A recent study found that the pristine streams of the Poconos provide transformational economic benefits to the region.
“The Our Pocono Waters Economic Benefit Report demonstrates that proximity to these special protection streams can provide upwards of $3 billion in benefits," said Donna Kohut, campaign manager for the organization.
On the back deck of the Broadhead Creek Heritage Center in East Stroudsburg on Aug. 16, Kohut was joined by local representatives to unveil the results of the organization’s Economic Effects of Special Protection Stream Designations in the Pocono Mountains Region Report. Local conservation organizations, recreation groups, local businesses, faith leaders and concerned residents make up Our Pocono Waters.
"Together, we work to protect the Exceptional Value streams in the region, and champion the importance of these streams in the Poconos," she said.
The partnership also raises awareness about the role of these waterways in Northeast Pennsylvania.
The study focused on the Pocono Region counties drained by the Delaware River including Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Carbon, Northampton and portions of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
Streams designated as Exceptional Value (EV) comprise the special protection waters under Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Laws, according to the report’s summary. Of Pennsylvania’s around 86,000 miles of streams, only 2 percent are healthy enough to be considered EV, which is the state’s highest water quality use designation, said Kohut.
“Luckily, for those who live and play in the Northeast Pennsylvania, 80% of the state's pristine streams are located right here in the Poconos," she said.
Kohut listed some of the streams known by their local names: Swiftwater, Tank Creek, Paradise, Devils Hole, Cranberry and Tunkhannock.
Water quality in exceptional value streams must be maintained at its existing level, according to the state code. Some of the streams in the Poconos are also considered High Quality (HQ) by the state. Under that designation, water quality may be reduced in those streams for necessary social or economic development, water quality criteria are met and existing uses of the stream are protected, according to the report.
The report found that residential and commercial land value increases for properties closer to EV or HQ streams. Land value does not seem to be impacted by having a stream with either designation on the property itself, the report states.
The streams under their current designations have economic benefits outside of recreation. The waterways provide $2.1 billion in ecosystem services.
“For example, riparian buffers along special designation streams provide a huge Pollution Reduction cost savings of $553 million in nutrient retention and almost $3 million in sediment control," she said.
Kohut broke down the economic benefit of the ecological services provided by special protection streams by county.
In Wayne County, $478.2 million; — County, $435.4 million; Monroe County, $331.2 million; Pike County , 327.3 million; Lackawanna County, $243.6 million; Carbon County, $178.9 million; and Northampton County, $114.5 million, she said.
"And remember, those are just the ecological services. Exceptional Value and High Quality waters also provide $14 million in recreational value and strong water quality protections could result in increased tourism and visitor spending to the tune of $245 to $982 million," said Kohut.
Our Pocono Waters also commissioned a residential survey in March. They polled about 500 residents in Monroe, Carbon, Wayne and Pike counties to evaluation their connection to the local EV streams.
Ninety-seven percent of those surveyed said it is important to protect and maintain the streams from added commercial development; 84% say that commercial development should be allowed as long as its well planned with the natural resources in mind; and 94% agreed that state and local officials should do more to protect and preserve the streams from added commercial development, according to the report.
While Our Pocono Waters says that the greatest threat to water quality in the Poconos is irresponsible land development, they are not against development in the region. Rather, they encourage it to be done responsibly with the natural resources, like EV streams, taken into consideration.
“That’s why Our Pocono Waters encourages local leaders to consider these benefits when next assessing the merits of land development projects that may jeopardize nearby streams," said Kohut. "Done responsibly we know that development projects can be scaled and situated to protect these important buffers and avoid damage to special protection streams.”
Todd Burns, Secretary of the Broadhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited, has been fishing in the Poconos for 40 years. He said that while in the region, he stops for food and gas and usually hits up a local outfitter for supplies. Monroe County, where the press conference Tuesday was held, ranks number three in the state for non-residential fishing licenses, he Burns added.
But anglers are not the only recreationalists who benefit from the streams.
“These waters attract ... hikers, bird watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. They also attract ... otters and beaver and great blue herons and water thrashes, and well the list goes on," he said. "As these Exceptional Value streams tumble and meander downstream to join the larger waters below. They do provide an influx of high quality water that keeps those streams suitable for recreation and opportunities for many miles.”
The waterways are part of larger river networks. For example, the streams in the Poconos flow into the Lehigh River.
Sierra Fogal is co-owner of Pocono Whitewater and Skirmish. The business has operated on the Lehigh River for 45 years. She’s a third generation business owner.
“If the waterways feeding the Lehigh and the Lehigh itself are not protected, I risk losing my family business. And as a region, we risk losing this economic driver and outdoor oasis to warehouses," Fogal said. "If we pay attention to development, and support responsible growth, we can keep the Poconos and rivers and streams like the Lehigh clean while still allowing the area to grow and expand. Waterways in the Poconos have enabled millions of people to experience and enjoy the natural world and it's our responsibility to keep it that way for future generations.”
