The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for watershed protection and restoration grants under the Growing Greener Plus Program. The deadline for applications is July 11. (formal notice)
For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect or restore, or both, the 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 the 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, councils of government and other authorized organizations involved in the restoration and protection of the environment in this Commonwealth.
More information, applications and guidelines for the new grant round will be posted on DEP’s Growing Greener Plus Program webpage.
Questions should be directed to DEP’s Growing Greener Grants Center by sending email to: GrowingGreener@state.pa.us, call the Center at 717-705-5400 or write the DEP Grants Center, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8776, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8776.
