Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is dedicated to improving the ecological health of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. Current and future citizens of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed deserve high water quality, wise and sustainable use of all aquatic resources, and preservation of aesthetic value of our waterways. Improvement will come about through education, research, advocacy, and insistence upon compliance with the law.
Our Mission
To ensure drinkable, fishable, swimmable water on the Lower Susquehanna River and raise community awareness for current and future generations on the ecological and economic value of the Lower Susquehanna Watershed.
Our Vision
The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA) is a certified IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit watershed association founded and licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance on September 15, 2005. LSRA supports the efforts of the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper. LSRA is rooted in the movement for swimmable, drinkable, fishable water. Our Board of Directors provides guidance to our mission from a range of different perspectives and skillsets including representatives from varying regions of the watershed.
LSRA is dedicated to the improvement and preservation of the ecology and aesthetic qualities of the Lower Susquehanna and Juniata watersheds. Improvement in water quality will come about through education, research, advocacy, and insistence upon compliance with the law. LSRA serves all communities in the Lower Susquehanna and Juniata watersheds, as well as the Chesapeake Bay which includes roughly 4.5 million people.
LSRA relies on its members for support and to be the eyes and ears on the local waterways throughout our large patrol area. LSRA has engaged hundreds of citizens, or “Stewards” on the Susquehanna River and its tributaries regarding issues including coal ash contamination, landfills, plastics and microplastics, CAFOs/slaughterhouses, public access, agricultural pollution, stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflow and bacteria, the requirements of the Chesapeake Total Maximum Daily Load implementation, diseases which affect smallmouth bass, fish kills, and the relicensing of Conowingo Dam among other issues.
Our organization is dedicated not only to advocate against pollution but also serves to educate the public, legislators and agencies regarding our work to instill greater support of clean water. Without education and promotion of our work, we would lack the backing we need to make a greater impact on water quality and positive policy changes.
The Lower Susquehanna River, Juniata River and Chesapeake Bay are constantly subjected to further pollution and it’s critical that our organization upholds its duty to advocate, educate and keep polluters accountable in accordance with the law. Without our work, further degradation of our River and tributaries will continue. Our organization does not receive state or federal funding and is sustained by donations, membership dues and grants.
Success is proven time and again by action in the form of fines, dropped permits, and Cease and Desist orders from regulating agencies. Our goal is to become the recognized name in water defense for our region. We hope to lead citizens to action in protecting their watershed, communities, and heritage.
About the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association
The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper (LSR) was licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance at the request of citizens, including some within government, who thought we needed a stronger advocate for the Susquehanna watershed, an advocate who would hold polluters and the government accountable.
The LSR works as an alliance builder, diplomat, and educator, but also, when the situation calls for it, an unrelenting defender and advocate of our right and the river’s right to be healthy and prosperous.
The LSR utilizes education, chemical and biological monitoring, pollution patrols, partnership building, public events, research and legal action to improve the health of the Susquehanna’s waterways. The LSR assists the government by reporting non-compliance of the law, and follows through where environmental protection agencies are unable to do their job due to politics or funding issues.
Ted Evgeniadis serves as the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper and Executive Director for the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.
About the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper
We are friends, neighbors, outdoorsmen, recreationalists, and families who want safe drinking water, sustainable use of natural resources, and the ability to fish and swim in the Susquehanna River and her tributaries.
Who We Are
About Us
.png)