Current Issues
French Creek and Beaver Run Exceptional Value Upgrade
The Beaver Run Basin and the Main Stem of the French Creek are at the final stage of receiving EV redesignation.
The Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) is reviewing Reg. No. 2872, Environmental Quality Board, Stream Redesignations (Fishing Creek et al.)
The IRRC will accept comments on this petition from 9/18/2010 to 11/02/2010
These remarkable natural resources are in the final stages of receiving the highest level of protection available, Exceptional Value. Please take a minute and send your comments into the state government about this redesignation.
How to Comment: Please see the sample letter at the end of this page. You can email your comment to RegComments@state.pa.us
Background: In 1994, Green Valleys Association with its 38 co-petitioners filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board for the upgrade of the French Creek Watershed from its designation of High Quality (HQ) to Exceptional Value (EV). Four years later, in September of 1998, The French Creek watershed west of Route 100 was granted this upgrade, as was the entire Birch Run Watershed. But other parts of the French Creek Watershed were not granted upgrades. The entire Beaver Run Basin, where Welkinweir is located, was not upgraded and neither was the section of French Creek than runs from Route 100 to the Kennedy covered bridge.
Between 1998 and GVA’s next French Creek petition a number of pollution sources were cleaned up. Studies by Stroud, USGS, the Patrick Center for Environmental Research, Conestoga High School and GVA all showed that impairment was decreasing and macros communities were improving for both the Beaver Run Basin and for the Main Stem of French Creek above the Kennedy covered bridge. In late 2003, GVA submitted a new petition, and in April 2004 the DEP tested eight sites within the petition area and two reference sites.
Earlier this year the DEP released its draft report and recommendations. Macroinvertebrate communities in the petition area mostly show very clean water, and the Beaver Run Basin and the Main Stem of the French Creek are at the final stage of receiving the EV upgrade.
GVA and our affiliates have worked for decades to achieve these special protections in our watersheds, and we are far from done. One immediate issue revealed by the DEP testing is that several unnamed tributaries to the French Creek tested by the DEP show severe impairment. These tributaries did not receive upgrades. The reason for the impairments is not known at this point and GVA will begin water quality testing shortly.
Sincerely,
Victoria Laubach
Executive Director
Sample Comment:
From:
To: PA IRRC
RE: IRRC # 2872 Reg. No. 7-461
I am writing to express my strong support for the upgrade of the French Creek Mainstem and the Beaver Run from a “High Quality” designation to the designation of “Exceptional Value”.
Testing by a number of organizations, including the DEP, have repeatedly confirmed that these waters qualify for the highest level of special protection provided, Exceptional Value.
These precious natural resources serve our community in many ways. They are irreplaceable water resources and deserve the protections afforded by EV status. As part of Pennsylvania’s Scenic River Program, these free flowing waters are amongst the most beautiful features of Pennsylvania. Please vote to protect them.
Sincerely
(your name)
(your address)