DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE DELAWARE ESTUARY, INC. TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING A FRESHWATER MUSSEL HATCHERY AT BARTRAM'S GARDEN IN SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA FOR WATER QUALITY AND HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS IN THE DELAWARE ESTUARY REGION AND BEYOND AS DIRECTED IN THE 2023 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE THE EXECUTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A MUSSEL HATCHERY BUILT IN CONJUNCTION WITH A WATERSHED EDUCATION CENTER CLOSE TO THE LOWER TIDAL SCHUYLKILL RIVER BEING DEVELOPED BY THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE DELAWARE ESTUARY. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FACILITY THAT WILL BE 10,000 SQUARE FEET CONTAINING OFFICES, A MEETING ROOM, A GREENHOUSE, AND VARIOUS TYPES OF LABORATORIES. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE PRODUCTION OF 500,000 MUSSELS PER YEAR TO INCREASE POPULATIONS OF NATIVE MUSSEL SPECIES THAT WILL BE USED TO PROMOTE CLEANER WATER AND HEALTHIER AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS. ADDITIONALLY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING WILL BE PROVIDED BOTH ON-SITE AND ACROSS THE DELAWARE ESTUARY REGION TO ENGAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN LEARNING ABOUT CLEAN WATER AND HABITAT RESTORATION EFFORTS. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE RESIDENTS OF THE DELAWARE ESTUARY REGION, THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN, AND THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER WATERSHED.