Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2014 - 49

Old Route 22 running into Loyalhanna Creek,
Westmoreland County

The stone launch is shown here.

to work for their jobs, so James needed to find replacements
They created a 20x50 foot parking area and a 20x30 foot
to get specific jobs done so other activities would remain on
turnaround. As part of the Eagle Scout requirements, James
schedule. The bottom line is that they worked through the
had to record how much time was spent planning and
carrying out the project. He had to list everyone who worked hardships and still got the project completed.
When it was all said and done, James spent 78½ hours
on the project, how many hours they worked with him and
on this project with a total of 349½ hours when everyone's
tally the total length of time it took to complete the project.
time was added together. This was more time than James
He did the same thing with his estimated cost and list of
had first imagined. He originally estimated the material cost
project materials.
at $7,910 that ultimately turned into $15,353. However, the
Unfortunately, no major project seems to be completed
generosity of everyone brought the project cost down to only
without a glitch, and the team had a few problems to solve.
$380. Local businesses allowed the borough to put money
The borough, which was beginning a sewage project, put
collection jars on their counters to help pay the difference.
large concrete connectors for their sewage pipes right off
Di's Pizza and Grill, National Commonwealth Bank,
Main Street and blocked the whole launch project. After the
Bullskin Firearms Gun Vault and the Quik Stop Mini Mart
construction company removed the concrete connectors,
participated in the collection drive. When the launch was
James had two truckloads (36 tons) of stone delivered, but it
completed, there was a ceremony onsite.
was initially delivered to the wrong location. This set them
James is the son of Brian and Beverly Vought. He is
back another day. When the first real work day came, the
an avid outdoorsman. Currently, he is attending Penn
crew got a lot accomplished.
State University at the New Kensington campus for Civil
The geo-webbing, which is an 8-inch deep, 12-feet long
Engineering. James said the launch project was a test to see
accordion-like plastic sheet, is used to stabilize the ground
if engineering was something he wanted to make his career.
by filling it with gravel or dirt. A team of eight people
Everyone was pleased with his work and enjoys the water
stretched the geo-webbing out and pounded stakes to hold
access whether canoeing, kayaking, fishing or picnicking.
it in the ground until it could be filled with stone. That day,
they completed 8 feet of
the 108-foot path when
the weather from "Super
Storm Sandy" came and
put everything under water.
Actually, it rained most of
the workdays. Luckily, it
was light rain, so they could
still work. Mother Nature
wasn't being cooperative
with the team. During that
week, the project flooded
entirely from the rain.
After the water receded,
the launch construction
resumed. It was also
a challenge to gather
volunteers together. Some
Pictured are (left to right) Council President Bryan Werner, Troop Leader Robert
volunteers got called out
Schlemmer, Scout James Vought and Council Vice President Bev King.
PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * May/June 2014

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2014

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