|
|
|
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 local water quality in Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
For more details on the Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (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. Anyone interested in their county’s Phase 3 WIP County Wide Action plan can sign up to get involved. And help spread the word! Share this newsletter or the subscribe page. — DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management
| |
|
DEP Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM)
| |
Chesapeake Bay Program’s Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (WQGIT) Member Spotlight: Jill Whitcomb, Director of PA DEP’s BWRNSM
What is one thing you’ve learned since joining the WQGIT?
Whitcomb: There is a lot of information to review, digest, and discuss with staff as well as other WQGIT members, and a lot of the work is accomplished outside of the formal meetings. There is a lot of immersion that is needed in order to fully understand the technical topics and consequences of decisions that are made at the WQGIT. The WQGIT, serving between the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership’s Management Board and the technical workgroups, considers how technical elements would interact with and lead to programmatic and policy-level decisions. As I represent Pennsylvania on both the WQGIT and the Management Board, it’s important to me to understand the issues and the intended and unintended consequences of decisions that are made by the WQGIT and its technical workgroups to ensure that they align with Pennsylvania’s clean water goals and objectives.
What is your decision-making process when there’s no clear best option?
More minds working through a problem will net better results than just one. I rely on my team to assist me with identifying the pros and cons of the decisions, and I like to bounce ideas off of my WQGIT counterparts and the Chesapeake Bay Program Office (CBPO). What works for one jurisdiction may not work in another. What works in one geographic location or sector may not work in another. Thinking through the intended and unintended consequences of taking action, as well as no action, helps to select the best option.
Which do you identify with the most and why: Nitrogen, Phosphorus or Sediment?
Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law focuses on all three pollutants of concern and each one is important, but for different reasons. In some cases, it’s sediment – for the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits and Pennsylvania’s Chapter 102 erosion and sediment control regulations, sediment runoff is a primary pollutant of concern. For example, soil loss is not only detrimental to surface waters and aquatic life, but it is also detrimental to agricultural lands and farm sustainability. In other cases, nitrogen and phosphorus are key influencing factors – Pennsylvania was one of the first states in the nation to establish specific nutrient management planning requirements through law and regulation.
Managing and applying nutrients so they are effectively utilized by crops and turfgrass not only helps us achieve our clean water and habitat goals, but also ensures productive lands stay productive and nutrients are applied in a cost-effective manner.
| |
Programs and Projects by Local, State and Federal Partners
| |
DEP releases draft 2024 Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Report and invites public comment
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the release of the draft Pennsylvania 2024 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report for public comment. The report serves as the biennial update on the health of streams and lakes statewide.
DEP submits the Integrated Water Quality Report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the public every two years, as required by the federal Clean Water Act of 1972. Pennsylvania waters are assessed for one or more of four uses—drinking water, fish consumption, aquatic life, and recreational use—and determined to be supporting or impaired. A waterway is classified as “impaired” when it is not meeting water quality standards.
For the 2024 report, DEP expanded assessment of waterways, with 7,566 stream miles and 103,777 public lake acres newly assessed or reassessed for a use. The 2024 report also shows water quality restoration, noting that since 2004, approximately 967 miles of streams and 28,727 acres of public lakes have been restored. A color-coded interactive map shows which waterways have been restored for which uses and when.
DEP welcomes public comment on the report. Comments can be made online through the DEP eComment system, may be emailed to ecomment@pa.gov, or can be mailed to the DEP Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105. All comments must include the commenter’s name and address. The deadline for public comment is December 11, 2023.
| |
Draft Revision for Public Comment: NPS Guidelines for States and Territories
U.S. EPA is seeking comment by December 31, 2023, on a revised draft of the nonpoint source (NPS) §319 grant guidelines. This revision incorporates two years of engagement with states, Tribes, territories and other local community stakeholders that engage in NPS water quality projects.
These revisions include new flexibilities and expectations to ensure the equitable delivery of §319 NPS program benefits for communities impacted by NPS water quality challenges. Among other updates and clarifications, the draft guidelines support the use of new science and information to advance climate resilience through NPS solutions.
| |
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Awarded $10M Conservation Grant
Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA) has been awarded a $10 million grant through the 2023 USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The grant, which will help Mid-Atlantic dairy farmers produce tangible results through climate smart solutions, bring MDVA’s total on-farm sustainability investment to more than $70 million.
