Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced their direct federal funding requests for Maryland community projects under the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee for fiscal year 2023. The Senators worked with local community leaders to identify these projects, which will support the modernization of water infrastructure systems, watershed restoration, and growth of tourism through historic preservation, among other initiatives.
“Investing federal dollars directly in our communities enables us to improve our infrastructure, grow our local economies, and preserve our great state’s culture and history. That’s why we’ve partnered with local leaders to identify projects that will benefit Marylanders and our communities – from strengthening our water and sewer systems to restoring our natural waterways to boosting tourism to Maryland’s important historical landmarks. We’ll be fighting to get these priorities through Congress and deliver these funds directly to our state,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.
“Team Maryland is united in our ongoing effort to bring new federal resources back to Maryland based on local needs and priorities,” said Senator Cardin, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “If funded, these projects will have a transformative effect throughout Maryland, upgrading local sewer systems and protecting the health of the Chesapeake Bay, fulfilling longstanding needs for historic, recreational and economic development projects. Our goal is to maximize the use of taxpayer dollars in the most meaningful way for our communities.”
While not all requests may receive funding in the final fiscal year 2023 funding legislation the Senators will advocate for their requests to be included as the Appropriations subcommittees draft their respective bills over the coming months. Fiscal year 2023 begins October 1, 2022. For fiscal year 2022, Senators Cardin and Van Hollen secured over $104 million in direct investments to benefit Maryland.
The Senators’ requests for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee are listed below. All of Senator Van Hollen’s requests can be found at this link and Senator Cardin’s requests can be found at this link.
Project Name: Allegany County for Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrades Applicant: Allegany County Description: The Barton Business Park Wastewater facility has a current capacity of 50,000 gallons per day. By increasing capacity, the system would be able to attract new businesses and support increased economic development. Federal funds would help increase capacity by 500%. Project Location: Cumberland, MD Amount Requested: $9,600,000
Project Name: Anacostia Watershed Society for Preservation and Repair of Historic George Washington House Applicant: Anacostia Watershed Society Description: Built in 1752, the George Washington House is a Georgian vernacular-style building considered a prize historic structure for the state. It is one of a constellation of historic buildings and monuments marking Bladensburg’s history as a colonial seaport and War of 1812 battle site. Over centuries, the house has served as an inn, tavern, store, headquarters for an invading army, home to America’s first balloonist, and a birthplace of the populist labor movement. It is currently used as the Anacostia Watershed Society’s headquarters. Federal funding will refurbish the house and upgrade the electrical system to accommodate 21st century office and laboratory equipment. While serving as a working space for the Anacostia Watershed Society, the house will remain available for public tours. Project Location: Bladensburg, MD Amount Requested: $250,000
Project Name: Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. for Historic Catoctin Furnace Ironworker House Applicant: Catoctin Furnace Historical Society Description: In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as many as 80 homes existed to house workers at the Catoctin Furnace, an industrial iron making complex that began operating in 1776 with a workforce composed primarily of enslaved Africans. Today, only 10 homes remain – 6 log and 4 stone, and in 1972, the structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Federal funds will support the restoration of one of these homes, Miller House, which retains much of its historic fabric beneath modern surfaces. The repair and restoration will include the “Heritage at Work” program at Catoctin Furnace, where students learn the craft of historic preservation and heritage trades. After the house is restored, the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society will house “Furnace Fellows,” an annual residential program providing training and mentoring in heritage tourism, museum management, and hands-on historic preservation. The project will include consultation and participation from descendants of European American workers who still live and work in some of the homes and the African American community whose history has been physically absent from the landscape for the last century. Project Location: Thurmont, MD Amount Requested: $400,000
