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Chuck Allwein Herbert Barr Richard G. Blouch Senator Brightbill Ed Chubb Chris Cleaver Soldiers @ FIG Betty Conner George Conner Ed Coppenhaver Francis Ditzler Denise Donmoyer Roy Donmoyer Tom Donmoyer Tom Embich Dave Etter Robert Evanchalk John Feather Phil Feather Doris Flory George Grumbein Barb Haber Sukey Harris Lloyd Hartman Chuck & Jean Henry Evelyn Isele Ed Keener Lorraine & Bruce Keeney Brian Kettering Labon Kintzel Gladys Kohr Dan Koury Ann Lasky David Lasky Karen R. Light EELS — Envisioning an Environmental Legacy for the Swatara — 2004

Transcript of EELS, the Book in

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Richard Light Jo Ellen Litz Ruth Litz James M. Logan Khiet Luong

Dave McSurdy Barb & Clyde Miller Doug & Louise Miller Verna Miller Craig Morgan

Heidi Neiswender Mike Pavelek Mary L. Sherk Rev. Rick Rogers John Rose

Jim Schucker Robert & Annetta Schwalm Ken Shirk Paul Smith Frank Smoker

Spencer Fishing Paul O. Swarz Ray Swingholm Ed Teahl Eric Trainer

Marta Trainer Joan Weaver Jean Weirich Gordon Weise John Wengert

Chuck Wertz Larry P. Westhaver Gary Witmeyer Skip Wolf John Worrilow

Chuck Allwein Herbert Barr Richard G. Blouch Senator Brightbill Ed Chubb

Chris Cleaver Soldiers @ FIG Betty Conner George Conner Ed Coppenhaver

Francis Ditzler Denise Donmoyer Roy Donmoyer Tom Donmoyer Tom Embich

Dave Etter Robert Evanchalk John Feather Phil Feather Doris Flory

George Grumbein Barb Haber Sukey Harris Lloyd Hartman Chuck & Jean Henry

Evelyn Isele Ed Keener Lorraine & Bruce Keeney Brian Kettering Labon Kintzel

Gladys Kohr Dan Koury Ann Lasky David Lasky Karen R. Light

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E. E. L. S. Envisioning an Environmental Legacy for the Swatara

This book is dedicated to Canaan Valley Institute, Davis, West Virginia, the first sponsor and visionary for this project. “Since 1995, the Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) has been

fostering local decision-making in support of sustainable communities in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands includes portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and all of West Virginia.The Institute is a not-for-profit, non-advocacy organization committed to enhancing the ability of the region’s residents to improve their quality of life. CVI works to help communities build on their assets and implement

locally determined solutions to problems that threaten their economic or environmental resources.” For more information, visit http://www.canaanvi.org/canaanvi_web/index.aspx .

Next, Fort Indiantown Gap, a military reservation and Lebanon County’s largest employer, coordinated a multimedia DVD for research that also contains video segments. The Pennsylvania Army National Guard is a part of the larger Pennsylvania National Guard, which includes Army and Air Guard elements. The commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard

is Major General Jessica L. Wright. The command element of the Pennsylvania National Guard is the Joint Staff. Visit http://www.dmva.state.pa.us/paarng/site/default.aspfor more information.

In addition, the Swatara Creek Water Trail, a Chesapeake Bay Gateway, is one of your entry points to enjoy and learn about the places and stories of the Chesapeake and its watershed. The 64,000 square mile Bay watershed is a complex ecosystem. Home to over 15 million people, it has supported human occupation for 13,000 years. The Bay’s natural abundance has fed multitudes, fueled rich economies and nurtured diverse cultures. Explore this and other places in the Gateways Network to experience the Bay’s stories, spirit and mystery. Learn about the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort and how you can contribute. Our well-being and the Bay’s health are interdependent.Visit www.baygateways.net for more information. This publication is supported in part through assistance from the National Park Service.

Of course the book could not have been written without the many people who lived through events like floods and a near nuclear meltdown and times without water or electricity and were willing to share their stories with the Swatara Creek Watershed Association.

The views expressed in this document are solely those of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association. SCWA, CVI, Fort Indiantown Gap, nor the Chesapeake Gateways program endorse any statements, products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.

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E. E. L. S. Envisioning an Environmental Legacy for the Swatara

___________________________________________________By the Swatara Creek Watershed Association

E. E. L. S. Copyright 2004 by Swatara Creek Watershed Association

2501 Cumberland St., Suite 4, Lebanon PA 17042 (717)274-1175 [email protected]

web: http://www.mbcomp.com/swatara

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Envisioning an Environmental Legacy for the SwataraIndex

Forward: Dedication to Canaan Valley Institute, sponsor and visionary for this project; Fort Indiantown Gap for their technical assistance; and the final sponsor, Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. .

Chapter 1 American Eels, by Jo Ellen …....…....… Page 1

Chapter 2 A Brief History of the Swatara Region, by Tom Embich …....…....… Page 7

Chapter 3 Mining, by Jo Ellen Litz …....…....… Page 16

Chapter 4 Agriculture, by Chuck Wertz …....…....… Page 25

Chapter 5 Agnes Flood, by Marta Trainer …....…....… Page 32

Chapter 6 Swatara Creek Watershed Water Supply, “Droughts and Drinking Water”, by Betty Conner …....…....… Page 44

Chapter 7 Three Mile Island, by Jo Ellen Litz and Gail Smith …....…....… Page 52

Chapter 8 Recreation, by Karen Light …....…....… Page 59

Chapter 9 Lessons Learned, by Jo Ellen Litz …....…....… Page 74

Abstracts of interviewsChuck Allwein ……………………………………………………..…...………… Page 83 Herbert Barr …………………………………………………………………….… Page 84 Richard Blouch …………………………………………………………………… Page 85 PA Senator David “Chip” Brightbill ……………………………………………… Page 86 Ed Chubb………………………………………………………………………...… Page 87 Lt. Colonel Chris Cleaver…………………………………………………………. Page 88 Betty Conner………………………………………………………………………. Page 91 George Conner…………………………………………………………………….. Page 91 Edwin Copenhaver………………………………………………………………… Page 92 Francis Ditzler Jr…………………………………………………………………... Page 93 Denise Donmoyer…………………………………………………………………. Page 94 Roy Donmoyer…………………………………………………………………….. Page 96 Tom Donmoyer……………………………………………………………………. Page 97 Tom Embich……………………………………………………………………….. Page 97 Robert.Evanchalk………………………………………………………………….. Page 98 John Feather……………………………………………………………………….. Page 98 Phil Feather………………………………………………………………………... Page 100 Doris Flory………………………………………………………………………… Page 101 George H. Grumbein……………………………………………………………… Page 104 Barbara Haber……………………………………………………………………… Page 106 Sukey (Mary Louise) Harris……………………………………………………….. Page 106

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Lloyd Hartman…………………………………………………………………….. Page 107 Chuck Henry (Charles Henry III)…………………………………………………. Page 108 Evelyn Isele………………………………………………………………………... Page 109 Ed Keener………………………………………………………………………….. Page 111 Bruce and Lorraine Keeney ………………………………………………………. Page 113 Brian Kettering …………………………………………………………………… Page 115 Laban Kintzel ……………………………………………………………………. Page 116 Gladys Kohr ……………………………………………………………………… Page 117 Dan Koury ……………………………………….………………………………. Page 118 Ann Lasky ……………………………………………………………………….. Page 119 David Lasky ……………………………………………………………………… Page 120 Karen Light ………………………………………………………………………. Page 122 Richard Light …………………………………………………………………….. Page 122 Jo Ellen Litz ……………………………………………………………………… Page 123 Ruth Litz …………………………………………………………………………. Page 127 Jim Logan ………………………………………………………………………… Page 128 Dave McSurdy …………………………………………………………………… Page 128 Clyde Miller ……………………………………………………………………… Page 129 Doug and Louise Miller ………………………………………………………….. Page 131 Verna Miller ……………………………………………………………………… Page 132 Craig Morgan …………………………………………………………………….. Page 134 Heidi Neiswender ………………………………………………………………... Page 134 Michael D. Pavelek ……………………………………………………………… Page 136 Pastor Rick Rogers ………………………………………………………………. Page 138 John Rose ………………………………………………………………………… Page 139 Jim Schucker ……………………………………………………………………. Page 139 Robert and Annetta Schwalm …………………………………………………… Page 144 Ken Shirk ………………………………………………………………………… Page 145 Paul Smith ……………………………………………………………………….. Page 146 Frank Smoker ……………………………………………………………………. Page 150 Paul Swartz ……………………………………………………………………… Page 150 Raymond J. Swingholm …………………………………………………………. Page 152 Edgar Teahl Jr. …………………………………………………………………… Page 154 Eric Trainer ………………………………………………………………………. Page 155 Joan Weaver ……………………………………………………………………… Page 155 Jean Weirich ……………………………………………………………………… Page 155 John B. Wengert ………………………………………………………………….. Page 156 Larry Westhafer ………………………………………………………………….. Page 157 Gary Witmeyer …………………………………………………………………… Page 157 Karl “Skip” Wolf III ……………………………………………………………… Page 159 John Worrilow ……………………………………………………………………. Page 160

a) Map of Impervious Surfaces by municipalities ……………. Page 162

b) Map of zoning uses. ……………. Page 163

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Appendix

c) Water Trail map(s) ……….…. Page 164

d) Swatara Water Trail features …………. Page 167 Pine Grove Historical Society …………. Page 167 Pine Grove Theater …………. Page 167 Conrad Richter …………. Page 167 Nutting Hall …………. Page 167 Red Lion Café …………. Page 168 Sweet Arrow Lake …………. Page 168 Union Canal Basin …………. Page 168 Tulpehocken Trail …………. Page 168 Swatara Furnace and Manor House …………. Page 168 Stony Creek Trail …………. Page 168 Box Car Rocks …………. Page 169 State Game Lands 211 …………. Page 169 Jacob’s Lutheran Church …………. Page 169 Sattazahn Church and cemetery …………. Page 169 Twin Grove Park …………. Page 169 Swatara State Park …………. Page 171 Fossil Pits …………. Page 171 Aycrigg’s Falls …………. Page 171 Appalachian Trail …………. Page 172 Fort Swatara …………. Page 172 Woods Creek …………. Page 172 Lebanon &Tremont (L&T) Railroad …………. Page 172 Lickdale Campground …………. Page 172 Swatara Creek Family Restaurant …………. Page 172 Lava Deposits …………. Page 172 Frog’s Hollow Complex …………. Page 172 Union Canal …………. Page 172 Water Works …………. Page 173 SCWA Canoe Launch …………. Page 173 Blue Rock …………. Page 173 Reed’s Fort …………. Page 173 Harper’s Tavern …………. Page 173 General Store …………. Page 173 Conrad’s Mill …………. Page 173 Fort Indiantown Gap …………. Page 174 FIG National Cemetery …………. Page 174 Memorial Lake State Park ………….. Page 174 Swatara Creek Inn ………….. Page 175 Union Canal Canoe Rentals ………….. Page 175 Valley Glen ………….. Page 175 Bindnagle’s Church ………….. Page 175 Milton Hershey Schools ………….. Page 175 Boat House Road Park ………….. Page 175

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Horseshoe Trail ………….. Page 175 Hersheypark and Hershey Gardens ………….. Page 175 Union Deposit ………….. Page 175 Hershey Highmeadow Campground ………….. Page 176 Keller ball fields ………….. Page 176 Hummel Nature Trail ………….. Page 176 Middletown ………….. Page 176 PA Fish & Boat Commission Access ………….. Page 176

e) About the authors. …………… Page 177 Betty Conner …………. Page 177 Tom Embich …………. Page 177 Karen Light …………. Page 177 Jo Ellen Litz …………. Page 178 Gail Smith …………. Page 178 Marta Trainer …………. Page 178 Chuck Wertz …………. Page 179

f) Additional interviewers. …………. Page 179 Denise Donmoyer …………. Page 179 Ann Lasky …………. Page 179 Khiet Luong …………. Page 180 Mary Louise Sherk …………. Page 180

g) Additional photo, voice, and map credits. …………. Page 180 Army Corps of Engineers …………. Page 180 George Conner …………. Page 180 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources …………. Page 181 Lebanon Daily News …………. Page 181 Pa Fish & Boat Commission …………. Page 181 Susquehanna River Basin Commission …………. Page 181 Gordon Weise …………. Page 181

h) Eel recipes …………. Page 182 Stewed Eel Jellied Eel

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Forward

Because a different person with a different area of expertise wrote each chapter, you will read varying styles of writing—some more technical, and some folksier. We also interviewed 65 people with a whole host of experiences and backgrounds. In our opinion, that’s part of the charm of this Oral History project. You will read about and learn from people you know in the Swatara Watershed. This book isn’t about aus-landers telling us what we have to do. The EELS book is about looking at our own history, sharing our stories, and learning from them. We can choose to continue to go through the “school of hard knocks,” or take advantage of the wisdom of past generations.

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Chapter 1 American Eels

By Jo Ellen Litz

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Swatara is an Indian term that means “where we feed on eels.” More specifically, the American eel was a native species once found in the Swatara and its tributaries. Snake-like in appearance, the American eel is really a fish that lives out its life in streams, and then goes to sea to spawn—the opposite of a salmon. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission calls eels “catadromous fish.” “The Greek word for “down” is cat, so catadromous fish must “run down.” They run from fresh water to salt water to spawn. Eels are native to the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers. Only the female eel migrates up into the river system. The males remain in the estuary, or lower river. When mature, the females migrate down the river and join up with the males. Mature eels then make their way to the Sargasso sea, an area in the Atlantic Ocean.”

American Eel Factoids Origin USA (actually born in Sargasso Sea.) Attitude Chases food, snaps, hungry hiders Schedule Flexible—prefers night shift Habitat Likes to burrow. Hunkers into

substrate Foods Not picky Size Males 24”. Females up to 72”. Brood Size 10,000,000 eggs per female. Really. Breeding In the Sargasso Sea

Stories about eels were passed on from generation to generation. For instance, I remember reading an article that said shacks with a hole in the floor were built across small streams. Fishermen would sit in the shacks, sometimes with lanterns at night, and wait for an eel to swim by. Then, with a spear, he’d skillfully snag the fish and flip it into a tub in the shack. After cleaning, the eels could be eaten right away or smoked and stored for meat all winter.

A few decades ago, people remembered catching eels on their fishing lines in the Swatara Creek. Because it’s slimy and twists and turns on the line, tangling the line into knots, it’s not necessarily the most desirable way to catch an eel. Even so, Evelyn Isele is one person who remembers catching and frying eel for a tasty snack. According to Evelyn, sometimes the eels would jump out of the frying

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pan. It was probably a reaction or contraction of the muscles that gave the eel the appearance of life after death.

But person after person gave similar accounts of the flipping eels.

It may have been in a net, but all Verna Miller remembers is that she once caught two American eels about 2 ½ feet long, took them home, skinned them, chopped off their heads, and fried them in a pan. “They flipped over,” she said. “They looked like snakes, but we knew they were eels.” She thought they tasted like chicken. Verna remembers beavers building dams. She used to “gig for fish” too. They would take a forked branch from a tree and walk in the Creek. They would push down on the branch trapping a fish in the “V.” She and her sister would take a frying pan along and fry their fish by the Creek.

At the Water Works, at night, George Grumbein set out to catch catfish and American eel. He also hunted snapping turtles, bullfrogs, and ground hogs. They would put lines out to catch the turtles. While the lines were illegal, there was not much enforcement in those days. Some of the heads on the turtles were as big as his fist. He would hold the line while his brother worked a burlap sack around the turtle, which they took to a man who made soup.

When George said eels, my ears perked up. He caught 15-20 eels per summer. They were caught on night-crawlers and minnows. After hanging them in a tree and skinning them, the eels were cut up and fried in butter. They were “good eating, oily, but good.” George even took some of the eels to be smoked. (Later, he told me how the eels moved in the pan.) While many of the eels were young—16-18” in length—the largest eel he ever caught was about 32” long and eight inches in circumference. It was about 1938-39 when George caught his last eel. The Grumbein’s did not have electricity, so the cooking was done with kerosene, and portions were stored in an icebox. George read up on eels. He said at night after a rain or in a heavy dew, the eels could travel across land from one water body to the next.

At the age of nine, on tributaries to the Susquehanna, Chris Cleaver remembers ‘gigging’ for eels with his father. They used to pickle the eels for thirty days, and claims they tasted real good.

While he never ate them, until 1934 Ray Swingholm even remembers catching eels near Mish’s Mill and in the Swatara, then releasing the eels.

Jean Weirich’s grandparents used the Swatara Creek as a food source, catching eels and other fish.

While not an endangered species, it seems like in the late 1930’s, as their life cycle ended and/or they were fished out, the native eels disappeared from the Swatara. Most people, including Tom Embich, theorize that the reason the eels

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disappeared was because of all of the dams on the Susquehanna River and tributaries to the Susquehanna. He told of the first dam--blocking American Eel migration--on the Susquehanna in 1903.

The Swatara Creek is no exception. Lloyd Hartman, a retired PA Waterways patrolman, reported that an eel was counted on June 28, 1999, when he served on a survey team with Larry Jackson from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. In Trout Run, around Green Point, Larry shocked the water, and caught a 14” American eel in his net. When he shared the story, people accused him of planting the eel. Later an eel was also caught in the basin below Memorial Lake State Park. By the way, Lloyd did eat American eel. His friend fried up two-inch squares. They moved in the pan. He thought they tasted like catfish.

The report of these two eels generated discussion among the Swatara Creek Watershed Association board of directors. Directors developed a list of possible scenarios of how the eels got into the Swatara Creek:

• Fisherman catching eels below the Conowingo dam, transported them upstream for release;

• Birds regurgitated elvers (baby eels); • High flood waters temporarily abated low-head dam barriers; • Eels were trapped in a water body like the Richland Quarry since the

1940’s; or • Eels are also known to crawl across wet land after a rain or heavy dew. In

this way, they can move from one body of water to the next.

American eels are tolerant of poor water quality. As mentioned before, as small elvers born at sea, eels migrate upstream along the banks. Therefore, fish

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ladders starting in the center of a stream do not traditionally transport eels. In 2004, after purchasing the Hershey Dam on the Swatara Creek, the Pennsylvania American Water Company began construction of a fish ladder along the north bank of the Swatara. Who knows, if restocking efforts are successful, the American eel may once again teem the waters of the Swatara Creek.

While I’ve never seen an American eel in the Swatara Creek, when scuba diving, I did see American eel in both the Richland Quarry and Lake Ontario. The latter is encrusted with zebra mussels-- an invasive species. The American eels in Lake Ontario were eating the mussels. Because the little shells have sharp edges, sharp enough to cut unprotected fingers, I found this ironic. Up until that time, I knew of no known predators of the zebra mussels. So I wonder if reintroducing the Native American eel can help to keep the invasive zebra mussels from destroying our eco system?

A May 2004 Bay Journal (The Chesapeake Bay Newspaper Volume 14-Number 3) brought a scientific view of the American eel. “The Chesapeake Bay, where the American eel is a $1 million-a-year fishery and accounts for nearly half of the total U.S. landings, is thought to boast the largest eel population. ‘The Bay is considered the cradle of abundance for the American eel,’ said Lewis Gillingham, of the Virginia Marine Fisheries Commission, and a member of the ASMFC’s American eel Technical Committee.”

Unfortunately, “an analysis by Julie Weeder, a former DNR biologist now working for the National Marine Fisheries Service, shows that reproduction from adult eels leaving the Bay would be too little to replace the Chesapeake’s population. Rather than being the ‘cradle’ of the eel population, Weeder said, the Chesapeake now depends on reproduction by eels elsewhere. ‘It produces a lot, but it has a potential to produce even more,’ Weeder said.”

Scientists believe that the American eel spawns “about 1,000 feet underwater in the Sargasso Sea.” After spawning in open oceans, the Gulf Stream “carr(ies) eel larvae back to freshwater streams.” “At the Conowingo Dam on the lower Susquehanna River, more than 60,000 young eels were counted in 1975 and 1976. Only 23 were counted last year (2003).”

“The overall status of the population is unknown; no stock assessment of the entire American eel population has ever been completed.” Eels “spawn only once: In fact, on their way back to the ocean, the females absorb their own digestive system to give them extra energy for the journey.” “Harvests…have fallen to less than a million pounds in recent years, with nearly half of that coming from the Chesapeake.”

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“Scientists doubt that fishing pressure alone explains the decline of the eel.” “Added pressures from climate change, pollution, habitat loss and parasites,” as well as “turbine mortality,” contribute to the decreased population.

So, reintroduction of the Native American eel may be a joint vision of a healthy environmental legacy for both the Swatara Creek and the Chesapeake Bay.

If you had an adventure spotting an American eel in the Swatara Creek Watershed and would like to share your story, contact SCWA at 2501 Cumberland St., Suite 4, Lebanon PA 17042 or email [email protected] . If possible, be sure to document the date, location, and time of year of your eel spotting. Any American eel pictures in your possession that we may duplicate would be a real treasure.

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Chapter 2 A Brief History of the Swatara Region

by T.R. Embich

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People and Industry

The earliest evidence of the people populating the Swatara watershed can be found in fossil evidence and artifacts. Mastodons were hunted in the Dauphin County portion of the basin by pre-historic tribes. Subsequent occupants of the region included various tribes of American Indians represented by tribal groups from 8000 BC through the occupation by European settlers

(Hartwell, 1990). As early as the 1500’s the Dutch, Swedes and English instigated fur wars among the American Indians from the Hudson River inland and south to the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. The Mahicans and Mohawks and closely related Iroquois and Seneca of the Upper Susquehanna and Hudson River region pushed south into the Susquehannock

territory. The Susquehannock pushed the more peaceful Lenape across the Delaware River and prevented their return until the more powerful Iroquois and their allies nearly annihilated them prior to the settlement of Pennsylvania (www.tolatsga.org/dela.html , 2000). During the early 17th

Century the Susquehannock tribe occupied most of the lower

Susquehanna River valley, but around 1670 the Iroquois and Seneca tribes drove out the Susquehannock, and by the mid-1700s, only a remnant existed as the Conestoga Indians of Lancaster County (Hartwell, 1990).

A series of wars, including the French & Indian Wars (1754 – 1759) brought a more settled frontier for European settlements and the development of Pennsylvania. A mixture of English,

French, German, Swiss, and Swedish immigrants pushed into the interior lands from the previous coastal settlements and established trading posts along the Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehanna Rivers and Bays. German speaking groups fleeing from religious persecution in Europe settled south central Pennsylvania early. Many came through England from the Palatinate region of southern Germany and found the Schoharie Valley of southern New York and central Pennsylvania reminiscent of their homeland. The Schoharie Valley group was originally enlisted by England to harvest pitch and tar for the English Navy in return for

farmland. However, the pine trees and farmland sought by the Palatinates did not co-exist and the pitch and tar processing took longer than anticipated. The Schohaire Valley was good for farming, but not for pitch pines. After treaties and land purchases from friendly Indians and the beginning of successful farming, the New York Governor sold the Palatinates’ land to land-investors and rather than

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pay for their land twice, many were forced to migrate down the Susquehanna. At the invitation of Pennsylvania Governor Keith, many of the survivors of the Schoharie moved south to the Lebanon Valley, and began to build an agricultural economy along the many streams of the area. The streams of the region – Tulpehocken, Quittapahilla and Swatara - teemed with trout, shad and eels, which the local Indians were able to spear easily (Carmean, 1976).

The Swatara region was settled by a succession of European immigrants. Dutch, English and French fur traders came early, but were not abundant. The earliest European settlers of the Lebanon Valley were the Germans from the Palatinate region of southern Germany, looking to establish farms and villages. Early German settlements were established on the Tulpehocken and the Quittapahilla, but the land was not formally purchased until 1732 from the Lenape. Those who had “squatted” on their sites had to officially purchase them from the colonial government or suffer loss of the land. The 1732 land purchase covered all lands south of the Blue Mountain, west of the Delaware River and east of the Susquehanna River that had not previously been purchased (Carmean, 1976).

In the Swatara portion of the Lebanon Valley, the Quittapahilla Creek served as a primary source of power for the early agricultural related industry. Grist, flour and saw mills rose on several streams, but the Quittapahilla only had water supply problems during severe drought and after 1834 following the construction of the Union Canal. Notable mills include Zinn’s, Kucher’s, and Stoever’s. The latter two were the earliest mills on the Quittapahilla or one of its tributaries. Others followed: Strickler, Yingst, Heilman, Long, Kreider, Bachman, Raiguel, and

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Killinger. All these developed between 1770 and the early 1800’s and served as the base for much of the economy of the Lebanon Valley (Carmean, 1976).

The iron mines of Cornwall and previously those of Hopewell Forge (all founded by Peter Grubb, an Englishman) began as early as 1734 or 37 and the Cornwall Forge continued through 1883. The processing of iron required fuel, limestone and power. All were within a 30 mile radius of the Cornwall area – water power drove much of the early process; the limestone was readily available in Lebanon Valley below the hills in which the iron was mined, and the hard-wood forests of the region supplied the charcoal which fueled the forges prior to the discovery and use of anthracite from the upper Dauphin County and western Schuylkill County areas.

The demand for iron ore and timber, particularly the furniture hardwoods of the area, helped to justify the construction of

the Union Canal which hauled charcoal one direction and iron ore, processed iron pigs, and other raw materials and produce to both the Middletown and Reading junctures. Farm produce and timber products were shipped by wagons to the population centers of Harrisburg and Philadelphia along routes that paralleled or matched many of the Indian trails, and eventually Routes 422, 322, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike provided ready east-west routes for the produce of the region.

Many crafts developed in the region to meet the needs of the farmers and industry of the area, most notable were blacksmiths and others who worked iron and later steel into implements, tools, guns, knives and household goods. Potters, weavers, and similar home industry related crafts were established prior to and around the period of the Revolutionary War. After the Revolution, numerous other businesses and industries developed in the region of the Swatara Creek watershed and Lebanon Valley. In Dauphin County, a notable brick making operation developed in Royalton and existed there into the early 1900’s.

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Travel from one end of Pennsylvania to the other, notably Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, came through Lebanon and Dauphin Counties, usually through Lebanon and Harrisburg. Hotels, and related services began to grow in the region. Periodic visits by such notables as President Washington, usually inspecting the early work of the Union Canal, and others enhanced the desirability of the area as a stop-over for travelers. The Dauphin and Susquehanna Railroad was built in 1850 and ran along Stony Creek in Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, but the first railroad in the Swatara watershed was only built in 1853. R.W. Coleman built the Cornwall-Lebanon Railroad from the Union Canal just northwest of Lebanon to Cornwall to haul ore and goods from the Cornwall Forge-Mines to the canal. It later also served as a passenger line and was extended to Lancaster.

The period of the railroads spelled the end of the Union Canal; by 1857 the Lebanon Valley Railroad had garnered most of the canal’s business. A large flood in 1862 destroyed the Swatara Reservoir and the branch canal to Pine Grove. Without a water supply, the canal could not operate fully and by 1885 was sold to the sheriff of Philadelphia (Carmean, 1976).

Even though the Quakers opposed slavery, over 4,000 African slaves were brought to Pennsylvania by primarily English and Welsh landowners prior to the Revolutionary War. Later they were emancipated by the Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act of 1780 (the first such act in the United States) (Pennsylvania Manual, 1999). In proximity to the Civil War, many emancipated slaves or those who were brought to Pennsylvania via the “underground railroad” found employment in the growing steel industry of the region. The Dauphin County portion of the Swatara watershed attests to the largest African-American populations in Middletown, Steelton, and suburbs of Harrisburg. Fewer numbers of African-Americans settled in the Lebanon County portion of the basin.

Each industrial endeavor in the Swatara region seems to have been fueled, in part, by immigrants looking to improve their lives. The Palatinate Germans brought farming to its zenith in the area, the Irish built the Union Canal, the English and Irish (Grubb and Coleman) brought the iron industry to the area and the Italian stonecutters worked most of the limestone quarries of the area. Hungarians, Serbians, Russians, and Romanians did much of the iron ore mining for the Cornwall Mines (Carmean, 1976). The Indians provided many of the most efficient routes for future roadways based on their interconnection of trails from the Delaware to the upper Susquehanna River, many through the Swatara basin (Hartwell, 1990). Dutch, Scots, Irish, Swedes, French Huguenots, Welsh, and Jews comprised smaller numbers in Pennsylvania and were all represented in the Swatara basin from the colonial era and the Revolution (Pennsylvania Manual, 1999).

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The most recent influx of immigrants to the region dating from the early 1900’s includes significant numbers of Germans, English, Italians, Yugoslavians, Hungarians, and Czechoslovakians. During the end of the Viet Nam War, Vietnamese refugees were relocated through Fort Indiantown Gap and many chose to remain in the area. From the 1970s, Hispanics from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Mexico

immigrated to the region. Many of the Hispanics originally came to work in the poultry processing or food industry of the region.

From the prehistoric era to the present, the Swatara watershed has been shaped by the geology and the impacts of human development in the region. Since the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring of 1962, the modern environmental movement has educated and enlightened us. A new era of environmental restoration has begun. Now fish and young people swim where they could not swim before because the iron mining, coal mining, forest cutting and untreated manure/sewage discharges that occurred as part of our agricultural and industrial development history. The Swatara Creek may never see “trout, shad, and eels so abundant that the ‘natives’ could wade in and spear them with ease”(Carmean, 1976), but we are moving toward that goal with deliberate and unerring focus.In an email dated July 8, 2004, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty states, “My overarching theme (is) ‘environmental challenges are economic opportunities in disguise.’ Far from there being inevitable tension between environmental protection and economic growth, our economic future can best be secured by a focused effort to build, invent and grow our way towards better resource stewardship. And together we have made great strides in this regard: we are fast becoming a leading state in building and deploying clean energy projects; we are a leading state in green certified buildings…we have increased the effectiveness of flagship programs like environmental education to instill a spirit of stewardship and Pennsylvania pride in future leaders --- and all of these are efforts that both protect our environment as well as sustain our economy. ”

Whether as compliment or contrast to Secretary McGinty’s statement, in a 2003 analysis commissioned by the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, experts advised that we should invest our dollars in local industries that have a chance for long-term growth and success because they have some sort of local competitive advantage; local industries with a competitive advantage that can

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grow gold-collar (high skill, high pay, high demand) jobs, “cash cows” if you will. This means that we need to: 1.Develop consensus among regional and local partners on key industry clusters; 2.Secure commitments by regional and local partners to plan strategies around the clusters; 3.Align resources through unified economic development, workforce and education planning. For ourFor our area, this probably means:

• Health Services and related jobs like nursing, pharmaceutical manufacturers, drug stores, and psychiatric hospitals;

• Construction jobs like plumbing, electrical contractors, saw mills, and cabinet making; and

• Manufacturing that is growing and seems to be diverse ranging from metalworking machinery to industrial machinery to electric lighting and wiring equipment to truck and bus bodies. The common denominator may be that they are all metal fabricators.

Therefore, the future history of the Swatara watershed is being written in our environmental restoration focus and wise use of our local resources, and the sage decisions our leaders make now.

Topography and Geology

The Swatara Creek is a stream with a mean flow ranging from 640 cubic feet per second (cfs) near Harpers Tavern (337 square miles of the watershed) to 870 cfs at Hershey, PA (483 square miles of watershed) to close to 1000 cfs at its mouth (571 square miles of watershed). In most parts of Pennsylvania and the United States the Swatara would be considered a river. The Swatara cuts a meandering path for approximately 69 miles from its headwaters on Broad Mountain to its confluence with the Susquehanna River. The Swatara Creek watershed is listed as covering from 576 square miles of the Susquehanna River basin (McCarren, Wark, and George, 1964) to 571 square miles, based on the Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (PADEP, 1989). Included in the Watershed are six (6) major tributaries (Upper Little Swatara, Lower Little Swatara, Little Swatara, Quittapahilla, Manada, and Beaver Creeks). It originates in the Ridge and Valley Province portion of south central Pennsylvania in the Carboniferous geologic formation of Schuylkill County. From its origins on Broad Mountain (1510 feet above mean sea level) to its confluence with the Susquehanna River (279 ft above MSL), it passes through several major geologic formations that change its water quality while on its journey to the Susquehanna River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. The primary geologic formations that influence the Swatara include: (1) the Carboniferous anthracite formations of Schuylkill County, (2) the Ordovician Martinsburg shale formation of the northern part of the Great Valley Province (3) the Ordovician limestone and dolomite formations of the southern portion of the Great Valley in Berks, Lebanon and Dauphin Counties and (4) the Triassic sandstone formations of southern Lebanon and Dauphin Counties at the margin of the Ridge and Valley Province and the Piedmont Province (Hobson,

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1963) (MacLachlan, 1967) (Carswell, Hollowell, and Platt, 1968) (Wood and MacLachlan, 1978).

The karst limestone areas of Lebanon and Dauphin counties contribute large portions of the stream flow. Much of this flow is accounted for in the storage area of the karst geology, where large solution openings and underground chambers act as underground rivers. One such cavern that has appeared at the surface is the present Indian Echo Cavern near Hummelstown, PA. The cavern is adjacent to the Swatara Creek less than a mile down stream of the Route 422 crossing of the Swatara Creek. Historically the cavern has been called the Hummelstown Grotto, Swatara Cave, Echo Cave, Hummelstown Cavern, and currently, Indian Echo Cavern and is an internationally known commercial-educational attraction. Evidence exists that American Indians and early colonists used such caves for storage and temporary housing (Hartwell, 1990).

Geography

The Watershed covers parts of four Pennsylvania counties, Schuylkill, Berks, Lebanon and Dauphin, which include all, or part of 46 municipalities. Schuylkill County is where its main stem originates in the southeastern anthracite coalfields about four miles north-northeast of Tremont, Pennsylvania. Numerous small streams above the Swatara State Park (Inwood – Green Point area) contribute reliable base flow, but most of it was laden with acidic mine drainage that has been significantly abated since the 1980’s so that aquatic insects and fish have been observed routinely. The exceptions have been the Upper Little Swatara, Fishing Creek-Mill Creek, and Trout Run, where good to exceptional quality conditions exist.

The small triangle of northwestern Berks County contributes the headwater flow of the Little Swatara Creek, which contributes a significant base flow laden with shale farmland during most rainfalls. The bulk of the Swatara is in Lebanon County where the majority of the stream rises in Martinsburg Shale, karst Ordovician limestone and dolomite or Triassic Sandstone formations. In Lebanon County the first impacts from populated development are felt on the largest tributary, Quittapahilla Creek, and its four sub tributaries and the discharge from a limestone quarry via Killinger Creek. Except for the limestone quarry discharge, the four tributaries rise in the southern (Triassic Sandstone) ridge and flow into the limestone and dolomite of the Great Valley, locally known as the Lebanon Valley.

In Dauphin County continued impact from sewage plant discharges, industrial operations and suburban sprawl influence the water quality. Also in Dauphin County outflows of several water-filled limestone quarries, Manada Creek, Bow Creek, Spring Creek, Beaver Creek, Kelloch Run, and Iron Run add to the stable base flow of the stream prior to its confluence with the Susquehanna River in Royalton and Middletown boroughs.

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REFERENCES

Carmean, E.J. (ed.), 1976. Lebanon County, Pennsylvania – A History. Lebanon County Historical Society. 399 p.

Carswell, L.D, J.R. Hollowell, and L.B. Platt, 1968. Geology and Hydrology of the Martinsburg Formation in Dauphin County, PA. PA Geol. Survey Ground Water Report W24, Harrisburg.

Hartwell, R.H., 1990. Indian Echo Caverns, a History. Indian Echo Caverns, Hummelstown, PA.

Hobson, Jr., J.P., 1963. Stratigraphy of the Beekmantown Group in Southeastern Pennsylvania. PA Geol. Survey General Geology Report 37, Harrisburg.

MacLachlan, D.B., 1967. Structure and Stratigraphy of the Limestones and Dolomites of Dauphin County, PA. PA. Geol. Survey General Geology Report 44, Harrisburg.

McCarren, E.F., Wark, J.W., & George, J.R. (1964). Water Quality of Swatara Creek Basin, Pennsylvania. United States Geological Society and Pennsylvania Department of Forests and Waters. Document # 576 open file report.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the United States Department of the Interior Geological Survey. (1989). Pennsylvania Gazetteer of Streams (Report No. 456-11/89). Harrisburg, PA

Pennsylvania Manual, 1999. The Pennsylvania Manual 114th ed., PA Department of General Services.

Wood, C.R. and D.B. MacLachlan, 1978. Geology and Groundwater Resources of Northern Berks County, Pennsylvania. PA. Geol. Survey Water Resources Report 44, Harrisburg.

www.tolatsga.org/dela.html 2000. Delaware History

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Chapter 3 Mining

by Jo Ellen Litz

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Kalamazoo. It’s an old cook-stove that burned coal. Oh the memories of hot apple pies baking in the oven, the cinnamon scent filling the air. My grandma had a Kalamazoo, and when we built our earth home, my husband took me to the Saturday Market in Middletown. That’s where I got my original Kalamazoo. We didn’t have to worry about the electricity going out. Everybody has candles, but we had the Kalamazoo, which both produced heat and allowed us to cook our meals. Heck, we even had a copper hot water heater in the one side. Each summer, we would drive north on Route 72 through Swatara State Park to the Schneck coal breaker and load the trailer with anthracite coal. That load lasted us a whole winter. It made a toasty warm dry heat. I hated to leave the kitchen. Sometimes, it got so toasty, I cracked the back door to allow some cold air to mingle with the blessed heat.

Mining in the Swatara Watershed takes on three forms—anthracite coal, limestone, and iron ore mines.

Schuylkill County hosts numerous coal mines,some abandoned and bankrupt and some operating to this day. The abandoned and bankrupt mines often spew forth acid mine drainage turning streams an orange color,

called yellow-boy. The active coal mines use much better environmental practices than their predecessors. For example, a series of settling ponds below a mine will allow coal dirt to settle out and deposit sediment instead of traveling downstream. Anthracite coal is lower in sulfur and burns better and hotter in a large thinner bed of embers. At one time, trains burned the anthracite coal. In the Appalachian Mountains, we have the largest single deposit of anthracite coal in the world. The United States government has recently invested money to try to blend the coal with diesel fuel, which could help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Jean Weirich explains that when coal was discovered in the mountains, the Union Canal was extended along the Swatara Creek up to Pine Grove to transport the coal. Later a railroad was built along the same route up to Tremont. Miners living in Lebanon County used the train to go to work. But Jim Schucker says that German farmers wanted nothing to do with the canal because they were forced to give up their land to build the canal. Today, only remnants of both the canal and the Lebanon and Tremont (L&T) railroad exist.

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SWATARA CREEK AT RAVINE, PASWATARA CREEK AT RAVINE, PA

Number of Fish Species

6 6

15 17

21

0

24

19941994 19961996 19971997 19981998 199919991985,1985,19901990

20002000

(Graphs by Chuck Cravotta) Even when a mine has an accidental pollution violation, the Department of Environmental Protection has allowed miners to work off fines by implementing cleanup projects like limestone diversion wells and man-made wetlands. That’s why we have a wide variety of fish living in the Swatara Creek. What an improvement over a 1987 Skelly & Loy Report that stated, “The first order of priority is to remove the two anthracite refuse (i.e. culm) piles directly within the reservoir area and reclaim the area…. Schneck & Schnoke culm banks comprise 557,000 cubic yards (835,000 tons) of material over 40 acres. Lorberry Creek and Good Spring Creek sub-watersheds were defined as the primary areas for contributing coal mining impact related constituents. Therefore, these two sub watersheds will be the areas of the Swatara where the implementation of abatement measures should be concentrated. The Westwood Energy facility is now responsible for a large portion of the disturbed land area in the Lower Rausch Creek sub watershed. Their erosion and sedimentation control facilities should reduce the discharge of sediment to Lower Raush Creek. Possibly the most beneficial impact will occur in the near future with the implementation of their reclamation plan.” Primary contributing sub watersheds, the major pollutant areas, and clean-up costs were identified as:

1) The Lorberry Creek, Tremont Township $460,000. 2) The Good Spring Creek, Fraily Township $2,650,000. 3) The Rowe Tunnel $2,200,000 to create 17.5 acres of wetlands. 4) The Tracey Airhole $3,200,000 to create 33.5 acres of wetlands.”

