​HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 29) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced nearly $380,000 in grants to develop and implement projects that benefit fishing, boating, and aquatic resources in Cameron, Elk, Potter and McKean counties.

The funding is available through a 2007 settlement agreement with Norfolk Southern as restitution for environmental damages from a June 30, 2006, train derailment in rural Norwich Township, McKean County.  Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern agreed to pay the Commonwealth $7.35 million as restitution for environmental damages.  The PFBC received $3.675 million through the settlement and created the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed Restoration Grant Program.

The funds received through this damage settlement have been used to improve public fishing and boating access, fish habitat, water quality, and stream health and to restore stream connectivity through the removal of barriers to fish movement such as dams and culverts.

The nine external projects funded today total approximately $330,000 and include:

Including the current grant announcement, the PFBC has awarded over $3.4 million in grants to external partners from the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed settlement fund since the start of the grant program in 2008.  This current grant round will be the last because the entire restoration account has been utilized for completed projects or committed to projects yet to be implemented.  Forty-five projects have been completed, and 14 projects remain active.

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission