Watershed Forestry Program

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Program Description 

Through the Watershed Alliance of York (WAY) 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 a best conservation practice. 

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

1. Funds are available for riparian buffer plantings until November 15, 2027, on lands in York County.
2. Funds are available on a first-come first-serve basis. 
3. Funds will be distributed at a reimbursement rate of $6,000 per acre planted.
4. This is the WAY: Watershed Forestry Program Funding Contract must be signed between the implementation partner (landowner) and WAY, and the projects must be completed before funds are disbursed. 
5. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exceeded. The cutoff date for application consideration is October 15, 2027. 
6. If a contractor completes any part of the project, a minimum of three quotes must be obtained. The quotes must be provided to WAY. 
7. All plantings will be subject to an annual on-site review by WAY 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 six (6) years. 
8. All buffers planted through this initiative will be reported to PracticeKeeper. 

Project Guidelines 

Planting Guidelines: 

1. All plantings should add new riparian forest buffer acreage within the buffer zone. Existing invasive tree canopy, or hazardous standing dead trees, can be removed from planting sites prior to planting. Plantings within these areas count as new riparian buffer acreage.
2. Minimum 35-foot buffer – maximum buffer width is 300 feet per side of waterway.
3. Planting Density Recommendations:

• 150-200 stems per acre depending on planting stock size.
• In traditional buffer plantings, plant only native species. A 70/30 split of trees and shrubs, respectively, is recommended, but not required.
• A minimum of three different tree species should be used for all plantings funded by an approved WAY funding mechanism (NFWF, DCNR, others).
• All planting plans must be approved by WAY.

           4.   All plantings must occur within the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) seasons.

Eligible Costs (not limited to): 

1. Site Preparation: Competing and invasive vegetation control (pre-planting site mowing, spraying, etc.)
2. Buffer Installation:

• Contractor fees
• Small (approximately 1–3-year-old) potted trees and shrubs
• Labor costs
• 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):

• Post-planting establishment labor
• Competing and invasive vegetation control
• Replacement protection materials
• Supplemental and replacement plantings