Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2014 - 61

CURRENTS
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Urges EPA Help on Susquehanna River
The Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish &
Boat Commission (PFBC) called on the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help identify the
factors contributing to the poor health of the Susquehanna
River and begin taking steps to improve the river's condition
"before it becomes too late to repair the damage."
In a letter to EPA Administrator Shawn Garvin, PFBC
Executive Director John A. Arway said the agency supports
the EPA's recent decision to increase oversight of pollutants
from the agricultural sector in Pennsylvania's portion of the
Chesapeake Bay but said more needs to be done.
"While large strides have been made in other sectors, the
agricultural sector has been more complicated to understand
and subsequently account for in regulatory improvements,"
said Arway. "Further investigation into the agricultural
contribution will be challenging but one that is much needed
and long overdue."
In particular, Arway urged the EPA to establish thresholds
for reducing the amount of dissolved phosphorus, which he
said is "plaguing the water quality" of the Susquehanna River
and the Chesapeake Bay.
"While target parameters such as total nitrogen and
total phosphorus are important in estuarine management,
I strongly recommend that EPA's upcoming focus include
targets specifically for the Susquehanna River, a riverine
environment that's the bay's largest tributary," said Arway.
"These would include the dissolved components of
phosphorus, which are fueling algal blooms and increased
productivity in the Susquehanna River and its tributaries,
creating the primary stressor that cause young bass immune
systems to be stressed, the fish to become weakened, then
become infected with bacteria and die."

Arway said that specific recommendations, which would
have far-reaching impacts to improve the Susquehanna River
if enacted statewide include:
* Avoid agricultural applications of phosphorus in
the autumn.
* Reduce the phosphorus load delivered during the spring
period (March 1 to June 30).
* Increase the scale and intensity of agricultural Best
Management Practices (BMP) programs that have been
shown to reduce phosphorus runoff.
* Strengthen and increase the use of regulatory
mechanisms of conservation farm planning to reduce
nutrient loadings.
* Accelerate 4Rs (Right source, Right rate, Right time and
Right place) outreach/extension programs and phase in
mandatory certification standards for agrology advisors,
retailers and applicators to ensure fertilizer is applied based
on the 4Rs.
* Ban the application of manure, biosolids and commercial
fertilizers containing phosphorus from agricultural
operations on frozen ground or ground covered by snow.
* Work with local governments to promote and accelerate
use of green infrastructure (such as filter strips, rain
gardens, bio-swales and engineered wetlands).
* Prohibit the sale and use of phosphorus fertilizers for
lawn care.
For a complete copy of Arway's letter to the EPA, visit
PFBC's website at http://www.fishandboat.com/water/rivers/
susquehanna/susq-impairment/2014_07_28_epa.pdf.
More information about the Susquehanna River
impairment is also available at
www.fishandboat.com/susq-impairment.htm.

At the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited
Annual Fall Meeting on September 13, Adam McClain,
Adams County Watershed Specialist, was awarded
Outstanding Coldwater Conservationist (Professional).
The Awards Committee selected McCain from
nominations submitted by chapters and individuals.
McClain has assisted individuals in identifying
problems related to stream runoffs, buffer maintenance
and pervious and impervious development. He has
organized many multi-student organization meetings
and is active in the Trout In the Classroom Program.

PFBC website: www.fishandboat.com

photo-Dave Swope

Hooked on Coldwater
Conservation
Outstanding Coldwater
Conservationist Selected

Pictured are (left to right) Karl Lutz, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission Stream Section Chief and Adam McClain discussing
a mudsill.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * November/December 2014

61
http://www.fishandboat.com/water/rivers/susquehanna/susq-impairment/2014_07_28_epa.pdf http://www.fishandboat.com/water/rivers/susquehanna/susq-impairment/2014_07_28_epa.pdf http://www.fishandboat.com/susq-impairment.htm http://www.fishandboat.com
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