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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! Also, 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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Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management Internship Highlights
This summer, two interns—Camille Michon and Caroline Hunter—contributed significantly to Pennsylvania’s watershed restoration efforts through DEP’s Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM).
Camille Michon served as the Nonpoint Source Intern, working on GIS tools and developing the 2024–2025 Watershed Specialists Annual Report. She collaborated with interns from agriculture-related organizations on the PA Ag and Food Careers Project, leading the launch of a LinkedIn group to connect students and professionals. Her hands-on experiences included water sampling, site visits to conservation projects across several counties, and attending policy events. Camille shared that working with BWRNSM allowed her to explore the intersection of agriculture and restoration by learning how the Bureau’s grant programs support conservation efforts across the state. She found it especially rewarding and inspiring to see how state-level collaboration with local partners can lead to tangible on-the-ground projects that drive environmental change.
Caroline Hunter interned with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Division, focusing on the CAP grant program. Her tasks included data visualization, progress tracking, and best management practice (BMP) reporting quality assurance review. To improve coordination, she began developing a Watershed Manager Partnership Map and assisted with Clean Water Academy reorganization efforts. Additionally, she met with various CAP County partners and visited installed BMPs. Caroline shared that working with BWRNSM offered a rare opportunity to engage with the financial and administrative dimensions of environmental work—areas not often emphasized in academic settings. Working in Harrisburg added significant value by placing her at the heart of state-level environmental decision-making. Through exposure to grant implementation and scientific communication, she gained a deeper understanding of how science, policy, and funding intersect to drive meaningful environmental outcomes.
On July 22, 2025, both interns were hosted by Governor Josh Shapiro at the Governor's Mansion in Harrisburg. The gathering offered an opportunity for interns to connect across agencies and engage directly with the Governor. In his address to all interns, Governor Shapiro spoke candidly about his commitment to civic engagement, environmental conservation, and voting rights, emphasizing the pivotal role young professionals play in shaping Pennsylvania’s future. After his speech, Caroline had a separate conversation with the Governor alongside an intern from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). During their discussion, Governor Shapiro praised restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay, mentioned his love for it, and emphasized the need for continued support and funding for environmental initiatives at both the state and federal levels.
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Chesapeake Bay Division intern, Caroline Hunter (right), pictured with Governor Josh Shapiro.
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Legacy Sediment Webinar Held
On August 6, 2025, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Division held a Webinar Wednesday session titled “Legacy Sediment Removal, Floodplain Restoration, and Permitting.” This webinar provided historical background on legacy sediments within Pennsylvania. It also included a discussion on principles of floodplain restoration as well as permitting considerations for legacy sediment removal and floodplain restoration projects. Jeff Hartranft from the Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands presented the content. The webinar lasted from 10:00 am until 11:30 am with 45 attendees joining. The webinar can be found on the Clean Water Academy Course: Webinar Wednesday - Legacy Sediment Removal, Floodplain Restoration, and Permitting 8.6.25.
Additional webinars are planned for 2025 with topics covering the Integrated Water Quality Report in September, CAP agricultural project highlights in October, and turfgrass to meadow conversions in November. Anyone interested in receiving an invitation to the webinars can contact Jim Spatz at jspatz@pa.gov.
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Programs and Projects by Local, State, and Federal Partners
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Shapiro Administration Marks 10th Anniversary of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Program
On July 31, 2025, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker visited the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps crew at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Cumberland County to mark the program's 10th anniversary and highlight its growing impact on workforce development and environmental stewardship.
Since its creation, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has offered hands-on conservation job training to more than 1,400 young people ages 15 to 25 - building skills, supporting career readiness, and improving public lands across the Commonwealth.
Under Governor Josh Shapiro's leadership, DCNR has expanded conservation efforts in the Commonwealth by strengthening the Outdoor Corps workforce development initiative. The Governor's 2024-25 bipartisan budget invests $5 million to enhance and grow the program, increasing job training and stewardship skills for more young people. The investment supports hiring additional staff and restructuring the program into a regional model to improve efficiency, expand recruitment, and strengthen community partnerships.
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Secretary Dunn addresses attendees at the gathering (left). Members of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps were present at the event (right).
