Pa Environment Digest Jan. 26, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaJanuary26,2015
QuigleyToCAC:IWantToRaiseTheMoraleOfDEP,GiveItTheResourcesItNeeds
ActingDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSecretaryJohnQuigleytoldtheDEPCitizens
AdvisoryCouncilWednesdayoneofhisprioritiesistoraisethemoraleoftheagencyandget
DEPtheresourcesitneedstosucceedatitsmission.
QuigleystoppedbytheCouncilsmeetingonhisfirstofficialdayonthejob.
Healsosaidsomeofhisotherprioritieswere
IncreasingthetransparencyatDEPandreportingtothepublicmoreeffectively
UpdatingDEPsoilandgasregulationstorespondbettertopublicconcerns
Doingabetterjobofcommunicatinginternallybyimprovingmanagementinformation
systems
Buildingtheconfidenceofthepublicindeterminingwhatareandwhatarentsignificant
environmentalproblemsand
Increasingcollaborationwithstakeholdersandotheragenciesonissueslikecleanenergyand
thecleanupoftheChesapeakeBaybynottalkingatpeople,buttalkingwithpeople.
QuigleysaidGov.Wolfsfreshstartapproachmeanssomething,itmeansafreshset
ofeyesonissuesandfindingnewsolutions.
HesaidhewasproudandexcitedtobeworkingwiththewomenandmenatDEP,but
admittedhehasalottolearneventhoughheservedpreviouslyasSecretaryoftheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources.
ThenextmeetingoftheDEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwillbeonFebruary17inRoom
105oftheRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburg.
RelatedStories:
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilCompleteTransitionReportToNewDEPSecretary
TestingSpillsForRadium,MoreGuidanceOnBuffers,EndangeredPlantRegChanges
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilCompletesTransitionReportToNewDEPSecretary
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilWednesdaycompletedworkonaTransitionReporttothe
incomingWolfAdministrationandDEPSecretaryonenvironmentalissuesfacingPennsylvania
andtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
Part1ofitsTransitionReportwasadoptedinNovemberandmaderecommendationson
broadareasofconcernlikeleadership,DEPsagingworkforce,improvingmanagement
informationtechnologysystems,budgetissuesfacingDEP,renewingpublictrustintheagency,
usingadvisorycommitteesmoreeffectively,rebuildingbipartisansupportforenvironmental
programsandmultistateregionalcooperation.
Part2ofthereportadoptedthisweekcoverseightissueareas:NaturalGasSeverance
TaxClimateChangeWaterAndWastewaterInfrastructureChallengeAbandonedMine
ReclamationFundingChesapeakeBayCleanupSewageFacilitiesPlanningAndRegulation
WaterWellConstructionStandardsandStateAndFederalRelations.
SomeoftherecommendationsincludedinPart2oftheTransitionReportare:
NaturalGasSeveranceTax
Fundingforlocalcommunitiestodealwiththeenvironmental,infrastructureandsocialissues
ofshaledrillingandforcountyconservationdistrictsmustberetainedinanynewtaxproposal,
butwithfurtheraccountabilityofhowthatfundingisspent.TheCACwasdisappointedtolearn
fromthePublicUtilityCommissionwhichcollectstheexistingimpactfeethathalfofthelocal
governmentsreceivingthefeedidnotfiletherequiredreportontimedetailinghowthemonies
werespent.
Asignificantportionoftherevenuesfromnaturalgasproductionshouldgofirstto
environmentalandrestorationprograms,sincethetaxisbasedonthemineralwealthof
Pennsylvaniasnaturalenvironment.
TheseverancetaxcollectedfromshalewellsnowonStateForestlandsshouldbeinvestedin
therestorationandmanagementofStateForestsandStateParks,notplacedintheGeneralFund
orusedtofundpersonnelandotheradministrativecostsassociatedwiththeDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources.
ClimateChange
Renewemphasisonthedevelopmentandimplementationofacoordinatedandthorough
CommonwealthEnergyPlanbydedicatingthenecessaryresourcesandexecutivelevelpersonnel
tosupportsuchaplan.
ReinvigoratetheClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteeundertheDEPanddevotemore
resourcestoclimatechangeissues.
SeekbettercoordinationbetweenDEP,thePublicUtilityCommission,andotherstateentities
toinformandimprovedecisionmakingwithrespecttoenergychoices.
AdvancenewgoalsforrenewableanddistributedenergyproductionbyupdatingtheAEPS,
andthroughinnovativefinancingortaxincentivesfordeploymentofrenewablesanddistributed
generation.
Betteraccountforenvironmentalimpactsofexistingenergydevelopmentinourstate,and
suggestconcretepolicystrategiesforavoidingormitigatingthoseimpacts.
WaterAndWastewaterInfrastructure
ReviewtherecommendationsmadebyGov.RendellsSustainableWaterInfrastructureTask
Forceandmakeimplementingthemapriority.
Recognizingthatfederalandstatebudgetaryresourcesareconstrained,theCACnotesthe
criticalneedforrenewedinvestmentsinourwaterrelatedinfrastructure.
AbandonedMineReclamationFunding
WiththeauthorizationforfederalAbandonedMineReclamationFundingendingin2021,the
WolfAdministrationshouldbeengagedintheprocessofreauthorizingthiscriticalpartof
Pennsylvaniasreclamationprogram.
Developacomprehensiveabandonedminereclamationstrategythatincorporatesand
maximizestheeffectiveuseoffederalandstatepublicfunds,privateindustryandlocal
watershedgroups.Aspartofdevelopingthisstrategy,thereshouldbeareviewofprivate
liabilityfordischargesifcompaniestakeoversitestheyarenotresponsibleforsotherulesare
clearandpredictable.
ChesapeakeBayCleanup
EstablishaseniorlevelpositionwithinDEPsWaterManagementDeputatewhowillwork
directlywithEPAandtheChesapeakeBayProgramontheBaysModelandhowitcanbe
expandedtoincludeotherBMPsthatarevoluntarilyimplementedonPennsylvaniafarms.
UtilizeexistingprogramsandservicestoaddresstheneedsoftheChesapeakeBay(i.e.the
federalNaturalResourcesConservationServicesaerialmonitoringofPennsylvaniafarmsto
accountfortheimplementationofBMPs).
Establishathirdpartyindependent,nonregulatoryauditorthatwillinspect,verify,andreport
toEPAtheBMPsimplementedonPennsylvaniafarmsintheChesapeakeBayWatershed.
SewageFacilities
Allowtheuseoftestedandprovenalternatetechnologysysteminonlotsewageplanning.
ConductacomprehensivereviewoftheAct537sewageprogram.
Workwithstakeholdersinamoreeffectivemannertodevelopandimplementchangestothe
sewageprogram.
WaterWellConstructionStandards
Supportlegislationtosetconstructionstandardsforprivatewaterwells.
StateandFederalRelations
OpencommunicationbothinsideDEPinraisingpotentialfederalcomplianceissuestosenior
managementearly,andindiscussingpossiblealternativeapproachesthatmakesensefor
PennsylvaniawithEPA.
Expandeffortsatfosteringregionalcooperationwithotherstatestosharesolutionstocommon
problems,todevelopcooperativesolutions,andtostrengthenourhandinnegotiationswithEPA
andtheotherfederalpartners.
AcopyofPart2oftheTransitionReportispostedonDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
webpage.Part1oftheTransitionReportisalsoposted.
RelatedStories:
Gov.Wolf:PennsylvaniaIsBlessedWithNaturalResources
InhisinauguraladdressTuesdayGov.TomWolfsaid,Iwantyoutoknowthatforthenextfour
years,myadministrationwillbededicatedtothreesimplegoals:Jobsthatpay.Schoolsthat
teach.Andgovernmentthatworksonethatisworthyofourtrust.
Ontheenvironment,Gov.Wolfsaid,InPennsylvania,wearealsoblessedwithan
abundanceofnaturalresources:gas,timber,coal,sun,wind,freshwater,openspaces,
agriculturalland,beautifulscenery,andanopportunelocationthatmadeustheKeystoneState.
Tofulfillourpotential,wemusttakefullandresponsibleadvantageoftheseresources.
Totheprotestersheretoday,Isay:helpmedeveloptheseopportunitiesinawaythatis
clean,safeandsustainable.
ClickHereforthetextofthespeech.
NewsClips:
WolfWillTargetJobs,Schools,ChangingGovernment
WolfSwornInAsPAs47thGovernor
WolfSpeechLongOnInspiration,PerspirationYetToCome
WolfBecomesGovernorAmidBudgetCrisis
GroupsCallingForAnEndToFrackingGreetGov.WolfAtInauguration
PennsylvaniansAgainstFracking,anewcoalitionofgroupsfromaroundtheKeystoneState
workingtohaltfracking,gatheredinHarrisburgTuesdaywithhundredsofactiviststogreetGov.
Wolfandurgehimtomakestoppingfrackingapriority.
PennsylvaniansfromallcornersofthestateconvergedonHarrisburgsGraceUnited
MethodistChurchtohearfromleadadvocatesandexpertsataprerallypressconference.
AttendeesthenmarcheddownWalnutStreettotheInaugurationgrandstandswheretheyhelda
rallythroughouttheceremony.
ChantsofFrackingPA?OurAnswerisNo!metGov.Wolf,areferencetoNewYork
Statesrecentbanonfracking.
SeveralspokeofNewYorksrecentbanandconcernsthenegativehealthconsequences
offracking.
AccordingtoJoshFox,theawardwinningdirectorofGaslandandGaslandPartII,New
Yorkbannedfrackingbasedonsolidsciencethatsaysfrackingisharmfultopeoplepeoplewho
livenearitsuffereffectsofairpollution,watercontaminationandhealthrisks,peoplewholive
downstreamfromitsufferfromregionalairpollutionandcontaminatedpublicwatersupplies
andallpeoplewholiveontheplanetsuffertheeffectsoffrackingsincreasedgreenhousegas
emissionsandglobalclimatechange.Gov.TomWolfinheritedinsanepoliciesonfrackingbut
hedoesnothavetocontinuethesepolicies.ThechoiceisGovernorWolfslistentoscience
andtotheharmedcitizensofPAorbeonthewrongsideofhistory.
Inourrushtodevelopshalegas,PAhascreatedsomeeconomicwinners,butwehave
putmanyotherPennsylvaniansinharmsway,saidRainaRippel,DirectorofSouthwest
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalHealthProject.Afterthreeyearsofdedicatedwork,EHP
understandsthatthescaleofprotectingthesePennsylvaniansdemandsthefullparticipationof
thePADepartmentofHealthandthecommitmentofourGovernor."
ThosefromfrontlinecommunitiesspokepassionatelyabouttherealityinPA.DianeSipe
ofMarcellusOutreachButlermadeitclearwhatsontheline:WhileGov.Wolfsayswith
respecttounconventionalgasthathewantshiscakeandtoeatittoo,weintheshalefields
understandthatthegasindustrywilleatthewholecake.Thisiswhatanextremeextraction
processdoesitcreatessacrificezonesoftheplaceswhereitoperates.Thisindustrywilltake
thegasanditsprofitsandleavePennsylvaniaalegacyofanunhealthyanddamaged
environment.
Weallhaveinherent&indefeasiblerightstopurewater,cleanair&ahealthy
environment,accordingtothePennsylvaniaSupremeCourt.Science,factsandexperiencesin
ourcommunitieswhereshalegasextractionishappeningmakeclearthattheseenvironmental
rightscannotbehonoredifPAallowsfrackingtocontinue.Gov.Wolf,ashetakeshisoathof
officeastheleaderoftheCommonwealth,musthonorhiscommitmenttoprotectthe
environmentbystoppingfrackinginPennsylvania,saidMayavanRossum,theDelaware
Riverkeeper,DelawareRiverkeeperNetwork.
WesGillingham,aNewYorkactivistwithCatskillMountainkeeperstated,"High
volumefrackinghasbeenbannedinNY.Howdidithappen?Itwasntabackroomdealor
individualheroitwasntabigorganizationorpoliticianflexingtheirmight.ThereisaBanin
NewYorkforthesamereasonthepeopleherewillchangethecourseofhistoryhundredsand
thousandsofordinarypeoplewhoseethedangersoffrackingandrefusetoletthegasindustry
trashthestatetheylove."
OthersfocusedonGov.Wolfscampaignplatformsandwhattheysawasadisappointing
responsetoNewYorksban.
Gov.Wolfhasrepeatedlyexpressedhisoppositiontofrackingourstateforestsand
parks,citinganexhaustivestudythatpointedtotheirreparableharmitwouldcause,said
KarenFeridun,FounderofBerksGasTruth.Hundredsofpeerreviewedstudiespointtoharms
toourhealth,safety,andenvironmentthatextendfarbeyondtheboundsofourpubliclands.
WhichPennsylvaniacommunityislessimportantthanastateforest?Whosechildisless
preciousthanastreamoratree?IfGov.Wolfcantanswerthosequestions,thenhischoiceis
clear.Hemusthaltfracking.
I'mdisappointedinGov.Wolf'slackofduediligencetowardsgasdrillinginthe
Marcellus,saidBrigetShields,FoundingMemberofMarcellusProtest,thegrassrootsgroup
basedinPittsburgh.Dr.HowardZucker,NewYorksHealthCommissioner,determinedit'stoo
riskyforthepeopleofNewYork,sohowcanitbesafeforthepeopleofPennsylvania?
JennyLisakofPennsylvaniaAllianceforCleanWaterandAirsaid,Ratherthansupport
apoisonous,toxic,explosivegreenhousegasspewingindustryandtheadministrationthatwants
ittosucceed,thefracktivistsareputtingtheirpassiontoworkturningthisplanetaryshiparound
beforetheresaheadoncollision,withnosurvivors.
"WearemarchingtodaytoshowGov.Wolfthestrengthofthemovementagainst
fracking,"saidSamBernhardt,SeniorPennsylvaniaOrganizerforFood&WaterWatch.
"Pennsylvanianeedsahalttofrackingwearegoingtoorganizecommunitiesaroundthestate
untilweachievethatgoal,"saidSamBernhardt,SeniorPennsylvaniaOrganizerforFood&
WaterWatch.
NewsClips:
BanFrackingNowProtestersUrgeWolf
AntiFrackingProtestersArrestedAfterWolfInauguration
FractivistsWantWolfToListenOverCampaignContributions
MercyhurstPoll:69%ConfidentInWolfsLeadership
MercyhurstUniversityreleasedapollMondayshowing69percentofrespondentswere
confidentinGov.ElectTomWolfsleadershipabilityand65percentsaidhehastheabilityto
solvethestatesproblems.
50percentsaidheshouldbeabletooutperformhispredecessor,althoughasizable
minority29percentsaidWolfandCorbettsperformanceasgovernorwillbeaboutthesame.
