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    Welcome to Eco-Bucks

    We strive to provide the most up to date and accurate information regarding growth and development in Tinicum Township and the surrounding area.


    Student Art Show:

    Again this year, ECO-Bucks is sponsoring a Student Art Show at the Tinicum Arts Festival. Any interested students, grades 1-12, may participate. All art will be displayed at the Tinicum Arts Festival on July 11-12 and ribbons will be distributed in various categories.

    All entries must be submitted by May 15. See the submission form for more details.

    art show submission form


    Carr Tract Decision:

    The Supervisors voted unanimously to reject the challenge to the Prime Farmland and Agricultural Soils overlay on the Carr Tract. They cited the convincing evidence presented by the Township and ECO-Bucks witnesses as major factors in their decision.

    Hearings on hold:

    New Hearings will begin on Main Street Development and Piper Group challenges to the following township ordnances:

    ·         The Prime Farmland and Agricultural Soils Overlay District

    ·         The Delaware River Wild and Scenic Overlay District

    ·         The Woodland and Hedgerow Overlay District

    ·         The Critical Biodiversity Areas Overlay District

    ·         The Critical Recharge Areas Overlay District

    ·         The Wetlands and Wetlands Margin Overlay District

    ·         The Riparian Buffer Overlay District

    ·         The Tohickon Creek Watershed Overlay District

    ·         The Steep Slope Conservation District

    ·         The impervious surface regulation for a performance subdivision in the VR-Village Residential Zoning District

     

    In addition, The Piper Group has reserved the right to contest the $500 charge for each hearing after the first.

    The challenges apply to the following proposals:


    1. “Tohickon Village” (aka “Cooper/Wehrung Tract”):  Main Street Development Group and property owners Louis and Geraldine Cooper and the Wehrung Group, propose 192 garden apartment units in 18 buildings, together with a clubhouse and clubhouse amenities, located on the west side of Route 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville, PA.


    2. Tinicum Sewer and Water Group”: Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P and property owners Penrose and Marion Hallowell, propose to subdivide 30.39 acres into 2 lots with construction of a wastewater treatment plant on Lot 1, proposed as 8 acres, located on Route 611, opposite the Carr property, Ottsville, PA.

    Note: Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P is not affiliated in any way with Tinicum Township.


    3. “Tohickon Valley Farm”:  Piper Group, Inc., and property owners  Charles and Katherine Sigety and Nero Enterprises, propose 60 units in 5 apartment buildings on 11.87 acres located on the east side of Route 611 and Tohickon Valley Road, Ottsville, PA.

    .
    4. “Durham Village”: Piper Group, Inc. and property owners Charles and Katherine Sigety and Nero Enterprises, propose 56 townhouse and multiplex units on a 20.94 portion of a 34.662 acre tract located at Tohickon Valley Road, Durham Road, and Headquarters Road, Ottsville, PA.

     


    Below you will find a quick guide to our site.

    Offer your expertise and ideas and energy, provide articles or information to us, or just general feedback via our REQUEST INFORMATION page.

    The PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT MAP shows only development proposals which have been submitted for approval to Township authorities.

    Our EVENTS calendar lists hearings, planning commission meeting, ECO-Bucks events, and other community events in the area.

    ABOUT US gives a brief background of who we are, why our growing group is taking a stand against sprawl - and what is at stake.

    Our PHOTO GALLERY is a collection of the beauty (and beast) that can be found in our local area. Submissions are welcome.

    We are assembling an extensive resource listing on our LINKS page, related to local development issues, land preservation, natural resources management, and listings to important Township, County, State, and Federal web sites which provide contact information for elected officials.

    IN THE PRESS tracks news in publications and provides references and synopses related to local land issues.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    Tinicum Township

    New hearings are currently on hold

    Carr Tract update, click here

    Developers and Associates Involved


    In the News

     

    DEP fields questions on deepening of stone quarry

    Township faces long fight over powerline

    Back to court for drilling

    Quarry wins vote to expand

    Judge recommends cross country transmission line

    Delaware river basin to be tested before drilling starts

    Court: Zoning key to gas drilling


    Read the Bucks County

    Open Space Task Force II Report

    Among the findings:

    - Farmland and open space impose significantly fewer costs on local governments than other land uses.

    - Preserved open space has been shown to increase property values.

    - Cost to the average tax payer - about $30 per year.


