Pine Creek Watershed Coalition
Background:
Pine Creek is a major watershed in Allegheny County and one that regularly experiences flooding - often devastating several communities. PEC along with project partners, the North Area Environmental Council, Allison Park Sportsmen, Trout Unlimited, local municipalities, and the PA Senior Environmental Corps, completed a Pine Creek Watershed Assessment, Protection and Restoration Plan in 2005. This Plan concluded with 34 recommendations that the Coalition is now working towards implementing. PEC provides administrative support and technical assistance to the Coalition to advance its efforts.
Project Goals:
- To monitor the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the watershed
- To promote environmentally and economically sound land use
- To restore the biological and structural integrity of the streams and stream channels
- To educate the watershed residents about the importance of a healthy Pine Creek.
Major milestones/successes to date:
Coalition members are continuing to conduct chemical and biological monitoring of the creek and its tributaries; volunteers are conducting a stream visual assessment; DEP is working on a bacteriological study; funding for a DCNR Watershed Conservation Plan has been secured; funding for an EPA Watershed Implementation Plan has been secured; numerous public educational programs have been hosted or implemented.
Current/upcoming plans:
PEC is working on an EPA Watershed Implementation Plan for Pine Creek. This Plan will use computer modeling to estimate current pollution loading based on land use and predict pollution reductions if certain Best Management Practices are implemented. The expected date of completion for this plan is fall 2008.
For more information, please visit:
www.pinecreekwatershedcoalition.org