FRANKLIN TWP, Beaver Co. — The effort to restore Hereford Manor Lakes is gaining traction on both the local and state levels, officials said.

The Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League citizens group is aiming to raise $150,000 by next year which will not only fund surveying and studying the land, but also show state politicians how important the lake is for residents.

“We’re about halfway there,” said Tony Rich, Sportsmen’s Conservation League president, on funding. “Once we have that in hand, we’ll be able to move forward. It’s just a matter of time.”

Rocco Ali, Pennsylvania State Fish and Boat Commissioner, said the citizens group has done a “wonderful” job in raising money for the project and making their presence known.

“I believe as the citizens group generates enough financial interest, politicians will be able to push with some power in Harrisburg to get capitol funding released,” Ali said.

Ali said the lakes were used by people from Lawrence, Butler, Beaver and Allegheny counties before they were drained in 2012.

“Demographically, there are a lot of people in those four counties that will use that lake,” he said. “For it to be a hay field at this point certainly doesn’t allow us to enjoy the outdoor heritage we have.”

The citizens group is holding a raffle with Field & Stream in Cranberry Township to help raise funds.

The Beaver County Conservation District last year met with representatives from the State College-based Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation for support to repair the dam at the lower lake as a nonprofit recipient of money.

“It’s very significant in letting people know we want that lake back,” Rich said.

Ali said about $25.7 million were released by Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this year from the capitol budget to help restore high-risk lakes. However, Hereford Manor Lakes were not named in that release.

“What it does though is it puts Hereford Manor Lakes in a better light to perhaps gain some funding from the capitol budget as well as if Growing Greener III gains enough traction that grants would be available,” Ali said.

The Growing Greener plans provide state funding to state agencies to clean up rivers and streams, protect natural areas, open spaces and working farms and revitalize communities among other projects. Currently, there are two Growing Greener plans. Growing Greener III is not yet in existence.

“I’m told it is gaining traction in Harrisburg to revamp that funding,” Ali said.

The lakes were once a popular destination for fishermen in trout season, being hailed as the most fished trout lake in Pennsylvania by conservation officials.

Catfish, largemouth bass and saugeye also made their habitat in the lakes.

However both lakes were drained in 2012 by the state Fish and Boat Commission because of deteriorated dams. The commission deemed the state-owned lakes a “high hazard” that would have directly impacted 27 people, six homes and one business had they failed.

The cost to repair and refill just the lower lake is about $12 million.

“I think the communities surrounding the lakes economically can benefit, which generates tax dollars,” Ali said. “With the lake being there, it increases the livelihoods of communities as well as the benefits of recreation to the public.”

Those who wish to donate to the project can make checks payable to Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation, 341 Science Park Road, State College, PA, 16803-2287. Donations should be designated to Hereford Manor Lake.

More information can also be found by calling 814-238-8138 or by visiting wildlifeforeveryone.org.

“We’re going to raise those funds, whatever it takes to do that,” Rich said.