HARRISBURG – The Wolf Administration has announced grant funding to implement stream restoration and riparian buffers at four agricultural sites in Centre County.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a grant of $1.6 million to the Centre County Conservation District.
This 2019 Growing Greener grant will be used to establish 23.4 acres of forest buffers and protect 8,000 linear feet of streambank.
These improvements will reduce pollution into the Susquehanna watershed, eliminating an estimated 418 tons of sediment and more than 13,000 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution annually.
“Planting trees and other buffers between agricultural fields and waterways is one of the best ways to reduce runoff pollution,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
“These practices pay dividends downstream as well, with better water quality and fish habitat.”
One of the largest investments into 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.
