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Local leaders praised the Lycoming County Conservation District for its work on behalf of agriculture and the environment but noted that much work still needs done.
Matthew Long, district manager, county conservation district, said without state support many of the programs to support farmers and protect lands and streams would not get done.
Long, addressing the agency's annual legislative breakfast, referred to programs it supports such as Growing Greener, West Nile virus spraying and sampling, environmental education and agricultural land preservation.
He noted the special projects in the past year have included restoration of a part of Dunlap Creek.
"We are very appreciative to have funding for that (special projects)," Long said.
State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, said each of Pennsylvania's 66 conservation districts is unique in its needs with each one of them dependent upon state dollars.
But challenges to maintain lands and streams persist, he added.
The lawmaker said Lycoming County is among many parts of the state continuing to face ongoing mandates for the Chesapeake Bay.
Yaw, who serves on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, an advisory body that consults with the
legislatures of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia regarding issues and problems related to the Bay, noted hard work has been done to address pollution caused in part by runoffs into streams from agricultural operations.
However, he feels the Environmental Protection Agency has not made things easy for the state.
Pennsylvania, he said, has been challenged to do better.
State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, said waterways protection should include a "common sense approach," which too often does not occur in state government.
Conservation districts could use more funding for spongy moth spraying and broadband internet access to rural areas, according to Hamm.
James May, western region field director for U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, said broadband is one of the congressman's concerns.
And Meuser is pushing policies in Washington that best serve agriculture, he noted.
Others speaking at the breakfast included Lycoming County commissioners Rick Mirabito, Tony Mussare and Scott Metzger.
Mirabito noted the grassroots efforts of volunteers to help the conservation district carry out its work.
"The conservation district has been a great leader," he said.
Metzger added, "When you think of Lycoming County you think of agriculture and tourism."
Mussare said problems cannot all be solved at once.
"We must balance it out," he said. "I appreciate everything the conservation district has done."