McHenry Township was named for prominent local surveyor, Alexander H. McHenry. Established in 1861, from portions of Brown Township to the North and Cummings Township to the South, it is located in northwestern Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, in the heart of scenic Pine Creek Valley. One of the largest and least populated of Pennsylvania’s townships, McHenry Township is mountainous and heavily forested, containing thousands of acres of publicly accessible State Forest and State Game Lands. A recreational “Mecca” for fishing, hunting, canoeing, hiking, and biking enthusiasts, the township contains more than 10 ½ miles of two well known features; Pine Creek and the Pine Creek Rail Trail. The local mountain streams and surrounding forests are accessible by numerous trails and forest roads, and provide ideal habitat for viewing a diversity of wildlife that can only be found in a few remote areas of Pennsylvania.

Area: Approximately 75 square miles (48,000 acres)
Population: 145 (2000 Census)
Land Usage (Approximate):

• State Forest Lands – 70%
• State Game Lands – 10%
• Private Land/Camps >12 acres (Clean & Green) – 10%
• Residential/Small Camps/Business – 10%

Member: Pine Creek Council of Governments
School District: Jersey Shore Area
Emergency Services:Pine Creek Independent Vol. Fire Co.

 

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Important Information

Emergencies-Dial: 911

Emergency Services Provider: Pine Creek Independent Volunteer Fire Co.

Dealing with Emergencies:

Due to the remote and isolated nature of our area, road closures due to flooding, rock or snow slides and wildfires, frequently accompany or compound many emergencies. When emergencies occur, all residents, non-resident property owners and visitors should be prepared to avoid, delay or limit travel and “shelter-in-place”. Everyone should be prepared with adequate provisions, especially medications, to “shelter-in-place” for at least three (3) days.

Permits Required:

McHenry Township, Lycoming County and/or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires one or more of the following permits prior to the change in type-of-use, increase-of-use, or prior to subdivision, development, and/or improvement (construction, remodeling, or demolishing of structures) of any property. Contact the McHenry Township Office (570-753-2679) or the Lycoming County Zoning Administrator (570-320-2144) for permitting assistance.

• Zoning/Land Development/Subdivision Permit – Permits required for any change to or development of an existing property – must be obtained prior to, or in conjuction with, applications for all other required permits.
• On-Site Sewage Permit – Permit required for any modification/change to an existing sewage system or the addition of any new system.
• Highway Occupancy Permit – Permit required for any property directly accessing vehicle traffic to/from a State Highway.
• Building/Occupancy Permit – PA Uniform Construction Code Inspections/Permit required for the construction of certain new structures or the renovation, remodeling, major repair to, an existing structure. McHenry Twp. does not administer the UCC, contact a state certified Code Official.
• Stormwater Permit – Certain land disturbances associated with construction and land development activities may require a Stormwater Permit.

Municipal Waste Disposal and Recycling:
McHenry Township provides two locations for the disposal (drop-off/collection) of “Household Wastes”. Only common “Household Wastes” are accepted. “Non-household Wastes” or “Prohibited Wastes” include: hazardous wastes; liquid wastes; appliances; furniture; bedding; construction or demolition wastes; tires; and auto batteries. Appliances, furniture, bedding, and construction/demolition wastes, are accepted at the Clinton County Landfill, located west of Jersey Shore, just off of Rt. 220 South at the McElhattan Exit.

One waste collection site, located at the Township Buildings in the village of Cammal, is open Wednesday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays following the Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day holiday weekends. The second site, located along Rt. 44 at “Pat Reeder’s Tavern”, is open during normal business hours, unless otherwise approved by owners.

While access to these sites is restricted to taxpayers only, “non-taxpayers” may drop-off trash for a fee of $3.00 per bag or they may purchase “annual drop-off access” for a fee of $30.00.

McHenry Township encourages recycling and recommends the use of the Pine Creek Valley Recycling Center, which is open to the public. The Recycling Center is located mid-way between Jersey Shore and Waterville, along Rt. 44, in Watson Township. This site accepts segregated glass (clear, brown, green), No’s. 1 and 2 plastic, metal and aluminum cans, and magazines and newspaper. The Township co-sponsors an annual “White Goods Collection Day” (appliances only) at the Recycling Center and we also host a “Large Item Collection Day” (furniture, bedding, carpet, tires, etc.) in mid-May at our site in Cammal.