The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) published a notice on September 3 in the Pennsylvania Register that it has approved the environmental assessment and the restoration plans for the Cobbs Creek golf courses — nine months after the Cobbs Creek Foundation began work on the project.
Specifically, the approval is for the restoration of Cobbs Creek, Indian Creek and unnamed tributaries. This project involves removing sediment that has accumulated in the creek channels and creating nearly 37 acres of wetlands. It is unclear whether this approval applies to tree clearing in upland areas elsewhere on the golf courses. Grid has reached out to the DEP for clarification but has not heard back.
The notice also mentions that the Cobbs Creek Foundation, the West Conshohocken-based foundation created to undertake the controversial golf course project on 350 acres of public land leased for 30 years for the price of $1, is working with Pittsburgh-based Resource Environmental Solutions on the restoration. The Cobbs Creek Foundation had previously said it was working with Lititz-based LandStudies. Grid has reached out to both LandStudies and to the Cobbs Creek Foundation for comment but has not heard back.
Grid Mag, do you know whether the approved assessment and plan address any chemical treatments to be used to maintain the golf course? Fertilizers, herbicides, etc. — not good on a watershed in particular. I’ve seen no info or comment about this and would appreciate any insight you have. Thanks for your work.