The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for its 2015 Growing Greener Plus Watershed Protection and Restoration Grants Program. Applications will be accepted until July 10. (formal notice)

For the upcoming grant round, the Department will invest in projects that will ultimately protect or restore, or both, watersheds in the Commonwealth from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution, with a focus on priority activities.

Examples of special priority activities include: projects located in priority watersheds identified by the Department that reduce the source of impairment; priority 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. A full list of priority activities is available in the grant application.

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 Grant Programs and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program.

SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and 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.

More information and applications will be available from DEP’s Growing Greener webpage.

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