PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates

Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward

Issue#602Harrisburg,PaJanuary11,2016

DEPReleasesFinalChapter78DrillingRegulationsForActionByEQB

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayreleasedthefinalversionofits
Chapter78(conventional)andChapter78A(unconventionalMarcellusShale)oilandgas
drillingregulationsithassubmittedtothe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
forconsiderationon
February3.
Theregulatorypackageover2,500pagesisavailableonthe
EQBwebpage
.The
packageincludesthe
ExecutiveSummary
,
Preamble
,
FinalRegulation
,
Comment/ResponsePart
1
(originalcommentperiod),
Comment/ResponsePart2
(advancednoticeoffinalrulemaking),
RegulatoryAnalysisForm
,
1PageSummaries
anda
RegulationFactSheet
.
Comments
bythe
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
and
commentsby
the
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
arealsoavailable.
Theseregulatorychangesarebalanced,incrementalandappropriateprotectingpublic
healthwhileenablingresponsibledrillingtoproceed,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.These
rulesarealongtimecomingmorethan4yearsandwerewrittenwithanunprecedented
amountofpublicparticipationandtransparency.Weveworkedhardtoensurethatthehealth
andsafetyofourcitizensareprotected,andtheneedsofindustryarebeingmet.
Quigleysaidtheamendmentstotheoilandgasregulationsaddresssurfaceactivitiesat
wellsites,andcenteronfivecoreareas:
Improveprotectionofwaterresources,
Addpublicresourcesconsiderations,
Protectpublichealthandsafety,
Addresslandownerconcerns,and
Enhancetransparencyandimprovedatamanagement.
Itsimportanttoemphasizetheroleofthepublicandstakeholdersinthisprocess.
Acrossadozenpublichearings,twopubliccommentperiodsthatattractedalmost28,000
comments,and20meetingswiththeOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardandConventional
OilandGasAdvisoryCommittee,thishasbeenanexerciseintransparencyinrulemaking,said
Quigley.
Theserulespresentadistinct,substantiveseparationofregulatoryprovisionsapplicable
toconventionalandunconventionalwells.Theywillallowtheoilandgasindustriesin
Pennsylvaniatocontinuetoflourish,whileaddingadditionalcommonsenseenvironmentaland
publichealthsafeguards,headded.
Hereareafewdifferencesbetweentheregulationsforunconventional(MarcellusShale)
andconventionaldrilling

Useofpitstostoredrillingwastes:
Theunconventionalindustrywillbeprohibitedfrom
utilizingpitstostoredrillcuttingsandwastefluids.Theconventionalindustrywillcontinueto
beabletousepitsthatarelessthan3,000squarefeetandstorelessthan125,000gallonsoffluid
underapermitbyrule.Largerpitswillrequireanindividualpermit.
Disposalofdrillcuttings:
Theunconventionalindustrywillberequiredtoobtainan
individualpermittodisposeofdrillcuttingsatthewellsite.Thispracticeispermittedbyrulefor
theconventionalindustryandnochangestothispracticeareproposedthroughthisrulemaking.
Secondarycontainmentatwellsites:
Theunconventionalindustrywillberequiredto
employsecondarycontainmentaroundallstoragevessels,trucksusedtostorepollutional
substancesanddrillrigs.Secondarycontainmentisonlyrequiredatnew,replacedorrefurbished
brinetanksatconventionalsites.
Gatheringlines:
Theunconventionalrulescontainnewsectionsongatheringline
constructionandhorizontaldirectionaldrillingbeneathstreams.Theconventionalrulesdonot
containthesesections.
Temporarypipelines:
Theunconventionalrulescontainanewsectionontheinstallationand
useoftemporarylinesusedtotransportfreshwaterandwastewater.Theconventionalrulesdo
notcontainthisprovision.
Watermanagementplans:
Theunconventionalrulesrequireoperatorstoobtainawater
managementplanbeforetheywithdrawwaterforhydraulicfracturingpurposes.The
conventionalrulesdonotcontainthisrequirement.
Beneficialuseofbrine:
Conventionaloperatorshavetheabilitytobeneficiallyusetheirbrine
fordustsuppressionanddeicingpurposes.Wastefluidfromunconventionalwellsmaynotbe
used.
Reporting:
Unconventionaloperatorsmustreporttheirproduct(gasandcondensate)and
wasteonamonthlybasis.Conventionaloperatorsmustreportannually.
IndustryReactionUnconventionalDrillers
MarcellusShaleCoalition
presidentDavidSpigelmyerissuedthefollowingstatement
regardingtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsreleaseofitsfinalrulemakingregarding
oilandgasoperations:
Pennsylvaniaisalreadywellrecognizedforhavingamongthenationsstrongestand
mosteffectiveenvironmentalandenforcementstandards,whichtheindustryhasworkedhardto
modernize.Unfortunately,DEPfailedtoconsultwiththeindustryregardingitscomprehensive
comments,aswellastobetterunderstandthecostofcompliancewiththisrulemakingasthey
haddonewiththeinitialproposalin2013.Asreflectedinourcomments,thisrulemakingwill
costPennsylvaniajobcreatorsnearly$2billionannuallywithoutprovidingmeaningful
environmentalbenefits.
Wehaveworkedingoodfaithtoprovideconstructivecommentsonthisproposedrule.
WestandreadytoworkcollaborativelywithDEPandtheGeneralAssemblytoadvance
commonsensepoliciesthatworkforallPennsylvanians.
PennsylvaniaIndependentOil&GasAssociationPresidentLouisD.DAmicotoday
issuedthefollowingstatementregardingthestateDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
transmittalofthefinaloilandnaturalgasregulations(Chapter78and78a)totheEnvironmental
QualityBoard:
Thedevelopmentoftheseregulationsoverthepastfouryearshasbeenflawedtothe
pointofbeingfraudulent.ThemodernizationofenvironmentalcontrolswasrequiredbyAct13

fortheunconventionalindustryandyet,despiteworkingontheseregulationssince2011,DEP
hasstillnotexplainedorshowntheneedtomakethemapplicabletotheconventionalindustry.
Thereasonablenessoftheserulemakingpackagesisnotdeterminedbythevolumeof
materialsaccompanyingthem,andDEPstoutingitsresponsestoeveryoneofthealmost
28,000commentsreceivedisdisingenuousbecausemanyofthosecommentswereformletters
and,moreimportantly,DEPsresponsescometoolateintheprocesstohaveanylegitimacyor
merit.
JustasdisingenuousisDEPsreferencetothe20meetingswiththeOilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoardandConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteeassometypeof
evidencethishasbeenanexerciseintransparencyinrulemaking.Onemustrememberthatin
themiddleofthisrulemakingprocessthisadministrationquietlyreplacedallofthelongserving
anddedicatedTABmembersandviolatedtheOilandGasActbytryingtoaddnewnonvoting
members,andyetstillfailedtoengageTABandtheConventionalOilandGasAdvisory
Committeeintherequiredconsultationortoprovidebothwiththerequiredreasonable
opportunitytoreviewandcommentpriortosubmissionofthepackagestotheEQB.
Repeatedreferencesbythisadministrationtowhateveritproposesascommonsense
cannotmagicallytransformanyofthem,especiallytheserulemakings.Welookforwardto
pressingonwithourfightagainstthisabuseofprocessandextremeregulatoryoverreachthese
rulemakingsrepresent.
IndustryReactionConventionalDrillers
PAIndependentOil&GasAssociation
PresidentLouisD.DAmicoThursdayissuedthe
followingstatementregardingtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionstransmittalofthe
finaloilandnaturalgasregulations(Chapter78and78a)totheEnvironmentalHearingBoard
[Note:ShouldbeEnvironmentalQualityBoard.]
:
Thedevelopmentoftheseregulationsoverthepastfouryearshasbeenflawedtothe
pointofbeingfraudulent.ThemodernizationofenvironmentalcontrolswasrequiredbyAct13
fortheunconventionalindustryandyet,despiteworkingontheseregulationssince2011,DEP
hasstillnotexplainedorshowntheneedtomakethemapplicabletotheconventionalindustry.
Thereasonablenessoftheserulemakingpackagesisnotdeterminedbythevolumeof
materialsaccompanyingthem,andDEPstoutingitsresponsestoeveryoneofthealmost
28,000commentsreceivedisdisingenuousbecausemanyofthosecommentswereformletters
and,moreimportantly,DEPsresponsescometoolateintheprocesstohaveanylegitimacyor
merit.
JustasdisingenuousisDEPsreferencetothe20meetingswiththeOilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoardandConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteeassometypeof
evidencethishasbeenanexerciseintransparencyinrulemaking.Onemustrememberthatin
themiddleofthisrulemakingprocessthisadministrationquietlyreplacedallofthelongserving
anddedicatedTABmembersandviolatedtheOilandGasActbytryingtoaddnewnonvoting
members,andyetstillfailedtoengageTABandtheConventionalOilandGasAdvisory
Committeeintherequiredconsultationortoprovidebothwiththerequiredreasonable
opportunitytoreviewandcommentpriortosubmissionofthepackagestotheEQB.
Repeatedreferencesbythisadministrationtowhateveritproposesascommonsense
cannotmagicallytransformanyofthem,especiallytheserulemakings.Welookforwardto
pressingonwithourfightagainstthisabuseofprocessandextremeregulatoryoverreachthese
rulemakingsrepresent.

FormoreinformationonChapter78,visitthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
webpage.
FormorebackgroundinformationonhowtheChapter78regulationsweredeveloped,visit
DEPs
OilandGasManagementRegulations
webpage.
NewsClips:
NoFrackingPitsAllowedUnderNewDEPDrillingRegs
DEPFinalizesNewOil&GasDrillingRegulations
DEPProposesChangesToDrillingRules
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPMovesForwardWithOilAndGasRulemaking
HowMuchWillNewDEPDrillingRegsCostIndustry?
AlleghenyFront:WhatsInDEPsNewDrillingRegs?
RelatedStories:
ConventionalOil,GasAdvisoryCommitteeAgainChallengesDEPDrillingRegs
MarcellusDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeProvidesDrillingRegCommentsToEQB
Analysis:MythConventionalOilAndGasDrillingIsBenign

ConventionalOil,GasAdvisoryCommitteeAgainChallengesDEPDrillingRegs

The
votingmembers
ofDEPs
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
Monday
finalized
itscomments
onthefinal
Chapter78drillingregulations
andsubmittedthemtothe
EnvironmentalQualityBoardforitsconsideration.
ThevotingmembercommentsfromtheCommitteeagainallegedDEPdidnotfollowthe
properrulemakingproceduresindevelopingtheregulationtheysaidtherulecreatesan
unreasonableburdenondrillerstoreplacewatersuppliestheycontaminatedtopredrilling
standardscreatesanunreasonablestandardforrestoringdrillingsitestopredrillingstandards
andmadeothercomments.
DEPs
2014OilandGasAnnualReport
foundconventionaloilandgaswellshadthree
timestheviolationsofunconventionalwellsandnearlythreetimesthenumberofenforcement
actionsduring2014.
ClickHere
foracopyoftheCommittees43pagesofcomments.
IndustryReactionConventionalDrillers
PAIndependentOil&GasAssociation
PresidentLouisD.DAmicoThursdayissuedthe
followingstatementregardingtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionstransmittalofthe
finaloilandnaturalgasregulations(Chapter78and78a)totheEnvironmentalHearingBoard
[Note:ShouldbeEnvironmentalQualityBoard.]
:
Thedevelopmentoftheseregulationsoverthepastfouryearshasbeenflawedtothe
pointofbeingfraudulent.ThemodernizationofenvironmentalcontrolswasrequiredbyAct13
fortheunconventionalindustryandyet,despiteworkingontheseregulationssince2011,DEP
hasstillnotexplainedorshowntheneedtomakethemapplicabletotheconventionalindustry.
Thereasonablenessoftheserulemakingpackagesisnotdeterminedbythevolumeof
materialsaccompanyingthem,andDEPstoutingitsresponsestoeveryoneofthealmost
28,000commentsreceivedisdisingenuousbecausemanyofthosecommentswereformletters
and,moreimportantly,DEPsresponsescometoolateintheprocesstohaveanylegitimacyor
merit.

JustasdisingenuousisDEPsreferencetothe20meetingswiththeOilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoardandConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteeassometypeof
evidencethishasbeenanexerciseintransparencyinrulemaking.Onemustrememberthatin
themiddleofthisrulemakingprocessthisadministrationquietlyreplacedallofthelongserving
anddedicatedTABmembersandviolatedtheOilandGasActbytryingtoaddnewnonvoting
members,andyetstillfailedtoengageTABandtheConventionalOilandGasAdvisory
Committeeintherequiredconsultationortoprovidebothwiththerequiredreasonable
opportunitytoreviewandcommentpriortosubmissionofthepackagestotheEQB.
Repeatedreferencesbythisadministrationtowhateveritproposesascommonsense
cannotmagicallytransformanyofthem,especiallytheserulemakings.Welookforwardto
pressingonwithourfightagainstthisabuseofprocessandextremeregulatoryoverreachthese
rulemakingsrepresent.
EQBConsiderationOfRegulationFeb.3
DEPreleasedthefinalversion
oftheChapter78(conventional)andChapter78A
(unconventional)drillingregulationsWednesday.
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardisscheduledtomeetonFebruary3toconsiderthe
finalregulations.
ConventionalCommitteeMeetingJan.13
TheCommitteesnextmeetingisonJanuary13toconsiderotherissues,including:
ReviewofFormsRequiredToImplementChapter78ReviewofTechnicalGuidanceTo
ImplementChapter78DCNRPresentationOnPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewSystem
PresentationonEPACleanPowerClimatePlanRequirementsandWellCompletion,Waste
Reporting,Drilling/CoalMiningCoordination.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00
a.m.MeetingsoftheCommitteearefrequentlywebcast,butnoinformationhasbeenpostedyet
onthatoption.
TheConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteewascreatedandnamedbyDEP
SecretaryinMarchoflastyearbecauseDEPlackedanadvisorygroupspecificallyon
conventional,versusMarcellusShale,drillingindustry.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,400Market
Street,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
UnconventionalDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeMeetingJan.14
ThenextmeetingofDEPs
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
(unconventional
MarcellusShaledrilling)isJanuary14atthesamelocation,timeandwithasimilaragenda.The
DEPcontactisthesame.
ThefinalversionoftheChapter78(conventional)&78A(unconventional)drilling
regulationsisavailableonthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
webpagealongwithother
supportingmaterials.
FormorebackgroundinformationonhowtheChapter78regulationsweredeveloped,
visitDEPs
OilandGasManagementRegulations
webpage.
NewsClips:
NoFrackingPitsAllowedUnderNewDEPDrillingRegs
DEPFinalizesNewOil&GasDrillingRegulations
DEPProposesChangesToDrillingRules

DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPMovesForwardWithOilAndGasRulemaking
HowMuchWillNewDEPDrillingRegsCostIndustry?
AlleghenyFront:WhatsInDEPsNewDrillingRegs?
RelatedStories:
DEPReleasesFinalChapter78DrillingRegulationsForActionByEQB
MarcellusDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeProvidesDrillingRegCommentsToEQB
Analysis:MythConventionalOilAndGasDrillingIsBenign

MarcellusDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeProvidesDrillingRegCommentsToEQB

OnWednesdaythefivevotingmembersof
DEPsOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
on
unconventional(MarcellusShale)drilling
submittedextensivecomments
totheEnvironmental
QualityBoardonDEPsfinal
Chapter78Adrillingregulations
.
ThevotingmembersofTABcommendDEPforthehardworkandcommitmentitsstaff
hasputintotheregulatorydevelopmentprocess,butmakesaseriesofsixrecommendationson
howtheTABcouldhavebeenusedmoreeffectively.
TheTABcommentslistedconcernswiththefinalregulations,includingtheprotections
forendangeredspeciesshouldbenarrowedtomeettherequirementofa
recentproceduralruling
byCommonwealthCourt
howtherestorationofwatersuppliesdamagedbydrillingshouldnot
bereturnedtoSafeDrinkingWaterstandardsorbettertheextenttowhichdrillersarerequired
toidentifyabandonedwellsintheareaofdrillingwellsiterestorationandotherissues.
ThevotingmembersofTABalsosaidtheguidanceandformsneededtoimplementthe
regulationshouldbecompletedpriortoenforcementoftheregulations.
ThevotingmembersofTABinclude:BryanMcConnell,P.G.,Tenaska,Inc.Fred
Baldassare,P.G.,ECHELONAppliedGeoscienceConsultingRobertHendricks,P.G.,Shell
ExplorationandProductionCompanyCaseySaunders,P.E.,CONSOLEnergyandDavid
Yoxtheimer,P.G.,MarcellusCenterforOutreachandResearch,PennStateUniversity.
NonVotingMemberComments
ThecommentsofthethreenonvotingmembersofTABwerealsoincludedinthereport
senttotheEQB.ThecommentsreviewedtheextensivepublicparticipationtoolsDEPusedin
theprocessofdevelopingtheregulations,includingaddingadditionalmemberstoTABto
provideotherpointsofview.
Theserulesareintendedtoprovideforthesafe,efficient,andenvironmentallysound
productionofPennsylvaniasoilandgasresources.
Throughouttheextensivepublicprocess,concernshavebeenexpressedthateitherthe
regulationsaretoorestrictiveonindustry,orthattheyarenotrestrictiveenoughtoadequately
protectthepublichealthandtheenvironment.
Aswithanyrulemaking,thesewillalwaysbesomedegreeofdisagreement.Itisthejob
ofthePADEPtobalancethecommentsreceived,and,basedontheirownexperienceandthe
lawsoftheCommonwealth,promulgateregulationstheybelievetobereasonableandnecessary
fortheprotectionoftheenvironment.
Webelievetheneedandauthorityforthisrulemakingisclear,therulesarebasedon
soundscienceandengineeringandthePADEPhastakenunparalleledstepstoconsultwith

industryandthepublicintheirformation.
Assuch,weendorseadvanceoftherulemaking.
Thenonvotingmembersinclude:
MichaelGriffin,PhD
,DepartmentofEngineeringand
PublicPolicy,CarnegieMellonUniversityEmilyKrafjack,
ConnectionforOil,Gas&
EnvironmentintheNorthernTier
andJohnWalliser,
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
.
Acopyofthecomments
isavailableonline
.
IndustryReactionUnconventionalDrillers
MarcellusShaleCoalition
presidentDavidSpigelmyerissuedthefollowingstatement
regardingtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsreleaseofitsfinalrulemakingregarding
oilandgasoperations:
Pennsylvaniaisalreadywellrecognizedforhavingamongthenationsstrongestand
mosteffectiveenvironmentalandenforcementstandards,whichtheindustryhasworkedhardto
modernize.Unfortunately,DEPfailedtoconsultwiththeindustryregardingitscomprehensive
comments,aswellastobetterunderstandthecostofcompliancewiththisrulemakingasthey
haddonewiththeinitialproposalin2013.Asreflectedinourcomments,thisrulemakingwill
costPennsylvaniajobcreatorsnearly$2billionannuallywithoutprovidingmeaningful
environmentalbenefits.
Wehaveworkedingoodfaithtoprovideconstructivecommentsonthisproposedrule.
WestandreadytoworkcollaborativelywithDEPandtheGeneralAssemblytoadvance
commonsensepoliciesthatworkforallPennsylvanians.
PennsylvaniaIndependentOil&GasAssociationPresidentLouisD.DAmicotoday
issuedthefollowingstatementregardingthestateDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
transmittalofthefinaloilandnaturalgasregulations(Chapter78and78a)totheEnvironmental
QualityBoard:
Thedevelopmentoftheseregulationsoverthepastfouryearshasbeenflawedtothe
pointofbeingfraudulent.ThemodernizationofenvironmentalcontrolswasrequiredbyAct13
fortheunconventionalindustryandyet,despiteworkingontheseregulationssince2011,DEP
hasstillnotexplainedorshowntheneedtomakethemapplicabletotheconventionalindustry.
Thereasonablenessoftheserulemakingpackagesisnotdeterminedbythevolumeof
materialsaccompanyingthem,andDEPstoutingitsresponsestoeveryoneofthealmost
28,000commentsreceivedisdisingenuousbecausemanyofthosecommentswereformletters
and,moreimportantly,DEPsresponsescometoolateintheprocesstohaveanylegitimacyor
merit.
JustasdisingenuousisDEPsreferencetothe20meetingswiththeOilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoardandConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteeassometypeof
evidencethishasbeenanexerciseintransparencyinrulemaking.Onemustrememberthatin
themiddleofthisrulemakingprocessthisadministrationquietlyreplacedallofthelongserving
anddedicatedTABmembersandviolatedtheOilandGasActbytryingtoaddnewnonvoting
members,andyetstillfailedtoengageTABandtheConventionalOilandGasAdvisory
Committeeintherequiredconsultationortoprovidebothwiththerequiredreasonable
opportunitytoreviewandcommentpriortosubmissionofthepackagestotheEQB.
Repeatedreferencesbythisadministrationtowhateveritproposesascommonsense
cannotmagicallytransformanyofthem,especiallytheserulemakings.Welookforwardto
pressingonwithourfightagainstthisabuseofprocessandextremeregulatoryoverreachthese
rulemakingsrepresent.

