Commonwealth A l l e gh e n y C ou n ty C on s e rvation Distr ict
2 0 1 8 A n n u al R epo r t
W AT E R S H ED S
River
improve
Clean beauty
“If not the ACCD, who?” Clean water and a sustainable future are goals that we can all agree on. Instead of wondering who will take on that responsibility, we engage and educate the public, leading the way through partnerships, innovation, and implementation to conserve, promote, and improve Allegheny County’s
Nourish
engaged public
play
Restoration
conserve
Agriculture
natural resources.
The interconnections of the ecosystem are wide ranging.
S T O R MWATER
bountiful healthy
Infrastructure Farmland
Assistance
City
Outreach
y
promote protect
Permitting
Green
natural resources
Coordination
Education
Whole Farm Approach
SO I LS
protectors
Commonwealth
We must protect this commonwealth for the betterment of all.
Grant funding DGLV roads Preservation
AGRICULTURE
Urban
2 0 1 8 A n n u a l R epo r t
Letter from Our Chairman Commonwealth is a word that we see used quite often but perhaps don’t consider
A critical consideration in strategic planning will be future financial resources
what it means. For example, Pennsylvania is a commonwealth. The word originally
available to the District. Currently, we depend upon a combination of funding
meant a community founded for the common good, which is the inspiration
sources with the bulk of our annual income derived from fees. Consequently,
behind the piece you’re reading right now. So much of the work the Allegheny County
we must take a careful look and anticipate changes in the nature, location,
Conservation District (ACCD) does goes beyond our board and staff to influence
and scope of land development and projects as the available land and
the people, communities, and businesses around us.
project locations change over time in Allegheny County. We will need
This year, ACCD’s commonwealth begins a new era under the leadership of new Executive Director Heather Manzo. Heather emerged as the leading candidate in a competitive search process and accepted the District’s offer to head ACCD. Heather will continue our growth as a leading district in Pennsylvania. We are confident that we have the staff resources and organization to support Heather and help her succeed in the District’s mission of environmental stewardship. In 2018, it was also time to address future needs and move forward with a new strategic plan, a new operating plan dashboard, and a focus on renewed
to continue to work with our municipal, private, and government sector partners as well as the State Conservation Commission. The Allegheny County Conservation District—your conservation district— will be working in 2019 to provide the support and service needed to meet the challenges of what we consider our commonwealth—Allegheny County. The work of the ACCD lies at the point where water meets land use. It is at the core of our strategic plan. It is what we do. The Board and staff of ACCD are pleased to provide this annual report on our activities in 2018 for your information.
outreach and engagement with our stakeholders. These activities will again call upon the District to revisit what is the right size to do so successfully. As a result of work done in 2018, we have initiated the process using the tools, metrics, and resources we developed as an organization. We anticipate our new strategic plan will provide a roadmap to successfully take on new
Don Newman, P.E., Chairman, ACCD Board of Directors
initiatives while continuing to service the county in our delegated activities.
“The work of the ACCD lies at the point where water meets land use. It is at the core of our strategic plan. It is what we do.” 2
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
Letter from Our Executive Director There are endless metaphors about soil. We talk about fact finding as
Just as soil is a medium for plants to take root and grow, ACCD will continue
“digging around.” When urging patience, we advise each other to allow time
to be a collaborative partner with change-makers and thought leaders in the
for things to “take root.” Those with a love of the outdoors wait for that
county and beyond. As our communities look for opportunities for renewal,
spring smell that signals the end of winter and the beginning of the growing
ACCD will be there as a leader and partner in understanding how to
season. That olfactory treat is actually fungal hyphae coming back to life,
appropriately manage these natural resources as a regional asset with
beginning the essential work of breaking down last year’s leaves into nutrient-
ecological and economic value. Vibrant, resilient, and healthy communities
rich humus, nature’s best fertilizer that fuels the growth that comes each
are the greatest gift we, as a community, can work toward, for ourselves and
spring. Gardeners, who take the time to nurture seedlings into beautiful
future generations. I look forward to doing that good work with all of you.
flowers or delicious tomatoes, can’t fathom living without the satisfaction that comes with plunging one’s hands into the warm earth each season.
