Posted: | February 7, 2017 02:36 PM |
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From: | Representative P. Michael Sturla |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | PA Clean Streams Law |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that repeals Section 702 of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. Currently, section 702 forbids any laws or regulations to be passed to require farmers to build a fence along a stream for the purpose of keeping farm livestock out. According to a study from the Chesapeake Bay Commission, providing locations, other than Pennsylvania streams for animals to drink can reduce stream bank erosion and phosphorus pollution by nearly 80%. Sediment and phosphorus are two of the pollutants blamed for causing algae blooms and a massive, fish-stressing "dead zone" in the bay every summer. Furthermore, it makes our streams cleaner. The opportunity to reduce significant amounts of pollution and stream bank damage can be achieved if we exclude livestock from streams. In addition, keeping animals out of streams also improves herd health and reduces animal injuries. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1060