Frequently Asked Questions

Limerick Township ordinance does not require mowing or maintenance of protected areas including woodlands, wetlands and riparian buffers because those areas should be left untended* to facilitate best practices for stormwater management and floodplain management. Woodland and floodplain areas should not be mowed and/or manicured but left in their natural state. Leaf litter left unraked on the woodland floor creates a leaf mat which absorbs rainfall and significantly reduces stormwater runoff.  Woodland areas in a floodplain are riparian forest buffers which should not be disturbed as this environment supports various ecological functions including filtering runoff and nutrient uptake, canopy and shade which reduces the temperature of the stormwater runoff. These are all metrics needed to support fish and wildlife habitat.

For more information and technical guidance, please refer to the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, specifically Chapter 5, Section BMP 5.4.2 Protect/Conserve/Enhance Riparian Areas.

*Note:  Exception being dead trees in untended protected areas should at minimum be felled to reduce potential injury to person or structure.

Limerick Township ordinance does not require mowing or maintenance of protected areas including woodlands, wetlands and riparian buffers because those areas should be left untended* to facilitate best practices for stormwater management and floodplain management.  Woodland and floodplain areas should not be mowed and/or manicured but left in their natural state. Protected Woodlands are not permitted to be mowed and/or manicured and are required to be left in their natural state. Leaf litter left unraked on the woodland floor or wetlands creates a leaf mat which absorbs rainfall and significantly reduces stormwater runoff. Woodland areas in a floodplain are riparian forest buffers which should not be disturbed as this environment supports various ecological functions including filtering runoff and nutrient uptake, canopy and shade which reduces the temperature of the stormwater runoff.  These are all metrics needed to support healthy fish and wildlife habitat.

For more information and technical guidance, please refer to the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, specifically Chapter 5, Section BMP 5.4.2 Protect/Conserve/Enhance Riparian Areas.

*Note:  Exception being dead trees in untended protected areas and Protected Woodlands should at minimum be felled to reduce potential injury to person or structure.