On October 27, the Lancaster Clean Water Fund, administered by the Lancaster County Community Foundation and managed by the Lancaster Clean Water Partners, awarded $2,051,560 to 15 clean water projects for the 2021 grant round.

Each project is not only creative and collaborative, but focuses on ways to accomplish clean and clear water in Lancaster by 2040.

Projects range from conservation practice implementation in urban and rural areas to educational outreach, signage, and events.

Congratulations to the following grantees: City of Lancaster, Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County,  Denver Borough, Donegal Trout Unlimited, East Donegal Township, Ephrata Township, Friends of Fishing Creek, Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake, Lancaster Farmland Trust, Lititz Borough, Little Conestoga Creek Foundation, Octoraro Watershed Association, Quarryville Borough, Strasburg Jay Cee Park, and Tri-County Conewago Creek Watershed Association.

Click Here for a description of each project funded.

Since 2019, the fund has provided $3,023,560 to 24 nonprofits and municipalities working on stream restoration, riparian buffer plantings, agricultural practices, education, and stormwater management projects.

Since April 2021 alone, more than $2 million has gone directly to nonprofits and municipalities for clean water projects contributing to Lancaster's Countywide Action Plan and rapid stream delisting strategy.

For more information on programs, initiatives, funding, technical support, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Lancaster Clean Water Partners website.  Click Here to sign up for regular email updates.  Follow them on Facebook.

PA Chesapeake Bay Plan

For more information on Pennsylvania’s plan, visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Office webpage.

October Is Buffer Month!

Penn State Extension is joining the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, who declared October as Riparian Buffer Month, as an opportunity to build awareness and familiarity of forested riparian buffers while sharing the applicability of these sustainable practices in a variety of settings.  Read more here.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

DEP’s Interactive Report Viewer allows you to zoom in on your own stream or watershed to find out how clean your stream is or if it has impaired water quality using the latest information in the draft 2020 Water Quality Report.

(Reprinted from the latest Lancaster Clean Water Partners newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

Events:

-- November 3: Lancaster Clean Water Partners Semi-Annual Meeting

-- November 4, 11, 18: MS4 Stormwater Lunch & Learn Series

-- November 19-20: Lancaster-Lebanon Watershed Forum & Science Symposium

Related Articles:

-- Going, Going, Gone... Senate, House Have Little Time To Act On Funding For Local Flood Prevention, Watershed Restoration, Recreation Projects

-- Guest Essay: Communities Should Invest Federal American Rescue Plan Funds In Conservation - Andy Loza, WeConservePA

-- DEP: Healthy Waters Newsletter Highlights Profiles Of 40 Clean Water Funding Programs, Local Clean Water Leadership

[Posted: October 27, 2021]

11/1/2021