PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward Harrisburg,PaMay13,2013 EPAApprovesPAImpairedWatersListWithoutListingLowerSusquehanna TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyThursdayapproved Pennsylvanias2012finallistofimpairedwaterswithoutlistingthe lowerSusquehannaRiverasimpaired.ThelowerSusquehanna listingwaschangedfromunimpairedtohavinginsufficientwater qualitydatatomakeadeterminationasrecommendedbythe DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection. Thelistispartofabiannualmonitoringandassessment reportcharacterizingtheconditionofPennsylvaniassurfacewaters. The2012listsubmittedbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioncontains7,009 impairedwaters,ofwhich263arenewlylistedincludingportionsofBuffaloCreekandPlumCreekin theUpperJuniatawatershed. Thelistalsoincludesmorethan650streammileswithintheSusquehannaRiverBasinthatwere addedorupdatedinthe2012list.Thenewlistremoves39waterbodiesthatwereonthepreviouslist includingover96milesintheUpperSusquehannaLackawannabasinand27milesoftheLehighRiver. TheCleanWaterActrequiresstatestoanalyzeavailablewaterqualityinformationtoassessthe healthofwaters,andeverytwoyearsidentifythosewaterbodiesthatdonotmeetwaterquality standards.TheimpairedwaterslististhensubmittedtoEPAforreviewandapproval.StatesorEPA mustsubsequentlydevelopcleanupplanstorestoretheimpairedwaterways. Thefinalreportincludesachangeinthedesignationforanearly100milesectionofthemain stemoftheSusquehannaRiverfromunimpairedforaquaticlifeandrecreationaluses,tohaving insufficientwaterqualitydatatomakeanimpairmentdetermination. ThatchangefromthedrafttothefinalreportreflectscommentssubmittedtoPADEPfromEPA andothers,aswellasongoingeffortstoidentifythecauseofhealthimpactstotheSusquehannas smallmouthbasspopulation. PADEPinitiatedaspecialstudyofthefishhealthproblemin2012andiscontinuingitsdata collectioneffortsin2013tofurtherassesswaterqualityintheSusquehannaRiveranditsmajor tributaries,andidentifythecause(s)forthedeclineinsmallmouthbass. InformationanddatafromthiseffortcanbefoundatthePADEPwebsite. Whilethesestepsareunderway,theChesapeakeBaypollutionbudgetorTMDLand accompanyingPennsylvaniaWatershedImplementationPlansrequireactiontoreducenitrogen, phosphorusandsedimentpollutionwithintheSusquehannawatershed.

Pennsylvaniawillupdateitsstatewideassessmentwhenitsubmitsitslistofimpairedwaterways for2014. AcompletelistofimpairedwatersasapprovedbyEPAisavailableonline. Ourexpertsputtogetherthisreportusingscientificrigorandalotofhardwork,Department ofEnvironmentalProtectionActingSecretaryChrisAbruzzosaid.WearepleasedEPAhas recognizedoureffortsandthatwecancontinuetomoveforwardwithprotectingthestateswaters. AlisaHarris,DEPSpecialDeputyforExternalAffairs,saidinanemailcirculatingtheapproved list,Bothagencies,PADEPandEPA,agreethatlistingthisportionoftheSusquehannaRiverwhere smallmouthbassareunderstresswithoutconcretelyknowingthecausedoesverylittletoenhancethe protectionoftheriver. Infact,aserroneouslymentionedinnumerousstatementsandnewsarticlesaboutthisissue,an impairmentdesignationdoesnotbringwithitfinancialresourcestostudyorresolvetheissue. Weremaincommittedtoexpandingourresearchandworkingintandemwithotherstatewide agenciesandpartners.Untilweuncovertherootcauseofwhatsaffectingthesmallmouthbass population,wecannotforgeaneffectiveplantoaddressit.Whenwehaveanswers,Iassureyouwe willworkswiftlyandaggressivelytoremedytheissue. Formoreinformation,visitDEPsSusquehannaRiverStudyUpdateswebpage. NewsClips: EPA:SusquehannaNotImpaired,ButNotUnimpairedEither EPADoesNotListLowerSusquehannaRiverAsImpaired,Yet SRBCDefendsRoleInOverseeingWaterQuantity DealingWithSedimentAtTheConowingoDam RelatedStories: CBFDisappointedByEPAActionOnLowerSusquehannaRiver FishCommission:EPADecisionDelaysPlanOnCleaningUpSusquehanna CBFDisappointedByEPAActionOnLowerSusquehannaRiver HarryCampbell,PennsylvaniaExecutiveDirectorfortheChesapeakeBay FoundationissuedthisstatementfollowingtheEnvironmentalProtection AgencysapprovalofthestateDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections2012 ImpairedWatersList WhileCBFisdisappointedintodaysdecisionbytheEPA,onefact thatremainsisthatthesmallmouthbassintheLowerSusquehannaRiverarein trouble.Sosignificantarethediseaseanddieoffratesthatfisheriesscientistfear a completecollapseofthisonceworldrenownedfishery.Webelievethisfactis enoughforEPAandPADEPtohavelistedthelowerSusquehannaasimpaired. Stateandfederalagenciesandcommissionswillbeheldaccountableforcontinuingtoconduct acomprehensiveanddefensibleanalysisofthemyriadofdifferentfactorswhichmaybeaffectingthe bass.CBFbelievesthatlistingtheriverasimpairedwouldhavegalvanizedgreaterresourcestoward investigationofthesituationand,ifdeemednecessary,establishedaplantofitit.Impairmentlisting

wouldhavealsoassuredfuturestateandfederaladministrationscontinuedtofocusonthisissue. Wewillscrutinizethisdecisionasweexplorepossibleoptions.Butonethingisclearwecan andmustdomorethanstudytheproblemtosavethesmallmouthbass.Asourreport,Anglingfor HealthierRiversshows,reducingpollutioninthestreamsthatfeedintotheRiverisofutmost importancetoPennsylvaniaseconomyandnaturalresources. Wemustcontinuetoinvestinthetypesofprogramsandpoliciesthataddresspollutionfromall sectors,upgradeoursewerinfrastructure,greenoururbanandsuburbanlandscapes,spurour economy,andincreaseourqualityoflife. CBFandpartnerspetitionedDEPtolisttheLowerSusquehannaRiverasimpaired,dueto ongoing,diseaseanddieoffsofthesmallmouthbasspopulationinthis100milestretchoftheriver. DEPsfinalreportincludesachangeinthedesignationforanearly100milesectionofthemain stemoftheSusquehannaRiverfromunimpairedforaquaticlifeandrecreationaluses,tohaving insufficientwaterqualitydatatomakeanimpairmentdetermination. ThatchangefromthedrafttothefinalreportreflectscommentssubmittedtoPADEPfromEPA andothers,aswellasongoingeffortstoidentifythecauseofhealthimpactstotheSusquehannas smallmouthbasspopulation. NewsClips: EPA:SusquehannaNotImpaired,ButNotUnimpairedEither EPADoesNotListLowerSusquehannaRiverAsImpaired,Yet SRBCDefendsRoleInOverseeingWaterQuantity DealingWithSedimentAtTheConowingoDam Link:CBF:WeKnowEnoughToActToProtectSmallmouthBassInSusquehanna FishCommission:EPADecisionDelaysPlanOnCleaningUpSusquehanna JohnArway,ExecutiveDirectoroftheFishandBoatCommission,issuedthis statementonEPA'sdecisionnottolistthelowerSusquehannaRiverasimpaired: TheEPAsendorsementoftheDEPreportisextremelydisappointing sinceitdelaysactiononbeginningtodevelopacleanupplanfortheSusquehanna Riverforatleastanothertwoyears.Wecontinuetobelievethatamplescientific evidenceexiststodemonstratethattheriverissickandneedshelpsoonerthan later.Smallmouthbassaredyinganditisimperativethatwebegintotakestepsto cleanuptheriver.Thisdelaywillresultinanothertwoyearsofinactionandwill resultinmorebassdying,leadingtolessrecreationalfishingandacontinued economicimpacttothosewhobenefitfromahealthyriver. TherecentlypublishedEPANationalRiversandStreamsAssessmentSurveyfoundthatover 55percentofournationsstreamsandriversdonotsupporthealthypopulationsofaquaticlife.Atotal of40percentofourwatershavebeenidentifiedtohavehighlevelsofphosphorusand27percenthave highlevelsofnitrogen.FoursamplingsitesofthenationalsurveywerelocatedontheSusquehanna RiverandthetwoPennsylvaniasitesratedpoorforfish,periphyton,waterqualityandtotalphosphorus. SinceEPAsowndatacorroboratedthePFBCsfindingsthattheriverisofpoorquality,we

aresurprisedthatEPAdidnotconcludethatweneedtolisttheriverasimpairedanddevelopaplanto fixit. Despitethissetback,wewillcontinuetoworkcollaborativelywithDEPandotherstocollect thenecessarydatatoprovebywhatevermeasurementnecessarythattheriverisimpaired.Ouranglers andthesmallmouthbassthatremainintheriverdeserveourfullattentionwhilewecontinuetodebate theirfate. Formoreinformation,visittheFishandBoatCommissionSusquehannaRiverImpairment webpage. NewsClips: EPA:SusquehannaNotImpaired,ButNotUnimpairedEither EPADoesNotListLowerSusquehannaRiverAsImpaired,Yet SRBCDefendsRoleInOverseeingWaterQuantity DealingWithSedimentAtTheConowingoDam DidYouKnowYouCanSearch8YearsOfDigestsOnAnyTopic? Didyouknowyoucansearch8yearsofbackissuesofthePAEnvironmentDigestondozensof topics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose.Justclickonthesearchpage. AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog. PAEnvironmentDigestVideoBlog:showcasesoriginalandpublishedvideosfromenvironmental groupsandagenciesaroundthestate.Signuptoreceiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyour favoriteRSSread.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthis blog. PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto newitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol.

Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced SessionSchedule HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse Senate May13,14 June3,4,5,10,11,12,17,18,19,24,25,26,27,28 House May13,14,15 June3,4,5,10,11,12,17,18,19,20,24,25,26,27,28 BillCalendars House(May13):HouseBill302(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGasLease FundtoDEPforacompetitivegrantprogramtoconvertsmallmasstransitbusfleetstonaturalgas HouseBill303(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPfora competitivegrantprogramtoconvertlargemasstransitfleetstonaturalgasHouseBill304 (MarshallRBeaver)fundingconversionsoftransitbusestonaturalgasHouseBill306 (PickettRBradford)redirectingtheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveFundtocreatetheKeystoneFuel IncentiveProgramtofundconversionsofvehiclestonaturalgasHouseBill308(SaylorRYork) redirecting$6millionannuallyfromtheCleanAirFundtofinancevehicleconversionstonaturalgas HouseResolution129(CauserRForest)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteeto investigatecombiningtheGameandFishandBoatCommissions.<>ClickHereforfullHouseBill Calendar. Senate(May13):SenateBill1(RaffertyRMontgomery)acomprehensivetransportationfunding planwhichraisesabout$2.6billioninannualfundingbyFY201718summary<>ClickHereforfull SenateBillCalendar. CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek House:theEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderHouseBill1325 (MaloneyRBerks)amendingAct537toprovidethatonlotsepticsystemsapprovedbyDEPmeet antidegradationrequirements,reversinganEnvironmentalHearingBoarddecisionsummary,House Resolution223(TallmanRAdams)memorializingCongresstosupportH.R.979inCongress,the ForestProductsFairnessActsummary,SenateBill196(D.WhiteRIndiana)authorizingPennVEST

tofundstormwaterandnonpointsourcemanagementfacilitiestheFinanceCommitteemeetsto considerHouseBill1171(DunbarRWestmoreland)repealingprovisionsoftheAlternativeEnergy ProductionTaxCreditProgramtheLocalGovernmentCommitteemeetstoconsiderHouseBill 1052(FreemanDLehigh)furtherprovidingfortheuseofrecreationalfeessummary<>Click HereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule. Senate:theUrbanAffairsandHousingCommitteeholdsahearingonthefutureoftheMainStreet andElmStreetProgramsinJimThorpe.<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule. BillsPendingInKeyCommittees HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach House Appropriations Education EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerAffairs GamingOversight HumanServices Judiciary LiquorControl Transportation LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees Senate Appropriations EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment Education Judiciary LawandJustice PublicHealthandWelfare Transportation LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees BillsIntroduced Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek OnlotSepticApprovals:HouseBill1325(MaloneyRBerks)amendingAct537toprovidethat onlotsepticsystemsapprovedbyDEPmeetantidegrationrequirementssummary.[TheHouse

EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeisscheduledtoconsiderthisbillonMay15.] OfficialReptile:HouseBill1316(BobackRColumbia)designatingtheEasternTimberRattlesnake astheofficialreptileoftheCommonwealth. OfficialMineral:HouseBill1326(PickettRBradford)designatingcelestineastheofficialmineralof theCommonwealth.

Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate Senate TransportationFunding:SenateBill1(RaffertyRMontgomery)acomprehensivetransportation fundingplanwhichraisesabout$2.6billioninannualfundingbyFY201718summarywasreported outoftheSenateTransportationCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction. NaturalGasServiceExtension:SenateBill738(YawRLycoming)providingfornaturalgas distributionsystemextension,expansionplansandSenateBill739(YawRLycoming)authorizingthe CommonwealthFinancingAuthoritytoprovide$15millionforschool,hospital,smallbusinessesto obtainaccesstonaturalgaswerereferredtotheSenateAppropriationsCommittee. House NaturalGasCompetition:HouseBill1188(PayneRDauphin)providingforadjustmentstothecost ofnaturalgaswasreportedfromtheHouseConsumerAffairsCommitteeandTabled.

NewsFromTheCapitol
SenateCommitteeApprovesTransportationFundingBill TheSenateTransportationCommitteeTuesdayoverwhelminglyapprovedSenateBill1(Rafferty RMontgomery),acomprehensivetransportationfundingplanwhichraisesabout$2.5billioninannual fundingbyFY201718,accordingtoSen.JohnRafferty,MajorityChairoftheCommittee. ThebillfollowsthemajorrecommendationsmadebytheGovernorsTransportationFunding AdvisoryCommission. Providingasafeandreliabletransportationnetworkiscrucialtopublicsafetyandeconomic development,Sen.Raffertysaid.Wecantputoffprojectsthetimetoaddressourinfrastructure needsisnow. Pennsylvaniahasmorestructurallydeficientbridgesnearly4,400thananyotherstateinthe nation,and23percentofits44,000milesofstateownedroadsareinpoorcondition.

SenateBill1willraisetheneededrevenuethroughanumberofsourcesincludingadjusting outdatedvehicleanddriverfeesforinflation,surchargingfinesfordriverswhoviolatetrafficlaws, uncappingtheOilCompanyFranchiseTaxoverthreeyears,andachievingsignificantcostsavingsby modernizingmanyPennDOTservices. Thislegislationoffersastrategicandlongtermsolutiontofundingtransportationprojectsthat arevitaltoourstatesfuture,Sen.Raffertysaid.Impleasedatthebipartisansupportthatthebill receivedinthiscommitteeandlookforwardtobringingitupforafullSenatevote. NewsClips: $2.5BillionTransportationBillPassesSenateCommittee SenateCommitteeApproves$2.5BillionTransportationPlan SenateCommitteePasses$2.5BillionForRoads,Transit SenatePanelOKsTransportationFundingBill HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeToConsiderAntiDegradation,StormwaterBills TheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeisscheduledtomeetonMay15to considerbillschangingtheantidegradationrequirementsforevaluatingonlotsepticsystempermits,a billauthorizingfundingforstormwatermanagementandnonpointsourceprojectsandaresolutionona federalforestproductsissue. Thebillsinclude HouseBill1325(MaloneyRBerks)amendingAct537toprovidethatonlotsepticsystems approvedbyDEPmeetantidegradationrequirements,reversinganEnvironmentalHearingBoard decisionsummary(ClickHereformorebackgroundonthisissue) HouseResolution223(TallmanRAdams)memorializingCongresstosupportH.R.979in Congress,theForestProductsFairnessActsummaryand SenateBill196(D.WhiteRIndiana)authorizingPennVESTtofundstormwaterandnonpoint sourcemanagementfacilities. Rep.RonMiller(RYork)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandRep.GregVitali (DDelaware)servesasMinorityChair. NewsClip:UDCOpposesDEPAntiDegradationPolicyForOnlotSystems

NewsFromAroundTheState
ErikRossReceivesJamesMcGirrKellyAwardFromWaterIndustry TheNationalAssociationofWaterCompanies,PennsylvaniaChapterTuesday recognizedErikA.RosswithitsJamesMcGirrKellyAwardforExcellence. TheorganizationhonoredRossduringitsawardsluncheonattheNAWC AnnualMeetingintheCommonwealthKeystoneBuildinginHarrisburg. TheJamesMcGirrKellyAwardforExcellenceisthehighesthonorbestowed byNAWC.Theindustryassociationpresentstheawardeachyeartoaresidentof

Pennsylvaniawhomostexemplifiesdedicationtopromotingtheavailabilityofsafedrinkingwaterinthe Commonwealth. ThewaterindustryandallPennsylvaniansoweadebtofgratitudetoErikRossforhisyearsof dedicatedpublicserviceandadvocacyforpoliciespromotingsafeandreliablewaterandwastewater servicethatissustainablefortheCommonwealth,saidNAWCPennsylvaniaChapterChairmanJT Hand. Forover25years,Rosshasworkedtirelesslyacrosslegislativeboundariestofoster partnerships,draftlegislationandliaisebetweenadiverseandvariedconstituencytoimprovewater qualityacrosstheCommonwealth. RossbeganhiscareerasanExecutiveAssistanttotheStateSenateMajorityWhipMikeFisher beforetransitioningtotheprivatesectorwherehebuiltagovernmentrelationspracticearoundthe stateswaterandwastewaterindustry.Currently,RossservesasaSeniorLobbyistatGmerek GovernmentRelations,Inc. TheAnnualAwardforExcellencewasnamedforthelateJamesMcGirrKelly,SeniorUnited StatesDistrictCourtJudgefortheEasternDistrictofPennsylvania.JudgeKellywasaformermember ofthePublicUtilityCommissionandformervicepresidentofAmericanWaterWorksService Company,Inc.Hewastherstrecipientoftheawardin1983. Pastawardwinnersinclude:2012formerDEPExecutiveSecretaryJohnHines,2011John Hanger,DEPSecretary,2010formerPUCCommissionerKimPizzingrilli,2009Rep.BudGeorge, 2008RickRogers,U.S.EPARegion3,2007PaulK.Marchetti,2005Rep.CaroleRubley,2004 TerranceJ.Fitzpatrick,formerChairPUC,2003FredrickA.Marrocco,DEP,2002DavidE.Hess, DEPSecretary,2001JohnM.Quain,formerChairPUC,2000Sen.RaphaelJ.Musto,1999Walter A.Lyon,1998MichaelD.Klein,1997DavidA.Long,PhD,1996Gov.TomRidge,1995Sen.David J.Brightbill,1994WendellF.Holland,1993WilliamR.Shane,1992WilliamR.Lloyd,1991EdithD. Stevens,1990Dr.RuthPatrick,1989Gov.RobertP.Casey,1988Sen.D.MichaelFisher,1987 GeorgeI.Bloom,1986CliffordL.Jones,DERSecretary,1985Dr.MauriceK.Goddard,DER Secretary,andin1984Gov.DickThornburgh. TheNAWCAnnualMeetingalsofeaturedpresentationsbyPennsylvaniaPublicUtility CommissionChairmanRobPowelsonDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionDeputySecretaryfor FieldOperationsDanaAunkstKleinschmidtSeniorFisheriesScientistBrandonKulikandCozen OConnorMemberAhrenScottTryon,Esq. LackawannaCountySeniorEnvironmentCorpsSeekingVolunteers Areyou55yearsorolder,liveinLackawannaCountyandwanttobecomeinvolvedinprotectingour resourcesandeducatingthepubliconthenaturalworld?Ifso,theLackawannaCountySenior EnvironmentCorpswantsyou. SeniorEnvironmentCorpsmemberscanparticipateinavarietyoftasksfrommonitoring waterquality,observingandreportingonwildlife,andevenhelpingwithofficetasks.Thepossibilities areendless. TheLackawannaCountyConservationDistrictandNatureAbounds,anationalnonprofitand organizeroftheSeniorEnvironmentCorps,areworkingtogethertogetthegroupupandrunning.The RetiredSeniorVolunteerProgram(RSVP)ofLackawannaCountyisalsosupportingtheeffort.

