Traditions of America has plans to develop Bethlehem Township's Green Pond Marsh into a 265-home gated community for active seniors. Concerns about stormwater and traffic have defeated prior approved developments. In addition, this site is a sanctuary for 160 different bird species, and has been designated by the Audubon as an "Important Bird Area."

In late September, Traditions unleashed backhoes on the marsh, digging up 4' x 6' holes so it could conduct infiltration tests. Traditions partner David Biddison has insisted that only a small portion of the site, about 27,000 square feet, is an actual wetland.This contention is sharply disputed by Save Green Pond, a consortium of environmentalists and birdwatchers opposed to any interference in the marsh.

According to Save Green Pond, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and PA Department of Environmental Protection visited the site Nov. 15 to conduct a wetlands survey.

They found that almost the entire eight-acres identified by Save Green Pond and Jack Glagola as a wetland is, in fact, a wetland. Pink flags and ribbons outline the site.

That finding poses a major and perhaps fatal obstacle to Tradition's plans for development at that site. It had proposed using those eight acres as a detention pond.