Up Valley Communities

Municipalities in this section include: the Boroughs of Jermyn and Mayfield, Carbondale, Greenfield and Fell Townships, and the City of Carbondale. The listed recommendations are related to the protection of and potential projects along the Lackawanna River and its tributary streams, including: Aylesworth Creek, Calendar Gap Creek, Rush Brook, Hosey Creek, Powderly Creek, Lees Creek, Brookside Run, Fall Brook, Racket Brook, Coal Brook, and Wilson Creek.

Jermyn Borough

The Lackawanna River flows for approximately 1.5-miles through the Borough of Jermyn. Three tributary streams to the Lackawanna also lie within the municipality. They include the confluence areas and lower reaches of Aylesworth Creek, Calendar Gap Creek and Rush Brook.

General Recommendations:

1.     The Borough of Jermyn should include the protection of the Lackawanna River, Aylesworth Creek, Calendar Gap Creek and Rush Brook, and technical requirements for that protection, in their zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans.

2.     The Borough of Jermyn may consider enhancements to its zoning, land development and subdivision plans to improve the management of small lot subdivisions, especially relative to slope, soil and drainage conditions. This plan recommends the participation with other local municipalities and county agencies in programs to better manage minor subdivision development.

3.     This plan further recommends the enhancement of municipal zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans to further define and protect: open space, natural areas, wetlands, woodlands, greenway and stream corridors, recreational corridors, ridge lines, escarpments, scenic view sheds, and historical and cultural resources.

Recommendations for the Lackawanna River:

1.     This plan recommends acquisition of the balance of undeveloped New York, Ontario & Western rail line parcels in Jermyn, for development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

2.     This plan recommends the construction of a pedestrian bridge on the NYO&W line to cross the Lackawanna River at River Street; original abutments are still in place at this site.

3.     This plan recommends a partnership with Jermyn Borough and others to develop a park, river access, historical and cultural interpretive program and habitat restoration at the confluence of Calendar Gap Creek in Jermyn.

4.     This plan recommends no action other than interpretive signage and monitoring for the Jermyn Tunnel acid mine drainage discharge.

Recommendations for Aylesworth Creek:

1. Just upstream of its confluence with the Lackawanna River, additional stream bank stabilization work is appropriate in the Powder Mill Dam River Corridor Preserve site. A linkage trail from the Powder Mill Dam site and the Archbald to Jermyn reach of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, to Aylesworth Park is recommended.

2. The further development of a forest stewardship program at the Powder Mill Dam Preserve is recommended. The site may also be an appropriate location for the installation of an interpretive kiosk or pavilion.

Recommendations for Calendar Gap Creek:

1. A park at the confluence with the Lackawanna River should be created through a project involving the Borough-owned parcel and possible easement or acquisition of all or a portion of the adjoining private parcel. The site has potential to tie into the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail development across the Delaware Avenue Bridge and serve as a Heritage Landing for Jermyn.

Recommendations for Rush Brook:

1. This plan recommends construction of a pedestrian bridge along the New York, Ontario & Western rail line over Rush Brook; original abutments are in place at this site.

2. This plan recommends that the Borough of Jermyn and the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority consider acquisition of land adjacent to the Rush Brook-Lackawanna River confluence, to support a greenway area linked to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

Mayfield Borough

The Lackawanna River flows for approximately 1.2-miles through the Borough of Mayfield. Three tributary streams to the Lackawanna also lie within the municipality. They include the entire length of Hosey Creek, the confluence area and lower reaches of Powderly Creek, and the confluence area of Lees Creek, whose course closely follows the Mayfield/Carbondale Township border in its lower reach.

General Recommendations:

1.     The Borough of Mayfield should include the protection of the Lackawanna River, Hosey Creek, Powderly Creek and Lees Creek, and technical requirements for that protection, in their zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans.

