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WILKES-BARRE — Steeped in historical and recreational value, the free-flowing Susquehanna River North Branch in Northeastern Pennsylvania has been voted the 2016 Pennsylvania River of the Year following a five-week public voting period.
The general public was invited to vote online Nov. 13-Dec.14, choosing from among five waterways nominated across the state. Results were announced jointly Thursday by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pa. Organization for Waterways and Rivers (POWR).
Four other rivers were nominated finalists: the Kiski-Conemaugh River, southwest; Lackawanna River, northeast; Lehigh, east; and Ohio, southwest.
A 15-mile stretch of the Susquehanna River North Branch flows from New York into Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier and continues south 166 miles to join the river’s West Branch at Shikellamy State Park in Northumberland County. The Susquehanna River North Branch is a prominent regional feature, running through Susquehanna, Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Colombia, Montour and Northumberland counties. Once a major transportation corridor, the entire waterway is still navigable by kayaks and canoes, even during dry seasons.
John Maday, executive director of the Riverfront Parks Committee, said the designation was “fantastic news” and important, as well.
“This shows the work that has been done and we will continue to do,” Maday said. “What we do on the river contributes to it all.”
Founded in 1991 by a group of visionary citizens, local business leaders and city government representatives, the Riverfront Parks Committee has developed an ambitious master plan, designed to reunite people of the Wyoming Valley with the river through recreation and environmental education programming.
“We all live down-river,” Maday said. “And we have a duty to keep it clean and to utilize it for fun and educational events.”
Maday often hears a lot of negativity about the river. He likened marketing the river to pushing a rock uphill.
“That’s frustrating,” he said. “This news validates what we have been doing all these years. We all should value the river and this news inspires us to keep pushing that rock up the hill.”
In a news release, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams said, “Shaping countless community lifestyles in the past while emerging as a recreational treasure of the future, the North Branch of the Susquehanna — like all waterways nominated for 2016 — highlights how Pennsylvania is blessed with a wealth of rivers and streams, and a core of dedicated folks who fight to protect them.”
Adams said through planned River of the Year celebrations, public awareness of the river’s value will be increased and major initiatives along this section of the river will be underscored.
DCNR and POWR will work with the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) to create a free, commemorative poster celebrating the Susquehanna River North Branch as the 2016 Pennsylvania River of the Year. EMHR, the applicant nominating the waterway in close cooperation with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, will receive a $10,000 Leadership Grant to help fund year-long River of the Year activities.
“The Susquehanna River North Branch is a national treasure in our own back yard and we’re grateful for this opportunity to raise awareness of the river’s historical and recreational value and environmental significance,” said EMHR Director Annette Schultz.
Schultz noted plans are underway to celebrate the Susquehanna River’s newest designation throughout the year with educational kayaking sojourns, river festivals, educational forums and River Town designations and support.
“This year will be a banner year for the river,” she said.
In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices also was overseen by POWR, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
“POWR would like to commend everyone across the commonwealth for their support for the nominated rivers,” said POWR Vice President Janet Sweeney. “The River of the Year program is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all of the nominated rivers and the great work being done in Pennsylvania communities on these valuable resources.”
POWR administers the River of the Year program with funding from DCNR. Presented annually since 1983, the 2015 River of the Year designation was awarded to Conewango Creek in Northwest Pennsylvania.