East Union supers express support for Pumpy revitalization
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The Pumping Station Dam in East Union Township is seen from the spillway on April 4, 2023.
SHEPPTON – East Union Township’s Board of Supervisors expressed their support for the revitalization of the Pumping Station Dam recreation area halfway between Brandonville and Girard Manor.
The expression was at their monthly meeting held Thursday night.
Supervisors Chairwoman Jill Careyva rebuked social media rumors regarding her apparent lack of support.
“All three supervisors, I’m sure, have been nothing but for this project,” Careyva said. “I’m not really sure where they’re getting their information.”
Careyva’s statement came before an update on the volunteer efforts at the dam, provided by Rick Grabosky.
“We’re going to be caretakers,” Grabosky said of the newly-formed Pumpy Association. “The organization is going to help Shenandoah maintain the Pumpy, go for grants, and do the legwork.”
The dam has been owned by Shenandoah borough since the early 20th century, when it was a source of drinking water for the borough’s over 15,000 residents at the time.
When the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah was formed, merging the borough’s waterworks with multiple private water companies, the dam was no longer needed and became a recreational area until around 2010.
Grabosky said the group spoke with the Department of Environmental Protection, who said the dam was never condemned and the breast is “fine.”
He said the spillway needs work and the dam needs to be dredged.
“We’re going to go down and meet with DEP about the specs for the overflow,” Grabosky said. “We have several people interested in doing the dredging of the dam.”
Grabosky also said the hatchery will be revived as well, once the dam work is completed.
He added that the group has approached State Rep. Dane Watro, State Senator David Argall, and other political entities.
David Briggs, who is helping with the effort, added that the group approached the Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments seeking support, and they plan to approach the Mountain Council of Governments in the Hazleton area.
“The more support we have for this project, the better chance we have of getting more money in grants,” Briggs said.
Grabosky asked East Union for a letter of support as well, and Briggs added that petitions for support are circulating.
“It’s all positive so far,” Grabosky said.
Supervisor Kyle Mummey thanked the group for their efforts.
“I’m fully in favor,” Mummey said, asking for a motion to pen the letter of support.
Mummey previously approached Shenandoah borough about a joint effort between the municipalities to revitalize the dam. That effort did not lead to action, and East Union briefly considered taking the dam by eminent domain.
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