Historic $90M investment to improve recreation, community revitalization

Sep. 11—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Tom Wolf this week announced a historic investment of $90 million for more than 330 projects across Pennsylvania that will create new recreational opportunities, conserve natural resources, and help revitalize local communities.

The $90 million grant round is the largest single investment in Pennsylvania recreation and conservation in agency history, surpassing the previous record of $70 million in 2021.

Under the administration of Gov. Wolf, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has awarded more than $430 million in grants to more than 2,300 projects across the commonwealth.

"Pennsylvania encompasses some of the most beautiful natural areas in the nation," Gov. Wolf said. "By investing in the upkeep and expansion of our recreational areas, we are not only improving the quality of life for citizens. We are making Pennsylvania an even better destination for visitors who will contribute to the economic health of communities all across the commonwealth."

"The health and vitality of our communities is reflected in the quality of parks and trails, access to rivers, open spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities," DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said at an event at Clark Nature Preserve in Pequea, Lancaster County. "This grant round is historic, as it is the largest amount we ever issued to help protect and enhance our natural amenities throughout Pennsylvania."

Dunn added, "Many of the projects being funded — improvements to local parks, trails, and river access — bring these amenities closer to home, requiring less driving and expense to experience. This $90 million investment will leverage more than $100 million in local, county and private investments, giving every state dollar more power for the public good."

Investments are being made in a variety of proposals, including: 43 trail projects; protecting nearly 7,207 acres of open space; 20 projects for rivers conservation; planting 214 acres of streamside forest buffers including 47 that are multi-functional with the possibility of producing a harvestable profit for the landowner; and 141 projects to develop or rehabilitate recreation, park and conservation areas and facilities.

The grants are administered by the DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2). Funding comes from the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through fees for licenses; and federal monies.

Visit the DCNR website for a complete list of grants by county.

Gov. Wolf also announced an unprecedented additional 2022 fall grant round, which was made possible in part from appropriated funds in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's 2022-23 budget. That same support also secured funding for the creation of three new state parks to be announced this fall.

"This special fall grant round was made possible thanks to the bipartisan investment in conservation and outdoor recreation we secured in the recent commonwealth budget," Gov. Wolf said. "These additional funds will help us support even more local park, trail, water quality, and landscape projects across Pennsylvania."

The C2P2 special fall grant opportunity will highlight helping under served communities, closing trail gaps, supporting an invigorated focus on the outdoor recreation sector, and planting trees along streams and in communities. The deadline to submit applications for the fall grant round is Oct. 27.

For the supplemental fall grant round there is a lower match requirement for municipalities with populations under 5,000 people. For these communities, match is only 20% of the grant amount with no cap on project size. This lower match requirement makes the fall funding round an ideal opportunity for smaller municipalities to apply for grants.

The special fall funding round is also an ideal time to apply for tree planting, lawn conversion, and streamside buffer grants. The round includes more than $8 million in Keystone Tree Fund money and other funds to support watershed and community forestry practices.

For more information on the fall grant round or to apply, visit the DCNR Grants Customer Service Portal.

Game Commission to host two

game lands wildlife habitat tours

Pennsylvania Game Commission Northeast Region Director Daniel Figured this week announced the Northeast Region will host two state game lands wildlife habitat vehicular tours to highlight habitat enhancements, infrastructure improvements and hunting opportunities.

"These tours showcase what Game Commission wildlife habitat crews, as well as volunteers from several conservation organizations, have accomplished for wildlife on public land," said Figured. "Habitat improvements have immediate and long-term benefits for both game and non-game species."

All tours are free and will be held rain or shine.

—Luzerne and Wyoming counties — Sunday, Oct. 2, on State Game Lands 57, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Game Commission personnel will be on hand to explain points of interest, including wildlife habitat-improvement projects. Four-wheel-drive vehicles with high clearance are required for this 30-mile, self-guided driving tour and it will take about three hours to complete.

The tour will pass habitat-improvement projects completed by the State Game Lands 57 wildlife habitat crew with help from the National Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited. Representatives from the Game Commission and conservation organizations will be on hand to explain the projects and answer questions.

The route will start at the game lands parking area on Mountain Springs Road just off of State Route 487. Each vehicle will be provided with a map and brief explanation of wildlife habitat management programs being carried out on this magnificent tract of public hunting land.

—Bradford County — Sunday, Oct. 9, on State Game Lands 12, from 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. This tour will highlight habitat enhancements, infrastructure improvements and hunting opportunities. The tour will showcase what Game Commission wildlife habitat crews, as well as dedicated volunteers from several conservation organizations, have accomplished on public land.

The 28-mile, self-guided, circular driving tour through State Game Lands 12 will take about two hours to complete. State Game Lands 12 consists of nearly 24,480 acres in Bradford County. The route will start at the game lands parking lot on top of Wheelerville Mountain on State Route 154, just south of Canton. Vehicles with good ground clearance are recommended.

