2

$5,000

Hazle Township, Luzerne County

Watershed baseline data development on the Black Creek will be done by Bishop Hafey students, providing needed data to assess and prioritize Black Creek watershed restoration. This will serve as a model for schools throughout the 10-county Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed, showing how watershed projects can be developed as an integral part of the curriculum and also as an extracurricular activity. School and community resources would be pooled through a network advisory committee. The primary organizational and curricular resource would be the nationally-recognized Adopt-A-Watershed curriculum. Watershed data gathered as a pilot project in Stage 1, combined with ongoing data gathered on the Jeddo Mine Tunnel discharge, would help plan restoration strategies for the Nescopeck Creek. During Stage 2, an extracurricular student group will further develop watershed projects and network with community organizations and resources. In Stage 3, teachers will plan curricular integration using Adopt-A-Watershed, and projects will be presented to other public and private schools.

Friends of the Nescopeck, Wildlands Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, US Environmental Protection Agency, Wilkes University, Pennsylvania State University (Hazleton campus), Pennsylvania Power and Light, local industry and local sewerage treatment plants.

Bishop Hafey High School teacher Jill Carrick and Bishop Hafey High School student Amy Polmounter; Telephone (570) 455-9431

1

$250,000

Luzerne County

One of the prime goals of the Alliance partners is the creation of a County-Wide Greenway and Open Space Plan. This plan, which could be administered by an established 501 (c)(3) organization such as the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, would include identification of greenway and open space opportunities, planning for interconnectivity, and prioritization of activities to achieve optimal long-term results on a county-wide basis. The Plan would also identify areas where coordination of efforts in non-connected disciplines, such as planning for a greenway using utility corridors, is feasible.

Agencies: US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Housing and Urban Development , PA Department of Environmental Protection, US Army Corps of Engineers , PA Department of Forestry, NRCS

Tom Ruskey, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry; Telephone (570) 823-2101

2

$500,000

Upper Susquehanna River corridor

Unlike many other rivers that flow through urbanized areas, large segments of the Susquehanna are flanked by well-developed riparian forests. Those forests represent an important natural resource because of their flood-attenuating properties, ability to naturally purify water, and habitat value (especially to migratory birds). Large stands of riparian forest occur within Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre and between Hanover and Plymouth Townships. An effort must be conducted to map and evaluate the forest communities along the entire Susquehanna corridor and to determine the degree to which an interconnected trail system can be created within the riparian forest buffer zone.

US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, PA Department of Environmental Protection, County Conservation Districts, Penn State Cooperative Extension

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758; Mark Evan, Riverfront Parks; Telephone (570) 825-5787; Vincent Cotrone, Penn State Cooperative Extension; Telephone (570) 825-1701

2

$500,000

Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed

Wetlands are a natural means of providing flood protection, water purification, and habitat for a wealth of species. Yet a large percentage of wetland acreage has been lost over the past century by filling, draining, and conversion to deepwater habitats. An effort has been underway over the past twenty years to locate and map wetlands via the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) program being carried out by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. While the NWI effort has produced a series of authoritative maps that designate areas determined to be wetland on modified topographic quads, some concern has developed that the NWI maps actually underestimate true wetland acreage. Researchers at Wilkes University have set out to evaluate the NWI maps by comparing them to soils maps and in-field delineations. Their conclusion is that NWI maps are inaccurate for jurisdictional purposes, and that a new generation of maps is needed to more accurately depict true wetland acreage. The American Heritage River designation affords an opportunity to develop a new set of maps that combines information from a variety of sources, thus providing a much more accurate understanding of the presence and distribution of wetland acreage in the watershed. The mapping process that will be developed can be used as a model for other mapping efforts throughout the U.S. and elsewhere.

PA Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service

Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 831-4758

2

$250,000

Luzerne County

The purpose of the Natural Areas Inventory is to identify and map locations of significant natural features including sites that support rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species, natural communities, geologic features, and otherwise significant natural habitats that are important to the long term preservation of biodiversity. The information so identified will be integrated into County Comprehensive Planning Processes; will be the basis for developing preservation, protection, and management options for identified areas; will be used by the public and private agencies to facilitate the long term survival of natural areas identified in the report; and will be used to identify significant natural areas that fit in with future parks and recreation needs, open space initiatives, and watershed plans. Site-specific information describing these features is then added to the PA Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) and stored in an integrated data management system created from map, manual and computer files. The goal of the PNDI is to build, maintain and provide accurate and accessible ecological information needed for conservation, development planning and natural resource management. In the eastern part of the Commonwealth, the PA DCNR acts cooperatively with The Nature Conservancy to complete the Natural Areas Inventory. Within the watershed area of the AHR, there are several counties that already have completed the Inventory. At present, Luzerne County is in the process of applying for PA DCNR funding to cover one-half of the costs of the Inventory.

