PA Environment Digest Blog: Susquehanna River Basin Commission Now Accepting Applications For Consumptive Use Mitigation Grants; Nov. 20 Webinar

On October 31, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced it is now accepting applications for $6 million in Consumptive Use Mitigation Grants to improve the drought resiliency of the river basin. The deadline for application is January 31.

Consumptive use refers to water that is used but not returned to the basin. The SRBC is seeking projects focused on reducing or offsetting CU and improving the sustainability of both streamflows and groundwater during critical low flow periods including--

-- Water storage and release projects (e.g., impoundments, inactive quarries, and underground mine pools);

-- Projects that modify operations to increase drought resilience or improve environmental flows (e.g., reservoir conservation releases, aquifer storage and recovery, and coordinated use of surface water and groundwater);

-- Demand modification projects (e.g., projects that achieve water conservation, reuse, and/or recycling); and

-- Environmental and water quality improvement projects (e.g., groundwater recharge, restoring wetlands/streams/floodplains, improving stormwater management, and treating abandoned mine drainage).

Since its launch in 2021, the grant program has awarded nearly $21 million to 64 projects. Grantee activity has been both innovative and successful, from cooling tower evaporation capture for reuse to satellite leak detection technology.

The grant program has also funded tried and true water resources projects from water conservation training and technical assistance programs to stormwater and floodplain best management practices.

A minimum 20% cash match of the requested funds is required. These grant dollars are non-federal and non-state so leveraging opportunities, especially if used as a match, are outstanding.

Awardees will be announced next April.

Nov. 20 Webinar

SRBC will host an informational webinar on November 20 to provide an overview of the grant program, demonstrate the online grant application, and answer questions.

Click Here to register for the webinar.

Visit the SRBC Consumptive Use Mitigation Grants webpage for all the details on applying for the grant.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website. Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter. Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

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