Pa Environment Digest March 21, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates
WinnerOf
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
BusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAEnvironmentDigestDailyBlog
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Issue#612Harrisburg,PAMarch21,2016
4thSenate,HouseRepublicanBudgetSentToGovernorInTheFaceOfVetoThreat
SenateandHouseRepublicans,inoverwhelmingly
partylinevotes,tookfinalactiontosend
HouseBill
1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05billionin
supplementalappropriationsforFY201516(Senate
31to18,House128to63),theFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)(Senate30to19,
House120to71)andthebillsfundingstaterelated
universitiestotheGovernorforhisaction.
Gov.WolfsaidWednesdayafternoonhe
wouldvetothebills,butwedontknowatthispoint
ifthatmeanstheentirebillsorwhetherhewillusehislineitemveto.
ThebillswereformallypresentedtotheGovernorforactiononThursdaybytheSenate
andHouse.
HouseSpeakerMikeTurzai(RAllegheny)saidFriday
withoutclosingouttheFY
201516budget,negotiationscannotbegintotalkabouttheFY201617budget.Heandother
RepublicansurgedGov.Wolftosignthebudgetbillsonhisdesk.
Regardlessoftheveto,SpeakerTurzaididhinttheremightbeenoughDemocraticvotes
intheHousetooverridetheveto.
Wewereveryappreciativethatwepickedup13ofourDemocraticcolleaguesvotes,
wethinkthatmanymoreofourDemocraticcolleaguesmanyofuswhoaregoodfriends,very
professionalunderstandtheneedtoclosethe1516budget,Rep.Turzaisaid.
ReactingtotheSpeakerscommentsFridayafternoon,HouseDemocraticCaucus
spokespersonBillPattonsaidtheSpeakeriscontinuingtorefusetoacknowledgereality.
Everystepthegovernorhastakenhasbeenanactiontoclosethedeficit,notmakeit
worse,hesaid.ThepeoplethataremakingthedeficitworsearetheHouseRepublican
leadershipwhowouldnotlettheHousetakeavoteonarealbudget."
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEP
Chapter78conventionaldrillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreener
watershedrestorationfundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofany
stateplantocomplywiththeEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldalsotransfer$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreenBuildings
ProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
HouseRepublicansandsomeDemocratsfinallyreachedtherequiredtwothirdsvoteand
passedfundingforthestaterelateduniversitiesPennState,Pitt,LincolnandtheUniversityof
PennsylvaniainSenateBills912,913,914,915and916andsentthemtotheGovernorforhis
action.
Gov.Wolfthreatenedtovetothesebillsaswell.
ThisentirepackageofbillsputtogetherbySenateandHouseRepublicansrepresentsa
$30billionFY201516GeneralFundbudgetrestoringmany,butnotall,ofthe
lineitemvetoes
Gov.Wolf
madeinthe$30.2billionRepublicanbudgetapprovedinDecember.
Republicanssaythebudgetrequiresnoadditionaltaxrevenueandincreasesfundingfor
basiceducationandnonpreferredappropriationstostaterelateduniversities.
Gov.WolfandSenateandHouseDemocratssaytheRepublicanbudgetisoutofbalance
byatleast$290million,wouldcreateayearenddeficitofmorethan$1.6billionin201617and
wouldforcePennsylvaniaoffthefiscalcliff.
Specifically,Democratssay,itdoesnothingtofundstateprogramsadministeredby
counties.
ClickHere
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouse
Republicans.
Thisisthe
fourthbudgetRepublicans
havesenttotheGovernorsinceJune30oflast
year.
(
ClickHere
forthetimeline.)
TheGeneralFundbudgetwasvetoedentirelybytheGovernorlastJuly.Astopgap
budgetpackageinSeptemberwasvetoedbytheGovernorinitsentirety.Andfinally,$6.8
billionoftheGeneralFundbudgetpassedinDecemberwaslineitemvetoedbytheGovernor.
Inbetweenthosebudgets,theHousefailedin14attemptstooverridetheGovernorsveto
oftheJune30budget.
Andnowwehavebudget#4.
GovernorsVetoThreat
Gov.WolfissuedthisstatementjustaftertheSenatevoteontheRepublicanbudget:
DespiterepeatedeffortsbymyadministrationtoworkwithRepublicanleaderstofind
compromise,includingoverthelastcoupledays,Republicanleadersareonceagaininsistenton
passinganotherirresponsibleandunbalancedbudgetthatdoesnotfundourschoolsorfixthe
deficit.
ThisisfurtherindicationthattheRepublicanleadershavenointentionofworking
togetherwithmetoproduceafinalbudget.Thisisthethirdtimetheyhaveattemptedtopassan
unbalancedbudgetwithnoconsultationwiththeadministration.Thisissimplyunproductiveand
awasteoftaxpayerresources.
Themathinthelatestversionstilldoesnotwork.EvenusingtheRepublicans
questionablemathandassumptions,thebudgetcreatesa$1.6billiondeficitthatwillprompt
massivecutstoeducation,teacherlayoffs,higherpropertytaxes,andcutstovitalprogramsfor
seniors.ThisbudgetnotonlydoesnothingtoaddressPennsylvaniaschallenges,butby
continuingtokickthecandowntheroad,itfurtherexacerbatesourproblems,
Initscurrentform,Iwillvetothisbudget,andIurgeRepublicansinthelegislatureto
stopthepartisangamesandcomebacktothetabletonegotiateafinalbudgetthatfundsour
schoolsandeliminatesthenearly$2billiondeficit.Ilookforwardtoworkingwithbothparties
inthelegislaturetofinallyendthisimpasse,fixourschools,andeliminatethedeficit.
Inlatercomments,Gov.Wolfsaidspecificallyhewillvetofundingforstaterelated
universitiesbecausethereisnorevenuetosupportit.
SenateRepublicanComments
SenateRepublicanLeadersofferedthefollowingstatementsonthepassageofthebudget
Wednesday
SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson):Todaysvotetookan
importantsteptoclosethe201516budgetimpassewhichhasnowentereditsninthmonth.Iam
pleasedthatwearefinallycompletingthisbudgetyearwithoutraisingtaxesonPennsylvanias
hardworkingresidents.ThesupplementalbudgetpassedbytheSenatetodaywillprovideour
schools,agricultureprograms,criticalaccesshospitalsandmanyotherworthwhileprograms
withthefundingtheyneedtokeeptheirdoorsopen.Gov.Wolfsdesiretocreateacrisisbyline
itemvetoingfundinglastDecemberwascompletelyinappropriate.Itislongpasttimetoclose
the201516budgetandmoveontoworkingtoprovideatimelyandresponsiblebudgetfor
201617.
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre):Weareinanemergencysituation.
Letsstoplookingatwhatthisbudgetisntandfocusonwhatitis.Thisbudgetis$200million
newdollarsforeducationandkeepsourschoolsfromclosingtheirdoors.Itrestoresthefunding
forouragriculturalcommunityandmeansPennStatewontlayoff1,100employees.Rural
hospitalsreceivetheirfundingasdoregionalcancercenters,poisoncontrolfacilitiesandmore.
Thisplangetsourcommunitiesthemoneytheydesperatelyneedwithoutthetaxincreasesthe
Governorsodesperatelywants.
SenateAppropriationsCommitteeMajorityChairPatBrowne(RLehigh):Wecannot
continuedownthepathweareonwhereschoolsarefacingtherealprospectofbeingforcedto
closeandwherevitalnonprofitsandsocialserviceorganizationsareunabletokeeptheirdoors
openandoperating.Wehaveafundamentalandconstitutionalresponsibilitytoprovidefunding
tothesecriticalstateprogramsandservices.Thissupplemental201516appropriationsbudget
restoresmostoftheGovernorslineitemvetocutsfromDecemberandprovidesincreased
fundingforeducation,restoresfundingtocorrectionalfacilitiesandsocialserviceagenciesand
doessowithoutraisingtaxesonourhardworkingfamiliesandjobcreators.
SenateMajorityWhipJohnGordner(RColumbia):IampleasedtheSenatehasacted
torestorefundingtoourschools,agriculturalcommunity,ruralcriticalaccesshospitalsandother
vitalprograms.ThisresponsiblebudgetreversesthepunitivecutsinflictedbyGovernorWolf
throughhislineitemvetoesandatthesametimeincreasespublicschoolfundingby$200
millionwithoutraisingasingletax.
GeneralFundBillContents
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)includes$6.05billioninsupplementation
appropriationsfor
Dept.ofAgriculture$83.8million
Dept.ofConservation&NaturalResources$2.25millionHeritageParksProgram
Dept.ofEnvironmentalProtectiondoesNOTrestore$900,000forSewageFacilitiesGrants
ClickHere
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouse
Republicans.
NewsClips:
McNickle:PhoneCallTelegraphsWolfsRealIntentOnShaleGas?
Swift:WorseningBudgetMessAwaitingLawmakers
Editorial:BetterLeadersWouldEndTheBudgetImpasse
AuditorGeneralToExamineAct13ImpactFeeSpending
PCN:PASupremeCourtArgumentsOnAct13,Oil&GasLeaseFund
PLS:SpeakerTurzaiImploresGov.WolfToSignBudget
WolfThreatensVetoOfRepublicanBudget
Sen.Yudichak(D)RipsWolf,LegislatureOverBudgetImpasse
Thompson:GOPPondersVetoOverride,WithGrowingDemSupport
BudgetImpasseConcernsPennStateExtensionDirector
PennStateExtension,4HProgramsHangInBalance
PennStatesAgriculturalExtensionDollarsAffectYourTable
LancasterPennStateExtensionOfficeFacesClosure
RelatedStories:
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayingCleanPowerPlan
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,CleanPowerPlanDelayInFiscalCode
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
WednesdaysentalettertoallmembersoftheSenateexpressing
itsoppositiontoprovisions
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendstheFiscalCodetoamong
otherthings,killDEPChapter78conventionaldrillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,
reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestorationfundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandto
slowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywiththeEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
ThebillisnowontheGovernorsdeskforaction.
Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil(PEC),Iamwritingtoexpress
ourstrongoppositiontoprovisionsinHouseBill1327(P.N.2969)thatutilizethefiscalcodeas
avehicletonegateimportant,publiclydevelopedenvironmentalregulatoryprovisionsrelatingto
oilandgasdevelopment,andtoseekfurtherdelayofCleanPowerPlanimplementationplanning
inPennsylvania.
IftheGeneralAssemblywishestoaddressthesematters,itshoulddosoinstandalone
legislationwithduepublicnoticeandopportunityforinvolvement.Useofthefragmentedstate
budgetprocesstoadvanceunrelatedmeasuresofsubstantivelawisagainstgoodpublicpolicy
andviolatesthesinglesubjectruleofthePennsylvaniaConstitution.
WecallonmembersoftheSenatetorejecttheseprovisions,aswellasthepracticeof
circumventingpublicparticipationinissuesofenvironmentallawthatarewhollyunrelatedto
thebudget.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
RelatedStories:
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyMondaytoldtheSenateAppropriations
SubcommitteeonInfrastructure,EnvironmentandGovernment
OperationsDEPwillhave12specialfundsrunningintheredby2018
andatleasttwoofthosefundswillrequirelegislativeactiontofix.
Hesaidtomakeupfortheshortfallsintheotherfunds,DEPwill
beproposingpermitfeeincreasestocoveradministrativecostsinthe
absenceofmoreGeneralFundsupportfortheagency.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPneedsamajorinvestmentin
informationtechnologycapacitytonotonlybecomemoreefficientand
effective,buttopotentiallyreducetheneedformorestaffinthefuture.
HepointedtoaproposalbyGov.WolftoincreaseDEPsOiland
GasProgramstaffby50positionslastyear,sayingiftheagencycaninvestiniPadsandmobile
technologyandthesystemstobackthemup,perhapsDEPwouldnotneedallthosenew
positions.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasbeenlookingatmanyotheropportunitiestocutcostsby
consolidatingfunctionswithintheagency,partneringwithotheragenciestosharecosts,
reviewingtheneedforofficespaceandclosely
reviewsfillingeverysinglestaffvacancy
.
HetoldSenators,however,thatDEPhasbeenthevictimofrelentlessanddebilitating
budgetcutsformorethanadecade.
Thisagencyisntlean,itsemaciated,andwecantcutourwaytocleaningupthe
environment,SecretaryQuigleysaid.Weareperilouslyclosetonotmeetingtheagencys
mission.
EveryfunctionoftheagencyhasbeencompromisedbythecutsinDEPsbudget.
Headded,regulatoryrequirementsdontgoaway,ifanythingtheyexpand.
[
Note:
DEPadministersover40stateenvironmentalprotectionandpublichealthand
safetylawsassigningresponsibilitiestotheagency.Nonehaveeverbeenrepealed,butmany
havebeenreplacedwithnewandmoresignificantrequirements.]
Atthesametime,SecretaryQuigleysaid,DEPsemployeeshavebeendoingan
outstandingjob,inspiteofthelackofresources,meeting
PermitDecisionGuaranteeProgram
reviewdeadlines89percentofthetime,wheretheagencyisgivencompleteapplications,and80
percentofthetimeevenwhenapplicationsareincomplete.
SecretaryQuigleysaid,overall,22percentofDEPscostsarefundedbytheGeneral
Fund,28percentarefederalfundsand50percentcomefrompermitreviewandadministration
feesandasmallpercentagefrompenalties.
HesaidDEPhasacomplementofabout2,683positions,downfrom3,200in200203.
ThissecondhearingonDEPsbudgetbytheSenateAppropriationsCommitteewas
chairedbySen.JohnEichelberger(RBlair).HenotedtheSubcommitteeisbipartisan,but
Democraticmemberschoosenottoattendthishearing.
ClickHere
towatchtheSubcommitteehearingonline.
Whilemuchofthehearingwasarehashoftheoriginal
SenatehearingonDEPsbudget
,
heresaquicksummaryofsomespecificquestionsaskedduringthishearing
SpecialFundsShortfalls:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)saidtherewere12or13specialfunds
associatedwithDEPthatwillgointotheredshortlyandaskedifDEPhadanyproposalsfor
dealingwiththeissue.SecretaryQuigleysaid12specialfundsatDEPwillgointothered
sometimein2018.
Hesaid
DEPwillproposefeeincreases
toaddresstheshortfallsinmostofthesefunds,
butlegislativeactionwillbeneededinatleasttwocasestheHazardousSitesCleanupand
StorageTankfunds.Henotedfeeincreasesareina3yearreviewscheduleandalwayslag
behindcostsbecauseofthenatureoftheregulatoryprocessusedtoincreasefees.
Inarelatedquestion,Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)saidtheproposalto
increasethestate
wastetippingfees
wouldonlyresultinthefeebeingpaidbyconsumers.SecretaryQuigleysaid
thereasonforthefeeincreasewastoprovideenoughmoneytotransfer$35milliontothe
EnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)FundandHazardousSitesCleanupFund.
Ifthefeeincreaseisnotenacted,thesefundswoulddowithoutoralternativeswould
havetobefound.
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)saidhecantsupportincreasedfees,oranyappropriations
increase,untilagenciesturnovereveryrocktoreducecosts.
HowMuchWorkDoesDEPDoThatIsntMandatedByStatute?:
Inresponsetothis
questionbySen.Eichelberger(RBlair),SecretaryQuigleysaidallofwhattheydoisrequired
byfederalorstatelaws.DEPgotridofalltheextrasalongtimeago.
LevelOfEffortToMeetFederalFunding:
Sen.RobertMensch(RMontgomery)asked
aboutthelevelofeffortneededtokeepfederalfundingcominginforDEPprograms.Secretary
Quigleysaidtheagencyhasseenslightincreasesinsomefederalfunds,butmostofthefederal
fundsrequirematchingstatefundswhichhascausedproblems.Hepointedtotwoexamples:the
miningprogramhadtoturnback$6.5millioninfederalfundingbecausetheydidnthavestate
matchoverthelast6yearsandEPAwithheld$3millioninChesapeakeBayProgramfunding
becauseDEPdidnothaveadequatestaff.HenotedtheBayProgramfunding
hassincebeen
released
becauseoftheChesapeakeBayProgramebootannouncedinJanuary.
(
ClickHere
for
moreinformationonshortfallsinDEPfundingandstaffidentifiedbyfederalagencies.)
InformationTechnology:
Sen.RobertMensch(RMontgomery)askedagainabout
investmentsininformationtechnologynotingthecostofhardwarehasdroppedsignificantly
overtheyears.Hesaidherecognizeswearedroppingtheballoninvestmentsininformation
technologyandwouldliketohelpaddresstheissuesincehecomesfromanITbackground.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPisstillusing1990stechnology,likethe
eFACTSdatabase
thatwillshortlynotbesupportedbythecompanywhowroteit.Asaresult,hesaid,DEPs
abilitytodoitsbasicworkisbeinghamper.
Henotedtherewasa$2millioninformationtechnologylineitemintheGovernors
budget$1milliontoreplaceeFACTSand$1millionformobiletechnologylikeiPadsfor
inspectors.
StaffBuyTheirOwnTechnology:
Sen.Menschsuggested,andSen.ScottWagner
(RYork)supported,theideathatDEPemployeesmightbeaskedtobuytheirowntechnology.
SecretaryQuigleypointedoutthattechnologyneedstoconnecttoandthatswherethereisareal
challengeforDEP.
MeasuringAgencyPerformance:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)saidoneofthegeneralissues
theSubcommitteeislookingatistoidentifymoreaccurateagencyperformancemeasures.
SecretaryQuigleysaidhewouldliketohaveamanagementdashboard,butDEPisntbuiltfor
thatsortofapproachandneedsamajorinvestmentinnewinformationtechnology,likereplacing
eFACTS,togettothatlevel.
SeveranceTaxLobbying:
Sen.Wagner(RYork)questionedwhySecretaryQuigleywas
spendingsomuchtimelobbyingfortheGovernorsnaturalgasseverancetaxproposal.
SecretaryQuigleysaidherespondstoquestionswhenasked,buthedoesntspendtimelobbying
fortheseverancetax.[
Note:
NoneoftheseverancetaxrevenuegeneratedbyGov.Wolfs
proposalwouldgotosupportDEPprograms.]
Sen.PatBrowne(RLehigh)latercommentedtheWolfAdministrationkeepssayingthe
statedoesnthaveaseverancetaxandaskedifchangingthenameoftheAct13drillingimpact
feetoseverancetaxwoulddealwiththeproblemordoesnttheimpactfeeraiseenoughmoney?
SecretaryQuigleysaidthestateneedstofindadditionalnew,sustainablesourcesof
revenuetodealwitha$2billionstructuraldeficitinthestatebudget.Hesaidhebelievesthe
existingimpactfeehasaneffectivetaxrateof1.5percentanddisputedthe
5.5percenttaxrate
publishedbytheIndependentFiscalOffice
.
HenotedtheCEOsof5differentnaturalgascompaniesrecentlypointedtohowuniquely
positionedtheywereinPennsylvaniabecauseofthelowcostofproductionandproximityto
markettodealwiththecurrentnaturalgasmarket.Hesaidtheseverancetaxproposal,which
includesacreditforimpactfeespaidandcertainproductioncosts,wouldplacePennsylvania
squarelyinthemiddleofthepackofthosestateswithseverancetaxes.
SecretaryQuigleysaidGov.Wolfwantsthegasindustrytosucceedandsaidthe
Administrationisaddressingoneoftheindustrysbiggestproblemsgettingnaturalgasto
market.Aboutonethirdoffinishedwellscannotbeconnectedtoanymarketbecausethe
pipelinesarenotthere.The
GovernorsPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
made184
recommendations,including84forwhichDEPhasresponsibility,tohelpwiththepipeline
developmentinaresponsibleway.HesaidthefirstrecommendationwasforDEPtohavemore
staff.
PrivatizingOilandGasRegulatoryProgram:
Sen.Browne(RLehigh)askedifitwas
possibletogetalongwithprivatizingpartsoftheOilandGasProgramtoavoidhiringsome
permanentstaffgiventheupsanddownsoftheindustry.SecretaryQuigleysaidwhilethe
numberofnewpermitshavedeclinedbyaboutonethird,DEPstillhasvacanciesintheprogram.
Hesaidhebelievespermitreviewsareabasicfunctionofgovernmentandinsomeinstances
DEPmaybeprohibitedfromhavingprivate,thirdpartiesdoreviewsofpermitapplications.He
notedDEPhasto
justifyfillingeverysinglevacancy
inhisagency.Inearlierbudgettestimony,
SecretaryQuigley,pointedoutDEPhasalsonotbeeninspectingconventionaland
unconventionalwellswiththefrequencytheybelieveisnecessary.
EPACleanPowerClimateRule:
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)askedifDEPshould
discontinueanyworkonplanstomeetEPAsCleanPowerPlanClimateRule
untilthecourts
havereviewedtheissue
.SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasputworkonaPennsylvaniaPlanona
lowboil,butwascontinuingtoworkonaplanatareasonablepaceuntilthereissomeclarity
fromthefederalcourts.HesaidDEPisalsowrappingupitsworkwithaNationalGovernors
Associationprojectonmodelingalternativecompliancestrategiesforthestate.
However,SecretaryQuigleysaidifDEPstopsworkaltogether,thestatewouldbebehind
thecurveiftheEPAruleisupheld.Henotedrenewableenergyandcheapnaturalgaswill
continuetoreplaceexpensiveandinefficientcoalfiredpowerplantsinthefutureregardlessof
whatthestatedoes.Thereisalsoaconcern,hesaid,aboutdefiningtherolenuclearpower
plantswillplaybecausetheyrepresent95percentofcarbonfreeenergygenerationnowinthe
state.
NutrientCreditPurchasesByState:
Sen.Wagner(RYork)askedabouttheprogram
suggestedbySen.Vogel
tohavethestatebuynutrientcreditstomeetChesapeakeBay
requirements.SecretaryQuigleysaidhavingthestatebuyingnutrientcreditswouldbe
unprecedentedandveryexpensive.ThetechnologyadvocatedbySen.Vogelslegislation,he
said,wouldrequirethestatepayinganestimated$11perpoundofnutrientreduction,when
currentlycreditsaresellingforlessthan$1forpracticeslikeforestedbuffers.DEPisactively
lookingatmarketbasedsolutionsandisproposingchangestoitsmarketbasedNutrientCredit
TradingProgramtomakeitmorecompetitive.
NewGrowingGreenerProgram:
InresponsetoaquestionfromSen.Vogel(RBeaver),
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheGovernorsOfficehashaddiscussionsaboutanewGrowingGreener
fundinginitiativewithstakeholdersandwouldbeanxioustocontinuethatdialoguewith
legislators.
RecyclingLawUpdate:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)saidwastehaulersinhisdistricthave
expressedconcernsaboutfindingmarketsforalltherecycledmaterialstheypickupandaskedif
itwasnttimetotakeanotherlookattheAct101recyclinglaw.SecretaryQuigleysaidhe
wouldliketohaveaconversationaboutincreasingthestatesrecyclingtargetsandpointedtoa
specificconcernnowis
changingtheelectronicswasterecyclinglaw
todealwithelectronics
recyclingissues.
PermitReviews:
InresponsetoaquestionfromSen.Wagner(RYork),SecretaryQuigley
saidanumberoffactorshaveaffectedpermitreviewtimes.HesaidDEPlost671positionsover
thelastdecade441ofthosewerepermitwritersandinspectors.HepointedtotheHarrisburg
RegionalOfficerasanexampleoftheimpactofthesereductionswhere4permitwritershave
200permitapplicationsontheirdeskwithnewonescomingineveryday.HesaidDEPhasalso
lostpeopletotheprivatesectorbecauseofhigherprivatesalariesandishavingdifficultyfilling
positions.
Inaddition,inthenearfuture,30percentofDEPsworkforceabout800peoplewill
beoldenoughtoretireandtheirexperiencewillbelosttotheagency.
