Maryland will receive more than $33 million in federal funding for six water infrastructure and dredging projects under the fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. The funding package supports shoreline protection, dredging operations, water infrastructure upgrades, and regional water supply planning projects across multiple counties in the state.
The largest allocation includes $20 million for the Atlantic Coast of Maryland Shoreline Protection project in Worcester County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will use the funding for beach renourishment activities in Ocean City to strengthen shoreline protection and reduce coastal erosion risks.
Easton Utilities Commission received $2.625 million for construction of a new water tower in Talbot County. The project will support pressure regulation, fire flow capacity, system redundancy, and emergency water supply for the new University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center. The funding package also includes $3.2 million for Northeast River dredging activities in Cecil County and $4.805 million for dredging work at Slaughter Creek in Dorchester County.
The broader Energy and Water Development funding bill also includes additional allocations for Maryland waterways and port infrastructure, including $43.075 million for maintenance of Port of Baltimore shipping channels and $20.717 million for the Intracoastal Waterway connection between the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay.