Norristown, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded Coastal Zone Grants totaling more than $573,000 to 10 projects in the state’s Southeast region. The grants, which are aimed at protecting and restoring the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone, will be used toward projects that will benefit this critical habitat and ecosystem.
“The Coastal Zone grants are aimed at supporting programs that measure the impact of various pollution sources, improve public access, preserve habitats, and educate the public about the benefits of the state’s coastal zones," said DEP Interim Acting Secretary, Jessica Shirley. "Each year, recipients of these grants do amazing work and the DEP is committed to continue supporting these partners with grant funding and technical assistance."
A coastal zone is an area where land meets the coast and includes both coastal waters and adjacent shorelands. Coastal zones are also under increasing pressure from development, erosion, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Coastal Zone Grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such as bluff recession, and other areas. Grants may also be awarded to other projects in the watershed that have an impact on coastal waters.
The 112-mile Delaware Estuary coastal zone is in Bucks, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties and encompasses islands, marshes, and other areas in the Delaware Estuary watershed. It is the largest freshwater port in the world.
Approved projects include:
Delaware County
- City of Chester – $40,000 to conduct the Chester Creek Trail Connector Project feasibility study
Montgomery County
- Cheltenham Township – $75,000 to conduct Phase 1 planning and design for the Robinson Park Wetland and Stream Restoration
- Partnership for the Delaware Estuary – $70,796 for the Schuylkill Action Students- Green Stormwater Infrastructure Strategy for Schuylkill Watershed Schools Initiative in Montgomery and Berks Counties
Philadelphia County
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission – $50,000 to implement the Coastal Management Program in the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission – $50,000 to investigate multi-municipal planning efforts for Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone municipalities
- Fund for the Water Works (Fairmount Water Works) – $41,000 for planning and design of the Floating Water Workshop
- John Bartram Association – $64,595 for the Community River Access Program and Environmental Education at Bartram’s Garden
- Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. – $72,301 to conduct Delaware Riverfest 2024 events that educate the public about coastal recreation, historic sites, and public access
- PA Cleanways (Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful) – $35,000 to conduct community cleanups and marine debris removal in the Delaware Estuary
- Schuylkill River Development Corporation – $75,000 to complete final design of the Bartram’s to Passyunk segment of the Schuylkill Banks Trail
Pennsylvania’s Coastal Resources Management Program (CRMP) receives an annual grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A portion of this award is used to fund eligible projects that address CRMP priorities. The funds are distributed through sub-grant awards to local and state government agencies as well as nonprofit groups with projects located in the Delaware Estuary or Lake Erie Coastal Zones. Applications are accepted late August through mid-October with project funding awarded on or around October 1 of the following year. To learn more about Coastal Zone grants, visit DEP’s website.
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