2177 Request for applications for watershed restoration and protection grants through the Growing Greener I and II programs

Request for Applications for Watershed Restoration and Protection Grants Through the Growing Greener I and II Programs

[35 Pa.B. 6466]

   As part of the 2006 Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) Growing Greener I and II Programs, applications are now being accepted for watershed protection and restoration grants. Under the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act (27 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101--6113), the Department is authorized to allocate these grants to a variety of eligible applicants including: counties, authorities and other municipalities; county conservation districts; watershed organizations recognized by the Department who promote local watershed conservation efforts, council of governments, and other authorized organizations involved in the restoration and protection of the environment in this Commonwealth. Growing Greener II provides additional focus on capital improvement projects related to watershed protection, mine and abandoned mine remediation and plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells.

   For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect and/or restore this Commonwealth's watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution. Special priority areas include: comprehensive watershed plan implementation, legacy sediment and stream restoration, nutrient and sediment trading, denitrifying onlot systems and long-term operation, maintenance and repair of existing and future growing greener funded projects.

   Eligible projects could include reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired; designing practices and activities that support water quality trading initiatives; integrating stormwater management and flood protection into watershed management; encouraging the beneficial use of abandoned mine pool water; and integrating air deposition controls and management with mitigating water quality problems.

   The deadline for submitting applications to the Department's Growing Greener Grants Center (Center) is March 3, 2006. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 3, 2006. If hand delivered, the package must be received by the Center by 4:30 p.m. on March 3, 2006, at the address that follows. Late submissions will not be considered.

   Through the same application, applicants can apply for additional funding through the Department's Flood Protection Grant Program. Flood protection grants are for communities that operate and maintain State and Federal flood protection projects.

   To request or download an application or obtain more information concerning the Growing Greener Programs, visit the Growing Greener website at www.depweb. state.pa.us (DEP Keyword: Growing Greener). Persons can send e-mails to [e-mail] or contact the Center at [phone]. Written correspondence should be addressed to the DEP Grants Center, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8776, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8776.

KATHLEEN A. MCGINTY,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 05-2177. Filed for public inspection November 23, 2005, 9:00 a.m.]