Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 4. Biological Resources
Description:
ALLEGHENY RIVER AT LARABEE CONSERVATION AREA
Aquatic habitat along the Allegheny River that supports a mussel, damselfly, and bufferfly
species.
Significance: High
Location: Eldred Township, McKean County
Rare Occurrences: Blue-tipped dancer damselfly, Elktoe mussel, Long dash butterfly
Threats: 1. Runoff from dirt and gravel roads in close proximity to streams can contribute to
physical degradation of stream channels, erosion, and pollution in the streams.
2. Loss forest cover within riparian zones may result in increased water temperature and
disruption of natural nutrient cycling linked to streams.
3. Removal of forest cover on steep slopes is especially problematic because of the
potential for increased runoff and erosion following storm events.
Recommendations: 1. Preserving forested stream corridors. Timbering, road construction, oil and gas
development and other construction activities should be kept well away from riparian
corridors in order to avoid degrading important aquatic and streamside habitat.
2. A high degree of forest cover should be maintained for additional protection of the water
quality and ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystems.
3. Landowners active in timbering operations should implement best management
practices.
BROWN VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA
Description: Encompasses a mixed hemlock-hardwood riparian forest along an unnamed tributary of
Marilla Brook, supporting a breeding pair of Swainson's thrush (a neo-tropical migratory
bird associated with deciduous forest).
Significance: High
Location: Bradford Township, McKean County
Rare Occurrences: Swainson's thrush
Threats: 1. Hemlock woolly adelgid infestation resulting in high levels of mortality in hemlock trees
and habitat for the Swainson's thrush and other species.
2. Loss of canopy cover and shrub understory from timbering may negatively affect the
thrush’s habitat until dense regrowth appears.
Recommendations: 1. Preserve forest within riparian zones.
2. Periodic monitoring for invasive species, including the hemlock woolly adelgid.
3. Proposed treatments for insect outbreaks should consider impacts to aquatic and forest
animals.
4. Timbering within the core area should be restricted to non-breeding season of the
Swainson's thrush. Only silviculture treatments that maintain at least a partial canopy and
enhance structure in the understory should be utilized.
BULLIS MILLS CONSERVATION AREA
Description: Forest, scrub-shrub, and graminoid-dominated marsh within a large wetland complex
adjacent to the Allegheny River that provides habitat for Wilson's snipe and a species of
concern not identified at the jurisdictional agency's request.
Significance: High
Location: Eldred Township, McKean County
Rare Occurrences: Wilson's snipe, sensitive species #7
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