Pa Environment Digest June 2, 2014

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaJune2,2014
PECOpposesBillMandatingDifferentEnvironmentalSafeguardsForConventionalWells
ThePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil
Tuesdaysentacommunicationtothe
PennsylvaniaStateSenatetoexpressits
oppositiontotherecentlyintroducedSenate
Bill1378(ScrantaiRJefferson,
HutchinsonRVenango)(P.N.2053).
PaulKing,PresidentandCEOof
PEC,madethefollowingstatementin
associationwiththecommunication:Senate
Bill1378isastepinthewrongdirection.Ata
timewhenwearestillwaitingforpromulgation
ofnewnaturalgasregulationsfromalawthatpassedmorethantwoyearsago,thislegislationseeksto
furtherlimitprotectionstandards.
Asmanynaturalgasoperatorshavedoneattheirowninitiative,includingincooperative
fashionthroughtheCenterforSustainableShaleDevelopment,weshouldbelookingforwaysto
improveperformanceandprotectionnotcarvingoutnewexemptions.
IfPennsylvaniatrulywantstobealeaderinresponsibleresourcedevelopment,theGeneral
AssemblyshouldpromptlyrejectSenateBill1378.
(Photo:conventionaloilandgaswellsintheAlleghenyNationalForest.)
Thetextofthecommunicationfollows:
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,Iamwritingtoexpressourstrong
oppositiontoSenateBill1378(P.N.2053)whichwouldestablishthePennsylvaniaConventionalOil
andGasWellRegulationsAct.
SenateBill1378directstheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandEnvironmental
QualityBoardtoestablishseparateregulationsforconventionalandunconventionalgaswellsin
Pennsylvania.Thisrequirementwouldextendtoallenvironmentalprotectionlawsinthe
Commonwealth.
Bothconventionalandunconventionalwellsposepotentialriskstohumanhealthandthe
environment,includingonoroffsitespillsofwastewaterorothercontaminants,erosionand
sedimentationissues,methanemigrationfromsubsurfacedisturbance,airemissions,andotherimpacts.
DespiteSenateBill1378sassertion,conventionalwelldevelopmentisnotinherentlybenign.
SenateBill1378sflawiscompoundedbythefactthatthelegislationfollowsanartificial
distinctionbetweenconventionalandunconventionalgaswells.Thebilldistinguishesconventional
andunconventionaloperationssolelybydepthofthetargetformationbelowtheElkSandstoneor
itsgeologicequivalent.
Hereswhythisissoimportant:thisdistinctiondoesnotaccountforthetechnologyor
technique(forexample,hydraulicfracturing)usedbyanoperator.Infact,SenateBill1378goesastep
furthertoexpresslystatethatthetechnologyordesignofawellisinconsequentialtoitscharacterization
asconventionalorunconventional(see,forexample,page2,line23ofthelegislation).
Therefore,pursuanttothislegislation,anyoperator,regardlessofthesizeofthecompany,
couldconducthighvolumefracturingatshallowdepthsandstillbedeemedconventionalandthus
subjecttoreducedprotectionstandards.Itbearsnotingthatfracturingatshallowerformationscanpose
evengreaterriskstogroundanddrinkingwaterresources.
Thisarbitrarydistinction,whichhasitrootsinAct13of2012,iswhollyinappropriateasa
benchmarkforsettingenvironmentalprotectionstandards.
SenateBill1378createsanewandpotentiallyvastexemptionfornaturalgasoperations,
undercuttingnecessaryenvironmentalprotectionsforonsitecontainment,drinkingandsurfacewater
protection,airemissions,andothersitingandcontrolstandards.
ThislegislationgoesdirectlyagainsttheimportofthePennsylvaniaSupremeCourtsdecision
lastDecemberwithrespecttoAct13andthesufficiencyofenvironmentalprotectioninregulating
naturalgasdevelopment.
TheGeneralAssemblyshouldnotviolatethepublictrustbytakingstepstofurtherweakenthe
protectionsaffordedtoitscitizensandenvironment.
Weaskthatyouopposethislegislation.Thankyouforyourconsideration.
Background:ConventionalWellDrillingInPAByPAEnvironmentDigest
ConventionaloilandgaswellsareasignificantthreattoPennsylvaniasenvironmentifnot
properlyregulatedandincreasinglyfrackingisusedtogetmoreproductionoutofconventionaloiland
gaswells,justlikeunconventionalMarcellusShalewells.
Since1859some325,000conventionaloilandgaswellshavebeendrilledinPennsylvania,of
whichanestimated200,000wellsareabandonedandunpluggedcreatingapathwayforair,soiland
groundandsurfacewaterpollutionthroughoutthestate.
Ithasonlybeensince1956thestatehasrequiredpermitsfornewdrillingoperations.Itwas
notuntil1984whenwelloperatorswererequiredtoplugnonproducingwellstheydrilledand
standardsweresetforwellconstructionandoperation.
Theenvironmentalthreatfromimproperlyconstructedandpluggedconventionaloilandgas
wellswassogreatthatthe1984lawOilandGasActcreatedtheAbandonedandOrphanedWell
Program.
Somefundingforabandonedwellpluggingwasprovidedinthe1984law,howeveritwas
expendedintheoriginalGrowingGreenerProgramandsupplementedinthe2012withtheAct13law
regulatingunconventionaloilandgaswells.
TheGeneralAssemblywasclearlyconcernedenoughbyconventionaloilandgasdrillinginthe
pasttoestablishenvironmentalstandardsandfindwaystodealwiththeenvironmentalhazardsthey
create.
LegislationidenticaltoSenateBill1378isexpectedtobeintroducedintheHouseshortly.
NewsClips:
RendellDCNROfficialsTestifyAtCourtHearingOnStateLeasing
InjunctionSoughtToBlockAdditionalStateForestDrilling
CourtHearsTestimonyInLawsuitToStopStateForestDrillingPlan
CourtHearsRequestToBlockStateForestLeasing
EnvironmentalGroupsFilesToStopMoreStateGasLeasing
OpEd:FrackingHasGoneFarEnoughInPennsWoods
OpEd:ItsAGoodThingPAIsNotAnAntiFrackingState
Editorial:StateForestsAlreadyHostPlentyOfGasDrilling
Editorial:CorbettTakesProtectionAwayFromSensitiveLands
Corbett:NoInterestInAddingNaturalGasSeveranceTax
Bumsted:HandicappingAShaleExtractionTax
CabotDrillingCompanyWinsGovernorsCommunityImpactAward
FormerRendellOfficialsNowSayMarcellusNaturalGasDrillingExploitedStateForests
StateImpact,thePatriotNews,PostGazetteandtheCitizens
VoiceThursdayreportedformerDCNRofficalsintheRendell
Administrationnowsaytheleasingof137,000acresofState
ForestlandfordrillingexploitedStateForestsasacashcow.
Theremarksweremadeduringthefirstdayof
argumentsbeforeCommonwealthCourtinalawsuitthePA
EnvironmentalDefenseFundfiledagainsttheRendelland
CorbettAdministrationsoverthetransferover$383millionin
proceedsinDCNRsOilandGasFundtobalancethestate
GeneralFund.
Capitolwire.comprovidedapreviewoftheCourthearingTuesday.
Thenewspapersreportedtestimonyanddocumentsenteredintoevidenceforthelawsuitsaid
MichaelDiBerardinis,Rendell'sDCNRSecretaryatthetime,sentRendellamemoonMarch27,
2009,inwhichhetoldthegovernor:"WholesaleleasingwilldamageourStateForestlandscape.It
wouldscartheeconomic,scenic,ecological,andrecreationalvaluesoftheforestespeciallythemost
wildandremoteareasofourstateinthePennsylvaniaWilds."
JimGrace,formerStateForesterwithDCNRnotedtheRendellleasesin2010set"aterrible
precedent"byorderingtheexploitationofthestateforestforquickcashregardlessoftheimpacts.
"It'sdictatingfromoutsidehowmanyacresshouldbedevelopedwithoutconsideringanyofthe
otheruses,"saidGrace,whichfliesinthefaceofthemissionofDCNRandmightpossiblyviolatethe
state'sroleoftrusteeofthepublicresourcesunderthetermsofArticle1Section27ofthestate
constitution.
FormerDCNRSecretaryJohnQuigleyunderRendellechoedGrace:"Wedetermined
(additionalleasing)wasnotinthebestinterestsoftheCommonwealth,andyetwewereorderedtodo
twomoreroundsofleasing."
Quigleyaddedaprovisioninsertedinthe2009FiscalCoderequiringmoreleasingofState
Forestlandtogenerate$180millioninrevenuetobalancethestatebudgetwas"aneffectiverepealof
the1955oilandgasleasefundact.
"Wewerebeingforcedtoraisealmostanotherquarterbilliondollarswithoutregardtothe
agency'smission,"saidQuigley."ThegovernorandGeneralAssemblywerecomingverycloseto
slaughteringthecashcow."
QuigleyandDCNRdidofferanother31,968acresofStateForestforleasinginNovemberof
2009.
Hesaidinapressreleaseatthetime,"Ourapproachtomakingstatelandsavailablefornatural
gasdrillinghasalwaysbeentolimittheimpactonthesurfaceandonotherusesoftheland.We'vebeen
exceptionallymindfulofourobligationsaswedevelopedthisplantobalanceourenvironmental
responsibilitiesandthebudget."
Hewentontoexplain,that"Foraboutayear,DCNRhasbeenworkingtopreparealease
sale.Wechosethesetractsoflandafterextensiveenvironmentalreviewstoprotectthehealthofthe
forestnowandinthefuture,toallowforgasandtimberextractionandpublicrecreation,andtokeep
ecosystemsintactthatsupportadiversityofwildlifeandplants.Intotal,thesetractsrepresentalittle
morethan1.5percentofourtotalstateforestland.
DuringahearingoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteein2009after
theannouncementofadditionalacreageforleasing,QuigleysaidDCNRdoesnothavetheresourcesto
policeStateForestMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrillingasitrampsupoverthenextfewyears.
InMarchof2010thePAEnvironmentalDefenseFundgavenoticeofitsintenttofilealawsuit
topreventtheleasingandtransferoffundssaying,"TheFoundationbelievesandaversthatyour
(RendellAdministrations)proposaltoleaseadditionalStateForestlandtosupplementtheBudgetfor
theCommonwealthfortheyear2010with$180,000,000isadecisionthatwillrisktheecological
integrityofourStateForestsystemandisthereforeanunlawfuldecisionbyyouunderArticleI,Section
27ofPennsylvania'sConstitution,JohnChilde,attorneyforthePAEnvironmentalDefenseFund,
explained.
Headded,"ThisAmendmentprovidesselfexecutingrightstoallthepeopleofthe
Commonwealth,andenumeratesadutyastrusteeoverPennsylvania'spubliclands,forthebenefitofall
thepeopleoftheCommonwealth.AsgovernoroftheCommonwealthyoubearthespecific
responsibilityforensuringtherightsandprotectionsetforthinthisAmendment.Theserightsare
mandatory,notdiscretionary.Youdonothavetheauthoritytoviolatethem.
"Asyouknow,thepurposeoftheOilandGasLeaseFund,thelegislativelycreatedfundwhere
moneyfromleasingstatelandsforoilandgasexplorationisrequiredtobeinvested,istoprotectand
preservetheCommonwealth'sStateForestSystemandnottosupplementtheStateBudget.
"Asyouarealsoaware,thereisnoneedtorequireadditionalleasingofStateForestland.The
impositionofaSeveranceTaxwouldmorethanmakeupfortheproposedleasing.
TheDefenseFundactuallyfiledthelawsuitinMarchof2012.
ThepracticeofsupportingStateParkandStateForestoperationsthroughtransferfromtheOIl
andGasFundbegunundertheRendellAdministrationwascontinuedunderGov.Corbettwho
proposedinFebruarytotransferupto$75millionfromtheOilandGasFundtosupportparkand
forestoperations.
Gov.CorbettalsoissuedanExecutiveOrderlastweeklayingoutthegroundrulesforanynew
drillingonStateForestorStateParklands.
ClickHereforafactsheetontheExecutiveOrderandNonsurfaceDisturbanceLeasingof
DCNRLands.Formoreinformation,visitDCNRsNaturalGasDevelopmentandStateForests
webpage.
OnJune2theHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingontheproposaltoexpand
gasdrillingleasingonStateForest,StateParklandsinRoom418oftheCapitolstartingat10:00.
TheCommonwealthCourthearingistoresumeonMondayandTuesday.
NewsClips:
Environmental,OtherGroupsOpposeMoreStateForestDrilling
Civic,religiousandenvironmentalgroupsThursdaycalledonGov.TomCorbetttoreversehisdecision
topermitadditionalleasingofmineralrightsinstateparksandforestsfornaturalgasdrillingduringa
newsconferenceorganizedbyRep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
"Thisisbadpublicpolicy,"saidrep.Vitali."IfGov.Corbettwantstoraiseadditionalrevenues
fromgasdrillingheshouldimposeaseverancetaxinstead."
TheRev.SandraL.StraussfromthePennsylvaniaCouncilofChurchessaidthegovernor's
decisionviolatesthePennsylvaniaconstitution,whichcallsforthelandtobepreservedforallnow
andintothefutureandnotesthatpublicnaturalresourcesarecommonproperty.
"Ourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillinherittheenvironmentalproblemsweleavebehind,"
Strausssaid."Futuregenerationsalreadyfacetremendousdebts.It'suptoustospeakup,reminding
ourgovernorandourGeneralAssemblyoftheirdutytoupholdPennsylvania'sConstitution,andraising
ourfaithvoicestocallforahalttothegovernor'sdisgracefulaction."
PennsylvaniaSierraClubChapterDirectorJoanneKilgoursaidtheimpactsofdrillingare
alreadybeingfeltonstatelands,andshenotedthatfrom2008to2012,morethan300noticesof
violationswereissuedtogasdrillingrelatedcompaniesforincidentssuchasbrinespillsandresidual
wastedischarges.Anexpansionofdrilling,shesaid,wouldmakemattersworse.
"Thissummer,asyouarehikingwithyourspouse,teachingyourchildrentofish,andpicnicking
alongthebanksofacleantroutstream,imaginetheloud,pollutingnoiseofacompressorstationor
hundredsoflarge,industrialtruckspassingbyonthewaytoanearbywellpad,"Kilgoursaid.
DelawareRiverkeeperMayaVonRossumsaidthegovernor'sorderwillinvite,inspireand
spawnindustrialdevelopmentalongstateparksandforests,andeventuallypavethewayforthestateto
openparksentirelyfordrilling.
AlsospeakingwerePennFuturePolicyDirectorSteveStroman,PennEnvironmentAdvocate
KristenCevoli,CleanWaterActionCentralPennsylvaniaCampaignCoordinatorNathanSooy,
PennsylvaniaLeagueofWomenVotersPresidentSusanCartyandRalphKisbergfromtheResponsible
DrillingAlliance.
Fortyfourpercentofstateforestland,or673,000acres,alreadyissubjecttoMarcellusshale
drilling.
Meanwhile,Rep.VitaliisawaitingdetailsfromtheCorbettadministrationaboutplansfor
expandedgasdrilling.ThePennsylvaniaOfficeofOpenRecordslastweekgrantedRep.Vitali'sappeal
seekingdetailsaboutCorbettsplantoraisethe$75millionthroughtheadditionalleasingofmineral
rights.
Rep.Vitalisoughtinformationaboutwhatparksandforestsareunderconsiderationfordrilling,
howmanyacreswouldbeleased,whichcompanieswillbedoingthedrillingandhowthe$75million
figurewascalculated.
Hehasyettohearfromtheadministration,andsaidtheinformationisneededtoproperly
considerthebudgetthatGeneralAssemblywillvoteonnextmonth.
Gov.CorbettissuedanExecutiveOrderlastweeklayingoutthegroundrulesforanynew
webpage.
OnJune2theHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingontheproposaltoexpand
gasdrillingleasingonStateForest,StateParklandsinRoom418oftheCapitolstartingat10:00.
NewsClips:
BudgetPreview:28DaysBeforeStateBudgetDeadline,WillZackAndMiriGetARaise?
ThedeadlinetohaveastateGeneralFundbudgetinplaceisJuly1.WhentheSenateandHousereturn
tosessiononJune2theywillhave28daysleftbeforeabudgetshouldbedone.
TheIndependentFiscalOfficesaidinitsmostrecentestimatesstaterevenuesareprojectedto
bedown$608millionforFY201314andanother$990millionforFY201415totalinganearly$1.6
billionbudgethole.
ActualfiscalyeartodateGeneralFundcollectionsaredown$424.5million,accordingto
Aprilsrevenuefigures.OnJune2weshouldgetthelatestfiguresonMayrevenueswhichwillshed
morelightonthedeficitSenateandHouseRepublicansandGov.Corbettwillhavetodealwith.
Capitolwire.comreportedFridaySenateMajorityLeaderDominicPileggi(RDelaware)told
Capitolnewsreportersbudgettalkswereatanearlystageandwhiletherehasbeentalkabouta
severancetaxasasourceofadditionalrevenue,theirfirstapproachistodiscussaspendingplanthat
matchesavailablerevenues.
Sen.Pileggisaidtherearealistof20or30potentialrevenuegeneratingideasandaseverance
taxisoneofthem.
Hesaidasofnowthereisa$1.2billionrevenuehole,butthedeficitappearstobeabitworse.
Educationfundingisperhapsthemostsensitivepartofthediscussion.
OntheHouseside,Rep.JosephMarkosek(DAllegheny),MinorityChairoftheHouse
AppropriationsCommittee,putouthisviewsofGeneralFundexpendituresandrevenueoptionslisting
everythingfromanincreaseintobaccotaxestoanaturalgasseverancetax.
Onthecuttingcostsside(whichnoonereallylikestodobecauseitoffendspeople,especiallyin
anelectionyear)thereistheclearneedtoreducestateemployeeandschoolemployeepensioncosts
whichgoupevenmoredramaticallyinthecomingyears.
Competingplanshavebeenintroduced,hearingshavebeenheld,actuarialnotesprepared,
analyseswritten,butotherthankillingalotoftrees,notmuchprogresshasbeenmade.
