The Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring trout habitat throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Its 800-plus members and affiliates are engaged in the fight to preserve our precious cold water resources. All similarly inclined persons are invited to join in our efforts.

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited general meetings are open to the public. They are held the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of June, July, and August. Meetings are held at the East Whiteland Township Building, at 209 Conestoga Rd, Malvern 19355, just off of the 401 Exit of Route 202. Meeting time is 7:30 p.m. Click Here for more information

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited is an active chapter effectively working to advance conservation efforts and the sport of fly fishing.

Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters is a nationwide program administered through the Veteran’s Administration that introduces fly fishing to veterans.  Our chapter began this outreach program in 2012 and it is growing rapidly.  Click here for more information how we’re engaging our veterans in this rejuvenating project and how you can take part.

Legislative Action (NEW UPDATE – Mar 4)

IT’S BAAACK!  Time again to contact your state representative and senator!

HB1576, referred to as the Endangered Species Coordination Act is now scheduled to be put up for a vote on March 10, according to the House Calendar.  Our friends at PA Environmental Council and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have issued additional letters opposing this wasteful and dangerous bill.

The latest changes do nothing to address the stated problem.  A quote from PA Environmental Council’s letter:

The issues cited by those speaking in support of this legislation concern permit review and Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) consultation process with the Fish & Boat Commission and the Game Commission. House Bill 1576 makes no actual changes to the current permit review process – instead, it places political hurdles in front of new species listings, and imposes unclear standards on listing determinations and data sharing. It also systematically drops hundreds of species of concern from the permit review process, irrespective of their status in the state, welcoming potential federal listings in the future.

In other words, House Bill 1576 does nothing to address the stated problems with permit reviews.

The legislation also ignores recent key developments designed to improve the PNDI review process:

— In May 2013, the Department of Environmental Protection issued updated policy guidance for PNDI coordination during permit review and evaluation [Document Number 021-0200-001]. This policy, which has been in place less than a year, clarifies the PNDI consultation process and establishes clear determination guidelines.

Last month it appeared that your calls, emails and messages to your legislators had paid off, at least momentarily, when we learned that HB1576 had been “removed from table” as per the PA General Assembly Website.  This bill will still have a major impact on Pennsylvania’s wild trout waters, threatened & endangered species.  We need to keep a watchful eye and the pressure on. If you have not done so already, lobby your legislator and urge them to vote against this unnecessary, unwise and costly law.

Watershed Management

Our primary mission is to protect Chester County’s watersheds – Valley Creek, West Valley Creek and the Brandywine Creek.  As a result, our conservation efforts are many and varied. Below are the projects and efforts we’re working on currently.

Keeper of the Stream

Valley Creek bisects much of Chester County’s eastern and most populated area.  As such it is most at risk of erosion from storm water run-off and pollution from both point and non-point sources.  A pressurized Sewer Main Line parallels the stream.  This sewer line ruptured in 2011, releasing thousands of gallons of sewage into the creek.  Twice during the winter of 2014 it burst again spewing an estimated 5,000 gallons/minute for 30 hours during the second episode.

Our Keeper of the Stream program offers assigned “beats” to volunteers who inspect the stream and report quarterly to the National Park Service at Valley Forge Historical National Park, where Valley Creek runs through to its confluence with the Schuylkill River.

Wilson Farm Park

Tredyffrin Township’s Wilson Farm Park is a large, mostly cleared public park bordered by Route 202 on its south side and the Chesterbrook development on its remaining three sides.  Valley Creek bisects much of the Chesterbrook development before it enters Valley Forge Historical National Park.

Such a large, open expanse of land can do more than it currently does to capture and collect storm water before releasing it into drainage systems that ultimately discharge into Valley Creek exacerbating bank erosion.

Our efforts include partnering with other local, like minded community and conservation groups to increase the park’s capacity to hold water.  We have planted trees and have installed and maintain a rain garden to capture storm water and thus replenish the aquifer reducing the amount of water that reaches the storm sewer.