A Legislative Service Agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

The Chairman’s CornerSen. Scott E. Hutchinson, Chairman

(continued on page 8)

June 2014Vol. 15, No. 6

Published Monthly

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In This Issue…The Chairman’s Corner ......................... p. 1Notes From the Director ....................... p. 2Research Briefs ................................. p. 3-6

20 Years of Invasive Species Growth

Emerging Threats to the Central Hardwoods

Green Energy Jobs Decline

Michigan’s “Blue” Economy

On the Horizon ..................................... p. 7

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS

Visit the small city of Johnstown in western Pennsylvania and you will still hear folks talk about the Great Flood of 1889 like it happened yesterday. Lifelong residents

readily share stories, passed down through the generations, re-counting with often chilling detail, one of the worst disasters our nation has even seen.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Johnstown Flood, a tragic event that showcased not only the astonishing power of nature, but also the resounding strength of a community following a time of crisis.

In the late 1800s, Johnstown was a bustling industrial town with a population of nearly 30,000 people, mostly of German and Welch descent. Like other towns in the region, Johnstown was known for the quality of steel produced in their mills. To accommodate the bustling steel industry, the area was serviced by the Pennsylva-nia Main Line Canal system and the Pennsylvania Railroad, which further contributed to growing the city’s booming economy.

While the town was expe-riencing economic success, there was one looming problem. Johnstown is situated in a deep valley, at the fork of the Little Conemaugh and Stony Creek rivers. Runoff from the sur-rounding Allegheny Mountains in the winter and spring makes

the town especially prone to flooding, although noth-ing compared to what would occur in 1889.

Fifteen miles upstream from Johnstown sat Lake Conemaugh, a large man-made reservoir originally used to service the Main Line Canal System. Abandoned by the commonwealth, the lake was purchased by a group of local businessmen who raised the level of the lake and built a resort community and clubhouse. Unfortunately, despite the new construction, the group did not make the needed structural repairs to the South Fork Dam, the only structure standing between the reservoir and Johnstown. Instead, the leaking dam was temporarily repaired, mainly by us-ing patches of mud and straw.

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TONY M. GUERRIERI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORNOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR

__________________________________________________To learn more about the diverse topics related to the committee’s mission, stop by one of our

Environmental Issues Forums__________________________________________________

Regular readers of the Environmental Synop-sis may be surprised to see that the byline accompanying the “Notes from the Director”

column has changed. This is because the commit-tee’s executive director of 15 years, Craig Brooks, has retired after 30 years of service to the Joint Conserva-tion Committee, General Assembly and the common-wealth.

Craig will be missed not only for his expertise and professionalism, but also for his dedication and upbeat attitude. Craig has been the committee’s executive director since 1999, when he replaced the outgoing director, Richard Fox. During his tenure, Craig served the General Assembly in a most exem-plary manner. Under his leadership, the committee has worked diligently to keep the General Assembly and citizens of the commonwealth informed on a host of environmental and conservation issues.

As a result of Craig’s departure, I am stepping into the role of committee executive director. I am honored to be given this opportunity, and I look forward to working with members of the commit-tee and the entire General Assembly. Having already served 25 years on the committee, I hope to utilize this experience in moving the committee forward and con-tinuing the positive relationship with the Legislature that we have enjoyed over the years.

It may come as a surprise for some of you to learn that Geoff MacLaughlin, the committee’s communica-tions specialist, has also recently retired. Geoff had over 15 years of service with the committee and more than 34 years of service to the Commonwealth. He possesses an exceptional skill set, as well as a first-rate political acumen. During his tenure, Geoff raised the committee’s profile to a new level by rebooting the Environmental Synopsis, maintaining the com-mittee’s website, and developing the highly-regarded Environmental Issue Forums, which bring prominent guest speakers to the State Capitol to discuss topics related to the committee’s mission.

And so, I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation for all the work that Craig and Geoff have contributed over these many years. On behalf of our members and staff, we wish you both health and happiness in your retirement.

