The Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan

The Gallows Run Watershed Association would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their interest in restoring and preserving the Gallows Run Watershed. We are thankful that the following expressed their commitment by providing the time and expertise required to complete this plan.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

· Mr. James Grabusky, Watershed Manager, Norristown Office

· Ms. Desiree Hennings-Dudley, Watershed Manager, Norristown Office

· Mr. Mike Boyer, Watershed Pollution Biologist, Norristown Office

· Ms. Donna Suevo, Watershed Manager, Norristown Office

The Gallows Run Watershed Plan Advisory Committee Members

Mr. Todd Stone, President, Gallows Run Watershed Association, Chair

· Mr. Jim Beer, The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania

· Mr. John Brunner, Delaware River Greenway Partnership

· Mr. Jeff Bryan, Swamps Auto Works

· Mr. Scott Douglas, Cooks Creek Watershed Association

· Mr. James Grabusky, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

· Dr. Marion Kyde, Tinicum Conservancy

· Mr. John McFarland, Tinicum Creek Watershed Association

· Mr. Joseph Mihok, Trout Unlimited, Bucks County Chapter

· Ms. Pamela Milo, Gallows Run Watershed Association

· Ms. Susan S. Myerov, Heritage Conservancy

· Ms. Bridget O’Connel, Palisades School District

· Mr. Dan Salas, Delaware Riverkeeper Network

· Dr. Robert Stanfield, Bridgeton-Nockamixon-Tinicum Groundwater Committee

Field Assistance & Educational Outreach Team

· Dr. Marilyn Miller, Superintendent, Palisades School District

· Ms. Bridget O’Connel, Assistant Superintendent, Palisades School District

· Ms. Patricia Raynock, Palisades High School Educator

· Ms. Chelsea Brandau, Palisades High School Student

· Ms. Allyson Brokaw, Palisades High School Student

· Ms. Jennifer Smith, Palisades High School Student

· Ms. Kathi Throckmorton, Gallows Run Watershed Association

· Mr. Timothy Throckmorton, Watershed Landowner

Environmental Consulting Team

· Ms. Suzanne Forbes, AICP, Forbes Environmental & Land Use Planning, Project Director

· Mr. Paul A. DeBarry, PE, PH, Borton-Lawson Engineering, Project Manager

· Mr. William S. Brokaw, Borton-Lawson Engineering, Senior GIS Analyst

· Ms. Stephanie J. Demko, Borton-Lawson Engineering, GIS Analyst

· Ms. Debra T. Heffelfinger, Borton-Lawson Engineering, Administrative Assistant

· Ms. Mary Shaffer, The Word Forge

Project Partners

· Gallows Run Watershed Association

· Darlene Kaminsky, Gallows Run Watershed Association, Treasurer

· Bridgeton-Nockamixon-Tinicum Groundwater Committee, CC Hopf, Chair

· Bucks County Planning Commission

· Bucks County Department of Health

· Bucks County Soil Conservation District

· Cooks Creek Watershed Association

· Durham Township Board of Supervisors

· Durham Township Planning Commission

· Durham Township Environmental Advisory Committee

· Ferndale Rod and Hunt Club

· Nockamixon Township Board of Supervisors

· Nockamixon Township Planning Commission

· Nockamixon Township Open Space Committee

· Nockamixon Environmental Advisory Committee

· Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

· Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

· Springfield Township Board of Supervisors

· Springfield Township Planning Commission

· Tinicum Conservancy

· Tinicum Creek Watershed Association

· Tohickon Creek Watershed Committee

Special Thanks to the Landowners and Citizens of Gallows Run Watershed

Streaming Wisdom: Watershed Consciousness in the 20^th Century

By Peter Warshall

IN OUR TOWNS AND CITIES, two essential sources of life-water to drink and soil to grow food-remain hidden from our eyes. The hills and valleys are coated with asphalt, ancient streams are buried beneath housing, and soil is filler between gas, water and electric piping. Watershed consciousness is, in part, an invitation to peel off (not discard) the layer of industrial and technological activity that hides us from the water and soils of our communities. It is an invitation to reveal where you lie and how your body’s plumbing and, in many ways, community hart, are connected to Nature’s pathways.

