The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA applauds the Jefferson County Commissioners for adopting a Clean Water Counts! resolution calling on state officials to make clean water a top priority for the Keystone State. 

Since launching this initiative, Berks, Luzerne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, York, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Fayette, Cumberland, Washington, Erie, Greene, and now Jefferson counties have all joined the effort and have passed resolutions.

“Healthy families, strong communities, and a thriving Pennsylvania economy depend on clean water,” said Harry Campbell, CBF’s Pennsylvania Executive Director. “We applaud and thank the Jefferson County Commissioners for publicly voicing their support for clean water in the Keystone State.”

CBF embarked on the Clean Water Counts campaign in response to the Department of Environmental Protection’s most recent statewide surface waters assessment. The results show that of the 86,000 miles of waterways flowing through the Commonwealth, nearly 20,000 miles are polluted. DEP also reported that the top pollution sources are agricultural and urban/suburban runoff, and abandoned mine drainage.

Some 1,215 miles of waterways flow through Jefferson County, but unfortunately nearly 200 of those miles are polluted. The leading cause of pollution is abandoned mine drainage, polluting 173 miles of rivers and streams.

(Photo: Red lines are impaired waterways.)

Through public education and engagement, CBF is hoping to increase awareness of water pollution issues, like those in Jefferson County and elsewhere in the Keystone State. The goal is to urge state officials to make clean water a priority and commit the needed funding and programs to ensure that the waters that we rely on—for drinking and household uses, recreation, and to grow our food—all meet clean water standards.

In addition to calling on local officials to pass resolutions, CBF is asking residents to show their support by signing the Clean Water Counts online petition. It takes only a few minutes, but signatures will go a long way toward demonstrating the importance of clean water to our elected officials.

To learn more, visit CBF-PA’s Clean Water Counts! webpage.

Related Article

Countdown To Cleanup: 701 Days To Meet PA 2017 Stream Cleanup Milestones

PA Isn’t Cleaning Up Our Streams, Reclaiming Our Abandoned Mines Fast Enough

NewsClips:

Groundhog Day 2015, What You Need To Know

Living In A Groundhog’s Shadow

Farm Bill Helps Improve Water Quality In Delaware

Wayne Conservation District Receives Recognition

Solution For Drilling Wastewater Disposal Elusive

Using Art To Control Water Flow In Larimer

Casey: $95M Set Aside For Delaware River Deepening

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

2/2/2015