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    The Division of Planning and Conservation provides services to help protect and restore the quality of watersheds, streams and lakes; assesses the availability of Commonwealth's water supplies; monitors and reports on drought conditions and supports Commonwealth land and water conservation efforts by providing technical and administrative assistance to county conservation districts and the State Conservation Commission.

    Watershed Support Section

    The Watershed Support Section oversees the Federal Section 319 Nonpoint Source implementation grant and the watershed specialist grant program with county conservation districts. In addition, the Section provides technical oversight and project advisement for Growing Greener grants.

    State Water Plan Section

    The State Water Plan Section is responsible for maintaining and updating the State Water Plan, assessing existing and future water resource demands and needs within the Commonwealth and coordinating related plans and policies with local, state and federal agencies. The Section manages the Commonwealth Water Use Data System and is responsible for administration of the water use registrations and reporting program. In addition, the State Water Plan Section provides support for Commonwealth drought monitoring, reporting and management activities during drought emergencies proclaimed by the Governor.

    Conservation District Support Section

    The Conservation District Support Section provides financial assistance to conservation districts through the distribution of annual funding through the Conservation District Fund Allocation Program (CDFAP), and assistance to DEP Conservation District Field Representatives who deliver administrative and technical assistance to county conservation districts. The Section provides assistance to the State Conservation Commission (SCC), its Executive Secretary and staff in development of reports, policies, contracts, delegation agreements, memoranda of understanding, project evaluations, and contracting and implementation of statewide programs. In addition, the Section helps with planning and conducting the State Envirothon and the SCC Leadership Development Programs.