52percentsaidhewouldbeabletoworkeffectivelywithRepublicansintheGeneral
Assembly,but40percentsaidtheywerentsosure.
OnWolfsagenda,respondentssaid
58percentfavoredaprogressiveincometax
66percentfavoredraisingtheminimumwagefrom$7.25to$10.10
61percentfavoredenactinganaturalgasproductionseverancetax
74percentfavoredincreasingfundingforpublicschools
52percentfavoredprivatizingstateliquorstores,34percentopposedand
58percentfavoredreformingpublicemployeepensionsystems.
OnidentifyingthemostimportantissuesWolfshouldaddress
25percentsaideducation
23percenttheeconomyandjobs
13percenttaxes
7percentthebudget
6percentthepensionsystem
5percentpoliticalreforms
3percenthydraulicfracturing
3percentinfrastructure
3percenthealthcareand
2percentwelfare.
NewsClips:
WolfNervousAboutNewJob,PollShowsVotersArent
PollShowsWideSupportForWolf
Wolf,HisPoliciesPopularAsInaugurationDayArrives
Gov.WolfCompletesCabinet,SeniorAppointments
Gov.Wolfcompletedhisappointmentstocabinetandmanyseniorpositionsbynaming
SecretariesforthedepartmentsofEducationandLabor&Industry.Hereisthecompletelistof
cabinetandseniorappointments
GovernorsOfficeStaff:
ChiefOfStaffKathleenMcGinty
GeneralCounselDeniseSmyler
BudgetSecretaryRandyAlbright
SecretaryofAdministrationSharonMinnich
SecretaryofPlanningandPolicyJohnHanger
SecretaryofLegislativeAffairsMaryIsenhour
DirectoroftheOfficeofPublicLiaisonObraS.KernodleIV
SeniorAdvisorforTransportation&InfrastructureBarrySchoch
LineAgencies:
DepartmentofAgingTeresaOsborne
DepartmentofAgricultureRussellRedding
DepartmentofBankingandSecuritiesRobinWiessmann
DepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentDennisM.Davin
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesCindyDunn
DepartmentofCorrectionsJohnWetzel
DepartmentofDrugsandAlcoholProgramsGaryTennis
DepartmentofEducationPedroRivera
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionJohnQuigley
DepartmentofHealthKarenMurphy
DepartmentofHumanServicesTedDallas
DepartmentofGeneralServicesCurtTopper
DepartmentofInsuranceTeresaMiller
DepartmentofLaborandIndustryKathyManderino
DepartmentofMilitaryandVeteransAffairsMajorGeneralJamesR.Joseph
DepartmentofRevenueEileenH.McNulty
DepartmentofStatePedroCortes
DepartmentofTransportationLeslieRichards
StatePoliceCommissionerMarcusL.Brown
PAEmergencyManagementAgencyRichardFlinn
OfficeofFireTimothySolobay
PhysicianGeneralDr.RachelLevine
InspectorGeneralGraylingWilliams
NewsClips:
WolfAdministrationLooksVeryRendellLike
WolfsCabinet,Advisers,WhoAreThey?
HoneymoonEndsAsWolf,SenateSparOverNominees
WolkRecalledAppointeesOnPrinciple,ToGainRespect
WolfRecallsMeuserNomination
WolfFiresOpenRecordsDirector
RepublicansCastingCriticalEyeOnWolfNominees
MakingADifferenceOutweighsMakingMoneyForCabinetPicks
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Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(January26):<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(January26):SenateBill147(YawRLycoming)allowingroyaltyinterestownersto
inspectrecordsofgascompanytoverifyproperpayment(sponsorsummary)SenateBill148
(YawRLycoming)prohibitgascompaniesfromretaliatingagainstroyaltyinterestowner
(sponsorsummary).<>ClickHereforfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
NoNetLossOfGameLands:HouseBill68(GodshallRMontgomery)requiresnonetlossof
GameLandsforrecreationalhunting(sponsorsummary).
WaterWellConstructionStandards:HouseBill81(HarperRMontgomery)establishing
waterwellconstructionstandards(sponsorsummary).
EnergyStandardsForStateBuildings:HouseBill83(HarperRMontgomery)settingenergy
efficiencystandardsforstateownedbuildings(sponsorsummary).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
January26,27,28
February2,3,4,17,18,23,24,25
March2,3,4
April13,14,15,20,21,22
May4,5,6,11,12,13
June1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,29,30
House
January26,27,28
February2,3,4,9,10,11,23,24,25
March2,3,4,30,31
April1,13,14,15,20,21,22
May4,5,6,11,12,13
June1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
Senate
GasLeaseholderProtection:SenateBill147(YawRLycoming)allowingroyaltyinterest
ownerstoinspectrecordsofgascompanytoverifyproperpaymentamended(sponsor
summary)andSenateBill148(YawRLycoming)prohibitgascompaniesfromretaliating
againstroyaltyinterestowner(sponsorsummary)werereportedfromtheSenateEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandarenowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
NewsClips:
SenatePanelOKsOilAndGasRoyaltyBills
NaturalGasMinimumRoyaltyBillsFaceSameChallenges
PromoteCrudeOilDevelopment:SenateBill279(HutchinsonRVenango)establishingthe
PAGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncil(sponsorsummary)wasreportedfromthe
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandthenreferredtotheSenate
AppropriationsCommittee.
NewsFromTheCapitol
SenateNamesStandingCommitteeMembers
TheSenateannouncedstandingcommitteemembersonMondayandTuesday.Allcommittee
membersarenowpostedontheGeneralAssemblywebsite.Herearemembersrelatedtosome
keycommittees
Appropriations
Republican:PatBrowne*(RLehigh),MajorityChair,KimWard*(RWestmoreland),Vice
Chair,DavidArgall(RSchuylkill),LisaBaker(RLuzerne),JohnEichelberger(RBlair),
StewartGreenleaf(RMontgomery),BobMensch(RLehigh),JohnRafferty(RMontgomery),
MarioScavello*(RMonroe),LloydSmucker(RLancaster),PatVance(RCumberland),Elder
Vogel(RBeaver),RandyVulakovich(RAllegheny),ScottWagner*(RYork).
Democrat:VincentHughes(DPhiladelphia),MinorityChair,JohnBlake(DLackawanna),
DaylinLeach*(DMontgomery),JudithSchwank(DBerks),MattSmith*(DAllegheny),
ChristineTartaglione*(DPhiladelphia),RobTeplitz*(DDauphin),SeanWiley*(DErie),John
Wozniak*(DCambria).
Agriculture&RuralAffairs
Republican:ElderVogel(RBeaver),MajorityChair,MicheleBrooks*(RCrawford),Vice
Chair,DavidArgall(RSchuylkill),RyanAument*(RLancaster),KimWard
(RWestmoreland),GeneYaw(RLycoming).
Democrat:JudithSchwank(DBerks),MinorityChair,AndrewDinniman(DChester),Shirley
Kitchen(DPhiladelphia),RobTeplitz*(DDauphin).
ConsumerProtection&ProfessionalLicensure
Republican:RobertTomlinson(RBucks),MajorityChair,MarioScavello*(RMonroe),Vice
Chair,LisaBaker(RLuzerne),JohnGordner(RColumbia),StewartGreenleaf
(RMontgomery),DominicPileggi*(RDelaware),JohnRafferty(RMontgomery),Patricia
Vance(RCumberland)
Democrat:LisaBoscola(DLehigh),MinorityChair,LawrenceFarnese*(DPhiladelphia),
ArthurHaywood*(DPhiladelphia),JohnWozniak*(DCambria),JohnYudichak*(DLuzerne)
EnvironmentalResources&Energy
Republican:SenatorsGeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChair,CameraBartolotta*(RBeaver),
ViceChair,ScottHutchinson(RVenango),ElderVogel(RBeaver),KimWard
(RWestmoreland),DonWhite(RIndiana)
Democrat:SenatorsJohnYudichak(DLuzerne),Sen.DaylinLeach(DMontgomery),Sen.
AndrewDinniman(DChester)andSen.JohnBlake*(DLackawanna)
Game&Fisheries
Republican:MarioScavello*(RMonroe),MajorityChair,CharlesMcIlhinney(RBucks),Vice
Chair,RichardAlloway(RAdams),JohnGordner*(RColumbia),BobMensch
(RMontgomery),PatrickStefano*(RFayette).
Democrat:JamesBrewster*(DAllegheny),MinorityChair,LisaBoscola(DLehigh),Sean
Wiley*(DErie),JohnWozniak*(DCambria).
*NewtoCommitteeorpositionontheCommittee.
HouseNamesStandingCommitteeMembers
TheHouseThursdayreleasedalistofmembersofeachstandingcommittee.Allcommittee
membersarenowpostedontheGeneralAssemblywebsite.Herearemembersofsomeofthe
keycommittees
Appropriations
Republican:WilliamAdolph(RDelaware),MajorityChair,KarenBoback(RLackawanna),
JimChristiana(RBeaver),GaryDay(RBerks),GeorgeDunbar*(RWestmoreland),Garth
Everett(RLycoming),KeithGreiner*(RLancaster),GlenGrell(RCumberland),SethGrove
(RYork),WarrenKampf*(RChester),FredKeller*(RSnyder),ThomasKillion(RDelaware),
JimMarshall*(RBeaver),KurtMasser*(RColumbia),DavidMillard(RColumbia),Duane
Milne(RChester),MarkMustio(RAllegheny),MichaelPeifer(RPike),JeffreyPyle
(RArmstrong),MargueriteQuinn*(RBucks),CurtisSonney(RErie),MikeVereb*
(RMontgomery)
Democrat:JoeMarkosek(DAllegheny),MinorityChair,MatthewBradford(DMontgomery),
TimBriggs*(DMontgomery),MichelleBrownlee(DPhiladelphia),MikeCarroll(DMonroe),
ScottConklin(DMifflin),MaryJoDaley*(DMontgomery),MadeleineDean
(DMontgomery),MariaDonatucci*(DDelaware),EdGainey*(DAllegheny),JohnGalloway*
(DBucks),StephenKinsey*(DPhiladelphia),MichaelOBrien(DPhiladelphia),Cherelle
Parker(DPhiladelphia),KevinSchreiber*(DYork).
Agriculture&RuralAffairs
Republican:MartinCauser*(RCameron),MajorityChair,StephenBloom(RCumberland),
KarenBoback*(RLackawanna),RussDiamond*(RLebanon),JoeEmrick(RNorthampton),
MindyFee(RLancaster),MarciaHahn(RLehigh),RobKauffman(RFranklin),MarkKeller
(RSnyder),JohnLawrence*(RChester),JohnMaher(RAllegheny),DavidMillard
(RColumbia),DanMoul(RAdams),MikeReese(RSomerset),MikeTobash(RDauphin),
DavidZimmerman*(RLancaster)
Democrat:JohnSabatina*(DPhiladelphia),MinorityChair,VanessaLoweryBrown*
(DPhiladelphia),ScottConklin(DMifflin),MargoDavidson*(DDelaware),PamelaDeLissio
(DMontgomery),JohnGalloway*(DBucks),JaretGibbons*(DBeaver),JordanHarris*
(DPhiladelphia),TimMahoney*(DFayette),BrandonNeuman(DWashington)
ConsumerAffairs
Republican:RobertGodshall(RMontgomery),MajorityChair,StephenBarrar*(RChester),
SherylDelozier(RCumberland),GeneDiGirolamo(RBucks),EliEvankovich*(RAllegheny),
FrankFarry(RBucks),WarrenKampf(RChester),ThomasKillion(RDelaware),KurtMasser
(RColumbia),CarlMetzgar(RBedford),NickMiccarelli*(RDelaware),TinaPickett
(RSusquehanna),ThomasQuigley*(RMontgomery),ToddStephens(RMontgomery),Marcy
Toepel(RMontgomery)
Democrat:PeterDaley(DWashington),MinorityChair,RyanBizzarro*(DErie),FrankBurns
(DCambria),TinaDavis(DBucks),MartyFlynn*(DLackawanna),MarkLongietti*
(DMercer),RobertMatzie(DAllegheny),BrandonNeuman(DWashington),Michael
OBrien*(DPhiladelphia),PeterSchweyer*(DLehigh),PamSnyder*(DFayette)
EnvironmentalResources&Energy
Republican:JohnMaher*(RAllegheny),MajorityChair,StephenBloom*(RCumberland),
MartinCauser(RCameron),JimChristiana(RBeaver),BeckyCorbin(RChester),Garth
Everett(RLycoming),MattGabler(RClearfield),TimKrieger(RWestmoreland),Jim
Marshall(RBeaver),CarlMetzgar(RBedford),MarkMustio*(RAllegheny),DavidParker*
(RMonroe),JeffreyPyle(RArmstrong).KathyRapp(RCrawford),TommySankey
(RCambria),WillTallman*(RAdams)
Democrat:GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChair,BryanBarbin*(DCambria),TimBriggs*
(DMontgomery),MikeCarroll(DMonroe),JordanHarris(DPhiladelphia),StephenMcCarter
(DMontgomery),BrandonNeuman*(DWashington),StevenSantarsiero(DBucks),Michael
Schlossberg*(DLehigh),KevinSchreiber(DYork),PamSnyder(DFayette)
Game&Fisheries
Republican:KeithGillespie*(RYork),MajorityChair,HaroldEnglish(RAllegheny),Garth
Everett(RLycoming),MindyFee(RLancaster),MattGabler*(RClearfield),DoyleHeffley
(RCarbon),BarryJozwiak*(RBerks),MarkKeller(RCumberland),DavidMaloney
(RBerks),JohnMcGinnis*(RBlair),BrettMiller*(RLancaster),DanMoul(RAdams),
MichaelPeifer(RPike),JesseTopper*(RBedford),RyanWarner*(RFayette),Parke
Wentling*(RCrawford)
Democrat:TedHarhai*(DWestmoreland),MinorityChair,FrankBurns*(DCambria),Michael
Driscoll*(DPhiladelphia),FrankFarina(DLackawanna),MartyFlynn*(DLackawanna),
PatrickHarkins*(DErie),SidKavulich*(DLackawanna),WilliamKortz*(DAllegheny),Tim
Mahoney(DFayette),GeraldMullery(DLuzerne),BrianSims*(DPhiladelphia)
*Newtocommitteeorpositiononthecommittee.
SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeOKsOilCouncil,LeaseholderBills

TheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeWednesdayapprovedlegislation
creatingaPAGradeCrudeDevelopmentAdvisoryCouncilandtwobillsprotectingnaturalgas
royaltyinterestownerrights.Thebillsinclude
SenateBill147(YawRLycoming)allowingroyaltyinterestownerstoinspectrecordsofgas
companytoverifyproperpaymentamended(sponsorsummary)
SenateBill148(YawRLycoming)prohibitgascompaniesfromretaliatingagainstroyalty
interestowner(sponsorsummary).
