The Susquehanna River Basin Commission today presented its Frederick L. Zimmermann Award to Rep. Jerry Stern (Dist. 80). The Zimmermann Award is to honor elected officials who demonstrate excellence in watershed management.

Rep. Stern received SRBC's sixth Zimmermann Award for his commitment to watershed management, his unwaivering support of the Commission's water resource management activities and his leadership for an appropriation to enable projects intended to compensate for consumptive water use by farmers in the Pennsylvania portion of the Susquehanna River Basin. One of those projects, the Barnes and Tucker facility, will also improve water quality in the West Branch Susquehanna River.

SRBC Executive Director Paul Swartz said, "Rep. Stern truly understands that rivers and groundwaters do not recognize political boundaries, and it is best to manage the water resources of the Susquehanna basin on a watershed basis. That was the vision of Frederick Zimmermann, and his legacy lives on today through the exemplary work of elected officials like Rep. Stern."

Rep. Stern is serving his 8th term in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, representing portions of Blair County. As the Caucus Secretary for his party, he helps establish the assembly's legislative agenda. He is a life-long resident of Blair County and he currently resides in Martinsburg.