HARRISBURG – The Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded a $1,312,500 state grant to rehabilitate the Stillwater Lake Dam in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, which serves the Minsi Trails Boy Scouts and plays a key role in regional flood control.

State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe, said the funds will be used for renovations, demolition, excavation and grading, engineering and administrative costs to rehabilitate the dam, which was built in the early 1900s before current dam safety standards were developed.  

"This funding award is the result of unparalleled cooperation among many elected officials including the Tobyhanna Township supervisors, Monroe County commissioners, state Senators Ray Musto, Bob Mellow and Pat Browne and state Representatives Doug Reichley, John Siptroth and Mario Scavello," Carroll said. "In addition, I wish to recognize and thank Tom Harrrington of the Minsi Trails Boy Scouts for his leadership on this vital project."

 During the state budget process, Carroll worked to include language in the Fiscal Code bill that provided specific authorization for Stillwater Dam and allocated additional funds for high hazard unsafe dam projects. These are dams that, if they fail, could result in subsequent loss of lives or substantial property damage. The state Department of Environmental Protection recently classified the Stillwater Dam as a high hazard unsafe dam.

Reconstruction of the dam is expected to begin next year and is expected to be completed by June 2011 in time for the summer camping season.