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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 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 Countywide Action Plan (CAP) can find out more from county coordinators in your county. And help spread the word! Share this newsletter and encourage others to subscribe. — 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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BWRNSM releases responses to the 2020-2022 county Programmatic Recommendations
BWRNSM worked with state and federal program action leaders to provide responses to the 2020-2022 state Programmatic Recommendations (PRs) provided by county CAP partners. The county PRs were originally created during the Pilot county planning process to help address issues raised by county partners, and to support county efforts in implementing their Countywide Action Plans (CAPs) in an effort to provide open communication and mutual accountability as we work together to reduce nutrient pollution in our local waters. The PR model has helped county and state partners to collectively achieve many successes in a few short years, by identifying needs, issues and challenges that have or may have impeded progress.
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Programs and Projects by Local, State and Federal Partners
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DEP releases “Introduction to Guiding Principles of Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration” training
DEP’s Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands has created an Introduction to Guiding Principles of Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration training. This introductory training will cover several important aspects of the guiding principles important to the execution of highly successful restoration projects. The training is presented in four parts: Introduction, Basic Watershed and Ecosystem Functions, Watershed Alterations and Effects, and Project Considerations. Completion of this training will provide a good foundation for future trainings that will dive deeper into the topics, research and program development efforts. This multi-part training is intended to be an introduction or overview presentation; the Bureau is developing additional, more intensive content to cover many of the topics that are introduced.
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EPA directs $14.3 million in grants for PA farmers’ conservation efforts in reaching Chesapeake Bay restoration goals
During a visit to a Lancaster County dairy farm, EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz and U.S. Senator Bob Casey joined Pennsylvania environmental leaders, Chesapeake Bay partners, and local farmers to announce $14.3 million in grants directed to Pennsylvania through EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program. Using funding provided by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the Most Effective Basins program will receive $23 million this year, a $15 million increase from its $8 million annual allocation. In a concerted effort to deliver these dollars to areas that will have the greatest impact on downstream water quality, 60% of this year’s funding will go directly to Pennsylvania to connect farmers with the financial resources they need to implement conservation practices that benefit farms, local streams, and the Chesapeake Bay.
“Pennsylvania is proof of the enormous value of partnership in improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Rich Negrin. “DEP has long valued our partnerships with EPA Region 3, USDA-NRCS, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and our jurisdictional partners. In the past five years, we've taken this teamwork to exciting new levels. Our funding of conservation districts and local organizations helps provide the agricultural outreach, education, planning, and technical assistance needed to keep building momentum from the ground up to ensure clean water for Pennsylvania’s farmers and communities.”
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PACD Agricultural Plan Reimbursement Program is showing success
This program is offered exclusively to county conservation districts. Applications are being accepted in an ongoing, first come, first served basis. The application deadline is June 30, 2024, or until all funds are spent, whichever comes first.
There is a 20% match required, preferably from the landowner/farmer/operator. The maximum reimbursement amount per plan is $1,500, or 80% of the cost of the plan, whichever is lower. If the farmer is eligible for more than one plan, they can be reimbursed up to $6,000. Plans that are eligible include manure management, Ag E&S, Act 38 nutrient management plans or NRCS 590 plans, and conservation plans that meet the state requirements outlined in Chapter 102.
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Lancaster County is requesting proposals for technical services
The Lancaster Clean Water Partners is inviting proposals from qualified technical service providers to perform coordinated outreach, project management and provision of technical services to landowners in delisting catchments to more quickly drive BMP planning and implementation. Proposals are due by September 1, 2023.
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Annual C2P2 Grant Workshop Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for DCNR’s free annual grant workshop. The virtual workshop will take place on Thursday, November 16. Anyone interested in applying for Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) grants in 2024 is strongly encouraged to attend. Videos of workshop presentations will be made available on the DCNR YouTube channel for those who cannot attend.
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American Farmland Trust releases Farmers’ Guides to Soil Health Economics
American Farmland Trust (AFT) has developed a series of two-page guides highlighting the economic costs and benefits of adopting soil health practices for farmers. Soil health practices such as no-till, cover crops, nutrient management and crop rotations have been shown to reduce erosion, maximize water infiltration, improve nutrient cycling, and improve resilience. AFT’s two-page case studies may be useful to farmers and landowners who are curious about soil health practices and whether investing in the practices is worth the risk. AFT also provides free access to case study tools, materials and training documents in their Soil Health Case Study Tool Kit so conservation community members can create their own case studies in their area.
