Recovery Act Project Creates New Wetlands Near Brandywine Creek

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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Aug 18, 2010, 05:20 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "A new construction project along the Brandywine Creek in Chester County is underway to create new wetland areas that will help provide flood control to nearby residents," reports Denise Coleman, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) State Conservationist.

The new wetlands will replace previously existing wetlands that were impacted by the installation of the Hibernia dam in 1994. Since prior replacement wetlands haven't functioned as intended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA-NRCS, and local sponsors (such as Chester County Commissioners, Chester County Water Resource Authority, Chester County Conservation District, Chester County Parks and Recreation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection- Division of Dam Safety) are working together on this new project to ensure success.

"Wetlands are an essential part of any landscape," said Coleman. "In addition to providing flood control, they also help improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, prevent soil erosion, and help filter pollutants."

This $200,000 project was funded by NRCS through President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. NRCS is using Recovery Act dollars to not only restore wetlands and improve water quality, but also to update aging flood control structures, protect and maintain water supplies, and enhance fish and wildlife habitat. NRCS acquires easements and restores floodplains to safeguard lives and property in areas along streams and rivers that have experienced flooding.

For more Recovery Act information, visit www.recovery.gov. Information on NRCS's voluntary conservation programs can be found at www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov.

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SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service