Western PA Conservancy To Hold Public Meetings, Invites Public Suggestions On Future Use, Improvements To Juniata River Watershed

Residents of the Juniata River Watershed are invited to provide input and suggestions via public meetings and a community survey to help inform the Juniata Watershed Management Plan, a project of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy with multiple partners.

Encompassing 3,400 square miles and traveling through Dauphin, Perry, Juniata, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Bedford and Somerset counties, the Juniata watershed’s numerous tributaries provide habitat for numerous fish and aquatic species as well as recreational opportunities such as swimming, paddling and fly fishing. 

Home to several state forests, state parks and state game lands, much of the land in the watershed is forested, providing abundant habitat for birds, wildlife and plants, including several rare and endangered plant species.

During the past 25 years, the Conservancy has partnered with conservation organizations, local government agencies and the public to improve water quality in the watershed. 

Projects have included planting riparian trees along streams to prevent erosion and decrease pollutant runoff, working with farmers to implement agricultural best management practices to manage nutrients, and removing stream barriers to encourage aquatic organism passage and support trout populations.

“Juniata Forward: Building on 25 Years of Conservation” seeks to build on that work with input and suggestions from people who live and work in the watershed about recreation, development and other uses. Funding for the project is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Public Meetings

Residents are invited to attend any of three public meetings, all from 7:00-8:30 p.m.--

-- May 17 in Marzoni’s Brick Oven and Brewing, 1830 East Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602

-- May 18 in Friendship Fire Company, 212 4th St., Port Royal, PA 17082

-- May 23 in Saxton Fire Hall, 504 8th St., Saxton, PA 16678

“We want to understand what residents of the communities within the Juniata watershed think of current conditions, and how they would like to see the watershed resources used in the future,” says Jennifer Farabaugh, WPC’s watershed manager. “Residents’ input will guide our recommendations for the plan.” 

Participants are encouraged to share what they feel are the most important uses of the watershed, including recreational and educational activities, business or residential development, historic preservation and more. 

They should also bring questions, concerns or suggestions for watershed improvements.

Online Survey

Residents can also provide input anonymously on a short online survey.

Anyone interested in attending one or more of the public meetings should register by contacting Jennifer Farabaugh at jfarabaugh@paconserve.org or 814-696-9356, or online.

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

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-- CBF Blog: Student In CBF's Student Leadership Program Worked To Rename Stream After Kitty Payne, An Emancipated Slave Who Lived Near Biglerville, Adams County - By B.J. Small, Chesapeake Bay Foundation  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Watersheds: How Land Use Impacts Groundwater  [PaEN]

-- Julia Krall Named PA Executive Director Of Chesapeake Bay Foundation  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 28, 2023]  PA Environment Digest