CherylNolan,WatershedSpecialistwiththeConservationDistrictsaid,Wereveryexcitedto bejoiningtheSeniorEnvironmentCorps.Seniorvolunteersareperfectfortheprojectastheyoften haveaverystrongknowledgeofthearea,ourwaterandthewildlifefoundhere. AccordingtoNatureAboundsPresident,MelindaHughesWert,Werethrilledthat LackawannaCountywillhaveaSeniorEnvironmentCorps.ThegroupwilljoinotherSenior EnvironmentCorpsacrossthestate,whichnowcoverstwentyonecounties. HughesWertcontinued,SeniorEnvironmentCorpsmembershavemonitoredwaterquality, helpedtoinventorywildlife,markedabandonedoilwellsandeducatedthenextgenerationof environmentalstewards. ThefirstprojectoftheLackawannaCountySeniorEnvironmentCorpswillbewaterquality monitoring.ThetrainingfortheprojectwilltakeplaceonMay29from10a.m.untilapproximately3:00 p.m.(lunchtobeprovided). InterestedpartiesareinvitedtocomeiftheyarereadytobeinvolvedintheSeniorEnvironment CorpsprogramoriftheyjustwanttofindoutwhatbeinginvolvedintheSeniorEnvironmentCorps programisallabout. FormoreinformationaboutvolunteeringwiththeLackawannaCountySeniorEnvironment Corps,pleasecontacttheNancyPostattheRSVPat5703463630orsendemailto: npost@vacnepa.org. FormoreinformationabouttheSeniorEnvironmentCorpsorNatureAbounds,pleasecontact MelindaHughesWertofNatureAboundsateither8147651453orsendemailto: sec@natureabounds.org. DEPCelebratesNationalDrinkingWaterWeekMay511 TheDepartmentofEnvironmentProtectioncelebratedNationalDrinkingWaterWeekfromMay5to 11byencouragingallPennsylvanianstolearnhowtobetterprotectandconservetheirwater. Thisweek,werenewourcommitmenttoworkwiththestateswaterqualitypartnersand ensuredrinkingwatermeetsallfederalandstatestandards,ActingDEPSecretaryChrisAbruzzosaid. With11millionPennsylvaniansusingpublicwatersystemsandtwomillionusingindividualhousehold wells,Gov.Corbettiscommittedtowaterprotectioneffortsthatarevitaltoensuringthehealthofthe publicandPennsylvaniaseconomy. NationalDrinkingWaterWeekrecognizestheimportanceofwatersourceprotectionand conservationthefragilityofPennsylvaniaswaterresourcesandthatcuttingdownonpollutionand conservingwaterstartathome. Tokeeppollutionoutofwatersources,considerthesesteps: Appropriatelyuse,storeanddisposeofhouseholdsubstancessafely,ratherthanpouringthemdown thedrain Testprivatewellwaterannuallyforbacteriacontamination Inspecthouseholdwellsannuallyand Movepossiblecontaminationsources,suchaskennelsorlivestockoperations,wastesystemsor chemicalstorageareasasafedistancefromnearbywellheads. ToconservePennsylvaniaswatersources: Installlowflowplumbingfixtures,suchasonshowerheadsandfaucets

Checkforhouseholdleaksandmonitoryourwaterbillforhighusage Takeshortshowersinsteadofbaths Turnoffthefaucetwhenbrushingyourteeth Rundishwashersandwashingmachinesonlywithfullloads Installarainbarreloutsidethehousetocollectrainwaterandreuseitindailyhouseholdchores,such aswateringthelawnorwashingthecarand Washyourpetsoutdoorsinareasofthelawnthatneedwater. Tolearnmoreaboutwhatisinpublicdrinkingwater,askyourwaterproviderforacopyof yoursystemswaterqualityreport,orConsumerConfidenceReport.DEPalsohasanonlineDrinking WaterReportingSystemwherethegeneralpubliccanfindinformationabouttheirsystems. Thisyearmarksthe39thanniversaryoftheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,themainfederallawthat ensuresthequalityofdrinkingwaterintheUnitedStates. ChesapeakeBayStewardshipGrantsNowAvailable TheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationwillawardbetween$8millionand$10millionlatethis summeringrantsfromitsChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundforprojectsthatrestorehabitatand improvewaterqualityintheBayanditstributaryriversandstreams. ThedeadlineforapplicationsisJune6. Proposalsaresoughtforgrantsintwocategories:theSmallWatershedGrantsandthe InnovativeNutrientandSedimentReductionGrants. SmallWatershedGrantsof$20,000to$200,000eachwillbeawardedtononprofit organizationsandlocalgovernmentsforprojectsthatprotectandimprovelocalwatersandcontributeto theoverallhealthoftheChesapeakeBaywhilebuildingcitizenbasedresourcestewardship.These grantsrequireminimummatchingcontributionsvaluedat25percentoftotalprojectcosts. InnovativeNutrientandSedimentReductionGrantsof$200,000to$750,000eachwillbe awardedtononprofitorganizations,localgovernments,universitiesandstateagenciesthatdemonstrate innovativeapproachestoacceleratetheadoptionofthemostcosteffectiveandsustainableactionsto reducenutrientandsedimentpollutiontotheChesapeakeBay.Thesegrantsencouragenonfederal matchingcontributionsvaluedat50percentoftotalprojectcosts. AllgrantproposalsmustaddressatleastoneoftheCBSFConservationObjectives. MajorfundingfortheStewardshipFundcomesfromtheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency, NaturalResourcesConservationService,ForestService,AltriaGroupandCSX. Theobjectives,informationaboutthekindsofprojectssoughtandtheapplicationprocessare availableonline. (ReprintedfromtheMayissueoftheChesapeakeBayJournal.) StormwaterPaVideo:GardeningForAHealthierChesapeakeBay MeetShirleyStark,ahomeownerfromLemoyne,PainthisnewvideobyStormwaterPAwebsite. Shirley'splantotransformatypicalsuburbanyardofturfgrassintoanEnglishcountrygardentooka wholenewdirectionwhenshediscoveredtheimpactsherplanscouldhaveonlocalwaterways.

ThroughShirley'sexperience,you'lllearnthatbeautytrulyisintheeyeofthebeholder:whatwe perceiveasbeautifullandscapescanactuallybefullofinvasivespecies,while"wilder"naturalnatural gardensarediversehabitatsthatattractvariousinsectandbirdspecieswhilealsoimprovingwater qualityinthestreamsthatleadtotheChesapeakeBay. Formoreinformationonstormwatermanagementbestmanagementpractices,visitthe StormwaterPAwebsite. (ReprintedfromtheSeedsemailfromiConservePA.orgwebsite) MayChesapeakeBayJournalNowAvailable TheMayissueoftheChesapeakeBayJournalisnowavailableonline. OpEd:SRBCStayingInItsLane,StudyingWaterQuantity ByPaulSwartz,ExecutiveDirector,SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission Overtheyears,Ihavecometoappreciatethephrase,Stayinyourlane.At thestreetlevel,Ithinkitgenerallymeansstickingtowhatyouknowandletting othersdothesame. Whenaregulatoryagencychoosestostrayoutofitslaneofexpertiseand mission,itcanhaveprofoundprogrammaticandlegalconsequences.Most important,however,Ibelieveitdoesthepublicadisservice. SRBCrecentlylaunchedamultiyearefforttostudythecumulativeimpactof consumptivewaterusesandwateravailabilityfortheSusquehannabasin.Despitesomecallsforusto makeitanexpansiveenvironmentalassessment,wearebeingresponsiblewatermanagersbyfocusing inourareasofresponsibilityandscientificandtechnicalexpertise. Thiswaterquantitystudy,calledtheCumulativeWaterUseandAvailabilityStudy,willtakeinto accountregulatedandunregulatedconsumptivewaterusesintheentire27,510squaremile Susquehannabasinanddeterminetheirimpactonthewaterresourcesofthebasin. Thatincludeswaterwithdrawnandusedforpowergeneration,publicwatersuppliesandother domesticuses,naturalgasdevelopment,agriculture,manufacturing,recreation,institutionssuchas schoolsandhospitals,andnumerousotheruses. Specifically,SRBCwillcompileexistingandprojectedwaterusedata,quantifyconsumptive wateruseforallsectorsatawatershedscaleandcatalogwateravailabilitybywatersheds.SRBCwill alsodevelopaninteractivetooltoautomatetheprocessofassessingwateruseavailabilityversus cumulativeconsumptivewateruseattheprojectandwatershedscales. Initially,thetoolwillbeusedtoinformwaterresourceplanningandmanagementdecisions. Then,awebbased,userfriendlyversionwillbedevelopedandmadeavailableforthepublic. AnyoneinterestedinlearningmoreaboutthestudycanvisitourwebsiteorcallSRBCat 7172380423torequestprintedinformation.Asnewinformationandproductsbecomeavailable, SRBCwillupdatethewebpage. Givensignificantinterestinthisstudy,SRBCbuiltinastakeholdersprocessaswellasongoing

publicinformationcomponentstoensurewekeepbasincitizensinformed.Weheldthefirst stakeholdersmeetingattheendofApriltoexplainthepurposesandcomponentsofthestudy,answer questionsandoutlinehowstakeholderswillbeinvolvedatkeystepsuntilthestudyisfinished OurstakeholderscompriseawiderangeofinterestsfromNewYork,Pennsylvaniaand Maryland,includingwatersuppliers,environmentalandconservationgroups,planning,conservationand environmentalprotectionandfisheriesagencies,businessandindustry,agriculture,relatedtrade associations,representativesoftownsandcitiesandcitizeninterestgroups. WhilewewillcontinuetoremindpeoplethatSRBChasanimportantregulatoryfunction focusedonwaterquantity,certainly,whenwereviewwaterquantityapplications,SRBCalways considerspotentialimpactstowaterqualityandaquatichabitat. Infact,whensuchmonitoringdatadonotexistforawaterwayorsmallwatershed,SRBC sendsitsteamofaquaticresourcescientiststocollectthatmissinginformationbeforeweconsideran application.WecallthismonitoringdatacollectionprocessourAquaticResourceSurvey(ARS) program.IinviteyoutolearnhowSRBCconductsthesevitallyimportantsurveysandappliesthe findingsintotheregulatoryprogram. PleasegototheSRBCwebsiteandviewtheARSvideo. Asawatermanagementagency,weworktoassurethelongtermbalancebetweenhealthy ecosystemsandeconomicvitality. Giventhatwatersupplyforhumanusescanaffectaquaticecosystemsifnotreturnedtostreams undiminishedinquantity,itisimportantforSRBCtoquantifythepotentialimpactsoftheseconsumptive waterusesonthebasinswaterresourcesandaquaticlifenotonlyindividuallybutalsocumulatively. Thatistheoverarchingpurposeofthecumulativewateruseandavailabilitystudywehave launched.SRBCwilldoitsparttopushoutinformationandtokeepthepublicinformedandinvolved throughthestakeholdersprocess. NewsClip:SRBCDefendsRoleInOverseeingWaterQuantity EPAExpandsUrbanWaterwayProgramToDelawareRiverBasin FridaytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,inpartnershipwiththeWhiteHouseCouncilon EnvironmentalQuality,theU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,theU.S.DepartmentoftheInterior,the U.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandotherfederalpartners,announcedthatthe UrbanWatersFederalPartnershipisadding11newlocations. Oneofthe11newlocationswastheDelawareRiverBasinwhichcoversPhiladelphia, Camden,N.J.,Chester,Pa.,andWilmington,Del. Inaddition,twomorefederalpartneragencieswilljointhepartnershipinitscollaborativeefforts torestorewaterwaysandtheirenvironments,boostrecreation,helplocaleconomies,createjobs,and protectAmericanshealth. Ourwaterwaysshouldbeassetsthatcommunitiescanaccessandenjoy,especiallyinurban areas,wheresomanyAmericansliveandwork,saidNancySutley,ChairoftheCouncilon EnvironmentalQuality.Throughthisinnovativeinitiative,Federalagenciesareworkingtogetherwith localpartnerstofocustheirresourcesandexpertiseonrevitalizingurbanwaterwaysandpromotingthe healthandeconomiesofsurroundingcommunities.

