Van Hollen Announce $17.78 Million for Army Corps of Engineers Projects Benefiting the Eastern Shore

Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $17.78 million in federal funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects benefiting the Eastern Shore as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Funding bill.

"A clean and thriving Chesapeake Bay is essential to Maryland's economy and the watermen, the tourism and fishing industries in particular," said Senator Van Hollen. "This funding will help maintain access to the Bay and preserve the natural treasures that boost communities on the Eastern Shore. As we work to increase investments that boost jobs in Maryland, I'll continue to fight for funding that benefits the Bay and the entire region."

A summary of the projects is below:

County/Municipality

Project

Funding

Project description

Wicomico/Salisbury

Wicomico River Shoaling Project

$2,000,000

Funding will provide for removal of critical shoals through maintenance dredging of the waterway. Channels in the upper river near Salisbury are scheduled for maintenance dredging.

Worcester

Assateague Island Restoration Project

$600,000

Continue annual dredging and monitoring activities for endangered and threatened species habitat restoration.

Worcester/Ocean City

Ocean City Beach Replenishment and Advance Re-nourishment project

$13,720,000

Beach nourishment, building the Ocean City Beach so that it will not need to be replenished for another four years.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Area

Chesapeake Bay Comprehensive Plan

$1,460,000

Complete Watershed Assessment.