Development proposed on Monocacy Creek

 

Developers Sketch drawing of proposed development.  Route 22 is the northern boundary (top of page, below the blue box), Township Line road is the Western Boundary (left side of green area), and the Monocacy Creek is to the South (bottom of green area). From WFMZ.com.

A Lakewood New Jersey company will be petitioning Bethlehem City Council and Bethlehem
Township Council to build a 67-house development with 19 homes on the Bethlehem side ( County-
Line / Altonah only entrance) and 48 homes on the hill behind the large spring and farmhouse. The
development will be across the railroad tracks from Monocacy Creek and the Archibald Johnson
Conservation area. This development will be built on the high ground over 3 of the largest springs on the Monocacy Creek.

THE ISSUES:

Traffic:

This development has only one entrance - from the 2- lane County-Line / Altonah road, just south of a very tight restriction bridge under HWY 22, and across the Monocacy Creek bridge from two very narrow width and tightly restricted Altonah road hill, and Santee Mill road along Monocacy creek. Neither of these roads can handle the additional traffic and support truck requirements such as fire trucks, garbage trucks, moving trucks, as well as the private cars for 67 single family dwellings.

Environmental Impacts:

The slope o f the property and location over 3 major springs feeding the Monocacy is a threat to water quality and the ecosystem in the following ways: Increased run-off from an increase in pavement roof tops etc, can increase silt levels in the creek, and create warming, which has proven to decrease oxygen levels necessary to support fish and aquatic insects. The PA Fish Commission recognizes the Monocacy as one of the few streams in a suburban area with a rising population o f wild brown trout, which requires very clean and cold water. Run-off from pesticides and fertilizers used on yards of 67 houses, and high temperatures and reduced water retention of paved roads will have an immediate negative impact.  Any increase in stormwater runoff will have a compounding effect on flooding in downstream areas that have already experienced a rise in high water events.  While more water will be entering the stream, the amount of water being absorbed into the ground will be deceasing, which often leads to sinkholes occurring in areas they had not before.  Spaces under the ground that were once filled with water will now be empty, which leads to a collapse of the surface layers, impacting roads, sewer lines and other critical infrastructure.  Lastly, the development would be located just upstream of the ‘Class A Wild Trout Stream’  section of the stream.  This section holds a large number of wild, naturally reproducing Brown Trout, which should be protected from any actual or potential decrease in water quality.

Action Items:

1. Show up at the Bethlehem City Planning Commission meetings (And Township)

The Bethlehem Township Planning Commission:

• When: Fourth Monday of each month

• Time: 7:00 PM

• Where: Main Meeting Room.

Bethlehem Township Municipal Building

(Bethlehem Township, Northampton County.

PA)

City of Bethlehem Planning Commission: 

Regular Meeting Schedule

• When: Typically once per month, usually on

a Thursday

• Time: 5:00 PM

• Where: Bethlehem Town Hall,

10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, P A 18018

Meeting dates can shift due to holidays or

cancellations, so the City recommends using the

official Planning & Zoning calendar.

https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/calendar-

planning-zoning bethlehem-pa

2. Write a letter - AND - Call the Mayor of Bethlehem: J William Reynolds > 10 East Church Street,
Bethlehem, PA 18018. Phone 610 865 7130. https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Meet-Your-
Government/The-Mayor/Biography

3. Write and call Bethlehem Township planning commission. Contact the Board of Commissioners
and the 5-member Planning Commission.
Subdivision and Land Development Plan Review - Planning - Bethlehem Township Community
Development 4225 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18020 > > 610-814-6400

Fall Cleanup Reminder for Oct 27th!!

 

IMPORTANT UPDATE

 The proposed regulation changes on the Monocacy and Saucon Creek Trophy Trout Sections (Keep 1 fish 18" + , Opening Day until Labor Day, Artificial Lures only ) to a Artificial Lures Only Slot Limit (Keep 2 Fish 7-12" Opening Day until Labor Day) has been posted in the PA Bulletin and is open for public comment until Oct 16th.

COMMENT ON THIS NOTICE:  Send email comments to : RA-pfbcregulations@pa.gov

Link is also available HERE

Link to official notice: HERE

Apologies for the somewhat late notice as we were not notified of the comment period being open.

 The PDF below shows the official results of the PFBC eletcro-shocking survey from Aug 8th & 9th.

 

Stream Cleanup with MCWA

 

Follow up to reg changes on Monocacy and Saucon Creek

 As a follow up to the public input meeting regarding a potential slot limit regulation to replace the current Trophy Trout regulations on Monocacy and Saucon Creeks, the PFBC will conduct additional sampling on Monocacy Creek, Section 07 and Saucon Creek, Section 05 on Monday, August 8^th and Tuesday, August 9^th. You are invited to observe the surveys and staff will be meeting at Saucon Park (off of Millside Drive) at 10 a.m. and sampling will start shortly thereafter.