SenateBill279(HutchinsonRVenango)establishingthePAGradeCrudeDevelopment
AdvisoryCouncil(sponsorsummary),whichwasthenreferredtotheSenateAppropriations
Committee..
OurgoalistoensurethatleaseholdersacrossPennsylvaniaaretreatedfairly,saidSen.
GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheCommittee.MostnotablyinBradfordCounty,
butacrossmydistrict,leaseholdershavecontactedmewithconcernoverinadequatepayments
andquestionabledeductionsfromtheirroyaltychecks.Thislegislationwillundoubtedlyworkto
leveltheplayingfield.
Thesebillsareneededtoprovidelandownerswithmoreaccurateandcomplete
information,saidJoelRotz,SeniorDirectorofStateGovernmentAffairsforthePennsylvania
FarmBureau.Themoreinformation,thebetterrelationshipthereisbetweenlandownersand
gasdevelopers.
Unfortunately,lastsession,thislegislationwasnotapprovedbytheHouseof
Representatives,Sen.Yawadded.Havingthesebillsunanimouslyapprovedduringthevery
firstSenateCommitteemeetingofthenewsessionisaclearsignthatactiononthesebillsis
essential.Idonotintendtogiveuponthisfighttoprotecttheinterestsofmyconstituents.
Onthecrudeoildevelopmentbill,Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)said,The
conventionaloilindustryisanimportantpartoftheregionaleconomyinnorthwestern
Pennsylvaniaaneconomythatisalreadystruggling.Itcannotaffordtobestymiedby
excessiveandunnecessaryregulatoryburdens.
ThecouncilcreatedundermybillwouldworkwiththeDEPtoensurethatthe
differencesbetweentheoperationsaretakenintoaccountastheseregulationsandlawsare
developedandimplemented.
ThebillsarenowontheSenateCalendarforconsideration.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairandSen.JohnYudichak
(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChair.
NewsClips:
ChesapeakeEnergyPays$119MInOklahomaRoyaltyCase
SenateSchedulesHearingsOnFY201516StateBudget
TheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeThursdaypublishedascheduleofagencybudgethearings
for2015.Someofthekeyhearingdatesforenvironmentalprogramsare
March169:30GovernorsBudgetOffice,1:00IndependentFiscalOffice.
March259:30Dept.ofEnvironmentalProtection.
March319:30PublicUtilityCommission,3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.
April111:00Dept.ofConservationandNaturalResources.
TheGovernorsbudgetaddressistentativelysetforMarch3.
AllSenatebudgethearingwillbeinHearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuildingin
Harrisburg.
NewsFromAroundTheState
CitizensAdvisoryCouncilInvitesCommentsOnUndergroundMiningImpactReport
TheCitizensAdvisoryCouncil(CAC)tothePennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmental
ProtectionisnowacceptingpubliccommentsandwillacceptpublictestimonyduringitsMarch
17meetingonthe20082013UndergroundCoalMiningImpactReportrequiredbythestates
BituminousMineSubsidenceandLandConservationAct(Act54).
Thereportincludesinformationthatdocumentsandassessesthesurfaceimpacts
resultingfrombothlongwallandtraditionalroomandpillarundergroundbituminouscoal
mining,includingdamagetosurfacestructuresandimpactstoaquaticlife,pHandconductivity
ofstreamsandthelossofdomesticwatersuppliesfrommininginArmstrong,Beaver,Cambria,
Clearfield,Elk,Greene,Indiana,Jefferson,SomersetandWashingtoncounties.
Thereport,thefourthinaseriesrequiredunderAct54,waspreparedbytheUniversityof
PittsburghandreviewedbyDEPstaffandreleasedonDecember30.DEPisrequiredtosubmit
theimpactreporttotheCAC,theGeneralAssembly,andtheGovernoreveryfiveyears.Three
previousAct54reports,alsoreviewedbytheCAC,covered1993through2008.
TheUniversitywasselectedbyDEPtocompletethereportduetotheexpertiseofits
facultyandresearchstaffonallaspectsoftheeffectsofminingrelatedsubsidence.
"Ensuringthepublichastheopportunitytoprovideinputonthefindingsandconclusions
includedintheAct54reportiscriticaltotheCouncil,"saidCouncilChairmanTerryDayton.
"TheCACisveryinterestedinhearingthepublic'sperspectivesonthereportandencouragesthe
publictoshareitscommentswithCouncil."
StafffromtheUniversityofPittsburghwillprovideapresentationonthereportandits
findingsattheCAC'snextpublicmeetingonFebruary17.Themeetingisopentothepublic.
TheCAChasreservedtwohoursonitsMarch17meetingagendatoacceptpublic
testimonyontheAct54report.Preregistrationisencouragedtoreserveatimetotestify.
IndividualspresentingtestimonytotheCACwillbeaskedtolimitthedurationoftheir
presentationtoaccommodateallwhohavepreregisteredtotestify.
Organizationsareencouragedtodesignateonerepresentativetoprovidetestimony.
IndividualswhodonotpreregistermaytestifyastimeallowsontheCAC'smeetingagenda.
Individualsprovidingtestimonyareencouragedtosubmitawrittencopyoftheirtestimonytothe
CAC.
Preregistrationisencouragedtoreserveatimetotestify.Individualswhodonot
preregistermaytestifyastimeallowsontheCAC'smeetingagenda.Individualsproviding
testimonyareencouragedtosubmitawrittencopyoftheirtestimonytotheCAC.
Topreregistertotestify,contactMicheleTate,ExecutiveDirectoroftheCAC,byMarch
9bycalling7177878171orbysendinganemailto:mtate@pa.gov
Individualsinneedofaccommodations,asprovidedforintheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesAct,shouldcontacttheCACtodiscusstheirneedsat7177878171orthroughthe
PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat8006545984(TDD)or8006545988(voiceusers).
ThepublicisalsoinvitedtosubmitwrittencommentsontheAct54reporttotheCouncil
byMarch31.Commentscanbesentbymailto:DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil,RachelCarson
StateOfficeBuilding,13thFloor,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA171058459orsentby
emailto:mtate@pa.gov.
TheCouncilwillusethecommentsinitsownreviewoftheAct54reportandisexpected
toissueitsassessmentandrecommendationsonthereportinApril.
TheAct54Report(20082013)isaccessibleonDEP'swebsite.
CACmeetingsareheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburg.
The18memberCitizensAdvisoryCouncilisappointedbytheGovernor,Senateand
HouseandwascreatedinstatutetoadvisetheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionon
environmentalissuesaffectingPennsylvania..
Formoreinformation,visittheDEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwebpage.
VinceBrisini,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediation,toldtheDEP
CitizensAdvisoryCouncilWednesdaytheresultsoftheTENORMStudyofradiationexposures
fromnaturalgasrelatedactivitiesleadhisstafftorecommendanyreportablespillsbetestedfor
radiumandworkerscleaningupspillsshouldtakeappropriateprecautions.
HayleyBook,DEPOfficeofPolicyDirector,saidarevisedspilltestingandresponse
policyisbeingdevelopedwithintheagencyandnofinaldecisionshavebeenmadeonradium
testing.
Brisinialsosaidtheagencyhadprovidedadditionalguidancetolandfillsonhowto
properlydisposeofwaste,includingfromdrillingoperations,thatcontainingnaturallyoccurring
radiation.PresentlyDEPrequiresa50to1ratioforwastecontainingTENORM.
BrisinimadehiscommentsduringapresentationontheresultsoftheTENORMStudy.
HealsoannouncedhewouldbeleavingtheagencyonJanuary23foranewposition.
KenMurin,ChiefofDEPsWetlands,EncroachmentandTrainingDivision,briefed
CouncilontheinterimpolicytheagencyissuedinDecembertoimplementAct162which
changedtherequirementforstreambuffersinspecialprotectionwatersheds.
Murinsaid,inadditiontothatguidance,DEPwouldbeissuingtwootherguidance
documents:3102135002:providingadditionalguidanceonequivalencydeterminationsand
3102135003:guidanceonhowtoprovideoffsettingbuffersasrequiredbyAct162.Hesaid
theadditionalguidanceshouldbeavailableinthenextmonthorso.
CommentsonthefirstpolicyaredueFebruary18.
RebeccaBowen,DCNRsDivisionofConservationScienceandEcologicalResources,
toldtheCACherdivisionisaboutfinishedwithaproposedrulemakingthatwouldmake
changestotheagencysendangeredandthreatenedplantspecieslist.
Bowensaid31speciesarebeingaddedand22speciesarebeingremoved,althoughsome
ofthosechangesrepresentchangestotheformalspeciesnames.DCNRisalsoprovidinga
writtenjustificationforeachofthespecieschanges.
ShesaidDCNRexpectstoputtheproposedchangesoutforpubliccommentinthenext
fewmonths.
[Note:ThetransitiontotheWolfAdministrationcouldadjustthetimingandsubstanceof
someoftheserecommendations.]
ThepresentationsbyMurinandBowenwillbepublishedontheCACMeetings
webpage.
RelatedStories:
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilCompleteTransitionReportToNewDEPSecretary
PAAbandonedMineReclamationConference,1stFilmFestival,June2526
TheAbandonedMineReclamationConferencePlanningCommitteeisbusilyplanningforthe
nextconferenceandarehappytoannouncethatthe2015PennsylvaniaConferenceon
AbandonedMineReclamationwillbeheldJune2526attheRamadaInnandConferenceCenter
inStateCollege.
Thethemeis"ReclaimingOurCommunities."
Thisyear,wearegoingtoincorporateideas,presentations,discussions,successes,and
partnershipsthatwillshowcasehowthePAAMRCommunitydoeswhatitdoesbest,gettingour
handsdirty,reclaimingourcommunities.
AspartofthePennsylvaniaAbandonedMineReclamationConferencetherewillbea
filmfestivalshowcasingindependentlyproducedenvironmentalfilms.Thesubmissiondeadline
isMarch3.TheConferenceplanningcommitteeiscurrentlyacceptingsubmissions.
Thisisagreatopportunityforwatershedgroupstohighlighttheirprojectsandexercise
theircreativeskillsbehindavideocamera.
YouTubeandVimeosubmissionsaswellasDVD'sareeligibleforconsideration.
Environmentaltopicsarepreferred.Filmsshouldbenolongerthan30minutesandbeoforiginal
material.
ClickHeretodownloadthefestivalentryformandsubmissionguidelines.
GermanFilmmakersVisitPAForMineFireDocumentary
AcrewfromaBerlinbasedfilmproductioncompanyvisitedthecoalrefusepilefireabatement
projectatthePittsburghInternationalAirportinAlleghenyCountylastweek.Theyarecreatinga
primetimedocumentaryforGermantelevisiontobeairedinmidFebruary.
StafffromDEPsBureauofAbandonedMineReclamationledthefilmmakersonatour
ofthesite,wheretheywereabletoseeevidenceofthepilefireandlearnmoreabouthowthose
typesoffiresareextinguished.
Aproducer,audioengineerandphotographerfromStoryHouseProductionsshotvideo
ofthehugeearthmoversasitpushedalmost430,000cubicyardsofearthattheairport'scoalpile
fireremediationprojectsite.
(ReprintedfromJanuary22editionofDEPNews.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyand
toreadbackissues.)

PAGrowingGreenerCoalitionCelebrates2015DEPGrowingGreenerGrants
ThePAGrowingGreenerCoalitionMondaycelebratedtheapprovalofmorethan$23millionin
GrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundsthroughtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectiontosupport109watershedprotectioneffortsthroughoutthestate.
Thesegrantswillhavealastingimpactonthestatebysupportingvitalprojectsthat
protecttheCommonwealthsmostpreciousresourcewater,saidAndrewHeath,executive
directorofthePAGrowingGreenerCoalition.
TheGrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundderivesitsrevenuefromthe
statestippingfee,thecostdisposingtrashintheCommonwealth.Eachyearthefeegenerates
about$60millionfortheESFfund,butduetolegislationpassedwiththeGrowingGreenerII
programin2005,about$40millionofthatrevenueisusedtopaytheyearlyGrowingGreenerII
bonddebtservice.
Ontheotherhand,Act13,theimpactfeesonnaturalgasdrilling,generatesnewfunds
fortheESF.Revenuesfrom10percentoftheMarcellusShaleLegacyFund,alongwitha$35
millionyearlytransferfromthestatesOilandGasLeaseFund,helptoensurethatwater
protection,conservationandrecreationeffortscontinueacrosstheCommonwealth.
ThePAGrowingGreenerCoalitionwasinstrumentalinensuringthatfundscollected
throughtheMarcellusLegacyFundbemadeavailableforstatewideenvironmental,
conservation,andrecreationprojects.
TherecentlyannouncedDEPgrantswillbeusedtoprotectourwaterresourcesby
improvingwatersheds,reducingstormwaterrunoffandacidminedrainage,andsupporting
publicoutreachefforts.
ArecentreportissuedbytheDEPstatedthatPennsylvaniahasnearly20,000milesof
waterwaysthatareconsideredimpaired.
Thisismoreevidencethatcleaningourriversandstreamsmustbeahigherpriorityto
ourelectedofficialsinHarrisburg,Heathsaid.Moreinvestmentsareneededtoaddressthis
growingconcern.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAGrowingGreenerCoalitionwebsite.
NewsClips:
BerksMaidenCreekProjectAwardedGrowingGreenerGrant
Mechanics:BrineUsedOnRoadsCorrodingVehicles
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
CBFPA:Erie,GreeneCountiesJoinCleanWaterCounts!Initiative
TheChesapeakeBayFoundationPAapplaudstheErieandGreeneCountyCommissionersfor
adoptingaCleanWaterCountsresolution,callingonstateofficialstomakecleanwateratop
priorityfortheKeystoneState.
Sincelaunchingthisinitiative,Berks,Luzerne,Westmoreland,Wyoming,York,
Northumberland,Schuylkill,Fayette,Cumberland,Washington,Erie,andnowGreenecounties
havealljoinedtheeffortandhavepassedresolutions.
Healthyfamilies,strongcommunities,andathrivingPennsylvaniaeconomydependon
cleanwater,saidHarryCampbell,CBFsPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirector.Weapplaudand
thanktheErieandGreeneCountyCommissionersforpubliclyvoicingtheirsupportforclean
waterintheKeystoneState.
CBFembarkedontheCleanWaterCountscampaigninresponsetotheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionsmostrecentstatewidesurfacewatersassessment.
