Paul Doerwald

For Immediate Release:  December 15, 2016

GROWING GREENER COALITION APPLAUDS CONSERVATION & RECREATION GRANTS, CAUTIONS THAT FUNDING IS AT ALL-TIME LOW

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in Pennsylvania, today applauded the state for awarding $45 million in grants to support conservation and recreation projects across the Commonwealth.

However, the Coalition cautioned that funding for these critical projects is at an all-time low and called on the Governor and Legislature to take action.

“The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition applauds the state for investing in grants that will be used to support critical conservation projects across the Commonwealth,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition. “However, the Governor and Legislature must take action to ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, green open spaces, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and nutritious, locally grown food.”

The grants were awarded through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which is largely supported with funds from the Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

Funding for Growing Greener has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to $57 million this year. This represents a 75 percent cut.

The Coalition recently unveiled its blueprint for a statewide Growing Greener III program, detailing the need for more than $315 million in annual investments to protect Pennsylvania’s water, land, communities and other natural resources.

“The Growing Greener I and II programs have a long history of success,” Heath said. “But there is still work to do. With Growing Greener funding at an all-time low, the state needs to be investing more, not less.”

Coalition members are calling on the Legislature and Governor to allocate funding for the establishment of a Growing Greener III program in the upcoming FY17 budget deliberations.

Established in 1999, the state’s Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways. The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment improvements.

Since its inception, the state’s Growing Greener program has enjoyed widespread, bipartisan support. A 2015 Penn State poll found that 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed would support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests, and farms.

The Growing Greener III plan proposed by the Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition has been endorsed by more than 170 conservation, preservation and recreation organizations, as well as several businesses and local governments, representing hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. For a copy of the plan and full list of supporters visit www.growinggreener3.com.

For Immediate Release:  Sept. 19, 2016 

PA GROWING GREENER COALITION UNVEILS BLUEPRINT FOR GROWING GREENER III PROGRAM
Plan Details Need for Protecting Pennsylvania’s Water, Land & Other Natural Resources

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today unveiled its blueprint for a statewide Growing Greener III program.

The proposed plan details the need for $315 million in annual investments to ensure Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, parks and trails, green open spaces, and locally grown food.

“Funding for the state’s Growing Greener program is at an all-time low,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Coalition. “This plan establishes a framework for the Governor and the Legislature to renew the state’s investment and provide the funding necessary to keep our water clean, conserve our land, ensure access to public recreation and preserve our family farms.”

Funding for the state’s Growing Greener program, established in 1999, has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to $57 million this year – a 75 percent cut.  The program is currently funded through tipping fees on waste disposal, as well as contributions from the Marcellus Legacy Fund and the Oil and Gas Lease Fund.

“Pennsylvania has more miles of streams and rivers than any state other than Alaska,” said John Dawes, executive director of the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. “Our goal is to protect the best and restore the rest so there will be clean water for future generations.”

More than 26,000 miles of Pennsylvania’s waterways are classified as impaired, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. This means the state’s rivers and streams are so polluted they cannot sustain aquatic life; are not safe for drinking or recreational use; and cannot support agriculture and other industries. Failure to meet water quality standards could result in greater federal oversight and penalities.

“The viability of Pennsylvania’s two largest industries – agriculture and tourism – depends on clean water and the availability of open space, parks, trails, farmland, and wildlife habitat,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “Our natural treasures support our economy, create healthy communities, and provide recreational opportunities for families.”

Pennsylvania’s Constitution mandates that the Commonwealth conserve and maintain its natural resources. As article 1, section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution reads: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all of the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”

The Coalition’s blueprint for a Growing Greener III program was developed with input from a wide range of stakeholders.

Since its inception, the state’s Growing Greener program has enjoyed widespread, bipartisan support. The program has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more than 50,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of miles of streams and waterways.

A 2015 Penn State poll found that 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed would support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests, and farms.

Further, the Growing Greener program leverages tremendous private, local, and federal matching dollars. For each program dollar spent, more than double is generated from matching funds. In addition, the program also leverages significant volunteer in-kind investments that help to alleviate compliance and restoration costs for farmers, communities, and businesses.