Inspiteofthesedifficulties,SecretaryQuigleysaidDEP,underits
PermitReview
GuaranteeProgram
,meetsthedeadlineforpermitreviews89percentoftimewhenapplications
arecompleteandeven80percentofthetimewhentheyarentcomplete.
Healsoexplained,permitreviewsatDEP,hesaid,arenotboxcheckingoperations,
theyrequireactualreview.
SecretaryQuigleysaid39percentofthepermitapplicationscominginthedooratDEP
havedeficiencies,accordingtoarecentstudybyDEP,andtheprivatesectorneedstouptheir
game,but,headded,Iwillownanyproblemsinmyagency.
Sen.WagnerfollowedupbysayingthereshouldbeanAngiesListforconsulting
firmsandunderstoodtheissuebecausehewaspersonallyinvolvedinapermitissuewherehe
wasnotwellservedbyaconsultant.
StatusOfPermitReviews:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)expressedconcernedabout
permitapplicationsmovingattheirownpaceandgoingintoablackhole.SecretaryQuigley
saidthePermitDecisionGuaranteeProgramprovidesdeadlinesforreviewwhereapplications
arecomplete.Hesaidhealsounderstandtherewillbeapplicationsthathavesignificant
economicdevelopmentopportunitiesbehindthem.Itallcomesbacktolimitedstaff,hesaid.
LengthPermitReviewTimes:
Sen.Mensch(RMontgomery)askedifthereareother
waystoaddressthepermitreviewissuesbylengtheningpermitreviewtimesabit,forexample.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheyhavebeenlookingatavarietyofideasforrefiningDEPspermit
reviewprogramsincludingelectronicpermitting.
RestructuringPrograms:
Sen.Browne(RLehigh)askedaboutopportunitiestorestructure
programsandtheagencytosavemoney,createsynergiesandmakestaffmoreeffective.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheyhavereorganizedto
meetChesapeakeBaycommitments
,butthere
wasnoopportunitytosavemoney.Hepointedoutagainwaterqualityrelatedprogramsin
particularhavebeenhardhitbybudgetcutsandweareunderwaterastheagency.Hepointed
tothe25percentreductioninstaffinSafeDrinkingWaterProgramasanotherexample.
ControllingOvertime:
InresponsetoaquestionfromSen.Pat(RLehigh)aboutthesteps
takentocontrolovertime,SecretaryQuigleysaidhehasauthorizedsomeovertimeforpermit
processing.HepointedoutDEPstaffrespondstoemergenciesthatfrequentlyinvolveworkon
weekendsoroutsidenormalworkhoursandovertimeisauthorizedinthosecircumstances.
ClickHere
towatchtheSubcommitteehearingonline.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
BudgetHearing:DEP:StateCantCutItsWayToABetterEnvironmen
t
SenateHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
GovernorsOfficeLatestRegulatoryAgenda:DEPPermitFeeIncreaseFor6Programs
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
AgricultureSecretarySaysMoreResourcesNeededToMeetCleanWaterCommitments
HouseBudget:DCNRToPropose$40FeeForNaturalDiversityInventoryPermitReviews
SenateBudget:DCNR:NoDrillingRigsNowOnStateForestLand
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
PUCAsksForIncreasedFundingForMoreRail,PipelineInspectors
After9Months,NoDueDateForResolvingStateBudgetImpasse
The
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
MondaycalledontheWolfAdministrationandstate
lawmakerstoboostfundingfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,citingconcernsthat
inadequatetechnologyandbarebonesstaffinglevelsareputtingPennsylvania'senvironmentat
risk.
Inaddition,theCoalitionurgedtheGovernorandlegislatorstoalsoprovideadequate
fundingfortheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesandtheDepartmentof
AgriculturetoaddressPennsylvania'sgrowingenvironmentalneeds.
"Ifwewanttoimproveandprotectthequalityofourwaterandair,thestatemuststop
shortchangingenvironmentalprotection,"saidAndrewHeath,executivedirectorofthe
PennsylvaniaGrowingGreenerCoalition."Inadequatefundingdirectlythreatensthehealthof
Pennsylvania'sland,airandwaterandconsequently,ourcommunities."
Asdiscussedin
Monday'sSenateAppropriationsCommitteehearing
,DEPsimplycannot
absorbfurtherbudgetcutswithoutsacrificingtheabilitytoenforceregulationsthatprotectthe
Commonwealth'senvironment,andinfact,thestateshouldbeputtingmoremoneynotless
towardprogramsthatprotectandpreservePennsylvania'sopenspaces,familyfarms,parksand
trails,waterwaysandhistoricsites.
"WithhundredsofacresofopenspacelosttodevelopmenteachdayinPennsylvania,we
needtobedoingmoretoprotectournaturalresources,notless,"saidHeath."Asthe
EnvironmentalStewardshipFundcontinuestoshrink,nowisthetimeforlawmakersfromboth
sidesoftheaisletocometogethertoadvanceaGrowingGreenerIIIinitiativeandcontinue
Pennsylvania'sconservation,recreation,andpreservationlegacy."
FundingfortheGrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundhasdecreasedfrom
anaverageof$200millioninthemid2000stoapproximately$60millionin2014.
TheCoalitionalsocalledforrestoringfundingforthestateDepartmentofAgriculture,
whichalongwithDEP,playsacriticalroleinensuringPennsylvaniameetsitscommitmentsto
cleaninguptheChesapeakeBayWatershed,andurgedtheWolfAdministrationtosaveDCNR's
HeritageAreasProgramfrombeingeliminated.
The
isthelargestcoalitionofconservation,recreation
andpreservationorganizationsintheCommonwealth.
RelatedStories:
ReservationsNowBeingAcceptedForApril19GovernorsEnvironmentalAwardsDinner
The
isnowaccepting
reservationsforthe
April19dinnertohonorthe2016
winners
oftheGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellence
AwardtobeheldattheHarrisburgHilton.
TheGovernorsAwardsarepresentedeachyearbythe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontohighlightthebestinenvironmentalinnovationand
expertisethroughouttheCommonwealth.
Theawardsarethehigheststatewidehonorbestoweduponbusinessesandorganizations
forenvironmentalperformanceandinnovationfromcleaningupwatersheds,savingenergy,and
eliminatingpollution,toreducingwasteandmore.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleywillprovidethekeynoteaddressandDCNRSecretary
CindyAdamsDunnwillprovidespecialcommentaryforthisspecialevent.
JanelleStelson,newsanchorwithWGALChannel8inLancaster,willbetheprogram
emcee.
Theyearssponsorsinclude:PlatinumDominionResources,SilverUGICorporation,
BronzeCrisciAssociates,EnvironmentalExcellenceSponsorGroundwaterSciences
CorporationandInnovatorDinnerSponsorsK&LGatesLLPandRTEnvironmentalServices,
Inc.
Forallthedetailsandtoregister,visitPECs
GovernorsAwardDinner
webpageorsend
anemailwithyourquestionstoAngelaVitkoskiat:
avitkoski@pecpa.org
.
PresqueIsleStateParkBeachesNamedBestFreshwaterBeachByUSAToday
Thebeachesat
PresqueIsleStatePark
inEriewere
namedthebestfreshwaterbeachesintheUnited
Statesbythe
USAToday10BestReadersChoice
Contest
Friday.
ThecontestpagedescribedPresqueIslethis
way:"VisitorstoPresqueIsleStateParkareinfora
singularPennsylvaniaexperience:thestate'sonly
formidableshoreline,whichboastsanumberof
beaches.
Beach11(photo)isthepark'smostsheltered,
andthereforemostserene.Itsshallowwaterisasafe
optionforvisitorswithlittleonesandboastsviewsoftheErieskyline.
Beach6ontheotherhand,isadrawforyoungpeople,withitsconcessionstandsand
volleyballcourts.Theflipside,itisoftenthemostcrowded."
PresqueIsleencompases3,200acresonasandypeninsulathatarchesintoLakeErie.As
Pennsylvaniasonlyseashore,PresqueIsleoffersitsvisitorsabeautifulcoastlineandavariety
recreationalactivities,includingswimming,boating,fishing,hiking,bicyclingandinline
skating.
ANationalNaturalLandmark,PresqueIsleisafavoritespotformigratingbirds.Because
ofthemanyuniquehabitats,PresqueIslecontainsagreaternumberofthestate'sendangered,
threatenedandrarespeciesthananyotherareaofcomparablesizeinPennsylvania.
Alsofeaturedattheparkisthe
TomRidgeEnvironmentalCenter
whichisnotonlyhome
toavisitorandeducationcenterforthepark,butalsohousesgroundbreakingresearchfacilities
onGreatLakesandwaterqualityissuesaffectingLakeErieanda75footobservationtower.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
PresqueIsleStatePark
webpage.
NewsClips:
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
NewNorthwestLancasterCountyRiverTrailSection,VisitorsCenterOpen
WaterfrontRoadWillFillGapInD&LTrail
LackawannaHeritageValleyHoldsMeetingOnFellTwpTrail
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
CrowdProvidesInputIntoNewSectionOfLackawannaHeritageTrail
LackawannaHeritageTrailToGet14Cameras
GoalReachedToSaveAppalachianTrailHotel
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
SusquehannaRiverPeopleSeeksToSaveIslandRetreat
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.
Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantnewsupdates.
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.

PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(March21):
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)furtherprovidingforliabilityprotection
forlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconducta
comprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselforthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516Capital
Budgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
Senate
Bill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill
Senate
Resolution55
(HutchinsonRVenango)reestablishingtheForestryTaskForceundertheJoint
House/SenateLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
(
sponsorsummary
).
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(March21):
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlarge
electricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepound
ReidVaporPressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatisduetoexpireonMay1,
2016
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)amendstheStorageTankActtoaddmemberstothe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationFundBoard
HouseBill806
(CauserRCameron)
providingforcountyspecificusevaluesforlandinforestreserves(
sponsorsummary
).<>
Click
Here
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)
furtherprovidingforTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrictsthe
EnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommittee
meets,buttheagendaisnotyetavailable,DEPsChapter78drilling
regulationsmaybediscussedthe
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
hearingon
incentivizinguseofnaturalgas.<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
the
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtoconsider
Senate
Bill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseofalternativeonlotsepticsystemsonthesewage
facilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amending
Act101toauthorizecountiesandlocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingfee(
sponsor
summary
)
SenateBill1145
(YawRLycoming)amendingtheOilandGasConservationLawto
exemptdrillingcompaniesthatpassthroughtheOnondagaformationwithoutproducingitfrom
a$5,000permitfee(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishinga
PrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).<>
Click
Here
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
Other:
theJointConservationCommitteeholdsahearingon
CollapseofPennsylvanias
ElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek

StorageTanks:
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersofthe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationBoard(
sponsorsummary
).
GreenhouseGasReductions:
HouseBill2030
(SantarsieroDBucks)settingagoalofreducing
greenhousegasemissionsinPennsylvaniaby50percent(
sponsorsummary
).
WorldWaterDay:
HouseResolution741
(McClintonDDelaware)designatingMarch22as
WorldWaterDayinPA(
sponsorsummary
).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
March21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
House
March21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction
SupplementalFY201516Appropriations:
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05
billioninsupplementalappropriationsforFY201516developedbyRepublicanswerepassedby
votesofSenate31to18,House128to63andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction..
Click
Here
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouseRepublicans.A
Senate
FiscalNote
andsummaryareavailable.
FY201516FiscalCodeBill:
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendingtheFiscalCodeto
implementtheFY201516RepublicanGeneralFundbudgetwerepassedbyvotesof(Senate
30to19,House120to71)andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction.A
HouseFiscalNote
and
summaryareavailable.
ThebillamendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEPChapter78conventional
drillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestoration
fundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywith
theEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
House
Stormwater:
HouseBill1103
(ZimmermanRLancaster)providingforexemptionsfrom
stormwaterpermittingforagriculturalhightunnelswasremovedfromtheTable,referredinto
andoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.
HeritageAreas:
HouseBill1605
(JamesRVenango)whichwouldestablishtheprogramin
law,wasremovedfromtheTable,referredintoandoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommittee
andwaspassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.Thebillnow
goestotheSenateforaction.
TransitRevitalizationDistrict:
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)furtherprovidingfor
TransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrictswasremovedfromtheTable,amendedontheHouse
FloorandwasreferredtotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.
(AHouseAppropriations
CommitteemeetinghasbeenscheduledforMarch21toconsiderthebill.)
PotomacRiverBasinCommission:
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)authorizingdesignees
withproxyvotingrightsforcertainmembersofInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiver
Basin(
sponsorsummary
)wasreportedfromtheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
CommitteeandTabled.
USTIFBoard:
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersofthe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationBoard(
sponsorsummary
)wasamendedtorequire
theSenateandHousetoappoint4membersofthe10memberboardleavingtheGovernorto
appoint2membersandreportedfromtheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
CommitteeandTabled.
ForestryTaskForce:
SenateResolution55
(HutchinsonRVenango)concurrentresolution
reestablishingtheForestryTaskForceunderthe
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommittee
wasgivenfinalactionbytheHouseandnowbecomes
effective.
Senate
SupplementalFY201516Appropriations:
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05
billioninsupplementalappropriationsforFY201516developedbyRepublicanswerepassedby
votesofSenate31to18,House128to63andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction..
Click
Here
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouseRepublicans.A
Senate
FiscalNote
andsummaryareavailable.
FY201516FiscalCodeBill:
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendingtheFiscalCodeto
implementtheFY201516RepublicanGeneralFundbudgetwerepassedbyvotesof(Senate
30to19,House120to71)andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction.A
HouseFiscalNote
and
summaryareavailable.
ThebillamendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEPChapter78conventional
drillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestoration
fundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywith
theEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
USTIFBoard:
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)amendstheStorageTankActtoadd
memberstotheUndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationFundBoardwasamendedtorequire
theSenateandHousetoappoint4membersofthe10memberboardleavingtheGovernorto
appoint2membersandreportedoutoftheSenateBankingandInsuranceCommitteeandisnow
ontheSenateCalendarforaction.
1PoundWaiver:
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepoundReidVapor
PressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatisduetoexpireonMay1,2016was
reportedoutoftheSenateAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeandisnowontheSenate
Calendarforaction.
FarmlandPreservation:
HouseBill806
(CauserRCameron)providingforcountyspecificuse
valuesforlandinforestreserves(
sponsorsummary
)wasamendedandreportedfromtheSenate
AgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
NaturalGasCompetition:
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgas
competition(
sponsorsummary
)wasTabledperthe10dayrule.
NewsFromTheCapitol
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeWillReviewFinalDEPDrillingRegulations
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),MajorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee
,announcedWednesdaytheCommitteewillbereviewingthefinalDEP
Chapter78and78aoilandgasdrillingregulations
atitsnextmeeting.
Sincethismeeting,theCommitteehasscheduledameetingforMarch23startingat9:30
inRoomB31MainCapitol.
AtWednesdaysmeeting,Rep.Maheraskedmemberstoprovidehimwithcommentsand
questionsontheregulationpriortothemeeting.
UndertheRegulatoryReviewAct,theCommitteecanoffercommentstotheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissionorchoosetoreportoutaconcurrentHouseSenateresolution
blockingtheirimplementation.
TheSenateandHousemustpasstheresolutionandpresentittotheGovernorforhis
action.TheresolutioncanbesignedorvetoedbytheGovernor.Ifhesignsit,theregulationis
deadandDEPwouldhavetostartover.
Rep.MaherhasbeenacriticoftheprocessusedbyDEPtodeveloptheregulationsand
votedagainstthemattheFebruaryEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.
TheIRRCisscheduledtomeetonthedrillingregulationsApril21.
TheCommitteealsoreportedouttwobills
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)authorizingdesigneeswithproxyvotingrightsforcertain
membersofInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiverBasin(
sponsorsummary
)and
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersoftheUndergroundStorage
TankIndemnificationBoard(
sponsorsummary
).TheCommitteeamendedthebilltorequirethe
SenateandHousetoappoint4membersofthe10memberboardleavingtheGovernortoappoint
2membersandmakeitlooklike
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)reportedoutoftheSenate
BankingandInsuranceCommitteeTuesday.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
HouseCommitteeHeldInformationMeetingOnNaturalGasRoyaltyLegislation
The
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
Tuesdayconductedan
informationalmeetingon
HouseBill1391
(EverettRLycoming)thatwouldprotectnaturalgas
royaltyownersfromunjustifiedpostproductioncostdeductions.
HouseBill1391isalsocosponsoredbyReps.SandraMajor(RSusquehanna),Matt
Baker(RBradford),TinaPickett(RBradford)andKarenBoback(RLackawanna).
"Thismeetingisanotherstepinwhatcontinuestobealong,ongoingprocesstoprotect
landownersfrombeingcheatedbythenaturalgasdrillingcompanieswhenitcomestoroyalty
fundstheyhaverightlyearned,"saidRep.Everett."Iampleasedthatthecommitteeheardfroma
numberofinterestedpartiesonthisissueandIamhopefulthiswillbreakthelogjamandhelp
movethisbadlyneededlegislation."
Rep.EverettsaidtheGuaranteedMinimumRoyaltyAct(Act60of1979)simplystates
thataleaseforoilornaturalgasshallguaranteeaminimumoneeighth(12.5percent)royalty.
Thedevelopmentofunconventionalshalegaswells(i.e.Marcellus)inthe
Commonwealthhasbeenaccompaniedbyaneffortofsomecompaniestoreduceroyaltiesbelow
thisstatutoryminimumbydeductingpostproductioncostsfromtheroyaltypaymentsto
landowners.
Thesepostproductioncostscanincludecompression,dehydration,transmissionand
othercostsincurredbetweenthewellheadandafinalmarketpointofsale.Whentheseexpenses
arededucted,finalroyaltypaymentsoftenarebelowthestatutoryoneeighth.
"Thisisclearlyanissueoffairness,period,"saidRep.Everett.
Thisisthesecondconsecutivelegislativesessioninwhichthislegislationhasbeen
offered.Rep.Everettsaidhehasheldtalkswithallinterestedstakeholderstosatisfytheir
concerns.
Rep.Major,whoattendedthehearing,saidthisefforthastakenagreatdealoftime.
"Wehavebeenworkingonthisissueforthepastfewyears,andIamhopefulwecan
finallygetthisbillthroughthelegislativeprocessandsignedintolawsolandownersacrossthe
northeastregionareensuredtoreceivefairandequitablepaymentsfornaturalgasreservesunder
theirland,"saidRep.Major.
Thelegalprocessonthisissueincludesacriticalrulingmadein2010thathashada
majorimpactonthelandowners.Rep.Pickett,whoalsoattendedthemeeting,saidthatruling
changedthewayinwhichroyaltieswerecalculatedandthatnewlegislationisvitalforthe
regionandforallleaseholders.
"Beforeanymoretimepasses,it'simperativethatweenacttheseverybasicconsumer
protections,"Rep.Pickettsaid."Whenmanyoftheseleasesinourareaweresigned,the1979
royaltylawwasstandardpractice.ItwasonlyafterfurthershaledevelopmentandaSupreme
Courtrulingin2010thatalloweddrillerstoconsiderincalculatingroyaltiesthecostofmoving
thegasfromthewellheadtothemarketplacetherebyknownaspostproductioncosts.I
appreciateallthelandownerscomingforwardandsharingtheirexperiencestoday,andIam
hopefulthatthislegislationmovesforwardsothatwhenthenaturalgasmarketbouncesback,
ourresidentswillbeprotected."
Rep.Bakersaidthisisamatterofthedrillingcompanieslivingupthepromisesmadein
legalcontracts.
"Thisisimportantlegislationthat,oncesignedintolaw,willrequirenaturalgas
companiestoupholdthegoodfaithcontractssignedbylandownerswithrespecttoroyalties
owedthembythecompanies,"saidRep.Baker."Landownersneedtohaveaguaranteed
minimumroyaltylawtoensuretheyreceivefairpaymentandarenotundercutbyany
unscrupulouspractices."
TestimonywastakenfromJackieRoot,presidentoftheNationalAssociationofRoyalty
Owners(Pennsylvaniachapter)royaltyownersDavidDeCristoandRobertSherJamesSoto,
seniorvicepresidentandchiefriskandadministrativeofficerofPSBankofWyalusingDaniel
A.Devin,stateforester,DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesMichaelDiMatteo,
chiefenvironmentalplanningandhabitatprotectiondivision,GameCommissionandJessica
Brisendine,litigationmanager,EQT,anaturalgasandpetroleumpipelinecompanybasedin
Pittsburgh.
Rep.Bobacksaidsheispleasedthatforwardprogressisbeingmadeonthis
longstandingissue.
"Iamencouragedbytheprogressmadeontheimportantissueofprotectingnaturalgas
royaltyowners.Itiscriticalthatwecontinuetoadvocateforlandownersandensuretheyare
treatedfairlybynaturalgasdrillingcompanies,"shesaid.
Rep.Everettcalledthemeetingasuccess.
"NowthattheCommitteemembershavehadanopportunitytolearnaboutthisissueand
mybill,itismyhopethatwecangetitvotedoutofcommitteeandtothefloorforavote,said
Rep.Everett.
AtwobillpackageonoilandgasroyaltiessponsoredbySen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)
hasbeenintheHouseEnvironmentalCommitteesinceFebruaryof2015
SenateBill147
and
SenateBill148
(
sponsorsummary
).
Copiesofwrittentestimonyareavailableonline
JackieRoot
,NationalAssociationofRoyaltyOwners
DavidDeCristo
,royaltyowner
RobertSher
,royaltyowner
JamesSouto
,NationalAssociationofRoyaltyOwners
DanielDevlin
,StateForester,DCNR
MichaelDiMatteo
,GameCommission
JessicaBrisendine
,EQT
.Rep.Greg
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
NewsClips:
GasRoyaltiesBillBackInTheSpotlight
BillWouldProhibitDrillingCompaniesFromTakingRoyaltyDeductions
JaneSheffield,Presidentof
HeritagePA
,toldtheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommitteeMondayPennsylvanias12HeritageAreas
generate$2
billiontothestateseconomy
,accordingtoarecentstudybytheCenterforRuralPennsylvania.
Sheffieldoutlinedthehistory
ofthePAHeritageAreaProgramtoHouseandSenate
membersandothersattendingtheJointCommitteesEnvironmentalIssuesForum.
Shesaidthedatashowedtouristsspentanestimated7.5milliondays/nightsinthe12
heritageareasin2014,andspent$2billioningoodsandservices.Tothestateeconomy,she
said,thatspendingmeant25,708jobsand$798millioninlaborincome.
SheffieldsaidGov.Wolflineitemvetoedthe$2.25millionallocatedfortheprogramfor
FY201516anddidnotproposeanyfundingfortheprograminFY201617.Shewarnedifnew
revenueisnotfoundinFY201617,theprogramwillbegintoerodeandmayceasetooperateas
privateandfederalfundsleveragedbystatefundingwillevaporate.
Rep.LeeJames(RVenango)notelegislationheintroduced
HouseBill1605
(JamesRVenango)wouldestablishtheprograminlaw,andisnowontheHouseCalendarfor
possibleaction.
Pennsylvanias12HeritageAreasare:
AlleghenyRidgeHeritageArea
,
Delaware&
LehighNationalHeritageCorridor
,
EndlessMountainsHeritageRegion
,
LackawannaHeritage
Valley
,
LincolnHighwayHeritageCorridor
,
LumberHeritageRegion
,
NationalRoadHeritage
Corridor
,
OilRegionNationalHeritageArea
,
PARoute6HeritageCorridor
,
RiversofSteel
NationalHeritageArea
,
SchuylkillRiverNational&StateHeritageArea
,and
Susquehanna
GatewayHeritageArea
.
AcopyofSheffieldstestimony
isavailableonline
.