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PDA/SCC sponsors plan writing refresher workshop for Nutrient Management Specialists
The PA Department of Agriculture (PDA) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) are sponsoring a workshop for public nutrient management specialists on October 20 at the PA Livestock Evaluation Center in PA Furnace. This workshop will provide a refresher to the Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Excel planning tools, with a focus on data entry. The workshop will briefly review the NMP sections completed in Word and spend the remainder of the day using Excel to complete Appendices 3, 4 and 5 from a sample farm. The workshop is currently available to final certified public Nutrient Management Specialists. All registrations must be made through Mike Aucoin 717-772-5218 or maucoin@pa.gov.
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Land Conservancy of Adams County celebrates the preservation of 1,785 acres with government partners
Federal, state and local officials joined together to celebrate the preservation of 1,785 contiguous acres of historically significant farmland at the Hanover Shoe Farms, Inc. in Adams County. Since 2019, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Land Conservancy of Adams County and Adams County Office of Planning and Development have worked together to protect a total of 11 parcels of land, owned by Hanover Shoe Farms Inc., with permanent easements. Funds from USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) were used to help purchase the easements, which will forever protect the land from development.
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Photo from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake Bay offers a new watershed protection Site Assessment Action Kit
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DEP is accepting applications for Environmental Education grants
DEP is accepting applications for 2024 Environmental Education Grants until November 15, 2023. Three types of grants will be offered for projects addressing the 2024 Environmental Education Grants Program priorities of water, climate change and environmental justice:
- Mini grants of up to $5,000 may be awarded for local (school, county, municipality or other defined area) environmental education projects.
- General grants ranging from $5,001—$30,000 (Level I) may be awarded for implementation of large scale regional or Statewide environmental education projects.
- General grants ranging from $30,001—$65,000 (Level II) may be awarded for nonformal education projects that engage youth and teachers from at least 60 Commonwealth counties at three levels: National, State and local. Level II projects must demonstrate at least 30% of program participants live, work or attend school within an environmental justice area.
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Shapiro Administration announces $13 million in tax credits supporting farmers’ work to improve water and soil quality
On August 7, PDA Secretary Russell Redding invited Pennsylvania farmers to apply for $13 million in tax credits available to support their efforts to improve soil health and water quality. PDA is accepting applications for REAP tax credits from agricultural producers who implement best management practices or purchase equipment to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, enhance soil health and improve the quality of Pennsylvania’s waterways. Tax credits through Pennsylvania’s innovative conservation financing program, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), can be combined with other state funding, including the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) and Conservation Excellence Grants (CEG), as well as federal funding through programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help pay for on-farm enhancements that protect the environment and boost farm sustainability. More information, including the 2023-24 application packet, program guidelines and sponsorship process are available on the REAP website. The deadline to submit applications is October 31, 2023, unless funds run out before the deadline.
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EPA announces availability of $206 million in funding for local projects to restore the Chesapeake Bay and to protect underserved communities
On August 8, EPA announced the availability of up to $206 million in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and watershed, and advance environmental justice. EPA is seeking applications from eligible community-based organizations for two funding opportunities that will fund cooperative agreements for four years. Of the funding, $96 million will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law while another $110 million will come from regular EPA appropriations.
Organizations can apply for funding via two Requests for Applications (RFAs) issued by EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program; applications are due September 15, 2023. Both RFAs will fund the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction (INSR) Grant and Small Watershed Grant (SWG) programs for four years and will advance President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to disadvantaged communities.
This program will fund principal recipients to administer the INSR and SWG grant programs, including issuance of subgrants to local, regional and state organizations, as well as individuals in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Both RFA #1 and RFA #2 will close September 15, 2023. Questions regarding applying for these opportunities should be directed to Autumn Rose, EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, at rose.autumn@epa.gov.
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PennVEST is accepting applications for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Clean Water Project Procurement Program
The PA Infrastructure Investment Authority is now accepting applications for the Clean Water Project Procurement Program. The deadline to apply is September 1. The goal of the program is to improve water quality in the Commonwealth through the purchase of verified nutrient (nitrogen/phosphorus) or sediment reductions resulting from the installation of best management practices that are effective and practical to manage nutrient and sediment to protect surface water and groundwater, with the goal of helping the Commonwealth to achieve it Chesapeake Bay TMDL goals for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment.
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Getting Credit for Our Work
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New Non-Intrusive BMP Verification methodology has been approved for use and reporting in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
The Non-Intrusive BMP Verification methodology, developed by CAP Coordinator Joshua Glace of Larson Design Group, has been approved by the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership and can be used for reporting.
