Streamside Living

Living Streamside A workshop presented by the Abington TownshipEnvironmental Advisory Council (EAC) April 09, 2011

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!

Living StreamsideThis workshop has been funded by a grant fromWater Resources Education Network,a program of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania CitizenEducation Fund through a Section 319 federal Clean Water Actgrant from the Pennsylvania Department of EnvironmentalProtection, administered by the US Environmental ProtectionAgency.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water Resources 101

What is a Watershed?AWatershedis an areaof landthat drainsto a singleoutlet.

Abington Township Watersheds Pennypack Creek (Ogontz Campus) Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek (AHS) Wissahickon Creek (Briar Bush)

Pennypack Creek Watershed56.5 Square MilesDrains into the Delaware RiverImage from Philadelphia WaterDepartment:www.phillywatersheds.org

Tookany/Tacony-FrankfordCreek Watershed38.7 Square Miles – Drains intothe Delaware RiverImage from Philadelphia WaterDepartment: www.phillysheds.org

Wissahickon Creek Watershed63.8 square miles – drains intothe Schuylkill RiverImage from Philadelphia WaterDepartment: www.phillysheds.org

Wissahickon Watershed

Non-Point Source Pollution Basics

“Old” Efforts Focused on Point Sources of Water PollutionPhotos used with permission from various member programs of the National NEMO Network and Network Hub.

Polluted Runoff isthe #1 Water QualityProblem in the U.S.* * USEPA

Development Impacts on the Water Cycle10% 50% 55% 15% © University of Connecticut. Adapted with permission from the University of Connecticut.

The Effects of Urbanization Trout Brook?!! © University of Connecticut. Adapted with permission from the University of Connecticut.

Improving Watershed Health – What Can You Do At Home??

What is a Riparian Buffer? An area of vegetation that is maintained along the shore of a water body to protect stream channels and banks.

Where Found Permanent or Intermittent Streams Lakes and Ponds Wetlands Seeps In your backyard !

Types of Buffers Forested Wetland Meadow

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

….even a thin forested buffer adds value  shade for the stream  aesthetics  some WQ improvements

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

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

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

Lawns don’t infiltrate water well Infiltration Rates 20 Infiltration (inches/hour) 15 10 5 0 Forest Old Logging Lawn Pavement Road

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)

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!

Buffer Issues and Misuses

Issues with Vegetated Buffers Landowner misuses Unkempt appearance Crime / Illegal use Critters

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

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

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

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

Why to Go Wild with the Natives Low maintenance The birds and the bees (and more!!) Heritage

Natives are pretty!!PA has a wide variety of natives Redbud photo by Road Fun www.flickr.com/photos/guest_family/3349122240/

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/

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”

www.flickr.com/photos/randysonofrobert/2434950739/Phragmites http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackhynes/435562257/ Celandine http://www.flickr.com/photos/anselm23/497739087/ Garlic mustard

www.flickr.com/photos/ashevillein/4602174643/ Multiflora rose www.flickr.com/photos/urtica/2957424356/ www.flickr.com/photos/dermoidhome/4540596511 / Honeysuckle Japanese hops

www.flickr.com/photos/blueridgekitties/5114420288 /Oriental bittersweet www.flickr.com/photos/fyrefiend/815838062/ Mile-a-minute weed www.flickr.com/photos/28505729@N06/3931926092 / Tree of heaven

Japanese Knotweed Control early!!Photos from: www.environet-uk.co.uk/graphics/japanese-knotweed-2a.JPG

Common Garden Escapees to Avoid Herbaceous  English ivy  Pachysandra  Periwinkle  Wisteria  Bamboo Shrub  Burning bush  Privet Trees  Norway maple  Princess tree  Callery pear  Autumn or Russian Olive

Stream Bank and Channel ErosionWhy do we care? Property loss Sediment is a pollutant Decreased habitat Crum Creek, Chester County, PA

Fixed It ? Valley Creek, Chester County, PAPine Run, Montgomery County,PA

All photos Sandy Run in Abington, PA

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

Bank Grading Valley Creek, PA Stony Creek, PA

Instream Structures Perkiomen Creek, PA Nevada Creek, MTPhoto by Beth Porter,www.fs.fed.us/r9/ssrs/story?id=4630

Instream StructuresSprogels Run, PA Darby Creek, PAManatawny Creek, PA Darby Creek, PA Darby Creek, PA

No Permit Required Buffer planting No-mow Tree removal Live stakes Erosion control blankets

Permit Required Bank grading Gravel removal Tree revetment Placement of rock or other material along the channel bank Instream structures Bridge construction

Stormwater 101 Photo courtesy of thirteen of clubs

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

Stormwater can cause floodingPhoto: Schuylkill River by riverparkalliancewww.flickr.com/photos/23704434@N04/5041096375/

Stormwater can cause erosionRoychester Park, Abington, PA

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

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

Stormwater Management Rain BarrelsSouthampton Township, PA Abington Township, PA

Stormwater Management Rain GardensPhotos from Roslyn Park in AbingtonTownship, PA

Backyard Buffer Program Abington Township Environmental Advisory Council April 9, 2011 69

Backyard Buffer Program Website 70

What is a Backyard Buffer? 71Source: “Conservation Buffers” USDA General Technical Report SRS 109

72Source: Philly H2O The History of Philadelphias Watersheds and Sewers

Backyard Buffer Program Tip Sheets 74

Saint Christopher School Lawns to Meadow (No-Mow Zone Tip Sheet #1) 75

Green Lawn Basics (Tip Sheet #2) General lawn care practicesPromote less maintenance & cleaner environment. Native Plants of Pennsylvania (Tip Sheet #3) Native Plant Sources 76

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

Composting (Tip Sheet #5) Rain Barrel(Tip Sheet #6) 78

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 CouncilPhoto: "Rain Gardens A How-to Manual for Homeowners“University of Wisconsin-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 79

Roslyn Park Rain Garden & Infiltration Trench Design Sandy Run 80

Roslyn Park Rain Garden & Infiltration Trench Design Outlet Pipe to Sandy Run New (~2008) Parking LotPreviously Existing Catchment Basin 81

Installation September 2008 84

1.5 inch precipitation January 25, 2010 88

January 27, 2010 (48 hours post event) 89

Backyard Buffer Program Website 90

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

And Then What?? Enjoyyour creek and know that you are helping keep Philadelphia’s water clean

QUESTIONS?Turn in your survey as you leave. THANK YOU!

Streamside Living

by AbingtonEAC

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