Project Name: Charles County for Potomac River Water Supply Treatment Plant Applicant: Charles County Maryland Description: Charles County plans to construct a new 5-10 million gallon per day surface water treatment plant along the upper reaches of the Potomac River to meet projected average and maximum day water demands. The project will conserve groundwater resources and allow the county to connect other municipal water systems. Federal funds will be used for preliminary engineering costs. Project Location: La Plata, MD Amount Requested: $240,000
Project Name: Charles County for WSSC Waldorf Interconnection Applicant: Charles County Maryland Description: As Charles County and its municipalities grow, it is seeking alternative surface water sources. To accomplish a connection to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) system, the county is making substantial upgrades to its water infrastructure. Federal funds will support planning and engineering costs related to connecting Waldorf to the WSSC system along US 301 in Brandywine. Project Location: Charles County, MD Amount Requested: $1,600,000
Project Name: City of Baltimore for Egg Shaped Digesters Rehabilitation Applicant: City of Baltimore Description: Federal funds will be used to rehabilitate the interior and exterior of the Egg Shaped Digester tanks at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Improvements will help the digesters operate more efficiently, address treatment concerns, and minimize contaminants from entering nearby waterways. Project Location: Baltimore City, MD Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Project Name: City of Bowie for Historic Belair Mansion Improvements Applicant: City of Bowie Description: The Belair Mansion was built around 1745 for Provincial Governor Samuel Ogle and his wife, Anne Tasker Ogle, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In order to maintain this historic property and support public tours, federal funds will support critical maintenance, including elevator replacement, historic gutter repair, cemetery stabilization, and HVAC replacement. Project Location: City of Bowie, MD Amount Requested: $475,000
Project Name: City of Bowie for Tuberculation Pipe Renewal and Replacement Applicant: City of Bowie Description: The City of Bowie’s water main system is majorly impacted by turberculation, the development of small mounds of corrosion products on the inside of iron pipes that reduce the interior pipe diameter and restricts water flow. Federal funds would replace one mile of tuberculated cast iron water main to improve overall water quality. Project Location: Bowie, MD Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Name: City of Brunswick for Elevated Drinking Water Storage Applicant: City of Brunswick Description: The City of Brunswick needs an elevated water storage structure to replace its 100-year-old reservoir that is currently leaking stored drinking water. A new elevated system would improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of producing clean drinking water for residents. Project Location: Brunswick, MD Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Project Name: City of Brunswick for Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Applicant: City of Brunswick Description: The City of Brunswick needs to update its Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants to prevent nitrogen, phosphorous, and suspended solid pollution into the Potomac River. Federal funds will cover planning and engineering to prepare the project. Project Location: Brunswick, MD Amount Requested: $1,100,000
Project Name: City of Frederick for Carroll Creek Restoration Applicant: City of Frederick Description: The Carroll Creek Restoration project will reduce streambank erosion, plant a protective riparian buffer, and increase in-stream habitat to improve water quality for this part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Federal funds will support restoration of the creek from Husky Park to the Monocacy River, including a portion of the planned mixed-use Renn Farm development that will be dedicated to the City as park land. Project Location: Frederick, MD Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project Name: City of Rockville for an Advanced Water Meter Program Applicant: City of Rockville Description: The City of Rockville is planning to upgrade its water meters with ultrasonic meters and Advanced Metering Infrastructure to improve efficiency, accuracy, and data quality. Ultrasonic meters have no moving parts, making them much more durable over time, and remote reading capabilities to decrease the time necessary to collect data. Coupled with Advanced Metering Infrastructure, the City will be able to automatically receive data, monitor water use and system efficiency, provide greater transparency for residents, and detect and fix meter malfunctions and water usage irregularities. Federal funds will support a phased-in installation of the meters and infrastructure. Project Location: Rockville, MD Amount Requested: $2,035,000
