HARRISBURG – Working to ensure public safety and protect against skyrocketing flood insurance costs, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced three flood mitigation grants in the 67th Legislative District.
The grants were approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and were awarded as follows: Coudersport Borough, $300,000; Eldred Borough, $129,412; and Emporium Borough, $220,000.
“First and foremost, it is important to ensure the safety of people within and around these communities in the event of a flood,” Causer said. “It is also important to make sure the levees meet federal standards to protect homeowners, business owners, schools and others from having to purchase costly flood insurance for their properties. These grants are important investments in these communities.”
Each of the three communities is going through a levee certification process to ensure they meet standards set out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In the fifth phase of its certification process, Coudersport will use its grant to repair and upgrade a sewer line located at the toe of the Mill Creek Levee. The line must be encased in concrete because of its location.
In Eldred, funds will be used to conduct a study, including subsurface borings to analyze the existing levee and subgrade conditions, as part of its levee system certification process.
Emporium will use its funds to conduct an engineering study of the Sinnemahoning Creek Levee to ensure it meets or exceeds requirements for certification.
Projects authorized by a flood protection authority, the Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, or identified by a local government for flood mitigation are eligible for Flood Mitigation Program grants.