The goal and objectives of MDVA’s project are to increase outreach and education about conservation practices and their benefits (water quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, soil health, farm efficiency) to dairy farmers in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. MDVA will continue building the pipeline of dairy farms interested in and ready to implement climate smart practices which improve local water quality, yield GHG reductions, and improve soil health. The project will collaborate with MDVA’s long-term partner in sustainability, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, to show the water quality benefits of the implementation of climate smart practices completed through the project.
| |
Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Help to Reduce Water Pollution in Lower Susquehanna Basin
To accelerate conservation and reduce water pollution, a Penn State team composed of outreach staff and extension educators will build upon existing partnerships with organizations in the lower Susquehanna River basin.
Funded by a three-year, $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the team from the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center will undertake innovative outreach efforts to extend its Community Watershed Engagement Program. The program utilizes unique watershed partnerships to increase education, outreach and adoption of conservation practices to improve water quality. The initiative will build on collaborative successes and elevate existing watershed partnerships to accelerate conservation in five adjacent watersheds in the high-priority Lower Susquehanna region.
| |
PA American Water Partners with Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to Plant 2,500 Trees in Recognition of Customers' Switching to Paperless Billing
On November 8, following a highly successful month-long paperless billing customer enrollment campaign, Pennsylvania American Water donated $24,000 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.
This August, in recognition of Water Quality Month, the company committed to donate $12 for every customer who switched from paper to electronic bills during the month, up to 2,000 customers. The campaign led to 2,506 conversions to paperless billing, surpassing the company’s goal, which will result in an equivalent number of trees being planted across Pennsylvania thanks to Chesapeake Bay Foundation and its network of partners.
Now in its second year, the campaign encouraged 559 more conversions than the previous year. The $12-per-tree donation made by Pennsylvania American Water to Keystone 10 Million Trees Partners is enough to underwrite the cost of planting one tree, including the tree itself and a reusable stake and shelter, as well as important ongoing tree care and maintenance.
| |
Pennsylvania's Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program sees continued success in all 67 counties
In 2022, the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) dedicated $154 million from the Clean Streams Fund to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in Commonwealth waterways. The SCC continues to allocate this funding to all 67 counties for projects that prevent nutrient and sediment pollution. To date, a total of $140 million of the $154 million has been encumbered to conservation districts for projects. Of the 366 approved applications, 217 have been contracted, 92 are active, and 21 have been completed.
Administrative training will continue to take place, in partnership with PennState Extension, for district staff to learn more about the program.
| |
USDA Increasing Minimum Annual Payment for Agricultural Producers Participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) from $1,500 to $4,000
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is increasing the minimum annual payment for agricultural producers participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) from $1,500 to $4,000 starting in fiscal year 2024. The increase addresses challenges faced by small scale, underserved and urban producers and improves equity in the program by making participation more financially beneficial for smaller operations.
The new minimum payment is available for new and renewed CSP contracts, and applications for the program in Pennsylvania will be accepted until January 1, 2024, to be considered for the first round of funding for CSP Classic. CSP offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers take their conservation efforts to the next level. The program is designed to compensate agricultural and forest producers who agree to increase their level of conservation by adopting additional conservation activities and maintaining their baseline level of conservation.
| |
Release of USGS Chesapeake Accomplishments for 2023
The US Geological Survey (USGS) had a productive year, working with many federal, state, and local partners, producing science for many of the outcomes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Their 2023 accomplishments can be found on the USGS website. USGS continues to invest in translating and communicating the findings to be more effectively used by stakeholders to inform restoration and conservation decisions. Most of the highlights and accomplishments link directly to science summaries and press releases used to translate the USGS Chesapeake publications. For additional information or a briefing on any of these topics, contact the listed scientists or send an email to kenhyer@usgs.gov.
| |
Acres of Protected Land in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Hits 9.1 million
As of 2022, data collected by the Chesapeake Bay Program show that 9.1 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed—roughly 22% of the total land in the region—are permanently protected from development.
The Chesapeake Bay Program works to extend the acres of protected lands through its Protected Lands Workgroup, which is led primarily by the National Park Service and includes representatives from state and federal agencies, nonprofits and local governments. In 2010, the partnership set a goal to protect an additional two million acres of land on top of what had been previously protected across the watershed. In particular, the goal calls for 225,000 acres of wetlands and 695,000 acres of forest.