Project Name: City of Rockville for Bulk Sodium Hypochlorite System Applicant: City of Rockville Description: Federal funds will support the construction of a Bulk Sodium Hypochlorite system and renovation of the City’s Water Treatment Plant. The new treatment system will allow for the elimination of highly hazardous chemicals stored onsite and will be lower cost and more operator-friendly. Project Location: Rockville, MD Amount Requested: $1,232,000
Project Name: City of Westminster for An Advanced Water Purification System Applicant: City of Westminster Description: The City of Westminster needs to update its water systems to ensure a consistent supply in times of drought. Currently, the City relies on the Cranberry and Hull Creeks and groundwater wells for its water supply, but those supplies are vulnerable to drought. To address water scarcity, the City is launching PUREWater Westminster, the first water reuse facility in the State. Federal funds will support a new advanced treatment facility, which will be able to purify additional water from the Westminster Water Reclamation Facility and direct the clean water to the Cranberry Reservoir, increasing the City’s surface water capacity by 50%. Project Location: Westminster, MD Amount Requested: $5,272,000
Project Name: City of Westminster for Water Main Replacement at Route 27 Applicant: City of Westminster Description: Federal funds will be used to replace the existing transite water main pipe on Route 27 between Hahn Road and Tuc Road with a new 12’’ ductile iron pipe. This is a hazard mitigation project that will prevent a water main break and potential sink holes. Project Location: Westminster, MD Amount Requested: $2,150,000
Project Name: Delmarva Oasis Comprehensive Conservation Planning Applicant: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Description: In July 2021, the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN) completed a Strategic Restoration and Conservation Action Plan, which outlined a concept design for conservation for five national wildlife refuges (Prime Hook, Bombay Hook, Blackwater, Eastern Neck, and Chincoteague). The next phase of implementation that this request would support is the development of a land protection plan through the further engagement of the DRCN, which includes Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. This project would include collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a comprehensive, regional conservation plan that identifies specific refuge areas for priority conservation efforts, including restoration and voluntary easements. Project Location: Easton, Maryland Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Name: Easton Utilities Commission for Water Infrastructure Improvements Applicant: Easton Utilities Commission Description: Federal funds will be used to replace the town’s existing water treatment plant, which is more than 30 years old. The replacement will improve the quality and reliability of Easton’s drinking water. Project Location: Easton, MD Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Project Name: Garrett County for Mt. Lake Park/Loch Lynn Water Distribution Rehabilitation Applicant: Garrett County Description: The water supply and distribution systems for the Towns of Mountain Lake Park and Loch Lynn Heights date back to 1900 and were expanded over the years without adequate planning or standardization. As a result, over 40% of the water supply is lost due to leaks in the system. Federal funds will support a design of a new, more efficient system. Project Location: Loch Lynn Heights, MD Amount Requested: $640,000
Project Name: National Park Service for Fletcher's Cove maintenance Applicant: National Park Service Description: This project will allow the National Park Service to address the deferred maintenance needs of Fletchers Cove. This C&O Canal asset, also known as “the nation’s premier urban fishery,” is vital to the National Capital Region’s outdoor recreation and tourism, including paddlers, fisherman and overall historical significance. Accumulated sediment has created physical barriers, negatively impacting fish and wildlife habitats, as well as restricting the public’s access to the Potomac River. Fletchers Cove is one of the few access points for river recreation in the District, and the only accessible launching spot in the upper river. Project Location: Washington, D.C. Amount Requested: $120,000
