Money no longer a limiting factor for Watershed Assn.

Less than six years have passed since the Bucktail Watershed Association (BWA) was formed by a group of local citizens who cared about the environment and wanted to make a difference.

If you consider yourself a person who is concerned about the outdoors, then please consider joining BWA. Originally, the group was formed to cover the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek. Later, BWA expanded to look after the First Fork.

The mission is wise watershed stewardship for property and stream protection. Among the goals are erosion control, improving stream habitat, eliminating pollution and promoting public awareness.

BWA has planted hundreds of trees in stream corridors to improve water quality. Roots will provide long-term stability to the stream banks. Shade will lower water temperatures, making the streams more hospitable to trout and other coldwater species.

Furthermore, the trees will reduce water velocities when the streams flood their banks, decreasing the damage caused by floods. Fallen leaves provide food for many aquatic invertebrates, such as mayfly nymphs.

In 2006, Bucktail Watershed Association undertook the Portage Creek stream bank restoration project, correcting erosion through resloping the bank, installing log deflectors, and placing rip rap. Volunteers planted tree seedlings and willow cuttings to further stabilize the bank.

BWA has partnered with Cameron County Conservation District on similar projects throughout the watershed.

Most recently, BWA attacked serious invasive plant problems in the two watersheds. The association teamed the Pa. Dept. of Agriculture in June to combat mile-a-minute vine infestations in First Fork, north of Wharton. BWA has also worked with a private landowner to combat a large patch of purple loosestrife growing at the bottom of Towner Run, adjacent to Rt. 120, west of Emporium.

Additionally, volunteers have begun eradication of Japanese knotweed growing in the Quehanna Wild Area along Wykoff Run Road.

BWA produced three watershed educational signs for the outdoor classroom at Woodland Elementary School in Emporium, Sizerville State Park and Sinnemahoning State Park.

Most recently, BWA has been called upon to play an important role in the use of money from the $7.35 million settlement from the Norfolk Southern lye spill of June 2006.

Most of this funding will be invested with the interest used for habitat work, stream improvement, and restoration on portions of the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed.

Money will no longer be a limiting factor. Manpower will be what limits restoration work. It's time for local citizens, sportsmen, and camp owners to join the efforts of those who are doing the work.

BWA membership costs $5 for one year. Family membership costs $7. Checks can be mailed to BWA, 4 East Sixth Street, Emporium PA 15834.

To contact the organization, call 486-9354 or email bucktailwatershed@yahoo.com.