Tell DEP to Add “High Quality” Protection to Class A Streams

In 2012, the Pa. Fish & Boat Commission petitioned the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) to upgrade 50 Class A trout streams to “High Quality” (HQ) designation status. After sitting idle for a few years, during the last year, this petition was reviewed by the PA DEP and was proposed to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) for a proposed formal rulemaking. On March 4, the EQB published  notice of the proposed rulemaking to upgrade these 50 streams to HQ. An HQ designation will help to protect water quality in these Class A trout streams, ensuring that as development is proposed for these watersheds, the appropriate conditions will be placed in permits.

The EQB is now accepting comments on these petitions. Whether these streams are in your backyard or a 2-hour drive away, it is critical that Pennsylvania’s anglers weigh in and express support for DEP’s efforts to upgrade these streams. There are many more streams that are awaiting formal upgrade to HQ or Exceptional Value status-and the voices of anglers will help to ensure that the water quality in these streams are protected from future impacts.

Please provide comments on these 50 streams by April 11th by one of the following methods:  (1) submitting comments to the Board online, by accessingeComment at EQB comments or (2) emailing comments to at RegComments@pa.gov (a subject heading of the proposed rulemaking and a return name and address must be included in each transmission); or (3) writing to the EQB [the Environmental Quality Board, PO Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477. Express mail should be sent to the Environmental Quality Board, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 16th Floor, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301.]

Thank you for all you do for Pennsylvania’s trout streams