Salisbury – Mayor Jake Day is pleased to announce that the Chesapeake Bay Trust has awarded over $75 thousand in grants, funded in part by a contribution from the City of Salisbury’s Stormwater Utility. Five organizations each submitted one project for consideration: The Lower Shore Land Trust, Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake, Stone Gate Town House Community Association, the Wicomico Public Library, and the Wicomico Environmental Trust. All five projects received funding.
Overall, the Chesapeake Bay Trust received $3.8 million in grant requests in this round. $1.7 million was ultimately awarded to fund projects across the watershed, with Salisbury’s $50 thousand contribution being allocated to organizations in Salisbury and Wicomico County. The Chesapeake Bay Trust contributed an additional $28,162 to fund the five local grants.
Partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to fund the grants helps Salisbury meet its obligations under part IV of its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Phase II General Permit, which requires a municipality to conduct public outreach and education on the reduction of runoff and pollutants. All five of the local grants awarded in this round include public outreach and education elements.
Salisbury was represented on the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Technical Review Committee by Director of Infrastructure and Development Amanda Pollack, and Sustainability Coordinator Alyssa Hastings.
“This is the first year that the City of Salisbury has provided funding for the Chesapeake Bay Trust Outreach and Restoration grant program,” said Pollack. “The amount of projects and interest received from the Salisbury community was overwhelming. The grants this year exceeded our expectations!”
Mayor Jake Day said, “It’s encouraging to see all five of the local grant requests funded in this round. I’m excited to continue to work with the CBT in this way, to spread the values of stewardship here in our community. No matter what happens at the federal level, Salisbury affirms its commitment to the continued improvement of the health of our beloved Wicomico River and Chesapeake Bay. This partnership is helping us do the work.”
For more information on the Chesapeake Bay Trust, visit https://cbtrust.org/
To find out more about the City’s Stormwater Utility, go to https://salisbury.md/departments/infrastructure-development
