SCHUYLKILL HAVEN – The October edition of the local TV program hosted by Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks) focuses on a recent Schuylkill Haven public hearing which reviewed the ongoing cleanup of the Schuylkill River and other local creeks and streams.
“The Schuylkill River was once one of the dirtiest, most polluted waterways in the country,” said Senator Argall. “We saw a coalition of nonpartisan volunteers—including local anglers, boaters and public officials step forward who all shared a vision for a brighter future. We didn’t care about politics; we didn’t care who received the credit. Now, instead of running black and orange, the river runs clear.”
The roundtable was hosted by Senator Argall, Representative Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks), Representative Tim Twardzik (R-Schuylkill), Representative Joe Kerwin (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin), and Representative Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Schuylkill/Carbon). Featured panelists included specialists from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, the Schuylkill Headwaters Association, and Schuylkill River Greenways.
While the U.S. Congress continues to debate additional clean-water infrastructure aid, the Pennsylvania General Assembly is also considering the expansion of its “Growing Greener” funding programs to include additional aid for small towns with failing sewage systems. Senator Argall, an original “Growing Greener” sponsor, has advocated for greater funding to clean up local rivers and streams.
“We still have much work to do,” Senator Argall continued. “While some of our streams and rivers here are so much cleaner than in the past, we are still cursed by pollution in some of our local communities. Small towns like Coaldale and Lansford need help to prevent raw sewage from reaching the site of Tamaqua’s proposed new park along the Little Schuylkill. We must prevent future flooding in our communities like Spring Township, Port Carbon, Pine Grove and Gilberton. As I quoted at the hearing from my well-worn 1972 edition of the Boy Scout Handbook: ‘Your responsibility to the outdoors is to leave it better than you found it. This is your challenge… Don’t just sit there. Get out and do something about it.’”.
This edition of the Argall Report will air on:
- Blue Ridge Communications (Channel 13) every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
- Berks Community Television (Comcast – Channel 15 and Service Electric – Channel 19) on Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday at 6 p.m.
- Service Electric Cablevision: Hazleton, Mahanoy City; Shenandoah – on Hazleton’s WYLN TV 35 Channel 507 and MetroCast Communications Channel 10. Please check local listings for air times.
Senator Argall’s show is also available online at https://www.senatorargall.com/argallreport/.
Contact: Jim Brugger
717.787.2637