On December 19, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of two grants totalling over $1 million for stream restoration projects in York County to improve water quality.
A $562,335 grant was awarded to the Borough of Hanover to develop a campus-wide stormwater management plan at the Hanover School District that will eliminate an estimated 4,000 tons of sediment runoff and more than 50 pounds of combined nitrogen and phosphorus pollution every year.
The grant will be used to develop and implement the plan, including soil restoration and the installation of a meadow featuring native plants.
The other grant is to the York County Conservation District for $509,395 to restore 1,000 feet of the West Branch of Codorus Creek. The grant will be used to plant native grasses, shrubs, and trees along the creek.
These improvements will reduce sediment runoff pollution by an estimated 116 tons, nitrogen pollution by 312 pounds, and phosphorus pollution by 210 pounds annually.
“Controlling and reducing stormwater runoff, and restoring and replanting streambanks, can lead to dramatic positive results for water quality,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Thousands of tons of sediment and tons of nitrogen and phosphorus will be kept out of our waterways through these projects, allowing them to thrive again.”
One of the largest investments to improve Pennsylvania’s environment, Growing Greener projects have been instrumental in cleaning up abandoned mine lands, preserving farmland, and protecting and restoring watersheds throughout the Commonwealth.
The Growing Greener grant program is supported by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which receives its funding from landfill tipping fees and a transfer from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund.
Resources
For more information on buffers, financial and technical assistance available, visit DCNR’s Forest Buffers webpage.
New DCNR Grant Round
To learn more about grant opportunities to support riparian buffer, trail and recreation projects, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Grant Program webpage. A new grant round is opening January 22 and will close April 10.
Forest Buffer Summit
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Western PA Conservancy will be hosting a Riparian Forest Buffer Summit on February 20-21 at the Best Western Premier Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg.
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