Lower Mahoning Creek Watershed Conservation Plan

220 Pages·2011·10.62 MB·English

Watershed Conservation Program
1067 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: [phone]
www.waterlandlife.org
For more information about the Lower Mahoning Regional Watershed Conservation Plan, contact the Watershed Conservation Program
Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan
The Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation Program

Lower Mahoning Creek
Regional Watershed
Conservation Plan

Final June 2011

Prepared for:

Little Mahoning Creek Watershed Association
Pine Creek Sportsmen Club

Prepared by:

Watershed Conservation Program
1067 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701

This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships
Program, Environmental Stewardship Fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Title Page………………………………………………………………………………..………… i
Introduction Materials................................................................................................................... ii
Table of Contents ii
Lit of Tables vii
List of Figures ix
Acknowledgements xi
Acronyms xii
Watershed Definition xiv
Executive Summary......................................................................................................................... ES-1
Project Background ES-1
Chapter Summaries ES-2
Project Area Characteristics ES-2
Land Resources ES-3
Water Resources ES-3
Biological Resources ES-4
Cultural Resources ES-4
Issues and Concerns ES-4
Management Recommendations ES-5
Project Area Characteristics…………………………...………………………………………... 1-1
Project Area 1-1
Location and Size 1-1
Climate 1-1
Topography 1-1
Major Tributaries 1-2
Air Quality 1-2
Atmospheric Deposition 1-3
Critical Pollutants 1-3
Mercury 1-4
Impacts of Air Pollution 1-5
Socioeconomic Profile 1-5
Land-Use Planning and Regulation 1-5
Demographics and Population Patterns 1-7
Infrastrucutre 1-9
Transportation and Safety 1-11
Economy and Employment 1-13
Education 1-15
Land Resources................................................................................................................................. 2-1
Geology 2-1
Physiographic Provinces 2-1
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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan
Ecoregions 2-1
Stratification 2-3
Soil Characteristics 2-3
Soil Associations 2-3
Prime Agricultural Soils 2-6
Farmland of Statewide Importance 2-6
Agricultural Land Preservation 2-6
Agricultural Security Areas 2-7
Clean and Green Program 2-8
Conservation Programs 2-8
Nutrient Management Program 2-9
Land Use 2-10
Forestry 2-10
Agriculture 2-11
Oil and Gas Exploration 2-12
Mining 2-15
Land Ownership 2-17
Oil and Gas Wells 2-18
Underground Mining 2-18
Critical Areas 2-19
Landslides 2-19
Subsidence Areas 2-19
Erosion and Sedimentation 2-20
Groundwater Recharge 2-20
Fish and Wildlife Habitat 2-21
Natural Resource Extraction 2-21
Hazardous Areas 2-22
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act 2-22
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 2-22
Salvage Yards 2-23
Landfills 2-23
Illegal Dumpsites 2-24
Recycling 2-25
Brownfields 2-25
Water Resources.............................................................................................................................. 3-1
Location 3-1
Lower Mahoning Creek 3-1
Unnamed Tributary to Allegheny River 3-1
Pine Creek 3-2
Hays Run 3-2
Water Attributes 3-2
Groundwater and Surface Water 3-3
Wetlands 3-6
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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan

