The Audubon Hawk Watch at Waggoner’s Gap, along with the planned Cliff Jones Field Station there, and a recent announcement of funding to repair the Opossum Lake Dam are spotlighted on the June edition of the Vance Report.

Video Blog Feature: Sen. Vance Visits Waggoner’s Gap

Pictured in the photo are Holly Smith, Audubon PA, Walt Pomeroy, former and future Board member Audubon PA, Jean bochnowski, Interim Executive Director of Audubon PA, David Grove, Hawk Watch Volunteer, Sen. Pat Vance and Kim VanFleet, Important Bird Area Coordinator, Audubon PA.

The hawk watch is located just off Route 74 at the Cumberland and Perry County line. It is one of the most critically important flyways in eastern North America and has one of the finest hawk and raptor watching opportunities anywhere. Plans have been underway since last year to improve accessibility of the site and add educational programs.

These improvements are being done in honor of Cliff Jones, a noted conservationist who held a variety of state cabinet positions in several administrations. Jones died in May.

“Cliff Jones left an immeasurable impact on the Commonwealth through his work in state government and on the boards of many environmental and economic development groups,” Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland) said. “As an avid birdwatcher, he took his family to Waggoner’s Gap. It is unfortunate Cliff could not see this field station to competition. The views from the hawk watch are breathtaking. I would encourage area residents to visit this treasure.”

The other segment of the program focuses on the announcement that Vance secured $1.5 million in state funds to fix the Opossum Lake dam spillway. Leaks were discovered in the spillway in 2005, which resulted in the lake being lowered. This funding is a key piece in moving the project forward.

“Raising funds to fix the Opossum Lake spillway in order to restore the lake to its former self have been a real collaborative effort between state and local officials and the community,” Sen. Vance said. “By securing the final piece needed, it is hoped that work will begin in late 2009 or early 2010, and this treasure will reopen in 2011.”

Sen. Vance’s show airs on Blue Ridge Communications at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays on Channel 8. Comcast Cable that serves the Shippensburg area will air the program at 4 p.m. on Thursdays on Channel 21. Comcast Cable that serves the Carlisle area will air the show at the same time but on Channel 11. York Community Access shows the program at 9 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month on Channel 16. Finally, Comcast Cable in the Greater Harrisburg area will air the program on Channel 20 with no set time schedule.

For more information, visit Sen. Vance’s website.

5/30/2008