Several federal and state regulations, such as the Federal Clean Water Act and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Dam Safety and Waterway Management Regulations, protect and regulate the use of waterways and wetlands. To ensure this protection, PENNDOT's project team must identify and measure any potential impacts the Sumneytown Pike/PA 309 Connector may have on those natural resources and examine ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate those impacts before a new road can be constructed. Total avoidance of natural resources in a project area as large as the Connector’s is rarely possible. Where avoidance is not possible, PENNDOT investigates methods to minimize impacts. Mitigation measures include wetland replacement and stream restoration within the project area or as close as possible. The Connector’s proposed alignment falls within the Schuylkill River Watershed and the Neshaminy Creek Watershed. It also crosses several tributaries of both the Skippack Creek and the West Branch of the Neshaminy Creek. Based on field visits and research of federal and state environmental maps and databases, project engineers have determined that the Connector will cross approximately 12 waterways and could potentially affect five wetlands. Most waterway crossings span intermittent streams, which are watercourses that may be wet or dry depending on the weather. Most of the wetlands identified within the project area are forested and scrub/shrub wetlands. More detailed studies will be conducted as this project progresses, including a determination of the water quality of several waterways. Wetlands throughout the project area will also be delineated and their boundaries clearly marked so a precise assessment of their potential impacts can be made.