Pa Environment Digest March 23, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaMarch23,2015
BudgetHearing:DCNRInfrastructureBacklogReducedBy$400MillionIn2Years
ActingDCNRSecretaryCindyDunntoldtheHouseAppropriations
CommitteeMondaythebacklogofinfrastructureprojectsinStateParks
andForestswasnowabout$600millionthankstoacombinationof
fundingsourcesincludingtheCapitalBudget,EnhancePennsWoodsand
others
In2013,thenDCNRSecretaryRichardAllantoldtheCommittee
duringhisbudgethearingtherewasa
$1billioninfrastructurebacklog
.
AnumberofHousemembersexpressedconcernaboutthelackof
fundingfortheHeritageParksProgram,includingHouseAppropriations
MajorityChairBillAdolph(RDelaware).
Inresponse,DunnsaidDCNRhasanausterebudgetandshe
notedthoseeligibleforHeritageParksgrantsarealsoeligibleandareencouragedtoapplyfor
GrowingGreenerGrantstopreservetheirfunding.
DunnandDanDevlin,DeputySecretaryforParksandForests,whoaccompaniedherto
thehearing,notedtherehasbeenasignificantdropindrillingactivityonexistingStateForest
naturalgasleasesduetothedropinnaturalgasprices.Onlyonewellpadisactiveatthemoment
Devlinsaid.
Therearenow608MarcellusShalewellsdrilledonStateForestlandofthe
approximately3,000wellsallowedundertheleasesissuedunderGov.Rendell.
Inawrittenstatement
fortheCommittee,ActingDCNRSecretaryCindyDunnsaid,I
ampleasedtosaythatDCNRsproposedbudgetforthenextfiscalyearshowsanoverall
increaseofabout$8.3million,whichwillallowthedepartmenttooperateaswecurrentlydo.I
thinkourbudgetisareflectionofDCNRsvalueinthelivesofPennsylvanians,ourinspired
work,andthefactthatweoperatealeanandefficientorganization.
Theproposedbudgettakesanimportantfirststepinreturningstabilitytoourbudgetby
reducingDCNRsrelianceonrevenuesgeneratedfromleasesofCommonwealthlandsfor
naturalgasextraction,restoring$20millionfromGeneralFundmoniestothedepartments
generalgovernment,stateparkandstateforestoperations.Thispositionsusinthefuturetouse
OilandGasFundrevenuestofocusonconservationandrecreationratherthanjustoperations.
Earlierthisyear,Gov.Wolfsignedanexecutiveorderreinstatingthemoratoriumon
newleasesforoilandgasdevelopmentinPennsylvaniasstateforestsandparks.
DCNRagreesthatthisapproachrecognizestheimmenseecologicalandrecreational
valueofPennsylvaniasstateparksandforests,whileallowingresponsible,monitored
developmenttooccuronapproximately700,000acresofexistingleasesandareaswhereDCNR
doesnotownmineralrights.
Thisapproachallowsthedepartmenttofocusstaffresourcesonmanagingexistingand
futuredevelopmentcontinuetomonitorimpactsofgasextractionrefineguidelinesand
managementpracticesandfullyengagestakeholdersonimpactstoafullsuiteofstateforest
values.
Thegovernorsbudgetproposalmaintainsfundingforthegeologistsandotherscientists
wholeadthiswork.
AmongtheissuesraisedbyquestionsfromHousememberswere
HeritageParksMoneyMissing:
Rep.BillAdolph(RDelaware),MajorityChairofthe
AppropriationsCommittee,askedwhy$2.2millioninHeritageParksfundingwasnotincludein
thebudgetproposal.ActingSecretaryDunnsaidDCNRsbudgetisanausterebudgetandshe
notedthoseeligibleforHeritageParksgrantsareeligibleandareencouragedtoapplyfor
GrowingGreenerGrantstopreservetheirfunding.
DrillingOnStateForestLand:
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),MajorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,askedifDCNRdoesanauditofgas
wellproductiononStateForestLandtodetermineifthestateisgettingalltheroyaltiesitis
entitledto.Dunnsaidthereisanauditprocessnowforbothwellproductionandroyalty
payments,includingpostproductioncosts.ShesaidDCNRisalsolookingtoretainan
independentfirmtoperformpriceauditsforproductionandroyalties.
Rep.Maherfollowedupbyaskingifthereareprovisionsforprovidinggatheringlines
thatconnectwellstomidstreampipelinesleadingtonaturalgasmarkets.Dunnsaidthereare
now600wellsonStateForestLandwiththepotentialbuildoutof3,000wellsunderexisting
leases.Thatincludestheinfrastructureneededtobringthegastomarket.DanDevlin,Deputy
SecretaryforParksandForests,addedthereisabottleneckbetweengatheringlinesand
connectingthemtothemidstreamandotherpipelinesneededtomarketthegas.
PointStatePark,Pittsburgh:
Rep.Maheraskedaboutwhattheadditionalstaffproposedin
thebudgetwoulddoat
PointStatePark
inPittsburghandsuggestedtheuseofseasonal
employees.Dunnsaidthetwoadditionalpositionsareneededattheparkyearround,although
shewouldprovidemoreinformationonseasonalemployees.
ClosingStateParksInTheEventOfABudgetImpasse:
Rep.Mahersaidduringthe
RendellAdministrationwhentherewasabudgetimpasseactionwastakentocloseStateParks
andStateForests,eventhoughitcostmoremoneytopaystaffovertimetochasepeopleaway.
Heaskedifthereareplansonhowtodealwiththatissue.Dunnsaidshehopesitdoesnot
happenandhadnotyetthoughtaboutwhatDCNRwoulddo.
DrillingMoratorium/UseOfOil&GasFund:
Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),Minority
ChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,notedtheExecutiveOrder
reinstitutingthe
moratoriumonfurtherdrilling
inStateParksandStateForestswasanimportant
symbolicact.HealsoexpressedconcernsaboutthecontinueduseofOilandGasFundmonies
foradministrativecosts.DunnnotedDCNRsbudgetistakingthefirststepinweaningthe
agencyfromOilandGasFundrevenuestopayadministrativecosts.
LoyalsockStateForestDrilling:
Rep.VitalisaidGov.Wolfnotedduringthecampaignhe
wouldhavetheCommonwealthtrytoblockdrillingin
LoyalsockStateForest
.Dunnsaidshe
wouldbemeetingwithenvironmentalgroupsandthedrillingcompanieswhoownthemineral
rightsundertheStateForestwiththegoaloftryingtoprotecttheusesandvaluesoftheState
Forest.
NewRecreation,ConservationInitiatives:
Rep.VitaliaskedifDCNRislookingatanynew
recreationandconservationinitiatives.DunnsaidDCNRanditspartnersarelookingtoincrease
StateParkprogrammingtoteachpeoplerecreationalskillslikefishing,snowshoeingandother
activitiesthroughthe
GetOutdoorsPA
program.
EnhancedPennsWoods:
Rep.Vitaliaskedforanupdateonthe
EnhancedPennsWoods
Initiativestartedlastyear.Dunnsaidthe$40to$50millionspentintheinitiativefromseveral
sourceshasmadeadentintheStateParksandForestsinfrastructure.
GypsyMothSpraying:
Rep.Vitaliaskedaboutthestatusoffundingfor
gypsymoth
spraying
.DunnsaidDCNRdoeshavethefundingfortheprogram,butthereisanincreasein
gypsymothactivity,particularlyintheNortheast.DanDevlin,DeputySecretaryforParksand
Forests,saidthisyearsbudgetincludesfundingtosprayabout30,000acres.
SeveranceTaxProposalDebtServiceFunding:
Rep.DuaneMilne(RChester)askedifthe
proposedseverancetax
isthesourceofthe$50to$55millionneededannuallytofinancethe
$675millionenergyandeconomicdevelopmentbondissueproposedintheGovernorsbudget.
DunnsaidshewouldhavetogetbacktotheCommitteeonthatissue,sinceitisnotunder
DCNRspurview.
Inafollowupquestion,Rep.MilneaskediftherewasanyproposaltousetheOiland
GasFundtofinancethedebtservice,iftheseverancetaxwasnotpassedwiththebudget.Dunn
saidshehadnotbeenpartytoanydiscussionofusingtheFundforthatpurpose.
Drilling,MineralDevelopmentByOtherAgencies:
Rep.MilneaskedifDCNRhas
adequatefundingunder
Act147
authorizingdrillingandmineraldevelopmentonlandsowned
byotherstateagencies.Dunnsaidtherehasnotbeenmuchinterestinnaturalgasdevelopment
onotherstatelandsandasaresulttherehasbeenlittlecosttoDCNR.DanDevlinaddedthereis
nonaturalgasdevelopmentonotherstateagencylandbecauseoflowgasprices,buttherehas
beeninterestinasmallPennDOTpropertywithcoal.
ExpandingStateParkProgramsToUrbanAreas:
Rep.MichaelOBrien(DPhiladelphia)
askedwhatDCNRisdoingtoexpandStateParkactivitiesintourbanareaslikePhiladelphia.
Dunnsaidinherworkfor
AudubonPA
andpreviouslywithDCNRgaveherexperiencein
promotingrecreationandconservationinmoreurbanareas,forexample,bypromotingtheuse
anddevelopmentoffacilitieslikethe
SchuylkillRiverTrail
throughgrantsandeducational
programs.Sheaddedworkingcloselywithlocalpartnersiscriticaltoexpandingurban
recreationthroughprogramslike
GetOutdoorsPA
.
UpdateOnStateForestDrillingOperations:
InresponsetoaquestionbyRep.Garth
Everett(RLycoming)askingforanupdateonStateForestdrilling,DanDevlin,Deputy
SecretaryforParksandForests,saidasofMarch1atotalof1,120locationswereapprovedfor
drillingbyDCNR,1,004wellshavereceivedpermitsfromDEPand608wellshavebeendrilled
on232wellpads.517wellsarenowproducingroyalties.Headdedonlyonedrillpadisbeing
drillednow,whichrepresentsaconsiderabledropinactivities.
Inafollowup,Rep.Everettaskedaboutthebuildoutofnaturalgaspipelinesand
expressedconcernaboutforestfragmentation.DunnsaidDCNRcooperateswithcompaniesand
therearediscussionswithcompaniesinterestedinpipelinerightsofway.Rep.Everett
complementedDCNRslocalstateforestersfortheirworkinmakingsuredrillingonState
ForestlandisdoneproperlyandinvitedCommitteememberstotourthearea.
RecruitingofDCNRWorkForce:
Rep.StephenKinsey(DPhiladelphia)saidasignificant
portionofDCNRsworkforcewillbeeligibleforretirementinthenearfutureandhesaidhewas
awareofplansforanoutofstaterecruitingdrivetoreplaceforesters.Dunnnotedmostof
DCNRsforestrystaffcomesfromPennStateandStateSystemSchoolslikeShippensburg
University.Shesaidtheyarelookingforsomediversityintheworkforceminoritycandidates
inparticular.Rep.Kinseysaidhewasinterestedinpromotingrecruitmentwithincitiesand
Dunnagreedtoworkwithhimonthatissue.
SouthNewarkShaleBasinMoratorium:
Rep.MargueriteQuinn(RBucks)askedaboutthe
SouthNewarkBasindrillingmoratoriumandstudyinSoutheastPennsylvaniathatwasmandated
inthe
FiscalCodebill
twoyearsago.DunnsaidtheBureauofTopographicandGeologic
SurveyhasbeenlookingatexistinginformationaboutthepotentialfordrillinginSoutheast
Pennsylvania,sincenofundingwasprovidedtoconductitsownstudy.Althoughthestudyisnot
yetcomplete,shesaidthereisnointerestindrillinginSoutheastPennsylvania.
WashingtonCrossingStatePark:
Rep.Quinnaskedaboutthe$2.2millioninfundingfor
WashingtonCrossingStatePark
directedbythe
FiscalCodebill
lastyear.Dunnsaidifthe
fundingisapprovedinthefinalbudget,DCNRcantakeoveradministrationoftheParkfromPA
HistoricandMuseumCommission.
DCNRInfrastructureBacklog:
Rep.MaryJoDaley(DMontgomery)askedwhatthestatus
ofDCNRs
$1billioninfrastructurebacklog
is.Dunnsaidtheestimatedinfrastructurebacklog
ofprojectsisnowabout$600millionthankstoacombinationoffundingsourcesincludingthe
CapitalBudget,EnhancePennsWoodsandothers.SheaddedthatinvestmentsinStateParks
andForestsbringrealeconomicdividends.
Everydollarinvestedreturns$10
ineconomic
activities.Thereisabouta$1billionineconomicbenefitand13,000jobsfromPennsylvanias
StateParksandForestsystems.
Inafollowup,Rep.DaleyaskedifmoreGeneralFundmonieswouldfreeupmore
resourcesintheOilandGasFundforinfrastructureimprovements.Dunnsaidfreeingupthose
fundswouldmeanmoreinvestmentsinParksandForests.Shesaidtherehasbeenproposalto
createaConservationTrustfundedbyOilandGasFundstoprovidedamorepermanentsource
offundingforStateParkandForestinfrastructureimprovements,butthatmaycomesometime
inthefuture.
RiverTrails/RailTrails:
Rep.KarenBoback(RLackawanna)askediftherehavebeenany
studiesdoneontheeconomicbenefitsofrivertrailsandrailtrails.Dunnsaidsomestudieshave
beendoneinsomelocalareas,includingexampleslikethestudybythe
SusquehannaGreenway
Partnership
whichfound$4millioninannualeconomicbenefitsonamidstatetrailandastudy
ofthe
GreatAlleghenyPassage
railtrailnearPittsburghthatidentifieda$40millionannual
benefit.
ATVTrails:
Rep.KurtMasser(RColumbia)askedaboutthestatusofthegapanalysisfor
ATVtrailsinPennsylvania.DunnsaidthereisadraftRFPforastudy.Inafollowup,Rep.
MassernotedthereisasignificantgapinmilesofsnowmobileversusATVtrailswithATVtrails
notasnumerouseventhoughtherearemanymoreATVsregisteredbyDCNR.Dunnsaidthe
agencylooksatthebestopportunitiesforspendingthesmallnumberofrecreationdollarsinthe
bestwaytheycanindevelopingtrailsandtheydonothaveanypresetspendingallocations.
AcopyofActingSecretaryDunnsstatement
isavailableonline
.
ClickHere
foramore
detailedsummaryoftheproposedDEP,DCNRbudgets.
NextWeek
TheHousefinishesupitsbudgethearingsnextweek.TheSenatehastheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalprotectiononWednesdayat9:30.
Writtentestimonyandavideoofeachhearingwillbepostedonthe
RepublicanHouse
AppropriationsCommittee
webpage.InformationaboutSenatebudgethearingsarepostedon
the
SenateRepublicanCaucus
website.
TestimonyAvailable
MatthewKnittle,Director,IndependentFiscalOffice
TeresaOsborne,ActingSecretaryofAging
RussellRedding,ActingSecretaryofAgriculture
DennisDarvin,ActingSecretaryofCommunity&EconomicDevelopment
CindyDunn,ActingSecretaryofConservation&NaturalResources
JohnWetzel,ActingSecretaryofCorrections
JohnTuttle,ActingChairoftheBoardofProbation&Parole
GaryTennis,ActingSecretaryofDrug&Alcohol
PedroRivera,ActingSecretaryofEducation
JohnQuigley,ActingSecretaryofEnvironmentalProtection
WilliamRyan,Chair,GamingControlBoard
CurtisTopper,ActingSecretaryofGeneralServices
Dr.KarenMurphy,ActingSecretaryofHealth
KathyManderino,ActingSecretaryofLabor&Industry
TimHolden,Chair,LiquorControlBoard
(
Handout
)
MajorGeneralJamesJoseph,Dept.ofMilitary&VeteransAffairs
NathanHench,PAHigherEducationAssistanceAgency
EileenMcNulty,ActingSecretaryofRevenue
ColonelMarcusBrown,StatePolice/OfficeofHomelandSecurity
LeslieRichards,ActingSecretaryofTransportation
ElizabethBolden,President&CEO,PACommissionforCommunityColleges
ThomasSaylor,ChiefJustice,PASupremeCourt
EugeneDePasquale,AuditorGeneral
ChristopherCraig,ActingStateTreasurer
KathleenKane,AttorneyGeneral
(AudioFile)
NewsClips:
WolfsSeveranceTaxWouldSetMinimumValueOnShaleGas
Drillers:WolfSeveranceTaxWouldHurtWhilePricesAreLow
DCNRExaminingGasRoyaltyPaymentsVeryClosely
DCNRLookingOutsideForAuditOnShaleGasRoyalties
DCNRBoostsGasDrillingMonitoring
Editorial:HelpSolar,Wind,JoinGasAndOil
Shuster:CongressWon'tEmbraceIncreaseInGasolineTax
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
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feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(March30):
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(April13):
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingforsewagelateralline
improvementsandrepair(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providing
foranindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill
385
(PileggiRDelaware)willmodernizethePennsylvaniaTransitRevitalizationInvestment
District(TRID)Act(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
the
holdsbudgethearingson:EmergencyManagement
Agency/FireCommissionerthe
GameandFisheriesCommittee
holdsaninformational
meetingtoreceivetheGameCommissionannualreport.<>
ClickHere
forfullHouse
CommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
the
holdsbudgethearingson:PublicUtilityCommission,
Dept.ofEnvironmentalProtection.<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
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
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate

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
March30,31
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
NewsFromTheCapitol
Sen.YawPleasedWithKanesAnswersOnPostProductionRoyaltyInvestigation
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee,TuesdayexpressedoptimismfollowingcommentsmadebyAttorney
GeneralKathleenKaneintoherinvestigationofnaturalgaspostproductioncostdeductions
fromroyaltiesbyChesapeakeEnergyCorporation.
