This presentation was presented by the Abington Township Environmental Advisory Council in April 2011.
It discusses Abington's watersheds, non-point source pollution, riparain buffers, native plants, invasive plants, no-mow zones, stream erosion, bank stabilization and stream restoration techniques, stormwater, and rain gardens.
This was funded by a grant from the Water Resources Education Network a program of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund through a Section 319 federal Clean Water Act grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
1. Living Streamside
A workshop presented by the
Abington Township
Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)
April 09, 2011
2. Welcome to Living Streamside
Commissioner John Carlin (Ward 15)
andthe members of the EAC
welcome you!
Thank you for doing your part to keep our water clean!
3. Living Streamside
This workshop has been funded by a grant from
Water Resources Education Network,
a program of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen
Education Fund through a Section 319 federal Clean Water Act
grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, administered by the US Environmental Protection
Agency.
4. Living Streamside
A special thanks to:
The Roslyn Boys and Girls Club
Our speakers and partners
• Delaware Riverkeeper Network
• Heritage Conservancy
• NAM Planning and Design, LLC
• Philadelphia Water Department
5. Abington EAC – Upcoming Events
Earth “Day” Cleanups
Cleveland Avenue near
Roychester Park
• Saturday, April 16th
9:00am
Rubicam Park
• Saturday April 23rd
11:00am
Keswick Avenue
Underpass
• Saturday April 30th
9:00am
Crestmont Park
6. Abington EAC – Upcoming
Events
Arbor Day Celebration at Ethel Jordan Park
April 30th 10:00am
Park cleanup and tree planting
Tree City USA award presentation
Jackson Park, 2009
7. Abington EAC – Upcoming
Rain Barrel Art Contest
Submit a photo of your
decorated rain barrel by
April 30th
Montgomery Award
Nominations for your
Abington environmental
hero due April 30th
Rain barrel by Iris Innis
8. Abington EAC
Learn more about the EAC, upcoming events and
ways you can help Abington “Go Green”
www.eac-abington.org
www.facebook.com/Abington.EAC
Roslyn Park, 2010
9. Why Should I be Concerned?
Rivers and streams are a major
source of drinking water.
Water is affected by what you do on
the land
Residential neighborhoods can be
major source of pollution
Individuals can make a difference
Unstable stream banks
Loss of property
Loss of habitat
18. “Old” Efforts
Focused on Point Sources
of Water Pollution
Photos used with permission from various member programs of the National NEMO Network and Network Hub.
26. Forested Buffer is most
effective
Healthy forest
community
shade from canopy
trees
nutrient uptake,
especially from
younger trees
nutrient processing
from soil microbes
erosion control from
root systems
27. ….even a thin forested
buffer adds value
shade for the
stream
aesthetics
some WQ
improvements
28. Buffer Benefits
Help Stabilize Streambanks
Buffer Against Pollution Impacts
Help reduce flood related damage
to property by slowing runoff
Can provide seasonal blooms and
autumn color
29. Lawns Don’t Make Good Buffers
Shallow roots do little to
prevent erosion
Short grasses have
minor effect on run-off
velocity
Geese love grass
No habitat value
Can deliver lawn
chemicals directly to
stream
30. Can you find the typical lawn grass root system?….
Native Plant Guide for Streams and Stormwater Facilities in Northeastern Illinois
by the USDA NRCS Chicago Metro Urban & Community Assistance Office
31. Lawns don’t infiltrate water well
Infiltration Rates
20
Infiltration (inches/hour)
15
10
5
0
Forest Old Logging Lawn Pavement
Road
33. Lawn and Garden Care - Fertilizing
Use fertilizers sparingly –
follow directions
Don’t fertilize before a
rainstorm
Consider using organic
fertilizers (releases nutrients
more slowly)
Use commercially available
compost or make your own
(reduces need for fertilizer)
34. Lawn and Garden Care - Fertilizing
Let your grass clippings lay!
Wash your spreader equipment on a
pervious surface
Never apply fertilizer to frozen ground
or dormant lawns.
Maintain buffer strip of unmowed
native vegetation bordering waterways
Grow an organic garden!
