The Conewango Creek Watershed Association is proposing to make the Conewango Creek an official Pennsylvania Water Trail.
The first meeting in the process will be held at 10:15 a.m. Monday in the Slater Room at the Warren Public Library, 205 Market St., Warren. The second meeting will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Ruff Acres Antiques, 600 Main St., Russell.
The purpose of the meetings is to get input from the community about the project. The meetings will define what a water trail is, the process in becoming a water trail and the benefits of the designation. The public will also hear details of the primary proposal and have an opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns.
A water trail is similar to hiking or biking trails but on a stream; it's intended for use by boaters. Water trails have access points, boat launches and can have camping areas for overnight use. The sole agency to designate an official Pennsylvania Water Trail is the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
"The reason public meetings are required is to give the community a chance to express their concerns or issues. We want to address any problems right up front. That is the best way to handle them," said Elizabeth Dropp, CCWA board member. "Many communities have developed successful water trails, but the community must support the whole concept or it won't work. And from what I have seen so far from talking to our municipalities and local citizens, I haven't talked to one person who said they thought it was a bad idea. In fact, we have the support of the municipalities and just about everyone else we have talked to."
For more information about the water trail, call Elizabeth Dropp at 814-489-3322. For information about the CCWA, call 814-726-1441 or visit www.conewangocreek.org.