Commonwealth of Susquehanna (1983: Doomsday)

Susquehanna, officially the Commonwealth of Susquehanna, is a country located in the former US state of Pennsylvania.

Pre-Doomsday
Bloomsburg was a small town before Doomsday. It had a population of approximately 7890 citizens before the nuclear war.

Doomsday
On Doomsday, the town was not targeted. It was approximately 40 miles south west of Wilkes Barre/Scranton.

Many of the people in the area were watching the 35th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards when they received news of the war. People panicked and began to flee. The local governments moved police and fire departments out and attempted to contain the situation.

Before many people could flee, or attempt to escape, the EMP blast struck the area and wiped out the local communities.

Radiation and fallout luckily missed the town due to wind that was blowing west at the time. The mayor and emergency teams received reports of the war. The town triggered air-raid sirens to evacuate the town. People panicked and attempted to evacuate. The interstate was soon clogged with people attempting to flee the town.

The citizens felt the impact as the bombs struck the cities of Wilkes Barre and Scranton. Many fled to the town fallout shelters or attempted to flee the town.

Aftershock
After doomsday, much of the population of Berwick, Bloomsburg and a few surrounding communities fled, fearing an explosion at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station. The communities were spared from a flood of refugees due to similar concerns.

Only 829 people made it to any of the communities that make up the nation.

By early 1984, the population of Bloomsburg stood at 4297; Berwick stood at 2473; and surrounding communities were 3790 people.

The mayors and town boards met to discuss the situation in October of 1983 to discuss the upcoming winter, food, electricity for the hospital, supplies and defense.

The towns begin to ration food, and the Army National Guard unit (contingent of 250 men) begins to regularly patrol the area.

Few refugees made it to any of the towns. One hundred thirty six survivors made it to Berwick, and another two hundred ninety one made it to surrounding communities. Scout groups sent to the ruins of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton found thousands of bodies on the roads and in the woods surrounding the cities.

It is assumed that most didn't feel that either city would be struck until it was too late. Many skeletons in cars and other vehicles were found in a pile up about a mile outside of each respective city. Multiple small aircraft were found, normally surrounded by a burned out patch of land.

Two small jets managed to land at the Bloomsburg Area Airport, crash landing. Both aircraft were put in storage due to their condition.

Exploration
By spring, the population of the area had dwindled to less than 7000 people. A group of civilians wanted to explore surrounding communities. A group of ten soldiers, a medic and 28 armed civilians begin to explore the surrounding communities, and found Mount Carmel sacked and burned. The explores estimated that less than 200 people lived in the town under barbaric conditions. When the group attempted to enter the town, shots were fired at the group, so they left the area.

Next the explorers went to Elysburg, and found the town still functioning, but in need of food and medical supplies. The travelers gave them food and water. The mayor of the town requested a meeting with the Mayor of Bloomsburg to discuss a possible union, although eventually they would separate and join State College.

Danville was found to have approximately 4000 survivors, but most living in poor conditions from the lack of sanitation, due to the sewage plant failing, flooding homes and the streets. By the early 1990's the population would drop even more. The community opted to join Bloomsburg as a temporary measure until contact was restored with the PA state government.

In late 1985 the leaders of the towns realized that there was no aid coming. Sparse reports from a salvaged HAM radio told them that the government had left the nation to go to Mexico, before the power for the radio was cut. Marauders were becoming a serious issue with several raids that heavily damaged Danville and Berwick.

Starvation
One major issue that came to light immediately after Doomsday was food, water and medical care. Most of the stores had been raided immediately as soon as the power was cut. The towns that would form Susquehanna handled the situation in different ways.

Bloomsburg immediately sent police and guards to protect the stores from looters, then rationed the food until springtime, but that lead to many deaths anyway, cutting the population down by quite a bit.

It is believed that Danville lost control of the situation, and the town collapsed after the power was cut.

All of the stores in Berwick were looted with the police unable to stop it, and in some cases, joining it. That lead to a severe food shortage, ad less than a quarter of the population lived to see the new year.

After a rough winter, the population in the area had plummeted due to starvation, hypothermia and fleeing refugees.

Although the summer was hotter than usual, this prevented flooding from occurring. By 1985, the communities had enough food to support the population.

Decisions
The towns had not formed any government, having each town like a small city-state. Each had farms, and a militia for defense, but they were lacking many supplies. In early 1991 the mayors and town councils met and put up a referendum for the people.

New Union
Each town voted whether to unify and declare independence from the United States and secede, declare independence as a provisional government, or remain at status quo. The voted were overwhelmingly to form a provisional government.

On July 4th, 1991 the Provisional Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was formed as a successor state to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The towns unified into the previous county structure, with Mount Carmel repopulated and forming the county seat of Schuykill County. The capitol city was voted as Bloomsburg since it had the most infrastructure and was centrally located.

Also, the new government issued eminent domain noticed to the residents of Centralia in 1997 to leave their homes and be resettled in Danville, or be forced out and not be given a new home. All but 12 residents opted to leave.

New Year
By the turn of the millennium, the provisional commonwealth had managed to acquire enough food and farms to be self-sufficient, and surplus for storage and trade. Many people were curious about the outside world and two expedition groups had been sent out earlier.

On July 28th, 2000; after fighting the fire for two years off and on again, the Centralia mine fire was extinguished, saving a large coal deposit. The only problem was all the remaining diesel fuel was used, and the five 1980's fire engines were ruined. On September 1st, 2000 the citizens of Centralia moved back home. It is now the 9th most populated city in the Commonwealth.

Outside Contact
In mid 1999 after eradicating small gangs in the area, an exploration unit using two pre-Doomsday improvised armored cars, was sent west. They were given a radio unit and rifles. Another, smaller team was sent south by foot. In early 2000 the southward group had returned, after discovering the nation of Reading. Areas south between the provisional government and Reading was sketchy with warlords and gangs dominating the area.

By late 2000, the second group had returned after discovering State College and North Pennsylvania. These discoveries excited the people that there were other survivor states in the former nation of the USA.