In partnership,
Those few inches of rich, dark soil are literally and figuratively responsible for supporting life on earth. Protecting that soil is the essential mission of Conservation Districts, and in Allegheny County, the focus centers on the nexus of soil, water, and land use. Working collaboratively with all of
Heather E. Manzo, Executive Director, Allegheny County Conservation District
ACCD’s stakeholders to manage these natural resources for today’s needs while planning for the future takes vision and trust. These are the themes with which my predecessor, Jan Lauer, led ACCD. I am honored to have been chosen to carry on the course she, the Board of Directors, and the staff charted for the District as I begin the work of executive director.
COMMONWEALTH
3
Fellowship Program Every year, we provide talented young professionals with an opportunity to learn from our staff. Each fellowship offers hands-on field experiences, networking opportunities, and exposure to our region’s valuable natural resources. “Working as a Fellow with the
coincidentally already funded
District’s Watershed Program
for a 500-tree riparian buffer
exposed me to urban systems
planting! Working on that
that I had no previous experi-
North Fayette planting after
ence with. Partnering with
seeing that connection was
organizations around the
probably the highlight of my
county to conduct a complete
time as a fellow. I’m looking
watershed assessment of
forward to continuing my
Montour Run and its tributaries
work with the District full time
allowed me to enhance my
as an Agricultural and Dirt and
project management, organiza-
Gravel Technician!”
Envirothon
tion, and networking skills to
– Emily Wise, Watershed
Envirothon challenges students to think critically about the
produce a complete
Sustainability Fellow
Envirothon 2018
75
students
natural world and their roles within it. This countywide event
and ready-to-use
combines in-class curriculum and outdoor training focused on
product. I especial-
aquatic ecology, forestry, soil and land use, wildlife, and current
ly enjoyed the
environmental issues. The winning team has the opportunity
fieldwork that I was involved in, even when it was 95 degrees and buggy with a few water snake encounters along the way! This particular project also allowed me to refine my GIS skills. After several hours spent identifying potential project sites, I discovered that one site was
About Emily Wise: Emily Wise, previously our Watershed Sustainability Fellow, will take on two programs— Nutrient and Manure Manage-
7
schools
Envirothon 2018 1st Place: Fox Chapel Foxes 2nd: Fox Chapel Capybara 3rd: Fox Chapel Pangolin Partners:
to compete at the state level with Pennsylvania’s best and brightest.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
We were thrilled to launch Junior Envirothon in 2018. This
Pennsylvania Game Commission
initiative is meant to engage younger learners and serve as a pipeline to Envirothon at the high school level.
Pittsburgh International Airport
ment as well as Dirt, Gravel,
Golden Triangle Construction
and Low Volume Road—
Township of Upper St. Clair
as our Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservationist.
Patagonia Whole Foods EQT Corporation Junior Envirothon 85 students 10 Schools
4
15
teams
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
P en n s y l v a n i a ALLE GH E N Y CO U N T Y
CLIP Grant 2018
Projects Funded
Conservation, Leadership, and Innovation Program
Aquatic Habitat
management, educational
park, native fruit tree orchard,
The goal of CLIP is to promote, support, and fund projects that align
Restoration and
signage, and three workshops.
and site for environmental
with our mission and vision. Most projects funded through the program
Environmental Education
should aim to reduce the impacts of non-point source pollution, improve
at Beechwood Farms
Duncan Park Native
project expanded to include a
the health of our water resources, and/or restore habitat. Since 2013,
Applicant: Audubon Society
Woodland Restoration and
native woodland garden, inter-
we’ve awarded $600K to local nonprofits and municipalities.