SincewelaunchedtheUrbanWatersFederalPartnershiptwoyearsago,weveseenfirsthand whatthetransformationofdegradedurbanwaterwaysintoclean,healthyandtreasuredcenterpieces candoforlocalcommunitiesnotonlyfromanaestheticstandpoint,butalsofromapublichealthand economicstandpoint,saidActingEPAAdministratorBobPerciasepe.Restoredurbanwaterscan reinvigoratecommunities,andIamconfidentthenewprojectlocationswillseethesamesuccessthe Partnershipseffortshavealreadysupportedacrossthecountry. Restoringurbanwaterwaysnotonlyhelpsprotectourwaterquality,urbanparksandwildlife refuges,butalsoprovidesincreasedrecreationalopportunitiesthatbenefitresidentsandlocal economies,saidDeputySecretaryoftheInteriorDavidJ.Hayes.FromtheGrandRapidsRiver,to theDelawareRiverBasinandtheMiddleRioGrande,Interioragenciesareworkingaspartofthe UrbanWatersFederalPartnershiptogetmoreAmericansoutdoorsfortheirhealth,aswellasthehealth oftheircommunitiesandtheireconomies. Restoringthesewaterwaysisnotonlyimportantforimprovingthewaterthatwealldependon, butforspurringeconomicgrowthandcreatingrecreationalopportunitiesinthesecommunitiesaswell, saidAgricultureSecretaryTomVilsack.USDAhascontributed$1.2millioninfinancialassistanceto supporttheseprojectstodate,andwewillcontinueprovidingexpertstaffandtechnicalassistanceto helprevitalizewaterincommunitiesthroughoutthecountry. "Theprotectionandrevitalizationofriversandwatershedsinurbanareasnotonlydemonstrates thisadministration'scommitmenttoimprovingpublichealthandrestoringnaturalresourcesinurban communities,butalsohelpsbeautifyandincreasepropertyvaluesinneighborhoodsthatarebeing developedorrevitalizedclosetourbanrivers,"saidHUDDeputySecretary,MauriceJones. Withtheadditionof11newlocationsacrossthecountry,theworkofthepartnership,nowin 18communities,willexpandtothecountryslargestcitiesandunderservedcommunities.Theseprojects willfurtherthegoalsofthepartnershipandaddressawiderangeofissuessuchasimprovingwater quality,restoringecosystemsandenhancingpublicaccesstourbanwaters.Aprogressreportalso releasedFridaydetailsthesuccessesandplansforfutureactionsateachprogramlocation,aswellas actionstakenbyeachofthefederalpartners. Americansuseurbanwaterwaysassourcesofdrinkingwaterandforavarietyofactivities includingboating,fishingandswimming.Revitalizingtheseurbanwaterwayswillreconnectcitizensto openspaces,andhaveapositiveeconomicimpactonlocalbusinesses,tourismandpropertyvalues,as wellasspurprivateinvestmentandjobcreationincommunities. Launchedin2011,theUrbanWatersFederalPartnershipcloselyalignswithandadvancesthe workofotherWhiteHouseeffortssuchasthePartnershipforSustainableCommunitiesbyrevitalizing communities,creatingjobsandimprovingthequalityoflifeincitiesandtowns. Formoreinformation,visitEPAsUrbanWaterwayswebpage. RainGardenWorkshopSetForMay18InLancaster TheChesapeakeBayFoundation,ConservationFoundationofLancasterCounty,andmembersofthe LittleConestogaPartnershipwillhostaRainGardenandCleanWaterLandscapingWorkshoponMay 18from9:00a.m.toNoonattheWheatlandMiddleSchool,919HamiltonParkDr.,Lancaster. Learnabouthowyoucanmanagestormwaterrunoffinyouryardwithraingardens,rainbarrels, andnativeplantings.CBFwillleadahandsonraingardenworkshopandvolunteerplanting.TheLittle

ConestogaPartnershipwillpresentitsHomeowner'sGuidetoStormwatermanual,chockfullof informationaboutprotectingourwatershedineveryyard. Theeventisfree,familyfriendly,andopentothepublic.Bringyourfriendsandneighborsand getinspiredforlandscapingforcleanwateratyourhome! RegisterfortheworkshopbysendingemailtoKateAustinat:kaustin@cbf.org. MifflinCountyConservationDistrictSilvopastureFieldDayJune7 TheMifflinCountyConservationDistrictissponsoringaSilvopastureFieldDatonJune7from9:00 a.m.to4:00p.m.attheWahlerFarm,1384SugarValleyRoad,McVeytown,Pa. SilvopasturingisanimportantnewagroforestrysystemfortheNortheastthatallowsforthe sustainableproductionoftimber,foragesandlivestockonthesameland.Silvopasturingdiffersfrom pastgrazingpracticesinwoodedareasinthatthelivestockandtimberareintensivelymanagedto achievethedesiredobjectives. Newfencingsystems,abetterunderstandingofanimalbehavior,andtheevolutionof managementintensivegrazingpracticeshaveenabledthesuccessfulimplementationofsilvopasturingin theNortheasttoprovidesignificantenvironmentalandeconomicbenefits. Inthisintensiveonedaycourse,BrettChedzoy,isaforesterwithCornellCooperative ExtensionofSchuylerCounty,NY,andPeterSmallidge,theNewYorkStateExtensionForester,will teachparticipantsthebasicstepsandskillsneededtoevaluate,planforandimplementsilvopasture projectsontheirownlandorlandthattheymanageforothers. Throughouttheday,NormConradandChristopherLentwiththeNationalCenterfor AppropriateTechnologywillprovideanonsitedemonstrationofsolarpoweredfencingandpumps, andinformationabouthowNCATcanassistfarmerswithSustainableEnergy,FarmEnergy, SustainableAgriculture,InformationTechnologyorBusinessServicesneeds. Aregistrationfeeof$10ispayablebychecktotheMifflinDistrict.Formoreinformation, ClickHeretodownloadeventflyerandregistrationformorcall7172484695. DEPFinesCampHillBorough$140,000ForIllegallyDischargingSewage TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedFridayCampHillBorough,Cumberland County,hassigneda$140,000consentorderandagreementwithDEPtoaddressunauthorizedand unreportedsewagedischargesthathappenedfrom2011to2013. Theconsentorderandagreement(COA)addressesspecificviolationsfor97sewage dischargesfromtheboroughssewagepumpingstationsandcollectionsystemintotributariesthatlead totheConodoguinetandYellowBreechescreeks. TheagreementalsorecognizesthatDEPsinvestigationrevealedthatpreviousdischargesmay haveoccurredfrom2008to2011,butnopenaltyisassociatedwiththosedischarges. ThispenaltyreflectstheseriousnessoftheviolationscommittedbyCampHillBorough, SouthcentralRegionalDirectorLynnLangersaid.Thecontinueddischargeofsewageinto Pennsylvaniaswaterwayswillnotbetolerated,andspecificcorrectivemeasureswillbetakenbyCamp Hilltocomplywithourenvironmentalprotectionlaws. ThroughaninspectiononJanuary3,2013,andtheresultinginvestigation,DEPdiscoveredthat

oneofCampHillspumpingstationshadbeenshutdownon53separatedaysduetohighflowsand poweroutagesduringdryandwetweatherevents.Thisresultedindischargesofuntreatedsewageinto atributarytotheConodoguinetCreek. Theinspectionalsorevealedthatraw,untreatedsewagewasphysicallypumpedfromthemain pumpstationintoatributarytotheYellowBreechesCreekon34separatedaysin2011. Inadditiontothedischarges,rawsewagewasphysicallypumpedoutofmanholesinthe collectionsystemonseveraloccasionsin2011intoatributarytoYellowBreechesCreek.Theborough didnotimmediatelyreportanyofthedischargestoDEP. Toaddresstheviolations,undertheCOA,CampHillBoroughisrequiredto: Inspectitspumpstationsandoverflowpipesonadailybasis Installoverflowalarmsandflowmonitoringdevicestorecordfuturedischarges Implementaninterimhighflowmanagementplantoaddressanynewbypassesand CompleteanewpumpstationbyNovember2013aspartofitsplantotransferitssewageflows fromLemoyneBoroughtoHampdenTownship. IfthecorrectiveactionsdonoteliminateCampHillBoroughsunauthorizedsewagedischarges, theCOArequiresthemtoconductanInflowandInfiltration(I&I)studythroughlongtermmonitoring todeterminehowsignificanttheproblemis,whichwillbefollowedbyI&Iremediationworkonits collectionsystem. TheCOAalsoincludessignificantstipulatedpenaltiesforanyfuturebypasses,particularlyif theygounreportedtoDEP. CampHillBoroughwillpaythe$140,000penaltyinfourquarterlypayments,withthelast paymentdueApril1,2014. NewsClips: CampHillBoroughFined$140KByDEP DEP:CampHillBypassedSewageStations95Times May21Meeting/HearingOnConestogaPinesWaterwayCleanupLancaster TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholdapublicmeetingandhearingonMay21to outlineitsplantocleanupcontaminationinanunnamedtributaryflowingthroughConestogaPinesPark intheCityofLancaster,LancasterCounty. The7p.m.meetingwillbeattheLancasterCityCouncilChambersatSouthernMarketCenter, 100S.QueenSt.,inLancaster. Thismeetingprovidesanopportunityforthepublictoaskquestionsandvoiceanyconcerns aboutourproposedcleanupplan,DEPSouthcentralRegionalDirectorLynnLangersaid.The HazardousSitesCleanupActauthorizesDEPtotakeactionandcreateaplantoreturnthistributaryto asoundenvironmentalstate. From1930to1970,therewasaCivilianConservationCorpscampinConestogaPark.As partofanunrelatedsiteinvestigationtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencymandated,two groundwatermonitoringwellsdrilledin1991and1992intheparkshowedelevatedlevelsofvolatile organiccompounds.AmongthecontaminantsfoundwasTCE,anindustrialsolventcommonlyusedasa metaldegreaser.

AfterseveralmoreroundsofDEPsamplingfrom1999to2000,itwasdeterminedthatthe contaminationwashighestinthespringthatformstheheadwatersoftheunnamedtributary.DEPalso conductedasoilvaporinvestigationatanearbyresidentialdevelopmentandswimmingpoolbuildingto determineifvaporintrusionwasathreatanddeterminedthatitwasnot. TheagencysproposedresponseistotreattheTCEcontaminationinthetributarybyinstalling andmaintaininganaerator,whichwillbubbleairthroughthespringheadwaters.Inaddition,DEPwill installseveralsmallrockdamstofurtherreducethevolatileorganiccompoundinthestreamwater. DEPwillalsoplantabufferofthickvegetationortreestodiscourageparkusersfromentering thecontaminatedupperportionofthestreamandwillregularlytestthestreamtomonitorthecleanup process,sharingtestresultswiththecityofLancaster. OncethestreamconsistentlymeetsDEPcleanupstandards,theagencywillremovetheaerator withthecitysagreement.ThecityofLancasterwillpayanyelectricitycostsfortheaerator. Duringthehearingportionoftheevening,thepublicwillhaveanopportunitytopresentupto fiveminutesoforaltestimonyabouttheagencysproposal.Thosewhowishtopresentoraltestimony canregisterbycallingDaveHrobuchakat7177054843orbysigningupthenightofthehearing. IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct shouldcontactDaveHrobuchakattheabovenumberormakeaccommodationsthroughthe PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat18006545984(TDD). Foranyoneunabletoattend,writtencommentshouldbesubmittedbyJuly12,whenthe administrativerecordwillclose,toDaveHrobuchak,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton Ave.,Harrisburg,PA17110. DEPstaffwillprovideawrittenresponsetoallsignificanttestimonyprovidedduringthepublic hearingandpubliccommentperiod. AsrequiredunderHSCA,theadministrativerecordwillbeopenforreviewandcommentuntil July12.Itcanbereviewed,byappointment,weekdaysfrom8a.m.to4p.m.atDEPsSouthcentral RegionalOfficeattheaddressabove.Call7177054843tomakeanappointment. Theadministrativerecordmayalsobereviewedfrom8a.m.to5p.m.onweekdaysatthe LancasterCityHallbycalling7172914722tomakeanappointment. NewsClip:21YearsLater,DEPHasAPlanToCleanupLancasterStream Reminder:GreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContestDeadlineMay24 TheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulinauguralGreatAmericanCleanupofPAvideocontestdeadlineis fastapproachingonMay24th. Over4,000eventsareheldeachyearwiththiseventacrossthestatethatisheldbetween March1standMay31st.SponsorsforthevideocontestareKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful, PennsylvaniaWasteIndustriesAssociation,andtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection. WeareveryexcitedtoaddthevideocontesttothisyearsGreatAmericanCleanupofPA, saysShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.Everyyearwegetgreatphotosfrom eventsofthewonderfulworkbeingaccomplishedandthiswillbeanothervenueforgroupstoshowcase whattheyaredoingtomakeourcommunitiescleanandbeautiful. Toparticipate,sendKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifula35minutevideoofyourGreatAmerican

