2025 Call for Proposals-Coming Soon

Call for Mini-Grant Project Proposals, COMING SOON!  Check back May 5th or follow us on facebook for updates.

The Pennsylvania Lake Management Society (PALMS), with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, is pleased to be able to offer assistance to landowners, non-profits, county conservation districts and municipalities to address lake-related issues of critically eroded shorelines, excess nutrient loading, and aquatic invasive species that degrade the quality of lakes in the Commonwealth. Through this program, we are offering a limited number of grants on a competitive basis, up to $24,000.00 each, to correct identified lake problems.

Projects should address at least one of the following: Shoreline Restoration, Stormwater Improvements, Nutrient/Sedimentation Reduction or Control, and Aquatic Invasive Species Management.
Projects need to include educational public awareness on project. Some examples, but not limited to; workshops, kiosk, or general outreach. Project descriptions in grant application should include how this will be done and needs to be completed during the project timeline.

Eligible Projects:
-Shoreline Restoration
-Stormwater improvement projects that reduce stormwater and increase infiltration that directly impact the lake.
-Activities that directly lead to nutrient or sediment reduction within the lake or reservoir
-Aquatic Invasive Species Management. Management priority will be given to rapid response projects or species on the PA Noxious Weed List. AIS management projects may include prevention BMP’s like signage to promote clean, drain, dry, or warn about existing AIS or infested areas. It is encouraged to use existing templates/graphics. Discuss with PALMS if you are unsure of this.

Note: Eligible in-lake projects include but not limited to; lake aeration, phosphorus inactivation (using alum, Phoslock, or Eutrosorb), and the control of non-native invasive aquatic vegetation using aquatic herbicides.

Ineligible Projects:
Projects not listed above and projects (and expenses) that cannot be completed by September 30, 2026
-Design Studies
-Surveys
-Plan Development
-Maintenance Projects
-Dredging Activities
-Algaecide
-Control of Native Plants
-Floating Vegetative Islands
-Algae control using sonar or sonic devices
-The use of short-term nutrient removal practices such as the installation of nutrient binding materials (e.g. biochar) in streams.
* Ineligible project activities may be eligible to use as match/in-kind services.

Eligible applicants:
-County, including county planning commission
-County conservation district
-Municipality, Municipal authority
-Council of governments
-Other authorized organization that is one of the following:
A tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and registered with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations. If an applicant/sponsor is claiming an exemption from registering with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations, the applicant/sponsor must provide proof of such exemption with the application. Conservation commissions or foundations created by state or federal legislation or action are exempt from the incorporation requirement.
Incorporated and insured watershed association or community association
Note: Applicants under this “other” category must have experience and capacity to manage grants and projects that are related to watershed and lakes. This should be documented in your project description.
(For organizations that do not fall under those eligibility requirements it is encouraged to partner with an eligible entity.)

Priorities
Applicants will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Applications must be fully complete to be reviewed. Completed applications will be reviewed based on applicant’s submission and project strength. Priorities for this grant round are as follows:
- Priority will be given to projects that propose to address watershed impairments identified in the Commonwealth’s 303(d) list
-Projects in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
-Projects in Environment Justice Areas (EJA)
-Priority will be given to nutrient reduction projects in lakes that experience Harmful Algal Blooms
-Priority will be given to rapid response invasive species control projects and invasive species on the PA Noxious Weed List
-Projects that propose shoreline restoration with a buffer and/or native vegetation in the shoreline restoration project
-Projects at Public Access Lakes

To view past mini grant projects  

Project Description
The project description should be 2-3 pages. This should be a detailed description of the project including any relevant historical information of the lake or project. It should clearly state the problem, the BMP to be used, and measurable expected results. Include specifics on how many feet of shoreline to be restored, materials used, amount and species of buffer/restorative plantings, invasive species present, their history and current status, acres to be treated, water quality data if relevant, short term and long term goals, maintenance, etc. Education and Outreach details must be provided in the project description. Provide information on the applicant’s past experience and capacity to manage both the grant administration and project work.

Please submit one  (1) electronic copy via email of the complete application to info@palakes.org. The following are required for your application to be considered complete:

1) Project Description (2-3 pages)
2) Project Request Form word doc
3) Project Area Photos (3-5)
4) Project Location Map (USGS Quad Map 8.5” x 11”)
5) W-9 Form
6) Provide proof of organization approval, ie board meeting minutes where the project application was approved

It is a requirement to contact a PALMS Board Member to discuss your project idea prior to completing and submitting your application.