A recent survey was released by the Our Pocono Waters campaign showed Poconos residents value state protections for exceptional value streams and want elected officials to take further steps to protect these waterways from large-scale commercial development.

Poconos residents voiced an overwhelming 94% support for protecting the region’s pristine waters, particularly the streams considered so pure that they meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection exceptional value requirements.

When the residents were polled on whether they had observed increases in commercial development in recent years, 77% said they had noticed an increase in commercial development, and 67% expressed a concern that greater development poses a negative impact on water quality for the quality of streams in the Pocono area, according to Donna Kohut, manager for Our Pocono Waters campaign.

“The Pocono Mountains region’s unique environment depends on enforcement of smart, ecologically conscious development practices that do not undermine the quality of our streams and rivers. Protecting our economy means protecting our creeks and streams. We can and must have strong clean streams protections that simultaneously support local economic development,” she said.

The survey backed up Kohut’s statement by reporting 57% percent of the residents agreed that recreational activities related to clean streams have a positive impact on the local economy.

“As a business owner, I fully support economic development across the Poconos. But we need development done in a way that ensures preservation of our local streams. Clean waterways are essential to creating tourism demand and employment opportunity for all ages, allowing future generations to experience outdoor recreation in the Poconos,” Kohut said.

However, she wants to make it clear that having clean stream protections, specifically this exceptional value designation, does not prohibit development.

“I think there’s a false choice that especially developers tend to put forward that either you’re for development or for economic growth or you’re not. And that’s not really true. And so rather than, you know, prohibiting development, this exceptional value designation, and clean streams protections more generally, really just ensure that development won’t impair these waterways that make the Poconos so special and that draw people to the region, you know, for tourism for outdoor recreation,” she said.

The survey was conducted on behalf of Our Waters campaign by Susquehanna Polling and Research. The study included a total of 500 residents of Monroe County, Carbon, Wayne, and Pike counties who were reached by phone in late March.