[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]





        @Nesharniny Creek
         Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study

         Volume 1-Study Report
















         September 1994


         Prepared by:

         Bucks County Planning Commission
         The Almshouse
         Neshaminy Manor Center
         Doylestown, PA 18901
         (215) 345-3400










            Nesharniny Creek
            Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study
            Volume 1-Study Report









            September 1994



            Prepared by:

            Bucks County Planning Commission
            The Almshouse
            Neshaminy Manor Center
            Doylestown, PA 18901
            (215) 345-3400

            Acknowledgments

            Bucks County Conservation District
            CZM Steering Committee of DVRPC
            PaDER Coastal Zone Management Program
            National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
            Study Area Municipalities














                      Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program
               Neshaminy Creek Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study



                                     September 1994

                          DER Grant/Contract No. CZ11: 93. 04PD
                                  Grant Task No. 93264



          A REPORT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
          TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION PURSUANT
          TO NOAA AWARD NO. NA37070351




                                   Coastal                       A

             PWNNSYLVANIA







          The project was financed in part through a federal Coastal Zone Management Grant from
          the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, with funds provided by
          NOAA. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
          reflect the views of NOAA of any of its subagencies.





















                                                                    COUNTY COMISSIONERS:
                                                                    Andrew L. Warren, chairman
                                                                         Mark S. Schweiker
                                                                          Sandra A. Miller

                                                                            Credits

                     Project Management/Coo*rdination

                     Robert E. Moore                                Executive Director
                     Vitor A. Vicente                               Director, County-wide Planning
                     George F. Spotts                               Director, Community Planning
                     Dennis P. Livrone                              Senior Environmental Planner, Project Manager
                     Timothy A. Koehler                             Senior Comprehensive Planner



                     Planning Staff

                     Theresa M. Bentley                             Environmental Planner
                     Suzanne Ravenscroft                            Environmental Planner
                     Mary A. Marano                                 Environmental Planner
                     Richard G. Brahler                             Comprehensive Planner
                     David A. Sabastian                             Comprehensive Planner
                     Robert H. Keough                               GIS Planner



                     Drafting Staff

                     Roberta L. Wilburn                             Project Director
                     Ernest F. Hoferica.                            Graphics Coordinator
                     Susan L. Stewart                               Illustrator
                     Kay Schulberger                                Draftsperson



                     Administrative Staff

                     Margaret A. Creeden                            Office Supervisor
                     Katherine R. Connery                           Clerical Supervisor
                     Dolores J. Diamond                             Clerical Researcher
                     Janet A. Moore                                 Clerk Stenographer
                     Mary J. Witzel I                               Clerk Stenographer
                     Cheryl D. Zabinski                             Library Technician/Editor
                     Michelle D. Clements                           Billing Clerk
                     Gail L. Gio ia                                 Receptionist





                      Table of Contents for Volume I-Study Report                                                                              Page
                      EXECUTIVE SUMMARY             ............................................................................................................. vi

                      INTRODUCTION          ..................................................................................................................... ix
                                            Purpose of the Study        ..................................................................................... ix
                                            Who Can Use This Document              .......................................................................x
                                            Application of Study Results         ............................................................................x
                                            Resource Inventory, Database Maintenance, and Study Area Map                       ..................   x
                                            Wetlands Educational Brochure           ...................................................................... xi
                                            How the Report Is Organized           ........................................................................ xii
                      CHAPTER ONE - REGULATORY BACKGROUND
                                            The Coastal Zone Management Act             ................................................................1
                                            Defining Coastal Zone Boundaries in Pennsylvania               .........................................I
                                            Geographic Areas of Particular Concern             .........................................................5
                                            The Delaware Estuary Program           ......................................................................5
                                            The Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments                  .......................................5

                                            Summary    .......................................................................................................6

                      CHAPTER TWO - DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

                                            Land Use     ......................................................................................................7
                                            Development Trends         ..................................................................................... 12
                                            Future Growth Trends         ................................................................................... 13

                                            Summary    ....................................................................................................... 16
                      CHAPTER THREE - OVERVIEW OF WETLANDS -

                                            Wetlands and the Coastal Zone           ...................................................................... 18

                                            Wetlands Definition       ....................................................................................... 18

                                            Wetlands Identification       ................................................................................... 18
                                            National Wetland Inventory         ........................................................................... 19
                                            Wetlands Types in the Study Area           ................................................................. 19
                                            Field-Observed Wetlands in the Study Area             .................................................... 22
                                            Wetlands and Endangered Species            ................................I. . ............................... 23
                                            The Need for Protection of Wetland Species            ................................................... 23
                                            Summary    ....................................................................................................... 24





                           Table of Contents for Volume I-Study Report (continued)                                                                                            Page
                           CHAPTER FOUR - WETLANDS PROTECTION
                                                       The Importance of Wetlands                 ..........................................................................    25
                                                       Wetlands Protection and Mitigation                   ................................................................    25
                                                       Existing Governmental Policies                .......................................................................    26
                                                       Federal Regulations and Policies                .....................................................................    26
                                                       State Regulations and Policies              .........................................................................    27
                                                       Local Planning, Policies, and Regulations                     .........................................................  28
                                                            County Level         ...........................................................................................    28
                                                            Municipal Level          ........................................................................................   29
                                                       Wetland Acquisition            .......................................................................................   29
                                                       Wetland Creation           ...........................................................................................   30
                                                       Study Area Corridor of Special Protection                      .......................................................   31
                                                       Recommended Protection Policies and Actions                          ...............................................     32

                                                       Summary      .......................................................................................................     33
                          CHAPTER FIVE - NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION GENERATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND

                                                       MANAGEMENT
                                                       Nonpoint Source Pollutants                ...........................................................................    35
                                                       Source Generation of Nonpoint Source Pollutants                          ..........................................      37
                                                       Potential Nonpoint Sources in the Neshaminy Creek Study Area                                   .....................     39
                                                       Stormwater Management Techniques and Water Quality                                  .................................    43
                                                       Best Management Practices                .............................................................................   44
                                                       Potential Demonstration Site for Water Quality BMP Upgrade                                 .........................     45
                                                       Management Measures and Practices for NPS Programs                                 .................................     47
                                                       Summary of Management Measures                       ...............................................................     48
                                                       Summary      ........................................................................................................    51
                          CHAPTER SIX - CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

                                                       Conclusion       ....................................................................................................    53

                                                       Recommendations             .........................................................................................    54
                                                            Nonpoint Source Pollutant Mitigation Policies                       ............................................    54
                                                            Nonpoint Source Pollutant Mitigation Activities                       .........................................     55
                                                            Wetland Protection Policies               ......................................................................    57

                                                            Wetland Protection Activities                ....................................................................   58










             Table of Contents for Volume I-Study Report (continued)

                                                                                     Page

             WETLANDS BROCHURE

             GLOSSARY     ..................................................................................................................... G-1

             BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................... B-1








             Table of Contents for Volume 111-Technical Supplement


             Appendix A   Agency Directory
             Appendix B   Excerpts from Bucks County Continuum
             Appendix C   Bucks County Wetlands Plant List
             Appendix D   Field Observations and Notes
             Appendix E   Role and Management of Stormwater in NPS Transport
             Appendix F   Species Location Information - PNDI
             Appendix G   Species Location Information - Morris Arboretum
             Appendix H   Information from EPA Section 6217 Guidance Document




             Glossary


             Bibliography









                           List of Figures

                                                                                                                                                                              Page
                           Figure 1            Regional Location of the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone                               .........................................       3
                           Figure 2            Boundaries of the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone                             ..................................................       3
                           Figure 3            Schematic Diagram of the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Boundary                                     .............................        4
                           Figure 4            Location of Nonpoint Source Pollution and Wetlands Study Area                                     ............................       8
                           Figure 5            1990 Land Use Characteristics                  ..............................................................................    10
                           Figure 6            Confluence of Neshaminy Creek and Delaware River at Neshaminy State Park                                            ........     17
                           Figure 7            Map of NWI Wetlands, PNDI, and Morris Arboretum Sites                                    ......................................  20
                           Figure 8            Development Along the Lower Reaches of Neshaminy Creek                                      ..................................   40
                           Figure 9            Changes in Stream Hydrology as a Result of Urbanization                               ......................................     42








                           List of Tables

                                                                                                                                                                             Page
                           Table 1             1990 Land Use Characteristics                   ............................................................................         9
                           Table 2             1970 - 1990 Land Use Comparison Percentage                               ....................................................    11
                           Table 3             Sucks County Population Density ... t                    ....................................................................    12
                           Table 4             Bucks County Population Projections                       ...................................................................    13
                           Table 5             Sucks County Housing Projections                      ......................................................................     14
                           Table 6             Bucks County Labor Force Projections                        .................................................................    15
                           Table 7             Bucks County Employment Projections                         ................................................................     15
                           Table 8             Sources of Urban Runoff Pollutants                     .....................................................................     38
                           Table 9             Example Effects of Increased Urbanization on Runoff Volume                                   ...............................     41













                    iv










           ACRONYMS USED IN THE TEXT


           BCPC       Bucks County Planning Commission
           BMP        Best Management Practice


           CCMP       Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan of the Delaware Estuary
                      Program
           CWA        Clean Water Act
           CZARA      Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendment (1990)
           C2:M       Coastal Zone Management


           DELEP      Delaware Estuary Program
           DER        Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
           DVRPC      Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission


           EPA        United States Environmental Protection Agency


           GAPC       Geographical Area of Particular Concern
           GIS        Geographic Information System


           NOAA       National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
           NPS        Nonpoint Source
           NWI        National Wetland Inventory


           PaC2M      Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management (a division of DER)
           PNDI       Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory


           SCS        Soil Conservation Service (a division of the USDA)


           USDA       United States Department of Agriculture
           USGS       United States Geological Survey




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                EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


                The Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC) studied the effects of nonpoint pollution in the
                lower reaches of the Neshaminy Creek watershed on the Delaware Estuary. The study area is
                located along the lower-most portion of the Neshaminy Creek in Bucks County Pennsylvania and
                includes all or portions of Bensalem, Bristol, Lower Southampton, and Middletown townships
                and Hulmeville, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, and Penndel boroughs. Although the study area is
                part of the most urbanized and densely developed portion of the county, numerous natural
                resources still remain. Most of the natural resource areas are associated with the Neshaminy Creek
                and the Delaware Estuary.

                One aspect of the study focused on wetlands protection and pollutant mitigation. To create
                awareness of the value of wetlands to humans and wildlife and engender protection of the
                remaining wetlands in the lower reaches of the Neshaminy Creek watershed, an overlay corridor
                was recommended in the study. The corridor is centered on the Neshaminy Creek and extends
                one-half mile on each side of its banks. Everything falling within this corridor is considered high
                priority for protection and regulation. There are several recommended policies and activities for
                wetland protection and management set forth in the study. Examples'include: minimizing the loss
                of wetlands by avoiding development projects that will alter or degrade wetlands; strengthening
                municipal zoning and land development ordinances; and increasing wetland acquisition for
                preservation and management.
                Another aspect of the study focused on nonpoint source pollutant generation, characterization, and
                management. Because nonpoint source pollutants have no specific or consistent point of entry into
                waterways, controlling such pollution is difficult. In the Neshaminy Creek study area, the sources
                of nonpoint pollutants that most threaten the coastal area are marina/recreational boating sources
                and urban stormwater runoff from land uses such as residential, commercial, industrial,
                recreational, and government facilities. Specific pollutants commonly associated with urbanization
                include: sediment, nutrients.- road salts, heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, pathogenic
                bacteria, insecticides, and trash/litter debris. These pollutants are introduced into watercourses
                primarily in stormwater runoff from roadways, construction sites, existing development, and
                households.


                The Delaware Estuary and the freshwater and tidal wetlands found along the Neshaniiny Creek are
                pollution-sensitive and require protection to maintain their vitality and viability. Stormwater
                management options for water quality improvement, including Best Management Practices
                (BMPs), are recommended for municipal use in the study area. BMPs are designed to reduce








                  negative impacts from pollutants such as sediment or hydrocarbons by using innovative
                  technology. By incorporating BMPs in the study area for stormwater control and water quality
                  benefits, the objective of protecting sensitive areas can be achieved.

                  The study gathered much useful information on the natural resources of the study area. Wetlands
                  and species habitats were inventoried and mapped. This type of information, along with
                  information on the use of best management practices for stormwater control, is intended for use by
                  municipalities in updating municipal comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and/or subdivision
                  regulations and, if implemented, will foster wetland conservation.

                  The study identified a potential demonstration site at which to investigate the possibility of
                  implementing an upgrade to a standard stormwater detention basin. The study recommends that a
                  follow-up study be conducted to further investigate how such a facility could be retrofitted to be
                  brought up to a level of a stormwater best management practice for water quality control.

                  Study research found that the recent trend toward mitigation, or lessening, adverse environmental
                  impacts upon wetlands includes techniques such as avoiding activities in wetlands and fringe areas,
                  minimizing damage to wetlands from human activities, and restoring, enhancing, or creating new
                  wetlands to compensate for wedand losses. Investigation of the feasibility of creating replacement
                  wetlands in exchange for disrupting existing wetlands will require additional research and would
                  be appropriate as a follow-up study.

                  A public awareness brochure was produced which focuses on the significance of wetlands in the
                  study area and explains their importance as natural pollutant mitigation mechanisms. The brochure
                  will be distributed to local municipal officials, conservation groups, businesses, and the public to
                  increase public awareness of the connection between wetland protection, stormwater management,
                  and the improvement of water quality in the Delaware Estuary and its tributaries.

                  The study presents recommended policies and activities that promote wetland protection and
                  management of nonpoint source pollutants. The policies and activities call for minor amendments
                  to municipal zoning ordinances and/or subdivision/land development regulations. For example,
                  land use planning is encouraged, including the use of cluster zoning for residential developments,
                  overlay districts for natural resource protection areas, and the use of natural resource performance
                  standards.


                  The application of the results of the study and the implementation of recommended policies and
                  activities are intended to lead to the improvement of the water quality of the lower reaches of the
                  Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware Estuary.


             Viii




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                INTRODUCTION


                Each year the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management (PaCZM) Program within the
                Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DER) makes available funding in
                the form of grants to local governments. Grant funds are to be used for conducting
                projects involving the planning, design, construction, or acquisition of activities and/or
                facilities that will improve the quality of life in the areas designated by DER as within the
                Coastal Zone.


                For fiscal year 1993, the Bucks County Planning Commission submitted a proposal to
                conduct a study of the effects of nonpoint pollution in the lower portion (referred to as the
                "lower reaches") of the Neshaminy Creek watershed on the Delaware Estuary. The study
                proposal was reviewed by the CZM Steering Committee of the Delaware Valley Regional
                Planning Commission and was recommended to DER as a viable project based on
                consistency with the "Ifigh Priority Selection Criteria" of the PaCZM. The PaCZM staff
                agreed with the recommendation and passed it on to the Office of Coastal Zone
                Management within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
                which ultimately approved the proposal.

                The study, known as the Neshaminy Creek Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study,
                involved the cooperation and input of several entities. Specifically, the Bucks County
                Planning Commission (BCPQ coordinated with municipalities within the study area, the
                Pennsylvania National Diversity Inventory, the Morris Arboretum, and the Bucks County
                Conservation District.

                Purpose Of The Study

                The purpose of the Neshaminy Creek Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study was
                fourfold:

                1)      To identify a demonstration site to investigate the possibility of implementing an
                        upgrade to a standard stonnwater detention basin.

                2)      To inventory wetlands occurring along the main channel of the Neshaminy Creek
                        which may be adversely affected by non-point source discharges.

                3)      To develop a "public awareness" publication for general distribution which would
                        point out significant wetlands in the study area and explain -their importance as
                        part of the natural environment and their usefulness as natural pollutant mitigation
                        mechanisms; and

                4)      To investigate the feasibility of creating additional wetlands in a selected area in
                        exchange for the disruption of existing wetlands for some useful purpose.





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                 Who Can Use This Document

                 The document is intended to       be used by municipal governing bodies, planning
                 commissions, engineers, and planners as a guide to developing policies and actions which
                 will lead to the reduction of nonpoint source pollutants introduced into the Neshaminy
                 Creek. Although the study was specific to the lower reaches of the Neshaminy Creek
                 watershed from Bridgetown Pike (PA Route 213 ) to the Delaware River, the
                 recommendations of the study, found in Chapter Six, are also intended for application
                 elsewhere in the watershed and the county.

                 Application Of Study Results

                 The application of the results of the study and any follow-up studies are intended to lead
                 to the improvement of the water quality of the Delaware Estuary through the
                 identification and ultimate use of specific best management practices (BMPs) for the
                 management of stormwater.           The study is supported by the research and
                 recommendations in the Neshaminy Creek Stormwater Management Plan regarding the
                 use of best management practices for stormwater control.

                 The report provides a variety of information on natural resources (e.g., wetlands, habitat)
                 intended for use by municipalities in updating municipal comprehensive plans, zoning
                 ordinances, and/or subdivision regulations. For example, Chapter Six recommends
                 specific municipal policies and actions for wetland protection which, if implemented,
                 would foster wetland conservation and be consistent with the objectives of the CZM
                 program. This document will be distributed to the study area municipalities and the
                 recommendations of the study will be advocated for implementation.

                 The educational brochure developed as part of the study (found in the pocket at the end of
                 this document) will be distributed to local municipal officials, conservation groups, and
                 the public. The purpose of the brochure is to inform the public about coastal concerns and
                 encourage wise management of coastal resources. Increased public awareness of the
                 connection between wetland protection, stormwater management, and the improvement
                 of water quality in the Delaware Estuary and its tributaries will also be an outcome of the
                 distribution of the brochure.

                 Resource Inventory, Database Maintenance, And Study Area Map

                 in' collecting data for the study, information was received from      other agenci es and
                 compiled by the BCPC staff. For example, information was solicited regarding wetlands
                 and endangered species in the study area from both the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity
                 Inventory (a department in the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry) and the Morris
                 Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. Information received from both sources
                 was used to identify locations of important wetlands and species. The information was








                 used to develop policy in the study area encouraging protection of these critical natural
                 resources as discussed in Chapters Four and Six.

                 By retaining records of the locations of wetlands in the study area and a list of species
                 associated with it, future impacts or improvements can be recorded to monitor the vitality
                 of the area. The identified locations provide the municipalities with a starting point to
                 enable planning activities aimed at reducing the nonpoint source pollutant loading by
                 limiting specific uses in sensitive areas. For example, databases containing the location
                 and site descriptions of wetlands and species habitat will help in the development of
                 specific protection policies addressing wetlands and habitats in municipal comprehensive
                 plans and ordinances. As information is updated by federal, state, and other agencies, the
                 BCPC can update internal files which can be shared with municipalities. These databases
                 will be maintained by the BCPC until further research and study is warranted.

                 Found in Chapter Three, the study area map, Figure 7, was created on the BCPC
                 Geographic Information System (GIS) starting with a base map of study area that
                 included major roads, minor streets, street names, municipal boundaries, municipal
                 names and the main stem of the Neshaminy Creek. Subsequent "coverages" or "layers"
                 were added to the base map including a one mile wide corridor along the Neshaminy
                 Creek, field locations of wetlands areas greater than one acre (estimated from the latest
                 available National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps), Pennsylvania Natural Diversity
                 Inventory (PNDI) sites, and Morris Arboretum rare and endangered species locations.
                 The numerical code identifier on Figure 7 corresponds with the numbers assigned to each
                 field-identified wetland location description in Appendix D and the PNDI and Morris
                 Arboretum information in Appendices F and G, respectively.

                 Wetlands Educational Brochure

                 One purpose of the study was to develop a "public awareness" publication for general
                 distribution which would point out significant wetlands in the study area and explain their
                 importance as part of the natural environment and their usefulness as natural pollutant
                 mitigation mechanisms. Thus, the educational brochure developed as part of the study
                 will be distributed to local municipal officials, conservation groups, and the public. The
                 purpose of the brochure is to inform the public about coastal concerns and encourage
                 wise management of coastal resources. The brochure is expected to increase public
                 awareness of the connection between wetland protection, stormwater management, and
                 the improvement of water quality in the Delaware Estuary and its tributaries. A copy of
                 the brochure may be found in a pocket inside the back cover of this report.








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                  How The Report Is Organized

                  The report comprises two documents, Volume One - Study Report and Volume 11 -
                  Technical Supplement.

                  Within Volume 1, Chapter One, "Regulatory Background," provides a brief overview of
                  the various legislation, regulations, and programs that are directly or indirectly related to
                  coastal zone management. Chapter Two, "Description of the Study Area," defines the
                  study area, and describes its land use characteristics, demographics, and development
                  trends. Chapter Three, "Overview of Wetlands," gives the reader general background
                  information on wetlands, setting the stage for Chapter Four, "Wetlands Protection and
                  Mitigation," which discusses the importance of wetland protection, existing governmental
                  policies, and wetland protection techniques. Chapter Five, "Nonpoint S Pollutant
                  Generation, Characterization, and Management," provides a toolbox of techniques for
                  managing nonpoint source pollutants. Chapter Six outlines policies and activities for state
                  agencies, the county, and municipalities to protect wetlands and reduce the overall effects
                  of nonpoint source pollution. Finally, inside the back cover there is the educational
                  brochure, Wetlands in Coastal Areas of Bucks County.