“There is little question that Pennsylvanians value the opportunities and benefits associated with the state’s natural resources,” said Heath. “Growing Greener’s value to the residents of Pennsylvania – through tangible improvements to our communities, natural resources, and quality of life – is extraordinary. The Coalition is looking forward to working with the Governor and the General Assembly to advance a Growing Greener III program that makes meaningful investments in the health and future of our water, land and local communities.”

A full copy of the Coalition’s proposed Growing Greener III plan can be downloaded at www.GrowingGreener3.org.

For Immediate Release:  July 6, 2016

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Applauds CFA Grants, Calls for
Renewed Investment in Growing Greener Program

 (HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation, and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today applauded the Commonwealth Finance Authority’s (CFA) recent approval of more than $17 million in environmental grants and called for renewed investment in the state’s Growing Greener program.

The grants support 118 Act 13 projects funded through the Marcellus Legacy Fund for statewide initiatives that include abandoned mine drainage abatement; abandoned well plugging; sewage treatment; greenways, trails and recreation; baseline water quality data; watershed restoration; and flood control.

“The Coalition worked hard to ensure Act 13 included funding for conservation, recreation, and preservation projects and is pleased that the CFA is investing in projects to keep our drinking water clean, protect our open spaces, and ensure access to parks and other recreational opportunities,” said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Growing Greener Coalition. “However, the need for further investment is greater than ever.

“We urge the Governor and the General Assembly to work together to identify a bipartisan approach to provide adequate funding for a Growing Greener III program to support conservation, recreation, and preservation projects.”

Funding for the Growing Greener program has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million in the mid-2000s to approximately $57 million this year. This is a 75 percent cut.

Established in 1999, the Growing Greener program continues to have widespread, bipartisan public support. A 2015 Penn State poll found that 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians surveyed would support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water, natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests, and farms.

A full list of approved projects can be found here – 2016CFA.

For Immediate Release: May 23, 2016

Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition Applauds Wolf Administration’s Announcement of Growing Greener Grants

Renews Call for Increased Funding to Protect and Preserve Water Resources

(HARRISBURG, PA) The Pennsylvania Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in the Commonwealth, today issued the following statement from Executive Director Andrew Heath in response to the recent announcement by Gov. Wolf that 114 projects will receive a total of $25.1 million in Growing Greener funding through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP):

“The Coalition is pleased that the Wolf administration recognizes the need to improve water quality in Pennsylvania and is 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 important to note, however, that funding for Growing Greener program has declined. Most recently, the 2015-2016 fiscal year budget decreased the fund by $15 million from the previous year’s level of funding.

“Currently, the Environmental Stewardship Fund derives its revenues from the state’s tipping fee as well as the Marcellus Legacy Fund.  But with nearly 20,000 miles of waterways polluted we need to do more.

“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.”

Text of May 18 press release.

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced today the selection of 114 projects to receive $25,143,294 in funding from Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), for the protection of Pennsylvania’s water resources. The selected projects enhance watersheds, mitigate acid mine drainage, and support water pollution cleanup programs.

“The Growing Greener program, and this year’s funding, is an investment in our future and proof that when state government works collaboratively, we achieve long-lasting results,” said Governor Wolf. “The Environmental Stewardship Fund has helped spark innovation and coordinate partnerships to tackle some of the most challenging environmental issues in our state.”

The 114 selected projects range from a wetland basin restoration in Chester County to sustainable outreach programs in Erie County. Projects focus on both statewide initiatives, like improving the health of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay, and local projects, such as riparian buffer enhancement and erosion prevention in Four Mile Run, Westmoreland County. Every project supports DEP’s mission of protecting Pennsylvania’s waters.

“DEP is proud to support local and regional water quality projects throughout the state,” said Secretary John Quigley. “These investments are essential to protecting and conserving the rivers, streams, and watersheds of Pennsylvania.”

The grant awards are made possible by the Growing Greener Grant Program, the largest single investment of state funds that address Pennsylvania’s environmental concerns. Growing Greener encourages partnerships between counties, municipalities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations, and other organizations to restore and protect the environment.

