HARRISBURG – Five Schuylkill County dam improvement projects will receive funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, according to Sen. David Argall (R-29) and Rep. Neal Goodman (D-123).
“It is important for the state to take action to protect the lives and property of those who would be affected by a dam failure,” Argall said. “I am thankful that this funding will help to reduce this risk for Schuylkill County residents in the future.”
More than $17 million in grants from the H2O PA High Hazard Unsafe Dam grant program will help to protect approximately 6,500 residents and more than 70 area businesses that could be affected by failures to local dams.
“The improvements of these dams, most of them located in my legislative district, will not only guarantee the safety of area residents, but will also create many quality job opportunities during these very difficult economic times,” Goodman said.
The Kauffman Reservoir Dam in New Castle Township will receive a grant of nearly $2.6 million for embankment rehabilitation and new spillway construction. A grant of nearly $3.5 million will allow improvements to the Mount Laurel Dam in New Castle Township, including improvements to the earthen embankment, construction of a new reinforced concrete spillway and raising the dam crest. These projects will help to protect approximately 4,500 residents, 50 businesses, one school and one hospital that could be affected by a dam failure.
A grant of more than $5.7 million will be used for earthen embankment improvements and spillway construction on the Indian Run Dam in Branch Township. These improvements will help to protect approximately 1,500 residents and 20 businesses that could be affected by a dam failure.
“This funding will help the Authority to improve our reservoirs at a reasonable cost to ratepayers,” said Schuylkill County Municipal Authority manager Dave Holley. “I am thankful for the efforts of Senator Argall, Representative Goodman and the Commonwealth Financing Authority in providing this important funding to benefit Schuylkill County communities.”
Tamaqua Borough will receive grants totaling more than $5.3 million to construct spillways, flatten the downstream embankment slope and raise dam height for the Lower Owl Creek Dam and Upper Owl Creek Dam. These projects would help to protect approximately 500 residents and three businesses that could be affected by a dam failure.
“The Owl Creek dams are a valuable and beautiful natural resource, and we would not be able to make these much-needed improvements without this funding,” said Tamaqua Borough Council President Micah Gursky. “I am thankful that this funding will allow us to preserve this vital resource for future generations.”
Contact: Champ Holman
(570) 773-0891