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Hello partners for water quality!
We have much news to share on progress by state, local, and sector partners to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution and improve water quality in Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
For more details on the Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan and Countywide Action Planning, visit the Phase 3 WIP website. For a broader educational look at nutrient and sediment pollution in local streams, rivers, and lakes in the watershed, including tips and success stories, visit Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities.
Please consider how you might join in or help support this work. Check out each county’s Phase 3 WIP Countywide Action plan and make connections with your county team! And please share this newsletter with your networks and encourage them to subscribe to our monthly newsletter!.
— DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management
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DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM)
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DEP BWRNSM Retains Larson Design Group, Inc. (LDG) as Engineering and Technical Assistance Service Provider for Technical Assistance Contracts
DEP’s BWRNSM is pleased to announce that it has established a new Technical Assistance Program to address local county partners’ increased need for technical assistance. The need for increased resources is essential to initiating projects that help Pennsylvania meet its clean water goals throughout its Chesapeake Bay watershed, while also supporting local partners efforts to implement projects.
Larson Design Group, Inc. (LDG) has been retained by DEP to provide technical assistance services to increase project implementation capacity across several counties that have historically lacked resources to implement needed projects. LDG will soon be accepting project proposals for funding technical assistance needs. Examples of services that can be provided through this program include site survey, inventory and evaluation, project design, construction inspection, and project coordination.
Counties that will have access to the new Technical Assistance Program include:
North Region: Berks, Cameron, Clearfield, Columbia, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, and Potter counties
South Region: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Fulton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Snyder, Somerset, and Union counties
Please be on the lookout for additional information regarding this program and its application window in the coming weeks.
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Clean Water Progress Teams Kickoff Strategies for Success Meetings with Action!
The three Clean Water Progress Teams have started building momentum toward developing recommendations that will provide strategies for success to overcome challenges to Pennsylvania meeting its clean water goals through its Phase 3 WIP and Countywide Action Plan (CAP) implementation. Over the past two months, the Progress Teams held their kickoff meetings to prioritize action items identified during the October 11 Clean Water Gathering. Each Progress Team prioritized the initial five action items they will be focusing on:
Funding and Multi-Grant Coordination Progress Team
- Common application/letter of intent concept
- Create a central grant spreadsheet
- Leveraging available funding sources more efficiently
- Outreach and education about financing
- How to connect projects with funding sources
Staff Building and Staff Retention Progress Team
- Making management training and leadership training available
- Diversify staff hires
- Regionalization of staff
- Cross training staff
- Dedicated funding for administrative staff
Technical and Administrative Progress Team
- Engineering assistance is needed
- Streamline and centralize reporting
- How to provide more structured approach to private/public partnerships
- Increase support and resources for project prioritization and timeline management
- Block permitting applications for watershed or specific project types
All three Progress Teams have created small sub-groups to dive in and explore potential strategies to address each action item individually. These small groups provide an opportunity for members to share ideas and firsthand knowledge to create recommendations for their particular action item. These recommendations will be shared with their Progress Team for further discussion and consensus, with the goal of having recommended strategies for success in these three areas developed by the end of 2024.
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Programs and Projects by Local, State and Federal Partners
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The Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan Reports on Progress
The Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (CWIP) was developed and is currently being implemented in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, with a focused geography of the Susquehanna River watershed. The CWIP Steering Committee has released the January 2024 Progress Summary, which includes the new 2024-2025 two-year milestones. Highlights include fostering innovation, financing, pilot project development, and strengthening partnerships.
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Photo provided by Will Parson, Chesapeake Bay Program
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2022 Census of Agriculture Data Now Available
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released data from the 2022 Agricultural Census. Census of Agriculture data provides valuable insights into demographics, economics, land use and activities on U.S. farms and ranches such as farms and farmland, value of agricultural products, use of renewable energy producing systems and more. In addition to the full report, NASS published two new data Highlights on Farm Economics and Farm Producers. Data are also available in NASS’s searchable database Quick Stats.
NASS will release several more 2022 Census of Agriculture data products in the coming months, including state and county profiles, maps, zip code tabulations, watersheds, specialty crops, and more.
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Volunteers Needed for 24-Hour Tree Planting Relay
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is seeking volunteers for their second annual 24-hour Volunteer Tree Planting Relay on April 5-6. Event dates, specific site addresses, and supplies to bring will be made available upon registration. For decades, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has engaged communities in watershed conservation via volunteer tree plantings. Not only do volunteer tree plantings help accomplish important work and increase awareness about watershed issues, but they also empower communities to take action and can cascade into more locally-led stewardship.
