Department of Environmental Protection Northeast Regional Director Mike Bedrin represented Gov. Rendell in presenting a proclamation declaring July as Lake Awareness Month in Pennsylvania to organizations active in lake monitoring, sampling and protection July 8 at Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike County.

The annual lake awareness activities are coordinated by DEP, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Lake Management Society.

The presentation was made prior to the group going out on Lake Wallenpaupack to conduct the routine lake monitoring sampling.

The PALMS group and the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District conduct periodic sampling of the lake for a variety of water quality and chemical parameters, including phosphorus, nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, pH, and plankton. The watershed management district has been conducting this type of sampling for more than 20 years. Regional biologist Sherry Leap is the department liaison for PALMS.

A copy of the Governor’s proclamation is available online.

7/11/2008