Pennsylvaniahas19,761milesofstreamspollutedbyabandonedminedrainage,
agriculturalandstormwaterrunoffandover37,761acresoflakesthatdonotmeetwaterquality
standards,accordingtoDEPslatestwaterqualityassessmentreport.
Thatsamereportsaidsince2007,Pennsylvaniahasrestoredjust72milesofstreamto
supportaquaticlifeand49streammilestouseaspotablewatersupplies,thetwocleanest
standards.Just853acresoflakeswererestoredtosupportaquaticlifeandnonetouseaspotable
watersupplies.
DEPalsoreportedthatthetoppollutionsourcesareagriculturalandurban/suburban
runoff,andabandonedminedrainage.
Morethan1,700milesofwaterwaysflowthroughErieCounty,butmorethan200of
thosemilesarepolluted.Theleadingcauseisurban/suburbanpollutedrunoffdamagingmore
than90milesofwaterways.Pollutionfromagriculturerankssecond,polluting60milesofrivers
andstreams.
Morethan1,200milesofwaterwaysflowthroughGreeneCounty,butmorethan200of
thosemilesarepolluted.Theleadingcauseofpollutionisagriculture,polluting60milesof
riversandstreams.
Throughpubliceducationandengagement,CBFishopingtoincreaseawarenessofwater
pollutionissues,likethoseinErieandGreenecountiesandelsewhereintheKeystoneState.The
goalistourgestateofficialstomakecleanwaterapriorityandcommittheneededfundingand
programstoensurethatthewatersthatwerelyonfordrinkingandhouseholduses,recreation,
andtogrowourfoodallmeetcleanwaterstandards.
Inadditiontocallingonlocalofficialstopassresolutions,CBFisaskingresidentsto
showtheirsupportbysigningtheCleanWaterCountsonlinepetition.Ittakesonlyafew
minutes,butsignatureswillgoalongwaytowarddemonstratingtheimportanceofcleanwater
toourelectedofficials.
Tolearnmoreaboutthecampaign,visitCBFPAsCleanWaterCountswebpage.
NewsClips:
PAAmericanWaterAccepting2015EnvironmentalGrantProgramApplications
PAAmericanWaterThursdayannouncedapplicationsarenowbeingacceptedforthe
companys2015EnvironmentalGrantProgramawards.ThedeadlineforapplyingisMarch13.
Establishedin2005,AmericanWatersEnvironmentalGrantProgramoffersfundsfor
innovative,communitybasedenvironmentalprojectsthatimprove,restoreorprotectthe
watersheds,surfacewaterand/orgroundwatersuppliesthroughpartnerships.
AmericanWateriscommittedtoensuringwaterqualitythroughtestingandtreatment,
aswellasthroughconsumereducationandcommunitysourceprotectionprograms,saidDebra
Vernon,ManagerofCorporateResponsibility.Weareallenvironmentalstewardsinprotecting
ourwatersupplies,andthisprogramisonewaywehelpcommunitiesplayanactiveroleinthis
importanteffort.
Toqualify,proposedprojectsmust:
Addressasourcewaterorwatershedprotectionneedinthecommunity
BecompletedbetweenMay1,2015andNovember29,2015
Beaneworinnovativeprogramforthecommunity,orserveasasignificantexpansiontoan
existingprogram
Becarriedoutbyaformalorinformalpartnershipbetweentwoormoreorganizations
Provideevidenceofsustainability(continuedexistenceaftertheAmericanWatergrant
moniesareutilized)
BelocatedwithinoneofAmericanWater'sserviceareasinPennsylvania.
In2014,atotalof45projectsthroughoutAmericanWatersserviceareasin11states
wereawardedgrantstotalingmorethan$185,000.
Formoreinformation,visitPAAmericanWatersEnvironmentalGrantProgram
webpage.
WissahickonWatershedAssn.CompletesInsectStudyInWatershed
Over955speciesofinsectswerediscoveredamidthe1,300acresofforest,fieldsandwetlands
inthepreservesmanagedbytheWissahickonValleyWatershedAssociationinMontgomery
County.
Thestudyconductedinthespringandsummerof2014byBREnvironmentalwasthe
firstofitskindoftheWissahickonCreekwatershedindecades.The2014yearlongstudy
highlightedthewealthofinsectsspeciesidentifiedinthefield.
SomehighlightsincludethediscoveryofthreerareinsectsthatattheCrosswaysPreserve
thatarethechiefpollinatorsoftherareRaggedFringedOrchid.JuniperHairstreak,arare
butterflyinPennsylvania,wasalsodiscoveredinthesamePreserve.
ThesitewiththegreatestnumberofspeciesisnearParksideinUpperGwynedd
TownshipwheretheGreenRibbonTrailrunsparallelwiththeWissahickonCreek.
Countingthenumberofspeciesofanimalsandplants(inventoriesoffaunaandflora)isa
goodwaytounderstandtheecologicalhealthofanarea.Withtheincreaseofdevelopment
coupledwiththelossofopenspaceandwildlifehabitatofrecentdecadesusuallyresultsina
declineofthevarietyofspeciesthatliveinanarea.
Insectsarevitalorganismstheyareatthebottomofthefoodchain.Allsortsofbirds
andanimalsrelyoninsectsforfood,saidJohnFerro,ManagerofConservationResources
ProgramfortheWVWA.Manyplantscannotbepollinatedwithoutbees,waspsandflies.Our
naturepreservesarehealthierandwilderifthereisagreatvarietyinsectspecies.
Thestudypointedtopresentthreatstothelocalecosystem.Ithighlightedtheexplosive
increaseinexoticplantsthathavereplacednativevegetation.Callerypear,multifloraroseand
stiltgrasscoverwideareasandtypesofplantsthatnativeinsectsavoidfeedingupon.Sustaining
nativebeneficialinsectssuchasbees,wasps,butterfliesanddragonfliesrequiresaproactive
approachincontrollingdeer,exoticplantsandmowedlawns.
AlongwiththeNaturalResourcesInventoryconductedin2013bytheMorrisArboretum,
theWVWAhascompletedanamphibianandreptileinventoryandwillhavemammalstudy
beginningthisspring.Theinformationwillbeusedtodevelopwildlifehabitatmanagement
plansfortheWVWAPreserves.
Thefullreportisavailableonline.
Formoreinformation,visittheWissahickonValleyWatershedAssociationwebsite.
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition2014YearInReview,StudentSymposium
TwoeditionsofTheCatalystnewsletterarenowavailablefromtheSlipperyRockWatershed
CoalitioninButlerCounty.
TheDecemberissuefeaturesstorieson
WestminsterCollege&SRWCStudentSymposium
SRWCParticipantsMakeClassroomVisitsFund,Educational
TheKidsCatalyst:DecemberWordSearch
TheJanuaryissueistheannualYearInReviewMakingABetterWatershedWithHelp
FromYou!editionandarticleson
Celebrating20YearsOfSRWC
PANorthwestGISConference
TheKidsCatalyst:ColdCrittersColoringPage
ClickHeretosignupforyourownCatalystnewsletter.
50VolunteersParticipateInFriendsOfWissahickonDayOfService
Approximately50volunteersparticipatedinFriends
oftheWissahickon'sDayofServiceinthe
WissahickononJanuary19celebratingMartin
LutherKing,Jr.Day.Thevolunteersremoved
invasivevinesandtreesneartheThomasMansionin
Philadelphia.
Joiningintheeffortweregroupsofstudents
fromSpringsideChestnutHillAcademyandBoy
ScoutTroop221.
Photo:VolunteersLamirRobinson,Brandon
Cornner,GraemeBrownandJasonMotley,from
BoyScouttroop221,ChestnutHill.
Formoreinformationonotheractivitiesandevents,visittheFriendsoftheWissahickon
website.
Jan.19WatershedWindsNewsletterAvailableFromPennStateExtension
TheJanuary19issueoftheWatershedWindsnewsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson
AlgaeBloomsCreateTheirOwnFavorableConditions
ReducingStormwaterRunoffFromYourYard
IrrigationWaterToolboxTrainingInHershey
TakeTheEPAWaterSensePledge
ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.

Berks/MontgomeryCountyDistrictsInnovativeAgricultureWorkshopFeb.26
Wanttolearnmoreaboutgrowingyouroperation?JointheBerksCountyandMontgomery
CountyConservationDistrictsonFebruary26forourfreeInnovativeAgricultureWorkshop.
Topicsincludeafarmersexperience,fundingsources,permits,marketingfarmservices,
healthysoils,manurehaulingsessions,andmore,withpresentationsbyourpartnersandother
agriculturalagencies.Manurehaulerandbrokercreditsareavailable.
TheeventtakesplaceattheAgricultureCenterinLeesport,1238CountyWelfareRoad
andwillbeheldfrom8:30amto3:30pmwithtwobreakoutsessions.Afreepigroastlunch,
providedbyMikeFirestine,isincluded.
AllarewelcometoattendourInnovativeAgricultureWorkshop.Registrationisfreebut
requiredonorbeforeFebruary2.
Inthecaseofinclementweather,pleasechecktheBerksCountyDistrictwebsitefor
cancellation.ThesnowdatewillbeMarch5.
ClickHeretoregisteronlinefortheworkshop.FormoreinformationcontactDeborah
Winklerbysendingemailto:Deborah.winkler@berkscd.comorcall6103724657x213.
PAEPSeekingNominationsForKarlMasonAndWalterLyonAwards
ThePAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalsisseekingnominationsfortwoaward
programs:theKarlMasonAwardandtheWalterLyonAward.NominationsaredueMarch21.
TheKarlMasonAwardisgiventoanindividualwhodemonstratedexemplaryleadership
inthefieldofenvironmentalmanagement.
TheWalterLyonAwardisgiventoanorganization,projectorprogramthatmadea
unique,creativeorsignificantcontributiontowardmaintenanceorrestorationofPennsylvanias
environmentalqualityortothefieldofenvironmentalmanagement.
KarlMasonservedasPennsylvaniasfirstStateEnvironmentalAdministratorfrom1952
to1966.Karlsholisticvisionofenvironmentalmanagementembracedessential,but
conflicting,needsassociatedwithwastedisposalandcommunityenvironmentalprotection.The
generalframeworkestablishedbyKarlservesasthefoundationforPennsylvanias
environmentalprotectionprogramstothisday.
Karlbelievedandputintopracticethenotionthatenvironmentalprotectionisprimarily
thebusinessofprofessionalswhohavetheskills,byvirtueoftheirscientifictraining,tomanage
thetechnicalandscientificcomplexitiesofmaintainingasafe,healthyandcleanenvironment.
Hewascommittedtothebeliefthatcontinuingeducationwasanessentialpartofthecareerof
everyenvironmentalprofessional.
WalterLyonbeganhisprofessionalcareerasasanitaryengineerattheU.S.Public
HealthServiceinWashingtonD.C.servingasAssistantChiefofthePlanningandDevelopment
Branch,DivisionofEngineeringResources.In1957,hebeganhisCommonwealthof
PennsylvaniaserviceastheAssistantDirectorofSanitaryEngineeringDivision,Departmentof
Health,andwaspromotedtoDirectorin1958,aposthelduntil1970.
In1971,hebecametheDirectoroftheBureauofWaterQualityManagement,andfrom
thereheservedasDeputySecretaryforPlanningatDER.From1983to2013,Walterwentonto
teachandconsultintheareasofenvironmentalengineeringandwaterpolicy.
Formanyyears,WalterparticipatedinthePennsylvaniaAssociationofEnvironmental
Professionalsconferencesandspecialeventsandgenerouslysharedhisknowledgeand
experience.Hewasastrongadvocateforemployinghighlyeducated,qualified,andexperienced
environmentalprofessionalsinthepublicandprivatesectorsandservesasarolemodelforthe
environmentalprofessionalsoftodayandtomorrow.
TheawardswillbepresentedduringthePAEPAnnualStatewideConferenceMay68at
theToftreesResortinStateCollege.
ClickHereformoreinformation.ClickHereforthenominationform.
KeepPABeautiful:SheetzJoinsAsSponsorOf2015GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
KeepPABeautifulTuesdayannouncedSheetzastheirnewestsponsorofthe2015Great
AmericanCleanupofPA,theirannualsignatureevent.
SheetzisthrilledtopartnerwithKeepPABeautiful,saidRyanSheetz,Directorof
BrandStrategy.Beingconnectedinthecommunitiesinwhichweoperateisanimportantpart
oftheSheetzDNA.Weencourageourlocalteammemberstogetoutintheirlocalareasandnot
onlybeambassadorsforSheetz,butgoodmembersofthecommunity.Webelievethatwhatwe
donowforthestateofPennsylvaniaisimportantandwillimpactfuturegenerations.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulandSheetz,Inc.sharethegoalofcreatinghealthier
communitiesbycollaboration.statedShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvania
Beautiful.Wearepassionateaboutthepositivebenefitsthatworkingtogetherwillprovideour
communitiesandtheGreatAmericanCleanupempowerscitizenstocollaborateatalocallevel.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulishonoredandgratefulforthesupportofSheetz,statedShannon
Reiter,PresidentKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.
Sheetzjoinsother2015eventsupporters:theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,
PennDOT,PAWasteIndustriesAssociation,thePAFoodMerchantsAssociation,Weis
Markets,Inc.,WasteManagement,RepublicServices,SteelRecyclingInstitute,Lancaster
CountySolidWasteManagementAuthority,GiantEagleInc.,GiantFoodStores,Inc.,Wawa,
WegmansFoodMarketsandWakefernFoodCorporationsupportingShopRite,FreshGrocer
andPriceRite.
The2015GreatAmericanCleanupofPArunsfromMarch1sttoMay31st.Duringthis
period,registeredeventscangettrashbags,gloves,andsafetyvestsfromPennDOTdistrict
offices,assupplieslast.Eventscanbelittercleanups,illegaldumpcleanups,beautification
projects,specialcollections,andeducationalevents.
Aspartofthisevent,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandthePAWaste
IndustriesAssociationwillsponsorLetsPickItUpPAEverydayfromApril11thMay4th.
DuringthePickItUpPADays,registeredeventswillbeabletotakethetrashcollectedduring
theircleanuptoparticipatinglandfillsforreducedorfreedisposal.
Sincetheinceptionofthiseventin2004,morethan1,565,967volunteersremoved
80,575,227poundsoflitterfromthePennsylvanialandscapeandplanted136,321trees,bulbs,
andflowers.
Moreinformation,visitKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful'sGreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpage.AnyadditionalquestionscanbeansweredbyMichelleDunn,GreatAmericanCleanup
ofPAProgramCoordinator,at18777723673ext.113orsendemailto:
mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

2015PARecyclingIndustriesCongressJanuary27InHarrisburg
ThePARecyclingMarketsCenteranditspartnersareholdingthePennsylvaniaRecycling
IndustriesCongressintheEastWingoftheCapitolBuildinginHarrisburgonJanuary27.
