Current Projects

The Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance (BCWA) of the Merrill W. Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy continues to press forward with activities to promote good stewardship of the environment in the Buffalo Creek watershed. It has a number of projects currently underway.

Buffer Planting and Stream Bank Clean-up
We have held several stream bank buffer plantings and stream bank litter clean-ups. It is our intention to hold one of each of these events each spring and fall. If you know of an area that could use either kind of stream bank improvement, please write buffalocreek@dejazzd.com.

Monitoring Project Up and Running
In June 2005 BCWA began to monitor the water quality at six sites on the main branch recommended by CWI in 2004. Two additional sites are also being monitored: one the North Branch and one on Rapid Run. See Stream Monitoring. The teams of volunteers are using kits purchased with Growing Greener grant funds. Many thanks to Thom Fantaskey fr coordinating this dedicated group of volunteers.

Acid Remediation in the Headwaters of Buffalo Creek
For some time now BCWA has been working to find ways to reduce the high acid conditions in the first 7-8 miles of the main branch of the creek. This stretch of otherwise high quality stream has been identified has impaired by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has taken the scientific measurements to determine what the chemical characteristics of the water should be and published these in what is called aTMDL, an acronym for Total Maximum Daily Load.

In 2004 BCWA engaged the firm of Dietz et al Consulting to provide the scientific and engineering experise needed in the area of acid remediation. The result was a successful 2005 application for a Growing Greener grant to design a passive water treatment facility in the area where the stream crosses Buffalo Flat road. In collaboration again with Jon Dietz and his colleague, Tim Gourley, the Alliance has awarded a 2006 Growing Greener grant for the construction phase of this project. Once we arrange a landowner agreement with DCNR we will begin construction, probably in the summer of 2007.

In addition to a Growing Greener grant in the amount of $290,000 this project is being supported by $12,000 from the Degenstein Foundation and $15,000 from Union County Growing Greener funds.

Download a fuller description of the proposed facility here.

Remediating Agricultural Sources on Impaired Tributaries

n an effort to begin to improve the water quality of the stretches of stream tributaries that have been identified as impaired by agricultural sources, BCWA cosponsored, together with the Union County Conservation District, a project to hire an agricultural environmental specialist. This person will conduct on-farm environmental assessment, work with conservation partners in assisting with computer modeling of environmental conditions, and assist landowners with best management practice identification and implementation in the Buffalo Creek Watershed. This project has been funded by a 319 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency. An A-E specialist is expected to begin work in June 2007.