YELLOW BREECHES WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

Formation:
Lower Allen Township, recognizing the need for a Yellow Breeches watershed group, applied for and received a Growing Greener Grant to assist in the formation of the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association. The 219 square mile watershed includes Adams, Cumberland, and York Counties with 21 municipalities and approximately 368 stream miles. An initial stakeholders meeting was held on January 10, 2001 and people interested in serving on the initial Steering Committee volunteered. The first public meeting was held on February 21, 2001. The formation of an initial Board of Directors followed a few months later. Articles of incorporation were prepared and filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Internal Revenue Service.

Mission Statement:
The Yellow Breeches Watershed Association (YBWA) is committed to cooperatively foster public understanding and sound management of environmental resources in the Yellow Breeches Watershed. The YBWA is a solution- oriented organization, providing technically sound information, education, leadership, and coordination in the field of watershed management. The YBWA advances environmental stewardship through support of practical management of watershed resources for the protection and enhancement or environmental quality.

YBWA Goals

	Coordinate a regional voice for communicating philosophy and practices to enhance watershed environmental resources management.
	Provide continuing education and information sharing opportunities for members and interested stakeholders.
	Effectively disseminate watershed management information to members, public officials, regulators, key professionals, and the public.
	Support and participate in watershed monitoring of the Yellow Breeches Creek and its tributaries.
	Support projects, which maintain or improve watershed resources and environmental quality.
	Develop alliances with other watershed organizations and mentor others.
	Recognize and promote good watershed stewardship and best management practices.

Committees

Membership & Fundraising Committee
Dennis Auker, Committee Chairman
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Attract and retain members, process membership information, distribute membership information.

Committee Goals for 2009:
	Establish and maintain membership list
	Review and update membership brochure
	Produce and issue membership cards
	Contribute to the newsletter

Projects & Monitoring Committee
Jake Romig, Committee Chairman; Jenn Hoffman; Ami Gulden; Yvonne Werzinsky;
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Conducts frequent stream sampling, recording interpretation, archiving, and reporting of watershed related data. Works in cooperation with CAPSEC. Coordinates and plans watershed assessment and improvement project activities in the watershed.

Committee Goals for 2009:
	Monitor subwatershed Initiatives,including Cedar Run
	Participate in Water Trail project work group
	Coordinate Volunteer monitoring efforts with CAPSEC regarding Site Study Design Plan and provide financial assistance for stream monitoring, if requested
	Coordinate stream clean-ups
	Coordinate and participate in Annual Trout Day sponsored by United Water
	Review RCP/Watershed Assessment action items – identify/confirm priorities and formulate implementation strategy for highest priorities for future implementation
	Monitor Dam Removal and Riparian Buffer Restoration Projects

Public Education/Outreach
Bob Edwards, Committee Chairman; John Eby; John Brossman; Pat Devlin
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Develops membership information material, association Web page, e-mail, watershed fact sheets, and partners with schools on educational projects.

Committee Goals for 2009:
	Marketing Plan – identify events to attend/participate annually
	Maintain/Update Web Site and investigate alternatives for hosting the site at a reduced cost
	Prepare Newsletter – a minimum of 2 per year (Spring and Fall)
	Coordinate with Membership and Projects Committees
	Facilitate Municipal outreach and involvement
	Plan and organize Annual Membership Meeting in October 2006

Executive Committee
John Eby, President
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Consists of the YBWA officers, coordinates with other committees on activities, projects, and public meetings, maintains membership list and manages grants and funds.

Membership: Association membership is open to anyone interested in the watershed. The membership class types include: $15 individual, $25 family, $5 student / senior, and $100 corporation. For a membership application, click here.