Williams Tp Land Preservation Board Pushes Glovas Handout

Two Williams Township Land Preservation Board members apparently never got the word that the Glovas handout is too hot to touch right now, and was taken off last night's agenda. They were at last night's NorCo Council meeting. Their Chair, Robert Schmidt, told Council he was willing to answer all their concerns and is providing his contact information. He was accompanied by Linda Heindel, who managed to get a few of her own properties preserved as a member of the board. I decided I'd like Schmidt's contact information, too, so I could call him with my concerns.

I met Schmidt and Heindel in the hallway, where he did give me his contact information. I told him that, according to their own appraisal, this property is undevelopable. He disputed that, but the facts are the facts. According to the appraiser, 56.9 acres are "very bouldery," making the potential for basements or basic septic systems "very limited." He's entitled to his own opinion, but the appraisal says what it says.

Schmidt and Heindel then told me that I needed to walk the property. My response to that was to ask then why bother with an appraisal if you're going to ignore it and go by your own field trip. It defeats the purpose of even having an appraisal. Schmidt wanted me to tell him how I got my hands on the Glovas appraisal, and I refused to tell him. He then turned away from me and walked off, unwilling to engage in further discussion.

Heindel remained and I confronted her about participating in a board whose members seem to be enriching themselves by selecting their own properties for preservation. She told me that's a sign that they really care, although it's unclear to me whether that is the environment or their own bottom line. I turned to leave, but she insisted I shake her hand first. It was pretty clear that she was visibly angry, but she was either trying to remain civil or trying to infect me with something. I'll let you know in 21 days.

Green Pond Senior Development: Conservation or Eco Disaster?

This is Green Pond, which has existed for at least 250 years. 

Anyone who drives along back country roads knows that some are prone to wash outs. That's certainly true of Green Pond Road, which floods every time it rains. From time to time, angry residents storm Bethlehem Township meetings, demanding that something be done. The wet conditions make accidents frequent, too. But this marshy area is on Tradition of America's (TOA) drawing board. Partner David Biddison presented sketch plans to a skeptical Planning Commission on Monday night. Over 100 people crammed into the meeting room, standing along the sides and even sitting on the floor. They were joined by all current and even several former Commissioners. Twenty-two people, nearly all of them Township residents, spoke against the plan. Not one person supported it. Some hated the traffic. Others were upset by the stormwater management. But most were there for the birds. This gated community is planned next to both Green Pond as well as the Green Pond Marsh, which is treated by local environmentalists and bird lovers as a sanctuary.

John Glagola can tell you all about the floods and accidents along Green Pond Road. He lives there. One side of his home faces Green Pond. Another faces a wetland. At least once a month, someone slams into the guard rail along the windy road. Once someone drove her SUV right into Green Pond.

Glagola is more than a next door neighbor. A Harvard grad, he's also an architect and planner with a prestigious real estate investment firm based in Manhattan. In his opinion, the plans submitted by TOA will only exacerbate very real traffic and flooding concerns. But his chief concern are his neighbors. They're squawking, too. They're birds.

This is Green Pond Marsh. Most people look at the pond, but this is what has attracted the birds

History of Green Pond, An Important Bird Area

A collective of bird watchers and environmentalists calling themselves "Save Green Pond" has mobilized to protect these marshlands from the developer's bulldozer. "There is virtually no place of its kind in the Lehigh Valley," proclaims the website. Over 160 different bird species have been documented at this environmentally sensitive area, including eight kinds of birds that are classified as "threatened" or "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act.

Charles Trapani photographed this sandpiper in the
mudflats on Saturday. 

Northampton County recently had to halt bridge repairs in Plainfield Township after learning the area might be a bog turtle habitat. This area actually is a habitat for rare birds like the Osprey and Great Egret.

The Green Pond marsh has existed a long time, long before the arrival of European settlers from England and Germany. Sitting at his kitchen table, Glagola pulled out an old plat from Lettie Asbury, daughter of William Penn. It shows her 1735 conveyances to William Allen. The pond, which was much larger then, is clearly delineated. "This is not something we just dreamed up yesterday," noted Glagola, emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between birds and wetlands. He presented that plat to Planning Commissioners Monday night.

Victoria Bastidas, an environmentalist who is the spearhead of a movement to preserve Camel's Hump Farm in Bethlehem, agrees. "We are only a mile away as the crow flies and we have wetlands and a stream, but there is something about that site that attracts far more types of birds," she observes.