As of 2022, nearly 1.64 million acres have been added since 2010, achieving 82% of the Protected Land Outcome in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The overall Protected Lands Outcome is expected to be achieved by its 2025 deadline.
| |
PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers Releases 2022 Impact Report
On October 29, the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers released its 2022 Watershed Organization Cumulative Impacts Report during its Statewide Watershed Conference.
The report provides a snapshot of Community Watershed Organizations (CWO) contributions last year. Data were compiled from impact surveys submitted by 47 CWOs located across the Commonwealth. The survey asked the organizations about the work they accomplished during 2022 related to (1) conservation and restoration; (2) education, outreach, and recreation events; and (3) funding and volunteering.
Pennsylvania is home to hundreds of CWOs. Most are small nonprofits with limited annual budgets and few or no professional staff, supported by active and passionate volunteers. They are active in a variety of activities that enhance and protect our natural resources, which is strengthened through partnerships.
| |
Coldwater Heritage Partnership Receives DCNR Funding for 2024 Mini Grant Program
On November 7, the PA Council of Trout Unlimited (PATU) announced they have been awarded a $179,800 grant from DCNR to support the 2024 Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s (CHP) Coldwater Conservation Mini Grant Program.
Funding will be utilized to support CHP staff, provide cold-water conservation outreach, education, and technical assistance, and award planning and implementation mini grants to eligible entities across the state in 2024.
The CHP mini grant program is made possible with financial assistance from DCNR through a Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) grant administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, and through funding from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is a collaboration between PATU, DCNR, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.
| |
SCC Request for Proposals: CEG Chesapeake Bay Watershed Public-Private Partnerships/Special Projects
The State Conservation Commission (SCC) has received funds from EPA’s Most Effective Basin (MEB) Program for distribution to participating Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG) conservation districts. The SCC will award these funds to projects that support public-private partnerships or for special projects that involve collaborations with businesses and corporations or non-profit groups such as local watershed and farm organizations.
The SCC is seeking requests for proposals for funding to conservation districts for FY23-24. Funding must be used to implement best management practices that reduce nutrient and sediment loading on agricultural operations in high-priority counties in the Commonwealth. Projects must be in a "most effective basin" as classified by the EPA on the following map – Most Effective Basins and Disadvantaged Communities 2023.
| |
NRCS-PA Offers Pennsylvania Producers $15 Million To Plant Cover Crops
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which help a wide variety of producers, including urban and organic producers.
Specifically, NRCS is offering $15 million to Pennsylvania farmers who wish to plant cover crops over the next five years. Cover crops sequester carbon, improve soil quality, reduce soil erosion, and improve overall water quality. Cover crop applications under EQIP will be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis, as part of NRCS’s efforts to streamline efforts to deliver conservation in a timelier manner. For information about this cover crop sign-up in Pennsylvania, please contact your local USDA service center.
| |
Fish & Wildlife Service: $36 Million For Fish Passage and River Restoration Grants Available, Deadline Dec. 31
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the availability of up to $36 million through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for fish passage projects across the nation that address outdated, unsafe or obsolete dams, culverts, levees and other barriers fragmenting our nation’s rivers and streams. Since 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has invested $73 million in 79 projects through the Service’s National Fish Passage Program. These funds are investing in our nation’s infrastructure and natural resources by reconnecting fragmented rivers, improving fish migration, and enhancing local economies.
An inter-agency task force is supporting an efficient and collaborative approach to investing a total of $2 billion in fish passage projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law across the Departments of the Interior, Transportation, Agriculture, and Commerce. These projects and funding opportunities are available at the recently updated Fish Passage Portal.
| |
Regional Trail Grants Applications Open for 2024
Funded through DCNR and administered by WeConservePA, Regional Trail Workshop Grants are awarded to units of local government or nonprofit organizations having 501 (c)(3) status. These grants support high-quality educational programming and safety training directly related to land trails, water trails and greenways.
