NOVEMBER 2022
STREAMLINES: News and events from BWA
|
|
Fall Projects Feature New Plantings for Riparian Buffers |
|
On Sept. 24th and Oct. 2nd, volunteers from within the community of Crescent Lake (Scotrun) planted a total of 160 trees along seeps and runoff points, diverting runoff from I-380, that would eventually make its way into Crescent Lake; part of the headwaters of Pocono Creek. Nine volunteers planted a mix of willows, winterberry holly, inkberry holly, white spruce, red cedar, shortleaf pine, and balsam.
On October 8th, BWA with 18 members of Scout Troop 89 and volunteers planted 150 native trees and shrubs on the streambank of Mill Creek in Mountainhome. The new growth will stabilize the streambank, prevent erosion and help protect habitats. This planting was part of the Greening Mountainhome project.
Greening Mountainhome is a Green Communities project funded by grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from The William Penn Foundation, and the Weiler Family Foundation. Green Communities projects in Mountainhome and surrounding areas will help keep Mill Creek cold and clean.
|
|
Volunteers set up new plantings along the streambank at Mill Creek. |
|
A new riparian buffer at Mill Creek. |
|
BWA Executive Director Alex Jackson donated his time for the auction to lead a private hike into an old growth forest. |
|
BWA Auction 2022
Proves a Winner
|
Thank you all to the auction donors, and all participating bidders.
This year's auction raised over $7000 to directly support BWAs mission to promote and protect clean and abundant water.
|
|
|
|
The Clean Water Act resulted from public outcry over water pollution in the 1960s and ‘70s when rivers were so polluted, they would catch on fire! This historic legislation, passed 50 years ago, set precedents for making waterways clean for public enjoyment and providing safe drinking water to all Americans.
The CWA is federal law, implemented through state and local governments, which set pollution limits on what can be discharged into waterways. Violators can be levied penalties when public health is endangered. This legal framework mitigated the culture of dumping raw sewage and untreated industrial waste into waterways and led to a vast improvement in the health and safety of communities across the country.
Learn more about the Clean Water Act:
|
|
New Study Finds Microplastics in EV Waterways |
|
|
|
Despite the legal protections provided by the Clean Water Act, maintaining clean waterways is an ongoing challenge. Progress is threatened by deregulation, lack of enforcement, and other serious problems. |
|
|
|
On October 26th of this year, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center released a study finding 100 percent of the 50 water samples from Exceptional Value, High Quality, and Class A Cold Water Trout Fishing streams contained microplastics.
The project took samples from the identified waterways from winter 2021 through spring 2022 and tested them for four types of microplastic pollution:
- Fibers: primarily from clothing and textiles
- Fragments: primarily from harder plastics or plastic feedstock
- Film: primarily from bags and flexible plastic packaging
- Beads: primarily from facial scrubs and other cosmetic products
The study reported the following results reported:
- 100% of EV, HQ, and Class A Trout streams sampled had microfibers
- 84% of sites sampled had microfragments
- 84% of sites sampled had microfilm
- Only 2% of sites had microbeads
The report said, "It’s clear that the scope of plastic pollution in Pennsylvania extends far beyond what was previously thought. These are the cleanest and best protected waterways in the Commonwealth."
PennEnvironment survey of EV, HQ, and Class A Trout Rivers and Streams:
|
|
Pocono Heritage Land Trust Purchases 127-Acre Property
In Monroe County
|
|
|
|
Some good news . . .
On September 6, our friends at the Pocono Heritage Land Trust announced the purchase of a 127-acre property in Pocono Township that will become Monroe County’s next public nature preserve.
|
|
This land has been in the same family for over 100 years, going back to the early days of Tannersville. The owners generously accepted far less than market value to protect it for all to enjoy.
Working with the owners, PHLT was able to prevent further development in a community where critical open space has recently been lost. The property is located in an area where development pressure has been increasing, and land holdings of this size have been heavily targeted for distribution centers.
There is an unnamed tributary which flows through the property and drains into Bulgers Run, plus prime habitat for birds and wildlife. PHLT hopes to discover even more as they get to know the land better in the coming months.
Future plans are to create an oasis for residents of the surrounding communities to experience and explore this open space.
|
|
COME EXPLORE
YANKEE RUN NATURE PRESERVE
Saturday, Nov. 19th, 10am
The 63-acre Yankee Run Nature Preserve, acquired by the Pocono Heritage Land Trust in 2011, provides crucial protection for the headwaters of Yankee Run, a high quality headwater to Paradise Creek.
The area contains a habitat mix of woodlands, springs, ponds and a headwater stream. The preserve also harbors local heritage; including a springhouse, a historic pumphouse and an artificial pond which once provided drinking water to local residents.
|
|
to register. Include the names of all hikers in your group. Space is limited!
Approximate hike distance is 1.5 miles over moderate terrain.
|
|
The Get Outdoors Poconos series is supported by a grant from
the William Penn Foundation.
|
|
WELCOME NEW CONSERVATION PARTNERS! |
|
We'd like to thank our new Conservation Partners, and the monthly donors who joined or upgraded their support in 2022! This new and sustaining support means that BWA can continue to protect and preserve our clean water resources through science, education, advocacy and collaboration.
Thank you to these partners for joining like-minded community members and businesses in their dedication to BWA's clean and abundant water mission!
|
|
|
Sharon & Richard Laverdure
Dean & Sue Neely
|
|
New Perennial Club Members
in 2022
Guy Doleiden
Mark Gaylo
Barbara Harteis
James Labar in honor of Ron Kraycik
Jeanne Maiden
|
|
As we head into this holiday season, BWA is thankful for the generosity of our members and sponsors. If you are planning to shop online for your holiday gifts, please consider using our affiliate links. A percentage of your purchase is donated to BWA when you shop through these programs. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
