Save the Susq Water Gap

Help protect the signature view of south-central PA!

The Susquehanna Water Gap Coalition, formed January 2007, has as its goal to protect the natural, scenic, and cultural resources of the Susquehanna Water Gap's ridges, valley lands, and river islands.

Coalition members will do this individually and collectively through education, publicity, meetng with decision makers, land-planning workshops, or the use of the legal system.

Special attention is given to the Kittatinny Ridge and its associated raptor flyway and the aquatic bird flyway along the river. Housing developments, negative impacts of industrial wind energy plants, and the sale of McCormick's Island are current interests. Cooperation is welcomed from groups with these values and purposes.
To join, please contact:

Nina Ertel, 289 Riverview Terrace , Dauphin, PA  17018

The Susquehanna Water Gap is an important place locally and nationally due to: 

Ø     Its year-round scenic beauty;  

Ø     It being a crossroads of migration with the intersection of the northeast-to-southwest Kittatinny Ridge Corridor and north-south Susquehanna Flyway; 

Ø     The world-famous National Appalachian Scenic Trail passing through Middle Paxton Township, across the Susquehanna, then through Duncannon, and Penn Township; 

Ø     Well-water recharge in the valley from surrounding forested ridges; 

Ø     The Rockville Bridge, built in 1902, being the longest and widest multiple stone arch railway bridge in the world;  

Ø     Paddling on the Susquehanna River Trail;  

Ø     Dauphin County’s historic Fort Hunter Park; and 

Ø     The many wild habitat areas on the ridges, valley lands, and river islands. 

Ø     The National Park Service having designated the Susquehanna Water Gap as a Natural National Landmark.

Check out the Susq Water Gap slideshow to learn more!

The Susquehanna Water Gap is a wide swath of valley and ridge lands along the River from Harrisburg to Duncannon.  This scenic region is threatened with planned housing developments that will permanently alter the beauty and natural resources valued by many generations of Pennsylvanians.  

Three housing developments are currently planned within the Susquehanna Gap for Marysville (Blue Mountain), Penn Township (Cove Mountain), and Middle Paxton Township (Second Mountain) totaling 1,600 - 2,000 new housing units.

In addition, proposed wind farms nearby threaten migrating birds, water resources, valuable wildlife habitat, and scenic views of the region.

AttachmentSize
Susq Gap Coalition slideshow 3_5_08.pdf5.75 MB

2007 Completed Projects


The Dodson family donated a second conservation easement on nearby 90 acre forested parcel in western Perry County along Kittatinny Ridge Corridor.

overview >>

Josh and Amanda Parrish donated an easement on 106 acre woodland adjacent to Tuscarora State Forest along the Kittatinny Ridge in western Perry County. overview >>

Saylor Farm Easement
The Saylors preserved their scenic 121 acre four-generation family farm in Liverpool Township, Perry County.

overview >>
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