EWasteHearing
TheJointConservationCommitteehasscheduleda
hearingonthecollapseofthe
electronicsrecyclingprogram
inPennsylvaniaforMarch21startingat9:00a.m.inRoom8EA
oftheEastWingCapitolBuildinginHarrisburg.
ClickHere
foralinktowatchthehearinglive.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairofthe
JointCommittee
.Tosignup
forregularupdatesfromtheCommittee,sendanemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
NewsClips:
SenateCommitteeToConsiderRecyclingFee,SepticSystem,OtherBillsMarch22
The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtomeetMarch22on
legislationauthorizingalocalrecyclingfee,furtherallowingtheuseofalternativesepticsystems
insewageplanning,establishingaprivatedamfinancialassuranceprogramandalimitedoiland
gaspermitfeeexemption.Thebillsinclude
AlternativeSepticSystems:
SenateBill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseof
alternativeonlotsepticsystemsonthesewagefacilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
RecyclingFee:
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizecounties
andlocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingfee(
sponsorsummary
)
OnondagaPermitFeeExemption:
SenateBill1145
(YawRLycoming)amendingtheOil
andGasConservationLawtoexemptdrillingcompaniesthatpassthroughtheOnondaga
formationwithoutproducingitfroma$5,000permitfee(
sponsorsummary
)and
PrivateDamFinancialAssurance:
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishinga
PrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom8EBEastWingCapitolBuildingstartingat9:30.
ClickHere
foralinktowatchthemeetinglive.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandcanbe
contactedbysendingemailto:
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)servesas
MinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeMeetsMarch23,PossiblyToDiscussDrillingRegs
The
isscheduledtomeetonMarch23,
howevernoagendahasyetbeenposted.
AttheCommitteemeetinglastWednesday,Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),Majority
ChairoftheCommittee,saidtheCommitteewillbereviewingthefinalDEP
Chapter78and78a
oilandgasdrillingregulations
atitsnextmeeting.
AtWednesdaysmeeting,Rep.Maheraskedmemberstoprovidehimwithcommentsand
questionsontheregulationpriortothemeeting.
UndertheRegulatoryReviewAct,theCommitteecanoffercommentstotheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissionorchoosetoreportoutaconcurrentHouseSenateresolution
blockingtheirimplementation.
TheSenateandHousemustpasstheresolutionandpresentittotheGovernorforhis
action.TheresolutioncanbesignedorvetoedbytheGovernor.Ifhesignsit,theregulationis
deadandDEPwouldhavetostartover.
Rep.MaherhasbeenacriticoftheprocessusedbyDEPtodeveloptheregulationsand
votedagainstthemattheFebruaryEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.
TheIRRCisscheduledtomeetonthedrillingregulationsApril21.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoomB31MainCapitalstartingat9:30.
.Rep.Greg
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
WrittenTestimonyAvailableForMarch21HearingOnCollapseOfEWasteRecycling
The
JointHouseSenateLegislativeAirandWater
PollutionControlandConservationCommittee
is
scheduledtoholdahearingMarch21onthecollapseof
PennsylvaniasElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
createdbytheCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct.
Thetentativeagendaforthehearingincludes
commentsfrom
(clickonTestimonyforavailablewritten
testimony)
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester)theprimesponsorofthe
2010CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
KenReisinger,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediation
WalterAlcorn,ConsumerElectronicsAssociation(manufacturers:
Testimony
.Attachment:
CustomerSurvey
.Attachment:
CRTCapacity
NedEldridge,CEOof
eLoopLLC
,anelectronicsrecyclerfromWesternPA:
Testimony
DavidVollero,
YorkCountySolidWasteAuthority
:
Testimony
BekkiTitchner,
Recycling&SolidWasteCoordinator,ElkCounty
:
Testimony
ShannonReiter,President,
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
:
Testimony
and
BobBylone,President&CEO,
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
:
Testimony
.
TheJointCommitteewillalsobeacceptingwrittencommentsonelectronicswaste
recyclinguntilJune21.SendcommentstoMikeNerozzibyemailto:
.
Background
The
PAResourcesCouncil
hasreportedonly25percentofstateresidentshaveaccessto
freeTVrecycling,downfrom63percentjustashorttimeago,andthatcoveragecontinuesto
shrink.Inthelast2yearsPRCsaid
Goodwillannouncedit
willnolongeracceptTVsforrecycling
FivecountiesaroundPhiladelphiareporttheywereforcedtosuspendelectronicsprograms
becausenorecyclerswerewillingtosupportthem
ConstructionJunction
inPittsburghcloseditsdoorstoacceptingelectronics
YorkCountyshutsdownallelectronicscollectionssites
eLoop,aPittsburghbasedrecycler,announcesitwill
nolongerofferCDRAsupported
recyclinginwesternPA
and
BestBuyissuesanewsreleaseannouncing
itwillnolongeracceptTVs
forrecyclingatits37
PAstores.
Thelackofrecyclingopportunitiesandthebanonlandfilldisposalmeansmore
Pennsylvaniansmayresorttoillegaldumping.
KeepPABeautiful
wrotetoeveryHouseandSenatememberearlierinFebruarywarning
2016couldbea
recordbreakingyearforabandonedanddumpedelectronics
ifPennsylvanias
electronicsrecyclinglawisntfixed.
InJanuarytheElectronicsRecyclingAssociationofPA,representingewasterecyclers,
calledforactiontofixthestatesrecyclinglaw
sayingwithoutfundamentalchangesrecycling
opportunitieswillcontinuetodisappear.
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),theoriginalsponsoroftheewasterecyclinglaw,is
planningtointroducechangestothelawtotrytogetitbackontrack.
ClickHere
forthePRCactionflyeronewasterecycling.
TheCommitteehearingwillbeinRoom8EAEastWingoftheCapitolstartingat9:00.
ClickHere
thedayofthehearingforalinktothelivewebcastofthehearing.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointCommittee.Tosignup
foramonthlyupdatefromtheJointCommittee,sendanemailto:
.
Formoreinformationonewasterecycling,visitDEPs
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedStories:
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewElectronicsWasteRecyclingWebsite
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpensNewBillTrackerWebpageOnLegislation,Regulations
The
openedanew
BillTrackerfeature
onits
websitetoprovidequick,easytounderstandinformationonthestatus
oflegislation,HouseandSenateCommitteemeetingsrelatedto
environmentalissuesandDEPandotheradvisorycommitteemeetings
havinganimpactonthedevelopmentofenvironmentalregulations.
BillTrackertracksthestatus,latestactionsandupcomingmeetingsonthetop50orso
environmentalbillspendingintheHouseandSenate.
Thewebpagealsotrackskeyenvironmentalrulemakings,technicalguidancedocuments
andenvironmentalplansoutforpubliccomment.
TheitemsincludedinBillTrackerareacuratedlistofbills,regulationsandmeetings
meanttoprovideinterestedindividuals,businessesandorganizationswithaquickreferenceto
themostimportantenvironmentalpolicyissuesbeingdiscussedinHarrisburgtoday.
Formoreinformation,visitthePEC
BillTracker
webpage.
Visitthe
websiteformoreinformationonPECprograms,
initiativesandspecialevents,readthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
NewsFromAroundTheState
ARIPPANowAcceptingAppsForAbandonedMineReclamationGrants+SENSEAct
The
AnthraciteRegionIndependent
PowerProducers
arenowaccepting
applicationsforthe2016Abandoned
MineReclamationGrantProgram.
ProposalsaredueJuly8.
Grantsatamaximumof$2,500
willbeawardedtoatleastoneeligible
environmentalorganizationor
ConservationDistrictintheAnthracite
RegionandoneeligibleenvironmentalorganizationorConservationDistrictintheBituminous
RegionactivelyworkingonAML/AMDissues.
GrantproposalsshouldbeforonthegroundAML/AMDconstructionprojectswitha
completiondatebetweenAugust2015andAugust2017.Theamountgrantedisdependentupon
demonstratedneed.
ApplyingorganizationsmustsupportthemissionofARIPPA,includingtheremovaland
conversionofwastecoalintoalternativeenergyandthebeneficialuseofCFBashfor
AML/AMDreclamation.
Applications,instructions
and
samplesupportletter
forproposalsareavailableonthe
WesternCoalitionforAbandonedMineReclamation
website.
ARIPPABackground
DueinparttoARIPPAmemberactivities,unsightlycoalrefusepilesandtheproblems
associatedwiththemaregraduallydisappearing.Thousandsofacresoflandhavebeenand
continuetobereclaimedtoanaturalstateorforproductiveuseandfuturedevelopment.
ARIPPAfacilitiesremoveandutilizecoalrefusefrombothpastandcurrentmining
activities,therebyabatingacidminedrainagefromcoalrefusepiles.ARIPPAreportsthat145
milliontonsofcoalrefusehasbeenprocessedandconvertedintoalternativeenergybytheir
memberplantsfrom1998to2008.
Further,thetechnologyusedtoconvertcoalrefusetoelectricity,knownasCirculating
FluidizedBed(CFB)technology,producesalkalinerichashbyproducts.Therearemany
beneficialusesforCFBashincludingfillingminepits,asareplacementforlime(foracidmine
drainageremediation),foracidminedrainageremediation,asasoilamendmentatminingsites,
and/orasaconcreteadditiveforroadways.
TheuniquenatureofARIPPA'sworkcombinedwiththedesiretocoordinateeffortswith
environmentallyorientedgroupsandgovernmentalagenciessymbolizeacommitmentto
improvingthelandscapeandenvironmentofournation.
Ifwastecoalfiredplantsareforcedtocloseduetounreasonableregulations,streamswill
continuetobecontaminated,publicsafetywillcontinuetobeatriskduetothedangersthepiles
pose,pileswillcontinuetoselfigniteandspewthesamepollutantsintotheairthatthe
regulationsaretryingtocurtail,andcommunitieswillcontinuetobeshadowedbytheunsightly
blackmountains.
Allofthiswouldbeataxpayerburden.
FederalSENSEAct
Thisweek,theU.S.HouseofRepresentativepassed
H.R.3797
,theSatisfyingEnergy
NeedsandSavingtheEnvironment(SENSE)Act.
ThebillaimstoestablishthebasesbywhichtheAdministratoroftheEnvironmental
ProtectionAgencyshallissue,implement,andenforcecertainemissionlimitationsand
allocationsforexistingelectricutilitysteamgeneratingunitsthatconvertcoalrefuseintoenergy.
Morespecifically,SENSEseekstoestablishalternativecompliancestandardsforcoal
refusefacilitiesbasedupontheremovalandcontrolofSO2relativetotheMercuryandAir
ToxicsStandardsRule(MATS).
TheSENSEActalsoseekstoprovidecoalrefusefiredpowerplantswiththesameS02
allocationsinPhaseIIasinPhaseIoftheCrossStateAirPollutionRule(CSAPR)while
ensuringthatCSAPRdoesnotincreasetheoverallstatelevelCSAPRSO2budget.
WPCAMRsupportstheequitableregulationsproposedinthe
SENSEAct
thatwillhelp
thewastecoalindustrystayinbusinessandcontinuetohelpourcommunitiesrecoverfromour
unregulatedcoalmininghistoryandprosperintothefuture.
YoucanlearnmoreabouttheSENSEActby
ClickingHere
.Lettersfromthepubliccan
besenttoyourCongressmanand/or
CongressmanRothfus
,thesponsoroftheSENSEAct.
NewsClips:
DEPToSpend$13.4MToRemoveOldCoalPile
HuberCoalBreakerOwnersHave10DaysToBeginCleanup
(WrittenBy:AnneDaymut,WatershedCoordinator,
WPCAMR
,andreprintedfromAbandoned
MinePosts.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
GreenInfrastructureExpandingInStroudsburgArea,MonroeCounty
WhatdoraingardensandDontFeedtheDuckssignshavetodowithcleanwater?Plenty,
saysthe
BrodheadWatershedAssociation
workinginMonroeCounty.
Forthepastseveralyears,BWAhastestedwaterqualityintheBrodhead,McMichael
andPoconocreeks.Thefindingsareclear:thestreamswheretheyflowthroughStroudsburgand
EastStroudsburgarenotsafeforswimmingandotherwatercontact.
ThatfindingledtoagrantfromtheNationalFish&WildlifeFoundationtolookfor
sourcesofpollutionanddevelopplanstocleanupthestreams.
Itsnotunusualforstreamstobecomepollutedastheyflowthroughurbanareas,but
theBWAandmunicipalpartnersEastStroudsburg,StroudsburgandStroudTownshipwant
tomakesuretheproblemsarefixedbeforetheygetworse.
Whenwatertestsshowedthatsomeoftheproblemwascausedbylargegatheringsof
ducksandgeese(drawnbypeoplefeedingthem),BWAdesignedandpurchased"Don'tFeedthe
Ducks"signs,andmunicipalpartnersinstalledthematpopularduckfeedingspots.
Raingardenscapturerunofffromparkinglots,roofsandstreets,soBWAandcommunity
partnershaveplantedraingardensatEastStroudsburgHighSchoolSouth,EastStroudsburg,and
SarahStreetGrill,Stroudsburg,andplanmore.Thesegardenscapturepollutedrunoffbeforeit
canreachstreamsandallowittoinfiltratedslowlythroughthesoil.
Homeownersholdtherealkeytocleaninguppollutedrunoff.Theycaninstallrain
barrelsundertheirdownspouts(asJohnProvoznikhasdoneathisEastStroudsburglawoffice),
buildtheirownraingardensandpickupaftertheirpets.Takeaplasticbagwithyouwhenever
youwalkyourdog.
ThenextstepintheNFWFfundedprojectistodevelopaplanforfutureprojects.BWA
hashiredHanoverEngineeringAssociatesforthattask.
Hanoverwillprovidemunicipalities,residents,andbusinessesamodelplantofollow
forprotectionandrestorationoftheLowerBrodheadWatershed,theBartonsvilleconsultants
said.
Theplanwillidentifyareasforgreenpractices,suchas:GreenroofsConstructed
wetlandsPerviouspavementRaingardensRainbarrelsPlanterboxesVegetatedswales
BufferrestorationandLawnconversions(tonativespecies,unmowedasnaturalarea).
Wheremunicipalitiesownlandsuchassidewalks,streetsandparkinglots,green
practicescanbeinstalledbythemunicipality.However,mostlandisprivatelyowned,soprivate
landownerswillbeencouragedtoinstallgreenprojectsontheirproperties.
Asearchforfundingtohelplandownersandmunicipalitiesgogreenwillfollowthe
plan.
Overthesummer,publicmeetingswillbeheldtodiscusspossibleprojectstoincludein
theplanpleaseattendandofferyourideas.
Toreceiveregularupdatesontheproject,sendanemailto:
info@brodheadwatershed.org
(subjectlinegreeninfrastructure)orcall5708391120.
Forinformation,visittheBrodheadCreekWatershedAssociations
GreenInfrastructure
Project
webpage.
NewsClip:
ProposalMeansBigImprovementsToPhillyPark,WaterQuality
LandownerOpenHouseMarch29InWestmorelandOnConservationFunding
The
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
willholdanopenhouseMarch29in
Greensburgtoanswerquestionsaboutfundingavailabletolandownerstocreateormaintain
wildlifehabitatandforestedstreambuffersontheirlands.
Anyoneinterestedinlearningaboutthe
ConservationReserveEnhancementProgram
,as
wellaslandownersalreadyintheprogram,areinvitedtostopintodiscusshowtheprogramcan
benefitthem.
CREPprovidesfinancialandtechnicalassistancetolandownersforcreatingwildlife
habitatwhileaddressingsoilerosionandwaterqualityissuesontheirproperties.Landowners
arepaidanannualrentalpaymentandotherincentivepaymentstotakemarginallandoutof
productionandinstallingapprovedconservationpractices.
CREPisadministeredbytheUSDAFarmServiceAgencyinpartnershipwithother
governmentagenciesandprivateorganizations.
ThisfreeOpenHouseeventwillbeheldattheWestmorelandConservationDistrict,218
DonohoeRoad,Greensburgfrom9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
Alightlunchwillbeavailablefrom11:00a.m.to1:00p.m.Landownersshouldstop
anytimeduringthedaytotalkabouttheirspecificsituationwithCREPexperts.
AninformalpresentationonCREPEligibility,PaymentsandResponsibilitieswillstart
at9:30a.m.andrepeatagainat1:00p.m.anotheronConservationPracticeMaintenanceIssues
andSolutionswillheldat10:30a.m.and2:00p.m.
TolearnmoreaboutCREPandthiseventvisitthePA
ConservationReserve
EnhancementProgram
websiteorcontactTerryFisherbysendingemailto:
tfisher@pacd.org
or
call7172387223.
TheCREPProgramisavailabletolandownersintheOhioandSusquehannaRiver
WatershedsandwillbecomingsoontotheDelawareRiverWatershed.
March14WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
March14editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterfromPennStateExtensionisnow
availablefeaturingstorieson
FundingAvailableToHelpFarmersImproveWaterQualityInChesapeakeBayWatershed
EPAEncouragesAmericansToBecomeLeakDetectives
DoYouKnowYourInvasiveSpecies?
Estrogen,AntibioticsPersistInDairyFarmWaste
FreshwaterBiodiversityHasPositiveImpactOnGlobalFoodSecurity
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
NewsClip:
March14ChesapeakeBayJournalNewsNowAvailable
TheMarch14
ChesapeakeBayJournal
Newsisnowavailablefeaturingstorieson
Study:BayCleanupThreatenedByConowingoDamsSedimentBuildUp
SinkYourTalonsIntoThisEagleEyedQuiz
ChesapeakeBayCalendarofEvents
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Winter2016NewsletterFromPartnershipForDelawareEstuaryNowAvailable
The
Winter2016editionofEstuaryNews
fromthe
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
isnow
availablefeaturingarticleson
TidalWetlandsWet,Wild,WonderfulAndWashingAway
PDECelebrates20/20Vision
DecadeOfResearchShinesLightOnWetlandLoss
SchuylkillNavyOfPhiladelphiaRiverStewardsCommitteeProtectsHomeWaters
LocalCollaborationsResultInExpandedHabitatsInCleanerWater
NewResearchCouldUsherInAgeOfSmart
ThisWetlandIsYourWetland
TownshipsFutureHingesOnWetlandResearch
MinionsOfTheMarsh
MeetingNewPDEStaffandBoardMembers
UpcomingEstuaryEvents
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyandotherPartnershipnewsletters.
AcademyOfNaturalSciencesUpdateOnDelawareWatershedInitiativeNowAvailable
The
March17editionofStreamSamples,
anupdateonthe
DelawareWatershedInitiative
atthe
AcademyofNatural
SciencesofDrexelUniversity
isnowavailablefeaturing
storieson
GISAndTheDelawareWatershedInitiative
DRWIWaterQualityMonitoring
GeotourismOnTheDelaware
MacroinvertebrateMadness!
SubmitACoolPhotoForPublicationInStreamSamples
DRWIMapper
UpcomingEvents
TheDRWIisfundedbythe
WilliamPennFoundation
ClickHere
DEPSamplesShowCrystalSpringWaterAtAcceptableLeadLevelsInBerksCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionFridayreleaseditsownresultsfromawater
sampletakenMarch8at
CrystalSpringWater
,acompanythatsellswellwaterthroughvending
machinesinAdamstown,BerksCounty.
TheDepartmentstestingindicatedaleadlevelof1.8partsperbillion,withinthe
acceptablemaximumcontaminantlevelof5ppb.
AroutinetestsamplecollectedbyCrystalSpringownerLynnRannelsinSeptember
2015containedaleadlevelof16ppb.
AccordingtotheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,DEPshouldhavebeennotifiedDEPwithin
24hoursofreceivingthistestresultandcustomersshouldhavebeennotifiedwithin30days.
Neithernotificationwasgiven.
Thereisnoquestionthattheinitialwatersampletakenfromthefacilitycontainedan
elevatedleadlevel,saidLynnLanger,DEPSouthcentralregionaldirector.DEPhasverified
theresultsofthatinitialtestwiththelabM.J.ReiderAssociates,Inc.,whichwaschosenbythe
owner.
CrystalSpringhasapermittooperateasapublicwatersupply,andisboundbythe
sameregulationsbywhichallsimilarwatersuppliesoperate,saidLanger.DEPtookthe
proactivestepoftakingitsownsampletoprotectthehealthandsafetyoftheconsumer.
Thereareatotalof12regulatedvendedpublicwatersuppliesinBerks,Lancasterand
Lebanoncounties.Therearenomonitoringcomplianceissuesattheother11locations.
ANoticeofViolationwasissuedonFebruary19,askingCrystalSpringtotakeand
submittothedepartmentadditionalsamples.OnMarch8,DEPissuedanOrdertoCrystal
SpringwhichrequiredadditionalsamplesandresultsreportedtoDEP.
Certifiedlabresultsareconsideredvaliduntilthenextsetofresultsareobtained.Crystal
Springswillstillberequiredtotakequarterlysamplesforthenextyeartoensurethewateris
belowactionableleadlevels.
Infantsandchildrenwhodrinkwatercontainingleadinexcessofthestandardcould
experiencedelaysintheirphysicalormentaldevelopment.Adultswhodrinkthiswaterover
manyyearscoulddevelopkidneyproblemsorhighbloodpressure.Customerswithspecific
healthconcernsshouldspeakwiththeirdoctors.
Formoreinformationonleadinwatersupplies,visit
DEPsLeadInDrinkingWater
webpage.
NewsClips:
BerksRoadsideWaterVendorClaimsVindicationAfterLatestTests
UtilitiesDontKnowWhereLeadPipesAre
PATopsNationInDaycares,SchoolsWithLeadInWaterSuppliesTheyOwn
2YorkCountySitesFlaggedWithLeadInWater
PittsburghWaterAuthorityBillsCustomer$5Million
InsuranceCommissionerHailsCongressionalActionOnPrivateFloodInsurance
InsuranceCommissionerTeresaMillerMondayhailedarecentvotebytheU.S.Houseof
RepresentativesFinancialServicesCommitteeapprovingtheFloodInsuranceMarketParityand
ModernizationAct(
H.R.2901
).
Thislegislationencouragesmoreprivateinsurerstowritefloodinsuranceandfitswith
currenteffortsbytheWolfAdministrationtoincreaseconsumerprotectionbyraisingawareness
aboutgrowingoptionsintheprivatefloodinsurancemarketthatcouldresultinsubstantial
savingsformanyPennsylvaniahomeowners.
"ProtectingconsumersandhomeownersistheInsuranceDepartment'stoppriority.In
Pennsylvania,weareworkingwithinsurerstomakeaffordable,privatefloodcoveragemore
availableforourconsumers,"saidCommissionerMiller.
"Weareencouragedbytheunanimous,bipartisanpassageofthisbilloutofcommittee
andareurgingthefullHouseofRepresentativestoconsiderthislegislationsoon,andtheSenate
tofollowsuit.Weneedourpartnersinthefederalgovernmenttotakethisimportantstepto
makesuremortgagesareavailabletohomeownerswithprivatefloodinsurance,"Commissioner
Millersaid.
In
January,CommissionerMillertestified
beforetheHouseSubcommitteeonHousing
andInsurance.
"Duringmytestimony,Istressedthatoneoftheobstaclestoincreasingtheavailabilityof
privatefloodinsuranceisthatmanylendersareunsureifprivatecoveragemeetsthe
requirementsofthefederalgovernment.Thisleadstoreluctanceamonglenderstoissue
mortgagesforhomeswithprivatefloodcoverage,"CommissionerMillersaid."TheFlood
InsuranceMarketParityandModernizationAct(
H.R.2901
)wouldremovethatobstacleby
requiringlenderstoacceptprivatefloodinsuranceifitcomplieswithstatelawsandregulations
andincludestherequiredlimitsofcoverage."
Mortgagesbackedbythefederalgovernmentrequirefloodinsuranceforhomesin
designatedfloodzones.Priortothelastthreeyears,almostallresidentialfloodinsurancewas
soldthroughthefederalgovernmentrunNationalFloodInsuranceProgram.
