As our work on water issues around the state, including our effort as state lead for the Choose Clean Water Coalition, continues to grow, we've decided to jump into the blogosphere with this newest PennFuture blog. As the name says, it all flows downstream -- and what comes around does indeed go around in the cycle of water.
Earlier this summer, we worked on a key bill enacted into law in Pennsylvania which will make it easier for local governments to manage stormwater. Stormwater problems cause flooding and road, bridge, and sewer damage, and are an enormous source of pollution to our rivers and streams and, ultimately, to the grand Chesapeake Bay, which is the nation's largest estuary.
In California right now, the Rim Fire (187,000 acres as of today) has been causing great concern for the threat it could pose to San Francisco's drinking water. Climate change is only going to increase these dangers. Conversely, citizens across the Commonwealth are concerned about the impacts from shale gas on Pennsylvania's water for drinking as well as recreation throughout Penn's Woods. That's one reason we've been working as part of a statewide coalition keen to prevent possible drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest. Last week, 12,000 signatures were presented to Gov. Corbett's staff on this issue and you can still add your voice to protect our forests and waters. (Speaking of which, The Department of Forests and Waters was the former and expressive name of the Pennsylvania state agency created in 1923 by Governor Pinchot. Today, it's part of the larger Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.)
There's a lot happening here in our state known for our forests and its waters. Our aim is to bring you the latest and the little-known challenges and good things happening from the grassroots up.
