Kane, Pa. – Feb. 23, 2017 – The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) will hold a public meeting to review the East Branch Tionesta Creek Coldwater Conservation Plan on Thursday, March 2, 2017, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Friends Memorial Public Library in Kane, Pa.
Completed by WPC in January, the conservation plan assesses the current health of the East Branch Tionesta Creek and its tributaries, which runs through Warren, McKean and Elk counties. The plan identifies watershed improvement needs and potential threats, such as sources of pollution and barriers to fish movement, and recommends enhancement and restoration opportunities.
“We are excited to hear from and work with the community to further improve the overall health of the East Branch Tionesta Creek watershed for the benefit of those who live or recreate there,” said Kylie Maland, watershed manager at the Conservancy. “Impacts that degrade stream habitat, block the movement of fish and other wildlife, and impair water quality are concerns identified in the plan that we hope to improve.”
Totaling more than 65 miles, the East Branch Tionesta Creek watershed possesses high quality streams and an abundance of diverse plants and wildlife. Surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest, the large, intact forests and scenic views offer great recreational potential to the public.
March 2 will also begin a 30-day public comment period on this conservation plan. A final draft of the plan is expected to be completed in late spring and will be available to the public.
The plan’s recommendations are not mandatory, but rather suggested ways that conservation and sportsman’s groups, schools, municipalities and landowners can implement projects that will ultimately enhance their community and the environment,” said Maland.
This project was funded in part by a grant from the Coldwater Heritage Partnership on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds and the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. Funding for this project was also provided by the Shell Foundation.
Beginning March 2, a copy of the conservation plan will be available at Friends Memorial Public Library. The conservation plan is also available for review on the Conservancy’s website at WaterLandLife.org/381/. The Conservancy will accept feedback until April 2, 2017. For more information or to provide feedback, please contact Maland at 814-776-1114 or kmaland@paconserve.org at WPC’s Watershed Conservation Program Office in Indiana, Pa.
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A photo and map are available for media use courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
East Branch Tionesta Creek map – http://bit.ly/2l3cPrP
Photo – http://bit.ly/2kQ0Um1
About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish 10 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 130 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of about 12,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 10,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org or Fallingwater.org.
Media contact:
Kristen Blevins, Communications Specialist
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
412-586-2328 (office)
kblevins@paconserve.org