Latest news with #GrowingGreener
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania projects that work to combat environmental concerns may now apply for grants
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — In celebration of Earth Day, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it's accepting grant applications for environmental projects. The Growing Greener Plus Grant Program is now accepting applications for its next round and will do so until June 20. The program is the largest investment of state funds to address critical environmental issues, according to a release. Recycling center encourages Penn State fans to separate trash on game day 'Growing Greener is one of the most successful conservation programs in Pennsylvania history, and it is great to see the positive impact that these projects can have for our communities. These grants empower communities to build environmental improvements right where they live – ensuring cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient infrastructure,' DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley said. 'We're proud to open the next round of funding on Earth Day to recognize that protecting the environment benefits our communities and the people of Pennsylvania.' Here's who is eligible for grants: Watershed groups Local or county government Municipal authorities County planning commissions County conservation districts Educational institutions Non-profit organizations Since its inception, the program has provided over $420 million to over 2,800 environmental projects. In previous years, Central Pennsylvania projects that were awarded funds included the Clearfield County Conservation District, which got $200,000 for agricultural and stream restoration BMP implementation. The Elk County Conservation District was also awarded $87,002 for a stream improvement and rain garden project. You can learn more about the Growing Greener Plus Grants and how to apply on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DEP Secretary touts grant program, Pine Grove floodplain project
PINE GROVE — In recognition of Earth Day, state Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley on Tuesday visited the site of a restored stream — the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration project — and announced the next round of a grant program instrumental in supporting the project. Shirley, accompanied by local leaders, made her announcement in front of the site of the flood mitigation project in northern Pine Grove, an area that officials noted is particularly vulnerable to flooding. Officials said the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration project — an expansive state, local and county partnership spurred by the impact of Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 — has done its part to alleviate flooding issues in the area upon its completion in 2020. The goal was to allow floodwaters to flow into an expanded floodplain and wetlands, reducing the flood height that impacted the community, according to the DEP. The project was partially funded by the DEP's Growing Greener Grant program, which Shirley says 'is the largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania history to address critical environmental concerns.' * Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley announces the next round of Growing Greener Grants while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * The Swatara Creek Floodplains extend behind Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley during an annoucnement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 2 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley announces the next round of Growing Greener Grants while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand Shirley touted the benefits of the Growing Greener program on projects like the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration, which addressed the impacts of flooding felt throughout the northern Swatara Creek watershed and surrounding community. She said the site received a Growing Greener grant in 2017; that same year, she said, the Department of Community and Economic Development awarded about $3 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding to the community. 'It's really a time for us to celebrate the power of local action, partnership and a long-term commitment to our environment,' Shirley said. 'Earth Day reminds us that environmental protection is not just a global or national challenge, but it's really a local responsibility — and that's exactly what we see here in Pine Grove.' After the initial wave of funding, Shirley said, county and community partners came together to build what would become 20.9 acres of restored floodplain, 8 acres of wetlands and more than 8,000 linear feet of stabilized streambanks. 'These restoration efforts will reduce the severity and the frequency of flooding, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitats,' Shirley said. Shirley said the next round of Growing Greener grants will be available through June 20. To date, Growing Greener grants have provided almost $420 million in funding to more than 2,800 environmental projects across Pennsylvania, Shirley said. The Swatara Creek project received a total of nearly $1.8 million in Growing Greener funds, according to the DEP. 'Growing Greener funding supports projects that restore watersheds to prevent flooding, like this one here in Pine Grove,' Shirley said. 'They improve water quality, and they reduce nonpoint source pollution across the commonwealth, just like the incredible work completed here along the Swatara Creek.' Wayne Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said the project was a long, complicated process involving many agencies at the state, county and local levels. Wayne G. Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, talks about the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Lehman stressed the importance of carrying out the project in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee, which dumped more than 15 inches in the 120-square-mile Upper Swatara Creek watershed. The storm severely flooded 180 residences and numerous businesses, including the town's largest employer — Guilford Performance Textiles by Lear — which had 36 inches of water inside its facility. Two Guilford representatives, Sierra Deibert and Kelly Stine, noted the project has successfully protected the business from flooding on multiple occasions since December 2020. 'Our business, as well as others in the community, are thankful that this plain was able to get done in a good amount of time,' Deibert said, 'as the flooding in Pine Grove borough could have been so much worse.' * Sierra Deibert, left, and Kelly Stine, right, speak during an announcement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Pine Grove Council member Elaine Holley speaks about its nice not to have her home flood during heavy rains at an annoucnement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 2 Sierra Deibert, left, and Kelly Stine, right, speak during an announcement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand Elaine Holley, vice president of the Pine Grove borough council and a resident of northern Pine Grove, said she can 'sleep a lot better at night' knowing the project has been successful. She said her home had been flooded in the past and caused her to be temporarily displaced from her home. 'I see that it's doing what it's supposed to do,' she said. Also making remarks at the event were state Rep. JoAnne Stehr, R-107; Christine Verdier, chief of staff for state Sen. David G. Argall; and Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senate Committee: Stream maintenance key to preventing devastating floods
