Savage River Watershed Association

Contact Information

OSM/VISTA: Jaclyn Long
Supervisor: Laura Haynes
Sponsoring Organization: Savage River Watershed Association
Address: P.O. Box 355 Frostburg, MD 21532
Phone: 301.895.4005
E-Mail: SRWAcoordinator@gmail.com
U.S. Congressional Districts: 6th
County: Garrett

Mission Statement:

The Savage River Watershed Association is a group of local landowners and other citizens dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River Watershed by assisting interested landowners and public land managers with environmental stewardship efforts and educational outreach.

Background:

We are landowners and citizens concerned about Garrett County’s Savage River watershed.  Though we come from diverse backgrounds we’re united by our appreciation for this region.  We want to preserve all of its values, especially the quality and quantity of its ground and surface water resources.  We have identified many threats to our watershed that include acid rain, thermal pollution, habitat destruction, exotic invasive species, acid mine drainage (AMD), erosion and sediment, storm water runoff, loss of farms and forest and over consumption of water.  We are now working to identify specific impacts and generate a plan for remediation.  Through our efforts we hope to preserve and enhance the rural nature and natural resources of the Savage River watershed.

The Savage River is a headwater tributary for the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay that includes both coldwater and highland streams.  As Maryland’s premier brook trout fishery, the Savage River has been identified as a conservation priority because it is one of the few watersheds that still contain intact populations of native brook trout in Maryland.  The Savage River Watershed Association (SRWA) was formed in March 2006.  We were inspired by efforts to restore water quality in Aaron Run, the only tributary within the watershed impacted by AMD.  We selected the native brook trout for our logo because it is our keystone species.  To protect it, we need to preserve all of the values of the Savage River watershed. 

Goals and Accomplishments:

Since its formation in March 2006, the Savage River Watershed Association has focused largely on capacity building and organizational development. We have focused on public outreach by creating an educational display to set up during festivals and other events. Educational outreach program development is being coordinated in conjunction with local elementary schools and higher education institutes. A preliminary biological monitoring survey is being conducted as a first step towards comprehensive watershed assessment to prioritize restoration sites and propose remediation projects for funding.  In the short time since its inception, the group has made great progress toward becoming a successful and productive conservation group.

Partners and Contributors:

• Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team
• Maryland Brook Trout Alliance
• Trout Unlimited
• Izaak Walton League of America
• Chesapeake Bay Trust / Capacity Building Initiative
• Maryland Department of the Environment/ Bureau of Mines
• New Germany State Park
• Nature Conservancy
• Office of Surface Mining
• Friends of New Germany
• Georges Creek Watershed Association
• Youghiogheny River Watershed Association
• Western MD Resource Conservation & Development Council