Josh Shapiro, Governor • Jessica Shirley, DEP Secretary

January 2026

Hello partners for water quality!

We have much news to share on progress by state, local, and sector partners to improve water quality by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in Pennsylvania waterways that eventually flow to the Chesapeake Bay.

For more details on Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase 3 WIP) 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 (CAP) and make connections with your county team. Also, please share this newsletter with your networks and encourage them to subscribe to receive the newsletter monthly!

— DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management

DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM)

DEP’s BWRNSM Creates Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan and Countywide Action Plan Case Study

DEP’s BWRNSM Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Division recently created a document titled, Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan and Countywide Action Plans: A Case Study in Collaborative Watershed Restoration. This document, known as the Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Case Study, highlights how partners at all levels — federal, state, local, private, landowners, and nonprofits — came together to forge a new path to address clean water challenges in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The year 2025 marked a year of reflection for the CAP partners resulting in the CAP Case Study and identified lessons learned on how to improve and expand efforts under the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

Pennsylvania is committed to a “Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities” approach to watershed restoration. This strategy empowers county-based teams to lead local water quality improvement efforts, supported by state partners and other partners who provide data, technical assistance, funding, and other resources. The CAP Case Study provides an overview of the history of the Phase 3 WIP that led to the formation of the CAPs. It also gives a detailed look at how county partners developed their CAPs and the role that DEP played, and it explains the tools and support provided in the development and implementation of the CAPs. The CAP Case Study also reviews the impact of the CAP Implementation Block Grant and the impact of the CAP Coordinators.

The final section of the CAP Case Study discusses how the CAP process offers a compelling model for other states and watershed groups seeking to implement collaborative, locally driven restoration efforts. The lessons learned throughout the CAP process show the importance of communication, coordination, and collaboration.

A view of the CAP Case Study cover showing cows fenced away from a stream and a newly planted riiparian forest buffer with tree tubes.

Programs and Projects by Local, State, and Federal Partners

Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Credit Trading Program Helps Facilities Meet Permitted Nutrient Cap Loads While Generating Permanent Nutrient Reductions to the Chesapeake Bay

Pennsylvania's Nutrient Credit Trading Program was established to provide a cost-effective way for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permittees in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to meet their effluent cap load limits for nutrients as part of the bay restoration strategy. Across the Susquehanna and Potomac River basins, 38 NPDES wastewater treatment facilities generated 407,296 nitrogen and 41,752 phosphorus credits in Compliance Year 2025. From these generated credits, a total of 298,493 nitrogen and 23,367 phosphorus credits were traded to help 62 NPDES wastewater facilities meet their permitted nutrient cap loads, leaving 108,803 nitrogen and 18,385 phosphorus credits that were not traded and represent the equivalent number of pounds of permanent nutrient reductions to the Chesapeake Bay in support of Phase 3 WIP goals.

Pennsylvania's Clean Water Procurement Program Helps the Commonwealth Achieve Nutrient and Sediment Reductions

Under Section 103-S of Act 54 of 2022, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) was directed to establish the Clean Water Procurement Program (CWPP) to provide for the purchase of verified nutrient or sediment reductions through a competitive bidding process. In the last quarter of 2025, five previously selected projects in Adams, Lancaster, and York counties completed installation of various best management practices, including riparian and grass buffers, wetland restoration, pasture and streambank fencing, barnyard runoff and loafing controls, and animal waste/soil/water management plans. Collectively, these projects are anticipated to generate annual reductions totaling over 63,500 pounds of nitrogen; 10,900 pounds of phosphorus; and 3,460,100 pounds of sediment in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

A view of a stabilized gravel stream crossing in an agricultural setting.

A view of a recently graded floodplain restoration project.

Examples of water quality improvement projects leading to nutrient and sediment reductions as a result of the CWPP include a stabilized stream crossing in York County (left) and a stream and floodplain restoration project in Lancaster County (right).

Clean Water Academy Updates Trainings and Adds New Webinars

The Division of Wetlands Encroachment and Training (DWET) in DEP’s Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands recently announced that the training “Introductory Water Quality Standards” on DEP’s Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy has been updated to include a second lesson on “Water Quality Standards-Wetlands.”
A collaborative training program between DWET and the Army Corps of Engineers resulted in the addition of a comprehensive course on DEP’s Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy providing an in-depth exploration of wetland determination, guiding learners through growing and non-growing season scenarios.
A new webinar focused on completing the Wetland Determination Form, as well as key review considerations, is now available on DEP’s Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy. It is presented by Frank Plewa, a leading wetland expert from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Baltimore District’s Regulatory Program.
A new webinar on the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (USDA NRCS) new compendium of Hydric Soils of Problematic Conditions and Altered Materials is now available on DEP’s Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy. It is presented by Aaron Miller, an NRCS soil scientist, member of the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils, and author of the publication.

Cocalico Creek Watershed Association Receives Permit for Wetland Restoration Project

The DEP Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands DWET recently issued the second watershed restoration permit for a Cocalico Creek wetland restoration project on December 4, 2025. The permit gives consent to the Cocalico Creek Watershed Association to construct and maintain Phase 1 of the Cocalico Creek Watershed Restoration Project, located in Lancaster County in the Conestoga River watershed (State Water Plan Subbasin 07). The permit term is for seven years and can be extended. Phase 1 involves restoration of 1,417 feet of watercourse and three acres of associated floodplains. This phase will result in restoration of a total of two acres of wetlands. Future final construction plan sets for additional project phases (nine in total) will undergo separate expedited restoration plan review and approval. The project includes restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement activities of aquatic resources across approximately 125.9 acres of the Cocalico Creek watershed. All or a portion of 34,745 linear feet of watercourse, adjoining floodplains, and associated 31.4 acres of wetlands may be affected by the overall project.

In total, the project identifies and proposes nine project areas or phases of the overall project to lessen or reverse the degradation or discontinuity through implementation of restoration, rehabilitation, and enhancement construction techniques to address the predominant causes of degradation. The watershed permit will allow the watershed organization to adapt to potential project funding sources and provide an expedited restoration approval process well into the future.

The watershed restoration permit concept was developed specifically for comprehensive large-scale restoration projects. While it addresses permitting efficiencies, funding constraints may require comprehensive funding strategies, as well. This permitting option also requires significant planning and commitment by project sponsors.

Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) Awards Grants for Waterway Restoration

On December 8, 2025, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW) announced that they had awarded $265,000 in grants toprojects that will work to protect and restore waterways. Following are the projects located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed:

$17,000 to Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance for Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Passive treatment sites
$15,000 to the Waterkeepers Chesapeake for Conowingo Dam outreach and education
$18,000 to the Watershed Alliance of York for the Codorus Creek Tributary at Lake Lehman Floodplain Restoration Phase One

Pasa To Hold Sustainable Agriculture Conference

Pasa, a nonprofit supporting sustainable farms and equitable food systems, is holding its 2026 Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Conference on February 5-6 in Lancaster. The conference will involve two days of skill-building, idea-sharing, and relationship-building across the sustainable farming community. The event will also include featured speakers representing organic farming and regenerative agriculture.

Conservation Corner

This section features opinions, editorials, or briefings from selected partners about collaborative, locally focused, watershed restoration efforts in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed that promote innovation and statewide restoration and conservation.

This month’s partner contribution comes from Mike Roth, Director of Innovation with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and State Conservation Commission. Mike’s career has spanned many topics such as disaster preparedness, sustainability, and agriculture innovation. His current role focuses on driving Pennsylvania agriculture into the future through the adoption of new technologies and practices that serve the triple bottom line (people, planet, and profit). Most recently, Mike administered the inaugural PA Agriculture Innovation Grant (AIG) program.

Mike Roth, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and State Conservation Commission

Discussions around innovation today are often characterized by the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) or robots in sectors like commerce, entertainment, and marketing. However, it is critical that innovation continues to be facilitated and utilized in core sectors like agriculture.

Investments made through the PA AIG program have supported precision agriculture, anaerobic digestion, drone cover cropping, and many other activities. These projects serve as blueprints for the agricultural community to increase efficiencies, augment labor, and increase environmental stewardship.

