Shenango River Lake Shorebird Habitat
Letters of co-sponsorship
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania:
Hi Jack,
Thanks for your letter to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding modification of Shenango Reservoir -- this is great stuff! I will draft a similar letter, assuming you think it will help encourage the Army Corps to follow up and secure funding.
You may wish to know that we are continuing to gather data within Buffalo Creek Valley in anticipation of submitting a formal IBA nomination in the fall to the Ornithological Technical Committee (OTC). Kim Van Fleet is there now collecting additional data. The data we collected in May was too early in the season to be useful for assessing the numbers and diversity of breeding species, so that is why Kim is there now and why the nomination did not fly at the OTC meeting earlier last month.
We anticipate working with Larry Helgerman throughout the month of June to gather additional data on the breeding populations in the area.
You may wish to know that we now have a 79th IBA -- MK Goddard State Park, located in Mercer County (Lake Wilhelm).
Trying to hold things together here -- very hectic. You will be getting a follow-up report & thank-you regarding my 2003 Birdathon in the very near future -- thanks for your patience!
For the Audubon cause, Steve
Stephen W. Hoffman
Director of Bird Conservation
Audubon Pennsylvania
100 Wildwood Way
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(717) 213-6880 X11 (W)
(717) 574-6672 (mobile)
(717) 957-3576 (H)
E-mail: shoffman@audubon.org
website: http://pa.audubon.org
Les Dixon
Deputy for Programs and Project Management
US Army Engineer District, Pittsburgh
Federal Building
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Re: Shenango River Lake Shorebird Habitat Project
Dear Mr. Dixon,
The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania has recently received a copy of the Section 1135, Letter Of Intent, submitted to your office by the Three Rivers Birding Club. We understand this project would create exposed mudflats at the Shenango River Lake which could serve as stop-over points for numerous species of shorebirds during the fall migration period. We whole-heartedly support the scope of this project and recognize its importance in shorebird conservation. We therefore wish to be regarded as cosponsors of this project.
We understand that, as a cosponsor, we have incurred no contractual obligations for this or any project.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Adams, Executive Director
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club:
FROM THE DESK OF JIM PEMBERTON
7/03/03
Deputy for Programs and Project Management
US Army Engineer District, Pittsburgh
Federal Building
1000 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Dear Mr. Dixon:
The Westmoreland County Bird and Nature Club wishes to be a co-sponsor of the proposed creation of additional shorebird habitat at Shenango River Lake, which would leave exposed mudflats during the late summer and autumn shore bird migration.
Our organization supports the concept of this project and feel that it should contribute to the conservation of shorebirds by providing much needed resting and feeding habitat.
In addition, this project should improve Shenango River Lake as a useful area for both scientific study as well as recreational observation of shorebirds.
It is our understanding that we, as co-sponsors, have no contractual obligations for this project.
Sincerely,
Jim Pemberton
Bartramian Audubon Society:
July 2, 2003
Les Dixon
Deputy for Programs and Project Management
US Army Engineer district, Pittsburgh
Federal building
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Re: Co-sponsorship of Section 1135 LETTER OF INTENT sent by Three Rivers
Birding Club.
Dear Mr. Dixon,
Our organization is aware of the above referenced May 30, 2003, letter that was sent to you proposing the creation of additional shorebird habitat at Shenango River Lake. This project would leave exposed mudflats during the late summer and fall shorebird migration. We wish to be regarded as co-sponsors of this project.
We support the general concept of this project and regard it as a potentially useful way that shorebird conservation might be enhanced. We also believe it could promote more use of the area by outdoor enthusiast other than boaters and fishermen. Shenango River Lake is a great location for recreational bird watching.
We understand that, as a co-sponsor, we have incurred no contractual obligations for this or any project.
Respectfully,
Kathie Goodblood
President, Bartramian Audubon Society
170 Keith Lane
Franklin, PA 16323
