The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for two watershed restoration and protection grant programs-- Growing Greener Plus and EPA Section 319 Grants.

Applications for both programs can be submitted starting April 22 - Earth Day - through June 25.

Growing Greener Plus

Grant applications under this program are for watershed restoration, protection and mine reclamation projects. (formal notice)

Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations, councils of governments, educational institutions and other authorized organizations involved in water resource restoration and protection.

Priority areas for Growing Greener grants include projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution—especially nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution from agricultural and stormwater runoff—as well as AMD-related iron, aluminum, acidity and sediment pollution.

The Department is particularly interested in design and construction projects that implement effective Best Management Practices that reduce or eliminate pollutant loadings and lead to local water quality improvements.

Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's SMCRA Grant Programs to address legacy mining impacts. SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and nonprofit organizations for projects meeting AMD Set-Aside or Bond Forfeiture grant requirements.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

For more information, visit DEP’s Growing Greener Plus webpage.  Questions should be directed to the DEP Grants Center at ra-epgrowinggreener@pa.gov or  717-705-5400.

EPA Section 319

Grant applications under this program support projects designed to improve and protect waters in this Commonwealth from nonpoint source pollution associated with agricultural activities, abandoned mine drainage (AMD), stormwater runoff, energy resource extraction, and streambank and shoreline degradation.  (formal notice)

Eligible applicants include incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities.

The Department is focusing these grants on projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution in targeted watersheds with WIPs, especially projects that reduce nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution from agricultural and stormwater runoff, along with AMD-related pollution from iron, aluminum and acidity.

The Department is particularly interested in projects that implement effective Best Management Practices (BMP) that reduce or eliminate stream impairments within WIP areas, leading to local water quality improvements.

Examples of eligible projects include design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control, and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems; and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

For more information, visit DEP’s EPA Section 319 Nonpoint Grants webpage.  Questions should be directed to: RA-EP319grantFunding@pa.gov.

Reminder: CFA Watershed Grants May 31

Just a reminder, the Commonwealth Financing Agency is accepting applications for Act 13 drilling impact fee-funded watershed restoration, mine reclamation, sewage, flood mitigation, recreation and water quality data grants through May 31.

Click Here for more information.

Visit DEP’s Grants and Rebates webpage for more information on environmental and energy funding opportunities.

Visit PA Environment Digest’s Grants & Awards webpage for information on environmental and energy funding opportunities from other agencies and groups.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

Related Article:

-- Conservation Districts, DEP Host EPA Section 319 Watershed Restoration Project Implementation Meeting May 19-20

[Posted: April 16, 2021]

4/19/2021