The Governor's Award cited these environmental
results for the McLaughlin Run Project:
The Governor's Award also provided this
description of the McLaughlin Run Project:
Watershed Protection:
Start Small, But Think Big
The USC Citizens for Land Stewardship approached
the Township of Upper St. Clair in 1998 to form a partnership to
improve the riparian buffer, water quality and stream beauty of
McLaughlin Run, a tributary of Chartiers Creek. The vision was to
stimulate community involvement by initiating a McLaughlin Run
Watershed project focusing on non-point source pollution, improved
water quality and environmental awareness.
Proposed as a single demonstration of non-point
source pollution reduction and stream bank stabilization, the
McLaughlin Run project also featured the additional benefits of
enhanced flood protection and improved habitat for wildlife. Although
it had limited total watershed impact, its value was demonstrated
through improved stream corridor management and conservation awareness.
The first phase of the project included the
completion of a comprehensive watershed assessment, which provided a
basis for targeted, prioritized watershed restoration efforts. These
new priorities laid the groundwork for even more opportunities for
inter-municipal partnership and coordination, increasing public support
and making watershed protection projects more cost effective.
Today, the McLaughlin Run project continues to
grow. Along one tributary, hundreds of feet of agricultural stream bank
fencing were installed to protect the stream for livestock. Volunteers
from the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, school children and local service
organizations planted native plants along hundreds of feet of the
stream bank to reintroduce native species. An Eagle Scout project
stenciled more than 500 storm drains in the community with a fish logo
and the wording, “Dump no Waste - Drains to
Stream”. A day-long educational session was held during Upper
St. Clair Community Day, providing information to more than 300
residents.