(HARRISBURG, PA)—Harry Campbell, executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) in Pennsylvania, issued this statement applauding National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grants totaling more than $3.1 million to clean and restore polluted rivers and streams in the Commonwealth. About $4.8 million in matching contributions could produce a total of nearly $8 million of on-the-ground improvements and protections for Keystone State waters.
Pennsylvania will share an additional $4 million in grants and matching contributions with other states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
These NFWF investments are made through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, funded primarily by the Environmental Protection Agency and through the Chesapeake Bay Program. For 2019, the Stewardship Fund will make 47 grants totaling $12.69 million for projects in the Bay region. An anticipated matching amount of about $21 million would lead to a total on-the-ground impact of over $33 million.
Of the NFWF grants to Pennsylvania projects, Mr. Campbell said:
“CBF congratulates the 15 grant winners in Pennsylvania and their projects. Through their endeavors, and that of their partners, Pennsylvania’s farm soils will be healthier, communities will be greener, and rivers and streams will be cleaner.
“For instance, small watershed grants will help pay for green infrastructure plans in Northumberland and a watershed restoration plan Schuylkill County. Grants will also support conservation and manure management plans and an updated watershed action plan in Lancaster County. The survivability and maintenance of buffers will also be enhanced through a grant for a correctional vocational training program.
“With roughly 40,000 miles of Commonwealth rivers and streams harmed by pollution, there’s a lot of work to be done. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth’s budget does not adequately support these and many other partners working tirelessly with family farmers, community leaders, and others to restore and protect our rivers and streams.
“Federal partnerships leveraged by the private sector like those from NFWF and the Chesapeake Bay Program are crucial to restoring water quality in the Commonwealth.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The NFWF press release and specific grant details can be found here.
