The Department of Environmental Protection announced it will begin accepting applications for the next round of Growing Greener Plus and EPA Section 319 Watershed Grants on April 22.  The deadline for applications is June 24.

Growing Greener Grants

The Department has identified multiple priority areas for this grant solicitation. 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 (BMP) that reduce or eliminate pollutant loadings and lead to local water quality improvements.

One new priority area for Growing Greener grants include projects that implement BMPs, stream restoration, bank stabilization to reduce runoff volumes, increase infiltration, improve water quality and assist in future flood prevention and climate resiliency in support of the Pennsylvania 2021 Climate Action Plan.

This includes no-till farming, riparian forest buffers, green infrastructure, and other agricultural and stormwater BMPs.

Another new priority area is the Growing Greener Watershed Renaissance Initiative (GGWRI) project category focusing on the complete implementation of existing watershed restoration or implementation plans on small catchment areas of approximately 25 or fewer land parcels.

These GGWRI-eligible catchments have agriculturally-impaired waterways as listed in the Department's 2022 Integrated Water Quality Report and located in Centre, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Snyder and Union Counties.

Click Here for the formal notice.  Visit DEP’s Growing Greener Plus webpage for more information on how to apply [when posted].

EPA Section 319 Grants

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.

The Department also is offering grants to develop new WIPs in Pennsylvania's Environmental Justice (EJ) areas for 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code scale watersheds, based upon watershed plan elements for threatened or impaired waters.

Examples of eligible projects include new WIP development in EJ areas and 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.

Click Here for the formal notice.  Visit DEP’s Nonpoint Source webpage for more information on these grants.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.

[Posted: April 15, 2022]

4/18/2022