While heavy flooding and its aftermath haven’t been as prevalent in Cranberry Township, leaders are considering joining with neighbors to address issues in southwestern Butler County.
At their March 5 meeting, the Board of Supervisors will consider an intergovernmental project called The Lower Connoquenessing Watershed – Stormwater Planning Study.
If approved, the Township would join with the boroughs of Zelienople, Harmony, Evans City, Mars and Seven Fields, as well as Jackson, Lancaster and Adams townships and Butler County to fund the study. Proponents of the regional group point out that stormwater plans for each municipality have a regional impact, and recent bouts of heavy flooding has made the need for collaboration a necessity.
The study will examine stormwater release rates and how those rates can be managed to help reduce flooding. It will also identify three improvement projects in each municipality that could have the largest impact on reducing flooding.
If the Board votes to participate, the study will be conducted by HRG Inc. for a total cost of $76,280. Butler County will contribute 20 percent of the cost, with the municipalities each responsible for $8,147.20.