The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission is dedicated to uniting the region’s elected officials, planning professionals and the public with a common vision of making a great region even greater. Shaping the way we live, work and play, DVRPC builds consensus on improving transportation, promoting smart growth, protecting the environment and enhancing the economy. We serve a diverse region of nine counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer in New Jersey. DVRPC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Greater Philadelphia Region - leading the way to a better future. The symbol in our logo is adapted from the official DVRPC seal, and is designed as a stylized image of the Delaware Valley. The circular shape symbolizes the region as a whole. The diagonal line represents the Delaware River and the two adjoining crescents represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey.” DVRPC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. DVRPC’S website may be translated into Spanish, Russian, and Traditional Chinese online by visiting www.dvrpc.org. Publication and other public documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats, if requested. For more information, please call (215) 238-2871. This Environmental Resource Inventory was funded by a Smart Growth Assistance Grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commission’s (ANJEC). Matching funds were provided by the Township of Evesham and by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Cover Photo: Courtesy of John Volpa i TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................................... v INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1 BRIEF HISTORY......................................................................................................................................... 3 EVESHAM TOWNSHIP: LOCATION, SIZE, & LAND USE .................................................................. 9 THE PINELANDS....................................................................................................................................................9 NATURAL RESOURCES ......................................................................................................................... 15 PHYSIOGRAPHY..................................................................................................................................................15 TOPOGRAPHY AND SURFACE LANDSCAPES ...............................................................................................15 SOILS .....................................................................................................................................................................16 Soil Quality Classification .................................................................................................................................18 Hydric Soils .......................................................................................................................................................21 Soil Series ..........................................................................................................................................................22 Soil Limitations for Development......................................................................................................................23 STEEP SLOPES .....................................................................................................................................................25 CLIMATE...............................................................................................................................................................26 Precipitation and Storm Events..........................................................................................................................26 Growing Seasons................................................................................................................................................27 AIR QUALITY.......................................................................................................................................................27 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES........................................................................................................................29 Watersheds.........................................................................................................................................................30 Streams...............................................................................................................................................................36 Lakes and Ponds.................................................................................................................................................37 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................................37 Agricultural Wetlands ........................................................................................................................................38 Vernal Pools.......................................................................................................................................................39 Floodplains.........................................................................................................................................................40 Surface Water Quality........................................................................................................................................43 Causes of Water Quality Impairments ...............................................................................................................52 Aquifers..............................................................................................................................................................57 Groundwater Recharge.......................................................................................................................................60 Water Supply Wells ...........................................................................................................................................63 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................... 67 NATURAL VEGETATION ...................................................................................................................................67 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................................71 Upland Forests ...................................................................................................................................................72 Grasslands and Agricultural Lands ....................................................................................................................73 LANDSCAPE PROJECT PRIORITY HABITATS................................................................................................73 Landscape Project Data on Upland Forest Habitat.............................................................................................74 Landscape Project Data on Emergent Wetland Habitat .....................................................................................75 Landscape Project Data on Forested Wetland Habitat.......................................................................................75 Landscape Project Data on Grassland-Species Habitat......................................................................................75 NEW JERSEY PINELANDS STUDIES ................................................................................................................76 ANIMAL COMMUNITIES....................................................................................................................................78 Invertebrates.......................................................................................................................................................79 Vertebrates .........................................................................................................................................................79 THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.................................................................................................................. 85 POPULATION AND HOUSING ...........................................................................................................................85 TRANSPORTATION.............................................................................................................................................87 MUNICIPAL SERVICES.......................................................................................................................................88 Drinking Water ..................................................................................................................................................88 i Sewer..................................................................................................................................................................88