Published Saturday, April 6, 2002
MERCER COUNTY AREA
Grant gives Shenango River plan a boostMercer, Lawrence and Crawford counties will receive a $145,000 grant for the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to prepare a river-conservation plan for the Shenango River watershed, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John C. Oliver announced March 21.
The grant is one of 27 totaling more than $1.5 million to help non-profit organizations and local governments protect and enhance waterways across the state.
DCNR approved nine grants to help communities develop river-conservation plans. The plans outline local strategies that municipalities, residents and river-support groups can use to effectively implement river-conservation initiatives such as stream-bank stabilization and streamside buffers; water-quality monitoring; public accessibility for recreational opportunities; and citizen participation.
In addition to the planning grants, 14 river-conservation implementation or development grants were approved. They are to help accomplish the projects outlined in the river-conservation plans. Projects include development of boat launches, improvements to streamside corridors, trail-feasibility studies and development of a river-related environmental education center.