A watershed is a gatherer- a living place that draws the sun and the rain together. Its surface of soils, rocks, and plant life acts as a “commons” for this intermingling of sun and water. Physically, a watershed takes many shapes. It is drawn emblematically in the shape of a teardrop or a cupped leaf or a garden trowel to depict the oblong dish-shape of the valley with its elevated hill slopes, which gather runoff toward a central stream. But most watersheds do not faithfully copy the emblematic drawings. Uplifting or faulting or down warping or layering give them a beautiful individuality. Human influences may distort or, as in city watersheds and strip mining, completely destroy the lay of the land. The bedrock texture of each watershed- its granite or shale, sand or limestone holds (in a sense, cherishes) each watershed’s fragile skin of soil. After the sun/water gathering has been accomplished, the watershed lets go: its unused water heading downstream or sky-up; its unabsorbed energy turning to heat or reflecting back through the atmosphere. This seasonal and daily passage of solar fire, water’s flow, and the earth’s metabolic breathing is unique, in each watershed, as each human on the planet.

For humans, the watershed (and its big cousin, the river basin) is a hydraulic commons-an aquatic contract that has no escape clause. From the forested headwaters to the agricultural midstream volleys to the commercial and industrial centers at the river’s mouth, good and bad news travels by way of the water. Did my toilet flushing give downstream swimmers a gastrointestinal disease? Did the headwaters clear cut kill the salmon industry at the rivers mouth? Did a toxic waste dump leak into the groundwater table and poison people in the next county? Watershed consciousness is, in part, a promotional campaign to advertise the mutual concerns and needs that bind upstream and downstream, in stream and off stream peoples together.

This journey is right out your window- among the hills and valleys that surround you. It is the first excursion of thought into the place you live. It is not inner geography- the continuing attempt to feel better by mapping the mysterious struggle to gain perspective of our place on the planet. It focuses on where your water comes from when you turn on the faucet: where it goes when you flush; what soils produce your food; who shares your water supply, including the fish and nonhuman creatures. The watershed way is a middle way, singing a local song, somewhere close by, between Mind and Planet.

2.0 Executive Summary

The Gallows Run watershed is located in Nockamixon, Springfield and Durham Townships in Northern Bucks County, in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The 8.87 square mile watershed is among one of the most scenic and economically important areas in the region. The seventeen miles of waterway are classified as Cold Water Fishery (CWF) by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). Many of the natural, cultural, historical and recreational amenities within the Gallows Run watershed are identified in a variety of studies, and are the focus of resource protection efforts. Surface and groundwater resources in the watershed are hydro-geologically connected and watershed residents obtain drinking water from on-site well protection efforts are imperative.

The Gallows Run Watershed Association (GRWA) was initially formed in 2001 in response to a proposed, high-density and high impact land development. Since then, the Gallows Run Watershed Association has successfully completed a variety of projects, planning, policy, and outreach efforts. In 2002, the Gallows Run Watershed Association realized that there were many regional watershed conservation plans; however a specific plan to address and abate prioritized non-point source pollution problem areas was required for the Gallows Run sub watershed.

The Gallows Run Watershed Association successfully secured a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Growing Greener grant in 2003 to complete the Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. The goal of the project is to complete the necessary research, fieldwork, public outreach, and scientific analysis to create a prioritized list of restoration and protection measures to maintain and improve water quality within the Gallows Run Watershed. Plan objectives are to create a restoration and protection plan based on sound scientific approaches. The final restoration and protection plan contains a weighted and prioritized list of water quality and water quantity problem areas and specific management recommendations to protect amenity areas and restore problem areas.

One of the most challenging tasks in any environmental study is to obtain adequate information and feedback from the community. Therefore, a variety of public outreach efforts were implemented to obtain input from individuals, agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, landowners and interested individuals. A technical advisory committee assisted project consultants throughout the study. Other measures to garner public participation included: watershed tours, one-on-one interviews, a questionnaire distributed to over 1000 people (a ten percent response rate to the questionnaire) information booths at community events, two public meetings, press releases, a newsletter devoted entirely to the project, several newsletter articles, volunteer involvement in field work, three watershed workshops, and special projects for local students.

Existing information about the watershed originated from a variety of agencies, academic sources, and completed studies. In fall 2004, the project consultants and a group of trained volunteers completed a comprehensive field assessment. The purpose of the watershed field assessment was to document water quality amenities, water quality problem areas, and problem area origins. Information was recorded, field checked and placed in Geographic Information System (GIS) format.

