Valley Creek Trustee Council Restoration Fund

The Valley Creek Trustee Council Restoration Fund Grant Program is administered by the Valley Creek Trustee Council, a governing body composed of representatives from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the National Park Service through Valley Forge National Historical Park. The program was established following environmental damage to the Valley Creek watershed caused by polychlorinated biphenyl contamination originating from the Paoli Rail Yard site in the mid-1980s. As part of a legal settlement, funds were allocated to restore lost natural resources and recreational uses, particularly angling, which had been significantly impacted. These funds are now distributed through a structured grant program designed to support ecological restoration within the watershed. The primary purpose of the grant program is to restore, replace, or enhance natural resources and ecological functions within the Valley Creek watershed in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The program aligns with the Valley Creek Restoration Plan developed in 2004, which outlines strategies to improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and public access. Eligible projects must fall into one of five categories: stormwater management, stream channel stabilization, establishment of greenways, increased public access to streams, and brook trout restoration in Crabby Creek. These categories are designed to address both ecological degradation and diminished recreational opportunities caused by historical contamination. Funding supports physical and implementation-focused projects that directly contribute to watershed restoration. Eligible uses include construction, land conservation, stream restoration, infiltration systems, and habitat improvements. While educational or outreach activities may be included, they must be secondary to a primary restoration objective. The program explicitly prohibits funding for projects that are required by law, regulation, or permit compliance, as well as standalone research or education initiatives. Projects must demonstrate measurable ecological or recreational outcomes and align with priorities identified in the Restoration Plan. Applicants must provide a minimum funding request of 30000 dollars and contribute a match of at least 25 percent of the total project cost. Matching funds may include cash, in-kind labor, equipment, or other resources. Higher match contributions are viewed favorably during evaluation. There is no maximum award limit specified, and awards may vary depending on project scope and available funding. The Trustee Council may adjust requested amounts and typically withholds up to 10 percent of awarded funds until project completion and compliance with all terms. Eligible applicants include local governments such as counties and municipalities, conservation districts, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations involved in water resource protection and restoration. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible to apply directly but may participate as contractors. Projects must be implemented within the Valley Creek watershed, though applicants themselves do not need to be located within it. Applicants must also secure all necessary environmental permits and conduct required surveys, including those related to wetlands, endangered species, and historical resources. The application process requires submission of a complete application package, including project descriptions, budget details, matching fund documentation, maps, design plans, and letters of commitment from affected landowners. Applicants may optionally submit a letter of inquiry prior to full application submission to determine project eligibility. Applications are reviewed for completeness and then evaluated based on technical feasibility, alignment with restoration goals, compliance with laws, and overall potential for ecological and recreational improvement. Scoring also considers match contributions, project sustainability, and likelihood of success. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline, although complete submissions are required for consideration. Applicants may submit materials electronically or by mail. Questions and pre-application inquiries can be directed to the program administrator at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The program does not specify a fixed award timeline but evaluates applications as they are received. This grant program operates as an ongoing funding opportunity tied to long-term restoration goals within the Valley Creek watershed.

Prioritize strong matching contributions; ensure measurable ecological outcomes; align with Restoration Plan priorities; demonstrate feasibility and long-term maintenance capacity