Restoring the Bay

The Chesapeake Bay is a vital part of our States economy, our history, and our values. Through BayStat, we are tracking our progress to meet Marylands ambitious restoration goals that more than double our nitrogen reduction efforts to restore the Bay. From the State House to your house, every action counts: from recycling to carpooling, from properly disposing of pet waste to planting a tree, every Marylander can help improve water quality in Maryland's rivers, streams, and creeks, and the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays.

Stay Connected

Tools for Local Governments

The Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Trust Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to for pollution control projects, such as reducing stormwater runoff.
Water quality grants and loans are available to help local governments fund access to safe and plentiful drinking water, upgrades to wastewater treatment plants, improvements to stormwater systems, and local stream and wetland restoration projects.
Maryland’s new stormwater program and regulations will help counties, communities, and individuals reduce runoff of trash and pollution that occurs during rainstorms.

Opportunities for Citizens

Learn about recycling in Maryland
Cover Crops and other on-farm best management practices (BMPs) prevent soil erosion, manage nutrients and safeguard water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Through Marylanders Grow Oysters, waterfront property owners are growing-out oysters that will eventually become part of local oyster reefs.
Maryland Tributary Team volunteers are addressing pollution at the local level in 10 major tributary basins of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Did you know that septic system upgrades cut a systems nitrogen load in half? MDE provides grants for homeowners to upgrade their septic systems, with priority given to homeowners with failing systems and systems in the Critical Area.
Plant and be counted with this $25 coupon from Marylanders Plant Trees.
Learn about the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load "pollution diet" that will help clean our Bay and local waterways.
The Healthy Beaches Program monitors Marylands beaches. Check the status of your beach here and learn how to keep your beach healthy.
Enjoy Maryland seafood! Eating fish can keep you healthy -- but some Marylanders, including pregnant women and small children, should be aware of fish consumption advisories for some species.
Report environmental emergencies, including fish kills and algae blooms, 24 hours a day at (866) MDE - GOTO or 877-224-RBAY.