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Wildlands Conservancy seeks temporary easement from Easton SD for Bushkill stream restoration
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Summary
The Wildlands Conservancy requested temporary access across district property to complete a stream-restoration phase on the Binney & Smith Preserve, saying construction is grant-funded, will include dam‑removal follow-up work, invasive-species removal, planting of 300 native trees, and returning disturbed staging areas to prior condition.
Representatives of the Wildlands Conservancy asked the Easton Area School District board for a construction easement to access the Binney & Smith Preserve for a stream-restoration project this summer.
Kate Ebo, senior restoration ecologist with Wildlands, described a multi-year program of dam removal, riparian buffers, and habitat structures on the Bushkill watershed. The proposed Phase 2 work is grant-funded and would install rock-and-log habitat structures, perform invasive-species abatement, and plant about 300 native shrubs and trees this fall.
Because the preserve is landlocked, the contractor would stage equipment in a small upper lot adjacent to Edgewood Avenue and move materials down a township trail into the preserve for construction in June and July. Wildlands representatives said the staging area is rarely used by the public, they would avoid the main parking area, and they will restore any temporary disturbance (seeding/strawing or similar) after construction.
Ebo said the Conservancy has performed prior dam removals in the watershed and that the work improves fish passage, stream form, and habitat. Board staff said the draft construction easement had been reviewed by counsel (King Spry) and that it appears ready for the board agenda, though final approval would follow usual board procedures.
Board members asked about water-quality monitoring, invasive-species targets (privet, barberry, honeysuckle were cited), and whether trail access would be closed; Wildlands said the township plans to keep the trail open, with contractor crossing signage and coordination.
If approved, the easement would be time-limited to staging and construction; Wildlands leaders said they would follow agreed restoration practices and public-engagement plans.
