HARRISBURG - State Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) and state Sen. John R. Gordner (R-27) announced Thursday that the Commonwealth Financing Authority approved $575,000 in grants through the Marcellus Legacy Funds that will assist in the continued development of the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).
The grants will fund $353,000 for stream improvements to Carbon Run, including acid mine drainage abatement, and $222,000 for mountain bike trail development.
"It's great that we can make these two improvements to the whole project in general," AOAA Authority Chair Jim Backes said. "One helps with our goal of reclamation and the other helps with our goal of conservation of natural resources."
The third goal of economic development will be able to be reached with those first two goals being accomplished, he said.
Masser said the Carbon Run watershed drains a significantly impaired portion of abandoned mine lands in the AOAA, which in turn drains into the Shamokin Creek.
"Improved treatment of the discharge in conjunction with the Northumberland County Conservation District and the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance will hopefully lead to removal of the watershed from the state's impaired listing and will only enhance the AOAA," he said.
Having personally toured the AOAA, Gordner said he is excited about the new trail development.
"Upon completion of these and other trails, the AOAA will continue to attract regional and national events, spur growth for local businesses and attract many outdoor enthusiasts to our area for many years," he said.
Backes said he appreciates the support from local, county and state government.
The AOAA also received $1.9 million in grants that were awarded by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in 2010 and 2011 and $300,000 from the Allegheny Regional Commission, he said.
He said they're talking with DCNR about additional grants to continue building the trailhead area and the main parking, day use and events areas.
The Marcellus Legacy Fund, dedicated to conservation and environmental measures, is funded through impact fees on the natural gas industry. The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency of the commonwealth that administers Pennsylvania's economic stimulus packages.