How the New Infrastructure Bill will Benefit the Chesapeake

During a time when many of us are wondering whether our leaders can respond to the climate crisis, the passage of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill by the federal government is an encouraging step in the right direction. The $47 billion in the bill designated for climate resilience is the largest amount of money the United States has ever dedicated to addressing and preparing for the impacts of climate change. 

In addition to billions of dollars that will be spent on updating critical infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and water and energy systems, there is also a significant focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, and equity. Much of the money will be used to boost funding for existing programs that already address climate change impacts, such as FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs that help coastal communities become more resilient against flooding and storms. 

The Chesapeake Bay region is already undergoing rapid changes due to climate change, and will benefit from additional funding that will update vulnerable infrastructure and help communities adapt to these changes. In addition to the nationwide funding for infrastructure and resilience, additional funding has also been specifically dedicated to the Chesapeake Bay. The bill will boost funding for the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, which is a federal-state-local government partnership that works together to restore the Bay and local rivers and streams across the watershed. The additional $238 million that will be granted over a five year period will increase the annual budget from $90.5 million to $138.1 million. This significant increase in funding will go directly towards on-the-ground restoration efforts, such as planting streamside forest buffers, installing rain gardens, restoring oyster reefs, and other efforts that will improve water quality and improve critical habitats. 

There is a lot more work that needs to be done to solve the climate crisis, but hopefully this bill is just the first in a series of actions by our leaders in addressing these issues.