The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week reported Pennsylvania planted over four times the miles of stream buffers that Maryland and Virginia combined in the Chesapeake Bay drainage area in 2005

815 miles of new streamside forest buffers were added in the Chesapeake watershed in 2005 with Maryland adding 30 miles, Virginia adding 129 miles and Pennsylvania adding 656 miles.

EPA said Pennsylvania's accomplishment has been attributed to more communication between landowners, the contributions of county conservation districts, and increased numbers of watershed education programs.

11/25/2005