                  The companion document, Volume II - Technical Supplement, contains various
                  appendices that provide additional information, data, and technical material related to
                  techniques for managing nonpoint source pollutants. Volume II should be used in
                  conjunction with Chapters Five and Six of Volume I to facilitate wetland protection and
                  nonpoint source pollution reduction in the watershed.
























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                 CHAPTER ONE


                 REGULATORY BACKGROUND

                 This chapter is intended to provide the reader with a brief overview of the various
                 legislation, regulations, and programs that are directly or indirectly related to coastal zone
                 management. Appendix A provides a directory of governmental agencies that the reader
                 may wish to contact for more information on various topics discussed in this report.

                 The Coastal Zone Management Act

                 In response to concern over development pressures affecting the shorelines of our nation's
                 oceans, estuaries, and Great Lakes, the U.S. Congress in 1972 enacted the Coastal Zone
                 Management (CZM) Act (P.L. 92-583). The CZM Act encourages states to develop
                 comprehensive programs to effectively manage valuable land and water resources in
                 designated coastal zone areas. To comply with the act, states may choose management
                 approaches which are best suited to their particular problems and issues.

                 The Coastal Zone Management Act established the following national policies:

                     0   To preserve, protect, develop, and, where possible, restore coastal resources;

                     9   To help states manage their coastal responsibilities wisely through the
                         development of appropriate management programs;

                     0   To facilitate coordination between federal and state agencies responsible for
                         administering coastal management     programs; and

                     0   To encourage cooperation among local, state, and regional agencies.

                 In addition, Section 306 (c)(8) of the Coastal Zone Management Act requires that states
                 identify issues within the national interest. The Pennsylvania CZM Program considers
                 wetlands to be of ". . . long-range, comprehensive importance as to be in the national
                 interest" and has established its own objectives (discussed in Chapter Three) to assure
                 that in the national interest wetlands will be protected.

                 At the federal level, the responsibility for administering the CZ      M Act rests with the
                 Office of Coastal Zone Management within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                 Administration (NOAA). NOAA's primary responsibilities involve -the establishment of
                 program guidelines and the disbursement of grant funds.

                 Defining Coastal Zone Boundaries in Pennsylvania

                 The Coastal Zone Management Act defines the coastal zone as:              coastal waters ...
                 and the adjacent shorelands ... including transitional and intertidal areas, salt marshes,
                 wetlands and beaches." The designated zone extends inland from the shoreline only to








                     the extent necessary to control shorelands, since the land uses there have a direct or
                     significant impact on the coastal waters.

                     According to the definition in the Coastal Zone Management Act, Pennsylvania qualifies
                     as a "coastal state" because of two diverse and widely separated areas as shown in Figure
                     1. The two areas are the Lake Erie Coastal Zone in northwestern Pennsylvania and the
                     Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone in southeastern Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's portion of
                     the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone, shown in Figure 2, extends 57 miles from the fall
                     line at Morrisville, Bucks County to the Pennsylvania/Delaware state line at Marcus
                     Hook, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

                     The Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management (PaCZM) Program within the Pennsylvania
                     Department of Environmental Resources (DER) has determined that the following
                     activities fall under its jurisdiction:

                         ï¿½  Activities associated with the placement and design of structures in coastal
                            erosion and flood hazard areas, including the expenditure of state funds for public
                            infrastructure in flood hazard areas;

                         ï¿½  Dredging and spoil disposal activities which could negatively impact navigation,
                            flood flow capacity, wetlands, environmental quality, and public interest;

                         ï¿½  Activities which cause both positive and negative impacts upon coastal flshery
                            populations and their aquatic habitat;

                         ï¿½  Activities, such as the placement of water obstructions and encroachments, that
                            could result in the degradation or destruction of tidal or freshwater wetlands, or
                            impact the beds of Lake Erie or the Delaware River;
                         ï¿½  Activities which possess the potential for providing public access sites for both
                            passive and active forms of recreation;

                         ï¿½  Activities which enhance the restoration and/or preservation of historic sites and
                            structures;

                         ï¿½  Activities in port areas which directly affect overall port planning development,
                            enhancement, and revitalization;

                         ï¿½  Activities related to energy production and energy facility siting that have the
                            potential to cause adverse enviromnental impacts to sensitive ecological areas;

                         ï¿½  Activities which affect air quality. and water quality in the coastal zone.

                     Pennsylvania's coastal zone boundaries were established to include the above uses as they
                     relate to coastal waters.- Figure 3 is a schematic which graphically depicts a hypothetical
                     coastal zone boundary which includes all of the above uses.





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                                                                                                                                                                                           MAINE
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                                                                                                                 D. C.                      E L                        REGIONAL LOCATION
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                                                                                                                                                                         PENNA COASTAL ZONES
                                     KENTUCKY                                                          VIRGINIA                                                          OTHER STATES COASTAL ZONES
                                                                                                                                                               ,alp


                                                                                                                                                                                                     Ix

                                   TENNESSEE                                 NORTH CAROLINA










                         Figure 2
                          OELAWARE     ESTUARY COASTAL ZONE



                                                                                                                                                                               Ul
                                                                                                                                                                   ft4l,40            @c
                                                                                                    H I L     A 0    9 L P



                                               r -





                                                                                                                                       r
                                    lutwo find" L"m



                                                Figure 3 *                                            I
                                       SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF THE
                                PENNSYLVANIA COASTAL ZONE BOUNDARY











                                                                                         %





                                                                  Historic
                                                                   Site

                                                               tion
                                                                Site
                                           &

                                                              d0do
                                                             ILL
                                                             power
                                                              Plant




                                                                 r


                                                         00
                                 - - - - - --- -       Refiner
                                               Federal
                                                 Land




                                            State Park



                                                                                    COASTAL ZONE
                                                                                    BOUNDARY LINE
                                                                                    STATE OR INTERNATIONAL
                                   Wet                                              13OUNDARY LINE
                                   Landak           flood P% ifto
                                        4  %%% %




                        COASTAL         ZONE
                         MANAGE         AREA
                               M
                                     1190s,elposal
                                          Site






         4








                Geographic Areas of Particular Concern

                In addition to establishing coastal zone boundaries to delineate areas of importance of the
                entire coastal zone, the Coastal Zone Management Act also declares that certain areas,
                known as Geographic Areas of Particular Concern, are of greater significance. Within the
                study area of this report (described in Chapter Two), there is only one such designated
                area. The Neshaininy State Park, located on 356 acres at the confluence of the
                Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River in both Bensalem and Bristol townships,
                qualifies as a designated Geographic Area of Particular Concern by virtue of its state
                ownership.

                The Delaware Estuary Program

                Another program related to but separate from the CZM Program is the Delaware Estuary
                Program (DELEP). The DELEP is designated as part of the National Estuary Program
                established by Congress in 1987. At that time, Congress declared that the nation's
                estuaries are of great importance for fish and wildlife resources, recreation, and economic
                opportunity and that maintaining the health and ecological integrity of these estuaries is in
                the national interest.      Congress recognized that increasing coastal population,
                development, and other direct and indirect uses of estuaries threaten their health and
                ecological integrity. Therefore, Congress decided that long-term planning and
                management would contribute to the continued productivity of estuary areas, and that
                better coordination among federal and state program affecting estuaries would increase
                the effectiveness and efficiency of the national effort to protect, preserve, and restore
                these areas.


                Of the 21 estuary programs nationwide, DELEP is the only tri-state effort. The overall
                goal of the program is to develop and implement a Comprehensive Conservation and
                Management Plan (CCMP) that addresses the protection of natural resources, while
                striking a balance with economic activities in the region.

                The Coastal Zone Act Reaut      horization Amendments

                In the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (CZARA), Congress
                recognized that nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is a key factor in the continuing
                degradation of many coastal waters and established a new program to address that form
                of pollution. Congress also recognized that the solution to NPS pollution needed to take
                place at the state and local levels. Thus, CZARA calls upon states to develop and
                implement State Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Programs. To assist in that effort,
                Congress assigned to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the responsibility
                of developing a technical guidance document from which states could begin to develop
                their programs. The document, Guidance Speciffing Management Measures For Sources
                of Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters (commonly referred to as "Section 6217


                                                                                                                            5








                    Guidance"), specifies management measures for controlling NPS pollution using the best
                    economically achievable measures available.

                    The Section 6217 Guidance addresses five source categories of NPS pollution
                    (agriculture, silviculture, hydromodification, urban, and marinas) and provides a menu of
                    management measures for each source. The document also contains tools for the
                    protection, restoration, and construction of wetlands, riparian areas, and vegetated
                    treatment systems.

                    SUMMARY

                    The above-mentioned legislation, programs, and technical guidance have established a
                    framework for the development of policies and activities to protect and enhance the
                    natural and built environments in the coastal zone. In addition, funding from programs
                    such as the PaCZM Program has been used to improve the coastal zone with projects such
                    as waterfront park improvements in Morrisville and Bristol boroughs.
































        6




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  I                                              Description of the Study Area
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               CHAPTER TWO


               DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

               The study area, shown in Figure 4, is located along the lower-most portion of the
               Neshaminy Creek in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Only a small portion of the study lies
               within the official "Coastal Zone Boundary" established by the PaCZM program. The
               portion of the watershed most directly connected to the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone is
               that area delineated in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Plan as
               the "Lower Reaches." The Lower Reaches is defined as that area of the watershed which
               is tidally influenced by, and directly discharges into, the Delaware River. The
               Neshaminy Creek and its tributaries traverse several municipalities in the Lower Reaches.
               These are: Bensalem, Bristol, Lower Southampton, and Middletown townships, and
               Hulmeville, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, and Penndel boroughs.

               Land Use

               The study area is also part of the region of Bucks County commonly known as Lower
               Bucks, which is the most urbanized region of the county. The urbanization of Lower
               Bucks is generally attributed to the concentrations of industry, infrastructure (e.g., public
               water and sewer), and major transportation corridors (e.g., 1-95, 1-276, U.S.-I., U.S.-13,
               PA-413, PA-132, PA-213). Development pressures radiating out from Philadelphia and
               spilling over from the New Jersey side of the Delaware River create a demand for
               residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses. The portions of the study
               area that are located in Lower Southampton Township and the four boroughs are
               intensely developed with about 50 percent of the area containing single-family detached
               residential land use. The Bensalem, Bristol, and Middletown Township portions of the
               study area have about one-third of the area composed of single-family detached
               residential land use. Multi-family residential and commercial land uses also make up a
               significant portion the land. area in the study area, especially along the major
               transportation corridors.

               Table 1 presents the 1990 land use characteristics for the municipalities within the Lower
               Reaches study area. The study area municipalities encompass 40,757 acres of land, or
               approximately 10 percent of Bucks County's total land area. Residential uses comprise
               36 percent of the study        area municipalities; nonresidential uses, 39 percent;
               agricultural/vacant, 16 percent; and parks/recreation, 9 percent. Figure 5 graphically
               presents the relationship of these land use percentages.







                                                                                                                           7






                Delaware Estuary
                Drainage Basin                             J                                                                              SPflMGFtEW          DURHAM     Figure,           4


                      NEW YORK
                                                                                                                                                            NOCKAMOM 0 DOETON
                    PENNSYLVANIA                                                                                                              HAYCOCK




                                                                                                                               EAST AOC*ffLL                        MCUIA

                                                                                                                                             BEDMINSTER




                                                                                                                            MtLLTOWN
                                           J                                                                                                           PLUMSTEAD
                                                                                                                                   NEW BFUTAIN



                                                                                                                                                                   SOLEBURY


                                                                                                                                        DOYLESTOWN    5UCKrNGHAM


                                                                                                                                   WARFUNGTO


                                                                                                                                           WARWICK
                                                                                                                                                      WRIGHTStOWN
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                                                                                                                                               MORTHAMPtO
                                                                                                                                                            HE."
                                                                                                   LOCATION                             . .....
                                                                     RE;@@M
                                                           m
                                                                                                  OFSTUDY                                   L               WOOMLMVMN LOWER
                                                                                                                                           so                         MAXERELD
                            0           PHILA LP                                                 AREA
                                                           CAMDE
              PENNSYLVANIA@                                                                                                          KAM-
                            W       GTO,                                                                                                                                   FALLS




                                                                                                                                          Source:    Bucks County Planning Commission.



                                                           E
                                                           Y                                STUDY
                               M 5-;
                                                            A
                                                                                            AREA


                Delaware Estuary Drainage Basin. The drainage ",sin
                                                                               .r
                of the Delaware Estuary covers more than 13,500 sq.                                                                                                                        _u
                miles. From this region many sub-tributaries          ' contribute                     CZM Non-Point Source
                water to the two majcr freshwater tributaries-the                                      Pollution and Wetlands
                Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.                                                        Study Area
                Source: THE DELAWARE ESTUARY. Rediscovering j
                         Forpuen.Resource.
                Courtesy. University of Delaware, Sea Grant College Progran).
                                                                                                       Area of Special Concern for
                                                                                                       Endangered Species and/or
                                                                                                       Critical Habitat





                                                                                                       Lower Reaches of the
                                                                                                       Nesbarniny Creek Water-
                                                                                                       shed




                8                                                                                                                     Source: Bucks County Planning Commission.














                         Table 1
                         1990 Land Use Characteristics (in acres)
                                                                                   Agriculture/      Nonresidential          Park &
                                   Municipality                  Residential         Vacant                                 Recreation
                         Bensalem Twp.                                   4,311                1,825             5,824                 815
                         Bristol Twp.                                    3,498                1,43              4,734                 592
                         Hulmeville Boro.                                  120                  6                    62                   1
                         Langhorne Boro.                                   167                  2                    99                  21
                         Langhorne Manor Boro.                             164                  7                   144                   0
                         Lower Southampton Twp.                          2,424                  32              1,316                 209
                         Middletown Twp-                                 4,005                2,693             3,385               2,167
                         Penndel Boro.                                     126                  23                  120                   6
                         Lower Bucks Total*                              22,794             14,352              27,854              5,339
                         Study Area Total                                14,8151              6,4471            15,6841             3,881
                                 BUCKS COUNTY                           154,5621           147,1551             62,3831             24,613

                         'Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                         Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                         Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                         Source: U.S. Census, 1990.



































                                                                                                                                                        9






                      MO LAND USE CHARACTERISTICS                                                                                   FIGURE 5


                                              gw
















                               M Residmfid
                               M Non-Residentid
                               11 Agricukure                     nt
                                                                at,
                               M Park and @ecre' on




                             SOM Th .,p      u      -117









                     to









                          Table 2 shows a comparison of major categories of land use and the changes in those land
                          uses between 1970 and 1990. (See Appendix B for more detailed information.)


                          Table 2
                          1970-1990 Land Use omparison Percentage
                                                                            Resid ntial       I             Agriculture/Vacant
                                  Municipality              1970        1980         1990         1970        1980 1       1990
                          Bensalem Twp.                         35%         34%         32%            39%         25%          16%
                          Bristol Twp.                          43%         35%         34%            33%         17%          14%
                          HuIrneville Boro.                     45%         45%         45%            36%         31%          29%
                          Langhorne Boro.                       55%         50%         53%1           15%         8%           9%
                          Langhorne Manor Boro.                 47%         37%         43%1           19%         20%          19%
                          Lower Southampton Twp.                56%         52%         53%            26%         18%          117/.-
                          Middletown Twp.                       31%         26%         32%            30%         36%          23%
                          Penndel Boro.                         62%         51%         46%            61/0        9%           8%
                          Lower Bucks Total*                    32%         3 y1o       3 %,           44%         29%1         22%
                              BUCKS COUNTY                      22%         27%1        28%1           65%         55%1         50%

                                                                        Non Residential                     Park & Recreation
                                  Municipality              1970        1980         1990         1970        1980         1990
                          Bensalem Twp.                         23%         34%         46%            2%          6%           6%
                          Bristol Twp.                          23%         40%         46%            1 %         8%           6%
                          Hulmeville Boro.                      13%         21%         25%            5%          3%           0%
                          Langhorne Boro.                       25%         33%         32%            6%          9%           7%
                          Langhorne Manor Boro.                 34%         38%         38%            0%          5%           0%
                          Lower Southampton Twp.                16%         25%         31%            2%          5%           53/-.
                          Middletown wp.                        15%         25%         28%            23%         13%1         18%
                          Penndel Boro.                         26%         37%         44%            4%          2%           2%1
                          Lower Bucks Total*                    18%         33%         40%            6%          8%           ni.
                              BUCKS COUNTY                      7%          11%         16%            5%          7%           6%1

                          *Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                          Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                          Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                          Source: U.S. Census, 1990.








                       Development Trends

                       A majority of the study area is considered to be intensely developed. Less than one-
                       quarter of the study area is composed of a combination of agricultural and vacant land
                       uses with the remainder of the area made up of restrictive natural resource areas.
                       Development is expected to continue in the study area, although at a slower pace than in
                       the past. Eventually, as land area available for development becomes even more scarce
                       and various areas reach build-out capacity, growth will become minimal. Beyond that
                       time, future growth will be in the form of infill development, adaptive reuse, and
                       redevelopment in the more urban areas.

                       As Table 3 indicates, the study area municipalities contained 182,627 residents in 1990,
                       living in an area of 64 square miles, or over 2800 persons per square mile. The study area
                       municipalities accounted for 68 percent of the total population in lower Bucks and 58
                       percent of the land area. In addition, the study area municipalities contain 33 percent of
                       the county's population and 11 percent of the county's land area.




                       Table 3
                       Bucks County Population Density
                                                    1990 Census         Land Area        Persons per
                             Municipality            Population       Square Miles       Square Mile
                       Bensalem Twp.                         56,788              20.0           2 8 T974
                       Bristol Twp.                          57,129              16.0           3570.6
                       HuIrneville Boro.                         916               0.4          2290.0
                       Langhorne Boro.                         1,361               0.5          2722.5
                       Langhorne Manor Boro.                     807               0.6          1345.0
                       Lower Southampton Twp.                19,860
                                                                                   6.7          2964.2
                       Middletown Twp.                       43,063              19.4           2219.7
                       Penndel Boro.                           2,703               0.4          6757.3
                       Study Area Total                     182,627              64.0           2850.5
                       Lower Bucks Total*            -      267,554            -110.2           2427.9
                           BUCKS COUNTY          1         541,2  241            607.91           890-3

                       *Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                       Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                       Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                       Source: U.S. Census, 1990.


                       Despite continued high levels of growth during the 1980s, land consumption for
                       residential development generally appears to be occurring at a slower pace. That can be
                       attributed, in part, to the trend toward the concentration of residential development at


          12








                      higher densities (e.g., smaller lots and attached development). The trend is reflected in
                      the data which shows that the average acreage per dwelling unit in ower' Bucks dropped
                      from 0.332 acres per dwelling unit in 1970 to 0.218 in 1990.

                      Nonresidential development, (e.g., industrial/office parks, shopping centers, and
                      expansion of existing commercial areas) showed the largest increase between 1970 and
                      1990 in ower Bucks (over 14,000 acres), some of which occurred in the study area.

                      Future Growth Trends

                      Table 4 presents population projections by decade to the year 2020. The population in
                      the study area municipalities is projected to grow by 12.6 percent (from 182,627 to
                      205,600 people) between 1990 and 2020. Despite the projected strong population growth
                      county-wide, the study area municipalities as a group are expected to continue to account
                      for approximately one third of the county's population. The greatest growth pressures are
                      anticipated to occur in Bensalem and Middletown which together will account for 93
                      percent of the projected growth in the study area.


                      Table 4
                      Bucks County Population Projections
                                                      1990         2000        2010         2020
                             Municipality            Census       Middle      Middle       Middle
                      Bensalem Twp.                    56,788       60,960      64,550       64,580
                      Bristol Twp.                     57,M         56,340      55,690       55,670
                      HuIrneville Boro.                     916         960         950          960
                      Langhorne Boro.                     1,361       1,190        1,130       1,100
                      Langhorne Manor Boro.                 807         810         810          800
                      Lower Southampton Twp.           19,860       21,420      22,380       23,000
                      Middletown     wp-               43,063       47,000      52,380       56,750
                      Penndel Boro.                      2,703        2,730        2,740       2,740
                      Study Area Total                182,627      191,410     200,630      205,600
                      Lower Bucks Total*              267,554      279,690     293,060      300,780
                           BUCKS COUNTY               541,224,     606,500,    665,800,     709,600,

                      *Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                      Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                      Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                      Source: U.S. Census, 1990.














                                                                                                                                          13









                        Table 5 shows that, as of 1990, the study area municipalities contained 67,161 housing
                        units which accounted for 67 percent of the units in lower Bucks and nearly 34 percent of
                        the county's housing units. Between 1990 and 2020, the study area is expected to add
                        approximately 17,000 more units. This projected growth will account for 71 percent of
                        the total growth in lower Bucks and 20 percent of the county's total projected growth.
                        Middletown is expected to grow the fastest, and will account for approximately 43
                        percent of the housing unit growth to the year 2020. Bensalem is expected to be a close
                        second by absorbing nearly 39 percent of the total projected growth in the study area
                        municipalities. Thus it is significant to note that Middletown and Bensalem together will
                        account for about 82 percent of the growth in the study area municipalities.


