Conservationists discuss recent riparian tree-planting near Schuylkill Haven

Nov. 13—SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Local water sources could receive a boost in quality over the next few years, thanks to a recent riparian buffer tree-planting along Long Run Creek.

Members of local environmental groups gathered Saturday to review the riparian buffer project, which spans 4 acres of land along the creek.

The multiagency project was years in the making, culminating in the planting of more than 300 native trees and shrubs on the property on Oct. 18.

Several tree species, including red maple, black willow, river birch and bur oak, along with shrubs such as American plum, shadblow serviceberry and silky dogwood, were planted along a section of the creek behind Long Run Road (Route 443), with the goal of improving the water quality and wildlife habitat.

The trees were planted on the property of Joe Michalik, of Schuylkill Haven, a Pennsylvania Forest Steward and a member of the Schuylkill County Conservancy.

"The idea is to have a minimum of 35 feet on either side," Michalik said.

Multiagency undertaking

The project has involved agencies at the state, local and national levels, including the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which moved forward with the project after it was introduced at a riparian buffer summit in 2019.

Moreover, the Schuylkill Conservation District has worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, a federal government agency, for the planning and planting processes.

Frank Snyder, a member of the Schuylkill County Conservancy, said the goal of a riparian buffer is to protect and enhance water quality.

"The trees have a lot of benefits, with protecting erosion, picking up nutrients and picking up bad stuff," he said. "So if you see a stream with no trees around, that's a bad situation."

Snyder and Michalik were joined on Saturday by Will Thomas, DCNR service forester for Schuylkill and Carbon counties; Barry Palmer, of the Conservancy; and Jerry Bowman, Schuylkill Haven borough council president and member of the Conservancy.

"Funding (for the project) came from the DCNR through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and then, locally, channeled down to the Schuylkill Headwaters Association," Michalik said. "And then the local Schuylkill Conservation District (Natural Resources Conservationist) Alexa Smith was the one who wrote the actual plan and then did the research to locate a contractor with the appropriate references to help."

The contractor, Native Creations Landscape Services Inc., Nescopeck, spent a few days mulching the overgrown invasives and brush before planting the trees.

Local impact

Bowman said the buffer could affect waterways extending to the Delaware River Watershed. Locally, it will have an immediate impact on Stoyer's Dam at the nearby Bubeck Park.

"This reduces the sediment flowing into our dam, which we have to dredge every four or five years at a great cost to our borough because the soil just keeps building up," Bowman said. "So, we really thank Joe for taking this initiative."

Michalik said his property proved an ideal location for the project, as the new plants will replace scores of decaying ash trees and enhance the quality of various water sources.

"The root system for the trees provides a solid foundation for the stream bank, so you don't have as much erosion, mud and silt going down the stream," Michalik said.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085