Suggestionsforfillingthebudgetgapcomeinseveralflavors,eachofthembittertoonegroup
oranotheranewseverancetaxonnaturalgasproduction(opposedby95percentofRepublicans),
potentiallyexpandinggaminginthestate(couldbe,butwillbeaheavyliftonwhereextrarevenueswill
go),someformofliquorprivatization(whichSenateandHouseRepublicansdontagreeonandnever
have)andexpandingMedicaidtotakeadvantageofshorttermfederalfundingfortheprogram(which
Democratslove,andRepublicansandtheGovernoroppose).
Gov.CorbettlastweekalsoissuedanewExecutiveOrderoutliningthegroundrulesforleasing
additionalStateParkandStateForestlandswhichheestimatesmaybringinupto$75milliontofund
parkandforestprojects.HequicklynotesneitherhiscurrentbudgetnorhisEnhancedPennsWoods
initiativerelyonthisadditionalfunding.
TheresalwaysthechancetheGeneralAssemblywillcobbletogethersomeincomebyraiding
somespecialfundsthatarestillsomewhathealthy.InyearspasttheyraidedtheMcareMedical
MalpracticeInsuranceFund,theStorageTankIndemnificationFund,theKeystoneRecreation,Park
andConservationFund,theOilandGasFund,theRecyclingFundandmore.
Ofcoursetheycanalsodothingslikedelaypaymentstonursinghomes,municipalities,school
districtsandotherpayeesbythreemonthsorsixmonthstopushthepaymentsintotheanotherfiscal
yearanduseotheronetimegimmicks.
Shadingrevenueprojectionsisanotherpopular,honoredtactic.
Theyalsosometimesgotheotherway,liketheseriousproposaltoincreasethePAFilm
DevelopmentTaxCreditfromitspresent$60millionayeartowhateverZack&Miriwantbyremoving
thecaponthecredit.Zack&Miri?
Yes,thePAFilmTaxCredithassupportedthemakingofsomeverymemorablemovies,like
the2008classicZack&MiriMakeAPorno.
Duringbudgetseason,folkscanbevery,verycreative.
Lastyear,withasomewhatsmallerbudgethole,theHousedidnotpassitsfirstGeneralFund
budgetbilluntilJune12andtookfinalactiononJune30,withthefollowonbudgetimplementingbills
comingmuchlater.
In2012,theSenatewasthefirsttopassabudgetbillonMay9andtheHousepassedthefinal
versiononJune28,withtheimplementingbills.
Forthreeyears,oneoftheCorbettAdministrationsmantrashasbeenpassinganontime
budgetbeforeJuly1(orjustslightlybefore).Wellseehowclosetheycomethisyear.
TheSenateandHousewillbeinvotingsessionJune2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,
25,26,27,28,29,30.
Lotsofworktobedone.
NewsClips:
BigDecisionsAwaitLawmakersReturningToHarrisburg
DelawareCountyHighSchoolTeamClaimsStateEnvirothonHonors
StudentsofPenncrestHighSchoolin
DelawareCountywalkedoffwith
firstplacehonorsaftercompetingMay
20and21inthe31stPennsylvania
StateEnvirothonatSusquehanna
UniversityandPPLMontourPreserve.
The2014statechampions
scored522.33pointsofapossible600
whilecompetingthisyearwithstudent
teamsfrom64ofPennsylvanias67
counties.Otherwinningteamsandtheir
scoreswere:
SecondPlace,YHSA
Homeschoolers,YorkCounty,witha
scoreof520third,CarmichaelsAreaHighSchool,GreeneCounty,510fourth,PalmyraAreaHigh
School,LebanonCounty,482fifth,DowningtownEastHighSchool,ChesterCounty,481.33sixth,
RedbankValleyHighSchool,ClarionCounty,473seventh,NeshaminyHighSchool,BucksCounty,
453.67eighth,CentralValleyHighSchool,BeaverCounty,447.33ninth,BlueMountainHighSchool,
Schuylkill446.67andtenth,LewisburgAreaHighSchool,UnionCounty,445.67.
AttheEnvirothon,fivememberteamsparticipateinaseriesoffieldstationtestsfocusingonfive
topicareas:soilsandlanduse,aquaticecology,forestry,wildlifeandenvironmentalissues.The2014
currentenvironmentalissuefocusedonSustainableAgriculture/BuyingLocal.
Theteamsalsopreparedanddeliveredoralpresentationstopanelsofjudgeswhoevaluateeach
teamonitsproblemsolvingcapabilities,oralpresentationskillsandrecommendationstohelpsolvethe
specificenvironmentalchallenge,whichrelatestothecurrentenvironmentalissue.
Participatingteamsrepresentedthebestandthebrightestofthethousandsofhighschoolteens
whohavecompetedincountyEnvirothoncompetitionssponsoredbyconservationdistrictsfromacross
thestate.
Atthestatelevel,theEnvirothonissponsoredbyPennsylvaniassixtysixconservationdistricts,
theStateConservationCommission,andthePAAssociationofConservationDistricts.Theprogramis
managedbyaboardofdirectorsrepresentingthosesponsors.
Technicalexpertiseisprovidedbythefollowing:DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,GameCommission,FishandBoatCommission,
U.S.D.A.NaturalResourcesConservationServiceandthePennsylvaniaFarmersUnion.
Sponsorsandpartnersofthe2014Envirothonare:PPLCorp.,MarcellusShaleCoalition,Shell
OilCo.,AirProductsFoundation,PhiladelphiaInsuranceCompanies,AccessMidstream,CanonUSA,
Envirothon,departmentsofAgriculture,EnvironmentalProtection,andEducation,Pa.Trappers
Association,Pa.AssociationofConservationDistricts,andtheStateConservationCommission.
TheHersheyCo.,DwightLewisLumber,LewisLumberProducts,PPL,andCargillare
corporatestationsponsors.
Winnersofthe2014PennsylvaniaEnvirothonstatecompetitionwillberecognizedasthestate
championsandwillreceiveadditionalscholarshipfundingoraneducationalexcursiononthe
ChesapeakeBay.
ThePennsylvaniaEnvirothonawardedscholarshipstothefirst,second,andthirdplaceteams.
ThescholarshipsweresponsoredbyPennsylvaniasCountyConservationDistrictsandPennsylvania
Envirothon.Eachofthetoptenteamsreceivedaplaqueandotherprizes.
FormoreinformationontheEnvirothonprogram,contactyourcountyconservationdistrict,visit
thePennsylvaniaEnvirothonwebsite,call8146238099orsendemailto:
paenvirothon@pennswoods.net.
(ReprintedfromtheMay28DCNRResourcenewsletter.ClickHereandgotothebottomofthe
pagetosignupforyourowncopy.AndtheMay29DEPNews.ClickHeretosignupforyour
owncopy.)
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togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule(Updated)/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa
listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(June2):HouseBill202(HarperRMontgomery)prohibitingstandbywaterservicecharges
forfirecompaniesHouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimumroyalty
paymentinstatelawHouseBill1699(RossRChester)providingfortheregulationofairemissions
frombackupgeneratorsHouseBill2104(GodshallRMontgomery)furtherprovidingforconsumer
protectionsinvariablerateelectricsuppliercontractsHouseResolution249(SwangerRLebanon)
supportingincreaseddevelopmentanddeliveryofoilfromNorthAmericanoilreservessponsor
summary.<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(June2):HouseBill1672(MillerRYork)providingforthetestingofnewenergyefficient
technologiessummaryandHouseFiscalNote.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
NOTE:It'sJune,sowatchforlotsoflastminuteSenate,HouseCommitteemeetings!
House:theAppropriationsCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1254(YudichakDLuzerne)
amendingthePlumbingSystemLeadBanandNotificationActsponsorsummarytheEnvironmental
ResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1236(YawRLycoming)
authorizingroyaltyinterestownersofoilandgaswellstoinspectrecordsofgascompaniestoverify
properpaymentsSenateBill1237(YawRLycoming)prohibitinggascompaniesfromretaliating
againstroyaltyinterestownersofoilandgaswellsbyterminatingtheirleaseagreementSenateFiscal
NoteSenateBill1238(YawRLycoming)requiringgascompaniestofillasatisfactionpieceinthe
countyRecorderofDeedsofficewhenoilandgasleasesareterminatedSenateFiscalNoteHouse
Bill2264(MillerRYork)increasingnuclearpowerplantfeessponsorsummarytheGameand
FisheriesCommitteeholdsaninformationalmeetingonHouseResolution129(CauserRCameron)
directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoinvestigatethefeasibilityofcombiningthe
GameandFishandBoatCommissionsadoptedMay13,2013theHouseDemocraticPolicy
CommitteeholdsahearingontheproposaltoexpandgasdrillingleasingonStateForest,StatePark
landstheHumanServicesCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill177
(GreenleafRMontgomery)creatingtheLymeDiseaseTaskForcesponsorsummary.<>Click
HereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:theEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1262
(FontanaDAllegheny)providingforprivatelateralsewagelinerepairfundingsponsorsummary,
SenateBill1256(WardRWestmoreland)establishingtheHeritageAreasPrograminlawsponsor
summary,SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearpowerplantfeessponsorsummary.
<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach
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
UnconventionalWellReporting:HouseBill2278(PickettRBradford)requiringmonthly
productionreportsfromunconventional(MarcellusShale)gaswellssponsorsummary.
MarcellusShaleOmbudsman:SenateBill1371(StackDPhiladelphia)creatingtheMarcellusShale
OmbudsmanOfficewithinDEPandestablishingcomplaintinvestigationproceduressponsor
summary.
SessionSchedule(Updated)
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
House
June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
Senate
June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
FallSchedule
September15,16,22,23,24
October6,7,8,14,15
November12
NewsFromTheCapitol
SenateEnvironmentalCommitteeConsidersNuclearPlantFees,HeritageAreaBillsJune3
TheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeisscheduledtomeetJune3toconsider
legislationtoincreasenuclearpowerplantfees,establishingtheHeritageAreasPrograminlawandto
fundprivatelateralsewagelinerepairs.Thebillsinclude
SenateBill1262(FontanaDAllegheny)providingforprivatelateralsewagelinerepairfunding
sponsorsummary
summaryand
SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearpowerplantfeessponsorsummary.
ThemeetingwillbeinRoom8EBoftheEastWingstartingat9:30.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),servesasMajorityChairandSen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)
servesasMinorityChair.
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeConsidersGasRoyalty,NuclearPlantFeesBillsJune4
TheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeisscheduledtomeetonJune4toconsider
threeSenatebillsaddressingoilandgaswellroyaltyissuesandlegislationtoincreasenuclearpower
plantfees.Thebillsinclude
SenateBill1236(YawRLycoming)authorizingroyaltyinterestownersofoilandgaswellsto
inspectrecordsofgascompaniestoverifyproperpayments
SenateBill1237(YawRLycoming)prohibitinggascompaniesfromretaliatingagainstroyalty
interestownersofoilandgaswellsbyterminatingtheirleaseagreementSenateFiscalNote
SenateBill1238(YawRLycoming)requiringgascompaniestofillasatisfactionpieceinthecounty
RecorderofDeedsofficewhenoilandgasleasesareterminatedSenateFiscalNoteand
HouseBill2264(MillerRYork)increasingnuclearpowerplantfeessponsorsummary.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoomB31oftheMainCapitolstartingat10:00.
Rep.RonMiller(RYork)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandRep.GregVitali
(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChair.
HouseDemocratsToHoldHearingOnAdditionalGasDrillingProposalJune2
TheHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeisscheduledtoholdahearingontheproposaltoexpandgas
drillingleasingonstatelandsonJune2.
Scheduledtotestifyare:JohnQuigley,Principal,JohnH.Quigley,LLC.FormerDCNR
SecretaryJohnChilde,Attorney,PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalDefenseFoundationMarkSzybist,
Attorney,PennFutureJohnNorbeck,VicePresidentandCOO,PennFutureandCurtAshenfelter,
ExecutiveDirector,KeystoneTrailsAssociation.
ThehearingwillbeinRoom418oftheCapitolBuildingstartingat10:00a.m.
Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee,isorganizingthehearing.
Gov.CorbettissuedanExecutiveOrderlastweeklayingoutthegroundrulesforanynew
webpage.
NewsClips:
Rep.HeffleyAnnouncesWasteCoalEnergyAndReclamationTaxCreditBill
InanefforttopromotethereclamationofformercoalminingsitesacrosstheCommonwealth,Reps.
DoyleHeffley(RCarbon)andJaretGibbons(DLawrence)Wednesdayannouncedtheintroductionof
HouseBill2265creatingaWasteCoalEnergyandReclamationTaxCredit.
CarbonCountyowessomuchofitshistoryandheritagetocoalmining,saidRep.Heffley.
However,thereisplentyoflandacrossthecountyandCommonwealththatstillshowstheimpactof
miningdonebeforethe1970s.Weneedtodowhatwecantopromotetherevitalizationofthesesites.
Creatingalternativeenergyfromcoalrefuseishelpingtoaddresstheenvironmentaldamage
causedbybadcoalmanagementpractices,Rep.Gibbonssaid.Theprocesscreatescleanenergyand
thousandsofjobs,whilealsocontributingtothecleanupandreclamationofabandonedminelandand
waterways.Thisbillwouldhelpthosecompaniesinthefaceofavolatileanddepressedenergymarket.
UnderHouseBill2265,thetaxcreditwouldgotowardcompaniesinvolvedintheconversionof
wastecoal.Duringthisprocess,coalrefusestockpiles(alsoknownasculmbanks)andareusedto
createenergy.Thisprocesshascreatedthousandsofjobsatwastecoalpowerplantsacrossthestate.
Thispastwinterwasextremelydifficultforpowerproducersacrossthestateduetotheclosing
ofseveralcoalpowerplantsandmostimportantlyforfamiliesfacingrisingenergycosts,Rep.Heffley
added.Effortstocleanupwastecoalsitesassistourpowergridwhilealsoboostingourenvironment
andeliminatingeyesoreswhichhavebeenaroundfordecades.Thesedollarswillgodirectlytowardthe
preservationandcreationofqualityjobsinourregion.
HouseBill2265hasalreadyreceivedthebipartisansupportofmorethan20cosponsors.The
billiscurrentlywiththeHouseFinanceCommittee.
IdenticallegislationSenateBill1346wasintroducedintheSenatebySen.DonWhite
(RIndiana)sponsorsummary.
MayIssueOfEnvironmentalSynopsisNowAvailableFromJointConservationCommittee
TheMayeditionoftheEnvironmentalSynopsisnewsletterisnowavailablefromtheJointLegislativeAir
andWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee.
ThismonthsissuefeaturesarticlesonDEPsstudyofnaturallyoccurringradioactivityinoiland
naturalgasdevelopment,leadersincleanenergy,newpowerplantcouldhelpdeterminethefutureof
coal,whostoblameforcoalsdecline?andmore.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointConservationCommittee.
NewsFromAroundTheState
SchuylkillRiverCelebrationHighlightsPARiversMonthActivities
PlansforfunontheSchuylkillRiverfromcanoesandkayaks
slicingthroughheadwaterstoleisurelytubefloatsinurbanenvirons
isexpectedtodrawhundredsofpaddlers,campersandother
outdoorsenthusiaststoareboundingwaterwaynamedRiverofthe
Yearfor2014.
Whenastatedesignatesawaterwayforthishonor,italso
issalutingthecommunities,conservationgroupsandindividual
citizensallworkingforitsimprovement,saidDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryEllenFerretti.
Theywatchedrenovationreplaceretreatembracedwaterbasedhiking,bikingandrailtrailsand
soughtsolutionstoeconomiesnolongersupportedbymillsandfactories.
Avarietyofonwater,shorelineandoffshoreactivitiesareplannedJune713alongthe
SchuylkillasapaddlingsojourntakesparticipantsfromriversheadwatersinSchuylkillCountyintothe
Philadelphiacitylimits.Thatcelebrationisamongatleastadozenplannedonriversandstreamsacross
thestateduringPennsylvaniaRiversMonth.
Promotingawarenessofhowthesewaterwayshavereboundedandtheircontinuing
conservationneedsisthemajorgoalofthismonthlongobservance,Ferrettisaid.Thereisavital
connectionamongtheriversandstreamsandarearesidentsandvisitors,andthesesojournandother
activitiesplannedbyriveradvocatesstrengthensthosebonds.
Insupportofthatgoal,Gov.TomCorbetthasproclaimedJuneasRiversMonthin
Pennsylvania,thesecretarynoted.Highlightingtherecreationalandeconomicvalueofwaterways,
plannedsojournsinclude:
StonyKiskiConemaughrivers,beginningJune5PerkiomenCreek,June7LehighRiver
June20FrenchCreek,June21DelawareRiver,June22EndlessMountainsHeritage,June26
InvisibleRiver,July7RisingNationRiverJourney,Aug.1WestBranch,Susquehanna,Aug.13
OhiopyleOverTheFalls,Aug.16andBrodhead,Sept.20.
Forcompleteactivitylistingsanddetailsonotherupcomingsojournsacrossthestate,visitthe
PAOrganizationforWatershedsandRiversSojournwebpage.
TheSchuylkillandothersojournprogramsarecoordinatedbythePa.Organizationof
WaterwaysandRiversinpartnershipwithDCNR,aswellasdozensoflocalorganizations.
Statewideannualpaddlingeventsencompassmorethan500rivermiles,spanmorethan50
onthewaterdays,andengagemorethan4,000participants.
Since1983,theRiveroftheYearhasbeenfeaturedonposterssenttowatershedorganizations,
localmunicipalitiesandinterestedindividualsthroughoutthestatetoencourageafocuson
Pennsylvania'swaterways.
ClickHereforeventsinandaroundtheSchuylkillRiver,PAsRiveroftheYear.Tolearnmore
aboutriversconservation,visitDCNRsRiversProgramwebpage.
