JANUARY 2023
STREAMLINES: News and events from BWA
Who Controls the Future of Clean Water?
In 2023, BWA pledges to continue to advocate for clean and abundant water, but we need help! 

The Poconos are now impacted by dozens of plans for large scale industrial development, but state and federal permitting agencies like the DEP cannot be relied upon alone to protect water quality from degradation.  The primary authority to protect water quality rests with decisions made by the local elected Municipal Board of Supervisors.

5 ways that local elected municipal boards determine the future of clean water in the watershed:

1. Zoning is the single most important factor. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to learn about their local municipal zoning map. Ask questions like: What percent of impervious surfaces are allowed in certain districts? What are the permitted uses in these zoning districts?

2. Sewage – Municipalities control where and how much human sewage may be generated in their township, and how it's processed. They vote on Sewage Planning Modules, and/or Act 537 plans.   

3. Wetland and Stream Buffers – The municipal boards have the primary authority to protect critical forested buffer zones around wetlands from encroachment. No permits are required through the DEP to negatively impact wetland buffers.

4. Development in Floodplains. Municipal boards have the primary authority to protect sensitive floodplain habitat through changes to zoning maps and ordinances.

5. Percent Impervious Surfaces – Municipalities primarily control how much meadow or forested land can be converted into roofs, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces.

There are 17 municipalities in the Brodhead watershed. Please consider attending local municipal meetings and learning about what changes are being voted on in your local area. All meetings, discussions, and documents/information presented at the meetings are open to the public and part of the public record. You can find out when municipal meetings are held by visiting your township's website.
Zoning map of the Brodhead Watershed. Click on the image to enlarge.
Planning for the Plant Sale
It's only January, but time has a way of flying . . . so we're starting to think about the BWA native plant sale, which will be held on the first Saturday of June.

This annual fundraiser features a variety of native plants and
shrubs that support local pollinators.

BWA would greatly appreciate the help of anyone with access to a truck who can volunteer to pick up the plants from the nursery in Allentown and transport them to the pickup location at the firehouse in Tannersville. We'll also need people to help at the plant pickup site on June 2nd and 3rd at the firehouse.

If you are able to lend a hand, please get in touch at info@brodheadwatershed.org
BWA Launches New Feature Series
Carol Hillestad has been writing feature columns for BWA for quite awhile. Her work appears regularly in the Pocono Record and other publications. She launched a new series for BWA this year entitled 'Protecting Clean Water Together'. Her first column focuses on why what's in the snow cover is important to the water supply.

You can read the entire feature HERE.
Carol also writes the 'Nature at Risk' monthly series for BWA. This month, she talks about the loss of native ash trees due to the emerald ash borer. The effects of losing these trees is not well understood, but will undoubtedly change the ecosystem.

You can read the entire feature HERE.


WFMZ Quotes BWA & PHLT for Camp Trexler Feature
Photo Credit to Bo Koltnow, WFMZ


Click HERE to watch the video coverage.
News station WFMZ recently ran a feature story on their website about the campaign to save Camp Trexler, a 755-acre former boy scout camp in Polk Township, from being sold to developers. The article featured quotes from both BWA Executive Director Alex Jackson and PHLT Executive Director Louise Troutman.

The Pocono Heritage Land Trust is working to find a partner to buy and protect the land, valued at four million dollars. The parcel was donated in the 1920s by industrialist and conservationist Harry Trexler, as a space that could be enjoyed for its forested woodlands. PHLT intends to stay true to the intention of Trexler and preserve the parcel for the benefit of the public.

Cherry Creek Rehab Project News
Cherry Creek flows through the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The area's history as farmland left the creek highly eroded and lacking a healthy habitat necessary for wildlife. The Nature Conservancy and its local partners are participating in a restoration of the waterway. The project will serve as a demonstration to study how using large trees to reduce sediment can help to create a better habitat for creek critters. Watch this video to learn more.
GO POCONOS WINTER HIKES
COME EXPLORE at the
TANNERSVILLE CRANBERRY BOG PRESERVE
Saturday, Feb. 4th, 2pm
Go Poconos is hiking in the Winter! Our next hike will be at the Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve in Pocono Township.

We’ll be hiking with the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center staff.

Weather permitting, we will be venturing into the bog to look at this unique habitat at a different time of the year. Participants should dress for the weather and wear proper footwear.

This hike is approximately 2.5 hours over moderate terrain.
to register. Include the names of all hikers in your group. Space is limited!

Go Poconos events are not able to accommodate our four-legged friends.
The Get Outdoors Poconos series is supported by a grant from
the William Penn Foundation.
While January isn't known for being much of a shopping season, our affiliate programs run year-round. By clicking on these links, your purchases help BWA reach its financial goals.