Inflatable Dam Proposal Comments
R. L. Wasilewski, Vice President, Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society
Economic Alternatives to an Inflatable Dam
Although installing an inflatable dam in the Susquehanna River would negatively impact the River corridor's avian diversity, and hence, may be an infeasible method by which to stimulate the local economy, the Susquehanna is not without economic potential. Indeed, the River's avian diversity represents a major component of that economic potential. Consider, for example, that nationwide, bird watching attracts more recreational dollars that does baseball (Keystone Conservationist 1999). In 1996, 3.4 million Pennsylvanians age sixteen or older participated in such activities as observing, feeding, or photographing wildlife (U.S. Department of the Interior and others 1998). These activities supported 24,530 jobs, the earnings from which contributed $15 million in Pennsylvania income taxes. In addition, the $859 million in retail sales generated $48 million in state sales taxes (Keystone Conservationist 1999). Given the wildlife diversity of the Susquehanna River corridor, the Wyoming Valley should be able to share in the revenues that are generated by viewing watchable wildlife.
My own wildlife watching activities, which I conducted during my peregrine falcon monitoring, resulted in my sighting more than thirty bird species and two relatively uncommon mammal species. These were casual observations made from a single location along the shore of the Susquehanna River in the Wilkes-Barre area. Observations made from more points along the River, or from more locations within the River corridor, would likely result in sightings of many more species. A carefully designed trail system constructed to avoid disturbing wildlife and wildlife habitat could provide opportunities to observe, and to learn about, many species of wild animals and plants. For example, the GWVAS has sponsored monthly bird walks in the Kirby Park Natural Area, an area that is being managed to accommodate both humans and wildlife. Morning walks along the trails in the Natural Area have resulted in sightings of 82 species of birds (Appendix A) since the walks began in January of 1998. The fewest species observed on any one walk was 18; the most, 45. Ten walks produced at least 20 species, and six walks produced at least 30 species, which was the average number of species seen during the year. As respectable as these numbers are, consider that as many as 74 species (Appendix B) have been seen in, or from, the Kirby Park Natural Area on a single day during the peak of the spring migration (J. Shoemaker, pers. comm.). One need not question, therefore, why the Natural Area would be described as one of the best places in eastern Pennsylvania in which to experience the spring migration of warblers (M. Blauer, pers. comm.).
The spring migration along the Susquehanna River corridor is one of many aspects of this valuable natural resource that is under-appreciated by most Wyoming Valley residents, and that probably is unknown to most non-residents. Establishing a system of trails and access/observation points along the River, with priority placed on protecting the species and habitats that currently exist in the area, as well as protecting habitats that someday may harbor recovering species, would be an appropriate use of funds that have been designated for use in mitigation of the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project. In fact, the levees even contribute to the wildlife observing opportunities by providing vantage points from which to view birds in the floodway canopy without experiencing the muscle strain that we birders know as "warbler neck." Promoting the wildlife watching opportunities of the Susquehanna River corridor along with the opportunities that are afforded by the various municipal, county, and state natural areas, parks, forests, and other publicly accessible areas could create a web of ecotourism destinations with which to snare tourist dollars from those who would visit and stay in area hotels, dine at area restaurants, and make purchases at gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores. I believe that many more residents would benefit for more months of the year from such tourist dollars than would benefit from the very limited water-oriented recreational opportunities that may result from a seasonally operated inflatable dam. Moreover, protecting wildlife and its habitat within the Susquehanna River corridor would instill in current and future generations of Wyoming Valley residents a healthy respect for, and appreciation of, our irreplaceable natural resources, and promoting responsible passive recreation, such as wildlife watching, within the River corridor would help both residents and non-residents to learn to appreciate natural resources like the Susquehanna River without having to significantly alter them. That kind of educational opportunity, I believe, is priceless.