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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
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DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM)
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DEP Offers Technical Assistance Through Larson Design Group
Larson Design Group, Inc. (LDG) has been retained by DEP to provide technical services to county conservation districts to assist Pennsylvania in reaching its clean water goals. LDG has opened a fourth round of its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) with applications due by May 1. TAP is accepting project service requests from districts within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to provide technical services for agricultural projects focused on nutrient and sediment reduction. To be eligible to receive service awards, proposed projects must be located within a Most Effective Basin and have current agricultural plans that contain the Best Management Practices (BMPs) for which services are being requested. Contact TAP@LarsonDesignGroup.com for more information or with questions about the program.
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Programs and Projects by Local, State, and Federal Partners
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Chesapeake Bay Program Reports on Progress of Goals and Outcomes of 2014 Watershed Agreement
Chesapeake Bay Program partners spent much of the year preparing a revised version of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which was formally approved by the Chesapeake Executive Council in December 2025. These updates were necessary as many of the outcomes in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement had a target of 2025 in which to meet their goals. This year’s 2024-2025 Bay Barometer provides final progress updates on goals and outcomes of the 2014 Watershed Agreement. Some takeaways from the report include:
- Completion of the world’s largest oyster restoration project (2,294 acres of oyster reefs)
- Doubling of underwater grass coverage since 1984 (not yet reaching 130,000-acre goal but making significant long-term gains)
- Buffer plantings not keeping pace against forest loss in riparian areas
- Permanent protections on 1.8 million acres (just short of the 2-million-acre goal) since 2010
- Public access site expansion by 312 new sites since 2010 exceeding the goal of 300
A 2024-2025 Bay Barometer was created specifically for Pennsylvania’s contributions to the efforts. Some highlights include:
- Implementation of 111 of the 227 miles of riparian forest buffers planted across the multi-jurisdictional watershed in 2024
- Net increase of 35 square miles of habitat occupied by naturally reproducing brook trout between 2016 and 2024
- Reopening of 303 stream miles to fish passage between 2022 and 2023
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Restores Section of Yellow Creek
In Bedford County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program restored 2,442 feet of Yellow Creek. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners to help them conserve and improve wildlife habitat. Yellow Creek is a tributary to the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River and is a high-quality cold-water stream that supports trout and other native species. At the headwaters, many stretches of stream have been straightened for ease of farming, while in other sections, livestock have unfettered access, and still other stretches have been altered by road and bridge construction. This combination has eroded streambanks, multiplied stream sediment, and led to overall habitat loss, increased water temperatures, and compounded flood risks.
To address water quality issues, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program worked with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, a local stream consultant, Bedford County Conservation District, the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania, DEP, Pheasants Forever, and a dedicated private landowner to restore Yellow Creek using natural stream channel design. The in-stream structures were installed in 2024 and stabilized the banks, reduced erosion, and improved habitat for fish and aquatic insects. The interventions are also estimated to reduce nitrogen entering the river by approximately 219 pounds per year, reduce phosphorus by 73 pounds per year, and reduce sediment by 142 tons per year.
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High eroding stream banks along Yellow Creek in Bedford County threaten nearby property and add sediment to the stream (Photo credit: Robert Vierck, Public Domain).
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USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program habitat specialists backfill a mudsill (log cribbing) to stabilize banks, reduce erosion, and provide overhead cover and thermal protection for trout (Photo credit: Adam Smith/USFWS, Public Domain).
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This completed rock cross vane on Yellow Creek in Bedford County will stabilize banks, hold stream grade, correct the bankfull width, aerate the water, and provide a scourhole downstream for trout habitat (Photo credit: Adam Smith/USFWS, Public Domain).
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Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program Opening After Successful First Round in 2025
The Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program offers property owners the opportunity to receive free native trees and shrubs by removing one or more invasive plants from their yard, garden, or landscape. Contributors to the program include the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council, Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Steward Program, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
The program was in high demand in its 2025 inaugural year. Participants received over 1,300 native trees to support restoration efforts in their own landscapes. Online registration for the 2026 round will open starting March 31 with various distribution events occurring in May. These events reflect Governor Shapiro’s commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s natural resources, engaging communities, and fostering healthier ecosystems across the state.