Floodplains 3-7
Dams 3-8
Riparian Zones 3-9
Stormwater 3-11
Watershed Protection Laws 3-11
Clean Water Act 3-11
Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law 3-12
Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act 166 3-13
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 3-13
Water Quality 3-14
Classification of Water Pollution 3-14
Sources of Impairment 3-15
Water Quality Trading 3-24
Water Quantity 3-24
Pennsylvania State Water Plan 3-25
Water Use 3-25
Existing Studies and Water Quality Monitoring 3-27
Saving Little Mahoning Creek 3-27
Pine Run Watershed Implementation Plan 3-30
Biological Resources……………………………………………………………………..…….…. 4-1
Natural Settings 4-1
Ecosystem and Biodiversity 4-1
Ecoregion Characteristics 4-1
Natural Habitats 4-1
Wildlife 4-5
Mammals 4-6
Reptiles and Amphibians 4-6
Birds 4-7
Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates 4-7
Species of Concern 4-9
Invasive Species 4-10
Plants 4-11
Animals 4-21
Conservation Areas 4-22
Natural Heritage Inventories 4-22
Cultural Resources.......................................................................................................................... 5-1
History 5-1
Historical Overview 5-1
Historical Sites, Structures, and Districts 5-5
Recreation 5-6
Recreational Opportunities 5-6
Environmental Education 5-11
Local Attractions 5-11
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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan
Dayton Fairgrounds 5-11
Marion Center Speedway 5-11
Thomas Marshall House 5-12
John Schmick Museum 5-12
Smicksburg Specialty Shops 5-12
Windgate Winery 5-12
Annual Events 5-12
Issues and Concerns....................................................................................................................... 6-1
Meeting Summaries 6-1
Initial Meetings 6-1
School Workshops 6-1
Focus Group 6-1
Issues and Concerns 6-2
Natural Resource Extraction 6-2
Infrastructure 6-2
Recreation 6-3
Illegal Dumping 6-3
Public Meeting Results 6-4
Project Area 6-4
Land Use 6-4
Water Resources 6-4
Biological Resources 6-5
Cultural Resources 6-5
Survey Results 6-5
Public Survey Results 6-6
Municipal Phone Survey Results 6-12
Interview Results 6-13
School Workshops 6-18
Management Recommendations.................................................................................................. 7-1
Project Area Characteristics
Land Resources
Water Resources
Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Education and Funding
References...................................................................................................................................... 8-1
Appendices
A. Glossary
B. Planning Committees
C. Agricultural Soils
D. Mining Permits
E. Illegal Dumpsites
F. Integrated Waterbody Report
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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan

G. Little Mahoning Creek Visual Assessment Form
H. Species of Concern
I. Fish and Wildlife Species
J. Recreational Resources
K. Survey and Interview Questions
L. Native Plant Guide
M. Fish Habitat Enhancement
N. Potential Funding Sources
O. Useful Websites
P. Resource Guide
Q. Summary of Hydraulic Fracturing Solutions
R. Conservation Guidance for Landowners

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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan
LIST OF TABLES

Chapter 1 Project Area Characteristics Page
Table 1-1 Watershed Municipalities 1-1
Table 1-2 Land Use Regulations 1-6
Table 1-3 Population and Population Change 1-7
Table 1-4 Population by Sex and Age 1-8
Table 1-5 Municipal Populations 1-8
Table 1-6 Public Sewage Systems 1-10
Table 1-7 Public Water Suppliers 1-10
Table 1-8 Economic Comparison 1-13
Table 1-9 Breakdown of Employment by Industry 1-15
Table 1-10 School Enrollments 1-15

Chapter 2 Land Resources Page
Table 2-1 Conservation Practices Identified in 2008 Farm Bill 2-8
Table 2-2 Land Use 2-10
Table 2-3 Agricultural and Forestry Statistics for Armstrong, Indiana, and
2-11
Jefferson Counties
Table 2-4 Agricultural Lands and Value by County 2-12
Table 2-5 Wells Drilled Within the Municipalities of the Lower Mahoning Creek
2-13
Watershed
Table 2-6 Oil and Gas Well Permits by County 2-13
Table 2-7 Active Coal Mining Permits 2-15
Table 2-8 Active Industrial Mining Permits 2-17
Table 2-9 Resource Conservation Recovery Act Sites 2-22

Chapter 3 Water Resources Page
Table 3-1 Lower Mahoning Creek Tributaries 3-2
Table 3-2 Pine Creek Tributaries 3-2
Table 3-3 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits 3-14
Table 3-4 Water Use 3-26

Chapter 4 Biological Resources Page
Table 4-1 Aquatic Community Classification Designations 4-8
Table 4-2 Noxious Weeds of Pennsylvania 4-12
Table 4-3 Biological Diversity Areas 4-22

Chapter 5 Cultural Resources Page
Table 5-1 Hunting Licenses Sold 5-9

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Lower Mahoning Creek Regional Watershed Conservation Plan

Chapter 6 Issues and Concerns Page
Table 6-1 Locations Where Residential Survey Participants Reside 6-6
Table 6-2 Importance of Watershed Values 6-8
Table 6-3 Importance of Recreational Values 6-9
Table 6-4 Importance of Watershed Issues 6-11
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