The PA Growing Greener Coalition Thursday issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to Gov. Wolf’s announcement of 106 local clean water projects will receive Growing Greener Program funding--

“The Coalition applauds the Wolf administration and General Assembly for recognizing the need to improve water quality in Pennsylvania and for investing in projects to enhance our watersheds, mitigate acid mine drainage, and support programs to reduce pollution.

“These investments through the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund are critical to keeping our drinking water clean and ensuring that current and future generations are able to enjoy our rivers, lakes, streams and other waterways.

“It is also important to note, however, that funding for Growing Greener program needs to be increased. Funding for Growing Greener has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to less than $60 million this year. This represents a nearly 75 percent reduction.”

“The Coalition urges lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to come together to advance a Growing Greener III initiative to continue investments to protect and preserve Pennsylvania’s water resources as well as our green open spaces, family farms, parks and trails, and historic sites.”

Of the 106 local water clean-up projects awarded through the Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener program, fifty-one are in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Pennsylvania has a federal mandate to reduce nitrogen, phosphorous and sediment pollution in the watershed.

Click Here for a list of local clean water projects funded.  For more information on the program, visit DEP’s Growing Greener Program webpage.

According to the DEP, the Growing Greener grant program is the largest single investment of state funds to address Pennsylvania’s environmental challenges. Since 1999, DEP has provided more than $296 million towards environmental projects statewide.

For more information on green infrastructure funding needs, visit the PA Growing Greener Coalition website.  The Coalition is the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth.

It’s mission is to enhance the health and economic well-being of communities across the Commonwealth by advocating for funding to conserve, protect and restore land, water and wildlife; to preserve farms and historic places, and to provide well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state.

Established in 2008, the Coalition comprises local, regional and statewide conservation, recreation and preservation groups.

NewsClips:

Bradford, Lycoming, Susquehanna County Projects Awarded Growing Greener Grants

Growing Greener Grants Awarded To Western PA Communities

Related Stories:

Gov. Wolf Announces Growing Greener Grant Awards To 106 Local Clean Water Projects

DCNR  Invests $44 Million In Local Recreation, Natural Resource Conservation Projects

Growing Greener Coalition Applauds DCNR Grants To Support Local Conservation, Recreation Projects, Cautions Funding Is Insufficient

DEP Awards $550,000 For 15 Projects To Protect Lake Erie, Delaware Estuary Areas

[Posted: Dec. 7, 2017]

12/11/2017