Throughout the county, borders can determine zoning rules, millage rates or the date when schools return to in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules change from municipality to municipality.

But there’s one thing that doesn’t respect borders: natural disasters. Flooding is among the disasters that can start in one community and cross the border into another.

So, it’s good news to see that Jackson Township last week became the third municipality to recommend the county adopt a report on the Lower Connoquenessing Watershed that suggests projects to help prevent flooding.

The report by engineering firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic addresses whether changing release rates for future developments can alleviate the effects on flooding in 10 municipalities — Adams, Cranberry, Forward, Jackson, Lancaster and Penn townships as well as Evans City, Harmony, Seven Fields and Zelienople — and the county.

The report also suggests potential mitigation projects in 33 problem areas identified by the 10 municipalities.

While we hope that all 10 municipalities included in the report eventually recommend that the county adopts the report, the four that have so far have made a wise decision.

Municipalities included in the report obviously know that flooding problems within their borders can be caused by neighboring communities. So working together makes sense for the communities. A solution that benefits one of them could also help another.

In recent years, municipalities across the county have seen extensive damage because of heavy rainstorms that caused severe flooding. The livelihood of farmers was threatened, while businesses and homeowners had to pay thousands of dollars in repairs.

While the report notes that although changing the release rates from new developments would not be a “silver bullet” to prevent flooding, it could reduce it. In other words, it could be among various tools to combat the region’s flooding problems.

The report also lists other projects — from enlarging basins to installing roadside swales — specific to the 10 municipalities that could decrease flooding.

Chris Rearick, Jackson Township’s manager, said the study’s goal was to find “pragmatic” means of reducing flooding within the municipalities at a “cost that is reachable.”

Although we won’t know the impact of these various initiatives until they are put into place and tested, this is a good goal. And we’re glad to see the participating municipalities working together for solutions that will benefit them all.

— NCD