The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the August 12 PA Bulletin inviting comments on draft Stream Evaluation Reports for Aquashicola Creek (Monroe and Carbon counties); Jones Creek (Susquehanna County) and Hosensack Creek (Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery counties).

The Aquashicola Creek evaluation was conducted in response to a petition from the Aquashicola/Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy, which was accepted for further study by the Environmental Quality Board (Board) on December 21, 2010.

This portion of the Aquashicola Creek basin is currently designated High Quality—Cold Water Fishes (CWF), Migratory Fishes (MF). The petition requests the Aquashicola Creek basin from the source to Buckwha Creek be redesignated to Exceptional Value.

The Jones Creek evaluation was conducted as part of ongoing monitoring and assessment efforts. The entire Jones Creek basin is currently designated CWF, MF.

The Hosensack Creek evaluation was conducted in response to a petition submitted by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Perkiomen Valley Trout Unlimited and Lower Milford Township, which was accepted for further study by the Board on April 21, 2015.

The Hosensack Creek basin is currently designated CWF, MF from the headwaters to its confluence with Perkiomen Creek.

Comments on due September 11.  Copies of the reports will be available on DEP’s eComment webpage.

Questions should be directed to Mark Brickner, Water Quality Division, at mbrickner@pa.gov or (717) 787-9637.

Read the entire August 12 PA Bulletin notice for more information.

For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter, sign up for DEP Connects events, sign up for DEP’s eNotice, visit DEP’s Blog,  Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

NewsClips This Week - Watersheds:

-- York Daily Record: PA Farmers ‘Don’t Get Enough Credit’ For Chesapeake Bay Cleanup, Says Longtime York County Farmer

-- Chesapeake Bay Program Blog: Family Farm In Lancaster County Does All It Can To Help Local Streams Recover

-- Bradford Era Editorial: PA Must Help Protect Chesapeake Bay

-- Republican Herald Editorial: Keystone State Needs To Do Its Part To Protect Chesapeake Watershed

-- Philadelphia Water Dept. Blog: Spotlight On Award-Winning West Philly Green Stormwater Project

-- TribLive: Hampton Township Nears Stream Cleanup Goal In Allegheny County

-- Huntingdon Daily News: Trough Creek Watershed Assn. Could Be Reactivated

-- MCall Guest Essay: Saucon Creek Shows Some Surprisingly Good Pollution News For The Lehigh River - By Toby Broun, Allentown Central Catholic High School

-- StateImpactPA: PA Advocacy Group’s Guide Encourages Municipalities To Update Zoning Laws Covering Warehouse, Distribution Centers

-- Grid: In Last Century, PA And NJ Battled New York City To Control Water From Delaware River; With Sea Levels Rising And Droughts Looming, Another Fateful Conflict May Lie Ahead

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Aug. 11 RiverWatch Video Report

Related Articles - Watersheds:

-- Water Resources Assn. Of Delaware River Basin Announces 2023 Award Winners  [PaEN]

-- EPA: Apply Now For $206 Million, 4-Year Funding For Local Water Quality Improvement Projects In Chesapeake Bay Watershed And To Advance Environmental Justice  [PaEN]

-- National Assn. Of Conservation Districts Invites County Conservation Districts To Apply For $90 Million In Grants To Fund Local Climate-Smart Conservation Practices  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Stream Evaluation Reports For 3 Streams In Monroe/Carbon; Susquehanna; Berks/Lehigh/Montgomery Counties  [PaEN]

-- DEP Extends Water Quality Data Submission Deadline For Brodhead Creek, Monroe County   [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Total Maximum Daily Load Water Quality Plan For Alder Run Headwaters, Erie County  [PaEN]

-- Schuylkill Action Network Oct. 20 Stormwater Operation & Maintenance Workshop, Montgomery County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State City Semester Student Monitors Clean Water Standards In Pittsburgh's Three River  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 11, 2023]

8/14/2023