The Growing Greener program is supported by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which receives its funding from landfill tipping fees. Twelve projects this year received their funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program, created by the Clean Water Act to reduce water pollution. Four projects received funding from the Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Set Aside Program, funded by the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act and designed to abate AMD pollution. Of the 208 grant applications received for consideration this year, more than half of the proposed projects were awarded grant funding.

For more information on the Growing Greener Grant Program, click here or email [email protected].

The organizations that were awarded are listed below, by grant type and alphabetically by county, with the project name and funding amount.

GROWING GREENER:

Adams

• Adams County Conservation District, Beaverdam Creek Stream Bank Stabilization: $16,878

Allegheny

• Allegheny County Conservation District, Montour Run Watershed Assessment and Implementation Plan: $94,065

• Allegheny County Parks Foundation, South Park Green Parking Solution: $77,130

• Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, Kentucky Hollow AMD Treatment System: $369,007

Armstrong

• Armstrong Conservation District, Garretts Run BMP Grant: $245,000

Beaver

• Allegheny County Conservation District, Raccoon Creek Streambank Remediation: $54,395

• Beaver County Conservation District, North Fork Little Beaver Stabilization / Habitat Project II: $25,667

• Stream Restoration Incorporated, Raccoon Creek Bank & Buffer Project: $99,785

Berks

• Berks County Conservation District, Establishing a Berks County Mushroom Environmental Initiative: $111,350

• The Trust for Tomorrow, The Maiden Creek Tributary Stream Restoration Project: $116,000

Blair

• Blair County Conservation District, Blair County – Priority Streambank Restoration Projects: $82,000

Bradford

• Wysox Creek Watershed Association, Inc., Comprehensive Watershed Conservation in Parks and Bullard Creeks: $758,452

Bucks

• Heritage Conservancy, Hart’s Woods Preserve Riparian Buffer Restoration: $17,048

• Lower Southampton Township, Brookside and Pennsylvania Boulevard Basin Naturalization Projects: $103,777

• Township of Bensalem, Cornwells Basin and Constructed Wetland: $173,170

Butler

• Butler County Conservation District, Little Buffalo AG BMP Grant: $220,500

Cambria

• Cambria County Conservation District, Emeigh Run Streambank Stabilization Project: $4,505

• Stream Restoration Incorporated, Puritan AMD Full Treatment: $538,944

Centre

• Penns Valley Conservation Association, Upper Penns Creek Watershed Stream Restoration: $172,600

Chester

• Chester County Conservation District, Restoration of an Unnamed Headwater Tributary to Leech Run: $105,500

• Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Installation of Infiltration Trench on Dayleview Road: $150,000

• West Goshen Township, Extended Detention Wetland Basin Retrofit-Restoration & Demonstration: $296,400

Clearfield

• Trout Unlimited, Inc., MR Tuff/MR Frog Rehabilitation & Improvement Project: $91,385

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Knisley Land Restoration-AMD Reduction: $211,778

Crawford

• Borough of Cochranton, Cochranton Borough Stormwater BMP and Demonstration: $22,840

• Crawford County Conservation District, Response to Hydrilla Infestation in Pymatuning Reservoir: $191,833

Delaware

• Pennsylvania Resources Council, Inc., Darby-Cobbs Stormwater Initiative: $89,883

• Rose Valley Borough, Ridley Creek Stabilization and Restoration: $39,046

Erie

• Environment Erie, Service Learning Projects : $31,050

• Environment Erie, BeginANEW Stormwater Education and Management: $48,285

• Erie County Conservation District, VinNES Sustainable Outreach and BMP Program: $364,610

Fayette

• Fayette County Conservation District, Stony Fork Ag BMPs Project: $13,373

• Fayette County Conservation District, Meadow Run Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant: $27,864

• Trout Unlimited, Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Glade Run Alkaline Sand Addition Project: $64,115

Franklin

• Franklin County Conservation District, Agriculture Planning in UNT Muddy Run: $50,323

Greene

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, SGL 223: Whiteley Creek Riparian Planting: $27,800

Huntingdon

• Huntingdon County Conservation District, Warriors Mark Run Agricultural BMPs (Cox and Conrad Farms): $237,205

