Study to analyze open space

Plan to include best practices for preserving undeveloped areas

POTTSTOWN » Perhaps the first and most important thing to remember about environmentally-sensitive areas such as greenways, forests, meadows and wetlands is that many of those acres are under private ownership.

As a result, there is only so much that governments and non-profit preservation agencies can do directly to ensure the protection and proper function of those habitats.

But there’s nothing to stop them from offering advice.

Now in its third year and in preliminary draft form, a study that looks at such properties in 26 municipalities over

195 square miles in western Montgomery and northern Chester counties, looks to maximize that protection at a minimum of cost.

“We can’t just buy every property of value,” said Eric Jarrell, section chief for community planning with the Montgomery County Planning Commission.

Jarrell was in Pottstown on June 27 to update the Pottstown Area Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee on the progress of the study since its introduction in November 2015.

The massive undertaking, assisted by the nonprofit preservation group Natural Lands and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy, will be in final form by the end of the year.

Not only will it contain “best practices” for specific habitats and landscape types out in undeveloped areas, but also specific ways to improve specific greenways in boroughs, villages and downtown areas, said Jarrell.

Such efforts can also help in stormwater management efforts, he said.

But it can’t cover everything.

For example, the study group looked at 38 public parks, but there are about 300 that it didn’t look at. So father than try to devise a specific plan for each park, it will outline the “best management practices” for areas near streams, called “riparian buffers,” woodlands and the like.

And those practices will not just be for municipal or protected lands, but also those in private hands as well.

Jarrell said when complete, owners of those properties who have important or sensitive natural features will be invited to learn how to better manage them for maximum natural benefit.

They won’t be pushy, he said in response to a concern raised by New Hanover Supervisor Kurt Zebrowski.

“I think we’ll have our hands full just trying to meet the needs of those landowners who respond and want our help,” Jarrell said.

A separate guide will be produced for the management and improvement of Main Street greenways, said Jarrell, such as which street trees to plant and how to incorporate stormwater controls into planting strips in towns.

Also available will be guidelines for mustering a force of volunteers who can properly undertake such tasks as plant trees and remove invasive species.

Hopefully, private landowners may be able to take advantage of such volunteer groups as well.

The final version of the stewardship study is expected to be ready for distribution this fall.