Pa Environment Digest Jan. 4, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Issue#601Harrisburg,PaJanuary4,2016
A1,000Stories,On1,000sOfPAEnvironmentalStewardsSince2004,134StoriesIn2015
SinceJuneof2004,the
PAEnvironmentDigest
hasprinted
nearly1,000storiesaboutthousandsofindividuals,
businesses,farmers,schools,localgovernments,studentsof
allages,nonprofitgroupsandorganizationsjustlikeyou
honoredfordoinggreatthingstoprotectandrestore
Pennsylvaniasenvironmentineverycornerofthe
Commonwealth.
Herearethe134storieswepublishedduring2015.
WillwefindYOUonthislistin2016?
PennStatesRichardAlleyReceivesFrontiersOfKnowledgeAwardInClimateChange
CovantaChesterEnergyFromWasteFacilitySaves1.3MGallonsOfWaterPerDay
CBFPA:WashingtonCountyJoinsCleanWaterCountsInitiative
PAParks&ForestsFoundationAnnounces2015AwardWinners
Dickinson,Penn,CarnegieMellonNamedTo50GreenestCollegesList
ConewangoCreekNamedPennsylvanias2015RiveroftheYear
PAsFirstAfricanAmericanStateForester:RalphElwoodBrock
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilHonorsFormerMemberJanetKeim
PAResourcesCouncilAnnouncesWinnersOf2014LensOnLitterPhotoContest
PittsburghsParksConservancyDirectorHechtNamedCarnegieScienceAwardWinner
NorristownWaterTreatmentPlantReceivesPartnershipForSafeWaterAward
KeystoneCleanWaterTeamReceivesNationalDesignation
HeritageRailTrailInYorkCountyIsPAs2015TrailOfTheYear
KeepPABeautifulRecognizesOutstandingVolunteersFor2014
KeepPABeautifulEarnsRecognitionAtNationalConference
Feature:VolunteerCitedForWorkWithBluebirdsAtBaldEagleStatePark
PAParks&ForestsAwardWinnersAnnounced,AwardsBanquetMay5
PALeagueOfWomenVotersHonorFranklinL.KuryApril7
WestPikelandTownship,ChesterCountyLaudedForItsOpenSpaceInitiatives
DinnerToRecognizeWinnersOfGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwards
ActingDCNRSecretaryCindyDunnHonoredByNationalWildlifeFederation
ShellMeetsAll15CenterForSustainableShaleDevelopmentPerformanceStandards
WaterSystemConference,20thAnniversaryOfSafeWaterPartnershipOct.2830
ShippensburgAuthorityLatestToJoinPartnershipForSafeWater
CommunityLeadersHonoredBySewickleyCreekWatershedAssociation
WinnersOf2015WesternPAEnvironmentalAwardsAnnounced
DCNRHonoringLardnersPointParkInPhiladelphiaWithGreenParkAward
SmallBusinessesToBeRecognizedByDuquesnesCenterForGreenIndustries
EPARecognizesVerizonWithEnergyStarPartnerOfYear,ExcellenceAward
PAWildsRecognizesOutstandingEffortsInSustainableTourismDevelopment
PECOReceivesEPA2015EnergyStarPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAManufacturingPlantsRecognizedByDOEAsLeadersInEnergyManagement
DEPHonoredForClarionCountyAbandonedMineReclamationProject
PAEERecognizesStroudWaterResearchCenterLeafPackStreamEcologyKit
MechanicsburgBoroughPromotesRecyclingThroughAwardsProgram
EPAHonorsPACollegeConsortiumForFoodRecoveryChallengeAchievement
CentreCountyRecycling&RefuseAuthorityWinsNationalRecognition
EPALaudsBethlehemAreaSchoolDistrictForEnvironmentalLeadership
U.S.Dept.OfEducationRecognizesPAGreenSchools
