Allegheny river conservation plan Prepared by the Pennsylvania environmental council Final - november 2005 Pa department of conservation & natural resources Rivers conservation program Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Rivers Conservation Program Allegheny River Conservation Plan FINAL – November 2005 Prepared by: The Pennsylvania Environmental Council 22 Terminal Way Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412) 481-9400 Mapping by: Westsylvania Heritage Corporation Johnstown, PA This project was funded in part by a grant from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund, administered by the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Matching funds were provided by the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, Western Pennsylvania Watershed Program, and an Anonymous donor. Contents CONTENTS Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………………..vi Acronyms………………………………………………………………………………………………………..vi-vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………1-4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION..…………………………………………………………………………...5-12 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS……………………………………………………....13-20 CHAPTER 1 – PROJECT AREA CHARACTERISTICS…………………………………………………..21-32 A. Project Area Location and Size B. Municipal Profiles 1. Municipal Descriptions 2. Population C. Land Ownership 1. Islands D. Navigation and Transportation 1. Working River a. Locks & Dams b. Safety on the River 2. Transportation Projects a. Commuter Train b. East Brady Bridge Replacement c. Foxburg Bridge Replacement d. Transportation Improvement Program 3. Railroads Figure 1-1 Allegheny River Watershed Map Table 1-1 Municipal Descriptions Table 1-2 Change in Municipal Populations, 1970-2000 Table 1-3 River Islands Table 1-4 Locks and Dams Appendix: • Port of Pittsburgh Public River Terminals i Contents CHAPTER 2 – LAND…………………………………………………………………………………………..33-47 A. Topography and Geology 1. Formation of the River Valley B. Soils C. Land Cover D. Land Use 1. Land Use Tools 2. Act 2 and the Land Recycling Program 3. Industrial Sites for Sale 4. Redevelopment a. PPG at Ford City b. Urban Redevelopment 5. Mining Facilities E. Waste Management 1. Landfills & Recycling 2. Illegal Dump Sites 3. Hazardous Waste 4. Toxics Release Inventory F. Critical Areas 1. Landslides 2. Abandoned Mines 3. Flood Prone Areas 4. Ice Jams 5. Natural Heritage Areas 6. Viewscapes 7. Natural Infrastructure Figure 2-1 Physiographic Provinces Figure 2-2 Historic Pennsylvania Geography Figure 2-3 Ancestral Erie Basin Figure 2-4 Pennsylvania Glacial Activity Table 2-1 Land Cover Table 2-2 Land Use Tools Table 2-3 Act 2 Clean-up Sites Table 2-4 CERCLA Sites Table 2-5 Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act Appendix: • Surface Geology maps for Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, and Westmoreland Counties • Pennsylvania Maps: Geology, Physiographic Provinces, Glacial Deposits, Limestone and Dolomite Distribution, Coal Distribution, Oil and Gas Fields • Summary – Armstrong County Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan – Draft 2003 • Toxics Release Inventory for Armstrong County – 2002 Data ii Contents CHAPTER 3 – WATER………………………………………………………………………………………..48-61 A. Water Quality 1. Clean Water Act 2. Sources and Types of Water Pollution a. Point Sources b. Non-Point Sources Abandoned Mine Drainage Stormwater c. Sewer Overflows Combined Sewer Systems Separate Sanitary Sewer Systems d. Sewage Facilities e. Bear Creek Area Chemical Site f. Toxics Release Inventory 3. Impaired Streams and Rivers 4. Water Quality Testing 5. Fish Consumption Advisories 6. Contact Information B. Water Supply 1. Source Water Assessment a. Wellhead Protection Program 2. Groundwater 3. Water Resources Planning Act 4. Early Warning Detection System C. Commercial Dredging Table 3-1 Statewide Water Uses Table 3-2 Tributaries and Chapter 93 Designated Uses Table 3-3 Municipal Act 537 Plans Table 3-4 Impaired Streams and Rivers on the 2004 303(d) List Appendix: • Source Water Assessment Summaries • Redbank Creek Watershed Restoration Strategy • Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Commercial Sand and Gravel Dredging Operations in the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, Pennsylvania – Executive Summary iii Contents CHAPTER 4 – BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES………………………………………………………………..62-82 A. Wildlife 1. Mammals 2. Birds 3. Reptiles and Amphibians 4. Fish a. Paddlefish Stocking 5. Macroinvertebrates B. Vegetation C. Invasive Species D. