Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis Severn River Watershed Project Selected for Whole Watershed Act Funding; Five Maryland watersheds, including the Severn River, selected for significant grant funding
Annapolis, MD – Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis are thrilled to announce the Severn River watershed's selection for significant state funding under the Whole Watershed Act. This initiative, aimed at revitalizing Maryland's waterways, will provide critical support for environmental restoration and economic development within the Severn River and four other key watersheds across the state.
The other selected watersheds, encompassing Antietam Creek, Baltimore Harbor, Newport Bay, and the Upper Choptank River, will also embark on watershed-scale restoration efforts to improve water quality, enhance habitats, and foster community development. The program will deliver technical and financial assistance, including an initial $2 million grant, to implement conservation and pollution reduction projects over the next five years.
“The decision to pursue this program, particularly the Severn watershed, was a collaborative effort amongst stakeholders, and we are thrilled to see this come to fruition,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “As a county with a vast coastline, we are deeply invested in the health of our watershed and understand the importance of a science-driven approach.”
Anne Arundel County has already allocated $23 million for planned Severn watershed projects, fulfilling the 50% matching requirement of the Whole Watershed Act and positioning the region for rapid progress in restoration efforts.
"Years of watershed planning and implementation, supported tirelessly by the residents of Anne Arundel County, positioned us to be able to provide a robust match for this incredible team of partners working to improve the health of the Severn River," offered Erik Michelsen, Deputy Director of the County's Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration in the Department of Public Works.
"This grant will allow us to accelerate our ongoing efforts to improve water quality and protect our valuable natural resources," said Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. "We are excited to partner with Anne Arundel County and the state to ensure a healthy and vibrant Severn River for generations to come."
The City of Annapolis will provide an additional $2M through its Watershed Restoration Fund as a match to support both ongoing and new Annapolis-based projects in the Severn watershed prioritized by the Partnership and State Management Team.
“We are humbled and honored to be selected by the State for this targeted investment in our beloved Severn River,” said Jesse Iliff, Executive Director of the Severn River Association. “After working hard last year to pass this legislation, assemble an incredible partnership, and get the application across the finish line, it is deeply gratifying to see those efforts come to fruition. We look forward to getting to work and seeing these investments reap the dividends of clean water in the coming years.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for the Severn River, its wildlife, and the roughly 1 million people who live, work, and play throughout its watershed. This initiative integrates ecological restoration, infrastructure improvements, and community-driven planning to deliver meaningful, lasting benefits. Collectively, the Severn boasts an unparalleled level of community engagement and few watersheds demonstrate the same degree of commitment, collaboration, and stewardship,” said Dr. Ben Fertig, Restoration Manager at the Severn River Association.
Spearheaded by the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, this initiative will bring together community organizations, local governments, and private entities to address a diverse range of environmental challenges.
The Whole Watershed Act, passed in 2024, emphasizes a targeted, science-driven approach to watershed restoration. It focuses on areas with significant potential for water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and community benefit. This comprehensive strategy is expected to yield substantial economic benefits, particularly for Maryland's tourism and seafood industries.
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