The state has approved $850,000 in funding to complete the dredging Lakes Shafer and Freeman.

"Area residents and officials have worked diligently toward the project's completion," said State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield), a State Budget Committee member. "Helping to secure these funds was essential to maintaining our tourism revenue and protecting our local environment."

Hershman said the funds will be used to design, repair and improve retention ponds.

Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation initiated the project to clean and deepen the lakes' bottoms. Dredging began in 1997 on Lake Shafer and has since included Lake Freeman.

Officials with the Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Corporation hope the dredging project will be complete in 2009.