PA-DEP Unveils Susquehanna River Study Video
PA DEP Release
16 January 2014
Harrisburg – DEP today announced the launch of an all-new
educational video about the ongoing water quality study on the
Susquehanna River.
“This video illustrates the complexity and rigorous nature of a
technical and time-consuming scientific study,” DEP Secretary
Chris Abruzzo said. “With a renewed focus on public education,
resources like this video are essential to teach Pennsylvanians
about this important issue.”
Since beginning the study in 2012, DEP scientists and staff, in
cooperation with other federal and state agency personnel, are
conducting an analysis of the Susquehanna River’s water quality,
water flow, sediment, pesticide and hormone levels, invertebrates
and fish tissue.
The investigation was broadened in 2013 to include tributaries to
the Susquehanna River and its West Branch, as well as the Juniata
River. The study was also expanded to explore the cause of a
number of issues affecting smallmouth bass in certain areas of the
river.
In 2012, DEP staff spent 187 cumulative work days sampling on the
river. In 2013, that number grew to 927 cumulative staff days.
There were more than 2,600 water quality samples collected on the
Susquehanna River by DEP staff in 2013.
Samples are being studied and analyzed by DEP’s Bureau of
Laboratories, the U.S. Geological Survey and Central Michigan
University.
DEP continues to work in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat and the Susquehanna River Basin commissions on portions
of the study.
DEP staff is currently examining the samples collected in 2013
before the start of the 2014 sampling season. This summer marks
the third year of the study, and a sampling plan is being
developed in advance of the summer sampling season. Sampling
efforts on the Susquehanna River will remain ample until DEP has
collected enough data to draw conclusions about the overall health
of the river and what, if any, action is needed.
DEP worked with Commonwealth Media Services to produce this video.
It is the second in a new series of educational videos DEP is
developing as part of its Public Participation and Education
Initiative launched last fall.
The new video is available on the department’s YouTube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/pennsylvaniadep.
For more information visit http://www.dep.state.pa.us
and click the “Susquehanna River Study Update” button.
Media contact: Amanda Witman, 717-787-1323