Agencies: Nature Conservancy, PA Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Tom Ruskey of Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry; Telephone (570) 823-2101

2

To be determined, but technical assistance, in-kind contributions for materials, workshops, conferences and distribution of resources are also needed.

North Branch Watershed

Presently, there is no integrated effort to monitor the quality of the water flowing into the "Upper Susquehanna" from the North Branch. Because of this, there is no "background" standard against which we can measure the existing or future water quality conditions for the Upper Susquehanna. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Northeast Office, in partnership with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and others, has submitted a proposal to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a Rivers Conservation Planning Grant for the North Branch Watershed. As part of the grant, the Council proposes to set the framework for a watershed-wide alliance or network of watershed organizations that would act, among other things, as an information gathering and dissemination entity for this section of the Susquehanna. AHR assistance in the North Branch project would be used to advance the creation of an entity that can be used as a resource for the "background" water quality issues as they relate to the Upper Susquehanna and the AHR initiative.

US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Agriculture, Department of Housing and Urban Development, PA Department of Environmental Protection , PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, US Fish and Wildlife, Department of Forestry, US Army Corps of Engineers, NRCS, Office of Surface Mining.

Ellen Alaimo, Northeastern Office Director, Pennsylvania Environmental Council; Telephone (570) 408-4997

1

n/a

$100,000 from Luzerne County and DCNR

Wyoming Valley, Luzerne County

Earth Conservancy (EC) is a nonprofit organization formed with the mission of converting 17,000 acres of land formerly owned by the bankrupt Blue Coal Company into industrial, residential and recreational possibilities.

The EC and its constituent, EDAW, conducted spent more than a year obtaining public input to develop a master plan for the use of EC’s land. The master plan recommended setting aside approximately 10,000 acres for greenways, open space and outdoor recreation. The recently completed Open Space Master Plan includes numerous trails (motorized and non-motorized) for hiking, mountain biking and ATV use, conservation areas to preserve scenic and ecologically sensitive areas, scenic driving tours, river front parks and more traditional sports complexes.

EPA Sustainable Development Grant, DCNR

Mike Dziak, Executive Director, Earth Conservancy; Telephone (570) 823-3445

$200,000

Snydertown Borough, Northumberland County

Kiwi Korners has developed hardy kiwi as a new, no-spray, small fruit crop. Kiwi Korners has an active database of research data to provide educational information, as well as the availability of plant material not accessible from any other source, and marketing which is continuously being expanded.

David Jackson, Kiwi Korners; Telephone (570) 275-8781

3

$850,000

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County

The watershed contains an amazingly diverse array of relatively intact and human-impacted ecosystems. Educating local residents and visitors about the watershed's natural resources and pressing environmental issues is obviously an important endeavor. One successful educational initiative has been conducted for the past several years by The Wilkes-Barre Riverfront Parks, in conjunction with the Northeast Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Wilkes University. Members of the Riverfront Parks staff have been coordinating and presenting a structured educational program in the Park since 1995. To fully implement a sophisticated educational program, however, a formal educational facility is critically needed to provide a focal point where environmental educators throughout the region can obtain teaching resources concerning the watershed (printed materials, taxonomic collections) and display representative examples of natural and impacted ecosystems. To that end, the Master Plan for Wilkes-Barre Riverfront Parks includes plans for an Environmental Education Center that is intended to serve as the primary access point to the 91 acres of parkland, meadows, wetlands and forest found along the Susquehanna River. The Center would be located outside the floodplain area of the parks and would include display space, offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, storage, and restrooms. The proposed facility could be part of an environmental education consortium that includes the Riverlands facility in Berwick and regional colleges and universities. The Riverfront Parks Committee needs funding to acquire site, design and construction of a building, staff, and pedagogic materials.

National Park Service; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Education, PA Department of Environmental Protection, IU-18, science program coordinators, regional colleges and universities, school boards, science teachers, Penn State Cooperative Extension

John Maday, President, Wilkes-Barre Riverfront Parks Committee; Telephone (570) 826-1108; Ellen Alaimo, Director, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Telephone (570) 408-4998; Kenneth Klemow, Ph.D., Wilkes University; Telephone (570) 408-4758

1

$1,200,000

District Capital fund, Grant Opportunities and Local Funds

Mount Carmel Area School District, Northumberland County

The Mount Carmel Area School District built a new elementary school on the area’s only baseball field and now seeks to build new baseball and soccer fields, as well as other recreation areas for local children. The school district is exploring the possibility of developing land at the western end of Mt. Carmel, which runs along the Shamokin Creek. At present the Shamokin creek poses an environmental concerns. This project would correct the current environmental issue and provide the community and school district with developable land.

