The General Assembly has passed legislation that will put a question on the May 17 primary ballot asking Pennsylvanians to authorize a state bond to be used to fund environmental restoration and conservation projects.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation wishes to thank the members of the House and Senate and the Governor's office for coming together to find common ground on this critical environmental issue.

"This funding provides new opportunities to resolve critical environmental and water quality needs in the Commonwealth," says Matt Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Executive Director for CBF. -To adequately address these, we need to upgrade waste water treatment facilities and secure funding for farming practices that improve water quality.

The recent American Rivers' nomination of the Susquehanna as the nation's most endangered river serves to highlight that though much has been done and public interest on this issue has increased, there is monumental challenge still ahead to secure the health of our watersheds.

CBF urges all Pennsylvanians to get out and vote on May 17 to make sure that this key ballot issue is approved. If approved, the Growing Greener bond will provide necessary funding for the conservation and restoration of Pennsylvania's waterways, protection of open space and farmland, clean up of land and water polluted by mining, and other important environmental initiatives.

4/29/2005