PAEnvironmentalProfessionalsHonorBernardMcGurl,JohnArway
WildlifeForEveryone:WinnersAnnouncedInTomRidgeWetlandsPhotoContest
EPARecognizes9PAUniversitiesAsTopGreenPowerUsersInTheirConferences
WeisMarketsAwardsKPBsGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAGiftCards
SchuylkillActionNetworkToHonorStudentsForWorkInProtectingDrinkingWater
DominionAwards$135,000InGrantsSupportingEnvironmentalInitiativesInPA
PECOEnvironmentalProgramReceivesGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAward
KeepPABeautifulsGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAReceivesGovernorsAward
WolfAnnouncesWinnersOf2015GovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwards
RecycleBankGreenSchoolsProgramRecognizes18SchoolsInPA
KPB:KeepAmericaBeautiful,CocaColaAwardRecyclingBinsInPA
NorthamptonCountyReceivesPALandTrustAssn.ConservationLeadershipAward
JohnDawesReceivesPALandTrustAssn.LifetimeConservationLeadershipAward
PennsylvaniaMarks20thAnniversaryOfSigningOfLandRecyclingLaws
Senate,DEPCelebrates20thAnniversaryOfTheLandRecyclingProgramWithVideo
BlueMountainSchoolDistrictStudentsHonoredForProtectingDrinkingWater
WesternPAEnvironmentalAwardWinner:SustainablePittsburgh
PartOfLaurelHillStateParkIncludedInOldGrowthForestNetwork
2MorePADrinkingWaterFacilitiesReceivePresidentsAward
MiltonAuthoritysInnovativeWastewaterPlantFeaturedAtInternationalConference
WeisMarketsReceivesTopHonorForSustainabilityInitiatives
PaintCreekRegionalWatershedAssn.ReceivesWesternPAEnvironmentalAward
DelawareCountyHighSchoolTakes2015PAEnvirothonHonors
VolunteersDonate$1MillionWorthOfLaborToStateParks,Forests
PittsburghSustainableSmallBusinessDesignationsToBeCelebratedJune19
ExelonRecognizedForSustainabilityLeadershipInNewsweekGreenRankings
HersheyNamedATop10GreenCompanyInU.S.ByNewsweek
KeepPABeautiful:WinnersOfGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
DelawareHighlandsConservancyScholarshipWinnersAnnounced
PAEnvironmentalCouncilRecognizesAnthonyBartolomeoWithAchievementAward
DCNRCelebrating20thAnniversaryWithNewOutreachTool
HousePassesResolutionRecognizingWorkOfConewangoCreekWatershedAssn.
WesternPATreeFarmReceives2015RegionalAmericanTreeFarmSystemAward
RaulChiesa,JanetSredyNamedNationalOutstandingTreeFarmersOfTheYear
DEPSecretaryQuigleyMarks20thAnniversaryOfDEP
FirstSecretary,CurrentSecretaryCelebrateDCNRs20thAnniversary
PoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrantSuccessStories
13thAnniversaryOfQuecreekMineRescueInSomerset
RenmatixInPARecognizedByEPAWithGreenChemistryChallengeAward
SojournMarksConewangoCreeksPARiverOfTheYearDesignation
SchuylkillRiverTrailNamedNationsBestUrbanTrail
3PAFarmsReceivePACDCleanWaterFarmAwards
PECsLindsayBaxterRecipientOf2015McCloyFellowshipInEnvironmentalPolicy
ShepptonMineDisaster,RescueHistoricMarkerToBeDedicatedOnAug.22
DCNRRenamesLackawannaStateForestDistrictInHonorOfGiffordPinchot
OpEd:Gov.GiffordPinchotLeftHisMarkOnOurNaturalHeritage
ChesapeakeBayWatershedChampion:KellyGutshall,Landstudies,Inc.
