The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is encouraging eligible organizations to apply for funding through the Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program for projects to protect and improve watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay basin.

The deadline for applications is February 4.

Eligible applicants include either non-profit 501 (c) organizations or local governments. This includes entities such as counties, townships, cities, boroughs, conservation districts, planning districts, utility districts, or other units of local government within Pennsylvania’s portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The purpose of the grants program is to address the water quality and living resource needs of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The Small Watershed Grants Program has been designed to encourage the development and sharing of innovative ideas among the many organizations wishing to be involved in watershed protection activities.

The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program.

The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program looks to support communities in developing and implementing watershed management plans and encourage innovative, locally-based programs or projects that improve water quality and restore important habitats within the Chesapeake Bay basin.

The program is designed to develop the capacity of local governments, citizens groups and other organizations to promote community based stewardship and enhance local watershed management. By encouraging environmentally sensitive development, land conservation and sound land use planning, the grants can help promote a greater understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and the interrelationship between the health of the Bay and the condition of local watersheds.

To be eligible for consideration for a 2005 grant, a project must 1) support the development or implementation of local watershed management plans that address the water quality and living resource needs in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem or 2) promote locally based protection and restoration efforts that complement watershed management strategies. In addition, projects must also directly address at least one of the following:

· Restore, enhance, and protect the finfish, shellfish, and other living resources, their habitats, and ecological relationships to sustain all fisheries and provide for a balanced ecosystem.

· Preserve, protect, and restore those habitats and natural areas that are vital to the survival and diversity of the living resources of the Bay and its rivers.

· Achieve and maintain the water quality necessary to support the aquatic living resources of the Bay and its tributaries and to protect human health.

· Develop, promote, and achieve sound land use practices which protect and restore watershed resources and water quality, maintain reduced pollutant loadings for the Bay and its tributaries, and restore and preserve aquatic living resources.

· Promote individual stewardship and assist individuals, community-based organizations, businesses, local governments, and schools to undertake initiatives to achieve the goals and commitments of the agreement.

Under last year’s program, 93 projects from across the Bay watershed received funding; 26 grants totaling nearly $1 million went to Pennsylvania projects. Grants ranged in size from $5,000 to $50,000, and also included Community Legacy Grants of up to $100,000. The average grant award will be between $25,000 and $35,000. Under the 2005 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program, grants of up to $50,000 will again be awarded on a competitive basis to support projects that meet the guidelines.

12/24/2004