11/25/24 - 156 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/54ukts8z
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Water Science Institute Report Finds Legacy Sediment Floodplain Restoration Extremely Cost, Land Efficient
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On July 8, the Water Science Institute released its report “Cost Effectiveness of Legacy Sediment Mitigation at Big Spring Run in Comparison to Other Best Management Practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed” which examines the cost benefits and land use efficiency of selected environmental BMP’s widely utilized in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The report, authored by Patrick Fleming, Associate Professor of Economics and Public Policy at Franklin and Marshall College, was commissioned as part of a larger WSI program to evaluate Legacy Sediment restoration opportunities in the lower Susquehanna River watershed. The cost effectiveness analysis evaluated commonly prescribed low-cost BMP’s including forest and grass riparian buffers, cover crops and non-LS wetland restoration compared to the reduction benefits achieved at the Big Spring Run experiment site in West Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania. [Note: The Big Spring Run Project was done under the auspices of the PA Environmental Council to help establish Chesapeake Bay protocols for defining reductions in pollutant loads through individual floodplain restoration projects. The project was designed and completed by LandStudies, Inc.] The report concludes that LS mitigation is a highly cost-effective method of pollutant abatement, particularly for sediment and phosphorus while cover crops were found to be the most cost effective practice for the reduction of nitrogen. LS mitigation was found to reduce sediment loading rates on a per unit cost basis of $.03 per pound or 5 to 21 percent of the cost of other commonly considered BMP’s. Phosphorus reduction costs for LS mitigation were approximately $18 per pound or 1 to 6 percent of the other compared BMPs. The analysis found that the cost-effectiveness of LS mitigation remained true under different agricultural land uses and geographic regions in the Chesapeake Bay Program Phase 6 water quality model as well as at different discount rates to convert practice costs in annual terms. LS mitigation was found to be cost competitive in per pound N reduction, but certain other practices are modeled to reduce N loads at slightly lower average costs. Cover crop per pound N reductions were $4.58 to $7.98 while LS mitigation was calculated at $13.27 to $14.80 per pound under average agricultural land uses in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The author noted that “Under various modeling scenarios, the cost-effectiveness of LS mitigation is consistently driven by the very high load reductions available in LS ‘hot spots” such as the BSR study site.” “Hot spots” are high load areas defined and identified in Lancaster by WSI scientists and research associates using advanced mapping and modeling techniques developed for the program. The report also reviewed the land efficiency of various BMPs to achieve the same reductions and found that similar reductions of sediment to match the reductions at BSR would require 497-498 acres of forest or riparian buffer. This report was funded by a USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant award with matching support from the Steinman Foundation of Lancaster County. The Soil and Water Conservation Society Journal has published an article in its current edition on the applications of this analysis to the Mill Creek watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Click Here for a copy of the report. Click Here for an overview of the Big Spring Run Floodplain Restoration Project. For more information on programs and initiatives, visit the Water Science Institute website. Resources: Watch Video On Legacy Sediment Floodplain Restoration With LandStudies PEC: Maximizing Economic & Environmental Returns: Big Spring Run Floodplain Restoration DEP: Final Report: Big Spring Run Floodplain Restoration Project Monitoring EPA: Nonpoint Source Success Story: Big Spring Run Floodplain Restoration F&M Highlights Big Spring Run Stream, Floodplain Restoration Efforts In Lancaster Spotlight: How Floodplain Restoration Can Impact Stream Temperature In Restored Watershed Systems Feature: Recognizing The Value Of Native Plants For Pollinators Related Articles: Meeting The Challenge Of Keeping Pennsylvania Clean, Green And Growing Major Environmental Priorities Not Addressed In FY 2019-20 State Budget, Shell Game Continues Politicians In Harrisburg Are Proud Of Their New State Budget! -- Meanwhile In The Real World... CBF: State Needs To Step Up Support For Those Working Hard To Cleanup PA's Rivers And Streams Related Articles This Week: Politicians In Harrisburg Are Proud Of Their New State Budget! -- Meanwhile In The Real World… DEP Hosts Open House July 15 On Stream Maintenance After Flooding In Centre County Schuylkill Action Network Aug. 7 Funding For MS4 Stormwater Projects Workshop In Montgomery County Register Now! PSATS Stormwater Conference Oct. 16-Allegheny County, Nov. 15- Chester County NOAA Just Reported Pennsylvania Had The Wettest 48-Month Period On Record - Since 1895 NewsClips: Officials Push Restore PA Plan To Repair Pottstown Storm Arches New Luzerne Stormwater Fee Won’t End All Street Flooding Officials Say South Williamsport Considers Stormwater Fee, Administration Is A Nightmare Whole Lancaster Community Has A Role In Cleaning Up Their Local Creeks Ambler Environmental Advisory Council Rain Garden Walking Tour July 21 Pregnant Woman, 8-Year Old Killed After Being Washed Away By Floodwaters In Berks AP: Child, Pregnant Mom Found Dead In Car Amid Flood In Berks County 9 People Rescued In Penn Borough After Torrential Rain Flash Flooding Engulfs Cars, Overwhelms Businesses In Montgomery County AP: Torrential Rain Brings Floods, Landslides Around Pittsburgh Storms, Flash Flooding Pummel Pittsburgh, Close Numerous Road Westmoreland Sees Flooding, Damage During Torrential Rain Widespread Flooding As Heavy Rains Sweep Through Philly Region NOAA: There Has Never Been A Wetter 12-Month Period On Record For PA Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District Urban Resource Conservationist [Posted: July 9, 2019] |
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7/15/2019 |
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