Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 1 2
019
2019
Union Township
Berks County Pennsylvania
Return on Environment Study An Approach to Develop a Sustainable Environment and Economy
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our thanks to the Union Township Environmental Advisory Council for their interest, participation and 01. Summary support. And to others who attended the ROE Workshop. Finally, to Jeanne Ortiz, Audubon 02. Why ROE? Pennsylvania who provided leadership and support. 03. Place
04. Biological Diversity is Critical to Our Survival 05. We need to Keep Water Clean at the Source
06 06. Eco-Pricing It is extremely difficult to have a 07. Outdoor Recreation and strong economy without a Reduced Health Care Cost healthy environment and plenty 08 08. Property Value of open space. 09. Nature Provides a Competitive Advantage 10. Creating a Sustainable Environment and Economy
This project was funded by the William Penn 11. We Can’t Afford Not to Foundation through the Delaware River Protect Open Space Watershed Initiative. 12 12. Putting ROE to Work
GLOSSARY
METHODOLOGY https://kittatinnyridge.org/explore/roe/
APPENDIX A Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan Search Results
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 3
Nature is an invisible economy. More than just 01. SUMMARY pretty places, nature provides nearly $40 million dollars each year to Union Township in Union Township’s rural character and the form of avoided costs for natural system values are facing the winds of services, decreased health care costs, and change. revenues from outdoor recreation (See Figure 1). Nature has been part of Union Township’s heritage, culture, economy and sense of place “Return on Environment” or ROE estimates the ever since it was founded in the mid-1700s. financial value of nature. The estimates are not Green, rolling hills and streams create beautiful about intrinsic value, but rather an explanation vistas and reflect the township’s rural character of what governments and people have been and values. However, the loss of farmland and willing to pay for nature’s services once nature scenic views, fragmentation of forests, and has been disrupted or destroyed. As an increasing traffic are harbingers of change. This example, avoided costs mean taxpayers won’t report explains the financial value of nature in have to pay to construct new infrastructure to Union Township. This study can help policy- manage and treat more stormwater and makers, businesses and residents make drinking water and, as long as nature is intact, informed choices about growth, economic won’t incur greater clean-up costs from natural development, infrastructure, tourism, disasters. recreation and stewardship investments. The numbers in Figure 1 show the benefits of Nature is serious business. Return on ROE. It is extremely difficult to have a strong Environment (ROE) is real, significant and economy without a healthy environment and impacts a wide range of stakeholders. Placing a plenty of open space. Unfortunately, because dollar value on nature helps policymakers, Mother Nature doesn't write receipts, nature’s businesses and residents see nature as a economy is often overlooked or undervalued in portfolio of financial assets rather than a policy debates, business and land use decisions, commodity or added expense. and personal choices.
Nature is the lifeblood of this area’s culture and Most of the historic Hopewell Big Woods lies in economy. Today, open spaces are where Union Township. This provides a large healthy nature thrives. The quiet, rolling, forested woodland and many benefits. A major terrain provides many recreational challenge for Union Township is how to balance opportunities from hunting and fishing to hiking trails, bicycling and horseback riding. Wildlife is visible and abundant.
Nature also provides clean water, stormwater management and flood protection, pollination, nutrient absorption, aquatic and terrestrial habitat, carbon sequestration, air pollutant removal, erosion control, and biological control, free of charge. Once disrupted or destroyed, nature’s services must be replaced at the taxpayers’ expense.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 4 growth with the community’s existing quality of wetlands and other open areas where natural life, health, low cost of living, sense of place and system services occur. 1 the economic value provided by open space. Commercial and industrial development, farms, FIGURE 1 and open land generate more revenue than Union Township’s Annual they require back in services. However, for every dollar received from residential Return on Environment development, a township pays $1.11 to provide $35.3 million services like roads and schools. The real value Natural system services of development is the revenue provided minus the cost of services and the loss of ROE to the $4.82 million township. 2 Value of existing riparian buffers $1.9-$6.34 million Another impact from sprawl is the loss of Outdoor recreation annual revenues critical habitat. Bird populations in North America are in a freefall. A study published in 19-56 the journal Science found that North America Jobs related to recreation has lost nearly 3 billion birds, or 29% of its avian $2.1 million population, since 1970 and many species are in Health care cost savings “conservation need,” meaning they lack 3 attributed to open space and exercise adequate habitat.
Birds are a good biological indicator. As bird A second, and possibly more important populations decrease, snake, rodent, and insect challenge, is how to balance natural systems to populations increase. Hopewell Big Woods and allow for a sustainable economy. We believe, State Game Lands #43 play a critical role in communities that understand the value of providing habitat for these birds. Many similar nature have a better chance of finding this forests are important as well. The authors of balance. this recent research say, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is 4 ROE can help businesses, policy makers and now.” residents make informed decisions on land use, infrastructure, economic development, Clearly, conservation decisions are strategic to recreation and tourism. Every resource-based today and to the future. While nature can decision process should begin with a clear replace itself, once disrupted or destroyed, understanding of Union Township’s ROE. natural system services will be diminished for 50-120 years until they reach full capacity. It How land is used has the greatest impact on can take 400 years for a non-native plant to 5 water quality and a healthy environment. naturalize. In the meantime, residents assume Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has consumed the tax burden of replacing the services once more land per person than any other state, over provided by nature, free of charge. That’s why the past 30 years. Sprawl has been accelerating conservation and protecting nature are good the fragmentation and depletion of forests, business strategies.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 5 The careful protection, management, and use of If Union Township expects to have a sustainable natural resources are essential to the long-term economy, a connected pattern of forests and sustainability of nature and the local and wetlands needs to be protected and managed. regional economies. Also, the U.S. This includes at a minimum: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that townships protect riparian Map the relative financial values of natural corridors and connections between large system services and develop strategies to forests, to be more resilient to the anticipated maintain, restore and enhance them. effects of climate change. 6 Restore riparian areas where necessary.