The route travels east to the Barclay Cemetery, then down the hill to Laquin before turning west onto the railroad grade to Wheelerville. The tour ends at the intersection with State Route 154 in Wheelerville. From there, those on the tour can travel north on state Route 154 to

Canton, or south to Shunk in Sullivan County. The tour goes by Sunfish Pond County Park, so a picnic lunch may be the order of the day.

Those taking the tour will find the local history of the mountain and the Game Commission's refuge system intriguing. A pocket guide with historical information and photographs will be provided to each vehicle at the start of the tour.

New Game Commissioners

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is back to a full complement, with every seat on the board filled, including a newly established District 9 seat.

The state Senate recently approved Gov. Tom Wolf's appointments of Todd A. Pride and Robert C. Schwalm to four-year terms on the Board of Commissioners.

Pride, of Cochranville, Chester County, was selected from District 8, which now includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. This position had been vacant since former Commissioner Brian Hoover's term expired.

Schwalm, of Bethlehem, Lehigh County, was selected for the newly created District 9 seat, which covers Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.

While commissioners are selected from districts throughout the Commonwealth to ensure uniform representation of citizens, once appointed, they represent all Pennsylvanians.

Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans welcomed the new commissioners aboard.

"Commissioners Pride and Schwalm both have made hunting and spending time in the outdoors priorities in their lives, and their extensive backgrounds will allow them to hit the ground running in serving Pennsylvania's hunters and trappers," Burhans said. "They bring unquestionable value to a board that now is at a full complement, and I look forward to working alongside them to advance wildlife conservation and make hunting and trapping in the Keystone State better than it's ever been."

District 7, which is overseen by Commissioner Stanley I. Knick Jr., now represents Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Back Woods Bass Results

Bob Strunk reports the rankings for last week's Lunker Tournament Championship and the weekly results.

Wednesday Night Harveys Lake

Lunker Championship

1st Place: John Kelley 4.53 lbs.

2nd Place: Shaun Kucharski 3.53 lbs.

3rd Place: Nate Hazeltine 3.51 lbs.

4th Place: Justin Kubilus 3.41 lbs.

5th Place: Gary Mikulski 3.32 lbs.

6th Place: Jake Rolands 3.25 lbs.

7th Place: George Hogan 3.16 lbs.

8th Place: Duane Deno 2.94 lbs.

9th Place: Greg Mikulski Jr 2.86 lbs.

10th Place: Joe Zombek 2.45 lbs.

Harveys Lake Friday Night

1st Place: Johnny Niezgoda/Brad Rinehimer, 13 lbs. 6 oz.

Also won Lunker Award, 3 lbs. 11 oz.

2nd Place: Shaun Kucharski, 12 lbs. 2 oz.

3rd Place: Kenny Kosloski/Ron Dopko, 10 lbs. 6 oz.

4th Place: Travis Sciandra/Gary Collins, 8 lbs. 14 oz.

5th Place: Joe Zombek/Mike Bahnweg, 8 lbs. 8 oz.

6th Place: Nate & Howard Hazeltine, 8 lbs. 1 oz.

7th Place: John & Evan Stravinski, 7 lbs. 7 oz.

8th Place: Damien Strohl/John Harding, 2 lbs. 3 oz.

New film, other activities set for Clean

Water Act's 50th anniversary celebration

As a way to mark the 50th anniversary of the national Clean Water Act, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, with support from the Degenstein Foundation, is holding a Clean Water Celebration on Oct. 15, 2022, in Lewisburg. Included in the experience will be:

—10 a.m. to noon — A free slate of events focused on community interaction in Lewisburg's Hufnagle Park. This will include presentations, hands-on activities, live music and other opportunities.

—12:45 p.m. — A special screening of the new documentary "American River" at the Campus Theatre with filmmaker Scott Morris in attendance. A panel discussion featuring Morris and local Susquehanna River experts will follow the film. Cost for this is $10 per ticket.

Find out more about the event, get your tickets and watch for updates on the event by clicking here.

Final 3 floating classrooms

of 2022 are coming soon

The 2022 summer season of Floating Classrooms aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat in Williamsport is sadly nearing its end.

The final cruises yet to come include:

—Saturday, Sept. 10, 10-11 a.m. — Aquatic photography & videography. Dr. Joseph Simons, vice president of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association and pioneer of the Wild Trout Man video series, will join photographer/videographer Michael Kinney in presentations about their work with tips on how to improve your own photography/videography of our outdoor resources.

—Tuesday, Sept. 13, 10-11 a.m. — Flooding and Agnes' 50th anniversary. This session will offer a look back at the historical elements of the 1972 Agnes flood with a presentation by Bucknell University's Andrew Stuhl, and how flooding events impact aquatic ecosystems as demonstrated through a floodplain simulation model run by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission's Graham Markowitz and Ben Pratt.

—Tuesday, Sept. 27, 10-11 a.m. — Flex your mussels. Sean Reese, program scientist with Bucknell University's Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program, will lead a presentation on freshwater mussel life cycles, their importance in aquatic ecosystems along with some implications for their conservation along with a demonstration of their filtration capacity. Another presentation onboard will focus on identification and invasive species concerns.