LITTLE NESHAMINY CREEK - River Conservation Plan (RCP)
On Tuesday, May 29th 2007, the Heritage Conservancy held a public meeting at the Warminster Township Building announcing the Draft of the Little Neshaminy Creek - River Conservation Plan (RCP) Plan. This plan is available for public review and comment. For a PDF version, please use the following link: http://www.heritageconservancy.org/projects/l_neshaminy.php.

For more information, please contact Susan Myerov at the Heritage Conservancy at 215-345-7020, x 101. Please note that the public comment period will end on June 29, 2007. All comments may be forwarded to Susan Myerov at smyerov@heritageconservancy.org
Written comments may also be mailed to:

Heritage Conservancy
85 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown, PA 18901

WHEN IT RAINS – IT DRAINS
Understanding Storm water and how it can affect your money, safety, health and the environment.

Part I: Our community is preventing storm water pollution through a storm water management program. This program addresses storm water pollution from construction, new development, illegal dumping to the storm sewer system, pollution prevention, and good housekeeping practice in municipal operations. It will also continue to educate the community and get everyone involved in making sure the only thing that storm water contributes to our water is… water!
This is the first installment of an educational series sponsored by Warminster Township and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

What Happens When It Rains
• Rain is an important part of nature’s water cycle but there are times it can do more damage than good. Problems related to storm water runoff can include: Flooding caused by too much storm water flowing over hardened surfaces such as roads and parking lots instead of soaking into the ground.
• Increase in spending on maintaining storm drains and the storm sewer system that becomes clogged with excessive amounts of dirt and debris.
• Decreases in the sport fish population because storm water carries sediment and pollutants that degrade important fish habitat.
• More expensive treatment technologies to remove harmful pollutants carried by storm water into our drinking water supplies.
• Closed beaches due to high levers o bacteria carried by storm water that make swimming unsafe

Restoring Rains Reputation - What everyone can do to help!
Rain by nature is important for replenishing drinking water supplies, recreation and healthy wildlife habitats. It only becomes a problem when pollutants from our activities like car maintenance, lawn care and dog walking are left on the ground for rain to wash away. Here are some of the most important ways to prevent storm water pollution:

• Properly dispose of hazardous substance such as used oil, cleaning supplies and paint – never pour them down any part of the storm sewer system and report anyone who does.
• Use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides properly and efficiently to prevent excess runoff.
• Look for signs of soil and other pollutants, such as debris and chemicals leaving construction sites in storm water runoff or tracked into roads by construction vehicles. Report poorly managed constructions sites that could impact storm water runoff to your community: 215-443-5414.
• Install innovative storm water practices on residential property such as rain barrels or rain gardens that capture storm water and keep it on site instead of letting it drain away into the storm sewer system.
• Report any discharges from storm water outfalls during times of dry weather – a sign that there could be a problem with the storm sewer system.
• Pick up after pets and dispose of their waste property. No matter where pets make a mess – in the backyard or at the park – storm water runoff can carry pet waste from the land to the storm sewer system to a stream
• Store materials that could pollute storm water indoors and use containers for outdoor storage that do not rust or leak to eliminate exposure of materials to storm water.

Part II: Our community is preventing storm water pollution through a Storm Water Management Program. This program addresses storm water pollution from construction, new development, illegal dumping to the storm sewer system, pollution prevention, and good housekeeping practices in municipal operations. It will also continue to educate the community and get everyone involved in making sure the only thing that storm water contributes to our water is… water!
This is the second installment of an educational series sponsored by Warminster Township and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

What is Storm Water? Storm water is water from precipitation that flows across the ground and pavement when it remains or when snow and ice melt. The water seeps into the ground or drains into what we call storm sewers. These are the drains you see at street corners or at low point on the sides of streets. Collectively, the draining water is call storm water runoff.

Why is Storm Water “Good Rain Gone Wrong”? Storm water becomes a problem when it picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants as it flows or when it causes flooding and erosion of stream banks. Storm water travels through a system of pipes and roadside ditches that make up storm sewer systems. It eventually flows directly to a lake, river, stream, wetland or coastal water. All of the pollutants storm water carries along the way empty into our waters too, because storm water does not get treated!

Pet waste left on the ground gets carried away by storm water contributing harmful bacterial parasites and viruses to our water. Vehicles drip fluids (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze, brake fluid, etc.) onto paved areas where storm water runoff carries them though our storm drains and into our water. Chemicals used to grow and maintain beautiful lawns and gardens, if not used properly, can run off into storm drains when it rains or when we over-water our lawns and gardens.
Waste from chemicals and materials used in construction can wash into the storm sewer system when it rains. Soil that erodes from construction sites causes environmental degradation including harming fish and shellfish populations that are important for recreation and our economy.

