Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

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Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 6. Issues and Concernsand a good source for information, as were historical societies and chambers of commerce. The BeaverCounty portion of the watershed is rural and said to teem with wildlife, but was not well known for thoseattributes.Hunting/FishingAlmost all participants acknowledged that hunting and fishing opportunities existed on public andprivate lands, but that private lands were used most. General consensus was that public lands shouldcontinue to be available for these purposes, and that the amount of private land available for huntingremained sufficient. However, many respondents also noted that these resources and their accessibilitywere threatened. Residential development was consuming private lands, and trespassing troubles have ledmore landowners to “post” their properties, making them unavailable. Habitat degradation and poor waterquality also threatened the resources. For example, poor water quality, due to insufficient sewagetreatment, was noted in Glade Run and Thorn Creek.Despite these challenges, area streams, supporting stocked and native fish populations, were valuedfor a variety of fishing opportunities. Connoquenessing Creek (rated five years ago as the 2 nd bestsmallmouth bass fishery in Western PA), Slippery Rock Creek, Mud Creek, Hereford Manor Lake (troutstocked),Glade Run/Mills Lake, and Lake Arthur were all mentioned as good fishing sites. Moraine StatePark was named for fishing, as well as hunting. Brush Creek Park in Beaver County offers an archeryhunting site, and two sportsmen’s clubs in the county have trapshooting ranges.Boating/SwimmingMost participants reported boating and swimming opportunities as generally adequate, but underutilized,due to insufficient advertising and poor accessibility. Several noted that water quality hasimproved, so areas that were recently too polluted for swimming were now pleasant. Some accessibleConnoquenessing Creek natural pools were considered adequate for swimming, but were poorly marked.One individual said polluted water still deters him from swimming in Connoquenessing Creek. Alamedaand North parks were praised for their swimming pools, whileKnob Hill and Butler City residents requested pool facilities.Good boating/paddling sites mentioned include Barr’s Area(New Brighton), Slippery Rock Creek, ConnoquenessingCreek, and Lake Arthur (with sailboat and pontoon boatopportunities), providing a range from flat water on the lakesto American Whitewater class II and III rapids on the SlipperyRock and Connoquenessing creeks. Rock Point Boat Club, atthe confluence of the Connoquenessing and Beaver rivers,offers boating services. Smaller streams were said toaccommodate canoes and kayaks. The lack of public accessAnglers on Glade Run Lakepoints remained a deterrent to both boating and swimming.Historical Sites/StructuresResponses to historical sites varied from “plenty but not well known” to “non-existent.” It thus canbe concluded that better advertising may benefit the region’s historical sites, as several participantssuggested. Enhanced preservation efforts were also supported.Golf Courses and OtherAlmost all participants said golf courses were abundant, and no more were needed. Some opposedthe courses, while others valued their economic importance. One hoped for a new course in Mars toreplace the recently closed Mars-Bethel Golf Course. Another noted that most courses were prohibitivelyexpensive for local residents. A few desired use of environmentally conscious practices, such as limitedchemical and water usage on courses. Strawberry Ridge Golf Course was cited as a good model.6-28
Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 6. Issues and ConcernsOther recreational opportunities available in the watershed included tennis courts, ball fields, YMCAcamps in North Sewickley and Franklin townships, campgrounds, flying and hot-air ballooning sites, anda Butler City skateboarding park, which attracts both local youth and out-of-state tournament competitors.Popular community events mentioned were the Butler County Fair, Butler Farm Show, and classic carcruises.4. What are some of the positive features of the watershed?Natural Resources• Rural landscape: farms and forests abound• Sense of community; a small-town Americana feel• Quiet surroundings• Appealing natural features and scenic views: forests, lakes, streams, waterfalls, gorges, hills, andthe glaciated Beaver River Valley• Good quality air and streams, although vigilance is essential to maintaining quality• Much wildlife, including migratory birds and a population of the rare Indiana bat• Rare plant populations along Connoquenessing and in camps Kon-o-kwee and Spencer• Increased awareness of land-use impacts on the watershed: for example, NRCS is promoting notillfarming• Active watershed organizations and concerned citizens: promotion of watershed protection andpublic environmental/watershed education is valued; groups mentioned: Connoquenessing CreekWatershed Alliance, ECOZ, Wild Waterways, and Brush Creek Watershed AssociationRecreational Resources• Connoquenessing Creek: the creek is varied with deep gorges and boulders at the mouth and aslower pace upstream; this diversity offers a range of recreational options• Angling and hunting sites: state and local parks, state game commission lands, and privateproperties offer a range of good-quality fishing and hunting opportunities• Water trails: trails advertise access points and nice places to fish and boat• Hiking trails: hiking opportunities abound• Easily accessible sites for sports and nature-oriented recreationCommunity Qualities• Diverse communities: rural, agricultural, suburban, town, and small city communities exist withinthe watershed; several respondents prized close proximity to both rural landscapes and theconveniences of towns; as one said, “It’s a mosaic. I can go to Olive Garden and Red Lobster or Ican walk along a stream to watch the herons. It’s the best of both worlds.”• Strong sense of community• Accessibility to Pittsburgh, a major metropolitan area• Connectivity to other regions through interstates and major highways• Economic growth: in southwest portion of watershed and in some other areas, economic growthhas yielded community improvements and a higher quality of life• Diversity of housing opportunities (from $50,000 to $5 million houses)• Solid tax base.• Quality of government, which is generally “clean” and “un-politicized”• Good schools• Low crime rate• Citizens with positive attitudes and a broad range of interests• Community-Involvement potential: several respondents said community interest is strong, butresidents don’t know how to get involved or how to be most effective6-29
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