Rothrock Trail Alliance Awarded $500K Grant for Improved Access to State Forest

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa., November 20, 2024 - The Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently awarded a $500,000 grant for further development of trails within Rothrock State Forest. The grant was awarded to Rothrock Trail Alliance (RTA), a committee within ClearWater Conservancy, to carry out the next phase of their trail development plan. The funds will be used to build approximately 11 miles of natural surface, single-track shared-use trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. More information about the trail development plan can be viewed on the RTA website (http://rothrocktrails.org). 

“Improved access deep into Rothrock is a huge gift to our community,” said Elizabeth Crisfield, Executive Director of ClearWater Conservancy. “Rothrock Trail Alliance created these ambitious proposals to improve trails deep into the forest so all of us can find that peace of mind that comes from fresh air and exertion. The ClearWater community is grateful that this project was included in this year's Community Conservation Partnerships Program,” she added. 

“The grant from DCNR will allow RTA to implement Phase II of our trail development plan,” said Rothrock Trail Alliance Chair, Jay Ziegler. “Specifically, we’ll be picking up where Phase I ended, creating a connection from the Hubler Gap area to Whipple Dam.”

Generous donations from local individuals and businesses, as well as $50,000 from Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), provided the 20% matching funds needed to secure the grant from DCNR. 

RTA anticipates that the Phase II work will begin in Summer 2025. 

About Rothrock Trail Alliance

Rothrock Trail Alliance’s mission is to engage in and support efforts that advance trail infrastructure and promote positive experiences for all trail users. 

Created in 2018 as the Friends of Rothrock, RTA transitioned to a committee within Clearwater Conservancy in 2023. ​Clearwater Conservancy and Rothrock Trail Alliance believe that every individual has a right to access and enjoy the natural resources within their community and that these resources need to be nurtured and protected by all of us.

NPDES Permit Process Nearly Complete

UPDATE - November 22, 2024 - NPDES Permit Has Been Issued!

As an organization, RTA has been involved in a tremendous amount of work with the help of DCNR and the support of Clearwater Conservancy. One area that is largely led by Rothrock Forest DCNR officials is advancing the formal permit process that allows for trail construction. It is an arduous process, for good reason, and doesn't always move as quickly as some might like but it is necessary to properly assess the potential impacts to valuable resources.

The good news is that the process is nearly complete and will allow Phase One construction in the Musser Gap area to proceed very soon and followed shortly thereafter by Phase Two. The current NPDES permit application will cover all construction phases, expediting the process in the future.

Understanding the NPDES Process for Pennsylvania Trail Projects

When planning a large-scale project, including a recreational trail system in Pennsylvania, it's crucial to understand the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process. This federal program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is designed to protect water quality by regulating stormwater discharges from construction activities. For projects that will disturb more than one acre of ground, securing an NPDES permit is not just a requirement—it's a foundational step to ensure environmental compliance and the project's long-term success.

Why an NPDES Permit is Necessary

The primary trigger for the NPDES process is the disturbance of more than one acre of land. This threshold is critical because construction activities can significantly impact water quality through soil erosion and sediment runoff. When the ground is disturbed, especially over large areas, rainwater can carry loose soil, pollutants, and debris into nearby waterways, potentially harming aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources. The NPDES permit aims to minimize these risks by enforcing strict guidelines for managing stormwater during and after construction.

What the NPDES Permit Covers

For the RTA trail project, the NPDES permit will cover all phases of the construction process from start to finish. Therefore, once secured, additional NPDES permits are not required for subsequent phases or stages of the project. Given the trail project will be completed over several years it will greatly streamline the process for future stages of the build. 

The NPDES Permitting Process

1. Initial Assessment: The first step is to conduct an environmental assessment to understand the potential impact on local waterways. This includes mapping out the trail system, identifying areas of significant disturbance, and evaluating existing water flow patterns.

2. Plan Development: Based on the assessment, a detailed Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) Plan is developed. This plan outlines the specific measures that will be taken to prevent soil erosion and manage stormwater runoff during construction. The plan must comply with Pennsylvania's Chapter 102 regulations governing soil and erosion control.

3. Permit Application: Once the E&S Plan is finalized, the NPDES permit application is submitted to the DEP. The application includes the E&S Plan, a project narrative, site maps, and other relevant documentation. The DEP reviews the application to ensure it meets all regulatory requirements.

4. Implementation and Monitoring: The NPDES permit requires ongoing monitoring and reporting to ensure that the stormwater management practices are effective. This includes regular site inspections, maintaining erosion controls, and promptly addressing any issues that may arise.

5. Finalization: Upon completion of the trail system, a final inspection will be conducted to ensure that all disturbed areas have been stabilized and that the site complies with the permit conditions. Once approved, the NPDES permit obligations are fulfilled.

DCNR Kicks Off Adopt-A-Trail Program

A message Rothrock State Forest staff:

Attention all State Forest and Park trail users in the Rothrock Region!

Did you know that the vast majority of trail maintenance on public lands is accomplished by volunteers? We already have some awesome volunteers and organizations doing great work on the trails of Rothrock State Forest, Greenwood Furnace, Whipple Dam, Penn-Roosevelt, and Trough Creek State Parks, but we’re looking to expand upon that hard work and improve all of our trails for the benefit of all visitors. To accomplish this, we’re launching an Adopt-A-Trail program to better organize trail work, assist each other more effectively, and provide tools and training to our hard-working volunteers.

If you are interested in adopting a trail in Rothrock State Forest or one of the State Parks in the Rothrock Region complete the Conservation Volunteer form or get in touch with us at AdoptatrailFD5@pa.gov