DEPsDanVilelloReceivesCountyCommissionersFriendOfCountiesAward
EphrataAreaAuthorityReceivesRecognitionFromPartnershipForSafeWater
KeepPABeautiful:Nearly130,000ParticipatedIn2015GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
DCNRsDr.DonaldEggenHonoredByU.S.ForestService
DEPToReceiveNationalAwardForLackawannaCountyCoalRefuseFireProject
PenncrestHighSchoolWins2ndPlaceInInternationalEnvirothonCompetition
LehighCountyFarmerRecognizedForCommitmentToWaterQualityInDelaware
WestmorelandConservationDistrictPresentsAwardsSept.9
PACoalAlliance,DEPRecognizeMiningCompaniesForLandReclamation
NortheastPAEnvironmentalPartnersAnnounce2015AwardWinners
WilliamsportJoinsPartnershipForSafeWatersOptimizationProgram
NationalMiningHallOfFameToInduct3NewPARelatedMembers
StateParkTrailNamedInHonorOfFirstDCNRSecretary,JohnC.Oliver
WissahickonValleyWatershedAssn.PreservesOpenSpaceInMontgomeryCounty
SustainableForestryInitiativeSetsWorldsRecordForPlantingTrees:7,248InPA
KeepPABeautifulAffiliatesIn4CountiesCollectNearly4,000Tires
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition20thAnniversaryCelebrationOct.10
PPLElectricMakesDonationToBrodheadWatershedAssn.For26thAnniversary
UGI,ColumbiaGas,PPL,DuquesneNamedEnvironmentalChampionsInUtilitySurvey
DEPsRichardBeamWinsNationalAbandonedMineLandAssn.TeachingAward
GroupsInBradfordCountyRecognizedAsChesapeakeBayForestChampions
ErieTimes:RidgeEnvironmentalCenterHonorsHarryLeslie
AndyErnstOfErnstSeedsHonoredForHisContributionsToTheNativeSeedIndustry
GeraldSmithWaterTreatmentPlantReceivesPartnershipForSafeWaterAward
ManadaConservancyCelebrates80thAnniversaryWithFallHikeOct.25
ColumbiaBoroughRecognizedNationallyForMakingWalkingEasier
WoodlochResortGreenLodgingRaises$15,000ForDelawareHighlands
KettleCreekCorp.HonoredByPARecyclingMarketsCenterWith2015HeenanAward
LandStudiesSpecialistFirstCertifiedInMS4StormwaterProgram
DEPsHeidiKunkaHonoredWithGreenestAppleAwardByGreenBuildingCouncil
5PennsylvaniaCollege/UniversityArboretumsMakeTop50ListInU.S.
PAAmericanWater:
WinnersOfImagineADayWithoutWaterPhotoContest
IndependentReviewHailsManagementOfPennsylvaniasStateForests
PerkiomenWatershedConservancyHonors7WithEnvironmentalAwards
PAResourcesCouncilToHonorEnvironmentalLeadersNov.12
NortheastPAEnvironmentalPartnersHeld25thAnnualAwardsDinnerInWilkesBarre
WinnersofDEPSecretarysExcellenceAwardsHonoredInCeremony
EPARecognizesPhiladelphiaPrisonSystemForFoodRecoveryEfforts
AquaAmericaReceivesGreenVisionAwardFromPENJERDEL
California,NorthwestStatesThankPAFirefightersForHelpingHand
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAEarns2AwardsForStreamBuffers,ReducingPollution
PAAmericanWaterTreatmentPlantCompletes3rdPhaseOfPartnershipForSafeWater
PSUExtensionWaterTeamReceivesInternationalLakeManagementSocietyAward
DuquesneUniversitysSustainabilityMBALandsOnAnotherTop10Listing
WeisMarketsBecomes2ndFoodRetailerToReceiveGroceryStewardshipCertification
PittsburghGreenWorkplaceChallengeHighestScoringOrganizationsRecognized
SlipperyRockWatershedCoalition20thAnniversaryCelebration
TheFightAgainstLitterByWalkingStickProductionsWinnerOfPRCVideoContest
RelatedStories:
117StoriesAboutHundredsOfPAEnvironmentalStewardsHonoredIn2014
115StoriesAboutHundredsOfPAEnvironmentalStewardsHonoredIn2013
87StoriesAboutHundredsOfAwardWinningEnvironmentalStewardsFrom2012
92StoresAboutHundredsOfAwardWinningEnvironmentalStewardsFrom2011
92StoriesAboutHundredsOfAwardWinningEnvironmentalStewardsFrom2010
93Stories:BeInspiredByThoseRecognizedForTheirEnvironmentalGoodWorksIn2009
78Stories:Begin2009ByRecognizingTheEnvironmentalGoodWorkIn2008,BeInspired!
AllAwardees:
Toviewallthestoriesofthoserecognizedin
PAEnvironmentDigest
stories
sinceJune2004whenPenncrestHighSchoolinDelawareCountytooktophonorsinthe2004
PAEnvirothoncompetition,
ClickontheSearch
functionandthenSubject:Awards&
Recognition.
