COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 137

August 29, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee Grants

The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee is accepting grant applications to conduct Chesapeake Bay-related education and restoration activities. The grants are funded with money from the sale of the special Chesapeake Bay license plate, "Friend of the Chesapeake." This year, $468,000 in grant money will be awarded to eligible applicants. During this past year, 60 grantees received $370,879. Since 1996, nearly $4 million has been awarded as a result of the sale of the "Bay plate," with many of these awards being for projects conducted by Virginias elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

The deadline for submitting proposals for 2004 support grants is October 1, 2003. Grants will be awarded in May-June 2004. To be eligible for receiving a grant, applicants should submit proposals emphasizing environmental education or restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay. Projects focusing on environmental education should increase public awareness and knowledge about the bay, and projects of a restoration and conservation nature should be action oriented.

Please note that these kinds of projects may be useful for helping to meet many of the 2003 Science Standards of Learning and Career and Technical Education competencies. In addition, these projects will support the implementation of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement goal of providing meaningful watershed field experiences to all students. A description of this goal may be found at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/cesc/c2k.pdf.

Applications will be accepted from private not-for-profit conservation organizations, schools and universities, and governmental agencies whose projects will affect bodies of water that are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. There is no limit on the amount that an applicant may request. More information on the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, including the application, grant guidelines, and a catalogue of past projects can be found at http://dls.state.va.us/cbrfac.htm. You can also obtain information, applications, and guidelines by contacting the Division of Legislative Services, General Assembly Building, 910 Capitol Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 786-3591.

General Assembly members of the Advisory Committee are Senator Frederick M. Quayle, of Chesapeake, Chairman, Delegate Harvey B. Morgan, of Gloucester, and Delegate Thomas D. Gear, of Hampton. Citizen members include Gregory Evans, of Springfield, Lewis Lawrence, of Saluda, Bernard Nagelvoort, of Berryville, and Thomas Van Auken, of Richmond.

JLD/lcp