Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 6. Issues and Concerns• Dam at Hartman Road: establish hydro-electric power to provide alternative energy for the region(1)• Increased recreational use and appreciation of natural resources (added after voting)• Less “flashy” character when it rains (added after voting)• More cooperation and responsibility from railroad companies (added after voting)• More authority to Fish and Boat Commission officers for litter, increase fines (added after voting)• Less development (added after voting)• Economic stability (added after voting)• Good quantity of clean air and water (added after voting)• Better drinkable water quality (added after voting)Survey ResultsTwo types of public input surveys—general public and municipality—were conducted to gatherinformation on the issues and concerns of watershed stakeholders. A comparison of results from publicparticipants and municipal officials provided an interesting trend. Although the surveys were slightlydifferent, for the most part, the results were the same. When asked what they thought the two mostcommon land uses in their area were, both selected residential and agricultural.When asked about watershed attributes and values, once again both groups agreed. Water qualityimprovements topped the list, with attractive natural settings and preserving historical sites coming insecond and third respectively. The two groups only differed on the topic of new business and jobs. Whilethe public ranked it seventh, municipal officials tied it for third.Participants were asked to indicate theimportance of recreational interests within thewatershed from a list of 15 recreationalopportunities. Choices included: very interested,somewhat interested, neutral, not-likely interested,and not interested. The results for this section varieddue to different interests and opportunities beinglimitedly available in certain portions of thewatershed. Participants did agree that hiking was themost popular recreational activity, and the use of allterrain vehicles was the least popular recreationalactivity. Combining the public participant andmunicipal official results provided the recreationalopportunities of importance identified in Table 6-1.Public Survey ResultsPublic surveys were distributed from June 2006to July 2007. Surveys were available at publicmeetings, community events, and on the Internet. Atotal of 35 completed public surveys were returned.The results of the surveys were utilized to identifyand prioritize the management recommendationswithin this plan.Table 6-1. Recreational Opportunities ofImportanceRecreationalOpportunitiesPublicTotalMunicipalOfficialsTotalTotalScoreHiking 49 24 73Fishing 38 18 56Visiting Scenic Vistas 43 12 55Bird Watching 36 18 54Picnicking 30 21 51Canoeing/Kayaking 44 3 47Biking 22 23 45Photography 25 18 43Visiting Public Parks 29 12 31Boating 22 1 23Hunting 8 10 18Swimming 9 2 11Horseback Riding -5 6 1Organized Sports -9 10 1All Terrain Vehicles -38 -5 -436-13