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Tuesday, December 17, 2002     Page: 6A

The elections are over. The political climate for watershed protection has
certainly improved. Gone soon will be an Administration, whose members worked
hard behind the scenes to quash the efforts of our group.
   
The Ridge team was, from the beginning, openly contemptuous of our efforts.
In our one meeting with the governor’s northeast representative several years
ago, we were urged to curb our advocacy. We were told by a local DEP official
that they “knew exactly” who owned the shadowy Theta Land Corp. “Don’t
worry,” we were lectured, the state would “take care of it.” Well, they
didn’t. Other members of the governors office threatened to cut off grant
money acquired by at least one regional State Representative if he were to
support our cause. Unless they have something planned for the next four weeks,
they will finally leave office having accomplished far worse than nothing in
the effort to protect the 40,000+ acres of watershed and wilderness lands so
important for the regions future.
    There is now hope on the horizon. The Governor-elect has expressed
publicly, his interest in preserving this precious land. His representatives
have proposed some interesting tactics to identify the current owners of Theta
Land, and bring them to the negotiating table. There is also the prospect of
new appointees to the PUC, whose current members side openly with out-of-state
utilities as opposed to the people of Pennsylvania.
   
Another advocate for protection of the watershed is Congressman Paul
Kanjorski who has also publicly announced his intention to form a bi-county
authority to purchase said lands. He, with the assistance of Congressman Don
Sherwood, has apparently mapped out a funding source for purchase of a
significant portion of the former PG&W holdings.
   
After meeting a strong challenge for his seat, we trust he will soon be
ready to begin these efforts. Certainly the acquisition and preservation of
land that protects our regional water supply would be a significant addition
to his political resume, or that of any elected official who participates in
the effort.
   
The improved political situation is no excuse for complacency. Concerned
citizens should continue to call or write your elected officials, and keep up
the pressure for watershed preservation.
   
Meanwhile we will continue to educate the public and those they elected, as
to the regional importance of this extraordinary land. We will continue to
Defend our Watershed!
   
Henry F. Smith Jr., MD
   
Mountain Top