Pa Environment Digest April 18, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates
WinnerOf
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
BusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAEnvironmentDigestDailyBlog
TwitterFeed
Issue#616Harrisburg,PAApril18,2016
CommonwealthCourtDeniesChallengeToDEPsDrillingRegulations
CommonwealthCourtJudgeJamesGardnerColinsFriday
deniedarequestbygroupsrepresentingconventionaloil
andgasdrillerstoinvalidateDEPsfinal
Chapter78
(conventional)and78a(unconventional,MarcellusShale)
drillingregulations
updatesbecausetheyviolatedthe
provisionsofa
2014amendmenttotheFiscalCode
.
Thisactionnowclearsthewayfortheregulatory
reviewprocesstocontinueandfortheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommission
toconsidertheregulations
onApril21
.
Inhiswrittenopinion
,JudgeColinssaidontheissueofviolatingtheFiscalCode,All
threeRespondents[DEP,EnvironmentalQualityBoardandtheIRRC]arguethatregardlessof
whetherPIPPs[
PAIndependentPetroleumProducersAssociation
]assertionsareaccurateor
legallymeritorious,noreliefcanbegrantedtoPIPPinthisactionbecauseitsclaimsarenotripe.
TheCourtagrees.
ToobtainreliefinthisCourt,PIPPmustshowthatitisaggrievedandthatthereisan
actualcontroversybetweenthepartiesthatisnotcontingentonfutureeventsthatmaynever
occur.
Here,theharmtoPIPPdependsonfutureeventsthatmayormaynotoccur.TheFinal
FormRegulationsthatPIPPseekstosetasideorpreventfrombeingapprovedarenotfully
promulgatedregulations.
Thus,untiltheregulatoryreviewprocessiscomplete,itisuncertainwhethertheFinal
FormRegulationswillbecomefinalregulationsintheircurrentformandwhethertheywillbe
promulgatedasfinalregulationsatall.
...PIPPsclaimsinthisactionarenotripeandcannotsupportsummaryreliefor
injunctiverelief.
Inresponsetotheargumentbyconventionaldrillerstheindustrywillsufferinstantharm
becausethefinalregulationswouldgointoeffectimmediately,theCourtsaid,...thereisno
showingthatPIPPsmemberswouldincurseriousharminstantaneouslybeforeitcouldseek
relieffromfinalregulations.PIPPhasnotsetforthwhatcostsofcomplianceitsmemberswould
incurinthefirstdaysandweeksundertheFinalFormRegulationsrather,itsargumentsof
hardshipandcoststoconventionalwelloperatorsreferonlytothe
annual
[Courtsemphasis]
costsofcompliancewithoutdiscussionofwhenorhowquicklythosecostswouldbeincurred.
AcopyoftheCourtsopinion
isavailableonline
.
NewsClip:
DrillingRulesHeadedForKeyVoteAfterJudgeRejectsStay
RelatedStories:
IRRCToConsiderFinalDEPDrillingRegsApril21,MeetingToBeStreamedLive
ConventionalDrillersTellCourtTimeIsNowToDecideWhetherDEPViolatedTheLaw
Senate,HouseEnvironmentalCommitteesDisapproveDEPDrillingRegs
COGENTCallsCommitteeActiontoDisapproveDEPDrillingRegsATravesty
SenateCommitteeOKsBillstoKillConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayCleanPowerPlan
Senate,HouseEnvironmentalCommitteesDisapproveDEPsDrillingRegulations
TheSenateandHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteesTuesdayvotedlargely
alongpartylinestonotifytheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissiontheydisapprove
DEPs
Chapter78(conventional)and78a(unconventional,MarcellusShale)drillingregulations
updates.
TheCommitteesactedbasedonsimilarconcerns
DEPviolateda
2014FiscalCodeamendment
directingDEPtoadoptseparate
regulationsforconventionalandunconventionaloilandgasdrilling.
Sen.ScottHutchinson
(RVenango)saidattheSenateCommitteemeetingDEPstarteditsrulemakingprocesswithout
separateregulationsasthe2014lawrequired.DEPstartedtheregulatoryprocessforthedrilling
regulationsin
Augustof2013
beforetheFiscalCodeamendmentwaspassedayearlater.After
thelawwaspassedin2014,duringtheCorbettAdministration,DEPseparatedtheregulations
intoachapterforconventionalandanotherchaptercoveringunconventional,MarcellusShale
drilling,andputtheentireseparatedpackageoutfor
anotherroundofpublicreviewinApril
2015
.
In
announcingthefinalregulationinJanuary,
DEPitemizedthelistofthemajor
differencesbetweenthechapterscoveringconventionalandunconventionaldrilling
requirements.
Achallengetotheregulationsfiledbytheconventionalwelldrillersexactlyonthispoint
was
heardThursdaybyCommonwealthCourt
whichsaiditwillruleontheissuebeforethe
April21meetingatwhichtheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissionwillconsiderthe
drillingregulations.
DEPdidnotsupplyaRegulatoryAnalysisFormduringconsiderationoftheregulations
thatanalyzedtheeconomicimpactoftheregulations,inparticular,onsmallbusinesseslike
conventionaloilandgasdrillers.
DEPpostedaRegulatoryAnalysisFormwiththeoriginal
proposedregulationsin
Augustof2013
andanupdatedformin
Januaryof2016
whenChapter
78and78awereconsideredintheirfinalformbytheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.TheForm
includestheIRRCrequiredinformationoneconomicimpactsandspecificallyonalternative
strategiesusedtoreducetheimpactoftheregulationonsmallbusinesses.CopiesoftheForm
werealsoprovidedtotheHouseandSenateCommitteesandtotheIRRCatboththeproposed
andfinalstagesoftherulemaking.
TheformsandpoliciesrequiredtoimplementthelawwerenotprovidedtotheEQB,
CommitteesandtheIRRCasrequiredbylaw.
Thefinalformsandpoliciescouldnotbe
providedtotheEQBasapracticalmatterbeforetheEQBvotedtofinalizedthelanguageofthe
regulationsonFebruary3,2016.SincethatactionbytheEQBinFebruary,boththe
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
,coveringtheconventionalindustry,andthe
Oil
andGasTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
,coveringMarcellusShaleissues,metonMarch30and
31,respectively,toreviewthedraftformsandguidelines.
DEPdidnotprovideacompellingreasonfortheregulationandnonewstatelaw
directedDEPtodevelopregulationscoveringtheconventionaldrillingindustry.
Sen.
HutchinsonmadethispointduringtheSenateCommitteemeeting.Rep.JeffPyle
(RArmstrong)saidhewasunawareAct13of2012,whichwasusedbyDEPtojustifythe
originalproposedregulationsinpart,coveredconventionaloilandgasdrilling.Itwas
clearat
leasttoSen.JosephScarnati(RJefferson)
,PresidentProTemporeoftheSenate,Act13covered
bothconventionalandunconventionalwellsbecausehesaidduringaSenateEnvironmental
CommitteemeetinginJune2014theGeneralAssemblyerredinputtingbothkindsofwellsin
thesamestatute.
DEPbaseditsregulationsonportionsofAct13thatwerestruckdownbythePA
SupremeCourt.
Act13waspassedin2012.
DEPpresentedtheoriginalversionofthe
regulationstotheEQBforactionin
Augustof2013
.DEPpublishedtheproposedregulations
forpubliccommenton
December14,2013
.The
PASupremeCourtsRobinsondecision
referred
toinbothCommitteeswasissuedon
December19,2013
.Inan
emailtomembersoftheEQB
afterthedecision,ScottPerry,DEPDeputySecretaryforOilandGasManagement,saidmostof
theAct13decisiondealtwiththepreemptionoflocalzoningordinancesandaddedDEP
promulgatedtheproposeddrillingregulationsbasedonmultiplestatutes,notjustAct13.The
listofstatutesincludedtheCleanStreamsLawwhichgivesDEPbroadauthoritytoprotectthe
Commonwealthswaterresources.
ClickHere
foracopyoftheSenateCommitteelettersenttotheIRRCandDEPSecretary
JohnQuigleyasChairoftheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.
TheletterfromtheHouseEnvironmentalCommitteeisnotyetavailable.
Ironically,boththeHouseandSenatealsopassedresolutionsthisweekurgingall
PennsylvaniastoobserveEarthDayonApril22
SenateResolution348
(HughesD
Philadelphia)and
HouseResolution771
(MurtRAdams).
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmental
Committee
andcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairofthe
SenateEnvironmental
Committee
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak
(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
NewsClips:
House,SenatePanelsRejectOil&GasRegulations
PLSReporter:House,SenateCommitteesDisapproveDEPsDrillingRegs
EnergyCommitteesUrgeNoVoteOnNewDrillingRules
Oil&GasRegulationsRejectedByHouse,SenateCommittees
RelatedStories:
COGENTCallsCommitteeActionToDisapproveDEPDrillingRegsATravesty
The
ConnectionforOil,Gas&EnvironmentintheNorthernTier
hadthisreactionto
Tuesdays
actionbytheSenateandHouseEnvironmentalCommittees
recommendingtheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissiondisapproveDEPsChapter78(conventional)andChapter78a
(unconventional,MarcellusShale)drillingregulationsupdate
Wecan'tevenbegintoshareourdismayoftheERECommittee'sactionurgingthe
IRRCtodisapprovebothChapter78and78aoilandgasdrillingregulations.
28,000commentssubmittedoveratwoyearperiod.COGENTparticipatedinnumerous
subcommitteemeetings,providedtestimonyatnumeroushearingsandsubmittedwritten
comments.
Theseregulationsarenecessaryandlongoverdue.RuralshaleresidentsintheNorthern
TierRegionareworthyofimprovedregulationsinthedrillingfieldswherewereside.
Thisactionisnothingshortofatravesty.
ClickHere
toreadtheentireposting.
EmilyKrafjackfromCOGENTwasanadhocmemberofDEPs
OilandGasTechnical
AdvisoryBoard
advisingtheDepartmentonissuesrelatedtounconventionaldrillingduringthe
timeDEPreviewedtheregulationswiththeCommittee.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
The
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
willconsiderDEPs
Chapter78
(conventional)and78a(unconventional,MarcellusShale)drillingregulations
updatesatitsApril
21meetinginHarrisburg.
ClickHere
tofindcommentssubmittedbytheSenateandHouseandmembersofthe
publictotheIRRConthefinalregulation.SearchforIRRC#3042.
Duetotheexpectedheavyattendanceatthemeeting,theIRRCannouncedthemeeting
willbestreamedliveonline.
ClickHere
towatchthemeetingliveonlinestartingat9:00a.m.
Thefinalrulemakinghasbeenindevelopmentthreeyearsandrepresentsthefirstupdate
torulesgoverningsurfaceactivitiesassociatedwiththedevelopmentofoilandgaswellssince
2001andimplementsprovisionsofthe2012OilandGasAct.
Thechangeswouldstrengthentherulesregardingoilandgassurfaceactivities.These
regulatorychangeswould:
Ensuretheprotectionofpublichealth,safety,andtheenvironment.
Protectpublicresourcestominimizeimpactsfromoilandgasdrilling.
Modernizetheregulatoryprogramtorecognizeadvancesintechnology.
Addresslandownerconcerns.
Enhancetransparencyandimprovedatamanagement.
TheIRRChastheauthoritytoapproveordisapprovetheregulation.Iftheregulationis
disapproved,DEPhastheopportunitytocomebacktotheIRRCwitharesponsetotheconcerns
expressedbytheCommissionorwithdrawtheregulation.
TheIRRCmeetingwillbeheldinthe14thFloorConferenceRoom,333MarketSt.,
Harrisburgstartingat9:00a.m.
ClickHere
towatchthemeetingliveonline.
ClickHere
tofindcommentssubmittedbytheSenateandHouseandmembersofthe
publictotheIRRConthefinalregulation.SearchforIRRC#3042.
Formoreinformationontheregulatoryprocess,visitthe
IndependentRegulatoryReview
Commission
website.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
Analysis:SenatePanelIgnoresObvious:DeepCutsInDEPBudgetReducesService
TheSenateRepublicanandDemocraticPolicy
CommitteesMondayheldahearingonwhether
DEPsabilitytoprocesspermitshashadanimpact
oneconomicdevelopmentinPennsylvania.Thereis
noquestiontheanswerisyes,tosomeextent,butthe
causeofDEPsslowdowninprocessingpermitswas
indoubttosomeonthepanel.
Republicanmembersofthepaneldidnt
seemtogetasimpleconcept:ifyoucutDEPs
GeneralFundbudgetby
morethan40percentoverthelast13years
,cutDEPsstaffby22
percent(includingtherecentfreezeonhiringbyGov.Wolf),yetdonotreduceits
responsibilities,butincreasethem,therewillbeanimpact.
IfDEPwasaprivatebusiness,perhapssomepanelmemberswouldgetit.
Youcantcutabusinessincomebynearlyhalfandpreventthefillingof22percentof
itsemployeepositionsandNOTexpectthatbusinesstocloseplantsandcutlinesofbusiness.
Except,apublicagencylikeDEPcantcloseitsofficesordecidewhichenvironmental
lawsNOTtoenforcebecausetheGeneralAssemblygivesthemallthosejobstodoandNONE
ofthoseresponsibilitieshavebeentakenawayfromDEP.
TheGeneralAssemblyhasonlypiledonMOREresponsibilitieswithoutthenecessary
fundingtosupportthemoverthelast13years.
StateImpactreported
MondaytheChairofSenateRepublicanPolicyCommitteeSen.
DavidArgall(RSchuylkill)madethestatement,Howcanwebesureifweallocateadditional
dollarsforadditionalstaffthesituationimprove?Youcertainlyunderstandthefearthatmore
staffequalsmorebureaucracy,whichequalsmoredelay,notless.
Tohelpdebunkthatmyth,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleynoteddatafromDEPs
Permit
DecisionGuaranteeProgram
showstheagencymeetsitsdeadlinesforreviewofpermits89
percentofthetime,buthepointedoutDEPmustgetcompletepermitapplicationsfrom
applicantstomakethosedeadlines.
HedescribedarecentstudyofChapter102(erosionandsedimentation)and105(water
obstruction)permitapplications,thebasicpermitsneededfordevelopment,thatfound39.4
percenthadtechnicaldeficienciesorwereincomplete.
Meetingpermitreviewdeadlines,Quigleysaid,isasharedresponsibilitywithapplicants
andnearly40percentofthetime,onkeywaterpermits,theyfailtosubmitcompleteapplications
theagencycanprocessimmediately.
Applicationreviewisnotaboxcheckingexercise.Itinvolvesscientific,technical,
engineering,andlegalanalysis,saidQuigley.Applicationsthataredeficientthatdonotmeet
alloftheregulatoryrequirementsforcompletenessandtechnicalaccuracysimplytakelonger
toreview.Inmanycases,reviewoftheseapplicationsrequiresmultipleeffortsbytheconsultant
toaddinformationtotheapplicationtosatisfyregulatoryrequirementsforenvironmental
protection.Thisbackandforthcanaddconsiderabletimetothereviewprocess.
Sen.CameraBartolotta(RWashington)expressedconcernaboutoverregulation,and
whyittakessomuchlongertogetpermitsforjustaboutanythingfrom[DEPs]Southwest
office.
Shesuggestedhiringoutsidefirmstoreviewpermits,perhapsforgettingmomentarilythat
thatcoststhestatemoneyandthatanyconsultingfirmdoingthosereviewwouldfacesignificant
conflictofinterestrequirementsthatwouldpreventthemfromworkinginDEPpermitprograms.
DEPsQuigleystronglydisagreedwiththeideasaying,Wehavethemostproficient,
technicallycapablestaffthatyoullfindanywhere.Theprotectionofpublichealthandthe
environmentisnotsomethingyoucanoutsource.
QuigleypointedtoaproposalinGov.WolfsFY201617budgetthatwouldincrease
investmentinDEPsinformationtechnologyinfrastructuretoupgradetheagencys
eFACTS
permitmanagementsystem
andallowDEPtoimplementmoreepermittingprocesseswithin
miningandotherprograms.
AskedifhethoughtPennsylvaniasregulatoryenvironmentwashurtingjobgrowthand
economicdevelopment,Quigleysaidhedisagrees.
First,thenaturalresourcesthatneedprotectinginPennsylvaniaareworthyofenhanced
protection,tosaynothingofpublichealth,henoted.
Further,henotedthereareareaswhereregulationsarenotstrongenough,includingthose
pertainingtonaturalgas.
IfPennsylvaniaistojoinaracetothebottom,itdoessoatitsownrisk,Quigleysaid.
Itistooeasytoblametheregulatoryenvironmentwhenotherfactorsareinplayaswell.
Atthesametime,Quigleysaidhehasbeenworkingtostreamlineandimprovethepermit
reviewprocessesandisopentosuggestionsforhowtodothatinwaysthatdonotcompromise
protectingtheenvironment.
Hesaidjustlastweek
DEPrestartedaprogramtoimprovestatewideconsistency
in
inspectionsandenforcementthataddressesakeyissuewithmanyintheregulatedcommunity.
AcopyofSecretaryQuigleyswrittentestimony
isavailableonline
.
Perhapsatsomepoint,legislatorswillstopoverlookingthe800poundgorillainthe
roomadequatefundingforPennsylvaniasenvironmentalprograms.
ClickHere
towatchthehearingonlineandforcopiesofavailablewrittentestimony.
NewsClips:
DEPsQuigley:BudgetCutsHurtEffortToMonitorPipelines
WolfsNextMoveOnFiscalCodeBill?
PLSReporter:QuestForOnTimeBudgetBegins
DemErieLawmaker:WolfBullyingConstituents
ShootingRangeFeesImplementedAtStartParkRange
RelatedStories:
Philly.com:DEPsQuigley:BudgetCutsLeaveDEPIllEquippedToMonitorPipelines
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
DEPToProposePermitFeeIncreasesForAtLeast6ProgramsIn2016
BudgetHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
BudgetHearing:DEP:StateCantCutItsWayToABetterEnvironment
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
CBFPALackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch
Philly.com:DEPsQuigley:BudgetCutsLeaveDEPIllEquippedToMonitorPipelines
Philly.comreportedFridayevening
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleytolda
VillanovaUniversitylawschoolsymposiumyearsofrelentlessbudget
cutshaveleftDEPillequippedforitsroletomonitorthetensof
thousandsofmilesofnaturalgaspipelinestobebuildinPennsylvania
overthenextdecade.
Quigleysaidanestimated2,000majorpipelineprojectsarein
somestageofplanningorconstructioninPennsylvania.
Herepeatedwhathehassaidbefore,thatDEPhaslostover670
positions,about20percentofitsstaff,manyofwhomarepermitwritersorinspectors.
Thesymposiumbroughttogetherpaneliststotalkaboutthe184recommendationmadein
DEPsrecent
PipelineInfrastructureTaskForceReport
.
