Securing Funds for Maryland’s Dredging Projects

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger last week supported more than $48.6 million in federal funding to protect Maryland’s environment and keep commerce moving through the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore Harbor.

“The Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore Harbor are among Maryland’s greatest natural and economic resources,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “We must protect these resources so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy them and so that they can continue to provide hundreds of thousands of quality jobs for Marylanders.”

The bill included money for the following projects:

• $18.8 million to dredge the Baltimore Harbor and Channels. Maintenance dredging of the Baltimore Harbor and surrounding channels is imperative to keeping the Port of Baltimore competitive and protecting the 122,000 local jobs it provides for hard-working families.
• $26.5 million to relocate dredged material for the restoration of Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay. This project is creating a wildlife refuge for ospreys, egrets, terns, herons, eagles, terrapins and other wildlife.
• $325,000 to remove drift (floating debris) from the Baltimore Harbor.
• $325,000 to study, design and construct projects to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay under the Chesapeake Bay Comprehensive Plan and the Chesapeake Bay Program.

The Senate must pass and the President must sign the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act before it becomes law.