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Informational flyer about the Invasive Replace-ive Program (left) and a woman holding a new native chokeberry and swamp white oak plants (right) (Photo credit: Alex Grant).
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A map of 2025 distribution events (starred) along with tree planting locations.
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DEP’s Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands Provides Training Updates
The Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands, Division of Wetlands Encroachments and Training (DWET) has recently advanced several educational and outreach initiatives to enhance public understanding of wetlands and regulatory programs. DWET has updated its Technical and Educational Resources webpage to highlight current initiatives, share new technical and training materials, and inform the public about upcoming developments expected over the next year. To expand environmental education, DWET also broadened access to its educational video “The Importance of Wetlands” by releasing it on YouTube, increasing visibility of wetlands’ societal and ecological value and promoting environmental stewardship. DWET staff also contributed to a January 14 webinar, “Mitigation Banking in Pennsylvania 101: History, Process, and Results,” hosted by Resource Environmental Solutions, where staff provided regulatory insights to more than 200 participants. A recording of this well-attended webinar can be found on DEP’s Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy: Course: Mitigation Banking in Pennsylvania 101: History, Process, and Results.
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Penn State Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Hosts April 16 Webinar on Cover Crops and Conservation
The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) at Penn State Extension is offering a free virtual webinar titled, “ACAP Conservation Cornerstones: Cover Crops and Conservation” on April 16. The webinar will explore how cover crops are implemented through the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) to enhance soil health and protect water quality across Pennsylvania. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how this conservation practice aligns with standards established by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, including eligibility requirements, documentation expectations, and key conservation outcome considerations. Designed for agricultural producers, conservation professionals, and community stakeholders, this session will provide practical insight into leveraging ACAP to support sustainable land management and long-term environmental stewardship.
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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.
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This month’s partner contribution comes from Marty Qually, Adams County commissioner. Marty currently chairs the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Government Advisory Committee.
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Last year was a pivotal time for clean water here in Pennsylvania and around the region. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), the state and federal partnership that collaborates on restoration and conservation of the watershed, updated the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Take some time to check out the revised agreement.
At the federal level we are seeing a focus on streamlining the partnership, but local government involvement will continue to have a seat at the table. Dan Coogan, the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Bay Program Director, has hit the ground running and learned the value of local government fast. At one of my first meetings with Dan, he knew my number, “All conservation measures are at their core local measures.” This coming from a federal employee! Love it.
Pennsylvania has also assumed a leading role in the Chesapeake Bay Program, with Governor Josh Shapiro chairing the Chesapeake Executive Council and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley chairing the Principals’ Staff Committee. Of course, Gov Shapiro and his team also know a thing or two about local government and how to “get stuff done” in Pennsylvania (Editor’s note: we all know the real expression, but Marty Qually knows better than to curse in a publication).
But wait, there is more. If anyone believes government starts at the federal level and ends at the state level, they are missing the real strength of America’s democracy. County and municipal governments are where the rubber hits the road, or in this case, where sustainable conservation hits the creek. Within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, there are approximately 171 county governments, 1,200 municipal governments, 64,000 square miles of land, and over 18.6 million people. Pennsylvania’s portion of the watershed represents 1/3 of the landmass, 1/3 of the counties, 2/3 of the local governments, and 1/6 of the population. If we want to get “stuff done” and live by “conservation is local,” Pennsylvania and the watershed have a governmental math challenge. Pennsylvania has a huge amount of local elected government officials compared to any other partner. In PA, it is critical to note that local governments hold significant planning and zoning authority and run water and sewer systems. While some see Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth system as a challenge, I see it as the solution.
Enter the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) of the Chesapeake Bay Partnership. LGAC’s role is to be the two-way street for communication between local officials and our state and federal partners. LGAC is committed to sharing best practices with our fellow local elected officials and spurring on-the-ground action. Our members regularly host peer-to-peer learning exchange tours, facilitate roundtable discussions, and moderate panels at local government association conferences. Over the last five years, we have worked tirelessly to engage more than 2,500 local officials from around the watershed.
