Project
Area Characteristics
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ISSUE:
Encompassing Conservation Organization
An
issue that has been identified during the study is the lack of a strong,
encompassing organization to promote conservation for the entire
watershed.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION: Encompassing Conservation Organization
Establish
a strong, encompassing organization to promote conservation for the entire
watershed. This organization would be made up of individuals from
throughout the watershed and from numerous organizations. The hiring of a
full-time watershed coordinator would assist in the implementation of the
RCP. Additionally, these activities would identify and coordinate overall
restoration, maintenance, and enhancement activities. |
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ISSUE:
Urban Sprawl
An
area of concern identified by the study is the general issue of urban
sprawl. Socioeconomic data and analysis shows a distinct trend of
development in the large open spaces of the western portion of the study
area.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Urban Sprawl
This
issue will need to be approached by a combined effort of promoting sound
development throughout the watershed while at the same time providing for
economic stability.
An
Inter-Municipal Framework is a process where municipal governments and
local organizations work together to improve local conditions such as
infrastructure, environment, and education. To solve a common problem
throughout the entire length of a sub-basin, communities and organizations
must work together to address the situation. |
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ISSUE:
Transportation Facilities
While
the existing roadway network provides access to almost all areas of the
watershed, expanding development and growth within the western and
northwestern portions of the project area continues to necessitate
improvements to the transportation system. The Southern Beltway project is
the major on-going activity in the project area that will have
socioeconomic and environmental issues and opportunities related to it (PTC,
1997 and PTC, 2000).
Urban
sprawl is partially caused by the construction of new transportation
facilities. Though these facilities are important in giving safe access to
communities, the proper planning prior to these facilities being
constructed is an important task to complete in order to control potential
negative impacts of sprawl.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Transportation Facilities
It
is very important for the communities in this area to have appropriate
zoning ordinances in place, in order for sound land management and
development activities to take place. Roadway construction is one of the
major impacts on environmental resources. Mitigation for these impacts
consequently becomes one of the most significant contributors to natural
resource creation and restoration efforts. Additionally, as this area
develops in the future, expanding public transportation opportunities via
a light railcar system and buses would assist in reducing air pollution
and decreasing fuel consumption by cars, trucks, and motorcycles. This
could be done through an Inter-Municipal Framework.
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Land
Resources
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ISSUE:
Unregulated Waste and Brownfield Sites
The
removal and restoration of unregulated waste and brownfield sites is an
important issue for improving the environmental health and aesthetics of
the project area. Unregulated waste and brownfield sites (i.e., dumps,
junkyards, and abandoned coal tailing piles [gob piles]) exist within the
project area. These areas usually are located near streams therefore water
pollution issues almost always exist at or near these sites.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Unregulated Waste and Brownfield Sites
Complete
an inventory of unregulated waste and brownfield sites (i.e., dumps,
junkyards, and abandoned coal tailing [gob] piles) that exist within
the project area and participate in the "Ohio River Sweep
Program". |
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ISSUE
& MANAGEMENT OPTION:
Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act Site
Superior
Steel Site in Carnegie has had a survey completed of the facility by USDOE.
USDOE is in the process of reviewing this survey in order to determine
what remediation activities are warranted for any contaminated materials.
Presently no known water quality problems are known to exist concerning
radioactive materials from this site (PADEP, October 2000). The
continued monitoring of the site is critical. The Superior Steel site in
Carnegie needs to have proper remediation and disposal activities planned
for the future protection of citizens and the environment (on-going).
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ISSUE:
Abandoned Mine Drainage
Abandoned
Mine Drainage (AMD) is a major issue and its problems vary from site to
site. AMD issues are found in management units A, B, C, D, E, and F. The
source of AMD discharges can be from deep mines, surface mines, and coal
refuse piles. AMD involves various water quality parameters and varying
seasonal discharge flows.
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MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Abandoned Mine Drainage
AMD
is a major issue and its problems vary from site to site. Strategically
identify remediation projects for project area with overview and guidance
from the encompassing Chartiers Creek Watershed organization.
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ISSUE:
Sewage
Sewage
is a major issue and pollution source within the Chartiers Creek
watershed. Sewage issues are found in management units A, B, C, D, E, F,
and G. This problem is due in part to old/poorly maintained sewer
facilities and illegal connections to the sanitary sewer system (50% of
these sources involve private property). Additionally, much of the
infrastructure that involves the sewer system is located below groundwater
levels. Thus raw sewage in some cases is coming in contact with
groundwater which can cause groundwater contamination.
