Read About North Pocono CARE and the Important Activities Carried Out By Members

North Pocono CARE Monitors PPL Transmission Line Impacts on Streams

In 2016, North Pocono CARE began to study the potential impacts of the PPL transmission line cuts on three tributaries to the Lehigh River, which in turn feeds into the Delaware River. The tributaries are Ash Creek on Pa. Game Commission property in Clifton Township, Lackawanna County, Sand Spring Creek on DCNR Bureau of Forestry property in Thornhurst Township, Lackawanna County, and Choke Creek, which forms the boundary between Thornhurst Township, Lackawanna County and Buck Township, Luzerne County with Forest lands on one side and Game lands on the other. The monitoring addresses the greatest concerns for these coldwater streams – temperature, siltation, and other pollution.

North Pocono CARE Plants Riparian Buffers on Ash and Choke Creeks 

In 2018, North Pocono CARE volunteers planted 200 small trees and shrubs in the transmission line cut along Ash Creek, which will provide shade and bank stability as they mature.  This was done with the permission and guidance of the Pa. Game Commission and PPL, which has designated this as a conservation area.  

In 2019, North Pocono CARE volunteers planted 450 small trees and shrubs in the transmission line cut along Choke Creek.  This, too, was accomplished with the permission and guidance of the Pa. Game Commission and PPL, as well as the DCNR Bureau of Forestry.  We look forward to the positive impact these substantial plantings will have.