ENCLOSURE C
Description of Aquatic Habitat
8.A.(1).(2).
Describe food chain production and general stream habitat, including:
nesting, spawning, rearing, resting, migration, feeding, escape cover, etc.
Title 25, Chapter 93 of the Pennsylvania Code classifies the entire basin of Indian Run in Chester
County, including the North Branch of Indian Run, as a High Quality – Cold Water Fishery (HQCWF). Information from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) indicates that the
creek is not currently stocked with trout. The North Branch of Indian Run is a perennial stream,
according to United States Geological Survey (USGS) mapping. As a tributary to Indian Run,
which is in turn a tributary of the East Branch of Brandywine Creek, the North Branch of Indian
Run is considered a sixth-order waterway.
Primary energy sources of food chain production in streams are based on the supply of
surrounding riparian vegetation and in-stream aquatic plants (EPA 1989). Leaf litter is essential
for sustaining shredding and filtering macroinvertebrates and for providing nutrients to the
stream. Vegetative cover around a waterway also provides cover and stabilizes the water
temperature.
Within the project area, the banks of North Branch of Indian Run support deciduous woody
vegetation, both scrub-shrub and deciduous forest, with some mowed herbaceous vegetation in
the residential areas within the project area. The streambed upstream and downstream of the
existing bridge consists of gravel and small boulders, with a minimum of aquatic vegetation
within the waterway at the time of observation. The depth of the North Branch of Indian Run at
the time of observation (December 31, 2002) was approximately 0.2 to 0.6 meters (0.5 to 2.0 ft).
Organic detritus from both the surrounding deciduous woods landscape is likely to support the
aquatic ecology within the waterway.
The substrate of a stream and degree of in-stream cover are also important to maintaining aquatic
habitat; substrate including rock and gravel, with fallen and submerged woody debris and roots,
provide habitat for both fish and macroinvertebrates. The degree of embeddedness (i.e., the
amount of fine sediment surrounding boulders, rubble, or gravel) provides suitable habitat for
fish spawning and egg incubation.
Upstream of the existing S.R. 4021 bridge, the banks are a mix of mowed lawns, planted shrubs,
and a few mature deciduous trees; the banks are occasionally mowed. Downstream of the
bridge, the banks are natural, with deciduous trees and shrubs. The streambed of the North
Branch of Indian Run is natural and includes various aquatic habitats, riffles, runs, and pools; the
waterway is likely to support benthic macroinvertebrates and aquatic vegetation. As the North
Branch of Indian Run is not stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), it
is likely that the waterway supports native fish populations.
8.A.(3).
Describe habitat for threatened and endangered plant and animal species.
Coordination with the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI), Pennsylvania Game
Commission (PGC), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission (PFBC) indicated that the project area is within the historic range of the
Clemmys muhlenbergii (bog turtle). A Phase 1 Habitat Evaluation was completed in March of
2003 and submitted to the USFWS and PFBC. Both the USFWS and PFBC concur that the two
wetlands within the project area do not support appropriate bog turtle habitat. No other known
threatened or endangered plant or animal species exists within the project study area (Section E).
8.A.(4).
Describe environmental study areas in the form of a) sanctuaries and b)
refuges.
A field visit in conjunction with examination of the USGS topographic maps and county maps of
the Chester County indicate that there are no sanctuaries or refuges located within the project
study area or within the surrounding vicinity.
8.A.(5).
Provide a description of the in-stream macroinvertebrate community if the
project proposes a stream relocation, a stream enclosure, or dredging.
Stream relocation, enclosure, or dredging will not be required for this project. The replacement
and widening of the bridge will occur approximately along the existing alignment of S.R. 4021.
The roadway will be widened slightly along the approaches from 6.1 meters (20.0 ft) to 9.8
meters (32.0 ft). The new bridge will be slightly wider and therefore will shade a slightly wider
portion of the waterway. An Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Plan will be approved and
implemented prior to any work in and near the waterway to minimize disturbance and restore the
streambed to its natural condition.
8.B.
Describe water quantity and stream flow, including: natural drainage patterns,
flushing characteristics, groundwater discharge for baseflow, and natural recharge
areas for ground and surface waters.
The North Branch of Indian Run is a tributary of Indian Run; Indian Run is a tributary of the
Brandywine River, which is part of the Brandywine-Christina Watershed. The BrandywineChristina watershed is approximately 1463.3 square kilometers (565.0 sq mi) in area. The
existing banks of the North Branch of Indian Run are natural, and support a mix of mowed lawns
deciduous shrubs, and forest. The banks are heavily vegetated. The natural banks would provide
for natural ground and surface water recharge and storage. Two wetlands are located within the
project study area. Wetland 1 is a Palustrine Emergent (PEM) wetland located entirely within
the secondary banks of the waterway, downstream of the bridge. Wetland 1 is approximately 7.1
square meters (76.3 sq ft) in size, and is completely within the project limits. Wetland 2, a
second PEM located upstream of the bridge, is approximately 135.2 square meters (1454.8 sq ft)
in size, 19.6 square meters (210.8 sq ft) of which is within the project limits. No permanent
wetland impact is anticipated for either wetland.
