Yellow Creek Coalition
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The Yellow Creek Coalition (YCC) is a public coalition of conservationists and sportsmen, who live, work and recreate in the Yellow Creek Watershed of Bedford County. It is organized by three Trout Unlimited Chapters with interests in the Yellow Creek Watershed. The Chapters are MLTU, Blair County Chapter and Fort Bedford Chapter. The individuals and organizations that the YCC works with include both public volunteers and professionals in the field of conservation and economic development. All of these groups have a common goal of improving and protecting the water quality of the Yellow Creek Watershed and at the same time providing for sustainable economic development in the entire region. Cleanups and stream projects are held each year on the watershed, and Chapter members also help the other Chapters with their own stream projects. In addition, the Coalition puts out a newsletter twice yearly to landowners in the watershed. The YCC is making a big difference in water quality in the watershed. Now, public access in the Yellow Creek Watershed in Bedford County is being threatened. A private development interest has already secured ownership and leases of land bordering the stream with the intent of instituting a member’s only fishing access. The YCC is attempting to demonstrate to local landowners the benefits of all of the public efforts that have been put into the watershed. These long time positive efforts could be severely reduced if public access to the watershed is lost, with recreational and economic benefits to Bedford County and the region being negatively impacted. The YCC has mailed and distributed newsletters to land owners and others in the watershed and is working with its local, regional and state partners to maintain public access where possible. The YCC has had an excellent working relationship with many landowners but also understands that the privilege allowed by private landowners to allow public access has been taken for granted for far too long by far too many. For updates contact Fred Sherlock at 814-766-3176. Additional reference material: What the Yellow Creek Coalition has accomplished. Recreation Use of Land and Water Act Judicial Opinion - The Recreation Use of Land and Water Act Yellow Creek Coalition Newsletter - Summer 2004 Donations Requested - Spring 2006
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