                        Table 5
                        Bucks County Housing
                        Projections
                                                         1990        2000         2010        2020
                               Municipality           Census       Middle       Middle      Middle
                        Bensalem Twp.                    22,713       25,460      27,940       29,220
                        Bristol Twp.                     20,073       20,670      20,860       21,400
                        Hulmeville Boro.                     333         340          330         3301
                        Langhorne Boro.                      545         500          490         520
                        Langhorne Manor Boro.                304         290          260         230
                        Lower Southampton Twp.             7,263        8,100       8,640        9,110
                        Middletown Twp.                  14,942       17,380      19,980       22,240
                        Penndel Boro.                        988        1,000       1,000        1,010
                        STudy Area Total                 67,161       73,740      79,500       84,060
                        Lower Bucks Total*               99,634      108,800      116,650     123,460
                            BUCKS COUNTY           1    199,959,     232,900,    260,600,     283,900

                        *Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                        Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                        Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                        Source: U.S. Census, 1990.


                        In 1990 the study area municipalities had 54 percent of their population in the labor force.
                        As the figures in Table 6 indicate, 67 percent of the 1990 labor force in lower Bucks and
                        33 percent county-wide were residents of the study area municipalities. It is expected that
                        growth in the labor force in the study area between 1990 and 2000 will account for nearly
                        69 percent of the labor force growth in lower Bucks.








           14









                          Table 6
                          Bucks CountyLabor Force Proi ctions
                                                            1990         2000          2010         2020
                                  Municipality            Census        Middle       Middle        Middle
                          Bensalem Twp.                      31,532        33,850       35,880        35,880
                          Bristol Twp.                       30,259        29,840       29,510        29,490
                          Hulmeville Boro.                       518           540           540          540
                          Langhorne Boro.                        755           660           630          610
                          Langhorne Manor Boro.                  449           450           450          450
                          Lower Southampton Twp.             11,122        11,990       12,540        12,880
                          Middletown wp.                     23,121        25,220       28,100        30,460
                          Pennclel Boro.                        1,532        1,550         1,560        1,550
                          Study Area Total                   99,288      104,100       109,210,     111,860
                          Lower Bucks Total*                1461124      152,840       160,290      164,460
                              BUCKS COUNTY                  296,4841     332,300       364,8001     388,8001

                          *Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                          Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                          Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                          Source: U.S. Census, 1990.

                          Table 7 reflects the anticipated growth in employment in the study area. Although the
                          study area municipalities account for only 10 percent of the county's total land area, they
                          account for over 25 percent of the nonresidential land use in the county. Thus, it can be
                          concluded that the study area municipalities constitute a significant employment center.
                          By 2020, the municipalities in the study area will have an additional 11,872 residents
                          employed. It is likely that the municipalities in the study area will accommodate the
                          majority of jobs to fulfill this additional employment.

                          Table 7
                          Bucks County Employ ent Proj ctions
                                                            1990         2000          2010         2020
                                  Municipality            Census        Middle       Middle        Middle
                          Bensalem Twp.                      29,965        32,120       34,020        34,020
                          Bristol Twp.                       28,595        28,170       27,840        27,820
                          Hulmeville Boro.                       498           520           520          520
                          Langhorne Boro.                        741           650           610          600
                          Langhorne Manor Boro.                  434           440           430          430
                          Lower Southampton Twp.             10,777        11,610       12,130,       12,460
                          Middletown wp.                     22,305        24,300       27,090        29,330,
                          Penndel Boro.                         1,427        1,4@O         1,450        1,440
                          Study Area Total                   94,742        99,250      104,090      106,620
                          Lower Bucks Total*                139,370,     145,690       152,750      156,743
                               BUCKS COUNTY             1 284,9841       319,3001      350,500      373,600
                          Source: Bucks County Planning Commission 5/93

                          *Lower Bucks includes all of the municipalities within the table, as well as the following municipalities:
                          Bristol Boro., Falls Twp., Lower Makefield Twp., Morrisville Boro.,
                          Tullytown Boro. and Yardley Boro.

                          Source: U.S. Census, 1990.



                                                                                                                                                       15













                     SUMMARY


                     The population, housing, and employment trends and projections discussed in this chapter
                     give a strong indication that the study area municipalities will continue steady growth for
                     the foreseeable future. Such growth will likely translate into additional potential impacts
                     on the local environment and its natural resources. The remaining chapters in this report
                     discuss ways of reducing the effects on the environment of continued population and
                     employment growth, especially as it relates to nonpoint source pollution and wetland
                     protection.





































         16




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I                                                   Overview of Wetlands
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               Chapter Three

               OVERVIEW OF WETLANDS


               While the overall population density of lower Bucks and the study area is higher than the
               rest of Bucks County (as discussed in Chapter Two), numerous natural resources still
               remain. Most of these natural resources are associated with the Neshaminy Creek and the
               Delaware Estuary, including riverine wetlands, i.e., freshwater marshes and the associated
               flora and fauna. For example, within the Neshaminy State Park, located in the study area
               where the Neshaminy Creek meets the Delaware River (see Figure 6), there are numerous
               wetland plant species of special concern found in an inter-tidal freshwater mudflat.







                                                        Figure 6

                             Confluence of Nesharniny Creek and the Delaware River

                                               at Nesharniny State Park























                                                                                                                      17










                   Wetlands and the Coastal Zone

                   The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone
                   Management Program (1980) contains the following statement regarding wetlands from
                   its list of ten identified "problems and issues":

                   Wetlands: Wetlands constitute a critical natural resource of national and statewide
                   significance, providing fish and wildlife habitats, natural flood control, improved water
                   quality, groundwater recharge, and environmental diversity. However, the environmental
                   value of wetlands has not been appreciated until recently. Many coastal wetland areas
                   have been lost to bulkheading, [dredge] spoil disposal, and development. Thus, effective
                   management and protection of the remaining wetlands is vital.

                   The Pennsylvania CZM Program has established the following objectives to assure that
                   wetlands are protected in the national interest:

                   1.      Avoid to the extent possible the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated
                           with the disruption or modification of wetlands.

                   2.      Provide the means for preserving ecosystems upon which endangered and
                           threatened species depend.

                   3.      Make use of wetlands as outdoor classrooms through the acquisition and/or
                           development of appropriate sites.

                   Wetlands Definition

                   The federal government's current definition of wetlands, promulgated on December 24,
                   1980 (40 CFR 230.3) is the following:

                   Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a
                   frequency and duration to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a
                   prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions; wetlands
                   generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

                   Wetlands Identification

                   Identifying wetlands requires skill and experience. This is because the regulatory
                   definition of wetlands refers to three basic factors - vegetation, soils, and hydrology -               I
                   that together detem-iine the presence of wetlands. On-site assessment by qualified experts
                   is the surest method of delineation.

                   Wetland plant identification is generally the first step in the process. When more than 50
                   percent of the plants in the subject area include certain wetland species, the site may be
                   classified with some confidence as a wetland. (See Appendix C for a list of common
                   wetland species in Bucks County, reproduced from the BCPC publication, Wetlands

        18








                Regulation in Bucks County.) Secondly, the presence of hydric soils, or soils that in their
                natural, undrained state are saturated at or near the surface during much of the growing
                season. In Bucks County there are six soil series where hydric soil conditions are most
                prevalent: Bowmansville, Doylestown, Fallsington, Hatboro, Towhee, and Towhee
                (stony). The first four of these soil types are found in the study area. Finally, hydrology,
                i.e., saturated soil and drainage characteristics, is the underlying cause of a wetland
                condition. Hydrologic indicators such as flooding, standing water, and high groundwater
                levels can be useful in delineating a wetland site.      (The Soil Survey of Bucks And
                Philadelphia Counties, Pennsylvania, published by the USDA Soil Conservation Service
                (SCS) provides more detail on soil drainage characteristics.)

                National Wetland Inventory

                The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces the National Wetland Inventory (NWI)
                maps which are based on interpretations of high-altitude photographs superimposed over
                U.S.G.S. 1:24,000 topographic maps. Wetlands of one or more acre in size are identified
                and approximate boundaries are drawn. The NWI maps were used to identify wetland
                sites in the study area and those sites were field checked during the study to assess the
                general conditions and pollution factors. Wetlands occurring along the main channel of
                the Neshaminy Creek, which may be adversely affected by nonpoint source discharges,
                were inventoried. From that inventory was developed a map of the study area, Figure 7
                on the following page, indicating the location of wetland areas. (The numerical sequence
                of the site listing with Figure 7 of the report is for determining the approximate location
                only and is not intended as a priority listing.) Municipalities can use that wetland
                information, in conjunction with NWI maps, in their comprehensive planning efforts.
                Further discussion of the field work is presented in Chapter Five.

                Wetlands Types in the Study Area

                There are many different types of wetlands in Bucks County. They include tidal marshes,
                freshwater marshes, upland marshes, and riparian (along rivers and streams) wetlands.
                Although their properties and functions differ depending upon their environment and
                location, they all play an important role as natural buffer areas. Some common names for
                wetland areas include swamps, bogs, marshes, and mud flats.

                As defined earlier in this chapter, wetlands include areas commonly known as marshes.
                Along the Delaware Estuary from the farthest tidal influence at Trenton/Morrisville to its
                mouth at Cape May/Cape Henlopen, three distinct types of tidal marshes are found: salt
                marshes, brackish-water marshes, and freshwater marshes. All three types vary greatly as
                to salinity, vegetation, and wildlife. A tidal marsh may be defined as an area of grasses,
                sedges, rushes, and other plants that have adapted to continual, periodic flooding.

                Freshwater marshes line the shores of the upper estuary and the tributary streams along
                the estuary, thus they are the focus within the study area of this report. As the name


                                                                                                                          19





                                                                                                                                                                    Figure 7
                                                                                                                            Locations of Wetiand Sites
             Coastal Zone Management
             N o n p o i n f P o I I u t i o n a n d W e t I a n d s S t u d y 1 9 9 4




                                                                                                 21
                                                                                                     L           h o r, n e

                                    CT9                                                     74                   ghorne
                             LOWER                                                                 3\ 24         0 r,
                             SOUT A
                                             16                                                           25

                                                                                                 7
                                                       MIDDL                                                                           5
                                                          &a            30
                                                          03  2        0                             Pen                     38             6

                                                                29
                                                                                                                         HU I M"t           e

                                   3S
                             ?6


                                                                                                                                      521

                                                                                                                     N               5      51
                                                                                    %NsYLV0kN1A                      TURI"iIKE              56
                                                                                 (J66        &  9                02 410                             50       4S
                                                             63                                                                                      49        46
                                                       6b                                                        40     00                    78   4            0        a   109
                                                              BENSALE                                              1                                             7            10
                                                                                                                                                  043                 119     0116
                                                                                                                                                                    11q0      104
                                                                                                                      0r                                                       106
                                                                      65             60
                                                                                                                 58                                                          117
                                                                                61                               0                                                         0

                  National Wetlands Inventory Sites                                                                             207 11
             F-01 Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Sites                                                    is                    210            Bpi               I
             Ell                                                                                          3                                                  1
             F                                                                                                                                            11     q
                                                                                                                                                      lb  t25
             FEI  Morris Arborefurn Sites                                                             31                                                  1

                                                                                                                                            1'68
                                                                                                                                            67                   47
                      Corridor of Special Concern                                              6                 80        0
                                                                                                                                                                        240
                                                                                                                                                                        246


                                                                                                                 2      1 7
                                                                                                            10
             6 mi its                                                                                            1   103          9         236
             PREPARED BY T14E DUCKS COUNTY PLANNING COWSSION                                                     I%               22      AY39
                                                                                                                       21?        BI        I
                                                                                                                       222       H3                                                      I
                                                                                                                                  as
             NOTE- L ... ti ... ... ......


             20


FIELD OBSERVATION SITES

The numerical sequence of the following information corresponds to the numbers on Figure 7 and is not intended as a priority listing.  See Appendix D for the field notes from each site:

1.	Neshaminy State Park, Bensalem Township.: Wetlands Area

2.	State Rd., Bensalem Township. (Industrial Park): Wetland Area

3.	Expressway I-95 area, Bensalem Township. (Industrial Park):

4.	Industrial Park, Bensalem Township. (Railroad tracks): Wetland Area

5.	Expressway I-96, Bensalem Township,: Wetland Area

6.	Route 13, Bensalem Township.: Wetland areas

7.	Route 13, Bensalem Township.: Wetland Areas

8.	Route 13, Bensalem Township.: next to Seven-Eleven store

9.	Spencer St., Bristol Township.: Wetland Area

10.	Garfield St, Bristol Township.: Wetland area

11.	Newport Rd. and Park Ave., Bristol Township.: Wetland area

12.	Newport Rd. and Route 13, Birstol Township.: Wetland Area

13.	State Rd. and Totem Rd., Bensalem Township. Wetland Area

14.	Jack's Marine, Bensalem Township.: Wetland Area

15.	Neshaminy State Park Marina, Bristol Township.: Confluence of the Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River

16.	Brownsville Rd., Lower Southampton Township,: Wetland Area

17.	King David Cemetery and Rosedale Cemetery, Neshaminy Ave. and Bristol Rd., Bensalem Township.: Wetland Area.

18.	Timber Lane & Bensalem Blvd.: Wetland Area

19.	Beverly/Forest and Forest/Lavender, Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

20.	Bridgewater Road, Bensalem Township.: Wetland

21.	M. Gilliam Avenue, Langhorne Borough: Wetland Area

22.	S. of Gilliam, Langhorne Borough: Wetland Area

23.	South of Route 1, Middletown Township.: Wetland Area

24.	Poplar Street and Walsh Avenue, Langhorne Manor Borough: Wetland area

25.	Virginia Street

26.	Park Ave., Langhorne Manor Borough (Industrial Site): Wetland area

27.	Ne information Available

28.	Parker Ave. along U.S. Route 1. Penndel Borough: Wetland

29.	N. River Drive, Middletown Township.: Wetland area

30.	Highland Ave. and Route 281, Middletown Township:

31.	Middletown Township, Idlewood on the Mechaminy: Wetland area

32.	Old Lincoln Highway, Middletown Township

33.	Middletown Township

34.	Old Lincoln Highway, Bensalem Township

35.	Industrial Center, Bensalem Township

36.	Jefferson Avenue, Bristol Township: Wetland area

37.	Washington St., Bristol Township: Wetland area

38.	Longview Avenue/Lime Avenue, Bristol Township: Wetland area

39.	Longview/Cyprus/Fernwood, Penndel Borough and Bristol Township

40.	Bristol road, Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

41.	Bristol road, Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

43.	Wetland-Industrial Park, Bensalem

44.	BArtram Road, Bristol Township, Industrial Park (Keystone): Wetland area

45.	Route 413, Bristol Township: Wetland area

46.	Industrial Commercial area, Bristol Township: Wetland area

47.	Bristol Township: Wetland area

48.  	Bristol Township: Wetland area

49.	Bristol Township: Wetland area

50.	Bristol Township: Wetland area

51.	Bristol Township: Wetland area

52.	Newportville Rd., Bristol Township.: Wetland area

53.	Bristol Township.: Wetland area

54.	Middletown Township/Hulmeville Borough: Wetland area

55.	Fernwood & Bensalem Blvd., Bristol Township.: Wetland area

56.	Leonard Ave., Bristol Township.: Wetland area

57.	Bristol Township.: Wetland area

58.	Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

59.	Glenn Avenue, Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

60.	Hulmeville Rd., Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

61.	Byberry Rd., Bensalem Township.: Wetland area

62.	Richileu Road, Bensalem Township., Country Common Apts.: Wetland area

63.	Richileu Rd., Bensalem Township., Philadelphia Park Racetrack

64.	Richileu Rd., Bensalem Township, Philadelphia Racetrack (main entrance)

65.	Mechanicsville Road, Bensalem Township.: Wetland

66.	Grace Ave., Bensalem Township.: Wetland


Stormwater Detention Basin Field Location Notes

69.	Trenton Rd., Middletown Township., Middletown Trace Apts.

70.	Trevose Rd., Bensalem Township., Meshaminy Square Shopping Center: Detention Basin

71.	Route 1, Middletown Township., The Commons at Middletown: Detention Basin

72.	Highland Ave., Middletown Township.: Detention Basin

73.	Timber Lane & Bensalem Blvd.: Stormwater Detention Basin

74.	S. of Gillam, Langhorne Borough: Detention Basin

75.	Old Lincoln Highway, Bensalem Township, Northbrook Office Park.: Detention Basin

76.	Old Lincoln Highway near Reading Railroad, Bensalem Township.: Detention Basin

77.	Bensalem Township.: Detention Basin

78.	Pearl Buck & Bartrum Rd., Bensalem Township.: Detention Basin

79.	Bridgetown Pike, Lower Southampton Township., Sweetwater Farms: Detention Basin

80.	Haunted Lane, Bensalem Township.: Detention Basin

81.	Haunted Lane, Bensalem Township: Retention Basin Water's Edge Office Park




																		21







                     implies, freshwater marshes are dominated by water draining toward the estuary from
                     upland creeks and rivers. Freshwater marshes are usually found in bowl-like depressions
                     in the landscape and around lake fringes. They are extremely valuable wildlife habitats
                     and natural pollutant filters.

                     The freshwater marsh environment supports a high diversity of plant life. The freshwater
                     wetland is generally a mixed community of plants, such as:

                         ï¿½   spatterdock               0 pickerelweed                common reed

                         ï¿½ broadleaf arrowhead         0 common cattail


                     In addition, the upland borders of these wetlands support the growth of certain trees and
                     shrubs, such as:

                             a willows                     buttonbush                red maple

                     Riparian (stream bank) wetlands occur along rivers and streams, are occasionally flooded,
                     but can be seasonally dry. As these areas flood, nutrients flow in and cause diverse
                     vegetation and wildlife flourish. Upland wetlands are usually found in areas of poor
                     drainage and can be identified by the presence of occasional standing water, wet soils,
                     and plant and animal life adapted to wet conditions. Many small pockets of upland
                     wetlands are found in the study area, e.g., in residential areas where building was avoided
                     because of depressions in the landscape.

                     Field-Observed Wetlands in the Study Area


                     During the months of April through July 1994, staff visited most of the wetlands
                     identified on the U. S. G. S. National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps in the CZM study
                     area. By observing and recording the conditions of the wetlands, it was documented
                     where wetlands may be in distress or where pollutants like trash, sediment, and debris
                     were affecting them. (The field notes from staff observations are presented in Appendix
                     D.) Such a record of wetland locations and conditions gives local municipal officials a
                     database which may help establish zones or areas of concern within the municipality for
                     protecting all remaining wetlands.



                     Several of the wetlands delineated on the NWI maps could not be located. Others could
                     not be observed due to lack of access to the area. The physical condition of these
                     wetlands is uncertain. However, any protection policies or recommendations for wetland
                     protection found in Chapter 6 of this report should still be considered and applied to
                     unobserved wetlands per their locations on the NWI maps. These areas may be able to be



         22








                accessed in future studies so that protection policies or actions can be more firmly
                established.




                Wetlands and Endangered Species

                The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) is maintained within DER's
                Bureau of Forestry. PNDI keeps an ongoing database of rare, threatened, or endangered
                species and their habitats so that their survival status can be monitored. When contacted
                regarding the Nesharniny Creek study area, PNDI responded with a list of protected plant
                species. Each location designated as habitat for these species is shown on Figure 7,

                The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania catalogs endangered flora
                 pecies and periodically its staff does field observations to update species status.
                Appendix G has been compiled from study area specific data collected by the Morris
                s


                Arboretum. Each location designated as a species habitat is shown on Figure 7.

                The PNDI and Morris Arboretum data are significant for local officials and agencies.
                The species on both lists are protected under federal and state endangered species laws
                which means that their habitats are also protected. It is the responsibility of local
                governments, both county and municipal, to develop policies and enact ordinances and
                other management measures which will preserve and protect the environment of these
                species.

                Based upon field observations within the study area and information from the PNDI and
                Morris Arboretum natural resource inventories, it was determined that a significant
                number of endangered, threatened, and rare plants grow in the study area. Examples of
                endangered plant species in the study area are:

                    0 Walter's barnyard grass - Wright's spikerush             0 willow oak

                    0  purple sandgrass          0 long-lobed arrowhead        * Smith's bullrush

                In addition, several reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals are now endangered due to
                habitat loss and pollution. Examples include:

                       coastal plain leopard frog        bog turtle            osprey



                The Need for Protection of Wetland Species

                The Delaware Estuary and the freshwater and tidal wetlands found along the Neshaminy
                Creek are valuable natural resources in Bucks County. While these and certain upland
                wetlands occur in the study area, urbanization has taken its toll on valuable plant and


                                                                                                                      23








                      wildlife habitats. Preservation of the remaining wetland habitats is essential for the
                      continuation of these unique plant and animal species in the Neshaminy watershed. The
                      chapters which follow provide information on regulations, structural techniques, and
                      policy decisions which are all part of an overall strategy for wetland protection, not only
                      in the study area but for all of Bucks County's coastal zone municipalities.




