The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced $214,000 in grants to support the Clarion River Recreation Assessment -- a partnership project in Elk, Forest, Jefferson and Clarion counties.

The group responds to recreational opportunities and challenges facing the Clarion River and other natural resources gracing the southwestern corner of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

Besides the four counties and their municipalities, the partnership includes the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Allegheny National Forest.

Funding for the five grants through the DCNR Community Partnerships Program comes from Growing Greener II, a voter-approved, $625 million bond issue, and the Keystone Fund, a DCNR fund generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax.

"These grants support many of the recommendations of the Clarion River Recreation Assessment report released last week during a meeting with project partners at Cook Forest State Park," said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "The assessment involved a six-month evaluation of recreation along the river and it included a series of local stakeholder meetings.

"Among the recommendations outlined were to: improve river access and visitor amenities; establish a coordinated signage program; and explore options for intergovernmental cooperation along the corridor, all of which are reflected in the grants we are awarding," Secretary DiBerardinis said.

A list of grants awarded is available online.

The 101-mile Clarion River has its headwaters in northern Elk County; it ends in Clarion County where it flows into the Allegheny River. Almost 52 miles of the river are designated scenic and recreational under the federal National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

The Clarion River Assessment Report is available online.

More information is available on financial assistance on DCNR’s Grants webpage.

8/17/2007