The Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force is encouraging residents, business owners, farmers and local government officials to pre-register to provide comments at an upcoming series of public meetings to hear about their water infrastructure needs.

Those farmers, communities and sewer ratepayers affected by federal and state mandates to reduce nutrient discharges that will require wastewater plants and farmers to install over $1.6 billion in nutrient reduction practices are especially urged to participate.

The meetings will be held--

· May 19 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Connan Room, University Center (Building #28), Carnegie Mellon University, 500 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh;

· May 21 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Rhoades Auditorium, Robert W. Rhoades Center, Clarion University Venango Campus, 1801 W. First St., Oil City;

· May 22 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Terrace Room, Clarion Hotel DuBois, 1896 Rich Highway, DuBois;

· May 27 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Crown Room, Convention Hall, 1073 Oak St., Pittston;

· May 28 – 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Town Hall Room, Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem; and

· May 29 – 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Mazie Gable Elementary School, 100 E. Prospect St., Red Lion.

Public testimony from past Task Force meetings and these hearings will be posted on the Task Force webpage.

The Task Force is asking any person interested in testifying should register in advance by sending email to: RA-sitaskforce@state.pa.us . Testimony will be accepted in person or by e-mail.

The Task Force has outlined issues of primary concern for which it is seeking feedback, including needs assessment, innovative measures, financial resources, financial sustainability and legislative and regulatory issues.

A coalition of environmental, farm, businesses and municipal groups is recommending the Task Force adopt the Pennsylvania Fair Share for Clean Water Plan to help wastewater plant ratepayers and farmers finance improvements needed to address Chesapeake Bay and statewide water quality improvement mandates while preserving economic opportunity for future homeowners and businesses.

The groups include: PA Municipal Authorities Association, PA Farm Bureau, PA Builders Association, PA Association of Conservation Districts and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In addition, the PA Association of Realtors, the Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, local government and other groups have voiced their support for the plan.

The seven-year plan includes $500 million to help finance a portion of the upgrades needed by 184 wastewater treatment plants in the region and $390 million to help farmers install conservation practices.

For more information, visit the Governor’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Task Force webpage or contact Marcus Kohl, DEP, 717-783-7404 or send email to: mkohl@state.pa.us.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Fair Share Plan for Clean Water, visit the Fair Share Plan webpage.

Video Blog: Remarks By Coalition Partners on the Fair Share Clean Water Plan

Video Blog: Sen. Brubaker’s Remarks on Fair Share Plan

Links: Coalition Proposes Fair Share Clean Water Funding Plan

16,000 Miles of Polluted Streams Add Urgency to Call for Clean Water Funding

CBF, Other Groups Ask State to Be a Partner in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Plan

40,000 More Acres of Corn, Soybeans Increase Conservation Needs

5/16/2008