On any day of the week, a short trip to the marsh reveals an abundance of aviary delights that go unnoticed by many. Great blue herons are there all the time, along with sandpipers who fly in from Antarctica, as well as the glossy ibis. In winter, snow geese descend and use it as one of their landing stops. It is one of the largest staging areas of lesser black-backed gulls in North America, with counts of 200 plus birds.

The Audubon Society has recently designated the Green Pond Marsh as an "important bird area", one of just 10,000 such sites world wide. The area is considered "vital to birds and other biodiversity."

Birdwatchers regularly visit green Pond Marsh

Development Pressure

Green Pond Country Club, the owner of the 68-acre site in question, has met with the Wildlands Conservancy, but has resisted efforts to conserve this wetland. Traditions of America is actually the third developer to submit plans for this property. Toll Brothers and J.P. Petrucci have walked away from designs that would have resulted in more homes than those proposed by Traditions. They were defeated by traffic and stormwater mitigation concerns.

Glagola recognizes that, though the area is a low-lying basin, it will eventually be developed. He believes it's a $60 million project. "But let's be serious and recognize there are other issues here than human greed," he states, predicting that Traditions engineers will deny there are wetlands next to Green Pond. He calls the current plans an "eco disaster."

Ornithologist Rick Wiltraut

Traditions of America (TOA)'s Plan To Conserve 18 Acres

Traditions of America (TOA), formed in 1997, is one of several successful development companies started by J.B. Reilly and Timothy McCarthy. Though they are no longer involved in day-to-day operations, Biddison conceded that both are still involved in the company. Interestingly, J.B. Reilly is the developer behind many of the projects in Allentown's controversial Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

TOA specializes in building "active senior" or 55 plus communities, and has developed two popular projects in Hanover Township alone. Units are selling despite a slow real estate market.

In a detailed presentation, Biddison told planners and the public that the active senior gated community will consist of 265 single family detached dwellings linked by a 2-mile walking path and include amenities like a clubhouse and pool.

The chief attraction, aside from the nearby Green Pond Country Club, is the Green Pond Marsh.

Biddleson insisted that only 27,000 sq ft directly across Farmersville Road from the pond has actually been delineated as a "wetland". But after consulting with the national Audubon Society, Hawk Mountain and Ducks Unlimited, TOA is proposing to conserve 18 acres along the northern side of the development. In addition to the current wetlands, TOA is proposing and additional 73,000 sq ft of conservation area, consisting of lined ponds of varying depths. In addition, mudflats will be redesigned. There will also be a large infiltration basin, planted with native grasses. He's proposing a walking path around the conservation area, along with a place to park and raised viewing platforms.

All stormwaters generated at the site will stay there. In addition to the large infiltration basin in the 18-acre conservation area, there will be a pond at the southern end of the development.

Packed house forced to use floor

TOA's Plan to Stop Ponding along Roadways, and Traffic

In an attempt to curb the frequent washouts along Green Pond and Farmersville Road, PennDOT in 2011 decided to raise the road levels on Farmersville Road. This slows the flow of water from Green Pond into the marsh, but has also resulted in much more water along the road. Thus, in addition to depriving wildlife of water, driving conditions are now even worse than they wore before. The solution, according to Glagola and the Save Green Pond site, is an underground drainage pipe from the pond to the marsh. That's precisely what TOA has proposed.

Biddleson also addressed traffic, noting that the traffic generated by an active senior development will be about 1/3 that of a normal development at the site.

John Glagola, jacket and tie, has defended mudflats three times

A Warning

"We're not hiding from the issue," Biddleson asserted."We're trying to do the right thing." But he also had a warning, noting that Green Pond Country Club could get a permit and dig a large hole in the conservation area. "The property owner, if backed into a corner, has options and is likely to exercise those options."

Commissioner Concerns

Planning Commissioners were skeptical. Kenn Edinger questioned how a golf course community could have no link to the golf course. After hearing Biddleson repeated speak about the TOA gated community, he asked, "What about our community?" He also raised concerns about overflow parking, stormwater and "major' traffic concerns.

Don Wright asked whether snow treated with salt and other chemicals could make their way into the conservation area. Biddleson retorted that farmers use chemical fertilizer and this is the "lesser of two evils."

James Dailey stated the roads are too narrow, especially for emergency vehicles. Biddleson claimed his widths were acceptable, but township Engineer Brian Dillman told him he needs township approval for those roads, which are 24' instead of 32' wide.

