EPA, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Award $22.4 Million To Support Innovative Nutrient & Sediment Reduction Projects In Chesapeake Bay Watershed; 8 Projects To Benefit PA

On June 25, the US Environmental Protection Agency and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced the award of $22.4 million to support 13 Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The 13 grants will leverage $35.3 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of $57.7 million.

Eight of the 13 grants will support projects benefiting Pennsylvania--

-- Chesapeake Conservancy - $1,633,500 - Accelerating Stream Delisting in Central Pennsylvania: Utilize a Rapid Stream Delisting strategy to implement approximately 30 full-farm restoration projects in central Pennsylvania. Project will develop 10 comprehensive nutrient management plans, restore 125 acres of riparian buffers, and increase local partner outreach to advance stream delisting in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  

--  Department of Conservation & Natural Resources - $2,000,000 - Implementing Forestry Best Management Practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Deploy novel contracting and procurement mechanisms in partnership with regional watershed forestry specialists and local partners to expand adoption of watershed forestry Best Management Practices. Project will implement 135 acres of riparian forest buffers, 50 acres of urban tree planting and 50 acres of conservation landscaping.

-- Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County - $1,492,500 - Reducing Runoff and Reaching New Leaders in Lancaster: Bolster the Lancaster Clean Water Partners collaborative, accelerate adoption of Best Management Practices to achieve Lancaster’s Countywide Action Plan goals and diversify contractor engagement to both expand the pool of watershed restoration contractors and to provide equitable opportunities for local companies to play a part in clean water work in Lancaster County. Project will reduce annual sediment pollution by nearly 3 million pounds.

-- Tioga County, NY, Soil and Water Conservation District - $1,972,600 - Stream Corridor Restoration in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed (NY, PA): Support and accelerate technical implementation of stream corridor projects and practices to diverse landowners across the upper Susquehanna River basin. Project will reduce annual sediment pollution by nearly 200 tons through development of steam restoration plans, creating accessible education opportunities for underserved landowners, and engaging 200 volunteers in conservation efforts to improve water quality and promote ecological and habitat benefits.

-- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay - $2,000,000 - Sustainable Dairy Partnerships and Corporate Investment in the Chesapeake Bay (MD, NY, PA, VA):  Expand successful supply-chain driven corporate partnership models to increase adoption of agricultural conservation practices to improve water quality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Project will install high-impact agricultural and manure management practices across 500 acres.

-- Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay - $2,000,000 - Increasing Riparian Forest Buffer Adoption Across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (MD, PA, VA, WV): Increase adoption of riparian buffers and agricultural Best Management Practices on private lands through the use of tailored incentive programs and flexible funding to advance farm-scale conservation systems. Project will result in 240 acres of riparian forest buffers restored.

-- Sustainable Chesapeake - $1,999,500 - Improving Manure and Nutrient Management in the Chesapeake Bay Region (MD, NY, VA, PA): Expand the adoption of manure injection and nutrient management practices in the Chesapeake Bay region through partnership and collaboration. Project will result in 13,600 agricultural acres under improved nutrient management by encouraging private investments in new equipment and improved outreach and education for nutrient management planners, certified crop advisors and conservation professionals.

-- Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association - $1,366,100 - Accelerating Water Quality Outcomes through Stronger Nutrient Stewardship Partnerships (DE, MD, PA): Utilize trusted agricultural advisors and established partnerships to advance improved agricultural nutrient management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Project will result in improved nutrient management on 20,000 acres of agricultural lands.   

Click Here for the complete announcement. Click Here for the list of grants.

“These grants reflect our continuing commitment to protect the Chesapeake Bay and preserve our nation’s environmental legacy for future generations,” said EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office Director Martha Shimkin. “It is inspiring to be working with so many awardees who have long been committed to preserving, protecting, and enhancing the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.”

These awards reflect EPA’s commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Program and demonstrate its focus on strengthening partnerships to restore the health and productivity of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Funding for these programs will empower communities to implement local programs to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality while advancing President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. 

For more information on this and other grant programs, visit the NFWF Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund webpage.

Related Article:

-- Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Announces $650,000 in Conservation Grants; Next Grant Round Opens In August  [PaEN] 

[Posted: June 25, 2024]  PA Environment Digest