The Pennsylvania Plan for….

Management, Conservation, and Restoration

WATERSHED

Management, Conservation, and Restoration

Presented by:

Presented by:

Intro Case Study: Darby Creek square miles 1

Home to approx. half a million humans, mostly between Narberth and Philly 2

Intro Case Study: Darby CreekUpstream: Barrack StreamDownstream: Tinicum Marsh

Myriad of Pollution ThreatsUnfortunately, not unique to the Darby Creek

WatershedThreaten the REGIONAL subbasin and ultimately the

water quality of the ENTIRE STATE of Pennsylvania!

Will look at this more in detail as the presentation progresses…

Our PurposeLearn and Present the

Pennsylvania State Government’s “PLAN” for water management, conservation, and restoration

Pinpoint principle problemsAnalyze aforementioned plan to

form our own…

The Gov’t

 Article I, section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution says the following: “The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.”23a

Existing Legislation Pennsylvania Code Title 25 –

Environmental Protection Enacted on November 15, 2008Last updated on December 12,

200924

WHO has THE PLAN to save our watershed???

?

State Bureaus

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

and PA Fish and Wildlife Commission

Referred us to Department of Environmental Protection

Act 18The Conservation and Natural Resources

Act which created: The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

The DCNR was created in 1995 to: serve as a cabinet-level advocate for: State parks, forests, rivers, trails, greenways and community recreation and heritage conservation programs 27

Act 275The Department of Environmental

Resources (now known as the Department of Environmental Protection)

The department was created in 1970 The DEP is responsible for: the state’s land

and water management programs, all aspects of environmental protection, and the regulation of mining operations. 28

PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The Bureau of Water Standards and Facility RegulationThe Bureau of Watershed Management

The Bureau of Waterways Engineering The Water Planning Office

DEP Bureau of Watershed ManagementBroad mission:To restore and protect Pennsylvania's watersheds through: proper planning and management of water resources and

their uses; reducing the impacts of nonpoint sources of pollution on

water resources; regulating activities for soil conservation and waterway and

wetlands protection;forming partnerships and building local capacity to restore

and protect water resources, including drinking water sources;

educating Pennsylvania citizens about watersheds and watershed management.7

DEP Bureau of Watershed Management

Dave Jostenski was our key, metaphorically unlocking the doors of the Harrisburg bureaucracy

8, 9

Onwards!To the Plan’s Details!

Plan OverviewUpdated on Jan 28nd 2009 by DEP

secretary John HangerHad not been updated since 1980’s New act no. 220—Water Resources Planning Act

requires the DEP to update Pennsylvania’s water plan10

Act 220 The Water Resources Planning Actupdate state water plan within 5 yearsusers of 10,000 gallons or more of water a

day to register and report their usage to the department

utilizes 6 regional committees and a statewide committee to develop the plan

identifies critical water areas

Act 220 Continued lays out a process to create more specific

critical water area plans Expansion and reenactment of the DEP

Agricultural Advisory Board Act Adds members to the board from

agricultural and chemical industries25

Questions Plan TacklesHow much water we have?How much water we use?How much water we need? 11

Priorities of PlanCollect and understand info on water

resources for continuous useSustainable way to manage water

resources Adopt policies to encourage

technological advances to help water resources 12

Regional CommitteesEach drainage basin in PA is unique

Individual regional needs are part of state plan

Understand unique qualities of different drainage basins in PA

Ohio, Delaware, Great Lakes, Lower Susquehanna, Upper/Middle Susquehanna, Potomac.13

Water Conservation + Efficiency

Water Resource Technical Assistance Center: promotes voluntary water conservation and provides technical assistance on water resources use issues

Technology + policies to cut water uses/demands during droughts and overall

Support entities that have started water conservation practices14

Water Withdrawal and Use ManagementWater use registration and reporting regulations should be adopted

Development of water use projections in each watershed15

Water QualityProvide funding to Reduce nutrients/sediments

in PA:a. Loans, grants, tax incentives for

infrastructure improvements of sewage, stormwater treatment facilities

b. Loans, grants, tax incentives for agriculture BMP (Best Management Practices)

Funding for treatment for abandoned mine drains

Develop tools for groundwater assessment16

Water Quality cont.Legislation certification for water well-drillers

Establish private water well construction standards

Proficiency based license for water-drillers

Standards for Protecting wellsWell siting/ location-wells-

protected from contamination sources

Construction- specifications for screening materials to stop containments from entering the water

