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Township backs Tudek Park regenerative stormwater project, will submit letter of support
Summary
Spring Creek Watershed Commission partners presented a regenerative stormwater conveyance project for Tudek Park and the board authorized the manager to submit a letter of support for a Susquehanna River Basin Commission mitigation grant application.
The Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors on Jan. 20 authorized the township manager to submit a letter of support for a regenerative stormwater conveyance project in Tudek Park, a restoration effort presented by the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and partner organizations.
Kevin Adey and Elise Johnson described a collaborative plan to stabilize an eroded ephemeral channel that flows through Tudek Park, reconnect flow to the floodplain, form a sequence of rock cross-vanes and plunge pools, and improve groundwater recharge and pollutant filtration before stormwater reaches a nearby sinkhole. Presenters said the group will submit a Susquehanna River Basin Commission stormwater mitigation grant application at the end of the month.
"This is our first shovel-ready project in my career to be within the township," Elise Johnson said, describing partner engagement with Fish and Boat Commission engineers and Penn State students for design and monitoring. Kevin Adey estimated the channel work would extend roughly "about 800 to 850 feet of the channel." Project partners told the board the Fish and Boat Commission will provide design and construction oversight as part of their regular duties and that DEP, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and county conservation district staff are involved in the partnership.
Board members expressed support but asked about budget matches and permitting. Miss Stevens said she supported a letter of support but asked that partners confirm their willingness to provide required matches; staff said they are mindful of match commitments and expect funding and design details within the coming week. Mister Heller moved to authorize the manager to submit the letter of support; Miss Stevens seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
No township financial commitment was made during the vote; staff said the authorization is a non-binding letter intended to strengthen the partners' competitive grant application. The board requested updates on design finalization and the grant submission outcome.
Next steps: manager to submit the letter of support before the month-end grant submission and report back to the board on grant status and partner match commitments.