The birds will continue squawking, but won't be at tonight's planning meeting. Bird watchers and environmentalists plan to do the squawking for them.

Great Blue heron in mudflats on Saturday

The Vox Populi For Residents Only?

Before opening up the floor to the public, Chairman Lee Snover announced that only residents would be allowed to speak. That brought an objection from a member of the media, who pointed out that the Sunshine Act applies to nonresidents as well. Snover quickly reversed herself, and allowed non-residents to speak, but only after all residents had their say.

As it happens, 20 of the 22 speakers, all opposed, were Township residents.

Glagola disputed TOA's contention that only 27,000 sq ft is wetlands. In August 2013, he had an engineer study the lands, and his conclusion is that the wetlands actually extend beyond the 18 acres set aside for conservation. "I don't know what science they're using," he scoffed. "the science is we want to build more homes." He called the TOA plan an "eco disaster waiting to happen."

Paul Jordan noted that between 300,000-400,000 geese visit the marsh and pond every year. "I understand developments have to go in, but why here?" he asked.

Barbara Malt, a VP for the LV Audubon, noted that the majority of birds visiting this site are migratory. Scott Burnet, another member of the LV Audubon, rejected the notion that these birds would feed on native grasses, noting they eat invertebrates. He also indicated that no one really understands why so many birds are attracted to those mudlfats, but he knows they can't be recreated by human development.

"You disturb that area, you destroy it." he warned.

The final speaker, ornithologist Rick Wiltraut, was even more ominous. He noted that barn owls have completely disappeared in Northampton County, and monarch butterflies are now a rarity. But in a time of declining wildlife, shorebirds from the Arctic still regularly visit the Green Pond Marsh. He flatly told TOA that "lined ponds aren't going to cut it. [The birds] need mud." He added that TOA can't recreate what already exists.

"The development has to stop somewhere. We owe it to our kids to protect areas like that."

Snover told the audience to check the Township website for upcoming planning agendas. A member of the audience remarked it was last updated in October. But the Township recently hired Nathan Jones as it new Planning Director,and promised to remedy that problem.

Blogger's Note: This post updates yesterday's story with the Planning Commission meeting. Believe it or not, there was a second hearing that might have eclipsed this one, involving Charlie Chrin and the old V-7 Driving Range.

NorCo Conservation Proposes 30% Hike For Soil Erosion Plans

Back in the roaring 20s, the federal government was encouraging everyone to move West into the Great Plains, after clearing out pesky Native Americans and the bison who thundered. The Homestead Act guaranteed just enough land to keep someone poor. All the grass was uprooted and crops were planted because wheat was at an all-time high. But when the economy and wheat prices collapsed, so did the soil. It was blown around and around by the steady winds that roar through the plains. The result was dusters, black blizzards, that blinded people and scarred lungs. It roared for ten years. It still continues, from time to time, today.

The Dust Bowl

This problem was caused by our greed and bad government policy. But our willingness to adapt and admit we were wrong, along with some rare government ingenuity, prevented those dusters from getting worse and actually turned things around in some areas of the Great Plains. Conservation Districts were established by FDR so that farmers could band together and attack the dark storms with new types of grass, crop rotation and differing approaches to agriculture.

These days, conservation districts are scattered throughout the country. Northampton County started its own in '61, to promote conservation and prevent soil erosion.

So if you plan to build on anything more than an acre, and you plan to move soil around, you better have an Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Plan, which will be reviewed.

Yesterday, District manager Bruce Pysher proposed increasing plan review fees by 30%, to bring them in line with other counties.

A one-acre residential lot will cost $200. But a commercial or industrial lot will cost you $1,200.

Pysher has also suggested an expedited review process for those in a hurry, as long as they're under 100 acres. That will cost three times the usual fee.

Pysher's proposals were unanimously recommended by Council's Finance committee yesterday, and will be voted on by the full Council tonight.

Blogger's Note: To those of you interested in leaning more about The Dust Bowl, I highly recommend The Worst Hard Time, by Timothy Egan, a history that reads like a novel.

Birdman Paul: Portland Pair Also Portland Parents

I met Birdman Paul at Saturday night's Whitetail Deer Classic. He's no hunter, but sure is a sportsman. A federal bird bander, he's the person who told me about the pair of bald eagles who've nested the past five years at Portland's Power Plant. A few weeks ago, the happy couple posed for Paul, and the picture he snapped is posted here.