2.     The Borough of Mayfield may consider enhancements to its zoning, land development and subdivision plans to improve the management of small lot subdivisions, especially relative to slope, soil and drainage conditions. This plan recommends the participation with other local municipalities and county agencies in programs to better manage minor subdivision development.

3.     This plan further recommends the enhancement of municipal zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans to further define and protect: open space, natural areas, wetlands, woodlands, greenway and stream corridors, recreational corridors, ridge lines, escarpments, scenic view sheds, and historical and cultural resources.

Recommendations for the Lackawanna River:

1. This plan recommends acquisition of the remaining undeveloped parcels of the New York, Ontario & Western rail line in Mayfield for development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

2. This plan recommends a Lackawanna River Heritage Trail linkage to the pathways along the Mayfield flood control levees and a linkage to the Lakeland elementary center.

Recommendations for Hosey Creek:

1.     Restoration of upper Hosey Creek can be achieved with mine reclamation and community development activities. Restoration should utilize bio-engineering and the design and development of stormwater systems to restore and maintain a more permanent streamflow and enhanced habitat along a greenway corridor.

2.     The Hosey Creek confluence area near the river can provide recreational, education and habitat opportunities for the Lakeland Elementary Center.

3.     The flood control berms along the Lackawanna River at the Hosey Creek confluences can provide local trail and river access sites and potential links to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

Recommendations for Powderly Creek:

1.     A major mine reclamation and AMD watershed restoration program is recommended for Powderly Creek. The following partners have work and projects in planning or at early reconnaissance/feasibility phase:

·  Northampton Fuels, Inc., an important anthracite waste coal electric co-generator, has leased several of the culm piles along Meredith Street for removal as fuel for their Northampton, PA plant. The residual ash will be transshipped for site reclamation.

·  The PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation intends to conduct additional stream channel restoration through the Bushwick site.

·  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to conduct a feasibility assessment in conjunction with PA DEP-BAMR and LRCA on Powderly Creek projects.

·  Lackawanna Watershed 2000, a Lackawanna County project funded by USEPA and PA DEP-BAMR is also preparing coordinated work on Powderly Creek.

2.     A post reclamation, reuse/development plan should be created to involve all property owners, municipalities and appropriate county and private development agencies in a coordinated development program for the potential two to three-thousand acres of developable abandoned mine land in the vicinity of Powderly Creek and the Meredith Street exit of the Robert Casey Highway.

3.     Rail service opportunities for the lower Powderly site should be developed for industrial and commercial uses.

Recommendations for Lees Creek:

1. Channel lining and restoration for 2000 feet up from the confluence will restore good perennial flows to the river. The Lackawanna Valley Heritage Authority and the PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation should consider this work when Heritage Authority develops the upper end of its campus.

2. The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail will cross the Lees Creek near its confluence. A sufficiently sized culvert or bridge installation could include 200 feet of channel restoration along the approaches to the bridge site.

Carbondale Township

The Lackawanna River flows for approximately 0.5-miles through Carbondale Township. Six tributary streams to the Lackawanna also lie within the municipality, though none of them confluence with the Lackawanna within the township. They include middle reaches of Rush Brook, upper headwater reaches of Aylesworth Creek, middle to upper reaches of Powderly Creek, all but the confluence area of Lees Creek, upper headwater reaches of Brookside Run, and middle to upper headwater reaches of Racket Brook. A seventh tributary stream to the Lackawanna, Fall Brook, also has a very small portion of its length within the municipality. Murin Run, a tributary to Fall Brook which flows from Mountain Mud Pond in Merli-Sarnoski Park, also lies within the township.

General Recommendations:

1.     Carbondale Township should include the protection of the Lackawanna River, Rush Brook, Aylesworth Creek, Powderly Creek, Lees Creek, Brookside Run, Racket Brook and Fall Brook and Murin Run, and technical requirements for that protection, in their zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans.

2.     Carbondale Township may consider enhancements to its zoning, land development and subdivision plans to improve the management of small lot subdivisions, especially relative to slope, soil and drainage conditions. This plan recommends the participation with other local municipalities and county agencies in programs to better manage minor subdivision development.