100-foot wide buffers are the most Map 1 shows the ROE values for Union effective. Headwater protection is critical. Township. The ROE map is the base map for the ROE Interactive Map Series, which shows Retain as much pre-existing, natural the relationship between different financial landscape as possible during any new data layers related to the use of land and construction. Pass a native plant ordinance natural system services. to ensure all future development primarily uses native plant species. The link to the ROE Interactive Map Series is: Protect highly valued ROE areas that are https://wplan.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer vulnerable to disruption. /index.html?id=988aca4f49bd4cd6886b834cd24999 Protect and restore riparian buffers and d8 wetlands from disturbance and connect and restore open space corridors.
Connect larger forests where possible, with The highest value land cover types are wetlands riparian corridors or upland wooded and riparian forests, floodplains and large corridors. forests. Expand natural habitat by developing Green Ribbon Landscapes along riparian areas and around parks, trails and natural preserves.
Hopewell Big Woods
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 6 Map 1. ROE Values for Union Township
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 7 with sprawl, stormwater, flooding, water 02. WHY ROE? quality, and habitat loss.
ROE informs decisions on land use, The Benefits of Return on Environment tourism, infrastructure, economic Valuations development, and recreation. Explain nature's complex system in a Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania simple, easy-to-understand concept, Constitution provides as follows: accessible to a wide range of audiences. “The people have a right to clean air, pure Dollars convey a level of significance or water, and to the preservation of the natural, priority to allow for better trade-off scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the analysis. environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural Dollars, as a financial measure, underscore resources are the common property of all the nature’s connection to our quality of life, people, including generations yet to come. As health, cost of living, economy, and sense of trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth place. shall conserve and maintain them for the Monetary estimates of the value of natural benefit of all the people.” system services can be applied within decision frameworks related to land use, Sprawl, forest fragmentation, stormwater and tourism, and economic development. flooding, water pollution, and invasive plants Discussion of natural system services and have been consistent, unsolved problems for their values engages key stakeholders in an more than 60 years. educational process that can help organizations execute their missions. Just as return on investment tools are While any numeric model will engender important to assess the value of investment healthy skepticism, the discussion about decisions, we now have a way to estimate a nature’s value puts this issue on the table in Return on Environment. full view, so policy makers and citizens are aware of nature’s relative significance and ROE explains conservation in a language that is its connection to our quality of life, health, easy to understand, and which can immediately cost of living, sense of place, and the be used in decision making. It also connects economy. nature to a community’s quality of life and welfare, while expressing nature’s significant benefits.
To ensure responsible stewardship of the environment, every resource-based decision process should begin with a clear understanding of Union Township’s ROE. "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking The steering committees for the ROE studies in we used when we created them.” Carbon, Perry and Dauphin Counties noted that Albert Einstein placing a dollar value on natural system services would help solve 70% to 100% of short and long-term environmental problems associated
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 8 The township has a total area of 23.5 square 03. PLACE miles of land and the township’s population is 3,561 people, (2017 estimate) with 1,576 This quiet, rural place, home to households. The number of people per household is 2.26 (2013-2017). 90.6% are high Hopewell Big Woods and French school educated and 23.8 % are college 8 Creek State Park, is experiencing the educated. The township is located near the pressures of growth. Pottstown Parkway and is a short commute to Pottstown, Collegeville and King of Prussia. Union Township’s forests, streams and scenic vistas provide greenery and beauty. The area’s Nature’s value-added amenities like greenery, rural character reflects its rural values and outdoor recreation opportunities, abundant interest in preserving nature. It also has an state parks, and historic sites elevate inclusive and engaged community of residents. community pride and appreciation and make communities like this “preferred destinations.” Situated in lower Berks County along the Chester County line, Union Township offers an Legacy problems such as, flooding, stormwater, abundance of outdoor activities from hunting to water pollution and traffic are significant and horseback riding. important issues. Identifying areas with the highest ROE can help Union Township The township is proud of its rich history. There understand the financial significance of legacy are thirty-five sites located in Hopewell Big problems both now and into the future. Woods that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of French Creek State Park and a small portion of the Pennsylvania State Game Lands #43 are located in Union Township.
Hopewell Big Woods is in Union Township and is the largest contiguous forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. Spanning northern Chester County and southern Berks County, the region is approximately 73,000 acres or 114 square miles. Most of the forest is located in the
Schuylkill River Watershed. Hopewell Furnace
Hopewell Big Woods played a role in the iron industry’s expansion during the late 1700s and 1800s. Much of the forest was logged and used as charcoal to fuel local blast furnaces such as the Hopewell Furnace, Joanna Furnace, and the Warwick Furnace. 7
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 9 FIGURE 2. 04. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IS Union Township’s CRITICAL TO OUR SURVIVAL Annual Benefits from Forests Biological diversity is central to $16.6 million maximizing nature’s ecological and Habitat financial value. $.74 million Pollination We live in the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome. The soils and climate of this region have been $.7 million growing trees for 14,000 years, since the last Ice Biological control Age. In Pennsylvania, biological diversity is the $.42 million sum of all plants, animals, and insects that live Carbon sequestration in a forest environment. Native plants are the foundation for all life and control local $.27 million biodiversity. Air pollutant removal
Nature helps drive natural system services like photosynthesis, pest control, pollination, Forests over 500 acres provide the habitat size erosion control, soil formation, water necessary for breeding populations of songbirds purification, and the generation of oxygen and like Scarlet Tanager, Wood Thrush and , 12 ,13 clean air. Additionally, native plants support 29 Louisiana Water Thrush. times more biodiversity than non-native 9 plants. Forests over 750 acres provide the habitat size necessary for breeding populations of raptors 14 Natural system services work 24 hours a day, like eagles and hawks. 365 days a year. Forests provide source water protection to keep our groundwater and The major causes of biodiversity loss are forest streams clean. Every dollar spent on planting fragmentation and non-native, invasive plants. and caring for a community tree yields benefits Habitat size, shape, and topography all play a that are seven times that investment. 10 In role in sustaining biodiversity. Connecting and many instances, nature can outperform expanding habitat size creates healthy and engineered solutions. 11 resilient biological systems that boost the performance of natural system services. Figure 2 shows the benefits Union Township annually receives from forests. 15 Union Township’s primary habitat, Hopewell Big Woods and State Game Lands #43, provide a major forest habitat for wildlife that frequent Union Township. Hopewell Big Woods has several important, rare or endangered species of plants and animals. 16
Louisiana Water Thrush Some of the native flora located in the ecosystem are:
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 10
Bog bluegrass TABLE 1. Nodding trillium Species in Conservation Need in Pink lady's slipper Highbush blueberry Union Township Willow Flycatcher Common pawpaw (Empidonax traillii) Sugar maple Purple Martin Some of the native fauna in the ecosystem are: (Progne subis) Wood Thrush Mink (Hylocichla mustelina) North American beaver Gray Catbird North American river otter (Dumetella carolinensis) Louisiana Waterthrush Bobcat (Parkesia motacilla) Red fox Scarlet Tanager Gray fox (Piranga olivacea) Coyote Northern Bog turtle Field Sparrow 17 Brook trout (Spizella pusilla) Grasshopper Sparrow 84% of land in Pennsylvania is privately owned. (Ammodramus savannarum) To be able to have an impact, particularly in high ROE areas, homeowners need to practice good stewardship on their property and plant 60% in canopy cover and 60% in native plants (refer to the Green Ribbon Map, Map 5, to note 18 priority areas for backyard stewardship).
