Wilkes-Barre, PA - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) will be speaking at a national symposium on the American Heritage River initiative held at Georgia State University in Atlanta from October 23-25.

Congressman Kanjorski, who is the only Congressman participating in the symposium, will deliver a speech on mobilizing grassroots support for watershed restoration initiatives. Also speaking at the symposium is Carol Browner, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Rodney Slater, the United States Transportation Secretary, and Katie McGinty, the White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair.

In July, the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed was named one of fourteen rivers awarded American Heritage River status from the 126 rivers that applied. Officials and activists involved in all 126 applications were invited to participate in the symposium. Each American Heritage River will receive priority in obtaining federal grants and a full-time "River Navigator" to assist communities in implementing plans for environmental clean-up, economic development, and historic preservation.

"I am honored to have been asked to speak at this symposium on the American Heritage River program. This symposium is a great opportunity to meet officials from around the country who have been involved in watershed restoration projects and absorb new ideas about what we can do in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania to restore the environment and promote economic development in our watershed," said Congressman Kanjorski.

The Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed stretches from Thompson in Susquehanna County through Scranton, Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Nanticoke, Hazleton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, and Shamokin to Northumberland in Northumberland County. The American Heritage Rivers initiative was designed to assist and promote rivers that have important cultural, historical, economic, and environmental value and needs.

Wilkes-Barre, PA - On Monday, October 19, a public meeting will be held in Danville to explain what the American Heritage River designation means for Montour and Northumberland counties and to discuss how local residents can become involved in economic development and environmental restoration efforts throughout the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed.

The public meeting will occur from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Montour County Courthouse on Mill Street in Danville on Monday, October 19.

Participants in the public meeting will include Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11), Director of the federal American Heritage Rivers Initiative Karen Hobbs, Jim Zubler of the Danville Chamber of Commerce, Jim King of the Northumberland County Chamber of Commerce, Tammy Welliver of the Montour County Conservation District, and Helen Linker of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Congressman Kanjorski, who drafted the watershed's application with the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said: "Obtaining the American Heritage River designation provides us with a great opportunity, but the full value of the designation can only be obtained with the active participation of the watershed's residents. I encourage residents of Montour and Northumberland counties to come to this public meeting and discuss what specific projects should be done to promote economic development, environmental restoration, and cultural preservation in the area."

The American Heritage Rivers initiative was designed to assist and promote rivers that have important cultural, historical, economic, and environmental value and needs. The program will assign a "River Navigator" to each designated community to help with the implementation of a common plan developed by the community to address its long-term goals. Designated rivers will be assisted in obtaining existing federal grants and resources. Projects that may be undertaken as part of the initiative include reclaiming mine-scarred land, improving the environmental quality of the Upper Susquehanna and Lackawanna Rivers and their tributaries, and eliminating acid mine drainage overcharges.

The Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed stretches from Thompson in Susquehanna County through Scranton, Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Nanticoke, Hazleton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, and Shamokin to Northumberland in Northumberland County. Congressman Kanjorski and the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania were joined in seeking designation of the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed as an American Heritage River by many elected officials, including U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, State Senator Edward W. Helfrick, State Representative Robert E. Belfanti Jr., the County Commissioners of Montour and Northumberland counties, more than 70 local municipalities, and multiple business, environmental, and cultural organizations.

Public meetings on how residents of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania can get involved in the region's American Heritage River initiative will be held throughout the month of October:

* On Tuesday, October 20, a public meeting will be held for residents of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Susquehanna counties at the Steamtown National Historic Site on 150 South Washington Avenue in Scranton from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

* On Tuesday, October 27, a public meeting will be held for residents of Luzerne and Schuylkill counties at the Luzerne County Community College Conference Center on Middle Road in Nanticoke from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

* On Wednesday, October 28, a public meeting will be held for residents of Columbia, Sullivan, and Lycoming counties at the Columbia County Agricultural & Human Services Center on 700 Sawhill Road in Lightstreet from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.