That’s why I was thrilled to host the ‘Wandering Pennsylvania’s Waterways: Collaborating Across Communities' tour last year. Through dialogue and relationship-building, I was able to hear about the opportunities and challenges facing the local officials in my region and to communicate these insights to state and federal partners in my role as chair of the CBP’s LGAC.
CBP has four Advisory Committees: Local Government; Science and Technical; Stakeholders; and the newest Agricultural Advisory Committee. Collectively and individually, we bring expert advice and boots-on-the-ground insight to state and federal partners, while serving as ambassadors out across our networks of farmers, local governments, citizens, and scientists.
Visit here for more information.
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National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Accepting Request for Proposals for 2026 Five Star Grant Program
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting requests for proposals for their 2026 Five Star Grant Program through May 14. The Five Star Grant Program seeks proposals for conservation projects that improve water quality, restore and protect local habitats, and support the species they sustain through community-based ecological improvements. Projects should engage local partners to expand access to nature, reduce environmental hazards, and/or build long term stewardship through outreach, education, and hands-on implementation. For the state of Pennsylvania, prioritized areas within the Chesapeake Bay watershed include Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties.
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Coldwater Heritage Partnership Accepting Applications for Coldwater Conservation Grants
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is currently accepting applications for Coldwater Conservation Grants. These grants provide up to $10,000 in funding for planning proposals or up to $25,000 for implementation proposals. Eligible projects include installation of stream habitat improvement structures, bank stabilization, strategic wood additions, riparian buffer installations, and other activities that promote cold-water conservation. The grants are made possible with financial assistance from DCNR through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grant administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, and through funding from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. The deadline to apply is April 16.
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WeConservePA Offering Project Planning Grants
WeConservePA is offering $20,000 Project Planning Grants to help qualified small and mid-sized Pennsylvania land trusts pursue conservation acquisition projects — supporting all stages of landowner outreach for conservation acquisition projects, as well as covering title research, environmental review, planning by staff, and other precursors to acquiring property interests. Note that expenses eligible for reimbursement under WeConservePA’s Conservation Easement Assistance Program are not eligible expenses to be covered by a project planning grant. Awards will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Awardees can expect to receive notice of their award within a few days of application.
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Adams County Planting Partnership Begins New Volunteer Seedling-Growing Initiative
The Adams County Planting Partnership (ACPP), a joint initiative of the Watershed Alliance of Adams County and the Adams County Conservation District, recently held a March informational meeting for local residents interested in participating in a new volunteer seedling-growing initiative. Since 2019, the partnership has distributed more than 98,000 free native tree and shrub seedlings to Adams County residents through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone 10 Million Trees campaign.
Since the end of the campaign in 2025, the ACPP is launching an initiative to produce and distribute native tree and shrub seedlings on its own, with the help of local volunteers. Their goal is to produce 2,000 native tree and shrub seedlings this spring and summer for distribution to Adams County residents in the fall.
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Bioswale Retrofit Improves Water Quality in Yellow Breeches Creek
South Middleton Township, Cumberland County has completed the Misty Meadows Bioswale Project, a stormwater best management practice designed to improve water quality in the Yellow Breeches Creek. The project retrofitted an existing grass swale into a vegetated bioswale that will filter stormwater and reduce sediment, phosphorus, and nitrogen entering the watershed. The converted bioswale is expected to remove 293,102 pounds of sediment, 232 pounds of phosphorus, and 12,026 pounds of nitrogen annually — well above the reductions required in the Township’s DEP-approved Pollutant Reduction Plan.
A key component of the project’s success was the public-private collaboration that occurred with the Misty Meadows Homeowners Association (HOA). The HOA entered into an easement agreement granting the Township permission to construct and maintain the vegetated bioswale in perpetuity, ensuring long term functionality and stewardship of the BMP. Construction was completed in October 2025. Funding for the $98,095 project was split evenly between the Cumberland County Clean Water Grant Program (available via CAP) and the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Watershed Restoration Protection Program.
By proactively installing this BMP, the Township is improving local water quality, supporting Chesapeake Bay restoration goals, and preparing for ongoing development within the watershed.
