ALLENTOWN, PA.---A public meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 4 will focus on the formation of a watershed association to address pollution problems throughout the Chillisquaque Creek region.

PPL Corp. will host the forum at its Montour Preserve visitor center near Washingtonville.

The project comes in response to a state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determination that the Chillisquaque, which flows through parts of Montour, Columbia and Northumberland counties, is impaired. The designation means the creek may not support uses such as fishing, swimming, or serve as a drinking water source. According to DEP records, the Chillisquaque Creek is one of the most impaired watersheds in the state. Officials blame the creek's high levels of sediment and nutrient pollution on runoff from rainstorms and snow melt.

PPL and others involved in organizing the watershed association believe that a volunteer, grassroots group can implement specific improvements that will be more effective than those often achieved through a one-size-fits-all approach that simply establishes and mandates requirements.

"Proposed water quality regulations will require the clean-up of polluted waterways to meet water quality standards," says Rod Keller, PPL community development director. "And there are two ways to do that. The best way is for local people to develop cost-effective, community-based strategies that will correct their specific problems. "

Watershed associations, comprised of community stakeholders and volunteers, have proven to be an effective force in improving stream quality around the state.

Their efforts have brought streams back to healthy, viable waterways. Keller notes that, when dealing with unregulated, non-point source pollution, community efforts work best to improve local conditions.

Interested citizens are invited to attend the April 4 meeting. Represent- atives from DEP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and County Conservation Districts will provide background information, describe available technologies for remediation, and define the watershed association's role in the total project.