CleanupofPAeventshowingindividuals,groups,children,andadultshavingfunmakingyour communitiescleanandbeautiful!Includemusic,becreative,andhavefun,addsMs.Reiter. Eventscaninclude,butarenotlimitedto:communitycleanups,plantingsandbeautification efforts,communityrecyclingefforts,communityeducation,orotherwaystomakeyourcommunity clean,beautiful,andvibrant. Youmustbe18yearsoroldertosubmitavideo.KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulreservesthe righttoscreenallentriesforinclusion.CDswillnotbereturned. ThisannualeventisheldinconjunctionwiththeGreatAmericanCleanupofKeepAmerica BeautifulandinpartnershipwithsupportfromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PennDOT, andPennsylvaniaWasteIndustriesAssociation. AdditionalpartneringbusinessesincludetheAmericanChemistryCouncil,GreenstarRecycling, PennsylvaniaBeverageAssociation,PennsylvaniaFoodMerchantsAssociation,RepublicServices,and SteelRecyclingInstitute. Thewinningentrywillreceivea$300cashprize.Tworunnersupwilleachreceivea$150cash prize.ThewinningentrieswillalsobefeaturedonYouTube.Cashprizesaresponsoredbythe PennsylvaniaWasteIndustriesAssociation. AllvideosandimagessubmittedbecomethepropertyofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulandmay bepublished.Bysubmissionofyourvideo,youareacknowledgingpermissionfromallparticipants. Electronicsubmissionswillbeacceptedbyemailto:slarson@keeppabeautiful.org.Entryform informationisrequiredintheemail.IfsubmittingyourvideobyCD,sendyourCDandcompletedentry formbelowto:StephanieLarson,KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful,105West4thStreet,Greensburg,PA 15601. VoteForYourFavorite VisittheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulFacebookpagebeginningJune1tovoteforyourfavorite entry.Thetop510videoswillbepostedonFacebookforvoting.VotingwillconcludeonJune14th. WinnerswillbeannouncedtheweekofJune17th. VisitNewProjectLearningTreeFacebookPage ThePAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducatorsannouncedaFacebookpagehasbeenpostedforthe PennsylvaniaProjectLearningTree. ProjectLearningTreeistheenvironmentaleducationprogramoftheAmericanForest FoundationandsponsoredinPennsylvaniabyPennsylvaniaAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators andtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources. DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil:NaturalDiversityInventoryUseInPermitReviews DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwillhearapresentationatitsMay22meetingonhowtheDepartment ofEnvironmentalProtectionconsidersendangeredandthreatenedspeciesimpactsidentifiedinthePA NaturalDiversityInventoryinitspermitreviews. ThemeetingagendaalsoincludesadiscussionwithChrisAbruzzo,ActingSecretaryofDEP,a presentationonDEPEnforcementandFinesprocessandapresentationonRosebudMiningStream RestorationProject.

TheCouncilmeetingwillstartat10:00a.m.inRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingin Harrisburg. Formoreinformation,visittheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwebpage. PUCIssuesReport,ActionItemsOnHurricaneSandyPrep,Response ThePublicUtilityCommissionTuesdayreleaseditsreportprovidingdetailedinformationaboutand actionitemsrelatedtoHurricaneSandy. InthewakeofHurricaneSandy,thestorywehavetotellisinlargepartapositiveone,with hundredsofthousandsofcustomershavingtheirpowerrestoredwithin72hours,saidPUCVice ChairmanJohnF.ColemantodayintestimonybeforetheSenateConsumerProtectionandProfessional LicensureCommittee.However,weareawarethatmanyotherswereleftwithoutelectricservicefor upto10days.Wearepleasedthatmanyoftheexperiencesfromtheseverestormrelatedoutagesof 2011wereincorporatedintothisresponse,whichbroughtpositiveresults.Theprocessofbuildingon whatworkedandchangingwhatdidntiswellunderwayatboththePUCandtheutilities. ThereportcontainsinformationonactionstakenbythePUCandutilitiesaswellasongoing steps.Thereportalsomakesrecommendationstotheelectricdistributioncompanies(EDCs)to addressmanyconcerns.ThereportalsocompilesandanalyzesEDCdataexaminescomplaintsabout theinabilityofcustomerstocontacttheEDCtoreportoutagesandreviewsalackofspecific restorationinformation. Inreviewingtheutilityresponseasawhole,wefoundthatmanyofthelessonsfromstormsin late2011wereindeedlearned: AmajorityoftheaffectedEDCssuccessfullyusedbothsocialandmoretraditionalmediato communicatewithcustomersbeforeandduringtheeffectsofSandy. AllEDCscommunicatedmoreeffectivelywithelectedofficials,countyemergencymanagement,and localemergencymanagementthantheydidintheresponsetoHurricaneIreneandtheothermajor stormsin2011. Theutilitystaffingofcounty911andemergencyoperationscenterswithEDCliaisonswasextremely usefulandshouldbecontinued. Utilitiesthatexperiencedlongerdurationoutageshadsomedifficultyinmanagingtheestimatedtimes ofrestoration(ETRs)forcustomersandcommunicatingeffectivelywiththelocalrespondersandelected officialsinthoseareas. EDCsexperiencedfarlessissueswithhandlingpeakcallvolumeduringSandyascomparedtotheir performanceduringthe2011storms. EDCswereabletobringinmutualaidandcontractorassistancebeforethestormandduringthe restorationperiod.ManyEDCssubstantiallyincreasedtheirlinemenworkcomplements. ThePUCofferedthefollowingrecommendationsasthestateanditsEDCsprepareforthenext majorevent: Socialandtraditionalmediaoutletsshouldcontinuetobeusedtocommunicatetocustomersbefore, duringandaftermajorstorms.EDCsalsoshouldcontinuetoenhancetheirwebandmobileplatforms, providingcustomersadditionalmethodstoreportoutagesandtoobtainoutagestatusinformation,and incorporatinganyemergingtechnologies. EDCsshouldworktogetheronabestpracticeformanagingETRs,especiallyduringlongduration

outages. EDCsshouldcontinuetoimprovecommunicationsandrestorationmessagingwithcustomersduring longdurationoutages,workingtopreventinconsistenciesandinaccuracieswhenprovidinginformation tocustomers. EDCsshouldcontinuetheircooperationandcommunicationwithcounty911centersandemergency managementagencies(EMA)bycontinuingtoofferliaisonstocountiesduringmajoroutagesand meetingwithcounty911andEMAstaffannuallytoensurecontactinformationisuptodateandto reviewresponseexpectations. EDCsshouldcontinuetoofferregionalconferencecallsforstateandlocalelectedofficials,andlocal emergencymanagers,whichshouldbeginbeforethestormimpactstheareaandcontinuethroughoutthe restorationprocess. EDCsshouldcontinuetolowerthenumberofbusyoutcallsandabandonedcallscustomers experienceduringstormevents. SandybroughttropicalstormwindsandheavyraintotheeasternthirdofPennsylvaniaaswell ashighwindsthroughoutthecenterofthestate.SandybeganaffectingsoutheasternPennsylvaniainthe morningandearlyafternoonofOctober29,2012.Thehighwindsandraincontinuednorthwestward overnight. Thewindandraincausedmorethan1.26millionelectriccustomeroutagesatthepeakat approximately4a.m.October30.Approximately1.79millionPennsylvaniaelectriccustomers experiencedanoutageatsomepointasaresultofSandy. Acopyofthereportisavailableonline. CFAApproves$9.6MillionInClean,Alternative,RenewableEnergyInvestments Gov.CorbettWednesdayannouncedPennsylvaniaisexpandingitscommitmenttoadvanceclean, alternativeandrenewableenergysourceswiththeinvestmentofmorethan$9.6millionin13projectsin 11countiesbytheCommonwealthFinancingAuthority. TheprojectssupportedbytheCFAwillhelpbusinessesandschooldistrictssavecollectively ontheirutilitycostsandreducetheirenvironmentalimpact,saidCorbett.Theywillalsoresultin significantprivateeconomicinvestmentthroughoutthecommonwealthandthecreationof25newjobs. AmongtheapprovedprojectsincludesPMFIndustries,Inc.whichwillreceivea$250,000 AlternativeandCleanEnergyProgramgrantfortheirmanufacturingfacilityexpansionprojectlocatedin Williamsport,LycomingCounty. Tomeetwiththegrowingdemandinthemanufacturing,automotiveandretailsectors,PMF planstoexpandtheirprecisionmetalformingmanufacturingfacilitytoallowforthemanufacturingof compressednaturalgas(CNG)cylinders.Theexpansionprojectisprojectedtocreate25newjobsin thenextthreeyears. TheCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityTuesdayapproved13projects,throughthestates AlternativeandCleanEnergyProgramincludingfiveCompressedNaturalGasandLiquefiedNatural Gasfuelingstationswhichhavethebenefitsofreducingemissions,fuelsavingsandutilizingthelarge domesticsourceofnaturalgasavailableinPennsylvania. Wehaveanavailable,abundant,domestic,economicalandcleanburningsupplyofnaturalgas throughoutPennsylvaniathatcanbeusedinanumberofwaysincludingtofuelourvehicles,said