                      SUMMARY

                      As Bucks County has developed, wetland areas have decreased. Laws, policies, and
                      management plans protecting wetlands are common, but wetlands are still being lost or
                      negatively affected by certain types of harmful human activities. For example, when
                      wetlands are drained, filled or polluted beyond their natural filtering capacity, the overall
                      environment is compromised. Thus, the natural benefits once afforded to humans and
                      wildlife are lost. The study produced an inventory the remaining wetlands in the study
                      area. The educational brochure developed as part of the study points out significant
                      wetlands in the study area and explains their importance as part of the natural
                      environment and their usefulness as natural pollutant mitigation mechanisms. The next
                      chapter focuses on the importance of wetland protection and discusses regulations and
                      policies at all levels of government necessary to foster such protection.




























         24




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  I                                                 I     CHAPTER FOUR
  I                                                    Wetlands Protection
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                  Chapter Four

                  WETLANDS PROTECTION

                  In recent years, wetlands have become the focus of protection and management efforts as
                  their value to humans and wildlife continues to be further recognized. In the last two
                  decades, state and local involvement in wetland protection has increased to foster water
                  quality improvement, flood management, and species protection.

                  The Importance of Wetlands

                  The ability of wetlands to naturally cleanse water is well documented. For example,
                  stormwater runoff contains various pollutants because as water runs over roads, parking
                  lots, lawns, farm fields, and other natural and man-made surfaces, it picks up a number of
                  materials including dirt, fertilizers, pesticides, oil, grease, and heavy metals. If not
                  properly managed, such pollutants can end up in surface water bodies and groundwater.
                  Wetlands act as pollution filtration systems and have the ability to intercept the flow of
                  sediments, nutrients, and other contaminants. Thus, wetlands can protect surface and
                  ground water sources from natural and human pollutants.

                  Wetlands also reduce flooding and related problems because they naturally store runoff
                  after heavy rainfalls. By slowing the flow of water to streams and rivers, wetlands reduce
                  the seriousness of flooding events. Therefore, in their natural state, wetlands are a critical
                  flood control element.

                  Wetland habitats are home to many types of 'plants and wildlife. When abundant water
                  and an adequate buffer are provided, waterfowl, mammals, and reptiles have an area to
                  nest and feed. Because a significant amount of wetland habitat has been lost due to
                  draining and filling of those areas, certain flora and fauna have become rare, threatened,
                  or endangered.

                  Wetlands Protection and Mitigation

                  Wetlands in the study area are. some of the most valuable in the Bucks County. They
                  include the increasingly rare 661 wetlands, home to many rare or 'endangered species of
                  plants. Some of these species remain only as a few plants. Because these wetlands
                  support an environmental diversity and richness of habitats it is critical to protect the
                  remaining sites.

                  The restriction and limitation of their use have been the two most common strategies for
                  protecting wetland areas. However, there has been a recent trend toward mitigation or



                                                                                                                              25








                      lessening the adverse environmental impact upon wetlands. Examples of mitigation
                      techniques include:

                          ï¿½ Avoiding activities in wet areas;

                          ï¿½ Minimizing damage to wetlands from human activities; and

                          ï¿½ Restoring, enhancing, or creating new wetlands to compensate for wetland losses.

                      Existing Governmental Policies

                      Federal, state, and local environmental agencies are involved in the management and
                      protection of wetland areas. Although regulation of land use is generally a local power,
                      several federal and state programs are designed to protect wetland resources. Depending
                      on the land development proposal and the type of wetland affected, five federal agencies
                      may be involved. These include: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S.
                      Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S.
                      Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service.

                      At the state level, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources and
                      Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be involved to some degree. Some of the
                      programs prohibit activity in certain types of wetlands, some require permits for other
                      activities, and others provide funds for federal or local acquisition of wetlands. Other
                      protection strategies include directing development through financial penalties or
                      financial incentives.

                      Federal Regulations and Policies

                      Section 404 of the Clean Water Act is the federal law that regulates the discharge of
                      pollutants into the nation's waters and limits the filling or dredging of wetlands. Other
                      applicable regulations include:

                             Rivers and Harbors Act                Emergency Wetlands Resources Act

                             Coastal Zone Management Act           Federal Emergency Management Act
                             Endangered Species Act                National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

                             Federal Farm Bill                     National Environmental Policy Act

                      Generally, the regulations require that those planning to develop in wetland areas, obtain
                      permits or other types of review and approval prior to construction.

                      Several policies that have been developed and are common to all agencies include:

                             The achievement of no net loss of wetland acreage;



          26








                          0 Increased quantity and quality of overall wetland acreage; and

                          0 Adherence to and improvement of wetlands regulatory and acquisition programs.

                      At the federal level, wetlands are managed by a combination of laws intended for other
                      purposes and the jurisdiction over wetlands is shared among several agencies. In
                      addition, the federal government has delegated much of its authority to state governments
                      and many of the traditional functions of state agencies (e.g.. fish and wildlife protection)
                      are related to wetland protection. Because watersheds and wetlands cross local
                      government boundaries, and because land use and development is controlled at the local
                      level, municipal governments are becoming more involved in wetland protection
                      activities.

                      State Regulations and Policies

                      Pennsylvania has several regulations and planning/acquisition programs that are related to
                      wetland protection including:

                          0 Dam Safety and Encroachment Act (Chapter 105);

                          0 Clean Streams Act; and

                          * Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537).

                      Other programs include floodplain management, stormwater management, erosion and
                      sedimentation control, the coastal zone management program, and the state's
                      responsibility to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
                      (NPDES) program.

                      The Pennsylvania Dam Safety and Encroachments Act is considered the primary program
                      for regulating the use of wetlands. Any activity disturbing a wetland requires a Chapter
                      105 permit. The permit applications are reviewed by DER using several criteria.
                      Recommendations and comments are then solicited from the primary federal agencies,
                      the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the DER's Coastal Zone Management Program.
                      The program also grants special protection to wetlands classified as "exceptional value."
                      DER will not issue a permit for a dam, water obstruction or encroachment in "exceptional
                      value" wetlands or within 300 feet of them.

                      Under Section 401 of the Ct6an Water Act, state water quality certification is required for
                      federal licenses or permits which may result in a discharge into navigable waters. As a
                      result, DER can grant or deny certification to any federally permitted or licensed activity
                      which does not comply with state water quality provisions.

                      The Sewage Facilities Act is administered by DER. It requires municipalities to plan for
                      adequate sewage management and to acquire permits for new on-site sewage disposal



                                                                                                                           27








                      facilities. Local governments can apply this law to wetland protection by identifying
                      drainage and sewage problems which result from building on wetlands.

                      As discussed in Chapter One, the PaCZM Program             promotes natural resources
                      management on the shores of Lake Erie and in the Delaware River Estuary. The Division
                      of Coastal Zone Programs monitors coastal wetlands, conducts wetland site
                      investigations, provides wetland identification maps, and operates a matching grants
                      program. The program funds wetland identification and management plans and is the
                      funding source for this study.

                      While federal agencies are implementing a policy of "no net loss" of wetlands,
                      Pennsylvania has made the following policy commitments through the DER's Wetlands
                      Protection Action Plan:

                          ï¿½ Protect wetlands through existing permitting programs;

                          ï¿½  Coordinate federal, state and local efforts;

                          ï¿½  Train DER staff, local governments, the regulated community, and the general
                             public about wetlands protection;

                          ï¿½  Reduce delays caused by lengthy permit processing time;

                          ï¿½  Develop educational materials.

                      Many   wetland researchers have noted an increased state interest and increased
                      responsibility in wetland protection. This trend is expected to continue.

                      Local Planning, Policies, and Regulations

                      Local governments, both county and municipal, can implement wetland policies,
                      regulations, and protection techniques to augment federal and state regulations. For
                      example, long-range planning can serve as an anticipatory management technique used to
                      direct future growth patterns. Such planning can have a direct effect on natural resources
                      including wetlands. Planning tools include local comprehensive plans and natural
                      resource plans. Regulatory tools, including zoning ordinances and subdivision/land
                      development ordinances, can protect wetlands by modifying and shifting land use
                      activities to less sensitive land areas. A number of public and private organizations
                      purchase wetlands, which -iian example of a nonregulatory protection approach.

                      County Level

                      The 1986 Natural Resources Plan provides more in-depth guidance to municipalities by
                      describing applicable wetland regulations, identifying wetlands larger than ten acres and
                      advising 100 percent preservation of tidal marshes, mud fiats, upland swamps, and



         28








                riverine and nonglacial bogs. The plan also suggests a vegetative buffer and recommends
                that those protective standards be adopted by municipalities into their regulations.

                The recently adopted Bucks County Comprehensive Plan (1993) provides planning and
                policy guidance for the development and implementation of municipal policies and
                regulations. The county comprehensive plan describes the value of wetlands and advises
                that municipalities preserve and manage them as well as the vegetative buffer area around
                them.


                The Bucks County Conservation District is the county agency involved in regulating
                certain types of wetland uses through the Dam Safety and Encroachment Act. Consistent
                with the trend of the regulation of wetlands increasingly becoming a local responsibility,
                the Conservation District is now handling a portion of the Chapter 105 program as well
                as Streambank Rehabilitation and Protection. Permits for several land use activities,
                including agricultural crossings, minor road crossings, and private recreational docks are
                administered by the agency as are stormwater permits under the NPDES program.

                Municipal Level

                Currently, 75 percent of the municipalities of Bucks County use the county policy of
                complete protection of wetlands and 20 percent all communities had adopted the county's
                vegetated buffer policy. In the study area, most of the municipalities have adopted the
                county-suggested wetlands protection policy. However, none of the study area
                municipalities protect wetland buffers.

                The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code enables local governments to create
                zones for wetlands preservation, although many municipalities choose to set performance
                zoning standards rather than specifying permissible uses. The most common approach is
                to set a percentage of an area that must be left undisturbed as in a cluster development.
                Performance zoning and site capacity calculations can be a highly effective tools because
                they allow a portion of a tract be developed while limiting the impact on the existing
                wetlands. Other municipal regulatory techniques that can be used to protect wetlands
                include the limitation of development in floodplain areas and erosion and sedimentation
                control plans.

                Wetland Acquisition

                The outright purchase of a    wetland is one way to completely protect an area from
                encroachment. There are different acquisition options. One approach is to purchase all
                of the property rights, known as "fee simple acquisition". A less expensive approach
                allows for the purchase of certain rights that restrict future uses of the land through
                conservation easements. Finally, a property owner may wish to donate an entire parcel,
                or perhaps an easement on the portion of the parcel containing the wetland.



                                                                                                                        29








                     Usually, wetland acquisition is the result of a combined effort between private and public
                     concerns. The Nature Conservancy, an international environmental group, has purchased
                     land in Bucks County and then donated it to municipalities for management. The
                     Heritage Conservancy is another local conservation group that has acquired several
                     wetland areas in Bucks County. Their holdings are donated from individual property
                     owners and preserved in their natural state through fee simple donation or by
                     conservation easement.

                     Local government officials and private groups are in the best position to protect wetlands,
                     since the power to control land use is vested at the local level. Therefore, local planning
                     for wetland protection is critical and local actions should continue to guide growth and
                     development away from delineated wetland areas.

                     Wetiand Creation

                     One of the purposes of this study was to investigate the feasibility of creating replacement
                     wetlands in the study area in exchange for allowing the disruption of existing wetlands.
                     During the study an extensive review of the literature showed that there has been an
                     ample amount of research which has generated a plethora of information on the subject.
                     Staff has identified several excellent sources on wetland creation which will serve as a
                     springboard for further study. Those sources are listed in the bibliography of this report.

                     During the research phase of the study, staff found that the EPA's Wetlands Research
                     Program (VvrRP) has developed an approach for decision making on wetland restoration
                     and creation projects. The approach is based on the development of performance criteria
                     using data obtained from various natural and constructed wetland areas. The WRP
                     approach was developed for freshwater wetland systems; thus, the monitoring techniques
                     and examples given will readily transfer to freshwater nontidal wetlands, such as those
                     found in the upland portions of the study area of this report. However, EPA feels that the
                     approach is not limited to freshwater wetlands. Therefore, applicability to tidal wetlands
                     in the study area appears feasible. The WRP approach includes the following types of
                     recommendations for undertaking a wetlands creation project:

                            ï¿½ Gather information about the site;

                            ï¿½ Identify wetlands at risk of being lost to development or pollution;

                            ï¿½   Use the characteristics of natural wetlands as a guide to developing created
                                wetlands; and

                                                                ine design guidelines.
                            ï¿½ Set performance criteria and def

                     The WRP approach also provides a very good basis for answering management questions
                     related to the project, such as: what functional level is achievable for natural wetlands and
                     wetland projects in a particular land use setting; do the projects achieve the level of

         30








                 function of natural wetlands in similar settings; and how long does it take for projects to
                 achieve the desired level of ftinction?

                 The approach relies on the philosophy that there will be a better chance for long-term
                 success when designing a created wetland if factors such as surrounding land use,
                 comparable natural wetlands, and similar projects are considered. Such a cornmon sense
                 approach should be applied to any wetland creation project undertaken in the study area.

                 Staff concluded from its research and field observations that many of the natural wetland
                 sites shown on Figure 7 and listed in Appendix D have potential as demonstration sites
                 for a wetlands exchange project. And, although many stream corridor sites appear to be
                 feasible for wetland creation, the specifics of exactly where and to what extent were
                 beyond the scope of the study. Assistance by professional engineers, hydrologists, and
                 wetland designers will be necessary to further define the details of a wetland creation
                 project.

                 Furthermore, the actual creation of new wetlands remains a potential tool for water
                 quality enhancement and wetlands preservation within the study area, as well as county-
                 wide. Creating wetlands on a certain site in exchange for a loss of wetlands on another
                 site should be further explored and applied within the context of coastal zone
                 management.


                 Study Area Corridor of Special Protection

                 As described in Chapter Two, the study area of this report covers the lower reaches of the
                 Neshaminy Creek watershed. For purposes of the study and to create awareness and
                 engender protection of the remaining wetlands, an overlay corridor was established
                 within the study area. As Figure 7 in Chapter Three shows, the corridor is centered on the
                 Nesharniny Creek and extends a half mile on each side of its banks. Municipalities are
                 encouraged to adopt policies to stringently protect wetlands within the corridor.

                 Special protection policies and activities (e.g., amending zoning ordinances) within the
                 study area corridor are critical because land use within the corridor includes some of the
                 heaviest residential, commercial, and industrial uses in the county. The impacts on
                 wetlands from these uses can be severe. Wetland vegetation can succumb to sediments,
                 oils, greases, nutrients, and debris. Water contamination in wetlands can threaten
                 groundwater sources. Critical habitat for wildlife, plants, amphibians and reptiles can be
                 destroyed by accidental chemical spills, motor oil dumping by vehicle owners, or
                 inappropriate applications of pesticides or herbicides on residential lawns. By
                 establishing the study corridor along the main stem of the creek, where most of the
                 critical wetlands occur, the study considered additional regulation or protection measures
                 which can be applied to protect sensitive areas as discussed in the next section.



                                                                                                                         31








                     Recommended Protection Policies and Actions

                     Preservation and management of wetlands in the study area will lead to an improvement
                     in their quality and reduce the loss wetland areas. Therefore, municipalities in the study
                     area are encouraged to adopt the following policies for wetland protection and
                     management in the study area:

                         ï¿½  Develop local policies that are consistent with federal and commonwealth wetland
                            policies;

                         ï¿½  Strengthen or develop municipal zoning and land development ordinances that
                            are consistent with federal and state wetland protection laws;

                         ï¿½  Minimize the loss of wetlands by encouraging alternatives to development
                            projects that alter or degrade wetlands;

                         ï¿½  Ensure proper implementation of wetland policies and regulations through
                            adequate enforcement measures;

                         ï¿½  Increase wetland acquisition in significant areas for their preservation and
                            management;

                         ï¿½  Support wetland creation and restoration projects;

                         ï¿½  Increase public education concerning wetland values and the status of wetlands;

                         ï¿½  Support policies, plans and projects aimed at the conservation of the Delaware
                            Estuary and the Coastal Zone.

                     Once the above policies have been adopted municipalities are encouraged to develop an
                     action plan to address protection of the corridor. Actions which municipalities should
                     consider include:

                         ï¿½  Implement a new zoning overlay district where the corridor of special concern is
                            shown on the study area map (Figure 7). This district should require specific
                            drainage and stormwater management controls which would eliminate, or reduce
                            and control, source generation of nonpoint pollutant;

                         ï¿½  More stringent regulation of existing drainage or stormwater management
                            facilities;

                         ï¿½  Require upgrades    to existing stormwater management facilities using Best
                            Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce nonpoint source pollution from these
                            facilities;

                         ï¿½  Require environmentally sensitive site development;

                         ï¿½  Rezoning or down-zoning vacant or empty lots.





         32









                SUMMARY


                Many wetlands have already been lost in the lower reaches of the Neshaminy Creek
                watershed. Public agencies, citizens, and the private sector must work cooperatively to
                protect and conserve wetlands, reduce pollution, and improve water quality. Government,
                private landowners, and developers can protect wetlands and promote proper stormwater
                management.

                Development regulations and the purchase of development rights are the two most
                common wetland protection tools. Conservation groups, government agencies, and
                private individuals often acquire wetlands in order to protect them from development and
                 o keep them in their natural state. Many municipalities in Bucks County recognize the
                importance of wetland protection and have adopted policies, ordinances, and regulations
                t


                designed to restrict development in and around them. Chapter Six recommends more
                specific actions that municipalities can take to reduce nonpoint source pollution and
                protect wetlands. Such specific actions, when coupled with general policies listed in this
                chapter, can be used to establish an action plan for implementing wetland and stream
                protection programs in the study area.

                Local regulations are supported by federal and state laws. Depending upon the land
                development proposal and the type of wetland affected, several agencies such as the U.S.
                Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pennsylvania
                Department of Environmental Resources, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
                Commission may be involved in the enforcement of regulations and the granting of
                permits prior to construction.






















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 I                                                             CHAPTER FIVE
                              NPS Generation, Characterization, and Management
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                  Chapter Five

                  NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION GENERATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND
                  MANAGEMENT


                  For many years, the battle against widespread degradation of surface water focused
                  mainly on point source discharges from wastewater treatment plants and industrial
                  facilities and regulation of those types of facilities became increasingly stringent. Now,
                  for example, all municipal wastewater treatment plants must treat effluent to the
                  secondary or advanced secondary stage, which primarily addresses oxygen demanding
                  pollutants and pathogens. In spite of the trend in regulation, pollutant levels in many
                  surface waters, especially in urbanized areas, remain problematic, sometimes containing
                  levels of pollutants that can be toxic to fish and wildlife. More and more evidence shows
                  that chemicals and toxins found in the urban environment (e.g., oil, grease, lead, zinc,
                  pesticides, herbicides) are ending up as pollutants in surface water. There are many
                 -possible sources of nonpoint pollutants such. as gas stations, industrial parks, shopping
                  mall parking lots, highways, and railroads. There are many different pathways that
                  nonpoint pollutants can take into surface waters and the study area was found to have a
                  variety of potential pollutant sources.

                  This chapter presents a discussion of nonpoint source pollutant generation in the study
                  area and suggests management techniques that can be employed to reduce such
                  pollutants.   By highlighting the most typical potential pollution sources and
                  recommending potential management practices, this chapter will help the reader
                  distinguish likely cause and effect factors for nonpoint source pollutants in the study area.
                  It also serves to recommend those steps required by the PaDER Coastal Zone
                  Management office to prevent or control the generation of such pollutants.

                  Nonpoint Source Pollutants

                  A critical factor in protection of coastal areas is the reduction of nonpoint source (NPS)
                  pollutants. Nonpoint source pollutants are characterized as those pollutants that do not
                  have an easily identifiable source of generation that enter surface water and groundwater
                  systems.                                                             I-,                -

                  Nonpoint source pollutants may have no specific or consistent point of entry into the
                  water which makes remediation or correction measures very difficult to enforce and
                  tracing NPS pollutants back to a specific point of generation is often impossible.
                  However, certain types of pollutants in water are associated with specific types of human
                  activities, such 9s land development or farming practices. By narrowing down the
                  potential sources for specific kinds of pollutants, a management plan can be developed.


                                                                                                                            35








                      The study area within the coastal zone coincides with some of the heaviest urbanization
                      found in the county. Concentrations of specific pollutants (e.g., lead, mercury) may be
                      associated with urban land practices. Pollutants commonly associated with urbanization
                      include sediment, nutrients, road salts, heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, pathogenic
                      bacteria, pesticides, oils and greases, lead, viruses and trash/debris. Although actual
                      quantification of such pollutants was beyond the scope of the study, it is likely that all of
                      those substances can be found in' the study area in varying amounts due to the wide range
                      of land uses.


                      The following is a general overview and description    of the detrimental impacts of urban
                      pollutants as delineated by EPA. Such impacts result from common activities in
                      populated areas, thus they are all applicable as pollutants of concern in the study area
                      municipalities.

