For more information about the Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan, contact Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Allegheny Regional Office Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Allegheny Regional Office 159 Main Street Ridgway, PA 15853 (814) 776-1114 www.waterlandlife.org The Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Program Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Draft October 2011 Prepared for: Brokenstraw Watershed Council Prepared by: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Allegheny Regional Office 159 Main Street Ridgway, PA 15853 This project financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and by a grant from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan ii Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Title Page………………………………………………………………………………………… i Introduction Materials.................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents iii Lit of Tables viii List of Figures x Acknowledgements xii Acronyms xiii Watershed Definition xv Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... ES-1 Project Background ES-1 Report Summary ES-2 Project Area Characteristics ES-2 Land Resources ES-2 Water Resources ES-2 Biological Resources ES-3 Cultural Resources ES-3 Issues and Concerns ES-3 Management Recommendations ES-4 Project Area Characteristic.......................................................................................................... 1-1 Project Area 1-1 Location and Size 1-1 Climate 1-2 Topography 1-2 Major Tributaries 1-3 Air Quality 1-3 Atmospheric Deposition 1-4 Critical Pollutants 1-4 Mercury 1-6 Impacts of Air Quality 1-6 Socioeconomic Profile 1-7 Land-Use Planning and Regulation 1-7 Demographics and Population Patterns 1-9 Infrastructure 1-11 Transportation and Safety 1-12 Economy and Employment 1-15 Education 1-17 Land Resources.............................................................................................................................. 2-1 Geology 2-1 iii Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Page Physiographic Provinces 2-2 Ecoregions 2-2 Soil Characteristics 2-3 Soil Associations 2-3 Prime Agricultural Soils 2-4 Farmland of Statewide Importance 2-4 Agricultural Land Preservation 2-5 Pennsylvania 2-5 New York 2-6 Land Use 2-6 Forestry 2-7 Agriculture 2-8 Development 2-9 Mining 2-10 Oil and Gas Exploration 2-10 Land Ownership 2-10 Critical Areas 2-11 Landslides 2-11 Subsidence Areas 2-12 Erosion and Sedimentation 2-12 Groundwater Recharge 2-13 Fish and Wildlife Habitat 2-13 Natural Resource Extraction 2-14 Wind Energy 2-14 Hazardous Areas 2-15 Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act 2-15 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 2-15 Illegal Dumpsites 2-15 Landfills 2-16 Brownfields 2-17 Water Resources............................................................................................................................ 3-1 Location 3-1 Water Resources 3-3 Groundwater and Surface Water 3-3 Wetlands 3-6 Floodplains 3-7 Riparian Zones 3-8 Stormwater 3-10 Dams 3-11 Watershed Protection Laws 3-11 Clean Water Act 3-11 Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law 3-12 iv Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Page Nutrient Management Program 3-13 Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act 166 3-13 Water Quality 3-13 Classification of Water Pollution 3-14 Impaired Waters 3-14 Sources of Impairment 3-15 Water Quality Monitoring 3-21 Water Quantity 3-21 Water Quality Trading 3-23 Biological Resources……………………………….………………………………………….…. 4-1 Natural Settings 4-1 Ecosystems and Biodiversity 4-1 Ecoregion Characteristics 4-1 Natural Habitats 4-2 Wildlife 4-7 Mammals 4-7 Reptiles and Amphibians 4-8 Birds 4-10 Fish and Freshwater Mussels 4-11 Species of Special Concern 4-12 Conservation Areas 4-13 Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Areas 4-13 New York State Conservation Areas 4-24 Important Bird Areas 4-25 Important Mammal Areas 4-25 Invasive Species 4-25 Plants 4-26 Animals 4-27 Managing Invasives 4-28 Cultural Resources......................................................................................................................... 5-1 Recreation 5-1 Recreational Opportunities 5-1 Winter Recreation Opportunities 5-8 Annual Events 5-9 Local Attractions 5-10 Environmental Education 5-10 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 5-11 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission 5-11 Pennsylvania Game Commission 5-11 Schools 5-11 Pennsylvania County Conservation Districts 5-11 Envirothons 5-11 v Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Page Cooperative Extension Offices 5-11 Historical Resources 5-12 Historical Overview 5-12 Historical Sites, Structures, and Districts 5-15 Issues and Concerns...................................................................................................................... 