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DEP Updates Sample Drawings to Promote Efficiency
In July 2025, DEP’s Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Program recently published updated General Permit 2 (Small Docks & Boat Launching Ramps) Sample Drawings. The drawings were updated to be cleaner and include form-fillable spaces for registrants to provide details. This update will enable registrants who are proposing small docks and boat launching ramps as designed and shown in the drawings to utilize these drawings, complete the information on the drawing, and submit it with the GP-2 Registrations.
In June 2025, the Program also published updated sample drawings for its General Permit 6 - Agricultural Crossings and Ramps. This update will enable registrants who are proposing crossings as designed and shown in the drawings to utilize these drawings, complete the information on the drawing, and submit it with the GP-6 registration. Updating these drawings was a recommendation of the Chapter 105 Ag Permitting Workgroup of the DEP/Ag Permitting Roundtable.
These updates will provide efficiency for registrants and reviewers alike. DEP is actively working on updating the sample drawings for its other general permits as well, and they will be posted to each General Permit eLibrary folder when completed.
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PENNVEST Approves Clean Water Projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
During its July 16, 2025, meeting, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) Board of Directors approved funding for seven (7) drinking water, three (3) wastewater, and two (2) stormwater projects within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed totaling $38,717,721 in low interest loans and $4,258,956 in grants.
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PENNVEST Announces the Purchase of Verified Nutrient and Sediment Reductions Through the Clean Water Procurement Program
On August 5, 2025, PENNVEST issued a Notice to Proceed for a nutrient and sediment reduction purchase agreement for a multi-farm pollution reduction project in Lancaster County. According to the agreement, PENNVEST shall purchase up to a maximum of 6,568.63 pounds of verified nitrogen reductions at the price of $645.17 per pound, and the associated 1,155.92 pounds of verified phosphorus reductions and 21,032.28 pounds of sediment reductions annually for 20 years, for a maximum purchase price of $4,237,883.02. This project consists of achieving pollutant reductions through implementing wetland re-establishment, wetland restoration, pasture fencing, and forested buffers on two small farms, Geist Road Farm and Black Road Farm. The BMPs used in this project have an estimated 15-year lifespan.
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Level 1 Training Opportunity Available for the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program
The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council’s Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Program is hosting a Level 1 Training in State College, PA on September 17th and 18th. CBLP is a voluntary, regional credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in the Bay watershed. Level 1 is the baseline credential in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure. From there, experienced professionals can continue to Level 2 to deepen their skills in site assessment, soil and tree protection, natural communities, and design or installation of BMP treatments.
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Penn State Extension Hosts Webinar on Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success
On September 9, 2025, Penn State Extension will host a webinar titled, “Proper Native Tree Planting for Long-Term Success” from noon to 1:30 pm. Representatives from the Master Watershed Steward Program and a Community Tree Specialist from the DCNR Bureau of Forestry will discuss how to choose the right planting location for native trees and shrubs, considering microsite conditions and the size of the planting area to help trees thrive.
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The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Hosts In-Person Ag Conservation Keystone Training
On September 16-18, 2025, the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) along with additional partners will host an in-person workshop, Ag Conservation Keystone Training, strengthening attendees’ ability to identify on-farm resource concerns and implement effective conservation practices. Participants will also learn how to navigate funding strategies to support successful conservation outcomes on the farms they serve. This training is a key step toward the forthcoming Ag Conservation Professional Certification and is supported by the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC). Registration is due by September 4, 2025.
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Summer Considerations for Riparian Buffer Maintenance
The summer season can offer advantages for assessing tree health and site conditions at installed riparian buffer sites. Several points to consider include the following:
- Assessing Tree Mortality: Many trees that may have appeared to be dead in spring may have just been late budders. A Penn State Extension team found that at one of their sites, 25% of the trees marked as dead in early May were alive by mid-June.
- Using Summer Flooding to Evaluate Species Suitability: Uncommon summer floods can provide information about which areas in a buffer stay wetter longer. This can guide the selection of trees better suited for these zones.
- Checking for Soil Erosion Around Tree Tubes: Flooding can create holes near tree shelters, exposing roots to air and increasing risk of mortality or rodent damage. These holes should be filled to protect young tree roots.
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Penn State Extension’s research and extension riparian buffer located in Dauphin County along Spring Creek. This buffer was established in Spring 2021 (Provided by Tyler Groh, Penn State).
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Chesapeake Bay Program Updates on Oyster Habitat, Underwater Grasses, Blue Crabs, and Public Access
Since 1983, the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) has been working to achieve a wide range of goals and outcomes that protect the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program recently provided an update on the progress of several outcomes related to oyster habitat, underwater grasses, blue crabs, and public access.