As the Commonwealth builds upon historic water quality improvements — particularly within the Chesapeake Bay watershed — the integration of innovative technologies can further illustrate that economic success and ecological health are not mutually exclusive. The "dual-purpose" nature of these tools is best seen in their impact on our water quality. These technologies can enable Pennsylvania farms to do more with less, whether that is nutrients, herbicides, pesticides, labor, or even land. Remote sensing, precision application, predictive AI modeling, and mechanical weeders are just a few of the technologies that are already making an impact on the ground.

With a second round of AIG receiving funding secured in the Pennsylvania Budget, the Commonwealth is poised to accelerate this transformation. These funds represent a critical opportunity to support the adoption of emerging technologies that will enhance the resilience of Pennsylvania’s agricultural operations and ensure the continued protection of our water resources.

Funding Available Now

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Solicits Proposals for Small Watershed Grants Program

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (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.

The Small Watershed Grants (SWG) program provides two distinct funding opportunities:

SWG Implementation (SWG-I) grants of $150,000-$750,000 will be awarded for projects that result in direct, on-the-ground actions to protect and restore water quality, species, and habitats in the bay watershed.
SWG Planning and Technical Assistance (SWG-PTA) grants up to $150,000 will be awarded for projects that enhance local capacity to advance future on-the-ground actions, consistent with SWG Program priorities, through community-based assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance-oriented activities.

Proposals are due on April 2, 2026. NFWF will host an applicant webinar detailing this Request for Proposals on February 2, 2026. Interested applicants must register to participate. While NFWF does not require consultation prior to application, they encourage applicants to schedule a proposal lab/project consultation with NFWF staff or contact contracted field liaisons.

Counties in Action

Chester County Mushroom Operation Completes Mushroom Waste Storage Project

Chester Mushrooms Farm, Inc., a Chester County mushroom operation, recently completed work implementing best management practices with technical and financial assistance provided by DEP through a CAP Implementation Block Grant, totaling $79,492. The farm consists of mushroom growing and spent compost storage. Prior to the project, there were insufficient wastewater collection and waste storage systems. Wastewater produced indoors during mushroom growing was not collected and was being discharged toward a stream. Composting of mushroom compost was occurring on bare ground with little to no vegetative buffer and without additional runoff controls.

To address these resource concerns, a full waste collection and storage system was implemented. Trench drains were installed inside the growing buildings to collect wastewater generated indoors and transfer it to a settling and pump tank via waste transfer piping. From the pump tank, wastewater is now transferred to a waste storage facility. A concrete pad with bin block walls was installed for the spent compost storage. The pad is connected directly to the new waste storage facility and graded so all wastewater runoff flows into it. A pumping plant and vegetated treatment area with sprinkler heads was installed so that some of the collected wastewater can be land applied. The excess wastewater will be pumped and hauled offsite to another operation by the operator. An access road was also implemented to allow access to the compost pad for the dumping and hauling of material.

A view of a concrete pad in the foreground and a circular waste storage system made of concrete in the background.

Concrete pad with bin block walls for storing spent compost connected to waste storage system.

Clearfield County Completes Dairy Farm Heavy Use and Manure Stacking Project

On December 3, 2025, the Clearfield County Conservation District completed the Priselac Dairy Farm Project in Smoke Run, Clearfield County. The project resolved multiple resource concerns present on the operation by removing cattle from an existing animal concentration area that was producing high levels of nutrient and sediment runoff and placing them in a roofed heavy use area that will control all runoff issues. Also, the operation was field stacking manure in inappropriate locations, which resulted in heavy nutrient runoff issues. A roofed manure stacking facility now provides a stabilized location for manure to be stacked until the manure is spread. The inventory and evaluation and design technical assistance for this project was paid for using funds awarded to the Conservation District through DEP’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP). Additionally, DEP’s CAP Implementation Block Grant reimbursed $14,000 in contractual costs and $342,466 in construction costs for the project.

A view of exposed soil in an animal concentration area in an agricultural setting.

A view of exposed manure stored in a pile on packed dirt ground.

Prior animal concentration area (left) and manure stacking area (right).

A view of a newly constructed heavy use area for livestock and manure stacking..

The roofed manure stacking and heavy use area resulting from the project.

