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Newtown Creek Watershed Conservation Plan

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Newtown Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Newtown Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Newtown Creek December 2011 Prepared for: Newtown Borough 23 North State Street Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940 This project was funded by a Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Program grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Acknowledgements This project is funded by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnership Program, administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Matching funds were provided via in-kind contributions from Newtown Borough, Newtown Township and the Newtown Creek Coalition. The following individuals have contributed to the completion of this plan. Newtown Borough would like to thank all of them for their time and expertise. Newtown Creek Watershed Plan – Steering Committee Pam Fitzpatrick - Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council Annamarie Kaminski - Newtown Township Jeffrey Marshall - Newtown Township Meghan Rogalus - Bucks County Conservation District Jerry Schenkman - Newtown Township Supervisor Michael Sellers - Newtown Borough Council – Watershed Plan Liaison Jay Sensibaugh - Newtown Township Jayne Spector - Newtown Creek Coalition Susan Sutton - Newtown Township Parks and Recreation Board Julia Woldorf - Newtown Borough Council Warren Woldorf - Newtown Borough Planning Commission Newtown Borough Council Julia Woldorf, President Perry Warren, Vice President Gerard O’Malley, Member Michael Sellers, Member John Burke, Member Robert Walker, Member Newtown Borough Mayor Dennis O’Brien Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Mr. Terry L. Hough Greenways & Rivers Specialist Greenways & Conservation Partnerships Division Plan Consultant Heritage Conservancy Jeffrey L. Marshall, Chief Preservation Officer Susan S. Myerov, AICP - Senior Planner i ii Newtown Creek in December Table of Contents I. Introduction and Purpose..................................................................................................................1 River Conservation Planning.............................................................................................................................1 Study Area Location............................................................................................................................................1 Planning History..................................................................................................................................................1 II. The Planning Process.........................................................................................................................5 Steering Committee.............................................................................................................................................5 Community Participation via the Newtown Creek Coalition ......................................................................5 Community Outreach Events ...........................................................................................................................6 Public Survey........................................................................................................................................................6 III. Plan Goals and Objectives.................................................................................................................9 Development of Plan Goals ..............................................................................................................................9 Goals and Objectives – Upper & Middle Neshaminy Creek River Conservation Plan - 2003 ..............9 NCC General Recommendations – June 2010...............................................................................................9 Newtown Creek Watershed Conservation Plan – General Goals.............................................................10 IV. Issues Concerns and Constraints................................................................................................... 11 V. Project Area Characteristics ........................................................................................................... 15 Watershed Description.....................................................................................................................................15 Transportation Facilities...................................................................................................................................16 Major Sources of Employment.......................................................................................................................16 Social/Economic Profile..................................................................................................................................17 VI. Land Resources ................................................................................................................................ 21 Geology and Topography ................................................................................................................................21 Soils 22 Existing Land Use .............................................................................................................................................28 Municipal Planning & Zoning.........................................................................................................................36 Hazard Areas......................................................................................................................................................37 Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................................37 VII. Open Space, Parks and Recreation Resources ............................................................................ 39 State and County Parks/Open Space.............................................................................................................39 Municipal Parks and Open Space...................................................................................................................39 Greenways & Trails...........................................................................................................................................40 Funding Conservation of Open Space, Farmland & Natural Areas .........................................................41 Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................................41 VIII. Biological Resources........................................................................................................................ 43 iii Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) .....................................................................................43 County Natural Areas Inventories..................................................................................................................44 Other Biological Studies...................................................................................................................................44 Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................................45 IX. Water Resources............................................................................................................................... 47 Summary of Water Cycle..................................................................................................................................47 Water Quality in the Newtown Creek............................................................................................................48 Lakes/Ponds/Reservoirs/Impoundments....................................................................................................50 Wetlands .............................................................................................................................................................51 Floodplains .........................................................................................................................................................52 Flood Control ....................................................................................................................................................53 Riparian Buffers.................................................................................................................................................53 Water Supply......................................................................................................................................................53 X. Archeological and Historic Resources..........................................................................................57 Pre-Historic Era.................................................................................................................................................57 Historic Resources ............................................................................................................................................57 Analysis ...............................................................................................................................................................60 XI. Stream Visual Assessment: Summary of
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