Although we say goodbye to some familiar faces here at the committee, we also welcome new ones. Taking Geoff’s position as communications specialist is Mike Nerozzi. Mike comes to us from the Pennsyl-vania House of Representatives, where he served as a research analyst on the Consumer Affairs Committee. He is a 2009 graduate of Temple University and cur-rently working toward his Master of Public Administra-tion (MPA) at Shippensburg University. In addition to his public policy background, Mike also serves as a field artillery officer in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He exemplifies the maturity and work ethic we were looking for to fill Geoff’s chair.

I’d also like to announce that the committee has hired Denise Plummer as its new administra-tive assistant. Denise is coming over from the Pennsylvania Depart-ment of General Services and brings with her a background and skill set

that will certainly be a valuable asset to the commit-tee. For the past ten years, Denise served as a budget analyst with the department’s Bureau of Financial and Management Services and, prior to that, she was an administrative assistant in the Office of Chief Counsel.

Over the next few weeks, I plan to reach out to all the committee members and their staff with formal introductions. I will maintain the same open-door policy as my predecessor. Should you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, our staff here at the committee is more than happy to assist you.

You can visit us in Room 408 of the Finance Build-ing, Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex or give our office a call at (717) 787-7570. Additionally, you can reach me personally via email at tguerrieri@jcc.legis.state.pa.us. I’m looking forward to what the next chap-ter has in store for our committee.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2014 / P. 3

Each month, the committee’s staff researches and prepares a number of “briefs” on several topics relevant to the Joint Conservation

Committee’s mission. Very often, these briefs include references to reports

and further research on the topics so that readers may pursue issues on their own.

Please Note: The information and opinions expressed in the Research Brief articles do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, nor those of the

Pennsylvania General Assembly.

RESEARCH BRIEFSInvasive Threats to America’s Forests and Trees- Tony M. Guerrieri, Executive Director

The impact of invasive species in the United States is widespread, and the consequences for the economy and the environment are pro-

found. Invasive species are nonnative plants, animals and microorganisms intentionally, or unintentionally, brought into a new environment. A report released by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the Nature Conservancy compiles the latest data and analyzes the introduction, spread, and costs of non-native forest pests and diseases. It chronicles the spread of numerous pests – from the relatively new emerald ash borer to the Asian gypsy moth, a pest that has been attacking trees in the United States for more than a century.

The report, Fading Forests III: American Forests: What Choice Will We Make?, warns that without ac-tion, forests during the next few decades will funda-mentally change as species die and take with them entire ecosystems.

With respect to the nation’s forests, the impact of invasive species is considerable. For example, in the early 1800s, American chestnut trees were devastated by a succession of nonnative pathogens – ink disease and chestnut blight. The invasive emerald ash borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees. The gypsy moth has defoliated hundreds of thousands of acres across the nation. Unfortunately, chestnuts and ash trees are just two of the many victims within the forests. They’ve been joined by oaks, aspens, beech, elm and black walnut on the list of trees that are continually threatened by invasive species.

According to the report, since the beginning of the 21st century, more than 30 new tree-killing pests have been detected in the country.

The destruction has irrevocably altered America’s landscape, but this is more than an environmental cri-sis. It is an economic drain as well. Thousand cankers disease, caused by a lethal fungus transmitted via a

small twig beetle, threatens $539 billion worth of black walnut trees. The emerald ash borer is eating away ash trees behind the bark. In 12 years, the borer has spread from three to 21 states.

It is estimated that municipalities and homeowners spend $2.7 billion annually on removing trees killed by invasive pests. Homeowners lose another $1.5 billion in property values. The value of timber threatened by such pests was estimated to be $152 million. These costs, while substantial, underestimate the full eco-nomic impact because they do not include ecological effects arising from the death of entire ecosystems._______________________________________________

Since the beginning of the 21st Century, more than 30 new invasive species have been

detected in the United States_______________________________________________

Most pests and diseases arrive in the United States as a result of trade – one of the externalities associated with globalization. The report notes that pests often enter on crates, pallets and other wood packaging of imported goods. Imported plants often bring diseases for which native plants have no resistance. Even firewood that moves from one area of the country to another can pose significant problems.

The report calls on lawmakers, government agen-cies and citizens to take action. It identifies several actions government can take to address the invasive onslaught including strengthened requirements on im-ported goods, particularly wood packaging. Research-ers believe that the emerald ash borer and other pests have arrived on these shipping crates. Since 2005, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations have required wooded shipping materials to be heat-treated or fumigated before arrival in the United States. The report recommends that the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service increase enforcement of these regulations requiring treatment of incoming wood packaging.

