August 2024

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! And 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

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


Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management Publishes 2023 Annual Report

The Bureau of Watershed Restoration and Nonpoint Source Management (BWRNSM) published their 2023 Healthy Waters Healthy Communities Annual Report on July 26, 2024. This report celebrates the work of counties, communities, state and local leaders to reduce nutrient pollution going into local streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. In 2023, Pennsylvania reduced 3.62 million pounds of nitrogen, 80,000 pounds of phosphorus, and 102 million pounds of sediment from entering local waterways.
The report highlights the work of 34 county teams working with over 1,200 individuals and organizations to implement local Countywide Action Plans (CAPs) to accelerate clean water project implementation. Specific examples of implemented projects in the agricultural sector, natural sector, and urban sector are featured in this report. The annual report also shares the collaborative efforts to identify solutions to clean water project implementation challenges and to accelerate rapid stream delisting (indicating healthy biological activity once delisted) across multiple counties.

Cover of 2023 Annual Report showing Susquehanna River and forested hillsides.


EPA Releases Two-Year Milestone Evaluations of Chesapeake Bay Clean Up Efforts: PA Efforts and Success Identified


On August 14, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its evaluation of the Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions’ two-year milestones. EPA noted in its evaluation that 2023 saw new significant successes at the state level that will improve the restoration trajectory.
EPA reported that, watershed-wide, the partnership continues to make incremental progress toward the 2025 goal. The partnership has already implemented practices to achieve 100% of the targeted sediment reductions, and practices are in place to achieve 57% of the nitrogen reductions and 67% of the phosphorus reductions. However, more progress is needed to meet the 2025 nitrogen and phosphorus targets. 
Successes to highlight in water quality efforts include Pennsylvania and Virginia increasing the reductions achieved from the agriculture sector in 2023, and partners continuing to invest in accelerating implementation. 
“The collaborative local, county, and state partnerships and coordinated efforts happening in Pennsylvania are key to driving forward our commitment to clean water, healthy communities, and a vibrant agricultural industry,” said BWRNSM Director Jill Whitcomb.
Some notable strengths and successes identified in EPA’s evaluation of Pennsylvania’s progress and milestone commitments include: 
• Pennsylvania provided detailed progress updates on all key initiatives with a focus on new funding programs to support work in the agricultural sector and evolving outreach through the Countywide Action Plans (CAP).
• Pennsylvania’s legislature committed to a $50 million annual recurring investment in the state’s Clean Streams Fund in the 2024-25 state budget. 
• Pennsylvania updated several programmatic milestones to connect programs with targeted increases in BMP implementation. The 2024-2025 milestone progress report will attribute BMPs to specific funding sources. 
• Increased PA staff capacity to make progress on programmatic priorities that support the WIP and CAPs. 
• Advanced programmatic milestones associated with outreach and CAPs to address barriers to BMP implementation. 
• Completed publication of the Chesapeake Bay Nutrient Trading Tool (CBNTT). 
• Met milestones associated with distribution of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the Clean Streams Fund and associated state programs. 
Pennsylvania is actively participating with EPA and its Bay partners in discussions about the efforts beyond 2025 and how to move forward in meeting the needs of the Bay ecosystem and the people in the Bay watershed.
The two-year milestone reports are prepared by the Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions – Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. These reports represent key check-in points on the way to having all pollutant reduction measures in place by 2025, a goal established by the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) partnership. The CBP partnership is composed of the seven Bay jurisdictions, and dozens of local governments, federal partners, organizations, and academic institutions.


