LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Upper Susquehanna Coalition upon the
occasion of its designation as recipient of the 2015 US EPA Environ-
mental Champion Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the continuing
welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched and
reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of associations which are
committed to the preservation of our natural environment; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Upper Susquehanna Coalition upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the 2015 US EPA Environmental Champion Award; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 US EPA Environmental Champion Award recognizes indi-
viduals and associations which have demonstrated an outstanding commit-
ment to protecting and enhancing environmental quality and public
health; this prestigious award is the highest recognition presented to
the public by the Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, The Upper Susquehanna Coalition (USC) is a network of 16 soil
and water conservation districts in New York and three conservation
districts in Pennsylvania; its mission is to protect and improve water
quality and natural resources in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin with
the involvement of citizens and agencies through education, partner-
ships, planning, implementation and advocating for our water resources;
and
WHEREAS, Over the past five years, this esteemed conservation group
has constructed or restored more than 700 acres of wetlands and
wetland-related habitat in the Upper Susquehanna River watershed; these
wetlands help New York reduce nutrient sediment loads to the Chesapeake
Bay; and
WHEREAS, Among its many accomplishments, USC has been designated by
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as the offi-
cial wetland data manager for the Chesapeake Bay Program; it is also
responsible for the wetland goals of the State in its Chesapeake Bay
Tributary Strategy; and
WHEREAS, In addition, USC has supported area farms in the Southern
Tier by working with the agricultural community to assist with their
regulatory and conservation needs; and
WHEREAS, The success of the USC is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its members and staff, whose involvement is, and always has
been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusi-
asm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on
behalf of the environment and the overall community; and
WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the Upper Susquehanna Coalition
which work tirelessly on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings
for the benefit of present and future generations of New Yorkers; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Upper Susquehanna Coalition upon the occasion of its desig-
nation as recipient of the 2015 US EPA Environmental Champion Award; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Upper Susquehanna Coalition.