Researcher(s)
- Rebecca Kelleher, Political Science, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Lori Spagnolo, GAP, University of Delaware
Abstract
The Chesapeake Bay was formed over 35.5 million years ago and is the largest estuary in the United States, with over 100,000 rivers, creeks, and streams that compose its watershed. However, the well-being of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed has been struggling significantly since the 1950s. According to a 2022 Study completed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Bay’s overall health is rated as a D+ and has seen no improvement from 2021. Through the efforts of the current Administration, cities and towns in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, now have access to historic levels of funding to improve the health of the largest estuary in the United States. Nearly half of Delaware’s geographic territory is included in this critical watershed, which recently received a grade of D+ for its overall health. Through my research, I have been able to identify or locate 10 grants that are specific to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Through these grants up to 67.7 Million dollars is available for projects ranging from education, tree planting, water testing, wetland conservation, and stormwater management. To maximize the opportunity for the state of Delaware to access this funding, I identified the municipalities located in the watershed and therefore eligible for grants specific to the improvement of the health of the Bay. I reviewed relevant planning documents for these municipalities, which are the towns of Bethel, Blades, Bridgeville, Delmar, Ellendale, Farmington, Greenwood, Hartley, Laurel, and Seaford. With this information in mind, I was able to match each town with every possible grant opportunity based on their goals and aspirations as found in their most recent town comprehensive plan, to ensure every city had multiple grant opportunities to assist in saving and preserving the national treasure that is the Chesapeake bay and its watershed.