EQBConsiderationOfRegulationFeb.3
DEPreleasedthefinalversion
oftheChapter78(conventional)andChapter78A
(unconventional)drillingregulationsWednesday.
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardisscheduledtomeetonFebruary3toconsiderthe
finalregulations.
UnconventionalDrillingAdvisoryCommitteeMeetingJan.14
ThenextmeetingofDEPs
OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
(unconventional
MarcellusShaledrilling)isJanuary14toconsiderotherissues,including:ReviewofForms
RequiredToImplementChapter78ReviewofTechnicalGuidanceToImplementChapter78
DCNRPresentationOnPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewSystemPresentationonEPA
CleanPowerClimatePlanRequirementsandWellCompletion,WasteReporting,Drilling/Coal
MiningCoordination.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00
a.m.MeetingsoftheCommitteearefrequentlywebcast,butnoinformationhasbeenpostedyet
onthatoption.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,400Market
Street,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
ConventionalCommitteeMeetingJan.13
TheCommitteesnextmeetingisonJanuary13atthesamelocation,timeandwitha
similaragenda.TheDEPcontactisthesame.
ThefinalversionoftheChapter78(conventional)&78A(unconventional)drilling
regulationsisavailableonthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
webpagealongwithother
supportingmaterials.
FormorebackgroundinformationonhowtheChapter78regulationsweredeveloped,
visitDEPs
OilandGasManagementRegulations
webpage.
NewsClips:
NoFrackingPitsAllowedUnderNewDEPDrillingRegs
DEPFinalizesNewOil&GasDrillingRegulations
DEPProposesChangesToDrillingRules
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPMovesForwardWithOilAndGasRulemaking
HowMuchWillNewDEPDrillingRegsCostIndustry?
AlleghenyFront:WhatsInDEPsNewDrillingRegs?
RelatedStories:
DEPReleasesFinalChapter78DrillingRegulationsForActionByEQB
ConventionalOil,GasAdvisoryCommitteeAgainChallengesDEPDrillingRegs
Analysis:MythConventionalOilAndGasDrillingIsBenign

NominationsFor2016GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellenceDueJan.15

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvites
Pennsylvaniabusinesses,farms,governmentagencies,
educationalinstitutions,nonprofitorganizationsand

individualstosubmitnominationsforthe
2016GovernorsAwardforEnvironmental
Excellence
.
NominationsaredueJanuary15.
Thisprestigiousawardhonorsthoseprojectsthathavetransformedenvironmental
challengesintoopportunities.
Wewanttoshowcasethekindsofinnovative,energysavingandrestorativeprojects
takingplaceallacrossPennsylvania,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.Theseprojectsandthe
peoplewhodevelopthemwillhelpleadPennsylvaniaintothenexteraofenvironmental
protection.
Awardwinningprojectswillbeselectedbasedoneightcriteria:protection,partnership,
publicservice,environmentaleducationandoutreach,pollutionprevention,economicimpact,
innovativetechnology,andnewthisyear,climatechange.
Pennsylvania'sclimatehasbeensteadilywarmingoverthepastcenturyandifit
continues,suchwarmingwillhavedisastrousimpactstoourenvironmentandeconomy,
Quigleysaid.Weareparticularlyinterestedinprojectsthatactivelyseektolimitorreducethe
rateoflongtermclimatechangethroughthereductionofgreenhousegasemissions.
Tobeeligibleforconsideration,projectsmusthavebeencompletedbetweenAugust1,
2014andJuly31,2015.
Nominationsmustbesubmittedbyemailto:
RAEPgovenviroawards@pa.gov
inorderto
beconsidered.
ProjectguidelinesandnominationformsareavailableonDEPs
2016GovernorsAward
forEnvironmentalExcellence
webpage.

NominationsNowBeingAcceptedFor2016WesternPAEnvironmentalAwards

Nominationsforthe
2016WesternPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalAwards
arenowbeingaccepted.
ThedeadlinefornominationsisFebruary12.
Theawardsarepresentedannuallytolocalorganizationsthatdemonstrateleadership,
effectiveness,andresultsinmakinganimpactontheenvironmentandwillbeawardedatPECs
annualPittsburghdinneronMay26.
TheAwardsareopentoanygroup,individual,program,company,school,or
organizationlocatedandworkinginoneofthefollowingcounties:Allegheny,Armstrong,
Beaver,Bedford,Blair,Butler,Cambria,Cameron,Centre,Clarion,Clearfield,Crawford,Elk,
Erie,Fayette,Forest,Fulton,Greene,Huntingdon,Indiana,Jefferson,Lawrence,McKean,
Mercer,Somerset,Venango,Warren,Washington,andWestmoreland.
Onlinenominationsubmissions
areencouraged,butnominationsthroughU.S.Mailwill
beaccepted.Pleaseincludeacopyofthenominationcoversheetwithyourmailedsubmission.
Pleaseincludecontactinformationfornominatorandnominee,ifdifferent.Includebothphone
numberandemail,ifavailable.
Eachnominationislimitedtofour(4)typed,onesided,doublespaced812x11
pages,andmustprovideresponsestothefollowingfivequestions:
Whatenvironmentalneedwithinthecommunityororganizationdidthenomineeaddress?
Whatkindofsolutiondidthenomineedeveloptoaddresstheidentifiedneed?Describeany
uniqueorinnovativeaspectsoftheinitiative,particularlyanyspecialchallengesovercomeas
partoftheimplementationand/oroutstandingcreativityinvolved.

Whateffectorimpactdidthenomineehaveontheenvironment?(Baseyouransweron
environmentalbenefitsrelatedtocommunityawareness,environmentalquality,thelocal
economy,thepublic,technicalcontributions,etc.)Includeinyourresponsethescopeorbreadth
ofthisimpactwithinthecommunityororganization.
Whatspecificexamples,data,orotherevidencedemonstratestheenvironmentaleffector
impactdescribedabove?
Whatotherpertinentinformationaboutthisnomineewouldyoulikethejudgestoconsider?
Inaddition,allnominationsmusthaveone(1)letterofsupportfromsomeoneoutsidethe
nomineesorganizationwhoisfamiliarwiththesuccessofthenominatedactivitysomeone
otherthanthenominatormustwritethisletter.
Thelettershouldexplaintheimpactofthenomination,itsenvironmentalsignificanceor
benefit,anditsrelevanceinmeetingaspecificneed.Lettersofsupportmaybesubmitted
separatefromthenomination,butmustalsobereceivedbyFebruary12.
WinnersoftheAwardswillreceivea$5,000cashawarddesignatedtothenonprofit
organizationoftheirchoice,acommemorativeaward,twocomplimentaryticketstotheWestern
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalAwardsDinner,mediarecognitionoftheirprogramandaward,
alongwithrecognitionandafulldescriptionoftheirwinningprojectintheAwardsDinner
program.
Mailedentriesmaybesubmittedto:PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil,2016Western
PAEnvironmentalAwardsProgram,2124PennAvenue,2ndFloor,Pittsburgh,PA15222.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
2016WesternPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalAwards
webpage.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthenominationprocess,pleasecallthe
Pennsylvania
EnvironmentalCouncil
at4124819400orsendemailto:
WPEA@pecpa.org
.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthePAEnvironmentalCouncil.

LearnHowToGoGreenAtDEPsFarmShowExhibit

Visitorstothe
100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
can
learnhowtolivegreen,plantgreen,buildgreenand
savegreenatDEP'snewinteractiveexhibit,titled,
"GoGreen,PA."
Thenewexhibitfeatureslotsofenergysaving
andgreenproductinformationforbothinsideand
outsideyourhome.DEPsdisplayislocatednearthe
buttersculptureintheMainHalloftheFarmShow
Complex.
VisitDEPs
GoGreenPA
webpageforideasonhowyoucanprotecttheenvironment.
ThePennsylvaniaFarmShowisthenationslargestindooragriculturalevent,featuring
6,000animals,10,000competitiveexhibits,and300commercialexhibitors.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
website.TheFarmShow
runsfromJanuary9to16inHarrisburg.
NewsClips:
ChiquesCreekWatershedRainGardenGoingToFarmShow
InnovativeProgramPromotesGrazingInChesapeakeWatershed
TheRealCostOfGreenInfrastructure

RelatedStory:
1,000PoundButterSculptureAtFarmShowWillBeTurnedIntoRenewableEnergy

(Reprintedfromthe
January7DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

1,000PoundButterSculptureAtFarmShowWillBeTurnedIntoRenewableEnergy

Asculpturemadefrommorethan1,000poundsofbutterand
showcasingthediversityofPennsylvaniaagricultureexhibited
throughoutthe
100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
wasunveiled
ThursdayatthePennsylvaniaFarmShowComplexandExpo
CenterinHarrisburg.
Thesculpture,sponsoredbyMidAtlanticDairyAssociation
andPennsylvaniaDairyPromotionProgram,hasbeenastaple
ofPennsylvaniasFarmShowssince1991.
Thisyearssculpturepaystributetothe100thPennsylvaniaFarmShowandthestates
agricultureindustry.
ItdepictsthemanycommoditiesgrownandproducedwithinPennsylvaniawithablue
rosetteribbon,whilecapturingashowenjoyedbyallages:anFFAmemberexhibitingherdairy
cow,alongwitha4Hmemberwithhisbabychicks,aladyandgentlemanshowingofftheir
blueribbonapplesandpies,andaquiltandspinningwheelbehindthem.Thesefeaturesare
surroundedbythewords100thPAFarmShowasablueandgoldcenterpiece.
Forthepast100shows,thePennsylvaniaFarmShowhasprovidedanopportunityfor
exhibitstodisplaythebestofthestatesagricultureindustryandforvisitorstolearnmoreabout
howtheirfoodgoesfromthefarmtotheshelf,saidAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding.
WhetheryoureenjoyingyourfirstFarmShowmilkshake,displayingyourbestsewingwork,
orexhibitingyourprizedanimal,everyonehastheirownblueribbonexperienceattheFarm
Show.
Atthecloseoftheshow,thebutter,whichwasdonatedbyLandOLakesinCarlisle,
CumberlandCounty,willbegiventoaJuniataCountydairyfarm.Thebutterwillbeputthrough
amethanedigester,whereitwillbeconvertedintorenewableenergyforthefarm.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
website.TheFarmShow
runsfromJanuary9to16inHarrisburg.
NewsClips:
ChiquesCreekWatershedRainGardenGoingToFarmShow
InnovativeProgramPromotesGrazingInChesapeakeWatershed
TheRealCostOfGreenInfrastructure
RelatedStory:
LearnHowToGoGreenAtDEPsFarmShowExhibit

PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds

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GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,

Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.

Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
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andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
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feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.

Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule[Updated]/GovsSchedule

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(Jan.11):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinkingwater
wellconstruction
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset)EducationCodebillwithmuchofthe
agreedtolanguagestillremaining,butwithchanges

HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)further
providingforliabilityprotectionforlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsor
summary
)
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)FiscalCodebillwithagreedtobudgetlanguage
restored,plussomeextras
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingthe
LegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestates
programtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge

SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)
updatingandimprovingtheTransitRevitalizationinvestmentDistrict

SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQuality
Board
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill
1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill.

<>
ClickHere
forfull
HouseBillCalendar.


Senate(Jan.19):

SenateBill201
(SchwankDBerks)authorizingtheleasingofpropertyinthe
CleanandGreenProgramtoaruralenterprise(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlargeelectricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgascompetition(
sponsor
summar
y).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.

CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.

Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.

BillsPendingInKeyCommittees

HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each

House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees

Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees

SessionSchedule
[Updated]

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse


Senate
January19,20,25,26,27
February8,9,10
BudgetHearings:Feb.22,23,24,25,26,29,March1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11(nosessionduring
hearings)
March14,15,16,21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

House
January11,12,25,26,27
February8,9,10
March14,15,16,21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

GovernorsSchedule

Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.

NewsFromTheCapitol

NewYear,SameOldBudgetFightWhatWillPassTheHouseRemainsTheIssue

TheholidayseasonsPeaceonEarth,GoodwillTowardMen(andWomen),didntseemtohave
muchimpactontheSenate,HouseortheGovernor.
WhileallsidessaidtheyneedtoworktogethertogetthebudgetfinishedafterGov.
Wolfslineitemveto,everyoneremainslockedintothesamepositions.
TherewerealsotwonewfightsstartedoneoverhowthebasiceducationfundingWolf
didapproveisbeingspentandasecondovertheWolfAdministrationsdecisiontoborrow$2
billiontohelpthecashflowintheGeneralFund.
HouseRepublicans
HouseMajorityLeaderDavidReed(RIndiana)saidtheHouseplanstoreconveneon
January11and12
toworkonthe10percentofthebudget
thatwasnotapprovedbythe
Governor,includingfundingforPennState,Pitt,TempleandLincolnUniversity.
Thatremaining10percentwillrequireadditionalrevenues,butRep.Reedsaid
lawmakerswouldbelookingtootheralternatives,likeliquorprivatizationandanexpansionof
gambling,beforeadoptinganysortofgeneraltaxincreasetomakeupthoserevenues.
Howtheremaining10percentgetsfunded,Rep.Reedsaid,dependsontheoutcomeof
conversationswiththeGovernorandSenate[sic].

AlsoontapintheHouse,hesaid,isworkontheFiscalCode
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)andEducationCode
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset)bills.TheHouse
TuesdayreferredbothbillsbacktotheRulesCommittee.
Whenaskedwhethertherewillbeareturntothebudgetframeworkagreedtobyallfour
CaucusesandtheGovernorinNovember,Reedsaiditwouldhavetobeconsideredasapackage.
Youregoingtohavetoseesomeitemsbackonthetable,certainlypensionreform,
propertytaxreform,andliquorprivatizationaswell,Rep.Reedsaid.Ideally,wedliketo
closeoutthisyearandthenmovetonextyear,butthegovernorsbudgetaddressislessthan30
daysaway[February9],sowhetherthatspossibleornotdependsonwhichwaypeoplewantto
go.
Rep.Reedwasalsoquoted
assayinganybudgetdealisdeadwithouttheHousepriorities
offullliquorprivatizationandhigherincomeandsalestaxestoreducelocalpropertytaxes.
Atanotherpoint,Rep.Reedfloatedtheideathatmaybehismemberswouldacceptthe
lineitemvetoesmadebyGov.Wolfandmoveontonextyearsbudget.
SenateRepublicans
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)
repeatedseveraltimesthisweek
there
isntmuchfortheSenatetovoteon,sinceallthebudgetrelatedbillsandfundingbillsforthe
universitiesareintheHouse.
PresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson)said,Weretalkingabouthowwed
liketobringthiswholescenariotoanend,butcertainlytheGovernorhasaroleinitandthat
rolehasbeendrawingprettyhardlines.
Hereswhat[HouseandSenateRepublicans]areinaccordwith:iftheresnopension
changessupportedbyHouseDemocrats,thenclearlythereisnonewrevenueandclearlythe
Governorisresponsibleforthat,Sen.Scarnatisaid.FortheGovernortosayhedidntknow
theHouseDemocratswerevotingasablocagainstpensionreform,clearlyshowstheattitudeof
Ijustwanttaxincreases,theGovernorissaying,hesaid.
SenateMajorityAppropriationsChairPatBrowne(RLehigh)added,Whatwehaveto
doismakesurewecangetasmuchdonebeforetheGovernorsbudgetaddressandintheend
ifwearetalkingaboutrevenuetofinalize,whichwewillbethatallofthesethingsareapartof
thatbecausethatssomethingwevecommittedto.
InhisveryshortacceptancespeechafterbeingunanimouslyreelectedPresidentPro
TemporeoftheSenate,JoeScarnatiquotedapassagefromaletterThomasJeffersonwroteto
JohnAdams,Ilikethedreamsofthefuturebetterthanthehistoryofthepast.TowhichSen.
Scarnatiadded,ItsoundslikeheservedinthePennsylvaniaLegislaturein2015.
Gov.Wolf
OnWednesday,January6,
Gov.Wolfdistributedavideo
railingagainstthefiscally
irresponsible[Republican]budgetthatincreasesthedeficitandcutseducationfundingby$95
million.
Coincidentally,itwasthedayaftertheSenateandHousereconvenedfortheceremonial
beginningoftheir200thlegislativesessionandthenlefttownagain.
Twoweeksago[actuallyitwasDecember29],Ivetoedtheirbudget,whilereleasing
emergencyfundingforschoolsandkeyservices.Now,thelegislature,whichhasbeenon
vacationsincebeforeChristmas,needstocomebacktoHarrisburgandfinishtheirwork.
Thebudgettheysentmenotonlyunderfundededucationandaddstothedeficit,italso
isplainunfinished.Literally,itisnotcomplete.Itisunacceptableandthelegislatureneedsto

comebackandimmediatelypassaresponsiblebudget.
Wehavearealchancetomakehistoricinvestmentsinschools,trulybalancethebudget
andbegintofixthedeficit,andRepublicansneedtogetbacktoworkimmediatelytofinishthe
job.
AtaneventinPittsburghThursday
,Gov.WolfwasagaincriticalofRepublicansonthe
budgettellingthecrowd,Donthirepeoplewhothinkthejobisnottoshowup.Atthesame
time,Wolfsaid,I'mnotsurewhatmoreneedstobedone.Iftheydon'twanttohaveabudget,I
don'tknowwhatmoreIcandobeyondwhatI'vealreadydone.
NewIssues
Gov.Wolfusedhisownauthoritythisweektodirect
howtospendthe$2.8billionin
educationfundingapproved
aspartofthestopgapbudget,sincenoeducationbillwaspassedby
theGeneralAssembly.
RepublicanssaytoomuchofthemoneyisgoingtoPhiladelphiaschoolsandthe
redirectionof$58millioninfundinghurtscharterschoolsandruralschooldistricts.
Wolfsaidhesonlyfollowingthehybrideducationfundingformulaagreedto,butnot
enacted,aspartofthebudget.
SenateRepublicansareexploringwhetherlegalactioniswarrantedonWolfsschool
spending.
AttheWolfAdministrationsrequest,theStateTreasurerWednesdayopeneda$2billion
lineofcreditinordertoensurethestatesGeneralFundcashbalancedoesnotdropbelowzero.
TheAdministrationimmediatelyused$1billionofthattopreventa$922milliondeficitinthe
account.
WolfblamedtheneedforthelineofcreditontheinabilityoftheRepublicancontrolled
GeneralAssemblytodealwiththestructuraldeficit.
BothSenateandHouseRepublicanswerecriticalofthemove,remindingDemocratsthey
blastedGov.Corbettin2014whenhedidthesamething.
SenateRepublicanssaidHouseDemocratshavefailedtodealwiththesinglelargestcost
driverinthebudgetpensions.
WhatsNext?
TheHousereconvenesJanuary11and12andtheSenateplanstoreconveneonJanuary
19,20.TheirvotingsessionschedulethroughJune30wasalsoreleased.
LeadersinbothchamberssaytheresnotmuchpointincomingbacktoHarrisburgunless
theressomethingtovoteon.
OfcoursetheSenatewillbebusynextweekwitha
hearingJanuary12
onwhether
AttorneyGeneralKanecandoherjobwithoutalawlicenseahearingKanesaidshewouldnot
attend.
ThefunandgamescontinueinHarrisburg.
NewsClips:
Rep.ChristianaPosedToIntroduceNaturalGasSeveranceTax
SturlasNewSeveranceTaxProposalWouldFundPensions
WolfTakesJabsAtGOPLawmakersInPittsburghStop
LawmakersMullLeavingWolfsDeepCutsToBudget
PALegislativeLeadersPowWowOnBudgetTuesday
AP:LawmakersReconvene,BudgetStatusUnclear
PLS:RepublicansPointBudgetBlameFingerAtWolf

