On January 28, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced the award of $16 million in grants and loans funded by the Act 13 drilling impact fee for watershed restoration, flood mitigation, recreation, sewage and oil and gas well plugging.

“These significant investments are creating safe and healthy communities, and delivering real results for Pennsylvanians,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “From funding flood mitigation projects, rehabbing our recreational trails, plugging abandoned wells and restoring watersheds, these are projects that will enhance our community and economy while improving the quality of life for Pennsylvanians.”

The funding approved included--

-- Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement & Treatment Program (AMDATP) – one project approved; $64,482 total funding. The program provides funding for abandoned mine drainage, abatement, and treatment. The Villanova College of Engineering was approved for funding for a research study of the use of shrimp shell and eggshell waste for acid mine drainage in Radnor Township, Delaware County.

-- Watershed Restoration Protection Program (WRPP) – 16 projects approved; $1,482,434 total funding. The program provides funding for watershed restoration and protection projects. For example, Kingsley Township was approved for $140,000 in funding for the Tionesta Creek Stream Bank Restoration Project in Forest County.

-- Baseline Water Quality Data Program (BWQDP) – one project approved; $105,594 total funding. The program provides funding for statewide initiatives to establish baseline water quality data on private water supplies. Doylestown Township in Bucks County was approved for funding for the collection of private water supply samples.

-- Flood Mitigation Program (FMP) – 9 projects approved; $1,038,600 total funding. The program provides funding for statewide initiatives to assist with flood mitigation projects. For example, Clearfield Borough was approved for $125,000 in funding for the Stinky Run Flood Control Project in Clearfield County.

-- The Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) – 117 projects approved; $13,062,240 total funding. The program provides funding for the planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation and repair of greenways, recreational trails, open space, parks and beautification projects. For example, the City of Williamsport was approved for $80,000 in funding for improvements to Young’s Woods Park in Lycoming County.

-- Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging Program (OAWP) – one project approved; $70,000 total funding. The program provides funding for orphan or abandoned well plugging projects. The Well Done Foundation was approved for $70,000 in funding to plug two gas wells both located in Millcreek Township, Erie County.

-- Sewage Facilities Program (SFP) – three projects approved; $194,926 total funding. The program provides funding for statewide initiatives for complying with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. For example, West Manheim Township in York County was approved for $37,426 for planning costs associated with the update to their Act 537 plan.

A full list of the following approvals is available on the CFA’s website.

Visit the CFA’s Act 13 Programs webpage for more information on these funding opportunities.

Applications will be accepted annually for these programs from February 1 to May 31.  Questions should be directed to 717-787-6245.

New Grant Round Opening

The CFA announced the application period for the PA Small Water and Sewer Program will begin on February 3 and run through April 30, 2025.

Municipalities and Municipal Authorities are eligible to apply for these grants to cover the costs of activities to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of water supply systems, sanitary sewer systems, and storm water system projects.

Visit the Commonwealth Financing Authority webpage for information of other funding opportunities.

Related Articles:

-- Commonwealth Financing Authority Announces $16 Million In Act 13 Funding For Watershed Restoration, Flood Mitigation, Recreation; Small Water & Sewer Application Period Opening  [PaEN]

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Healthy Waters Newsletter Highlights Nearly 16,700 BMPs In 2024; Grant Opportunities; County Clean Water Projects   [PaEN]

-- Rodale Institute Accepting Applications For The Good Farmer Award  [PaEN]

-- DEP Begins Accepting Applications For First Round Of Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants March 3  [PaEN]

-- Appalachian Region Independent Power Producers Assn. Now Accepting Mine Reclamation Grant Applications   [PaEN]

-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Recreation, Land Conservation, Riparian Buffers Thru April 2  [PaEN]

-- Registration Open! Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance June 4-5 Mine Pools As Beneficial Resources Conference At Bucknell University  [PaEN]

-- Sponsorship Opportunities Available For Penn State ACAP Ag Conservation Conference April 1-3 In Harrisburg  [PaEN]

-- Reminder: Call For Presentations: Penn State Extension Dive Deeper Summit For Water Educators Sept. 25 In Harrisburg

-- Lancaster Clean Water Partners News: Focus On Cover Crops; 75 Years Of Conservation; MS4 Stormwater Listening Session

-- Environmental Quality Board Invites Comments On 96 Stream Water Quality Redesignations In 29 Counties; Virtual Hearing March 13  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension To Hold Feb. 21 In-Person Volunteer Live Staking Workshop In Cumberland County  [PaEN] 

-- Save The Date! May 13-15 DCNR Watershed Forestry Summit  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Water Cooler Talk Feb. 26 Quality Of PA Roadside Springs Webinar  [PaEN]

-- Inquirer: President Wants US To Be ‘Leading’ Producer Of Non-Fuel Minerals; Here’s How PA Could Help; Rare Earth Elements Could Be More Important Than Expansion Of Fracking  [PDF of Article]

-- Interfaith Partners For The Chesapeake Bay Hosts 3-Part Online Faithful Green Leaders Training Starting March 11  [PaEN]

-- Apply Now!  PA Master Naturalist Volunteer Spring Training Offered In Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Dauphin, Indiana, Montour, Philadelphia, Somerset Counties  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- York Daily Record: The Hellbender, PA’s Official State Amphibian, Is Proposed For Endangered Species Status

-- Beaver Times: Beaver County Receives State Grants For Parks, Green Spaces

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Billions Have Been Allocated To PA From Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure, Inflation Reduction Acts, New Administration Ordered Halt To Disbursements  [Water Infrastructure, Mine Reclamation, Conventional Oil & Gas Well Plugging, $396 million in RISE PA decarbonization funding]

-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: Nearly $1 Million Federal Stormwater Climate Grant In Allegheny County Environmental Justice Communities  [New Administration Froze Disbursements In This And Other Programs]

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Jan. 31 RiverWatch Video Report

-- Altoona Mirror: Rain Garden Projects Get Logan Township Approval In Blair

[Posted: January 28, 2025]

2/3/2025