Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP)

The Watershed Restoration and Protection Program (WRPP) is administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The program is funded via the Marcellus Legacy Fund established under Act 13 of 2012, which allocates resources to the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects aimed at restoring and protecting the state's watersheds. The initiative addresses the significant impacts of nutrient and sediment loadings originating from nonpoint sources such as agricultural and stormwater runoff, which impair more than 8,100 stream miles across Pennsylvania. The overarching goal is to restore degraded stream reaches and maintain these improvements, ultimately removing them from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Impaired Waters list. Eligible applicants for WRPP grants include municipalities such as counties, cities, boroughs, incorporated towns, townships, and home rule municipalities. Other eligible entities include councils of governments, authorized organizations classified under section 501(c)(3), institutions of higher education, recognized watershed organizations, and for-profit businesses that are not producers of natural gas as defined in Act 13. The program funds a wide range of projects, including those implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control or reduce runoff in agricultural and urban settings, stream bank and channel stabilization, maintenance of existing BMPs, and water quality monitoring efforts. Funds awarded under this program may be used for construction, improvement, repair, and maintenance of watershed protection BMPs, engineering and construction oversight, stream stabilization, in-stream monitoring, and operations and maintenance costs through trust funds. Administrative costs directly related to administering the grant are also eligible but capped at 2% of the award. Notably, ineligible expenses include public relations, lobbying, litigation, and other costs not directly linked to approved project activities. A 15% cash match of the total project cost is required, which may include the appraised value of real estate integral to the project. The maximum grant award is $300,000, and eligible project costs must be incurred within the period defined in the grant agreement. The application process requires submitting an electronic Single Application for Assistance via grants.pa.gov. Applications are accepted annually from February 1 to May 31, with the deadline for submission on May 31. Evaluation criteria include project cost, strategic importance, and expected impact. Successful applicants must comply with relevant planning and permit requirements and adhere to Pennsylvania prevailing wage laws for construction activities. The grant process involves the issuance of a grant agreement and commitment letter, which applicants must sign and return within 45 days. Funds are disbursed in intervals of no less than 30 days, with certified expenses required for release. Upon project completion, recipients must submit a detailed final report including project activities, installed facilities, before-and-after photographs, and water quality outcomes. All project records must be maintained and made available for inspection. For inquiries, applicants can contact the Office of Business Finance and Workforce Development – CFA Programs Division at the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, located in the Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg, PA. The contact phone number is (717) 787-6245, fax (717) 772-3581, and email ra-dcedsitedvpt@pa.gov. Full guidelines and application materials are accessible online at dced.pa.gov.