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Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection (Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes: Title 27 - Environmental Resources; Chapter 61)

Country/Territory
United States of America
Territorial subdivision
Pennsylvania
Document type
Legislation
Date
1970 (2019)
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Water
Keyword
Basin/catchment/watershed Freshwater pollution Freshwater resources management Pollution control Water quality standards Public health Potable water Water abstraction Water conservation zone Water supply Sewerage Waterworks Recreational water use Local government Subsidy/incentive Inland waters
Geographical area
Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic
Abstract

This chapter of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes adopts the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act. It declares that: (1) Ninety-six percent of the water-quality-impaired watersheds in this Commonwealth are polluted because of nonpoint sources of pollution such as past mining activities, urban and agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition, on-lot sewage systems and earthmoving; (2) The Commonwealth continues to have unmet needs in the area of water and sewer infrastructure. New and improved water sources, treatment and distribution systems are necessary for public drinking water supplies; (3) The Commonwealth owns approximately 2.4 million acres of State park and State forest lands and many of these lands suffer from past environmental problems, including unreclaimed mines, acid mine drainage and abandoned oil and gas wells; (4) Open space, greenways, recreational trails, river corridors, fish and wildlife habitats, parks and recreation areas and scenic environments protect the environment, conserve natural resources and add value to communities; (5) State programs and State funding should provide maximum flexibility for elected county and municipal governmental officials to identify, prioritize and address local environmental concerns, including odor abatement problems at sewage treatment plants.

Full text
English
Website
www.legis.state.pa.us