Thirty-three volunteers gathered Saturday June 11th at 9:00 AM to clean-up the shoreline of the Allegheny Reservoir. The weather was hot and humid, but the volunteers worked all day, bagging and piling trash along 3/4 of the Reservoir shoreline from State Route 59 north to the New York State line. "This was an excellent turnout, and the level of participation shows how important the reservoir is to the community," said Acting Forest Supervisor Geoff Chandler.
Every spring, Forest Service and US Army Corps of Engineers personnel gill net to assess the health of the fish populations in the reservoir. Gill netting is done in early spring before vegetation has grown up around the shoreline, and this year Nathan Welker, Forest Service fisheries technician, observed a significant amount of garbage around the reservoir. Nathan contacted local partners including the Kinzua Fish & Wildlife Association, Kinzua-Wolf Run Marina, and Warren County Adult Probation to assist in the clean-up. The public was invited to participate through media releases.
Kinzua-Wolf Run Marina readily agreed to be the operations center and provided a boat to transport volunteers and offered the use of their dumpster. "This is a worthwhile activity on the reservoir, and I am pleased I am able to help in some way," said Diane DeLarme, Marina owner.
Warren County Adult probation has cooperated with the Allegheny on other projects, and provided manpower as a community service.
The Kinzua Fish & Wildlife Association, a long-standing partner with the Allegheny National Forest, and members of the public spent the day combing the shoreline, collecting, bagging and piling trash for the boats to collect at the end of the day.
Two crews drove to Willow Bay Recreation Area and walked along the shore, and the remaining workers were transported by boats and dropped off at intervals along the shore. Crews worked until 3:00 PM, and collected 12 barrels, 17 tires and 3 truck loads of bagged garbage. As part of the shoreline clean-up, workers picked up discarded fishing line which is a potential hazard to foraging bald eagles.
The Allegheny National Forest is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers that are willing to donate their time to help maintain this beautiful area," stated Acting Forest Supervisor Geoff Chandler. Another clean-up day to finish the reservoir shoreline is planned for the fall.
Pictures below.