Tips for managing forests: Protect forests. The larger the forest, the better. Protecting round forests versus linear forests provides habitat for indigenous species in the forest core. Connect forests with riparian or upland corridors, allowing for movement of species and genetic drift. Leave dead trees for habitat.
Table 1 includes The Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan’s list of species in conservation need 19 in Union Township.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 11 vegetated buffers provide extensive water 05. WE NEED TO KEEP WATER quality and other environmental benefits.
CLEAN AT THE SOURCE Most of the township lies in the Little Schuylkill Every 10% increase in forest cover in a Creek Watershed with a small portion in French watershed decreases water Creek Watershed. Healthy streams and rivers are vital and valuable natural resources that 20 treatment costs by 20%. support a wide variety of living things, as well as a multitude of outdoor activities. How we manage the land around streams directly FIGURE 3. affects their health for better or worse. Map 2 Union Township’s Annual shows the value of the riparian buffer on a per Water Resource Benefits acre basis.
$10.4 million New research shows an even higher ecological Stormwater and flood control value for riparian buffers in headwaters, or first- $1.7 million order streams, that should be protected from disturbance or degradation. Headwater streams Water supply are primary food/fuel production areas and $3.4 million have been found to be essential to the health of 22 Nutrient absorption the entire aquatic system.
$1.04 million Riparian buffers, particularly forested buffers, Aquatic resources provide the following documented conservation benefits:
Prevent stream bank erosion Townships that protect riparian corridors are Protect natural stream morphology (i.e., expected to be more resilient to the anticipated broad meanders with maximum stream effects of climate change. Expenses associated bottom habitat) with recovery from extreme weather impacts Remove excess nitrogen, phosphorus and increased by a factor of six between 1997 and sediment from surface water runoff 2007. The most efficient way to avoid excessive Reduce downstream flooding future costs is to increase the flexibility of Provide thermal protection to adjoining ecosystems now so that they may function and streams, wetlands, and water bodies retain resiliency under a wider range of climatic Infiltration of rainwater helps prevent conditions. 21 flooding and provides clean water to streams at a consistent temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature most Riparian Buffers suitable for aquatic life The land adjacent to streams is called a riparian Provide food and habitat for wildlife buffer. Scientific research has strongly established the harm to water quality, Provide food and habitat for fish and increased flooding and the damage to the amphibians ecosystem that results from failure to protect Form corridors for habitat conservation and riparian buffers. Riparian buffers, particularly greenways and protect associated 23 when forested, effectively prevent non-source wetlands pollutants from degrading these resources. Research documents that undisturbed,
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 12 Map 2. ROE Values – Riparian buffers
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 13 Headwater streams are critical repositories of biodiversity, especially aquatic insects (macro invertebrates), which play such a vital role in aquatic eco-systems and in the in-stream processing discussed above.
Forested riparian buffers in headwaters (first-order streams) generate high levels of organic matter which inputs directly from land into the water. This, in turn, maximizes in- stream processing functions providing the “fuel” needed for downstream energy and French Creek State Park nutrient processing. Several “exceptional value streams” exist in the Stroud research has demonstrated that the township. Many of the riparian buffers in the aquatic insect community is remarkably township need to be restored to maintain a abundant in headwaters zones, which healthy environment and protect these contributes greatly to downstream stream important streams. energy and nutrient processing. In-stream processing needs “fuel.” It turns out that maximum fuel is provided in a variety of ways in these headwater streams, from algae, aquatic mosses, rooted aquatic plants, trees, understory shrubs, and other herbaceous vegetation. 24
They also provide important habitat and wildlife corridors for mammals and birds. Trees and shrubs with deep root systems hold the soil and resist stream bank erosion.