Although not long later, a man leaked news to the public that secretly in 1992 the government had sent ten explorers west. They never returned which is why the nation put off exportation for so long.

Independence
But many were saddened to hear the news in early 2004 that the United States of America in-exile had dissolved in the late 1990's. When this new reached the ears of the Provisional Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government, they officially formed the Commonwealth of Susquehanna, with the namesake being the Susquehanna River, a vital waterway in the nation.

In January of 2005, the provisional government ordered the drafting of a new constitution to replace the US and PA constitution that the provisional nation had been using since its inception.

On September 12, 2005 the government of the Provisional Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially retired the American Flag and Pennsylvania State Flag, and raised the Commonwealth of Susquehanna Flag. It was a yellow flag with a blue vertical bar on either end, and the former Pennsylvania State flag emblem emblazoned in the center of the yellow. The provisional governor, vice governor, and county commissioner for each represented county signed the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna.

The fledgling nation also recognized State College as the successor state to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Today, though, the American Flag is flown on July 4th, alongside the former Pennsylvanian State Flag, and alone on September 23 at half staff to honor the victims of the Third World War and Doomsday.

New Industry
In 2008 after eradicating gangs to the west (With aid, weapons and support from State College), the Commonwealth begin to invest heavily in repairing infrastructure, industry and communications. The first coal mine opened in March of 2009 and the first iron mine in June of the same year.

The Montour Coal Power Plant that had been abandoned after doomsday but, after looking into it, much of the equipment is still there, just needing rewiring or repairing. Major repair work is underway with much of the Department of Energy's budget on repairing it.

Steel, cement and asphalt were all produced and used to build and repair railroad tracks, sidewalks, highways, and roads. Reconstruction of the pre-Doomsday primary internal infrastructure (Highways, Railroads, main Roadways), too, is a current ongoing project, and complete infrastructure revitalization is expected by 2020.

Demographics
In the constitution, the government must take a census every five years starting in 2005. The census taken in 2010 shows that there are 12,946 citizens in the Commonwealth. It is estimated that there are 42,431 people in the nation, after the union with Hazleton.

Currently the nation has a low population density of 40.5 people per square mile. Much of the population resides in the countryside tending farms and livestock. The most densely populated city is Hazleton, with most of Wyoming County's population residing in the capital.

Largest Cities




With the massive destruction on Doomsday, most of the largest cities in Pennsylvania were destroyed. The largest cities in the region, Wilkes Barre and Scranton were both directly struck with nuclear bombs although Hazleton was spared. Overall, these are thought to be the ten largest cities in Susquehanna.

Ten largest cities in Susquehanna:

Tallest Buildings
Susquehanna is not a nation known for large skyscrapers. All of the buildings are small structures with only a handful towering past 100 feet high. None of the current buildings is considered a skyscraper, but the top four buildings are high rises, and the rest are low rise buildings. The list does not include planned construction.

List of the Fifteen Tallest Buildings in the Commonwealth Susquehanna

Government
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna is a democratic republic, with the people electing a governor, a lieutenant governor and representatives, in the form of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Executive Branch
List of Governors of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna (1983: Doomsday)

The Governor heads the executive branch wielding much of the power that the former President of the United States would have wielded, including the ability to declare war, sign bills into laws, pardon criminals and other duties. He may serve for one term of five years.

The Lieutenant Governor can take over the power of the governor if he becomes incapacitated or dies in office. One difference that the Republic of Susquehanna has is that the candidate for governor with the second most amount of votes becomes the Lieutenant Governor. If the Lieutenant Governor serves over one-half of the term replacing the governor, he is ineligible for re-election.

The Governor of State College is recognized as the ceremonial governor due to the close ties between the nations.

Elections for the seat of Governor are held every five years, and the next one is due in 2015.

The current governor is Lou Barletta, who was elected in 2010. Barletta happened to be in the area on that fateful day. He was out visiting a construction site near Bloomsburg. When reports of a nuclear strike came in, they all fled to fallout shelters.

In the late 1990's, Lou Barletta decided to run for office as a representative on the town council of Bloomsburg. After successfully convincing many government officials that forming a successor state to a nonexistent nation was not treason, he became the head of the new legislative body. In 2010, after polls showed his popularity, he ran for and was successfully elected governor.

Cabinet Departments
There are several Cabinet Departments within the government. The Governor appoints Secretaries and the Senate and Courts must approve their inauguration.

List:
 * Attorney General
 * Department of Agriculture, Safety and Commerce
 * Department of Agriculture
 * Department of Commerce
 * Department of Environment Conservation
 * Food Safety Department
 * Department of Defense
 * Department of the National Guard
 * Department of Police and National Security
 * Department of Corrections
 * Department of Veterans Affairs
 * Department of Infrastructure Development
 * Department of Energy
 * Department of Housing and Structures
 * Department of Transportation
 * Department of State
 * Department of Foreign Relations
 * Department of National Relations
 * Department of Treasury

Legislative Branch
The Senate and House of Representatives are the two legislative bodies.

The Senate is headed by the Lieutenant Governor, and retains the same powers as the pre-Doomsday USA and Pennsylvanian Senate, including. There are two seats allotted per county, and one for the Luzerne Territory, giving a total of 11 Senators.

They are elected every five years, staggering them so one county has elections per year. Next elections are for Schyukill County in November, and the following year for Montour County.

The House of Representatives is headed by the Speaker of the House the legislative branch of the Commonwealth, with one member per 2000 citizens in each county rounded to the closest number, and a minimum of three members. There are 28 members as of 2012. They may serve for up to three consecutive terms of five years. Luzerne County is given two representatives.

Elections are held every three years Next election is to be in 2014.

All elections are the second Tuesday in the month of November.

Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch is arranged similar to the court system of Pennsylvania, with a bench of three Supreme Court judges, one from Montour County, one from Columbia County and one from either Sullivan County, Schuykill County or Wyoming County.

Each county maintains their own county court for domestic disputes, theft, child custody arrangements, robbery, threats, assault, and other such types of cases.

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna Supreme Court handles larger cases, such as murder, armed robbery, terrorism, theft of military equipment, rape, and other types of larger scale crime.

