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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Majority
Leader Bill DeWeese |
  
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Design work to begin at Ryerson dam
HARRISBURG, Sept. 5 – The initial project meeting for preliminary design work of the dam at Ryerson Station State Park took place this week at the park, according to state Sen. J. Barry Stout, Rep. Bill DeWeese and Ryerson Task Force Co-Chairmen Harry Gillispie and Jeff Anna.
"The beginning of the design process confirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to restoring Greene County’s only state park; and with patience and foresight, we can keep Ryerson Station as our own piece of God’s country for generations to come," said DeWeese, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington. "Senator Stout and I have been in regular contact with DCNR to assure that the project moves forward and does not get buried beneath other plans. Secretary Mike DiBerardinis is to be commended for responding to our requests and for pursuing a course of action with vigor."
"Representative DeWeese and I remain committed to working with local officials and the Rendell administration to identify whatever funds are needed and available to restore Ryerson Station State Park and Duke Lake," Stout said. "We knew this would, unfortunately, be a long process, but a very important one to the thousands of people who enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities available at Ryerson. We have the assurance of DCNR officials that they have been and will continue to do everything they can to move this project along as fast as possible."
In September 2005, DeWeese and Stout created the Ryerson Station-Duke Lake Task Force to bring local and state officials together with interested parties in response to public concerns after problems were discovered at the dam and the 62-acre Duke Lake was drained earlier that year. A portion of the dam spillway also was removed to prevent the reservoir from refilling after heavy rains and runoff.
Since that time, task force members have met with Department of Conservation and Natural Resource officials on several occasions to discuss restoration of the lake and to recommend improvements to Ryerson, based on input from the local community.
"While others have worried that Ryerson might never recover, Senator Stout and Representative DeWeese stepped forward and stayed on top of state officials at DCNR who make the decisions on completing the projects," Gillispie said. "After this week’s meeting, the Task Force expects the next steps will be for DCNR to release a cost proposal and design schedule," Anna said.
The 1,164-acre Ryerson Station State Park opened in 1967 in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania near the West Virginia border, and also features picnicking, hiking, camping and a seasonal swimming pool. The concrete dam across the North Fork of the Dunkard Fork of Wheeling Creek was built in 1960.
The design group’s next meeting is planned for mid-November.
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CONTACT: Tom Andrews Press Secretary |