I remember helping to plant cattails in the man-made wetland in Ravine at a Route 81 exit. My job was to push a wheelbarrow full of cattails to areas where people were planting the tubers. Machines had placed large chunks of limestone around the perimeter of the two-tiered wetland.

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Also recommended in the Skelly and Loy study were: “direct treatment of underground mine pools by physical treatment or biological inhibition; capping or sealing deep mine pool discharges; treating deep mine pool discharges at their outflow by utilizing artificial wetlands or physical chemical treatment systems; and minimal regrading, revegetation, runoff drainage modifications, and closing deep mine pool inflow points at unreclaimed surface mine and coal processing operations.” Iron, manganese, and aluminum pollutant loads after reclamation could be cut in half.

In 1985, SCWA, then known as Citizens Coordinating for Clean Water, encouraged a watershed approach among government, business, and citizens to coordinate resources from within the watershed and to eliminate red tape.

But it was a young man named Dan Koury who had the passion to follow through on implementing the cleanup. In 1991, Dan identified both major and minor pollution sources:

Major: Rowe Tunnel Stump’s Run Richard Drift Eureka Tunnel Westwood Energy

Minor: New Lincoln Tunnel East Franklin Tunnel Swatara Coal Company Small discharge 300’

downstream of Rowe Tunnel

It didn’t take long for culm piles the size of football fields on the north end of Swatara State Park to disappear.

Pennsylvania

Northern Swatara

PINEGROVE

RAVINE

10 MILES

10 KILOMETERS

0 2 4 6 8

0 2 4 6 8

Swatara Cr.

Black C r.

Upper Li ttleSwa ta ra

C r.

Lo wer Little Swatar a Cr.

Sw ataraCr.

Southern Anthracite

ProposedSwatara State

Park Lake

76 o30’ 76 o15’76 o20’

TREMONT

Field

76 o25’

SCHUYLKILL CO.

LEBANON CO.

Rowe Tunnel

Tracy AirholeColket Disch. Marshfield Disch.

Creek Watershed

Buck Mtn. Disch.

Hegins Disch.40o40’

40o35’

40o30’

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Ravine

PENNSYLVANIA

Sw atara Creek Watershed

PineGrove

10 MILES

10 KILOMETERS

0 2 4 6 8

0 2 4 6 8PROPOSEDDAM SITE

Southern Anthracite Coal field

(above proposed dam site)

76o276o30’ 76o15’

40o30’

40o40’

40o 35’

76o25’ 76o 20’

Swatara Cr.

Black Cr.

Upper Litt leSwatara

Cr.

Lower Li ttleS watara Cr.

SwataraCr.

G ood Spring Cr .Tremont

L.R

a usch

Cr.

Lorberry Cr .

Also, Stump’s Run, in Tremont Township, was one of the first cleanup projects completed. The stream was diverted away from large amounts of fine silt left by abandoned mine operations. The stream bank was regraded, and a limestone channel was installed to filter sediment. Finally, the area was covered with grass and trees.

Charles Cravotta, a scientist with the United States Geological Survey, documented a lot of the progress made by Dan Koury, and DEP’s Bureau of Mining.

An email from an ECCR coordinator stated that, “Coal has been mined in this country since before there was a United States. Coal helped spark the Industrial Revolution; it moved the railroads that made the Westward Movement possible; it fueled our victory in World War II and powered our nation's rise to a global economic and political power.”

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The email went on, ”When the nation called, America's coal fields and their people answered. But while all benefited from coal, the health and environmental costs fell only on the people living and working in the coalfields.”

With their steep walls, the huge quarries that scar the earth are a death trap for teenagers and others who roam the countryside on All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or dare to swim in the deep waters. As a scuba diver, I have helped to search for drowning victims in unpatroled quarries. As they jump off a rock face, teenagers are unaware of thermoclines with drastic temperature changes just below the surface. There is a natural human reflex to gasp upon entering cold water.

So what’s being done about abandoned quarries? For each ton of coal that is mined, there is a federal fee of $.15 and $.35 per ton charged to miners. The funds are supposed to be used to reclaim the land. Projects are prioritized based on public health and safety. But with what do we fill the pits? It takes a large volume of ground. Some people tried to put garbage into the pits. Others wanted to deposit sewage sludge. Because of potential ground and surface water contamination, opposition to both of these proposals surfaced. On the Delmarva Peninsula, three times more chicken manure is produced than there is land available to safely apply the fertilizer. As a result Perdue dries and ships pellets of manure under a Microstart60 label, which contains 4% nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, and 3% potash. Since it has a 60% organic matter composition, it could be mixed with grass seed to reclaim filled pits.

Good Spring Cr.

A1

A2 A3B1

B2B3

C1

C2

OpenLimestone

Channel

AnoxicLimestone

Drain

LimestoneDiversion

WellsLimestoneDiversion

WellC7C8

SwataraCreek

D1

C4C6

C9

MartinC3

E3-S0

TracyOxicLimestone

Drain

S2

Lorberr y Cr .

ConstructedWetlands

LimestoneSand

RoweTunnel

SwataraCre

ek

Black Creek

Low

er R

auschC

r.

AirholeMiddle

Cr.

B

E2-0E2-1

E2-2

B0

LimestoneSand

E5-1E5-2

S4

E3-1E3-2

M1-0M1-1M2-0M2-1

E5-0

Run

E3-S1

LimestoneDiversion Wells

E1-0E1-1E1-2E1-3E1-4

OxicLimestone

Drain

C0

S3

RAVINE

ConstructedWetlands

Ru

n

Co

al

ConstructedWetlands

Miscellaneous record

Continuous record

USGS Monitoring Stations:

NORTHERN SWATARA CREEK

TREMONT

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Parameter Code

Parameter Name White sucker,

White sucker,

Brook trout,

49237A aluminum, bio tissue (ug/g) 46.9 3.0 1.0

49238A barium, bio tissue (ug/g) 4.2 1.5 1.5

49239A boron, bio tissue (ug/g) 0.4 0.5 0.5

49240A chromium, bio tissue (ug/g) 1.9 1.4 2.0

49241A copper, bio tissue (ug/g) 3.6 1.6 2.8

49242A iron, bio tissue (ug/g) 103.0 24.0 35.6

49243A manganese, bio tissue (ug/g) 70.6 15.2 18.2

49244A strontium, bio tissue (ug/g) 62.8 34.3 15.5

49245A zinc, bio tissue (ug/g) 70.0 57.1 53.1

49246A antimony, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49247A arsenic, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49248A beryllium, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49249A cadmium, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49250A cobalt, bio tissue (ug/g) 0.8 0.5 0.3

49251A lead, bio tissue (ug/g) 0.2 0.3 <0.2

49252A molybdenum, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49253A nickel, bio tissue (ug/g) 1.2 0.4 0.4

49254A selenium, bio tissue (ug/g) 2.3 2.5 2.7

49255A silver, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49257A uranium, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

49258A mercury, bio tissue (ug/g) 0.10 0.10 0.24

49273A water, present, bio tissue ( )

76.4 80.23 82.45

49465A vanadium, bio tissue (ug/g) <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

Joan Weaver remembers how they picked coal out of the Swattie. They used the coal to burn for heat, and during the depression it was not uncommon for bootleg mines to spring up almost anywhere. These bootleg mines are not charted. Further, deeds sometimes limit the purchaser to the surface rights, and mining companies retain the mineral rights, which means a mine tunnel could run under their structures, driveways, and streams. Because foundations could crack making a structure unstable, and streams could be consumed by sinkholes, subsidence of both bootleg and charted mines limits development in many areas.

Metals in Fish, Swatara Creek, Ravine, 1999

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The limestone mines in Lebanon and Dauphin Counties are both currently owned by Pennsy Supply. PA Lime, a division of Carmeuse, also operates at the old Millard’s Quarry in Annville, Lebanon County. Over the last decade, ownership changed many times—Millard, Broyhill, Wimpey, Tarmac, Carmeuse, and Pennsy Supply, with tenant PA Lime.

Ironically, the limestone mined in Lebanon County helps to neutralize the mine acid and clean up the Swatara Watershed in Schuylkill County. Limestone comes in two forms. Dolomite, a harder, black limestone, is used in steel production, roads, concrete, or burned in blast furnaces for its magnesium to create alloys. Calcite, the other form of limestone, is processed into lime and used to neutralize acid mine drainage. It can also be used as treatment for sewage and water filtration plants, to fertilize fields, yards, and gardens, to stabilize fruit after picking, at landfills, and even in Rolaids and Tums.

Mining is hard work with health concerns like black lung from coal mining and nosebleeds and silicosis from limestone mining.

For a time, my husband Rick, was an industrial electrician in the old Millard Quarry. He replaced a man who drowned at the low-head dam in Jonestown on the Swatara. Pretty spooky, huh? At any rate, Rick told me stories about going down into the earth and high into the sky to repair motors and lights that would fail or get knocked out in a bad thunderstorm.

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The Cornwall Iron Ore Mines are closed today. Iron and coal smelted together produce steel. Our once thriving steel industry is gone. William Henry Worrilow, John Worrilow’s father, along with Thomas S. Quinn, shared a room at the YMCA. When their boss at Bethlehem Steel refused to give them a raise, they started Lebanon Steel Foundry. In their WWII heyday, they employed 1,750 people. The land for the Foundry at First Avenue and East Lehman Street was donated by the family of the sisters they married.

During World War II, while her husband was overseas, Verna Miller made long steel bullet casings at the Bethlehem Steel Plant. After heating the cylinder of steel, a rod “hit it” and made a bullet out of it. She had ten buttons to control, and had to stop the machine to clear jams. At one time, about fifty heated cylinders rode on a conveyor belt.

According to Jim Shucker, an Earthen Dam was built by Bethlehem Steel to keep water flowing to the plant at 16th and Lehman Streets. A 30” pipe ran through the tunnel to move water back to 16th Street.

There were some environmental problems in running a steel mill. One day in the 1930’s, Ray Swingholm set out to follow the Quittie from Hebron, where he lived as a boy, all the way to Valley Glen--the mouth--where the Quittie empties into the Swatara. He discovered where Bethlehem Steel was dumping effluent so strong that all of the fish were killed.

Later, John Feather recalls receiving a telephone call about a fish kill at the Bethlehem Steel on the Quittapahilla Creek. Most of the fish were eight to ten inches long. DER came and looked, but did not enforce many environmental laws on the steel giant, a major employer in Lebanon during the 1970’s.

The Agnes flood closed the Bethlehem Steel mines at Cornwall in 1973, and many jobs were lost.

Here’s another twist on mining in the Swatara Watershed. Seeking to capitalize on agriculture, which has fewer restrictions than most businesses, a man who drew water from the ground for bottling claimed that he was “harvesting” the water, which is a food product. In local courts, opponents of the proposal pointed out that the water is not planted in the ground, and water does not grow to maturity. Because humans can consume it, the bottler claimed that the water “harvesting” was not mining. But I pointed out that salt is a mineral that it is mined, and salt can also be eaten.

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Chapter 4 Agriculture

By Chuck Wertz

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Agriculture in the areas draining into the “Swattie” and its feeder streams is about as diverse as it gets anywhere. This is not helped by the fact everyone has his or her own definition of agriculture. Folks who grew up in this area in the mid-1900’s might challenge the notion that long thin “silo-less” metal buildings housing thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of chickens, pigs or turkeys is a farm at all. Born in 1960 in Lebanon, I have no recollection of this current picture

of agriculture. I do remember having a “Wengert’s” milk box at our suburban (yes, my parents were the beginning of “sprawl” and they didn’t even know it!) home on Park Drive and going with Mom to visit the “Egg Lady” on the hill out on Oak Street soon after you passed Snitz Creek and the Casino Roller Rink. Chasing the chickens around her yard was a ton of fun. I remember at Cornwall Elementary School when we walked across the street to visit a working farm. Visiting a real farm was

always so exciting and a real treat! It still is. Those are the Norman Rockwell-type memories I will always have growing up here. Our surroundings are defined by the unmatched beauty of a rural landscape dotted with bank barns and silos. I could never imagine growing up anywhere else. This is our heritage. It defines us. Our family was already one generation removed from the farm but I still felt and feel this way. Today, I am not sure what people feel? There is no argument that the agricultural areas of the Swatara are indeed beautiful. Otherwise, why would so many people want to live in this vicinity? Unfortunately, our cherished countryside is becoming a victim of its own beauty. Should we be worried? I think so. Whoever coined the phrase, “land, they ain’t makin’ any more of it” could be a millionaire for every new home and industrial park that gobbles up our agricultural heritage. I challenge people to contemplate throwing away their family history. We may be throwing away our own identity, our sense of place, our region’s history! Some may think we should stop pining for the past and move forward. After all, that is progress…right? So we do move forward.

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Today, the average farmer on the banks of the Swatara is well over 60 years of age and feeding many more people than he did when he was a young farmer. Very likely he did not go to college but his children probably did. Problem is, there are not too many children aspiring to take over a 70 or 80-hour workweek with no vacation. So our farmer dutifully plows on, no pun intended!To feed so many people and make ends meet on the home front, our farmer is apt to have taken a second job. With today’s technology and partnerships with corporate agriculture, he can expand his operation to raise large numbers of livestock.

In considering prospects for the future, David Lasky expressed hope that more stream miles in the watershed would be fenced and planted with buffers.Funding is needed for these effective projects, because farmers cannot afford to do them alone. Gains in crop and livestock genetics have helped us gain yields for our world’s massive appetite. For instance, it is truly incredible how many pounds of milk–20,800 pounds per cow ranking third in the State--a cow from our “Swattie” neighborhood can produce in a year versus a cow from the Ukraine. (PA Ag Statistics Manual 2002-03) I get uncomfortable when I think how far we will be able to push this limit. Fortunately, agriculture economists seem to have great faith in American agriculture and do not spend much time worrying about such questions.

Farmers are a resilient sort. They know how to survive tough times. More and more of our “gardeners of the Swatara” are diversifying into ways to keep the ole’ ranch going. Some are running bed and breakfasts and/or craft shops. Others operate roadside stands or sell organic vegetables to niche markets. Driving a truck is another common second income for farmers. Value-added marketing is working its way into the picture.Currently, Connie Hoffer, the chairwoman of our County Conservation District raises bulls, and farms hundreds of acres of rental land. When I saw her at the builders show, she saw we had some samples of erosion control netting on display. She proceeded to tell me they sell their straw to East Coast Erosion Blankets, the company that produced the product we had on display. Now, the typical person may not think of this as agriculture, but it is, and it is a pretty neat phenomenon.How about your farmer neighbors constructing corn mazes and/or pumpkin patches, and growing Christmas trees--all made possible with a nice mix of ingenuity, hard work and a blessing of natural resources. Some farmers are earning extra income by allowing cell phone towers and billboards on their

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property. West Cornwall Township required one cell-tower to be designed to look like a silo so as not to disrupt the beautiful farmscape that lay along the scenic highway of Route 322 in southern Lebanon County. Do not be surprised if you see some wind farms and large tracts of native warm-season grasses like switchgrass show up in the Swatara region. The Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority, Pennsylvania Game Commission, and many farmers are already doing this on their tracts. Native grasses can be used as “carbon sinks” to buffer the effects of greenhouse gases like those being emitted by our society in other regions of the country. Farmers are being paid by pollution emitting industries to plant these sod forming, wildlife-valued grasses in places like Iowa and Montana. Why not here? If you like scientific terms, it’s called carbon sequestration. The biomass from these same grasses can be

used to generate electricity via gasification plants.

The Lebanon Valley is rated as a place with enough sustainable winds to allow a farmer to generate his own electricity via large windmills and sell the surplus energy back to the power companies. In fact we have a local small farmer, Vincent Fauci, who is already using his windmill (to self-power an aerator pump that keeps his pond algae and chemical free. The opportunities are exciting and near limitless if you are a farmer. As you drive the back roads of the Swatara watershed, you will see people raising emus for their meat and leather, alpacas and lamas for their wool, and ducks for the oriental markets and restaurants of eastern cities within less than a day’s drive. And yes, we have not even touched on the impressive local producer of rabbits (for commercial research purposes) and trout farm producing over one million pounds annually. Today, an attorney, doctor or entrepreneur who is boarding horses and growing timothy hay for them and the needs of our nearby racetrack industry may actually own that farm with which you may be familiar. Perhaps you do not consider trees and horticulture to be agriculture, but it is. Few farmers actually manage their woodlots for timber income, but it is a resource not to be ignored. One farmer has been growing evergreens for the wholesale nursery trade for years. He replenishes his soils with the townships composted leaf waste and rotates areas with more familiar crops. Another veterinarian/farmer has been growing Paulownia trees commercially on his spread for an oriental curio box niche market. Another family has a

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large plantation of black walnut trees on the land they just preserved through the Lebanon Valley Conservancy. Right on the banks of the Swatara, the wood from these black walnuts will be harvested by their grandchildren someday and planted again. The largest processor of hardwoods on the east coast makes its home in the Swatara basin. The cut flower industry is also in demand for that special touch at restaurants…no longer dependent on the haunts of Philadelphia, New York or Baltimore. Yes, agriculture along the Swatara is pretty diverse. Dairy, hog, poultry, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, rye, potatoes (significant to the northern Swatara area in Schuykill County) make this the breadbasket of the Commonwealth and multi-state region. The average sized farm in Lebanon County is 103 acres; Dauphin 115 acres; Schuylkill 123 acres; and Berks 115 acres. There are a total of 206,658.19 acres of agricultural land in the Swatara Watershed.

Large numbers of animals produce large amounts of manure estimated at 280,323 gallons per day from hogs and 3,466 tons per day in solids and semisolids from other classes of livestock. (SWCRCP, PASS, and PA Manure Management Manual) Such quantities present many challenges to keep it a valuable resource and not a problem waste product. A new state law that is unique in the United States, has helped farmers get in touch with the nutrients they are generating and how much can safely be applied to the land. These challenges are themselves yielding some new innovations such as manure composting and manure digestion. A Swatara farmer is investigating the digestion process as a means to generate his own electricity and sell the balance back to the power company.

Back at the office and on Capitol Hill, we have had to learn many new phrases as we work with agriculture. In fact, there is a list of four pages of acronyms floating around your conservation district to help you with the lingo! After all, if you are a farmer, or think you want to become one, who will help determine if you are a CAO (concentrated animal operation, a state designation equating to 2,000 pounds of livestock per acre) or a CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation, a federal designation relating to a certain number of head of different classes of livestock) thus needing a P-based NMP (phosphorous-based nutrient management plan, a nutrient management plan using phosphorous as the limiting nutrient) as part of your RMS (Resource Management System Conservation Plan, a conservation plan that covers all areas of your farm)? Oh, and while you are at it, you may want to consider CREP (the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a federal and state program taking less productive farmland out of production and returning it to woody plantings and

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wildlife cover). As the reader of this chapter, it is really not that important that we define all these acronyms for you. It is important for you to understand that agriculture, in the words of one of the Conservation District’s Associate Directors, is no longer just a “Rhode Island Red and a sow in the barn yard.” It is so much more. In fact, only the very under-valued, seasoned conservationist and the occasional farmer with whom he works, can command an understanding of these acronyms and the implications they carry for the farmer and all of society.

The challenges are truly great as we see increasing pressure on the land to provide us with new housing, food and fiber. With our soil and water taxed more than ever, the value of our farmers and their stewardship ethic has never been greater. It is a huge burden that farm families endure to support the average citizen, most of whom are too busy to realize how perilously their survival depends on that farmer, the caretaker of the natural resources that sustain them. It is nothing short of a miracle across our nation, as it is in the Swatara watershed, farmers and private landowners are the caretakers of the Country’s natural resources. If they did not care about our soil, water, forests and wildlife, we would not have survived the grim days of the dust bowl and rivers that actually caught fire from their toxic waste. As stewards of the land, we are not perfect, but we have come a long way. It is a great success story. Think about it. How many farmers out there do you think would actually advocate destroying

the soil and water that is the foundation of their livelihoods? Like most businesses, those who cannot adapt and endure will pass by the wayside. Most farmers in North America are the greatest land resource managers in the world. Who would have thought even 20 years ago we would be working with farmers to fence their livestock out of streams like the Swattie and its tributaries to improve the water quality and wildlife

resources for themselves and everyone downstream? Craig Morgan, Schuylkill Conservation District Director, actively works on correcting the impact the Upper and Lower Little Swatara have because of cattle farming and invasive species. Remember, these creeks were the essential lifeblood of the farms settled here by their German and Swiss forefathers. Their crops and livestock depended on the creeks. Paul Swartz tells how farming was the main occupation in the early years. Some of the Swartz descendants settled on the east side of the Swatara Creek between Hummelstown and Middletown in Dauphin County. It takes a whole new way of thinking for one to take something so central to their core mentality and accept new science from strangers to change for the greater good. But they are doing it! Not a single farmer whose creeks we have helped protect has come back to the Conservation District lamenting they would like to go back to the days of broken down stream banks, muddy, manure-polluted, lifeless waters and livestock with foot rot and udder diseases. Little is the argument

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when we talk to a farmer wanting to preserve his land. He knows he must protect the creek if the greater community is to preserve the farm forever. It’s that important. Most of the Lebanon County’s nearly 10,000 acres of preserved farmland lies in the Swatara watershed. All farms are required to have conservation plans and nutrient management plans (plans that balance animal and commercial fertilizers to meet crop needs) covering every acre of the farm’s, soil, water, woodlands and barnyard to make sure the natural resources are protected for all generations to come.

Some may challenge the notion that agriculture is the largest industry in our region and the Commonwealth. There is no doubt it is right near the top. No matter how you wish to define agriculture in our area these days, it is irrefutably important to our overall economy and well-being. It has assured us the safest and cheapest food supply in the world and protected our resources (natural, human and otherwise). Just ask the folks in New Jersey and Maryland who must travel to the Swatara watershed to buy farm equipment at places like Tractor Supply, Umbergers of Fontana, and Landis Brothers because the farming industry has left their areas. Agriculture was not viewed as a critical and valuable resource. These folks are helping sustain an agricultural economy in the Swatara region that employs thousands of local people directly or indirectly. According to the Lebanon Daily News, in 1922 we had 2,000 farms employing a much larger percentage of our population. Today we have less than half that number of farms employing a fraction of the people. Despite those telling statistics, agriculture here is even more significant today. It must be protected. Sorry to be trite and repetitive. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you have till it’s gone”. There is still time to save Swatara agriculture and save our heritage! Berks Dauphin Lebanon Schuylkill Cows 21,000 5,400 19,800 3,000 Hogs 53,400 4,800 125,000 12,300 Cattle 65,000 16,500 50,800 11,000 Sheep 1,700 3,950 1,500 -- Layers 1,950,800 885,000 2,484,000 1,536,200 Broilers 10,700,000 5,000 16,300,000 3,500,000

Manure Generation: • 1 milking cow - .065 tons/day • 1 hog – 3 gallons/day • 1 beef cattle - .039 tons/day • 1 sheep - .00002 tons/day • 1 layer-.0000432 tons/day • 1 broiler-.0000294 tons per day

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Chapter 5 Agnes Flood by Marta Trainer

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The storm struck Pennsylvania and the Swatara Watershed on June 21, and brought rains, which lasted five long days. This was 1972, prior to the sophisticated weather satellite systems used today. The flooding, a result of Hurricane Agnes during the 1972 hurricane season, started off as a tropical cyclone SW of the Florida Keys, between Cuba and the Florida coast. From June 15 - 25 the storm worked its way north along the east coast. Extensive flooding and the devastation caused by Hurricane Agnes was a surprise to many Pennsylvanians.

The weather predictions up until the rains began gave area residents no inclination as to what was to come. The Lebanon Daily News front page weather report on June 20, 1972 stated:

The Weather - Rain likely tonight and continuing through Wed.

Low tonight in high 60’s. High Wed. in the mid 70’s. As the storm made its way along the coast, most forecasters felt that the storm would eventually head towards the sea. However, on June 21 the Lebanon Daily News reported;

Flash flood watch in effect tonight with heavy rains. Rains continuing into Thursday.

That was the last edition of the Lebanon Daily News. When the rains came and the water rose, the newspaper printing press went under water. But, with the efforts of combined news teams and press from the Palm Press, the paper was able to print a “Tabloid Size” edition of the Lebanon Daily News on the 23rd. The headline read, “Flood Ravages Lebanon County.” The main story caption was, “Millions of Dollars of Damage Caused by Water - One Known Death Reported.” By June 26th the main story headline stated, “Two Is Official Death Toll Here From Hurricane.”

The Harrisburg Patriot News also felt the devastation of the flood. In an excerpt by Jim Fulbright, writer for the Collector’s Edition of FLOOD Pennsylvania 1972 , the following was stated:

“...the Harrisburg Patriot carried a story about heavy rains in central Pennsylvania. It pointed out that some streets and lowlands were under water and warned that several small tributaries of the Susquehanna River were about to overflow, but the story, printed late Wednesday night, concluded that the flooding was expected to be more serious in Western Pennsylvania...as it turned out it was the last edition of the newspaper until six days later...” (2).

The devastation within the watershed caused by the Agnes Flood was enormous. The Agnes Flood caused $2 billion in damages and 134 lives were lost (Longshore).

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Top left to bottom right: 5th Avenue & Cumberland streets, 9th Street where Rite Aid is located, Foodland 7th & Canal Streets, cars under water, Business District on

Cumberland Street, Wilkerson south of Pershing Avenue. (Photos courtesy of Lebanon Daily News.)

The flooding displaced many residents and many lost their homes entirely. Area residents living in flood prone areas could only wish for the rains to stop into the

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second and third, fourth and finally the fifth day. That fifth day, the rains did stop, but many residents had already lost personal possessions, keepsakes, old photographs and other irreplaceable mementos. For some the flood took more than that. They lost their homes and way of living. Some lost their lives. The following are some of the eyewitness accounts from area residents as they remembered the Agnes Flood during interviews with Swatara Creek Watershed Association volunteers.

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Chuck Allwein, former biology teacher, remembers when the Water Works Dam broke and houses were knocked off their foundation. His sister lived in the [Water Works] area. She had to leave in the middle of the night. He reported, “...she lost everything.” He remembers seeing the beds in the trees.

Animals were eventually reunited with their owners.

Tom Donmoyer, East Hanover Township Supervisor, recalled seeing refrigerators lodged in trees, 24 feet above the normal flow of the Swatara. Clyde Miller, retired Director of Lebanon County’s Emergency Management Agency, recalled water reaching the second-story windowsill of his home leaving dead rats, squirrels and fish inside. He also remembers seeing pieces of trailers left 20 feet up in the trees.

George H. Grumbine, formerly of Palmyra, remembered the 1972 flood more devastating then the 1933 flood. George spent many summers at Valley Glen which was a park built along side the Swatara. He recalled how prior flood waters reached four feet into his bungalow. The Agnes flood took the bungalow downstream along with the boats.

Lorraine Keeney, retired, worked at the Jonestown Bank during the flood. She recalled how the Jonestown Bank’s basement had flooded. The Jonestown Bicentennial records, which were stored in the Bank’s basement were completely lost. Lorraine’s husband Bruce, also retired, mentioned the following about the flood, “...everyone was affected, most of the people had water in [their] basements.” Heidi Neiswender, Palmyra resident and Bindagles Church Historian, said during an interview, “..it started raining on a Sunday and did not stop until Friday.” Her father-in-law called her to suggest they take their motorcycle to higher ground, meaning the church [Bindagles]. “He sat at the kitchen table smoking his cigarette,” she said. He was used to the Swattie coming up over the banks. He just sat and waited. He remembered back in 1936 when the water was high. It [flood of 1936] went into the first floor of the white barn across the Creek.

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As it turned out, the Agnes Flood lifted his house off the foundation. Water went into the second floor and there was mud and grit in the screens. While everything was covered with mud and the organ was toppled over, most everything stayed in it’s place, even a kerosene lamp sitting on the floor. As peculiar as that was, she stated that, “..he stayed calm. He had a lot of hardship in his life...a father who was killed by a drunken driver, and a son who

was killed in a fire. He was the oldest son, and had to take care of his brothers and sisters.” Later in the interview, Heidi went on to recall that HUD bought him a trailer, and he lived along the Swatara until the water came up and flooded him out again. He finally gave up, and moved. As Heidi pointed out, her father-in-law lost his way of life and the value of his home. He was not alone as the Agnes flood had displaced many area residents and many did not return.

Phil Feather, County Commissioner during the Agnes Flood, had just taken office for the first time. He recalled during an interview with Jo Ellen Litz, that there was a foot of water in the Lebanon County Courthouse basement and some of the equipment stored there was damaged. The EMA had to move to the fifth floor. As Phil recalled, he along with Tom Behney and Harry Fisher, the other commissioners during 1972, had to split their duties. He remembered that on the following July 4th weekend, he spent time processing flood damage claims, dealing face-to-face with people in trouble. All the commissioners could do was listen and offer food and a hotel to sleep.

Area residents and hotel keepers opened their doors for displaced residents.

Raymond J. Swingholm, retired science teacher, compared the 1936 and 1972 floods. He claimed the 1936 flood did not hit the Quittie as severely as the 1972 Agnes flood. He described the Agnes flood like “a raging river,” ten feet higher than normal on the Quittie. He recalled twelve inches of water accumulated in his basement and he had to use three hoses to siphon the water from getting any higher. In an attempt to save his washer and dryer, he built a platform and hoisted the washer and dryer onto the dry elevated surface. He also recalled the former Robert Hall store appearing like Niagara Falls.

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It was an incredible sight to see such an occurrence in nature. Hurricane Agnes brought rains to the area for five days. The grounds, already saturated, could no longer absorb the unwanted rains. Many bridges became unsafe and roads closed as repairs were needed. Some bridges were swept away like one over the Hazel Dyke. A bridge in the Hershey area had also been

swept away. According to an article on June 30, 1972, the Lebanon Daily News stated the County maintained 15 bridges. One bridge in Annville was destroyed. Others were damaged. All streams and tributaries of the Swatara Creek had risen well over flood stage.

Ed Chubb, Director of Dauphin County Parks and Recreation, recalled during a SCWA interview how he had been a volunteer fire fighter in 1972. He remembers pumping out basements for days. He also remembered how the flood waters caused one covered bridge to give way, which wiped out another bridge.

As devastating as the flood waters turned out to be, area residents pulled together in order to survive the ordeal nature produced. Surviving the flood gave rise to many heroes. Neighbors helped neighbors and volunteers worked around the clock where and when it was possible helping those caught in the flood to reach safety. Much of the watershed area was without utility and telephone service and the residents needed communications in this emergency situation. The newspaper ran article after article reporting on the progression of flood related events. Area residents depended on the newspaper and local radio stations in order to gain needed information. The news stations reported the latest updates as they were happening. They announced where the relief

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centers were located and what roadways and businesses were open and unfortunately which ones were not. The paper even ran an article on “Flood Information On The Treatment of Household Linens.”

The following are highlights from articles that ran in the Lebanon Daily News on July 1, 1972;

- It was estimated that $1.4 billion in damage occurred to businesses throughout the state. The Secretary of Commerce introduced into legislature the availability of a low cost loan that would assist flood victims whose businesses were destroyed.

- The Labor & Industry Secretary said that those made homeless by the flood will receive a minimum of $54 per week through federal

funding. [Minimum wage was near $2.25. Haircuts at Pomeroy’s and J.C. Penny cost $2.50] - Most homeowner’s policies did not cover flood insurance. As stated by the president of the Lebanon Association of Independent Insurance Agents, “...flood insurance will be made available in the near future by the Federal Government.” - “The Lebanon County Council of Churches requested all local pastors to announce to their congregations the need for volunteer help.”

These stories and more were continuous throughout the Agnes Flood ordeal. The crews reporting at the center of the news stations were also struggling with the effects of the Agnes Flood. Many worked around the clock. At the time, area residents were asked to stay in their homes, if at all possible, so that emergency crews could get through.

The National Guard and Red Cross were called upon for their help. Safety areas were designated for the needy. One of those safety areas happened to be the

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“Gap”. Fort Indiantown Gap was a dry area. The Gap was used to “deploy troops for recovery efforts,” according to Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver. Because it was a dry area, equipment was brought into the Gap for rescue efforts.

The Harding Elementary School, Municipal Building, YMCA and the Hebron United Methodist Church all became evacuation centers. According to the Lebanon Daily News on June 26, 1972, “...thirty-seven two and a half ton transportation trucks were used to take the people from their homes to the centers.”

Michael Pavelek, Executive Director of the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority, though not living in the area at the time, recalled flying over the Swatara Watershed in 1972. He actually saw coffins, houses, cars and chicken coups floating downstream.

Aerial eyewitness accounts and photographs taken at the time began to put the Agnes Flood into perspective. The flooded area engulfed an enormous part of the Swatara Creek Watershed. Clean up efforts would also take a tremendous amount of effort. The Lebanon landfill personnel did their share of helping during the Agnes flood. Residents were allowed to dispose of flood damaged refuse free of charge for a short period. One way or another, cleaning up the flood debris was an enormous task. The flood waters affected everyone.

John Wengert, plant manager of the Wengert’s Swiss Dairy Plant, Lebanon, recalled the following during an interview with SWCA. The flooding caused milk distribution problems because both drivers and machine operators were stranded. As stated from his interview abstract by Jean Henry and Mary Louise Sherk, “One machine operator, after spending about three days at the plant, decided to go home; he swam from 12th and Oak to 16th and Lehman Streets. His fellow workers thought they would never see him again, but he made it.”

By the end of June, it was reported in the Lebanon Daily News that 800 persons had filed for unemployment, and those numbers were only going to rise. Many businesses were lost. The Cornwall mines of the Bethlehem Cornwall Corporation flooded. Car dealerships suffered losses as their lots flooded. All area businesses near waterways or in low lying areas suffered.

HA Boyd 12th & Chestnut Sts.

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Home owners suffered a tremendous loss also. It had been estimated in a report by the Department of Community Affairs that 70,400 homes were affected, which cost area residents and the state approximately $500 million (LDN).

Most of the Swatara Creek Watershed is within a 100 year flood plan. The flood plan estimates that the odds of a flood are 100:1 on any given day of that particular year.

The last flood prior to Hurricane Agnes Flood of 1972 had hit the area in 1933 according to the Encyclopedia of Hurricanes but some of the local residents claim it to have happened in 1936.

The Future of Flooding in the Area

The Agnes Flood caused an estimated $2 billion in damages and not only displaced many people but claimed 134 lives. It was stated that the Susquehanna flow exceeded one billion cubic feet of water per second.

Hurricane Agnes will never hit the area again. The name Agnes, as far as hurricane names go, has been retired along with others such as Camille 69’, Gilbert 88’, Hugo 89’ and Andrew 92’ (Allaby). Agnes will never surge into Pennsylvania again but it is highly probable that another storm will. Are we prepared? Well, since the Agnes Flood, innovations in communications and satellite weather tracking devices have aided forecasters in predictions of possible flooding. Hopefully this enables EMA and local residents to prepare for emergency situations like flooding. Although when the flood waters rise, sometimes there is no stopping nature.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission has improved the “basin wide flood forecast and warning system” and also is committed to working with the National Weather Service to incorporate ideas for improvement. There is also shared information with “local interests on successful flood-related programs, such as flood evacuation plans, flood maps, or communication systems” and noted in an overview from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission [SRBC].

The Agnes Flood changed the way emergency situations are handled in the area and because of the awareness of the devastation flood waters may bring, structural changes have also been added to existing waterways and drainage areas in order to accommodate flood stages.

Within the city of Lebanon, the Hazel Dyke on the Quittapahilla Creek has been restructured in several areas. It is now believed that should a flood occur within the watershed, existing waterways should be able to handle the flow as flood

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waters would be channeled downstream at a rate less disastrous for downstream residents.

According to Penn State resources there are, in the state of Pennsylvania, 65,000 miles of streams in addition to the added 2,400 lakes, reservoirs and ponds, which total approximately 47 trillion gallons of ground water. The average rainfall in Pennsylvania is 42 inches, which “replenishes supplies”. June of 1972, Hurricane Agnes brought into the Pennsylvania area anywhere from 5 - 18 inches of rain in five days. It was noted that over 18 inches of precipitation fell in the Swatara Creek Watershed Area. Robert McNamee, Lebanon Daily News, County Editor at the time, reported measuring 9.98 inches of rainfall in a 24 hour period as was stated on June 23, 1972.

All of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties were declared Federal Disaster Areas. Over saturation, backed up storm drains and waterways due to flood debris, and impervious surfaces will continue to contribute to flood results. It is so important to maintain and monitor existing waterways in order to accommodate and prepare for future emergency situations.

Creek Watershed will not have to contend with another disastrous flood like that of theod of 1972. The devasted by the Agnes Flood was e five

days.

Robert C. Smith II and John H. Barnes, Geologists, Pennsylvania Geological Survey, stated the following after the Pennsylvania Geological Survey Headquarters also flooded during the Agnes Flood, “...But more floods will come, and there is nothing sacred about a 200 year old record book on a 4.5 billion year old planet.” In their article they suggest that the following questions are asked. Do you know if you live in a flood prone area? Do you know the depth of the water table beneath your property and how much it fluctuates? Also, do you live in a limestone or dolomite area that is prone to sinkholes? The former Geological headquarters resided in a floodplain. As stated by Mr. Smith II and Mr. Barnes, “Geology has taught us that Earth has changed and will continue to change.” Floods will also come and go. Hopefully through today’s sophisticated weather monitoring equipment and management programs, area residents that reside and work in low lying areas will at least be forewarned of a disastrous event such as flooding and will be able to head to higher ground in order to save lives.

The photographs are courtesy of the Lebanon Daily News.

Special Thank You to all the Swatara Creek Watershed Association Interviewee’s:

♦ Paul Baker, Managing Editor, Lebanon Daily News, ♦ Phyllis Whitman, Librarian, Lebanon Daily News,

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♦ Photography Department at the Lebanon Daily News and ♦ the Lebanon County Historical Society.

References

Allaby, Michael. (1997). Hurricanes. NY: Facts on File.

Barnes-Svarney, Patricia. (2002). Awful Agnes. Weatherwise, 55(38). Retrieved May 18, 2004 from ProQuest database.

CCEO.org. (n.d.). Construction of a Flood Plan. Retrieved May 4, 2004 from http://www.cceo.org/specialflood.htm .

Fulbright, Jim. (1972). Flood Pennsylvania - 1972 Collector’s Edition. TV Host, Inc., Harrisburg, PA: Timothy E. Euker., & David Berner. (Pubs.)

Garoogian, David (Ed.). (2000). Weather America 2001 2nd Ed. Lakeville, CT: Grey House.

Lebanon Daily News. Lebanon, PA. (1972, June-July).

Longshore, David. (2000). Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones. NY: Facts on File. (www.factsonfile.com)

PennState. (2000). Valuing Pennsylvania’s Water Resources. The Pennsylvania State University.

Smith II, Robert C. & John H. Barnes (1996). Geology Past, Present, and Future. Pennsylvania Geology, 27, 2. Retrieved May 4, 2004 from http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/classroom/earthday.aspx.

SRBC. Susquehanna River Basin Commission. (2004). Programs & Activities Overview. Retrieved June 10, 2004 from http://www.srbc.net/fpmgmtprogram.htm.

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Chapter 6 Swatara Creek Watershed Water Supply

“Droughts and Drinking Water” by Betty Conner

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The water resources of the Swatara Watershed have been important during all stages of its history. Prior to European settlement, abundant water resources in streams and springs were important to Native Americans who used the waters for drinking, washing and travel. Early settlers in the 18th century were attracted to the same water resources as they engaged in farming, mining and trade. Drinking water was usually supplied from springs or groundwater wells. The first chartered public water supply in the country was created in 1752 in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County just outside of the Swatara Watershed. The source of water was a spring uphill from the village. A set of wooden pipes conveyed the water to a fountain in the town center. The spring in Fountain Park still exists today.