NewsClips:
RelatedArticles:
Analysis:SenatePanelIgnoresObvious:DeepCutsInDEPBudgetReducesServices
Analysis:FinalBudgetRollsBackEnvironmentalFundingFor13thYearInARow
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffBy200Positions,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
CBFPALackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch
NewFiscalCodeBillOnWolfsDeskCutsGrowingGreener,GreenBuildingProgram
TheSenate,followedbytheHouseWednesdayputanewFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1589
(CauserRCameron)ontheGovernorsdeskbyvetoproofmargins.Thebillcontainsanew
formulatodistributebasiceducationfunding,cutsEnvironmentalStewardship(Growing
Greener)fundingby$15millionandtakes$12millionfromCFAsHighPerformanceBuildings
Programandtransfersittofundanewprogramtoexpandnaturalgasinfrastructure.
ThebillalsocontainsprovisionsthatearmarksexistingDCNRfundingfortheoperation
ofWashingtonCrossingHistoricalParkanddirectsfundingtoseweranddrinkingwaterprojects
forspecificlegislators.
A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
A
spokespersonforGov.Wolfsaid
hewillreviewthelegislationinitsentiretyandhas
notdecidedwhethertosignorvetothebill.HerepeatedtheGovernor'spositionthatanew
fundingformulaforbasiceducationshouldnotgointoeffectuntilafterfullfundingisrestoredto
schools.
ItdoesNOTcontaintheprovisionsfromthelastFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)delayingPennsylvaniaplantomeettheCleanPowerClimatePlanruleand
killingDEPsfinalconventionaloilandgasdrillingregulations.
ThoseprovisionswereincludedinseparatebillsreportedoutoftheSenate
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteeandareontheSenateCalendar.Thosebills
are
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)killingDEPsfinaldrillingregulationscovering
conventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingtherulemakingprocessoverand

SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)tofurtherdelayaPennsylvaniaplanformeetingEPAs
CleanPowerClimatePlanrulebychangingtheGeneralAssemblysreviewdatesunder
Act175
of2014
.
BothbillsareontheSenateCalendarawaitingactionforwhentheSenatereturnsonMay
9.
NewsClips:
DEP:ElectronicsWasteRecyclingProgramsCanNowChargeFeesForRecycling
InaMarch30letter
,theDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionannouncedachangeinpolicythatwillallow
localelectronicswasterecyclingprogramstocharge
consumersforewastetheybringinforrecycling,ifthe
collectioneventisnotpartofanelectronics
manufacturersrecyclingprogramfundedunderthe
states
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
.
Previously,DEPmaintainednorecyclerwho
participatedinanelectronicsmanufacturerfunded
recyclingprogramundertheCDRAcouldalsoparticipate
inotherewasterecyclingeventsthatchargedconsumers
torecycleTVs,computers,monitorsandotherelectronicdevicesthesocalledallinorallout
rule.
Theserecyclingfeesessentiallychargeconsumerstwiceforrecycling,accordingto
testimonyata
March21JointConservationCommittee
hearing.
Consumerspaythefirsttimewhentheybuyaproductbecausethecostofrecyclingis
builtintotheelectronicdeviceswebuyandnowasecondtimeifconsumersbringtheirdevices
torecyclingeventsthatimposeafee.
Thechangeinpolicywas
inresponsetoalettertoDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
bySenate
MajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre),Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairofthe
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,andSen.ElderVogel(RBeaver).
DEPsresponsesaidinpart,Collectorsandrecyclersmaychargefeestoconsumers
whentheelectronicdevicescollectedarenotorwillnotbesoldtoorusedbyamanufacturerto
satisfyitsrecyclinggoalobligationundertheCDRA.
Collectorsandrecyclerswhicharenotabletogetintoamanufacturers[recycling]Plan
may[also]chargefees.
Finally,collectorsandrecyclersthathavesatisfiedthecontractualobligationsofallthe
manufacturersthattheysupplypriortotheendofthecontractperiodorperiodswouldbeableto
chargefees.
DEPSecretaryQuigleywasclear,however,insayingfeesarenotthesolutiontothe
collapseofthe
ewasterecyclingprogram
thatisleavingtwothirdsofPennsylvaniacounties
withoutaccesstoelectronicsrecycling.
DEPwouldliketoaddthatitdoesnotbelievefeesaretheanswertothisissue,said
Quigley.Feescouldcausepeopletoholdontodeviceuntilanocostoptionisavailable.Fees
mayalsoresultinmoreillegaldumpingandmishandlingofthismaterial.
KeepPABeautiful
testifiedbeforethe
hearing
ontheissuethatewastedumpingisalreadyrampantacrossPennsylvaniabecauseofthelack
oftofreeandconvenientCRTTVandelectronicsrecyclingacrossthestate.
Theprimaryproblemistheimbalancebetweenthelargeamountofcovereddevicesthat
needtoberecycledandtheinadequatemanufacturerrecyclingmandatessetforthinthe
[CoveredDeviceRecycling]Act,explainedQuigley.Thelongtermremedytothissupplyand
demandproblemistoamendtheActsothatitwillaccomplishthelegislativegoalofproviding
citizenswithreadilyavailableopportunitiesforrecyclingtheirunwantedelectronicdevices.
Asmanyas
9millionCRTTVsandmonitors
arelefttorecycleacrossPennsylvania,in
additiontootherelectronicwaste,accordingtothe
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
.
Thesolutionsuggestedbyseveralwitnessesatthe
March21JointConservation
Committee
hearingwastorequireelectronicsmanufacturerstopayforrecyclingallthe
electronicswastecollectedinlocalrecyclingprograms.
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),theoriginalsponsorofthe2010CDRA,hasbeenworking
oncomprehensiveamendmentstothelawwhichheisexpectedtointroduceinthenearfuture.
AcopyofSenateletterandDEPsMarch30response
isavailableonline
.
VisitKeepPABeautifulsnew
ElectronicsWaste
websitetolearnmoreabouttheissue
andrecyclingopportunitiesnearyou.
Formoreinformationonewasterecycling,visitDEPs
webpage.
NewsClips:
Letter:FlawedPARecyclingLawCreatesRoadsideTVDumps
CRTRecyclerClosedLoopNearsCollapse
DEPInvestigatesMattressesFoundInErieWarehouseFire
RelatedStories:
Hearing:ElectronicsManufacturersNeedToPayForEWasteActuallyCollected
KeepPABeautifulTestifiesAboutRampantIllegalDumpingOfElectronics
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
MajorCRTRecyclerInOhio,ArizonaNearCollapse,SubjectOfEnforcementAction
ResourceRecyclingreportedThursday
ClosedLoopRefiningandRecovery
,amajorrecyclerof
CRTtelevisionsandmonitorscollectedbyelectronicswasteprograms,includingmanyin
Pennsylvania,isonthebrinkofclosingandleavingmorethan90millionpoundsofstockpiled
CRTmaterialinitswake.
ClosedLoophasrecyclingoperationsinOhioandArizonawhichwereusedbyewaste
recyclingprogramsacrossthecountry.
Inaddition,ResourceRecyclingreportedthecompanyreceivedanoticeofviolation
fromtheOhioEnvironmentalProtectionAgencythatcouldtriggerfurtherenforcementaction,
includingforcedclosure.
ResourceRecyclingfurtherreported:Sinceitsfoundingin2010,ClosedLoopstated
repeatedlythatitwasworkingonplanstobuildfurnacesinbothstatesthatwouldseparateout
lead.Butthecompany'stechnologyhasnotmaterialized,leavingmillionsofpoundsofglass
sittingincompanysitesonbothendsofthecountry.
ManyelectronicsmanufacturersacrossthecountryusedtheClosedLoopsitesfortheir
recyclingprograms,accordingtoResourceRecycling.
Pennsylvaniaselectronicswasterecyclingprogramhasallbutcollapsedoverthelast
year
leavingtwothirdsofPennsylvaniacounties
withoutaccesstofreeandconvenient
electronicsrecycling.
Asmanyas
9millionCRTTVsandmonitors
arelefttorecycleacrossPennsylvania,in
additiontootherelectronicwaste,accordingtothe
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
.
Thesolutionsuggestedbyseveralwitnessesatthe
March21JointConservation
Committee
hearingontheissuewastorequireelectronicsmanufacturerstopayforrecyclingall
theelectronicswastecollectedinlocalrecyclingprograms.
Justthisweek
DEPannouncedachangeinpolicy
thatwouldallowlocalelectronics
wastecollectionprogramstochargeconsumersforrecycling,butthematerialcollectedcouldnot
counttowardanelectronicsmanufacturersobligationsunderPennsylvaniasewastecollection
lawtheCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct.
Theserecyclingfeesessentiallychargeconsumerstwiceforrecycling,accordingto
testimonyata
hearing.
Consumerspaythefirsttimewhentheybuyaproductbecausethecostofrecyclingis
builtintotheelectronicdeviceswebuyandnowasecondtimeifconsumersbringtheirdevices
torecyclingeventsthatimposeafee.
VisitKeepPABeautifulsnew
ElectronicsWaste
websitetolearnmoreabouttheissue
andrecyclingopportunitiesnearyou.
Formoreinformationonewasterecycling,visitDEPs
webpage.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
DEP:ElectronicsWasteRecyclingProgramsCanNowChargeFeesForRecycling
Hearing:ElectronicsManufacturersNeedToPayForEWasteActuallyCollected
KeepPABeautifulTestifiesAboutRampantIllegalDumpingOfElectronics
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
DEPMining&ReclamationAdvisoryBoardMeetsApril25OnPermitFeeIncreases
DEPs
MiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
isscheduledtomeetonApril25todiscuss
proposedincreasesincoalminingpermitfeestooffsetexpectedshortfallsinstateGeneralFund
appropriationstoDEPandrevenuefromtheexistingpermitfees.
(
formalnotice
)
TheApril25meetingwillbeheldinRoom105RachelCarsonBuildingstartingat10:00.
Foravailablehandoutsandmoreinformation,visitDEPs
MiningandReclamation
AdvisoryBoard
webpageorcontact
DanielSnowden,DEPBureauofMiningPrograms,by
calling7177875103orsendingemailto:
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
BipartisanshipDoesntDescribeHowMedicalMarijuanaPassed,ItsMoreThanThat
ItwasapoliticaloddcouplethatintroducedtheCompassionateUseOfMedicalCannabisAct
in2013thatlead,threeyearslater,toitsfinalpassageWednesday.
Sen.MikeFolmer(RLebanon),a.k.a.CitizenMike,firstcametotheSenatein2007in
thefirstwaveofconservativelawmakersafterbeatinglongtimeSenatorandSenateMajority
LeaderChipBrightbillontheissueofthemidnightpayraise.Hessoconservative,hehasnt
votedforasinglestatebudget.
Sen.DaylinLeach(DMontgomery)isoneofthemostliberalmembersoftheSenateor
House.Hechampionsabortionrights,samesexmarriageandthecompletelegalizationof
marijuana.HecametotheSenatein2009afterbeingaHousemembersince2003.
Yetin2013,theyteameduptointroducelegislationtolegalizethemedicaluseof
marijuana.
Alongtheway,asanemotionalSenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre)
saidin
FloorremarksTuesday
,Sen.Folmerworkedunrelentinglytochangemembersmindsonthe
issue,includinghim,thehardwaymemberbymember.
Sen.Cormansaidtheefforttopassmedicalmarijuanawasbringingtoreallifethemovie
Mr.SmithGoesToWashington.
ThesuccessfulpassageoftheCompassionateUseOfMedicalCannabisActislessan
exampleofbipartisanshipandoftheSenateandHouseworkingwiththeGovernor,thanitisan
exampleofwhatahandfuloflegislatorshavetodotoworkanissuethroughtheGeneral
Assembly,backedbyadvocateswhoeffectivelytoldtheirstories.
Inpollafterpoll,publicsupportformedicalmarijuanaonlyclimbed.Mostresults
showed85percentormoreofthepublicsupportedlegalizationofmedicalmarijuana.
Themedicalmarijuanaissuealsoplayedapartingubernatorialpolitics,whenoneterm
GovernorTomCorbettfirstsaidheopposedthelegislation.
Hebadlyfumbledtheanswertoaquestiononwhetherhewouldfindawaytouse
marijuanaifhisthen2yearoldgrandsonneededit.Hesaidhedhavetothinkaboutit,asa
formerprosecutor.
Hisanswerledtonewsheadlineslike,
CorbettWouldntLegalizePotEvenIfToddler
GrandsonNeededIt
.
Buthecamearoundontheissue,later.
Gov.Wolfneverreallyhadahandinpassingthelegislationorinitsnegotiation.Itwas
purelyalegislativeinitiativefromthebeginning.LikethefinalphaseoutoftheCapitalStock
andFranchiseTax,hehappenedtobethereattheend.
Letshope,however,theafterglowofpassingamajorpieceoflegislationshineson
otherissueslikethebudget.
TheSenateandHouseputanotherFiscalCodebillontheGovernorsdeskthisweek
HouseBill1589
(CauserRCameron)tofinishuptheFY201516statebudget.
A
spokespersonforGov.Wolfsaid
hewillreviewthelegislationinitsentiretyandhas
notdecidedwhethertosignorvetothebill.HerepeatedtheGovernor'spositionthatanew
fundingformulaforbasiceducationshouldnotgointoeffectuntilafterfullfundingisrestoredto
schools.
Wellseewhathappensthere.
Inthemeantime,Pennsylvaniahasbecomethe24thstatetolegalizemedicalmarijuana.
ItsaheadlinethatmighthavebeenworthyofthefakenewssitetheOnion,butitsveryreal,
especiallytothepeoplewhoneeditandfoughtforit.
Enjoythevictory!
NewsClips:
LawmakersLeftHarrisburgOnAHigh(NotFromMarijuanaAlone)
MedicalMarijuanaWillBeBigBusinessInPA
Bumsted:HouseSendsMedicalMarijuanaBillToGovernor
HouseSendsMedicalMarijuanaBillToGovernor
Swift:LawmakersApproveMedicalMarijuanaBill
CapitolEruptsInJoyAfterMedicalMarijuanaBillPasses
CormanGivesEmotionalTributeToFolmerOnMedicalMarijuana
SenateBacksMedicalMarijuanaBill427
AP:HighlightsOfPAsMedicalMarijuanaLegislation
Editorial:MedicalPotEasesPain
Editorial:CommonSensePrevailsOnMedicalMarijuana
WillLongMedicalMarijuanaFightFinallyComeToAnEnd?
PLSReporter:MedicalMarijuanaAwaitsUncertainFuture
MedicalMarijuanaBillInchesForward,PathCloudy
MedicalPotBillInPAFindsNewLife
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
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GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
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Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
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Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
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:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantnewsupdates.
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providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
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arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
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PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(May2):
HouseBill1737
(MaherRAllegheny)furtherprovidingforthecollectionof
unusedandunwantedprescriptionandoverthecounterdrugs(
sponsorsummary
)
House
Resolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinance
Committeetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramtoregulatethebeneficial
useofsewagesludge
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependent
counselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY
201516CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopension
reformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudget
bill.
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(May9):
SenateBill289
(FontanaDAllegheny)fundingtoassisthomeownerswith
deterioratingprivatesewerlaterals(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)
amendingAct101toauthorizealllocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingservicefee(
sponsor
summary
)
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)killingDEPsfinaldrillingregulations
coveringconventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingtherulemakingprocessover
SenateBill
1168
(EichelbergerRBlair)authorizingtheFishandBoatCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedby
theagencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill
1166
(StefanoRFayette)authorizingtheGameCommissiontoadoptfeeschargedbythe
agencyratherthanhavethemsetbytheGeneralAssembly(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)tofurtherdelayaPennsylvaniaplanformeetingEPAsCleanPowerClimate
PlanrulebychangingtheGeneralAssemblysreviewdatesunder
Act175of2014
HouseBill
1325
(MustioRAllegheny)allowingtownshipsofthesecondclasstochargestormwater
managementfees,
HouseBill1394
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingboroughstocharge
stormwatermanagementfees,
HouseBill1661
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingfirstclass
townshipstochargeastormwatermanagementfee
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)
establishingaPrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
NOTE:
TheSenateandHouseareona2weekbreakfortheApril26Primaryelection.
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
BillsIntroduced

Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
EarthDay2016:
SenateResolution348
(HughesDPhiladelphia)encouragingallcitizensto
observeandparticipateinEarthDayApril22(
sponsorsummary
)wasintroducedandadopted.
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
House
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction
NewFiscalCode:
HouseBill1589
(CauserRCameron)amendingtheFiscalCodewithsome
oftheitemsGov.Wolfvetoedin
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)passedtheSenate37to11.
ThebillwasthenpassedbytheHouse149to46.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryis
available.
ThebillincludesprovisionstoauthorizeatransferfromthePARacehorseDevelopment
Fund,a$15millionreductioninfundingfortheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)
Fund,takes$12millionfromCFAsHighPerformanceBuildingsProgramandtransfersitto
fundanewprogramtoexpandaccesstonaturalgasinfrastructure,earmarksexistingDCNR
fundingfortheoperationofWashingtonCrossingHistoricalParkanddirectsfundingtosewer
anddrinkingwaterprojectsforspecificlegislators,butNOTtheprovisionsdelayingthe
developmentofaPennsylvaniaplantomeettheCleanPowerClimatePlanruleorkillingDEPs
finalconventionaloilandgasdrillingregulations.
ValuationofWaterSystems:
HouseBill1326
(GodshallRMontgomery)valuationofwater
andwastewatersystemsforratemakingpurposes(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).Thisbill
wassignedintolawasAct12.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
Senate
NewFiscalCode:
HouseBill1589
(CauserRCameron)amendingtheFiscalCodewithsome
oftheitemsGov.Wolfvetoedin
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)wasreportedoutoftheSenate
AppropriationsCommittee,amendedontheSenateFloorandpassedtheSenate37to11.The
billwasthenpassedbytheHouse149to46.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
ThebillincludesprovisionstoauthorizeatransferfromthePARacehorseDevelopment
Fund,a$15millionreductioninfundingfortheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)
Fund,takes$12millionfromCFAsHighPerformanceBuildingsProgramandtransfersitto
fundanewprogramtoexpandaccesstonaturalgasinfrastructure,earmarksexistingDCNR
fundingfortheoperationofWashingtonCrossingHistoricalParkanddirectsfundingtosewer
anddrinkingwaterprojectsforspecificlegislators,butNOTtheprovisionsdelayingthe
developmentofaPennsylvaniaplantomeettheCleanPowerClimatePlanruleorkillingDEPs
finalconventionaloilandgasdrillingregulations.
AlternativeOnLotSepticSystems:
SenateBill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseof
alternativeonlotsepticsystemsonthesewagefacilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)was
passedbytheSenateandnowgoestotheHouseforaction.
StormwaterFees:
HouseBill1325
(MustioRAllegheny)allowingtownshipsofthesecond
classtochargestormwatermanagementfees(amended),
HouseBill1394
(MustioRAllegheny)
authorizingboroughstochargestormwatermanagementfees(amended),
HouseBill1661
(MustioRAllegheny)authorizingfirstclasstownshipstochargeastormwatermanagementfee
(amended)werereportedoutoftheSenateLocalGovernmentCommitteeandarenowonthe
SenateCalendarforaction.