Imported live plants act as a second pest vector. Recommended measures include importing seed or

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2014 / P. 4

cuttings instead of whole plants, which mitigates the risk of disease.

The report also includes recommendations for regulating firewood, as people can inadvertently trans-port forest pests by moving infested wood from one location to another. The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. National Park Service should adopt nationwide recom-mendations and regulations restricting campers from bringing in firewood to picnic areas and campgrounds, and significantly increase the availability of local or heat-treated firewood at campgrounds and conces-sions.

Regardless of the regulatory environment, it is high-ly recommended that campers do not move firewood across large geographic regions. Invasive forest pests can move long distances in contaminated firewood – creating new infestations in favorite outdoor spaces. Buying local firewood near final destinations – and not bringing it back home – is the safest approach.

The report is an update of Fading Forests II, a simi-lar report published 12 years ago. The full 167-page re-port, Fading Forests III: American Forests: What Choice Will We Make?, is available at: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/forests/fading-forests-3-report-on-invasive-species.xml.

Central Hardwoods Vulnerable to the Effects of Climate Change- Michael J. Nerozzi, Communications Specialist

Long-considered one of the most diverse ecoregions in the continental United States, the Central Hardwood Forests of the Midwest

are suddenly facing an unfamiliar threat: global climate change.

According to a recent report from the United States Forest Service, climate change could significant-ly alter the landscape of these forests unless measures are taken to adapt to future challenges.

The report is part of the Central Hardwoods Climate Change Response Framework, a collaborative effort between researchers, managers and landowners to incorporate climate change into long-term forest man-agement. The goal of the study is to project trends in forest vulnerability over the next 100 years and to iden-tify forest community types that may especially sus-ceptible to changes in temperature and precipitation.

Due to agricultural development and human activ-ity, only 40 percent of the Central Hardwood ecoregion remains forested. There are, however, many open prai-rie lands within the ecoregion which contain an excep-tionally rich diversity of plants and shrubs. Forested areas are largely dominated by oak and hickory, sparse-ly mixed with dogwood and other species. While the

study mostly focused on southern Illinois, Indiana and Missouri, one of the more recognizable features of the Central Hardwood Forests is Mammoth Cave National Park in central Kentucky, which boasts the longest known cave system in the world._______________________________________________Temperatures in the Central Hardwoods may increase by as much as 7 °F and precipitation

could increase by nearly 5 inches over the next century

_______________________________________________

The Central Hardwoods are already facing existing threats from fragmentation, forest fires, and invasive species. Climate change was recently brought to the forefront after the U.S. Forest Service found elevated temperatures and increased rainfall occurring over the last century. The forest has seen minimum tempera-tures increase by one to two degrees Fahrenheit, while precipitation has increased by as much as 17 percent. Much of this precipitation has been especially heavy rainfall, often totaling 3 inches or greater during a single weather event.

The U.S. Forest Service projects these trends to accelerate over the next 100 years. Models suggest that temperatures may increase by as much as seven degrees Fahrenheit across all seasons, while winter and spring precipitation could increase by a combined five inches. Hydrologic models also indicate that soil moisture, runoff and stream flow may increase as the precipitation totals rise.

Sudden shifts in temperature and precipitation could potentially disrupt the delicate ecological balance present in the Central Hardwood forests and other similar ecoregions.

The vulnerability assessment concluded that the increased temperatures and precipitation will make the Central Hardwoods more appealing to southern plant, insect and animal life, while the presence of northern species will likely decline. Additionally, the chang-ing climate could increase the population of invasive species and pests. There is also evidence that the occurrence of flooding, wildfires and droughts may be intensified within the ecoregion. The assessment notes that some natural community types, such as the mesic upland forest, may be more vulnerable than oth-ers in the region.

Given these mounting concerns, the report encour-ages forest managers, as well as researchers and land-owners to incorporate long-term climate change into the overall management strategy used in the Central Hardwood Region.

