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In The News
South Fork, Little Conemaugh River Gains National Recognition as 2009 “Water to Watch” - Pennsylvania
5/13/2009
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The National Fish Habitat Action Plan has unveiled the 2009 10 “Waters to Watch” list, a collection of rivers, streams, lakes, watershed systems and shores that will benefit from strategic conservation efforts to protect, restore or enhance their current condition.
These waters represent a snapshot of current conservation efforts that the Action Plan is undertaking to provide cleaner and healthier habitats for the many fish and wildlife species and people who call these areas home. In Pennsylvania, The South Fork of the Little Conemaugh River has been selected as one of the 10 “Waters to Watch” for 2009.
Thanks to the combined actions of concerned community groups, non-profit organizations, local watershed groups, Native American tribes and state and federal agencies, these waters are being improved by planting stream-side vegetation, removing structures blocking fish from habitat and protecting bodies of water from the effects of industrial processes, agriculture and livestock.
The 10 “Waters to Watch” are representative of freshwater to marine waters across the country including lakes and reservoirs that are improving through the conservation efforts of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan—a bold initiative to reverse persistent declines in aquatic habitat.
The Action Plan’s 10 “Waters to Watch” Initiative was first unveiled in 2007 through its Fish Habitat Partnerships. Since 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has provided $5.8 million to support 136 on-the-ground projects in 35 states, leveraging $15.1 million in partner match, to address the priorities of the Fish Habitat Partnerships, along with funding from several other State and Federal Agencies and NGO’s.
“Our approach—teaming federal, state and local partners—is helping to bring these waters back to life in most cases…in a faster more strategic way,” said Kelly Hepler, Chairman of the National Fish Habitat Board. “By watching these 10 models of our nation’s aquatic conservation efforts, we can see real progress in treating the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. These specific projects display on the ground
work that can be held high as a vision of what quality habitat should be, which affects all people throughout the United States.”
South Fork, Little Conemaugh River, Pennsylvania
(Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture)
Historic deep mine activities along the stream have resulted in chronic Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) into the stream. AMD along with acid deposition have depressed the brook trout and aquatic life in this four mile stretch due to low PH, high aluminum, and low alkalinity. In addition, the stream bank shows major erosion along one 300-foot stretch.
The primary objective of this project is to mitigate the sources of AMD with Limestone beds, and mitigate the acid deposition with limestone sand dosing, Restoring the pH and alkalinity to allow for a renewed brook trout population and overall aquatic life restoration along the four-mile stretch of the South Fork.
Project development and background monitoring of water, macro-invertebrates and fish has been ongoing since 2007 and is ready for action. This multi-partner effort (including site visits by, the U.S. Office of Surface Mining, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Trout Unlimited) are coordinating work for summer 2009 to initiate the limestone dosing.
This project will ultimately remediate habitat and water quality problems and provide improved habitat for Eastern Brook Trout.
Partners:
* Cambria County Conservation District
* Cambria Somerset Authority
* Dunlo Rod and Gun Club
* Highland Sewer and Water Authority
* Little Conemaugh Watershed Association
* Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
* Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
* Trout Unlimited-Mountain Laurel Chapter
* Trout Unlimited-Pennsylvania Council
* U.S. Department of Agriculture - NRCS
* U.S. Office of Surface Mining
The rest of the 10 Waters to Watch for 2009 include:
* Agulowak River, Alaska
* Jockey’s Ridge State Park, North Carolina
* Lake Houston, Texas
* Lower Flint River, Georgia
* Maggie Creek, Nevada
* Meramec Watershed Basin, Missouri
* Pine Creek, Wisconsin
* Teton Creek, Nevada
* Whitethorn Creek, West Virginia
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan is built on a framework of National Fish Habitat Partnerships. These regional-scale efforts include the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, the Western Native Trout Initiative, the Driftless Area Restoration Effort, the Matanuska-Susitna Basin Salmon Habitat Partnership, the Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat Partnership, the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership, the Desert Fish Habitat Partnership and the Hawaii Fish Habitat Partnership. There are also 11 “Candidate” Fish Habitat Partnerships that have stated their intent to apply for full NFHAP Board recognition. The Action Plan calls for the creation of at least 12 Fish Habitat Partnerships by 2010 to help identify the causes of habitat declines and implement corrective initiatives for aquatic conservation and restoration.
Since its launch three years ago, the Action Plan has received wide public support. To date nearly 1,000 partners have pledged their support including a range of organizations interested in the health of the nation’s fisheries such as fishing clubs, international conservation organizations, federal agencies, angling industries and academia. Complete information on the scope of the plan is available at www.fishhabitat.org.
The Action Plan is complemented by the “More Fish” campaign administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which is taking the lead in raising funds for these and other projects under the Action Plan. Information about the campaign can be found at www.morefish.org.
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About the National Fish Habitat Action Plan
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan is the most comprehensive effort ever attempted to treat the causes of aquatic habitat decline and fix the nation’s most pressing fisheries problems. The Action Plan is a science-based investment strategy to conserve waterways and make conservation dollars stretch farther by combining federal and privately raised funds to build regional partnerships. For more information, visit www.fishhabitat.org.
CONTACT:
Ryan Roberts
Communications Coordinator
301-713-4300 x 171
rroberts@fishwildlife.org
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