                      Sediments:

                      Sediments are generally soil particles dislodged from the main soil body during
                      construction or other earth moving/disturbance activities. Among the detrimental affects
                      of sediments are: increased turbidity, reduced light available for photosynthesis, reduced
                      oxygen levels causing impaired respiration of aquatic invertebrates and fish. Heavy
                      sediments may smother benthic communities and reduce the amount of oxygen available
                      for respiration. Sediments are also responsible for movement of other pollutants into
                      waterways. For example, nutrients such as phosphorous chemically bond with sediments,
                      and oils and greases adhere to the particles. In that way, the sediments carry these other
                      toxic substances into the water.

                      Oxygen- Demanding Substances:

                      Dissolved oxygen in water is critical to the healthy function of the aquatic environment in
                      that it is used by aquatic life to sustain basic biological functions. Decomposing organic
                      materials (e.g., dead vegetation, sewage effluent) exert a demand for oxygen and can
                      depress oxygen levels in the water, which leaves less oxygen for fish to and plants to use.

                      Nutrients:


                      Nitrogen and phosphorus ar   e nutrients. High nutrient levels in surface waters are often
                      the result of farming activities such as fertilization and can be,a result of landscaping
                      activities in residential or commercial areas. Nutrients are often responsible for algal
                      blooms, which exert a demand for dissolved oxygen, which, in turn, can further stress the
                      ecosystem.

                      Pathogens, Bacteria, Viruses:

                      Pathogens are disease producing organisms that include certain bacteria and viruses.
                      Pathogens associated with human and animal wastes can be extremely dangerous.

          36








                Pathogens in surface water systems are often the result of malfunctioning septic systems
                and stormwater runoff (e.g., pathogens associated with animal wastes) and can be found
                in elevated levels.


                Road Salts:


                Road salts are a serious problem in areas where winter weather events cause periods of
                snow and ice. Runoff from melting snow carries road salt compounds into surface waters
                where they can be toxic to benthic aquatic communities. Groundwater aquifers are also at
                risk of contamination from salt compounds. According to EPA studies, road salts have
                been linked to well, lake, and stream contamination in New England.

                Hydrocarbons:

                Oils and greases are petroleum hydrocarbons. Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution is
                generated from various oil products, including gasoline, which are in abundance in
                heavily developed areas. Gasoline and oil leaks from cars and trucks as well as waste oil
                dumping by residents provide ample opportunity for hydrocarbon contamination into
                surface water and groundwater. When released into the environment, hydrocarbons often
                adhere to sediments, where they can become enmeshed in the bottom layer of
                waterbodies and can cause damage to benthic communities.

                Heavy Metals:

                Heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead and mercury, are often present in stormwater
                runoff. Heavy metals may cause threats to aquatic life and may be especially dangerous
                to fish and shellfish. Heavy metals may accumulate in the flesh of these organisms,
                which in turn, as part of the food web, may be toxic to higher forms of wildlife and
                humans.


                Herbicides and Pesticides:

                Herbicides and pesticides can  cause problems in surface waterways because in water they
                breakdown into toxic chemical components. These two pollutants are generally
                associated with everyday lawn care and maintenance. Some of the larger subdivisions
                and apartment complexes have extensive expanses of manicured lawn and recreational
                open space. Proper applicatio  'n and avoidance of over application and accidental spills of
                herbicides and pesticides would reduce the risk these chemical pose to the environment.
                An overall reduction of these types of areas and a return to natural shrub or vegetative
                states would reduce the need for chemical application of those potential pollutants.

                Source Generation of No     npoint Pollutants

                Proximity of certain types of land uses to waterways increases the odds that the waterway
                will be affected by the nonpoint source pollutants described above. The traditional


                                                                                                                        37








                         proximity of dense urban development to rivers and streams makes such locations
                         particularly vulnerable to nonpoint source pollutants. The study area contains land uses
                         associated with the occurrence of nonpoint source pollutants. Table 8 below identifies
                         potential sources of several nonpoint source pollutants.








                                                                               Table 8


                                                           Sources of Urban Runoff Pollutants




                          Source                                                       Pollutants of Concern

                          Erosion                       Sediment and attached soil nutrients, organic matter. and other adsorbed
                                                        pollutants

                          Atmospheric deposition        Hydrocarbons emitted from automobiles, dust, aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and
                                                        other chemicals released from industrial and commercial activities

                          Construction materials        Metals from flashing and shingles, gutters and downspouts, galvanized pipes and
                                                        metal plating, paint, and wood
                          Manufactured products         Heavy metals, halogenated aliphatics, phthalate esters, PAHs, other volatiles, and
                                                        pesticides and phenols from automobile use, pesticide use, industrial use, and
                                                        other uses

                          Plants and animals            Plant debris and animal excrement

                          Non-storm water               Inadvertent or deliberate discharges of sanitary sewage and industrial wastewater
                          connections                   to storm drainage systems
                          Onsite disposal systems       Nutrients and pathogens from failing or improperly sited systems




                         Source: Guidance Specifying Management Measures For Source of Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters,
                         EPA Office of Water, 1993.

                         According to EPA, the most widely recognized contributing sources for nonpoint
                         pollutants that threaten coastal areas are:

                              ï¿½    Agricultural runoff,

                              ï¿½    Urban runoff (both existing and future development);

                              ï¿½    Silvicultural (Forestry) runoff;

                              ï¿½    Marinas and recreational boating; and,




          38









                      Channelization/channel modification, dams, stream bank and shoreline
                      erosion.


               For the Neshaminy Creek study area, the most pertinent of the five major categories are
               urban runoff, marinas and recreational boating, and, to some extent, stream bank and
               shoreline erosion. Currently, there is little agricultural activity and no known forestry
               practices in the study area.

               During the 1980s, the EPA conducted the National Urban Runoff Program (NURP)
               study, which concluded that urban runoff was contaminated primarily by its contact with
               urban land uses. There is somewhat of a new trend in current theory which points to a
               lack of evidence that pollutants in urban runoff are solely dependent on land uses within a
               certain area. There are, however, what are referred to as "hotspots" within the urban
               landscape.

               Hotspots are directly attributable to substantial contributions of pollutants such as
               hydrocarbons and trace metals. Hotspots appear to be primarily associated with vehicles,
               such as their maintenance, repair and traffic circulation. In other words, hotspots are
               more likely to be found in proximity to businesses that service and repair vehicles (e.g.,
               gas stations, auto body shops), commercial ventures that rely on public parking (e.g.,
               malls, supermarkets, convenience stores), and even public transportation areas (e.g.,
               commuter parking lots, airport parking). All of these areas provide continual opportunity
               for vehicles to deposit petroleum or oil related pollutants in a wide variety of locations.
               These types of potential contaminant situations are in abundance in the study area due to
               the urbanized nature of the development.

               In addition to those hotspots, land use in general plays a critical role in contributing
               nonpoint source pollution to surface waters. Land uses in the study area include, for the
               most part, residential, commercial, industrial, recreational and government facilities
               (some vacant land does exist, but is relatively small and noncontiguous). Pollutants
               associated with these types of land uses in a highly urbanized setting are primarily
               generated through runoff from construction sites, existing development, on-site sewage
               facilities, and roadways. Primary problems in the lower Bucks region may well include
               pollutants associated with all of the above, except for on-site sewage facilities since much
               of the lower Bucks region is sewered, thereby reducing the risk from on-site facilities.

               Potential Nonpoint Sources in the Nesharniny Creek Study Area

               Opportunities for the generation of nonpoint source pollutants can be found throughout
               the study area. Potential hotspots abound, such as large commercial strips along Route
               13, many densely developed industrial parks, several major transportation routes, and
               recreational marinas along the banks of the Neshaminy Creek.

               The municipalities of Bristol and Bensalem townships are located on opposing banks of
               the Nesharniny Creek where it empties into the Delaware River. As Figure 8 shows, the

                                                                                                                        39









                    lower reaches of the Neshaminy Creek are fairly densely developed. A core of dense
                    residential development lines the banks of the Neshaminy Creek in many parts of the
                    study area. Further upstream, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Hulmeville, and Penridel
                    boroughs are also densely populated. Some properties in the boroughs are located in
                    close proximity to the creek banks, older sites appear to be directly in the 100-year
                    floodplain, and because they are heavily populated, very little land remains in open or
                    vacant conditions. Residential developments further upstream in the Middletown, Lower
                    Southampton, Bristol, and Bensalem townships are newer and are not as dense. The
                    newer developments contain large areas of grass or common open space which is
                    maintained as lawn.


                                                             Figure 8

                                Development Along the Lower Reaches of Neshaminy Creek





                          :.4" 7








                                           irk










                    The study area contains significant industrial and storefront commercial uses. Corridors
                    found along or accessible to some of the major transportation routes (e.g., Route 13,
                    Route 413, Interstate 95, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Route 132) are predominantly
                    areas of commercial strips and industrial parks. Nonpoint source hotspots result from
                    those activities associated with vehicular circulation (e.g., oil leaks); therefore, target
                    areas for mitigation exist within those corridors. For example, industrial parks in this
                    area of the county house some of the larger freight trucking lines, in many locations
                    abutting the Neshaminy Creek and some of the most valuable wetlands remaining in the
                    county. Thus, there is a great potential for contamination from petroleum hydrocarbon,
                    chemical, and roadway pollutants.




        40







                Another source of runoff pollution in the study area are dredge spoil mounds, some
                abutting the Neshaminy Creek. Stormwater runoff from at least one of these dredge spoil
                mounds in Bristol Township is collected and released through an outlet, which moves the
                runoff directly into the Neshaminy Creek. Stream banks observed at the site appeared
                distressed, covered with a thick grayish muck layer which had trapped debris such as
                sunken marine craft, paper and other litter, and rusting machinery. An oil sheen was also
                observed at the site on the day of visitation. Little or no vegetation was observed growing
                on the immediate banks of the creek where the muck has settled.


                Expanding development with its associated impervious surfaces creates opportunities for
                pollutants to collect and travel rapidly into the stream. Land that once was penetrable by
                stormwater runoff water is covered with impenetrable materials, such as houses, concrete
                sidewalks, asphalt driveways, and streets. These hard surfaces collect sediments, grit and
                petroleum pollutants. The pollutants are then washed off during a rainfall into surface
                waters or stormwater management facilities (detention basins). Impervious surfaces also
                tend to be smooth, further creating little resistance to flowing runoff.

                Increased amounts of water moving across the land creates additional opportunities for
                the movement of pollutants. Table 9 highlights how an increase in the amount of
                impervious surface on a site subsequently increases the amount of water running off of
                the site.


                                                             Table 9

                             Example Effects of Increased Urbanization on Runoff Volume


                Development Scenario                                               Predicted Runoff

                100 percent open space                                             2.81 inches (baseline)
                70 percent of the total area divided into %-acre lots; each        3.28 inches (24 percent increase)
                lot is 25 percent impervious; 30 percent of the total area is
                open space
                70 percent of the total area is divided into 1/2-acre lots-,       3.48 inches (24 percent increase)
                each lot is 35 percent impervious; 30 percent of the total
                area is open space

                30 percent of the total area is divided into li-acre lots -        3.19 inches (14 percent increase)
                each lot is 25 percent impervious and contiguous', 40
                percent is divided into ii,acre lots , each lot is 10 percent
                impervious and discontinuous; 30 percent of the total area
                is open space



                Source: Guidance Specifying Management Measures For Source of Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters,
                        EPA Office of Water, 1993.





                                                                                                                                  41








                  Pollutant-laden stormwater runoff further disrupts the hydrology of the receiving stream.
                  There is a reduction in the amount of water percolating into the groundwater table. There
                  are larger volumes of water moving at a faster rate into the stream, which causes damage
                  to the integrity of the stream banks and vegetation. Figure 9 presents examples of
                  changes in stream hydrology due to urbanization. The speed at which stormwater runoff
                  travels may be a major contributing factor in the generation of pollutants such as
                  sediments.






                                                          Figure 9

                               Changes in Stream Hydrology as a Result of Urbanization





                                       Lot:                   A Move                   oft  66" No
                                                             or
                                       Wo               Aspeo Ptall 046ch"            posido -Now I





                                                          More A Voksm

                                                                   &W Less
                                                               A404 pma


                                   mtw                              Grodum
                                                                     Romeo""






                                                          TWA








                  Source: Guidance Specifying Management Measures For Source of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters,
                         EPA Office of Water, 1993.                                                                       80q1
                  New development generates a need for new services to the community (e.g., additional
                  gasoline stations, commercial shops, and various community services such as hospitals,
                  libraries, emergency response operations). Unfortunately, new development and


      42
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                community services also increase the potential for generation and transportation of
                contaminants into the water system. Although it is assumed that new development and
                associated activities are conducted under the most current regulations and permit
                requirements, more activities generally will translate to more potential pollution
                "hotspot" areas. Therefore, a need exists at all levels of governement to ensure that
                regulations are followed which will minimize the pollution hazard to the greatest extent
                possible.

                The outlet of the Neshaminy Creek is substantially affected by boating and marina
                operations. For example, Neshaminy State Park, located at the confluence of the
                Neshaminy Creek and the Delaware River, includes a public marina that currently has no
                sewage disposal facilities. Other commercial and private marinas lie directly upstream
                from Neshaminy State Park. Their locations are important because marinas have the
                potential for the discharge of pollutants directly into the Neshaminy Creek. Marina sites
                typically support various activities such as repair/maintenance operations for marine craft,
                dredging operations, fuel tanks and pumps located on the dock, and public service
                facilities such as rest rooms and restaurants. While not intentional on the part of marina
                owners, employees, and customers, simple day-to-day accidents or oversights may allow
                pollutants to enter the waterway. For example, the impacts from dredging (i.e., erosion
                and sedimentation) and oil or gasoline spills may be dangerous to the habitat of
                endangered species found in adjacent wetlands.


                Stormwater Management Techniques and Water Quality

                The use of stormwater management basins for the detention and release of runoff has
                gained popularity over the past two decades. New stormwater management facilities
                designed to address water quality, or the upgrade (retrofit) of existing stormwater
                detention facilities, will primarily occur in the upstream sections of the watershed (i.e.,
                Lower Southampton, Middletown, and/or upper Bensalem). New stormwater
                management technology in those portions of the watershed will provide a general benefit
                of pollutant reduction.

                Due to the heavily developed nature of the study area, upgrades to existing storm sewer
                facilities or the implementation of stormwater management basins to provide extended
                detention of stormwater runoff would improve water quality. However, upgrades to
                existing facilities may not become the rule since such and undertaking may be cost-
                prohibitive and administratively unfeasible. Thus, opportunities to upgrade may be
                limited in the older, existing development in the study area, especially the boroughs of
                Langhorne Manor, Langhorne, Hulmeville, and Penndel, which have very few
                stormwater management basins.

                In areas of older dense development, relatively inexpensive methods of protecting the
                drainage system could be retrofitted, including grassed buffer strips on highly impervious


                                                                                                                         43








                     sites or water quality inlets on storm drains to pretreat runoff before it enters the main
                     part of the drainage system. Such methods should be required for new development and
                     encouraged for existing development within the corridor of special protection as
                     delineated on the study area map, Figure 7. Those methods would protect those tidal
                     wetlands along the banks of the Neshaminy Creek from direct contact with nonpoint
                     source pollutants and, in general, reduce pollutant loadings entering the stream.
                     Appendix E presents a more detailed discussion regarding stormwater runoff, nonpoint
                     source pollutants, and pollutant transport and contains excerpts from the EPA technical
                     guidance document, Guidance Specifying Management Measures For Sources of
                     Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters (commonly referred to as "Section 6217
                     Guidance") concerning the advantages, disadvantages, effectiveness, and costs of various
                     stormwater management practices.

                     Best Management Practices

                     A Best Management Practice (BMP) is usually a structural facility designed to control
                     stormwater runoff and thereby reduce the negative effects of runoff. BMPs are typically
                     designed to reduce negative impacts such as sediment loading or hydrocarbon
                     contamination by using innovative technology. For example, sand filter inlets in parking
                     lots or grassed buffer strips surrounding industrial sites are BMPs; that could be employed
                     in the study area for stormwater control and water quality benefits. Table E-3 in
                     Appendix E outlines various considerations when planning to use structural BMPs.

                     Field observations by staff indicated that the primary method of stormwater runoff
                     control in the study area consisted of stormwater detention basins. Several stormwater
                     retention basins were also noted. In the more densely populated sections of the study area
                     (e.g., the four boroughs and the southern portions of Bristol and Bensalem townships)
                     very few above ground facilities existed. Storm drains that direct runoff into the stream
                     appeared to be the primary method of control.

                     BMPs for the control of stormwater runoff and water quality are relatively new to Bucks
                     County, although certain management techniques such as wet ponds and seepage areas
                     (for infiltration) have been used in the past. Many of these facilities have a negative
                     association for both the engineering community and local residents, due in part to
                     improper design and/or poor on-site management. Technological advances over the last
                     15 years have made strides towards facility design that is more cost effective and less
                     maintenance intensive.

                     BMPs can be beneficial in the study area if used to remediate areas which have little or no
                     runoff controls. As land is developed or redeveloped, BMPs can be instituted to reduce
                     nonpoint source pollutants. While this will not entirely eliminate pollutants from runoff,
                     it will provide a greater degree of treatment. Stormwater management facilities in the
                     upper portion of the study area, where land remains in vacant or open conditions, are
                     necessary for pollutant reduction and can be more easily implemented. Practices in the


        44








                     lower portions of the study area, where little or no vacant land remains, must rely on the
                     retrofitting of systems to address nonpoint source pollutants. Areas with storm collection
                     drains may consider the use of water quality inlets or oil/grit separators to provide a
                     measure of pretreatment.

                     In order to promote the use of BMPs, a concerted effort on the part of federal, state and
                     local governments must occur. Municipal officials must require the use of BMPs or other
                     runoff reduction and control methods. This can be accomplished through municipal
                     comprehensive plans, subdivision and land development ordinances, and zoning
                     ordinances. Nonstructural techniques which assist in removal or reduction of nonpoint
                     source pollutants can support the use of physical facilities. These techniques include
                     minimum maintenance/minimum disturbance site development and an increase of natural
                     site vegetation rather than lawn areas. Federal and state authorities must enable the local
                     municipalities to fund and promote these types of endeavors. Grants or other sources of
                     capital should be established to allow local authorities to prepare and maintain programs
                     which support a reduction in the generation of nonpoint source pollutants. Educational
                     materials, such as design criteria, developed through governmental studies should be
                     available to all design and construction businesses.

                     The following types of Best Management Practices are applicable to both stormwater
                     management and water quality enhancement. Details on each of these technologies is
                     presented in Appendices E and H.

                             Infiltration Basins
                             Infiltration Trenches
                             Dry Wells
                             Vegetated Swales
                             Porous Paving
                             Retention, Artificial Wetlands, Detention and Nonstructural BMPs;
                             Retention (Wet) Ponds
                             Artificial Wetlands
                             Dual Purpose Detention
                         0   Minimum Disturbance/Minimurn Maintenance


                     Potential Demonstration Site for Water Quality OMP Upgrade

                     One purpose of the study involved identification of a stormwater detention basin in the
                     study area for a future demonstration project. The intention of selecting a demonstration
                     basin would be to evaluate it for potential water quality problems (i.e., judge if pollutants
                     such as greases or oils might enter it due to its physical proximity to a parking lot). A
                     basin (or basins) which seemed to have the greatest potential water quality problems
                     could then be used in a follow-up feasibility study which would recommend design
                     modifications and/or structural improvements to the basin. The goal of modifications to
                     the basin would be improvement of the water quality of the effluent from the basin before
                     it discharges into the watercourse.


                                                                                                                            45








                     For this aspect of the study, the physical condition of thirteen detention basins in the
                     study area was observed. Several basins showed signs of malftinctioning, such as eroded
                     side banks, sediment build up, standing water, and clogged or broken outlet structures. A
                     description of each basin visited is provided in Appendix D of Volume H - Technical
                     Supplement. The number of each site in Appendix D (numbered 68 through 81)
                     corresponds with a number found on Figure 7 of this report.

                     In performing the field observations, it became apparent that the selection of one basin
                     over another for water quality considerations would require more assessment than was
                     anticipated for the current study. Questions such as the type and frequency of pollutants
                     entering the basin, or the annual maintenance practices performed on the basin are critical
                     to assessing the water quality potential of one basin over another. Basins which may look
                     fairly healthy may have as many problems with water quality as a basin that does not
                     appear to be healthy. This may be due to the type and nature of individual pollutants each
                     basin may receive. Invisible pollutants such as dissolved nutrients or heavy metals such
                     as lead may cause as much environmental damage as those we can see.

                     Determining the scope and nature of the necessary design and construction to achieve an
                     upgrade will require the services of an engineering firm with expertise in that type of
                     work. A comprehensive scope of design possibilities, cost factors, water quality goals or
                     expectations, and other planning details must be generated prior to embarking on a
                     demonstration upgrade. Thus, the technical aspects of a feasibility study need to be
                     addressed by an engineering consultant.

