Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation Plan - Western ...

Connoquenessing Creek Watershed Conservation PlanChapter 3. Water Resourcesrequirements identified in Chapter 105. If, after DEP consultation, wetland replacement onsite is notfeasible or deemed unnecessary, the permit applicant may contribute to the fund, based on the size of thedisturbance. With the fund, DEP will support restoration projects throughout the state that restorewetlands, riparian corridors, and other aquatic systems (DEP, 2007).It is critical to protect and maintain an abundance of wetlands in any watershed for flood protection,water quality improvement, and wildlife habitat protection. Often artificially constructed wetlands do notperform to same quality as natural wetlands, but in any case, it is important to maintain as much wetlandarea as possible. Ideally, wetlands that are threatened by development or conversion should be protectedwith a buffer surrounding them to reduce the secondary impacts.Wetlands in Connoquenessing WatershedFigure 3-2 delineates wetlands and hydric soils found throughout the Connoquenessing watershed.Wetlands only comprise 0.01% of the land area (Table 2-1, Chapter 2) of the Connoquenessing landscape.Swamp forests are a recognized community of the Southern Unglatiated Allegheny Plateau ecoregion(McNab & Avers, 1994). The Redwing Valley Swamp biological diversity area (BDA) is one example ofthe high level of biodiversity contributed by wetland habitats (Figure 4-1, Chapter 4).Wetlands can be constructed to serve a specific purpose related to improving water quality. Wetlandscan be constructed to control stormwater runoff in developed areas, remediate AMD, and treatwastewater. Several small, artificial wetlands exist throughout the study area to serve those purposes.Passive treatment systems to abate the effects of AMD, often include a system of settling ponds andwetlands to allow metals and pollutants to drop out of the water, incorporating alkaline additions whennecessary, as well. These treatment sites and wetlands offer a unique opportunity for a variety ofeducational workshops to teach citizens about the effects of pollution, environmental remediationtechniques, water quality, and biodiversity. Lutherlyn has an effort in the Semiconon subwatershed toremediate AMD with a passive treatment system, and they offer a variety of educational programs inassociation with the project.Watershed Protection LawsClean Water ActThe 1977 amendments to the federal Water Pollution Control Act became known as the Clean WaterAct (CWA). This act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollution into waterbodiesof the United States. The CWA gives the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) theauthority to regulate pollution discharges and set water quality standards. It also makes it unlawful for anyperson to discharge pollution from a “point source” intonavigable waters without a permit. The CWA fundsconstruction of sewage treatment plants and recognizes theneed for planning to address “non-point source” pollutionproblems, as well (Elder et al. 1999).Point versus Non-point Source PollutionPoint source pollution refers to discharges, or pollutioninputs, that enter a stream or lake directly via a pipe, culvert,container, or other means. One of the ways the Clean WaterAct is enforced is through the National Pollutant DischargeElimination System (NPDES), whereby DEP issues permitsfor point source discharges (DEP 4 ). In Pennsylvania, the DEPConnoquenessing flowing under Route4223-12