Riparian buffers also act as shock absorbers that diffuse the energy of floodwaters, thus reducing damage downstream. Trees cast a shade that cools the water, reduces the growth of algae, and improves fish habitat. 25
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 14
MAP 3. Headwaters
TABLE 2. virtually all sources acknowledge that the wider Erosion/Sediment Control: 30 to 98 feet the buffer, the better the eco-services Water Quality: performance. Functions and recommended Nutrients 49 to 164 feet width studies have been summarized for Pesticides 49 to 328 feet riparian zones in Table 2. 26 Bio-contaminants (fecal, etc.) 30 feet or more Aquatic Habitat: Wildlife 33 to 164 feet Litter/Debris 50 to 100 feet Temperature 30 to 230 feet $4.82 million per year Terrestrial Habitat: 150 to 330 feet ROE values currently provided by Union Township’s existing 100-foot-wide riparian When crafting effective riparian buffer buffer. ordinances, buffer width is important. Recommended minimum width depends, to some extent, on what benefits or eco-services are deemed important to protect, although
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 15
MAP 4. Large Forests and Riparian Buffers
Start with shrubs. They give a buffer a Tips for a Riparian Buffer: quick start and many reach full size in Begin a “no mow or no graze zone” just a few years. along stream banks. An ideal buffer is 27 Limit lawns near the water. Set mower 100 feet wide. The wider, the better. blades at least 3 inches high. Taller Plant trees and shrubs in your buffer grass slows runoff, resists drought and zone. They provide many long-lasting needs less fertilizer. Do not use benefits and can be inexpensive to herbicides in the buffer zone. establish and maintain. Stop animals from grazing in the Maintained slopes of streambanks streams. Fencing is sometimes needed. should approach 1-foot of rise over a 4- foot length where possible, to eliminate bank erosion and increase surface area.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 16
06. ECO-PRICING 07. OUTDOOR RECREATION What have governments and people AND REDUCED HEALTH CARE been willing to pay for the services COSTS that nature provides free of charge? Demand for outdoor recreation is increasing. The value placed on nature’s services is not intrinsic, but rather a value that government, The outdoor recreation industry is strong and businesses, and individuals have been willing to growing, generating $646 billion annually in the pay for these services once nature has been United States. By comparison, gasoline and disrupted or destroyed. In this way, the full other fuels yield $354 billion annually.30 cost of habitat loss or retention is understood, and communities can begin to see nature’s According to the Outdoor Industry’s services as financial assets to be managed. Pennsylvania Fact Sheet, Pennsylvania residents
spend over $29.1 billion annually on outdoor Eco-pricing is the process used to determine recreation. 31 This includes many sports events, what price people and government have been driving for pleasure, and golf. Outdoor willing to pay to maintain or restore services. recreation sustains as many jobs in
Pennsylvania as the natural gas industry. 32 The eco-price method documents instances where society has paid for an increase in This study only focuses on outdoor recreation nature’s services, avoided their loss, or restored activities of residents to enhance their quality damages to those services. For example, many of life without disturbing or destroying the restoration practices are focused on reducing environment. the amount of nitrogen entering waterways.
The cost of paying for this can be expressed in 31% of Pennsylvanians surveyed during the terms of $/pound of nitrogen removed. 28 DCNR 2014 Outdoor Recreation Participation
Survey of Pennsylvania said they planned to Natural systems, such as wetlands, forests, and spend more time outdoors.33 riparian areas, remove nitrogen naturally at varying rates on an annual basis. Using the About half of the region’s baby boomers plan to average cost of nitrogen reduction practices, an increase their outdoor activity, compared to annual eco-price benefit can be calculated for 25% of their older counterparts. By 2025, each natural system. 29 millennials will make up 75% of the workforce,
and these young professionals enjoy the Building on previous valuation studies and using outdoors and seek healthy and adventurous standard economic analysis techniques, our 34 lifestyles. study estimated the financial value of natural system services. Data for these estimates were Nature provides the venues for outdoor provided by the PA Fish and Boat Commission, activities, free-of-charge. Table 3 shows the PA Game Commission, PA Bureau of Forestry, direct recreation economic impacts for Union PA Department of Conservation and Natural Township in two scenarios, Low and Expected. Resources, and the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources. For more information on eco-pricing see Hopewell Big Woods offers a variety of https://kittatinnyridge.org/explore/roe/ activities. Hiking, fishing, camping, horse-back
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 17 riding, and rock climbing are some of the many township. The Expected Scenario is based on recreational activities residents and visitors participation and spending rates from the enjoy. Public and open lands within the opinions of regional vendors and recreation Hopewell Big Woods include: enthusiasts.
The trend for current residents is to spend more French Creek State Park time outdoors, and this is expected to continue Coventry Woods with future growth. Warwick County Park Birdsboro Waters A 2015 report by the Outdoor Crow’s Nest Preserve Industry Association found that the following outdoor activities have been increasing: $1.9 to 6.34 million Paddle sports Outdoor recreation annual revenues Mountain biking
Cross-country skiing TABLE 3. Day hiking Union Township Bird watching Recreation Direct Economic Bicycling
Impact Local outdoor recreation experts add fishing, 35 running, and nature study to the list. Activity Low Expected Many people participate in more than one Walking $245,894 $477,701 outdoor activity. They also participate on Fishing $192,062 $435,438 different lands from farmers’ fields, to trout Hunting $205,894 $626,506 streams, roads, white water areas and so on. Birding/Bird The Chester County ROE Study estimated that Watching $70,225 $498,598 people spend $656 per household, per year 36 Wildlife Watching $184,079 $324,768 recreating on protected lands. Camping $153,684 $297,122 Kayaking/Paddle Numerous studies have shown that easy access Sports $64,035 $270,868 to outdoor recreation inspires more people to Bicycling $307,368 $545,578 exercise. The more they exercise, the healthier they are, with less money spent on health care 37 Mountain Biking $174,175 $1,209,365 costs. Cross-Country Skiing $110,994 $472,834 Union Township’s health care savings were Horseback Riding $40,982 $153,684 derived by applying DCNR outdoor exercise Hiking $119,532 $189,544 participation rates to the conclusions of four Jogging/Running $109 $787,631 recent studies. Nature Study $51,100 $58,912 Total* $1,920,134 $6,348,549
*These estimates are based on the 75% outdoor recreation participation.
The Low Scenario is the lowest possible participation and spending on recreation in the
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 18 $2.1 million annually Dollars saved each year from reduced health care costs by men and women over 19 years of age in Union Township.