Mar. 15—During a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee this week in Williamsport, local officials and conservation experts shared their perspectives on how maintaining and repairing streams prevents flooding from wreaking havoc on homes and employers. The hearing was hosted by Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Williamsport, and chaired by Sen. Dave Argall, R-Pottsville. Much of the discussion focused on proven strategies to prevent flooding including developing and protecting wetlands, providing access to floodplains, and stabilizing stream banks, as well as strategies like dredging gravel which can do more harm than good. Funding sources like the Growing Greener program were also reviewed in detail. The need for more flexibility for local and county governments to address emergency situations quickly in flood-prone areas was also discussed. Permitting delays were cited as a significant roadblock to removing obstructions and other flood-related hazards, with Yaw calling the process "lengthy, tedious, and inefficient." "Last year, nearly every county in my district was impacted by severe flooding from Tropical Storm Debby," Yaw said. "We have an opportunity to help local officials respond more quickly and efficiently to flood-related problems by allowing them to repair and remediate our streams. Proper stream maintenance protects our communities from flood damage." Sen. Argall said any community that has experienced the devastation caused by severe floods will tell you how important it is to plan ahead before the next storm hits. "We've seen how effective stream management can make a world of difference in communities like Pine Grove and Tremont, who experienced devastating floods from the Swatara Creek for years until a team of conservation experts, municipal officials, local employers, and state legislators and agencies created and executed a comprehensive plan to repair the local watershed," Argall said.. Yaw said he will soon reintroduce a package of bills to empower counties, local governments, and conservation districts to promptly act to ensure damaged waterways do not harm nearby communities. Last session, these bills were introduced as Senate Bill 689 and Senate Bill 690. Both bills were approved with bipartisan support in the Senate but were not considered by the House of Representatives. PennDOT and Anthracite Scenic Trails Assoc. to hold public meeting on March 20 The Anthracite Scenic Trails Association (ASTA) invites the public to a public meeting with plans display regarding the Oliver Mills to Mountain Top D&L Trail Segment project. The project consists of constructing a multi-purpose trail on the alignment and grade of the former Lehigh Valley Railroad. The existing surface is an unimproved rail bed with no rails and little or no ballast. The project also includes a trailhead on Lehigh Street in the vicinity of Woodlawn Avenue. The work includes grading and placement of an aggregate trail surface. This project is in Fairview and Hanover townships and Laurel Run Borough in Luzerne County. The construction of this project is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DCNR) and PennDOT under the Transportation Alternative Set Aside (TASA) program. Hanover Township is the administrator of the TASA portion of the funding under an agreement with PennDOT. Construction is anticipated to take place in late 2025. There will be little or no impact to vehicular traffic. The trail may be closed to trail traffic during construction. Public meeting The in-person public display meeting for the project will take place: Time: 7 p.m. Date: Thursday, March 20 Location: Earth Conservancy office, 101 South Main St., Ashley The public comment period is from March 20 to April 18. The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project, display and describe the project, and receive public input regarding questions or concerns with the project. Presentation material is available on ASTA's website Walnutport Post Office unveils Appalachian Trail Stamps The Walnutport, PA Post Office dedicated the Appalachian Trail Stamps — which includes one trail in Pennsylvania — at the Walnutport Post Office, 249 Lehigh Gap St., Walnutport, PA, 18088, on March 7. Alexis McAllister, Assistant Trail Committee Chair-East, Blue Mountain Climbing Club joined Walnutport Postmaster Kate Hutter in dedicating the stamps. Hutter's two children, Otto and Brooke, also delivered speeches regarding how young and old alike can enjoy the PA trail. Customers also were able to obtain a special cancellation to commemorate the event. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers 2,200 miles of unspoiled nature to the millions who hike it each year. Within easy reach of large East Coast metropolitan areas, the Appalachian Trail — often called the AT — provides peace, beauty and a break from the stresses of modern life. Stamp Artwork According to the U.S. Postal Service: —The pane of 15 Forever stamps includes photographs taken by Dave Allen, Hanit Mizrachi Avondoglio, Justin Birt, Sandra Burm, Jenna Foster, Ed Heaton, Drew Housten, Angelo Marcialis, Brent McGuirt, Jessica Rodriguez, Kevin Rohn, Nico Schueler, Bart Smith, and Ryan Tasto. —On the first row, are images from the "green tunnel" — the iconic Mount Katahdin in Maine, and a waterfall in Tennessee. —The second row of stamps feature photos taken from Mount Washington in New Hampshire facing the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, a waterfall along the trail in Georgia, and a view of the Green Mountains in Vermont. —The third row includes an image of a creek in Pennsylvania, a sunset highlighting the fall foliage in the Hagerstown Valley section of the trail as it runs through Maryland, and a view from Jefferson Rock in historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. —Rhododendron blooms in the Roan Mountain highlands of western North Carolina grace the first stamp of row four, followed by a waterfall in the foothills of New York's Catskill Mountains, and a scene from the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. —The last row begins with one of the most iconic sites along the trail, McAfee Knob in Virginia. Next is an image from part of New Jersey's portion of the A.T., a boardwalk that serves to protect a fragile wetland ecosystem. The last stamp photograph shows a footbridge in Connecticut that spans the Ten Mile River at the point where it flows into the Housatonic River.
