State grants to help improve, protect watersheds

SHARON, Pa. -- Mercer and Lawrence counties will get more than $600,000 in state grants to improve and protect watersheds in the region.

Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, said the Shenango Conservancy will get $244,840 to fence at least 15 miles along the banks of the Shenango River, fence in or restore 30 acres of wetlands, establish more than 100 acres of warm-season grasses, install 30 agricultural crossings and develop 10 alternative watering sources within the watershed.

Stream Restoration Inc. will get $132,681 to develop wetlands designed to treat alkaline iron-bearing water discharges in Mercer County.

Lawrence County Conservation will get $255,176 to develop agricultural "best management practices" and to prepare watershed action plans for two sub-watersheds within the Moraine Watershed.

The money comes from the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Program administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection.