The Lehigh Valley may start looking at property along the Lehigh River for growth.

That was the subject discussed during the Waterfront Symposium sponsored by the Whitehall Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority.

"When we were looking at various tax abatement strategies and intermunicipal agreements to resolve some problem areas, it dawned on everyone of us that we were all on the river," said Howard Lieberman, Executive Director of the organization.

Under Lieberman's direction, more than 100 interested parties were invited and over 30 showed up for the meeting, postponed from an earlier date by bad weather.

Lehigh County Executive Thomas Muller opened the meeting with remarks on the importance of coordinating riverfront development among all the communities. He pledged his support to the ongoing effort.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. explained the importance and history of the river.

"The river was what brought prosperity to the valley," he said. "The river is the source for drinking water for all our communities. We have deeper appreciation for the river. It is cleaner and in better shape than at any time in recent memory because of our collective efforts."

Michael Hefele, director of planning for Allentown, outlined the city's plans for riverfront development.

"The river was always lined by industry and public access was limited," he said. "Now we have opportunities to use city assets like Bucky Boyle Park and the Weil Brewery building."

Development plans include at river walk and new access points from Gordon and Tilghman streets. The Allentown website has details of the plans. Hefele confirmed part of the Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ) includes portions of the redeveloped riverfront.

Allentown is moving rapidly to expand access to the river. According to Hefele, there is a request for proposal to create a roundabout at Tilghman and Front Streets to allow access.

Becky Bradley, who heads the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, presented detailed topography surrounding the river. The planning commission's working map starts in Monroe County and maps the watershed across rural and urban areas. The detailed map depicts the river and property extending out about a mile from either side of the river. Suggestions were made to investigate tributaries feeding the Lehigh, but the investigative effort increases the complexity of the project.

Gregory Wacik, a biologist with the Corps of Engineers, addressed the Federal government's interest in the river.

"Any development needs to be at least 15 feet from any levees," he said.

The Corps will oversee environmental and safety issues as it relates to its local responsibility for the Delaware River basin.

According to Wacik, dams and levees were built in the Lehigh under the Flood Control Act of 1948.

"There was a different philosophy back then. Now we work with the natural flow of the river to control it," he said.

Water quality is a prime concern with many interested stakeholders.

"The Beltzville Lake is a key tributary of the Lehigh and the park there is a sought after location," Wacik said.

The Corps, in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources, wants to see similar recreational facilities along the Lehigh. The Delaware & Lehigh Trail is the linchpin to recreational activity.

"Ultimately the trail will connect to the Delaware in Easton. Our [Corps of Engineers] concentration starts at the Francis E. Walter Dam near White Haven where there are numerous recreational options. We want to expand both active and passive recreational uses," he said.

Chris Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy, indicated that $35 million are available to acquire land along the Lehigh.

Besides the county representatives, municipalities were represented.

Tracy Samuelson, Bethlehem's assistant planning and zoning director, detailed the importance of the river in Bethlehem.

"We start at the Ice House as an entertainment venue. Sand Island attracts fishing enthusiasts," she said.

Bethlehem is actively seeking opportunities to expand its riverfront presence. The levee protecting the Bethlehem Steel property restricts access to the river. According to Samuelson, the parking areas are used as farmer's markets and the city proposed an elevated walkway to encourage development.

Thomas Reenok, Northampton's mayor, described the action taken by Northampton to open up the waterfront.

"We filled in the canal and that gave us more access to the river and increased the size of the park," he said.

The D&L trail is improved along the park, but remains a dirt path in some areas between Northampton and Catasauqua.

"We would like to improve this section of the trail. We need money to construct it," he said.

Northampton is where the D&L crosses over the river. A suggestion made is to designate bicycle lanes on the bridge to ensure that visitors can safely maneuver the trail.

Hanover Township dredged and improved Lake Catasauqua, adjacent to the D&L, at the township's Canal Park. Hanover and Catasauqua are looking to see the D&L Trail improved as it passes through their communities.

Suggestions for recreation uses included: boating and kayaking, with a request to increase water flow from the dams to keep a consistent depth; biology research center; partnerships with colleges and local businesses to enhance access to the river.

A point mentioned and addressed by various stakeholders is that marketing the Lehigh River has paled when compared to other recreational areas or even states like Texas and Michigan that advertise locally. Budget limits prevent national buys and Pennsylvania does not emphasize spending for tourists.

"From the evaluations we received, there is an enormous amount of interest in building a coordinated action plan for the river," said Lieberman.

Another meeting is planned for after the summer vacation season to pursue plan details.