Young announces nearly $140,000 in Coastal Zone Grants
Funds will increase recreation and education along Schuylkill River Watershed
Rep. Regina Young January 29, 2024 | 9:23 AM
HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware, announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded $139,595 in Coastal Resources Management Program grants to two projects in her Southwest Philadelphia district.
Schuylkill River Development Corporation received $75,000 to finalize the Bartram’s to Passyunk Phase II of the Schuylkill Banks trail and greenway project. This phase is a challenging section of the trail but is critical to connecting the river with Southwest Philadelphia communities, Young said.
John Bartram Association received $64,595 for Community River Access and Environmental Education at Bartram's Garden. The project will sustain year-round environmental education for students and families, while strengthening safe public river access and increased signage.
Young said these funds are an investment in the community and in attracting tourism into the district.
“As a member of the House Tourism and Economic and Recreational Development Committee, I’m always looking for ways to increase visitors to the wealth of opportunities that we have in Southwest Philadelphia. Bartram’s Garden and the Schuylkill Trail are two premier resources that produce year-round educational and recreational opportunities,” Young said. “I’m pleased that these grants will expand the access and enjoyment of these gems right in our backyard.”
The DEP also announced an additional $135,000 in other regional projects that will affect the 185th Legislative District. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and PA CleanWays/Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful received three grants between them to assist with estuary cleanup, technical assistance and improved stormwater management.
Pennsylvania’s Coastal Resources Management Program receives an annual grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This award provides for a portion of the funds to be used for eligible projects that address one or more of the priority areas of the CRM program. Pennsylvania has two coastal areas: 77 miles of shoreline along Lake Erie and 112 miles of coastline along the Delaware Estuary.
The Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone lies within Bucks, Philadelphia and Delaware counties. The coastal zone also contains islands, marshes and shorelands of tributary streams that are tidally influenced. The combined facilities of the Delaware Estuary comprise the largest freshwater port in the world.