A protection and restoration plan resulted from public education, research, fieldwork, data analysis and GIS mapping. Each non-point source problem area site was categorized into three (3) tiers based upon the priority for restoration with tier one (1) being the highest priority for restoration and tier three (3) being the least serious.

The Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan contains a weighted list of water quality and water problem areas within the Gallows Run Watershed. Implementing the identified restoration and protection measures will: add protection to watershed amenities; restore impacted problem areas based on need; increase interest in a watershed protection effort, abate nonpoint source pollution, and to sustain and improve water quality. Work on securing funds and the partnerships necessary for plan implementation has already started.

3.0 Introduction to the Gallows Run Watershed

3.1 Project Area

The Gallows Run Watershed is located in southeastern Pennsylvania and in Northern Bucks County. The watershed is located primarily in Nockamixon Township with portions in Durham, and Springfield Townships (See Table 3-1). The Gallows Run is situated south of Cooks Creek, north of the Tohickon and Tinicum Creeks. It flows under the Delaware Canal State Park and into the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River. The Gallows Run and its tributaries drain approximately 8.87 square miles of watershed area. The base map for the watershed drainage area illustrates watershed and municipal boundaries, streams, and major roadways (See Figure 3-1).

Table 3-1

Watershed Drainage Area by Municipality

Bucks County
Municipality	Drainage Area (square miles)	Drainage Area (acres)
Nockamixon	7.23	4627.2
Durham	0.85	544
Springfield	0.80	512

Total Area	8.88	5683.2

Source: GIS Base Map, Borton-Lawson Engineers

Years of pro-active state, regional and local planning and management efforts identified a variety of significant natural, historical, cultural, recreational, and economic amenities (e.g., high quality surface and groundwater, healthy aquatic ecosystems, threatened and endangered species, historic structures and villages, pre-Columbian archeological sites, scenic vistas, preserved open space, parks, and trails) in the Gallows Run Watershed.

The Gallows Run is a Cold Water Fishery (CWF) as classified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). Maintaining and enhancing HQ water quality through nonpoint source protection efforts is especially important to the citizens of the Gallows Run Watershed as surface and groundwater resources are hydro-geologically connected, and groundwater is presently the only source of drinking water in the community.

Photograph 3 -1

Scenic Vista, Looking East, Gallows Hill Area

Source: Borton-Lawson Engineers

3.2 The Gallows Run Watershed Association & Partnerships

The Gallows Run Watershed Association (GRWA) received non-profit status in 2002. The organization initially formed in 2001 in response to the Kintner Ridge land development proposed on Ealer Hill Road. The original land development proposal called for nearly 40 homes. In a very short period of time, the group raised a significant amount of funding to hire an attorney and an engineer to review local land use planning and regulations, and to provide land development alternatives. The Association’s efforts resulted in a 17 home residential development, drinking water well guarantees for neighboring properties, and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality treatment as well as water volume retention.

In 2002, citizens living in the three municipalities within the Gallows Run Watershed began meeting to discuss stormwater problem areas in the community. A core group of citizens began inviting individuals from local agencies, elected officials, environmental organizations, and community members to local meetings that focused on watershed restoration and protection measures required to address stormwater runoff and other pressing problems in the watershed. A core group began attending municipal meetings to review and comment upon development proposals with potential environmental impacts.

The GRWA has evolved as its understanding about regional environmental issues and its environmental partnerships strengthened. The organization has grown, and several members are now serving on municipal commissions, and advisory bodies. The GRWA has completed a number of environmental education, environmental planning, and public outreach projects. Some members have assisted with formulating municipal policy and strengthening land development ordinances.

Many individuals agreed to join the Plan Advisory Committee for the Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. They represent many organizations including: Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, Palisades School District, Delaware River Greenway Partnership, Swamps Auto Works, Cooks Creek Watershed Association, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Tinicum Conservancy, Tinicum Creek Watershed Association, Bucks County Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Heritage Conservancy, and Bridgeton-Nockamixon-Tinicum Groundwater Committee.

A number of partnering agencies, organizations, and individuals have contributed to this study in the form of research, volunteer fieldwork, and meeting attendance. The groups are now working together on watershed and other plan implementation projects.

