Envision the Choptank is offering new financial incentives for installing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on agricultural lands, as well as qualifying residential properties, within the Choptank River watershed. Landowners can receive the following incentives for installing buffers, wetland restoration, and/or drainage ditch management practices. These BMPs can help reduce erosion and generate income from unproductive land, while also improving water quality and increasing waterfowl habitat. Grant funds are limited. If you are interested, or would like to get more information, reach out to Whitley Gray at 443.385.0511 ext. 202 or wgray@shorerivers.org.
(1) Funds can be used for design or construction costs; or to cover landowner’s portion of cost-share payment when using a state or federal cost-share program.
(2) No mowing restrictions when committing to a 3 year contract. Amount dependent on grass type. Program cannot be combined with state or federal cost-share programs.
(3) Funds will cover the landowner’s portion of cost-share payment when using the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program to install the practice. The same amount of funds could be applied if not using a cost-share program.
(4) Landowners will receive a $500/acre bonus if the practice they install falls within a priority area (locations identified as having increased water quality benefits according to landscape analyses performed by Envision partners).
