WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 13, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) is encouraging constituents to participate in his newly launched survey to learn whether Western Pennsylvanians support or oppose the proposed French Creek National Wildlife Refuge.
Constituents can visit Rep. Kelly’s website to complete the survey at https://kelly.house.gov/services/french-creek-national-wildlife.
Rep. Kelly launched the survey following strong opposition from local property owners, farmers, and county leaders who are concerned about personal property rights and federal ownership lowering property tax value at the local level.
“The goal of this survey is to give a voice to those who may be impacted by the proposed wildlife refuge,” Kelly said. “I have already heard from county leaders and local residents who believe this could negatively impact their properties. I share their concerns. By launching this survey, we are reaching out to make sure all residents along French Creek can have a say in the future of this project, whether they support or oppose it.”
BACKGROUND
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing the refuge to protect habitats for the creek’s mussels as well as the aquatic biodiversity of French Creek. French Creek spans 117 miles from Chautauqua County, New York to Venango County, Pennsylvania. Negotiations for any potential land acquisition for the new refuge wouldn’t begin until at least 2024, according to reports.
In May, Rep. Kelly, joined by Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and Nick Langworthy (R-NY), urged the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to reconsider federal designations on private land without greater local input for the proposed French Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The proposed refuge would create new federal ownership and oversight of lands in Erie, Crawford, Mercer, and Venango counties in Pennsylvania; Chautauqua County in New York, along with French Creek and the French Creek Watershed.However, farmers and landowners remain concerned about potential land being taken by eminent domain and other land acquisition by the federal government. Local residents insist using local land trust and conservation groups, whose members have decades of experience in protecting the ecology of this vital community asset, is a superior method of promoting a healthy local ecosystem.
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