HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday a $17,325,163 investment supporting 89 projects across the Commonwealth aimed at restoring streams, improving fish and wildlife habitat, and reclaiming lands scarred by decades of mining.
The grants are being awarded through the Growing Greener program, the state’s largest environmental grant initiative and the biggest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania history dedicated to environmental restoration. Officials said the projects will target polluted waterways, degraded watersheds, and abandoned mine drainage that continues to threaten drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.
DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said the funding will deliver cleaner water, healthier habitats, and reduced pollution in rivers and streams while enabling local governments, conservation districts, and nonprofit organizations to carry out high-impact restoration work.
Of the 89 projects, 77 were selected specifically to restore streams, strengthen watersheds, and address legacy water pollution linked to abandoned mines. A portion of the funding traces back to a high-profile criminal case involving Energy Transfer Marketing & Terminals, L.P., which in 2022 paid $10 million as part of a settlement tied to misconduct during pipeline construction. From that settlement, $1,373,394 in this grant round is supporting six watershed and stream improvement projects in Chester, Beaver, and Lebanon counties.
Additional funding will support six counties developing or updating Act 167 stormwater management plans, including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Fayette, Jefferson, Montgomery, and Westmoreland counties, as communities work to reduce flooding and runoff impacts.
Projects span nearly every region of the state, from streambank stabilization and floodplain restoration to agricultural best management practices, stormwater upgrades, and wildlife habitat improvements. Grants were awarded to a wide range of recipients, including conservation districts, municipalities, universities, watershed groups, and land trusts.
DEP said grantees will have up to three years to complete their projects, with funding distributed through existing Commonwealth grant programs operated by DEP and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to ensure oversight and accountability.
The announcement comes as DEP also prepares for a public review of a proposed oil and gas infrastructure project in Lycoming County. The department will host a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 4:00 PM to accept public comment on permit applications for the Saluda Access Road and Staging Area Project proposed by Pennsylvania General Energy Co., LLC.
The project would involve construction of a 3.9-mile permanent access road, a staging area later used as a well pad, and dozens of permanent and temporary stream and wetland crossings across approximately 40 acres in Cascade and Gamble townships.
Individuals wishing to provide oral testimony must register by noon Monday, February 2, by contacting Megan Lehman at meglehman@pa.gov or 570-327-3659. Written comments will be accepted until 4:00 PM Tuesday, February 10, and may be submitted to RA-EPEASTERNOGPRG@pa.gov or mailed to DEP’s Eastern Oil and Gas District Office in Williamsport.
Permit materials are available for public review on DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office Community Information webpage at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/about-dep/regional-office-locations/northcentral-regional-office. Information on the virtual hearing will also be posted at www.dep.pa.gov under the Public Participation calendar.
More information about the Growing Greener Plus program and future grant opportunities is available on DEP’s website.
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