Conservation Excellence Grant (CEG)

Conservation Excellence Grant Program (CEG)

Purpose: Provide financial and technical assistance for the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations in high-priority locations within the Commonwealth through grants, loans, tax credits, or combinations thereof.

Legislation: Created by Act 39 of 2019.

Administration: Administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC). In FY 2019-20, partnered with Lancaster and York County Conservation Districts for local implementation.

Geographic Scope: Pennsylvania statewide; priority given to specific tiers as designated by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as part of Chesapeake Bay Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan.

Geographic Priority Criteria (in order)

1. Tier 1: Lancaster and York 2. Tier 2: Bedford, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin, Lebanon 3. Tier 3: Adams, Bradford, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Susquehanna, Tioga 4. All Other Counties

Eligible BMPs (Priority Practices, no particular order)

• Livestock exclusion fencing
• Stream-side buffers
• Streambank restoration
• Barnyard and feedlot runoff abatement
• Stream crossings
• Off-stream watering
• Manure storage facilities
• Nutrient management plans and manure management plans
• Conservation plans or agricultural erosion and sedimentation plans
• Cover crops
• Any other priority practices approved by the Commission

Award Amounts

• Standard grant: Up to $250,000 per applicant
• Small grants: Available for BMP projects under $25,000

Ranking Criteria

1. Priority locations (as listed above) 2. Priority BMPs (as listed above) 3. Level and extent of planning and technical assistance already completed (inventory, evaluation, design, permits) 4. Applicant's willingness to accept reasonable mix of grants, loans, tax credits, or nongovernmental matching funds

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 provider

Tax Credits (REAP)

• Costs not covered by CEG grant funds may be eligible for REAP tax credits
• Tax credit rate: 50% or 75% of eligible costs depending on BMP type and REAP guidelines

Contact Information

Lancaster County Conservation District 1383 Arcadia Road, Room 200 Lancaster, PA 17601 Phone: (717) 299-5361 ext. 5 Business Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

Eric Cromer, CEG Coordinator
Phone: 223-666-2556