Recommended Actions

This chapter lists the recommended actions that are intended to address the issues and concerns discussed in the previous chapter.  These recommendations are displayed in two distinct formats at the end of the chapter: Recommended Action summary tables and an Implementation Strategy.  (Specific projects identified by public meeting attendees and municipalities are also listed in Tables B-1 and B-2 in Appendix B.  These projects are also considered recommended actions of this plan.)  The recommended actions are divided according to resource categories, which are indicated by tabs along the edge of the plan.  They include Land, Water, Biological, Recreational, Cultural/Historical, Educational, and Political/Economic.

The Juniata Watershed Management Plan is a recommended plan of action based on available resources and the problems identified by the public.  There are several reasons why the JCWP steering committee identified a need for a watershed plan.  The plan has been designed to do the following:  

* Reduce threats to water quality and quantity from numerous sources such as poor or no storm water management, eroding streambanks, nutrient and sediment overload, inadequate or non-existing sewage treatment, acid mine drainage, and poor floodplain management.

* Provide healthy resources to sustain the region’s way of life.

* Improve and provide greater consistency to regional planning efforts.

* Encourage municipal officials to assume responsibility for their water-related problems.

* Improve the level of education on watershed concepts and issues.

* Increase citizen participation and decision making on resource issues.

* Assess and recommend appropriate management options that address local river conservation needs.

* Create a strategy to best implement future projects.

* Direct appropriate additional funding to municipalities and organizations to carry out necessary conservation projects.

* Foster long-term partnerships among state and local agencies with community stakeholders to meet common conservation goals.

A.  Resource Categories

After collecting information through public meetings and municipal surveys, watershed related issues were categorized by theme into seven major resource categories.  The issues that make up these categories were prioritized according to their watershed impacts as well as public input.

Land Resources – The land resources category consists of activities that take place primarily on land, but which may
affect the adjacent land, water, and air.  Highest priority issues in this category include Land Use Planning; Solid Waste Management/Illegal Dumping; Erosion and Sedimentation; Intensive Livestock Operations; Forestry; Nutrient Pollution; and Riparian (Streamside) Buffers.

Water Resources – The water resources category consists of specific issues and activities that are water related and/or take place primarily in or on water sources. Highest priority issues in this category include Water Monitoring; Stormwater Management; Sewage and Septage; Flooding/Floodplain Management; Public Water Supply; Wetlands; and Acid Mine Drainage.

Biological Resources – The biological resources category consists of issues directly related to the flora and fauna of an ecosystem.  The issues in this category are of medium priority. 

Recreational Resources – The recreational resource category consists of issues relevant to the need for additional recreation opportunities and for public access to recreation.  A high priority issue in this category is Greenways/Trail Development.  The other issues in this category are of medium priority.

Cultural/Historical Resources – The cultural resources category consists of issues related to historic preservation.  Issues in this category are of medium priority.  

Educational Resources – The educational resources category consists primarily of issues related to environmental education.  The highest priority issue in this category is Environmental/General Education.  

Political/Economic Resources – The political/economic resources category consists of issues related to leadership and money.  Highest priority issues in this category include Government Coordination; Funding; Planning and Policy Development; and Sustainable Economic Development.

B.  Goal Statements

The Juniata Watershed Management Plan has been developed with three key principles in mind: grassroots involvement, conservation, and stewardship.  These key principles, discussed in more detail in Chapter I, guided the development of the following goal statements.  These goal statements describe the broad, general goals the plan is striving for in each resource category.  The recommended actions were developed with the intention that they will help to achieve these goals.

1.  Land Resources

The land resources of the Juniata watershed should be utilized efficiently to ensure sustainable productivity of food and fiber while reducing soil erosion and keeping fertilizers and chemicals in the soil rather than in streams or ground water.  High-risk land areas such as floodplains, wetlands, and steep slopes ought to be restricted to low-impact land uses.

  2.  Water Resources

The water resources of the Juniata watershed should be utilized safely and efficiently at all times so that sufficient quantities of clean water exist for both native in-stream aquatic life and human and livestock consumption.  Systems of response should be in place to reduce the potentially harmful impacts of both flooding and drought.

Septic and public sewer systems should be kept in good working order so that wastewater does not degrade streams or ground water.  Sources of water pollution such as acid mine drainage and industrial point-source pollution should be reduced and/or eliminated.  Storm water should be managed not only to reduce the amount of runoff, but also to use the abundance of water for community benefit and then return clean water into our streams and rivers.  For example, rain barrels could collect storm water for use as “gray water” for watering plants, washing cars, etc.  Wetlands should be retained to improve water quality, reduce impacts from flooding, and provide habitat for many species.

3.  Biological Resources

The biological resources of the Juniata watershed should be maintained and/or restored to provide high quality land and water habitat for diverse species of flora and fauna.  Special consideration should be given to protecting endangered species and habitats and to maximizing natural diversity.  Exotic invasive species should be removed as much as possible.

