Governor Corbett Announces New Investments to Support Flood Control Projects in Bradford, Chester and Potter Counties

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced that the Commonwealth Financing Authority has approved nearly $2.6 million through the H2O PA program to fund the construction and repair of flood control projects that will impact more than 244 businesses and 1,675 residents in Bradford, Chester and Potter counties.

"While we cannot prevent natural disasters from happening, we are committed to providing support to help communities proactively prepare for the devastation that nature can bring," Corbett said. "The investments approved today will help upgrade aging and deteriorating flood-control systems, protecting businesses and residents from potential flood damage."

Projects that involve the construction, improvement, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of a flood-control system are eligible to apply for H2O PA funding. Flood-control projects include channel improvements, compacted earth levees, concrete channels, concrete floodwalls, detention dams, non-structural measures or any combination of these project types. Major repairs on or rehabilitation of an existing flood protection project are also eligible for funding. 

One of the projects approved today will award $1,042,199 to Sayre, Bradford County, to make repairs and upgrades to an existing pump station in the borough. The funding will be used to remove and replace the damaged pumps, generator, generator pad, electrical equipment and HVAC system with three new pumps and an emergency generator installed at an elevation two feet above the top of the existing levee. The pump station was damaged beyond repair when the levee was overtopped in September 2011 during Tropical Storm Lee.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will receive a $1.1 million H2O PA grant to address structural deficiencies of the spillway located at the existing Marsh Creek Dam in Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County. The dam was constructed for the purposes of flood control, water supply and recreational activities. Since the initial construction, the entire concrete emergency spillway has continued to slowly deteriorate. The funding provided will fund the complete rehabilitation of the spillway and ultimately return Marsh Creek Dam to a serviceable condition. This ensures flood mitigation for 1,500 residents, 200 businesses and 15 schools located within the Downingtown region, while mitigating the risk of a dam failure.

Coudersport, Potter County, will receive a $466,730 H2O PA grant to raise the levee, add an embankment and remove debris and sediments from the Allegheny River levee. The borough will also modify the Mill Creek levee and place riprap on portions of the levee, raise the levee, add embankment material and remove debris and sediments. The repairs and upgrades will allow for Federal Emergency Management Agency certification and accreditation, which ensures home owners and businesses in the area remain eligible for repair and rehabilitation funds. This remediation project will impact 125 homes, 44 businesses and one school.

Administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, H2O PA provides grants for flood control projects, construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer projects and high-hazard or unsafe dam projects. 

For more information about the H2O PA program, or other programs administrated through the Department of Community and Economic Development, call 1-866-466-3972 or visit www.newPA.com.

Media contacts: 
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Lyndsay Frank, DCED; 717-783-1132

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor