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The mission of this Atlas is to inform the public about the environment of the Spring Creek Watershed, its waters, its ecosystems, its challenges, and how the human population is both managing the watershed and exploiting it.

This Atlas is a project of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission, which is made up of representatives of five municipalities in Centre County Pennsylvania through which Spring Creek flows. The Commission’s function is to develop a comprehensive Water Management Plan that meets the consensus of these local governments.

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Local populations and consequent development have been growing in the Spring Creek  Watershed. Centre County’s population increased by 13.4% from 2000 - 2010 and this trend is likely to continue. A larger population entails further conversion of agricultural land and forestland to urban infrastructure. This conversion can have many undesirable effects not only on our ecosystems but on our quality of life. Our beautiful natural areas and the sensitive habitats that characterize our watershed are in danger, recreational opportunities are diminishing, and our water resources can be jeopardized. Threats to water resources are particularly concerning; the integrity and supply of our drinking water is related to the quality and quantity of 
groundwater.  Because the decisions made today will have profound effects on our natural
resources in the future, it is imperative that an informed citizenry make these decisions. With the contribution of conservation-focused nonprofit organizations and local environmental specialists and educators, the Spring Creek Watershed Atlas provides tools needed to build a comprehensive understanding of the interconnecting systems that make up our watershed and our impact upon it.

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