of Western Pennsylvania
Education Program
pretive signage for the existing
Grant Request: $9,500
Applicant: Lawrenceville United
wildflower meadow and polli-
Grant Request: $2,000
nator gardens, and a series of
STATS
Project Description: Audubon
Total Grant Budget for Fiscal Year 2018: Awarded: $100,000 Total Matching Funds Based on Grants Awarded: $245,254 Total LOIs Received: 31 Number of LOIs Approved for Grant Application: 21
$100,000
Number of LOIs Not Approved for Grant Application: 10 Number of LOIs/Applications Withdrawn: 0
education. In addition, this
Society of Western Pennsyl-
Project Description:
vania (ASWP) restored the
Lawrenceville United led a
aquatic habitat, focusing on a
multiyear project to revitalize
half-acre pond that will be used
Duncan Park, an underuti-
for extensive environmental
lized, decommissioned City of
education programs at the
Pittsburgh Park. As part of an
Beechwood Farms Nature Re-
award-winning vision planning
four educational workshops. Phase 2: Ecological Restoration with Goats in South Side Park Applicant: Hilltop Alliance Grant Request: $10,000
serve in Fox Chapel. Project ac-
process for Upper Lawrencev-
Project Description: Friends
Total Number of
tivities included riparian buffer
ille, neighbors and residents
of South Side Park (FOSSP)
Grant Applications
restoration, aquatic vegetation
identified an opportunity to
received support for Phase 2
Received/Funded: 20/14
restoration, invasive species
develop this as a community
of the ecological restoration
COMMONWEALTH
5
P R O J EC TS F U N D ED
BALA of Jurassic Valley in South Side
Phipps Homegrown
of access to full-service grocery
they engaged the commu-
Creek Connections
Park. FOSSP rehired the
Garden Program
stores have resulted in low
nity in stewardship of their
Applicant: Allegheny College
Allegheny Goatscape herd for
Applicant: Phipps Conservatory
vegetable intake and a high
watershed through volunteer
Grant Request: $7,500
continued invasive species re-
and Botanical Garden
incidence of diet-related disease.
events, provided a Tree Tender
moval below the Sterling Street
Grant Request: $7,250
Trail, followed by plant removal through FOSSP-led volunteer work days with partners. In addition, FOSSP hosted the
2nd Annual GoatFest in South Side Park, welcoming the public to celebrate South
Side Park, the new Master Plan, the Jurassic Valley
project, and the goat herd.
Phase 2 also included a fall
restoration tree planting with Plant 5 for Life.
Project Description: Phipps
Conservatory’s Homegrown
Program installed raised-bed, backyard vegetable gardens
Saw Mill Run Riparian
local schools and scout groups
Restoration
to perform bio-blitzes and
Applicant: Tree Pittsburgh
conducted a watershed day
Grant Request: $7,500
to monitor streams. The team
for families and provided
Project Description:
communitywide gardening,
Tree Pittsburgh, Economic
cooking, and nutrition
Development South (EDS), and
education. Plus, educational
the Saw Mill Run Watershed
events were held to build
Association (SMRWA) improved
garden expertise and bolster
the condition of the Saw Mill
vegetable consumption and
Run Watershed through the
urban agricultural activity. This
establishment of forest buffers
is essential in areas where
in low canopy areas of the
tight food budgets and a lack
stream corridor. In addition,
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION WITH GOATS IN SOUTH SIDE PARK
6
workshop, and worked with
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
utilized ACCD’s GIS-based
watershed planning tool and on-the-ground analysis to
identify opportunities to install both conventional and multifunctional buffers,
optimizing the eco-services that trees provide.
COAL PIT RUN
Project Description: Creek
Connections provided handson science education to 15 Allegheny County schools
utilizing local waterways as outdoor laboratories. The
goal? Transforming today’s students into tomorrow’s
environmentally informed and involved citizens.
ANCE Library Parking and
Larimer Orchard
within Larimer and the reuse
toward implementing more
Stormwater
Stormwater Management
Applicant: Larimer
and stewardship of rainwater
ecologically sound mainte-
Retention Project
Applicant: Carnegie Library
Consensus Group
as a community resource to
nance practices at county
Applicant:
of McKeesport
Grant Request: $10,000
help eliminate CSOs, all while
golf courses, at county dog
Pleasant Hills Arboretum
mitigating flash flooding and
parks, at county ball fields, and
Grant Request: $10,000
remediating lead-impacted
on general green spaces within
urban soils.
the County Parks
Grant Request: $10,000
Project Description: As part
Project Description: Carnegie
of its Resilient Communities
Library of McKeesport
program and urban agriculture
continued its project with
initiative, the Larimer Consen-
Phase 2 by constructing a rain
sus Group planted an urban
garden as part of its new park-
orchard on its property. This
ing lot. In addition, the library
orchard will be a stewardship
incorporated educational
project to recruit young partic-
programming on green
ipants striving to take jobs and
infrastructure.
