Representatives from Northampton County and Wildlands Conservancy met with North Catasauqua Borough Council at its June 18 meeting to discuss future enhancements to the borough’s Lehigh River waterfront area.

Christopher Strohler, senior conservation planner with Wildlands Conservancy, and Bryan Cope, open space coordinator for Northampton County, provided updates on the D&L Trail progress and the conservancy’s efforts along the Lehigh River watershed.

One of the conservancy’s goals is to close gaps along the river where there are long stretches without restrooms, boat launches and emergency management access points.

“For some of these areas, you may travel ten miles on the river and not have a bathroom and not have anywhere to stop, so we’re trying to prioritize that,” Strohler said. “In talking to Pete (Paone) and Brian (Cope), we felt like North Catasauqua has a great resource with the waterfront area down off Front Street.”

The conservancy is looking to create an access point between Northampton’s Canal Street Park and Allentown’s Kimmett’s Lock.

“There’s a huge gap for not only recreation, but for emergency access, and it’s something that is a big concern for us,” Strohler said.

Potential enhancements to the borough’s waterfront would sync with the upcoming completion of the D&L Trail. Tree clearing is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall, with full construction on the trail scheduled for next spring.

Strohler and Cope presented council with ideas on how to make North Catasauqua an attractive trailhead on the D&L, including an enhanced public parking area behind the borough’s municipal building and a possible fishing pier.

The conservancy would assist the borough in applying for funding through the Palmerton Natural Resource Trustee Council, whose goal is to restore fishing and access points on the Lehigh River.

Council granted permission for Northampton County to do an initial site survey.

Solicitor Steve Goudsouzian will draft a memorandum of understanding between the borough and Wildlands Conservancy to signify North Catasauqua’s interest in the proposed projects.

In other news from the June 18 meeting, council passed Resolution 318, which increases the borough’s impound fee from $15 to $40.

With momentum of the D&L Trail gaining steam and increased use of North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park, council agreed to revisit its recreational ordinances at a future meeting. Items to be reviewed include the allowance of pets, hours of use and motorized vehicle usage at these sites.

The borough’s office will close noon June 29. The next council meeting is scheduled for July 16.