8. A. AQUATIC HABITATS

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1 ENCLOSURE C S.R SECTION 80S DELAWARE CANAL BRIDGE REHABILITATION PROJECT, TINICUM TOWNSHIP, BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA DESCRIPTION OF AQUATIC HABITAT 8. A. AQUATIC HABITATS (1) Food Chain Production- One watercourse and no wetlands were identified within the project area limits during the October 4, 2004, on-site investigation. The Delaware Canal is the one watercourse associated with this project. The bed and banks of the canal are well defined due to recent rehabilitation activities by the DCNR. There was no emergent vegetation, aquatic biota, or herpto-fauna observed in the canal during the field investigation. The substrate consists primarily of clay and silt. A detailed Wetland and Watercourse Identification and Delineation Report is located in Enclosure A of this Environmental Assessment document. (2) General Habitat- The Delaware Canal is a first-order tributary to the Delaware River; it crosses over Tohickon Creek approximately 350 feet downstream of the S.R bridge. This crossing is approximately 1,000 feet upstream of where Tohickon Creek confluences with the Delaware River. Water uses within the Delaware River adjacent to the project area are protected under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) Chapter 93 Water Quality Regulations for Warm Water Fishes (WWF) and Migratory Fishes (MF) with no exceptions to specific criteria. Water uses within Tohickon Creek adjacent to the project area are protected under PA DEP, Chapter 93, for Cold Water Fishes (CWF). The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) does not list the Delaware Canal as a naturally reproducing trout stream, and through coordination with the PA Fish and Boat Commission Area 6 Office, PENNDOT was informed that this section of the Delaware Canal is not included within the area that is an Approved Trout Water. The approved trout water is only within the boundaries of Washington Crossing Historic Park. The general habitat of the Delaware Canal for nesting, spawning, rearing, resting, migration, feeding or escape cover is limited because of its silt/clay substrate and lack of any riffle and pool complexes.

2 (3) Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Plant and Animal Species- In March 1998, coordination was conducted with the appropriate resource agencies (Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission [PFBC], Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources [DCNR] PNDI, Pennsylvania Game Commission [PGC], and the US Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] to determine the potential presence of threatened and/or endangered species in the project area. Two agencies searches, the PFBC and the DCNR, listed 10 species of concern in the project area. Field surveys completed in June 1998 determined that no species of concern were present within the project area. Photographs and a narrative documenting the June 1998 survey were coordinated with the PFBC and DCNR. Subsequent yearly and bi-yearly coordination has been updated according to specific agency requirements since the beginning of this project. Updated responses from the USFWS, PGC, and DCNR indicated that impacts to species of special concern (including threatened/endangered species) were not likely. These response letters are included in the PNDI Search menu of the permit package. The PFBC reiterated their initial concerns that there may be potential adverse impacts to the red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) a Pennsylvania State threatened species. If the rehabilitation work is going to be performed between April 15 and November 1 st, then a qualified biologist must be on sight to inspect the work and relocate any red-bellied turtles found. Coordination with the PFBC is ongoing concerning this matter. Coordination letters are included in this permit. (4) Environmental Study Area- Potential impacts to sanctuaries or refuges were reviewed for this project area. There are no occurrences of, or impacts to, these resources. (5) Description of macro-invertebrate community if project proposes a stream relocation, enclosure, or dredging- This project does not propose a stream relocation, stream enclosure, or dredging activities. 8. B. WATER QUANTITY AND STREAMFLOW (1) Natural Drainage Patterns-The Delaware Canal is a man-made first-order tributary to the Delaware River. The canal crosses over the Tohickon Creek, via the

3 Stoney Run Aqueduct, approximately 350 feet downstream of the S.R bridge. This crossing is approximately 1,000 feet upstream of the Tohickon Creek confluence with the Delaware River. As with most man-made canals, water volume and depth within the canal is manipulated. (2) Flushing Characteristics- Throughout the project area, the Delaware Canal has a width of approximately 50 to 65 feet and has varying water quantity ranging from saturated soils to approximately one foot of inundation. Seasonal fluctuations in hydrologic conditions within the canal were observed during the preliminary design studies. Water flows in the canal in a southerly direction through the project area. As with most man-made canals, flushing patterns in the canal are manipulated using the inlet and waste gates during high flows. (3) Current Patterns- The Delaware Canal in the project area does not have a steep gradient and follows a relatively straight line. There are no riffles or pools within the project area and the substrate is silt/clay. Therefore, current patterns are weak and relatively uniform. (4) Groundwater Discharge for Baseflow- Groundwater Discharge for base flow was not observed in the project area in the Delaware Canal. Water enters the Delaware Canal through an inlet in New Hope, Pennsylvania. (5) Natural recharge area for ground and surface waters- There were no wetlands located within the project study area to provide natural recharge. (6) Storm and floodwater storage and control- As with most man-made canals, the Delaware Canal provides limited storm and or floodwater storage control through the use of man-controlled inlets and water gates. 8. C. WATER QUALITY (1) Preventing Pollution- The adjacent riparian habitat consists of a sparse corridor of deciduous trees buffering residential and commercial properties. There was no pollution observed within the project area.

4 (2) Sedimentation Control and Patterns- In the project area the canal provides very limited opportunities for sedimentation control. (3) Salinity Distribution- This project is in a freshwater area where there are no salinity inputs. (4) Natural Water Filtration- During flooding events, natural filtration of water occurs to a limited extent in the canal. There are no wetlands within the project area which can act as natural water filtration systems. 8. D. RECREATION (1) Game Species- There was no aquatic life observed in the canal within the project area. The general habitat of the canal for nesting, spawning, rearing, resting, migration, feeding or escape cover is limited because of its silt/clay substrate and lack of riffle and pool complexes. (2) Non-Game Species- Aquatic life was not observed in the canal within the project area during field visits. The silt/clay substrate of the canal and lack of riffle and pool complexes limits the ability of the canal to provide areas ideal for nesting, spawning, rearing, resting, migrating, feeding, and escape cover. (3) Fishing- Through coordination with the PA Fish and Boat Commission Area 6 Office, PennDOT was informed that this section of the Delaware Canal is not included within the area that is an Approved Trout Water. The approved trout water is only within the boundaries of Washington Crossing Historic Park. No fishing activities were observed or ever documented in the project area. (4) Hiking- The project is located within the Delaware Canal State Park. A 60- mile towpath runs adjacent to the canal. The towpath is used by cyclist and pedestrians for recreational activities including walking, jogging, biking, skiing and wildlife watching.

5 (5) Observation (plant/wildlife) - When/if the towpath is open, the project area does provide opportunities to observe nature because the project location is within the Delaware Canal State Park. 8. E. UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PROPERTIES The upstream and downstream properties adjacent to and in the vicinity of the project area consist of residential properties, businesses, and state park property. 8. F. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS DETERMINED BY SITE INVESTIGATION Historic and Park Resources The S.R bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located within the Point Pleasant Historic District, and is located within the Delaware Canal State Park. The Delaware Canal State Park follows the 60-mile towpath of the Delaware Canal paralleling the Delaware River between Easton and Bristol. The Delaware Canal is the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath canal building era of the early and mid-19 th century. This area is also part of the Delaware & Lehigh Canal State Heritage Corridor, which is a 150-mile historic route of the Delaware Canal and Lehigh Navigation System stretching from Wilkes-Barre in the northeast to the tidewaters of Bristol in the southeast. Farmland Soils Additionally, according to the USDA NRCS online soils map of Bucks County, Delaware loam (DaA) soils occur within the project area. Delaware loam soils are designated as prime farmland soils. There are no farmlands within in the project area.