Picture Perry group advances Sherman's Creek story map; dam removals and permitting flagged as complex
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Summary
At a Picture Perry natural-resources work group, participants reviewed a draft Sherman's Creek Greenway story map, discussed potential water-trail and boat-launch points, and flagged dam removals as a multiyear effort requiring Fish and Boat Commission, DEP and sediment cleanup work.
A Picture Perry work group meeting on natural resources and recreation reviewed a draft story map for the Sherman's Creek Greenway and discussed next steps for river access and ecological restoration.
Facilitator Jason circulated the draft story map after last month’s meeting; Jasmine Colbert, Perry County Economic Development Authority regional Main Street coordinator, said the map’s "pinpoints and the extra information" were helpful. The group discussed marking potential boat-launch sites but repeatedly emphasized that most of Sherman's Creek is legally nonnavigable and that any public access would require cooperation from multiple private landowners.
Participants flagged a separate, larger proposal to remove three dams on Sherman's Creek as an item that could appear on the county’s radar in a future funding cycle. Farren said removing dams would be "remarkable and great," but noted it would "involve the Fish and Boat Commission" and the Department of Environmental Protection, and would require permitting and technical study.
Meeting speakers warned of sediment and contamination risks behind impoundments and along old railroad fills. Tom Grappesberger said there are "some super nasties" in historic railroad fill and advised avoiding work near the railroad bridge when possible, recommending focus on upper-sediment areas for any removal work.
The group discussed potential roles for regional nonprofits and conservancies in permitting and contracting. One participant suggested the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy could “do permitting and bidding on behalf of the landowners,” but speakers emphasized that landowner identification and consent, plus detailed sediment testing, would be prerequisites.
The meeting did not produce a formal decision. Facilitator Jason asked participants to review and comment on the story map by email so staff can identify technical questions, landowners and permitting steps the county would need to pursue if it advances dam removals or new river access projects.