DuringquestioningbeforethestateSenateAppropriationsCommittee,Kanerevealed
thattheAntiTrustandBureauofConsumerProtectionDivisionsoftheAttorneyGenerals
Officehaveconductedhundredsofinterviewswithlandowners,receivinglandleasesand
documents,sincelastyear.
Icantcommentonwhereit(investigation)isrightnow,butIcantellyouthatwere
almostwrappingitup,AttorneyGeneralKanenoted.Itwasaverythoroughinvestigation.I
reallywanttocommendouroffice.Thatwasalotofinterviewstodoinpartsofthestate,it
takesawhiletotravelto,aswell.
IwasverypleasedtohearthattheAttorneyGeneralsinvestigationintothisissuewill
bewrappingupsoon,Sen.Yawsaid.MyofficehascorrespondeddirectlywithGeneralKane
sincelastyearandsentover50leasesonbehalfofmyconstituentstoherofficeforher
consideration.ThisisahugeissueforpeopleIrepresent.
Asearlyas2013,Sen.YawconvenedapublichearingoftheSenateEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommitteetofurtherexaminethisissue.
Duringourhearing,thecommitteeheardtestimonythatdeductionsbyChesapeakewere
ashighas100percentofsomeroyaltychecks,Sen.Yawsaid.Thisraisesasignificant
consumerprotectionissueforhundredsofconstituentsinmySenatedistrict.
Inlightoftheongoingissues,Yawalsointroducedapackageoflegislation,knownasthe
OilandGasLeaseProtectionPackage,whichwouldseektoimproveandenhancetransparency
inleaseagreements.
AnaudiofileofAttorneyGeneralKanesfulltestimonybeforetheSenateAppropriations
Committee
isavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
AGNearsEndOfDrillingRoyaltyInvestigation
AGKane:ChesapeakeRoyaltyProbeWrappingUp
Kane:GasRoyaltiesFraudInvestigationWrappingUpSoon
DealOnDrillingRoyaltiesLawsuitWontHaltOthers
NewsFromAroundTheState
DEPCAC:DEPToHaveLowerSusquehannaImpairmentRecommendationLate2015
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
wastoldTuesdaytheagencyplanstohavearecommendation
onwhethertheLowerSusquehannaRivershouldbedesignatedasimpairedbytheendof2015.
JoshLookenbill,DEPBureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,briefed
Councilonthe
LowerSusquehannaRiverStudy
DEPandtheFishandBoatCommissionstarted
in2012inanattempttodeterminewhysmallmouthbasspopulationsweredecliningandinsome
casesdevelopinglesions.
Lookenbillsaidthestudyisoneofthefirstbigriverstudiesdonebytheagencybased
onacomprehensivewatersamplingstrategythatcoversthelargewaterbodyfrombanktobank
andatvariousdepths.
HesaidDEPhasgatheredthreeyearsworthofsamplesandwillsampleagaininMayand
Augustofthisyear.However,becauseofthetechniquesusedbyitspartnertheU.S.Geologic
Surveytoanalyzethesamples,theresultsfromallofthosesampleswillnotbeknownforsome
time.
DEPhopestohaveatleastoneyearsworthofcompletesampleresultsonwhichto
baseditsrecommendationattheendof2015toincludeinthe2016IntegratedWaterQuality
ReportrequiredbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
Thelastreportwasdonein
2014
.
Inadditiontolookingforacomprehensivelistofpollutants,LookenbillsaidDEPisalso
samplingforpesticides,hormones,PCBsandothercontaminants.
Askedifthepreliminaryresultsindicateanycause,Lookenbillsaidnocausehasbeenyet
ruledout.
LookenbillnotedDEPdida
videoofthesampling
studytogivethepublicabetteridea
ofhowthestudywasbeingdone.
TheFishandBoatCommission,
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
andothergroupshave
been
advocatingstrongly
fordesigningtheLowerSusquehannaRiverasimpairedforseveral
years.
AcopyofLookenbillspresentationwillbepostedonthe
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
webpage.
SecretarysReport
ActingDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleybriefedCouncilonseveralkeyissues,including
DEPs
proposedFY201516budget
,thestatusofthe
Chapter78drillingregulations
andthe
lateststepstheagencyistakingtoimplementtheAct162streambufferlegislation.
Asafollowup,HayleyBook,AssistantDirectorofDEPsPolicyOffice,gaveCouncila
moredetailedbriefingonthebudgetproposal.
DEPearlierprovidedCouncilwithits
regularmonthlyreport
.
HearingOnAct54Report
TheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilalsoheldthefirstoftwopublichearingsonthe
20082013UndergroundCoalMiningImpactReport
requiredbyAct54todocumentthesurface
impactsoflongwallandtraditionalroomandpillarundergroundbituminousminingin
Armstrong,Beaver,Cambria,Clearfield,Elk,Greene,Indiana,Jefferson,Somersetand
Washingtoncounties.
TheCouncilheardcommentsfromeightwitnesses,includingthe
PAEnvironmental
Council
,PACoalAlliance,SierraClub,PALeagueofWomenVoters,theCitizensCoalCouncil
andseveralprivatecitizenslivinginminingareas.
TherewillbeasecondhearingMarch27inCalifornia,WashingtonCounty,totakemore
testimony.
ClickHere
formoredetailsonthishearing.
PublicComments
DuringCouncilspubliccommentportionoftheagenda,theSierraClubandseveral
individualssupportingtheSierraCluburgedCounciltodelayitsrecommendationonaproposed
finalversionofDEPsReasonablyAvailableControlTechnology(RACT)regulationcovering
majorairpollutionsourcesuntilDEPhastheopportunitytoreviewinmoredetailtheClubs
commentsontheregulationsubmittedduringtheofficialcommentperiod.
DEPreportedtoCounciltheywerereviewingtheSierraClubscommentsandplanto
meetwiththemontheissue,butdidnotknowifthecommentswillpromptthemtomakefurther
changestotheregulation.
InlightofDEPsreviewandthefactCouncilmayormaynothavethefinalversionof
theregulationinfrontofittoreview,Councildidacttodelayitsrecommendation.
Undernewbusiness,Councilmember
Dr.JoiC.Spraggins
briefedCouncilonanew
projectshewasundertakentoidentifystrategiesforencouragingmoreminorityhiringbyboth
stateandfederalenvironmentalagencies.ShesaidshewouldbereachingouttoCouncil
memberstogettheirinputontheproject.
ThenextscheduledmeetingofCouncilwillbeonApril21inRoom105oftheRachel
CarsonBuildinginHarrisburgstartingat10:00a.m.
Formoreinformation,andcopiesofavailablehandoutsandpresentations,visit
DEPs
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
webpage.
CBF:NewEPAReportExaminesStateOversightOfAgricultureProgramsInPA
NewreportsfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyexaminestateprogramsoverseeing
animalagriculturalfacilitiesaswellasactionsundertakenbyVirginiaand
Pennsylvania
to
reducepollutionfromagriculture.
Thereportsfoundthatwhilebothstateshavepiecesinplacetosupportpollution
reductions,bothstateshavesignificantdeficienciesthatwillhavetoberectifiedifcleanupgoals
aretobeachieved.
Theanalysisandresultingreportswererequiredasaresultofthe2010settlementofthe
ChesapeakeBayFoundation's
CleanWaterActlawsuitagainstEPA.
Agricultureisthelargestsourceofpollutiondamaginglocalrivers,streams,andthe
ChesapeakeBay.And,reducingpollutionfromagricultureistheleastexpensivewaytoreduce
pollution.PennsylvaniaandVirginiaarebothrelyingheavilyonreducingagriculturalpollution
toachievetheirCleanWaterBlueprintgoals.
"Thestateshavetheprimaryresponsibilitytoreducepollutionfromagricultureanditis
uptothestatestoensuretheyhaveappropriateregulationsandthatfarmershavethetoolsand
resourcestodowhatisnecessary,"saidCBFVicePresidentKimCoble."Wehopethesereports
willencouragestateofficialstoaccelerateactionstoreducepollutionfromagriculture.Ifthey
don't,EPAmustholdthemaccountable."
Foryears,Pennsylvaniahasrequireditssmallerfarmstohavemanuremanagementand
sedimentanderosioncontrolplanstolimitrunoffofmanurefertilizerandsoilsintoriversand
streams.Alimitednumberofonfarmassessments,conductedbyEPAandtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,foundcompliancetobeshockinglylow.Someestimatesput
complianceratesat30percentorless.
ThereportfoundthatPennsylvania:
Didnotmeetits2013milestonetargets,anddidnotmeetagricultureimplementationtargets
forpracticeslikeanimalwastemanagementandenhancednutrientapplicationmanagement.
Reliesonnonregulatoryfinancialandtechnicalassistance,andvoluntarycompliance.
Doesnothaveaconsistentapproachorsufficientresourcestoensurefarmsaremeetingthe
regulatoryrequirements.
Doesnothaveacomplianceassurancestrategyanddoesnotappeartobeconducting
inspectionsunlessacomplaintislodged.
"DEPshouldbecommendedforitsrecenteffortstoacceleratefarmcompliance.But
Pennsylvanialacksanachievablestrategytoensureallfarmsaremeetingourcleanwaterlaws,"
saidCBF'sPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirectorHarryCampbell."Changingtheculturetowards
compliancerequiresmeaningfulresourcestosupportDEPandConservationDistrictstaff,as
wellasthetechnicaldesignandimplementationofthenecessaryconservationpractices.Without
thesechanges,compliancerateswillremainlowandtheCommonwealthwillfailonitsclean
watercommitmentsatahugecosttosociety.
Reports,liketheseforVirginiaandPennsylvania,willalsobeconductedfortheother
Baystates.
"Thesereportsareanimportantstepinidentifyingbothsuccessesandshortcomings,"
Coblesaid."EPAtookathoroughlookatthestates'programs,andwehopethiswilllaythe
foundationforimprovementsthatwillhelpeachstateachievethegoalstheyhaveset."
AcopyofthePennsylvaniareport
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformation,visitEPA
ChesapeakeBayProgram
webpageandthe
Chesapeake
BayFoundationPA
webpage.
NewsClips:
EPA:PAComingUpShortInAddressingFarmRunoff
AdditionalPAResourcesNeedForChesapeakeBayCleanup
HighSchoolStudentsDiscussWaterProblemsAtPitt
SewerBondsDivideErieAndItsNeighbors
PittsburghOKsGrantsToHelpHomeownersRepairSewerLines
FluoridationDebateReignitesInWesternPA
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
DEP,AgricultureRespondToEPAReportOnPAsAnimalAgriculturePrograms
The
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysassessment
ofPennsylvaniasanimalagriculture
programacknowledgestheneedforcontinuedcommitmentfromallthestakeholdersinvolvedin
conservingPennsylvaniasresources,saidtheleadersoftwoCommonwealthagenciesTuesday.
ReactingtoEPAsassessmentofPennsylvaniasanimalagricultureregulationsand
programs,ActingEnvironmentalProtectionSecretaryJohnQuigleyandActingAgriculture
SecretaryRussellReddingagreethatthereportshinesalightonopportunitiesforimprovement
andhighlightstheneedforrenewedfocusontheChesapeakeBay.
TheassessmentevaluatedPennsylvaniasimplementationofprogramstoreduce
pollutiongoingtowaterwayswithintheChesapeakeBaywatershed.
Thefundamentalmessageofthereportisapointwealreadybelieveandarecommitted
to,saidQuigley.Weneedtoreengagewithallstakeholderstoidentifythemosteffective
approachesthatcanbescaleduptoachievethegoalssetoutinourWatershedImplementation
Plan(WIP).Wevealreadybegunamodelwatershedbasedapproachtoassistfarming
operationstoachievevoluntarycomplianceandcorrectwaterqualityimpactsthrougheffective
nutrientmanagementplans.
QuigleynotedthatEPAsevaluationdidnottakeintoaccountrevisionstoitsregulatory
programandsaidPennsylvaniapreferstousevoluntaryapproaches,butthatDEPhasandwill
continuetouseenforcementasneeded.
ThisisanimportantconversationtohavewiththeChesapeakeBaymilestonetobemet
justtwoyearsaway,saidRedding.Itstimeforustoresettheconversation.Whilethisreport
notesthereisaneedtodomore,progressisbeingmadeandfarmersareworkingtodotheright
thing.OurdepartmentsshareavisionfortheChesapeakeBayWatershed.Whenwehave
healthy,viablefarms,wehaveahealthy,viableBayWatershed.Wecanthaveonewithoutthe
other.
Reddingadded,Pennsylvaniafarmershavelongrecognizedtheimportantlinkbetween
healthysoils,sustainablefarmingpractices,andthewaterqualityofourwaterways.Ournearly
40,000farmfamiliesintheBaywatershedwillcontinuetoleadthewayinimplementing
costeffectiveagriculturalconservationbestmanagementpracticestoimprovebothfinancialand
environmentalsustainabilityofourfamilyfarmsandthesewaters.
PennsylvaniaisoneofthefirstoftheChesapeakeBayWatershedstatestoundergothis
EPAevaluation.Theassessmentconsistedofaquestionnaire,filesearchesintworegionaland
fourconservationdistrictsoffices,staffinterviews,andareviewofthedepartmentswebsite.
AcopyoftheEPAreport
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformation,visitEPA
ChesapeakeBayProgram
webpageandthe
Chesapeake
BayFoundationPA
webpage.
NewsClips:
EPAChesapeakeBayProgramSeeksCommentsOnDraftManagementStrategies
Ninemonthsafterthesigningofthe
ChesapeakeBayWatershedAgreement
,the
Chesapeake
BayProgrampartners
areseekingpublicinputonacollectionofplansforachievingthegoals
andoutcomesofthelandmarkaccord.
These
25draftmanagementstrategies
addressthethirtyoneoutcomesoftheWatershed
Agreementandoutlineourplansforimplementation,monitoringandassessingprogressand
coordinatingpartnersandstakeholdersinourworktowardrestoringtheChesapeakeBay
watershed.
Individuals,communitiesandlocalgovernmentsacrossDelaware,Maryland,NewYork,
Pennsylvania,Virginia,WestVirginiaandWashington,D.C.,willbenefitfromtheachievement
oftheAgreementstengoalsandthirtyoneoutcomesandhavecriticalrolesinimprovingthe
healthoflocalwaters,sustainingabundantfishandwildlifepopulations,restoringcritical
habitats,protectingfarmlandandforestsandincreasingtheclimateresiliencyoftheregion.
Fosteringasenseofengagementandconnectionbetweenpeopleandtheenvironmentby
connectingwithdiversecommunities,increasingpublicaccessandestablishingstrong
environmentaleducationprogramsisalsovitaltoourcollectivesuccess.
Theseplansarethedetailedoutlinesofwhatmaybethemostextensivecollaborationin
thenation,saidMollyWard,VirginiaSecretaryofNaturalResourcesandChairofCBPs
PrincipalsStaffCommittee.Themanagementstrategiesworkinconcert,reachingacrossissues
andpoliticalboundarieswithinthe64,000squaremilewatershed.Eachoneisconnectedtoevery
other,justlikeourlands,river,streamsandtheBay.Aswemoveforward,wewelcomepeoples
inputsothatwecanstrengthenthosebonds,becomingevenmorefocused,intentionaland
unifiedinourvisionofahealthyBayecosystem.
OurworktorestoretheChesapeakeBaywillbenefittheentirewatershed,generating
onthegroundresultsthroughouttheregion.Goalsandoutcomesofourworkinclude:
Sustainingfishandwildlifeandrestoringhabitats.
Poorwaterquality,harvestpressureand
habitatlosschallengethehealthofspeciesacrosstheregion.Maintainingsustainablefishand
shellfishpopulationsandrestoringhabitatsfornativeandmigratoryspecieswillsupportastrong
economyandabalancedecosystem.
Improvingwaterquality.
Excessnutrients,sedimentandtoxiccontaminantsharmthehealth
offishandwildlifeandlimittheamountofseafoodpeoplecanconsume.Reducingtheimpacts
thesepollutantshavewillcreateasafeenvironmentforanimalsandpeoplealike.
Fosteringengagedcommunities.
ThelongtermsuccessoftheChesapeakeBayrestoration
effortdependsontheworkofindividualsandcommunitiesthroughoutthewatershed.
Connectingwithenvironmentalstewards,reachingouttodiversecommunitiesandencouraging
futurelocalleadershelpsbuildthenetworkthatwillkeepourworkmovingforward.
Conservingtreasuredlandscapes.