Corbett.Increasingthenumberofnaturalgasfillingstationsinthestatewillgrowtheindustry,boost oureconomyandresultinabetterenvironment. Intotal,13projectswereapprovedinAllegheny,Beaver,Bucks,Carbon,Cumberland, Dauphin,Erie,Lackawanna,Lycoming,MontgomeryandSchuylkillcounties.Thestateinvestmentsare projectedtoresultinmorethan$109millioninadditionaleconomicinvestments. Alistofprojectsapprovedisavailableonline. CorbettToursLeadingWindPowerCompany,HighlightsStatesDiverseEnergyPortfolio Gov.TomCorbett,joinedbycompanyexecutivesincludingCEOJimSpencer,Fridaytoured PittsburghbasedEverPowerWindHoldings,Inc.anddiscussedhowPennsylvaniasdiverseenergy portfolioisattractinginnovationacrossallsectorsandcontinuingtoaddjobstothestatesgrowing economy. EverPowersdecisiontorelocateintheheartofAmericasnewenergypowerhouseisproof thatPennsylvaniacontinuestoexpandmarketsforallitsenergyresources,Corbettsaid.Renewable andalternativeenergysourcesareanessentialpartofouralloftheaboveportfolioofenergyoptions, locatedrighthereinthemostdynamicenergymarketinthenation,andIthankEverPowerfortheir commitment. EverPowerhasfourwindfarmsinthestate,threeofwhicharelocatedinCambriaCountyand thefourthinSomersetCounty.Combined,thefourprojectshavecreatedmorethan300construction jobs. Thecompanys138turbinesoperatinginPennsylvaniacanproducenearly307megawattsof powerayear,enoughtopowernearly80,000homes,anddisplacemorethan700,000tonsof greenhousegasesayear. The10yearoldcompany,whichhasgrownfromfourtonearly50employees,recently relocatedtheircorporateheadquarterstoPittsburghfromNewYorkCity.Theheadquarters,locatedin theStripDistrict,includesacontrolroomtomanagethecompanyswindoperationsacrossthecountry andatradingfloorwhererenewableenergycreditsareboughtandsoldonopenexchanges. Pennsylvaniaisanetexporterofelectricity,andthestateselectricitymarketwasrecentlyrated asthemostcompetitiveinthenation.Pennsylvaniascompetitivemarketsaresavingcitizensmillionsof dollarsannually,whileprovidingdirectaccesstoconsumersforrenewableenergycompanies. Pennsylvaniaisranked15thnationallyintermsofinstalledwindpowerandwasninthlastyear fornewwindprojects. DEPEnergyConservationCodeWorkshopMay21InAlleghenyCounty TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitescodeenforcementofficials,builders,contractors anddesignerstoaMay21trainingworkshopinMoonTownship,AlleghenyCounty,onthe2009 InternationalEnergyConservationCode. Theworkshopwillbefrom8:30a.m.to4p.m.attheHolidayInnPittsburghAirportat8256 UniversityBlvd.Registrationbeginsat8a.m.,andbreakfastandlunchwillbeprovidedaspartofthe $40registrationfee. TheIECCisupdatedeverythreeyearsbytheInternationalCodeCouncil.InPennsylvania,itis

consideredpartoftheUniformConstructionCode(UCC),accordingtoAct49. Theworkshopwillfocusonenergycodecomplianceforcommercialbuilding.Participantswill learnaboutthecommercialprovisionsandbasicrequirementsoftheIECC,datainputintoCOMcheck software,andproperreviewofCOMcheckcompliancecertificates.ThestafffromthePennsylvania HousingResearchCenterareinstructingthecourse. AttendeeswillreceivesixUCCcontinuingeducationhoursforcompletingthetraining. FundingfortheworkshopisprovidedbythestatethroughaU.S.DepartmentofEnergyStateEnergy Programgrant. Formoreinformationortoregister,visitthePAConstructionCodeAcademywebsiteorcall 7177630930. BenFranklinsShaleGasInnovationCompetitionAnnouncesWinners OnMay7,theBenFranklinShaleGasInnovation&CommercializationCenter,aninitiativethat identifiesandhelpscommercializetechnologiesthatenhanceresponsiblestewardshipoftheenvironment whilecreatingjobsintheCommonwealth,announcedthethree$25,000winnersoftheirInnovation Contest AtlantisTechnologiesDevelopedtheRadialDeionizationSystem,whichistentimesthespeed, fifteentimestherange,andlessthanhalfthepriceofprevioustechnologiesthatdeionizeproducedwater fromoil,gas,andminingoperations.Formoreinformation,contactPatrickCurranat pmcurran1@gmail.comor9493025265 PyrochemCatalystDevelopedacatalysttechnologyfornaturalgasconversiontosynthesisgas thathashigheractivity,longerlifeandtheabilitytooperateunderconditionsthatsavecapitaland operatingcost.TheCompanyalsoengineeredamethodforutilizingtheprocessheatsothatitisnot exhaustedintotheatmosphere.Formoreinformation,JeffreyHarrisonat jbharrison@pyrochemcatalyst.comor9193497145 REVLNGTheCompanyhascontractstosourceandtransportliquidnaturalgas(LNG)viaLNG transportertankerswhichbecomeavirtualpipelinetoendusercustomers.Atthecustomeryard,REV LNGsuppliesamobilefuelingstationtoholdtheLNGandtobeusedinatraditionalselfservefuel dispenser.Formoreinformation,contactDaveKailbourneatedk@revh2o.comorcall8105991274. KathrynKlaber/CEO,oftheMarcellusShaleCoalition,commented,Thiscontesthasreally developedmomentumandtakenasignificantpositioninassistingtheIndustrymoveforwardwitha seriesofinnovations.TheMSCispleasedtosupportthiseventagainnextyear. BillHall,DirectoroftheShaleGasInnovation&CommercializationCenter,commented,The qualityofthisyearsapplicationswasoutstanding.Idontenvythejudgesthejobtheyhadoftryingto narrowitdowntojustthreewinners. TheeventconcludedwithcongratulatoryremarksmadebySheriCollins,ExecutiveDirectorof theTechnologyInvestmentOfficeattheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment (DCED). Shericommented,Innovationssuchasthosepresentedtodayareexactlywhatweneedto continuetoincreasejobcreationacrossPennsylvania.OnbehalfofDCEDSecretaryC.AlanWalker andtheCorbettAdministration,weapplaudallwhosubmittedapplicationstotheShaleGasInnovation Competition.

WilliamC.ForreyToBeHonoredByCentralPAConservancyMay18 TheCentralPennsylvaniaConservancycordiallyinvitesyoutoattendthe2013Conservationistofthe YearAwardReceptionhonoringCPCBoardMember,WilliamForrey,theformerDirectorofthe BureauofStateParks,attheIronmaster'sMansiononMay18. ForreyisbeingawardedforhisleadershipasPennsylvaniaDirectorofStateParksduringan importanteraofstateparkdevelopment.Atrulyworthyrecipient,Bill'saccomplishmentsextendto highereducation,localelectedoffice,andgovernanceofprofessionalassociationsandnonprofit organizations. TheConservancyisverygratefulforhisimportantcontributiontothestewardshipofthe Ironmaster'sMansion. ThiseventcoincideswiththekickoffcelebrationofPineGroveFurnaceStatePark's100th Anniversary. Theawardreceptionisprecededbyapublicprogramfrom3:004:30p.m.attheFurnace StackPavilion,onthelifeandlegacyofMauriceK.Goddard.JoinMarciMowery,presidentofthe PAParksandForestsFoundation,forthisspecialeducationaleventbeforeheadingtotheIronmaster's Mansionreception! The2013ConservationistoftheYearAwardreceptionincludesanopenbar,heavyhors d'oeuvres,livemusic,desserts,andanawardpresentationprogram.Ticketsare$40perpersonand proceedsfromtheeventwillsupporteducationalandmaintenanceprojectsattheIronmaster'sMansion. ClickHeretoregisterforthisspecialevent. JoinREI,FriendsOfTheWissahickonForNationalTrailsDayJune1 OnJune1theFriendsoftheWissahickoninMontgomeryCountywillonceagainjoininanationwide efforttoraiseawarenessofandcareforthetrailsinWissahickonValleyParkwiththehelpofREI Conshohocken. Thisyearmarksthe21thanniversaryofNationalTrailsDay,sponsoredeveryyearonthefirst SaturdayinJunebytheAmericanHikingSociety. Forovertenyears,REIConshohockenhasjoinedFOWonitsmonthlyworkdaysinthe Wissahickon,wheretheyhavehelpedwithprojectssuchasclearingtrailsandremovinginvasiveplants. Thisyear,onNationalTrailsDay,theywillbeperforminginvasiveplantremovalandtrail maintenanceatKitchen'sLane. Trailworkbeginsat9:30a.m.andcontinuesuntil12:30p.m.Meetattheparkinglotat Kitchen'sLane,downWissahickonAvenueinMt.Airy. RegisterwithFOWVolunteerCoordinatorEricFalkatfalk@fow.orgor2152470417x107. ChecktheFriendsoftheWissahickoncalendarofeventswebpageforupcomingTrail Ambassadorwalksandotherspecialevents. WildlifeRescuedAfterDieselFuelTankerExplosionInHarrisburg,PublicAskedToHelp ThefueltankerexplosionthathasclosedastretchofInterstate81nearHarrisburgonThursdayalso

causedabout2,000gallonsofspilleddieselfueltoflowintoanearbywetlands,promptingarapid responsetocontainandcleanupthespill,andrescueaffectedwildlife. EffortscontinuedFridayatWildwoodLakeSanctuary,whichliesjustnorthwestofthe interchangewherethetankeroverturnedandcaughtfire. FuelspilledatthecrashsiteMay9traveledthroughastormdraintoPaxtonCreekandintothe Wildwoodmarsh,animportanthabitatforwildlifeandplants,includingstateendangeredspeciesof each. TheGameCommissionrespondedtothemarshjustbeforenoononThursday,afteramanwho hadbeenhikingthroughWildwoodParkcalledtoreportthespill.Fieldofficerswiththecommission paddledtheirwayaroundthelakeandwereabletorescueaboutadozenfuelcoatedducklingsand goslingsfromthemarsh. ThetimelinessoftheresponseandcoordinatedeffortswithWildwoodParkpersonnel, TriStateBirdRescue&Research,andUSDAWildlifeServicespersonnelwascriticaltoassessingthe situation,beginningwildliferecoveryoperationsandmitigatingadditionalwildlifeimpacts,saidGame CommissionExecutiveDirectorCarlG.Roe. ThecommissionsrescueeffortsresumedFriday. Meanwhile,theU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturesWildlifeServices,aspartoftheGame Commissionswildlifeprotectionresponse,hassetupapropanepoweredaircannonthatcreates intermittentblastsofsoundinanattempttodeterwildlifefromenteringthecontaminatedportionofthe wetland. DanielBrauning,abirdexpertwiththecommissionsBureauofWildlifeManagement,said timingiscriticalinrescuesofwaterfowlthatbecomeimmersedinfuel. Thesooneryouareabletorescuethem,thebettertheirchancesofsurvival,saidBrauning, whoheadsupthecommissionsWildlifeDiversitydivision. RichPalmer,thedirectoroftheGameCommissionsBureauofWildlifeProtection,saidthe publicalsocanhelpintheeffortbyreportingtothecommissionanywildbirdsormammalsthatappear tobecoatedwithoil. Reportingsightingscouldincreaseanycontaminatedanimalschanceofsurvival,andwillallow thecommissiontobetterassesshowmanyanimalswereaffectedbythespill,Palmersaid. WildwoodParkatthistimeofyearisusedregularlybyfeedinggreategretsandblackcrowned nightherons,bothofwhicharestateendangeredspecies.GreategretswereseenThursdayat Wildwoodduringtheinitialcleanupandrescueefforts. TheGameCommissionincomingdaysandweekswillmonitorcloselyhowtheseimportant speciesfareatWildwood. WildwoodhasthelargestconcentrationinPennsylvaniaofAmericanlotus,astateendangered plant.ItsdominanceintheWildwoodsemergentwetlandsmakesitanunusualecosystemwithinthe state. Additionally,Wildwoodishometosubstantialnumbersofmuskratsandwaterfowl.Nesters thereincludemallards,woodducksandCanadageese,whileeverythingfromnorthernshovelers, bluewingedtealandcommonsnipestopoverduringmigration.OthernestersincludeAmerican woodcockandyellowwarblers. OwnedandmanagedbyDauphinCounty,Wildwoodalsoishometowhitetaileddeer,mink, easterncoyotes,redfoxesandraccoons.

