Testimony on Northampton County Open Space Proposal

TO:  Honorable members of the Open Space Committee, Northampton County Council and Executive

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the the committee’s deliberations. The national Sierra Club has led a decade long effort to fight sprawl and protect and expand our remaining open spaces. Here in the Lehigh Valley, we teamed with the League of Women Voters to hold the first “Green” land use conference. This resulted in the formation of the Green Valley Coalition. About one year ago we set forth some principles about the acquisition of Open Space that were published in the Express Times (July 16, 2001). Subsequently, we appeared before this Council as it was considering a proposed $111 million bond issue. We urged that a significant portion of that fund be directed towards the acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands. Finally, we appeared before the Lehigh County Commissioners regarding the language of their proposed bond issue. (Copies enclosed.) Well before new bond proposals came before this Council, we were strongly encouraging the acquisition of lands and easements, and especially those with environmental value.

One guide to worthwhile environmental acquisitions or easements is the Natural Areas Inventory Summary (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, April, 1999) (map I attached). This document lists areas of statewide and local significance in Northampton County, and gives a rank listing. This is a valuable tool. Another approach is to consider environmental systems at the local scale; among these are large tracts of forest, streams and their valleys and ridges, and the sources of the stream (whole watersheds). One critical focal point for the County is the environmental gem of Jacobsburg State Park. Finally, adopting a regional perspective leads to the critical assemblages of plants, animals and water along The Blue Mountain, the distinctive areas in the Northeast county corner, the riverside habitat along the lower reach of the Lehigh River, and the cluster of undeveloped places in Williams Township.

We recommend that a regional approach for the preservation and enhancement of the highest quality of lands and waters be utilized as the primary method for designating acquisition and easements. Foremost among these is the system of the Bushkill Creek Watershed. We identify the triangle of roughly the base of the Blue Mountain and roughly two miles south along the Bushkill Creek.

The Bushkill Creek derives its waters from the Blue Mountain, and arrives at Jacobsurg in high quality. The headwaters need protection, as does the tributary stream. Primary designation of these streams, and a substantial buffer area along the streams, preferably 200 feet, is vital. The large contiguous tracts of wooded areas in the headwaters must also be protected, and wherever possible joined together with each other and with existing public lands, to facilitate movement of plants and animals along these green corridors. “Open Space” must be connected, not randomly scattered around the County. This linked system of protection should be added to the Little Bushkill, as appropriate.

Most important is the gem of Jacobsburg State Park. It is a relic of an old growth forest that is too small to survive in its present size—it needs a substantial addition of wooded and protected land around itself. Without enhancement, it will be reduced to an island in a sea of disappearing habitat and encroaching development.

That’s why we think the Bushkill Creek-Jacobsburg Park regional complex is the single highest priority for acquisition and easements. The largest amount of money should go here as quickly as possible. This strategy has the added value of gaining the largest amount of land at the lowest cost, relative to other possibilities in more “suburbanizing” areas. In addition, much of this land may eventually be sold to the state, and the money recycled for other purchases.

The next most significant system is the Lehigh River stretch from Freemansburg to Hugh Moore Canal Park. This substantially intact streamside habitat is valuable for a wide range of aquatic, land, and bird life, as well as plant life. It provides a place for peaceful water experiences such as canoeing. Its banks and buffers are always under threat, particularly on the Williams Township side, and in the area where a very misguided state agency broke the tree cover near the Route 33 bridge to provide a boat landing.

The third most valuable system is the complex of places in the northern portion Upper Mount Bethel Township. Key areas are Mount Bethel Fens, Mount Jackson Limestone Outcrop, Bear Swamp and Minsi Lake Vernal Pools. Again, acquiring these sites and/or land that will buffer them from development should be a major priority. Connecting them will enhance the value of each; in ecological terms, a whole system is much more than the sum of its parts.

Finally, the system of sites in the southeast corner of Williams Township is very promising, especially if they can be connected with purchases or easements, and the stream valleys protected. However, development is rampant in this area, and land prices have been rapidly escalating. A premium price may have to be paid. This must be weighed against other environmental uses of the same amount of money.

The continuing support of agricultural easements is warranted. At what level of support is not so clear. According to a story in the Express Times (July 8, 2002): “County farmland board officials are in the process of assessing 22 farms for easement purchases this year, which would significantly deplete a long-standing list of applicants to the program, said administrator Roslyn Kahler.” The County’s money for this aspect of the bond issue also qualifies it to receive state funds.

A portion of the bond issue would go to County and local park acquisition and development. These can provide a variety of opportunities for citizens, ranging from sport venues such as ball fields, to picnic areas, tree groves, and quiet walking paths near or in populated areas, as well as playground style venues and enhancement of streams flowing through our built areas. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of money in past park purchases has gone to paving and parking lot expenses. We should ensure that we get parks, not pavement! “Development” money should go to getting the venues ready for enjoyment—the municipalities can provide the paving and parking portion of the sites. If this simple rule were followed, more money would go to acquiring and enhancing the venues.

A proposed distribution of bond monies, based on the guidelines outlined above, is shown in Table 1.

We hope these comments will make a useful contribution to the work of the Open Space Committee, and we look forward to working with those interested in these goals—and a bond issue to enhance the quality of life and the environment in Northampton County for future generations.

Respectfully submitted,

David K. McGuire, Ph.D.
Chair, Executive Committee

Table 1. Sierra Club Proposals for the Northampton County Open Space Program

	Amounts expended prior to 2001 bond issue (5 years)	2001 Bond Issue	Sierra Club proposed distribution of the $30 million Bond Issue
Important natural areas, stream valley preservation	?	$ 121,000**	$14,000,000
Agricultural Preservation	?	$7,000,000*	$ 7,000,000
County Park Acquisition and Development	?	$6,500,000**	$ 5,500,000
Local Park Acquisition and Development	?	$3,400,000**	$3,500,000

*Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
** Department of Economic and Community Development

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