 4.  Recreational Resources

The recreational resources of the Juniata watershed should be readily accessible and affordable for all of the watershed’s residents.  Greenway corridors, providing river access and trails, should be developed to enhance residents’ appreciation for the value and beauty of the area’s natural resources.  Recreational resources should be maintained in good condition in order to attract those from outside the region to vacation here.  Efforts to combine the attractions of both recreational and historical sites should be continued in order to heighten educational value and tourist appeal.

5. Cultural/Historical Resources

The cultural and historical resources of the Juniata watershed should be preserved to serve as living reminders of our industrial and cultural history.  Historical resources should be maintained in good condition in order to attract those from outside the region to vacation here.  Efforts to combine the attractions of both historical and recreational sites should be continued in order to heighten educational value and tourist appeal.

 6.  Educational Resources

The educational resources of the Juniata watershed should provide all watershed residents, especially children and decision makers, with an appreciation of the beauty of this region and a clear understanding of the value of maintaining and protecting its natural resources.  Educational resources should be linked to recreational and cultural/historical resources to increase the availability of these resources and to enhance their appeal.

7.  Political/Economic Resources

The political and economic resources of the Juniata watershed should enable the creation of a broadly shared vision for the future of the region as well as the means to work together to achieve that vision.  Citizens should be encouraged to participate in municipal government activities.  Government entities should cooperate across political boundaries to provide consistent and effective planning, regulation, and enforcement.  Governments should also encourage cooperation across the boundaries of competing interest groups so that intractable conflicts can give way to creative solutions.  Economic development that sustains communities and natural systems should be encouraged through the use of incentives.  Economic opportunities should be developed based on the region’s strengths: its natural beauty and abundant natural resources.

 C.  Recommended Action Summary Table Description

Recommended actions were developed to achieve the goals described above.  For each resource category, a summary table lists the recommended actions.  These tables can be found at the end of this chapter, beginning on page VIII-88.  The structure of the tables is described in more detail below.

1.  Issue Priorities and Timelines

Each resource category includes one or more environmental issues that were of particular concern to watershed residents.  A priority is assigned to each issue, based on public input and the water-related effects each issue has on the watershed.  The priority indicates how soon an issue will be addressed.  A time period is associated with each priority, identifying the suggested date of completion for the recommended actions within an issue.  Table VIII-1 on page VIII-81 lists all of the issues and their priorities by resource category.

This plan recognizes that there will be limited financial and human resources available to execute the many parts of this plan.  Changes in the ordering of project implementation are to be expected, as well as changes in the organizations responsible for carrying out the recommended actions.  However, the recommendations listed in the plan identify initial goals and priorities.

Priority codes are as follows

            HHH  = Paramount issues that need to be dealt with first.
            HH  = Highest priority and should be completed within 3-5 years.
            H  = High Priority and should be completed in 5-8 years.
            M = Medium priority and should be completed in 8-10 years.

  2.  Paramount Issues of Concern

There are three issues that came out of the public meetings that we have identified as paramount issues, or the issues that absolutely need to be dealt with first.  These issues are Land Use Planning, Water Monitoring, and Stormwater Management. 

Land Use Planning is of paramount importance because of the many interactions between land use and other issues of concern in the watershed.  See Chapter VII for an in-depth discussion of these interactions.  Good planning can solve a number of different problems at once, which makes such planning an efficient use of limited monetary resources.

Water Monitoring is of paramount importance because it is the first step in improving the water quality of streams and groundwater in the watershed.  Although water pollution is a public concern throughout the watershed, water testing must document the existence of pollution before clean up efforts can take place.  Without water monitoring, concerned citizens, municipalities, and agencies can only guess at which streams are the most at risk from pollution.  With water monitoring, these entities can focus their efforts where they can be most useful.  Water monitoring data will also serve as an evaluation factor for the Juniata Watershed Management Plan.  Water quality should begin to improve as we implement the recommended actions.  The JCWP will use this data to measure our progress. 

Stormwater Management is of paramount importance because of the increasing development occurring throughout the watershed and because of the potentially harmful impacts of excessive stormwater.  This issue is closely related to Land Use Planning, because thoughtful foresight and planning can ensure that increasing development does not lead to increased stormwater runoff.

3.  Recommended Action Description

For each issue, several recommended actions are identified.  These actions are expected to solve the problems and/or enhance the opportunities associated with that issue.  Possible funding sources and potential partnering organizations are identified for each action.  Please note, however, that organizations other than those listed may be involved in partnering to implement and/or fund the recommended actions.  Most of the funding sources listed in the table are government agencies.  However, there are also a considerable number of private foundations that fund watershed-based projects such as these.  To decipher the acronyms of the partnering organizations and funding sources, see Table VIII-2 on page VIII-82.  Each recommended action is also assigned a “step of action.”  This number represents the order in which an action should be carried out within an issue.