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A view of the area before (left) and after (right) project installation (Provided by GMS Funding Solutions).
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Blair County Celebrates 2025 CAP Projects in Annual Report
In the Blair County Conservation District 2025 Annual Report, they highlighted CAP Program successes for their county. In 2025, they received $386,598, which was nearly double their 2024 allocation. With the funds, they were able to complete a floodplain reconnection project along Blue Knob Run as well as six natural stream design streambank stabilization projects (one of those is being finished this spring). Additionally, they funded a cover crop program distributing $39,000 to 12 farms with 3,300 acres of cover crops, and they funded a Riparian Buffer Incentive Program with 0.8 acres already established at two sites and another two buffer sites proposed for installation before June 30.
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A view of the Blue Knob Run floodplain reconnection project, now with more floodplain accessible to the stream (left), a view of the Poplar Run streambank stabilization project with mudsill installed (center), and a view of the Spencer Run streambank stabilization project (right). These three projects occurred during a very dry season adding a unique challenge to some aspects of streambank stabilization project implementation (Provided by Blair County Conservation District).
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East Pennsboro Township Restores Section of Enola Run
East Pennsboro Township — through its Authority Board — is restoring 4,655 linear feet of streambank along Enola Run in Cumberland County, which drains directly into the Conodoguinet Creek and flows into the Susquehanna River. The stream had many locations of eroded banks due to the level of development in the watershed. The restoration provided moderate channel realignment, floodplain reconnection, and created a riparian vegetated buffer through the installation of log and rock vanes, root wads, constructed riffles, and native plantings.
Numerous funding sources were utilized to complete this project including $365,000 from Cumberland County CAP funding, $348,677 from Growing Greener funding, and the remaining from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). The project is currently under construction with plantings to occur by June to complete the restoration. Once complete, the project will promote in-stream habitats, dissipate stream energy, and retain sediment and nutrients within the floodplain
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A view of the degraded stream with eroding banks (before) and a view of the stream with regraded banks following the project (Provided by East Pennsboro Township).
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Fulton County Completes Agricultural Conservation Project
The Fulton County Conservation District recently completed an agricultural conservation project with assistance from Larson Design Group (LDG) through the Technical Assistance Program (TAP). The project was located within an exceptional value watershed, making it a priority area for the conservation district.
The farm operation consists of approximately 30 cow-calf pairs and previously had only one water source available for livestock. At the time of the initial site visit, the operator had been hauling water to the cattle for several years. This limitation made it difficult to effectively rotate livestock and maintain healthy pasture conditions. To address these challenges, the operator expressed interest in installing a livestock watering facility that would reduce the formation of heavy use areas throughout the pastures and support improved grazing management. They subsequently applied to TAP to obtain engineering assistance for the project.
Once the project was selected, Larson Design Group worked closely with the conservation district to design an appropriate solution for the operator. The project was successfully completed in the summer of 2025 using $11,617.94 in CAP funding.
The farmer expressed appreciation for the assistance provided and was very pleased with the outcome of the project, which will support improved pasture management and long-term conservation of the farm’s natural resources.
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Before (left) and after (right) views of the watering facilities for the livestock at the farm (Provided by Fulton County Conservation District).
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Lancaster Invests $2.2 million in Clean Water Action for 2026
Lancaster Clean Water Fund has announced its 2026 CAP grantees, marking another major investment in clean and clear water across Lancaster County. As a priority area identified by DEP, the county continues to advance strategies that reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in local waterways. For 2026, DEP awarded the Lancaster County Conservation District a $2,257,972 grant to implement projects aligned with the CAP. After reviewing twenty-one applications, a team of advisors selected seven high-impact projects.
The 2026 grantees represent a strong mix of agricultural and community-based solutions. Agricultural operators in the Pequea and Conewago watersheds will install animal waste storage, roof runoff controls, waste transfer systems, and heavy use area improvements. Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will advance projects in the Octoraro Watershed and along Conowingo Creek, including forested riparian buffers, stream crossings, erosion controls, and upgraded waste storage. Lancaster Farmland Trust will add new riparian buffer and stream improvements along the Upper Conestoga River on preserved farmland.
