Local governments and community-based organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed will have help funding local watershed restoration projects, thanks to over $2.6 million in grants provided by the Small Watershed Grants Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Of the 68 projects funded in the program, 17 were in Pennsylvania totaling $748,100 which leveraged additional matching funds of $2,229,689 put together by local project sponsors.

Here’s a list of the projects and matching funds—

Little Wiconisco Creek Watershed Restoration, Dauphin County Conservation District $100,000, $40,200 match: The Dauphin County Conservation District will implement a comprehensive strategy to restore water quality in the impaired Little Wiconisco Creek. Cost-share funds will be targeted to reduce non-point sources of sediment and nutrients from agricultural lands within the creek’s watershed. Outreach will continue to local landowners and agricultural producers to promote awareness of the stream’s condition and the impact of non-point source pollutants. Project partners include Millersburg Area School District, Upper Dauphin School District, and Wiconisco Creek Restoration Association. Funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Reducing Nutrient Levels in Chesapeake Bay, Stroud Water Research Center, Tioga County, $100,000, $249,583 match: The Stroud Water Research Center will investigate the relationship between acid mine drainage and nutrient processing within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This project will investigate potential links between AMD pollution, stream integrity/quality, and increased nutrient fluxes to the Bay. The results of this study will help to inform the discussion about strategies for addressing AMD within the larger Bay watershed.

Assessing Water Resources in Adams County, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, $35,000, $24,300 match: The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin will develop a water resource model for use as a planning tool for understanding the availability and limits of water resources in the Upper Monocacy Basin.

Millmont Dam Removal and Habitat Restoration, American Rivers, Inc., Lewis Township, $25,000, $45,000 match: American Rivers will remove Millmont Dam from Penns Creek in Lewis Township, Pennsylvania. Millmont Dam currently serves no functional purpose, significantly impairs and alters upstream and downstream habitat, and impedes the passage of migratory fish. Removal of this dam will reopen approximately 9 miles of upstream habitat for the migration of fish and will improve sediment transport. Following removal of the dam, American Rivers will restore 4,800 feet of stream bank and riparian habitat to reduce erosion and filter runoff into the stream. Project partners include Chesapeake Bay Program, Department of Environmental Protection, Fish and Boat Commission, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Funding provided by the USDA Forest Service.

Contrary Run Reclamation and Restoration, Beech Creek Watershed Association, Centre County, $50,000, $14,000 match: The Beech Creek Watershed Association will design remedial measures to be implemented in an abandoned coal mine area in Centre County, Pennsylvania. This project will provide a restoration plan to improve water quality and restore aquatic health on Contrary Run by abating acid mine drainage and re-vegetation of mine areas. Project designs will outline restoration of 3,000 feet of stream corridor and 7.8 acres of mine lands. Project partners include Alder Run Engineering, Bucek & Associates, and Fish and Boat Commission. Funding provided by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Stream Cleaner Environmental Forum, Cacapon Institute, Inc., Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, $35,000, $5,866 match: The Cacapon Institute will recruit science, social studies, and vocational-agricultural classes from high schools throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed to participate in an internet-based Stream Cleaner Environmental Forum on best management practices to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The Forum will engage students in a simulated Tributary Team stakeholder process to explore the science and challenges of non-point source pollution reduction. Following the Forum, up to 10 classes will complete water quality restoration projects to serve as visible demonstrations of best management practices as well as living classrooms for future academic study. Approximately 30 schools and 2,500 students will participate in the program. Project partners include Chesapeake Bay Program, Chesapeake Bay Trust, MARPAT Foundation, West Virginia Conservation Agency, and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Funding provided by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Monocacy Watershed Farm Stewardship Program, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Inc., Maryland and Pennsylvania, $48,000, $53,250 match: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will install forested riparian buffers and streambank fencing within the Monocacy watershed. These best management practices will improve water quality by filtering and absorbing nutrients and sediment from runoff and decreasing stream bank erosion. Under this program, CBF staff will meet with landowners one on one to describe Federal Farm Bill programs to encourage their enrollment, with grant funds providing support for projects not eligible for Federal programs. It is anticipated that citizen volunteers will assist in the restoration of 5 miles and 35 acres of riparian buffer and 5 acres of wetlands through this program. Project partners include Chesapeake Bay Trust and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding provided by USDA Forest Service.

