www.dcva.org Spring/Summer 2003

President's Pen: Annual Cleanup Will Be April 26th View from the Creek Bank th It is an exciting time in the Darby DCVA’s annual creek cleanup will be Saturday April 26 from Creek watershed and for our organiza- 8 am to 1 pm. This is our 19th cleanup, but there is still work to tion. We are nearing the end of our quest do. We need everyone’s help. Please join in the effort by meeting for the Darby Creek Conservation Plan, other volunteers at a site near you. The list of area captains is on which will identify both the most chal- lenged parts of our watershed and its page 3. If you have any questions, call the chair of the cleanup, greatest assets. Tom Houghton, at 610 268-1414, or one of the section captains. With the completion of the plan, we will be moving from an organization whose focus has been understanding The Darby Creek Heritage Greenway the watershed and identifying its most significant challenges and assets, to an Is Keystone of the Darby Creek Watershed organization that is moving toward im- Conservation Plan proving and preserving the watershed’s resources for future generations. The Conservation Plan is scheduled to be completed in May in celebration of Shortly the collective consciousness Watershed Awareness Month in the Commonwealth. The concept of the greenway of all of the people living in the urban- will serve as the catalyst for implementing the goals of the Conservation Plan. ized areas of Pennsylvania will be raised Meetings have been and will be held over the next few weeks to finalize pub- regarding the effects storm water has on lic and municipal input for the plan. Municipalities will then be asked to pass the water quality of our streams. They resolutions of support which will enhance each municipality’s future applications will be informed about how their activi- for funding. ties can directly affect water quality in The first implementation project will be for the DCVA in partnership with the their watershed. This education is re- municipalities and the Delaware County Planning Department to file application quired to be performed by their munici- for funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Re- palities because of Phase II of the US sources for the development of a greenway linking municipalities and residents EPA’s NPDES program. The munici- from the headwaters to the Delaware River in a mission of local stewardship. This is an exciting time for the Darby Creek Watershed. The plan has been Continued on page 14 developed with unprecedented municipal and public participation and support Inside This Issue: from a multitude of resources. The plan is a milestone in the history of the Darby Creek Watershed and is evidence of what people can do when they share a com- DCVA Wins Award ...... 2 mon mission. Implementation will be our gift to future generations. We invite all Cleanup Contact List ...... 3 residents to join us in making the dream a reality. Ribbon of Green Awarded...... 3 Historical Society News ...... 4 It’s Streamwatch Time Again! Annual Conference Report ...... 6 Darby Cobbs Partnership News .... 7 On Saturday, April 19, we will be hip deep in water collecting insects from Renaissance Program...... 8-9 Darby Creek. Why insects? I’ll tell you. Collecting insects is easy. You get in the Birds of Lower Merion ...... 10 water with a net, you shake up the bottom, and then you see what kinds of insects Ft. Mifflin Trail...... 10 get caught in the net. The type of insects we collect tells us if the water quality is News from the Municipalities...... 10 acceptable, or impaired. There are some insects that need high quality water and Delaware Estuary Video...... 11 others that do not. If we collect a lot of mayflies, for example, that is a pretty good Stormwater Plans ...... 12-13 indication that the water quality at that site is pretty good. Mayflies cannot live in Electronics Recycling ...... 14 stressed or polluted water. Collecting insects is a really simple way to gather im- Membership Form...... 15 portant information about the water quality of Darby Creek. Continued on page 14 Spring/Summer 2003 2 The Valley - www.dcva.org

Darby Creek Valley Association Meet DCVA’s New President: Wins State Award Derron LaBrake Derron L. LaBrake, P.W. S. (shown The Pennsylvania Recre- in picture at left accepting Pennsylva- ation and Park Society (PRPS) nia Recreation and Park Society award), has selected the Darby Creek has lived in Haverford Township with Valley Association as winner his wife and three daughters since 1994. of its annual Service Group They sold their house and moved here Award competition. from East Pikeland Township in north- PRPS presented the Ser- ern Chester County where Derron grew vice Group Award during an up and lived for over 30 years. awards ceremony at the 56th While living in East Pikeland, Annual PRPS State Conference Derron served on the Township’s Envi- held this year in State College, ronmental Advisory Committee. He has PA. Mr. Derron LaBrake, new always believed that it is important for President of the Darby Creek environmental professionals to be in- Valley Association accepted the volved in their communities, lending award on behalf of DCVA and their knowledge and experience to their President Emeritus, Fritz neighbors. Thornton, who was unable to Derron is a Graduate of West attend. Chester University with a Bachelors De- “Recipients of this award gree in Biology with an Ecology concen- have made outstanding con- tration. He has been working as a Con- tributions or demonstrated an sulting Ecologist since 1987. In 1994, he ongoing commitment to some became a Certified Professional Wetland facet of the field of recreation, Scientist. Over his 15+ year career, parks and leisure,” according Derron has worked on environmental to Susan Lohoefer, Chairper- projects all over the U.S. that have in- son of the PRPS Recognition volved wetlands, ecological risk assess- and Awards Committee. ment, and hazardous waste investiga- “Each has been selected by tions. Most of his work has been in comparing credentials to New DCVA President Derron LaBrake (right) southeastern Pennsylvania and central stringent criteria established holds award presented to our organization by New Jersey. He has performed ecologi- by the Society.” Pennsylvania Parks and Recreation Society. Tim cal assessments on everything from tidal Tim Denny, Haverford Denny (left) DCVA member and Haverford Town- marshes, streams and rivers, to wetlands Township Parks & Recreation ship Parks and Recreation Director, nominated and mature forests. He brings a unique Director, prepared the win- DCVA for this honor. level of professional experience to the ning submission. Tim wrote, DCVA, with his knowledge of both state “The value of the Darby Creek Valley Association is evident in its commitment to and federal regulatory programs and his the Valley in the past, present and future. The Association wants to retain the knowledge of the habitats of southeast- remaining natural “wildness” of the watershed and to work toward the recre- ern Pennsylvania. Derron currently ational use of the entire 30-miles of valley as parkland…Paths for hiking, jogging works for Schoor DePalma, Inc. out of and bicycling, summer fishing and boating, winter ice-skating and cross-country their Kulpsville, PA office as a consult- skiing are part of the long-range plan.” Tim continued, “DCVA envisions a day ing Ecologist. He is currently working when there will exist a valley-long park for all Delaware County residents to en- on a dam removal project in Upper joy and will continue to work with concerned state, county and local municipali- Merion Township and a stream reloca- ties and authorities, until the park becomes a reality. In the meantime, DCVA tion project in Middletown Township volunteers in communities throughout the watershed are working hard to moni- (Bucks County). tor and improve the health of the Darby Creek and its surroundings.” PRPS is the principal professional organization promoting quality recreation Welcome New Members and park opportunities for all citizens of the Commonwealth through education, Bruce Bayne, Ardmore training, technical assistance and other support to local, county, state and national Day-Temp Corporation, Lansdowne recreation and park providers. The Society is a non-profit membership associa- Victoria Donohoe, Narberth tion with more than 1,800 members statewide. Carl DuPoldt, Edgemont McCall Country Club, Upper Darby Editor’s Note: Thanks, Tim! This is a great honor for us. We appreciate your many J. Andy Smith, III, Devon contributions to the preservation of our Darby Creek Watershed! The Valley - www.dcva.org 3 Spring/Summer 2003

