Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 6. Issues and Concernstechniques. Soils lacking vegetation are susceptible to extensive erosion, allowing large amounts of silt toenter the stream, especially during storm events. The sediment is then deposited on the streambed, oftenfilling or blocking the channel. Erosion occurs on streambanks where little or no vegetation is present,because there are no roots to hold the soil in place. On streambanks lacking vegetation, native speciescould be planted to limit the amount of erosion and sedimentation in the streams and protect streambanks.One of the major causes of soil erosion comes from oneof the most controversial issues within the watershed, the useof all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Drivers who prefer to ride onareas of steep slopes and streambeds, rip up vegetation, andallow additional sediment to enter streams. With theincreasing interest in ATVs, keeping riders off private landsand unauthorized trails is difficult. Enforcement andstrengthened regulations are needed within the project area.Establishing designated areas for ATVs and utilizing propertrail design could help control erosion and sedimentation andeliminate some of the trespassing issues.Abandoned mine drainage fromSemiconon Run entering treatmentImpaired waterways are streams in which designateduses have not been obtained. Designated uses are identified through historic and current uses of thewaterbody. Impaired waters are listed in the Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report.More information about impaired waterways is available in the Water Resources Chapter.BiodiversityThis region is fortunate to have a diversity of plants, wildlife, and natural communities within itsboundaries. Biodiversity is, simply, the variety of life in an area. One component of biodiversity ishabitat. High-quality, diverse habitats are needed for plants and animals to survive and thrive. Highqualitybiodiversity in an area also contributes certain intrinsic values, such as water and air purification,to improve the quality of life of humans living there.Several people noted that declining bird species were returning to the region, including eagles, blueand green herons, ospreys, and songbirds. Improved water quality and overall environmental health isbelieved to have contributed to this return. On the flip side, some participants felt the diversity, overallnumbers, and health of fish had declined. The suspicion was that habitat loss and degraded water qualitywere responsible. A few respondents said they had seen fewer anglers in recent years, possibly due topoor water quality, or at least the reputation the area had for poor water quality. The plight of songbirdsand protection of their habitat was of concern for some participants. It was believed that excessive deerpopulations were competing for resources, and invasive exoticEuropean starlings were out-competing native species as well.Japanese knotweed is one of theinvasive species prevalent alongConnoquenessing CreekOne component of protecting biodiversity involvescontrolling invasive species. Invasive species, which are foreignto an area, can spread quickly and become difficult to eradicate.When invasives become dominant, they out-compete nativespecies for resources, such as food, water, soil nutrients (in thecase of plants), or places to reproduce and raise their young (inthe case of animals). Not only do invasive species affectwildlife and plants, but multiple impacts to humans may resultas well, including degraded aesthetics and property values,reduced timber value, and degraded water quality, just to namea few.6-7