Changesinlanduseanddevelopmentcanimpairwater
quality,degradehabitatsandalterculturallysignificantlandscapes.Conservinglandswith
ecological,historicalandcommunityvalueisintegraltomaintainingahealthyecosystemand
vibrantculture.
Strengtheningourresilienceagainstclimatechange.
Storms,floodsandsealevelrisewill
havebigimpactsoncoastalcitiesandtowns.Monitoring,assessingandadaptingtothese
changingenvironmentalconditionswillhelpourlivingresources,habitats,publicinfrastructure
andcommunitieswithstandtheadverseeffectsofclimatechange.
BayProgramDirectorNickDiPasqualesays,Resiliencyinnaturecomesfromdiversity.
Likethenaturalecosystem,ourworkdrawsstrengthfromincreasingthediversityofour
partnerships,increasinglocalactionsforwatershedwideresults.Whenpeoplefromdistinct
communitiesacrosstheregionfromcitizenstocommunitiestolocalgovernmentsjoininthe
overalleffort,everyonebenefits.LiketheBaywatershed,webecomemoreeffectiveandmore
resilientasawhole.Whilethisscaleofcollaborationischallenging,itisthekeytooursuccess.
Andthatsuccessreliesonushearingfromthepeoplewholiveintheregionandrespondingto
theirinterests.
InJune2014,representativesfromacrosstheregionsignedtheChesapeakeBay
WatershedAgreement,withthevisionoffosteringanenvironmentallyandeconomically
sustainablewatershedwithcleanwater,abundantlife,restoredhabitat,conservedlandsand
accesstothewater,avibrantculturalheritage,andadiversityofengagedcitizensand
stakeholders.
SignatoriesincludethegovernorsofDelaware,Maryland,NewYork,Pennsylvania,
VirginiaandWestVirginiathemayoroftheDistrictofColumbiathechairoftheChesapeake
BayCommissionandtheadministratoroftheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyonbehalf
oftheFederalLeadershipCommitteefortheChesapeakeBay.
ThisagreementmarkedthefirsttimethattheBaysheadwaterstatesparticipatedas
signatoriesandfullpartnersoftheBayProgram.
TheChesapeakeBayProgramvaluesstakeholderinput:individualcitizens,private
businesses,watershedgroups,civicorganizationsandlocalgovernmentsarekeypartnersinthe
attainmentofourrestorationgoals.
BayProgrampartnerswelcomecommentsonthesedraftstrategiesthroughApril30.
Interestedpartiescanofferinputintwoways:
online
orbysendingemailto:
agreement@chesapeakebay.net
.
Visitthe
ChesapeakeBayManagementStrategies
webpageformoreinformation.
NewsClips:
DEPPublishes2MoreProposedPoliciesToImplementAct162StreamBufferLaw
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
March21oftwoproposed
technicalguidancedocumentsimplementingtheAct162streambufferrequirementslaw
RiparianBufferorRiparianForestBufferEquivalencyDemonstration
:Thisinterimfinal
technicalguidancedocumentoutlinestheequivalencydemonstrationcriteriaandprocessrelated
totheriparianbufferorriparianforestbufferequivalencydemonstrationrequiredby
RiparianBufferorRiparianBufferOffsetting
:Thisinterimfinaltechnicalguidancedocument
outlinestheoffsettingcriteriaandprocessrelatedtotheriparianbufferorriparianforestbuffer
offsettingrequiredbyAct162.
CommentsonbothguidancedocumentsaredueMay20.Commentssubmittedby
facsimilewillnotbeaccepted.Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyemail,must
includetheoriginator'snameandaddress.
WrittencommentsshouldbesubmittedtoJenniferOrr,DepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,BureauofWaterwaysEngineeringandWetlands,DivisionofNPDESConstruction
andErosionControl,RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box8460,Harrisburg,PA
171058460orsendemailto:
ep102regulations@pa.gov
.
DEPhaspostedtheproposedguidancedocumentsonthe
Act162webpage
.Formore
information,contactJenniferOrr,7177873411orsendemailto:
.
GeneralPermitForHydrostaticTestingOfTanks,PipelinesProposedByDEP
DEPpublisheda
noticeofavailability
ofadraftNPDESGeneralPermitforDischargesfrom
HydrostaticTestingofTanksandPipelines(PAG10).CommentsaredueApril20.
PAG10isintendedtoprovideNPDESpermitcoveragetothosewhowishtoconduct
hydrostatictestinganddischargethewaterusedforthistestingtowatersoftheCommonwealth
thatarenotconsideredhighqualityorexceptionalvalue.
AcopyofthedraftGeneralPermitispostedon
DEPswebsite
.Questionsshouldbe
directedtoAndrewGaul,7177870129orsendemailto:
agaul@pa.gov
.
PerkiomenWatershedConservancyHostsEarthWeekEventsApril11,25
The
PerkiomenWatershedConservancy
invitesthecommunitytojoininEarthWeekeventsthis
April.Registrationisopenforvolunteersandsponsorstoparticipateinthelargestcleanupin
theregiontheConservancys
StreamCleanup
onApril11.
ThenonApril25,theConservancyhoststhe
LenapeSurvivalChallenge
,anexhilarating
twopersonteamrace.
Trashnotonlynegativelyimpactspropertyvaluesitcanhaveseriousenvironmental
consequencesdegradingwaterqualityandendangeringwildlife.TheConservancyisorganizing
hundredsofStreamCleanupvolunteerstohelpremoveharmfullitter,tiresanddebrisfrom45
sitesnearthePerkiomenCreek,itsbanksandtributaries.
Laterinthemonth,theConservancypresentsthe23rdannualLenapeSurvivalChallenge,
auniquetwopersonteamraceandfundraiser.Parttrailrun,SpringMt.climbandpaddle,this
eventconnectslandandwater,testingracersspeed,staminaandteamwork.Volunteersare
neededformanypostsstartingat6:30a.m.
SponsorshipsofboththeStreamCleanupandLenapeChallengestartatjust$125.
SponsorsarerecognizedattheeventandbeyondandsupporttheConservancysworktoprotect
andimprovethelocalenvironment.
ThePerkiomenCreekisatributaryoftheSchuylkillRiverinBerks,Lehighand
Montgomerycounties.
Forallthedetails,visitthe
PerkiomenWatershedConservancys
StreamCleanup
and
LenapeSurvivalChallenge
webpages.
CBFPA:Cumberland,DauphinCountyStudentsExploreLocalWaterways
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
opensits2015
SusquehannaWatershedEducationProgram
onMarch27forlocalstudents,grades6through12,foradayofwatershedexploration.
SWEP,oneofCBFs14fieldeducationprograms,hasbeenprovidinghandson
experientiallearningprogramsinPennsylvaniafor25years.
Oureducationteamworkswith85regionalgroupsin20differentcountiestogetstudents
outonthewater.Youcanfindourteamonalocalriverorstreamdoingwhattheydobest
teachingstudentsabouttheimportanceofwaterquality,howstreamsystemswork,and
conductinghandsonexperimentsthatengageandexciteastudentssenseofexploration.
ThespringseasonbeginsMarch27thandendsinearlyJune.Weinviteyoutojoinusfor
anyofthetrips.Thelistbelowfeaturesthosethatareclosesttoyou.
Studentsenjoytheopportunitytopaddleacanoe.Theywillalsoinvestigatethehealthof
localwaterwaysthroughavarietyofhandsonactivitieslikeupclosestudiesofthebugsand
otherspecieslivinginthewaterwaystudyingthephysicalcharacteristicsofthewaterway,the
shoreline,andtheadjoininglandsusingwaterchemistryteststodeterminequalityandbyusing
mapstoorientstudentswiththeirspecificwatershed.
Thepurposeoftheprogramistoprovidefieldexperiencesthathelpstudentsbuilda
criticalconnectiontothenaturalworldinwhichtheylivethatwillmotivatetheir
decisionmakingastheydevelopintocitizensandfutureleadersinPennsylvania.
UpcomingTripsinYourArea:
Date(s)
School
Number
of
Students
LocationofTrip
March30
DiakonWilderness
Center,Boiling
Springs
1112
28
SusquehannaRiver,
Conodoquinet
Creek,LaurelLake,
TBD
35
April910
CedarCliffHigh
School,CampHill
1112
17
ConodoguinetCreek
35
April14,
17,21,22
EastPennsboro
HighSchool,Enola
9,11,
12
20
SusquehannaRiver
FortHunter
35
April27,
29,
30,May1,
7,8
LowerDauphin
MiddleSchool,
Hummelstown
22
SwataraCreek
May4
MiddletownArea
MiddleSchool,
Middletown
SwataraCreek
10+
6,7
HalifaxArea
MiddleSchool,
Halifax
SusquehannaRiver
FortHunter
12
GiffordPinchot
StatePark
10+
May5
May21
WashingtonHeights
Elementary,
Lemoyne
Grade
22
75
26
Years
participating
610
Formoreinformation,visitCBFs
SusquehannaWatershedEducationProgram
webpage.
March16WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension

The
March16WatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennStateExtensionfeaturing
articleson
OneStopMappingToolHelpsFarmersProtectWaterQuality
GreenInfrastructureSupportsResilientCommunities
EarlySpringPondInspections
GroundwaterAwarenessWeekAGoodTimeToLookAtYourWell
SystemTurnsWastewaterIntoFreshwaterDeveloped
CattleDamageToStreambanksCanBeUndone
UpcomingEvents
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
KiskiConemaughStreamTeamIssuesAnnualReport
The
KiskiConemaughStreamTeam
,aprojectofthe
ConemaughValleyConservancy
,has
issuedtheir
2014AnnualReport
ofitsactivities.
Itsgoalsaretoeducateandengagecitizenstewardsinmaintaining,enhancingand
restoringthenaturalresourcesoftheKiskiConemaughRiverBasin.
TheStreamTeamwasformedin1998toaddressconcernsbroughttolightinthe
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesKiskiConemaughRiverBasin
ConservationPlan.
ThisPlanidentifiedtheneedsformoreenvironmentaleducationandcitizenengagement
inmonitoringthehundredsofAbandonedMineDischargeswithinthe1,887squaremile
KiskiConemaughRiverBasin,whichencompassesportionsofArmstrong,Cambria,Indiana,
SomersetandWestmorelandCounties.
Supportedbystrongpartnershipswithwatershedorganizationsandcitizenvolunteers,the
StreamTeamsuccessfullymanagesover180samplingsites,monitors35a.m.Dtreatment
systems,providestechnicalassistancetopartnerorganizationsandworkswithschoolson
connectingstudentstonaturethroughTroutintheClassroomandOutdoorDiscovery
Workshops.
Acopyoftheannualreport
isavailableonline
.
MarchCatalystNewsletterNowAvailableFromSlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
The
MarchissueofTheCatalyst
newsletterisnowavailable
fromthe
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition
inButler
Countyfeaturingarticleson
VisitorsFromSouthKorea
SeekingVolunteersForAdoptAPassiveTreatment
System
DeSalePhase1TreatmentSystemUndergoesSuccessful
O&M
KidsCatalyst:ItsForTheBirdsCrosswordPuzzle
WaterTestingInAnyKindOfWeather
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

CommunityLeadersHonoredBySewickleyCreekWatershedAssociation
SewickleyCreekWatershedAssociation
recognized
severalcommunityleadersatitsfundraiserbanquet
March7thatGiannillisIIRestaurantinGreensburg,
WestmorelandCounty.Over170guestsattendedthe
event.
AwardsthisyearwerepresentedtoFirestone
BuildingProducts,UniversityofPittsburgh
GreensburgCampus,MarkJacksonfromthe
WestmorelandConservationDistrict,Central
WestmorelandCareerandTechnologyCenter,and
ScoutTroop465.
(PhotoAwardrecipientsLtoR:Plant
ManagerMichaelMcCrea,FirestoneMarkJackson,WCDDr.DeanNelsonandDr.SharonP.
Smith,President,UPGTomKeller,ExecutiveDirector,SCWAmembersofScoutTroop465
CountyCommissionerTedKopasand,Dr.EllenUschak,President,SCWA.)
EachyeartheAssociationrecognizeslocalindividuals,businesses,andorganizationsfor
theirleadershipinconservingournaturalresourcesandimprovingthequalityoflifeinour
communities.SewickleyCreekpartnerswithbusinesses,municipalities,schools,andother
organizationstohelpreducepollutantsenteringourstreamsandtorestoreriparianbuffers.
WestmorelandCountyCommissioner,TedKopas,presentedawardwinnerswith
proclamationsonbehalfoftheCountyfortheiraccomplishments.HempfieldTownship
Supervisor,DougWeimer,presentedaproclamationtotheAssociationfortheirachievements
andpartnershipefforts.
ProfessorsandstudentsfromtheUniversityofPittsburgh,GreensburgCampusservedas
guestspeakersandreportedtheresultsoftheirrecentwaterqualitystudies.Theirresearch
focusedonthebiologicalandchemicalimpactsofpollutants,primarilyabandonedmine
discharges(AMD),onSewickleyCreekanditstributaries.
TheAssociationhasinstalledthreelargeAMDtreatmentfacilitiesreducingtheiron
oxideintothestreambyover90percent.Butasthestudiesshow,muchworkremainstobe
donetofurtherreducetheimpairmentsfromoldcoalmines.
TheAssociationexpressesitssincereappreciationtoallwhoattendedandsupportedtheir
2015fundraiserbanquet.
Eventsponsorsincluded:FirestoneBuildingProductsUniversityofPittsburghat
GreensburgHeplersHardwareThePTGroup/KraisingerFamilyDentistryTeamDennyand
JodiatBerkshireHathawayRachelHoza,CPAMenashaPackagingCompany,LLC
GibsonThomasEngineeringCo.WestmorelandConservationDistrictWestNewton
SportsmensAssociationBrettDiasand,AdamEidemiller,Inc.
Pleaseseethe
SewickleyCreekWatershedAssociations
websiteforacompletelistingof
sponsors,prizedonorsandphotographsfromtheevent.
Acopyofthe
SCWAJanuarynewsletter
isalsoavailable.
ShippensburgAuthorityLatestToJoinPartnershipForSafeWater

The
ShippensburgBoroughAuthoritys
GunterValleyWaterTreatmentPlant,locatedin
CumberlandandFranklincounties,recentlybecamethenewestmemberofthe
Partnershipfor
SafeWaterTreatmentProgram
,avoluntaryefforttoprovidesafedrinkingwater.
Presently,thewatersystemprovidesdrinkingwaterservicetoapproximately14,004
people.
ThePartnershipforSafeWaterismadeupofDEP,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtection
Agency,thePASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociationandotherdrinkingwater
organizations.Itsgoalistoimplementpreventativemeasuresthatarebasedonoptimizing
treatmentplantperformance.
Currently,119surfacewatertreatmentplantsservingover6.1millionpeoplearenow
involvedinPA's
PartnershipforSafeWaterTreatmentProgram
.
(Reprintedfromthe
March19DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyandback
issues.)
WaterSystemConference,20thAnniversaryOfSafeWaterPartnershipOct.2830
The
PAChapteroftheAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
willholdits2015WaterSystem
OptimizationConferenceOctober2830inHershey.ThisyearsConferencewillalsocelebrate
the20thanniversaryofthe
PartnershipforSafeWaterProgram
.
ClickHere
forallthedetails
andtolearnaboutsponsorshipopportunities.
ThereisstilltimetoregisterfortheApril2123
PAChapterAmericanWaterWorks
Association
annualconferenceinHershey.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
InsuranceDept.UrgesPropertyOwnersToConsiderFloodInsurance
ActingInsuranceCommissionerTeresaMillerWednesdayremindedPennsylvaniansthatspring
floodingiscommonthroughoutthestate,andurgedpropertyownerstoconsiderpurchasing
floodinsurancetoprotecttheirhomes,businesses,andpossessions.
TherecommendationispartofthedepartmentsrecognitionofNationalFlood
AwarenessWeek,March1521.
Meltingsnow,combinedwithspringrains,inadequatedrainage,excessiverunoff,or
damfailurecancausemajordamage,soIrecommendhomeownersandbusinessownerstalk
aboutfloodcoveragewiththeirinsuranceprofessionalassoonaspossible,Millersaid.
Standardhomeownerpoliciesdonotincludecoverageforflooddamage,andthereisa30day
waitingperiodbeforeapolicybecomeseffective.Thesooneryougetcoveragethebetter.
FiguresfromtheFederalEmergencyManagementAgencyshowPennsylvaniaresidents
filednearly18,000floodinsuranceclaimsinthenineyearsfrom2006through2014,and
receivedmorethan$551millioninpayments.Claimswerefiledfromeverycountyexcept
Fulton.
ThesestatisticsshowfloodingisaseriousproblemthroughoutallofPennsylvania,
Millersaid.
Informationdetailingcoverageandhowtoobtainfloodinsurancecanbefoundatthe
NationalFloodInsuranceProgram
website,afederallyfundedresourceforfloodvictims.
Therearealsocertainprecautionspropertyownerscantaketolowerthechanceof
sufferingmajorflooddamage.Amongtheseare:
Installasumppumpandmakesureitisworkinginstallabatteryoperatedbackupincaseofa
powerfailure.
Installcheckvalvestopreventfloodwaterfrombackingupintothedrainsofyourhome.
