Slab Cabin Run Initiative Gets Funding Boost

Several pieces of a conservation puzzle are now in place as ClearWater Conservancy gathered up municipal funding to not only protect one of Centre County’s most picturesque views, but also protect a crucial water source for the greater State College area.

Four municipalities and the State College Borough Water Authority ponied up $1.16 million in contributions over the past week to assist with the $2.75 million Slab Cabin Run Initiative, which would effectively preserve the developmental rights on the Meyer Dairy property along South Atherton Street in College Township, allow the Meyer family to purchase the neighboring Everhart farm and protect a valuable drinking water source in the neighboring Harter-Thomas Wellfields, which provides the greater State College area with most of its drinking water.

‘Our goals was to raise $1.2 million from the municipalities and we did that,’ said Deb Nardone, executive director of ClearWater Conservancy. She noted that College Township committed to $125,000; Ferguson Township, $150,000; Patton Township, $150,000; and Harris Township, $20,000. In addition, the State College Borough Water Authority committed $750,000 to the project, and added an additional $50,000 as a challenge to other municipalities that commit more. She said State College Borough was asked to commit $100,000 to the project, but at a meeting Dec. 19 pledged $110,000 to the project, thus drawing an additional $10,000 from the SCBWA.

‘The commitment by the local municipalities for the Slab Cabin Run Initiative shows how important they feel protecting local water sources is,’ said Nardone, noting the name of the project was given because of Slab Cabin Run, which flows through both the Meyer and Everhart properties.

Nardone said funding from Patton, Benner and Halfmoon townships is pending; however, she believes these municipalities will commit the requested funds.

Despite the commitment by the municipal organizations, Nardone said only about half of the necessary funds have been raised.

‘We’re still in need of about $865,000,’ said Nardone. She said the group has raised a little more than $100,000 in private funds, but noted more fundraising is necessary.

‘We know there are people and companies in the local community that realize the importance of protecting local drinking water,’ said Nardone. ‘Over the next several months, we’re going to be out talking to these people and hopefully raising more money for this ever important project.’

Nardone said the Slab Cabin Run Initiative is the biggest, and most costly, project ClearWater Conservancy has tackled to date.

Nardone said she is confident the group can raise the needed funds by September. Then, ClearWater Conservancy would purchase developmental rights on both properties at a cost of $2.58 million. The Meyer family, in turn, would purchase the Everhart property at a cost of about $940,000, thus reaching the property’s assessed value.

‘It’s a win-win situation for everyone,’ said Nardone. ‘The Meyer family will own the Everhart land, which they are already leasing. We’ll be protecting the development on that near 300 acres, keeping it one of Centre County’s most iconic landscapes. And, we’ll be protecting a crucial nearby source of clean, drinking water that serves almost the entirety of State College.’

Nardone explained the property will remain in the private ownership of the Meyer family; however, she noted there will be a deed restriction on the property ensuring that it remains as an agricultural area. The property is located just outside the region’s growth area in College and Harris townships.

Nardone said the easement placed on the land will also pave the way for ClearWater Conservancy to begin restoration efforts on Slab Cabin Run, which was once a thriving trout stream. However, because of the infiltration of nitrates and phosphorous from farmlands, this stream has since been downgraded by the state Fish and Boat Commission.

‘We’re very excited the municipalities and the water authority are backing us on this project,’ said Nardone. ‘We still have funds to raise, but I think the importance of this project and preserving a quality water source will be important to the residents and businesses of the community.’

Correction: Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Patton Township had approved $150,000 for the project. That funding is pending.