Corbett In A Kayak
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Scott Detrow
Governor Corbett has repeatedly vowed to protect Pennsylvania’s water and environment, as he pushes to grow the commonwealth’s natural gas drilling industry. “ I will not let them poison the water,” the Republican told a crowd of township supervisors in April, after a heckler interrupted his speech about drilling development. “We need to protect the water. We need to protect the environment. But we must do it based on science and not emotion.”
Environmental advocates and drilling opponents point to documented cases of methane migration as evidence hydraulic fracturing has the potential to harm drinking water. Drillers extract water for hydraulic fracturing from rivers and streams, and, up until recently, deposited treated fracking fluid back into waterways.
Corbett has embarked on a three-day kayak trip of northeastern Pennsylvania. Drilling isn’t specifically mentioned in the press release announcing the Susquehanna River tour through Wyoming and Luzerne County.
But, Corbett is paddling through the heart of drilling country, on a river environmentalists warn is the most “endangered” in the country, due to gas extraction.  You have to figure bolstering the administration’s environmental protection credentials were among the political considerations, as he floats along with “representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources….[promoting] Pennsylvania’s natural resources, vast recreational activities, and their positive impact on our economy.
We’ll let you know how often Marcellus Shale drilling comes up during the trip’s press availabilities. In the meantime, here’s today’s press release:
News for Immediate Release
Aug. 10, 2011
Governor Corbett Tours State’s Northeast on Three-Day Kayak Trip
Mehoopany – Governor Tom Corbett today began a three-day kayak tour through Northeastern Pennsylvania to personally experience the natural beauty and other local highlights that the state has to offer residents and visitors.
Setting off this morning from Mehoopany, Wyoming County, Corbett will kayak down the Susquehanna River, through Wyoming and Luzerne counties, stopping along the way to talk with area residents and visit local attractions.
“Pennsylvania’s beautiful natural resources are important, not only for those of us who live here, but also to attract visitors,” Corbett said. “Those visitors – whether they are enjoying outside recreational activities in our state parks, or patronizing local businesses – all are essential to our local economies.’’
Accompanied by representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Corbett wanted to visit the area while promoting the state’s vast recreational activities.
“I’ve wanted to do this for a long time,’’ Corbett said, adding that planning for the trip began when Mrs. Corbett gave him a kayak for his birthday.
Corbett said he hopes his trip will help “promote Pennsylvania’s natural resources, vast recreational activities, and their positive impact on our economy, resulting in jobs and a better quality of life for our residents.’’
Pennsylvania’s 117 state parks are more popular than ever as an affordable tourism destination and recreation option to enjoy the outdoors and the environment. To learn more about state parks, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks.
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