The Brodhead Watershed Association and PennFuture Monday submitted a petition to intervene in an appeal before the Environmental Hearing Board, seeking to protect the Exceptional Value water quality of six streams in Monroe County, including Cranberry Creek, Paradise Creek, Devil’s Hole Creek, Tank Creek, Swiftwater Creek, and Tunkhannock Creek. 

The Environmental Hearing Board granted the petition to intervene on Tuesday.

The challenge to protecting clean streams, filed by a coalition of unknown landowners and businesses in Monroe County, claims the Department of Environmental Protection erred in its evaluation of the waterbodies as “Exceptional Value,” or EV. 

EV waters have the highest protections under state law, and the water quality cannot be degraded for any reason. BWA and PennFuture intervened in this case to support DEP’s existing use evaluations and the EV status of the creeks. 

“BWA has worked for decades to protect and maintain the exceptional water quality of the waters within the Brodhead watershed. We have undertaken studies and issued reports that support the finding that these creeks are Exceptional Value waters,” said BWA Executive Director Robert J. Heil Jr. “Our members and local recreation-based businesses rely on the pristine nature of these waters for aesthetic and recreational enjoyment, including world-class fly-fishing.”

“The appeal challenges a core protection established by Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law and the federal Clean Water Act — that the existing use of our waterways must be protected,” said PennFuture Staff Attorney Abigail M. Jones. “Those unspoiled streams in the Poconos must be protected so that our communities and economy can thrive for decades to come.”

This appeal is EHB Case: 2017-107.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Association.  Click Here to become a member.

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Brodhead Watershed Assn. Feb. 24 Who Goes There? Tracking Pocono Wildlife Program In Monroe County

[Posted: Jan. 30, 2018]

2/5/2018