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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Groups: Bigger Buffers Lead to Cleaner Water in PA

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Friday, December 12, 2008   

Environmental groups are warning that Pennsylvania's clean water is threatened by erosion, pollution, and flooding. It's why the Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water wants to change the state's erosion control regulations. The group has launched its BUFFERS 100 Campaign, which aims to add at least 100-foot buffers on either side of streams in areas of new development. The effort will change Pennsylvania's current, Chapter 102 regulations, which regulate erosion and sedimentation in rivers and streams.

Barbara Benson, with the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club
"They enable the plants and soil to filter out pollution, they ensure flood protection, they filter pollutants, sediments, and they protect drinking water. "

Proponents of the Buffer Campaign hope to add an additional 50 feet of vegetative buffers on either side of sensitive headwater streams, which are the origin of most rivers, and an additional 200 feet on either side of the best-quality streams, says Benson.

"The buffers there are exceedingly important, so we very much are looking forward to protecting these vital head-water streams, in addition to all of the streams that they flow out from; the higher orders."

Developers are concerned about the cost of these new buffers, and the amount of space they will take away from their projects.

Benson says the amendments would not be retroactive, and would only apply to areas of future development.
The Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water is working to build support for the plan now, before the Department of Environmental Protection is expected to consider it in early 2009.


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