When: Ephrata Township Supervisors Meeting, July 5th.
What happened: Township Superintendent Steve Sawyer announced the township will receive an additional $150,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to restore 16 acres along Cocalico Creek. This is in addition to the initial grant of $195,980, for an amended amount of $345,980. Supervisor Anthony Haws was absent.
Background: The Cocalico Creek project will serve as the township’s pollution reduction project for its municipal segregated storm sewer system program, as required by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The project, designed to rehabilitate a 2,800 foot section of the creek stretching from Acorn Court to Autumn Blaze Way, is adjacent to the Autumn Hills neighborhood. The project is expected to start in late spring next year.
The cost: At the April 19 meeting, the board voted unanimously to award a contract for the Cocalico Creek Restoration Project to Flyway Excavating Inc. for $798,720, almost double the estimated cost.
Inflation influence: In September 2021, the township estimated the cost of the project at approximately $400,000. The cost doubled due to increased material costs attributed to inflation.
Grants galore: In 2020, the Township of Ephrata also received a $145,300 grant from the Lancaster Clean Water Fund. Grants from the Lancaster Clean Water Fund and DCNR total $491,280.
Remaining balance: The township will use its U.S. bailout funds to pay the remaining $307,440.
Snake head report: Sawyer also opened a discussion on a June 26 report by Lancaster-based fisherman Michael Petrotsky on a June 25 snakehead derby that took place at Quarry Lake. Three anglers competed, however, none of them will qualify for the second round. In his report, there were 12 snakehead fish bites, but none were caught. He said he saw a snakehead over 30 inches in length within 8 feet of his kayak. He said the experiment confirmed his suspicions about the lake’s snakehead population.
Quotable“I’m no biologist, but I would absolutely say there is a well-established lakeside population,” Petrotsky wrote in a June 26 email to the township.
And after: Council will meet again at 7:00 am on July 19 at the Township of Ephrata Municipal Building at 265 Akron Road.