On February 12, Natural Lands and Pocono Heritage Land Trust announced the preservation of two nearby, but separately owned parcels totaling 340 acres of land near the Brodhead Creek, a stream running through the Pocono Mountains known for its clear, cool water and healthy trout population.

The properties are now under conservation easement, ensuring they will never be developed.

The easements are supported by generous charitable contributions of the landowners, Alego ‘Bart’ Bartolacci and the Ferenbach family, and through the Open Space Institute’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund.

The Fund is made possible with support from the William Penn Foundation through its Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to protect water quality in the Delaware River Basin.

The 40-acre Bartolacci property is bordered on one side by Stony Run, a tributary of the Brodhead Creek. Both waterways are designated as “High Quality-Cold Water Fisheries” by the Department of Environmental Protection, and represent some of the state’s best wild trout waters.

“Vivian loved this land. She was an accomplished fly fisherman and enjoyed being in nature,” said Bart Bartolacci of his late wife, Vivian. “It was always her dream to see it protected. To me, Viv and what she believed in is a great example of how individuals can make a difference.”

Though she passed away five months before the conservation easement was finalized, Bart says Vivian’s presence is very strong and he knows she’d be pleased at this outcome.

The nearby 300-acre Ferenbach property, owned by a family-held corporation, is a densely wooded tract that includes 3,500-feet of the Brodhead Creek.

“My great, great grandfather was a Scottish immigrant who brought his fly rod with him when he came to America in the1850s,” said Greg Ferenbach, who represented his family in the easement process.  “Over the past century, four generations of Ferenbachs have managed this land in a manner that protects the water quality of the stream. I’m delighted that we could preserve this special place and I hope future generations will enjoy fly-fishing there, or just enjoy the sound of the frogs singing on a warm spring night.”

Named for Englishman Daniel Brodhead who in 1737 purchased 600 acres of streamside land, the Brodhead Creek originates in Monroe County, one of the birthplaces of trout fishing in America.

It flows for 22 miles until it empties into the Delaware River. By the mid-1800s, the Brodhead and surrounding streams had developed a loyal following of visiting anglers.

Nineteenth-century demand for tanned leather, turpentine, and timber led to a dramatic increase in logging operations. The banks of the Brodhead were stripped of trees, which had shaded the water and reduced erosion.

By the turn of the 20th century, as the Brodhead became too warm and silty for wild brown trout, fly fishermen traveled farther north to the cold, clear streams of the Catskill Mountains.

“Today, trout are thriving in the Brodhead Creek. But without permanent protection, this land and the creek it buffers remain vulnerable,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands. “By combining Natural Lands’ expertise at navigating complicated land transactions with PHLT’s local knowledge and connections, we were able to celebrate this successful outcome. I hope this is just the beginning of the positive impact we can make together along the Brodhead.”

“The Bartolacci and Ferenbach families were dedicated to protecting the water quality of Brodhead Creek. Pocono Heritage Land Trust is honored to continue their legacy as we become stewards of these two properties,” said Louise Troutman, executive director of PHLT. “For 35 years, PHLT has preserved lands in and around Monroe County. Natural Lands’ expertise enhanced our efforts, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for the long-term safeguarding of our vital Pocono land and water resources.”

The two projects were supported with grants from OSI’s Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund.

The Fund is made possible with funding from the Delaware River Watershed Initiative, which seeks to protect water in the Delaware River Basin—the source of drinking water for the cities of Philadelphia; Trenton, NJ; and Wilmington, DE.

“The protection of these lands is a milestone for the Delaware River, and for the 15 million people who depend upon the Delaware for their drinking water,” said Peter Howell, OSI’s executive vice president.  “We applaud the conservation ethic of the landowners, and the teamwork of Natural Lands and Pocono Heritage Land Trust that brought these projects to fruition.”

A conservation easement is a voluntary but legally binding agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization that permanently limits a property’s use and binds all present and future owners of the land.

As with all conservation easements, the Bartolacci and Ferenbach lands remain privately owned.

These projects were also made possible with funding support from the William Penn Foundation and the Bartolacci and Ferenbach families.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Natural Lands and Pocono Heritage Land Trust websites.

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[Posted: Feb. 12, 2019]

2/18/2019