Susquehanna River Basin Commission this week recognized former Sen. Noah Wenger (R-Lancaster) for his outstanding contributions to the agricultural industry in the Susquehanna watershed and for his unwavering commitment to protecting the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin.

SRBC honored the senator at its quarterly business meeting at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster.

SRBC especially recognized Sen. Wenger for spearheading the 2006 initiative in the General Assembly that provided SRBC’s $6.1 million contribution toward securing 15.7 million gallons of water per day to replace the amount used by Pennsylvania farmers in the Susquehanna watershed. SRBC currently is securing replacement water through the Lancashire water treatment project in Cambria County, Pa., and planning additional water storage projects.

The replacement water is to reduce stress on aquatic habitat and species during times of severe droughts, while removing the burden of individual farmers to comply with SRBC’s consumptive use regulatory requirement.

“Sen. Wenger’s foresight paved the way for an historic vote at the Commission’s business meeting today in support of the agricultural industry and environmental protection,” said Paul Swartz, SRBC Executive Director. “The commissioners unanimously determined that the low flow augmentation project underway at the Lancashire site and also at the Whitney Point Lake in New York satisfy SRBC’s requirement that the impacts of agricultural water use be addressed and relieved." Swartz said, “For more than 15 years, the Commission has worked doggedly with agricultural interests in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland to find such solutions. Today, thanks to Sen. Wenger in Pennsylvania, Sen. Thomas Libous in New York, and other policy makers and our partner agencies, we have a win for farmers and the environment.”

Sen. Wenger’s legislative career spanned 30 years. Among his other accomplishments, he created the state’s farmland preservation program; introduced the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP) of 2007 to provide tax credits for implementing practices, including improvements to barnyards, pastures and riparian corridors, implementing nutrient management plans and remediating legacy sediments and other practices; sponsored the Conservation District Fund of 2006 that established a special non-lapsing fund for conservation district programs; and helped secure funding in 2001 to continue the crop insurance program.

While in office, Sen. Wenger held important leadership positions, including Chairman of Majority Caucus, Chairman of Senate Appropriations Committee and member of the Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee. Sen. Wenger also served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative commission.

Links: Environmental Professionals Honor Noah Wenger with Karl Mason Award

CBF Honors Sen. Wenger With Lifetime Achievement Award

Conservation Districts Honor Sen. Wenger

12/7/2007