Donate Now
Connect
Explore Your Community
Discover the Issues
Publications
DEP Funding Decline
Precipitous drops in Pennsylvania's support for environmental protection, inspection and enforcement, since 2000
State support for core environmental protection halved
Buffers 100: Taking a Positive Trend Statewide
Naturally vegetated buffers along streams are good for Pennsylvania's communities, environment and economy. They help to filter out pollution from runoff, prevent erosion and flooding, and provide important habitat for aquatic life.
Clean Water Action surveyed municipalities in more than a dozen counties across Pennsylvania and found that 192 municipalities had a riparian buffer ordinance and over 30% of those ordinances required 100 foot or greater buffers on some streams.
Pennsylvania Currents|online, Summer 2009
In this issue of Pennsylvania Currents|Online:
Natural Gas Drilling Boom Threatens Pennsylvania Waters
In the coming years, several thousand wells may be drilled across western, central, and northeast Pennsylvania or natural gas. These new wells will be drilled into a rock formation known is Marcellus shale, where potentially big reserves of natural gas can be found over a mile underground. In 2008, over 500 gas wells were drilled in the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, and even with the recession, gas production is projected to increase annually for the next several years.
Natural Gas Drilling Boom Threatens Pennsylvania Waters
In the coming years, several thousand wells may be drilled across western, central, and northeast Pennsylvania or natural gas. These new wells will be drilled into a rock formation known is Marcellus shale, where potentially big reserves of natural gas can be found over a mile underground. In 2008, over 500 gas wells were drilled in the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania, and even with the recession, gas production is projected to increase annually for the next several years.
Thanks for Supporting Clean Water’s 12th Annual Auction and Party!
About 90 Clean Water Fund supporters joined us for a fabulous evening of food, music, and a silent and live auction. This year’s Florence Neilson Environmental Leadership Awards went to Sharon McCormick for her work organizing the Ambler community to clean up the largest asbestos waste pile in the U.S. and to Kathleen McGinty for her work to reduce mercury emissions and invest in environmental conservation as Secretary of the PA Department of Environmental Protection. We raised over $13,000 for our work to protect and promote clean water, clean air, and healthy communities.
Thanks to our sponsors and item donors for making our Auction and Party a success—we look forward to seeing you again next year!!!
Campaign for Stream Buffers Builds Support
A recent survey by Clean Water Action found that almost two hundred cities, towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania have adopted ordinances requiring buffers between new development and their streams and rivers. Almost one-third of these municipalities require buffers of at least 100 feet, which is consistent with Clean Water Action’s Buffers 100 initiative. It’s impressive to see so many towns across the state working to make sure that development doesn’t result in degrading our rivers and streams.
Pennsylvania Sustainer, September - October 2008
In this issue:
- Our Pick for President: Why America Needs Barack Obama
- Clean Water Action Endorsed Candidates for 2008
- Electing a Greener Congress in 2008
- Volunteers Needed to Elect Pro-Environment Candidates!
Get the full newsletter (pdf, 539 kb)
Pennsylvania Sustainer, April - August 2008
In this issue:
- Protecting Our Drinking Water from Pollution
- Help Pro-Environment Candidates Win in 2008
- Decrease Diesel Pollution in Our Neighborhoods
- Clean Water Action in Your Community
- Philadelphia Area Update
- Pittsburgh Area Update
- Lehigh Valley Update
- Buffers 100 — A Buffer for Every Stream
Get the complete newsletter. (pdf, 278 kb)
Pennsylvania Sustainer, January - March 2008
Victories for the Environment in 2007 - Challenges for 2008
- Looking Ahead in 2008
- Clean Water Restoration Act
- Safer Drinking Water Act
- Local Victories for the Environment in PA
- Lehigh Valley
- Pittsburgh Area
- Philadelphia Area
- How is Congress Voting on the Environment?
Other Publications
Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010
Anacostia Restoration Fund Survives Threat of Budget Grab
Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010
Last year, with the help of Clean Water Action members, the District set up a new fund supported by a fee on plastic and paper bags to help restore the Anacostia River and other District waterways. However, within a few months, this fund was threatened by proposals to raid the money to support other programs. One of the many positive aspects of the legislation that imposed a fee on bags was that it would generate money for river clean-up efforts, and thus provide funding during challenging fiscal times.
Delaware News Source Illuminates Toxic Threat to Water Supply
Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010
The Wilmington News Journal recently published a stellar expose on groundwater pollution in Delaware, and the region served by the Potomac Aquifer, the groundwater supply for significant portions of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Reporter Jeff Montgomery has covered the environment for years, and his devastating series of articles details serious threats to groundwater resources that support drinking water for many residents of Delaware and its neighbors.
The series reports:
Managing Water in the 21st Century
Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010
Last fall and winter, Clean Water Fund worked with local allies in Prince William and Loudoun Counties to hold workshops on 21st Century approaches to managing our water resources. This fall, we will be organizing follow-up workshops that explore ways in which reducing water waste, including water re-use and other money-saving techniques, will help communities to develop sustainable water management practices.