I – BEGINNINGS
In 1973 a group of far-sighted local residents met to discuss ways to preserve the LeTort Spring Run as a community resource. They understood that without adequate protection the LeTort could become as barren as a “stream washed with mine acid” . The LeTort has been referred to as the “shrine of American fly-fishing”, “a classic limestone spring run” and an“internationally famous trout stream” . Despite this mantle of tradition the LeTort very easily could slip into polluted obscurity. This group of conservationists was aware that the stream also had other critical local uses. Not only anglers were concerned: parks, schools, many private residences and the U.S. Army War College, all located along the LeTort, enjoy its beauty; the stream provides natural flood control by carrying storm water away from developed areas; and the natural vegetative corridor provides a desirable ecological buffer between built-up and open spaces.
These early meetings led first to the official involvement of the municipalities in the LeTort watershed, and eventually to the founding of the LeTort Regional Authority (Authority). The governments of Cumberland County, the Borough of Carlisle and North Middleton Township established the LeTort Regional Authority in 1974, providing encouragement and financial support. Subsequently the townships of South Middleton and Middlesex Township became the fourth and fifth supporting government entities.
II - PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION
The LeTort Regional Authority’s articles of incorporation state that:“The purpose of the Authority is the development of recreation and flood control in the LeTort Spring Run watershed, including the improvement of water quality and flow and the preservation of the environment by removal of natural and man-made pollutants and the restoration of the natural conditions and amenities.”
Each of the supporting jurisdictions appoints two voting Members to the Authority, and the U.S. Army War College has had a non-voting Representative. Members elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary from among their ranks. The Authority’s contracted staff consists of an Executive Director and a Recording Secretary, both part-time, and a Solicitor on annual retainer. Regular meetings take place the third Thursday of each month at 415 Franklin Street, Carlisle. Meetings are open to the public and interested parties always are welcome to offer comments and suggestions.
The Executive Director, the Standing Committees and individual Members do much of the Authority’s work outside of meetings. The Committees follow numerous areas of interest including development project review, land use easements, water quality, recreational opportunities, and long range planning.
III – PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
Since 1974 the Authority has undertaken numerous one-time and long-term projects, alone or in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies, citizens groups, local schools and colleges and others, to manage the health of the stream and maintain it as a community resource. The Authority encourages the use of the LeTort as a living classroom and has enjoyed the support of students, Scouts and other youth groups in carrying-out many projects and activities.
Stream Restoration
William Alexander, a Member of the Authority at its inception, recently noted“stream restoration was a very important ongoing project in the beginning, including the removal of sediment and debris from over 3,000 feet of clogged stream channel between Post and Harmony Hall Roads. At that time, the clogging created an unnatural and extensive swamp which kept Post Road closed frequently due to flooding."
Over the years restoration work has continued to stabilize channels; stream banks have been planted and seeded in grass; and sections of stone retaining wall have been repaired. Volunteer groups under the auspices of the Authority did most of this work..
Easements
The Authority’s land use easement program is another noteworthy project. In granting a conservation easement the landowner agrees to place restrictions on his or her use of the land, and to limit activities to those that are compatible with conservation objectives. In effect it provides a buffer zone between the stream and future development, and forbids depositing any potentially toxic or polluting materials in the easement area. The land can not be plowed or stripped of grass, shrubs, trees, or plants, and no new buildings may be erected. The landowner retains full ownership of the easement area, and may specify whether or not public access will be granted. At the end of 2000 the Authority held ten easements with a total of fifteen tracts of land, with several additional easements pending.
Annual Clean-Up Days
“LeTort Day” is held each spring to remove trash and debris at various sites along the stream. Authority members, volunteers from the community and organizations such as the Boy Scouts turn out to help with this project, which - in recent years - has been held in conjunction with National Rivers Cleanup Week.
Monitoring and Testing
The Authority conducts water quality monitoring at ten sites. Samples are collected monthly, and the results are recorded in the Authority’s database, which has been maintained since 1990. The Authority also conducts extensive cooperative monitoring and studies with Dickinson College.
