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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 24-553

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Growing Greener Plus Grants Program; Request for Applications

[54 Pa.B. 2169]
[Saturday, April 20, 2024]

 As part of the Department of Environmental Protection's (Department) Growing Greener Plus Grants Program, applications will soon be accepted for Growing Greener (Watershed Restoration and Protection) grants under 27 Pa.C.S. §§ 6101—6119 (relating to Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act) and Bond Forfeiture grants under section 18(j) of the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) (52 P.S. § 1396.18(j)). 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, while Bond Forfeiture grants are designed to address legacy mining impacts.

 Eligible applicants 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. The maximum Growing Greener grant request amount is $500,000.

 The Department has identified multiple priority areas for this grant solicitation. 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.

 Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's SMCRA Bond Forfeiture Grant Program to address legacy mining impacts. SMCRA grants are available to various entities including municipalities, municipal authorities and nonprofit organizations for projects meeting Bond Forfeiture grant requirements. 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.

 Grant applications and all attachments must be submitted through the Commonwealth's Electronic Single Application web site, eGrants, at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us.Applications will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. on April 22, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.

 For more information, visit the Department's Growing Greener Plus Grants Program webpage at https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Growing-Greener/Pages/default.aspx.

JESSICA SHIRLEY, 
Interim Acting Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 24-553. Filed for public inspection April 19, 2024, 9:00 a.m.]



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