Cherry Valley forever

Pocono gem nearly reaches status as a National Wildlife Refuge

By Howard Frank

Pocono Record Writer

November 01, 2008

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday recommended the creation of a 20,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge in Cherry Valley.

If approved, it will be the first National Wildlife Refuge established in the Northeast in at least a decade and only the third National Wildlife Refuge in Pennsylvania.

"This is a landmark in conservation for the Poconos," said Bud Cook, the Nature Conservancy's project manager for the Poconos.

It's a major step on a long road that began in 2005 with a bill co-sponsored by Pennsylvania U.S. Reps. Paul Kanjorski, D-11, and Charles Dent, R-15, to consider Cherry Valley as a prospective National Wildlife Refuge.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the biological value of natural communities within the valley and determine if the area merits protection. That study, along with the recommendation for protection, was released Friday.

"It is a great day that the study has officially recognized the need to protect this pristine area and the endangered species, including animals, such as the bog turtle, and many plants," Kanjorski said.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offered three alternatives in the study, including a smaller refuge, and the preferred option of establishing a refuge protecting up to 20,400 acres in Cherry Valley.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a federal network of protected areas intended to safeguard wildlife and their habitats and provide recreational opportunities for the public. The national program encompasses 548 refuges and 96 million acres. The two in Pennsylvania are the Erie National Wildlife Refuge in the northwestern part of the state and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, in the southeastern corner of the state.

Cherry Valley is 30,000 acres stretching from Saylorsburg to Delaware Water Gap that is home to important natural communities and many protected plants and animals. Those include species protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Kittatinny Ridge, the southeastern flank of the valley, is a major avenue for migrating birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl and bats, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Cherry Creek, a Delaware River tributary, carries trout, minnows and even American eels. The valley also hosts unique species, including the bald eagles, the dwarf wedge mussel, northeastern bulrush and the bog turtle.

The designation of an area as a National Wildlife Refuge makes federal money available to purchase properties from willing sellers for the purpose of conservation. The areas are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Kanjorski first toured the valley with local conservationist several years ago.

"I want to thank the congressman. He was in it at the very beginning. We are very thrilled about it," said Suzanne McCool, county commissioner's chairwoman.

"This is an enormous step forward in our efforts to preserve Cherry Valley. It will give landowners one more option to help preserve their lands as a legacy for future generations. Efforts for land preservation have been stalled as funds are becoming harder to find from local government and area agencies," said Debra Schuler, president of the Friends of Cherry Valley, a local conservation group.

Even a veteran like Cook couldn't help be impressed with the effort toward the designation.

"I've worked in conservation for 29 years and I have never worked anywhere where there is a greater and more passionate commitment to preserve valuable resources than in Cherry Valley," Cook said.

Two local public hearings will be held in November to gather comments on the study. A decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could come by the end of the year.

Of course, if the refuge is approved, it will still require congressional appropriations to fund it. Still, it will have been a monumental accomplishment involving several agencies, elected officials, and local and federal support.

Public meetings

When: Wednesday, Nov. 19

Where: Christ Hamilton Church, Bossardsville Road, Saylorsburg, (570) 992-4085

Schedule: 4:30-6:30 p.m. informational open house; 7-9 p.m. brief presentation followed by public comments

When: Thursday, Nov. 20

Where: Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Ridgecrest Event Facility, Stroudsmoor Road, Stroudsburg, (570) 421-6431

Schedule: 4:30-6:30 p.m. informational open house, 7-9 p.m. brief presentation followed by public comments