    Tohickon Creek Stewardship

    A vast majority of the Upper Bucks and the Lower Delaware River community agree that Lower Delaware River, its tributaries and watershed should be protected from degradation. There are signs that current and imminent human activity endangers this protection goal. The question arises, “Who or what institutional entity has been given the authority to enforce this will of community?”

    read more


    Water Conservation

    Click on the Water Use it Wisely® link in the left margin for information on water conservation, including:

     • Family water audit

     • Low water-use plant list

     • Water saving tips


    Nockamixon Groundwater Ordinance - Draft


    As development progresses in upper Bucks County, we need to be alert that the demands on our available drinking water do not surpass supply. If the present rate of development continues, our wells will start to go dry on a regular basis.

    The Bridgeton-Nockamixon-Tinicum Joint Groundwater Management Committee (BNT JGMC) has studied the rate at which water refills the local underground water supply. Due to the geological conditions in Nockamixon township the current minimum lot size of two acres does not support the water needs of a typical home. For the aquifer to collect that amount of water, it has to come from a much larger area of land than two acres.

    The BNT JGMC has written a draft ordinance that links future development to water supply.

    Educate yourself on this important issue and make your concerns known to your township officials. 

    more information


    Pennsylvania’s Environmental

    Rights Amendment


    On May 18, 1971, Pennsylvania's voters by a four-to-one margin ratified what is now Article I, Section 27 of our state constitution-the Environmental Rights Amendment.


    "The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people."


    Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P.  is not affiliated in any way with Tinicum Township.  It is a private entity owned by two developers, Main Street Development and The Piper Group. They, along with Penrose and Marion Hallowell, have applied to build a sewage treatment facility on the Hallowell property to service several of the proposed Main Street and Piper Group developments.


    Support our local farmers and growers.

    Buy fresh local food.

    Fresh From Bucks County Farms


    Plumstead Township and The Bucks

    County Water and Sewer Authority.

    Save Plumstead Water.org

     

    PPL Plans for Transmission Lines and a Substation in an Environmentally Sensitive Area of Springfield Township

    Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) has presented a proposal for a new power transmission line between Quakertown and Coopersburg. Their preferred route is through farm fields and woodlands, some of which are preserved. In addition, they propose to build a five to seven acre electrical substation in a meadow, part of which is designated wetlands. Springfield Township and a newly formed citizen’s group, Springfield bucks Undesirable Land Use (SbULU), are not trying to prevent the transmission line from being built, but have asked PPL to consider an alternate route through the Township’s industrial zone, along Route 309 and an existing SEPTA right of way (link to more info). The township and residents are concerned about the following aspects of PPL’s route:
    · Water quality of the Tohickon Creek due to runoff of pesticides and soil.
    · The ability of a utility to obtain easements on conserved land. And specifically the manner in which PPL has chosen to pursue this.
    · Preservation and protection of open space, water quality, biodiversity, and the rural and historic character of Springfield Township,
    Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
    · Protection of property value that is dependent on the rural character and environmental health of the region.

    How does this affect Tinicum Township?
    The Tohickon Creek flows through Tinicum Township. Degradation of this waterway affects each of us and would negatively impact ongoing attempts to attain exceptional value (EV) status.
    Tinicum Township has many acres of preserved land and open space that could potentially be affected by similar proposals in the future.

    What can you do?
    Stay informed. link to SbULU website
    Sign the petition urging PPL to consider placing the transmission line along the alternate routes. link to petition.


    Water Quality Issues/Resources

    Read what four water experts had to say

    at a local Environmental Forum.

    Ottsville Environmental Forum


    Tinicum Development Hearings

    The July 26th zoning hearing for Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, L.P was cancelled at the last minute by Mr. Gundlach, attorney for the developers. He has withdrawn the existing application and notified the Township that he will be submitting a new application to the Board of Supervisors.

    Hearings for curative amendment applications have been scheduled on behalf of Main Street Development Group, Piper Group, and the Carr, Cooper, Hallowell and Wehrung families, for 5 development proposals in Tinicum township.

    more information

    The 5 proposals covered by these hearings are:

    • Ottsville Square (Carr), Main Street Development Group, 45 Durham Rd.
    • Tohickon Valley Farm, Piper Group, Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Rd
    • Durham Village Piper Group, Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Road and Durham and Headquarters Rd.
    • Tohickon Village (Cooper-Wehrung), Main Street Development, Rte 611 and Tohickon Valley Rd.
    • Tinicum Sewer and Water Group, Main Street Development, Piper Group, Penrose and Marion Hallowell, Rte 611.

     

     

     

     

     


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