Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)

Purpose: Assist farmers and landowners in the design and installation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce or prevent nutrient and sediment losses from farms and improve water quality and soil health across Pennsylvania.

Funding Source: Created through the Clean Streams Fund established by the FY2022-23 General Funds State Budget ($154 million program total).

Geographic Scope: Pennsylvania statewide; administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and delegated to participating conservation districts. Lancaster County's apportionment is approximately $15,525,000 ($5,175,000 per annual allocation).

Eligibility

• Farmers and landowners in Pennsylvania
• Projects must be part of a Conservation Plan or Agriculture Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan
• Must include a Manure Management Plan or Nutrient Management Plan

Funding Criteria

• BMPs must meet goals of applicable Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) or Countywide Action Plan (CAP)
• Priority given to BMPs controlling nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment
• All Animal Concentration Areas (ACA) on farm must be treated
• Buffer installation required if existing plan includes buffers and project proposes manure storage or Heavy Use Area
• Projects with proximity to surface waters, public drinking water sources, or Karst Geology given priority
• Must meet PA Technical Design Guide or SCC-established standards
• Maximum grant award: $500,000 (unless approved by SCC)
• Cost share: 90% in Lancaster County
• PA State Prevailing Wages required for projects exceeding $25,000
• Funding can be paired with other programs

Eligible Project Costs

• Project design engineering and associated planning
• Project construction or installation (including applicant-provided labor)
• Equipment, materials, and other project components
• Post-construction inspections
• Services from Conservation District or private sector technical service providers
• Private sector technical assistance reimbursable up to 10% of estimated construction cost

Bidding Requirements

• Micro-Purchase (< $10,000): No quotes required; consider price reasonable and distribute equitably
• Small Purchase ($10,000-$249,999): Obtain/document price or rate quotations from reasonable number of qualified sources
• Sealed Bids ($250,000+): Publicly advertised; minimum 15 days response time; adequate qualified sources; publicly opened; award to lowest responsible bidder; firm, fixed price

How to Apply for ACAP Grants

1. Request Assistance: Contact Lancaster County Conservation District or hire a private consultant to help with application (preliminary design and cost estimate required)
2. Submit Application: Complete application packet submitted in hard copy to:
   • Kent Bitting, PE
   • Lancaster County Conservation District
   • 1383 Arcadia Road, Room 200
   • Lancaster, PA 17601
3. Review Timeline: Districts have 90 days to accept and review applications
4. Approval: Rolling submission deadline; projects approved at monthly District Board meetings

Application Resources

• ACAP Program Guidelines
• ACAP Grant Application form
• Best Management Practice (BMP) List
• Eligible BMPs List

Contact for Questions

Eric Cromer, ACAP/CEG Coordinator
Phone: 223-666-2556
Email: ecromer@pa.gov