What is the Marsh & Rock Creek Critical Area Resource Plan?

Location of Marsh and Rock creeksin Adams County, Pa.

The Marsh and Rock Creek watersheds in Adams County were designated as Critical Water Planning Areas (CWPA) by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in January 2011 under the authority of Act 220 of 2002.   The purpose of this project is to develop a non-regulatory Critical Area Resource Plan (CARP) for the watersheds, as required under the Act.




Due to the geologic characteristics, the lack of surface water storage, and the highly developed portions of the Marsh and Rock Creek watersheds, the availability (particularly seasonal availability) of water is a primary concern for the watersheds.  The expected future growth and development in the Gettysburg area are expected to further strain this limited resource.  The goal of the CARP process, funded by the DEP and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), is to conduct a detailed investigation of these and other water resources problems and utilize a collaborative stakeholder process to identify solutions.  The plan is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Land uses in Marsh Creek watershed

Land uses in Rock Creek watershed

Collection of high quality hydrologic data is a necessary step in this project and will form the basis of the technical analysis.  Current data collection efforts include groundwater level monitoring by the Adams County Conservation District and installation and maintenance of four staff gages by the United States Geological Survey.  Groundwater levels are available for review online at http://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/countymaps/PA_001.html.

Public participation will be a key aspect in the development of practical and implementable solutions to identified problems.  Get involved today!  For more information on the project:

• View the component s and progress of developing a CARP in the Marsh and Rock creek watersheds in Figure 1.
• Download the project flier
• Contact Heidi Moltz at ICPRB via email or phone at 301.274.8116 for more information.

A figure of project tasks and progress is available for viewing here.

Upcoming Events

Critical Area Advisory Committee Meetings (open to the public):
Wednesday, April 13, 2011 from 1-3pm, Ag and Natural Resources Center*
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 1-3pm, Ag and Natural Resources Center *
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 from 1-3pm, Ag and Natural Resources Center*

*Map to Agriculture and Natural Resources Center at 670 Old Harrisburg Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (http://mapq.st/gmC83r)

Previous Events

First Critical Area Advisory Committee Meeting, Wednesday January 12, 2011 from 1-3pm at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Center.

• The primary objectives of this kick-off meeting are to establish the procedures and organizational structure of the committee and develop a statement of watershed problems to guide the process.
• Download agenda
• Download meeting minutes

Project Kick-off Meeting, Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 5-7 pm at the Agriculture and Natural Resources Center.

• The purpose of this meeting is to (1) introduce the project to prospective advisory committee members and the general public; (2) identify participants’ concerns on issues facing the watersheds; (3) discuss ways for developing implementable recommendations as an outcome of this project; and (4) nominate project advisory committee members for consideration by the Potomac Regional Committee.
• Download agenda
• Download meeting minutes

Maps

A map of the watersheds is available here 

A map showing the potentially water stressed areas of Adams County is available here 

Links

Watershed Alliance of Adams County (www.adamswatersheds.org/)
Adams County, PA (www.adamscounty.us/)

Marsh Creek Watershed (www.potomacriver.org/pacarp/marshcreekwatershed.pdf)

Rock Creek Watershed (www.potomacriver.org/pacarp/rockcreekwatershed.pdf)

PADEP State Water Plan Website (www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/statewaterplan/docroot/default.aspx)

PADEP Critical Area Resource Plan Guidance Document (www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-77161/392-2130-015.pdf)

Supporting Documentation for Marsh Creek and Rock Creek, Adams County:  Nomination for Critical Water Planning Area under Pennsylvania State Water Plan

(www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/TechnicalDocuments/SupportingDocumentation/Marsh_Rock_Creeks_Report.pdf)

Act 220 Legislation (www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/docs/Legislation/Act_220.pdf)

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (www.potomacriver.org/)

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