This petition is on behalf of Pocono Township citizens and their fight to protect the Exceptional Value (EV) wetlands and High Quality (HQ) streams of our area.

The Core5 Industrial Partners, LLC Project (NPDES Permit Application No. PAD450190) is a massive 702,000 square foot distribution center located on Warner Road in Pocono Township. The project site contains no fewer than TEN (10) special protection wetland and watercourse features, including Exceptional Value (EV) wetlands and the High Quality (HQ) Pocono Creek, which is also designated as a Class A wild trout stream. The proposed building, associated parking lot and stormwater facilities are located mere feet from these sensitive water features.  

Most notably, there are serious problems with the applicant’s Wetland Delineation Report, which raises serious concerns about the adequacy of the information contained in the application. Given the close proximity of the development to the delineated wetlands – not to mention those existing wetlands that may not have been properly identified by the applicant – we urge DEP to critically review this application and do protect the on-site special protection wetlands from unacceptable and unprotected encroachment. 

We also encourage DEP to consider the known cumulative impacts from this and other projects on the wetlands and the HQ Pocono Creek. Over 50 acres of mature forest will be destroyed for this development, which will have a large impact on these water resources. Additionally, development along Pocono Creek has been and is still increasing, with a number of projects currently before DEP for permitting. We urge DEP to consider all of these impacts together when reviewing the application and to require whatever mitigation measures necessary to prevent the degradation of these special protection water resources. 

Fellow citizens, by signing this petition, you are urging The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prevent the degradation of the environment and our quality of life. Please sign this petition today!