The Supreme Court also handles appeals from the county court level.

The nation has abolished the death penalty, in favor of life in prison with hard labor. Life in prison has a different meaning in Susquehanna. There is no possibility of parole, and unless found medically ineligible, they are sentenced to hard labor. That includes repairing infrastructure, working in contaminated environments, building roads, bridges, and other structures, and any other task needed to be performed that is dangerous for most people to do it.

Political Parties
The Commonwealth has three major political parties and several smaller minority parties. Unlike pre-Doomsday, minority party candidates stand a good chance of winning positions in the government.
 * Majority Parties
 * Democratic Party: Largest political party. The Democrats stress welfare programs for the poor, high corporate taxes, and strong government regulations and laws. Strongholds in Wyoming County, and Berwick. 12,347 citizens are registered as Democrats.
 * Republican Party: Second largest political party, based in Montour, Schuylkill County, and rural Columbia County. They follow a conservative political view believing in free market, small government aid, and low or no corporate taxes.  They have 11,193 of the citizen population.
 * Unionist Party: Growing political party with of the population. This party stresses reunification with the United States or a Pennsylvania successor state as soon as possible, citing the small size of the nation, lack of modern infrastructure, small military, and the fact that the nation is smaller than many states. They have strongholds in Bloomsburg and Danville. There are 9,426 citizens as registered Unionist.
 * Minority Parties
 * Libertarian Party: This party has 7% of the population, and has seen some growth in recent years. They advocate limited government interference in people's lives, leaving decisions, such as gun ownership and retirement security in the people's hands to prevent corruption and greed. They have a stronghold in Bloomsburg and Sullivan County. There are 4,679 registered Libertarians.
 * Commonwealth Party: This party is seen as the successor to the former Social Democratic USA Party, and criticized as no different than the Soviet Union. Advocates push for free health care, and a strong, nationalized industry. This party is very small with 768 citizens registered as a Socialist. Their main stronghold is in northern Columbia County.

Political Divisions
On May 3rd, 2014, the National Council announced the division of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna into counties. It was decided after the addition of western Luzerne County, and southern Sullivan County, it was the only way to stabilize the borders.

The county lines will be redrawn later, in an attempt to give each county a fair share of land. Currently, there are plans for five counties and one territory. The capital will be part of a county.

Economy
Much of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna's economy is based around agriculture, with 58% of the population engaged in some form of it. There are several manufacturing companies in the area, and mining has made a comeback.

Because of shifting climates, cotton is grown in the southern reaches of the nation, corn in the northern part, with wheat and barley being grown throughout. Grapes are grown in southern Columbia County.

The Commonwealth is a steel producer in the region with the Danville Steel Mills producing railroad tracks, and other products. Much of the coal is mined in Mount Carmel. Although the facility is operational, it produces about two tons of steel per year, much of it going to repairing crippled infrastructure from Doomsday. Analysts believe that the Commonwealth will not be up to levels enough to export until 2020.

The mills opened in 2010 after a collaboration came between some engineers from the Commonwealth with the knowledge of the mills operation, money from State College investors, and equipment purchased from North Pennsylvania. The plans to reopen the steel mills had been made in 2001 and much of the time had been waiting for North Pennsylvania to be able to produce the needed machinery.

Geisinger Health System which owns a hospital in Danville, and several outpatient clinics in Berwick, Danville and other communities employs a large majority of the population not in farming.

Another large section is snacks. The Wise Foods Incorporated survived Doomsday, and was repaired in 2011 by several entrepreneurs who also restarted Catawissa Bottling Company in late 2009.

Cabinet Industries, based in Danville produces wooden furniture for the nation, and has recently begun exports.

There are several future plans for the Commonwealth of Susquehanna. One major project that may start by 2035-2040 is to reopen the Merck Pharmaceutical Facility.

To provide power to the government, military, industry, and radio, the government refurbished by hand 50 gas generators that were converted to natural gas. On the former Merck property, there were two generators. They both individually provided 500 MW of power to the factory. The Commonwealth has managed, by stripping apart the other unit, to bring one back on line and placing it in the Danville Steel Mills.

Agriculture is the largest employer with nearly 18,000 employed in some form.

The nation has a low tax rate due to a small government and the lack of major imports and exports. Most businesses employ between 10 and 60 employees, although some larger farms employ several hundred.

The national per capita GDP is $7,070.30 per annum.

The national GDP is 300 million dollars per year, and the yearly government budget is 135 million dollars per annum.

Exports and Imports
The nation has only recently begun trade with foreign nations, mainly focusing on internal needs and affairs. But with recent private enterprises springing up, exports have become more common.

Importing has been done since contact was made with outside nations. It has picked up in recent years. Tourism, and education are included as both imports and exports.

Exports

 * 1. Foodstuff
 * 2. Raw Materials (i.e: Concrete, Asphalt, Lumber)
 * 3. Textiles
 * 4. Milk
 * 5. Paper
 * 6. Education
 * 7. Maple Syrup
 * 8. Medical Care
 * 9. Snack Foods
 * 10. Limestone

Imports

 * 1. Oil
 * 2. Education
 * 3. Military Hardware
 * 4. Machinery Parts/Equipment
 * 5. Electricity
 * 6. Raw Materials (i.e: Copper, Steel, Cobalt)
 * 7. Gravel
 * 8. Fish
 * 9. Collegiate Studies
 * 10. Automobile Parts

Natural Resources
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna is lucky enough to have a large deposit of natural resources at its disposal. The major issue in the nation is removing them from the ground. Coal is mined in Schuykill County, Northumberland County, and southern Columbia County. Iron is mined in and around Danville, Montour County. Limestone is quarried in parts of Montour and Columbia County, as well as portions of the Luzerne Territory.

There is a shortage of oil in the country, with all supplies being imported from North Pennsylvania. But natural gas is in abundance. The government operates one drill in northern Columbia County, and has plans for two more to supply vehicles. Most of the newer vehicles and aircraft operate off of natural gas, with oil being used in some older vehicles that cannot be modified.

