Senate Resolution 291 sponsored by Sen. Rhoades (R-Schuylkill), Sen. Musto (D-Luzerne), Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) and 30 other Senators and House Resolution 711 sponsored by Rep. Adolph (R-Delaware) and Rep. George (D-Clearfield) and 87 other members passed both the Senate and House unanimously this week.

The text of the resolution follows.

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of May 2006 as "Watershed Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's land, rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands and groundwater resources are interconnected to form a rich mosaic of watersheds; and

WHEREAS, These water resources provide citizens with clean drinking water and recreational and business opportunities; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth contains 83,000 miles of rivers and streams for all to enjoy and treasure; and

WHEREAS, There are eight distinct river basins in this Commonwealth, including Lake Erie, Ohio River, Genesee River (Lake Ontario), Susquehanna River, Delaware River, Potomac River, Elk River and Northeast/Gunpowder Rivers; and

WHEREAS, There are 104 watersheds, the basic building blocks of the natural environment, in this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth invests enormous resources to restore and protect water, including remediating drainage from thousands of abandoned coal mines which contaminates more than 3,000 miles of streams and associated groundwaters and is the most extensive problem affecting Commonwealth water resources; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 10,762 miles of streams and rivers in Pennsylvania that are so polluted they do not meet current water quality standards; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth is committed to a watershed approach to resource management where concerned community members come together as watershed guardians to address and resolve problems; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth empowers and assists local watershed organizations working in partnership as watershed guardians to help resolve or remediate current water quality and water quantity problems within watershed boundaries; and

WHEREAS, This watershed approach to environmental protection leads to cleaner rivers and streams, safer drinking water and greater protection of aquatic wildlife habitats; and

WHEREAS, There are more than 400 active watershed groups in this Commonwealth, and new watershed groups are forming continuously; and

WHEREAS, Since 1999 watershed groups have reclaimed more than 5,000 acres of abandoned mines, overplanted 1,000 miles of stream buffers and created or restored more than 3,000 acres of wetlands; and

WHEREAS, Local watershed groups are a cost-effective investment in environmental cleanup for the Commonwealth: for every $1 invested by the State, watershed groups matched it with $1.25 of their own, more than doubling the State's investment; and

WHEREAS, Educational forums connecting adults and children to their watersheds, including the land, water and people, ultimately provide long-term protection for these important and valuable water resources; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth recognizes and celebrates the efforts of hardworking volunteers within watershed groups who improve their communities today and for future generations; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of May 2006 as "Watershed Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the theme "The Power of Positive Action is Restoring our Watersheds" guide the many volunteer community organizations, educators and other groups conducting watershed education and awareness activities throughout the month.

Session Schedule

The Senate and House return to session May 1. Note, the House has eliminated May 22, 23, 24 as session days. The Senate is still scheduled to be in session those days.

On the Hill

· On the Senate, House Agenda

· Senate/House Bills Moving/Introduced

· House Committee Reports Bill Increasing Water Pollution Penalties

· Deer Management Meetings Shed Light on Growing Problem

· Senate Committee Sets 2nd Day of Hearings on Cutting Mercury Emissions

· State Water Planning Subject of House Environmental Committee Meeting

· Environmental Funding News: State Runs $588 Million Surplus Through April

· Environmental Synopsis Features New Uses for Coal Waste to Reclaim Mines

Other News

· United Mine Workers Support Legislation Reducing Mercury Emissions by 86%

· Rendell Asks EPA to Waive Clean Gasoline Requirements for Southeast

· Additional Ozone Pollution Control Measures Subject of DEP Public Meetings

· New Report Outlines Needs, Funding Shortfalls In 2007 Federal Farm Bill

· Applications Now Being Accepted for Innovative Water, Wastewater Projects

· DEP Adds Two More Public Meetings on Tributary Strategy

· Public Meetings Set on Revised Stormwater Practices Manual

· Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Named DCNR’s Rivers of the Year

· 5 Rivers and Streams Placed on PA Rivers Conservation Registry

· West Branch Susquehanna Task Force Announces Coalition

· Clarion River Cleanup Planned for May 6, 13 to Cover 51 Miles

· New Lancaster County Watershed Website Now Online

· DCNR Acts to Protect 1,800 Acre Birdsboro Reservoir from Development

· Workshop in Dauphin County to Help Business Owners Cut Energy Costs

· Model Ordinance, Wind Conference Scholarships to Help Local Governments

· Sustainable Energy Fund Launches College-Level Solar Energy Education Initiative

· Shades of Green Leadership Award Winners Selected

· Green Communities Offers Online Seminar at No Cost May 18

· Seven School Districts Receive Grants to Promote Green Building Construction

· Coca-Coke Bottler in Allentown Added to EPA Environmental Performance Track

· 2006 Phoenix Award Applications Now Being Accepted for Brownfield Projects

· Americans Recycling 28.5 Percent of Their Trash, But Still Throw Most Away

· Steel Recycling in the U.S. Continues its Record Pace in 2005

· Lichvar and Anderson Confirmed for Fish & Boat Commission

· Help Wanted- Watershed Coordinator

See & Hear

· Students, Businesses, Homeowners, Learn About Energy Efficiency

Feature

· Part I – Smart Growth Opportunities In PA - Small Steps Toward Smart Growth in Southwestern PA by Jonathan R. Farrell

Go To the Watershed Awareness Month Events Section

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

4/28/2006