Early in the 19th century water became an important means of transportation of goods and people in the Swatara Watershed when the Union Canal was constructed to connect the Schuylkill River with the Susquehanna River. Agricultural products, coal, iron, timber and manufactured goods were transported to Philadelphia or Baltimore. In the 19th century coal mining began to impact water quality in the northern part of the Swatara watershed. Following the Civil War, industry expanded and railroads replaced the canal for transportation. Population growth and epidemics of typhoid fever prompted the construction of a public water system for the City of Lebanon. The source of supply was an impoundment built on Hammer Creek in Rexmont near the Cornwall mines. With the rise of the steel industry and continued population growth in the 20th century, a larger water system was needed. In 1949 an intake

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7.2 MGD

9.5 MGD (32.0% Increase)

5.8 MGD

6.85 MGD (18.1% Increase)

3.2 MGD

4.2 MGD(32.6% Increase)

-

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

7,000,000

8,000,000

9,000,000

10,000,000

Gal

lons

Per

Day

(GPD

)

Lebanon MWA PA American - HersheyDistrict

United Water of PA

Suppliers

Swatara Creek Watershed - Current (2001) and Projected(2030) Water Demand for Major Water Suppliers

Current WaterDemand

Projected WaterDemand (2030)

was built on the Swatara Creek at Jonestown, and a reservoir was created on Mill Creek in Schuylkill County. The waters from both are transported to a water treatment plant that still serves the city today.

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The uses for water resources in the Swatara Watershed include public and private drinking water supplies, industry, agriculture, energy production, fire protection, recreation, and minimum stream flows for aquatic and terrestrial life. With an average precipitation of 44 inches per year, all these demands on the water supply can be met. During drought years, however, agricultural crops may require irrigation, and conservation measures are necessary to insure adequate supplies of drinking water.

A recent study of the public water supplies and water resources of the Swatara Watershed was conducted in 2003 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Capital Region Water Board. The purpose of the study was to determine the projected demand for public drinking water by the year 2030 and to identify various options for expanding the supply.

7

US Army Corps of EngineersBaltimore District

Major Water Supplier Service Areas

There are three large public water suppliers in the Swatara Watershed: Pennsylvania American Water Company, United Water Company and Lebanon City Authority. The study found that, of the three, only the Lebanon Authority would possibly face a shortage during severe droughts by the year 2030, based on projections of population growth and industrial/commercial development. The Lebanon Authority sources of surface water are located in the upper reaches of the Swatara Watershed while the other two companies withdraw water from the

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Swatara downstream where the flow is much greater. The primary source of water for the Lebanon Authority is a reservoir in Schuylkill County.

Christian E. Siegrist Reservoir

The Christian E. Siegrist Reservoir is located in the middle of a 2000+-acre exceptional value (EV) watershed composed mainly of State Game Lands, providing even more protection for Lebanon’s primary source of drinking water. A 1994 expansion increased capacity three-fold to 1.2 billion gallons. A secondary source is the intake on Swatara Creek at Jonestown.

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US Army Corps of Engineers

The Army Corps of Engineers’ Study found that the Lebanon Authority system could face a deficit by the year 2030 of 1.5 to 2.7 mgd for 210 days during a severe drought equivalent to the drought of 1980. The Study identified eight alternatives, which could be implemented singly or in combination, to meet shortages by 2030. One of the options identified in the study was to repair the leaks in the distribution system. Currently over 1 million gallons per day are lost in the system due to aging infrastructure. Another option is to encourage conservation measures such as water-saving plumbing devices, drought resistant landscaping, and recycling of water used by industry. It was estimated that up to 20% demand reduction could be achieved by conservation.

An important result of the study was the recognition of the abundant groundwater resources of the Swatara Watershed, especially in the limestone areas. One of the options for the Lebanon Authority system during droughts would be to utilize wells to supplement the surface water sources. A fourth option would be to pump water from a large limestone quarry in the watershed that is currently discharging 13 million gallons per day.

Comparison of Siegrist Reservoir Levels and Swatara Creek Flow at Lebanon Intake

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Jan-94 Jan-95 Jan-96 Jan-97 Jan-98 Jan-99 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02

Date

Res

evoi

r Lev

el (f

t)

0

0

0

0

1

10

100

1000

10000

Stre

am F

low

at L

eban

on In

take

(MG

D)

SiegristResevoirLevel

Flow atLebanonIntake

FlowbyRequirement

Min. level = -18 ft (685 MG of storage remaining) (6.5 MGD max. gravity flow to WTP)

Normal level = 0 ft (1,180 MG of storage remaining) (7.1 MGD max. gravity flow to WTP)

Notes:Flow estimatedbased on Harper Tavern gage using Harper Tavern/Inwood flow correlation.

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A fifth option would be to create a second reservoir by building a dam on the Swatara Creek in the Swatara Gap. The quality of the impounded water would depend upon the effectiveness of upstream cleanup of: acid mine drainage, nonpoint source pollution from agriculture and streambank erosion, and point source discharges from industry and sewage treatment plants.

Study Area

Swatara Creek Watershed = approx. 571 square miles

Counties within watershed:

Berks, Dauphin, Lebanon, Schuykill

A sixth alternative would be to reverse the flow of an existing interconnection with PA American Water Company. The interconnection has a capacity of 2.8 million gallons per day.

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A seventh alternative would be to connect to existing surface waters such as Memorial Lake or Sweet Arrow Lake.

Memorial Lake State Park

The eighth alternative would be to make changes in the regulatory requirements for “flow by” and conservation releases, or changes to existing Siegrist Reservoir operating rules.

In addition to the large public systems, there are also a number of small public water supplies in the watershed that use groundwater as their source. There are also some water bottling operations that use springs and groundwater. About 50% of the population relies on private wells for drinking water.

One of the aspects of water resources management that is receiving increased attention today is stormwater management. Recharge of groundwater is being encouraged rather than rapid discharge of stormwater to streams. Capture and storage of stormwater can provide water for nonpotable uses during droughts.

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Chapter 7 TMI

By Jo Ellen Litz

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Canoeing down the Swatara Creek, one can see Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant on an island near the mouth of the Swatara. It's an impressive site of four hourglass shaped concrete structures reaching into the sky. The white plumes of cooling steam filter upward like smoke from a chimney. March 28, 2004 marked the 25th anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident when Unit 2 reactor overheated during a mechanical or electrical failure. After the reactor shut down automatically, pressure built up in the system. A valve stuck open, and workers didn't realize there was a problem that allowed escape of water that was supposed to cool the reactor. When the alarms finally went off, a team of workers decided to reduce the flow of the cooling water, which in turn caused the temperature to rise even further. Fuel pellets began to melt when the metal tubes split from overheated nuclear fuel. In the early accident stages, close to half of the core melted.

With aging nuclear facilities around the world, media and volunteers descended upon the Swatara and surrounding watersheds to report on what was going on and/or assist in some way. Mike Pavelek was one of those volunteers. He came equipped with meters and gauges that he used at his place of employment. At one point, he was in an aircraft with a crop duster who flew over Unit 2.

A proponent of nuclear power, after the accident, Mike chose to settle in the area near TMI. He left the energy field to serve as the executive director of the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority.

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Nuclear Power had been touted as a cheap, efficient, and safe means of power. For the first time, the reality of a nuclear disaster from a nuclear power facility hit home. Milk from field grazed cows was unusable. Drinking water was bought in bottled containers. President Jimmy Carter, Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh, and County Commissioners in Dauphin, and neighboring Lebanon, York, Lancaster, Cumberland, Perry, Juniata, Snyder, Northumberland, and Schuylkill had to evaluate whether or not to evacuate people. Eventually, an imaginary 25-mile radius was evaluated for nuclear contamination. Prevailing wind and direction of water flow placed some areas at higher risk than other areas.

In Lebanon County, former Commissioner Phil Feather recalled a red phone, just like in the movies, that proved to be less useful than watching the local news. However emergencies like the TMI accident, floods, and hurricanes made authorities realize the importance of a permanent Emergency Management Agency during peacetime. Old Civil Defense armbands were replaced with EMA patches, and personnel are now trained in all aspects of rescue, from hazardous materials cleanup to water rescue. During drills conducted by the Pennsylvania and Federal emergency management agencies, County Commissioners meet with their respective county EMAs to practice decision-making skills. At the time of TMI, Clyde Miller was the director of Lebanon County EMA.

Lebanon County was fortunate to secure Mike Pavelek as its radiological officer. His expertise is an asset for both common sense and knowledgeable advice.

Today, emergency evacuation plans for a ten mile radius (reduced from the original 25 miles) are found in the blue pages of telephone books. Information includes what to do if you hear a three to five minute steady siren tone, which radio and television stations to tune in to, shelter and evacuation instructions, as well as rumor control. TMI emergency classifications include: an unusual event, an alert, a site area emergency, and a general emergency.

TMI By Gail Phelps Smith

A strange yellow haze tinged the gray mist that hung over the lower Susquehanna Valley for a few days in the first week of spring as an unusual temperature inversion blanketed our Valley. The air stayed close and very still for several days.

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Oddly, the spring air throughout the Valley smelled and tasted of bitter metals instead of the sweetness of early flowers, sunshine, warming soil and greening life. It was the end of March 1979. And it was also the end of normal life, as we had known it throughout the Valley, for many years to come.

Three Mile Island. Wednesday, March 28, 1979. In the early hours before dawn, Three Mile Island Unit 2 lost all coolant fluids from the nuclear fuel core because of a series of engineering design defects, equipment malfunctions, government failures, operator errors and company mismanagement.

The uranium fuel core superheated, reaching a molten state that began to melt through the containment vessel. In a worst-case accident, the melting of nuclear fuel would become unstoppable and would lead to a breach of the walls of the containment building and release of massive quantities of radiation and radioactive materials to the air, the island and the Susquehanna River.

Much of the initial operator confusion was later found to stem from weeks of deliberate falsification of serious leak rates from the pressure relief valves, and the habit the operators had acquired of ignoring high temperature warning signals. The coolant had been leaking for weeks and accumulating in the reactor drain tank, but the management falsified these records. TMI’s owner finally pled guilty years later to a criminal charge of falsifying the leak rates to prevent the costs of a shut down for necessary repairs. Operators were accustomed to ignoring dangerous radioactive leaks and failed to recognize the seriously high coolant temperatures recorded at the pressure relief valves. The core temperature rose rapidly as the coolant escaped, resulting in a partial meltdown of the nuclear core.

Fear spread through the Valley. Radiation monitoring equipment went off scale, and filtering systems at TMI clogged and became useless. Unmeasured curies of deadly radioactive releases spread through the Valley. Days would pass before the company or government scientists knew whether the reactor was stabilized or would cause an imminent catastrophe. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission later reported, “new concerns arose by the morning of Friday, March 30. A significant release of radiation from the plant’s auxiliary building, performed to relieve pressure on the primary system and avoid curtailing the flow of coolant to the core, caused a great deal of confusion and consternation.”

The operators and the federal regulators had no idea what was really happening within the reactor, and the state and local governments had no help from the federal government on protecting the public. Should they evacuate the public? If so, how, who, where, and for how long a time?

By Friday morning, the situation became so uncertain that Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh advised an immediate evacuation of pregnant women and young children within 5 miles of TMI. But the local day-care centers,

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elementary schools and counties had no information on exactly how to do this. Volunteer school bus drivers were not available at that hour, and many parents were at work. Shelters and transportation were unavailable. Local “emergency plans” were woefully inadequate or just blank pages. Many local young children were sent home from school in mid-morning on Friday on foot, unprotected, unaccompanied, and unbeknownst to their parents. Worse still, children walked home through unmonitored radioactive releases from the continuing reactor meltdown. Thousands of local citizens evacuated the area in droves.

By sheer luck, the correct valves were turned on for the wrong reasons, and chance voids existing in the coolant prevented the molten fuel from burning through the reactor walls completely. But it would be years before this was known. It would also be years before the true extent of the meltdown was verified.

The two nuclear generating units at Three Mile Island began as a promise from government, scientists and industry of safe, clean, modern affordable electricity to power the Valley and bring prosperity, industry, jobs and convenience. The electric power in our homes and businesses was to become “too cheap to meter” and was promised eventually to replace wood, oil, gas and coal with the best that modern science could bring us. President Nixon’s administration had planned to build 2000 nuclear generating units throughout the nation by the year 2000. New homes and businesses were wired for “clean” electric heat for efficiency, economy and protection of the environment. At least, that was the promise.

Three Mile Island Unit 2 produced electricity for only 90 days. Construction costs and cleanup bills amounted to more than 2 billion dollars, or an average of $10 million dollars per operating day. The plant’s designer and owners eventually paid more than $22 million dollars in fines and penalties.

In the end, no more nuclear generating plants were ordered in this country after the nuclear core of Three Mile Island Unit 2 turned to molten uranium when the coolant system failed very early in the morning of March 28, 1979. Known, unknown and unmonitored amounts of radioactive gases and liquid coolants were released to the air or to the river before, during and afterwards. The plant owner and the government failed to monitor or control the radioactive releases. The federal nuclear regulatory system failed us, ending our confidence in government’s ability to control the technology or plant operators. It marked the end of the unchallenged beginnings of the nuclear power industry. What we did not know then was whether the partial meltdown of Three Mile Island also marked the end of any future possibility of a clean environment, agricultural vitality, or public health and safety in the Susquehanna Valley.

But there is another more important legacy of Three Mile Island. Citizens throughout the Susquehanna Valley gathered in churches, homes, auditoriums,

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and union halls and in the public square to see what they could do to protect their communities, their families and their Valley from nuclear power failure. Central Pennsylvanians have made the world a safer place and insisted on safety precautions during the cleanup at TMI.

The Environmental Coalition on Nuclear Power had begun contesting the technical safety of nuclear power plants and the fuel cycle many years before the accident at TMI. Their extensive technical legal challenges to the licensing of local nuclear plants were tied up in administrative red tape while the plants began operating. Many of their legal contentions were scoffed at and ignored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission but proved to be exactly true by the chilling realities of the TMI accident.

The Harrisburg area citizen group Three Mile Island Alert, which began before the accident, energized citizen action in the area for decades and still actively monitors TMI and effectively supports safe alternative and renewable energy options.

The Susquehanna Valley Alliance brought suit successfully to prevent the discharge of 700,000 gallons of radioactive wastewater into the Susquehanna above the drinking water intakes for the City of Lancaster. The Anti-Nuclear Group Representing York successfully persuaded the Public Utility Commission to remove the twin reactor TMI Unit 1 from rate base for years while it was out of service, and prevented TMI Unit 1 from restarting for seven years until major changes in operations had been made.

Countless individual local citizens spent their time and money achieving remarkable successes against the nuclear industry. They documented and brought to light serious health effects and unusual cancer patterns in the area linked to the accident. They tediously studied technical reports and forced the government to take action against the plant management for allowing cheating on licensing examinations by reactor operators. They questioned local emergency plans and forced extensive revisions, including the provision of potassium iodide supplies to prevent thyroid cancer. They helped citizens in other areas find ways to control or close other nuclear power plants. They improved communications with plant operators and government regulators.

People throughout the area felt the surge of the real power source of democracy: the power to make a difference in their lives through effective, thoughtful, reasoned and disciplined citizen action.

The local citizens voted overwhelmingly to stop the restart of TMI Unit 1 years after the accident had closed Unit 2, but their voices were ignored, finally, by the federal government. Clouds of steam from the cooling towers of TMI Unit 1 still fill the air over the Susquehanna Valley. But the citizens have required the

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government to improve training for plant operators and first responders and have demanded improved monitoring and plant safety.

The large Susquehanna River island, named for its location three miles south of the historic colonial town of Middletown, has become contaminated with deadly radioactive waste for future millennia. Radioactive waste will be our “modern” culture’s legacy to the island and to the River, lying there beside the many archeological remains of pottery chards and ancient stone tools from the first “primitive” settlers of that island in the Susquehanna. Their primitive legacy to succeeding generations was the unspoiled beauty of the Susquehanna River Valley. We can only hope their spirits will forgive us for our failed environmental stewardship at Three Mile Island and that we will yet learn to protect our natural heritage for the benefit of the generations yet to come.

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Chapter 8 Recreation by Karen Light

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The Swatara Creek Watershed offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities: Memorial Lake and Swatara are the two state parks located in Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties that are enjoyed by a great number of visitors.

Memorial Lake State Park is surrounded by Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation and consists of 230 acres with an 85-acre lake as a centerpiece. It is open year-round and offers facilities for boating (non-motorized), fishing, ice fishing, sail boarding, hiking, birding, picnicking, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. Ball fields for softball and volleyball are near the picnic areas. During spring and fall migrations, the lake hosts a myriad of shore birds and waterfowl.

Swatara State Park provides a natural area for enjoyable family recreation throughout the year. The nine-mile Railroad Bed, stretching from Lickdale through the Park to Pine Grove, provides a multi-use trail for hiking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, dog sledding and biking. Horseback riding is permitted on the berm of the Park’s public roads.

Equest r ian Cam pingEquest r ian Cam ping

The old portion of Route 443, which is now closed to traffic, is a super choice for families with children who want a safe place to ride bicycle or use their in-line skates. Using the Waterville walking bridge as an access to the old road, those with physical handicaps are able to enjoy getting out into the park. Hikers on the

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Appalachian Trail also cross the Waterville Bridge as they head north to Maine or south to Georgia.

The Swatara Creek presents a quiet ride for individuals in boats, rafts, canoes, and kayaks while displaying a varied panoramic view of habitats, which provide homes for many birds, amphibians, fish, reptiles and mammals. Anglers are attracted to the Swatara Creek, Trout Run and other small streams in the park. In the cold water areas of the streams they may be lucky enough to catch some native brook trout.

Im provem ent sIm provem ent s

The historical and archaeological value of the Park, with the remnants of the Old Union Canal and several locks, the possible Indian Campsites and trails, and the fossil beds afford one many hours of interesting explorations.

An exciting development plan for Swatara State Park was unveiled by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The plan includes an amphitheater and visitors center.

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Visitors Center

County parks located in the watershed are in Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties. No county parks are located in the Berks or Dauphin County sections of the watershed.

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The Union Canal Tunnel Park, Lebanon County includes 108 acres of woods and meadows which surround the National Historic Landmark Tunnel and 0.67 miles of watered canal. The tunnel is the oldest in the nation to be cut through solid rock and was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1970. A picnic area is provided and hiking and birding are enjoyed on the several wooded and meadow trails. Union Canal Days take place in May each year. Each Sunday during the summer, canal boat rides are offered to visitors.

Governor Dick, Mt. Gretna, Lebanon County contains a newly constructed educational center. The land was originally purchased in 1934 by Clarence Schock, past president of SICO. In 1963, the Mount Joy School District, now Donegal, was named trustee. But in November 1997, Donegal decided it no longer wanted to manage the park. Schock stipulated the area must be used as a playground and public park.Governor Dick has an observation tower and hiking area. In 1998, the Lebanon County Commissioners joined forces with SICO Foundation to manage 1,100 acres to be known as the "Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick." A six member board of trustees, three appointed by the county and three by SICO, serve staggered three-year terms. Monument Park is a County owned park in the City of Lebanon. Located along Lehman Street, most countians are acquainted with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in the park and are probably aware that it commemorates Lebanon countians who died in the Civil War. Monument Park also occupies part of the ground used by the 93rd

Regiment,Pennsylvania Volunteers, when they were recruited as a regiment in 1861.

In 1996, the 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteers (Civil War reenactment) placed a small granite stone with a bronze plaque that reads, "These grounds are part of the site of "Camp Coleman," where the 93rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers trained during the

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autumn of 1861 for participation in the American Civil War. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States on October 28, 1861, with an enrollment of 1,020 officers and men. The 93rd participated in 26 major battles of the Civil War, serving honorably with the Union Armies of the Potomac and Shenandoah, until mustering out on June 27, 1865."

• Sweet Arrow Lake is located on Sweet Arrow Lake Road east of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County. It is used for passive recreation, picnicking, fishing and boating. This park is undergoing extensive development.

Municipal Parks within Berks and Schuylkill Counties in the Swatara Watershed

Name Municipality County Type Rehersburg Lions Field TulpehockenTwp. Berks Lions Club Mt. Aetna Lions Field TulpehockenTwp. Berks Lions Club

Veterans Park Pine Grove Borough

Schuylkill Passive/Playground

Frog Hollow Environmental Center Wayne Twp. Schuylkill Nature Center (privately operated)

Municipal Parks within Dauphin County in the Swatara Watershed

Name Municipality Type Memorial Field Derry Twp. MultiUse Palmdale Park Derry Twp. Athletic/Picnic

Shank Park Derry Twp. MultiUse Koons Park

(Lions Club Field) Derry Twp. Athletic/Picnic

Hershey Recreation Center Derry Twp. MultiUse Chocolatetown Square Derry Twp. Passive

Boathouse Park Derry Twp. Passive Bullfrog Valley Pond Derry Twp. Passive

Shaffner Park HummelstownBorough MultiUse Mahaffey Park HummelstownBorough MultiUse

Nature Trail HummelstownBorough MultiUse Graystone Park HummelstownBorough Under Construction

Koons Park Lower Paxton Twp. MultiUse Brightbill Park Lower Paxton Twp. MultiUse/Comm.Ctr.

Buchannan Tract Lower Paxton Twp. Passive/UndevelopedHodges Heights Park Lower Paxton Twp. MultiUse

Lamplight Park Lower Paxton Twp. MultiUse MeadowBrook Park Lower Paxton Twp. MultiUse

George Memorial Park Lower Paxton MultiUse Old Reliance Park Lower Swatara Twp. MultiUse

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Park at Middletown H.S. Lower Swatara MultiUse East Hanover Park East Hanover Twp. MultiUse

Manor Park West Hanover Twp. MultiUse Fairville Park West Hanover Twp. MultiUse

West Hanover MunicipalPark West Hanover Twp. Undeveloped Lawrence Park West Hanover Twp. Undeveloped

Mount Laurel Park West Hanover Twp. Wooded/Passive 2 Elem. School Playgrounds West Hanover Twp. Playground/Athletic

Swatara Park South Hanover Twp. MultiUse Kiwanas Park Royalton Borough MultiUse Hoffer Park Middletown Borough MultiUse

Oak Hills Park Middletown Borough MultiUse Frey Manor Park Middletown Borough MultiUse

Etnoyer Park Middletown Borough MultiUse Colston Park Middletown Borough MultiUse

Swatara Boat Launch Middletown Borough Boat Launch Municipal Parks within Lebanon County in the Swatara Watershed

Name Municipality Type

West Lebanon Recreation Area W. Lebanon Twp. MultiUse West Lebanon Playground W. Lebanon Twp. Playground Quittie Creek Nature Park Annville Twp. Passive/Nature

Maple Street Park Annville Twp. Athletic (Privately maintained)

Coleman Memorial Park City of Lebanon MultiUse Northeast Park City of Lebanon MultiUse Southwest Park City of Lebanon MultiUse

Meadowbanks Park City of Lebanon Passive/Trail Stoever’s Dam City of Lebanon MultiUse, Nature Barn Fishers Park City of Lebanon Passive

Lebanon Park at Sixth & Poplar Sts. City of Lebanon Greenspace North Lebanon Park along Rt. 72 North Lebanon MultiUse North Lebanon Lions Lake Park North Lebanon Walking Paths, Paddle

Boats, fishing North Lebanon Township Park North Lebanon MultiUse

Avon Playground South Lebanon MultiUse South Hills Park South Lebanon MultiUse

Heritage Park Palmyra MultiUse Firemans Park Palmyra Playground

South East Park Palmyra Athletic Garfield St. Park Cleona MultiUse

Jonestown Borough Playground Jonestown MultiUse Levitz Park East Hanover MultiUse

Fire Co. Park @ Greble Rd. Bethel Athletic/Passive

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The following paragraphs give a brief synopsis of several parks located adjacent to the streams in the watershed:

Hoffer Park is a six (6) acre facility located on Swatara Creek in the Borough of Middletown, Dauphin County. This park is a multi-use park that is used for numerous recreational and community activities. It contains several basketball and tennis courts, one beach volleyball court, two picnic pavilions and a playground. The park also offers access to Swatara Creek for fishing.

Swatara Creek Park is about a 15 acre recreational area located adjacent to Swatara Creek in South Hanover Township, Dauphin County. This park is a multi-use facility with baseball/soccer fields, a playground, and a picnic pavilion with grilling facilities. The park also provides fishing access to Swatara Creek and contains a section of the Union Canal and Tow Path. A portion of the park is an undeveloped wetland.

Quittie Creek Nature Park is an approximately 23 acre park located along the northern bank of Quittapahilla Creek in Annville Township, Lebanon County. The property was obtained by Annville Township in 1967 from the Bethlehem Mines.From approximately 1903 through 1952, the site was used as a limestone quarry and kiln, the remnants of which can still be observed in the park. Quittie Creek Nature Park is currently used for passive recreational pursuits as well as fishing and canoeing access. The park also contains an interpretive nature trail.

Cleona Elementary School Park is a 13.4 acre facility located on the north bank of Quittapahilla Creek in the Borough of Cleona, Lebanon County. The park is essentially an extension of the playground at the Cleona Elementary School.The facility allows for passive recreation along the stream.

Levitz Park is a 105 acre facility located in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. A handicapped accessible trail borders a woodland stream and a wooden bird blind provides a shelter from which to view birds. Four trails, ranging in length from 0.5 miles to 1.5 miles, wind through the forest and wetland areas. The park contains a lodge, picnic pavilions, athletic fields and tennis courts.

Coleman Memorial Park is located on Maple Street in Lebanon, Lebanon County, and consists of 99 acres. Several of the mature trees are county record holders. The park offers picnic pavilions, playground

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equipment, a swimming pool, a miniature golf course, refreshment stand, tennis courts, athletic fields, trails, and an amphitheater, where “Music in the Park” is held on Sundays each summer.

Stoever’s Dam is located on the northeast boundary of Lebanon City and North Lebanon Township, Lebanon County, and consists of 153 acres with a 23.5-acre lake. The lake is used for fishing, boating, canoeing and sailing. Other facilities include softball fields, a community theater, nature barn/interpretive center, camping area, picnic pavilions, and a memorial arboretum. Trails range from 1.5 miles to short loops of .3 miles.

Veterans’ Park is an approximately 8-acre facility located along the former Union Canal in the Borough of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County. The Pine Grove Area Bicentennial Committee established the park in 1996. The canal has been reestablished in its historic location and areas of the park have been re-vegetated. The Park is used for numerous activities, including ice-skating during the winter months; but it is primarily used for passive recreation.

There are seven (7) Public Forests/Gamelands located all or partially within the watershed. These lands total 29,949 acres (approx. 8.2% of the watershed). The following table summarizes these areas.

Facility County Acreage State Gameland 246 Dauphin 424 Acres

Ft. Indiantown Gap Military Reservation (Permit Required)

Dauphin,Lebanon

18,506 Acres (Not all available for hunting)

State Gameland 211 Dauphin, Lebanon,

12,294 Acres

Swatara State Park Lebanon, Schuylkill

3,515 Acres

State Gameland 229 Schuylkill 2,891 Acres State Gameland 160 Schuylkill 245 Acres State Gameland 80 Berks,Schuylkill,

Lebanon 8,507 Acres

Weiser State Forest Schuylkill 2,073 Acres

Weiser State Forest is designated as an IMA, Important Mammal Area. State Gameland 211 is listed as an IMA and an IBA, Important Bird Area. State Gameland 80 is an IBA.

Second Mountain Hawk Watch is located on the Kittatinny Ridge, a major migration route for hawks, falcons, eagles, and is listed as one of Aubudon’s Important Bird Areas (IBA). It offers a 180-degree view of State Game Lands 211 and Fort Indiantown Gap. Volunteer counters record daily during the fall migration (August 1 to December 31 – weather permitting).

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There are numerous trails available for canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling,... in the Swatara Creek watershed. The following table presents these trails. Name County Status

Appalachian Schuylkill, Lebanon, Berks Active Horse-Shoe Lebanon Active

Lebanon County Rail-Trail Lebanon Active Swatara Creek/Union Canal and

Tow Path--Greenway Dauphin, Lebanon Planned

Walking Path Along Quittapahilla Lebanon Active Swatara Water Trail Dauphin, Lebanon,

SchuylkillActive

Hotel Road Trail Lebanon Active

Numerous other unnamed trails and paths exist within the watershed on the publicly held properties. Trails are the most preferred recreation in Pennsylvania according to current levels of use and the results of community recreation and parks surveys statewide. Trails connect neighborhoods, parks, schools and other community destinations. They provide exercise and serve as outdoor environmental classrooms. Water Trails are an alternative form of recreation from walking trails. A Roper Starch nationwide survey in 2000 expressed the opinion that outdoor recreation can improve parent/child communication, deter vandalism and criminal behavior among youth and increase people’s appreciation for nature and the environment. The study further states that families build healthy bonds by sharing fun experiences. Clearly, American families value recreation together: nearly half of all Americans say they engage in outdoor recreation as a family at least once a month. Finally, a highly publicized report by the US Surgeon General identified physical inactivity as the number one public health issue, stating, “being inactive is as risky to one’s health as smoking.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called obesity “an epidemic.” Obesity costs the US $238 billion per year in expenses from associated problems such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

The following paragraphs provide information on the major trails identified in the watershed.

Appalachian Trail is a 2,160+ mile footpath that stretches from Maine to Georgia. Approximately 230 miles of the total trail are located within Pennsylvania. Approximately 20 miles of trail are located within the watershed, and intersect Swatara State Park crossing the Swatara Creek at Inwood between Union and

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Swatara Townships, Lebanon County. Three local trail groups, the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, Lebanon Valley Hiking Club, and York Hiking Club have taken on the responsibility of maintenance and upkeep of the trail within the watershed.

Horse-Shoe Trail is a 137+ mile equestrian/foot path that was developed in 1935 to provide a link to the Appalachian Trail from Philadelphia. The trail is not publicly owned, and periodically changes as a result of development and changing landowners. Approximately 10 miles of the Horse-Shoe Trail are located in the Swatara Creek Watershed, and the Trail crosses the Swatara Creek in Dauphin County. The Lebanon Valley Hiking Club has taken the responsibility for maintaining the trail within the watershed. In addition, the Horse-Shoe Trail Club based in Birchrunville, PA, completes work on the trail.

The Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail is a seventeen mile bike/hiking/horse-back riding trail that extends from the existing Conewago Trail (Lancaster County Line) to Zinns Mill Road along the abandoned Pennsylvania Cornwall Railroad Line. Approximately seven miles of this trail is located within the Swatara Creek watershed. The final planned leg, to the City of Lebanon, will run alongside the Lebanon Daily News on South Eighth Street, Lebanon PA. A vision exists to join the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail to the northern border of Lebanon County via the Swatara State Park Trail, which begins at the Lickdale Campgrounds, Union Township, Lebanon County.

The Swatara Water Trail extends from Route 645 where the Lower Little Swatara empties into the main stem Swatara on the south end of Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, through Swatara State Park into the Lebanon Valley, and ends 60 miles downstream at the Susquehanna River between Middletown and Royalton Boroughs, Dauphin County. The Trail runs through 3 counties and 19 municipalities:

• Schuylkill County: Pine Grove Borough, Pine Grove Township;

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• Lebanon County: East Hanover, Union, Bethel , & Swatara Townships, Jonestown Borough, North Annville, North Londonderry, and East Hanover Townships;

• DauphinCounty: East Hanover, Derry, South Hanover, Swatara, & Lower Swatara Townships, Hummelstown Borough, Londonderry Township, Royalton & Middletown Boroughs.

Trail maps and signs mark public accesses. This trail enables the public to exercise, appreciate riparian buffers, understand the need to protect floodplains, wetlands, the natural and cultural heritage of the area as well as biodiversity of wildlife.

Marked trail heads help users to respect private property rights too. The Swatara Water Trail, which is cost effective to maintain, links the Appalachian, Horseshoe and other trails in the region and provides sustainable recreation. SCWA truly believes that the more people who experience the Creek firsthand, the more stewards we will have working to protect this shared natural resource for potable water and recreation. The Swatara Water Trail also provides an economic stimulant as a catalyst for tourism, revenue generation, increased land values along the Creek, and open space. One of the most significant historical features includes the many Union Canal locks that participants can explore. This recreation trail provides varied opportunities—canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing…. Recognized both statewide and nationally, the trail was created by

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Swatara Creek Watershed Association in partnership with the PA Fish and Boat Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Canaan Valley Institute, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. As early as 1811, the Public Highway Declaration Act recognized the Swatara Creek as a navigable river from its mouth at the Susquehanna River to the mouth of Good Spring Creek on the Swatara. Since 1988 and through 2004, SCWA has organized annual sojourns (overnight canoe trips) down the Swatara Creek. In addition to learning to love and instill a sense of stewardship for the Swatara Creek, which drains into the Susquehanna River then Chesapeake Bay, litter cleanups occur during these sojourns. (See maps in the appendix).

Swatara Water Trail Public Access Points (north to south). Please respect private property rights.

1. Route 645 where the Lower Little Swatara enters the main stem Swatara, west bank, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County

2. Swope’s Valley Road at the northern end of Swatara State Park, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County

3. Both east and west banks in the vicinity of Twin Grove Park 4. Appalachian Trail Bridge, east bank, Lebanon County 5. Lickdale Campgrounds, west bank, Union Township, Lebanon County 6. Lebanon Water Authority @ Route 22, NW corner, Union Township

Lebanon County 7. Swatara Creek Family Restaurant, east bank, Jonestown Borough,

Lebanon County 8. Waterworks SCWA & PA Fish & Boat launch, west bank, East Hanover

Township, Lebanon County 9. Union Canal Canoe Rentals, west bank, East Hanover Township,

Lebanon County 10. Boat House Road Park, east bank, Derry Township, Dauphin County 11. Swatara Park, west bank, Hummelstown, Dauphin County 12. Keller Ball Field, west bank, Hummelstown, Dauphin County 13. Clifton Covered Bridge piers @ Fulling Mill Rd., east bank, Dauphin

County 14. PA Fish & Boat Launch, west bank, Middletown, Dauphin County

Other recreational activities can be enjoyed at the numerous campgrounds and golf courses that exist within the Swatara Creek Watershed.

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Campgrounds and Golf Courses:

Hersheypark was built in 1909 for employees of the Hershey Chocolate Company and students from the Milton Hershey School. The park is now open to the public and includes Chocolate World, amusements including several roller coasters, a merry-go-round, and water rides, ZooAmerica, the Hershey Museum, Arena, and the Giant Center, home of the Hershey Bears Hockey Team and where big name entertainers are featured. The Hershey Botanical Gardens, including the Butterfly House and a Children’s Garden, are nearby. Located in

Campground County Golf Course MunicipalityHershey High Meadow

Dauphin Lebanon Country Club

North Cornwall, Lebanon

Hershey KOA Dauphin Royal Oaks North Cornwall, Lebanon

Lickdale Lebanon Fairview West Cornwall, Lebanon

Gretna Glen Lebanon Course near Snitz Creek

Cornwall, Lebanon

Camp Arewa Lebanon South Hills South Lebanon, Lebanon

Camp Carson Lebanon Monroe Valley Swatara, Lebanon Camp Strause Lebanon Blue Mountain

View Bethel, Lebanon

Kenbrook Bible Camp

Lebanon Freeport Mills Bethel, Lebanon

Mt. Lebanon Grove Church Camp

Lebanon Pine Meadows Bethel, Lebanon

Bashore Boy Scout Camp

Lebanon Lebanon Valley Jackson, Lebanon

Thousand Trails Lebanon Beaver Bend Chip & Putt

South Hanover, Dauphin

Great Valley Girl Scout Camp

Lebanon Hotel Hershey Derry, Dauphin

Jonestown KOA Lebanon Hershey Country Club

Derry, Dauphin

Camp Swatara Family Camp

Lebanon Hershey Parkview Derry, Dauphin

Union Canal Canoe Rental & Camp

Lebanon Spring Creek Derry, Dauphin

Twin Grove Park Schuylkill Manada East Hanover, Dauphin

Echo Valley Park Schuylkill Hidden Valley Washington, Schuylkill

Camp-A-While Schuylkill

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close proximity to the amusement park are the Hershey Theater, Symphony, Hotel Hershey, Milton Hershey School, Founders Hall, and the Hershey Motor Lodge and Convention Center.

Penn National Race Course is located within the watershed, just off of PA Route 443, which is off exit 80 of Interstate 81. This facility showcases thoroughbred horse racing.

The Middletown and Hummelstown (M+H) Railroadis also a popular attraction within the watershed. Local people often called the M&H the “Milk and Honey” line. This historic train line provides numerous passenger tours along Swatara Creek and the former Union Canal throughout the year. According to Ed Chubb, The M&H is a private line owned by Dr. Ed Swartz, a Londonderry Township supervisor. Scenic weekend tours to Indian Echo Caverns and limited weekday freight are hauled by an historic 21-ton coal-fired steam engine.

Indian Echo Caverns is a natural limestone cavern formation that maintains a year-round 52-degree temperature. Numerous other limestone caverns exist in the southern portion of the watershed; however, Indian Echo Caverns, which borders Swatara Creek, are the only ones developed for the public. Interesting and diverse recreational opportunities await the visitor to the Swatara Creek Watershed. You are invited to partake and enjoy.

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Chapter 9 Lessons Learned

By Jo Ellen Litz

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Comprehensive Plan: Comprehensive plans work. They allow local citizens to have local control over the future of their region. Learning from our past, we can incorporate safety measures to protect life and property as well as the environment. A comprehensive plan is a written shared vision for a municipality, one that may include commuter rail transportation to facilitate movement from home to work, which can help address congestion on our roads; preservation of agricultural land; protection of open space and natural features; affordable housing for a growing population; maintenance and support of historic and cultural landmarks; revitalization of the City of Lebanon, Hummelstown, Middletown and older boroughs; development that considers available, unused capacity of water and sewer systems; and preservation of neighborhoods and reuse of brownfields.

Watercolor by Craig Andrews Exotic species can ruin an ecosystem by overtaking and eliminating native species. Zebra muscles in our waterways can devastate traditional fish food like caddis fly, stonefly, mayfly and crayfish on which native trout or bass and other game fish traditionally feed. In our wetlands, purple loosestrife or multi-flora rose can overtake beneficial natural water filters like cattails. Natural filters help to absorb acid mine drainage and other pollutants from our waters. Therefore, it is imperative to make every effort to remove or otherwise eradicate exotic species. Similar to the gypsy moth program, tracking their appearance from year to year will help us to evaluate the level of aggressiveness needed to control spread of a given species.

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Farming: The outward explosion of growth from the City of Lebanon has resulted in many changes. We dealt with our land as if it were limitless. We now know that urban sprawl occurs in direct relationship to the loss of farmland. Whole population and income-shifts produce negative consequences in the City. Air pollution, traffic congestion and water quality problems are no longer found only in other regions...they are here today. As a result, the unique elements of the region's character and quality of life are placed in harm’s way. Pressure is tremendous on farmers to sell their land for development. We value farms for many reasons.

Top 10 reasons for Land Preservation: 1. Food production; 2. Ground water recharge; 3. Quality of life; 4. Pastoral beauty; 5. Prevent sprawl;

6. Employment beyond the farm; 7. Avoid importation of food; 8. Tourism; 9. It’s our heritage; 10. Best land in the USA

Knowing that they put in long hours of hard labor, we empathize with family farmers facing development pressure. So how can we as a society preserve family farms? According to Heather Rodriguez, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an opportunity that Pennsylvania initiated to enroll 100,000 acres of marginal cropland and pastureland. “CREP is a federal-state partnership with a primary goal of improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, improving wildlife habitat, and increasing landowner income on marginal farmland. Any cropland or marginal pasture within 180 feet of a stream is eligible, and in some cases highly erodible cropland greater than 180 feet from a stream is also eligible. Included in the landowner benefits are an annual rental payment that considers annual maintenance costs, up to 100% cost share for practice implementation, and, depending on the chosen practice, up to three different one-time incentive payments. Eligible land is enrolled for a 10 to 15 year period, depending on the practice. The average rental rate in Lebanon County at this time is around $150 per acre. One of the practices available through CREP is the establishment of a Riparian Forested Buffer. This practice allows a landowner to establish a diverse mix of trees and shrubs within the eligible area. The minimum distance from the stream bank required by CREP is 35 feet, while the maximum allowable is 180 feet. While under contract, it is the landowner’s responsibility to maintain the area for the life of the CREP contract by monitoring tree and shrub growth and controlling noxious weeds by either spot herbicide treatments or spot mowing. Mowing is restricted to the establishment period (2-3) years, scheduled mowing, rotation, and non-nesting periods. If a property were sold while under CREP contract, the contract would in turn be transferred to the new landowner. Termination of the CREP contract by the new landowner would require repayment of cost share funds by the previous landowner. On the other hand, a landowner would be permitted to subdivide the property and sell off selected parcels if the sale of the parcels did not affect those acres enrolled in CREP.

