Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is announcing the inclusion of more than $3 million for Pennsylvania watershed projects in the Senate Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. The Pequea Creek Watershed will receive more than $2 million in congressionally directed spending and the Halfmoon Creek Watershed will receive over $1 million in congressionally directed spending. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation will receive the funding and is working with local partners on these projects.
“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is doing critical work to clean up our waterways and reduce further pollution in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Senator Casey. “Funding for these projects will help support Pennsylvania farmers develop practices to keep soil and nutrients out of waterways. This is an important step in ensuring our waterways are clean and we’re working towards a more sustainable economy. I will continue to work to pass this spending bill to bring home critical resources to Pennsylvania.”
“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation applauds Sen. Casey for seeking USDA funds for conservation projects that will reduce pollution, combat climate change, and help farmers’ bottom lines. Efforts like restoring the Pequea Creek and Halfmoon Creek Watersheds will also benefit the quality of life for those in the region. We appreciate Sen. Casey’s commitment to ensuring Pennsylvania gets these federal resources,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Executive Director Denise Stranko.
The Pequea Creek drains roughly 153.3 square miles, feeding 240.5 miles of streams, spanning the border of Lancaster and Chester counties. Approximately 86% of the stream miles in the watershed have aquatic life impairments, and of those, over 70% are affected by four or more sources of impairment. Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Watershed Restoration Plan for Pequea Creek addresses a variety of the stream’s impairments, with a specific focus on reducing sedimentation and nutrients from agricultural sources.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is working with local partners to implement a Watershed Management Plan for Halfmoon Creek that will address the impairment of the stream and set forth a vision for a healthier creek, watershed and community. The Halfmoon Creek Watershed is located in Centre and Huntingdon counties.
On August 2, 2021, the FY22 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill was reported out of Committee on a vote of 25 to 5.
