NEWS

Wildlands Conservancy and Partners Restore and Enhance Bushkill Creek in Northampton County

Wildlands, in partnership with Forks of the Delaware Trout Unlimited (TU) and Bushkill Stream Conservancy (BSC), is advancing a large-scale stream restoration and habitat enhancement project along more than one mile of the Bushkill Creek as it flows through Tatamy Borough and into Palmer Township in Northampton County. This effort, more than eight years in the making, commenced construction in June.

The Bushkill Creek begins at the foot of Blue Mountain in Bushkill Township and flows approximately 16 miles south to its confluence with the Delaware River, surrounded primarily by agricultural and suburban areas before entering the City of Easton. It is a high quality coldwater fishery that supports large populations of wild brown trout. However, stressors from land-use practices, urban development, and stormwater have severely degraded this section over the past 15 years, limiting its recreation value for the community, as well as suitability for native fish and wildlife habitat.

 “The Bushkill has benefitted from the attention of local watershed groups and concerned citizens, like the Bushkill Stream Conservancy and Trout Unlimited, and Wildlands is grateful to be part of convening passionate partners and landowners.” says Kristie Fach, Wildlands Conservancy’s director of ecological restoration. “Our focus on the whole health local watersheds, along with the partners’ expertise, is enhancing this critical high-quality waterway to support its designation. Together, we are improving the lives of the people who live in connection with the Bushkill, boosting opportunities to fish, hike, bike, and more.”

The 1+-mile project area stretches from the bridge on Uhler Road in Tatamy Borough to the Newlins Mill Road Bridge in Palmer Township, spanning several parks, a bike trail, and other publicly accessible areas, which is exactly why Joe Baylog, president of Forks of the Delaware Trout Unlimited, wants to see this section enhanced and restored.

“Our hope is that people will begin to rediscover the Bushkill and get to know firsthand what a fabulous resource we have in our communities.” says Baylog. “A resource like the Bushkill requires some attention from time to time and can’t just be taken for granted or it will continue to diminish. We want people to spend time here, wet their toes in the cool water, skip a couple stones, observe the creekside wildlife, or maybe catch, and release, a wild brown trout.  The more people feel connected to the Bushkill, the more it will be valued. A healthier stream environment is better for everyone; it’s a win-win.”

Studies on the presence of macroinvertebrates, flying and crawling creatures like mayflies, stoneflies, and worms that are part of a healthy stream, are on record for the Bushkill for more than 40 years, and they show a decline in populations in the project area in more recent years. This decline spells trouble for resident fish populations and corresponding recreational opportunities.

BSC president, Kathy Altmann, whose organization originated the project more than eight years ago, echoes Baylog, “We want everyone to feel more of an investment in the stream.” She also notes that while the partners cannot pinpoint the exact cause for the decline of the macroinvertebrate communities, the restoration and enhancements will certainly help to reverse the downhill direction of the stream’s health.

To address the stream’s widening, channelization and shallowness, along with the negative impacts of impacts of erosion and siltation that are impacting habitat and recreation, Wildlands and partners are regrading and stabilizing the streambank, planting and expanding riparian buffers, strips of native trees and shrubs that root the soil and filter runoff before it enters the waterway, and installing in-stream structures to restore fish habitat.

Recognizing Project Partners

Wildlands acknowledges the support of its giving community and funding from Northampton County, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Lehigh Valley Greenways, the Coldwater Heritage Partnership, Niagara Bottling, and local funding support from donations secured by Bushkill Stream Conservancy and Forks of the Delaware Trout Unlimited.

(images courtesy Bushkill Stream Conservancy)

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