For example, look at page VIII-88.  The Resource Category is Land Resources.  The Issue is Land Use Planning, which is a watershed-wide problem and has a priority of HHH (Paramount Importance).  There are 24 Recommended Actions that improve or enhance the opportunities for Land Use Planning.  These recommended actions should happen within 1 to 3 years.  The first steps in completing the actions are designated with 1’s.  After the 1’s are complete, the 2’s should be the focus, and so on.  Partner agencies and possible funding sources are listed for each of the recommended actions.

D.  Implementation Strategy Description

Along with the Recommended Action tables, an Implementation Strategy has been prepared to describe the same actions in a more detailed format.  The Implementation Strategy is intended to enable an interested person to address an issue of concern by consulting this section.

1. Format

The Implementation Strategy is split into the same resource category sections as the Recommended Action tables.  Each issue in the Implementation Strategy has its own one to three-page section.  Each section begins with a short paragraph outlining the general approach that is recommended in addressing the issue.  This “Approach” is followed by the specific recommended actions identified for that particular issue.  Some of these recommended actions include more detailed information, such as a more thorough explanation of the activity, a written source to consult, or locations that have or have not enacted the suggested action.  In order to help the users of this plan to begin addressing their concerns themselves, we have, in some cases, suggested some “Steps to Proceed” that pertain to the particular issue.  (See below, however, for a more generalized list of “Steps to Proceed.”)  At the end of each section is a list of local and state agencies and a description of how they can assist interested parties in addressing these issues.

2. Contact Information

The best initial contact regarding most of these issues is any member agency of the Juniata Clean Water Partnership.  County conservation districts can provide detailed information on permitting, construction, and funding for agriculture, forestry, and construction activities.  Most districts have specialists dealing with nutrient management, erosion and sedimentation, stream restoration, and dirt and gravel roads.  Now that a majority of counties in the watershed have the newly designated Watershed Specialists, there is even more assistance available for performing watershed and river restoration work or forming watershed associations.

County planning agencies can guide interested parties on a wide variety of planning decisions.  They are prepared to assist with comprehensive planning, solid waste management, sewage system planning, historic preservation, transportation issues (including trails), and ordinances dealing with subdivisions, land use, riparian buffers, stormwater, and many more.

The Resource Conservation and Development Councils consist of the county conservation districts, and thus their activities overlap.  However, Southern Alleghenies Conservancy and the RC&Ds are able to assist with matters of land acquisition, greenways and trail planning, acid mine drainage and abandoned mine land reclamation, and agricultural conservation practices.

Allegheny Heritage Development Corporation and Allegheny Ridge Corporation are the lead agencies in terms of heritage tourism and greenways and trail planning.  They can also assist with development of community parks and trails.

Penn State Cooperative Extension agents have a wealth of information available on many issues, including solid waste, community development, agriculture, forestry, and other land use issues.  They also have highly skilled employees able to lead community visioning and decision-making processes.

Here is the list of JCWP partners.  For full contact information, consult Table VIII-3, page VIII-84.

Allegheny Heritage Development Corporation
Allegheny Ridge Corporation (State Heritage Park)  
Bedford County Conservation District
Bedford County Planning
Blair County Conservation District
Blair County Planning
Canaan Valley Institute
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Department of Environmental Protection
Fulton County Conservation District
Fulton County Planning
Howard Heinz Endowment/Western PA Watershed Protection Program
Huntingdon County Conservation District
Huntingdon County Planning
Juniata College
Juniata County Conservation District
Juniata County Planning
Mid-State Resource Conservation and Development Council
Mifflin County Conservation District
Mifflin County Planning
Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension
Perry County Conservation District
Southern Alleghenies Conservancy
Southern Alleghenies Resource Conservation and Development Council
Tri-County Regional Planning

3.  General Steps to Proceed when Responding to Watershed Concerns

The outline below lays out a framework for responding to a problem.  It does not focus on activities that are specific to any one issue.  Instead, it is meant to help readers consider the general activities that are needed to respond to an issue, from the beginning stages of awareness raising, convincing, and educating, to the latter stages of securing resources and compliance for activities that are intended to solve a problem.  Please note that the “activities” referred to in the “General Steps to Proceed” correspond with the “recommended actions” in the summary tables and in the Implementation Strategy.

The way the outline is laid out, it also works as a generalized list of “steps to proceed” in addressing an issue.  Education/awareness raising is required initially.  People must know that an issue exists and has negative effects before they will act to address that issue.  People must also know what kinds of activities can address an issue before they round up the resources needed to carry out those activities.

The outline does not provide a strict order of action, especially toward the end of the list.  Thus, if a township wishes to enact an ordinance (Compliance: disincentives) to limit a negative action (for example, roadside dumping) prior to addressing the negative effects of that action (for example, cleaning up the dump), that is appropriate.  Actually, in the example, it is preferable.  For each specific case, make sure to take the Prioritizing step very seriously, as it will be crucial in clarifying the order of the subsequent action steps.

