ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 21, 2005) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced Board of Public Works approval today of a $6.49 million grant from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund for the Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrade at the Kent Narrows/ Stevensville/ Grasonville Wastewater Treatment Plant in Queen Anne’s County. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“This upgrade will dramatically reduce the amount, by up to 69 tons of discharged nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay, improving water quality and aquatic habitat,” said Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Upgrading this facility furthers our commitment to achieve the nutrient reduction goals set in the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement.”

The project will expand the plant’s capacity from 2 million to 3 million gallons per day and construct a full-scale ENR facility so it can achieve an annual goal of removing total nitrogen to 3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) and total phosphorus to 0.3 mg/l. The result will equate to a 137,000-pound reduction in nitrogen being discharged into the bay. Excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries.

“Queen Anne’s County has a significant heritage relying upon Chesapeake Bay’s former bounty and we are eager, with the State of Maryland’s assistance, to do our part to restore it,” said Joseph Cupani, president, Queen Anne’s County Commissioners.

The upgrade is slated for completion by March of 2007.

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