Community-scale restoration is also central to this year’s work. The Borough of Strasburg will complete phase two of an urban stream restoration along Eshelman Run, restoring more than 600 feet of stream and expanding riparian buffer. The Cocalico Creek Watershed Association will lead a significant floodplain and wetland restoration along Harnish Run, reconnecting 0.45 miles of stream and restoring nearly five acres of wetlands. Together, these projects reflect a coordinated countywide investment in resilient farms, healthier streams, and measurable progress toward cleaner water for all. For more information, click here.
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Lancaster County Completes Stream Projects
Lancaster County completed a 2,833 linear foot stream restoration and stabilization project along Denlinger Run, and a 2,700 linear foot legacy sediment project along Conoy Creek. The Denlinger Run project was developed to reduce erosion, strengthen the stream channel, and improve aquatic habitat. The project utilized a multiple BMP approach grounded in natural channel design principles outlined in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission publication Habitat Improvements for Trout Streams.
The work included enhancement and management of existing native riparian buffers within the floodplain and adjacent wetlands, reduction of sediment, and preservation of overall stream health. Cross channel structures and bank stabilization measures were installed to adjust stream form and protect against scour in the banks and streambed. The design incorporated General Permit 1 (GP-1) habitat approaches and general bank grading techniques under a combined GP-1 and GP-3 permit. Field data, including fluvial survey, visual assessment, and wetland delineation, informed final design and implementation.
The Hickory Lane Stream Project removed accumulated legacy sediment and returned the stream and floodplain to a pre-European settlement condition. The channel was relocated from the edge of the valley bottom to establish a braided stream system in the center of the valley. The project established diverse native vegetation and wetland pockets, expanded and protected the riparian buffer, and stabilized existing outfalls and eroded swales. Site work funded through the Clean Water Fund included floodplain and channel grading, placement of woody debris, riprap, and log sills. Grant funding was provided by Lancaster Clean Water Partners and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, along with a low interest loan from PENNVEST. The project improved water quality, reduced pollutant loads, restored an important waterway, and corrected a degraded riparian corridor.
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A view of Denlinger Run (Provided by Lancaster Clean Water Partners).
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Lebanon County Hosts First Annual Conservation and Preservation Banquet
On February 10, Lebanon County Conservation District hosted the first annual Conservation and Preservation Banquet. Nearly 250 people attended, including representatives from the county’s farming community as well as state and local officials. The event theme, “Rooted in Conservation, Growing in Preservation,” highlighted Pennsylvania’s successful farmland preservation program. The state leads the nation in farmland preservation with 6,600 farms preserved representing 660,000 acres. Lebanon County is a major contributor to this distinction as one of the top ten counties in the state for farmland preservation with 21,575 acres of preserved farmland on 195 farms.
Hannah Hartman, district manager, presented four awards that were decided by the district’s Board of Directors, as well as the county’s Agricultural Land Preservation Board. Winners included: Conservation Farmer of the Year, Ed Heagy, East Hanover Township; Conservation Project of the Year, Barry Farms Buffer Project, Heidelberg Township; Farmland Preservation Excellence Award, John and Sharon Kline, Jackson Township, preservation of three family-run farms; and Steward of the Land Lifetime Award, Calvin Miller, Swatara Township, 40-year member of the district’s Board of Directors.
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Lebanon County Conservation District staff member, Maranda Smith, presents the 2025 Conservation Project of the Year award to members of the Barry family for the Barry Farms Buffer Project (Provided by Lebanon County Conservation District).
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“DEP takes a ‘whole watershed’ approach to protecting the water quality of Pennsylvania’s waterways. We look at rural and urban conservation opportunities that keep stormwater runoff from pulling pollutants into our waters. We work with landowners, watershed organizations, local governments, and conservation districts to identify the best ways to protect rivers and streams — and we have grant programs like Growing Greener, which invest in local communities to restore waterways. Restoring the remaining miles of impaired waterways will take a lot of effort, but with strong partnerships, we can continue to restore our rivers, lakes, and streams for all to enjoy.”
- Jessica Shirley, SecretaryPA Department of Environmental Protection
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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