The EPA and other public health organizations have long acknowledged the link between water and air quality, and human health. There are social and health benefits related to the proximity of people to nature, parks, walking trails and biking trails—both in the form of physical exercise and mental stress relief. 38
Forests outside of urban areas significantly contribute to improved human health in urban areas. These health benefits have the potential to provide significant cost savings in health expenditures. People who exercise regularly and seek stress relief are generally healthier, have fewer insurance claims and spend less time in hospitals, thus their societal health care costs are lower. 39
While paid fitness clubs and prescription exercise are valuable, individuals generally remain actively involved for just a short period 40 of time, often three to six months.
People over 19 years of age who exercise two or more times a week save $1,425 per year in health care costs annually. 41,42 Adults who exercise one day per week save $713 dollars each year on health care costs.43,44
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 19 In other words, if all the protected open space 08. PROPERTY VALUE in Chester County were eliminated, the total value of the housing stock would decrease by Homeowners are willing to pay a $1.65 billion. For homes within ½ mile of premium to live near protected open protected open space, this represents an space. average property value increase of almost $11,380 and nearly $13,120 for homes within ¼ 48 Chester County, Pennsylvania’s Return on mile of protected open space. Environment Study: The Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Chester, County By increasing the value of homes within a ½ Pennsylvania clearly shows that homeowners mile radius of protected open space, also are willing to pay a premium to live near increases the amount of property and transfer protected open space. taxes paid to county and municipal governments and to school districts. County- Results indicate that proximity to protected wide, the additional property tax revenues total open space contributes a significant positive $27.4 million per year for homes within ½ mile impact to residential property values. 45 As a of protected open space. 49 result, the existing protected open space in Chester County adds to the overall value of its A similar, but less rigorous approach was used housing stock. This increased wealth is captured for Dauphin, Lehigh, and Northumberland by citizens through higher sale values of homes Counties and showed that the value of homes near protected open space. This generates within a ¼ mile of open space varied, depending 50 increased government revenues via larger on the land use setting. property tax collections and greater transfer taxes at time of sale. Lakes - 22% increase Urban areas - 15% increase The Chester County report analyzed Suburban areas - 10% increase approximately 98,000 home sales in Chester Rural areas - less than 1% increase County from 1981-2017 to estimate the effect of protected open space on residential property values and the attendant fiscal impacts.
The closer a home is to protected open space, the more value it captures. Approximately 3.6% of the value of a home located between 0 and ¼ mile of protected open space can be attributed to its proximity to that protected open space. 46
The increase in value for homes ¼ mile to ½ mile away is about 2.3%. When added together, the increments of value that homes within ½ mile of Chester County’s protected open space captured as a result of their proximity to protected open space totaled $1.65 billion. 47
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 20
09. NATURE PROVIDES A 10. CREATING A SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY ROE financial data supports a The first rule of ecology is that businesslike approach to economic everything is connected to everything development, infrastructure, water else. Whatever we do to natural management, tourism, and land use habitats—good or bad, big or small— planning. ripples through the economy.
Union Township’s open spaces supply clean The 2014 National Climate Assessment notes water, critical wildlife habitat, flood protection, the effects of climate change in regions around stormwater management, and significant the United States. Depending on the region, recreation and tourism opportunities. By effects can include more and stronger storms, understanding nature’s financial value, Union more drought, more frequent, extreme-heat Township is better equipped to strike an events, rising sea levels, and more flooding. It is effective balance between protection of natural essential to understand the changes projected systems and supporting smart growth. for Pennsylvania when planning land use.
Nature’s Competitive Advantages: Land use decisions are, by far, the greatest Every company with a discharge permit is opportunity to create ecological and financial dependent on clean water. change. Preventing impairments to natural Pure, naturally filtered water is critical to systems protects the services that they provide. bottling, pharmaceutical, and technology This has economic benefits for communities and companies in their business processes. prevents expensive replacement and Many businesses today want employees to restoration costs. have healthy lifestyles because active
employees are happier, more creative, 51 The most effective way to realize the full value more productive, and miss less work. of natural system services is to connect larger,
native forest and grassland habitats with green Two of the fastest-growing sectors of the corridors. Maintaining connected, healthy economy are retirees and people working in riparian areas, headwaters, wetlands, and larger knowledge-based industries. Increasingly, they upland habitats—as well as parks, trails, are selecting communities with protected land wooded public property, and areas protected as and natural amenities when determining where 52 open space—creates a supporting network of to make their home. biological sustainability and better enables a
community’s ability to adapt to climate change, Since 1990, 90% of new jobs with good salaries and provides long-term financial benefits. are in the service sector. Many of these are flexible, able to locate anywhere. 53 This connectivity can potentially moderate
some of the worst effects of habitat The quality of the environment impacts fragmentation and promote wide-ranging business location, attracts investment, biodiversity. 55 stimulates tourism and recreation sectors, and attracts wealth. 54 Map 5, Union Township’s ROE, provides a
landscape pattern that can be used to restore
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 21 connectivity. The Green Ribbon Landscape map Minimize impervious surfaces and limit turf shows the patterns needed to have a grass to areas essential for recreation. sustainable environment and economy by Practice good stewardship and incentivize connecting riparian areas and forests. the use of native plants in the landscape areas surrounding parks, preserves, riparian areas, and trails. Tips for creating a sustainable environment and economy Protect water quality at its source in headwaters and wetlands, and along riparian areas. Protect regional, sub-regional, and local wildlife corridors. Remove invasive plants and minimize disturbance on edges and clearings. Remove obsolete dams to improve water quality and aquatic habitats.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 22 arresting the decline in habitats and species and 11. WE CAN’ T AFFORD NOT the degradation of landscapes. The strategy will help improve the quality of our natural TO PROTECT OPEN SPACE environment and sustain the economy in Union The loss of open space costs us more Township, moving to a net gain in the value of 50 than we know. We are only both. beginning to understand the Map 5 shows the current protected parcels in significance of nature’s financial Union Township and the Green Ribbon values. Landscape pattern. Many of the remaining forests have been protected, but there is much to do regarding restoring headwaters and A strong regional economy requires a healthy riparian areas. natural environment and plenty of open space combined with sound land-use planning. Many communities are a patchwork of small open space areas and stream corridors.
