CHAPTER 4 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources with second growth northern hardwoods in the mid-successional stage of regeneration. It provides open space and habitat for wildlife, as well as recreational opportunities for visitors. Rare Occurrences: No rare occurrences were noted for this site. Threats and Stresses: Strip mining to the south of this site poses a threat to the integrity and quality of the natural resources contained within it. Recommendations: This area should be protected from mining activities that may threaten its resources. Trillium Hill LCA Significance: Low Location: Jackson, Lancaster, and Connoquenessing townships Description: Located along the south shore of the Little Connoquenessing Creek, this area contains maturing second growth woodland, despite having been logged in the past. Steepness at the top of the hill along Swain Hill Road has limited development in that area. Maturing northern hardwood forest communities occupy the hillside and valleys along the creek, and display stunning wildflower blooms in the springtime. Wildlife and recreation depend on the open space provided by Trillium Hill, which is important due to its short distance from the highly developed areas of Butler County and the Pittsburgh suburbs. Rare Occurrences: No rare occurrences were noted for this site. Threats and Stresses: Horseback riding and ATV usage throughout the site have caused erosion and sedimentation impacts. Recommendations: Reduce the harmful effects of the abovementioned activities through landowner education. A forested buffer should be maintained around the site to reduce the amount of sedimentation entering the stream, and to protect and improve the qualities of the site. Beaver County Camp Kon-o-kwee Floodplain BDA Significance: High Location: Franklin and Marion townships Twelve-spotted skimmer, this dragonfly was “spotted” in the watershed Description: This area occurs along Connoquenessing Creek, and provides special habitat to a plant species of special concern that is rare in the state. A floodplain forest dominated by silver maple, green ash, swamp white oak, American elm, and silky dogwood is another important feature of this BDA. While recovering from past disturbance, this floodplain is characterized by maturing trees and a diversity of herbaceous plants. The small (less than 15 acres) natural community is restricted by development occurring in the floodplain. Rare Occurrences: One plant species of special concern and an important floodplain forest natural community exist at this site. Threats and Stresses: Maintenance of the area, use of the resources, and expansion of recreation areas including a boathouse and archery/shooting range threaten the overall area, especially the rare plant species and important floodplain community contained within. A mowed path through the floodplain connecting two developed areas fragments that forest community. Road construction and maintenance jeopardize the survival of the rare plant species in particular, as those activities and stormwater runoff associated with the impervious surface can impact the plant species. Road salt, roadside weeds, and trampling also may affect the vitality of this plant population. 4-20
Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Chapter 4. Biological Resources Recommendations: Avoid expanding developed areas adjacent to the floodplain, as well as upland areas that extend to the edge of the floodplain. Impacts associated with mowing, development, road construction or expansion, etc., should be evaluated to determine their potential impacts on the BDA, and in particular the rare plant population. Reduce the width of the mowed trail through the floodplain to four feet and maintain it with non-mechanical maintenance methods, such as hand trimming, so it can be utilized for nature study. Herbicide usage along the road to control weedy vegetation should be avoided or eliminated to avoid potential impacts to the rare plant species. Tree growth near the road could be encouraged, as that would naturally impede weedy growth and provide canopy cover, a habitat requirement, for the plant species of special concern. Brush Creek Floodplain BDA Significance: Notable Location: New Sewickley Township Description: This BDA contains a small stand of mature trees and an associated recovering shrub wetland, along a pattern of oxbow ponds and a small tributary stream where Brush Creek once flowed, but appears to have been cut off by the construction of the <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> Turnpike (Rt. 76). The mature trees serve as nesting habitat for the animal species of special concern, which depends on old-growth trees and wetlands or floodplains for nesting habitat. Approximately 30 nests have been reported, making this the largest nesting site of the species in Beaver County. Rare Occurrences: One animal species of special concern inhabits this site. This ebony jewelwing is a predatory damselfly that helps to keep insect populations under control Threats and Stresses: The small size of the stand of mature trees limits the availability of suitable nesting sites for the animal species of special concern. The site is bordered on one side by a major road, the turnpike, and on the other by a pasture and another road. Therefore, it lacks a buffer and the potential for expansion of the habitat, which threatens the nesting habitat. Recommendations: Attempts should be made to limit human access and disturbance to the site, especially during the nesting period from early spring to mid summer. Development of the land in the immediate area of the site should be evaluated for potential impacts to the animal species of special concern. The <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> Turnpike Commission should also be made aware of the site, and efforts should be made to avoid impacts to the species as a result of activities along Route 76. Big Knob Significance: This is the highest point in Beaver County at an elevation of 1,383 feet. Location: New Sewickley Township Description: Residential development occupies the base and lower slopes of the knob, while much of the forest has been cleared. One of two geological features recognized in the Natural Heritage Inventory of Beaver County occurs at Big Knob; this site is a remnant of the glacial period. Rare Occurrences: No rare occurrences were noted on this site. Threats and Stresses: Residential development expansion. Recommendations: No recommendations were noted for this site. 4-21
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CHAPTER 4 - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

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