Pike wins state grant

HARRISBURG - The Pike County Conservation District has won a $131,944 state grant to fund a comprehensive groundwater study. The grant was part of a $27 million statewide investment to clean up streams and rivers, address serious environmental problems at abandoned mine sites and revitalize communities across the state. Statewide, the money will finance 153 projects through Pennsylvania’s traditional Growing Greener Program and the voter-approved Growing Greener II bond initiative. Governor Ed Rendell said, “Growing Greener allows us to leverage state dollars with Pennsylvania’s natural capital; protecting the resources that draw people to live, work and play in the commonwealth,” Governor Rendell said. “Our natural resources are and will continue to be valued as economic, recreational and environmental assets. It is this scenic and wild beauty that makes Pennsylvania so unique.” Voters in May 2005 approved a $625 million bond issue to clean up rivers and streams; protect natural areas, open spaces and working farms; and shore up key programs to improve quality of life and revitalize communities across the commonwealth. Since then, the Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $28.4 million for 106 watershed projects through the Growing Greener II initiative. For more information on Growing Greener, visit DEP’s Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: “Growing Greener.”