On April 22, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA issued the following statement from Pennsylvania Executive Director Shannon Gority, supporting the continued enforcement of environmental regulations by the state Department of Environmental Protection during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In late March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a temporary enforcement policy that would allow for discretion in enforcing environmental regulations if they are prevented from doing so by the pandemic.
Last week, DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell responded to concerned environmental groups, saying that the agency will continue its work to enforce all environmental laws.
In response, Shannon Gority offered the following statement.
“Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) agrees with Secretary McDonnell’s assertion that, ‘We cannot allow one public health crisis (to) lead to another,’ and urges the DEP and state legislators to stand firm in enforcing and defending Pennsylvania’s clean water regulations.
“We commend DEP’s commitment that essential activities such as permitting, inspections, and emergency response activities, will not be disrupted. It is critical that all permittees and operators continue to meet terms and conditions of their environmental permits, and that reporting and monitoring requirements remain in force.
“Pennsylvania faces big challenges in living up to its commitment to provide safe and abundant water for its residents. To do that, the Governor and legislature need to increase investments in the DEP and other clean water efforts and resist the urge to redirect dedicated funds away from the environmental stewardship they are intended to achieve.”
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column). Click Here to support their work.
Also visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to learn how you can help clean water grow on trees.
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[Posted: April 22, 2020] PA Environment Digest
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