Forest Service Accepting Public Comments on the Threemile AOP Improvement Project

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Christopher Leeser


Marienville, PA, June 27, 2024— The USDA Forest Service is accepting public comments on a proposal to replace an existing stone and corrugated metal pipe culvert with a bottomless aquatic organism passage (AOP) culvert. The proposal is located in Management Area 3.0 in Warrant 1464, Highland Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania. The AOP culvert would be installed where Sackett Road (Township Road 313) crosses Threemile Run. 

AOP culverts are designed to reduce road maintenance needs, mimic a natural streambed, and facilitate the passage of aquatic organisms. The proposed culvert would improve the habitat for fish, salamanders, frogs, crayfish, and other animals that travel along streams. Designed to protect the integrity of the road during a 100-year flood, the proposed culvert would make the road more resilient to the increasing frequency of flood events, resulting in less disruption for road users. 

For more information, a scoping document is available for download on the project webpage. Printed copies are available upon request. If you want to provide input, please submit comments by July 31, 2024. 

  • Mail: Daniele Gualtieri, Marienville Ranger District, 131 Smokey Lane, Marienville, PA 16239 
  • Fax: (814) 927-2285 
  • Email: Online. Click on Comment/Object on Project, located on the right side of the webpage under the Get Connected sidebar. If uploading attachments, please use file formats compatible with Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat. 
  • Phone: Verbal comments may be submitted at the Marienville Ranger District Office by calling (814) 927-5700. Normal business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Please note that any comments received, including the names and addresses of those who submit comments, will be part of the public record and available for public inspection. For more information, please contact District Ranger Daniele Gualtieri at (814) 927-5799 or daniele.gualtieri@usda.gov. 

 

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