Since 2010, organizations in Maryland and Virginia have worked together to restore oyster reef habitat in 10 Chesapeake Bay tributaries. Oysters are important because they filter and clean the water in the Bay. Restoration is complete in nine tributaries with the tenth site expected to be completed this year. Partners restored a total of 2,294 acres of habitat by the end of 2024, making this the world’s largest oyster reef restoration project.
Partners hoped to bring underwater grasses back to 130,000 acres by 2025. The grasses provide habitat for fish and add oxygen to the water. In 2024, the Bay reached 64% of the 2025 target at 82,778 acres. Underwater grass abundance dropped significantly in the largest salinity zone of the Bay due to a mix of heavy rainfall, warmer temperatures, and pollution. However, the saltiest zone near the mouth of the Bay saw gains, and overall, underwater grass acreage has increased 112% since 1984 when only 38,958 acres were mapped.
While the population of blue crabs in the Bay varies, the CBP’s goal is no less than 72.5 million adult female crabs to keep the population healthy. Between 2024 and 2025, the number in the Bay decreased from 133 million to 108 million, and the overall number of blue crabs fell to 238 million, the 2nd lowest population since the Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey began in 1990.
The CBP announced that this summer they reached their goal of adding 300 new public access sites to the watershed by 2025. In total, there are 1,451 public access sites throughout the watershed.
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Kaitlin Scowen of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses a Secchi disk to measure water clarity at a survey site for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) on Marsh Creek in Queen Anne's County, MD. (Provided by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program).
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Application Period Extended for Most Effective Basin-Public Private Partnership Funds to Reduce Agricultural Nutrient Pollution
The State Conservation Commission has extended the deadline for requests for proposals for funding of Most Effective Basin-Public Private Partnership (MEB-PPP) applications from July 25, 2025 until September 30, 2025. Applicants must work with the local conservation district to be eligible for MEB-PPP funds. Funding must be used to implement BMPs that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth. Funding can also be used for engineering, consulting, and permitting. A list of the Most Effective Basin Watersheds can be found at this site.
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Applications Being Accepted for REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit
The State Conservation Commission is now accepting applications for the Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit until September 30, 2025. REAP is a first-come, first-served program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn Pennsylvania income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices. Tax credits provided by the REAP program help farmers offset the costs of implementing BMPs that benefit their farms and work to protect water quality at the same time. REAP provides tax credits at levels of 50%, 75%, or 90% of costs incurred in the implementation of BMPs that reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution.
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Environmental Education Grant Funding Available
DEP’s Environmental Education Grants Program welcomes applications for the development of innovative formal and non-formal environmental education projects that: 1) Address grant program priorities; 2) Provide opportunities to expand the public’s understanding of Pennsylvania’s environmental issues; and 3) Develop skills required to make informed decisions and take responsible action on behalf of the environment. Applications are open through November 14, 2025. Grant funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. This program was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1993, mandating that five percent of all pollution fines and penalties collected annually by DEP be set aside for environmental education. Since its inception the program has provided more than $14 million to support environmental education throughout Pennsylvania.
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Strategic Planning Grants Program Funding Available for Conservation Districts
The State Conservation Commission has allocated funding for grants to reimburse up to $1,500 in expenses related to the development of a strategic plan for the 2025-2026 program year. To be eligible for these funds, conservation districts must meet program requirements. Priority will be given to conservation districts that have not received a Strategic Planning Grant in the past five years. Letters of Intent for this program will be accepted through December 23, 2025.
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Watershed Specialist Consortium Fosters Peer-to-Peer Mentorship
The Watershed Specialist Consortium was created in early 2025, to foster peer-to-peer mentorship and enhance project implementation skills for the HRG Countywide Action Plan (CAP) counties including: Blair, Cambria, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, and Union.
So far this year, several meetings have occurred between the Watershed Specialists and HRG to directly support the goals of Pennsylvania’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) by empowering each other to manage water quality projects more effectively.
In February, a kickoff luncheon event at the Lewistown County Club was supported by the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Convening Grant. The event featured a tailored agenda based on pre-event surveys, including sessions on CAPs, project management, and site visit strategies. Specialists engaged in small and large group discussions, shared District experiences, and reviewed real-world examples like the Hershey Buffer Project and Lewistown Country Club restoration plans. A highlight was the introduction of a Project Life Cycle flow chart, which delineated the steps from project identification to closeout. A second meeting was held in May that highlighted grant administration, applications, and a Growing Greener Grant Program walkthrough.
