Earth Friendly

Clinton County Conservation District marks 75 years of service to community

LOCK HAVEN -- Earlier this week, the Clinton County Conservation District was honored on its 75th anniversary by Pennsylvania State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Centre).

The Conservation District has been in existence for 75 years, having been formed by the Clinton County commissioners in 1946. The district has a multitude of responsibilities in the conservation of Pennsylvania. It provides technical and educational assistance to the public on proper management of the natural resources and interpretation of environmental related regulations in the county.

"Seventy-five years of service to our community," Borowicz said following a brief ceremony. "I just wanted to thank them and congratulate them. Hopefully, they'll have a celebration soon."

Borowicz did her part, honoring them with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

On hand for the presentation were Conservation District officials including deputy manager Susie Peters, secretary/treasurer Larry Butler and farmer director Elam Stoltzfus, Jr.

"It's great. I've been with them 30-some years as an associate director and a director. It's been a long time coming, but we're happy it's here. It's a lifetime," Butler said of the 75th anniversary.

Stoltzfus said it was an honor to have Borowicz invite them to her office for the presentation.

"I think it's great. I've been on the board now for seven years. It's been very gratifying to be a part of something like this," Stoltzfus said.

Peters has been with the district for two decades.

"Just to be part of anything like this … it's a major milestone. It's very exciting for me," Peters said.

She said that the district is planning for a celebration of some type, once the state's restrictions are lifted.

"We've been hoping that we were going to be able to do something. We were going to plan it at the beginning of April, but of course we couldn't. Hopefully we will celebrate soon," Peters said.

The organization has gone through a lot of changes over the years, but still keeps a stern hand on the importance of the environment of Pennsylvania through its many programs, which follow:

-- Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program - The purpose of the program is to protect surface waters of the Commonwealth from sediment and storm water pollution through the utilization of best management practices.

--NPDES National Pollutant Disharge Elimination System Permits - A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for stormwater discharges from construction activities is required for all disturbances involving one acre or more of disturbance over the life of the project.

--Water Encroachment Program - The district maintains a level 2 delegation agreement with the Pa Department of Environmental Protection to administer and enforce functions of the Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permitting Program within the political boundaries of Clinton County.

--Chesapeake Bay Program - Approximately half of the land area of Pennsylvania drains into the Chesapeake Bay as the Susquehanna River is the largest tributary, providing the Bay with half of its total freshwater flow. Without the support of Pennsylvania, the Chesapeake Bay cannot be restored.

--Nutrient Management Program - The goal of the program is to minimize surface and groundwater nutrient loads from high density animal operations by ensuring proper and efficient distribution of nutrients.

--Municipal Dirt and Gravel and Paved Low Volume Road Program - The goal of the Program to create a more environmentally and economically sustainable low-volume road network through education, outreach, and project funding. The program provides funding and training to local road owning entities to help prevent sediment pollution to streams.

--Watershed Specialist Program - Approximately 73% of Clinton County's waters are classified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as "special protection" indicating that they are either of exceptional value or high quality.

--Agriculture Preservation Program - Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production. The goal of the program is to guarantee a future food supply and contributes to a healthier economy.

Members of the board of directors of the Clinton County Conservation District include Charles Dotterer, chairman; Larry Butler, secretary/treasurer; Elam Stoltzfus Jr., farmer director; William Hunter, farmer director; Angela Harding, Commissioner director; Philip Courter, associate director; Dr. Ralph Harnishfeger, vice chairperson; Robert Bowman, public director; James Harbach, farmer director; Coreena Meyer, farmer director; Ron Brungart, associate director; Tom Shervinskie, associate director; and Stewart Ramm, honorary associate director.