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Contact Charlene Ziegler with the Farm Service Agency at (717)272-3908 extension 2.”

Another popular program among farmers is the Farm Land Preservationprogram. According to Chuck Wertz, Lebanon County Conservation District, “by voluntarily selling or donating agricultural conservation easements, the landowner retains all other rights equal to a non-preserved landowner. To qualify, the farmland tract must: be located in an agricultural security area; contain at least 50% soils in classes I-IV and in agriculture production; contain greater than 50% or 10 acres of harvested crop, pasture, or grazing lands; be at least 50 contiguous acres unless a minimum of 10 acres is of a unique crop or adjoining an attached perpetual agricultural easement; have a conservation plan meeting Resource Management System standards and approved by the…Conservation District, including an Act 6 level nutrient management plan reviewed by the Conservation District by the time of closing; be compatible with municipal land development plans; (in Lebanon County) be willing to accept a maximum of $1500 per acre; and not have more than 50% of its acreage in CREP. Donation of a conservation easement may be done through the same process. There is no cost to apply. Applications can be obtained and filed with the County Conservation District.

Fish Ladders: Fish ladders help to restore native species like shad and American eel to water upstream of dams. Presently, the American Water Company is installing a fish ladder on the Swatara Creek near Hershey PA. Any future dams should include a fish ladder in their design.

Ground Water: Underground, the water tends to follow the same direction as surface water. Because of mines, sinkholes, and subsidence, there are exceptions to the direction of underground flow. Eventually, the underground water flows to lakes known as aquifers. The Mauch Chunk aquifer runs from Maine to Georgia. Sooner or later, the water works its way to the surface and percolates through the soil forming springs that trickle to become a small stream, that flows down hill to join with other streams to form larger bodies of water like the Swatara Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Just like land, water is not limitless. We all have to share the water resource, and how we shepherd and care for the water in our backyard will have implications for downstream users. That’s why the Susquehanna River Basin Commission is charged with issuing permits when more than 20,000 gallons of groundwater per day (gpd) are consumed by any individual entity. Likewise organizations and individuals must report surface withdrawals of 100,000 gpd for any thirty consecutive days. As part of DEP’s Act 220 program (Water Resources Planning Act), DEP is requiring organizations and individuals to register if they withdraw 10,000 gpd for thirty consecutive days.

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Growth: Growth will occur whether we plan or not. If we don’t plan, those who move to our community will change our lives more than if we have a shared vision of the future of our community. That is why countywide comprehensive plans are so important. If we talk about our future, share a vision, and write it down, something magical happens. We all work together toward a common goal, and make it so. Think about water. It does not stop at a county line, nor does the air we breathe. What is done in Schuylkill County has an impact on Lebanon and Dauphin Counties as well as the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. And the water that is on the earth today is the same water in the same quantity that was here throughout history. But with an increasing number of people, we have to share the same amount of water with newcomers. That means, in addition to protecting water quality, to keeping our wells and springs from going dry, especially during times of drought, we must plan for water quantity. To do otherwise is pennywise and pound-foolish.

Infrastructure: Build it and they will come. Whether it is a road, a sewer or water line, infrastructure can guide growth to appropriate building lots, or if not thought out, it can destroy prime farmland. Interstates Route 81 and Route 78 are developing quickly. The Lickdale sewage treatment plant capacity is scheduled for a large increase in edu’s (equivalent domestic units). Farms are being converted to commercial lots.

Impervious surfaces like parking lots and streets increase water runoff, which alters ground water recharge rates and ultimately reduces ground water supplies. Further, during times of heavy rains, the increased runoff results in flooding of local streams. And, excessive impervious surface in an area may contribute to more frequent and more severe flooding than historical data records. Palmyra was built without a storm-water collection system, and streets are flooded after a heavy rain. With a limestone subsurface, sinkholes appear quite often. A cumulative effect from water runoff on downstream communities results. In fact, a chain reaction occurs downstream of the Swatara Creek into the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Known as a pervious surface, there are alternatives for parking lots and berms along most roads that will allow water to penetrate the surface and help to recharge groundwater as well as reduce the amount of storm water runoff. Another advantage of pervious berms to municipalities is a reduced cost to replace a berm after repairs to water, sewer, or underground gas and electric lines. Check with your contractor.

Industry & Commerce: The heritage and culture of the Lebanon Valley are rich beyond compare. “Here, for three centuries, the nation's evolution has unfurled like a banner in the breeze. Among its many riches, there are residual elements of the culture of the Native Americans, the complete panorama of American architecture from log cabins of the Colonial era to the contemporary housing of today. The terrain created many physical settings for the development

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of waterpower, which in the Nineteenth Century led the way for industrial expansion” (Governor Rendell’s report). It is government, business and people working together that maintains a balance between a healthy environment and a prosperous economy. The once thriving coal mines in Schuylkill County have unique challenges. Lebanon County has evolved from a steel town with smoke stacks that blackened the sky to include industrial parks that ship goods all over the east coast of the United States. Our biggest challenge is to incorporate plans to attract high paying jobs that will both retain our best and brightest students and support families. To that end, Mayor Anspach has a vision of rejuvenating Downtown Lebanon with hi-tech offices that utilize high-speed Internet lines running along the Route 422 corridor. Many downtowns are also upgrading their appearance with “Main Street” and “Elm Street” programs sponsored by the State of Pennsylvania. New but old-fashioned looking street lights, a town clock, brick trim along sidewalks, hanging flower baskets and colorful flags are common. Attorney Ed McMahon also encourages reuse of historic buildings rather than demolition. He sites a McDonalds that broke from their traditional design to become the busiest in the chain. Along with this thinking is an emphasis on signs that do not detract from skylines. Signs can be lower to the ground and aesthetically pleasing. Whatever the vision of a community, the first step in making things happen is to write the vision down in a document known as a comprehensive plan.

Flood Plains: Building in flood plains risks lives. The sights, sounds, and smells of running water can draw people to the water’s edge. On a clear sunny day, swimming, fishing, boating, or even watching the water has a way of relieving stress and restoring our sense of place. But, nature and history have a way of repeating themselves. We must learn from the devastation of property and loss of life experienced during flood events like Agnes in 1972. It also appears that with more and more development, and more and more impervious surface, flooding occurs more frequently and the intensity of floods increases too. Storm water retention ponds are designed to help keep the water from entering nearby streams, thus contributing to flooding. Another benefit of a retention pond is the ability to recharge ground water on site.

In addition to providing corridors for people to enjoy the stream, for wildlife to migrate, and for shading and cooling the water to slow down evaporation, riparian buffers help to filter out sediment, which is the number one pollutant in the Swatara Creek. Look at the Creek after a heavy rain, and the water will look like chocolate milk. The wider a strip of grass and trees on either side of a stream, the better the filter. Ten feet on either side of a stream is a modest buffer. Forty feet is a much better buffer, but ideally, eighty feet will slow down the runoff and produce a maximum filter. Voluntary buffers in any width are desirable and can be guaranteed on individual deeds that allow the property owner to retain ownership or donate the land to a conservancy. Lebanon, Berks, and Manada Conservancies are active in Lebanon, Berks, and Dauphin Counties respectively. According to Tisha Walmer, president of the Lebanon Valley

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Conservancy, “The land trust is responsible for making sure the easement’s terms are followed. One advantage of a conservation easement is its flexibility—private property can remain private or it can be opened up for public use—it’s up to the landowner. Easements can be tailored to protect the natural and cultural values of the land, meet financial and personal needs, and attain conservation goals. Easements are also effective in reducing tax burdens on landowners.” Tax benefits are provided in three ways:

• Income tax deductions: The Internal Revenue Service may grant the donor of a conservation easement an income tax deduction equal to the value of the easement as determined through a certified general appraisal.

• Estate tax deductions: Upon the death of a landowner, the probate court appraises the estate to impose an estate tax. When an estate is open to any type of use, it will generally be valued at the highest rate of full residential and commercial development. The tax due is often high enough to force the sale of the longtime family land. Conservation easements can prevent high valuations on land by restricting land uses resulting in lower probate appraisal and the subsequent tax burden. Any landowner considering passing land to members of the family should investigate this option thoroughly.

• Local property tax: Easements may lower the annual tax value of land. A certified appraisal that demonstrates the reduction in value gives cause for revision in local tax bills.

Municipalities are authorized to acquire land for active or passive recreational purposes. Act 153 was passed in 1996 to provide specific authority for townships, boroughs and cities to purchase interest in land solely for conservation purposes. Matching grant funding is available from DCNR to assist municipalities and land trusts in purchasing easements on open space properties. (Contact DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation for more information at (717)787-2659.) Bond issues are also a way for communities to purchase open space.

Native species can help to sustain a healthy ecosystem. When opportunities exist to reintroduce native species into the Swatara Watershed, we should seriously consider the benefits that can result. Warm season native grasses and American eels are two examples. Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon County’s largest employer, is leading the way in this area. Biologist Joe Hovis has identified fields of warm season grasses. Seeds are harvested and shared.

Storm Water: To alleviate flooded streets and basements, most towns require that storm water drains collect storm water to direct to the nearest creek. Storm water increases as impervious surfaces like rooftops and parking lots increase, thus creating greater potential for flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delineates floodplains along streams. To protect life and property, most counties pass ordinances that prohibit building structures that do not allow water to pass unobstructed. To avoid contaminating our drinking water, animal waste lagoons should not be built in floodplains. Likewise,

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because of potential contamination and electric motors that can short out, building utilities like water company intakes in the flood plain are not recommended. Further, because it can contribute to downstream flooding, ‘beat-the-peak’ is not a desirable alternative to on-lot storm water management. In addition, abandoned septic drain fields may serve as a ground water recharge area for rainwater collected from roofs. To reuse the water, many people are looking at reintroducing cisterns to collect rainwater. Finally, channelization of banks to control storm water can ‘save’ a town and reduce erosion of the stream banks, but can also cause increased downstream flooding. Riparian buffers are recommended stream bank stabilizers.

Wetlands: While natural wetlands are favored, creating new wetlands is also desirable. Wetlands are nature’s filters. They contain aquatic plants that can absorb heavy metals, and clean up our water. In the past, it was common to fill in a “swamp,” but today, the swamp, marshes, or wetlands are valued to recharge groundwater too. Under the direction of Franklin Meiser, the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority created a manmade wetland to treat leachate. That wetland is still in operation today. Frank saw this on a segment on Sixty Minutes, and called overseas to get more details. Likewise, in the northern reaches, manmade wetlands containing cattails, water lilies, and limestone were created to treat and neutralize acid mine drainage. Ray Swingholm and Chuck Allwein, both science teachers, explained that wetlands eventually fill up with sediment, and move naturally and gradually to a down-gradient location. Some wetlands are vernal pools that are not wet all year. During the spring, after the snow melts, these vernal pools can host salamanders and frogs.

Water Conservation: The same amount of water exists on the earth today as it did in the beginning of time, but that same water is shared by an increasing number of people. We need to turn off the spigot when brushing our teeth, take shorter showers, and repair leaks. We can also install water saving devices in older homes.

We know there are both surface and groundwater withdrawals from rivers and lakes as well as wells. But what happens if we use the water, and take it for granted? The mills once used the water for economic commerce by grinding grain into flour, sawing lumber…. When the Union Canal was built, the Quittapahilla Creek dried up, and the mill owners sued in court. Eventually the Union Canal went bankrupt, and the water flowed again. Some of the old mill dams are around today. To allow easier passage of migratory species, there are some people who would like all of the dams breached. There are others who argue that a century old eco-system would be destroyed if all of these old dams were breached.

When there is a drought, wells dry up, and deeper wells are dug. We have to remember that the underground aquifer, recharged by surface water, comes to the surface in springs that feed the streams that eventually form our rivers and bays. Put another way, the more water we take from the ground, the

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less water that flows on the surface. To protect our water supplies, we need to know how much water we have. Community water budgets will ensure enough water for everyone to share.

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EELSEnvisioning an Environmental Legacy for the Swatara

A project of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association—2003-04 With funding and/or assistance by Canaan Valley Institute, Fort Indiantown Gap, and the

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network (Listen to original interviews in their entirety at historical societies throughout the

Watershed: Derry, Lebanon, and Pine Grove.) Interview Abstracts:

Chuck Allwein, Mt. Gretna PAInterviewer, Jean Henry; Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #8 A&B: Video Tapes 20 & 21)

♦ Chuck is married to Charlotte Allwein. He is the owner of the Jigger Shoppe, former owner of Woods Creek, a former biology teacher—in fact holds a master’s degree in biology, current president of Mt. Gretna Boro-council, and holds the water and sewer license to run the Borough sewage

treatment plant. Chuck & Charlotte also own 3.5 acres of land along the Swatara Creek near Swatara State Park. It is long and narrow—1000’ of frontage on the Swatara—right next to a junkyard. Scotch Pine and Colorado Blues dot the banks on this parcel. In recent years, poison ivy covers the ground.

♦ Chuck and Charlotte’s family owned farms and were blacksmiths for the coal mines. They also maintained the trains that ran across Old State Road and the Swatara Creek.

♦ Swimming opportunities are excellent along this stretch of Creek. In the past, the water was crystal clear from acid, but there was silt on the bottom. They used to dig up the silt, and use it to mix concrete.

♦ Chuck remembers rafting and canoeing from the Appalachian Trail bridge to the Water Works. Fishing is fulfilling too—more so now than in the 1950’s. Fish are now decent—sizable. The place just gives you “an uplifted feeling. It’s a neat place to go and hang out.”

♦ The Swatara is now green and murkier, but healthier. ♦ A 36” water pipeline runs from Seigrist Dam through his property. ♦ Chuck listened to the Army Corps of Engineers reports that said within thirty years,

Lebanon will experience water deficits. ♦ For Homeland Security purposes, Chuck believes that more than one source of water is

necessary. He further believes the seven-mile long Swatara State Park Reservoir would maintain an even flow of water to the Jonestown intake.

♦ Chuck points to the Route 81 “artery for commerce” that will depend upon raw products like water. “It’s what’s underground that makes it happen.”

♦ He understands the objections to the Reservoir: if the breast breaches, flooding will occur, and wetlands will be inundated.

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♦ He points out that the canal was not a wetland until after a poor excavation job on the pipeline. For every wetland that is inundated, new wetlands are created. It does not take long to establish new wetlands and species. 42 miles of shoreline around the 7-mile lake will create more estuaries than those that are flooded.

♦ He is more concerned about Pine Grove Landfill wanting to expand. PGL is not for local refuse. The engineering studies are one thing, but the leachate can enter the Swatara. “Leachate defies analysis.” It does strange things chemically. Chuck asks, “Why give permits so close to the Swatara and the Lebanon Water Supply?” (Editor’s note: In June 2004, PA DEP denied a state permit for expansion of the Pine Grove Landfill, and according to a Patriot News article 8/18/04, PGL stopped accepting waste Friday, August 20, 2004) It is well known how to treat acid mine drainage. Sure, you must throw dollars at it. He is glad the culm banks are gone.

♦ During Agnes, water came up, and the water went down. It was a good study for people afraid of a dam breach.

♦ Chuck’s sister’s home was in the Water Works. When the Water Works dam broke during Agnes, the house was knocked off the foundation. She had to leave in the middle of the night. She lost everything, and the beds were up in the trees.

♦ Chuck feels that the Swatara State Park is thrown in with Memorial Lake, and Swatara becomes a weak sister. He believes the recreational opportunities at Swatara would overshadow Memorial Lake ten-fold.

♦ Invasive species are taking over the Park—multiflora rose, barberry. ♦ As the City is becoming more urbanized, he believes residents’ need an escape to low

cost recreation, which will bring City dwellers back to their roots. “Our genes call for green.”

♦ He applauds the Rails-to-Trails program, and recalls when the County Commissioners bid too low on the rail bed. Eastern Enterprises, Gene Otto, got it. He hopes a coordinated effort continues. “They’re not making land anymore,” he says.

♦ Sometime, sit and watch canoeists coming down the Swatara, “People are relaxed and happy.”

♦ Chuck is against closing Old State Road. He believes the center of the Park must remain accessible by car—to safely pick up hikers on the Appalachian Trail, to access Armor Bordner’s cabin, and to appreciate a non-manufactured environment.

Herbert Barr, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer (CDs # 19 & 20: Video # 42)

• Herbert Barr was born in Pine Grove, November 13, 1922. He lives on the main street of town (Tulpehocken St.) in a house built by his father next to the former

family drug store. • His parents were Elwyn and Ina Barr.

His great-great-grandfather was John Barr, one of the early settlers, after whom the town was originally named Barrstown. John owned the Eagle Hotel. His great- grandfather, Singleton Hikes, owned the Hikes

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Homestead now the headquarters of the Pine Grove Historical Society. • Herbert relayed memories of tradesmen who used to come to the door years ago--a

thing of the past. • He mentions the Salen Gensemer Tannery that operated across the street years ago.

• Herbert and his family were close friends of Conrad Richter and his family. Conrad Richter was a Pulitzer Prize winning author of a number of well know books including The Trees, The Town and The Waters of Kronos. He was born and lived in Pine Grove. Two of his works The Light in the Forest and The Sea of Grass, were made into movies, the latter starring Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Herbert tells us of his memories of Mr. Richter and his daughter Harvena.

• Herbert talks about the many shops that once existed in Pine

Grove and hotels including the Mansion House, built in 1827 by Henry Conrad. It was a popular meeting spot for the staff of the Union Canal Company and other prominent citizens of that day. Mr. Richter was given the first name, Conrad, because of a family connection to Henry Conrad.

• Herbert talks about entertainment when he was young including baseball, swimming, ice-skating, and movies at the theatre.

• He talks about High Bridge and how it was a favorite spot of Conrad Richter. • Herbert tells us about the trains in Pine Grove including the miners’ train, horse and

buggies and the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in the town. • He has memories of Sweet Arrow Lake and the PP&L Power Plant. • Herbert was an Art teacher in York and remembers the Agnes Flood. • During the Second World War, Herbert was with a barrage platoon division. • He ends the interview by telling us about the “interesting characters” that used to be

around Pine Grove years ago

Richard Blouch, Jonestown PA. Interviewer Ann Lasky (CD# 26: Tape 32)

♦ After thirty years away from Lebanon, Richard moved back and now owns a 75-acre farm in Union Township, Lebanon County, near where his great great grandfather once settled along the Swatara. As the story goes, he loved the walnut trees on the property. The house was built in 1882. When he left, there were four families in the area, now there are thirty families. He has a sixty feet deep well that

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seldom runs dry, probably because Richard and June, his wife, conserve water in times of drought. In 1940, water was brought into the house. Prior to 1940, they used outhouses.

♦ Richard remembers a hard drought three years ago (2001), and another season that was very dry in 1966. Since it is clay and shale, the soil does poorly in droughts.

♦ Fortunately, the Agnes flood never reached the house, and only flooded the meadow. ♦ Yes, Richard used to swim in the Swatara, west of Route 72. His beach was made of coal

dirt. He enjoyed a rope swing near the Booner cabin. When he fished, he could only catch carp or catfish. Today, however, the water is much cleaner. In times of drought, he can walk across the Swatara, but he can only fish in the holes.

♦ Richard participates in the CREP program to keep silt and nutrients from the Swatara Creek. CREP is a program to plant grasses instead of tilling his fields.

♦ Richard also talks about an icehouse.

Senator David “Chip” Brightbill, Lebanon PA. Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs 11&12: Video 26)

♦ Before 1967, Chip remembers his dad’s involvement in early planning for Swatara Lake. Chip remembered his dad’s enthusiasm in sharing a topographic map. He viewed the Lebanon City Water Authority’s proposal as “looking ahead.” Together, they built a sail boat in the basement of their home. But they never got to sail the boat on Swatara Lake. Before selling it, they did sail the boat elsewhere.

♦ As a Lebanon Daily News reporter, Chip covered numerous meetings on Swatara State Park, and learned a great deal. He remembered Armor Bordner losing his home.

♦ As an attorney, Chip handled a number of condemnations. Then, despite the best efforts of DER Secretary Art Davis, because of the condition of the water, the

Lake did not move ahead. Chip explains that the laws have changed, permitting has changed.

♦ The good news is, the Swatara is cleaned up. Chip believes the reservoir will come. There are wars in the west over water already. There is a demand for water, not just in Lebanon County but also across the USA. It will serve the public good. A dual purpose for the Lake will provide public recreation.

♦ While the Lake has not been built to date, Chip says there is a lot of interest in the area—all positive.

♦ People lost their homes through heavy-handed condemnation proceedings by the Department of General Services.

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♦ Mytan Vasil died, and Chip does not know what is going to happen with the Vasil junkyard. Ultimately, the land should be turned over to the State.

♦ Chip loves boating. He canoed the Swatara one time. ♦ His dad owned the Lincoln Diner, now Mel’s Diner, which is hooked to the Lebanon City

public water supply. ♦ Chip’s home is on a private 500’ deep well, which is polluted with bugs. “It’s

expensive.” He is on his second pump and second treatment plant in ten years. He would much rather be on public water supply.

♦ As prime sponsor, Brownfields legislation to clean up polluted sites may be Chip’s legacy. He credits a huge bipartisan effort as a more reasonable approach to mitigation of contaminated sites.

♦ Another level of cleanup came when DEP asked a violator to clean up a black running creek with his excavation equipment rather than paying a $50,000 fine, which the violator could not afford. Silt content went from over 1000 parts per million to 17 parts per million. EPA is honoring PA’s mitigated site certifications. However, superfund sites are still problems.

♦ Built in 1938-39, Fort Indiantown Gap recently completed an environmental study, which included new water and sewer lines. Chip believes “General Lynch and others did a terrific job there.”

♦ Chip recalled the Reber murder by the Blue Eyed Six.

Ed Chubb, Harrisburg (Dauphin County)Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs 10 & 11; Video 25)

♦ Ed Chubb is the Director of Dauphin County Parks and Recreation. He grew up along the Swatara in Middletown.

♦ Ed caught his first fish in the Swatara Creek.

♦ His passion is establishing a greenway along the Swatara Creek that was first studied by Hershey Trust and the Natural

Lands Trust in the mid-1990’s. Ed still carries a torch to enhance the land along the Creek, create trails and preserve open space and unique habitats.

♦ Owning close to 90% of the land on the south side of Swatara Creek and almost 40% of the land on the north side in South and East Hanover Townships, Hershey Trust Company is a major player in the Greenway. Ed would like to see Hershey Trust manage a corridor (greenway and trails) as a conservation area for both Milton Hershey School students and the greater public benefit. (Note: Just as Ed did, how many students can also catch their first fish in the Swatara Creek? I can see children dropping into the Swatara from ropes swinging out over the water on a hot summer day, and children catching minnows, salamanders, and tadpoles. These are memories that will last a lifetime.)

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♦ Eventually, Ed hopes to see a greenway in Lebanon and Berks Counties too. He even has a name for the joint project—Union Canal Heritage Greenway. After all, the common thread is the Union Canal. The trail would also go north to Swatara State Park.

♦ To move forward and help raise awareness with municipalities, Ed is also partnering with the Capital Resource Conservation and Development District.

♦ Ed has vivid memories of the Agnes Flood. At the time, he was a volunteer fire fighter, and both life and property were threatened. He and his colleagues decided to pump out basements after the rain stopped. That was three days later.

♦ New neighborhoods on East Main Street were flooded. There was water where it had never been before.

♦ A rescue was taking place at the “Iron Bridge” near Swatara Park, but Ed decided to check out the new bridge near Hoffer Park. He saw the substation take on water and the electricity go out all over Middletown. Power was out for two to three days.

♦ He went back to the Iron Bridge, and was told he just missed the Clifton covered bridge floating by. Clifton Bridge was huge, and had a mid-stream pier. Apparently, the Fiddler’s Elbo covered bridge gave way first and wiped out the Clifton Bridge. They both hit and collapsed the Iron Bridge. “It was pretty dramatic,” he said. There were splinters and metal everywhere. He never saw anything else like it to this day.

♦ Ed’s dream is to replace the Clifton covered bridge as a pedestrian walkway. It would connect numerous trails and recreation features like the M&H Railroad, a canoe launch, and Lower Swatara athletic fields.

♦ The M&H or Middletown to Hummelstown Railroad is a private line owned by Dr. Ed Swartz, a Londonderry Township supervisor. Scenic weekend tours to Indian Echo Caverns and limited weekday freight are hauled by an historic 21-ton coal-fired steam engine.

♦ Indian Echo Caverns is a limestone cave that maintains a year-round 52-degree temperature. There were significant archeological finds in the cave.

♦ The Horseshoe Trail also crosses the Swatara Creek at Sand Beach Road. The trail runs from Valley Forge through Derry Township.

♦ While catching carp, fall fish, small mouth bass, sunfish, and catfish, Ed never caught an American Eel. He sees the Iron Mine Dam as an impediment to migration, and would like to see at least part of the dam breached to allow passage for shad and restoration of the American Eel.

♦ Brinser’s Mill, in Middletown, ground corn into meal and wheat into flour, but now houses apartments.

♦ Finally, Ed points out that there is some liability protection to landowners who open their property for recreation at no charge to the public.

Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver, Mt. Gretna, Lebanon PA) Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #6: Video Tapes 12 & 13

♦ Chris has worked at Fort Indiantown Gap for thirteen years. As a public affairs officer, he’s visited 35 countries, and

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once worked for Norman Schwartzkoff. Chris is married, has two children, and currently resides in Mt. Gretna.

♦ Chris reviewed Fort Indiantown Gap’s (FIG) 17,000-acre history. He explained how the National Guard and government are rightly held to a higher standard. FIG has dealt with a past of silt in the creeks. They have also repaired mine acid drainage by installing diversion wells. He believes that environmental cleanups involve everyone, and everyone must be engaged at every level. Founded in 1932, FIG survived the 1995 base realignment closure commission review. At that time, FIG doubled their environmental staff to six.

♦ Chris appreciates our Watershed approach. He points out that Band-Aids do not work. It takes coordination. Conserving our natural resources is a high priority for us. We have upgraded the tank trail, filled in culverts. The data speaks for itself. It is very good.

♦ We have made a conscious decision to clean up. Federal dollars make it happen. ♦ Manada Creek and Indiantown Run are the two most productive trout streams in the

county, and they are both located at FIG. Right now, you can visit a USGS web site to get real time data for stream flow and temperature.

♦ While he only started at FIG in 1980, Chris said that because of Three Mile Island (TMI), a lot has changed in the way we do business. For instance, we can’t expect solders to disregard their families in times of crisis. They have to know they are OK before we can expect them to leave home to serve their country.

♦ As headquarters for the PA National Guard, FIG has a state of the art command center. The command center addresses both terrorism and natural disasters by taking a proactive posture.

♦ During Agnes, because it was a dry area, other installations brought equipment to FIG. Mostly, FIG was used to deploy troops for recovery efforts.

♦ Some buildings remain intentionally circa 1940’s. The film companies love that.

♦ Chris talked of Helmut, a German POW who was at FIG during WWII. Helmut had come back to visit FIG and talked of the good treatment he received. He spoke of how he and some of his men worked in the mills in Lancaster without pay, but negotiated for showers by threatening to cut production time in half.

♦ January 31, 2004, National Geographic filmed a reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge at FIG. Another recently produced clip encourages people to write letters to soldiers, not just email them. It means so much to touch a letter from home.

♦ In Lebanon County, FIG is the largest employer and has the largest light bill. FIG has a one-half billion-dollar budget, and trains 150,000 people annually.

♦ Aging infrastructure was a priority of FIG’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A new sewer line and plant are now complete. In fact, East Hanover Township is being considered for hookup onto FIG’s system.

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♦ FIG is extremely grateful for the community support. ♦ Another addressed pollution problem was an old dump where FIG installed monitoring

devices. Further, FIG cleaned up artillery impact areas. ♦ FIG spends $50,000 annually to monitor the Regal Fritillary butterfly on site. ♦ Not waiting for droughts to occur, FIG recycles water used to wash tanks and airplanes

and has installed buffer zones along streams where trees can grow to shade and cool the water, thus reducing evaporation. This is in addition to eliminating sewer line leaks.

♦ There are three million square feet of old buildings that FIG will reduce to 1.5 million square feet of modern, energy efficient facilities. FIG will replace the coal-fired furnaces.

♦ FIG uses public water supply—the Lebanon Water Authority. ♦ Thousands of people daily come to fish in FIG’s three lakes (two with trout) and streams.

The lakes are handicap accessible. ♦ At the age of nine, on tributaries to the Susquehanna, Chris remembers ‘gigging’ for eels

with his father. They used to pickle the eels for thirty days, and he claims they tasted real good.

♦ There is a Shenk’s Ferry Indian preserve burial ground at FIG on Blue Mountain. ♦ Chris saw a mature bald eagle hunting along the Swatara. FIG donated land for a hawk

watch. FIG also donated land to State Game Land 211—St. Anthony’s Wilderness area. ♦ While one water tower came down, on the south central part of the installation, there is

still a tower that holds hundreds of thousands of gallons of water for fighting fires. ♦ In short, Chris believes it is important to balance initiatives between solders and the

environment.♦ To prevent future forest fires, FIG uses controlled burns. They also remove asbestos

from old buildings, then burn them down. ♦ He points out that whether or not you have development, you can have pollution—mine

acid drainage for example. He observes that our rural areas are disappearing. ♦ Biomass and invertebrate counts provide hard science to show the ever-improving quality

of FIG’s water and land. ♦ In addition to FIG’s rattlesnake and fish telemetry, Joe Hovis tagged 50 white-tailed deer

for tracking. Amazingly, one buck traveled 35 miles from FIG past Interstate highways to Middlecreek Wildlife Refuge, which emphasized the positive impact that rail trails have on the wildlife in the Swatara Watershed.

♦ Chris believes that sportsmen—fishermen and hunters--are the canaries in the mine for the Swatara Watershed. These outdoorsmen will spot fish kills or pollution running into our streams. He sites one incident on the Quittapahilla.

♦ Look how pristine it is here (at FIG)—no development at exit 85 on Route 81. That is because we (FIG) control that area. There are no neon lights.

♦ Chris acknowledges that recently they did have a small oil spill, but contained it quickly. ♦ Having visited 35 countries in his service to our country, Chris first looks at the streams

when he visits a new place. Because there is no clean water in Haiti, life expectancy is 35.

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Betty Conner, Lebanon PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs # 9-10: Video #24 )

♦ Betty has a Doctorate in Microbiology. In addition to serving as secretary of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association board, she has served on the PA League of Women Voters board as their environmental specialist, and is president of the Capital Region Water Board.

♦ Betty got involved with then Citizens Coordinating for Clean Water at the time the Pine Grove Landfill wanted to locate in Schuylkill County. First CCCW, now SCWA, covers four counties. Betty believes CCCW and SCWA were ahead of the game by thinking regionally.

♦ She, along with husband George, owns about 1000’ along the Swatara Creek in Monroe Valley that contains the Union Canal. As a PA designated exceptional value watershed, Monroe Creek receives added protection from discharges…. She appreciates the beauty and natural assets of the area. Most of the Valley is a golf course and farms.

♦ When it comes to septic systems in the Monroe Valley, soil is poor for development. To protect both ground and surface water, sand mounds or ten acres of land are needed for septic systems.

♦ A sewer line is proposed that would run to Lake Strauss. ♦ Her log cabin sits on twelve acres of land about two miles from Swatara State Park,

which has a variety of habitats. The trees grew back making a beautiful woods. ♦ From her vantage point, Betty observes little acid mine drainage impact. ♦ Since Betty’s cabin sits high out of the flood plain, flooding is not a concern. Her well

has never gone dry, but one time in the 1980’s she remembers smelling gasoline. It turns out that near the Pine Grove exit of Route 81, there was a diesel leak that contaminated the Lebanon water supply.

♦ Betty is actively involved in source water protection of wells and surface water. ♦ She learned about the wild Swatara stream corridor, in a mostly natural state, by canoeing

the Swatara Creek with SCWA. Betty believes a Greenway should not be overlooked for the Swatara Creek.

George Conner, Lebanon PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs #10: Video #24 )

♦ George is a retired ear, nose and throat surgeon, whose hobby is photography.

♦ George, and Betty, his wife, moved to the Lebanon Valley in the 1970s so he could teach at the Hershey Medical Center.

♦ They live in a stately older home in the City of Lebanon.

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The wildness and open space of Pennsylvania surprised George. Coming from Illinois and before touring Pennsylvania, one of the original thirteen states, he assumed that it was all filled up—that people moved west for open space. The surprise was that he could travel five minutes from his City home to the country, and the Swatara Creek, which travels through Hershey where he worked. Moving here the year after the 1972 flood, George was advised, when looking for a home, to ask how much water was in the basement. If they said none, they were probably lying.It was George Ross, a Realtor, who showed the Conners the property on Monroe Creek.It was beautiful, and right away, George wanted to protect this piece of land, which also housed a portion of the Union Canal. George and Betty reconstructed a 1740 log house on the property. George recalls, “when the landfill wanted to move to Pine Grove, I saw my wife become an activist.” The landfill could pollute the Swatara Creek and our drinking water. He could not believe that people in Hershey were not interested. However, the Conners traveled to public meetings in Schuylkill County where the landfill was discussed. The Pine Grove Township Supervisors initially turned down the request for a landfill. George believes that no matter how the Swatara State Park finally develops, it will be great.He also contends that a “picture is worth a thousand words.” His motto is, “make it visual, and you’ll keep some people awake.” He often makes gifts of his photography for people to help them remember special times and places.

Edwin Copenhaver, Annville PA Interviewer & Recorder Jo Ellen Litz , Videographer & photographer Khiet Luong (CD #7: Videos 16 & 17)

Ed lives on a farm that his parents bought in 1936. Until the age of twelve, he grew up helping to milk 35 dairy cows, and then helped with the beef cows. At the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center, he learned the landscape business and interned for Layser’s Flowers and Hershey Nursery.

Eventually he worked for Royer’s Garden Center. After a time, he was able to purchase the business, which he named Stony Bridge because there was a bridge made from stone guarried on his own farm.Spring fed Beck Creek provided enjoyment. As a boy, Ed caught both salamanders and fish in the Creek. Now, it is stocked with trout. During the Agnes flood of 1972, Bricker Lane was not paved, and the new road created a dam 100-600’ across to Reist Road. The water funneled through the new bridge with enough force to wash out the foundation, which needed to be refilled. The farm’s well is 60’ deep. While he tests the water occasionally, an ultraviolet light treats the water for coliforms. Nitrates are low. Crops to feed cattle were grown on three farms, and his family grinds their own feed.

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♦ Before stream bank fencing, the cattle had complete access to the Creek. ♦ TMI was uneventful as the cows are not pastured. ♦ Ed experienced a fire. On July 4, 1964, the barn burned to the ground. Firemen were

able to block up Beck Creek to make it deep enough to drop hoses and pump water, but to no avail. Tankers carried in water too. Fortunately, his brother freed the cattle. It took three days to find the last 4-6 cows in the woods near Channel 15 television station.

♦ Ed’s love of horticulture grew from helping his mother with her annual and perennial gardens. He explained how she made soap from lye and fat from butchered pigs. After using the soap in the wringer washer, he would splash the water on the lilacs and shrubs. He credits his mother for pioneering soap insecticide. “It also conserved our water,” he said.

♦ Stony Bridge Landscaping sits on ten acres and has a 160’ deep well that has never gone dry. Up to 8,000 gallon of water per day are used for both spray irrigation and some hand watering. While drip irrigation would conserve water, his plants are moving in and out, and constantly moving the lines would be labor intensive.

♦ Ed points out that it is legal to water new plants during a drought. People often hold off. He recommends cutting the top of a gallon jug off above the handle and poking a small hole in the bottom. The filled jug will trickle into the soil. If you soak it well, then you can let it go several weeks.

♦ As a member of the Nurserymen’s Association, Ed is pleased with State regulations on water usage. He believes DEP has been fair to the industry.

♦ While Ed can supply drought resistant plants, 2004 weather conditions required mildew resistant plants.

♦ Ed gave Eagle Scout Daniel Sallahub some trees to plant along the farm stream. ♦ In a drought, trees protect themselves. Part of a leaf may turn brown, but as long as the

center stays green, the tree can make chlorophyll and survive. ♦ Ed does not understand how people can trash a waterway.

Francis Ditzler Jr., Jonestown Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs: 1 & 2: Video Tapes 6 & 7)

♦ A retired lieutenant colonel and historian, Francis told numerous stories—some personal experiences and some stories from his research.

♦ His father is an 8th generation German who owned a farm in Greenpoint. Their 30’ hand dug well went dry, and the eleven children had

to carry water from a spring at the base of the mountain. Conversely, he walked cows a thousand feet down hill to a hand-dug pond, which also served as a swimming hole.

♦ On his own farm in Lickdale, Francis’ well went dry once, but was remedied with a longer “pick-up” tube. He reuses bath water to flush the toilet during drought.

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♦ He is quite the expert on Twin Grove Park, which was an amusement park…, but originally begun by Sam Strauss to make timber rafters, props and headers, for shoring up coal mine tunnels.

♦ Francis also explained the workings of the recently removed Lickdale Mill, which was originally a stone grist mill built in 1883 by John Lick.

♦ In the mid 1800s, the South Mountain Railroad was supposed to travel through Jonestown, but the plan never materialized.

♦ Francis submitted a history of Fort Indiantown Gap. ♦ In 1951, population at the facility reached 17,000 troops with the 5th Infantry Division

(Training). ♦ Both the National Guard and mobilization for the Korean Conflict occurred

simultaneously. ♦ 1962-1972, FIG was host to the Nation’s largest Reserve Officer Training Corps

(ROTC) Advanced Summer Camp. ♦ 1968-69, Colonel Bernie Johnson, Garrison Commander, created a Vietnam Village.

Inside the village, a Vietnamese home stood on poles above the ground. Under a mat inside the hut, is an escape door, which leads down through a pile of hay that the Vietnamese use to feed animals in a pen under the house. A little farther away is a well. Filled with water, it appears normal. However, below the water line is an entrance to a tunnel system, which extends to a house built on the ground with an entrance between a regular and false wall. Leaving the village, trainees and visitors walk along a trail where objects are on exhibit. A soldier trying to cross a stream the easy way would drop through because his weight would break the span, throwing him onto razor-sharp punji sticks.

♦ Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees were housed from May 28, 1975 through December 15, 1975.

♦ August 7, 1976 FIG constructed the Army Aviation Support Facility. ♦ September 14, 1976, 675 acres were deeded to the Department of Veterans Affairs for

a National Cemetery. ♦ November 1979, CBS filmed “Playing for Time,” based on the memoirs of Fania

Fenelon, who escaped death in the Birkenau death camp during World War II. ♦ 1980, Cuba’s Freedom Flotilla netted 125,000 immigrants, of which 19,003 were

processed at FIG. ♦ He considers the Swatara a “barometer.” ♦ He spoke of gas tanks floating during the Agnes 72 flood and mentioned baptisms by

emersion in the Swatara.

Denise Donmoyer, Sweet Arrow Lake, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Self Interview (CD # 18: Video # 39&40)

Footage at beginning of video; Berger’s Dam, Sweet Arrow Lake, Union Canal Basin, Creeks, Covered Bridges, Brown’s Mill, Ice Skaters and Ice Fisherman

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*Denise Donmoyer, President, Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association

* Personal info. – Grandparents, Bambina Angellucci and Guillo Deramo emigrated from Italy in 1920 through Ellis Island. Great -grand mother killed by Nazis in Italy. Parents, Mary Deramo and Clifford Measel met while he was stationed with the 28th

Division at Indiantown Gap. • History of Berger’s Dam, originally built by one of Pine Grove’s first settlers

sometime before 1783. • History of Pine Grove Branch of Union Canal and Pine Grove’s Big Dam (Berger

Reservoir). I try to explain the confusion over the two Big Dams and Berger’s Dam. Hope I don’t confuse folks even more.