3.3 Project Approach & Methodology

The Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan was sponsored and directed by the Gallows Run Watershed Association (GRWA) Board of Directors (Todd Stone, President & Project Director) and the Gallows Run Plan Advisory Committee. Project consultants included Forbes Environmental & Land Use Planning (Suzanne Forbes, AICP, President and Project Manager), Borton-Lawson Engineering (Paul DeBarry, PE, PH) and the Word Forge (Mary Shafer, President). The eighteen (18) month project included the following major tasks: project administration and research (existing and new), environmental planning, environmental engineering, Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, public outreach, and technical writing.

During the first study quarter, existing information about the watershed was efficiently gleaned from a variety of sources (e.g., public meeting input, public outreach questionnaire, key person interviews, academic resources, project consultants, and agency and organizational outreach), completed environmental plans and scientific studies (see bibliography). During fall 2004, the project consultants and a group of volunteers completed a comprehensive field assessment. The purpose of the watershed field assessment was to document positive attributes and non-point source problem areas in the watershed (See Sections 6.0 and 7.0).

The consultants began the field assessment phase of the project by creating field data collection sheets and providing an overview of field assessment techniques to perspective volunteers. The field training was presented at two watershed workshops, and at the beginning of each consultant-led field experience. Volunteers assisted by recording the location and extent of water quality amenities or natural features that are protective of water quality (e.g., open space, well-vegetated creek corridors, sparsely developed adjoining property, species diversity) and the location of water quality problem areas or areas contributing to water quality problems (e.g., flooding, stormwater runoff, streambank erosion, lack of streambank vegetation, farm practices in proximity to creeks, historic landfills, state/federal Superfund Sites).

Photo 3-2

Volunteer Performing Volunteer Field Assessment

Source: Kathy Throckmorton, GRWA Member

Field assessment volunteers took digital photographs and later participated by placing field information in a Geographic Information System (GIS) format and creating an associated informational database (See Appendix B).

The consultants later returned to the watershed to re-check assessment findings, determine the origin of water quality problem areas (e.g., natural stream physiology, inadequate stormwater treatment facilities, dense development with large areas of impermeable surface, inadequate land development ordinances), and prioritize approximately twenty-four (24) identified problem areas. Each problem area site was categorized into three (3) tiers based upon the priority for restoration. Tier one (1) projects are the highest priority for restoration and tier three (3) projects should be addressed, but are the least serious (See Section 7.0).

From the beginning, the project goal was to create a protection and restoration plan to abate non-point source pollution in the Gallows Run watershed. This restoration and protection plan had to include a weighted and prioritized list of water quality and water quantity problem areas, a map locating those areas, and a management plan with specific recommendations to remediate problem areas.

In pursuit of this goal, a draft management plan identified measures to protect and better-manage watershed amenities; restore impacted problem areas based on need; increase interest in a watershed protection efforts, abate nonpoint source pollution, and improve water quality. Comments on this plan were received from the public through a variety of means and incorporated into the final Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. This final plan was presented to the Gallows Run Watershed Association, the citizens of the watershed, and Nockamixon, Durham, and Springfield Townships.

3.4 Public Outreach & Education Efforts

One of the most challenging tasks in the environmental planning process is to obtain adequate information and feedback from the community. Therefore, a variety of public outreach efforts was used to obtain input from individuals, agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, landowners and interested individuals. A technical advisory committee representing environmental groups, government, business and agency sectors, assisted project consultants throughout the study and met often to provide feedback, comments, and suggestions.

Due to the variety of public education and outreach opportunities, citizens in the watershed had several opportunities to review and comment on the Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan and participate in a variety of public outreach and educational opportunities. Participation opportunities included: watershed tours, questionnaires, community events, three public meetings, press releases, one newsletter devoted entirely to the project, newsletter articles, volunteer involvement in field work, and three watershed workshops (See Appendix A).

Public Meetings & Work Sessions- The Plan Advisory Committee contributed numerous hours attending meetings and reviewing watershed study findings. The Gallows Run Watershed Association (GRWA) sponsored a public meeting at project kickoff, where numerous attendees provided input and valuable information. The GRWA, the Bridgeton-Nockamixon-Tinicum Groundwater Committee, and Palisades School District co-sponsored the second public meeting to present the draft plan. The final plan was unveiled to municipal officials, citizens, and others at a third meeting in September 2005.