ThetextoftheGovernorsPARiversMonthProclamationfollows
WHEREAS,eachyear,PennsylvaniajoinsstatesacrossthenationincelebratingRivers
MonthtoemphasizetheimportanceofalltheCommonwealthsrivers.Eventsandactivitiesscheduled
forJunereaffirmourcommitmenttothevalueandbeautyofourriverresourcesand
WHEREAS,riversflowthroughPennsylvaniascities,townsandboroughs,providingan
importantnaturalandrecreationalassettourbanizedareasand,theyarearichmosaicofwater
treasuresprovidingopportunitiesforboating,fishing,birdwatchingandotherrecreationalactivities,as
wellasdrinkingwaterformillionsofPennsylvaniansand
WHEREAS,throughprotectiveandinnovativeactionssuchasthePennsylvaniaRivers
ConservationProgram,theColdwaterHeritagePartnershipProgram,PennsylvaniaScenicRivers
ProgramandtheRiverTownsPrograms,Pennsylvaniansjoininpromotingtheconservationand
revitalizationofthesepreciouswaterresourcesand
WHEREAS,Pennsylvaniasriverinitiativesaredrivenbyvoluntarypartnershipswithmunicipal
officials,localgroups,conservationorganizations,andgovernmentalagencies,todevelopwatershed
conservationplansforrestoring,maintainingandenhancingallriversandleadingtothereboundof
waterwayssuchastheSchuylkillRiverPennsylvanias2014RiveroftheYearand
WHEREAS,theseRiversConservationPlansnowencompass65percentofPennsylvania
thankstofundingandtechnicalassistancefromtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources.
Becauseoflocalpartnershipeffortsandstewardshipcommitments97watershedsorcorridorshave
gainedapprovedRegistryStatusand
WHEREAS,Conservationandappreciationofourriverenvironmentsrepresentconceptsof
enduringconsequence.
THEREFORE,I,TomCorbett,GovernoroftheCommonwealthofPennsylvania,dohereby
proclaimJune2014RIVERSMONTH.IurgeallPennsylvanianstoreaffirmtheircommitmentto
protectingandconservingthequalityofourriversystems.
SchuylkillRiverStudentExpeditionToInspireWatershedActionJune714
FromJune714tenhighschoolstudentsfromcommunities
throughouttheheadwatersoftheSchuylkillRivertoits
terminusinPhiladelphiawillembarkonaweeklong
expeditionthroughoutthe2,000squaremileSchuylkill
Riverwatershed.
Thisintensive,appliedservicelearningprogram,
SchuylkillActs&Impacts:AnExpeditiontoInspire
WatershedAction,isbeingpilotedbytheSchuylkill
HeadwatersAssociationlocatedinPottsville,PAin
collaborationwithOutwardBoundPhiladelphiaandover25partnersandsponsoringorganizationsfrom
throughoutthewatershed.
Studentparticipantsrepresentingthefivecounties(Schuylkill,Berks,Montgomery,Chester,
andPhiladelphia)locatedwithintheSchuylkillRiverwatershedwilltravelbycanoe,van,andfootalong
the120mileSchuylkillRiverfromitssourceintheanthracitecoallandsofSchuylkillCountytoits
confluencewiththeDelawareRiverinPhiladelphia.
Foreightdaysandsevennights,participantswillsleepunderthestarsandlearninaclassroom
withoutwalls.Eachnight,participantswillcamporstayinbasicaccommodationsatvariousparksand
preserves.
TeamleadersfromtheSchuylkillHeadwatersAssociationandOutwardBoundPhiladelphiawill
guidestudentsdownriver,illustratinganarrayofissuesimpactingwaterqualityintheSchuylkillRiver
throughguidedtours,programming,andappliedserviceworkdesignedtohighlightissuesinthe
watershed,encouragecriticalthinkingandproblemsolvingskills,andofferhandsonsolutionstothese
problems.
Targetissuesinclude:1)thelegacyofcoalminingonwaterquality2)agriculturalimpacts
includingerosionandmanuremanagement3)theroleoflandpreservationinwatershedhealthand4)
theimpactsofstormwaterandimpervioussurfacesonwaterresources.
Forexample,studentswillpaddlestretchesoftheriverwithbiologistsandconductbasicwater
qualitymonitoring,tourabandonedandactivecoalmines,visitfarmstoexaminestreambankerosion,
andwalkthestreetsofPhiladelphiatowitnesspioneeringworkatmitigatingstormwater.
Dailyreflectionswillchallengeparticipantstoconsidertheirownuseofwaterandprovidethem
withtoolstotakeactionintheirownstretchofthewatershed.
AToyotaTogetherGreenFellowshipawardedbytheNationalAudubonSocietywasusedto
leveragesupportbothfinancialandinkindfrommorethan25organizations,agenciesand
businesseswithintheSchuylkillRiverWatershedtomakeSchuylkillActsandImpactsinauguralyear
possible.
Formoreinformation,acompleteschedule,ortojointheexpeditionpleasecontactSierra
Gladfelter,SchuylkillHeadwatersAssociationat5705732093orsendemailto:
outreach@schuylkillheadwaters.org.
USDAChoosesChesapeakeBayRegionForAdditionalFarmBillConservationFunding
TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureTuesdayannouncedtheChesapeakeBayregionhasbeenselected
asoneofeightCriticalConservationAreas,partofthenewRegionalConservationPartnership
Program,inthefederalFarmBill.
Atotalof$100milliondollarsperyearwillbeavailabletotheRCPPandtheCCAdesignation
meanstheChesapeakeBayregioniseligibletocompeteforalargeshareofthoseconservationdollars.
TheRCPPreplacedseveralprogramsfromthepreviousFarmBill,includingaprogramtargeted
tofarmersintheChesapeakeBayregion.Likethatprogram,thisnewprogramiscriticallyimportantto
helpfarmersintheregionimplementtheconservationmeasuresneededtoachievetheChesapeake
CleanWaterBlueprintgoals.
Followingtheannouncement,ChesapeakeBayFoundationSeniorWaterQualityScientistBeth
McGeeissuedthisstatement:
Reducingpollutionfromagriculturalrunoffisoneofthemostcosteffectivewaystoimprove
waterquality,andBayjurisdictionsarerelyingheavilyonthesepollutionreductionstoachievetheir
cleanwatergoals.Asaresult,thisconservationfundingiscrucialtoimplementingtheCleanWater
Blueprintandrestoringourrivers,streamsandtheChesapeakeBay.
Theregionwasselectedbecauseofourcriticalneeds,andthefactthattheChesapeakeBayis
anationaltreasure.TheBaystatescommittedtoputtinginplace60percentofthepracticesnecessary
torestoretheBayby2017.Competingforandreceivingthisadditionalconservationfundingiscriticalif
thestatesaretomeetthatgoal.
ThisdesignationandfundingwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheleadershipofSenators
CardinandMikulski,andthesupportoftheotherlegislatorsrepresentingtheregion,including
RepresentativesVanHollen,Harris,WittmanandScott.
2014AnnualWaterResourcesEducationNetworkGranteeMeetingJune1011
CommunityleadersfromacrossPennsylvaniawillgatheratDickinsonCollegeinCarlisle,attheannual
PALeagueofWomenVotersWaterResourcesEducationNetworkGranteeMeeting,June1011,to
networkandsharelessonslearnedfromsuccessful20132014localprojects.The2014meetingtheme
is"MakingaSplashforCleanWater."
TheWRENannualmeetingisdesignedtobringtogethercommunitygroupsandwatersuppliers
toshareexperiencesindrinkingwaterprotectionandwatershededucationandlearnaboutresources
availabletoimprovelocalprojects.
AttendeeswillincluderepresentativesfromWRENGrantcommunitypartnershipsthatare
conductingdrinkingwaterprotectionandwatershededucationprojects.Inaddition,selectpublicwater
suppliersworkingwithorinterestedinDEP'sSourceWaterProtectionTechnicalAssistanceProgram
willalsoattend.
AfterawelcomebyLeagueofWomenVotersofPAPresidentSusanCarty,featuredspeakers
willincludePaulHeimel,CountyCommissionerforPotterCounty,whowilldiscussthepowerof
collaborationinhispresentation"ItWasCleanWhenItLeftHere."
ThethemehelpsconveyanethicandapromisetoensurethatheadwaterstreamsintheCounty
willremainpristine.DEPExecutiveDeputySecretaryforProgramsDanaAunkstwilljoinustosharean
updateonwaterpolicyinPennsylvaniaandDepartmentinitiatives.
Otherfeaturedspeakersinclude:DennisRisserwithanupdateonUSGSgroundwaterstudies,
waterfundingresourcesbyMatthewKarnelloftheCommonwealthFinancingAgencyandTess
SchluppofPennVESTemergencyresponsetoprotectwatersupplieswithJasonMinnichofDEPand
transportationcorridorconsiderationswithTJCunninghamofPennDOTDistrict3.
DonPeperakofNorthFayetteCountyMunicipalAuthorityhasgraciouslyofferedto
demonstratehiscustomsurfacewatertreatmentmodel.
NationalcommunicationsexpertandperennialfavoritewithWRENgrantees,EricEckl,
PresidentofWaterWordsthatWork,LLC,willcoverproventechniquestoplansuccessfulpollution
preventioncampaigns.
Ericwillhighlightwaystogetresultswithbestpracticesandmessagesthathelpturnsimple
actionsintobigstepstomakeadifferenceincommunities.
GreenInfrastructureoffersmanybenefits:reducingstormwaterrunoff,recharginggroundwater,
beautifyingtowns,andreducingstressonaginginfrastructure.CharlotteKatzenmoyer,Directorof
PublicWorksfortheCityofLancaster,andDanZimmerman,TownshipManagerofWarwick
Township,willsharetheirexpertiseinworkingwithpartnersandmunicipalitiestoimplementbeneficial
communitywaterprojects.
Extraordinaryconservationleadersareneedednowmorethanever.KevinCogan,ofRotary
ClubDistrict7390,hasreturnedfromarecenttriptoHaiti,andwearedelightedtohavehimjoinusto
sharewaystobuildpartnershipswithcivicorganizationssuchasRotaryInternationalforcleanwater.
Inaddition,sessionsareplannedonusingsocialmediatools,communityengagementstrategies,
andanentireshowcaseofwatermodelsanddisplaysthattakecommunitywatereducationtothenext
level.
TheWRENMeetingisalwaysvaluedbyparticipantsfortheopportunitytonetworkandlearn
withlikemindedwatereducationvolunteersandprofessionalsandforthevariedresourcesoffered.The
conferenceisbyinvitationonlyforrecipientsofWRENgrants.
Considerjoiningusfor2015it'snottooearlytobeginplanningyourcommunitywater
educationprojectwithlocalpartners.StartnowandgetreadytoapplyforaWRENGrantinMarch
2015!
(ReprintedfromtheSpringissueofWaterPolicyNewsisnowavailablefromthePALeagueof
WomenVotersWaterResourcesEducationNetwork.)
WaterResourcesEducationNetworkSpringWaterPolicyNewsNowAvailable
TheSpringissueofWaterPolicyNewsisnowavailablefromthePALeagueofWomenVotersWater
ResourcesEducationNetwork.
PennVEST,DEPInviteCommentsOnCleanWater,DrinkingWaterIntendedUsePlan
ThePAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthorityandDEPpublishednoticeofanopportunitytocomment
andaJune10publichearingonthe2014IntendedUsePlansfortheCleanWaterandDrinkingWater
StateRevolvingFundPrograms.
ThehearingwillbeheldattheDEPHeadquartersBuilding,2ndFloorAuditorium,400Market
St.,Harrisburg.1:00.
The2014IntendedUsePlanswillbepostedontheDEPIntendedUsePlanswebpage.
VoteForYourFavoriteGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideo
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulisrequestingyourhelptochoosethewinnerofthe2014GreatAmerican
CleanupofPAvideo.GotoKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulsFacebookpageandlikeyourfavorite
video!
VotingbeginsJune2ndandendsonJune13th.WinnerswillbeannouncedtheweekofJune
16th.
ItsexcitingtoseePennsylvaniansinvolvedintheGreatAmericanCleanupofPAandcleaning
uptheirlocalcommunities.Whatwesawwasalotofpartnerships,alotoftrashbeingpickedupanda
lotofpeoplehavingfundoingit,saysShannonReiter,presidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.We
areanxioustoseewhoischosenasthisyearswinner.
Cashprizes,sponsoredbythePAWasteIndustriesAssociation,are$200forthewinningentry
and$100eachfortworunnersup.
AdditionalsponsorsforthevideocontestareKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulandtheDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection.
3RiversCleanupAnnouncedAsPartOfTheNationalRiverRallyJune1InPittsburgh
PaddleWithoutPollutionwillleadarivercleanuponJune1,alongtheAllegheny,
Monongahela,andOhioRiversaspartofRiverRallyMay30toJune1in
Pittsburgh.RiverRallyisanannualeventorganizednationallybyRiverNetwork
thatbringsmorethan750advocatesforhealthyriversandwatershedstogether
fromacrosstheworld.
Thesevisitingadvocateswillpartnerwithlocalgroupstoremovetrashanddebris
fromtheareassurroundingPointStatePark,providingacleaner,healthier,and
morebeautifulstarttoPittsburghsspringandsummeractivitiesontheThreeRivers.
PaddleWithoutPollutionisanonprofitorganizationwhosemissionistorestore
andprotectthehealthofrivers,streams,lakes,andwetlandsthroughhandsonstewardshipand
education,therebybenefitingtheregionscommunities,economy,andqualityoflife.
PWPoperateswithverylittleornonegativeimpacttotheenvironment,usingvolunteersin
kayaksandcanoestogetintoecologicallysensitive,shallow,andinaccessibleareasthatlandbased
cleanupcrewscannotreach.
In2013,PWPvolunteercrewsremoved16.6tonsofillegallydumpeddebrisandlitterfrom
waterwaysinWesternPennsylvania,exceeding2012stotalof15.3tons.PWPwasrecentlyawarded
aWesternPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalAwardfromPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil.
Torqeedowillbeprovidingsupportvesselspoweredbyclean,environmentallyfriendlyelectric
outboardsfrom4HPuptotheirawardwinning40HPDeepBluesystem.PaddleWithoutPollution,
NortheastPaddleboardCompany,andExkursionOutfitterswillsupplykayaksandcanoesfor
volunteers.
Wereproudtobeabletoshareourbeautifulcitywithwatershedadvocatesfromacrossthe
world,saidDavidRohm,ExecutiveDirectorofSpecialOperationsofPWP.Thestewardshipevent
willgivevisitorsachancetoseethecityfromadifferentperspectiveandtomakeanimmediate
differenceinthehealthofourrivers.
RiverNetworksmissionistoempowerandunitepeopleandcommunitiestoprotectand
restoreriversandotherwatersthatsustainthehealthofourcountry.
Formoreinformationabouthowtogetinvolved,visitthePaddleWithoutPollutionwebsite.
StormwaterPAOffersNewCaseStudyInCleanYourWaterSeries
TheStormwaterPAwebsitenowhasavailableanewcasestudyintheCleanYourWaterserieson
effortsintheTookay/TaconyFrankfordWatershedcleanupinitiatives.ExploreStormwaterPAfor
creativesolutionstostormwatermanagementsolutions.
May20TourHighlightedEnvironmentalBenefitsOfManureDigesters
DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzoandExternalAffairsDirectorKatherineHetheringtonCunfer
participatedintheCenterforDairyExcellenceBioDigesterTouronMay20withvisitstoCliffand
AndreaSensenigsFarmandtheS&AKreiderFarminLancasterCounty.
AlsoparticipatinginthetourwasAgricultureSecretaryGeorgeGrieg,AgricultureDeputy
SecretaryforConsumerProtectionandRegulatoryAffairsJayHowes,CDEExecutiveDirectorJohn
Frey,StateConservationCommissionDirectorKarlBrown,andLancasterCountyDistrict
AdministrationDonMcNutt.
ThetourfocusedontheexemplarystewardshipbeingconductedbytheSensenigandKreider
familyfarms.CliffandAndreaSensenigoperatea100cowdairyandScottandHerbKreider,along
withtheirsons,operatea1,300cowdairy.
Bothfarmsusemanuredigesterstoprocessthemanurefromtheirdairyoperationsandthe
Sensenigs'digesteralsopipesinmanurefromneighboringhog,poultryanddairyfarmsoperatedby
extendedfamilythatcombinetheirwastestomakethedigestermoreeconomical.
Anaerobicmanuredigesters(ormethanedigesters)collectmanureandthroughaprocessof
decomposingtheorganicmatterinthemanurewithbacteriaat120130degreesFintheabsenceof
oxygenproducemethanegaswhichisusedtoproducerenewableenergyforonfarmorofffarmuse.
Thedigesterscanalsoprocessfoodwasteandotherorganicmaterials.Thedrysterilizedsolids
fromthemanuredigesterarethenusedforanimalbedding.
Theuseofthemanuredigesterhelpsmanagethemanureonthesefarmsandlimitsthenitrogen
andphosphorusfromthemanurefromgettingintotheConowingoCreek,atributaryoftheChesapeake
Bay.Pennsylvaniahasovertwodozenmanuredigestersinproductionandthetypicalfarmsizeis500
cowsormore.
TheSensenigsoperationisuniquebecauseitcombinesthemanurefromthreefarms,via
undergroundpipesaswellasfoodwasteandwasrecognizedbytheDepartmentofAgriculturewitha
proclamationtohighlightthesuccessoftheproject.
Thissmallfarmcoopapproachmakesthedigesterprofitableforallthreefarmswhile
producingthebeddingneededbythetwodairyfarms.Thehogandpoultryfarmiscompensatedforthe
litter,whichhadbeenasourceofincomebeforethedigester.
ThedigesterhelpedtheSensenigsturnaroundtheprofitabilityofthefarmandwithassistanceof
stateandfederalgrantfundingtheyarenowsellingtheirexcessenergybacktoPPL.
DEPworkscloselywiththelocalconservationdistrictsandtheagriculturalcommunitytofind
winningsolutionslikemanuredigestersandotherconservationpractices.
Tolearnmoreabouttheseprograms,pleasevisitDEPsBureauofConservationand
Restorationwebpage.FormoreinformationonopportunitiesthroughtheCenterforDairyExcellence,
visittheirwebsite.
