Governor promotes voluntary Chesapeake Bay funding source

Maryland (Map, News) - Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Comptroller Peter Franchot were in Chevy Chase on Thursday to announce this year’s goals for a voluntary tax checkoff program that’s used to pump money into Chesapeake Bay restoration and education efforts.

“Raising public awareness about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to our economy, ecology and heritage is a critical step in our efforts to restore the Bay,” O’Malley said.

The fund last year raised about $1.2 million, so the hope is to increase that amount to $1.5 million in 2007, according to officials.

The program allows Marylanders to donate through their state income tax return, according to Molly Alton Mullins, a spokeswoman for the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Then, the dollars raised are evenly divided between the trust and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

In speaking Thursday, O’Malley encouraged the public to participate in the effort because it supports hundreds of educational and restorative projects statewide.

Bay cleanup was a major initiative O’Malley put forth during his gubernatorial run.

The voluntary tax checkoff program started in 1985. Last year, about 46,000 Maryland residents contributed, with the average donation hovering around $25.

Donations of any amount can be made by completing line 37 on the Maryland state income tax form.

Executive director David O’Neill said the trust will award $4 million in grants this year, its most ever.

“We simply would not be capable of funding so many valuable and important projects and reaching so many Marylanders without the contributions donated through the voluntary checkoff program,” O’Neill said.

dlevitz@dcexaminer.com