SHA Plants Trees in Carroll County to Help 'Reclaim the Bay Program'

As part of Maryland’s Reclaim the Bay Program, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is planting more than 55,000 trees in Carroll, Frederick and Howard counties through the fall of 2014. 

The trees will act as natural filters to help reduce harmful nutrients that wash into waterways and ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay, according to an SHA news release.

“Residents who live adjacent to SHA property may see crews planting or maintaining trees, which will become natural wooded areas,” said David Coyne, SHA District Engineer for Carroll, Frederick and Howard counties.  “Every acre of trees absorbs carbon dioxide equal to the amount emitted by a car driven 26,000 miles.” 

The planting will be located along highway and grassy areas that will not hinder visibility for travelers, according to the SHA. 

SHA’s water quality projects are part of the national Clean Water Act that requires states to establish a list of impaired waters and develop projects to help reduce pollutants and nutrients from entering streams and tributaries. 

The total cost for these tree plantings is approximately $2.2 million, according to the SHA. The project should be completed by fall 2014.