Project Name: National Park Service for Fort Washington Marina maintenance Applicant: National Park Service Description: The Fort Washington Marina is owned by the National Park Service, and management of the facility has shifted between NPS and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, with responsibility most recently transferred back to NPS. Unfortunately, the marina is suffering from numerous deferred maintenance issues, with dredging the most pressing concern for making the marina safe, usable, and attractive to boaters in Piscataway Park. Congressionally Directed Spending can allow the National Park Service to address the deferred maintenance needs of the Fort Washington Marina. Project Location: Fort Washington, Maryland Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Name: National Park Service for Leonard’s Lane Community Park Applicant: National Park Service Description: Congressionally Directed Spending funds can cover the costs of construction of a green infrastructure projects that meets both community and habitat conservation goals. The Leonard’s Lane Park proposal is located in an underserved community of color in Cambridge, Maryland. This Chesapeake Gateways Community Project will utilize a vacant lot to create a space for gathering, gardening, and passive and active recreation opportunities, while enhancing water quality and conserving lands in line with the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998. Project Location: Cambridge, Maryland Amount Requested: $1,600,000
Project Name: Preservation Maryland for Historic Ellicott City Jail Rehabilitation Applicant: Preservation Maryland Description: The Old Ellicott City Jail is located in the Ellicott City Historic District, creating an opportunity to share an untold story of injustice. Working with the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Preservation Maryland will explain the significance of the site, where freedom seekers in the time of slavery were charged and lynchings were held. The project will include extensive community engagement to best ensure that history is accurately preserved and told, giving visitors the opportunity to reflect on the hurdles and progress in our nation’s quest for a more inclusive and just society. Project Location: Ellicott City, MD Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Name: Prince George's County for Piscataway Creek Stream Restoration Applicant: Prince George's County Description: Federal funds will support restoration of an unnamed tributary to Piscataway Creek that flows through six communities in Clinton. The restoration effort will focus on flood control, pollutant reduction and increase resident access to the creek. Project Location: Largo, MD Amount Requested: $3,600,000
Project Name: Prince George's County for Restoration of Lower Beaverdam Creek Applicant: Prince George's County Description: Lower Beaverdam Creek is located in the Anacostia River Watershed, a highly urbanized watershed. The restoration effort will focus on flood control and the remediation of hazardous substances. It also seeks to increase resident access to the creek for underserved neighborhoods through an education and outreach program. Federal funds will support the planning and design phase of the project. Project Location: Prince George's County, MD Amount Requested: $784,000
Project Name: Project Liberty Ship, S.S. John W. Brown for Drydock Applicant: Project Liberty Ship, S.S. John W. Brown Description: The S.S. John W. Brown, berthed in Baltimore, educates visitors about the vital role of the wartime American merchant marine, Naval Armed Guard, and shipbuilders – three largely unheralded groups that were instrumental in the Allied victory in World War II. Visitors can participate in training classes and experience living history aboard the authentically restored and sailing S.S. John W. Brown. Federal funding would support drydocking the ship to allow its hull and fixtures to be inspected, preserved, and kept in good operational condition. It will also give U.S. Coast Guard personnel the opportunity to inspect those parts of the ship that are not available when it is waterborne in order to continue safe operations. Project Location: Baltimore City, MD Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Name: Somerset County for the Smith Island Clean Water Project Applicant: Somerset County, Maryland Description: The existing Tylerton Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves Ewell, Rhodes Point, and Tylerton, is out of environmental compliance and under a consent order. The steel tanks at the existing Ewell Wastewater Treatment Plant are badly corroded and the Smith Island sewer system is vulnerable to flooding. Federal funds would support upgrades to the Ewell Wastewater Treatment Plant, the decommissioning of the Tylerton Wastewater Treatment Plant, the construction of a new subaqueous force main to connect Tylerton to wastewater collection, environmental mitigation, and upgrades of the three wastewater pumping stations in the project area. The project will help protect water quality and estuarine ecosystems around Smith Island that support rockfish, crab, and oyster populations. Project Location: Ewell, MD Amount Requested: $5,498,000
Project Name: Talbot County for Force Main Pressure Monitoring System Applicant: Talbot County Description: The Talbot County Sanitary District has over 10 miles of force mains from major pump stations and have experienced sanitary sewer overflows as various valve vaults. Federal funds would be used to add pressure and vacuum sensors to detect low pressure conditions and quickly correct leaks and problems. Project Location: Talbot County, MD Amount Requested: $640,000