RecentpremiumincreasesformanyhomeownerswithNFIPpolicies,andremappingof
manyotherpropertiesintofloodzonesbytheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency,has
madethefloodinsurancemarketmoreattractivetoprivateinsurers.
"Providingoptionsforhomeownerswhenitcomestofloodinsuranceisimportanttohelp
consumerswhoneedorwantthiscoveragefinditatmoreaffordableprices,"Commissioner
Millersaid.
Lastmonth,aspartoftheWolfAdministration'songoingconsumerprotectioninitiative,
CommissionerMillerannouncedcreationofaonestopshopforconsumerstofindinformation
aboutprivatefloodinsuranceinPennsylvania.
ThelegislationapprovedbytheHousecommitteewoulddefineasacceptableapolicy
issuedbyaprivateinsurancecompanythatislicensed,admitted,orotherwiseapprovedinthe
stateinwhichtheinsuredpropertyislocated.
Apolicyissuedbyanonadmittedinsurer,alsoknownasasurpluslinespolicy,would
alsoqualify.Includingsurpluslinespoliciesisimportant,asmostprivatecoveragenowsoldin
Pennsylvaniaisthroughthesurpluslinesmarket.
Formoreinformation,visittheInsuranceDepartments
FloodInsurance
webpage.
NewsClips:
FloodProneEdwardsvilleBusinessReceivesAssessmentReduction
SurvivorsOf1936FloodRememberRiversRampage
PushToPreserveSurvivorStoriesFrom1936JohnstownFlood
DelawareRiverBasinCommissionFloodInfo.PortalLetsUsersSignUpForAlerts
The
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
openedaFloodResourcesPortaltoprovideresidentsof
thewatershedwithaonestopshopforfloodhazardinformation,floodforecasts,flood
preparedness,floodingalertsandmuchmore.
ClickHere
tovisitthePortal.
NewsClips:
DEPInstallsAirSamplingMonitorsNearKeystoneLandfill,LackawannaCounty
AspartofitsongoingmonitoringoftheKeystoneLandfillinDunmore,LackawannaCounty,the
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedTuesdayithasinstalledairsampling
monitorsatthreelocationsnearthelandfill.
DEPbeganairmonitoringandsamplinginLackawannaCountylastmonthtocollectdata
forahealthstudybytheDepartmentofHealthnearKeystoneSanitaryLandfillinDunmore.The
threemonthmonitoringandsamplingperiodwillprovidebothagencieswithinformationon
whattypeofparticlesandvaporsareintheairandwhatpeopleinthesurroundingareaare
breathing.
TheDepartmentofHealthiscommittedtoensuringthesafetyofallPennsylvania
residents.Aswithallmattersofpublichealth,wearetakingconcernsaboutairqualityaround
theKeystoneLandfillveryseriously,saidHealthSecretaryKarenMurphy.Laterthisyear,we
willsharethedatawiththecommunityandengageresidentsinaconversationabouttheresults.
Theairsamplerswereplacedinthreelocationswithinaonemileradiusofthelandfill
andnearcommunitieswhereresidentshavereportedodorsinthepast.Forthenextthreemonths,
twiceaweek,DEPstaffwillcollectnewairsamplingdata.TheDOHwillreviewthedataalong
withnewandexistingenvironmentalandhealthinformation.
Theinformationobtainedfromthisstudywillbeusedbythedepartmenttoidentifyair
contaminantsthatpeoplemaybeexposedtointhisarea,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.
Complexissuessurroundingairqualityandpublichealthrequirecarefuldatagatheringandthe
applicationofsoundscience.
TheeffortispartofacooperativeagreementwiththefederalAgencyforToxic
SubstancesandDiseaseRegistrytoevaluatepublichealthissuesrelatedtothelandfill.
Forthisairsamplinginitiative,DEPwillcollectapproximately90samples,30samples
persamplingsite,overaperiodofthreemonths.Thesampleswillbeanalyzedbyaprivately
certifiedlaboratoryselectedbyDEPforammonia,volatileorganiccompounds,sulfurgas,
methanol,aldehydes,methylamines,trimethylaminesandotherchemicals.
HealthReport
ThedatawillgiveDOHarepresentativepictureofthelocalairqualityfornearby
residents.Afterresultsfromthisairsamplingprojectareanalyzedandcomplete,DOHin
collaborationwithATSDRwillprepareareportevaluatingtheresults,aswellasotheravailable
relevantsourcesofenvironmentalexposureinformationforthecommunity.
Thishealthreportwillbedistributedfora30daypubliccommentperiod,afterwhicha
finalversionwillbepublishedanddistributed.
DOHandATSDRwillalsoconductapublicinformationsessioninthecommunity
duringthepubliccommentperiod.
DOHwillremainavailabletothecommunitytorespondtoanyhealthconcernsandto
providehealtheducationtothecommunityandhealthprofessionalsasneeded.
ResidentsmaycontacttheDepartmentofHealthat1800PAHEALTH.
NewsClips:
PAShowsEPATheWayOnPendingMethanePolicy
PA,10OtherStatesFailToSubmitSulfurDioxideReductionPlans
MildWinter,WarmUpCouldTriggerEarlyAllergySeason
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
Theresultsareinfromtheelementary,middleandhigh
schoolscompetinginKeepAmericaBeautifuls2015
RecycleBowlCompetition
whichtookplaceinthefour
weekspriorto
AmericaRecyclesDay
onNovember15.
These12schoolsinPennsylvaniawerepartofthecompletion
andthisishowtheyrankedintermsofhowmuchmaterial
theyrecycledintheirschools
AlbertM.GreenfieldSchool,Philadelphia
RiversideElementaryWest,Taylor
BoyceMiddleSchool,UpperSt.Clair
TunkhannockAreaSchoolDistrict,Tunkhannock
ReynoldsMiddleSchool,Lancaster
ParkForestElementarySchool,StateCollege
FallingSpringElementarySchool,Chambersburg
SouthSaintMarysStreetElementarySchool,St.Marys
NorthwestPennsylvaniaCollegiateAcademy,Erie
CoolSt.ElementarySchool,StateCollege
ColfaxUpperElementary,Springdale
AvisElementaryinJerseyShorecollectedenoughtobelistedintheCommunity
DivisionRankingsbyrecyclingmaterialintheirschoolandfromtheircommunity.
Nearly700,000studentsandteachersparticipatedinRecycleBowlnationwide
recoveringatotalof4millionpoundsofmaterial,whichpreventedthereleaseof5,726metric
tonsofcarbondioxideequivalent(MTCO2E).Thisreductioningreenhousegasesisequivalent
totheannualemissionsfrom954passengercars.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
RecycleBowlCompetition
webpage.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
Wednesdayannounced
CleanEarth
astheirnewestsponsorofthe
2016Great
AmericanCleanupofPA
,theirannualsignatureevent.
Itisourplanet,ourcountry,ourPennsylvania,
ourcounty,ourtown,ourstreet,ourhome.Itisour
responsibilitytostepupeachandeverydayand
especiallyourdutytoshowleadershipandsetthe
exampleduringtheGreatAmericanCleanup,stated
ChrisDods,PresidentandCEO,CleanEarth.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwelcomesClean
EarthasthenewestsponsoroftheGreatAmerican
CleanupofPA.Wearepassionateaboutthepositivebenefitsthatworkingtogetherwillprovide
ourlocalcommunitiesandenvironment.KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulishonoredandgrateful
forthesupportofCleanEarth,statedShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.
CleanEarthjoinsother2016eventsupporters:theDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,PennDOT,
PAWasteIndustriesAssociation
,the
PAFoodMerchantsAssociation
,
WeisMarkets,Inc.
,
RepublicServices
,
SteelRecyclingInstitute
,
LancasterCountySolidWaste
ManagementAuthority
,
GiantEagleInc
.,
GiantFoodStores,Inc
.,
Wawa
,
WegmansFood
Markets
,
ShopRite
,
FreshGrocer
and
Sheetz
.
The2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPArunsthroughMay31st.Duringthisperiod,
registeredeventscangettrashbags,gloves,andsafetyvestsfromPennDOTdistrictoffices,as
supplieslast.Eventscanbelittercleanups,illegaldumpcleanups,beautificationprojects,special
collections,andeducationalevents.
Aspartofthisevent,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandthePAWaste
IndustriesAssociationwillsponsorLetsPickItUpPAEverydayfromApril16thMay9th.
DuringthePickItUpPADays,registeredeventswillbeabletotakethetrashcollected
duringtheircleanuptoparticipatinglandfillsforreducedcostorfreedisposal.
SincetheinceptionoftheGreatAmericanCleanupofPAin2004,over1.8million
volunteershavepickedup86,578,947millionpoundsoflitterandwasteand236,743tiresfrom
Pennsylvaniaslandscape.
Inaddition,morethan149,371trees,bulbs,andflowershavebeenplanted.
Moreinformation,visitKeepPABeautiful's
GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpageor
contactMichelleDunn,GreatAmericanCleanupofPAProgramCoordinator,at
18777723673ext.113orsendemailto:
mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org
.
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemclean.
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
ThePaintCreekRegionalWatershedAssociationandthe
KiskiConemaughStreamTeam
are
invitingvolunteerstohelpwiththeLittlePaintCreekCleanuponMarch26inCambriaCounty.
VolunteersareaskedtomeetatthepulloffalongRoute160betweenWindberandElton,
whereLittlePaintCreekpassesundertheroad.
Volunteersshouldwearpantsandbootsorotherclosedtoeshoesanddressforthe
weather.Gloves,safetyvests,garbagebags,andlightrefreshmentswillbeavailable.
EffortswillfocusonBerwickRoadandaportionofRoute160fromthepulloffupto
Wingards.
RegisterbycallingMelissaat8144442669orsendemailto:
mreckner@kcstreamteam.org
.
Findothercleanupeventsnearyouorregisteryourowncleanuporbeautificationevent
throughthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpagethroughMay31.
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
The
andthe
PotterCounty
ConservationDistrict
haveorganizedacommunityillegal
dumpsitecleanupApril9inGaleton,WestBranch
TownshipinPotterCountyfrom9:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
Thiseventwillfocusoncleaningupillegally
dumpedtrash,tires,appliancesanddebrislocatedinand
alongthebanksofPineCreek.Thisisanillegaldumpsite
cleanupandvolunteersareaskedtodressappropriately.
Onthemorningofthecleanup,volunteerswillgather
acrossfromtheVFWPost661forregistrationand
instructions.Afterregistration,volunteerswillbeprovidedwithworkgloves,trashbagsand
safetyvest.Whensuppliesaredistributedandinstructionshavebeenprovided,volunteerswill
beginthecleanup.
Families,individuals,scoutinggroups,4Hgroups,environmentalorganizations,
businesses,colleges,universitiesandhighschoolclubsandstudentsareinvitedtobepartofthis
effort.
Anyoneundertheageof18mustbeaccompaniedbyaparent/guardianorhavea
parent/guardiansignaregistration/insuranceformpriortothecleanupandbringitwiththem.
Anyoneover18cansigntheinsuranceformthedayoftheevent.
Formoreinformation,contactPalmiraMiller,PECoffice5707186507,(cell)
5705927876orsendemailto:
pmiller@pecpa.org
orGlenDunnII,PotterCountyConservation
District8142748411ext114orsendemailto:
g.dunnii@pottercd.com
.
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanupDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
Join
GreenValleysWatershedAssociation
andcommunityvolunteersasweremovelitterfrom
theFrenchCreekinPhoenixvilleonApril23from8:30a.m.tonoon!HelptoprotecttheFrench
Creekandbeautifyanimportantcommunityresource!
Thiseventispartofthe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvania
,andthe
2016
SchuylkillScrub
.
Thiscleanupwillrunrainorshine,andwillfocusonthreesitesalongtheFrenchCreek
inthePhoenixvillearea.VolunteerswillmeetwithGVWAstaffbeforedrivingtothethreefocus
areas.
Volunteerswillbeprovidedwithcleanupsuppliesandrefreshments.Pleasebringsturdy,
closedtoeshoes,bugspray/sunscreen,andclothingthatcangetdirty.
Formoreinformationandtosignup,pleasecontact6104694900orsendemailto:
kelsey@greenvalleys.org
.
throughthe
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
CleanandGreenHarrisburg
andKeepHarrisburg/Dauphin
CountyBeautifulareholdingthe
4thAnnualGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
onApril16from
9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
Thisannualcleanupisadayforcommunitymemberstojoinforcesandremovetrashand
litteroffthecitysstreets,alleys,andpublicspaces.
Lastyear,327volunteersregisteredandpickedupanddisposedof16tonswaste,3,000
poundsofelectronicswererecycledattheDauphinCountyRecyclingCenterandremoved665
tires.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtoregister.
throughthe
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycledCollectionEventsInWesternPA
Markyour2016calendarnowfordatestodropoffawidevarietyofmaterialsrangingfrom
computersandhouseholdchemicalstousablebuildingmaterialsandunwantedmedicationsat
upcomingcollections
sponsoredbythe
PAResourcesCouncil
anditspartners.
ThePennsylvaniaResourcesCouncilprovidesresidentsoftheCommonwealthwith
numerousoptionstoconvenientlyandcosteffectivelydisposeofawidevarietyofmaterials,
accordingtoPRCRegionalDirectorJustinStockdale.Sincedetailsvaryforeachofthese
opportunities,weencourageindividualstovisitourwebsiteat
PRCswebsite
orcallPRCat
4124887452forcompletedetails.
The
HardToRecycleCollectionEvents
forelectronicswaste(
butnotTVs
)willallow
thepublictodropoffcomputers,cellphones,printer/tonercartridges,CFLsandexpandable
polystyrenepackagingmaterialatnocost.
Foranominalfee,individualscandropoffalkalinebatteries,fluorescenttubes,small
Freonappliancesandtires.
TheHardToRecycleCollectionEventsarescheduledfor
April16:
PittsburghTechnicalInstitute,Oakdale,AlleghenyCounty
May14:
GalleriaatPittsburghMills,FrazerTownship,AlleghenyCounty
June25:
ANSYS,Inc.,Canonsburg,WashingtonCounty
July30:
locationtobeannounced
August20:
CenturyIIIMall,WestMifflin,AlleghenyCountyand
October1:
TheMallatRobinson,RobinsonTownship,AlleghenyCounty.
At
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvents
individualscandropoffautomotivefluids,
householdcleaners,pesticides,paintsandotherhouseholdchemicalsforacostof$3/gallon.The
datesforthesecollectioneventsare
May7:
NorthPark,AlleghenyCounty
May21:
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorporationETFFacility,Johnstown,CambriaCounty
July9:
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds,WashingtonCounty
August13:
BoycePark,AlleghenyCounty
September17:
SouthPark,AlleghenyCountyand
October8:
BradysRunPark,BeaverCounty.
The
2016DEANationalDrugTakeBackDay
isApril30
from10a.m.to2p.m.at
numerouslocationsthroughoutregion,includingmanymunicipalbuildingsandpolice
departments.
Thisyears
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest
willbeheldonJune18intheparkinglotof
JeffersonMiddleSchool,21MoffettStreet,Mt.Lebanon,AlleghenyCounty.
Forcompletecollectioneventinformation,visitPRCs
CollectionEvents
webpageorcall
PRCat4124887452.
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
DEPConductsMineRescueSafetyTrainingDrillInScranton
StafffromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
DeepMineSafetyProgram
conductedaminerescuedrillfor
localminingrescueteamsonMarch16atthe
Lackawanna
CoalMine
inScranton.
Thefocusofthedrillwastoeducateminersonproper
techniquesfordealingwithaminefireaswellastherescue
ofapatient.
Teamsofthreeenteredthemineandhadtosafelyaddress:
carbonmonoxideandmethanelevels,afirebelowand
rescuingaminertrappeddeepinthemines.Eachteamwas
evaluatedforitsperformance.
TheDeepMineSafetyprogramstaffisrequiredtoholdthesedrillstwiceayear.
DEPstaffwhotookpartinclude:TroyWolfgang,DavidWilliams,JeffreyStanchek,
ScottWolfgang,StevenGeist,ArthurSnyder,JeffreyHarman,TerryWolfgang,Kenneth
DenglerandLarryGraver.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
DeepMineSafetyProgram
webpage.
NewsClip:
DeepMineSafetyTrainingDrillAtLackawannaMineTour
(Reprintedfromthe
March17DEPNews
.
ClickHere
AgricultureExtends1PoundWaiverToAvoidGasolineSupplyDisruption
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
intheMarch19PennsylvaniaBulletin
extendingbytechnicalguidancetheonepoundReidVaporPressurewaivernowinstatelaw,but
duetoexpireonMay1,2016.
ThiscontinuestheNationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnologyexceptionwhichis
alsoduetoexpireonMay1.NISThasbeenconsideringextendingthewaiver,buthasnotyet
acted.
StatelegislationextendingthewaiverwasreportedoutoftheSenateAgricultureand
RuralAffairsCommitteeTuesday
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver),buttheguidancewill
serveasabackstopactionuntilthelegislationispassedbytheSenateandHouseandsignedinto
law.
Withoutthispolicy,andultimatelythelegislativechange,expirationoftheonepound
waiverwouldcreatehavocinPennsylvaniasgasolinesupplysysteminSeptemberbecausea
uniquefuelwouldberequiredtobesoldinthestate.
ThestateDepartmentofAgriculturehasbeenworkingonthisissuecollaborativelywith
refiners,thePAPetroleumAssociationandgasolinedistributorsandservicestations.
NewsClips:
AlleghenyFront:OilTrainsCarryBiggerRisksForPeopleOfColor
StoringCrudeOilInRailCarsNotWidespread
LowFuelPricesEqualsSavingsForWestmorelandSchools
PittsburghGasolinePricesApproach$2/Gallon
LehighValleyGasolinePricesRisesTo$2Again
InReversal,ObamaBansAtlanticOceanDrilling
DEPIssuesWaterPermitForJessupGasFiredPowerPlantInLackawannaCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannouncedithasissuedaNational
PollutionDischargeEliminationSystempermittoLackawannaEnergyCenter,LLCofChicago
todischargetreatedwastewaterfromaproposed1500megawattnaturalgasfiredpowerplantto
beconstructedonIndustrialDriveinJessup,LackawannaCounty.
ThepermitauthorizesthecompanytodischargeintonearbyGrassyIslandCreek.
ThedepartmentthoroughlyreviewedLackawannaEnergysapplicationandfoundthatit
metthecriteriafordischargeregulations,saidMikeBedrin,DirectorofDEPsNortheast
RegionalOfficeinWilkesBarre.
TheNPDESPermitallowsforanewdischargeofaircooledcoolingtowerblowdown,
lowvolumeindustrialwastewater,chillereffluentandstormwaterintoGrassyIsland,whichisa
designatedcoldwaterfishery.
TheDepartmentpublishednoticeofthedraftpermitinthePennsylvaniaBulletinon
November7,2015andsolicitedwrittencomment.ApublichearingwasalsoheldinJanuaryof
2016tosolicitpubliccommentatValleyViewHighSchoolinArchbald.
Atotalofthirtyseven(37)commentswerereceivedbythedepartmentandasubsequent
comment/responsedocumentwasalsoprepared.
AcopyoftheNPDESpermitandcomment/responsedocumentcanbeviewedatDEPs
NortheastRegionalOfficeinWilkesBarre.
Thosewishingtomakeanappointmenttoviewthedocumentscandosobetweenthe
hoursof8a.m.4p.m.bycalling5708262511.
ThepubliccanalsoviewthecommentsontheDEPNortheastRegionalOffice
CommunityInformation
webpage.
NewsClips:
JessupGasFiredPowerPlantGetsFinalStatePermitInLackawanna
ElizabethTwpGasFiredPowerPlantLeadsToZoningDebate
NaturalGasToSurpassCoalInElectricGeneration
CarnegieMellonsInstituteGainsExposureWithEnergyWeek
ElectricSupplierAccusedOfJackingPricesOrderToRefund$6.8M
ElectricCustomersToGetRefundsUnderSettlement
WestPennMarks100YearsOfElectricService
GrantsWonByPittsburghProjectsOnEnergy,Music,Art
FederalFundsToAidLayoffHitAppalachianCoalCommunities
U.S.CoalTechnologiesCouldFindMarketInChina
PeabodyEnergyWarnsOfPossibleBankruptcy
Briefing:Abandoned,OrphanOil&GasWellsMeansTheyreAbandonedAndOrphans
Aquestioncameup
intheHousehearing
ontheDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtectionsbudgetonhowmanytimes
DEPinspectsabandonedandorphanedoilandgaswellsit
ownsinPennsylvania.
TheanswertothisquestionisreallysimpleDEP
doesntownanywells.
First,abandonedandorphanedmean,by
definition,nooneownsthesewells,includingthestate.The
conventionaloilandgasdrillerswhoboughtthemineral
rightstodrillthesewellswaybackwhendidnttransferthat
ownershiptoanyoneelse.
Theysimplywalkedawayfromtheirresponsibilitytoeitherproducethewellorplug
themproperly.
Since1859whenthefirstoilwellwasdrilledinPennsylvaniatheconventionaldrilling
industrydrilledasmanyas325,000oilandgaswells,butitcouldbemore.Wedontknow.
Fornearly100yearstheywalkedawayfromanyresponsibilityforthosewellswhen
productionendedortheydidntwanttoproducethemanymoreortheywentbankruptleaving
propertyownersortaxpayerstocleanupthemesstheyleftbehind.
Theywerentevenrequiredtotellanyonewheretheydrilledtheirwells.
Itwasntuntil1956whenPennsylvaniapassedthefirstlawtoregulateoilandgas
drillingineventhemostbasicwaythatthestateevenknewwherenewwellswerebeingdrilled,
asidefromwellblowoutsandwaterwellownerslightingtheirfaucetsandgardenhosesonfire.
Itwasntuntil1984thatconventionaloilandgasoperatorswerefirstrequiredtoputup
limitedbondstocoverthecostofpluggingwellsthatwerenolongerproduced.
Itwasntuntil1985thatoperatorswererequiredtoregisterthelocationoftheiroldwells.
Ifanabandonedwellisdiscoveredbyanoperatororpropertyownernow,DEPistobe
notifiedwithin60daysoffindingit.But,theyareoftenverydifficulttofind
(seephoto)
,unless
problemsdevelop.
In1992anamendmenttothe1984OilandGasActfirstgavetheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectiontheauthoritytoplugorphanandabandonedwellsincertain
circumstances.SurchargeswereestablishedonnewpermitstofundthenewAbandonedand
OrphanWellPluggingProgram.
Wherenoresponsiblepartyisidentifiedforabandonedororphanwells,whichmakes
themabandonedororphan,theycanbepluggedusingthesurchargesfromtheAbandonedand
OrphanWellPluggingFund.
In1999,withthecreationoftheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)Fund,
morefundingwasdevotedtotheabandonedandorphanwellpluggingprogram,butrarelymore
thanabout$5millionayear.
In2003mostoftheGrowingGreenerFundingwasdivertedtopayfordebtserviceonthe
GrowingGreenerIIbondissue.Itwasntuntil2012whentheAct13drillingimpactfeeswere
passedthatthewellpluggingprogramwasrevivedsomewhat.
Withlimitedresources,DEPisonlyabletoplugabandonedororphanwellsthatpresent
thebiggestenvironmentalorsafetythreats.
Asoftheendof2014,DEPhas
pluggedjustover3,000abandonedandorphanwells
nearlyhalfofthosewells1,336werepluggedduringthefirstfewyearsoftheoriginal
GrowingGreenerProgram.
WiththedevelopmentoftheMarcellusandUticaShaleunconventionalnaturalgas
industry,DEPputmoreemphasisonhavingoperatorsidentifyabandonedororphanwellswithin
theareasofplanneddrillingbecauseofsafetyandenvironmentalconcerns.