Gov.WolfVetoes$6.864BFromRepublicanBudgetBill,GOPInNoHurryToComeBack
Gov.TomWolfTuesdayannouncedhelineitemvetoed$6.864
billionofthe$30.263billionHouseRepublicanbudgetin
House
Bill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)allowingsixmonthsofschool
district,otherstateandallfederalfundingtobeavailable.
Whatremainsisa$23.399millionGeneralFundspending
authorization.
WolfsaidtheSenateandHouselefttownbeforetheirworkwas
doneandcalledtheRepublicanbudgetanexerciseinstupidity
thatshortchangedschools,didnotbalanceanddidnothingtoaddressthestructuraldeficit.
HecalledontheGeneralAssemblytoreturntoHarrisburgtofinishitswork.
NeithertheSenateorHousehaveplanstocomebacktoHarrisburgonadatecertainfor
voting.TheGeneralAssemblywillbeinHarrisburgJanuary5fortheceremonialbeginningof
the2016session.
Therearenow30daysuntilGov.Wolf'ssecondbudgetaddressonFebruary2,ironically,
GroundhogDay.
ItemsVetoed
TheGovernorsBudgetOfficereleasedalistof
GeneralFundlineitemsvetoed
bythe
Governor.Theyinclude
DEP$900,000forSewageFacilitiesPlanningGrants
DCNR$2.2millionforHeritageParks
ClickHere
foralistofitemsvetoed,changed(inyellow).[
ClickHere
foracopyin
anotherformat.]
Gov.WolfsRemarks
ImvetoingtheRepublicanplantocut$95millionfromeducation,andImalsovetoing
otheritemsthattheydontpayfor,saidGov.Wolf.Imcallingonourlegislatorstogetbackto
Harrisburgbacktotheworktheyleftunfinishedlastweek.Atthesametime,Imallowing
emergencyfundingforourschoolstogetout.Imalsolettingfundinggoouttoourhuman
serviceagenciesandtoourcounties.Butthisisonanemergencybasisonly.
Indoingthis,Imexpressingtheoutragethatallofusshouldfeelaboutthegarbagethe
Republicanlegislativeleadershavetriedtodumponus.ThisbudgetiswrongforPennsylvania.
Andourlegislatorsthefolksweelectedtoserveusneedtoownuptothis.Theyneedtodo
theirjobs.Thisbudgetiswrongforsomanyreasons,butespeciallybecauseitdoesnotbalance,
increasesourdeficitandfailstoinvestinourschoolsandourfuture.
Gov.WolfvetoedpartsofthebudgetbecauseRepublicansdidnotpayfortheirspending
andtoensureamoreresponsiblebudget,butheistakingactiontoensurethatschoolsreceive
moneyowedtothemthroughDecember31.
Gov.Wolflimitedemergencyfundingtoahalfyearappropriation(basedonthe
agreedtobipartisanbudget)forbasiceducationfunding,statecorrectionsinstitutionsand
medicalassistancecapitation.
AsGov.Wolfsaidformonths,Pennsylvaniaisfacingamassivestructuralbudgetdeficit
asaresultofyearsofRepublicanbudgetsthatwereoutofbalance.Thismultibilliondollar
deficitcannotsimplybewishedaway.TheRepublicanbudgetisnotbalancedandwillgrowthe
Commonwealthsmultibilliondollardeficit.
Thisbudgetspends$30.3billiondollarswithoutsufficientrevenuestopayforit.
Assumingthatwewouldcertifythecurrentyearrevenueestimateattheamountrecommended
bytheIndependentFiscalOfficeearlierthismonth,ifthegovernorsignedthisbill,the
Commonwealthwouldendtheyearoverahalfabilliondollarsoutofbalancewithastructural
deficitofover$2.3billion.
WhileRepublicansmayclaimthattheyhavefinishedthejob,theyhavenot.Theyhave
notpaidforthebudgettheypassed,whichwouldfurtherincreaseourdeficitthatstoodat$2.3
billionearlierthisyear.
Intotal,thegovernorreleasedmorethan$23.3billioninfunding.
Further,thegovernorrejectedthelegislaturesdesiredincreasesfortheirownfunding
andinsteadrevertedtheirappropriationstoflatfundingfromthepreviousyear.Community
colleges,statesysteminstitutionsandotherhighereducationlinesarealsolimitedtoflatfunding
fromthepreviousyear.