Creek Cleanup Contact List Robin Mann Awarded Ribbon of Green; Saturday, April 26, 2003. Addresses DCVA at Annual Meeting 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Rain or shine. who comes to Harrisburg without ap- General Chairman: Robin Mann is a Director of the parent debts to pay. Bill Frasch stated Tom Houghton, 610 268-1414 Southeastern Pennsylvania group of the Sierra Club. She is an authority on wa- his concern that DEP is funding non- For information about the Cleanup, con- ter issues. DCVA President Fritz profit organizations, threatening those tact the coordinator in your community: Thornton presented her with the Bob groups’ independence. Robin agreed that Doherty Ribbon of Green Award at our this could be a problem, adding that some Glendale Park, Havertown: January 25, 2003, annual meeting. Growing Greener grants are given to Tim Denny, 610 446-2672, Ext. 8 In her address, Robin acknowl- groups with political connections. She Naylors Run, Upper Darby: edged that the Sierra Cub, because of its said the Sierra Club accepts no govern- Pete Leahy, 610 622-0320 size, must focus on environmental ment money. policy and law, pressing government for National Issues. In 2001 the U.S. Su- Springfield Swim Club, Springfield: enforcement. She commended DCVA preme Court ruled the federal govern- Dave Damon, 610 544-5432 for personal involvement with Darby ment couldn’t stop an Illinois landfill from harming an isolated wetland. Kent Park, Clifton Heights: Creek, a habit of stewardship the Club Now the Bush administration has issued John Pecko, 610 622-5456 can’t often afford. Robin commented on a number of an Advance Notice of Proposed Powell Park, Darby: issues: local, state, and national. The Rulemaking that states its intention to John Haigis, 610 583-0788 following issues in Southeastern Penn- remove from Clean Water Act protection sylvania are of concern to her: not just isolated wetlands but intermit- Glenolden: 1. Toll Brothers’ Valley Forge Develop- tent and ephemeral streams. The US En- Joe Selfridge, 610 586-1740 ment. Negotiations between Toll Broth- vironmental Protection Agency esti- Idle Hour Tennis Club, Drexel Hill: ers and the National Park Service are on mates 20% of the nation’s wetlands, John Buggy, 610 446-8048 hold. Reportedly a price for the land Toll 20,000,000 acres, could be left defense- Brothers owns inside the National His- less. Robin credits EPA head Christie Brookside Park, Fox Run: toric Park has been agreed on, but Con- Whitman for keeping the Advance No- John Isdell, 610 325-9633 gress has yet to appropriate the money. tice from being even worse although the final rule hasn’t been published. These Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum: 2. Venice Island Development, wetlands now will be protected by state Cyrus Brahme, 215 365-3118 Manayunk. The Philadelphia Zoning Hearing Board approved a rezoning to let and local law or not at all. (This year the cleanup at the Refuge is residences be built on this Schuylkill River Congratulations to Robin and on Saturday April 19, one week prior Island wholly in a floodplain. Common thanks to her for her work to protect to the general cleanup .) Pleas Court reversed the ZHB. Common- our environment and for her contin- wealth Court reversed Common Pleas ued involvement in the DCVA over Court, a decision it is being asked to re- the years. DCVA and Friends of consider. The case may the Swedish Cabin to go to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Robin Have Picnic would prefer to see the The Friends of the Swedish Cabin Island restored to its have invited DCVA members to join them natural state. for a potluck picnic at the historic cabin Pennsylvania is- located adjacent to the Darby Creek in sues: Pennsylvania Drexel Hill. The picnic will be Sunday, has better water laws June 15th, at 2 p.m. Those with names A- than most states, de- M bring salad or appetizer; N-Z bring spite flaws in the re- desert. Drinks and meat will be provided. cently passed Water Call 610 623-1650 for more information. Resources Planning The Cabin is one of many historic trea- law. Robin is optimis- sures in the watershed. The partnership tic about the Rendell among the Township of Upper Darby, the administration and its Friends of the Swedish Cabin and the nominee to head the Upper Darby Historical Society and Department of Envi- township residents is an example of what ronmental Protection, At DCVA’s annual meeting, Fritz Thornton presents local stewardship can accomplish. Kathleen McGinty, Robin Mann with the Ribbon of Green Award. Spring/Summer 2003 4 The Valley - www.dcva.org

Darby Borough Celebrates Heinz Refuge Celebrates 100th “History with a Future” Anniversary of Refuge System What do Hot Air Balloons, Rubber Ducks and “The Peace- able Kingdom” have in common? They all will be part of the Darby Borough Sesqui-Centennial Celebration on May 2-4, 2003. “Settled in 1682, Darby Borough was incorporated on May 3, 1853, and the 150th Anniversary of that incorporation is a good opportunity to celebrate Darby’s past, present and future and have fun” said John Haigis, who is helping to coordinate the celebration. “We were once all part of Darby and we are looking forward to being able to celebrate some of the area’s treasures.” The theme of the event is “History with a Future” and the schedule of events includes an essay and poster contest in the schools; a free concert on Friday, May 2; a community fair and flea market on Saturday, May 4th with historic tours and displays; a Dance Saturday night; and a dedication of Bartram Park and a Darby Rubber Duck Derby on Sunday, May 4. A historic pageant being written centers on the role of Darby Creek as a cradle of liberty. Additional information can be found on the web site www.Darbyhistory.com

EarthFest 2003 To Be Held

in Radnor April 26 The John Heinz National wildlife Refuge at Tinicum DCVA member Dave Cannan announces a major Earth celebrated the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Day event sponsored by Main Line Unitarian Church (MLUC) Refuge System on Friday, March 14, 2003, with partici- to be held Saturday, April 26th, 10 am-5 pm, at Dittmar Park pants representing Congress, local schools, staff, volun- in Radnor Township teers, and friends of the Refuge. The primary focus was Leaders of the MLUC’s Environmental Task Force de- the placing of various articles into a time capsule that will cided they wanted to do something really special for this not be opened until March 14, 2103. In the photo above, year’s Earth Day. Several brainstorming sessions resulted in Fritz Thornton puts a copy of Friends of Heinz Refuge the creation of an environmental event that will not only be President, Jean Diehl’s, statement into the time capsule. fun for people of all ages but will provide a variety of ways Behind Fritz is Cyrus Brame, refuge staff member who for people to learn how to save money while making a differ- was refuge centennial coordinator. ence for the planet with everyday choices. Featured events will include a solar home exhibit, a juried environmental art show, a children’s “Walk for Wind Power,” an interactive watershed display, solar and hybrid vehicle Historical Society Events exhibit, and speakers, games, music, and food. Celebrate the Early Days at Collen Brook: Life on the “Scheduling issues have led to this exciting event to be held Farm” on Sunday, June 1, 2003, from 1 to 4 p.m. Watch sheep on the same day as the Darby Creek Valley Association’s an- sheering, candle making, quilting, cider making, colonial food nual creek cleanup,” noted Cannan. “But the Earth Day activi- preparation, apple butter making, blacksmithing, beekeep- ties will be going on until 5 p.m. and so DCVA members and ing with live exhibit, soap making, demonstrations of farm other volunteers are encouraged to stop by after the cleanup.” tools and early Indian tools, open air museum of old farming For more information contact Dave Cannan at 610-745- equipment, early children’s games, children’s picture taking 6843 or [email protected] in colonial dress on old wagon, storytellers, items to buy, re- freshments, strolling fiddler, tours of house and grounds! Earth Day Every Day in the Darby Creek Watershed: Collen Brook is located at Marvine Road and Mansion Av- enue in Drexel Hill. the theme for this year’s Earth Day, April 22, is On Thursday May 8th, attend the Open House at the Sell- “Sustainability for Pennsylvania—It’s In Our Hands.” ers Library, 75 State Road in Upper Darby. From 3-8 pm see the Sustainability is one of the goals of our DCVA educa- wonderful archival collection about the history of the area. tion program. Join in our many activities as we spring For a calendar of other historical society events in the into summer in our Watershed. watershed, call Anne Ackerman at 610 449-9095. The Valley - www.dcva.org 5 Spring/Summer 2003