Theprogramwillfeatureexhibitsbybusinessesinvolvedinrecyclingavarietyof
materialsinPennsylvaniafrom8:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
Thereisanewsconferenceat10:00a.m.intheEastWingRotundafeaturingremarks
by
JohnQuigley,ActingSecretaryoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
MarkPedersen,President,PAWasteIndustriesAssociation
RobertBylone,ExecutiveDirector,PARecyclingMarketsCenter
RichardKoch,SalesExecutive,AmericanEaglePaperMills
LeeHu,EconsultSolutions,LLC
AtnoontherewillbeapaneldiscussiononPennsylvaniasElectronicScrapRecycling
LawinRoom14EastWing.Thesespeakerswillbeonthepanel
Moderators:RobertBylone,ExecutiveDirector,PARecyclingMarketsCenterandJack
Himes,SeniorProgramManager,PARecyclingMarketsCenter
Panelists:Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),LarryHolleyDivisionChief,WasteMinimization&
PlanningatDEP,NedEldridge,President,eLoop,FrazierBlaylock,Dir.ofGovernment
Relations,PolicyandCommunications,CovantaEnergyCorp.andJohnMcGoran,Managerof
MunicipalServices,RepublicServices,Inc.
Formoreinformationonelectronicswasterecycling,visitDEPsElectronicsRecycling
ManagementProgramwebpage.ClickHeretowatchavideoabouttheelectronicswaste
recyclingbyECOvanta,adivisionofCovantaEnergy.
FormoreinformationonrecyclingbusinessesinPennsylvania,visitthePARecycling
MarketsCenterwebsite.
DEPEducatesFarmShowAttendeesAboutPAEnergyResources
DEP'sexhibitforthe99thannualPennsylvaniaFarmShowheldJanuary1017inHarrisburg
focusedonPennsylvaniasenergyresourcesandfeaturedavanfueledbycompressednaturalgas
(CNG),anelectricvehicle(EV),anallnewanimatedunconventionaldrillingvideoandthe
garagefromitsawardwinningDEPatHomeexhibit.
TheexhibitincludedaFordE350thathasbeenconvertedtorunonCNG.Visitorswere
abletofillupthevanbyusingarealCNGpump.TheNissanLeaf,anallelectriccar,wasalso
ondisplayaftermakingitsdebutduringlastyearsfarmshow.FarmShowvisitorswereableto
usetheEVchargertopowerthecar.
ProducedbyCommonwealthMediaServices,DEPalsofeaturedanewanimatedvideo
thatexplainsthecomplexunconventionaldrillingprocessinaneasytounderstandandvisual
format.
ThevideodetailshowDEPregulatestheunconventionaldrillingprocessandensures
compliancewithstrictenvironmentalstandards.ItisthelatestinDEPsseriesofeducational
videosthatareavailableonDEPsYouTubepage.
TheDEPatHomegarageincludedflooringmadefromrecycledtires,agreenwall
coveredinlivingplants,informationaboutproperdisposalofhouseholdhazardouswaste,as
wellaslandscapingwithnativeplants,andtipsonproperpestmanagement.Visitorswerealso
abletoseeaworkingradonmitigationunit,inhonorofRadonActionMonth,whichisheld
everyJanuary.
DEPcreatedtheexhibitthroughfundsprovidedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergys
StateEnergyProgram.Thevideowasfundedbythestateswellpluggingfund,financedbyoil
andgaspermitfeesandpenalties.
Toviewthelatesteducationalvideo,visitDEPsYouTubeChannel.
toreadbackissues.)
Jan.30DEPWebinarOnConvertingVehiclesToNaturalGas
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholdawebinarat10a.m.January30,forthe
companies,organizationsandpartnershipswhoreceivedAct13fundingfortheconversionof
theirheavydutyfleetvehiclestonaturalgas.
Act13authorizedDEPtodevelopandimplementtheNaturalGasEnergyDevelopment
program,fundedbyimpactfeespaidbynaturalgasoperators.Theprogramhelpspayforthe
incrementalpurchaseandconversioncostsofheavydutynaturalgasfleetvehicles.
Duringthewebinar,DEPstaffwillreviewthestepsforproperlyexecutingagreementsand
answeranyquestions.
ClickHeretoregisterforthewebinar.Formoreinformationonfinancialassistance,visit
DEPsNaturalGasVehicleProgramwebpage.
toreadbackissues.)
January22DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheJanuary22editionofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
QuigleyBeginsTenureAsDEPActingSecretary
DozensAttendDEPOpenHouseForTenaskasNaturalGasPowerPlant
PublicMeeting,HearingFeb.25OnWellsboroJohnstonAirportProject
BestofLandRecyclingContestNominationsDueJan.31
Jan.30DEPWebinarConvertingVehiclesToNaturalGas
GermanFilmmakersVisitPAForMineFireDocumentary
DEPEducatesFarmShowAttendeesAboutPAEnergyResources
ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyandtoreadbackissues.
RegistrationNowOpenForPAEnvironmentalEducatorsConferenceMarch1314
ThePAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducatorsisnowacceptingregistrationsforits2015
ConferenceonMarch1314attheLakeRaystownResortandLodge.
Thisyear,we'retakingtheideaofconnectionstothenextlevel.Workshopswillfocus
onconnectingPennsylvania'sformalandnonformalenvironmentaleducatorswiththeirpeers,
theenvironment,andthemanyrichresourcesavailableintheregion.
Localexpertswillsharetheirexperience,educationalbestpractices,currentresearch,and
fundingopportunities.Workshopsincludetopicssuchas:
ProjectBudburst:Citizenscienceforeveryseason:JointheCitizenSciencemovementand
connectpeoplewithnature!Learnaboutoneofthetop10citizenscienceprogramsintheUSA
fromoneofonly6certifiedinstructorsintheUS.Learnabouttheresourcesavailable,get
experienceusingBudBurst,andleavewithresourcesandknowledgeyoucanadapttoyour
classroom,programsorenvironmentalcenter.
NatureJournaling:Naturejournalshavebeenusedbynaturalistsandscientistssincethe
1700'stotrackchangesinnaturalsystemssuchasmigrationpatternsandclimatechange.
Participantswilllearnhowtomakenaturejournalswithaclassusingrecycledmaterials.Then
we'llputthemtousebygoingoutsidetojournal.
Engagingwiththeoutdoorsthroughmobiledevices:Thissessionwillprovideahandson
opportunitytolearnaboutandexploremobilecomputerprogramsdesignedforoutdoorspaces.
AsummaryofrecentresearcheffortsonmobilelearningatShaver'sCreekEnvironmental
Centerandoutdoorbasedmobiledesignrecommendationswillbeincluded.
RegistrationisalsoopenforProjectWETandProjectLearningTreefacilitator
workshopsonMarch12.
IfyouwouldliketobeasponsorattheConference,clicktheI'dliketolearnmoreabout
sponsoringbuttonwhenyouregister.
Applyforconferencescholarshipsonpage3oftheonlineregistrationform.
YoucanalsobecomeanewPAEEmemberorrenewyourmembershipwhenyouregister
forthe2015conference.
FormoredetailsontheConferenceagenda,visittheConferenceAtAGlancewebpage.
Forquestionsaboutregistration,contactBethBollingerat7245374571orsendemailto:
beth.bollinger@stvincent.edu.
PAEnvironmentalCouncilPolicyPrioritiesFor2015
ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilFridaypublishedalistofitspolicyprioritiesfor2015covering
climatechange,strongernaturalgasregulation,waterresourceprotection,amoratoriumon
furtherStateForestleasingfornaturalgasdevelopment,anendtosidesteppingthelegislative
processduringbudgetseason,renewingthefinancialcommitmenttoenvironmentalprograms
andadoptionofdrinkingwaterwellstandards.
Thetextofthepolicyprioritiesfollows
TomWolfhasbeensworninasPennsylvanias47thGovernorandthefocusin
Harrisburgcannowmovepastcampaignsandceremonytothedifficulttaskathand:governinga
statewithaprojected$2.3billiondeficit.
Toughquestionsandchoiceslieahead,includinghowthenewGovernorandGeneral
AssemblycanenhanceourenvironmentwhenPennsylvaniaisatanimportantcrossroadswith
respecttoclimatechange,watershedprotection,andresourcestewardship.Whatfollowsarethe
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncils(PEC)topprioritiesfor2015.Welookforwardto
workingwiththeGovernor,hiscabinet,andtheGeneralAssemblytoachievethesepriorities.
LeadonClimateChange
Climatechangeisoccurring,withenvironmentalandeconomicimpactsalreadybeingfelt
withinourstate.ItwouldbeinexcusableforleadershipinHarrisburgtoignorethisrealityand
failtoactgiventhatPennsylvaniaisagloballysignificantcontributorofgreenhousegas
emissions.
Givenourcurrentbroadbasedenergyportfolio,Pennsylvaniais,inmanyrespects,the
posterchildforthechallengesinherentinreducinggreenhousegasemissions.Basedonactions
alreadytakenhereandelsewhere,wehavewitnessedtheeconomicandenvironmentalbenefits
inmakingthosereductions.However,itwillrequireboldstepstoadvanceconsequentialpolicies
andpractices.Evenwiththefederalgovernmentestablishingaframeworkfordoingso,
Pennsylvaniamustembracealeadershiproleelementsofthefoundationarealreadyinplace:
ThePennsylvaniaClimateChangeAct,inspiredinnosmallpartbyPECsownClimate
ChangeRoadmap,requiresthestatetodevelopandcontinuallyupdateaplantoadvancepolicies
forthereductionofgreenhousegasemissions.Pennsylvaniahasdroppedtheballonthis
responsibility,givinglittlesupporttotheobjectivesoftheActandthesubstanceoftheplan.The
statemustrecommitfundingandfocustothisefforttohelpinformimplementationofthefederal
CleanPowerPlan.
UpdateandincreasetheAlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandards,particularlytheTierI
standards,which,sincetheirenactmentin2004,havefallendramaticallybehindthegoalssetby
otherstates.
BuildupontheenergyefficiencyanddemandreductionprogressmadepursuanttoAct129of
2008.Thismustincludeadjustingtheratemakingstructureforelectricutilitiestoencourage
energyefficiency,andalsotoincludenaturalgasutilitiesundertheAct.Anumberofinnovative
strategiessuchasonbillfinancingforefficiencycangeneratewinwinscenariosforconsumers
inPennsylvania.
Pennsylvaniamustalsolooktodesignandimplementnewstrategiestoreduceour
emissionsfootprint,including:
Enactstrongcontrolsonmethaneemissionsfromexistingandnewsourceswithinnaturalgas
productionandtransport.
InvestigatethepotentialofregionalpartnershipsliketheRegionalGreenhouseGasInitiative
tohelpPennsylvaniamoreeffectivelyachieveemissionreductiontargets.
Mandategreenbuildingstandardsforstatefundedprojects,andadoptthemostuptodate
statebuildingcodetopromoteefficiency.
ImproveandImplementStrongerNaturalGasRegulation
Threeyearsafterpassageofnewstatutoryprotections,Pennsylvaniastillhasnot
finalizedimprovedregulationsforoversightofunconventionalnaturalgasdevelopment.This
inordinatedelayhaspreventedPennsylvaniafromimplementingcriticalcontrolsonongoing
activityandhasnegatedtheadaptivemanagementcapabilityoftheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection(DEP)toadoptleadingpractices.
Thestatemustquicklyimproveandfinalizeitsrulemakingproposal,includingenhanced
AreaofReviewanalysis,bettertrackingofwastewatertreatmentanddisposal,andmore
protectivecontainmentstandardsfortheindustry.Further,theDEPmustadvanceimproved
measuresforprotectionofwaterbodiesandpublicresourcesgivenrecentcourtdecisionsonAct
13of2012andtheEnvironmentalRightsAmendment.
ReinvigorateWaterResourceProtection
Pennsylvaniaswaterresourcesarechallengedbyconflictingdemandsandavastarrayof
pollutionandconsumptiveusepressures.Meetingthesechallengeswillrequirebetterevaluation
ofusesandstressors,bothnowandintothefuture.Pennsylvaniascurrentapproachtowater
managementisdisjointed,withdisparateprogramsthatwereadoptedatdifferentpointsintime
toaddresslimitedissues.Despiteinitialattemptstoconsolidateplanningandprotection,those
effortshavefallenshort.Waterresourcesarerenewableonlywhenprotectedandmanaged
properly:wearecurrentlyfailingthatstandard.
TheWaterResourcesPlanningAct(Act220)wasenactedin2002toaddressthegapin
Pennsylvaniasapproachtowaterresourcesbyprovidingacomprehensiveframeworkatboththe
regionalandstateleveltoevaluateneeds,identifyproblems,andrecommendsolutions.
Unfortunately,implementationofAct220hasfallenwellshortofitsmandateduetolackof
fundingandadministrativesupport.ThenewAdministrationmustreinvigorateAct220soitmay
reachitspurposeandpotentialinsettinganoperativeandcohesiveframeworkforprotectingour
waterresources.
FullycommittotheChesapeakeBayrestorationeffortthroughthestateWatershed
ImprovementPlanandsediment,nitrogen,andphosphorusTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)
requirements.
ProvidesufficientresourcestoDEPsotheagencycanprovidenecessarytechnicalreviewand
oversighttolocalgovernmentstohelpthemmeetstormwaterpermitandTMDLrequirements.
Furtherencourageregionalplanningandcollaborationatthecountyandlocalgovernment
levels.
Restoresupportforlocalwatershedgroupsinvolvedinwatershedrestorationandabandoned
minereclamationprojectstotakeadvantageoflocalinterestandtostretchstatefundingdollars.
ReestablishaMoratoriumonStateForestLeasing
Leasingofstateforestlandforunconventionalnaturalgasdrillingin2008and2010was
drivenbythedesireforrevenuetobalancethestatebudget,andin2014theGeneralAssembly
againcalledforadditionalleasingrevenueswithoutregardtotheconsequencestoourmost
ecologicallyimportantpubliclands.Thisdependenceisnotonlyshortsighted,itispotentiallyin
violationoftheEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentinthePennsylvaniaConstitution.State
forestlandshouldneverbedirectedsolelyforrevenueexploitation.
Lastyearthestatecompletedafirststepinassessingtheimpactsofunconventional
developmentworkthatisstillbeinginformedandimprovedbyongoinganalysisfrompublic
andprivatepartners.
