The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for the 2008 Growing Greener Plus Watershed Restoration Grants Program.

The deadline for applications is May 16.

For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect and/or restore this Commonwealth's watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution. Example of special priority areas include: Watershed Renaissance--comprehensive watershed plan implementation in a small watershed; projects located in ''priority'' watersheds that reduce the source of impairment; beneficial reuse of waste products and/or remining; and beneficial use of abandoned mine pools.

Examples of eligible projects could include reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired; integrating stormwater management and flood protection into watershed management; encouraging the beneficial use of abandoned mine pool water; and water conservation strategies and projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants.

The Department is authorized to allocate these grants to a variety of eligible applicants including: counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; watershed organizations recognized by the Department who promote local watershed conservation efforts, council of governments and other authorized organizations involved in the restoration and protection of the environment in this Commonwealth. Growing Greener II provides additional focus on capital improvement projects related to watershed protection, mine and abandoned mine remediation, and plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells.

Through the same application, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's Flood Protection Grant Program and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant. Flood protection grants are for communities that operate and maintain State and Federal flood protection projects. Section 319 grants focus on funding similar projects to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds.

Information for this round of grants will be available on the Growing Greener webpage or interesting persons can send e-mail to: GrowingGreener@state.pa.us or contact the Center at (717) 705-5400. Written requests should be addressed to the Department of Environmental Protection, Grants Center, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8776, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8776.

3/7/2008