KillingDEPConventionalDrillingRegs:
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)killing
DEPsfinaldrillingregulationscoveringconventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingthe
rulemakingprocessoverwasreportedfromtheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
CommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.ThisprovisionwasvetoedbyGov.
WolfintheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike).
CleanPowerPlanDelay:
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)tofurtherdelayaPennsylvania
planformeetingEPAsCleanPowerClimatePlanrulebychangingtheGeneralAssemblys
reviewdatesunder
Act175of2014
wasreportedfromtheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.Thisprovisionwasvetoedby
Gov.WolfintheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike).
ForestLandValue:
HouseBill806
(CauserRCameron)providingforcountyspecificuse
valuesforlandinforestreserves(
sponsorsummary
)wasTabled.

EarthDay2016:
SenateResolution348
(HughesDPhiladelphia)encouragingallcitizensto
observeandparticipateinEarthDayApril22(
sponsorsummary
)wasintroducedandadopted.
DrinkingWaterWeek:
SenateResolution328
(YudichakDLuzerne)designatingMay17as
DrinkingWaterWeekinPennsylvania(
sponsorsummary
)wasadoptedbytheSenate.
LymeDiseaseAwareness:
SenateResolution338
(GreenleafRMontgomery)designatingMay
asLymeDiseaseAwarenessMonthinPennsylvania(
sponsorsummary
)wasadoptedbythe
Senate.
House
EarthDay2016:
HouseResolution771
(MurtRAdams)encouragingallresidentsofthe
CommonwealthtoobserveEarthDayonApril22(
sponsorsummary
)wasadoptedbytheHouse.
DrinkingWaterWeek:
HouseResolution809
(NeumanDWashington)designatingMay17
asDrinkingWaterWeekinPennsylvaniawasadoptedbytheHouse(
sponsorsummary
).
PrescriptionTakeBack:
HouseResolution803
(DeanDMontgomery)designatingApril30as
NationalPrescriptionDrugTakeBackDay(
sponsorsummary
)wasadoptedbytheHouse.
NewsFromTheCapitol
Hearing:EnergyEfficiencyPromotedAsCheapest,Cleanest,SafestFormOfEnergy
Atahearingofthe
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
Monday,LizRobinson,Executive
Directorofthenonprofit
EnergyCoordinatingAgency
inPhiladelphia,promotedenergy
efficiencyasthecheapest,cleanestandsafestformofenergythateliminatebuildingenergy
wasteandcreatesmorejobs.
Hereisthe
textofherremarks
beforetheCommittee
Goodmorning.IamLizRobinson,ExecutiveDirectoroftheEnergyCoordinating
Agency(ECA).ThankyouforthisopportunitytotestifybeforetheHouseCommitteeonsuchan
importantsubject.
ECAisanonprofitcorporationwhichprovidesenergyefficiency,educationandrelated
servicestotheresidentialandcommercialsectors.ECAalsooperatesanationallyaccredited
BuildingScienceTrainingCenter,whichtrainstothehighestnationalstandardsinbothenergy
efficiencyandenvironmentalremediation.
Asajobscreationengine,theCleanEnergyindustryisoneofthemostimportantgrowth
industriesforPennsylvaniaandthenationintheforeseeablefuture.
Theenergyindustryasawholeisrapidlychanging.Thesourcesofenergyin
Pennsylvaniahavechangeddramaticallyinthelast1Dyearsandwillcontinuetodosoduetoa
hostoffactors.
Thepaceoftechnologicalinnovationisdrivingmuchofthischange.TheDOE'sfirst
annual"
UnitedStatesEnergyandEmploymentReport
"findsthatalmost2millionAmericans
arenowemployedinenergyefficiency.
AsthePittsburghPostGazettereportedlastmonth,"Forevery1DAmericansworkingto
createanddistributeenergyin2015,therewereroughlysevenothersworkingtoconserveit."
DOEalsofindsthenumberofjobsinEnergyEfficiencypoisedtogrownextyearby14
percent!
EnergyEfficiencyisoneofPennsylvania'smostabundantsourcesofenergy,itisevenly
distributedalloverthestate(thisisapolitewayofsayingthatPennsylvaniahasalotofenergy
wastelurkinginouroldbuildings)andenergyefficiencyisinfacttheenergyresourcethat
createsthemostjobs:it'sthemostlaborintensiveformofenergy.
It'salsothecheapest,cleanestandsafestformofenergy.Itistheonlyformofenergy
whichcanactuallyhelplowerrates.Forallthesereasons,Pennsylvaniashouldbepursuing
energyefficiencymuchmorevigorouslythanweareatpresent.
Solaristhesecondmostlaborintensiveformofenergyanditisalsodistributed
everywhereinPennsylvania.
Oneofthereallyimportantthingstounderstandaboutjobsinthecleanenergyindustry,
particularlyinenergyefficiency,isthattheyareinherentlylocal.You'renotgoingtofindguys
fromTexasandOklahomacomingupheretoblowinsulationintoyourattic.
Theenergyefficiencyindustryhaschangedverydramaticallyinthelasttenyears.Now
forthefirsttime,wehaveanationalstandardforresidentialenergyefficiencyworkers.
Thisstandard,theHomeEnergyProfessional(HEP)hasbeenputinplacebyDOEinthe
lowincomeWeatherizationAssistanceProgram.Thisisthehigheststandardeverdeveloped.
HEPAuditorsandInspectorsaretruebuildingscientists.
Pennsylvaniaisveryfortunatetohavetwotrainingcenterswhichhavebeenaccredited
nationallytotraintothisnewnationalstandard.ECA'sisoneofthem.
Inordertotakefulladvantageofthegrowthinenergyefficiency,solar,windandother
aspectsofthecleanenergyindustry,Pennsylvanianeedstoreallyfocusonworkforce
development,andalignitseffortstosupportthisallimportantindustry.
Tomyknowledge,outsideofalittlebitoftrainingdonebyDCEDfortheWAPprogram,
theCommonwealthofPennsylvaniaisnotdoinganythingtosupportworkforcedevelopmentin
thecleanenergyindustry.
Atthesametimethatthecleanenergyindustryisrapidlygrowing,theutilityindustryas
awholeisfacingaseriousissuewithitsownworkforce:thebabyboomersareretiring,creating
abraindrainofsorts.
Over29percentofworkersintheutilityindustryareage55orolder.Accordingto
DepartmentofLaborreports,10percentoftheworkforcewillretirethisyear,andanother10
percentwillretirenextyear.
Theutilityindustryisalsofacingunprecedentedchangefromtechnological
developments,anddiversificationoffuelsources,nottomentionthechallengesofclimate
change.
IwouldsuggestthatpartoftheeducationalcrisiswefaceinPennsylvaniaisthatwe
haven'tdevelopedastrategywhichcanhelpbuildthecleanenergyworkforceweneedtomeet
theenergychallengesweface.
CareerandTechnicalEducation(CTE)Schoolsareakeypartofthesolution.
Onceconsideredadumpinggroundforlowperformingstudents,Philadelphia'sCareer
andTechnicalEducation(CTE)programhasbeenoneofthefewbrightspotsfortheSchool
DistrictDespiteasignificantlackofresources,districtwide,theCTEschoolshavequietly
producedsomeofthebestoutcomesforstudentsintheCitye.g.,(accordingThePhiladelphia
SchoolDistrict'spublicationTHENOTEBOOK)
CTEstudentsgraduateathigherrates.TheCTEgraduationratewas84percent,comparedto
62percentcitywide,andtheyweremorelikelytograduateontime.
Theracial"achievementgap"forgraduationisalmosteliminated.BlackandLatinoCTE
studentsgraduateatalmostthesamelevelsasWhiteandAsianstudents.
CTEstudentsreportbetter"soft"outcomes.Thestudentsreportedmorepositiveexperiences
thannonCTEstudentsinareaslikegoalsetting,planning,recoveringfromsetbacks,andstaying
engagedwithclasses.
IwouldstronglyrecommendthattherebeaTaskForcecreatedtostudyhowtocreatea
pipelineoftechnicaltrainingleadingtonationalcredentialsandconsistentwithindustry
standardstoinsurethatPennsylvaniacancaptureitsfullshareofthesegreatcleanenergyjobs.
Thankyouverymuchforthisopportunity.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthe
Energy
CoordinatingAgency
website.
DEPSecretary
JohnQuigley
alsotestifiedbeforetheCommitteesaying,"Themarket
efficacyandtheeconomicsofcleanenergydevelopmentandenergyefficiencyshowthatthey
cannotonlybeapartofthenationsenergygridbutintegraltothenationseconomy.
"Theresanimmenseeconomicopportunityforallstates,andPennsylvania,Ithink,in
particular,toembracealternativeenergy,embraceenergyefficiency,embracestorage
technologies,createjobs,andacceleratethedevelopmentofoureconomy."
Alsopresentingtestimonywere
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
KenMacDougall
,NationalElectricalContractorsAssociation
NancyMifflin
,AmericanAssociationofBlacksInEnergy
RonCelentano
,PASolarEnergyIndustriesAssociation
EricMiller,KeystoneEnergyEfficiencyAlliance
CleanJobsPennsylvaniaReport
KhariMosley
,BlueGreenAllianceInPA
CenterForClimateStrategies
PASolarEnergyIndustriesAssociation
EnvironmentalEntrepreneurs
AmericanJobsProject
Copiesofallwrittentestimonypresentedatthehearing
areavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
AmidFossilFuelLayoffs,DemsStrategyForCleanEnergyJobs
SEEDSEnergyConservationProgramReceivesGovernorsAward
WilkesBarreReceivesGovernorsLocalGovtAwardForEnergySavings
EnergyEfficiencyKeepsElectricityAffordable,ReducesEnvironmentalCosts
SenateCommitteeOKsBillsToKillConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayCleanPowerPlan
The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
reportedoutbillstodelay
PennsylvaniasresponsetoEPACleanPowerClimatePlanrequirementsandkillDEPsChapter
78(conventional)drillingregulationsandmaketheagencystarttherulemakingover.
Inaseparateaction,theCommitteevotedto
disapproveDEPsChapter78(conventional)
and78a(unconventional,MarcellusShale)drillingregulations
updateandnotifytheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissionofitsactions.
TheIRRCissettomeetApril21onDEPsregulations.
ThebillsapprovedbytheCommitteeincluded
SenateBill1011
(HutchinsonRVenango)killingDEPsfinaldrillingregulationscovering
conventionaloilandgaswellsandstartingtherulemakingprocessover.Thisprovisionwas
vetoedbyGov.WolfintheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike).
SenateBill1195
(WhiteRIndiana)tofurtherdelayaPennsylvaniaplanformeetingEPAs
CleanPowerClimatePlanruleaddingreviseddatesforreviewingtheplan.Thisprovisionwas
vetoedbyGov.WolfintheFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike).
Ironically,boththeHouseandSenatealsopassedresolutionsthisweekurgingall
PennsylvaniastoobserveEarthDayonApril22
SenateResolution348
(HughesD
Philadelphia)and
HouseResolution771
(MurtRAdams).
SenateEnvironmental
Committee
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
DamsOnSusquehannaAreUndoingProgressInReducingPollutionToChesapeakeBay
TheheadoftheU.S.GeologicSurveys
ChesapeakeBay
WaterQualityMonitoringProgram
Tuesdaysaidwater
qualityisimprovinginthePennsylvaniaportionofthe
Baywatershedbecauseofthestepsbeingtakentoreduce
pollution,butsomeoftheprogressisbeingundone,
particularlyinsedimentandphosphorousloadings,
becausethereservoirsbehindthreedamsinthelower
Susquehannaareaboutfilledwithsediment.
ScottPhillips
,ChesapeakeBayCoordinatorforthe
USGS,providedtheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyandAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittee
memberswithanoverviewofthewaterqualityimprovementsfrommonitoringstationsinthe
PennsylvaniapartoftheSusquehannaWatershedandthroughouttheBaydrainagearea.
Phillipssaidof18monitoringsiteslookingatnitrogeninPennsylvania,14show
improvementand4showdegradingconditionsornochange.Therangeofresultsshowsfrom
onetoalmost33poundsperacreacrossthewatershed,withanaverageinPennsylvaniaof11.5
poundsperacre.ThehighestloadsareinthelowerpartoftheSusquehannaWatershed.
HesaidtheresultsclearlyshowthecombinationofmeasuresbeingtakeninPennsylvania
areworkingtoreducenitrogenpollution.
WithrespecttototalnitrogenloadsgoingintotheChesapeakeBayitselffromthe
SusquehannaRiver,loadshavedeclinedfrom1985topresentdaygenerally,buthavegenerally
plateauedatalowerlevel.
Withrespecttophosphorouslevels,PhillipssaidPennsylvaniaandtheChesapeake
watershedaresimilarlyseeingimprovements,thoughtheresultsarestillshowingaboveaverage
loadsperacre.
Sixtyeightpercentofstationsareshowingimprovementinphosphorous,20percent
degradingand12percentnotrend.Again,themeasuresbeingtakenareworking,saidPhillips.
WithrespecttototalphosphorusgoingintotheChesapeakeBayitself,thetrendwas
downwardfrom1985to1995,butthenitsteadilyincreasesuntilpresentday.Theprimary
reasonbeingthereducedeffectivenessoftheHoltwood,SafeHarborandConowingo
(photo,
USGS)
damsinthelowerSusquehannaintrappingsedimentanditsembeddedphosphorous.
PhillipsnotedthemeasurestakenfromMarietta,LancasterCountyuptheSusquehanna
havereducedphosphorus.ItstheresultsintheLowerSusquehanna,afterthedams,which
increased.
Theresultsforsedimentshow50percentofstationsshowingimprovement,30percent
degradingconditionsand20percentshowingnotrend.
Phillipssaidtheresults,particularlybelowtheConowingoDamjustsouthofthe
PennsylvaniaMarylandborder,showlessimprovementbecausethisdaminparticularisat
capacityintrappingsediment.
Phillipssaidthewaterqualityresultsleadtothreeconclusions:whatworksinreducing
pollutionareupgradestowastewatertreatmentplants,reductionsinairemissions,and
installationofagriculturalbestpractices.
Thechallengesincludethetimeittakesbetweeninstallingbestmanagementpractices
andwhentheybecomefullyeffective,runoffpollutionfromdevelopment,andintensified
agricultureoverwhelmingbestpractices.
Phillipssaidtheresultspointtoanopportunitytotargetnutrientandsedimentreduction
efforts,andimprovingstormwatermanagementandmonitoring.
Afterthepresentation,Phillipssaid,Theitemthatneedsmoreemphasisinthestoryis
thatwhilethemajorityoftrendsinPennsylvaniaareimproving,thelevelsofnitrogenand
phosphorusarestillhighcomparedtotherestoftheChesapeakewatershed.Therefore,more
actionswillbeneededtomeetreductiontargetstoimprovewaterqualityintheBay.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalCommittee,
saiditappearstargetingimplementationrequirementsinareaswheretheloadingsarehighest,
ratherthanhavingthesamerequirementsovertheentirewatershed,maybeabetteruseof
resources.
Sen.Yawalsosaidtheresultsshowingtheimpactthethreedamshaveindeclining
sedimentandphosphorousresultsisaconcern.
PhelpssuggestedtheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineershasdevelopedsomeoptions,
includingmorepracticesupstreamtoreducethephosphorouscomingintothereservoirs.He
indicateddredgingwasdeterminedtobelessfeasible.
Headdedamultistateapproachwilllikelybeneededtodealwiththereservoirs.
Sen.JudySchwank(DBerks),MinorityChairoftheSenateAgricultureCommittee,
notedfarmersandotherswillhavetomaintainthepracticestheyinstalledtokeepthemas
effectiveaspossible.
TheU.S.G.S.informationisasnapshotofwherePennsylvaniaisintermsofnutrientand
sedimentpollution,butwasnoinformationonhowfarPennsylvaniahastogoyet.
LastSeptember,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencysaid
Pennsylvaniawillmiss
the2017ChesapeakeBaymilestones
by10millionpoundsofnitrogenand212millionpounds
ofsediment.
Pennsylvaniafellshortinmeetingthe2013milestonesby2millionpoundsofnitrogen
andnearly116millionpoundsofsediment.
ClickHere
towatchavideooftheinformationhearing.
ClickHere
foracopyofthe
PowerPointpresentation.
ClickHere
forasummaryofthepresentation.
SenateEnvironmental
Committee
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak
.
Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)servesasMajorityChairofthe
SenateAgriculture
Committee
,andcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
evogel@pasen.gov
.Sen.JudySchwank
(DBerks)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
SenatorSchwank@pasenate.com
.
FormoreinformationaboutthePennsylvaniastrategytorestorethehealthofthe
ChesapeakeBay,visitAgricultures
StrategyfortheChesapeakeBay
webpageandtheDEP
ChesapeakeBay
webpage.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
NewsClips:
ChesapeakeBayRebootWorriesNorthumberlandConservationDistrict
Crable:SusquehannaNamed3rdMostEndangeredRiver
SusquehannaRiverBackOnWatchdogGroupsEndangeredList
SusquehannaLandsBackOnMostEndangeredRiversList
RelatedStories:
CoalitionEmergesToSupportFarmersInEffortToCleanUpChesapeakeBay
DEPAnnouncesSettlementToResolveViolationsAtYorkCountyFar+$20,000Fine
AmericanRiversPutsSusquehannaBackOnMostEndangeredRiversList
FirstAnnualChesapeakeBayWatershedAwarenessWeekJune412
ChesapeakeBayCommissionGetsMilestoneUpdate,WhatWillPADo?
CBFPA:LackOfFundingForFarmersDefeatsEffortToMeetCleanWaterCommitment
CBFPA:WolfsBudgetProposalLacksAdequateFundingForChesapeakeBayCleanupPlan
NewsFromAroundTheState
As
Pennsylvaniarenewseffortstocleanthestate'swaterways
andtheChesapeakeBay,PennState'sCollegeofAgricultural
Sciencesishelpingtocraftastrategyinwhichfarmers
spearheadcleanwaterinitiatives.
Agriculturehashighstandardsforconservation,withrootsina
cultureofstewardship,andfarmersarereadytoleadandbethe
solutionforcleanwater,accordingtoMatthewRoyer,director
ofthecollege's
AgricultureandEnvironmentCenter
.
"Whilemuchprogresshasbeenmadetoreducenutrientand
sedimentpollutionfromagriculture,moreworkneedstobedone,"Royersaid."Agricultureis
wellpositionedtotakeonthechallenge."
InearlyMarchinHershey,Royer
coordinatedathreedayconference
,hostedbyPenn
State,aimedatdevelopingastrategyforPennsylvaniacontributingtoChesapeakeBay
restoration.
Theevent,titled"PennsylvaniaintheBalance,"includedleadersinagricultureandthe
environmentworkingtogethertoidentifynew,innovativesolutionsthatcanhelpensurethestate
maintainsavibrantandproductiveagricultureindustry,whilemeetingwaterqualitygoalsfor
theCommonwealth'sriversandstreamsandtheChesapeakeBay.
