Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 2. Land Resources disturbance of earth materials is regulated by DEP through the Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program, administered by county conservation districts. Any earth moving activities, such as timber harvesting, construction activities, agricultural plowing and tilling, etc., over 5,000 square feet must have an erosion and sedimentation (E&S) control plan on site. Disturbances of less than 5,000 square feet are required to minimize the potential for accelerated erosion and sedimentation through the implementation and maintenance of best management practices (BMPs). Contact your county conservation district for more information regarding E&S concerns (Pennsylvania Code, 2000). Groundwater Recharge Areas Recharge areas occur where precipitation is capable of infiltrating the ground to the saturated zone— an area where all pore spaces and fractures are filled with water. Parking lots, sidewalks, roofs, and streets are examples of impervious surfaces that block water infiltration and suppress groundwater recharge. When a watershed is covered by 10–25 percent impervious cover, it is deemed impacted. Watersheds are considered damaged if 25 percent or more consists of impervious surfaces (Center for Watershed Protection, 1999). Impervious surfaces increase the volume of stormwater by 16 percent when compared to natural forest habitats, impacting dry and wet weather stream flows, the shape and size of a stream channel, water quality, and habitats for plants and animals. The increased volume of stormwater leads to frequent flooding and increased severity of flood events. Due to the higher volume of stormwater, the velocity of the flow increases and leads to eroded streambanks, which deepens, widens, and straightens the stream’s channel. Sediment that is washed into the stream is carried and deposited downstream, smothering habitat, decreasing the depth of the stream, and ultimately changing the path of the waterway (Center for Watershed Protection, 1999). As the amount of impervious surface of a watershed increases, the quantity and diversity of aquatic life decreases. Limiting the amount of impervious surfaces and installing best management practices, such as porous pavement, rain barrels, and swales, can increase groundwater recharge. It is important to protect open spaces and limit the amount of impervious surfaces to allow water to infiltrate the ground to recharge groundwater. During dry conditions and droughts, the amount of water in streams, lakes, and ponds is supplied by groundwater. If groundwater supplies are insufficient due to impervious surfaces, the impacts of dry conditions will be intensified (Center for Watershed Protection, 1999). Fish and Wildlife Habitat Habitats are the natural environments upon which animals and plants depend. Healthy habitats are important to maintaining a diversity of biological resources. Interferences and changes to habitats affect the plants and animals that depend on them. Habitats where rare, threatened, and endangered species reside are critical. Important habitats in the watershed include forested and riparian areas, floodplains, and wetlands. Riparian Corridors Riparian corridors are lands located next to a body of water. When densely vegetated, they serve as a buffer against polluted runoff and provide habitat corridors for many species of wildlife. The Water and Biological Resources chapters of this plan provide specific information about riparian corridors and their benefits. Floodplains Floodplains are land areas that lie adjacent to waterbodies, such as the Allegheny River and its tributaries, which absorb the occasional overflow of water beyond the banks of the stream. Floodplains are delineated by the frequency of flooding events that cover them with water. Floodplains often contain rich sediments, as occasional flooding deposits nutrient rich soils from floodwaters. Floodplains are also 2-16
Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan Chapter 2. Land Resources inhabited by unique plants and wildlife accustomed to the periodic inundation of water. Many species found in floodplains are seldom seen in other areas. Wetlands Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater during a portion of the year and contain plant species that tolerate or thrive in wet conditions. They are delineated according to hydrology, soil type, and vegetation. Whether naturally occurring or constructed, wetland areas have a variety of appearances. They might appear as standing water, inundated soils, or apparently dry fields. Wetlands are a vital component to a healthy watershed, as they provide many unique and critical functions. More information regarding wetlands is discussed in the Water Resources chapter. Wind Energy In the search for alternative energy, wind energy is one of the front-runners in Pennsylvania and throughout the U.S. It is a sustainable, renewable, economical, and fast growing alternative energy source. Although not located within the top 25 sites for wind energy potential, Pennsylvania has moderate potential. Eight percent of Pennsylvania lands have the potential for commercial wind energy development. DEP estimates there is potential to generate 45 billion kilowatt-hours annually (DEP, 2002). Wind speed and turbine height are key variables in determining how much electricity a turbine can produce. Wind speed increases as the height of the turbine increases. Energy generated from wind is calculated as a cube of its speed; a wind speed of 11 mph generates 30 percent more energy than a wind speed of 10 mph (DEP 10 ). In order to establish a wind farm, six components are needed—open space, wind turbines, transmission lines, substations, weather stations, and access roads. Open space is required, as each turbine unit requires a 15-foot non-vegetative diameter base. Turbines are typically distributed one unit per eight acres of land. Wind turbines are supported by towers that reach over 200 feet above the ground. They are needed to provide the turbines access to wind speeds between 7 and 35 miles per hour (mph). Transmission lines must be located within close proximity of the wind turbines so that electricity generated can be sold to a utility. Substations change the voltage of generated electricity to match the voltage in the transmission lines. Weather stations collect wind data in order to adjust turbines for maximum efficiency. Access roads for construction and maintenance activities are needed for each turbine (DEP, 2002). Areas desired for wind energy often coincide with areas of ecological significance. Forest ridges and other landscapes, where high wind speeds are generated, often contain the most biologically rich forests and streams in the Commonwealth. For this reason, site selection for establishing wind farms can be very controversial. Issues with wind farms vary among nuisance, safety, and ecological concerns. Nuisance issues include noise, spoiling views, excessive lighting, and interference with communication signals, such as television. Impacts to wildlife include bird and bat mortality, habitat loss and fragmentation, and interference with migration patterns (American Wind Energy Association). In an attempt to deter controversy, protect ecological resources, and generate energy, representatives from environmental agencies, conservation organizations, and the wind industry formed the Pennsylvania Wind and Wildlife Collaborative. The group pools resources in collecting, sharing, and reviewing scientific data to address how to enhance development of wind energy in Pennsylvania in an environmentally responsible manner. Together, they developed policies, best management practices, 2-17
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Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

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