EPA asked to include Still Creek Reservoir in lake study

After the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it was undertaking a three-year study of U.S. lakes, a few Hometown-area residents asked EPA to include Still Creek Reservoir -- and they encourage others to do the same.

On Dec. 6, EPA unveiled plans for a "Survey of the Nation's Lakes," which will examine 909 lakes, ponds and reservoirs to understand their ecology and figure out ways governments can better care for them. Involving EPA, states and some tribes, the project will analyze the water bodies for chemicals, turbidity, color, health of shoreline habitat, and pathogens, among other things.

EPA last surveyed the nation's lakes from 1972 to 1976, examining 815 in all. The new study will resample 113 of those for comparison. EPA plans to release the results in 2009.

After EPA announced the survey, Patti Dreyer of My McAdoo Home e-mailed the agency and asked that Still Creek Reservoir be included. She was joined by Frank Waksmunski of Carbon County Groundwater Guardians.

"Everyone should do the same," says Dreyer. "Now is the time to go after the attention it needs."

If you'd like to share comments about the survey with EPA, e-mail lakessurvey@epa.gov.