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“Every year the Environmental Excellence honorees show the creative and innovative ways we can improve our environment, and this year is no different,”Governor Tom Wolf “The projects highlighted this year show tremendous diversity in how they are making Pennsylvania a better place.”
The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy and Pennsylvania Game Commission’s efforts on Plunketts Creek at Proctor are being recognized with a Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The project was evaluated for its environmental protection, innovation, partnership and economic impact. It also considered sustainability and justice. It, along with 14 other projects from across the state, were recognized with the 2022 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in Harrisburg.
Patrick McDonnell, DEP Secretary, stated that during the event “It is always a privilege to spotlight people going above and beyond to improve the environment and make our great outdoor spaces more accessible. Each of the projects awarded this year will leave a positive lasting legacy for Pennsylvania.”
This project’s lasting legacy will be less flooding, more ecological functioning, and better water quality. Plunketts Creek is an ecologically sound, high-quality, cold water fishery with naturally reproducing trout. The Creek is located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The water in the Creek flows to the Bay through Loyalsock Creek and the West Branch Susquehanna River.
2020 NPC and PGC stabilized the eroding streambanks of Plunketts creek in Phase 1. This was done using log and stone structures designed by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The streambanks were eroding and adding sediment to streams, as well as covering the bottom substrate. The sediment source was eliminated by stabilizing the streambanks immediately. The sediment at the stream bottom will eventually disappear.
In 2021, as Phase 2, the partners removed 2,200 linear feet of the earthen berm along Plunketts Creek and restored the Creek’s access to the floodplain, lowering adjacent flood elevations and the erosive potential of the stream. The 333rd Engineering Company, US Army Reserves, based at Reading, PA, completed this project as their summer 2021 training exercise. The soldiers were able get three weeks of training, while also providing a huge benefit to the local community.
The efforts of many partners worked together to make the project possible. The 1st Platoon from the 333rd Engineering Company, US Army Reserves, was one of the key players. The Reservists used this project as their 2021 training project. Their assistance was possible because of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program.
The following were the partners who helped make this project possible with the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy):
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Lycoming County Conservation District
333rd Engineering Company, US Army Reserves
Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds
Susquehanna River Basin Commission
PA Council of Trout Unlimited
Coldwater Heritage Program
Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club
Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association
American Legion Post No. 104 (Montoursville PA).