After the mega-warehouse application was withdrawn, negotiations between Milford Township and the Milford Water Authority (MWA) began in January with a follow-up meeting scheduled for March 14. The way this discussion is being led is encouraging. 

This is a positive step on the road to protecting the Milford Aquifer. Milford Township’s work on strengthening its ordinances concerning mega-warehouses is also very promising. 

However, I am concerned about Milford Township supervisor Rachel Hendrick’s comments at the January meeting, such as

1) “How deep is too deep to dig in the aquifer?”

2) “We need studies to determine—just what could be placed on that site?” and 

3)”Developers would love this kind of information.” 

It is deeply troubling, that some still believe substantial development is appropriate on top of the delineated aquifer zone. Wanting more studies demonstrates that some of the Milford Township officials still think the science behind the MWA Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP) is inconclusive. Likewise, they call for a “balanced approach,” code words for “major development.”

If they did believe in this taxpayer-paid-for study by Ph.D. hydrologist Todd Giddings, Milford Township would have incorporated the delineated aquifer zone in the mapping and body of their 2023 Shepstone Water Protection Ordinance. 

Conversely, this zone is front and center in the Dingman Township Water Protection Ordinance. 

What standing do these public servants have to question the authenticity of Giddings’s work and the rigorous scientific guidelines—set up by the EPA and PA DEP Wellhead Protection Program—through which the SWPPs were administered? 

For these negotiations to continue—on a good-faith basis—Milford Township must accept the science behind the MWA SWPP that says “the second most dangerous threat to the springs (after tanker truck spills) is large commercial development at the I84/Rt.6 Interchange.” 

Similar to Dingman Township, almost every other municipal water protection ordinance across the Commonwealth of PA is built around these Wellhead Protection Program findings. For continuity of governance, Milford Township must do the same.

Besides this seminal study there is ample historical and scientific evidence proving the connection between the delineated aquifer zone and the Milford Springs, from  1) multiple conclusive scientific chemical tracer tests; 2) the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources study by Princeton Hydro; 3) comments from a USGS research geologist and a professional biologist; 4) a letter from the Delaware Riverkeeper; 5) model water protection ordinances from the Urban Research & Development Corporation in Bethlehem, PA; and PennFuture. 

Vito DiBiasi is a member of the Friends of the Milford Aquifer. He lives in Dingman Township, PA.