DEP Launches Two New Initiatives to Continue to Speed Up Permitting Processes

Pennsylvania DEP announced the introduction of two new programs to hire more staff and expand permitting capacity at the agency thanks to investments in the 2024-25 bipartisan budget signed into law by Governor Shapiro. The two programs are the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Economic Development (SPEED) program and the Chapter 105 Joint Permit Pilot Program.
The SPEED program will provide additional flexibility to permit applicants by allowing applicants to choose to have a DEP-verified and qualified professional conduct the initial review of the application. DEP staff will review the recommendations of the qualified professional and either make a final permit decision or identify technical deficiencies to the applicant. DEP will have final authority over all permit decisions.
Starting this fall, DEP will solicit qualified professionals to review applications for certain air quality plan approvals (Chapter 127), earth disturbance (Chapter 102), dam safety (Chapter 105), and individual water obstruction and encroachment (Chapter 105) permits. Applicants for those permits will agree to pay any review fees incurred by the qualified professional, in addition to permit application fees.
DEP is continuing to identify process improvements in its permitting programs. DEP has significantly improved the Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment General Permit registration process by updating the registration form and instructions to make them easier to understand. DEP is also launching a new Chapter 105 Pilot Program for Individual Joint Permit Applications that should reduce errors in applications and cut the total time to process an application by 63 days. Similar to the Chapter 102 Pilot Program, launched on May 1, 2024, applicants will need to meet with DEP prior to submitting a permit application. The Chapter 105 individual Permit Pilot Program will give review priority to publicly funded energy projects and environmental restoration projects.


Clean Water Progress Teams Continue to Meet to Develop Strategies for Success

The three Clean Water Progress Teams continue to work together to develop robust recommended “Strategies for Success” to help address priority action item challenges generated at the October 2023 Clean Water Gathering of state program and county action leaders.
The Progress Team recommendations will discuss what could be done to address the challenges raised, who should be engaged, how steps could be taken to move forward, and when it might occur.
Teams will continue to dive deep and work on these strategies and recommendations throughout the fall and early winter of 2024. BWRNSM Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Division coordinators continue to facilitate the groups and will work with each group to finalize recommendations. Once finalized, the recommended Strategies for Success will be shared among a broader audience of partners and leaders at a second Clean Water Gathering in late January 2025.
Some common themes that are emerging from the Progress Team discussion include the need for streamlining and coordinating policies, reporting systems, funding, programs, and partnerships; research and assessment of new concepts; and education, outreach and accessibility to information across a range of audiences.

Graphic showing dates and times of Webinar Wednesdays - September 4 and October 2 from 10-11:30 am. Contact evesey@pa.gov to join.

Programs and Projects by Local, State, and Federal Partners


Shapiro Administration Invests $13 Million in Tax Credits to Support Farmers Improving Water, Soil Quality

Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture Secretary, Russell Redding, announced $13 million in tax credits available to support Pennsylvania farmers’ efforts to improve soil health and water quality. Tax credits through Pennsylvania’s innovative conservation financing program, Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP), can be combined with other state funding, including the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), and Conservation Excellence Grants (CEG), as well as federal funding to help pay for farm enhancements that protect the environment and boost farm sustainability. Pennsylvania’s State Conservation Commission, a partnership of the PA Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, is accepting applications through September 1, 2024, 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 water quality.
Governor Shapiro’s 2024-25 budget includes new investments in agriculture innovation and conservation to keep Pennsylvania a national leader. New investments include a $10 million Agriculture Innovation Fund, plus a new state investment of $35 million to continue Clean Streams Fund support for ACAP, and another $5 million for the Nutrient Management fund. Roughly $85 million of the $154 million American Rescue Plan dollars Pennsylvania invested in ACAP are helping more than 1,200 farmers improve conservation on their farms since January 2023. New state investments will continue that momentum and be magnified further by current historic levels of state and federal conservation investments.


PENNVEST Funds Water Quality Projects in Chesapeake Bay Watershed

On July 17, 2024, the Shapiro administration announced the investment of $257.5 million for 18 drinking water, wastewater, and nonpoint source projects across 13 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). Of these projects approved for funding, one drinking water project, two sewer projects, and one nonpoint source project occur within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These four projects totaled $26,792,324 in low interest loans and $1,108,910 in grants.


