The YCC has actively supported public water quality improvement projects for 14 years. The Mountain Laurel Chapter of Trout Unlimited, (MLTU), one of the original YCC partners, has voluntarily raised and spent over $35,000 during that time directly into improving the coldwater resource through projects such as the stabilization of stream banks in cooperation with local landowners. These projects have significantly reduced the silt, soil and nutrients entering the water and reduced soil loss improving the productivity of farmland as well.
The Blair County Chapter of Trout Unlimited has raised and spent $4,000 of public money in the watershed on stream improvement work on headwater streams. The Chapter also raises over 5,000 trout that are stocked in the Yellow Creek Watershed in cooperation with the Ravers Gap Sportsman’s Club.
The Fort Bedford Chapter of Trout Unlimited has also provided financial as well as volunteer assistance to these efforts as well.
In addition, the YCC coordinates several stream cleanups every year that remove tons of debris, much of it from high water and flooding, from the private and public accessible land in the watershed.
The volunteer hours from the TU chapters alone amount to countless thousands of hours of time from citizen volunteers. In addition, the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Bedford County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection have expended public dollars and man power for stream bank fencing projects that benefit both the landowner as well as water quality and have implemented many other related projects as partners in YCC initiatives.
The Yellow Creek Coalition will host a public dedication of the new Yellow Creek parking lot adjacent to the Fly Fishing Only Project along Yellow Creek in Bedford County on Saturday June 9, 2007 at 2:00 PM. The public is welcome to attend. The parking area will be dedicated in the memory of Bill McIlnay, who was a PA Fish and Boat Commission officer who initiated creation of the Fly Fishing Project in cooperation with local landowners in 1957. The event will also recognize the 50th anniversary of the project and will also dedicate a memorial to individuals who were instrumental in enhancing and protecting the resources of the Yellow Creek watershed. Local landowners will also be recognized for their long term cooperation with Trout Unlimited and the public agencies in improving and enhancing the resources of the watershed and to secure and maintain public access.
WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
The efforts of both volunteers and professionals have demonstrated the intent by hundreds of individuals and many organizations to successfully give back significant contributions to the landowners and citizens who have graciously allowed them access to the watershed for recreation and other public uses.
The results are a dramatic increase in fish numbers and fish survival rates, an increase in the recreational potential and enhanced economic impacts, and higher property values in the watershed.
This effort has been and continues to be a partnership that restricts no one’s privileges or opportunities, yet adds value and benefits to both the public and private interests it seeks to serve.