Westmoreland water authority mulls hunting leases near Beaver Run Reservoir

Hunters may have a new area to harvest deer in 2021.

Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County board members this week approved an update to the agency’s policy that protects its water sources, including a provision that could open up a 3,000-acre site around the Beaver Run Reservoir in Bell for deer hunting.

“We are looking at the logistics of opening up a portion for a leasing program for hunters,” said authority business manager Brian Hohman.

The deer population at the reservoir site has become a problem for the authority and officials said the agency is concerned that the growing numbers of animals feeding on the property could endanger the water.

Nicholas Kerr, who oversees forestry issues for the authority, said the deer threaten the growth of trees around the reservoir. Damaged trees could have a negative impact on the water used to supply to more than half of the 400,000 people in five counties served by the authority.

Hunting could be allowed in limited areas of the reservoir property as a means to thin out the deer population. Final plans still are under consideration and would include significant protections to ensure the reservoir’s water quality, Hohman said.

The authority previously prohibited the public from using the reservoir grounds for recreational purposes such as hunting, fishing and boating.

Oversight of the authority’s water sources, which in addition to the reservoir includes treatment plants along the Youghiogheny River in Connellsville and McKeesport, has been upgraded over the last year to include the hiring of a staffer to specifically monitor issues that could impact water quality.

Officials said expanded industry and the increased use of land around water sources such as digging of natural gas wells, have made it vital to enhance safety protocols to ensure water quality remains high.

The amended plan approved this week calls for a 200-foot buffer zone from the water source that prohibits ground disturbances or cutting of timber.

The plan also includes implementation of a pilot program started this week to use goats as a means to eradicate noxious weeds that are overtaking tree seedlings on the property. Officials want to see if goats can be a safe alternative to the use of pesticides and other methods to remove the weeds located near the water.

“Water is the most vital resource we have and we are protecting it,” said authority manager Michael Kukura.