PENNVEST Announces up to $7.1 Million in Verified Nutrient and Sediment Reductions

PENNVEST issued notices to proceed for two nutrient and sediment reduction purchase agreements awarded through their Clean Water Procurement Program (CWPP). The verified nutrient and sediment reductions were awarded through a competitive bidding process for a maximum purchase price of $7.1 million resulting in up to 38,472 pounds of verified nitrogen reductions, 6,041 pounds of verified phosphorus reductions, and 261,703 pounds of sediment reductions annually for 20 years.
HGS, LLC received a maximum contract award of $5,869,832 for the purchase of 29,439 pounds of verified nitrogen reductions along with the associated 4,609 pounds of verified phosphorus and 106,362 pounds of sediment reduction annually. The project, occurring at a 240-acre beef farm in Lancaster County, will use large-scale wetland restoration (approximately 7.6 acres) and riparian grass buffers (approximately 19.3 acres) on the Conowingo Creek to achieve the reductions.
The Lancaster Farmland Trust received a maximum contract award of $1,248,763 for the purchase of up to 9,033 pounds of verified nitrogen reductions along with the associated 1,432 pounds of verified phosphorus and 155,341 pounds of sediment reduction annually. Best management practices (BMPs) will be installed on two farms in Lancaster County. The first farm, a small dairy and sheep operation, will incorporate stormwater practices reducing nutrient pollution along an unnamed tributary to Black Creek. The second project, a dairy farm, will incorporate stormwater BMPs reducing nutrient pollution within the Conowingo Creek watershed.


Innovative Program Awards $11 Million to Reduce Chesapeake Bay Conowingo Pollutants

On August 15, 2024, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced funding of more than $11 million to seven projects that will help mitigate water quality impacts of the Conowingo Reservoir on the Chesapeake Bay.  The funding provided is part of Maryland’s innovative approach using a “pay-for-success” model, and as an interstate agency, SRBC is able to serve as the financing authority.  This allows Maryland to fund projects upstream throughout the Susquehanna River Basin, across state boundaries in both Pennsylvania and New York. The Pay-for-Success Awardees include HGS, LLC, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Rosetree Consulting, LLC,  Keystone Streams, LLC, and Ecotone, LLC.  


Conservation Innovation Grants Awarded Projects from the US Department of Agriculture Announced


On July 18, 2024, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) projects with two awarded projects occurring in Pennsylvania:
The Nature Conservancy was awarded $2.2 million for an outcome-based incentive focused on nitrogen use efficiency. The project will empower farmers to make innovative and holistic farm management decisions that result in advanced nitrogen management practice implementation, improved nitrogen use efficiency, reduced environmental nitrogen surplus, and agronomic sustainability. Farm advisors will be key partners in both the planning and implementation of these practices on corn and wheat acres in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship was awarded $4.9 million for a project to deploy PaddockTrac, an innovative and cost-effective precision agriculture technology that accurately measures forage availability on 20 small and mid-sized dairy farms in four states: Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Collaborating with dairy producers who currently implement continuous grazing, these on-farm trials aim to reduce the learning curve and stimulate the increased adoption of innovative practices by providing comprehensive technical assistance, data collection, and evaluation of the economic and conservation impacts of utilizing this technology to transition to managed grazing. Project partners are the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, University of Missouri, University of Wisconsin, Farm Financial Institute, and Water and Land Solutions LLC.


New USDA Brochure Highlights the Role of Agriculture in Climate Change Mitigation 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has worked to develop a brochure titled "The Role of Agriculture in Climate Change Mitigation." It explains how agriculture can be part of the climate change solution, while also explaining some of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. The brochure details the three main contributing greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane. It describes agricultural activities contributing to emissions (soil management, animal digestive emissions, animal manure management, etc.) and provides strategies to reduce emissions.

Graphic from brochure showing illustrated farm scenes causing agricultural emissions and also climate-smart solutions.
Informative illustration from the brochure (Provided by USDA NRCS).