Project Name: Talbot County for Sewer Extension Project and Royal Oak Pump Station Replacement Applicant: Talbot County Description: The Royal Oak Pump Station was constructed in 1992 and needs to be replaced to avoid a serious environmental impact near Oak Creek. The Talbot Sanitary District secured land to construct a new pump station in 2020. Federal funds will support the new pump station and connect hundreds of residences that currently use septic tanks to the sewer system. Project Location: Royal Oak, MD Amount Requested: $9,000,000
Project Name: Talbot County for Sewer Extension Project at Bozman and Neavitt Applicant: Talbot County Description: Many communities in Talbot County are impacted by failing septic systems, groundwater infiltration, and poorly drained soils. Federal funds will support the extension of county sewer systems to residential properties in the historic fishing villages of Bozman and Neavitt that are currently on septic tanks. A transition to sewer systems will protect local water quality and reduce impacts from sea level rise. Project Location: Easton, MD Amount Requested: $29,000,000
Project Name: The Brandywine Foundation Inc. for Whitehall Rehabilitation and Revitalization Plan Applicant: The Brandywine Foundation, Inc Description: Whitehall is one of America’s finest examples of Georgian colonial architecture. Built in 1764 by Horatio Sharpe, the last royal governor of Maryland, and designed by William Horatio Anderson, the architect of the Maryland State House, Whitehall includes a grand home, landscaped gardens, waterfront views, and agricultural land. By ensuring that the character of Whitehall is preserved, the Brandywine Foundation will engage its community, visitors, and the public and undertake archeological study to gain a better sense of the property’s history, including the history of slavery and indentured servitude. Federal funds will assist with site repairs. Project Location: Annapolis, MD Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Name: The Nature Conservancy for Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities, Healthy Chesapeake Program Applicant: The Nature Conservancy Description: Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities, Healthy Chesapeake is a urban forestry health assessment that will increase forest conservation in Baltimore, work closely with the community to identify high-impact planting sites, and offer STEM-based workforce trainings for green jobs. Federal funds will be used for community outreach, science-based workforce development training, data collection and climate model integration, and science communication. Project Location: Baltimore City, MD Amount Requested: $850,000
Project Name: Town of Boonsboro for Drinking Water Distribution System Upgrades and Lead Pipe Replacement Applicant: Town of Boonsboro Description: Approximately 5,000 linear feet of the Town of Boonsboro’s water distribution system is made of cast iron pipe and sealed with oakum and lead packing in line with outdated industry practices. Boonsboro is also experiencing water leaks in high-water pressure areas of the water system. Federal funds would be used to replace the cast iron pipe and upgrade other areas of the distribution system to prevent leaks. Project Location: Boonsboro, MD Amount Requested: $2,400,000
Project Name: Town of Centreville for Water/Wastewater Infrastructure Renovation and Upgrade Applicant: Town of Centreville Description: The Town of Centreville plans to upgrade their outdated wastewater treatment plant, which would increase environmental efficiency and expand capacity. The facility will also include a water reuse system to allow for use of treated water for on-site and potential future off-site uses. Federal funds will support the renovation. Project Location: Centreville, MD Amount Requested: $4,000,000
Project Name: Town of Grantsville for Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Applicant: Town of Grantsville Description: The Town of Grantsville’s sewer system serves the Town and three systems owned and operated by Garrett County Public Utilities. The existing treatment process is unable to consistently meet the ammonia requirement and funding will go towards upgrading Enhanced Nutrient Removal treatment and technologies and meeting the existing Consent Order from MDE. Project Location: Grantsville, Maryland Amount Requested: $9,153,000
Project Name: Town of Hancock for Collection System Improvements Applicant: Town of Hancock Description: The Town's collection system was originally constructed in the 1930s and consisted of terra cotta sewer lines, ductile iron force mains, and brick manholes, which is now deteriorating, leading to overflows into the C&O Canal and Western Maryland Rail Trail, and sewage entering the groundwater. Funds will support the rehabilitation of the collection system to replace sewer lines and brick manholes and disconnect storm sewer lines from the sanitary sewer. Project Location: Hancock, Maryland Amount Requested: $13,057,000
