Saturday, February 4th, 2012
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EMHR News

Governor Corbett at Nicholson

Endless Mountains Heritage Region offices are now located in the "Old Red House" on Towanda's John B. Merrill Parkway. This historic 1830's frame house is at the corner of the Merrill Parkway and Jefferson (formerly Weston) Street and overlooks the Susquehanna River and the Towanda River Walk. The house is a contributing structure to the Towanda Historic District and owned by EMHR friends and members Bob and Catherine Veleker.  EMHR is joined by David LaFrance of the Bradford County Library System in occupying the house. Staff are in the process of settling into the new abode and will soon be inviting our friends and partners to visit us at an open-house. In the meantime, we warmly welcome you to visit us at the Old Red House.

Preservation Pennsylvania Announces At Risk List for 2011
Sullivan County Covered Bridges and Noxen LVRR Depot top list
Mindy Gulden Crawford, Executive Director of Preservation Pennsylvania, our statewide non-profit historic preservation leader, announced the release of its annual Pennsylvania At Risk list. The 2011 list highlights 10 endangered resources, including the two covered bridges of Sullivan County (Hillsgrove and Sonestown) and the Noxen LVRR Depot in Wyoming County. The issue features several flood-damaged resources, as well as other properties that are threatened by demolition, significant deterioration, vandalism, alteration, and/or loss of their historic setting. The At Risk List is available here and at the EMHR office at the "Old Red House" in Towanda.



Governor Corbett Announces DCNR Grants
ROYERSFORD, Pa., Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced an investment of $31.5 million for 218 conservation and recreation projects designed to protect natural resources and revitalize communities across the state.

"The health and vitality of our communities is reflected in the quality of their parks and trails, access to rivers, open spaces and opportunities to be active outdoors," Gov. Corbett said. "Through these grants, we're able to fund hundreds of projects to help conserve and enhance our natural assets."

Corbett, joined by Rep. Mike Vereb, said these investments include a $202,000 grant to Montgomery County for improvements to Upper Schuylkill Valley Park. The work will include providing better access for people with disabilities to the river and to fishing, which is important to the adjacent county geriatric center; along with a canoe/kayak launch area; trails to the existing wildlife exhibit area along the river; a new rustic picnic area with pavilion; new signage; native plantings; and enhanced parking.

The DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships grant program combines several funding sources into one grant program. Funding comes from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' 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 funds.

The grants will support a variety of proposals, including 43 trail projects; protecting 3,051 acres of open space; supporting 122 community parks; 12 river conservation projects; and 41 projects for regional and statewide heritage area, park, greenway and trail initiatives.

DCNR has placed a stronger emphasis on encouraging projects that develop green and sustainable practices and has made a number of resources available at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/greening/greeninggrants.aspx. 

The department also has put a considerable effort into implementing trail-related recommendations from the statewide outdoor recreation plan, and many trail projects are being funded, including: $2.3 million for motorized trails for the opening of Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Northumberland County with an expected 200 miles of trails for off-road vehicles; and the acquisition of 1,200 acres for an off-highway vehicle park in Armstrong County. 

More than $2.3 million is being provided to Heritage Areas including: developing educational and interpretative signage for mobile devices; further development of the Mainline Canal Greenway and D&L and Schuylkill river trails; water trail enhancements, river town assessments; scenic byways; and to plan and market heritage tourism events.

Why Are Heritage Areas Important?
The following documents describe the impacts of our programs and the need to ensure funding and support:
pdf  Advisory Council Recommendations
pdf  Heritage Tourism Economic Impacts