When 33 local government leaders from York and Lancaster Counties gathered on a warm September day, they weren’t just boarding a bus — they were stepping into an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and envision how working across municipal boundaries can help communities achieve shared clean water goals. Hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), this Wandering Pennsylvania’s Waterways tour showcased projects that demonstrate the power of partnership and the impact local governments can have when they plan and act together.

 

Re-envisioning Creeks as Community Assets

In York, the Codorus Greenway project is transforming a once-overlooked creek corridor into a vibrant public space that delivers environmental, economic, and community benefits. With the removal of the Bascule Dam and ongoing shoreline restoration efforts designed to reconnect neighborhoods to the water, this first stop on the tour illustrated how clean water investments can spur revitalization. For local leaders, it underscored that improving water quality can meet regulatory requirements while also creating places where residents gather, businesses invest, and ecosystems thrive.

 

From Concept to Construction: Stream Restoration in Action

Just a short drive away, participants explored York Township’s Queenswood Stream Restoration project and discovered each step projects take from concept to completion. Attendees got an up-close and personal look at streambank stabilization structures, erosion control techniques, and stormwater management best practices.

a person examines a stream channel

Local government leaders taking a closer look at the newly restored and fortified stream channel.

Through the township’s participation in the York County Stormwater Consortium (YCSC), this restoration effort is part of a broader network of improvements across the county. Thanks to YCSC, grant funding, and other leveraged resources, the township’s total cost for design and implementation was an astonishing 76 cents!

 

Linking Land, Water, and People

Crossing into Lancaster County, local leaders explored the Blue Green Connector, a project that epitomizes intermunicipal collaboration. By restoring the Little Conestoga Creek corridor and building an interconnected trail system, partners are enhancing water quality, reducing flood risks, and expanding recreational access. Local leaders saw how joint efforts between local governments, nonprofits, and community groups can create healthier streams and deeper public connections to natural spaces.

a person looks at signage in a field

Local government leader looks over the floodplain restoration project along the Little Conestoga Creek

 

Building Capacity for Local Leadership

Throughout the day, conversations repeatedly returned to the importance of meeting clean water goals through collaboration. This message was further reinforced by PA Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley and Deputy Secretary Jill Whitcomb as they addressed the group to outline statewide priorities, highlight resources available to local governments, and encourage leaders to connect across jurisdictional boundaries to achieve shared goals.

a large group of people pose for a photo in front of a bridge

Local Government Leaders from York and Lancaster counties join PA DEP along the banks of the Susquehanna River to discuss intermunicipal collaboration.

Participants left with the “Our Common Goal for Our Commonwealth: Clean Water All Pennsylvanians,” which provides a statewide vision for clean water and serves as a guide for local governments to use to align their projects, partnerships, and funding efforts with the Commonwealth’s shared environmental goals.

Allyson Gibson, Executive Director of the Lancaster Clean Water Partners, closed the tour with a challenge to share the day’s lessons, along with a reminder that when communities work together, the positive ripple effects extend far beyond their borders.

This tour was not a series of isolated site visits, but a shared journey, strengthening the capacity of local officials to make the best decisions for their community. By building connections and learning side by side, these local leaders can tackle environmental challenges in partnership with their neighbors.

“Patience and perseverance are as important as time in creating our magnificent waterways. It was great to share a few moments with my peers and to celebrate successful projects.” – Phil Briddell, LGAC Member and Former York Township Supervisor

 

Where is Wandering Waterways Going Next?

Since its pilot in 2019, the Wandering Waterways series has brought local officials together across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, New York, the Delmarva Peninsula, and Washington, D.C., exploring topics ranging from green infrastructure and innovative agricultural practices to clean water initiatives and local flooding solutions.

In early November, the series traveled to Prince George’s County, Maryland, to explore innovative strategies and real-world projects that demonstrate how effective stormwater management can protect, prepare, and pay off for communities. Stay tuned for more on this latest tour!

Are you interested in collaborating on a future Wandering Waterways tour? Complete this interest form!

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