Gov. Tom Corbett has announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will invest more than $23.2 million in 109 watershed protection projects to improve watersheds, reduce stormwater runoff and acid mine drainage (AMD), and support educational programs, among other environmental efforts.
“This annual grant initiative funds important environmental projects to protect one of our most important natural resources, clean water,” Corbett said. “Funding projects like these reaffirms our dedication to preserving Pennsylvania’s water resources.”
Corbett also spoke about the environmental accomplishments of his administration.
“Over the past four years, we’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars in protecting our natural resources,” Corbett said.
That money includes:
• The first infusion of new money in over a decade into the state’s landmark Growing Greener program, with more than $22 million from natural gas impact fees
• More than $200 million of new money into the new Marcellus Legacy Fund, which provides funds for environmental restoration, open space conservation, recreation, trails, water and sewer, flood protection and a host of other environmental improvements
• $200 million as part of the Enhance Penn’s Woods initiative – the single largest investment over a two year period in Pennsylvania’s history in its state park and state forest infrastructure
• More than $55 million in alternative fuels vehicles, with 50 percent allocated exclusively for local transportation organizations
• Last year, nearly $1 million was given to small businesses to help them implement energy efficiency or pollution prevention projects
• Since January 2013, DEP has reimbursed $5.5 million in solar rebates to homeowners and small businesses
“While those investments are important, protecting the environment is about much more than simply spending money,” Corbett said. “I have been proud to partner with Lt.Gov. Cawley and our General Assembly to strengthen – permanently – our environmental protection laws – including Act 13 of 2012, which, for the first time in 30 years, overhauled our environmental laws with respect to natural gas drilling, bringing about more protections for water, land and air resources; tougher penalties; and increased transparency and public involvement.
“Act 13 also created a natural gas impact fee. To date, more than $630 million in new revenue has been generated, benefiting every community in this commonwealth,” Corbett said. “And the projects we’ve announced today are a continuation of our commitment to the environment, which has been a clear priority over the past four years. We’ve also adopted landmark pipeline safety legislation, and put into place strong, consistent and pragmatic regulatory provisions that have helped make our air, land and water resources much cleaner today than they’ve been in decades.”
This year, the Growing Greener Program, funded by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, will award $17,393,100 for 90 projects around the state. More than $8.2 million of this year’s grants were funded by the natural gas impact fee.
Six additional grants, totaling $2,031,658, are funded by the AMD Set Aside Program. One additional project, funded by the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Grant, will receive $352,867.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program is funding 12 additional projects, totaling $3,430,718. The program was created through the federal Clean Water Act to help reduce water pollution from nonpoint sources.
The 109 projects will reduce pollution in impaired streams by implementing agricultural and stormwater best management practices; developing, repairing or installing passive systems to treat AMD; and supporting the establishment of riparian buffers, among other methods.
Two of the primary goals under Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener Program are to invest in projects that protect watersheds from impairment and to restore waterways already impaired. Some examples include restoration work to reduce pollutants in impaired watersheds for which a pollution budget has been developed; projects that would reduce the source of impairment; and activities that lead to water quality restoration and protection.
In this latest grant round, 225 eligible applicants requested about $52.7 million. Applications came from counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; councils of governments; watershed organizations that promote local watershed conservation efforts; and other authorized organizations involved in restoring and protecting the environment.
For more information about Growing Greener, email GrowingGreener@pa.gov, call 717-705-4500 or visit DEP’s website atwww.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Growing Greener.
Editor’s note: The organizations that were awarded grants are listed below, alphabetically by county, with the project name and funding amount.
