On July 25, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz and U.S. Senator Bob Casey joined Pennsylvania environmental leaders, Chesapeake Bay partners, and local farmers in Lancaster County to announce $14.3 million in grants directed to Pennsylvania through EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.

Using funding provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Most Effective Basins program will receive $23 million this year, a $15 million increase from its $8 million annual allocation.

In a concerted effort to deliver these dollars to areas that will have the greatest impact on downstream water quality, 60% of this year’s funding will go directly to Pennsylvania to connect farmers with the financial resources they need to implement conservation practices that benefit farms, local streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.

"Leadership. Engagement. Partnership. Funding. When these things come together, no challenge is too big to overcome,” said Ortiz. “Once-in-a-generation investments coupled with unprecedented cooperation drives progress and delivers results. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Chesapeake Bay restoration and each and every partner helped bring us to this moment.”

The Most Effective Basins grant program provides funds to states in river basins throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed with excess nitrogen loads.  The funds are used to install best practices such as forest buffers, manure storage, and fencing to reduce agricultural runoff from entering nearby streams. 

“The infrastructure law is not only fixing our roads and bridges; it’s providing farmers with the support they need to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay,” said Senator Casey. “It’s a win-win: when we improve conservation practices, our farmers improve their bottom line.”

During the event, officials also highlighted new means to deliver funds to grantees more efficiently.

EPA is working with the Department of Environmental Protection to direct at least $3 million of the MEB funding to a block grant that will deliver conservation funding to farmers more quickly.

An additional $4 million will go to the state Department of Agriculture and State Conservation Commission to support the work of the Conservation Districts.

“Pennsylvania is proof of the enormous value of partnership in improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Rich Negrin. “DEP has long valued our partnerships with EPA Region 3, USDA-NRCS, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and our jurisdictional partners. In the past five years, we've taken this teamwork to exciting new levels. Our funding of conservation districts and local organizations helps provide the agricultural outreach, education, planning, and technical assistance needed to keep building momentum from the ground up to ensure clean water for Pennsylvania’s farmers and communities.”

More information on the Chesapeake Bay Program’s water quality goals can be found online.

Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates on Pennsylvania’s progress.

Reaction

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall issued this statement about the funding announcement--

“We appreciate the investments announced today by the EPA and Senator Casey. These grants are welcome news and will provide a much-needed federal infusion of resources to help Pennsylvania’s farmers keep nutrients on the land instead of in the water, protect herd health, and benefit family farms.

“Long-term investments in programs like Pennsylvania’s new Clean Streams Fund and Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program, which is administered by the State Conservation Commission, can go a long way toward the Commonwealth meeting its clean water commitments.  

“The upcoming 2023 Farm Bill will be another important opportunity to focus additional resources on farms in Pennsylvania to help achieve water quality goals and provide economic benefits on and beyond the farm.”

How Clean Is Your Stream?

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

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[Posted: July 25, 2023]

7/31/2023