ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Federal officials say Maryland has been awarded more than $7 million in grants for projects to protect communities against damage from future storms.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resilience Grant Program announced the grants to 11 states in the eastern U.S. on Monday.

The largest grant was $3.5 million to create 25 acres of new salt marsh and increase salt marsh productivity at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area in Dorchester County.

A $2.4 million grant will create, restore, and improve North Beach’s shoreline in Calvert County.

Maryland is providing matching funds for the projects.

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