build careers around ecological services. The orchard addresses several priorities within the
PLEASANT HILLS ARBORETUM
system. The OďŹƒce of
Continued Application of
Sustainability’s outreach
Active Aerated Compost
program also expanded to
Teas (ACT) at South Park
include educational signage at
Golf Course, Dog Parks,
the dog parks and ball fields.
and Ball Fields
Project Description: The Stormwater Retention Project for the Pleasant Hills Arboretum was
created to help control excess stormwater flow, which was
flooding the Pavilion area and eroding soil from the sloping meadow. To mitigate this
Applicant: Allegheny County
problem, a retention pond/rain
Dept. of Facilities
garden and other improve-
Grant Request: $5,000
ments were made to reduce
Larimer Vision Plan, including
Project Description: The
pollution in the Peters Creek
the encouragement of local
Allegheny County Dept. of
Watershed.
and healthy food distribution
Facilities continued its efforts
SANKOFA VILLAGE COMMUNITY GARDEN
COMMONWEALTH
7
P R O J EC TS F U N D ED
Village Green Park
Richland Township
matting and then planted with
Community Garden
Applicant: Municipality of
Streambank Stabilization &
native revegetation.
Applicant: Sankofa Village
Bethel Park
Restoration Project
Grant Request: $5,050
Grant Request: $10,000
Applicant: Richland Township
Project Name: Educational
Grant Request: $5,500
Kiosk at Turtle Creek
Sankofa Village
Project Description: SVCG
Project Description:
expanded its capacity and edu-
The Municipality of Bethel Park
Project Description: Richland
cational programming through
renovated an existing multiuse
Township completed a stream-
increased square footage of
baseball field from a natural
bank stabilization and resto-
raised beds, an expanded
grass surface to an artificial
ration project off of Community
Project Description: TCWA
pollinator garden, and the
synthetic turf surface at Village
Center Drive, a commercial
constructed and installed a
addition of a broader curriculum
Green Park. These facilities
area that traverses Richland’s
kiosk that is now a source of
that emphasized the importance
not only serve as a stormwater
West Branch of the Deer Creek
outreach and environmental
of urban agriculture, water
facility, but also provide
waterway. Approximately 60
education for community
conservation, and soil health.
educational information to
cubic yards of sediment buildup
members that use the
These concepts were reinforced
residents and patrons of
were removed, and 90 feet
Westmoreland Heritage Trail.
with educational excursions,
the facility.
of exposed creek banks were
including a weekend overnight
stabilized with regular and high-
trip to Chatham University’s
performance turf reinforcement
Applicant: Turtle Creek Watershed Association Grant Request: $700
Eden Hall Campus.
MACROINVERTEBRATE SAMPLING
8
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2019
VILLAGE GREEN PARK
P R O J EC TS F U N D ED
CLIP Grant Overview 2018 EDUCATION 6
Creek Connections (Allegheny College)
14
Educational Kiosk at Turtle Creek
30%
(Turtle Creek Watershed Association)
8.2% 29.3%
WATERSHED RESTORATION 1
32.5%
Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Environmental Education at Beechwood Farms (Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania)
3
Phase 2: Ecological Restoration with Goats in South Side Park (Hilltop Alliance)
5 13
Saw Mill Run Riparian Restoration (Tree Pittsburgh)
Watershed Restoration:
Education:
$32,500, 32.5%
$8,200, 8.2%
Urban Agriculture:
Green Infrastructure:
$29,300, 29.3%
$30,000, 30%
Richland Township Streambank Stabilization &
Total funding: $100,000
Restoration Project (Richland Township) GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 7
Project Type
CLIP Amount
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Watershed Restoration
$9,500
$4,704
Lawrenceville United
Urban Agriculture
$2,000
$3,400
Hilltop Alliance
Watershed Restoration
$10,000
$24,000
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Garden
Urban Agriculture
$7,250
$42,700
Tree Pittsburgh
Watershed Restoration
$7,500
$50,000
Phipps Homegrown Garden Program (Phipps
Allegheny College
Education
$7,500
$2,000
Conservatory and Botanical Garden)
Carnegie Library of McKeesport
Green Infrastructure
$10,000
$69,000
Larimer Consensus Group
Urban Agriculture
$10,000
$6,450
(ACT) at South Park Golf Course, Dog Parks, and Ball
Allegheny County Dept. of Facilities
Urban Agriculture
$5,000
$2,475
Fields (Allegheny County Dept. of Facilities)
Pleasant Hills Arboretum
Green Infrastructure
$10,000
$6,575
Sankofa Village
Urban Agriculture