PLS:GeneralAssemblyContinuesWaitAndSeeApproachToBudget
PartialBudgetRaisesOddsOfWorkOn2PlansAtOnce
NewYearBringsNoHintOfBudgetBreakthrough
JohnBaer:PAPolitics,WhatLiesAhead?
WolfBorrows$2BillionToPayPABills
SchoolFundingDistributionGivesRiseToNewBattle
KaneWontTestifyAtSenateRemovalHearing

NewsFromAroundTheState

PennStateToSurveyFarmConservationPracticesInChesapeakeBayWatershed

Ifyou'reafarmoperatorintheChesapeakeBaywatershed,you
soonwillhaveachancetohighlightwhatstepsyouandyour
fellowfarmershavetakentoprotectandenhancewaterquality
intheregion.
Severalagriculturalandgovernmentalorganizationshave
partneredtodevelopamailsurveytoover20,000farmersthat
willaskproducerstodocumentconservationpracticesthey
haveadoptedtopromotewaterqualityandsoilhealthinthe
baywatershed.
"Pennsylvaniaagriculturehasdonemuchtoimprovewaterqualityinourlocalriversand
streamsandtheChesapeakeBay,"saidMatthewRoyer,directorofthe
Agricultureand
EnvironmentCenter
inPennState'sCollegeofAgriculturalSciences."Yetthatpositivestory
oftenisnottold.Wewanttogivefarmersinthebaywatershedachancetotellthatstory."
MorethanhalfofPennsylvania'slandareadrainstotheChesapeakeBay.The
SusquehannaRiver,whichflowsthroughthestate'smostfertilefarmingregion,isthebay's
largesttributary.
ThesurveywillbeadministeredbythePennStateSurveyResearchCenter,whichsoon
willmailalettertofarmersinthewatershedseekingtheirparticipation.
CollegeofAgricultural
Sciences
researcherswillanalyzethesurveyresponses,andcumulativeresultswillbeprovided
totheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontodocumentthepracticesfarmershaveadopted
toconservesoilandwaterandtoprotectwaterquality.
TenpercentoftheparticipantswillbeselectedrandomlyforfarmvisitsbyPennState
Extensiontoassessinventoryresultsandhelpresearchersbetterunderstandthemethodsused
andchallengesencounteredwhenadoptingvariousmanagementpractices.
Responseswillbekeptcompletelyconfidentialandneverwillbeassociatedwitha
farmer'snameorlocation,accordingtoJamesShortle,DistinguishedProfessorofAgricultural
andEnvironmentalEconomicsandtheleadresearcherforthesurvey.
"TheresultsreportedtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillbeprovidedin
summaryformandwillnotincludeanynamesorlocationsofsurveyparticipants,"Shortlesaid.
"Allinventoryandfarmvisitresultswillbepermanentlyanonymizedtopreventidentificationof
respondents."
RichardRoush,deanoftheCollegeofAgriculturalSciences,notedthatmanyofthe
conservationpracticesthatfarmershaveimplementedovertheyearsarenotaccountedforin

trackingtheprogressmadetowardmeetingprioritywaterqualitygoals,includingcleaningup
theChesapeakeBay.
"Thisisespeciallytruewherefarmershaveadoptedthesepracticesontheirowninitiative
andbyusingtheirowndollars,"Roushsaid."ThissurveywillallowfarmersintheChesapeake
Baywatershedtoreportconservationpracticesimplementedontheirfarmssotheagricultural
communitycangetthecredititdeservesforimprovingwaterquality.Wealsohopeitwillhelp
ussetprioritiesforresearchandextensioneducationalprogramsthatcanassistproducersin
identifyingandadoptingappropriatebestmanagementpractices."
Farmerswillhavetheoptionoffillingoutthepaperversionofthesurveyorcompleting
itonline.
ParticipantsareaskedtosubmittheirresponsesbyApril30.
ThesurveywasdevelopedcollaborativelybyPennState,
PAFarmBureau
,
PennAg
IndustriesAssociation
,
PAFarmersUnion
,
PAAssociationforSustainableAgriculture
,
ProfessionalDairyManagersofPA
,theDepartmentofAgriculture,the
StateConservation
Commission
,the
PAAssociationofConservationDistricts
andtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection.
LastOctober,thePAAssociationofConservationDistrictsandothergroupsgave
farmersanopportunityto
voluntarilyreporttheirfarmconservationpractices
byfillingoutan
onlinesurvey.ThatsurveywillbeclosedinfavorofthenewPennStatemailsurvey.
Formoreinformation,contactMatthewRoyer,DirectorofPennStatesAgricultureand
EnvironmentCenter,bysendingemailto:
mzr154@psu.edu
orcall8148638756.
NewsClips:
ChiquesCreekWatershedRainGardenGoingToFarmShow
InnovativeProgramPromotesGrazingInChesapeakeWatershed
TheRealCostOfGreenInfrastructure

RegisterNowFor2016KeystoneGoldwaterConferenceFeb.2627InStateCollege

The
2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
willbeheldFebruary2627at
theRamadaInnConferenceCenterinStateCollege,CentreCounty.The
themefortheupcomingconferenceisColdwaterResources:Connecting
Conservation,Protection,Restoration,andStewardship.
TheConference,heldeveryotheryear,isauniqueopportunityfor
grassrootsconservationorganizations,environmentalprofessionals,college
faculty,staff,andstudentstoshareideas,concepts,andnetworkinorderto
protect,conserveandrestorePennsylvania'scoldwaterresources.
SpeakersattheConferenceinclude:KeynoteDCNRSecretaryCindy
AdamsDunnandCharlieCharlesworth,President,
PACouncilofTrout
Unlimited
.
Theagendafor
February26
and
February27
arepackedwithusefulworkshopsandoffer
lotsofopportunitiestomingle.
StudentPostersStillBeingAccepted
Collegestudentscurrentlyparticipatinginresearchthatrelatestotheconservation,
protection,restorationofPennsylvania'scoldwaterstreamsareinvitedtoparticipateinastudent
postersession.

ThesessionwillbeheldduringtheFebruary26eveningsocial.Studentsshouldpreparea
posteranda35minutepresentationontheirresearch.Posterswillbejudgedbyatechnicalteam
onthepresentationandoutlineoftheposter.Thetopthreepresentationswillbeannounced
duringtheconferenceonSaturday.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsonstudentposters.
SponsorshipInformation
Wanttobecomeasponsorforthisimportantevent?
ClickHere
forallthedetailsonhow
youcansupportthisuniqueeffort.
ToregisterfortheConferenceorformoredetails,visitthe
2016KeystoneColdwater
Conference
website.
NewsClips:
StudyOfSickSusquehannaBassCitesEndocrineDisrupters
NoLinkBetweenFracking,SmallmouthBassDecline
WITFSmartTalkOnSickSusquehannaRiverBass
Editorial:SusquehannaImpaired?YouBet
Study:AsianCarpCouldBeHugePresenceInLakeErie
FirstWinterIceFormsOnLakeErie
LetortSpringRunFocusOfNewBook

RegistrationNowOpenFor2016SchuylkillRiverWatershedCongressMarch12

Registernowforthe
2016SchuylkillRiverWatershedCongress
tobeheldMarch12atthe
MontgomeryCountyCommunityCollegePottstownCampus
.
TheWatershedCongress,heldannuallysince1998,continuestoadvancethebest
availableinformationandtechniquesforprotectingandrestoringwatersheds.Thefocuson
networkingacrossdisciplinesmeansthattheCongressmeldsscience,policyandpractical
applicationsintooneprogram.
Everyyear,agrowingandchanginggroupofindividualsattendstogainnewknowledge,
acquiretools,andpracticetechniquesthatwillallowthemtotakeactiverolesinthestewardship
oftheirnaturalresources.
Newthisyear:
GettheWatershedCongressApp
.
VisitHere
foradetailedCongressagenda.
Onlineregistration
isavailable.
Forallthedetails,visitthe
2016SchuylkillRiverWatershedCongress
webpage.

Feature:CleanWaterAmongManyVisionsForManyStreamsFarmInYorkCounty

AmongthemanydreamsBobandMaggieCahalanhavefor
theirsouthernYorkCountyfarm,protectingthewaterthat
runsthroughitisoneoftheirmostimportant.
Withthehelpof
CBFinPennsylvania
and
restorationspecialistAshleySpotts,theCahalansandtheir
partnersplantedmorethan300nativetreesandshrubson
threeacres,as
bufferstotrapandfilterpollutants
thatwould
otherwiseflowintoEbaughandShawstreams.Thecool,
babblingwatersconvergeintoDeerCreek,atributaryofthe

SusquehannaRiver,andeventuallyintotheChesapeakeBay.
CBFisemphasizingcleanwatereffortsinYorkCountythroughits"
CleanWaterCounts:
York
"program,whichorganizesandmobilizesresidentstourgeleadersinHarrisburgtoshow
greatercommitmenttoimprovingwaterquality,andfocusesontheneedtocleanupYork
County's350milesofimpairedcreeks,streams,andrivers.
TheCahalansliveinGreenbelt,Maryland,andwithpartnersEugeniaKalnayandJorge
Rivas,boughtthe37acrefarminStewartstown,justnorthoftheMasonDixonLine,in2011.It
isnolongeraworkingfarm,inthattherecurrentlyarenocropsorlivestocktotend.
TheforestedandstreamsidebuffersonManyStreamsFarmareuniqueinthediversityof
plantschosen.Variousoaksandhickories,persimmon,pawpaw,honeylocust,andseveraltypes
ofberryproducingshrubsareamongthe40species.
WithguidancefromCBF,ManyStreamsFarmbenefitedfromtheCommonwealth's
ConservationReserveEnhancementProgram(CREP)
,whichmakesannualrentalpaymentsfor
landtakenoutofpastureorproductionandbasedonsoiltype.
"TheCREPplanhaseverythingtheyneedtoknow,includingtreeandshrubnumbers,
maintenancerequirements,contractorlists,treelists,andreimbursementcostsfortheprogram,"
CBF'sAshleySpottssays.
"CREPhadvaluebeyondmonetaryvalue,becauseithadcertainproceduresthatwere
developedandoutlined,"BobCahalansays."Wehadtoplanttoacertaindateandget70percent
tosurvive."
TheCahalansintendtopractice
permaculture
amidthefarm'srollinghills,streams,and
wetlands.Theyseepermacultureastheharmoniousintegrationoflandscapeandpeople,
providingfood,energy,shelter,andothermaterialandnonmaterialneedsinasustainableand
ethicalway.
"Experimentingwithrestorativeandregenerativesoilbuildingagriculturethatdoesnot
dependonannualplantingsforfoodsourcesisamajorgoal,"MaggieCahalansays."Wehopeto
fosterincreaseduseofperennialandtreecropsasfoodsourcesforhumansandanimals.We
thinkitisespeciallyappropriatefortheslopedlandofthispiedmonthillfarm."
TheCahalanswouldliketoproducehalfoftheirpersonalfoodonManyStreamsFarm.
Theyhaveplansforspiralorchardsofvarietiesofapplesandcherriesamedicinewheelgarden
ofginger,berries,witchhazelandothermedicinalplantsafarmmuseumandagreenhouse.
Theyareinstalling30solarpanelstogenerateenergyforfarmneedsandevenhaveaprojectto
harvestacornsandmakebread.
Theyalsoseethepropertyasaplaceforenvironmentaleducation,anurseryforheirloom
andediblenativeplants,andanopportuneplaceforseniorcitizenstocontributeandintegrate.
TheCahalans'interestincleanwaterandtheChesapeakeBayextendsbeyondtheirYorkCounty
Farm.
Theyareveryactiveinthenonprofit
CHEARS
(CHesapeakeEducation,Arts,and
ResearchSociety),dedicatedtothehealthofallwhosharetheChesapeakewatershed
environment.ItisavehicleforvolunteerworktohelpthehealthoftheBay.Thegoalofthe
nonprofitistofosterruralurbanlinkagesforthegoodoftheChesapeakewatershedinurban,
suburban,andruralareasinPennsylvania,Maryland,andVirginia.
TheCahalansarealsoverymuchcommittedto
Chestory
(TheCenterfortheChesapeake
Story),withrootsinsouthernMarylandandtheworkofthelate
TomWisner
.Itisagroupof
artists,scientists,citizenactivists,educators,poets,writers,andwaterfolkwhobelievethatart,

song,andstorycanbethethreadthatbindspeoplewiththedeepspiritualChesapeake
experience.
TheCahalans'passionfortheBaygrewoutoftheirreading
CBF'sStateoftheBayreport
in
2005
."Oneofourfirstactivitieswastowriteanarticleforthelittletownwelivedin,in
Greenbelt,"MaggieCahalansays."ItwastosummarizematerialsfromtheFoundation,andit
galvanizedus.IthinktheworkoftheFoundationineducatingpeopleisreallyimportant."
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
CBFPennsylvania
webpage.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromCBFPA(bottomof
leftpanel.)
NewsClips:
StudyOfSickSusquehannaBassCitesEndocrineDisrupters
NoLinkBetweenFracking,SmallmouthBassDecline
WITFSmartTalkOnSickSusquehannaRiverBass
Editorial:SusquehannaImpaired?YouBet
Study:AsianCarpCouldBeHugePresenceInLakeErie
FirstWinterIceFormsOnLakeErie
LetortSpringRunFocusOfNewBook

(WrittenBy:B.J.Small,CBFPAMediaandCommunicationsCoordinator.Reprintedfromthe
ChesapeakeBayFoundationBlog
,January6.)

JoinTheEasternCoalitionForAbandonedMineReclamationReclaimCrew

The
EasternCoalitionForAbandonedMineReclamations
Reclaim
CrewisalocallybasedgroupofvolunteersthatassistsEPCAMR
withreclamationefforts.
JoinReclaimCrewandbeinvolvedwithagroupoflikeminded
individualswhocareabouttheenvironment.
Learnaboutthereclamationeffortsgoingoninyourarea,attend
meet&greetswithotherReclaimCrewmembersatlocalrestaurants,andenjoyeventstailored
tosustainableissueshereintheAnthraciteCoalRegionofNortheasternPennsylvania!
EPCAMRisactivein16Northeastcounties,including:Tioga,Bradford,Susquehanna,
Lycoming,Sullivan,Wyoming,Lackawanna,Luzerne,Northumberland,Carbon,Schuylkill,
Columbia,Lebanon,Dauphin,Montour,andWayne.
Formoreinformation,contactElizabethRosserbysendingemailto:
erosser@epcamr.org
orGabbyZawackiat:
gzawacki@epcamr.org
.
Forinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
EasternCoalition
ForAbandonedMineReclamation
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfrom
EPCAMR,like
EPCAMRonFacebook
,or
followonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
PlanInWorksToCleanupCoalMineNearBeaverRunReservoir
LaBelleResidentsImploreDEPToDenyFlyAshPermits
Editorial:HuberBreakerPropertyPotentiallyUnsafe

SchuylkillActionNetworkEncouragesEntriesInStudentStreetArtContest


The
SchuylkillActionNetwork
isencouragesstudents
ingrades6to12toenterits
StreetArtContest
toshow
howwecanhelpmaketheenvironmentcleaner.The
deadlineforentriesisFebruary29.
StudentsinBerks,Chester,Montgomeryand
Schuylkillcountiescanparticipateinthecontest.
Theartworkwillbetransformedintostreetart
surroundingstormdrains.
VisitHere
forallthedetails.
NewsClips:
SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
NewDirectorToShowOffHisFavoriteAtCarnegieMuseum

SusquehannaUniversityFreshwaterResearchInitiativeSolicitingResearchProposals

The
FreshwaterResearchInitiativeatSusquehannaUniversity
isnow
solicitingproposalsfor
2016
forcollaborativeaquaticresearchprojectsthroughagrantreceivedfromthe
R.K.Mellon
Foundation
.ThedeadlineforproposalsisMarch1.
Thereisamaximumperprojectfundingof$20,000withatotalof$70,000infunding
available.
ThegoaloftheFreshwaterResearchInitiativestoengageincollaborativeaquatic
researchbetweenfaculty,students,aquaticprofessionals,governmentalagencies,andnonprofit
groupsintheSusquehannaRiverbasintofocusontheecologicalproblemsthatarecurrently
impactingtheriveranditstributaries.
ClickHere
foracopyofthefullRFP.
Questionsshouldbedirectedto:Dr.JonathanNiles,Director,RKMellonFreshwater
ResearchInitiative,DepartmentofBiology,SusquehannaUniversity,514UniversityAvenue,
Selinsgrove,PA17870,call5703724707,orsendemailto:
niles@susqu.edu
.

Stroud,PartnersAcceptingCriticalZoneScienceStudent,TeacherApplications

StroudWaterResearchCenter
,PennStateUniversityandtheUniversityofDelawarearenow
acceptingapplicationsfromundergraduatesandK12teachersinterestedinEarthSciencesunder
the
CriticalZoneScienceProgram
.ThedeadlineforapplicationsisFebruary15.
TheEarthsCriticalZonefromthetopsofthetreestothebottomofthegroundwater
isaconstantlyevolvingboundarylayerwhererock,soil,water,air,andlivingorganisms
interact.
WaterandatmosphericgasesmovethroughtheporousCriticalZone,andlivingsystems
thriveinitssurfaceandsubsurfaceenvironments,shapedovertimebybiota,geology,and
climate.
TheCZOREU/RETSitewillintroduceundergraduatestudentsandK12teachersto
CriticalZonescience.
InJune,participantswilltraveltoPennsylvaniatogainabroadunderstandingofthe
geology,hydrology,ecology,soils,andlanduseofthePiedmontandAppalachianMountain
ValleyandRidgephysiographicprovinces.

