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Wilkes-Barre, PA-Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski today hosted Karen
Hobbs, Director of President Clinton's American Heritage Rivers Initiative,
for a tour of the Susquehanna River. While in Northeastern Pennsylvania,
Congressman Kanjorski and Ms. Hobbs will also hold a public meeting at 1:00
PM today at the Educational Conference Center of Luzerne County Community
College.
"This morning, Ms. Hobbs has seen first hand why it is so important
that the Susquehanna River be named an American Heritage River. By walking
along the river's edge and seeing the challenges and opportunities of the
river, Ms. Hobbs will be able to bring back to Washington our vision for the
Susquehanna," said Congressman Kanjorski.
Congressman Kanjorski led Karen Hobbs on a tour along the
Susquehanna River which included a visit to the levees and Kirby Park and a
visit was also planned to the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority. In 1986
Congressman Kanjorski helped the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority secure
$45 million for a state of the art secondary sewage treatment facility which
now returns water to the Susquehanna that is more than 97% clean on average.
On the tour, Congressman Kanjorski also showed her areas that need
environmental cleanup and talked about his vision for the Susquehanna.
"It was important for the Director of the American Heritage Rivers
Initiative to have a first hand look at the Susquehanna to see how well it
fits with this important initiative, and I am pleased Ms. Hobbs will be able
to answer questions about the program for interested members of the
community. Designation of the Susquehanna River as an American Heritage
River would be a valuable environmental and economic development tool for
the community," said Congressman Kanjorski.
The American Heritage Rivers Initiative was announced by President
Clinton during his State of the Union Address in February. Congressman
Kanjorski was one of only eight Members of Congress to join President
Clinton at the White House for the recent signing of the Executive Order
establishing the program and setting a December 10th deadline for
applications.
The American Heritage Rivers Initiative is designed to highlight
rivers that have important cultural, historical, economic and environmental
value. The program will assign a "River Navigator" to the chosen
communities to help clean up and protect the river as well as create
economic development programs and solutions for the communities in the
designated watersheds. The program helps better allocate federal expertise,
grants and resources but does not cost any additional taxpayer dollars.
"This program works in conjunction with local economic development
and environmental cleanup efforts for the Susquehanna. By seeking this
important designation, we will be able to garner the financial support and
the expertise to return the Susquehanna back to being a valuable resource
for our area," said Congressman Kanjorski.
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