Project Grant 95335501

DESCRIPTION:THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO RIDGE TO REEFS, INC. TO FUND A PROJECT ADDRESSING LEGACY AIR AND WATER POLLUTION CONTAMINATION IMPACTS FROM THE CHALK POINT GENERATING STATION, A FORMERLY COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE COMMUNITY OF EAGLE HARBOR, MD. EAGLE HARBOR IS THE LAST HISTORICALLY AFRICAN AMERICAN (GREATER THAN 90%) WATERFRONT COMMUNITY IN THE ENTIRE CHESAPEAKE BAY. THE PROJECT IS A COLLABORATION AMONG LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SCIENTISTS, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS, EDUCATORS AND POLICYMAKERS TO CLEARLY DEFINE WATER QUALITY, SOIL, AND HEALTH IMPACTS IN EAGLE HARBOR AND TRACK IMPROVEMENTS FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURE-BASED RESTORATION TECHNIQUES.ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE MONTHLY PARTNER MEETINGS, COMMUNITY MEETINGS, COLLECTING ENVIRONMENTAL DATA (WATER QUALITY, SOIL QUALITY), ANALYZING DATA AND DEVELOPING REPORTS, CONDUCTING FIELDWORK DEVELOPING RESTORATION STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS POLLUTION ISSUES, CREATING A DRAFT ACTION PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN EAGLE HARBOR, DEPLOYING WATER AND/OR SOIL REMEDIATION STRATEGIES WHERE CONTAMINATION HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND CREATING A SMALL COMMUNITY-SCALE NATURE-BASED WASTEWATER TREATMENT PILOT.SUBRECIPIENT:THE PATUXENT RIVERKEEPER ORGANIZATION WILL BE RECEIVING A SUBAWARD OF $9,750. FRED TUTMAN, THE PATUXENT RIVERKEEPER, AND THE PATUXENT RIVERKEEPER ORGANIZATION WILL SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROJECT BY HELPING TO INTERFACE WITH TOWN MANAGEMENT AND RESIDENTS IN A LONG-TERM, CONSISTENT MANNER THAT BUILDS TRUST; HOSTING COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND GATHERING INFORMATION FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GLEAN INFORMATION AND PROMOTE INTEREST IN LOCAL WATER QUALITY SOLUTIONS; AND WORKING WITH THE TOWN TO IDENTIFY AND BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND LOCAL CONSERVATION GOALS, PROBLEMS, AND STRATEGIES. THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WILL BE RECEIVING A SUBAWARD OF $5,000. DR. PETER IAN MAY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND'S ROLE IN THE PROJECT INCLUDES PROVIDING OYSTER CAGES FOR POTENTIAL REMEDIATION PROJECTS, ASSISTING WITH DATA ANALYSIS, AND ASSISTING WITH THE DESIGN OF NATURE-BASED SYSTEMS.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE SUCCESSFULLY COLLECTING SOIL AND WATER QUALITY DATA, CREATING AN ACTION PLAN, INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY, AND DEPLOYING SOIL AND/OR WATER REMEDIATIONS TO HELP CLEAN THE COASTAL AREA IN EAGLE HARBOR. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES ARE TO ENSURE A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH FOR THEIR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE, ENGAGE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND HOMEOWNERS IN THE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT BIOREMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL OR WATER, AND PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, NATURE-BASED SEPTIC UPGRADES. OTHER OUTCOMES INCLUDE STRENGTHENING THE TOWN TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS LONG AFTER THE PROJECT ENDS. THERE WILL BE INCREASED TRUST AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN DECISION-MAKERS AND RESIDENTS. THE BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE CURRENT AND FUTURE EAGLE HARBOR RESIDENTS.