On Wednesday night, the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies, the state Fish and Boat Commission and several partners will sponsor a public forum on conservation issues at Lycoming College in Williamsport.
The two agencies will be joined by the Lycoming College Clean Water Institute and the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited as three topics are discussed - PFBC's leasing of Rose Valley Lake, the river's smallmouth bass population, and the debate on "stream cleaning."
PFBC Executive Director John Arway will explain the agency's recent decision to enter into a non-surface use oil and gas cooperative agreement for the development of natural gas under its Rose Valley Lake property.
PFBC Susquehanna River biologist Geoff Smith will present the latest data related to the water quality in the Susquehanna River and the staggering decline of much of the river's world-renowned smallmouth bass fishery.
Dr. Mel Zimmerman, of Lycoming College; Larry Brannaka, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and PFBC Fisheries Biologist Tom Shervinskie will offer an ecological perspective on the emotional issue of stream channel cleanup.
The event will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Room G-11 of the Heim Science Building.