Thelegislatureleftforvacationwithoutpassingappropriationsbillsforstaterelated
universities,PennState,UniversityofPittsburgh,LincolnUniversity,TempleUniversity,and
thePennSchoolofVeterinaryScience,andothernonpreferredinstitutions.
TheRepublicanbudgetunderfundseducationandusesgimmicksthatwillactuallyleadto
a$95millioncutinfundingforourschools,Gov.Wolfsaid.Republicanscontinuetorefuseto
adequatelyfundPreKthrough12educationandtheirbudgetfailstofund$305millioninschool
constructionreimbursements.Instead,theyclaimtopayforschoolconstructionbyissuing
billionsinnewdebt.
However,sincetheRepublicanbudgetfailstotakeanymeaningfulstepstofix
Pennsylvaniasstructuralbudgetdeficitwhichhasalreadyledtofivecreditdowngradesthe
Commonwealthwillbeunabletoresponsiblyissueanydebttocoverschoolconstruction
reimbursementsthisyearandlikelyintothefuture,Gov.Wolfadded.
TheRepublicansfailuretoprovideschoolconstructionfundingtolocalschooldistricts
andtheCommonwealthsinabilitytoresponsiblyissuedebtwillleadtoadirectcosttothe
schooldistricts,whichwillwipeoutanymarginalfundingincreasesforlocalschooldistricts.
Thismeansthattheirbudgetisaneffective$95millioncuttoschooldistrictsafteryearsofcuts
underpreviousRepublicanbudgets,Gov.Wolfcontinued.
TheRepublicanbudgetcontinuesthetrendofnotonlyunderfundingourschoolsbutalso
fiscalirresponsibilitythathaveledtomassivestructuraldeficitsandmultiplecreditdowngrades.
Now,thosedecisionswillhaveadirectimpactonourabilitytopayourbillsandissuedebt.
ClickHere
foracopyofGov.Wolfscompleteremarks.
SenateRepublicansComment
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman
(RCentre)saidina
telephonepressconference
TuesdayGov.Wolfslineitemvetowasexpectedandhisactionrelievedalotofpressureon
schools.HesaidhewasgladtheSenatesplantogetabudgettotheGovernortorelievethat
pressureworked.
HesaidSenateRepublicansarepreparedtoworkwiththeHouseandtheGovernorto
finalizeabudget.HeexpresseddisappointmentintheGovernorforhisderogatorycomments
abouttheLegislature,butatthesametimehenotedtheGovernorapproved90percentofthe
lineitemsinthebudget.
Sen.Cormanreiteratedatonepointinthecallthatpensionreformwasstillanimportant
partofthesebudgetdiscussions,butdidnotmentionliquorreform.Laterhesaidfurther
changestothepensionbill,aspassedbytheSenate,wouldnotbesomethinghecansupport.
Wevecompromisedenoughonthatplan.
Onreleasingaproposedtaxpackage,Sen.Cormansaidtherearefivepartiesinvolvedin
shapingataxpackage,andnoplanhasbeenfinalized.Headdedthereisalsonoultimatespend
numbertoworkagainst.
HedidshootbackontheGovernorsassertiontheRepublicanbudgetbillcuteducation
fundingby$95millionsayingifyouwanttogetintoit,theGovernorbyhisactiontodaycut$3
billionineducationfunding,butweshouldgetpassedissueslikethat.
OncomingbacktoHarrisburg,Sen.Cormansaidmostofthebudgetrelatedbillsarein
theHouse,includingfundingforPennState(inSen.Cormansdistrict),buthesaidhis
leadershipisavailable24/7tocometoHarrisburgforfurtherdiscussionswhentheyareheld.
TheSenateremainsona6hourcall.
ClickHere
tolistentothepressconference.
SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati
(RJefferson),
SenateMajorityLeader
JakeCorman
(RCentre),
SenateAppropriationsCommitteeMajorityChairPatBrowne
(RLehigh)and
SenateMajorityWhipJohnGordner
(RColumbia)releasedthefollowing
statement:
Wesupportthegovernorslongoverduedecisiontoreleaseemergencyfunding
approvedbythelegislaturetohelpschoolsandsocialserviceagencies.Thisissomethingwe
havebeenadvocatingforovermanymonthsandisexactlywhywesenthimabudgetlastweek
toreleasemoneythathasbeencollectedandisbeingheldbythestatetoschoolsand
communities.
