History

  • Schuylkill Action Network formed

    In 2003, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) completed a source water assessment for the Schuylkill River Watershed. This assessment identified threats to drinking water in the Schuylkill River Watershed, including pollutants from agriculture, abandoned mines, stormwater, and sewage. Since the majority of the watershed is outside of the City of Philadelphia's jurisdictional boundaries, PWD knew they had to work with upstream partners to address these threats. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pennslyvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), and PWD spearheaded the creation of the SAN, a network of partners collaborative in various workgroups to address pollution sources. The workgroups included Abandoned Mine Drainage, Agriculture, Pathogens/Compliance, and Stormwater, as well as a Planning Committee and Executive Steering Committee.

  • Schuylkill Watershed Implementation Grant

    In 2004, PWD and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) received a $1.15 million EPA Targeted Watershed Implementation Grant for SAN partners to take action on the ground. This is an example of SAN at its best: a diversity of organizations and agencies leveraging skills to bring new resources to the watershed that address watershed issues in a strategic way. Projects included abandoned mine drainage remediation, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), agricultural restoration, and educational projects. View the SWIG projects here.

  • Watershed Land Protection Workgroup

    After strategic planning facilitated by the Planning Committee, the decision was made to develop a Watershed Land Protection workgroup dedicated to preserving high-value lands.

  • First Website Created

    In 2007, the SAN worked with Mobius New Media, Inc. to create its website, www.SchuylkillWaters.org. This website serves as a clearinghouse for information on the Schuylkill Watershed, SAN projects, and provides a public outreach component of the network.

  • SAN Coordinator Hired

    Through the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), a full time SAN Coordinator was hired to oversee the day-to-day operation of the SAN, facilitate collaboration amongst members, and advance workgroup goals by securing funding and resources for priority projects.

  • SAN 5 Year Strategic Plan

    In 2011, the SAN updated it strategic plan for another 5 years (2011-2016). This plan renewed commitments of the SAN workgroups, integrated new initiatives and workgroups strategies into the process, and set out an ambitious agenda to strengthen SAN’s presence in the watershed.

  • Celebrating 10 Years of Success

    In 2013, the SAN celebrated it 10 year anniversary, which was commenced with a series of events throughout the year, including a celebration that recognized the many milestones that the SAN was able to achieve, commitments of SAN partners, and a renewal of the stakeholders that contributed to making SAN what it is today. The SAN also released a 10-year progress report that highlighted all of the workgroup accomplishments since the SAN’s inception.

  • Alignment with the Delaware River Watershed Initiative

    The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE; the coordinating organization for the SAN) and SAN partners became a part of the William Penn Foundation's (WPF) Delaware River Watershed Initiative (DRWI). The WPF invested $35 million in eight targeted geographies, or "clusters," to protect and restore the Delaware River Basin's water quality and overall health. There are three clusters that are fully or partially within the Schuylkill River Watershed: Schuylkill Highlands, Middle Schuylkill, and Upstream Suburban Philadelphia. Click here for more information about the DRWI.

  • SAN 5 Year Strategic Plan Updated

    SAN partners participated in strategic planning listening sessions to guide the direction of the SAN for the next 5 years.

  • Recreation Workgroup Formed

    As a result of the strategic planning process, the decision to create a Recreation workgroup was made. Partners felt that outdoor enthusiasts were a group that should be engaged in the SAN.

  • New SAN Website Launched

    Working again with Mobius New Media, Inc., the SAN website was upgraded to include many new features.

  • Celebrating 15 Years

    In 2018, the SAN held a year-long series of special events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Schuylkill Action Network.

  • Celebrating 15 Years

    In 2018, the SAN held a year-long series of special events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Schuylkill Action Network. Click here to learn more.