one and two percent of their levels just a century ago. This funding would continue efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. Activities include construction of oyster bars and reefs, rehabilitation of existing marginal habitat, and construction of oyster hatcheries. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because the restoration of our oyster fishery is an essential step toward restoring the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Fishing Creek
Request: $160,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Funding would be used for engineering and design associated with dredging the Federal channel at Fishing Creek in Calvert County. Since the channel was last dredged approximately 8 years ago, the seven-foot channel has shoaled to a depth of below five-feet in several areas. The Department of the Navy which uses this channel has experienced problems with running aground and, if left untouched, similar issues will be faced by commercial and recreational boaters. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will allow for the dredging of a Federal channel, remove impediments to the U.S. Navy, improve safety and access for recreational and commercial boaters, and help preserve area businesses dependent on water access. Patuxent River Basin Comprehensive Plan
Request: $140,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 The Patuxent River watershed is the largest in my State, encompassing over 900 square miles and approximately one-tenth of Maryland's total land area. Unfortunately, water quality in the Patuxent River is poor and continues to deteriorate. Funding would enable the Corps to conduct an Initial Watershed Assessment Study of the Patuxent River Basin, which will define a scope of work needed to develop a comprehensive watershed basin plan that will target pollution reduction and stream restoration projects to reduce sediment and other point and non-point source pollutants entering the Patuxent and its tributaries. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will enable the development and implementation of a detailed watershed plan which will identify specific actions local, State, and Federal stakeholders can undertake to improve the health of this river and bolster the quality of life for all who live in the watershed. St. Jerome Creek, St. Mary's County, MD
Request: $100,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 The existing Federal navigation channel at St. Jerome Creek in St. Mary's County began to shoal below the authorized depth two years after dredging and restricts the ability of local recreational boaters, watermen, charter boat operators, and others to exit and enter the waterways during periods of low tide. Funding would be used to complete the feasibility study, negotiate and execute a Project Partnership Agreement, and initiate plans and specifications necessary to proceed with the construction of jetties to keep the channel clear and reduce the dredging need from a two year cycle to a ten year cycle. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because, once constructed, jetties would restore vessel utilization of the channel and associated turning basin, as well as, reduce the need for future maintenance dredging. North Beach, MD Wetlands Restoration Project
Request: $400,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 The marsh at North Beach has been identified as a significant Black Duck stopover, one of the few remaining on the western shore of Maryland. However, the marsh is becoming severely degraded from nearby development, altered hydrology, and poor drainage. Funding would be used to complete the feasibility study, execute a Project Partnership Agreement and initiate plans and specifications. This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will restore wetlands on the Chesapeake Bay, a critical natural filter of pollutants and an important habitat for land and aquatic species.
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