 

Community Input on Monocacy fishing regulations sought by PFBC

 

PFBC Meeting on Potential Changes to Monocacy & Saucon Creek Artificial Lures Only,Trophy Trout Special Regs July 18th, 6 p.m.Hellertown Sportsman's Club

 

There will be a meeting to discuss potential changes to the current Artificial Lures Only,Trophy Trout special regulation areas on the Monocacy and Saucon Creeks. If you have questions or concerns, please attend the meeting to find out more. Meeting to be held at Hellertown Sportsman's Club located at 1793 Meadows Rd, Hellertown PA 18055 (be advised that Meadows Rd is closed at the Saucon Creek bridge near 412 so you must approach the club from the Northwest) The time will be 6:00 pm on the evening of Monday July 18th.   From the PFBC, "The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has established a Trout Slot Limit program. There are two sub-programs designated as: All-Tackle Trout Slot Limit and Artificial Lures Only Trout Slot limit. These subprograms will provide the Commission with the ability to select the most appropriate tackle option to achieve biological and social objectives for each water considered for inclusion in the program. Principal intent for these regulations are to support potential increase of large trout abundance in the creek population while providing anglers opportunity for limited harvest. The slot limit allows for year-round fishing, and the harvest of two (2) trout (combined species) per day that are at least seven (7) inches but less than 12 inches in length, from opening day of the regular season for trout through Labor Day, with no harvest permitted the remainder of the year.   The Commission considers Monocacy Creek Section 07 (upstream boundary to Gertrude Fox Conservation Area, 40.664551,-75.377373 to Illicks Mill Dam, 40.642223, -75.382225) and Saucon Creek Section 05 (0.38-mi upstream High St./Seidersville Rd bridge, 40.586944,-75.347222 to Hellertown Rd (SR 412) bridge, 40.607778,- 75.339444) as potential candidates for inclusion to the Trout Slot Limit program. Presently, both of these sections are Commission approved, designated Class A wild Brown Trout populations, managed under the Artificial Lures Only, Trophy Trout regulations. We believe the Trout Slot Limit program would continue to support angler experiences for catching trophy-sized trout, while offering opportunity for limited harvest, if desirable, by individual anglers for smaller, quality-sized trout.   As an initial first step, the Commission is seeking angler opinion input from various enthusiasts clubs for putting the sections of Monocacy and Saucon creeks into the Trout slot Limit program."

Stream Clean Up 4/30

 

Spring

 

 

What is your "official" indicator for the start of Spring?

Fall time is planting time!

The Monocacy Creek Watershed Association (MCWA) will be organizing 2 planting days on the creek this month and this is a great way to help our stream, and maybe check out some new fishing spots 😉.  Details below:

Saturday Oct. 23: around 3pm at the Quiet Core parking lot (1440 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18018)  Transport shrubs for planting Sunday.  Wear waders if you have them.

Sunday Oct. 24th: 9a to 12n. Meet at Quiet Core (1440 Schoenersville Rd. parking lot Bethlehem, PA 18018) by 9am. We plan to plant 20 shrubs along Monocacy Way. Bring gloves, a shovel, and Waders if you have them as we will be crossing the stream

 Monday, Oct. 25th: 9a to 12n. Meet at Gertrude Fox Conservation Area parking area (3410 Bath Pike, Bethlehem 18017). Bring gloves and a shovel. No Waders needed. 

 

Preserving Pennsylvania Streams: Monocacy Creek

 Check out Monocacy TU Board Member Jose DeJesus in this fantastic video by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. and check out the full story HERE

Stream Clean up in Bath PA

 Sorry for the short notice..

MCWA plants trees too!

 Another great opportunity with the MCWA! Please consider helping!:

 On Saturday, October 17, from 9 to 11, we will be planting tree seedlings along Monocacy Way. These were bare-root trees in March that we potted up into small 6- to 8-inch pots, and they’ve been growing well! Time to get them into the creek riparian buffer areas so they can really grow.

Parking for this stretch of Monocacy Way is in the Quiet Core lot on Schoenersville just east of the bridge over the creek, and directly across the street from St. Lukes facility there (the old racquetball club) and the entrance to Burnside. The address is 1440 Schoenersville Rd. 

Bring a shovel, gloves, drinking water and a mask. If you have waders, bring them, but they are necessary. We will organize it so that you will be able to work alone as we dig the holes, set the trees, and put protection around them, sort of like an assembly line.

MCWA Fall Clean Up

 Please join our partners at Monocacy Creek Watershed Association as they clean up our stream.

Details below, or check out MCWA Facebook for more info : MCWA FACEBOOK PAGE

 

 

Watch where you fish....

With the warm weather I know everyone will be itching to get out and wet a line...but just a friendly reminder, many sections of streams close on March 1st, including parts of Monocacy Creek.  Please consult the PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com for the most up to date info and regulations.

Monthly "Meeting", reminder for May

Join the Monocacy Chapter on Tuesday May 28th, as we close out our meeting schedule with a fishing night on the Monocacy Creek.  Meet at 6pm, Illick's Mill Park main lot.  We will be fishing the Sulpher Mayfly hatch and spinner fall.  Hope to see you there.

Volunteers STILL needed for this weekend's project

Members,

The fish habitat project set for this weekend is still in need of volunteers to help place rocks in- stream.  Without volunteer support, this project will be difficult to finish.  These types of projects are crucial to improving in- stream habitat for fish, their food, and the overall health of the stream.  Please contact Michael Harrington directly if you can help:

610-392-1428 (mobile)
tq3222@yahoo.com

THE MONOCACY CREEK WATERSHED ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

Compiled by Wildlands Conservancy, the following report was generated with the input of many volunteers, including members of the Monocacy Chapter. It outlines the issues that face our watershed, and provides ideas for mantaing and improving the quality of the natural habitat in and around the Creek.

Chapter "Meeting" May 22nd

 As we wrap up the monthly membership meetings and take a break for the summer, the Monocacy Chapter invites you to our last "meeting" as we fish the evening Sulpher Hatch.  The fishing can be quite good, and the story telling is even better.
If you are new to fly fishing, would like some tips on fishing this hatch, or fishing the Monocacy Creek in general, this is the perfect opportunity. 

 Chapter members are always willing to show you their favorite spots, techniques, and patterns for catching the Monocacy's wild brown trout.  Meeting time is 6pm in the mail parking lot of Illick's Mill.  Fishing usually gets better later in the evening, so even if you can't make it at 6, try and stop by!  Hope to see you there, and enjoy your Summer!