Workingasacommunityofpeers,CZOREU/RETparticipantswillpursue
interdisciplinaryresearchtobetterunderstandtheinterconnectednessofCriticalZoneprocesses.
Activitiesmayincludebuildinganddeployingenvironmentalsensorsandfield
instrumentationgeophysicalsurveyswithgroundpenetratingradargroundwater,surfacewater,
andsoilsamplingplantstudiesGISandmanaginglargedatasets.
ClickHere
todownloadaprogramflyer.
Forallthedetailsonhowtoapply,visitthe
CriticalZoneScienceProgram
webpage.
NewsClips:
SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
NewDirectorToShowOffHisFavoriteAtCarnegieMuseum

HelpSupportThePATroutInTheClassroomProgram

The
PACouncilofTroutUnlimiteds

TroutintheClassroom
Program
isaninterdisciplinaryprogramthatteachesstudents
aboutcoldwaterconservationwhileraisingbrooktroutfromeggs
tofingerlingsintheclassroomaquarium.
PATUprovidesagrantprogramtosupporttheclassroomneeds,
andhelpstoeducatethenextgenerationoncoldwater
conservation.Eachprogramisuniqueasteacherstailortheir
programstofittheirindividualneeds.
ThePATUgrantprogramassiststeachersinreplacingoutdatedornonfunctioning
equipment,books,fieldandsamplingequipment,aswellasfundingfieldtripstoengage
studentsincoldwaterconservationactivities.
Pennsylvania'sstatewideTICprogramismadepossiblethroughauniquepartnership
betweenPACouncilofTroutUnlimitedandtheFishandBoatCommission.
Thisgrantprogramisfullyfundedthroughthesupportofindividualcontributions.You
canhelpsupportthisprogrambypurchasinga
PATICtshirt
or
TICraffleticket
Today!
Pennsylvania'sstatewideTICprogramismadepossiblethroughauniquepartnership
betweenPACouncilofTroutUnlimitedandtheFishandBoatCommission.
Formoreinformation,visitthePATUs
TroutintheClassroomProgram
webpage.
Visit
Here
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthePACouncilofTroutUnlimited(topofpage).
NewsClips:
SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
NewDirectorToShowOffHisFavoriteAtCarnegieMuseum

PECTV:EnvironmentalFocusPollutedStormwaterInPAsWaterwaysNowOnline

Onaverage,Pennsylvaniareceivesover40inchesof
precipitationeachyear,butinsomeareas,allittakesis
onetenthofaninchtocausepollutedstormwatertooverflow
intomunicipalsewersystems.
ThestepsbeingtakenthroughoutPennsylvaniatokeep
stormwaterincheckandreducetheflowintonatural
waterwaysisthetopicof
Decemberseditionof

EnvironmentalFocus
,the
PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncils
monthlyenvironmental
affairstelevisionprogram.
Theprogramis
nowavailableonline
.
FollowingRep.Harpersinterview,aroundtablediscussionwillfeatureKateKeppen,
WatershedCoordinatorofthe
BerksCountyConservationDistrict

ThreeRiversWetWeather
ExecutiveDirectorJohnSchombertandSueMyerov,PECsProgramDirectorforWatersheds.
Rep.Harperandtheroundtablewilldiscusshowtheyandothersareworkingtohelpover
950Pennsylvaniamunicipalitieswithpermittedstormwaterandwastewatersewersystems
complywithstateandfederalcleanwaterstandards.
PreviouseditionsofEnvironmentalFocushavefeaturedtopicssuchasoutdoor
recreationonPennsylvaniaswaterways,Pennsylvaniasstatebudget,theDEPPipeline
InfrastructureTaskforce,andtheDelawareRiverConservationProgramwithguestssuchas
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSecretaryJohnQuigley,DepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn,andAndrewJohnsonoftheWilliamPenn
Foundation.
VisitHere
topastepisodesofEnvironmentalFocusPECTVprogram.
ClickHere
toreadPECsblog.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesonprograms,
initiativesandeventsfromPEC.
NewsClips:
StudyOfSickSusquehannaBassCitesEndocrineDisrupters
NoLinkBetweenFracking,SmallmouthBassDecline
WITFSmartTalkOnSickSusquehannaRiverBass
Editorial:SusquehannaImpaired?YouBet
ChiquesCreekWatershedRainGardenGoingToFarmShow
InnovativeProgramPromotesGrazingInChesapeakeWatershed
TheRealCostOfGreenInfrastructure

PartnershipForSafeWaterRecognizes4PAAmericanWaterTreatmentPlants

Four
PAAmericanWater
drinkingwatertreatmentplantsinBangor,
Brownell,CrystalLakeandNesbitteachreceivedthePresidents
Awardfromthe
PartnershipforSafeWater
,avoluntaryeffortto
providesafedrinkingwatertoconsumers.
Thecombinedtreatmentplantsprovidedrinkingwaterserviceto
approximately87,000people.
(Photo:GeneKoontz,AWWAPaulZielinski,PFSWDanHufton,
Pa.AmericanWaterRandyStraub,PFSWandJimChaffee,AWWA.)
ThePFSWismadeupofrepresentativesofDEP,EPA,the
PASectionAmericanWater
WorksAssociation
,andothernationaldrinkingwaterorganizations.Itsgoalistoimplement
preventativemeasuresthatarebasedonoptimizingtreatmentplantperformanceandmaximizing
theprotectionofpublichealth.
ThePresidentsAwardrecognizespublicwatersuppliersforachievingstringent
individualfilterperformancegoalsforturbidity.Withtheadditionofthesefourtreatmentplants,
atotalof15plantsinPennsylvaniahavereceivedthisawardfromthePFSW.
Formoreinformationontheprogram,visitDEPs
PartnershipforSafeWater
webpage.

NewsClip:
PhillyWaterDept.ProposesRateIncrease

(Reprintedfromthe
January7DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

NRCSStateTechnicalCommitteeMeetingJan.21InHarrisburg

TheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultures
NaturalResourcesConservationService
willhostthe
PennsylvaniaStateTechnicalCommittee
meetingonJanuary21attheUSDAStateOfficein
Harrisburg,PA.
MorethanadozenPennsylvaniafederal,stateandlocalagenciesmakeupthecommittee,
whichprovidesrecommendationstoNRCSontheimplementationofthenaturalresources
conservationprovisionsoftheFarmBill.
StateTechnicalCommitteemeetingsprovideanopportunityforpeopleandconservation
groupsacrossthestatetoshareexperiencesandcollaborateonpositivesolutionstobetterserve
Pennsylvaniasnaturalresourceneeds,saysDeniseColeman,NRCSStateConservationist.
Meetingsareheldquarterlytodiscusstheconservationofsoil,water,air,plants,
wetlands,wildlifeandagriculture.
Januarysmeetingwillincludeupdatesonfiscalyear2016FarmBillprograms,
informationonNRCSsprocessforscreeningandrankingapplications,aswellasapresentation
onthe
ConservationClientGateway
,anewwebapplicationforlandownersandlandmanagers.
Thepublicisinvitedtoattendthemeetingwhichwillbeheldat12:30p.m.attheUSDA
StateOfficeConferenceRoomat359EastParkDrive,Harrisburg.Toattendviateleconference,
call18888449904withaccesscode6941559.
Attendeeswithdisabilitiesrequiringspecialaccommodationsand/oralternativemeans
forcommunicationofprograminformation(Braille,largeprint,audiotape,etc.)associatedwith
thismeetingshouldcontactTedEvansat7172372209,or
ted.evans@pa.usda.gov
.
Formoreinformationonprogramsandinitiatives,visitthe
NRCSPennsylvania
webpage.

Jan.4WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension

The
January4editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson

NewOnlineToolTracksWaterQualityInRivers,Streams

PredictingWhereWaterQualityIsAtRiskFromPesticides

Newville,CumberlandCountySourceWaterProtectionPlanApproved

PennStateNov.WebinarDiscussesImportanceOfForestsToCleanWater

DCNRWatershedEducationProgramHasNewWebsite,WaterDatabase

WaterWellConstructionStandardsBillsInGeneralAssembly

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

Jan.4ChesapeakeBayJournalNowAvailable

The
January4edition
ofthe
ChesapeakeBayJournal
isnowavailablefeaturingstorieson


StudyOfSickSusquehannaBassCitesEndocrineDisrupters

RuralPollutionIsBecomingAnUrbanIssue

ChesapeakeBayTMDLAmongTopEnvironmentalLawStoriesOf2015

CalendarOfBayEvents

ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionWaterWithdrawRegChangesTakeEffect

The
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
recentlyadoptedfinalregulationsthatsimplifyand
revisetherulesfortransferofapprovals,createacategoryforminormodifications,andestablish
aprocedurefortheCommissiontoissuegeneralpermits.
TheseregulationstookeffectonDecember11,2015.
RecentchangestotheCommissionsregulationswillstreamlinecertainactionswithout
sacrificingcriticaloversight.Thenewruleswillmakeourregulatoryprogrammoreefficient,
lessburdensometotheregulatedcommunity,andallowstafftofocusourresourcesonthemost
importantissuesfacingthewaterresourcesoftheBasin,commentedAndrewDehoff,Executive
DirectoroftheCommission.
Fortransferofapprovals,thefollowingchangesweremade:
Theruleiscompletelyrewrittenandsimplified.
Requirementtosubmitnewapplicationsforapprovalolderthan10yearsisremoved.
Newapplicationsforpreviouslyunapprovedaspectsofatransferredprojectarestillrequired,
butthedeadlineforsubmittaloftheseapplicationsischangedfrom90daystoatimeline
approvedbytheExecutiveDirectorupontransfer.
AnewsectiontotheCommissionsregulations,Section806.18,forthefirsttime
documentstheCommissionslongstandingpracticeofmodifyingexistingapprovals.Thenew
rulerecognizesmodificationstoapprovalsdefinesmajorandminormodificationsand
establishesapplication,notice,andapprovalrequirementsformodifications.
Thenewrulealsoestablishesaprocessfordevelopinggeneralpermitswithlanguagethat
wasdrawnfromtheregulationsoftheCommissionsmemberjurisdictions.Generalpermits
wouldbedevelopedbystaffandissuedbytheCommissioners.
Duringtheproposalphaseoftheregulations,theCommissionheldapublichearingand
alsoreceivedwrittencommentsfromarangeofinterestsincludingbusiness,industry,and
environmentalandconservationorganizations.Thefinaladoptedrulesincludedrevisedlanguage
intendedtoaddresscertaincomments.
Formoreinformation,visitSRBCs
FormsandApplications
webpage.Alsofollow
SRBConTwitter
.

DEPAssesses$745KInPenaltiesAgainstPipelineCompanyForStorageTankViolations

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayassessedtwocivilpenaltiestotaling
$745,000againstKinderMorganLiquidsTerminals,Inc.formultipleviolationsattwofacilities
inPhiladelphia.
InDecember2014
,aKinderMorgansubsidiaryTennesseePipelinewasfined$800,000
byDEPinasettlementoferosionandsedimentationviolationsinfourcounties.
ThroughtwoseparateConsentAssessmentsofCivilPenalty,KinderMorganhasagreed

toresolvecivilpenaltyliabilityforviolationsoftheStorageTankandSpillPreventionActat
boththeKinderMorganLiquidsTerminal(LiquidsTerminal)onN.DelawareAve.and
KinderMorganPointBreezeTerminal(PointBreezeTerminal)onPassyunkAve.
Thefirstpenalty,intheamountof$570,000,addressesviolationsrelatingtoareleaseof
approximately8,000gallonsoffuelgradeethanolfromanabovegroundstoragetankatthe
LiquidsTerminal,whichreachedsoilandgroundwaterthroughafailedcontainmentstructure.
KinderMorganneglectedtoinvestigateasuspectedreleaseasquicklyasthelawrequires
andwasuntimelywiththenotificationofthereleasetodownstreamwaterusers.
DEPisworkingwithKinderMorganonimprovingitsproceduresforrespondingtoa
releaseandonensuringtheadequacyofallofitscontainmentstructures.KinderMorganisinthe
processofcleaningthissite.
Thesecondpenalty,intheamountof$175,000,addressesviolationsrelatingto
stormwateraccumulationinemergencyreleasecontainmentstructuresthroughoutthePoint
BreezeTerminal.
Emergencycontainmentstructuresaredesignedtopreventcontaminationfromentering
theenvironment,whichinthiscaseincludessurroundingexceptionalvaluewetlandsandthe
DelawareRiver,intheeventofacatastrophicreleasefromalargeabovegroundstoragetank.
Whenthosestructuresarefilledwithstormwater,theycannotservethatfunctionandcan
contributetocorrosionofthetanksthattheyhold.BecauseKinderMorgannevernotifiedDEP
oftheproblem,DEPcouldnotofferassistanceinresolvingtheviolationinatimelymanner.
Whetheritbeaproductreleaseorthefailuretofollowregulatoryrequirements,wetake
ourmissiontoprovideforthehealthandsafetyofourcitizensveryseriously,saidDEP
SecretaryJohnQuigley.Economicopportunitiesmustbepursuedresponsibly,safeguarding
publichealthandtheenvironment.Weexpectthatthispenaltywillresultinstrengthened
safeguardsacrosstheboard.
MoneyfromthecivilpenaltygoestoDEPsStorageTankFund,whichisadministered
bytheDepartmentforuseinprogramsdesignedtoensurepropermonitoring,operation,and
remediationofreleasesfromabovegroundandundergroundtanksthatcontainavarietyof
regulatedpetroleumandchemicalsubstances.
InDecember2014
,aKinderMorgansubsidiaryTennesseePipelinewasfined$800,000
byDEPinasettlementoferosionandsedimentationviolationsinfourcounties.
NewsClips:
DEPFinesKinderMorgan$754KForStorageTankViolations
ProposedPipelinesConvergeInLebanonCounty
PipelinesCouldAffectMidstatePropertyValues
SunocoOpensChescoOfficeInLandFight
PropertyOwnersCriticizeSunocoNegotiations
MarcellusOutputFlatAmidFallingPrices,PipelineShortage
TransCanadaToSueU.S.OnBlockingKeystoneXLPipeline
RelatedStories:
DEP:$800KSettlementAgainstTennesseeGasPipelineForViolationsIn4Counties

TownshipNewsFeature:LocalAct13DrillingImpactFeeSuccessStories

The
TownshipNews
,publishedbythe
PAStateAssociationofTownship

Supervisors
dida
coverstoryintheirJanuaryissue
byJillM.Ercolinoonhowtownshipshave
usedtheAct13drillingfeestobenefittheircommunities.
SinceitwasenactedinFebruaryof2012,theAct13drillingimpactfeehasgeneratedan
estimated$855millioninrevenuethatbenefitsnotonlystatewideprograms,butcountyand
localgovernments.
In2014alonelocalgovernmentsintheMarcellusShaleregionsofthestatesharedmore
than$123million.
TheTownshipNewstellsthestoriesofhowtheimpactfeeshavebeenusedintownships
inBradford,Clearfield,Crawford,Greene,TiogaandVenangocounties.
ClickHere
toreadthefullarticle.FormoreinformationonsubscribingtoTownship
News,
VisitHere
.
NewsClips:
Rep.ChristianaPosedToIntroduceNaturalGasSeveranceTax
SturlasNewSeveranceTaxProposalWouldFundPensions

ConnectionForOil,Gas&EnvironmentInNorthernTierReviews2015MajorActions

C.O.G.E.N.T.,the
ConnectionforOil,GasandEnvironmentInThe
NorthernTier
,summarizeditsactionsonmajorregulatoryand
otherissuesin
2015inarecentblogpost
.Amongotheractions,
C.O.G.E.N.T.
CommentedtoDEPonimplementationofthe
EPACleanPower
ClimatePlan
,
DEPsChapter78regulations
andthedraftreportof
the
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce

EmilyKrafjack,PresidentofC.O.G.E.N.T.,wasnamedtothePipelineInfrastructureTask
ForcePipelineSafetyWorkGroupandbecameanonvotingmemberofthe
DEPOilandGas
TechnicalAdvisoryBoard

SubmittedcommentstotheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyonproposedmethane
emissionregulationscoveringtheoilandgasindustry
Promotedtheintroductionof
SenateBill1044
(BakerRLuzerne)tobringClass1
unconventionalnaturalgasgatheringpipelinesunderstateregulationand
C.O.G.E.N.T.providedfirstrespondersintheregionwithpipelinesemergenciestraining.
ClickHere
fortheC.O.G.E.N.T.2015reportandcopiesofcommentstheysubmitted.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandinformationonoilandgasactivities
andhowtheyaffectcommunitiesintheNorthernTier,visitthe
C.O.G.E.N.T.
websiteandthe
C.O.G.E.N.T.
Blog
and
Google+
webpages.

