2nd Annual Delaware River Forum

Protecting Water Resources in

Lower Saucon Township(or controlling stormwater

at its sources)

Natural Resource Protection Overlay

(Performance) Zoning Ordinance

GoalThe purpose is to protect and preserve the environment and character of the Township

through the preservation of natural resources including, but not limited to, wetlands, floodplains, floodplain soils,

woodlands, steep slopes, rock outcrops, lakes, ponds, streams, riparian corridors and

areas underlain with carbonate geology.

Natural Resources and Protection Rates

 The applicant for a subdivision, land development and/or building permit shall be required to identify all natural

resources when submitting an application for subdivision, land development and/or building permit. This inventory

shall include the following resources: floodplains, floodplain soils, wetlands, Waters of the Commonwealth, Waters of the U.S., lakes and ponds, riparian, wetland and

lake and pond buffers, steep slopes, rock outcrops, woodlands, environmentally sensitive woodlands, carbonate

geology areas, and watershed protection areas.

Floodplains & Floodplain Soils  Floodplains shall have a protection rate of 100%. No structures, filling, piping or regrading shall be permitted in floodplains.

Wetlands Wetlands, Waters of the Commonwealth and

Waters of the U.S. shall have a protection rate of 100%. No structures, filling, piping or

regrading shall be permitted.

Wetland BuffersWetland buffers shall consist of the area within 25' from the edge of any wetland as delineated by the Army Corps of Engineers or the PA DEP.  

Wetland buffers shall have a protection rate of 85%

Riparian BuffersRiparian buffers shall include all areas located within 100 feet of any delineated Waters of the Commonwealth or Waters of the U.S.

Riparian, wetland and shoreline buffers shall have a protection rate of 85%

Lakes and Ponds Lakes and ponds shall have a protection rate of 100%. No structures, filling, piping or regrading shall be permitted within any of these areas.    Lake and pond buffers shall have a protection rate of 85%. 

Steep Slopes Steep slopes shall include areas of 3,000 sf or greater where the slope exceeds 8%. Steep slopes with a grade of 8 - 15% shall have a protection rate of 50%. Steep slopes with a grade of greater than 15% to 25% shall have a protection rate of 75%. Steep slopes with a grade of greater than 25% shall have a protection rate of 85%.

Steep Slopes

Woodlands Woodlands include all areas of 3,000 sf or greater which contain an average of one or more trees measuring 6" in caliper or greater per 1,000 sf. Woodlands shall have a protection rate of 80%. No more than 20% of areas of woodlands shall be cleared, thinned or regraded.

Environmentally Sensitive Woodlands

Environmentally sensitive woodlands shall include areas of woodlands which coexist with other protected natural resources including, but not limited to, floodplains, floodplain soils, steep slopes, lake and pond buffers, riparian buffers and wetland buffers.Environmentally Sensitive Woodlands shall have a protection rate of 85%.

Woodlands

Watershed Protection AreasHellertown Watershed

 In order to implement the provisions of this subsection, Watershed Protection Areas surrounding protected public water supplies are hereby established and are shown on the Township Zoning Map. map is on file at the Township offices).

 

Source Water Protection Areas

Cooks Creek Watershed

Open Space Preservation

Landowner Outreach

Welcome to the EAC Water page

Did yo u kno w...80% of water that falls on grass ends up as runoff? Did yo u kno w...stormwater runoff causes more pollution than industrial sources? Build your own rain barrel so you can save money on your water bill and reduce water pollution. For easy instructions on how to build your own rain barrel, visit Center for Watershed Protection's step- by-step guide here.

Welcome to the EAC Water page

What is a Streamside Buffer? Why are they Important?

Benefits of a Health Streamside Buffer How Do I Create a Streamside Buffer?

Community Partnerships

•Watershed Organizations•Environmental Advisory Council•Township Staff and Officials•Parks and Recreation Board

Partnership Projects

Rain Barrel WorkshopsStream clean-upsMS4 Education and Outreach Riparian Buffer Plantings in Public ParksRiparian Buffer Brochure for Landowners

Lead by Example