Determined to curb the sprawling development that was destroying the Commonwealth's rural open space, Governor Ridge created the Growing Greener program, which he signed into law in December 1999. This program recognizes that its goals can be achieved by making cities more livable as well as by inhibiting development in rural areas. One of the first grants given under this livable cities initiative was awarded to the Schuylkill River Development Council to create a master plan for the tidal river.

The potential of this plan is underscored by success stories of cities like Baltimore, New York, and Boston that have brought new life to their communities by revitalizing their waterfronts. Today, the Tidal Schuylkill flows past gritty abandoned factories, grim reminders that smoke-stack industry has left. Our opportunity is to reclaim this river and to create a new paradigm for its use in the 21st century.

The objectives of the plan are to realize the benefits of a revitalized river by:

(1) Improving environmental quality by creating riparian buffers and cleaning brownfields.

(2) Enhancing quality of life by linking communities together and providing new recreational opportunities on land and water.

(3) Creating opportunities for economic development.