The June 15, 2012 meeting of the Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project was called to order at 9:18 AM at the Sewak residenceby Len Lichvar, with Joe Gordon, Melissa Reckner, Robb Piper, Thurman Korns, Larry Hutchinson, Jim Eckenrode, John Vatavuk, Bill Strosnider, Dave & Kristin Sewak, and Karlice Makuchan present.

The meeting was also attended Kellie Cominsky of Shade Creek Watershed Association, Greg Shustrick of Somerset Conservation District, and Kristina Strosnider of Natural Biodiversity.

Piper/D. Sewakmade a motion to accept the May meeting minutes as submitted. All in favor. Motion carried.

Korns reported that SCRIP has $3,101.35 in its checking account. He said SAC still owes SCRIP $225. SCRIP received a $50 donation/membership this week. Reckner/Piper made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. All in favor. Motion carried.

Reckner commented that the news reported that Gamesa abandoned the Shaffer Mountain wind project.

Lichvar said the Hinemyer project was moved to July.

Lichvar said a residentwas concerned about the integrity of a spring on his property near Benson Borough that is being strip mined across from Maple Ridge. He was assured by the mining company, engineers, and DEP that the spring would not be harmed by the mine. This guy emailed Lichvar and others photos of this entire stream that is now completely dry. DEP and PFBC have been informed of the situation.

Tomorrow is River Day. Attendees reviewed the day’s activities. Eckenrode showed the Frisbees that SCRIP had made. (The SCRIP board approved this actionvia an electronic vote.) The board decided to give them away at River Day and Paddle the Que. Lichvar shared a 6 pack of water from tributaries to Stonycreek and explained that a minister will marry the waters tomorrow. Lichvar said there is an article in this month’s Somerset Magazine about the Stony. CVC received the $10K that accompanied the ROY award. SCRIP needs to submit an invoice for $2500 to CVC for its projects related to ROY. SCRIP reviewed its project costs. Lichvar reminded that MLTU authorized $500 for fingerling trout stocking in the Que.

Lichvar said PFBC is shocking the lower portion of Que Creek and perhaps the Stony on Thursday, June 21 around 9 – 9:30 AM.

Reckner shared a photo of the Weaver Run D10 AMD treatment system, which is under construction and half way done.

Hutchinson reported that SCWA is limestone dosing Panther & Shingle Runs this weekend. Cominsky reported on her participation in the WREN conference. Hutchinson said George Mostoller of MLTU is monitoring Clear Shade Creek and Cub Run every two weeks for impacts from Marcellus Shale extraction. There was a discussion about the proposed replacement of the Iron Bridge, which was just rehabilitated a couple years ago. It’s probably to support heavy machinery. Reckner said the DEP has a data sonde on Clear Shade Creek, near Route 160.

Lichvar said a few partners met with Chris Koop of Congressman Mark Critz’s office to discuss treatment of the Big 3 AMD in Central City. He seemed excited about the possibility, but leads provided have not yielded any funds.

B. Strosnider said SFU students will finish their summer research in 2 weeks. He thanked SCRIP for publishing student Jake McCloskey’s article in the recent newsletter.

Piper said the District’s CHIP program work days are June 26 at Wilmore and June 27 at Hinckston. They are implementing their second 3 year plan. Piper noted that the Cambria County Commissioners asked to see copy of this plan.

SCRIP discussed the status of screens and the whitewater release value at the Que. Vatavuk said the valve won’t shut tight. Lichvar said the Que CHIP work days are August 4 at 9 AM and September 12 at 5 PM.

Gordon said Cambria County Commissioners are interested in selling off former Bethlehem Properties, which include Wilmore, Hinckston, and Quemahoning Dams, because Cambria County is having a hard time meeting its debt payment obligation. SCRIP reviewed an editorial on the subject that was in the Daily American. The Tribune-Democrat did not report on the story or take a position. It was stated that Mr. Wissinger, a Cambria Co. Commission, is a former member of the Greater Johnstown Water Authority, which tried to get these properties years ago. They understand the value of water. Gordon feels SCRIP should not be defensive, but make it known to both counties’ commissioners and perhaps the public through letters to the editor that these remarks have not gone unnoticed and that we are concerned. All the recreation on the water is just a by-product of clean water. In the past, poor waterquality kept a lot of businesses, like a food processing plant and Saturn car, from establishing themselves here. Whoever controls the water controls the economics of the region. DCNR invested $1.5 million in the acquisition of the dams, so they should have some say as to what happens if this idea progresses. D. Sewak/Gordon made a motion that SCRIP craft an op-ed piece for both newspapers and letters to both county commissioners expressing concern over the potential loss of these water resources. All in favor. Motion carried.