36. Issues with Vegetated Buffers
Landowner misuses
Unkempt appearance
Crime / Illegal use
Critters
37. Landowner abuses
Dumping yard waste
many think natural materials don’t hurt
stream
nutrients, lawn chemicals and solids
Mowing to edge of stream
grass has shallow root system that
doesn’t hold soil
grass doesn’t maintain sheet flow
38. Public concerns about vectors
associated with buffers
Potential Vector Health Risk
rats & mice various
geese fecal coliform
deer Lyme disease
mosquitoes West Nile Virus
other wildlife rabies
39. Realities
Rats and mice are attracted to trash not riparian
vegetation
Riparian vegetation discourages geese using
area to enter and leave water
less grass = less grazing
Increased deer population will increase risk of
Lyme disease
Check for ticks when you come in
Consider establishing a mowed path
40. More realities
Mosquitoes need standing water to breed
healthy stream ecosystem increases predation
by dragonflies, bats and songbirds
Nuisance wildlife and rabies concerns
municipality has a responsive nuisance wildlife
procedure to protect public health and allay
concerns
41. Why to Go Wild with the Natives
Low maintenance
The birds and the
bees (and more!!)
Heritage
42. Natives are pretty!!
PA has a wide variety of natives
Redbud photo by Road Fun www.flickr.com/photos/guest_family/3349122240/
43. Native Trees and Shrubs for
Streamside Buffers
Wettest Areas
Sycamore
River birch Drier
Alder species Sweet pepperbush
Silky dogwood Chokeberry
Willow Species Viburnum species
Elderberry Sweet gum
American hornbeam
Tulip tree
Periodically Flooded
Red and Black
Red maple Chokeberry`
Swamp white oak Redbud
Black gum Flowering dogwood
Green ash
Sweetbay magnolia
Winterberry
Virginia sweetspire
Photo by Road Fun www.flickr.com/photos/guest_family/3230604417/in/photostream/
44. No Mow Establishment
How wide?
Goal 50’ but 15’ will help
Establishment
Remove turf and invasives
Seed with native mix
Set clear mowing
boundaries
Maintenance
Monitor and control Little Crum Creek
invasive plants Photo courtesy of Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds
Association
“Mow” once in February
Cut no shorter than 6”
53. Bank Stabilization
Solution versus Band-Aid
BEWARE: Streams are a
dynamic, interconnected
system
Consult a professional
Permits may be needed
from: US Army Corps of
Engineers, PA
Department of
Environmental Protection,
Montgomery County
Conservation District,
local municipality
58. No Permit Required
Buffer planting
No-mow
Tree removal
Live stakes
Erosion control
blankets
59. Permit Required
Bank grading
Gravel removal
Tree revetment
Placement of rock
or other material
along the channel
bank
Instream structures
Bridge construction
61. Stormwater
Runoff from roads, houses, parking lots,
lawns, etc.
Impervious surfaces increase volume and
rate of runoff
Carries pathogens, nutrients, sediment,
and other pollutants to our water
62. Stormwater can cause flooding
Photo: Schuylkill River by riverparkalliance
www.flickr.com/photos/23704434@N04/5041096375/
64. How to Manage Stormwater
Slow down and
infiltrate
Keep it clean
Pick up pet waste
Maintain your vehicle
Clean up spills
Use pesticides and
fertilizers correctly
65. Stormwater Management
Slow down and infiltrate
– make an asset
Direct into gently sloped
vegetated areas
Protect existing vegetation
Vegetate open areas
Porous pavement
Infiltration trenches
Green (vegetated) roofs Native “yard” in Wayne, PA
76. Green Lawn Basics (Tip Sheet #2)
General lawn care practices
Promote less maintenance & cleaner environment.
Native Plants of Pennsylvania (Tip Sheet #3)
Native Plant
Sources
76
77. Tree & Shrub Planting Basics
(Tip Sheet #4) Invasive Species
Removal
(English Ivy)
Picture source: “How to Plant a Tree”. Joseph Truini. This Old House
Magazine. http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/
77
79. Rain Gardens
A planted shallow depression designed to catch & filter rainfall runoff.
Ponding Berm with
Depth
6-12”
Level Base
Illustration: adapted from Oregon Environmental Council
Photo: "Rain Gardens A How-to Manual for Homeowners“
University of Wisconsin-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 79
80. Roslyn Park Rain Garden & Infiltration Trench Design
Sandy Run
80
81. Roslyn Park Rain Garden & Infiltration Trench Design
Outlet Pipe
to Sandy Run
New (~2008) Parking Lot
Previously Existing
Catchment Basin
81
91. So Now What?!??
Keep a buffer between your yard and the
stream (the wider and denser the better)
Embrace the natives
Visually monitor your stream (regularly
and following storms)
Walk your property during a storm
Manage stormwater
Practice good habitats
92. And Then What??
Enjoyyour creek and know that you are
helping keep Philadelphia’s water clean