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Fish and kayak passage around dam among targets of proposed study

The privately owned Lock House, located along the Susquehanna River in Woodward Township, is pictured. The property may be involved in the construction of a fish and kayak passage around the Grant Street Dam. PHOTO PROVIDED

PHOTO PROVIDED
A small wetlands area is pictured just behind the Lock House.

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County commissioners appear poised to partner with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership to have a study conducted that, in part, would look at the feasibility of building a fish and kayak passage around the Grant Street Dam via the currently privately owned, historic Lock House along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Woodward Township.

A kayak and fish passage would open up 90 miles of the river to fish migration, emphasized Bob Rolley, board president of the non-profit Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP).

Rolley and the Lock House owner, Nancy Renninger, appeared before the commissioners at their work session Monday to reveal an agreement that includes a memorandum of understanding between the two parties.

The county and the SGP have developed the agreement with Renninger, whereby she agrees to hold the property for two years while the two parties obtain grant money and have a study conducted into how to transform the property into a public one.

Others involved in the proposal, aside from Renninger and Rolley, include Corey Ellison, SGP executive director; Tyler F. Neimond, chief of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Division of Habitat Management; Wes Fahringer, regional recreation and parks advisor for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Doug Byerly, a Lock Haven city councilman.

Commissioner and board Chairman Miles Kessinger said Rolley can “expect approval of the agreement on Thursday.”

Rolley suggested the Lock House could have other uses, including a seasonal tourism center or office; tours for history buffs, and as a base for kayaking and biking events the chamber, commissioners and others are heavily involved in trying to attract to enhance economic development and tourism.

It sites adjacent to the Woodward Township-owned Lockport Boat Launch Park, the site of a number of outdoor recreational and competitive events.

“There’s a lot of ideas out there. And through the work with the commissioners and their solicitor (Larry Coploff), the agreement has been amended to include a memorandum of understanding,” he said. “This agreement between the county and SGP does not obligate the county to own the Lock House.”

The feasibility study would research and provide recommendations on who should own the property, how to pay for it, its uses and the fish and kayak passage.

Rolley noted the timing is crucial because the DCNR is currently putting a fish passage at the fabri-dam at Sunbury and the fish ladder at the Williamsport dam was just cleaned out.

County Planner Katie de Silva noted the Lock House has been the subject of discussion under previous administrations and planners because of the potential for the fish and kayak passage. The project ties into other county initiatives to bring more outdoor recreational opportunities to the area.

The study, Rolley said, would determine the Lock House property’s fair market value as a basis for any study recommendations on the property purchase and ownership.

Commissioner Angela Harding noted that, although the county may enter into the agreement, no taxpayer funds will go toward the project.

“This is at no cost to Clinton County Government. We’re entering into this agreement in good faith with the partners that were mentioned, to buy some time to get grants,” Harding said.

Renninger and her late husband, Ernie, purchased the Lock House property about 2002. It had been neglected to the point that it was in decrepit condition.

Over time, the Renningers moved the structure away from Route 664 as it sat right on the edge of the road.

They built a new foundation, restored the interior, the the structure and the stonework at and near the canal.

The building dates back to the early 1800s.

Meanwhile, the DCNR is opening a new round of grant funding this fall.

Rolley said it is proposed the SGP and county planning office partner on developing grant applications and a scope of work or outline for the study.

“Finding the right consultant will be very important,” de Silva said.

The SGP board of directors has already approved the agreement, Rolley said.

The SGP is the DCNR-appointed water trail manager of the West Branch and works to facilitate the development of land and water trails and access while promoting outdoor recreation in general along and on large portions of the west and north branches of the Susquehanna.

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