Lichvar noted an email a few people received stating that Mike Quinn retired from CVC and will soon retire from SQI. He said there is a meeting on Tuesday to discuss CVC’s future and potential collaborations with like-minded groups.

Piper said the pad for the first tank at the St. Michael treatment system has been poured and they are constructing a wall for another cell. The permit is at EPA. Groups have been asked to write more letters of support for this project. Send them to Rosebud who will forward them to EPA.

Piper said DEP rejected Amfire’s first proposed treatment plant footprint near Hughes because of a wetland. Amfire said they’ll build it where they’re told. Partners are looking at all mine pools to see if they could all be treated somehow.

Piper said Robindale is investigating a few boney piles near Trout Run. He said Jackie Ritko gave a presentation at the WREN conference. Their Family Days at Disaster’s Edge will be July 24 & 25. The fee is $2 / head.

Makuchan reported that the newsletter went out earlier this month. SCRIP discussed increasing the font size, which may lead to a 6-page newsletter, but that’s been done before.

Reckner reported that the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team is assisting the DEP with Fecal Coliform monitoring in the Quemahoning and Shade Creek watersheds. Cambria and Somerset Counties lack data. She said she was out with PFBC this week as they surveyed the lower portion (Section 2) of Beaverdam Run, for which the Stream Team is working on a Coldwater Conservation Plan. Reckner said Dr. William Kimmel will survey the upper section later this year.

Reckner said registration is now open for PA’s Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference, scheduled for August 2 – 4 at the Ramanda in State College. The fee is $40 for the conference, though the tour is $10 more. Scholarships are available to help offset lodging costs. Details at

K. Strosnider said work is progressing on the Jim Mayer trial riparian project. She said the Johnstown Garden Club is doing a native plant assessment along the trail to help facilitate restoration. Natural Biodiversity is building an outdoor classroom at Johnstown High School. K. Strosnider said she attended the ASMR Conference recently that focused a lot on restoration. She hopes NB can move into mine land reclamation.

Gordon reported that there have been slightly more visits to SCRIP’s website this month. SCRIP now has a Facebook page. We have 34 friends right now. Help us increase that please. Send K. Sewak pictures to post. Gordon suggested adding a Twitter page. CALL FOR VOLUNTEER – Is there anyone willing to “tweet” on behalf of SCRIP??

Reckner said she’s corresponded with Mandy Smith regarding the Paddle the Que event in August. She is ready to take reservations. Does SCRIP want to have exhibits or outfitters or food available as well? BCC could do some demos. It was decided to invite watershed groups to display and to try and get some outfitters there. SCRIP will provide coffee and donuts. SCRIP will purchase an ad in the local newspapers for this event.

Reckner said she invited EPA to present on injection wells and their proximity to abandoned mine workings and mine pools at the AMR Conference, but no one was willing to give a presentation because EPA doesn’t have much experience with this. She thought it would be a good venue to vet questions and answers, but still no. She was told gas companies are responsible for providing information in their permit application about mine workings in the area.

Piper said he heard the Rosedale wastewater treatment facility will be mostly accepting wastewater via train cars and that it will be treated to drinking water standards.

SCRIP decided not to sign a petition request from Pew Environment Group, a founding member of the Herring Alliance, on Protecting River Herring and Shad Populationssince it is an issue that doesn’t pertain to SCRIP’s watershed and SCRIP doesn’t want to put its name on a petition just to add another name.

Vatavuk commented that the boney pile in Tire Hill is going to be removed. Reckner said a boney pile in Maple Ridge is being removed.

Reckner said she’s sure most everyone saw the emails that didymo has been found in the Yough River. Disinfect your gear to prevent the spread! Attendees questioned when felt sole shoes would be banded in PA. Piper suggested sending letters to appropriate authorities about the topic.

Lichvar noted that Gary Smith is no longer a fish habitat biologist with the PFBC; he is now to review Marcellus Shale permits. Lichvar said four of the six fish habitat biologists with the PFBC were reassigned to this task, so only two are left for the entire state: Carl Lutz and Charlie McGerle (sp?). Some SCRIP Board members were upset about this. Lichvar said the PFBC executive director has the right to shift around staff. John Arway said he didn’t understand what the habitat biologists did. Several people thought the monies PFBC received from leasing their property to gas companies were to help hire additional staff to review permits.

Next meetings:

July 20 at 9 AM at Greenhouse Park.

August 10 at 9 AM at Que Public Recreation Area.

Thanks to the Sewaks for hosting.

Adjournment at 10:55 AM.

Minutes by Reckner.

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