• Destruction of Big Dam and Branch Canal in flood of 1862. Excerpt from B.B. Lehman’s diary.

• On the tapes, Denise provides more information on the Branch Canal, Chief Engineer Benjamin Aycrigg, the Canal Basin, Union Canal Railroad (1st railroad chartered in PA), Locks, Port Mifflin, and Aycriggs Falls.

• East Penn Electric Company’s Steam Electric Plant, 1st plant to burn Anthracite coal to produce electricity.

• Sweet Arrow Lake built in 1923 to supply 1,000,000 gallons of water a day needed to produce steam to turn turbines at power plant and create electricity.

• DEP declared dam at Sweet Arrow unsafe in 1979. By 1998 DEP wanted the dam repaired or breached and the lake destroyed. Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation

Association formed to find solutions.

• Ownership of Sweet Arrow Lake transferred from Pine Grove Borough to Schuylkill County.

• $1.2 million repair accomplished using $650,000 in Growing Greener Funds and matching funds from a county bond issue. Lake is being developed as Schuylkill County’s first

county park. • Stories – Howard and the nuclear Density Meter – Fish

Relocation Canoe Rodeo Roundup. • Swatara Creek AMD Remediation.

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• Upper Little Swatara (Roedersville) Creek and Lower Little Swatara (Rock) Creek, Last two covered bridges in Schuylkill Co., Brown’s Mill.

• Video ends with footage of Aycriggs Falls and Lock # 6. • 2 additional tracks on audio CD – track 13, correction of names of bridges – track 14,

father-in-law, Roy adds information about his uncle catching and cooking eels.

Roy Donmoyer, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co.– Interviewer – Denise Donmoyer (video only #37)

• Roy is my father-in-law. He was born in Pine Grove Township on Feb. 3, 1923, and is married to the former Verna Kantner. They have six children; Ted (#3) is my husband.

• Roy’s ancestors lived in Lebanon Co. His great-great-grandparents, Benjamin and Hanna Dornmeyer are buried in the German Reformed Cemetery across from the Perseverance Fire House in Jonestown. Their grave is on the corner by the stop sign. They died during a typhoid epidemic in 1862.

• Roy’s great-grandfather, William, enlisted in the Army during the Civil War and died shortly after returning home. His great-grandmother Mary

and her children moved to Pine Grove in 1863. • Roy gives the local names of the different areas around Pine Grove. For instance, the

area he has always lived in, near Sweet Arrow Lake, is known as Paradise. • Tells the story his father Ben used to tell about the

area before Sweet Arrow Lake was built and what they used to do as kids.

• Story about the Roedersville Mill explosion. • His occupation (tool & dye maker ALCOA) and

Naval experience. • Roy talks about Paradise, early transportation, his

grandfather’s horse, mining, when they first got electricity (bottles on the ceiling story), Medicine Shows, hobos and bootleg coal.

• Sweet Arrow Lake. • High Bridge, Twin Grove Park and Cold Springs. • When Roy retired he began woodcarving, and

shows some of the hundreds of carvings he has done including a working miniature carousel

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• Ends by singing strange songs in Dutch (and he wasn’t even drinking!)

Tom Donmoyer, Grantville PA (CD#3 & Video Tape #8) Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz ♦ At age 28, Tom was elected as an East

Hanover Township Supervisor, and thirty-five years later, at age 63, still serves in this capacity.

♦ An early, and probably the most difficult decision made, was to take homes at Water Works through eminent domain. It cost the Township $20,000 over and above the $300,000+ in funding received from the state

and federal governments. Over 600 residents opposed the decision. ♦ During Agnes, Tom recalls refrigerators lodged in trees 24’ above the normal flow of the

Swatara. ♦ The biggest, and somewhat unusual, pollution incident that he recalled was from acid

runoff from several acres of sawdust (which also contained syringes) piled 20-30’ high, which originated at Penn National racetrack.

♦ He further recalled a dredging machine mounted on a raft. The machine not only brought up coal to support a lucrative coal business, it brought up golf balls washed from an upstream golf course. Because of the golf balls, he eventually took up golf.

♦ Butler Manufacturing located here after observing our railroad system and quality of life. Recreation was a big factor in determining quality of life to keep their employees happy.

Tom Embich, Hershey PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (Video Tapes #8 & 9)♦ Tom is both an environmental consultant and

college professor who regularly tests water quality on the Swatara in Middletown PA.

♦ He grew up in the Water Works, and to his mother’s dismay, followed a class of biologists down the Swatara at age three.

♦ During the Agnes flood, Tom worked in the environmental sciences division of Hershey

Foods. He creatively used an old 20-30’ fire hose to siphon water from an oil tank holding area.

♦ Because of their chlorine for sanitation and filtering systems, Tom helped to identify existing swimming pools for storage of drinking water during droughts.

♦ He told of the first dam--blocking American eel migration--on the Susquehanna in 1903, and an effort to install a fish ladder in Hershey to accommodate shad restoration.

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♦ In Tom’s opinion, impervious surfaces from development—roofs and parking lots—are increasing the frequency and intensity of flooding. He closed with a prediction that FEMA’s 100 year plan for flood plains will become obsolete and need enlarged.

Robert Evanchalk, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co. – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer– includes on site footage of Trout Nursery and pond (CD #17: Video #37)

* Bob is the Schuylkill County Environmental Coordinator.

• He was born in Pottsville, June 23, 1951. His parents were John C. and Ina P. (Herring) Evanchalk. He has two sisters. His wife is the former Kathleen Kerrick. They have 4

children. • Bob explains his new job as Environmental Coordinator. • Bob’s family farm is called Laurel Run Farm, and he operates the Swatara

Cooperative Trout Nursery on the property. • On tape, he tells stories about the

Swatara Creek and Sweet Arrow Lake, (including the famous Rat Story), and talks about family and farming.

• Bob describes how the Trout Nursery operates and talks about Lamar Butler at the fish stocking tank.

• He also talks about the fishing pond for handicapped people that is on his property.

• Bob is the Treasurer of the Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association.

• He talks about that group’s experience with Acid Mine Drainage Remediation.

• Finally, Bob talks about childhood memories of the farm by Sweet Arrow Lake and his father.

John Feather, Mt. Gretna Interviewer, Recorder, Videographer & photographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs 7: Video 18)

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♦ John Feather is an attorney who was one of the original founders of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association in 1970.

♦ In his practice, he represents clients who purchased land along the Swatara, some with Union Canal locks. John is also a preservationist.

♦ He recalls receiving a telephone call about a fish kill at the Bethlehem Steel on the Quittapahilla Creek. Most of the fish were eight to ten inches long. DER came and looked, but did not do much to the steel giant, a major employer in Lebanon during the 1970’s.

♦ While preparing for his bar exam, he felt a need to come home. Stopping to purchase hip boots along the way, he arrived home to find his parents in the basement in three feet of muddy water. Hurricane Agnes had hit. It took four days to clean up the garage and basement. He also remembered a car floating down Elm Street and blocking the bridge, which created a dam where he swam.

♦ Hazel Dyke flooded causing 7-8’ of water in the first floor of a neighbor’s house. ♦ John ended up helping to process applications for disaster relief. ♦ He also remembered Bob Hoch’s furniture floating down the Swatara. ♦ During TMI in 1979, John was managing Central Pennsylvania Legal Services and

volunteered at the Lebanon Red Cross where he was chair of the mass shelter committee. President General Smoker received a message from PEMA that they should prepare to evacuate 33,000 people. Their plan included fifty shelters, but half of the shelter managers threatened to leave town with their families. John picked the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center as his command headquarters. They had plenty of food and good cooks. It turned out to be an academic exercise.

♦ He sent his family to Clearfield. It was the China Syndrome. The biggest crisis was really GPU’s credibility. President Carter flew in to survey TMI, which lent credibility to the incident. John also trusted Walter Cronkite.

♦ At one point John was asked to prepare to receive 75,000 people from Philadelphia. ♦ John also worked on trying to get the junk guys to clean up around the Swatara State

Park. “We are small fish in a big pond with DEP,” he said. Nothing ever got done. ♦ Lion’s Lake fed the Canal. His grandfather lived on Tunnel Hill Road when the north

portal collapsed. His grandpa tried to crawl through. ♦ The Hazel Dyke also runs under the Municipal Building. Prison escapees tried to run

through the dyke. Mules once pulled barges through the Hazel Dyke. ♦ Remember “BAB?” John does. Cart Matarazzi introduced John to this abandoned

limestone quarry where youngsters often swam naked. “BAB” stands for bare assed beach. The quarry next to Boscov’s is 30-40’ deep with 30’ walls of limestone surrounding the water. Dumb courage motivated John to jump from the wall into the water.

♦ One of the last stories John told was about ice that was cut from the Quittie and Swattie. An iceman would come around and sell blocks of ice or shavings that he made into snowcones of flavored ice. Sometimes they stopped at Weaver’s bologna to buy a block of ice for their ice box at Camp Strauss. There were still places in Lebanon County without electricity.

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Phil Feather, Annville PA Interviewer, Recorder, Videographer & photographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD#7: Videos 17 & 18)

♦ Phil is an attorney, president of the Lebanon County Historical Society, and former 16-year county commissioner.

♦ For twenty years, Phil has organized the “Swataree Safari,” an inner tube float down the Swatara Creek from Swatara Creek Inn in Harpers to Black’s Bridge Road. 55 people float the Creek for three

hours.♦ Along with Tom Behney and Harry Fisher, Phil was a county commissioner during

Agnes in 1972. In fact, he had just taken office for the first time. ♦ There was one foot of water in the Court House basement. Equipment was damaged.

EMA had to move to the fifth floor “penthouse.” Commissioners split up their duties with Fisher at Cedar Haven, Behney at the Courthouse, and Phil, stranded in Annville, coordinated from his office.

♦ The July 4th weekend, he spent processing flood damage claims, and dealing face-to-face with people in trouble. All the commissioners could do was listen and offer food and a hotel to sleep.

♦ Without a police force in Valley Glenn, there was looting. But a doctor contacted by radio summoned the State Police. In the mean time, he padded his gun on his hip, and said, “I’m in charge.” After that, Phil pushed for a countywide police force, but got no where.

♦ Years later, after all of the assessments, a plan was developed to improve the flow of water through the City of Lebanon. The PL566 plan called for building dry dams, now called storm water retention-ponds. He soon became known as Dry Dam Phil. He wanted to hold the water for controlled release to prevent flash floods. After six years, they discovered the limestone sub-base was prone to sinkholes, and the project was abandoned.

♦ He remembers that everyone wanted to dredge the Swatara—just make it wider and deeper.

♦ During Agnes in 1972, Clyde Miller just started in EMA. He worked three days without pay. They decided to stay calm, figure out the problem, look for alternatives, ask how much they can do, and ask what’s practical.

♦ Phil found out quickly what authority and power he had, and what power he did not have.♦ During TMI, Phil was the Chairman Commissioner. Experts came to advise him, but

they did not have knowledge of nuclear power. If TMI blew, he was instructed to put 35,000 people on Route 81 with instructions to get off at Mount Carmel. This plan to evacuate 35,000 people was met with resistance. People wanted to take dishes, TVs, pets…. Farmers wanted to stay with their cattle.

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♦ Phil had a red phone. When he started receiving calls from schools, he used the direct line to call the Governor’s office to ask if schools should close. No one knew. They were watching Channel 27. Therefore, Phil tuned in to 27 too.

♦ Phil was impressed with Governor Thornburgh’s handling of the situation. ♦ There was no grandstanding among the commissioners. Behney took charge of the City,

Anspach had Cedar Haven, and Feather had EMA. They could not look in the books. Calls came in from Tokyo and Europe.

♦ He was scared when doctors did not show up for work at Hershey Medical Center. Nursing homes in Hershey were to be evacuated to Cedar Haven. His wife Judy was a shelter manager in Myerstown.

♦ People were more concerned about the air than the water. But, they were concerned about cows drinking water and eating grass. Farmers were hurt economically.

♦ A long-range dream for the Union Canal Tunnel is to float boats through the next two canal locks. Phil cuts the grass at the Union Canal. The park consists of 107 acres, some owned by the County of Lebanon and some by the Historical Society.

♦ Concrete pillars under Route 81 run into the Swatara Creek. People started digging fossils on the bank under the bridges, and could have collapsed the pillars.

Doris Flory, Annville PA Photographer & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #9: Video #23)

♦ Doris Flory, wife of Ronald, is an avid historian who once served as an emergency management technician for the Union Hose ambulance service. Doris set out to trace her roots and learn more about Valley Glen Park, which started out at 161 acres, increased to 175 acres, then in 1884 divided into several parcels, including one

parcel each of 126 and 43 acres. The last six acres were unaccounted for. ♦ The father of Valley Glen Park, the man with the vision, was Daniel Kline. Daniel, along

with his wife, Elizabeth, ran the Park. On a good day, she sold ten gallons of homemade chocolate and 15 gallons of vanilla ice cream. They had twin girls, Mary and Maggie. Maggie was Doris Flory’s grandmother. Eventually, on November 24, 1905, Maggie had a little girl, Elsie Maggie Daub, Doris’ mother. Elsie and Allen, her husband, worked the refreshment stand in 1931 at Valley Glen Park. Elsie died in 1981.

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♦ Doris mentioned the book, Porches, written by Billings in 1990. An interviewee, Alga Kline Hoke, Albert Kline’s daughter, told of living on a farm a “fields-width” from Valley Glen Park, which contained a merry-go-round, bath house…. Albert took people for boat rides one-half mile up the Swatara Creek, then back to Valley Glen.

♦ Along with two uncles, Paul Kline Daub, and Lee Andrew Kline, Doris created a map of Valley Glen Park.

♦ At the entrance, there was an arch containing the words “Valley Glen.”

♦ An August 20, 1910 invitation tempts people to “spoon by the light of the silvery moon” at Valley Glen Park.

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♦ The Kline ice dam is where 2x4’ blocks of hand cut ice were transported by a horse and cart to a 36 square foot building—the icehouse--without windows. Kline used sawdust to insulate the ice.

♦ A “Brownstone” house replaced an 1899 wooden cottage.

♦ The “flying horse” carousel consisted of 24 hand-carved, solid wood, hand painted horses and six seats that each held six people. The horses’ front legs were interchangeable. The horses rocked, but did not go up and down. Powered by steam, housed under a gazebo, and lit up by torches at night, 5-cent rides were available. According to a 1992 carousel magazine, John Blouch carved a smaller horse for Dorothy Neidig. According to Doris, the large carousel met its demise at the hands of Joe Lay in 1924. Joe rented the Park from

Daniel Kline, sawed off the horses, and sold them to a man in Bellgrove who in turn sold the horses for a profit. She is unable to trace the current location of the horses.

♦ The Park also contained a “shooty shoot,” a 60’ high structure where Kline pumped water from the Swatara Creek to the top of the shoot so a handmade sled could splash into the Swatara. A plank was boiled in a butcher kettle, then tied over a barrel to make the curve in the sled.

♦ Swings and a seesaw were in the fork of a tree.

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♦ Named after Daniel’s daughter, Annie, the wooden paddled steamboat, held thirty people. Annie once graced a Christmas Card. Eventually, the boat was fitted with a steel bottom and gas engine.

♦ The Park also contained a springhouse from which water was carried to the cottages and restaurant, which was torn down in 1993. Valley Glen also contained a windmill.

♦ A March 19, 1904 Annville Journal recorded $300 in flood damage at Valley Glen. But after the 1933 flood, Klines had to rebuild the Park.

♦ Kline planted 200 New York poplar trees that were 18’ high. ♦ It is believed that Harry Dettra, a photographer, took the only known photographs of

Valley Glen as an amusement Park, which was once recognized by Milton Hershey as a destination to where he wanted to run a trolley. When Charles Young, the original Philadelphia “backer” died, the trolley was surveyed and other “backers” were interested. However, after the Lebanon County Historical Society presentation, a former Jonestown Borough Councilman (Goldie), approached me to say that the Jonestown Borough minutes also mention the trolley, but enough electricity to run the trolley was never secured.

George H. Grumbein, Allentown PA—formerly Palmyra PA. Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #9; Video #21)

♦ Eighty-One year old George Grumbein served in the military as a paratrooper, managed a shoe factory and a bar, and worked in a company that assembled fishing rods and equipment.

♦ So what makes this man from Allentown a fascinating interviewee for the EELS

project? As a child, he spent summers at Valley Glen. His dad would drop him, his mother and brother off at Valley Glen in the beginning of the summer, then visit on weekends. “We took our shoes off as soon as we got there, and didn’t put them back on until school started,” he said.

♦ His Uncle George owned the bungalow where they stayed. To avoid high water, the bungalow was sitting on 3’ high pylons. There was no running water, so they bathed in the Creek. George carried drinking water in containers from a springhouse up the road.

♦ While he was not much more than a toddler, George remembers the carousel at Valley Glen, but he never got to ride on it. In addition to the carousel, the owner of the amusement park had a wooden sled that people rode down a bank into the Swatara Creek. They charged 10 cents to swim in the Swatara. There were lockers and a refreshment stand too. George said the carousel was gone before the 1933 flood.

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♦ Then, Frank and Lillian Wolf bought Valley Glen Park. He rented out canoes and installed a DELCO plant for electricity. “It didn’t work too good,” George said.

♦ Finally, Smokey Stover bought Valley Glen Park. There was a two-person swing made from one tree. According to John, George’s son, Smokey added a concrete dock and in the middle of the Swattie, a platform on barrels. Swimmers would dive from the platform. Smokey charged twenty-five cents admission. He also had a canopied pontoon boat named “Annie,” and gave rides following a four-foot channel from the ice dam to Raccoon Creek.

♦ Besides his Uncle George’s bungalow and the Park, the only other structures George remembers included the “brownstone” and Light’s cottage.

♦ George spent his days and nights fishing on the Swatara. He and his brother had a canoe. While he never was paid for his services, he was so good that he became a guide to visitors to the area. They ate the fish that they caught--mostly small-mouthed bass, but some sunnies and carp. The biggest bass he ever caught was 17 ½”. Using homemade dough-balls of corn meal and bread, George also caught carp. After an upstream dam broke around the 1960’s, George caught 25-30” pickerel on artificial plugs. They hung under logs or bank overhangs. He knew if he did not catch them one day, they would be there the next day. He also saw, but never caught, muskellunge, “a heavier fish all around.” However, at night, they set out to catch catfish and American eel. They also hunted snapping turtles, bullfrogs, and ground hogs. They would put lines out to catch the turtles. While the lines were illegal, there was not much enforcement in those days. Some of the heads on the turtles were as big as his fist. He would hold the line while his brother worked a burlap sack around the turtle, which they took to a man who made soup.

♦ When he said eels, my ears perked up. He caught 15-20 eels per summer. They were caught on night-crawlers and minnows. After hanging them in a tree and skinning them, the eels were cut up and fried in butter. They were “good eating, oily, but good.” George even took some of the eels to be smoked. (After the tape was turned off, he told me how the eels moved in the pan.) While many of the eels were young—16-18” in length—the largest eel he ever caught was about 32” long and eight inches in circumference. It was about 1938-39 when George caught his last eel. The Grumbein’s did not have electricity, so the cooking was done with kerosene, and portions were stored in an icebox. George read up on eels. He said at night after a rain or in a heavy dew, the eels could travel across land from one water body to the next.

♦ Down stream was an ice dam. George remembers riding in a Model T on the ice. ♦ The bottom of the Swattie was covered knee-high with fine coal dirt, which washed away

in the 1972 flood. ♦ There was a thirty-foot high shale cliff across the Swatara from his bungalow. The canal

towpath was still there too, and a nearby farmer used to let him ride mules along the old towpath.

♦ The 1933 flood came up four-feet into his bungalow. But the 1972 Agnes flood took the bungalow downstream along with the boats. His sister replaced the bungalow with a trailer.

♦ George lived through the depression, and he remembers his dad taking him along to Palmyra to purchase a $2 bologna dropping from a night watchman at Seltzer’s bologna. “We’d eat on it all week,” he said while smiling.

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Barbara Haber, Mt. Gretna, Lebanon PAInterviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #10; Video # 24)

♦ Barb was born in Lebanon, moved to Columbia, then back to Lebanon when her father, Mr. Angle, was offered a coaching job with the Lebanon School District, then she spent thirty years in New York, and finally moved back to the Lebanon Valley to retire.

♦ She has a Master’s Degree in English and Drama, taught school, and served as a librarian.

♦ During the 1936 flood, she remembers buildings floating down the Susquehanna River. ♦ Because her home is on a well, at all times, not just during droughts, she lectures visitors

to her home about conserving water. Some of the motherly advise she gives includes, “Wash your hair with the water turned off. Don’t leave the water run when you’re brushing your teeth.”

♦ As a junior high school aged child, she remembers going to Camp Greble along the Little Swatara where she swam in the Creek. She had to pick nasty leeches off her skin when she got out of the water.

♦ A competitive swimmer, Barb also remembers swimming in the Susquehanna River after a rain. The bottom was churned up, and she got out of the water covered in charcoal dust.

♦ She also remembers swimming across Willow Springs. In her youth, the abandoned limestone quarry was ninety feet deep and crystal clear. Tracks and equipment were on the bottom. It was so cold that they used to joke there were mermaids on the bottom selling ice.

♦ Barb and Walt, her husband, enjoy the sense of expedition when they canoe the fifteen-mile segments of the Swatara. They have done them all—some segments more than

others.♦ They have also canoed the Schuylkill

sojourn, which was well organized, but they did not clean up the Creek like the Swatara Sojourn does.

Sukey (Mary Louise) Harris, Annville PA.Mary Louise Sherk and Jean Henry interview. (CD #27)

♦ Sukey Harris is a "folk" artist of national renown. She lives in Annville with her husband, Dick.

♦ Sukey grew up on a farm in Rockwood, Lebanon County. One of the crops grown was celery, a water intensive crop. Water

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was used to steam the ground and kill weeds before the celery seed was planted. It was also used for irrigation. Celery was a good cash crop, but was very labor intensive. Among other crops were strawberries, apples, cherries, and peaches. They raised chickens and pigs, also. Water, of course, was used for all the farm endeavors. However, Suki says that the water came from a spring on the property, and not directly from the Swatara.

♦ Sukey said the family would take canoe trips on the Swatara, that it was an "enchanted world."

♦ Sukey also said that her family and the farm provided a rich environment for her later artistic and educational endeavors. Her mother was adamant about her children having a good education: they were the first children to pay tuition in order to go to Lebanon City Schools. They listened to operas and symphony orchestras on the radio and did many artistic activities with their mother.

Lloyd Hartman, Lebanon PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD 12: Video 26)

♦ Lloyd served through transitional titles with the PA Fish and Boat Commission—from Special Fish Warden, to Waterways Patrolman, to Waterways Conservation Officer. He

did not get to patrol Lebanon County until 1970 when Joseph Waybright (Jo Ellen’s Uncle Joe) retired.

♦ He stocked bass and walleye fingerlings transported in milk cans.

♦ His grandfather on his mother’s side was a fisherman.

♦ Lloyd loved the outdoors. He “cared for the Swattie and all our streams and natural resources.”

♦ Some people were outrageous the way they dumped things into the streams.

♦ Lloyd is also concerned about development along the streams.

♦ During the 1972 flood, Lloyd remembers motor boats on the streets of Lebanon. ♦ During droughts, the fish go into deeper pools of water. Then, “raccoons, mink, and fish

eating birds have a field day.” He believes Great Blue Heron deplete fish in smaller streams.

♦ Lloyd observed manure and oil spills into the Swatara Creek and its tributaries as well as sediment in high rains.

♦ In the 1950’s Lloyd caught American eels. Then he did not see any eels for a long time. That changed on June 28, 1999 when he served on a survey team with Larry Jackson from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. In Trout Run, around Green Point, Larry shocked the water, and caught a 14” American eel in his net. When he shared the story, people accused him of planting the eel.

♦ However, later an eel was also caught in the basin below Memorial Lake State Park.

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While he never saw it happen, Lloyd said on a rainy night, American eels can “come on land and cross obstacles.” By the way, Lloyd did eat American eel. His friend fried up two-inch squares. They moved in the pan. He thought they tasted like catfish. Initially, Lloyd thought the Swatara Lake was a good idea, but changed his mind as years went on. Lloyd’s advice to the average citizen, “Don’t wait on State agencies. They’re short of manpower and slow to act. Keep after them.” This from a man who was a State worker.

Chuck Henry (Charles Henry III), Mt. Gretna, PA. a lawyer with Henry, Beaver, Wolf, Parker. (CD#27)

Chuck was born in Lebanon County. Chuck Henry and Jean Henry helped organize the original Swatara Creek Watershed in 1971. The original members were: John Feather, Jacob Keith, Claire Gerberich, FredHartman,

Paul Kale, Bill Logan, Paul Miller, Samuel Williams, Dick Rotunda, Bill Williams, Tom Embich, Fred Richter, Gus Zerbe, Jean and Chuck Henry. The SCWA was formed as an initiative of the Lebanon

Chamber of Commerce and the Lebanon League of Women Voters. The office was in the Chamber of Commerce's office at the Treadway Hotel, now a Quality Inn. The Chamber assigned Gus Zerbe, a chamber employee, to the organizing group; the Chamber was interested in improving water quality in the Lebanon Valley

at this time, as was the League. Jean Henry, secretary, was part of the original group because of the League of Women Voters' initiative. The corporation was formed at this time: Chuck Henry did the incorporation papers and filed them with the state. A committee wrote the by-laws, with Chuck’s help. The original group disbanded in 1973 because of a lack of funding and interest at that time. Chuck then helped to reactivate the association,

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and finds it very satisfying to see such a vital organization.

♦ It was in the 1980’s that Chuck helped Citizens Coordinating for Clean Water to reactivate and adopt the Swatara Creek Watershed Association’s charter and apply for 501C3 non-profit status.

♦ Chuck, and Jean, his wife, are also avid canoeists, often taking the responsibility of lead canoe on the Swatara Sojourns. Their vessel of choice is a 1938 Old Town wood and canvas canoe.

Evelyn Isele, Jonestown PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs 2&3; Video Tapes 7&8)

♦ Of German heritage, at 85, Evelyn experienced all of those years in Jonestown near Swatara Creek. A historian with pictures and articles, she:

♦ Swam, fished, caught and ate American eel;

♦ Collected Indian arrow heads where the Little Swatara meets the main stem Swatara;

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♦ Has cave maps, articles on drownings from floods and at Weidman’s Mill in Bunker Hill; and a silver mine.

♦ When the Big Dam, also known as Berger Reservoir, broke on May 8, 1962, the Union Forge lost $3000 when the flood took away the saw mill, lumber…. Three grist mills were also washed away.

♦ The Main Reservoir was 45 feet high at the breast, and 200 feet at the base. It was six miles in length, and covered 700 acres of land.

♦ The County bridge as well as some Township bridges and canal aqueducts were all swept away, not even leaving the piers standing. So complete was the destruction.

♦ The number of lives lost was nine—three of the Proudfoot's family and William Broughter’s family (excepting himself). Those nine who perished had lived within a mile and three-quarters, along the Creek and the canal, near Union Forge.

♦ Light’s Mill and house was destroyed, though no lives were lost.

♦ Evelyn bought the last two tickets to ride the Lebanon and Tremont Railroad (L&T), and gave them to her nephews.

♦ She remembered the dirt road that ran through Jonestown, the man who was paid $6 per month to trim wicks and light the street lamps, and bring well water from a well at the Town square.

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♦ Evelyn witnessed a baptism in the Creek at Fortna’s farm. ♦ She recalled the “basin,” a pond and canal remnant, at the southeast corner of the Swatara

bridge, where men repaired canal boats. She used the pond for fishing and ice-skating.

Ed Keener, Cornwall PA, with contributions from Mr. David Etter,president of the Lebanon Water Authority. Interview on 9/13/04 by Jo Ellen Litz. (No tapes or CDs)

Ed is a civil engineer whose service to the Lebanon Water Authority spans 38 years. His profession placed him in charge of the water system for Lebanon. Ed explained how water is drawn from both the Swatara Creek near Jonestown, Lebanon County and the Highbridge Reservoir in Schuylkill County.

Originally coming to Philadelphia, then settling in Lebanon PA, Ed’s great grandparents came to the United States from Germany. They ran a brewery industry where they were hooked to the public water supply in the town of Lebanon.

Effects of the Agnes flood of 1972 were harsh on the Lebanon Water Authority. The old filtration plant, originally built by Fort Indiantown Gap and the army and given to the Authority, ended up seven feet under water. Prior to the flood, 50% of the water was drawn from Swatara Creek and 50% from the Highbridge Reservoir. Swatara Creek water was filtered, but Highbridge water went through the system unfiltered.

At any rate, the storm knocked out the intake on the Swatara, and the old filtration system was ruined. All water was taken from Highbridge until intake repairs were completed. A concerted effort completed the new filtration plant out of the flood plain, just north of Sandhill. From this point in time, all water from both Highbridge and Swatara Creek is filtered.

Today, about 85% of the Authority’s water comes from Highbridge and 15% comes from the Swatara. Even though a balloon type dam at the overflow of Highbridge can temporarily raise the water level of the Reservoir, the 30” line from Highbridge limits the amount of water that can be taken from Highbridge. To meet demand, after five or six days of draw from Highbridge, supplemental water must be drawn from the Swatara Creek.

With $32 million in funding from five agencies, including the federal government and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Hazel Dyke was also built as a result of Agnes. The Dyke runs from the Quittapahilla Creek to Fourth Street, Brandywine runs from the Quittapahilla to Twelfth Street; then Hazel Street from Lincoln Avenue to State Drive;

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and four to five years ago, Senator Brightbill helped to secure funds to complete the last section. The system is designed to withstand a 100-year storm. The southern part of the City of Lebanon, where everything was under water, may be saved in another storm the magnitude of Agnes. Even the Municipal Building at 400 South 8th Street had water in the basement. And the parking lot to the south west of the Municipal building was inundated. It took three weeks to pump out the former low spot.

Ice jambs are also a concern when running the Lebanon Water Authority. During Ed’s tenure, two or three jambs blocked the intake. Highbridge must be used when blockage of the intake occurs. Using long poles, personnel must manually push the ice blocks over the low-head dam, away from the intake. Eventually, the ice melts or rain raises the water level so that the ice floats downstream.

Because both the intake on the Swatara Creek and the Highbridge Reservoir are outside of a ten-mile radius of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, the TMI disaster had little impact on the Lebanon Water Authority. However, the Authority was placed on alert.

After Highbridge Reservoir tripled its capacity from 400 million gallons to 1.1 billion gallons by building a second dam breast downstream of the original breast, droughts weren’t as hard on the Lebanon Water Authority. The reservoir was renamed for Christian E. Siegrist. Ironically, the new breast is at the site proposed for the original breast. The location was moved upstream when the Lebanon Water Authority was unsuccessful in acquiring the old railroad bridge. Six months after Highbridge was completed, the railroad closed. By the way, the old dam breast stands in its original location, but is inundated by 32’ of water. When a drought is expected, to conserve water in the Siegrist Reservoir, water is drawn from the Swatara Creek.

We have come through the last eight or nine years pretty well, but if a drought lasts two to three years, we will come up short on water. With increased demand, we must find a new supply of water within the next ten years. Ed recommends a combination of the following:

1. A dam on the Swatara Creek; 2. Wells; 3. Conservation—toilets and washing machines that use less water…. Some toilets use

no water. The waste passes through chemicals that stay in the toilet. In Ed’s opinion, none of the other suggestions in the Susquehanna River Basin Commission study are feasible, including potential sources at Cornwall or Rexmont.

The Authority services nine municipalities. Some of the largest users of water from the Authority include:

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♦ PA American Water Company who purchases water from the Lebanon Water Authority;

♦ The Veteran’s Administration Hospital; ♦ The Good Samaritan Hospital; ♦ The County of Lebanon….

Fort Indiantown Gap can be a large user, but usage varies depending on activity at the Gap. When Cuban and Vietnamese Refugees were housed at FIG, water usage was high.

Ed observes water wars in the west, and says that development will dictate when the water wars hit our area.

The most significant pollution incident on the Swatara Creek involved a release of gasoline near Pine Grove. The gasoline got into the filtration system, and the Authority had to shut down. After flushing the system, Highbridge was used for a week or so. Once again, Wengert’s trucked water into the County. Conversely, the biggest threat of pollution to Highbridge was beavers near Jeff’s Swamp. These small critters can produce a giardi cyst that can make humans violently ill. The beavers were trapped and moved from the area. Smaller pollution incidents were “caught” in time to switch to the Siegrist Reservoir before the filtration system became saturated.

Bruce & Lorraine Keeney, Jonestown, Pa.: Interviewer & recorder, Marta Trainer (Interview took place at Trainer’s Midway Diner Banquet Rm.) (CD #16)

0:22 Bruce, born in Palmdale outside of Hershey, went to school in Annville, but graduated in Palmyra. She got married and moved to Jonestown, where he’s lived since 1952. Native to this area, his grandmother is the third generation in Lebanon County.

1:34 Lorraine was born and lived in Jonestown all her life. Her grandparents lived on a farm outside of Jonestown, and her other grandparents lived in Jonestown. She graduated from Jonestown High School, and later went to the Lebanon Business School, then worked at the Jonestown Bank through retirement. 2:21 They saw many changes in the Jonestown area. 2:45 She remembers having well water and outside bathrooms as a child.. 3:01 Lorraine had indoor plumbing when she was five years old..

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3:41 She also remembers when the first public water came from the Swatara...just for Jonestown, before the dam had been built at High Bridge before the 1950’s. 4:21 They remember water being pure prior to additives. A tour of the Filtering plant after

it had been built revealed the use of settlement tanks. Track #3 0:03 Bruce remembers watching the building of High Bridge, the second time, and thought that it was interesting. The new dam gave us a lot more water. 0:35 The 1972 flood affected everyone. Most of the people had water in basements. They had lived beside the bank, on top of the hill, one of the highest points and still had water in the cellar. 1:30 The Bank’s basement had flooded, and they lost bicentennial records that were in storage.2:19 Both used the Swatara for recreational purposes. Lorraine remembers

swimming as a kid, at a place they called Sammy hole. With rope that hung on a tree they swung out over the Swattie.

2:59 Lorraine also went ice-skating on “the basin.” It was not deep, and it is still there but is now grown up [with weeds]. 3:55 Bruce used to fishing for carp, catfish & suckers. Lorraine’s Dad... loved to go sucker fishing. Bruce and he used to go in the spring when the water was high and

muddy...when the suckers would bite the best. They actually are a better eating fish, but are bony. So they ground up the meat with the bones.

Also in the Swattie had been...bass but bass mind the pollution. Now there are mostly suckers and carp. It seems they don’t mind a bit of pollution. 5:34 Trout Run at Green Point is still stocked with trout. It runs into the Swattie, and he would still fish there today. He gets back to the project [Swatara Park], once a week 6:05 Bruce had been following the “project” since the start and has noticed the changes that have taken place within the area. When asked the question...Have you noticed a difference in the activity and number of game in the area since the project began? The following was his answer... 6:14 “If anything there is more game then there was before because there are more places

to hunt...All the fields and the properties that the project bought... are all grown up and it’s really good habitat for rabbits and deer right now.”

7:02 Q. Have the changes affected your activity?Bruce answered, “...well the project, what that did, it gave us more [access to land usage]... I go back there a lot more than I did before because you can walk there freely, take a bike ride if you want...see a lot of bikers, hikers, a couple of fishermen and hunters.”

7:45 He thinks the project was a good idea for the community. 8:00 Lorraine believes that with the amount of people moving into the area, growing

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industry, housing projects..., water is going to be a big problem in the future. We must think about it now. 8:40 Bruce said, “We should take more thought as to where garbage is being dumped. Some people are too free where they throw things.” 9:10 He remembers how coal was washed. Dredging and runoff water went into the creek.

Bruce also remembers a fish kill due to coal washing. Years ago, guys at the lower part of the Swattie would dredge the coal dust. Used to have piles near Harpers.

10:28 The Swattie has cleared since this practice has stopped. 10:32 Lorraine feels that we should support the people who are working on it [cleaning up the Swatara] and politically... get your input to those people...and that’s the best thing we can do besides being tidier with our own personal behavior when we’re out in the woods. 11:25 Closing thoughts 12:00 A drought discussion took place, because of the need for another lake, dam, or reservoir for water. Bruce remembers when it was really dry... Track #4 0:01 People were asked to conserve water.. 0:14 ....and animals would have to go further for their water. Normally they would get

water at the top of the mountain and a couple of years ago they had to travel further down to the bottom of the creek.

0:54 ...end of interview.

Brian Kettering, Lebanon County -Interviewer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #10, Video 25)

Brian is the owner of Kettering and Sons, a Goodyear tire dealership for 61 years, on the corner of 16th and Cumberland Streets, Lebanon PA. He is married to Kelly, and they have two children—Heather and Krystin. 5:21 Brian’s father loved the Water Works where they had a cabin supplied by water from a (7:05) 10-15’ deep hand-dug well,

which (8:10) went dry some summers. (8:33) During a flood, it wasn’t unusual to get water in the basement. (9:22) In 1972, during Agnes, they moved the furniture to the first floor, then the second floor. (10:23) But it wasn’t high enough. They got three feet of water on the second floor. (13:00) Brian also shared how the Water Works dam broke during Agnes. 11:38 To address conservation, they simply took fewer showers and washed the dishes less frequently. 5:58 Brian spent his summers catching bass, pike, sunfish, and red-eye. (14:41) The best fishing may have been at Yordy’s Bridge. Other recreational experiences included: inner tube and boat trips and (13:49) a swimming hole at the “rock.” At Blue Rock, Brian caught pike.17:33 The pollution from coal was most disturbing after a heavy rain when the Swatara

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turned black from coal dirt. Coal dirt coated the bottom and banks of the Swatara. 19:35 The spring thaw caused havoc from jammed ice flows, which packed around the cabin. Ice chunks were anywhere from eighteen inches to two feet thick. On the other hand, (20:30) it sure was fun to ice skate on the Water Works dam. 21:49 Uncle Paul lived in Annville. He had this dog named Duke who loved the Swattie. He’d chase the dog on fishing trips. 24:05 Brian has a special place for the Swattie in his heart. It was an important part of his childhood, and he will (25:25) always remember the summer evenings sitting on the screened in porch listening to tree toads, katydids, and screech owls. 2:20 Brian translated his love of the Swatara by, over the years, at no cost to SCWA, accepting over 1000 tires from Swatara Canoe and litter cleanup trips at his business--Kettering’s, the Goodyear tire dealer. 3:11 Brian theorizes that more tires are found during times of drought when some tires work their way to the surface as air gets back into the rim of the tire, causing it to float to the surface when the water table rises.

Laban Kintzel, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer (CD #17, Video #37 & 38)

• Laban is 87 years old. He was born in Pine Grove Township on February 20, 1917.

• His father was John Kintzel and his mother was Mary (Heinbach) Kintzel. He has two brothers and two sisters. His first wife was Emma Brown, and

his second wife, Dorothy (Huber) Rarick. • Her father worked at Lincoln Colliery, and his Uncle Harris was killed in the mines. • Laban talks about high school and the one-room Paradise School that he attended as a

boy. • He also talks about the Coal Breaker that his family ran

near their farm next to Sweet Arrow Lake and the Big Dam Church.

• Laban was in the Army from April 8, 1941 – August 1945. While stationed in Honolulu, he saw the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

• Laban keeps a list of over 100 people who he calls and sings Happy Birthday to. (I’m on the list now!!!)

• Laban can remember seeing the original construction of Sweet Arrow Lake in 1923. They used a dump cart and horses and steam shovels. He relates memories

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about the lake including the Lakeside Chorus, being baptized in the lake, boating, fishing and unfortunate drownings. He talks about High Bridge and Twin Grove Park. The house where Laban grew up can be seen on Video #4, Denise Donmoyer, Narrator at 12:00.

