The Allegheny National Forest

1. The Allegheny National Forest A few quick facts: • Established in 1923 by Presidential Proclamation under the authority of the 1911 Weeks Act. • Current Acreage: 513,325 acres • One of 155 National Forests managed by the U.S. Forest Service; only NF in Pennsylvania • Lies within a days’s drive of 1/3 Nation’s population • Congress mandates that NF’s be managed to provide multiple benefits in a sustainable way so future generations will enjoy these lands.

4. The ANF is the “Administering Agency” for two Wild and Scenic Rivers • 86.6 miles on the Allegheny Wild and Scenic River, (1992) • 51.7 miles on the Clarion Wild and Scenic River, (1996) Note: The public law that created the designation of both wild and scenic rivers states the rivers are to be administered by the “Secretary of Agriculture”; this in turn was delegated to the U.S. Forest Service – the “Administering Agency”.

5. Clarion River Municipal Partnership • Formed in 2007 to address issues relating to regional tourism and the management of the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River • 8 Townships and 2 Borough Members • Guided by our management “tripod” of: River Health Economic Opportunity Cultural Heritage

6. The National Wild & Scenic River Act It shall be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess Outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

7. The Clarion River Designation • Added as a Study River in 1992 (P.L. 102-271) • 51.7 miles designated October 1996 (P.L. 104-314) • From Ridgway to the backwaters of Piney Dam • 34.6 Miles Designated Recreational (2 segments) • 17.1 Miles Designated Scenic (2 segments)

8. The Clarion WSR Segments

9. Approximately 64 percent of the rivers edge is in public ownership: • Allegheny National Forest • DCNR Bureau of Forestry • DCNR Clear Creek & Cook Forest State Parks • PA Game Commission • Includes riverfront in 9 Townships - Ridgway, Spring Creek, Millstone (Elk Cnty), Heath, Barnett (Jefferson Cnty), Barnett (Forest Cnty), Millcreek, Highland, and Farmington (Clarion Cnty)

10. Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORV) Landform Value Scenic Value Ecological Value Wildlife Value Aquatic Value Heritage Value Recreational Value Protecting the ORV’s is the basis for all management objectives

11. Established ORV’s for the Clarion • Landform Value- Sinuous river with steep, narrow valley having little or no floodplain, containing large boulders in the river course – for the Clarion this is a part of what makes the Scenic value so high • Scenic Value- Steeply forested hillsides of almost continuous mature deciduous and coniferous vegetation • Recreational Value- Class C-1 with a long floating season and a large variety of recreational opportunities and public facilities

12. Allegheny National Forest Marienville Ranger District 131 Smokey Lane Marienville, PA 16329 District Ranger, Robert Fallon (814) 927-5799 rfallon@fs.fed.us Clarion River Municipal Partnership Council c/o Millstone Township 2329 Route 3001 Sigel, PA 15860 Chairman Eric Patton (814) 752-6279 epatton@wrcks.net