Dec 19, 2017 2 min read

Four Southwestern Pennsylvania watershed projects are among the 106 statewide that have been approved for the “Growing Greener” program.

In Washington County Conservation District, a $36,683 grant continues a project that began in 2016 to assist landowners by installing streambank fences and stone crossing areas to keep livestock out of an unnamed tributary in Raccoon Creek Watershed near the Cherry Valley reservoir.

Farms in the area have beef cattle and sheep.

Washington County Conservation District is seeking for farmers who would like to participate in the program. They can contact the Conservation District office at 724-705-7098 and ask for Jennifer Dann, watershed specialist, or Tom Ulrich, agricultural technician.

The most recent grant continues a program that began with more than $89,000. The Conservation District works with California University Partners for Fish and Wildlife, which provides matching funds.

Also part of the same Department of Environmental Protection grant announcement was $207,484 for Greene County Conservation District to complete streambed stabilization work on Browns Creek just west of Waynesburg and implement best management practices in the Sycamore and Nineveh areas.

The stream, which is classified as a high quality, warm water fisheries, has been impaired by sedimentation and nutrient runoff caused by various land uses over the years, conservation district manager Lisa Snider said. The district will be working with local farmers and members of California University’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife to design and implements projects to lessen the amount of sedimentation entering the stream, she said.

This could include streambed stabilization employing various methods, improved stream crossings or manure management programs, to name a few, she said.

The program will not require the conservation district to increase staff. The conservation district and project partners, including cooperating landowners, will be contributing either money or in-kind matches of about $73,000 to complete the projects.

Two areas in Westmoreland County east of the Mon Valley were also included: Jacobs Creek Watershed Association, Scottdale, received $350,000 to implement green infrastructure urban stormwater best management practices and the Sewickley Creek Watershed Association in Lowber received $171,725 to treat and manage iron sludge.

The grants were part of $20.7 million distributed statewide for clean water projects through the Environmental Stewardship Fund, from landfill tipping fees.