If the economy of Union Township is to remain strong, environmental stewardship must become a community responsibility. Municipal officials, policymakers, business leaders, and local citizens need to work together to examine current policies and ensure sustainable environmental practices. Only then can Union Township build the foundation for a vibrant, balanced economy and a healthy, desirable community for current residents and future generations.
Today, Union Township must do more to quantify the financial benefits provided by nature and link those values directly to the community’s well-being. For example, a natural resource inventory does not explain the financial consequences of losing a habitat or species. Development proposals might not estimate the cumulative impact on stormwater, flooding or loss of wetland functions. The areas with the highest ROE are the backbone for connected landscape resilience.
Communities that understand the value of nature have a better chance of striking an effective balance between maintaining connected, resilient open spaces and supporting smart growth. This includes
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 23
Determine if highly valued areas are 12. PUTTING ROE TO WORK vulnerable to disruption. Protect and restore riparian buffers and A blueprint for action wetlands from disturbance and connect and restore open space corridors. Growth can fragment habitat and impact Retain as much pre-existing, natural natural systems by causing water pollution, landscape as possible during any new flooding, and stream bank erosion. With less construction. open space remaining, the size, quality, Estimate the financial savings each year location, and connectivity of that remaining when Riparian Buffer and Official Map open space becomes critical in determining ordinances are in place. residents’ future quality of life, health, and cost Expand natural habitat by developing Green of living. Ribbon Landscapes along riparian areas and around parks, trails and natural preserves. The first step in putting ROE studies to work is Teach the principles of good stewardship to articulating the ways in which open space landowners. Create good habitat and use provides natural system services. Placing a native plants in your own backyard. dollar value on different land covers helps Teach park maintenance staff how to decision makers understand what is critical to naturalize parks. the environment and the economy and what Involve schools. Initiate environmental lands can be developed. Mapping the pattern education programs with multidisciplinary of connected habitat identifies what is needed applications that will help students to sustain the environmental and economic appreciate the value of nature. benefits.
All Stakeholders Play a Part Environmental stewardship must become part Maintaining connected, healthy of Union Township’s everyday culture. Strong alignment between residents, planners, riparian areas, headwaters, nonprofits, land trusts, businesses, and policy wetlands, larger uplands and makers is essential for the township to continue habitats provides for a sustainable to thrive. Utilizing the ROE process can help environment and local economy. ensure this commitment to collective responsibility.
Include ROE in decision-making. Begin Map 6 shows possible priority considerations every land-use, economic development, based on current ROE evaluations. The map tourism and recreation-planning process highlights areas that are of highest value and with a clear understanding of the financial vulnerable which can be used to help inform value of nature’s current assets. decision makers as they prioritize activities. The Include ROE data in your comprehensive categorization can be used as a tool to monitor plan, zoning and site-plan review. activities and shift priorities when conditions Map the relative financial values of natural change. system services and develop strategies to maintain, restore and enhance them. Restore riparian areas where necessary.
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MAP 6. Union Township’s ROE Recommended Actions
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30. Outdoor Recreation Industry. 2018 Annual Report. References 31. Ibid. 32. Outdoor Recreation Industry. 2018 Pennsylvania Report. 1. Clarion Associates, Inc. 2000. Cost of Sprawl Pennsylvania. 33. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Prepared for 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and Sponsoring 2014 Outdoor Recreation Participation Survey. Organizations. 34. Ibid. 2. Kelsey, Timothy W. 1998. Calculating a Cost of Community 35. Bass Pro Shop Interview. 2016. Services Ratio for Your Pennsylvania Community. Penn State 36. Chester County, 2019. Return on Environment Study: The College of Agricultural Sciences. Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Chester County, 3. Rosenberg, KV et al. 2019. Decline of the North American Pennsylvania. avifauna. Science 366: 120-124. 37. U.S Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 2016. Inadequate 4. Ibid. Physical Activity and Health Care Expenditures in the United 5. Tallamy, D. 2007. Bringing Nature Home. Timber Press. States. 6. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2012. The 38. Ibid. Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds, EPA: 841-N- 39. Ibid. 12-004, 1. 40. https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/outdoor-vs- 7. Natural Lands. 2013. Important Resources of the Hopewell Big indoor-exercise/. Woods: And the Potential Impacts of Pipeline Development on the 41. Holohan, E. 2012. Fitness in middle age lowers medical costs later. Landscape, May 2013. HealthDay. Available from lowers-medical-costs-later-study 8. 2017 American FactFinder, US Bureau of Census. http://consumer.healthday.com/fitness-information-14/gum- 9. Tallamy, D. 2007. Bringing Nature Home. Timber Press. health-news-253/fitness-in-middle-age . 10. KeystoneFund.org . Fact Sheet. 42. Rosenberger, R. S., Y. Sneh, T. T. Phipps, and R. Gurvitch. 11. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2012. The A Spatial Analysis of Linkages between Health Care Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds. EPA: 841- Expenditures, Physical Inactivity, Obesity, and Recreation N-12-004, 1. Supply. Journal of Leisure Research, 317 (2005): 216–35. 12. Jones, C., J. McCann, and S. McConville. 2000. A Guide to the 43. Burton W.N., CY Chen, X. Li, A.B. Schultz, and H. Abrahamson. Conservation of Forest Interior Dwelling Birds in the Chesapeake 2014. The association of self-reported employee physical activity Bay Critical Area. Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, with metabolic syndrome, health care costs, absenteeism, and Annapolis, MD. 63 pp. presenteeism Journal of Occupational and Environmental 13. Rosenberg, K.V., R.S. Hames, R.W. Rohrbaugh, Jr., S. Barker Medicine, 56:919-26. Swarthout, J.D. Lowe, and A.A. Dhondt. 2003. A Land Manager’s 44. Carlson, S., J. Fulton, M. Pratt, Z. Yang and K. Adams. 2012. Guide to Improving Habitat for Forest Thrushes. Cornell Lab of Inadequate physical activity and health expenditures in the United Ornithology. States.” Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 57:315-323. 14. Goodrich, L. 2017. Director of Long-Term Monitoring, Hawk 45. Chester County, 2019. Return on Environment Study: The Mountain Sanctuary. Economic Value of Protected Open Space in Chester County, 15. http://content.yardmap.org/learn/habitat-connection/. Pennsylvania. 16. Natural Lands. 2013. Important Resources of the Hopewell Big 46. Ibid. Woods: And the Potential Impacts of Pipeline Development on the 47. Ibid. Landscape, May 2013. 