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Monday, September 15, 2008

Public meeting about Hopewell Big Woods

I forgot to put this in the paper this week and I'm sorry to the person that sent it!


Public Input Sought on Plans for Birdsboro Gateway to Hopewell Big Woods

Anyone who has fished or walked along the Hay Creek, hiked or biked around the Birdsboro reservoirs, or climbed the rocks around the old Dyers/Trap Rock quarry south of Birdsboro Borough know how magnificent and beautiful the area is. This area provides the water supply for Birdsboro residents and surrounding areas and is also home of the Rustic Picnic Area, dense woods, natural springs, wildlife, trails, remnants of historic charcoal platforms and collier’s huts, among other historic and natural features.

On Tuesday, September 23rd, at 7:00 pm in the Birdsboro Borough Hall, a public meeting will be held by members of a study committee to introduce plans to prepare a master site plan for the property and to discuss recreational needs and uses for the area. The project will also study the renovation of the Millard House, future home of the Hay Creek Watershed Association’s Environmental Education Center.

The Birdsboro Waters site and the Millard House serve as the “Birdsboro Gateway” to the Hopewell Big Woods, the largest continuous block of forest (100 square miles) in southeastern Pennsylvania. The area is part of the Highlands Region, which was designated as a nationally important region by an Act of Congress in 2004 and stretches from Connecticut to Maryland.

The Hay Creek Watershed Association took ownership of the Millard House in 2007 through partnership with PennDOT, Haines & Kibblehouse, and the Borough of Birdsboro after the adjacent bridge was closed and removed due to major flooding in 2004.

The projects are funded by grant monies provided by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the William Penn Foundation. Stell Environmental Enterprises, Inc. of Elverson has been hired as the planning consultant to prepare the study. A committee comprised of representatives from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the business community has been meeting since June to coordinate completion of the plans and will chair the public meeting. Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the September 23 meeting.

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