Voting Starts for Pennsylvania's 2018 River of the Year
This is the eighth year for public voting. According to the department, nominations were based on each waterway's conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans should the nominee be voted 2018 River of the Year.
Online voting by the public has begun for the 2018 Pennsylvania River of the Year. Residents are invited to choose from among five waterways nominated across the state, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced Nov. 21. "Regardless of what waterway finishes first, this competition fuels community support around our rivers and streams and puts them in the public limelight," she said. "All have truly unique attributes, offer incredible recreational opportunities, and offer significant boosts to local economies."
The five nominated waterways are:
- Connoquenessing Creek
- Lackawanna River
- Little Juniata River
- Lower Susquehanna River/Susquehanna Riverlands
- Loyalsock Creek
According to the department, nominations were based on each waterway's conservation needs and successes, as well as celebration plans should the nominee be voted 2018 River of the Year. In cooperation with DCNR, selection of public voting choices is overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, an affiliate of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
"The online public selection process continues to be increasingly popular as it enters its eighth year," Dunn said.
Voting will continue through Monday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m.
"The River of the Year contest allows all Pennsylvanians to highlight the many wonderful waterways they enjoy," said Janet Sweeney of the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. "While we formally recognize only one river with this award, we acknowledge the unique value of all rivers and their contribution to the overall environmental quality of Pennsylvania and the quality of life for all who enjoy them."