Here is a rare opportunity to meet with the CEO of EQT who is doing a lot of natural gas work in our area. Registration is required and click on the link below for more
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=835234181945027&id=100063753574803&mibextid=NOb6eG
On October 6, 2023, we posted that DEP Invites Comments On PA General Energy Constructing 3 Shale Natural Gas, Water Pipelines Thru Exceptional Value, High Quality, Wild Trout Streams In Lycoming County. Since that time, we have been able to obtain a map showing the proposed pipeline.
The proposed pipeline is shown in the photo below as the black dotted line going down the middle of the map. A proposed and much better route would be for the pipeline (highlighted in red dotted line) is to follow existing roads.
Please consider commenting on the proposal. The alternate route certainly appears to be the better option. “Locating the pipelines on Silver Springs Road, Truman Run Road, and Schoolhouse Road would avoid multiple Wild Trout Stream Crossings and a Wetlands Crossing as well as not degrading the wild, primitive aesthetic character of the Mid State Trail and Bark Cabin Natural Area and cutting a permanent swath through over three miles of contiguous forest. The alternative route on the roads would be in areas already disturbed, could improve the township roads and connect to existing gas infrastructure on Schoolhouse Road. If located along the roads, the gas and water lines would be more readily monitored for problems, maintenance, and erosion/sedimentation issues.”
Questions and comments should be directed to: RA-EPEASTERNOGPRG@pa.gov at DEP’s Eastern District Oil and Gas Management Program Office, 208 West Third Street in Williamsport or call 570-321-6550.
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on a proposed Chapter 105 permit and Section 401 Water Quality Certification for three new PA General Energy shale natural gas and water pipelines in Cummings and McHenry Townships, Lycoming County. (PA Bulletin, page 6237)
The project would build three pipelines– 12-inch shale natural gas pipeline and two 8-inch flexsteel water pipelines– within a 30-foot wide, 3.7 mile long permanent right-of-way and a temporary right-of-way that varies in width
The company proposes open cut crossings of nine streams and one wetland. The stream crossings include–
— Hackett Fork – Exceptional Value, Wild Trout Stream
— Ott Fork – High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
— Bennys Run (Channel 4) – High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
— Bennys Run (Channel 5) – High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
— Bark Cabin Run – High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
— Silver Branch (Channel 9A)- High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
— Silver Branch (Channel 10)- High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
— Bennys Run (Channel 12) – High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
Questions and comments should be directed to: RA-EPEASTERNOGPRG@pa.gov at DEP’s Eastern District Oil and Gas Management Program Office, 208 West Third Street in Williamsport or call 570-321-6550.
The deadline for public comments is November 6.
DEP may schedule a fact-finding hearing or an informal conference in response to comments if deemed necessary.
Maps, drawings and other data pertinent to the certification request are available for inspection between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on each working day at the office noted above the application.
Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information. (PA Bulletin, page 6237)
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
(Photo: Example of PA General Energy pipeline stream crossing construction on the Exceptional Value Loyalsock Creek in Lycoming County. Read more here.)
The public is invited to meet Matt Kaunert, Director of the Clean Water Institute (CWI) and Research and Teaching Associate of Biology at Lycoming College who will make a presentation on the CWI’s programs to engage its students in research and conservation projects on local streams and watersheds. The CWI is a valued partner of Trout Unlimited and has conducted important work to protect important stream resources, habitat and aquatic ecosystems throughout northcentral PA while teaming with regional, state and national conservation agencies and organizations.
The Institute is dedicated to helping students grow in their chosen disciplines as well as to contributing to our understanding, protection, and restoration of local watersheds including Loyalsock Creek projects, the PA Fish and Boat Commission Unassessed Waters Program, agricultural stream restoration, acid mine drainage abatement, hellbender reproduction, urban stormwater mitigation, and plankton sampling on Rose Valley Lake.
The CWI has also been a leading partner with the Williamsport Municipal Water Authority in providing outreach experiences for local K-12 schools at the Waterdale Environmental Education Center as well as outreach coordination with the James V. Brown Public Library, Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association, and Trout Unlimited.
Papers on research and work done by the CWI have been presented at regional, statewide, and international conferences hosted by a number of professional organizations, including the Bucknell River Symposium, Pennsylvania Academy of Science, Society for Freshwater Science, and the Symposium for Urbanization and Stream Ecology.
Matt Kaunert joined Lycoming in May 2023 having earned his B.S. in biology from Allegheny College and M.S. in biology from Georgia Southern University. Before joining Lycoming, Matt worked as a biological scientist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s American Alligator Research Section and conducted threatened and endangered species research with the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Ohio University regarding Eastern Hellbender conservation in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church, 807 W. 4th Street, Williamsport. Parking and entrance to the Church is at the rear of the building with access off of Campbell Street. The public is cordially invited to attend. For more information, please see our website at https://susquehannatu.com/ and https://www.Lycoming.edu/cwi/
It’s Election Time!
The Chapter’s annual election will be held at the November 8, 2023 Chapter meeting. All positions are open as well as Director positions.
Please think about running for one of these positions or if you know someone who would want to serve. If you are nominating someone, please check with them first to see if they are willing to serve.
You can send us your nomination at susquehannatu@gmail.com or contact any of the officer’s on page 2 of this newsletter. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor prior to the election.
The nominating committee has provided the following list of candidates:
President OPEN
Vice President Steve Martin
Secretary Kevin McJunkin
Treasurer Bob Baker
Director (3 year term) Bill Worobec
Director (3 year term) Jim Latini
Director (2 year to replace Steve Martin) Dave Walters
Director (1 year to replace Dave Craig) Mike Ditchfield
Thank you for all of your support and help in the past and for the consideration that you will give to the upcoming election. The time you put into each position varies and you can put in as much time as you can devote. For more information on any of these positions, please let us know.
At the November 8, 2023 Chapter Meeting, we will be holding our annual elections. We ask all of you to please consider running for any of these positions. Should you have an interest and would like any information on any position, please let us know. We have over 300 members so there are plenty of people to serve THEIR Chapter.
The following positions are open
President (Walt Nicholson is stepping down)
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Director 3 year term
Director 3 year term
Director 1 year term (Dave Craig is stepping down and position will be to fill his remaining term)
Picnic and Meeting at Trout Run Park
Want to learn about our TU chapter activities and conservation project updates, perhaps try out fly casting as a first-timer or sharpen your skills under the instruction of experienced fly fishers? The public is welcome to a picnic and outdoor meeting of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited at Trout Run Park on Wednesday, September 13th. Several rod and reel outfits will be available for those to use who do not have them. You can also observe the fishing platform on Lycoming Creek constructed by our members and some of the habitat structures placed along the stream to create fish habitat and control bank erosion. Free first-time TU memberships will be available for those in attendance.
Meet, greet and demos will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Trout Run Park pavilion followed by a picnic with hot dogs, corn on the cob and drinks provided. Participants can bring some desserts or side dishes to share. A map and directions on how to get there from Williamsport can be found on the link to Google Maps at Trout Run Park – Google Maps or as found below and on the Susquehanna TU website at https://susquehannatu
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited 