Older communities in Pennsylvania are faced with the challenge of upgrading older sanitary sewer, drinking water, and storm water systems to meet the 21st Century federal and state standards.  In Appalachian Pennsylvania, the large majority of communities are small boroughs and townships which often lack sufficient resources to undertake projects necessary to bring sanitary sewer, drinking water, and storm water systems up to present day standards.  This situation would be challenging enough if applicable system standards were static goals to be achieved over time, but this is not the case.  Standards for drinking water systems and sanitary sewer systems are dynamic and are becoming more difficult and more costly to meet.

To assist small communities in meeting this challenge, the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) will use the Small Towns Environmental Program (STEP) Grant Program to assist small communities to increase local capacity and to more fully utilize available local resources.  Guided by the SAP&DC’s Planning Advisory Committee (PAC), the Southern Alleghenies PennSTEP Program will focus on sanitary sewer, drinking water, and storm water problems in the region’s small communities.

The SAP&DC will provide PennSTEP grants to fund materials, equipment, and resources  to assist PennSTEP applicants on small projects.  The SAP&DC Project Profile Form is the application form for this program and can be downloaded from the SAP&DC website.  Applications are due to SAP&DC by 4:00 PM on November 28, 2007.  Electronic submission is recommended.  Grants will be for a maximum of $10,000.  Projects exceeding $10,000 must have matching funds in place by the applicant to complete the project.  Associated environmental, permitting, and bidding actions must be in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.  Projects must be completed by June 30, 2008.  Municipalities and municipal authorities must be  applicants for communities within the municipality.  Municipalities may use the project funds for:

·  Construction materials for conveyance lines/systems, wells, wellheads, support buildings, treatment systems, storm water management sites, holding/storage tanks, and reservoirs.

·  Equipment associated with monitoring, treatment, control, pumping, and communications.

Projects will be reviewed and prioritized based on the following criteria:

·        STEP/Self Help Component/matching funds and cost savings

·        Optimal benefit from the project’s out puts and outcomes

·        Effect of the grant on accomplishment of the project

·        Project’s support/leverage to other state, SAP&DC, and county programs

·        Timing of the funding to be utilized in the program year

 The SAP&DC will subcontract with municipalities and municipal authorities for completion of projects designated for funding under the SAP&DC PennSTEP Program.  SAP&DC will conduct follow up on site visits for projects upon completion to evaluate the PennSTEP funding results and collect feedback from the project applicant.

To apply please complete  a Project Profile form and return to bcarson@sapdc.org.