Environment Maryland Research and Policy Center, Inc.
$5,000 / 2007 / Environment
For expenses related to promoting the Clean Car Program in Maryland. This advocacy effort calls for ten executive briefings with the governor’s administrative staff, the creation of a Commission on Climate Change, and scheduling of testimonials on global warming and environmental health at the legislative session.
The Chester River Association
$5,000 / 2007 / Environment
Toward a planning grant to serve as a catalyst for systemic change in the way environmental organizations address farming issues. The overall goal is to increase cooperation with farmers in the watershed and implement best management practices.
The Chesapeake Rivers Association
$15,000 / 2007 / Environment
Two grants in support of the Severn Riverkeeper Program’s efforts to protect, preserve, and restore the Severn River. Through daily shoreline and river monitoring, the Riverkeeper program protects vulnerable waterways by providing effective legal representation to stop inappropriate development and promotes enforcement by local and state authorities. By providing scientific evidence and effective legal representation to stop inappropriate shoreline development, the association was influential in the Maryland Critical Areas Commission decision to increase penalties for non-compliance and infractions from $500 to $10,000. Ongoing efforts are being made to install living shoreline in place of traditional riprap for erosion control.
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
$50,000 / 2007 / Environment
Toward a public education and outreach program addressing issues of global warming in Maryland. The network, in collaboration with Environment Maryland, will publish Blue Prints for Action reports for dissemination to legislators and media, and will train 300 volunteers for grassroots advocacy efforts working toward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland by 20 percent by 2020 and 90 percent by 2050.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
$10,000 / 2007 / Environment
Toward support of planned litigation activities in Maryland to ensure greater enforcement of existing laws and regulations critical to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay. The foundation will focus on incidents of damage to the Bay, such as encroachment on wetlands, erosion, stormwater run-off caused by developments, lack of setbacks creating buffer zones, power plant toxic airborne emissions, and will monitor permits and zoning variances being recorded at local planning and zoning boards.