Cooper: Grant Will Begin Watershed Project in Murrysville Area

September 5, 2025

HARRISBURG –Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland) today announced that a $2.1 million grant has been awarded to advance a project sought by the Murrysville Area Watershed Association (MAWA). 

“This project will lead to more recreational opportunities and improved water quality, so I appreciate MAWA President Ben Sampson’s and the rest of the watershed’s hard work and vison in pursuing this grant,” Cooper said. “Only seven grants were awarded in this round, and I am glad our area was included.” 

The grant comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which awarded a total of $5.2 million for the environmental restoration of seven abandoned mine lands projects as part of the Abandoned Mine Lands and Acid Mine Drainage Grant Program. The projects focus on reclaiming abandoned mine lands and decreasing abandoned mine drainage through the construction and operation of treatment facilities.

Funds received by MAWA will be used to engineer and develop a mine discharge remediation for an active water treatment plant in White Valley near Export. The Upper Turtle Creek Watershed site receives contaminated mine water from three area mines, categorized as abandoned mine lands. MAWA’s goal is to return the water to the same quality of recreational value to support aquatic life.


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper