440 Forest Rd, Denver, PA 17517

Ecologically Sensitive District

The ES - Ecologically Sensitive District seeks to protect the wooded hillsides of northern West Cocalico Township within the headwaters of the Cocalico Creek watershed. Existing soil and topographic characteristics severely limit development potential in this area, and the district has been established to prevent unnecessary destruction of the Township's woodland concentrations and related environmental degradation. More than 80% of approximately 5,000 acres of this district contains soils which are classified by the Soil Survey of Lancaster County Pennsylvania as having severe limitations for building site development, sanitary sewage facilities, and shallow excavations due to wetness, slope, or flooding. This soil survey categorizes severe limitations as conditions which are unfavorable and difficult to overcome without special design considerations, significant increases in construction costs, increased maintenance, and/or special feasibility studies. The soil survey also classifies these same soils as having moderately high, high, or very high capabilities for the productivity of important trees.