On January 14 and 16, the Department of Environmental Protection announced the award of 7 Growing Greener grants totaling $224,717 for stream restoration projects in Allegheny, Cambria, Northampton, Tioga and Union counties.
Allegheny County (New Today)
DEP awarded a $18,000 Growing Greener Grant to Bethel Park in Allegheny County to reduce sediment pollution along Saw Mill Run.
The grant and will stabilize 36 feet of streambanks along Saw Mill Run, which is listed as an impaired stream, and reduce sediment by over 2.5 tons per year. This project was proposed by Bethel Park as part of the municipality’s pollution reduction plan to meet their municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) requirements.
“Reducing erosion and runoff pollution from damaging our streams is a critical part of maintaining a healthy environment,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Investments like this can help restore stream health and pay environmental dividends far into the future.”
Cambria County
DEP announced the award of 3 Growing Greener Grants totaling $105,797 to the Cambria County Conservation District to stabilize stream banks and restore fish habitats in Cambria County.
Grants of $52,499 will be used to shore up 1,000 feet of stream reaches in the headwaters area of the West Branch Susquehanna River and $19,170 will go to stabilize stream banks on Laurel Lick Run to combat active erosion on 785 feet of stream, both in the Susquehanna River watershed.
Cambria County Conservation District will also receive a grant of $34,128 to install 15 stream bank protection/fish habitat structures on approximately 1,250 feet of the North Branch of Blacklick Creek.
“Through partnerships with the county conservation district and local watershed groups we’re furthering conservation efforts and improving water quality,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
Northampton County
DEP announced the award of a $57,600 grant to Bethlehem Township in Northampton County to implement the Nancy Run Tributary Restoration Project.
This Growing Greener grant will fund a project to restore an unnamed small stream that feeds into Nancy Run, a creek that flows through Municipal Park, a township-owned recreational area and into the Lehigh River.
The work includes stabilizing and grading the eroding streambank and reconstructing a 90-degree turn in the stream channel to improve flow. During heavy rains, water from the stream floods out into nearby grassy areas used by geese. The heavy flow then allows pathogens to enter the water.
“Anytime you can fund work to restore a creek, you are investing in that community,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “When this work begins on Nancy Run, residents will see improvements to stream life and the area surrounding the stream.”
Other work includes planting three acres of riparian vegetation along the restored stream corridor to improve water quality. As a result, park infrastructure, like bridges and walkways, will be protected and wildlife habitat in the stream will be created.
Tioga County (New Today)
DEP awarded a $25,430 grant to the Tioga County Conservation District to stabilize streams and reduce sediment pollution in the Canoe Camp Creek Watershed
“Canoe Camp Creek is impacted by sediment and nutrient pollution from nonpoint sources, including streambank erosion and agricultural runoff,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “These projects will expand riparian buffers, enhance fish habitat, and improve water quality in Tioga County.”
Union County (New Today)
The Department of Environmental Protection awarded a $17,920 grant to the Union County Conservation District to re-establish a native wetland habitat to filter stormwater runoff pollution and provide a hands-on educational site for students.
The grant will fund the Eichhorn Middle School Habitat Restoration Project, owned by the Lewisburg Area School District. The project partners plan to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) by enhancing and expanding existing wetlands on the middle school property to capture more stormwater runoff.
“This exceptional project will create exponential benefits because the site will be used as a living laboratory to teach the next generation about the science of wetlands, stream health, and how our land and water stewardship choices impact our waterways,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
The improved wetlands will slow the runoff coming from the school’s impervious surfaces, such as roofs and parking lots, filter pollutants out of the water, and allow the water to absorb naturally back into the ground. Native plants will also be established to benefit pollinators.
Previous Growing Greener-funded work has been completed in the Limestone Run watershed, which is impaired by nonpoint source pollution, including stormwater runoff.
The grant recipients will match the award with $7,870 of funds and in-kind services. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service created the wetland restoration plan for the site.
Announcements To Date
Since December 21, the Department of Environmental Protection has announced a total of $12,084,161 in Growing Greener grants for watershed restoration, mine drainage treatment, flood damage reduction and water quality improvement projects in Allegheny, Beaver, Bradford, Cambria, Centre, Clarion, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Lancaster, Lehigh, Lycoming, Luzerne, McKean, Montgomery, Northampton, Northumberland, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, Tioga, Union, Venango, Washington, Wyoming and York counties.
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.
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