Regional Trail Workshop Grants are reimbursement grants that cover up to 80 percent of the costs directly associated with each workshop (not to exceed $5,000) and require at least a 20 percent match from the organization. Only one grant will be awarded per organization per year. Deadline: January 25, 2024.
| |
SRBC Accepting Applications for Consumptive Use Mitigation Grants
| |
Western PA Conservancy Now Accepting Applications for BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grants in Western PA
The Western PA Conservancy is now accepting applications for the BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grant Program to support grassroots watershed groups. Applications are due December 18. Grants are available to support expenses related to water quality monitoring with a $3,500 limit; restoration projects with a $3,500 limit; and organizational promotion and outreach with a $2,500 limit.
Applicants in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Mercer, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties are eligible.
| |
2023 Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program
The Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program aims to support the advancement of regional outdoor recreation, conservation, and trail projects and programs within the Susquehanna Greenway’s ‘Middle Susquehanna’ region.
Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations able to apply for DCNR-supported funding and public entities (such as a county, municipality, or municipal agency). Proposed activities must fit within one of the four eligible categories: 1) Education & Outreach, 2) Wayfinding & Signage, 3) Trail Improvement, and 4) Special Purpose Trail Study. Detailed descriptions of these categories are available on the grant landing page at susquehannagreenway.org/mini-grant-program. Applicants may request up to $10,000, and proposals must include a 1:1 match (cash or in-kind). The application window will close at 4:59 PM on November 30, 2023.
| |
Temper of The Times Foundation Now Accepting Applications for Environmental Advertising
The Temper of the Times Foundation is now accepting applications for grants to promote the use of standard marketing concepts for increasing awareness about wildland conservation and restoration initiatives. Applications are due December 15.
Recognizing that organizations working to protect the environment, in general, have limited access to paid media, the Foundation provides funds to underwrite advertising designed to promote the conservation and restoration of native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems in the United States.
The Foundation also supports earned media campaigns and other efforts to communicate about conservation and restoration initiatives and actions. The Foundation will award grants of between $5,000 and $15,000 for projects that will lead to measurable outcomes for wildland ecosystem conservation and restoration in the United States. Complete program guidelines and application instructions are available on the foundation’s website.
| |
Potter County Conservation District Holds Field Day
The Potter County Conservation District held a "Managing Buffers for Wildlife" field day, where they discussed the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), riparian areas, pollinators, invasive species, and forestry practices. This event was funded through the CREP mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts.
| |
Bradford, Tioga, Potter, and Sullivan County Deliver Forestry Education Symposium through DEP Environmental Education Grant Funding
The Northcentral and Northeast Forestry Education Symposium was developed to provide forestry education and resources to the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Bradford, Tioga, Potter, and Sullivan Counties include priorities for forestry education, outreach, and technical assistance within their Countywide Action Plans (CAP) to address a common request within their communities. This region encompasses large, forested areas that are primarily privately owned; increased outreach, knowledge, and continued education surrounding proper stewardship of forestry resources is needed to decrease the potential for negative impacts on water quality associated with timber management and harvest.
The Northcentral and Northeast Forestry Education Symposium promotes proper and sustainable use of forestry management practices while addressing multiple connections between climate change, carbon storage, and water quality. This is the third symposium to date, and each event has had multiple agency representatives conducting educational presentations on forest health, forest harvest regulations, best management practices, and sustainable uses to promote appropriate woodlot management techniques. A guided forestry tour was also offered to view implemented E&S measures and best management techniques to regulate stormwater runoff, restore forest stand health, and promote wildlife habitat. The next Forestry Education Symposium is planned for Spring 2024 and will be held by Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming County Conservation Districts.
| |
Triumphs for Clean Water in Lycoming County
CAP funding in Lycoming County has proven to be quite beneficial. Five projects related to stream restoration and fish habitat have been completed and fully funded by nearly $500,000 in CAP grant dollars as of October 2023. These projects help lessen nutrient pollution in local waterways. Lycoming County has created a story map documenting this progress that utilizes county-based solutions and action to reduce pollution and improve water quality by engaging local stakeholders.
Two of these five projects, in Alexa Bixel’s perspective as the CAP Coordinator for Lycoming County Planning and Community Development, truly show off the county’s progress towards clean water goals. First, the Brown Farm Fish Habitat Project has multiple best management practices being implemented with the support from the USDA, NRCS, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and Lycoming County Conservation District. The project was led by the District, while PA Fish and Boat Commission assisted. A total of 21.72 pounds of phosphorus, 670.42 pounds of nitrogen, and 62,822.01 pounds of sediment were estimated to be reduced from the project’s completion.
