(Continued from Page A3O) operations. When the county realized its loss of the heavy industiy that sup plied taxes and high-paying jobs, the new leadership sought to court residential development With the heavy industry curtail ed, aquatic life reflecting clean water health began to reappear in the limestone spring-originating Quittapahilla Creek. Along with the contributions from several fairly healthy tributa ries, the Quittapahilla Creek recovered in recent years to the point where, in the mid-1980s, it began to mice again receive trout stocking by the state Fish Commis sion, on a put-and-take basis. In the meantime, the tributaries upon which the lower Quittapahil la depends for decent water quality have been suffering from residen tial development and parking lot stormwater runoff, and drying of aquifers. The Quitfic Creek Nature Park has continued to be improved through the efforts of many, helped along through the organiza tional and time-dedication of the Laskys and others. This past year, several hundred feet of the stream within the park has received streambank protec tion devices, designed so as to pre vent'storm water erosion of the clay soils. The park has bene fitted from donations of materials, equipment, time and labor from local compa nies and businesses, other organi zations and individuals. In addition, the stretch of the Quittapahilla that runs through the park is designated a delayed- Farmer Boy Ag Systems lnc. This unit features ■ 'll A Division ol <@> a Division of m> Ventilation Feeding Systems | V '” P| l M MMk I S Shenandoah L.J Brooders Please Contact Shane Weller For New Poultry Contracts and Existing Building Renovations km Poultry contract provided by Sat. to Noon 24 Hour Servlce Farmer Boy Ag Systems Igaumm 410 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 ../21/98 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 Btturjm You, Every Time enger harvest stream under the state Fish Commission program. As such, it has been promoted in angling publications, and many people from different and distant parts of the state and other states have vis ited to fish. In addition to the Quittie Park work, Ann is also on the board of directors of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, and has participated in the cleanups along the Swatara. She also participates in a citizen water quality monitor ing project with the Department of Environmental Protection. Dave is a founding member of the Quittie Park Committee, a member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association. He organized the initial meet ings that led to the creation of the Quittapahilla Watershed Associa tion, on which he serves as chairman. The purpose of the association is to maintain and improve ecologi cal qualities of the Quittapahilla Watershed. He has involved land owners, volunteers, businesses, civic groups and educational orga nizations in planning and imple menting projects along the Quittapahilla. Kathy Sattazahn, a fifth grade teacher at Union Canal Elementary School was awarded the district's educator of the year award. She has developed a com prehensive .approach to environ mental education in her classroom, including the establishment of a nature trail on school property that includes the planting of trees and shrubs purchased through fund raising projects by the children, as Thanks to lim Peterson A mry Educator Lila Lion systems zahn, whose husband operates a nursery. She said that the work has been fulfilling and enriching for her, as well as the children. According to the teacher, anytime natural resources and wildlife are incor porated with the classroom, there is no problem with keeping the interest of children. Landowner Of Year Dr. Timothy Trayer and family were recognized as the recipient of the district’s landowner of the year award for the work on the family’s 183-acre farm, where Timothy has taken over ar tree-plantation and conservation effort begun by his father, Raymond. A regionally known veterina rian, the Trayers Timothy, wife Debra and children Troy and Amy all help on the farm and helped with woodlot management, and planting and maintaining a plantation of Paulownia trees, as well as a hardwood stand managed for sawtimber and pulpwood. The have been cooperators with the county Conservation District since 1994. Since then, they have imple mented a conservation plan which included 2,500 feet of sod water way; two water control structures; 1,350 feet of underground outlet; 1,890 feet of tile; and 200 feet of water diversion. They are one of a very few cooperators who practice woodlot management, according to Wertz* They were the recipients of the 1998 Goddard Forestry Award from the Pennsylvania Associa tion of Conservation Districts for their efforts on the farm. The South Londonderry Town ship farm was purchased by Ray- WATERING SYSTEMS mond in 1962 and the same year a conservation plan was written. The Paulownia plantation was planted in 1994 and coppiced (cut to the ground) in 1996. The subse quent fast growth reaches 15 to 20 feet the first year. The reason for the two-year growth and then cutting back deve lops the root system. Best management practices are followed in the harvesting of the trees, and throughout the farm. Special Recognitions Two special recognition awards for conservation were made by Jackie Parker, mayor of Lebanon, on behalf of the Conservation District. Parker presented them to Edward Keener, engineer for the City of Lebanon, and Charles Bowman of Bowman’s Stump Removal and Tree Service. Keener has been in charge of City of Lebanon water and waste water facilities for years. Lebanon has had die reputation for being the county’s largest own er of municipal watershed lands, with properties extending into Lancaster County to the south, and Schuylkill County to the north. It also draws water supplies from the Swatara Creek. During the 19705, Lebanon’s watershed property that rjcached into Lancaster County to the state Game Commission with the city retaining water rights. More recently, |he Schuylkill County watershed/feservoir, local ly known as Bridge (for an old railroad ta&ge that spanned a ' narrow gap kf the mountains), was enlarged io increase capacity. It adjoins stale Game Lands as well, and provides some ns oral reerca- Farmer Boy Ag Systems to construct his New 2- 44’x500’ building Broiler Facility tional opportunities. His office has also encouraged urban forestry initiatives. Along with die city. Bowman has been a dependable and consis tent volunteer of service to the city’s urban forestry program. For much of the last decade, he has been committed to volunteer ing his time and resources to aid the Conservation District According to Wertz, Bowman has become almost an essential element to the District’s Arbor Day program, and has benefited the program in other ways. “He sets a great example for the many volunteers including count less students, as they work to sus tain Lebanon’s greenery for gener ations to come,” Parker said. Mayor Parker also turned the tables on Wertz and Beamesdcrfer, presenting them with special appreciation recognition from the City of Lebanon for their dedica tion and long-time efforts in estab lishing and promoting the wise use of natural resources and enhance ment of the local environment for all. A number of other individuals and businesses were recognized for efforts to the District and prog rams, such as the Envirothon. Included were Slouch’s Mobil, Tammy Granger, Genevieve Mch- Icr, Karen and Richard Light, James Logan Jr., Dian and Emmett Beamesderfcr, Joan Keener, Sue Miller, Jeanne and Jeny Boltz, Jincen Boyle, Bob Arnold, Diane Allwein, Hcrshey Foods, and the boards of the Conservation District and Agricultural Land Preserva tion were all recognized for their volunteer services with programs. for choosing Rccognitions Vi v 'm.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers