Watershed Forestry Program

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Program Description 

Through Watershed Alliance of York funding is available for riparian forest buffer implementation within York County. Funding can be used for multifunctional or traditional riparian forest buffer plantings. WAY encourages the widest buffer possible while considering landowner interest and other limiting factors - to provide flexibility, all riparian buffers must be at least 35 feet in width. WAY encourages 50 feet in width, or more, as best conservation practice. 

This is the WAY: Watershed Forestry Program Riparian Forest Buffer Funding Information 

1. Funds are available for riparian buffer plantings until May 30, 2024, on lands in York County.
2. Funds are available on a first-come first-serve basis. 
3. Funds will be distributed at a rate of $6,000 per acre planted – there is funding currently for 25 acres of implementation. 
4. This is the WAY: Watershed Forestry Program Funding Contract must be signed between the implementation partner and WAY and the projects must be completed before funds will be disbursed. 
5. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exceeded. The cutoff date for application consideration for the spring 2024 planting season is May 1, 2024.
6. All plantings will be subject to an annual on-site review by WAY Riparian Rangers to ensure planting survival and address maintenance concerns for the duration of the grant term. All projects will be offered the opportunity to join the Riparian Ranger program for maintenance support for up to 6 years. 
7. All buffers planted through this initiative will be reported to FieldDoc or PracticeKeeper. 

Project Guidelines

Planting Guidelines: 

1. Minimum 35-foot buffer – maximum 300-foot buffer planting. 
2. Planting Density Recommendations:
   1. 100-300 stems per acre depending on planting stock size.
   2. In traditional buffer plantings, plant only native species. For shrub plant material, limit planting to 30-40% shrub content maximum depending on site conditions.
   3. A minimum of three different tree species should be used for all plantings funded by an approved WAY funding mechanism (WAY, DCNR, K10, other).
   4. All planting plans must be approved by WAY.
3. All plantings must be completed by May 30, 2024. 

Eligible Costs (not limited to): 

1.  Site Preparation
   1. Competing and invasive vegetation control (pre-planting site mowing, spraying, etc.)
2.  Buffer Installation
   1. Contactor fees
   2. Small (approximately 1–3-year-old) potted trees and shrubs
   3. Labor costs
   4. Site-Specific protection materials (4–5-foot tree shelters, wooden stakes, zip ties, bird netting, gauged welded wire fencing, weed mats, tree tape, etc.).
3. Post-Planting Care (for duration of grant term)
   1. Post-planting establishment labor
   2. Competing and invasive vegetation control
   3. Replacement protection materials
   4. Supplemental and replacement plantings