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DEP Secretary touts grant program, Pine Grove floodplain project

PINE GROVE — In recognition of Earth Day, state Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley on Tuesday visited the site of a restored stream — the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration project — and announced the next round of a grant program instrumental in supporting the project. Shirley, accompanied by local leaders, made her announcement in front of the site of the flood mitigation project in northern Pine Grove, an area that officials noted is particularly vulnerable to flooding. Officials said the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration project — an expansive state, local and county partnership spurred by the impact of Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 — has done its part to alleviate flooding issues in the area upon its completion in 2020. The goal was to allow floodwaters to flow into an expanded floodplain and wetlands, reducing the flood height that impacted the community, according to the DEP. The project was partially funded by the DEP's Growing Greener Grant program, which Shirley says 'is the largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania history to address critical environmental concerns.' * Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley announces the next round of Growing Greener Grants while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * The Swatara Creek Floodplains extend behind Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley during an annoucnement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 2 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley announces the next round of Growing Greener Grants while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand Shirley touted the benefits of the Growing Greener program on projects like the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration, which addressed the impacts of flooding felt throughout the northern Swatara Creek watershed and surrounding community. She said the site received a Growing Greener grant in 2017; that same year, she said, the Department of Community and Economic Development awarded about $3 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding to the community. 'It's really a time for us to celebrate the power of local action, partnership and a long-term commitment to our environment,' Shirley said. 'Earth Day reminds us that environmental protection is not just a global or national challenge, but it's really a local responsibility — and that's exactly what we see here in Pine Grove.' After the initial wave of funding, Shirley said, county and community partners came together to build what would become 20.9 acres of restored floodplain, 8 acres of wetlands and more than 8,000 linear feet of stabilized streambanks. 'These restoration efforts will reduce the severity and the frequency of flooding, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitats,' Shirley said. Shirley said the next round of Growing Greener grants will be available through June 20. To date, Growing Greener grants have provided almost $420 million in funding to more than 2,800 environmental projects across Pennsylvania, Shirley said. The Swatara Creek project received a total of nearly $1.8 million in Growing Greener funds, according to the DEP. 'Growing Greener funding supports projects that restore watersheds to prevent flooding, like this one here in Pine Grove,' Shirley said. 'They improve water quality, and they reduce nonpoint source pollution across the commonwealth, just like the incredible work completed here along the Swatara Creek.' Wayne Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, said the project was a long, complicated process involving many agencies at the state, county and local levels. Wayne G. Lehman, county natural resource specialist with the Schuylkill Conservation District, talks about the Swatara Creek Floodplain Restoration while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Lehman stressed the importance of carrying out the project in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee, which dumped more than 15 inches in the 120-square-mile Upper Swatara Creek watershed. The storm severely flooded 180 residences and numerous businesses, including the town's largest employer — Guilford Performance Textiles by Lear — which had 36 inches of water inside its facility. Two Guilford representatives, Sierra Deibert and Kelly Stine, noted the project has successfully protected the business from flooding on multiple occasions since December 2020. 'Our business, as well as others in the community, are thankful that this plain was able to get done in a good amount of time,' Deibert said, 'as the flooding in Pine Grove borough could have been so much worse.' * Sierra Deibert, left, and Kelly Stine, right, speak during an announcement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Pine Grove Council member Elaine Holley speaks about its nice not to have her home flood during heavy rains at an annoucnement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 2 Sierra Deibert, left, and Kelly Stine, right, speak during an announcement for the Growing Greener Grant Program applications while at Swatara Creek in Pine Grove, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand Elaine Holley, vice president of the Pine Grove borough council and a resident of northern Pine Grove, said she can 'sleep a lot better at night' knowing the project has been successful. She said her home had been flooded in the past and caused her to be temporarily displaced from her home. 'I see that it's doing what it's supposed to do,' she said. Also making remarks at the event were state Rep. JoAnne Stehr, R-107; Christine Verdier, chief of staff for state Sen. David G. Argall; and Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess.