PA Awards $58 Mill for Water Infrastructure

Nearly two-dozen dam and flood control projects across the commonwealth will benefit from the first round of grants awarded through the H-2-O P-A program. They come nearly a year after Governor Rendell signed the initiative into law, setting aside $800-million for infrastructure efforts. Of that amount, nearly $47-million will be spent on 17 dams deemed to be "high hazards." Scott Dunkelberger, who heads the Commonwealth Financing Authority, says they also awarded funding for five flood control projects, totaling about 11-million dollars. Dunkelberger notes the next round of grants is to be awarded in July. Those will focus on drinking water and wastewater plants. Among the High Hazard Dam projects approved in the first round;

$1 million to the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission for the Upper
Hereford Manor Lake Dam renovation and $2.2 million for the Lower Hereford Manor Lake Dam renovation project, both in Franklin Township, Beaver County.

$2 million to Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission for the Canonsburg Lake Dam renovation project, North Strabane Township, Washington County.

$4.5 million to Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission for the Dutch Fork Lake Dam renovation project, Donegal Township, Washington County.

$483,831 to West Leechburg Borough to assist with the $646, 831 West
Leechburg Dam removal and Passive Park project, West Leechburg Borough, Westmorland County.

$2.7 million to the Highridge Water Authority for Sugar Run Dam rehabilitation, St. Clair Township, Westmorland County.

Included in the five flood control projects is $2.12 million to Indiana University of Pennsylvania to assist with Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex flood control project, White Township, Indiana County and $750,460 to Hempfield Township to assist with Fort Allen Watershed flood protection, Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.