WHY BUFFERS ON EV & HQ STREAMS?
EV and HQ streams are almost 20% of Pennsylvania’s river and stream miles. They are our best streams, with the best water quality, healthiest fish populations and most pristine habitat. Many run through state parks, state forest and game land, or other protected lands. But others are at risk from development and need to be protected. 
Requiring developers t o maintaining a buffer of trees and plants alongside these streams is a smart, low-cost solution to protect these important natural resources and the communities and businesses that depend on them.
Because buffers take advantage of Pennsylvania’s existing natural resources, they deliver significant economic, health and safety benefits with very low investment from taxpayers and businesses.
Buffers help by:
- Keeping drinking water safe by filtering pollutants;
- Reducing the risk of flood damage for homes and businesses;
- Increasing property values, which in turn increases local tax revenues; and
- Protecting our streams from pollution and the effects of climate change, preserving healthy habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
- Saving Pennsylvania money on storm water management by using existing natural resources effectively.
With tourism and recreation serving as major drivers of Pennsylvania’s economy, it is critical that we protect the resources these industries depend on. In 2008, Pennsylvania’s tourism industry provided $18 billion in wages to more than 600,000 residents. Fishing activities alone generate $4.7 billion per year in revenue for the state—supplying 43,000 jobs. EV and HQ streams are among the top destinations for anglers and other eco-tourists.
Buffers are a common-sense, cost-effective solution that will protect the health and livelihood of our communities and our streams.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
PA DEP and the Environmental Quality Board have proposed new regulations that would require 150 foot buffers for new development on EV and HQ streams, and 150 foot forested buffers on impaired EV and HQ streams. These rules must be approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) at their June 17, 2010 meeting. The home builders and other developers will be lobbying hard to defeat the rules. We need your help to make sure they are approved.
THE IRRC NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU. Click http://bit.ly/aTxgMato send email comments in support of 150 foot buffers to the IRRC. Or you can mail or fax comments to the address below. Tell the IRRC that you support DEP’s proposal to require 150 foot buffers on EV and HQ streams. Remind them that buffers protect our streams and our drinking water…increase property values…reduce flood damage…and protect our multi-billion dollar tourism industry. Urge them to approve Regulation #2783, DEP’s proposed changes to Chapter 102.
You can mail or fax comments to the address below. Tell the IRRC that you support DEP’s proposal to require 150 foot buffers on EV and HQ streams. Remind them that buffers protect our streams and our drinking water…increase property values…reduce flood damage…and protect our multi-billion dollar tourism industry. Urge them to approve Regulation #2783, DEP’s proposed changes to Chapter 102.
Comments can be emailed to irrc@irrc.state.pa.us….mailed to IRRC, 333 Market Street, 14th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101; or faxed to (717) 783-2664. Or you can click http://bit.ly/aTxgMato to send a comment. However you do it, be sure to take action soon! The IRRC will be voting June 17, and we need to make sure our voices are heard!!