For more information visit www.dep.state.pa.us or www.epa.gov

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE #629, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MS-4 ORDINANCE.
Warminster Township the Board of Supervisors has enacted an ordinance which is based on the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Phase II Stormwater Management Program. This ordinance meets the new requirements regarding municipal separate storm sewer systems and is the best interests of the health, safety and welfare of the residents and the watershed. It minimizes the harms and maximizes the benefits of storm sewer systems by regulating activities that cause problems. Residents should be aware of the following:

Section 524: Prohibited Discharges:
A. No person in the municipality shall allow, or cause to allow, stormwater discharge in the Municipality’s separate storm sewer system which are not composed entirely of stormwater, except (1) as provided the section B below and (2) discharges allowed under a state or federal permit.
B. Discharges which may be allowed, based on a finding by the Municipality, that do not significantly continue to pollute to surface waters are:

• Discharge from fire fighting
• Uncontaminated water from foundation or footing drains
• Potable water source including glows from riparian habitats
• Dechlorinated water
• Wetlands
• Hydrant flushing
• Lawn watering
• Irrigation drainage
• Dechlorinated swimming pool
• Car washing discharges
• Springs
• Uncontaminated spring water
• Water from crawl space pumps.

C. In the event that the municipality determines that any of discharges identified above significantly contribute to pollution of water of the Township, or is no notified by DEP, the municipally will notify the responsible person to cease the discharge
D. Upon notice provide by the Municipality, the discharger will have a reasonable time, determined by the Municipality to cease the discharge consistent with the degree of pollution caused by the discharge. Nothing under this section shall affect a discharger’s responsibilities under state law.

Section 525: Prohibited Connections
A. The following connections are prohibited except as provided in the section above:

1. Any drain or conveyance whether on the surface or subsurface which allows any non-storm water discharge including sewage, process wastewater and wash water to enter the separate storm water system and any connections to the storm drain system from indoor drains and sinks; and,
2. Any drains or conveyance connected from a commercial or industrial land use to the separate storm sewer system which has not been document in plans maps or equivalent recorded and approved by the municipality.

Section 526: Roof Drains
A. Roof drains shall not be connected to streets sanitary or storm sewer or roadside ditches except s provided in section 526 B
B. When in the sole discretion of the municipality is more advantageous to connect directly to streets or storm sewers, connection of roof drains to streets or storm sewers may be permitted by the Municipality

This is only a brief section of Ordinance #629, which is available in it’s entirety at the Warminster Township Building.

STORMWATER, STREAMS & YOUR PROPERTY
If you live next to a stream that is located on Township property, watch the mail for a brochure about ways to protect your stream and streamside property. DEP has been visiting the township parks that have waterways and have seen the damaging results of neighborhood dumping in the park system, especially along our stream banks. As part of the DEP storm water management program and in cooperation with several other “stream conscious” agencies, we hope to make all citizens aware of ways to improve their “stream-side” living and help us prevent dumping. Please be aware that if you are cited for dumping in a park, along a stream bank, or into a stormwater inlet, you will be fined. If you see anyone dumping debris on Township property or in the creeks, please call the Township Administration @ (215) 443-5414 or Police Department at (215) 672-1000 to report it IMMEDIATELY!

For more information visit www.stormwatercenter.net
Also check out the slide show called “Why Watersheds?” www.cwp.org

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DISTRICTS
In 2001, the Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance #570 which strictly limits the activities permitted on certain Township-owned open space parcels in order to better preserve environmentally sensitive areas. Properties that have received this Environmental Protection District zoning (EP) include Devonshire Court, the wetlands and detention areas at Meadow Glen and Barness Park. Permitted uses for these areas include storm water management, passive recreation and educational activities, environmental and conservation projects, installation of environmentally sensitive paths and trails. Residents who disturb or dump in these areas will be fined.

“TREEVITALIZE” PROGRAM CONTINUES
Working with the State Bureau of Forestry, the Heritage Conservancy and other state agencies, the Department anticipates that we will continue our involvement in the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) Tree Vitalize Program. This State program has designated $8 million to plant over 20,000 trees in Southeastern PA. The Township received 50 full-size trees (worth $15,000+) in fall of 2004, and will receive an additional 150 trees in spring and fall of 2006. According to the USDA Forestry Service, the planting of tress means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.

TREE MEMORIALS & PLANT DONATIONS
The Parks & Recreation Department accepts donations of plants, trees and shrubs before March 15 and after November 1. This allows plants the needed adjustment period before growing season begins or ends. We also have a Tree Memorial program in the park system. If you would like to donate trees, shrubs or flowers, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at (215) 443-5428 or download the Memorial form from by clicking here.

POOPER SCOOPER ORDINANCE
In October 2000, the Board of Supervisors passed Ordinance #565 regulating animal defecation on public and private property and the disposal of animal feces. Pet waste left on the ground gets carried away by storm water contributing harmful bacterial parasites and viruses to our water. Pet owners are now required to clean up after their animals, not only in the parks, but on all public and private property in the Township, or face the possibility of a fine up to $1,000.