The Point in Pittsburgh. Photo by C.R. Green

The 5th Ohio River Watershed Celebration gets underway on September 21 and will focus on the efforts and impacts that small local watershed organizations have had on the restoration of the Three Rivers in Pittsburgh.

These groups are run by dedicated volunteers addressing local issues, but are a very important “cog” in the overall Ohio River Watershed recovery. However, many watershed organizations are usually run on the proverbial “shoe string” budget.

The ORWC Organizing Committee is celebrating these committed groups and will award four of them with $500 grant awards to be used to meet their organizations goals.

How can your group be a recipient of an award? Register and bring a poster display to the Celebration in September. Your display will be judged and voted on by all participants before and during the trip.

The award categories are: Community Outreach and Education, Most Innovative and Cutting Edge Projects, Best Overall Display and Best Example of Partnership Group. The results will be announced at the end of the cruise and checks awarded at that time.

To be eligible, organizations must: be from the Ohio River Watershed in Pennsylvania or West Virginia; work on a local watershed issue; be a formal or informal association, alliance, conservancy, hunting or fishing club, school group, environmental group, FFA, 4H or other like minded organization; and not be a local, state or federal agency or private consulting firm.

The Celebration will again be held aboard the Gateway Clipper’s Majestic Riverboat and depart from Station Square in downtown Pittsburgh.

Pre-trip activities include games and activities for everyone, supervised fishing from the dock, live fish and bird exhibits, key environmental speakers, and an awards ceremony. Approximately fifty watershed and environmental groups will have poster displays on board that tell the stories of what is being done to improve the quality of water and air thus improving our “quality of life.”

The Clipper will cruise the Allegheny River this year with an exciting and informative narrative about sites along the way. The Clipper will lock through the Highland Park Lock and Dam where you can learn about the past, present and future of how our rivers impact our lives.

There will be several short environmental presentations from distinguished speakers, including Edwin Pinero, Federal Environmental Executive in the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive (and former Deputy Secretary for Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance at DEP) and George Watzlaf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Come along and enjoy the cruise and find out why the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources named the Three Rivers (Allegheny River, Monongahela River, Ohio River) the “Rivers of the Year” for their role in spurring economic growth, shaping the city’s urban renewal, and providing more water-based recreation!

Register for the Celebration online.

Download the 2006 Ohio River Watershed Celebration brochure .

Links: 2005 Ohio River Celebration Attracts 800, Awards Presented

2004 Ohio River Celebration Attracts Over 600

Session Schedule

The Senate returns to session September 19 and the House on September 25.

On the Hill

Other News

· DEP Rule Could Reduce Electric Generating Capacity to Respond to Heat Waves

· Expedition Susquehanna Team Successfully Concludes Journey

· NRCS Assists In Repairing Watershed Damage From Recent Flooding

· Managing Rural PA’s Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Capacity

· Volunteers Needed for Rain, Snow Monitoring Network

· Remining Permit Issued for Westmoreland Abandoned Mine

· Builders for the Bay Roundtable Promotes Watershed-Friendly Development

· Sponsor An Event for the 4th Annual York County Watershed Weekend

· PA Invasive Species Council Seeking Input on Developing Management Plan

· Lehigh University Selected to Assess Industrial Energy Efficiency

· PA’s Annual Green Power-Turn It On! Awards Luncheon in September

· National Renewable Energy Conference Set for October

· Maria Elvia Zavala Wins Sue Wiseman Scholarship from PA Cleanways

· Save the Date - State College Hosts East Coast Soil Builders Conference in 2007

· Register Now for Land Conservation Appraisers Workshop At Tom Ridge Center

· Who Needs the French Countryside When You Can Bike in PA?

· Antlerless Deer License Application Process Now Open to Hunters

· 75 State Forest, Parks Enrolled In Deer Management Assistance Program

See & Hear

· Learn About Pennsylvania’s Eviro-Pioneers

Photo Feature

· State Historical Marker Dedicated at Quecreek Mine Rescue Event

Opinion

· Comments on DEP’s Proposed Rule Regulating Mercury Emissions from Power Plants By Victor Fiore, President Local 29, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Go To: PA Environment Digest Calendar Page

7/28/2006