48. Ibid. 17. Ibid. 49. Ibid. 18. https://www.summitpost.org/public-and-private-land- 50. 4WARD Planning, 2017. Carbon County Return on Environment percentages-by-us-states/186111. Study. 19. 2015-2025 Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan. 51. Henderson, K. 2018. Director of Carbon County Economic 20. Ernst, C. 2004. Protecting the Source. Land Conservation and the Development. Future of America’s Drinking Water. The Trust for Public Land and 52. Headwater Economics, 2019. Public Lands Essay. the American Water Works Association. San Francisco, CA. 53. Ibid 21. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2012. The 54. Ibid. Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds, EPA: 841-N- 55. http://content.yardmap.org/learn/habitat-connection/. 12-004, 1. 22. Kaplan, L.A., T.L. Bott, J.K. Jackson, J.D. Newbold, and B.W. Sweeney. 2008. Protecting headwaters: scientific basis for safeguarding stream and river ecosystems. Research synthesis from Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale, Pennsylvania. 23. Ibid. 24. Ibid. 25. Sweeney, Bernard W. and J. Dennis Newbold. 2014. Streamside Forest Buffer Width Needed to Protect Stream Water Quality, Habitat, and Organisms: A Literature Review. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 50:560-584. 26. Hawes, E. and Smith, M. 2005, Yale School of Forestry. 27. Sweeney, B. and J. Newbold, D. 2014. Streamside Forest Buffer Width Needed to Protect Stream Water Quality, Habitat, and Organisms: A Literature Review. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 50:560-584. 28. Campbell, E. 2016. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 29. Ibid.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 26 Glossary Direct market valuation (DM) Obtaining values for the provision of services. Air pollution The release of harmful matter, Direct investment in a resource (DI) Investment particulates, and gases, such as sulfur dioxide, in water supply facilities or the protection of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and volatile land. organic compounds, into the air. Ecosystem function The habitat, biological, or Avoided cost (AC) Dollars that do not need to system properties or processes of ecosystems. be spent on the provision of environmental Flood mitigation The management and control services, such as improving water quality and of flood water movement, such as redirecting removing air pollution. flood runoff through the use of floodwalls and Biological connectivity The ability of individual floodgates, rather than trying to prevent floods plants and animals to move across complex altogether. landscapes, maintaining regional populations in Groundwater Water found underground in the the short term and allowing species to shift cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. It is their geographic range in response to habitat stored in and moves slowly through geologic needs and climate change. formations of soil, sand, and rock called Biological control The dynamic regulation of aquifers. Groundwater is the source of water species populations, including the control of for streams and supplies water through wells. invasive species and unwanted species—such as Habitat The area or environment where an pests, weeds, and disease vectors (e.g., organism or ecological community normally mosquitoes)—by beneficial insects. lives or occurs. Carbon sequestration The process of carbon Habitat loss Loss and degradation of the natural capture and long-term storage of atmospheric conditions that animals and plants need to carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis. survive. Carbon sequestration describes long-term Market valuation (MV) The amount of money storage of carbon dioxide or other forms of paid to purchase credits in a trading market, for carbon to either mitigate or defer global example, the price of a carbon credit for air warming and avoid dangerous climate change. quality, the purchase of a nutrient credit for Carbon storage The estimate of the total water quality, or the purchase of potable water. amount of carbon currently stored in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination above- and below-ground biomass of a forest. System (NPDES) permit The NPDES permit Climate change Regional or local climate program addresses water pollution by patterns, particularly a change apparent from regulating point sources that discharge the mid-20th century onward, attributed largely pollutants to waters of the United States. to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon Natural capital A portfolio of natural assets, dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. such as geology, soil, air, water, and all living Conservation design A planning process that things. rearranges the development on each parcel as Natural habitat regeneration The process by it is being planned so that half (or more) of the which vegetation and habitat grow back buildable land is set aside for open space. without human intervention. Contingent valuation (CV) A survey-based Natural system services The flow of goods and economic technique for the valuation of non- services that benefits people, directly or market resources, such as environmental indirectly, from ecosystem functions; also called preservation or the impact of contamination. ecosystem services. Cost of damage (CD) An estimate of monetized Open space Land that is valued for aesthetic damages associated with the release of carbon beauty, recreation, natural process, agriculture, or other pollutants. and other public benefits. Cost of regulation (CR) Fines and procedures.
Union Township, Berks County Return on Environment Study | 27 Outdoor recreation Activities that can be quality in associated streams, rivers, and lakes, performed in natural settings, without causing thus providing environmental benefits. harm. Soil retention A system that creates and Pollination The process by which pollen is enriches soil through weathering and transferred from the anther (male part) to the decomposition, preventing it from being stigma (female part) of a plant, thereby washed away. enabling fertilization and reproduction. Tax benefits (TB) Adjustment benefiting a Replacement cost (RC) Cost to replace services taxpayer’s tax liability. with man-made systems. For example, the Travel cost (TC) Cost of travel and its reflection waste assimilation service provided by wetlands on the implied value of a service. could be replaced with chemical or mechanical Water pollution Sewage, fertilizers, pesticides, alternatives (such as wastewater treatment oil, silt, and other pollutants that are plants). The replacement cost would be the discharged, spilled, or washed into water, estimated cost of replacing the natural waste including contaminants from air pollution that assimilation service with chemical or settle onto land and are washed into water mechanical alternatives. bodies. Riparian buffer A vegetated area ("buffer strip") Water quality A measure of the suitability of near a stream, 100 feet wide and usually water for a particular use (drinking, fishing, or forested, which helps shade and partially swimming), based on selected physical, protect a stream from the impact of adjacent chemical, and biological characteristics. land uses. It plays a key role in increasing water Water supply A source, means, or process of supplying water, including groundwater aquifers, reservoirs, streams, rivers, and pipelines. Waste assimilation The method by which forests and wetlands provide a natural protective buffer between natural system activities and water supplies.