The Spring Garden Hunting Club Stream and Habitat Restoration in Jackson Township is the second project in Lycoming County that deserves special attention. The goals of this project were to improve fish habitat in Blockhouse Creek and lessen erosion along the streambank. Since the banks in both the upstream and downstream sections of the stream are actively eroding in several places. The Lycoming County Conservation District oversaw the project under the direction of Lycoming County Planning and Community Development, and Trout Unlimited assisted in project to stabilize 465 feet of eroding bank in the upstream section.
| |
Chester County - An Update on Watersheds 2045
With more than 2,300 miles of streams and 21 different watersheds, Chester County is home to an abundance of water resources. Further, about 70% of the county's water drains into sources of drinking water supplies for southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.
Kate Hutelmyer, Water Resources Planner for the Chester County Water Resources Authority, provided an update on the new Draft Plan for Chester County's waterways — Watersheds 2045 — at the Chester County Planning Commission's October Board Meeting. This plan provides an update from the county's original Watersheds Plan (2002) and is designed to empower communities and stakeholders to protect, sustain, enhance and enjoy our shared water resources.
Since the adoption of Watersheds back in 2002, the county has seen significant improvements in water protection and quality over the last 20 years. The vision of the new Plan, which looks ahead another 20 years to 2045, is as follows: "In 2045, we envision sustainable Chester County water resources that provide clean water, support healthy aquatic and wildlife habitats, enable thriving communities, and offer abundant and accessible recreational opportunities for all."
Kate noted they broke down the Plan into five parts: assessing where we've been; understanding where we are; identifying the challenges; setting the course; and tailoring the approach to meet general needs and opportunities. The plan should be presented (and hopefully adopted) in December of this year.
| |
Project Underway to Rebuild Trout Habitat in Fishing Creek, Clinton County
The Fishing Creek Stream Rehabilitation Project will help rebuild habitat for the local trout population and improve the local economy. Through more than $500,000 in CAP funding, the Clinton County Conservation District was able to partner with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and Mill Hall Borough in bringing the project to fruition.
Fishing Creek is a Class A stream, according to Mark Sausser, the Stream Habitat Section Chief at Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Class A means the stream has enough natural trout abundance, making it one of the top streams to have a population of fish. However, the portion of the creek running through Mill Hall Borough lacks the necessary habitat for trout. It is too wide and is devoid of a constant food source. According to Sausser, due to flood control efforts, the creek was removed of all in-stream natural boulder habitat, taking away natural deeper pockets, and with maintenance, vegetation was cut down along the banks.
The project will help bring back local and outside angling tourism that will improve the local economy in the long run. In total, there will be 24 structures built, including log frame stone deflectors, modified mudsills and more.
| |
Adams County Conservation District Holds CREP Field Days
Adams County Conservation District hosted Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) field days, farmer and landowner workshops, and one-on-one site visits as part of their CREP education and outreach project. Riparian buffer installation and maintenance demos were provided at the Adams County Planting Partnership tree distribution, where over 400 partners picked up tree seedlings. The district received $2,993 for the project through the CREP Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts.
| |
Adams County Conservation District Completes Raingarden Project Utilizing CAP Funding
A new raingarden project has been completed in Adams County and is located at the Gettysburg Church of the Brethren in Cumberland Township. The project will accompany a host of other projects on the church grounds including tree plantings, meadow plantings and a community garden. Adams County hopes to continue implementing projects like this with future CAP grant funds. For the 2024 grant round, Adams County applied for over $200,000 to implement six projects including four stream restoration projects, a basin retrofit and a buffer.
| |
Potter County Conservation District Completes Multi-Functional Riparian Forest Buffer
Potter County Conservation District planted five acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Oswayo Creek on a farm in Potter County. The project cost $7,878 and was funded through PACD’s Riparian Buffer Sub-Grant Program.
| |
Lebanon County Conservation District Holds Swatara Creek Water Quality Field Day
On October 17, Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD) held a Swatara Creek Water Quality Field Day at Boathouse Park in Hershey.
In addition to LCCD, USGS and USDA NRCS presented during the event. The main topic of discussion was the real-time, 24-hour super gage water quality monitor recently installed along the Swatara Creek. The presenters discussed sampling techniques and monitoring using the new installation.
| |
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