In2014DEPbegananefforttodigitize
thelocationsofabandonedandorphanwellsit
hasandthatpermitteesidentify.About
12,301abandonedandorphanwelllocations
havebeen
confirmedoutofanestimated200,000wellsouttheresomewhere.
IfmembersoftheGeneralAssemblywantstorequireDEPtoinspectthe12,301
abandonedandorphanwellsinthestateitknowsabout,DEPcouldcertainlydothat,provided
thepeopleandmoneyaremadeavailabletodothejob.
Rightnow,DEPsOilandGasProgramisfundedprimarilybypermitfees,finesand
penaltiesontheindustry,nottaxmoney.Adding12,301newwellstoinspect(andmanymore)
wouldmeanasignificantincreaseinpermitfeesontheindustryatatimewhen
DEPisalready
consideringfeeincreases
becauseofadownturnintheoilandgasindustry.
Nothingisfree.
Sotosummarize
1.AbandonedandOrphanmeans,bydefinition,abandonedandorphaned,nooneowns
thesewells,includingthestate,becauseownershipwasnottransferredanywhere.
2.Nooneknowsthelocationoftheoverwhelmingmajorityofthesewells,soevenifsomeone
wantedtoinspectthem,nooneknowswheremostofthemare.
3.ThestatesAbandonedandOrphanWellPluggingProgram,duetoverylimitedresources,is
onlyabletoplugthosewellsofgreatestconcernDEPknowsabout.
4.IftheGeneralAssemblydirectsDEPtoinspecttheabandonedandorphanwellsitknows
about,itwouldmeanasignificantincreaseinpermitsfeesontheoilandgasindustryduringthe
mostseveredownturninindustryhistory.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
Abandoned&OrphanedWellPluggingProgram
webpage.
ClickHere
forafactsheetontheprogram.
ClickHere
tofindabandonedandorphan
wellsnearyouincludedonDEPsinventoryof12,301.
NewsClips:
EffortsUnderWayToFindAbandonedGas,OilWells
MarcellusShaleHealthRegistryStalls
RelatedStory:
AbandonedOil&GasWellsMorethanJustARustyEyesore
Briefing:DCNRLeasingOfStream,RiverBottomsForNaturalGasDevelopment
AquestioncameupattheHouseandSenatebudgethearings
for
DCNR
and
DEP
onhowmuchleasingtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesdidofriverandstream
bottomssubmergedlandsinspiteofthefact
Gov.Wolf
signedanExecutiveOrder
onJanuary29,2015puttinginplace
amoratoriumonleasingmoreStateParkandForestlandfor
naturalgasdevelopment.
DCNRisthestate
agencyauthorizedtoenterintoleases
forthedevelopmentofoilandgaswellsbeneathstreamsand
riverbedssubmergedlandsownedbytheCommonwealth,whetherornottheyarewithinany
StateParkorForestlands.
Submergedlandsaregenerallydefinedasthearealyingbelowallnavigablewaters
betweentheordinarylowwatermarkspicturearibbonofownershipgoingacrossthe
landscape.
Thisareacanvaryinwidthfromafewfeettohundredsoffeetacrossamajorriverlike
theSusquehanna.
DCNRhasa
listofthesenavigablestreams
andan
interactivemapofstreams
postedon
itswebsite,althoughothersmayfitthedefinition.
ThisauthorityisdistinctandseparatefromtheauthorityDEPhastograntrightsofway
across(overorunder)stateownedriversandstreamsforutilityandpipelinecrossings,bridge
abutments,docksandotherencroachmentsontosubmergedlandsthrougha
SubmergedLands
LicenseAgreement
.Theseagreementsrequire
paymentofafee
tothestatesincetheapplicantis
usingstateproperty.
DCNR
adoptedaformalpolicy
onleasingsubmergedlandsfornaturalgasdevelopment.
Withoutaleasetousethesepubliclyownedlands,naturalgasdrillerswouldbeappropriating
publiclyownedpropertywithoutpayingforit.
DCNRhasa
listofthe24submergedlandsnaturalgasleases
ithasexecutedsofaronits
website.
ThefirstleasewasexecutedinMayof2010betweenDCNRandChesapeakeAppalachia
for1,538acresundertheSusquehannaRiverinBradfordCounty.Theleasepaymentwasfor
$6,152,000.
ThenextlargestleasewasalsobetweenDCNRandChesapeakeAppalachiafor
$4,368,000for1,092acresundertheSusquehannaRiverinBradfordandWyomingcountiesin
Marchof2014.
Therehavebeenthreesubmergedlandsnaturalgasdevelopmentleasesexecutedduring
theWolfAdministration,accordingtoDCNRswebsite
June2015:$695,600for173.9acresunderLoyalsockCreek,LycomingCounty
January2016:$24,400for6.1acresundertheCowanesqueRiver,TiogaCountyand
January2016:$287,200for71.8acresundertheAlleghenyRiver,ArmstrongCounty.
Thetotalvalueofthesubmergedlandsleasessofaris$21,543,617,whichgoesinto
DCNRsOilandGasLeaseFund,for3,803.3acresofstreamandriverbottomorjustover
$5,664peracre.
DCNRpublishesa
noticeinthePABulletin
eachtimeasubmergedlandsleaseis
executedtoprovidethepublicwithnotice.
Toputthisincontext,the
RendellAdministrationleased137,000acres
ofStateForest
landforshalegasdrillingduringitstenureandwhenthemarketwasatitspeak.
InOctober2010,justdaysbeforethegubernatorialelection,
Gov.Rendellsignedan
ExecutiveOrder
puttinginplaceamoratoriumonleasingmoreStateForestorParkslandfor
shalegasdevelopment.
NoadditionalshalegasleasingonStateForestorParkswasdoneduringtheCorbett
Administration,althoughan
ExecutiveOrderissuedinMay2014
,replacingGov.Rendells
moratoriumOrder,wouldhaveallowednonsurfacedisturbanceleasing,ifthereweredrillers
interested.
TheFiscalCodebillpassedaspartofthebudgetinJuly2014includedaprovision
promotedbySenateandHouseRepublicansrequiringDCNRto
leasethousandsofadditional
acresoflandtobringinatleast$95million
tohelpbalancethestatebudgetthatyear.
Noadditionalleasingwaseverdonebecausethe
marketwasalreadygoingsouth
bythat
time.
Asnoted,
Gov.WolfsignedanExecutiveOrder
inJanuary2015imposingamoratorium
onfurthershalegasleasingonStateForestorParksland.
Obviously,allthreeadministrationscontinuedtoleasestateownedsubmergedlandsfor
naturalgasdevelopment.
Formoreinformationonsubmergedlandsleasing,visitDCNRs
ShaleGasAnd
PubliclyOwnedStreambeds
webpage.
MoreinformationisalsoavailableontheexistingStateForestshalegasleasingprogram
onDCNRs
NaturalGasDevelopmentandStateForests
webpage,includingitsprogramfor
monitoringthe1,600acresofits2.2millionacresofStateForestsaffectedbyshalegasleasing.
2NewMembersJointPAEnergyInfrastructureAlliance
TwoPittsburghareaeconomicdevelopmentandtradeorganizationshavejoinedthe
PAEnergy
InfrastructureAlliance
the
PittsburghAirportAreaChamberofCommerce
andthe
Western
PennsylvaniaChapteroftheNationalElectricalContractorsAssociation
.
AsaresultofWesternPennsylvaniasabundanceofnaturalresources,ourregionhas
playedavitalroleoverthelastseveralyearsinshapingournationsenergyrevolution,said
BernadettePuzzuole,PresidentandCEOofthePittsburghAirportAreaChamberofCommerce,
whichrepresentsmorethan1,100businessesinthe34Pennsylvaniacommunitiesthatmakeup
theairportcorridor,aswellasfromneighboringOhioandWestVirginia.Wehaveseen
firsthandthepositiveeconomiceffects,bothdirectlyandindirectly,thatpipelineprojectshave
hadonmanyofourcommunitiesalongtheairportcorridor.
EnergyishelpingPennsylvaniacreateathriving,diverseandstrongeconomy,andone
thatshouldbeamodelforotherstates.Itisimperative,therefore,tocontinuetoencourage
energydevelopment,addedPuzzuole.Pipelineprojectsprovidesustainablewagesforour
regionsresidentsandhelpincreaserevenueforourlocalbusinesses.Wejoinedthe
PennsylvaniaEnergyInfrastructureAlliancebecause,forourmorethan1,100members,its
importanttoreaffirmoursupportfordevelopingamodernenergyinfrastructureacrossthe
Commonwealth.
AlsojoiningPEIAasanewmemberistheWesternPennsylvaniaChapteroftheNational
ElectricalContractorsAssociation.Formorethan65years,WPANECA,whichrepresents
electricalcontractorsthroughoutWesternPennsylvania,hasprovideditsmemberswithan
effectivechannelthroughwhichtoexpresstheircollectivevoiceonissuesaffectingtheelectrical
constructionindustry.
Investinginenergyinfrastructureisvitaltotheeconomichealthofcommunitiesin
WesternPennsylvania.Itbenefitsthousandsoffamilies,saidChadM.Jones,executivedirector
ofWPANECA.Werepresentthemostqualified,reliableandexperiencedcontractorsinthe
regionandourmembersarereadytohelpourcommonwealthtakeitsrightfulplaceasoneofthe
premiereenergyproducingstatesinthenation.
Utilizingqualifiedelectricalcontractorsonpipelineinfrastructureandrelated
developmentprojectsensuresthatthebesttrainedprofessionalsarehiredforthework,Jones
added.Weliveinthecommunitiesthatthepipelineswillserveandwetakegreatpridein
ensuringourworkwillmeetandexceedsafetyrequirements.Werealsoproudmembersofthe
PennsylvaniaEnergyInfrastructureAlliance,anorganizationthatadvocatesforpipelinesafety
andbelievesminimizingapipelinesimpactoncommunitiesisakeytoanydevelopmentplan.
ThePAEnergyInfrastructureAlliancewaslaunchedJune8bytheWashingtonCounty
ChamberofCommerceandDelawareCountyChamberofCommerce,alongwiththeLaborers
InternationalUnionofNorthAmericaandtheInternationalUnionofOperatingEngineersLocal
66.TherearemorethantwodozenPEIAmemberstoday.
PAEnergyInfrastructureAlliance
websiteorFollowon
Twitter:@PAllies4Energy.
NewsClips:
OfficialsSaluteStartOfSunocoMarcusHookPlant
FERCRejectionOfOregonPipelinePlanAFirst
EnvironmentalGroupsAskFERCForPublicParticipationOffice
Activists:DontStopFightingPipelines
U.S.ToExpandSafetyRulesForNaturalGasPipelines
ExplosiveHistoryPromptsFederalPipelineSafetyProposal
March30DeadlineForCommentsOnDEPClimateChangeActionPlanUpdate

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionisacceptingpubliccommentsonthe
updatetothe
PennsylvaniaClimateChangeActionPlan
throughMarch30.
(January30formalnotice)
DEPhassofarreceivedonlyonecommentthroughits
eComment
webpage.
ThePlanisrequiredto:
Identifygreenhousegas(GHG)emissionandsequestrationtrendsandbaselinesinthis
Commonwealth
EvaluatecosteffectivestrategiesforreducingoroffsettingGHGemissionsfromvarious
sectorsinthisCommonwealth
Identifycosts,benefitsandcobenefitsofGHGreductionstrategiesrecommendedbythe
Plan,includingtheimpactonthecapabilityofmeetingfutureenergydemandwithinthis
Commonwealth
IdentifyareasofagreementanddisagreementamongcommitteemembersaboutthePlanand
RecommendtotheGeneralAssemblylegislativechangesnecessarytoimplementthePlan.
ClimatePlanUpdateSections
PartofthePlanUpdatewillinclude13workgroupreportsmakingrecommendations
covering:
CombinedHeatandPower
,
ManureDigesters
,
GeoExchangeSystems
,
HeatingOil
ConservationandFuelSwitching
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
SemiTruckFreight
Transportation
,
BuildingEnergyCodes
,
HighPerformanceBuildings
,
CoalMineMethane
Recovery
,
UrbanandCommunityForestryRoleinClimateChangeMitigation
,
Act129Phase
IV&V
,
ManufacturingEnergyTechnicalAssistance
and
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
.
KeyFactsFromUpdate
HerearesomekeyfactsfromtheClimatePlanUpdate
Overall,Pennsylvaniasgreenhousegasemissionsin2030areexpectedtobelowerthanin
2000.
Between2000and2012totalstatewidegreenhousegasemissionsinPennsylvaniadeclinedby
35.58milliontoncarbondioxideequivalentsorby11.02percentfrom322.96MMTCO2eto
287.38MMTCO2e.
The13specificWorkPlansincludedintheUpdateareexpectedtoreducegreenhousegas
emissionsby337.69milliontoncarbondioxideequivalents.
TheWorkPlanswiththemostcosteffectiverecommendations,accordingtotheanalysisdone
intheUpdateare:
,
SemiTruckFreightTransportation
,
GeoExchange
Systems
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuelSwitching
and
HighPerformanceBuildings
(see
page6)
.
TheWorkPlanswiththehighestpotentialreductionsare:
,
High
PerformanceBuildings
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuel
Switching
,and
GeoExchangeSystems
(seepage6)
.[Note:4of5overlap.]
Acopyofthe
ClimatePlanUpdateforcomment
isavailableonline.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyhassaidtheClimateChangeActionPlanandits
updatesare
broaderinscope
thanthespecificrequirementtomeet
EPAsCleanPowerClimateRule
requirements.DEPisjustnowputtingtogetherPennsylvaniasplantomeettheCleanPower
Rule.
Commentscanbesubmitthrough
DEPseComment
webpageorbysendingemailto:
ecomment@pa.gov
orinwritingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PolicyOffice,
RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box2063,Harrisburg,PA171052063.
AcopyofthePlanupdateispostedon
DEPseComment
webpage.Questionsaboutthe
PlanupdateshouldbedirectedtoMarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
MorebackgroundontheClimateChangePlanandotherreportsisavailableonDEPs
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.ThenextmeetingoftheCommitteeissetfor
March8.
FormoreinformationonPAclimaterelatedissues,visit
DEPsClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
PLS:PACleanPowerClimatePlanPutOnLowBoil
AlleghenyFront:KasichOnClimateChange,Environment
Editorial:UNClimateFund,MoreQuackery
Editorial:NewSeaLevelRiseCallsForAction
$65.5MInFederalCoalImpactedCommunitiesEconomicDevelopmentFunding
Available
Gov.TomWolfFridayannouncedtheavailabilityof$65.8millioninfederalfundingthrough
thePartnershipsforOpportunityandWorkforceandEconomicRevitalization(POWER)
Initiativetodevelopnewstrategiesforeconomicgrowthandworkeradvancementfor
communitiesthathavehistoricallyreliedonthecoaleconomyforeconomicstability.
Myadministrationiscommittedtoensuringthatourcommunitieshavetheresources
theyneedtocontinuetothriveasindustrysectorstransform,saidGov.Wolf.Whilewedo
everythinginourpowertoadvancethenextgenerationofenergyproduction,itiscritically
importantthatweinformeligiblePennsylvaniacommunitiesofthefederalfundsthathavebeen
madeavailabletosupporttheireconomicneedsthroughthetransition.
TheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentincollaborationwiththe
DepartmentofLabor&Industrywillworkwithcommunitiesandregionsthathavebeen
negativelyimpactedbychangesinthecoaleconomybyencouragingthemtoapplyforavailable
fundsandprovidingthedataandinformationnecessarytohelpsupportstrongapplications.
ItisextremelyimportantthatwecollaborateoneveryleveltoensurethatPennsylvania
submitsthestrongestapplicationspossible,saidDCEDSecretaryDennisM.Davin.Thisisa
greatopportunityforourcommunitiesthatarefeelingtheeffectsfromchangesinindustry
sectorsandtheseresourcescanhelpstrengthentheireconomiesandworkforces.
Fundsareavailableforarangeofactivities,including:
Developingprojectsthatdiversifylocalandregionaleconomies,createjobsinnewand/or
existingindustries,attractnewsourcesofjobcreatinginvestment,andprovidearangeof
workforceservicesandskillstraining
Buildingpartnershipstoattractandinvestintheeconomicfutureofcoalimpacted
communities
Increasingcapacityandothertechnicalassistancefosteringlongtermeconomicgrowthand
opportunityincoalimpactedcommunities.
WebinarsBeginMarch23
ThefederalagenciesinvolvedinthePOWERInitiativewillholdaseriesofwebinars
abouttheprogrambeginningMarch23.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
ThePOWERInitiativeisamultiagencyeffortaligningandtargetingfederaleconomic
andworkforcedevelopmentresourcestocommunitiesandworkersthathavebeenaffectedby
joblossesincoalmining,coalpowerplantoperations,andcoalrelatedsupplychainindustries
duetothechangingeconomicsofAmerica'senergyproduction.
TheAppalachianRegionalCommission(ARC)isparticipatingintheinitiativewiththe
U.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration(EDA).
TheObamaadministrationlaunchedthePOWERInitiativein2015andawardednearly
$15milliontocoalimpactedcommunities,makinginvestmentsinsevenAppalachianstates.
CongressexpandedtheworkofPOWERfor2016,providing$50milliontoARCto
assistcommunitiesacrossAppalachia,alongwith$15milliontoEDAtoassistcommunities
nationwide.
Formoreinformation,visitthefederal
POWERInitiative
webpage.
NewsClips:
PUCOrdersPaG&EToRefund$6.8Million,PayPenaltiesForDeceptiveMarketing
The
PublicUtilityCommission
Fridayconfirmedthefinalizationofsanctionsagainst
PennsylvaniaGas&ElectricCompany(PaG&E)forallegeddeceptiveactionsduringandafter
thePolarVortexinthewinterof201314.
AnOrderapprovingaJointPetitionforSettlementdirectsthecompanytoissueatotalof
$6.8millionincustomerrefunds,paya$25,000civilpenalty,contribute$100,000toelectric
distributioncompanies(EDCs)HardshipFundsandmodifyitsmarketingpractices.
AtitsFebruary11PublicMeeting,theCommissionvoted50toadopt
aJointMotion
modifyinga
JointPetitionforSettlement
betweenPaG&E,theOfficeofAttorneyGeneral,the
OfficeofConsumerAdvocateandtheCommissionsindependentBureauofInvestigationand
Enforcementandseekingcommentsfromthepartiesofthesettlementonthe
amendedTentative
Order
.
Amongotherthings,theJointMotionmodifiedthesettlementobligationsofOAGand
OCAbyrequiringthemtoprovideaspecificnoticetocustomerswhoelecttoreceivepayment
fromarefundpoolestablishedbythesettlement.
Nocommentswerefiled,makingtheOrderfinalwithoutfurtheractionbythe
Commission.
OAGandOCAfiledajointformalcomplaintagainstPaG&EonJune20,2014,which
allegedthatthecompanymisledcustomerswithdeceptivepromisesofsavingsengagedin
slamming,ortheunauthorizedenrollmentofacustomermishandledcustomercomplaints
failedtoprovideaccuratepricinginformationchargeddifferentpricesthanlistedincustomer
disclosurestatementsandfailedtocomplywiththeTelemarketerRegistrationAct.
Thesettlementdirectsthefollowingactionsbythecompany:
Providerefundstocustomers,honoringallcommitmentstorebateprograms,guaranteed
introductoryrates,serviceagreementsforrepairandmaintenanceandincentiveoffers
Paya$25,000civilpenalty
Contribute$100,000toEDCsHardshipFundsand
Makenumerousmodificationstoitsbusinesspracticesrelatedtoproductofferings,marketing,
thirdpartyverifications,disclosurestatements,training,compliancemonitoring,reportingand
customerservice.
Thetotalrefundpoolamountsto$6,836,563,including$4,511,563thatthecompany
previouslyandvoluntarilypaidincashrefunds.ThenetrefundpooleffectivewithFridays
approvalis$2,325,000.
TheAttorneyGeneralsBureauofConsumerProtectionandOCAwilldeterminewhich
customerswereaffectedbythecompanysmisconductbetweenJanuaryandMarch2014and
determinerefundamounts,accountingforusage,pricechargedandrefundamountsalready
receiveddirectlyfromPaG&E.
BCPandOCAwillutilizeathirdpartyadministratortodistributetherefunds.The
administratorisrequiredtoprovideanoticetoeachrefundrecipientstatingthatsigninga
ReleaseofClaimsandreceiptofpaymentmayaffectacustomersrighttorecoveramountsfor
thesameconductofPaG&Ethatcouldresultfromcourtproceedingsagainstthesupplier.
Theadministratorwillusebesteffortstodistributeallrefundswithin180daysofthe
FinalOrder.CustomerswhodonotreceiveorarenotsatisfiedwiththeofferbyBCPand
OCAmaycontactPaG&Edirectlytorequestarefund.Consumerswithquestionsaboutthe
settlementmaycontactBCPat18004412555.
I&EistheindependentenforcementarmofthePUC.Tosatisfydueprocessoflawunder
thePennsylvaniaConstitution,separationisrequiredbetweenstaffinvolvedininvestigatoryand
prosecutoryfunctionsandtheCommissionersinvolvedindecisionmaking.Asaresult,the
Commissionerscanexamineeachcasewithanunbiasedperspective.
NewsClips:
PUCApprovesPPL,PECOAct129EnergyEfficiencyPlans
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedPhaseIII
Act129EnergyEfficiencyand
Conservationplans
submittedbyPPLElectricUtilitiesCorporationandPECOEnergy
Company.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovethePPLandPECOplans,whichoutlinecompany
effortstoreduceenergyconsumptionandpeakdemandthrough2021.
EE&Cplansforthestatesfiveotherlargeelectricdistributioncompanieswere
approved
bytheCommissionlastweek
,includingplanssubmittedbytheFirstEnergyCompanies(MetEd,
Penelec,PennPowerandWestPennPower)andDuquesneLight.
AllofthePhaseIIIEE&CplanswillgointoeffectonJune1,2016.
EE&CplansarerequiredaspartofAct129of2008.TheActcallsforefficiencyand
conservationefforts,ifshowntobecosteffective,tohelpreduceelectricpricevolatilityand
ensureaffordableandreliableelectricservicetoPennsylvaniasresidentsandbusinesses.
InJune2015,theCommissionissuedits
FinalImplementationOrder
forPhaseIIIofAct
129,buildinguponallofthelessonslearnedanddatacollectedtodate.
Nowabouttoentertheirthirdphase,theseEE&Cprogramshavepromotedtheadoption
ofenergyefficientlighting,appliancesandothermeasuresintendedtohelpreduceconsumption.
PhaseIIIcoversafiveyearperiod,from2016through2021,withnewtargetsforeachof
theEDCsbasedonnumerousstudiesbytheCommission.
Theoveralltargetsforreductioninpowerconsumptionrangefrom2.6percentto5
percent,dependingonthepotentialsavingsineachEDCterritory.
Thetargetsforpeakdemandreductionalsovarydependingonthepotentialforeach
territory,rangingupto2percent.
PUCsAct129
webpage.
ElectricCarChargingStationToOpenAtHarrisburgInternationalAirport
Travelerswhoparkat
HarrisburgInternationalAirport
willsoon
beabletochargetheirelectricvehicles.
ALevel3DCfastchargerhasbeeninstalledatthecell
phonelotaspartofan
AlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrant
toCar
ChargingGrouptoinstallchargersthroughoutPennsylvania.
Thechargerwillbeoperationalbeginningnextweek.
HIAandCCGIhavealsoobtainedpermitstoinstallan
additionalDCfastchargerintheshorttermparkinggarage.
ClickHere
forotherelectricvehiclechargingstationsin
Pennsylvaniaand
sitesontheTurnpike
.
DEPhasscheduledaseriesofAFIGGrantSeminarscominguponMarch22in
WilkesBarre,March24inHarrisburgandApril7inNorristown.
