Based on similar efforts in other parts of the country, this program engages senior citizens in hands-on water quality testing at various sites within the watershed. In this way, the senior volunteers are providing some chronological baseline information about the health of French Creek, and will collaborate on other environmental projects within the region. EASI program began as a cooperative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Active Aging and Environmental Protection. As if that was not enough they have also tackled the local issues of brownfield revitalization, well-head protection and monitoring. They maintain seven water sampling locations over a wide area to insure the accuracy of their results.
Decisions made by local government officials can have an enormous impact on French Creek.
Issues relating to sewage plants and septic systems, water withdrawals, facility siting, parks and recreation, and streamside development can all affect water quality within the drainage basin. Therefore, local government officials are a key audience for the French Creek Project to reach. To that end, Project staff have hosted meetings and focus group discussions involving members of local government in order to keep them informed of issues affecting French Creek, and to gain their input about ways of minimizing pollution in the watershed. Several local government officials also serve as members of the French Creek Project Advisory Council, and help determine the directions the Project will take. The Project has also co-sponsored workshops that seek to engage local governmental representatives in an open dialogue about the quality of life in the French Creek Valley.