A “stormwater-friendly” lawn is one that can absorb rainwater and does not harm local streams due to the over application of chemicals. The steps below will not only help protect local streams and rivers but can result in direct and substantial cost savings.
In November 2017, I attended the 12th Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forum at the National Fish and Wildlife facility in Shepherdstown, WV. This year’s theme was “Healthy Lands, Healthy Waters, Healthy People”. There were over 400 registrants. The opening program included a welcome by Kate Fritz (new director of the Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay). Nick DiPasquale (EPA Bay Programs) informed us that the Bay health is improving, but the current administration is doing things that may destroy that. Jake Reilly (Nat’l Fish and Wildlife Foundation) said that more young strong women are getting involved, and that it is important that small local watershed groups get funding, as that is what people care about.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Sacoby Wilson (Assoc. Prof. of Applied Environmental Health at the Univ. of Md. School of Public Health). He said that most environmental problems are caused by humans, mainly overpopulation and pollution. Childhood asthma is increasing, especially in poor non-whites, as they live closer to areas with the most air pollution. They also have less health care access. Toxins get into the air and soil and are absorbed by our bodies, causing illness. Urban gardens may be grown in toxic soil and Brownfields. He spoke of additional issues: The Md. Clean Water Act has disparities. Large scale poultry operations are a problem and are increasing. Cities lack green space and trees for shading and cooling, and people are less connected to nature. There is a lack of diversity in the environmental movement and higher positions. The damage to Houston by Hurricane Harvey was heightened by so much impermeable surface. Continue reading “Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forum”
Did you know that planting trees along streams is a good investment? Trees will provide you and your neighbors with a host of natural benefits every day: clean air and water, lower energy bills, opportunities to see wildlife and even higher property values.
PCWEA’s Streamside Nursery, located at the rear of Shutt Mill Park in Susquehanna Township, stocks wet-tolerant species of trees suitable for riparian buffer plantings. We currently have oaks, hawthornes, and crabapples available free of charge for organizations or individuals on a first come, first served basis. If you are interested in obtaining trees from our nursery, please contact us via our Facebook page or email. Facebook Link
Continue reading “Streamside Nursery”
The Department of Environmental Protection has determined certain reaches of Paxton Creek have been impaired or compromised by excessive sediment, the accumulation of unwanted soil particles or other materials transported by surface water. In response, Lower Paxton Township, Susquehanna Township and Capital Region Water (CRW) on behalf of the City of Harrisburg, are working together to define and develop strategies that will improve water quality in Paxton Creek and its tributaries.
Sediment accumulation in streams can be attributed to a number of sources such as construction site runoff, urban runoff and storm sewers, and agriculture. However, past land development practices have changed the land use cover, decreasing natural infiltration of rain water into the ground and increasing the volume of water runoff draining to the Paxton Creek watershed. This additional water volume along with the increase in water velocity has resulted in excessive stream bank and channel erosion. It has been estimated that eighty-six percent of unwanted sediment in Paxton Creek is contributed by stream erosion. Continue reading “Water Quality – Paxton Creek and Wildwood Lake”
