Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces $800,000 in New Federal Funding for Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration | U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland

September 20, 2022

As we speak, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.) introduced a brand new federal grant of $800,000 for the restoration of oyster reefs which might be very important to the well being of the Chesapeake Bay.

The brand new funding for the Maryland Division of Pure Assets comes by NOAA Fisheries to assist the position of spat-on-shell, or oyster larvae, on as much as 100 acres of oyster reefs in 4 Maryland tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Greater oyster density is anticipated to result in elevated environmental advantages, resembling water filtration and extra habitat for fish.

“Oysters are restoration engines for the Chesapeake Bay. They play a key position within the Bay’s ecosystem, filtering water and offering habitat for biodiverse aquatic wildlife. This new federal grant will ship the assets to create 100 acres of oyster reefs, an space equal to 75 soccer fields, that can present fertile floor for Bay restoration,” mentioned the members.“We look ahead to the profitable implementation of those restoration initiatives and are dedicated to persevering with to steer the hassle to develop our funding within the well being of the Chesapeake Bay.”

NOAA Fisheries offers funding and technical assist to companions throughout the nation to develop high-quality habitat restoration initiatives. Funding for the brand new Maryland challenge comes by the Neighborhood-based Restoration Program, which funds habitat restoration initiatives targeted on supporting sustainable fisheries and recovering Endangered Species Act-listed species.