Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

The public is invited to a special presentation by Scott Koser, Program Manager for the PA Coldwater Habitat Program of Trout Unlimited (TU), who will outline TU’s Priority Waters initiatives and recently completed and planned regional habitat improvement projects in our region for the upcoming 2024 construction season. Also featured will be Brian Cooper, TU’s PA Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Project Manager who will describe TU’s statewide AMD cleanup efforts, its Technical Assistance Program, and current and future projects to restore AMD-impaired fisheries in our region such as Beech Creek.

     TU’s vision is to work with communities across America to engage in the work of repairing and renewing our rivers, streams, and other water bodies on which we all depend.  They are developing a strategic resource analysis to restore and protect native brook and wild trout populations from threats from many factors, so our children can enjoy these valuable fisheries.  

     Also discussed will be our upcoming beginners fly tying course to begin on January 23^rd.

     The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 10^th 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://patrout.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PA-TU-Annual-Mtg-Update-9-16-23-Copy.pdf.

The public is invited to a program featuring amazing underwater videos of trout, bass and other interesting aquatic life in our local waterways presented by Michael Kinney, professional freelance photographer.  Michael grew up in Williamsport and loved to raft and fish nearby streams. He purchased a waterproof camera in 2013 and began to enjoy capturing underwater sights on his trips more than actually catching the fish. His videos became popular online and across the region, showing views of an underwater world most have never seen. Michael says he’s now captured way more fish with a camera than he could ever imagine with a fishing pole, and shares his experiences as a story, explaining how he does it with a mix of comedy, amazement, and educational awareness.

The meeting will also serve as the official Annual Meeting of the Susquehanna Chapter, with annual election of Officers and Directors.  It will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 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/ .

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.

https://facebook.com/events/s/redd-count-2023/1767599877074110/

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/