DEPHearingOnWestmorelandTenaskaNaturalGasPowerPlantAirPermitJan.26

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholdapublichearingonanAirQualityPlan
ApprovalApplicationfortheproposedTenaskaPennsylvaniaPartners,LLCpowerplantin
SouthHuntingdonTownship,WestmorelandCounty.
ThepublichearingwilltakeplaceonJanuary26attheTurkeytownSouthHuntington
Townshipfirehall(HuntingtonPlace),90SupervisorDrive,WestNewton,PA15089.The
hearingwillbeprecededbyanopenquestionandanswersessionbeginningat6:00p.m.The

publichearingwillstartat7:00p.m.
TheTenaskaPennsylvaniaPartners,LLCWestmorelandGeneratingStationisa
proposednaturalgasfiredcombinedcycleelectricalgeneratingplanthavinganapproximate
generatingcapacityof1000MW.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionissuedanAirQualityPlanApproval
PA6500990CtothecompanyinApril2015toconstructandinitiallyoperatetheplant.
However,thecompanyreceivednewemissionsdatafromthemanufacturerofthenatural
gasfiredsteamturbinegeneratorstobeusedatthefacility.Thatdataindicatedthatthestartup
andshutdownemissionsandthefacilitywidepotentialtoemitwerereducedfromtheoriginal
emissionestimates.
Tenaskasplanapprovalapplication,theDEPsreviewmemorandum,theproposedplan
approval,andotherrelevantinformationisavailableforreviewbyanyinterestedpartyatthe
DEPsSouthwestRegionalOffice,400WaterfrontDrive,Pittsburgh,PA15222.
Torequestareview,pleasecontactPhilBouseat4124424000.
Beforethequestionandanswersessiongetsunderway,representativesfromTenaskaand
DEPwillmakebriefinformationalpresentations.Membersofthepublicwillhavean
opportunitytopresenttestimonyatthehearingontheintenttoissuethePlanApproval.
CommentswillbelimitedspecificallytotheapplicationandconditionsofPlanApproval.
ThosewishingtomakecommentsshouldregisterwithCommunityRelationsCoordinatorJohn
Poistereitherbyemailto:
jpoister@pa.gov
orcall4124424203)bynoononJanuary26.There
willalsobeanopportunitytoregisteratthedoorontheeveningofthehearing.
Thoseunabletoattendthehearingmaysubmitwrittencommentstotheattentionof
AlexanderSandy,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,400WaterfrontDrive,Pittsburgh,
PA15222.PleasenoteontheenvelopethatyouarecommentontheTenaskaPlanApproval.
PA6500990E.
ThepubliccommentperiodwillendatthecloseofbusinessonFebruary5.
NewsClips:
WastewaterHearingOnJessupPowerPlantDrawsQuestions
DEPInvenergyReadyToFieldQuestions
Editorial:JessupPowerPlantObstacleCleared

Jan.25PublicMeetingOnProposedLandfillExpansionInNorthamptonCounty

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillhostapublicmeetingtoanswerquestions
regardingChrinLandfillspermitapplicationtoexpanditsexistingfacilityinWilliams
Township,NorthamptonCounty.
ThemeetingwilltakeplaceJanuary25from69p.m.atWilsonAreaHighSchool,424
WarriorLane,Easton,PA18042.
Duringthemeeting,departmentstaffwillanswerquestionsaboutthepermitreview
process.Also,stafffromChrinLandfillwillanswerquestionsregardingtheexpansionitself.
Thegoalofthismeetingistohelpresidentsbetterunderstandhowthedepartment
reviewspermitexpansionapplicationslikethis,saidMikeBedrin,directorofDEPsNortheast
RegionalOffice.Thisispartofpublicoutreachthedepartmentengagesinsoresidentscanhave
theirquestionsanswered.
ChrinLandfillfiledtheoriginalexpansionapplicationonJuly14,2015.Thecompanyis

requestinganexpansionofthelandfillpermitareabyapproximately30acresandthedisposal
areabyapproximately33acres.Theapplicationwasacceptedascompletebythedepartmenton
November9,2015.
AcopyofChrinspermitapplicationcanbeviewedatDEPsNortheastRegionalOffice
locatedat2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre,18701ortheDEPsBethlehemDistrictOfficelocated
at4530BathPike,Bethlehem18017.
Thosewishingtomakeanappointmenttoviewthedocumentscandosobetweenthe
hoursof8amand4pmbycallingtheNortheastRegionalOfficeat5708262511orthe
BethlehemDistrictOfficeat6108612070.
IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActof1990shouldcontactColleenConnolly,ormakeaccommodationsthroughthe
PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat18006545984(TDD).
NewsClips:
BlackMountainResidentsBenefitFromRecycling
TannerNamedMcKeanCountyCleanWaysVolunteerOfTheYear
DEPGrantsKeystoneLandfillExtensionToAnswerConcerns

ZeroWastePAServedOver700,000PeopleInWesternPADuring2015

In2015,the
PAResourcesCouncils

ZeroWastePA
teamassistednearly40differentevents
withsustainablewastemanagementsolutions.Intotal,ZWPAservedmorethan700,000
individualsthrough40variouseventsin2015.
Premiereventsincludedthe
PittsburghMarathon
,the
ThreeRiversArtsFestival
,
EQT
10Miler
,
ALCOSANOpenHouse
,the
GreatRace
,andthe
BigPour
.
Inadditiontoworkingwitheventorganizerstoprocuresustainablematerialsforthese
events,PRCworkedtodivertrecyclablesandcompostablesfromthewastestream,vastly
reducingtheamountofmaterialssenttolandfills.
Infact,duringthePittsburghMarathon,theZeroWasteteamdivertedarecord90percent
ofmaterialfora40,000personrunningrace.
ZeroWastePAalsoworkswithpublicandprivatebusinessestodesignandimplement
sustainablewastemanagementpracticesandhelpthemstrivetowardzerowaste.
In2015,ZWPAconductedtenwastecharacterizationsstudiesatseveralFortune500
companies,CityofPittsburghandAlleghenyCountyFacilitiesservingmorethan2000
employees.
Onefacility,theAlleghenyCountyOfficeBuilding,initiallyshowedadiversionrateof
20percent.Throughdedicatededucation,outreachandtechnicalassistanceviaPRCsWaste
AuditprogramaswellascommittedAlleghenyCountyofficials,thisCountyfacilityhas
generatedanincreaseof180percent,bringingtheirtotalwastediversionratetoarecord60
percentwithinoneyear!
ZeroWastePAhadasuccessfulyeardivertingtonsofvaluablematerialfromlandfill,
andwe'dliketothankallvolunteersandGreenTeammembersformakingthispossible.
Formoreinformationoninitiatives,servicesandprograms,visitPRCs
ZeroWaste
Pennsylvania
webpage.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPRC.AlsofollowPRC
on
Facebook
,
Twitter
,
Instagram
andthe
PRCBlog
.
NewsClips:

BlackMountainResidentsBenefitFromRecycling
TannerNamedMcKeanCountyCleanWaysVolunteerOfTheYear
DEPGrantsKeystoneLandfillExtensionToAnswerConcerns

KPB:14,000VolunteersInPACollect1MillionPoundsOfTrashInCoastalCleanup

Nearly14,000volunteersfrom44countiesacrossPennsylvania
canvassedtheircommunitiestoremoveover1millionpoundsof
trashanddebrisfromPennsylvaniaswaterwaysandcoastal
regionsduringthe
2015InternationalCoastalCleanup
.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
isproudtobethePennsylvania
statewidecoordinatorforInternationalCoastalCleanup,the
worldslargestvolunteerefforttoimprovethehealthofthe
worldsoceansandlocalwaterways.
Thecleanupgivescitizensaroundtheworldtheopportunityto
cleanuptheirlocalwaterwaysandtobeapartofalargermovement.
(Photo:ElkCounty
volunteers.)
FromSeptemberthroughOctober,KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulworkedwithlocal
groupsandorganizationstocoordinate593eventsthroughoutthestate.
Thetopfivetypesoftrash,documentedbyvolunteers,included:CigaretteButts
23,772FoodWrappers(candy,chips,etc.)10,456PlasticBeverageBottles7,317Glass
BeverageBottles7,149andBottleCaps(Plastic)5,147.
Thephrasewealllivedownstreamiscommon,butinPennsylvaniaitisarealitywith
ourdiversetopographyandtheamountofwatersheds,smallandlarge,explainedShannon
Reiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.
AcleanupoftheClarionRiverinElkCountyhelpedprevent2,520poundsoftrashfrom
makingitswayfurtherdownstream.OvertwoweekendsinSeptember,agroupof48community
volunteersalsoremoved4,500poundsofmetal,astationarybike,aluminumcamperpieces,
bucketsofunopenedoil,a5gallonpailofpaintprimer,cardboarddrums,aluminumtrashcans,a
dumpsterandalargeshed!
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulisanexceptionalresourceforindividualsandgroups
wantingtomaketheircommunitiesabetterplacetolive,work,playand,inthiscase,visit.The
ClarionRiverisdesignatedWildandScenic.Thousandsofpeopleuseiteachyear,soitsvital
tokeepithealthyandclean,saidBekkiTitchner,ElkCountyRecycling/SolidWaste
Coordinatorand
PACleanWaysofElkCounty
Coordinator.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulthanksallthoseinvolvedinhelpingtopreventthislitter
fromreachingourwaterways,saidReiter.
FundingfortheInternationalCoastalCleanupcoordinationinPennsylvaniaisprovided
bytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,WasteManagementandCoastalResource
ManagementBureaus.
Formoreinformation,visitKeepPABeautifuls
InternationalCoastalCleanup
webpage.
NewsClips:
BlackMountainResidentsBenefitFromRecycling
TannerNamedMcKeanCountyCleanWaysVolunteerOfTheYear
DEPGrantsKeystoneLandfillExtensionToAnswerConcerns


PAResourcesCouncilJanuaryPRCNewsNowAvailable

The
JanuaryeditionofPRCNews
isnowavailablefromthe
PAResourcesCouncil
featuring
articleson

Replant,CompostOrMulchYourLiveChristmasTree

PRCWorkshopsOnBackyard,VermicompostingInWest

2015ZeroWastePAFinalNumbers

MakeYourNewYearsResolutionGreen!

PECOSmartEnergyConservationIdeasEducationEvents

FinalPRCCollectionEvents,PlansFor2016

VisitHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
AlsofollowPRCon
Facebook
,
Twitter
,
Instagram
andthe
PRCBlog
.

PAEnvironmentalCouncil:DecemberInCaseYouMissedIt

The
DecemberissueofInCaseYouMissedIt
fromthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
features
articleson

FiscalCodeBillThreatensToUndermineEnvironmentalPrograms

UntappedPotential:BriefingOnHydroelectricityInPA

PECTV:PollutedStormwaterInPennsylvaniasWaterways

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website
readthePECBlog
,
LikePEConFacebook
or
followon
Twitter
.

PennsylvaniaResidentsUrgedToTestHomesForRadonByDEP,HealthDept.

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayurged
allPennsylvaniansto
testtheirhomesforradon
,adeadly
radioactivegasthatstheleadingcauseoflungcancerin
nonsmokersintheUnitedStates.
DEPalsourgedresidentstotakeactiontoreduceradon
levelsintheirhomesiftheyarehigh.
Duetoourgeology,radonisfoundeverywherein
Pennsylvania.Forthatreason,weurgeresidentstotesttheir
homestoprotectthemselvesandtheirfamilyshealth,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.
Winteristhebesttimetotestyourhomeforradonbecausedoorsandwindowsaretypically
closedandtightlysealed,producingthemostaccurateresults.
JanuaryisRadonActionMonth,andagreattimetotest.TheU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgencysetstheactionlevelforradonat4picocuriesperliter(pCi/L)ofair.
Residentswithlevelsatorabovethatfigureshouldtakestepstolowerthem.
Testingforradonistheonlywaytoknowifahome,school,workplaceorotherstructure
haselevatedconcentrationsofradon.Testkitscanbepurchasedatmosthardwareorhome
improvementstoresatanaveragecostof$15to$25pertest.

Ifyouareuncomfortabledoingthetestingyourselfyoucanhireastatecertifiedradon
tester,orifyouaresellingyourhomeandwantaradontest,itisbesttohireacertifiedtester.
Thecostofamitigationsystemtypicallyrangesaround$1,000.
Pennsylvanialawrequiresallradonserviceproviders,suchasradontesters,radon
mitigatorsandradonlaboratoriestobecertifiedbyDEP.ThelistofPennsylvaniacertifiedradon
serviceprovidersisupdatedmonthlyandavailableon
DEPswebsite
.
Youcanalsoobtainahardcopyofthedirectoryorverifyacompanyscertificationby
calling80023RADON.
In2014,thehighestradonleveleverrecordedintheU.S.wasfoundinahomeinLehigh
County.Theconcentrationmeasuredwas3,715pCi/L,morethan900timesEPAsactionlevel
of4pCi/L.DEPrecommendedtheownersvacatetheirhomeuntilitcouldberemediatedtosafe
levels.
Approximately20,000lungcancerdeathsperyearareattributabletoradonexposureso
thethreatisveryreal,saidSecretaryofHealthDr.KarenMurphy.Radonexposurecombined
withsmokingisaparticularlylethalcombinationsoweencourageeveryonetotakestepsto
reducetheirrisk.
Ifyouarebuildinganewhome,DEPrecommendsinstallingapassiveradonsystem
duringconstruction.Ifhighradonlevelsarefoundwhenthehomeiscompleted,afancanbe
readilyinstalled.Therearegoodreasonstoinstallaradonsystemduringconstruction:
Thereisnoreliablewaytotestthegroundinadvanceforradon.
TheaverageresidentialradonlevelinPennsylvaniais78picocuriesperliter.
Thecostofinstallingtheradonsystemduringconstructionshouldbelessthaninstallingone
afterthefact.
Buildingtheradonsysteminternallyshouldkeepaestheticsofthehomeintact.Ifradonisnot
addressedduringconstruction,anoutsideradonsystemmayberequirediftheradontestcomes
backgreaterthan4picocuriesperliter.
Forpeoplebuyingorsellingahome,PennsylvaniasRealEstateSellerDisclosureAct
requiressellerstodisclosetheresultsofanyknownradontesting.DEPswebsitelistsradon
testingoptionsforrealestatetransactions.
FreeRadonTestKits
ThroughapartnershipbetweenDEPandthe
AmericanLungAssociationinPA
,free
radontestkitsaremadeavailableinlimitedquantitiesforeachofsixregionsinPennsylvania.
VisitHere
forallthedetailsandtoseeifafreetestkitisavailableinyourarea.
RadonTestingVideo
DEP,incooperationwithCommonwealthMediaServices,hasproducedapublicservice
announcementabouttheimportanceofradontesting.ThePSAiscurrentlyairingon
Pennsylvania,televisionandradiostationsduringJanuary.ThePSAisavailableon
DEPs
YouTubeChannel
.
Formoreinformationaboutradontestingandradonresistantconstruction,visit
DEPs
Radon
webpage.
VisitHere
tosearchforradontestresultsinyourarea.

Jan.7DEPNewsNowAvailable

TheJanuary7editionof
DEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingstorieson


DEPSendsFinalOil&GasRulesToEnvironmentalQualityBoard

DEPAssessesPenaltiesAgainstPipelineCompanyForStorageTankViolations

PennsylvaniaResidentsUrgedToTestHomesForRadon

PartnershipForSafeWaterRecognizes4PAAmericanWaterTreatmentPlants

LearnHowToGoGreenAtDEPsFarmShowExhibit

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandmeetings,visitthe
DEPwebsite
,
DEPsFacebookPage
,follow
DEPonTwitter
,orwatch
DEPsYouTubeChannel
.

(Reprintedfromthe
January7DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)

GreenBuildingAllianceSeeksPartnersForGreenSchoolConferenceInPittsburgh

The
GreenBuildingAlliances

Green&HealthySchoolsAcademy
isseekingpromotion
partnerstohelpspreadthewordabouttheupcoming
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
tobe
heldinPittsburghonMarch31andApril1.
Goingintoitsfifthyear,theGreenSchoolsConferenceistheonlynationalscale
conferencethatbringstogethereducators,administrators,students,nonprofits,andgovernment
entitiestocollectivelyenvisionandmovetowardshealthyandhighperformingschoolsforall
students.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
websiteorcontact
MelissaLembkebysendingemailto:
mlembke@usgbc.org
orAndrewEllsworthbyemailto:
andrewe@gbapgh.org
,LEEDAPandDirectorwiththeGreen&HealthySchoolsAcademy.
VisitHere
tosignupforupdatesontheConference.
NewsClips:
SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
NewDirectorToShowOffHisFavoriteAtCarnegieMuseum

SBDCHiresNewEnvironmentalManagementConsultantToServeSWBusinesses

The
PASmallBusinessDevelopmentCenters

EnvironmentalManagementAssistanceProgram
,
astatewideenvironmentalassistanceprogramforbusinesses,hashiredanewconsultanttoserve
businessownersinSouthwesternPennsylvania.
LeeAnnBriggsjoinsEMAPasanenvironmentalconsultantprovidingoneonone
consultingtohelpbusinessesunderstandtheirenvironmentalregulatoryrequirements.
Briggswillworkoutofthe
UniversityofPittsburghSBDC
,adivisionofthe
Institutefor
EntrepreneurialExcellence
,andisavailabletoassistawiderangeofcompanieswith
environmentalissuessuchasautobodyshops,drycleaners,manufacturersandprinters.
WearethrilledtohaveafulltimeenvironmentalconsultantinSouthwestern
Pennsylvaniaagaintobeonthegroundmeetingwithsmallbusinessesinourregion,saidRay
Vargo,directoroftheUniversityofPittsburghSBDC.Inadditiontoourcorebusiness
consultingwewillnowhaveinhouseenvironmentalregulatoryexpertisetobenefitPittsburgh
areacompanies,headded.
EMAPistheonlystatewideprogramthatoffersnofee,confidentialassistancetohelp
businesseswiththeirenvironmentalconcerns,andwewillnowbeabletoservemorefirmswho

requesttheseindemandservices,saidNancyCrickman,directorofenvironmental,energy,and
technologyserviceswiththePennsylvaniaSBDC.
WewouldliketothankAlleghenyCountyandtheUniversityofPittsburghfortheir
supportinmakingthisexpansionpossible,notedCrickman.
LeeAnnBriggshasover28yearsofenvironmentalregulatorycomplianceexperiencein
bothconsultingandindustrialcapacities.
InadditiontoherexperienceworkingasanenvironmentalconsultantforEMAPatthe
DuquesneUniversitySBDCforelevenyears,Briggswaspreviouslythemanagerof
environmentalandregulatoryaffairsforapaintandcoatingsmanufacturer,providingfull
environmental,productsafetyandemployeesafetycompliancefornineyears.
Priortothisshewasanenvironmentalscientist/projectmanagerwithtwodifferent
environmental/engineeringconsultingfirms.BriggsisaRegisteredEnvironmentalManager
throughtheNationalRegistryofEnvironmentalProfessionals.
EMAPprovidesPennsylvaniasmallbusinesseswiththeanswersandassistancetheyneed
toeffectivelymanagetheirenvironmentalconcernsandreduceregulatoryrisks.EMAPprovides
oneononeenvironmentalcomplianceassistancetosmallbusinessownersinallindustrysectors
retail,commercialandindustrial.
EMAPsnocostenvironmentalcomplianceservicesinclude:
Oneononeconsultationtohelpbusinessownersunderstandregulatoryrequirements
Conductingonsiteassessments
Emissionscalculations
Assistingwiththepreparationandsubmittalofrequestsfordeterminations,permit
applicationsandplans
Explainingpermitrequirementsandsettingupcustomizedrecordkeepingandreporting
systemsand
Findingalternativematerialsandprocessestohelpsmallbusinessesreducetheirregulatory
burden.
SmallbusinesseswithenvironmentalneedsandconcernsinanypartofPennsylvaniacan
callthetollfreeEMAPhotlineat1877ASKEMAPorvisitthe
EnvironmentalManagement
AssistanceProgram
websiteformoreinformationandtorequestservice.

