​​DEP Chesapeake Bay Implementation: 7 Conservation Districts Awarded $2.98 Million In Conservation Excellence Grants; Juniata County Farm Wins Sustainability Award

DEP announced in its most recent Chesapeake Bay Implementation Program newsletter the State Conservation Commission awarded $2.98 million in Conservation Excellence Grants to seven counties-- Lancaster, York, Bedford, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin and Lebanon.

The participating conservation districts have committed over $2.98 million in CEG program funds to eligible projects, including barnyard runoff and manure storage and manure stacking areas; roofed heavy use area protection (HUAP); grassed waterways and diversions; and cover crops. 

Conservation districts will continue to accept and review CEG program applications for implementation of priority best management practices that are part of an agricultural erosion and sedimentation plan, conservation plan, nutrient management or manure management plan.

Sustainability Award

David Graybill of Red Sunset Farm in Juniata County was recently recognized as a 2021 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award winner for his on-farm conservation practices.

Click Here to hear a description of his practices during a recent panel discussion [about 8:30 into the program].

Other Updates

The newsletter also provided updates on--

-- Adaptive Toolbox For Conservation And Livestock Stream Exclusion Finished

-- CFA Awards Act 13 Watershed Restoration Grants [April]

-- Chesapeake Bay-related legislation awaits action by General Assembly

-- Resource Enhancement & Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program Open

-- DEP Small Business Advantage Grants Open

-- Western PA Conservancy Watershed Mini Grants Open

-- U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Grants Open

The newsletter also contains the regular updates from counties on the Clean Water Action Planning process.

Click Here to read the entire newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

PA Chesapeake Bay Plan

For more information on Pennsylvania’s plan, visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Office webpage.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

DEP’s Interactive Report Viewer allows you to zoom in on your own stream or watershed to find out how clean your stream is or if it has impaired water quality using the latest information in the draft 2020 Water Quality Report.

(Photos: York County Riparian Rangers.)

Related Articles:

-- Guest Essay: Deadline Looms For State, Federal Officials To Save PA And Chesapeake Bay - By Shannon Gority, PA Executive Director Chesapeake Bay Foundation

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay: Hosting Faithful Green Leaders Online Training Starting Oct. 14  [PaEN]

-- Forests For The Chesapeake Bay: August Newsletter - Hardwood For All, Late Summer Blooms

[Posted: August 25, 2021]  PA Environment Digest