Attachment D

PROJECT 1201

DEP STAFF

Central & Field Operations

$ 899,436

Indirects

$ 195,405

Goal 2: Protecting America’s Waters

Objective 2.2: Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems

INTRODUCTION

This project is to provide the basis for the day to day operations of the 319 program in Pennsylvania, the support the broader nonpoint source efforts of implementing Pennsylvania’s Nonpoint Source Management Program and to strengthen the links between Central Office Program Staff and the Regional Offices and District Mining Offices and to enhance the roles of the DEP Regional Offices and District Mining Offices in the Nonpoint Source Program.

DEP Regional Offices

The project will continue funding NPS activities by regional office staff within the six DEP Regional Office staff providing 319 project oversight. It provides for 8.56 work years of effort. The regional offices currently provide the 319 program with semi-annual reports of highlighted Nonpoint Source activities occurring within their respect offices. The reportable activities will include progress of implementing the 319 watershed implementation plans. Some possible measures could include: number of 319 funded projects serving as project advisor, number of watershed association meetings attended, number of field visits on NPS projects, number of substantive encounters providing assistance to county conservation district watershed specialists on NPS activities. In addition, each regional office will continue to report on NPS activities that are not the same in all six regions. Some examples of these activities may include:

  • Stormwater Management and Act 167
  • Participation by our Southeast and Southcentral Office staff in Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) activities
  • Assistance and support to many watershed associations throughout the State
  • Participation in TMDL development and implementation
  • Advisors for Growing Greener grants
  • Nutrient trading activities

DEP Regional Office staffmembers play an important role in the 319 outreach efforts and the process for selecting 319 projects and serving as project advisors. Watershed managers in the DEP Southeast Regional Office also support NPS issues dealing with the Delaware Estuary Program and the Chapter 6217 Coastal Nonpoint Source Program.

DEP Mining Offices

Environmental problems caused by past coal mining affect 45 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Mining related pollution is Pennsylvania’s largest contributor to NPS pollution. Pennsylvania’s NPS Management Program Plan contains the objective to restore 100 stream miles to designated uses by improving aquatic habitats to restore fish and associated aquatic life in streams impaired by abandoned mine drainage (AMD). Pennsylvania’s 319 program has been funding projects to treat AMD discharges since FY1991. PADEP NPS program has targeted 34 priority watersheds throughout Pennsylvania for completion of WIPs. Seventeen of these watersheds have AMD as the primary pollutant causing impairment. There are currently 37 active 319-funded implementation projects that are AMD related.

The Department’s NPS Section has relied on input from the Department’s Mineral Resources Management (MRM) staff in selecting AMD projects. The assistance includes providing technical expertise in viewing system designs to determine if they will work, guidance in securing required environmental permits, and finalizing work plans and budgets for specific projects. During the application process MRM staff often has knowledge about things that surround the application that may not be contained in the application. In addition, MRM staff serves as extended project advisors to NPS staff. Assistance includes field visits to project sites during construction activities, providing concurrence on reimbursement requests and progress reports and final inspection of systems at completion of projects. MRM staff also follow-up to treatment systems to assure they are still functioning properly.

The NPS Section staff need the continued technical support of the MRM DMO staff in managing 319 funded AMD projects. This 319 project will provide funding to DMO staff for their technical expertise on 319-funded AMD projects including:

  • Field visits to project sites during construction activities
  • Providing concurrence on reimbursement requests and progress reports
  • Final inspection of systems at completion of projects.
  • Follow-up visits to treatment systems to assure they are still functioning properly.

DEP Central Office (Bureau of Watershed Protection)

All DEP central office staff is in the Bureau of Watershed Management. Within the Watershed Protection Division, the NPS Management Section manages the overall Nonpoint Source Program statewide. Another section within this division, Watershed Support, provides overall support and coordination to watershed groups and other related programs. The TMDL program is also a section in this Division. The Conservation District and Nutrient management Division also provides technical support for ag related projects, including those in 319 and the new PENNVEST NPS program. All the positions associated with funding through this grant include: a conservation program manager, two water pollution biologists, one water resources specialist, one management technician, a conservation program specialist, one clerk typist, four water pollution specialists and one environmental planning supervisor.

Budget includes support costs for equipment and supplies to implement the program. Included is funding for computer support.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

DEP is responsible for the following specific objectives:

  • To administer the implementation of the Section 319 Program. This includes the implementation of the Section 319 Grant to fund projects designed to remediate and/or prevent nonpoint source pollution problems and demonstrate measurable environmental improvements.
  • To coordinate the Department’s Nonpoint Source Program with local, state and federal agencies.
  • To implement Pennsylvania’s Nonpoint Source Management Program and address the Nine Key Elements identified in the EPA Grant Guidance.
  • To support the implementation of the Coastal Nonpoint Program Plan developed to address provisions in the Chapter 6217 of the 1990 Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA).
  • Address the needs of the Department and local volunteer groups for support, coordination of environmental efforts for citizen gathered data, and promotion of citizen monitoring activities by providing several specific activities.
  • To have representation at the Region 3 NPS states/EPA Conference, GRTS National Training and other conferences, workshops, etc. which will enhance the State’s NPS Program.
  • Prepare and submit semi-annual status reports for 319(h) grants using GRTS.
  • Coordinate the development and submission of the 319(h) grant and its subsequent approval by EPA.
  • Prepare and submit the NPS Annual Report to EPA.
  • Provide technical and administrative assistance to project sponsors implementing projects funded by the Section 319 NPS Implementation Grant.

DELIVERABLES

The following are specific deliverables to be accomplished under this project:

Central Office Staff:

  • NPS Annual Report
  • Semi-Annual Status Reports generated through GRTS
  • 319 Grant application and Grant Amendments, when needed
  • Representative(s) attend the Region 3 EPA/states NPS annual meeting
  • Provide Success Stories for NPS impaired water bodies that are/will be delisted for one or more causes of impairment
  • Continue to integrate implementation activities with the priorities set forth in the WIP
  • Provide outreach to project sponsors in order to develop and submit well-written and relevant project proposals for 319 funding

Regional Office/District Mining Office Staff:

  • Serve as project advisors on 319 funded projects
  • Participate in the conservation district watershed specialist annual meeting and other NPS meetings/activities each year
  • Oversee completion of remaining watershed implementation plans in 319 priority watersheds
  • Report regional office and district mining office NPS activities for inclusion in 319 grant semi-annual progress reports
  • Assist in outreach to project sponsors in order to develop and submit well-written and relevant project proposals for 319 funding

BUDGET

The budget is to fund 8.56 work years of staff effort and support costs.

The total budget is $899,436.

Total Salaries $486,123

Total Fringe Benefits $212,502

Travel $5,406

Equipment $0

Subtotal $704,031

Indirect @ 28% $195,405

TOTAL $899,436