The Overnight Adventure of Friends Central Students By Zachary Lobb, 8th Grade pleased to find several rooms, all with venturers gradually assembled around sufficient bed space. While the eighth the fire. On Thursday March sixth, a group graders opted to sleep alone, Mr. Ross As the team of cooks began to plan of Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth conceded to share a room with several out the evening meal, Mr. Ross along Graders set out on an overnight adven- fifth graders, and Ms. Hensel and Mrs. with a group of die-hard adventurers set ture in the Delaware Bay. Their goals for Glen shared quarters with the girls. out in search of the bay. After the trek- the adventure were to gain a better un- Lunch was lively, and the energetic kers had left, the cooking team got to derstanding of the importance of the munching was interspersed with spo- work, planning a hearty meal consisting Bay and the species residing in it. radic laughter and animated giggling. of meatball subs, pizza, and fruit salad. Dawn came, damp and dreary, with The Eighth Graders were involved in a Once dinner was done, and the rainstorms in the forecast. Arriving heated debate about the elusive host kitchen had been cleaned, the group re- around 8:35, the watershed adventurers Captain Bob and what his duties in the ceived a bit more free time before re- began the day with a discussion of the house might consist of. Following lunch, turning to the living room for a group upcoming adventure. After briefly dis- the entire group set out for the aquatic meeting in which we discussed what cussing our plans for the days ahead, we studies center. we had learned. We were pleased to marched to the cafeteria to remove our After weathering the storm, the ad- hear that everyone had enjoyed the day. provisions from the freezer. As adven- venturers stumbled into the aquatics We also discussed tidal flooding. While turers lugged their baggage to the await- center, dripping with rain and marsh it creates travel complications, tidal ing bus, the accompanying Eighth Grad- water. Once we had removed our rain flooding helps cleanse the landscape ers erupted in cheers of support and ex- gear, we spread out to several activity around any tidal body of water. Once citement. The loading process took stations, all related to marsh ecology. we had concluded our discussion, we roughly half an hour. Adventurers ran The majority of the group moved listened to a couple scary stories, and back and forth in an attempt to speed through the activities with ease, while then had dessert. the loading process, which only resulted Sam and Zach struggled to construct Once after dinner activities con- in confusion. numerous wooden creatures. The activ- cluded, the adventurers finally made Once we had clambered aboard the ity ended in disaster, though several in- the trek up to bed. The night was long bus, the Eighth grade team consisting teresting hybrid species emerged amidst and there were no extraordinary occur- of Lara, Sarah, Sam, and Zach took at- the confusion. In the end, we learned rences, though Sam blessed us with tendance and confirmed the presence of several things: some comical madness, before he too, each and every adventurer. We were off. -The bay and surrounding marshland hit the sack. The bus ride was uneventful, a quiet serve as a habitat for species vital to The morning arrived, sunny and drive to Smyrna, Delaware. The rain our ecosystem bright. Breakfast consisted of pancakes, continued right through the morning, -The loss of species, however minor it waffles, and cereal devoid of milk. heavy at times but causing no real travel may seem, can have severe and drastic Today’s meal was short and quiet, fol- delays. Through the ride, the fifth grad- effects that may be irreversible on the lowed by a thorough clean up. The ad- ers amused themselves by playing sev- existing ecosystem (all creatures serve venturers then made their merry ways eral intense rounds of the MAGIC card a purpose) upstairs to pack up in preparation for game, all of which came to a brutal and -Horseshoe crabs have been around for departure. exciting end. In the eighth grade section millions of years, during which they Once everyone had packed, we as- of the bus, there was little to be heard. have changed very little; their blood is sembled outside for a game of Migra- Arriving just before Lunchtime, the used in several medications tion. Migration depicts the importance Eighth Graders amused themselves -Marshes are vital to our planet be- of tidal wetlands by showing what oc- with spiteful jokes about their unsophis- cause they serve as a habitat for many curs when they are destroyed. When ticated surroundings, while the rest of animals, and are also a natural water wetlands are destroyed, migratory the party began the unloading process. filter, which naturally purifies the sur- birds no longer have a safe place to rest The party was pleasantly surprised to rounding water and are forced to not migrate. This find a clean house filled with charming Again, we weathered the storm, ar- means they may freeze, and the effects Pirate memorabilia. We were promptly riving home wet and shivering, though can be horrible. In the end, only Lara greeted by our buccaneer host Captain we had learned a good deal about the and Jillian successfully migrated. Bob, who proceeded to lay down the aquatic species inhabiting the Delaware Once all the baggage was stowed, ground rules. Bay. While Jordan made a fire, several we pulled out. In two days, we had After we were safely inside, and out kids returned to their beds to get some learned how tremendously important of the weather, the Eighth Graders, rest. As the rest of the group was rest- the marshlands our to our planet. As along with Mr. Ross and our Guest Par- ing, Adam and several other adventur- well as learning about marshlands, we ent, Mrs. Glen ventured upstairs to ers played a quick game of Risk. As learned a lot about teamwork and had claim sleeping quarters. We were evening approached, the rest of the ad- a good time. Spring/Summer 2003 6 The Valley - www.dcva.org

With almost 60 attendees DCVA Annual Conference Outgrows Facilities of the Springfield Peace Center With a “full house” in the serene set- dents sharing their activities in ting of the Springfield Peace Center, rep- Skunk Hollow Park with visit- resentatives from the watershed at large ing students from the city. joined together for the 14th annual Darby The DCVA has several cop- Creek Watershed Conference. ies of the video which will be “The Stream that Binds Us,” the available as part of our May cel- new color video which focuses on the ebration of Pennsylvania Wa- Darby Creek watershed was introduced tershed Awareness Month. by Joanne Dahme of the Darby-Cobbs Diane Kripas from the Penn- Partnership (see articles on the next page sylvania Department of Conser- about the video and about the Partner- vation and Natural Resources ship.) The video will be used to intro- spoke on “Why Greenways duce residents to the beauty of the wa- Now” and plans for funding for tershed, the multitude of available re- the Darby Creek Heritage Update of the Delaware County Planning sources and the many projects under- Greenway, the keystone of the Department’s Open Space Mapping and Renais- way to protect and enhance the water- Darby Creek Watershed Conser- sance Initiatives presented at the 14th Annual shed. It was great to see our own Tom vation Plan. The goal is for the Darby Creek Watershed Conference sponsored by Houghton, Bill Frasch and Fritz Darby Creek Greenway to be the the Darby Creek Valley Association. (Left to Right): Eugene C. Briggs, Manager of the Policy Thornton “on screen,” and to hear John pilot greenway for Delaware Section, and Jennifer Wesson, Senior Planner of the and Jan Haigis who provide the musi- County as part of the Environmental Section, of the Delaware County cal introduction and connecting theme Commonwealth’s proposed net- Planning Department. for the video with their rendition of the work of greenways across the “Darby Creek Valley” (words they state. Over the next several months, the emphasis was placed on open space. wrote to the tune of “Red River Valley.”) DCVA in partnership with the munici- Gene Briggs said that that was the deci- Scenes included the Heinz Refuge and palities will be working with the Dela- sion of the officials and residents living annual clean-ups, the historic Swedish ware County Planning Department and in the individual municipalities, and cabin, chemical monitoring by area stu- DCNR to develop a scope of work for the was not a decision of the County’s. He dents, the new Cobbs Creek Environ- proposed project. advised the DCVA and individuals at- mental Education Center in West Phila- Jennifer Wesson and Eugene Briggs tending to let County Council know of delphia, residents describing their ef- gave an excellent presentation outlining their concerns about the preservation of forts to protect the Muckinapattis and the Renaissance Program and Open open space in the eastern corridor of the Hermesprota Creeks, a beautiful com- Space Mapping developed by Delaware county. The DCVA will follow up on the munity garden cared for by local resi- County Council (see also article on page request of those attending to know who dents, the Cobbs Creek Golf Course— 8) Many expressed concern that al- the members of the respective Task an example of integrated pest manage- though the Renaissance Program was to Forces are. ment, and Radnor Middle School stu- focus on economic revitalization, little —Continued on Page 11

Doug Ross and his students from Friends Central Middle Karen Holm, Delaware County Planning Department, gives an School tell conference attendees about their environmental update on the status of the Stormwater Management Plan for studies on a tributary of Darby Creek. the Darby Creek. The Valley - www.dcva.org 7 Spring/Summer 2003

