| Aquashicola Creek is a high quality stream which flows through southern portions of Monroe and Carbon counties in the Poconos. Aquashicola Pohopoco Conservancy submitted a stream redesignation petition to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) over a decade ago requesting stronger water quality protections for Aquashicola Creek and its tributaries. DEP has yet to review the petition. Aquashicola Creek is in the direct path of the proposed PennEast pipeline. Phase 1 of the PennEast Pipeline would traverse 68 miles, crossing Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, and then connect to the Adelphia Pipeline through Northampton, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware counties. Now, more than ever, this stream needs the state’s highest level of protection. Sign our letter of support calling on the DEP to review this redesignation application and produce a report recommending that Aquashicola Creek and its tributaries receive an Exceptional Value (EV) designation, the state’s highest level of protection. Aquashicola Creek’s current designation, HQ-CWF, provides special protections but allows polluters to discharge into the waterway and degrade the water quality if they are able to demonstrate a “social or economic justification.” Aquashicola Pohopoco Conservancy’s stream redesignation petition provides stream monitoring data and supporting information showing that Aquashicola Creek and its tributaries should qualify for the EV designation. EV streams receive significant regulatory protection from harmful pollution because polluters are required without exception to demonstrate that their discharges into the waterway will not degrade water quality. Aquashicola Creek runs parallel to the Appalachian Trail and flows along large areas of preserved land including the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Aquashicola Creek is also an exceptionally ecologically rich waterway, with sections already designated as Natural Reproduction Trout Streams and Class A Wild Trout Streams. Take action now to help ensure that this valuable waterway earns the water quality protections it deserves! | 