Conservation, recreation and preservation organizations and individuals are joining together for a Susquehanna River Rally on June 17 in Harrisburg to call for clean water funding as state budget negotiations commence.

There is a water crisis in Pennsylvania, and a united voice of citizens is needed to inspire and enact change at the state level.

Rally organizers said state elected officials have failed to protect the water we drink by failing to protect our waters and streams, and as a result, Pennsylvania ranks third — behind Texas and Florida — for most reported drinking water safety violations.

On June 17, participants will urge state legislators and Gov. Wolf's administration to prioritize clean water.

The health of the Susquehanna River, part of the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail (America's first water trail) and the source of drinking water for more than 6 million people, is threatened by animal waste, pollution in stormwater and eroding soils.

The river is also important because it attracts locals and visitors from near and far and is a vital resource to our communities and a boon to our local economies.

The National Parks and Conservation Association, PennFuture, Choose Clean Water Coalition, the PA Growing Greener Coalition, PA Parks and Recreation Society, The Conservation Fund and Susquehanna Heritage are participating in this event.

Kayaks and canoes are generously being provided by Susquehanna Outfitters, based in Wormleysburg, but participants are encouraged to bring their own kayak or canoe, if they own them.

Special thanks to the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society for their generous donation of voyage passes to The Pride of the Susquehanna and to the PA Parks and Recreation Society for their donation of Hershey Park passes to be given away during the event.

The rally will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on City Island in Harrisburg at the Beach House Area.  Questions should be directed to andrew Health by sending email to: aheath@growinggreener.org.

NewsClips:

Agriculture: House Republican Budget Bill Would Cut Vital Services

Crable: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Governors Push For Continued Funding

AP: PA Gas Drilling Fee Revenue Falls For Third Year

Impact Fees Shrink While Natural Gas Production Swells

Impact Fees Down Again, But Washington County Top Recipient

Westmoreland Drilling Impact Fees Drop For Fourth Year

Beaver County Bucks Trend, Will Get Increased Drilling Impact Fee Money

Dems, Labor Push Natural Gas Severance Tax, GOP Balks

Op-Ed: Leaving Money On The Table, Natural Gas Severance Tax

Corman: Gaming Bill Next Week, Budget Spend Number About Same As House

PA’s So Low On Cash, It Could Have To Borrow From Outside Lenders

Bumsted: House Republicans Consider Leasing State Assets To Reduce Deficit

GOP, Democratic Lawmakers Vow To Stop EPA Cuts

Trump’s EPA Budget Cuts Hit Strong Opposition At U.S. House Panel

Nation’s Water Officials Converge On Philly To Press Their Case For More Support

Casey Urges White House To Restore Funding For Lock-And-Dam, Infrastructure Improvements

AP: Finding Released From Appalachian Agency Targeted For Elimination

Week Ahead: it’s Perry’s (DOE) Turn In The Budget-Defense Barrel

Related Stories:

PUC Distributes $173 Million In Act 13 Drilling Impact Fees, Down $14.5M, More Reductions Ahead

Op-Ed: Parks, Forest And Recreation - Essential To Pennsylvania Health And Economy

Take A Few Minutes To Write To Your Legislator To Save Our State Parks & Forests

PA House Republican Budget Deals Crippling Blow To DCNR Budget, Leads To Layoffs

DEP: PA House Republican Budget Will Delay Permit Reviews, Put Public Health At Risk

Sen. Corman: Gaming Bill Next Week, Budget Spend Number About The Same As The House

IFO: FY 17-18 Revenue Estimate Is  $32.49 Billion, Nearly $1 Billion More Than House Republican Budget

PEC: Will The Environment, Conservation Be Dissed Again In PA’s State Budget?

Senate Unanimously Passes Bill To Prevent Funding Crisis In Recycling Program

House Passes Bills Authorizing Local Stormwater Management Fees

[Posted: June 13, 2017]

6/19/2017