PENNSYLVANIA — Gov. Tom Wolf is urging the public to vote for the Pennsylvania River of the Year for 2019. The contenders are the Clarion River in the western part of the state, Conodoguinet Creek in central PA, the Lackwanna River in northeast PA and the Delaware River which, along with forming the boundary here between PA and New York, also borders New Jersey in southern PA.

“Pennsylvania is filled with countless waterway treasures,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “I encourage everyone to vote on their favorite river as this annual contest enters its ninth year.” Voting began on November 27 and continues through January 24, and the public can vote online at Pariveroftheyear.org (tinyurl.com/ydd68mn6).

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pennsylvania  Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) sponsor the contest. Local organizations nominate the rivers to be part of the competition. Once a winner is named, the nominating organization receives a $10,000 grant and plans a year-long list of activities to be held on the river, including a river sojourn or group paddling trip.

“This annual undertaking is much more than a public vote gauging popularity of a Pennsylvania waterway,” said DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Regardless of outcome, the competition builds community support around our rivers and streams, putting them in the public limelight. All have unique attributes, offer incredible recreational opportunities, and offer significant boosts to local economies.”

“The River of the Year program is a great way for us to highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the state’s waterways,” said POWR director Janet Sweeney.