ClickHere
foranupdatedlist
ofseminars(bottomofthepage).
Thenextroundofapplicationsforthe
AlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgram
aredue
April29.
NewsClips:
ElectricCarChargingStationOnTapForYork
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
RelatedStory:
DEPSetsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminarInNorristownApril7
(Reprintedfromthe
March17DEPNews
.
ClickHere
DEPSetsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminarInNorristownApril7
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandthe
EasternPennsylvaniaAllianceforClean
Transportation
invitefleetmanagers,municipalities,schooldistricts,incorporatednonprofit
entities,andbusinessestoanApril7
AlternativeFuelIncentiveGrant
seminarinNorristown,
MontgomeryCounty.
TheseminarwillbeheldatDEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainStreet,
Norristownfrom10:00a.m.toNoon.
Thefreeseminarisopentoeligibleapplicantsonly.Seatingislimitedandtheregistration
deadlineisApril6.
ClickHere
toregisterforthisworkshop.
OtherSeminars
DEPwillalsoholdAFIGseminarsinotherareas,including:March22inWilkesBarre
andMarch24inHarrisburg.
ClickHere
fordetails.
SeminarattendeeswillhearhowPennsylvanianscanmoveawayfromimported
petroleumfuelstohomegrown,clearburning,andaffordablealternativeswhichincludenatural
gas,propane,biodieselandelectricity.
Industryexpertswilldiscusstheadvantagesofalternativefuels,vehiclesand
technologies.DEPstaffwillprovideareviewoftheAFIGprogrameligibilityandapplication
requirements.
FundingisavailableundertheAFIGprogramtohelpfundfourprojecttypes:alternative
fuelvehicleretrofitorpurchase,alternativefuelrefuelinginfrastructure,biofueluse,and
innovativetechnology.
Formoreinformationonthegrantprogram,visitDEPs
AlternativeFuelsIncentive
GrantProgram
webpage.ThegrantapplicationdeadlineisApril29.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
March17DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheMarch17editionof
DEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEPSecretaryReiteratesNeedForMajorTechnologyInvestmentBeforeSenatePanel
DEPInstallsAirSamplingMonitorsNearKeystoneLandfillLackawannaCounty
DEPConductsDeepMineRescueSafetyTrainingDrillInScranton
DEPIssuesWaterPermitForJessupGasFiredPowerPlantInLackawannaCounty
DEPIssuesNoticeOfLeadExceedanceForBerksCountyWaterVendor
DEPNorthwestRegionalEmployeesReceiveLegalAidExcellenceAward
RegistrationOpenForApril5PeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
ClickHere
EPAAcceptingApplicationsFor2016ToxicsReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyisnowacceptingapplicationsforits
2016Toxics
ReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
.ApplicationsaredueMarch27.
TheTRIUniversityChallengeaimstoincreaseawarenessoftheTRIProgramanddata
withinacademiccommunitiesexposestudentstoTRIdata,tools,andanalysisandgenerate
innovativeprograms,activities,recommendations,orresearchthatimprovetheaccessibility,
awareness,anduseofTRIdata.
EPAislookingtoacademicinstitutionstohelpbuildadiverseportfolioofpracticaland
replicableprojectsthatbenefitcommunities,theenvironment,academicinstitutions,andtheTRI
Program.
EPAwelcomesthesubmissionofanyprojectproposalthatadvancestheknowledge,use,
andunderstandingofTRIdataandrelatedinformation.Inreviewingproposalsforthe2016
Challenge,EPAisgivingprioritytoprojectsthatfocusonthefollowingthemes:
PromotingBroaderUseofTRIDatabyAcademicsandOtherExternalUsersand
UsingTRItoMeasureProgramEffectiveness.
Anyonewhoisaffiliatedwithanaccreditedcollegeoruniversityiswelcometoapply.
Proposedprojectsmayrangefromonesemestertomultiyearresearchorcoursework.
Applicantsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:Undergraduate/graduatestudentswithfaculty
leadershipAcademicfacultyandresearchersandPh.D.candidates
Formoreinformation,visitEPAs
2016TRIUniversityChallenge
webpage.
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter,CentreCounty,DCNRGreenParkAwardWinner
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnTuesday
announced
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter
inCentreCountyisthe
GreenParkAward
winner
foritsdemonstratedcommitmenttoenvironmentaleducation,diverseparkusesandrestoration
ofanaturalenvironment.
MillbrookMarshNatureCenteristheembodimentoftheGreenParkAward,an
outstandingcommunityparkdemonstratinggreenandsustainablepractices,saidDunn.Inits
16yearexistence,thecenterhasemergedasastatewideleaderinincorporatinggreenand
sustainablepracticesinallcriteriaareas,whiledemonstratingthecompatibilityofdiversepark
useswithrecreationalopportunitiesandrestorationofanaturalenvironment.
Thesecretaryjoinedotherstateandlocalparksandrecreationofficialsinannouncingthe
awardrecipientataluncheonhostedbythe
PARecreationandParksSociety
atSevenSprings
MountainResort,Champion,SomersetCounty.
CosponsoredbyDCNRandthePRPS,theawardrecognizesstatewideexcellenceina
publicparkcommunitythatdemonstratesgreenandsustainablepractices.JudgesincludeDCNR
stafffromthedepartmentsbureausofRecreationandConservationandStateParks,the
secretarysoffice,andPRPS.
Occupying62acresat548PuddintownRoad,CollegeTownship,thenaturecenterwas
establishedin1997throughcooperativeeffortsofthe
CentreRegionParks&Recreation
Authority
,
CentreRegionCouncilofGovernments
andthePennsylvaniaStateUniversity.Itis
operatedbytheCentreRegionParks&RecreationAuthority.
TheawardwasacceptedatPRPSluncheonbyRonaldJ.Woodhead,directorofthe
CentreRegionParks&RecreationAuthority,andMelissaFreed,thecenterssupervisor.
TheCentreRegionParks&RecreationAuthorityishonoredthatthevision,effortsand
donationsofsomanycommunitymembersandgroupswillberecognizedbythisawardfor
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter,Woodheadsaid.Wearealsothankfulthatthestate
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceshasassistedbyprovidingvaluableguidance
andsupportsincethenaturecenterwasestablishedin1997.
TheMillbrookMarshpropertyincludesa12acrefarmsteadandanadjacent50acre
wetlandarea.Thefarmsteadconsistsofarenovated1850sbankbarnandtherecently
constructedLEEDcertifiedSpringCreekEducationBuilding.
Themarshispreservedprimarilyforwildlifehabitat,andboardwalkpathwaysgive
visitorsaviewofthemarshlandwhileminimizingdisturbancetotheecosystem.
Thenaturecenterhoststhousandsofvisitorseveryyear,andreceivednearly13,000
visitorsattendingorganizedprogramsin2015.Itswetlandpropertycontainsthreehighquality
streamsprotectedbythemarsh,whichalsohelpspreventsfloodingduringstormevents.
Othermarshareashavebeenrestoredtoprotectwaterqualityandreduceerosionfrom
localurbanrunoff.Thefarmsteadhasraingardens,swalesandpermeabletrailsandparking
areastopromoteinfiltration,andthebarnalsohasrainbarrelsprovidingwaterfornative
plantings.
In2015,DCNRpresentedtheGreenParkAwardtotheDelawareRiverCityCorporation
andPhiladelphiasParksandRecreationDepartmentfortheirroleindeveloping
LardnersPoint
Park
,ariverfrontimprovementprojectthatshowcasesareboundingDelawareRivertothe
multitudeofvisitorsdrawntoitsbanksinPhiladelphiasTaconysection.
ClickHere
forpastwinners.
GreenandSustainableParkInitiative
webpage.
NewsClips:
PhiladelphiaChosenFor2021CityParksAllianceGreater&GreenerConference
Phillymag.comreportedFriday
thecityofPhiladelphiawaspickedbythe
CityParksAlliance
to
hostits2021
Greater&GreenerConference
,agatheringofparkprofessionalsandpolitical
leadersfromaroundtheworlddevotedspecificallytourbanparks.
OfficialssuggestedtheselectionisanothersignthatPhiladelphiahasturnedacornerin
thepublicperception,emphasizingthecitysstrengthsthathaveattractedmillennialsandhelped
reversedecadesofpopulationloss.
Philadelphiaisjustreallyexperiencingarenaissanceinpublicspace,drivingthefuture
ofourcityanditsqualityoflife,KathrynOttLovell,commissionerofPhiladelphiasParksand
Recreationdepartment,saidinFridaysannouncement.
Somethingquitepowerfulishappeninginthecitythroughourparkwork,saidNancy
Goldenberg,executivedirectoroftheCenterCityDistrictFoundationandaCityParksAlliance
boardmember.Wewerethemanufacturingcapitaloftheworldatonepoint.Nowweare
reusingouroldinfrastructureandabandonedlots,creatingpublicparksandopenspacesthat
connecttocommunitiesandhelpneighborsconnecttoeachother.
NewsClips:
The
WednesdaythankedHousemembersforunanimously
passing
HouseBill1605
(JamesRVenango)thatformallyestablishesa
PAHeritageArea
Program
toidentify,protect,enhanceandpromotethehistoric,recreational,natural,culturaland
scenicresourcesoftheCommonwealth.
WearepleasedthattheHouserecognizestheimportanteconomicandsocialbenefitsof
PennsylvaniasHeritageAreas,saidAndrewHeath,executivedirectorofthePennsylvania
GrowingGreenerCoalition.ThislegislationiscriticaltothefutureoftheHeritageAreas,and
welookforwardtoitspassageintheSenateintheupcomingweeks.
HeaththankedRep.LeeJames(RVenango)especiallyforhisleadershipinintroducing
thebillandhiscommitmenttoprotectingPennsylvaniashistoryandheritage.
HeritageAreasaregeographicregionsorcorridorsthatspantwoormorecountiesthat
containhistoric,recreational,naturalandscenicresourcesthatcollectivelyexemplifythe
heritageofPennsylvania.
Pennsylvanias12HeritageAreasare:
AlleghenyRidgeHeritageArea
,
Delaware&
LehighNationalHeritageCorridor
,
EndlessMountainsHeritageRegion
,
LackawannaHeritage
Valley
,
LincolnHighwayHeritageCorridor
,
LumberHeritageRegion
,
NationalRoadHeritage
Corridor
,
OilRegionNationalHeritageArea
,
PARoute6HeritageCorridor
,
RiversofSteel
NationalHeritageArea
,
SchuylkillRiverNational&StateHeritageArea
,and
Susquehanna
GatewayHeritageArea
.
Arecentstudyfoundthatin2014,touristsspentanestimated7.5milliondays/nightsin
PennsylvaniasHeritageAreas,purchasing
$2billionworthofgoodsandservices
.Thisspending
supported25,708jobsandgenerated$798millioninlaborincomeandnearly$1.3billionin
valueaddedeffects.
Inaddition,70percentofvisitorspendingandassociatedeconomiceffectswouldbelost
totheseareasifheritageanchorattractionswerenotavailable,accordingtothestudy.
The
isthelargestcoalitionofconservation,recreation
andpreservationorganizationsintheCommonwealth.
RelatedStories:
PEC:PoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrantAppsDueApril25
The
isnowacceptingapplicationsfor
the
PoconoForestandWatersConservationLandscape
MiniGrantProgram
.ApplicationsaredueApril25.
Theprogramsprovideminigrantsof$2,000to$10,000to
projectswithinCarbon,Lackawanna,Luzerne,Monroe,Pike,
andWayneCountiesthatsupportandadvancethegoalsand
objectivesofthePFWCL.
Eligibleapplicantsincludeanymunicipality,councilof
governments,registeredPennsylvanianonprofits,county
conservationdistricts,orlearninginstitutionstoconsiderprojectsthatmayfitthegrantcriteria.
Atotalof$60,000ingrantfundingisavailable.Allminigrantsrequirea50/50match.
TheprogramisfundingbyagrantfromtheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources.
ClickHere
formorebackgroundonthePoconoForestandWatersConservation
LandscapeProgram.
Formoreinformationandallthedetails,visitthe
PoconoForestAndWatersMiniGrant
webpageorcontactJanetSweeney,PFWCLCoordinatorbycalling5707186507orsending
emailto:
jsweeney@pecpa.org
.
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
DCNRUrgesCautionToPreventWildfiresWithSpringApproaching
Withtheapproachofspring,DepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
Fridaynoteddryingspringwindsandwarming
temperaturesquicklycancombineto
increasefire
dangersacrossPennsylvaniasforests
andbrushlands.
Despiterecentwetweatherandsnowpredicted
thisweekendinmuchofthestate,recent,highlyvisible
firesaroundtheHarrisburgareashowedusitjusttakesa
fewdaysofsunandwindtoallowbrushandforestfire
dangertodevelop,Dunnsaid.Mostofthereportedfireslastyeararelinkedtopeoplepeople
cause98percentofwildfires.Ameresparkbyacarelesspersoncantouchoffadevastating
forestblazeduringdryperiodswhenconditionsenablewildfirestospreadquickly.
Commonsensecanlimitthethreatofwildfires,saidDunn.Whenstateresidentsand
forestvisitorsarecarelesswithburningtrash,campfiresandsmoking,volunteerfirefighters
oftenpaytheprice,answeringcallaftercallinspringwoodlandsthatareripefordamaging,
lifethreateningwildfires.
DCNRstatisticsshownearly85percentofPennsylvaniaswildfiresoccurinMarch,
AprilandMay,beforethegreeningofstatewoodlandsandbrushyareas.Namedforrapidspread
throughdormant,dryvegetation,underwindyconditions,wildfiresannuallyscorchnearly7,000
acresofstateandprivatewoodlands.
In2015,BureauofForestrypersonnelandvolunteerfirefightersbattledatotalof817
reportedfield,brushandforestfiresthatscorched4,165acresacrossthestate.
Anglers,campersandotherstateforestvisitorsareremindedopenfiresareprohibitedon
stateforestlandfromMarch1toMay25,andwhenthefiredangerislistedashigh,veryhigh,or
extreme,unlessauthorizedbydistrictforesters.
Communitiesinheavilywoodedareasareurgedtofollowwildfirepreventionand
suppressionmethodsofthe
PennsylvaniaFirewiseCommunityProgram
tosafeguardlifeand
property.
DCNRsBureauofForestryisresponsibleforpreventionandsuppressionofwildfireson
the17millionacresofstateandprivatewoodlandsandbrushlands.Thebureaumaintainsa
firedetectionsystem,andworkswithfirewardensandvolunteerfiredepartmentstoensurethey
aretrainedinthelatestadvancesinfirepreventionandsuppression.
WildlandFire
webpageorcall7177872925.
NewsClips:
RainHasSquelchedDauphinCountyWildfire
Frost,RainCouldHelpExtinguishMountainFire
Luzerne,DCNRDetailPlansForGypsyMothSpraying
TreePhillyOfferingSaplings,FamousPlanter
WarmWeatherCouldSapErieMapleProduction
March18DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable
The
March18editionoftheResource
newsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter,CentreCounty,GreenParkAwardWinner
DCNRUrgesCautionToPreventWildfiresAsSpringApproaches
VeteranForesterNamedToBaldEagleStateForestDistrict
PAHeritageAreasGenerateMillionsInEconomicBenefits
AwburyArboretumInPhiladelphiaProtectedByConservationEasemen
t
PAFarmersEncouragedToFillOutChesapeakeBayWatershedSurvey
HawkMountainSanctuaryNominatedFor10BestAwardVoteNow
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).
FriendsOfWissahickonHostValleyTalksApril5,May19InMontgomeryCounty
The
FriendsoftheWissahickon
inMontgomeryCountyarehostingtwoValleyTalksthisspring
thatexplorevariousaspectsofconservationandbenefitsofpublicparks.Theprogramswillbe
heldatthe
ValleyGreenInn
locatedonForbiddenDrivein
WissahickonValleyPark
.
OnApril5
theprogramwillfeatureaconversationwithDr.WilliamSchuster,executive
directorofthe
BlackRockForestConsortium
inCornwall,N.Y.
ClickHere
toregister.
Dr.Shusterwilltalkaboutthesuccessfulresearch,educationandconservationeffortsat
the4,000acreBlackRockForest,locatedanhournorthofNewYorkCity,includinga
discussionofsuccessesandchallengesofmanagingthepark,fromoverabundantdeer
populationstopublicuse.
Dr.isexecutivedirectoroftheBlackRockForestConsortiuminCornwall,N.Y.andhas
authoredorcoauthorednearly100publications.HehasaB.A.inbiologyfromColumbia
University,anM.S.inforestecologyfromPennStateUniversity,andaPh.D.inecologyfrom
theUniversityofColorado.Dr.SchustercompletedhispostdoctoralresearchattheUniversityof
Utah.Hisprimaryinterestsareinecology,ecosystemmanagementandenvironmentalchange.
OnMay19
,landscapearchitectClaudiaWestwilltalkaboutthebenefitsofecosystems,
particularlyinurbanparksandgardensandhowtheycontributetobiodiversityandhabitat.She
willdiscusstheecosystemsoftheWissahickonValleyPark.
ClickHere
toregister.
ClaudiaWestistheecologicalsalesmanagerat
NorthCreekNurseries
inLandenberg,
Pa.SheholdsanM.A.inlandscapearchitectureandregionalplanningfromtheTechnical
UniversityofMunich,Germany.Westworkscloselywithecologicaldesignandrestoration
professionals.
Herworkiscenteredonthedevelopmentofstable,layeredplantingdesignsandthe
reintroductionofAmericannativeplantsbackintothelandscape.Sheisthecoauthorwith
ThomasRainerof
PlantinginaPostWildWorld
(TimberPress,2015).
Thetalksaresponsoredby
ValleyGreenBank
andarefreeandopentothepublic.A
complimentarywineandcheesereceptionisofferedatthetalks.
Spacesarelimited.RegisterforthelectureattheFriendsoftheWissahickon
April5
and/or
May19
webpagesorcontactSarahMarleybysendingemailto:
marley@fow.org
orcall
2152470417x109formoreinformation.
Visitthe
FriendsoftheWissahickon
websiteforinformationonprograms,initiativesand
otherupcomingevents.
ClickHere
tosignuptoreceiveregularupdatesfromFOW(bottomof
thepage).
PennStateExtensionCommunityForestryShortCourseInPerson,OnlineMarch2931
PennStateExtensionwillholda
CommunityForestryShortCourse
InPersonandWebinar
March29,30and31from9:00a.m.to4:45p.m.eachday.
Planningandmanagingthegreeninfrastructureofstreettrees,parks,andopenspaces
willhelpanymunicipalitysafelytakeadvantageofthemanybenefitstheseassetsprovide.With
properplanningandmanagement,theseassetsappreciateandpayusbackwithtime.
ThisCommunityForestryShortCourseisdesignedtohelpmunicipalshadetree
commissions/committees,andstaff,includingmanagers,arborists,andforesterscommunitytree
advocatesandvolunteersgainknowledgeandskillsintheeffectivemanagementofpublictrees
inPennsylvania.
ParticipantswillhavetheopportunitytoattendthesessionsinpersoninStateCollege,or
attendthesessionsonline.Theycanselecttoattendall3daysoftrainingorjustoneortwodays.
Acertificatewillbeawardedtopeoplethatparticipateinthesessionsinpersonoronline.
TheinpersoncoursewillbeheldatPennStateUniversity,Room110AgScience&
IndustriesBuilding,UniversityPark.
TheregistrationdeadlineisMarch21.
ClickHere
NewsClips:
SpringPennsStewardsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPAParks&ForestsFoundation
The
SpringeditionofthePennsStewards
newsletterfromthe
PAParksandForestsFoundation
featuringarticleson
AShortHistoryOfRecreationInPennsylvania
TheCCCBroughtRecreationToYou
YourFriendsInAction:LymanRunStatePark
ActsOf(Un)KindnessInParks,Forests
Profile:MaryHirst,OneOfFirstFemaleParkManagers
MilkweedsAndMonarchButterflies
ComingSoon:2016Parks&ForestsThruTheSeasonsPhotoContest
CalendarofEvents
ClickHere
PAParks&
ForestsFoundation
website,
LikethemonFacebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
NortheastLancasterCountyRiverTrailVisitorsCenterNowOpenInColumbia
AdCrable,LancasterOnline.com
,reported
Wednesdayanew
NortheastLancasterCounty
RiverTrail
sectionand
ColumbiaCrossingRiver
TrailsCenter
nowopenin
ColumbiaBorough
.
Youcanwalkorbikethroughanold
railroadtunnelblastedthroughrock,passwithin
feetofthebaseofChickiesRockasclimbersscale
theedificerightaboveyou,andviewthe
longforgottenremnantsofnolessthanfour19thcenturyironfurnaces.
Forthefirsttimesincetherecreationaltrailwasenvisioned20yearsago,youcannow
walkalongtheSusquehannafromColumbiatoFalmouth,neartheDauphinCountyline.
TheColumbiaCrossingtrailcenter,alongFrontStreetandjustacrosstherailroadtracks
fromthe1877trainstation,hasavastelevateddeckthatlooksacrosstherivertoWrightsville
andisframedtothenorthbytheartdecoVeteransMemorialBridgethatopenedin1930.
Thestonebridgeabutmentsthatoncesupportedthecoveredbridgethatplayedapivotal
roleintheBattleofGettysburgalsoarevisible.
Inside,highceilingsandlotsofglassshowcasethehistoryoftheriverandColumbia.
TenpaintingsfromtheVisionsoftheSusquehannaRiverArtCollectionarecurrentlyhangingin
thecenter,aswellasblackandwhitephotosfromthegreaticejamof1917.
Inside,highceilingsandlotsofglassshowcasethehistoryoftheriverandColumbia.
TenpaintingsfromtheVisionsoftheSusquehannaRiverArtCollectionarecurrentlyhangingin
thecenter,aswellasblackandwhitephotosfromthegreaticejamof1917.
TheVisitorsCenterisopenWednesday,Thursday,Friday,Sundayfrom10:00a.m.to
5:00p.m.andSaturdayfrom9:00a.m.to5:00p.m.
ClickHere
toreadtheentirearticleandtoseephotosoftheVisitorsCenter.
NewsClips:
April1DeadlineComingUpToRegisterForJunePECEnvironmentRide
The
EnvironmentRide
willbe
herebeforeyouknowit,andsowilltheApril1early
registrationdeadline!
ThelasttwoweeksofMarcharetheperfecttimeto
makethecommitmentforthisyear'sride,asourwinter
registrationratesaresettoexpireApril1!
Takeadvantageofthecurrentofferforboththe
3day($100)and1dayrides($50)fortheannualeventthat
willfeatureascenicnewroutethisyear.
ThreedayriderswillbegininDoylestownonJune3,continuingintoBethlehem,and
bikingalongtheLehighandDelawareRiversbeforetheevent'sconclusioninPhiladelphia,
whereourclosingpartywilloverlooktheSchuylkillRiveratthe
FairmountWaterworks
onJune
5.
Meanwhile,onedayriderswillbegintheirtrekinYardleyonJune5andarriveatthe
FairmountWaterworksintimetocelebrateattheclosingpartyaswell.
Notabletoride?Noproblem!Wearealwayslookingforadditionalcrewandvolunteers.
ContactPEC'sSoutheastregionalofficeat2155454570formoreinformation.
ClickHere
PA
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
DayByDayScheduleForJune1825DelawareRiverSojournNowAvailable
Anoverviewofthe2016DelawareRiverSojournrunningfromJune18to25wasmade
availableonTuesday.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.

LacawacSanctuaryMarks50thAnniversaryWithBrickCampaignInWayneCounty
LacawacSanctuaryandBiologicalFieldStation
inWayneCountyis
celebratingits50thanniversaryandfriendsandsupportersare
invitedtoleavetheirpersonalimprintonitshistoryandfuture
throughparticipationinour
CommemorativeBrickCampaign
.