Sealwallsinyourbasementwithwaterproofingcompounds.
Cleardebrisfromguttersanddownspouts.
Anchoranyfueltanks.
Elevateyourfurnace,waterheater,washer,dryer,andelectricpanel,ifyouliveinahighflood
riskarea.
Ifyouhavetakentheseorotherstepstolessenthepotentialforcostlyflooddamage,
makesureyoutalkwithyourinsuranceprofessionalaboutanypremiumreductionsforwhich
youmaybeeligibleunderyourpolicy,Millersaid.
TheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramiscontinuinganupdateofmapswhichshow
floodingrisksforindividualproperties.Ifyourpropertyismappedoutofahighriskarea,your
floodinsurancecostswilllikelydecrease.
Ifyou'vebeenmappedintoahighriskarea,youwillberequiredtopurchaseflood
insuranceifyourmortgageisthroughafederallyregulatedorinsuredlender.Butyoucansave
moneywiththePreferredRiskPolicy(EligibilityExtensionandthroughaprocessknownas
"grandfathering"providedbytheNFIP.
IfyourpropertywasnewlymappedintoahighriskfloodzoneafterOctober1,2008,you
mayqualifyforaPRPfloodinsurancepolicy.
Propertyownerscanalsochallengeafloodmaptheyfeelisinaccurate.Informationon
howtochallengeafloodmap
isavailableonline
.
Moreinformationonwhatpropertyownerscandotolessenpotentialflooddamage,and
possiblylowerpremiums,isavailableatthe
NationalFloodInsuranceProgram
website.
Also,forinsurancepurposes,besuretokeepawrittenandvisual(i.e.,videoor
photographic)recordofallmajorhouseholditemsandvaluables,eventhosestoredinbasements,
atticsorgarages.Createfilesthatincludeserialnumbersandstorereceiptsformajorappliances
andelectronics.Havejewelryandartworkappraised.
Thesedocumentsarecriticallyimportantwhenfilinginsuranceclaims.Formore
information,visitthe
KnowYourStuffHomeInventory
website.
Additionalinformationonpreparingyourfamilytomeetanemergencyisfoundat
www.ReadyPa.org
.
NewsClips:
IceJamFrees,HeadedIntoLuzerneCounty
SusquehannaIceJamGrowsTo11Miles
OfficialsContinueToMonitorSusquehannaIceJams
DEP:SusquehannaIceJamCouldCauseRailroadBridgeToCollapse
IceJamesRaiseFearsOfFloodingAlongSusquehanna
IceJamNearTunkhannockLeadsToFloodWarning
WyomingEMAWarnsPeopleToStayOffIceJam
SouthWhitehallVotes41ToSaveWehrsDam
WarmWeatherSparksFloodingInWesternPA
FEMAUpdatesCranberryFloodplainMaps

KeepPABeautifulAffiliatesAnnounceCleanUpEventsIn5Counties
Localaffiliatesof
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
aregearingupfor2015springcleanupeventsin
Bedford,Cambria,Huntingdon,JuniataandMifflincounties.
Fromcleanupstospecialcollections,KPBAffiliatesareactivelybuildingcleanerand
morebeautifulcommunitiesallacrossthestate,statesShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPA
Beautiful.WeencourageallPennsylvanianstojointheminthateffort.
UpcomingAffiliateeventsinclude:
PACleanWaysofMifflinCounty
,GreenwoodFurnaceCleanuponMarch21from9a.m.
12p.m..Volunteerswillmeetatthesite.FormoreinformationcontactPamSechristat
7178996701.
KeepBedfordCountyBeautiful
,BobsCreekAnnualCleanuponApril4from8a.m.12
p.m..VolunteerswillmeetatthelargepulloffalongStateRoute96(BurntHouseRoad)
betweenvillagesofPaviaandWeyant.FormoreinformationcontactJimDavisat
8142763720.
KeepHuntingdonCountyBeautiful
,Route829CleanupinUnionTownshiponApril14
from9a.m.12p.m..VolunteerswillmeetattheUnionTownshipBuilding.Formore
informationcontactCelinaSeftasat8142514542.
KeepJuniataCountyBeautiful
,ElectronicsandApplianceCollectionatWalkerTownship
ParkonApril18from9a.m.12p.m..FormoreinformationcontactTeddiStarkat
8143355665.
KeepCambriaCountyBeautiful
,ApplianceandTireCollections,April25atCroyle
Township,May2atPattonBoroughandMay9atCambriaTownship,allfrom8a.m.1p.m..
ChecktheKeepPABeautiful
CalendarofEvents
pageoftenformorelocaleventsor
contactyour
localCountyaffiliate
formoreinformation.
NewsClips:
Editorial:UseSurveillanceToolsToProsecuteIllegalDumpers
RegistrationOpenForGreatAmericanCleanupInPA
CaseyOpposesLandfillExpansionPlan
AttorneyGeneralPromisesResultsInHBGIncineratorInvestigation
PAResourcesCouncilHostsCollectionEventsInWesternPA
Markyour2015calendarnowfordatestodropoffawidevarietyofmaterialsrangingfrom
televisionsandcomputerstohouseholdchemicalsandusablebuildingmaterials
atupcoming
collections
inWesternPennsylvaniasponsoredbythe
PennsylvaniaResourcesCouncil
andits
partners.
ThePennsylvaniaResourcesCouncilprovidesresidentsofthecommonwealthwith
numerousoptionstoconvenientlyandcosteffectivelydisposeofawidevarietyofmaterials,
accordingtoPRCRegionalDirectorJustinStockdale.Sincedetailsvaryforeachofthese
opportunities,weencourageindividualstovisitourwebsiteatwww.prc.orgorcallPRCat
4124887452forcompletedetails.
HardToRecycleCollections
Launch:
April11,from9a.m.1p.m.atGalleriaatPittsburghMillsparkinglotinFrazer
Township,AlleghenyCounty.(NOTE:asecondcollectionwilltakeplaceatthislocationon
April25,from9a.m.1p.m.)
Individualscandropoffewastesuchascomputers,cellphones,printer/toner
cartridges,CFLsandexpandablepolystyrenepackagingmaterialatnocost.Foranominalfee,
individualscandropoffalkalinebatteries,fluorescenttubes,smallFreonappliancesandtires.
Additionalupcominghardtorecyclecollections:
April25(GalleriaatPittsburghMills,AlleghenyCounty)
May9(WashingtonMall,WashingtonCounty)
August22(AlleghenyCountyAirport,WestMifflin)
August29(HeinzField,AlleghenyCounty)
October3(TheMallatRobinson,AlleghenyCounty)
HouseholdChemicalCollections
Launch:
May2,from9a.m.1p.m.atNorthParkSwimmingPoolparkinglot,Allegheny
County.Individualscandropoffautomotivefluids,householdcleaners,pesticides,paintsand
otherhouseholdchemicalsforacostof$3/gallon.
Additionalupcominghouseholdchemicalcollections:
May16(ConcurrentTechnologiesCorporationETFFacility,CambriaCounty)
July18(WashingtonMall,WashingtonCounty)
August15(BoycePark,AlleghenyCounty)
September12(SouthPark,AlleghenyCounty)
October10(BradysRunPark,BeaverCounty)
ReuseFest
ThisyearsReuseFestwillbeheldJune13,from9a.m.1p.m.inemployeeparkinglot
ofUPMCPassavant,CumberlandRd.nearPeeblesRd.,McCandless,AlleghenyCounty
Individualscandropoffitemsforreuseincludingmedicalequipment,usablebuilding
materials,clothing,furnitureandmore.The4thannualReuseFestsupportslocalnonprofits.
Forcompletecollectioneventinformation,visit
PennsylvaniaResourcesCouncil
orcall
PRCat4124887452.
DEP,PoliceSearchForTestingFirmsMissingNuclearGaugeInBeaverCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandBeaverCountypoliceMondaysaidtheyare
searchingforamissingportablegaugecontainingsealedsourcesofradioactivematerialthat
belongsto
SolarTestingofPennsylvania
.
Thecompanyisofferinga$500rewardforinformationleadingtotherecoveryofthe
gauge.ItwasreportedmissingonMarch13duringaroutineinventorycheck.DEPinvestigators
areinspectingthefacilitywhereitisusuallystoredandinterviewingmanagementand
employees.
ThecompanysaysitwaslastusedatajobsiteonDecember16,2014.Thesitewason
PulaskiDriveinNewBrighton,BeaverCounty.
ThenucleardensitygaugeisaTroxlerModel3411B.Thegaugeisyellowincolorand
aboutthesizeofashoebox,withanelectronickeypadandametalrodextendingfromthetop
surface.TheTroxlergaugecontainsapproximately9millicuriesofcesium137and44
millicuriesofamericium241.Theradioactivematerialisdoubleencapsulatedwithinthedevice.
SolarTestingislicensedbyDEPtopossessandusethegauge.
Itiscriticalforanyonewhohasinformationaboutthelostnucleargaugetocontactthe
PennsylvaniaDEP,StatePoliceorotherlocallawenforcementagencyimmediately,DEP
BureauofRadiationProtectionDirectorDavidAllardsaid.Aslongasthedeviceisnot
tamperedwithordamaged,itpresentsnohazardtopublicsafety.
AnyonewhoshouldfindthegaugeshouldleaveitaloneandreportitslocationtoDEP
duringregularbusinesshoursat4124424000orcontactthePennsylvaniaEmergency
ManagementAgencyoffhoursat7176512001.
Ifthegaugeappearstobedamagedanditappearstobeanemergency,dial911.A
trainedindividualwillbesenttorecoverthegauge.
NewsClips:
DEP,PittsburghFirmLookingForMissingNuclearMaterial
DEPSearchingForMissingNuclearGauge
ShellMeetsAll15CenterForSustainableShaleDevelopmentPerformanceStandards
The
CenterforSustainableShaleDevelopment
inPittsburgh,acollaborativeofenvironmental
organizationsandenergycompaniesthatencouragesresponsiblepracticesindevelopmentof
shalegasresourcesintheAppalachianregion,announcedWednesdayithascertifiedShells
SWEPILPAppalachianoperationsashavingsuccessfullycompletedtheCentersrigorous
evaluationandverificationprocess
.
CompletingCSSDsdemandingevaluation,verificationandcertificationprocessisan
importantachievementforShellandforthelargereffortforenvironmentallyprotectivepractices
inshaledevelopmentintheAppalachianBasinregion,saidSusanLeGros,CSSDPresidentand
ExecutiveDirector.Byvoluntarilytakingtheleadasoneofthefirstcompaniestobecome
certified,Shellhasreinforceditsleadershippositioninitsindustryinadvancingresponsible
operatingandcontinuousimprovement.
LeGrospointedoutthatwhileShellisoneoftheparticipatingcompaniesinCSSD,all
producersoperatingintheAppalachianBasinregionareeligibleforandencouragedtoapplyfor
certificationasawaytodemonstratetheircommitmenttothehighestperformancestandards.
LikeallcompaniesthatearnCSSDcertification,Shellscertifiedoperationsmust
continuetoadheretoCSSDsPerformanceStandards,integratingCSSDspubliclyavailablebest
practicesintoitslongtermcontinuousimprovementprocesses.CSSDwillmonitoradherence
andcontinuetobuildandexpandonitsinitial15PerformanceStandards.CSSDofficially
openeditscertificationprocessinJanuary2014.
TheevaluationandverificationprocesswasconductedbyauditorBureauVeritas,a
globalleaderintesting,inspectionandcertificationundercontracttoCSSD.Theauditor
conductedapreaudittofamiliarizeitselfwiththecompanysmanagementsystemanddetermine
auditreadinessofoperations.
TheauditteamsconductedfullscalecertificationauditsstartinginSeptember2014at
ShellsSWEPILPAppalachianoperations.Theseauditsconsistedofindepthdocumentation
review,staffinterviewsatcompanysofficesandafieldbasedcomponentthatverifiedthat
operationalpracticeswereinconformancewithapplicablestandards.
TheBureauVeritasauditteamvisited17ShellsitesthroughoutTiogaCounty,
Pennsylvania.
Oncetheauditwascomplete,BureauVeritas,submitteditsfindingsinareporttoCSSD.
CSSDsinternalCertificationDecisionCommittee,consistingofindividualsnotalignedwith
anyCSSDparticipant,thenreviewedtheauditreportanddeterminedeligibilityforcertification.
Certificationisvalidfor24months,afterwhichcompaniescanseekrenewal.Duringthe
24monthperiod,thereisatleastoneassuranceaudittomakesureconformancewiththe
standardsisbeingmaintained.
Asummaryofacompletedauditreport
isavailableonline
.
Shellisthesecondcompanytocompletetheevaluationandcertificationprocess.In
September,2015,
Chevron
wasthefirsttobecertifiedasmeetingall15CSSDperformance
standards.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
CenterforSustainableShaleDevelopment
website.
NewsClips:
ShellCertifiedAsEnvironmentallyConsciousDriller
GasIndustrySlamsDEPOverNewDrillingRules
DEPReceivesApplicationsForTranscontinentalPipelineInLancasterCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeonMarch21ithasreceivedwater
obstructionandencroachmentapplicationsforexpandinganaturalgaspipelineinDrumoreand
FultonTownshipsinLancasterCountytoserveanaturalgaspowerplantinMaryland(
PA
Bulletin,page1418
).
Theprojectproposestopermanentlyimpact418.41linearfeetofstreamchannel,1.26
acreoffloodway,and0.26acreofwetlands.
Formoreinformation,contactDEPsSouthcentralRegion,Waterways&Wetlands
Program,909ElmertonAvenue,Harrisburg,PA17110,EdMuzic,SectionChief,7177054802.
Casey:MoreProtectionsNeededForCommunitiesWithNaturalGasDrilling
U.S.SenatorBobCasey(DPA)WednesdayintroducedtheFracturingResponsibilityand
AwarenessofChemicals(FRAC)Act,whichwouldincreaseenvironmentalprotectionsfor
communitieswherenaturalgasdrillingtakesplace.
Specificallythebillwouldrequiredrillerstodisclosethechemicalsthatgointothe
groundduringthehydraulicfracturingprocessandclosea2005loopholethatpreventstheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyfromconductingrigorousoversightofhydraulicfracturing
whichoccursduringnaturalgasdrilling.
Communitiescanbenefitfromjobcreationandeconomicdevelopmentthatcomeswith
naturalgasextraction,butweneedtogetthisright.Thereisnoreasonthatweshouldbeforced
tochooseamongadequateenvironmentalprotection,energysecurityandeconomicgain,Sen.
Caseysaid.Pennsylvaniahasalongtraditionofvaluingtheenvironment.Our
Commonwealthscommitmenttoenvironmentalprotectionisingrainedinourstates
constitution.Thisisacommonsenseapproachthatwillaidcommunitiesandallowourstateto
continuetobealeaderinenergysources.
TheFRACActwillrequirethatthenaturalgasindustryprovidecompletedisclosureof
thechemicalcompositionofhydraulicfracturingmaterialspriortoandafterhydraulicfracturing.
Thisinformationwillthenbemadepubliconawebsite.Disclosurewillensurethatifdrinking
watersupplies,surfacewaters,orhumanhealtharecompromised,thepublicandfirstresponders
willbeproperlyinformed.
Further,theFRACActwillrequirethathydraulicfracturingbeonceagainincluded
undertheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,simplyensuringthataconsistentsetofrequirementswillbe
appliedtothedevelopmentofourresources.
Atthetimeofintroduction,cosponsorsincludedSenatorsDickDurbin(DIL),Sheldon
Whitehouse(DRI),JackReed(DRI),BenCardin(DMD),JeffMerkley(DOR),Dianne
Feinstein(DCA),BarbaraMikulski(DMD),KirstenGillibrand(DNY),BobMenendez
(DNJ),MazieHirono(DHI),andChuckSchumer(DNY).
NewsClips:
Casey:MoreOversight,ResourcesNeededForOilTrainSafety
Casey:PANeedsTrainDerailmentTaskForce
Casey:StreamlineEmergencyTrainingForOilTrainDisasters
RailroadChiefSaysOilCompaniesNeedToDoMore
CaseyPushesBillToProvideNewResources,TrainingForOilTrainResponders
AscrudetrainderailmentscontinuetothreatenSoutheasternPennsylvaniaandcommunities
acrossthestate,
U.S.SenatorBobCasey
(DPA)pushedforlegislationthatcouldprovidenew
resourcesandtrainingtofirstresponders.
Asderailmentscontinueatanalarmingrate,Sen.Caseywantstoensurefirstresponders
incommunitiesnearrailroadtracksgetproperresources.Thelegislation,theRESPONSEAct,
wouldconveneafirsteverspecialtaskforceonderailmentsthatwouldcreateanewsetof
recommendationsfortrainingandresources.
TheincreaseintrainderailmentsinPennsylvaniaandthroughoutthenationistroubling
andrequiresaction,Sen.Caseysaid.Thislegislationisacommonsenseapproachthatcould
giveourfirstrespondersmoretrainingandtheadditionalresourcestheyneed.
ThebillwouldestablishasubcommitteeunderFEMAsNationalAdvisoryCouncilto
addresstrainingoffirstresponders,particularlyinsmallercommunities.
