The Monocacy Creek Watershed Association: A Brief History

Formed by an interested group of citizens, many who lived on the banks of the Monocacy, the MCWA has tried to remain as an advocate for an educated usage of our land resources while protecting both the Creek and its adjacent drainage area from improper use or development. Led by a Board of Directors consisting of about 20 individuals, the Association has always sought membership from the local community and has maintained an average membership of about one hundred yearly dues paying individuals, families and corporations.

During its history, the MCWA has tried to monitor the impacts of development along the Creek. We have funded water quality studies and collected data from a variety of sources in order to build up a baseline understanding of the Monocacy Creek and the factors effecting its quality. We have also maintained close contact with the Penna Fish Commission and the Dept. of Environmental Resources and have incorporated their data into our own.

In terms of monitoring development, the MCWA attempts to follow proposals presented to local municipal agencies that would have an impact on the Monocacy. We have used professional engineers to review these plans in the past when such has been necessary. We also work closely with developers to insure that reasonable safeguards of the Monocacy have been built into any proposal going for approval. While we would prefer to work quietly and behind the scenes we have also been responsible for requesting various public DER hearings when such are warranted or when cooperation is not forthcoming from a developer.

While protection is a necessary part of the overall responsibility of the MCWA, stream improvement, developing educational programs and promoting the recreational value of the Monocacy are also important. During the past twenty or so years, we have sponsored and/or participated in a variety of stream improvement programs. Many of these have been conducted under the auspices of the Penna Fish Commission. We have also worked with that agency to have a portion of the Monocacy Creek declared a part of the Commonwealth's "Trophy Trout Stream" network. Within a running distance of about two or three miles of stream we now have the highest quality designation coupled with a section of' the Monocacy that is stocked by the Fish Commission and used extensively by the community as a recreational area for younger children.

The Watershed Association has also sought to use the Monocacy Creek as an educational tool whenever possible. We have sponsored field trips, nature walks, bird watches, outdoor laboratory classes, historical seminars and a wide variety of other programs both individually and jointly with other local agencies. Our association over the last five years with Burnside Plantation, Inc., a colonial farm dating from 1748, and through which the Monocacy flows, has been especially fruitful and enjoyable. Completion of this project will provide the community with a truly unique historical and educational resource.