Township secures grants and authorizes monitoring contracts for Conewago restoration

Londonderry Township — At its May 6 meeting the Board of Supervisors advanced multiple actions tied to the Conewago Creek restoration program, including grant awards and a contract authorization for long-term monitoring and maintenance.

MS-4 Coordinator Monique Dykman reported the township was awarded a Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) CU grant of $350,000 toward Phase 4 of the Conewago Restoration project, part of a total Phase 4 engineering and construction cost of $1,050,000. Ms. Dykman also outlined outreach, a planned June 9 Bioblitz and community involvement to document plant and animal species at restored sites.

The Board authorized a notice of intent to award a contract to Land Studies Incorporated to provide maintenance and monitoring for Phases 1–3 for up to five years at a base amount of $86,700, subject to submission of required documents and approval by the Township Manager and Solicitor. Manager David Blechertas and Ms. Dykman said DEP’s Water Resource Enhancement Program (WREP) has indicated it would be the responsible financial party for monitoring payments and has expressed interest in purchasing excess pollution-reduction credits generated by earlier phases. The minutes state the Township will initially issue payments and submit them to WREP for reimbursement under that arrangement.

Engineer Mike Wood and staff also reported progress on associated tasks: preparing RFPs for design work for Phase 4, moving forward with easement exhibits, and coordinating monitoring scope and deliverables. The Board approved issuing the notice of intent to award and the subsequent notice to proceed once documents, bonding and insurance are in order.

The Board did not vote at the meeting on any additional large capital expenditures for Phase 4 beyond advancing design and monitoring procurement.