While the report stops short of offering specific recommendations for how management should be

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2014 / P. 5

adjusted to cope with the changes, the U.S. Forest Service’s believes greater financial investment may be needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem and prepare for more severe weather. Additionally, as temperature, growing season and precipitation patterns change, the timing of certain activities such as prescribed burns and recreational activities may need to be altered.

To view the full report, entitled Central Hardwoods Ecosystem Vulnerability Assessment and Synthesis: A Report from the Central Hardwoods Climate Change Response Framework Project, visit the U.S. Forest Ser-vice’s website at http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/45430.

Louisiana among Top States for Green Energy Jobs- Tony M. Guerrieri, Executive Director

Congressional inaction on key clean energy tax policies, coupled with low natural gas prices, led to a dramatic decline in clean energy job

announcements during the first quarter (Q1) of this year, according to a report from the nonpartisan busi-ness group, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).

The E2 report, Clean Energy Works For Us: First Quarter 2014, updated on a quarterly basis, tracks an-nouncements of new jobs tied to renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and bio-mass, as well as initiatives involving recycling, public transportation infrastructure, smart meters, transmission improve-ments, and building efficiency.

Companies announced nearly 5,600 clean energy and clean transportation jobs in the United States dur-ing the first quarter ending March 31. That compares with 12,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2013, and marks a steep drop from the previous two quarters.

According to the report, Idaho ranked first in Amer-ica when it comes to job announcements for clean energy. Idaho’s 802 green jobs announced in the first quarter are all tied to a single 25 megawatt geothermal project, allowed the state to claim the top spot on the list of the Top 10 states for clean energy jobs._______________________________________________Green energy jobs are declining nationwide due to the expiration of federal tax credits

and low natural gas prices_______________________________________________

Texas came in second in the nation (they narrowly lost the top spot by 11 jobs to Idaho). The E2 report indicated companies and communities throughout the state announced four projects in the first three months of 2014, including two wind and one solar farm an-nouncement with a combined capacity of 249 mega-

watts, resulting in 791 potential green jobs. In third-ranked California, 660 new jobs are tied to

four projects and in fourth-ranked Missouri, E2 tallied 449 jobs tied to three projects. New York (435 new jobs), Kansas (355), Arizona (342), Hawaii (340), New Mexico (328) and Louisiana (300) rounded out the rest of the Top 10 states for clean energy job announce-ments, in that order.

On the technology front, geothermal had one of its strongest showings since E2 began tracking job announcements back in 2011. E2 tracked more than 1,000 job announcements from the geothermal sec-tor in Q1, which came in third overall behind solar and wind. Solar and wind were in a virtual tie at the top spot with each sector bringing forth as many as 1,600 jobs each.

Despite adding thousands of new jobs to the economy, the dramatic drop in job announcements tied to the solar, wind, energy-efficient recycling and other green industries were down nationwide as the expira-tion of certain federal tax credits and low natural gas prices curbed overall investment.

To preserve existing jobs and to ensure new ones can be created, the E2 report recommends Congress extend federal tax credits for wind, solar and energy efficiency, including the federal Production Tax Credit, which provides a credit for every kilowatt-hour created by alternative and renewable energy sources. Such policies, according to the report, are necessary to level the playing field for renewables as they compete with established fossil fuel technologies, which also benefit from federal subsidies.

The report also includes a summary of recent clean energy policy activity taking place in the states. For example, New York’s NY-Sun Initiative was created in 2012 with the intent of building a robust solar market in New York. In early 2014 the initiative was expanded and extended with nearly $1 billion in incentives to grow solar at least ten fold by 2023, which would be enough to power nearly a half million New York homes. The program is expected to add more than 10,000 new jobs in the solar industry.

E2 is a nationwide network of more than 850 busi-ness leaders who advocate for policies that benefit both the economy and the environment. E2 pulls its information from job announcements by individual companies and through the national media. Not all job announcements result in the number of jobs antici-pated.

For the complete E2 report, Clean Energy Works For Us: First Quarter 2014, as well as a searchable, state-by-state database of clean energy job announce-ments, go to: www.cleanenergyworksforus.org.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2014 / P. 6

Michigan a Leader in Blue Economy Jobs- Tony M. Guerrieri, Executive Director

When people think of Michigan’s economy, they generally think of cities like Detroit and Flint, home of the state’s famous

automobile manufacturing facilities. But a report by Michigan’s University Research Corridor (URC), the con-sortium of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, takes a closer look at the economic benefits of one of the Great Lake State’s most tried and true resources: water.

