FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2005
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Senator Rafferty Hosts Environmental Roundtable at Ursinus College

(Collegeville, PA) State Senator John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-44), hosted an environmental roundtable discussion last week on the campus of Ursinus College, Montgomery County, to bring several key individuals and diverse groups together in an effort to discuss issues surrounding storm water runoff, flooding, and open space preservation.

Representatives from various environmental groups, trade organizations, development groups, and citizen organizations throughout the state were in attendance, along with officials from both the state, county, and local governments.

Jeff Schmidt, Sierra Club Chapter Director, and Nathan Willcox,   with PennEnvironment, moderated the two discussion groups.  The dialogue within this environmental roundtable discussion focused on maintaining a balance between open space preservation and economic development, and the issues surrounding water contamination as it relates to sewer discharge, storm water runoff, and erosion. 

Nathan Willcox, Energy and Clean Air Advocate for PennEnvironment, was encouraged by the environmental roundtable, stating, "We were very excited to be a part of this discussion, as it brought together government officials, the environmental community, and citizens representing various interests, to discuss issues that are important to them while at the same time keeping the responsibility of environmental stewardship as the prime focus."

"The open exchange of ideas between the various individuals representing diverse and sometimes competing interests allowed us to analyze their ideas and concerns  and focus on very specific problems and potential solutions surrounding the critical balance between economic development and protecting  our environmental resources", Rafferty said. 

"For many of the participants, this is the first time they have sat down face-to-face with individuals representing a host of diverse groups with very different objectives in an effort to gain perspective and get to the core issues surrounding environmental responsibility and achieving the proper balance between our economy and the environment", Rafferty said. 

Senator Rafferty plans to host a second environmental roundtable discussion in the near future that will build on the successes of the first meeting and move toward developing even more ideas and dialogue between those individuals interested in protecting our environmental resources.

 "Our goal for the next meeting is to encourage even more open discussion between the interested parties on these two very important topics and further examine the delicate balance that exists between economic development and protecting our environment and open spaces.  It is important that the interests of these groups are well represented and I intend to extend invitations to more individuals for the second meeting", Rafferty said.