Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Crawford County Gets Conservation Grant

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent meeting here, voted to approve a Threatened and Endangered Species Grant to the Crawford County Conservation District.

The commission was awarded $134,900 from the U.S. Department of Interior’s 2023 Inflation Reduction Act Recovery Implementation Grant program to fund a stream restoration project to benefit federally protected freshwater mussel species in French Creek, Crawford County.

The grant will be used by the Crawford County Conservation District to restore approximately 350 feet of eroding streambank which impacts instream habitat in a portion of French Creek known to support endangered, threatened, candidate, and rare freshwater mussel species.

Stream restoration will include installation of instream habitat structures to stabilize the eroding streambank, removal of a gravel bar to reestablish a natural channel cross section, and native vegetation will be planted within the riparian buffer zone to promote streambank stability.

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Boyd at Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum Oct. 2

Kane, Pa. — Emily Boyd, small game mammal specialist with the Game Commission will be the keynote speaker at the Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum Oct. 2. She will talk about the state’s struggling snowshoe hare population.

Boyd’s presentation will be of interest to forest managers, hunters, and conservationists who recognize the importance of wildlife research in advancing forest management across the Allegheny Plateau Region. Society of American Foresters’ Continuing Forestry Education credits will be applied for this presentation.

The forum will be held at the Wilcox Community Building (also called the Jones Township Community Center) at 320 Faries St., Wilcox. Preceding the talk will be a social hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Reservations are required. No reservations will be accepted after Sept. 25. For reservations, contact the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group at 814-837-8550 or email ashields@ahug.com.

PF&BC Sells Middle Creek Land to PGC

Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting, voted to authorize the sale of a parcel of land known as Middle Creek Lake in Washington, Penn and Union townships, Snyder County, to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

The approximately 143-acre property previously contained Middle Creek Lake, which provided boating access before the removal of Musser Dam in 1992. While Middle Creek continues to run through the property and provides fishing opportunities, the property no longer serves the needs of the Fish & Boat Commission.

The Game Commission, which owns adjacent property, has indicated that it would be willing and able to manage game habitat on the property. Under this agreement, the Game Commission would purchase the property for fair market value of $275,000 and public fishing access along Middle Creek will be maintained.

PF&BC Board Elects New Officers

Harrisburg — The Fish & Boat Commission Board, at its recent quarterly meeting here, elected John Mahn Jr., of Charleroi, Washington County, as president. Mahn, who serves as District 2 commissioner and is the outgoing vice president, replaces Daniel Pastore, of Fairview, Erie County, as president.

Donald Anderson was elected vice president. Serving as District 4 commissioner, Anderson replaces Mahn as vice president. Both Mahn and Anderson will serve one-year terms through July 2026. Daniel Pastore will remain on the board and continue to serve as District 1 commissioner.

Md. Sees Slight Loss in Underwater Grass Abundance in Chesapeake Bay for 2024

Annapolis, Md. — Underwater grass abundance in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay – a key indicator of water quality – fell from 38,188 acres in 2023 to 36,794 acres in 2024, according to data reviewed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

This acreage remains far short of the state’s 2025 restoration goal of 79,800 acres.

The annual survey of submerged aquatic vegetation was conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science between May and October 2024. The bay was fully mapped in 2024. The decrease is concerning, according to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Program Chief Brooke Landry, who said they underscore the need for sustained action to improve local conditions and maintain the habitats that so many bay species rely on.

New Park Manager for Beltzville State Park

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Cody Miller to manage Beltzville State Park in Carbon County.

He is a Weatherly, Pa., native who graduated from Weatherly Area High School in 2009. He began working for DCNR in 2008 as a semi-skilled laborer while still in high school and has held several roles including maintenance repairman, maintenance supervisor, manager trainee, and most recently as the manager of Chapman State Park.

Miller will oversee the 3,002-acre park, which is known for 949-acre Beltzville Lake, a destination for beachgoers, boaters and anglers. Beltzville is a popular day-use park with opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, sightseeing and picnicking.