The Lehigh River: American Rivers' #7 Most Endangered River of 2023 скачать в хорошем качестве

The Lehigh River: American Rivers' #7 Most Endangered River of 2023

The region has become the logistics hub of the eastern seaboard, and consequently, communities have watched roughly 106 million square feet - or four square miles - of land be devoured by this industry. Irresponsible, large-scale distribution center development threatens the Lehigh River by: 1. Paving the remaining open space in the Lehigh Valley 2. Increasing runoff and flooding. 3. Raising water temperatures with more runoff and clearing land 4. Fragmenting wetlands and forests. 5. Allowing contaminants like road salt and sediments to flow directly into waterways Impacts to residents and the economy: Environmental Injustice: Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton are racially and economically diverse communities that disproportionately experience the impacts of degraded water quality, flooding, and health issues in the region. The area surrounding the city of Easton has the greatest number of impaired waters in the Lehigh River watershed, demonstrating that its residents bear the cumulative impacts of the damage experienced upstream and outside the city limits. Outdoor Recreation: The Lehigh River is the foundation of the outdoor recreation economy in the Poconos, and it offers unique and accessible opportunities for water-based recreation in the Lehigh Valley. Riparian buffers throughout the Delaware River Basin provide $11,000 per acre in benefits each year. The Lehigh river is the second biggest tributary in the basin. TAKE ACTION: Tell your state lawmakers to re-introduce and support the Riparian Buffer Protection Act: This bill would guarantee at least 100 feet of riparian buffer for all creeks, streams, and rivers across the state. The most pristine waterways – those designated by the DEP as High Quality and Exceptional Value – would be guaranteed at least 300 feet of buffer, doubling what they currently receive. Waterways that are considered to be degraded or “impaired” would be guaranteed 150 feet of buffer.