DEP’s Northwest Regional Roundtable Seeking New Volunteer Members

The Department of Environmental Protection is seeking northwestern Pennsylvania residents who are concerned about the environment and want to help the state improve the policies and programs that keep the air, land and soil clean.

Become a volunteer member of DEP’s Northwest Regional Roundtable by attending the group’s next meeting at 10 a.m. on November 12, at the Venango County Courthouse Annex, 1174 Elk St., Franklin, Venango County.

The meeting will focus on the impact of environmental regulations on local planning. In the coming months, the roundtable will cover topics such as energy resources, water and watershed management, and air and sewage management.

According to Dave Sterrett, chairman of the Northwest Regional Roundtable, even if a person is unwilling to make the commitment necessary to become a member, the meetings are still an opportunity to get involved.

“Roundtable members have more than a single-issue interest, are willing to make the commitment to attend five meetings per year, and are interested in being active participants,” said Sterrett. “But even if your interest is more limited in focus, we still encourage you to attend the next meeting.”

Membership to the roundtable is open to those who live in Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, McKean, Venango, and Warren counties, added Sterrett.

The Northwest Regional Roundtable is a volunteer group that, since its beginning in 1984, has provided input to DEP about the department’s policies, regulations and various program activities. There are four roundtable membership categories: Technical, Government/Local Official, Public/Environmental Group, and Business/Industry.