Cheryl Latorre, Acting Assistant Principal, Mt. Carmel Area School District; Telephone (570) 339-1500

1

$250,000

Northumberland County

Space is being leased to create an environmental education center. The interior will be designed to reflect natural settings. Furnishings will include conference table and chairs; filing cabinets; a desk; audio/visual equipment, including a pull-down screen; a P.A. system; a video recording and projector system; an overhead projector; a slide projector; a computer system; bulletin boards; and nature displays. An interpretive trail and woodland/water quality demonstration area will be developed at the site, on land to be donated by landowner.

EPA, DEP, DCNR, and AGR

Northumberland County Conservation District, Richard Morgan, Telephone (570) 988-4420

1

$130,000

$30,000

Northumberland County

The overall watershed comprehensive plan will provide accurate and necessary guidelines for land development. It will also provide a comprehensive, county-wide watershed evaluation of wildlife and cultural resources to promote future development.

HUD, CDBG, DEP

Greg Schoffler, Director, Northumberland County Planning Commission, Administration Center; Telephone (570) 988-4220

1

$263,600

$131,700 (Based upon legislative appropriation.)

Upper Susquehanna River Watershed

Under Act 167, counties are responsible for developing storm water management plans for the watersheds within their boundaries. These plans document existing problem areas and provide general information on potential solutions. The mainstay of these plans is to establish storm water runoff control criteria for future development within the watershed. Local municipalities are responsible for ordinance adoption and implementation. The Susquehanna River Watershed was chosen for study because of serious existing storm water problems and the rapid growth of the area. A supplement to the plan could include a water quality evaluation and report that would involve a non-point source pollutants inventory and modeling.

PA Department of Environmental Protection, EPA

Neal Fogle, Director, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

3

$457,539

Little Fishing Creek Watershed

Under Act 167, counties are responsible for developing storm water management plans for the watersheds within their boundaries. These plans document existing problem areas and provide general information on potential solutions. The mainstay of these plans is to establish storm water runoff control criteria for future development within the watershed. Local municipalities are responsible for ordinance adoption and implementation. A supplement to the plan could include a water quality evaluation and report that would involve a non-point source pollutants inventory and modeling.

PA Department of Environmental Protection, EPA

Neal Fogle, Director, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

3

$320,200

Briar Creek Watershed

Under Act 167, counties are responsible for developing storm water management plans for the watersheds within their boundaries. These plans document existing problem areas and provide general information on potential solutions. The mainstay of these plans is to establish storm water runoff control criteria for future development within the watershed. Local municipalities are responsible for ordinance adoption and implementation. A supplement to the plan could include a water quality evaluation and report that would involve a non-point source pollutants inventory and modeling.

PA Department of Environmental Protection, EPA

Neal Fogle, Director, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

1

Study - $8,250 (Implementation costs to be determined.)

Study - $7,500

Columbia County

Columbia County, through a PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Peer-to-Peer Grant, is completing a general feasibility study for the creation of greenways, open space, and recreational trails. This study will document goals and objectives and show areas in which to concentrate efforts for implementation. One potential project has already been submitted for grant funding, (Columbia County Susquehanna Trail), while others documented in this study will be pursued for a more detailed study and/or design and construction.

PA DCNR Keystone Funds, TEA-21 Enhancements

Robert Aungst, Environmental Planner, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

2

To be determined.

Columbia County

Columbia County desires to upgrade its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and County Comprehensive Plan. Also, a need exists for assistance to local municipalities in Columbia County either for the creation of land use ordinances or for upgrades to existing ordinances. Comprehensive Plan creation and/or updates are also needed at the local level. Such planning tools are needed in order to assist with the "smart growth" of the County, which includes opportunity for economic development and growth in areas so suited, as well as environmental protection and preservation in applicable areas.

PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Neal Fogle, Director, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

3

$50,000 (Estimate Only)

Columbia County

Columbia County in its Comprehensive Plan has designated three waterways as potential Scenic River candidates under this DCNR Program. Successful designation would benefit the tourism trade in Columbia County and provide for additional environmental awareness and preservation.

PA-DCNR, Keystone Grants

Robert Aungst, Environmental Planner, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

3

To be determined

Columbia County

Columbia County has established a goal to seek to establish an environmental resource section in the County library network and to develop educational programs and materials on important environmental issues.