TheRESPONSESubcommitteewouldbetaskedwithbringingtogetheralltherelevant
agencies,emergencyresponders,technicalexpertsandtheprivatesectorforareviewoftraining,
resources,bestpracticesandunmetneedsrelatedtoemergencyresponderstorailroadhazmat
incidents.
Allflammablehazmatresponsetorailroadincidentswouldbewithinthescopeofthe
Subcommittee,butgiventhepotentialincreasedriskassociatedwithaderailmentinvolving
deliveryofcrudeoil.
TheSubcommitteewouldproviderecommendationstoCongresswithin12monthson
emergencyrespondertrainingandresourceallocation.
Thesewillincludeaddressingeffectivenessofcurrentfundinglevelsrelatedtotraining
localemergencyrespondersstrategyforintegrationofcommodityflowstudies,mapping,and
accessplatformsforlocalemergencyrespondersandhowtoincreasetherateofaccesstothe
individualresponderinexistingoremergingcommunicationstechnologythedevelopmentofa
trainincidentdatabaseandtheneedtoincreaseaccesstorelevant,useful,andtimely
informationforthelocalemergencyrespondersamongotherthings.
NewsClips:
PAEnvironmentalCouncilCallsForOverhaulOfAct54LongwallMiningLaw
OnTuesday,
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
PresidentandCEODavittWoodwelldeliveredthe
followingcommentstothe
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
onthemostrecent
fiveyearreport
ontheeffectsofundergroundcoalmining
IwanttothanktheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilfortheopportunitytoprovidecomments
onthemostrecentfiveyearreportontheeffectsofundergroundcoalmining.Webelievethat
thedevelopmentofthismostrecentreportisamarkedimprovementoverthepriorassessments,
andcommendtheDepartmentandUniversityofPittsburghonthiseffort.
Whilethereportraisesanddefinesanumberofseriousconcernsaroundtheefficacyof
datacollection,storage,anddisseminationrelatedtoundergroundminingintheCommonwealth,
wedefercommentontheseaspectsofthereportotherthantoendorsethereports
recommendationswithrespecttodatacollection,reportingandanalysis.
WeencouragetheCACtoworkwithDEPontheagencyscontinuingeffortstocollect
andmanagedatanotonlywithrespecttoundergroundmining,butwithinallofitsprograms.
Inregardstothereport,PECsfocustodayisonthefundamentaleffectivenessofAct54
toprotectourstatesaquaticresources.Basedonthefindingsofthereport,wehavereal
concernsaboutthateffectivenessandtheoverallabilityofAct54toofferrealconservation,
protection,andstewardshipofwatersoftheCommonwealth.Someofthefindingsthatstandout
andprovidethebasisforconcernarethat:
NumberOfImpactsIncrease.
Despitean18percentdropinthenumberofacresmined
duringthe4thAssessmentPeriod,thenumberofreportedwatersupplyeffectsincreasedby
approximately25percent.Furthermore,asignificantnumberofthoseimpacts25percent
occurredoutsideofDEPscurrentRebuttablePresumptionZone.Evenifthisweresimplydueto
increasedreporting,theimpactsareconcerning.
40PercentOfStreamsDamaged.
Of96milesofstreamidentifiedasunderminedduringthe
4thassessmentperiod,40percent(39miles)experiencedmininginducedflowloss,pooling,or
both.Evenwiththisnumber,thereportacknowledgesthat,duetolackofdataandanalysis,it
couldverywellhaveunderestimatedtheactualmilesofstreamsundermined.Inaddition,
existingprotocolsmakeitdifficulttoquantifytheimpactsandtheirultimateresolution.
HalfOfStreamDamageNotResolved.
Eventhoughonlyninestreaminvestigationswere
initiatedduringthe4thAssessmentPeriod,almosthalf(four)ofthoseinvestigationswere
unresolvedbytheendofthereportperiod,andoneoftheresolveddeterminationswasthatthe
streamwasnotrecoveredandcompensatorymitigationwasrequired.Ofthe14streamrecovery
reportssubmittedbyoperatorsduringthissametime,threecasesremainunresolvedandtwo
caseshavedeterminedthatthestreamsarenotrecoveredandthatcompensatorymitigationis
required.
StreamDamagedNotIsolatedEvents.
Thesearenotisolatedtrends.Ofthe55stream
investigationsinitiatedinthe3rdAssessmentPeriod,thecurrentreportdeterminesthatthe
averagetimeforresolutionwasthreeandahalfyears.Fourinvestigationsfromthe3rd
AssessmentPeriodstillremainunresolved.
16PercentOfStreamDamageNotRecoverable.
Mosttroublingofall16percent(8outof
51)oftheresolvedinvestigationsfromthe3rdAssessmentPerioddeemedthattheimpacted
streamswerenotrecoverable.
20YearInfancy.
Thereportnotesthatanalysisandreportingonundergroundminingeffects
onwetlandsisstillinitsinfancy,withthemajorityofexistingpermitscontaining
insufficientlydetailedwetlandinventories.GiventhatAct54hasbeeninplacenowformore
than20years,thisisinexcusable.Nonetheless,thereportnotesanoveralllossinthequalityand
diversityofwetlandfunctions.
Thesefewexamplesarebutaportionofthereportsfindings,pointingoutanoverall
failuretoaccountfor,nottomentionpreventorprohibit,impactstoaquaticresources.
WedonotquestiontheeconomicimportanceofundergroundminingtoSouthwest
Pennsylvania.Butitcanbeequallysaidthatintodaysregulatoryclimate,wewouldnotaccept
theseimpactsfromnewerextractiveindustriesorpracticeslikeunconventionalshalegas
development.Itbegsthequestion:whydowecontinuetoeffectivelygivetheminingindustrya
pass?
ForPEC,mostoftheprograms,projects,andpoliciesonwhichweworkareaimedat
ensuringapositiveconservationandenvironmentallegacy.WewereinvolvedintheDeepMine
MediationthatledtoAct54.Ourgoalwasaregulatoryprogramthatbalancedtheeconomic
realitiesoffullextractionminingwiththeanticipatedimpactsofthatmining,withthegoalof
reducingandmanagingthoseimpactsasmuchaspossible.
WhatwehavewitnessedoverthelasttwentyyearshasledustoquestionwhetherAct54
waspossiblymeetingourgoalsforit.
Whileitisverylatefortheserevelations,thefourthfiveyearreportfinallygivesthe
evidencetoallowustosaythatAct54needstobeseriouslyrevisitedandPennsylvaniaswaters
betterprotected.
Act54wasanattempttostrikeabalancebetweencompetinglandownerinterests,butit
didnoterasetheresponsibilityofmineoperatorstoprotectaquaticresources.Act54expressly
statesthatitdoesnotamend,modify,orotherwisepreemptprotectionsorstandardsrelatedto
surfaceandgroundwaterresourcespursuanttotheCleanStreamsLaworotherapplicable
authority.
TheDepartmenthasclearresponsibilityandauthoritytoprevent,identify,andremedy
impactstoaquaticresources.
WeareatthestartofanewadministrationinHarrisburg,andthatpresentsaclear
opportunitytoworkonfixingAct54.PECcallsontheDepartmenttopromptlyundertakea
completeandcriticalanalysisofitsexistingoversightofundergroundmining,andtopromulgate
aseriesofregulatoryamendmentsthatwillfullyprotectaquaticresourcesasrequiredbylaw.
AcopyofthecompletePECstatement
isavailableonline
.
March27Hearing
TheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilhearingwasthefirstoftwopublichearingsonthe
Washingtoncounties.
PAEnvironmental
Council
testimony.
ClickHere
NewsClips:
AdvocatesPushForActionOnLongwallMining
DEP:WorkToBeginOnCoalWasteDisposalSite
NRDC:HowPACanMeetEPACleanPowerClimateRule
MeasuringClimateTradeOffBetweenCoal,NaturalGas
PACoalAlliance:Act54LongwallMiningLawBalancesExtraction,LandownerRights
JohnPippy,
PACoalAlliance
,providedtheperspectiveofthecoalindustryatthehearingthe
heldTuesdayonthemostrecent
fiveyearreportontheeffects
ofundergroundcoalmining
byDEP.Herearesomeexcerpts
fromhiswrittenremarks
Accordingtoa
recentstudy
preparedbythePennsylvaniaEconomyLeagueofGreater
PittsburghthatwascommissionedbyPCA,longwallmining,whichisusedonlyinGreeneand
WashingtonCounties,accountedfor58percent(33.7milliontons)ofPennsylvaniastotal
bituminouscoalproductionin2013.
Intermsofeconomicimpacts,thestudyfoundthatthelongwallminingindustry:
1.Created7,367directandindirectjobsinthetwocounties,makingthelongwallmining
industrythethirdlargestemployerinthisarea.Thesearejobswithwellpayingfamily
2.sustainingwages.Forexample,theaverageannualsalaryforaGreeneCountyminertotals
around$85,000,twicetheaveragewageforallotheroccupationsinthecounty.Thesearethe
kindofjobsthatGov.Wolfcitedinhisrecentbudgetaddressjobsthatpaythatarecentralto
achievinghisobjectiveofimprovingPennsylvaniabyrebuildingourmiddleclass.
2.Contributedalmost$2billiontothecountieseconomy,$535millioninlaborincomealone.
Infact,thelongwallminingindustryaddsmorethandoubletoGreeneandWashington
Countieseconomiesthanthenextlargestindustry.
3.Providedmorethan$81millioninindirectbusinesstotaxrevenue.
Act54wasasmuchaboutbalancingthepropertyrightsofthemineralestateholder(in
thiscasethecoalowner)withthoseofthesurfacelandownerasitwasaboutaddressingthe
environmentalimpactsofundergroundmining.Todivorcethesetwinobjectiveswouldbeto
misstatethegenesisofthelaw.
Act54createdareplacementandrepairremedyfordamagecausedbysubsidenceunder
certainstructuresandfeaturesbutwithinthestrictparametersofprevailingfederalandstate
laws/regulationsandspecificpermitrequirements.
ItshouldbenotedthattheremediesinAct54providedmoreforthepropertyownerthan
correspondingfederalstandardsandstandardsimposedbyothercoalproducingstates.
WhileAct54didnotcreateablanketsubsidencepreventionstandard,neitherdiditallow
operatorstounderminewithimpunity.
Therefore,indeterminingwhethertheActsimplementationisconsistentwithlegislative
intent,thereportneedstoevaluateindustrysresponsetoreportedclaimsofsubsidencedamage
tooverlyingstructures,waterlossandpermanentimpairmenttothehydrologicbalance.
Thequestionsthatneedtobeaskedinmakingsuchanevaluationiswhethertheseclaims
arebeingresponsiblyresolvedbyoperators,areimpactstemporaryandcorrectable,andarethere
anylastingadverseeffects?
TheUniversityofPittsburghnotedduringtheirFebruarypresentationtotheCitizens
AdvisoryCouncilthatthe4thassessmentperiodwasthebestassessmentperiodsincethe
inceptionofAct54becauseoftheavailabilityofdata,yetinmanycircumstancesitwasnoted
throughoutthereportthattheavailabilityandqualityofdataoftenimpactedconclusionsmadein
thereport.
Moreover,duringpreviousassessmentperiods,membercompaniesofPCAwere
contactedandinvolvedinmeetings,fieldviews,andotherdatacollectingscenarioswhereas
duringthe4thassessmentperiodwelearnedthattherewasminimaloutreach.
ForfutureAct54fiveyearreportsthePCAwouldliketorespectfullyrequestthatour
membercompanies,manyofwhichhavethedataavailabletoprovidecompletedatasetsthatcan
leadtomoreaccurateconclusions,becontactedtoprovidethatdata.
Operatorsagreewiththeresearchersthattheuseofalimiteddatabasewillnotaccurately
reflecttrendsineithermininginducedflowlossorstreamrecovery.
Forexample,possiblyduetothelackofdatamadeavailabletotheresearchers,thisstudy
didnotmakethecorrelationbetweenthedecreaseinstreaminvestigationsfromthethirdtothe
fourthreviewperiodsandindustrysacquisitionanddevelopmentofmitigationtechniqueswhich
wereeffectiveinaddressingflowlossandmaterialdamagetostreambeds.
Thereportoffersanumberofrecommendationsonenhancingourdatagatheringprocess
throughdatastandardizationandelectronicsubmissiontocreateamoreuniform,efficientand
timelydatareportingandinterpretationsystem.PCAbelievesthattheserecommendationshave
meritandshouldbefurtherreviewedandconsidered.
Perhapsthebiggestflawwiththisassessmentreportisitsinabilitytoproperlyframethe
scopeandfrequencyofsubsidencedamageoccurringornotoccurringtoallstructuresandwater
suppliesasaresultofundergroundmining.
Forexample,duringthethirdAct54fiveyearreport,theauthorsidentified456
structureswithreporteddamageclaimsoutofatotal3,735structuresundermined.The
frequencyrateofsubsidencedamageoccurringtolandfeaturesatthattimewasonly12percent.
Likewise,forthatsametimeperiod,thefrequencyrateforsubsidencedamageoccurring
towatersupplieswas25percent(683caseswithreportedeffectsoutof2,789wells,springsand
pondsundermined).
Thus,thebulkofthesetypesoffeaturesundermineddidnotsustainsubsidencerelated
impacts.
Incompletedataaside,thereportoutlinesthattherewasanincreaseinthetotalnumberof
reportedwatersupplyeffects,855,duringthe2008to2013assessmentperiod,anuptickfrom
683reportedeffectsfromthe3rdassessmentperiod.
However,thereportedwatersupplyeffectsdonotreflectthenumberthatwerefoundto
benotduetoundergroundmining.
Duringthe3rdassessmentperiod180,or26percentofthereportedwatersupplyeffects
werefoundtobenotduetoundergroundmining,whileduringthe4thassessmentperiod274,or
nearly32percent,ofreportedwatersupplyeffectsthatduringthereportingperiodfrom2008to
2013werefoundtobenotduetoundergroundmining.
Thereportspeculatesthatoverallincreaseinthepercentageofreportedeffectsfoundto
benotduetoundergroundminingcouldbearesultofdatanotbeingaccurateduetoa
misclassificationofwaterorland,oranuptickincomplaintsduetoincreasedawarenessor
knowledge.
ThePCAwouldalsosuggestthattheoverallincreaseinthepercentageofreported
effectsfoundtobenotduetoundergroundminingcouldbeattributedtothefactthatthey
werentsubsidencerelated.
Wearecertainlyencouragedbythereportsconclusionthatbestmanagementpractices
standardizedbyindustrytomitigateandrepairsubsidenceeffectstostructuresandwater
supplieshaveminimizedimpactsonlocalresidents.
WhilethereportalsoacknowledgesthatDEPhasimproveditsabilitytointerpretand
mitigatetheimpactsofundergroundminingonsurfaceandgroundwaters,wealsoagreethatthe
Departmentandindustryneedtocontinueitscollaborativeworkondevelopingbestpractices
e.g.datastandardizationandelectronicsubmissionforunderminingthesetypesoffeatures.
Finally,whenreviewingthebackgroundofAct54,theCouncilshouldkeepinmindthe
intentofthelaw,whichwastoprovideareplacementorrestorationremedyfordamagecaused
bysubsidence.
Thiswasthelegislaturessolutionforbalancingtherightsofthelandownerandcoal
operator.Itwasnotintendedtopreventsubsidencefromoccurringnorwasittoallowminingto
beconductedwithimpunity.Itwasdesignedtoallowthesetwointerestsinlandtocoexist.
Withinthiscontext,PCAbelievesthatthefourthfiveyearassessmentreportonAct54
confirmsthatthislawisworkingasitwasintended,itsdamagerepairandwaterrestoration
strategiesarebeingcarriedoutasintended,andthereisnopatternofviolationsoftheActs
provisions.
AfullcopyofthePACoalAlliancetestimony
isavailableonline
.
March27Hearing
TheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilhearingwasthefirstoftwopublichearingsonthe
Washingtoncounties.
PAEnvironmental
Council
testimony.
ClickHere
NewsClips:
DEPActsToCleanUpContaminatedSludgeAtIndianaCountyCoalRefuseSite
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdaysaiditistakingactiontoprotect
nearbyresidentsandthewaterqualityofarecoveringriverbyremovinguntreatedwaterand
TechnologicallyEnhancedNaturallyOccurringRadioactiveMaterial(TENORM)fromawater
pondonthesiteoftheformerTunneltonLiquidsCompany(TLC)inConemaughTownship,
IndianaCounty.
TLCspecializedintreatingleachatefromanearbycoalrefusedisposalsiteand
wastewaterfromoilandgasdrillingactivities.
AfterTLCstoppedoperationsinApril2014,DEPbecameconcernedthattheuntreated
waterandsludgethatTLCfailedtoremovehadaccumulatedinfromthepondcouldoverflow
intotheConemaughRiver.
TheriverwhichflowsadjacenttotheTLCpropertyhasshownsignsofimprovementin
recentyearsthankstoworkbyDEPtotreatsourcesofAcidMineDrainage(a.m.D).
