Feb. 7, 2011, 12 a.m. - Prince George’s County will receive $2.88 million from Maryland’s Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund to address stormwater runoff and stream channel erosion problems in the lower Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River basin.

 

The grant money will be used to construct an urban stream restoration project to reduce stormwater nutrients and sediment impacts from the roadway and residential runoff as well as from the severely eroding channel of the Northwest Branch.  The project will feature stormwater management control practices such as wetland restoration, low impact design and Green Street techniques that include curbside street planters, curb extensions, tree box filters, bioswales and bioretention.  The County has identified the Lewisdale community, which is located adjacent to the Northwest Branch, for the implementation of the project.

 

The Anacostia River watershed is widely regarded as one of the most polluted watersheds in the Nation.  For over 20 years, restoration of the entire Northwest Branch subwatershed has been a major Anacostia watershed restoration goal.  The regional watershed restoration efforts are being coordinated through the Anacostia Restoration Partnership; a coalition of federal, state and local government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

 

Improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries has been a priority of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, who proposed $25 million in fiscal year 2012 funding for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.  The $2.88 million grant money that will be awarded to Prince George’s County is part of a $6.2 million grant to local communities to assist in the clean-up of local rivers and streams. 

 

“I want to thank Gov. O’Malley for his environmental stewardship especially during these difficult economic times,” stated Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “This funding, which will be used to restore the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, will ensure a cleaner, greener and better environment not only for the residents of Prince George’s County but also for the District of Columbia, the region, and most importantly, future generations.”