One of you, obviously an ornithologist, warned that their winter bungalow should be kept secret. That's usually true. But as Paul explained to me Saturday night, these raptors have long been used to us. They've had thousands of visitors, and once, the state police had to be called in for crowd control. They seem to like the attention.

Far from being shy, this couple has no trouble gettin' jiggy wit it. From their nest at the Portland Power Plant, they've raised 11 eagles to fledge over the last five years. No Viagra needed, either.

Above, you'll see four youngsters from last year's nest - little Ron, Jerry, John and Wayne. There were originally five, but little Charles fell out of the nest and was gobbled up by a fox before little Ron could save him. These kids look like crows, but according to the Birdman, bald eagles do not develop their signature white head and tail until they are five years old.

Allentown may have its popular peregrines, but the soaring bald eagles live in the slate belt, probably to be close to big Ron Angle.

Portland Pair Sends Valentine's Day Greetings

Aren't they a cute couple?

Birdman Paul took this picture a few weeks ago. It's the "Portland Pair," two bald eagles who have been returning to their nesting site near the Portland Power Plant for the past five years. This mom and pop have raised two broods over the last two years.

They'll probably celebrate Valentine's Day with sushi, fresh from the nearby Delaware River.

I'll have more about the fascinating Birdman Paul next week.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary at 75: Great Place For A Date?

Back in my drinking days, an inebriated friend once assured me that Hawk Mountain is the perfect spot for a first date. Mind you, the closest he'd ever come to any bird, to say nothing of a raptor, was the Wild Turkey bourbon he guzzled with reckless abandon every weekend. But he really wanted to impress a lady friend with his knowledge and love of nature, gained mostly from watching the Discovery Channel. Unfortunately, it worked. He married her. Now they cart their kids there several times a year, where peregrine falcons and bald eagles can shit on them from 10,000 feet above sea level.

"Say hello to my little friend."

I tried his ploy myself. I took a date to dinner and Hawk Mountain, but it was a bust. She had trouble with Taco Bell's admittedly rich, international cuisine. That became all too evident during a short ride in my Jeep. She married someone else. He takes her to Hawk Mountain all the time.
Did you know Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey? That it was founded in 1934 by private conservationists? That it's been designated a Registered National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1965?

Neither did I. Yesterday, Congressmen Charlie Dent and Tim Holden co-sponsored a House Resolution saluting and honoring Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on its 75th birthday. They salute Hawk Mountain, its full-time staff of sixteen employees and more than 200 volunteer members for their contributions to the preservation of wildlife, especially birds of prey, and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Congressman Dent provides some background in remarks on the House floor on Tuesday, where the resolution was adopted:

“In 1934, noted wildlife conservationist Rosalie Edge was drawn to Hawk Mountain after learning large numbers of hawks were being killed as they migrated along the Appalachian Mountains’ Kittatinny Ridge. After this initial visit, Edge leased 1,400 acres of the ridge for a mere $500 and opened it to the public as place for local residents to view birds of prey in their natural habitat. Later, the property was deeded to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, which oversaw the preservation of the land and protection of its wildlife.

“Since its modest beginnings in the 1930s, Hawk Mountain has remained a year-round wildlife sanctuary that introduces students and visitors to the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the many birds of prey that call the range home. Today, sixteen full-time employees and a volunteer workforce of over 200 dedicated members help educate thousands of visitors each year about the value of preserving the native ecology of eastern Pennsylvania. With the goal of providing a unique and engaging educational experience for its visitors, Hawk Mountain offers weekend programs for local residents, guided programs for students and groups, and fully-accredited college-level courses in cooperation with Cedar Crest College, located in my District.

“In addition to educating the public, the employees and volunteers at Hawk Mountain have contributed greatly to the development of effective conservation practices that help preserve vital ecosystems throughout the world. The sanctuary staff works with world-class raptor scientists, conservationists, graduate students and international interns to collect and analyze important information, as well as formulate and test new conservation strategies."

Unfortunately, the House Resolution fails to mention is that Hawk Mountain is a great place for a first date. Must have been an oversight.

Update: Is Hawk Mountain Haunted? Steve Barron thinks so. Hawk Mountain was apparently once sacred Indian land, and the Lenni Lenape murdered a few irreverent early settlers. This, of course, led to ... ghosts. Imagine that! In addition to impressing your first date with your love of nature, you can scare the hell out of her with a few ghost stories. She'll be in your arms in no time.