NORRISTOWN, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recently awarded more than $573,000 in Coastal Zone Grants to 10 projects in the state’s Southeast region, marking a significant investment in the protection and restoration of the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone. This cash injection will fund initiatives aimed at safeguarding this critical habitat and ecosystem from increasing pressures such as development, erosion, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Coastal zones, where land meets coast, are crucial areas encompassing both coastal waters and adjacent shorelands. The grants will support projects related to fisheries, wetlands, recreation, public education, coastal hazards like bluff recession, and more. They may also fund other watershed initiatives that impact coastal waters.
Spanning 112 miles across Bucks, Delaware, and Philadelphia Counties, the Delaware Estuary coastal zone includes islands, marshes, and other areas within the Delaware Estuary watershed. Notably, it is the world’s largest freshwater port.
Among the approved projects are:
- The City of Chester in Delaware County is receiving $40,000 for the Chester Creek Trail Connector Project feasibility study.
- In Montgomery County, Cheltenham Township will receive $75,000 for Phase 1 planning and design for the Robinson Park Wetland and Stream Restoration.
- The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary was granted $70,796 for the Schuylkill Action Students- Green Stormwater Infrastructure – Strategy for Schuylkill Watershed Schools Initiative in Montgomery and Berks Counties.
In Philadelphia County, multiple projects have been greenlit, including two $50,000 grants to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for implementing the Coastal Management Program and investigating multi-municipal planning efforts. The John Bartram Association received $64,595 for the Community River Access Program and Environmental Education at Bartram’s Garden. The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. will use its $72,301 grant to conduct Delaware Riverfest 2024 events aimed at educating the public about coastal recreation, historic sites, and public access.
Pennsylvania’s Coastal Resources Management Program (CRMP) receives an annual grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A portion of this award is used to fund eligible projects addressing CRMP priorities, with funds distributed through sub-grant awards to local and state government agencies as well as nonprofit groups with projects in the Delaware Estuary or Lake Erie Coastal Zones.
These grants not only protect our natural resources but also support educational and recreational initiatives that foster a deeper appreciation for our state’s unique coastal ecosystems. As we look ahead, it’s clear that the health of the Delaware Estuary and other coastal zones remains a priority for Pennsylvania’s environmental stewardship efforts.
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