(ReprintedfromtheMay29DEPNews.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.)
May29DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheMay29editionofDEPNewsisnowavailable.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.
DEP:HowPennsylvaniaRegulatesMethaneFromTheOilAndGasIndustry
TheMay29DEPNewscontainedthissummaryofhowPennsylvaniaregulatesmethaneemissionsfrom
theoilandgasindustry
Pennsylvaniasetthebarfortoughemissionrequirementsandisanationalleaderincreatingand
implementingstringentenforceableregulationsontheoilandgasindustry.
Asthefirststateinthecountrytorequireacomprehensiveleakdetectionandrepairprogramat
naturalgasoperations,Pennsylvaniahasledthewayinprotectingpublichealthandtheenvironment
fromemissionsresultingfromnaturalgasoperationsintheMarcellusShaleregionofthestate.Today,
althoughimplementeddifferentlythanotherstates,wecontinuetoregulatemethaneasstringentlyand
effectivelyasanyotherstateinthenation.
Heresaglanceintowhatwerequire:
Pennsylvaniasleakdetectionprogramsrequireoperatorstoconductleakdetectionandrepair
programsmonthlyusingaudible,visualandodordetectionmethods.Inaddition,onaquarterlybasis,
operatorsmustuseleakdetectionmonitoringdevices,suchasaforwardlookinginfraredcamera,to
detectmethaneleaks.Allmethaneleaksatcompressorstationsorprocessingfacilitiesmustbefully
repaired,completelyeliminatingtheleakin15daysorless.
Onwellpads,leakdetectionandrepairmustbeconductedannuallyandincludetheentirewell
pad,notjustthenaturalgasliquidstanksandpipingasrequiredbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtection
Agency(EPA)fortheoilandgassector.GoingabovewhatisrequiredbyEPA,anydetectedleakson
wellpadsinPennsylvaniaarealsorequiredtoberepairedwithin15days.Failuretocomplywithany
criteriaassociatedwiththeoperationofawellpadmayresultintherequirementforthatoperatorto
ceaseoperations.
DEPalsoincorporatesleakdetectionandrepairrequirementsasapermitconditionfornatural
gastransmissionprojects.Onceagaingoingbeyondwhatisfederallyrequired,Pennsylvaniahasalso
directedownersandoperatorsofcertaintraditionaloilandnaturalgassourcestoreporttheiremissions
annually.
ItisalsoimportanttonotethatPennsylvaniasleakdetectionandrepairprogramsnotonly
controlmethane,theyalsoareestablishedtocontrolvolatileorganiccompoundsandtheassociated
hazardousairpollutants.
So,howdowecomparetootherstates?UndertheadministrationofGovernorCorbett,
environmentalprotectionstandardsforthenaturalgasindustryareamongthemostextensiveand
comprehensiveinthenation.Ithasbeenandwillcontinuetobeourutmostprioritytoensurethatthis
valuableenergyresourceisproducedandusedwiththesafety,healthandwellbeingofPennsylvanians
intheforefront.
AmoredetailedstatebystatecomparisonofhowmethaneisbeingregulatedinPennsylvania
andinotherenergyproducingstates,isavailablehere.
RelatedStory:
Opinion:MitigateMethaneEmissionsInPennsylvania
PAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityInvitesCommentsOnProposedPEDAEnergyPlan
ThePAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityisinvitingcommentsonaproposedPAEnergyDevelopment
PlanoutliningtheAuthorityspolicygoals,generaloperatingprinciplesandinvestmentpriorities.(formal
notice)
Theoriginalplanwaspublishedin1984andlastupdatedin2008andisrequiredtobeupdated
everythreeyears.
TheproposedplanwillbepostedonthePEDAwebpageandwillbeavailableforpublic
commentfor60days.
CFAAwards$3.4MillionInClean,AlternativeEnergyGrantsTo4Projects
TheCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityTuesdayannouncedtheawardof$3.4millionincleanand
alternativeenergyprojectgrantstofourprojects.
"TheCorbettadministrationrecognizestheimportanceofexpandingourinvestmentsinthe
energysectoraswecontinuetomakePennsylvaniaaleaderinthefield,"saidDepartmentof
CommunityandEconomicDevelopmentSecretaryC.AlanWalker."Ourinvestmentsinalternativeand
cleanenergycontinuetoresultincostsavingsforbusinessesandresidentsaswellasnewjobsfor
Pennsylvanians."
TheAuthorityapprovedfourprojectsTuesdaythroughthestate'sAlternativeandCleanEnergy
ProgramincludingabiofuelsprojectinPotterCountywhichwillcreateninefulltimejobsandwillinvest
morethan$270,000intotheregion.
Otherapprovedprojectsincludetwocompressednaturalgasfuelingstationswhichhavethe
benefitsofreducingemissionsandonehighperformancebuildingproject.TheCFAinvestmentsin
Allegheny,CarbonandPottercountiesareprojectedtoresultinmorethan$31millioninadditional
economicinvestments.
Thegrantsapprovedinclude
AlleghenyCounty:ArielHoldingsLP,asubsidiaryofAmericanNaturalRetail,LLC,willreceive
a$720,000grantfortheconstructionofaCNGfuelingstationlocatedinHarmarTownship,Allegheny
County.
Thefuelingstationwillhavepublicaccessandislocatedattheintersectionof910andRichHill
RoadandalsoneighborsPittOhio'snewtruckingandmaintenanceterminal.Thestationwillalso
directlysupporttheconversionofaportionofPittOhio'struckingfleetfromdieseltonaturalgas.
Basedoncurrentdemand,theHarmarCNGstationwilldisplacemorethan3,500,000peryear
ofdieselatfullcapacity.
AlleghenyCounty:HypatiaHoldingsLP,asubsidiaryofAmericanNaturalRetail,LLC,will
receivea$600,000grantfortheconstructionofaCNGfuelingstationlocatedatFranklinPark
Borough,AlleghenyCounty.
Thefuelingstationwillhavepublicaccessandwillbelocatedat2619WexfordBayneRoadin
Sweickley.ThelocationcurrentlyhousesanabandonedgasstationthatHypatiawillrenovate.
Basedoncurrentdemand,theSweickleyCNGstationwilldisplacemorethan100,000gallons
peryearofgasolineanddiesel.
CarbonCounty:LeightonAreaSchoolDistrictwillreceivea$2milliongrantfortheconstruction
ofanewUSGBLEEDGoldK2primaryand35elementarycenterlocatedinLeightonBorough.
Thenew140,000squarefootschoolwillreplacefouragingfacilities.Theprojectwillinclude
geothermalHVACsystem,energyefficientlighting,naturaldaylightingandthermalenvelope.The
projectisanticipatedtoreduceenergyconsumptionby4,685,179kBTUannually.Inaddition,new
lowflowwaterfixtureswillsavethedistrict30percentoftheannualwaterusageatthebuilding.
PotterCounty:Biomaxx,Inc.willreceivea$90,000grantforthepurchaseandinstallationof
woodbrickfuelproductionequipmentatitsfacilitylocatedinUlyssesBorough,PotterCounty.
Thecompanywilloptimizetheirexistingwoodpelletmanufacturingplantandaddawoodbrick
fuelproductionlinebyacquiringequipmentfromU.S.RecycledWoodProducts,Inc.Theprocess
optimizationequipmentwillhelpmaximizewoodpelletproductionbyeliminatingthebottleneckthat
presentlyexistsinthedryhammermillprocessthatlimitspelletproduction.Thiswillincreaseannual
capacityfrom26,000tonsperyearto36,400tonsperyear.
Inaddition,thenewwoodbrickfuelproductlinefromU.S.RecycledWoodProducts,Inc.will
beaddedtotheplant.Thisequipmentwillproducewoodbricksatacapacityof6,000tonsperyear
andwillutilizelowergraderawmaterialandfeedstock.Thecompanywillcreateninefulltimejobsasa
resultofthe$276,180project.
TheACEProgramprovidesfinancialassistanceintheformofgrantsandloanfundsthatwillbe
usedbyeligibleapplicantsfortheutilization,developmentandconstructionofalternativeandclean
energyprojectsinthestate.
ThenextdeadlinefornewapplicationsfortheAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgramisJuly11.
PUCUpdatesPaPowerSwitch,OffersNewVideoOnVariableElectricRates
ThePublicUtilityCommissionTuesdayannouncedseveralPAPowerSwitch.comupdatestoaddress
thiswintersvariablerateissuesintheretailelectricitymarket,includingadditionalinformationontypes
ofrates.
ThePUCalsoreleasedanewvideoonShoppingForAnElectricSupplieraspartofits
educationalvideosseries.
OneoftheadditionsisaThingstoConsiderwhenChoosingaFixedorVariableRateboxon
theshoppingpage,whichleadstoinformationandachartonthedifferencesbetweenfixedandvariable
rates.
PUCactionscanhaveasubstantialimpactoncustomersand,inparticular,oneducatingand
empoweringcustomerstomakewellinformedchoiceswhenparticipatingintheretailelectricity
market,saidPUCChairmanRobertF.PowelsonduringhistestimonyApril29beforethe
PennsylvaniaSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommittee.Withthisinmind,
thePUChasundertakenanumberofinnovativeconsumereducationinitiativesandtworulemakings
designedtoensurethatcustomershaveaccesstotheinformationandeducationalmaterialstheyneedto
makewisedecisionsregardingtheirelectricitysupplyoptions.
NewfeaturesincludechangestoPAPowerSwitch.comthatwillhelpcustomersassesstheir
risktolerance,whichinturnwillhelpthemdecidewhethertochooseavariablerate,whichcanbe
riskierorafixedrate,whichisoftenlessrisky,saidChairmanPowelsoninhistestimony.These
smallchangeswillhaveabigimpactoncustomersbyensuringtheyhaveaccesstothebestinformation
possible.Doingsowillalsoprotectagainstthepossibilityofacustomerselectingaproductwithout
understandingtheassociatedrisks.
Withthisenhancement,whencustomersareshoppingforelectricityonPAPowerSwitch.com
andtheircursorhoversoverthewordsfixedandvariableundertheNarrowYourSearchsection,
amessagewillappeardescribingwhateachonemeans.
ThesemessagesalsowillcontainlinkstotherecentlyaddedUnderstandingFixed&Variable
RatespageonPAPowerSwitch.com,inadditiontotheThingstoConsiderboxonthatpage.The
PUCalsoaddedtotheFixed&Variablepagethesidebysidecomparisonsoconsumerscan
considerthedifferencesbetweenbothratetypes.
Theinitiativesfollowotherrecentactions,includingnewandupdatedpageson
PAPowerSwitch.com,educationalvideos,pressreleases,consumereducationeventsandtwo
rulemakings,whichwillacceleratethetimeittakestoswitchsuppliersandrequiresupplierstolist
disclosureinformationmoreprominentlyontheirbills.
NewsClips:
ReelingFromHarshWinter,UtilitiesScrambleForCoolingSeason
PenelecElectricBillsToRiseAbout12PercentInJune
ElectricityPricesWillRiseForPPLCustomers
PPL,UGISuggestWaysToTrimElectricBills
Editorial:UseSummerToStabilizePowerRates
PUCChairStepsDownFromEnergyAdvocacyGroup
TurnpikeOpensElectricCarChargingStations
PAsPowerPlantEmissionLimitsCriticized
Media:PublicHasRightToPPLStormOutageDocuments
ClimateActivistToBoostWolfsBidForGovernor
ClimateChangeToBoostHealthProblems
Opinion:PublicSilencedInAdoptionOfNewVariableElectricRateRegulations
Rep.RobertGodshall(RMontgomery)
MajorityChairHouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
Whenpoliticsgetsinthewayofgoodpublicpolicy,citizensinevitablylose.That
ispreciselywhathappenedtoelectricratepayerswhentheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommission(IRRC)metMay22and,bya32vote,
approvedregulationsputforthbythePennsylvaniaPublicUtilityCommission
(PUC)thatfailtoadequatelyprotectthepublicagainstelectricrateprice
gouging.
Infact,thePUCregulationsevengosofarastoblockthecitizensright
toprovidepublicinputwhenthePUCdeterminesadecisionmustbeexpedited.
FollowingsevereweatherinJanuarythousandsofvariableelectricrate
customerswerehitwithelectricbillsasmuchas600percenthigherthannormal.
Whilevariableratesaresubjecttochangebasedonfluctuationsinthewholesaleelectricmarketandat
thewilloftheelectricsupplier,onecannotreasonablybeexpectedtoacceptrateincreasesashighas
600percent!
AschairmanoftheHouseConsumerAffairsCommittee,itismyjobtoexamineandputforth
legislationthatwillprotectconsumersfromharm.IheldhearingsaftermyofficeandmanyofmyHouse
colleagueswereslammedwithphonecallsandlettersfromconstituentscomplainingaboutexorbitant
electricbills.Manyofthesecallswereemotionalevendesperate.Forsome,therateshock
representedcertaindefault.
About10yearsago,Pennsylvaniaderegulateditselectricmarketandconsumerswereurgedto
shopformorefavorablerates.Ifullysupporttheconceptofelectriccompetition,buttheprocessmust
beimprovedtoprotectconsumersandmitigatefutureoccurrencesofrateshock.
Theproblemwithderegulationisthatitledtoadramaticriseinthenumberofnewelectric
serviceproviders,morethan355,andoversightbecamemorechallenging.Manyprovidersarelittle
morethanmarketingoperationsthatofferlowintroductoryratestolureconsumersawayfromtheirlocal
defaultsupplier,thencollecthandsomelywhenthelowrateexpires.Manyelectriccustomersnever
realizedtheywerecommittingtoavariableratecontractmanynotevenreceivingahardcopyofthe
agreement.
Thehearingsbeforemycommitteedemonstratedthatconsumerswerenotbeingprovidedwith
informationthatclearlyspelledoutthenatureoftheirvariableratecontracts.Then,onceacustomer
getshitwithahighbill,itcantakeoneormorebillingcyclesbeforetheyareabletochangeelectric
suppliers.
InMarch,IintroducedHouseBill2104,whichwaspassedbytheHouseConsumerAffairs
CommitteeandisnowbeforethefullHouse.Thislegislationwouldprotectconsumersbylimitingthe
amountvariableratescanriseina30dayperiod,shorteningthetimenecessaryforconsumerstoswitch
electricproviders,andrequiringelectriccompaniestofullydisclose,inplainlanguage,thetermsoftheir
variablerateplans.MybillwouldalsorequirethePUCtopostcurrentandhistoricelectricratesonthe
PAPowerSwitchwebsite.
OnMay22,ItestifiedagainsttheregulationsproposedbythePUCasIfirmlybelieveitisinthe
publicsinterestforthePUCtoprovideproperpublicnoticeandapubliccommentperiodbeforerules
andregulationsareadopted.
Pennsylvanialawpertainingtofinalomittedrulemakingpermitsexceptionstothepublic
notice/publiccommentlawonlyinthefollowingcircumstances:
Whencommentsfromthepublicarenotappropriate,necessaryorbeneficial.
Whenallpersonssubjecttotheregulationarenamedandgivenpersonalnotice.
Whennoticeisimpractical,unnecessaryorcontrarytothepublicinterest.
IremainatalosstounderstandhowthePUCregulationsmetthethresholdthatwouldpreclude
thepublicfromweighinginonmattersthatimpactthemdirectly.Thepublic,whoinsomecases
reportedlysufferedexponentialincreasesinelectricrates,shouldhaveavoice.
Therecentunprecedentedelectricratehikesdemonstratedthatthepublicisatsubstantialrisk.
Thisisnotimeforthepublictobesilenced.HouseBill2104istheonlyguaranteethatconsumershave
tobeassuredthatneveragainwilltheybeslammedwithelectricrateincreasesofupto600percentina
singlemonth.
NewsClips:
PPL,UGISuggestWaysToTrimElectricBills
PUCReleasesNewVideoOnShoppingForAnElectricSupplier
PhiladelphiaHousingAuthorityWinsAwardForGreenNorrisApartmentsHousing
ThePhiladelphiaHousingAuthoritysLEEDGoldNorris
Apartmentshasbeenrecognizedforoutstandingachievementbythe
MidAtlanticRegionalCounciloftheNationalAssociationof
HousingandRedevelopmentOfficials.
Thecouncilincludeshousingandcommunitydevelopment
agenciesinNewYork,NewJersey,Pennsylvania,Maryland,
Delaware,andWashingtonDC.
NorrisApartments,locatedadjacenttoTempleUniversitysmaincampus,isPHAsfirstever
LEEDcertifieddevelopment,andmeetsnationallyacceptedstandardsforplanning,design,
construction,andoperationofhighperformancegreenbuildings.
Energysavingsfortheapartmentunitsareprojectedat29to39percent,whilethetownhomes
areprojectedtosave38to45percent,comparedtoconventionallybuiltunits.
Thedensityofthenewdevelopmentismuchloweraswell.PHAreplaced179units,with51
unitsinamixofwalkupsandtownhomesonthesameblock.Thedesignincludesasmallpocketpark
inthecentercourtyardthatprovidesgreenspaceforresidentswhilelimitingrainwaterrunoffintothecity
sewersystem.
Wearethrilledtoreceivethisrecognitionfromourpeers,saidKelvinJeremiah,PHA
PresidentandCEO.Thehousingauthorityhasmadealongtermcommitmenttosustainable
development.OurdesignatNorrisisinsyncwithTempleUniversityandotherprivatedevelopersinthe
NorthCentralneighborhood,where,inpartnershipwiththeCityandothers,wehopetowinaChoice
NeighborhoodsImplementationGranttocompletethetransformationoftheNorrisneighborhood.
NorrisApartmentsisalsoinlinetowinanationalAwardofMeritfromNAHRO.TheUnited
StatesGreenBuildingCouncilcertifiedthenewdevelopmentasLEEDGoldinFebruary2013.
PHAusedlocallymadematerialsasmuchaspossibletoreduceitscarbonfootprint.Besides
savingenergy,thegoalsforthenewdevelopmentincludedimprovedaesthetics,safety,health,and
reducingstormwaterrunoff.