Gladys Kohr, Jonestown, Pa. : Interviewer, recorder & Videographer, Marta Trainer (Interview took place in Gladys’ kitchen.) (CD#14: Video 28)

Track #3 00:15 Gladys was born in Schuylkill Co., outside Pine Grove and spent her early years there. She went to school and graduated from Pine Grove School. Her father worked in the mines and later for PennDot where he

retired.1:15 Ridge View Stables started with Ray Ditzler who’d become active with the 4H children. The farm became a boarding stable in the early 1970’s. 1:52 There are a total of 102 acres to the property. Approximately 50% of that is timber

land. Two large fields are used as hay fields along with two large pastures for the horses.

2:39 Water on the farm is well water and she is very conscious of conserving water. 2:53 Currently there are nine horses on the property and water usage can vary. The stable has two 100-gallon rubber tubs. Consumption of water per horse will Vary from five to ten gallons. 4:00 Drought affects the hay harvest, and heavy rains...can spoil the hay if you can’t get the hay in on time. 4:52 She discussed riding in the mountain and being able to notice the differences in the streams during drought times. She gave an example of a drought, which we had two years ago. Many of the small streams that you normally see in the mountain were dry and totally non-existent. Gladys thinks our water supply should really be cherished and thinks that there are a lot of people who do not realize how important conserving water really is. She tries to do that here (conserve water on the farm by not letting water running unattended). 6:30 Use as little water as absolutely necessary. 7:00 There was a discussion on how too many people turn on a faucet and forget that the water is running away and being wasted. 7:30 The discussion turned to the trail rides out of Ridge View, which were first started as a family ride for 4 H children and their parents, sisters and brothers. Their first ride had eighteen people. The ride was never advertised. One year they did advertise and decided they would never advertise again because that year they had 150 riders. They felt 150 people were more people than they wanted to serve. One girl came from the state of Iowa. She was visiting her parents. People came from York, Northern Counties and Lancaster County. 9:10 Several years ago the rides came to a halt. They were discontinued out of necessity. The Pennsylvania Game Commission did not allow riding on State Game Land any longer.

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Most of the rides were partially on the Land. Today access is still available in the State Park and some properties on the Blue Mountain. 10:20 Gladys recalls riders crossing the Swattie, but she has done very little because of not being familiar with it [creek bed] and not wanting anyone to be hurt. 11:34 She remembers when an amateur rider dismounted. The woman bought the horse the night before and when the horse came to a stream, the horse dismounted her, turned around and ran back to the trailer, which was approximately one mile away. She walked back. They both [the woman and the horse] left, not to ride any farther that day. Gladys hoped the woman had learned a lesson. The rider was not hurt but was embarrassed. 13:00 Gladys talked about the bicentennial parade. In 1976, Ray and Gladys decided to do something different. Gladys made General Lee and General Grant uniforms and they dressed as those and entered the bicentennial parades in the area. They did get a trophy in one parade and cash from two parades. Fredericksburg was the best one of all because as they entered the square, the master of the parade asked that they applaud for them, and the entire square broke out into applause. That was very moving. 14:20 In 1976 they also rode with the Wagon Train from Hershey to Schafferstown. They met people from Minnesota who rode behind them. They were amazed at how beautiful the farms were kept on Pennsylvania. She remembers they had a break in Quentin. Their idea of the Wagon Train was to have three parades meet at Valley Forge. 16:00 They met a lot of people en route. She remembers temperatures of 92 degrees. 17:30 Discussed changes in our waterways...19:11 Gladys says...”I’ve been riding these mountains for the 30 some years and I recall riding through Rausch Gap. You could hear that water rushin. You don’t hear that water rushing today. There is not as much water coming out of that mountain as there was back then. So now, our population is increasing, but apparently our water supply, our water level, is decreasing. So, why should we not be conserving...and taking the necessary steps to harness what we have available to us?” 20:15 The last thoughts for the interview concerned horses. Gladys stated, “...some people think that horses and trail riding...are just a sport or a recreation, but it teaches young people responsibility. Having a horse and learning to take care of a horse and then going out.... enjoying nature on the back of a horse is a wonderful thing, and I think our young people are going to miss this.”21:09 A last thought on practicing sustainability:

♦ Gladys stated that we should be conscious of how much water we use. ♦ She also discussed building the dam, and thinks we need the dam. She compared the ♦ DeHart Dam and how many feet it dropped during the drought. ♦ City people should be aware that they too can conserve. ♦ We have to conserve our natural resources.

22:22 End of interview.

Dan Koury, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer On site interview (video only #39)

♦ Dan Koury is with the DEP Division of Mining Operations, Pottsville.

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• Mining began in the Schuylkill County area of the watershed in the early 1800’s, leading to significant acid mine drainage (AMD) problems.

• In this interview, he guides us through an on-site tour of the Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Projects on the Lorberry Creek, a tributary of the Swatara in the Molleystown/Ravine area. In the 1980’s a USGS survey found the main branch of the Swatara in the Pine Grove area was a dead creek. Nothing could survive in it because of AMD. After remediation, 25 species of fish were found living there.

• Dan gives some personal information about his educational background and tells how he got involved with projects in the watershed.

• He takes us to the headwaters at the Rowe tunnel and explains AMD. He also talks about the connection to the Swatara State Park project.

• Dan points out flow meters below the tunnel and explains how they work

• We then go a little farther downstream to the limestone diversion well. Dan explains how it works and talks about

the involvement of the Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association and the mine companies.

• Dan then takes me to the top of the mountain where we look at the Stump’s Run Project, which reclaimed an abandoned strip mine in the area where the Lincoln Colliery once stood. This is above the Rowe Tunnel and Lorberry Creek.

• He takes me to the R&D Coal Company where we talk briefly to the hoist operator and then watch a mine car being brought up from the 2300 feet deep shaft and emptied into the sorting shed.

• We then go back downstream to a wetlands project built within the last two years. Dan explains how the wetlands and the Aqua Fix system work.

Ann Lasky, Annville PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #9)

♦ Ann was a psychiatric nurse at Hershey Medical Center, then a nurse at the Lebanon Middle School.

♦ Ann’s pet project is the Quittie Creek Nature Park. Initially, she and David, her

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husband, watched builders dump nails and other construction material into the abandoned limestone quarry by their home. She collected signatures on petitions, then presented them to the Annville Township Commissioners along with maps designating the area as a wetland. The supervisors were receptive, and granted permission to turn the 24-acre area into a nature park. $9,000 in grants helped to install staircases from the lower to the upper lands.

♦ Ann freely shares credit with Betty Conner, Kathy and Owen Moe, Ruth and Dave Troxell, Kyle and Joan Smith, Ray Swingholm, and Friends of Old Annville for getting the Park started.

♦ In addition, Ann also shared a story about Ray Swingholm who wanted to blaze trails by painting pink and orange paint on the sides of trees. Initially, everyone gasped at the thought, but Ray was persistent, and the trails were blazed. Ann is so thankful they yielded to Ray’s contribution. “The kids love it. They follow the paint marked trails so they don’t get lost.”

♦ As time went on, Kyle and Joan Smith added a “pumpkin walk”. Three to four hundred candles light the walk. To date, the successful walk was repeated nine times.

♦ Mike Miller organizes fishing derbies on the Quittapahilla Creek. He has prizes for boys and girls ages 6-10 who catch the biggest fish…. The Quittapahilla is a stocked trout stream.

♦ Ice-skating is a popular winter sport on the quarry pond in the Park. ♦ Mulch from ground-up Township Christmas trees is piled in the park. In February,

“Love Your Park Day” is planned, when residents will be asked to help spread the mulch on walking paths.

♦ In recent years, the Park has been impacted by a ten-acre development that causes storm water runoff, which erodes the banks. As a result, the wetlands have gotten bigger.

♦ A future vision is to connect Annville to South Annville with a pedestrian bridge across the Quittapahilla Creek.

♦ A pair of Great Horned Owls tends to nest in the Park in the biggest tree in Lebanon County, a Black Oak.

♦ From the Quittie Creek Nature Park evolved the Quittapahilla Watershed Association, which David, Ann’s husband, chairs.

David Lasky, Annville PA. Interviewed February 6, 2004 by Betty Conner (CD #25: Video 32)

♦ When asked how he enjoys the Swatara Watershed and why he cares about it, David described his involvement in founding the Quittie Creek Nature Park and the Quittapahilla Creek Watershed Association.The Quittapahilla is a major tributary of the Swatara Creek, draining the southern part of Lebanon County as well as the city of Lebanon. David and his wife Ann live within 100 feet of the Quittapahilla Creek.

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In 1990, the Laskys and some of their neighbors petitioned the Annville Township Supervisors to designate 24 acres of township-owned land along the Quittapahilla Creek as a Nature Park. The Park has become a wonderful asset for the community with a trail along the creek and access for fishermen and hikers. A few years later David was instrumental in starting the Quittapahilla Watershed Association to study and improve the watershed. Over the past 12 years he has observed the nonpoint source impacts on the stream from farming, construction, storm water and urban runoff. Improvements have been made in reducing nitrogen and sediment loads to the stream by implementing best management practices such as stream bank fencing and the planting of riparian buffers. With grants from DEP and cooperation from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Doc Fritchy Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and many volunteers, steady progress has been made. Currently a consultant is conducting a thorough assessment of the 37 square mile watershed, including both water quality and hydromorphology.

♦ The Quittapahilla main stem begins near a restored educational wetland at the Lebanon Career and Technology Center and passes through Lebanon, Cleona, and Annville before joining the Swatara Creek north of Palmyra. The Quittapahilla is a Trout-Stocking Stream with a “catch and release” designation. The limestone bedrock produces water of good quality for trout. In the past, mills were built on the Quittapahilla Creek to use water power for various purposes. In the Quittie Nature Park there is the site of a former mill near a small limestone quarry and a bank of lime kilns. A flood destroyed the mill and adjacent Bachman Road Bridge.

♦ There are concerns about floods and droughts in the Quittapahilla Watershed. After the Agnes hurricane in 1972, the Hazel Dyke was extended in the City of Lebanon to be able to carry off storm waters of flood magnitude fast enough to prevent flood damage. As a result the rate of flow of the stream is greatly increased, which can produce bank erosion downstream. Also, if storm drains in the city become blocked by branches and debris, flooding can occur in those areas.

♦ In considering prospects for the future, David expressed hope that more stream miles in the watershed would be fenced and planted with buffers. Funding is needed for these effective projects, because farmers cannot afford to do them alone. There is a concern about the corporate farming and concentrated animal operations. He hopes they will act responsibly to protect the Quittapahilla’s water resources. David also recognizes the importance of the Swatara Watershed to the Chesapeake Bay and the example of the Quittapahilla Watershed as an urban/agricultural headwaters region addressing the nonpoint source problems that impact the Bay.

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Karen Light, Jonestown PA. Interviewed February 6, 2004 by Betty Conner (CD #25: Video 32)

♦ Karen and her husband live across the road from Swatara Creek, right in the Swatara Gap. When asked how she enjoys the Swatara Creek and why she cares about it, she talked about her interest in birding which led her to active membership in the Audubon Society, the Swatara Creek Watershed Association and the Lebanon Valley Conservancy. These groups all promote the protection of water resources and the preservation of habitat for birds and wildlife. The Swatara State Park is of great interest to her. Living next door to the park she has observed its development from the beginning. Some of the changes she has noted include the

spread of invasive species of plants and trees, the increase in the number of people visiting the park for hiking, fishing and hunting, and the impact of building Interstate 81 along the whole length of the park. She is familiar with the Master Plan for Swatara State Park and she hopes that it will be completed soon.

♦ When asked what wildlife she has observed near her house, she talked about bears coming to her bird feeder. She remembers well the Agnes Hurricane flood of 1972 and the debris that collected at the Inwood bridge. As a young girl she and her friends would swim in the Swatara Creek, but would come out of the water covered with black coal dust.

Richard Light, Jonestown PA.Interviewed by Ann Lasky (CD #26: Video 33)

• Richard, and Karen, his wife, live just south of Swatara State Park.

• Richard is a naturalist who is fascinated by all wildlife, especially the way one species of wildlife helps another species. In the 1920's his uncle took the horse and wagon to Pine Grove to get coal. During the trip, he saw deer tracks but no

deer. Today we have an over abundance of deer. • Richard often documents his observations by photographs.

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• Richard wishes more people would take time to look at the whole picture, not just part of a picture. This involves taking the time to observe animals in their habitat.

• In 1960, Richard saw his first fish in the Swatara. Sighting a Pine Grove Tannery that discharged pollutants into the Creek, Richard believes the chemicals did more damage than the coal dirt.

• Richard can find plants in bloom twelve months out of the year. That’s right. In December there is witch hazel, in January there is skunk cabbage, then in February, some of the spring flowers start poking through.

• He points out that DCNR needs volunteers to help keep vines from destroying the stone in the historic canal locks. All it takes is leadership, team work, and a fun attitude.

• Richard also remembers looking for a marbled salamander one night and he found one at 2:30AM. It was laying eggs. The creatures usually move during the rain. Tom Powers was with him on this excursion.

• Richard was thrilled to see a mother bear and her three cubs on a walk along the water line in Swatara Park.

• According to Richard, animals sense whether or not we would harm them. For example, take the copperhead snakes at Second Mountain Hawk Watch, and the Allegheny wood rat who also lives there. Visitors to the Hawk Watch enjoy observing and photographing the snakes.

Jo Ellen Litz February 23, 2004 (Self interview) Photo courtesy of Lebanon Valley College (CD # 12: Video Tape 27)

Married to Jon R. Litz, Jo Ellen does notary, taxes, and commercial rentals, is a substitute teacher, and is a county commissioner. She has been president of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association for almost twenty years. 2:39 I care about the Swatara because it’s been my life for more than a decade-- organizing 16 canoe trips and litter clean ups. 3:25 We have many sponsors of our canoe trips. 3:55 Our first float was organized to let the state of PA know that the Swatara is now a viable stream (no longer laden with coal dirt). We wanted to get the Swatara State Park completed. On that first trip, we canoed into wind and snow squalls. My daughter was my partner. At a log across the Creek, our canoe caught in the current

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and flipped. We were lucky not to get hypothermia. We learned to incorporate safety into the trip. At the Izaak Walton League, I thought everybody would kill me. Instead, everybody asked when we were going to do it again. 7:00 We now guarantee everyone will take home a lusty tale of adventure. 7:35 Blue Rock is one of my favorite places along the Swatara—multi-colored wild flowers grow on the limestone rocks, and I believe it’s the deepest hole in the Swatara Creek. 8:20 In the past, to recapture coal, there was a dredging business near Blue Rock. 8:50 Newer threats to the Swatara involve landfills. As Citizens Coordinating for Clean Water, we fought the Pine Grove Landfill. We were working so hard to clean up the Swatara. We crossed municipal lines to partner with people upstream. Water flows down hill, and this was our drinking water. What we do in our headwaters will ultimately benefit the Chesapeake Bay. Late into the night, we attended countless numbers of zoning hearings at the Pottsville Courthouse. 10:45 I feel like I should have a degree in landfills. We did not defeat the landfill, but we got some concessions. Governor Casey put a moratorium on landfills. We were becoming the dumping grounds for the whole East Coast. We have great infrastructure in place for movement of goods—Route 81. Trash trucks even came in from Canada to Commonwealth Environmental Systems (CES), Fry 1, and Fry 2 landfills. A California study identified Schuylkill County as ignorant, poverty stricken…. We stood up to them and showed them we weren’t ignorant Dutchmen. 14:07 We experienced many droughts. To save water, we purchased 500 conservation kits with money from DEP. We went to schools, girl and boy scouts, and social clubs. This program had a very low cost to educate people. We saved one million six hundred thousand gallons of water per year in the Watershed. 15:45 As a commissioner sitting on the drought task force, we asked the top ten businesses to reduce their water consumption by 5%. Wengert’s Dairy and Henry Molded products were very cooperative. Golf courses use a lot of water for irrigation. 16:55 Some companies are coming to the area, and want to draw water out of the ground for bottling. Judges ruled that the procedure is mining, not harvesting. In Union Township, mining is in a commercial district, not an agricultural district. 18:16 Sinkholes, limestone, and farming are common in the Swatara Watershed. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are becoming bigger, and family farms are changing. Where do they go with all of the manure? Concentrated Animal Feeding operations export manure to other farms. Tracking the shipment of animal waste is carried out by County Conservation Districts. 19:40 During the Agnes Flood of 1972, I lived at 126 South Chestnut Street, Annville PA. I walked out my door, and could see all of the houses at the bottom of the hill surrounded by water. My husband was activated in the National Guard. Septic tanks flooded. During a flood, clean water to drink becomes a problem. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) established a 100-year flood plain. 20:57 Flood plains will need to become bigger with all of the impervious surface. More homes will be wiped out if we don’t do this. 21:33 At my home in Jonestown, we have a well sunk 250’. We live in the woods in the middle of three farms, a dairy, chicken, and pig farm. It’s beautiful. Two small streams come together. I have fish in a pond too. The streams flow into the Swatara.

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22:30 As president of the Watershed, I get calls when there are pollution incidents. This past week shingles were dumped off on a farm. We worked with the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority to get the shingles cleaned up. It wasn’t the farmer’s fault. Another lady discovered an oil leak. After purchasing a new home, she filled an old underground tank. Then there was the truck that overturned spilling garbage down the bank in Swatara State Park. There was a fish kill too. Some thought the drought depleted oxygen in the water. But, it was a duck farm without a nutrient management plan. That’s corrected now. 24:20 end

Tape 27B :40 Our largest employer, Fort Indiantown Gap is progressive, wonderful to work with. They’ve installed stream gauges, upgraded sewer plants, and grow native grasses. They’re really good neighbors. Right off of Route 81, they train lots of troops…a versatile military base with an airport…. We’re proud to have the military in our community.

Old Post Card 2:17 Volunteers run Union Canal Tunnel Park. They’ve reestablished the tow path. Honey the mule pulls the canal boat. A neighbor donated land recently to allow the canal boat to turn around. Lois Meily and Pete Silldorff are active members. It’s on the historic register as the oldest transportation tunnel in America. The County of Lebanon facilitates grants for the members. They get the job done.

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4:14 We did a Mills and Bank Barns book as a project. It was a wonderful study of how the water was used historically. There’s a mill in Cleona where the raceway has more flow than the Quittapahilla right now. 5:10 Removing old dams is controversial. It would destroy wetlands that have been in existence for over 100 years now. However, removing low head dams would help restore shad and possibly American eels in the Swatara Creek. Low head dams also have deadly hydraulics where people frequently drown. 6:00 I’ve interviewed 33 people. Some of them have seen eels in the Creek. Lloyd Hartman was one of those people. We theorized how they got there. There’s a four-foot eel in the Richland Quarry. Some eels got trapped in the quarry. Fisherman who caught them below the Conowingo Dam released others. Birds regurgitated others. 7:25 Invasive species like zebra mussels are starting to invade the quarry. It may clean up the nutrient rich green water. We scuba dive there for maintenance of our skills. My dream is that we’ll have clear water there again. I’d prefer that it wasn’t because an invasive species cleaned up the Quarry. The mussels are sharp, and can cut the hands and feet of swimmers and divers. 8:36 A lake at Swatara State Park would also allow scuba diving. 9:00 Fossil beds are located in Swatara State Park. I took Sunday school classes there to find Jurassic fossils.

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9:36 We have lava deposits in Bunker Hill. They’re moss covered now. 10:15 My husband was an industrial electrician at Carmeuse. He’d come home covered in white dust. He’d get nose bleeds. To repair motors, he would go down deep in the mine or 200’ high into the air. It was a dangerous job. 11:35 Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Watershed. Who would have known that one little canoe trip would help us to be where we are today—recognized by State and Federal agencies for the fine work we’re doing? 12:04 At one point in our infancy, we were sued—a slap suit that was eventually thrown out of court. Initially, Wiley Parker of the Henry and Beaver law firm represented us. Then, the Civil Liberties Union took up the fight. Because we spoke out during landfill hearings, our constitutional right to free speech was violated. RIMIRO, three brothers, eventually sold the Pine Grove Landfill. Delmarva operated the Landfill for a time. They were pretty good. With persistent odor problems, they have a long row to hoe. In the mean time, we’ll continue to educate and empower people. We point people in the right direction. They should pick up the ball and fight their own cause. We let them know what works and what doesn’t. They can be the shining stars on their issue. So we don’t burn out, we’ve learned to delegate. 13:44 Thank you to Canaan Valley Institute, our sponsor for this project. They have vision. They make us feel important. They encourage us. As volunteers, we appreciate that some one cares. It gives us longevity. 14:39 end

Ruth Litz, Annville PA Interviewer: Jo Ellen Litz--Recorder & Videographer Laurie Andrews (CD#1; Video Tape #5)

♦ A retired payroll clerk for Sears, Ruth enjoys running the Humane Society Thrift Shop and working part-time as an Assistant Annville Senior Center Manager.

♦ She remembers dye from a hosiery mill on N White Oak Street, Annville, that ran into the Quittapahilla Creek.

♦ Ruth also recalls a horse from the carousel at Valley Glen housed at Knoebel’s Grove museum.

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Jim Logan, Lebanon PA. Interviewed by Betty Conner (CD #23: Tape 35)

♦ Jim is a retired biology teacher from Northern Lebanon High School. He often took his students to study macro invertebrates in the Little Swatara, near Bunker Hill. The Little Swatara is graced with numerous farms, but water quality is improving.

♦ His father caught eels on the Little Swatara. ♦ He remembers swimming in the Swattie near

the Izaak Walton League, ball games, and a pavilion.

♦ Jim enjoys the flowers and birding along the Swatara in the State Park. He supports the concept of a trail, a greenway, from Boscovs to the State Park.

♦ He talks about pumping to the top of a hill near the Water Works and the engineering to

build aqueducts and tunnels. ♦ His friend went on a raft during the Agnes flood. ♦ In 1930, his father had a small motor boat that they took on Camp Strauss Lake. His son

lives there now. ♦ He believes Route 81 impacts the area. ♦ He knows of fourth graders who received a Growing Greener grant to test Trout Run, a

high grade stream. ♦ Can you picture Jim floating the Swattie in a rocking chair, flies biting him while he

fishes and smokes his cigar? Fall is Jim’s favorite time of the year. In his opinion, it is the most beautiful.

Dave McSurdy, Schuylkill Haven Area, Schuylkill County – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer. The tape includes on-site footage of The Forge at the Eckert and Guilford Iron Plantation, Swatara Furnace, Mill Creek and the Lebanon Reservoir and dam. An audio CD only is used at the end of the interview when he describes these sites. (CD # 17: Video #39)

• Dave takes me to

Swatara Falls and describes the falls and the area near the headwaters of the Swatara Creek.

• Dave is a naturalist and a director with the Schuylkill Conservation District.

• He describes Boxcar Rocks

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He also talks about pressing issues in the watershedDave knows a great deal about the Indians of the area and describes how they would have used the falls and Boxcar Rocks. He tells what tribes would have been present in the area. Then he shows me large formations of Pottsville Conglomerate in the area of the falls.

We did an on-site interview at Boxcar Rocks where Dave describes the formation and explains what Pottsville Conglomerate is. Dave relates Indian legend about Boxcar Rocks. We stop at the Evening Branch of Fishing Creek before it enters the Lebanon Reservoir, and Dave names some other tributaries that also flow into the reservoir. Finally, AFTER 2 DAYS OF MARCHING THROUGH THE SNOW AND UP MOUNTAINS, we end up in the restaurant at Twin Grove Park where Dave relates some personal information. He then gives information about Swatara Furnace, The Eckert and Guilford Forge and the S&S Railroad.

Clyde Miller, Lebanon PA Interviewer & Recorder: Jo Ellen Litz (CD 4 & 5; Video Tapes 9, 10, & 11)

Clyde was a book in himself. Recently retired, Clyde was the Director of Lebanon County’s Emergency Management Agency for 24.5 years. Before that, he was the fire chief at the Water Works where he lived from the age of six. While he tried to enlist

in the US Army during the Vietnam War, he had a hearing deficiency that prevented him from serving in the armed forces. That hearing impairment turned out to be a blessing for Lebanon County. Clyde started with EMA at the time of the Three Mile Island accident.However, during the 1972 Agnes flood, the dam at the Water Works broke. Water reached the windowsill of the second story of his home, and dead rats, dead squirrels, and fish were left inside.

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He recalled some men who tied a rope around an elderly lady, and pulled her to safety. “They were heroes,” he said.

♦ He talked about a man named Nissley who was swept away, and drowned. ♦ Pieces of trailers were 20’ up in the trees. ♦ Walt Francis called and sent Stuart Wright from the Susquehanna River Basin

Commission (SRBC) to get a handle on how Clyde was predicting flooding on the Swatara. He used a set of ten steps on the East Hanover side of the Swatara at the Water Works. When the water got to step 3, “we were in trouble,” he said. He had to check the step each hour. The water usually rose one-half to one step per hour. Stuart was an engineer, and used Clyde’s marks to calculate flood stages up and down the Swatara. This exercise resulted in the 9’ flood stage gauge at Harper’s. Later, an absorption rate of the soil was added to the forecast method.

♦ Clyde says the water is intense, devastating. We must respect the water.

♦ Clyde explained that during the war, EMA was known as Civil Defense. Someone realized the valuable service was needed outside of war time, and EMA became a permanent County office.

♦ Clyde further recalled a fuel oil spill during Betts Shultz’s reign as Council woman in charge of the water department. Fuel oil contaminated the filtration system at the Lebanon Water Authority plant. As a result, a communication system was developed between Schuylkill, Lebanon and Dauphin Counties to provide lead time when there “may be a problem coming your way,” which allowed enough time for intakes to be shut down or water diverted to avoid filter contamination.

♦ As the head of EMA during the TMI disaster, Clyde recalled that originally a twenty-mile evacuation radius was devised, but later reduced to ten miles, which still reaches South Londonderry, Lawn, in Lebanon County. Evacuation procedures are outlined in the blue pages of the phone book. Clyde believes, “we can’t coordinate if we don’t communicate.” Again, Clyde was interviewed by Washington, which helped to form legislation. The County using the EMA as a command center between commissioners, state police, farmers, Red Cross, fire departments, conducts mandatory disaster simulations.…

♦ He even blushed when talking about skinny dipping at the Rock. Clyde taught his three sons to fish on the Swatara, and expects to create many more memories there.

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Doug & Louise Miller, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Interviewer Denise Donmoyer (CD # 19: Videos # 41 & 42)

• Doug and Louise are the owners and operators of the Pine Grove Theatre. This is a real success story. This historic theatre was in deplorable condition and might have been lost, but Doug and Louise worked their magic and the community now has a

beautifully restored place to see movies and live entertainment. • Doug begins the interview and Louise joins us later. These two can talk, and I can

say so because they know it’s true. Doug gives some personal information, where he was born, how and where they met and how they came to own the theatre. They reopened it on Friday, April 13, 2000.

• Doug give the history of the theatre, talks about the impact of the video age, modern renovations and tells how a similar theatre in his home town was destroyed by the Agnes Flood.

• Louise joins us and gives information on her personal background and begins to talk about the most challenging parts of the renovation including the famous “bathrooms” (before they took over, the bathrooms were so bad that you made your kids go before they left home and if they had to go while there, they just had to hold it).

• She talks about the former owner, Terry Knapp, who gave up the business for health reasons.

• There is more on renovations, the stage, the ceiling, and the ballroom that is now their living quarters and was previously known as Pine Terrace.

• They found evidence of the Ku Klux Klan meeting upstairs. • They discuss the architecture of the old

building, future renovation plans, and the projection and audio systems.

• They discuss buying and opening the theatre. • Doug and Louise talk about upgrading the

system and what the digital age of the future could bring.

• This couple cares about the community, and they want to install a generator in order to become an Emergency Management Site. They like to get to know their customers.

• They also talk about the glitches of operating a theatre. • On site footage of the theatre is at the end of the video.

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Verna Miller, Jonestown PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer: Jo Ellen Litz (CD 12: Video 27)

♦ Move over Rosie the Riveter! Verna was a wartime bride. During World War II, while her husband was overseas, Verna Miller made long steel bullet casings at the Bethlehem Steel Plant. After heating the cylinder of steel, a rod “hit it” and made a bullet out of it. She had ten buttons to control, and had to stop the machine to clear jams. At one time, about fifty heated cylinders rode on a conveyor belt.

♦ After Harold, her husband, had 101 points, and only 81 points were required, he could come home. But, it was hard to find a job. Initially, he went to Hummelstown to work on the M&H Railroad. That is what his father did for a living. Then, she and her husband met Carl Hottenstein in the parking lot of Bethlehem Steel, and Harold was told to report for work the following Monday. He worked at the BS for thirty years.

♦ When they lived in Jonestown, for about a year they operated a store in Green Point. It did not do so well. Verna and Harold ended up moving home to her parents. Verna took a factory job, then became a telephone operator. Neighbors used to say the operators listened to their conversations, but it was their neighbors. Six people shared a line. When the dial system came in, Verna lost that job. She did get a $50 bonus for staying on the job through the switchover.

♦ Later, Harold and Verna moved to the West End of Fort Indiantown Gap . They had no intention of opening another store. After three months of people asking them to open a store, they borrowed $500 from her parents. After filling gas tanks, they stayed at the store for thirty-five years. Business boomed! When the Vietnamese were there, Verna would make 24 dozen subs a day. When she ran out of rolls, she would run to Memmi’s in Hershey to buy fresh rolls. “The Gap kept us going,” she said. She

closed the store in 1984. ♦ She met so many interesting people—General Biddle, for instance. He was an

ambassador to different countries and adjutant general for the entire state of Pennsylvania. His wife once danced with President John F. Kennedy. She met Governors Leader, Scranton, and, she thinks, Fine. Her dad was a stone mason and helped to build the governor’s mansion at FIG. Then the Lieutenant Governors moved in, and Lieutenant Governor Ernie and Josie Kline became her friends.

♦ General Smoker was also her neighbor at the Gap. His hobby was watercolor painting. On her birthday, he surprised her with a painting of the Green Point School. He painted Verna and her son walking along side the school. The painting hangs in Verna’s Jonestown home. Eventually, moving it to Ridge Road, owners painted the school blue.

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♦ Her grandparents were Chris and Lizzy Kohr. Chris worked in the Lincoln Colliery until the depression. He would walk two miles to the Green Point railroad station and ride the L&T Railroad to work.

♦ Verna remembers coal shakers in Suedburg. They also took coal out of the Creek in Green Point. They burned coal in her parent’s home. She remembers the Swatara being “higher” then. Now there are more islands in the center.

♦ At her parent’s home in Green Point, they had a well with a crank and bucket to bring up the water. At one time, they had a hand pump. One winter, her brother told her to put her tongue on the handle, and her tongue stuck fast.

♦ They grew potatoes, corn, watermelon, and cantaloupe and had cherry trees. ♦ As a child, Verna swam in the Swattie. Around 1953, she remembers the boys swinging

out over the Swattie on a grapevine, then dropping off into the water. ♦ She also rented a “summer place” along Old State Road in Swatara State Park. First, they

rented from Mr. Dwight Fake, and after the buyout, from the State. The cabin burned down in the 1970’s—probably from youngsters who used to break in and steal their food.

♦ Green Point Church, formerly the United Brethren Church, baptized members in Fishing Creek, a tributary to the Swatara. At age fourteen, Florence, her sister, walked into the Creek on a summer day, and the pastor and lay leader dunked her. She wore a dress, and when she came out of the Creek, her mother wrapped her in a blanket to keep her warm. She changed into a dry dress in a blanket tent. During the ceremony, they sang “Shall We Gather at the River?” Brethren churches did not have catechism. Instead, you prayed at the altar until you felt saved. They used to call it revival. Today they call it an evangelistic service or a spiritual renewal. Verna believes people used to take their religion more seriously.

♦ You had a choice of dunking backward one time or forward three times. When she received baptism in a Suedburg Creek, Verna chose backward one time. “When you came up, your sins were cleansed,” she said.

♦ Florence also rode the train to school in Jonestown. ♦ Verna remembers little beavers building dams. She used to “gig for fish” too. They

would take a forked branch from a tree and walk in the Creek. They would push down on the branch trapping a fish in the “V.” She and her sister would take a frying pan along and fry their fish by the Creek.

♦ It may have been in a net, but all Verna remembers is that she once caught two American eels about 2 ½ feet long, took them home, skinned them, chopped off their heads, and fried them in a pan. “They flipped over,” she said. “They looked like snakes, but we knew they were eels.” She thought they tasted like chicken.

♦ Green Point neighbor, Edward Fake, was the principal at the Ebenezer school. So she could attend and graduate from high school, Verna rode to Jonestown with him.

♦ Verna remembers the 1936 flood, when water came over the railroad tracks along Route 72. She was eleven years old. Ice on the Susquehanna caused flooding, and her brother-in-law received a call from the National Guard to help in Harrisburg. So that the breast would not break, authorities released water from Marquette Lake.

♦ During TMI, Verna was visiting in North Carolina with Jean Weirich. She did not know if she wanted to come home, but she did.

♦ Today, Verna’s home is on public water and sewer.

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Craig Morgan, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer (CD # 18 & 19: Video # 41)

• Craig Morgan is the manager of the Schuylkill Conservation District, Pottsville.

• He begins the interview with information about his family and his occupation.

• Craig talks about involvement with the Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association and the Swatara Cooperative Trout Nursery.

• He talks about the Swatara State Park project and the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Upper Little and Lower Little Swatara Creeks.

• Craig explains the impact of cattle and dairy farms to these two creeks and steps that have been taken to improve the stream banks and reduce sedimentation through the Adopt-a-creek and CREP programs.

• Schuylkill County is in the process of developing a Comprehensive Plan. Craig explains how preventing “sprawl” will be a concern in our rural area.

• He talks about issues that impact the Upper and Lower Little Swatara such as cattle farming and invasive species.

• There is a segment on electro-shocking fish. • Craig reveals how he got the nickname “Splash” while fishing at the creek. • He also talks about Sweet Arrow Lake. • Craig’s father, Ray, owns and operates the most popular restaurant in the area, the

Red Lion Café, Rt. 443, Pine Grove. • Craig talks about the business and growing up on the farm. He misses some of the

hands on stuff that he doesn’t get time to do anymore.

Heidi Neiswender, Palmyra PA Interviewers Karen Allen & Marta Trainer (CD #13 & 21: Video 36)

♦ Heidi is a dietitian, registered nutritionist and doctoral candidate in political science. She grew up in Minnesota, but moved to Palmyra where she resides with Ken, her husband. They live on a hill overlooking both the Swatara and Bindnagles Church where since 1986, she is the official historian.

♦ During the flood of 1972, more commonly called Agnes, Heidi remembers that it started raining on a Sunday and did not stop until Friday. She remembers her father-in-law calling to suggest they take their motorcycle to higher ground—meaning Bindnagles.

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♦ “He sat at the kitchen table smoking his cigarette,” she said. He was used to the Swattie coming up over the banks. He just sat and waited. He remembered back in 1936 when the water was high. It went into the first floor of the white barn across the Creek.

♦ “The first day of sunshine was so beautiful,” she said. ♦ Her father-in-law’s house was lifted off the foundation. Water went into the second

floor. There was mud and grit in the screens. While everything was covered with mud and his organ was toppled over, most everything stayed in it’s place, even a kerosene lamp sitting on the floor. However, when cupboard doors were opened, dishes fell out.

♦ She tried vinegar and bleach, but nothing would take out the mud stains. Everything was ruined.

♦ But he stayed calm. He had a lot of hardship in his life—a father who was killed by a drunken driver, and a son who was killed in a fire. He was the oldest son, and had to take care of his brothers and sisters.

♦ After the flood, HUD bought him a trailer, and he lived along the Swatara—until the water came up and flooded him out again. He finally gave up, and moved in with us.

♦ His original place was a winterized cabin in an old church camp. There was no flood insurance. Most people did not go back to the area.

♦ He lost his way of life, and the value of his home. ♦ In March of 1973, we bought land next to Bindnagle’s and put our house on the high spot

on the hill. We think of the Swattie as more of a River. ♦ Heidi inherited her historian duties at

Bindnagles Church from Israel Early. German Lutherans started the church.

♦ Heidi has “empathy for the early settlers who came here to make a life for themselves.”

♦ Three miles north of Palmyra square, the church, built in 1803, is located along Gravel Hill Road, ½ mile from where the Quittapahilla joins the Swatara.

♦ In the 1830’s a barge brought people across the Swatara to worship.

♦ The Union Canal was one-half mile west along the Swatara. People building the church probably anticipated development in this area.

♦ With its oil mill to press flax seed and the Grubb iron furnace, nearby Syner did develop.

♦ In 1840-1855, a railroad came through, and Palmyra developed.

♦ While people started worshipping in the area in 1745, the brick church is Bindnagles original structure. The cornerstone reads 1803. Pastors used to ride in on horseback to

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preach, baptize, and marry people. They kept the records too. Some were good at it, and some were bad.

♦ The original land was deeded to the Lutheran congregation who joined with the reformed to have enough people to support a church.

♦ The bricks were made on a farm along the Creek. ♦ White sand for the mortar came from the Swatara. That is right, before the black coal

dirt, the sand was white.

Michael D. Pavelek, Hershey PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs # 5 & 6: Video Tape # 12)

♦ Mike is the Executive Director of the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority (GLRA), an author, and consultant. He is also a proponent of nuclear energy.

♦ Because of the Three Mile Island accident, he chose to move here in 1980. You heard right. PP&L asked him to volunteer his technical support.

♦ It was different to be coming into an area that most people were vacating. On the way here in a car, we picked up radiation readings…that turned out to be from uranium in coal.

♦ Paranoia was unbelievable. ♦ Charcoal beds saturated with iodine were our biggest concern, and we came equipped

with an extra filter. ♦ However, all the radiation was short-lived. The half-life for Krypton and Xenon is three

to four days. ♦ To take emission readings, we hovered over the stacks of TMI in a helicopter piloted by

crop dusters. ♦ Because all of the lines were busy, we could not call home. My wife knew I was OK

when she saw me on TV. ♦ Water coming into the nuclear facility is filtered, which means the water leaving the plant

is cleaner than what comes in. ♦ Massive releases of radiation were contained in buildings by shutting off ventilation. The

radiation reached equilibrium—decayed away. Some of the half-lives were three hours, but Krypton 85 has a half-life of three years.

♦ A full-scale nuclear disaster at TMI could contaminate the American Water Co. intake on Manada Creek.

♦ Because radiation concentrates in the udder, iodine on foliage eaten by cows is a concern. It is important to switch the cows to silage. Acorns absorb the radiation too, and turkeys eat acorns.

♦ Orange Fiestaware has 300 millirams of beta radiation, which if used three times daily, can cause cataracts.

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Mike does not give much credibility to dirty bombs used by terrorists. They are used to create paranoia. Water filters can remain contaminated even if fresh water comes in. They do need cleared.Nuclear waste can be a gas, liquid, or solid. For instance, iodine is a gas and cesium is a salt, or solid, which is soluble. Mike is Lebanon County’s radiological officer during EMA exercises at the courthouse. Most landfills operate on a “fill it, close it, move on” philosophy. Conversely, a 25-member board of directors who represent each of 25 municipalities in Lebanon County runs GLRA. There are more board members than employees at GLRA. The result is a community run landfill responsive to the media, proactive with newsletters and tours.GLRA has achieved many firsts—alternate daily cover—foam or tarps instead of soil; gas collection and/or control to generate electricity for 22 years; leachate recirculation through aquatic life water fields; and since 1959 GLRA was designated the sole recipient of solid waste in Lebanon County Mike hiked and wrote about the Horseshoe Trail, which runs 140 miles from Valley Forge, PA to the Appalachian Trail. Three Union Canal Locks are on the GLRA property. The board of directors authorized a 1700’ by 40’ wide trail/corridor/greenway, which was dedicated in 1993. If the LV Conservancy would like to approach the Landfill, they would consider a permanent easement. While not living in the area, Mike flew over the Swatara Watershed during the 1972 Agnes Flood. He observed coffins, houses, cars, and chicken coops floating downstream.The only way a drought affects the landfill is through more dust. Ideally, 30” of water annually will provide the right amount of moisture to help the trash decompose with minimum leachate. The office well is 140’ deep and tests clean. Because of the 1959 design specifications, some of the 65 shallow wells or monitoring points above the shale were contaminated from 1992-2001. Water was pumped from the wells through the leachate treatment system. A National Pollution Discharge of Erosion and Sediment (NPDES) permit was obtained and discharge was monitored until DEP concurred that cleanup was complete. Mike has canoed the Swatara on many occasions. He remembers dumping Betts Shultz—an embarrassing moment for him. He also recalls observing an oil slick. When he went back to the property owner, he was greeted with a gun. A court order to clean up the Union Township site resulted. Judge Tylwalk sent a message that Lebanon County will not tolerate such activities. Larry Taylor and he cleared trees across the stream in the upper reaches of Swatara State Park. The trees made the Swatara impassable, and current created an 18’ deep hole in the channel. For safety reasons, Mike recommends always portaging canoes around fallen trees.