3.     This plan further recommends the enhancement of municipal zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans to further define and protect: open space, natural areas, wetlands, woodlands, greenway and stream corridors, recreational corridors, ridge lines, escarpments, scenic view sheds, and historical and cultural resources.

Recommendations for the Lackawanna River:

1. This plan recommends acquisition of the balance of New York, Ontario & Western undeveloped parcels in Carbondale Township for development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

2. This plan recommends development of a greenway and recreational easement with PPL and other property owners between Meredith and Pike Streets along the east bank of the Lackawanna River.

Recommendations for Rush Brook:

No recommendations for the reach of Rush Brook within Carbondale Township

Recommendations for Aylesworth Creek:

No recommendations for the reach of Aylesworth Creek within Carbondale Township

Recommendations for Powderly Creek:

1.      A major mine reclamation and AMD watershed restoration program is recommended for Powderly Creek. The following partners have work and projects in planning or at early reconnaissance - feasibility phase:

·     Northampton Fuels, Inc., an important anthracite waste coal electric co-generator, has leased several of the culm piles along Meredith Street for removal as fuel for their Northampton, PA plant. The residual ash will be transshipped for site reclamation.

·    The PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation intends to conduct additional stream channel restoration through the Bushwick site.

·    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to conduct a feasibility assessment in conjunction with PA DEP-BAMR and LRCA on Powderly Creek projects.

·     Lackawanna Watershed 2000, a Lackawanna County project funded by USEPA and PA DEP-BAMR is also preparing coordinated work on Powderly Creek.

2.     A post reclamation, reuse/development plan should be created to involve all property owners, municipalities and appropriate county and private development agencies in a coordinated development program for the potential two to three-thousand acres of developable abandoned mine land in the vicinity of Powderly Creek and the Meredith Street exit of the Robert Casey Highway.

3.     A more vigorous approach to assessment, prognosis and control for the mine fire site needs to be developed.

4.     A greenway program along the Powderly Creek needs to be instituted by ordinance protection, easements and management. D&H Gravity Railroad resources need to be protected and incorporated into the greenway program to support recreational trails.

5.     Rail service opportunities for the lower Powderly site should be developed for industrial and commercial uses.

Recommendations for Lees Creek:

1. Channel lining and restoration for 2000 feet up from the confluence will restore good perennial flows to the river. The Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority and the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation should consider this work when LHVA develops the upper end of its campus.

Recommendations for Brookside Run:

Channel lining and regrading of strip mine pits along the stream in Carbondale Township and the City of Carbondale could restore perennial flows to Brookside Run.

The Lackawanna Valley Conservancy is available to work with the township, the cemetery association and property owners or developers, to help plan and manage a greenway project for Brookside Run.

Recommendations for Racket Brook:

Racket Brook presents several opportunities for cultural, recreational and habitat improvements. The Gravity Railroad alignment and structural remnants are eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The Gravity also offers economic and cultural justification to serve as a link in the regional trail system and heritage tourism infrastructure. This can also become the basis for a Racket Brook Greenway.

1. This plan suggests a partnership be developed among LRCA, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, Carbondale Township, the City of Carbondale and its agencies, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, the Carbondale Historic Society, the Rail Trail Council of North East Pennsylvania and other interested parties to develop a greenway, trail and heritage corridor along Racket Brook.

2. To facilitate the greenway, the LRCA recommends the acquisition of all available parcels of the D&H Gravity Railroad along Racket Brook from Carbondale through Whites Crossing in Lackawanna County and the light track, later Honesdale branch alignment, from Whites Crossing through the Carbondale Number 4 tract and through the correctional institute and federal prison tracts in Canaan Township, Wayne County.