$5,050
$2,000
Municipality of Bethel Park
Green Infrastructure
$10,000
$27,500
Richland Township
Watershed Restoration
$5,500
$1,600
Turtle Creek Watershed Association
Education
$700
$2,850
Library Parking and Stormwater Management (Carnegie Library of McKeesport)
10
Stormwater Retention Project (Pleasant Hills Arboretum)
12
Village Green Park (Municipality of Bethel Park)
URBAN AGRICULTURE 2
Duncan Park Native Woodland Restoration and Education Program (Lawrenceville United)
4
8
Larimer Orchard (Larimer Consensus Group)
9
Continued Application of Active Aerated Compost Teas
11
Matching Funds by
Awarded Organization
Sankofa Village Community Garden (Sankofa Village)
Awarded Organization
COMMONWEALTH
9
Brentwood
P R O G RA MS
Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Roads Program About DGLVR • The DGLVR grant program is focused on improving drainage from dirt, gravel, and low-volume roads. This ultimately reduces
Sewickley Hills
• Etna – Houston Street ($8,115) West Little Pine Creek Watershed • Kilbuck – Tom’s Run Road ($39,680) Tom’s Run Watershed • Sewickley Hills – Hunt Road ($40,000) Little Sewickley Creek Watershed • South Fayette – Coal Pit Run Road ($180,000)
Watershed Project
Allegheny Watershed Alliance About AWA Watershed groups are essential to improving and protecting water resources and educating others to work toward the same goal. Recognizing the importance of watershed groups, as well as the need to help strengthen their work and provide pathways for more groups to form, ACCD established the AWA to serve as the devoted nonprofit partner of
both non-point source pollution flowing into
Coal Run Watershed: Funding was used to
our waterways and future maintenance
repair a landslide utilizing a Geosynthetic
requirements for the roads.
Reinforced Soil (GRS) Wall to stabilize the
Pathways: Provide 501(c)(3) status for newly formed groups to enable an
watershed groups in our county.
bank. This involves layering compacted fill
easier formation without filing with the IRS.
in grants to eligible municipalities in Allegheny
with geosynthetic materials. The project was
County to implement Environmentally Sensi-
Guidance: From established groups to new groups, AWA has experience
completed in August 2018.
with grants, projects, social media, and working with volunteers.
• To date, ACCD has awarded over $1.8 million
tive Maintenance Practices on local roads.
• Springdale – Thompson Run Road ($140,000) Tawney Run Watershed
2018 Awarded Projects • Bradford Woods – Willow Road ($15,000) Pine Creek Watershed • Brentwood – Jacoby Road ($145,000) Streets Run Watershed: This project involved the replacement of an undersized culvert with a 19-foot aluminum squash pipe to mitigate
Network: By working and learning together, watershed groups will increase their collective impact across the county.
Metrics
Partnerships: Watershed groups have access to the relationships AWA has
• Over $600,000 awarded in grants
established through ACCD’s network, including municipalities and non-
• Eight projects awarded an dcompleted (most
profits. The AWA always operates through the lens of bringing together
ever awarded in one year) • Five new municipalities awarded grant money
frequent flooding and ensure aquatic organism passage. The project was completed in November 2018. • Coraopolis – Brook Street ($67,000) McCabe Run Watershed
as many partners as possible within a watershed. To make meaningful strides in improving our water resources, all stakeholders must be a part of the process. 2018 Achievements Guided the formation of two new watershed groups: Girty’s Run Watershed Association and Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed Association Metrics • Two new watershed groups • Planted over two acres (500 trees/shrubs) of riparian buffers in Montour Run Watershed and Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed
10
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
• Convened three intermunicipal outreach initiatives
Corrado Farm
Corrado Farm
Farmland Preservation
Agriculture Program
About Farmland Preservation
About Agriculture Program
• ACCD administers the Allegheny County Farmland
• 2018 was another great year of outreach and
Preservation Program, which is part of our state’s
technical assistance with Allegheny County’s
nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program.
traditional Agriculture Program.
• To date (2018), this program has preserved 36 farms and 3,630 acres in Allegheny County alone. • The preserved acreage in the program is greater than North and South Parks combined.
