Clarion Co. receives state grant to improve water quality

From staff reports

The Wolf Administration has announced grant funding to rehabilitate an acid mine drainage treatment system in Clarion County.

The state Department of Environmental Protection awarded a grant of $93,000 to the Clarion County Conservation District for the project.

This Growing Greener grant will be used to rehabilitate an abandoned passive mine discharge treatment system. The improved system will treat up to 40 gallons per minute of mine water, which has low pH levels and high levels of heavy metal pollution.

The water flows into the Clarion River, a popular destination for boaters and anglers, and the project will be adjacent to the Clarion County Park.

“This project will not only improve the quality of the water going into the Clarion River, it will also improve the overall aesthetics of the neighboring park, which is a win-win,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

One of the largest investments into Pennsylvania’s environment, Growing Greener projects have been instrumental in cleaning up abandoned mine lands, preserving farmland, and protecting and restoring watersheds throughout the commonwealth.

The Growing Greener grant program is supported by the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which receives its funding from landfill tipping fees.