The Starrucca Creek in Harmony Township is now a better, safer, cleaned place to enjoy the outdoors thanks to the newly formed group, Friends of Starrucca Creek. This group, started on Facebook by Dana Rockwell in the second week of April, took on the somewhat daunting task of removing litter and flood debris that had accumulated in the creek and along the overflow areas. This cleanup event took place over the weekend of April 28th, with more than sixty volunteers directly participating over the two days. During this effort, the Starrucca Creek was cleaned from Melrose falls to below the village of Brandt where the old railroad bridges cross the stream, which is an approximately four to five mile stretch. Roughly four tons of scrap metal was removed, was well as four tons of garbage, and over one hundred tires.

Volunteers Help Cleanup Starrucca Creek

This cleanup event was registered through The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania; which is a yearly, statewide effort to clean up litter and trash along our state’s roadsides, streams, beaches, parks, forests, and neighborhoods. This year it is being held from March 1st through May 31st. Through the state, gloves, garbage bags, and orange safety vests were obtained. The state also works in cooperation with Pennsylvania landfills in order to offer free landfill space for garbage disposal. I encourage anyone interested in cleaning up a problem site in their area to visit The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania website.

Volunteers worked on foot, by ATV, UTV, and 4x4 pickup. Permission was obtained from local landowners to access the creek in convenient locations so that rubbish could be removed as easily as possible. A canoe was also used to float material down the creek in the more inaccessible areas to points downstream where vehicles awaited. Everyone involved had a wonderful time and the event was a community building experience. It also gave participants a first-hand look at the problem, and a strong sense of accomplishment after seeing the end results. Young and old were involved, the youngest being four, and this cleanup helped to establish a connection with nature that hopefully will lead to a stronger sense of ownership, since the state’s waterways belong to its residents.

All participants enjoyed the end of the day cookouts hosted by Wanda & Terry Rockwell, at their residence in Stevens Point along the Starrucca Creek. Special thanks are in order for our generous donors which included, Schneider’s Market of Susquehanna, The Susquehanna County Federation, Drinker Creek Beverage, Rockwell Heating, Susquehanna Home Center, and Robb’s Market of Halstead. This also extends to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and The Rail-Trail Council of Northeast Pennsylvania who were integral partners in this project. In addition, thanks to the many food and beverage donors who made the cookouts possible. Most of all, I would like to thank the volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules to make the cleanup a great success.

Anyone interested in joining Friends of Starrucca Creek, please friend request us on Facebook. Here we’ve established a convenient site to post pictures and comments related to the Starrucca Creek. Another cleanup is in the works for the first half of June to address some problem areas that have been identified which could be potential sources of stream litter in the future. Please make an effort to join us if you would like help keep the Starrucca Creek beautiful.