Natural Resources
		Various natural resources that fall within the project area have been identified to determine potential impacts to the resources that would result from construction of any of the proposed alternatives. These resources include wetlands, streams, floodplains, parks and forested areas. Environmental resource specialists began the resource identification process by scanning Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps to obtain an inventory of the various resource types within the project area. Once the GIS inventory was completed, the project team walked the study area to verify the type, location and boundary of each resource. Today, the study area lies within five watersheds that collectively contain seven perennial and five intermittent streams. The three main perennial streams within the project area are the Poquessing Creek, Byberry Creek and Huntingdon Valley Creek. The other watercourses are either perennial tributaries of the three main perennial streams or intermittent tributaries that drain to Mill Creek or Southampton Creek. According to FEMA mapping, the 100-year floodplain for both Poquessing Creek and Huntingdon Valley Creek are relatively narrow and largely forested. However, both floodplains do cross the project area at Byberry Road, Philmont Avenue, Bustleton Avenue and County Line Road. Neither Byberry Creek nor the intermittent streams, however, support a defined 100-year floodplain within the project area. Several wetlands have been identified in the project area, and these wetlands vary in size and location. Wetlands are valuable natural resources that provide many important benefits, such as flood protection, pollution control and foster wildlife habitats. Few undeveloped parcels of land remain in the project area. Much of the vacant land, including the right-of-way for the Woodhaven Extension previously acquired by PENNDOT, is covered by deciduous woodlands. The canopy is characterized by red maple, sycamore, tulip poplar, and various oak trees. Habitat values associated with this cover type include foraging and nesting for birds, small game animals, rodents and a few reptiles. As part of the Woodhaven Road Project's environmental planning process, all information pertaining to natural resources was cataloged and placed on the project's Environmental Features Map. This information aids the project team in making final determination on the possible impacts each alternative may have on the region's natural resources, and will be a crucial step for producing the project's EIS.