Conservation District runs into complications pertaining to Watershed Education Center

By Heather Tressler

Record Staff Writer

The Elk County Conservation District met last night despite there not being a quorum.
Bob Dippold, the District Manager, gave his report.
“There are two pending permits,” said Dippold. “One is the Lowe’s permit, which I haven’t heard from them in months.”
"As far as we know, the project is going to be pulled," Elk County Commisioner Ron Beimel said.
Dippold addressed another pending permit.
“The other permit that is pending is the Rocky Mountain Foundation,” Dippold said.
Dippold also reported about complications regarding the area where the Watershed Education Center is to be built. Alleghany Power had a temporary substation on the property.
“Apparently we didn’t have the lease,” said Dippold.
Kim Lanich, Watershed Specialist, noted that there were changes made at the Industrial Authority meeting to the lease in the notes, but weren’t drawn into a new lease.
“This setback has not affected our project,” Lanich said.
Beimel commented that it is in the hands of the attorney now.
"Allegheny Power had ideas of a permanent substation until all of this hapened," Dippold said.
Dippold said that he will be attending a mandatory meeting of at Moshannon State Forest for gypsy moths.
He also said that the strategic planning grant that has been talked about in the past meetings is on hold until Governor Rendell passes his budget.
Lanich began her report by introducing their summer intern, Mark Lange. Lange is a St. Marys Area graduate, and currently a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania majoring in English Education. Lange is interning with the Elk County Conservation District to help write and proof a book about Elk County and Conservation.
Lanich spoke about the environthon that was held on May 14 at the St. Marys Sportsman’s Club. The students placed ninth for the current issue topic and 11th for soil testing.
“Our study days that we had for students seem to have paid off,” Lanich said. “Everything went smoothly with our Elk County Environthon.”
Lanich discussed the Trout in the classroom program for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grades.
“This is to get a conservation ethic started in the youngsters,” said Lanich.
Next on the agenda was West Nile Coordinator, Dave Stubber who reported he has had 15 traps weekly and no positives yet, but there have been two positives in the state.
“When I am catching, I’m catching a lot,” Stubber said. “The weather has a lot to do with it. I think if we get dried up, things will shoot up.”
Stubber also noted that if you find dead birds to promptly report them. However, he will only be tracking crows and raptors.
“We want to know about all of the birds,” said Stubber. “But crows and raptors are the only ones we are tracking.”
Under new business was the review of the 2007 audit report, along with the PACD dues. Those members present decided to table the approval of the payment to PACD and further the discussion. The payment would require taking up half of the remaining budget of the year. The board also decided that if the benefits were high, then they would pay the dues.
Acting Chairman Joe Labant commented, “I think we should continue having this discussion, and put it to rest by the end of the year, so we can plan it in the budget.”
Toby Herzing of the Bureau of Forestry gave his report that included the start of clearing for well sites in Kersey for Marsella’s Shell. The Bureau of Forestry has interviewed for the position of Forest Technician and semi-skilled laborers in the district. The positions have not been filled.
“Our workforce is getting smaller, and our workload is getting bigger,” Herzing said.