Liberty Hollow Trail
Northumberland Borough, Northumberland County, PA
“While performing a wetland delineation along the proposed Liberty Hollow Trail alignment in Northumberland County, I noticed this box turtle calmly observing my activities. He was positioned at the edge of a wetland area at the toe of a wooded hillslope not far from a suburban housing development. The conservation of wetlands through state and federal regulations plays a part in climate change. Through conserving wetlands, unique plants are maintained, and floodwater holding capacity is captured. Especially in urban and suburban areas where impervious surfaces can produce runoff waters with elevated temperatures. Wetlands will hold and slowly release runoff water. This function reduces flooding levels and helps reduce the thermal impacts that can result from runoff water quickly entering waterways. In addition, the plant life found in wetlands can be dense and thick which can perform carbon sequestering. This is carbon that would otherwise contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate change. Wetlands are known to sequester carbon from the air, or act as 'carbon sinks' keeping it from contributing to atmospheric carbon dioxide. Stahl Sheaffer maintains a staff of environmental scientists to keep our design work in compliance with environmental regulations. Through careful handling of wetland areas, we can quickly work through the regulatory process while contributing to environmental stewardship in the communities where we work.” ~Jason Reed, Environmental Manager, Stahl Sheaffer Engineering |
The Liberty Hollow Trail project consisted of the design of a new pedestrian trail along an existing sewer line right-of-way to form a connection between Washington Avenue and Susquehanna Road in Northumberland Borough. Stahl Sheaffer provided surveying, stormwater design, wetland delineation, and permitting services. Wetlands were present along a portion of the corridor. Impacts were minimized which allowed for the use of a General Permit-7 Minor Road Crossing permit for a section of trail crossing the wetland.
The following permits were required:
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