                     Based on the field observation data collected during the study, two basins appeared to
                     have potential for a water quality upgrade. This assumption is based on the location and
                     existing condition of the basins when observed by staff. The basin recommended as the
                     first choice is Basin #80 listed in Appendix- D and is located on the western shoulder of
                     Haunted Lane in Bensalem Township. Staff could not approach the wetland area because
                     it is fenced off from public access. Because it is located on private property, the
                     administrative and legal aspects of using the facility for a feasibility study would need to
                     be addressed as part of the follow-up study.

                     Basin #80 is applicable to a follow-up demonstration study mainly because drainage off
                     the road and the employee parking lot on site appears to flow into the basin, thus the
                     potential for accumulation of pollutant materials (e.g., oil and other petroleum
                     hydrocarbons) is presumably great. In addition, the outlet from @ie basin appeared to be
                     draining to a wetland on an ad oining down-gradient site.

                     A second basin (Basin #81 in Appendix D) should also be considered for further study.
                     This basin is also located on Haunted Lane, one site up-gradient from Basin #80. It
                     collects drainage from the Water's Edge Business Campus, a business office park
                     containing approximately 10 businesses. From discussions with Bensalem Township
                     staff, it was determined that complaints have come from surrounding property owners


         46








                 about odors from the basin. It was also learned that the basin had been designed as a
                 detention basin on site development plans but was in reality acting as a retention facility.

                 Basin #81 collects runoff from a large parking area. The potential for pollutants
                 associated with vehicles is similar to that described above for the Basin #80. There is
                 also the factor of odors emanating from the basin in warmer weather. Odors associated
                 with pools of water are generally a signal of eutrophication due to a lack of oxygen in the
                 basin and is associated with nutrient (primarily nitrogen) pollution. It is interesting to
                 note that there appears to be a thriving permanent aquatic community present in the basin.
                 Staff observed minnows, frogs, and snapping turtles on each day of the field observation.

                 Based on the field observations completed during the study, the recommended site for a
                 future demonstration project is Basin #80, with Basin #81 as an alternative site.
                 However, the final decision to use Basin #80 should be made as part of a follow-up study,
                 using the expertise of a engineering consultant.

                 Management Measures and Practices for Nonpoint Source Programs

                 In developing methods within this study for the control and reduction of nonpoint source
                 pollutants, the BCPC was required by the Pa CZM to incorporate management measures
                 for nonpoint source pollutants from EPA's Guidelines Specifting Management Measures
                 for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters, issued under the authority of
                 Section 6217(g) of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA) of
                 1990. The purpose of the guidelines document is to direct the preparation of state coastal
                 management programs in preparing their own plans in conformance with the established
                 federal guidelines.

                 CZARA defines management measures as "...economically achievable measures to
                 control the addition of pollutants to our coastal waters, which reflect the greatest degree
                 of pollutant reduction achievable through the application of the best available nonpoint
                 pollution control practices, technologies, processes, siting criteria, operating methods, or
                 other alternatives." States are required to include management measures in their
                 respective coastal management programs which conform to the CZARA regulations.

                 Management practices are included in the Section 6217 guidelines for illustrative
                 purposes only. State programs are required only to conform to management measures,
                 but are permitted to recommend practices which can be used to achieve management
                 measures. Thus, individual states can be flexible in implementation of nonpoint source
                 reduction techniques. Rather than require specific technology, facilities or practices to
                 reduce nonpoint source loading, state programs can specify target reductions in nonpoint
                 source loading in state waters overall. Target reductions can be attained in any manner
                 feasible as long as a reduction takes place. This allows municipalities and private
                 interests to utilize technology or methods that are best suited to their individual, or site



                                                                                                                          47








                   specific conditions. Innovative or alternative methods are also encouraged, which may
                   lead to industry-wide standards over time.

                   Management practices have been included in this report from many different sources.
                   Where available, information has been included to provide comparison data between
                   different types of practices, effectiveness, cost, and maintenance factors. The
                   recommendations presented in Chapter Six are intended to assist municipalities with the
                   implementation of standards or mechanisms which will reduce pollutant loading.

                   SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT MEASURES

                   1.      Management Measures for Reduction of Nonpoint Source Pollutants from
                           Urban Sources


                           New Development: Removal and Reduction of sediments

                           .  Reduce the average annual total suspended solids (TSS) loading by 80
                              percent;

                           -  Reduce post development loading of TSS so that the average annual TSS
                              loadings are no greater than predevelopment loadings;

                           -  Maintain post development peak runoff rate and average volume at
                              predevelopment levels.

                      0    Watershed Protection

                           - Avoid development of areas that are susceptible to erosion and sediment loss;

                           -  Preserve areas that provide important water quality benefits; and

                           -  Site development, including roads, highways, and bridges, in ways which
                              protect the natural integrity of natural drainage systems.

                      0    Site Development.

                           -  Protect areas that provide important water quality benefits;

                           -  Limit increases of impervious areas, except where necessary;

                           -  Limit land disturbance activities such as clearing and grading, and cut and fill;

                           -  Limit disturbance of natural drainage features and vegetation.

                   2.      Management Measures for the Prevention of Pollution

                      0    Pollution Prevention

                              Prevent and reduce nonpoint source pollutant loadings from activities
                              normally occurring within an urban environment.


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                         -  Improper storage, use and disposal of household hazardous chemicals,
                            including; auto fluids, pesticides, paints, solvents etc.

                         -  Lawn and garden activities, including the application and disposal of lawn
                            care products, and leaves and yard trimmings.

                         -  Turf management on golf courses, parks and recreational areas.

                         -  improper operation and maintenance of on-site disposal systems.

                         -  Discharge of pollutants into storm drains.

                         -  Commercial activities including parking lots, gas stations, and others not
                            required to use the NPDES pen-nitting system.

                         -  Improper disposal of pet excrement.

                3.       Management Measures for Roads, Highways and Bridges

                         Planning, Siting and Developing Roads and Highways

                         -  Protect areas that provide important water quality benefits or are particularly
                            susceptible to erosion.

                         -  Limit land disturbance such as clearing and grading, and cut and fill to reduce
                            erosion and sedimentation.

                         -  Limit the disturbance of natural drainage features and vegetation.

                    0    Bridges

                         -  Protect sensitive and valuable aquatic ecosystems.

                         -  Protect areas providing water quality benefits.

                         - Maintain stream integrity

                    0    Operation and Maintenance of Roads, Highways and Bridges

                            Incorporate pollution prevention procedures into the operation and
                            maintenance of roads, highways and bridges to reduce pollutant loadings to
                            surface waters.

                    0 Road, Highway and Bridge Runoff Systems

                         -  Deve  lop and implement runoff management systems for existing roads,
                            highways and bridges to reduce runoff pollutants concentrations and volumes
                            entering surface waters.

                         -  Identify priority and watershed pollutant reduction opportunities (e.g., existing
                            structures improvements).


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                            - Establish schedules for implementing appropriate runoff controls where
                                necessary.

                    4.      Management Measures for Marinas and Recreational Boating

                        ï¿½   Marina Flushing

                                Site and design new or expanding marinas such that the tides and/or currents
                                assist in flushing and renewing its water regularly.

                        ï¿½ Shoreline Stabilization

                            - Where shoreline erosion is a nonpoint source pollution problem, shorelines
                                should be stabilized.


                            -   Vegetative measures are preferred over structural methods unless cost
                                effectiveness is a factor.


                        ï¿½   Management

                            -   Implement effective runoff control strategies which include the use of
                                pollution prevention activities and proper design of hull maintenance areas.

                            -   Reduce average annual loadings of TSS in runoff from hull maintenance areas
                                by 80 percent. This reduction is determined on an average annual basis,
                                applies to hull maintenance areas only.

                        ï¿½ Sewage Facilities

                            -   Install pumpout, dump station and restroorn facilities where needed at new and
                                expanding marinas to reduce the release of sewage to surface waters. Design
                                these facilities to allow ease of access of access and post signage to promote
                                use by the boating public.

                            - Provide adequate and reasonably available pumpout facilities for all boaters.

                            - Conduct a comprehensive boater education project.

                        ï¿½ Solid Waste Management

                            - Properly dispose of solid wastes produced by the operation, cleaning,
                                maintenance and repair of boats to limit entry of solid wastes into surface
                                waters.









         50









                SUMMARY


                Based on the highly developed nature of the area delineated for this study, urban runoff is
                considered the primary contributing factor to nonpoint source pollution. It is fairly
                certain that land use and nonpoint source pollutants are intrinsically tied together.
                Retaining the valuable natural resources in the coastal zone of Bucks County becomes
                increasingly more difficult as increasing population impacts the remaining open and
                undisturbed land.


                Dense residential neighborhoods, highly commercialized strips along major travel
                corridors and intense trucking operations associated with industrial parks all lend to a
                build up of dangerous conditions which can produce hotspots of pollution. The critical
                nature of the remaining wetlands directly along the main stem of the Neshaminy Creek
                and the Delaware Estuary create an imperative for those areas directly contributing runoff
                and pollutants to the surface water of that environment. A system of protection - from
                required structural improvements to special protection regulation to implementation of
                management measures and practices - can reduce nonpoint source pollutants thereby
                maintaining and enhancing the rich, productive diversity of the sensitive coastal zone.






























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                                                          CHAPTER SIX
  I                                     Conclusion and Recommendations
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                CHAPTER SIX


                CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATIONS


                Conclusion

                The study gathered much useful information on the natural resources of the study area.
                Wetlands and species habitats were inventoried and mapped. This type of information,
                along with information on the use of best management practices for stormwater control, is
                intended for use by municipalities in updating municipal comprehensive plans, zoning
                ordinances, and/or subdivision regulations. The specific municipal policies and actions
                for nonpoint source pollutant mitigation and wetland protection presented in this chapter,
                if implemented, will foster wetland conservation and be consistent with the objectives of
                the PaCZM program.

                Another result of the study was production of a public awareness publication which
                focuses on the significance of wetlands in the study area and explains their importance as
                part of the natural environment and as natural pollutant mitigation mechanisms. The
                educational brochure will be distributed to local municipal officials, conservation groups,
                and the public to increase public awareness of the connection among land use, wetland
                protection, stormwater management, and the improvement of water quality in the
                Delaware Estuary and its tributaries.

                The study set out to identify a demonstration site to investigate the possibility of
                implementing an upgrade to a standard stormwater detention basin within the study area.
                Several potential demonstration basins were     *identified and are listed in Appendix D.
                Based on the field observations completed during the study, the recommended site for a
                future demonstration project is Basin #80, with Basin #81 as an alternative site. It is
                recommended that a follow-up study be conducted to select a demonstration basin to
                show how such a facility could be retrofitted and brought up to a level of a best
                management practice for water   quality control.

                Research during the study found that restriction and limitation of use have been the two
                most common strategies for protecting wetland areas. The recent trend toward
                mitigation, or lessening, the adverse environmental impact upon wetlands include
                techniques such as avoiding activities in wet areas, minimizing damage to wetlands from
                human activities, and restoring, enhancing, or creating new wetlands to compensate for
                wetland losses. The study concluded that many of the natural wetland sites shown on
                Figure 7 and listed in Appendix D have potential as demonstration sites for a wetlands
                exchange project. While the feasibility of creating wetlands in the study area was
                established during the study, the specifics of exactly where and to what extent this can be



                                                                                                                        53








                     done should be further explored in a follow-up study using the approach discussed in
                     Chapter Four as a springboard.

                     The population, housing, and employment trends and proj       ections discussed in Chapter
                     Two indicate that the study area municipalities will continue steady growth for the
                     foreseeable future. That growth is likely to cause additional potential impacts on the local
                     environment and its natural resources. Therefore, advance planning must be done to
                     avoid adverse impacts from the projected growth. The application of the results of this
                     and any follow-up studies are intended to provide the necessary planning which will lead
                     to the improvement of the water quality of the lower reaches of the Nesham@iny Creek and
                     the Delaware Estuary. Although the study focused on the lower reaches study area and
                     the recommendations are aimed at those municipalities, there is applicability of most of
                     the recommendations in the remainder of the Neshaminy Creek watershed and county-
                     wide. The following recommendations, in the form of policies and activities, when
                     implemented, will contribute to overall improvement of the environment of the study

                     area.


                     Recommendations


                     To promote wetland protection and manage nonpoint source pollutants in the study area,
                     the following polices and activities are recommended for short-term (i.e., within the next
                     one to three years) implementation. Implementation success should be monitored and
                     reviewed by the county and, after three years, new or modified policies and activities
                     and/or a new course of action should be developed.

                     The policies call for minor amendments to municipal zoning ordinances and/or
                     subdivision and land development regulations. The use of ordinance restrictions is a
                     relatively low cost approach to reducing nonpoint pollutants. Some of the recommended
                     ordinance amendments for zoning or subdivision / land development regulations are
                     specific to the corridor of special protection established along the banks of the Neshaminy
                     Creek (refer to Figure 7).

                     The recommended munici     pal activities which follow are in bold face type followed by a
                     brief rationale to clarify the intent of the policy or activity. Rationales are provided for
                     the municipal activities because of the somewhat technical nature of the recommended
                     actions.


                     Nonpoint Source Pollutant Nfitigation Policies

                         State

                             Promote recent EPA guidance specifying NPS pollution management measures as
                             required by Section 6217 of CZARA.




         54








                    County

                    *  Encourage municipalities to update ordinances and regulations to address the
                       management of NPS pollution.

                    0  Promote the use of best management practices for managing NPS pollution.

                    0  Promote pollution prevention assessments and NPS reduction strategies in the
                       businesses and industries.

                    0  Encourage alternative design and maintenance for impervious parking lots during
                       subdivision and land development reviews under the Pennsylvania Municipalities
                       Planning Code.

                    0  Promote recycling programs for used oil, antifreeze, and household hazardous
                       waste.

                    *  Encourage litter control in commercial and industrial areas as well as in
                       residential communities.

                    0  Promote proper operation and maintenance of on-lot disposal systems (OLDS).

                    0  Promote water conservation.


                    Municipal

                    ï¿½  Encourage the use of cluster development in lieu of large lot subdivisions to
                       reduce the amount of site disturbance and the amount of impervious surface.

                    ï¿½  Promote the updating of municipal ordinances to include BMP's for the
                      .management of NPS pollution.

                    9  Promote the development of an OLDS management program and ordinance.

               Nonpoint Source Pollutant Mitigation Activities

                    State

                       Assist counties and municipalities in NPS pollution control activities by providing
                       funding in the form of grants for further research and assistance in carrying out
                       recommended activities.


                    County

                    0  Assist municipalities in updating ordinances and regulations that address the
                       management of NPS pollution.

                    9  Implement NPS pollution prevention education programs to encourage the
                       reduction of nonpoint source pollutants.

                    0  Support community programs which develop NPS pollution awareness, such as
                       storm drain stenciling to discourage dumping of pollutants (e.g., used motor oil).


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                         Municipal

                            The following municipal actions generally involve enacting and/or enforcing
                            municipal ordinances and regulations. Some municipalities have already taken
                            these types of actions but may wish to consider updating based on the following
                            recommended performance standards.

                            Require small lot developments (less than 7500 square feet) to have no more
                            than 10 percent impervious surface.

                            Rationale: A reduction in impervious surfaces reduces runoff and if left in natural
                            vegetative conditions, can reduce pollutants.

                            Require that lots with established vegetation and/or mature trees clear no
                            more than 20 percent when developing and less than 10 percent if slopes over
                            15 percent exist on site.

                            Rationale: This practice will reduce surface runoff, protect natural slopes, reduce
                            cut and fill practices, promote infiltration and potentially reduce pollutant
                            opportunities.

                         ï¿½  Establish mandatory buffer zones along stream banks where no construction
                            activities or development can occur within 100 feet of the stream, or within
                            the floodplain, whichever is greater.

                            Rationale: This will reduce erosion and sediment generation. Buffer zones are
                            extremely important to maintain and preserve the character of the stream.
                            Minimizing the use of heavy equipment on soils maintains soil body integrity to
                            encourage infiltration.

                         ï¿½  Require no disturbance of steep ridge lines, nor any construction activities
                            within 100 feet.

                            Rationale: This will reduce erosion and sedimentation. It also reduces the need
                            for cut and fill or grading operations which destroy the integrity of the soil and
                            slope.

                         ï¿½  Encourage a 100-foot minimum separation distance between principal
                            structures to allow air, light and maintenance activities in areas containing
                            existing natural resources.                               1,                                    1
                            Rationale: This encourages circulation of light and air to allow vegetation to
                            thrive, as well as establish a protection zone around the resource from
                            construction activities and equipment.

                         ï¿½  Require a minimum 100-foot buffer yard on stream edge lots.

                            Rationale: This increases the distance that runoff must travel to enter a waterway.
                            Filtering of pollutants is more likely in this event.


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                             Require a minimum 150 foot lot width, road frontage or width at setback line
                             for stream edge lots or lots containing or abutting areas of natural resources.

                             Rationale: It increases the distance that runoff must travel to enter a waterway.
                             Filtering of pollutants is more likely in this event.

                             Require 50 foot minimum side yards for stream edge lots or lots containing
                             or abutting areas of natural resources.

                             Rationale: This encourages circulation of light and air to allow vegetation to
                             thrive, as well as establishes a protection zone around the resource from
                             construction activities and equipment.

                             Require minimum disturbance and minimum maintenance site development
                             practices for all activities.

                             Rationale: This reduces the amount of site disturbance when developing land and
                             reduces the amount of impervious surface required. It also maintains established
                             vegetation which can reduce runoff.

                             Require the use of BMEPs to address water quality.

                             Rationale: On-site stormwater management practices for new development that
                             are designed to BMP standards would maintain predevelopment runoff rates,
                             protect water quality, and provide mandatory maintenance schedules on a seasonal
                             or annual basis for the effective life span of the facility.

                         0   Enforce pet leash and clean-up laws.

                             Rationale: Because pet wastes left on the ground contribute significant amounts
                             of nutrients and pathogens to stormwater runoff, removing pet wastes from the
                             environment will help reduce that aspect of NPS pollution.

                         0   Enforce existing stormwater management regulations.

                     Wetland Protection Policies


                         State

                             Maintain current policy of "no net loss" to protect remaining wetland resources in
                             the following order of priority: 1) avoidance of disturbance altogether; 2)
                             reduction of impacts if disturbance must occur; and 3) cqmpensation wetland loss
                             by replacement with newly created wetlands.

                             Encourage the federal government to amend Section 404 of Clean Water Act to
                             promote and fund the development of comprehensive wetland management plans
                             at the state, regional, and local levels.

                             Adopt a definition of wetlands and a delineation methodology consistent with
                             current federal policy.



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                               Promote consistent legislation and regulatory actions at all levels of government
                               to enhance, restore, and create wetlands.

                            County

                            ï¿½  Encourage preservation, in 100 percent natural cover, of all wetlands located in
                               tidal marshes and mudflats, upland swamps, adjacent to floodplains, around lake
                               and pond shore margins, and in nonglacial bogs.

                            ï¿½  Encourage a buffer (80 percent natural cover) of 100 feet upland from wetland
                               vegetation or to the limit of wet soils (whichever is shorter) to minimize
                               hydrologic modifications and potential for pollution.

                            ï¿½  Promote the protection of significant wetlands of Bucks County to preserve
                               critical habitat for species of special concern, valuable storage areas for storm and
                               flood waters, prime natural recharge areas, and stabilizing hydrologic functions.

                            ï¿½  Manage county-owned wetlands to maintain and enhance their environmental,
                               scenic, scientific, and educational values.

                            ï¿½  Promote increased quantity and quality of wetlands in conjunction with other
                               natural resource protection policies.

                            ï¿½  Encourage local governments to adopt wetlands protection policies and
                               regulations in comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and subdivision
                               regulations.

                            ï¿½  Promote tax-based and other financial incentives to encourage both the protection
                               and acquisition of wetlands.

                            Municipal

                               Promote wetland protection consistent with the Bucks County Natural Resources
                               Plan (1986) and the Bucks County Comprehensive Plan (1993).
                               Encourage innovative development plans that treat wetlands as a resource rather
                               than a nuisance.


                            Wetland Protection Activities


                            State

                            0  Keep legislation and regulations cuffent and consistent with federal regulations.

                            0  Assist counties and municipalities in wetland protection activities by providing
                               funding in the form of grants to enable further research and implementation of the
                               recommended activities listed below.

                            County
                            0 Inventory wetlands county-wide, review wetland regulations, and develop
                               standards for wetland protection.


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                   0 Identify exceptional value and significant wetlands in Bucks County and
                       reconunend acquisition and protections strategies.

                   0   Encourage and assist municipalities to update ordinances and regulations.

                   Municipal

                       Assess remaining vacant land for potential down-zoning or rezoning which
                       would reduce high density activities and create buffers with adequate
                       performance standards to protect sensitive natural areas.

                       Rationale: This is especially important to the remaining wetlands in the study
                       area, or wetland in general. By down-zoning, or reducing the amount and type of
                       use permitted on the site, those lots which are vacant or open may be able to be
                       used to create buffer areas between development and resources.

