Staff from DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office participated in the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy’s annual Stream Restoration Field Days on August 6-8.

For five summers, county conservation districts have been working with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission 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.

This year, the restoration efforts focused on Turtle Creek in Union County where volunteers worked with several private landowners to stabilize the streambank, increase aquatic habitat, and fence livestock from the stream.

Multi-log deflectors and mudsills were installed on parts of the stream. Participants are able to talk to the designers and installers about the techniques, how they are permitted, and where there might be partnering opportunities for funding.

Other tools, 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 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.

(Reprinted from August 21 edition of DEP News. Click Here to sign up to receive your own copy of DEP News and back issues.)

8/25/2014