Lycoming County Countywide Action Plan
Providing county-based solutions and actions to reducing pollution by engaging local stakeholders to make a difference in water quality.
Countywide Action Plan Information
Pennsylvania and its neighboring states are attempting to clean up our local waterways that run into the Chesapeake Bay. The Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP), submitted in 2019 by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, outlined tangible nutrient reduction targets based on locally led efforts to reduce water pollution, enhance quality of life, deal with flooding issues, and receive credit for previously implemented best management practices. The creation of a Countywide Action Plan was assigned to each of the forty-three Pennsylvanian counties that make up the Chesapeake Bay watershed as part of the Phase III WIP.
A Countywide Action Plan (CAP) was created by Lycoming County in 2020, and it serves as the framework for the county and it's partners in achieving it's specific clean water goals. The plan initiatives aim to accomplish the community objectives while seeking to protect Lycoming County's natural resources for future generations. Before Lycoming County drafted their own CAP, each county received a "Technical Toolbox" from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to help with CAP development. The Lycoming County Toolbox was created as a foundation for the county's efforts to raise the water quality in our area. It includes pertinent information to helping us meet our water quality goals.
In February 2021, Lycoming County finalized it's a Countywide Action Plan by hosting a kickoff meeting to gain input from both PADEP and serval local stakeholders. The final narrative of the Lycoming County Countywide Action Plan provides an overview of the goals and priority initiatives the county plans to make in order to reach pollution water goals by 2025.
The Countywide Action Plan is not regulatory, an unfunded mandate or a plan to increase taxes. While the WIP is technically voluntary, there are risks to not participating. Such risks are: additional regulations and government oversight; higher costs for compliance; EPA withholding or redirecting funding; missing opportunities to access funding/technical assistance to address local needs.
Why Countywide Action Planning in Lycoming County?
Lycoming County is just one of the forty-three Pennsylvania Counties that contain waterways that drain to either the Susquehanna or the Potomac rivers, which ultimately flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Pennsylvania's Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (Phase 3 WIP) is built on clean water initiatives at county level.
Lycoming County in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
1.235 M pounds of nitrogen and 76 K pounds of phosphorus must be removed from Lycoming County's current nutrient pollution. While Lycoming County has come a long way since 1985 in terms of lowering the phosphorus entering nearby rivers, significant reductions are still required in order to reach the 2025 target. When it comes to nitrogen, a lot of effort needs to be done. The county's aim is to totally eliminate the reductions required by 2025 for both phosphorus and nitrogen through the planning process. State and municipal initiatives might be needed for this. Our clean water goal for Lycoming County is further summarized below:
The monitored nitrogen and phosphorus load for Lycoming County (above) are broken down into nitrogen and phosphorus goals. The top line represents the conditions of Lycoming County in 1985. The second line, 2019, represents the current conditions in Lycoming County. The third line represents the planning goal that Lycoming County is trying to achieve by 2025. The last line represents the total reduction in pounds that Lycoming County needs to reduce by 2025.
Current Conditions of Lycoming County's Streams shows that the county has elevated amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. However, the water quality Lycoming County's streams is changing over time:
- Of the 2,247 miles of streams in Lycoming County, approximately 8% are degraded, which means they do not meet water standards.
- Groundwater samples were taken throughout Lycoming County. A small number of measured groundwater nitrate levels that exceed the EPA's safe drinking threshold of 10 mg/L.
- Lycoming County has many listed as impaired, by only a few streams within the county have individual TMDL's.
Triumphs For Clean Water in Lycoming County!
Five projects related to stream restoration and fish habitat have been completed and fully funded by CAP dollars as of October 2023. These projects were made possible by previous 2022 and 2023 implantation money, totaling $486,955.00 utilized in Lycoming County to help lessen nutrient pollution in local waterways. Beyond stream restoration and fish habitat projects, Lycoming County continues to see a demand for its Cover Crop Incentive Program.
Tour Lycoming County's Countywide Action Plan on the Map below!
Learn about Countywide Action Planning and Get Involved!
The first step in reducing pollution in Lycoming County is YOU! Find out what's coming up for Countywide Action Planning in Lycoming County, the previous steps taken and how you can contribute.
Upcoming Events: Check back soon!
Past Events: June 23, 2021 - Lycoming County CAP Virtual Open House Meeting Recording | Presentation October 19th, 2021 - Lycoming County Commissioner's Public Meeting CAP Presentation Meeting Recording
Resources and Links:
Interested in the Lycoming County Countywide Action Plan? Contact Lycoming County Planning and Development for questions and additional information:
Alexa Bixel Natural Resource Planner / CAP Coordinator Lycoming County Planning and Community Development 48 West Third Street Williamsport, Pa 17701 Phone: (570)320-4761 | Email: abixel@lyco.org www.lyco.org