• At our events, attendees learned about manure
#24
5
outreach
and agriculture erosion and sediment control
on farm
events
regulations, how to write a manure management
technical
plan, management practices to improve soil health on their farms, and other best management prac-
landowners in the county with the creation
tices for addressing pastures, weeds, and on-farm
provide Right to Farm protection for agricultural
Metrics — Agriculture
ranking
• The program also assists municipalities and of Agricultural Security Areas (ASAs), which
Fawn Township Meeting
115 farmers
attended workshops
assistance
stormwater. • In addition to formalized efforts, ACCD met with
land and enhanced protection from eminent
farmers individually to assist with manure and
domain seizures.
nutrient management, pasture management, weed management, soil testing, and other individ-
2018 Achievements
ual management needs.
• Preserved one new farm in 2018, the Corrado Farm (63 acres) in West Deer Township. • Received state approval to reserve at least two additional farms in Forward Township in 2019. • Worked with landowners and Fawn Township to
2018 Achievements • Offered four Manure Management Planning Workshops • Collaborated with the Natural Resources Con-
create a new Agricultural Security Area, containing
servation Service for the second annual Western
over 500 acres, in that municipality.
Pennsylvania Regional Soil Health Workshop • Partnered with Penn State Extension to present an Equine Environmental Stewardship Workshop
COMMONWEALTH
11
POLLINATOR GARDENS
P R O G RA MS
Urban Agriculture and Urban Soils About Urban Agriculture Program • ACCD’s urban agriculture and soils programming serves residents and farmers in Allegheny County by providing technical assistance, outreach, and educational opportunities centered on soil and water conservation. Urban environments, in general, are more prone to contamination, and urban soils are often restricted in how they absorb and infiltrate water, support plant growth, and maintain stability and resistance to erosion. • ACCD works with growers and residents to help them understand and address these issues affordably and effectively, as well as access resources at the private, state, and federal levels. • ACCD has emerged as a leader in soil health outreach and advocacy, providing free soil lead and arsenic screening events for community members, site mapping for greenspace, urban farm and garden projects and collaborating with local partners to establish the inaugural Three Rivers Urban Soil Symposium. 2018 Achievements • Awarded a Feed a Bee grant and partnered with Grow Pittsburgh and 10 community gardens to plant perennial habitats for challenged pollinator species.
• Partnered with fellow members of the Pittsburgh Urban Soil Working Group to establish the inaugural Three Rivers Urban Soils Symposium (TRUSS), October 4-5, at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Over 80 attendees heard distinguished speakers and researchers from across the county speak to urban soil issues, emerging research, and community-led solutions for remediation. • As a leader in urban soil research education and outreach, ACCD worked with community partners and held 12 free soil lead screenings for communities across the city and county. Additionally, ACCD works to identify community health risks and best practices for risk mitigation, as well as remediation to individuals it assists with testing. • ACCD’s Urban Soils and Ag Program and our former Executive Director Janet Lauer were awarded a Pennsylvania Environmental Council Western Pennsylvania Environmental Award for innovative environmental stewardship and conservation work in addressing urban soil health and contamination. Metrics • Planted approximately 1.5 acres of perennial habitat for 500 pollinators (and over 300 species of bees) in Pennsylvania. • Provided over 1,600 free soil lead tests and site assessments, saving those groups over $45,000.
12
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
Watershed About Watershed Program • The Watershed Solution Center is a vital part of ACCD’s mission to take on a more all-encompassing role in non-point source pollution including riparian buffers, streambank stabilization, stormwater management, abandoned mine drainage, and source water protection. • ACCD’s Watershed program provides technical assistance and support to partners across the region, and we’re always on the lookout for new opportunities for community engagement. For all things watershed, we are here to help. 2018 Achievements Projects: • Pine Creek: Wildwood Road Habitat Improvement Project • Design, permit, and build eight fish habitat structures across approximately 300 feet of Pine Creek • Little Sewickley Creek: Quaker Valley Creek Clean-Up • Dump site clean-up • 45 tires and eight trash bags collected Education Events: • Participated in 12 education events in partnership with local public and private schools, Fern Hollow Nature Center, and other partners.