One of the first steps to take on any of these issues is to determine where most people in your area (or a specific audience on which you want to focus) would be at on this list.  You would then want to begin addressing the issue at that particular point.  In other words, if streamside landowners in your township are not concerned about the lack of riparian buffers along the local stream, the place to begin would be to raise awareness about the concern and convince people that it is indeed a valid concern.  However, if many landowners are convinced that buffers are needed, but don’t know how to reestablish them, one must start by teaching them how to carry out activities that will address the concern.

GENERAL STEPS TO PROCEED

 Educate:         Raise awareness regarding the concern.
                        Convince people of the need to act to address the concern.
                        Achieve consensus on how to address the concern.
                        Teach people how to carry out activities (recommended actions) that will address the concern.

Outreach:         Recruit people to help carry out activities.
                        Find ally organizations and agencies to work with.  

Prioritize:          Prioritize activities by importance, timeliness.

Resources:       Locate and efficiently utilize existing resources of the county Conservation Districts and Planning agencies.
Obtain funding to carry out activities (pay personnel, increase staff time, get materials, rent equipment, etc.).
Recruit volunteers and/or staff to spend time carrying out activities.
Obtain needed materials (donations, purchases) to carry out activities.
Recruit people with particular skills and expertise to help carry out activities.

 Compliance:    Provide incentives (tax rebates, simplified permitting, priority consideration) to encourage people to carry out activities.
                        Provide disincentives (ordinances, regulations, taxes) to discourage activities that would worsen the situation.

Return to top  

 Goal:  The land resources of the Juniata watershed should be utilized efficiently to ensure sustainable productivity of food and fiber while reducing soil erosion and keeping fertilizers and chemicals in the soil rather than in streams or ground water.  High-risk land areas such as floodplains, wetlands, and steep slopes ought to be restricted to low-impact land uses.

JCWP Watershed Plan

 Issue: Land Use Planning and Development

 Approach: 

            Communities in our watershed have a variety of needs.   Job opportunities and economic development often top the list of community needs.  In addition, residents want to preserve a sense of community and rural character.  Historical structures and cultural resources should be preserved to maintain a connection with our cultural heritage.  Residents want to preserve productive farm and forest lands and protect sensitive wildlife habitats.  Public safety needs to be protected by limiting development in hazardous areas such as steep slopes and floodplains.  To do all of these things, municipal officials need to have the tools to plan for the future growth and development of their communities.  They should be supported as they guide development in ways that meet the distinct economic, environmental, and social needs of their residents.  This necessitates a balanced approach that acknowledges the diversity of needs in a community.

 Recommended Actions:

*  Complete or update county comprehensive plans to provide a model for municipalities.  
*  Juniata County lacks an approved county comprehensive plan.
 *  Create GIS layers of impervious surfaces, land cover/land use, sewer/water infrastructure, agricultural security areas, parcels with Forest Stewardship Plans, county soil maps for all watershed counties.  Fill in the gaps for counties without particular datasets.
 *  Discourage development in environmentally sensitive areas, such as steep slopes, floodplains, and wetlands.  Provide GIS mapping of these areas to the counties.
 *  Educate, promote, and provide assistance for the establishment of Agricultural Security Areas and countywide agricultural easement programs.
* Huntingdon County lacks a county agricultural easement program.
 *  Encourage regional and multi-municipal planning efforts.  Provide incentives to encourage municipalities to work with each other and with their county governments.
 *  Encourage the completion of mandated environmental plans for all municipalities.
*  Establish and promote urban growth boundaries.
* Provide education and assistance for open-space preservation and open-space/ conservation subdivision planning.  Promote conservation subdivision and better site design standards.
 *  Growing Greener: A Conservation Planning Workbook for Municipal Officials in Pennsylvania, Natural Lands Trust, 610-353-5587, members@natlands.org
 *  Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your Community, Center for Watershed Protection, 410-461-8323
*   Provide education and assistance to municipal officials on comprehensive planning, subdivision ordinances, and zoning ordinances, including sample ordinances.
* Huntingdon County Planning is partnering with municipalities to complete new or updated subdivision ordinances.
* Provide incentives and encourage municipalities to do comprehensive plans and keep them up to date.
* Blair County Planning is helping to collect and analyze data for municipal comprehensive planning.
 *  Commit to continuous evaluation of local and basin-wide planning and implementation of policies and ordinances.
*  Encourage municipalities to develop land development ordinances in support of comprehensive and watershed plans.
*  Encourage redevelopment in areas such as Brownfields.
* Implement a Brownfields site inventory and provide incentives to the counties to use these sites.
*  Link transportation planning to land use planning.  Encourage the development of bicycle and pedestrian trails as part of an area transportation plan.
*  Promote clustered development in areas already served by public utilities.
*  Promote EPA’s Green Communities program.
 *  The Green Communities Assistance Kit is a website that assists communities in planning for a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable future.  www.epa.gov/Region3/greenkit
*  Promote land-value property taxation for boroughs.
 *  This is a split-rate property tax system that taxes land values higher than building values, removing the de facto penalty on improving buildings.
*  Promote mixed-use (neo-traditional or village) development patterns and architectural styles. 
*  Promote, plan, and provide funding for downtown revitalization projects and establish Main Street programs where needed.
  *  The Main Street Program is a part of PA Department of Community and Economic Development.  Existing area programs include Hollidaysburg and Lewistown.
 * Promote the development of stewardship plans for institutional land management, including schools and hospitals.
  *  Institutions own a significant amount of land, and personnel turnover can be relatively frequent.  Stewardship plans ensure that high-quality land management will remain consistent and will not depend solely on conscientious and well-informed staff.
* Promote the public acquisition of conservation areas.
 *  Provide tax incentives to developers and homeowners who build along existing sewer lines and who reuse old home and/or factory sites.
 *  Provide tax incentives to developers and homeowners who build or live in conservation subdivisions.

