Goals and Purposes of Watershed Restoration grants

Watershed Restoration grants are available to non-profit organizations, watershed organizations, conservation districts and county, municipal and local governments to undertake implementation projects that will improve the quality and/or quantity of water in the Schuylkill River and its tributaries. The goal of the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund is to support projects in the Schuylkill River watershed that are consistent with restoration and water management goals for the entire basin.

Funding Priorities

Implementation Projects:

Land Transaction Assistance Projects:

Targeted to assist land trusts and conservation organizations with the transaction costs associated with the preservation of targeted lands within priority watersheds. A separate set of guidelines has been established for this program.

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Evaluation Process

Projects will be evaluated in a two-step process that includes (1) a Letter of Intent followed by (2) an invitation to submit a full application if the Letter of Intent is recommended by the Advisory Committee. (Letter of Intent is not required for Land Transaction projects)

Criteria

Evaluation factors:

• The project’s ability to improve the quality and/or quantity of water in the Schuylkill River;
• The project exhibits high standards of planning and design, including implementation of Best Management Practices;
• The relationship to previous watershed restoration efforts;
• The project is consistent with local, state, federal, or other plans, for example, River Conservation Plans, Nutrient Management Plans, Act 167 plans, etc.
• The project is positioned for implementation with project design substantially complete and needing little or no additional planning;
• The project is single-phased or in the final phase of implementation.
  • Projects that will require multiple phases to have demonstrable affects on water quality and/or quantity will not be considered unless the submitted phase will result in measurable improvements;
• The project will require minimal monitoring following completion to demonstrate positive environmental effects;
• The project will effectively leverage the resources of two or more partners, including a sponsoring partner with sufficient capacity to manage and complete the project.
• The projects ability to utilize volunteers;
• How the project will impact low income or underserved communities.
• The project exhibits innovative, green and sustainable approaches and design.
• Grant funds may not be used for projects being undertaken exclusively to meet state, federal or local regulations and requirements.
• Grant funds may not be used for land acquisition. Please refer to the guidelines for the Land Transaction Assistance Program for more information.

Award Amounts

• Grant applicants may request between $20,000 and $100,000.
• Applicants working in the Perkiomen Creek Watershed may request between $5,000 and $100,000

Match Requirements

• All projects require a minimum of 25% match.
• Cash and in kind services are eligible match sources. However, projects showing high levels of cash match will be given priority in the ranking and grant award process.
• Matching funds derived from private, non-governmental sources are encouraged, but not required. Federal and state funds are eligible sources of match.

Grant Period

All projects must be completed by December 31, 2026. A one year extension may be requested but must be submitted in writing and approved by the Advisory Committee.

Eligible Expenses

Grant funds may be used for the following purposes:

• Implementation: Includes labor, materials, signage, site preparation, permit fees, and any other direct costs.
• Project management: Up to 10% of the grant award may be utilized for direct costs Associated with project management by the applicant or subcontractor.
• Eligible project management expenses include: subcontractor/consultant fees, salary for organizational staff responsible for project implementation, travel, meeting expenses and other direct costs.
• If a project has remaining design issues that need to be completed prior to implementation, the review committee will consider this as an eligible expense on a case by case basis. However, the applicant must demonstrate that the project’s implementation phase will still be completed during the three year grant period.

Contractor Selection:

All contractors working on projects funded by a grant through this program must be selected by a competitive process. Applicants who desire to use specific contractors not selected competitively, may request approval to do so from the Schuylkill River Greenways. The Schuylkill River Greenways reserves the right to review and approve all selected contractors.

Letter of Intent Process

Organizations must submit an online of the Letter of Intent must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 15, 2024.

Submit Letter of Intent

Full Application Process

Invited organizations should submit an online application. This application will include:

1. Application Information
2. Project Information
3. Project Narrative
4. Budget Information
5. Attachments
6. Review, Sign, Submit

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Applicants who are invited to submit a full application will also be expected to present their proposed project to the Advisory Committee.  These presentations will be held in May at the offices of the Schuylkill River Greenways in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. A representative of the Schuylkill River Greenways will contact you to set up the presentation time.

APRIL 17, 2024 DEADLINE

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