Community Questionnaire- Often citizens are unable to attend evening meetings or workshops. Therefore, the Gallows Run Watershed created and distributed a community questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to over 1000 people via mail and at numerous public events. Ten percent (10%) of the community responded to the questionnaire and responses helped guide the planning process (See Sections 6.0 and 7.0 and Appendix A).

Educational Workshops- Citizen feedback from adults is sometimes under represented. However, the lack of feedback opportunities afforded to younger citizens is often missing entirely. In order to reach young citizens, the GRWA coordinated three workshops for local students, educators, and the general public. Two of the three workshops took place in fall 2004, and one in spring 2005. Students and educators from Palisades and Central Bucks school districts attended, while representatives from partnering organizations worked together to create an interesting, hands-on curriculum. All three workshops attracted landowners and others from the watershed and surrounding region (See Appendix A).

Photograph 3-3

Workshop Attendees Perform Water Quality Sampling

Source: Borton-Lawson Engineers

· Student Involvement: The Palisades School District Superintendent supported the PADEP Growing Greener grant application, and the Assistant Superintendent participated on the project advisory committee. In addition, high school science educators and their students were involved for the entire project. Numerous students attended three weekend workshops, joined our consultants on their Thanksgiving break to assist with an extensive watershed field assessment, and spent hours of their Christmas vacation creating databases and GIS maps. The same group of Palisades High School students submitted their watershed project report to two awards programs.

With assistance from our consultants, and science educators, Palisades High School students completed a paper entitled Documenting a Rural Watershed in Eastern Pennsylvania. The paper was submitted to the Volvo Adventure Award Program, which is an International competition that rewards environmental action taken by young people, and provides the chance to gain international recognition (United Nations Environmental Program) for local environmental projects. The project was one of ten semi-finalists from the United States. Students will continue working in the Gallows Run Watershed in order to build upon their findings.

3.5 Goals for the Watershed

The Gallows Run Watershed Protection and Restoration Plan will add protection to watershed amenities, restore and protect areas based on need, increase interest in a watershed approach to nonpoint source pollution abatement, and improve water quality. The following goals were created by the Plan Advisory Committee, recommended by questionnaire respondents, commented upon by the public, and adopted by the watershed community.

· Goal One: Water Quality and Water Quantity Protection- Enhance, protect, and maintain existing water quality and quantity in the Gallows Run, its tributaries and hydro-geologically connected groundwater resources.

· Goal Two: Restoration and Protection Plan Implementation- Take a proactive approach to preserve, protect and restore the quality of water in the Gallows Run watershed, and implement Tier 1-Tier 3 prioritized projects listed in the Gallows Run Watershed Plan.

· Goal Three: Watershed Amenity Protection- Enhance, protect, preserve and manage natural land resources in the Gallows Run Watershed since they are directly associated with clean and plentiful surface and groundwater resources.

· Goal Four: Education and Stewardship- Create and maintain an informed and pro-active citizenry knowledgeable of stewardship throughout the Gallows Run watershed.

· Goal Five: Environmental Partnership- Maintain and enhance partnerships with adjoining and regional watershed groups and government and non-government organizations.

· Goal Six: Environmental Planning and Protection- Enforce existing environmental protection tools and provide additional protection as needed.

· Goal Seven: Capital Improvements- Obtain reliable and consistent funding to preserve, restore and manage water resources and natural, cultural, and recreational amenities within the Gallows Run Watershed.

Photograph 3-4

The Main Stem Gallows Run

Source: Borton-Lawson Engineers

4.0 General Description of the Project

4.1 Base Data Acquisition - Topography, Land Cover and Percent Impervious Area

The first step in a watershed assessment is to obtain information illustrating the physical characteristics of the watershed that have the most impact upon hydrologic regime (e.g. soils, geology, topography). The information is then compiled into a Geographic Information System (GIS), which is a computerized mapping system with correlating data or attributes. For instance, soil polygons are displayed on a map and a correlating table illustrates their erodibility, permeability, and runoff potential. The collection and analysis of a variety of data layers was proposed for this Growing Greener initiative, however, due to limited funding a less extensive analysis was selected. The following maps and associated features were obtained and included in the Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan:

· Base Map: The GIS data for the Gallows Run Watershed Base Map were obtained from the following agencies: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (roads and municipal boundaries); Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, streams and watershed boundary; and the United State Fish and Wildlife Service, water bodies (National Wetlands Inventory). The watershed boundary was originally delineated by the PADEP and then refined based on field observations by the Plan Advisory Committee. The contour lines on the base map were obtained from the United State Geologic Survey, Riegelsville Pennsylvania quadrangle (See Base Map Figure 3-1).