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Pastor Rick Rogers, Jonestown PA Interviewer & Recorder Jo Ellen Litz , Videographer & photographer Khiet Luong. (CD #8: Video 19)

♦ For ten years, Pastor Rogers preached at Trinity UMC, Lickdale. The church is in the middle of an industrial zone and fast development by warehouses such as Ingram Micro and MSC Sid Tool.

♦ Helping to guide the church through hookup to the public sewer was a welcome challenge. The church and parsonage septic systems were failing. Both the parsonage and church are hooked to the same 90’ deep well. His father-in-law, who worked at a water plant, often advised him.

♦ Recently, the church completed a land development plan for a new addition. They may utilize the storm water retention pond as an ice rink.

♦ Pastor Rick explained the biblical ritual of baptism. Elder members of the congregation remembered people getting immersed into the Swatara Creek. He explained that putting people under the water is a symbolic death. Then, when lifted from the water, life is born anew.

♦ The cleansing and purifying uses of water symbolically represent the cleansing and purification of the body.

♦ The Samaritan woman at the well thought she only needed to drink living water once, and she’d never need to drink water again. But this was also a parable for eternal life.

♦ Streams of living water represent the Holy Spirit. ♦ Plants, trees, grass and flowers need water to grow. So does a spiritual life. ♦ When a child is born, it is only after the water breaks in the mother’s womb. Out comes

life with meaning and purpose. ♦ When you look at stewardship, think of the world as a gift. The way we treat the Earth is

a message we send back to God. ♦ Think of a stream flowing from one point to the next. What you put in the Swatara in

Lickdale goes downstream. Likewise, what you put into your life affects the others in the community around you.

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John Rose. Interviewed by Betty Conner (CD #22: Video 34)

♦ John swam and canoed the Swatara. Because “it’s where we live,” he feels a need to care for the Swatara.

♦ John’s source of drinking water is an artesian well. Sometimes, though, he gets a whiff of sulfur. Because his water supply is so good, he does not believe that he has to take conservation measures.

♦ John fought sewage coming to Lickdale, and even ended up in jail. He believes that when sewers go into Monroe Valley, more people will move there too.

♦ John walks the Moravian Cemetery where graves date back to 1752. Four graves are from the French and Indian War.

Jim Schucker, Lebanon PA – Presentation filmed by Jo Ellen Litz at the 2004 Swatara Sojourn, outdoors at Hershey Highmeadow Campground. (Videos 30 & 31 = 52.8 minutes)

Jim was a Lebanon school teacher who acquired Earl Leiby’s (former Lebanon Historical Society president) slides about the Union Canal. As both a teacher and a historian for the Union Canal, Jim was quite knowledgeable and delivers an authoritative review of the Canal. 24:30 In the early 1700’s, the only way to get into the Lebanon Valley was by boat or to walk. They followed Indian trails. In the later 1700’s, roads were cut for Conestoga wagons. They weighed 5 tons, and six animals were required to pull one wagon. It was a slow process.24:50 In 1690, William Penn came to the area. He wanted to build another colony on the Susquehanna River, and suggested connecting the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Rivers. 26:48 The American Philosophical Society surveyed the route to see if this was a doable plan. David Rittenhouse, a famous astronomer, was active in the group. The State did a survey too, and it was decided the canal was doable, and it became the first canal route surveyed in America. However, the Revolutionary War did not allow time to build the canal.

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27:48 In 1791, Robert Morris organized a company to build the Canal.28:35 They started with $400,000 in their treasury. Construction was started at the Tulpehocken Manor, building 5-6 locks. The first locks were made of bricks, but they leaked.29:32 German farmers wanted nothing to do with the Canal. They were forced to give up their land to build the Canal. So, Irishmen were hired from Boston and New York. They got paid $6-$7 per month. About 40 men lived in a barracks, which was knocked down and moved to the next location after a lock was built. They also got rum to drink. A shovel, wheelbarrow, and pick were their only tools. 30:55 At the Calcite Quarry, the limestone was hard at the surface. It was difficult and costly to build. So, they narrowed the Canal to one channel, and it became known as “the narrows.” This is how Narrow’s Drive got its name. 31:43 Three tree lines represent the Canal at three different stages—original, 1800’s, and expansion in the 1850’s. 32:09 President Washington came and stayed at Tulpehocken Manor. He was president of the canal company and a surveyor. 32:34 His second visit was a year later, west of 5th Avenue, at the Peter Kucher home.Kucher laid out Quentin and Avon. Washington heard of the Myerstown riot between the Irish and the local Germans. He wanted to know what was going on. 33:38 Washington came through a third time, but did not stay in town. 34:00 In 1795-97 the Narrows chewed up their Canal funds, and construction came to a halt. They turned to the state of PA and were allowed to run a lottery. The original intention was to raise $240,000. They took control over all of the lotteries in PA. For a cut of the profits, they granted permission for others to run lotteries--for 33 years. All they did was the lottery, not build the Canal. Instead of taking in 15%, they took in 5%, which paid the officers, but they were happy. $33,000,000 in prizes were given out nationally. The State finally stepped in and said, “no more.” 35:55 For poorer folks, lottery tickets could be purchased in half. It was 1811, and nothing happened on the Canal. The state grew concerned. The Erie Canal was being constructed in New York and the Tide Water Canal in Baltimore. Would commerce leave the Philadelphia port? Once again, investors put up money. Two companies were united, thus the Union Canal. The War of 1812 came next, and nothing happened again.37:24 In 1819, if you invested in this Canal company, the State guaranteed 6% interest, and money rolled in. In 1821 the Canal started to roll again.38:02 In front of what is now Lebanon Wal-Mart, water needed to move north. So a channel was suggested north of Maple Street and Tunnel Hill Road. The Canal went bankrupt, and the engineer went on to another job. The next engineer didn’t like the idea, so he wanted to cut a path to connect the Tulphocken and Quittapahilla Creeks--40+ feet deep through solid rock. The Company pushed small locks and small boats, and he said no, we need big locks.So, he was canned. 40:00 The Canal ran in back of the homes on Lehman Street to where Earl Leiby had his fertilizer works. 40:20 Then, the Canal ran south of where the Harrison school and senior center are. A barge was popular on weekends, especially to Heilmandale.

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41:09 If you looked down from where the Senior Center is now, you could see a boat moving east. 41:33 Utilizing the Canal, the Miller Organ Company shipped reed organs all over the world. There was a swinging bridge, and kids jumped on for a free ride. 42:13 Brandt’s Mill was at 9th Street. Nearby was a basin to the west where boats laid over.There were lots of warehouses along this area. 42:37 The office for the Union Canal was built north of Leffler’s service station (9th & Maple Streets). It is made of brick from the first locks. The home was built and occupied by William Lehman, the first superintendent of the Canal. 43:17 Light’s Landing houses a pizzeria now. Light’s Fort is to the west. 43:37 At 16th & Lehman Streets. G. Dawson Coleman built furnaces. 43:56 In the country, a ridge of solid rock runs under Tunnel Hill Road and under Maple Street to Cat Tail Run. 44:29 Simeon Guilford’s job was to construct the Tunnel. Thus, Guilford St. 44:47 The first president of the joint Canal was Samuel Mifflin--thus, Mifflin Street. 45:11 Tools used to construct the canal tunnel were a sledge hammer and a star drill—arod with an “x” on the end. The person holding it tried to twist it. Two teams worked, one from the north side and one from the south side. It took two years to get through. Drilled holes were filled with black gun powder. They would light the fuse and run. 46:00 Four Irishmen died in a cave-in. 46:25 It took $30,000 to build the Tunnel. A fence across the canal kept cattle out of the Tunnel.46:50 They realized the Canal was built too small. In the 1850’s, the Tunnel was enlarged from 729’ long, 15’ wide, and 15’ tall to 18’ tall. They took another three feet off the ceiling, and shortened it to 621’. It was finished in 1827--the last link in construction of the Union Canal before it could open. The canal closed in 1885. 48:00 In the 1930’s, the WPA, under President Roosevelt, reconstructed both portals. 48:25 The Union Canal Tunnel was never lined. It was solid rock. The Tunnel was left as it was blasted out. You can still see the original drill marks on both sides and the ceiling. 49:15 In the early 1990’s, Friends of the Canal did not own the north portal. The Union Canal is the oldest existing transportation tunnel in the United States. 50:00 The north portal has steeper banks. Retaining walls were built 30’high to hold back shale banks. It collapsed after 1885 when the canal closed, then was rebuilt in the 1930’s. It was down again in the 1950’s. 50:48 When the north portal was purchased, only three feet were open from the bottom of the arch to the fill. Friends of the Canal did not rebuild the 30’ high walls. Engineers could not guarantee it would not fall down again. All stonework was taken apart and put back together again. Inside the Tunnel was cleaned out too. 51:51 They found the foundation for the east wall, but could not find the west wall foundation until the final pull-back. Construction was stopped, and they called the masons back. The wall was brought up to the water’s edge. 52:30 The original portal is on the left. 53:00 The original small boats could only carry 25 tons, but could be pulled with one mule versus six mules pulling five tons on a Conestoga Wagon. It was cheaper to move goods on water than on land. And when the larger locks were completed, it became even cheaper to haul goods.

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53:45 Mules were unhitched and walked over the top as the boat was pulled through the tunnel. One captain was inebriated and didn’t make it. 54:11 In Schaefferstown, a boat was built and hauled to the Union Canal. The design was popular, and adopted by most boat builders. There was 450’ of canal route restored past the south portal.54:45 An earthen dam was built by Bethlehem Steel to keep water flowing to the plant at 16th

& Lehman Streets. A 30” pipe ran through the tunnel to move water back to 16th Street.Friends want to restore another 600’ of Canal, but must build their own dam first. A beautiful lock is nearby, but the wooden doors are gone.56:20 Clark’s Run flows into the Canal from Lion’s Lake. Lebanon is the summit, the high point, between the Susquehanna and Schuylkill Rivers. A 200’ drop occurs to the Susquehanna River, and a 300’ drop occurs to the Schuylkill River. When a gate opened, water was lost. In addition, limestone drained the Canal, and there was evaporation too. 57:10 First, Stoevers, then Stracks Dam were built in the 1860’s, and finally Cat Tail Run Reservoir or Lions Lake. 57:47 Conch shells were blown to alert boats coming in from the other side.58:13 He talks of the first lock going west. 58:24 Women earned extra money by baking and selling goods to men on boats. A lock keeper was at every lock, 24 hours a day, and didn’t make much money.59:06 Jim recalls the locks through the landfill. 59:18 He also explained the operation of the Heilmandale paper mill. 59:28 Then he shares a Water Works pumping station drawing. Cat Tail run was dammed up and pumped water back to the Tunnel. 1:00:15 They dammed the Swatara through Swatara Gap, which brought water to the reservoir. A wooden trough ran four miles, snaked through the Valley, and back to the first lock where it poured water into the summit area. To cross a ravine, they used wooden aqueducts.:01 Once, he crawled through to chop off limbs. The only living thing was a snake. :20 He mentioned the weigh-lock house. :78 The Jonestown bathhouse was a topic of discussion.1:04 Coal was found in Schuylkill County near the end of construction on the Union Canal. So, the canal was extended to Pine Grove. Even today, people can look for remnants of locks. 1:42 From the Big Dam, water was brought from the Swatara Creek for the Canal, which ran parallel to the Creek. Boats could go seven miles without going through any locks. They even had a steamboat. 2:27 He shows a picture of a lock. 2:40 Railroads eventually put the canal out of business, but the Canal built the first railroad. It had wooden rails, and a wagon ran on the rails. The car went into the mine for cargo, and the car came back by gravity.

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3:31 To cross the Swatara in back of Harper’s, an aqueduct--bridge of water--pulled the canal boats across. 3:38 Next is Hummelstown. 4:04 The last lock is before Middletown where you transferred to the PA Canal. 4:20 Lock six is to the east--on Ramona Road, looking west. This lock is in good shape. 4:41 The Meier House is in Myerstown. 5:15 Former Governor John Andrew Shultz was born in a parsonage. 5:25 Tombstones were discussed. 5:45 So were missionary homes. 6:05 At Womelsdorf, there is a three-arch bridge. The Canal ran north of the Tulpehocken Creek.6:21 Lock 46, Berks County, was restored in the 1970’s. They made a mistake when they took out the clay bottom. It will not hold water. 6:44 Lock gates are made of heavy beams. 6:56 The Canal joins the Schyulkill River in Reading. 7:10 There were 90 locks to lift boats from the Schuylkill River to the summit in Lebanon, then back down to the Susquehanna River. The number of locks changed, and some locks were eliminated. The Union Canal was 80+ miles in length.7:45 At 16th and Lehman Streets, Coleman designed a wood-lined canal. The canal was completed in 1827, and did not hold water. Since the superintendent was a carpenter, he lined the bottom and sides with 2” tongue and groove planking. The 1850’s engineer made fun of Lehman. He said if he was a tanner, he would have lined the Canal with leather. The engineer “puddled” the canal with a mixture of clay and lime. He ran the mules over the mixture to create a seal. Lumber needed replaced every few years. 9:39 The Quittapahilla Creek was a source of water for the Canal. There was a steam engine, and a water wheel 40’ high. He even had a drawing. It leaked in the summer. Pumping theCanal put the mills out of business. They sued in court. 10:44 He discussed Third Avenue above Lehman Street. 11:00 Water came from Stoever’s Dam. 11:14 Stracks Dam was breached. 11:22 You can stand in the old dam and see where the water went out. 11:33 Cellar. A door on the left opened to flush out sticks…so it didn’t get into the feeder pipe pictured. 12:04 The last dam built was Clark’s Run Reservoir, also known in later years as Light’s Dam, then Ebenezer Lake and finally Lion’s Lake. 12:40 There was too much water in Union Canal Tunnel Park for the last two years. 12:57 William Eckenroth was the last superintendent. 13:14 Recycled Canal stones are found in many area churches. 13:27 Hill Reformed Church is one example where the bottom is limestone from the Canal locks13:42 A sign is on Union Canal Tunnel Park. 14:31 There is a nighttime picture of Jim Shucker after the presentation.

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Robert & Annetta Schwalm, Pine Grove, Schuylkill County – Interviewer, Denise Donmoyer (CD # 18: Video # 38)

• Bob is 78 years old. His father was Alvin Schwalm, and his mother’s maiden name was Kimmel. As a boy, he lived in the village of Rauch Creek, which no longer exists since the building of Route 81. His family used to run a general store in Pine Grove.

• Bob worked at ALCOA and for the Reading Railroad. • Annetta’s parents were Ellwood and LaVera Zerbe. She was born in Pottsville and

moved to Pine Grove Township when she was two years old. • Annetta talks about cleaning cottages at Sweet Arrow Lake and swimming there. • Bob remembers bringing ice cream to the lake to sell to the people swimming at the

beach.• Annetta remembers her family getting ice from Berger’s Dam for the icebox and the

icehouse at the dam where fruit from the orchard was kept in the warm months. • They talk about the spring in Molleystown and the coal mining village of Lincoln. • Bob and Annetta talk about the trains in Pine Grove and how they used to dirty her

wash. They talk about transportation years ago.

• They talk about entertainment in Pine Grove in days gone by and how they met. They have been married 56 years.

• Bob tells about his military experience in the Marines. He was sent to China to relocate the Japanese back to Japan.

• Annetta talks about her family farm (they built their present house in 1973 on part of the farm property). Her father worked at the PP&L Power Plant in the Pleasant Valley section of Pine Grove, which closed March 28, 1962.

Sweet Arrow Lake was built as a water supply for this plant. He also was the caretaker at the PP&L Clubhouse at the lake.

• She attended the Pleasant Valley School. • Since this interview took place shortly after New Years, it reminded Bob of how the

whistles at the power plant and other places around Pine Grove used to blow on that occasion years ago.

• Bob attended the Mifflin Street School and the old Pine Grove High School on High Street. He tells more about the family general store.

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• Bob’s father Alvin was a well known photographer in the area. He took many historic pictures of Pine Grove landmarks.

• Bob talks about skinny-dipping at the Arch, a popular swimming spot next to a railroad arch that crossed the Swatara Creek at the south end of Pine Grove.

• They talk about the Brick Plant, the train trip for 1000 Pine Grove children, and the building of Route 443.

Ken Shirk, Lebanon PA Interviewer & Recorder Jo Ellen Litz , Videographer & photographer Khiet Luong. (CD #6: Video Tapes #13 & 14)

♦ Ken is a tax accountant, but also studied nuclear physics. With the exception of four years in Lancaster, he has spent his life in the Mt. Zion area, along the Little Swatara Creek, a tributary to the main stem Swatara.

♦ As a boy growing up on a farm, he experienced milking cows by hand, and pumped water by hand two times a day to water the cows. He estimates that each cow drank about six gallons of water daily. Crops for feed were grown on the farm, and processed at Herr Feed Mill, Jonestown, which is still in operation today. Ken recalled about eight other farms along the Little Swatara. ♦ He was not much of a fisherman, but tells a wonderful story about the first fish he caught

in the Little Swatara. They made him put it back. He was crushed. ♦ His dad had a fence down the middle of the Creek, and after a heavy rain, he had to repair

the fence, and bring the cows home. ♦ He could not swim too well, but enjoyed sailing his toy boat in the 4’ deep Little Swatara. ♦ He built a stone bridge across a shallow section of the Swatara. ♦ Ice skating several miles upstream and downstream was a favorite winter pastime. To

check the ice, he or one of his friends would lay on a sled while the others held a rope. The person on the sled had to “buck it” to test the ice. If the ice started to give way, the others would pull on the rope and bring him to shore.

♦ Ice break-ups left large chunks, sometimes at road level, that melted until spring. Because of ice jams at the bridges, they prayed there was not a big rain at the time of the initial thaw. Flooding often rose 7-8’ above the normal flow. After the thaw, fences were repaired.

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♦ Vivid memories about twin covered bridges on Union Road revealed a steam engine bailer for threshing that fell through and landed right side up in the Little Swatara. He even had pictures of this event.

♦ During TMI, Ken’s wife, Sue, was pregnant. He kept her inside most of the time, and became a consultant for his employer.

♦ Their hand dug well was originally 25’ deep, then drilled an additional 60’. Unfortunately, their neighbor never drilled their hand-dug well any deeper, and it would go dry. Consequently, the neighbor borrowed water, which was transported in milk cans.

♦ Harold Demmy, a “truck farmer”, irrigated crops with water from the Little Swatara.

♦ He’s not sure of the source of pollution, but recalls dozens of dead fish—catfish, sunnys, and suckers floating in the Creek.

♦ The part he hated most was the leeches. Even so, there were some tadpoles, minnows, and dragonflies around. Some

areas of the Creek were scum-covered while others were thick with plant growth. ♦ Freeport Mills operated a mill. ♦ He remembers canoeing the Little Swatara, and carrying wire-cutters in case he could not

dodge a hazardous electric fence. Ken actually cut a fence to avoid getting hurt. ♦ A shale quarry existed near his farm.

Paul Smith, Fredericksburg, Pa. : Interviewer, recorder & Videographer, Marta Trainer (Interview took place in the Paul Smith living room.) (CD #13: Video 28)

0:27 Paul, born in Berks County, Rehrersburg area, was raised on a 200-acre farm, fourth generation. Originally from the Palatinate section of Germany, he lived in an old stone house.

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His name was originally spelled “Schmidt, ” but later changed to the English version. [The 200 acre farm had been settled where water was in abundance.] A spring house on his property had a second story where meat was smoked because there was no refrigeration back in those days. 2:16 ...going back to the 1800’s...there were four springs on the property that flowed into one stream, and eventually emptied into the Little Swattie off Route 419. 2:55 Today, Paul’s farm is situated in Lebanon County. 3:10 Elsie Grimes bought his farm back in the 1940’s and used some of the land to build a stadium for the College Hill Chicks, a minor league ball team. 3:48 The barn buildings used to be painted red when the farm was owned by Oberholtzer. Later, Darkes farmed, and people from town would come to the springhouse on the property for their milk. Most people shipped their milk to Milton Hershey.4:38 The water source today is part well water and part public. His farm was “grandfathered” from having modern hookup so the main house was hooked up. 5:12 During the flood of 1972, Paul lived in town and was not affected by the flood, but the area was isolated. There was no access to town. Fredericksburg became an island of its own. 6:15 An old railroad was never constructed. In 1870, a railroad ridge ran on the south of town. Originally, the stockholders wanted to form a railroad to hook up all the small villages in the Valley...east of Harrisburg to the Reading area. Paul remembers this because his Dad was born in 1888 and this was before his time. The canal system was on its way out. 8:02 Bedding for the railroad was laid but the tracks were never laid. There is a visible tunnel left on the property south of Fredericksburg. 8:31 Paul remembers using the Swatara for recreational purposes as a kid. He used it for swimming because that was what was available in those days. He caught catfish and sunnys. 9:22 Paul is interested in grist mills, and remembers water being diverted to mills to run the water wheels. This was how the farmers ground their grain.

10:18 Going back to the farm where Paul was raised, he remembers that they had two big orchards that were self sustained, and they had a cider press. It was one of the few around. Neighbors brought apples to make cider. They made apple butter too. The process was long and always in the fall of the year. There were two presses. He has the stone from one of the presses. 12:35 He talks about other crops raised on the farm--oats, barley, rye, hay and corn. Also, Paul’s Dad was the first one to raise soybeans back in 1937. They were not

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popular back then. 13:10 He remembers the seed “crown vetch,” which was developed in Pennsylvania. It crawls along the banks of highways. They were one of the first ones to plant the seeds. 13:40 Reason behind developing soybean.... In 1937, they were looking for an alternative to protein feed besides corn. His Dad originally attended school in Norristown for engineering, but Dad died and the farm was available. His mother asked him to farm. 15:00 Paul remembers that conservation in times of drought was just a thing you did. He didn’t have as many cattle as we do now. Farms did not have to have as many head of cattle to be profitable. They were family farms. He remembers that in 1940 the tractor started to replace the horses, and horse stables were converted into barns able to hold more cattle. 15:50 That’s why later on we had surplus milk. Prior to that there was no surplus of milk. 16:16 Stalls in barns...instead of lateral stalls...they were changed in order to be able to use a manure cleaner. Concrete troughs were added. The design of barns changed...silos were added.17:10 A discussion of bank barns using southern verses northern exposure took place. 17:45 Winter sided barns in the area. 18:24 Paul remembers that in those days...everybody was at the mercy of the weather... In drought situations, most of the population were agricultural and everybody attended church to pray because they were very devout. 19:00 He remembers Rehrersburg...Church had balconies on three sides that used to be filled. A lot of churches were union churches because one denomination could not afford a church on their own. Lutheran and Reformed shared one building, but not always one pastor. 19:55 One pastor might have a circuit he would ride that included five or six churches. 20:29 We went back to the 200-acre farm and the subject of drinking water.... The Springhouse was built to protect the water and keep animals from falling in.… A Springhouse on Paul’s farm is contaminated because of the septic system. 21:25 Paul says that it was not, “the outhouse that ruined it, it’s your modern way of living.” 21:43 He says it can be remedied...through the Fredericksburg Water & Sewer Authority.. by increasing their coverage of the area with sewers. 21:55 Paul is on the Authority...this is his 15th year. 22:11 Paul talks about Fredericksburg being the first village to have their own water source.Water originally flowed through wooden pipes. 22:40 He remembers when water was $2 or $3 a quarter. A reservoir was up on the hill next to Albright College. Later, the College moved to Myerstown, then to Reading where it is today. You can still see the outhouses at the old college. They were unusual because they were made out of brick.23:34 Water flowed by gravity. 25:15 We discussed present water supply conditions and plans for future.... 27:27 Chicken plants use an immense amount of water. There are three chicken processing plants in this area. USDA requires so many gallons of water per chicken...

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27:55 Chicken plants do help our economy by employing hundreds of people. Chickens are shipped all along the eastern seaboard, as well as to Chicago. 28:06 Other users in Bethel Township using large quantities of water include: housing developments, warehouses for personal sanitation..., and Sherman Williams who also has a tower as a fire depressant, Crayola and Maple Press. 29:25 He briefly discussed the Cornwall Ore Mines and how the Agnes flood affected the mines. 30:42 Q. What is a good way for all of us to practice sustainability and protection of our Watershed area? 30:55 Paul says...”Water is a natural resource. Conserve it [water]... an old timer told me one time...sometime in the future, nations will fight for fresh water. Freshwater sources are going away because of building highways that divert streams, ruin springs and these are all natural sources. This area...is getting developed so much and there are less open spaces. Water from parking lots and rooftops is what causes flash flooding ...has been addressed in recent years by having a swale built around big buildings so that some of the water can eventually go back into the ground again. But where you have too many rooftops and too much blacktop, the water can’t go back into the ground. When a drought comes, it’ll dry up quicker.”32:19 Paul also believes in planting trees to help conserve water. He planted nearly 150 trees on his property. Root systems help to hold water and ground from eroding into the streams. Farmers now are addressing the problem of cattle grazing in meadows by fencing the stream area off so as not to get polluted. 33:14 He practiced preservation of soil years ago. If a field was prone to erosion, you would not plow the sod but leave the grass in the valley furrows, which would prevent erosion of the soil.33:40 Farmers are adopting no till planting. Vegetation is on the fields all of the time. 34:16 He discussed sprays (pesticides) that can affect aquatic life. 35:54 The discussion leaned toward tips on conserving water. Paul stated that, “ Education is important,” and gave examples of wasting water and conserving water. (i.e. driving past a place where the water is running full force from a hose...the water is running away.) 39:00 Paul talked about trees getting cut down. He discussed the tree that was cut down by loggers in West Hanover Township. He figured the tree was here when William Penn owned the area. Supervisors are suing the developer. 40.20 He discussed recycling...mulch. Household waste. Tin cans, plastics…. 41:00 Paul wishes those who dump their garbage along side of the road would stop. 42:00 He wants to protect well-head springs from pollution. 43:24 He also discussed Indian Folklore, and claims the area was pretty well occupied by Indians. A derivative sect from Iroquois lived in the area. They used the gap to travel from Lebanon to Suedburg. Arrowheads were found on Sugar Road where they might have had a skirmish. Blue Mountain was a natural barrier making the gap a natural passage way. A study was done in the meadow prior to Sherman Williams building, but nothing was found that was notable. 47:00 Interview ended.

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Frank Smoker, Lebanon PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD#2: Video Tape #7)

♦ Frank is a retired major general from the US Air Force who is an articulate researcher.

♦ He came prepared with facts about the Indian tribes. The Lenni Lenape Indians (the “Original people”), now referred to as the Delawares, made their home in the Indiantown Gap area. The Delawares were of Algonquian

linguistic stock. ♦ In the mid 1700’s, Dutter Mill was erected near Indiantown Creek and a road parallel to

Blue Mountain (West End Fire Station on Clement Avenue). In the 1930’s, the first temporary water supply for the first camp of the field artillery was taken from the mill race established in previous years.

♦ As late as 1807 there were five hundred shad caught in Indiantown Creek. ♦ Living at Fort Indiantown Gap for over 30 years, he experienced the Agnes flood and

droughts. His wife’s mother was an amputee, and Kathleen, his wife, had to get Mom into the house during the torrential rains.

♦ Frank and Kathleen chose to live in the Lebanon Valley after retirement. ♦ Frank spoke of a water tank removed at FIG and installation of a new $8 million sewage

treatment plant as well as FIG’s first water supply. ♦ He canoed the Swatara with David, his son.

Paul Swartz, Middletown PA. Interviewed February 20, 2004 by Betty Conner (CD #24: Video 35)

♦ Paul was born December 10, 1948 in Hershey, PA. His wife’s name is Patricia Gingrich Swartz. They reside at 484 Middletown Road, Hummelstown, PA

♦ Paul’s profession is government administrator. He is Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

♦ Paul began his interview with his family’s history. In 1754 Christian and Magdalena Schwartz arrived in Philadelphia from Germany. They moved from Philadelphia to Brecknock Township, Lancaster County in 1768 . In 1786 the family settled in Dauphin County in what is now Lower Swatara Township. In 1799 a limestone homestead was constructed on Longview

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Road. The burial sites of several Swartz generations can be found in a small cemetery in Lower Swatara Township, the Nissley/Swartz Cemetery. Christian Swartz II married Nancy Nissley, daughter of a neighboring family. The families were Mennonite. Farming was the main occupation in the early years. Some of the Swartz descendants settled on the east side of the Swatara Creek between Hummelstown and Middletown. Their land contains Indian Echo Caverns which are still privately owned by the family.

♦ A prominent member of the Swartz family was “Doc” Oliver Swartz of Middletown (1892-1981) who was a much loved physician in the area. Trained at the University of Pennsylvania and interned at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, he served the area as family physician for about 60 years. Milton Hershey once asked him to serve on the staff of his new hospital in Hershey, but Doc Swartz declined.

♦ In discussing the Swartz family’s relationship to the Swatara Creek and watershed, Paul mentioned the importance of water for the farm animals and crops and the high quality of the soils.

♦ The Union Canal borders the farmland where Paul now lives. A railroad was built along the same route connecting Middletown to Hummelstown, the M&H Railroad or the “Milk and Honey Line” as it was nicknamed. The Agnes Flood of 1972 caused severe damage to the rail bed when high water washed out the ballast. The flood destroyed two covered bridges and an iron bridge.

♦ Limestone quarries are a feature of the Swatara Watershed. The M.O. Swartz property contained a quarry and a lime kiln to produce lime for spreading on the fields. The quarry later became a landfill.

♦ The changes that Paul has witnessed include the growth of Derry Township from a population of 5,000 to 20,000. There has been much new development, especially along Middletown Road, and the conversion of open fields along 322 into the Hershey Medical Center. Preservation of open space is a concern. The area has become too popular, with good schools and easy access. Planning for parks, trails and recreation is important. A network of greenways and trails can, and probably will, happen.

♦ Paul has served as Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission since 1992. The SRBC was created in 1971 by federal legislation as a special agency based on the noble principles of watershed sharing and coordination. The SRBC is a small agency with 35 staff members to oversee a very large geographic area comprising over ½ of Pennsylvania, parts of New York and Maryland, plus the District of Columbia. The mission of the SRBC is captured by its motto, “Guardian of the River.” From droughts to floods, its main task is coordination. The SRBC’s goal is to produce the best possible flood forecasting. In the water quantity area, the SRBC has a regulatory role over large withdrawals and returns. Other program areas include water quality monitoring, watershed assessments, GIS mapping, migratory fish passage restoration, pass-by flows and conservation releases, streamside cleanups, public outreach and strategic planning.

♦ The SRBC and the Delaware River Basin Commission are unique among river basin commissions in the United States because they have regulatory authority. The DRBC was formed in 1960 and became the model for the SRBC. Creation of the SRBC, a book by William Voight, gives the details of the story. Maurice Goddard was instrumental in the creation of the SRBC.

♦ Most recently, the SRBC, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DEP and the Capital Region Water Board, completed a water supply study of the Swatara

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Watershed. The study described recent and prospective growth rates, the history of droughts, including 1999 and 2002, and other conditions related to adequate water supply up to the year 2030. A number of alternatives were presented for meeting the need for water during a “drought of record” by the year 2030.In December 2002, the Pennsylvania legislature passed the Water Resources Planning Act, creating a process to: update the State Water Plan, require registration of water withdrawals greater than 100 thousand gallons per day, establish a Statewide Planning Committee and six Regional Planning Committees, and identify critical water resource areas where demand may exceed supply. It took 25 years of effort to get this legislation passed.In conclusion, Paul said that the Swatara Creek corridor is remarkable for the amount of open space of farms, forest and riparian land in spite of the amount of development in the watershed over the past 200 years. Paul has a desire to protect the Swatara because it has special meaning for his family. “Do whatever is necessary to preserve it.”He said that the Swatara Creek Watershed Association has done a good job, over the past decade, of raising public awareness of the values of this wonderful natural resource.

Raymond J. Swingholm, Annville PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #5: Video #11)

Ray was a science teacher for 38 years, served in the armed forces, was a township commissioner for eleven years, and currently serves on Annville’s water/sewer authority.

He fondly remembers when he could drink water from the mouth of the Quittapahilla. He points out that the American Water Company draws water from both the Swatara and Manada Creeks. Manada is a tributary to the Swatara Creek. Ray says that, with permission, sludge from the sewage treatment plant is applied to local fields. He asserts that the effluent put back into the Quittie is 88% pure. One day in the 1930’s, he set out to follow the Quittie from Hebron, where he lived as a

boy, all the way to Valley Glen--the mouth--where the Quittie empties into the Swatara. He discovered where Bethlehem Steel was dumping effluent so strong that all fish were killed.He saw raw sewage from homes running into the Quittie. But at the mouth, he caught trout…. While he never ate them, until 1934 he even remembers catching eels near Mish’s Mill and in the Swatara, then releasing the eels. He also caught mud puppies—18” salamanders that looked like alligators.

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♦ Ray claims the 1936 flood did not hit the Quittie as severely as the 1972 Agnes flood, which was like “a raging river,” ten feet higher than normal on the Quittie.

♦ Robert Hall looked like Niagra Falls. ♦ There was a fountain originating from a French drain

in Ray’s basement. Twelve inches of water accumulated, but three hoses helped to siphon the water and keep it from getting higher.

♦ Insulin was in overdrive as he built a platform and hoisted the washer and dryer to the dry elevated surface.

♦ In 1979, when TMI melted down, Ray was hiking the Appalachian Trail.

♦ Because water is moving downstream, Ray believes airborne nuclear particles will affect the Chesapeake Bay more than the Swatara Creek.

♦ In fact, six months after the accident, Ray stood next to the cell that was bad. At the age of 81, he is still here.

♦ At the age of six, Ray rode the L&T Railroad to Pine Grove.

♦ He talked of collecting arrowheads and tomahawks. ♦ According to Ray, Mish’s Mill was for crushing

corn.♦ The fossil beds at Route 81 bridge contain tribolites, some ferns. ♦ He remembers jumping off the lava deposits near Yordy’s bridge into an 18’ swimming

hole.♦ Ray enjoyed Twin Grove Park in the late 1930s where he could swim, ride the merry-go-

round, or listen to country music in the band shell. ♦ He calls the Quittie, “My stream.” ♦ Paul Hornberger shocked the stream only to find blood suckers (leeches). So, Ray and

his students began cleaning up the Quittie. ♦ John Worrilow joined in the Quittie cleanup effort with boy scouts on the Lebanon

stretch.♦ Joe Waybright asked for Ray’s help to stock the stream with trout. ♦ But the biggest improvement happened with the signing of the Clean Streams Act, which

stopped the Bethlehem Steel from depositing into the streams. ♦ Ray hunted at Fort Indiantown Gap before all of the lakes were there.

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Edgar Teahl Jr., Annville PA (first tape, Betty Conner & second tape Jo Ellen) Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD#1: Video Tapes # 4&6)

♦ Ed described how he prepared and ate an American eel.

♦ His knowledge of the Swatara branch of the present day Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern railroad is impressive. Calling him a ‘friend to the environment,’ he speaks highly of the railroad line owner Andrew Muller.

♦ Ed also remembers the operation of Annville’s Bachman grain mill, which ended as a limestone crusher.

Eric Trainer, Lebanon, Pa.: Interviewer, recorder & Videographer, Marta Trainer (Interview took place at Trainer’s Midway Diner Banquet Rm.) (CD #15: Video 29)

00:20 Eric was born and lived in Lebanon County all his life. His business puts water back into the stream which connects to the Swatara. 01:40 The aquifer that feeds the wells at the businesses is from the Finger Lakes area of N.Y., (according to a geologist). Springs on the property are full season springs that flow from the stream on property to the brown

Swattie, and the water supply is unaffected by the weather. 03:58 The partner business, Comfort Inn, uses approximately 3,000 gallons of water per day, which is treated by an on site sewage plant. Diner usage is anywhere from 10,000 to 12,000 gallons per day. So between both properties the water usage averages approximately 15,000 gallons per day. The water is in better condition when it is returned to the stream. 05:44 Speaking about water usage and geothermal heating...the Comfort Inn was the third in the state of Pennsylvania to install geothermal heating. The heating system is ecologically and economically efficient because it does not rely on fossil fuel. There are 40 wells (they are called wells because they had to be bored) that are 300’ deep. 08:52 Water from the aquifers runs through the softeners, then to the sewage plant to be treated and turned back to nature. 10:00 Remembering the flood of 1972. There was a lot of water for the kids to ride their bikes through. 10:20 They (the kids) used the Swattie for swimming. He remembers jumping from a rope in to the Swattie and canoeing from Pine Grove.

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11:15 He thought about Swatara Park. The area is a great natural resource...the best section to canoe is the upper part of the Swattie. 12:35 He thought about sustainability too. It is best for people to be responsible for what they do to the environment. Keep nature being nature.

Joan Weaver Interviewed by Betty Conner (CD #22: Tape #34) ♦ Joan lives in her grandparent’s house. Her dad

worked at the Steel Foundry in Lebanon. They used to pick coal out of the Swattie.

♦ Joan volunteers in Swatara State Park. She uses the trails and started to discover wild flowers. One day, she saw a bear raiding her bird seed can. Joan also sees deer and turkeys.

♦ She fondly remembers her mother doing rubbings of head stones in the Moravian cemetery.

♦ As a child, Joan thought the early days of this country were in Philadelphia, but now realizes that the frontier was right here.

Jean Weirich, Jonestown PA. Interviewed February 6, 2004 by Betty Conner (CD #26: Tape #33)

♦ Jean’s maiden name is Jean Bohn. Bohn Road that crosses Interstate 81 just south of Swatara Gap is named for an uncle of hers. Her family has been in the Swatara Gap area for many generations. They emigrated from Germany in the early 1700s, first to Schoharie, NY, then to the Tulpehocken area with Conrad Weiser. Finally they settled in the Swatara Gap area in 1743 forming a Moravian community. Indians of the Lenape tribe helped them build their farms. Jean’s husband has a collection of Indian artifacts. During the French and Indian War Indians coming down from the north killed some of Jean’s ancestors.

They are buried at the Moravian Cemetery on Cemetery Road just north of Mountain Road in Swatara Township.

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♦ Farming was the main occupation of the early settlers. When coal was discovered in the mountains, the Union Canal was extended along the Swatara Creek up to Pine Grove to transport the coal. Later a railroad was built along the same route up to Tremont. Miners used the train to go to work. As a girl, Jean lived in Swatara Gap and rode the train from Lickdale to Lebanon to go to high school.

♦ Jean’s grandparents used the Swatara Creek as a food source, catching eels and other fish. Jean remembers one of the big floods of the Swatara (and being rescued from a second story window). The Union Canal lock house at Suedberg floated down the Swatara and destroyed other lock houses on the way. There was a lock keeper and a lock house at each lock along the canal.

♦ She is aware of and supports the effort to develop a common vision for preserving the historical and natural heritage of the northern part of Lebanon County

♦ John B. Wengert, Lebanon PA.Interviewer Jean Henry and recorder Mary Louise Sherk. (CD #29)

♦John is the plant manager of the Wengert's Swiss Diary Plant on West Walnut Street in Lebanon. The dairy is one of the largest, if not the largest, user of water in Lebanon County for processing drinks, such as tea, lemonade, fruit drinks, as well as for cleaning, sanitizing equipment, and cooling.

♦ The dairy was started in 1931 by John's grandfather, Samuel Wengert, on the family farm near the present plant. Samuel, at the time, was a teacher, but "in the entrepreneurial spirit" decided to bottle milk. He then began to purchase milk from other farmers in the Central Pennsylvania area. The present plant was built in 1941, one of the most modern for its time, and still one of the most progressive in Pennsylvania.