Joinusincelebrationofthisspecialanniversarythroughthe
purchaseofanengravedbrickthatwillbeplacedattheentranceof
theCoulterVisitorCenterandDr.SusanS.KilhamEnvironmental
Laboratory.
Since1966themissionofLacawacSanctuaryhasbeento
preservethenearlypristineglacialLakeLacawac,itswatershed,the
surroundingforestandhistoricstructuresinordertoprovideavenue
forecologicalresearch,scholarlyinteractionandthetrainingof
scientistsandprovidepubliceducationonenvironmentaland
conservationissues.
Lacawachasaccomplishedthismissionbyofferingadiversesetofnaturalareas,
facilities,andprogramsforPreK12grades,postsecondaryeducatorsandstudents,area
residents,scientificresearchers,andsummervisitorstotheregion.
Commemorativebricksareawonderfulopportunitytocelebratefamilymilestonesand
honorormemorializelovedones.Theyareagreatwaytorecognizeaspecialpersoninyourlife,
honoracasualeffort,orcommemorateaspecialoccasion.
Whyjoinourcommemorativebrickcampaign?SupportLacawacscommitmentto
educatethenextgenerationofscientistsandconservationleaders.Shareyourpassionforour
naturalresourcesbyprovidingopportunitiesforotherstolearnaboutnature.Showyour
commitmenttonatureandconservation.
Commemoratealovedone,friendorspecialmemory.Celebrateabirthdayorother
memorableoccasion.Honorateacher,colleagueorafriend.Promoteyourbusinessorgroup
BuyabrickatLacawacsVisitorCenterandEnvironmentalLaboratoryandhelpsupport
Lacawacsmissionofresearch,educationandpreservationforthenext50years.Lacawacisa
treasureandsomethingspecialtobeproudofandworthsupporting.
ThebrickcampaignwillallowLacawactoraisethenecessaryfundstomakeupgradesto
ourvisitorcenterandhistoric1903lodge.Eachdonatedandengravedbrickwillbecarefully
placedinanewwalkwayleadingvisitorsandgueststotheentranceoftheCoulterVisitor
Center.
TheBrickCampaignDonationOptionsareasfollows:4x8Brick$100(3linesof
text20spacesperline)or8x8Brick$250(6linesoftext20spacesperline).
Bricks
canbeorderedonline
.
ClickHere
todownloadabrickcampaignbrochure.
Formoreinformationonthecampaign,contactLacawacbycalling5706899494or
sendemailto:
info@lacawac.org
.
Visitthe
LacawacSanctuaryandBiologicalFieldStation
websiteformoreinformation
onprograms,initiativesandupcomingspecialevents.
DCNRsCosmosWorldSeriesTeachesStudentsImportantEnvironmentalConcepts

JointheEmmyAwardwinning
CosmotheFlyingSquirrel,Terra
theRiverOtter
andtheirfriendsonnewjourneysof
environmentaldiscovery.
CosmosWorldisproducedbythe
WildResourceConservation
Program
,
eMediaWorks
,
PBS39LehighValley
and
Natural
Biodiversity
tohelpclassroomteachersandenvironmental
educatorsteachthesetopicstoelementaryandmiddleschool
studentsinafunandengagingway.
ThevideosandlessonplansaretiedtoPennsylvaniaacademic
standardsforenvironmentandecology,whichrequireeducatorstoteachenvironmental
stewardship.
ComevisitCosmosWorldasoftenasyoulike.CosmoandTerrawillbeheretotake
youonadventuresthroughPennsylvaniashabitats.DoSomethingWild!Beafriendtoallliving
things,greatandsmall.
CosmosWorldvideoscovertopicslike:Biodiversity,ClimateChange,Sustainable
Agriculture,EndangeredSpecies,Energy,InvasiveSpecies,Waterandmore.
Themostrecent
CosmovideoonTrees
willairon
PBS39onFridayat3:30
.
CosmosWorldVideoSeries
webpage.
NewsClip:
367StudentsCompeteInLancasterScience&EngineeringFair
WildlifeLeadershipAcademySummerOutdoorFieldSchoolsForStudents1417
The
WildlifeLeadershipAcademy
isnowacceptingapplicationsforits
four,5day
residentialfieldschoolsinPA
.Eachfieldschoolfocuseson
oneparticularspecies:WhitetailedDeer,BrookTrout,RuffedGrouseor
BlackBear.ThedeadlineforapplicationsisApril1.
Participantsinagivensessionintensivelyexplorethatspeciesbiology,
habitatneeds,managementandmore.
WildlifeLeadershipAcademy
webpage.
NewsClip:
RegistrationOpenForApril5PeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMonday
invitedteachers,nonformaleducators,homeschoolersand
youthgroupandscoutleaderstoattendafreePeregrine
FalconEducatorsWorkshop,WILDintheCity,from
9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.April5inthesecondfloor
auditoriumoftheRachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,
Harrisburg.
TheworkshopissponsoredbyDEPandtheGame
Commissionincooperationwith
ZOOAMERICANorthAmericanWildlifePark
andthe
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources.
Since1997,
peregrinefalcons
havemadeanestonaledgeoffthe15thFloorofthe
RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuildingtheirhome.
ThreehighdefinitioncameraschroniclethefamousHarrisburgfalconsthroughthelive
FalconCamforviewersaroundtheworld.
InPennsylvania,peregrinefalcons,aPennsylvaniaendangeredspecies,wereabsentfrom
thestateintheearly1960sasaresultofuseofthepesticideDDT.
Whileperegrinefalconswereextremelyrareformanyyears,throughreintroduction
programs,theyhaveadaptedtolifeincitieslikeHarrisburg,Reading,Pittsburgh,Philadelphia
andWilliamsport.
TheRachelCarsonnestsitehasbeenveryproductivewith58youngperegrinefalcons
producedsince2000.
Whatbetterwaytoengageyoungpeopleandcreatefutureenvironmentalstewardsthan
throughthislivinglaboratory,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.Weencourageeducatorsto
takeadvantageofthisuniquelearningopportunitythattheirstudentswillreallyconnectwith.
Workshopparticipantswillexplorethesuccessesofperegrinefalconreintroductionin
Pennsylvania,examinefalconspecificsandendangeredspeciesconcepts,andobservefalconsin
Harrisburg.Participatingteachersareeligiblefor5.5Act48credithours.
Theworkshopwillfeatureanumberofperegrinefalconexperts,includingDr.Art
McMorris,PGCsPeregrineFalconCoordinatorandZOOAMERICANaturalistPatrickMiller.
ToregisterforthePeregrineFalconworkshop,educatorsshouldcontactDEPs
EnvironmentalEducationandInformationCenterat7177721644orsendemailto:AnnDevine
at:
adevine@pa.gov
byMarch29.Spaceislimited,soregistrationswillbeacceptedona
firstcome,firstservicebasis.
TowatchtheRachelCarsonBuildingfalconslive,visitDEPs
FalconCam
webpage,
signup
forFalconWireemailalerts(bottomofthepage)or
followthemonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
HawkMountainToHoldAnnualSpringEquinoxCelebrationMarch19
HawkMountainSanctuary
inBerksCountyinvitesvisitorsof
allagestowelcomethespringseasonatitsannualSpring
EquinoxCelebrationonMarch19from11a.m.to3p.m.Trail
feesapplyfornonmembersbutindooreventsarefree.
HeldontheSaturdayclosesttotheequinox,theevent
willcelebratenaturesrenewalwithcomplimentaryhot
chocolateandbirdfriendlycoffee,liveraptorprograms,a
guidedwalk,andkidscrafts.
Inaddition,avolunteernaturalistwillbestationedat
thebirdfeederwindowstohelpidentifythegrowingnumber
ofbirdsandsmallmammalsthatvisit.
M&TBanksliveRaptorsUpClose!programbeginsthedayat11a.m.,followedbya
guidedSignsofSpringnaturewalkat12:30forthefirst20visitorsthatsignup.Fromnoonto
2p.m.,childrenmakeandtakehomeaspringthemedcraft.Thedayconcludeswithasecond
liveraptorprogramat2p.m..
Withlongerdaysandwarmerweather,thiseventisagreatexcusetogetthefamily
outside.We'vealreadyseenbutterfliesonthetrail,dozensofwoodfrogsinthepond,painted
turtles,andsomeoftheearlynativeplantsarestartingtopushup,saysspokespersonMary
Linkevich,thedirectorofcommunicationsattheSanctuary.
"WealsohaveournewAccessibleTrail,somorepeoplethanevercanmaketheshort
walktotheSouthLookout.Nomattertheweather,theviewisalwaysamazing,"sheadds.The
900footlongleadstotheclosestoverlookandincludesbenchseatingalongtheway.
The2,500acreHawkMountainSanctuaryistheworldsfirstrefugeforbirdsofpreyand
isopentothepublicyearroundbytrailfeeormembership,whichinturnsupportsthenonprofit
organizationsraptorconservationmissionandlocaltoglobalresearch,training,andeducation
programs.Trailfeescost$9adults,$7seniorsand$5childrenages6to12.
Tolearnmoreaboutprograms,initiativesandotherspecialactivities,visitthe
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
websiteorcall6107566961.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates
fromtheSanctuary.
NewsClips:
HawkMountainSanctuaryLaunchesSpringHawkWatchApril1
inBerksCountyinvitesvisitors
towatchforreturningraptorsandothermigrantsduringits
annualSpringHawkWatch,helddailyApril1throughMay
15from9a.m.to4p.m.attheSanctuarysfamousNorth
Lookout.
Inconjunctionwiththecount,springweekend
programsbeginaswellandareheldeverySaturdayand
Sundaythroughthecount.TheSanctuaryssignaturelive
raptorprogram,RaptorsUPClose!issponsoredbyM&T
BankandcontinuesthroughMemorialDay.
Afullscheduleofweekendprogramsandotherdetails
canbefoundonline
.
Duringthecount,staff,trainees,andvolunteerswillbestationedattheLookouttohelp
visitorsspotandidentifyraptorsincludingbroadwingedhawks,redtailedhawks,ospreys,and
baldeagles.
MigrationtypicallypeaksinmidtolateApril,especiallyondayswithsoutherlywinds
andcloudcover,whencountsofmorethan100birdsmaybeseen.Forraptorenthusiastsand
thosewhocannotmakeittoHawkMountain,countsare
posteddailyafter6p.m
.
Besidesthechancetoseesoaringhawks,thespringcountisachancetogettipson
hawkidentification,practiceyourwildlifephotography,andlearnmoreaboutthemigrationof
birdsinthearea,saidDirectorofLongtermMonitoringLaurieGoodrichwhocoordinatesthe
count.
TheSanctuaryhasmonitoredthespringraptormigrationsincethe1960sandreportsan
average1,063raptorseachseason.NumbersarejustafractionofHawkMountainsautumn
migration,asthebirdsaremorewidelydispersedduringtheirnorthboundmigration.
Youmightnotseeasmanyhawksasyoudoduringfall,butIlovespringatHawk
Mountain.Somepeopleareallaboutfallfoliage,butmyfavoriteviewisgreen.Here,itstretches
acrossthevalleyasfarasyoucansee,"saysMaryLinkevich,theSanctuary'sdirectorof
communications.
Since2000,ConservationSciencetraineeshaveregulatedthedailycountattheNorth
Lookoutduringthesecondhalfofthespringmigration,usingthetrainingofexperienced
volunteersandstafftolearnmigrationcounttechniques.
ThosewhowishtohiketotheNorthLookoutandjoininthefunshouldwearsturdy
shoes,carryabaggedlunch,bottledwaterandothersuppliesinadaypack,andbepreparedto
walknearlyonemileoverrockyterrain.
ThenearbySouthLookoutmaybepreferabletothosewithsmallchildrenorwithlimited
mobilityandcanbereachedusinga900footlongAccessibleTrailwithbenchseating.
Trailfeesapplyfornonmembersandcost$9foradults,$7forseniors,and$5for
childrenages6to12.Membersareadmittedfree,yearround,and
membershipscanbe
purchasedonline
orattheVisitorCenter.
The2,500acreHawkMountainSanctuaryistheworldsfirstrefugeforbirdsofpreyand
isopentothepublicyearroundbytrailfeeormembership,whichinturnsupportsthenonprofit
organizationsraptorconservationmissionandlocaltoglobalresearch,training,andeducation
programs.
Tolearnmoreaboutprograms,initiativesandotherspecialactivities,visitthe
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
websiteorcall6107566961.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates
fromtheSanctuary.
NewsClips:
Fish&BoatCommissionCelebrates150thAnniversaryMarch30
The
FishandBoatCommission
willcommemorateandcelebratethe
150thAnniversary
ofitsfoundingasoneofthenationsoldest
conservationagenciesduringthismonthsquarterlybusinessmeeting
andataspecialpubliceventatthe
StateMuseum
inHarrisburg.
ThePFBCsquarterlybusinessmeetingwillbeheldonMarch
3031attheHarrisburgheadquarters.Themeetingwasspecifically
scheduledtocoincidewiththeagencysfoundingonMarch30,1866.
FollowingcommitteemeetingsonMarch30,Commissioners
andstaffwilljoininvitedguests,membersofthepublic,legislators,
andGov.TomWolfattheStateMuseumforpresentationsabouttheagencyscelebratedhistory
anddiscussionsaboutitsfuture.
TheeveningeventwillbeheldonMarch30,from68p.m.attheStateMuseum,located
at300NorthStreet.Itisfreeandthepublicisencouragedtoattendandmeetpastandpresent
Commissionersandlearnmoreabouttheagencyshistory.
Overthecourseofthenextyear,Iinvitefellowanglersandboaterstojoininour
commemorationofthelast150years,saidPFBCExecutiveDirectorJohnArway,whowas
namedtheCommissions10thexecutivedirectoronMarch2,2010,andhasworkedforthe
agencyfor36years.Itwillbeagreattimetolearnaboutouragencyscontributiontothehealth
ofPennswoodsandwatersandcelebratethefactthatour86,000milesofstreams,nearly4,000
lakesandreservoirs,over404,000acresofwetlandsand63milesofLakeErieshorelinearestill
hometomorethan25,000speciesofknownplantsandanimals,andperhaps,manythousands
moreyettobeidentified.
Thesefactsdemonstratetheenormityandcomplexityofthechallengesthatfacethe
PFBCaswestrivetofulfillourlegislativeandConstitutionaldutiestoprotect,conserveand
enhanceourCommonwealthsaquaticresources,headded.
Pennsylvaniasabundanceofwaterways,frommountainstreamsandlakes,tomighty
riversliketheSusquehannaandAllegheny,totheGreatLakeErie,provideendlessrecreational
opportunitiestotheCommonwealthsanglersandboaters,addedPFBCBoardPresident
EdwardMascharka,III.Theseopportunitieswouldntbeherewithoutthehardworkand
dedicationoverthelast150yearsbythisagencytoprotectandconserveournaturalresources.
Improudtobeapartofthisrichhistoryandlookforwardtocarryingforthourmissionintothe
future.
Overthelast150years,theCommissionhasevolvedfromaonemanoperationfunded
solelybythegeneralfundtoanagencywithacomplementof432stafffundedbyanglersand
boatersthroughlicenseandregistrationfeesandfederalexcisetaxesonfishingandboating
equipment.
TheoriginsofthePFBCdateto1866whenaconventionwasheldinHarrisburgto
investigatewaterpollutionbeingcausedbythewholesaleloggingofPennsylvaniasforestsand
theimpactscausedbysedimentationofmountainlakesandstreams.Therewerealsoserious
concernsaboutthereductionofAmericanShadrunsintheSusquehannaRiver.
ThisdiscussionresultedinGov.AndrewCurtinsigningintolawActofMarch30,1866
(P.L.370,No.336),whichnamedJamesWorrallPennsylvaniasfirstCommissionerof
Fisheries.
In1925,Act1925263establishedtheBoardofFishCommissioners.Then,in1949,Act
1949180officiallyestablishedthePennsylvaniaFishCommissionasanagencyanddescribed
itspowersandduties.
TheCommissionappointedCharlesA.Frenchasitsfirstexecutivedirectorin1949,and
in1991underAct199139,thePennsylvaniaFishCommissionbecamethePennsylvaniaFish
andBoatCommission.
Ourfutureisbrightbutnotwithoutchallenges,addedArway.Wehavemade
substantialprogressoverthelastgenerationbycleaningupourwaterssothatwecannowsay
thatwehavemorewaterstofishtodaythanwhenwewerechildren.However,yesterdays
challengesweresimplecomparedtotheenvironmentalandnaturalresourcechallengesthatwe
faceinthefuture.
Ournewchallengeswillnolongerbeatthelocalscalebutwillrequiremuchdifferent
solutionsatthewatershed,regional,nationalandevenglobalscales,headded.Wewillhaveto
workacrossdisciplinesandusetheappropriatesciencetodiagnosetheproblems,applythe
engineeringskillstodevelopthesolutionsandhavethepoliticalwilltocreatethelawsand
providethefundingforthesolutions.
Formoreinformation,visittheFish&BoatCommissions
150thAnniversary
webpage.
NewsClips:
RealMarchMadnessAwaitsOutdoors
PopularMentoredYouthTroutFishingDaysReturnMarch26,April9
Video:AmphibianCrossingAtDelawareWaterGapSignalsSpring
NorthAlleghenyGradHelpsSolveTullyMonsterEnigma
GameCommission:315,813DeerHarvestedIn201516HuntingSeaso
n
TheGameCommissionMondayreportedhuntersharvestedanestimated315,813deeran
increaseofabout4percentcomparedtothe201415harvestof303,973.
Ofthose,137,580wereantlereddeeranincreaseofabout15percentcomparedtothe
previouslicenseyear,whenanestimated119,260bucksweretaken.
Huntersalsoharvestedanestimated178,233antlerlessdeerin201516,whichrepresents
anabout4percentdecreasecomparedtothe184,713antlerlessdeertakenin201415.
Thepercentageofolderbucksintheharvestmightwellbethemosteyepoppingnumber
inthereport.
Awhopping59percentofwhitetailbuckstakenbyPennsylvaniahuntersduringthe
201516deerseasonswere2yearsoldorolder,makingforthehighestpercentageofadult
bucksintheharvestindecades.
GameCommissionWildlifeManagementDirectorWayneLarochepointedoutthetrend
ofmoreadultbucksintheharveststartedwhenantlerrestrictionswereputintoplace.More
yearlingbucksaremakingitthroughthefirsthuntingseasonthroughwhichtheycarryarack.
Seasonafterseason,agreaterproportionoftheannualbuckharvesthasbeenmadeofadult
bucks.
In201415,57percentofthebuckstakenbyhunterswere2orolder.
Buttoseethatnumbernowatnearly60percentisremarkable,Larochesaid.Itgoes
toshowwhatantlerrestrictionshaveaccomplishedtheyvecreatedaPennsylvaniawhere
everydeerhunterinthewoodshasarealchanceoftakingthebuckofalifetime.
Whilethe137,580buckstakenin201516isasharpincreaseover201415,itcompares
toa201314estimateof134,280bucks.In201415,anumberoffactorsincludingpoorweather
onkeyhuntingdaysandlimiteddeermovementsduetoexceptionallyabundantmastcontributed
toareduceddeerharvestoverall.
Thedecreaseinthe201516antlerlessharvestwasapredictableoutcome,giventhat
33,000fewerantlerlesslicenseswereallocatedstatewidein201516,comparedtotheprevious
year.
ReducingtheallocationwithinaWildlifeManagementUnitallowsdeernumberstogrow
there.Recordsshowittakesanallocationofaboutfourantlerlesslicensestoharvestone
antlerlessdeer,andthesuccessrateforantlerlessdeerhuntersagainwasconsistentatabout25
percentin201516.
GameCommissionExecutiveDirectorR.MatthewHoughcongratulateddeerhunterson
theirsuccessesafieldduringthe201516seasons.
WhiletheGameCommissionagainreducedthenumberofantlerlesslicensesthatwere
allocatedin201516,andtheantlerlessharvestdroppedaccordingly,asexpected,theoverall
increaseintheharvestand,inparticular,thebuckharvestshowthiswasanotheroutstanding
deerseasoninPennsylvania,Houghsaid.ThepicturesIveseenoftrophybucksthisseason
camefromallovertheCommonwealthincludingthebigwoodsofthenorthcentralandthey
werejawdroppingandimpressive.Andthebestnewsisthereareplentyofnewmemories
waitingtobemadewhendeerhuntersgetbackoutthereinthecominglicenseyear.
ClickHere
toreadthefullannouncement.
Formoreinformation,visittheGameCommissions
WhiteTailedDeer
webpage.
NewsClips:
Schneck:StateHadBiggestBuckKillIn13Years
StateMuseum,GameCommissionWorkingTogetherForWildlifeExhibitComingApril8
ThePAHistoricalandMuseumCommissionandtheGameCommission
willhosttheopeningofaspecialexhibit,
WorkingTogetherforWildlife:
ThreeDecadesofPennsylvaniasNatureinArt
at10:00a.m.onApril8
at
TheStateMuseumofPennsylvania
inHarrisburg
JamesVaughan,executivedirectorofthePHMC,andMattHough,
executivedirectoroftheGameCommission,willjoinmuseumstaffand
otherofficialstocelebratetheopeningofthisexhibit.
WorkingTogetherforWildlife:ThreeDecadesofPennsylvanias
NatureinArtfeatures34originalpaintingsby19differentPennsylvania
artists.InthehistoricaltraditionofthePennsylvanianaturalistartists
AlexanderWilson,JohnJamesAudubonandNedSmith,Working
TogetherforWildlifeartistsdepictthebeautyofanimalsintheirnatural
habitats.
Theworkshighlightgameandnongameanimalssuchastheblackbear,thebobcat,the
graysquirrel,thegreatblueheron,thecardinalandtheruffedgrousePennsylvaniasState
Bird.
Eachyear,theGameCommissionhostsWorkingTogetherforWildlife,acompetition
thatisopentoPennsylvaniaartists.TheGameCommissionmakesthewinningartworkavailable
inspecialeditionprintsandpatches,withtheproceedsbenefittingthepreservationand
maintenanceofPennsylvaniaswildlife.
ThisentirecollectionwillbeexhibitedpubliclyandforthefirsttimeonApril8atThe
StateMuseum.
TheopeningceremonywillbefollowedbythreePennsylvaniaWildlifepresentations
hostedbyWildlifeConservationOfficerMichaelDohertyandSeniorCuratorofZoologyand
BotanyDr.WalterMeshakainNatureLab,amultipurposedemonstrationspaceadjacenttothe
naturalhistoryexhibitsonthethirdfloorofTheStateMuseum.
Presentationsarescheduledat10:30a.m.,11:15a.m.and12:15p.m.andareincluded
withmuseumadmission.
TheexhibitwillrunfromApril8toSeptember11inTheStateMuseumschanging
naturalhistorygallery,adjacenttoMammalHall.
TheStateMuseumofPennsylvania,adjacenttotheStateCapitolinHarrisburg,isoneof
25historicsitesandmuseumsadministeredbythePAHistoricalandMuseumCommissionas
partofthe
PennsylvaniaTrailsofHistory
.
Withexhibitsexaminingthedawnofgeologictime,theNativeAmericanexperience,the
colonialandrevolutionaryera,apivotalCivilWarbattleground,andtheCommonwealth'svast
industrialage,TheStateMuseumdemonstratesthatPennsylvania'sstoryisAmericasstory.
MuseumhoursareWednesdaythroughSaturday9:00a.m.to5:00p.m.andSunday
12:00p.m.to5:00p.m..Admissionis$7foradults(ages1264),$6forseniorcitizens(ages65
andup),and$5forchildren(ages111).
Formoreinformationaboutthemuseum,visitthe
TheStateMuseumofPennsylvania
website.
