management principles
The Management Planning Committee established the following set of principles to guide the development of management strategies for the watershed.No Federal Land Acquisition: The National Park Service (NPS) will not acquire land within the White Clay Creek watershed for the purpose of protecting outstandingly remarkable resources.
Local Management: Management of White Clay Creek resources will be based primarily on the actions of local government in cooperation with landowners, the business community, individual citizens and county and state agencies. The role of the federal government will be minimal.
Use Of Existing Statutes, Ordinances And Programs: Every effort will be made to utilize only existing authorities, statutes, ordinances and programs to protect the important resources of White Clay Creek and its watershed. A set of recommended guidelines for local resource management and protection are part of this plan.
Protection Of Landowner Rights: Any strategy to conserve the resources of White Clay Creek and its watershed should simultaneously ensure that the property rights of landowners are protected.
Consistency With Local Plans: The existing range and pattern of agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial land uses should be consistent with adopted comprehensive development plans at the local and county levels.
Existing/Future Public Water Facilities: The plan will recognize the existing and future water-supply uses and wastewater treatment facilities in the White Clay Creek watershed. Existing uses include the surface water supply intakes for the City of Newark and United Water Delaware and wastewater treatment plants in the Boroughs of Avondale and West Grove. Wild and Scenic designation within the 500-year floodplain of White Clay Creek and its second-order tributaries should not restrict the existing operations or future modification to the water intakes, water treatment or wastewater treatment plants of the City of Newark, United Water Delaware or the Boroughs of Avondale and West Grove. The properties on which these facilities are located are recommended not to be included in the federal Wild and Scenic River designation. The Churchman's Marsh reservoir alternative has been deleted from further consideration as a water-supply alternative. Future water uses may include the Thompson Station reservoir alternative, which is to be located on Lamborn Run. Lamborn Run, along with the property on which the intake structures for the Thompson Station Reservoir will be located, should not be designated for Wild and Scenic status pending the completion of the federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If the federal EIS is not completed, or if it determines the Thompson Station reservoir site is practicable and the site remains on the DRBC Comprehensive Plan, then the Thompson Station reservoir site would remain unsuitable for federal Wild and Scenic status.
Existing Publicly Owned or Operated Water or Wastewater Collection, Conveyance and Treatment Systems: Operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and replacement of existing publicly owned or operated water or wastewater collection, conveyance or treatment systems, including incidental clearing and land disturbance activities which are performed in conformance with state laws, local ordinances and applicable U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationwide permits should not significantly or adversely impact White Clay Creek and its tributaries and therefore shall not be subject to application of this management plan by the White Clay Creek Watershed Management Committee.
Adoption Of Recommended Land-Use Management Protection Guidelines: The Land Use Management Guidelines should offer a range of alternatives for meeting resource-protection goals. Local governments should adopt into their local ordinances and plans those areas of the guidelines not currently addressed in their local ordinances. Landowners should be encouraged to adhere to the management guidelines in the stewardship of their own properties.
Comprehensive Strategy For Resource Protection And Conservation: The plan recognizes that no one group, organization or level of government can protect all of the resources of the White Clay Creek watershed. The actions of local governments will be a cornerstone of the plan. However, the successful protection of resources will require a coordinated approach and application of conservation easements, land trusts, education programs, best management practices, reforestation projects, etc.
Advisory Board Or Commission: An advisory board or commission representative of all watershed interests should be created to coordinate the long-term implementation of the Watershed Management Plan. The advisory board or commission should assist and guide local governments and landowners in their efforts to implement the overall watershed management plan as well.