BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

With spring trout season rapidly approaching, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is busy stocking creeks and streams with trout throughout the region.

However, the PFBC will take no chances if there is the possibility of contamination in the water.

PFBC takes the lead from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and if they say there is an issue with the water, the trout stocking will be cancelled.

Residents inFranklinTownshipinSusquehannaCountynear Snake Creek are dealing with water concerns that stem from possible methane gas seepage into their water wells.

And with the creek just across the road, it remains to be seen if it is affected as well. DEP is currently conducting water testing in the area.

According the PFBC area fisheries manager Rob Wnuk from the Northeast Regional office, the fish and boat commission doesn’t have the resources to determine water quality in all streams within the state, so they go by the DEP standards.

“If DEP tells us there’s an issue with the water, we would cancel the stocking,” Wnuk said.

However, PFBC continues to do testing of its own in native trout streams for specific conductivity, which is a basic test for water pollution.

“We’ve been surveying as many streams as we possibly can,” Wnuk said. “It helps us better classify the streams.”

Wnuk said that if there is a significant native trout population in a stream then it qualifies for “Cold Water Fishery” status, which gives it more protection by DEP.

Snake Creek inFranklinTownshipis classified as a Cold Water Fishery.

The fish and boat commission also reviews all Marcellus well drilling permits, as well as any water withdrawal permits throughout the commonwealth, and makes recommendations based on location.