Cocalico Creek Watershed Restoration Plan, Cocalico Creek Watershed Association, Lancaster County, $35,000, $12,000 match: The Cocalico Creek Watershed Association will develop a Watershed Management Plan for the Cocalico Creek Watershed. The plan will characterize the severity and interactions of an array of water resource issues, the causes and solutions to water resource problems, and the identification of sites and projects than could be implemented for water resource restoration and protection. Key issues to be addressed by the plan include fish and wildlife habitat improvement, sediment and nutrient load reductions, aquifer recharge, stormwater management, and floodplain restoration. This project will also include an outreach component to educate the community about the plan and watershed issues. Project partners include Clay Township, Denver Borough, East Cocalico Township, Ephrata Borough, Ephrata Township, Warwick Township, and West Cocalico Township. Funding provided by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Cove Creek Community Corridor Initiative, Fulton County Conservation District, $25,000, $62,620 match: The Fulton County Conservation District will continue an ongoing effort to restore the riparian corridor of Big Cove Creek. This will be accomplished through the preservation of 7 acres of riparian habitat, design and implementation of 2000 feet of stream restoration, and the construction of a public access area. Partners include the Department of Environmental Protection and the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program. Funds provided by the USDA Forest Service.

Conococheague Creek Habitat Restoration, Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation, Chambersburg,$37,000, $16,000 match: The Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation will improve 200 linear feet of in-stream fish habitat and 600 linear feet of streambank stabilization upstream from the former Siloam dam on the Conococheague Creek. The project will engage community volunteers and project partners in revegetation of improved stream educating them on the importance of stream health. Project partners include the Conococheague Watershed Alliance, Dickinson College, the Fish and Boat Commission and Trout Unlimited. Funding provide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Little Conestoga Creek Restoration Design, Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance, Lancaster County, $31,125, $5,800 match: The Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance will survey, design, and obtain permitting to create a stream restoration plan for a 3,700 foot section of stream channel and riparian buffer corridor along the Little Conestoga Creek. This project will include a topographical survey of the area, planting plans for 60,000 square feet of tall grass buffer and establishment of 2,300 feet newly established and enhanced forested riparian buffer. Project partners include Conestoga Country Club and Manor Township. Funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Paxtonia Tributary Streambank Stabilization, Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation Department, Dauphin County, $30,000, $40,900 match: The Lower Paxton Township Parks and Recreation Department will develop a stream corridor restoration project located within a heavily-used wooded area of Brightbill Park in Lower Paxton Township. Rapidly eroding stream banks in the Paxtonia Tributary are contributing to increased sediment loads downstream and decreased water quality. As part of a larger effort, this project will stabilize 1,400 feet of streambank and channel and reduce the amount of sediment flow in the Paxton Creek. Project partners include Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Friends of Wildwood, Paxton Creek Watershed and Education Association, and Department of Environmental Protection. Funding provided by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and USDA Forest Service.

Kishacoquillas Creek Watershed Outreach and Education, Mifflin County Conservation District, $32,500: The Mifflin County Conservation District will work with the “Byler church”, “the old school” and the “Peachey church” sects of the Amish community to address problems of non-point source pollution and implement best management practices on farmlands in the watershed of the impaired Little Kishacoquillas Creek. This project will use an Amish liaison to work with the 70 Amish farms currently lacking Conservation Plans. Project partners include the Octoraro Watershed Association. Funds provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Perry County Cover Crop Program, Perry County Conservation District, $25,000, $13,400 match: The Perry Conservation District will promote cover crops in Perry County by offering a per acre incentive to farmers planting cover crops in an impaired watershed or a first time planter. This project anticipates enrollment of approximately 35 farms totaling 2,500 acres of farmland. Project partners include the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Funding provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Forest Service.

Forest Management and Habitat Initiative, Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation and Development Council, Columbia and Luzerne counties, $39,475, $11,470 match: Conservation and Development Council will provide education and outreach to private landowners, school teachers, and conservation organizations on managing forests for water quality protection. Project will conduct 6 workshops throughout northeastern Pennsylvania on proper forest management techniques and will work with landowners in developing conservation plans. On the ground activities will include: establishing 10 acres of conservation grass buffers, 40 acres of forest stand management improvements, establish 15 acres of forested riparian buffer, and enhance 5 acres of wetlands. Project partners include the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Game Commission. Funding provided by USDA Forest Service.

Tioga County Agricultural Project, Tioga County Conservation District, $50,000, $318,300 match: The Tioga County Conservation District will decrease nutrient and sediment loads on 4 farms in Tioga County through the installation of best management practices leading to a decrease in erosion and stability issues throughout the watershed and improved water quality and fish habitat. This project will also include education and outreach to the agricultural and general community. Funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Wyoming County Tributary Strategy Implementation, Wyoming County Conservation District, $50,000, $1,317,000 match: The Wyoming County Conservation District will begin implementation a newly adopted tributary strategy through the application of agricultural best management practices. This project will install 4 miles of riparian forest buffers on streams presently being grazed, restore 10 acres of wetlands by cattle exclusion, converting at least one farm to rotational grazing, conversion of 300 acres to cover crops and no-till farming and installation of Best Management Practices on 7,000 linear feet of gravel and dirt roads. Project partners include Bowman Creek Watershed Association, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Meshoppen Creek Watershed Association, Project Grass, Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding provided by the USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, visit the Small Watershed Grants Program webpage.

8/25/2006