Reporting- reports after drilling-document water quality and quantity

Critical Water Planning Area (CWPA)Water Resources Planning Act designates

“Critical Water Planning Areas” (CWPA)- Place where where future water demands or

withdrawals exceed the water's safe yield of water resources

Need to have Critical Area Resource Plan (CARP) for a watershed in a Critical Water Planning Area

CARP suggests alternatives for adequate supply of water to “satisfy existing and future reasonable and beneficial uses.”17

How a Watershed Becomes a CWPA 1. Potential CWPAs nominated by

regional committee11 2. Screening for the Identification of

CWPAs (screen watersheds based on guideline)

3. Data Verification, Development and Review (review the screening)

4. Review and recommendations by regional committee

5. Final by statewide committee and DEP Hold statewide meeting discuss

recommendations approve to DEP secretary for final decision

Floodplain Management Review and update parts of

Pennsylvania Enhanced All-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Mitigation=lessening impact of natural disasters on peopleInvest in better Flood Forecast and Warning System—major river basinsProtect floodplainFlood coordinator=flood prevention and recovery activities18

Stormwater Management Storm water—water that accumulates on

land due to storms19Educate and train local gov’t officials

and engineering professionals involved in land development to understand effective storm water management practices

Combine State and Federal stormwater management regulations

Legislation and regulation

Stormwater Management cont.Amend or update storm water

management program:Target critical watersheds with

quality, quantity problemsMust comply with TMDL (total max

density load) where water body is impaired by storm water16

TMDL= amount of pollution that a body of water can take in but still meet water quality standards

Economic incentives to improve enforcement/encouragement to adopt and amend implement storm water management plans

Stormwater Management cont.Fund updates to PA storm water Best Management Practices manual

Preserve and restore buffers along waterways

Legislation and regulation to reduce excess runoff and pollutants

Effective storm water management

Should view storm water runoff as resource not as a waste

Need new technology to advance storm water management

Incentives for pursuing sustainable development practices

Point and Non-Point Pollution Sources3

Pollution/RunoffSewer overflow during stormsIndustryMunicipal sewage treatment plants

ErosionDevelopment:

blacktop and sidewalks lead to increased stormwater runoff

urbanization destroys floodplain

Point and Non-Point Pollution Sources

Stormwater runoff: great amounts of water after precipitation or snowmelt are prevented from naturally soaking into ground4

Hydromodification: natural flow of water altered because of buildings and pavement5Causes increased stormwater runoff and at faster rates6

Addressing Nonpoint Source Pollution

First NPS plan from DEP: Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan in 1991

Revised in 2008Polluted runoff from no

single point20

Problem in PA: agriculture run off, abandoned mine drainage (AMD)21

NPS Management GoalsReduce sediments in waterCoordinate with local governments’

development and implementation of watershed plans to protect/restore water quality

Monitor efforts-how programs improve water quality, reduce pollution /Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

New technologies to address NPS22Provide list of streams to Water Quality

Standards (of DEP) for reassessmentDocument sediment, nutrient, acidity,

metal load23

Watershed

(OUR Plan)

Change and HopeMAJOR threat to watershed:

STORMWATERRUNOFFOur Focus:

Specific Ways to Improve this Issue

and Enforce Improvements

Protecting WatershedProtect from Stormwater

Runoff at a few points:Specific SitesIn the NeighborhoodAt the Watershed

All done through:GREEN

INFRASTRUCTURE!

Green Infrastructure – What it isRoof-top Gardens: reduce runoff; provide

natural ecosystems; lower AC cost

Rain Gardens: reduce runoff by up to 30%; eliminate pollutants from entering watershed

Rain harvesting: reuse rain water; reduce runoff

Gutter Gravel Drainage: reduce runoff; allow rain to replenish groundwater

Green Infrastructure- How it’s DoneMimics natural hydrologic functions,Greatly reduce runoff,Replenish groundwater,Can provide natural ecosystems.