NorrisApartmentsisatransitorienteddevelopment.ItisneartheTempleUniversityStation,a
hubforallofSEPTAsregionalraillines.ResidentsalsohaveeasyaccesstotheBroadStreetsubway
andthe23andCbuslines.Busroutes4,47,and16arejustthreetofourblocksaway.
Theawardwinningdevelopmentisideallylocatednearavarietyofeducationalservicesandthe
commercialcorridorofBroadStreet.Thedevelopmentcomplementsongoingpublicandprivate
developmentintheneighborhoodandhasattractedpositiveattentionfromstudentsandprivatecitizens
whohaveinquiredastowhethertheycouldliveatthenewdevelopment.
EPAGrantHelpsTrainPhiladelphiaResidentsForEnvironmentalJobs
EPARegionalAdministratorShawnM.GarvinvisitedthesiteofaNorthPhiladelphiatrainingcenter
Tuesdaywhereanearly$200,000EPAgranttotheEnergyCoordinatingAgencywillhelptrainlocal
residentsforenvironmentalcleanupjobs.
ECAisoneof18organizationsnationwideselectedthisyearbyEPAfortheagencys
EnvironmentalWorkforceDevelopmentandJobTraininggrants.
ThisfundingwillexpandthelocalworkforceneededinPhiladelphiatoreuseandrevitalize
contaminatedproperties,saidEPARegionalAdministratorShawnM.Garvin.EPAisproudto
supportECAanditspartnersintrainingpeopleforenvironmentaljobsthatcanhelpcreatehealthier
neighborhoodsandcontributetoPhiladelphiasvisionofagreen,sustainablecity.
ThenonprofitECAwilltrain67unemployedandunderemployedresidentsofNorth
Philadelphiaforenvironmentalcareersandcleanupworkintheircommunities.Participantswillearn
sevenfederalorstatecertificationsandlicenses.
Wearedelightedtobeabletoexpandourtraininginenvironmentalcareers,toofferpeoplethe
credentialstheyneedtolandfirmlyonacareerladder,andhelpbuildamoresustainablefuture,states
LizRobinson,ECAsExecutiveDirector.
Thetraining,alongwithassistanceinjobplacement,putsgraduatesontrackwithasetof
marketableskillsforpotentiallongtermemploymentandwillbeconductedatECAsKnightTraining
Centeron106WestClearfieldStreet,anationallyaccreditedcenter.
TheECAalsoprovidesanumberofprogramsthathelpconserveenergywhilepromotinga
sustainableenergyfuture.Theyarethelargestproviderofenergyandwaterconservationservicesfor
lowincomeresidentsinthePhiladelphiaregion.
EPAsjobtraininggranttoECAisthethirdsuchgrantawardedtoaPhiladelphiaorganization.
PriorgranteesweretheGreaterPhiladelphiaUrbanAffairsCoalitionandImpactServicesCorp.
SincetheEnvironmentalWorkforceDevelopmentJobTrainingprogramsinceptionin1998,
nationallyEPAhasfunded239jobtraininggrantstotalingmorethan$50million.Morethan12,800
individualshavecompletedtraining,andofthose,morethan9,100havesecuredemploymentinthe
environmentalfield.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAsECAGrantorEnvironmentalWorkforceDevelopment
Grantswebpages.
EPABrownfieldsGrantsHelpWesternPACommunities
SeveralWesternPennsylvaniacommunitieswillshareinanationwidetotalof$67millioninbrownfields
fundingannouncedWednesdaybytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencytosupportcleanupand
redevelopmentofcontaminatedproperties.
AmongthegrantsinPennsylvania,twothattotal$1millionwillhelpBeaverandLawrence
Countiesconductenvironmentalassessmentsofpropertiespossiblycontaminatedbyhazardouswaste
andpetroleum.
BeaverCountywasselectedtoreceivebrownfieldsassessmentgrantfundingtotaling$600,000.
TheCountywillusethefundingtoconductupto22environmentalsiteassessmentsatproperties
perceivedtobecontaminatedwithhazardouswaste,andanother10assessmentsatsitesperceivedto
becontaminatedwithpetroleum.
Thefundingwillalsosupportcommunityengagementactivitiesandcleanupplanning.Coalition
partnersaretheCityofAliquippa,BoroughofMidland,andBoroughofMonacainBeaverCounty,
andMoonTownshipinAlleghenyCounty.
LawrenceCountyhasexperienceandsuccessinbrownfieldsredevelopment.Theywillreceive
atotalof$400,000fortwobrownfieldsassessmentgrantstoassesssiteswithpotentialpetroleumand
hazardouswastecontamination.
Thefundswillbeusedforreviewingthelistofproposedsitestargetedforthenextlevelof
environmentalsiteassessment.Lawrencewillalsoconductbetweentwoandfourenvironmentalsite
assessments,developcleanupplansandconductcommunityoutreachactivities.
EPAsfundingwillhelpBeaverandLawrenceCountiesintheireffortstocleanupabandoned
andunderusedsitesformoreeconomicallybeneficialuses,showinghowsmall,ruralcommunitiescan
leveragebrownfieldsgrantstobuildahealthierfuture,saidEPARegionalAdministratorShawnM.
Garvin.
SincetheinceptionofEPAsbrownfieldsprogram,Pennsylvaniahasreceivednearly$60million
inbrownfieldsfunding.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAsBrownfieldsorBrownfieldsGrantswebpages.
NewsClips:
WesternPACommunitiesReceiveFederalBrownfieldsGrants
PPGAsksJudgeForTimeInLawsuitOverDEPDumpCleanupPlan
CenterForCoalfieldJusticeAppealsLongwallMiningPermitInGreeneCounty
TheCenterforCoalfieldJusticeFridayfiledanappealoftheissuanceofacoalminingpermit
authorizingConsolEnergytoconductlongwallminingoperationson3,175subsidencecontrolplan
acresattheBaileyMineinGreeneCounty.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionissuedthepermitMay1,2014andtheappealwill
beheardbeforetheEnvironmentalHearingBoard.
Longwallminingisamethodofundergroundextractionthatremovestheentirecoalseam,
resultinginsignificantsurfacedamage.Thepermitissuanceallowscoalminingbelowfourteenstreams,
withpredictedflowlossorflowreductioninatleastfourstreams,includingNorthForkDunkardFork,
PolenRun,andKentRun,whichallflowthroughRyersonStationStatePark.
Thepermitapplicationpredictedseveralyearsofstreamdamagesoseverethatflowloss
wouldmostlikelyreduce,ifnoteliminatefishingopportunitiesinRyersonStationStatePark.Itshould
alsobenotedthatDukeLakeinRyersonStationStateParkisstilldryduetodamagefromtheBailey
Minein2005.
"First,ConsoldestroyedDukeLakeinthemiddleofRyersonStationStatePark",saidPatrick
Grenter,ExecutiveDirectoroftheCCJ."Now,they'relookingtodestroythestreamsthatflowthrough
thedrylakebed.WhenwilltheDEPlearnitslessonandjustdenythepermit?Howmanymorepublic
landswillthestatesacrificetothiscompany?"
Infact,theDEPhasrefusedtoissuethispermitforseveralyearsbecauseofconcernsover
streamdestruction.Streamsnearbyandsimilarlysituatedtothoseatriskinthispermitareastillhavenot
recoveredfromharmcausebylongwallminingattheBaileyMine,despiteConsolsattemptstorestore
streamflow.
TheDEPhaswrittendeficiencylettersandheldmeetingsoutliningthedangersofthismine
proposal,yetthestatestillsuddenlydecidedtograntthepermit.CCJisappealingthepermitbasedon
violationsofBituminousMineSubsidenceandLandConservationAct,CleanStreamsLawand
EnvironmentalRightsAmendmentofthePennsylvaniaConstitution.
VeronicaCoptis,whogrewupnexttoRyersonStationStateParksaid,Fortoolongthestate
hasallowedcompanieslikeConsoltopollute,destroyanddepopulateourcommunities.Thetimehas
comeforcitizenstotaketheirconstitutionalrightsintotheirownhands.Ifthestatewon'tupholdtheir
duties,thenwewill."
Thefullappealisavailableonline.
TheCenterforCoalfieldJusticeisaPennsylvaniaincorporated,notforprofitorganization
locatedat184S.MainStreet,Washington,PA15301.
NewsClips:
GroupAppealsConsolLongwallMiningPermitInGreene
EnvironmentalGroupAppealsLongwallMiningPermit
FriendsOfTheWissahickonSchedulesJuneWalks,July12FamilyPicnic
EnjoyJuneintheWissahickon,whenFriendsoftheWissahickonTrailAmbassadorsareofferingfree
hikesinWissahickonValleyParkinMontgomeryCounty.ClickHereforascheduleofwalksand
otherevents.
BringyourfamilyandfriendsandhelpcelebratetheFriendsoftheWissahickons90th
anniversaryonJuly12from3p.m.to8p.m.atanoldfashionedfamilypicnicatPachellaFieldin
Roxborough.
Thepicnicwillfeaturetraditionalpicnicfare,livemusic,picnicgames,anaturehikeinthepark
andaguestappearancebythePhillyPhanaticfrom3to4p.m.Wellalsoblowoutthecandlesona
cakecelebratingour90thanniversary.
Ticketsincludeallactivities,food,beverages,beerandwineforadultsandacommemorative
90thanniversaryMasonjarmug.Ticketpricesare$40foradults,$15forachild.A$100familyticket
willallowadmittancefortwoadultsandtwochildren.
HelpFOWfinishlightingthecandlesonour90thanniversarycakebypurchasingaspecial
familypackage:a$190ticketallowsadmissionfortwoadults,twochildrenandonecandleonFOWs
90thanniversarycake.
Topurchasetickets,callSarahMarleyat2152470417,ext.109oremailherat:
marley@fow.org.
JoinFOWaswecelebrateour90thanniversarywithayearlongscheduleofspecialevents.
LackawannaCollegeEnvironmentalEdCenterOffersJune,JulyPrograms
TakeadvantageofupcomingprogramsinJuneandJulyfromtheLackawannaCollegeEnvironmental
EducationCenter.ClickHereforacalendarofevents.
CountingAmericanChestnutsWorkshop,HikeMay31InCarbonCounty
OnMay31from10a.m.to3p.m.,TheAmericanChestnutFoundationwillbesponsoringan
AppalachianTrailMEGATransectChestnutProjecttrainingworkshopatLehighGapNatureCenter,
Slatington,CarbonCounty.
Thetrainingwillbeginwithapresentationfrom10a.m.noon,followedbyahikefrom13
p.m.MikeManes,TACFPennsylvaniaChaptervolunteer,willleadthetrainingworkshop.
ThiseffortispartoftheATMEGATransectProject,alargercollaborativeprojectofthe
AppalachianTrailConservancy,theNationalParkService,theUSForestService,andmanyother
partners.
TheATMEGATransectseekstoengagethepublicincitizenscienceeffortstocollectdata
alongtheATtoraiseawarenessofthreatstotheenvironmentalhealthoftheAppalachianRegion.
TheATMEGATransectChestnutProjectbeganin2008asacollaborationbetweenTACF,
ATC,andthePotomacAppalachianTrailClubtotrainvolunteerstocollectdataonAmericanchestnut
treesgrowingalongtheAT.
Informationgatheredfromthisprojectwillhelpscientistsbetterunderstandtrendsandpreferred
siterequirementsforAmericanchestnutbyevaluatingwherechestnutsarestillpresentintheforest.
Classsizeislimited.ToregisterforthetrainingonMay31,contactKathyMarmetbysending
emailto:kathymarmet@gmail.com.MoreinformationabouttheATMEGATransectChestnutProject
canbefoundat
Oncethemightygiantsoftheeasternforest,Americanchestnutsstoodupto100feettall,and
numberedinthebillions.FromMainetoGeorgia,thechestnutwasavitalpartoftheeasternforest,
providedabundantfoodforwildlife,andwasanessentialcomponentoftheeconomy.
Inthebeginningofthe20thcenturythefungalpathogenresponsibleforchestnutblight,
accidentallyimportedfromAsia,spreadrapidlythroughtheeasternforestsandby1950thefungushad
eliminatedthechestnutasamatureforesttree.
In1983,adedicatedgroupofscientistsandlaypersonsformedTheAmericanChestnut
Foundationandbeganaspecialbreedingprocess,whichin2005producedthefirstpotentially
blightresistanttreescalledRestorationChestnuts1.0.
Nowassistedbymorethan5,000membersandvolunteersin23states,theorganizationis
undertakingtheplantingofRestorationChestnuts1.0inselectlocationsthroughouttheeasternUS.
TheAmericanChestnutFoundationisanonprofitconservationorganizationheadquarteredin
Asheville,NC.ThereisalsoaTACFPennsylvaniaChapter.
FormoreinformationonTACFandtheirworktorestoretheAmericanchestnuttree,contact
TACFDirectorofCommunicationsMilaKirklandat8282810047orsendemailto:mila@acf.org.
DelawareHighlandsConservancyFamilyTreeSummerWorkshopSeries
JointheDelawareHighlandsConservancyforaseriesofthreefreeeducationalworkshopsinsummer
2014.TheFamilyTreeserieswillprovidefun,handsonlearningoutdoorsinthreedifferentlocations,
includingthenewwoodlandtrailsattheConservancysBethel,NYoffice.
Allagesarewelcome,andparticipantsmayattendanyorallofthesessions.Familieswilllearn
togetherabouttopicsincludingMappingYourProperty,PlantIDandTreePlanting,BackyardWildlife,
andForestHealth.
ParticipantswillreceiveFieldPackstohelpthemgettoknowtheirownforestsandlearnhow
tocareforthem,participateincraftprojectssuchasbirdhousebuildingandotherfunactivities,and
learnaboutthewidevarietyofplantsintheirownbackyards.
ProgramdatesareJune28BoardstoBirdhousesinPikeCountyJuly12TreeIdentification
andWoodlandTrailsinSullivanCounty,NY,andAugust2GoodsfromtheWoodsinPikeCounty,
inconjunctionwiththeannualFestivalofWoodatGreyTowersNationalHistoricSite.
Theprogramsrunfrom10a.m.1p.m.andsnackswillbeprovided,butattendeesareaskedto
bringapicniclunch.
Imthrilledtobehostingaseriesofworkshopswherechildrenofallagescancomeand
explorewiththeirparentsandgrandparentsandlearnmoreaboutourlocalforestlands,says
StewardshipandEducationCoordinatorAmandaSubjin.
WorkshopsarecosponsoredwiththeGreyTowersHeritageAssociation.
Toreserveyourspaceandreceivedirections,pleasecalltheDelawareHighlandsConservancy
officeat5702263164or8455831010oremailto:info@delawarehighlands.org.
GameCommissionOffersSummerWorkshopsForEducators
Schoolsmightsoonbelettingout,buteducatorsandotherswhoworkwithyouthhaveachanceto
continuetheirlearningthroughwildlifefocusedworkshops.
FormaleducatorsandnonformaleducatorssuchasScoutleaders,afterschooleducatorsand
youthgroupleadersarewelcometoattendtheseworkshops.
ProjectWILDaimstoprovideawildlifebasedconservationeducationthatfostersresponsible
action.Itsoneofthemostwidelyusedconservationandenvironmentaleducationprogramsamong
educators,andtheactivitieseasilycanbeincorporatedintoalmostanyclassroomcurriculum.
TheresaAlberici,whocoordinatestheprograminPennsylvaniathroughthePennsylvaniaGame
Commission,saidProjectWILDbenefitseducatorsandstudentsalike.
EducatorsleaveProjectWILDwitharenewedappreciationofwildlifeandareexcitedabout
howtheyregoingtosharewhattheyvelearnedwiththeirstudents,Albericisaid.ProjectWILDisnt
aboutteachingkidswhattothinkaboutwildlifeitsaboutteachingkidshowtothinkaboutwildlifeand
givingthemtheskillstheyneedtobecomeresponsiblyactivecitizenswhorecognizetheimportanceof
wildlifeandtheenvironment.
Morethan1millioneducatorshavebeentrainedintheprogramsinceProjectWILDoriginated
in1983.
ThosewhoarelookingformoreinformationonProjectWILDworkshopsofferedthisyearcan
visitthehomepageoftheGameCommissionswebsite.
Followingisalistingofscheduledworkshopsforeducators.Allworkshopsareapprovedfor
Act48hours:
June
WILDaboutElk(2dayworkshop,June1112):ParticipantswillworkwithGameCommission
wildlifebiologists,wildlifeconservationofficers,wildlifehabitatmanagersandwildlifeeducatorsto
exploreelkhistory,elkbiology,habitatmanagement,telemetryandresearch.Thistrainingsession
includesafieldstudyexamininghabitatmanagementandseveralopportunitiestoviewelk,andmaybe
eventheircalves.Thisworkshopisdesignedforupperelementary/middle/highschoolclassroom
teachersandnonformaleducatorswhoworkwithavarietyofaudiencesincludingstudentsand
teachers.ItisscheduledtobeheldWednesday,June11,from11:30a.m.to7p.m.andThursday,June
12,from7a.m.tonoonattheElkCountryVisitorCenter,134HomesteadDrive,Benezette,PA
15821.LunchanddinnerareprovidedonJune11andasnackisprovidedonJune12.Thereisnocost
forthecourseandeducatorsareoffereda$50stipendtooffsetcostoflodgingandtravel.ACT48
hoursareprovided.Toregister,pleaseobtainaregistrationformandreturnittoTheresaAlbericiatthe
GameCommission.Formscanbeemailedto:talberici@pa.gov,orsentbyfaxto7177720542.
DeadlinetoregisterisJune5,butitcouldclosesoonerifallseatsarefilled.
