News:

Press Release

Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation (WFEEF), based in State College, recently received a $148,404 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2013 Growing Greener Grant Program to continue restoration of fish habitat and improvement of water quality in Halfmoon Creek. The stream is a major tributary to Spruce Creek and the Little Juniata River, both nationally famous "blue ribbon" trout waters. Halfmoon Creek, from its headwaters on Bald Eagle Mountain in western Centre County to the confluence with Spruce Creek near Pennsylvania Furnace in Huntingdon County, is designated as having impaired water quality and degraded fish habitat from agricultural runoff. The entire watershed was listed with EPA in 2008 as not meeting its Clean Water Act designated use and is a "priority watershed" for restoration by the Pennsylvania DEP North-central Regional Office.

Typical 4-foot eroded bank at Halfmoon project. Bank failure deposits sediment pollution and undercuts planted buffer. Mudsill will stabilize bank and create pool habitat for trout. (Photo credits - Seven Willows LLC)	Looking downstream with the mudsill laid out and logs and decking installed. Logs are installed and pinned in the bank every 8 to 10 feet, perpendicular to the flow. The decking is nailed to the logs and will provide overhead cover for fish.

The 2013 grant and a 2012 grant to WFEEF are focused on restoring a 7,200-foot stream segment near the village of Marengo. Restoration practices will include: over 3,400 feet of log and stone fish habitat structures; 2,500 feet of streambank bioengineering and shrub plantings to reduce sediment and lower summer water temperatures; 2,000 feet of cattle fencing; and three gravel stream crossings for livestock and farm equipment.

Looking upstream installing rocks on decking. Coir matting, seen in a roll on the left, will be stapled to the face log (shown in the water) then placed on the bank after grading to stabilize loose dirt and act as mulch for grass seeding.	Two weeks later, the mudsill is inundated by water, but is greening up and already functioning to provide a stabilized bank with overhead fish cover. To enhance bank stability and wildlife habitat, dormant, live stakes of silky dogwood, ninebark and other native mast-producing shrubs were planted the following Spring.

Stream restoration work is expected to begin in summer 2014 after the necessary permits are approved. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's "Partners for Fish and Wildlife" program, the Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania, Habitat Forever and Seven Willows LLC are collaborating with WFEEF on the Halfmoon Creek stream restoration design and construction.

Information contact: Adam Smith, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, State College Office 814.234.4090 or email Adam at Adam_Smith@fws.gov