1808 Request for applications for Watershed Protection and Restoration Grants and Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grants through the Growing Greener Plus Program?

Request for Applications for Watershed Protection and Restoration Grants and Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grants through the Growing Greener Plus Program

[42 Pa.B. 5938]
[Saturday, September 15, 2012]

 As part of the 2012 Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) Growing Greener (Growing Greener) Plus Program, applications are now being accepted for watershed protection and restoration grants. Under 27 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101—6119 (relating to Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act), the Department is authorized to allocate these grants to a variety of eligible applications including: counties, municipal authorities and municipalities; county conservation districts; watershed organizations recognized by the Department who promote local watershed conservation efforts, councils of governments and other authorized organizations involved in the restoration and protection of the environment in this Commonwealth.

 For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect or restore, or both, this Commonwealth's watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution. Examples of special priority areas include: projects located in ''priority'' watersheds that reduce the source of impairment; ''priority'' type activities that lead to water quality restoration or protection; and projects that support the installation of agricultural Best Management Practices to achieve compliance with existing agricultural water quality requirements.

 Examples of eligible projects include those that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired, projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants and integrating stormwater management into watershed management and water conservation strategies.

 Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) Grant Programs and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program. SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and incorporated nonprofit organizations for projects meeting SMCRA Set Aside or Bond Forfeiture grant requirements. Section 319 grants focus on funding similar projects to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds.

 The deadline for submitting applications to the Department's Grants Center (Center) is October 26, 2012. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 26, 2012. If hand delivered, the package must be received by the Center by 4 p.m. on October 26, 2012, at the address that follows. Late submissions will not be considered.

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

MICHAEL L. KRANCER, 
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-1808. Filed for public inspection September 14, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]