Pine Creek Council of Governments

Members: Watson, Cummings, McHenry and Brown Townships in Lycoming County; Morris Township in Tioga County; Jersey Shore Borough; and Pine Creek Preservation Association

Partners: Lycoming County Planning; Tioga County Planning; DCNR, DCED & F&BC

Purpose: Provide a vehicle for intergovernmental cooperation in resolving problems, forming policies, making plans and taking actions that are mutually beneficial to all members.

Contact Information: Pine Creek Council of Governments, Secretary, P.O. Box 82, Waterville, PA 17776

Meeting Times & Locations: All meetings are open to the public and they are held the first Thursday of every month beginning at 7:00 pm at the Waterville Fire Hall which is located adjacent to Route 44 in Waterville.

2012 Officers:  Paul Hoffmaster (McHenry Twp.), Chairman; Jim Seltzer(Cummings Twp.), Vice-Chair; William Wolfe (Cummings Twp.), Secretary/Treasurer Contact Persons: Each Member has at least one Official assigned as a voting representative to attend the meetings.   Check with your local municipality for your representative.

Typical Projects, Activities & Accomplishments: The Pine Creek COG has established working partnerships with agencies such as DCNR, DCED, F&BC, and with Lycoming & Tioga County Planning to address the following types of issues:

  • Facilitate the creation and implementation of the Pine Creek Valley Management Plan
  • Facilitate the creation of, and provide ongoing representation to, the Pine Creek Rail Trail Advisory Committee
  • Facilitate the creation, implementation and operation of the (Watson Township-hosted) Pine Creek Valley Recycling Center
  • Facilitate the creation and implementation of the Pine Creek Watershed Rivers Conservation Plan
  • Facilitate the creation of, and provide ongoing representation to, the Pine Creek Watershed Council
  • Facilitate the creation and implementation of DCNR’s – PA Wilds Implementation Plans
  • Conduct a “study” of the possible social, cultural and environmental impacts and needs created by the PA Wilds tourism initiative concerning the following issues:
  1. Community Character Protection – Evaluate existing zoning ordinance provisions for adequacy of protection and provide recommendations for additions or changes as needed.
  2. Emergency Services Capabilities – Evaluate the current state of the mainly volunteer-based local emergency service organizations response capabilities and needs.
  3. Highway Maintenance & Traffic Safety – Assess the needs and options for improving local road and traffic safety conditions within the Pine Creek Valley corridor.
  4. Public Sanitation & Waste Management – Assess the needs and options for increasing public restroom capacity and improving the effectiveness of waste collection and recycling facilities, within the Pine Creek Valley corridor.
  5. Commercial Development & Signage – Develop and adopt voluntary “Design Guides” for new commercial structures and both directional and informational signs within the Pine Creek Valley corridor.
  6. Access Improvements – Identify and facilitate needed parking areas, access facilities and connections to Pine Creek and the Pine Creek Rail Trail.
  7. Recreational Improvements – Identify and facilitate the development of needed amenities at local recreational facilities.
  8. Pine Creek Fisheries Conservation & Enhancement – Work with DCNR and F&BC to evaluate the fisheries resources in Pine Creek and its tributaries, to develop management provisions to protect and enhance these fisheries.
    • Provide an open forum for dialogue between COG members, its partners and locally operating gas companies, to identify and resolve problems or issues of concern.