Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation recently received a $148,404 grant from the Department of Environmental Protection's 2013 Growing Greener Grant Program to continue restoration of fish habitat and improvement of water quality in Halfmoon Creek.
The stream is a major tributary to Spruce Creek and the Little Juniata River, both nationally famous "blue ribbon" trout waters. Halfmoon Creek, from its headwaters on Bald Eagle Mountain in western Centre County to the confluence with Spruce Creek near Pennsylvania Furnace in Huntingdon County, is designated as having impaired water quality and degraded fish habitat from agricultural runoff.
The entire watershed was listed with EPA in 2008 as not meeting its Clean Water Act designated use and is a "priority watershed" for restoration by the DEP Northcentral Regional Office.
The 2013 grant and a 2012 grant to WFEEF are focused on restoring a 7,200-foot stream segment near the village of Marengo. Restoration practices will include: over 3,400 feet of log and stone fish habitat structures; 2,500 feet of streambank bioengineering and shrub plantings to reduce sediment and lower summer water temperatures; 2,000 feet of cattle fencing; and three gravel stream crossings for livestock and farm equipment.
Stream restoration work is expected to begin in summer 2014 after the necessary permits are approved. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's "Partners for Fish and Wildlife" program, the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania, Habitat Forever and Seven Willows LLC are collaborating with WFEEF on the Halfmoon Creek stream restoration design and construction.
For more information contact Adam Smith, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, State College Office call 814-234-4090 or send email to: Adam_Smith@fws.gov.