The Schuylkill River Heritage Area has awarded three grants totaling $136,106 from the recently established Exelon Schuylkill River Watershed Restoration Program.

This is the first year money has been available through the program, which was created by Exelon Nuclear in January. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area oversees the fund, distributing money annually to non-profit organizations and government agencies for projects that will enhance the Schuylkill River Watershed.

This year, three projects centering on agricultural improvements, stream bank restoration, and headwaters restoration, were selected. All projects benefit the entire watershed because they reduce the amount of run-off and pollution that enters creeks, and ultimately, the river, which is a source of drinking water for over one million people.

“This allows us to reach out to non-profit organizations who are going to have an immediate impact, as a result of these projects, on the quality of water that will eventually find its way into the Schuylkill River,” said Kurt Zwikl, executive director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

Projects selected were:

· Berks County Conservancy--$50,931 for agricultural and stream bank improvements on two farm properties in the headwaters of the Maiden Creek watershed;

· Berks County Conservation District--$65,000 for improvements to a tributary of Irish Creek, in Centre Township, addressing non-point source of pollution concerns on a farm property; and

· Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy--$20,175 for reconstruction and stabilization of a headwater tributary of the Unami Creek.

Limerick Vice President Ron DeGregorio said, “We are happy that we are able to provide the funds for these projects and we’re excited about the possibilities created for improvement of the Schuylkill River. I want to commend the committee, and especially the SRHA, for their dedication and execution of this fund. Given its success in just the first year, we can’t wait to see what happens with next year’s fund.”

Recipients were chosen by a committee that consisted of representatives from Exelon, Delaware River Basin Commission, Philadelphia Water Department, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Environmental Protection and the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

“I would like to thank the committee members for providing their energy, time and expertise to this worthwhile effort to improve water resources in the Schuylkill River Basin,” said Carol R. Collier, executive director of the DRBC.

This year, priority was given to projects aimed at mitigating problems with water quality and quantity.

The annual fund is part of a demonstration project for the water diversion program at Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station and is under the purview of the Delaware River Basin Commission.

As part of Limerick’s water diversion program, Exelon Nuclear pumps water daily to operate the plant from various water sources, in order to minimize the environmental impact. Exelon's yearly contribution to the fund is based on the amount of water that is not required to be pumped from the Delaware River to support the Limerick Generating Station's cooling water needs.

This year, Exelon contributed a total of $158,000 to the fund. The bulk of that went toward funding the three projects, and another $6,094 was rolled over to be used next year. The remaining money covered costs involved in administering the grants.

For more information, visit the Exelon Schuylkill River Watershed Restoration Program webpage.

8/11/2006