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Susquehanna River Basin Commission Begins Accepting MD Conowingo Pay For Success Nutrient, Sediment Reduction Project Proposals Oct. 24

On October 16, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission announced it will begin accepting nutrient and sediment reduction project proposals under the Maryland Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Program on October 24 The deadline for proposals is December 20.

Through a memorandum of understanding, the SRBC will act as financing authority to administer more than $20 million provided by the state of Maryland to meet nutrient reduction goals of the Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan.

The CWIP addresses nutrient loads entering the Chesapeake Bay as a result of Conowingo Dam reaching its trapping capacity. It has been determined that the reservoir has reached dynamic equilibrium and is no longer preventing a portion of the pollutant load from flowing downstream.

“This initiative marks an exciting foray into innovative approaches, both financial and scientific, to achieve Chesapeake Bay restoration goals,” said SRBC Executive Director Andrew Dehoff. “This multi-state effort to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous loading to the Bay comes in the form of a groundbreaking Pay for Success Program.”

This type of contracting is a proven method of procuring verified environmental outcomes in a cost-effective manner. Through the program, Maryland is able to finance projects upstream and count those nutrient reductions against its CWIP obligations.

The process is a “reverse auction” where restoration projects with measured and validated nitrogen reductions will propose a cost per pound in the application process. Maryland is seeking the most cost-effective reductions.

Proposals involving dredging are encouraged to apply as well.

Focus Areas

Projects anywhere in the Susquehanna River Basin are eligible with additional prioritization given to ones located in the sub-watersheds of Deer Creek, Conowingo Creek or Octoraro Creek in Pennsylvania, as well as Harford and Cecil Counties in Maryland.

Oct. 23 Webinar

An informational webinar will be held on October 23 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and the application link will open on October 24th.

To register for the webinar and for more information on the RFP, visit SRBC’s Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan webpage. Questions should be directed to ConowingoWIP@srbc.gov.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website. Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter. Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

NewsClips - Watersheds:

-- Williamsport Sun: Lycoming College Clean Water Institute’s Matt Kaunert Speaks About Declining Populations Of Hellbenders In Pennsylvania

-- Tribune-Democrat: Blacklick Valley H.S. Students Get Inside Look At $26 Million Plan To Treat Mine Drainage Pollution, Revive Blacklick Creek

-- Altoona Mirror: Sediment Reduction Project On Beaverdam Branch, Juniata River Makes Progress

-- Altoona Mirror: Community Members’ Efforts Help Establish Rain Garden At Duncansville Memorial Park

-- Registration Open For PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference Feb. 8-10

-- Rodale Institute 2022 Annual Report: Growing The Regenerative, Organic Agriculture Movement

-- The Center Square: More Trees Coming To Low-Income, Historically Black Neighborhoods Across Pittsburgh

-- Williamsport Sun - Ryan Reed, DCNR: Forests Help With Climate Change

-- Warren Times: Audubon Community Nature Center ‘Investigators’ To Explore Water’s Journey

-- Erie Times: Erie Council OKs Lease With Gannon University To Build Great Lakes Water Research And Education Center Inside Library

-- Guest Essay: Guardians Of The Susquehanna: The Vital Role Of The Susquehanna River Basin Commission - By Gene G. Veno, SRBC Director Of Government Affairs