SUBJECT:  ADOPT-A-WATERSHED, PROJECT PROPOSAL, (1 Oct 1997 )

FROM:  PETER A. WEBER, REGIONAL VOLUNTEER WATER MONITORING COORDINATOR (3WP13)

Goal: Restore part of Crum Creek Watershed, through  a community partnership effort, assisted by EPA and other governmental agencies.

       As part of the evolving Adopt-a-Watershed program in Region III, this project is a pilot effort that builds on seven years of EPA participation in developing a volunteer water monitoring program in several metropolitan Philadelphia watersheds.  This Adopt-a-Watershed outreach is designed to produce measurable water quality improvements, including pre-implementation monitoring, riparian stream restoration, and post-implementation monitoring.   It features numerous local partners from the watershed association, local government, school and college, and others.

       This proposal will bring together numerous community partners (listed below) and dovetail nicely with the existing Swarthmore Rutledge School “Creek Habitat Study.”  A portion of Crum Creek would be assessed and then targeted for riparian restoration.  The landowner, Swarthmore College, would assist with technical assistance, including plant materials via their arboretum.  The existing watershed association and the volunteer water monitors would lend their expertise.  The program wil also be coordinated with applicable EPA programs, and recruit EPA watershed residents.

Proposed Partners:

• Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, SRS (Elementary School),Sandy Sparrow, Principal, Tom Elverson, teachers and students.
• Swarthmore College (and Scott Arboretum), Al Bloom, President; Claire Sawyers, Arboretum Director; professors and students.
• Chester Ridley Crum Watershed Association, Carl Dupoldt, President.
• Crum/Ridley/Chester Volunteer Monitoring Program, Frank Dowman, Coordinator.
• Delaware County Conservation District, Ed Magargee, District Manager.
• Delaware County government, Ted Erickson, Executive Director.
• Delaware County Anglers and Conservationists, Jim Moreland.
• Delaware County Environmental Network, Deborah Haines, Chairperson.
• Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, Preston Luitweiler, Research and Environmental Affairs.
• Swarthmore Boro (and Environmental Advisory Committee), Ann Seidman, Council President; Jane Billings, Boro Secretary.
• Swarthmore Rotary Club.
• Trout Unlimited, Delco Manning Chapter, Steve Kosiak.
• Widener University, Robert Bruce, President; Bruce Grant, Biology Department.
• Delaware River Basin Commission, Richard Albert.
• PA Department of Environmental Protection, Nancy Crickman, Watersheds, Southeast Regional Office; Diane Wilson, Citizens’ Volunteer Monitoring Program.
• PA Department of Conservation, Teresa Kromel.
• US EPA Watershed and other water-related programs.
• US EPA Source Water Protection program.
• US EPA Crum watershed residents.
• US EPA Green Communities program.
• Other Federal agencies (US Geological Survey, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, others).
• State and Federal elected officials.

• Contact and meet with key participants  Oct, Nov 1997
• Site visits to select first restoration   Oct, Nov 1997
• Educational program on stream assessment  Fall 1997
• Preparations for riparian restoration   Winter 1997-1998
• First restoration     March-April 1998
• Initial Post-implementation monitoring  May-June 1998

page updated 4 December 1997 by Bruce W. Grant