|
|
|
|
        
|
|
|
|
|
The New Hanover Township Environmental Advisory Board invites residents who are concerned about the environment in which we live to join us. The Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) was established in 1999 to assist your elected Board of Supervisors on matters concerning environmental planning, legislation and public education.
The mission of the EAB is to identify various environmental concerns impacting New Hanover Township, which include, but are not limited to water, air, land, noise and light pollution. Based on community needs and input, the EAB evaluates waste disposal and recycling programs, promotes the preservation of natural resources and educates the community regarding environmental matters. We also review all development plans and provide input to the Board of Supervisors regarding potential negative environmental impacts. By way of public education, the EAB publishes a semiannual newsletter which is mailed with the Harbinger. Additionally, the EAB participates in the annual Fall Frolic at the Community Park.
The EAB meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 P.M. in the township building located at 2943 North Charlotte St. (Rt. 663). We invite you to join us at our monthly public meetings and help us keep New Hanover Township a great place to live.
Ronald P. Dahlen - Chairman
Richard E. Mulstay - V. Chairman
Chris Townsend
Tim Brennan
Peter Lukens
Robert Wood
EAB initiatives and activities for the 2005 calendar year:
1. By way of community education the Environmental Advisory Board was involved in the following:
- published
two issues of the Environmental Newsletter
- conducted educational programs about stormwater management at
the YMCA Camp in July
- participated in the Fall Frolic with a demonstration about
keeping our waterways
clean and hosted representatives from the Montgomery County
Lands Trust, Perkiomen Watershed
Conservancy and the State Forest Service.
- sponsored a photography contest to promote the natural
resources and beauty of the Township
(photos are displayed at the municipal building and
online)
2. The EAB submitted comments and recommendations to the Board of Supervisors
regarding rezoning proposals.
3. The EAB has taken on the responsibility for planning and implementing the development of the Deep Creek Nature Center.
4. Members of the EAB also served on the following: Open Space Committee, Stormwater Management Subcommittee, Layfield Park Planning Committee and the township’s Planning Commission.
5. During the year members of the EAB attended the following environmental meetings and workshops: EAC Network Annual Meeting and deer management seminar.
6. Efforts are still underway to insure protection for the great blue heron rookery.
EAB initiatives and activities for the 2004 calendar year:
published two issues of the Environmental Newsletter
sponsored a community presentation by the district forester
at the municipal building in April regarding the forests in our community.
completed installation of new EAB web pages on the township
website.
participated in the Fall Frolic by sponsoring representatives of the PA Forest Service, PA Game Commission, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, and the Montgomery County Lands Trust.
3. At the request of the
Board of Supervisors the EAB provided input regarding changes in the
township’s solid waste and recycling collection program.
4. The EAB embarked upon
a program to promote recycling. Residents
and students have been encouraged to submit promotional videos; It is
expected that the best submissions will be broadcast on the Pottstown
cable channel.
5. The EAB applied for
and was awarded a grant to erect stream identification signs for the
following creeks at the point that they cross Rt. 663:
Deep Creek, Swamp Creek and Minister Creek.
6. Efforts continue to
insure the protection in perpetuity of the Swamp Creek
great blue
heron rookery.
7. The EAB has continued
to monitor developments regarding water issues and the
proposed quarry.
8. During the year EAB
members attended environmental meetings and workshops on the topics of
Commonwealth recycling grants, watershed preservation and stormwater
management.
EAB initiatives and activities for the 2003 calendar year:
1.
The EAB hosted a water workshop at the municipal building in April.
Additionally, members participated in the following workshops and
meetings: DCNR workshop on
environmental grant funding, DEP recycling performance grant meeting,
meeting on Lower Perkiomen Watershed conservation plan, Delaware
Riverkeeper Network stream school.
2.
The EAB published two environmental newsletters and again manned an
informational display table at the annual Fall Frolic.
3.
The EAB sponsored a recycling incentive program essay contest.
Cash prizes were awarded to five township residents.
4.
The EAB continued to monitor federal, state and local initiatives
concerned with protection of our water resources (groundwater and riparian
environment protection).
5.
The EAB recommended to the Board of Supervisors an ordinance change
to minimize the impact of communication tower proliferation.
6.
A report was prepared for the Supervisors regarding the possible
establishment of a composting facility.
7.
The EAB continued its efforts to insure protection in perpetuity
for the great blue heron rookery and participated in the production of a
digital web feature on the birds.
8.
The EAB began work on updated web pages for the Township’s
website.
EAB initiatives
and activities for
the
2002
calendar year:
1.
By way of public education, the EAB improved and expanded the
contents of the Environmental News, New Hanover Township’s biannual
newsletter. The EAB also
participated in the Fall Frolic at the Community Park with a table display
of environmental information and sponsored a composting demonstration by
the Penn State Extension Service.
2.
The EAB prepared and submitted a report to the Board of Supervisors
reviewing the potential environmental impacts the proposed quarry would
have on the Township.
3.
A preliminary report on groundwater resources was prepared for the
Board of Supervisors.
4.
The EAB began looking into the feasibility of establishing a
community composting facility in the township as well as ways to increase
community participation in recycling.
5.
The EAB engaged in continuing efforts to secure protection for the
great blue herons that reside here.
6. EAB members participated in the following workshops and meetings: Water Issues workshop, Stream Bank Restoration Workshop, meeting on the Montgomery County Integrated Resources Plan pilot study involving the Swamp-Scioto Creeks watershed, meeting regarding the Lower Perkiomen Watershed Water Conservation Plan.
