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Sen. Yaw Elected Chair Of Tri-State Chesapeake Bay Commission; Focus Will Be On Susquehanna River, South Of Harrisburg

On January 3, Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) became the new Chair of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission for the 2020 calendar year. Sen. Yaw is the first member and chairman of the CBC to have a legislative district that covers the northernmost part of the watershed to the New York border.

Sen. Yaw also serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

As Chair, Yaw will oversee the policy making efforts of the 21 member Commission, whose members are senators and house members from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, along with heads of the natural resources agencies, and a prominent citizen member, from each member state.

“We all want to have and protect clean water in our streams and the residents of my district work very hard at being good stewards of our resources,” Sen. Yaw said.

“Being a member of the Commission for a number of years, and now Chairman, along with my northern tier roots, gives me a good understanding of where we need to target our clean-up efforts for the Bay, most of which begins south of Harrisburg,” he added.

As he took over the gavel, Sen. Yaw announced his intent to have the Commission continue to focus attention on the Susquehanna River watershed, the single-largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay supplying over 50 percent of the freshwater flowing into the Bay.

Sen. Yaw’s district, consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties, is unique in that the district includes both the North Branch and the West Branch of the Susquehanna.

Sen. Yaw has served as a member of the CBC since 2014, most recently serving as Chair of the Pennsylvania delegation. He now takes over leadership from Maryland Senate Democratic Majority Leader, Senator Guy J. Guzzone (D-13), who represents Howard County.

The other members of the Pennsylvania delegation to the Commission include: Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) and Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster).

Bay Briefing Jan. 8

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a January 8 briefing on Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations. The meeting coincides with the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Click Here for more.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov. Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7305 or sending email to: senatorsantarsiero@pasenate.com.

NewsClips:

It’s A Team Effort: Restoring The Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Letter: A Promise To Protect The Susquehanna - Seneca Nation Sacred Site Committee

Op-Ed: It’s Time For PA To Step Up And Help Push Chesapeake Bay Cleanup - CBF

Op-Ed: Federal Funding Increase For Clean Water A Downpayment, Now PA Has To Step Up

Editorial: Meet Chesapeake Bay Water Quality Goals

PA Still Has Work To Do To Clean Up The Chesapeake Bay, Experts Tell Lawmakers

Lycoming County Authority Approves Multi-Municipal Stormwater Management Plan [Local Leadership In Sen. Yaw’s District]

Mike Reuther: Lycoming County Groups: Healthy Streams Promote Fish Numbers [Local Leadership In Sen. Yaw’s District]

To Protect The Eastern Hellbender, Teenagers Made It The State Amphibian

CBF-PA: Making It Rain At The Farm Show

Sen. Yaw Elected Chair Of Tri-State Chesapeake Bay Commission