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Land Conservancy of Adams County Finalizes Three Recent Projects Conserving Both Farmland and Historic Battlefield Areas
The Land Conservancy of Adams County recently finalized easements on several parcels of land through collaboration with landowners, farmers, and a historic battlefield preservation organization. Two of these projects involved securing conservation easements with the help of member donations and through the US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (USDA-NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The landowners of both easements have worked to enhance water quality, reduce erosion, and restore wildlife habitat through the planting of trees through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), another NRCS program.
The Lee Easement features farmland, woodlands, bottomlands, and wetlands on 55 acres in Germany Township near Littlestown and Piney Creek. The Newcomer Easement features farmland and woodland on 68 acres in Reading Township near East Berlin. A tributary of the Red Run, part of the Susquehanna watershed, flows through the property.
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Llamas on the Newcomer property.
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The Land Conservancy of Adams County also partnered with the American Battlefield Trust to preserve four parcels that connect to existing Gettysburg Battlefield areas. When the Trust purchases these properties, it restores them to their appearance at the time of the battle in preparation for their transfer to the National Park Service. Notably, one of the parcels was at one time proposed for a residential subdivision for 48 homes, but through the Land Conservancy’s work, the 47-acre parcel will be protected.
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Map of the battlefield parcels.
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The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) to Host Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting
The PACD 2024 Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation meeting will be held May 28-29, 2024. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, DEP and EPA staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments, 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities. Look for a registration announcement in an upcoming edition of the PACD publication, Front Page.
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Penn State Extension Offers Free Hiring and Retention Webinar
Penn State Extension is offering a free Hiring and Retention: Building and Preserving Team Trust webinar on April 4, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant. This webinar explores the stages of team development and ways to develop and maintain trust within a collaborative group by setting expectations and building trust. Program participants will learn about stages of team development and suggested leadership strategies for each stage. They will also learn about trust-busting communication, develop skills that help build trust, understand trustworthiness, receive tips for using components of trustworthiness, and learn how to improve trust-based collaboration using strategic thinking.
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USDA Launches New Working Lands Climate Corps to Train Future Conservation and Climate Leaders
USDA announced a new effort to train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders. As part of President Biden’s historic American Climate Corps initiative, the Working Lands Climate Corps will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country, now and in the future. The Working Lands Climate Corps, in its first cohort, will aim to create service opportunities for more than 100 young people. USDA-NRCS is working in partnership with AmeriCorps, The Corps Network and the National Association of Conservation Districts in this effort.
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USDA Accepting Applications for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants
USDA is accepting applications for grants to support urban agriculture and innovative production. The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects through two categories, Planning Projects and Implementation Projects. Visit the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants site to learn more and to apply by April 9, 2024.
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National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants (SWG) Open for Proposals
NFWF, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership, is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund to protect and restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
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NFWF Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants Open for Proposals
NFWF, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is soliciting proposals through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF) to conserve, protect, and restore vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams.
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CREP Mini-Grants Available Through August
PACD is accepting mini-grant applications from conservation districts for up to $3,000 to implement educational and outreach activities that support and extend the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) work. Projects should focus on CREP enrollment, re-enrollment, and/or CREP maintenance. Applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funds are expended. The project completion and final report deadline is August 31, 2024.
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PENNVEST Announces Open Request for Proposals Through the Clean Water Procurement Program
The Clean Water Procurement Program (CWPP), directed by PENNVEST through Act 54 of 2022, provides for the purchase of verified nutrient or sediment reduction through a competitive bidding process. The long-term objective of the program is to improve water quality in the Commonwealth through the purchase of verified nutrient (nitrogen/phosphorus) or sediment reduction resulting from the installation of practices or combinations of practices determined to be effective and practical to manage nutrients and sediment to protect surface water and groundwater.
Pursuant to Act 54, PENNVEST has determined in its request for proposals that a multiple award competitive sealed procurement best meets the statutory goals outlined in Act 54 and PENNVEST’s CWPP guidance. All applications and supporting documentation must be received by April 17, 2024.
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R. John Dawes Clean Water Fund Established as Dawes Retires from Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds
The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW), in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), is pleased to announce the R. John Dawes Clean Water Fund, celebrating the significant contributions John Dawes has made to build a strong, thriving, and effective organization to protect Pennsylvania’s waterways.
