Bell's Gap Run

[Bill Anderson]

Blair County Conservation District is seeking to repair a significant streambank erosion problem just out of Bellwood on BGR. They are also working on an acid mine drainage issue on Sugar Run. LJRA is supportive of both these efforts. Our conservation district has proven itself to be a steadfast defender of the environment. Unfortunately they are underfunded and understaffed and increasingly so, thanks to our misguided governer and state government.

[Comparadun]

Reading PennLines. our local electric company magazine, they are promoting gas drilling and how wonderful it is for the economy.

Who will want to live here if the gas drillers go unchecked.

Thats enough to want me to get my own wind powered generator, anyone know of a good one?

Let it be noted that the bums who caused the oil problem in the Gulf said
('it will never happen"), when it came time to check and repair the saftey mechanism, they passed on that, (more money in the bonus kitty of course)

[Bill Anderson]

Speaking of Penelec, I've been noticing that they are agressively cutting under all their lines in Blair and Huntingdon Counties (maybe state wide). The effect of this is to create favorable conditions for bank erosion at many stream crossings. Anyplace where a stream makes a bend under wires and the tree and brush roots were holding the bank, along comes Penelec's contractor who chops everything right to the ground. The next high water event cuts in to the now unprotected bank and the process of erosion begins. There is a very severe example of this on the "j" at Pinecroft. It's so bad the Penelec pole has already been replaced, having ended up in the middle of the river and now their replacement pole is at risk. I am looking for other examples of such erosion and they are not hard to find. Keep an eye out in your area. We are doing our best to change this practise. (it will not be easy). Send me pictures and precise locations.

Bill

[kbeamer]

Bill,
If you would like us (PFBC) to look at some of these erosion sites just let me know, we may be able to fix the banks along with providing habitat.

[Altoidmatt]

The sugar run news is great, I hope it actually happens. I work near the sewer authority building on RT 764 in Duncansville. Last month a size 14 or 12 light gray mayfly appeared in our parking lot, yesterday I saw the same species It was a size 14 light gray dun with two tails and white eyes. Today I snuck over to the stream and seined a little bit, I uncovered a tiny mayfly nymph! I know throughout Hollidaysburg you can find trout but to think they could possibly habitate a stream closer to home is awesome. It really is a nice little section of stream, with deep holes and riffles. Not sure of the stream name but It is down stream of sugar run, I think it is a combiation of sugar run and mill run.
Lets hope this isn't just wishful thinking.
Matt

[Bill Anderson]

Matt,
You are probably looking at Beaverdam Run, a tributary to the Frankstown Branch. There have been efforts made to clean up it's tributaries. Maybe its paying off. The existance of mayfly nymphs is a good water quality sign.

Keith,
I just noticed your offer to look at streambank erosion sites. When I get back from Idaho, I would like to show you a couple and get your opinion.

I leave today!
Bill