DEP directs Murrysville to study options for creek cleanup and flood control; property‑owner permissions needed

Resident Bruce Kaufman asked council whether the municipality had advanced talks with state or federal partners about cleaning local streams. Chief Administrator Mister Nestico said the DEP and Representative Cooper's office advised the municipality that any flood control project would start with a feasibility study and that such work would be a multi‑year effort.

"At the conclusion of that call, it was determined that the municipality would need to conduct a feasibility study if they want to explore a flood control project," Nestico said. He added that short‑term cleanup work in creeks is limited by property ownership: work above the water line generally requires property‑owner permission, while work below the water line would require DEP approvals.

Staff noted the conservation district may be able to assist for creek segments adjacent to public trails, but much of the creek corridor of concern lies on private property and would require owner permissions and funding to proceed. Council did not approve a study or a cleanup program at the meeting but indicated staff would consider whether a feasibility study should be pursued and would report back; Nestico characterized the work as a long‑term effort.

No grants or specific funding allocations were approved at the meeting. Nestico said the next step would be council consideration of whether to initiate a feasibility study and to identify funding or grant opportunities to support any future cleanup or flood‑control design work.