For Immediate Release
July 28, 2010
Contact: Nathan Flood
717-787-4420
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Lancaster County to Host Meeting on Chesapeake Bay Pollution Requirements

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced new pollution reduction goals within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The EPA has scheduled a public meeting in Lancaster to gather input from community members on how the new pollution reduction requirements will affect local farmers, land owners and communities.

Nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment are the primary pollutants that threaten the Chesapeake Bay. The EPA’s proposed pollution reduction goals would decrease the allowable total maximum daily load (TMDL) that can enter the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to protect water quality.

Our region has significantly reduced pollution into Chesapeake Bay tributaries in recent years by utilizing best management practices in agriculture and identifying strategies to help the state meet its pollution reduction goals. It is important to ensure that we continue this progress, but we must also ensure that resources are available to help land owners, farmers, developers and local governments to meet the new pollution reduction goals. It is important for members of the community to offer their thoughts, concerns and input in the process to ensure that all interests are protected as we work to preserve this vital natural resource.

The public meeting in Lancaster is scheduled on October 18 from 2-4 p.m. at the Best Western Eden Resort at 222 Eden Road.

The public comment period on the proposed TMDL requirements will run from September 24 through November 9. In addition to the public meeting in Lancaster, Pennsylvania will host three other public meetings during the public comment period. Additional meetings have been scheduled in State College on October 19, Williamsport on October 20 and Wilkes-Barre on October 21. As the Vice Chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and Chairman of the Pennsylvania Delegation to the Commission, I am thankful that the EPA is taking a proactive approach in soliciting public comments from interested Pennsylvania parties on this important issue.

Cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay is a complex issue due to the scope of the problem. It is vital to bring all stakeholders in the process to the table to ensure that we can meet the pollution reduction goals in a way that is responsible and financially viable for all parties within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and I am hopeful that these meetings will be helpful in addressing local concerns about our state and region meeting the EPA’s TMDL requirements.

SaveAnAmericanJob Branding Effort Urges Support for Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing is one of Pennsylvania’s most important industries, but it has been one of the hardest-hit industries during the recession. The SaveAnAmericanJob branding effort encourages consumers to support the nation’s manufacturing industry by buying products that are manufactured by companies in the U.S.

American workers help to produce some of the most reliable, innovative, high-quality products in the world, and it is important for consumers to support these businesses. More information on SaveAnAmericanJob is available online at www.saveanamericanjob.com.