DEP Awards 3 Grants Totaling $482,022 In Erie County To Reduce Agricultural, Stormwater Runoff Pollution

On January 7, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of 2 Growing Greener grants totaling $482,022 to reduce agricultural and stormwater runoff pollution in Erie County.

Two of the Growing Greener grants will go to the Erie County Conservation District.

A $244,522 grant will continue the successful PA VinES program to reduce runoff pollution from Erie County’s vineyards. The second grant, for $200,000, is for projects to reduce sediment runoff from Erie County farms and other agricultural operations.

These projects will include streambank fencing, riparian buffers, and other practices that reduce soil erosion.

Environment Erie will receive a $37,500 grant to prevent urban stormwater pollution runoff from entering multiple tributaries to Lake Erie through wetlands and other natural features.

“Lake Erie is one of Pennsylvania’s natural wonders, and everything we can do to reduce pollution helps maintain it,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “These grants will go to projects that protect this important area and help the communities along the lake.”

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.

Click Here for more information on DEP’s Growing Greener Plus Grant Program.

Resources

For more information on buffers, financial and technical assistance available, visit DCNR’s Forest Buffers and DEP’s Stormwater Management webpages.

CFA Accepting Applications

The Commonwealth Financing Authority will accept applications from February 1 to May 31 for its Act 13 Watershed Restoration Grants which includes funding control nonpoint source pollution runoff, which includes agricultural operations.  Click Here for more.

New DCNR Grant Round

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.  Click Here for more.

Forest Buffer Summit

Registration is now open for the DCNR and Western PA Conservancy Pennsylvania Riparian Forest Buffer Summit on February 20-21 at the Best Western Premier Conference Center, 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg.  Click Here for more.

(Photo: A streambank stabilization and planting project by Erie County Conservation District on Trout Run.)