PA American Water Awards Environmental Grants Totaling $30,000 To 8 Groups

PA American Water Friday announced it has awarded Environmental Grants totaling $30,000 to eight groups within its service territory in Pennsylvania.  The grants were awarded to—

-- Allegheny Land Trust, Allegheny County was awarded a grant for dumpsite cleanups at Dead Man’s Hollow Conservation Area, a protected green space with several tributaries to the Youghiogheny River. The cleanups will allow further habitat restoration and stream water monitoring.

-- California University of Pennsylvania, Washington County will use its funding to support a fish and macroinvertebrate survey of the Youghiogheny River that will enhance water quality management, along with existing survey information. The information will also be used for continued monitoring by local school groups within the watershed.

-- Delaware River Basin Commission will use its grant to purchase markers and equipment that the Boy Scouts will apply on storm drains in the Yardley and Nazareth areas, alerting residents about their impact on the Delaware River Watershed.

-- Misericordia University, Luzerne County in partnership with Lehman Sanctuary, will use its funds to install and utilize advanced telemetry equipment to monitor water quality on the sanctuary’s property. The project will advance understanding of the biodiversity and allow remote monitoring of environmental conditions for school groups at the location

-- River Alert Information Network, Allegheny County will use its grant monies to coordinate watershed groups along with the Allegheny Watershed Alliance to identify local source water protection issues. Additionally, informational literature will be developed to educate community groups on source water protection.

-- South Fayette Conservation Group, Allegheny County will purchase a groundwater and rainmaker model to be used as a hands-on educational tool to help students better understand point source and nonpoint pollution.

-- Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County will use its grant to support a riparian buffer project in Simpson Park along the Yellow Breeches Creek. Volunteers will plant new trees and shrubs to help stabilize the streambank as part of an ongoing riparian project.

-- West Norriton Township, Montgomery County will use its funding to support the Schuylkill River Invasive Weeds project, aimed at removing invasive plant species from the Norristown Basin, improving water quality along the river and habitats for wildlife.

For more information, visit PA American Water’s Environmental Grant Program webpage.