8.C.
Describe water quality, including: preventing pollution, sedimentation control and
patterns, salinity distribution, and natural water filtration.
Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 93: Water Quality Standards classifies the entire basin of
Indian Run, including the North Branch of Indian Run, as a High Quality – Cold Water Fishery
(HQ-CWF). The North Branch of Indian Run is a perennial waterway with a substrate of silt,
pebbles, and boulders. The average water depth of the waterway within the project area is
generally 0.2 to 0.6 meters (0.5 to 2.0 ft).
The dense woody vegetation upstream and downstream of the bridge helps support the native
macroinvertebrate and fish populations. The natural banks within the project area also aid in
natural groundwater recharge and surface water storage and drainage. According to the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) list of 303(d) Impaired Waters,
Indian Run is impaired by high nutrient loads and suspended solids, possibly due to agricultural
and other cultivations within the watershed. Salinity distribution of Indian Run is typical of
waterways of its size in this region.
8.D.
Describe recreation, including: game species, non-game species, fishing, hiking,
observation of plants and wildlife, other.
Upstream of the project area, the land use is privately owned, consisting of residential land and
deciduous forest. The land is not open to public recreation, hunting, or fishing.
Downstream of the project area, the land is owned and maintained by Chester County as part of
the Springton Manor Farm. The Springton Manor Farm is part of a William Penn Manor that has
been in active cultivation since the early 1700s. The park is open to the public. Recreational
uses include hiking along a nature trail, observation of wild and cultivated plant species,
observation of domesticated farm animals, and limited fishing (catch-and-release) within an
agricultural pond. No hunting is permitted on the property. The proposed bridge to be replaced
is located in a wooded section of the part with no trails, will not interfere with any recreational
functions of the facility.
The North Branch of Indian Run is not stocked, but likely supports native fish species. Wildlife
within the project area consists primarily of urban and suburban wildlife and species adapted to
human settlement, such as white-tailed deer, chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, gray squirrels, and
waterfowl.
8.E.
Describe upstream and downstream property.
Land upstream of the S.R. 4021 bridge is privately owned by three landowners, and consists
primarily of mowed lawn, cultivated plantings, and deciduous forest within the project study
area. Land downstream of S.R. 4021 bridge is publicly owned by Chester County and serves as
a recreation and open space site, with historical value.
Please see the list of adjacent property owners for further details.
8.F.
Describe the environmental factors determined by site investigation.
Field investigations within the proposed project area documented two (2) palustrine emergent
(PEM) wetlands, neither of which will be permanently impacted by the bridge replacement and
roadway expansion. A preliminary area reconnaissance (PAR) investigation of the project area,
performed by A.D. Marble and Company in 2000, found no potential areas of environmentally
sensitive materials.
Cultural Heritage Research Services, Inc. (CHRS, Inc.) prepared a Historic Resources
Survey/Determination of Eligibility Report and a Criteria of Effect Report in November 1998.
This report identified and described the Weber/Starret/Fisher/Reed Rural Historic District and
the Springton Manor Farm. In a letter dated April 29, 1999, the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission (PHMC) concurred that the S.R. 4021 Bridge was not individually eligible
for listing in the National Register; however, concurrence was not reached for the boundaries of
the Weber/Starret/Fisher/Reed Rural Historic District. Based on this 1999 letter, the PHMC
stated that the Weber/Starret/Fisher/Reed Rural Historic District may be a part of a larger eligible
district, and a field view must be conducted to make this determination. After repeated
correspondence between PENNDOT and the PHMC, an agreement on the National Register
boundary for the Weber/Starret/Fisher/Reed Rural Historic District was not determined.
However, during an October 2001 field view and due to the changes in the project scope of
work, PENNDOT and PHMC reached a tentative agreement on the effect to the historic
properties, not on the boundaries. They agreed that the project was likely to have No Adverse
Effect to the adjacent historic properties. In September 2003, PENNDOT submitted a
memorandum summarizing impacts to the historic districts and recommended that the project
would have No Adverse Effect to either district. As a result, on October 24, 2003, PHMC
concurred with the findings that the project will have No Adverse Effect on the Springton Manor
Farm and the Weber/Starret/Fisher/Reed Rural Historic District.