Pennsylvania


Information and Resources

America’s Animal Factories: How States Fail to Prevent Pollution from Livestock Waste

This Natural Resources Defense Council report describes the environmental and public health impacts of pollution generated by factory farms. Includes activist contacts and resources.

The Classic Pig in a Poke: Pennsylvania’s Factory Farms

Article from Agribusiness Weekly about the current problems with Pennsylvania’s hog factory farms. (July 24, 2001)

Model Statutes to Ban Factory Farms from PA Townships

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) of Pennsylvania provides a local ordinance drafting service for local governments in the state.

Pennsylvania DEP CAFO Homepage

Includes Federal and State Requirements for controlling the water quality impacts of CAFOs and permit forms.

The Regional Economic Implications of Concentrated Hog Feeding Operations in the Mahatongo Valley of Pennsylvania

A study prepared for citizens of lower Northumberland County, PA, of a CAFO proposed by Pleasant Valley Foods. (Dr. Bill Weida, May 14, 2000)

Sludge and “Corporate Rights”: First Local Government in the United States to Refuse to Recognize Corporate Claims to Civil Rights Bans Corporate Involvement in Governing

In December 2002, Porter Township, PA adopted laws to protect residents from toxic sewage sludge from factory farms. Officials enacted a binding law declaring that corporations operating in the Township may not wield legal privileges (historically used by corporations to override democratic decsionmaking) to stop the Township from passing laws to protect the residents. (CELDF and POCLAD)

State Information

Provides state legislative information along with documents related to state and local government. (Washburn University School of Law)

US Farms – State Fact Sheets

Links for each state, with current information about farm size, financial status, rural employment, land use, and more. (USDA)

Water Quality Assessment and Standards

Includes Pennsylvania water quality factsheets, water quality assessment reports, and a list of waterways threatened or affected by pollution. (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Watershed Conservation)

Water Quality in the Allegheny and Monongahela River Basins Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and Maryland, 1996-98

Water quality assessment report from the US Geological Survey.

Water Quality in the Lake Erie-Lake Saint Clair Drainages Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Pennsylvania, 1996-98

Water quality assessment report from the US Geological Survey.

State and Local Government

Groups

Don Snyder White Deer Chapter of OUE (Organizations United for the Environment)

The Don Snyder White Deer Chapter of Organizations United for the Environment (OUE), is a local grassroots citizen organization that has worked to oppose the construction of a large poultry operation to house 90,000 chickens, in three barns on just 70 acres of land.

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF)

Provides free legal services to grassroots environmental organizations. Publishes Agribusiness Weekly, a weekly compendium of national news about corporate farming across the United States. Also includes listing of Pennsylvania organic farms and CSAs that produce sustainably-raised food. Highly recommended for up-to-date news, resources, and action alerts.

Delaware Riverkeeper

The Delaware Riverkeeper and Delaware Riverkeeper Network work throughout the Delaware’s entire 13,539 square mile watershed, which includes portions of NY, NJ, PA and DE. Programs include a watershed wide advocacy program; the River Resources Law Clinic, which enforces environmental laws in the watershed; taking a stance on regional and local issues that threaten water quality; a tributary task force initiative designed to organize and strengthen local communities working to protect local streams; restoration projects organizing volunteers to restore eroded streambanks using bio-engineering techniques; a volunteer monitoring program with sites along the entire length of the River; pollution hotlines; and student intern opportunities.

GreenWorks.TV

A multimedia resource for Pennsylvania communities working to improve their environment. GreenWorks.tv provides information about environmental issues, their effect on communities, and ways to get involved protecting and improving health and quality of life where you live.

Regulations

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