Approximately12,000cubicyardsofsludgewillberemoved,solidifiedandthenplaced
inlinedrolloffboxesandproperlytransportedtodisposalsitesinPennsylvania.Thesludgewas
abyproductofprocessing,bythecompany,offluidsgeneratedbyoilandgasdrillersaswellas
a.m.DfromtheTunneltonMine.
Afterallwaterandsludgeisremovedfromthepondtheunderlyingsoilwillbesampled
toverifythattotheappropriatestatecleanupstandardshavebeenmet.
InJulyof2014,DEPinitiatedapromptinterimresponseundertheHazardousSites
CleanupActattheTLCsitewhichinvolvedproceduresdesignedtopreventanyuncontrolled
releasesfromthepondaswellassamplingwaterandsludgeinthepond.
Afteranalyzingthesamples,DEPcontractedwithURSCorporationtodesignand
implementtheproject.Workonthe$2.4millioncleanupisexpectedtobeginlaterthisspring.
NewsClip:
ErieLandfillCleanupProjectWinsEngineeringAward
AprojectspearheadedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionand
MichaelBaker
International
receivedtheDiamondAwardfromtheAmericanCouncilofEngineering
CompaniesatareceptionheldMarch2inHershey.
Theawardwasforthesiteredesignoftheformer
CurrieLandfill
,a32acreHazardous
SiteCleanupActsiteinMillcreekTownship,ErieCounty.
Contaminantsfromthelandfill,suchassedimentandorganicandinorganichazardous
substances,hadspilledintothenearbyCascadeCreek.DEP,alongwithMichaelBaker
International,implementedadesigntoremoveandconsolidatewaste,reconstructriparian
buffersandwetlands,andrepurposelandintoalacrossefield.
TheCurrieLandfillSitewasrecognizedbyACECforbeinganexcellentexampleof
usingcreativity,innovation,dedication,andcooperationbetweenmunicipalities,stakeholders,
contractors,andDEPtoturnaformerbrownfieldareaintoadesirablefacility.
NewsClips:
(Reprintedfromthe
March19DEPNews
.
ClickHere
issues.)

March19DEPNewsNowAvailable
The
March19DEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
featuringarticleson
ActingDEPSecretarySaysGov.WolfsBudgetInvestsInPAsFuture
DEPReleasesRevisedRulemakingProposalForOilAndGasWells
DEPAnnouncesMembersOfOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
DEPActsToCleanUpContaminatedSludgeAtIndianaCoalRefuseSite
ResidentsAttendOpenHouseOnPlansForNaturalGasPowerPlant
DEP,AgricultureRespondToEPAAssessmentOfPAsAnimalAgricultureProgram
ChesapeakeBayManagementStrategiesOpenForPublicComment
IllegalDumpFreePAWebsiteAimsToCurbIllegalDumping
DEP,PoliceSearchForMissingNuclearGauge
ErieLandfillProjectWinsAward
SouthKoreaSends2ndWaveOfScientistsToStudyMercuryRecycling
StrategyToAssistMunicipalitiesInEvaluationOfLEDStreetLighting
ShippensburgLatestToJoinPartnershipForSafeWater
HarrisburgsPeregrineFalconsProduceClutchOfEggs
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyandbackissues.
StrategyToAssistMunicipalitiesInEvaluationOfLEDStreetLighting
StafffromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
OfficeofPollutionPreventionand
EnergyAssistance
aredevelopingatechnicalassistanceprogramtohelpmunicipalitiesinFirst
EnergyterritoriestoevaluateandimplementLEDstreetlightingtechnologyasawaytoimprove
energyefficiencyandreduceenergycosts.
Municipalstreetlightingisoftencitedasamunicipalityshighestutilitycost,butitis
alsooneofthebestopportunitiesforcosteffectivetechnologyupgrades.
Currently,thereisnocoordinatedeffortoutsideofPhiladelphiatohelpmunicipal
officialsevaluateorimplementLEDstreetlighting.
OnMarch10,representativesfromFirstEnergy,PennFuture,the
PAAssociationof
Boroughs
,NorthwestandSouthwestPlanningcommissions,andthe
PittsburghGreenBuilding
Alliance
metatDEP'sNorthwestRegionalOfficetoprovideinputandsolicitadviceonthescale
andscopeofapotentialLEDlightingprogram.
Themeetingresultedinastrategyandoutlineformunicipalworkshopsandapreliminary
planforprovidinglightingsystemanalysesforindividualmunicipalitiestoserveascasestudies.
ThePublicUtilityCommissionisexpectedtoapprovewidespreadavailabilityofLED
streetlightsbyMay2015.
(Reprintedfromthe
March19DEPNews
.
ClickHere
issues.)
SpringIntoEnergySavingsWithPECO
Snowmaybefallingonthefirstdayofspring,butwarmerweatherisrightaroundthecorner.
Thechangeinseasonistheperfectremindertoweatherizeyourhometoensureitisasenergy
efficientaspossible,savingenergyandmoney.
Herearesomeeasystepscustomerscantaketomakeadifference:
Keepitsealed:
Inspectthecaulkingorweatherstrippingaroundwindows,doorsandany
openingsforutilityservices.Adraftyhouseletscoolairescapeandismuchmorecostlytokeep
coolespeciallyduringwarmerweather.
Cleartheair:
ReplacingyouroldcentralairconditionerwithanewENERGY
STARqualifiedmodelcanreduceyourcoolingcostsbyasmuchas30percent.Changeyour
filterregularlytoensureoptimalperformance.
Upgradeyourinsulation:
Insulatingyourhomecansignificantlyreduceyourheatingand
coolingcosts,whileincreasingthecomfortofyourhomeinbothhotandcoldweather.
Considerthebenefitsofyardwork.
Properselectionandplacementoftrees,shrubs,and
vinesaddsattractivenessandalsohelpslowertheheatingandcoolingneedsofahome.
PECOencouragescustomerstoalwaysputsafetyfirst.Customersareremindedtodial
811atleastthreedaysbeforediggingtoensuretheareaissafeforplanting.
Hereareafewtipstohelpyoustaycoolwhenthesummerheatison!
Manageyourthermostat:
Keepthermostatssetataconstant,comfortablelevel.Justby
raisingyourthermostatfrom72to78degrees,youcouldsaveupto6percentoffyourcooling
bills.
Stayshaded:
Ifpossible,keepyourroomairconditioneroutofthesun.Roomair
conditionersworkbestwhenkeptcool.Closeblinds,drapesandshadesduringthehottestpartof
theday.Thiskeepsthestrongsunlightfromheatingyourhome.
Beafan:
Considerinstallingaceilingfan.Duringwarmerweatheraceilingfanwillcreatea
coolbreezeandkeeptheaircirculatinginyourhome.
Coolthekitchen:
Insteadofusingyourovenorstoveinwarmerweather,whichcangenerate
moreheat,fireuptheoutdoorgrillforcooking.Youalsocanuseyourmicrowaveorother
countertopappliancesinplaceofthestoveoroven.
Lookingforevenmorewaystosaveenergyandmoney?WithPECOSmartHouseCall,
wellsendanenergyadvisortoyourhome,provideapersonalenergyassessmentandoffer
energyefficientupgradesonthespot.Byidentifyingenergyefficiencyopportunitiesaround
yourhome,youcouldsaveupto20percentonyourmonthlyenergybill.
LearnmoreatthePECO
EnergySmartIdeas
webpageorcall18885PECOSAVE.
SustainablePittsburgh:SWSustainableCommunitiesInvitedToHostCashMob
SustainablePittsburgh
Thursdayannouncedanewopportunitythatawardsacommunitys
sustainabilityeffortsthroughitsChampionsforSustainability(C4S)businessnetwork.The
deadlinetoapplyisApril10.
Communitiesareinvitedtoapplyto
hostacashmob
,forwhichSustainablePittsburgh
provideslogisticalandpromotionalsupporttodrawattentionandcustomerstobusinessdistricts
andsustainablesmallbusinessesinthecommunity.
Acashmobisagroupofpeoplethatassemblestoshopatsmall,localbusinessesona
particularday.Cashmobscanincreasecustomers,sales,andregionalexposureforsmall
businesses.SustainablePittsburghorganizescashmobsinpartnershipwithlocalcommunitiesto
supportthecommunitysleadershipinsustainabilityefforts.
SustainablePittsburghsChampionsforSustainabilityprogramhasorganizedthreecash
mobsoverthepast18months.AtCashMobCarnegie,over80percentofparticipating
businessesdoubledtheircustomersandsales,andatCashMobAmbridge,100percentof
participatingbusinessesreportedincreasedexposureduetopublicityfortheevent.
Previouscashmobsalsoreceivedsignificantearnedmediaattention.
HowToApply
Businessdistrictleaderschamberofcommercerepresentativesboroughmanagersora
communitymemberrepresentingalocalorganization,communitygroup,businessor
governmententityarealleligibletoapply.
Inordertobeselectedasthehostcommunityforthecashmob,theapplicantmustbe
locatedinamunicipalitythathascompletedSustainablePittsburgh's
SustainablePennsylvania
CommunityCertification
,atleastthreebusinessesinthecommunitymusthaveearned
SustainablePittsburgh's
SustainableSmallBusinessDesignation
,andthecommunityhas
demonstratedongoingsustainabilityinitiatives.
ThecashmobwilltakeplaceintheselectedcommunityinJune2015.Moreinformation,
includingtheapplication,isavailableonSustainablePittsburghs
ChampionsforSustainability
website.
QuestionsshouldbedirecttoSaharArbabat4122586652orbyemailto:
sarbab@sustainablepittsburgh.org
.
NewsClips:
SustainablePittsburghSprucesUpItsCashMob
PennState:PANaturalResourcesLeadershipInstituteWorkshopJune1112
PennStateUniversitywillholdaworkshoponJune1112toestablishthe
PennsylvaniaNatural
ResourcesLeadershipInstitute
inStateCollege.
ThegoalsoftheworkshoparetoassessthefeasibilityofaPennsylvaniaNatural
ResourcesLeadershipInstitute,toidentifytheframeworkfortheInstitute,andtoengageacore
teamofpeopleandorganizationswillingtosupportitsfurtherdevelopment.
PennStatewouldliketobringtogethermanyoftheCommonwealthsleadersfrom
nonprofitorganizations,governmentagencies,andindustrytoaccomplishthesegoals.
Severalotherstates(e.g.NorthCarolina,Virginia,Florida)havehighlysuccessful
statewideleadershipprogramsforindividualsinvolvedwithnaturalresourceissues.Agroupof
faculty,staff,andstudentsatPennStatehavebeeninvestigatingtheseprogramsandarenow
assessingthefeasibilityofcreatingasimilarprogramhereinPennsylvania.
Basedontheirresearch,wehaveidentifiedbestpracticesusedbytheseprogramsand
havebeguntodevelopanoutlineforthecreationofPANRLI.Theprogramwouldinclude:
Acohortofparticipantsthatmeetsmultipletimesoverthecourseofayearorsoinsessions
heldindifferingpartsofthestate,toincreasefamiliaritywitharangeofnaturalresourceissues
andperspectives
Afocusoncollaborativeleadershipskills,toenhancethecapacityforfacilitation,conflict
management,andpublicengagement
Adiversesetofparticipants,todeveloprelationshipsamongindividualsfromdiffering
perspectivesandbackgrounds
Experientialandinteractivesessions,toincreasetheopportunitiesforhandsonlearningand
engagementwithcolleaguesand
Apartnershipamongkeyorganizationsandagenciesinthestatetosupporttheprogram.
ClickHere
foratentativeAgenda.
ClickHere
forregistrationinformationandmore
details.QuestionsshouldbedirectedtoKathyBrasier,AssociateProfessorofRuralSociology,
DepartmentofAgriculturalEconomics,SociologyandEducation,byemailto:
kbrasier@psu.edu
orphone:8148657321.
RegionalKeystoneEnergyEducationProgramWorkshopInWestChesterApril7
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitesmiddleschoolteachers,administratorsand
buildingmanagerstoatrainingworkshoponApril7inWestChester,ChesterCounty,onthe
KeystoneEnergyEducationProgram
(KEEP)toteachandtrackenergyefficiencyinschool
buildingsandhomes.
Theworkshopisofferedfreeofchargeandwillbefrom8:30a.m.to3:30p.m.at
WesttownSchool,975WesttownRd.,WestChester.Preregistrationisrequired.
KEEPisprimarilyforteachersofgrades4through8,administratorsandbuilding
maintenancemanagers.
Workshopparticipantswillexploreenergyconservation,efficiency,energybasics,
studentenergyteams,andbenchmarkingtheschoolbuildingusingthefreeEnergyStarPortfolio
Managerprogramthroughpresentations,toursandhandsonactivities.
Participantswillhavetheopportunitytointegratehighlevel,standardsbasedenergy
educationintotheirformalcurriculum.Thiscouldincludelessonplans,curricularmodules,
energybenchmarkingthroughEPAsEnergyStarPortfolioManager,orhandsonstudentled
energyefficiencyassessmentsleadingtoimprovementsthatreduceenergyconsumption.
TheworkshopsarebasedonPennsylvaniasAcademicStandardsandAssessment
AnchorsforEnvironmentandEcology,ScienceandTechnologyandEngineeringEducation.
Participatingteacherswillreceivebackgroundinformation,standardsbasedcurricular
materialsandenergyconservationkitsthatcontainaKillaWattmeter,lightmeter,multimeters,
powerconservingpluginwallswitches,andthermometers(eachkitvaluedat$75).
Participatingteacherswillbeeligiblefor6.5Act48credithours.
Spaceislimited,soregistrationswillbeacceptedonafirstcome,firstservebasis.
RegisterbyvisitingDEPs
KeystoneEnergyEducationProgram
webpage.
ClearWaterConservancyToHost2,164StudentsAtMillbrookMarshNatureCenter
ClearWaterConservancy
awarded$16,632infundingthroughitsConnectionsprogramfor
2,164studentsfrom16areapublicandprivateschoolstotakepartinfieldtripsthisspringto
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter
inStateCollege,CentreCounty.
ClearWater'slongstanding"StudentsCommunitiesStreamsConnections"programpays
fortransportationandadmissiontothenaturecenter.AtMillbrookMarsh,thechildrenwilllearn
abouttheirlocalnaturalenvironmentthroughinteractiveandhandsonoutdooractivitiesand
experiments.Inall,theprogramhassponsored19,805studentvisitssince2000.
Trainednaturalistsintroducethemtothewetlandandthehabitat.Activitiesinclude
discoverywalks,educationalactivitiesonthetrail,experiencingthemarshhandsonbyusing
theirsenses,andlotsofexplorationanddiscovery,saidMollyHetrick,recreationalsupervisor
atMillbrookMarsh.AlltheprogramsaredesignedbasedonthePAStateStandardsfor
EnvironmentandEcologyandsupplementtheschooldistrictsclassroomlessons.
Elementaryandmiddleschoolstudentsandtheirteachersreceivedwordabouttheirgrant
awardsinMarch.
The2015ConnectionsprogramismadepossiblewithdonationsfromWalMart
Foundation,StateoftheArt,Inc.HarrisTownshipLionsClubandthemanydonorswho
attendedClearWatersFortheLoveofArt&Chocolatefundraisingeventthisyear.
Spring2015fundingrecipientsinclude:
BellefonteAreaSchoolDistrict
BellefonteElementaryteacherStaciChapman59kindergartenstudentsatacostof$613.00
BennerElementaryteacherPamVaiana208fourthgradestudentsatacostof$2,656.00
BaldEagleAreaSchoolDistrict
PortMatildaElementaryteacherShawneeMorgan26firstgradestudentsatacostof
$352.00
PennsValleyAreaSchoolDistrict
CentreHall,PennsValley&RebersburgteacherAngHoman93fourthgradestudentsata
costof$976.00
CentreHall,PennsValley&RebersburgteacherVickieFultz99firstgradestudentsata
costof$1,018.00
CentreHall,PennsValley&RebersburgteacherHeatherBird114secondgradestudentsat
acostof$1,123.00
PennsValleyHighSchoolteacherJessicaMartin107seventhgradestudentsatacostof
$1,337.00
PhilipsburgOsceolaAreaSchoolDistrict
PhillipsburgElementaryteacherDenisePutt,40secondgradestudentsatacostof$460.00
PhillipsburgElementaryteacherKerryWhitman,45secondgradestudentsatacostof
$495.00
StateCollegeAreaSchoolDistrict
StateCollegeAreaElementariesteacherDeirdreBauer990kindergarten,firstand
secondgradestudentsatacostof$3,465.00
PrivateSchools
TheBellefontePlayschoolteacherLoriProper33prekindergartenstudentsatacostof
$450.00.
CenClearChildServices,Inc.teacherAmyWible254prekindergartenstudentsatacostof
$2,690.00.
GraceLutheranPreschoolandKindergartenteacherAnneGoodall8kindergartenstudents
atacostof$176.00.
OurChildrensCenterMontessoriteacherSarahPotter28prekindergartenstudentsata
costof$196.00.
StateCollegeAreaFriendsSchoolteacherLynneBradley29prekindergartenstudentsata
costof$308.00.
StateCollegeAreaFriendsSchoolteacherLisaGamble31kindergartenandfirstgrade
studentsatacostof$317.00.