PennsylvaniaSongbirds(1or2dayworkshop,June1920):Thisisahandson,interdisciplinary
resourceandactivityguideforeducators,offeredthroughajointprojectoftheGameCommission,the
stateDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesandAudubonPennsylvania.Thisworkshopis
forK12educators.ItisscheduledtobeheldThursday,June19from8:30a.m.to3:30p.m.atKings
GapEnvironmentalEducationCenterinCarlisle.Additionally,anoptionalsessionisscheduledfor
Friday,June20from8:30a.m.to3:30p.m.atMiddleCreekWildlifeManagementAreaontheborder
ofLebanonandLancastercounties.Thecostis$20eachday,andincludesthePASongbirdsGuide
andtransportationfortheoptionalfieldtriptoMiddleCreek.ACT48hoursapproved.Toregister,
contactKingsGapat7174865031,orsendemailto:kingsgapsp@pa.gov.
PennsylvaniaBiodiversity(1dayworkshop,June30):Theimportanceofthis
seldomtalkedaboutissueisaddressedthroughtheuseofresourcematerialsandhandsonactivities.
Sessionparticipantswillinvestigatetheconceptsofbiodiversity,explorePennsylvaniasbiodiversityat
thegenetic,speciesandecosystemlevels,andexaminelocalandglobalissuesrelatingtobiodiversity.
ParticipatingteacherswillreceivethePennsylvaniaBiodiversityguide.Theworkshopisscheduledtobe
heldMonday,June30from9a.m.to3p.m.attheTuscaroraWildlifeEducationProject,Charles
BrightbillCenter,Box97,4881FortLoudonRoad,Mercersburg.Theactivitiesinthistrainingare
designedforupperelementary,middleandhighschool,howeverthebackgroundinformationabout
Pennsylvaniasecosystemandwildlifeprovidedinthisworkshopisappropriateforteachersofallgrade
levels.
Theworkshopwillbeheldbothindoorsandoutdoors,andthoseattendingtheworkshopareurgedto
dressappropriatelyandtopackalunch.Thecostoftheworkshopis$10,payabletoTWEP.ACT48
hoursprovided.Toregister,pleaseobtainaregistrationformandreturnittoTheresaAlbericiatthe
GameCommission.Formscanbeemailedto:talberici@pa.gov,orsentbyfaxto7177720542.
Thosewithquestionscancall7177871434or7173282126,orsendquestionsbyemailto:
twepmail@gmail.com.DeadlineforregistrationisJune20.
July
WILDaboutRaptors:Hawks,Harriers,Falcons,Ospreys,Eagles(1dayworkshop,July
16):Thisworkshop,forK12educators,willexploretheworldofPennsylvaniasdiurnalraptors.
ResourceswillincludeWildlifeNotesforeachspeciesandareviewofadditionalmaterialsusedand/or
availablefromtheGameCommission.Activitiesforthedayaredesignedtoaddresstopicsincluding:
adaptation,naturalhistoryandcurrentstatusofspecies.Asignificantportionofthedaywillbeafield
experiencedesignedtofurtherdevelopraptorwatchingandidentification.Theworkshopisscheduled
tobeheldWednesday,July16from8:30a.m.to3:30p.m.attheMiddleCreekWildlifeManagement
Area,ontheborderofLebanonandLancastercounties.Thereisnocosttoattendtheworkshop.
Thoseattendingareaskedtodressfortheindoorsandoutdoors,bringbinocularsifpossible,andpack
water,snacksandalunch.Act48hoursprovided.Toregister,contactBertMyersat:
gimyers@pa.gov,orcall7177331525.DeadlineforregistrationisJune30.
WILDaboutMammals(2dayworkshop,July2122):Designedforteachersattheelementary
level,thisworkshopisdesignedtoenhancetheparticipantsknowledgeaboutthediversewild
mammalsthatliveinourstate.Eachdaywillfeaturenaturalhistory,activitiesandfieldexperience.The
workshopisscheduledtobeheldonMonday,July21andTuesdayJuly22,from8:30a.m.to3:30
p.m.bothdays.ItwillbeheldattheMiddleCreekWildlifeManagementArea,ontheborderof
LebanonandLancastercounties.Thereisnochargetoattend,andthoseattendingareurgedtodress
fortheindoorsandoutdoors,andpackwaterandalunch.Act48hoursprovided.Toregister,contact
BertMyersat:gimyers@pa.gov,orcall7177331525.DeadlinetoregisterisJuly7.
WILDaboutBears(1dayworkshop,July31):Duringthisworkshop,GameCommission
personnel,alongwithworkshopparticipants,willexploretheworldoftheblackbear,focusingon
naturalhistory,managementpractices,researchandinteractionsbetweenbearsandpeople.Examinea
culverttrapusedtotrapbearsforresearchortoremovenuisancebears.Explorethehabitsandhabitat
oftheblackbear,andmaybehavethechanceforacloseupview.Theworkshopisscheduledtobe
heldWednesday,July31from8:30a.m.to3p.m.attheMonroeCountyEnvironmentalEducation
Center,8050RunningValleyRoad,Stroudsburg.Thereisnochargetoattend,andthoseattendingare
urgedtodressfortheindoorsandoutdoors,andpackwaterandalunch.Act48hoursprovided.To
register,obtainandcompletearegistrationformandreturntoTheresaAlberici.Formscanbesentby
emailtotalberici@pa.gov,orfaxedto7177720542.DeadlinetoregisterisJuly7,orsoonerifall
seatsfortheworkshoparefilled.Questionscanbephonedinto7177871434.
August
PennsylvaniaBiodiversity(1dayworkshop,Aug.12):Theimportanceofthis
seldomtalkedaboutissueisaddressedthroughtheuseofresourcematerialsandhandsonactivities.
Sessionparticipantswillinvestigatetheconceptsofbiodiversity,explorePennsylvaniasbiodiversityat
thegenetic,speciesandecosystemlevels,andexaminelocalandglobalissuesrelatingtobiodiversity.
ParticipatingteacherswillreceivethePennsylvaniaBiodiversityguide.Theworkshopisscheduledtobe
heldTuesday,Aug.12from9a.m.to3p.m.atWildwoodPark,100WildwoodWay,Harrisburg.
MeetattheNatureCenter.Theactivitiesinthistrainingaredesignedforupperelementary,middleand
highschool,however,thebackgroundinformationaboutPennsylvaniasecosystemsandwildlife
providedinthisworkshopisappropriateforteachersofallgradelevels.Theworkshopwillbeheld
bothindoorsandoutdoors,andthoseattendingtheworkshopareurgedtodressappropriatelyandto
packalunch.Thecostoftheworkshopis$10.ACT48hoursprovided.Toregister,contact
WildwoodParkat7172210292.RegistrationdeadlineisJuly25.
BiodiversityontheSusquehannaRiver(1dayworkshop,Aug.13):JointhePennsylvania
GameCommissionandWildwoodParkforacanoetripontheSusquehannaRiver.Explorethe
biodiversityofthisaquaticecosystembetweenFortHunterandWestFairview.Thistripwillincludea
stopnearWadeIslandtoviewPennsylvaniaslargestnestingsiteforgreategretsandblackcrowned
nightherons,bothofwhicharestateendangeredspeciesinPennsylvania.Theprogramalsoincludes
discussionsofsomeofthechallengesfacingplantsandanimalsoftheriver.Theworkshopwillbeheld
Wednesday,Aug.13from9a.m.to3p.m.ThemeetingsitewillbenearFortHunterParkin
Harrisburg,withtheexactlocationbeingsenttothosewhoregister.Thecostoftheworkshopis$10,
andthoseattendingareencouragedtopackwater,ahat,sunscreen,lunchandbinoculars.Act48hours
provided.Toregister,contactWildwoodParkat7172210292.ThedeadlinetoregisterisJuly25,
andspaceislimited.
WILDaboutReading:ReadingtoLearntheContentWildlifeandtheirHabitats(1day
workshop,Aug.14):Thishandsonprofessionaldevelopmentworkshopforteachersofgrades1
through3,specialeducationteachersandelementaryreadingspecialistsaddressesthePennsylvania
EnvironmentandEcologyandScienceStandards,aswellastheScience,TechnologyandEnvironment
andEcologyAssessmentAnchors.Participatingteacherswillreceive15nonfictionreadingbooks,
puppets,andafullcolorforesthabitatsilkmat.TheyalsowillreceivetheReadingtotheContent
CurriculumGuideandthenewlydevelopednationalearlychildhoodactivityguidefromtheGame
CommissionsGrowingUpWildprogram.Intotal,eachteacherwilltakebacktohis/herclassroom
over$350worthofmaterialsforstudents.TheworkshopisscheduledtobeheldonThursday,Aug.14
from8:30a.m.to3:30p.m.attheWildwoodParkNatureCenter,100WildwoodWay,Harrisburg.
Thereisnocostfortheworkshop.Thoseattendingareaskedtopackalunch.Snacksareprovided.
SixAct48hoursareavailableuponsuccessfulcompletionoftheworkshop.Toregister,pleaseobtain
andcompletearegistrationformandreturntoTheresaAlberici.Formscanbesentbyemailto
talberici@pa.gov,orfaxedto7177720542.ThedeadlinetoregisterisAug.1.Questionscanbe
phonedinto7177871434.
WILDAboutWaterfowl(1dayworkshop,Aug.19):Thisworkshopwillhelpeducatorsof
grades5through12learnaboutwaterfowlspeciesandtheimportanceoftheirwetlandhabitats.Topics
includehumanimpactsonwaterfowlandmigrationhabitsofwaterfowlwithintheAtlanticFlyway.Field
activitiesincludeobservationofduckbanding(conditionspermitting),waterfowlidentificationanda
guidedfieldexperience.TheworkshopisscheduledtobeheldTuesday,Aug.19from8:30a.m.to
3:30p.m.attheMiddleCreekWildlifeManagementArea,ontheborderofLebanonandLancaster
counties.Thereisnocosttoattend.ACT48hoursprovided.Toregister,contactBertMyersat:
gimyers@pa.gov,or7177331512.RegistrationdeadlineisJuly30.
SusquehannaRiverlandsProjectsReceiveFundingFromDCNR
WithfundingassistancefromDCNR,theLancasterCountyConservancyisawarding$72,125ingrants
tosixorganizationsthatsupporttheinitiativesoftheSusquehannaRiverlandsConservationLandscape.
TheregionencompassestheSusquehannaRiverandriversidelandsinYorkandLancaster
counties.TheprojectssupporttheeffortsoftheSusquehannaRiverlandstoenhancepublicrecreation
facilities,downtownrevitalizationandenvironmentaleducation.
Grantsawardedthisroundare:
BoroughofColumbia$25,000Fundingtodeterminethebestusesanddevelopa
maintenance/operationplanforthesoontobecompletedtrailandparkServicesbuildingatRiverPark.
Thegrantalsowillprovidefundingforthepurchaseoffurnitureandinterpretivedisplays.
DonegalIntermediateSchool$5,000Thirdtosixthgradestudentswillworkwithlocalartists
todesignandinstallatilemosaicontheretainingwallintheEastDonegalRiverfrontPark.
HellamTownship$4,825TheHellamTownshipEnvironmentalAdvisoryCouncilis
spearheadingaprojectfortheinstallationofademonstrationraingarden,rainbarrelsandnativeplant
gardensformanagingstormwaterrunoffinacosteffective,beautifulandenvironmentallyfriendlyway.
LancasterCreativeFactory$14,800ArtfulBenchesandaNaturalSculptureProgramwillbe
introducedalongtheNorthwestRiverTrail.Workingwithstudents,artists,fabricatorsandvolunteers,
theLancasterCreativeFactorywillcreateasetofartistic,functionalandpermanentbenchestoprovide
trailvisitorswithanaestheticallypleasingplacetorest.Studentswillparticipateinshootingavideo
documentingtheprocess.
TheMariettaCommunityHouse$2,500Theorganizationwillwriteandproduceaselfguided
walkingtourinbothprinted(booklet)anddigital(website)formats.Thelatterwillbeaccessible
anywherebyscanningaQRcode.
YorkCountyParksFoundationCharitableTrust$20,000HighpointScenicVistainterpretive
planincludingsignsandQRcodesfocusingonthenatural,culturalandhistoricresourcesoftheLower
Susquehannaregion.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRsSusquehannaRiverlandsLandscapeInitiativewebpage.
pagetosignupforyourowncopy.)
SusquehannaRiverTrailRoaringBullCanoe,Kayak,PaddleboardRacesJune7
JointheSusquehannaRiverTrailAssociationonJune7fortheRoaringBullCanoe,Kayak,and
StandupPaddleboardRacesbeginningatthemouthofMahantangoCreek(6milesnorthofMillersburg
attheDauphinCountyline)andfinishingatMillersburgsMYOPark.
Veteranandrookiedownriverracerscompeteinavarietyofclassesovera6.5mile
(recreationaldivision)or9mile(competitivedivision)course.Afterwards,lunchisprovidedatthe
MYOParkpavilioninMillersburg,followedbyayouthraceonaonemileloopcourse.Racers
receiveaneventtshirtandawards.
Registrationis$15peradultand$5perchild(underage14).
TheRoaringBullracesareagoodtimeforallwhetheraseasonedproorafamilyouttotest
theirmettle,saidJohnMeister,eventchairmanfortheSusquehannaRiverTrailAssociation.The
SusquehannaRiveranditsislandsprovidetheperfectsceneryandjusttherightamountofchallengeto
makeforamemorableevent!
Mediaareinvitedtocomeouttovideotapeorphotographtheevent.Boatsandguidescanbe
arranged.
TheSusquehannaRiverTrailaNationalRecreationTrailwasestablishedin1998to
promoteenvironmentallyresponsiblerecreationontheSusquehannaRiveranditsislandsand
encourageresourceawareness,stewardship,andconservationbyriverusers.
ThetrailismanagedbytheSRTA(anonprofitorganization)inpartnershipwiththeDepartment
ofConservationandNaturalResourcesandtheNationalParkServiceChesapeakeGatewaysand
WaterTrailsProgram.
Thetrailanditsislandcampsitescanbevisitedfromlatespringthroughearlyfallwhentheriver
levelisbelowfivefeetontheHarrisburggauge.Thisistherecommendedmaximumwaterlevel.A
waterproofguideprovidesdetailedinformationaboutthetrail,includingsafetytips,islandinsetmaps,
riverhistory,pointsofinterest,andmore.
InformationonpurchasingtheguidecanbefoundattheRiverTrailGuideswebpageand
registrationformsandfurtherdetails,visittheRoaringBullCanoe,Kayak,andStandupPaddleboard
Raceswebpage.
PACelebratesGetOutdoorsMonthInJune
OutdoorrecreationareasacrossPennsylvaniawillbehostingspecialeventsandactivitiesduringJuneas
partofastatewideGetOutdoorsMonthobservance,DepartmentofConservationandNatural
ResourcesSecretaryEllenFerrettisaidThursday.
"TheGetOutdoorsMonthcelebrationgivesourbureausofstateparksandforestry,aswellas
otheroutdoorrecreationfacilities,achancetoshowcasewhattheyoffertosomanyacross
Pennsylvania,"Ferrettisaid."Pennsylvaniansareurgedtogetoutandenjoyour120stateparks,2.2
millionacresofstateforestland,andthousandsoflocalparksandrecreationvenues."
Gov.TomCorbettgavetheeffortstrongmomentumwhenheproclaimedJune2014asGet
OutdoorsMonthandJune14,asGetOutdoorsDayinPennsylvania.
"Hundredsofeventsthroughoutthemonthareshowcasingourspecialoutdoorspaces,"Ferretti
said."Wearesofortunatetohaveplentyofopportunitiestoexplore,andtheseeventsallowpeopleto
discoverplacestheyhaveneverbeenorparticipateinnewrecreations."
ThemonthlongobservanceunderscorestheworkofDCNR,otherstateagencies,and
outdoorsorientedgroupsandbusinessestofuelorrenewparticipationinoutdoorsactivities,asnotedin
Corbett'sproclamation:
"ThroughtheGetOutdoorsPAprogram,citizensacrossthestatecanbeconnectedto
hundredsofoutdoorrecreationeventstosuittheirrecreationalinterests.Ledbyexperiencedtrip
leaders,theseeventsprovidesafe,funandclosetohomeopportunitiesforhealthyoutdoorrecreation."
Fishing,wildlifewatching,kayaking,hiking,bikingandspecialtipsforfirsttimecampersarejust
afewoftheGetOutdoorsPAactivitiesplannedthroughoutthestate.
SeverallocationsarehostingGetOutdoorsPAeventsonJune14incelebrationofGet
OutdoorsDay.Forthoseandotherevents,visitGetOutdoorsPA.
GameCommissionUrgesResidentsToGetOutdoorsPA!
Neverkayakedbefore,butitchingtogiveitatry?Beenhearingalotaboutgeocaching,buthaveno
ideawhatitmeans?
Theseandmanyotheractivitiesarebeingofferedacrossthestateinpublicspaces,suchasstate
andcommunityparks,throughtheGetOutdoorsPAprogram.
GetOutdoorsPAeventsgivePennsylvaniansmanyopportunitiestoventureafieldandconnect
withwildlife,andnotnecessarilyhavetotravelfarfromhometodoit,saidR.MatthewHough,
executivedirectorofthePennsylvaniaGameCommission.TheGameCommissionisproudtobepart
ofthisimportantpartnership,andwehopehunters,trappersandwildlifewatchersareamongthosewho
takeadvantageofwhattheprogramhastooffer.
TheGameCommissionrecentlysignedonasaflagshippartnerfortheGetOutdoorsPA
initiative.TheCommissionwillprovideinformationandguidanceonoutdoorrecreationalopportunities
includinghunting,shootingandwildlifewatching.
Ifthethoughtofventuringintotheoutdoorsoranewactivityalonegivesyoupause,dont
worry.GetOutdoorsPAeventsaredesignedasgroupexperiences.Recreationactivitiesincludehiking,
walking,biking,wildlifewatching,targetshooting,rockclimbing,geocaching,orienteering,fishing,
paddling,backpacking,camping,hunting,wildernesssurvival,crosscountryskiingandsnowshoeing.
Experiencedtripleadersteachskillsandtakeyoutothebestkeptsecretsofourparks,forests
andopenspaces.Manytimestheequipmentisincludedinthelearningexperience,sofindanevent,and
discoverplacesyouveneverbeentoonPennsylvaniassceniclandsandwaters.
