Owlett Announces More Than $1.44 Million in State Grants for Two Tioga County Farms

April 17, 2019

HARRISBURG – Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) today announced the award of two Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) grants totaling $1.44 million to the Tioga County Conservation District for projects in Shippen and Sullivan townships.

“This funding is great news for these two farms, which have been working with the conservation district to put best management practices in place,” said Owlett. “I commend the owners of Metzler and Slaymaker dairy farms for pursuing these grants and working toward a cleaner and healthier environment.”

Details of the funding awards are as follows:

• $783,044 grant to construct liquid and dry waste storage and collection systems, covered heavy use area, animal fencing, critical planning and vegetation restoration, vegetative buffer, improved access roads, storm water drainage, diversion swales and structural storm water controls on the Metzler Dairy farm in Shippen Township, Tioga County.
o This project is estimated to eliminate 17,470 pounds of nitrogen; 5,329 pounds of phosphorus and 2,680 pounds of sediment from going into the West Branch of Stony Fork, a tributary to Pine Creek.

• $659,132 grant to construct a waste storage system, reception pit, waste transfer system, covered heavy use and feedlot areas, concrete feed pad, animal fencing, critical planting/vegetated treatment, improved access road, storm water drainage swales, gutters and downspouts at the Slaymaker Dairy Farm in Sullivan Township, Tioga County.

“Reducing sediment and nutrient runoff are important goals Pennsylvania farms consistently work to address,” said Owlett. “Our streams and rivers can only handle a certain amount of runoff from agricultural operations; therefore, the agriculture community is committed to following best practices to mitigate the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reaching our waterways.

“The 68th District is located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which means runoff from agricultural lands in Tioga County can not only cause problems for streams in our area, but also eventually impact the bay,” Owlett continued.

Since its inception in 1988, PENNVEST has served communities and citizens of Pennsylvania by funding sewer, storm water and drinking water projects throughout the Commonwealth. These projects not only contribute to improving Pennsylvania’s environment and the health of its people, but also provide opportunities for economic growth and jobs for Pennsylvania’s workers.

Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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