PUC:StrongNeedForHeatingAssistancePrograms,CustomersUrgedToSeekHelp

Aspartofitsongoing
PrepareNowCampaign
,thePublicUtilityCommissionWednesday
releasedits
annualreportonUniversalServicePrograms
,alongwithresponsesfromelectricand
naturalgasutilitycompaniestothePUCscallforenhanced
effortstohelpconsumers
copewith
winterheatingcosts.
Accesstopower,heat,waterandtelecommunicationsisanessentialpartofprotecting
thehealthandwelfareofourcitizens,buteveryyearthousandsofPennsylvaniansstruggleto
affordthesevitalservices,saidPUCChairmanGladysM.Brown.Theinformationreleased
todayunderscoresthecontinuingneedinourcommunitiesandalsohighlightsthecollaborative
effortsbeingmadetoassistconsumersacrossourstate.
"UniversalService"istheprinciplethateveryoneshouldhaveaccesstoessentialutility
services.UniversalServiceispromotedthroughasetofstatemandatedpolicies,protectionsand
programsintendedtoprovideasafetynetforeligiblelowincomeutilitycustomers,including:

CustomerAssistanceProgram(CAP),whichprovidessubsidizedutilityservicetoeligible
householdsbasedonhouseholdsizeandincome
TheLowIncomeUsageReductionProgram(LIURP),whichincludesfreeweatherizationand
otherconservationmeasures,installationofenergyefficientappliances,energyauditsand
educationaboutconservation
TheCustomerAssistanceandReferralEvaluationServices(CARES)program,which
providesinformationaboutavailableprogramsand/orreferralstocommunityagenciestohelp
consumersaddressfamilyemergencies,healthissuesorotherextenuatingcircumstancesand
HardshipFunds,programssupportedbyutilitycontributionsandpublicdonationsthatwhich
canassistindividualsinpayingoutstandingdebtstoutilitycompanies.
Additionally,thePUC,utilities,andhumanserviceagenciesacrossthestatestrongly
promotethefederallyfunded
LowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram
(LIHEAP),which
providesassistancewithhomeheatingbillsduringthewintermonths.
TheapplicationperiodforLIHEAPcrisisandregulargrantshasopenedandcontinues
throughApril1,2016.
AccordingtothePUCs
UniversalServiceReport
,therearemorethan1million
confirmedlowincomeelectricandnaturalgascustomers(householdincomeatorbelow150
percentofthefederalpovertyincomeguideline)beingservedbyutilitiesunderthePUCs
jurisdiction.
Whileunconfirmed,utilitiesestimatethatnearly2millioncustomersmayactuallyfitthat
classificationpotentiallyincludingabout27percentofallutilityhouseholdsinPennsylvania.
Thereportalsodocumentsnearly$460millioninannualutilityassistanceprovidedto
householdsacrossthestateanddemonstratesthatconsumerswhoparticipateinthesesafetynet
programsaremorelikelytocontinuepayingtheirbillsandmaintaintheirutilityservice.
Infact,themostrecentPUCdatashowsthat83percentofthehouseholdsparticipatingin
CustomerAssistanceProgramswereabletopreservetheirheatandothervitalservices.
Thisdatademonstratesthesizeandscopeofinneedutilitycustomersacrossthestate,
justhowclosemanyfamiliesmaybetoautilitycrisisandtheimportantroleofvarious
safetynetprograms,saidChairmanBrown.
FurtherunderscoringtheexistingneedinPennsylvaniacommunities,thePUCsannual
ColdWeatherSurvey
,releasedinDecember2015,documentedmorethan24,000households
enteringthewinterwithoutheatrelatedutilityservice.
EveryyearthestateselectricandnaturalgasdistributioncompaniesunderthePUCs
jurisdictionarerequiredtosurveyresidentialpropertieswhereservicehasbeenterminatedand
hasnotbeenreconnectedduringthecalendaryear.
AspartofthePUCsannualPrepareNowcampaign,theCommissioners
sentan
October2015letter
toallPennsylvaniaelectricandnaturalgasutilitycompaniesunderthe
PUCsjurisdiction,askingthemtojointheCommissioninreachingouttoconsumersabout
winterassistanceprogramsandemphasizingthatutilitieshavemoreflexibilitytomake
allowancesforpaymenttroubledcustomersthanthePUCdoesunderthelaw.
Theresponsesfromeachutility,alongwithsummariesofalltheirongoingoutreach
efforts,
aredetailedhere
.
Consumersexperiencingdifficultymaintainingutilityserviceareencouragedtoreachout
asearlyaspossibletotheirutilitycompanieslocalhumanserviceandnonprofitorganizations
andstateagenciessuchastheDepartmentofHumanServicesandPUCforinformationaboutthe

manyprogramsavailabletohelpmaintainessentialutilityservices.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUCs
PrepareNowCampaign
webpage.

AlternativeUtilityRatemakingMethodsToBeExploredByPUCAtMarch3Hearing

The
PublicUtilityCommission
FridaysaiditwillholdaMarch2016hearinginHarrisburgto
gatherinformationfromexpertsregardingalternativeratemakingmethodologies.
Ratemakingalternatives,suchasrevenuedecoupling,forexample,couldinvolvemaking
consumerchargeslessdependentonusage.Decouplingadvocatessuggestthatdecoupling
removespossibledisincentivesforgreaterenergyefficiencybecauseutilityrevenuesareno
longerdirectlylinkedtothevolumeofelectricityorgassold.
Becauseoftheimportanceofthistopic,allfiveCommissionerswillbesittingenbanc
asafullpaneltoreceiveinformation.
Thehearingwillfocusonseveralissues:
Whetherrevenuedecouplingorothersimilarratemechanismsencourageutilitiestobetter
implementenergyefficiencyandconservationprograms
Whethersuchratemechanismsarejustandreasonableandinthepublicinterestand
Whetherthebenefitsofimplementingsuchratemechanismsoutweighanycostsassociatedwith
implementingtheratemechanisms.
ItisimportantfortheCommissiontofosterpublicdiscussionaboutkeyissues,said
PUCChairmanGladysM.Brown.Welookforwardtoreceivingtestimonywhichreflectsa
widerangeofperspectivesastheCommissionstudieswaystoaddresspotentialbarriersto
energyefficiencyandconservationprogramsinPennsylvaniawhilealsomaintainingthe
reliabilityandsafetyofourenergyinfrastructure.
ThehearingwillbeheldonMarch3,2016,at9a.m.,inHearingRoom1ofthe
CommonwealthKeystoneBuilding,400NorthStreet,Harrisburg.Thehearingisopentothe
publicandwewillalsobevideostreamingthehearingontheCommissionswebsiteforthose
unabletoattendinperson.
Inastatement
regardingrecentratecasesettlements,CommissionerRobertF.Powelson
notedtheincreasingtempoofstateandnationaldiscussionsaboutotheralternativeratemaking,
commenting,Thetimehascometobetteralignratestructuresinawaythatequallybenefitsall
stakeholders,includingratepayers,utilitiesandtheenvironmentalcommunity.
Note:InadditiontotheCommissionsenbanchearing,settlementsregardingrate
increaserequestssubmittedby
PECOEnergyCompany
and
PPLElectricUtilitiesCorporation
bothrequirethattheutilitieshostpubliccollaborativesondecouplinginearly2016.
TheCommissionwillselectenbanchearingparticipantsrepresentingadiversesetof
perspectivestopresenttestimonyandanswerquestions.Additionally,allinterestedpartiesare
welcometosubmitwrittencommentsfollowingthehearing,whichmustbereceivednolater
thanMarch16,2016,fortheCommissiontoconsiderintheirreviewofalternativeratemaking.
Alldocumentsrelatedtothehearing,includingpreparedtestimonyandthefinalagenda
forthehearing,willbepostedontheCommissionswebsite.Theseitemscanbequickly
accessedbysearching
DocketNumberM20152518883
.
ASecretarialLetter
providesmoredetailsregardingthehearingandinstructionsfor
interestedparties.QuestionsabouttheenbanchearingshouldbedirectedtotheOfficeof
Communicationsat7177875722.

NewsClips:
Studies:LimerickNuclearPlantSavesMoney
WastewaterHearingOnJessupPowerPlantDrawsQuestions
DEPInvenergyReadyToFieldQuestions
Editorial:JessupPowerPlantObstacleCleared
HatfieldsFerryPowerPlanMayReopenIn2019
AlleghenyFront:CoalFiredPowerPlantsCleanUpTheirAct
NRGHomeCEOLeavesAmidReorganization
RosebudIdlingMostPAMines,429Workers
RosebudMiningFurloughs429Workers
EnergyPolicesHeatUpAsCampaignFodder

SolarizeAlleghenyNowAcceptingProposalsFromCommunities

SolarizeAllegheny
is
nowacceptingproposals
fromcommunities,municipalities,school
districtsinAlleghenyCountyandPittsburghneighborhoodstoparticipateinPhase3ofits
communitybasedcampaigntodoublethenumberofsolarphotovoltaicinstallationsinthe
County.
FourormorecommunitieswillbeselectedtoparticipateinPhase3fora16week
campaignintheircommunity.
ProposalsaredueFebruary6.AninformationalwebinarontheRFPwillbeheldJanuary
13atnoon.Toregisterforthewebinar,sendanemailto:
spillar@smartpower.org
.
VisitHere
tolearnallthedetails.
NewsClips:
OpEd:ConservativeCaseForSolarSubsidies
OpeningOfCNGFuelingStationInCentreCounty
Editorial:NEHasNotYetEmbracedAlternativeFuelVehicles
Editorial:PromotionOfCNGSensible

BNYMellonSeeksBusiness,EnvironmentalSustainabilityContractor

BNYMellon
isseekingaparttimebusinessandenvironmentalsustainabilitycontractorfor2016
basedinPittsburgh.ProposalsaredueJanuary15.
Preferredcandidateswillhaveastrongunderstandingofenvironmentalsustainability,as
wellasunderstandingofsupplierdiversityandsupplychainresponsibility,includingbutnot
limitedtotopicsofbuildingoperations,water,wasteandrecycling,paperandforestry,CDP,
LEEDbuildingcertifications,GHGEmissions,andrenewableenergy.
VisitHere
forallthedetails.
NewsClips:
OpeningOfCNGFuelingStationInCentreCounty
OpEd:ConservativeCaseForSolarSubsidies
Editorial:NEHasNotYetEmbracedAlternativeFuelVehicles
Editorial:PromotionOfCNGSensible

PRC:PECOSmartIdeasSaveMoneyThisWinter!EducationEventsSetInSoutheast


Aswemovedeeperintothewintermonths,staywarmwhilesavingmoneybyusing
PECO
SmartIdeas!
Keeptheheatinthisseasonbybeingsmartwithyourfurnace!Setyourthermostatat68
degreesorlowerduringthedayand55degreesforthenight,orwhenyouwillbeawayformore
thanfourhours.Tokeepyourfurnacerunningefficiently,change/cleanyourfurnacefiltersonce
amonth.
Keeptheheatcirculatingbyplacingasheetofaluminumfoilbetweentheradiatorand
thewall,anddon'tblockyourradiatorsorheatingventswithfurniture,draperies,ordust.And,
ofcourse,closeoffventstodoorsinunusedroomstokeeptheheatwhereitisneeded!
VisittheseenergyeducationeventssponsoredbyPECOandstaffedbythePAResources
CounciltolearnmoreabouthowyoucansaveenergyandgethelpfromPECOtodoit.

Date

Event

Time

Address

1/8

Greater Philadelphia Home Show

11AM - 9PM

Valley Forge Convention Center

1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia

1/9

Greater Philadelphia Home Show

10AM - 9PM

Valley Forge Convention Center

1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia

1/10

Greater Philadelphia Home Show

12PM - 6PM

Valley Forge Convention Center

1160 1st Avenue, King of Prussia

1/15

Philly Home Show

10AM - 9PM

Oaks Convention Center

100 Station Road, Oaks

1/16

Philly Home Show

10AM - 9PM

Oaks Convention Center

100 Station Road, Oaks

1/17

Philly Home Show

10AM - 6PM

Oaks Convention Center

100 Station Road, Oaks

1/23

Newtown Township Env. Council

10AM - 12PM

100 Municipal Drive, Newtown

1/26

Hatboro Lions

6PM - 8PM

1380 West St. Road, Warminster

Formoreinformationonenergyconservation,visitthe
PECOSmartEnergyIdeas
webpage.
Formoreinformationoninitiatives,servicesandprograms,visitthe
PAResources
Council
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPRC.AlsofollowPRCon
Facebook
,
Twitter
,
Instagram
andthe
PRCBlog
.

DCNRConvenesGreenRibbonTaskForceOnForestProducts,Conservation,Jobs

TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
Thursdayconvenedthefirstmeetingofthe
30member
GreenRibbonTaskForceonForestProducts,

ConservationandJobs
attheGovernorsResidenceinHarrisburg.
TheTaskForceisintendedtobringtogetherexpertsfromprivateindustry,academia,
marketing,forestscience,economicandworkforcedevelopmentandrelateddisciplinesto
analyzecurrentlimitationstoforestconservationandjobgrowthandtodevelopanactionplanto
addressbothobjectives.
OneofPennsylvaniasgreateststrengthsisournaturalresources,saidGovernorTom
Wolf.Over57percentofPennsylvaniaisforestedandprioritizingconservationandjobgrowth
relatedtothisfieldisvitaltocreatingasustainable,dynamicindustry.
WeenvisiontheGreenRibbonTaskForceasacatalysttocreatenewideas,approaches
andmomentumforanindustryandalandscapethatneedadditionalmeasuresofprotectionand
assistance,saidDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn.Thisshortterminfusionof
multidisciplinaryexpertisecanhelpshapenewdirectionsandprovideanexampleof
governmentthatworksandjobsthatpay.Thetemporarynatureofthetaskforceensuresthat
longtermgrowthandprogresswillbetheproductofanenergizedindustryandconservation
community.
Pennsylvania's17millionacresofforestlandprovidecriticalvaluestosociety,suchas
cleanwater,recreationopportunities,plantandanimalhabitat,andrawmaterialsfora
longestablishedforestproductsindustry.
Inrecentdecades,numerousfactors,includingchanginglandusepatterns,declinesin
foresthealth,andtheeconomicrecessionhavebeguntothreatenforestrelatedvaluesandreduce
thenumberofforestbasedjobs.
Overthenext6months,theTaskForcewillidentifyprograms,investments,legislation,
andotherrecommendationsforconservingforestlandandforestbasedjobsthat:
RestoreforestrelatedjobsthatpayhereinPennsylvania
ExpandmarketsforlocalwoodproductsgrownandmanufacturedinPennsylvania
ExpandconservationandimprovesustainabilityandresiliencyofPennsylvaniasforests
Broadenpublicawarenessofthequality,availabilityandvarietyoftimberandnontimber
productsgrowninPennsylvaniaand
Increasepublicuseandvalueofworkingforestlandsformultiplebenefitsandpurposes.
TheTaskForcewillincludethreeworkgroups,eachcochairedbytwomembersofthe
taskforce.Theworkgroupsinclude:
ForestConservation
:issuerecommendationstoretain,improve,andpromoteworking
forests
ForestJobs
:expandandimproveuponrecruitmentandworkforcedevelopmenteffortsand
ForestProducts:
reviewexistingmarketingstrategiesanddeveloppartnershipstopromote
allforestproducts.
ThegoaloftheTaskForceistohaverecommendationsbyJune.
ThegroupwillbeassistedbythestaffoftheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources,theDepartmentofAgricultureand
HardwoodsDevelopmentCouncil
,andthe
DepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment.TaskForcememberswereselectedby
theGovernorsPolicyOffice.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
GreenRibbonTaskForceonForestProducts,
ConservationandJobs
webpage.

DecemberNewsletterNowAvailableFromFriendsOfAlleghenyWilderness


The
DecembereditionoftheFAWN
newsletterisnowavailablefromthe
FriendsofAllegheny
Wilderness
featuringarticleson
HowardZahniser:TheWildernessWouldNoLongerBeThereForAnyone
MajorMountainBikingProposalFloatedForRarePAWildland
FAWWinterBackpackingIntoTracyRidgeWildernessJan.3031
TracyRidgeBeginnerBackpackingWeekendJune1819
Hike100ChallengeOnNorthCountryNationalScenicTrail
Formoreinformationoninitiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
FriendsofAllegheny
Wilderness
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromFAW.

Reminder:2016GetOutdoorsPAMiniGrantApplicationsDueMarch4

Theapplicationperiodforthesecondroundof
GetOutdoorsPA
MiniGrantsProgramisnowopenforGetOutdoorsPA
CommunityPartners.ApplicationsaredueMarch4.
Grantsof$1,500$3,000willfundequipmentandtrainingrelated
tooutdoorprogramming.Somematchisrequired.
TheMiniGrantProgramissupportedbytheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources.
Formoreinformation,readthe
MiniGrantFactSheet
.GetOutdoorsPACommunity
PartnerscanfindmoreinformationontheMiniGrantthroughthe
PartnerPort
.ContactEmily
Gates,
PARecreationandParkSociety
,withquestionsbysendingemailto:
egates@prps.org
or
call8142344272.
Andvisitthe
GetOutdoorsPA
websiteforrecreationalopportunitiesallacross
Pennsylvania.
NewsClips:
FirstDayHikeGetsYearStartedOffRight
GreensburgStudiesWalking,BikingTrails
VolunteersNeededToMaintainLehighValleyAppalachianTrail
DCNRNamesJohnS.HallasDirectorBureauOfStateParks

Reminder:PARecreation&ParkSocietyAwardNominationsDueJan.15

The
PARecreationandParkSociety
isacceptingnominationsforits
annualrecognitionand
awardsprogram
throughJanuary15.
TheannualAwardsProgramisopentoPRPSmembersandnonmemberindividuals,
agencies,companies,organizations,anduniversities.
Categories:OutstandingAchievementAwardinHonorofFredCoombsPRPS
DistinguishedMemberAwardinHonorofRobertD.GriffithOutstandingNewProfessional
AwardAgencyoftheYearAwardCommunityChampionAwardandExcellenceinRecreation
andParks.
VisitHere
forallthedetails.
Formoreinformationonprograms,professionaldevelopmentandevents,visitthe
PA
RecreationandParkSociety
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPRPS,
Like

PRPSonFacebook
or
followonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
FirstDayHikeGetsYearStartedOffRight
GreensburgStudiesWalking,BikingTrails
VolunteersNeededToMaintainLehighValleyAppalachianTrail
DCNRNamesJohnS.HallasDirectorBureauOfStateParks

RegistrationNowOpenForPARecreation&ParkSocietyAnnualConference

Registrationisnowopenforthe
PARecreationandParkSociety
annual
ConferenceMarch1316
inSevenSprings,SomersetCounty.
Conferencescholarshipsareavailable
.Applicationsaredueby
February12.
VisitHere
forallthedetailsandonlineregistration.
Formoreinformationonprograms,professionaldevelopmentand
events,visitthe
PARecreationandParkSociety
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregular
updatesfromPRPS,
LikePRPSonFacebook
or
followonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
FirstDayHikeGetsYearStartedOffRight
GreensburgStudiesWalking,BikingTrails
VolunteersNeededToMaintainLehighValleyAppalachianTrail
DCNRNamesJohnS.HallasDirectorBureauOfStateParks

DCNRHoldsJan.20OpenHouseOnDentonHillStateParkStudyInPotterCounty

DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauofStateParksDirectorJohnHallas
WednesdayannouncedthedepartmentwillholdapublicopenhouseonJanuary20at
Denton
HillStatePark
todiscussafeasibilitystudyaboutthefutureusesoftheparkinPotterCounty.
Theopenhousewillbeheldfrom6:30to8:00p.m.January20intheDentonHillSki
Lodge.
"Wehaveworkedtoensurethepublichastheopportunitytoplayaroleindetermining
thefutureofthepark,includingstakeholdermeetingsandapublicsurveywithmorethan1,600
responses,"Hallassaid."Atthisopenhousewe'llsharewhatwe'velearnedthroughthe
feasibilitystudyasweworktodetermineafuturecourseofactionforoperationsatDentonHill."
Thefeasibilitystudy,coordinatedbyMoshierStudioinPittsburgh,providesa
comprehensiveevaluationoftheexistinginfrastructureaswellasanindepthlookatlongterm
potentialforskiingandotherpossibleyearroundactivitiesatthepark.
Thepresentationteamwilldiscussdatacollectedandinformationgatheredregardingthe
currentconditionoftheinfrastructuremarketanalysisforeconomicviabilityofskioperations
andpublicinputreceivedthroughasurveyregardingfourseasonrecreationalopportunitiesat
DentonHill.
Intheeventofbadweather,theopenhousewillbeheldonJanuary27at6:30p.m.atthe
lodge.Attendeesshouldlistentolocalnewsoutletsforcancellationinformationinthecaseof
adverseweatherconditions.
DentonHillStateParkinthe
PennsylvaniaWilds
wasopenedasaskiareain1958and

operatedbythecommonwealthuntil1979.In1983,DCNRsigneda35yearconcessionlease
agreementwithDentonHillFamilyandSkiResort,Inc.TheconcessionairenotifiedDCNRin
November2014thattheywouldnolongerbeabletooperate.Skioperationswereclosedforthe
winterof20142015.
Althoughnoskioperationsaretakingplace,theparkcontinuestohostspecialeventsand
recreationalactivitiessupportedbytheexistinginfrastructure.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
DentonHillStatePark
webpage.
NewsClips:
FirstDayHikeGetsYearStartedOffRight
GreensburgStudiesWalking,BikingTrails
VolunteersNeededToMaintainLehighValleyAppalachianTrail
DCNRNamesJohnS.HallasDirectorBureauOfStateParks

Jan.6DCNRResourceNewsletterReviews2015AgencyAccomplishments

The
January6Resource
newsletterfromtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesreviewstheagencys
accomplishmentsin2015.
Inaddition,DCNRputoutthisstatementhighlightingits2015
efforts
Someofthecountry'sbiggestcities,likePittsburghand
Philadelphia,andPennsylvania'ssmalltownslikeConfluenceinthe
southwest,Ridgwayinthe
PennsylvaniaWilds
andJimThorpeinthe
Poconos,haverecognizedthevalueoftheirrivers,trailsandparksas
amenitiesthatspurbusinessdevelopmentanddrawpeopleto
downtowns.
Ourspecialplaces,wildlifeandlandscapesareimportanttoourwellbeing,ouridentity
andhelpusattracttouristsforoutdooradventuresandtokeepourcommunitiesvibrant.
AsPennsylvania'slargestlandmanager,theDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resourcesisleadingoutdoorrecreationinitiativestoinvigoratecitizensandcommunities,
encouragehealthylifestyles,createjobsthatpayandpromoteenvironmentalstewardship.It's
beenaproductiveyear.
Conservation
Conservingournaturalplaces,providingcitizensandvisitorswithopportunitiesfor
outdoorexperiences,andharnessingournaturalresourcesresponsiblyimproveoureconomyand
qualityoflifeforallPennsylvanians.
OneofthefirstactionsGov.Wolftookwastosignanexecutiveorderreinstatinga
moratoriumonnewleases
foroilandgasdevelopmentonstateparkandforestlands.Withthe
moratoriuminplace,DCNRcontinuestomonitorcurrentactivityandadaptmanagement
practices.
Our
stateparks
host38millionvisitorsannually,supportmorethan13,000jobs,and
provide$1.2billionineconomicactivityinnearbycommunities.In2015,DCNRaddedmore
than25,000acresoflandtoourstateparkandforestsystem.Wealsocollectedmorethan4,000
commentstoinform
aplantomanageourstateforests
tomakesuretheyarehealthyand
productiveformanyyears.