• Huntingdon County Conservation District, Little Juniata River Agricultural BMPs (Ormsby Farm): $225,352

• Huntingdon County Conservation District, Saddler Creek Agricultural BMPs (Metz Farm): $133,403

• The Trust for Tomorrow, The Brown Farm at Sadler Creek Stream Restoration Project: $33,000

Indiana

• Stream Restoration Incorporated, Neal Run Restoration Project – Phase II: $100,000

Jefferson

• Headwaters Charitable Trust, Howe Creek Coalition of Clarion and Jefferson: $95,587

• Headwaters Charitable Trust, Filson 1/2 & Glenn 17 Passive Treatment Systems-Operation, Maintenance & Replacement: $258,217

Lackawanna

• Congregation of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, IHM Center Meadow Brook Watershed Protection Project: $262,158

Lancaster

• City of Lancaster, Intermunicipal Watershed Action Plan: $40,000

• Lancaster Farmland Trust, Pequea Creek Watershed Agricultural BMP’s: $482,592

• Octoraro Watershed Association, Bells Run Conservation Plan and BMP Assistance: $64,500

Lawrence

• Lawrence County Conservation District, Slippery Rock Watershed Agricultural Restoration: $810,283

Lebanon

• Lebanon Valley Conservancy Inc., Quittapahilla Creek EPA 319 Watershed Implementation Plan: $26,250

Lehigh

• City of Allentown, Livingston Watershed Green Stormwater Infrastructure: $300,000

Luzerne

• Butler Township, The Wash Sediment Abatement Project: $170,000

• Earth Conservancy, Bliss Bank Reclamation Phase II: $734,600

• Luzerne Conservation District, Luzerne County 2015 Ag and Stream Protection Projects: $504,542

Lycoming

• Lycoming County Conservation District, Agricultural Stormwater BMPs: $150,000

McKean

• McKean County Conservation District, Upper Allegheny Ag BMP’s Project: $278,986

Monroe

• Paradise Township, Paradise Creek Restoration Project: $693,596

Montgomery

• Abington Township, Sandy Run TMDL Projects: $186,000

• Lower Gwynedd Township, Lower Gwynedd Basins and Dam Naturalization: $60,850

• Upper Gwynedd Township, Wissahickon Headwaters Green Stormwater Infrastructure: $305,000

• Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, Wissahickon Headwaters Stream and Riparian Restoration Project: $369,600

Montour

• Montour County Conservation District, Mahoning Creek Restoration Project: $611,037

• Montour County Conservation District, Sitler Roof and Manure Storage Project: $139,165

Northampton

• Wildlands Conservancy, Inc., Oughoughton Creek Watershed Restoration Project: $106,000

Northumberland

• Northumberland County Conservation District, Chillisquaque Creek Streambank Stabilization Project: $20,055

• Point Township: Kapp Heights Stormwater Management Project – Phase 1: $611,703

Philadelphia

• Philadelphia City Treasurer, City of Philadelphia Water Department, Germantown Green Bowls on Park Sites: $300,000

Schuylkill

• Mahanoy Creek Watershed Association, Packer 5 AMD Treatment Design: $85,581

• Schuylkill Conservation District, Good Spring Creek Floodplain Restoration Phase 1: $459,445

• Schuylkill Conservation District, Mill Creek AMD Watershed Restoration Plan Development: $64,857

• Schuylkill Conservation District, Delaware Watershed Agricultural Planning Initiative: $30,000

• Schuylkill Conservation District, Animal Heavy Use Area Protection Project: $321,817

Snyder

• Snyder County Conservation District, Snook Barnyard Improvement Project: $275,000

Tioga

• Mill Cove Incorporated, Mill Cove Streambank Stabilization Project: $93,000

Union

• Union County Conservation District, Buffalo Creek Stream Corridor and Wetland Improvement Project: $33,500

Warren

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Improvement Project: $95,770

Washington

• Washington County Conservation District, Raccoon Creek Watershed Agricultural BMPs: $81,608

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Blaine Township Park Restoration: $113,200

Westmoreland

• Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Inc., Fourmile Run Restoration Project: $328,000