WATER MONITORING
• Reached over 600 total students and community members at these events • Attended three tabling events • Reached over 2,300 attendees Grants Received: • Growing Greener: Boyce Park Stormwater Management Project: $45,000 • PACD (Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts) Multifunctional Buffer Grant: Copper Creek Multifunctional Buffer: $3,125 • PACD Multifunctional Buffer Grant: Multifunctional Buffer at Round Hill Park: $17,832 • National Fish & Wildlife Foundation: North Park
soak up rainwater. This year, ACCD was awarded two
See infographic below:
multifunctional buffer grants to install buffers in the
Planting Zones:
Deer Creek and Douglas Run Watersheds. What is a multifunctional buffer, you ask? Traditionally, it functions exactly as its name entails, providing a buffer with more than one function, such as filtering nutrients and providing wildlife habitat. More recently, a multifunctional riparian forest buffer has been defined as stream-side trees that provide opportunities for harvesting products, such as nuts, berries, woody florals, and forbs.
District’s Multifunctional Buffer Sub-Grant for Con-
Riparian Buffer Installation: $21,554.38
servation Districts provided both grants that ACCD
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and
received with funding from the Department of Con-
Dominion Mini Grant: Allegheny Watershed Alliance
servation and National Resources.
Interactive Display Tables: $2,000
The first of these grants was obtained in cooperation
• PACD NPS Mini Grant: Water Quality Monitoring Workshop: $2,000 • WQIP-Mariner 2: County Park Water Resource Enhancement Project: $40,000 Upcoming projects Buffers…With a Twist: The Watershed Program continues to implement successful riparian forest
Image courtesy USDA National Agroforestry Center, 2015
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation
with a local developer to set aside a stream-side area for fruit and nut trees that can be utilized by residents of a development. The second project partners with Allegheny County Parks to plant three areas with fruit and nut trees, woody floral species,
Metrics — Watershed Project Accomplishments:
8
fish habitat structures built along 300 feet of Pine Creek
45
$131,601.38
tires and
total grants received
trash bags collected
Education Events: reached
8
2,900 12 at
events
and maple trees that can be used for future park programming once the trees are mature.
buffers along our streams that filter pollutants and
COMMONWEALTH
13
FISH HABITAT
P R O G RA MS
Chapter 105 About Chapter 105
2018 Achievements
The Chapter 105 Program regulates construction in
• 2018 saw a marked increase in technical assistance, with
and around streams to protect local water quality and
105 permitted projects for Allegheny County residents.
through PADEP Greenport. ACCD sent consultants and
stream health.
Typically, this assistance included PNDI (threatened and
industry stakeholders updates and training materials
endangered species) online surveys through the Penn-
related to the change. ePermitting is intended to
Why Regulate Streams?
sylvania Natural Heritage Program website, basic design
modernize and streamline permitting processes for
• Streams are a public resource, including the provision
requirements, and permitting. Wading through PADEP
of drinking water and recreation. • Streams provide ecosystem services, including the
permitting requirements for construction in and around bodies of water can be overwhelming for typical citizens,
management of sediment and nutrients, and moderat-
and ACCD is a local resource to help educate and assist
ing the impacts of flooding. A healthy stream reduces
local residents with completing environmentally compli-
water treatment costs and damage to homes, build-
ant projects near waterbodies.
ings, bridges, and roads. • Streams contain a world of life; countless critters live in or depend on streams to survive. • Our streams, and the ways that we impact them,
program for consultants August 22 to 24 at ACCD and Frick Park. • ACCD presented at the annual Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township
we do upstream impacts conditions downstream,
in March 2019 on the purpose, scope, and authority of
including nearby neighbors all the way down to the
the Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterway
Gulf of Mexico.
Management regulations. Also, the District’s
• There are over 2,000 miles of streams in Allegheny
delegation agreement with PADEP was presented.
County. Streams are a part of our region’s beauty
• ACCD and AWA held a watershed celebration day in May 2018 in Oakdale for the Robinson Run watershed. Matt Gordon, Chapter 105 Program Lead, presented on the pros and cons of dredging activities.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
the regulated public. • ACCD also conducted a consultant feedback survey in 2018.
Metrics — Chapter 105
• ACCD and EcoSource PA hosted a wetland training
do not stop at the borders of Allegheny County. What
and history.
