By Carolyn Heckman with Russ Collins, Doc Fritchey Chapter TU

“My mission in our chapter’s footprint is to restore as many of the streams as possible.  The focus of this effort right now is on Lebanon County because it is a tier two county according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and needs special attention.

The impact of climate change is generally manifested in more frequent rainstorms and increased runoff which in turn is compromising trout and trout habitat, causing bank erosion, and warming the stream water.

Taking a page from Trout Unlimited’s climate change adaptation strategies, the following actions are part of our chapter’s work:

Strategic Responses

-- Warmer temperatures—Shade streams; increase hyporheic flows; increase cool water habitats

-- Prolonged drought—improve watershed function, store more water in upper watershed for slow release

-- Create large wetlands and riparian areas along streams that resist burning and reduce erosion hazards

Adaptation Actions

-- Restore and improve riparian areas; strategic plantings of native trees; add structure to build deep pools; re-meander streams

-- Restore wet meadows

-- Connect rivers and their floodplains; replace undersized culverts

-- Increase width and lushness of riparian areas; expand channel width

Our chapter has multiple projects in the planning and permitting stage, several in the grant application phase, and several in the construction phase.  All in all, there are 10 projects in our portfolio.”  [Read more here.]

Visit the Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited website for more information.

(Reprinted from PA Council of Trout Unlimited website.)

How Clean Is Your Stream?

Check DEP’s 2022 Water Quality Report to find out how clean streams are near you.

Related Articles - Doc Fritchey Chapter:

-- Chesapeake Bay Journal - Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited’s Limestone Dosing Keeps Fish Habitat Livable For 36 Years

-- Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited Volunteers Breathe Life Into Broken Trout Waters In Dauphin County

-- Doc Fritchey Trout Unlimited Is Recipient Of Best PA Chapter Award

-- Video: Doc Fritchey Chapter Spring Creek Restoration [2007]

Take Action Now!

-- Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers, Hunters, Anglers, Farm, Environmental, Recreation Groups All Working Together, Down To The Wire, To Bring Home A Win On Growing Greener III Funding [PaEN]

Related Articles This Week:

-- Chesapeake Bay Program Released Results Showing PA Achieved Only 22% Of 2025 Nitrogen Reduction Goal, 45% of Sediment, 48% Of Phosphorus  [PaEN]

-- Bay Journal: As 2025 Approaches, Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Goal Grows More Elusive - By Karl Blankenship

-- Lancaster County Approves $3.4 Million In Federal American Rescue Plan Funding To Support Lancaster Clean Water Partners Projects  [PaEN]

-- 2-Year Effort To Restore Plunketts Creek In Lycoming County Recognized With Governor's Award For Environmental Excellence  [PaEN]

[Posted: June 24, 2022]

6/27/2022