Project Name: Town of Luke for Sewer Collection System Upgrades Applicant: Town of Luke Description: The Town of Luke’s sewer collection system was constructed by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company (Mill) and does not comply with acceptable design standards, including separation from water mains. Funds will address health and safety concerns and eliminate backups and discharges of raw sewerage within the Town limits. Project Location: Luke, Maryland Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Project Name: Town of New Windsor for Wastewater Treatment Plant ENR Upgrade Applicant: Town of New Windsor Description: Funding will support the Design, permitting, construction, construction management and inspection for the upgrade of the New Windsor Wastewater Treatment Plant to upgrade Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) treatment levels to provide clean, treated wastewater to local streams, as a part of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative. Project Location: New Windsor, Maryland Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Name: Town of North East for Leslie Water Treatment Plant Applicant: Town of North East Description: When water is pumped from the Leslie Raw Water Pump Station to the raw water pond in the water treatment process, sediment is passed from the creek to the pond. When left to accumulate, the sediment in the raw water pond reduces the volume of water available for treatment and can lead to algae blooms and changes in the water’s pH level in warm summer months. Federal funds will allow the Town to dredge the sediment and inspect the pond structure to ensure future integrity. Project Location: North East, MD Amount Requested: $657,000
Project Name: Town of Perryville for Ice House Park Water Trail Applicant: Town of Perryville, Maryland Description: The Town of Perryville purchased the Ice House Park parcel along the Susquehanna River in 2008. Federal funds will support waterfront improvements to facilitate fishing and connect the park to the Town Boat Ramp via a pedestrian trail. The Town would also like to add benches along the trail, restore the stream, and install interpretive educational signs and landscaping. Project Location: Perryville, MD Amount Requested: $44,000
Project Name: Town of Perryville for Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Applicant: Town of Perryville, Maryland Description: The Water Treatment Plant for the Town of Perryville draws water from the Susquehanna River to supply the town. It was last improved in 2011and operates for 10 hours per day. Based on current projections, the town’s water production will need to nearly double to keep up with demand. Federal funds will support the expansion. Project Location: Perryville, MD Amount Requested: $3,440,000
Project Name: Upton Mansion Research Center for AFRO Archives Applicant: Afro Charities, Inc. Description: Congressionally Directed Spending funds can be used to redevelop Baltimore’s historic Upton Mansion as the permanent home and research center for the Afro American Newspapers Archives to increase access to increase access to Black history and serve as an economic and cultural anchor for the area. The AFRO-American Newspaper, based in Baltimore, was founded in 1892 and is the oldest Black business in Maryland and one of the longest-running Black media organizations in the United States. The AFRO Archives include approximately three million photographs, several thousand letters, personal audio recordings of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and collected ephemera from a century’s worth of events. Project Location: Baltimore City, Maryland Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Name: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission for Little Seneca Reservoir Project Applicant: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Description: The Little Seneca Reservoir was built in the 1980s, holds 4 billion gallons of water, and serves as an emergency raw water supply for use during droughts. It also serves as a public amenity, with thousands of visitors taking advantage of the water and surrounding land for recreational purposes. Federal funds will support design of a project to remove sediment from the reservoir so it remains functional. Project Location: Laurel, MD Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Name: Worcester County for Mystic Harbor Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation Applicant: Worcester County Description: The Mystic Harbor Water Treatment Plant has been in continuous use since 1975 and the building housing the treatment equipment has never been updated. Federal funding will support the rehabilitation, including a new roof and interior ceiling, repair of concrete block and holes in the exterior wall masonry joints, electrical upgrades, safety and security improvements, and cleaning and painting of the walls and interior piping and filters. Project Location: Berlin, MD Amount Requested: $1,235,000