Monday, April 21, 2025

DEP Now Accepting Growing Greener Plus, Abandoned Mine Bond Forfeiture Reclamation, Stormwater Planning, Section 319 Grant Applications

The Department of Environmental Protection will start accepting
Growing Greener Plus watershed restoration, SMCRA Bond Forfeiture Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants, Act 167 Stormwater Management Planning Grants and EPA Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants April 22.  

The deadline to apply is June 20

Growing Greener

Growing Greener grants are designed to improve or protect this Commonwealth's waters from nonpoint source pollution associated with agricultural activities, abandoned mine drainage (AMD), stormwater runoff, energy resource extraction, and streambank and shoreline degradation  (formal notice)

Eligible applicants for Growing Greener grants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations, councils of governments, educational institutions and other authorized organizations involved in water resource restoration and protection. 

Priority areas for Growing Greener grants include projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution—especially nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution from agricultural and stormwater runoff. 

The Department is particularly interested in design and construction projects that implement effective best management practices that reduce or eliminate pollutant loadings and lead to local water quality improvements.

Funding comes from the Environmental Stewardship Fund and funds resulting from the Energy Transfer/Sunoco criminal charges plea settlement directed through Growing Greener Plus and other existing Commonwealth programs to fund water quality projects in the 17 counties impacted by the pipeline.

Visit the Growing Greener Plus Grants webpage for all the details.

Bond Forfeiture

Bond Forfeiture grants are designed to address legacy mining impacts that fit the definition of “ABS Legacy Sites”-- Mine sites, permitted and bonded from July 31, 1982 to August 4, 2001.  (formal notice)

SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and nonprofit organizations for projects meeting Bond Forfeiture grant requirements.

Visit the Growing Greener Plus Grants webpage for all the details.

Other AMD projects may be eligible for Growing Greener Watershed Restoration and Protection funds, for a limited number, between August 3, 1977—July 31, 1982. 

Applicants proposing a project to correct AMD from a coal mining operation that was abandoned prior to August 3, 1977, are encouraged to apply to the Abandoned Mine Land/ AMD Grant Program administered by the Department's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation.

The first round deadline for applications in this program is April 25.  The second round will be opened September 2 to October 24.  Read more here.

Act 167 Stormwater Planning

Grants under this program are authorized under Section 17 of the Storm Water Management Act. The purpose of the Phase I grants program is the preparation and submission of a stormwater management (Act 167) plan scope of study.  (formal notice)

DEP is authorized to award grants to municipalities and counties for reimbursement of costs in preparing and revising Act 167 Plans.

Funding for Act 167 Plan development is a two phase process. The Growing Greener Plus program is only being used to solicit applications for the first phase, the development of a Phase 1 scope of study as required by 25 Pa. Code § 111.14 (relating to Phase I—scope of study). 

Depending on the county population, counties may be eligible to apply for up to $60,000 in Phase I funding. Act 167 Phase II funding is a separate grant application outside of the Growing Greener Plus program.

Visit the Growing Greener Plus Grants webpage for all the details.

EPA Section 319 Grants

Section 319 Grants are designed to improve and protect this Commonwealth's waters from nonpoint source pollution associated with agricultural activities, abandoned mine drainage (AMD), stormwater runoff, energy resource extraction, and streambank and shoreline degradation.  (formal notice)

Eligible applicants include incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities.

Visit DEP’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Grants webpage for all the details.

Other Watershed Grants

April 25-- DEP Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants 

May 13-- NFWF Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund

May 13-- NFWF Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants

May 13-- NFWF Chesapeake Watershed Investments For Landscape Defense (WILD)

May 31-- Commonwealth Financing Authority Act 13 Watershed, Flood, Sewage, Recreation Grants

June 2-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Conservation Grants

June 20-- Growing Greener Plus, Bond Forfeiture, Stormwater Planning Grants

June 20-- EPA Section 319 Grants

October 24-- DEP Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants

Ongoing-- Landowners, Apply Now For Statewide Riparian Tree Plantings 

[Posted: April 21, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

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