Group Being Assembled To Coordinate Water Quality Oversight

Several Potter County organizations are pulling together in a broad-based effort to protect and monitor water resources from potential threats, included but not limited to increased natural gas drilling. Last week, an organizational meeting was held for a committee being assembled by the Potter County Board of Commissioners to coordinate volunteer water monitoring and serve as a liaison with private groups, as well as county, state and federal agencies.

Serving on the commissioners’ steering committee are representatives of Cooperative Extension, Trout Unlimited, Potter County Conservation District, watershed protection organizations, Potter County Planning Commission, Potter County Education Council, a certified water well driller and representatives of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force.

Among the committee’s initial goals are

• obtaining funding to support water monitoring and recordkeeping,
• pinpointing areas of Potter County where water resources may be threatened,
• identifying areas where regulations need to be updated to afford greater protection of water resources,
• educating the public.

Meanwhile, those interested in monitoring water quality are encouraged to attend a volunteer recruitment session scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Erway’s Family Restaurant, starting at 6 pm. Representatives from the God’s Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited and local watershed protection organizations will review efforts to date, discuss areas that require monitoring, and assign tasks.