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APPENDIX A. Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan Wildlife Action Plan, Conservation Opportunity Area Tool Results Union Township.
Species of Greatest SGCN Priority Score Occurrence Habitat Specific Habitat Requirements Conservation Need Season Macrogroup(s) Blue-winged Warbler Breeding 1 Likely Agricultural Early-mid successional forests and thickets with openings; areas marked by patches of herbs, shrubs, and trees and often located near a forest edge. Willow Flycatcher Breeding 1 Likely Wet Meadow / Low-elevation shrub swamp, wet meadow, and brushy habitats along streams and the edges of (Empidonax traillii) Shrub Marsh ponds and marshes. Sometimes dry upland sites. Purple Martin Breeding 2 Likely Agricultural Having nearby water sources is not necessary in a Purple Martins habitat, however it can be helpful (Progne subis) as a food source. Martin housing should be placed in the most open spot available (at least 40 feet, but preferably 60 feet from trees or buildings) and within 100 feet of human housing or activity. Proximity to humans and a wide-open location and flight area will help protect the martins from predators. Wood Thrush Breeding 1 Likely Northern Second-growth deciduous forest and forest-edge habitats often with available fruit. 500 acres and (Hylocichla mustelina) Hardwood & larger. Conifer Gray Catbird Breeding 4 Likely Urban/Suburban Dense, shrubby vegetation, including thickets, hedgerows, woodland edges, and regenerating (Dumetella carolinensis) Built clear-cuts.
Louisiana Waterthrush Breeding 1 Likely Hardwood & Mature, forested watersheds with med-high gradient. 250 acres and larger. Headwater (1st- (Parkesia motacilla) Conifer 3rd order) streams, with well-developed banks
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(ravines) and/or plentiful overturned trees with exposed root masses. High-quality stream indicator. Scarlet Tanager Breeding 1 Likely Northern A wide variety of mature deciduous and mixed- deciduous forest types. 500 acres and larger. (Piranga olivacea) Hardwood & Conifer Northern Breeding 1 Likely Agricultural Mixture of grasses and shrubs. Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) Grasshopper Sparrow Breeding 1 Likely Agricultural Indicator for large-scale grasslands; grassland obligate species. (Ammodramus savannarum)
Action Impact Score: Recommended Conservation Actions Benefiting Species of Greatest Conservation Concern. The PA Game Commission can help with more information. High Land use planning Action Priority Species Score Develop landscape-level planning agreements across ownerships in areas where 1 Black-and-White Warbler, species occur. Hooded Warbler Cluster development, utilities, and associated infrastructure to reduce impacts to Grasshopper Sparrow, species. Field Sparrow Implement land use best management practices (e.g., riparian buffers) and erosion and sedimentation plans to protect water quality. Implement land use best management practices (e.g., riparian buffers) and erosion 1 Louisiana Waterthrush and sedimentation plans to protect water quality.
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Wildlife damage Manage deer for healthy and sustainable forest habitat. 1 Willow Flycatcher management Fire management Create or maintain grassland habitat, particularly warm season grasses. 1 Field Sparrow
Conservation area Conserve trees along streams and rivers, and around wetlands. 1 Louisiana Water Thrush designation Reduce impacts of Brown Trout in areas managed for native Eastern Brook Trout ! Brook Trout
Identify and conserve unprotected large >247 acres (>100 hectares) forest blocks. 1 Scarlet Tanager
Species and habitat Conduct species distribution and population surveys to support management 1 Scarlet Tanager, Sensitive management planning decisions and conservation strategies. Species Manage deer for healthy and sustainable forest habitat.
Create new habitat or Identify areas of unnaturally acidified soils and restore using terrestrial lime 1 Wood Thrush, Kentucky natural processes application. Wood Thrush Actively manage habitat (e.g., controlled burns) to promote presence of the species. Black-and-White Warbler
Vegetation management Conserve, create, or restore habitat for this species. 1 Willow Flycatcher Private sector standards Reduce straight, 'hard edges' between field and forest by creating a young forest 1 Willow Flycatcher and codes transition between the habitats.
Water management Determine the impact of pesticide use and contaminant bioaccumulation. 2 Purple Martin
Vegetation management Create patches of forest openings and young forest habitat (i.e., multiple age 4 Gray Catbird stands) through best management practices (e.g., controlled burns or timber harvest).
Create or maintain grassland habitat, particularly warm season grasses. 1 Field Sparrow
Land use planning Cluster development, utilities, and associated infrastructure to reduce impacts to 1 Wood Thrush species. State Regulations Cluster development, utilities, and associated infrastructure to reduce impacts to 1 Scarlet Tanager species.
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Fire management Conserve grassland habitat using best management practices (e.g., controlled 1 Grasshopper Sparrow burns) to prevent conversion to non-grassland habitat. Maintain or create habitat mosaics, including shrubs, with fire. 1 Field Sparrow
Coordination and Coordinate planning of new roads, pipelines, and powerlines to avoid large forest 1 Black-and-white Warbler, Administration blocks, or use existing corridors. Hooded Warbler
Partner/stakeholder Develop education curriculum about the species and threats facing the species. 2 Purple Martin engagement Legislation Monitor climate change indicators, such as water temperature and prey 1 Louisiana Water Thrush populations.