State Awards $600K for Flood Reduction Projects Across Maryland

Maryland has awarded $690,000 in competitive grants to support nine flood reduction and restoration projects aimed at helping local communities better prepare for flooding, erosion, and severe weather.

The funding, announced by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will support planning and design work for projects across seven counties and reflects the state’s continued investment in resilience and flood mitigation.

The grants are funded through Maryland’s Resilience Through Restoration Initiative and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This year’s awards come as the General Assembly formally codified the Resilience Through Restoration Initiative into law during the 2026 legislative session, making the program a permanent part of Maryland’s long-term flood and erosion response strategy.

Projects selected for Fiscal Year 2027 include a range of nature-based and infrastructure-focused solutions, from living shorelines and wetland restoration to green infrastructure and stormwater retrofits.

Among the projects:

  • Anne Arundel County will support living shoreline designs to protect vulnerable roads, marshlands, and community trails.
  • Cecil County will launch a public outreach initiative to improve flood reporting and strengthen participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.
  • Howard County will advance stormwater improvements in Old Ellicott City, including bioswales and detention pond retrofits to help reduce overflow and flood risks.
  • Somerset County’s City of Crisfield will design a tidal wetland restoration project to help reduce both tidal and stormwater flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods

Additional funded projects will take place in Dorchester, Harford, and Prince George’s counties.

For counties, these grants offer a growing example of how local governments are combining infrastructure upgrades, natural systems, and public engagement to improve resilience as flooding risks continue to rise across Maryland.

DNR plans to begin accepting applications for the next fiscal year in July through its online Grants Gateway. Learn More