Grants and Studies

Growing Greener Grant Application (Word Doc) This grant request would provide funding for the design, permitting, and construction of the first Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation. BMP Site 3 was one of nine available sites identified in the December 2006 Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Assessment - Restoration and Management Plan. Site 3 was selected as the first site for implementation due to the fact that Lebanon County owns the majority of the land area required to construct the BMP and has agreed to donate the land for this use. Once constructed, this BMP will remove sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorous from the watershed.

Creation of the Quittapahilla Wetland Preserve (PDF) It was our hope that these wetlands will serve as a storm water basin, nutrient containment reservoir and sediment trap during peak discharges, thus alleviating the severity of flooding. In addition to protecting the environment, an educational function will be provided through mulched footpaths and/or observation bridges so that the public has access to the area to make them more aware of the importance of wetlands. Students and organizations shall assist in the planting of wetland species appropriate to this environment. Over time, the area will be monitored for natural succession as wetland species emerge.

Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program 1st Grant (Word Doc) The goal of this project was to install stream bank fencing and to plant trees and shrubs in riparian buffers on cattle and dairy farms in the Quittapahilla Watershed. Along with the Quittapahilla Creek; Bachman Run, Beck Creek and Snitz Creek were the focus of these activities. Department of Environmental Protection has identified these tributaries as impaired waters. Non-point source pollution from nutrients, and sediment from surface runoff and nutrients from groundwater pollution have impacted the streams. We enlisted help from individual volunteers (including DEP) and local organizations for this project.

Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program 2nd Grant (Word doc) The goal of this project was to continue the stabilization of the habitat along the Quittapahilla Creek stream bank. Besides the Quittapahilla Creek, the focus of this project included, Snitz Creek, Killinger Creek, Beck Creek, and Bachman Run were restored and stabilized. Activities along these tributaries included, installation of stream bank fencing, stream bank stabilization, replacing the riparian buffer, and monitoring the water quality. This project was made possible by many organizations in the area.

The Hammer Creek (Word document)   We met with the Susquehannock Flyfishers and reviewed their goals for the Upper Hammer Creek Watershed. Eventually, 9916 feet of stream bank on six cattle farms in the Upper Hammer Creek Watershed were fenced and riparian buffers were planted along the fencing. Additionally, stream bank stabilization was accomplished on one farm and BMP work was done on additional farms.

Little Swatara Creek (Word document)   A grant to supplement this DEP Grant was one received from DCNR that provided the Quittapahilla Watershed Association the funds to install over 9825 feet of stream bank fencing on the Little Swatara (Funk Farm, Herr Farm, T. Martin Farm). The DEP funds were used to put in the necessary cattle crossings and associated work on the Funk Farm, Herr Farm, T. Martin Farm, and the Earl Zeigler Farm.