By Monica Weninger, LWVBC Advocacy Co-Director
The recent passage of some landmark legislation marked some huge victories for environmental protection. The newly approved PA budget allocated nearly $500 million for clean streams, storm water management, and the creation of three new state parks. A crucial update to our state’s fertilizer program will protect our waterways from excess phosphorus runoff. And despite the resistance of fossil fuel industry-backed legislators, Pennsylvania’s inclusion in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is imminent. Pro-environment bills were not limited to our state: at the federal level, the Inflation Reduction Act allocated significant resources to combating climate change by regulating carbon dioxide emissions. These aren’t just ‘wins’ for the politicians and green lobbyists. Anyone who depends on oxygen and water to live should be celebrating our elected officials’ commitment to protecting our planet.
However, for those of us here in Bucks County who are passionate about protecting our environment, our work is not done. There are still actions we can take at the local level. Specifically, the preservation of open space is a pressing concern. In the past 50 years, Bucks County has lost 71% of its farmland to development. Overdevelopment threatens the health of our water, air, and land, disproportionately impacts already marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as people of color and working-class families. Preserving open space reduces destructive flooding that has repeatedly devastated the infrastructure of Bucks County and protects our drinking water supply. In addition, our beautiful farms, waterways, woodlands and open spaces help boost our local economy–the agriculture and tourism industries provide nearly 30,000 jobs and over $1 billion in revenue in Bucks County.
The Bucks County Planning Commission will soon be adopting their new land use development plan, called Bucks 2040. This strategic plan will provide the vision for how land will be used in the next decade-- whether it stays preserved or turns into new homes, roads, industrial parks or parking lots. The Planning Commission recognizes the importance of preserving open space, but now we have an opportunity to provide input and ask them to make it a top priority.
There are several ways you can take action. To start, you can sign this petition to ask the Bucks County Planning Commission to prioritize our land, air, and water by committing to preserve 25% of land in the upcoming Bucks 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Or you can write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper to publicly ask the Bucks County Planning Commission to prioritize the preservation of open space. You can also attend a Bucks County Commissioners meeting or Planning Commission public meeting and voice your concerns during the public comment portion.
If you would like to learn more about open space preservation, or other environmental issues affecting our region, then consider getting involved with LWVPA’s strategic partner PennFuture . Penn Future is a 501c3 environmental advocacy organization that is fighting for clean energy, clean water, clean air, and a healthy climate. They bring policy, legal, civic engagement, and communications expertise to give voice to communities in Harrisburg, the courts, and across the state. You can subscribe to their newsletter to get updates on other actions you can take on the environmental issues you care about.
Never underestimate the importance of advocacy at the local level. No issue affirms this sentiment more than the preservation of our environment. Whether we are protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, or the land on which we live, our local actions will have lasting impacts in communities well beyond our own neighborhoods.
