Cl4-Lancasler Farming, Saturday, January 25, 1992 LEWISBURG (Union Co.) Groundwater in Pennsylvania is a vast resource a mysterious pool of water beneath our feet. Some people believe it is a technical sub ject beyond the understanding of ordinary citizens. In the past it has been taken for granted by most people, but things have been happening in recent years that are drawing attention to the fact that we must do some things to protect it. A key question is what should be done? To answer that question and more about groundwater, the Penn State Cooperative Extension and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania have joined together in the Pennsylvania Groundwater Policy Education Project. The goal of the project is to focus on educa tion and leadership development for ordinary citizens interested in groundwater. This will help them to participate in groundwater policy-making in Pennsylvania. Recently, several conferences were held across the state to pro vide information on groundwater and on the tools available to pro tect it. They were designed to pro vide resources and training to enable citizens to more effectively participate in their home commun ities in public decisions affecting groundwater. At those regional meetings, public policy alternatives and con sequences were emphasized. Sev eral hundred people attended the six conferences. They will be able to work with local leaders and offi cials in looking at groundwater situations in their home communi ties and develop ways that their groundwater can be protected. This will not be an easy task. Most of the protection efforts Questions Abound At Game Bird Conference Herbert C. Jordan Associate Professor Poultry Science Penn State Several controversial issues will be con fronted at the 22nd annual Pennsylvania Game Bird Confemce at the Days Inn in State College on January 26-28. Questions such as how to compute and analyze cost of produc tion; pharmaceutical needs to be researched for pheasants and quail; how to stop early death of young pheasants before 28 days of age; how to stop the $7 mil lion annual loss nation ally from hawks, owls, blackbirds, starlings, mammalian predators and health disorders; and how to manage cov er to hold pheasants all year-round near your home will be addressed at the conference. Participants need not preiegister. A program can be obtained from any cooperative exten sion office or county ag agent, or by calling (814)865-8301 or (814) 863-2116 and asking for a Game Bird Confer- Groundwater A Local Issue will relate to guiding and controll ing land use, especially in the area of aquifers in a community. Aquif ers arc areas where water enters the ground and recharges the ground water of the area. Most all land uses affect what happens to water in an area. The type of housing, its location, waste disposal, coal min ing. gas and oil drilling, as well as agriculture of an area all have an impact on groundwater. Prevention of contamination is one major solution as indicated in a publication prepared especially for the conferences. It states that since groundwater contamination is so difficult and costly to detect and clean up, the best approach to maintaining groundwater quality is to prevent contamination in the first place. Several state and federal laws deal with some of the activities that can pollute groundwater. Howev er, neither the state nor the federal government has any law specifi cally focused on management of the quality or quantity of groundwater. Most regulatory programs that control potential sources of conta mination of groundwater are the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DER). DER is deve loping a groundwater quality pro tection strategy to coordinate existing programs and provide the framework for further groundwa ter protection programs. The strategy, as presently prop osed, sets an ultimate goal of non degradation of groundwater that is, the goal is to protect and. where necessary and possible, improve existing groundwater quality. This strategy establishes groundwater protection principals What's BBW for '92 From Gehf For 1992, Gehl is introducing many new products and product improvements, all designed to help improve your bottom line. These products continue Gehl's 133-year tradition of dependability and innovative design. Drop in at our open house... meet your friends... have fun and fellowship and see how Gehl Company and your Gehl dealer are working together to meet your needs with a great combination of products, parts and dealer service. The program includes: • Great prizes • Product information • Audio-visual program • Refreshments PLUS... 10% OFF PARTS PURCHASES! DATE: MONDAY. FEB. 3 TIME: 7:30 P.M. LOCATION: OUR STORE MILLER EQUIPMENT CO. RD 1, Bechtelsville, Pa. 215-845-2911 GEHL for existing DER permitting prog rams as well as procedures for cleanup and determining how “clean" is clean when contamina tion has occurred. The strategy also sets forth a groundwater monitoring program to track impacts of various potentially pol luting activities on groundwater and describes a groundwater spe cial protection program. In addition, DER is developing a wellhead protection program to meet the requirements of the feder al Safe Drinking Water Act The purpose of this program will be to enhance local efforts to prevent contamination of recharge areas around public water supply wells and wellfields. Since so many of the potential sources for groundwater contami nation are related to local land use decisions, local governments and citizens have a vital role to play in protecting groundwater. Unfortu nately, few communities to date have taken any steps to do so. There are several reasons for this, including that it has become clear only fairly recently that land use and groundwater quality are connected. In addition, the cooper ation between municipalities that is necessary when aquifers cross municipal boundaries may be dif ficult to achieve. Also, some pro tection programs require accurate technical data. And perhaps most significant, local officials have not been informed that they must or should enact policies to protect groundwater or even that ground water needs to be protected. Local protection programs can range from public education to change individual habits to land use controls to protect aquifers. Some possible protection prog- rams are: • Wellhead protection programs to protect the recharge areas for public water supply wells and wellfields • Design standards for struc tures in the recharge area • Operating standards for activi ties in the recharge area • Septic system management districts to better control installa tion and maintenance of septic systems • Education programs to assist homeowners and businesses in Dairylea Sponsors Cooperator Seminar SYRACUSE, N.Y. Recog nizing that developing leadership qualities in farm youths, and keep ing them informed on dairy indus try matters is vital to the fiiture of agriculture, Dairylea Cooperative is sponsoring an educational semi- nar for its members’ youths ages 12 and older. On February 1-2, Dairylea’s Young Cooperators will hold their annual seminar at the Sheraton Inn in Ithaca, N.Y. A highlight of the event will be a tour of Cornell Uni versity’s dairy cattle, crop, and dairy products research facilities. You’re Invited . . . To Our OPEN HOUSE 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. TUES., FEB. 4 MOVIE AT 10:30 A.M. DOOR PRIZES - REFRESHMENTS - DISCOUNTS PRODUCT FILMS WMTBMMIiaUPMVn ft* Anarlcaa Scries fraai Whits Fans EfiipsNit Sway* idea DISCOUNT DAYS FEB. 3 THRU FEB. 22 10% OFF 12% OFF PARTS PURCHASES SELECTED OVER SSO FLOW PARTS • Cash & Cany - Current Accounts Only MILLER EQUIPMENT CO. 9TAUFFBR Stauffer Road, Eshbach x ROAD fc R.O. 1, Bechtelsvlllo, PA Phone (215) 845-2911 BOYERTOWN making informed decisions about activities that impact groundwater • Household hazardous waste collection programs to remove harmful substances from the waste stream • Land use regulations to pro tect aquifer recharge areas • Groundwater monitoring to determine water quality or move ment of a contaminant plume • Water conservation programs to reduce stress on septic systems and/or reduce contamination from saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. They will also have the opportuni ty to learn about public speaking and hear updates on the coopera tive and die dairy industry by Dairylea President Clyde Ruther ford and Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith. In addition, the youths will attend a banquet where they will hear Mike Beckerink, president of the New York State Future Far mers of America, address youth leadership. Rounding out the event is free time for informal group dis cussions. games, dancing, and swimming. BALLY
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