Project partners gather to celebrate the restoration of the Bushkill Creek. Photo by the DRBC.

DRBC recently joined its partners Wildlands Conservancy, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR), Pa. Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Lafayette College and Northampton County to celebrate the restoration of the Bushkill Creek after a series of dam removals. The press conference was held at the site of one of the dam removals, along the Karl Stirner Arts Trail in Easton, Pa. A wildflower planting followed the press conference to complete restoration at this site.

The Bushkill Creek is designated as a high quality coldwater fishery, and, since 2021, Wildlands has helped restore over 3 miles of stream along the Bushkill through dam removal and habitat restoration.

Removing obsolete dams improves water quality in the stream by lowering water temperature, reducing nutrient buildup and improving dissolved oxygen levels. As tributaries are reconnected to the mainstem Delaware River, restoring natural stream flow, fish and freshwater mussels return, sometimes soon after the removal is completed. Increased habitat for mussels is especially important as they further help improve water quality by filter feeding. Removing dams also has multiple community benefits, for example, increasing recreation opportunities and improving public safety. 

The DRBC is proud of its role in this project, which started nearly 20 years ago. In August 2005, an environmental incident at the PPL Martins Creek Steam Electric Station released fly ash into the Delaware River and nearby tributaries. As a result, a Natural Resources Damage Assessment (NRDA) Team was created that includes representatives from the PADEP, PA DCNR, N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection and the DRBC. The DRBC serves as the trustee team consultant and the banker of certain NRDA funds, as well as provides in-kind support. The team determined that restoration measures are necessary and selected a restoration plan that included several dam removals on Delaware River tributaries.

"The DRBC advises the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Team created after a 2005 fly ash spill in the region, helping choose and guide the restoration plan that implemented these dam removals on the Bushkill," says DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini. "We were pleased to contract Wildlands Conservancy to do this work and are proud of the successes already seen, including improved water quality and habitat and more opportunities for safe community recreation around our shared waters."

The theme of the day was the power of partnership. This project brought together multiple levels of government, academia, private companies and NGOs to work towards a common goal: reconnecting the Bushkill Creek to the Delaware River after more than 200 years. We appreciate all the work done by project partners and join them in celebrating a cleaner, safer and more accessible Bushkill Creek, benefiting wildlife and communities.

• View news release about the celebration event (issued by Wildlands Conservancy, October 15, 2024)
  
  
• "'A wonderful example of the power of partnerships': Officials celebrate Bushkill Creek dam removals" (by Molly Bilinski, Lehigh Valley News, October 18, 2024)
  
  
• Dam Removal on the Bushkill Creek: Reconnecting Tributary & River (DRBC, 2023)

Wildlands Conservancy President Chris Kocher addresses folks at the press conference, highlighting the partnership that made this work possible. Photo by the DRBC.	Lafayette College President Nicole Hurd's remarks focused on the importance of restoring the Bushkill Creek for students and the community at large. Photo by the DRBC.	Lafayette College Professer Dru Germanoski talks about his students' involvement in the project. Photo by the DRBC.
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure shares his support for this restoration project, which benefits Northampton County residents and the environment. Photo by the DRBC.	PA DCNR Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz's remarks highlighted DCNR's role in the project. Photo by the DRBC.	PADEP Division of Dam Safety Chief Kirk Krieder talked about the safety benefits for communities from removing obsolete dams. Photo by the DRBC.
PFBC Executive Director Timothy Schaeffer discussed his agency's support for the project, which will improve habitat for fish and freshwater mussels. Photo by the DRBC.	DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini provided context for how this project began and highlighted the strength in working together to improve the Bushkill Creek and, in turn, the Delaware River. Photo by the DRBC.	Key members of the project team pose for a photo. Photo by the DRBC.
After the press conference, volunteers planted wildflowers along the bank of the Bushkill Creek to complete restoration at this location. Photo by the DRBC.	After the press conference, volunteers planted wildflowers along the bank of the Bushkill Creek to complete restoration at this location. Photo by the DRBC.	DRBC's Kate Schmidt (L) and Wildlands Conservancy's Megan Sciarrino (R) hold wildflower plugs about to be planted. Photo by the DRBC.