Beginning a decade ago, in 2005, scientists began noticing that fish in Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River had unusual health issues, including ugly sores and lesions. Some of these were cancerous.
Now, for the first time, an angler has caught a smallmouth bass in that river that had a large tumor growing on its mouth (see the photo accompanying this petition). That tumor was tested and confirmed to be cancerous.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission believes enough evidence exists to demonstrate the Susquehanna River is "ecologically impaired," and wants the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to so list it in its upcoming 2016 submission of impaired waters to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Such a listing is critical to getting a restoration process underway for restoration of the river's health.
If you agree, please sign this petition asking Pennsylvania DEP Acting Secretary John H. Quigley to include the Susquehanna River in the state's next "impaired waters" submission to EPA.
Dear Mr. Quigley:
Those who have signed this petition, like many other members of the public, were distressed to learn that a smallmouth bass was caught in the Susquehanna River that had a cancerous tumor on its mouth. This was reportedly the first fish ever caught in your state with this particular type of malady.
While we applaud the fact that Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection continues to look at this issue, we believe the time has come to add the Susquehanna River to your state's list of impaired waters. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has urged DEP to do so for a number of years and believes enough science now exists to support a designation of "impairment."
Since 2005, scientists have discovered fish in the Susquehanna with various problems, including lesions and sores. Warning fishermen not to eat such fish isn't enough -- and doesn't help the animals which consume those fish at all. It also doesn't address the underlying issue, namely: what's going on in the river to cause such serious ill-effects on its fish?
When the time comes to submit the state's 2016 list to EPA, please reconsider the DEP's past refusal to include the Susquehanna in its submission. The time has come to take action to save the river and its fish before the situation becomes even worse.
We thank you for giving this matter the attention it deserves.
