MD - USDA: $18.3M to protect Chesapeake, Delaware River
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small joined Sen. Tom Carper and environmental partners to announce $18.3 million in investments to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Delaware River Basin.
CHESAPEAKE CITY, MARYLAND – U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small joined Sen. Tom Carper and environmental partners recently to announce $18.3 million in investments to protect and preserve the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Delaware River Basin. The funding will help build clean water infrastructure and create jobs that will benefit people living in rural Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Torres Small also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a landmark wastewater treatment facility for the town of Chesapeake City, Maryland. USDA provided $6.6 million in investments under the Water and Waste Direct Loan and Grant program to help build the facility. The Maryland Department of the Environment contributed $6.9 million.
“The Chesapeake Bay watershed and Delaware River Basin provide so many benefits to this region, and USDA is committed to making sure rural people can count on these iconic waterways for generations to come,” Torres Small said. “USDA is proud to celebrate Earth Day alongside Senator Carper to show how President Biden is supporting locally driven solutions that expand access to safe drinking water, reliable wastewater infrastructure, renewable energy and essential services that create jobs, build critical infrastructure and create sustainable futures in rural America.”
“USDA Rural Development’s federal funding has made the updating of many water and wastewater projects more economically feasible, resulting in significantly improved water quality in both the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay watersheds,” USDA Rural Development Delaware and Maryland State Director David Baker said. “These wastewater and water projects throughout the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, D.C., New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware have benefited us all by ensuring safer drinking water, better recreation and improved seafood and tourism business.”
The announcement highlights water and wastewater infrastructure investments in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia to protect waterways and create jobs for people in rural areas across the Northeastern United States.
For instance, in Maryland, USDA is investing $7.9 million under the Water and Waste Disposal Direct Loan and Grant program in the following communities:
The town of La Plata is receiving a $2.7 million loan to provide additional funds to improve the town’s sewer system. The town will build a central regional pumping station and install a 24-inch sewer line to the wastewater treatment plant.
The town of Grantsville is receiving a $141,000 loan and a $419,000 grant to improve the sewer system and address infiltration issues and inflow spikes caused by heavy rain. This project will benefit people living in the town and other parts of Garrett County.
The town of Emmitsburg is receiving a $1 million grant to replace a sanitary sewage pumping station on Creamery Road. The new pump station will limit overflows and eliminate the risk of violating state mandates.
Worcester County is receiving a $1.5 million loan and a $1 million grant to extend the Ocean Pines water service area to 58 households in the St. Martins by the Bay subdivision. The project will help mitigate well contamination by elevating the community's water source, ensuring access to safe, reliable drinking water.