The Darby Cobbs The Darby Cobbs Watershed Partnership Update Watershed Video: “The Stream that Binds Us” The Darby-Cobbs Watershed Part- ticipate in a Cobbs Creek Bus Tour. The nership and the Cobbs Watershed Man- Saturday May 3rd event is designed to In January 2003, the Darby-Cobbs agement Plan Focus group are moving familiarize municipal officials and civic Watershed Partnership, which in- forward with the next steps in the cre- leaders with the breadth of resources in cludes state, county and municipal ation of the Cobbs Watershed Manage- the watershed and to engage them more representatives as well as grassroots ment Plan. The Management Plan is in- fully in development of the Manage- and nonprofit organizations, released tended to be a comprehensive ment Plan. This event is intended to a video entitled “The Stream That document that combines both the input provide a more intimate connection Binds Us.” The video, produced by and requirements from a wide range of with the watershed, the issues and their GreenWorks, was made possible regulatory and grassroots plans and fellow stakeholders. Several presenta- through a grant from the PA Depart- other programs that affect the water- tions will be given during the course of ment of Environmental Protection’s shed. It will draw scientific and techni- the day to demonstrate to participants Growing Greener Program. cal data, public input, as well as data how the Management Plan can address The video was done following a sur- from a wide range of sources, including local quality of life issues as well as vey conducted in the fall of 2001, which Delaware County’s Act 167 Stormwater meeting regulatory requirements. The was created to educate area residents Management Plan, the Darby Creek tour will begin at the headwaters of about how their actions impact the Watershed Conservation Plan, the Sew- Cobbs Creek in Haverford Township, Darby-Cobbs watershed and to learn age Facilities Plan and others. In addi- and will wind downstream to the their opinions, concerns and level of tion, the Management Plan relies on ex- confluence of the Darby and Cobbs awareness about the Darby-Cobbs wa- tensive data (and modeling of that data) Creeks in Colwyn. Several stops will be tershed. These surveys were distributed collected by the Philadelphia Water De- made along the way highlighting sig- to schools, libraries, municipalities, partment and its consultants on behalf nificant sites in the watershed and will EACs and watershed groups to share of the Darby-Cobbs Partnership. The conclude at the Cobbs Creek Commu- with residents within the Darby-Cobbs Management Plan will also incorporate nity Environmental Education Center, watershed. 342 completed surveys were requirements relative to the NPDES where a community watershed celebra- returned. The results were analyzed, Phase II permitting and potentially the tion will be taking place. and the areas of watershed education development of a Total Maximum Daily For more information on the Part- needed were assessed. Some of those Load for the watershed. nership, visit www.phillywater.org/darby- who filled out surveys were interviewed In the fall of 2002, the Darby-Cobbs cobbs/. for the video. Steering Committee created a list of 10 The video explains the watershed major goals for the watershed, drawn concept and how people can work to- from public meetings, the Act 167 and EPA Remedial Project gether to improve the water quality of River Conservation Plan process, as well the Darby-Cobbs, as well as the sur- as meetings hosted by the Partnership Manager Will Speak at rounding neighborhoods. As it says on over the past 2 years. The goals also re- DCVA Meeting the video box, “We are all part of flected regulatory program goals. A fo- nature’s grand scheme, and each of us cus group was convened in November Kristine Matzko, EPA Remedial can make a positive difference.” of this year. This group was presented Project Manager, has accepted our in- The partnership intends to make with the list of 10 major watershed goals vitation to present up-to-date infor- copies available to schools and librar- and asked to indicate the importance or mation concerning the Superfund site ies within the watershed. The video weight of each goal by assigning points in the Lower Darby Creek at our next will also be presented to civic and to each. DCVA meeting. The meeting, Satur- community groups, homeowners as- Since the meeting, the facilitator-con- day May 17, 2003, will be held at sociations, and service club meetings sultant has been using the results to de- Springfield Friends Meeting at 9 am. with brief presentations by Partner- velop an alternatives analysis. On April Kristine transferred from the Office of ship members. Also, the Partnership 15th, this group will re-convene to partici- Watersheds, EPA Region III, to her will request some time at Township pate in a weighting exercise to select the present position in the Fall of 2002. and Borough Board and Commission- criteria to determine the top priority man- Kristine will also contact the new ers’ meetings to share the video and agement alternatives. At the upcoming Community Involvement Coordina- discuss the long-term goals of the meeting the focus group narrow down tor at EPA and invite her to attend our Partnership. these management alternatives from ten meeting. The video can be downloaded from to a final list of four or five. All members and guests are en- the Partnership website at The Public Participation Committee couraged to join board members at www.phillywater.org/Darby-Cobbs is inviting municipal officials and civic this informative session. Watershed Partnership/Education. leaders in the Cobbs Creek basin to par- Spring/Summer 2003 8 The Valley - www.dcva.org

Delaware County Council’s Plan to Revitalize the County: The Open Space Mapping Program and the Renaissance Program In the County Council Chairman’s begun work on Phase Two, the creation The objective of each Action Plan Message for 2002, John J. McFadden laid of a series of planned open space net- is to map out a five-year revitalization the framework for both the Open Space work maps reflecting the community’s strategy for the RPA by preparing a Mapping Program and the Renaissance vision of its future landscape. Munici- prioritized list of implementable Program. He enumerated open space ac- pal representatives will prioritize lands projects that work toward sustainable quisitions and lauded the activities of for acquisition or protection as well as economic development. Each Action the Open Space Task Force led by Coun- choose an additional feature of their Plan identifies a locally agreed upon cilman Andrew Reilly. Chairman landscape (i.e. trails, scenic views, ri- common revitalization vision and set McFadden also announced “the begin- parian buffers) to be mapped. of goals that achieve that vision. More ning of the renaissance of Delaware The costs for Phase One and Two importantly, each Action Plan identi- County.” He described Council’s plan - will be borne by the County. During an fies specific RPA projects and pro- “to revitalize our County and fight our optional Phase Three, NLT will be avail- grams with the level of detail neces- greatest challenge, the slow downward able to provide, at municipal expense, sary for the municipalities to pursue spiral of some communities in eastern follow-up services. Among these will a multitude of funding opportunities. and southern Delaware County.” be its Growing Greener- Conservation by The five Action Plans were completed County Council’s two-pronged, Design program, technical assistance at the end of March and presented to Countywide approach was designed to with open space acquisition, and devel- County Council in early April. address the diverse needs of both its de- opment of land management plans. County Council will soon consider veloping and developed communities, The timetable for completion of a the highest priority projects of each RPA to deal with both sprawl and blight. The municipality’s mapping will depend for funding under the second phase of objective is to encourage the County’s on the availability of local officials for the program. County Council has set 49 municipalities to create strategic meetings/work sessions, the extent of aside $1 million to help the 29 munici- plans for protecting their most impor- the data that is accessible, and the palities leverage other funding to com- tant remaining open properties while depth to which the community wishes plete the projects. For more information promoting orderly land development to pursue open space related issues. on Phase Two of the Renaissance Pro- and revitalization. This major land use For more information on the Open gram, please contact Eugene C. Briggs initiative is aimed at conserving open Space Mapping Program please con- by telephone at 610-891-5218 or via space in 20 western and northern mu- tact Jennifer Wesson by telephone at email at [email protected]. nicipalities while promoting redevelop- 610-891-5130 or via email at ment in the other 29 municipalities in [email protected]. the eastern and southern parts of the The Renaissance Program consists Settlement Proposed County. of two phases, planning and implemen- To carry out the Open Space Map- tation. On behalf of County Council, the Between PennPIRG ping Program, Delaware County Coun- Planning Department has been en- and Tinicum cil initiated a partnership between the trusted with administration of the plan- County Planning Department and ning phase of the Renaissance Program; Pennsylvania Public Interest Re- Natural Lands Trust (NLT), a locally these efforts are being coordinated by search Group (PennPIRG) and based, nationally recognized conserva- the Department’s Policy section. Tinicum Township have filed a pro- tion agency. Staff from the two agen- The first phase provides funding for posed settlement of the litigation re- cies are taking a team approach to the the development of five Renaissance Ac- garding the operation of the three-phase Program. tion Plans that address the economic de- township’s sewage treatment plant. In June 2002, the first phase of the velopment and revitalization needs of The proposed consent decree, which Program commenced as governing bod- the County’s 29 eastern and southern has been filed with the U.S. district ies of the 20 eligible municipalities were municipalities which have been court, requires Tinicum to complete asked to request that the Planning De- grouped into corresponding Renais- construction of a new settling tank no partment-NLT team prepare digital, sance Planning Areas (RPAs). For each later than January 30, 2004. The new geographic information system (GIS) RPA, the County hired a consultant to settling tank should resolve Tinicum’s maps of their existing protected lands work with a Task Force of constituents violation of its biochemical oxygen and natural resources. The team then to identify needs and prioritize projects depleting (BOD) materials permit lim- began to meet with local officials to as- that address the five critical elements of its. BOD robs water of the dissolved sist them in deriving land preservation the Action Plan. These five critical ele- oxygen that is vital to aquatic life. The and planning conclusions from the map ments include economic development, court and the U.S. Department of Jus- findings. housing, infrastructure, transportation, tice are reviewing the proposed con- With the data collected, NLT has and public safety. sent decree. The Valley - www.dcva.org 9 Spring/Summer 2003

COMMENTARY On this page are two opinion articles about the county The Renaissance Program in Planning Area 4 Renaissance program submitted by members of DCVA’s board of directors. If you would like to submit a letter to By Bill Frasch the editor or an op-ed piece about an issue of interest to DCVA members, you are encouraged to do so. Please mail Planning Area 4 consists of 10 municipalities—9 boroughs your article to Rosemary Kesling at 248 Friendship Road, (Aldan, Collingdale, Colwyn, Darby, Folcroft, Glenolden, Drexel Hill, PA 19026, or email your article to kesling Norwood, Prospect Park, Sharon Hill) and the township of @voicenet.com. (E-mail is preferred. Please put “DCVA” Darby. After a series of meetings, these municipalities decided in the subject line of the email.) The Valley is published on a prioritized group of implementable projects. The draft three times a year, in January, April, and September. The plan as submitted by the consultant for the Delaware County views expressed are those of the writers and not of the Planning Department, Kise, Straw, and Kalodner, outlines re- organization. vitalization goals, strategies and project development. Of particular interest to our efforts in the valley are the fol- Comments on the Renaissance Plan lowing quotes from the plan: •“Improve Recreation Access. Planning Area 4 is ideally suited By John Furth for recreation, with its close proximity to the Tinicum National Environmental Center and Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, About a year ago Delaware County announced with great recreational amenities along Darby Creek, and a variety of com- fanfare a Renaissance Program. The purpose of the program munity parks and historic points of interest throughout the area. was to engender a “rebirth” of 29 municipalities in eastern These recreational assets, however, are not easily accessible. The and southern Delaware County. The remaining 20 munici- Action Plan recommends expanding the recreational opportu- palities in central, northern and western Delaware County nities of the Tinicum Environmental Center and Heinz Wild- were to be included in open space preservation and land use life Refuge to the north side of Darby Creek to provide direct initiative. In announcing the project, County Council Chair- access for residents of Planning Area 4. Currently the land is man John J. McFadden said “public input is necessary for the underutilized. In addition, it is recommended that clear and success of the program which encourages economic devel- convenient connections be made between municipal parks, resi- opment and community revitalization as well as protection dential areas, town centers, historic sites, the Tinicum Environ- of open space and promotion of smart growth.” mental Center and Heinz Wildlife Refuge, Darby Creek recre- I attended two of the meetings of Area 5, which includes ational opportunities, and the East Coast Greenway along the Clifton Heights, East Lansdowne, Millbourne and Yeadon Delaware River.” Boroughs and Upper Darby Township. •“Heinz Wildlife Refuge Expansion/Access Project—Expand Each time, I listened for two hours to the panoply of prob- the recreational opportunities of the Heinz Wild Life Refuge to lems besetting these communities— concerns with deterio- the north side of Darby Creek.” rated housing and problems associated with Section 8 hous- • “Create clear and convenient connections between munici- ing, traffic problems, the need for economic development, pal parks, residential areas, town centers, the East Coast train station improvements, sewer improvements and storm Greenway, Heinz Wildlife Refuge, and area historic sites.” water management. There was little or no mention of parks, There does not appear to be funding resources listed for greening, open space, and enhancement of recreational fa- the recreational projects. There is no reference to the River Con- cilities. The Planner/facilitator took notes and led a discus- servation Plan or the Darby Creek Greenway development al- sion of priorities, offering no independent suggestions. though these were commented on at the January public meet- Each renaissance area is to receive about $200,000, hardly ing in Glenolden by 2 of our members. The document refers to enough to undo the effects of 100 years of unplanned Task Force activity but does not identify them in any specific development(s). I suspect the County Planning Department way. Also, the rosters of those attending the public meetings knows this but being mere servants cannot speak out against do not identify the attendees, i.e. elected municipal government, leaders who use nice words like renaissance and rebirth but or their employees, or the interested citizen. They do list those end up trivializing them. people from County Planning and the representatives of Kise, How about using the $200,000 to plan a real renaissance, Straw, and Kalodner. Only one person from The News of Dela- beginning with a Greenway along Darby and Cobbs Creek, ware County attended one meeting. Over the period of 6 monthly from Havertown to the Heinz Wildlife Refuge? What little meetings, a total of 84 people from the area attended. 28 people open space there is left in eastern Delaware County is along from the area attended the January meeting in Glenolden which the Creeks. This land should be purchased or protected from was the highest representation. development by appropriate zoning. Construct walkways This effort can be a very positive tool for the future of our and bicycle paths. One example: it should be possible to Darby Creek communities improvements, but our efforts will walk from Lansdowne to Hoffman Park along Scottdale Road be needed to support the ambitious proposals and to monitor without having to compete with cars on the roadway. And progress and effort by local government so that the plans suc- Continued on page 11 ceed. Spring/Summer 2003 10 The Valley - www.dcva.org Birds of the Darby Draft Tinicum-Fort Municipal News Creek Headwaters Mifflin Trail Study Radnor Township has decided to purchase 62 percent of its electricity By Dani-Ella Betz, Conservation Coordi- Report Now Available from pollution-free, wind-generated nator, Lower Merion Conservancy By Julie Bell, National Park Service sources. It announced its intent at the The Lower Merion Conservancy has The draft Trail Development Study Re- U.S. Department of Energy’s 2nd Wind just released “2002 Birds of Lower port for the Tinicum-Fort Mifflin Trail is cur- Powering America Workshop held Feb- Merion,” a report highlighting the birds rently available on the internet and can be ruary 26 in Philadelphia. It will pur- recorded by volunteers at 16 Bird Watch downloaded from the following site: chase 1.4 million kilowatt hours of sites located in Lower Merion Township. www.nps.gov/phso/rtca/tinfort/ NewWind EnergyTM, a product of Penn- Four of these adopted sites are found in index.htm. Instructions for downloading sylvania-based Community Energy, the Cobbs Creek watershed: Remington the files are included, as well as a virtual Inc., for a three-year contract term. The Road Retention Basin, Shortridge Park, tour of the trail corridor and project contacts. electricity will be supplied by the new Wynnewood Valley Park and a backyard The draft report is the culmination of a Mountaineer Wind Energy Center, the in Narberth. More than 4,000 birds were 5-year planning process that began at the largest wind generating facility in the counted at these sights in 2002. end of 1998, when the Executive Directors eastern United States. The purchase Lower Merion is blessed with a mul- of Fort Mifflin on the Delaware and the John makes Radnor the nation’s leading mu- titude of meandering streams, stretches Bartram Association approached the Na- nicipality among wind purchasers. of which are nestled in township parks. tional Park Service to request assistance in Most of the purchase will be funded Many uncommon birds have been found studying the feasibility of a trail from His- by the electricity savings that resulted in the headwaters of the Cobbs Creek toric Bartram’s Garden south to Fort Mifflin from using energy efficient LED traffic watershed like veeries, Swainson’s, Loui- in southwest Philadelphia. The project lights. Radnor also switched its energy siana and northern waterthrushes. The evolved to include a broad spectrum of part- supplier to the Energy Cooperative, sav- Louisiana waterthrush is an excellent in- ners and expanded to include Tinicum ing additional money on its electric bill dicator species. Its breeding abundance Township and other areas of eastern Dela- to help fund a portion of the wind en- has been correlated with the density of ware County. The Trail Advisory Commit- ergy purchase. trees in a woodland and it depends on tee has grown to more than 50 members. Compared to the average electric aquatic insects and crustaceans for suste- The study report describes potential generation in the Mid-Atlantic region, nance. This waterthrush, a bird found trail alignments for three distinct segments the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center near streams in woodlands, has been seen of the 20-mile loop trail, which includes con- will offset approximately 200 million again after a one year absence. nections to historic sites, recreational areas, pounds of air pollution annually. This The headwaters of Cobbs Creek is public lands, and other community re- is the carbon dioxide equivalent of also a haven for migrating birds, as well sources such as employment centers and planting over 14 million trees or taking as residents. Green-backed herons, wood transportation hubs. The proposed trail almost 29,000 cars off the road. ducks, and sandpipers all rely on open network includes long-term, off road pedes- More information is available at space set aside in this built-out suburb. trian and bicycle paths within the Cobbs www.radnor.com & www.newwindenergy In addition, yellow-throated, black-and- Creek Parkway and Darby Creek corridor .com white, blackpoll warblers were found. with cross connections between Delaware The Lower Merion Conservancy re- and Philadelphia counties. The proposed Aldan Borough has received a lies on residents to adopt sites across trail network supports the goals described $100,000 grant from DEP to partially Lower Merion. Since 1997 BirdWatch in the Darby Creek Watershed River Con- fund a storm water drainage project to volunteers survey their sites monthly, re- servation Plan to increase open space and relieve flooding at Providence Road and cording the number of birds and species recreation and restore public access to the Sycamore Avenue. The additional observed. The Conservancy then com- stream corridor; and to identify and protect money needed to complete the project piles the data and annually summarizes historic, cultural and ecological resources. will probably come from borough sewer the results in the “Birds of Lower Merion” The report includes an action plan. The draft funds. The project will improve almost report. After years of data have been report now on the internet is being revised, 1500 feet of storm sewer lines and seven gathered, the Conservancy hopes to gain and will be finalized following a meeting additional inlets. The project is expected insight into the status of our local bird with the Trail Advisory Committee April to begin late this summer. populations and assess the condition of 21st. It is expected the report will be made our natural areas. available to the public late spring, 2003. For Morton Borough council is apply- For your copy of “2002 Birds of more information on the project and how ing for Community Development Block Lower Merion,” or to learn more about you can get involved, please contact Den- Grant funding for storm water manage- the Conservancy’s birdwatching pro- nis Winters at the Clean Air Council (215- ment on North Morton Avenue between grams, please call the Conservancy at 610- 567-4004 ext 233) or John Madera at the Dela- Route 420 and Amosland Road. The 645-9030 or check out the report on the ware Valley Regional Planning Commission area is in the flood plain; during heavy web at www.lmconservancy.org. (215-238-2854). rains, flooding is a problem. The Valley - www.dcva.org 11 Spring/Summer 2003

