Cooper Springs Permit Denied!

Tests showed that the facility would have resulted in a 40% drop in stream flow in the Shafer Run sub-basin, a vital tributary to Laurel Hill Creek where many are seriously concerned with dimininshed water quantity. Here's the news coverage:

Bottler denied permit to tap Somerset watershed by Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

The state has denied a request to take 108,000 gallons of water a day from the Laurel Hill Creek watershed in Somerset County to supply a new bottled water company, because the withdrawal would significantly diminish the flows of the stream and its tributaries and cause environmental damage. More from the Post-Gazette...

Water Permit Denied from The Tribune-Democrat

BAKERSVILLE — State regulators have denied a permit for a controversial bottled-water operation, saying the proposal would have a severe impact on local streams. More from The Tribune-Democrat...

DEP denies water pumping permit from the Somerset Daily American

State officials Monday nixed a water pumping proposal that many Jefferson Township residents thought would receive rubber-stamp approval. More from the Daily American...

Above: Laurel Hill Creek near its confluence with the Casselman River.
Photo courtesy of paul g weigman.

LHC Among America's Most Endangered Rivers

Mountain Watershed Association along with Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited recently nominated Laurel Hill Creek to the 2009 Most Endangered Rivers List, composed annually by American Rivers. Because of threats to water quantity in this high-quality cold water fishery (HQ-CWF) this Youghiogheny River tributary has been included as #7 on the 2009 Most Endangered List. Laurel Hill Creek needs your help! Learn more...

Laurel Hill Creek lacks safeguards to protect it from excessive water withdrawals for development and energy extraction. Unless water planners heed the sound water management advice in Pennsylvania’s new State Water Plan, water withdrawals could irreparably harm the clean water, fish and wildlife, and recreation in the creek and downstream on the popular Youghiogheny River. Visit American River's website to learn more and to take action!