Allegheny
• Etna Borough, Etna Borough Green Streets Phase 2 – Construction: $554,936
• Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, Inc., Rosedale Runoff Reduction Project: $236,175
Armstrong
• Armstrong Conservation District, Aluminaide AMD Treatment Project: $151,565
• Armstrong Conservation District, Baker-Roaring Run Ag BMP Grant: $88,555
• Manor Township, Scout Run Road: $135,100
Beaver
• Beaver County Conservation District, North Fork Little Beaver Streambank Stabilization/Habitat Project: $7,680
Bedford
• Broad Top Township, Sandy Run SA0-D11 AMD Remediation: $529,563
Berks
• Berks County Conservation District, BMP Implementation in Priority Agriculture Areas: $292,961
• The Trust for Tomorrow, The Maiden Creek Tributary Stream Restoration Project: $46,500
Blair
• The Trust for Tomorrow, The Halter Creek and Frankstown Branch Stream Restoration Project: $99,400
Bucks
• Bucks County Conservation District, Design/Permitting of a BMP within the Lake Luxembourg/Core Creek Watershed: $153,145
• Hilltown Township, Hilltown Ridge Neshaminy Watershed Improvements: $64,300
• Middletown Township, Neshaminy Creek Tributary Sediment Reduction: $28,000
Cambria
• Cambria County Conservation District, Glendale Lake Shoreline Stabilization Project Phase IV: $42,554
• Cambria County Conservation District, Lesle Run Water Quality Monitoring Project: $2,620
• Cambria County Conservation District, Nanty-Glo Borough Flood Control Restoration Project: $87,057
• Cambria County Conservation District, Northern Cambria Borough Flood Control Restoration Project: $69,648
• Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, Ehrenfeld AML Site Restoration: $500,000
Carbon
• Weatherly Borough, Quakake Tunnel Study: $7,000
Centre
• Centre County Conservation District, Gray; Brown and Brown Agricultural BMP Implementation Project: $500,732
• Penns Valley Conservation Association, Upper Penns Creek Education and Community Outreach: $42,860
• Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Contrary Run SM 7 and 8 Construction Project: $1,003,139
Chester
• Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, Brandywine-Christina Riparian Restoration and Protection: $169,321
• Brandywine Valley Association, Inc., Little Buck Run Stream Restoration II Construction: $203,839
• Chester County Conservation District, Phase I – Design and Permitting Valley Creek Restoration at Washington HQ: $62,762
• Green Valleys Association of Southeastern PA, Inc., Legacy Sediments Survey in the French and Pickering Creeks: $13,727
• Stroud Water Research Center, Inc., Transforming Water Quality in the Sharitz Run Headwaters of Brandywine Creek: $346,364
Clinton
• Clinton County Conservation District, Fishing Creek Watershed Agricultural BMPs: $198,313
Columbia
• Columbia County Conservation District, Faihopity Farms; Nutrient and Resource Improvement Project: $335,700
Crawford
• Crawford County Conservation District, Initiation of a Watershed Implementation Plan for Conneaut Lake: $104,167
Cumberland
• The Nature Conservancy, Tom’s Run Stream/Wetland Restoration Project: $66,448
Dauphin
• Dauphin County Commissioners, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, Spring Creek – Capital Area Greenbelt Watershed Restoration: $30,000
Delaware
• Swarthmore Borough, Swarthmore Little Crum Creek Stream Restoration – Design and Permitting Phase Project: $79,109
• Villanova University, Retrofit of an Aged Infiltration Trench: $194,583
Elk
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Cherry Run Restoration Project – K Discharges: $734,737
Erie
• Environment Erie, BeginANEW Residential Stormwater Education and Vacant Lot Beautification: $41,585
• Environment Erie, Cascade Creek Restoration Phase 7: $190,850
• Environment Erie, Scott Run Watershed Protection and Restoration: $110,188
• Environment Erie, Septic System Improvement: $366,640
• Environment Erie, Service Learning Projects: $33,539
• Erie County Conservation District, 2014 AG BMP Cost Share Program: $443,880
• Pennsylvania State University, Sevenmile Creek Stream Corridor Restoration: $141,891
Fayette
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Indian Creek Restoration Project: $28,000
Franklin
• Franklin County Conservation District, West Branch Antietam Stream Restoration: $43,989
Fulton
• Fulton County Conservation District, Big Cove Creek Ag Conservation Implementation Project: $730,318
Huntingdon
• Huntingdon County Conservation District, Ag BMPs In Impaired Watersheds – Phase II: $54,635
Indiana
• Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association, Kolb Polishing Wetlands Design and Construction: $207,973
• Cambria County Conservation District, Cherry Tree Flood Control Restoration Project: $124,320
• Evergreen Conservancy, Tanoma AMD Treatment System: $123,896
• The Trust for Tomorrow, The McKee Run Stream Restoration Project: $134,770
Lancaster
• Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Conowingo Creek – Lapp, Lloyd and Stoltzfus Construction: $376,896
• Lancaster County Conservation District, Mill Creek Stream Restoration – Phase VI: $10,000
• Octoraro Watershed Association, Implementation of Agricultural BMPs on Amish Farms: $28,300
Lebanon
• Lebanon Valley Conservancy, Inc., Quittie Creek Nature Park Stream Restoration: $422,462
