Politics & Government

Ottinger Tract Preservation on Track

Residents of Shawmont Valley Association works toward removing invasive weeds.

Working off recommendations from a local conservation group, the Residents of Shawmont Valley Association is moving toward improved land preservation near the Schuylkill River for wildlife habitation.

At the civic's Feb. 15 meeting at the , President Dave Cellini outlined a preservation plan for the Ottinger Tract—a piece of land along the Schuylkill River that is secluded from most foot traffic.

Following a management planning report compiled by Natural Lands Trust—an environmentalist group based in Media—public Shawmont river areas were divided into nine zones. Bounded by the river and SEPTA lines, the narrow strip needs management to flourish as preservation land, the report said.

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"Essentially we are trying to optimize the area for wildlife and natural plantings," Cellini said. Specifically, the group is not looking for a public facility but maintenance of "an area prime for wildlife and migratory bird habitation."

On Tuesday, the group discussed phase one: removing (or containing) invasive plants without harming the ecosystem, while fostering naturals.

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According to the report, there is a large growth of "Japanese knotweed... a noxious weed characteristic of the river's edge... Eradicating the weed would be difficult to impossible; however, its extent should be monitored to keep it at bay."

Natural Lands Trust recommends herbicides, a tactic Cellini warmed up to. Though a concern initially existed whether this path would affect the water life, Cellini is confident this route is feasible and sound.

"We're looking for a contractor to safely and competently develop a plan..." he said. "We need to make sure poisons aren't laying around."

After testing herbicides himself and seeing Pennsylvania State University researches effectively use them, he was won over.

Once the weather warms up, the Residents of Shawmont Valley Association wants to organize casual weeknight work events where brush can be cleared. Within a few years, Cellini envisions a pristine area.

"Long range, in four or five years, we'll have a nice scene down there," he said.

Anyone interested in cleanup efforts may visit the civic's Web site.


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