HARRISBURG – State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County, announced that two grants have been awarded to protect the region’s coldwater streams.
“I’m pleased to announce that the Coldwater Heritage Partnership has awarded the Clearfield County Conservation District more than $6,000 to create a coldwater conservation plan for Snyder and Spring runs,” George said. “As Marcellus shale gas drilling increases in the area, plans like this will aid in conserving our water resources.”
The plan will provide baseline water quality data about the streams, identify possible future projects and educate the public about the natural resource.
“The Allegheny Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which serves Clearfield and Jefferson Counties, also has been awarded more than $3,200 by the Partnership,” George said. “The money will be used for a comprehensive analysis of the Irish Run Watershed as a precursor to creating a conservation plan.”
Coldwater Conservation plans are used to gather data about the coldwater ecosystem, identify potential threats to streams, create conservation strategy plans, and promote awareness of the need to conserve coldwater habitats.
“Projects like these ensure that our pristine waters continue to provide leisure activities and clean drinking water for our citizens and also see to it that anglers can enjoy their sport,” George said. “I will fight for responsible gas drilling regulations and a responsible severance tax that includes money for our conservation districts for this very reason.”
George’s House Bill 833, the Natural Gas Severance Tax Act, provides money to the Conservation District Fund, which is distributed to the county Conservation Districts. In fiscal year 2011-2012, George’s plan would provide more than $10 million to the fund.
The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is a cooperative initiative between Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which also would receive funding under Rep. George’s severance-tax proposal.
“Without clean water, it won’t matter how much gas we have under our feet,” he said. “Our quality of life depends on making the right decisions now before we end up having to fix our wrong ones.”