Funding the Largest Environmental Program in a Decade
• This state budget funds a clean streams initiative using $220 million in federal relief funds, focusing on agricultural projects such as:
» The Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program through the State Conservation Commission, which will provide training, education, and technical assistance as well as funding to participating conservation districts to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution.
» The Clean Water Procurement Program, which will provide for the purchase of verified nutrient or sediment reduction through a competitive bidding process through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
• The Small Water and Sewer Program through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) is refunded more than $300 million in federal relief funds to fund grants for water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Budget funding provides conservation districts with a $5 million increase to improve nutrient management, flood control, permitting, and other conservation-related projects.
• An allocation of $156 million will establish a program to support the rehabilitation, repair, and development of parks and forest areas within the Commonwealth:
» $100 million will come in one-time federal relief funds.
» An additional $56 million comes from oil and gas lease revenue.