Trick or Treat
Prevention and Control of Mosquitoes
Stormwater in Hamilton Township, Franklin County, discharges to portions of Rocky Spring Branch, Back Creek and Conococheague Creek, all of which are tributary to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This watershed has been identified as impaired by siltation and nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen).
The PA Department of Environmental Protection has required many municipalities across the state to reduce siltation and nutrients by a minimum of 10%. Each year a report is submitted to DEP showing what Hamilton Township did to reduce and/or eliminate sediment and pollution.
MS4 INSPECTION REPORT MARCH 12, 2026
MS4 – WHAT’S THAT AND WHAT’S IT GOT TO DO WITH ME?
MS4 is the abbreviation for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. This is a term for the retention basins, ditches, roadside inlets and underground pipes that carry stormwater through properties and under roads and discharge it, without treatment, into local streams and rivers. It is not connected to the sanitary sewer system which drains waste water from inside a home to a sewage treatment facility or a private septic system.
While there are large projects that Hamilton Township can undertake to help in reaching this goal, there are many simple things that home owners can do too.
Keep following our articles in this section to learn how you can do your part in improving the storm water in Hamilton Township, Franklin County.
Rain Garden Plants: Sweetbay Magnolia
An informative guide to sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), detailing its unique characteristics, site preferences, and value to wildlife.
Jodi Sulpizio
Natural Resources Educator
This is a slender, deciduous to evergreen multi-stemmed shrub or tree. It will grow more tree-like in the southern part of its range. Bark is smooth and pale gray. The simple, elliptical-shaped leaves are dark green above and silver below. Leaves are 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 2.5 inches wide. Large fragrant, creamy white flowers open in the morning and close at night. Flowers measure 2 to 3 inches in diameter and have 9 to 12 petals. After flowering, showy, cone-like fruits develop that contain bright red seeds. It prefers moist, rich, organic soils but tolerates wet, boggy soils and heavy clay soils. It is intolerant of drought conditions. May need some winter protection.
- Height: 10 to 30 ft.
- Bloom color: White
- Bloom time: May-June
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 9
- Salt tolerance: Moderately tolerant of salt spray. Intolerant of soil salt.
Site Conditions
Hydrologic zones: Wet/moist
Sun: Sun/partial shade
Soil: Moist, rich, organic, acidic
