Adjust Text Size

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2001

White Announces "Growing Greener" Grants for Clarion & Venango Counties

Harrisburg – State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) today announced the awarding of $313,582 in state environmental protection grants for Clarion and Venango counties, targeting abandoned oil and gas wells, impaired watersheds, and an illegal dump and creating an outdoor learning center.

The grants were awarded through the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection program – or "Growing Greener" – which was signed into law as Act 68 of 1999.  Senator White was the prime sponsor of the Growing Greener legislation.

The senator announced the following grants:

• $100,000 awarded to the Alliance for Wetlands and Wildlife, in partnership with the Clarion River Council.  The funds will be used to plug 10 – 15 abandoned oil and gas wells in the Toby Creek Watershed, resulting in a significant reduction in iron and acid discharge into the Clarion River.
• $77,200 awarded to the Clarion County Conservation District to plug 5 orphaned oil and gas wells along the Piney and Little Piney Creeks.  The Iron Furnace Chapter of Trout Unlimited partnered with the PA Fish & Boat Commission to assess the water quality of the creeks and prepare a remediation plan.  This project is anticipated to restore 10 miles of stream to suitable condition for trout stocking.
• $69,905.70 awarded to Farmington Township, Clarion County to assess and reclaim the Little Coon Run and Walley Run Watershed.  Eight acres of spoil will be graded to decrease or eliminate acid mine drainage into the watershed.
• $48,875 awarded to Licking Township, Clarion County to remove approximately 500 tons of illegally dumped trash from 3 locations throughout the township.  Leachate and contaminated runoff from these sites currently infiltrates the Licking Creek Watershed.
• $17,602 awarded to the Venango County Conservation District to create an outdoor learning center and community environmental education program.  The learning center and environmental education program will focus on the Lower French Creek, Oil and Sandy Creek watersheds.

"These projects are made possible by the dedication and hard work of volunteers and committed citizens throughout the community," said White.  "Growing Greener partners these individuals with much needed funds so we can reclaim our waterways and protect our natural resources."