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House Environmental Committee Holds Hearing On Bill To Protect Stream Buffers Oct. 2

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing October 2 on House Bill 1275 to protect riparian stream buffers.

House Bill 1275, sponsored by Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery) would provide for a minimum 100 foot riparian buffer along each side of a surface body of water, with a minimum 300 foot buffer for streams that have been designated as High Quality or Exceptional Value.

The legislation would also authorize municipalities to adopt regulations applicable to riparian buffers and would provide additional powers and duties to the Department of Environmental Protection for the enforcement of related regulations.

“Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of rivers and streams that crisscross our communities, supply millions of Pennsylvanians with clean drinking water, and create a robust outdoor recreational economy,” said Rep. Webster in announcing this legislation.

“You also know that even the smallest of these streams is not only threatened by pollution these days, and severe erosion, they are now in turn threatening homes and businesses with powerful flooding.

“Riparian buffers are an important part of the solution: the wider and more diversely planted a riparian buffer is, the more likely it will serve as an effective natural filter and provide for more stabilized streambanks, thereby reducing erosion and flooding due to stronger root systems.

“Buffers provide cooler water temperatures, resulting in an increase of oxygen, habitat, and food for fish and other aquatic life. Riparian buffers also provide many of the Commonwealth’s native animals with food, shelter, and travel corridors,” explained Rep. Webster.

The tentative agenda of speakers includes--

-- Matt Ehrhart – Stroud Water Research Center, Director of Watershed Restoration

-- Ryan Davis – Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Forest Projects Manager

-- Maya Von Rossum – Delaware Riverkeeper Network

-- Rowland Wall – Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

The hearing will be held in Room G-50 Irvis Building starting at 10:00 a.m. Click Here to watch live online.

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7647 or sending email to: gvitali@pahouse.net. Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5075 or by sending email to: mcauser@pahousegop.com.

Related Articles - Watershed Buffers:

-- Celebrate Riparian Buffers Month In October! With Penn State Extension, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center [PaEN]

-- Register Now! PA Statewide Watershed Conference Oct. 29-30 In Altoona [PaEN]

-- Master Watershed Stewards Celebrate 10 Years Of Making A Difference [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Future Master Watershed Steward Program Scaling Up [PaEN]

NewsClips This Week:

-- Outdoor Life: Bill Would Divert $150 Million From Game Commission, Threaten Federal Wildlife Funding In PA

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: Groups Oppose State’s Attempt To Move Money From Game Commission To Another Fund

-- NRCS-PA Announces Conservation Funding Opportunities For FY 2024

-- US Forest Service Now Accepting Applications For Local Community Forest Programs, Deadline Jan. 12

-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators Oct. 3 Wildlife Conservation Science, Outdoor Recreation Curriculum, Noon to 1:00 p.m.

-- Penn State Extension: 4-Part Webinar Series: Primer For Forest Management And Birds Thru Oct. 18