Guest post: Speak out on protecting exceptional streams in NE PA

Note: This week, we have a guest blog post from Barbara "Bonnie" Smith, president of the watershed protection group North Pocono CARE (Citizens Alert Regarding the Environment) and member of PennFuture's board of directors. NP CARE is working to protect over 20 Exceptional Value (EV) streams in the Lehigh River headwaters affected by a planned transmission line. PennFuture recently submitted technical comments on this project.

Thanks to the efforts of many local citizens and the Thornhurst Township Board of Supervisors, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has scheduled a public hearing as part of DEP's review of the PPL permit applications. The hearing is on the proposed PPL West Pocono-North Pocono 230kV electric transmission line in Buck Township, Luzerne County and Thornhurst, Clifton and Covington townships, Lackawanna County. This section of the line has an extraordinary number of exceptional value (EV) stream crossings and EV wetland crossings in its 21-mile length, all of which are highly sensitive to pollution. These permits -- NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit (PAI023514002) and Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits (E40-761and E35-456) -- address water and wetland protection issues that are so important to maintaining the health of our Lehigh River and its tributaries. This is our opportunity to provide comments.

Sand Spring Creek

We encourage all those who hike, fish, live alongside, and enjoy these streams and forests to attend and pre-register to speak at the hearing.

Details: DEP public hearing, Thursday, April 23, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Thornhurst Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, 351 Old River Road (formerly 125 River Rd.), Thornhurst, Lackawanna County

Keep in mind that the parameters of DEP's review are limited to environmental issues, and comments will be most actionable in setting permit conditions if they fall under the following areas:
•    Impacts on water quality - polluting streams, wetlands and the Lehigh River
•    Concern about forest destruction and fragmentation
•    Vehicles and equipment introducing invasive species into our woodlands and waters
•    Herbicide use that would be harmful to streams and wetlands

Please save the date and make plans to add your voice. Many thanks, Bonnie Smith, President, North Pocono CARE (Citizens Alert Regarding the Environment).