• Westmoreland County Conservation District, Turtle Creek Ag BMPs – Steel’s Run: $22,965

• Westmoreland County Conservation District, First Presbyterian Church of Murrysville, Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company: $102,893

• Westmoreland County Conservation District, Beaver Run AG BMPs #2 – Rebitch Farm: $15,655

• Westmoreland County Conservation District, Sloan Elementary School: $129,085

Wyoming

• Mehoopany Creek Watershed Association, Inc., Rogers Hollow Stream Restoration – Phase 1 Construction: $397,998

Multiple Counties

• Bucktail Watershed Association, Defending Native Plants in the First Fork: $24,130

• Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Stream Restoration and BMP Implementation: $354,972

• Northwest Pennsylvania Eminent Community Institute, Management & Continuation of the Northwest PA Greenways Implementation Block Grants: $400,000

• Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., PACD Engineering Technical Assistance Program: $1,528,516

• Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, TreeVitalize XII: $250,000

• Pennsylvania State University, PaOneStop Manure Management & Nutrient Balance Modules: $168,208

• Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council, C-SAW-Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (1X): $820,000

• Stream Restoration Incorporated, Datashed 3: $105,718

• Stream Restoration Incorporated: Passive Treatment O&M Technical Assistance 3: $180,000

• Stroud Water Research Center, Inc., Delivering the Berks-Chester RCPP: $249,922

• Trout Unlimited, Inc., West Branch Susquehanna Recovery Benchmark II: $128,515

• Trout Unlimited, Inc., AMD Technical Assistance Program: $225,000

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Community Riparian Restoration Education Project: $57,635

• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Driftwood Branch Sinnemahoning Creek Riparian Restoration: $65,458

• Wildlands Conservancy, Inc., Black Creek Watershed AMD Restoration Plan: $70,191

TOTAL: $20,694,678

319 NONPOINT SOURCE GRANTS RECIPIENTS:

Allegheny

• Pine Creek Land Conservation Trust, Crouse Run Stream Restoration: $13,800

Bedford

• Broad Top Township, Sandy Run SA0-D10 AMD Remediation: $400,000

Berks

• Berks County Conservation District, Surface Water Assessment in the Maiden & Sacony Creek Watersheds: $60,080

Clearfield

• Clearfield County Conservation District, Deer Creek AMD Treatment Construction: $883,174

Cumberland

• Cumberland County Conservation District, Middle Spring Creek WIP Implementation Phase II: $62,912

Delaware

• Villanova University: VUSP – PaDEP – Stormwater Best Management Practice National Monitoring Site: $323,366

Indiana

• Indiana County Conservation District, WIP SW Region Ag Initiative: $285,092

Lancaster

• West Lampeter Township, Groff Property Floodplain Restoration: $198,950

Mifflin

• Mifflin County Conservation District, Upper Kishacoquillas Creek and Hungry Run Surface Water Assessment: $72,692

Schuylkill

• Schuylkill Headwaters Association, Inc., Reevesdale #2 AMD Restoration Project Phase 2 – Optimization: $485,722

Westmoreland

• Jacobs Creek Watershed Association, Mt. Pleasant Plaza Storm Water Retrofit (Green Infrastructure): $233,299

• Jacobs Creek Watershed Association, Mt. Pleasant Shop N Save: $235,926

TOTAL: $3,255,013

ACID MINE DRAINAGE (AMD) SET-ASIDE GRANTS RECIPIENTS:

Elk

• Headwaters Charitable Trust, Kyler Hollow AMD Passive Treatment System – ALD 1 & ALD 2 Rehabilitation: $618,118

• Headwaters Charitable Trust, Hayes Run & Backside Hayes AMD Passive Treatment Systems – Modifications/Improvements: $384,918

Fayette

• Mountain Watershed Association, Inc., Rondell-Correal AMD Treatment System: $123,543

Schuylkill

• Schuylkill Conservation District, Upper Swatara Creek QHUP AMD Monitoring Project: $67,024

TOTAL: $1,193,603

GRAND TOTAL: $25,143,294

Media contacts: Neil Shader, 717-787-1323; or Jeff Sheridan, 717-783-1116

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