New Page 1

McClure Run Restoration Project

Westminster College

New Wilmington PA

McClure Run is a trout stocked fishery and a small tributary to the Little Neshannock Creek. The stream begins in Wilmington Township and flows through New Wilmington Borough and the campus of Westminster College before reaching the Little Neshannock Creek. Over the years, the stream has been impacted from urbanization and stormwater that has resulted in channelization of the stream and decreased water quality.

Lawrence County Conservation District

Activities and Projects

2008

Shrub Planting

September 6, 2008

Community Volunteers Planted 150 Potted Shrubs

Silky Dogwood

Elderberry

Construction of the stream restoration project was completed in 2008.

Project activities included the following:

Stabilization of approximately 1,335 linear feet of streambank removal of stream obstructions.
Installation of 13 rock cross vane structures and a step pool structure to allow fish passage at existing dam structure.
Removal of approximately 8,000 square feet of impervious pavement.
Establishment of approximately 2 acres of riparian buffer. Planted over 180 trees and shrubs.
Creation of a pervious parking area using grassed turf pavers.

Alaron Corporation Becomes A LCCD Cooperator

LCCD Award's Alaron with the 2008 Business Conservation Award

The Conservancy Project at the Alaron Site

A Featured Local Conservation Effort Recognized by the Conservation District

Project Description Link

Check out the virtual tour presented by Alaron Corporation featuring Michael Miller, narrator and tour guide, at link below.

Navigate to Safety and Environment Page Scroll to bottom this section click on Virtual Video Tour.

Alaron Corporation Nuclear Services

Construction has started on the Bevington Boat Access Area. The parking area was constructed this fall and construction of the ramp is being planned for spring of 2009. The area dedicated to SGT Allan R. Bevington will allow access to the section of the Beaver River from Wampum to the start of the River near the Willow Grove Area south of Mahoningtown.

SGT Bevington was killed while serving in Iraq. Upon return from Iraq, he had planned on finding a way to access the Beaver River to fish with his brother Chuck Bevington. A life long dream of the two brother is becoming a reality.

The project has received much support and assistance from the Lawrence County Commissioners, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Representative Jaret Gibbons, Congressman Jason Altmire, the Bevington Family, Ellwood Rod and Gun Club, Employees of the Alaron Corporation, Steckman's Memorial, David Lias and many local residents .

In cooperation with the City of New Castle and the Lawrence County Conservation District, five county assumed vacant lots have been identified throughout New Castle for establishing conservation areas. These lots were planted with a variety of trees and shrubs during the last week of October, 2008. Wildflowers and native grasses will be planted in the Spring of 2009. The New Castle Area Schools Service Learning Program volunteered to help with tree plantings. Thanks to all the kids and Fran Joseph, program coordinator for assistance with the Project

Planting trees in urban areas can greatly improve community character and provides many environmental benefits. Vacant lots in urbanized settings provide an excellent opportunity for replacing built structures and grassed lawns with trees and shrubs. Increasing canopy cover in watersheds through reforestation efforts has many environmental, economic, and community benefits including increased property values, reducing stormwater runoff through infiltration, protecting water quality through nutrient uptake, providing green and open space for residents, increased aesthetic appeal, shading through tree canopy to reduce urban heat impacts, providing wildlife habitat, and reducing mowing and maintenance costs funded with taxpayer dollars. Research has also proven that revitalizing communities can reduce violence and crime rates.

For more information, please contact Megan or Jay at the Conservation District. 724-652-4512

The Penn Ohio Watershed Association hosted the 3^rd Annual Watershed Challenge at Munnell Run Farm on October 22, 2008. Eleven middle school teams from Trumbull County, Ohio and Crawford, Mercer and Lawrence Counties, PA attended the outdoor environmental competition. The teams were tested in five resource categories including Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Watershed and Wildlife. Each category was presented by natural resource professionals from Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources- Department of Forestry, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

First Place in this year’s challenge went to a team representing Jamestown Elementary. Second Place at the Watershed Challenge went to Laurel - Team Green. The Third Place winner was a second team from Jamestown Elementary. Other participating teams came from Ellwood City, Greenville, Saegertown, and home-school team from Trumbull County.