Forthesereasons,andtoavoidfurtherunnecessaryandunconsideredimpacts,the
GovernorandSecretaryoftheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources(DCNR)must
prohibitanyadditionalallowanceofdevelopmentonstateforestlanduntilfullanalysisis
performedincludingexaminationofcurrentactivity.Thepublictrustdoctrineembodiedinthe
EnvironmentalRightsAmendmentestablishesanextraordinaryandmandatorythresholdforthe
agencyinthisanalysis.
StopEnvironmentalLawmakingviatheStateBudget
TheGeneralAssemblyhasmadeapurposefulpracticeofinsertingcontroversial
environmentalprovisionsintothestatebudgetallowingthelegislaturetoeffectivelysidestep
debateandvotingonthemeritsofthoseindividualmeasures.Lastyearthelegislatureincluded
provisionsrelatingtoregulationofnaturalgasactivity,aswellasarequirementforlegislative
approvalofthestateseventualsubmissionofanimplementationplantotheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgencyfortheCleanPowerPlan.
Thispracticeisagainstgoodgovernanceandunderminespublictrust.Legislationthat
affectsrulemakingshouldbepresentedonitsownmeritsnotburiedinanallornothing
omnibusfiscalbillpassedinthewaninghoursofstatebudgetdebates.Thecitizensof
Pennsylvaniadeservebetterfromtheirelectedrepresentatives.
RenewtheFinancialCommitmenttoEnvironmentalPrograms
Overthepastdecade,ourresourceprotectionagencieshavebeenaskedtodomoreand
morewithdwindlingbudgetappropriationstosupporttheirwork.Inaddition,anumberof
restorationprogramslikeGrowingGreenerhaveseenseverereductionsinfundingcommitments
bythestate.TheseshortfallshurtcommunitiesandthecitizensoftheCommonwealthby
inhibitingtheagenciesabilitiestoperformtheirrespectivemissions.
Whilethismaynotbeaneasilyacceptedissuegivenourcurrentbudgetsituation,the
statesfundamentalcommitmenttoprotecttheenvironmentandstewardourpublicresources
mustbeequalinbudgetingpriorities,andpriorshortfallsmustberectified.Anydiscussionof
newrevenue,includingaseverancetax,musthelpeffectuaterenewedinvestmentinresource
protection.Thestateshouldfurthercraftanewstrategyforfundingofrestorationeffortsone
thatisnotdependentonfurtherexploitationofthoseverysameresourcesitaimstosafeguard.
PassWaterWellLegislation
Forseverallegislativesessions,widelysupportedbipartisanlegislationthatwould
establishreasonablesafeguardsforthedrillinganddecommissioningofprivatewaterwellshas
failedtoreceivefinalconsiderationintheGeneralAssembly.Allowingthisactivitytocontinue
withoutminimaloversightplacesanuntoldnumberofPennsylvaniansatriskofdrinking
contaminatedwater.LegislationhasalreadybeenreintroducedinthenewsessionoftheGeneral
Assemblythelegislatureshouldquicklypassthisimportantsetofprotections.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAEnvironmentalCouncilwebsite.
(ReprintedfromthePAEnvironmentalCouncilPolicywebpage.)
FERCSchedulesPublicScopingSessionsForPennEastPipeline,PostponesNJMeeting
TheFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommissionhasscheduledaseriesoffivescopingsessionin
PennsylvaniaandNewJerseyontheproposedPennEastPipeline.(formalnoticeofmeeting)
The108milepipelinewouldoriginateinLuzerneCountyandterminateinMercer
County,NewJersey.
Thepurposeofthesescopingmeetingsistoprovidethepublicanopportunitytolearn
moreabouttheCommissionsenvironmentalreviewprocess,andtoverballycommentonthe
Project.
Eachscopingmeetingwillstartat6:00pmandrepresentativesfromPennEastwillbe
presentonehourpriortothestartofeachmeetingtoanswerquestionsabouttheProject.
Affectedlandownersandinterestedgroupsandindividualsareencouragedtoattendthe
scopingmeetingsandpresentcommentsontheissuestheybelieveshouldbeaddressedinthe
EIS.
Themeetingsarescheduledfor:
January28,6:00pm:BucksCountyCommunityCollege,275SwampRoad,Newtown,PA
February10,6:00pm:NorthamptonCommunityCollege,3835GreenPondRd,Bethlehem,
PA
February11,6:00pm:PennsPeak,325MauryRoad,JimThorpe,PA
February12,6:00pm:BestWesternHotel&ConferenceCenter,77EMarketSt,
WilkesBarreand
POSTPONED:January27,6:00pm:CollegeofNewJersey,2000PenningtonRoad,Ewing,
NJ.(formalnoticeofpostponement)
AtranscriptofeachmeetingwillbeaddedtotheCommissionsadministrativerecordto
ensurethatyourcommentsareaccuratelyrecorded.
ClickHerefortheformalnoticeofthemeetings.
NewsClips:
FERCExtendsPennEastPipelineCommentPeriod
Toomey,CaseyChangeCourseOnClimate,KeystonePipeline?
PAEnvironmentalDefenseFoundationFilesForReconsiderationOfRulingOnDrilling
ThePostGazettePowerSourcereportedWednesdaythePAEnvironmentalDefenseFoundation
hasfiledanapplicationforreconsiderationoftheJanuary7rulingbyCommonwealthCourt
upholdingthestatesabilitytoshiftfundsoutofDCNRsOilandGasFundtobalancethestate
budget.
Thereconsiderationgroupasksthecourttoreconsiderbecausethejudgesdidnotaddress
itsfundamentalclaim:thatthestatefailedtoperformitsconstitutionaldutytoevaluatethelikely
environmentalimpactbeforeleasingtensofthousandsofacresofstateforestsfornaturalgas
extractionandtransferringthemoneyoutoftheconservationfundcontrolledbytheDepartment
ofConservationandNaturalResources.
Gov.WolfiswidelyexpectedtorescindGov.CorbettsExecutiveOrderallowing
additionalnonsurfaceimpactdrillingunderDCNRStateForestandParklandsandissuea
moratoriumonfurtherdrilling.
TheFY201415statebudgetanticipatedanother$95millioninrevenuefromadditional
drillingunderDCNR.
ClickHeretoreadtheapplicationforreconsideration.
NewsClips:
GroupFilesReconsiderationOfRulingOnDrillingPublicLand
PetersTwpLooksToBanFrackingWithin600FootBuffer
PetersTwpMovesTowardNewDrillingPolicy
PAWildsSeeksNominationsForChampionOfThePennsylvaniaWildsAwards
ThePAWildsPlanningTeamwantstorecognizeindividuals,groups,organizationsor
businessesthathavedoneoutstandingworkinthelastyeartohelpgrowandsustainablydevelop
theoutdoorrecreationeconomyinthePennsylvaniaWildsthroughitsannualPAWilds
ChampionAwards.
NominationsaredueMarch20.
PastPAWildsChampionawardwinnershaverepresentedtalentedartisans,communities,
events,youthprojects,newbusinessdevelopment,localhistoric/culturalevents,greatleaders
whosharethevisionofpublicandprivatesectorpartnerstogrowtheregionsnatureand
heritagetourismindustrytocreatejobs,diversifylocaleconomies,inspirestewardshipand
improvequalityoflife.
ThePAWildsingenuityencouragesthosethatholddearthisdistinctiveareainthe
PennsWoodstogentlyshareouruniquetreasuresandoursuccessesalongtheway.Thereby
connectingnaturallyandeconomicallytopeopleseekingsomethingdifferentandnew,said
PlanningTeamChairJanHampton.Tourismisagrowingindustrythatwillenableourregionto
thriveandgrow.Itistrulyamazinghowmanylocalbusinesseshavesproutedandtakenroot.
TheChampionAwardsarethePlanningTeamsmechanismofrecognizingandsupportingthese
positiveefforts.SowewholeheartedlyinvitethepublictonominatePAWildsChampionsfrom
theirareas.Wewanttomakesuretheyarehonoredandrecognizedfortheircontributionsand
ingenuitytowardsthiseffort.
Categoriesforthe6thAnnualChampionofthePAWildsAwardsinclude:outstanding
leadergreatplaces,conservationstewardshipbothindividualandorganization,greatdesign,
memberoftheyear,artisanoftheyear,entrepreneur/businessoftheyear,inspiringyouthaward,
outstandingeventandbestbrandambassador.
The121/2countyPAWildsregion,whichcoversaboutaquarterofthe
Commonwealth,boasts29stateparks,8stateforests,50stategamelands,twoNationalWild&
ScenicRivers,someofthedarkestskiesintheworld,thelargestwildelkherdinthenortheast,
theonlyNationalForestinPennsylvania,thePAWildsArtisanTrailandamultitudeofhistoric
andculturallydiversecommunitiesandeventsthatexemplifytheuniquenessofthisregionofthe
Commonwealth.
AwardswillbepresentedatthePAWildsPlanningTeamsAnnualDinneronApril30at
theRedFerninSt.Marys.
ClickHereforanominationform.ForassistancecontactCandiHandat8145451333
orsendemailto:candih@pottercountyedcouncil.org.
RegisterNowForRiversConservationAndFlyFishingYouthCampJune2126
TheCumberlandValleyChapterofTroutUnlimitedisholdingthe21stannualRivers
ConservationandFlyFishingYouthCampJune2126,attheAllenberryResortinBoiling
Springs,PA.ThecampbeginsonaSundayandendsthefollowingFriday.
Thehighlystructuredcurriculumisbasedoncollegelevelclasses.Studentsareinstructed
inecology,aquaticbiology,geology,hydrogeology,erosionandsedimentationcontrol,
ichthyology,ripariancorridorprotection,watershedmanagement,entomology,andmuchmore.
Studentsalsoparticipateinahandsonstreamhabitatimprovementproject.Butitsnot
allwork.Thereare10fishingsessionsandflytyinginstruction.Over30instructors,allexperts
intheirfield,teachthevariousclasses.
Admissionwillbelimitedto32selectedqualifiedstudents,ages14to17.Theapplicants
musthavebeenbornbetweenJune26,1997,andJune21,2001.The32studentswillbeselected
throughanapplicationprocesswheretheymuststatewhytheywanttoattendcamp.The
competitionforadmissionisfierce.
Thecamptuitionis$350perstudentfortheentireweek.Allmealsandaccommodations
areincludedfortheresidencecamp.Astudentneednotbeanaccomplishedflyfisherora
buddingaquaticbiologisttoattend.Allthestudentneedsistobehighlymotivatedandwillingto
learn.
TheRiversConservationandFlyFishingYouthCampwasfoundedin1995throughthe
effortsofthelateDr.JohnR.JackBeckandthelateEnochS.InkyMoore,Jr.,Pennsylvania
FishCommissioner.Theirgoalwastoselect32teenagerseachyearwhoweretheleadersintheir
class.Thethoughtisthattodaysleadersinhighschoolbecometheleaderoftomorrows
communities.
Inafewshortyears,theywillbethebankers,lawyers,realtors,municipalofficialsand
theleadersintheircommunities.Ifthecampcanimplantakernelofknowledgeintodays
studentsabouttheimportanceofcleanwater,whenthosestudentsbecomethedecisionmakers
intheircommunities,itmayhaveapositiveimpactonhowwaterresourcesareused.
AllapplicationsmustbepostmarkednolaterthanMarch31.
Formoreinformation,visittheRiversConservationandFlyFishingYouthCamp
website.ApplicationsorquestionsmaybesubmittedviaUSmailorviaemailto:
riverscamp@gmail.com.
PALandTrustAssn:NewGuideOnTheImportanceOfChildNatureConnections
ThePALandTrustAssociationispleasedtoannouncethereleaseofitspublication,Nature
Play:NurturingChildrenandStrengtheningConservationthroughConnectionstotheLand.
Mostadultstodayrememberspendingagreatdealoftimeoutdoorsasachild.
Upuntiljustafewdecadesago,childrenwentoutdoorseveryday,regardlessofweather,
exploringthenaturalworldwithoutadultinterference.Imaginationandappropriateattirewasall
thatwasrequiredandthechildrendefinedtherulesofnatureplay.
Today,natureplayisessentiallygone.Doesitslossreallymatter?Inaword:yes.Its
likelyimpossibletoreplacethecognitivegrowthbenefitsoffrequent,spontaneous,naturebased
childhoodplay.
Natureplayisalsolikelyimportantfortheachievementofconservation:Itishuman
naturetowanttoprotectwhatwelovenatureplayfostersemotionalconnectiontotheoutdoors,
whichcanresultinalifelongappreciationofnature.
Thispublicationexploresthebenefitsofnatureplayand,withasenseofurgency,details
thewaysinwhichindividualsandorganizationscanhelptorestorenatureplaytochildhood.
Forgenerations,childrenhaveplayedoutdoorsandfoundwonderandenjoymentin
theirnaturalworld.Today,theresanepidemicofwhatauthorRichardLouvcallsnaturedeficit
disorder,explainedAndyLoza,PALTAexecutivedirector.Thisguideisintendedto
empowerandengageindividuals,nonprofits,schools,localgovernmentsandothersinterestedin
reestablishingtheessentialbondbetweenchildrenandnature.
Acopyofthepublicationisavailableonline.Hardcopiesmayberequestedbycalling
7179091298.
LackawannaEnvironmentalEducationCenterUpdatesActivitiesForFebruary
TheLackawannaEnvironmentalEducationCenterinCovingtonTownship,Lackawanna
County,hasupdateditslistofupcomingactivities.ClickHereforaCalendarofUpcoming
Events.
POWRIsNowAcceptingApplicationsFor2015PASojournGrants

ThePAOrganizationforWatershedsandRiversannouncedtheopeningofthe2015PARiver
SojournsGrantcycle.ThedeadlineforapplicationsisFebruary27.
Grantsareavailableonacompetitivebasisforsingleandmultidaypaddlingeventson
Pennsylvaniasrivers.Eventsmustincorporatesignificanteducationalprogramming,andbe
opentoallparticipants(i.e.,privatetripsarenoteligible).Upto$900peronwaterdayfor
multidaysojournsand$500forsingledaysojournsinPennsylvania.
Asanationallyuniqueprogram,thePASojournsreachover4,000people,paddleover
500riversmiles,offermorethan100educationalprograms,anddistributemorethan$60,000in
grantsacrossthestate.
POWR,anaffiliateofthePAEnvironmentalCouncil,administersthePennsylvania
Sojournprogram.POWRhasbeeninplaceforoveradecadeandhassponsoredtripsonmanyof
theCommonwealthsrivers.TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesisthe
primesponsoroftheprogram.
Formoreinformation,visitPOWRsSojournGrantwebpage.
PAStudyShowsNongameWildlife,ConservationEffortsAreImportantToResidents
AnewsurveyofpublicopiniondonefortheGameandFishandBoatCommissionin2014
showsmanagingandconservingthreatenedandendangeredspeciesandprovidingopportunities
forfishingwerethetoptwofunctionsoftheCommissionssupportedby92percentofthose
surveyed.
