Intelligencer Journal Lancaster, PA
Rochelle A. Shenk, Correspondent
December 14, 2000
The Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance welcomed news that the organization received a $48,000 Growing Greener Grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
"The funds from this grant will be the spark that lights the fuse for the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance. The group can now start projects that will help improve water quality in our streams," state Rep.-elect Tom Creighton said.
Creighton, who stepped down as Rapho supervisor after his successful 37th District campaign, said, "We're a local group, trying to work as a neighbor to educate other neighbors. We need the support of both individual landowners and community groups to be successful."
Creighton, Manheim Borough Zoning Officer Rob Stoner and Penn Township Supervisor Scott Shank were instrumental in launching the organization modeled after efforts in Lititz Borough and Warwick Township, which are drained by Lititz Run.
The alliance was formed in August and incorporated as a non- profit corporation with the purpose of improving the watershed in the Manheim area.
Manheim Borough resident Darek Potter is president of the alliance. He specializes in civil engineering at RGS Associates, Brownstown. Shank serves as vice president, and Rapho Township Manager Nancy Halliwell is secretary/treasurer.
Potter said, "I've been a resident of Manheim for two years, and I'd like to contribute to betterment of the community. The alliance has members from various backgrounds, each one of us will have something different to contribute to the organization."
He said funds from the Growing Greener Grant will help defray the costs of creating the organization, brochures and maps.
Also, planning is underway for streambank restoration of Rife Run in Manheim's Logan Par next spring, Potter said.
The majority of the grant money, approximately $40,000, will be used to conduct a watershed assessment of 126 square miles of land. Land Studies, Lititz, will conduct the assessment with an emphasis on channel stability and establishing priorities for restoration projects.
"The assessment is a benchmark that analyzes the current conditions of the stream. We'd like to do another analysis in five years, after we've completed some projects, and see the improvement," Potter said.
He said, "We've been in contact with teachers (in Manheim Central schools), and they've indicated they may be interested in being involved in some way, maybe doing some type of stream testing as a science project."
Some of the projects include placement of fencing along waterways in agricultural areas to protect streambank vegetation from being trampled by livestock. Healthy streambanks reduce erosion and filter sediments and fertilizers washed from fields.
Manheim area residents are invited to attend the next meeting of the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance, which is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Rapho Township Municipal Building, 971 N. Colebrook Road.
For more information, contact Halliwell at 665-3827.
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