Coldwater Heritage Partnership Announces 2009 Grant Awards

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership recently announced that over $35,000 in grants have been awarded to local organizations to protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s coldwater stream habitats.  The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is a cooperative initiative amongst Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. 

"These grants targeted to Pennsylvania's precious coldwater streams help guide the protection of these unique resources, and also engage the community in their protection and enjoyment," DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said.   Funded organizations will be responsible for creating a Coldwater Conservation plan that:

• Gathers existing data about the coldwater ecosystem;

• Identifies potential impacts, threats, problems and opportunities to our coldwater streams;

• Formulates a plan of action for proposed conservation and protection strategies; and,

• Builds community awareness and support for the conservation of our coldwater streams.

“Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited is excited to award grants to worthy organizations for the conservation and protection of their local streams,” stated Dave Rothrock, President of the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. 

Grants have been made to the following organizations: 

Fulton County Conservation District, Fulton County: 

• $4,540.00 for work on the South Branch Little Aughwick Creek to create a coldwater conservation plan assessing the current conditions and determine future protections.

Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County:

• $4,985 to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of stream temperature, determine causative factors, and develop a management plan for the Paradise Creek and its tributaries.

Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association, Chester County:  

• $5,000.00 to implement educational components of the West Branch of Crum Creek Conservation Plan. 

Schuylkill Conservation District, Schuylkill County:  

• $5,000 to develop a conservation management plan to maintain access and preserve water quality of Beaver Creek. 

Huntingdon County Conservation District, Huntingdon County: 

• $5,000 to preserve native brook trout in Miller Run monitoring water quality and evaluating potential protection measures for logging, fishing, and water withdrawal.

Green Valleys Association, Chester County

·       $6,000 to produce a conservation plan for the Stony Run Watershed, identifying potential problems and opportunities for stream conservation that lead to detailed and prioritized watershed projects.

Twin Valley Conservation, Dauphin County

·       $5,000 to collect stream data for submission of a stream upgrade and to develop a conservation plan for the headwaters of North and South Forks of the Powell's Creek.   

"Because this type of grassroots conservation work is vital for the future of the state's coldwater streams and wild trout fisheries, organizations will have the opportunity to submit applications again this fall." Stated John Arway, Environmental Services Division Chief from the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

Besides offering grants, the Coldwater Heritage Partnership works to provide technical and educational assistance to organizations interested in protecting coldwater ecosystems.  For additional information, please contact the Deborah Nardone at (814) 359-5233, or visit the Coldwater Heritage website at www.coldwaterheritage.org.