                   0   Through the use of performance zoning and natural resource protection
                       standards, create an overlay district in the zoning ordinance for Natural
                       Resource Protection Areas. Reduce densities and restrict impervious surface
                       ratios for sites containing or abutting sensitive sites or corridors.

                       Rationale: By establishing overlay zones on sensitive or protected environmental
                       resources, remaining open land or any redevelopment that occurs must implement
                       restrictions that will benefit natural resources, such as minimum disturbances
                       sites, reduced impervious surfaces and the use of BMPs for the control of
                       stormwater runoff.

                   *   Modify the zoning ordinance to support a special protection/natural
                       resources overlay district surrounding the main stem of the Neshaminy
                       Creek as delineated for this study.

                       Rationale: Ordinances should reduce impervious surfaces, restrict development
                       densities and uses on remaining vacant or empty sites, adopts buffer standards for
                       wetlands and require a natural resources inventory for all sites being developed.

                   0   Require endangered species protection inventory.

                       Rationale: Any proposed site development or redevelopernent in the corridor
                       would consult any database sources available, (i.e., PNDI files) which may
                       indicate the presence of endangered species on site. Require applicants to submit
                       this information as part of the Act 247 review process.

                   0   Update municipal comprehensive plans
                       Rationale: The results of this study, the study area map, and species databases in
                       Appendices F and G can be used to help update municipal comprehensive plans to
                       encourage and support the protection of natural resources.





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                                            W E T L A N D S
                                            in COASTAL ZONE AREAS
                                            of BUCKS COUNTY



                 Bucks County Planning Commission, Neshaminy Manor Center, Doylestown, PA 18901 (215) 345-3400







         Wetlands are unique natural systems            For example, some wetlands are not very
         found where land areas such as                 large or do not contain many different kinds
         forests, beaches, or grasslands meet           of plants and animals. Such wetlands may be
         water bodies such as ponds, lakes,             found in heavily populated residential, com-
         rivers, and oceans. Therefore, they            mercial, or industrial areas. Other wetlands
         generally combine natural attributes of        are considered more important or of "excep-
         both land and water. Wetlands are usu-         tional value" because they provide a home to
         ally identified by the presence of occa-       rare or endangered plant and animal species.
         sional standing water, wet soils, and
         plant and animal life adapted to wet
         conditions. Some common names for
         wetland areas include swamps, bogs,                                                                        Great Blue Herons in Bucks County.
         marshes, and mud flats.
                                                        There are    many different types of            J,-, V11"k
                                                        wetlands    in Bucks County. They
                                                                                                                4
                                                        include tidal marshes, freshwater
         Historically, wetlands have often been         marshes, upland marshes, and ripari-
         thought of as dismal, mosquito-ridden          an (along rivers and streams) wet-         k.
         places with little or no economic              lands. Although their properties and
         value. In fact, before the late 1970s,
                                                        functions differ depending upon their
         the draining and filling of wetland            environment and location, they all         V   o.
         areas was an accepted practice.                play an important role as natural                  1j:,
         However, in recent years as wetlands           buffer areas.
         have been further studied, their value
         has been recognized. Many of the pre-          As Bucks County has
         vious practices that are harmful to wet-       grown, wetland areas have                             Typical upland wetlands in Bucks County.
         lands, such as draining and filling,           decreased. Laws, policies,
         have been reduced. Public attitudes on         and management plans pro-
         the value of wetlands are becoming             tecting wetlands are com-
         more positive as more information              mon, but wetlands are still
         becomes available.                             being lost or negatively
                                                        affected by certain types of
         In their natural state, wetlands provide       harmful human activities.                                                                  71
         numerous benefits: helping to control          When wetlands are drained,
         floods, reducing loss   of eroded soils,       filled, or polluted beyond
         improving water quality, helping to            their natural filtering capac-                                                              A
         preserve fish and wildlife habitat, and        ity, the overall environment
         providing scientific, educational, and         is affected and their natural
         recreational opportunities. However,           benefits and values to
         not all wetlands are of equal value.           humans are lost.                                          Riparian wetlands near the con uence
                                                                                                            of the Neshaminy Creek and Delaware Riiver













          Co2s@.%R and Enkimd Weflands

          To better understand Bucks County's wetlands, a look at the bigger picture is
          helpful. Bucks County is part of the Delaware River drainage basin. The
          Delaware River flows into the Delaware Estuary which is a semi-enclosed
          coastal body of water connected to the Atlantic Ocean. Within the estuary, sea
          water is diluted with fresh water flowing into it from land drainage. Along the
          estuary, coastal wetland ecosystems are found from the farthest tidal influence
                                                                                                           ----------
          at the falls between Trenton and Morrisville to the mouth of the Delaware Bay                 PENNSYLVANIA
          at Cape May/Cape Henlopen. The most common wetlands found along the
          Bucks County portion of the Delaware River and its tributaries include tidal salt
          marshes and tidal freshwater marshes.


          In general, a tidal marsh is an area of grasses, sedges, rushes, and other plants
          that have adapted to continual, periodic flooding. Along the Delaware Estuary
          there are three distinct types of tidal marshes: salt marshes, brackish-water
          marshes, and freshwater marshes. All three types are influenced by the ebb and
          flow of the tides, and vary greatly in salinity, vegetation, and wildlife. Tidal salt
          marshes are among the most productive ecosystems of the world, and serve to
          support the spawning and feeding of many valuable marine organisms. Tidal
          freshwater marshes are close enough to the coast to experience tidal changes,
          but are not as salty and support different plants and animals than the salt marsh.

          Inland wetlands in Bucks County include freshwater marshes and riparian
          (stream bank) wetlands. Freshwater marshes line the shores of the upper estu-
          ary and the tributary streams along the estuary. As the name implies, freshwa-                                           E S
          ter marshes are dominated by water draining toward the estuary from upland                                                                  TO
          creeks and rivers. Freshwater marshes are usually found in bowl-like depres-
          sions in the landscape and around lake fringes. They are extremely valuable                 PENNSYL21A           PHILADE   A
          wildlife habitats and natural pollutant filters. Riparian wetlands occur along
          rivers and streams, are occasionally flooded, but cab be seasonally dry. As these
                                                                                                                      TON
          areas flood, nutrients flow in and cause diverse vegetation and wildlife to flour-
          ish. Both of these inland wetland types occur along the Neshaminy Creek. For
          example, within the Neshaminy State Park, where the Neshaminy Creek meets
          the Delaware River, there are numerous wetland plant species of special con-
          cern found in an intertidal freshwater mudflat.


          The freshwater marsh environinent supports a high diversity of plant life. The                                          I     ARE
          freshwater wetland is generally a mixed community of plants, such as:                                                         RY
           ï¿½ spatterdock                    - pickerelweed           common reed
                                                                                                                    >
           ï¿½ broadleaf arrowhead            - common cattail
                                                                                                                    z
                                                                                                                    0  m
          In addition, the upland borders of these wetlands support the growth of certain             Delaware Estuary Drainage Basin. The drainage basin of
          trees and shrubs, such as:                                                                  the Delaware Estuary covers more than 13,500 square
                                                                                                      miles. From this regi  .on many sub-tributaries contribute
                    Willows                    buttonbush             red maple                       water to the two majorfreshwater tributaries-the Delaware
                                                                                                      and Schuylkill rivers.
                  Upland wetlands are usually found in areas of poor drainage and can be
                  identified by the presence of occasional standing water, wet soils, and             Source: THE DELAWARE ESTUARY. Rediscovering a Forgotten
                                                                                                              Resource.
                  plant and animal life adapted to wet conditions. Many small pockets of
                  upland wetlands are found in Bucks County, (e.g., in residential areas              Courtesy: University of Delaware, Sea Grarit College Program.
                   2 @ -_ --- - - - - -        - - - - - --_ --- - - _-- -- - - - - -        _-   --    - --- - --_- -_ -                                           I   .
















          where building was avoided because of depressions in the land-              Wetland plant identification is generally the first step in the
          scape). While some upland wetlands areas remain, urbanization               process. When more than 50 percent of the plants in the subject
          has taken its toll on these valuable plant and wildlife habits.             area include certain wetland species, the site may be classified
          Preservation of the remaining wetland habitats is essential for the         with some confidence as a wetland. Secondly, the presence of
          continuation of these unique plant and animal species in the                hydric soils, (soils that in their natural, undrained state are satu-
          Neshaminy watershed.                                                        rated at or near the surface during much of the growing season)
                                                                                      is an indication of the presence of wetlands. In Bucks County
          The Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management (PaCZM) Program,                   there are six soil series where hydric soil conditions are most
          a division of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental                  prevalent. Finally, hydrology, (i.e., saturated soil and drainage
          Resources, states that wetlands constitute a critical natural               characteristics) is the underlying cause of a wetland condition.
          resource of national and statewide significance, providing fish             Hydrologic indicators such as flooding, standing
          and wildlife habitats, natural flood control, improved water qual-          water, and high groundwater levels can be useful in delineating
          ity, groundwater recharge, and environmental diversity. However,            a wetland site. The Soil Survey of Bucks And Philadelphia
          many coastal wetland areas have been lost to bulkheading, dredge            Counties, Pennsylvania, published by the USDA Soil
          spoil disposal, and development. Thus, effective management and             Conservation Service (SCS) provides more detail on soil
          protection of the remaining wetlands is vital.                              drainage characteristics.

          The PaCZM Program has established the following objectives to
          assure that wetlands are protected in the national interest:

              1. Avoid to the extent possible the long- and short-term
                 adverse impacts associated with the.disruption or modifi-
                 cation of wetlands.
              2. Provide means whereby ecosystems, upon which endan-
                 gered and threatened species depend, may be preserved.
              3. Make use of wetlands as outdoor classrooms through the
                 acquisition and/or development of appropriate sites.



          Identifying   wetlands requires skill and experience. This is
          .because the regulatory definition of wetlands refers to three basic
          factors - vegetation, soils, and hydrology - that together deter-
          mine the presence of wetlands. On-site assessment by qualified
          experts is the surest method of achieving an accurate delineation.                            Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)


               The federal government's current definition of wetlands, promulgated on December 24, 1980:


                                                               Wetlands Definition


               Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration
                                                                                                                                               @ I









































               to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for
               life in saturated soil conditions; wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.



                                                                                                                                                        -3













         Wzteirsheds Rnd Ws@eir Oirr_uDEU'an
         A watershed is simply an area of land that has a certain pattern of          refuse, and industrial wastes. The map on page 5 shows loca-
         natural drainage. All precipitation falling in the watershed either          tions of the major wetlands remaining in the lower reaches of the
         evaporates into the atmosphere, transpires through plants, infil-            Neshaminy Creek.
         trates the ground, or runs over the land into watercourses (e.g.,
         streams and rivers). Precipitation running off the land into water-          I.-
                                                                                           ANSONO"                   KNOW @,
         courses creates what is called the "drainage pattern" of a partic-
                                                                                                  @..M_V-97'77, Z
         ular watershed.


         Freshwater flow contributed by the various watersheds is one of
         two factors influencing the circulation of water in the Delaware
         Estuary. The other factor is the tides. The ebb and flow of the
         tides can move water as much as ten miles up or down the estu-
         ary during a single tidal cycle. The tides are responsible for mov-
         ing a large volume of water into and out of wetlands such as tidal
         marshes. The tide also divides the marsh into a low marsh and a
         high marsh. The low marsh floods and drains twice daily with the
         rise and fall of the tide. The high marsh, which is just slightly                                        Lower Reaches of the Neshaminy Creek.
         higher in elevation, floods less frequently. The division of the
         marsh into high and low areas accounts for the various types of
         vegetation found throughout the marsh.                                       WRteirshed Conceirns
                                                                                      The Neshaminy Creek Watershed has experienced significant                   bib,
         'The Heshmky Cireelk W2@eirshed                                              wetland loss which has had negative effects upon the existing
         The Neshaminy Creek meets the Delaware River in the southern                 plants and wildlife. For example, since the wetland environment
                                                                                      supports many types of. plants that aid the natural filtering
         portion of Bucks County which is densely populated and urban-                process, the loss of wetlands causes a reduction in the natural
         ized with many different land uses. In many areas of Bucks                   pollution control provided in those areas.
         County, this watershed has experienced a substantial loss of wet-
         lands, which began with the draining and ditching of wet areas               Several wetlands within the watershed have been studied and
                                                                                      natural resource inventories note the existence of many endan-
                                                                                      gered, threatened, and rare plants. Examples of endangered plant
                                                                                      species in the watershed are:

                                                              0,                            Wright's spikerush                  willow oak
                                                                                            purple sandgrass                    long-lobed arrowhead
                                                                                            Smith's bullrush                    Walter's barnyard grass

                                                                                      In addition, several reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals are
                                                                                      now endangered due to habitat loss and pollution. Examples
                                                                                      include:

         The Neshaminy Creek meets the Delaware River at the Neshaminy                                        bog turtle
                     State Park Marina. Courtesy of Neshaminy State Park, PaDER.                              osprey
                                                                                                              coastal plain leopard frog
                     for farming. In more recent times, they were filled to
                     build housing, industrial facilities, roadways, and              Although much damage has already been done, preservation of
                     recreational areas. Many remaining wetlands within               the remaining wetland habitats is essential for the continuation
                     the watershed are now facing new threats from pollu-             of these unique plant and animal species in the Neshaminy
                     tion generated by human activities, including                    watershed.
                     stormwater runoff, domestic sewage, household
                      4








                                                                                      2"M, :1:71Y                                  aed
                        "S                 Ov"Ya-                             @a NT@@ "                    nz;--    W, R" TSE7 @

         The map below shows the locations of wetland areas identified in the report, Neshaminy Creek Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study.
         The portion of the watershed most directly connected to the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone is that area delineated in the Neshaminy
         Creek Watershed Stormwater Management Plan as the "Lower Reaches." The Lower Reaches is defined as that area of the watershed
         which is tidally influenced by, and directly discharges into, the Delaware River. The Neshaminy Creek and its tributaries traverse sev-
         eral municipalities    in the Lower Reaches. These are Bensalem Township, Bristol Township, Lower Southampton Township,
                                                  Middletown Township, Huhneville Borough, Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough,
                                                                                                              and Penndel Borough.


                                                               ID L   h o r n e


                                                                    L  ghorne
                          LOWP                                           r                                    Another concern in the lower reaches of
                          SOUT   A
                                 /                                                                            the Neshaminy Creek watershed and in
                                 it                                                                           other urbanized areas of the county is
                                        M, D D L
                                                                                                              stormwater runoff. Runoff is considered
                                                                                                              nonpoint source pollution, since pinpoint-
                                                                                                              ing the varying sources of the pollutants
                                                                             Hul@
                                                                                                              in it can be quite difficult. As precipitation
                          I'M
                                                                                                              runs over roofs, roads, parking lots, and
                                                                                                              other hard surfaces, it picks up a variety
                                                                                                              of pollutants including animal droppings,
                                                                                                              oil, grease, and heavy metals, such as lead
                                                                                                              and mercury. If stormwater runoff is not
                                                                                                              properly managed, pollutants can end up
                                            HENSALEi                                                          in watercourses, lakes, reservoirs, and
                                                                                                              wetlands. Wetlands are unique in their
                                                                                                              ability to tolerate and reduce some of
                                                                                                              those pollutants by filtering stormwater.
         The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pro-                                   y",                        However, the increases in housing, com-
         duces the National Wetland Inventory                           S                                     mercial activities, and traffic can over-
         (NWI) maps which are based on inter-                                                                 whelm the filtering capacities of even the
         pretations of high-altitude photographs                                                              healthiest w etlands.
         superimposed over U.S.G.S. 1:24,000                                                                                 Alt
         topographic maps. Wetlands of one or
         more acre in size are identified and
         approximate boundaries are drawn. The
         NWI maps were used to identify wet-                                           A@,
         land sites in the study area and those
         sites were field checked during the
         study to assess the general conditions
         and pollution factors. Wetlands occur-
         ring along the main channel of the                                                                   Stormwater runofffrom parking lot and lawns.
         Neshaminy Creek, which may be                                                                        To address stormwater. problems, the
         adversely affected by nonpoint source               0               1                 2
         discharges, were inventoried. Munici-                             Miles                              municipalities of the Neshaminy Creek
         palities can use that wetland informa-              o National Wetlands inventory Sites              Watershed have adopted the Neshaminy
                                                             E Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Sites           Creek Watershed Stormwater Manage-
         tion, in conjunction with NWI maps, in              A Morris Arboretum Sites                         ment Plan. The plan is intended
         their comprehensive planning efforts.
                                                                   Corridor of                                to guide new land development in
         For example, updates of municipal zon-                    Special Concern                            a manner that will minimize pol-
                                                               %
         ing ordinances may include natural                    I
                                                                                                              lution    problems       related to
         resource protection overlay districts               Preparedbythe Bucks County Planning Commission.  stormwater runoff and            ereby
                                                             Note: Locations are approximatc.
         based on wetland information derived                                                                 reduce the impact on the natural
         from the NWI.                                                                                        environment, including wetlanc -
                                                                                                                                                  5






          Weflznd Ymtecflon 'TboRs. and ReguRRflons
          Local regulations are supported by federal and state laws. Depending upon the land development proposal and the type of wetland
          affected, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pa. Department of
          Environmental Resources, and Pa. Fish and Boat Commission may be involved in the enforcement of regulations. Current regulations
          require that those planning to develop in wetland areas obtain permits or other types of review and approval prior to construction.


          YedeiraR ReguRattons End PoRMes                      .  Dam Safety and Encroachment Act               and natural resource plans. Regulatory
          Section 404 of the Clean Water Act is the               (Chapter 105)                                 tools, including zoning ordinances and
          federal law that regulates the discharge of          .  Clean Streams Act                             subdivision/land development ordinances,
          pollutants into the nation's waters and lim-         .  Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537)               can protect wetlands by modifying and
          its the filling or dredging of wetlands.                                                              shifting land use activities to less sensitive
          Other applicable federal regulations               Other related programs include floodplain          land areas. A number of public and private
          include:                                           management, stormwater management,                 organizations purchase wetlands, an ex-
            ï¿½  Rivers and Harbors Act                        erosion and sedimentation control, the             ample of a nonregulatory protection
            ï¿½  National Environmental Policy Act             coastal zone management program, and               approach.
            ï¿½  Coastal Zone Management Act                   the state program for administering feder-
            ï¿½  National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act           al National Pollutant Discharge Elimina-           County LeveR
            ï¿½  Endangered Species Act                        tion System (NPDES) requirements.                  The 1986 Natural Resources Plan pro-
            ï¿½  Emergency Wetlands Resources Act                                                                 vides guidance to municipalities by
                                                             The Pennsylvania Dam Safety                and     describing applicable wetland regulations,
          In addition, the federal government has            Encroachments Act is considered the pri-           identifying wetlands larger than ten acres,
          delegated much of its authority to state           mary program for regulating the use of             and advising 100 percent preservation of
          governments and many of the traditional            wetlands. Any activity disturbing a wet-           tidal marshes, mud flats, upland swamps,
          functions of state agencies (e.g.. fish and        land requires a Chapter 105 permit. The            and riverine and nonglacial bogs. It also
          wildlife protection) are related to wetland        permit applications are reviewed by DER            suggests a vegetative buffer and recom-
          protection. Because land use and develop-          using several criteria. Recommendations            mends that those protective standards be
          ment is controlled at the local level,             and comments are then solicited from the           adopted by municipalities into their regu-
          municipal governments are becoming                 primary federal agencies, the Pennsyl-             lations.
          more involved in wetland protection activ-         vania Game Commission, and the DER's
          ities. Generally, federal regulations require      Coastal Zone Management Program. DER               The Bucks County Conservation District
          that those planning to develop in wetland          will not issue a permit for a dam, water           is the county agency involved in regulat-
          areas obtain permits or other types of             obstruction, or encroachment in important          ing certain types of wetland uses under the
          review and approval prior to construction.         wetlands or within 300 feet of them.               Pa. Dam Safety and Encroachment Act.
          Several policies that have been developed                                                             Consistent with the trend of the regulation
          and are common to all federal agencies             The PaCZM Program promotes natural                 of wetlands increasingly becoming a local
          include:                                           resources management on the shores of              responsibility, the Conservation District is
             ï¿½  The achievement of no net loss of            Lake Erie and in the Delaware River                now handling a portion of the DER's
                wetland acreage;                             Estuary. DER's Division of Coastal Zone            Chapter 105 program and the Streambank
             ï¿½  Increased quantity and quality of            Management monitors coastal wetlands,              Rehabilitation and Protection Program.
                overall wetland acreage; and                 conducts wetland site investigations, pro-         Permits for several land use activities,
             ï¿½  Adherence to and improvement of              vides wetland identification maps, and             including agricultural crossings, minor
                                                             operates a matching grants program. The            road crossings, and private recreational
                wetlands regulatory and acquisition          program funds wetland identification and           docks, as well as NPDES stormw       .ater per-
                programs.                                    management plans.                                  mits are administered by the agency.
          Wetlands are managed at the federal level          Loca@ P2nmh2g, Fohkfleg,                           MunMPE@', Level
          by a combination of laws and the jurisdic-         End 1p
          tion over wetlands is shared among sever                                                              The Pennsylvania Municipalities Plan-
          al agencies.                                       Local governments, both county and                 ning Code enables local governments to
                                                             municipal, can implement wetland pol-              create zones for wetlands preservation.
                            &z@e ReFpHzt@ans                 cies, regulations, and protection techni-          However, many municipalities choose to
                            nn,61 IPGUC@es                   ques to augment federal and state regula-          set performance zoning standards rather
                            Pennsylvania has several         tions. For example, long-range planning            than to specify permissible uses. The most
                            regulations and planning/        can serve as a management technique used           common approach is to set a percentage of
                            acquisition programs that        to direct future growth patterns. Such             an area that must be left undisturbed.
                            are related to wetland pro-      planning can have a direct effect on natur-        Performance zoning and site capacity cal-
                            tection including:               al resources including wetlands. Planning          culations can be highly effective tools
                                                             tools include local comprehensive plans            because they allow a portion of a tract to