FPW is a grantmaking foundation that invests in local efforts to protect healthy streams, clean up pollution, and restore degraded wildlife habitat. Recently “retired” from FPW, Dawes served as the inaugural Executive Director, dedicating more than 30 years to building the FPW into a well-organized, strategic philanthropy.
FPW provides matching grant funds to both small and large groups and organizations throughout much of the Commonwealth and is a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. Through FPW’s grantmaking, assistance is provided to conservation organizations to achieve their restoration goals, while ensuring enough clean water for future generations of Pennsylvania children, families, and wildlife.
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WeConservePA Accepting Applications for Resource Management Planning Grants on Eased Forest Land in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
WeConservePA is now accepting applications from land trusts for resource management planning for forest land in conservation easements in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The grant program is intended to explore the ways that land trusts, landowners, and forest professionals might work constructively together to better understand conserved lands and ultimately produce better conservation results on the land, including better forest health, habitat improvement, water resource protection, and sustainable timber production.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through May 31, 2024, or until all project funds are committed, whichever comes first. The first grants were awarded on March 11. WeConservePA will award up to $150,000 in total grants for this planning work. Questions should be directed to Carol Grayshaw at cgrayshaw@weconservepa.org with the subject “FMP grant app.”
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Adams County Marks Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Project Completion and Plans for 2024
Adams County’s final 2023 CAP project was completed in October 2023 with the successful installation of a raingarden at the Gettysburg Church of the Brethren. The project helps to capture and clean water from the church parking lot and from a development behind the church.
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Installed raingarden feature at the Gettysburg Church of the Brethren (Provided by Ricky Whitmore).
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CAP-funded projects for 2024 will include four stream restoration projects, a buffer, and a stormwater basin retrofit project. The Adams County Conservation District is also preparing for its Spring Tree Distribution event, where over 8,000 trees will be given out to landowners across Adams County.
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Locations of planted trees throughout Adams County as part of the Spring Tree Distribution since 2018 (Provided by Ricky Whitmore).
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Snyder County Conservation District Holds Annual Farmers Winter Meeting
On February 16, 2024, the Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held its annual Farmers Winter Meeting with 70 attendees. Presenters at the meeting included consultants, medical professionals, sales representatives, federal and conservation district staff members, and Penn State Extension staff. Participants were able to receive pesticide, nutrient management, and manure hauler/broker credits through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits, and NRCS conservation recertification credits. Some of the topics discussed included conservation best management practices, PA woodland and USDA program updates, and pesticide application.
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Lauren Cheran, SCCD Program Administrator, shows conservation practices recently installed on Snyder County farms at the Farmers Winter Meeting.
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York County Partners Implement Stream Restoration Project for Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP)
The Bald Eagle Creek stream restoration project was installed on a York County farm in the Muddy watershed. It was designed and constructed by Ecotone. The funding for the design and permitting came through DEP’s Growing Greener grant program. Construction of the project was made possible with Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper settlement money, CAP funding, and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource (DCNR) buffer funding.
The pre-construction meeting occurred in July 2023, and construction began shortly after. The final inspection walkthrough occurred in October 2023.
The project includes approximately 2,157 linear feet of stream restoration, 1.25 acres of wetland restoration, and 4.31 acres of riparian reforestation. The goal of the restoration was to realign and restore the stream using two distinct stream restoration approaches, as well as restore the wetlands. Also included are 6,006 linear feet of stream fencing to limit cattle access to the restored areas and concrete panel crossings installed for agricultural use. Within the fence is a riparian buffer planting with an array of native shrubs and trees.
This project counts toward and gives credit for the York County CAP and Chesapeake Bay Pollutant Reduction Plan, in turn helping DEP to reach Chesapeake Bay goals. The project is estimated to annually reduce 478,374 pounds of sediment, 553 pounds of phosphorus, and 2,474 pounds of nitrogen.
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Bald Eagle Creek Stream Restoration before project installation (Provided by Rachel Stahlman).
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Bald Eagle Creek Stream Restoration after project completion (Provided by Rachel Stahlman).
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"Growing up on a small farm in Southern York County made me appreciate farms, nature, and open space. Unfortunately, I see the massive development that has taken over that area in the past 40 years, and development is creeping closer to the farm I grew up on. My fear is that one day, it too will be swallowed up by development. I placed a conservation easement on my Adams County property to prevent that from happening to these 68 acres. I'll continue to work to enhance wildlife habitat on my farm, improve the quality of the soil, and enjoy the quality of life that comes with living on a farm in Adams County, Pennsylvania.”
- Janice Newcomer, Participant in the Land Conservancy of Adams County's Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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