Anacostia River and Tributaries MD & DC Comprehensive Plan
President's Budget Request: $183,000
Request: $233,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Funding will be used to publish the final priorities list and potential financing plan for the Anacostia River and Tributaries Comprehensive Plan which has identified several thousand environmental restoration and conservation projects throughout the Anacostia watershed that may be undertaken to address the degraded river system that is a gateway to our Nation's capital.  Funding will also be utilized to finalize specific scopes and initiate/complete cost sharing agreements for implementing two of the plan's recommended projects.  This is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because implementation of this plan will help restore the health of this river and improve the quality of life for all who live along it.  It will also prevent pollutants from entering the Chesapeake Bay.

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery, MD & VA
President's Budget Request: $5,000,000
Request: $5,000,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District
803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Oysters are essential to the well being of the Chesapeake Bay.  Oyster reefs not only provide critical habitat and feeding grounds for other essential species, but also serve as natural filters screening out algae, sediments, and pollutants.  Unfortunately, due to disease, pollution, and over fishing, oyster populations are only between one and two percent of their levels just a century ago.  This funding would continue efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers to design and build oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay.  Activities include construction of oyster bars and reefs, rehabilitation of existing marginal habitat, and construction of oyster hatcheries.  This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because the restoration of our oyster fishery is an essential step toward restoring the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Patuxent River Watershed Comprehensive Plan
Request: $80,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

The Patuxent River watershed is the largest in Maryland, encompassing over 900 square miles and approximately one-tenth of Maryland's total land area. Unfortunately, water quality in the Patuxent River is poor and continues to deteriorate.  Funding would enable the Corps to conduct an Initial Watershed Assessment Study of the Patuxent River Basin, which will define a scope of work needed to develop a comprehensive watershed basin plan that will target pollution reduction and stream restoration projects to reduce sediment and other point and non-point source pollutants entering the Patuxent and its tributaries. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will enable the development and implementation of a detailed watershed plan which will identify specific actions local, State, and Federal stakeholders can undertake to improve the health of this river and bolster the quality of life for all who live in the watershed.

Southern Maryland Flood Plain Management Services Program
Request: $500,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Flooding for various sources (stormwater, coastal, and riverine) is a significant issue in the five Southern Maryland counties.  Funding will enable the Corps to complete a planning-level investigation to identify the risks of flooding and develop a comprehensive plan to mitigate and/or prevent these flood hazards in the future.  This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because mitigating or preventing such flood hazards will reduce flooding, preserve infrastructure, and ultimately save taxpayer funds.

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration Program, MD, VA, PA
Request: $3,000,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

The funding would be used to fund the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration Program as authorized by Section 510 of WRDA 1996 to enable the Corps to provide environmental assistance to non-Federal interests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  This is a good use of taxpayer dollars because it will enable a number of smaller scale environmental projects to be undertaken throughout the watershed, thereby improving the health of the Bay and its tributaries.

Potomac and Anacostia Drift Removal
President's Budget Request: $845,000
Request: $1,665,000
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
City Crescent Building, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Funding will enable the Corps to remove drift and debris from the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers.  Funding over the President's budget request will enable the Corps to meet its capability and provide for additional equipment and personnel for collection and removal.  It will also enable the Corps to provide basic emergency response for storms and high water events.  This is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars as it will enable the Corps to maintain safe passage for recreational and shipping vessels traveling on these waterways.

St. Mary's College of Maryland Geothermal Renovation of Residences Pilot Program
Request: $500,000
St. Mary's College of Maryland
18952 E. Fisher Road
St. Mary's City, MD 20686

Funding will be utilized to replace traditional HVAC systems in student residences at St. Mary's College of Maryland that are at the end of their service life with durable geothermal systems.  New geothermal systems could reduce the electricity needs of these buildings by as much as 50% and reduce the College's annual greenhouse gas emissions by 140 metric tons of CO2. This is a valuable use of taxpayer dollars because it will improve energy efficiency at the state's Public Honors College while serve as a pilot program to demonstrate that geothermal energy is an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply.