Wilkes-Barre, PA - The Steering Committee of the American Heritage Rivers Initiative ("AHR") met today to discuss progress on the Environmental Master Plan for the Upper Susquehanna/Lackawanna Watershed and numerous other pending and proposed projects to promote economic development and environmental preservation in the Watershed - which is one of only fourteen in the nation designated by President Clinton and Vice President Gore as an American Heritage River region.

Chaired by Alex Rogers, the Navigator for the local AHR Initiative, the group discussed recent Congressional action in support of the AHR Initiative, including the recently passed amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives sponsored by Congressmen Paul E. Kanjorski (D-PA) and Sue Kelly (R-NY). Also, Rogers discussed specific local projects that have received funding as part of the AHR Initiative - spearheaded by Congressman Kanjorski -- including $600,000 for an environmental restoration plan for Nanticoke Creek and $6.7 million for a wastewater project to serve Hazle Township in lower Luzerne County. Rogers also identified potential sources of funding support for local project from national and regional foundations whose missions match those of the AHR Initiative.

The AHR Steering Committee also received a progress report from Dr. Dale Bruns, of Wilkes University, on the Environmental Master Plan for the Watershed, which is using state-of-the-art Geographic Information Systems ("GIS") technology to create a comprehensive ecosystem restoration master plan for the Upper Susquehanna/Lackawanna Watershed.

"The environmental master plan will be a valuable blueprint to guide us on land and water cleanup, infrastructure enhancement projects, and land use planning in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania," said Rogers.

Also on today's agenda was a discussion of the (1) Susquehanna River Landing Project, led by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, which involves the development of an interactive museum complex at the Temple Mosque facility on North Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre; (2) the combined storm and sewer overflow condition in the Wyoming Valley; (3) flood control mitigation efforts along the Susquehanna River; and (4) the Wilkes-Barre River Commons Project.

The Steering Committee consists of representatives of governmental entities, economic development groups, and other civic organization that played a major role in the drafting of the American Heritage River application.

Bloomsburg, PA. Alex Rogers, the American Heritage Rivers Initiative Navigator for the Upper Susquehanna/Lackawanna Watershed, spoke at the Children’s Museum in Bloomsburg today to a group of second and third grade students from the Adventures and Science Camp. Rogers described the extensive efforts underway to promote economic development and environmental preservation in the Watershed, which President Clinton and Vice President Gore designated as one of only fourteen American Heritage Rivers.

Rogers applauded the students for their interest in water quality and the Susquehanna River, and said, “our investment in the region’s water resources today will pay huge dividends for you and the generations that will follow. You are to be commended for your interest in this important regional issue.”