Recommendations for Fall Brook:

The Fall Brook corridor has the potential to serve as a greenway link from Carbondale to Merli-Sarnoski Park and future linkage to the Tunkhannock Creek watershed in Scott and Greenfield Townships. There are also ongoing needs for channel restoration related to flow loss to the mine pool. Also, the riparian habitat can be better conserved by a comprehensive program to create and maintain a greenway along Fall Brook. The following recommendations constitute elements suggested for a Fall Brook greenway:

The Corps of Engineers is developing a feasibility study to address mine reclamation issues along Fall Brook and Murin Run. This work should include stream channel sealing and restoration of the natural morphology and riparian corridor.

A study is recommended to plan a greenway/recreational trail along Fall Brook from the confluence to Fall Brook Falls. Potential links to Merli-Sarnoski Park and other points in Fell, Greenfield and Scott Townships may be included in the Fall Brook Greenway plan.

City of Carbondale

The Lackawanna River flows for approximately 2.75-miles through the City of Carbondale. Portions of five tributary streams to the Lackawanna also lie within the municipality. They include the headwaters of Powderly Creek, and the confluence and lower reaches of Brookside Run, Racket Brook, Coal Brook, and Fall Brook and its tributary Murin Run.

General Recommendations:

1. The City of Carbondale should include the protection of the Lackawanna River, Powderly Creek, Brookside Run, Racket Brook, Coal Brook, and Fall Brook and Murin Run, and technical requirements for that protection, in their zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans.

2. The City of Carbondale may consider enhancements to its zoning, land development and subdivision plans to improve the management of small lot subdivisions, especially relative to slope, soil and drainage conditions. This plan recommends the participation with other local municipalities and county agencies in programs to better manage minor subdivision development.

3. This plan further recommends the enhancement of municipal zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans to further define and protect: open space, natural areas, wetlands, woodlands, greenway and stream corridors, recreational corridors, ridge lines, escarpments, scenic view sheds, and historical and cultural resources.

Recommendations for the Lackawanna River:

1.     This plan recommends completion of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail through the City of Carbondale, including several links to the D&H and O&W trails.

2.     This plan supports restoration of the stone floodwalls along the Lackawanna and installation of river access points through the City of Carbondale.

3.     This plan recommends development of a Heritage Landing at the Racket Brook confluence and the D&H round house site. This site could become a Carbondale River Commons.

4.     This plan recommends development of a greenway and recreational easement with PPL and other property owners between Meredith and Pike Streets along the east bank of the Lackawanna.

5.     This plan recommends the development of conservation easements for greenway and recreational purposes along the Lackawanna, including the Thorton property at the former Carbondale rail yards.

6.     A river access and educational site at the Schoolside Branch of PennStar Bank could improve river access and presentation of in-stream river and watershed education. This plan recommends improvements and easements at this site.

Recommendations for Powderly Creek:

1.     A major mine reclamation and AMD watershed restoration program is recommended for Powderly Creek. The following partners have work and projects in planning or at early reconnaissance-feasibility phase:

·  Northampton Fuels, Inc., an important anthracite waste coal electric co-generator, has leased several of the Powderly site culm piles for removal as fuel for their Northampton, PA plant. The residual ash will be transshipped for site reclamation.

· The PA DEP Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation intends to conduct additional stream channel restoration through the Bushwick site.

· The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to conduct a feasibility assessment in conjunction with PA DEP-BAMR and LRCA on Powderly Creek projects.

·   Lackawanna Watershed 2000, a Lackawanna County project funded by USEPA and PA DEP-BAMR is also preparing coordinated work on Powderly Creek.

2.   A post reclamation, reuse/development plan should be created to involve all property owners, municipalities and appropriate county and private development agencies in a coordinated development program for the potential two to three-thousand acres of developable abandoned mine land in the vicinity of Powderly Creek and the Meredith Street exit of the Robert Casey Highway.

3.   A more vigorous approach to assessment, prognosis and control for the mine fire site needs to be developed.

4.   A greenway program along the Powderly Creek needs to be instituted by ordinance protection, easements and management.