14
• In late 2018, Chapter 105 ePermitting rolled out
152
total permits approved
25
total inspections
$83,675
33.77 total disturbed acres
in revenue for permit and associated E&S fees.
CONSTRUCTION SITE
Chapter 102 About Chapter 102 • The E&S staff at ACCD works to prevent sediment pollution both in the office and out in the field. We review construction plans to ensure that installation sequences and proper Best Management Practices (BMPs) are in place to reduce the amount of sediment leaving the site. In the field, we inspect these BMPs to verify that they are installed per plan and properly maintained. We may also request that BMPs be added or modified to better protect the surrounding waterbodies. By reducing the
Metrics — Chapter 102
203 469 permits in 2018
total inspections
1,250 total disturbed acres
amount of sediment in our streams, rivers, and lakes, we protect the health of our ecosystem and the health of our community. 2018 Achievements • Annual two-day Erosion Control Workshop held at Moon Township Municipal building in February. • Focused on implementations, maintenance of E&S (Erosion and Sediment) controls, field inspections, and permit conditions. • Approximately 100 participants attended with five E&S supplier vendors. • Created a field guide of common E&S controls for environmental inspectors to use in the field and have opened those guides up for sale to the public. • Trumbull Corp. Training • Held a one-day workshop for Trumbull Corp. Approximately 30 participants learned about the implementation/maintenance of E&S controls, field inspections, and permit conditions.
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15
F INAN C IA L S
2018 FINANCIALS
INCOME
EXPENSES
NET INCOME:
Permit Review Fees:
$602,900
Staff:
$899,029
Expedited Permit Review Fees:
$256,700
Restricted Grants and
Issued Permit Fees:
$166,565
Reimbursements:
$644,143
Professional Services:
$81,108
Facilities, Equipment, and Supplies: $110,511 PA Contracts:
$225,874
District Issued Grants:
$101,080
Grants:
$638,041
Depreciation and Other:
$51,613
Events:
$9,980
Education, Events, and Travel:
$47,793
Investments:
$15,992
Other:
$18,862
Total Income:
16
$1,934,914
ALLEGHENY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report 2018
Total Expenses:
$1,935,277
Net Income:
($363)
PERSONNEL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ASSOCIATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DISTRICT STAFF
Donald Newman, P.E.:
Darla Cravotta,
Jessie Albright,
Michele Meanor,
Chairman
Allegheny County
Director of Finance
Resource Conservationist
Eric French: Vice Chairman,
Maureen Hogan,
Sara Bach, Customer Service
Amy Miller, Watershed Specialist,
Eisler Landscapes
Penn State Center
Supervisor
Watershed Program Lead
John Thatcher, P.E. (retired):
Richard Kauffman,
Toni Bell, Customer Service
Melinda Muehlbronner, Chapter
Treasurer and Public Director,
CDM Smith
Administrator
102 Program Lead
James Rumbaugh,
Jonathan Burgess, Policy and
Emily Wise, Agriculture and
The Meritage Group
Program Director
Natural Resource Conservationist
Timothy Schumann,
Brian Gilliland, Senior Resource
Shannon Yasko, Customer
Peters Creek Watershed
Conservationist
Service Administrator
Association
Matt Gordon, Chapter 105
Rebecca Zeyzus, Municipal
Jason Singer,
Program Lead
Stormwater Program Lead
JASE Contracting
Emma Grubbs, Communications
Bruce Snyder,
Coordinator
Firecherry Consulting
Josh Kaufman,
Benjamin Walker,
Resource Conservationist
Homewood Children’s Village
Anne Lehman, Senior Resource
Southwest Regional Director, PACD, Licensed Real Estate Agent and Developer Ruthann L. Omer, P.E.: Secretary, The Gateway Engineers, Inc. Gregg Broujos, Colliers International Pat Catena, Allegheny County Councilman, District 4 Deborah A. Lange, PhD, College of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
Conservationist
John Scott,
Sean Lukacs, GIS and Technology
McCandless-Scott Farm
Coordinator Heather Manzo, Executive Director Kelly McLaughlin, Chapter 102 Compliance Manager
COMMONWEALTH
17
CONTACT US The Highline 33 Terminal Way, Suite 325B Pittsburgh, PA 15219 TEL: 412.241.7645 FAX: 412.242.6165 www.accdpa.org conservation@accdpa.org