Author: Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

We have been sharing stories on the dumping of oil and gas wastewater on our roadways and now we want to share why dirt and gravel roads are important.

What do dirt and gravel roads have to do with trout?

Here is another story on the effects of dumping oil and gas drilling wastewater on dirt roads. Click the link below to be taken to the article

A First-Hand Account Of How Repeated, Unlimited Road Dumping Of Oil & Gas Drilling Wastewater Is Tearing Apart Dirt Roads And Creating Multiple Environmental Hazards

Preliminary Results From New Penn State Study Find Increased Cancer, Health Risks From Road Dumping Conventional Drilling Wastewater, Especially For Children. Click link below to see report.

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2021/11/preliminary-results-from-new-penn-state.html?m=1

New Pitt-Duquesne Study Shows Higher Exposures To Radiation In Road Dumping Of Drilling Wastewater When Appropriate Exposure Scenarios Are Used. Clink link below to see the report.

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2021/11/new-pitt-duquesne-study-shows-higher.html?m=1

The Wolf’s General Store – Slate Run Tackle Shop was selected for the Pennsylvania Wilds Business of the Year Champion Award for 2021 and recognized at the Lycoming County Commissioners meeting on November 16^th. The attached picture shows the ceremony at which the award was presented along with resolutions adopted by the PA House of Representatives and Senate and presented at the ceremony by State Senator Gene Yaw and Eric Houser, Aide to Representative Joe Hamm.  Tom and Debbie have been at the forefront of conservation efforts on upper Pine Creek, Slate Run and Cedar Run over five decades. Their visionary work has demonstrated how advocating and implementing policies and projects to preserve and protect of our nationally-known scenic watersheds and cold water fisheries translates not only into enhanced recreational opportunities for high quality trout fishing, but also into significant economic benefits to the local economy, increased property values, and additional license revenues for the PA Fish And Boat Commission. Additionally, Tom And Debbie have been long-time strong supporters of our chapter with many donations of fly fishing equipment and flies for us to use in fundraising and promotions. We also wish Tom and Kim Kozlowski the very best in continuing the success and traditions of the store, and offer support from Susquehanna TU in any conservation projects and education opportunities that we can assist in going forward.

From the The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center):

“Each year, our organization recognizes outstanding individuals, organizations, programs, communities and places that exemplify the great work being done across the region to develop nature tourism and the outdoor recreation economy in a way that creates jobs, diversifies local economies, inspires stewardship and improves quality of life. This year will be no different in that regard.” 

Tom and Debbie Finkbiner owned and operated the Wolfe’s General Store at Slate Run, PA on Pine Creek for 45 years and recently sold it to a local couple, Kim and Tom Kozlowski, who will continue to operate both the general store and the famous Slate Run Tackle Shop. The Tackle Shop became a very strong asset for trout fishermen who were attracted from all over the Eastern USA. Tom helped to lead the citizen support for the formal designation of portions of Pine Creek and several other tributary streams as Wild Trout Exceptional Value stream by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Deb operated and managed the General Store offering all the supplies that campers and fishermen and visitors needed. Together they were a treasure-trove of important information and help for visitors and input to Township and Lycoming County Planning deliberations. They own a home in the Pine Creek Valley just north of Slate Run and can be seen daily helping the new owners at the store. The economic impact for the Pine Creek Valley and even beyond has been measurably enhanced by the Finkbiners’ enterprise and gracious demeanor. Tom has advocated to develop a section of Pine Creek now known as “the stretch“ in which trophy trout are stocked in addition to PA Fish and Boat Commission stockings under a catch and release regulation for trout. This has attracted fishermen from all over the country. Tom has formed a 501(c)(3) organization which fishermen can donate to and their mission is to stock above average German brown trout several times during the season.

Sullivan County is in the process of creating a Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Greenways Plan. A large portion of the Loyalsock State Forest, as well as World’s End State Park and part of Rickett’s Glen State Park, are located within the county. Click the link below to find more information and the link for the survey

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3046944422096580&id=259890704135313

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its monthly meeting on November 10, 2021 at 7 pm at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church. Chapter elections will be held at the beginning of the meeting.

We are excited to have 2 speakers. First will be Emily Baldauff, the Mid Atlantic Organizer for Trout Unlimited. Next Dr. Peter Petokas of Lycoming College will give a presentation on his research, findings, and history of the hellbender.

Please come out and hear two great presentations.

Lycoming College CWI completed 40 Unassessed Waters electrofishing surveys in summer of 2021. The Unassessed Waters Project is under the direction of PFBC —Unassessed Waters Initiative (fishandboat.com). Pennsylvania is fortunate to have a vast flowing water resource comprised of over 83,000 miles of flowing water (Pa. DEP 2006). As of January 2020, the PFBC and its partners have surveyed, 11,562 streams comprising 36,985 miles. Of this total, there have been 5,324 stream sections (16,256 miles) in which wild trout have been documented and designated by the PFBC . Lycoming CWI has been a partner in the program since 2010.
This summer CWI completed 18 creeks in Tioga County and 22 in Northumberland County. Between 2010-2021, Lycoming College has completed 646 Unassessed Waters surveys is the first photo, second is of young of year (YOY) brook trout, and last CWI 2021 electrofishing team under the supervision of DRS Zimmerman and Rieck.

The above was taken from the clean water institute facebook page

The annual elections of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will take place at the November 10, 2021 Chapter meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church in Williamsport.

President:                    Walt Nicholson

Vice President:            Open

Secretary:                    Kevin McJunkin

Treasurer:                    Bob Baker

Directors (2 available positions) Dave Craig and John Kolb

Nominations will be taken from the floor prior to the election. Any member is able to run for, and hold office. If you will be nominating someone, please make sure they are willing to service prior to nominating them.

There is also a number of committees that need a Chairperson / members to help with. We are specifically looking for someone to lead our Women’s committee, Youth Committee and the Diversity Committee.

Helping with any of the above will take some of the burden off members who are doing multiple jobs.

Any questions or if you would like to find out more about any of the positions, please let us know.