On March 10, the Department of Environmental Protection announced 12 projects in the state’s southwest region were awarded a total of $2,998,875 though DEP’s Growing Greener Plus Grant Program, which restores impaired waters and protects waterways from nonpoint source pollution. Statewide, this year’s awards exceed $20 million.

The project are in Allegheny, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

This is the last of six regional 2021 Growing Greener Grant award announcements made by DEP. 

Representatives from DEP’s Southwest Regional Office, Loyalhanna Watershed Association, and stakeholders visited sites along Mill Creek and Fourmile Run in Cook and Ligonier townships, Westmoreland County.

This visit highlights how DEP partnerships and a watershed-based planning approach not only improve water quality and aquatic habitats, but also benefit the economy through waterway recreation and tourism. 

“When you’re out here and can see the streambank erosion and sediment in the channel, the need is clear,” said DEP Southwest Regional Director Jim Miller. “We’re thrilled to highlight Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s approach to watershed restoration and support each of the fantastic projects funded this round.”

Growing Greener is the largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania's history to address critical environmental concerns.

Entities eligible for Growing Greener grants can be watershed groups, local or county government, municipal authorities, county planning commissions, county conservation districts, council of governments, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations.

Grantees have up to three years to implement their projects.

Click Here for a list of grants awarded.

Gov. Wolf has proposed additional funding for new Growing Greener projects using existing funds available under the American Rescue Plan Act.  Read more here.

“Ninety-six percent of impaired watersheds in Pennsylvania are polluted because of nonpoint source pollution,” added Miller. “The problem comes from many different sources, but we need a collaborative approach along with state funding to make a lasting impact.”

Some of the primary activities that generate nonpoint source pollution include, abandoned mine drainage (AMD), urban and agricultural runoff, earthmoving, and stream hydromodification.

The purpose of Growing Greener, Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) bond forfeiture, and AMD set-aside grants is to address nonpoint source pollution through local, watershed-based planning, restoration and protection efforts.

For more information on the program, visit DEP’s Growing Greener Plus Grant Program webpage.

Apply Now For Grants

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources 2022 grant application season for Community Conservation Partnership, riparian buffer, land conservation, trails and ATV and snowmobiles is open, including--

-- Community Conservation Partnership Grants. Deadline April 6

-- Riparian Forest Buffer Grants. Deadline April 6

Click Here for more information.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is accepting applications for these Act 13 drilling impact fee funded programs through May 31-- Watershed Restoration, Greenways, Trails, Recreation, Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment and more.

Click Here for more information.

Visit the PA Environment Digest’s Grants & Awards webpage for other available financial assistance.

(Photo: Before and after cleanup on Little Conemaugh River.)

Related Articles:

-- Gov. Wolf’s Environmental Budget Builds On Bipartisan Support For $450 Million Conservation Allocation From Federal ARP Funds; Increases DEP Staff To Manage Historic Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding

-- Two Bipartisan Bills Just Sitting In Senate Waiting To Address Record Number Of Water Quality Impaired Streams Reported In 2022

[Posted: March 10, 2022]

3/14/2022