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsaidFridaythespillwasquicklycontainedinthe lakeandthatcleanupeffortsarecontinuing. AnyonesightingwildlifebelievedtobeaffectedbythespillcancontacttheGameCommissions southeastregionalofficeat6109263136. NewsClips: TankerFireNearHarrisburgSnarlsTraffic StateDisasterProclamationToAidInTankerFireRecovery BirdsRescuedAtWildwoodLakeSanctuary WildwoodParkToBeClosedDueToSpilledFuel PPLClosesKippIslandToProtectNestingBaldEagles AspartofPPLssupportforwildlifehabitataroundLakeWallenpaupack,KippIslandinPikeCounty willbeunavailableforrecreationalactivitiesthroughtheendofJulytoprotectabaldeaglenestingarea. Forthepastseveralyears,baldeagleshavesuccessfullyraisedeagletsatKippIsland,andthis springwevereceivedseveralreportsofeaglesontheisland,saidPaulCanevari,PPLscommunity relationsdirectorforthePoconoregion. Werecommittedtosupportingendangeredandthreatenedspeciesandallwildlifehereat LakeWallenpaupack,hesaid.ClosingKippIslandtoprotecttheeaglenestingareaisinaccordance withfederalregulationsforthisthreatenedspeciesandakeyactiontoensurethatournationalbird continuestonesthere.Itsasourceofpridefortheentirelakecommunity. TheKippIslandnestisjustoneofthenestsestablishedbybaldeaglesandotherthreatened birdsofpreyintheLakeWallenpaupackarea. Theseactivenestingareasareadirectresultofthecleanwaterandnaturalhabitatpromoted byPPLsLakeWallenpaupackmanagementpoliciesandthecommunitysupportofthosepolicies, Canevarisaid.WerehopefulthatmajesticeagleswillcontinuetoreturntoKippIslandyearafteryear tonest. KippIsland,thesecondlargestonthelake,willreopenforpublicrecreationAug.1,whenthe nestingseasonforeagleshasended. The5,700acreLakeWallenpaupackprovideswaterfortheWallenpaupackhydroelectric plant,a44megawattplantnearHawleythathasbeengeneratingclean,renewableelectricitysince 1926. Sen.ToomeyAmendmentToHelpPreventAsianCarpFromReachingOhioRiverBasin AbipartisanamendmentsponsoredbyU.S.Sen.PatToomey(RPa.)to helppreventtheinvasionofAsiancarpintheOhioRiverbasintookabig steptowardbecominglawThursdayandwillbeincludedinabroader waterresourcesdevelopmentbill. Sens.ToomeyandSherrodBrown(DOhio)authoredthe StrategicResponsetoAsianCarpInvasionActwhichwouldenablethe federalgovernmenttohaveamoreeffectivepartnershipwithstateand

localentitiesthatareworkingtoslowthespreadofAsiancarp.TheSenateagreedunanimouslythis afternoonthattheBrownToomeyamendmentwillbeincludedintheWaterResourcesDevelopment Act. ThepossibleinvasionofAsiancarpinsouthwesternPennsylvania'siconicthreeriversandour state'sbeautifulgreatlakewarrantsactioninCongress,andIampleasedthatmycolleaguesagreethat moreneedstobedone,saidSen.Toomey.Thesewaterwaysarevitalforbothcommerceand recreation,andthefederalgovernmentmustactasacooperativepartnerwithstateandlocal governmentstostopthisinvasivespeciesandprotecttheOhioRiverbasin'secosystemandeconomy. MyamendmentwithSen.Brownwillhelpdojustthat,andIapplaudtheSenatesstrongshowof supporttoday." LakeErie,aninvaluablenaturalresource,supportslocalbusinessesandindustriesin PennsylvaniaandisthreatenedbythespreadofAsiancarp.Infact,LakeEriescoastalregionsupports 1.2millionPennsylvanianjobsandisanintegralpartofPennsylvaniaseconomy,saidPennsylvanias otherU.S.SenatorBobCasey.WemustaddressthethreatposedbyAsiancarpinordertoensure thatPennsylvaniaseconomyremainsstrongandjobsareprotected. AlthoughseveralfederalagencieshavebeenworkingtocombatAsiancarp,nonehavebeen designatedastheleadagencytocoordinatethefederalresponsewithstateandlocalpartnersinthe OhioandUpperMississippiRiverBasins. TheStrategicResponsetoAsianCarpInvasionActplacestheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicein chargeofcoordinatinganewfederalmultiagencyeffortthatincludestheNationalParkService,U.S. GeologicalSurvey,andArmyCorpsofEngineers. Theseagencieswouldprovidehighleveltechnicalassistance,coordination,bestpractices,and othermeansofsupporttostateandlocalgovernmentsthatareworkingtoprotecteconomiesand ecosystemsintheOhioRiverbasinfromAsiancarp. Environmentalandwaterwayorganizationspraisedthisefforttoprotectourwaterwaysfromthis invasivespecies. SaidJohnArway,ExecutiveDirectoroftheFishandBoatCommission:"ThePennsylvaniaFish andBoatCommissionappreciatesandapplaudsSen.Toomey'sleadershipinaddressingtheAsiancarp invasionfrontontheOhioRiver.CountiesinPennsylvania'sportionoftheGreatLakesandOhioRiver watershedsaccountformorethanonethirdofallfishinglicensesandboatregistrationssoldinthe commonwealth.AsanOhioRiverandGreatLakesstate,weseethebillascomplementarytoeffortsto keepAsiancarpfromenteringLakeEriebyattackingtheproblemfurtherdownstreambeforethe destructivefishgetclosertopotentialpathwaysbetweentheOhioRiverandGreatLakeswatersheds. ClickHeretowatchSen.Toomeysfloorspeechontheissue. PASeaGrantHosts2AquaticInvasiveSpeciesWorkshopsInJune ThePennsylvaniaSeaGrantProgramishostingtwoaquaticinvasivespeciesidentificationworkshops designedtohelpfieldbiologistsandagencyfieldstaffusethenewPennsylvaniaFieldGuidetoAquatic InvasiveSpeciestoquicklyandaccuratelyidentifynewAISinfestations. TheworkshopswillbeheldonJune12inErieforFish,invertebratesandreptilesandJune19 inStateCollegeforplants,pathogensandalgae. Eachhandsonworkshopwillbefrom8:30a.m.to2:30p.m.andwillincludelunch,

refreshments,andafreecopyofthefieldguide.Thereisnocosttoattendeitheroftheworkshops,but onlineregistrationisrequiredbyJuneandspaceislimited. DelawareHighlands,PikeCountyHostNativePlantsWalkJune8 JointhePikeCountyScenicRuralCharacterPreservationProgramandtheDelawareHighlands ConservancyforaNativePlantsWalkonJune8attheBeaverRunHuntingandFishingClubproperty inDingmansFerry,PAfrom9a.m.to12p.m. RenownedauthorandbotanistDr.AnnRhoadswillleadthewalkanddiscuss,illustrate,and answeryourquestionsaboutnativeplantsandtheirhabitats. Dr.RhoadsbooksincludeThePlantsofPennsylvania,TheVascularFloraofPennsylvania, TreesofPennsylvania,andmostrecently,"AquaticPlantsofPennsylvania."Dr.Rhoadswasthe DirectorofBotanyforMorrisArboretumandtaughtBotanyattheUniversityofPennsylvania. The857acre,naturalresourcerichBeaverRunpropertyinsouthernPikeCountywas permanentlyprotectedlastDecemberwithfundsfromthePikeCountysScenicRuralCharacter PreservationProgram,theDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,andtheCommon WatersFund. Madeupofhealthyforestsandexceptionallycleanwaters,thepropertyishometonativebrook trout,eagles,beaver,otters,andotherwildlife. Thethreepublictrailsthatwillcrosstheprotectedpropertyconnectadjacentblocksofthe DelawareStateForest. Thiswalkisfreeandopentothepublic,butpriorregistrationisrequired.Toreserveyourspace andreceivedirections,pleasecalltheDelawareHighlandsConservancyofficeat5702263164or sendemailto:info@delawarehighlands.org. GoNativeAtMay1819HawkMountainNativePlantSale HawkMountainSanctuary,BerksCounty,willhostitsannualNativePlantSaleSaturdayandSunday, May18andMay19from10a.m.to4p.m.attheVisitorCenter. Theevent,whichhasastrongeducationalfocus,routinelyattractsgardenersseekingtoattract morebirdsandbutterfliestotheirhomelandscapes,andtoreducemaintenance. Forsalewillbeadiverseselectionofnativewildflowers,vines,grasses,ferns,shrubs,andtrees, inadditiontofreeliteratureonplantingwithnativespeciesandadvicefromknowledgeablevolunteers. Thetermnativeplantreferstoaspeciesthatoccurrednaturallyinaregionbeforecolonists arrived.Nonnativeplantsorexoticsarespeciesintroducedfromothercountriesorregions.Overthe past200years,severalthousandexoticplantandanimalspecieshavebecomeestablishedintheUnited States,andaboutoneinsevenhasbecomeinvasive. Manyexoticsleavetheirnaturalpredatorsathomeandalsobecomeinvasive,spreadingso vigorouslythattheydisplacenativeplantsandthebeneficialinsectsandwildlifethatdependuponthem tosurvival.Someinvasiveplantspushrareandnotsorarespeciestothebrinkofextinction. AtHawkMountainandinothernaturalareas,maintainingnativespeciesisamajorchallenge. TheNativePlantSalehelpsustoteachpeopleabouttheimportanceofnativestowildlife,andtohelp ourvisitorscreatenativelandscapesathome,saysRyanBeltz,aSanctuarycaretakerwhooversees

thesale. Interestinnativeplantgardeningcontinuestogrow,andseasonedandnovicegardenersare turningtonativesfortheirlowmaintenanceanddurability,aswellastheirbeauty,varietyandcolor. Tohelpwithplantselection,theHawkMountainNativePlantSalewillclearlymarkallplants intocategoriesandshowwhatplantswillthriveinspecificconditions.Forexample,somegroupsof plantswillbelabeledsunnyanddrywhileotherswillbemarkedforshadyandwetareas. Beltzalsoexplainsthatnativeplantsareadaptedtolocalgrowingconditions,andsocome equippedwithbuiltindefensestocommoninsectsanddisease.And,sincemanynativesareperennial andreturneveryyear,itseasyforfirsttimegardenerstocreatealowmaintenance,lowcostand pesticidefreegardenthatattractsmorebutterfliesandbirds. OnbothdaystheSanctuaryalsowillhostliveraptorprogramsat11a.m.and2p.m.,offerfree informationonnativeplantgardening,andexpertswillbeonhandtoanswerquestions. Forthosewhowishtovisitscenicoverlooks,trailfeescost$6adults,$5seniorand$3for childrenages6to12.Membersarealwaysadmittedfree,andmembershipscanbepurchasedatthe VisitorCenteroronline. HelpWanted:EnergyEfficiencyProgramAnalyst PerformanceSystemsDevelopment,anenergyefficiencyconsultingfirm,isseekingcandidatestofillthe positionofProgramDevelopmentAnalysttohelpdesign,implementandevaluateenergyefficiency opportunities.ThepositionwillbebasedinChestnutHill,Pa.ClickHerefordetails.

Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased May15NEW.AgendaReleased.StateConservationCommissionmeeting.Room309Agriculture Building,Harrisburg.1:00. DirtandGravelRoadfundingallocations 2013ChesapeakeBayImplementationGrant REAPProgramapplicationsandguidelines SandyValleyTrainingCenterAmendmentapproval NutrientandOdorManagementProgramBudget NutrientManagementProgramComplianceStrategy ErosionandSedimentationBootCamp <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. May16AgendaReleased.DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. OverviewofthecurrentBureauofWasteManagement OverviewofProfessionalRecyclersofPennsylvania

OverviewofSolidWasteAssociationofNorthAmerica UpdateontheNaturalGasRadiationStudy(TENORM) <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts May21AgendaReleased.DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. Discussionandvotingonsectorworkplans.ThelatestversionswerepostedintheCommittee websiteMay10. <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. May22CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.ThenextscheduledmeetingisJune18. (formalnotice) May22AgendaReleased.TimeChange.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice) ElectionofCouncilofficersforcomingyear PublicParticipationCommitteereportoninvitationtopubliconwaystoimprovetheregulationand guidancedevelopmentprocess,discussionofCACinputintotheAuditorGeneralsMarcellusShale wasteandwaterprogramaudit LegislativeandEHBRulesCommitteereports DiscussionwithChrisAbruzzo,ActingSecretaryofDEP PresentationonDEPEnforcementandFinesprocess PresentationonuseofPANaturalDiversityInventoryinpermitreviews PresentationonRosebudMiningStreamRestorationProject <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. May23SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionhearingonproposedactionsrelatedtowater withdrawalrequests.Agenda.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formal notice) June5DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,Rachel CarsonBuilding.9:30. June11DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June12Noagendayet.DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. June13DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:15.

ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents[DEPNoLongerPublishesasingleCalendarofagencymeetings]

Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek. May13EPATRIUniversityChallengeGrants May17FriendsOfTheLehighRiverNominations May17KeepAmericaBeautifulNationalYouthAdvisoryCouncil May23DCNRVolunteerFireAssistanceGrants May24KPBGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest May28EcoExpressRainGardenVideoTeachingMaterialsContest May31DEPSection902RecyclingGrants May31PROP2013WasteWatcherAwardNominations May31KeepPABeautifulSurveillanceCameraGrant NoDeadlineDEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates(orbeforeiffundsrunout) NoDeadlinePAGrazingLandsConservationInitiativeEducationMiniGrants June6NEW.NFWFChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundGrants June7ToyotaTogetherGreenFellows,InnovationGrants June28CFAPennWorksWaterSupply,WastewaterFunding June30ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants July12PROPRecyclingFilmFest July19CFAHighPerformanceBuildingFunding July19CFAAlternative,CleanEnergyFunding July31CFAAct13AbandonedMine,Watershed,RecreationFunding August1DPWChildCareCenterEnvironmentalHealthGrants August9FoundationforPAWatershedGrantsLOI September15CFAHighPerformanceBuildingFunding September15CFAAlternative,CleanEnergyFunding September30DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrant September30ProjectLearningTreeClassroomGrants October31PRCLensOnLitterContest December31DEPPASunshineRebates(orbeforeiffundsrunout) VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance forenvironmentalprojects.

Budget/QuickClips

Here'saselectionofNewClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate Rep.HarperHonoredByPAParkSociety StudentLeadershipEventToFocusOnQuecreekRescue TankerFireNearHarrisburgSnarlsTraffic StateDisasterProclamationToAidInTankerFireRecovery BirdsRescuedAtWildwoodLakeSanctuary WildwoodParkToBeClosedDueToSpilledFuel Budget HouseApprovesBusinessTaxBreaksBill $2.5BillionTransportationBillPassesSenateCommittee SenateCommitteeApproves$2.5BillionTransportationPlan CorbettsPensionReformPlanNowInMix GOPBillsWouldChangePAPensions MunicipalitiesFailToDiscloseUseOfMillionsInDrillingFees HouseSetToTeeUpItsVersionOfBudget PollsterSaysCorbettOutOfStepWithVoters Other LenapeStudentsTake1stAtArmstrongEnvirothon StudentsEarnWesternPAEnvironmentalAward Editorial:LetUtilitiesFundGasServiceLines IllegalDumpingPlaguesAvondaleMineDisasterSite DeepMineProjectInWashingtonCountyClearsHurdle PPLInstallsTurbineModificationsAtBerwick EPAToHoldButlerMineTunnelEmergencyExercise EPAConductingDrillAtButlerMineTunnel CleanupPlanFormingForMoonsBreslubePennSite AirPollutionStillMakesPittsburghRiskierPlaceToLive PittsburghSummitExploresHealthEffectsOfAirPollution MansLifeMissionWasCoalMiningSafety ThePowerOfTheLabelEndangeredSpecies ProtectingWoodratsMeansDrillersMustCutTrees LawmakersConsiderSavingBoarPreserves Editorial:FeralSwineHaveFriendsInHighPlaces HoneybeeShortageThreatensPACrops BikeTrailConnectionsBetweenMt.Pleasant,Scottdale RiverLocksMayBeOpenForBoatersIn2014 VisitorSpendingInPAWildsTops$1Billion

MarcellusShaleNewsClips

HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling MunicipalitiesFailToDiscloseUseOfMillionsInDrillingFees DrillingHealthPanelProposedUnderNewBill ScarnatiProposesDrillingHealthAdvisoryPanel HouseDemocratsSeekMoreDrillingSafeguards DebatingEconomicImpactOfMarcellusShaleInPA NaturalGasRushStoriesFromPennsylvania MarcellusShale:StateOfPennsylvania ProtectingWoodratsMeansDrillersMustCutTrees 3Make$25,000PitchesAtShaleInnovationContest MarketForWesternPAShaleLandChanging StateCourtDecisionKeepsShaleGasPropertyPrecedents GrantHelpsBuildCNGStationInErie FirstCNGFillingStationInLackawannaCounty CompanyWillConductSeismicTestingInMoonTwp Financial/OtherStates ConsolToDirectItsEnergyTowardGasProduction MarcellusTurnsPAIntoSaudiArabiaOfNaturalGas BraziliansTurnToUSForDrillingKnowHow

Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate Flooding Johnstown:3MajorFloodsAidsInResponse OtherWatershedNewsClips EPA:SusquehannaNotImpaired,ButNotUnimpairedEither EPADoesNotListLowerSusquehannaRiverAsImpaired,Yet SRBCDefendsRoleInOverseeingWaterQuantity DealingWithSedimentAtTheConowingoDam StudentsReleaseTroutInTheClassroomFish TenMileCreekAcidMineDrainagePromptsLawmakerLetter UDCOpposesDEPAntiDegradationPolicyForOnlotSystems DamRemovalProjectOnLittleLehigh WissahickonWatershedAssnPicksUpTrash SugarValleyWatershedAssnReceivesGrant 21YearsLater,DEPHasAPlanToCleanupLancasterStream CampHillBoroughFined$140KByDEP DEP:CampHillBypassedSewageStations95Times PlanningToDevelopLowerSchuylkillRiver

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
DEPsBoardofCoalMineSafetypublishednoticeofproposedchangestoregulationsdealingwiththe maintenanceofincombustiblecontentofrockdustforpubliccomment. TheEnvironmentalHearingBoardpublishednoticeofproposedchangestoitspracticeandprocedure forpubliccomment(PABulletinpage2591). TheFishandBoatCommissionpublishednoticeofproposedchangestothelistofWildTroutStreams andproposedchangestothelistofClassAWildTroutWaters. PennsylvaniaBulletinMay11,2013 ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeoffinal2013allocationof2012nitrogen oxideallowancessetasidetooffsetsulfurdioxideemissions(PABulletinpage2677)andfinal2017 annualandozoneseasonnitrogenoxideallowances(PABulletinpage2678).. TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage

CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar webpage. ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek.

May14NEW.HouseFinanceCommitteemeetstoconsiderHouseBill1171(DunbarR Westmoreland)repealingprovisionsoftheAlternativeEnergyProductionTaxCreditProgram.Room 60EastWing.9:45. May15NEW.HouseLocalGovernmentCommitteemeetstoconsiderHouseBill1052 (FreemanDLehigh)furtherprovidingfortheuseofrecreationalfeessummary.Room140.10:00. May15NEW.HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderHouseBill 1325(MaloneyRBerks)amendingAct537toprovidethatonlotsepticsystemsapprovedbyDEP meetantidegradationrequirements,reversinganEnvironmentalHearingBoarddecisionsummary, HouseResolution223(TallmanRAdams)memorializingCongresstosupportH.R.979inCongress, theForestProductsFairnessActsummary,SenateBill196(D.WhiteRIndiana)authorizing PennVESTtofundstormwaterandnonpointsourcemanagementfacilities.Room39EastWing.9:00. May15NEW.AgendaReleased.StateConservationCommissionmeeting.Room309Agriculture Building,Harrisburg.1:00. May16NEW.SenateUrbanAffairsandHousingCommitteeholdsahearingonthefutureofthe MainStreetandElmStreetPrograms.CarbonCountyCourthouseAnnex,JimThorpe.1:00. May16AgendaReleased.DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. May21AgendaReleased.DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. May22CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.ThenextscheduledmeetingisJune18. (formalnotice) May22AgendaReleased.TimeChange.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice) May23SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionhearingonproposedactionsrelatedtowater withdrawalrequests.Agenda.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formal notice) June5DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,Rachel CarsonBuilding.9:30. June6HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeinformationalbriefingonFishandBoatCommission fiscalslope.Room418.10:00.

June11DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June12DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June13DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:15. June17EnvironmentalIssuesForumbytheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControland ConservationCommittee.Dr.DavidJ.Nowak,Ph.D,projectleaderfortheUSDAForestServices NorthernResearchStation,willdiscusstheagencysinnovativeiTreeprogram.Nowakwasthe drivingforcebehinddevelopmentofiTreessuiteofsoftwaretoolsthathelpsusersassessandmanage urbantreepopulationstomakeforeffectiveurbanforestmanagementandbetterunderstandingofthe ecosystemservicesprovidedbycommunitytrees.LTBC.Noon. DEPCalendarofEvents[DEPNoLongerPublishesasingleCalendarofagencymeetings] Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof EnvironmentalEducators'website. SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

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