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The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is working on an update of its 2000 plan for the Juniata River watershed.
With the help of the existing plan, the conservancy has partnered with conservation groups, local governments and the public to improve water quality in the watershed by planting trees along streams to prevent erosion and to decrease pollutant runoff; by working with farmers on best management practices to prevent nutrients from reaching streams; and by removing stream barriers to allow for passage of aquatic organisms, while supporting trout habitat, according to a conservancy web page.
The proposed new plan, "Juniata Forward: Building on 25 years of Conservation" will add to that work with the help of the people and organizations of the region, according to the web page and Jennifer Farabaugh, the conservancy's watershed manager, who spoke about the plan at a recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Stormwater Committee, which is responsible for reducing sediment runoff in central Blair County streams.
Goals of the plan include evaluation of resources; identification of initiatives that could improve water quality, liveability and attractiveness in the watershed; identification of potential recreation projects; and identification of problems and concerns, Farabaugh said.
Among potential concerns in the watershed are sediment runoff, illegal dumping, invasive species, flooding and access for kayaking, she said.
Farabaugh said there is a steering committee and advisory committees are being set up.
The public can take part in an online survey at WaterLandLife.org/JWMP23. The responses will help the conservancy make recommendations, according to an introduction on the survey page.
The survey asks those who live in the watershed how they rank the importance of aspects of the region, including its natural settings, recreation opportunities, residential developments, historic sites and water quality. It also asks survey takers to list what recreational opportunities are important to them, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, fishing, picnicking and hiking. And it provides opportunities for survey takers to list things they like and don't like about the area, along with things that could be done to improve it.
The conservancy has already held public meetings in the Altoona area to take comments.
Anyone with questions can contact Farabaugh at jfarabaugh@paconserve.org or 814-696-9356.
A grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is paying half the cost, Farabaugh said.
The plan is a guidance document with "no regulatory teeth," Farabaugh said.
The watershed is 3,400 square miles, and contains all of Blair County, she said.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.