Consideration of a regionally developed, revised groundwater preservation ordinance, was tabled for further discussion at the July 21 public meeting of the Nockamixon Township Board of Supervisors.
Further discussion will take place at a special public work session on Oct. 6, and then further consideration at the Oct. 20 regular supervisors meeting. The opportunity to submit questions for consideration at that discussion has been set with a Sept. 6 deadline.
Also at the July 21 meeting, supervisors postponed further discussion of a proposed butterfly garden for Veterans Park on a more indefinite timetable, pending clarifying more fundamental changes that may be coming to the park as part of the township’s pending revised Comprehensive Plan. During the presentation on the butterfly garden, the project was particularly noted as more than an aesthetic addition, but also an opportunity to demonstrate a way to reduce lawn watering needs, as well as mowing.
Over five years actively in the making as legislation, and originating over 20 years ago in the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee, the proposed revised groundwater preservation ordinance has been developed through the efforts of township officials, their staffs, and scientist and volunteers from Bridgeton and Tinicum as well as Nockamixon. After extensive back-and-forth among them, it recently received favorable review by both the Bucks County Planning Commission and the Bucks County Board of Health.
The proposal is especially concerned with helping to assure adequate supplies for all local wells, as individual property owners propose any changes in their use of the common groundwater resource, or sell their property to successors. It is also especially concerned with helping to assure effectiveness of the ordinance in the event of any court challenges.
During contentious discussion at the July 21 meeting, opposition featured characterization of the measure as part of an anti-development agenda, while supporters insisted that was not the case, but instead a way to help property owners most effectively share a common, and potentially endangered, groundwater resource, without loss of sufficient access. Both sides noted interest in maintaining the rural character of the township.
Supervisors new to the topic noted difficulty in seeing a side-by-side comparison of how the proposal differed from what was presently in effect. That problem was noted as primarily related to the proposal streamlining how groundwater rules would fit into the body of township regulations. As part of the preparation for the Oct. 6 discussion, the township engineer and supervisor, both of whom have been deeply involved in the proposal, offered to present a clarifying summary and commentary.
During discussion of the butterfly garden project, a joint effort by the Environmental Advisory Committee and the Park & Recreation Board, local company Kind Earth Growers was praised for offering to donate 1000 plants, and their planting, to the project.
Deep concern was noted for assuring adequate volunteer help for ongoing maintenance of the garden, so that those needs would not fall to an already overburdened township road department.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