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MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Sewage
Due
to its high financial and technical aspects, the sewage issue will
continue to be resolved by local governmental officials and regulators. It
is therefore encouraged that local citizens participate in public meetings
and forums in order to be educated on the issues, activities, and
implementation plans (on-going).
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ISSUE:
Urban Impacted
Urban
Impacted (or Habitat Modification) pollution is an important issue
and involves many types of water pollution but is primarily driven by high
stream flows (stormwater). This type of stream flow is associated
with areas of the watershed that have been experiencing high developmental
pressures and lack stormwater management facilities.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Urban Impacted
Strategically
identify remediation projects for the project area with overview and
guidance from the encompassing Chartiers Creek Watershed organization. The
following assessment, planning, and implementation activities can also
improve urban impacted areas:
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Fluvial GeoMorphology
Assessment and Design
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Pennsylvania's
Stormwater Management (Planning) Program
(PA Act 167)
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Pennsylvania Handbook
of Best Management Practices for Developing Areas (see above)
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Local Community Zoning
and Planning
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ISSUE:
Protection of Great
Blue Heron Rookeries
Two Great Blue Heron
rookeries exist in the riparian forest buffer and wetland habitats in the
project area. These rookeries were noted by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission (PGC) in their file search for "species of special
concern," because great blue herons are colonial nesters and land
development of their nesting habitat could have a major impact on their
population in the Chartiers Creek watershed. The PGC indicated that the
rookeries are located within the boundaries of the Canonsburg and the
Clinton USGS quad map in the project area. Two routes of the proposed
Southern Beltway would directly impact one of the rookeries.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Protection of Great
Blue Heron Rookeries
Work with the PGC,
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, local conservation organizations and
municipal officials to protect the habitats of the two Great Blue Heron
rookeries (on-going).
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ISSUE:
Riparian Forest Buffers, Wetlands, and Forest
The protection and
restoration of riparian zones, wetlands, and forest in the Chartiers Creek
watershed is important in order to maintain and then improve the
environmental health of the watershed. It will also improve the aesthetics
of the watershed and make the area a more appealing place to live.
Another forest related
issue is that of trees as an economic resource. As forest resources in the
watershed mature, these trees will become a viable economic commodity that
stakeholders may choose to harvest. Areas of the watershed that are
currently being protected or have less impacts to water resources due to
existing riparian forest buffers may then experience increased problems to
local streams and infrastructure associated with erosion, sedimentation,
and stormwater.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Riparian Forest Buffers, Wetlands, and Forest
Complete an inventory
and management plan for the restoration and protection of riparian zones,
wetlands, forest, and floodplains in the Chartiers Creek watershed.
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ISSUE:
Rails-to-Trails and Bikeways
Rail
trails provide an alternative to common transportation options as well as
providing safer recreational opportunities due to the absence of vehicle
traffic. The following recreational opportunities need to be
completed:
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Montour Trail
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Chartiers Creek Trail
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Panhandle Trail
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McLaughlin Run Trail
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MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Rails-to-Trails and Bikeways
Complete
needed feasibility studies and construction activities on the existing and
proposed rail-to-trail and bikeway facilities (on-going).
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ISSUE:
Linking Community Facilities
This
can be accomplished by rail-to trail and bikeway facilities, as well as by
the network of streams throughout the watershed via a "blueway"
and adjacent greenways and open space.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Linking Community Facilities
In
the a holistic park/recreational "master plan" form linkages
which include both rail-to trail and bikeway facilities, as well as by the
network of streams throughout the watershed via a "blueway".
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ISSUE:
EcoTourism
Ecotourism
opportunities will be created in the project area. Marketing of ecological
treasures and recreational facilities will occur as additional segments of
rail-to-trail facilities are completed, water and in-stream habitat
quality improves, environmental education centers are completed, greenways
are established, the horticultural garden facility is constructed, and
many other activities established. The establishment and promotion of a
Chartiers Creek watershed triatholon (e.g., biking, running, and canoeing)
would serve many purposes in promoting restoration activities.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
EcoTourism
The
establishment and promotion of a Chartiers Creek watershed triatholon (e.g.,
biking, running, and canoeing) would also promote ongoing restoration
activities. To develop ecotourism in the project area, the local chamber
of commerce, municipal officials, businesses, and conservation
organizations need to work together to spawn this type of activity.
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ISSUE:
Community
Education/Public Relations Activities
As
part of the continued promotion of this plan's activities by communities
and organizations, it is important to use the media in educating the
general public about the watershed.
MANAGEMENT
OPTION:
Community Education/Public Relations Activities
This
plan discusses numerous implementation activities that can be moved
forward by the watershed's organizations and communities. Pursue the media
aspect, as public relations associated with these activities will make
them more visible.
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