"Amajorthemethatemergedfromconferenceparticipantswasthatthecultureof
stewardshipsoprevalentintheagriculturalcommunityshouldbeembracedinourongoing
effortstosolvethecomplexandchallengingwaterqualityproblemsintheChesapeakebasin,"
hesaid."Farmersareleadersinlandandwaterstewardshipwithintheircommunities.Those
practicinggoodstewardshipdonotcondonepoormanagerswhoarecausingwaterquality
problems."
TheconferencewassponsoredbyPennState,theNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation,
federalandstategovernmentagencies,nonprofitgroups,agriculturalorganizations,and
privatesectorbusinesses.
Theeventattractedabout120diversestakeholders,includingagriculturalproducersand
industryrepresentatives,scientists,federalandstateagencies,extensionpersonnel,agricultural
andenvironmentalattorneys,nonprofitconservationorganizations,conservationdistrictsand
planners.
Theycoveredkeytopicssuchastargetingresources,technicalassistance,innovation,
incentives,complianceandnewfundingstrategies.
"Participantsidentifiedbarriers,opportunitiesandsolutions,askedandansweredhard
questions,andidentifiedpathwaysforwardtoimplementactionableoutcomes,"Royersaid.
"ThiscollectiveefforthasthepotentialtocomplementandenhancetheCommonwealth's
recentlyannouncednewstrategyforChesapeakeBayrestoration."
Withthehopeofshapingpolicy,Royerwillusetheproposalsdevelopedduringthe
conferencetoproduceastrategydocumentwithclearactionitems,whichwillbesharedwiththe
statedepartmentsofAgricultureandEnvironmentalProtection,theU.S.Environmental
ProtectionAgency,andtheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture.
"ThePennsylvaniaintheBalanceconferencewasagreatreminderofhowthepowerof
partnershipscanbeharnessedtofindsolutionsforthecoequalgoalsofwaterqualityandviable
farms,"saidRussellRedding,secretaryofthePennsylvaniaDepartmentofAgriculture."Our
collectivechallengeistoworktogrowagricultureandmaintainthebalanceofoursurrounding
communities."
ConferenceparticipantMattEhrhart,directoroftheStroudWaterResearchCenter,
believestheconferencewillplayanimportantroleinhelpingPennsylvaniameetitscleanwater
obligationsrelatedtotheChesapeakeBay.
"Helpingfarmersandagribusinessesgettohigherlevelsofwaterqualityprotectionand
improvingtheireconomicviabilitywilltakeinnovationthat'sgroundedinsolidscience,"said
Ehrhart,whoalsoservesaspresidentofthePennStateAgriculturalCouncil,anindustrygroup
thatadvisesthecollegeonresearchandextensionprogramming."Theconferenceprovideda
forumforinnovationandcreatedarenewedenergyandacommitmentamongproducersand
otherparticipantstotakecollectiveactiontoresolvethiscomplexandchallengingproblem."
InadditiontoEmbracingaCultureofStewardship,sixotherstrategiesemergedfromthe
conference:
EmployEffectiveTargeting.Targeting
isessentialtostrategicuseoflimitedresourcesand
achievingmaximumwaterqualitybenefitforresourcesspent,Royerpointedout.Effective
targetingshouldinvolvenotonlygeographybutalsofocusonkeydemographicswithinthe
agriculturalcommunity,andkeypracticesshouldbeprioritized.
IntegrateSoilHealth,ManureManagement,andRiparianEcosystemStewardshipinto
WaterQualityStrategies
.Integratingsoilhealthconcernsandactionsintowaterquality
strategiesisvitallyimportant,Royerexplained,becausethehealthofthelandandwateris
criticaltomeetingbothfarmproductionandconservationneeds.
"Managingmanurenotasawasteproductbutasaresourcetosupportcropproduction
andsoilhealthisacriticalmessageforfarmers,"hesaid."Weshouldemphasizetheimportance
offarmerspracticingriparianecosystemstewardshipandprovidingmultiple,ecosystemservice
benefitsforthefarm,thecommunityandsociety."
SupportCommunityBasedApproaches.
Supportingcommunitybasedapproachesmakes
sensebecausetheywork,accordingtoRoyer.Thereisacriticalneedtofostermore
communitybasedapproachesthatarefarmerled.Most,ifnotall,successstoriestodatein
Pennsylvaniainvolvelocallyled,communitybasedapproachestowaterqualityimprovement,
hesaid.
RecognizeandSupportaThreeProngedApproachtoAccelerateConservation.
A
threeprongedapproachisneededtoaccelerateadoptionofconservationpracticeswithinthe
agriculturalcommunity,includingeducationandoutreach,technicalassistanceandenforcement,
Royersaid.
RevisitandRetoolConservationIncentivePrograms.
"Severalexistingprogramsworkwell
andshouldcontinuetoserveasthecoreofconservationincentiveprograms,"Royersaid."A
willingnessexists,however,torevisitexistingprogramstoimprovedeliveryandexplore
innovativenewincentivestructures."
CollaborativelySeekNewFundingOpportunities.
Whilebeingmorestrategicinspending
existingresourcesiscritical,existingfundingisinsufficienttoachieveourwaterqualitygoals,
Royercontended.Newfundingopportunitiesmustbesought."Aunified,collaboratively
developedfundingstrategyoffersthebestchanceforsuccess."
MoreinformationontheconferenceoutcomeisavailablebycontactingMatthewRoyer,
DirectorofPennStates
AgricultureandEnvironmentCenter
,bysendingemailto:
mzr154@psu.edu
orcall8148638756.
webpageandtheDEP
ChesapeakeBay
webpage.
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
ClickHere
foracopy
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
(Reprintedfromthe
April11editionoftheWatershedWinds
fromthePennStateExtension.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
The
SusquehannaRiveristhethirdmostendangeredriver
intheUnitedStates,accordingtothenational
Americas
Rivers
organization.
AmericasMostEndangeredRiversisalistof
riversatacrossroads,wherekeydecisionsinthecoming
monthswilldeterminetheriversfates.
TheAmericanRiversreportidentifiesthe10most
threatenedwaterwaysinthecountryandhighlightsthe
urgentneedforconservation,greaterefficiency,andbetter
managementofwaterresourcestopreventfurtherharmtoriverhealth,wildlife,fishand
recreation.
ThereportontheSusquehannaRiversaid,TheSusquehannaRiverisavitalresource
andeconomicengineforcommunities,andamajorinfluenceontheoverallhealthofthe
ChesapeakeBay.
TheSusquehannaisthreatenedbypollution,butisalsoimperiledbythe
Conowingo
HydroelectricDam
,whichaltersriverflow,blocksfishandimpactswaterquality.TheExelon
CorporationisseekingtorenewitsfederallicensetooperateConowingo,andMarylandhasthe
authoritytorequirethatthedammeetstatewaterqualitystandardsbeforeanewlicensecanbe
issued.
However,abillpendinginCongress,H.R.8,wouldtakeawayMarylandsauthorityto
holdExelonaccountableforpollution,puttingtheSusquehannaRiverfurtheratrisk.
Formoreinformation,visittheAmericanRivers
10MostEndangeredRivers
report.
webpageandtheDEP
ChesapeakeBay
webpage.
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
ClickHere
foracopy
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
FirstAnnualChesapeakeBayWatershedAwarenessWeekToBeCelebratedJune412
ThefirstannualChesapeakeBayAwarenessWeekwillbe
celebratedfromJune412inVirginia,Maryland,and
Pennsylvania.
Recognizingtherichhistory,pivotaleconomicimportance,
andastoundingbeautyoftheChesapeakeBaywatershed,
membersoftheinterstate
ChesapeakeBayCommission
workedcollaborativelyinseekingpassageofresolutions
designatingaweeklongrecognitionoftheChesapeake
Bay.
Throughthisdesignation,thelegislaturesencourageresidentsandenvironmentaland
educationalgroupstohostevents,activities,andeducationalprogramstoincreaseawarenessof
theimportanceoftheChesapeakeBaytothestates,regionandUnitedStates.
InPennsylvania,beingmoreawareoftheChesapeakeBayandtakingactionstoreduce
pollutiondirectlybenefitsourlocalcommunitiesandlocalwaters,saidPennsylvania
RepresentativeandCommissionViceChairGarthEverett(RLycoming).
OtherPennsylvaniamembersoftheChesapeakeBayCommissioninclude:Sen.Gene
Yaw(RLycoming),Sen.RichardAlloway(RAdams),Rep.KeithGillespie(RYork),Rep.
MichaelSturla(DLancaster),DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyandPennsylvaniacitizenmember
WarrenElliott.
HouseResolution739
,sponsoredbyRep.Everett,wasadoptedintheHouseMarch21.
AsimilarSenateresolutionisalsoexpectedtobeintroduced.
SusquehannaSojournJune1719
AlsoinPennsylvania,the
SusquehannaSojourn
,celebratingthelargestrivereastofthe
MississippithatsuppliesthelifebloodoffreshwaterflowingintotheChesapeakeBay,runsfrom
June1719thisyear,furtherextendingourBayawarenessfestivities.
RiverOfTheYear
Earlierthisyear,theSusquehannaRiversNorthBranchwas
namedPARiverofthe
Year
bytheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources.
Publicengagementandawarenesswerecriticaltoachievingthewaterquality
improvementswevewitnessedthusfar.BayAwarenessWeekwillreinvigoratethepublic,
engagenewpartnersandhelpusmeetourChesapeakeWatershedAgreementcommitmentto
increasethenumberanddiversityoflocalcitizenstewardsandlocalgovernmentsthatactively
supportandcarryoutconservationandrestoration.saidMarylandSenator(28thDistrict)and
CommissionChairThomasMacMiddleton.
VirginiaDelegate(31stDistrict)andCommissionViceChairScottLingamfelteradded,
WeurgewatershedresidentstojoinusinbecomingmoreBayawareandduringthesecond
weekofJune,hostevents,activities,andeducationalprogramstoincreaseawarenessofthe
ChesapeakeBayinyourowncommunity.
ThisisyetanotherexampleofCommissionmembersworkingacrosspoliticaland
geographicboundariesforthebettermentofthisnationaltreasure,"saidAnnSwanson,
ExecutiveDirectoroftheCommission.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingeventsofthe
Commission,visitthe
ChesapeakeBayCommission
website.
webpageandtheDEP
ChesapeakeBay
webpage.
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
ClickHere
foracopy
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
28NonpointSourcePollutionPreventionGrantsAwardedByPAConservationDistricts
The
PAAssociationofConservationDistricts
recentlyawardedmorethan$52,000for28
projectsin24countiesthroughthe
NonpointSourcePollutionPreventionMiniGrantProgram
.
Theprojectspromotewaterpollutionpreventionactivitiesandwilltakeplaceoverthe
next13months.
Conservationdistrictsareinauniquepositiontoidentifytheeducationalneedsintheir
localcommunitiesandmeetthoseneedsthroughthisprogram.Theseprojectsrangeintopic
fromgrazingtogolfcoursemanagementtostormwater,saidShannonWehinger,Directorof
Communications&EducationforthePAAssociationofConservationDistricts.Wethankthe
PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionfortheopportunitygiventoconservation
districtstoaddresslocalpriorities.
Fundingforthegrants,upto$2,000each,isprovidedthroughtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionunderSection319oftheCleanWaterAct,administeredbytheUS
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.
ClickHere
foralistofprojectsfunded.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthe
PA
AssociationofConservationDistricts
website.
DEPAnnouncesSettlementToResolveViolationsAtYorkCountyFarm+$20,000Fine
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannouncedithasenteredintoaconsent
orderandagreementwiththeGutmanFamilycattlebusinesseslocatedinYorkandAdams
counties,tocorrectvariousenvironmentalviolationsoftheCleanStreamsLaw.
Aspartoftheagreement,theGutmanspaidacivilpenaltyintheamountof$20,000.
TheGutmansYorkCountyfacilityheadquarteredonKraftsMillRoadinCodorusand
NorthCodorusTownships,isanagriculturaloperationthatbuysdairyheifersforresale
domesticallyandoverseas.
Respondingtocomplaints,the
YorkCountyConservationDistrict
conductedmultiple
inspectionsbetweenJune2014andMay2015.Duringthoseinspections,theYCCDdiscovered
thattheGutmanshadinsufficientErosionandSedimentControlandManureManagementplans.
TheYCCDalsodeterminedthattheGutmansfailedtoimplementandmaintainbest
managementpracticestominimizethepotentialforerosionandsedimentationfromanimal
heavyuseareas,anddocumentedadischargeofsedimentandmanurefromtheKraftsMillRoad
farmtoanunnamedtributarytoCodorusCreek.
TheGutmansalsobeganconstructionofanewfeedlineandmanurestoragefacility
withoutfirstobtainingaNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitfor
stormwaterdischargesassociatedwithconstructionactivities,andfailedtoobtainthenecessary
NPDESpermitfortheperiodoftimetheyoperatedthefarmasaConcentratedAnimalFeeding
Operation.
Theviolationswereextensiveandfarreachinginscope,saidLynnLanger,DEP
Southcentralregionaldirector.Allagriculturaloperationsmustbeawareoftheneedtooperate
withintheframeworkofthespecificregulations.Adherencetotheregulationshelpsminimize
harmfulimpactstotheenvironment,andwillprotectandimprovethelocalwaterqualityof
CodorusCreekand,ultimately,theChesapeakeBay.
Within60days,theGutmansarerequiredtofilethenecessarycontrolplansandbegin
takingtheappropriateactionstobringtheirfacilitiesintocompliancewiththeregulations.
RelatedStories:
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionHearingMay4OnVarietyOfIssues
The
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
isscheduledtoholdahearingMay4onindividual
waterwithdrawalrequestsaswellasproposedchangestoguidancedealingwithfeeschedules,
expiringprojectapprovals,terminatingthereviewofprojectapplicationsandtheComprehensive
PlanfortheSusquehannaRiverBasin.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)
ThehearingwillbeheldattheEastHanoverTownshipMunicipalBuilding,8848
JonestownRoad,Grantville,DauphinCountystartingat7:00p.m.
Formoreinformation,visittheSRBC
PublicParticipationCenter
webpageorcontact
JasonOyler,GeneralCounsel,7172380423x1312.
ChesapeakeBayJournalApril11NewsNowAvailable
TheApril11
ChesapeakeBayJournal
Newsisnowavailablefeaturingarticleson
MoreBootsOnTheGroundNeededToInspectErosionAtBuildingSites
ChesapeakeBaysWaterWasClearerLastYear,WhySoMurky?
PotomacRiverGetsImprovedGradeOnLatestReportCard
ChesapeakeBayJournal
CalendarOfEvents
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
StroudWaterResearchCenterAprilUpStreamNewsletterNowAvailable
The
AprileditionoftheUpStream
newsletterfromthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
inChesterCountyishow
availablefeaturingarticleson
KeepingPathogensOutOfDrinkingWaterSources
SpringStudentFieldTripSeasonIsHere!MoreAbout
StroudEducationPrograms
ExpandedWikiWatershedToolkitDebuts
SharingOurScience(MultipleArticles)
StroudCenterWinsExcellenceInGreenStormwater
InfrastructureAward
15YearsOfTheLeafPackNetwork
StroudsUpcomingEvents
ClickHere
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,researchandspecialevents,visitthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
website.
April11WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
April11editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterisnowavailablefromPennState
Extensionfeaturingarticleson
ViewWebinarOnBuyingAHomeWithAPrivateWell&SepticSystem
FloodingAlleviatedByTargetedTreePlanting,RiverRestorations
NOAAAwardsSeaGrantCollegeStatusToPennState
FertilizerAppliedToFieldsTodayWillPolluteWaterForDecades
ExtensionDeliversWaterInformationAtWomenInAgricultureEvent
ClickHere
RegisterNow!May1012PAChapterAmericanWaterWorksAssnAnnualConference
TheresstilltimetoregisterfortheMay1012
PAChapterAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
AnnualConferencebeforetheApril25deadline.
ClickHere
toregisterorformoreinformation.
WissahickonWatershedCreekCleanupApril30,Philadelphia,MontgomeryCounties
The
FriendsoftheWissahickon
andthe
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
areonce
againjoiningforcesto
cleantheWissahickonCreek
onApril30from9a.m.to11a.m.
AllvolunteersareinvitedtojoinusafterthecleanupfortheTalkinTrashpicnicat
FortWashingtonStateParkattheFlourtownpaviliononMillRoadfrom11a.m.to1p.m.
Thisspringmarksthe45thanniversaryoftheWissahickonValleyWatershed
Associationsannualcreekcleanup,whichissponsoredbyMerckandCo.Itisthe7thyearthat
FriendsoftheWissahickonhasjoinedforceswithWVWAtocleantheWissahickonCreek.
TheFriendsoftheWissahickonwillcleanupasectionofthecreekinChestnutHill,at
NorthwesternAvenueandForbiddenDrive,from9a.m.to11a.m.
ToworkwiththeFriendsoftheWissahickoninPhiladelphia,meetatNorthwestern
AvenueandForbiddenDriveat9a.m.Pleaseregisteratthe
FOWwebsite
andindicateifyou
plantoattendthepicnic.Contactvolunteercoordinator,JohnHolback,withquestionsat
2152470417x107orsendemailto:
holback@fow.org
.
InMontgomeryCounty,volunteersofallageswillbepreassignedsectionsofthe
WissahickonCreekoratributary,extendingfromLansdaletoFlourtown.
Signuponline
or
contactMadalynNefforsendemailto:
madalyn@wvwa.org
.
Pleaseindicatethename,sizeandagerangeofyourgroupandwhetheryouwilljointhe
picnic.Youwillbecontactedregardingyourcleanuplocationassignment.
Registrationisnotrequired,butisrecommendedinordertobenotifiedincaseofany
changesduetoweather.Theeventwillbecanceledintheeventofheavyrain.Check
FOWs
or
WVWAs
websiteor
Facebookpage
forupdates.
Volunteersofallagesareencouragedtoparticipate.Volunteerswillbeassignedtoclean
sectionsoftheareaandwillbegivenbagsinwhichtocollecttrash.
SponsorsoftheeventprovidefundingforWVWAsstewardshipeffortsthroughoutthe
year.ThepresentingsponsorisMerck&Co.VolunteersfromMercksWestPointplantlocated
attheheadwatersoftheWissahickonCreekwillhelpwiththecleanup.
Conservationistsponsorsinclude
Covanta
,DOWChemicalCompany,FirstNiagara
BankandMSSMoversSpecialtyService.BothDOWandFirstNiagaraBankwillalsosend
employeevolunteerstohelpwiththecleanup.
Additionalsponsorshipisprovidedby
AquaPennsylvania
,AmblerSavingsBank,
ArtmanLutheranHome,BBD,LLP,CaddickConstruction,Colorcon,Inc.,FirstPriorityBank,
ManufacturersGolf&CountryClub,NorthPennWaterAuthority,ThePhiladelphiaCricket
Club,RotaryClubofBlueBellandRussellRoofing.
