Gov. Robert Ehrlich announced a $19.4 million plan to reduce pollution and restore oyster habitat in the Corsica River over the next five years.
Gov. Robert Ehrlich announced a $19.4 million plan to reduce pollution and restore oyster habitat in the Corsica River over the next five years.
The money, most of it coming from federal agencies, will fund new oysters, bay grass plantings and grants to farmers who plant winter crops, which could reduce pollution into the tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.
"This is the grand experiment, taking a challenged river and bringing everyone together," Ehrlich said Tuesday.
Officials also unveiled plans to begin selling bottled "Maryland Natural Spring Water" by the end of the week to raise money for cleaning up the bay.
Charles Evans, development director for the Maryland Department of Resources, said it will take several years to get the Corsica River off the Environmental Protection Agency's list of "impaired waters."
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But he described the partnership -- which includes state and local government, federal environmental authorities, environmental watch groups, farmers and businesses -- as exciting.
"This is a first," he said.
Source: Associated Press
