Op-Ed: State Working Hard To Save The Susquehanna River

By Christopher Abruzzo, Acting Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

Recently, The Patriot-News’ editorial board wrongly asserted the Department of Environmental Protection is taking a “go-slow” approach that is impeding progress with the Susquehanna River. 
          Nothing could be further from the truth.
          In fact, there is a plan to protect the Susquehanna River. This plan put DEP biologists on the river and its many tributaries for 187 days last year, taking composite data readings and hundreds upon hundreds of samples to further hone in on the river’s water quality. 
          The state’s execution of the Susquehanna River Study Plan for 2013 is underway right now, with staff taking even more samples and readings at no less than 32 sites in the Susquehanna River basin for dozens of different water quality indicators.
          The Patriot News inaccurately, and without citation to any credible source, opined that DEP’s biologists and scientists, highly trained and educated public servants committed to protecting the environment, are “looking for the wrong things in wrong places.”
          That is simply not true.
          Our team is taking samples of algae, screening for phosphorus and nitrogen, examining fish and mussels, taking readings on pesticide levels, and deploying innovative technology to take readings of androgenic and estrogenic compounds. 
          These are exactly the types of “things” any reasonable scientist would do to assess water quality. Our biologists and scientists are working in the tributaries of the three main sections of the river: the Juniata, the West Branch and the main stem.
          One of my first actions at DEP was to extend an invitation to Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway to offer to work together to identify the problem, including sharing our data and teaming up in the field, and drafting a joint plan of action. We agreed to do so.
          While various issues have impacted the state’s smallmouth population, no other species are showing such signs of stress. Nor have these issues been credibly linked to any water quality issues. As a recent article in your paper has pointed out, rivers are very complex. 
          There are real life consequences affecting those citizens living and working along the Susquehanna River which requires a responsible scientific approach to this issue. Current data do not support impairment, which the federal EPA has agreed with, and – this cannot be repeated enough – an impairment listing does not come with any funding or support from the federal government. 
          An impairment designation without an understanding of the causes of the issues facing the bass brings us no closer to a solution and attaches an unfortunate stigma to the Susquehanna River.
          Nonetheless, DEP is leaving no stone unturned when it comes to this issue and is more than willing to partner with our colleagues at the Fish and Boat Commission to identify this problem.