GRANTS AWARDED FOR SINNEMAHONING WATERSHED RESTORATION PROJECTS

07/29/2021

As part of the effort to restore the historic wild Brook Trout fishery within the Sterling Run watershed, a passive treatment system will be constructed at the abandoned and unreclaimed FIN-74 coal surface mine discharge to remediate acid mine drainage to Finley Run, a major tributary to Sterling Run.

In accordance with an existing stream channel evaluation and repair plan, implement in-stream habitat and streambank stabilization structures on one property to repair approximately 300 feet of severe bank erosion, minimize future erosion, and channel deposition of sediment and gravel.  The proposed measures are intended to prevent property damage resulting from flooding, and to improve water quality and physical habitat for wild and stocked trout.

Improve fish and wildlife habitats in streams and riparian buffers with a primary focus on improving habitat for aquatic Species of Greatest Conservation Need by installing in-stream structures, stabilizing eroded streambanks, and planting native trees and shrubs in riparian corridors on at least three different properties. 

Stabilize at least three severely eroded streambanks for a total length of over 800 feet on both public and private properties on First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek and its tributary of West Branch Cowley Run.  The project will reduce stream sedimentation, improve water quality, and benefit both Brook Trout and Brown Trout.

Little Portage Creek is a High-Quality Cold Water Fishery and a Class A wild Brook Trout and Brown Trout stream.  The single barrier to upstream passage of fish is a timber deck bridge on a steel frame with a poured concrete stream bottom as its floor.  The project will replace the existing bridge with a bottomless arch structure and thereby restore fish passage and habitat connectivity to nearly 9 miles of good habitat upstream.

East Branch Clarion River is a High-Quality Cold Water Fishery supporting stocked and wild Brook Trout and Brown Trout.  The proposed fish habitat improvement reach is approximately 0.5 mile downstream of East Branch Dam and is on PA Game Commission property (SGL 25) in Elk County.  The project involves replacement of six old, dilapidated, log-framed cross vanes to improve habitat within a 2,600-foot stream reach.

This project will install multiple fish habitat improvement structures along approximately 3,000 feet of Kinzua Creek in the PFBC's Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters section within the Allegheny National Forest in McKean County.

This project will replace two culverts with timber deck bridges on tributaries to West Branch Hicks Run that are currently barriers to AOP.  This stream has a Class A wild Brook Trout population and is located on PA Game Commission SGL 14 in Cameron County.  By replacing these two barriers to fish movement, approximately 3.5 miles of currently isolated headwater habitat will be reconnected to the lower sections of these tributaries.

This 90-acre property in Potter County has long been closed to public fishing access and has a Class A wild Brown Trout and Brook Trout population.  There are over 3,000 feet of stream frontage within a mature stand of trees that has not been cut for decades.  Following the property purchase by the Conservancy, the deed will be transferred to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as an addition to the Susquehannock District Forest which is contiguous on three sides of the property.  This property acquisition will provide access to these streams for public fishing.