Letter to the editor: Invest federal funds in lands, waters to boost economy

It has been almost a year since the American Rescue Plan Act became law, providing federal funding to boost state economies and help people recover from the financial toll of covid lockdowns. Now, the General Assembly is considering legislation that would prioritize using a portion of that funding to invest in fish and wildlife habitat conservation and projects that result in cleaner streams.

This would not only boost the quality of our state’s extraordinary natural resources, but it would also support outdoor recreation, tourism, job creation and local businesses across the state. That’s why, as a sportswoman, I encourage lawmakers to support Senate Bill 832 and House Bill 1901.

Specifically, the legislation would provide adequate funding for a Growing Greener III program — which has a long track record of proven success in conserving the state’s fish and wildlife habitat — and a Clean Streams Fund. It also would create a new funding source to help farmers implement conservation practices that keep valuable topsoil in place and reduce potentially harmful material from reaching local waterways.

Agricultural runoff contributes to the pollution of nearly 30% of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams, robbing anglers like me of some of our best days on the water. Sending less polluted runoff downstream to the Chesapeake Bay by 2025 is also an important goal of the state’s Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan.

This legislation would hasten efforts to restore our impaired waters and benefit fish, wildlife and outdoor businesses. Elected officials should support and pass it without delay.

Alexandra Kozak

Ohio Township