LOCAL PROJECTS GET FUNDING
Rail-trail, river study among those funded

Several years ago, voters across Pennsylvania approved a plan to float millions of dollars in bonds to pay for conservation and recreation projects across the state.

Last week, Gov. Ed Rendell announced the latest round of "Growing Greener" grants, many of which are coming to the local area.

The abandoned rail line leading from Emporium to St. Marys will be studied for development of a recreation trail. A grant of $15,000 was approved for the West Creek Recreational Trail Association to prepare a feasibility study for the 19 miles of rail line. Clifford Clark (486-3439) is local contact.

A $105,000 allotment will be used to prepare a watershed conservation plan for the headwaters of the Allegheny River in Potter and McKean counties. The plan will encompass 570,400 acres along the river as it flows from its origins near Ulysses through McKean County and finally merges with the Monongahela River at Pittsburgh to form the Ohio.

Tourist promotion and historic preservation along the U.S. Rt. 6 corridor will be supported with a $208,000 grant. Included in that multicounty project is $4,500 to help pay for a mural to be painted on the wall of the Penn-York building in Coudersport. The wall is located across from the Coudersport Post Office at the corner of Third Street and North Main Street (Pa. Rt. 44- 49).

Also included in the Rt. 6 grant is $100,000 for continued administration and management of the Pa. Route 6 Heritage Corporation; $23,500 to purchase a historic building in Linesville to serve as the National U.S. Route 6 Museum; and $30,000 to develop marketing strategies by analyzing travelers and to create a unified message across the corridor. Contact person is Terri Dennison (435-7706).

Snowmobiling in the region got a boost. God's County Black Forest Snowmobile Club received $94,000 purchase a groomer that will be used on 28 miles of trail in Potter and Tioga counties.

A separate $5,900 allotment will help the Pa. State Snowmobile Association place signs in Potter, Erie and Somerset counties to mark designated snowmobile trails.

Development of horse riding trails in Elk County received a boost in the form of a $167,000 grant to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for development of equine trailhead, with a parking area and horse stalls. Contact is Rawley Cogan (787-7530).

Another $35,000 grant will allow the Bureau of Forestry to install three bridges on the Thunder Mountain Equestrian Trail to mitigate stream and wetland damage.

A separate $32,000 allotment will be used by the Forestry Bureau in Cameron and Clearfield counties to develop trailhead parking along Chestnut Draft Road. Location is an undeveloped, wooded location on the eastern edge of the Quehanna Wild Area. The parking area will improve access to the area for equestrian loading and unloading, hikers, and mountain bikers. Contact is Jason Albright (765-0821).

Largest Growing Greener grant in the region was the $258,500 designated for the Pa. Lumber Heritage Region, including $100,000 to cover costs of operating and managing the region. Another $18,000 will be used to create and place 10 chainsaw-carved sculptures in the region. Contact is Michael Wennin (468-0213).