DCNR, Fish and Boat Commission Continue Work to Improve Water Quality in Susquehanna River, Planting Trees to Combat Flooding and Create Stream Buffer

​Secretary Dunn emphasized the importance of planting trees along waterways, explaining how they help absorb stormwater and mitigate flooding, especially with increasing severe weather events

The Shapiro Administration's work to improve water quality in the Susquehanna River, the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, has contributed to the Bay receiving its highest environmental grade in more than two decades

Port Trevorton, Pennsylvania -- Today, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director Tim Schaeffer joined partners from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to plant a streamside forest buffer at the commission's Mahantango Access in Snyder County to help prevent flooding and improve water quality in the Susquehanna River.

"One way to respond to the increase in severe weather and flooding that's occurring is to plant trees along waterways because they are able to absorb more stormwater than lawns, pavement, or other surfaces that water cannot pass through," said Secretary Dunn.

The Susquehanna River is the largest tributary and ends at the Chesapeake Bay.

The University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science just rated the Chesapeake Bay's condition a C+, its best grade in more than 20 years. The Upper Bay, which is fed by the Susquehanna, scored one of the highest grades among any area of the Chesapeake Bay, a testament to Pennsylvania's work over the past several years.

"For their many benefits including preventing flooding, Pennsylvania has been hard at work increasing funding and technical assistance for planting streamside forest buffers, leading all Bay states in buffers planted and accounting for 60 percent of the total amount of buffers planted in the watershed since tracking began in 1996," said Secretary Dunn. "The Shapiro Administration is committed to continuing the collaborative work to clean up Pennsylvania's local waterways, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay."

Secretary Dunn helped plant about 360 trees on 1.3 acres at the Fish and Boat access area along the Susquehanna.

The native trees and shrubs include Swamp White Oak, River Birch, American Sycamore, Silky Dogwood, and Winterberry. Streams with bare banks are less likely to host aquatic life and fish.

"The PFBC welcomes the opportunity to join forces with partners to plant streamside buffers at public boat access areas like this one along the Susquehanna River. The buffers help filter, absorb, and reduce runoff -- at the same time, they help to control stream bank erosion and provide shade, food, and shelter for aquatic organisms," said Executive Director Schaeffer. "These buffer areas are home to many animals that move between land and water, such as reptiles, amphibians, and waterfowl. Projects like this and others coordinated by our agency's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Habitat Unit are making a relevant water quality difference locally while improving the health of the Bay - what's good for the Chesapeake Bay is good for the fish here in Pennsylvania."

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay helps landowners install and care for streamside forest buffers. The organization is approaching its 1,000th acre of buffer planted in Pennsylvania since 2018.

"Planting a riparian forest buffer is a great decision, whether your objectives are wildlife habitat, aquatic habitat, or water quality," said Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Senior Forests Projects Manager Ryan Davis. "Between our program and many others, there has never been a better time for Pennsylvanians to sign up for full support to plant and establish forests around their streams."

The project was supported by a DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant to the Alliance.

DCNR Bureau of Forestry service foresters, located in each of the 20 forest districts statewide, can assist landowners with information about planting streamside forest buffers.

Anyone can help the effort to plant more trees by donating to the Keystone True Fund when you register your vehicle or renew your license.

Find more information about forest buffers along waterways on the DCNR website or follow the department on social media.​

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MEDIA CONTACT:Christina Novak, DCNR, 717-579-5177
Mike Parker, PFBC, 717-585-3076