WILLIAMSPORT – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) hosted his annual “Breakfast Meeting on Agriculture” on Wednesday with over 120 participants representing agriculture and agribusiness in Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna counties.
Held at the Troy Vets Club in Bradford County, attendees consisting of farmers, agribusiness professionals, FFA students, dairy and fair royalty, teachers and elected officials heard from Yaw, as well as featured speaker Marcus Kohl, who serves as North Central Regional Director for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
“Each year, the discussion is intended to create a friendly dialogue and exchange of ideas on important agricultural and environmental topics impacting our region,” Sen. Yaw said. “The meeting is also designed to listen to concerns and answer questions. I was glad Marcus (Kohl) was able to join us this year and highlight many important issues under DEP’s jurisdiction.”
Kohl, who joined DEP in 2002 as an environmental advocate for the south-central regional office, was named regional director of the agency’s North-central regional office based in Williamsport in 2012.
During his discussion, Kohl highlighted stream maintenance program guidelines, and efforts landowners can undertake to work in or adjacent to streams impacted by flooding. “We want people to work with us and not be afraid of us,” Kohl said. Kohl urged area residents to review the Department’s guidelines, as well as to reach out to DEP officials when they have questions or concerns about how to best maintain local waterways.
The North-central regional office manages the Waste Management, Air Quality, Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields, Clean Water, Safe Drinking Water, Waterways and Wetlands and Emergency Response programs for Bradford, Centre, Clearfield, Cameron, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.
For more state-related news and information visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.