Wearegladthatthegovernorhasacknowledgedthathisactionsoffullvetoesinthe
pasthavemeantkidsandcommunityorganizationshavebeenheldhostagebyhisrefusalto
releasefundingandthatapproachisnolongerdefensible.Hecouldhaveusedthislineitemveto
monthsagoandavoidedthiscrisissituation.
Thisactionessentiallyresetstheclockgivingustimetoworktowardafiscally
responsiblespendingplanwithoutjeopardizingcoregovernmentservices.
Wehavesignificantdifferenceswiththisgovernorandhiscallsforincreasedtaxesand
spending,andweneedtositdownandworkthroughthem.Wehavebeennegotiatingingood
faithwithhim,whichiswhywearedisappointedthatheusedwordslikegarbageandexercise
instupidityinhisstatement.Thiskindofnamecallingandblamingisnotnecessaryor
productiveasweworktowardcompromise.
NowtheGovernormustdemonstrateleadershiptogetacompletebudgetpassed.The
Senatehasapprovedthreebudgetproposalsalready,andbecauseofhislatestlineitemvetoes
willneedtoproduceafourth.ItslongpasttimefortheAdministrationtoembraceandwork
towardthecompromiseneededtoenactafiscallyresponsiblestatebudget.Weremain
committedtoachievingthatgoal.
HouseRepublicanReaction
SpeakeroftheHouseMikeTurzai
(RAllegheny)and
HouseMajorityLeaderDave
Reed
(RIndiana)issuedthefollowingstatement:
Today,Gov.TomWolfdidwhathecouldhaveandshouldhavedonemorethan180
daysagodriveoutappropriateddollarstohelpchildrenandvictimsthroughoutPennsylvania.
Atsomepoint,peoplehavetowonderhowdoesthegovernorconsidera$30.3billion
budgetthatincreaseseducationfundingbymorethan$400millionwithoutrelyingonasalesor
incometaxincreasegarbage,butcontinuestobackabroken$30.8billionframeworkbudget
thatincreasessalesorincometaxeswithoutpensionreform,propertytaxrelieforrealstepsto
bringourliquorsystemintothe21stcentury?
Therealityisthatoverthelastmonth,theoriginalbudgetframeworkhasfallenapart
forahostofreasonsthemostsignificantbeingthelackofagreementonhowtofundit.
Certainly,thereisarecognitionthatnewrevenueswillbeneededtohelpfundourstates
priorities,butthatrecognitionmustalsoberespectfulofthetaxpayers.
Untiltoday,thegovernorhasfullyvetoedeveryspendingplantheLegislaturehassent
tohimsinceJune.Whileitisimportantneededfundsarefinallybeingreleasedtoschoolsand
humanserviceproviders,afullspendingplanisnecessary.
Weunderstandthatcompromiseisatwowaystreet,butitneedstobebasedinreality.It
istimetoresetthechesspiecesandworktogethertomovethisstateforwardandbringabouta
longtermbudgetsolution.WewillcontinueconversationswiththegovernorandSenate
RepublicanandDemocrattocometoarealitybasedbudgetsolution.
SpeakerTurzailatersaidHouseRepublicanshadnoplanstoreturntoHarrisburgona
datecertain,butstartingJanuary4theHousewouldbeona6hourcall.
HouseDemocratsReact
HouseDemocraticLeaderFrankDermody
(DAllegheny)saidthisaboutGov.Wolfs
lineitemveto
Gov.WolfhasagainprovedhimselftobethestrongleaderthatPennsylvanianeeds.He
understandsthepainthatasixmonthimpassebroughttothousandsofpeople.Bysigningthis
billintolaw,thegovernorisworkingtoensurethatemergencyfundingcanflowtoschools,
countiesandhumanservices.
Withthegovernorsuseofconstitutionallineitemvetoauthoritytosubstantiallyscale
backmanyappropriationlines,thelegislaturewillhavetogetbacktoworkonanhonestbudget
forafullyear,abudgetthatactuallybalances.
IapplaudthegovernorforinsistingthatworkcontinueonthekindofbudgetthatHouse
Democratshavesupportedallalong.Theresnowachanceforallsidestostepawayfromthe
endlessargumentofthelastsixmonthsandlookforbetterwaystofinishtheworkweweresent
todo.
