Schweyer: $232K for environmental conservation projects

Rep. Peter G. Schweyer November 12, 2024 | 3:27 PM

HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 – Today, state Rep. Peter Schweyer announced that $232,800 in state funding has been awarded to his district for two different projects.

“These outdoor restoration projects for the Lehigh County Conservation District will benefit our community’s environment and the safety of our community,” said Schweyer. “Restoration of our water ensures sustainability which provides spaces for water to flow in the event of severe weather like a flood. This funding is about installation and maintenance to conserve the health of our environment in Lehigh County.”

Funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnership Program. Projects being funded include:

$150,000 for the restoration of approximately 1,500 feet of Little Lehigh Creek in the Lehigh Creek Parkway in Allentown. Work to include stream restoration; installation of fish habitat structures and riparian forest buffer; landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
$82,800 for the installation of approximately seven acres of riparian forest buffers, one acre of lawn to habitat, and three acres of post-planting establishment in the Delaware River Watershed. Work to include landowner outreach and engagement; watershed forestry plantings and post-planting establishment; project sign and other related site improvements.

DCNR’s C2P2 offers a wide range of grant and technical assistance programs to help Pennsylvania communities, land conservancies and non-profit organizations plan, acquire and develop:

recreation, park and conservation facilities.
watersheds, rivers corridors, resources and buffers.
greenways and trails.
heritage areas and facilities.
critical habitat, natural areas and open space.

C2P2 programs are linked with other DCNR efforts to conserve historic resources, protect water quality, enhance tourism, improve physical and mental health and foster community development. Funding for C2P2 comes from various sources, including:

Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93).
Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener 1).
Heritage Areas Funding.
Keystone Tree Fund.
Snowmobile Restricted Account.
All-Terrain Vehicle Restricted Account.
Federal Highway Administration funds to the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails program.
Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Federal Highlands Conservation Act.