Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 6.Issues and Concerns • Friends • Outdoor recreation opportunities* • Family-owned business • Good place to raise a family • Friendly community Why leave? • Want to experience new places • Want to see different wildlife • Fewer taxes elsewhere* • Too small of a community* • Want more snow during winter months • Better shopping elsewhere • More fun to be had in more urban areas • Lack of jobs* • Climate* • Lack of recreation opportunities* • Job (Veterinarian) • Like the summer • Limited natural disasters • Peaceful • Stay to help the community • Want different experiences* • Family lives elsewhere • Better jobs • Bigger area • Gas prices • Meet new people • More businesses • Racism • Want to live in an urban area • Weather Interview Results Phone interviews with key individuals that have intimate knowledge of the watershed values and concerns were conducted to gain information for the conservation plan of the Headwaters of the Allegheny River Watershed. The questions were designed to allow the respondents to express their insight into the strengths and weaknesses of certain aspects of the watershed, address areas that need improvement, and provide suggestions to make the plan as successful as possible. The results of the interviews are summarized in the following section. 1. How has the area changed in the past 10 years in terms of: Water Quality and Natural Resources In general, the interviewees suggest that the water quality in the area is pretty good. There are concerns relating to the Allegheny River. Some suggest that it needs to be drudged and cleaned up, as local industries have had a negative impact on its water quality. The two biggest negative impacts are erosion and the local logging industry. One interviewee suggests that over the past ten years the deer and rabbit population has decreased considerably in the Eldred Borough area. Another resident suggests that for the most part, the animal population has remained relatively consistent. A concern here is that poaching may be leading to decreased populations for certain animals. Another major concern is the maintenance of the logging industry in the area. One interviewee suggests that Adelphia had taken a lot of timber off in the area, and that this had a negative impact on the forest area and all animals that inhabit it. They want to see better logging regulation to maintain the natural resources in the area, such as the forested areas. Landscape Overall, the perception here is that the local landscape needs to be protected from over-development, logging, and the flourishing gas industry. However, the consensus is that the landscape has remained relatively consistent over the past ten years. 6-20
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 6. Issues and Concerns Communities and Culture The communities in the area are small and the culture is bad. The culture has decreased over the past ten years in relation to the lack of recreational and culture-related activities as well as the issue of unemployment. The communities haven’t changed much in terms of size, but the population has decreased due to the poor local job market. Presiding Industry and Local Economy The return of the gas and oil industries in the area has helped to alleviate the problem of unemployment in the recent years, but overall the condition of the presiding industry and local economy is poor. Many businesses have closed and there have been numerous layoffs – with local hospitals and the bankruptcy of Adelphia. This has led to an outflow of the local population in search of jobs elsewhere. 2. How do the following meet the needs of the community? Transportation There is no mass transit available in the area. For the most part, transportation is lacking in general. The only source of transportation that is a positive aspect is a senior citizen bus service for older residents which can transport them to grocery stores, local businesses, and churches. The highways are in decent condition, but there is concern that heavy truck traffic relating to the gas and oil drilling industries will cause problems with the health of local roads and highways. Other comments relate to the needed improvement of mass transit availability, such as regular bussing, as well as the improvement of Route 6. Infrastructure The infrastructure of the area is improving in certain areas. There have been improvements made to cell phone service, although there are still some remaining “dead” areas. Currently, there are projects being undertaken to increase the availability of broadband internet to the local communities as well. Water and sewer lines are also being improved, although there are still a high number of residents that rely on well water as their source. Even though a large number of the residents use well water, many of those living in the larger communities have access to water lines. Employment Opportunities Almost all of the respondents mentioned high unemployment rates and the lack of a solid local job market. Some of the interviewees mentioned several layoffs and business closings in relation to the problem of unemployment. Many people in the area have left in search of better job opportunities. Some suggest that the local work force needs improved training that relates to available jobs in the area. Along with this, there is a need for better job training in general; not just for local jobs. Educational Opportunities The major problem addressed by those interviewed is the lack of trade schools and colleges in the area. The only college in the area is University of Pittsburgh – Bradford. There is also a lack of specific job training from trade schools in this area. There is a feeling that there are jobs available in the region, but there is insufficient training to help fill these jobs. The respondents pointed to the lack of state funding leading to teacher layoffs at local high schools as well. One bright spot is the presence of the Challenger Learning Center, which offers different programs to aid with the education in the area. The education council was pointed to as bright spot because it brings in education and programs to meet the area’s needs. Overall, the respondents feel that there is a definite lack of secondary education and that local high schools are suffering due to teacher layoffs. 6-21
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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