VisittheGetOutdoorsPAwebsitetosearchamonghundredsofeventstakingplaceallyear.
Narrowyoursearchtolocalsurroundings,orexplorethepossibilitiesthroughoutthestate.
TheFishandBoatCommission,DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,
DepartmentofHealth,RecreationandParkSocietyandLandTrustAssociationareamongtheGame
Commissionspartnersinthisinitiative.
GetOutdoorsPAcanincreasePennsylvaniansknowledgeandappreciationofthe
opportunitiesthatmaketheKeystoneStateanoutdoorenthusiastsparadise.Dontmissyour
opportunitytoGetOutdoorsPAtodayandgetgoing!
June8FunDayAtGameCommissionHeadquartersInHarrisburg
TheGameCommissionhasteamedupwithMembers1stFederalCreditUniontoputon"FamilyFun
DaywiththeGameCommission,"aneventtobeheldJune8attheGameCommission'sHarrisburg
headquarters.
Plentyofactivitiesareplanned.Toursoftheheadquartersbuildingwillbeconductedatregular
intervals.MultipleshowingsoftheGameCommission'sfilmsonbaldeagleandelkrestorationare
scheduled.Thereareinstructionalsessionsonoutdoorphotography,wildlifehabitattours,archery
demonstrations,lasershootinggamesandmore.
There'snocosttoattendtheevent,andfreehotdogsanddrinkswillbeprovidedwhilesupplies
last.
FamilyFunDayisscheduledtobeheldfrom1p.m.to4p.m.onJune8.TheGame
Commission'sheadquartersislocatedat2001ElmertonAvenueinHarrisburg,whichisjustoffthe
ProgressAvenueexitofInterstate81.
ComeoutandtalkwithGameCommissionstafftolearnmoreaboutPennsylvaniawildlife,
huntereducationcourses,wildlifehabitatandmore.
BobWesoloskie,whoheadsupthemarketingandmerchandisingdivisionfortheGame
Commission,saidFamilyFunDaypromisestoliveuptoitsname.
"FamilyFunDayissuretobefunforthewholefamily,andwe'relookingforwardtoseeingyou
there,"Wesoloskiesaid.
June18OpenHouseInvitesCommentsOnPlannedKinzuaBridgeStateParkExhibits
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceswillholdanopenhousemeetingfor
stakeholdersandinterestedmembersofthepubliconJune18tohelpplantheinterpretiveexhibitsthat
willbeincludedinanewparkoffice/visitorcenteratKinzuaBridgeStatePark,McKeanCounty.
Themeetingwillbeheldfrom3:00to7:00p.m.attheMountJewettFireHallat2GallupAve.,
MountJewett,PA,16740.Attendeesmayparticipateinpartorallofthesession.
TheviaductatKinzuaBridgeStateParkisoneofthepremiertouristattractionsinMcKean
CountyandthePennsylvaniaWilds,andwehavemanypartnerswhoovertheyearshavecontributedto
itspromotionandsuccess,DCNRBureauofStateParksDirectorDaveKemmerersaid.This
planningsessionwillbeanopportunityforstakeholdersandthepublictohelpusformtheexhibitsand
educationalinformationinthenewcenterthatwilladdtoaqualityvisitorexperienceatthepark.
Theagendaforthemeetingincludesaprojectoverview,presentationofadraftconceptplan
andanopensessionwhereparticipantscanprovidecomments.Refreshmentswillbeprovided.
Anyoneinterestedinattendingthemeetingisaskedtoregisterbycontactingparkstaffatthe
newKinzuaBridgeStateParkbysendingemailto:kinzuabridgesp@pa.gov.
ConstructiononaparkofficeandvisitorcenteratKinzuaBridgeStateParkisanticipatedto
beginsometimethissummer,andbecompletedinthefallof2015.
Thevisitorcenterwillhouse2,800squarefeetofexhibitspaceintwoexhibithallsandalobby.
Themesfortheexhibitsinclude:
ThedramaticlandscapeoftheAlleghenyPlateauisrichinnaturalresources.Thesenatural
resourceshavestimulatedtheregionaleconomyovertimeandcontinuetodosotoday.
TheKinzuaviaductasasymboloftheengineeringindustryadvancesmadeinthelate1800sthat
supportedtheIndustrialRevolution.
Theviaductasaninspiringreminderoftheinventiveness,resourcefulnessandcandospiritofthe
peopleofthelate1800s.
Theuniqueopportunitiesforexperiencingnaturalbeauty,observingwildlife,understandingcultural
history,andparticipatinginrecreationalactivitiesatKinzuaBridgeStatePark.
The329acreKinzuaBridgeStateParkfeaturesremnantsofthe2,053footlongviaductthat
wasfirstbuiltofironin1882,andthenrebuiltofsteelin1900.Theviaduct,commonlyreferredtoasa
railroadbridge,isseriesofarchesthatcarrytherailroadoverthewidevalley.
Theviaductwastoppledbyatornadoin2003.
In2011,DCNRopenedapedestrianwalkwaywithaglassbottomobservationareadowninto
theKinzuaGorgeontheremaininghalfofthebridge.Thebridgeandobservationdeckwillremain
openduringconstructionoftheofficeandvisitorcenter.
Formoreinformation,visittheDCNRKinzuaBridgeStateParkorPAStateParkswebpages
orcallcalltollfree888PAPARKS.
PAParks&ForestsFoundationLaunches2014PhotoContest
Capturethebeauty,wonderandfunofPennsylvaniasstateparksandforestsandsharethose
experiencesinthePAParksandForestsFoundationsThroughtheSeasons2014PhotoContest.
SubmissionsaredueSeptember3.
Thisyearscontestincludesseveralnewfeatures,includinganewcategoryYoung
Photographersforbuddingshutterbugsaged10to21yearsold.Awardwinnerswillalsobe
showcasedinanewtravelingphotoshowtoappearinseverallocationsacrosstheCommonwealth.
Officialcontestcategoriesfor2014:AppreciationofBeautyKidsintheOutdoorsOutdoor
RecreationVolunteersinActionsDogsintheOutdoorsYoungPhotographers(photographersaged
1021)
AllphotosmusthavebeentakeninaPennsylvaniastateparkorstateforest.Prizesincludea
$75stateparkgiftcardforBestinShowwinners,a$50giftcardforFirstPlacewinnersineach
category,anda$25giftcardforSecondPlacewinnersineachcategory.
WinnerswillbeselectedbypopularvoteonPPFFsFacebookpage.Votingtakesplacefrom
September10toSeptember17.AwardwinnerswillbefeaturedintheFoundationsfallnewsletterand
maybeincludedonthePPFFwebsite,Facebookpageandinotherelectroniccommunications.
EntriesshouldbesenttoPPFFatppffnewsletter@pa.net.FindcompleterulesatthePAParks
andForestsFoundationThroughtheSeasons2014PhotoContestwebpage.
May28DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable
TheMay28issueofDCNRsResourcesnewsletterisnowavailable.ClickHereandgotothebottom
ofthepagetosignupforyourowncopy.
2ndAnnualPennsylvaniaFlyCastingChampionshipSept.6
FlycasterswillgatherattheCarlisleFairgroundsSportsandOutdoorNationalsshowSeptember6for
the2ndAnnualPennsylvaniaFlyCastingChampionship.
CohostedbytheCumberlandValleyChapterofTroutUnlimited,theChesapeakeCouncilof
theInternationalFederationofFlyFishers,andtheAntietamFlyAnglers,contestantswillcastsimulated
fliesat30inchtargetsarrayedbetween2065feetfromthecastingbox.
Contestantswillthenmovetothedistancerangewheretheywillattempttoplacetheirflies
withinanarrow10footwidelaneasfarastheycancast.Castingaflywithaccuracyandatdistance
willdeterminethebestofthebestflycasters.
Adultmenandwomenareinvitedtocompeteinexpertandintermediatecategoriesboys
andgirlsmaycompeteintheyouthcategory.ContestantsneednotbePennsylvaniaresidentsto
enter.Plaqueswillbeawardedtothetopthreecompetitorsineachcategory.
Sponsoredprizesmaybepresentedtothewinners.
Forinformation,contestrules,andregistrationform,checktheCumberlandValleyTUwebsite.
GameCommission:DoNotDisturbYoungWildlife
Theleavesaregreen,theflowersareinbloomand,onceagain,itsthattimeofyearwhenanew
generationofwildlifeismakingitsarrival.
AnditsalmostacertaintythatPennsylvanianswillencounteryoungwildlife,whetheritbein
theirbackyardsorhighonamountain.
Beingoutdoorsinthespringisanenjoyablewaytospendtimeandlearnmoreaboutnature,
saidCalvinW.DuBrock,whodirectstheGameCommissionsBureauofWildlifeManagement.
Whetherenjoyingyourbackyardorhikinginthewoods,itistimeforourannualmessagefor
Pennsylvanianstoleavewildlifealoneandinthewild,especiallyyoungoftheyear.
DuBrocksaidthatinthecomingdaysandweeks,Pennsylvanianscouldfindyoungdeer,
rabbits,birds,raccoonsorotherwildlife,someofwhichmightappeartobeabandoned.
Restassuredthatinmostcases,theyounganimalisnotanorphanorabandonedandthebest
thingyoucandoistoleaveitalone,DuBrockadvised.
DuBrocknotedadultanimalsoftenleavetheiryoungwhiletheadultsforageforfood.Also,
wildlifeoftenreliesonanaturaldefensivetacticcalledthehiderstrategy,whereyounganimalswill
remainmotionlessandhideinsurroundingcoverwhileadultsdrawtheattentionofpotentialpredators
orotherintrudersawayfromtheiryoung.
Whileitmayappearasiftheadultsareabandoningtheiryoung,inreality,thisisjusttheanimal
usingitsnaturalinstinctstoprotectitsyoung,DuBrocksaid.Also,younganimalsoftenhave
camouflagingcolorpatternstoavoidbeingdetectedbypredators.
Wildanimalsarenotmeanttobepets,andwemustallresistourwellmeaningand
wellintentionedurgetowanttocareforwildlife.Takingwildlifefromitsnaturalsettingsandintoyour
homemayexposeortransmitwildlifediseasestopeopleordomesticanimals,saidDubrock.Wildlife
alsomaycarryparasitessuchasfleas,ticksorlicethatyouwouldntwantinfestingyou,yourfamily,
yourhomeoryourpets.
DuBrocknotedthat,eachyear,peopleignorethisadvicebytakingwildlifeintotheirhomesand
thenareurgedtoundergotreatmentforpossibleexposuretovariouswildlifebornediseases,suchas
rabies.
Inadditiontoprotectingpublichealth,GameCommissionBureauofWildlifeProtection
DirectorRichPalmersaidthattheagencyalsoisconcernedwithwildlifeimplicationsfromhumans
handlingwildlife.
Habituatingwildlifetohumansisaseriousconcern,becauseifwildlifelosesitsnaturalfearof
humansitcanposeapublicsafetyrisk,Palmersaid.Forexample,afewyearsago,ayearling,
sixpointbuckattackedandseverelyinjuredtwopeople.Ourinvestigationrevealedthataneighboring
familyhadillegallytakenthedeerintotheirhomeandfeditasafawn.Thisfamilycontinuedtofeedthe
deerrightupuntilthetimeoftheattack.
Thisparticularincidentwasthesubjectofnumerousnewsstoriesaroundthestate,andserves
asafittingexampleofthepossibleconsequencesthatcanstemfromfeedingorsimplygettingtooclose
towildlife.
Inaddition,Palmernotedthatitisillegaltotakeorpossesswildlifefromthewild.Understate
law,thepenaltyforsuchaviolationisafineofupto$1,500peranimal.
Undernocircumstanceswillanyonewhoillegallytakeswildlifeintocaptivitybeallowedto
keepthatanimal,Palmersaid.Whileresidentslovetoviewwildlifeandareverycompassionate,they
mustenjoywildlifefromadistanceandallownaturetorunitscourse.
Palmeralsopointedoutthat,underaworkingagreementwithstatehealthofficials,anyhigh
riskrabiesvectorspeciesconfiscatedafterhumancontactmustbeeuthanizedandtesteditcannotbe
returnedtothewild.Thoughanymammalmaycarryrabies,speciesidentifiedintheagreementare:
skunks,raccoons,foxes,bats,coyotesandgroundhogs.
Exceptforsomespeciesofbats,populationsofallotherrabiesvectorspeciesarethriving,
Palmersaid.Therefore,toprotectpublichealthandsafety,itonlymakessensetoputdownananimal
fortesting,ratherthanriskrelocatingapotentiallyrabidanimal,andtoanswerthequestionofwhether
anypeoplewereexposedtotherabiesvirus.
DuBrocksaiditisalwayswisetoavoidwildanimalsandevenunfamiliardomesticpetsbecause
ofthepotentialrabiesrisk.
Animalsinfectedwithrabiesmaynotshowobvioussymptoms,butstillmaybeabletotransmit
thedisease,DuBrocksaid.
Peoplecangetrabiesfromthesalivaofarabidanimaliftheyarebittenorscratched,orifthe
salivagetsintothepersonseyes,mouthorafreshwound.ThelasthumanrabiesfatalityinPennsylvania
wasa12yearoldLycomingCountyboywhodiedin1984.
Wildliferehabilitators,whoarelicensedbytheGameCommission,aretheonlyoneswhoare
permittedtocareforinjuredororphanedwildlifeforthepurposesofeventualreleasebackintothe
wild.
Forthosewhofindwildlifethattrulyisinneedofassistance,alistingoflicensedwildlife
rehabilitatorscanbefoundonthePAAssociationofWildlifeRehabilitatorswebsite.
Ifyouareunabletoidentifyawildliferehabilitatorinyourarea,contacttheGameCommission
regionofficethatservesthecountyinwhichtheanimalisfoundsothatyoucanbereferredtothe
appropriatelicensedwildliferehabilitator.
RegionalofficecontactinformationcanbefoundontheGameCommissionswebsite.
NewsClips:
ThinkTwiceBeforeRescuingBabyWildlife
StudyToExaminePredatorsImpactOnDeer
GreeneCountyFarmerAndDedicatedBirder
GoldenEagleRecoversAtWildlifeWorksInYoungwood
DeadWhaleInPhillyPartOfGrowingTrend
AttorneyHarryKlodowskiNominatedForPresidentOfAir&WasteManagementAssn.
PittsburghenvironmentalattorneyHarryKlodowskiwithHull&Klodowski
LLC,hasbeennominatedtorunforpresidentoftheAir&WasteManagement
Association,aleadingenvironmentalprofessionalorganizationwithmorethan
5,000membersworldwide.
Klodowskihaspracticedenvironmentallawsince1979andhasadvised
companiesonenvironmentalcompliancequestions,negotiatedpermitsand
resolvedenforcementcases.Hebeganpracticingasalitigatorinamajor
Pittsburghlawfirm,anddevelopedanenvironmentalpracticeintoaseparate
department.HewasafoundingpartnerofanotherlargePittsburghfirm,where
hemanagedtheenvironmentallawpractice,supervising7professionals.
Basedonalmost30yearsexperiencepracticingenvironmentallawand
evaluatingavarietyoftechnicalissues,Klodowskibelievescompaniesshouldpaymoreattentionto
theirpermits.Environmentalpermitsarecontractswiththegovernmentallowingthecompanyto
operate.Permitswithunreasonableconditionscancreatedisastrousresultsandlargelegalbillsto
defendenforcementcases.Hiringexpertstoreviewadraftpermitcostsverylittleandwillreducefuture
costs.
Klodowskiisofteninvitedtospeakonairpollutionregulation,emissiontrading,airpermitting,
andotherregulatorymatters,andtothepublicontopicssuchasozonepollutionandenvironmental
protection.
HispublicationsincludeachapterinPrinciplesofEnvironmentalSampling,publishedbythe
AmericanChemicalSociety,andarticlesonairpollution,Brownfielddevelopment,auditprivilege,and
measurementerrorinenforcementsituations.
HewasactiveinthemanagementoftheEnvironmentalLawSectionoftheAlleghenyCounty
BarAssociationfrom1992through1997whenhewasChairmanoftheSectionandisaformerChair
oftheWesternPennsylvaniaSectionoftheAir&WasteManagementAssociation(A&WMA)andis
pastchairofA&WMA'sEducationalCouncil.HewasmadeaFellowMemberoftheAWMAin1998
inrecognitionofhisprofessionalandcivicaccomplishments.
TheelectionforA&WMAspresidentwillbeheldinJune2014.
Formoreinformation,contactHarryKlodowski,6400BrooktreeCourt,Suite250,Wexford,
PA15090,call7249404000orsendemailto:harry@klodowskilaw.com.
DEPStaffRecognizedForResponsetoI81TankerFire&Spill
DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzovisited
thedepartment'sSouthcentralRegionalOffice
onMay16topresentcertificatesofrecognition
tothosestaffwhoparticipatedinthecleanup
effortsfollowingalargetankertruckfirethat
happenedayearagoonanoverpassof
Interstate81inSusquehannaTownship,
DauphinCounty.
Thefireoccurredafteratankertruck
carrying7,500gallonsoffueloverturnedand
caughtfire,leadingtoclosingofawidelyused
ramptotoRoute322fromthecityformonths.
MorethantwodozenDEPstaffworkedwithPennDOT,areaemergencyrespondersandthe
DauphinCountyHazardousMaterialsunittoplacecontainmentboomsandsearchmultipleoutfallsfor
contaminationasdieselfuelmadeitswayintoastormdrainandintothenearbyPaxtonCreek.Thearea
islocatedbesidetheWildwoodWetlandsandfueleventuallyseepedintoWildwoodLake.
Overtheinitialresponseandweeksandmonthsfollowingtheincident,DEPstaff:
Assistedwiththecleanup/remediationofwetlandvegetation
Assistedwithasbestosabatementanddemolitionnoticespriortodemolitionofthebridgestructure
EnsuredthesurfacewaterintakesforSteeltonandHarrisburgwerenotaffectedbythecontamination
Ensuredthatpotentiallycontaminatedconcretewasproperlydisposedand
ProvidedAct2cleanup/remediationassistance.