The LeTort also is monitored continuously by a stream gauge located just above its confluence with the Conodoguinet Creek. The Authority does this jointly with the United States Geological Survey, which publishes the results.
Project Review
Another long-term concern is the storm water that enters the LeTort from the large amount of impervious coverage in the watershed. Run-off carries sediment, hydrocarbons, road salt and other contaminants directly into the stream. The sponsoring entities require that the Authority receive plans for new construction or additional impervious surface in the LeTort watershed for review. Developers are encouraged to consult with the Authority early on in the planning process to minimize run-off and other ecological problems. They typically implement Authority pollution control recommendations coming out of the consultation or review processes.
Nature Trail (link to map)
When, in 1972, the Reading Railroad abandoned the rail corridor south of LeTort Park the Authority purchased approximately two miles of it to develop a public nature trail. The property is open for hiking, nature study, fishing or just a leisurely walk. The LeTort and adjacent wooded areas support a wide variety of wildlife such as waterfowl, migratory and songbirds, mammals from mice to deer (including mink, muskrats, and beavers), reptiles, and the famous LeTort brown trout.
Regulatory Designations and Zoning
The Authority pursues to attain federal, state and local government regulatory designations, zoning ordinances and similar protection to help preserve the LeTort and protect its watershed. As a result several measures are in place and several more are in progress.
In 1988, the entire stream was placed in the Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers System. This program recognizes exceptional natural waterways, and guides state agencies in decisions affecting land management issues in the riparian corridor. This corridor extends from the headwaters to the confluence with the Conodoguinet Creek, follows the 100 year flood plain and is about 1000 feet across at its widest.
In 1997, Pennsylvania designated the segment from the Route 34 bridge to the old railroad bridge in LeTort Park, in the Borough of Carlisle, as an Exceptional Value Stream. This provides additional protection from further development and discharges. With continued community participation and improved municipal storm water management it may be possible to upgrade the entire length of the LeTort Spring Run to Exceptional Value status.
On the local level, the Authority has worked for protective zoning ordinance changes in constituent municipalities, and it serves as a resource to area planning commissions to help promote land use that is protective of the watershed.
IV - A FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM
Over the years the LeTort has suffered numerous incidents that contaminated the stream. Probably the most serious of these occurred May 17, 1981 when countless numbers of trout, other fish, insects and other wildlife died as a direct result of insecticides entering the stream from the watercress beds at the headwaters of the left (south) branch. Fish-kills occurred from the watercress farm for some three miles downstream all the way to the Army War College. Within days news items were appearing in the news media all across the United States. The magazine, "Fly Fisherman" carried an article about this "severe kill" in the September 1981 issue.
Another major incident took place near the headwaters in April 1995, when a large sinkhole opened on the east bank just downstream from Bonnybrook Road Bridge - between the quarry and the old railroad bridge. Unless quick remedial action were taken the LeTort might literally have disappeared into the throat of the sinkhole. Members of the Authority, Trout Unlimited and other local volunteers provided the labor, while Union Quarries donated cement, fill, equipment and labor and the Borough of Carlisle provided a backhoe and driver. It was a mammoth effort on the part of many people and organizations, and was successful in saving the LeTort Spring Run. This incident drove home the importance of the LeTort to the people of Cumberland County - and beyond - in a graphic and dramatic way.
More recently, in 1998, oil from an overturned tanker truck entered the Mully Grub, a small feeder stream to the LeTort. Fortunately it was reported quickly and cleaned up before any serious damage was done. This incident illustrates the need to remain alert and to be prepared to act quickly when mishaps threaten the stream.
V - LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The LeTort Spring Run possesses tremendous potential to serve the current and future needs of our communities, but realizing that potential requires continual work. As housing and population density increase, and the economy of Cumberland County continues to expand, preserving remaining green spaces and restoring resources diminished by the hand of man should guide our vision for the future.
As we thank the Authority’s founders for their foresight, so should we increase today’s efforts to safeguard the LeTort as a legacy to future generations.