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SRBC Considering Draw-Down At Curwensville Lake Recreation Area
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On June 27 the Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a public meeting to take comments on a proposal to draw-down the water level at the Curwensville Lake Recreation Area in Clearfield County by 3.5 feet. The meeting will be held in Lawrence Hall, 321 Mill Road, in Clearfield.
SRBC is considering the action as compensatory flow for the mitigation of consumptive water use in the watershed. The action will not impact flood control operations at reservoirs.
Melinda Hughes-Wert, President of Nature Abounds, a national non-profit near the lake, expressed her concern with the proposed draw-down, “After years of working on improvements to Curwensville Lake area and the water quality of West Branch of the Susquehanna River in general, it just doesn’t make sense to reverse progress. This proposed draw-down has the potential to take away one of the main recreation opportunities of the area as well as threaten the related income to the area which is already depressed.”
She continued, “We've all heard of water wars and natural resource wars, and unfortunately, they're happening and people need to get involved. It's not just happening here in Clearfield. This is happening throughout Pennsylvania and across the country. Everyone is looking at a problem with their water sources right now. We know this draw-down will have a negative impact, we just don’t know how big of an impact it will be. Without speculating too much, this draw-down only benefits industry; it doesn’t benefit the local community at all. We really need for people to come to this meeting and express their concerns, not only for themselves but for the community as a whole. It’s time for people to stick up for their rights.”
Curwensville Borough Council Vice President Sam Ettaro is concerned that an increase in water releases could impact the nearby businesses after all the progress that has been made, “We know that what has been taking place there over the past five years is working. My initial reaction was, 'Why are we even talking about screwing that up? The visitors that love the lake and use it deserve better than that. So, I'm really hoping to see people, merchants and business people come out and testify to the direct economic impact that that lake has on their lives and can hopefully make sense of this situation and we don't see an economic disaster take place."
Hughes-Wert added, “We hope concerned citizens attend the meeting on June 27th. It’s only by doing this together that we will get answers. By working together, that’s how we’ll see something positive.”
The site was formerly managed by the Army Corps of Engineers who installed a dam for flood control purposes, and about six years ago, the Army Corps turned the property over to Clearfield County to manage. Over 30,000 visitors come here annually to camp, swim and boat as well as hike and watch wildlife, bringing in approximately $800,000 to the area each year.
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6/27/2011 |
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