Volunteers Needed for Field Days for Stream/Ag Projects: This is an invite for anyone interested in coming out to see and learn about stream habitat projects; the community collaboration that results from them; how they not only provide habitat for fish, but also decrease the amount of sedimentation loading in local streams; and ultimately improve the Chesapeake Bay. The projects they will be showcasing are all in different stages within the same watershed. All of the projects in the watershed have involved numerous partners including, but not limited to local landowners, Trout Unlimited Chapters, conservancies, conservation districts, the watershed association, and local municipalities. Without all of these partners and local landowners, projects like these would not be possible. The project has garnered support and interest from other state agencies as well (e.g. Department of Environmental Protection, Penn DOT). DATES: August 5, 6, 7, or 8 2014 • Tuesday, August 5 - state and county agencies • Wednesday, August 6 – farmers • Thursday, August 7 - conservation organizations, municipalities, and landowners • Friday, August 8 - open to anyone If you cant attend the day that you fit in, please let us know. Well do our best to accommodate you. All four days will have a morning tour at 10am, lasting until about 12pm, and a second tour from about 1pm until 3pm. Pre-registration is not required, but it will help with planning. To register, please email Renee Carey, Coordinator, at [email protected], or call 570-323-6222. Please include your name and a daytime contact number. BACKGROUND: Eroding streams are problems for landowners who watch their yard shrink; farmers who see their fields wash away with each storm; and municipalities as they try to keep roads stable, bridges fixed, and culverts functioning. The soil washed away during rain events silts up the water and stream bed, damaging the aquatic habitat, diminishing the ecological functioning of the stream, and reducing the recreational attributes of the stream. For most of these problems there is a solution that will stabilize the stream bank and increase the aquatic habitat. The techniques, in use by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for over 60 years, use log and stone deflectors, and stone-filled lob cribbing to protect banks and redirect streamflows. Other tool, such as animal walkways, fencing, animal crossings and buffer plantings, are used to address the issues farmers face along their fields and pastures. Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag. BMPs) help reduce the nutrients entering the stream. They also help keep pressure off the stream banks by moving animals and activity back from the edge of the stream. For five summers, county conservation districts have been working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on projects to install projects along sediment-impaired streams. The projects work to secure the stream bank and decrease erosion, while at the same time providing opportunities for increased aquatic habitat. These projects have protected dozens of farm fields, access lanes, roads, and culverts. To get more information and see the projects firsthand join us on Turtle Creek (Union County) as we work with several private landowners to stabilize the stream bank, increase aquatic habitat, and fence livestock from the stream. This will be an active construction and you’ll see sections of the stream that still have eroding stream banks, as well as sections of the stream where multi-log deflectors and mudsills have been installed. Possibly best of all, you can talk to the designers and installers about the techniques, how they are permitted, and where there might be partnering opportunities for funding. You’ll also have the opportunity to see the active construction taking place.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 13:16:50 +0000
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