Student Athletes and Delaware Estuary Report on DCVA Annual Video Available Conference, Garrett Hill Residents Join Continued from Page 6: To Fight Invasive Plants A new video is now available from the Partnership for the Delaware Estu- The young people from Douglas In an impressive display of positive ary titled “Exploring the Delaware Es- Ross’s environmental studies class pre- community/university relations, an tuary.” The video was produced sented an overview of their recent survey army of civic-minded student athletes through a $34,560 Growing Greener of the East Branch of Indian Creek in from Villanova University hooked up Grant. It is available free of cost to edu- Montgomery County. What enthusiasm! with Garrett Hill residents on a recent cate students and community organiza- A dedicated teacher and a great group of Saturday to rid Radnor’s Clem Macrone tions about the connection between young people. (See an article on page 5 Park of invasive plants as part of a Pennsylvania’s watersheds and the wel- by one of the students, Zachary Lobb, hands-on Invasive Plants Workshop at fare of the estuary. The video explores about the students’ recent trip.) Clem Macrone Park sponsored by the unique environment of the Delaware Donald Gephart, Southeast Region Radnor’s Parks and Recreation Depart- Estuary and how daily actions, both in- Parks and Recreation Supervisor, DCNR, ment and Environmental Advisory dividually and collectively, have an im- talked about funding options—this was Committee (EAC). pact on its habitat and resources. at the request of several municipalities “This is the second year in a row The estuary, where the salt waters from earlier meetings on the Conserva- that Villanova University has eagerly as- of the Atlantic Ocean and fresh waters tion Plan. Don outlined sources of fund- sisted the residents of Garrett Hill in rid- of the Delaware River mix, provides a ing available for planning, acquisition, ding our park of these invasive plants diverse wealth of biological resources, and/or development of parks, recre- which are a serious threat to the health which are introduced in the video. The ational areas, greenways, conservation of our parks and waterways,” com- video highlights the ecological, histori- plans, rails to trails projects and preser- mented Radnor Commissioner and cal, social, economic, agricultural, geo- vation of natural habitats. DCNR also DCVA member, Dave Cannan. graphic and political factors that influ- offers technical assistance for project de- John Munro, the township’s envi- ence the estuary. The video also de- velopment. Most DCNR grants require ronmental consultant began the morn- scribes one of the greatest threats to the a match in funding or in-kind services. ing and afternoon cleanup sessions with estuary¾ nonpoint source runoff into Given the population of Delaware an overview of why it is important to the rivers, streams or tributaries of nine County, Don noted that Delaware County remove invasive plants in our parks as counties in Southeast Pennsylvania. lags behind other southeastern Pennsyl- well as in our own backyards. “Inva- The video is available by calling the vania counties in grant money received sive plants are non-native plants whose Partnership at 800-445-4935. from 1995-2002. We hope to change that reproductive systems along with a lack as County Council has offered the ser- of natural predators allow them to rap- View of the Renaissance Plan vices of a grants writer to assist commu- idly take over a woodland and deprive Continued from Page 9: nities in developing grant projects. native plants of vital sunlight and nu- how about a trail from Darby Borough Tim Denny, Recreation Director for trients,” said Munro. to Tinicum and improving Cobbs Creek Haverford Township, shared his vision Jack St. Clair, coach of Villanova’s Park by adding the old Sears site to the for marketing projects within a munici- women’s crew team brought approxi- park? This would enhance the attrac- pality. Tim noted that he felt powerless mately 30 of his rowers to help out. tiveness of the adjacent residential ar- when he started as Recreation Director Members of Villanova men’s football, eas, i.e., make them more desirable and didn’t even have a budget and now track and soccer teams as well as the places in which to live. In addition to has a full service program for all ages Brothers of Villanova fraternity Phi increased recreational facilities it should which generates capital for additional Sigma Kappa added about 40 more be possible to walk to stores, to public programs. Merry Place, which was de- strong bodies that helped make quick transportation, to libraries, to movie the- veloped for children with special needs, work of most of the invasives in the aters and to schools. is now a beautiful park on the banks of wooded section of the park. Let’s make the high residential den- the Darby Creek with programs for all Noticeably keeping up with the sity of eastern Delaware County an as- ages. Tim indicated he would be avail- adults with equal determination was set, not a liability. Darby Creek and able to those interested in more “How youngster Rabah Maghoul, a 5th grade Cobbs Creek serve as the boundaries of to Do” ideas. Call Tim at 610 446-2672. student at the Vanguard School. many of the municipalities in the area. Karen Holm, Manager Environ- Commissioner Cannan noted, Cobbs Creek separates Philadelphia mental Section, Delaware County Plan- “We again demonstrated today a from Upper Darby and Darby Creek ning Department, gave a brief update genuine partnership between separates Clifton Heights from Upper on the status of the Storm Water Man- Villanova University and our neigh- Darby. Historically, the creeks have di- agement Plan for the Darby Creek Wa- borhoods that shows we can work to- vided and kept the municipalities apart. tershed. gether as we continually strive to In a true renaissance the creeks would Our thanks to everyone who helped make this a better community.” bring the municipalities together. make the conference a success. Spring/Summer 2003 12 The Valley - www.dcva.org

