Pennsylvania Invests in 124 Clean Water Projects

The state of Pennsylvania will invest $22.3 million in 124 projects aimed at restoring polluted water bodies, providing clean water and preventing flooding in communities.

Gov. Edward Rendell recently announced the grants, noting that the state's mining history and farm industry have posed regional water quality challenges. Regular flooding throughout Pennsylvania, too, has diminished the effectiveness of natural and manmade management devices.

"Pennsylvania has been blessed with incredible natural resources," Rendell said. "Unfortunately, our streams have been tainted by agricultural runoff and acid mine drainage from the unregulated activity of the past. Furthermore, recurring floods in many places have eroded stream banks and rendered many flood measures ineffective, which can exacerbate the damage caused to our communities."

"The $22.3 million in grants we're announcing today will help undo this damage with effective treatment systems, agricultural best management practices, stabilization work, storm water management strategies and flood protection projects," he added. "Together, these measures will help restore the health and natural functions of our streams."

Of the $22.3 million Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) award, $10.1 million comes from the Growing Greener II initiative, $9 million from the Growing Greener program in the form of watershed grants and $3.2 million from DEP in nonpoint source implementation program grants, which are funded by the federal government. The grants will be used to support acid mine drainage facilities, streambank stabilization efforts, riparian buffers, aquatic habitat improvements, comprehensive watershed protection planning and innovative agricultural and storm water management techniques.

Source: Environment News Service