miles in the Central Appalachians of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The region hosts some of the most diverse and globally important resources on Earth.

It is rich in natural and cultural heritage where the environment plays an important role in the quality of life.

After years of resource extraction and lack of regard for natural resources, the Mid-Atlantic Highlands has become an area in need of attention.

Congress recognized the uniqueness of the area and the need to perform restoration, conservation and protection projects.

In 2002, Congress funded the Mid-Atlantic Highland Action Program (HAP).

HAP uses the best available science including strategic conservation, to improve the natural resources and socio-economic conditions in the Highlands.

Strategic conservation aims to build networks and connections between high value ecosystems by protecting intact resources and enhancing or restoring other areas.

This strategic approach provides a framework for revitalizing and connecting forested headwaters and lands through river corridors and natural stream channel design, wetlands, working lands, ridge lines, steep slopes, riparian buffers, and flood plains.

HAP is working toward achieving the following program goals:

1.

Highlighting, protecting, and conserving special places that have ecological and cultural importance;

2.

Highlighting important connections between these special places;

3.

Revitalizing damaged ecosystems especially in key ecological corridors;

4.

Empowering citizens and communities to strengthen the linkages among cultural heritage, economic viability and the condition of the environment;

5.

Enhancing opportunities for the restoration industry in the Highlands, which will enhance lasting employment opportunities for its residents; and

6.

Leveraging existing resources to support all these goals.

Potomac Highlands Implementation Grant will support the HAP goals within the geographic boundaries as defined above.