Phase II and 167 Stormwater Plans By Bill Brainerd by EPA and DEP. The plan sets six requirements a munici- pality must meet, at a minimum: I. How Phase II and 167 Stormwater Plans Differ • Set an example in its own operations. A municipality Phase II plans are required by the 1972 federal Clean must inspect detention basins on public land and clean them Water Act, also known as the Water Pollution Control Act; of sediment and debris yearly. When maintaining municipal 167 plans are required by Pennsylvania Act 167 of 1978 vehicles, it must use a commercial car wash which recycles Phase II plans primarily regulate water quality; 167 plans water or wash vehicles over a pervious surface; capture flu- regulate water quantity and quality. ids; recycle fluids and batteries; not hose down work areas; Phase II plans regulate municipal operations, storm sew- and clean up spills promptly. Optional are finding alterna- ers, construction and common urban pollutants; 167 plans tives to road salt and ways to use fewer chemical on public regulate construction only. lands. • Pass an ordinance prohibiting non stormwater discharges 2. Phase II Plans to an MS4, including dumping. An MS4 may have illicit cross The Clean Water Act (CWA) established the National connections to sewer, industrial, or private lines. A municipal- Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under ity must map its MS4, inspect outfall pipes twice a year to see which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires what’s coming out, trace the source of nonstormwater dis- permits for discharges to surface waters. EPA delegates the charges, stop them, and educate the person responsible. Ex- program to the states, pending satisfactory enforcement. In empt are discharges from firefighting, irrigation, individual car Pennsylvania permits were already required under our 1937 washing, lawn watering, and swimming pools if dechlorinated. Clean Streams Law. • Pass an ordinance requiring erosion and sediment (E and At first EPA and what is now the Pennsylvania Depart- S) controls during construction on sites of more than five acres ment of Environmental Protection (DEP) required permits and one to five acres with a point source discharge to surface only for point sources, those from an outfall pipe. 70% of waters or to an MS4. Many county conservation districts, those were municipal sewage treatment plants, 15% other including Delaware County’s, have long required E and S sewage treatment plants, and 15% industries. Together they controls under Clean Streams Law regulations. A munici- cause 15% of water pollution nationwide. pality may use the conservation district to review construc- In the 80’s EPA was sued for ignoring the other 85%, the tion plans. This requirement seems primarily aimed at mu- nonpoint source pollution that comes from many different nicipalities that fail to consult their conservation districts to places, not just one pipe. Congress was forced to amend the learn if a development has satisfactory E and S controls. CWA in 1987 to require NPDES permits, too, for stormwater • Pass an ordinance requiring permanent, post-construc- runoff from urban areas. The new controls were two-phased. tion best management practices (BMPs) to control stormwater, Phase I required an NPDES permit of the following: Only here does Phase II regulate water quantity as well as • A municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) serving quality. EPA’s regulations don’t mention quantity, but they 100,000 people or more. An MS4 is supposed to carry only do suggest the municipal ordinance require infiltration, a BMP stormwater, not sewage. Philadelphia and Allentown were to reduce runoff volume, and detention, a BMP to reduce the only Pennsylvania cities covered by Phase I. Pittsburgh runoff rate, that is, volume per second. DEP’s guidance for wasn’t because it has mainly combined sewer outfalls (CSOs) municipal ordinances openly says the volume and rate of subject of a different pollution control program. A CSO is stormwater discharge from new construction and redevel- supposed to carry stormwater and sewage in a big storm. opment may not increase bank erosion in a receiving stream. • Certain industries, among them logging, mineral min- The Guidance says infiltration and detention meet its require- ing, oil, chemicals, and wood processing. ments to control both quantity and quality. DEP seems to be • Construction sites of over five acres. preparing municipalities for its impending Act 167 plans DEP began enforcing Phase I in 1992. which also require infiltration and detention. EPA’s regula- EPA was to have prepared regulations for Phase II by tions boldly suggest municipalities direct growth to some 1993, according to the CWA, but it didn’t publish its final areas and away from others to protect water quality. They Rule until October 1999. DEP’s protocol implementing the also recommend municipalities dedicate funds to save open Rule took effect March 10, 2003. Phase II now requires a per- space. mit of an MS4 serving an urban area with fewer than 100,000 • Educate the public. A municipality must distribute DEP- people. There are 940 of these small MS4s in Pennsylvania written literature, speak to groups, run public service an- including all 49 Delaware County municipalities. Over the nouncements and mark storm drains warning people of the next five years they must reduce water pollution to the maxi- pollutant potential of sediment, lawn chemicals, dog waste, mum extent practicable. They must evaluate their progress, motor oil, trash, and other common discards. keep records, and report to DEP when asked. • Public Involvement. Partly to meet a legal requirement, Any small MS4 may write its own Phase II compliance partly because doing is learning, a municipality must hold plan, to be approved by DEP. However, most will find it easier public meetings to initiate, then evaluate, its Phase II pro- to adopt the meticulous plan and model ordinances written gram and to recruit volunteers to monitor it. The Valley - www.dcva.org 13 Spring/Summer 2003

DEP says it got no new money for Phase II and neither In 6 others it is to be 75%. In the remaining 47 it may be will municipalities. The latter may unite in a Phase II plan 100%. The Ridley plan ordered rate reductions in just nine of where responsibilities and costs are shared. 65 subwatersheds. Thus the Chester Creek plan is more rig- orous than the Ridley Creek plan. Act 167 Stormwater Plans 8) It protects water quality. In 2001 DEP ordered 167 plans Pennsylvania Act 167 of 1978 required counties to pre- to infiltrate into the ground one inch of rain or the net in- pare stormwater plans for their major streams within two crease in runoff from a two-year 3.4 inch storm, whichever is years of promulgation of guidelines by the Department of more. It offered to let developers of streamside construction Environmental Resources. DER was authorized to pay 75% reduce the amount of rain to be infiltrated if they’d reserve a of the cost of plan preparation. streamside buffer. The Chester Creek WPAC chose to make Until recently few plans were prepared anywhere in the a 10-50 foot buffer mandatory for streamside projects. Nei- state. The guidelines weren’t published until 1985 and DER ther the Ridley Plan nor Act 167 require infiltration or even didn’t press counties for action on them. If a stream flowed that water quality be protected. They regulate only water through several counties, DER required all counties to coop- quantity. DEP’s legal basis for now requiring infiltration and erate in a single plan. Many chose not to cooperate out of water quality protection is unclear; however, it is environ- unfamiliarity with the guidelines, so even willing counties mentally necessary. It may be its regulations for failed to prepare plans. Pennsylvania’s Clean Stream law, which prohibit degrada- Delaware County was an exception. DER wanted to tion of surface waters below their present use. make Ridley Creek a pilot for its guidelines, then being writ- 9) Projects that cover no more than 2000 square feet of land ten. The Creek begins in Chester County, but the planning with impervious surface are exempt from the requirement to department there chose not to participate in a pilot, so DER reduce their runoff rate but not from that to protect water funded the Delaware County Planning Department to hire quality. The Ridley plan exempted projects up to 7500 square consultants to write a plan for the Ridley in Delaware County feet. only. This plan, completed in 1983 and revised in 1988, was The Chester Creek plan was approved by the Delaware one of the first to follow a procedure later required by DER County Council and Chester County Commission in June, and now the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 2002. Municipalities are required to implement its model of all 167 plans: ordinance or equivalent within six months of DEP approval 1) Divide the watershed into subwatersheds. There are 65 of the plan, now pending. in the Ridley plan. A 167 plan for Darby Creek is being prepared by DCPD 2) Use a computer to calculate the pre-construction amount and may be done by summer, 2004. Settlement of a Dela- and rate of runoff from each subwatershed and at points along ware County lawsuit required 167 plans for the Darby and the Creek. Inputs to the computer are soil type, land use, Crum with a new plan for the Ridley starting with the Darby. time of concentration (the time it takes water to travel the longest path in the subwatershed to the discharge point) and channel length, slope and volume. Don’t Dump – Drains to Creek 3) Do these calculations again assuming increased land de- The Southeastern Pennsylvania Resource Conserva- velopment, that is post-construction. tion and Development Council recently received a PA DEP 4) Require new construction in upstream subwatersheds to Growing Greener Grant to purchase storm drain plaques reduce the rate of post-construction below pre-construction that read: “No Dumping – Drains to Creek.” Soon these runoff. Act 167 only requires these rates to be equal, but up- plaques will be on storm drains throughout the Darby stream developers must actually release runoff more slowly Creek watershed. Several municipalities participated in than before development if the downstream rate isn’t to in- the program and will soon receive the plaques to place on crease. Sustained runoff from an increased number of devel- their storm drain inlets. The methods of placement vary oped parcels upstream, even if each releases at the pre-de- in each municipality. The plaques will also be seen velopment rate, can raise the rate downstream, in violation throughout the greater Philadelphia region. These plaques of Act 167. help fulfill some of the requirements of the new NPDES 5) Appoint a watershed plan advisory committee (WPAC) Phase II permits for the participating municipalities. The to guide the process. On it are representatives from water- purpose of the program is to help prevent pollutants from shed municipalities and a few nongovernmental groups. being dumped into the inlets, which drain to streams. Most The Ridley plan included a model ordinance for munici- people believe these inlets go to storm sewers and then palities to implement, requiring developers to submit drain- the treatment plant, but instead drain directly to creeks. age plans. Hopefully this will create a better awareness. The partici- The new Chester Creek plan is a cooperative effort of the pating municipalities in the Darby watershed include: Delaware and Chester County Planning Departments. It fol- Marple, Radnor, Darby Borough, Newtown, Sharon Hill, lows the Ridley procedure, with refinements: Collingdale, Ridley, and Swarthmore. Storm drain plaques 6) It applies to redevelopment as well as new construction. are guaranteed to last ten years, much longer than the sten- 7) In 70 out of a total of 123 subwatersheds, the post-con- cils that are also used to mark inlets. struction is to be 50% of the pre-construction rate of runoff. Spring/Summer 2003 14 The Valley - www.dcva.org

CUB SCOUT ECOLOGY DAY AT THE GRANGE Delaware County’s 2nd

On Saturday April 26th, the Grange in Havertown will be host to a special Annual Computer & TV event. The cub scouts from Pack 500 in Bryn Mawr will be holding their second Recycling Event annual “Ecology Day” on the Cobb’s Creek which flows behind the Grange Es- tate. This section of creek will be the focus of a clean-up by the scouts and fish In conjunction with one of its community sampling by a scientist from the Academy of Natural Sciences’ Patrick Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center for Environmental Research. The demonstration and sampling will help to Days this year, Delaware County will document the environmental health of the creek within this section. The scouts, as collect electronic equipment. On June part of DCVA’s cleanup, will remove trash along the creek that may have accumu- 21, 2003, at the Emergency Services lated over the past year. Training Center in Darby, residents may Paul Overbeck, father of one of the scouts and Fisheries Scientist from the Patrick safely dispose of the following items: Center, will be leading the event along with several Pack 500 den leaders. Mr. Overbeck computers, monitors, printers, mouses, will be using an approved technique of fish collection called backpack electroshocking. scanners, computer peripherals, key- The sampling in the creek will provide the scouts with live specimens of fish which boards, fax machines and televisions. they will help identify, measure and release back to the water. Additional samples of There is a limit of 3 computers or televi- fish and aquatic insects and other information will be available for the scouts to re- sions per vehicle. Call 610 892-9716 if view in helping them to increase their aquatic environmental awareness. you have questions.

