Riverkeeper's note: The following column was written and provided by Kathy Snavely, owner of Kathy's Cuisine and president of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. If you have any questions about this column, you can email her directly at kathyscuisine@gmail.com

So, how many greenhouse gases (carbon compounds and methane) is your lifestyle contributing to the environment? 

This is not likely a question you ask yourself every day.  Science tells us that in the US, we each contribute 16 tons during the course of our lifetime. 
 
You might be asking yourself how in the world you do that -- and yes, that’s the kind of stuff that is contaminating our air so much that some scientists believe we are already past the point of no return.  Not only is the carbon in the air, it’s also in our water.  And water treatment consumes about 13 percent of our electricity, and it’s growing.

​​Armed with 19 years of experience in various roles with Merck Pharmaceuticals out of Riverside, Lou Ann Tom continues to conduct research into ways to reduce impacts of pharmaceuticals that wind up in our waterways via her role as Associate Professor of Chemistry at Susquehanna University.

Among the variety of medications created at Merck, “We made Ivermectin, which is fairly toxic and treating it was a high priority, so I got involved in studying low levels of pharmaceuticals that may wind up in the river,” she said. “Some of the components were very difficult to analyze because some things can be toxic at levels that could be very, very low – almost too low to measure.

“Ivermectin can be an issue at parts per trillion. Most of the common analytical techniques have an ability to test to parts per million or parts per billion. I started studying ways in which we could develop a method to see that compound at parts per trillion. From there, I started looking at other compounds that were common and potentially could be toxic in really low levels.”

In an effort to continue momentum started via its introductory HERYN (Helping Engage our River's Youth with Nature) program, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is holding a specialized "Blue HERYN" sojourn open only to graduates of the the original HERYN program.

The Blue HERYN program day is scheduled for Thursday, June 30, 2022, on the Penns Creek in Union/Snyder counties with two timeslots to accommodate as many participants as possible.

​Its headwaters in the Bald Eagle State Forest severely impaired by acid precipitation and valleys below impacted by sedimentation and nutrient runoff, the Buffalo Creek became a prime target two decades ago for efforts by the Department of Environmental Protection to create a watershed alliance of local citizens who could help clean things up.

“The DEP provided a grant through the Merrill Linn Conservancy, of which we are a subsidiary, of $5,000 in 2001 – and because of that in 2002, the Buffalo Valley Watershed Alliance was formed,” said the group’s current chairmain, David Staebler. “The first chairman was Jeff Bowers who was instrumental in getting things started and building momentum.”

The alliance wasted no time in addressing issues facing the creek, including high acidity in the headwaters. ​

A springtime rite of passage, vernal pools are usually natural depressions that collect moisture during the spring months and become vital breeding grounds for different species of amphibians.

Unfortunately, many of these impromptu pools are found in high-traffic areas where they can be disturbed and the eggs, tadpoles and other aquatic life can be disrupted by external sources. As a way to raise awareness about specific vernal pools, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association has created signs that can be purchased and posted near them.

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association's Quiz & Cuisine event is scheduled for Friday, April 22, 2022, with a fun trivia competition, a healthy meal and an opportunity for conversation about important topics surrounding the river. For updated details and to purchase tickets, click here.