CompaniesinterestedinsponsoringthecreekcleanupshouldcontactGinaCraigoat
WVWAat2159628726.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
FriendsoftheWissahickon
or
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation
websites.
KeepPABeautifulsAnnualReportOn2015ActivitiesNowAvailable
The
KeepPABeautifuls
annual
Beautifulnewsletter
highlighting
2015programaccomplishmentsandinitiatives.Inhercoverletter,
ShannonReiter,PresidentofKPB,said
Weareexcitedtosharewithyouourprogramsand
accomplishmentsofthepastyearinthiseditionofBeautiful.It
neverceasestoamazemewhatagroupofvolunteerscando
determinedandsocommittedtotheircommunities!
In2015,wecelebratedtwentyfiveyearsofbuildingclean
andbeautifulcommunitiesbygivingaway25grantsin25daysin
supportofgrassrootscommunityimprovementefforts.Weloved
watchingtheseprojectscometofruitionandwereastoundedthat
theseprojectsbroughtbackmorethan$250,000incommunity
match.
Thisperhapsmorethananythingelse,illustratesthepowerofgrassrootscommunity
improvementwithevenjustalittlewatertheseedsplantedwillgrowintoabeautifuland
vibrantcommunitygarden!
Wearealsoexcitedabouttheprogresswearemaking,withthehelpoflocalgovernments
andenforcementagencies,toidentifyandholdaccountableindividualsandbusinessesthat
choosetodumptheirtrashillegally.
Through
IllegalDumpFreePA.org
,aninnovativeprogramlaunchedin2015thatprovides
cameraloans,trainingandonlinesupporttoPennsylvaniamunicipalitiesandcommunitygroups
tohelpthembattleillegaldumping,therehavebeenover30convictionsincommunities,state
forestsandrecyclingdropoffcentersacrossthestate.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwashonoredtobeapartofthe20152016MinorJudiciary
EducationBoardscontinuingeducationprogramwherewetrainedthestatesjudicialofficers
aboutthesocial,environmentalandeconomicimpactsofillegaldumping.
Ourgoalistoprovideresourcesandidentifyrealsolutionsforthechallengesthatour
communitiesfaceregardingillegaldumpingasweanticipateevenmoreillegaldumpingcases
beingseeninlocalcourtsasaresultofourcameraloanprogrammentionedabove.
Andfinally,withmanyelectronicsrecyclingprogramsclosingduetochallengeswiththe
stateselectronicwasterecyclinglaw,theCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct,agrowingnumberof
PAresidentshavebeenleftwithoutaccesstorecyclingoptionsfortheiroutdatedelectronic
consumergoods.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulhaslaunched
eWastePA.org
tohelpeducateconsumers
aboutthelawanddisposalandrecyclingoptionsfortheirelectronics.
Wearegratefulfortheongoingsupportofourstateagencypartners,businesscouncil
members,partneringorganizations,individualdonors,privatefoundationsandsupportersandthe
hundredsofthousandsofvolunteerswhoallshareinourvisionofacleanandbeautiful
Pennsylvania.
Withoutyourhelpourprogramswouldnotbepossible.
Thankyou!
ClickHere
toreadthefullnewsletter.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventthroughMay31.
KPBAffiliateCollectionEventsForButler,Cambria,Lawrence,Mercer,Washington
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifuls
localaffiliateswillholdspecialwastecollectioneventsfor
Butler,Cambria,Lawrence,Mercer,Washingtoncountiesthisspring,sponsoredinpartbythe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
HHW/SmallBusinessHazardousWasteCollection
Program
.
Thisprogramallowsouraffiliatestoprovideconvenient,lowcostcollectionsfortheir
residentsforotherwisehardtodisposeofitems.Thetiresandappliancesthatarecollectedat
theseeventswontendupoverthehillwheretheywouldbedifficultandcostlytoremove,said
ShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPAbeautiful.
Upcomingspecialcollectioneventsinclude:
KeepCambriaCountyBeautiful
,ApplianceandTireCollections,April23atCroyleTownship
MunicipalBuilding,April30atCambriaTownshipMunicipalBuildingandMay21atPatton
BoroughMunicipalFootballField,allfrom8AM1PM.FormoreinformationcontactMark
Stockleyat8144722120.
TriCountyCleanWays
(Butler,Lawrence,MercerCounties),TireRecyclingEvent,May7at
theForwardTownshipMunicipalBuildingfrom9AM1PM.ContactJerryZonaformore
informationat7246586925.
WashingtonCountyPlanningCommissioninpartnershipwith
KeepWashingtonCounty
Beautiful
,TireCollection,May14attheWashingtonCountyFairgrounds.ContactJason
Theakstonformoreinformationat7242286811.
ChecktheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
CalendarofEvents
webpageoften,aseventswill
bepostedastheyarescheduled.Youcanalsocontact
yourlocalKPBCountyaffiliate
formore
information.
ClickHere
tofindmorespecialcollectioneventssupportedbyDEP.
ClickHere
tolearn
moreabouthowyoucangetsupportfromDEPtoholdyourownHouseholdHazardousWaste
Collectionevent.
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnew
ElectronicsWaste
website.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventthroughMay31.
NewsClips:
HardyVolunteersHelpPickUpTrashAtPresqueIsle
VolunteersNeededForHarrisburgLitterCleanupDayApril16
JeannetteEyesMonthlongTrashCleanup
VolunteersWantedForForestCleanupsInFranklinCounty
WestmorelandCleanways&RecyclingEarthDayFestivalApril23
WestmorelandCleanwaysandRecycling
ishostingthe14thannual
WestmorelandEarthDay
FestivalandOutdoorAdventureFest
onApril23atthe
WinniePalmerNatureReserve
at
St.
VincentCollege
inLatrobe.
Theresplentyforeveryone
Visitwithlocaloutdoorandconservationorganizations
PettingZoo
NatureNinjaWarriorObstacleCourse
TroutUnlimitedFlyFishingDemonstration
RockClimbingWall
LiveMusicJustinBeck
FalconsinFlightLiveAnimalShowbytheNationalAviary
Formoreinformationoneverything,visitthe
WestmorelandEarthDayFestivaland
OutdoorAdventureFest
website.
Moreinformationonprograms,initiatives,specialeventsandcleanupsisavailableby
visitingthe
WestmorelandCleanwaysandRecycling
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregular
updates.
NewsClips:
LehighValleyEarthDayEvents
PennStateStudentsPlant200TreesAsEarthEarthDayPresent
DEPAssesses$25,898PenaltyAgainstBrunnerIslandForJanuaryFishKill

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannouncedBrunnerIslandLLChas
signedaconsentassessmentofcivilpenalty,theresultofaJanuaryfishkillatitscoalfired
electricgeneratingstationontheSusquehannaRiverinYorkCounty.
BrunnerIslandpaidacivilpenaltyof$25,898.
Thegeneratingstationreleasesheatedwaterfromthecoolingprocesstoacondenser
dischargechannel.Duringcoldweather,fisharegenerallyattractedtothewarmerwater.
AnequipmentshutdownonJanuary30preventedthewarmedwaterfromenteringthe
channel.Thewatertemperatureinthechanneldroppedapproximately13degreesinonehour,
causingthedeathofmorethan1,100fish.
InresponsetoaFebruary4noticeofviolation,thecompanysuppliedthedepartment
withalistofcorrectiveactionstoreducethelikelihoodofasimilarsituationoccurringagain.
Newproceduresandequipmentareinplacetoallowforaquickerresponse,andtoensureat
leastapartialheatingofthewaterbeingdischarged.
NewsClips:
Crable:BrunnerIslandPowerPlantFinedForFishKill
YorkCountyPowerPlantPenalized$25KForFishKill
PRC:LetsClearTheAirPosterContestWinnersChosen,Vote4PeoplesChoice
WesternPennsylvaniascelebrationofEarthDay2016willincludea
displayofawardwinningartworkcreatedbylocalstudentswhoentered
the6thannual
LetsCleartheAirPosterChallenge
sponsoredbythe
SouthwestPennsylvaniaAirQualityPartnership
andthe
PAResources
Council
.
Andthewinnersare
ElementaryCategory
FirstPlace:MichaelOndercinfromSt.Malachy,AlleghenyCounty
(photo)
SecondPlace:LaurenVanFossen,ButlerCatholic,ButlerCounty
MiddleSchoolCategory
FirstPlace:ZaharaUdaipurwala,QuakerValleyMiddle,AlleghenyCounty
SecondPlace:KiraPavlik,St.Bernadette,AlleghenyCounty
HighSchoolCategory
FirstPlace:IsabellaZuccaro,HopewellHigh,BeaverCounty
SecondPlace:EthanBailey,GreensburgCentralCatholic,WestmorelandCounty
Thisyearwereexcitedtoexpandtheprogramtoenablepeoplelivingthroughout
southwesternPennsylvaniatocasttheirvotesforournewPeoplesChoiceAward,saidSarah
AlessioShea,PRCEnvironmentalEducationCoordinator.NowthroughtheendofApril,
individualscan
visitthePRCwebsitetocasttheirvotes
toselectoneofthreepiecesofartwork,
andthewinnerwillbeannouncedinMayatareceptiontohonorouryoungartists.
Morethan1,900studentsattending35public,parochialandprivateschoolsina
10countyregiontookpartintheposterchallengeduringthe201516academicyear.
Forasixthschoolyear,studentswerechallengedwithcreatingposterstoeducatethe
public,andagaintheydidanamazingjobofvisuallydepictingtheirthoughtsandperspectives,
accordingtoSPAQPChairBetsyMallison."Thegoaloftheprogramistoteachstudentsabout
theeffectsofairpollution,howtoreducetheirexposure,andtothenencourageactionthrougha
postercampaignpromotingcleanairandalternativetransportation.
Studentscreatedpostersusingavarietyofartmediaincludingwatercolor,penandink,
crayon,markerandcharcoal.
ThewinningartworkwillbeondisplayApril1822inthegrandlobbyofthe
CityCountyBuildinginDowntownPittsburgh.TheartworkwillalsobeondisplayMay121
attheChildrensMuseuminPittsburgh.
Individualscanvoteonline
forthePeoplesChoiceAwardthroughApril30.
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
DEPBeginsHelicopterSprayingToControlBlackFlies
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayannouncedithasbegunaerialspraying
onmorethan1,600streammilesin39Pennsylvaniacountiesto
controlblackflies
,alsoreferred
toasgnats.
ClickHere
foralistofwaterwaystobesprayedbycounty.
ThefirstaerialsprayingtookplaceonApril11ontheJuniataRiver,SchuylkillRiver,
DelawareRiver,andseveraloftheirsmallertributaries.Otherwaterwayswillbetreatedas
streamflowsandweatherconditionsallow.
ThisannualinitiativereducesthenuisanceofblackfliessoPennsylvanianscanenjoy
ourstateswaterways,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.
Thisyear,47ofPennsylvaniasriversandstreamswillbemonitoredandtreatedas
needed.Sprayingactivitieswillbeperformedbothbyhelicopterandgroundcrewstheir
frequencywilldependuponweatherandbiologicalconditions.Treatmentscannotoccurduring
periodsofheavyrainorwhenwaterlevelsarehighashighwaterconditionslowerthe
effectivenessofthetreatment.
DEPusesBti,anaturallyoccurringbacterium,totreatthelarvalstageoffourspecific
humanpestblackflyspecies.Thisbacteriumdegradesquicklyintheenvironmentanddoesnot
harmtheaquaticecosystem,birds,orotherinsects.
DEPnotifiescountyandlocalemergencymanagementofficialspriortoanyspraying
activity.Helicoptersseenflyingoverwaterwaysandgroundcrewsusingbackpacksprayersoff
bridgesareconductingcontroloperationsonbehalfofDEPsblackflyprogram.
Anyoneconcernedatthesightofahelicopterorgroundpersonnelisencouragedtocall
theircountyemergencymanagementofficetoverifythatablackflytreatmentistakingplacein
theirareaonthatday.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
BlackFly
webpage.
ClickHere
foralistof
waterwaystobesprayedbycounty.
NewsClips:
DEPToSpraySusquehannaRiverForBlackFlies
DEPBeingsAerialSprayingToControlBlackFlies
PAHealthAlertsPublicOfConfirmedLinkBetweenZikaVirus,SeriousBirthDefects

PennsylvaniaSecretaryofHealthDr.KarenMurphyFridayadvisedCommonwealthresidents
thattheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)hasconfirmedthelinkbetween
Zika
Virusdisease
inpregnantwomenandmicrocephalyandotherseverefetalbraindefects.
TheDepartmentofHealthtakestheZikavirusveryseriouslyandisworkingwiththe
CDCtomonitorthesituation.KeepingtheresidentsoftheCommonwealthsafeandhealthyis
thedepartmentstoppriority.
TheconfirmationoftheseZikarelatedhealthcomplicationsreinforcestheneedforall
PennsylvanianstobeawareofhowtoprotectthemselvesfromtheZikaVirus,saidSecretary
Murphy.Thedepartmenttakestheriskofbirthdefectsveryseriouslyandwillcontinueto
monitorthissituationwiththeCDCtoensureeveryoneintheCommonwealthhasthe
informationandresourcesnecessarytoavoidthispotentiallyseriousvirus.
ThefindingthatZikavirusinfectioncancausemicrocephalyandotherseverefetalbrain
defectsmeansthatawomanwhoisinfectedwithZikaduringpregnancyhasanincreasedriskof
havingababywiththesehealthproblems.
Itdoesnotmean,however,thatallwomenwhohaveZikavirusinfectionduring
pregnancywillhavebabieswithbirthdefects.AshasbeenseenduringthecurrentZika
outbreak,manyinfectedwomenhavedeliveredbabiesthatappeartobehealthy.
PregnantwomenshouldcontinuetoavoidtraveltoareaswhereZikaisactively
spreading.IfapregnantwomantravelstoanareawithactiveZikavirustransmission,sheshould
talkwithherhealthcareproviderandstrictlyfollowstepstopreventmosquitobitesaswellas
acquiringtheZikavirusfromsexualcontact.
TheCDCadvisesmenwhohavetraveledtotheZikaaffectedareastowearcondoms
consistentlyandcorrectlyduringsextoavoidspreadingthevirustotheirpartners.Thisis
especiallyimportantformenwhosepartnersarepregnantwomenorwomenwhoareof
childbearingage.
AsweapproachthemosquitoseasoninPennsylvania,travelersfromZikaaffectedareas
shouldtakeprecautionstoavoidmosquitobitesintheweekafterreturninghome,evenifthey
arenotexperiencingsymptoms,inordertolimittheintroductionofthisvirustolocalmosquito
populations.
ThemosquitothatprimarilycarriesthediseasehasrarelybeenfoundinPennsylvania.
ArelatedtypeofmosquitothatcanpotentiallycarryZikahasbeenfoundinsouthernand
southeasternPennsylvania.Atpresent,thismosquitodoesnotappeartobeaseffectiveat
spreadingZika.
Zikaisagenerallymildillness,andmostindividualsdonothaveanysymptoms.When
symptomsdooccur,theycanincludefever,rash,jointormusclepain,conjunctivitis(pinkeye),
orheadache,andlastfromseveraldaystooneweek.
BecausetherecurrentlyisnovaccineortreatmentfortheZikavirus,thebestwayto
avoidcontractingtheviruswhentravelingtoanaffectedareaistopreventmosquitobitesby:
UsinganinsectrepellentcontainingDEET
Wearinglightcoloredclothesthatcoverasmuchofthebodyaspossible
Usingphysicalbarrierssuchasscreens,closeddoorsandwindowsand
Sleepingundermosquitonets.
IfyoudevelopsymptomswithintwoweeksofvisitingaZikaaffectedcountry,contact
yourhealthcareprovider.
VisittheDepartmentofHealths
ZikaVirus
webpage.
NewsClips:
CDC:ZikaDefinitelyCausesSevereBirthDefects
Scientists:ZikaTiedToAnotherAdultBrainDisease
April14DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheApril14editionoftheDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
IRRCToConsiderFinalDEPDrillingRegulationsApril21,MeetingToBeStreamedLive
DEPFinesRiceDrilling$393KFor17EnvironmentalViolationsInGreene,Washington
DEPRestartsInitiativeToImproveConsistencyInInspections,EnforcementActions
ExpeditedPermittingSubjectOfSenateHearing
(
PAEnvironmentDigestSummary
)
DEPSecretaryQuigleyTestifiesOnCleanEnergyJobs
(
PAEnvironmentDigestSummary
)
DEPAnnounces$25,898PenaltyAgainstBrunnerIslandForFishKill
DEPAnnouncesSettlementToResolveViolationsAtYorkCountyFarm+$20,000Penalty
HarrisburgFalconsEggsHatching
WatchLiveNow
!
ClickHere
PECTV:MethaneEmissionsTopicOfApril17PCNEnvironmentalFocusProgram
Methaneemissions,themaincomponentofnatural
gasandahighlypotentgreenhousegasandtheir
consequencesforPennsylvaniainthenaturalgasage
arethetopicofAprils
EnvironmentalFocus
.
Thiseditionofthe
PAEnvironmental
Councils
monthlyenvironmentalaffairstelevision
programairsonthe
PennsylvaniaCableNetwork
(PCN)onApril17at4p.m.
CheckHere
forlocal
listings.
PennsylvaniaisthesecondlargestproducerofnaturalgasintheUnitedStateseven
conservativeestimatesofmethaneemissionsfromactiveandabandonedoilandgaswellsmake
thisissueatremendousissuefortheCommonwealth.
Methane,80timesmorepotentthancarbondioxideoveraneartermtimefree,is
responsibleforaboutonefourthoftheglobalwarmingtoday.
ThehalfhourtelevisionshowfeaturesAndrewPlace,ViceChairmanofthePublic
UtilityCommission,andoneoftheforemostexpertsonnaturalgasenergypolicyand
technology.
FollowingViceChairmanPlacesinterview,aroundtablediscussioncomposedofSam
RobinsonfromGov.TomWolfsOfficeofPolicyandPlanning,AndrewWilliamsofthe
EnvironmentalDefenseFund,andPECsJohnWallisercontinuedthediscussion.
AnymeaningfuldialogueonclimatechangeinPennsylvaniahastoincludereductionof
methaneemissions,Wallisersaid.Ourknowledgeofthetrueextentoftheseemissionsin
Pennsylvaniaisincomplete,and,astherecentgasleakinCaliforniasAlisoCanyonillustrates,
evenoneleakcanresultinveryseriouspublichealthandenvironmentalproblem.
PreviouseditionsofEnvironmentalFocushavefeaturedtopicssuchasoutdoor
recreationonPennsylvaniaswaterways,Pennsylvaniasstatebudget,thePennsylvaniaPipeline
InfrastructureTaskforce,andtheDelawareRiverConservationProgramwithguestssuchas
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSecretaryJohnQuigley,DepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn,Rep.KateHarper(RMontgomery),and
AndrewJohnsonoftheWilliamPennFoundation.
