Chesapeake Bay Program

     This program aids farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed drainage area with nutrient management planning and best management practice (BMP) design and implementation. The program is designed to give technical and financial assistance to farmers with nutrient and erosion control problems on their farms. The ultimate goal of the bay program is to improve water quality locally and in the Chesapeake Bay.

     The Chesapeake Bay program can provide 80% cost-share funding, up to a maximum of $30,000, for installation of BMPs on a farm.
These BMPs include:

-manure storage facilities,
-roof runoff management,
-barnyard stabilization,
-diversions and waterways.

     A vital part of this is the implementation of a nutrient management plan, which helps the farmer control the use of nutrients.

     The DEP Chesapeake Bay program also provides financial assistance to farmers for installing stream bank fences and stream crossings. The program pays for 100% of the costs of fencing, energizers and one crossing or ramp. Fences are installed allowing an average buffer of 12 feet from the top of the stream bank.

     Please call the district office at 765-2629 for more details.

    Check out the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Facts