Township Officials Destroy Radnor's 20 Year Stream Bank Restoration Project

Township Officials Destroy Radnor’s 20 Year Stream Bank Restoration Project

Starting in 1999, members of the Environmental Advisory Committee, residents of the township and volunteers participated in the stream bank restoration of a portion of Little Darby Creek at The Willows and at Fenimore Pond. This project was possible after the Environmental Advisory Committee applied for and received the Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program Grant from the Department of Environmental Protection. For the last 20 years the residents of Radnor Township have worked with the DEP, the Department of Agriculture and Munro Environmental Services( the Townships Environmental Consultant), and numerous volunteer groups to stop the deterioration of the stream banks at the Willows Park and Fenimore Pond that would eventually cause the stream and the ponds to merge.

Tens of thousands of dollars have been spent on this project and thousands of volunteer hours have been used to try and save the Willows Pond and Fenimore Pond. The planting of native plants, shrubs and trees planted in fabric pillows so that they could grow a stable root structure without washing away were planted. “As the vegetation becomes strong enough it will hold the banks in place” John Monro told Township officials.

Forty-foot-long bundles of sticks where placed in the creek below the pillows. Finally, the lower level of the bank was lined with old utility poles that can stand up to ice and the debris that is washed downstream.

A “No Mow Zone” was also put into place to keep mowing practices away from the creek banks and pond edges to encourage natural growth.

“Though this technique should create dense growth along the banks within a couple of years”, Munro said, “The township would have to monitor the area and replant and restore eroded areas to protect the stream banks and ponds”.

But instead of monitoring for problems, the New Re-Organized Public Works Department under the direct supervision of Township Manager Robert Zienkowski , Public Works  Director Stephen Norcini and Sewer/ Parks Supervisor Mark Dominick has gone against the townships own Municipal code - Riparian Buffers - Chapter 280-89  http://ecode360.com/11079413

 They have cut down, mowed down and hacked off almost all of the vegetation down to the dirt, killing all life around the stream banks and ponds edge at both the Willows Park and Fenimore Pond destroying 20 years of hard work and thousands of tax dollars spent by Township residents.

Once again Mr. Zienkowski and Mr. Norcini have shown a lack of respect to the Township residence and their wishes. This new management team has no history with Radnor Township and once again has shown their lack of concern for the residents of Radnor Township. The time is NOW to remove this new management team and restore the proper personal to bring Radnor back to its hometown roots.