On August 17, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and members of Congress Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6), Susan Wild (D-PA-7), Daniel Meuser (R-PA-9), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) sent a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden urging him to approve a request by Gov. Josh Shapiro for a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in response to severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred across the Commonwealth in July.

If granted, the declarations would provide additional federal resources for each impacted area, including in Berks County in the wake of damages sustained on July 9th as well as Bucks and Northampton Counties for damage sustained later in the month.

“These Pennsylvania communities would benefit from federal assistance, and it is critical that Pennsylvania families and communities know that the federal government stands with them.

“We urge you to approve Governor Shapiro’s current major disaster declaration request, as well as any that may follow for Bucks and Northampton Counties, as soon as possible,” the Members wrote.

The text of the letter follows--

“Dear President Biden,

“In response to a severe storm, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred across the Commonwealth on July 9, 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro submitted a request for a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“The declaration requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for Berks County and Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth.

“We write now in support of this request as well as in support of extending Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to include Bucks County and Northampton County following storms in late July, should it be determined that similar assistance is needed in those counties.

“In the days since the severe storms tore across Pennsylvania, PEMA, FEMA, and local emergency management representatives in all impacted areas have worked together to protect Pennsylvanians and facilitate recovery.

“Under the Stafford Act, only the President has the authority to approve a request from a governor for a major disaster declaration, an action which unlocks targeted federal resources to support recovery efforts.

“These additional resources are designed to accelerate recovery and ensure that communities can move forward.

“Providing these resources in the wake of the Berks County incident and potentially also for Bucks and Northampton Counties would ensure that the federal government shows up for Pennsylvanians.

“We have heard from constituents and emergency management professionals in these counties about the life-altering damage that occurred as a result of flooding.

“For example, in Northampton County, the municipal storm system of Bangor was overwhelmed by the intense storm, leading to severe damage to homes and property.

“ In Berks County, flash flooding washed away a large section of the bank of Antietam Creek along with the foundation of a nearby building.

“The deadly flash flooding in Bucks County, Upper Makefield Township has devastated this community as they continue to mourn the loss of seven victims and attempt to recover from the severe damage to homes and roadways.

“These Pennsylvania communities would benefit from federal assistance, and it is critical that Pennsylvania families and communities know that the federal government stands with them.

“We urge you to approve Governor Shapiro’s current major disaster declaration request, as well as any that may follow for Bucks and Northampton Counties, as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration.”

For more information on disaster declarations, visit PEMA’s Recovery webpage.

NewsClips This Week - Watersheds:

-- Wilkes-Barre Times Editorial: Restoration Of Abandoned Mine Drainage In Espy Run A Significant Achievement

-- PA Capital-Star: EPA, The Hershey Company Commit $2 Million For PA Dairy Farm Conservation

-- DEP Chesapeake Bay Update: County Action Plan Updates; Training; Grants; Accomplishments; More

-- DEP PA Clean Water Academy: Releases Training On Guiding Principles Of Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

-- StateImpactPA: In PA, Climate Change Stresses Old Infrastructure, Stormwater Fees To Fund Projects Are A Way To Help Limit Flooding, Pollution

-- PA Environmental Council: Cultivating Connections At Rodale Institute On Organic, Restorative Farming Practices

-- Warren Times: Northwest PA Woodland Assn. Hosts Woodland Stream Protection Program Saturday, Aug. 26

-- Altoona Mirror: Western PA Conservancy Working On Juniata River Watershed Plan

-- Delaware RiverKeeper Aug. 25 RiverWatch Video Report

-- WHYY: New Study To Determine Causes Of Flooding Along Brandywine Creek

-- WHYY: Delaware County Confronts Climate Crisis With First-Ever Sustainability Plan

-- WHYY: High Tide Flooding ‘Growing In Leaps And Bounds’ In Mid-Atlantic, NOAA Says

-- PennLive: Heavy Rains Have Eased Drought Across PA, But Not Everyone Has Caught Up

-- TribLive: 75th Anniversary Of Construction Of Youghiogheny River Dam

-- StateImpactPA - Rachel McDevitt: Advocates Push For Conservation Money In Next Federal Farm Bill

Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:

-- Scholarships Available For 2023 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Oct. 24-26 In Altoona  [PaEN]

-- Federal Office Of Surface Mining Provides $100,000 Grant To Schuylkill Headwaters Assn. To Treat Mine Drainage In Schuylkill County  [PaEN]

-- Western PA Coalition For Abandoned Mine Reclamation Receives $100,000 Federal Grant To Repair Mine Drainage Treatment System In Tioga County  [PaEN]

-- How Penn State Extension Launched One Of The Most Successful Volunteer Training Programs In The US To Help Revive Struggling Local Watershed Groups - By Diane Huskinson, Stroud Water Resource Center  [PaEN]

-- EPA, The Hershey Company Commit $2 Million To Land O'Lakes Dairy Farms Members In PA For Sustainable Farming Initiatives  [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Supplement To Manure Management For Environmental Protection Guidance For Animal Manures And Agricultural Process Wastewater  [PaEN]

-- Funding Now Available For Energy Efficiency, Farm Conservation Projects Thru DEP’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Announces New $150,000 Stream & Watershed Enhancement Grant Program  [PaEN]

-- DEP Begins Accepting Applications For Coastal Zone Grants Aug. 28  [PaEN]

-- Stroud Water Research Center, PASA Sustainable Agriculture: Launching Agroforestry Project At Wild Fox Farm In Berks County In-Person Sept. 6  [PaEN]

-- How One Man's Journey To Becoming A Tree Parent Is Growing A Forest And Inspiring Others - By Diane Huskinson, Stroud Water Resource Center  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension, Audubon Society Of Western PA Host Oct. 21 Backyard Stream Repair Field Day In Allegheny County; Other Extension Watershed Resources  [PaEN]

-- Bipartisan Group Of PA Members Of Congress Urge President To Declare Federal Disaster After Severe Flooding, Storms Caused 7 Deaths, Property Damage In Berks, Bucks, Northampton Counties  [PaEN]

-- Brandywine Conservancy, Partners Announce Launch Of Brandywine Creek Flood Study Following Historic Flooding From Hurricane Ida  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Drought Watch Remains For 20 Counties, Lifted For 47 Counties  [PaEN]

-- $75,000 In Groundwater Level Monitoring Grants Awarded To 12 Recipients By The Susquehanna River Basin Commission  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 20, 2023]

8/28/2023