The Valley Creek Trustee Council, consisting of the Fish and Boat Commission and the Valley Forge National Historical Park, have announced the availability of a new grant program for restoration of natural resources within the Valley Creek Watershed.

Applications are being accepted until October 31 of each year for projects to be implemented the following year. Anyone is eligible to apply. Approximately $1.5 million is available through the Valley Creek Restoration Grant Program for qualified stream restoration projects.

Valley Creek is an Exceptional Value stream and a Class A wild trout fishery, as well as being an important resource within Valley Forge National Historical Park.

After contamination of the stream occurred in the mid-1980s, monies to compensate for natural resource damages and lost angler use were received through legal settlements with the responsible parties and placed into a Restoration Fund administered by the Valley Creek Trustee Council.

The grant program is based on the Valley Creek Restoration Plan which outlines the strategy for watershed restoration and provides potential restoration projects. Qualified projects must relate to stormwater management, streambank stabilization, implementation of environmentally sensitive land practices like vegetated stream buffers, easements), projects that directly improve angler access and projects related to the restoration of brook trout in Crabby Creek, a tributary to Valley Creek.

Copies of the Valley Creek Restoration Plan are also available on the website or in CD form from Chuck Marshall, Valley Creek Restoration Coordinator, at cgmarshall@nni.com or 610-647-6432 .

For more information, visit the Valley Creek Restoration Grant Program webpage.

5/4/2007