STREAM IMPROVEMENT WRAP-UP 2007
It was a busy stream work season for FTTU in 2007. On Mill Creek in Waterford we did two projects in cooperation with the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission Adopt-A-Stream program and the Western Pennsylvania Watershed Assistance Center. A mud sill crib was constructed on the upper Stauffer property and a cross vane and six log vanes were built on the lower Stauffer property. In addition to stabilizing the bank, the mud sill crib acts as a man made undercut bank providing hiding space for trout who love this type of habitat. The cross vane consists of two logs embedded in the stream bed in a V shape pointing upstream. The stream flowing over the logs scours out a plunge pool behind the structure. The other log vanes will act as bank stabilizers that will trap sediment. Members of the Ligonier Valley Sportsmen and Outside-In contributed labor to the project.
Further downstream on Mill Creek at the mouth of Hanna's Run, eight more log vanes were constructed over about 200 feet of stream bank. The banks here are severly eroded and the stream has become wide and shallow. The root wad from a downed tree already on site was also utilized as a bank stabilization structure. This project was a cooperative effort by FTTU, the Westmoreland County Conservation District, The Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Pa. Fish and Boat Commission and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Finally, 25 trees were planted along the banks of the work sites. They included native species such as pin oak, maple and red twig shrubs. Willows were planted on the banks of the lower site by members of the Youth Conservation Corps.

The completed site near the mouth of Hanna's Run before the trees were planted. The root wad is seen in the foreground center.

FTTU WINS AWARDS
Forbes Trail was honored with two awards at the 2007 state council meetings. Our youth group received the Dr. Jack Beck award for outstanding youth outreach and our newsletter, The Trails received the Samuel Slaymaker award for best chapter newsletter. You can download the latest Trails from the link below.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BANQUET
FTTU pulled off another successful banquet on Saturday, March 1st at the Latrobe American Legion. The social event of the season was attended by over 180 ticket buyers and had almost 140 rafffle prizes up for grabs. Raffle ticket sellers were kept busy all night as banquet goers snapped up tickets for a chance at an array of prizes including framed Ned Smith prints, high quality rods and fishing tackle, and other framed prints by Terry Redlin and Joe Mattock. Profits from the banquet will fund the chapter's general operating expenses, youth group and help with stream improvement in 2008.
Thanks to all those who helped to make this year's banquet a success!

A portion of the fabulous array of prizes available at the 2008 FTTU Banquet.

At left: Youth Group Chairman, Greg Hines (Center) and founder, Drew Banas (right) with the Dr. Jack Beck award.

At Right: Trails Newsletter Staff, Scott Minster (center) and Russ Mason with the Samuel Slaymaker Award. Chapter President Lou Izzo is at left in both photos.