Projects

The Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout unlimited has been actively involved in the conservation of the coldwater resource on many fronts. The chapter was one of the earliest supporter and partners of the successful AMD abatement efforts in the Stonycreek watershed in Somerset and Cambria Counties. The chapter sponsored the initial public meeting that set the stage for the 6 site 5 million dollar Oven Run AMD abatement project. MLTU was also the first organization to formally adopt and approve and promote the Quemahoning Creek Restoration Project. These efforts coupled with similar efforts throughout the Stonycreek River watershed have restored over 20 miles of fishery. The chapter also assisted with the funding and construction of the interpretive trail at Oven Run and the Boswell Passive Treatment System on Quemahoning Creek adding an environmental education component to the efforts.

The chapter has sponsored a long term and ongoing stream bank stabilization project on Bens Creek in Somerset County. This effort has improved the water quality of this important tributary to the Stonycreek River and has created additional holding water for trout increasing the recreational opportunities of the stream.

The local conservation and sportsmen led efforts that succeeded in the public acquisition of the Manufacturers Water Company properties that included the Quemahoning Reservoir was another resource conservation and economic revitalization initiative where MLTU was in the forefront. The chapter also lobbied successfully for the conservation release from the Quemahoning Reservoir that has restored the historic flow into the last 1.3 miles of Quemahoning Creek and the Stonycreek River reversing a water quantity issue that had occurred for over 100 years.

The chapter has also contributed financially to the efforts of the Somerset Conservation District to reestablish the in- stream habitat in the last 1.3 miles of Quemahoning Creek that coupled with the conservation release and fingerling trout stocking from the PA Fish and Boat Commission will create a new tail water trout fishery.

MLTU has also contributed to the needed upgrades and maintenance of the now aging AMD passive treatment systems in the region. Without this effort the restored fisheries and sustainable economic attributes that have been achieved in the past could be compromised.

MLTU has also designed, funded and constructed stream improvement projects in the Yellow Creek watershed in Bedford County as well as assisting in finding solutions to public access issues that benefit both landowners and anglers in the watershed.

These are only a few highlights of MLTU's past and ongoing efforts to conserve and improve the coldwater resource in Cambria, Somerset and Bedford Counties.