HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, has said that several grants have been awarded locally to improve watersheds and for a local recycling program.
“As we continue to strive for cleaner water and reduced waste throughout the commonwealth, it is imperative that we maintain our focus on funding projects and programs that have been proven to be effective in the past,” George said.
Recently, the Coldwater Heritage Partnership announced the recipients of its 2012 grant awards that are used for protecting and conserving Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams.
This year, the Trout Unlimited Eastern Abandoned Mine program was awarded nearly $6,500 to assess the coldwater resources of the upper Potts Run watershed. The program will lead to the completion of the comprehensive conservation/restoration plan for the watershed.
“The goals of this grant program are essential to maintaining clean streams,” George said. “The Partnership provides funding for gathering data for our coldwater ecosystems, identifying potential threats or impacts on those streams, building community awareness and formulating plans to further conserve and protect those resources.”
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership, a collaborative effort of Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, awards the grants annually. Last year, the Partnership awarded more than $6,000 to the Clearfield County Conservation District.
Additionally, the state Department of Environmental Protection recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Pike Township to be used for a Watershed Implementation Plan for Anderson Creek.
The funds will be used to gather additional information required for a Qualified Hydrologic Unit. By conducting aquatic surveys and updating treatments needed for acid mine drainage discharges, both initiated by a hired consultant, a Qualified Hydrologic Unit determination for Anderson Creek will help gain eligibility for federal funding sources through the Abandoned Mine Drainage Set-Aside program.
“This grant is a step toward receiving federal funds to help treat for AMD and make our water safer,” George said. “This first step is an investment that will benefit everyone in the region.”
Finally, the DEP also recently awarded a grant to Clearfield Borough under its Recycling Performance Grant program of Act 101 of 1988.
The grant, nearly $10,700, is based on the 1,140.5 tons recycled for calendar year 2009. The municipality’s population also determines the grant amount.
The program provides incentives to help communities increase the amount of materials recycled and promote economic growth within the commonwealth through job creation and market expansion. The grant is in addition to funds already awarded to localities for establishing and maintaining recycling programs.
“By providing additional incentives to recycle, we experience the many benefits associated with the program,” George said. “Clean water, less litter and economic benefits are proven results from recycling. I’m happy to see this grant and all of the grants mentioned awarded to Clearfield County.”