With over 3,000 miles of freshwater shoreline, Michigan’s lakes and beaches attract millions of dollars in tourism. But more recently, with local businesses and universities investing in Michigan’s “blue econo-my”, including everything from water filtration systems to ecosystem management, water is fast becoming the focus of much of the state’s most innovative economic projects.

The report, Innovating for the Blue Economy: Water Research at the URC, shows Michigan can play a key role in conveying technology to boost jobs and help other states and countries threatened by water issues. It assesses the scope of such jobs in Michigan and the universities contributions in advancing water-related research.

With the Great Lakes holding 90 percent of the nation’s surface freshwater, the report says Michigan’s universities are well-positioned to share research on everything from preventing water-borne illnesses, restoring wetlands and fisheries, and stemming inva-sive species in shipping ballast to even predicting how chemical waste moves in oceans._______________________________________________ In Pennsylvania, 790,039 jobs are tied to the quality and quantity of available freshwater

_______________________________________________

According to the report, Michigan has leading edu-cation and research institutions with expertise in dis-covery and innovation surrounding freshwater issues. The three universities that make up the URC received nearly $300 million in awards for water-related research from 2009 to 2013. This led to innovations in a wide variety of areas, from dealing with invasive species to monitoring water quality and finding ways to optimize water use in agriculture. In addition to research and development, the three URC universities produce more than 3,400 graduates each year that are prepared to analyze and find solutions to water-related issues in academia, government and the private sector.

Michigan is fourth in the nation in the share of its workforce associated with industries that develop freshwater technology and services, or industries that are highly dependent on plentiful and clean water, according to the report. It found that 718,704 jobs in Michigan – over 21 percent of total employment – are with industries that benefit directly from innovation and research boosting water quantity and quality. Bigger states such as California (2.2 million jobs) and Texas (1.4 million) boast even larger shares of the nation’s freshwater workforce. Here in Pennsylvania, 790,039 jobs are in industries tied to the quality and quantity of available freshwater.

These numbers do not include jobs related to tour-ism, fisheries and sports fishing, which are considered “downstream” water industries.

The report divided the industries into two broad cat-egories. “Core water products and services” consists of sectors with the clearest link, as they develop, to sell or implement water quality and quantity technology. Examples include wastewater treatment, construction and repair of infrastructure, and scientific, engineer-ing, and technical services. Michigan has 138,026 jobs within this category. In Pennsylvania, core water prod-ucts and services account for 167,199 jobs.

The second category, “water-enabled industries,” includes those that use large volumes of water for their products or operations, or discharge significant amounts of water needing processing. While virtually every part of the economy needs water, the industries in this group are most likely to make direct use of the new technology, the report said. Among them are agri-culture, electric power generation, shipping and various forms of manufacturing, from wood products to chemi-cals, pharmaceuticals and appliances. Their combined employment totaled 581,028. In Pennsylvania, water-enabled industries accounts for 625,434 jobs.

According to the report, Michigan ranks fourth nationally in the share of its workforce in these indus-tries (at 21.3 percent), trailing Indiana (23.3 percent), Wisconsin (23.2 percent) and Alabama (22.1 percent). Hawaii’s rate, 7.5 percent, is the nation’s lowest. The nationwide rate is 16.1 percent. The URC report showed that Pennsylvania ranked 26th in the nation in the percentage of jobs associated with industries related to water, at 16.2 percent.

The report was produced by the Anderson Econom-ic Group, a Michigan consulting firm that previously ex-amined the universities’ contributions to sectors such as automobiles, information technology and alternative energy. The 38-page report, Innovating for the Blue Economy: Water Research at the URC, is available at: http://urcmich.org/news/2014water/.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2014 / P. 7

A LOOK AT UPCOMING EVENTSON THE HORIZON . . .

