CAP Funding

NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.  DEADLINE PAST

 About the Program

The Lancaster Clean Water Partners and Lancaster County Conservation District lead the Lancaster’s CAP Coordinator team and co-administers the Countywide Action Plan Implementation Grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

The CAP was originally developed in 2018 through a collaborative grassroots approach with local partner organizations, experts, community members, and state agencies. Now, with nearly six years of implementation efforts, this revised version of the plan
emphasizes Lancaster’s progress, as well as lessons learned and new strategies to meet our nutrient and sediment reduction goals by 2025.

 The Lancaster CAP Coordinator Team has the opportunity to apply to DEP annually for implementation funding for projects that help to carry out the CAP. And we can creatively pool these resources with others for efficient distribution, strategic technical assistance, and faster implementation.  We use a team of local advisors that evaluate the applications and make collaborative funding decisions.

For 2025-2026, the Lancaster Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Coordinator Team gave three options for project funding.

Option 1

Agricultural BMPs or stream project on Agricultural land that can feasibly be
completed by April 2026. This also includes weather-related repairs for previous
CAP-funded projects

● Key Dates:
● August 15 – Application form due.
● September 5 – Announce awards.
● September 15 – Agreement in place.
● April 30th, 2026 – End date of agreement; no possibility for extension.

Details:
Projects may include previously submitted but unfunded ACAP applications or new projects on agricultural land. Eligible practices include ACAP BMPs and supporting measures such as streambank stabilization, wetland creation, floodplain restoration, and stormwater practices—with required permits secured before applying. Projects must align with a farm’s Conservation/Ag E&S or Nutrient Management Plan (updated plans required). Repairs to weather-damaged CAP projects may be eligible with justification. While match funds are not required, leveraging is encouraged. Projects should align with the Countywide Action Plan, and applicant performance may be considered. Agreements must be with a landowner, nonprofit, or municipality.

Option 2

Any BMP to achieve the CAP that can feasibly be completed by March 2027,
with a preference for projects that will be completed in 2026.

● Key Dates:
● September 15, 2025 – Application form due.
● September 30, 2025 – Notification of if we are including the project in Lancaster’s
application to PA DEP.
● Late December 2025 – Notification of funding decision.
● January 2026 – If funded, agreement will be sent.
● March 2027 – Project must be complete; end date of agreement.

Details:
Applications are due September 15, with notifications by September 30 if projects are included in Lancaster’s request for DEP CAP funding. Final funding decisions will be announced by December 2025, with agreements executed in January 2026. Projects feasible for 2026 construction will be prioritized and must be included in required farm conservation plans (updates may be reimbursable). Match funds are not required but encouraged. Projects should align with the Countywide Action Plan. This process also prepares applicants for other programs like CEG and ACAP. Agreements must be with a landowner, nonprofit, or municipality, with up to 25% for design/administration.

Option 3

Technical assistance for agricultural BMP projects in the pipeline. This may include

stream stabilization projects on Ag land.

● Key Dates:
● August 5, 2025 – Prefer applicants contact Megan Blackmon at
mblackmon@lancastercleanwaterpartners.com indicating that you intend to apply for this opportunity.
● August 12, 2025 – Simple application form is due.
● September 2025 – Decision communicated.
● August 2026 – If selected, design should be complete and you have a shovel-ready
project for a future application!

Details:
This opportunity supports projects without a technical service provider to help expand Lancaster’s technical capacity and speed up implementation after farmer approval. Eligible tasks include design, engineering, site surveys, I&E development, and permitting (not plan writing/updates). Required plans must be submitted to LCCD by November 14 if selected. Implementation funding is not required at application. Projects must be on agricultural land, with preference for ACAP-eligible BMPs, but related practices like streambank stabilization, wetland creation, floodplain restoration, and supporting stormwater measures may also qualify.