Harveys Lake Borough, Pennsylvania

What is EAC?

EAC is an officially constituted municipal board created to advise the Borough of Harveys Lake on environmental issues and policies. The council consists of 6 members who serve without compensation and are appointed by the Harveys Lake Borough Council.

Who are the current members of EAC?

Jason Boice - Chairperson
Mike Daley
Sid Halsor
John Levitsky
Cathy Link
Megan Sgarlat-Prynn
Susan Vosik Pekala

Administrative Assistant: Denise Sult

When does EAC meet?

EAC meets at 7pm on the second Tuesday of each month in the General Municipal Authority building of Harveys Lake. Meetings are open to the public.

What is EAC doing for the benefit of Harveys Lake Borough?

EAC identifies environmental issues and recommends plans and programs to the appropriate municipal agencies. EAC is involved in a number of initiatives that reduce polution and protect and improve the quality of our environment in all lands that contribute water to Harveys Lake. Some of our current activities are:

• Assessing the need to restore bus service to Harveys Lake
  • Would you be interested in taking a bus to destinations between Harveys Lake and Wilkes-Barre? Ride sharing and mass transit are two ways in which commuters can reduce their carbon emissions and save money. Currently, Harveys Lake residents who take the bus need to drive to Dallas, the nearest scheduled bus stop. An added inconvenience is the absence of any designated parking areas that promote "park and ride" bus service. EAC is interested in working on behalf of our residents to restore bus service to and from Harveys Lake. Would you use the bus if it were available? If so, please let us know by emailing EAC at: dsult18618@aol.com
• Well water testing program
  • EAC continues to support a biennial drinking water testing program. Assisted by Wilkes University's Environmental Quality Center, Harveys Lake residents can have their well water analyzed and gain an understanding of the overall quality of the water that their consuming. This volunteer program also helps EAC monitor and identify sources that degrade water quality. As natural gas drilling activity increases in our region, there is even more reason for residents to have their drinking water tested. Water sampling kits at discounted cost will be available for pick up at the Harveys Lake Borough building July 12th through July 24th. Interested residents should register with Denise Sult at 639-1042. For more information see the featured article in the Borough's 2010 newsletter (pdf).
  • Additional information is also available on Legal Baseline Water Well Testing.
• Storm water implementation plan

  • EAC is assisting the Borough and our environmental consulting firm, Princeton Hydro, in reducing the amount of phosphorus that enters the lake. Phosphorus is a nutrient for plant growth but excess phosphorus can accumulate in our lake, over-stimulate aquatic plant growth and reduce the amount of oxygen needed to support healthy and diverse populations of plants and organisms, including fish. The Borough is fortunate to be the recipient of several grants over the last ccouple deccades that have resulted in the steady reduction of phosphorus entering the lake. At present, watershed projects ranging from stabilizing stream banks and shorelines to the installation of pollutant-trapping storm water devices have achieved 31% of the targeted reduction in phosphorus. A new grant will allow the next phase of a phosphorus-reducing storm water implementation program to move forward. A summary of watershed projects can be found at: Princeton Hydro's March 2010 report
• Soil nutrient testing program
  • In support of the ongoing efforts to improve lake water quality, EAC coordinated with two senior students at Wilkes University who conducted a soil sampling and nutrient analysis project. A grant supported the project and enabled 50 Harveys Lake residents to have their turf soil analyzed free of charge. If soils have excess nutrients, these nutrients can be carried to the lake during storm events as rainwater accumulates and flows over lawns. Again, excess nutrients in the lake can lead to degrading water quality. The Wilkes University research team created a soil database that was integrated into a computerized map-making system. This map-database was used to assess relationships between soil nutrient contents and areas within our watershed that yield varying levels of phosphorus and other nutrients. Residents who volunteered to participate in the study will receive the results of their soil analysis and a reccommendation for optimizing soil fertility. Harveys Lake residents are reminded that an ordinance prohibits the use of phosphorus-bearing lawn fertilizer.