Steps to Proceed:

See contacts.

Contacts:

*  Municipalities – Regulatory powers over land use.
 *  County and municipal planning agencies – The only official agencies authorized to plan, advise, and make regulations.
 *  DCED, Center for Local Government Services – Can provide funding for planning, assistance with the Municipalities Planning Code, and information.
 *  Conservation Districts, NRCS, PSCE – Can provide information to guide planning decisions.
 *  PA State Association of Township Supervisors – Can provide information and assistance with planning regulations, including sample ordinances.

Implementation Strategy  
JCWP Watershed Plan

 Issue: Erosion and Sedimentation/Non-point Source Pollution

 Approach: 

            In order to reduce soil erosion and the associated siltation and sedimentation of streams, we must reduce overall soil disturbance, increase the use of sediment controls and traps, and increase the overall amount of vegetative soil cover.  To achieve these goals, we will have to increase the use of best management practices (BMPs) on construction sites, logging operations, and farm fields.  Along with these efforts, the existing regulations intended to reduce erosion and sedimentation (25 Pa. Code Ch. 102) must be enforced.

 Recommended Actions:

*  Actively support the Dirt & Gravel Road Program.

*  Provides funding and assistance to townships to maintain publicly owned dirt and gravel roads in order to reduce erosion, sediment, and dust pollution.  Available through all Conservation Districts in the Juniata watershed.

*  Develop model E&S ordinances for development, logging, and agriculture and provide them to municipalities.

*  Source: Model Ordinances to Protect Local Resources, EPA Office of Water, http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/erosion.htm

*  Educate municipal officials and the public about erosion and sedimentation BMPs: what they are, why they are needed, how to implement them.

Development/construction:

*  Pennsylvania Handbook of Best Management Practices for Developing Areas, PA Association of Conservation Districts, 717-545-8878

*  Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual, PA DEP, Bureau of Water Quality Protection, 717-787-2666

Logging:

*  Controlling Erosion and Sedimentation from Timber Harvesting Operations, Penn State Cooperative Extension, 814-863-3438 or 814-865-6713 (PSU Publications Distribution Center)

Agriculture:

*  Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual for Agriculture (Draft), PA DEP, Bureau of Water Quality Protection, 717-787-2666

*  Educate on the contents of PA Chapter 102 regulations on erosion and sedimentation.

*  Hold a series of educational workshops and demonstrations for practitioners on erosion and sedimentation BMPs.

*  Promote streamside and upland tree planting on abandoned or marginal agricultural lands, suburban/urban lawnscapes, and abandoned mine lands to reduce runoff and soil erosion. (see Streamside Buffers)

*  Provide additional funding to Conservation Districts for E&S projects and enforcement.

*  Assist municipalities and counties in developing E&S ordinances (usually within subdivision and land development ordinances) for new construction projects.

*  Promote existing incentive programs administered by the conservation districts for agricultural BMP implementation projects.  Create incentive programs for other E&S BMP implementation projects.

*  Reduce the use of road salts by municipalities and PennDOT.  Encourage the use of safe de-icing compounds.

*  Regulate automobile junkyards to prevent hazardous substances from leaking into ground or surface water.

Steps to Proceed:

1.      Read/consult PA Code Chapter 102 regulations on E&S and Chapter 105 on Permitting for Obstructions and Encroachments.

2.      Contact local municipalities to see if there are any existing ordinances or other requirements.

3.      Contact county conservation district, NRCS for assistance, clarification, plan reviews and approvals, plan development.

 Contacts:

*  Conservation Districts – Assistance, clarification, plan reviews and approvals, plan development

*  USDA NRCS – Technical guidance on design, construction, and maintenance of BMPs. Source: Pennsylvania Soil and Water Conservation Technical Guide

*  Municipalities – Identify existing E&S regulations, if any.  They may have their own steps to proceed.

Implementation Strategy

JCWP Watershed Plan

Issue: Forestry

Approach: 

We should endeavor to maintain healthy and productive forests that can support multiple uses, including timber production, recreation, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and water quality protection.  Healthy forests support healthy streams by slowing runoff, holding the soil in place, and removing nutrients.  Careful management will be needed to reduce the potential erosive impacts of logging and roadbuilding on nearby streams and wetlands. 