· D&H Gravity Railroad resources need to be protected and incorporated into the greenway program to support recreational trails.

· Russell Park can be expandable by inclusion in reclamation activities. It is recommended to serve as a trailhead for a Powderly/D&H Gravity Greenway Trail.

5.   The City of Carbondale through its Community Development Program can include enhancements and improvements to the culvert system that conveys the headwater seeps and mine drainage springs into the Powderly corridor.

Recommendations for Brookside Run:

Channel lining and regrading of strip mine pits along the stream through the City of Carbondale could help restore perennial flows to Brookside Run.

Recommendations for Fall Brook:

The Fall Brook corridor has the potential to serve as a greenway link from the City of Carbondale to Merli-Sarnoski Park and future linkage to the Tunkhannock Creek watershed in Scott and Greenfield Townships. There are also ongoing needs for channel restoration related to flow loss to the mine pool. Also, the riparian habitat can be better conserved by a comprehensive program to create and maintain a greenway along Fall Brook. The following recommendations constitute elements suggested for a Fall Brook greenway:

The Corps of Engineers is developing a feasibility study to address mine reclamation issues along Fall Brook and Murin Run. This work should include stream channel sealing and restoration of the natural morphology and riparian corridor.

A study is recommended to plan a greenway/recreational trail along Fall Brook from the confluence to Fall Brook Falls. Potential links to Merli-Sarnoski Park and other points in Fell, Greenfield and Scott Townships may be included in the Fall Brook Greenway plan.

Additional greenway sites and links may be included along several Fall Brook sites including the Carbondale Area high school and middle school campus, the commercial strip along Brooklyn Street, the west side residential neighborhoods, and the Tri-County health site.

Recommendations for Racket Brook:

This plan suggests a partnership be developed among LRCA, Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, the City of Carbondale and its agencies, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, the Carbondale Historic Society, the Rail Trail Council of North East Pennsylvania and other interested parties to develop a greenway, trail and heritage corridor along Racket Brook.

To facilitate the greenway, the LRCA recommends the acquisition of all available parcels of the D&H Gravity Railroad along Racket Brook from the City of Carbondale through Whites Crossing in Lackawanna County and the light track, later Honesdale branch alignment, from Whites Crossing through the Carbondale Number 4 tract and through the correctional institute and federal prison tracts in Canaan Township, Wayne County.

This plan recommends development of a Heritage Gateway adjacent to the Ben Mar Restaurant in the City of Carbondale, to serve as an strategic junction in linking the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail with the D&H and O&W rail trails to the north, and the developing D&H Transportation Heritage Corridor to the east.

LRCA suggests that the City of Carbondale take a lead in a physical cleanup of Racket Brook, to address urban dumping of trash, yard waste and coal waste. The cleanup could also address ongoing maintenance issues for urban storm water, invasive species and protection of residual natural habitat.

Recommendations for Coal Brook:

A comprehensive restoration program for Coal Brook is needed to restore the water course and natural flow to Coal Brook. This program could provide opportunities for public and private partnerships to reclaim abandoned mine lands, restore water resources and redevelop upland areas for residential and institutional uses. LRCA, the City of Carbondale, Fell Township, state agencies, and property owners may wish to cooperate on such partnerships.

The Coal Brook Colliery buildings and the D&H roundhouse offer opportunities for adaptive reuse. Public and private partnerships are recommended to advance cleanup and adaptive reuse of these sites.

The City of Carbondale, PA DEP and the Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority should investigate and remedy the sewage inflow in the Coal Brook-Dundaff Street culvert. Other sewage streams on the east bank near the Maplewood Cemetery and Belmont Street neighborhood also need to be investigated.

Fell Township

The Lackawanna River flows for approximately 3.1-miles through Fell Township. Portions of three tributary streams to the Lackawanna also lie within the municipality. They include middle to upper headwater reaches of Fall Brook and Coal Brook and the confluence and entire length of Wilson Creek.