· Topography: The Gallows Run watershed forms a roughly triangular valley bordered by series of small hills along the east, south and northwest sides of the watershed. The hills range in elevation from 600 to 870 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The elevation at the base of valley ranges from approximately 500 feet MSL to 150 feet MSL where the Gallows Run flows into the Delaware River. As the topographic map shows, the tributaries feeding Gallows Run have cut numerous ravines creating an uneven topography throughout the watershed (See Topography Map Figure 4-1).

· Digital Elevation Model: The USGS digital elevation model (DEM) illustrates a three-dimensional topographic model of the land surface. The DEM map shows the Gallows Run Watershed terrain as well as elevation contours and planimetric features such as roads, streams and structures (See DEM Map Figure 4-2).

· Tax Parcel Database: Maps containing tax parcels provide a useful “sense of place”. The tax parcel coverage was obtained from the Bucks County Planning Commission. This 1990 coverage, including updated tax parcels and subdivisions, is currently being updated by the Planning Commission.

· Land Cover: The land cover is based upon aerial photographs from the year 2000. There has been a limited amount of development during the past four years, however the land cover in the Gallows Run watershed has not changed too dramatically since 2000. As illustrated in Table 4-1, the majority of the watershed contains agricultural and forested areas along the eastern border where the slopes are steeper. Small areas of higher density use are found along Route 611 and at the northern-most portion of the watershed. The land cover / land use categories in table 4-1 can be interpreted from the aerial photograph in Figure 4-3).

Table 4-1

Land Cover, Gallows Run Watershed

Land Cover / Land Class	Area (acres)
Agriculture	1896
Commercial	44.7
Farmstead	11.8
Forest	2389
Industrial	20
Institutional	23.4
Meadow	341.3
Open Space	75.4
Paved	79.6
Residential (1-4 acre)	766.3
Residential (1/3 -1 acre)	19.2
Water	16.5
Total	5683.2

Source: DVRPC & Borton-Lawson Engineers

· Impervious Surface: The impervious surfaces map illustrates the relative level of development throughout the Gallows Run watershed. A land cover layer was obtained from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission which was derived from the aerial photograph in Figure 4-3. From this land cover data, impervious surface values within the watershed were assigned to each type of land over. Surface area values within the watershed are based upon the TR-55 land use classifications and an assigned impervious area classification. Pavement and surface water are basically impervious while commercial and industrial areas are the next most impervious. The low density residential areas have less than half the average impervious areas of commercial or industrial properties. The percentage of impervious area is color coded in Figure 4-4.

It should be noted that the map indicates actual impervious area (e.g., roofs, pavement, driveways, sidewalks, and water), and agricultural areas (e.g., lawns, meadows and forests) are all averaged at 1% impervious surfaces. It should also be noted that the level of impervious cover is inexorably linked with the municipal zoning districts and the allowable development densities associated with each zoning district. This map should not be confused with a “runoff potential map” where the type of land cover (e.g., grass, residential, commercial) have varying degrees of runoff. The map represents the amount of roofs, pavement, driveways, sidewalks, and water in the Gallows Run watershed (See Percent Impervious Surfaces Map Figure 4-4).

Overall about 5 percent of the surface area of the watershed is impervious, although certain portions of the watersheds have a greater percentage and some areas a lesser percentage. Several studies indicate that watersheds will begin to degrade when they have approximately 10 percent impervious surfaces (FHA, 1999, NWF, 2000). Where zoning and land development ordinances allow for development, the percent impervious surface will most likely increase.

Streams unable to support reproducing trout populations (non-supporting) streams, located in watersheds with greater than 25% impervious cover, become channels for conveying stormwater and are no longer suitable for contact recreation due to high bacterial levels. In these degraded systems, stream organisms are dominated by the most pollution tolerant insects and fish" (NWF, 2000). Municipal land use zoning dictates how dense a tract of land can be developed, which affects the amount of impervious area, and in turn, stream health.