♦ The dairy was acquired by Dean Foods in 1998 and has expanded about 30% since then. The distribution area now encompasses about a 100 mile radius from Lebanon. John cites the good workforce, the efficiency of the plant, the availability of water and space as factors in the acquisition. He does not see any water use problem in the foreseeable future for dairy processing, but thinks that population growth in the county is more of a factor.

♦ John is on the Lebanon County drought task force. As part of a goal to reduce water usage by 5%, his company installed water saving devices and upgraded lines.

♦ Agnes, 1972: There were some milk distribution problems during Agnes and some of the drivers and machine operators were stranded. One machine operator, after spending about three days at the plant, decided to go home; he swam from 12th and Oak to 16th and Lehman Streets. His fellow workers thought they would never see him again, but he made it.

♦ Pollution and environmental interests: John is president of Lebanon Valley Rails to Trails, the multi-recreational trail corridor which now runs from Elizabethtown to a few miles beyond Cornwall, and which will eventually end in Lebanon in the vicinity of the

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Daily News. He has been involved in some planning tasks pertaining to rail corridors for the Swatara Park, and is interested in the corridor going north to the park from Lebanon. He states that a feasibility study would "be challenging" due to the parts that have been sold off. He tried to get the State to do a feasibility study, but they don't seem interested.

♦ Larry Westhafer, Jonestown PA. Interviewed by Betty Conner. (CD #22: Video #34)

♦ An avid fisherman and hunter, Larry is a member of Trout Unlimited.

♦ A resident of Northern Lebanon County, Larry observes fewer signs of civilization around Swatara State Park. He would like to keep it that way. Larry views dams as detrimental. He also believes that erosion is under control.

♦ Coal dirt has subsided, evidenced by the mussels, small clams, even trout in the Swatara. He hopes the mussels are not the invasive zebra mussels.

♦ Larry caught big fish in Harper’s mill pond—carp, catfish and bass. He remembers seeing dead fish prior to destruction of a tannery in the early 1950s.

♦ Larry values the historic canal locks for their beautiful stone work.

Gary Witmeyer, Manheim PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CD #8: Videos # 19 & 20)

♦ Having worked there since 1974, thirty years, Gary Witmeyer is the plant manager for American Water Company, a private water company drawing water from both the Manada and Swatara Creeks. The biggest challenge Gary faces is having to “take whatever comes down the Creek.” There is a lot of turbidity after a storm. Filtered out of the water are sticks and fish. To accomplish this, there is a bar rack three inches apart, and then a 3/8” holed traveling mesh screen. The screen travels in a circle, which allows small fish and debris to drop

off into a pond. After pumping to the plant, Gary adds chemicals like liquid aluminum sulfate to the water. The alum is a coagulant that causes larger particles to attach

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themselves and drop out of the water. The sludge is disposed. Then the water runs through carbon and sand filters, and as a disinfectant, chlorine is used. pH is adjusted to 7.4. Gary considers the Swatara a “very reliable source.”

♦ The Manada Creek is a trout stream, stocked above Route 81. ♦ In 1912, Milton Hershey built a one million-gallon per day water intake on the Manada

Creek. Built in a flood plain, the plant allowed the water to feed by gravity. Eventually, the Sand Beach plant increased to six million gallons per day.

♦ Unfortunately, the 1972 flood dropped eleven inches of rain and taught some harsh lessons. Closing down for five days, the plant became an island, and the pumps and stored water flooded. Everything had to be dried out, cleaned, and repaired. The lesson learned was, “build redundancy.” That meant keeping extra pumps on hand and adding a second source of water. So, when Eloise hit in September of 1975, the plant was only down one day. To meet the second source of water demand, in 2003, from Hershey Foods, the American Water Company purchased the dam on the Swatara, which increased capacity to nine million gallons per day. In addition, to avoid flooding the pumps and stored water, the plant was moved onto a hill.

♦ As part of the purchase agreement, American Water Company is installing a fish ladder to let shad go upstream on the Swatara. “It looks like a set of stairs turning 180 degrees.”

♦ Originally, Manada Creek was the primary source and Swatara Creek the secondary source of AWC’s water. Now, the reverse is true. Swatara Creek is the primary source of AWC’s water.

♦ During a drought, AWC watches USGS gauges closely. Gary also sits on the drought task force for the County of Lebanon. As part of an educational effort to reduce water usage by 5%, AWC distributes inserts with bills. They also have a full-time person who looks for leaks in their system. Some of the 250 miles of pipe are 80-100 years old. Unaccounted for water is 10-15%, which is considered an acceptable “loss”. Some water is lost at weak joints, but not all water meters are 100% accurate. It costs approximately $20 per foot or over $105,000 to replace a mile of pipe. The AWC is aggressive in pipe replacement, but must remain profitable.

♦ Even when the surface freezes, water is pumped from beneath the ice. The biggest challenge with ice comes from ice jambs in the spring—especially when combined with flooding. AWC also uses an air system to keep water flowing and less likely to freeze.

♦ EMA calls when pollution incidents, like fuel oil leaks, are coming AWC’s way. With the built in redundancy, to avoid contaminating filters, AWC can switch sources back and forth from Swatara to Manada Creeks. It is also possible to “blend” the water from the two creeks.

♦ To combat bacteria like giardia cysts and cryptosporidium, AWC counts the number of particles the same size as the bacteria and removes them.

♦ AWC only bottles water for public relations purposes. AWC is a long-term sponsor of the Swatara Sojourn, and awards each canoeist with a bottle of water. Gary often joins us for the event.

♦ During TMI, AWC referred to their emergency response plan, which called for water testing and readiness to shut down the intakes. Gary had to talk to all of his employees who were extremely committed and stayed on the job. AWC is within TMI’s ten-mile radius.

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♦ One of Gary’s most memorable experiences on the Swatara was floating the Creek from Harper’s and hunting for ducks and squirrels.

Karl “Skip” Wolf III, Lebanon PA Interviewer, Recorder & Videographer Jo Ellen Litz (CDs 3&4; Video Tape 10)

♦ Karl’s best memories involve his grandfather’s cabin in Swatara State Park—skipping the flat stones, found on shore, across the Swattie.

♦ At that time, the Vassil Junk yard was only a few cars, and a young couple and their children occupied the house.

♦ Karl’s family cabin was taken by eminent domain at a price of $4000 for three acres, including their attorney’s fee. They weren’t allowed to remove anything attached to the house, then found the water heater, a toilet, and the Cosco kitchen cupboards spread all over the bank.

♦ Karl had a riveting story about exploring an old silver mine, which his parents told him was a

bear’s den. He and his brother held a rope while his cousin descended into the cave holding a flashlight, but they aborted the mission when all he could see was water.

♦ Due to the ice thaw on the Swatara, his family lost their pier at the cabin in the spring. The ice thaw ripped out concrete pylons and steel railings.

♦ Pollution he remembered was an oil sheen on the Swatara that he believed came from both his motorized raft and Old State Road, which they were paid to oil to keep dust down.

♦ Skip recalled two fires that destroyed buildings: the ‘goat lady’s cabin’ where she sold her goat milk and Woods Creek.

♦ He believes he contracted a disease from swimming in an enclosed concrete fish pond. Knowing the symptoms were similar to Dave Leiby’s who had contracted polio, his parents were grateful when they found out Skip did not have polio. Scott Coppenhaver was the last person in Lebanon County to contract polio.

♦ Skip brought video tape of the cabin and gold fish pond.

John Worrilow, Lebanon PA. Interviewer & Recorder Jo Ellen Litz , Videographer & photographer Khiet Luong. (CD # 6 & 7: and Videos #14 & 15, 37A)

♦ John Worrilow is an eight-five year old man whose mind is sharp as a tack—recalling dates and memories in greater detail than most of us can. His frail appearance is deceptive. He was a marine, lifeguard, Yale graduate, and former Mayor of the City of Lebanon.

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♦ William Henry Worrilow, John’s father, along with Thomas S. Quinn, shared a room at the YMCA. When their boss at Bethlehem Steel refused to give them a raise, they started Lebanon Steel Foundry. In their WWII heyday, they employed 1,750 people. The family of the sisters they married donated the land for the Foundry at First Avenue and East Lehman Street.

♦ Some limestone was used, but electric furnaces helped to produce handmade

custom orders or armor for tanks--ten to twenty pieces at a time. Products were made from scrap metal. Showing loyalty to a lender who helped them get started, no bids for the scrap were ever sought. A huge magnet lifted the scrap from a railroad car to a scrap bin. Later, the magnet moved the scrap from the bin to the furnaces for melting.

♦ Made from a blueprint, a wooden pattern that was cut in half, called cope and drag,

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received the melted scrap. The rough casting was surrounded by fine sand, then a coarser sand. The casting was eventually shaken on a grill to remove excess sand, then dunked into a “quenching tank” for cooling, which locked in qualities and characteristics of the casting. Finally, after a cleaning and heat treatment, the casting was machined (ground and polished). Their goal was to end with zero scrap. While “minimal” water was used, the Foundry was hooked onto a public water supply. Byproducts included the sand and “shavings” that were used to fill the old Union Canal where Christianson and Matthews have a housing complex west of Lincoln Avenue. John explained that sixteen inches of topsoil were applied so the rainwater would not drain away too quickly. That way, grass will grow on the site. Quinn died during the Korean conflict in 1955. John’s dad died June 22, 1974. At that time, the foundry was sold to their two largest customers, Zomex and James to support their paper company. John now sits on the Lebanon Water Authority Board. The City of Lebanon bought the Lebanon Steel Water Supply. The charge of the Authority is to provide water under all conditions—even drought. John recalls two people losing their lives during the Agnes flood of 1972—a father who was in a jeep with his son at Frog’s Hollow on Route 72 and a man with a rope tied around his waist trying to cross the Swatara to get to Jonestown. The current was too strong for his shore support to pull him back. Visible today is a 6’ high water mark from the Agnes Flood, which is found in the Simon S. Kettering building at Sixteenth and Cumberland Streets.After the flood, the Hazel Dyke, a concrete shoot through the City of Lebanon, was created.The Agnes flood also closed the Bethlehem Steel mines at Cornwall. Many jobs were lost. Terrorism is a concern for the Water Authority. Fences and other recommended measures were taken.John fondly recalled memories at Brasenhill, the mansion where he grew up. In fact, Milton Hershey, the chocolate magnate, was a frequent visitor. John learned to swim at the Lebanon Bathing Casino on Oak St. There was also a roller skating rink there. As a lifeguard, he took indigent children, whom he found cooling off in the discharge of Coleman Memorial pool, to a hole in the Swatara Creek, and taught them to swim. They could also swing out over the Swatara. He recalled a trolley line that transported milk from farms between Lebanon and Hershey.In 1920, a flood wiped out a bridge at the County Club. John also organized scouts to clean up the Quittapahilla Creek. They found shopping carts, batteries, even a parking meter. In closing, John emphasizes that a decision to do nothing is still a decision. He emphasizes that the demand for water is obvious, and we need a dam at Inwood for both water supply and recreation.

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Development increases impervious surface, which does not allow ground water recharge of the watershed.

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While each municipality has authority over their own zoning, Swatara Creek Watershed Association took a look at zoning throughout the watershed. The results were published in our 1996 Rivers Conservation Plan sponsored by Canaan Valley Institute, the William Penn Foundation, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and completed by Mackin Engineering. In general, notice the wisdom of our forefathers to create conservation areas in the northern part of the watershed. Since water flows down hill, conservation zoning (purple) helps to protect our water supply from contamination. A good portion of the watershed is in agriculture (green), which allows ground water recharge. As the population grows, to continue to protect the quality of our water supply and ensure ground water recharge, it is important to retain the conservation areas and preserve most of the agricultural land. This action will help to lessen impacts from both droughts and floods.

Zoning in the Swatara Watershed. (compiled by Mackin Engineering)

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Appendix

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Swatara Water Trail (In order, north to south)

Pine Grove Historical Society (formerly Pinegrove) is located in the southwest corner of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, just north of the Blue Mountain. Originally part of Berks County, the area was first occupied by German settlers exploring the Swatara Creek. The town was incorporated in 1832 and became important as a transportation hub of the Union Canal, and later of the railroads, both of which carried coal from the county's northern regions to Reading, Philadelphia, and beyond. Since its inception in 1989, the Pine Grove Historical Society has made a commitment to researching, recording, and preserving the history and traditions of this close-knit Pennsylvania Dutch community so that future generations may benefit. Located at 205 North Tulpehocken Street, Pine Grove, PA, call (570)345-0157 for more information, or visit http://www.rootsweb.com/~papghs/about.htm . Genealogical Library is open Mondays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and other hours by appointment. Admission to the library costs $3 for non-members; but is free for members and full-time enrolled students.

Pine Grove Theater is a grand old theater of significant architecture, and is currently owned by Doug and Louise Miller who renovated everything from the stage and ceiling to the famous “bathrooms” (before they took over the bathrooms were so bad that you made your kids go before they left home and if they had to go while there, they just had to hold it). The ballroom is now their living quarters and was previously known as Pine Terrace. Terry Knapp gave up the business for health reasons. This couple cares about the community and they want to install a generator in order to become an Emergency Management Site.

Conrad Richter was an author who wrote The Light in the Forest and Sea of Grass. According to Early Americana, Conrad Richter wrote about the history of the areas he knew best, the areas in which he lived. He, better than anyone else writing historical fiction, was able to capture the rural traits, traditions and dialects of the 19th and early 20th century. His novels were greatly loved and praised, and he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize (for The Town) and the National Book Award (for The Waters of Kronos). His Awakening Land trilogy was made into an award winning 1978 mini-series starring Elizabeth Montgomery and Hal Holbrook. Louis Bromfield from the Herald Tribune described Richter and his work best: "He has that gift - the first and most important in a novelist - of creating for the reader a world as real as the one in which he lives, a world which the reader enters on the first page and in which he remains until the last."

Nutting Hall is a two and one-half story wood structure with a gable roof. It is five bays across by three bays deep with a large section to the rear. The house

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was built between 1823 and 1825 by Peter Filbert for the family of Christian Ley (1762-1832), a son of Michael Ley who built Tulpehocken Manor. However, it was named for James L. Nutting, a very prominent iron and coal Baron, who died in the home in 1880. Nutting Hall is now the home of Margery Wheeler Mattox who restored the house and had it placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ms. Mattox is an artist and has done sketches and paintings of many local historic places. Her brother, Richard Wheeler, who also resides at Nutting Hall, is an author of a number of military history books including one on the Civil War.

Red Lion Cafe is on Route 443, five minutes east of Pine Grove. It’s everyone's favorite restaurant in this neck of the Watershed, and consistently earns a spot in Schuylkill Living Magazine's Reader’s Choice Awards. It was voted Best Dining Value in 2003. Owned by Ray Morgan, you can't go wrong or walk away hungry at the Red Lion.

Sweet Arrow Lake is just east of the Red Lion Café. Originally created in 1923 as a 1,000,000 gallon per day water supply for the PP&L power plant (which closed March 28, 1962) in the Pleasant Valley section of Pine Grove, the Lake has now become Schuylkill County's first county park. $1.2 million in repairs, which included $650,000 in Growing Greener Funds and a county bond issue, has made the restoration possible. Originally, in order to produce electricity, the water was heated to make steam turn the turbines at the power plant.

Union Canal Basin in Pine Grove still exists. Another note of interest is that the siding for the Union Canal Railroad was situated on the west side of the basin.This was the first railroad chartered in PA in 1828. Twenty years before locomotive power came into use, horses were used to haul the coal along wooden rails from the coalfields to the basin.

Indians used the Tulpehocken Trail, which followed Swatara Creek northward through Swatara Gap at Inwood to Suedburg where it divided; the easterly path continued along the Swatara Valley to the present site of Pine Grove Borough where it joined the main line of the Tulpehocken Trail.

Swatara Furnace and Manor House is located on Old Forge Road, east of the Lebanon Reservoir in Pine Grove Township, Suedburg, on 200 acres of land.Four buildings make up this significant architectural and engineering location, which was once part of a thriving industry from 1825-1874. It is currently privately owned.

Stony Creek Trail, sometimes called St. Anthony’s Wilderness, was once a railroad, and runs eastward twenty miles from the Susquehanna River, Dauphin County, to the Lebanon Reservoir, Schuylkill County. The trail surface of crushed stone is used for hiking, horses, and cross-country skiing. one way

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Box Car Rocks, High or Point of Rocks are located in Stony Valley. A Pottsville

Conglomerate

State Game Lands 211 stretch from the Carbon/Schuylkill county line southwest to the Susquehanna River. Deer, turkey, bear, grouse, rabbit, squirrel and pheasant are found on this Allegheny Mountain chain ridge. Second Mountain is the second mountain as you come north from the Philadelphia Plateau or the Susquehanna Valley lowlands; the first ridge is the Blue Mountain. Starting near the county line, Second Mountain has four state game lands and a state forest.In Pennsylvania, this Second Mountain contains state game lands that all begin with the number "2." In the east is SGL 257, then SGL 222, then SGL 229 on both Second and Sharps mountains, and finally, near the Susquehanna River is SGL 211. Together they add up to over 51,000 acres of public land.

Jacob's Lutheran Church is on Route 443 just past the Interstate 81 interchange. It is the second oldest church in Schuylkill County, and the first to be organized in the county west of the Schuylkill River in 1780. The church was named after Jacob Gunkle, the first known settler of Pine Grove. The original part of the church was built of hewn logs covered with weatherboarding.

Sattazahn Church and cemetery is a Lutheran church founded by German immigrants in 1729. The church was served by traveling missionary John Casper Stover Jr. In 1756, the structure was made of logs. The current structure was built in 1872, and named in honor of Peter Sattazahn, a Revolutionary soldier buried there. Also, Levi Zechman, one of two blue-eyed six members is buried here. Zechman turned state’s evidence in the first case where someone was murdered for an insurance policy. Joel Reaber, the victim (a charcoal burner) was actually drowned by Spitler.

Twin Grove Park offers camping, live entertainment, amusement rides, mini-golf, an interactive swimming pool, paddleboat lagoon, outdoor laser tag, game room, volleyball court, and basketball court. In addition to all of this, the park also offers a full-service restaurant overlooking the Blue Mountains, the Pine Grove KOA & General Store, and an Ice Cream Shoppe. For those who love nature, the campground is near State Game Lands and within walking distance of Swatara State Park. Many more activities are planned for Twin Grove Park, which is much more than a campground. It’s one stop for "Family Fun".

• According to Francis Ditzler, Amos M. Strause along with his brother in law, Harry G. Beck, started construction of Twin Grove Park in 1930. Amos and his father, Samuel Strause, owners of the Strause Lumber Company in Schuylkill County, started a logging operation in 1916 on the south side of the Blue Mountain in the Monroe Valley area. 3000 acres of land were either purchased or leased in order to harvest the trees. The Reading Railroad Company constructed a narrow gauge railroad from Inwood east for seven miles into the Monroe Valley. The railroad extended

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two miles beyond the current day Camp Strause. The mining of coal in Schuylkill County at the Lincoln Colliery was in full production. There was a dire need for timber to support the mine operation. But, when the great depression hit our nation in 1929, jobs were scarce and unemployment was high. The logging operation became idle for long periods of time during the depression. The coalmines closed and the need for mine timbers ceased. In order to give his men work, Amos started the construction of the restaurant in 1930. This was the start of Twin Grove Park. Other buildings followed until the famous park was fully developed.

(Ralph Clements and Jean Clements Waybright approximately 1936)

• The name Twin Grove was chosen because of a grove of majestic trees that was divided by a state highway. When the state concreted the highway in 1930, they accommodated the park by constructing a large tunnel under the highway not only for the creek but also for pedestrians to get to the southern side of the park. A boardwalk was constructed along side of the stream. The large swimming pool, baby pool, refreshment stand, swings, seesaws, and a picnic pavilion were on this side. Along the west side of the park was a stream of cool clear mountain spring water.

• World War Two did have its effect on the park. Many activities closed. As the automobile became more popular and as the war came to an end, a

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change took place at Twin Grove. The Rhen Family retired about 1945, and moved back to their home in Inwood. New owners and new managers took over. G. Harold Yergey and George McGradey from the Allentown-Pottstown area purchased the 50-acre park. William A. and Florence Pennepacker, parents of Mrs. Jean Yergey, took over management. The operation enjoyed a successful business for many years. The Pennepackers retired. About 1970 Mr. G- Harold Yergey, the surviving owner, featured the park as a campground. In 1980 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the south portion of the park. This 20-acre purchase, on the south side of SR 443, was deemed essential by the Commonwealth to add land to the proposed Swatara State Park, part of Project 70, a land preservation project.

• Mr. Amos Strause, and Mr. Harry Beck had something in common with Mr. Milton Hershey. They were men of respect and influence. They all built entertainment centers. Their actions were not of a selfish motive, to increase their own wealth, but rather to provide jobs for the people of their communities during the great depression that faced our nation.

• Upon the death of Mr. Yergey, in August 2000 the park was closed. In the Spring of 2002 new life was again seen at the once famous Twin Grove Park. New owners began a program to revive the park and return it to its once famous status.

Located at 1445 Suedburg Road (Route 443), Pine Grove Pa, for more information phone (717)865-4602 or visit http://www.twingroveparkcampground.com/ .

Swatara State Park is 3,515 acres, which are open for hunting, camping, hiking, fishing, and are accessible from Route 72. The Park hosts Union Canal locks, fossil beds, a rail trail, and the Appalachian Trail Bridge. Part of project 70, the Park is scheduled for development, to include cabins, a visitor’s center, and equestrian facilities. A study to replace the old reservoir, or “Big Dam” that served the Union Canal, is ongoing by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. http://www.wordwork.com/pdfs/SwataraExplorer_SUM02.pdf

Fossil Pits in Swatara State Park contain both Tuscarora Quartzite, which is 425 million years old from the Silurian age and Martinsburg Formation, which is 500 million years or Ordovician, which produced 235’ of fossiliferous beds exposed in an open pit including Triblobite-Cryptolithus, Brachiopod, Graptolite, starfish, Pelecypod, Orthoceras, Gastropod, and Crinoid stem.

Aycrigg’s Falls was an Indian lookout and smoke signal station. Located on the easterly side of the Swatara State Park about two miles below Suedburg, Armor Bordner built a hand-hewn log cabin there, which is currently used by the Boy Scouts. The land on which Aycrigg's Falls exists was owned in the early to mid 1800's by Colonel Benjamin Aycrigg who was the Chief Engineer for the Pine Grove Branch of the Union Canal. Aycrigg bought vast amounts of land in the

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Suedberg area because he thought that the canal would terminate there, and Suedberg, or Port Mifflin as it was then called, would become a hub of commerce. The falls was a favorite picnic location in those days.

The Appalachian Trail is 2100 miles long stretching through 17 states from Maine to Georgia. Hikers cross an historic iron Waterville Bridge, a lenticular structure, that once spanned the Little Pine Creek in Lycoming County. In the 1980s the bridge was moved from its original location to Swatara State Park, and now spans the Swatara Creek.

Fort Swatara was built to guard Swatara Gap. In 1756 Captain Frederick Smith built a stockade blockhouse.

Woods Creek / Bonnie Brook is a refurbished restaurant along Route 72 just south of Swatara State Park. Once an ice cream parlor and sporting goods store, then a strip club, the rural eatery with a colorful history is a short hike from the Swatara Creek.

The L&T Railroad, an abandoned Lebanon and Tremont line, is now a foot and bike path through Swatara State Park.

Lickdale Campground, 11 Lickdale Road, Jonestown PA 17038, is owned by Tammy & Kyle Boltz. Located near exit 90 of Interstate 81, the campground hosts a general store, offers gas bottle refills, and hosts the start of the rail-trail to Swatara State Park. For more information call (877) 865-6411, (717) 865-6411, or visit http://www.lickdalecampground.com/

The Lebanon Water Authority intake is just east of Route 72 and north of Jonestown, where water is drawn from a low-head dam on the Swatara. Upon closer inspection, you can see remnants of the South Mountain Railroad piers.

From Route 72, you can access the Creek, on the northeast corner of the bridge going toward Jonestown, at Swatara Creek Family Restaurant (717) 865-7277.Your hosts are Rick and Julie Bliesath. Please park in the rear lot. When you go back for your car, it's a great place for dinner.

On the west bank, at the abandoned Lebanon to Tremont railroad bridge, are lava deposits. There is a sharp cliff to the railroad bed. The lava is a few hundred feet down the old rail bed.

On the north bank of the Creek, just past the Route 72 bridge, is the Frog'sHollow Complex, which sells motorcycles and hosts a flea market.

Along the entire Creek are remnants of the Union Canal, operated 1828 to 1884. The canal once connected the Susquehanna River at Middletown with the Schuylkill River at Reading, following the Swatara and Tulpehocken Creeks. The

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old towpath is still visible in many areas. Suggested by William Penn, the canal was surveyed in 1762. Much coal and iron ore were transported. One can find remains of locks and aqueducts by which boats descended to the Schuylkill River. While the Swatara Creek goes north at the Water Works, the Main Branch of the Union Canal goes east to hook up with the Tulpehocken Creek and ultimately the Delaware Bay. However, the "Branch feeder" for the Union Canal goes north to Pine Grove. Ironically, the lock numbers on the main and branch canals are close around the Water Works,

Just east off Ono Road, Water Works was a community built to support the canal. The weigh master's house was used as a headquarters for the Union Canal at Water Works. A "weigh wall" still stands where boats were tied for weighing their freight loads. An old icehouse that stored ice cut from a dam provided employment for canal workers in the winter.

SCWA constructed and adopted a canoe launch on the north bank at the Water Works, along Swatara Road. Homes once stood here, but after repeated flooding, were taken by eminent domain. East Hanover Township gave the land to the PA Fish and Boat Commission, which owns the land today.

On the right bank, Blue Rock is a magnificent limestone outcrop. In early spring, wildflowers of many colors appear on the face. On the 2003 Swatara Sojourn, William Kochanov, a PA geologist, used a carpet to show how Africa pushed and folded rocks on our continent. His visuals also included items like a seashell and piece of limestone upon which he placed a drop of acid. It bubbled. He explained that this is a way geologists identify limestone in the field. We learned that Blue Rock was a piece of pushed rock that flipped on end and slightly past center. William questioned its stability, and recommends not climbing this rock.

Reed's Fort, the house of Adam Reed, Esquire, was turned into a fort in 1755.Here, with rangers from Hanover Township, Reed protected the people of the countryside against Indian raids.

Near Route 934 north of Annville, Harper's Tavern (717) 865-2584 was an 1804 stagecoach stop on old Route 22 between Allentown and Harrisburg. By the way, you can't go wrong with a meal at Harper's Tavern. From Route 81, take exit 85 south, which is Route 934 towards Annville, to the intersection with Old Route 22.

The old "General Store" is the building next to Harper's Tavern and is currently a doctor's office.

Just north of Harper's Tavern is Conrad's Mill. On June 7, 1745, the site was the birthplace of Lindley Murray, a famous grammarian and author. Robert Murray, Lindley's father, owned the mill from 1745 to 1746. For a time, the site was known as Shuey's Mill.

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Currently the largest employer in Lebanon County, Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center (FIG-NGTC) is located just north of Swatara Creek. On 10 April 1931 Governor Gifford Pinchot (”Father of Conservation”) authorized the creation of the training site for the PA National Guard. One of the reasons listed for this site selection was for “an ample water supply.” Its name originated from the presence of several historical Indian villages nearby and for the gap in Blue Mountain created by Indiantown Run.

Total acreage is now more than 17,000 acres. In 1941, the Commonwealth leased the land to the Federal Government as a training site for U.S. Army troops. In 1998, the PA National Guard reestablished management of the training site.

Over the last 70 years, FIG has been heavily utilized as a major training center for all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and has provided associated military, law enforcement, and civilian support services. FIG has been a mobilization resource for every armed conflict since World War II (WWII). FIG was one of the largest mobilization sites for WWII and 8 Army Divisions utilized the training site prior to D-Day and combat in Europe. Approximately 57,000 service members live within a 200-mile radius of FIG-NGTC and have the opportunity to train at the site; consequently it is the second busiest National Guard Training Site in the nation.

FIG-NGTC is the largest landholder in the Swatara Creek Watershed (the headwaters of Trout Run, Indiantown Run, and Manada Creek originate on Post).The PA National Guard won the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in 2001 (the first state agency) for environmental restoration and watershed management. FIG-NGTC is the only home to the regal fritillary butterfly in the state and over 20 rare species share their habitat with PA National Guard soldiers and airmen.

The Federal Mission is to augment the active Army and Air Force, in wartime and peace, in support of national interests worldwide. The State Mission is to protect lives and preserve property on order of the Governor during natural disasters and civil emergencies.http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Military_Affairs/ftig/ftig_fax.html

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery operated by the U.S. Veterans Affairs is adjacent to Fort Indiantown Gap. http://www.cem.va.gov/nchp/indiantowngap.htm

Memorial Lake State Park was created in 1945 for Army amphibious training and is dedicated to memory of the officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and Guardsmen of the Pennsylvania National Guard who served their state and nation during World War I and World War II. It is now managed by DCNR. It is a 230-acre site with a road circling the lake and is open for public

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use including boating and fishing. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/memoriallake.aspx

To the west of Harper's Tavern on old Route 22, the Swatara Creek Inn (717) 865-3259 is a three-story Victorian mansion built in 1860 for Jacob Ulrich. From 1917 to 1941, Milton Hershey, who used it for a boys' home, owned the mansion. Today, the structure is a bed and breakfast inn.

Along Black's Bridge Road you will find Union Canal Canoe Rentals, owned by Bill and Ruth Wise. As the business name suggests, you can rent canoes. In addition, you can camp, golf or explore an old canal lock. At Halloween, there's even a haunted trail. For real hospitality, call (717) 838-9580.

Until the 1930's, Valley Glen was a recreational park near Bindnagle's Church for swimming, boating and carousel rides. Bindnagle's Church is where John Palm, the founder of Palmyra, is buried. German settlers established Bindnagle's on January 27, 1753. The current church dates back to January 1, 1803. Call Heidi Neiswender (717) 838-6176, church historian, to arrange a tour.http://www.palmyrapa.com/history/bindnagle.shtml

Milton Hershey Schools owns Camp Catherine, Spartan Meadows, Camp Swattee and Camp Milton.

Boat House Road Park is a public access maintained by Derry Township but owned by Milton Hershey Schools.

Just before Sand Beach Road, the Horseshoe Trail crosses the Swatara Creek Water Trail. The Horseshoe Trail runs from a junction in the Appalachian Trail on top of Stony Mountain in State Game Lands 211 to Valley Forge -- 130.1 miles long. http://n99.com/hst

Hershey facilities are located along the Swatara Creek Water Trail. Hersheyparkand Hershey Gardens are well-known tourist attractions. Smell the chocolate, enjoy the rides in the amusement park, watch a show or stroll through the flower gardens. http://www.hersheypa.com/attractions/hersheypark

Union Deposit is a great access below the Hershey Dam. Indians lived in Union Deposit until the late 1700's. Later, farmers brought their grain and other produce from the Pennsylvania Dutch areas here for shipment to the market via the Union Canal. Beneath the Union Canal House Restaurant (717) 566-0054 and the street between the restaurant and Fort Swatara, an underground railroad once ran. Also in Union Deposit, a great anthracite furnace once turned out tons of iron--until it blew up. And a band rehearsal hall formerly served as quarters for Union Canal workers.

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Hershey Highmeadow Campground is between Swatara Creek and Route 39 near Hummelstown. The camp is owned by HERCO. Call (717) 566-0902 for more information.http://www.hersheypa.com/accommodations/hershey_highmeadow_campground

Keller ball fields, is a municipal park in Hummelstown PA.

An access is at Hummel Nature Trail, a municipal park in Hummelstown PA.

Indian Echo Caverns is a large underground display of geology created by dripping water and the region's limestone deposits where Susquehannock Indians once lived and hunted -- visited by settlers as early as 1783. Located three miles west of Hershey off U.S. Route 322 near Hummelstown, the cave is open for tours. Call (717) 566-8131 for more information.http://www.indianechocaverns.com

Many small limestone caves dot the water trail. Legends place horse thieves residing in these caves.

Another river access is at a washed-out covered bridge location. Future plans include reproduction of the covered bridge at Clifton.

Swatara Township Park is a former amusement park.

Hoffer Park is a municipal park in Middletown PA.

M&H (Middletown & Hummelstown) Railroad is where an historic steam engine train provides a ride parallel to the Swatara Creek. Great fun. For more information, call (717) 944-4435, 136 Brown Street, Middletown. http://www.mhrailroad.com

Middletown is located along the Swatara Creek Water Trail. Middletown is the oldest town in Dauphin County PA, established in 1755 by George Fischer, a Quaker. Boats were poled until 1873 when the first paddlewheel was acquired. In the 1920's, gasoline engines replaced steam power, and the paddlewheels were shifted from the side to the stern. The ferry landing is a short distance west.

The water trail ends at the PA Fish & Boat Commission Access, Middletown.As you come down the Swatara, you will see the Three Mile Island Towers in the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Middletown Fire Company, 660 South Union Street, Middletown, has a water rescue team. For assistance, call (717) 948-3019.

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Appendix

Even with the generous funding sources of Canaan Valley Institute and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network, and the technical assistance provided by Fort Indiantown Gap, putting together a book of this magnitude took the work, time, and dedication of many grassroots volunteers, whom SCWA would like to acknowledge.

About the Authors:

Betty Conner is secretary of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, has a Doctorate in Microbiology, and chairs the Capital Region Water Board.

Tom Embich is vice president of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, owns Earth Steward Environmental consulting services, and is a Harrisburg Area Community College instructor.

Karen Light is a board member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, a retired elementary school principal, member of the Lebanon Valley Conservancy board, and past-president of the Quittapahilla Audubon Society.

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Jo Ellen Litz is the president of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, owns and operates Litz Company commercial rentals, is a notary and tax preparer, substitute teacher, a graduate of Lebanon Valley College, and is serving in her second term as a Lebanon County Commissioner www.JoEllenLitz.com .

Gail Smith is a lifetime member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, a retired Department of Environmental Protection attorney, and a farmer who is participating in the CREP program by planting trees along the banks of the Swatara Creek.

Marta Trainer is a lifetime member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, and a supporter of the Pennsylvania Equine Council, Audubon, American Business Women’s Association, and Oceana. She is an enthusiast of environmental conservation and sustainability. Marta has worked in the cosmetology industry for 22 years as a hairdresser, educator/instructor and salon owner, promoting and using environmentally friendly resources. She holds an Associate Degree in Communications and Diploma in Senior Health Care from Harrisburg Area Community College. She is also a partner in the hotel/restaurant service industry( www.MidwayHoldings.com ), which also promotes environmentally friendly resources.

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Chuck Wertz is a board member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, director of the Lebanon County Conservation District, and a member of the Quittapahilla Audubon Society.

Additional Interviewers:

Denise Donmoyer is a member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, president of the Sweet Arrow Lake Conservation Association, a member of the Pine Grove Historical Society, Northern Swatara Creek Watershed Association, the Schuylkill County Conservancy, and President of the Schuylkill County Watershed Alliance.

Jean Henry is a lifetime member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, a board member of the Lebanon Valley Conservancy, and a member of the League of Women Voters of Lebanon County.

Ann Lasky is a board member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, founding member of the Quittie Creek Nature Park, and a retired nurse.

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Khiet Luong, a Swatara Creek Watershed Association intern, photographer & videographer, is a Vietnamese-American poet, musician, and community activist. Currently he is studying at the Audubon Expedition Institute for a Master of Science in Environmental Education degree.

Mary Louise Sherk is a lifetime member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association, active in numerous community organizations, and a member of the League of Women Voters of Lebanon County.

Additional Photo, Voice, and Map Credits:

Army Corps of Engineers The Corps carries on a proud heritage that began in 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized the first Chief Engineer whose first task was to build fortifications near Boston at Bunker Hill. In 1802 a corps of engineers was stationed at West Point and constituted the nation's first military academy. The United States Military Academy was under the direction of the Corps of Engineers until 1866. With the founding of West Point, the Corps began a tradition of military and civil works missions that continues to this day. http://www.usace.army.mil/

George Conner is a lifetime member of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association. He is a retired doctor in the field of ear, nose, and throat specialists, and former department head at Hershey Medical Center.

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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has a total of eight bureaus and the office of Wild Resource Conservation Program. The deputy secretary for conservation and engineering services oversees the bureaus of Topographic & Geologic Survey, Recreation & Conservation and Facility Design & Construction; and the deputy secretary for administration oversees the bureaus of Human Resources, Administrative Services and Information Technology. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/

Lebanon Daily News is a newspaper with circulation throughout the County of Lebanon. http://www.ldnews.com They graciously allowed SCWA to use their Agnes flood photos.

PA Fish & Boat Commission for their help with the Water Trail.http://www.fish.state.pa.us/

Susquehanna River Basin Commission is the agency which coordinates the water resources efforts of three states--New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland-- and the federal government.

Each member is represented by a commissioner who serves as the spokesperson for the government which he or she represents. In the case of the federal government, the commissioner and his alternate are appointed by the President of the United States. For three states the commissioners are the governors or their designees. The governors also appoint alternate commissioners.

The commissioners, or their alternates, meet periodically to act on applications for projects using water, adopt regulations, and direct planning and management activities affecting the basin's water resources. Each of the four commissioners has a single vote.

Under the leadership of an Executive Director, technical, administrative, and clerical personnel support the daily operations of the Commission.http://www.srbc.net

Gordon Weise is a professional newscaster for WLBR 1270AM radio.

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Stewed Eel

2 pounds skinned eel fillets, cut into one-inch chunks 4 medium Irish potatoes, peeled and diced

2 medium onions, chopped 2 quarts water

2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons bacon drippings

In a large saucepan, add eel, diced potatoes, and chopped onions to water. Season with salt, pepper, and bacon drippings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes. Serves 4.

From Coastal Carolina Cooking, compiled by Nancy Davis and Kathy Hart (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1986)

Jellied Eel

1 pound of eel, cut into one-inch pieces (skinning isn’t necessary) Water salted at the rate of 1 teaspoon per pint

Juice of one lemon Bay leaf

Put the eel, bay leaf and lemon juice into a saucepan with just enough salted water to cover them. Cook at low heat for two hours. Cool the cooked eel as rapidly as possible. As it cools, the liquid should set in a jelly. Adding gelatin shouldn’t be necessary.

Eat it with a strong vinegar, or a hot pepper vinegar, made by steeping a hot pepper in a white wine vinegar.

From D.R. Berg, W.R. Jones, and G.L. Crow, The Case of the Slippery Eel or: How To Harvest, Handle and Market Wild Eels (University of North Carolina Sea Grant Program Publication, no. UNG-SG-75-20, August, 1975)

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Richard Light Jo Ellen Litz Ruth Litz James M. Logan Khiet Luong

Dave McSurdy Barb & Clyde Miller Doug & Louise Miller Verna Miller Craig Morgan

Heidi Neiswender Mike Pavelek Mary L. Sherk Rev. Rick Rogers John Rose

Jim Schucker Robert & Annetta Schwalm Ken Shirk Paul Smith Frank Smoker

Spencer Fishing Paul O. Swarz Ray Swingholm Ed Teahl Eric Trainer

Marta Trainer Joan Weaver Jean Weirich Gordon Weise John Wengert

Chuck Wertz Larry P. Westhaver Gary Witmeyer Skip Wolf John Worrilow

Chuck Allwein Herbert Barr Richard G. Blouch Senator Brightbill Ed Chubb

Chris Cleaver Soldiers @ FIG Betty Conner George Conner Ed Coppenhaver

Francis Ditzler Denise Donmoyer Roy Donmoyer Tom Donmoyer Tom Embich

Dave Etter Robert Evanchalk John Feather Phil Feather Doris Flory

George Grumbein Barb Haber Sukey Harris Lloyd Hartman Chuck & Jean Henry

Evelyn Isele Ed Keener Lorraine & Bruce Keeney Brian Kettering Labon Kintzel

Gladys Kohr Dan Koury Ann Lasky David Lasky Karen R. Light

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