Recommended Actions:

*  Educate landowners and loggers about the Forest Stewardship Program and encourage their involvement.

*  The Forest Stewardship Program encourages private landowners to manage their forestland in a way that grows more timber as well as improves other values such as wildlife habitat.  Contact DCNR Bureau of Forestry, 800-235-WISE or call your district service forester.

*  Educate loggers, municipal officials and the public about forestry best management practices (BMPs): what they are, why they are needed, how to implement them. (see Erosion and Sedimentation)

*  Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania Forests, Forest Issues Working Group, Pennsylvania State University, 814-865-6713

*  Best Management Practices for Silvicultural Activities in Pennsylvania’s Forest Wetlands, Penn State Cooperative Extension, 814-863-3438 or 814-865-6713 (PSU Publications Distribution Center)

*  Promote the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s timber operator training programs, especially the Master Logger Program.

*  Provide incentives for the use of forestry BMPs.

*  Encourage the development of forest conservation programs for private landowners, such as Forest Security Areas (akin to Agricultural Security Areas) and Forest Conservation Easements.

*  Promote deer management policies that reduce their negative impacts on forest regeneration.

*  Provide incentives for landowners to use Master Loggers.

*  Reduce gypsy moth and other pest impacts on forest regeneration. Use natural methods and/or benign sprays such as Bt.

*  Promote the use of certified sustainable forest products and the certification of private forestland.

 Steps to Proceed:

 Look at PA Code Ch. 102 and Ch. 105 guidelines for logging-related activities.

 Contacts:  

* DCNR – Bureau of Forestry, district service foresters – Regulations, education, Forest Stewardship Program

* Private consultants/foresters – Help improve stand and economic return

*  PSCE – Education

* Sustainable Forestry Initiative of Pennsylvania – Training programs. Contact at (888) 734-9366.

Implementation Strategy

JCWP Watershed Plan

 Issue: Intensive Livestock Operations

Note: This issue includes, but is not limited to, such legally defined entities as Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) and Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

 Approach: 

In order to protect water quality and reduce neighbor conflicts, we must prevent the pollution of ground and surface water by intensive livestock operations and reduce the odor intensity of these operations for non-farm neighbors.  Also, municipal officials and local residents should have the ability to guide the development of intensive livestock operations so that they meet a balance of needs in the community, including the economic needs of farmers and other residents, maintenance of agricultural viability and rural character, and protection of the health and well-being of all residents.  To this end, municipalities should be able to set development standards for intensive livestock operations that are consistent with the Nutrient Management Act.

Recommended Actions:

*  Carry out studies to identify preferred areas to locate intensive livestock operations.

*  Ensure that Nutrient Management Plans are completed for all CAOs and CAFOs.

*  Hold educational workshops for municipal officials and watershed stakeholders on the pros and cons of intensive livestock operations.

*  Promote sustainable agriculture and family farming.

*  Promote the value of managing for both nitrogen and phosphorus in nutrient management planning and implementation. (see Nutrient Pollution)

*  Provide assistance and education to municipal officials about planning and zoning options related to intensive livestock operations.

*  Source: Agriculture’s Industrial Revolution: A Guide for Pennsylvania’s Local Leaders, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 717-234-5550

*  Cooperate with and provide input to other groups working on this issue.

*  Encourage increased funding for better enforcement of the Nutrient Management Act. (see Nutrient Pollution)

*  Encourage large-scale operations that are not CAOs to complete voluntary Nutrient Management Plans.

*  Encourage the delineation of designated intensive agricultural areas by municipality in land planning ordinances.

*  Investigate alternate forms of animal production.

*  Work with farmers to implement livestock BMPs to keep operations from adversely affecting water quality.

*  Source: Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual for Pennsylvania Livestock and Poultry Operations, State Conservation Commission, 717-772-3895

*  Investigate the use of composted animal waste and the potential for that type of facility within the watershed.

*  Promote water quality monitoring before and after animal operations are established.

*  Research and inform about alternative storage options for waste and alternative management techniques.

Steps to Proceed:

See contacts.

Contacts:

*   Municipalities – Regulations, enforcement

*    Conservation Districts – Education, initial enforcement

*     SCC, PDA – Education, enforcement

*   DEP – Water pollution-related enforcement

*   PSCE – Education

*   USDA NRCS – Education, technical assistance

 Implementation Strategy
JCWP Watershed Plan

Issue: Nutrient Pollution

 Approach:

In order to maintain healthy streams and safe drinking water, we need to reduce the flow of excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) into streams and ground water.  Residential landowners and farmers should be encouraged to apply only as much fertilizer and manure as needed by the vegetation, and only when the nutrients are unlikely to be washed off into nearby streams.

 Recommended Actions:

*  Educate farmers and the public on nutrient pollution from agricultural sources.

*  Educate the public on nutrient pollution from residential lawns and urban runoff.

*  Identify the farms and land in need of nutrient management plans.

