DEP Invites Comments On Alternative Restoration Plan For Fishing Creek Watershed, Lancaster County

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on an alternative restoration plan for the Fishing Creek Watershed in Lancaster County (August 24 PA Bulletin page 4908).

The Pennsylvania Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Report included impaired stream segments in this watershed due to excessive runoff from agriculture.  

It has also been prioritized for cleanup and restoration based on the exceptional ecological significance of the watershed, the presence of rare and threatened aquatic organisms, the proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and the fact that this region is intensively agricultural with historic reluctance to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs).

A proposed Total Maximum Daily Load Plan was developed for this watershed to deal with the pollutant loadings on which DEP invites comments.

Click Here for a copy of the proposed TMDL. 

Comments are due by September 22.  Questions should be directed to Scott N. Heidel, Water Program Specialist, by calling 717-772-5647 or sending email to: scheidel@pa.gov. 

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information (August 24 PA Bulletin page 4908).