· Amenities and Problem Areas: Data was also collected and illustrated on two maps showing both amenities and problem areas. Field survey findings are further described in Section 6 and Section 7 of this plan (See Amenities Map Figure 6-1 and Problem Area Map Figure 7-2).

4.2 Regional Planning, Zoning and Water Quality Protection Efforts

The previous section of the Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection plan highlighted important physical resources information associated with the watershed. The following section addresses comprehensive planning and land use regulatory efforts implemented regionally. Subsequent sections provide a necessary overview of current planning, zoning and water quality protection efforts in the three municipalities comprising the Gallows Run Watershed.

For over thirty years, Commonwealth and regional environmental agencies have stressed the importance of environmental protection. Bucks County, and many of its municipalities, has been at the forefront of a variety of environmental protection promulgation efforts. Historically, Northern Bucks County municipalities have been particularly protective of water resources because citizens and businesses are served primarily by on-lot groundwater wells. In addition, surface and groundwater resources are hydrologically connected, groundwater resources are not highly productive, and all water resources are vulnerable to pollution. Therefore, local residents have identified the need to protect open space and other significant natural resources in order to protect water resources from pollutants commonly associated with land development (e.g., erosion, sedimentation, increased stormwater).

4.2.1 Resource Protection and Conservation Management Efforts

An environmentally protective philosophy is illustrated by the myriad of policy, planning and conservation management documents designed to protect the watershed’s natural, historical, cultural, recreational, and visual amenities. The following environmental efforts contain information and conservation management strategies designed to assist counties and local municipalities in balancing the rights of individual landowners to develop property with the health and safety benefits derived from protecting water resources and other natural, cultural, historical and recreational amenities:

· The Bucks County Comprehensive Plan (BCPC, 1996)

· The Bucks County Natural Resources Plan (BCPC, 1995)

· The Bucks County Natural Resources Inventory (Rhodes, 1999)

· The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Study and Lower Delaware Management Plan (US NPS & DRGP, 1996-98)

· The Middle Delaware Rivers Conservation Plan (Heritage Conservancy, 2003)

· The USGS Groundwater Study (USGS, 1998)

· The Delaware River North (Act 167) Storm water Watershed Plan (BCPC, 2000)

· The Tinicum Creek Rivers Conservation Plan (Tinicum Township EAC& Princeton Hydro, LLC, 1998)

· The Tohickon Creek Rivers Conservation Watershed Plan (Tinicum Conservancy & Princeton Hydro, LLC, 2000)

· The Cooks Creek Watershed Conservation Plan, (Durham Township Environmental Advisory Council/MJE Environmental, 2002)

· The Durham Township Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance (1980-present)

· The Durham Township Open Space Plan (2001)

· The Nockamixon Township Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance (1980-present)

· The Nockamixon Township Natural Resources Plan (1994)

· The Nockamixon Township Open Space Plan (2002)

· The Springfield Township Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance (1980-present)

· The Springfield Township Open Space Plan (2002)

Members of the Gallows Run Watershed Association (GRWA), the Gallows Run Watershed restoration and Protection Plan Technical Advisory Committee, and partnering agencies and organizations were involved first-hand in creating and reviewing the studies and natural resources protection efforts noted in the previous list.

4.2.2 Regional Water Quality Management Efforts

An environmentally protective philosophy at the Commonwealth level is illustrated by two statewide environmental programs. Again, these efforts involved GRWA members, individuals from the Plan Advisory Committee, and partnering entities.

· The Federal Clean Water Act: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 303 (D) List, PADEP, 2003

· The Environmental Futures Program, (2D Delaware River, Tohickon Creek) Draft Report, PADEP, June 2001

The Federal Clean Water Act (Section 303 [d]) requires states to provide periodic reports on the quality of surface water resources. The PADEP has an ongoing program to assess the quality of waters in Pennsylvania, and to identify streams and other bodies of water that do not meet water quality standards. Those waterways not supporting uses such as aquatic life, recreation, and drinking water are considered impaired.

The field assessments completed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) in the Gallows Run region (primarily Tohickon, Tinicum and Cooks Creek Assessments) indicate that the streams in the vicinity are currently meeting aquatic life, human health, and recreational uses. The GRWA’s intention for the Gallows Run Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan, and with implementing the plan, is to assist the PADEP and the municipalities with maintaining and enhancing the designated uses for the Gallows Run.

The Commonwealth is also required by the Clean Water Act to determine the reasons fo