The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) has announced the opening of the Coldwater Conservation Grants Program to protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvania's coldwater ecosystems.  The CHP is a cooperative effort of Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited (PATU), the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).  

             Applications for grants up to $5,000 will be accepted through December 15, 2003.  The Coldwater Heritage Partnership urges watershed groups, conservation districts, municipalities and local chapters of Trout Unlimited to apply.

            "Recent watershed efforts have dramatically improved the health of waterways in Pennsylvania," DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. "Thanks to grants like those offered by the Coldwater Heritage Partnership, we can sustain these efforts, and address the many streams still facing threats and degradation. This partnership provides the much-needed funding to continue the long-term stewardship of our world-class coldwater streams."

            The grants are designed to help develop preliminary assessments that identify the values and threats to the health of coldwater ecosystems.  This information can be used as a catalyst for more comprehensive planning or for development of watershed improvement projects.

"Pennsylvania is home to 83,000 miles of rivers and streams," Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Deputy Executive Director Dennis Guise said.  "The CHP program focuses on protecting some of the finest jewels among Pennsylvania's many precious waters, the Commonwealth's highly productive, naturally reproducing trout streams."

Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited President George Mellinger said the Coldwater Heritage Partnership was formed to provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance and funding support for the evaluation, conservation and protection of Pennsylvania's coldwater streams.           

"The Coldwater Conservation Grants are one way to make that happen," Mellinger said.  "The partnership will award grants of up to $5,000 to organizations to outline strategies that best conserve and protect coldwater fisheries."

            Besides offering grants, CHP works to: foster greater public understanding of watershed characteristics and how they affect coldwater ecosystems; identify special areas of concern, such as areas with exceptional water quality and high potential for impacts; and provide technical assistance and financial opportunities to organizations dedicated to protecting our coldwater ecosystems.

            All three partnering organizations have contributed funds for the effort.  Other groups have come forward to help fund the program, including the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program (WPWP).  "Coldwater resources are a unique heritage that we should leave for the enjoyment of future generations," states John Dawes of the WPWP.    "It is my hope that this grant program will stimulate the desire to protect our coldwater fisheries and conserve these priceless ecosystems."