South Lancaster News

State Sen. Scott Martin (R-13), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, have endorsed a $50 million annual recurring investment in Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Fund included in the 2024-25 state budget.

The Clean Streams Fund addresses agricultural conservation, nutrient management, clean water procurement, stormwater management, and acid mine drainage. It has contributed to Pennsylvania's progress in reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay. The establishment of the Fund last session was led by Martin and Yaw, along with Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49). It coincided with the creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), designed to share costs with farmers for practices that reduce sediment in waterways and enhance soil health.

“Clean water is a key contributor to the health of our communities and the quality of life we enjoy,” Martin stated. “We have made tremendous progress in recent years to ensure our water is cleaner and healthier, and I am proud that our state budget makes historic new investments to ensure this progress can continue for many years to come.”

Yaw added, “The Clean Streams Fund puts money into action by correcting decades of non-point source pollution with innovative solutions like pay-for-performance and strategic tree planting without demanding a single additional cent from taxpayers.” He continued, “Funding of this magnitude will go a long way toward restoring our local Pennsylvania streams and improving downstream waters like the Chesapeake Bay. This is a historic investment.”

Pennsylvania has more than 85,000 miles of waterways supporting a $26.9 billion outdoor recreation industry and over 390,000 jobs. However, one-third of these streams do not meet water quality standards for drinking, fishing or swimming.

Best management practices implemented by farmers and local governments are yielding positive results. A report card released by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) showed notable progress this month; the Chesapeake Bay received its best grade in over two decades.

“As the Chesapeake Bay restoration enters its fifth decade,” noted Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, “our non-governmental partners and scientific advisors emphasize more strategic efforts relevant to local communities across the watershed. Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Fund exemplifies that ‘local-first’ approach.”

The Chesapeake Bay spans six states plus Washington D.C., fed by 50 major tributaries including Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River which contributes about half of its fresh water.

Senators Martin and Yaw represent Pennsylvania on the Chesapeake Bay Commission—a tri-state legislative body advising Pennsylvania's General Assembly alongside those from Maryland and Virginia. Yaw chairs Pennsylvania's delegation within this commission.

For more information on state-related news: Senator Martin’s website at www.SenatorScottMartinPA.com or Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com.

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