PA ACT 101 Grants, DEP, EPA

Robert Aungst, Environmental Planner, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

3

To be determined

Columbia County

A goal of the existing Columbia County Comprehensive Plan is to prepare a county-wide water supply plan to protect the public from the hazards of unsafe drinking water and to assure safe and reliable water service. A means of achieving this goal is through Water Supply and Wellhead Protection Studies.

PA DEP

Neal Fogle, Director, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

3

To be determined.

Columbia County

This project would be to conduct and maintain a county-wide inventory of natural diversity areas of important and unique plant and animal species, habitats, and special resource characteristics, and to encourage low or no impact as applicable.

DEP, DCNR, Keystone Grants, Pa Fish and Game Commissions

Neal Fogle, Director, Columbia County Planning Commission; Telephone (570) 389-9146

Unknown

To be determined.

Unknown

Columbia County

Digital soils information could be utilized for a number of projects in Columbia County that depend heavily on soil types delineation, such as storm water planning, Act 319 Assessment and land use planning.

USDA

Timothy J. Murphy Jr., GIS Coordinator, Columbia County GIS ; Telephone (570) 389-9146

Unknown

Columbia County

Updated digital flood mapping would assist the county and local municipalities in identifying properties in flood zones, land use planning and emergency management.

FEMA

Timothy J. Murphy Jr., GIS Coordinator, Columbia County GIS; Telephone (570) 389-9146

1

Columbia County, Pennsylvania

The East Branch of the Fishing Creek watershed, which formerly supported a healthy biodiversity including native brook trout, lacks alkalinity for necessary buffering. Acid rain and naturally acidic bogs have contributed to the acidity problems in the watershed and have exhausted the alkalinity to the present intolerable levels. Fishing Creek travels from its headwaters in the North Mountain Plateaus of northeastern PA in Sullivan County, to its confluence with the Susquehanna River, near Buckhorn. A targeted restoration project at the Grassmere Park section of Fishing Creek will take place, as an education and community demonstration project.

Columbia County Conservation District, Sullivan County Conservation District, Bloomsburg University, Fishing Creek Green Alliance, PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA DEP, Pocono NE RC&D, Columbia County Commissioners, Greenwood Friends School, Columbia County Farmers National Bank, EPCAMR Fishing Creek Outfitters, Freestone Fly Fishers, Town of Bloomsburg, Luzerne County Conservation District, Lycoming County Conservation District, Montour County Conservation District, Sullivan County Conservation District, NRCS, Benton Area School District, and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

Chuck Chapman (President) Fishing Creek Watershed Association (FCWA) 570-925-6972

Planning

$30,000

$23,495

Lackawanna Junior College, Lackawanna County

A new interdisciplinary course entitled Environmental Quality is being developed to satisfy new science core requirements for non-science majors at Lackawanna Junior College. This project successfully secured matching funds from the National Science Foundation for the acquisition of equipment for student-based environmental quality assessments of the Lackawanna River, its tributaries, and other water sources which are contaminated with acid mine drainage and combined sewer overflows. Assessment strategies will be based on examining actual and potential impacts on water quality and biota, specifically metals, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and benthic macroinvertebrates. Portable field analytical instrumentation will be used to estimate pollutant loads and to evaluate levels of chemical constituents in areas of suspected impact and non-impacted control (reference) sites. Students will become familiar with the scientific methodologies involved in sample collection and analysis, as well as the interrelationships between the biological, chemical, and hydrological components of the environment. Results of the project will be evaluated in terms of scientific validity, contributions to environmental databases, and its impact on student learning.

It is anticipated that this project will coordinate and share results with the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, Lackawanna Watershed 2000, National Institute for Environmental Renewal, interested state agencies, and regional colleges and universities.

William J. Tarutis, Jr., Ph.D., C.E., P.W.S., 501 Vine Street, Scranton, PA 18509; Telephone (570) 961-7862

Planning

$18,000

$18,000 approx.

East Branch, Fishing Creek, Columbia County

Fishing Creek Watershed Association and the Columbia County Conservation District are contructing a limestone diversion well in the East Branch of Fishing Creek at the entrance to the gamelands in Columbia County. Acid rain has been damaging the habitat of the creek. The diversion well will serve to replace some of the lost bufferering capacity in the area. Fishing Creek Watershed Association is actively monitoring Fishing Creek and its adjoining reparian buffers.

WRAP grant from DEP awarded 1999 for completion in 2000.

Chuck Chapman, President, Fishing Creek Watershed Association (FCWA) 570-925-6972