Federal officials, local leaders and community partners in Reading this week celebrated a successful effort to restore more than a quarter mile of Wyomissing Creek and surrounding habitat.

The project, supported by a $50,000 grant from NOAA's Community-based

Restoration program, included the removal of two derelict dams blocking the creek and the restoration of natural habitat. In addition, visitors to the Reading Museum will now enjoy improved park infrastructure, enhanced educational opportunities and a rejuvenated natural area for outdoor recreation.

Since 1996, NOAA has provided over $33 million for nearly 900 projects

around the nation through the Community-based Restoration Program (CRP) for projects like dam removal, fish passage improvements, and coastal wetland restoration.

The NOAA Community-based Restoration Program now has open application periods for grants that could benefit Pennsylvania watershed groups—

North American Rivers Habitat Restoration Partnership grant applications are due November 12.

Trout Unlimited Embrace-A-Stream Program applications due December 20.

10/22/2004