Susquehanna Township commits $12,500 match for $250,000 Growing Greener Plus streambank restoration on Asylum Run

The Susquehanna Township Board of Commissioners on June 11 approved a local financial commitment of $12,500 to support a Growing Greener Plus grant application to design and permit streambank restoration along Asylum Run from Andrea Avenue to State Farm Road.

Director Doug Knauss presented the request, explaining the Township will seek $250,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Plus program to fund design and permitting work and that the DEP prefers to fund design and permitting before construction. The grant requires a 5% local match, which Knauss said would be funded from the Developer’s Recreation Fund. Commissioner Fred Faylona moved to approve the $12,500 commitment; Commissioner Fred Engle seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Knauss described the preliminary scope as covering Wedgewood west to State Farm Road and an Upper Asylum Road section; he said the Township will coordinate with GHD and the Sewer Authority once design and permitting advance. He also reported support letters from the Susquehanna Township Authority, Covenant Christian Academy, Senator Patty Kim, Representative Fleming, Capital Area Greenbelt and the Fish and Boat Commission were being obtained to accompany the application. The application deadline stated in the meeting is June 22, 2026, with award notifications anticipated in January 2027.

Next steps: staff will finalize and submit the Growing Greener Plus application by the stated deadline and proceed with design coordination if the grant is awarded.