The Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday, that it will invest more than $18.7 million in watershed protection projects intended to improve watersheds, stormwater runoff, acid mine drainage and educational programs, among other environmental efforts.
This year, the Growing Greener program, which is funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, will award $13,225,594 for 78 projects around the state. Five additional projects, funded by the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Grant, will receive $1,185,588. Two additional grants, totaling $252,400, are funded by the Acid Mine Drainage Set-aside program.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program, which was created through the federal Clean Water Act to help reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources, is funding 21 additional projects, which total $4,062,368.
These projects will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired by implementing agricultural and stormwater best-management practices; developing, repairing or installing passive systems to treat abandoned mine drainage; and supporting the establishment of riparian buffers, among other objectives.
One of the Growing Greener program’s goals to invest in projects that protect watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution or those that will restore damaged waterways. Some examples of priority areas are restoration activities to reduce pollutant load in impaired watersheds for which total maximum daily loads have been developed; projects in priority watersheds that would reduce the source of impairment; and priority activities that lead to water quality restoration and protection.
For more information about Growing Greener or to see the complete list of grant recipients, email GrowingGreener@pa.gov; call 717-705-4500; or visit DEP’s website at www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Growing Greener.
Local organizations awarded grants by County:
Adams
Adams County Conservation District, Beaverdam Creek Watershed, $31,500
Berks
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc., Maiden Creek and Tulpehocken Watersheds, $23,885
Dauphin
Dauphin County Conservation District, Little Wiconisco Watershed, $210,179
Lancaster
City of Lancaster, Lancaster City green infrastructure, $379,457
Cocalico Creek Watershed Association, Little Cocalico Creek, $30,000
Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, $12,387
Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Conowingo Creek, $216,200
Save Speedwell, Speedwell Forge Lake, $432,509
Stroud Water Research Center Inc., Lancaster County impaired streams, $369,245
Lebanon
Jonestown Borough, Jonestown Borough stormwater management, $99,271
Northumberland
Northumberland County Conservation District, Schwaben Creek and Hallowing Run, $356,000
Perry
Marysville Borough, Marysville Borough stormwater management, $18,100
Schuylkill
Schuylkill County Conservation District, Good Spring Creek, $151,022
Schuylkill Conservation District, Oak Hill Borehole and West Creek, $129,904
Schuylkill Headwaters Association Inc., Schuylkill River, $69,254
This year, the Growing Greener program, which is funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, will award $13,225,594 for 78 projects around the state. Five additional projects, funded by the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Grant, will receive $1,185,588. Two additional grants, totaling $252,400, are funded by the Acid Mine Drainage Set-aside program.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program, which was created through the federal Clean Water Act to help reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources, is funding 21 additional projects, which total $4,062,368.
These projects will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired by implementing agricultural and stormwater best-management practices; developing, repairing or installing passive systems to treat abandoned mine drainage; and supporting the establishment of riparian buffers, among other objectives.
One of the Growing Greener program’s goals to invest in projects that protect watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution or those that will restore damaged waterways. Some examples of priority areas are restoration activities to reduce pollutant load in impaired watersheds for which total maximum daily loads have been developed; projects in priority watersheds that would reduce the source of impairment; and priority activities that lead to water quality restoration and protection.
For more information about Growing Greener or to see the complete list of grant recipients, email GrowingGreener@pa.gov; call 717-705-4500; or visit DEP’s website at www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Growing Greener.
Local organizations awarded grants by County:
Adams
Adams County Conservation District, Beaverdam Creek Watershed, $31,500
Berks
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary Inc., Maiden Creek and Tulpehocken Watersheds, $23,885
Dauphin
Dauphin County Conservation District, Little Wiconisco Watershed, $210,179
Lancaster
City of Lancaster, Lancaster City green infrastructure, $379,457
Cocalico Creek Watershed Association, Little Cocalico Creek, $30,000
Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, $12,387
Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Conowingo Creek, $216,200
Save Speedwell, Speedwell Forge Lake, $432,509
Stroud Water Research Center Inc., Lancaster County impaired streams, $369,245
Lebanon
Jonestown Borough, Jonestown Borough stormwater management, $99,271
Northumberland
Northumberland County Conservation District, Schwaben Creek and Hallowing Run, $356,000
Perry
Marysville Borough, Marysville Borough stormwater management, $18,100
Schuylkill
Schuylkill County Conservation District, Good Spring Creek, $151,022
Schuylkill Conservation District, Oak Hill Borehole and West Creek, $129,904
Schuylkill Headwaters Association Inc., Schuylkill River, $69,254