CLEARFIELd – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Houtzdale, announced that Clearfield County would be receiving more than $1.5 million in Growing Greener grants for four environmentally beneficial projects.
“The grants will be used to clean water damaged by acid mine drainage, improve stream banks, and reclaim lands damaged by mining, among other things,” George said.
The county Conservation District was awarded grants for projects in three townships:
? $529,980 for construction of a mine drainage discharge system in the Montgomery Run watershed in Lawrence Township.
? $90,072 for design and permitting work in Pike Township.
? $409,341 for construction of the Dimeling Discharge abandoned mine treatment system in Boggs Township.
Morris Township was awarded $490,110 in Growing Greener money for the Alder Run abandoned mine treatment system.
George emphasized the need for additional funding for Growing Greener, which is administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
“The funds for the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports Growing Greener and other environmental programs, decreased by more than $40 million between 2003 and 2009,” George said. “My Marcellus Shale severance tax legislation would dedicate revenues to the fund, and also to county conservation districts, to close this gap.”
In other news, Coalport was awarded $475,000 to improve the streetscape along Main Street in coordination with scheduled roadway improvements. The funding is part of the state Department of Transportation’s Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative grants, which provide funding for “smart transportation” projects.
“Environmental and community projects provide good jobs and economic stability in an area,” George said. “I will continue to fight for projects that will put our men and women back to work.”