The Allegheny County Conservation District announced $830,000 in grants available to farms to prevent pollution in Allegheny County over the next three years.  

Farming operations can now apply for funding through the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) to install soil and water conservation practices that have shared environmental and farm management goals.   

“The success of local farms is vital to our region, economy and food supply. This new investment in agriculture ensures the future sustainability of farms and healthy water resources in Allegheny County. ACCD is proud to offer solutions to farmers while protecting natural resources,” said Executive Director Heather Manzo. 

This program funds best management practices like cover crops, spring development, waste storage facilities, heavy use areas and more. 

Funding for the ACAP Program was created through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and the Clean Streams Fund and was established with the goal of reducing nonpoint source pollution in streams and surface water, including sediment pollution and nitrogen and phosphorus runoff.

Preventing and reducing nutrient pollution keeps the region safe by protecting drinking water, air quality, food and recreation.

“We’re partnering with farmers to steward our natural resources,” said Agriculture Resource Conservationist Madeleine Sheinfeld. “This program will make tangible progress to care for our soil and water through projects that meet the needs of farmers.” 

The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission who delegates local program implementation to conservation districts.

Click Here to watch a video overview of the program.

Visit Allegheny Conservation District’s Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program webpage for more information.  Questions should be directed to Madeleine Sheinfeld at msheinfeld@accdpa.or g and 412-291-8017. 

For more information on conservation assistance, visit the Allegheny County Conservation District website.

All Counties Offering ACAP Grants

All county conservation districts are offering Agricultural Conservation Assistance Grants..  Contact your county conservation district to apply for funding.

NewsClips This Week- Watersheds:

-- Stroud Water Research Center Partner Walt Moore, Chester County, Named PA Distinguished Dairy Producer

-- Philadelphia Water Dept. Recognizes Stormwater Pioneers For Best Stormwater Management On Private Property

-- Indiana Gazette: Blackleggs Creek Mine Drainage Cleanup, Trout Nursery Initiative

-- The Allegheny Front: Ohio River Ranks 2nd On America’s Most Endangered List By American Rivers Group

-- MCall - Evan Jones: Lehigh River Named One Of 10 Most Endangered In Country; Warehouses And Poor Planning Blamed In Report

-- Pocono Record: Warehouse Growth Puts PA’s Lehigh River On Most Endangered List

-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Lehigh River Listed As ‘Most Endangered’ River In U.S. Due To Rampant Warehouse Developments

-- American Rivers: Lehigh And Ohio Rivers Listed In America’s 10 Most Endangered Rivers

-- USDA Announces $18.3 Million In Funding For Clean Water Infrastructure To Protect Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Delaware River Basin

Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:

-- DEP EE Newsletter: Winners Of 2022 PA Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience Awards Announced; Other Environmental Ed News  [PaEN]

-- Bucks County Master Watershed Steward Jim Walter Inspires Environmental Action  [PaEN]

-- Brodhead Watershed Assn. StreamWatch Volunteer Training May 20 In Monroe County  [PaEN]

-- Allegheny County Conservation District Now Accepting Applications For Agricultural Conservation Assistance Grants; Your County Is Too  [PaEN]

-- CBF: Proposed Settlement Of Lawsuit Against EPA For Failing To Hold Pennsylvania Accountable For Meeting Chesapeake Bay Water Pollution Reduction Goals Focuses On Actions In 7 PA Counties  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission May 4 Hearing On Water Withdrawal Projects, Including 12 Related To Shale Natural Gas Drilling  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approved 39 Water Use Permits For Shale Gas Well Drilling Pads In Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, Susquehanna, Tioga and Wyoming Counties  [PaEN]

-- Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper Blog: Significantly Lower Water Flow May Have Long-Ranging Ripple Effect For Aquatic Resources, Recreational Use - By John Zaktansky, Middle Susquehanna RiverKeeper [PaEN]

-- Citizen Complaint Results In Discovery Of An Unreported Crude Oil Spill Affecting Over 2,400 Feet Of Stream At A Cameron Energy Conventional Well Site In Forest County  [PaEN]

-- Ohio River Basin Alliance Responds To Listing Of Ohio River As America's 2nd Most Endangered River In The Nation; Lehigh River On List Too  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 17, 2023]

4/24/2023