Why Not Switch to “E-Synopsis”You can receive the Environmental Synopsis electronically if you don’t want to wait for the mail to be delivered or to help the committee save paper and reduce mailing costs. If readers would like to change the method in which they receive the Synopsis from hard copy to an e-mailed version, please contact Mike Nerozzi at 717-787-7570, or by e-mail at mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us requesting to be removed from the mailing list and added to the

e-mail list.

No events are scheduled at this time.

Check the committee website at http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us for events that may be added to the schedule.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2013 / P. 7

ON THE HORIZON . . . A LOOK AT UPCOMING EVENTS

No events are scheduled at this time.

Check the committee website at http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us for events that may be added to the schedule.

Why Not Switch to “E-Synopsis”You can receive the Environmental Synopsis electronically if you don’t want to wait for the mail to be

delivered or you want to help the committee save paper and reduce mailing costs.

If readers would like to change the method in which they receive the Synopsis from mailed hard copy to an e-mailed version, please contact Geoff MacLaughlin at 717-787-7570, or by e-mail at gmaclaughlin@jcc.legis.state.pa.us requesting to be removed from the mailing list and added to the e-mail list. Remember to provide your e-mail address.

Don’t forget toVisit Our Website

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To learn more about the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Commit-tee, simply pay a visit to our website.

Website visitors will find infor-mation such as the Environmental Issues Forums schedule; the Envi-ronmental Synopsis monthly news-letter; committee members; current events; committee reports; staff contact information; committee his-tory and mission; and links to other helpful sites.

The website address is http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us. Stop by the web-site often to keep up with committee information and events.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYNOPSIS / JUNE 2014 / P. 8

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Internet Website: http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us

Mail: Joint Conservation CommitteePA House of RepresentativesP.O. Box 202254Harrisburg, PA 17120-2254

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On the night of May 31st, a series of thunderstorms brought heavy rains to the region, with total rainfall estimated between 6 and 10 inches within a 24-hour period. The rainfall proved too much for the dilapidated South Fork Dam. Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, the dam collapsed, sending 20 million tons of water barreling through downtown Johnstown, and subsequently wiping out nearly everything in its path.

Over 2,200 people lost their lives that day and it was con-sidered the largest single-day civilian loss of life in American history until September 11, 2001. The property damage caused by the flood was catastrophic as well, equivalent to nearly $425 million today. Pictures of the disaster display haunting images of the utter destruction left in the flood’s wake.

Despite the occurrence of such a catastrophic event, however, there are stories that showcase the resilience of a community faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. For instance, one of the first organizations to respond to the disaster was the newly-formed American Red Cross, headed by Clara Barton. The organization, along with other volunteers, worked with residents in Johnstown for over five months, contributing significantly to the overall rebuilding process.

In addition to the influx of manpower, donations poured into Johnstown from across the U.S. and 18 different countries, to include Russia, Turkey, France, Great Britain and Australia. The donations would have totaled over $90 million today. __________________________________________________________________________ Over 2,200 lives were lost in the Johnstown Flood and the property damage would have totaled nearly $425 million by today’s standards_________________________________________________________________________

Survivors of the flood eventually sought damages through the court system from the organization responsible for the South Fork Dam. Since it was difficult to prove that any particular member had acted negligently, the legal effort was largely unsuccessful, drawing considerable criticism in the press. As a direct result, states across the nation began adopt-ing what would eventually become the legal concept of strict liability.

While Johnstown was eventually able to rebuild from the flood and, once again, become a vibrant community, the legacy of the disaster has continued. In 1964, the U.S. Congress authorized a national memorial to be built near the location of the old South Fork Dam. The Johnstown Flood National Memorial is operated by the National Park Service and preserves portions of the original dam and the now-dry Lake Conemaugh.

To commemorate the 125th anniversary, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA) and National Park Service partnered to hold memorial events over the May 31st weekend, including guest speakers, a viewing of the 1926 silent film The Johnstown Flood, walking tours, and even a half marathon race following the path of the historic flood. The association also announced the kickoff of a $3.45 million campaign to renovate the popular Johnstown Flood Museum. All of these efforts illustrate just how much of an impact the flood made on the history of the community.

If you’d like to learn more about the Johnstown Flood or other local attractions, check out the Johnstown Area Historical Association’s website at www.jaha.org. Information on the Johnstown Flood National Memorial is also available at http://www.nps.gov/jofl/index.htm.