FROSTBURG, MD. (April 12, 2012) - The E.P.A. and American Rivers today announced the 6 recipients of $1,373,119 in environmental grants to benefit communities, and protect rivers and clean water in the Potomac Highlands region of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The announcement was made at Frostburg University in Frostburg, Md. by by E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, and American Rivers Senior Vice President for Conservation Chris Williams. The university will be involved in the Frostburg Grows, Grow It Local Greenhouse Project, submitted by Western Maryland Resource Conservation & Development Council, Incorporated one of the 6 plans selected to gain a grant. This plan will convert unused mine land into a five-acre greenhouse complex designed to train community members for high quality jobs while producing local food and tree seedlings.
Under a cooperative arrangement with EPA, American Rivers is implementing the environmental grant plan which supports local economies and quality of life enhancements in the Potomac Highlands, as well as protecting the Highlands' valuable ecosystems, some of which host the most diverse and globally important resources on Earth.
"The communities that comprise the Potomac Highlands will significantly benefit from this grant," said E.P.A. Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "The plans receiving grants today undertake a variety of approaches to achieve tangible economic and environmental benefits for this unique area. These grants will provide jobs and job training as well as a significant boost to recreational activities."
"American Rivers is proud to be part of this ambitious grant program, supporting the work of communities across the Potomac Highlands to safeguard the clean water and healthy rivers that are central to the region's economic prosperity and quality of life," said Chris Williams, American Rivers' senior vice president for conservation. "We congratulate the grant recipients for their hard work and innovative ideas. We hope these plans inspire other communities and are replicated across the region and the nation."
"The exciting Grow it Local Greenhouse plan will not only have numerous ecological benefits, it will also support the regional economy and green jobs, a priority of Governor Martin O'Malley," said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin.
Today, American Rivers also announced the availability of a 2nd round of backing through the Potomac Highlands Implementation Grant Program. In 2011 E.P.A. awarded American Rivers a $1.8 million to administrator this grant program. A total of $300,000 from that original fund has become accessible for organizations to apply for. This round will have the same requirements as the 1st round. Awards will range between $150,000 and $300,000, so one or 2 additional grants will be awarded. Proposals are due May 25th. All of the details can be found in the Request for Proposals at www.americanrivers.org/potomachighlands, including staff contact information.
The Highlands region is the headwaters of the Potomac River, which flows through the nation's capital. The region's streams and forests, which provide an estimated 186,000 jobs in the timber industry, are a rich habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants, as well as increasingly popular recreation and tourism destination. Many of the region's streams have been damaged by harmful logging, mining, dams, and other development, but opportunities abound for river restoration and revitalization.
The grant recipients are:
MARYLAND
Frostburg Grows, Grow It Local Greenhouse Plan (Frostburg, MD)
Sub-grantee: Western Maryland Resource Conservation & Development Council, Incorporated
Amount: $300,000
This Plan will convert unused mined land into a 5-acre greenhouse complex designed to train community members for high quality jobs while producing local food and tree seedlings. The environmental, social and economic benefits include reducing Potomac basin flooding and acid mine drainage, reestablishing natural forest habitat on strip-mined lands, creating 2 permanent, sustainable jobs and a training facility that will help create additional job opportunities, and providing local healthy food to the residents of western Maryland.
PENNSYLVANIA
Marsh Creek Watershed Conservation Easement (Adams County, PA)
Sub-grantee: Land Conservancy of Adams County, Pennsylvania
Amount: $250,000
The Land Conservancy of Adams Co. will permanently preserve in excess of 147 acres of forest through a conservation easement on lands owned by Boyer Nurseries and Orchards. These high quality forestlands include the headwaters of Marsh Creek and are adjacent to in excess of 900 contiguous acres of preserved forestland that provide important bird habitat. LCAC is seeking other sources of backing to preserve additional orchard lands.
VIRGINIA
Shenandoah Valley Priority Lands Plan (VA)
Sub-grantee: Potomac Conservancy
Amount: $150,000
The Priority Lands Plan will protect important riverside, agricultural, and forested lands in the northern Shenandoah Valley with permanent conservation easements. Conservation of these key lands, totaling in excess of 1,100 acres, will preserve water quality in the Shenandoah River, the Potomac River's biggest tributary. It will also safeguard farms, forests, scenery, and the heritage and recreational opportunities for which the Valley is known.
Restoring Peyton Creek (Staunton, VA)
Sub-grantee: City of Staunton, Virginia
Amount: $209,244
This creek restoration Plan will enhance water quality, encourage 21st century redevelopment, and beautify the Staunton community. The City of Staunton and its partners will remove 300 feet of culvert and restore streamside plantings in Gypsy Hill Park; daylight the stream and restore streamside plantings along 600 linear feet at Gypsy Hill Place; restore the Churchville Avenue Floodplain and; establish a rain garden and restore streamside vegetation along 200 feet of recently daylighted creek at 280/274 North Central Avenue.
Restoring Waynesboro's Riverfront Parks (Waynesboro, VA)
Sub-grantee: City of Waynesboro
Amount: $163,875
The City of Waynesboro will restore riverside habitat, stabilize streambanks, and enhance management of polluted runoff to enhance water quality at 2 public parks along the South River. The Plan will also enhance habitat for eastern brook trout, enhance recreation opportunities, and build upon the South River Greenway Plan currently underway in Waynesboro.
WEST VIRGINIA
Gandy Ranch Plan Restoring Habitat and Landscape Connections (WV)
Sub-grantee: The Nature Conservancy
Amount: $300,000
The Plan will protect a 455-acre landscape connector between the Laurel Fork Wilderness Area and the Seneca Rocks/Spruce Knob Recreation Area of Monongahela National Forest. It will restore and reconnect red spruce/northern hardwood forests to expand the habitat of the federally protected West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel and Cheat Mountain Salamander. Partners include The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, the Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative, the US Forest Service, and the Mountain Institute.
American Rivers is a leading organization working to protect and restore the nation's rivers and streams. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore in excess of 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the yearly release of America's Most Endangered Rivers?.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and in excess of 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide.
For more information on EPA's strategy project for restoration and protection of E.P.A. Highlands Action Program, go to www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/highlands-plan.html.
For more information about the grant recipients, go to: www.americanrivers.org/potomachighlands.
