SRW Receives Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Western PA Environmental Award

Congratulations River Watchers! Shenango River Watchers was recently chosen as one of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council's Western PA Environmental Awards recipients. We were nominated by Hugh Clark for our work in clearing the Upper Shenango River of obstructions and the creation of the Upper Shenango Water Trail. The awards ceremony is open to the public and is at the Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh on May 23rd. Come and show your support of our group and join us in receiving this prestigious award. It is a tremendous honor. Thanks to all of you, our awesome members and supporters!

Tire Recycling May 25

We will be collecting tires for recycling on May 25th beginning at 9AM in Buhl Park in the parking lot across from the Casino (look for the semi trailer). There is no fee to drop off tires, but donations gladly accepted to cover the cost of hauling them away for disposal. If you have any questions please call 724-301-8965.

Electronics Recycling

Pennsylvania’s Covered Device Recycling Act states that effective in January, 2013, landfills may no longer accept electronics. These items must be recycled. Items included in this disposal ban are televisions, computers (including monitors, keyboards, mice, printers), and cell phones.

The Lawrence-Mercer County Recycling/Solid Waste Department has prepared a guide to locations where you may recycle these items.

Current Events

2013 Dates to Save

• May 25: Tire Recycling
• June 1: Rally on the River
• June 15: Ohio River Sweep
• September 14: Paddlefest
• October 1: Environmental Education Day
• December 5: Repeal Day Fundraiser

Shenango River Water Trail Update

In March of this year, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (agent for PA’s Fish and Boat Commission in most matters pertaining to Water Trails) informed us that our application for Water Trail status is approved! Thus, we are now officially the Upper Shenango Rive Water Trail. To reiterate, our Water Trail is that reach between Lake Pymatuning near Jamestown PA (far southern Crawford County) and Lake Shenango, near Transfer, Clark and Sharpsville, PA (Mercer County).

Additionally, in recognition of our success and hard work, PEC has selected us as a one of their Western PA Environmental Projects of the Year! With that comes statewide recognition and a $5,000 award!

We are nearly ready to distribute a brochure/map of the Water Trail. It will be found at park offices, Chambers of Commerce, perhaps boat liveries and retailers, and the like. Or, contact us and we’ll mail you one.

Also coming is PA’s first all on water geocache course. We expect it to be in place and ready for treasure hunters mid summer this year.

SRW is working with the Army Corps of Engineers and PennDot to improve the primitive launch at New Hamburg. Ownership obligations between the Corps and PennDot (Corps land, PennDot right of way easement) make this something of a bureaucratic snarl, but we are getting there.

A West Middlesex PA Eagle Scout candidate has taken on the project to improve the launch at Porter Rd., just above Greenville. He will develop a small parking area, and improve the path from it to the river.

Please support our activities, make a generous contribution to Shenango River Watchers, tell your friends about what we're about; but most importantly, jump in a canoe or kayak and see your river!