Eastern Conservation

John and Tricia Smucker will help 45 families plant for the future at Yellow Springs Elementary School on April 30.

John Smucker, a watershed expert and middle school teacher, his wife, Tricia, a first-grade teacher at Yellow Springs, and Potomac Conservancy are trying to shed light on the importance of restoring watersheds, and the Tuscarora Watershed, which includes the school, is a good example.

This year, a cloud hangs over the future of Tennessee's fishing and hunting. A bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year, H.R. 1, went far beyond its initial purpose and became a grab bag of harmful policy provisions that undermine protections for the rivers, streams and wetlands that support Tennessee's fish and wildlife populations.

Rebecca Dunlap, manager of the Eastern Abandoned Mine Program for Trout Unlimited, was the keynote speaker for the annual Clearfield County Conservation District banquet.

With 10 million acres of public and private land leased for natural gas development in Pennsylvania, it is imperative to protect the remaining tracts of state forest land that has not been leased, Nels Johnson, of the Nature Conservancy's Harrisburg office, said Wednesday.

Lake Hopatcong residents and users want minimal water flow exiting the lake to maintain high water elevations for optimal recreation. Those downstream argue for an adequate flow rate, or an environmental impact study demonstrating that a water flow reduction would have no bad effects.

Groups urge residents to have wells tested

The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission will meet next week to discuss the possibility of managing the East Fork Headwaters, an 8,000-acre parcel in Transylvania County owned by the family of former U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor.

THE RELEASE of 450 million gallons of muddy water per day from the Ashokan Reservoir in Ulster County is intended to improve the quality of New York City drinking water, but it may be threatening the health of the Esopus Creek.

More than 40 people filled Waynesboro City Council chambers Wednesday, where state officials presented a $46-million plan to reduce harmful bacteria and pollutants in the South River and Christians Creek.

We welcome the Cambria County Conservation District’s increased focus on Marcellus Shale drilling.