Conservation Cornerstone Webinars Available


The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training is hosting a series of monthly Conservation Cornerstone webinars. Their September 24, 2024, webinar will run from 8:30 – 9:30 am and cover Pennsylvania Ag Plans. Their October 29, 2024 webinar will run from 8:30 – 9:30 am and cover conservation work with Plain Sect farmers. This series is ideal for professionals working with the ACAP or other conservation financial assistance program associates.


Webinar on Watershed Friendly Native Planting


On September 5, 2024, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on Watershed Friendly Native Planting from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Watershed-friendly native plants are beautifully adapted to local climate and soil conditions, often requiring less water and maintenance compared to non-native species. Master Watershed Stewards will discuss the importance of native plants in promoting soil health, improving water quality, and supporting native wildlife. Planting strategies and maintenance tips for native plant plugs purchased through the Watershed Friendly Native Plant Kit sale, along with other relevant information for all audiences, will be discussed during this one-hour webinar.


Trout Unlimited Releases Short Film on Efforts to Treat Abandoned Mine Drainage in Centre, Clinton County Watershed


The film, “Angling for Hope – A Vision for PA’s Beech Creek” by Brian Cooper, addresses conservation efforts to deal with abandoned mine drainage (AMD) in the Beech Creek watershed and tributaries. Beech Creek divides Centre and Clinton Counties. Within the watershed, more than 83 stream miles are impaired by AMD. Inspiration for restoration of Beech Creek is being taken from the successful community restoration efforts on Babb Creek. The goal is to provide viable cold water habitat for native brook trout.

Forested waterway tinged brown/orange due to Acid Mine Drainage.
Waterways within the Beech Creek watershed impacted by AMD.


ClearWater Conservancy Works with Landowner to Protect 95-Acre Woodland


A conservation easement has kept intact a 95-acre parcel of woods along Beaver Branch Creek in Centre County. ClearWater Conservancy worked with the Albright family in order to protect the land located in the Beaver Branch Gorge Biological Diversity Area. Beaver Branch Creek is classified as a high-quality cold water fishery supporting native trout and flows through the property. The site also serves as a crucial link between strategic ecological pathways identified in ClearWater’s Scotia Barrens to Ridgeline Initiative (SRBI). The property includes intact forest patches with core forest areas, wetlands and floodplain habitats.


Nature Conservancy's Resilient and Connected Landscapes Tool


The Nature Conservancy has developed a new mapping tool to display resilient and connected landscapes across the United States. Within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Kittatinny Ridge was highlighted as a prominent resilient landscape. It supports populations of bobcat, black bear, broad-wing hawk, and nine different species of bats. It is an important migratory corridor that can help animal populations remain resilient in the face of climate change. 

Image of mapping tool featuring location of the Kittatinny Ridge.


Chesapeake Bay's Underwater Grasses Rebound for Third Year


Underwater grass beds in the Chesapeake Bay region expanded for the third consecutive year in 2023, reaching the seventh highest level observed in four decades of monitoring. The news was especially good in high salinity areas of the lower Chesapeake, where underwater meadows — a critical habitat for many species — covered a greater area than had been observed in a quarter century.
Overall, data from the annual aerial survey conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science showed a 7% increase in the Bay and its tidal tributaries over 2022, with grass beds covering an estimated 82,937 acres. Submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAV, provides an important refuge for juvenile blue crabs and fish, as well as food for waterfowl. Plus, they pump oxygen into the water, their roots help stabilize sedi­ment, and their leaves buffer wave action. They are also a closely watched indicator of Bay health because the plants require clear water to get the sunlight needed to survive. They die off when sediment and nutrient-fueled algae blooms cloud the water. Because underwater grasses are so important, Bay cleanup goals are aimed in part at creating conditions that would allow 185,000 acres of grasses to return.

Image of underwater grasses within the Chesapeake Bay.
Submerged aquatic vegetation within the Chesapeake Bay (Photo provided by Peter McGowan, US Fish and Wildlife Service).

