The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has recognized a project from the Indiana County Conservation District along with 25 others with the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.
The award honors innovative efforts to improve air and water quality, reduce pollution, restore ecosystems, and build healthier and more sustainable communities in the state. Applications were evaluated for their degree of environmental protection, innovation, collaboration, economic impact, climate resilience, sustainability, environmental justice, and measurable results. DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said in a statement, “These projects show what’s possible when local organizations, schools, businesses, and volunteers come together to solve environmental challenges and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”
The Indiana County Conservation District was honored for the work on the Lucerne 3A/Waterworks Passive Treatment System to replace a failed lime-dousing silo. The system treats the only AMD discharge along a 6.7-mile section of Two Lick Creek. The project significantly improves downstream water quality, supports aquatic life, and enhances recreational value in an existing park.
