Stories from The Allegheny Front archived under
Water
State Agencies Tangle Over the Health of the Susquehanna River and Smallmouth Bass
Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection just announced the Susquehanna River is not going to be added to the state’s list of impaired rivers. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is not pleased.
Artful Water Remediation System Opens to Public
We don't usually see what goes into cleaning up streams from the polluted water pouring out of the area's many abandoned mines. But visitors can now walk around a series of artfully designed restoration ponds at a forested property south of Pittsburgh.
In Sunbury, Drilling Waste, Politics, and a Pile of Dirt
A pile of dirt has sparked controversy in the city of Sunbury, Northumberland County. A recent city council meeting devolved into a shouting match, as the city, miles from gas wells, has become deeply divided over the drilling industry’s influence on its community.
Proposed Mine in Yough Watershed Raises Hackles
Although the Youghiogheny River was recently named Pennsylvania's River of the Year, not everyone's celebrating
PA Among Top At-Risk States for Sinkholes
There are seven states where ground subsidence is a growing problem, and Pennsylvania is one of them. In Pittsburgh, collapsing coal mines are a particular threat.
Critical Watersheds in Balancing Act
As part of the state's water plan, two creeks outside of Pittsburgh have been identified as Critical Water Planning Areas. But this final designation is just the beginning of balancing the competing interests for their valuable water.
Managing Erie's Water Wonderland
Over the last several years, Pennsylvania has developed a statewide plan to protect water resources from being drained by competing interests. The plan is voluntary and unfunded and critics say, moving along too slowly. But there are still some ripples of progress being made in the Lake Erie region.
Study: Frack Water in Marcellus Could Find Drinking Water Within Decades
No aspect of hydraulic fracturing is more controversial than its impact on groundwater. The industry says that if done properly, fracking is safe for groundwater. But a new study, commissioned by an environmental group, casts doubts on this assumption.
PA and Other Coal States Could Lose Hundreds of Millions in Mine Cleanup Funds
Mine cleanup projects could see funding cuts under a recent amendment to a federal transportation law to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Green Tax Credits and Agencies Saved from Fiscal Fall
The recent passage of the American Taxpayer relief Act, widely known as the fiscal cliff bill, has extended the life of some eco-friendly tax credits and budget items.