Carbon County officials are preparing to conduct feasibility studies for the development of approximately twenty miles of paved, and/or crushed gravel, multiuse walking trails (aka “greenways”) designed for multiple uses including walking, bicycling, trail running, skating, cross-country skiing, and more, within the county’s preserved open space.

Preserved open space is a good thing, which the overwhelming majority of county residents support. However, there is a misconception among these officials that trail development in our region is “environmentally friendly” and beneficial to the community.

According to The National Audubon Society — a highly esteemed environmental organization focusing on conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems for birds and wildlife habitats — trails through natural areas can have adverse impacts.

“Trails through natural areas, including our urban forests and wetlands, can cause irreparable damage to delicate ecosystems. Construction often involves cutting down mature healthy trees. Construction equipment damages the root systems of trees in the construction area and compacts soil, which can permanently alter the hydrology, the plant communities, and the wildlife that depends on them.” (www.audubon.org.)

Trail development through preserved open space will create new pathways for the spread of invasive species into natural areas. The spread of invasives is among the top reasons for the decline of biological diversity in our region, and a major concern for Carbon County, which is especially rich in plant, animal, and invertebrate species of concern native to the Poconos.

A system of paved and crushed gravel trails will add many acres of impervious surface to preserved open space, providing pathways for polluted runoff to contaminate resources in natural areas.

Carving up preserved open space into a maze of interconnecting trails is counterproductive, ecologically harmful, and a threat to our region’s natural diversity.

Juliet Perrin

Albrightsville