I am writing in response to your recent article about Clearfield County’s application for a source water monitoring system under the Growing Greener grant program (“Clearfield Commissioners Endorse CCCD Grant,” 8/24/2011). If successful, the grant application would provide crucial data about the County’s water supply, including potentially dangerous contaminants that could negatively impact the health of residents. This monitoring is now more important than ever because it will also sound a warning for any negative impacts on the water supply from Marcellus Shale gas drilling.
Sadly, the Growing Greener program that would fund this project is about to run out of money unless the state legislature agrees to renew and fund this important program. Growing Greener has already helped communities in Clearfield County to protect and monitor waterways, including funding projects to protect Morgan Run and Trout Run. I hope concerned citizens will contact their state representatives and senators and ask them to renew Growing Greener.
Sincerely,
Meredith Meisenheimer
Preservation Associate, PennEnvironment
Philadelphia