The new methodology utilizes publicly accessible data and observation methods to identify and verify the functionality of targeted agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), without intruding on the privacy of landowners. In addition to using publicly accessible data, the new methodology uses remote imagery interpretation, historical practice implementation documents, and observations from public roadways to confirm and identify if a BMP is present and functioning as intended. By using this methodology, certain BMPs can be collected and verified in a reduced timeframe and at a reduced financial cost, and do not require a release of private records by the landowner. There are training requirements that need to be met prior to reporting under this method, as outlined in the slide deck and standard operating procedures (SOP). Customizable field forms are also included in the SOP.
The reportable BMPs included in this methodology are:
- RI-7 – Grass Nutrient Exclusion Area or Buffer on Watercourse, 10’-35’
- RI-8 – Grass Nutrient Exclusion Area or Buffer on Watercourse, 35’+
- RI-9 – Forest Nutrient Exclusion Area or Buffer on Watercourse, 10’-35’
- RI-10 – Forest Nutrient Exclusion Area or Buffer on Watercourse, 35’+
- RI-16 – Barnyard Clean Water Diversion
- RI-17 – Water Control Structure
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Adams County completes two CAP funded stream restoration projects
July saw the completion of two Adams County CAP funded stream restoration projects. Both projects involved adding structures into the stream to protect the banks and grading back the already existing streambanks, to create a gentle slope rather than a steep embankment. In total, 980 feet of the Shanks Mill stream and 100 feet of the Miney Branch site were restored.
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|  | Shanks Mill Stream restoration –before and after
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|  | Miney Branch stream restoration –before and after
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Franklin County holds summer conservation farm tour
Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) received a state mini-grant to hold a Summer Conservation Farm Tour and Luncheon on August 9 at the Greene Township Park. The grant funding enabled FCCD to provide important education on the benefits of reducing nonpoint source pollution with best management practices (BMPs) to approximately 90 attendees.
During the luncheon, FCCD staff presented the 2023 Conservation Farmer of the Year award, farm sign and pen and clock set to Burk-Lea Farms, owned by Clinton and Kara Burkholder. The Burkholders join a long list of honorees since the Franklin County Conservation Farmer of the Year program began in 1962.
Tour participants visited the Burkholder’s dairy farm and viewed various conservation-related systems including a solid manure stack pad, a silage leachate collection system, several animal waste storage facilities, a roofed animal heavy use area and a grassed waterway. These practices reduce potential pollutants from entering the waterways and help to prevent soil erosion. In addition, participants viewed dribble bar manure application equipment, learning about how it reduces soil disturbance and how it may decrease odor.
PA Senator Doug Mastriano, PA Representative Rob Kauffman, and PA Representative Rich Irvin attended the event and Senator Mastriano presented a special citation to the Burkholders in recognition of their hard work and successful conservation efforts over the years.
The Franklin County Conservation District is dedicated to promoting and educating about the wise stewardship of our natural resources. For more information about FCCD or this event, please visit www.franklinccd.org or call 717-264-5499.
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Lancaster County completes restoration project on Stony Run in East Cocalico Township
Good conservation work is being done on the property of the East Cocalico Township building in Lancaster County, where 265 feet of Stony Run’s steep, nearly vertical banks were regraded, stabilized with matting, and planted with a mixture of native grass and wildflower seeds. The name Stony Run seems like a bit of a misnomer. Looking into the clear waters of the run, there is no trace of its namesake stones. “When settlers came here in the 1720’s, they would have seen the streambed lined with large sandstone cobble and small boulders,” said the Township’s MS4 Technician, Ken McCrea. “Then, over centuries of agricultural runoff, the legacy sediment built up and covered the stones.”
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While the regrading of the streambanks didn’t reveal the stones, it is reducing an estimated 150,000 pounds of sediment runoff each year that would otherwise flow into the Cocalico Creek. The work was done by the Township Road Crew and was made possible by funding from a Community Conservation Grant through the Lancaster Clean Water Partners and the Lancaster County Community Foundation, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. In addition to the bank modifications, volunteers from UGI planted trees and shrubs in a 35-foot buffer zone along the stream. Adjacent to the run, the Township has also planted what will eventually be a grove of walnut trees and native plants.
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Union County Conservation District held regenerative dairy meeting
The Union County Conservation District held a Regenerative Dairy Meeting in Lewisburg on June 13. Dairy farmers and manure handlers were invited to attend. The meeting introduced operators to newer, regenerative practices that can be implemented on dairy operations, and provide the necessary resources to help get all conservation practices on the ground. There was a discussion targeted toward manure handlers and the considerations that must be accounted for before field applying manure.
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Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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