Vision 2020: Living with I-99
The purpose of the Vision 2020: Living with I-99
project was to develop a community-based vision for the Mid-Bald Eagle
Watershed for the year 2020 in light of the creation of Interstate 99 and to
develop a Land Use and Sustainability Plan to enable that vision to become a
reality.
A new section of Interstate 99 provides a throughway from Port Matilda to Interstate 80. Twelve interchanges occur in approximately 35 miles of highway through the Mid-Bald Eagle Watershed in Centre County. The study area includes 23 municipalities, encompassing the communities of the Bald Eagle Valley from Port Matilda to Howard boroughs and the Spring Creek Watershed communities surrounding Bellefonte and Centre Hall boroughs and the Centre Region. Because I-99 improves the “connectivity” of the transportation system in the region, it is expected to bring many changes to the area including increased economic development, population growth, and primary and secondary environmental impacts to name a few.
The Vision 2020 project was developed to help the community cope with and proactively guide some of the far-reaching changes that the interstate is expected to bring. The project was funded primarily through a $500,000 grant from the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA). The proposal was submitted by the Spring Creek Watershed Commission, in conjunction with the I-99 Community Partnership for Sustainable Development, a joint initiative of ClearWater Conservancy, Spring Creek Watershed Community, and Spring Creek Watershed Commission. The ClearWater Conservancy managed the project on behalf of the Centre County Board of Commissioners. Additional funding was also provided for geographic information support services through a Growing Greener Grant provided to ClearWater by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Vision 2020 consisted of four phases, which contained opportunities for public involvement throughout:
Phase 1:
Understanding the Probable Future
Phase 2: Envisioning the Ultimate Future
Phase 3: Building the Consensus Vision
Phase 4: Preparing an Implementable Land Use and Sustainability Plan
As part of the process, we developed information to help residents see what the future would hold if no land use and sustainability plan was developed and to discuss what changes could be made to alter that future in a positive, community-determined way. We also created indicators, a sort of “report card”, to track our success in achieving desired goals or limiting undesirable factors. As required by FHWA, we performed an evaluation of the process to help other communities who also desire to take better control of their futures relative to new highway projects.
The region has the opportunity to put in place a plan that will secure its quality of life for future generations. The planning process placed the responsibility of envisioning the future on the public and its elected officials. Through extensive dialogue, the vision became clear. Plans of action were developed that are realistic, achievable, and acceptable.
The final product is a Land Use and Sustainability Plan that provides a clear picture of the region’s vision and a guidebook of actions for the vision to become a reality. A sustained effort is needed to make the vision a reality. This effort places responsibility on individuals, municipalities, Centre County, businesses, the Pennsylvania State University, and non-government organizations.
We hope that many of these actions may be incorporated into county or municipality planning mechanisms including comprehensive plans, zoning, and development ordinances. We also anticipate that organizations within the community will find strategies that they can incorporate into their ongoing work, just as ClearWater and our Spring Creek Watershed Community initiative have been able to spearhead activities recommended in the Open Lands Prioritization and Management and the Sustainable Water Supply Protection Program strategies.
Printed copies of the full Land Use and Sustainability Plan are available at the ClearWater Conservancy office for $40. CDs are also available for $5. Please contact Jennifer Shuey for more information.