Iron is processed into steel at the Danville Steel Mills, and is shipped out by rail to Bloomsburg to a storage facility.

Agriculture and Food
Immediately following Doomsday, food and drink became of vital importance to the survivors of Doomsday. The police and various other groups defended stores and warehouses to prevent raids by desperate people.

Today, agriculture is the most vital industry for the Commonwealth. It produces all of the food needed in the nation, plus a surplus to trade and sell. In recent years it has begun trade with Virginia and other southern nations for more variety in the availible food crops.

Grains
As in many newly formed nations, people were concerned about the radiation content of soil in eastern Columbia County, so for years following Doomsday, most of the cereal crops grown came from Montour County and western Columbia County. In recent years though, corn crops have been grown in eastern Columbia.

Corn is the most common grain in the Commonwealth. It is sold and consumed in many different forms. The most common following Doomsday was as a porridge or a dish similar to cream of wheat. Today, most of the corn is consumed as bread, muffins, and porridge.

Barley and wheat are the two other cereal crops grown in the nation. Although, unlike corn, it has not rise to pre-Doomsday consumption rates. Wheat bread is too expensive for many people to afford, so it is mainly consumed by the wealthy.

Potatoes
Potatoes was the crop that nearly saved the nation from collapse. As the end of winter came in 1983, food supplies got dangerously low. A man suggested planting potato eyes in decontaminated soil, then after placing them in underground caves, using wood fires to keep them warm. Each bed was pushed out for a bit each day to receive sunlight.

Today, it is widely consumed, mainly baked or mashed. The potato is a relatively cheap food, and many can afford to grow them, and store them in dry cellars.

Wise Foods Incorporated purchases most unconsumed potatoes to use in their potato based products.

Sweet potatoes, also known as yams are grown on two farms in the nation. They are expensive to purchase, but are slowly becoming more popular. Many eat them baked, or boiled.

Fruits
Immediately following Doomsday, many fruits were consumed within days to prevent them from spoiling. Unfortunately, since Doomsday, the only fruits grown in Susquehanna on a large scale are apples, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, blackberries, strawberries, cherries, and rasberries. Pears and blueberries have become scarce, with few of them grown in the nation due to easier crops being grown. Meanwhile, bananas, and other tropical fruits have become unheard of, simply because it is too expensive to purchase them.

Krums Orchard, based in Catawissa, Columbia County is the primary fruit grower, with 500 acres of property, and employ 39 people year round, and an additional 400 seasonally. They grow 1/4 of the nation's fruit per year.

Vegetables
As with staple fruits, many vegetables that were easily grown became commonplace at the dinner table.

Today, vegetables such as lettuce, green peppers, hot peppers, dandelions, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are the only vegetables produced or eaten in the nation.

Most families have a small vegetable patch and a storage cellar to keep them over the winter.

They are one of the cheapest foods, and many large farms in the nation grow them, being the second largest crop behind corn.

Farmers in the nation use natural ways to prevent insects, and animals from eating their crops. Many are transported by wagon to the towns.

Meats
Meat was a vital staple after Doomsday, proving to be a moral booster as well as an excellent source of protein. Much of the meat immediately after Doomsday was chicken, beef (from slaughtered dairy cows), venison, and house pets.

Today, chicken and venison are the primary meats served at a meal. Beef cattle are rare, and their flesh is expensive. Many hunt with bows, and crossbows, so there is a variety of wild game at markets and in the store.

Red deer from the Rolling Hills Red Deer Farm are a vital source of meat to the nation. They employ 46 employees and have between 150 and 300 deer at all times. Deer are bred to keep a large population. They graze the grass as well as receive plant scraps from local homes and rotten fruits and vegetables from local farmers.

Milk and Eggs
Milk mainly comes from family owned goats, although there is a small goat milk industry, bottling about 100 bottles per day. There is no more cow milk since all milk cows were slaughtered for food after Doomsday.

Eggs are common in Susquehanna, being a cheap proteins source for poorer families. Many own one or two egg laying chickens. The Amish are the primary egg producer in Susquehanna.

Honey and Sugar
There are several farms that raise bees in Susquehanna, and collect both honey and bees wax. The honey is packaged either by hand at the farm, stored in wood barrels and sold to companies or exported.

It is common in households due to it being a low cost item.

Sugar is not sold to the public. Catawissa Bottling Company grows sugar beets to use in its soda, as it can be grown year round in a greenhouse, and it is cheaper than importing sugarcane.

Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup is a commodity in Susquehanna, being labor and time intensive to produce. There are small bottlers around the nation, and produce approximately 100 ton per year. Many are sold outside the country, being a major export. There is an import tariff on foreign maple syrup to protect the industry.

Beverages
There are different beverage choices in Susquehanna. Many drink goat milk, which has replaced cow milk. Soda, although popular, is expensive to purchase. The most common drink is a low alcohol content beer produced by Old Forge Brewing Company, as the water is still unsafe in many parts of the nation.

Drinking water is pulled from wells and creeks, but the river is still off limits to both water and fish, due to lingering radioactivity as well as poisonous chemicals release by collapsing industry.

Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna needs some major repairs in the outer regions of the nation. Currently, the government is undergoing massive revitalization of the national transportation system and quality.

Roadways
Before Doomsday, the counties that make up the nation were based around Interstate 80, State Route 11, State Route 642, and State Route 54.

Immediately after Doomsday, this roads became clogged with abandoned cars, a handful of crashed aircraft, and people's abandoned belongings. There were many animal carcasses that were hit by out of control vehicles that were damaged by the EMP.

Today, Route 11 is the cleanest, most intact roadway, traveling from Danville through Bloomsburg, to Berwick. The road remains the same as it was before September 25th, although new overpasses have been installed, as well as repairs to retaining walls, and a larger bridge over an expanded Roaring Creek.

Interstate 80 has been cleaned up an repaired to an extent, but still is not open for public use. Plans are to finish connections to State College and North Pennsylvania to ease transportation issues.

State Route 642 west was completely abandoned after Doomsday, from the Montour County line out. Today, where the road meets the Susquehanna-State College border, the border patrol has a small checkpoint set up, with a concrete barrier and old metal gate. It is mainly used by the military, and businesses today, who are in contact with other nations.

Route 54 connects Danville to Washingtonville. Today, the road is down to one side, one lane traffic, due to Interstate 80's overpass collapsing into one of the lanes. There are plans to clear out the damaged area and patch it, opening it to two lanes once again.

There are 34 government owned vehicles, and 261 civilian owned vehicles.

The government has looked into purchasing several buses from Niagra and starting bus lines in Hazleton, Bloomsburg, and Danville, as well as between towns. It is believed they will need 28 buses.

Railways
There are two railroads that run through the Commonwealth. One runs from Danville to Berwick, and the other runs from Riverside, through State College, back up to Catawissa. It was named the North Shore Railroad before Doomsday, but today is named Montour-Luzerne Rail Line.

The second rail line was finished only months before Doomsday, and was not even in operation on September 25th. It was unnamed at the time of Doomsday, and has been expanded to connect with Ringtown, Mainville, and other towns. It has been named Mainville-Schuykill Rail Line.

Two trains run, one per railroad track system. Each are coal fired with ten railroad boxcars behind them.

Waterways
The Susquehanna River is the only navigable river in the nation, and is quite important. Trade done with Gettysburg, and some to Reading is done by boat. Roads between the nations are in disrepair and raider attacks are still threatening.

The government operates a ferry between Danville and Riverside, as well as Bloomsburg and Mainville.

Flat bottom boats and small hulled boats are the only waterway vehicles capable of navigating the waters. Since doomsday, the average water height has risen to eight feet from five feet pre-Doomsday.

Communication
As Doomsday occurred, the Commonwealth lost all forms of communication as the EMP rendered the delicate electronics useless.

In 2007, the nation completed the installation of telegraph lines throughout the nation, and has begun repair of the telephone lines.

By late 2013, telegraph lines were connected with those from Reading and State College, linking Susquehanna to the rest of the world.

Currently, the goal is to have complete phone service by the middle of 2015. There are payphones installed at stores, and government buildings. Coverage is slowly improving with aid from Canada and Delmarva.

HAM radios are popular with people allowing them to talk with others in different parts of Susquehanna and the world. There are dozens of HAM radio operators in the nation, and the government encourages use of them.

Energy
Obtaining energy is a crucial issue for the small nation. Although there are depots of natural gas and coal, there is limited storage and processing facilities for coal, and none for natural gas. In July of 2014, the Commonwealth broke ground in northern Columbia County on a 15 million dollar natural gas processing facility. It is due to be complete by early 2015.

Currently the nation mines coal only for use within the nation, but has also been considering shipping it out as new deposits are found. All the natural gas is sold to North Pennsylvania for processing, with the return being 50% purified gas, 50% cash and other materials for the government.

Electricity
There was a single nuclear power plant, named the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, operational in the region before Doomsday. When the EMP struck, the plant went dark and technicians scrambled for an emergency shut down. The diesel generators were repaired enough to keep the uranium in the cooling pools from overheating. Unit 1 had opened in 1977, and Unit 2 had just opened only weeks before Doomsday.

Both were successfully and safely shut down, although large amounts of money ad manpower went into keeping them stable, and the uranium safe.

Each reactor had the capability to produce 2700 MW per year. With aid from Delmarva, the Outer Banks, and Canada there are considerations to reopen the plant in 2020-2040. So far no work has begun besides overhauling the diesel generator to natural gas, and ensuring the site is safe.

The other power plant was the Montour Power Plant. It was coal fired, and operations ceased after Doomsday. The facility sustained damage from the EMP blast, and is still inoperable today, although repair work is underway. Ten transformers and substations were purchased from Delmarva and work is 80% completed, with transmission lines and computer refurbishment the last needed projects. It is expected to be operational by late 2014.

Projections show it will generate 1536 MW of electricity. Adding that with the 200 MW of the generators at the steel production facilities in Danville, the nation will have 1736 MW of electricity. That will be enough to power the radio stations, industry, and the approximately 12,000 households in the nation.

Today, although there are no major power plants or facilities the Susquehanna Power and Utilities Company maintains the facility.

Airports
There are two operational civilian airports in the Commonwealth.

Bloomsburg Regional Airport is a small airport serving Columbia, Sullivan, and Montour County. The majority of military aircraft are stationed here. Before Doomsday, it was a small, untowered municipal airport. Recently the runway was extended to 4000 feet. There are several military flights stationed there.

The other airport is the Hazleton Regional Airport. It has a 6000 foot runway, and a recently constructed wooden tower and radar station. There is on terminal with passenger accommodations, baggage, check in, and boarding.

Air Susquehanna
There is only one airliner operational, as the demand is low. Air Susquehanna operates its main hub out of the Hazleton Regional Airport, and a smaller branch from the Bloomsburg Regional Airport. It has a fleet of six aircraft. Mainly the military contracts out the aircraft to carry equipment and supplies for the military.

Susquehanna Air Fleet
 * Two Douglas DC-3
 * Four Cessna 210 Centurions

Hubs
 * Hazleton Regional Airport
 * Two Douglas DC-3
 * Two Cessna 210 Centurion
 * Bloomsburg Regional Airport
 * Two Cessna 210 Centurions

Routes
 * Hazleton- Franklin (Douglas DC-3)
 * Hazleton- Saint John's (Douglas DC-3)
 * Hazleton-Bloomsburg (Cessna 210 Centurion)
 * Hazleton-Reading (Cessna 210 Centurion)
 * Bloomsburg-Gettysburg (Cessna 210 Centurion)
 * Bloomsburg-State College (Cessna 210 Centurion)

Education
The nation has a mandatory education from grades 1-12, with kindergarten and college optional. The national education system is divided into school district. Military service can be postponed if the student is persuing higher education.

Although the nation attempts to enforce education to help improve the nation's self sufficiency, only about 57% of the current citizens under the age of 18 actually attended school at some point, but most who started school, graduated high school, with a 89% graduation rate, and 5% going on to college.