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program Tables of PNHP inventory for the six counties in the study area E. Important Habitats 1. Wetlands 2. Riparian Corridors 3. Steep Sloped Areas 4. Natural Heritage Areas 5. Allegheny River Pool 6 6. State Game Lands Table 4-1 Buffalo Creek Valley Bird Count Table 4-2 Reptiles and Amphibians Table 4-3 Fish Table 4-4 Fish Stocking, 2003 Table 4-5 Invasive Aquatic Plants and Animals CHAPTER 5 – RECREATION………………………………………………………………………………...83-93 A. Trails 1. Land a. Greenways b. Rails to Trails c. Federal Rails to Trails Act 2. Water B. Parks C. Campgrounds D. Boating 1. River Access 2. Boating Registrations 3. Boating Safety E. Fishing 1. Access 2. Fishing Registrations 3. Restrictions 4. Tournaments F. Game Lands G. Community Recreation Plans H. Recreation and Economics Table 5-1 Boat Access Areas Table 5-2 State Gamelands Table 5-3 Participation in Wildlife Activities in Pennsylvania Appendix: • PFBC Boating Rules and Regulations Recap iv Contents • PA Boat Registrations by County • 2004 Fishing License & Trout Stamp Sales CHAPTER 6 – HISTORY…………………………………………………………………………………..….94-96 A. Regional History B. Local Municipal Histories C. Unique Cultural Features 1. River Towns – Heritage 2. Local Points of Interest D. National Register of Historic Places E. Historical Marker Program Appendix 6: • Municipal History Summaries • National Register of Historic Places • Historical Marker Program MAPS Map 1 – Project Area Map 2a – Land Cover (upper study area) Map 2b – Land Cover (lower study area) Map 3 – Critical Areas Map 4 – Natural Resources Map 5 – Recreational Opportunities ALLEGHENY RIVER WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP & RESOURCE GUIDE (Separate document - not included in this book) Part A – River Conservation Tips • Ten River Smart Tips • River Smart Gardening • Stream Care Guide for Residents & Businesses Part B – Riparian Buffer Factsheets • Introduction to Riparian Buffers • Backyard Buffers • Guidance for Communities Part C – Natural Resource Conservation & Stewardship • Wetland and Riparian Stewardship in Pennsylvania • Humanely Resolving Conflicts with Canada Geese Part D – Municipal and Organizational Resources • Codes & Ordinances Worksheet • MS4 Requirements • Water Trail Technical Guidance Factsheets • Boat Launch Technical Guidance Important Contacts and Publications v Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Pennsylvania Environmental Council would like to gratefully acknowledge the individuals who have provided valuable assistance in the development of the Allegheny River Conservation Plan: David Beale………………... Armstrong County Conservation District Brian Clark…………………. Alle-Kiski Revitalization Corporation Mike Coonley……………… Armstrong County Planning Department Mark Devinney…………….. Freeport Terminals Mike Ferris…………………. River Navigation Coalition Phyllis Framel……………… Resident, Allegheny Township Dennis Frawley……………. Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center Justin Goodlin……………... Westsylvania Heritage Corporation Hartley Johnston………….. Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society James Kwasneski…………. Intern Terry Laux …………………. Buffalo Creek Important Bird Area Eva Marcotrigiano………… Intern Jeff Miller…………………… Glacial Sand & Gravel Co. T.L. Ralston…………………Armstrong County Planning Department James Scahill……………… Armstrong County Commissioner Martin Scheerbaum……….. Riverfront Landowner James Seagriff…………….. Freeport Borough Ron Steffey………………… Allegheny Valley Land Trust Denny Steiner……………... Steiners Outdoors and More ACRONYMS Commonly Used Throughout this Document ACCD – Armstrong County Conservation District ACE – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers AVLT – Allegheny Valley Land Trust AKRC – Alle-Kiski Revitalization Corporation AMD – Abandoned Mine Drainage ATV – All-Terrain Vehicle AVLT – Allegheny Valley Land Trust BDA – Biological Diversity Area BMP – Best Management Practice CD – Conservation District CERCLA – Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CSO – Combined Sewer Overflow CWA – Clean Water Act DCED – Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development DCNR – Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources DEP – Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection EAC – Environmental Advisory Council EFACTS – Environmental, Facility, Application, Compliance Tracking System EIS – Environmental Impact Statement EMPACT – Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking EPA – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPCRA – Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency GIS – Geographic Information System IBA – Important Bird Area IMA – Important Mammal Area L&D – Lock and Dam MS4s – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System vi Contents NHA – Natural Heritage Area NHI – Natural Heritage Inventory NPDES – National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NPL – National Priority List NPS – Non-point source OHA – Other Heritage Area OLDS – On-lot Disposal System PennDOT – Pennsylvania Department of Transportation PABS – Pennsylvania Biological Survey PASDA – Pennsylvania Spatial Data Atlas PAT – Port Authority Transit PEC – Pennsylvania Environmental Council PFBC – Pennsylvania