Grant Funding Available for Chesapeake
Bay Restoration Efforts
by
Mary Jane Williamson
October 18, 2005—Alexandria, VA—The FishAmerica
Foundation, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is currently
accepting proposals for community-based, fisheries habitat restoration
efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed of Maryland with up to $100,000
in funding available for fiscal year 2006.
In 2002, the FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation and research arm of
the American Sportfishing Association, united with the Chesapeake Bay Trust,
a private, non-profit grant-making organization dedicated to the protection
and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, in a four-year agreement that dedicates
$100,000 annually to restore fish and habitat, improve water quality, and
enhance fish stocks in this ecologically critical bay and its tributary rivers
in Maryland.
Both organizations share the common mission to empower citizen conservationists
to revive some of the nation’s most prized fisheries and valuable waterways.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s most recent survey,
nearly 370,000 resident and non-resident anglers fished a total of
3.1 million days on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and represent
over $414 million in economic impact.
“The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries represent one of this country’s
largest national treasures as well as a pivotal fisheries resource,” said
Mike Nussman, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “Through
this partnership, efforts to restore the Bay have begun to take hold and
we are encouraging folks involved in conservation efforts to take advantage
of this valuable resource.”
In 2004 and 2005, the partnership funded eight projects, valued at over
$148,300, for fisheries conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed to Maryland-based organizations. The 2004 completed projects
have achieved outstanding results with more than 1,100 volunteers planting
11 acres of wetlands and riparian areas along Bay tributaries as well
as the creation of six acres of artificial and oyster reef fish habitat
in the Bay proper. The 2005 projects included volunteers planting native
vegetation and installing livestock exclusion fencing along two miles
of shoreline in the upper Potomac River watershed in Allegany County,
Md.; planting native vegetation along 200 feet of shoreline in the George’s
Creek watershed in Allegany County, Md.; and planting underwater grasses
along Back Creek in Annapolis, Md.
Organizations involved with restoration programs for the Chesapeake Bay
watershed are encouraged to submit proposals by December 2, 2005. Grants
will be awarded in May 2006. Eligible projects include wetland creation,
riparian areas and aquatic vegetation restoration, streambank stabilization,
and fish passage improvement. For more information please contact Jeff
Bloem,
grants coordinator, FishAmerica Foundation, 703-519-9691, x247.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a private,
non-profit organization created in 1985 by the Maryland General Assembly
to promote public awareness and participation in projects that benefit
the Chesapeake Bay and its Maryland tributaries. The
Trust is supported by sales of the Maryland “Treasure the Chesapeake” license
plate, voluntary contributions through the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered
Species Fund check-off on the Maryland state income tax return, and
other private donations. The Trust has granted more than $12 million
to nearly 2,500 community organizations and schools throughout Maryland
for projects that restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
The FishAmerica Foundation is the conservation and research foundation of the American Sportfishing
Association. FishAmerica unites the sportfishing industry with
conservation groups, government agencies, fishing tournaments,
corporations and charitable foundations, investing in fisheries conservation
and research across the country. FishAmerica provides matching grants
that empower citizen conservationists in their own communities. Since
1983, FishAmerica has provided more than $8 million for more than
800 fisheries conservation and research projects nationwide.