Susquehanna maintains all the schools under the Susquehanna Public School System and divides the area up into smaller school districts.

School Districts (Jurisdiction)

 * Bloomsburg Area School District (Bloomsburg and surrounding townships)
 * Susquehanna School District (Northern Columbia County)
 * Berwick School District (Berwick and surrounding townships)
 * Danville Area School District (Montour County)
 * Hazleton Area School District (Wyoming County, eastern Schuylkill County)
 * Montour-Columbia Vocational Technical School (Montour County, Columbia County, Sullivan County)
 * Hazleton Vocational Technical School (Wyoming County, Schuylkill County)

Colleges
College in Susquehanna is important because it gives individuals a better chance in career fields and higher pay. The government provides small grants of several hundred dollars to encourage students to continue higher education. There are currently two universities and one college in the Commonwealth.

Bloomsburg University is located in Bloomsburg, Columbia County. It was founded in 1839 as a teacher's college, and expanded over the years. On Doomsday there were 7428 students on campus. About 5000 fled to look for their families. Today there are 647 students on campus and 84 who walk to college.

Columbia County Community College is a small two year institution located in Berwick, Columbia County as well as a small satellite campus in Wyoming County and Montour County. It was founded in 1967 as Luzerne County Community College. Most students are part time, or if full time, transfer to either BU or HU to obtain a bachelor's degree.

Hazleton University is composed of the former Penn State Hazleton campus. It was founded in the 1930's during the Great Depression. There are 584 students on campus.

Medical Care
There are two hospitals in the nation. The first hospital is based in Danville, Montour County and is responsible for major operations and severe emergency care. They do operate small clinics with two or three nurses in several far out towns.

The second is in Hazleton named: Wyoming Regional Medical Center. It, too, is similar to Giesinger in emergency care, but also focuses on radiation treatment, and operates a single MRI machine and CAT scanner.

Medical care is basic with few medications or treatment options for doctors. Many terminally ill patents are sent home to prevent them being a drain on the few supplies left. A Merck facility that is outside Danville has a possibility of being reopened by 2050-2100. (Author's Note: there is a Merck facility outside Danville that has been in operations in some form since before WWII).

There is a high mortality rate in the medical system, so it is not used as much as it could be.


 * Geisinger Medical Center (Danville, Montour County)
 * Wyoming Regional Medical Center (Hazleton, Wyoming County)
 * Geisinger Bloomsburg Clinic (Bloomsburg, Columbia County)

Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna maintains a small armed forces. Most of the military units were formed post doomsday, with a few pre-Doomsday units training troops after the apocalypse. Military service is volunteer and recruit only, but cash bonuses, better living conditions and free medical care have kept military units at full strength.

Much of the equipment operated by the Commonwealth is Vietnam era weapons and equipment, although there have been some vehicles, weapons and aircraft purchased new.

The total military strength as of 2014 stands at 611 active personnel and 105 reserve personnel.

History
During Doomsday and the nuclear war, the Bloomsburg police and BU campus security formed the backbone of the security forces, guarding the town. They were supported by students in ROTC, and 25 troops from the Bloomsburg Armory. There were several armored vehicles there, but they all have been disabled by the EMP blast, and are still out of service.

Not long after Doomsday, the small town governments realized the need to provide for their own self defense, and organized militias, mostly armed with privately owned rifles and shotguns. The most powerful in the region was the Bloomsburg Citizens Militia, using hunting rifles and weapons scavenged from National Guard armories.

This militia organization remained until the official formation of the Commonwealth, and on September 14th, 2005 the military was officially named the Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force.

Since then, the army has been active in eliminating the raider presence in around the nation, and currently is performing Operation: Retribution (2011-present). This operation has 100 troops and 200 militia members in former Schuykill County eliminating raider strongholds, and freeing small towns. There are hopes to eventually meet with the border of Reading, which would lead to all the Pennsylvanian survivor states bordering each other.

Current Programs
The Commonwealth has a program designing the XM-17, a replacement for the M14, M16, and C7. It will possibly replace the BAR as well with a future variant. It has three variants in the design and testing phase, and another in the planning stages. The main issue with manufacturing the gun is obtaining equipment from Canada or the Nordic Union, as well as training people to use it properly to avoid defected guns.

Designed Variants-
 * XM-17A: Baseline infantry assault rifle. Select fire (Fully Automatic, Semi-Automatic, Single Shot). 20 inch barrel, 7.62mm x 51mm caliber. Wood buttstock with steel buttplate. Iron sights, flash suppressor, bayonet lug, rifle grenade attachment accessory. 20 or 30 round box magazines.
 * Accessories:
 * XMG-1 Underslung Grenade Launcher (60 mm grenade)
 * XMS-2 Underslung Shotgun (12 gauge shotgun)
 * XMS-3 Bayonet (based off the M7 Bayonet, 7 inch blade)
 * XM-17B: Carbine and Special Forces variant. Select Fire (Three Round burst, Semi-Automatic, Single Shot). 16 inch barrel, 7.62mm x 51mm caliber. Wood buttstock with steel buttplate (Special Forces has a collapsible metal buttstock). Iron sights (Special Forces may mount a scope), flash suppressor. 20 or 30 round box magazines.
 * XM-17C: Scout and sniper variant. Select fire (Semi-Automatic, Single Shot). 24 inch barrel, 7.62mm x 63mm caliber. Wood buttstock. Scope, flash suppressor. 10 or 20 round box magazines.
 * Accessories:
 * Sound Suppressor

Planned Variant-
 * XM-17D: Squad Automatic Weapon variant. Fully automatic. 24 inch barrel, 7.62mm x 63mm caliber. Wood buttstock with steel buttplate. Iron sights, flash suppressor. 20 or 30 round box magazines, 50 or 100 round saddle magazines.

Police
Law enforcement is mainly taken care of by each individual town. Hazleton has the largest police force with 35 officers. Most larger towns such as Bloomsburg, Danville, and Berwick have a police force of about eight officers. Many smaller communities only have one or two policemen.

