The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 13 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a draft Tohickon Creek Stream Evaluation Report developed in response to a petition by the Tinicum Conservancy to reevaluate the designation of the creek.

Tohickon Creek is a freestone tributary to the Delaware River. The Tohickon Creek evaluation was conducted in response to a petition from Marion and Neil Kyde on behalf of the Tinicum Conservancy that was accepted for study by the Environmental Quality Board on September 19, 1995.

The petition requests the lower mainstem portion of Tohickon Creek be redesignated to Exceptional Value. With the exception of the Warm Water Fishes, Migratory Fishes designation of Deep Run, the lower Tohickon Creek basin is currently designated Cold Water Fishes, Migratory Fishes.

The petitioned mainstem originates at Lake Nockamixon Dam in Nockamixon and Bedminster Townships, Bucks County and flows southeast through Tinicum and Plumstead Townships until it empties into the Delaware River.

“Based on applicable regulatory definitions and requirements of §93.4b, the benthic macroinvertebrate and fish data, and the current trout stocking regime maintained by the PFBC, the DEP recommends that Tohickon Creek mainstem from Nockamixon Dam to the mouth be redesignated Trout Stocking, Migratory Fishes (TSF, MF). This recommendation affects 11.2 stream miles and does not meet the EV designation sought in the petition.”

Click Here for a copy of the report.

Comments are due by May 13 and can be submitted through DEP’s eComment webpage, by email to: ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments can also be mailed to the Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

Questions should be directed to Mark Brickner, DEP Division of Water Quality, by sending email to: mbrickner@pa.gov or  calling 717-787-9637.

[Posted: April 12, 2019]

4/15/2019