MillbrookMarshNatureCenteroffersavarietyofprograms,events,andactivitiestothe
community,inadditiontoleadingschoolgroupsthrougheducationalfieldtrips.
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter
website.
NewsClips:
NortheastAudubonOffering2CampScholarships
NortheastAudubonSponsorsSummerCamps
DelawareHighlandsConservancyVanessaVanGorderMemorialCollegeScholarship
The
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
announcestheestablishmentofa
MemorialScholarship
inhonorofVanessaJoyVanGorder,whotragicallylostherlifeonDecember26,2014.
ArecentgraduatefromWestChesterUniversitywithadegreeineducation,Vanessawas
passionateabouttheoutdoorsandlovedexploringthelakes,rivers,andforestsoftheUpper
DelawareRiverRegionwithherfriendsandfamily.TheConservancyestablishedthis
scholarshipinVanessasmemoryandtohonorherdreamofbecominganeducator.
Onescholarshipintheamountof$1,000peryearwillbeawardedtoagraduatingsenior
fromeitherWallenpaupack,Honesdale,orDelawareValleyschooldistrictswhoispursuinga
careerineducationorenvironmentalstewardship.
Studentsateligibledistrictsshouldcontacttheirguidancecounselorsforanapplication,
whichareduebyApril10,2015.
Wewereinspiredbythenumberofindividualsthatsteppedforwardtomake
contributionsinVanessasmemory,andwewantedtochannelthatinspirationtothenext
generationofstudentsbyhelpingthempursuetheireducationalgoals,statesExecutiveDirector
SueCurrier.
ThisscholarshipisthesecondthattheDelawareHighlandsConservancyisofferingto
areastudents,withthefirstestablishedin2004inhonoroftheConservancysfounder,Barbara
Yeaman,andopentoschoolsintheUpperDelawareRiverregioninbothPennsylvaniaandNew
York.
Ifyouwishtomakeacontributiontothescholarshipfund,pleasecontactthe
Conservancyat:
info@delawarehighlands.org
orcall5702263164or8455831010.
Formoreinformation,visittheConservancys
YeamanScholarshipandtheVanessaVan
GorderMemorialScholarship
webpage.
NewsClips:
GameCommissionsSeedlingsForSchoolsProgramNowAcceptingOrders
TheGameCommissionagainishelpingstudentslearnaboutthevitalroletreesplayinthe
environmentthroughits
SeedlingsforSchoolsProgram
.
Theprogramprovidestreeseedlingstoclassroomssostudentscanplantthemaspartof
projectstoimprovewildlifehabitat.OrdersplacedaspartoftheSeedlingsforSchoolsProgram
arebeingacceptedthroughMarch27.
Thereisnochargetoschoolsthatparticipateinthisproject.Theseedlingsareprovided
bytheGameCommissionsHowardNurseryandshippingcostsareoffsetbydonations.
Theprogramprovidestwolevelsofinvolvementbasedonthegradelevels.
SeedlingsforYourClassisprimarilyforpreKandelementarystudents.Aspartofthis
program,theGameCommissionprovidesaclassroomoronegradelevelwithenoughseedlings
foreachstudenttotakeaseedlinghometoplant.
Seedlingchoicesarewhitespruce,mixedoakandfloweringcrabapple.Ateachersguide
comeswiththeseedlingsandcanbeaccessedthroughthewebsite.
SeedlingstoDevelopHabitatsisprimarilyformiddleandhighschoolstudents.As
partofthisprogram,theGameCommissionprovidesavarietyofseedlingstostudentswho
mightusethemtoimprovehabitatonschoolorcommunitygroundsoralongstreams,orto
createtreenurseriesorenvironmentalareas.
Seedlingscomeinbundlesof25,andwillbeshippeddirectlytoschoolsbyUPSduring
thelasttwoweeksofApril,dependingonweatherandthenumberofordersreceived.
Onceseedlingsarrive,itisimportanttokeepthemmoist,saidAnnettaAyers,
superintendentoftheGameCommissions
HowardNursery
.
Seedlingsshouldbehandedouttostudentswiththeirrootsinplasticbagswithmoist
shreddednewspaper,orwiththeseedlingsplantedinjuiceormilkcartonsfortransplantingat
home,Ayerssaid.
Informationonhowtoplanttheseedlingsandothereducationalmaterialswillbe
providedwithseedlings.
TheSeedlingsforSchoolsprogramismadepossiblethroughgenerousdonationsbythe
WildlifeforEveryoneEndowmentFoundation
,
MealeysFurniture
,the
PennsylvaniaForestry
Association
JimStiehlerMemorialFund,the
RockyMountainElkFoundation
andthe
National
WildTurkeyFederation
.
IndividualsandgroupswishingtodonatetotheprogramcansendcheckstotheWildlife
forEveryoneEndowmentFund,whichmaintainstheaccountfordonations.Besuretoindicate
thedonationisfortheGameCommissionsSeedlingsforSchoolsprogram.Donationscanbe
mailedtotheWildlifeforEveryoneEndowmentFoundation,341ScienceParkRoad,State
College,PA16803.
MoreinformationabouttheprogramcanbefoundontheGameCommissions
Seedlings
ForSchools
webpage,orbycontactingTheresaAlbericibysendingemailto:
talberici@pa.gov
.
WildlifeForEveryone:EffortUnderwayToPreserveSomersetLakeHabitat
Inanefforttopreservevaluablenaturalhabitatsandatreasured
communityresource,the
WildlifeForEveryoneEndowment
Foundation
isproudtosupportthe
SomersetCounty
Conservancy's
efforttosaveSomersetLake.
Thelakeboastsadiversebirdpopulation,variednaturalhabitats
andimmenseopportunitiesforoutdoorsrecreation.
CongruentwiththemissionoftheWildlifeForEveryone
EndowmentFoundation,theSomersetCountyConservancyis
committedtopreservingandconservingtheimportantoutdoorareasandresourcesofSomerset
County.Ithasestablishedthe
SomersetLakeActionCommittee
tooverseecoordinationofa
campaigntoraiseawarenessforthefutureofSomersetLakeandsolicitsupport.
AccordingtotheSomersetCountyConservancy,inthespringof2012aleakwas
discoveredatthebaseofthedamsupportingSomersetLake'sexistence.Thedamalsofailedto
meetnewfederalsafetyregulations.
Afterreceivingdesignationasahighriskdam,theFishandBoatCommissionlowered
thelakelevelby6feet.Yet,thereremainsconcernthatlakecouldbedrainedcompletely
becauseofthefailingdam.FundingiscurrentlynotallocatedtofixthedamatSomersetLake
anditisamongagroupof9lakesacrossPennsylvaniaindesperateneedoffunding.
Enteringintoitsseconddecadeofexistence,theWildlifeForEveryoneEndowment
Foundationcontinuestoprovideallwildlifeenthusiastswithawaytoshowtheircommitmentto
allspeciesofwildlifeinPennsylvaniaandtheirhabitat.
Thefoundationhasalreadyraisedmorethan$2millionforprojectsacrosstheentire
Commonwealth,includinginSomersetCounty.
In2007,theWildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundationdonated30acresoflandin
ShadeTownshiptotheGameCommission.ThewetlandpropertywasusedtoaugmentState
GameLands#93,adjacenttothe
Flight93Memorial
.Thispubliclandservesascriticalhabitat
forwildlifeandprotectstheflightpathandviewfortheFlight93NationalMemorial.
Similarly,theWildlifeForEveryoneEndowmentFoundationrecognizestheimportance
ofSomersetLakeasacommunityresourcewithintheregion.Thelakehasservedasahometo
morethan250speciesofbirdsandisanimportantsiteformigratingwaterfowlinthespringand
fall.Lowerwaterlevelshavealreadyimpactedthefishpopulationwithinthelakeandemptying
thelakewoulddestroyahomeformusky,bass,walleye,carpandmore.Finally,outdoors
enthusiastsusethelakeanditssurroundingpropertyforboatingandhiking.
Moreinformationisavailableonthe
SomersetLake
website.Donationsallocatedforthis
projectshouldbedirectedtotheSomersetCountyConservancy.
DEP:HarrisburgPeregrineFalconsProduceClutchOfEggs
ThepairofperegrinefalconsthatnestonaledgeofDEP's
headquartersinHarrisburghaveproducedthreeeggssofar.
ThefirsteggarrivedMarch14.Thefemaletypicallylaysan
eggeveryotherdayuntilthe"clutch"iscomplete.
Incubationtimeincreaseswiththeadditionofeachegg.Thefull
clutchwillbewarmedcontinuouslyuntilhatchingbegins,
typicallyaroundMother'sDayinMay.Thefledglingsusually
taketheirfirstflightsaroundFather'sDayinJune.
WatchthedramaunfoldinhighdefinitionliveonDEP's
Falcon
Cam
webpageandfollowthefalconson
Twitter
.
NewsClips:
PittsburghBaldEaglesLose1Of2Eggs
BaldEagleChicksDueAnyDayOnLiveCam
BirdingInNWPAAndPresqueIsleAudubonSociety
CheckOut110,000SnowGeese(notypo)AtMiddleCreek
(Reprintedfromthe
March19DEPNews
.
ClickHere
issues.)
GameCommission:ForEagleCamViewers,EggWatchHasBegun
TheGameCommissions
baldeaglecam
alreadyhasattracted
nearly643,000viewers,manyofwhomfaithfullyhavefollowed
thedailyhappeningsatthenestnear
CodorusStatePark
in
Hanover,YorkCounty.
Butinthecomingdays,thoselookinginonthelivestream,
availableattheGameCommissionswebsite,mightwellgettosee
agreatmiracleofnature.
Itsbeenaneventfulcoupleofmonthsfortheeaglepairfeatured
onthecamera.Aftercozyinguptheirnest,theeaglecouplewas
capturedbeaktobeakonvideo,inwhatresembledtheirsharingakiss.ThenonValentines
Day,thefirsteggwaslaid.AsecondeggfollowedonFebruary17.
Overthenextfewweeks,thebirdsbecameanationwidesensationparticularlyduringa
snowstormwhenoneofadultsalloweditselftobeburiedinfallingsnowsothattheeggscould
remainwarmanddry.
Whilesuchbehavioristypical,itsseldomsomethingthatcanbeviewed.Anditsoon
willbeknowniftheHanovereagleswillberewardedfortheirtoughnessandresolve.
Baldeagleeggstypicallyareincubatedfor35days.ThatwouldmakeMarch21the
likelydaythefirsteggmighthatch.Eggwatch,however,alreadyhasbegun.
Twitteruserscantrackanyprogressbysearching#eggwatch.Andifyouseeaneaglet
hatchingfromanegg,tagtheGameCommissiononsocialmediaanduse
#HanoverEagletNews
.
TheeaglecamisajointprojectoftheGameCommission,HDOnTapandComcast
Business.Viewersfrommorethan140countrieshaveaccessedthelivestreamsofar.Andthe
totaldurationofthevideoviewedsofarequalsnearly380yearsworth.
DaveDombroski,vicepresidentofComcastBusinessforitsKeystoneRegion,saidthe
companyisproudtopartnerinthisendeavor,whichnotonlycaptivatedviewersaroundthe
world,buthashelpededucatethemaboutournationalbirdandsymboloffreedom,thebald
eagle.
Welookforwardinthenextfewdaysandmonthstobeginlearningevenmoreabout
theseintriguingbirds,Dombroskisaid.
HDOnTapprovidedthecamerathatrelayshighdefinitionvideofromthenest,aswellas
thelivestreamingservicessomanyhaveused.
Todate,thenetworkhasservedover7millionstreamrequestsresultinginmorethan3.3
millionhours,with37.3percentofthattrafficcomingfromtheeagleshomestateof
Pennsylvania,saidTimSearsofHDOnTap.
Theseeagleshaveearnedaspecialplaceinmanypeoplesheartsbyshowingtheir
dedicationanddeterminationtosuccessfullyincubatetheireggs,andHDOnTapishonoredtobe
anongoingcontributortotheproject,Searssaid.
TheGameCommissionalsowouldliketothanktheDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResources,CodorusStateParkandthe
FriendsofCodorusStatePark
,SwamElectric
andSunbeltRentalsfortheirrolesinmakingtheeaglecamareality.
Theresnodoubtthisyearseaglecamalreadyhasbeenasuccess,saidR.Matthew
Hough,executivedirectorforthePennsylvaniaGameCommission.Andwhilethereneverare
anyguaranteesinnature,wereallhopingtheeaglesnestingattemptwillbesuccessful,too.
Wesoonwillfindout,thankstoastrongpartnershipthathasmadeitallpossible,Houghsaid.
Theresalotofbiologicalinformationaboutbaldeagles,includingdescriptionsonhow
fastchicksdevelopintolargerbirds,Houghsaid.Butwithanyluck,viewerssoonwillbeable
towitnessthatforthemselves.
Formoreinformationandtowatchthebaldeagles,visittheGameCommissions
Bald
EagleLiveStream
webpage.
NewsClips:
TNCPA:ObserveTheCourtshipFlightOfTheAmericanWoodcockApril8
The
PAChapterofTheNatureConservancy
isofferingapublicwalk
atour
HauserNatureCenter
inLong,Pond,MonroeCountyto
celebratespringandviewthespectacularandelaboratemating
courtshipritualofthemale
AmericanWoodcock
onApril8.
Thisfamilyfriendlywalkisfreeandopentothecommunity,
butspaceislimited,soreservationsarerequired.
Eachspring,maleAmericanWoodcocksestablishtheir
singinggroundsandperformelaboratecourtshipdisplaysinvolving
spiralingburstsofflightupto300feetintheairwhilesinginga
seriesofliquidnotesandthendramaticallyplummetingbacktoearth.
TheAmericanWoodcockisafascinatingbirdthatcallsourLongPondPreservehome
duringthespring.Superblycamouflagedagainsttheleaflitter,thebrownmottledAmerican
Woodcockwalksslowlyalongtheforestfloor,probingthesoilwithitslongbillinsearchof
earthworms.
Unlikeitscoastalrelatives,thisplumplittleshorebirdlivesinyoungforestsandshrubby
fieldsacrosseasternNorthAmerica.Itscrypticplumageandlowprofilebehaviormakeithard
tofindexceptinthespringtimeatdawnordusk,whenthemalesshowoffforfemalesbygiving
loud,nasalpeentcallsandperformingdazzlingaerialdisplays.
Preregistrationisrequired.CallTheNatureConservancys
HauserNatureCenter
at
zgoodrich@tnc.org
.
Salamander,FrogWalksWithTheNatureConservancyRescheduledForMarch28
The
PennsylvaniaChapterofTheNatureConservancy
isreschedulingthepublicwalksatThe
ForestPoolsPreserveat
KingsGapEnvironmentalCenter
inCumberlandCountyduetosoil
temperatureconditions.
ThewalkswillnowstartfromtheForestPoolsPreserveatKingsGapPinePlantation
ParkingLotonMarch28from1:00to2:00and6:30to8:30p.m.
Thewalkscelebratethefirstdaysofspringandtoexploreforestedvernalpools
nurseriesforamphibianstocatchaglimpseofsalamandersandfrogsastheyemergefromtheir
subterraneanslumbertolaytheireggs.
Thesefamilyfriendlywalksarefreeandopentothecommunity,butspaceislimited,so
reservationsarerequired.Groupswillwalkapproximately2.5milesintotheforestalongmarked
trailsatKingsGapStatePark.Twoofthewalkstakeplaceintheearlyevening,soaflashlightis
recommendedinordertoseetheamphibiansinaction.
Participantswilllearnabouttheimportantroleofvernalpoolsforamphibiansandother
wildlife,andenjoyseeingtheseincrediblecreaturesastheycongregateafterthelong,cold
winter.Vernalpoolsareshallow,temporarypoolsofwaterfoundinforestedareas.Eachspring
theyaretransformedintowildlifenurseriesteemingwithactivity.
TheNatureConservancyhopestosharetheirmagicandfosterappreciationforthese
specialplacesintheforest.
Participantsshouldbringaflashlightand/oraheadlampfortheeveningwalks.Hiking
bootsarerecommended,orsturdyshoesthancangetmuddy.
QuestionsortoR.S.V.P.contactMollyAnderson,VolunteerProgramManager,The
NatureConservancy,Pennsylvania,byemailto:
molly_anderson@tnc.org
orcall7174189518.
NortheastAudubonOffersSummerCampScholarships
Areyouinterestedinaweekofsummercampwithallexpensespaid?Thisyear
Northeast
PennsylvaniaAudubonSociety
isofferingtwosummercampscholarshipsforstudents.
ApplicationsaredueApril1.
OnescholarshipBirdStudiesforTeensbeingheldJune1419forstudentsbetweenthe
agesof1417andFamilyCampbeingheldAugust1116forstudentsbetweentheagesof
812andoneadultrelation.
ThescholarshipscoverexpensesforaweekssstayonMainesscenicHogIsland,a
landmarkofenvironmentaleducationsince1936.EachThesessionssprogramwilltakeplace
onthe330acreislandinmidcoastMainesbeautifulMuscongusBayandwillbeledbysomeof
thenationsmostrespectednaturalistsandenvironmentaleducators.
