Governor Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Protects Maryland’s Environment

Budget Ensures Maryland Remains a National Leader in Environmental Stewardship

“We have been aggressive, proactive, and innovative in our effort to safeguard Maryland’s environment. We have made a great deal of progress. But together, we can - and we must - do more.” - Governor Larry Hogan, February 1, 2017

Historic Investments To Protect Our Most Precious Natural Asset

Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Provides Historic Funding Toward Bay Restoration Efforts

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests Over $1.15 Billion In State Funds, A Record, Toward Chesapeake Bay Restoration Efforts. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $51.3 Million In The Chesapeake And Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund. For the second year in a row, and for the second time in state history, the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund will be fully funded; Governor Hogan is the only governor in state history to fully fund the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

Fiscal Year 2018 Will Be The Second Time In State History In Which No Budget Actions Will Divert Funding Away From Bay Restoration Efforts To Support The General Fund. For the second year in a row, and for the second time in state history, no budget actions will divert funding away from Bay restoration efforts to support the general fund. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Governor Hogan: “Just A Few Months Ago On Its Latest Annual Report Card, The Chesapeake Bay Received Its Highest Score For Water Quality In Nearly A Quarter Century. The Amount Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Sediment In The Bay Has Dropped Dramatically Compared To Recent Years.” (Governor Hogan: 2017 State Of The State Address,” Office Of The Governor, 2/1/17)

Preserving And Protecting Green Space Throughout Maryland

Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Makes Important Investments In Land Preservation And Parks Across the State

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $186 Million, Fully Funding Program Open Space And Land Preservation Programs; Funding For These Programs Increase By $63.8 Million Compared To Fiscal Year 2017. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Governor Hogan: “We Have Also Made It A Priority To Promote Land Conservation And To Preserve Our State’s Green Spaces. Our Administration Pushed For, And Enacted Legislation That Protects Against Any Further Raids Of Program Open Space.” (Governor Hogan Remarks, Environmental Agenda, 1/3/17)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Increases The Budget For The Maryland Park Service By $3.9 Million To $47.1 Million; Increased Funding WIll Help With Essential Equipment Replacement And Maintenance Needs In State Parks. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $1.9 Million For 17 New Law Enforcement Officers For The Natural Resources Police; Officers Enforce Conservation And Promote Safety On Public Lands And Waterways (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Provides Two Additional Positions To Support The Natural Resources Police Aviation Unit.(Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Governor Hogan: “Every Time I Have The Opportunity To Spend A Day Out On Our Beautiful Chesapeake Bay, Or Touring One Of Our Many Parks, I Am Reminded That Marylanders Owe A Great Debt To The Men And Women Of The NRP.” (Governor Hogan Remarks, NRP Graduation, 11/12/16)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Increases Funding For The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund To $3.5 Million To Encourage Agricultural And Forestry Educational Efforts. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Supports Sustainable Agricultural Practices

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $2.5 Million, As Part Of A Two Year Plan Totaling $5 Million In The Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program; Program Helps Young Farmers Acquire Farmland To Implement Sustainable Agricultural Practices. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Budget Invests An Additional $1.1 Million In Fiscal Year 2017 To Support The Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share Program. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

Encouraging Sustainable Energy And Promoting Energy Efficiency

Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests In Alternative Energy Programs And Efforts

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $20 Million For Energy Efficiency And Conservation Programs. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $18 Million For Renewable And Clean Energy Programs. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $11 Million In Tier 1 Renewable Energy Programs. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $8 Million In The Department Of Energy’s New Energy-Water Infrastructure Program; Program Will Help Improve Energy Efficiency And Reduce Costs At Wastewater Treatment Plants. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $6 Million For Animal Waste To Energy Programs; Programs Are Important To Help Improve Water Quality, Energy Independence, And To Ensure The Sustainability Of Animal Agriculture In Maryland.(Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $2.6 Million For The Jane E. Lawton Conservation Program And State Agency Loan Program; Program Assists Local Governments, Nonprofits, And Businesses In Maryland To Make Cost Effective Energy Conservation Improvements. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Invests $1.5 Million For Weatherization And Energy Efficiency Programs For Low Income Marylanders. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)