Thefunctionwiththegreatestpercentageofrespondentsdescribingitasveryimportant
ismanagingandconservingthreatenedandendangeredspecies75percentrateditassuch.
Alargemajorityofrespondents87percentalsoratedmanagingandconserving
nongamewildlifeasimportant,with62percentratingitveryimportant.
Infact,thepercentageofPennsylvaniansin2014whoconsideredmanagingand
conservingnongamewildlifetobeveryimportantrepresentsa14percentagepointincreaseover
the49percentofrespondentswhogavethesameresponsein1996.
Background
Oftenaccountingforthevastmajorityofallwildlifeinastate,speciesthatarenot
hunted,fished,ortrapped,i.e.,nongamespecies,addcriticaldiversitytooverallfishandwildlife
populationsandecosystems.
Asthehealthofallspeciesandtheirhabitatsisinextricablytiedtothesustainabilityof
theoverallenvironment,manystateagenciesoverthepastseveraldecadeshaveacknowledged
theimportanceofnongamespeciesbyestablishingdedicatedwildlifediversityprogramsfor
theirbenefit.
Suchmanagementproceedsfromtheunderstandingthatwhilegamespeciesmayenjoya
higherprofilestatusamongmanyresidents,nongamespeciesremainequallyimportantto
wildlifediversityasawhole.
ThisstudywasconductedbyResponsiveManagementfortheGameCommission,in
collaborationwiththeFishandBoatCommission(bothofwhicharetaskedwiththe
managementofPennsylvania'snongamespecies),andwassupportedbyState&TribalWildlife
GrantsProgramfunds.
ResponsiveManagementexaminedstateresidents'opinionsonandattitudestoward
nongamewildlife,activitiesandprioritiesoftheCommissions,andfundingforthe
Commissions.
The2014surveyusedinthisstudypartiallyreplicateda1996studyconductedby
ResponsiveManagement,thusallowingevaluationoftrendsinresidents'opinionsbetweenthe
twostudies.
Further,whileitwasimportanttoknowhowPennsylvaniaresidentsasawholefeltabout
wildlifemanagementinthestate,thestudywasalsointendedtoprovidelawmakersand
decisionmakersacrossthestatewithdataspecifictotheirconstituents.
Forthisreason,the2014surveywasconductedbyCongressionalDistrict,resultingin
statisticallyvalidresultsforeachofPennsylvania's18CongressionalDistricts.
Overall,thestudyfoundthatfishandwildlifemanagementandconservationisimportant
totheresidentsofPennsylvania,includingmanagementandconservationofallspecies.
Suchspeciesincludemammals,amphibians,reptiles,fish,andbirds,manyofwhichare
visibletoPennsylvaniaresidentsnearandaroundtheirhomeseveryday.The2005
PennsylvaniaWildlifeActionPlanproducedbythetwoCommissionsnotesthatnongame
speciesaccountfor75percentofthestate'sfishandwildlife.
Ingeneral,thestudyresultsreinforcetheimpressionthatwhilePennsylvaniaresidents
maydistinguishbetweenvariouscategoriesofspecies,wildlifeasawholeremainshighly
importanttomostpeople.
SummaryOfResults
TheoverwhelmingmajorityofPennsylvaniansthinkthatmanagingandconservingboth
threatenedandendangeredspeciesandnongamespeciesisimportant.
Thesurveyaskedrespondentstoratetheimportanceoffivefunctionsofthe
Commissions,andthetoptwoitems,accordingtothepercentageofrespondentswhosaidthe
functioniseitherveryorsomewhatimportantaremanagingandconservingthreatenedand
endangeredspeciesandprovidingopportunitiesforfishingatotalof92percentdescribedeach
itemasimportant.
Thefunctionwiththegreatestpercentageofrespondentsdescribingitasveryimportant
ismanagingandconservingthreatenedandendangeredspecies75percentrateditassuch.
Alargemajorityofrespondents87percentalsoratedmanagingandconserving
nongamewildlifeasimportant,with62percentratingitveryimportant.
Infact,thepercentageofPennsylvaniansin2014whoconsideredmanagingand
conservingnongamewildlifetobeveryimportantrepresentsa14percentagepointincreaseover
the49percentofrespondentswhogavethesameresponsein1996.
InadditiontothemajorfunctionsoftheCommissions,respondentswereaskedtoratethe
importanceofalargerlistofmorespecificCommissionactivities.Thetwohighestranked
Commissionactivitiesinimportanceareaddressingwildlifediseases96percentof
Pennsylvanianssaidthisisimportant,with80percentsayingitisveryimportantandenforcing
wildlifelawsatotalof96percentofrespondentsratedthisasimportant,including79percent
whoindicateditisveryimportant.
Intherankingbythepercentageofrespondentswhoratedtheitemsasveryorsomewhat
important,fourmoreactivitieshadatleasttwothirdsofrespondentssayingtheyarevery
important:restoringandimprovinghabitat,addressinginvasivespecies,conservationactionsfor
nongamespeciesatrisk,andeducatingthepublicaboutnongamewildlife.
Mostofthetoprankedactivitiesabovecanbedirectlyassociatedwithatleastoneofthe
fourmainareasaddressedbyPennsylvania'sStateWildlifeActionPlan:SpeciesofGreatest
ConservationNeed,habitatconditionwherethosespecieslive,threatstospeciesandhabitats,
andconservationactionstolessenthosethreats.
Althoughthemajorityofresidentsarenotcurrentlyawareoftheplanwhichisa
proactiveplantokeepspeciesfrombecomingthreatenedorendangeredtheCommission
activitiestheyratedasgreatestinimportancealignwiththegoalsandvaluesoftheplan.
Theseresults,aswellasmanyoftheresultsofthisstudy,arecurrentlybeingusedbythe
GameCommissionandFishandBoatCommissiontoupdatetheStateWildlifeActionPlan.
Inthesurvey,respondentswerealsoaskedwhethermore,thesame,orlesseffortshould
bedirectedtomanagingandconservingfourtypesofnongamewildlife:birds,smallmammals,
reptiles/amphibians,andfish.
Althoughthemostcommonresponseforthreeofthefourtypesofwildlifewasthesame,
thepercentagesayingthatmoreeffortshouldbedirectedtomanagementandconservation
exceededthepercentagesayinglessforeachtypeofwildlife.
Incomparingthefourtypesofwildlife,themostconcernisforbirds:37percentwant
moreeffortdirectedtomanagingandconservingthiscategoryofwildlife.
FundingOptions
Anotherimportantobjectiveofthe2014ResponsiveManagementstudywastoexamine
supportfornongamefundingoptions.Onthistopic,itisusefultonotedifferencesinthefunding
traditionallyavailableforgameandnongamespecies.
Whilefundingformanagementoftheformertypicallycomesfromsuchreliable
mechanismsaslicensefeesfromhuntersandanglersandexcisetaxesonhuntingandfishing
equipment,manyagenciesrelyondirectdonationsfromresidentsorothervoluntary
contributions,e.g.,taxcheckoffsorlicenseplatepurchases)toprovidenonfederalfundingfor
nongameconservationefforts.
Inthesurvey,respondentswereaskedabouttenpotentialfundingsourcesfornongame
wildlifeconservation.Allfundingsourcesonthelistexceptonehaveamajorityof
Pennsylvaniansinsupport.
Thefundingsourcewithmorethanhalfofrespondentsstronglysupportingitisa
collector'sconservationstamp:55percentstronglysupportthispotentialfundingsource,overall
supportforit,includingmoderatesupport,isat81percent.
Othertoprankedfundingsourcesincludefundsfromfishinglicensefees,asmall
percentageofrevenuefromgaming,fundsfromhuntinglicensefees,afeeontheconsumptive
useanddegradationofwaterusedforindustrialpurposes,andataxonenergydevelopment
activities.
Acopyofthesurveyisavailableonline.
WildlifeForEveryone:ConstructionUnderwayOnColyerLakeRestoration
DespiteaharshwinterchillthroughoutcentralPennsylvania,worktorestoreColyerLake
continuesinCentreCountythroughSaveColyerLake,Inc.Currently,contractorsarecollecting
materialsandreadyingthesiteforrepairwork,whileoutliningprojectstorefurbishthelake
bottom.
"Itiswonderfultoseethedirtflying,"saidSaveColyerLake,Inc.PresidentTomKistler.
"ThefutureofColyerLakelookssecure.Eachdaythatpassesbringsusclosertothelakebeing
fullyrestored."
Generoussupportfromlocalbusinessesandindividualdonorsalsocontinuestohelpthe
projectevolve.
TheWildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundationprovidesadministrativebackingand
fundraisingsupporttoSaveColyerLake,Inc.Thefoundationestablishedataxdeductibleoutlet
forsupporterstocontributefundingtohelprecreatethelakeasapopularboatingandfishing
destinationforresidentsandvisitorstoCentreCounty.
Thesiteislocatedapproximately11mileseastofdowntownStateCollegeandPenn
StateUniversityandistheonlyusablelakeofitssizewithincloseproximitytothearea.
WhileofficialsdidnotsetanestimateddateofcompletionforColyerLake,contactors
didarriveonsiteafewweeksbeforeChristmas.
Throughoutthefall,limestonerockfromtheRoute322wideningprojectwasdonatedby
astatecontractorandthecollectionoftreesforunderwater'fishstructures'began.Ideally,much
oftheworkonthelake'sbottomwillbecompletedduringthesewintermonthswhilethemuddy
lakebottomisfrozensolid.Thisalsoincludeslimingthelake'sfloortoadjustthePh.
Thelimingprojectperhapsbestdemonstratesthecommitmentoflocalbusinessleadersto
sustainthelake'sfutureasavaluablecommunityresource.GraymontofPleasantGapdonated
300tonsoflime,whiletrucksfromStateCollegebasedGlennO.Hawbaker,Inc.wereusedto
haulthebounty.Additionally,thelimewillbespreadbyScott'sLandscapingatasignificantly
discountedprice,whichwillbecoveredbytheCentreHallFarmStore.
"Allofthesecompaniesaredirectlyinvolvedinhelpingtoimprovethehabitatforfishing
whilethelakeisdownandunderreconstruction,"Kistlersaid."Itisexciting.Ifyouhave
contactwithanyofthesecompanies,pleaseexpressyourthankstothemfortheirgenerous
support."
Theorganizationalsostillhasapproximately$40,000availableforuseindonations
thankstoothercommunitydonations.AftermeetingwiththeFish&BoatCommission,Save
ColyerLake,Inc.electedtocommit$10,000ofthosefundstounderwaterimprovements.
Theremaining$30,000willbeusedforabovewaterimprovementsaroundthesite.More
than$140,000remainsintotalreceiveddonationsfortheproject,however,$100,000isallocated
forpaymenttothestateforitsinvolvement.
Formoreinformationonthisandotherrestorationprojects,visittheWildlifeFor
EveryoneEndowmentFoundationwebsite.
PAsFirstAfricanAmericanStateForester:RalphElwoodBrock
RalphElwoodBrockwasbornonFebruary15,1881andraisedin
Pottsville,SchuylkillCounty.HebecamethefirstAfricanAmerican
tobecomeaGraduateForesterofthePennsylvaniaStateForest
Academy'sfirstclassof1906.
HemaywellhavebeenthefirstAfricanAmericantobe
educatedinforestryintheUnitedStates.
PriortogoingtotheAcademy,Brockwasemployedatthe
formerMontAltoReserve,nowMichauxStateForest,sohehadan
earlyconnectiontoforestrywork.
Immediatelyaftergraduation,Brockwasnamed
superintendentofthenewlyestablishedMontAltoStateForestTreeNursery,apositionheheld
from1906to1911.Forestryrecordsindicatethenurseryflourishedunderhisdirection,andhis
accomplishmentsaredetailedinearlyannualreportsoftheformerstateDepartmentofForestry.
Heresignedfromstateservicein1911tostarthisownnurserybusinessinthe
PhiladelphiaareaanddidworkinNewYorkCity.Hisspecialtywasestategardens,orchardsand
landscaping.
Hecontinuedhiscareerasaforesterfortherestofhislife.HediedonDec.9,1959and
isburiedintheChestnutGroveCemetery,WestChester,ChesterCounty.
In2000,theDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesrenamedtheSouth
MountainSeedOrchard,longamainstayofstateforestseedandseedlingproductioninthestate,
theRalphE.BrockSeedOrchardinasalutetotheSchuylkillCountynative.
Alsoin2000,BrockandhisstorywereincludedinEarthDayeducationalmaterialssent
tohundredsofschoolsacrossthestatetofamiliarizestudentswithsignificantenvironmental
leadersinPennsylvaniaspast.
PatrickHendersonNamedMarcellusShaleCoalitionDirectorOfRegulatoryAffairs
StateImpactreportedFridayPatrickHenderson,Gov.CorbettsEnergyExecutive,hasaccepteda
positionwiththeMarcellusShaleCoalitionasDirectorofRegulatoryAffairs.
Thesearetrulyexcitingtimeswithintheenergyindustry,HendersontoldStateImpact.
Iverymuchlookforwardtopartneringwiththecoalitionanditsmemberstoadvancewhatisa
sharedcommitmenttodevelopingourenergyresourcesinasafeandresponsibleway.
Patsdeepunderstandingofenergyrelatedregulatoryandlegislativeissuesismatched
onlybyhislikeability,attentiontodetailandsolutionsfocusedapproachtopolicymatters,says
MSCPresidentDaveSpigelmyer.WelookforwardtoPatcontributingimmediatelytowardour
organizationscollectiveeffortsfocusedonensuringthatPennsylvaniacontinuestobeanational
leaderinthesafeproductionofcleanburningnaturalgas.
PAEnvironmentalCouncilAnnouncesChangesToOrganizationalResponsibilities
ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilWednesdayannouncechangesinrolesandresponsibilitiesfor
twokeystaffwithintheCouncilPatrickStarrandCindyFerguson.
AfterworkinginnumerousrolesatPECfor21years,PatrickStarrhasassumedthetitle
ofExecutiveVicePresidentforProgramsStatewideandCindyFerguson,formerlyDirectorof
Operationsforthesoutheastoffice,hasbeenappointedasDirectorofDevelopment.
Bothofthesechangesrecognizenotonlythefantasticcapabilitiesandprofessionalism
ofcurrentstaffmembers,butalsoPECscontinuedeffortstobetterconnectouroperationsand
programsacrosstheCommonwealth,saidDavittWoodwell,PECsPresidentandCEO.
