Coalition
Members

Apolacon Twp..
Bridgewater Twp.
Choconut Twp.
Forest Lake Twp.
Franklin Twp.
Jessup Twp.
Liberty Twp.
Middletown Twp.
Rush Twp.
Silver Lake Twp
Friendsville
Little Meadows
Montrose

HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND LANDSCAPES

The communities of the NTC have a long and rich history of settlement, and a record of historic structures and landscapes that is unique to the region. Protecting these historic resources is an important – if not crucial – way to protect the rural character of the NTC communities. One way to do that, as was previously discussed, is to develop a landmarks commission to oversee the enforcement of a variety of ordinances designed to protect the NTC’s historic resources. These ordinances are the enforcement tools that will protect both structures and landscapes from development that destroys the historic character or setting of the structures and settlements.

An ordinance protecting an historic landmark, or district, may require owners of the landmark, or those who may make changes on other properties that dramatically change the setting of the landmark, to obtain approval from a review board before altering their properties. Such ordinances can also create historic districts where the entire landscape and series of buildings can be protected for their historic value. The creation of historic protection ordinances and districts are difficult processes, but they are especially important to saving what is unique about the NTC area. Technical resources are available from the Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation. A sample of a historic commission and design review language is provided in Appendix Two.

Such historic preservation ordinances (particularly for structures) can also rely on the guidelines presented by the U.S. Secretary for the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. These ordinances can also be designed to require impact analysis of any new development on the landscape or other historic physical features that are important for the townships to protect. Loudon County, Virginia requires a review of “the relationship of the size, design and siting of any new or reconstructed structure to the landscape of a district.” Hence, resources such as the Owego-Milford Turnpike (Figure 6.9) could be protected under such an ordinance and any change to the unique setting of the feature would require review and be subject to the commission’s approval.

SPECIAL PURPOSE ORDINANCES

Many of the issues raised by township officials during the numerous interviews conducted during the fall pointed to concerns about environmental quality, and wariness regarding the effects of extractive industries on the area’s rural quality and environmental health. These concerns were addressed in the previous section of this booklet. Specific ordinances oriented to these concerns can be drafted such as regulating the siting of challenging land uses and protecting the quality of streams and lakes, among a variety of others. The Silver Lake and Choconut Comprehensive Plans already have some such ordinances. Some of the other ordinances that already exist are:

• Building Permit Ordinance - to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program
• Building Setback Ordinance - to require all structures be setback a minimum of fifty feet from Township rights of way
• Hazardous Waste Management Ordinance
• Solid Waste Source Ordinance
• Ordinance for Permit and Regulation of Waste Facilities.

This list of ordinances can be expanded to address a variety of other issues – such as siting quarries and managing the health of streams and forests. It should be noted that in these sections are discussions of a variety of programs and tax mechanisms that can be used to help in mitigating some of the threats to rural quality as presented by various uses. More information on these programs are included in the individual and team reports created by class members during the fall of 2001 in Appendix I

QUARRY ORIENTED ORDINANCES AND TAX PROGRAMS

Quarries are important industries in the NTC area. However, they also cause damage to environmental systems due to the sediment runoff associated with the quarrying of the rock. A quarry ordinance can require a quarry and/or mining operation, which involves the excavation of 1,000 tons of material per year, to obtain permits from the township.

Quarries need to be environmentally responsible in terms of actual quarrying, removing debris, and cleaning up after the quarry is retired. Pennsylvania has a “mine reclamation” program, funded through Growing Greener. Mine reclamation focuses on re-mining by using “green” technologies. The thrust of the program is on reclaiming abandoned mines. It attempts to help industries adopt environmentally responsible mining practices. “Mine reclamation and well plugging refer to the process of cleaning up environmental pollutants and safety hazards associated with a site and returning the land to a productive condition, similar to DEP’s Brownfields program” (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, website). Quarries need to apply and qualify for funding. Unfortunately this does not ensure environmental accountability of active quarry operators. Quarries also cost townships money in terms of the environmental degradation they can cause. The townships need mechanisms to cover the costs they absorb as a result of quarry operations and to prevent significant environmental degradation. Such mechanisms are discussed in several individual and group reports.

FOREST MANAGEMENT ORDINANCES

Forestry is an important part of the economy and landscape of the NTC area, but if practices are to continue, the coalition should consider actively promoting sustainable forestry regulations and education programs. As part of the regulatory process, townships could pass an ordinance that defines the time period in which logging should or should not take place, to protect against on-site erosion. Dirt logging roads that bear the weight of immense log trucks release tremendous amounts of sediment from runoff especially in wet, springtime conditions. Townships, through consultation with a licensed forester, could limit or ban logging during spring time periods to control erosion, while protecting the watershed’s water quality.

Another strategy would be to pass ordinances that require forest management plans for timbering operations and landowners in the community. Management methods exist for wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, all manners of recreation, aesthetics, and timber as income for the present, or timber as an investment for the future. Good management is much more than simply harvesting trees. It includes tending, weeding, insect control, disease control, wildlife management, watershed protection, forest regeneration, aesthetic concerns, and harvesting.

RIPARIAN PROTECTION ORDINANCES

Stream restoration and protection are the focus of much research. Many advances have been made in the development of restoration technologies and best management practices for both the mining industry and agriculture. One practice that has become commonplace in watershed protection is the implementation of riparian buffers. Riparian buffers are vegetated strips of land that border creeks, streams, and rivers, protected from development and agricultural use. Streams of the area with riparian buffers are shown in Figure 2.15.

Riparian buffers offer several environmental benefits. They protect the waterway by filtering runoff and promoting sediment deposition. Excess nutrients are absorbed and used by the vegetation rather than entering the water body directly. Riparian buffers also slow the velocity of floodwaters and the volume of water entering a waterway via root absorption. The intact root mass of the vegetation aids in soil stability and slows bank erosion. Wildlife habitat is also a crucial reason for riparian buffers. Many species of amphibians require undisturbed riparian areas for breeding. In addition, forested buffers maintain the cooler water temperatures necessary for brook trout and other native aquatics.

The size of the riparian buffer directly affects its effectiveness. Riparian buffer widths may vary depending on the environmental setting, level of protection desired, and landowner’s interests. Riparian corridor protection ordinances have been promulgated in recent years that take into the account the research promoting stream buffers. Such ordinances can require buffers, management plans and good soil conservation practices on parcels adjacent to streams. In addition, a subdivision regulation can prohibit construction of structures within the buffer area of a stream, which can be enforced through the process of site plan review.

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