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Harry Campbell, executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania, issued this statement after Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he would allow the $31.5 billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2016-17 to become law.
Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Blueprint will reduce pollution and restore local rivers and streams. The Blueprint goal is to have 60 percent of the pollution-reduction practices necessary to restore water quality in place by 2017 and 100 percent in place by 2025.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s latest evaluation, Pennsylvania will not meet its 2017 Clean Water Blueprint goals for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.
Mr. Campbell said:
“The new budget falls short of providing the resources necessary for the Commonwealth to successfully follow-through on the rebooted clean water strategy it committed to earlier this year.
“About 19,000 miles of our rivers and streams have been damaged by pollution, and implementing the Blueprint is the solution to the Commonwealth’s clean water woes. Pennsylvania’s new strategy includes more farm inspections and stream buffers and can be a catalyst for Blueprint success. But without the resources to back it up, it is destined to fail.
“With its latest budget, the Commonwealth has missed yet another opportunity to step up and make significant progress toward meeting the commitment it made to its citizens to clean up and protect our rivers and streams.
“EPA has promised consequences for continued failure to meet clean water goals. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the CBF-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PA’s most recent newsletter.
NewsClips:
Op-Ed: Here’s How PA Can Get Smarter About Cleaning Up Our Streams, Rep. Everett
Maryland’s Governor Calls For Ideas To Address Conowingo Dam
Maryland Governor Holds First Conowingo Dam Summit
U.S. House Votes To Restrict EPA Oversight Of Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Shale Gas Impact Fees Expected To Drop Again In PA
Shale Gas Impact Fee Predicted To Fall In 2016
Mining Company Bankruptcies Jeopardizes Money For Reclamation
Cumberland Twp Supports Police With Drilling Fees
Schuylkill County Receives Greenways, Trails Grants From Impact Fees
Bradford County Invests Impact Fees In Bridge Fund
Op-Ed: Here’s How PA Can Get Smarter About Cleaning Up Our Streams, Rep. Everett
AP: Wolf Secures Budget Peace, For Now, If Not Campaign Promises
Bumsted: Budget Deal Shows PA Requires More Sunshine
Swift: Wolf Signs Tax Bill Completing State Budget
Bumsted: House, Senate Approve New Higher Taxes In $1.3B Deal
AP: PA Lawmakers Pass $1.3 Billion Budget Bailout Package
AP: Highlights Of $1.3B Revenue Plan
Murphy: How Would Revenue Package Impact Your Wallet?
Related Stories:
PA Growing Greener Coalition: Must Invest More In Environmental Cleanup, Parks
Reminder Of What’s In The FY 2016-17 State Budget For The Environment: Nothing Much
$1.3 Billion Tax/Revenue Package Now Law
Fiscal Code Bill Amendments Cut $39 Million From Environmental Funds
Independent Fiscal Office: Drilling Impact Fee Revenue Projected To Decline Thru 2018
Allegheny Institute: Shale Gas Impact Fee Collections Dip Sharply
State Budget Includes New Coal Refuse Energy & Reclamation Tax Credit
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