DEP'sLoganHonoredAsFinalistForFinancialExecutiveOfTheYear
DEPExecutiveDeputySecretaryforAdministrationandManagementJeffreyM.Loganwashonored
recentlybytheCentralPennBusinessJournalasafinalistinits2014FinancialExecutivesoftheYear
program.
TheprogramwascreatedtohonorCentralPennsylvania'sfinancialexecutiveswhocontributeto
theregion'seconomicgrowthandstability.
Logan,whooverseesDEP'sbusinessmanagementandfinancefunctionsincludingtheagency's
$657millionbudgetand2,727employees,wasnominatedintheGovernment/School
District/Municipalitycategory.
LogantoldtheJournalwhathemostenjoysaboutworkingatDEPisworkingwithmillennials.
"Millennialsarecreativeandnotafraidtochallengethestatusquo,whichkeepsmeonmytoes."
LoganisfounderofDEP'sfutureleadersprogram,andservesasthegovernor'sappointeeand
financechairtothe$130millionGreatLakesProtectionFund.HeholdsaBSandMBAfromPenn
StateUniversity.
NortheastU.S.ForestryGroupHonorsDCNRForesterMarkLewis
AccomplishmentsincooperativeforestmanagementhaveearnedaBureauof
ForestryemployeeMarkLewisprestigioushonorsfromtheNortheasternArea
AssociationofStateForesters.
Lewis,aserviceforesterwiththeCornplanterStateForestDistrictbasedin
WarrenCounty,hasbeennamedthe2013recipientoftheassociationsCFM
ForesteroftheYearAward,recognizingoutstandingdedicationandprofessional
workofthestateserviceforestersina20stateregioncomprisingtheregional
organization.
"Iamveryhonoredtohavebeenselectedforthe2014CFMForesterof
theYearaward,andIamproudtorepresentDCNRandtheBureauofForestry,saidLewis,The
workbeingdonebyCFMforestersinPennsylvaniaandthroughouttheNortheaststatesistremendous
andfarreaching.Tobecountedamongsuchcompanyishumbling.Iamgratefultoallthosewhohave
helpedandencouragedmethroughoutmytenurewiththebureau."
LewiswaspickedfromamongsixcandidatesfromtheNortheastwhowereselectedfortheir
stellarworkin2013andthroughouttheirforestrycareers.Theawardwasdeterminedbythe
associationsCooperativeForestManagementCommitteefornotableachievementinsustainable
forestmanagementcontributionstotheforestryprofession,andcommunityinvolvement.
WearemostfortunatetohavesomeoneofMarksqualificationsanddedicationworkinginthe
districtandrepresentingtheBureauofForestryasheperformshisoutreachdutiesforthegeneral
public,andspecificallytheprivateforestlandownersofCrawfordCounty,saidCecileStelter,
Cornplanterdistrictforester,andLewisimmediatesupervisor.Iappreciatethenationalrecognitionthis
awardbringstoboththebureausserviceforesterprogramandMarksstellarachievements.
Employedbythebureausince1991,Lewisdirectsavarietyofprivatelandandcommunity
programsandinitiativeswithinCrawfordCounty.Forthefirsteightyearsofhiscareer,hewasassigned
asaserviceforesterinVenangoandForestcounties.
MarkLewishasbeenanactiveanddedicatedserviceforesterforover22yearsandis
wellknownwithinhisserviceareaandtheCornplanterForestDistrict,saidDCNRsDeputy
SecretaryofParksandForestDanDevlin.Healwaysoffersthehighestqualityguidancetolandowners
andhastheuncannyabilitytorelatetolandowners,regardlessoftheirage,knowledgelevel,sex,race
ornumberofacresowned."
Lewishasapprovedover120privateForestStewardshipPlanshasseenhisRiparianTree
Plantingprogramenterits14thyearandoverseesthedistrictsgypsymothsuppressionprogram.A
residentofMeadville,heisapopularfixtureatcommunity,civicandprofessionalevents.
LewisreceivedhisawardatamidMayconferenceoftheNortheasternAreaAssociationof
StateForesters,heldinStowe,Vt.
pagetosignupforyourowncopy.)
AMRCommunityLeaderJimReshRetiresFromIndianaConservationDistrict
JimReshhasbeenanemployeeoftheIndianaCountyConservationDistrictfor21yearswherehe
servedasDistrictManagerandwillberetiringthisweek.Since2001hehasbeenanactiveand
respectedmemberoftheAMRcommunityfornearlyaslongandhasservedastheSecretaryfor
WesternCoalitionforAbandonedMineReclamationsinceFebruary2013.
Duringhisprofessionalcareer,Jimwasinstrumentalinanumberofonthegroundabandoned
minereclamationprojectsincludingtheWaterworksConservationArea,anIndianaCountyPark
locatedalongTwolickCreekthatincorporatesalimedosingsilointothepark.
WithJim'sdirection,anabandonedminedrainagetreatmentsystemwasconstructedonLittle
MahoningCreek,theonlyhighqualitycoldwaterfisheryinIndianaCounty.
Additionally,JimcontributedtotheBearRunWatershedRenaissance,amultipartnereffortto
rehabilitateaportionoftheWestBranchSusquehannaRiverWatershedheadwatersthatbuiltseveral
abandonedminedrainagetreatmentsystems,reclaimedseveralacresofabandonedminelands,and
rehabilitatedseveralmilesofstream.
BearRunisonceagainsupportingreproducingwildtroutdueinparttoJim'sefforts.
OthersuccessesJimhelpedICCDrealizeincludetheoversightoftheenormouslysuccessful
DirtandGravelRoadProgram,theinstallationofamanuredigesteratoneofthecounty'slargerfarms,
andtheestablishmentofacountywidefarmer'smarket.
LuckyforWPCAMR,althoughJimisretiring,heisnotleavinghispostonourExecutive
Committee.JimintendstoremainWPCAMRSecretarywhilehepursuespersonal,travel,and
businessinterests.
JimhasatriptoTurkeyplannedforthenearfuture,thatisifhecanfindthetimetogetaway
fromhisshopwhereheinventedtheincreasinglypopularPoultryButler,anautomaticchickendoorfor
backyardflocks.CongratulationsJimonyourretirementandthanksforallofyoursuccessfulwork!
(WrittenByAnneDaymut,WatershedCoordinator,WesternPACoalitionforAbandonedMine
Reclamation,reprintedfromWPCAMRAbandonedMinePosts.)
DCNROpportunityToBidOnProjectsInCentre,Clinton,TiogaCounties
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcespublishednoticeofanopportunitytobidon
projectsinCentre,ClintonandTiogacounties.
Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming
advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased
June3CANCELED.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice)
June4AgendaReleased.DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.10thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.
LakeErieResourceMappingShipwrecks
CoastalZoneGrantsUpdate,Revisionofapplication,grantsguide
Section309ReviewofPAsCoastalResourcesManagementProgram
LakeErieBoundaryExpansionstatus
CoastalZoneUpdates
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts
June4DEPhearingonproposedrevisionstotheInfrastructureStateAirQualityImplementation
Plansforthe8hourozonestandard.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,SchuylkillRiverRoom,2East
MainSt.,Norristown.10:00a.m.tonoon.(formalnotice)
Plansforthe8hourozonestandard.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,
Harrisburg.10:00a.m.tonoon.(formalnotice)
Plansforthe8hourozonestandard.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.
10:00a.m.tonoon.(formalnotice)
June5AgendaReleased.DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
Recyclinggeomembranepadlinersfromoilandgaswellsites
Managementoffillpolicy
ReviewofDEPresponsetocommentsonmedical,chemotherapeuticwasterulemaking
ReviewofEPAsundergroundinjectionwellcontrolprogram
June5Agenda.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionismeetingtoconsiderwaterallocation
requests,RaystownLakeProject,proposedWaterResourcesProgramforFY201516,theAmerican
EelRestorationPlan,amendingtheComprehensivePlanforWaterResourcesintheBasin,amending
therecordsprocessingandregulatoryfeeschedule.LakeRaystownResort,LodgeandConference
Center,RiverBirchBallroom,3010ChipmunkCrossing,Entriken,Pa.9:00.(formalnotice)
June10AgendaReleased.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
UpdateonProposedRuleonhighvoltagecontinuousminingmachines
Considerationofproposedstandardsforsurfacefacilities
Discussionofdraftperformancebasedcablesafetyrequirements
Discussionofnextregulationfordevelopment
June10NEW.PAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthority,DEPholdahearingonthe2014Intended
UsePlansfortheCleanWaterandDrinkingWaterRevolvingFundPrograms.DEPHeadquarters
Building,2ndFloorAuditorium,400MarketSt.,Harrisburg.1:00.(formalnotice)
June1011Agenda.DelawareRiverBasinCommissionhearingandmeeting.WashingtonCrossing
HistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.(formalnotice)
June12DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice)
June12CANCELED.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.(formalnotice)
June12DEPpublichearingonproposedchangestoAirQualityImplementationPlantomeet
particulatestandardsinthePhiladelphiaarea.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,
Norristown.1:00.(formalnotice)
June16DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton
Ave.,Harrisburg.10:00.
June17CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.(formalnotice)
June17DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
June18DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.
June18DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperatorsmeeting.
10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
June24DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
June25DEPStateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOperatorsmeeting.Conference
Room11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
June26DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
July30DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LTBA.
VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition
programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.
June10DEPPennsylvaniaCleanDieselGrantProgram
June27SRBCConsumptiveUseMitigationProjectProposals
June30DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebateProgram
June30PennDOTMultiModalTransportationProjects
June30DCNRWildResourceConservationGrants
July3PROP2014RecyclingFilmFestival
July11DEPGrowingGreenerWatershedRestorationGrants
July11CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram
July11CFARenewableEnergyProgram
July11CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram
July14ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
July21CFASewageFacilitiesProgram
July21CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatement
July21CFAWatershedRestorationProtection
July21CFABaselineWaterQualityDataProgram
July21CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreation
July21CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPlugging
July21CFAFloodMitigationProgram
August15DEPSection902RecyclingGrants
September3NEW.PPFF2014PhotoContest
September22CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram
September22CFARenewableEnergyProgram
September22CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram
October31HawkMountainSanctuaryDigitalPhotoContest
October31PRCLensOnLitterPhotoContest
VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance
forenvironmentalprojects.
Budget/QuickNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate
May29EditionofDEPNews
May28DCNRResourceNewsletter
Budget
BigDecisionsAwaitLawmakersReturningToHarrisburg
Other
EnvironmentErieProgramWinsAward
PUCReleasesNewVideoOnShoppingForAnElectricSupplier
Editorial:EPADiktats,HowLowWillOzoneStandardGo
WesternPACommunitiesReceiveFederalBrownfieldsGrants
PPGAsksJudgeForTimeInLawsuitOverDEPDumpCleanupPlan
SludgeTreatmentPlantProjectNearsCompletionInNE
LowerSauconToRegulateDigitalBillboards
PATickPopulationExpectedToKeepGrowing
BeautifulDayAtNorthParkProducesKayakConverts
PresqueIsleDrawsCrowdOnFirstDayOfSwimming
BikeRepairStationUnveiledAtPresqueIsle
StudyToExaminePredatorsImpactOnDeer
GreeneCountyFarmerAndDedicatedBirder
GoldenEagleRecoversAtWildlifeWorksInYoungwood
ThinkTwiceBeforeRescuingBabyWildlife
SpeciesDisappearingFasterThanEarlierBelieved
DeadWhaleInPhillyPartOfGrowingTrend
DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere
MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling
NoMatterHowYouSpellIt,FrackingStirsControversy
MarcellusCompaniesOnCuttingEdge
WithNoRegistry,PADoesntKnowImpactOfFracking
DrillingSludgeRejectedInWashingtonCounty,SentToWV
WVLandfillBarredFromTakingDrillingSludge
DrillingWastewaterPlantWithdrawsDEPPermitApplicationInNE
ResidentsEvacuatedAfterLightningHitsWashingtonCountyGasPlant
LebanonPipelineAwarenessGroupSetsMeetingForJune3
MeadvilleCompanyBenefitsFromMarcellusShale
ShaleOilProductionSavingPhiladelphiaShipbuilding
Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate
Flooding
JohnstownFloodContinuesToResonateInState
RememberingTheJohnstownFlood125YearsLater
OpEd:LetsHaveNoMoreJohnstownFloods
OtherWatershedNewsClips
LearnAbout16Mile,20MileCreekInErie
AlleghenyWatershedImprovementNeedsHonoredInDC
PSUVideoOnConewagoCreekHonoredWithATelly
FloatingIslandToBeInstalledAtHarveysLake
LackawannaRiverfestSetForSaturdayInScranton
Editorial:FederalWaterswaysBillFloatsManyBoats
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardpublishednoticeofacorrectiontochangesinChapter250
regulationsrelatingtostatewidehealthstandardsundertheLandRecyclingProgram.
PennsylvaniaBulletinMay31,2014
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeoffinal2018ozoneseasonallowance
allocations.
ThePAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthorityandDEPpublishednoticeofanopportunitytocomment
andaJune10publichearingonthe2014IntendedUsePlansfortheCleanWaterandDrinkingWater
StateRevolvingFundPrograms.The2014IntendedUsePlanswillbepostedontheDEPIntended
UsePlanswebpage.
ThePAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityisinvitingcommentsonaproposedPAEnergyDevelopment
PlanoutliningtheAuthorityspolicygoals,generaloperatingprinciplesandinvestmentpriorities.(formal
notice) Theoriginalplanwaspublishedin1984andlastupdatedin2008andisrequiredtobe
updatedeverythreeyears.TheproposedplanwillbepostedonthePEDAwebpageandwillbe
availableforpubliccommentfor60days.
TheGovernorsExecutiveBoardpublishednoticeorareorganizationoftheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources(PABulletinpage3237).
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings
areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar
webpage.
ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek.
NOTE:It'sJune,sowatchforlotsoflastminuteSenate,HouseCommitteemeetings!
June2NEW.HouseAppropriationsCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill1254
(YudichakDLuzerne)amendingthePlumbingSystemLeadBanandNotificationActsponsor
summary.Room140.OfftheFloor.
June2HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingontheproposaltoexpandgasdrilling
leasingonStateForest,StateParklands.Room418.10:00.
June3NEW.SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill
1262(FontanaDAllegheny)providingforprivatelateralsewagelinerepairfundingsponsorsummary,
summary,SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearpowerplantfeessponsorsummary.
Room8EBEastWing.9:30.
June3CANCELED.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice)
June4NEW.HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill
1236(YawRLycoming)authorizingroyaltyinterestownersofoilandgaswellstoinspectrecordsof
gascompaniestoverifyproperpaymentsSenateBill1237(YawRLycoming)prohibitinggas
companiesfromretaliatingagainstroyaltyinterestownersofoilandgaswellsbyterminatingtheirlease
agreementSenateFiscalNoteandSenateBill1238(YawRLycoming)requiringgascompaniesto
fillasatisfactionpieceinthecountyRecorderofDeedsofficewhenoilandgasleasesareterminated
SenateFiscalNoteHouseBill2264(MillerRYork)increasingnuclearpowerplantfeessponsor
summary.RoomB31MainCapitol.10:00.
June4TimeChange.HouseGameandFisheriesCommitteeholdsaninformationalmeetingon
HouseResolution129(CauserRCameron)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteeto
investigatethefeasibilityofcombiningtheGameandFishandBoatCommissionsadoptedMay13,
2013.Room60EastWing.9:00.
June4NEW.HouseHumanServicesCommitteemeetstoconsiderSenateBill177(Greenleaf
RMontgomery)creatingtheLymeDiseaseTaskForcesponsorsummary.Room60EastWing.Off
theFloor.
June4AgendaReleased.DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.10thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.
Plansforthe8hourozonestandard.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,SchuylkillRiverRoom,2East
MainSt.,Norristown.10:00a.m.tonoon.(formalnotice)
Plansforthe8hourozonestandard.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,
Harrisburg.10:00a.m.tonoon.(formalnotice)
Plansforthe8hourozonestandard.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.
10:00a.m.tonoon.(formalnotice)
June5AgendaReleased.DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
June5Agenda.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionismeetingtoconsiderwaterallocation
requests,RaystownLakeProject,proposedWaterResourcesProgramforFY201516,theAmerican
EelRestorationPlan,amendingtheComprehensivePlanforWaterResourcesintheBasin,amending
therecordsprocessingandregulatoryfeeschedule.LakeRaystownResort,LodgeandConference
Center,RiverBirchBallroom,3010ChipmunkCrossing,Entriken,Pa.9:00.(formalnotice)
June10AgendaReleased.DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
June10NEW.PAInfrastructureInvestmentAuthority,DEPholdahearingonthe2014Intended
UsePlansfortheCleanWaterandDrinkingWaterRevolvingFundPrograms.DEPHeadquarters
Building,2ndFloorAuditorium,400MarketSt.,Harrisburg.1:00.(formalnotice)
June1011Agenda.DelawareRiverBasinCommissionhearingandmeeting.WashingtonCrossing
HistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.(formalnotice)
June12DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice)
June12CANCELED.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.(formalnotice)
June12DEPpublichearingonproposedchangestoAirQualityImplementationPlantomeet
particulatestandardsinthePhiladelphiaarea.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,
Norristown.1:00.(formalnotice)
June16DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton
Ave.,Harrisburg.10:00.
June17CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.(formalnotice)
June17DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
June18DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.
June18DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperatorsmeeting.
10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
June24DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
June25DEPStateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOperatorsmeeting.Conference
Room11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
June26DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
June2627PennsylvaniaAbandonedMineReclamationConference.RamadaInnandConference
Center,StateCollege.
July30DCNRNaturalGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LTBA.
July2325PROPRecyclingandOrganicsConference.DoubleTreePittsburghMeadowLands,
Washington,PA.
September25PennStateExtensionYouthWaterEducatorsSummit.TheCentralHoteland
ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor
EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state
budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof
EnvironmentalEducators'website.
SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule
YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.
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Pa Environment Digest June 2, 2014

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Pa Environment Digest June 2, 2014

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