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RICHMOND, Va. - The Environmental Protection Agency awarded Maryland more than $130 million to fund clean water projects, including the Chesapeake Bay cleanup.

Maryland was one of the first states to receive the funding under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. Most of the money will go to reduce pollution in area waterways, but about $26 million will also help improve the drinking water. Also, the money will help create hundreds of new jobs.

Bladensburg Waterfront Park in Prince George's County sits next to the Anacostia River and offers a quiet, scenic retreat. Kathleen Lutrell comes back time after time to enjoy the surroundings, but admits the river has seen better days.

"I know there has been a lot of problems here with silting in with development in the area, further up the area, and there also needs to be storm water management and flood plain management because of the surrounding communities."

Lutrell and others can expect to see the improvements sooner than later with the stimulus dollars coming to Maryland.

"The types of projects are things to control storm water runoff pollution, build green roofs and green streets, use water meters to control our water efficiently, install solar panels and wind turbines," said Dawn Stoltzfus, Md. Department of Environment.

One project will target the Anacostia River. WSSC received $4 million in grant money to repair sewer lines in the area.

"Which is really going to help the people who live right across the river and also help to clean up the Anacostia River," said Stoltzfus.

Everyone across the state will see environmental and economic benefits with the extra funding.

"It's also going to create hundreds of jobs in our state and the money is going into use right away These are all projects that have to begin by December 2009 and we anticipate giving out loans as early as July," said Stoltzfus.

The long term goal is to restore natural resources like the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of the Environment received 600 applications, close to $4 billion in requests for water projects throughout the state. The projects were chosen based on timeline and potential health benefits.

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