DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress Update: Funding Opportunities, Actions, County Clean Water Plan Implementation

The latest DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress newsletter is full of actions and activities taken by counties, nonprofits and state agency partners to implement PA’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan.

Expanded DEP Support Staff

DEP’s Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management has expanded and is in the process of hiring the full complement of Watershed Managers and Conservation District Field Representatives (CDFRs) who are based in each of DEP’s regional offices. 

Within the Chesapeake Bay portion of the state, these Watershed Managers and CDFRs will join the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Division CAP Project Advisors in supporting the counties as they implement their CAPs.

These positions play an important role in supporting the counties. With widespread, on the ground knowledge of progress taking place within the county, the Watershed Managers and CDFRs are a key partner in this process. 

An essential role of the Watershed Manager is to connect counties to local technical assistance, as well as assisting county partners in connecting with potential partners. 

Using both grant management experience and community connections, Watershed Managers are an essential resource for county partners when looking to secure new grant funding sources and implement projects.

County Updates

Updates on county implementation of clean water plans are included for Adams, Bradford, Centre, Columbia, Juniata, Montour, Perry, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. 

Funding Opportunities

-- NFWF PA Most Effective Watershed Grants

-- NFWF Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Grants

-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants

-- PA Trout Unlimited Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grants

Other Activities

-- Draft DEP Post-Construction Stormwater Management Manual available for public comment

-- Draft PennVEST Clean Water Procurement Program Guidance available for public comment

-- DEP Clean Water Academy Releases Course on Legacy Sediment Impairment & Stream Restoration

-- PA Assn. of Conservation Districts Awards $65,000 in Water Pollution Prevention Education Grants

-- PA Assn. of Conservation Districts releases Report on 2022 County District Activities

-- DCNR/Western PA Conservancy Seeking Central Region Watershed Forestry Specialist

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates on Pennsylvania’s progress.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

(Reprinted from DEP’s Healthy Waters PA Partnership Progress newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

[Posted: February 28, 2023]  PA Environment Digest