The Lehigh is the backyard river for half a million people, and the keystone to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry. But unprecedented development of open space for warehousing and distribution centers now threatens the region’s clean water and wildlife, and the communities and economies that rely on them.
Lia Mastropolo, Director of Clean Water Supply, American Rivers
Most endangered rivers
Threat: Poorly PLanned Development
The Lehigh River, flowing out of the Appalachian Mountains and through the densely populated Lehigh Valley region, is the “backyard river” for half a million people, and the keystone to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry. The areas that surround the river offer outdoor gathering spaces and accessible recreation opportunities for folks throughout the watershed, but especially in the cities of Allentown, Easton, and Bethlehem. But as the region becomes the logistics hub of the eastern seaboard, with over four square miles of warehouses and distribution centers built to date, the river’s health is at risk. Unless federal, state and local decision makers act to improve protections for local waterways, the area’s clean water and wildlife habitat could suffer irreversible harm.
American Rivers appreciates the collaboration and efforts of our partners:
- Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future
“Although the Ohio River spans many miles, it unites everyone; from those that draw their drinking water to those that recreate along its many diverse landscapes. We must protect the river so that we, and future generations, can have a fishable, swimmable, drinkable Ohio River.”
Jess Friss, Director of Community Programs, Three Rivers Waterkeeper
Most endangered rivers
Threat: Pollution & Climate Change
The Ohio River unifies 30 million people across 15 states, from New York to Mississippi. Protecting this precious resource is essential to ensuring the endurance of cultural identity, historical significance, biodiversity, vibrant river communities, and safe drinking water. But the upper river is threatened by industrialization and pollution, recently exemplified by the East Palestine train derailment. This ongoing chemical disaster underscores the vulnerability of the Ohio River and need for increased safeguards and durable funding for additional and continuous monitoring. To protect the Ohio River, Congress must designate the river as a federally protected water system and commit to significantly fund both the Ohio River Restoration Plan and Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission’s technical upgrades.
American Rivers appreciates the collaboration and efforts of our partners:
- West Virginia River Coalition
- Three Rivers Waterkeeper (PA)
- Ohio Environmental Council