OutdoorRecreation
Creatinghealthyandlivablecommunitiesthatsupportjobsthatpayincludessuccessfully
servingtherecreationneedsofthosewholive,workandplayinthem.DCNRin2015rolledout
a5yearplan
with83actionstepstoimproveouropportunitiesforoutdoorrecreationand
adventuresallacrossthecommonwealth.
TheplantellsusPennsylvanianslovetowalktrails,especiallyclosetohomewatch
wildlifeandareincreasinglyinterestedinkayakingandwinteractivities.Pennsylvaniahasthem
all!Itprovidesaroadmapforthenextseveralyearstomakecommunitiesmoredesirableplaces
tolive,providechildrensafeplacestoplay,andprotectthenaturalenvironment.
Tohelpcitizensfindaplacetoplayoutdoorsthat'sclosetohome,DCNRlaunchedanew
webpageof5,600localparks
thatissearchablebyname,regionandlocation.
Sustainability
DCNRislookingforopportunitiestogrowourrecreationalandtourismeconomy
througharevitalizedparkandforestsystemthatensuresweareconservingournaturalresources
andprotectingourpeopleandtheenvironment.
Three
buildingsonDCNRlands
,includinganewvisitorcenteratOhiopyleStatePark,
receivedtopcertificationsforbeinggreenandsustainablein2015.Thedepartmentalsotreated
thousandsoftreesforinvasivepestslikehemlockwoolyadelgidandemeraldashborer,and
planted1.8milliontreeseedlings.
Agovernmentthatworksprotectsournaturalheritageandsecuresitsfutureforthe
benefitofallPennsylvanians.DCNRmadegoodonthatpromisein2015.
TheJanuary6newsletterreportorganizesaccomplishmentsbytheagencysmajor
objectives

PursueExcellenceInManagementOfStatePark,ForestLands
StateForestResourceManagementPlanDraft
StateForestManagementCertification
TimberManagement
WildfireProtection
NaturalGasDevelopmentMoratorium
DeerManagement

PromoteResponsibleStewardshipOfCommonwealthsNaturalResources
ForestConservationInitiative
InvasiveSpeciesandForestPestManagement
LandConservation
UpgradingPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewTool
StayingConnectedThroughSocialMedia
InteractiveMapsAndMapStories
OutdoorProgrammingServices/YouthEngagement
SeismicMonitoringNetwork
NaturalResourceData
ConservationEducation

ImproveCommunitiesThroughAccessToConservation,Recreation
PAOutdoorRecreationPlanUpdate
GreenwaysAndTrailsSummit
ConservationLandscapesInitiative

ATVRidingImprovements

OperateEffectivelyAndEfficiently
RedesignedWatershedEducationWebsite,Database
PublicPrivatePartnerships
EnvironmentalDesignAndEnergyEfficiency
WorkforceDiversity
EmployeeRecognition

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).

AwburyArboretumInPhiladelphiaNowUnderConservationEasement

OnDecember16the
NaturalLandsTrust
placedaconservation
easementon38acresof
AwburyArboretum
,locatedin
PhiladelphiasGermantownneighborhood.Underaneasement,
propertyremainsinprivateownership,butisprotectedfrom
futuredevelopmentinperpetuity.
AwburyArboretumisavibrantlandscapewitharich
history.
In1852,HenryCopepurchasedlandinthenruralEastGermantownonwhichtobuilda
summerhomeforhisfamily.NamedAwburyaftertheCopefamilysancestralvillageof
Avebury,Wiltshire,England,theestatesstonemanorreflectsQuakeridealsofsimplicity.
The55acresettingincludesavarietyofhabitats:wetlands,woodedheadwaters,stately
trees(includingthesecondlargestriverbirchinPennsylvania),wildflowermeadows,formal
gardens,andcommunitygardenplotsalllinkedbytrails.
Opentothepublicfreeofchargeasapublicparkandarboretumfornearly100years,
AwburyArboretumisanopenspacerefugeinadenselypopulatedurbansetting.
WearethrilledtohelpensureAwburyArboretum,whichhasbeenabelovedoasisof
greeninPhiladelphiaforacentury,willremainsoforever,saidMollyMorrison,NaturalLands
Trustspresident.Whethercity,suburb,orcountryside,wemustvalueandprotecttheplaces
thatrevitalizeourspiritandbindourcommunitiestogether.
Afterexperiencingpopulationlossesfordecades,Philadelphiahasbegungrowingagain.
Since2010,thecityspopulationhasincreasedbymorethantwopercent.Suchgrowthmakes
thecitysremaininggreenspacesofevengreatervalueasplacesforpeopletoconnecttonature
andtoeachother.
Overthelastfiveyears,NaturalLandsTrusthasworkedwithavarietyofpartnersto
permanentlypreservemorethan400acresofopenspaceinPhiladelphia.
ItisimpossibletoadequatelyconveyourgratitudetotheCommonwealthof
Pennsylvaniaforitsfinancialsupportthatmakesthispermanentconservationeasementpossible,
andtoNaturalLandsTrustfortheiragreementtoassumetheperpetualcareoftheconservation
easementonourhistoriclandscape,saidChrisvandeVelde,AwburyArboretumsgeneral
manager.Asthisconservationeasementisformallyputinplace,aspecialthanksmustgoto
thecreativeandcollaborativestaffofNaturalLandsTrust.Theygiveclaritytotheirmotto:land
forlife.
Supportforthisconservationsuccesswasprovidedby
CityParksAssociationof
Philadelphia
,CommonwealthFinancingAuthoritys
Greenways,TrailsandRecreationProgram
,

DCNRs
CommunityConservationPartnershipsProgram
,and
VirginiaCretellaMars
Foundation
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
NaturalLands
Trust
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheTrust.

Dow,HeritageConservancyPreserveCroydonWoodsInBucksCounty

HeritageConservancy
and
TheDowChemicalCompany
arecollaboratingtopreserveCroydon
Woods,locatedbetweenBristolandCroydon,Pennsylvania.
Aspartofthiscollaboration,HeritageConservancyacquiresthe80acreparcelofthe
landfromRohmandHaasCompany,awhollyownedsubsidiaryofDow,whichwastransferred
forpreservationpurposesandwillremaingreenspaceinperpetuity.
CroydonWoodsisoneofthelastremainingwoodedwetlandforestsintheregionandthe
transferalsoreceivedsupportfromBucksCountyandtheDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResources.
Theperpetualelementofthislandtransferalignswith
Dows2025SustainabilityGoals
,
specificallyValuingNature,acommitmenttomakebusinessdecisionsinadifferentway
onethatappreciatesthevalueofnaturesservices.
ItalsosupportsHeritageConservancysmissiontopreserveandprotectBucksand
MontgomeryCountysnaturalandhistoricheritage.
Foryears,CroydonWoodshasbeenatreasuredpieceoftheBucksCountylandscape,
saidClaireQuinn,DowssiteleaderinBristol.Wearesopleasedtoknowthatthelandwillbe
protectedforgenerationstocomebytheHeritageConservancy.
TheprimarypurposeofHeritageConservancysacquisitionofCroydonWoodsisto
continueprotectingthelandssignificantnaturalresourcesandvibrantecosystem.
The
BucksCountyNaturalAreasInventory
ranksCroydonWoodsasoneofonly19
Priority1sitesofstatewideandcountywidesignificance.Itcitestheforestedtractasan
excellentexampleofcoastalfloodplainwithboggy,forestedwetlandsalongboththenorthand
southbranchesandheadwatersofHogRunCreekwheresevenspeciesofendangeredplantsand
fourspeciesofthreatenedplantsexist.
HeritageConservancyistremendouslyexcitedtopreservelandinthemoredeveloped
portionofBucksCounty,saidJeffreyL.Marshall,presidentofHeritageConservancy.
CroydonWoodsisanislandofgreen,andtheenvironmental,economicandemotionalbenefits
oflivingnearopenspacehasbeenwelldocumented.
Withplanstomaintainthesiteinamostlynatural,undisturbedstate,Heritage
Conservancywillperformacompleteinventoryandassessmentofthepropertysnatural
resourcesanddevelopamanagementandstewardshipplantoprotectthelandanditsecosystem.
Inaddition,opportunitiestofurtherincorporatepublicaccess,passiverecreationand
environmentaleducationatthepropertywithoutnegativelyimpactingthesensitivenaturalareas
willbeexplored.
HeritageConservancyandDowbuildonastronglegacyinBucksCountytosupport
projectsthataremutuallybeneficialforeachorganizationaswellasforthesurrounding
communityandenvironment.
HeritageConservancyhassuccessfullyworkedwithlocalschoolstoprovidehandson,
outdoorlearningexperiencesatthenearby
BristolMarsh
,aportionofwhichisownedbythe

Companyandprotectedbyaconservationeasement.
HeritageConservancywilluseitsexpertiseandcommunitypartnershipstoencouragethe
useofCroydonWoodsforsimilarpurposes.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Heritage
Conservancy
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy(bottom
leftofthepage).
NewsClip:
HeritageConservancyBuysLandFromDowInBucksCounty

GameCommissionRecognizedWithNationalAwardForProvidingHunterAccess

Thoseofuswhorelyonpublictractsforhuntingandotherrecreationgenerallycherishthatland
weuse.
Withmorethan1.5millionacresofstategamelandsandnearly3millionacresofstate
park,stateforestandfederalgroundopentohunting,trappingandotherusesbythepublic
opportunitiestoenjoytheoutdoorsexistalmosteverywhereinPennsylvania.
Butthroughpartnershipandhardwork,millionsofacresofthestatesprivatelandsare
opentothepublic,aswell.
The
GameCommissionsHunterAccessProgram
openstopublichuntingandtrapping
opportunitiesonabout2.6millionprivatelyownedacres.
Andtheprogramrecentlywasrecognizedby
OutdoorLifemagazine
,whichnamedthe
GameCommissionrecipientofthe
OutdoorLifeOpenCountryAward
tobepresentedduring
the
2016Shooting,HuntingandOutdoorTradeShow
inLasVegas,Nev.
Theawardrecognizespartiesthatactivelyhelpoutdoorsmenfaceoneoftheirtoughest
challenges:accesstoplacestoshoot,huntandfish.
HunterAccessProgram
TheGameCommissionsHunterAccessProgramwasstartedin1936andistheoldestin
thecountry.
Itfocusesonprovidinghuntersandtrapperswithaccesstoland,especiallynear
populatedareas,becauseclosetohomeplacestohuntwithamplegameareseenaskeysto
recruitingandretaininghunters.
TheGameCommissionsinteractiveonlinemapprovidesinformationforhuntersto
findplacestogo,saidMikePruss,theGameCommissionsprivatelandschiefwhooversees
theHunterAccessProgram.The2.6millionacresenrolledinthehabitatfocused
HunterAccessProgrammakeupmorethanonethirdoftheaccessiblelandopentohuntingin
Pennsylvania.
PrusssaidmanyoftherecentinnovationsinourHunterAccessProgramhavebeenmade
possiblethroughpartnershipswiththeUSDAFarmServicesAgencyandUSDANatural
ResourcesConservationServicewithFarmBillfundingawardedtoouragencythroughthe
VoluntaryPublicAccessandHabitatIncentiveProgramcompetitivegrantsprogram.
PrusswillaccepttheawardonbehalfoftheGameCommissionattheSHOTshowon
January20.
Formoreinformation,visittheGameCommissions
HunterAccessProgram
webpage.
NewsClip:
CardinalsCouldReduceVisitsByOtherBirds


GameCommissionAnnualSeedlingSalesHaveBegun

Whileitmightbewinter,landownerscanbeginmakingplanstohelpwildlifethisspringand
beyondbyplantingtreeandshrubseedlingsofferedbytheGameCommissions
Howard
Nursery
.
The
2016seedlingorderform
isavailableonline,andsalesbeganMondaymorning.
Mostseedlingsaresoldinunitsof25,but100seedlingbundlesalsoareavailablein
mixestobenefitdeerandbirds,aswellastoimproveriparianandwinterthermalhabitats.
The2016orderformcontainsawideselectionofevergreens,shrubsandfruitand
nutbearingtrees.MostspeciesarenativetoPennsylvania,andwiththeexceptionofblack
locust,alloftheavailablehardwoodsaregrownfromseedcollectedfromPennsylvaniasources
andprocessedbyGameCommissionpersonnel.
Therearemanynewofferingsthisyear.OneofthemisEasternredcedar,afastgrowing
evergreenthatproducesaberrylikeconethatsusedbymanybirds.Aunitof25seedlingsis
availablefor$8.75.
Chinesechestnut,Douglasfiranddwarfchinquapinoakseedlingsnoneofwhichwere
offeredforsalein2015arebackonthe2016orderform.
Andalsoreturningisanassortedstandardapplepacka25seedlingmixtureofyellow
andreddelicious,northernspy,rustycoat,winesap,Jonathon,McIntosh,Cortland,Rome,
Tiedemannandunidentifiedheavyproducingseedlings.Thisisthefirsttimesince2012the
bundlehasbeenofferedforsale,anditspricedat$12.50.
Manyoftheseedlingsofferedforsalecanbepurchasedatadiscountedprice.
Althoughadiscountisnotofferedforallspeciesorhabitatbundles,ordersof12ormore
totalunitsqualifyforapplicablediscountedpricing.Withthediscount,pricesareaslowas$3.75
perunit,or15centsperseedling.
Speciesthatqualifyforthediscountaremarkedontheorderform.
AnnettaAyers,superintendentatHowardNursery,saidthereisaverylimitedsupplyof
someoftheseedlingsforsale,wildplumincluded.
ThosewhoareinterestedmightwanttocallHowardNurseryat8143554434.Hoursof
operationareMondaythroughFridayfrom7a.m.to3:30p.m.Orderscanbeplacedby
telephone,aswell.
Theorderformandinformationabouttheseedlingsforsalewillbeavailableatthe
Game
Commissionswebsite
.
Ifyouhaveproblemsdownloadingtheorderform,youlikelyneedtoinstallthelatest
versionofAdobeAcrobatReader,whichcanbefoundbydoinganInternetsearchand
downloadedforfree.
Theorderformcanbecompletedandsubmittedonline,orprintedoutandfaxedor
mailed.PaymentisnotdueuntiltheorderisconfirmedbyHowardNursery.
ForthosewithoutInternetaccess,orderformscanbeobtainedatGameCommission
officesorvariousdisplaysorboothsatshowsinwhichtheagencyparticipatesthroughthespring
orbysendingaselfaddressed,stampedenvelopeto:HowardNursery,197NurseryRoad,
Howard,PA16841.
Whiletheorderformprovidesabriefdescriptionofthetreespeciesavailableandtheir
benefitstobirdsandwildlife,moreinformationisavailableonthewebsiteunder
TreeSeedling

Index
.
ThepreferredmethodofdeliveryisbyUnitedParcelService(UPS).Shippingand
handlingchargesdoapply.
OrdersareshippedonlyMondaythroughWednesdaytoassuredeliveryforweekend
planting.However,ordersalsomaybepickedupinpersonatthenurseryoncebuyersare
notifiedtheorderisready.
Generally,seedlingsshipinthemonthofApril.
VisitHere
forallthedetails.
NewsClip:
CardinalsCouldReduceVisitsByOtherBirds

DebraMcCartyToLeadPhiladelphiaWaterDepartment

NewlyelectedPhiladelphiaMayorJimKenneynamedDebraMcCartyas
thenewCommissionerofthe
PhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
.McCarty,
thefirstwoman
toholdthetitleofCommissioner,wasservingasDeputy
CommissionerandDirectorofOperations.
"ImhonoredbyMayorKenneysappointmentandlookforwardto
buildingonworkthathasestablishedthePhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
asanationalmodelforwhatamodernwater,wastewaterandstormwater
utilitycanbe,"McCartysaid."Wewillcontinuetoprovide1.61million
peoplewithtopqualitydrinkingwaterandimproveandprotectthe
healthofourriverswhileinvestingininnovativesolutionsto21st
Centurychallenges."
McCartybeganhercareerwithaprivateengineeringfirmandjoinedthedepartmentasa
sanitaryengineerattheNortheastWaterPollutionControlPlantin1982.
ShehasheldanumberofleadershippositionsatPhiladelphiaWaterandwasappointed
DeputyWaterCommissioneroftheOperationsDivisioninApril2004.Inthatrole,McCartywas
responsibleforoverseeingtheoperationandmaintenanceofthreedrinkingwatertreatment
plants,threewastewatertreatmentplants,3,200milesofwatermains,3,500milesofsewers,
79,000inlets,25,000firehydrantsandvariouspumpingstationsthroughoutthecity.
McCartywillreplaceHowardNeukrug,whoservedasCommissionerfrom2011untilhis
retirementinDecemberafter37yearswiththedepartment.Inalettertoemployees,Neukrug
thankedstaffforstrivingtomodernizetheutilityduringhistenure.
DuringmytimeatPhiladelphiaWater,Ihaveparticipatedinaneraofprofoundchange.
Togetherweachievednewandimprovedlevelsofhealthandenvironmentalprotectionspursuant
tothemandatesoftheCleanWaterActandtheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,Neukrugsaid.We
becamePhiladelphiasfinestenvironmentalprotectionagencycleaningupourcitysmostvital
andabundantnaturalresource:water.
McCarty,adedicatedmemberofhercommunityandarespectedleaderinthewater
industry,hasservedontheboardsoftheNationalAssociationofCleanWaterAgenciesandthe
NeighborhoodGardensAssociation.
ShecurrentlyservesontheboardofThePhiladelphiaSingersasitsSecretaryandis
PresidentElectofherlocalcivicassociation.SheisagraduateofJohnsHopkinsUniversity,
whereshereceivedherBachelorsinEnvironmentalEngineering.