Funding Available for Bay Projects


SRBC's Stream & Watershed Enhancement Grant Program Open

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) opened the second round of its Stream & Watershed Enhancement Grant Program on August 7, 2024. SRBC will continue to accept applications through October 31, 2024. The program supports local organizations dedicated to the health and wellness of the Susquehanna River basin by providing funding for community-based environmental and water resources projects or events that improve, restore, or protect local watersheds within the basin. Eligible projects that offer an intersection between watershed support and engagement with Environmental Justice areas will be prioritized. 

Image of a forested stream.
Photo provided by SRBC.


USDA Announces $190 Million Grant Opportunity to Help Private Forest Landowners Address Climate Change

On July 25, 2024, the USDA Forest Service announced $190 million in grant opportunities to help private forest landowners adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and retain working forestlands. The current closing date for applications is September 30, 2024. Of the total, $140 million is available to support state-endorsed cost-share programs for landowners. Cost-share payments lower the financial barriers for landowners to adapt to climate change by making forests more resilient to changing climate conditions, and to store more carbon on the landscape. Additionally, $50 million is available to programs that issue payments directly to landowners to adopt practices that increase carbon sequestration and storage of their forests. Privately owned forests and private forest landowners are key to tackling the climate crisis. Private landowners manage more than 60% of forests in the United States.
The Forest Service is committed to supporting landowners as they manage their forests in a changing climate. In addition to these investments, the agency recently announced $145 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for projects that connect private forest landowners with emerging climate markets.


National Park Service Opens 2024-2025 Chesapeake Gateways Grants Cycle

The National Park Service (NPS) has opened the grant application cycle for the third round of Chesapeake Gateways and Watertrails Network grants with the open period extended through October 21, 2024. Projects will be funded in the following two areas:
Linking Tourism and Economic Development Grants (Award Range: $50,000 to $100,000) - Proposals submitted should demonstrate that the projects reflect a community need; link local recreation, culture, history, and/or nature tourism to economic impact of the community; involve a collaboration among community partners; link nature-based and cultural tourism with economic initiatives for local resilience and community sustainability. 
Event Support Grants (Award Range: $10,000 to $25,000) - Proposals should demonstrate how the event or festival celebrates the rich cultural, historical, natural, or recreational legacy and ongoing story of Chesapeake Gateways communities, and encourage exploration and enjoyment of the wealth of cultural, historical, natural, and recreational experiences available. The events encourage new and enhanced opportunities to connect with underrepresented communities through inclusive and welcoming events, festivals, places, and programming.


EPA Offers Technical Assistance and Grants Through Environmental and Climate Justice Program

The U.S. EPA is offering grants and technical assistance through their Environmental and Climate Justice Program (ECJ Program). As part of this effort, EPA has created an EPA Disadvantaged Communities map layer to help potential applicants easily identify whether a community is considered disadvantaged under this funding source. EPA has also selected 16 technical assistance centers across the country (Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers, or EJ TCTACs) to provide training and other assistance for navigating federal grant applications, developing strong grant proposals, and managing grant funding. For organizations and federally recognized tribes in EPA Region 3 (includes PA), the National Wildlife Federation serves as the assistance center. Multiple funding opportunities are available under the EPA’s ECJ Program. Two are highlighted below:
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program (Community Change Grants) is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis through November 21, 2024, for requests of $1-$20 million for projects benefiting disadvantaged communities through reducing pollution, increasing community resilience, and building community capacity. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. They are designed to deliver on the transformative potential for communities most adversely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments.
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program (Grantmakers Program) will be coming soon (expected Fall 2024) and will provide subgrants to community-based nonprofits and other eligible subrecipients for assessment, planning, and project development activities. Grantmakers will alleviate much of the burden that the federal grants process places on small, resource-constrained community-based organizations supporting underserved communities and marginalized populations. These Grantmakers are a combination of community-based nonprofit organizations in potential partnerships with a federally recognized Tribal government or an institution of higher education. Grantmakers will design competitive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement a tracking and reporting system, provide resources and support to communities, all in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.


Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Now Accepting Applications for Fall Grant Round

The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds is now accepting applications for its fall grant round, with a deadline of September 6, 2024, for letters of interest. More than $500,000 is available for projects that advance the protection and restoration of Pennsylvania’s waterways. FPW invests in local efforts in Pennsylvania that protect healthy streams, clean up pollution, and restore degraded wildlife habitat. Twice a year, the foundation distributes grants that leverage local, state, and federal funds for these efforts.

Counties in Action


Hammertown Road Restoration: A Collaborative Success

The restoration at catchment Co49 on Hammertown Road, an unnamed tributary of the Conestoga River, is a testament to long-term dedication and teamwork. Starting fifteen years ago, USDA-NRCS and the Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD) began a farm restoration project that set the stage for a major conservation effort.
Over the years, landowners engaged in conservation discussions leading to BMP implementation. From 2008 to 2024, the project secured funding from various sources, including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Landowners played a critical role, implementing measures like grassed waterways, streamside fencing, and nutrient management plans. Support from organizations like TeamAg, the Stroud Water Research Center, and Lancaster Clean Water Partners was essential.
Phase 1 concluded in June 2024, with the final streamside buffer planting. In July, a celebratory meeting at the Zerbe Mansion highlighted the project's achievements and educated the public on its positive effects. Monitoring by the Stroud Water Research Center aims to show long-term benefits for water quality. This restoration project exemplifies the power of collaboration, trust and commitment to conservation. Many contributors made it a success!
Read the project blog for more information.

Image of farm and stream with riparian buffer recently planted.
The completed restoration project along Hammertown Road featuring riparian buffers, grassed waterways, and additional conservation interventions at the farm (Photo provided by the Stroud Water Resource Center).


Lancaster County Restoration: A Model of Community Collaboration

In Lancaster County, where history and agriculture blend seamlessly, efforts to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment flowing to the Chesapeake Bay are making a significant impact. A recent project on North Hollander Road in Gordonville exemplifies this community spirit.
Initiated in 2021, the LCCD approached a plain sect farmer to restore a sediment-clogged stream, an unnamed tributary to Muddy Run, on his property. The farmer's agreement set the stage for a collaboration involving multiple organizations, students and community members.
The project included removing a dam, replacing a concrete stream crossing with a rock-bottom crossing, installing riffles for stability, and creating a 35-foot riparian buffer with streamside fencing. Unique Excavating completed the restoration in three days. In June, 27 Conestoga Valley High School students, led by Mr. Hovan, planted 220 native trees and shrubs from Octoraro Native Nursery, stabilizing the streambank and enhancing the ecosystem.
“This project is a testament to collaboration and commitment to aquatic restoration,” said Amanda Goldsmith, Watershed Specialist at LCCD. “Many different entities came together, including an Amish farmer, two state agencies, a national non-profit, a local high school, and the Conservation District. Together, we reconnected a stream and restored native habitat for wildlife and the community.”
This project, funded by the PA Fish & Boat Commission and a 319 grant from DEP, is part of the PA Aquatic Connectivity Team (PACT) initiative. Lancaster County's cooperative spirit shows that through collaboration, lasting environmental impact is achievable.
More information can be found on the blog detailing this project success story.

Students gathered on a hillside at the Beiler Farm.
Conestoga Valley High School students gathered to help with restoration efforts at the Beiler Farm (Photo provided by LNP).


“Pennsylvania farmers are investing heavily in cleaner water and productive soil to sustain us in the future. Their investments, multiplied exponentially by support from Governor Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly, are paying dividends in the form of healthier waterways and a greener future for Pennsylvania farms and communities.”

 

                  - Russell Redding, Secretary, Department of Agriculture

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