         be developed while limiting the impact on            of financial backing. However, there are                   -Support wetland creation and
         the existing wetlands. Other municipal               several public and private funding sources                  restoration projects;
         regulatory techniques that can be used to            intended for natural resource protection.                  *Adopt stormwater management
         protect wetlands include the limitation of           For example, the federal Clean Water and                    ordinances which control runoff
         development in floodplain areas and ero-             Safe Drinking Water acts provide incentive                  and pollutants;
         sion and sedimentation control plans.                grants that are intended to reduce and elim-               -Increase public education on the
                                                              inate surface and groundwater pollution.                    value of wetlands and pollution
         Many municipalities in Bucks County rec-             Eligible recipients include governments,                    prevention.
         ognize the importance of wetland protec-             agencies, businesses, educational institu-
         tion and have adopted policies, ordi-                tions and nonprofit groups that are involved                              sedoir
         nances, and regulations designed to re-              in water pollution control, water supply,                  -Avoid development projects that
         strict development in and around them. In            coastal zone management, watershed pro-                     will alter or degrade wetlands;
         addition, some municipalities require the            tection, wetlands protection, pollution pre-               -Create new wetlands in exchange
         creation of artificial wetlands when exist-          vention, and environmental education.                       for wetlands destroyed during
         ing natural wetlands must be disrupted.              Eligible activities include pollution control               construction;
                                                              studies, water supply studies, construction                -Use best management practices to
         Vve'-Ind Acqu"S!,2@1-                                of treatment facilities, water quality assess-              handle stormwater from new
         The outright purchase of a wetland is one            ments, planning, wetland conserv             'ation         development;
         way to completely protect an area from               plans, watershed protection plans, compli-                 -Increase the use of both natural and
         encroachment. There are different acquisi-           ance monitoring programs, restoration pro-                  artificial wetlands for
         tion options, One approach is to acquire             jects, and public education. There are also                 stormwater management;
         all of the property rights, known as "fee            private foundations and corporate giving                   -Design new land developments with
         simple acquisition." A less expensive vari-          programs that fund similar conservation                     a minimal amount of impervious
         ation of this approach allows for the pur-           efforts.                                                    surface.
         chase of certain rights that restrict future
         uses of the land through conservation                More information on state and federal reg-                    2pZ, HC
         easements. Another scenario is where a               ulations and funding sources may be ob-
         property owner donates an entire parcel,             tained from he agencies listed on the last                 *Encourage municipal officials to
         or perhaps an easement on the portion of             page of this brochure. Information on                       take actions necessary to preserve
         the parcel containing the wetland.                   municipal regulations may be obtained by                    wetlands;
                                                              contacting the appropriate municipal office.               -Reduce the human impacts of
                                                                                                                          pollution on streams, rivers, and
         Usually, wetland acquisition is the result                                                                       estuaries;
         of a combined effort between private and             WIrml-r We 'C'Elm Do"?                                     -Practice good pollution prevention
         public concerns. The Nature Conservancy,                                                                         etiquette. For example, dispose of
         an international environmental group, has            Many wetlands have already been lost in                     household wastes (e.g., used motor
         purchased land in Bucks County and then              the lower reaches of the Neshaminy Creek                    oil) and boating refuse (e.g., hold-
         donated it to the municipality for manage-           watershed. We all can play a part in slowing                ing tank waste) properly;
         ment. The Heritage Conservancy is anoth-             down the loss of wetlands and reducing the                  Keep automobiles and boats in
         er local conservation group that has                 pollution associated with certain types Of                  proper running condition to reduce
         acquired several wetland areas in Bucks              land development. Public agencies, citi-                    emissions.
         County. Their holdings are donated from              zens, and the private sector must work
         individual property owners and preserved             cooperatively to protect and conserve wet-             Reducing nonpoint pollution generated by
         in their natural state through fee simple            lands, reduce pollution, and improve water             human activities will improve the water
         donation or by conservation easement.                quality. Government, private landowners,               quality of the Neshaminy Creek, its tribu-
                                                              and developers can protect wetlands and                taries, and associated wetlands. A cleaner
         Local government officials and private               promote proper stormwater management.                  Neshaminy Creek watershed will improve
         groups are in the best position to protect           Public support is needed for the following             the health of the Delaware River Estuary.
         wetlands, since the power to control land            regulations, policies, and actions:                    The conservation of remaining wetlands,
         use is vested at the local level. Therefore,                                                                combined with the best
         local planning for wetland protection is                                 0 elr:rlm L                        possible land manage-
         critical and local actions should continue                 Develop or strengthen municipal                  ment practices, will bene-
         to guide growth and development away                       ordinances to protect wetlands                   fit the environment.
         from wetland areas.                                        Enforce wetland policies and
                                                                    regulations;
                                               _(ZC_G:M             Increase wetland acquisition to
         One of the primary difficulties encoun-                    ensure their preservation and
         tered in protecting natural areas is the lack              management;
                                                                                                                                                  7







          IFUR MORE RNIFORMATRON
          For more information related to coastal zone management, the Delaware Estuary, stormwater management, and wetlands protection
          and acquisition, contact the following agencies:

          Coastal Zone                                                                  Wetlands Protection

          Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources                            U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
          Bureau of Land and Water Conservation                                         Regulatory Branch
          400 Market Street, 11 th Floor                                                Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East
          P.O. Box 8555                                                                 Philadelphia, PA 19107
          Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555                                                     (215) 65-6-6734
          (717) 787-2529                                                                U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
          Delawaire Estuary                                                             Tobyhanna Army Depot
                                                                                        111 Midway Road, Building 10 15
                                                                                        Tobyhanna, PA 18466-5031
          The Delaware Estuary Program                                                  (717) 894-1275
          c/o U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
          841 Chestnut Street                                                           U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
          Philadelphia, PA 19107                                                        Region 111, Environmental Services Division
          1-800-445-4935                                                                841 Chestnut Street
          (215) 597-9977                                                                Philadelphia, PA 19107
                                                                                        (215) 597-9301
          Stoirmwateir Management
                                                                                        Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources
          Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources                            Water Management Program,
          Bureau of Land and Water Conservation                                         Soils and Waterway Section
          400 Market Street, I Ith Floor                                                555 North Lane
          R 0. Box 8555                                                                 Lee Park, Suite 6010
          Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555                                                     Conshohocken, PA 19428
          (717) 783-7577                                                                (610) 832-6131
          Bucks County    .Planning Commission                                          Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
          The Almshouse, Neshaminy Manor Center                                         Education and Information Office
          Doylestown, PA 18901                                                          P. 0. Box 67000
          (215) 345-3400                                                                Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
                                                                                        (717) 657-4518    -
          Bucks County Conservation District
          924 Town Center                                                               The Nature Conservancy
          New Britain, PA 18901-5182                                                    111 Chestnut Street, 12th Floor
          (215) 345-7577                                                                Philadelphia, PA 19107
                                                                                        (215) 963-1400





                                                                 coastal

               PENN SYLVAN I A'
               93SOM                                                                Z011E

                  The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its subagencies.


          This brochure was partially funded by the Federal Government through the Office of Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, under
          Section 305 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-583), by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources, Bureau of
          Land and Water Conservation (DER File No. CZI:93.04PD - ME#93264), and by the County of Bucks. The brochure was developed by the Bucks County Planning
          Commission in conjunction with the report, Neshaminy Creek Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study, September 1994.







                          COUNTY COMMRSSffONERS:
                          ANDREW L. WARREN, chainnan,                                                                       BUMS
                          MARK S. SCHWEIKER                                                                                     OOUNqY
                          SANDRA A. MILLER                                                                     PlaigLing ConLnL188ion


                                                              Printed on Recycled Paper




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    I                                                                            I                GLOSSARY
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                  GLOSSARY

                  Benthic: Related to the bottom of a stream, lake, ocean or other body of water.

                  Best Management Practice: A structural facility designed to control stormwater runoff and
                       thereby reduce the negative effects of runoff.

                  Bulkhead. A structure or partition to retain or prevent sliding of the land. A secondary purpose
                       is to protect the upland against damage from wave action.

                  Channel: (1) A natural or artificial waterway or perceptible extent that either periodically or
                       continuously contains moving water, or that forms a connecting link between two bodies of
                       water. (2) The part of a body of water deep enough to be used for navigation through an area
                       otherwise to shallow for navigation. (3) A large strait, as the English Channel. (4) The
                       deepest part of a stream, bay, or strait through which the main volume or current of water
                       flows.

                  Channelization and channel modification: River and stream channel engineering for the
                       purpose of flood control, navigation, drainage improvement, and reduction of channel
                       migration potential; activities include the straightening, widening, deepening, or relocation of
                       existing stream channels, clearing or snagging operations, the evacuation of borrow pits,
                       underwater mining, and other practices that change the depth, width, or location of waterways
                       or embayments in coastal areas.

                  Coast: A strip of land of indefinite width (may be several kilometers) that extends from the
                       shoreline inland to the first major change in terrain features.

                  Coastal area: The land and sea area bordering the shoreline.

                  Coastline: (1) Technically, the line that forms the boundary between the coast and the shore. (2)
                       Commonly, the line that forms the boundary between the land and the water.

                  Constructed urban runoff wetlands: Those wetlands that are intentionally created on sites
                       that are not wetlands for the primary purpose of wastewater or urban runoff treatment and are
                       managed as such. Constructed wetlands are normally considered as part of the urban runoff
                       collection and treatment system.

                  Erosion: The wearing away of land by the action of natural forces. On a beach, the carrying
                       away of beach material by wave action, tidal currents, littoral currents, or by deflation.

                  Estuary: (1) The part of the river that is affected by tides. (2) The region near a river mouth in
                       which the fresh water in the river mixes with the salt water of the sea. (3) A semi-enclosed
                       coastal body of water which has a free connection with the open sea and within which sea
                       water is measurably diluted with fresh water derived from land drainage.



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                 Forebay: An extra storage space provided near an inlet of a BMP to trap incoming sediments
                      before they accumulate in a pond BMP.

                 Freshwater marsh: Wetland         areas lining the shores of the upper portions of an estuary and the
                      tributary streams along an estuary, dominated by water draining from upland creeks and
                      rivers. Freshwater marshes may found in bowl-like depressions in the landscape and around
                      lake fringes. They are extremely valuable wildlife habitats and natural pollutant filters.

                 Gabion: A rectangular basket or mattress made of galvanized, and sometimes PVC-coated, steel
                      wire in a hexagonal mesh. Gabions are generally subdivided into equal-sized cells that are
                      wired together and filled with 4- to 8-inch-diameter stone, forming a large, heavy mass that
                      can be used as a shore-protection device.

                 Gradient (grade): See slope. With reference to winds or currents, the rate of increase or
                      decrease in speed, usually in a vertical; or the curve that represents this rate.

                 Ground Water. Subsurface water occupying the zone of saturation. In a strict sense, the term is
                      applied only to water below the water table.

                 Habitat. The place where an organism naturally lives or grows.

                 Heavy metals: Metallic elements with high atomic weights, e. g., mercury, chromium,
                      cadmium, arsenic, and lead. They can damage living things at low concentrations and tend to
                      accumulate in the food chain.


                 High tide, high water. The maximum elevation reached by each rising tide.

                 Hydrologic modification or Hydromodification: The alteration of the natural circulation
                      or distribution of water by the placement of structures or other activities.

                 Impervious surface: A hard surface area that either prevents or retards the entry of water into
                      the soil mantle as under natural conditions prior to development and/or a hard surface area that
                      causes water to run off the surface in greater quantities or at an increased rate of flow from the
                      flow present under natural conditions prior to development.

                 Load. The quantity of sediment transported by a current. It includes the suspended load of small
                      particles and the bedload of large particles that move along the bottom.

                 Low tide, low water: The minimum elevation reached by each failing tide. See tide.

                 Marsh: An area of soft, wet, or periodically inundated land, generally treeless and usually
                      characterized by grasses and other low growth.

                 Marsh, salt. A marsh periodically flooded by salt water.



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                 Marsh vegetation: Plants that grow naturally in a marsh.

                 Nonpoint source: Any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of "point
                      source" in Section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act. In general, they are diffuse sources of
                      water pollution caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. (See
                      point source.)

                 Nourishment. The process of replenishing a beach. It may be brought about naturally by long
                      shore transport or artificially by the deposition or dredged materials. .

                 Percolation: The process by which water flows through the interstices of a sediment.
                      Specifically, in wave phenomena, the process by which wave action forces water through the
                      interstices of the bottom sediment and which tends to reduce wave heights.

                 Point Source: Any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to
                      any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock,
                      concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants
                      are or may be discharged. This term does not include agricultural stormwater discharges and
                      return flows from irrigated agriculture.

                 Preexisting: Existing before a specified time or event.

                 Riparian: Pertaining to the banks of a body of water.

                 Riparian area: Vegetated ecosystems along a waterbody through which energy, materials, and
                      water pass. Riparian areas characteristically have a high water table and are subject to periodic
                      flooding and influence from the adjacent waterbody. These systems encompass wetlands,
                      uplands, or some combination of these two land forms; they will not in all cases have all of the
                      characteristics necessary for them to be classified as wetlands.

                 Rip rap: A protective layer or facing of quarry stone, usually well graded within wide size limit,
                      randomly placed to prevent erosion, scour, or sloughing of an embankment of bluss; also the
                      stone so used. The quarry stone is placed in a layer at least twice the thickness of the 50
                      percent size, or 1.25 times the thickness of the largest size stone in the gradation.

                 Salt marsh: A marsh periodically flooded by salt water.

                 Scour. Removal of underwater material by waves and currents, especially at the base or toe of a
                      shore structure.

                 Shoreline: The intersection of a specified plane of water with the shore or beach (e.g., the high
                      water shoreline would be the intersection of the plane of mean high water with shore or
                      beach). The line delineating the shoreline on National Ocean Servvice nautical charts and
                      surveys approximates the mean high water line.



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                  Sedimentation: The formation of earth, stones, and other matter deposited by water, wind, or
                       ice.


                  Slip: A berthing space for boats, between two piers.

                  Slope: The degree of inclination to the horizontal. Usually expressed as a ratio, such as 1:25 or 1
                       on 25, indicating I unit vertical rise in 25 units of horizontal distance, or in a decimal fraction
                       (0.04); degrees (2' 18'), or percent (4 percent).

                  Soil classification (size): An arbitrary division of a continuous scale of grain sizes such that
                       each scale unit or grade may serve as a convenient class interval for conducting the analysis or
                       for expressing the results of an analysis.

                 -Species diversity: The variations between groups of related organisms that have certain
                       characteristics in common.


                  Stream: (1) A course of water flowing along a bed in the earth. (2) A current in the sea formed
                       by wind action, water density differences, etc.; e.g., the Gulf Stream. See also current,
                       stream.


                  Tidalperiod. The interval of time between two consecutive, like phases of the tide.

                  Tidal range: The difference in height between consecutive high and low (or higher high and
                       lower low) waters.

                  Tide: The periodic rising and falling of the water that results from gravitational attraction of the
                       Moon and Sun and other astronomical bodies acting upon the rotating Earth. Although the
                       accompanying horizontal movement of the water resulting from the same cause is also
                       sometimes called the tide, it is preferable to designate the latter as tidal current, reserving the
                       name tide for the vertical movement.

                  Topography: The configuration of a surface, including its relief and the positions of its streams,
                       roads, building, etc..

                  Upland. Ground elevated above the lowlands along rivers or between hills.

                  Vegetated buffer: Strips of vegetation separating a waterbody from       -a land use that could act as
                       a nonpoint pollution source. Vegetated buffers (or simply buffers) are variable in width and
                       can range in- function from vegetated filter strips to wetlands or riparian areas.
                                                                                       I
                  Vegetated filter strip: Created areas of vegetation designed to remove sediment and other
                       pollutants from surface water runoff by filtration, deposition, infiltration, adsorption,
                       decomposition, and volatilization. A vegetated filter strip is an area that maintains soil aeration
                       as opposed to a wetland, which at times exhibits anaerobic soils conditions.



                    G-4









               Wetlands: Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a
                    frequency and duration to support, and the under normal circumstances do support, a
                    prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions; wetlands
                    generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. (This definition is consistent
                    with the Federal definition at 40 CFR 230.3, promulgated December 24, 1980. As
                    amendments are made to the wetland definition, they will be considered applicable to this
                    guidance.)






               Note: Most of the definitions in this glossary were taken from the EPA document, Guidance Specifting
                    Management Measures For Source of Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters, published by the EPA Office of
                    Water, 1993.











































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               BIBLIOGRAPHY


               Bryant, Tracey L., and Pennock, Jonathan R., eds. 77ze Delaware Estuary: Rediscovering a
                    Forgotten Resource, Newark, Delaware, University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program,
                    1988.


               Bucks County Planning Commission, Planning Progress, Volume 12 1, Summer 1994.

               Bucks County Planning Commission, Bucks County Continuum., Doylestown, PA, County of
                    Bucks, 1994.

               Bucks County Planning Commission, Wetlands Regulation in Bucks County, Doylestown, PA,
                    County of Bucks, 1988.

               Center for Watershed Protection, Watershed Protection Techniques, Vol. 1, No. 1, February 1994.

               Delaware Estuary Program, 1992 Delaware Estuary Program Annual Report, Philadelphia,
                    Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Association of New Jersey Environmental
                    Commissions, 1993.

               Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Four Environmentally Significant Areas,
                    Philadelphia, 1976.

               Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation, Federal Manual for Identifying and
                    Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands, Washington, D.C., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
                    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S.D.A. Soil
                    Conservation Service (cooperative technical publication), 1989.

               Greeley-Polhemus Group, Inc., Delaware Estuary Program Land Use Management Inventory and
                    Assessment (Draft Report), Philadelphia, Delaware Estuary Program, 1990.

               Hairston, Anti J., ed., Wetlands: An Approach to Improving Decision Making in Wetland
                    Restoration and Creation, Washington, D.C., Island Press, 1992.

               Horsley and Witten, Inc., Coastal Protection Program: Workshops in Innovative Management
                    Techniques for Estuaries, Wetlands, and Near Coastal Waters, Washington, D.C., U.S.
                    Environmental Protection Agency, undated.

               Kuo, Chin Y., e.d., Stormwater Runoff and Quality Management, University Park, PA, Penn
                    State University, 1994...

               Kusler, Jon A., and Kentula, Mary E., ed., Wetland Creation and Resoration: The Status of the
                    Science, Washington, D.C., Island Press, 1990.




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                Lauff, George H., ed., Estuaries, Washington D.C., American Association for the Advancement
                    of Science, 1968.

                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adrifinistration, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Coastal Zone
                    Management Program and Final Environmental Impact Statement, Washington, D.C., U.S
                    Department of Commerce, 1980.

                Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management
                    Program, Harrisburg, PA, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1980.

                Rhoads, Ann F., and Klein, William McKinley, Jr., The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania:
                    Annotated Checklist and Atlas, Philadelphia, American Philosophical Society, 1993.

                Shertzer, Richard H., ed., Special Protection Waters Implementation Handbook, Harrisburg, PA,
                    Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, 1992.

                United States Environmental Protection Agency, Guidance Specifting Management Measures    For
                    Source of Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters, Washington, D.C., U.S. EPA Office of
                    Water, EPA-840-B-92-002, 1993.









































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                                    COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
                                DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
    PENN SYLVAN [A                              P.O. Box 8555
    Cl&@Q                                 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8555
                                               January 20, 1995

                                                                         717-787-2529
       Bureau of Land and Water Conservation







       Nell K. Christerson, Program Specialist
       Coastal Programs Division - OCRM
       SSMC4, Room 11209 WORM 3)
       1305 East-West Highway
       Silver Spring, MD 20910

       RE: DER File No. CZ1:A(93)

       Dear Neil:

           Enclosed with this letter are two copies of the final plan for the Neshaminy Creek
       Nonpoint Pollution and Wetlands Study (CZ1:93PD.04). This project was completed with funds
       provided by a financial assistance award in the Coastal Zone Management Program for the
       Fiscal Year 1993.


                                                Sincerely,

                                                         57.


                                                Robert S. Edwards
                                                Environmental Planner 1I
                                                Division of Coastal Programs
       Enclosure









                         J



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