Description

Upper Dublin Township has a land area of 13 square miles and a population of 26,000 residents. It straddles the Pennsylvania Turnpike in eastern Montgomery County and is almost fully developed. While the Township has implemented many ordinances that require sensitive environmental design for new subdivisions and redevelopment of properties, the Commissioners are now taking additional actions to create a more sustainable community. These programs and projects address actions of the Township government, as well as educating and encouraging the Township residents to change their behaviors. Our Sustainable Initiatives fall in five major categories:

• Increasing the amount of renewable energy used in the Township
• Increasing recycling through community incentives
• Reducing pesticide use through Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Preserving open space
• Encouraging education on sustainable practices and community engagement

During the past decade, Upper Dublin has significantly strengthened its subdivision and site plan requirements including stringent stormwater management requirements, a steep slope ordinance, and tree replacement requirements. Currently detailed flood hazard area mapping is being prepared for flood prone areas of the township in order to reduce the potential impacts of floods. Since the Township is almost built out, the Commissioners have realized that significant advances in environmental protection and community sustainability will need to come from changes in habits and behavior by Township officials and staff, residents and businesses. Following are brief summaries of our new, innovative programs and their effectiveness.

Upper Dublin Sustainability Initiatives and Results

• Renewable Energy:
  • In October, 2006 the Township passed Resolution 1920, committing to offset at least 20% of its electricity usage with clean energy sources,
  • In the 2007 budget the Township committed to supplying 100% of its electricity usage with clean energy sources - 20% from Native Energy, 5% from PECP Wind for PA and 75% from Community Energy,
    
  • The Township has joined the Pennsylvania Clean Energy Communities Campaign and encouraging at least 200 homes to commit to at least 50 % of their electricity usage with clean energy sources.

RESULTS - Upper Dublin is leading the way by making a commitment to 100 % clean energy and encouraging businesses and residents to take similar action.

• Waste Recycling:
  • In November, 2006, Upper Dublin has contracted with RecycleBank to provide an incentive to residents to recycle trash and recycle a large volume of trash.
  • The Township's mandatory curbside recycling program has been in existence for over 20 years and has seen a significant increase in participation over the last five years (30%), when an even stronger program was introduced (adding plastics and mixed paper). We expect another significant increase when RecycleBank starts its single stream program this spring,
  • Yard waste is collected throughout the year, processed into mulch and provided to any resident free of charge.

RESULTS - Upper Dublin is the first township in Montgomery County to join RecycleBank. Our recyclables are over 30% of our total trash, and we expect this amount to increase with the new program.

• Reduction of Pesticide Use: The Township instituted an Integrated Pest Management Policy in 1997. RESULTS - The indoor environment in all Township and School District buildings has improved and is safer for human health.

• Open Space Preservation:
  • Upper Dublin was one of five townships in Montgomery County to pass an Open Space Bond Referendum ($30 Million) in Nov. 2006 and by an impressive margin greater than 60%.
  • The Township has an active trail creation program to deduce auto dependency and to link community facilities.

RESULTS - Money is being used for property acquisition and to match County money to preserve properties and create new trails.

• Sustainability Education and Community Involvement:
  • On Feb. 15, 2007, the Township held a Town Hall Meeting on Climate Change which included a screening of "An Inconvenient Truth", comments from a Township Commissioner, a State Senator and multiple Representatives and staff from a Congressional office. It was followed by a lively audience discussion of what can be done at the individual, township, state and national levels.
  • Development of a Brochure on Hazardous Waste and Computer Disposal Guidelines which provided information on proper disposal options and dates of hazardous waste pick-up in Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia Counties.
  • Community Day Environmental Questionnaire, September 17, 2006 - The EPAB developed and compiled the results of a questionnaire addressing:
    1. top environmental concerns (land development/ open space, traffic and flooding/stormwater);
    2. support for the Township borrowing funds to preserve open space (81% yes);
    3. interest in donating any EIT refund to local environmental efforts (88% yes);
    4. support for a Township-wide adopt-a-stream/trail program (85% yes), and
    5. what issues do the residents want to learn more about (alternative energy sources, reduction of energy use),
  • Stream Clean Up - organized an annual clean up of a tributary to the Wissahickon Creek for the last 12 years.
  • In 2004, established a student designed environmental pamphlet contest with the High School Environmental Science Classes. Each year copies of the winning pamphlets (3 designs) are distributed by students and EPAB members at community events. Topics include stormwater management and source water protection.
  • Currently developing an Environmental Resources Inventory (ERI).

RESULTS - A better informed community of businesses and residents. An educated, involved community is the best path to sustainability.

Why Should Upper Dublin Township win a Greater Philadelphia Sustainability Award?

Because of the layout of our Philadelphia suburbs, it is not easy for suburban townships to promote sustainability, especially those that have already had their growth spurt and have little land left to foster sustainable development patterns. These patterns often build around pedestrian-oriented town centers. In many of our suburban municipalities, including Upper Dublin, there is no town center and cars are the main mode of transportation. Despite this, Upper Dublin is a township that is setting the bar high and showing others how the suburbs can become more sustainable. The Township has reached out past the normal environmental controls through subdivision and site plan review and is tackling areas of clean energy use, increasing recycling, reducing pesticide use, protecting and connecting remaining open space, and most importantly increasing public outreach by developing educational opportunities for residents and businesses and creating ways for engagement and involvement.