The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced grants that will provide more than $14 million for on-the-ground improvements and protections for Pennsylvania waters.
The 13 grants from the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction (INSR) Program total $22.4 million and will leverage an additional $35.3 million in matching funds to generate a total conservation impact within the Chesapeake Bay watershed of $57.7 million.
“With these NFWF investments there will be more riparian buffers, urban tree plantings and farm restoration projects, and less polluted runoff going into local rivers and streams,” said Julia Krall, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) Executive Director for Pennsylvania.
NFWF grants are made through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, funded primarily by the Environmental Protection Agency and the federal-state Chesapeake Bay Program.
About $5.1 million in INSR grant funding is targeted for specific Keystone State projects, with an additional $9 million in matching funds.
Pennsylvania and other Bay states will receive portions of $21 million in other INSR grants and matching contributions for projects that improve manure and nutrient management, restore forest buffers, implement stream restoration plans, and more.
Lancaster County will have nearly $7.5 million in a grant and matching funds for Lancaster Clean Water Partners to advance the Countywide Action Plan, reduce harmful sediment, and diversify and expand the pool of contractors who will do the work on local watershed restoration projects.
“The grant for Lancaster County will boost the collaborative progress being made by the Lancaster Clean Water Partners as they continue their great work toward reducing sediment and nutrient runoff in local streams and waterways,” Krall added.
The Chesapeake Conservancy, and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also received INSR grants targeting projects specific to Pennsylvania.
The Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District received a grant for work in Pennsylvania and New York to implement stream restoration plans, offer education opportunities for underserved landowners, and engage 200 volunteers.
Krall said the NFWF grants come at an opportune time for Pennsylvania, as its General Assembly and Governor are considering the final General Fund budget for fiscal year 2024-25.
“CBF is calling on our elected leaders to step up to the plate and include sustained and increased funding for the Clean Streams Fund and Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) in the next budget,” Krall said. “ACAP supports Pennsylvania farmers, who would rather keep nutrients on their land instead of in the water, with financial and vital technical resources.”
Krall added that, “Continued investments at the federal and state levels are crucial to ensuring that Pennsylvania meets its Chesapeake Bay Blueprint goals.”
A complete list of the 2024 Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grants recipients is available here.
