EPA awards $600,000 to Delaware for wetlands protection

 U.S. EPA News Release:

EPA awards $600,000 to Delaware for wetlands protection

PHILADELPHIA (October 7, 2021) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $599,273 grant today to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) for wetlands protection.

“Wetlands comprise about one-quarter of Delaware’s land area, which contributes greatly to the state’s ability to protect water quality and natural resources,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Acting Regional Administrator Diana Esher. “This funding will support several projects to protect, restore and sustain healthy and resilient aquatic resources throughout Delaware.”

Projects supported by the grant include:

• Assessing wetlands in the Delaware portion of the Pocomoke watershed.
• Hosting the 2022 Delaware Wetlands Conference (10^th annual).
• Helping to establish Delaware’s first statewide freshwater wetland protection program.
• Designing a demonstration project to evaluate the beneficial use of sediments for wetland restoration.
• Updating and promoting a tidal marsh migration model that helps predict where marshes will recede or change due to sea level rise.
• Supporting the inland bays and Nanticoke watershed with submerged aquatic vegetation.
• Expanding education and outreach. 

The funds were provided through EPA’s Wetland Program Development Grant program, which enables state, local and tribal governments and others to conduct a range of projects that promote research and pollution reduction efforts related to wetlands.

For more information on the program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/wetland-program-development-grants-and-epa-wetlands-grant-coordinators.
 

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