(MyChesCo) The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) this week announced that 12 projects, totaling $536,382, aimed at protecting and restoring the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone would be funded through grants. This year’s projects emphasize environmental education, community outreach, and continued research on PFAS; all of which will benefit this critical habitat and ecosystem.

“The Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone is a phenomenal resource to curb environmental threats such as pollution and climate change,” said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “Each year, Coastal Zone projects help our efforts to ensure the sustainability of these habitats.”

Coastal zones are areas where land meets the coast and include both coastal waters and adjacent shorelands. These areas are challenged with increasing pressure from development, erosion, biodiversity loss and pollution. Coastal zone grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, stormwater management improvements, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such as bluff recession, and other areas. Grants may also be awarded to other projects in the watershed that have an impact on coastal waters.

The 112-mile Delaware Estuary coastal zone is located in Bucks, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties and encompasses islands, marshes, and other areas in the Delaware Estuary watershed. It is the largest freshwater port in the world.

“It’s exciting to see this grant money being put to good use in the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone,” said DEP Southeast Regional Director Pat Patterson. “Local organizations that develop strategies and carry out projects to restore and protect our natural resources are of the utmost importance and the DEP is committed to supporting these partners with grant funding and technical assistance.”

Read Entire Article For The Full List of Projects.