This agreement provides funding to tioga county soil and watershed conservation district to implement wetland, buffer, and stream restoration projects that emphasize natural filter protection,…

This agreement provides funding to tioga county soil and watershed conservation district to implement wetland, buffer, and stream restoration projects that emphasize natural filter protection, restoration and watershed resiliency as directed in the 2023 consolidated appropriations act or as identified in an approved technical correction if one has been approved for this project.activities:the activities to be performed are, restoration of 100 acres of riparian forest buffer, 100 acres of wetland, and 2,500 feet of stream corridor. This will be accomplished by identifying and planning project sites, designing and preparing for project implementation and nepa reviews, as well as working on securing any required permitting. Additionally, the grantee will acquire approximately 200 acres of land for permanent protection. This includes funding for conservation easement transactional costs, providing payments for ecosystem services to encourage placement of conservation easements, and purchasing property with significant natural filter restoration opportunity. Subrecipient:the grantee will contract with partners whose missions align with the USC (including land trusts) for the permanent protection of land with restoration opportunities. Funds contracted to land trusts will cover work and costs associated with the easement process, including the transactional costs associated with receiving a donated easement. Costs may include property survey, baseline documentation report, title updates and closing costs, and/or stewardship endowments. Land trust partners will provide local match based on the assessment of the property. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables are a reduction of approximately 3,704 LBS per year of nitrogen, 131 LBS per year of phosphorous and 223,770 LBS per year of sediment reaching the tidal waters of the chesapeake BAY which are expected to improved local water quality, improve habitat, reduce flooding and increase water clarity in the upper susquehanna watershed. Intended beneficiaries include residents of the upper susquehanna watershed and ultimately the chesapeake BAY watershed.