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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.


    New information regarding the

    Geigel Hill Road Bridge

    visit the link shown on the left


    Water Quality Issues/Resources

    Read what four water experts had to say

    at a local Environmental Forum.

    Ottsville Environmental Forum


    Geigel Hill Road Bridge Update

    It's crunch time for Geigel Hill Road bridge rebuilding after PennDOT tentatively committed to a long-awaited plan using the 1887 trusses from the old bridge. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation translate last week's verbal agreement to a signed contract so work can begin, PennDOT is racing to demolish the old bridge.

    A draft of the agreement should be finished next week. The agreement will hopefully say that PennDOT is committed to the rebuild plan, within a reasonable time, with protection of the historic feature during removal. Still, PennDOT could have a permit to destroy the old bridge as soon as May 15. If the demolition begins before this agreement is put in place, PennDOT would not have to save the historic trusses. That threatens to sink years of work negotiating this agreement for a new bridge and it could be years before there is another plan.

    PennDOT is so anxious to tear down the old bridge that its first effort to secure permits was sharply criticized last week by a Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board judge. The judge said that in issuing the demolition permit the State "had violated not only the letter of the applicable law but its spirit as well." He did not find the bridge in imminent danger of collapse, saying it was "odd that a bridge that sustained most of its damage in 2002 is suddenly in danger of imminent collapse in 2008."

    In response, PennDOT has simply reapplied more carefully for a permit. PennDOT workers sawed down trees along Geigel Hill Road last week, anxious to move a large crane into position.

    The parties working for the new bridge remain focused on inking a deal before PennDOT can get away with destroying the old bridge and the negotiations.

    Now more than ever it is time to contact your elected representatives, State Senator McIhinney, State Representative Quinn and Governor Rendell, and ask them to urge PennDOT to complete the deal they negotiated with Tinicum Township to reopen this historic and much needed bridge.

    PennDOT
    Lester Toaso
    PennDOT District 6 Executive
    610-205-6700

    email: ltoaso@state.pa.us

     

    PennDOT
    Allen Biehler
    Secretary of Transportation
    717-787-5574
    email:
    abiehler@state.pa.us

     

    Governor Edward G. Rendell
    225 Main Capitol Building
    Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
    Phone: (717) 787-2500
    Fax: (717) 772-8284
    Contact via website:
    http://www.governor.state.pa.us

    Marguerite Quinn
    State Representative
    143 rd District
    1032 North Easton Road Doylestown, PA 18901-1055
    (215) 489-2126
    Fax: (215) 489-2129
    email:
    mquinn@pahousegop.com

     

    Chuck McIlhinney
    PA Senate District 10
    22 S. Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901
    215-489-5000
    email:
    cmcilhinney@pasenate.gov


    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.

    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

                           Development Hearings:                      

    June 2, 7:00 pm: Carr property

    June 23, 7:00 pm: Carr property

    Developers and Associates Involved


    In the News

    - PennDOT will dismantle GHR Bridge April 3

    - Tinicum continues hearing on Main Street plan

    - Route 611 to get more development

    - Water hookup soaks district

    - More police could mean more taxes

    - Not so thrilled on Blueberry Hill


    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

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


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