The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) is a collaborative effort between the PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Western Pennsylvania Watershed Protection Program and Pennsylvania Trout.

The purpose of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) is to provide leadership, coordination, technical assistance, and funding support for the evaluation, conservation and protection of Pennsylvania's coldwater streams.

While Pennsylvania has over 83,000 miles of streams, only 25% are considered high-quality coldwater fisheries. Of that, less than 2% are designated as highly productive waters that contain naturally reproducing wild trout. The CHP's primary focus is to foster protection and improvement of these streams and their watersheds.

Goals of the program include:
  • Foster a greater public understanding of watershed characteristics and how they affect coldwater ecosystems;
  • Identify special areas of concern, such as areas with exceptional water quality with high potential for impacts;
  • Produce conservation plans that will lead to additional planning or implementation of projects that protect and enhance our coldwater ecosystems; and
  • Provide technical assistance and financial opportunities to organizations dedicated to protecting coldwater ecosystems.

CHP News

Coldwater Heritage Partnership Announces Opening of 2012 Grant Program 

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) announces the opening of the 2012 Coldwater Conservation Grants Program. The program provides two grant opportunities, which help to protect and conserve the health of Pennsylvania’s coldwater ecosystems.  

 The two grant opportunities are:

Planning Grant- designed to help develop a conservation plan that identifies the values and threats that impact  the health of our coldwater ecosystems that have naturally reproducing trout.  The collected information can be used as a catalyst for more comprehensive planning or for development of watershed improvements projects.

Implementation grant- designed to provide funding to projects identified in completed coldwater conservation plans. Potential projects must enhance, conserve or protect the coldwater stream for which the coldwater conservation plan was originally completed. 

Applications for grants will be accepted through December 16, 2011.  The Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) urges watershed groups, conservation districts, municipalities and local chapters of Trout Unlimited to apply.

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