The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection finalized approval this month to redesignate more than 530 miles of streams as High Quality Waters, expanding environmental protections across 34 counties.
The action affects 98 streams that support diverse ecosystems, wild trout populations, outdoor recreation and clean drinking water sources.
Find a link to the complete list of the waterways, which include several in the Lehigh Valley and central Pennsylvania region, through pa.gov.
These waterways had previously been classified by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as Class A Wild Trout Streams, a designation reserved for the state’s highest-quality cold-water fisheries.
Nearly 340 miles of the newly protected streams are located within Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The redesignations finalized May 8 mark the first under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s leadership as chair of the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council and come as Pennsylvania earned its highest Chesapeake Bay watershed health grade in more than two decades, according to the DEP.
“By redesignating these streams as High Quality Waters, we are strengthening safeguards against pollution, protecting critical habitats, and supporting outdoor recreation and local economies across the Commonwealth,” DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said in a statement.
The redesignation means any future development or discharge permits affecting these waterways will face stricter environmental protections designed to ensure the streams maintain their current water quality conditions.
Tim Schaeffer, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, said the protections are essential for the state’s fisheries.
“Ensuring high water quality is vital to preserving and maintaining the wild trout fisheries these streams support,” Schaeffer said. “These protections will help conserve some of Pennsylvania’s most valuable natural resources while expanding recreational opportunities for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.”
The regulation received approval from the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission. The state will now submit the plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for final federal approval and implementation.
Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry generates billions of dollars in economic activity annually and supports thousands of jobs, with fishing, boating and tourism relying heavily on healthy waterways.
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