Lehigh
• Lehigh County Conservation District, Larry Wisser Dairy Agricultural BMPs: $66,513
• Lehigh County Conservation District, Little Lehigh Creek Watershed Enhancement: $23,754
• Upper Macungie Township, Hassen Creek Restoration: $29,947
Luzerne
• Luzerne County Conservation District, Implementation of Restoration Activities at Frances Slocum Lake: $269,964
• Luzerne County Conservation District, Luzerne County Agricultural BMP Projects II: $587,656
McKean
• McKean County Conservation District, Hamlin Run AMD Project: $540,933
• McKean County Conservation District, Railroad Run AMD Project:$430,480
Mifflin
• Mifflin County Conservation District, Continued Agricultural BMP Implementation in the Upper Kishacoquillas Creek Watershed: $394,216
Montgomery
• The Miquon School, Miquon Creek Restoration: $95,000
• Upper Moreland Township School District, Pennypack Creek Headwaters Stormwater Management: $305,308
• West Norriton Township, West Norriton Township Stormwater Control Measures: $220,876
Montour
• Montour County Conservation District, Montour County Manure Management Improvement Project: $526,013
Northampton
• Plainfield Township, Little Bushkill Watershed Management Plan: $103,212
• Wildlands Conservancy, Inc., Monocacy Creek Restoration Phase II: $55,104
Northumberland
• Northumberland County Conservation District, Northumberland Barnyard Stabilization Project: $202,571
Schuylkill
• Port Carbon Borough, Port Carbon Watershed Plan: $120,258
• Schuylkill Conservation District, Lorberry Treatment System Rehabilitation: $310,428
• Schuylkill Conservation District, Schuylkill’s FACTS Project: $300,273
• Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Rausch Creek Mine Pool Evaluation and Discharge Transport: $440,559
Snyder
• Snyder County Conservation District, Ulrich ACA and Pasture Improvements: $80,082
Somerset
• Paint Creek Regional Watershed Association, Upper Red Eyes Feasibility Study: $25,000
• Somerset Conservation District, Oven Run Systems Rehab: $704,846
• Stream Restoration Incorporated, Lion Mining Borehole Project: $352,867
Susquehanna
• Susquehanna County Conservation District, Wyalusing Creek Barnyards: $448,099
Tioga
• Babb Creek Watershed Association, Inc., Anna S Major Maintenance: $201,706
Union
• Union County Conservation District, Turtle Creek Ag BMP Project: $197,325
Warren
• Warren County Conservation District, Dutchman Run Rehabilitation: $164,464
Washington
• Washington County Watershed Alliance, Surface Water NPS Pollution Monitoring: $56,890
Wayne
• Preston Township, Equinunk Creek Stabilization Project: $29,955
Westmoreland
• Fayette County Conservation District, Rerko Farm Growing Greener Project: $16,076
• Jacobs Creek Watershed Association, Southmoreland High School Section 319 Stormwater Improvements: $166,000
• New Kensington City Municipal Sanitation Authority, Third Avenue Recreational Rain Garden: $25,550
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Tubmill Creek Restoration Project: $111,450
• Westmoreland County Conservation District, Turtle Creek Stream Bank Stabilization: $92,963
Wyoming
• Wyoming County Conservation District, Wyoming County Fairgrounds Stormwater Initiative: $59,262
York
• Izaak Walton League of America, York Chapter 67, Inc., South Branch Codorus Creek – Ness to Centerville Creek: $79,881
• Jackson Township, Jackson Township Community Park Stream Restoration: $53,000
• Pennsylvania Trout, Inc., West Branch Codorus Creek 116 Bridge: $55,910
• York County Conservation District, Pinchot Lake Floating Treatment Island Demonstration: $41,200
Multiple
• The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Past Restorations – Success or Failure?: $159,886
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc., Capital Region Framework for Watershed Restoration: $197,364
• Columbia County Conservation District, Columbia County Soil Health Project: $208,402
• Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Inc., Enhancing the Kiski-Conemaugh Water Monitoring Program: $85,022
• Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Restoration of CBWI Priority Watersheds: $273,972
• Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc., Schuylkill Action Student Stormwater Projects: $35,389
• Penn’s Corner Conservancy Charitable Trust, Inc., Turtle Creek Stormwater Management Project: $280,585
• Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., CREP Outreach Program Office:$340,380
• Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., Nonpoint Source Pollution (NPS) Education Office: $541,700
• Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., PACD Engineering Technical Assistance Program: $740,938
• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, TreeVitalize XI: $250,000
• Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania Great Lakes Services Integration: $716,771
• Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania Master Watershed Steward Program: $178,038
• Trout Unlimited, Inc., AMD Technical Assistance Program: $225,000
• Trout Unlimited, Inc., Maintaining Healthy Waters for the Kettle Creek Watershed: $48,883
• Trout Unlimited, Inc., Using Mine Drainage Residuals to Decrease Dissolved Phosphorus in Land-Applied Manure: A New BMP: $143,730