Lehigh Valley Planning Commission data shows that industrial development continues to grow within the Lehigh Valley, with industrial reviews steadily increasing from roughly 6 million square feet in 2015 to over 18 million in 2022. As the region has become a hub for the global e-commerce economy, warehouse development continues to make up a growing share of the industrial activity. The 4.2 million square feet of warehouse space approved in 2022 continues a five-year growth spurt in which approvals ranged from 3.5 million to 6 million square feet annually. In addition, new proposals in 2022, that are currently moving through regulatory review, added another 13.5 million square feet to the pipeline.  Data LV Development (lvpc.org)  

Land Development leads to increased flooding, pollution, and habitat-destroying sediment from stormwater runoff, not to mention more expensive drinking water. Development converts critical forests and wetlands to impervious hard surfaces – like roofs and parking lots – that don’t allow water to work its way into the soil and groundwater reservoirs. These issues are amplified by periods of drought and intense storms. Poorly managed and overwhelming volumes of stormwater flowing from developed areas increases the amount of soil and sediment in our creeks, streams and rivers, increasing the risk of flooding by filling storm drains and destroying habitats for important aquatic species like trout, as well as increasing the cost to treat drinking water.  

Urban and industrial pollution, along with abandoned mine drainage, degrade fish habitat in the lower Lehigh River Watershed, impairing water quality and making the Delaware River unsafe for fish consumption due to contaminants like mercury. The major pollution sources for local streams are pathogens (bacteria, viruses and fungi), urban runoff and stormwater, and agriculture. Abandoned mine drainage from coalfields in Carbon and Luzerne counties also adversely impact the health of the Lehigh River. As a result of these pollutants, much of the Lehigh River is classified as impaired meaning it’s too polluted to safely support aquatic life and does not meet standards necessary for fish consumption.  

A riparian buffer is an area of vegetation that is maintained along the shore of a water body to protect water quality and stabilize water channels and banks. The riparian buffer reduces the amount of runoff pollutants entering the stream by filtering the water before it reaches the stream. It also controls erosion, provides leaf-litter to the stream and habitat for many desirable species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. If wide enough, riparian buffers function as corridors for migrating large and small mammals. The riparian vegetation affects the stream channel shape and structure, as well as the stream’s canopy cover, shading, nutrient inputs and amount of large woody debris entering the stream. Riparian canopy cover (branches and tree crowns overhanging a stream) is important not only for its role in moderating stream temperatures through shading, but also as an indicator of conditions that control bank stability and as an energy source from leaves that will fall into the water. Aquatic macroinvertebrate organisms such as stoneflies eat, shred and break the leaves into coarse and fine particulate organic material that becomes food for other stream organisms.

Many municipalities take a reactive approach to proposed land development rather than planning and acting on behalf of broader-scale issues like climate resiliency, walkable communities and watershed management. By connecting local officials with reporting tools, applicable laws and citizen priorities, municipalities can plan for community growth while protecting valued resources.  

• Comprehensive Plans that guide future development can and should be updated to protect local waterways – especially if they’re over 10 years old. These plans give communities a chance to outline where development should occur in order to improve safety, promote economic development, and protect natural spaces. 

• Your town may have a Natural Resources Inventory, or NRI, that compiles crucial information on local geology, soils, streams, wetlands, forests, wildlife, and cultural assets. These inventories include maps and data sets that help your community visualize its resources and how they relate to the surrounding areas and existing developments. NRI’s provide a strong foundation for informed land-use planning and decision-making. 

• The Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) enables local governments to enact local ordinances that regulate land use and prioritize natural resources. They can include Official Maps, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances (SALDO), and Zoning Ordinances.  

• Legislation such as the Clean Water Act help to reduce pollutants, helping to protect and restore impaired waters, ensure healthy waterways and safeguard human health and ecological resources. Public participation is crucial in passing this type of legislation.