POSITION STATEMENT ON SPRING CREEK WATERSHED AND OPEN SPACE
In the early 2000's, the Department of Environmental Protection identified one section of Spring Creek in Harris Township as impaired, a violation of the Federal Clean Water Act. Correcting this impairment continues through cooperative efforts with Harris Township, the property owner, and Clearwater Conservancy. Impairment results from residential and agricultural practices, and the problem is increased by removal of vegetation along Spring Creek. The impairment is being corrected through implementation of riparian buffers and, in the case of Spring Creek in Harris Township, a Ridge Overlay Ordinance passed in 2008 and a Riparian Buffer Ordinance was passed in 2011.
Of major significance was a Dirt and Gravel Road project on Sharer Road. This cooperative effort involved the Penn State Dirt and Gravel Road program, Clearwater Conservancy, two property owners along Sharer Road, and Harris Township. These initiatives assist in cleaning Spring Creek as it flows through Harris Township. Spring Creek in Harris Township is an asset that provides one of our greatest natural resources.
Harris Township is a leader in the Spring Creek Watershed Commission. I was elected as the first chairman of the Commission in 1999 and continued to serve in this capacity until December 2020. To further increase Harris Township's strengths, our rural zoning districts are under review to ensure compatibility and to expand flexibility for a farming community to remain viable.
With respect to stormwater management, Harris Township was the first municipality in Centre County and within the Spring Creek Watershed to adopt the Centre County Act 167 Stormwater Management Ordinance. Harris Township was also the first municipality in the Watershed to work with a land developer in implementing the new Ordinance within a Planned Residential Development. The Nittany and Bald Eagle Greenways Project has been helpful in demonstrating the value of open space in our Township and the opportunity for connecting our major open space areas.
Preservation of open space and farmland has been identified by Township residents as one of the main reasons for choosing to live in our Township. Actions that have been taken or could be taken to preserve open space include:
1. Completion in mid-2017 of our fourth Township Agricultural Security Area Update (Act 13, 1981). Our first study in 1997 identified 2,350 acres; in 2003 another 961 acres were added for a total of 3,311 acres. Only two major Township land parcels are not enrolled in the ASA program.
2. Continued investigation of an Open Space Preservation program, which may include Act 153 and could allow for purchasing agricultural easements on farms and implementing open-space corridors to connect neighborhoods with state-owned property.
3. Continuing to inform property owners of opportunities to donate development rights to a qualifying nonprofit organization. Three agricultural properties are currently enrolled in preservation programs with Clearwater Conservancy or the Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
4. Creating a partnership with the Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation program, allowing for leveraging of limited Township funds with funds from the State Department of Agriculture and Centre County.
Of major significance was a Dirt and Gravel Road project on Sharer Road. This cooperative effort involved the Penn State Dirt and Gravel Road program, Clearwater Conservancy, two property owners along Sharer Road, and Harris Township. These initiatives assist in cleaning Spring Creek as it flows through Harris Township. Spring Creek in Harris Township is an asset that provides one of our greatest natural resources.
Harris Township is a leader in the Spring Creek Watershed Commission. I was elected as the first chairman of the Commission in 1999 and continued to serve in this capacity until December 2020. To further increase Harris Township's strengths, our rural zoning districts are under review to ensure compatibility and to expand flexibility for a farming community to remain viable.
With respect to stormwater management, Harris Township was the first municipality in Centre County and within the Spring Creek Watershed to adopt the Centre County Act 167 Stormwater Management Ordinance. Harris Township was also the first municipality in the Watershed to work with a land developer in implementing the new Ordinance within a Planned Residential Development. The Nittany and Bald Eagle Greenways Project has been helpful in demonstrating the value of open space in our Township and the opportunity for connecting our major open space areas.
Preservation of open space and farmland has been identified by Township residents as one of the main reasons for choosing to live in our Township. Actions that have been taken or could be taken to preserve open space include:
1. Completion in mid-2017 of our fourth Township Agricultural Security Area Update (Act 13, 1981). Our first study in 1997 identified 2,350 acres; in 2003 another 961 acres were added for a total of 3,311 acres. Only two major Township land parcels are not enrolled in the ASA program.
2. Continued investigation of an Open Space Preservation program, which may include Act 153 and could allow for purchasing agricultural easements on farms and implementing open-space corridors to connect neighborhoods with state-owned property.
3. Continuing to inform property owners of opportunities to donate development rights to a qualifying nonprofit organization. Three agricultural properties are currently enrolled in preservation programs with Clearwater Conservancy or the Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation Program.
4. Creating a partnership with the Centre County Agricultural Land Preservation program, allowing for leveraging of limited Township funds with funds from the State Department of Agriculture and Centre County.