WildlifeArtResource:
NedSmithCenterforNature&Ar
t,Millersburg,DauphinCounty
NewsClips:
ManadaConservancyAnnualSpringNativePlantSaleMay7InDauphinCounty
The
ManadaConservancy
willholditsannualSpringNativePlantSaleonMay7in
Hummelstown,DauphinCounty.PreordersarenowbeingacceptedthroughApril15.For
moreinformation,visitManadaConservancys
SpringNativePlantSale
webpage.Questions?
Call7175664122.
DEPsMichaelKorbRecognizedByInterstateMiningCompactCommission
The
InterstateMiningCompactCommission
recentlyannounced
MichaelKorb,P.E.,EnvironmentalProgramManagerforDEPsBureau
ofAbandonedMineReclamationinWilkesBarre,isthewinnerofthe
IMCCs2016PublicOutreachAward.Thetextoftheaward
descriptionfollows
Korbhasenjoyedadistinguished50yearlongcareerworkingin
theminingandminereclamationfieldandhasbeencommittedtopublic
outreachandeducationonawiderangeofminingandreclamation
issues.
Hehasbeendedicatedandinvolvedmemberoforganizations
suchasthe
SocietyofMineEngineers
thathavefocusedsignificanteffortstowardeducatingthe
publicandyouthabouthowourliveshavebeenenrichedduetothemanycommoditiesand
productsthatrequiredminedresources.
Korbhasalwaysstrivedtoconductminingandminereclamationworkinthemost
technicallyandscientificallysoundmannerthatminimizesminingsimpactontheenvironment
andrestoresminedsitestoashighauseaspossiblefollowingreclamation.
Heispassionateaboutsharingwithothersabouthissuccessesandfailuresinorderto
enablethemtolearnfromhisexperiences.
Korbalsohasapassionformininghistoryandhasworkedtopreserveminingslegacy
nearhishomeinPennsylvaniasAnthraciteregion.
AsKorbsretirementapproaches,itisespeciallyappropriatetopresentthisindividual
awardasanacknowledgementofhisdistinguishedlifetimecommitmenttoeducatingthepublic
aboutthebenefitsandnecessityofmininginordertomaintainourwayoflifeandinteaching
othershowmining,whendoneresponsibly,canbecompletedwithminimalimpactstothe
environmentandthelocalcommunity.
AfewofthemanyhighlightsofKorbsaccomplishmentsinmineralseducationinclude:
outreachandtalkswithlocalcommunitiesaboutwhatanewmineorexpansionofanexisting
minewoulddoforthecommunityinvolvementincommunitymeetingsaboutminingprojects
providingtalkstocivicandenvironmentalgroupsandpublicmeetingsauthoringseveral
technicalpapersforvariousentities,includingtheGovernorsEnergyCommission,the
NortheastPennsylvaniaEconomicDevelopmentCouncil,theJuranInstitute,theNational
AssociationofAbandonedMineLandPrograms,andtheSocietyofMineEngineers,among
othersinvolvingresidentslivingnearamineinacollaborativeeffortwithpublicandmine
employeestoconstructaNationalWildlifeFederationCertifiedWildlifeHabitatonareclaimed
minearea,andtoconstructaparkandpicnicareainasubsidenceareaunsuitableforbuilding
homesdonatingoldmapsanddrawingsandobsoleteminingequipmenttouniversities,
museumsandhistoricalsocietiesdonatinglargepiecesofcoalforparksstartingalibraryina
communitycenterengaginginminingandenvironmentalheritagedevelopmentwiththe
DelawareandLehighNationalHeritageCorridor
,the
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnership
,and
numerouslocalandregionalwatershed,historical,andcivicorganizationsorganizinganumber
ofcommunityheritageandenvironmentalconferencesinstructingsessionsoncoalminingand
theenvironmentat
KingsCollege
inWilkesBarreservinginoutreacheffortsthroughSME,
suchasspeakingtocivic,community,heritageandenvironmentalgroupsservingasa
PennsylvaniaAnthraciteSMEOutreachVolunteeratseveralBoyScoutsofAmericaMerit
BadgeCollegesforthegeologyandMininginSocietyMeritBadgeservingasanSME
OutreachVolunteeratthe
AnthraciteHeritageMuseum
andatenvironmental,heritageand
industryconferencesservingasatechnicalinstructorforthefederalOfficeofSurfaceMining
NationalTechnicalTrainingProgramandamyriadofotheroutreachandeducationalendeavors.
Korbcurrentlyworksforthe
DEPsBureauofAbandonedMineReclamation
,wherehe
hasservedforthepasteightyears.Duringthattimehispublicoutreachhasfocusedon
informingpeopleaboutthegoodworkthestates
AbandonedMineLandProgram
doesin
reclaimingAMLsites.
HisspeakingengagementsincludepresentationshighlightingawardwinningAML
projectsandthe
StayOutStayAlive
campaigntoadvisepeopleofthemanyhazards
associatedwithabandonedmines.
Throughhisengagementinoutreachwithlocalcollegesandlocalandnational
studentteacherandenvironmentalconferences,Korbhasshedapositivelightonthe
CommonwealthofPennsylvaniaanditsAMLProgram.
Korbhasreceivedmanyawardsandrecognitionsovertheyears,andmostrecently,in
Mayof2015,hewasnominatedtobeelevatedtotheGradeofDistinguishedMemberofthe
NationalSocietyofMiningEngineers.
RecentStoriesInvolvingMikeKorb:
SchuylkillCountyAbandonedMineReclamationProjectReceivesNationalRecognition
PAProjectWinsTopHonorsFromFederalOfficeOfSurfaceMining
DEPsMineReclamationEffortsFeaturedOnScrantonTVProgram
NationalAbandonedMineReclamationProgramsConferenceInScranton
DEPAwards$9.3MillionContractToExtinguishCarbonCountyMineFire
WorkBeginsToReclaimHazardousAbandonedMineLandInLuzerneCounty
NortheastPAObservesJanuaryAsMiningHistoryMonth
NationalMiningHallOfFameToInduct3NewPARelatedMembers
DEPNorthwestRegionalEmployeesReceiveLegalAidExcellenceAward
SixemployeesfromtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionsNorthwestRegional
SafeDrinkingWaterProgramandOfficeofChief
CounselwerepartofateamhonoredwiththeLegal
AidExcellenceAwardfortheirworktohelp
residentsofHardwoodEstatesMobileHomePark
locatedoutsideofConneautLakeinCrawford
County.
Morethan24peoplewholiveinthepark
wereleftwithoutareliablepublicwatersystemafter
thepropertyownerabandoneditin2012.
TheDEPemployees,withthehelpofLegalAidandseveralotherorganizations,helped
theresidentsformanassociationandsecurefundingtorepairthewatersystem'schlorinator,
obtainnecessarypermitting,hireaproperlytrainedcertifiedwateroperator,andultimatelytake
ownershipofthemobilehomeparkthroughajudicialsaleinApril2015.
Thisactionenabledtheresidentstoremainintheirhomes.
"Thisexampleofyourworkwiththegeneralpublicisyetanotherremarkablestoryof
DEPemployeesgoingaboveandbeyondourdaytodayjobsandisaperfectindicationofthe
commitmentanddedicationIseeeverydayamongstyourpeersatDEP,"DEPSecretaryJohn
Quigleysaid."Congratulationsforajobwelldone!"
TheDEPemployeesreceivingtheawardareBradVanderhoof,MattPostlewaite,Melissa
Crow,SeanSinger,John(Jack)CrowandAngelaErde.
(Photo:BradVanderhoof,DEPDrinkingWaterProgramManagerCharlesScalise,
HousingandNeighborhoodDevelopmentServicesofErie,CarlaFalkensteinP.HF.A.,Wendy
Carter,PathStone,RobertDamewoodEsq.,RegionalHousingStaffingServices,Kenneth
Joseph,Esq.,PepperHamilton,LLPandWesleyR.Payne,IV,PresidentEmeritusofthePA
LegalAidNetwork,Inc.)

(Reprintedfromthe
March17DEPNews
.
ClickHere
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
March19
RedClayValleyCleanup
.ChesterCounty.
March19
TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.1:003:00p.m.
March19
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
ManureManagementWorkshop
.HosssSteak
andSeaHouse,121CenterAve.inLeesport.10:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
March19
NEW
.
SpringEquinoxCelebration
.BerksCounty.
March20
CameronCountyAnnualRiverAndRoadwayCleanup
.Emporium.
March21
NEW
.
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)furtherprovidingforTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistricts.Room
140MainCapitol.OfftheFloor.
March21
JointConservationCommitteehearingon
CollapseofPennsylvaniasElectronic
WasteRecyclingProgram
.Room8EAEastWing.9:00. ClickHere
thedayofthehearingfor
alinktothelivewebcastofthehearing.
March21
hearingonincentivizinguseofnaturalgas
.
Room418MainCapitolBuilding.10:00.
March22
NEW
.
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledto
consider
SenateBill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseofalternativeonlotseptic
systemsonthesewagefacilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizecountiesandlocalgovernmentstochargea
recyclingfee(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1145
(YawRLycoming)amendingtheOiland
GasConservationLawtoexemptdrillingcompaniesthatpassthroughtheOnondagaformation
withoutproducingitfroma$5,000permitfee(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishingaPrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscal
Note
andsummary).Room8EBEastWing.9:30.
ClickHere
foralinktowatchthemeeting
live.
March22
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:30.
DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSource
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177832941,
jdiehl@pa.gov
.
FactSheetDCNRBureauofForestryLeasedCampSites
ChesapeakeBayDataSharingAgreement
DraftNationalScienceFoundation350GuidanceDocument
StatusofProposedChangestoChapters71a,72aand73aofSewageRegulations
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
March22
AgendaPosted
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room
206,DEPBureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:
AarenAlger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,
7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.
PreDraftLabReportingForTotalColiform,E.ColiInPublicWaterSystems
PreDraftCryptosporidia,E.ColiandTurbidityLabReportingInstructions
Discussion:TargetQuantitationLimits
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March22
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminar
.WilkesBarre.
March22
LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.
March23
NEW
.
meets,butthe
agendaisnotyetavailable.DEPsChapter78drillingregulationsmaybediscussed.Room
B31MainCapitol.9:30.
March23
AgendaPosted
.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,
286IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMine
Safety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,
NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
StatusOfProximityDetectionSystemsProposedRegulation
EMTIndustrial
PerformanceBasedCableSafetyRequirements
BureauofMineSafetyDirectorPosition
NewRegulationsBook
ClickHere
March23
AgendaPosted
.
DCNRConservationandNaturalResourcesAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DCNRContact:GretchenLeslieat
7177729084orsendemailto:
gleslie@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
DCNRReportDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
PACommitmentToChesapeakeBayProgramDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley,MattKeefer,
AssistantStateForester
PAExplorerConservationToolPANaturalDiversityInventory
ClickHere
March24
AgendaPosted
.
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
FeeIncreasePackagesForNPDES(Chapter92a
application
,
annual
fees)andWaterQuality
Management(
Chapter91
)permits.
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandardsOverview
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandardsChlorideMethodology
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandardsChapter93Annex
ProposedUpdatesToWaterQualityToxicsManagementStrategyPolicy
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March24
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminar
.Harrisburg.
March25
HawkMountainSanctuaryKestrelWebcamEducatorsWorkshop
.BerksCounty.
March25
TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.6:308:30p.m.
March26
NEW
.
LittlePaintCreekCleanup
.CambriaCounty.
March28
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,SusquehannaRoom,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
March29
ElkCountyStreamProtection,WaterQualityWorkshop
.
ElkCountyVisitor
Center
,Benezette.9:00a.m.to3:30p.m.
March29
NEW
.
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
LandownersConservation
ReserveEnhancementProgramWorkshop
.Greensburg.
March29,30,31
NEW
.
PennStateExtensionCommunityForestryShortCourse
.InPerson,
Online.
March30
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
March30
PartnershipForTheDelawareEstuary
Green$avesGreenStormwaterManagement
Workshop
.Phoenixville,ChesterCounty.
March30
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop
.BrandywineRedClayAlliance,WestChester.
March31
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGas
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
March31
RegionalWatershedWorkshop
.Mechanicsburg.
March31
GreenStormwaterInfrastructurePartnersAwardsProgram
.Philadelphia.
March31April1
GreenBuildingAlliance
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
.Pittsburgh.
April1
NEW
.
HawkMountainSanctuarySpringHawkWatchBegins
.
April2
AllianceForChesapeakeBayProjectCleanStream!
ChesapeakeBayWatershed.
April2
FriendsofFortWashingtonStateParkVolunteerWorkDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April4
SpringBlackHistoryAchievementAwardsBanquetRecognizesRalphElwoodBrock
FirstAfricanAmericanForester
.Coraopolis.
April5
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.
1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableandcommentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
April5
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
April5
NEW
.
DEPPeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
.Harrisburg.
April5
NEW
.
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
LessonsLearnedFromBlackRockForest
.
MontgomeryCounty.
April6
NEW
.
HouseHealthCommittee
holdsaninformationmeetingonLymedisease.
Room205RyanBuilding.10:00.
April6
.Scranton.
April6
ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.
April67:
PABarAssociationEnvironmentalLawForum
.Harrisburg.
April7
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
hearingonhuntinglicensefees.Room205
RyanBuilding.10:00.

April7
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.
April7
.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,Building500,400
WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
April8
ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.
April8
NEW
.StateMuseumOfPA,GameCommission
WorkingTogetherForWildlifeArt
ExhibitOpens
.Harrisburg.
April9
NEW
.
,
PotterCountyConservationDistrict
Illegal
DumpsiteCleanup
.Galeton,PotterCounty.
April11
NEW
.
hearingoncleanenergyjobs.Room418
MainCapitol.10:00.
April12
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterPlantOperators
meeting.
10thFloorconferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:CheriSansoni,
BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
April13
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April14
CANCELED.
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April14
.KingofPrussia.
April14
CleanWaterCounts:YorkCountyTownHallReceptionOnWaterQualityIssues
.
Wrightsville.
April1415
RegistrationOpen
.
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.Toftrees
ResortandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
April15
PennStateExtension,
DCNRTreeTendersTraining
.Scranton.
April16
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.Oakdale,
AlleghenyCounty.
April16
NEW
.Clean&GreenHarrisburg,
KeepHarrisburg/DauphinCountyBeautiful4th
AnnualGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
.DauphinCounty.
April18
LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.
April19
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April21
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
meetstoconsider
finalChapter78
DrillingRegulations
.
333MarketSt.,14thFloor,Harrisburg.9:00a.m.
April22
NEW
.
EarthDay
.
April22
BerksCountyConservationDistrictAnnualTreeSeedlingSale
.
April23
CentreCountyWatershedCleanupDay
.
April23
NEW
.
FrenchCreekCleanupDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April23
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.\
April27
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,Bureauof
AirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April30
PAResourcesCouncil
PharmaceuticalCollectionEventsInAlleghenyCounty
.4
Locations.10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
April30
FoodsOfTheDelawareHighlandsDinner
.Hawley,WayneCounty.
May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
May7
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
NorthParkSwimmingPool.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
May7
NEW
.ManadaConservancys
AnnualSpringNativePlantSale
.DauphinCounty.
May10
WildlifeforEveryone
GovernorTomRidgeWetlandsThruTheCameraLensStudent
Program
.CentreCounty.
May1012
PAAmericanWaterWorksAssociationAnnualConferenc
e.BethlehemSands
HotelandCasino,Bethlehem.
May11
PAParks&ForestsFoundation2016AwardsBanquet
.CampHill,Cumberland
County.
May1113
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.
May1315
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.
May1315
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournSayertoSugarRun
.
May14
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
.FrazerTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
May14
FoundationforSustainableForests
LovingTheLandThroughWorkingForests
.
Corry,ErieCounty.
May17
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
May19
NEW
.
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
Lessons
BenefitsOfPark,GardenEcosystems
.
MontgomeryCounty.
May21
PAResourcesCouncil
.CambriaCounty,
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorp.ETFFacility,Johnstown.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
June35
EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.
June7
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)
withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June1217
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournLaceyvilletoShickshinny
.
June1719
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournShickshinnyToSunbury
.
June18
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest.Mt.Lebanon.
June1825
NEW
.
DelawareRiverSojourn
.

June25
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
.LTBA,Allegheny
County.
July9
PAResourcesCouncil
.WashingtonCounty,
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August13
PAResourcesCouncil
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August20
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
.WestMifflin,
AlleghenyCounty.
September17
PAResourcesCouncil
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October1
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
.Robinson
Township,AlleghenyCounty.
October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.
October8
PAResourcesCouncil
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
October2628
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
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regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
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DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
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.
March21
WestBranchSusquehannaRiverOrangeRockAwards
March21
PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March21
PAEPKarlMason,WalterLyonAwards
March24
ChampionOfPAWildsAward
s
March25
MidAtlanticPanelOnAquaticInvasiveSpeciesGrantProposals
March25
GameCommissionSeedlingsForSchoolsProgram
March27
NEW
.
EPAToxicsReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
March30
DelawareHighlandsConservancyCollegeScholarships
March30
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest
March31
DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
March31
DelawareWaterResourcesAssn.CollegeScholarship
March31
SchuylkillActionNetworkScholasticDrinkingWaterAwards
March31
USDAFarmConservationPracticesFundingForPA
April1
PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
April1
CFAAlternativeAndCleanEnergyGrants
April1
NortheastPAAudubonEnvironmentalEdScholarship
April1
NEW
.
WildlifeLeadershipAcademyFieldSchools
April8
EPAEnvironmentalEducationGrants
April13
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April15
USDABedford,BlairFarmConservationPracticesFunding
April15
RecyclingPartnershipGrants
April25
NEW
.
PECPoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
April26
EPACleanDieselGrants
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30
NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
April30
YorkLancasterCountiesHabitatImprovementGrants
May
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3
EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May16
EPAPresidentialEnvironmentalEducationInnovationAward
May31
$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June3
GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30
CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30
CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July
July
July8
NEW
.
ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
September
September
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants
Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Air
PA,10OtherStatesFailToSubmitSulfurDioxideReductionPlans
MildWinter,WarmUpCouldTriggerEarlyAllergySeason
Alternative/RenewableEnergy
Awards/Recognition
Beautification
DonoraToReceivePennStateCommunityGarden
Budget
ChesapeakeBay
Study:ChesapeakeBayThreatenedByNutrientsFlowingPastConowingoDay
OpEd:LetsHealTheSickSusquehannaRiver
Editorial:CourtRightToUpholdChesapeakeBayPollutionDiet
Climate
PLS:PACleanPowerClimatePlanPutOnLowBoil
AlleghenyFront:KasichOnClimateChange,Environment
Editorial:UNClimateFund,MoreQuackery
Editorial:NewSeaLevelRiseCallsForAction
ComplianceAction
DeepMineSafety
DeepMineSafetyTrainingDrillAtLackawannaMineTour
DrinkingWater
BerksRoadsideWaterVendorClaimsVindicationAfterLatestTests
UtilitiesDontKnowWhereLeadPipesAre
PATopsNationInDaycares,SchoolsWithLeadInWaterSuppliesTheyOwn
2YorkCountySitesFlaggedWithLeadInWater
PittsburghWaterAuthorityBillsCustomer$5Million
EconomicDevelopment
AdvocatesPushForPhiladelphiaLowIncomeHousingImpactFee
MarcellusDownturnCausesBakerHughesToClose$40MFacility
Education
EnergyPolicy
JessupGasFiredPowerPlantGetsFinalStatePermitInLackawanna
ElizabethTwpGasFiredPowerPlantLeadsToZoningDebate
NaturalGasToSurpassCoalInElectricGeneration
CarnegieMellonsInstituteGainsExposureWithEnergyWeek
WestPennMarks100YearsOfElectricService
GrantsWonByPittsburghProjectsOnEnergy,Music,Art
EnergyEfficiency
PUCApproves$475MPECOPlanForSavingEnergy
FirstEnergySmartMetersComeToErie
EnvironmentalHeritage
HistoricalMarkerSetForLuzerneMiningGroup
AnthraciteHeritageMuseumCelebratesStateCharterDay
LackawannaCoalMineNominatedForUSATodaysContest
Flooding
Forests
RainHasSquelchedDauphinCountyWildfire
Frost,RainCouldHelpExtinguishMountainFire
Luzerne,DCNRDetailPlansForGypsyMothSpraying
TreePhillyOfferingSaplings,FamousPlanter
GreenInfrastructure
Litter/IllegalDumpCleanup
MineReclamation
DEPToSpend$13.4MToRemoveOldCoalPile
HuberCoalBreakerOwnersHave10DaysToBeginCleanup
Oil&Gas
EffortsUnderWayToFindAbandonedGas,OilWells
MarcellusShaleHealthRegistryStalls
Editorial:ApparentlyJurorsLikeCleanWater
Editorial:CabotsLossInCourtWarnsDrillingIndustry
GasRoyaltiesBillBackInTheSpotlight
BillWouldProhibitDrillingCompaniesFromTakingRoyaltyDeductions
OpEd:StopOverRegulationOfPANaturalGasIndustry
MarcellusDownturnCausesBakerHughesToClose$40MFacility
WashingtonCountyLooksForReboundInGasDrilling
PennVirginiaEnergyReportsAMiserableYea
r
InReversal,ObamaBansAtlanticOceanDrilling
AlleghenyFront:OilTrainsCarryBiggerRisksForPeopleOfColor
StoringCrudeOilInRailCarsNotWidespread
LowFuelPricesEqualsSavingsForWestmorelandSchools
PittsburghGasolinePricesApproach$2/Gallon
LehighValleyGasolinePricesRisesTo$2Again
Permitting
DEPGivesBelatedOKToBridgeRebuildWithoutPermit
Pipelines
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
Sustainability
TeddysGreatGrandsonBringsEnvironmentalPushToPittsburgh
ChambersburgSeeksSustainableCommunityDesignation
WastewaterTreatment
ValleyForgeSewageSpillCostsGoToCourt
WatershedProtection
Study:ChesapeakeBayThreatenedByNutrientsFlowingPastConowingoDay
OpEd:LetsHealTheSickSusquehannaRiver
Editorial:CourtRightToUpholdChesapeakeBayPollutionDiet
MeetMontgomeryCountyWatershedVolunteerGeoffreySelling
DelawareRiverkeeperMarch11RiverwatchVideoReport
TroutUnlimitedReinventingPreciousColdwaterStreams
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
RealMarchMadnessAwaitsOutdoors
PopularMentoredYouthTroutFishingDaysReturnMarch26,April9
Video:AmphibianCrossingAtDelawareWaterGapSignalsSpring
NorthAlleghenyGradHelpsSolveTullyMonsterEnigma
Other
Lawmakers:MoreOversightOnMunicipalAuthorities
ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDEPBoardOfCoalMineSafety
publishednotice
ofproposedregulationsintheMarch19
PABulletinrelatingtoproximitydetectionsystems.CommentsaredueApril18.
TheDelawareRiverBasinCommissionpublishednoticeoffinalregulationsintheMarch19PA
Bulletinrelatingtothereviewofwaterwithdrawalprojects(
PABulletin,page1417
).
PennsylvaniaBulletinMarch19,2016
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
intheMarch19PABulletinextendingby
technicalguidancetheonepoundReidVaporPressurewaivernowinlaw,butduetoexpireon
May1,2016.TheSenateAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeTuesdayreportedout
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendingtheonepoundwaiverandthebillisnowonthe
SenateCalendarforaction.Questionsregardingthisguidanceshouldbedirectedto
AgriculturesBureauofRideandMeasurementStandardsbycalling7177879089.

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheMarch19PABulletinof
finaltechnicalguidanceonPermitTransfersforCoalandNoncoalOperators.Questions
regardingthistechnicalguidancedocumentshouldbedirectedtoGregGreenfield,7177873174
orsendemailto:
grgreenfie@pa.gov
.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
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tosign
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DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
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Pa Environment Digest March 21, 2016

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