ClickHere
toviewpastepisodesofPECsEnvironmentalFocusTVprogram.
MoreinformationaboutPennsylvaniasmethanereductionstrategyisavailableatDEPs
FrameworkForActionsOnMethaneReductions
webpage.
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
FrackingHasReducedGreenhouseGases
EDFBlog:MethaneEmissionsBecomingKeyClimateIssue
SolarCityLaunchesSolarServiceToHomeownersInWesternPA,StaffNeeded
SolarCity
ismakingitspopularsolarserviceavailabletohomeownersinWesternPennsylvania
forthefirsttime.Itisalsoinneedofstafftoimplementitsprogram.
SolarCitywillmakeitpossibleformanyoftheregion'sonemillionplusresidentsto
installsolarwithnoupfrontcostandpaylessforsolarelectricitythantheypayforutilitypower.
Customerscangosolarforaslittleas$30permonth,withdesign,installation,financing,
insurance,monitoringandaperformanceguaranteeincluded.
SolarCity,whichbegantakingordersfromresidentstoday,expectstobegininstallingthe
firstcustomersthissummerandwillaccommodatethemonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.The
company'sservicewillinitiallybeavailabletocustomersofDuquesneLightutilityterritory.
SolarCityplanstoopenanoperationscenterinthePittsburghareasoonandhasalready
begunhiringforlocalpositionsininstallation,salesandrelatedpositions.Whenfullystaffed,
SolarCityexpectsthenewoperationscenterwillemploymorethan75people.
AreahomeownersinterestedinSolarCity'sservicescancontactthecompanydirectlyat
1888SOLCITY(18887652489)forafree,noobligationsolarconsultationorvisit
SolarCity
online
.
CandidatesinterestedinemploymentopportunitiesinPittsburghcanviewavailable
positionsandcontactSolarCitydirectlyvia
itsonlinejobsform
.
SolarCityalsoprovidesitsservicestoCentralandEasternPennsylvania.
Visitthe
SolarCity
websiteformoreinformation.
NewsClips:
SolarCityMovingIntoPittsburgh,CostsFalling
Editorial:GreenEnergy,RedInkNightmare
FirstEnergyLaunchesSwitch2Green4FreeOfferForFirst1,000Customers
StartingApril15,thefirst1,000residentialcustomersinOhioandPennsylvaniacanhelp
celebrateEarthDaybysigningupwithFirstEnergySolutionstoreceive100percentwindenergy
atthesamepriceasitsstandardenergyoffer.
ThisSwitch2Green4FreeofferispartofFirstEnergy'sbrandingcampaigncalled"
The
SwitchisOn
"thathighlightsthecompany'senvironmentalachievementsanddemonstratesits
commitmenttoacleanerenergyfuture.
TheSwitch2Green4Freeofferisdesignedtoincreaseawarenessofthebenefitsofgreen
energy.PurchasinggreenenergyfromFirstEnergySolutionsisaninvestmentinclean,
renewableresourcesthathelpstoensuremorerenewableenergyisbeingcreatedanddeliveredto
thepowergrid.
TheenergyintheSwitch2Green4FreeofferisGreeneEnergyCertified.GreeneEnergy
isthenation'sleadingindependentcertificationandverificationprogramforrenewableenergy
andgreenhousegasemissionreductionproducts.
Formoreinformationaboutthegreenenergyofferincludingpricingandcontract
lengthsandtoenroll,visitTheSwitchIsOn.comorcall18882546359.
Thisofferislimitedtothefirst1,000residentialcustomerstoenrolloruntilMay31,
2016.
Inadditiontoprovidingagreenenergyoffer,FirstEnergy's"TheSwitchisOn"campaign
alsosupportsFirstEnergy'srecentlyannouncedpledgetoreducecarbondioxide(CO2)emissions
90percentbelow2005levelsby2045.
Thisgoalrepresentsapotentialreductionofmorethan80milliontonsofCO2emissions
andisamongthemostaggressivetargetsintheutilityindustry.
MoreinformationaboutFirstEnergy'senvironmentalcommitmentisavailableat
TheSwitchIsOn.com
.
NewsClips:
BusinessCouncilForSustainableEnergy:PAHalfwayToMeetingCleanPowerPlanRule
The
BusinessCouncilforSustainableEnergy
and
BloombergNewEnergyFinance
thisweek
releasedits
2016SustainableEnergyinAmericaFactbook
showingPennsylvaniais
wellpositionedtoaccelerateitscleanenergydeployment,isaleaderinenergyefficiencyand
receivessignificanteconomicbenefitsfromtheseinvestments.
ThereportnotesPennsylvania,likemuchofthecountry,isalreadyshiftingtolowcost,
lowercarbonnaturalgasasaresultofcheapnaturalgasdrivenbyinstateproduction.Thestate
isscheduledtoretireanother18percentofitscoalgeneratingcapacityby2020.
Infact,Bloombergfound
Pennsylvaniaisalreadyhalfwaytoachievingcompliance
with
theEPACleanPowerClimatePlanasaresultoftheincreaseduseofnaturalgas.
Marketforcesmeanthatlesspollutingandoftencheaperpowerisinevitable.
Companiesfromarangeofsectorsarelookingatenergypricesandoptionsastheyconsider
wheretoinvest.
Infact,corporateprocurementofcleanenergywasamajorstoryin2015itdoubled
from2014to2015andreached3.5GWs.CompanieslikeWalmart,Johnson&Johnson,Google,
GeneralMotors,amongothersareleadingplayers.
Theirinvestmentsshowsthatcleanenergyisaffordableandreliableandkeytotheir
businessplanning.
WhilerenewablesaccountforasmallamountofPennsylvania'spowermixtoday,
astudy
byBloombergNewEnergyFinance
foundthatsustainableelectricitysourcesincludingsmall
hydro,onshorewind,wastetoenergy,andCHP(combinedheatandpowerplants)arealready
amongthecheapestoptionsforgeneratingelectricityinthestate.
Inaddition,a2014studybytheglobalconsultingfirmLazardfoundthatwhenexcluding
subsidies,windandsolararethecheapestformsofelectricitygenerationfornewinstallations.
ThestudyalsofoundthatPennsylvaniaisarelativeleaderintermsofitsoverallenergy
efficiencyefforts,butmorecanbedone.
Pennsylvania'sownanalysis
underAct129
showsitcouldfeasiblyreacha17.3percent
cumulativeenergysavingsby2023.GiventhePUCjustapprovedPhaseIIIAct129,thisshould
helpthestatealong.Notonlywillefficiencyinvestmentslowercarbonemissions,but,done
right,theyalsowilllowercustomers'bills.
TheBusinessCouncilsaidPennsylvaniaiswellpositionedtobealeaderinthepower
shiftthatisunfoldingacrossthenation.
BusinessCouncilmembercompaniesintheenergyefficiency,naturalgasandrenewable
energysectorsareengagedinPennsylvaniaandwouldliketoseethestateutilizethefull
portfolioofcleanenergytechnologiesavailable.
Acopyofthefactbook
isavailablefreeonline
.
ClickHere
foraPennsylvaniaspecificfactsheetbyBloombergthatisduetobeupdated.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
BusinessCouncilforSustainableEnergy
website.The
BusinessCouncilisacoalitionofcompaniesandtradeassociationsfromtheenergyefficiency,
naturalgasandrenewableenergysectors.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
PUCInvitesCommentsOnCombinedHeatAndPowerPolicyStatement
PA:NotThatFarToGoToMeetEPACleanPowerClimatePlanEmissionLimits
PUCApprovesPPL,PECOAct129EnergyEfficiencyPlans
PUCOKsNextPhaseOfEnergyEfficiencyPlansForFirstEnergy,DuquesneLight
PUCInvitesCommentsOnCombinedHeatAndPowerPolicyStatement
ThePublicUtilityCommission
publishednotice
ofanopportunitytocommentonaproposed
policystatementonCombinedHeatandPowerintheApril16PABulletin.
Theproposedpolicystatementestablishesabiennialreportingrequirementforelectric
andnaturalgasdistributioncompaniesregardingtheireffortstoeliminateobstaclestothe
developmentofcombinedheatandpowerprojectsinPennsylvania.
ThedeadlineforcommentsisMay31.
Formoreinformation,visitthePUCs
CombinedHeatandPower
webpage.Thecontact
fortechnicalissuesisJosephSherrick,BureauofTechnicalUtilityServices,bycalling
7177875369orsendingemailto:
josherrick@pa.gov
.Thecontactpersonforlegalissuesis
KrissBrown,AssistantCounsel,LawBureau,7177874518orsendemailto:
kribrown@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStory:
BusinessCouncilForSustainableEnergy:PAHalfwayToMeetingEPACleanPowerPlanRule
PAAdds32Farms,1,792AcresToFarmlandPreservationProgram
DuringtheAprilmeetingofthePennsylvaniaAgriculturalLandPreservationBoard,an
additional1,792acreson32farmsin14countiesweresafeguardedthroughthestates
nationleadingfarmlandpreservationprogram.
Sincetheprogrambeganin1988,federal,state,countyandlocalgovernmentshave
investedmorethan$1.3billiontopreserve520,619acreson4,951farmsin57countiesfor
futureagriculturalproduction.
Preservingfarmlandprotectstheenvironmentandournaturalresources,andsupports
sustainabilityofPennsylvaniaagriculture,saidAgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding.Ithank
thePennsylvaniafarmfamiliesthatknowtheimportanceofpreservingourfarmlandforfuture
generations,andfortheirforesighttoconservethebestofPennsylvaniaagriculture.
Theboardpreservedfarmsin14counties:Adams,Armstrong,Berks,Bucks,Chester,
Cumberland,Lancaster,Lebanon,Lehigh,Mifflin,Montgomery,Northampton,Washingtonand
Westmoreland.
TheAgriculturalConservationEasementPurchaseProgramidentifiespropertiesand
slowsthelossofprimefarmlandtononagriculturaluses.Itenablesstate,countyandlocal
governmentstopurchaseconservationeasements,alsocalleddevelopmentrights,fromowners
ofqualityfarmland.
Alistofnewfarmspreserved
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformation,visitAgricultures
FarmlandPreservation
webpage.
PermitApplicantsGivenNoticeOfChangesToEndangeredSpeciesReviewByDCNR
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
publishedaformalnotice
intheApril
16PABulletingivingpermitapplicantsformalnoticeofitsupdateofitssystemforreviewing
applicationsforimpactsonthreatenedandendangeredspeciesandspeciesofspecialconcern.
Thechangesincludeimposinganewfeeforprovidingpermitreviewreceiptsconfirming
thereviewswerecompleted,changingthenameoftheformerPANaturalDiversityInventory
permitreviewtoolto
PAConservationExplorer
andupdatestothetechnicalguidancecovering
permitreviews.
PAConservationExplorerisaonestopshopforconservationplanningandPNDI
environmentalreview.TheExplorerprovidesconservationinformationonbiologicaldiversity,
protectedlands,streamsandothernaturalresourcesforplanningpurposesandalsoallowsusers
toscreenaprojectareaforpotentialimpactstothreatened,endangered,andspecialconcern
species.
ClickHere
fortheannouncementofthePAConservationExplorer.
PAConservationExplorer
webpage.
DCNRHonorsExemplaryVolunteerServiceAtStateParksinBlair,VenangoCounties
ABlairCountyresidentdedicatedtomaking
CanoeCreekStatePark
ashowplaceofsafe,
enjoyabletrails,andaVenangoCountybasedgroupinitiatinginnovativeandwidelypopular
eventsat
OilCreekStatePark
havebeennamedrecipientsofannualConservationVolunteer
AwardsbytheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources.
JamesJ.Fitch,avirtualfixtureofvolunteerismatCanoeCreekStateParkinBlair
County,wasawardedtheBureauofStateParks2015IndividualVolunteerAward,andFriends
ofOilCreekStatePark,volunteersmarkingtheir10thyearofserviceattheVenangoCounty
park,werehonoredwithaGroupVolunteerAward.Bothawardswerepresentedlatelastmonth
atthebureausannualmeetinginStateCollege.
JamesFitchhasemergedasaniconicvolunteeratCanoeCreekwithtrailworkthat
supportsthemissionoftheBureauofStateParkswhileestablishinggreatcommunityrelations,
saidDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn.Asagroup,FriendsofOilCreekStateParkhave
distinguishedthemselvesineventplanning,fundraising,obtainingparksuppliesandequipment,
andsomuchmore.
TimedtomarkNationalVolunteerWeek,April1016,Dunnsannouncementtodayis
designedtoacknowledgetheinvaluableroleofvolunteersatour121stateparksandonour
morethan2.2millionacresofstateforestland.
Whenwetabulatereportsfromourparksand20stateforestdistricts,weseestatepark
volunteerhourstotaled160,019,andforestryhoursapproached7,780.Thesavingsandservice
toourparkmanagersandforestersistremendous.
Besidesoverseeingmaintenanceofalltrailsinthepark,Fitchalsoplans,designs,and
overseesvariouscommunityworkprojects.Hisplanningandsupervisionhas,overthelastfew
years,improvedthequalityandsafetyofthetrailsystemimmensely,parkofficialssay.
UnderFitchssupervision,waterbars,stairsandboardwalkshavebeeninstalled.He
designedandmarkedanumberoftrailreroutes,savingstaffmanyhoursofwork.Newrouted
woodendirectionalsignagewasinstalledatalltrailheadsandintersections,replacingpostsand
signsthatoftenwerefadedandunreadable.
In2015,
FriendsofOilCreekStatePark
celebratedtheir10thyear,markingaspanthat
broughttotheparkinnovativeandhighlysuccessfulevents,includingafirsteverWinterfestthe
OilCreek100UltraRunandChicksNtheSticks,aneventdesignedtointroducewomentoa
widevarietyofoutdoorskillsandactivities.
Inadditiontoplanningandhostingeventsinthepark,thefriendsgroupalsopurchases
equipmentandsuppliesfortheparkanditsvariousvolunteergroups.Thegroupsgreatest
accomplishmenttodatehasbeensecuringnearly$60,000ingrantfundingin2015fornewpark
playgroundequipment.
Individuals,aswellasgroups,canvolunteerforvariousstateparkandforestprojects
throughoutthestate.ConservationVolunteersarepairedwithprojectsthatmatchtheirskillsand
interests.
Ifinterestedinbecomingavolunteer,contactany
stateparkorforestdistrictoffice
,or
visitDCNR's
ConservationVolunteerProgram
webpage.
ExperiencingYourEnvironmentThruConservationHighSchoolScienceCampJune
2023
RegistrationisnowopenfortheExperiencingYour
EnvironmentThroughConservationsummerscience
experienceforstudentsenteringgrades10to12atthe
JenningsEnvironmentalEducationCenter
inButler
County.
EYEConisadaycampthatengagesstudentsinreal
worldconservationscience.Studentsdesigntheirown
investigations,workoneononewithprofessional
ecologistsandbiologists,carryoutscientificresearch,and
presentfindingstopeersandprofessionals,allwhile
enjoyingandhavingfuninourlocalparks.
Thisyearsfocuswillbeonforestchange.
Thisaoneofakindcampexperiencefacilitatedbythe
WesternPAConservancy
and
DCNRsBureauofStateParks.
ClickHere
formoreinformationandtoregister.
NewsClips:
PAEEHonorsCrawfordCountyNatureCenterEducator
StudentsProjectToTellStoryOfAcidMineTreatmentPonds
HazletonStudentsReleaseTroutTheyRaisedInClass
4thAnnualYouthConservationsLeadershipCamp
Act48ApprovedTeacherWorkshopsAtParkerDamStatePark
PennStateStudentsPlant200TreesInRothrockStateForest,OtherEarthDayActivities
AdamLarsonandTylerFarnanpileonthelastscoops
ofsoilaroundthenewashtreestheyjustplantedin
RothrockStateForest
[inCentreCounty],their
footprintsstillfreshinthedirt.Whiletheirfootprints
willeventuallydisappear,thelocalfootprinttheyand
theirstudentorganization,
PositiveEnergy
,havemade
willendurefarintothefuture.
Larson,FarnanandsixstudentsfromPositiveEnergy
planted200treesonApril9.Thegrouppartneredwith
RothrockLandManagement,whichprovidedtheseedlingsandnecessarytools.
Comprisedprimarilyofstudentsfromthe
CollegeofEarthandMineralSciences
,but
welcometostudentsofanymajor,thegroup
completedasimilarprojectin2015
,whenitplanted
201treesinRoaringBranch,TiogaCounty.
Lastyear,wecelebratedEarthDayinRoaringBranch,andthisyearwerecelebratinga
littlebitearlywiththisreclamationprojectatRothrock,saidLarson,asophomorestudying
petroleumandnaturalgasengineering(PNGE).
Thisyear,thegroupplantedtreesalongthe
MusserGapTrail
,ahotspotforrecreational
activities,suchashikingandhorsebackriding.ThetrailservesasacorridorbetweentheState
CollegeregionandRothrockStateForest.
Ourorganizationisinterestedinlandreclamationfromactivitiesrelatedtotheenergy
industry,soitwasimportantforustoplantatRothrockbecausetheforestishometoapipeline
thatrunsunderground,saidFarnan,aseniorPNGEstudent.
Farnansaidapproximatelyonethirdofthetreestheyplantwillsurvivetobefullygrown
adults,whichcantakenearly100years.
Inadditiontothepositiveenvironmentalimpact,LarsonandFarnanhighlightedtheother
benefitsthatcomewithaprojectlikethis.
Thisisagreatopportunitytogetstudentsinterestedintheenvironmentanditsresources
tovolunteerandmakeanimpact.Andbydoingthis,wereallgivingbacktotheenvironment,
saidLarson.
FarnanhopesthatfutureprojectscouldstemfromthegroupspartnershipwithRothrock.
Thisisanothersteptowarddevelopingfriendshipswithallofthegreatstateparksin
centralPennsylvania,andhopefullywellbeabletocontinuethesetypesofprojectsinupcoming
years,hesaid.
MorePennStateEarthDayActivities
PennStatecelebratesEarthDaythroughaweekofactivitiesoncampus.Formore
information,visitthe
EarthWeek2016atPennState
webpage.
NewsClips:
DCNR,WesternPAConservancyTreePlantingInIndianaCounty,OtherOpportunities
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
SecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWednesdayjoinedthe
andvolunteersinplantingtwo
acresoftreesalongthelakeat
YellowCreekStatePark
inIndianaCountytoimprovewaterquality.
"April,whichhostsEarthDayandArborDay,is
agoodtimetotakeactionforourenvironment,and
volunteer,treeplantingandcleanupopportunitiesare
scheduled,"Dunnsaid."Throughtheremainderofthe
month,DCNRstaffwillbeworkingalongsideour
Friendsgroupsandvolunteerstoencourageeveryoneto
givebackbyplantingtrees,volunteeringortryingsomeconservationpracticesathome."
Thesecretaryjoinedmorethan50peopleplanting400seedlingsatYellowCreek,aspart
ofaneffortcoordinatedbyWPCandthe
FriendsofYellowCreekStatePark
.
