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Secretarys Greig, Krancer Visit Lycoming and Sullivan CountiesVisit Highlights Importance of Stream Cleaning HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary George Greig and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer recently toured stream and property damage sustained during Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, according to State Senator Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming). The visit, hosted by Yaw and State Representatives Garth Everett (R-Plunkett's Creek) and Tina Pickett (R-Towanda), as well as the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, sought to highlight the importance of an improved stream cleaning program in the Commonwealth. "As a result of the flooding that occurred last September, it became apparent that a lot of the damage sustained was caused by not having our streams properly cleaned out," Yaw said. "The goal of this tour was to raise awareness and emphasize the need for stream cleaning." The tour began on Mill Street in Montoursville and headed north to Snyder Farms, along Rt. 87 in Lycoming County, followed by stops at the site of the former Slabtown Bridge and Pier 87 Restaurant. "This (flooding) was historic, in terms of the amount of rain in a short amount of time," said Secretary Krancer. Other stops included the village of Barbours, Lambert Farms in Sullivan County, as well as stops at the Sonestown Covered Bridge in Sonestown and Frazier Farms also in Sullivan County along Rt. 220. "Fish don't pay taxes," said Bill Lambert, in response to a question concerning the need to consistently clean out streams. Lambert and his family sustained thousands of dollars worth of crop loss and damage during the September flooding. "The economic impact is huge, not just for you but for the entire community," said Joel Rotz, State Governmental Relations Director for the PA Farm Bureau, when speaking with Lambert. "We don't make the front page, but our financial loss is just as great, if not greater." The visit was in conjunction to a hearing held earlier this year by Yaw and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a bipartisan, bicameral legislative service agency of the General Assembly, to discuss stream maintenance and stream bank stabilization. "I thought it was extremely important to bring Secretary Krancer and Secretary Greig to our region to see the devastation first-hand and highlight the importance of cleaning out our streams on a continued basis."
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