Save Green Pond Q & A

The Green Pond Marsh

Earlier this week, I told you that Green Pond Marsh has been designated a wetland by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state Department of Environmental Protection. Here are some questions and answers from Save Green Pond

Does this mean there is no further action needed at this time? If there is further action needed, what does that action need to be?

Not sure. The Army Corps of Engineers recognition of the actual wetland boundaries is the big one that we've been working towards for the past year and a half. If the developer continues his disregard for the Marsh, then we must be vigilant and watch his every move. Up to this point, since he hasn't shown any concern for the unique gem that is Green Pond Marsh, we believe his future plans could still adversely impact the Marsh.

One thing that should be done is to make the local legislators very aware of what is happening and let them know that their constituents don’t want to see Green Pond Marsh ruined. Green Pond Marsh should be showcased as the gem of Bethlehem Township.

So does that mean that the Marsh is safe?

Not necessarily, but it certainly is a positive step toward the preservation of the Marsh.

Does that mean the developer will stay out of the Marsh? And what about the holes they already dug in the Marsh?

Legally, they should stay out of the Marsh.

Hopefully the holes they dug didn't penetrate the impermeable layer of the Marsh which would allow the Marsh to rapidly drain after it is replenished from Green Pond overflow water. But we won't know that until Green Pond flows over the road and fills the Marsh again.

Do you know if PennDOT is planning on installing a culvert that will allow Green Pond to overflow into the marsh without flowing over the road?

As you know, the marsh has not been receiving as much water ever since PennDOT raised the road 3 years ago.

This is an important point to raise with local legislators.

Does that mean that the Army Corps of Engineers will now be the watchdog for the Marsh?

Although they were the agency that determined the location of the wetlands in the Marsh area, the Army Corps of Engineers has no jurisdiction over the Marsh area.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has jurisdiction over the Marsh area. So we hope they will do their job by protecting the wetlands there.

Is it possible to see a copy of the wetlands report that was done on the Green Pond Marsh area?

Yes. The 66 page wetland report, that was done by ‘Schmid and Company’ is posted on the home page of the SaveGreenPond.org website in PFD format.

Save Green Pond: Green Pond Marsh Designated a Wetland

Traditions of America has plans to develop Bethlehem Township's Green Pond Marsh into a 265-home gated development for active seniors. In fact, in late September, Traditions unleashed backhoes on the marsh, digging up 4' x 6' holes so it could conduct infiltration tests. They insisted that only a small portion of the site, about 27,000 sq ft, is an actual wetland. Bethlehem Township Police dutifully guarded the backhoes against dangerous brigands like the Sierra Club's Don Miles. .

Local police can certainly stop environmentalists and birdwatchers. Hell, even I could roll Miles. But the constabulary has no authority over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the state DEP.

According to Save Green Pond, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and PA Department of Environmental Protection visited the site last week on Wednesday, November 15 to conduct a wetlands survey.

They found that almost the entire 8-acre identified by Save Green Pond and Jack Glagola as a wetland is, in fact, a wetland.  Pink flags and ribbons outline the site.

This poses a major obstacle to tradition's plans for development at that site. It had proposed using this 8-acres as a detention pond.

BT Comm'rs To Review Green Pond Sketch Plans Tonight

Last month, before a packed house, Bethlehem Township's Planning Commission reviewed Tradition of America's (TOA) sketch plans for a senior housing development along Green Pond Road, next to a golf course. TOA was only seeking feedback, not approval. Planners and over 100 people obliged. They expressed concerns about traffic along back roads, stormwaters, emergency vehicle access along narrow roads in the community itself, and the ponding that occurs frequently along along the roadways separating the pond from a marshy area of wetlands that serves as a stopping point for numerous species of migratory birds. "We owe it to our kids to protect areas like that," noted prominent ornithologist Rick Wiltraut. Tonight, TOA will present its sketch plans again to the Board of Commissioners. But it appears that instead of talking, battle lines are being drawn.

No Trespassing Signs. - Green Pond owners have now posted their property with "no trespassing" signs, which will make it harder for bird photographers who sometimes don waders and go right into the wetlands. Owners are apparently angry about an engineering study performed some months ago under the direction of Jack Glagola. His property straddles both the pond and marsh, and he likes the birds more than TOA. According to Glagola, that analysis concludes that the wetlands area is acres larger than the 27,000 sq. ft. actually designated. Though TOA has proposed conserving 18 acres, Glagola argues that the wetlands extend into the lands planned for a senior living community. Instead of responding to these concerns, the place is plastered with signs.

Meeting Denied. - Glagola had sought a meeting with Township staff to discuss his study. Township staffers initially agreed, but that meeting was abruptly canceled. In fairness this could be because TOA and Green Pond should be included. I learned this information over the weekend, and had no chance to determine exactly why the meeting was canceled. Glagola has been told to make his concerns known during the public speaking portion of the meeting.

Public's Right to Be Heard. - Everyone, even nonresidents, have a right to be heard on any plan that could, if done wrong, result in an eco-disaster. But at the first meeting this month, President Marty Zawarski warned the public about addressing matters outside of courtesy of the floor, and even hinted that time limits might be imposed. Commissioner Michael Hudak, whose disdain for non-residents was made clear during the debates about Housenick Park, actually stated, "Open debate, commenting on other commenters, is counterproductive."

Open debate is kinda' the whole point in any democratic form of government.