"Thisplantingisagreatandtangibleeducationtoolontheimportanceofripariantrees,
partnershipsandrestoringplacesthatthepubliccanimmediatelyseeandexperience,"said
AlyshaTrexler,awatershedprojectmanagerwhocoordinatesripariantreeplantingsforWPC.
Since2013,WPC'swatershedconservationriparianrestorationprojecthasplanted140
acreswithmorethan30,000treestoreforestandrestoreareasalongstreams,creeksandriversin
westernPennsylvaniatohelpprotectwaterquality.
OtherpartnersintheYellowCreekprojectinclude
EvergreenConservancy
,Bobcatof
IndianaandtheIndianaRotaryClub.
CindyRogers,avolunteerwiththeFriendsgroup,said"it'swonderfulthatallthese
groupsandvolunteerscametogethertodothismuchneededtreeplanting."
DCNR'sBureauofForestryisleadinganefforttoworkwithnumerousagencies,partners
andlandownerstoexpandforestbuffersalongwaterwaysinthecommonwealth.
"Justaspeopledependonwater,riversdependonwoodlands.Treesandshrubsalong
streambankshelpcontrolstormwaterandrunoff,provideshadetocoolthewaterandprovide
habitatandfoodforlifeinthestreams,"Dunnsaid."Plantingtreesanywhereissomething
thatanyonecandotomakeadifference."
Forestbuffersalongstreambanksprovidecriticalbarriersbetweenpollutinglandscapes
andreceivingwaterways.Properlyplantedandmaintained,streamsidetreeandshrubplantings
filtertherunoffofsedimentsandthefertilizersthatareappliedtolawnsandcropscontrol
erosionimprovewaterqualityreducefloodingcoolstreamtemperaturesandimprovefish
habitat.
Dunnnotedduringthepast15yearstensofthousandsofacresofbuffershavebeen
plantedinPennsylvania.Therejuvenatedinitiativewilllooktocomplementexistingprograms
andprovidegreaterflexibilityinlandownereligibility,bufferdesigns,widths,plantspeciesand
innovativemaintenancepractices.
YellowCreekStateParkhasimplementedmanygreenandsustainablepracticesaspart
ofitsoperations,andeducatedvisitorsaboutthem.Theyinclude:
Usingmoreenergyefficientwatercraftandlawnmowers
Plantingnativewildflowermeadows,significantlyreducingtheneedformowing
Usingprogrammablethermostatsandmoreefficientlightsbulbs
Installationofawindturbine,whichisalsousedtoeducatevisitorsaboutthisalternativeform
ofenergy
Cleaningwithbiodegradablesoapsand
Retrofittingbuildingsforefficiency.
OtherVolunteerOpportunities
Therearedozensofvolunteeropportunitieslistedinthe
DCNRCalendarofEvents
throughouttheremainderofthemonth.Somehighlightsinclude:
JenningsEnvironmentalEducationCenter
TakeBacktheWoodsinvasivespeciesbattlein
ButlerCounty,April16
EarthDaycleanupwithFriendsof
MKGoddardStatePark
,MercerCountyApril21
EarthDaytreeplantingeventat
JacobsburgEnvironmentalEducationCenter
,Northampton
CountyApril23
DelawareCanalStatePark
paddleandcleanupinBucksCountyApril24and

FriendsofCookForest
springworkdayinClarionCountyApril28.
VisitDCNRs
CalendarofEvents
webpageformoreinformation.
ClickHere
ifyou
wanttopartofDCNRsformalConservationVolunteerProgram.Visitthe
PAParksand
ForestsFoundation
websiteforinformationonStateParksforForestsFriendsgroupnearyou.
Visit
DCNRswebsite
forinformationonallofPennsylvaniasStateParks,Forests,
hikingtrailsandmuchmore.
NewsClips:
PrescribedBurnPlannedInUpperDauphinCounty
GameCommissionUsesPrescribedBurnsToCleanLandForWildlife
RESDonates2,000TreesToCumberlandConservationDistrictForAprilSeedlingSale
ResourceEnvironmentalSolutions
,thenationsleading
supplierofecologicaloffsetsforunavoidableprojectrelated
impactstowetlands,streamsandhabitats,Thursday
announcedthedonationof2,000treestothe
Cumberland
CountyConservationDistrict
.
ThetreeswillsupporttheDistrictsannual
TreeSeedling
Sale
onApril1415.Thisannualfundraisersupports
CumberlandCountysEnvirothon
.
TheEnvirothonisanacademiccompetitionaboutthenaturalenvironment.Local
schoolsprepareteamsoffivestudentsthatcompetelocallywithintheircounty,thenthecounty
winnersmoveontothestatelevelandstatewinnerontothenationallevel.
Thisprogramhashelpedcreatemanyenvironmentalleadersandhasexpandedthe
importanceofourenvironmenttoalargercommunity.
WinnersofcountyEnvirothoncompetitionsgoontoastatewidecompetitionthentothe
internationalEnvirothon.
ElliottBouillion,RESChiefExecutiveOfficersaid,Givingbacktothecommunityisa
corevalueatRES.Itsveryrewardingsupportingourlocalconservationdistrictsandsupporting
theeducationofournextenvironmentalleaders.
ConservationDistrictChairmanWilburWolfstated,TheCumberlandConservation
DistrictappreciatesResourceEnvironmentalSolutionspartneringwithusforadonationofwhite
pineseedlingsthatwillhelpoffsetcostsforthelocalEnvirothonwhileaddingtreestothe
CumberlandCountylandscape.
RESnurseryislocatedinEightyFour,WashingtonCounty,Pennsylvania.RESgrows
tensofthousandsoflarge,containerizednativetreesandshrubs.Thesetreesaregrownto
providethehighestqualityplantmaterialforRESstreamandwetlandrestorationprojects.
Akeycomponentofanyrestorationplantingismatchingthespecificspeciestothe
ecosystemthatistoberestored.RESachievesthespecificrequirementsandhighqualityby
internalizingtheplantproductionportionofourprojects.
TheCumberlandConservationDistrict
TreeSeedlingSale
isbeingheldonApril1415.
Formoreinformationitsrestorationactivities,visitthe
ResourceEnvironmental
Solutions
website.FormoreinformationontheEnvirothoncompetition,visitthe
Pennsylvania
Envirothon
website.
NewsClips:
WesternPAConservancy:PittsburghRedbudFreeTreesProject:April16,19,23,May12
The
PittsburghRedbudProject
isdistributingfreeredbudtreestoCity
ofPittsburghresidentsattheselocations
April16
from9a.m.Noon.ontheNorthShoreHeritageTrail,RiverAvenue(nearBay
ValleyFoods)
April19
from10a.m.NoonattheNorthShoreRiverfrontPark(neartheMr.Rogers
statue)
April23
from9a.m.NoonattheNorthShoreRiverfrontPark(neartheWatersteps)and
May12
from10a.m.2p.m.MarketSquareFarmersMarket.
ClickHere
tolearnhowtoproperlyplantredbudbareroottrees.
Moreinformationisavailableonprograms,initiativesandspecialeventsatthe
Western
PAConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy,
Like
themonFacebook
,
FollowthemonTwitter
,addthemtoyour
CircleonGoogle+
,jointhemon
Instagram
,visitthe
ConservancysYouTubeChannel
oraddthemtoyour
networkonLinkedin
.
NewsClips:
AppalachianTrailMuseumToHostBanquet,HallOfFameCeremoniesJune3
Fivenewmemberswillbeinductedintothe
Appalachian
TrailHallofFame
onJune3atthesixthannual
AppalachianTrailHallofFameBanquetatthe
Allenberry
Resort
inBoilingSprings,CumberlandCounty.
Thebanquetwillbeginat7:00p.m.andwillbeprecededby
areception.
EmceefortheeveningwillagainbeDCNRSecretaryCindy
AdamsDunn,whowillalsodeliverremarks.Musicwillbe
providedonceagainbyRandy"Windtalker"Motz.
TheHallofFameBanquetwillbethekickoffofthe
AppalachianTrailMuseumsHallofFameWeekend.TherewillbeaChildren'sFestivalon
Saturdayfrom11:00to2:00.Duringthisevent,themuseum'snewchildren'sareawillbe
dedicated.From2:00to4:00,severalHallofFamerswillspeak.Additionaleventswillbe
announcedlater.
Ticketsforthebanquet
areavailable(thereisafee).Formoreinformationonthe
weekend,sendemailto:
atmbanquet@gmail.com
.
HallofFameBanquet
webpageandthe
Appalachian
TrailMuseum
website.
NewsClips:
WissahickonVolunteersWorkToMaintainTrails
PhiladelphiaGettingMoreProtectedBikeLanes
PAHorticulturalSocietyToHostPhillyPopUpPark
10MoreWaterfallsToVisitInPA
VisitANationalParkFreeBeginningThisWeekend
(Reprintedfromthe
April13editionoftheResource
newsletterfromDCNR.
ClickHere
tosign
upforyourowncopy.)
GetOutdoorsPAWebinarApril29OnNationalGetOutdoorsDay
The
GetOutdoorsPA
programwillbehostinga
webinaronApril29
from1:00to2:00p.m.The
sessionwillfocusontheupcoming
NationalGetOutdoorsDay
inJune,andexplorewaysthose
interestedandjumpstartaneventtohelpcelebratetheday.
ExpertGetOutdoorsPApartnerswilldiscussthenutsandboltsoftheirinnovativeand
successfulGetOutdoorsDayevents.ThegoalistopromoteNationalGetOutdoorsDay,where
healthy,active,outdoorfunisencouragedincommunities.
ClickHere
toregister.Registrationisrequired.
Visitthe
GetOutdoorsPA
websiteformoreinformationonhowyoucangetoutsidein
PA.
NewsClips:
(Reprintedfromthe
newsletterfromDCNR.
ClickHere
tosign
upforyourowncopy.)
DCNRProposesWildAreasInCentre,Clinton,Elk,Fayette,Mifflin,Pike,PotterCounties
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
publishednotice
solicitingpublic
commentson5proposedStateForestWildAreasdesignationsinCentre,Clinton,Elk,Fayette,
Mifflin,PikeandPottercountiesintheApril16PABulletin.
TheproposedWildAreasinclude
HammersleyWildArea(Clinton,PotterCounties):
Aspartofthe2016updateoftheState
ForestResourceManagementPlan,theBureauofForestryisproposingtofinalizeapproximately
30,000acresin
SusquehannockStateForest
astheHammersleyWildArea.Thisarea,locatedin
theDeepValleysecoregion,isthelargestroadlessareainthisCommonwealth,providing
opportunitiesforprimitiverecreation,aswellasprotectingExceptionalValuestreamsandnative
brooktrouthabitat.Sinceitwasproposedinthe2003Plan,theareahasbeenmanagedfollowing
theWildAreaguidelinesin17Pa.CodeChapter27(relatingtoStateForestnatural
areasstatementofpolicy).Theproposalhasundergoneanextensiveinternalreviewandthe
finalboundariesreflectcarefulconsiderationofBureaustaff.Amapofthefinalboundaries
can
befoundonline
.
PennsCreekWildArea(Centre,MifflinCounties):
Aspartofthe2016updateofthePlan,
theBureauisproposingtofinalizeapproximately6,200acresin
BaldEagleStateForest
asthe
PennsCreekWildArea(3,810acresareaalreadydesignatedastheWhiteMountainWildArea
anadditional2,473acreswouldbeaddedtocreatethenewPennsCreekWildArea).Thisarea,
locatedintheRidgeandValleyecoregion,ischaracterizedbyitsscenicstreamcorridor,riparian
habitats,undevelopednatureandNationallyrecognizedtroutstream.Sinceitwasproposedin
the2003Plan,theareahasbeenmanagedfollowingtheWildAreaguidelines.Theproposalhas
undergoneanextensiveinternalreviewandthefinalboundariesreflectcarefulconsiderationof
Bureaustaff.Amapofthefinalboundaries
canbefoundonline
.
QuebecRunWildArea(FayetteCounty):
Aspartofthe2016updateofthePlan,the
Bureauisproposingtofinalizeapproximately6,000acresin
ForbesStateForest
astheQuebec
RunWildArea.Thisarea,locatedintheAlleghenyMountainecoregion,ischaracterizedbyits
wildcharacterandHighQualitystreams,anditishometoseveralrareandthreatenedspecies.
Sinceitwasproposedinthe2003Plan,theareahasbeenmanagedfollowingtheWildArea
guidelines.Theproposalhasundergoneanextensiveinternalreviewandthefinalboundaries
reflectcarefulconsiderationofBureaustaff.Amapofthefinalboundaries
canbefoundonline
.
SquareTimber/BigRunWildArea(ElkCounty):
Aspartofthe2016updateofthePlan,
theBureauisproposingtofinalizeapproximately5,600acresin
ElkStateForest
astheSquare
Timber/BigRunWildArea.Thislarge,undevelopedarea,locatedintheDeepValleys
ecoregion,providesopportunitiesforprimitiverecreation,aswellasprovidingkeyhabitatfor
manyaquaticandterrestrialorganisms.Sinceitwasproposedin2003,theareahasbeen
managedfollowingtheWildAreaguidelines.Theproposalhasundergoneanextensiveinternal
reviewandthefinalboundariesreflectcarefulconsiderationofBureaustaff.Amapofthefinal
boundaries
canbefoundonline
.
StairwayWildArea(PikeCounty):
Aspartofthe2016updateofthePlan,theBureauis
proposingtofinalizeapproximately2,700acresin
DelawareStateForest
astheStairwayWild
Area.Thisarea,locatedintheGlaciatedLowPlateauecoregion,providesopportunitiesfor
primitiverecreation,supportsauniquediversityofplantandanimalspecies,andcontains
ExceptionalValuestreams.Sinceitwasproposedin2003,theareahasbeenmanagedfollowing
theWildAreaguidelines.Theproposalhasundergoneanextensiveinternalreviewandthefinal
boundariesreflectcarefulconsiderationofBureaustaff.Amapofthefinalboundaries
canbe
foundonline
.
DCNRwillacceptpubliccommentsontheproposeddesignationsthroughMay16.
Oralorwrittencommentsorquestionsconcerningtheproposeddesignationsmaybe
addressedtoAmandaParks,PlanningSection,BureauofForestry,P.O.Box8552,Harrisburg,
PA171058552,8143645150,Ext.307,orsendemailto:
amparks@pa.gov
.Oralandwritten
commentswillbecomepartoftheofficialdocumentusedinthefinaldecisionprocess.
April13ResourceNewsletterNowAvailableFromDCNR

The
newsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesfeaturingarticleson
PAProvidesPlentyOfFishingOpportunitiesThroughoutTheSpring
DCNR,WesternPAConservancyTreePlantingInIndianaCounty,OtherOpportunities
DCNRWarningAnglers,OthersOfHighWoodlandFireDanger
DCNRHonorsExemplaryVolunteerServiceAtStateParksInBlair,VenangoCounties
PAParks&ForestsFoundationLaunchesNewWebsite
GetOutdoorsPAWebinarApril29OnNationalGetOutdoorsDay
AppalachianTrailMuseumToHostBanquet,HallOfFameCeremoniesJune3
ClickHere
OpenLandConservancyOfChesterCountyHostsClimateProgramApril19
The
OpenLandConservancyofChesterCounty
willhostanApril19programon
Global
WarmingWhatWeNeedToKnow
featuringRichardWhitefordwhoservedasadelegateto
the2015ParisClimateSummit.
TheprogramwillbeheldattheGreatValleyPresbyterianChurch,2025Swedesford
RoadinMalvernstartingat7:30p.m.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
Open
LandConservancyofChesterCounty
website.
NewsClips:
StraightTalk:OurCommonEndangeredBrookTroutJohnArway
WhyClimateChangeDoubtersStillExist
OpEd:ProsecuteClimateDeniers,HoldThoseWhoMisleadAccountable
Editorial:ClimateDenialGoesWobbly
Editorial:UNWatch:AClimateChill
DCNRWarningAnglers,OthersOfHighWoodlandFireDanger
WiththeapproachofPennsylvaniastraditionalstatewide
troutseasonopeneronApril16,andweatherconditions
thatkeepfirefightersbusy
respondingtowildfires
across
muchofthestate,theDepartmentofConservationand
NaturalResourcesWednesdayurgedanglers,property
ownersandotherstotakestepstopreventforestand
brushfires.
Weasktroutanglersandotherforestvisitorsto
beextremelycarefulthisweekendbecausefiredangeris
increasingrapidlyamidsunny,warmdaysandlittlerainfall,saidDCNRSecretaryCindy
AdamsDunn.Oneactofcarelessnesscouldprovedisastrousamongtinderdryconditionsin
someofourforests,wherewildfiredangersclimbwitheachdayofsunandwind.
OpenfiresareforbiddenonstateforestlandfromMarch1throughMay25,andwhenthe
firedangerislistedashigh,veryhighorextreme.
Onehastoonlylookbacktolastmonthtoseehowfiresspikequicklywhenthe
combinationofsun,windandlackofraincreatetinderlikeconditions,Dunnsaid.Weremind
folkstobecarefulwithcampfiresandbackyardburning,andtotaketheproperprecautionsatall
times.
Sofarthisspring,thelargestwildfirescorchedmorethan70acresinTiogaCounty.
Othershavedestroyedonehome,damagedtwo,anddestroyed10outbuildingsandother
structures.
AdvicefromDCNRsBureauofForestryincludes:
Cleartheareaaroundacampfirepriortostartingit
Keepthefiresmallandneverleaveitunattended
Beforeyoustrikeacampfirematch,firstconsiderifitistoowarm,dryorwindyforafireand
ifthesurroundingareaisfreeofleavesandothercombustibles
Makesurethereisareadysourceofwater(bucketorhose)nearbyandaraketoextinguish
anyembersthatmightescapeand
Whenyouaredonewiththefire,putitoutwithwateruntilallashesarecoldtothetouch.
Dunnnotedthatlightrainfallinmanyareas,lackofgreenfoliageinthespring,low
humidityandsunny,windydaysallcombinetoincreasechancesofforestandbrushfires
spreading.Suchfiresarealmostalwaystracedtohumancarelessness,shesaid.
Nearly10,000acresofstateandprivatewoodlandsareburnedbywildfireseachyear,
andnearly85percentofallfiresinPennsylvaniawoodlandsoccurduringthemonthsofMarch,
AprilandMay.Almostallofthesefiresthreatenpeopleandtheirhomes,aswellastreesand
wildlife.
Stateforestryofficialsurgelandownerstocheckwithlocalmunicipalitiestoseeif
outdoorburningisallowed,andtoavoidentirelyoruseextremecautionwhenburningtrashand
debrisoneofthemostcommoncausesofwildfires.
Residentsarealsoadvisedtocreatesafezonesaroundhomesandcabinsbyremoving
leavesandotherdebrisfromthegroundandraingutters,stackfirewoodawayfromstructures
andtrimoverhangingbranches.
TheBureauofForestryisresponsibleforthepreventionandsuppressionofwildfireson
Pennsylvanias17millionacresofprivateandstateownedwoodlands.
