Enclosure C – Description of Aquatic Habitat – Conewago Isle Campgrounds Access Drive over Mill Race ()

8.A. (1-2) Describe food chain production and general habitat, including: nesting, spawning, rearing, resting, migration, feeding, escape cover, etc.

Title 25, Chapter 93 of the Code classifies the West Conewago Creek as a warm water fishery (WWF). The project is located in the Basin.

Primary energy for food chain production in a stream is based on the supply of surrounding riparian vegetation and in-stream aquatic plants (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA] 1989). Leaf litter is essential for sustaining, shredding, and filtering macroinvertebrates and for providing nutrients to the creek. Vegetative cover around the waterways also provides cover and stabilizes the water temperature.

The substrate of the stream and the degree of in-stream cover are also important to maintaining aquatic habitat. Substrate including rock and gravel with fallen and submerged wood debris and roots provide habitat for both fish and macroinvertebrates. The degree of embeddedness (i.e. the amount of fine sediment surrounding boulder, rubble, and gravel) provides suitable habitat for fish spawning and egg incubation.

The project area is in a rural setting, which includes the S.R. 4051 roadway and associated bridges that traverse both the West Conewago Creek and a Mill Race. The Conewago Isle Campground is located on the island between the Mill Race and West Conewago Creek. The project area provides adequate habitat for nesting and rearing along the intact-forested riparian buffer, offering both shade and escape cover in and under the forest canopy. Aquatic species can utilize this section of Conewago Creek for both migration through the project area, as well as for spawning, rearing, resting and feeding in small pools and riffle zones. The creek bed roughness remains moderate without high sediment buildup, enabling macroinvertebrate populations to thrive.

The wooded areas in the study area, especially along the stream corridor, provide adequate shade cover for rearing, and the thick canopy provides escape cover for many small animals.

8.A. (3) Describe habitat for threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI), the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PAFBC), the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PAGC), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) were contacted to identify any occurrences of threatened or endangered species within the study area. The above search indicated that no such species have been identified in the vicinity of the project area. No wildlife sanctuaries or refuges are present in the project area.

8.A. (4) Describe environmental study areas in the form of a) sanctuaries and b) refuges.

A field visit, in conjunction with examination of USGS topographic maps and county maps of York County, indicates there are no sanctuaries or refuges in the study area.

X:\11\1159\1159002\JPA-Island\J. Enclosure C.doc 8.A. (5) Provide a description of the in-stream macroinvertebrate community if the project proposes a stream relocation, stream enclosures, or dredging.

There will be permanent impacts to the stream in the form of box culverts depressed 1’ into the stream bed to allow the natural channel to carry through the culverts. There will also be temporary impacts to the stream in the form of a coffer dam and causeway. Impacts to the macroinvertebrate community will be kept to the minimal extent possible.

The actions which will permanently impact the in-stream macroinvertebrate community, which is typical of a good quality stream in southeast Pennsylvania, will be kept to the minimal extent possible. This stream section includes species within the Trichoptera (Caddisflies) and Ephemeroptera (Mayflies) orders which are indicators of good stream quality.

8.B. (1-6) Describe water quantity and stream flow, including: natural drainage patterns, flushing characteristics, groundwater discharge for the base flow, natural recharge areas for ground and surface waters, and storm and floodwater storage and control.

The West Conewago Creek is a perennial waterway that runs east to west through the project area. The channel width for the West Conewago Creek is approximately 25.9 meters (85.0 ft) and the width of the Mill Race section of the West Conewago Creek is approximately 24.4 meters (80.0 ft). The West Conewago Creek had an approximate depth at the time of the field view of 0.3 to 0.6 meters (1.0 to 2.0 ft).

The primary hydrologic contribution to the site is from upstream river flows. Additional hydrology at the site is provided from and drainage from the adjacent land uses and groundwater. The associated wooded floodplains found within the project area control storm and floodwater in the study area. They also filter sediment during storm events. Springs and seeps discharging into the West Conewago Creek were not discovered in the project study area. Therefore there is little potential for natural recharge for ground and surface waters.

8.C. (1-4) Describe water quality, including: preventing pollution, sedimentation control and patterns, salinity distribution, and natural water filtration.

Pennsylvania Code, Title 25; Chapter 93: Water Quality Standards classifies the West Conewago Creek at this location as a Warm Water Fishery (WWF). The creek is a perennial waterway with a gravel and silt streambed. The average depth of the stream at this location is approximately 0.3 to 0.6 meters (1.0 to 2.0 ft).

The project area is characterized by steep vegetated banks along the creek. With respect to pollution prevention and sedimentation control, the primary source of stream impairment is related to roadway runoff and pollution from the campground. Water quality pollution control is provided by the forested or grassy riparian buffers along the project corridor, which capture sediment and excess nutrients from runoff. Natural water filtration is typical of streams in the Susquehanna watershed.

8.D. (1-6) Describe recreation, including: game species, non-game species, fishing hiking, observation of plant and wildlife, other.

All land included in the study area is privately owned although there is access for recreational fishing from the Conewago Isle Campground property. Fishing or any recreational use in the

X:\11\1159\1159002\JPA-Island\J. Enclosure C.doc area around the dam is restricted. Besides camping and fishing the campground also provides canoes and paddleboats for use on the creek. There is limited hiking opportunity in the project area due to the island and residences in the area. In the wooded areas there is some ability to observe plants and wildlife. Game species and non-game species can be found in the project area, but is not allowed.

8.E. Describe the upstream and downstream property.

The project area is located in a rural setting comprised of recreational and residential uses. The Conewago Isle Campground is located on the island between the Conewago Creek and the Mill Race. Trailer homes are located on the western side of S.R. 4051 and there is a picnic area on the eastern side of S.R. 4051. There is one apartment complex and there are two residences in the southern portion of the project area. A dam is present in the Mill Race branch of the West Conewago Creek.

8.F. Describe any other environmental factors determined by the site investigation.

A Categorical Exclusion Evaluation is being prepared for the bridge project to obtain environmental clearance. No other environmental factors were identified during the field investigation.

Reference:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. May 1989. Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams and Rivers, Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish. USEPA Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, Washington, D.C.

X:\11\1159\1159002\JPA-Island\J. Enclosure C.doc