General Recommendations:

Fell Township should include the protection of the Lackawanna River, Fall Brook, Coal Brook and Wilson Creek, and technical requirements for that protection, in their zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans.

Fell Township may consider enhancements to its zoning, land development and subdivision plans to improve the management of small lot subdivisions, especially relative to slope, soil and drainage conditions. This plan recommends the participation with other local municipalities and county agencies in programs to better manage minor subdivision development.

This plan further recommends the enhancement of municipal zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans to further define and protect: open space, natural areas, wetlands, woodlands, greenway and stream corridors, recreational corridors, ridge lines, escarpments, scenic view sheds, and historical and cultural resources.

Recommendations for the Lackawanna River:

Panther Bluff ravine and the preserved tract as well as the No. 10 Hole twin waterfalls are included on the LRCA’s List of Special Places and Natural Areas. These sites are recommended for stewardship management activities and educational programs.

The Northwest Dump culm pile is recommended for removal and site reclamation. This plan recommends a conservation subdivision development as an appropriate reuse of the site.

This plan recommends acquisition of the balance of the 6500-foot gap in the D&H right-of-way.

Recommendations for Fall Brook:

The Corps of Engineers is developing a feasibility study to address mine reclamation issues along Fall Brook. This work should include stream channel sealing and restoration of the natural morphology and riparian corridor.

A study is recommended to plan a greenway/recreational trail along Fall Brook from the confluence to Fall Brook Falls. Potential links to Merli-Sarnoski Park and other points in Fell, Greenfield and Scott Townships may be included in the Fall Brook Greenway plan.

Lackawanna County may wish to consider development of public access - interpretive site and management program at Fall Brook Falls and a trail linkage to the developed portion of Merli-Sarnoski Park.

Fall Brook Falls is included on the LRCA’s List of Special Places and Natural Areas. This site is recommended for stewardship management activities and educational programs.

Recommendations for Coal Brook:

A comprehensive restoration program for Coal Brook is needed to restore the water course and natural flow to Coal Brook. This program could provide opportunities for public and private partnerships to reclaim abandoned mine lands, restore water resources and redevelop upland areas for residential and institutional uses. LRCA, the City of Carbondale, Fell Township, state agencies, and property owners may wish to cooperate on such partnerships.

Recommendations for Wilson Creek:

1.     A complete channel restoration of Wilson Creek is recommended to eliminate infiltration into the mine pool from Richmondale to Simpson.

2.     Subsequent to the removal or regrading of the Richmondale Pile, the site would be appropriate for residential, institutional, or mixed village, commercial, residential development; a public and private partnership may be useful in advancing the appropriate redevelopment of this area.

3.     AMD flows at the Upper and Lower Wilson Outfalls and Molensky Slope should be assessed and mitigated, if necessary.

4.     The Doyle & Roth site has potential for historic adaptive reuse. LRCA recommends that the property owners, the township and other interested parties consider a partnership to redevelop this site.

5.     Opportunities for a Wilson Creek greenway and trail to link Simpson and Richmondale may be developed in conjunction with the D&H trail and Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

Greenfield Township

Two tributary streams to the Lackawanna River have upper headwater reaches within Greenfield Township. They include the headwaters of Rush Brook and the headwaters of tributary streams to Fall Brook, including Crystal Lake.

General Recommendations:

1.     Greenfield Township should include the protection of upper headwater reaches of Rush Brook and Fall Brook, and technical requirements for that protection, in their zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans.

2.     Greenfield Township may consider enhancements to its zoning, land development and subdivision plans to improve the management of small lot subdivisions, especially relative to slope, soil and drainage conditions. This plan recommends the participation with other local municipalities and county agencies in programs to better manage minor subdivision development.

3.     This plan further recommends the enhancement of municipal zoning, land use and subdivision ordinances and comprehensive plans to further define and protect: open space, natural areas, wetlands, woodlands, greenway and stream corridors, recreational corridors, ridge lines, escarpments, scenic view sheds, and historical and cultural resources.