The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its latest round of Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration and Protection Grants. Applications are due August 16. (formal notice)
The Department anticipates there will be approximately $18 million available for Growing Greener grants, $3 million available for 319 NPS grants and $2 million available for acid mine drainage set-aside grants in this round.
For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect or restore, or both, this Commonwealth's watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution.
Examples of special priority areas include: projects located in ''priority'' watersheds that reduce the source of impairment; ''priority'' type activities that lead to water quality restoration or protection; and projects that support the installation of agricultural Best Management Practices to achieve compliance with existing agricultural water quality requirements.
Examples of eligible projects include those that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired, projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants and integrating stormwater management into watershed management and water conservation strategies.
Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Grant Programs and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program.
SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and nonprofit organizations for projects meeting SMCRA Set Aside or Bond Forfeiture grant requirements. Section 319 grants focus on funding similar projects to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds.
Eligible applicants include: counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; watershed organizations recognized by the Department who promote local watershed conservation efforts, council of governments and other authorized organizations involved in the restoration and protection of the environment in this Commonwealth.
Click Here to download the application package in Word format or Click Here to download the application package as a PDF file. visit DEP’s Growing Greener webpage or send email to: GrowingGreener@pa.gov.