Section 2. Schuylkill Resources That Need Protection or Enhancement
STREAMSIDE
AREAS AND WETLANDS
Streamside areas and wetlands are critical elements of the watershed ecosystem.
Their disturbance increases the risks of flooding, sedimentation, habitat
degradation and invasive non-native plant species.
The watershed contains numerous mostly small wetlands areas, but in total they probably encompass nearly 85,000 acres. Serving as water sponges, they also provide special habitats for wildlife, some of which are globally endangered species. Once losing wetlands every year, the watershed is now benefiting from programs that began with policies for “no net loss” and are now shifting towards achieving a “net gain” of wetlands. PA DEP, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, provides technical and financial assistance for wetland restoration projects.
Pennsylvania Stream Releaf is a statewide program led by PA DEP to conserve and restore streamside communities. It encourages voluntary local initiatives, many of which are undertaken by nonprofit organizations. For example The Delaware Riverkeeper Network and its partners have completed dozens of streamside buffer enhancement and restoration projects in the watershed.
Another way to protect streams is through targeted riparian land acquisition. For example, the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association and French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust have focused their efforts on streamside protection through land purchases and conservation easements.
Figure 17.
Wissachickon Creek’s “Green Ribbon”
Source: Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, 2001
Through the remarkable sustained efforts of WVWA and others, a riparian buffer now protects nearly the entire 23-mile length of Wissahickon Creek.
Site Design: Tevlin & Clarke