Post-event feedback revealed increased confidence in project oversight, grant writing, and landowner engagement—key components for a Watershed Specialist to excel in implementing their County CAP goals. The group unanimously voted to continue with the Consortium, with quarterly meetings and a shared Google Drive to support ongoing collaboration.
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Attendees at the Watershed Specialist Consortium.
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Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association Members Achieve Sediment Reduction Through Joint Pollutant Reduction Plan to Improve Watershed Health
In 2013, DEP determined that 20 miles of Paxton Creek were considered impaired by sediment, 80% of which was contributed by stream erosion. To address this issue, the Paxton Creek Cooperative (Capital Region Water [CRW], Susquehanna Township Authority, and Lower Paxton Township Authority) proposed a joint pollution reduction plan (JPRP) to reduce sediment load in Paxton Creek. The JPRP includes the Paxton Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan, the Chesapeake Bay PRP, the Wildwood Lake PRP, and the Unnamed Tributary (UNT) to Spring Creek PRP.
The plan required a 10% reduction (1,694,398 lbs) of sediment over five years from the existing load of 16,943,984 lbs/year. To meet these goals, thirteen streambank restoration projects were selected at an estimated cost of $12,795,000. In August 2020, the Paxton Creek Cooperative received approval of these projects as well as MS4 Individual Permits from DEP with a deadline of July 31, 2025.
In May of 2020, the Cooperative began collaboration with PennDOT. This partnership resulted in PennDOT awarding a design-build contract to construct the Paxton Creek Watershed Sediment Reduction Project in Dauphin County. CRW and PennDOT entered into a First Amendment to the Contribution Agreement for a second project in 2023. The JPRP instream restoration projects were completed on schedule in late 2024, and there was a total reduction of 1,718,868 lbs/year of sediment, resulting in a cleaner and healthier watershed overall.
The Paxton Creek Cooperative collaboration allowed each participant to achieve their individual municipal PRP sediment load reduction requirements while allowing BMPs to be implemented in locations that best address the source of the sedimentation occurring throughout the impaired watershed. This approach eliminates the need for municipalities to install BMPs in locations that may not be sources of pollution simply to theoretically satisfy prescribed regulatory load reduction goals. Not only is the integrated approach the most cost-effective approach for the municipalities involved to meet their permit requirements, but it is also the most beneficial to the water quality of the local streams, as well as the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Total actual costs for the Paxton Creek Cooperative were $4,000,000, well below the original estimate. The Paxton Creek Cooperative will continue to collaborate to achieve future MS4 Permit requirements proposed by DEP.
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Stream restoration work photos taken at the Stray Winds Farms project off Mcintosh Road in Lower Paxton Township.
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Bedford County Completes Rocklick Creek Streambank Stabilization Project
On June 23, 2025, the Fort Bedford Chapter of Trout Unlimited (FBTU) completed a stream stabilization project on Rocklick Creek. The project was conducted under a GP-1 General Permit, issued on January 12, 2025. The project impacted approximately 285 linear feet of Rocklick Creek, a warm-water fishery in Napier Township, Bedford County. Volunteers from FBTU and a contracted equipment operator, with technical assistance from Bedford County Conservation District Staff, installed PA Fish & Boat Commission-approved habitat structures with the purpose of reducing erosion and sediment deposition, while providing habitat enhancement in Rocklick Creek. The structures installed include mud sills, modified mud sills, and grade control structures composed of hemlock logs and stone. After grading, the disturbed area was seeded with a riparian seed mix and mulched with straw. The total cost of this CAP project was $30,320.80.
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Steep eroded banks along Rocklick Creek before (left) and later stabilized with log and rock structures (right).
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Franklin County’s District Manager Earns Statewide Recognition
Dave Stoner, manager of the Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD), recently received the Conservation District Employee Excellence Award at the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) annual conference. The award recognizes a conservation district employee for their outstanding efforts in furthering the activities and accomplishments of conservation districts on a statewide basis.