BasedoutofPECssoutheastoffice,wherehehasservedasExecutiveVicePresidentfor
SoutheasternPennsylvania,Starrwilltakeoninitiativesacrossthestatewithaspecialemphasis
ontrailsandrecreationaswellascontinuingtoleadregionalprograms.
WewanttoworkasateamacrossthestatetorestorePennsylvaniasenvironmentand
facilitatetheconnectiontoPennsylvaniasrichnaturalresourcesinaccordancewithour
mission,saidStarr.
InhisworkatPEC,StarrhasaidedinthedevelopmentoftheTidalDelawareandUrban
StormwaterinitiativeswhilealsoplayingaleadingroleinthecreationoftheNorthDelaware
GreenwayMasterplananddirectingtheGreenSpaceAlliance.
StarrisalsoactivelyinvolvedwithboardsandtaskforcesacrosstheCommonwealth
suchastheDelawareRiverCityCorporation,andtheCentralDelawareAdvocacyGroup.
Additionally,heservesasPAViceChairoftheCircuitCoalitionandisonthesteering
committeeoftheCoalitionfortheDelawareRiverWatershed.
HeformerlyservedontheboardoftheTookanyTaconyFrankford(TTF)Watershed
Partnership,aswellasMayorNuttersSustainabilityAdvisoryBoard.
PriortojoiningPECin1992,StarrservedasthePublicAffairsDirectorforthe
PhiladelphiaDepartmentofStreetsafterworkingastheDirectorofCivicIssuesandEditorof
CitySITESfortheFoundationforArchitecture.
AlsobasedinPECssoutheastoffice,CindyFergusonhasbeenwithPECsince2010
aftermorethan20yearsofexperienceworkingattheseniorandexecutivelevelsinthe
Philadelphianonprofiteducationandsocialservicesector.
InmakingthecareerchangethatbroughthertoPEC,Cindydecidedtotaketheroad
untakeninordertomarryavocationwithvocationandredirectherprofessionalskillstohelp
advanceastrongconservationagenda
ResponsibleforPECsdevelopmentinitiatives,Fergusonplans,manages,andexecutes
PECsstatewidemembershipandappealscampaignstrategies.Fergusonhasalsoexcelledin
implementingstepstoexpandtheCouncilsdonorbase,majordonors,andnewfoundation
partnersasevidencedbyannuallyexceedingthefundraisinggoalforthePhiladelphia
EnvironmentalPartnershipDinner.
FergusonalsoactsasaTidalDelawareRiverAmbassadorandPoquessingStreamkeeper
asshealongwithStarrandtherestofPECsstatewideteamcontinuetheirworktomake
Pennsylvaniathebestplaceitcanbe.
Ourvisionistoworktogetherasateamallacrossthestateaswebringourvarious
personalstrengthstothetable,inwhateverspecialtytheyrelocated,Starrsaid.
WatchforfurtherupdatesonstaffingasPECisworkingonfillingtwonewpositions
announcedlatelastyear.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAEnvironmentalCouncilwebsite.
PAEnvironmentalProfessionalsAnnounce2015BoardMembers
Celebrating30yearsin2015,thePAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalsannouncesand
congratulatesthefollowingBoardofDirectormembers:
NewMemberJosephMusil,UrbanEngineers
ReturningMemberJanetWarnick,PADEP
ReturningMemberMichaelParrent,TobyhannaArmyDepot
ReturningMemberKristenMaines,BEMSystems,Inc.
ReturningMemberEricBuncher,AlleghenyCountyAirportAuthorityandImmediate
PastPresident
SecretaryJasonMcCabe,RheaEngineersandConsultants,Inc.
TreasurerDarleneStringosWalker,StellEnvironmentalEnterprises,Inc.
VicePresidentEricRosina,ACTEngineers,Inc.
PresidentLindaZug,Civil&EnvironmentalConsultants,Inc.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalswebsite.
HelpWanted:ChesterCountyConservationDistrictHas2PositionsOpen
TheChesterCountyConservationDistrictisseekingcandidatesforaprofessionalengineer
position.ClickHereforallthedetails.
TheChesterCountyConservationDistrictisalsoseekingcandidatesforaConservationProgram
Representativeposition.ClickHereforallthedetails.
OpportunityToBidOnDCNRProjectsInBedford,Cumberland,HuntingdonCounties
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcespublishednoticeofanopportunityto
bidonStateForestprojectsinBedford,CumberlandandHuntingdoncounties.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredin
upcomingadvisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased.Italsogivesyou
aheadsuponHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,conferencesandotherinterestingevents.
MeetingsareinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.
NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.[AgendaNotPosted]meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.GototheonlineCalendarwebpageforupdates.
January28AgendaPosted.DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.
12thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
ReportsBySmallBusinessOmbudsman,EnvironmentalManagementAssistanceProgram,
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
ActiononAirQualityFiberglassBoatDraftRulemaking
ActiononAirQualityRACTDraftFinalFormRegulation
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts.
January28NEW.[AgendaNotPosted]DCNRConservationandNaturalResources
AdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice)
January28DCNRRecreationandConservationGrantsWebinar.10:00.ClickHereto
register.(formalnotice)
January29AgendaPosted.DEPChesapeakeBayManagementTeammeeting.DEPRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:30.
EPAUpdatesMidpointAssessment
Milestones
ManagementStrategyDiscussion
NextSteps
December2014StatusReportOnBayProgram
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts.
January29AgendaPosted.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionhearingonproposedwater
withdrawalrequests.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formal
notice)
February2EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointLegislativeAirAndWaterPollutionControl
andConservationCommittee.PresentationbyMKBCompanyonerosioncontroltechnology.
Room8EAEastWing.noon.
February3DCNRRecreationandConservationGrantsWebinar.10:00.ClickHereto
register.(formalnotice)
February5[AgendaNotPosted]DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.
DelawareRoom,16thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
February11DEPStateBoardForCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
February11DEPHearingOnTenskaWestmorelandNaturalGasPowerPlant.Turkeytown
SouthHuntingtonVolunteerFireDepartmenthall(HuntingtonPlace),locatedat90Supervisor
Drive,WestNewton.6:00.ClickHereformoreinformation.
February12DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.
February17EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.
February17DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
February18DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:30.
February25DEPpublicmeeting,hearingonNPDES,WasteManagementpermitsforthe
WellsboroJohnstonAirportexpansion.Thepublicmeetingwillbeheldat6:00p.m.,followed
bythepublichearingat7:30p.m.attheWellsboroFireDepartmentAnnex,21EastAve.,
Wellsboro.ClickHereformoreinformation.(formalnoticePABulletinpage458)
March2EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointLegislativeAirAndWaterPollutionControland
ConservationCommittee.PresentationbyBrianWagner,PACouncilofTroutUnlimited.Room
8EAEastWing.noon.
March3GovernorsBudgetAddress.(tentative)

March3DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
March10DEPBoardofCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
March11DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
March11DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee.BureauofLaboratories
Building,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.
March16NEW.SenateAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearing:9:30GovernorsBudget
Office,1:00IndependentFiscalOffice.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March18DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficersmeeting.Room
11BConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
March19DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard.Room105Rachel
March25NEW.SenateAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearing:9:30Dept.of
EnvironmentalProtection.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March24DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:30.
March31NEW.SenateAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearing:9:30PublicUtility
Commission,3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
April1NEW.SenateAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearing:11:00Dept.ofConservation
andNaturalResources.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
April2DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
April13NEW.EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointConservationCommitteetoheara
presentationbytheChesapeakeBayFoundationPAontheeconomicbenefitsofcleaningupthe
Bay.LTBA.Noon.
April22DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel
April29DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.
DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
May62015PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,State
College.
May68PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalsAnnualConference.ToftreesResort,
StateCollege.
May79PALandTrustAssn.PALand&WaterConservationConference.Wyndham,
Gettysburg.
May1315DEPandEngineers'SocietyofWesternPennsylvania2015Pennsylvania
BrownfieldsConference.ErieBayfrontConventionCenter,Erie.
September24DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee&SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October2DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October28302015PartnershipforSafeWater2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythePennsylvaniaSectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation.
VisitDEPsPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
thePAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'website.
SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule
YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.
January29SustainableEnergyFundEnergyEfficiency,RenewableEnergyFinancing
January31DEP,ESWPBestOfBestLandRecyclingProjects
February1$100,000ShaleGasInnovationContest
February9PALandTrustAssn.Govt.ConservationLeadershipAwards
February11CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyGrants
February11CFARenewableEnergyGrants
February11CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
February13SusquehannaUniversityFreshwaterResearchInitiativeGrants
February15PAEnvironmentalProfessionalsAssn.CollegeScholarships
February18WesternPAEnvironmentalAwards
February27NEW.POWRPASojournGrants
February28AppalachianTrailMuseumHallOfFameNominations
March13NEW.PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
March16PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March20NEW.PAWildsChampionsAwards
March21NEW.PAEPKarlMasonAndWalterLyonAwards
March31DEPHostMunicipalityWasteInspectorReimbursementGrants
April15DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants(oruntilfundsrunout)
April16DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants
June30CFAWatershedRestorationProtectionGrants
June30CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatementandTreatmentGrants
June30CFABaselineWaterQualityDataGrants
June30CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPluggingGrants
June30CFASewageFacilitiesGrants
June30CFAFloodMitigationGrants
June30CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreationGrants
June30DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates(oruntilrebatesrunout)
VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
GeneralEnvironmental/BudgetNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
WolfWillTargetJobs,Schools,ChangingGovernment
WolfSwornInAsPAs47thGovernor
WolfSpeechLongOnInspiration,PerspirationYetToCome
FullTextOfWolfsInauguralAddress
RepublicansCastingCriticalEyeOnWolfNominees
Budget
WolfBecomesGovernorAmidBudgetCrisis
WolfNervousAboutNewJob,PollShowsVotersArent
OpEd:TaxingShaleGasIsNotJustAboutMath
OpEd:PANeeds,CanAffordShaleGasSeveranceTax
Editorial:CongressMustRaiseGasTaxToFixHighways
Other
KeystoneLandfillNotOnHouse,SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeAgendas
FirstLegalChallengeToKeystoneLandfillExpansionLaunched
DEPSettingUpSilicaStudyInTunkhannock
ToomeyCaseyWasteCoalPowerPlantAmendmentFails
OpEd:ObamasMethaneEmissionsInflation
Editorial:NewMethaneRulesMoreEcoExtremism
OpEd:CoalStillPlaysABigRoleInPennsylvania
BruceMansfieldPowerPlantCleaningUpSpill
GreenHomeCertificationsAreBringingMoreGreenback
CVSchoolsExpectToSave$400KThruElectricityProgram
AssistanceAbundantForCustomersWithoutHeat
PlansForWindFarmInErieShelved
HomeownersAdvisedToTestForDangerousRadon
RadonOnTheRise,DEPUrgingHomeownersToTest
StudentsModelCitiesOfTheFuture
MappingLawCouldAidFloodPlanning
KnoxMineDisasterRecalled
CoalMinersLostIn1959DisasterRecalled
RegionsCoalHistoryToBePartOfAnthraciteMuseum
KnoxMineDisasterFootageToAppearInDocumentary
TheCarnegieMedalAndTheKnoxMineDisaster
OpEd:EnvironmentalIssuesFacingPALeaders
Editorial:LandPreservationEffortDeservesCredit
LuzernePark,NaturalAreaGivenToDCNR
PAForestlandOwnersPracticeSustainableForestry
GypsyMothDamageOnNearly2.4MillionAcres
AppalachianTrailGrewNearly4MilesLastYear
PermitMayBeNeededToHikeOnGameLands
HikingBanDuringHuntingSeasonPulledByGameCommission
WhyStarlingsAreStillUnwelcomeAvianGuest
EndangeredOwlsMakeWayBackToPittsburghAirport
DoylestownTownshipIsForTheBirds
IceFishingNoMiseryTodayAtPresqueIsle
MentoredYouthFishingDaysExpandedToAllStockedTroutWaters
LeslieRetiringFromPresqueIsleStatePark
DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthePAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog,TwitterFeedandaddustoyourGoogle+Circle.
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling
ActivistsHopeNewGovernorShiftsGasDebate
PetersTwpLooksToBanFrackingWithin600FootBuffer
PetersTwpMovesTowardNewDrillingPolicy
OpEd:BanOnFrackingWouldBeFreshStartPANeeds
Editorial:DrillingRadiationStudyMeritsAction
Editorial:NewMethaneRulesMoreEcoExtremism
FERCExtendsPennEastPipelineCommentPeriod
Toomey,CaseyChangeCourseOnClimate,KeystonePipeline?
CNGFuelStationProposedInLowerMountBethel
WashingtonCountyResidentsSpeakAgainstGasDrilling
NaturalGasPowerPlantProposedAiredInForum
WestmorelandDefersToDEPOnPowerPlantPlan
InvenergyUpdatesJessupOnPowerPlantProgress
SettlementInSurveillanceSuitfiledByDrillingAwarenessCoalition
DrillingWatchdogGroupSettlesSuitOverTerrorList
StateSettlesWithAntiDrillingGroupInSurveillanceSuit
PennDOTSolicitsProposalsForCNGFuelingStations
StatePushingCNGFuelingStationsForTransit
NaturalGasLooksForUsersInFloodedMarket
DrillingBoomComplicatesHousingShortageInGreeneCounty
PGWSeesFutureInLiquefiedNaturalGas
SouthPhiladelphiaGasLeakForces17FromHomes
Oil&GasConferenceCancelsPittsburghExpo
ShaleSectorWontGutWesternPAWorkforce
ChesapeakeEnergyPays$119MInOklahomaRoyaltyCase
ChevronLayingOff162InMoonTownship
FormerIndianaCountyDrillingExecutiveGoingToPrison
Financial/OtherStates
GasolineFallsAnother7CentsInPittsburgh
GasolinePricesFallingBelow$2,NotInLehighValley
CheaperHeatingOilFuelsBillionsInSavingsInNortheast
RailCompaniesPlayDownRoleOfCrudeOilShipments
SteepestOilRigDropShowsShaleLosingFightToOPEC
U.S.OilProductionExpectedToRiseAsPricesStumble
LowerOilPricesBenefitU.S.Workers
U.S.OilProductionExpectedToRiseAsPricesStumble
DeltasDelcoRefineryPosts$105MProfit
Watershed/FloodingNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.PennsylvaniaBulletinJanuary24,2015
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
ThePAHousingAuthoritypublishednoticeofanopportunitytocommentonthe2015PA
HousingAffordabilityandRehabilitationEnhancementFundPlanfundedbyAct13drilling
impactfees.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!and
GetInvolved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
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Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesor
programsforpublicationinthePAEnvironmentDigestto:DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.

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Pa Environment Digest Jan. 26, 2015

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