Liz Garland
Associate Director, Clean Water Program Pennsylvania

Blog Posts By This Author

Green Infrastructure Helps Manage Runoff, Reduce Flood Damages

April 19, 2012 | Clean Water, Floods & Floodplains, Global Warming, Greening Water Infrastructure

Just a few months ago the Susquehanna and Delaware basins in Pennsylvania were sustaining the worst flooding since record-breaking Hurricane Agnes hit in ’72. Today, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s Patriot News reports that the Susquehanna is recording levels that match record drought years of 1910 and 1946.

Green Infrastructure Will Save Millions and Clean Water: EPA Agrees With Philadelphia’s Plan

April 13, 2012 | Clean Water, Greening Water Infrastructure, Floods & Floodplains

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson was in Philadelphia to endorse the city’s long-term plan to address sewer overflows from the city’s water management system. The plan, “Green City, Clean Water” proposes green infrastructure to complement the existing ‘gray’ infrastructure system of pipes and treatment facilities.

Green to Go Green for Clean Water in the Chesapeake

March 22, 2012 | Clean Water, Stormwater & Sewage, Greening Water Infrastructure, Floods & Floodplains

My office sits near the bank of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania, so it was a treat to leave the office several days ago to travel downstream to where this 464 mile long river flows into the Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace, Maryland. I was there to attend an announcement of $4 million in new federal funding for local governments to use for green infrastructure, like green roofs, parks, and green streets, for cleaner water to help meet pollution reduction goals.

What state can afford to ignore the benefits of green infrastructure?

December 7, 2011 | Clean Water, Greening Water Infrastructure

Former secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), David Hess, describes “a silent train wreck” from budget reductions that “cut the capacity and the ability of environmental agencies to do their jobs.” The Pennsylvania DEP is currently operating at 1994 funding levels.

Flooding overwhelms central Pennsylvania. How can we respond?

September 12, 2011 | Clean Water, Floods & Floodplains, Global Warming, Greening Water Infrastructure

Damages associated with Hurricane Lee, flooding the Susquehanna River basin, will likely result in the 11th natural disaster for our nation in 2011. Pennsylvania’s long-term recovery must be supported by sound policies promoting natural floodplain restoration and green infrastructure to minimize the impacts of runoff.

Budget Battles Threaten to Bury Streams

July 26, 2011 | Clean Water, Global Warming, Most Endangered Rivers, Protecting Rivers

It’s been a tough few weeks for clean water in Washington, DC. First, the dirty water bill passed out of the House and then the FY2012 Interior-EPA Appropriations bill was introduced with a slew of funding cuts to key clean water and drinking water programs and dirty water policy riders intended to handcuff the Environmental Protection Agency and states from doing their job to protect public health and clean water for all Americans.

Pennsylvania supports Philadelphia plan for green infrastructure

June 8, 2011 | Clean Water, Greening Water Infrastructure, Stormwater & Sewage

In my recent blog, I mentioned Philadelphia’s “Green City, Clean Water” plan “to develop sustainable water management and minimize costs for water treatment caused in part by stormwater run-off from the city’s broad expanse of pavement, rooftops and sidewalks.” On one hand it’s an innovative and ambitious plan. .. On the other hand, “Green City, Clean Water” is just a pretty name for the city water department’s required response to regulation.

Reaching Out for Clean Water in Philly

June 2, 2011 | Clean Water, Greening Water Infrastructure, Stormwater & Sewage

Today I want to give a shout out to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). It is becoming increasingly apparent to me that one of the many investments they have made in pursuit of “Green City Clean Water” is a bold outreach campaign. Recently, I’ve received invitations to support the PWD budget, attend forums on urban water sustainability and throw a water balloon!  Yea, who ever thought tackling one of the most troubling water management concerns for a large city could be so much fun?

Moutaintop removal mine permit revoked: Overdue success for one of American Rivers’ Most Endangered Rivers

January 25, 2011 | Clean Water, Most Endangered Rivers, Protecting Rivers, Small Streams & Wetlands

It’s 2011 and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just revoked a permit for the Spruce Number 1 Mine in Pigeonroost Hollow of the Coal River watershed. In 1999, and again in 2000, American Rivers listed the Coal River as a Most Endangered River because this permit and other previously permitted mountaintop removal coal mines threatened the river with excessive siltation and pollution caused by filling small stream valleys with mining waste.

Stand up for Appalachia!

November 18, 2010 | Clean Water, Protecting Rivers, Most Endangered Rivers

You can go a long way toward helping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stand up for clean water in Appalachia. Rarely does such a seemingly innocuous piece of rulemaking play such a profound role on the environmental health of an area. You, the public, can applaud and recommend additional improvements to EPA’s draft guidance supporting scientific review of mining practices, including the appalling acts of removing mountaintops and burying healthy headwater streams.