BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Monocacy Creek is a “treasure” and a “precious commodity” to the Lehigh Valley, residents said Monday.
Constructing a 250,000-square-foot-warehouse off Route 22 will only degrade it, and add to area flooding issues.
“This area is already very problematic in terms of the stormwater issue even prior to this project, which would create a significant increase in the amount of impervious surface on these lots that we're talking about,” said Glynis Daniels, of Hanover Township. “… It's already challenged.
“The creek is over its banks frequently. It only takes an inch or two of water to do that to the Monocacy Creek. I just don't think this project is a good idea at all.”
Officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection on Monday held a hearing to collect testimony from residents about Arcadia Development Corporation’s application for a National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System, or NPDES, permit for a Hanover Township, Northampton County, warehouse project.
Arcadia plans to tear down the SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western at 300 Gateway Drive off Route 512 and replace it with a 250,000-square-foot warehouse. If the permit is approved, developers will be allowed to discharge stormwater from construction activities into the Monocacy Creek.
The hearing, at Nitschmann Middle School, 1002 W. Union Blvd., was sparsely attended. Just over two dozen residents came, each given five minutes to speak, but only about half participated. The bulk of the middle school’s hulking auditorium was vacant.
The residents who shared testimony focused on the need to protect the creek against stormwater runoff tainted with chemicals and sediment, as well as how an increase in impervious surfaces can contribute to flooding, especially after severe weather events.
No one spoke in favor of the project.
“We’re not opposed to development and change. What we are opposed to is any chance of stormwater runoff containing toxic chemicals, oil, diesel and gas fuels, and salt from contaminated transport vehicles will make their way into the Monocacy Creek."Jane Cook, of Bethlehem
Jane Cook, of Bethlehem, argued the added impervious surface created by the proposed project “will likely carry contaminants into the main flow,” and can contribute to the destruction of trout and other wildlife habitats.
“We’re not opposed to development and change,” said Cook, a member of the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association whose city home backs up to the creek. “What we are opposed to is any chance of stormwater runoff containing toxic chemicals, oil, diesel and gas fuels, and salt from contaminated transport vehicles will make their way into the Monocacy Creek.
“No amount of development and business activity is worth taking any such risk, since we already have seen that even a minimal amount has been doing a great deal of harm to this creek.”
What is an NPDES permit?
A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is required for any “point source discharge to waters” across the state, according to the DEP’s website.
“The Clean Water Program in DEP's regional offices issues the majority of NPDES permits for sewage, industrial waste, or IW, IW stormwater, municipal separate storm sewer system, or MS4, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, or CAFO, biosolids and pesticides activities or facilities that are regulated under the NPDES program,” according to the website.
For more than a decade, a NPDES permit has been required in the state for construction sites 1 acre or larger, and must be approved before construction can begin.
Arcadia’s permit application is available for public review on the DEP Northeast Regional Office Community Information Webpage or at the Northampton County Conservation District, 14 Gracedale Ave. in Nazareth, and the DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.
According to the draft permit, Arcadia may not discharge: wastewater from washout of concrete; wastewater from washout and cleanout of stucco, paint, form release oils, curing compounds and other construction materials; fuels, oils or other pollutants used in vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance; soaps or solvents used in vehicle and equipment washing.
Developers are also not allowed to discharge: floating solids, scum, sheen or substances that result in observed deposits in the receiving water or foam or substances that produce an observable change in the color, taste, odor or turbidity of the receiving water; and substances in concentration or amounts sufficient to be inimical or harmful to the water uses to be protected or to human, animal, plant or aquatic life, according to the draft permit.
If approved, developers would get the green light to discharge stormwater in the Monocacy Creek, which flows into the Lehigh near downtown Bethlehem, passes through Bushkill, Moore, East Allen, Upper Nazareth, Lower Nazareth and Hanover townships.
The Monocacy Creek is designated as high-quality waters-cold water fishes, migratory fishes and receives special protection under the Clean Water Act. It’s also one of the state’s limestone creeks, known for large trout and abundant insects.
‘The permit compliance race’
A stormwater discharge permit is a legal obligation, said Robert Swigart, a Bethlehem resident and retired environmental professional.
“Even Fortune 500 companies with a wealth of personnel and financial resources can find it difficult to fully comply with such a permit. I don't think we have a Fortune 500-type resources here in Arcadia but I don't know.”Robert Swigart
“Even Fortune 500 companies with a wealth of personnel and financial resources can find it difficult to fully comply with such a permit,” he said. “I don't think we have a Fortune 500-type resources here in Arcadia but I don't know.”
While he said he’s impressed by the work done by officials in planning, he asked officials to “consider increasing normal oversight” for this project and “be quick to consider enforcement action if needed to remedy problems.”
“Arcadia and their leaders are personally responsible for compliance with the permit,” Swigart said. “So, I would suggest that you want to run your best horses in the permit compliance race.”
DEP received the NPDES permit application on May 25 and it was administratively complete on Sept. 12, according to the release. Written public comments were received during the public comment period.
Residents can submit written comments on the permit application to Pam Kania, Program Manager, DEP Waterways and Wetlands Program at pkania@pa.gov. Those comments must be received by 4 p.m. May 9.
