CHAMBERSBURG-The Borough of Chambersburg has received a $150,000 grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to implement further a green infrastructure project along the borough’s section of the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail in downtown Chambersburg.
Officials from the Bay Trust, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the borough and other grant recipients gathered recently at the project site to highlight the project, which will address stormwater management issues between the Rail Trail and the Conococheague Creek.
“We are honored that the Chesapeake Bay Trust has recognized the efforts of the Borough to promote green infrastructure and sustainability construction practices,” said Jeffrey Stonehill, borough manager.
“This grant will be used to implement a multi-layered storm water management solution that will reduce runoff into the Conococheague Creek, reduce associated flooding in the immediate area, address stream bank stabilization, and implement green infrastructure components,” explained Andrew Stottlemyer, the borough’s Storm Sewer System Manager.
The project will ultimately protect the environmental education and outdoor recreational opportunities of the Chambersburg Rail Trail and will result in reduced street flooding, with the planting of 35 new trees, 150 native plants, 1,764 square yards of pollinator friendly plants, 1,000 square feet of reforestation/afforestation and removal of invasive species.
“This Project aligns well with the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, as well as local watershed organizations, such as the Franklin County Watershed Association, through the implementation of Department of Environmental Protection recognized best management practices (BMPs), ” said Jana Davis of the Trust.
The Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program, funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region III and the Chesapeake Bay Trust was created to support design projects, financing strategies, and/or implementation of green street projects. The goal of this grant program is to help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff, increase the number and amount of green spaces in urban areas, improve the health of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay, and enhance quality of life and community livability.
The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program provides competitive funding throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. This round, the Trust received more than $2.7 million in requests for the $1 million funding available in the program.