Police officers standard sidearm are Glock handguns, or the Browning Hi Power. Each officer is also equipped with a night stick and handcuffs. Each police vehicle is equipped with a Remington Model 870. Nationally there are 90 police officers sworn in, plus an additional 30 campus security officers at Bloomsburg and Hazleton's campuses.

They are lead by the town or borough council as well as the mayor.

State Police
The federal government operates two barracks in the nation. The East Barrack has thirty officers, and the West Barrack has twenty officers.


 * Barracks:
 * East Barrack- Luzerne Territory, Schuylkill County, Wyoming County (Headquarters: Hazleton)
 * West Barrack- Columbia County, Montour County, Sullivan County (Headquarters: Bloomsburg)

At the foundation of the Republic of Susquehanna remaining local police stations and some State Police members made up the police force.

State Police forces can be federalized in time of war to act as an auxillary for the Army National Guard and Military Police.

There are 15 police cars for daily patrol and for transportation to a crime scene.

State Police members are each armed with an M-16A1 rifle, a Glock handgun and handcuffs, as well as body armor acquired from Canada, and a scope.

Fire Personnel
Fire is mainly provided by a handful of refurbished 1950's fire engines, and one 1930's fire engine salvaged from Knobel's Amusement Park. There are several fire stations in the country. All fire units are volunteer personnel who are unpaid.


 * Hazleton Fire Department -
 * Three: 1960's fire engines
 * One: 1950's water tanker
 * Five: Brush Trucks


 * Bloomsburg Fire Department -
 * One: 1950's fire engine
 * One: 1930's fire engine
 * One: 1960's water tanker
 * Two: Modified brush trucks
 * One: Water Rescue fireboat


 * Danville Fire Department -
 * One: 1950's fire engine
 * Two: Modified brush trucks


 * Berwick Fire Department -
 * One: 1950's fire engine
 * One: Pickup truck for firefighting


 * Benton Fire Squadron -
 * Three: Pickup trucks for firefighting

Recreation
Much of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna's history has been reconstruction or repelling raider attacks. But recently there has been some reconstruction of facilities for the people's enjoyment.

The town of Danville hosts the Iron Heritage Festival once a year in the middle of the summer. Organizers restarted the festival in 2012.

Bloomsburg holds the Bloomsburg Fair during the end of September, and several other shows (mainly military shows) throughout the year. The fair has reopened in 2011. Between Doomsday and now, much of the land was used as a temporary military outpost.

Prior to doomsday outside of Bloomsburg and Elysburg, there was a amusement park named Knoebels, which was the largest free amusement park in the nation. After Doomsday, the entire park was abandoned and ignored because people were concentrated on survival, not a theme park that there was no interest in.

In 2013 several wealthy members of the surrounding communities reopened the park to business on the anniversary of Doomsday, holding a minute of silence, and giving people free hand stamps for the rides. This had helped boost the Commonwealth economy as the government opened its borders to allow tourists and other individuals. The park operates its own 1000 KWH generator and 20 man security force.

Tourism
Recently Susquehanna has opened its borders to tourists and travelers from other nations. Two roads and one airport are open to the public.

The main draw for tourists to the nation are Knobels, the Bloomsburg Fair, canoeing and trails, and the Rivertown Race Series.

Because of the continuing raider war there is little tourism as of 2014, but hopes are once the nation can stabilize the borders there will be an increase.

Sports
Sports have attracted a small group of followers, with football and baseball both being popular. Each high school has a football team, and a baseball team who routinely compete.

The main university, Bloomsburg University, has several sports teams, with football and baseball being the most viewed. The teams only compete against those at Hazleton University.

Currently there are no plans to operate professional leagues, but there are talks of playing teams in other nations at the collegiate level.

Foreign Relations
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna maintains diplomatic contact with most of Pennsylvanian survival states. It has embassies in State College and Reading and has a diplomat in North Pennsylvania and Gettysburg. Through several of the surrounding nations, the nation has contact with the United States of America, Vermont, Outer Banks, Canada Remainder Provinces, Gettysburg, Virginia, Delmarva, International Falls, Saguenay, Toledo Confederation, Niagara Falls and Kentucky.

Even with the distance, the government has chosen to maintain a diplomatic mission in the United States.

In recent years, Commonwealth began diplomatic contact with the Toledo Confederation, the Republic of New York, London and to an extent, the Republic of Superior.

In late 2001 the nation came in contact with the survivor city-state of Hazleton. On June 23rd, 2014, at 8:00 AM, the Commonwealth of Susquehanna and Greater Hazleton signed the Treaty of the Wyoming Valley, officially reforming Hazleton as the County of Wyoming, bypassing territorial status. There are plans to move people out of the dense area of the new county to Montour, Schuykill and Sullivan Counties, which are underpopulated.

Susquehanna purchases much of the needed military equipment from State College or North Pennsylvania, with little domestic supply of heavy weapons.

Some citizens are pushing for the Commonwealth to join State College or Reading. The government is considering this for the future but for now maintains independence.

On April 25, an application for membership in the United Communities was submitted through State College. Many hope to be accepted by late 2014, and hope that joining this organization will give the small nation new trade partners, increase business, and ease communication, transportation and power grids.

Politicians in Susquehanna have recently proposed that all the Pennsylvanian survivor states form an economic, military, and political alliance to increase the power of the region. The proposed name is the Pennsylvanian Economic and Defense Organization

Recently in a poll taken, it was found that 56% of citizens want to join the League of Nations, feeling the stability and contact with other nations will be useful for the Commonwealth. There is still opposition by the Commonwealth Party and some factions in the Republican Party.

On April 2nd, 2014, the Commonwealth of Susquehanna turned over control of eastern Northumberland County to State College, in exchange for recognition of claims in Sullivan County, and Luzerne County.

