Spring Creek Restoration Project at the Rockenbeck Farm

Riparian Program Gets Under Way in Houserville, By Tracey Dooms

ClearWater Conservancy began its $225,000 Riparian Conservation Program in the spring of 2004 by planting hundreds of plants and shrubs near Spring Creek on a Houserville farm.

As of mid-summer, ClearWater had planted about 450 plants and shrubs on the Rockenbeck property along Spring Creek, and several hundred more were planted in the fall in areas formerly mowed for hay.

"A lot of the streams you see along here are just naked," ClearWater's Conservation Biologist, Katie Ombalski said. This lack of streamside or riparian trees and plants means stormwater runoff and accompanying sediments, pesticides, etc. flow directly into the stream, instead of being filtered by a natural buffer area, she explained. In addition, stream areas that are not shaded by vegetation have higher temperatures than are optimum for trout and other animal species. Another benefit of riparian vegetation is that woody debris falling into the stream launches the food chain by becoming food for bugs, which then become food for fish.

This first riparian buffer restoration project is taking place at the historic Baylets farm along Houserville Road. In fall 2003, a Rockenbeck family partnership bought the last 10 acres of the Baylets property, which borders Spring Creek and the land where two family members grew up, said Margie (Umberger) Rockenbeck, family spokeswoman.

The land became part of the Riparian Conservation Program almost by accident, Rockenbeck said. Before buying the property, Rockenbeck contacted the University Area Joint Authority to find out whether sewer service might be planned for that area. UAJA gave the disappointing answer of "no," but then asked if the family might like some free trees planted there.

UAJA had used about half of a $10,000 Growing Greener grant to plant trees along Spring Creek on Penn State land in Houserville and offered to plant trees on the Rockenbeck property using the rest of the funds, said Dave Smith, UAJA assistant executive director. That led to plans for 29 larger trees, which were planted in the spring.

Meanwhile, Smith suggested that Rockenbeck check in with ClearWater Conservancy about further enhancement and protection of the land. She and husband Dave attended ClearWater’s annual meeting, reconnected with many old friends, and soon decided to become ClearWater life members, with riparian plantings in the works for their new property. "The plantings seem to be doing fantastically," Rockenbeck said in mid-summer.

According to a 2001 assessment by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, approximately 20 percent of the Spring Creek Watershed is "impaired," meaning it is not able to support the plant and animal life that should be living there, Ombalski said. ClearWater Conservancy is using Growing Greener grant money to reduce that impairment and prevent future losses.

"There isn’t very much regulation for the protection of the water quality," Ombalski said. "Nothing says you’re not allowed to degrade the buffer." So, over the years, people have removed riparian vegetation for agricultural and residential uses. "People want to see the stream," she said. "They don’t realize that if you clear it too much, you get into trouble."

Staff inspected the Rockenbeck Farm during fall 2005 to determine if any maintenance was needed prior to winter 2005.  All tree tubes and bird nets were secured and/or replaced.  No additional maintenance was needed.  Staff revisited the farm in the spring to inspect for 2006 maintenance and enhancement needs.  In June 2006, staff and two volunteers weedwacked an18” radius around each newly planted tree and shrub to minimize vole damage and also secured tree tubes and bird nets.  Staff will revisit the farm in spring 2007 to check for maintenance needs.

Staff is now in initial stages of discussion of a riparian conservation easement on the riparianportion of the Rockenbeck farm. Staff visited with one of the three landowners of the Rockenbeck Farm in June to discuss next steps.  No new progress.

Staff will visit the Rockenbeck farm in 2007 to evaluate the buffer planting and make recommendations for future maintenance.

For more information about how you can enhance or protect your riparian property or to volunteer for the Riparian Restoration Crew, please contact Katie Ombalski at (814) 237-0400 or katie@clearwaterconservancy.org.