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West Township reviews $847,000 stream restoration estimate and Growing Greener grant options
Summary
Engineers presented a roughly $847,000 single‑phase stream restoration for Pleasant Park and a phased alternative that raises overall costs; the township budgeted $160,000 for design and needs to decide how much local match to commit before the Growing Greener application due June 22.
Township engineering staff outlined two options for the Pleasant Park stream restoration project and the grant‑match choices before the township.
A staff engineer described option one as a single‑phase full restoration with an all‑in estimate "just shy of $850,000 in totality," requiring an estimated local match of about $350,000 if West Township secures the Growing Greener grant. Option two would split the work into two phases (roughly half the length each); the engineer said phasing would increase total cost and require pursuing two consecutive grant rounds, making full funding in each round unlikely and potentially increasing township exposure.
The township has budgeted $160,000 this fiscal year for design, engineering, permitting and grant writing. Staff emphasized that if the township pledges a larger local match percentage it is likelier to receive an award, but that committing to a high match also increases the local funding obligation if the award is reduced. The required minimum match discussed was 10%, with an option to provide substantially more (staff cited scenarios approaching 40–45% match in materials).
Officials noted regulatory uncertainty around MS4 and future volume‑control guidance could change permit requirements over time, and that delaying work or phasing could raise costs. The Growing Greener grant application is due June 22; staff planned to prepare a commitment letter for the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 15 so the board could consider the township's chosen match level.
Next steps: staff will draft a commitment letter for the June 15 supervisors meeting and gather additional guidance on matching strategy and potential funding alternatives (capital program or bond) if the grant is not awarded.
