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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, manages all facets of Blue Marsh Lake from flood control to recreation. The on-site staff divides its responsibilities as follows:
Administration
Park Manager -- supervises all project staff and oversees administration of the project.
Head Dam Operator, Assistant Dam Operator, Maintenance Personnel -- oversee flood control, water supply and water quality operations and project maintenance.
Resources Management
Chief Ranger, Permanent and Seasonal Park Rangers -- widely varied duties are structured around managing human, cultural and natural resources.
Role of the Park Ranger
Public Relations Specialist
Through public contacts, exhibits and programs, rangers provide information about project features and operations, and its role in regional water resources.
Educator
The ranger staff runs educational programs and trail tours for school groups, scouts, civic organizations and the general public. Program topics include water safety, natural resource management and project constructing.
Wildlife Management Specialist
Rangers perform a variety of wildlife management programs, including habitat management and construction, installation and maintenance of different wildlife structures.
Trail Manager
Blue Marsh Lake's extensive system of multi-use and nature trails is checked and maintained on a regular basis, as the trails are heavily used by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Enforcement Official
Rangers enforce Federal regulations both on land and on water. They can issue verbal and written warnings as well as citations for minor violations.
Traffic Controller
Warm summer weekends mean heavy visitation at Blue Marsh. Crowd and traffic control then become necessary to protect project resources.
Computer Operator
The ranger staff relies on computers to conduct visitor use surveys, process visitation, produce incident reports, and administer various programs.
Participating State Agencies
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Established in 1895, it is Pennsylvania's primary wildlife management agency.
The Game Commission leases 2,800 acres of Federal land from the Corps for wildlife management, adjacent to State Game Lands No. 280.
They also manage a Sharecropper Program. Local farmers plant and harvest crops such as corn or wheat, leaving a "share" in the fields for the wildlife.
Their forestry management programs include timber harvests to thin heavily forested areas, as well as planting of seedlings to diversify the wildlife habitat.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Established in 1866, this agency is responsible for promoting, regulating, and enforcing fishing and boating regulations in Pennsylvania.
The Fish and Boat Commission conducts fisheries management of the lake and of Tulpehocken Creek. This includes stocking and research studies along with enforcement of regulations.
They also play a major role in boating and water safety education, offering several courses at Blue Marsh each year. These include Basic Boating, Ice/Cold Water Rescue, and Boating and Water Safety Awareness Courses.
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