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This is in response to Stan Kotala's letter concerning the Chimney Rocks clear cutting.
As the president of the John Kennedy Chapter of Trout Unlimited, I represent over 300 members in the Blair, Cambria and Huntingdon Counties that are dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring cold water fisheries and watersheds in our area.
Many of our local streams are classified as "cold water" and support wild trout populations.
The Chimney Rocks clear cutting may not be directly along the riparian buffer that protects the Beaverdam Branch (a cold-water stream), which runs below the cut area, but it could eventually be affected -- any project that invites the spread of invasive plants, shrubs or trees will eventually spread to the banks of streams we fish or hike.
Look at all the pristine, cold-water streams in Blair, Cambria and Huntingdon Counties that have an impenetrable growth of invasive Chinese Knotweed and Privet along the banks.
A simple example is the bridge near the Meadows intersection in Duncansville between Professionals Auto Body and Fastenal (near the Rutters).
Look upstream from the bridge (west), and you will see a massive Chinese Knotweed growth that is impenetrable to walk through. This extends at least 100 yards upstream.
We think everyone in our community needs to be concerned about projects like this.
Especially if they are completed without environmental concerns.
More voices need to be heard beforehand.
We need local governments to realize the importance of making the best choices for the environment and not just the aesthetics of a postcard view.
There should be someone within local governments that are educated in this area that can be part of the decision-making process, or at least invite public comment.
Scott Kavanagh
Duncansville