*  Promote barnyard management.

*  Promote nutrient management plans and their implementation.

*  Amend Act 6 to require the manure-importing operations to have nutrient management plans as well as the manure-generating operations. (see Intensive Livestock Operations)

*  Encourage all farms with manure storage facilities to prepare contingency plans for leaks and other emergencies.

*  Encourage farms importing manure to ensure that they do not apply excess nutrients.

*  Promote manure-derived products in the economy.

*  Excess nutrients are polluting our waterways.  If we can find beneficial ways to use these excess nutrients that can pay farmers, it will no longer be necessary to apply them on fields simply to dispose of the excess.

*  Promote the shared responsibility of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) operator and the integrator (the company that provides the animals) in nutrient management planning.

 Steps to Proceed:

 See Contacts

 Contacts:  

* Conservation Districts – Regulation, information

* NRCS – Information, technical assistance

*   PSCE, CBF – Information, education

* SCC, PDA, DEP – Regulation

Implementation Strategy
JCWP Watershed Plan

Issue: Riparian (Streamside) Buffers

Approach: 

Healthy streams can be damaged by siltation, nutrients, or toxic pollution.  One way to protect streams is to prevent these pollutants from even entering the streams.  Streamside vegetative buffers filter runoff and remove pollutants.  Thus, we should educate streamside landowners about the benefits of vegetated stream buffers and provide funding, plants, and assistance for streamside buffer plantings.  

Recommended Actions:

*  Encourage volunteer groups to plant trees along streambanks.

*  Implement/assist riparian (streamside) buffer revegetation programs with Conservation Districts, local planning efforts and agencies.

*  Incorporate riparian buffer requirements in local subdivision and zoning ordinances.

*  Increase funding for the construction and enhancement of wetlands along riparian areas.

*  Increase funding for the planting and restoration of riparian areas.

*  Provide education on the value and different zones of riparian areas.

*  Raise awareness and promote the Conservation Reserve Program and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

*  Support the planning goals of various agencies to restore at least 600 miles of riparian buffers in Pennsylvania.

*  Promote bio-engineering for stream restoration projects when possible; use “hard armoring” only when necessary.

*  Promote, plan and provide assistance for increased riparian area plantings.

*  Promote regional micronurseries that provide trees to plant in riparian areas.

*  Promote the use of Calcium Carbonate sands along streamsides to reduce the effects of AMD and acid precipitation.

Steps to Proceed:

See contacts.

Contacts:

*  USDA NRCS – Administers CRP and CREP, provides cost-share funding and technical assistance.

*  DEP Bureau of Watershed Conservation – Technical assistance, planning, education, data collection.

*  PAFBC – Technical assistance, funding.

*  Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay – Resource guide with list of funding and assistance programs.

*  Wetland and Riparian Stewardship in Pennsylvania: A Guide to Voluntary Options for Landowners, Local Governments and Organizations, (717) 236-8825.

Implementation Strategy
JCWP Watershed Plan

 Issue: Solid Waste Management/Illegal Dumping

 Approach:

In order to have a clean landscape, use fewer resources, reduce costs for waste disposal, and reduce the prevalence of landfills, we must reduce the amount of illegal dumping, clean up existing hazardous waste sites and illegal dumps, and reduce the amount of solid waste entering landfills.  Illegal dumping can be reduced “at the source” if municipal and/or county governments provide all residents with affordable and convenient options for recycling and waste disposal.  Existing illegal dumps should be cleaned up, with those in floodplains receiving priority.  Reducing the amount of solid waste going to landfills requires increasing recycling rates and increasing the types of material being recycled.

 Recommended Actions:

*  Begin PA CleanWays chapters to focus on waste issues.

*  Bedford, Blair, and Huntingdon counties already have PA CleanWays chapters.

*  Continue efforts that focus on cleaning up existing dumps and litter and enforcing “no dumping” ordinances.

*  Develop a traveling display showing dumpsites and the problems associated with illegal dumping.  Take this to libraries and schools.

*  Educate watershed residents about waste management, the value of recycling, recycling opportunities, and the problems associated with illegal dumping. 

*  Encourage municipalities and counties to develop waste management plans that deal with bulk waste, recycling, and other curbside pickup.

*  Encourage municipalities to consider mandated disposal. 

*  Options: 1) Require residents to contract individually with trash haulers, 2) Contract with one hauler for the whole municipality (put up for bid), 3) municipalities do the hauling themselves.

* Hold pickup days for bulky waste, household hazardous waste, and tires in each municipality and county.

*  Identify and clean hazardous waste sites.

*  Identify and map illegal roadside dumpsites.

*  Produce an educational video about illegal dumps, clearly showing the problem.

*  Promote additional funding to employ recycling coordinators.

*  Promote county composting facilities.

*  Blair County has such a facility.  Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, and Huntingdon don’t.

*  Promote expansion of the recycling program to include all commonly used items (e.g. glass, plastics, tires, cardboard, newspapers, appliances, office paper, food and yard wastes).

