The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is awarding $750,000 in grants to local nonprofits to fund community-based water quality improvement projects through the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program. Applications must be submitted by November 14, 2024.

The press release states: “The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, is offering $750,000 in grants for local, community-based water quality improvement initiatives. Through the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, nonprofit organizations in Montgomery County – including local watershed groups, homeowner and community associations, faith-based organizations, and service and civic groups – can receive grants ranging from $40,000 to $100,000 to support their water quality and aquatic health improvement projects.

The grant program is now accepting proposals for projects such as planting trees, installing permeable pavers and building rain gardens that will improve and protect local waterways. Applications must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2024.

Click here to review the call for proposals or to register for the workshop before applying.

Projects throughout the county may be considered, with the exception of projects in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park, as these communities manage their stormwater separately.

“Through this partnership between the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Conservation and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, we have provided $5.6 million to 123 projects over the past 10 years,” said Marc Elrich, county executive. “By supporting these projects that address stormwater runoff and pollution, promote education and build stewardship, we are empowering local organizations to play a critical role in restoring and maintaining the health of our waterways.”

The scholarship program accepts applications in the following categories:

• Public relations and management projects, such as knowledge building, can receive up to $40,000 in funding, and behavior change projects can receive up to $60,000.
• Community-related redevelopment projects, such as replacing parking lots with permeable pavements, can receive up to $100,000 in funding.
• Tree planting and restoration projects can receive up to $100,000 in funding.
• Waste reduction projects in the Anacostia River basin can receive up to $50,000 in funding.

Montgomery County government is responsible for meeting statutory goals for watershed restoration and water quality improvement. Significant efforts must be made by individuals and community-based groups because the area of ​​privately owned land far exceeds the area of ​​state-owned land. The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program aims to expand the diversity of individuals and groups involved in watershed restoration to support these goals.

“Clean Water Montgomery grants provide residents and local organizations with the resources and support they need to take local action to improve and protect our environment,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “Last year, nearly $1 million in grants were awarded to 23 projects across the county. These projects are building a strong and inclusive network of environmental advocates and leaders who are helping to improve water quality in our county.”

The grant program empowers communities to lead and implement their own projects to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants that affect water quality. Community-inspired projects will also focus on education, outreach and stewardship. Last year’s grant funds were awarded for projects such as green infrastructure and stormwater projects, sidewalk removal, landscape plantings to preserve the landscape, engaging diverse audiences in stewardship projects, working with and by faith-based audiences, green jobs programs and water quality monitoring projects. This year’s awardees will build on that work to further protect the county’s water quality.

“Our successful partnership with Montgomery County enables local nonprofits to provide more resources to make measurable, visible improvements that protect our waterways and strengthen our communities,” said Dr. Jana Davis, President of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “Together, we can continue to empower more local groups to take action to protect our environment.”

This year’s award winners will build on this work to further protect the county’s water quality.

To learn more, register for the pre-proposal workshop, or review the call for proposals, click here or call Kathy Somoza at 410-974-2941, extension 120.”