Formoreinformationonwildfireprevention,contact
localdistrictforesters
callthe
BureauofForestryat7177872925orvisitDCNRs
WildlandFire
webpage.
NewsClips:
ActivatePhoenixvilleHolds3PrescribeATrailEventsThruApril30InChesterCounty
ActivatePhoenixvilleArea
inChesterCountywillhold3PrescribeATraileventsalongthe
SchuylkillRiverTrail
betweennowandApril30.EventswillbeheldApril16,20and30.
JoinyourfavoritedoctorsforawalkalongthebeautifulSchuylkillRiverTrailatthe
Foundryparkinglottrailhead.
Getyourhealthcarequestionsanswered,getfreefitnessgiveaways,healthysnacks,
meetnewfriends,allwhilegettingsomeexercise.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
NewsClips:
GiffordPinchotGreyTowersFlyFishingEventMay7
AuniquepublicprogramthatwillillustrateGifford
PinchotsenthusiasmforflyfishingisplannedforMay7
from10a.m.12p.m.atPinchotsformerhome,
Grey
TowersNationalHistoricSite
,Milford,PikeCounty.
ManyknowofPinchotastheeminentconservation
thinkeroftheearly20thcenturyhisvisionhelped
introducescientificforestrytoAmericaandheservedas
firstchiefoftheU.S.ForestService.Butwheredidhe
gainhisinspiration?Howdidheshapehisvision?
ByflyfishingrighthereinthehealthywatersofPike
County!
TheMay7program,appropriateforages8through
adult,willbeablendofhistoricperspectiveandtodaysmodernsport.Itwillincludesome
lectures,aninterestingexhibit,filmsandaflyfishingdemoonthelawnofGreyTowers,the
sameplacewhereGiffordandhisfriendsandfamilypracticedtheircasting.
Thelectureswillincludeanhistoricalperspectiveofflyfishingandvisitorscanseesome
ofGiffordsflyfishingequipment,includingthenewlyrenovatedcanoethathelovedtofish
from.
Localflyfishinginstructor/guideandwildlifephotographerNancyHoppingwillleadthe
castingdemonstrations,beginningat11a.m.
Theprogramisrainorshineandfreeofcharge.Registrationisrequiredwhenyousign
upletusknowifyouarebringingorneedtoborrowequipmentforthedemonstration.Itis
sponsoredbytheU.S.ForestServiceandthe
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation
,withsupport
fromCabelas.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,pleasecall5702969625orsendanemailto:
info@greytowers.org
.
April/MayCurrentsNewsletterNowAvailableFromTheFish&BoatCommission
The
April/MayeditionoftheCurrents
newsletter
fromthe
FishandBoatCommission
isnow
availablefeaturingarticleson

PFBCCelebrates150thAnniversaryWithSpecialEvent
HouseCommitteeHoldsHearingOnBillToAllowFish,GameCommissionsToSetFees
NewVideosHighlightCooperativeNurseryProgram
HabitatProjectAdvancesAtSomersetCountyReservoir
(photo)
TigerMuskyStockingToContinueAtFordsLake
UpdatedStrategicPlanForTroutManagementAvailable
Latest
StraightTalkColumns
FromJohnArway,ExecutiveDirector
ClickHere
OpportunityToBidOnDEPMineReclamationProjectsInButler,WashingtonCounties
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheApril16PABulletinofthe
opportunitytobidonminereclamationprojectsin
ButlerCounty
and
WashingtonCounty
.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
April16
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.Oakdale,Allegheny
County.
April16
Clean&GreenHarrisburg,
KeepHarrisburg/DauphinCountyBeautiful4thAnnual
GreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
.DauphinCounty.
April16
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
LightBrightRideOnTheCircuitTrails
.Philadelphia.
April16
MehoopanyCreekWatershedAssociation
TroutDayFundraiser
.WyomingCounty.
April16
NEW
.
ActivatePhoenixvillePrescribeATrailEvent
.
,Chester
County.
April18
LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.
April19
AgendaPosted
.
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,
EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
ProposedIncreasesInRadon,RadioactiveMaterialsInspectionFeeIncreases
ProposedStreamRedesignationsinBerks,Chester,Monroe,Northampton,Susquehanna
Counties
FinalLandRecyclingRegulations
LaboratoryFeeReportRecommendingIncreases
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

April19
AgendaPosted
.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
ClickHere
toregistertowatch
themeetingonline.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyReports
ProposedDrinkingWaterDisinfectionRegulation
Recycling:WhereWeAreIn2016
CoveredDevice(ElectronicsWaste)RecyclingActUpdate
DEPsMonthlyWrittenReportToCAC
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
April19
AgendaPosted
.
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisory
Council
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEP
Contact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,New
StantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
IntroductionofJeffreyStanchek,newDirectorBureauofMineSafety
BureauofMineSafetyReportofActivities
UpdateFatalityManagementPursuantToMineFamiliesFirstAct
RecollectionsoftheSagoMineAccident
ClickHere
April19
GovernorsEnvironmentalAwardsDinner
.Harrisburg.
April19
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
StormwaterPublicInputSession
.J.Roy
HoustonConservationCenter,218DonohoeRd.,Greensburg1:003:00p.m.
April19
.
RostraverTownshipMunicipalBuilding,201MunicipalDr.,BelleVernon.6:308:30p.m.
April19
NEW
.
OpenLandConservancyOfChesterCounty
GlobalWarmingWhatWeNeed
ToKnow
.GreatValleyPresbyterianChurch,2025SwedesfordRoad,Malvern.
April20
DEPSouthcentralEmployeesAsylumRunCleanup.Adjacenttothe
DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice
,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.Contact:JohnRepetz
jrepetz@pa.gov
.
April20
NEW
.
.
,Chester
County.
April21
CANCELED
.
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPContact:
DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
April21
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
meetstoconsider
finalChapter78
DrillingRegulations
.
333MarketSt.,14thFloor,Harrisburg.9:00a.m.
ClickHere
towatchthe
meetingliveonline.
April21
.
LigonierTownshipMunicipalComplex,OneMunicipalParkDr.,Ligonier.6:308:30p.m.
April22
EarthDay
.
April22
WildlandsConservancy
,
LehighValleyPlanningCommission
ReturnOnThe
EnvironmentWorkshop
.CenterValley.
April22
BerksCountyConservationDistrictAnnualTreeSeedlingSale
.
April2230
PhiladelphiaScienceFestival
.Philadelphia.
April23
CentreCountyWatershedCleanupDay
.
April23
FrenchCreekCleanupDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April23
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.
April25
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMining
Programs,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
(
formal
notice
)
ProposedIncreasesInPermitReviewFeesMRABRecommendations
CommitteeReportsOnPolicy,Regulations,Legislation&TechnicalGuidance,Reclamation
ProposedTechnicalGuidanceRevisionOnPreApplicationReview
ProfessionalLicensureandPermitReview
RegularProgramUpdates
BondRateGuidelinesUpdate
FederalAMLGrantFundingStatus
2015ReclamationAndReminingIncentivesReport
JulyFieldTrip:Flight93AMDTreatmentFacilityOtherSites
ClickHere
April25
EnergyAllianceOfGreaterPittsburghAnnualMeeting
.Pittsburgh.
April2526
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
WomenAndTheirWoodsWorkshop
.Milford,
PikeCounty.
April26
PennsylvaniaPrimaryElection.
April27
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,Bureauof
AirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
SmallBusinessOmbudsmanReport
EnvironmentalManagementAssistanceProgramReport
ProposedRegSettingVOCEmissionStandardsForIndustrialCleaningSolvents
FinalRegSettingMetalPartsSurfaceCoatingStandards
FinalRegForAutomobile,LightDutyTruckCoatingStandards
ClickHere
April28
CANCELED
.
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.TheJune1meetingoftheboardhasbeenrescheduledtoJune23.DEPContact:Dawn
Hissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formal
notice
)
April28
.
AlleghenyTownshipCommunityBuilding,136CommunityBuildingRoad,Leechburg.
6:308:30p.m.
April29
NEW
.
GetOutdoorsPA
NationalGetOutdoorsDayWebinar
.1:00to2:00p.m.
April30
PAResourcesCouncil
PharmaceuticalCollectionEventsInAlleghenyCounty
.4
Locations.10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
April30
FoodsOfTheDelawareHighlandsDinner
.Hawley,WayneCounty.
April30
ChesterRidleyCrumWatersheds
StreamsCleanupDay
.ChesterandDelaware
Counties.
April30
NEW
.
WissahickonCreekWatershedCleanup
.Montgomery,PhiladelphiaCounties.
April30
NEW
.
.
,Chester
County.
May4
NEW
.
holdsahearing.EastHanoverTownship
MunicipalBuilding,8848JonestownRoad,Grantville,DauphinCounty.7:00p.m.SRBC
Contact:JasonOyler,GeneralCounsel,7172380423x1312.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)
ProposedGuidanceForExpiringProjectApprovals
ProposedGuidanceForTerminatingReviewOfProjectApplications
ProposedAmendmentsToRegulatoryProgramFeeSchedule
ComprehensivePlanForTheWaterResourcesOfTheSusquehannaRiverBasin
IndividualWaterWithdrawalRequests
ClickHere
togotoSRBCsPublicParticipationCenterformoredetails.
May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
May5
NEW
.SenateDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsaroundtablediscussiononnatural
gasextractionintheLakeErieWatershed.LocationTBAinErie.10:00.
May68
KettleCreekWatershedAssociation
Disabled/RecoveringVeteransFlyFishing
Event
.Tioga,PotterandClintoncounties.
May7
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
NorthParkSwimmingPool.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
May7
ManadaConservancys
AnnualSpringNativePlantSale
.DauphinCounty.
May7
CapitalRegionWater
ConsiderTheSourceLitterCleanup&DrinkingWaterTour
.
Harrisburg.
May7
NEW
.
GiffordPinchotGreyTowersFlyFishingEvent
.Milford,PikeCounty.
May10
WildlifeforEveryone
GovernorTomRidgeWetlandsThruTheCameraLensStudent
Program
.CentreCounty.
May1012
PAAmericanWaterWorksAssociationAnnualConferenc
e.BethlehemSands
HotelandCasino,Bethlehem.
May11
PAParks&ForestsFoundation2016AwardsBanquet
.CampHill,Cumberland
County.
May1113
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.
May1315
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.
May1315
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournSayertoSugarRun
.
May14
PAResourcesCouncil
.FrazerTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
May14
FoundationforSustainableForests
LovingTheLandThroughWorkingForests
.
Corry,ErieCounty.
May17
meeting.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,Environmental
QualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
May17
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
May17
NEW
.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meets.16thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
May17
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
May18
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
May19
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
May19
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
Lessons
BenefitsOfPark,GardenEcosystems
.
MontgomeryCounty.
May21
PAResourcesCouncil
.CambriaCounty,
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorp.ETFFacility,Johnstown.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
June1
CANCELED
.
meeting.
MeetingrescheduledtoJune23.DEPContact:DawnHissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinking
Water,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formalnotice
)
June3
NEW
.
AppalachianTrailMuseum
HallOfFameBanquet
.
AllenberryResort
,Boiling
Springs,CumberlandCounty.
June35
EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.
June410
18thAnnualSchuylkillRiverSojourn
.
June412
NEW
.
ChesapeakeBayWatershedAwarenessWeek
.
June7
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)
withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June9
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.
June1217
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournLaceyvilletoShickshinny
.

June14
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
June16
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
June1719
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournShickshinnyToSunbury
.
June18
PAResourcesCouncil
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest.Mt.Lebanon.
June1825
DelawareRiverSojourn
.
June21
meeting.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,Environmental
QualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
June21
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
June23
NEW
.
meeting.
SusquehannaRoom,Fish&BoatCommissionBuilding,1601ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:DawnHissner,DEPBureauofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189or
dhissner@pa.gov.
(
formalnotice
)
June29
StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.11thFloor
ConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,
BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.
June25
PAResourcesCouncil
.LTBA,AlleghenyCounty.
June30
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
July9
PAResourcesCouncil
.WashingtonCounty,
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
July21
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
meeting.
CambriaDistrictMiningOffice,286IndustrialparkRoad,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:
DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
July2529
TheSustainableEnergyFund
EnergypathRenewableEnergyConference,Student
EnergyCamps,ScienceFair
.PennStaterHotelandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
August13
PAResourcesCouncil
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August20
PAResourcesCouncil
.WestMifflin,Allegheny
County.
September1518
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
WomenandTheirWoodsEducational
Retreat
.Milanville,WayneCounty.
September17
PAResourcesCouncil
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October1
PAResourcesCouncil
.RobinsonTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.
October8
PAResourcesCouncil
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
October2628
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
VisitDEPs
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
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applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
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tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
April22
REAPFarmConservationTaxCreditProgram
April22
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPhotoContest
April25
PECPoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
April26
EPACleanDieselGrants
April30
TreesForTomorrowFranklin,DauphinCumberlandCounties
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30
NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
April30
YorkLancasterCountiesHabitatImprovementGrants
May
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3
EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May10
NRCSRegionalConservationPartnershipGrants
May16
EPAPresidentialEnvironmentalEducationInnovationAward
May19
DCNRVolunteerFireCompanyGrants
May19
SchuylkillHighlandsConservationLandscapeMiniGrantProgram
May31
$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
May31
PAWasteWatcherAwardsProgram
May31
DominionFoundationHigherEducation,K12EducationGrants
June3
GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June30
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30
CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30
CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July
July
July8
ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
July8
PROPRecyclingFilmFestival
September
September
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants
Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Politics
BernieSandersReleasesAntiFrackingAd
Clinton,SandersSparOverFrackingAheadOfNY,PAPrimaries
Air
Alternative/RenewableEnergy
Awards,Recognition
BlackFlies
DEPBeingsAerialSprayingToControlBlackFlies
Budget
ChesapeakeBay
Climate
WhyClimateChangeDoubtersStillExist
OpEd:ProsecuteClimateDeniers,HoldThoseWhoMisleadAccountable
Editorial:ClimateDenialGoesWobbly
Editorial:UNWatch:AClimateChill
ComplianceAction
ConservationDistricts
DelawareRiver
$5MFederalFundingProposalsWouldAidDelawareRiverBasin
DrinkingWater
AP:100+PrivateWaterSystemsInPAToppedLeadLimit
UpTo15,000AllentownWaterLinesMayBeMadeOfLead
HersheyWalkForCleanWaterRaises$17KForCharity
EarthDay
EconomicDevelopment
AmericanEaglePaperMillsTyroneConvertingToNaturalGas
Education
4thAnnualYouthConservationsLeadershipCamp
Energy
WillEnergyHubSavePhillyOrDestroyIt?
ClearingBeginsOnJessupNaturalGasPowerPlantSite
CoalSlumpSendsPeabodyEnergyIntoBankruptcy
PeabodyCoalSeeksBankruptcyProtection
WSJ:PeabodyBankruptcyPutsEnvironmentalObligationsAtRisk
OpEd:AfterBankruptcies,CoalsDirtyLegacyLivesOn
EnergyEfficiency
Flooding
$4MInFloodDamagePromptedSusquehannaRiverIslandVacateOrder
Forests
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
After4Years,ForksTownshipMovesIntoGreenBuilding
Littering/IllegalDumping
HardyVolunteersHelpPickUpTrashAtPresqueIsle
VolunteersNeededForHarrisburgLitterCleanupDayApril16
JeannetteEyesMonthlongTrashCleanup
MineReclamation
WSJ:PeabodyBankruptcyPutsEnvironmentalObligationsAtRisk
OpEd:AfterBankruptcies,CoalsDirtyLegacyLivesOn
Oil&Gas
PanelAtWilkesU.DiscussesFrackingsPros,Cons
ClearingBeginsOnJessupNaturalGasPowerPlantSite
UGISpendingBigMoneyToReplaceOldPipelines
PennEastPipelineAnnouncesGrantRecipients
PGWExecsGuaranteedBonusesInFailedSaleProcess
AmericanEaglePaperMillsTyroneConvertingToNaturalGas
PAAtLowRiskForEarthquakes,HopesToKeepItThatWay
ConventionalOil&GasGroupLoses40%OfItsMembers
FedsToIssueOffshoreDrillingRuleIndustryFought
RiceEnergyToBuyBankruptAlphaGasAssets
Pipelines
SunocoPipelineToCross270PropertiesInWestmoreland
Speaker:CommunitiesNeedToRevoltToStopPipelines
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
Stormwater
DunmoreMayAllocateSewerMoneytoStormwaterProjects
SusquehannaRiver
$4MInFloodDamagePromptedSusquehannaRiverIslandVacateOrder
WastewaterFacilities
OverbrookResidents,PittsburghSewerAuthorityClash
Scranton,DunmoreForecastMayCallForRainTax
ScrantonAuthority,AmericanWaterSubmitApplicationToPUC
WestmorelandAuthorityToBorrow$220MForWaterInfrastructure
WatershedProtection
NEMasterWatershedStewardProgramOnTap
$5MFederalFundingProposalsWouldAidDelawareRiverBasin
DelawareRiverKeeperApril8RiverWatchVideoReport
PACongressmenCallForTougherWaterStandards
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
HowYouCanSaveAToadsLifeInRoxborough
StudentsGetVisitFromNescopeckButterflyFarm
Editorial:BigThingsAwaitNEAnglersOnOpeningDay
Crable:AsLancastersSpeedwellLakeRefills,UncommonBirdsDropIn
PresqueIsleBayIsForTheBirds
Schneck:HummingbirdsBackInPAForBreedingSeason
NWHawkWatchCollectsDataInErie
AudubonOfWesternPA:EagletHatchesAtHarmerNest
HawkInjuredWithArrowOnTheMendInYork
NewportTwpMineWhereBatsHibernatePartOfStateGameLand
PAsDeerHarvestIncreasesFromPreviousSeason
ZikaVirus
CDC:ZikaDefinitelyCausesSevereBirthDefects
Scientists:ZikaTiedToAnotherAdultBrainDisease

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewregulationswerepublishedthisweek.
PennsylvaniaBulletinApril16,2016
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
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applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
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DEPwebpage
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ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
ThePublicUtilityCommission
publishednotice
ofanopportunitytocommentonaproposed
policystatementonCombinedHeatandPowerintheApril16PABulletin.Thedeadlinefor
commentsisMay31.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
offinalchangestotechnical
guidanceidentifyingproceduresforawardingHazardousSitesCleanupActpermitreviewgrants
intheApril16PABulletin.
DEP
publishednotice
ofafederalconsistencydeterminationunderthefederalCoastalZone
ManagementActfortheLakeErieConnectorinternationalelectrictransmissioncableprojectin
theApril16PABulletin.
DEPpublishednoticeofchangestothelistofcompaniescertifiedtoperformradonrelated
activitiesintheApril16PABulletin(
page1951
).
TheFishandBoatCommissionpublishednoticeintheApril16PABulletinoftheadditionof
22streamssectionstoits
listofClassAWildTroutStreams
andtheadditionof
99newwatersto
thelistWildTroutStreams
.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
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DEPwebpage
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