Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 6. Issues and Concerns
Another main point that was brought up in one of the initial local meetings is the unfinished 600+
acre golf course in Potter County. The local community wants the golf course to be put to better use, with
some suggesting that it be restored to a more environment-friendly state.
Garbage and recycling methods and systems used in the area need significant improvement as well.
The local residents feel that this would be a good first step in an effort to minimize litter in the area. As of
April 2009, recycling within the project area had ceased.
Employment
Employment opportunities are lacking in the region. Many local residents feel that the area needs
more diversified opportunities for employment. They are also burdened with high unemployment and
healthcare difficulties. Some suggestions include better job training and volunteering. The overall
perception by the local residents is that more volunteering can lead to effective projects that will help the
watershed area, such as trash clean up, recycling, and removing invasive species.. The major employment
industries in this region are hospitals, farms, forestry, oil/gas maintenance, manufacturing, education, and
technology.
During the visits to local high schools, one of the questions posed was whether the students would
return at an older age to seek employment in the area. Those that said no suggest that there are better
opportunities elsewhere, the job market is better in other areas, the local communities are too small, and
that there is a lack of businesses to create more jobs for the region. It is important that the youth of the
area maintain a positive outlook for the region’s future in both economical and environmental aspects.
This issue of employment opportunities is important to the students of the three local high schools.
Another major issue in the area is the return of the gas and oil drilling industry. It has helped to
revitalize the area in terms of unemployment, but some local residents suggest that this type of industry
can be detrimental to the health of the environment. Overall, they feel that it is a good thing in the sense
that it is bringing in more jobs, but it must be properly regulated in order to preserve and protect the area.
Another industry that has similar issues is logging. It provides local jobs, but at the same time, the local
population feels that it must be properly regulated to preserve the area’s forests and natural habitats for
wildlife and clean water.
Legal and Political
From a legal standpoint, the local communities feel that something must be done with the regulation
of several activities, such as developing farmland, mineral extraction, timbering, ATV use, and land-use.
Overall, there should be better regulation for developing farmland and the mineral extraction industries.
In 2009 alone, there were 500 applications for gas and oil wells in Potter County, which illustrates the
importance of proper regulation. The local citizens also want to see improved timbering management, as
well as education of timber harvesters, to encourage the use of sustainable methods and techniques.
Unrestricted ATV use is also an issue in the area that must be addressed. Suggestions included the
establishment of designated trails, as well as the creation of an ATV recreation park. Lastly, there are
some concerns and issues with land-use regulation in the area. Because land-use regulations change with
ownership of public lands, there needs to be more consistency among different public land agencies to
avoid any confusion.
There is a concern that there is not enough political involvement in conservation practices in the
watershed area. The perception from the neighboring population is that the local government needs
significant improvements in its infrastructure. This way, the local government will have the ability to
become more involved in conservation activities, specifically with raising money for said activities. The
lack of funding is a concern of the local residents, and they feel that something needs to be done with the
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