Lycoming County Briefs Federal Delegation

WILIAMSPORT -- At a 3 p.m. meeting on Thursday, February 24, the County Commissioners will host in their Board Room at Executive Plaza Congressman “GT” Thompson (5th District), Congressman Tom Marino (10th District), and  state legislators for a regional overview of the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy and its implications for Lycoming County residents, farmers and businesses.

Over the past four years, the County of Lycoming has been studying and quantifying the impact of the Bay Recovery requirements on area wastewater treatment plants, farmers, and municipalities. 

During this period the County developed a nutrient trading program that has recently earned more than $90,000, and forged partnerships with PA Department of Environmental Protection, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and PennVest among others.  

The County has been a leader at the state level in helping author and refine Pennsylvania’s Watershed Implementation Plan—it’s formal agreement with US EPA regarding Bay Recovery actions.  “The goal of the County’s program is to reduce the cost of compliance for public sewer rate payers and create new income streams for local farmers as they implement agricultural best management practices to improve local water quality and reduce nutrient pollution to the Bay,” said Jeff C. Wheeland, Commissioner.