TheCoastalMaineBirdStudiesforTeensoffersanintensive6day,5nightprogramon
HogIsland,someofthecountrysbestknownbirdersandornithologistwillleadsessionson
fieldidentification,birdsongrecognition,andconservationpractices.
ThisprogramincludestheopportunitytoobserveAudubonsseabirdconservationfield
researchinaction,andistheonlyHogIslandprogramthatlandsparticipantsonEasternEgg
Rockduringthepuffinbreedingseason.
CoastalMaineBirdStudiesisforteenswithavidinterestintheoutdoorsandbirds.Limit
of16participantsper
TheHogIslandFamilyCampisdesignedforfamilieswithchildrenages812.Afamily
unitincludesatleastonechildandoneadult.Grandparents,aunts,andunclesarewelcome.
MidAugustisanidealtimetoenjoythenaturalworldinmidcoastMaine.Fallmigrationis
starting,thesaltmarshesarechangingcolors,bioluminescencesparklesthroughthesaltwater,
andthenorthernlightsmightbedancingacrossthesky.Experienceaneducationalfamily
vacationyouwillneverforget.
ApplicantsmustresideinLackawanna,Susquehanna,WayneandPikeCountiesof
Pennsylvania.
NortheastPennsylvaniaAudubonSociety
website.
NewsClips:
HawkMountainHostsMarch27AmericanKestrelWebcamTeacherWorkshop
HawkMountainSanctuary,
BerksCounty,welcomesallareateacherstoaonetimeonlyand
freeworkshoponMarch27thatteachershowtousetheSanctuarysnewAmericankestrel
webcamintheclassroom.
ThisworkshopispendingACT48credits,butincludeslessonplans,funliveraptor
incentives,andclassroomactivities,andallmadepossibleatnocostthankstoLyricWildBird
FoodofLebanon,Pennsylvania.
Tosignuptodayorlearnmore,pleasecallDirectorofEducationErinBrownat
6107566000x208orsendemailto:
brown@hawkmountain.org
.
Formoreinformation,visitHawkMountain's
AmericanKestrelWebcamTeacher
Workshop
webpage.
HelpWanted:LandStudiesWaterResourcesEngineer
LandStudies
,aLititzbasedenvironmentalconsultingandrestorationfirm,isseekingcandidates
foraWaterResourcesEngineerIIposition.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
March23
SenateAppropriationsCommittee
budgethearing:9:30PublicUtilityCommission.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March23
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
informationalmeetingtoreceivetheGame
Commissionannualreport.Room60EastWing.10:00.
March24
AgendaPosted.
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:30.
DiscussionofGeothermalWellIsolationDistances
WorkgroupCommentsOnDraftChapters71,72,73
<>
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March25
budgethearing:9:30Dept.ofEnvironmental
Protection.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March25
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
budgethearing:9:30EmergencyManagement
Agency.Room140MainCapitol.
March25
AgendaPosted
.
DCNRConservationandNaturalResourcesAdvisoryCouncil
.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
ActingDCNRSecretaryCindyDunn
AshandHemlockConservationPlans
PANaturalDiversityInventoryUpdate
<>
ClickHere
March25
DEPhearingonTullytownLandfillPermitRenewal.FallsTownshipBuilding,188
LincolnHighway,Suite100,FairlessHills,BucksCounty.69p.m.
ClickHere
formore
information.
March26
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
budgethearing:9:30BudgetSecretaryOfficeof
theGovernor,1:00HouseMemberTestimony.Room140MainCapitol.
March26
AgendaPosted
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
ReviewOfChapter78ConventionalWellDrillingRegulations
<>
ClickHere
March26
DEPPeregrineFalconEducationWorkshop.Toregisterfortheworkshop,send
emailtoAnnDevine,DEP,at
adevine@pa.gov
.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
March26
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
RainGardenWorkshop.NorthWales
Library,233S.SwartleyStreet,NorthWales.7:00p.m.
ClickHere
toregister.
March27
hearingontheAct5420082013Underground
CoalMiningImpactReport.DEPsCaliforniaDistrictMiningOffice,MonongahelaConference
Room,25TechnologyDrive,CaliforniaTechnologyPark,CoalCenter,PA.1:003:00.
Click
Here
formoreinformation.
March28
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAQuittapahillWetlandPreserveTreePlanting
.
QuittapahillaEducationalWetlandPreserve,170BirchRoad,Lebanon.9:00a.m.toNoon
March28
NEW
.
PAChapterTheNatureConservancy
Salamander,FrogWalks
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
inCumberlandCounty.1:00to2:00and6:30to8:30p.m.Questionsorto
R.S.V.P.contactMollyAnderson,byemailto:
molly_anderson@tnc.org
orcall7174189518.
March31
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
informationalmeetingtohearpresentations
fromtheelectricandnaturalgasindustriesonpriorities.Room60EastWing.9:15.
March31
budgethearing:3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.
HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
March31
DEPhearingonairqualitypermitforPerdueGrainandOilSeedFacilityin
LancasterCounty.BainbridgeFireHall,locatedat34South2ndSt.,Bainbridge.6:00to8:00
p.m.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
April1
budgethearing:11:00Dept.ofConservationand
NaturalResources.HearingRoom1NorthOfficeBuilding.
April1
HouseAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittee
informationalmeetingtoreceivea
presentationbytheSecretaryofAgricultureonhisbudgetandotherpriorities.Room140Main
Capitol.9:00.
April2
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
April2
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
TrackingWasteRecycling
StatusofElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
EScrapandCDRA
ReviewoftheTENORMOilandGasRadiationStudy
<>
ClickHere
April7
PALeagueOfWomenVotersTributeToFranklinL.Kury
.ColonialRidgeCountry
Club,4901LinglestownRoad,Harrisburg.7:00.
April7
NEW.
DEP
KeystoneEnergyEducationProgramWorkshop
.WestChester.
April8
CANCELED
.
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April8
NEW
.
PAChapterTheNatureConservancy
AmericanWoodcockProgram
.
Hauser
NatureCenter
inLong,Pond,MonroeCounty.Preregistrationisrequired.CallTheNature
Conservancys
HauserNatureCenter
at5706437922orsendemailto:
zgoodrich@tnc.org
.
April12
EnvironmentalRightsAmendmentSymposium
.MarketSquarePresbyterianChurch,
20S.2ndSt.,Harrisburg.3:00.
April13
EnvironmentalIssuesForum
,JointConservationCommitteetohearapresentationby
theChesapeakeBayFoundationPAontheeconomicbenefitsofcleaninguptheBay.LTBA.
Noon.
April15
DEP
StateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
April15
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April15
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April16
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.
April21
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.
April2123:
NEW
.PAChapterAmericanWaterWorksAssn.
AnnualConference
.Hershey.
April22
EarthDay2015
.
April22
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
April22
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
April22
PaddleWithoutPollution
REIEarthDayEvent.PittsburghsSouthSide.Visit
PWPs
Eventswebpage
formoreinformation.
April23
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
Building.10:00.
April23
DEPpublichearingonproposed
PPLWestPoconoNorthPocono230kVelectric
transmissionline
inLuzerneandLackawannacounties.ThornhurstTownshipVolunteerFire
Company,125RiverRoad,Thornhurst,LackawannaCounty.6:00.
(
PABulletinpage1023
)
April27
WildlifeForEveryoneStudents!Explore,DiscoverWetlandsThruYourCamera
.
Gov.TomRidgeWetlands,Julian,CentreCounty.
April28
PECGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwardsDinner
.Hilton,Harrisburg.5:00.
April29
CANCELED
.
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisory
Council
meeting.DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
April30
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
.Room105Rachel
(
formalnotice
)
May6
2015PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,State
College.
May6
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPMiningOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
(
formalnotice
)
May68
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference
.ToftreesResort,
StateCollege.
May79
PALandTrustAssn.
PALand&WaterConservationConference
.Wyndham,
Gettysburg.
May1315
DEPand
Engineers'SocietyofWesternPennsylvania
2015Pennsylvania
BrownfieldsConference
.ErieBayfrontConventionCenter,Erie.
May1417
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference.SevenSpringsMountain
Resort,Somerset.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
May17
PaddleWithoutPollution
NorthParkLake,AlleghenyCountyCleanup.VisitPWPs
Eventswebpage
formoreinformation.
May19
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor,
RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
May28
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:00.
June3
DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloorConference,Rachel
June9
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
June1112
NEW
.
PennStatePANaturalResourcesLeadershipInstituteWorkshop
.State
College.
June24
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
.BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,
2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:30.
July22
DEPCertificationProgramAdvisoryCommitteeforWaterandWastewaterSystems
Operators
meeting.14thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
September1620
NationalTroutUnlimitedMeeting.CenterCityHiltonHotelandConvention
Center,Scranton.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September2022
2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummit
.HolidayInnandAllegheny
CommunityCenter,Warren.
September24
DEP
RecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
&
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October2
DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October2830
2015PartnershipforSafeWater
2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythe
PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
.Hershey.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
March27
PECO/NaturalLandsTrustGreenRegionGrants
March27
NEW
.
GameCommissionSeedlingsForSchoolsProgram
March31
AbandonedMineReclamationConferenceFilmFestival
March31
DEPHostMunicipalityWasteInspectorReimbursementGrants
March31
DelawareHighlandsConservancyYeamanStudentScholarship
March31
DEPCleanDieselGrants
April1
NEW
.
NortheastAudubonCampScholarships
April5
DCNRECOCamp,StudentsInterestedInEnvironmentalCareers
April10
NEW
.
DelawareHighlandsConservancyGorderStudentScholarship
April10
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedsStudentArtContest
April10
NationalParkServiceChesapeakeRiverAccessGrants
April10
ChesapeakeBayFoundationSaveTheBayPhotoContest
April10
NEW
.
SustainablePittsburghCashMob
April15
DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(oruntilfundsrunout)
April15
RecyclingPartnershipMunicipalRecyclingGrants
April15
GloriaBarronPrizeForYoungHeroesNominations
April16
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants
May21
DCNRVolunteerFirefightingGrants
June30
CFAWatershedRestorationProtectionGrants
June30
CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatementandTreatmentGrants
June30
CFABaselineWaterQualityDataGrants
June30
CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPluggingGrants
June30
CFASewageFacilitiesGrants
June30
CFAFloodMitigationGrants
June30
CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreationGrants
June30
DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates
(oruntilrebatesrunout)
July10
PROPRecyclingFilmFestival
July30
TreeVitalizeInventory,PlantingGrants
September12
PPFFStateParksandForestsThroughTheSeasonPhotoContest
September30
DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
GeneralEnvironmental/BudgetNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
Budget
DCNRExaminingGasRoyaltyPaymentsVeryClosely
DCNRLookingOutsideForAuditOnShaleGasRoyalties
DCNRBoostsGasDrillingMonitoring
Editorial:HelpSolar,Wind,JoinGasAndOil
Shuster:CongressWon'tEmbraceIncreaseInGasolineTax
Other
SustainablePittsburghSprucesUpItsCashMob
DEP,PittsburghFirmLookingForMissingNuclearMaterial
DEPSearchingForMissingNuclearGauge
PUCBillingRulesCouldChallengeDuquesneLight
CNGFuelingStationProposedForDunmore
2ChargingStationsToBeInstalledAt2PittsburghParkingGarages
PhillyDigitalBillboardPlanDialedDown
TroutUnlimitedKeepsEyeOnGasDrillingImpact
NewConnectionToHeritageTrailProposed
DEPsNewsClipswebpage
ClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling

GasIndustrySlamsDEPOverNewDrillingRules
DEPReversesDecisionOverIndianaCountyWastewaterWell
DEPPullsDrillingWasteDisposalWellPermit
TroutUnlimitedKeepsEyeOnGasDrillingImpact
NewRulesOnDrillingWastewaterCouldPutTanksInDemand
Editorial:EnsuringHealth,SafetyInDrillingAreas
ShellCertifiedAsEnvironmentallyConsciousDriller
Political,LegalDevelopmentsImpactShaleOperationsInPA
WyomingResidentAppointedToDEPOil,GasAdvisoryBoard
StateConsidersTaskForceOnPipelinesMovingShaleGas
Study:WilliamsAtlanticSunrisePipelineProjectWouldBringJobs
EnvironmentalGroupThrowsLegalWrenchIntoLuzernePipeline
TreeCuttingHaltedWhileLuzernePipelineChallengedInCourt
Judge:GasPipelineCanCrossHoldoutPAProperties
Judge:GasPipelineCanBuildAcrossHoldoutProperty
DelawareRiverkeeperContinuesPipelineOpposition
Court:ConstitutionPipelineCanAccessProperties
PennEastPipelineToBeDiscussedInBucksMarch28
FERCOKsRockSpringsPipelineInLancasterCounty
PanelUrgesStrongerOversightOnGasPipelines
CourtRejectsClaimToAggregateSeriesOfCompressorStations
DoctorLosesLawsuitOverFrackingFluidContents
CourtDismissesChallengeToDisclosureOfFrackingChemicals
PARecordsOnOil,GasWellsAreIncomplete
DrillingOrdinanceCostsMiddlesexMoreThan$35KSoFar
PennTwpToDecideNextMonthOnDrillingOperation
WhereToPADrillersGetTheirPipe?
AGNearsEndOfDrillingRoyaltyInvestigation
AGKane:ChesapeakeRoyaltyProbeWrappingUp
Kane:GasRoyaltiesFraudInvestigationWrappingUpSoon
DealOnDrillingRoyaltiesLawsuitWontHaltOthers
CNGFuelingStationProposedForDunmore
PeoplesGastoGivePeopleABreakOnGasBills
ColumbiaGasSeeks9%IncreaseInResidentialRates
InfrastructureProjectsBehindColumbiaGasProposedRateHike
PhillyCityCouncilHearsNewPGWOptions
WesternPAGasolinePricesLevelOff
Financial/OtherStates
Dept.OfInteriorReleasesFinalFrackingRule
FedsAddFrackingRulesOnFederalLand
Progress,ControversySurroundNewFederalFrackingRules
PriceOfOilDropsTo6YearLow
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Watershed/FloodingNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
Flooding
IceJamFrees,HeadedIntoLuzerneCounty
SusquehannaIceJamGrowsTo11Miles
OfficialsContinueToMonitorSusquehannaIceJams
DEP:SusquehannaIceJamCouldCauseRailroadBridgeToCollapse
IceJamesRaiseFearsOfFloodingAlongSusquehanna
IceJamNearTunkhannockLeadsToFloodWarning
WyomingEMAWarnsPeopleToStayOffIceJam
SouthWhitehallVotes41ToSaveWehrsDam
WarmWeatherSparksFloodingInWesternPA
FEMAUpdatesCranberryFloodplainMaps
OtherWatershedNewsClips
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
publishednotice
ofproposedchangestoChapter215relating
totheSecurityRuleforRadioactiveMaterialforcomment.
PennsylvaniaBulletinMarch21,2015
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
oftwoproposedtechnical
guidancedocumentsimplementingtheAct162streambufferrequirementslaw
RiparianBufferorRiparianForestBufferEquivalencyDemonstration
:Thisinterimfinal
technicalguidancedocumentoutlinestheequivalencydemonstrationcriteriaandprocessrelated
totheriparianbufferorriparianforestbufferequivalencydemonstrationrequiredby
RiparianBufferorRiparianBufferOffsetting
:Thisinterimfinaltechnicalguidancedocument
outlinestheoffsettingcriteriaandprocessrelatedtotheriparianbufferorriparianforestbuffer
offsettingrequiredbyAct162.
CommentsonbothguidancedocumentsaredueMay20.Commentssubmittedby
facsimilewillnotbeaccepted.Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyemail,must
includetheoriginator'snameandaddress.
WrittencommentsshouldbesubmittedtoJenniferOrr,DepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,BureauofWaterwaysEngineeringandWetlands,DivisionofNPDESConstruction
andErosionControl,RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box8460,Harrisburg,PA
171058460orto:
.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
Act162webpage
orcontactJenniferOrr,
.
DEPpublisheda
noticeofavailability
ofadraftNPDESGeneralPermitforDischargesfrom
HydrostaticTestingofTanksandPipelines(PAG10).CommentsaredueApril20.
PAG10isintendedtoprovideNPDESpermitcoveragetothosewhowishtoconduct
hydrostatictestinganddischargethewaterusedforthistestingtowatersoftheCommonwealth
thatarenotconsideredhighqualityorexceptionalvalue.
AcopyofthedraftGeneralPermitispostedon
DEPswebsite
.Questionsshouldbe
directedtoAndrewGaul,7177870129orsendemailto:
agaul@pa.gov
.
DEPalsopublishednoticesextendingtheGeneralPermitforthe
BeneficialUseofBiosolids
(PAG08),theBeneficial
UseofExceptionalQualityBiosolids
(PAG07)andtheBeneficialUse
of
ResidentialSeptage
ByLandApplication(PAG09).
DEP
publishednotice
ofproposed2015ozoneseasonnitrogenoxideemissionlimitsfor
nonelectricgeneratingunits.
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
ofthesuspensionofthe2percentbiodiesel
contentmandatefromMarch2to4.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnew
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
GetInvolved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
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.
PAEnvironmentDigest
iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
CrisciAssociates
,a
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