6-1 Meeting Summaries 6-1 Initial Meetings 6-1 School Visits 6-2 Focus Groups 6-2 Surveys and Interviews 6-2 Issues and Concerns 6-2 Water Resources 6-2 Infrastructure 6-3 Employment 6-3 Recreation 6-3 Biological 6-4 Public Meeting Results 6-4 Positive Aspects 6-4 Improvements 6-5 Projects 6-6 Survey Results 6-7 Public Survey Results 6-7 Municipal Phone Survey Results 6-14 Interview Results 6-16 Student Workshop Results 6-21 Municipal Officials Meeting 6-24 Management Recommendations.................................................................................................. 7-1 Project Area Characteristics Land Resources Water Resources Biological Resources Cultural Resources Education and Funding References...................................................................................................................................... 8-1 Appendices A. Glossary B. Planning Committees C. Agricultural Soils D. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act E. Illegal Dumpsites F. Brownfield Sites G. NPDES vi Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan H. Species of Concern I. Fish and Wildlife Species J. Cultural and Historical Resources K. Public Comments L. Survey and Interview Questions M. Native Plant Guide N. Fish Habitat Structures O. Potential Funding Sources P. Useful Websites Q. Resource Guide vii Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan LIST OF TABLES Chapter 1 Project Area Characteristics Page Table 1-1 Watershed Municipalities 1-1 Table 1-2 Types of Glacial Deposits 1-3 Table 1-3 Land-Use Regulations 1-7 Table 1-4 Population and Population Change 1-10 Table 1-5 Population by Sex and Age 1-10 Table 1-6 Public Sewage Systems 1-12 Table 1-7 Public Water System 1-12 Table 1-8 Major Employers 1-15 Table 1-9 Breakdown of Employment by Industry 1-17 Table 1-10 School Enrollments (2006) 1-18 Chapter 2 Land Resources Page Table 2-1 Land Use 2-7 Table 2-2 Conservation Practices Identified in 2008 Farm Bill 2-8 Table 2-3 Wells Drilled in Watershed Municipalities 2-10 Chapter 3 Water Resources Page Table 3-1 Tributaries 3-3 Table 3-2 Water use 3-22 Chapter 4 Biological Resources Page Table 4-1 Top 10 Most Popular Recreation Activities in Pennsylvania 4-6 Table 4-2 Amphibians 4-9 Table 4-3 Reptiles 4-10 Table 4-4 Significance Rankings for Biological Diversity Areas 4-14 Table 4-5 Noxious Weeds of Pennsylvania 4-26 Chapter 5 Cultural Resources Page Table 5-1 New York State Forest Lands 5-2 Table 5-2 Golf Courses 5-4 Table 5-3 Hunting Licenses Sold 5-7 Table 5-4 2009 Envirothon Results 5-11 Chapter 6 Issues and Concerns Page Table 6-1 Location of Residents Completing Surveys 6-8 Table 6-2 Importance of Watershed Values 6-10 Table 6-3 Importance of Recreational Values in Brokenstraw Creek Watershed 6-11 Table 6-4 Importance of Watershed Issues 6-13 viii Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Chapter 7 Management Recommendations Page Table 7-1 Acronyms Used in Management Recommendations Matrix 7-1 ix Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan LIST OF FIGURES Chapter 1 Project Area Characteristics Figure 1-1 Project Area Figure 1-2 Topography Figure 1-3 Land-Use Regulations Figure 1-4 Watershed Population by Census Block Group 2000 Figure 1-5 Population Change by Census Block Group 1990 to 2000 Figure 1-6 Wastewater Treatment Figure 1-7 Public Water Supply Figure 1-8 Transportation Figure 1-9 Method of Transportation Figure 1-10 Travel Time to Work Figure 1-11 Work Location Chapter 2 Land Resources Figure 2-1 Geology Figure 2-2 Agricultural Soils and Preservation Area Figure 2-3 Land Use Figure 2-4 Resource Extraction Figure 2-5 Public Lands Chapter 3 Water Resources Figure 3-1 Major Tributaries Figure 3-2 Hydrologic Cycle Figure 3-3 Lake, Ponds, Wetlands, and Hydric Soils Figure 3-4 Recommended Riparian Widths Figure 3-5 Impairments and Obstructions Figure 3-6 Uses of Water Withdrawn by Region Chapter 4 Biological Resources Figure 4-1 Biological Diversity Areas Figure 4-2 Aquatic Community Classification Chapter 5 Cultural Resources Figure 5-1 Recreational Facilities: Parks, Trails, and Camping Figure 5-2 Fishing Opportunities Figure 5-3 Snowmobiling Opportunities Figure 5-4 Local Attractions and Historic Sites x Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Conservation Plan Chapter 6 Issues and Concerns Figure 6-1 Age of Survey Participants Figure 6-2 Important Land-Uses Within the Brokenstraw Creek Watershed Figure 6-3 Importance of Watershed Values Figure 6-4 Importance