BMPs are VIPs

SANDY LONG

Posted 5/30/18

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BMPs are VIPs

TRR photos by Sandy Long

The Pike County Training Center features several stormwater best management practices (BMPs). The vegetated diversion berm at right in this photo conveys runoff around the site rather than through it, minimizing erosion of soils and the amount of stormwater that needs to be managed on site. Other features include a wetland forebay and wet pond, which receive runoff from impervious surfaces, as well as infiltration berms, which trap pockets of water, allowing it to soak into the ground. The various elements are all part of the site’s “treatment train” of stormwater BMPs.

The Delaware Valley High School campus drains to Rosetown Creek, a tributary to the Delaware River. To reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff, BMPs are in place, such as vegetated swales—broad channels designed to slow runoff, promote infiltration and filter pollutants and sediment. Rain gardens like the one pictured here are vegetated areas with special subsoils and native plants that filter pollutants and provide habitat for wildlife.

The Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program targets practices that reduce impacts of stormwater runoff and sediment to streams. Improvements on Little Walker Road in Shohola Township included the installation of a 15-inch culvert pipe, improved driving surface aggregate and the teardrop structure shown here, which collects stormwater. The project improved water discharges from the road to Walker Creek—a high-quality, cold-water and migratory fishery.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2018 9:30 am

SANDY LONG

When it comes to protecting water quality in the Upper Delaware River region, best management practices (BMPs) are very important practices. This became exceedingly clear after the tandem events I experienced on May 15—a field tour of real examples of BMPs in Pike County, followed by the unusually destructive storm that decimated parts of the region later that evening.

Admittedly, BMPs are not the most exciting things to see on a bus tour. In fact, many of them go unnoticed and unappreciated, despite their crucial roles in maintaining the exceptional water quality we enjoy locally. Stormwater BMPs are actions, structures and techniques that reduce the adverse effects of stormwater runoff like that which occurred on May 15.

As runoff increases (typically due to increases in impervious or hard surfaces), surface water rushes into streams, causing less water to infiltrate the soil and reducing the replenishment of groundwater. Runoff also washes pollutants such as oil, gas, coolants, detergents, bacteria, pesticides and fertilizer into streams. Other negative impacts include streambank erosion and sediment deposit, damage to habitat and aquatic life, nuisance flooding and property damage, elevated stream temperatures and more.

The aim of utilizing BMPs is to minimize, slow down, infiltrate and filter stormwater runoff. Selection of the appropriate practices is based on site characteristics and stormwater management goals.

The tour was organized by the Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) and led by senior resource conservationist Ellen Enslin, certified professional in erosion and sedimentation control, with grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. PCCD works to protect the county’s natural resources through education, technical assistance, planning and enforcement.

Learn how you can help to protect regional water quality by contacting PCCD at pikecd@pikepa.org or 570/226-8220 for a copy of the “Homeowners Guide to Stormwater BMP Maintenance” and other information.