List of Embassies, Missions and Consulates by Nation

 * Canada
 * Consulate (Saint John's)
 * Gettysburg
 * Diplomatic Mission (Gettysburg)
 * North Pennsylvania
 * Diplomatic Mission (Franklin)
 * Reading
 * Embassy (Reading)
 * Diplomatic Mission (Allentown)
 * State College
 * Embassy (State College)
 * Diplomatic Mission (Williamsport)
 * Superior
 * Diplomatic Mission (Stowe)
 * Toledo
 * Diplomatic Mission (Toledo)
 * United States
 * Diplomatic Mission (Torrington)
 * Virginia
 * Consulate (Charleston, Beckley)

American Spring
The American Spring has been a series of protest in 2013 after news of CRUSA reached the ears of some citizens.

Many wanted to immediately rejoin the United States as the State of Susquehanna, and began protesting the government. But, the government managed to calm down the populace after a handful of street protests. The governor said that the distance was unfeasible to attempt to rejoin the United States at the time. But in secret, the government drafted Resolution 17. It states that once the United States expands to a point of approaching Susquehanna, they will negotiate with the USA about rejoining. But an unreleased section shows that negotiations have begun already.

Modern Reaction to Doomsday
Most citizens would be willing to join a reformed state of Pennsylvania if the United States ever reached the East Coast. A poll taken by the newspaper the Press-Enterprise showed that 68% of people support joining the United States of America, 13% oppose it, and 19% would rather join the North American Union.

Another poll taken in 2011 showed that 89% of citizens believe that the USSR was responsible for the Third World War, 2% believe the USA/American Provisional Administration was responsible for Doomsday, and 9% believe that it was just a terrible mistake and neither side was solely responsible for the aftermath of Armageddon.

In the Bloomsburg Town Square there is a piece of steel from the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station with a plaque on it saying - ''In memory of the innocent people who died in the unintentional nuclear exchange between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on September 26, 1983. This is another day that shall live in infamy.''

Religion
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna is a secular state, allowing the freedom of religion to its people. The nation has a high percentage of people who are actively participating in a religious group. The predominant groups remaining are Christian and Amish.

The Catholic Church is the most predominant religions in the region with 48% of the population claiming to be Catholic. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Reading and has five major parishes: Saint Joseph's Parish, Danville; Saint Colombia's Parish, Bloomsburg, Christ the Redeemer Parish in Mount Carmel, Immaculate Conception Parish, Berwick, and Holy Rosary Parish in Hazleton.

Another large Christian denomination is Protestant, with 27% of the population. There are four churches in the nation. One in Bloomsburg, one in Danville, one in Mount Carmel, and one in Hazleton.

The smallest defined population of Christianity is Baptist with 3%. They have a church in Bloomsburg.

4% of the population is a mix of Christian faiths.

The Amish Community holds 8% of the population, although many are New Order Amish. They tend to avoid associating with the government. The concentration of their population is in Northern Montour County.

2% of the population claim to be other faiths, with Judaism claiming just over 1%.

The remaining 8% of the population is atheist or agnostic.

Newspaper
The Commonwealth of Susquehanna has recently formed several media outlets for people to use. Newspapers were one of the first forms used, being hand typed on old typewriters that had been stored at area high schools from the 60's and 70's. One of the first newspapers to reform was the Morning News in Bloomsburg.

Today the nation has one major newspaper distributor: The Press Enterprise.

The Press Enterprise is the successor to the Morning Press, being renamed in 2004. They operate nationally, providing national and world news, cartoons, advertisements, and coupons for the citizens, along with serving as an announcement bulletin for the government, printing upcoming bills, elections and issues. The paper operates every day of the week, and prints a special edition on Sundays with puzzles and a color section of cartoons. Originally the Danville News operated independently, but after two months became cost prohibitive, and merged with the Morning Press to form the Press Enterprise. The newspaper is distributed in the entire nation through pre-Doomsday newspaper racks and stands.

There is also a newspaper in Wyoming County based out of Hazleton, named the Standard-Speaker. It is published from Monday to Friday each week. It mainly focuses on news in Wyoming and Schyukill Counties.

Radio
Soon after Doomsday, many resources went into restarting the radios as they were the most efficient way to get information to the public, because in the news and bulletins, it was already at least one day old.

In 1984, the communities that would form Susquehanna later on banded together and started the Provisional Pennsylvania Broadcasting Company, the predecessor to the Susquehanna Broadcasting Company. The original transmitter was in Bloomsburg, and was constructed from salvaged equipment from Danville and Berwick.

Today there is a variety offered through the radio, as it has claimed the market formerly occupied by television. Through aid from Canada and Vermont, Susquehanna has four radio stations in operations as of 2014. There is a fifth one planned to open in 2015. Two are owned by the Susquehanna Broadcasting Company, and two are privately held. There are signal translators running from Danville to Berwick, and down to Hazleton and Ringtown. One translator is in Colley Township.

Susquehanna Broadcasting Company Operated

 * SBC Station One operates from 8 AM until 6 PM, seven days a week. Broadcasts news, government bulletins, interviews, and commentary.
 * SBC Station Two operates from 6 AM until 12 midnight, Monday to Saturday. It broadcasts sports, and plays pre 1980's country and rock.

Privately Held

 * AM
 * WHLM operates Monday to Friday from 6 AM until 10 PM, Saturday from 6 AM until midnight, and Sunday from 10 AM until 11 PM.
 * FM
 * Bloomsburg University Radio is the student run radio station. It operates on Monday and Wednesday from 4 PM until 10 PM, and on Friday and Saturday from 11 AM until 12 midnight. It plays modern pop, rock, alternate, and local musicians music. It also plays Susquehanna Top 20, a playlist of the twenty most popular songs in Susquehanna.

Television
Television sets are rare in the Commonwealth due to price, and the lack of national stations. There are currently no operational television stations in Susquehanna, but people are able to pick up signals from State College and Reading. There are serious talks of restarting a single television station in Bloomsburg as it will allow coverage of the entire nation. Movement of equipment from the former Hazleton WYLN-LP is underway, and plans to to possibly restart in mid to late 2015.

Internet
The Internet does not have a presence in the nation. There are only ten computers in the nation, all imported from either Canada or the Celtic Alliance. They are all older models, and with the exception of two owned by Bloomsburg University, they are all either government or military owned.