Franklin County Completes Licking Creek Floodplain Restoration Work Alongside Shimpstown Road Relocation

Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD), Montgomery Township, landowners, engineers, and contractors collaborated for over five years to carefully lay out and execute a project involving Licking Creek floodplain restoration and roadway realignment of Shimpstown Road. Construction took place from September 2025 through November 2025 with planting to be completed in Spring 2026. FCCD used over $1.3 million in CAP Implementation Block Grant funds to cover the cost of the stream and floodplain restoration project while Montgomery Township was able to fund the road project with the Municipal Liquid Fuels Program. The dual projects consisted of a floodplain restoration with stream realignment and a road relocation with elevation change. The stream and floodplain restoration work, completed by B.R. Kreider & Sons, Inc. and LandStudies, Inc. focused on a 2,400-foot section of stream channel and creation of approximately one acre of floodplain bench to improve flood capacity. This will help greatly in mitigating severe flow conditions, help meet the reduction goals for Franklin County, and accomplish another project in Franklin County’s Conococheague Priority Projects Plan (CP3). These efforts improve water quality and benefit the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

A view of a stream along a roadway with failing gabion baskets threatening the stability of the roadway.

A view of a newly restored floodplain with stable streambanks.

A view of the project area prior to construction showing failing gabion baskets threatening the integrity of Shimpstown Road along Licking Creek (left), and a view of the roadway realignment coupled with stream realignment and floodplain restoration after construction (right).

Lebanon County Completes Three Stream Projects

Partners in Lebanon County, including Lebanon County Conservation District, the Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and the Quittapahilla Watershed Association, completed three stream stabilization and restoration projects in 2025. Fish habitat and bank stabilization structures were installed along 700 linear feet of Quittapahilla Creek. Approximately 2,000 linear feet were restored along Beck Creek and another 2,000 linear feet were restored along an unnamed tributary to Snitz Creek, with both of those projects including the creation of wetlands and riparian buffers.

The projects are part of the Quittapahilla Watershed Implementation Plan and will improve water quality throughout the 77-square-mile watershed. Lebanon County’s CAP Implementation Block Grant funds contributed $213,950 to the Quittapahilla Creek Project and $241,385 to fund the project along the unnamed tributary to Snitz Creek. The cumulative cost of the stream projects was over $1 million, with funds coming from a variety of sources, including Growing Greener, Section 319, Cornwall Borough, Lebanon County Countywide Action Plan Implementation Block Grant funds, and Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program funds.

A view of a stream with stabilized streambanks.

A view of the Quittapahilla Creek following project construction.

Tioga County Completes Stream Stabilization Project

The Tioga County Conservation District (TCCD) explored ideas to resolve the issue of downstream flooding along Holden Brook, a heavily altered stream, which ultimately led to the implementation of a streambank stabilization project. The stream flows out of the state of New York through farmland and empties into the Cowanesque River. The TCCD looked at opportunities upstream of the confluence to improve the situation.

The TCCD’s work with the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Maintenance Program helped them to connect with a township official owning land along Holden Brook. He understood the value of slowing down the water ahead of town and wanted to help the community where he lived and worked. With a willing landowner on board, the TCCD designed a project to allow the entrenched stream to once again be able to access its floodplain during storm events. They worked with Keller’s Small Stream Solutions, LLC to develop the project building four rock cross vanes. The cross vanes redirect the flow away from the eroding banks and raise the profile of the stream, allowing for high flows to reach the floodplain. The project, completed in October 2025, impacts over 1,000 feet of stream and cost about $35,000, which was funded through DEP’s CAP Implementation Block Grant.

A view of a brook passing through a forested area.

A view of a rock cross vane being constructed in the middle of the stream with lots of mud.

A view of a stream flowing through a wooded area with rock cross vane incorporated.

Holden Brook before construction (left), construction of the rock cross vanes (center), and Holden Brook after construction (right).

“Pennsylvania is doing its part — and making real progress. My Administration has accelerated our work to clean up local streams and reduce pollution flowing to the Bay all while supporting our farmers, growing our economy, and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing this work to get results that matter for Pennsylvanians and everyone who relies on the Chesapeake Bay.”

- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

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