NewsClip:
PhillyWaterDept.ProposesRateIncrease

(ReprintedfromthePhiladelphiaWaterDepartment
WatershedsBlog
.)

DCNRNamesJohnS.HallasDirectorBureauOfStateParks

TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesrecentlyannouncedJohnS.Hallashas
beenappointedDirectoroftheBureauofStateParkstoreplacetheretiringDavidL.Kemmerer.
TheappointmentwaseffectiveDecember28.
JohnHallas
beganhiscareerwiththeBureauofStateParksin2000,firstservingasa
parkmanagertraineeatthebureau'sRegion3OfficeinSchellsburg,BedfordCounty.Other
assignmentsincludedCanoeCreekStateParkComplex,basedinBlairCounty,andPrince
GallitzinStateParkinCambriaCounty.In2003hewasappointedparkmanageratTobyhanna
StateParkinMonroeCounty.
AveteranofOperationDesertShieldandDesertStorm,Hallasservedasasergeantwith
theU.S.ArmyinFieldArtilleryandInfantryunits,withassignmentsatFortBragg,N.C.,and
SchofieldBarracks,Hawaii.Hewashonorablydischargedwithsevenyearsofactiveduty
servicein1993.
Hallas,47,hasaBachelorofSciencedegreeinNaturalSciences,withaconcentrationin
Geology,aswellasaBachelorofArtsdegreeinAnthropology,withaconcentrationin
ArcheologyandCulturalResourcesManagement,fromtheUniversityofPittsburgh.
DavidKemmerer
servedthecitizensoftheCommonwealthinavarietyofpositionsin
theformerDepartmentofEnvironmentalResourcesandDCNRfor41years.
KemmererwasfirsthiredbytheformerDepartmentofEnvironmentalResourcesasa
LaborForemanandenteredtheParkSuperintendentjobseriesin1975.Fromthereheroseto
becomeaStateParksRegionalManager(Region4),andin2004,wasselectedfortheAssistant
DirectorofStateParkspositionwhereheservedforeightyearsuntilbeingappointedDirectorin
2012.
Throughouthiscareer,Davehasservedwithdistinctionandcommitment,saidJohn
Norbeck,DCNRDeputySecretaryforParksandForestry.Hehasbeenakeyplayerinour
DCNRteamandaddedgreatvaluetoStateParkswhileservingasDirector.
Kemmererhasabachelor'sdegreeinparksandrecreationwithaminorinaccounting
fromPennStateUniversity.

InMemoriam:AndyZemba,DirectorOfDEPsInterstateWatersOffice

AndyZemba,alongtimeemployeeoftheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,passedawayonSunday.
AsDirectoroftheOfficeOfInterstateWaters,Andywasacriticalfigure
indevelopingpoliciesandprogramsandoverseeingactivitiesrelatedto
meetingPennsylvaniascommitmentstocleaninguptheChesapeakeBay
Watershed.
HefrequentlyrepresentedDEPonissuesrelatedtotheDelaware,Potomac
andSusquehannariverbasincommissions,theGreatLakes,Pennsylvanias

CoastalZonesonLakeErieandtheDelawareEstuary.
AndystartedhiscareeratDEPasaStackInspectorintheAirQualityProgram.
HeservedastheExecutiveAssistantfortheOfficeofWaterManagementuntilbecoming
theAssistantDirectorintheWaterPlanningOffice.
HewaskeyinmanagingthedevelopmentofthefirstcomprehensiveStateWaterPlan
andcriticaltothedevelopmentDEPsNutrientTradingProgram.
PriortohisserviceatDEP,hewasaMissileLaunchOfficerintheUnitedStatesAir
Force.
AndywasoneofthemostdedicatedandunassumingpeopleIknow,butpassionate
aboutprotectingtheenvironment,saidformerDEPSecretaryDavidHess.Hiscontributions
todevelopingandimprovingwaterprotectionandrestorationprogramsinDEPhavebeen
significantandwillbelonglasting.Hewillbemissedtremendouslybythemanyprofessionals
whoworkedbyhisside.
InlieuofflowersMrs.Zembaissettingupacollegetrustfundfortheirchildren.Checks
shouldbemadepayabletotheMatthewZembaandLauraZembaEducationalTrustandmailed
to492SkylineRd.NewCumberland,PA17070.
VisitHere
foracopyofthecompleteobituary.

HelpWanted:ConservationGISSpecialistWesternPAConservancy

The
WesternPennsylvaniaConservancy
,inconjunctionwiththeDepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesBureauofRecreation&Conservation,isseekingaskilledprofessional
withexpertiseinGIS.
Thispositionisresponsibleforpublicizingtrailsstatewidewithwebpages,interactive
mapsandotheronlineandmobiletoolsthrough
www.ExplorePAtrails.com
tracking,reporting,
displaying,publishingandpromotingtrailevents,developments,plansandactivitiesauthoring,
publishing,andmaintainingcontentforthe
BuildPAtrails
onlineapplicationanalyzingtrailand
greenwayGISdataandassistwithothertrailrelatedinitiativeswithintheBureauofRecreation
&Conservation.
ThepositionwillbebasedintheDCNRBureauofRecreation&Conservationofficein
Harrisburg,PA.
VisitHere
forallthedetails.

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.

NOTE:
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublisheditsscheduleofadvisory
committeeandboardmeetingsfor2016intheDecember19
PABulletin(page7230)
.Thenext
andfirstmeetingsofeachadvisorycommitteeorboardhasbeenaddedtothissection.

January916

100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
.Harrisburg


January12

CANCELED
.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Thenext
regularmeetingisMarch8.
DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

January12

SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.BlairsvilleCommunityCenter,101EastNorthLane,
Blairsville,PA,9:00a.m.toNoon.

January13
RescheduledToJan.20.

DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.Dixon
UniversityCenter,2986N.SecondSt.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.

January13

AgendaPosted
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
ReviewofFormsRequiredToImplementChapter78
ReviewofTechnicalGuidanceToImplementChapter78
DCNRPresentationOnPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewSystem
PresentationonEPACleanPowerClimatePlanRequirements
WellCompletion,WasteReporting,Drilling/CoalMiningCoordination

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

January13

[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.
DEPContact:StaceyBox,InterstateWaters
Office,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725622,
sbox@pa.gov
.

January13

AgendaPosted
.
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPowered
Equipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEP
Contact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,New
StantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
Discussionofspecificminingequipmentforreview.

ClickHere
foranyavailablehandouts.

January13

SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.CranberryTownshipMunicipalCenter,2525Rochester
Road,CranberryTownship,PA.9:00a.m.toNoon.

January14

AgendaPosted
.
DEPOilandGas(Marcellus)TechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

ReviewofFormsRequiredToImplementChapter78
ReviewofTechnicalGuidanceToImplementChapter78
DCNRPresentationOnPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewSystem
PresentationonEPACleanPowerClimatePlanRequirements
WellCompletion,WasteReporting,Drilling/CoalMiningCoordination

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

January14

[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPCoalandClayMineSubsidenceInsuranceFundBoard
meeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:Lawrence
Ruane,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839590,
lruane@pa.gov
.

January19
U.S.EPAGreen&HealthySchools
WebinarOnSchoolsAndOutdoorAir
Quality
.3:00.

January20
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
FinalMeetingDiscussingRecommendations

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts

January20
DEP,PennState
EnergyAssetScoreToolWorkshop
.DEPsSouthwestRegional
Office,500WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.10:00.

January20

NEW
.
DCNROpenHouseOnDentonHillStateParkStudy
.DentonHillSki
Lodge,PotterCounty.6:30.

January21

[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.2nd
FloorTrainingRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:DanielSnowden,Bureau
ofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.

January21

[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

January21
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrantWebinar
.10:00a.m.

January21

NEW
.
NRCSStateTechnicalCommittee
meeting.USDAStateOffice,
Harrisburg.12:30.

January23

DelawareHighlandsConservancyEagleDay
.
ClickHere
forotherBaldEagle
viewingopportunitieswiththeConservancy.

January23

BrodheadCreekWatershedAssociation

WestEndHike
.Brodheadsville,Monroe
County.


January25
NEW
.
DEPPublicMeetingOnProposedChrinLandfillExpansion,Northampton
County
.WilsonAreaHighSchool,424WarriorLane,Easton,PA18042.69p.m.

January26

NEW
.
DEPHearingOnWestmorelandTenaskaNaturalGasPowerPlantAir
Permit
.TurkeytownSouthHuntingtonTownshipfirehall(HuntingtonPlace),90Supervisor
Drive,WestNewton,PA.6:00p.m.

January27

DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:SusanFoster,BureauofAir
Quality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177877019,
sufoster@pa.gov
.

January28

DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:DawnHissner,BureauofSafeDrinking
Water,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722189,
dhissner@pa.gov
.

February2
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16th
Floor,RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
DEPContact:CarlJones,OfficeofEnvironmentalJustice,
2EastMainStreet,Norristown,PA19401,4842505818,
caejone@pa.gov
.

February3

EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
FinalChapter78&78ADrillingRegulations

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

February3

DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoard
meeting.2ndFloorTrainingRoom,Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.

February4
DEP
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding
10:00.
DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.

February9
Gov.WolfsSecondBudgetAddress.

February10

DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.

February10
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.

February11
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.

Febinary11
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrantWebinar
.10:00a.m.

February24

DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MikeMaddigan,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723609,
mmaddigan@pa.gov
.

February2627
RegistrationOpen.

2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.

March3

NEW
.
PublicUtilityCommissionEnBancHearingOnAlternativeUtility
RatemakingMethods
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.9:00.

March8

DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,Bureauof
EnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.

March8
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

March10

BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve

LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley
University,Doylestown.

March12

NEW
.
RegistrationOpen.

2016SchuylkillRiverWatershedCongress
.Montgomery
CountyCommunityCollegePottstownCampus.

March1316

NEW.RegistrationOpen.

PARecreation&ParkSocietyAnnualConference
.
SevenSprings,SomersetCounty.

March1416

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators

AnnualConference
.TheInnat
PoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.

March16

StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.Conference
Room11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,Bureauof
PointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.

March22

DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:30.
DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,400

MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177832941,
jdiehl@pa.gov
.

March22

DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room206,DEP
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:Aaren
Alger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.

March31April1

NEW
.GreenBuildingAlliance
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
.
Pittsburgh.

April7

DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.

April13

DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.

April14
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.

April1415

WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

April19

DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

May1315

PAOutdoorWritersAssociation

SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.

June35

PAEnvironmentalCouncil

EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.

September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

October7

DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105

RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.

SenateCommitteeSchedule

HouseCommitteeSchedule

Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Grants&Awards

Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.

January15

GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence
January15
DCNR/PRPSGreenParksAwards
January15

NEW
.
PRPSRecognitionAndAwardsProgram
January15
PALTALifetimeConservationLeadershipAward
January15

PAEnvironmentalEducatorsAwardNominations
January15

BowmansHillPreserveLandEthicsAwards
January15

ChesterCountyGrowingGreenerCommunitiesAward
January15

BayerCropScienceYoungFarmerSustainabilityAward
January29

2016YouthWildlifeArtContest
January29

EPASaferChoicePartnerOfTheYearAwards
January29

Fish&BoatCommissionStateWildlifeGrants
January30
DEPAlternativeFuelsVehicleRebates
(OrUntilFundingIsGone)
February1

BenFranklinShaleGasInnovationContest
February4

Delaware&LehighHeritageCorridorMiniGrants
February12

PALTAGovernmentConservationLeadershipAward
February12

NEW
.
PECWesternPAEnvironmentalAwards
February15

AcademyOfNaturalSciencesDelawareRiverResearchGrants
February15

NEW
.
StroudCriticalZoneScienceStudent,TeacherExperience
February22

UrbanLandInstituteUrbanOpenSpaceAward
February22

UrbanLandInstituteGlobalExcellenceForRealEstateProjectsAward
February29

NEW
.
SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
March1
NEW
.
SusquehannaUFreshwaterResearchInitiativeRFPs
March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
March4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramCloses
March31

DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
April13

DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
May31

$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest

Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics

HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore

Air
LegislatorsSeekToDelayEmissionsTestingForNewerVehicles
CleanAirCouncilPointsToSolutionsForRefineryPollution
AlleghenyFront:CoalFiredPowerPlantsCleanUpTheirAct
ShenangoBeginsShutdownOfCoalCokingPlant
ShenangoCoalCokingWorksMakesFinalBatch
AlternativeFuels
OpeningOfCNGFuelingStationInCentreCounty
OpEd:ConservativeCaseForSolarSubsidies
Editorial:NEHasNotYetEmbracedAlternativeFuelVehicles
Editorial:PromotionOfCNGSensible
Budget
Rep.ChristianaPosedToIntroduceNaturalGasSeveranceTax
SturlasNewSeveranceTaxProposalWouldFundPensions
WolfTakesJabsAtGOPLawmakersInPittsburghStop
LawmakersMullLeavingWolfsDeepCutsToBudget
PALegislativeLeadersPowWowOnBudgetTuesday
AP:LawmakersReconvene,BudgetStatusUnclear
PLS:RepublicansPointBudgetBlameFingerAtWolf
PLS:GeneralAssemblyContinuesWaitAndSeeApproachToBudget
PartialBudgetRaisesOddsOfWorkOn2PlansAtOnce
NewYearBringsNoHintOfBudgetBreakthrough
JohnBaer:PAPolitics,WhatLiesAhead?
Climate
AmidPressure,PennStateAddsClimateChangePlan
WesternPAs1stSnowfallCouldMatch74YearRecord
Insurer:2015SawLowestNaturalDisasterLossesIn6Years
FirstWinterIceFormsOnLakeErie
GreenGroupsNotThrilledWithClimatePact
OpEd:SomeGoodNewsAboutClimateChange
RosebudIdlingMostPAMines,429Workers
RosebudMiningFurloughs429Workers
ComplianceActions
EnergyCompanyChallengesDEPPracticeOfAddingUpFines
DeepMineSafety
NYSaltMineRescueEvokesMemoriesOfQuecreek
DrinkingWater
PhillyWaterDept.ProposesRateIncrease

Education
SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
NewDirectorToShowOffHisFavoriteAtCarnegieMuseum
Energy
Studies:LimerickNuclearPlantSavesMoney
WastewaterHearingOnJessupPowerPlantDrawsQuestions
DEPInvenergyReadyToFieldQuestions
Editorial:JessupPowerPlantObstacleCleared
HatfieldsFerryPowerPlanMayReopenIn2019
AlleghenyFront:CoalFiredPowerPlantsCleanUpTheirAct
NRGHomeCEOLeavesAmidReorganization
RosebudIdlingMostPAMines,429Workers
RosebudMiningFurloughs429Workers
EnergyPolicesHeatUpAsCampaignFodder
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
PNCTowerUsesCuttingEdgeBuildingSystems
HelpWanted:Business,EnvironmentalSustainabilityContractor
LandConservation
HeritageConservancyBuysLandFromDowInBucksCounty
MineReclamation
PlanInWorksToCleanupCoalMineNearBeaverRunReservoir
LaBelleResidentsImploreDEPToDenyFlyAshPermits
Editorial:HuberBreakerPropertyPotentiallyUnsafe
Oil&Gas
NoFrackingPitsAllowedUnderNewDEPDrillingRegs
DEPFinalizesNewOil&GasDrillingRegulations
DEPProposesChangesToDrillingRules
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPReleasesFinalOilAndGasRegulations
DEPMovesForwardWithOilAndGasRulemaking
HowMuchWillNewDEPDrillingRegsCostIndustry?
AlleghenyFront:WhatsInDEPsNewDrillingRegs?
Rep.ChristianaPosedToIntroduceNaturalGasSeveranceTax
Rep.SturlaCirculatingNewSeveranceTaxProposal
DEPFinesKinderMorgan$754KForStorageTankViolations
C.O.G.E.N.T.ProposedChesapeakeRoyaltySettlementInJeopardy
C.O.G.E.N.T.ReviewsItsMajorActionsIn2015
WastewaterHearingOnJessupPowerPlantDrawsQuestions
DEPInvenergyReadyToFieldQuestions
Editorial:JessupPowerPlantObstacleCleared
ProposedPipelinesConvergeInLebanonCounty
PipelinesCouldAffectMidstatePropertyValues
SunocoOpensChescoOfficeInLandFight
PropertyOwnersCriticizeSunocoNegotiations
MarcellusOutputFlatAmidFallingPrices,PipelineShortage

TransCanadaToSueU.S.OnBlockingKeystoneXLPipeline
EPAScienceAdvisorsSayFrackingStudyNeedsClarification
ScientistsBacktrackOnEPAStudyOnSafetyOfFracking
EarthquakesInOklahomaRaiseFearsOfABigOne
OpeningOfCNGFuelingStationInCentreCounty
ConsolPlansUticaGasWellAtPittsburghAirport
ConsolCutsSpending,ProductionForecast
CabotStableAsOilPricesEdgeUp
WhyOilWillKeepBreakingDown
CAGovernorDeclaresEmergencyOverL.A.GasLeak
L.A.ResidentsFleeAsGasLeakStalksNeighborhood
NaturalGasLeakInLosAngelesStillMonthsFromFix
Enterprise,TallgrassRaisePayoutsAmidOil,GasPriceRout
SettlementInAGsAntitrustSuitOverArcLightFuelTerminalAcquisition
GasolinePricesExpectedToRemainLowInPittsburgh
Radon
DEPVideo:TestYourHomeForRadonPSA
Recreation
FirstDayHikeGetsYearStartedOffRight
GreensburgStudiesWalking,BikingTrails
VolunteersNeededToMaintainLehighValleyAppalachianTrail
DCNRNamesJohnS.HallasDirectorBureauOfStateParks
Recycling/Waste
BlackMountainResidentsBenefitFromRecycling
TannerNamedMcKeanCountyCleanWaysVolunteerOfTheYear
DEPGrantsKeystoneLandfillExtensionToAnswerConcerns
WatershedProtection
StudyOfSickSusquehannaBassCitesEndocrineDisrupters
NoLinkBetweenFracking,SmallmouthBassDecline
WITFSmartTalkOnSickSusquehannaRiverBass
Editorial:SusquehannaImpaired?YouBet
ChiquesCreekWatershedRainGardenGoingToFarmShow
InnovativeProgramPromotesGrazingInChesapeakeWatershed
TheRealCostOfGreenInfrastructure
FreeportCouncilSeeksSewageTreatmentPlantOptions
OfficialsDiscussScrantonSewerSystemSale
CambriaAuthorityTurnsDown$65MGrantToReplaceLines
AshleyOfficialsWorriedOverPollutionIssuesAtBreakerSite
DelawareRiverkeeperRiverwatchVideoJan.2
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
StudyOfSickSusquehannaBassCitesEndocrineDisrupters
NoLinkBetweenFracking,SmallmouthBassDecline
WITFSmartTalkOnSickSusquehannaRiverBass

Editorial:SusquehannaImpaired?YouBet
Study:AsianCarpCouldBeHugePresenceInLakeErie
FirstWinterIceFormsOnLakeErie
LetortSpringRunFocusOfNewBook
CardinalsCouldReduceVisitsByOtherBirds
Other
Phil Wallis Moves To Martha's Vineyard
PAHorticulturalSocietyPicksLeaderWithoutGreenThumb
NewPAHorticulturalSocietyLeaderBringsBusinessBackground

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinJanuary9,2016
.

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

Nonewtechnicalguidancewaspublishedthisweek.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem

RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

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2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
,StateCollege,Feb.2627.