Environmental justice disparities in Maryland's watershed restoration programs

• We explored the distribution of funding for wetlands restoration in the state of Maryland by race, socioeconomic status, and geography.
• Found disparities in programmatic wetlands projects by race and geography.
• Found disparities in Clean Water Act 319 funding by race and geography.
• Disparities in distribution of funding by socioeconomic status.

Two Maryland watershed restoration and mitigation programs were assessed to determine whether they are distributing resources fairly and equitably with respect to environmental justice. A Freedom of Information Act was submitted to obtain the location and scope of all registered wetlands impacts from Maryland's Non-tidal Wetland Mitigation program and the distribution of grant funds from the Federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) which are used to help eliminate water quality impairments caused by nonpoint sources of pollution. Information retrieved from both programs was compiled on Excel and mapped on GIS by 8-digit watershed. Findings indicate mixed results on geographic, racial, and socioeconomic disparities in the location of programmatic wetlands projects funded by the state and of the allocation of Section 319(h) dollars. It is anticipated the research will assist the efforts of advocates for disadvantaged communities to argue for stronger environmental protections and additional federal and state resources for environmental restoration.