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State senator pledges support for effort to save Cokeburg dam

3 min read
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Members of Ellsworth Sportsmens Club listen to discussions about the Cokeburg dam Tuesday. Seated (center) is State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township.

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Cokeburg Council President Harry Gorby talks about the state Department of Environmental Protection’s order to drain the Cokeburg dam during a meeting Tuesday at the Ellsworth Sportsmens Club in Scenery Hill.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta pledged her support in an effort to save a dam in Cokeburg that serves as a popular fishing spot.

Bartolotta, a first-term Republican from Carroll Township who represents parts of Washington County, told members of Ellsworth Sportsmens Club in Scenery Hill Tuesday she plans to contact the state Department of Environmental Protection to get answers to why the agency ordered Cokeburg Borough to drain the dam and make repairs at an estimated $1.2 million.

“I want to find out if they have the most up-to-date information on the depth of the water,” Bartolotta told the packed clubhouse.

About 50 members of the group gathered to discuss the future of the dam.

“Why come after this and make changes when the breast has never overflowed?” Bartolotta asked.

The group leases the dam from the borough and continually stocks it with fish for which it sells permits to members for fishing. Residents can fish at no charge.

Cokeburg Borough has been under a DEP consent order for about six years to make repairs to the dam that the agency characterized as a high hazard. The DEP said repairs must include protecting the breastwork from failing.

Council President Harry Gorby told the group during a Feb. 4 conference call, DEP personnel told borough officials to drain the dam. Gorby said the borough was not given a deadline but was told Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission would remove the fish from the dam. Gorby said DEP also said it would help Cokeburg Borough repair the breast.

George Burcin, former club president, said the dam is not a hazard.

“The water level is not up against the breast,” Burcin said. “In my opinion, it would be a crime to do it (drain the dam and close it). It is one of the prime recreation areas for the elderly and youth. We have done numerous repairs to make it like a park.”

Laura Hough, West Pike Township supervisor, said she came out Tuesday night to join the club in their efforts. Hough said she is working with groups trying to attract tourism and recreation to the area, and the dam fits into the scenario.

“I don’t see why the DEP is coming in here and arbitrarily taking a lake down,” Hough said.

Bartolotta told club members she also plans to talk with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Community and Economic Development from which the borough received a $200,000 grant to make repairs. The borough also has another $200,000 grant intended for repairs.

“I prefer the shotgun approach,” Bartolotta said.

The group discussed meeting again but did not set a date.

Greg Traynor, who has been disabled since a diving accident in 1999, said the dam is a source of enjoyment.

“It is one of the few areas I can get back to the outdoors,” said Traynor of Canonsburg. “It would be a shame to lose it. Kids don’t remember the first day they play Xbox, but they remember the first day they catch a fish with their grandfather.”

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