When a huge track-hoe demolished it Thursday, local conservationists expressed hope that the dam's destruction would help lead to the formation of the county's first Plain sect-driven watershed group.

"I would like to see a lot of farmers along the creek work together in a pretty loose-knit watershed group to improve the quality of the stream for all of us," said Amish farmer Henry Beiler, who lives on Maple Avenue.

More than 30 Plain sect farmers who own land along Mill Creek and its tributaries in Upper Leacock were invited Thursday to witness the demolition of the old mill dam and to a picnic in Fisher's meadow next to the stream.

Before digging in to a homemade lunch, the farmers and their families were told about the benefits of removing dams from the Mill Creek watershed and how fencing streambanks to keep livestock out of the streams can improve the overall health of the herd and the quality of the water.

Dave Putnam, a biologist with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, told the farmers that Mill Creek and its tributaries are perfectly capable of supporting trout and other game fish.

"The only thing keeping these streams from being good fisheries is agriculture," Putnam said. "And most of the problem can be taken care of simply by getting the cows out of the water."

When farm animals have direct access to a stream, they trample the banks, causing them to erode and wash downstream. That sediment kills the plants and insects that provide food for fish.

Also, the animals defecate in the water, injecting nutrients such as nitrogen directly into the stream channel.

Most streams in Lancaster County drain into the Susquehanna River, which provides the Chesapeake Bay with the lion's share of its fresh water.

Federal environmentalists have said the bay is being choked by excessive amounts of sediment and nutrients, and Lancaster County farms have been named as leading contributors of both.

Frank Lucas of the Natural Resource Conservation Service has been working for years in eastern Lancaster County to erect fencing along streams that run through farm country and to plant trees and shrubs inside those fences to help stabilize the streambanks.

Lucas fenced the streambank on Beiler's farm about eight years ago, and the two became friends.

About two years ago, Lucas introduced Beiler to Pat Fasano, who is secretary of Octoraro Watershed Association.

The association obtained a grant to pay for streambank fencing in southern Lancaster County, and Fasano enlisted Beiler to act as a liaison between the association and Plain sect farmers in the area.

"I could definitely tell Amish farmers were more receptive when Henry was along," Fasano said.

As Fasano and Beiler went around to different farms to talk about streambank fencing, Fasano said he learned a lot from Beiler about the Plain sect culture.

And he said Beiler learned a lot about watershed associations and the goals they work toward.

"Working with us is what inspired him to come back here and try to form a watershed association along Mill Creek," Fasano said.

Lucas said Beiler invited his neighbors to an informal meeting at Esh's farm in April to talk about the fledgling Mill Creek Watershed Association. Beiler was unable to attend, but Lucas was there.

"There was definitely some interest," he said. "And the Ressler Mill Foundation said they would give Henry an office down at their place (on Stumptown Road) to use for the association."

On Thursday, Beiler finally got the chance to speak to a group of farmers and tell them how he'd like to see the association function.

"I'd like to see us improve the area for wildlife," he said. "There are people out there who will put up fencing for you if you will let them. What we need is some help (from the conservation service) to get us started."

By the time lunch was served, Putnam said four farmers with land along Mill Creek had agreed to have fencing put up on their properties.

"This is exactly what we need to happen," Putnam said. "Once you get a couple farmers to agree to it, more will come."