SUMMARY

Approximately 12 people attended this meeting at the Philadelphia Free Library. Ann Smith, Director of Watershed Programs at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, gave the welcome and introduction. She was followed by three presentations summarizing the main components of the Conservation Plan. Clare Billet, from the Natural Lands Trust, presented the goals, challenges, and existing resources for a Sustainable Landscape in the Schuylkill River watershed. Tom Johnson, from the Academy of Natural Sciences, identified the major issues to address in the Water Quality Assessment. Lastly, Elizabeth Kitchel, from the Conservation Fund, reviewed the findings of the Institutional Analysis.

Following the formal presentations, participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

PUBLIC INPUT & DISCUSSION

The question was raised as to whether the Schuylkill River plan would conflict with the specifics of any sub-watershed plans. For example, on a wide scale perspective it appears that the Philadelphia region is a low priority for conservation, even though there are high needs being addressed in the Wissahickon. Would the overall Schuylkill plan diminish Philadelphia's chances to receive funding? Clare Billet explained that the Schuylkill plan is so large-scale that it doesn't give specific recommendations. It is intended to be complementary to local plans by highlighting the major resources in the watershed, and helping to direct funding accordingly. Detailed GIS analysis was not done in this plan, so it should not present conflicts with local recommendations. The hope is that DCNR recognizes that they can't record every project. They need to understand that when the community is invested in a project, funding should be granted.

It was suggested that local plans, such as in the Wissahickon, be plugged into the master Schuylkill plan as appendices to avoid being overlooked.

Someone recommended that the Schuylkill plan highlight anticipated conflicts with county development plans. A plan is needed to resolve discrepancies between the watershed's need for conservation and municipalities' plans for development.

The need for involvement in the plan by public officials was emphasized. Clare explained that the goal is to have 50% of municipalities sign a letter of support. However, currently there is no mechanism or funding for implementation. The organizational recommendations speak to the need for an implementation phase.

The comment was made that the content of the plan has been seen before, though not on such a large scale. Even though it is a good plan, similar plans have often not been accomplished in the past. Clare mentioned that one way to encourage local implementation will be to put the GIS data onto discs for interactive use. Then the data could be used for local engineering purposes.

Support was expressed for the creation of a watershed-wide coordinating body that could oversee how the plan is carried out on a local level.