Stoner holds 35 years of service with the FCCD. He has served as manager since 2012 and manages 11 employees and a multi-million-dollar annual budget. Stoner began his conservation career as a part-time employee with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in the mid-1980s. Shortly thereafter, he was asked to join the FCCD to become the first Chesapeake Bay Technician in Franklin County and was tasked with setting up the new statewide Chesapeake Bay Program in the county. At the regional and state levels, Stoner has been involved in various workgroups and councils. He regularly attends regional and statewide conservation-related meetings and offers valuable comments and recommendations based on his years of experience.
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Franklin County Hosts Tour of CAP-Funded Project and Celebrates Conservation Farmer of the Year
Craig Alleman was recently honored as the 2025 Conservation Farmer of the Year by the Franklin County Conservation District at their annual Summer Conservation Farm Tour. In 2023, Alleman installed several conservation measures on his farm including a covered heavy use area bedded pack facility and a 10’ x 66’ liquid manure tank. A second phase of the project included a tree planting of 540 mixed species on a steep slope in his pasture. This project utilized $241,563.20 in CAP grant funds, which fund projects that reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Additionally, Alleman contributed a significant amount of his own time and money toward the project. At the event, he stated how much he appreciated working with the FCCD staff to install these BMPs on his farm.
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(Left to Right): PA State Representative Chad Reichard, PA State Representative Rich Irvin, Farmer of the Year Craig Alleman, Franklin County Commissioner Dean Horst, and Franklin County Conservation District Chairman Evan Burkholder.
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Miranda Russell, FCCD’s Watershed Specialist, presented about the forest buffer installation planted on Alleman’s farm (left). The buffer addresses erosion issues and filters nutrient pollution before it enters the Conodoguinet watershed. Craig Alleman and FCCD staff explain how the new roofed heavy use area and manure storage tank were tied in with the existing facilities at the operation (right).
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Lancaster County’s Stormwater Projects Stand Resilient Amid Record July Rains
Lancaster County faced extraordinary rainfall this July—nearly seven inches in Manheim, five at Lancaster Airport, and three in West Lampeter Township during a July 1st thunderstorm, followed by 7.5 inches in Mount Joy Township on July 14th, devastating newly planted trees and shrubs. Despite the heavy deluge, several local green infrastructure initiatives demonstrated notable resilience.
The Blue-Green Connector, situated along Little Conestoga Creek and planted with native vegetation in May, endured debris-laden floodwaters better than anticipated—highlighting the value of minimizing impermeable surfaces and encouraging natural infiltration.
At Long’s Park Wetlands, the multi-basin design—including a forebay, sand filter, upper and lower marshes, and Long’s Pond—functioned as intended: it managed runoff from Route 30 during the storms and helped avoid flooding that might have occurred in previous years.
Meanwhile, Phases 1 and 2 of the Conewago Creek Restoration Project continued their mission to restore floodplain connectivity and remove legacy sediment. Although July’s storms did cause some local road flooding, ongoing restoration phases aim to enhance long-term flood resilience.
A farm in Mount Joy Township—already battered by the July 1st storm and overwhelmed again on July 14th—received much-needed attention when volunteers staged an emergency repair on July 23rd, clearing debris and re-staking struggling trees planted last fall. These efforts underscore the growing importance of sustainable, nature-based stormwater solutions in protecting Lancaster’s landscapes and waterways. More information can be found on Lancaster Clean Water Partners’ website.
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A view of the Blue-Green Connector project (Provided by Lancaster Clean Water Partners).
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Lancaster Approves Landmark Lease for Environmental Center
Lancaster City Council has unanimously approved a 99-year ground lease with Partners for Environmental Stewardship, securing approximately nine acres on Sunnyside Peninsula for a future environmental center.
The center will be part of a 70-acre urban nature preserve, designed to reconnect the community with the Conestoga River and address regional environmental challenges like water quality and habitat restoration. Seven leading environmental organizations will collaborate on its design and programming, with $10 million already committed by the High Foundation toward the project’s estimated $36–$40 million cost. Master site planning is underway, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
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A view of the Sunnyside Peninsula (Provided by Lancaster Newspapers).
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“Programs like the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps are exactly what workforce development should look like: hands-on, community-focused, and future-driven. By connecting young Pennsylvanians with real-world conservation work, we’re helping them build job skills and empowering them to see themselves as leaders and changemakers. L&I is proud to support Secretary Dunn’s vision for an Outdoor Corps of young people who are getting real-life experience in how to protect our Commonwealth’s natural resources."
- Nancy Walker, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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