Request for Applications for the Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship [31 Pa.B. 6351] To complement the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence, applications are now being accepted for the new Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship. The Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship recognizes the success of the grass roots effort sparked by the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Growing Greener Initiative.
The Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship is available for initiatives in the following categories: 1) watershed partnerships; 2) watershed assessment and planning; 3) watershed protection and restoration projects; and 4) watershed demonstration, education, and outreach.
Projects or programs will be awarded based on their ability to demonstrate: 1) a commitment to the protection of the environment; 2) the involvement of businesses, governmental officials and community members; 3) a commitment to the public's best interest in the execution of the initiative; 4) effective outreach to stakeholders affected by the initiative; 5) the reduction of pollution at its source rather than controlling waste after it is created; and 6) cost effective manner in carrying out the project.
Eligible applicants include Commonwealth business, government agency, municipality, nonprofit organization, individual, farm or agribusiness engaged in watershed efforts. Candidates may submit only one application, which focuses on the best project or program. However, organizations with multiple branches or facilities may submit applications for each branch or facility. Some portion of the project must have been implemented during the 2001 calendar year in order to be eligible for an award. Projects that have previously received a Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence or Watershed Stewardship for the same project are not eligible for this award. However, organizations that are previous winners of the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence or Watershed Stewardship may submit new projects for consideration.
Applications are now being accepted online at www.dep.state.pa.us, DirectLINK ''2002 watershed app.'' The deadline for submitting applications for the Governor's Awards for Watershed Stewardship to the DEP Grants Center is January 4, 2002. Applications must be postmarked by January 4, 2002. Faxed copies will not be accepted.
For more information concerning the Governor's Award for Watershed Stewardship, visit the Growing Greener website at www.GrowingGreener.org, send e-mail to GrowingGreener@state.pa.us or contact the DEP Grants Center at (877) PAGREEN or (717) 705-5400. Written correspondence should be addressed to DEP Grants Center, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8776, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8776.
DAVID E. HESS,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-2063. Filed for public inspection November 16, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
