PDE, PENNVEST sign financial agreement to build a large freshwater mussel hatchery in Philadelphia

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) has taken a significant step in the promotion of clean water. Before the close of 2018, PDE signed $7.9 million funding agreement with the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority(PENNVEST) for the development and construction of a large-scale freshwater mussel hatchery and restoration center. This agreement is the culmination of two years of work with PENNVEST toward the Mussels for Clean Water Initiative (MuCWI).

The agreement commits PENNVEST to invest $7.9 million for the planning, design, and construction of the hatchery, which could break ground next year at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia. The eight-year project also includes construction of facilities needed for raising mussels in ponds and streams to promote cleaner water.  PDE will unveil further plans for MuCWI at an information sharing event on February 19 at Bartram’s Garden, which will also be the kickoff meeting for a technical team that will help guide the project’s success.

For more information, please click on our Mussels for Clean Water Initiative Page.