ALAS, they cost $$$. So… provide economic incentives to aid homeowners switching to Green Infrastructure

Around the Neighborhood

Neighborhood Permeable Pavements: reduce runoff; replenish groundwater; filters out pollutants

Green Parking: Reduces

stormwater runoffEliminates heat-island effect

provides natural ecosystem

Neighborhood cont.Green Streets/Highways:

reduce water pollution and decrease runoff;

protect and provide habitat create “interesting places to live, work

and play.”Pocket Wetlands:

directly protect watershed; protect and provide habitat; reduce water pollution

Urban Forestry: protect groundwater; eliminate

pollutants; provide natural habitat; greenspace.

Implementation and EnforcementAll new developments require implementation of Neighborhood Green Infrastructure

EPA provide mandated grants for this development

Existing neighborhoods refitted with Green Infrastructure (as long as economically feasible).

Riparian buffersSource of Watershed protected within

park

Streams must have buffer of (at least) 10ft of native plants

Farmers must retain buffer of native plants around all open water

Our Main Comments Re: PA plan

Good things Things to Improve Upon

Concerns

-  Education and training local gov’t officials and engineering professionals involved in land development-Preservation and restoration of buffers along waterways--Regional Committees

-More specifics on how to enforce-Too broad mention of “economic incentives”

-In touch economic times “economic incentives” will be difficult to come by- Following through with agenda set forth

And in Conclusion…

TO PROTECT WATERSHEDS!

Conclusion- Main pointsWatersheds sustains life:

Provide water!Many threats exist for watershed

Watersheds must be protected

PA Gov’t has plan to address key problems

“Our Plan” provided specificsWhich brings us to…

Conclusion- How YOU Can HelpFollow “Our Plan” ideas:

Create Rain-gardensreplace grass with native groundcovers,

reuse rain-waterFor the more brave-hearted, install a roof-top garden!

Join the Fantastic and Fabulous caring citizens at the Darby Creek Valley Association!

Shabbos Kodesh, April 24: DCVA 26th Annual Darby-Cobbs Watershed-Wide Cleanup, 9 to 1

[Contact John Haigis (610) 583-0788] Visit the site: www.dcva.org for more

info(rmation)!

Works Cited1) "Darby Creek, PA." American Rivers. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/restoring-rivers/dams/projects/darby-creek-pa.html>.2) Watershed Restoration Action Strategy: Subbasin 03G; Darby, Crum, Ridley, Chester and Cobbs Creeks Watersheds (Delaware River); Delaware, Chester and

Philadelphia Counties, PA. Rep. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 1999. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/watermgt/WC/Subjects/WSNoteBks/WRAS-03G.htm>.

3) Ibid (DEP plan)4) "Watersheds." United States Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/stormwater.html>.5) "Nonpoint Source Management Program :: Hydromodification." N.C. Division of Water Quality. 7 July 2006. Web. 10 Feb. 2010.

<http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/What_is_NPS/hydro.htm>.6) Hydromodification Management Requirements. Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program, Nov. 2007. 10 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.ci.livermore.ca.us/CDD/green_building/water_resources/HMFactSheet.pdf>.7) "Watershed Management." Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 10 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/watershed_management/10593>.8) McKibben Jr., Craig S. 2008. Photograph. Harrisburg. Sun-Gazette. 18 Sept. 2008. 10 Feb. 2010.

<http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/515825.html?nav=5011>.9) Dave Jostenski's Facebook Page. Photograph. Facebook. 10 Feb. 2010. <http://en-gb.facebook.com/jostenski?ref=fs>.10) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf11) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/LearnMore.pdf12) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf13) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf14) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf15) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf16) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf17) http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Publications/3010-BK-DEP4227.pdf18) http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vem/emd/chapter_6_05.pdf19) http://www.riversides.org/rainguide/riversides_hgr.php?cat=4 ]20) http://www.epa.gov/nps/whatis.html21) http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/Watershed%20Management/lib/watershedmgmt/nonpoint_source/initiatives/final_fy2008_annual_report.pdf 22) http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/Watershed%20Management/lib/watershedmgmt/nonpoint_source/initiatives/final_fy2008_annual_report.pdf 23) http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Water/Watershed%20Management/lib/watershedmgmt/nonpoint_source/initiatives/final_fy2008_annual_report.pdf 23a-http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/legal/constitution.aspx24-http://www.pacode.com/index.html25-http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/SUBJECT/LEGSREGS/laws.htm27- http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/legal/cnract.aspx28-http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/office_of_chief_counsel/13802