*  Promote PennDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt a Rest Area, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful programs.

*  Run roadside litter education programs for school children, e.g. PennDOT’s Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, PA CleanWays.

*  Set up free drop-off centers for trash and recycling.  Start with a pilot project.

*  Work with the existing county solid waste planning process.

*  Create an incentive program for volunteer clean-up programs.

*  For example, $5 litter bag program.  Obtain funding for local groups to collect litter; give them $5 for each bag they turn in.

*  Hold streamside cleanup days.

*  Investigate and promote basin-wide biosolids program. (see Sewage and Septage)

*  Promote a consistent recycling program from region to region in terms of what can be recycled.

*  Promote funding and subsidies to increase production and sales of recycled products and to increase the market demand for recyclables.

*  Promote regulations to strengthen the recycling program: Bottle bill, policies requiring recycling.

*  Strengthen enforcement efforts and increase penalties for illegal dumping via local ordinances.  Make sure people are aware of the Litterbug Hotline, 1-888-LITTERBUG.

*  Monitor runoff from hazardous waste and dump sites.  

Steps to Proceed:

1.      Consult county Solid Waste Plans.  If considering implementation of recommended actions, be consistent with the county plan.  Incorporate recommended actions into county plan.

2.      If you want to clean up an existing dump, contact PA CleanWays, either local chapter or statewide office (if no local chapter).

3.      Coordinate efforts with sportsmen’s groups regarding cleanups and educational media.

4.      Find sources of funding.  Consider an assessed fee for trash hauling that shifts to user.

Contacts:

*  County Planning – Contacts for county Solid Waste Plans
*  PA CleanWays – Can help educate the community regarding illegal dumping, and can help set up dump cleanups and township road adoptions.
*  Bedford County: 814-623-7900, ext. 3
*  Blair County: 814-941-2035
*  Huntingdon County: 814-542-4251, pacleanways@penn.com
*  PA CleanWays: 724-836-4121, info@pacleanways.org, www.pacleanways.org
*   PENNDOT – Can help with Adopt a Highway, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and Adopt a Rest Area programs.
*  Bedford County: James Brough, 814-623-6144
*  Blair County: Buster Graham, 814-696-7288
*  Fulton County: Gary Horton, 717-485-3816
*  Huntingdon County: Ed Fortman, 814-643-0150
*  Juniata County: Linda Leahy, 717-436-2187, 717-783-2729
*  Mifflin County: Lisa Heckman, 717-248-7851
*  Perry County: Steve Switaj, 717-582-2191
*  County recycling/solid waste coordinators – Can help educate the community regarding recycling opportunities and solid waste management issues.  Can help coordinate household hazardous waste/bulky waste/tire pickups and recycling programs (cardboard, magazines, plastics).
*  Bedford County: Mr. James Barefoot, 814-623-8099, bedcocd@nb.net
*  Blair County: Ms. Jan Arnold or Mr. Michael Martin, 814-696-4620, jarnold@blairco.orgor mmartin@blairco.org, www.blaircounty.org
*  Fulton County: Recycling Coordinator, Fulton County Extension Office, 717-485-3717
*  Huntingdon County: Ms. Lou Ann Shontz, 814-643-8192, recycle9@penn.com, www.huntingdoncounty.net/recyclin.htm
*  Juniata County: Mr. Bill Stong, 717-436-7729, junplan@tricountyi.net
*  Mifflin County: Mr. Kerry Tyson, 717-242-3301, kerryt@acsworld.net
*  Perry County: Ms. Mary Lou Moyer, 717-582-8988, perry.county@dep.state.pa.us

Implementation Strategy
JCWP Watershed Plan

Issue: Agricultural Conservation Practices

Recommended Actions:

In order to have both productive farms and healthy streams, we must ensure that productive soils are conserved and that farm inputs (fertilizers and pesticides) remain on the land.  Agricultural conservation practices, such as contour strip-cropping, cover crops, and manure storage facilities, can keep soil and other substances out of the water, improving overall water quality.

Specifics:

*  Educate farmers, municipal officials and the public about agricultural conservation practices: what they are, why they are needed, how to implement them.

*  Hold field days to allow farmers to share information with one another about successful practices.

*  Provide funding and technical assistance to implement agricultural conservation practices.

*  Provide incentives for cover crops and crop residue management.

*  Cover crops reduce winter and spring erosion.

Steps to Proceed:

Farmers:

1)     Learn about the agricultural conservation practices most relevant to your situation.  Resource: “A Conservation Catalog: Practices for the Conservation of Pennsylvania’s Natural Resources”

2)     Identify funding opportunities to offset costs of implementing agricultural conservation practices. 

3)     Implement agricultural conservation practices.  Contact county Conservation District office for assistance.

Municipal officials:

1)     Learn about the agricultural conservation practices most relevant to your situation.  Resource: “A Conservation Catalog: Practices for the Conservation of Pennsylvania’s Natural Resources”