The state of Pennsylvania has been receiving criticism from states such as Maryland for its lackluster approach to preventing pollution from entering the Chesapeake Bay. Things may be changing.
Water improvement projects in Lancaster County will receive the bulk of $2.4 million in federal grant funding announced this week to reduce pollution flowing to the Chesapeake Bay.
County watersheds have been identified as some of the state’s highest contributors of harmful nitrogen and phosphorus to the bay.
A total of $2,075,714 is earmarked for 12 county projects, which have been created to reduce polluted runoff from urban, suburban and agricultural lands in Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Uh-Huh. Yeah sure, and the check is in the mail.
Pa. is not the only Commonwealth or State that has been receiving federal funds FOR YEARS to implement policies to properly control runoff to keep streams, creeks, rivers and bays clean. How long have Americans been screaming for clean water ? How long has legislation and funds been in place to push for it ?
The fact of the matter is that Pa. has not properly used previous funds to get the job done, and their receiving funds again provides no assurance that they will now finally get the job done. Our farmers on The Shore have reduced excessive use of chemicals and have built retention ponds to control runoff. Pa. is obviously not doing enough of the same. If previous county projects in Pa. have not created proper sewerage treatment, and have not prevented excessive and damaging runoff, I can’t conceive of any reason why I should believe Pa. is about to fix the problems. Personally I believe the legal suits being brought by Md. will have a better chance of forcing correction to the problems.