Burns: $1 million available for planting trees along streams; $250,000 for snowmobile/ATV trails
Rep. Frank Burns October 4, 2017 | 12:54 PM
EBENSBURG, Oct. 4 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, reminds landowners that the state is making $1 million in grant money available for planting trees along streams to improve water quality, while another $250,000 is being expended for snowmobile/ATV trails and projects.
Burns said applications are being taken now through Dec. 20 for these Community Conservation Partnership Program grants through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He urged anyone who needs help applying to contact his Ebensburg office at (814) 472-8021.
“Pennsylvania has a goal of planting nearly 100,000 acres of streamside buffers by 2025, to improve water quality, slow down runoff and reduce sedimentation and fertilizer pollution,” Burns said. “Eligible snowmobile/ATV trail projects include acquisition, planning, development, rehabilitation or maintenance of designated routes on land for motorized recreation activities – including the purchase of related equipment.”
Burns said individual landowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, local governments and educational institutions are all eligible for the buffer grants, but must be prequalified. Information about how to prequalify is available online on the DCNR grant portal, available at https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/Dashboard/Grants.
Funding for snowmobile/ATV projects is through the ATV Management Restricted Account and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account, both of which are supported by registration fees, Burns said.
Funding for the grants is coming from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.