Streamwatch President’s Pen Continued from Page 1: Continued from page 1: This year we will monitor the up- palities in our watershed will be look- per, middle, and lower portions. The ing to us to support their education ef- upper portion sampling will happen at forts. Phase II will also require storm Skunk Hollow in Radnor; the middle water ordinances, for those who don’t The Valley is published by DCVA portion will occur in Havertown; and already have one, to be passed in all of (Darby Creek Valley Association), the lower portion will be conducted in the watershed’s townships and bor- P.O. Box 732, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. Darby. Each site occurs in a different oughs. One of those new ordinances Website: www.dcva.org. A regional setting in our watershed and should will enable municipalities with the au- citizen’s organization, DCVA works provide a good indication of water qual- thority to put a stop to non-storm water to protect and enhance the Darby ity in Darby Creek from the upper to discharges to our streams. Others ordi- Creek watershed. Articles for this lower portions. But we need your help. nances will focus on cleaning and treat- newsletter were written by Anne Last year we had a great time! We spend ing storm water runoff before it reaches Ackerman, Julie Bell, Dani-Ella Betz, a lot of time looking at the surrounding the stream, and at long last those new Bill Brainerd, Bill Buchanan, David landscape, taking water chemistry read- ordinances will be addressing the storm Cannan, Joanne Dahme, Bill Frasch, ings, and of course, looking at the crit- water volume, instead of just prevent- John Furth, Bill Gothier, John Haigis, ters we pull out of the stream. The event ing increases in peak storm water dis- Tom Houghton, Rosemary Kesling, really is a great chance to get involved charges. Derron LaBrake, Zachary Lobb, Paul and learn more about the water quality All of these new requirements, Overbrook, Marissa Pappas, Alan of Darby Creek and how aquatic insects while they are burdensome to our mu- Samel, Bob Shaner, James Stuhltrager, can be a treasure and not a pest to our nicipalities, will improve water quality and Jennifer Wesson. Photographs by surroundings. in the Darby Creek watershed, which Joe Ackerman, Ned Connelly, Frank Sampling will start at the site in will benefit all of its residents. Improv- Doyle, Tom Smith, and Fritz Darby at 9:00, move to the Havertown site ing water quality has always come at a Thornton. Edited by Rosemary around 11:00, and finish at Skunk Hol- cost, but the benefits have always been Kesling. Printed on recycled pa- low around 1:00. If you are interested in worth it. To defray some of the costs per. Ó 2003. learning more about the streamwatch, or associated with the Phase II program, if your school group or other organiza- our watershed municipalities will be tion wants to help, call or e-mail Alan looking to organizations like the Darby Samel (see below.) Creek Valley Association for help and If you want to have an impact in our for volunteers. In order for all of us to watershed and you don’t mind getting have cleaner water, we are all going to a little bit wet and you don’t mind get- have to make some small sacrifices. ting up a little bit early, then give us a call for more information! Alan Samel (610) 446-1658 Or [email protected] The Valley - www.dcva.org 15 Spring/Summer 2003

In Memoriam: DCVA Remembers Heinz Wildlife Refuge Manager Retires Michael Coghlan and Carl Flinterman We are saddened by the untimely death of Michael J. Coghlan, who was a member of the Darby Borough Coun- cil. Mike served as a liaison between the Council and the DCVA on a number of issues. Mike knew the watershed from Radnor to the Delaware as few do. He will be sorely missed, but his spirit and commitment to the preserva- tion and enhancement of our local environment will be with us as we carry on. Carl Flinterman, former DCVA board member, died Janu- ary 9, 2003, at the age of 88. Born in Bala Cynwyd, he was a procurement analyst for the Federal Government. A veteran of Word War II, he was a radar operator for the 14th Air Force which succeeded the Flying Tiers (a volunteer group) in the Asian Theatre. He received a degree from Temple Univer- sity in 1974. He was active in politics as a Democratic Com- mittee Man for his precinct and served on the Environmental Advisory Committee for Haverford Township. His civic in- terests were many and varied. As a member of the organiz- ing committee, he helped create the first board of directors for the Darby Creek Valley Association. He served as a di- At the Dick Nugent Retirement Dinner at Drexelbrook, rector and participated in many activities. Dick is presented with a gold pocket watch by refuge staff DCVA extends its sympathy to their families. Memo- member, Erika Scarborough. The watch inscription is, “In rial trees will be planted in memory of Carl and Mike this gratitude from all the species you have touched.” spring.

JOIN THE DARBY CREEK VALLEY ASSOCIATION TODAY! The Darby Creek Valley Association (DCVA) is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of all of the watershed’s resources, including water, wildlife, historical sites and the floodplain. The organization’s immediate goals are to prevent all forms of pollution in the Darby Creek and its tributaries, to prohibit dumping and construction on the floodplain, and to expand our educational programs for all residents within the watershed. It also seeks to improve water quality and maintain a debris-free stream through clean-ups and public education. DCVA works to preserve historic properties, such as the Swedish Cabin and the Blue Bell Inn. The Association would like to set aside the more than 30 miles of valley for use as a greenway for all residents to enjoy. We need your support. Help us continue to protect the environment for ourselves and our children. We invite you to fill in the form below, check member category, and mail form with your check to: The Darby Creek Valley Association, P.O. Box 732, Drexel Hill PA 19026

Name Date Address City State Zip Telephone Your Municipality Representative (if organization member) Type of Membership: q Individual Member...... $15.00 q Student Member...... $5.00 q Family Member ...... $25.00 q Organization/Business Member ...... $35.00 q Senior Citizen ...... $10.00 q Life Member ...... $100.00

To support the many DCVA projects, I would like to make a contribution of $ in addition to my dues. CALENDAR Saturday, April 19, 2003 Streamwatch Water Monitoring on Darby Creek. See page 1 of this newsletter for information. Thursday, April 24, 2003 Annual Meeting of the Haverford Township Historical Society. 8 pm. Llanerch Presbyterian Church, Havertown. Program by Claire Stratton on “The Babies’ Hospital” in Llanerch. Friday, April 25, 2003 Annual Arbor Day Celebration at Sycamore Park in Lansdowne. 1 pm. John Craft will present a program on “Lenape Lifeways.” The public is invited. Saturday, April 26, 2003 DCVA Annual Cleanup. Various locations along Darby Creek. Saturday, April 26, 2003 EarthFest in Dittmar Park in Radnor. 10 am - 5 pm Saturday, April 26, 2003 DCVA Annual Cleanup. Various locations along the creek. Monday, April 28, 2003 Celebration of Arbor day at the Grange Estate 1 - 3 pm Tuesday, April 29, 2003 Meeting for the Darby Creek Watershed Conservation Plan in 7:30 pm. Haverford Township. Lynnewood Elementary School. Friday-Sunday, May 2-4, 2003 Darby Borough Sesqui-Centennial Celebration. Thursday, May 8, 2003 Open House at Sellers Library, Upper Darby 3 - 8 pm Saturday, May 17, 2003 DCVA Board Meeting, Springfield Friends Meeting. 9 am. Speaker: Kristine Matzko, EPA Remedial Project Manager Sunday, June 1, 2003 Early Days at Collen Brook: Life on the Farm. 1 - 4 pm. Marvine Road and Mansion Avenue in Drexel Hill. Sunday, June 15, 2003 Joint Potluck Picnic, Friends of the Swedish Cabin and DCVA. 2 pm. Swedish Cabin, Upper Darby. Saturday, June 21, 2003 Electronics Recycling in Delaware County, 9 am - 3 pm. Emergency ServicesTraining Center, Darby.

Darby Creek Valley Association P.O. Box 732 Drexel Hill, PA 19026

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