Todaysdeliveryofpartialstatefundingissignificantandwelcome,butwestillhave
importantworkahead.
SenateDemocratsComment
SenateDemocratsprovidedthefollowingreactiontoGov.TomWolfslineitemvetoof
aRepublicanbudgetplan.
ThegovernorsactiontodaywillhopefullyforceHouseRepublicanlawmakersbackto
Harrisburgtofinishworkonaresponsiblespendingplan.Legislatorsneedtoreturntobusiness
andworktowardthepassageofthe$30.8billionbudgetframeworkagreement,said
Senate
MinorityLeaderJayCosta
(DAllegheny)
TheHouseRepublicanbudgetwas$500millionoutofbalance.Itdoesnotaddressthe
$1.3billionstructuraldeficitthathashobbledstategovernmentandsimplycontinued
Corbetttypebudgetingforanotheryear.AftertheHouseRepublicanswalkedawayfroma
responsiblebudgetplanlastweek,thegovernorhadfewoptions.
Thegovernorsreleaseofsixmonthsofemergencyfundingforschoolsandhuman
serviceprogramspushesmoneytoschoolsandprogramsthatareconfrontedbyseriousfinancial
challenges.
SenateMinorityAppropriationsChairSen.VincentJ.Hughes
(DPhiladelphia)said,
ThepurposefuldecisionofHouseRepublicanstorepeatedlystonewalltheagreedtoframework
budgethasleftPennsylvaniasschoolsystemonthebrinkofcollapse,soIapplaudthe
governorsdecisiontoapproveemergencyfundingforschooldistrictsthroughoutthe
commonwealth.
Ourschoolshavegoneabovethecallofdutytokeeptheirdoorsopen.Theycannot
continuetodothat,norshouldweallowthattohappen.
Pennsylvaniasfinancialsituationremainsanurgentonedespitethegovernorsaction
today.MembersoftheHouseGOPneedtogetbacktoHarrisburgasquicklyastheyleftand
approvetheagreedtoframework20152016budgetbecausethisisshorttermhelp.Schoolswill
closeiftheleadershipinthislonecaucuscontinuesitsbadbehavior.
SenateMinorityWhipSen.AnthonyWilliams
(DPhiladelphia)added,The
organizationsthatoperateintheshadowsofPennsylvanialifeareclosingtheirdoorsbecauseof
HouseRepublicansarewillfullyandcallouslyignoringtheirplight.
Ourhumanserviceagenciesneededareliefvalvefromtheunfairfinancialburdenbeing
placedonthembyoneofthefourlegislativecaucuses,andGov.Wolfrightlygaveittothem.
NewsClips:
StateBudgetTalksReset,CapitolOnHolidayFooting
WolfVetoesRepublicanBudget,WillReleaseSchoolFunds
AP:GovernorVetoesPartOfBudget,OKsSchoolCash
PLS:WolfLineItemVetoesBudget
WolfToGOPLeaders:GetBackToWork
Winners,LosersInWolfsStopgapBudget
DEPGetsMoreMoney,NoNewInspectors
Editorial:ToyingWithTheStateBudget
DrillingImpactFeeInBudgetDebate
2LawmakersWantToRevisitAct13DrillingFees
Editorial:LocalDrillingImpactFeeUseAccountability
OpEd:BudgetLaunchesAttackOnEnvironmentalProtection,Rep.Vitali
OpEd:CongressReauthorizesLand&WaterConservationProgram
GameCommissionCuttingStaff
DEPChiefLeadingAgencyThruHighCuts,LowTimes
(Photo:AssociatedPress)
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAPutsEnvironmentalProtectionFundingIntoPerspective
HarryCampbell,PAExecutiveDirectorforthe
ChesapeakeBay
Foundation
issuedthisstatementWednesdayfollowingGov.TomWolfs
lineitemvetoofpartsofthestatebudgetfor201516,specificallyrelating
tofundingtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
TheGovernorsactionearmarked$87.2millionforenvironmental
protectionoperationswithintheDEP.
The$87.2millionfundingforenvironmentalprotectionand
improvingwaterqualityrepresentsathreepercentincreaseabovelast
yearslevel,butismorethan$2millionlessthanwhattheGovernorasked
for.
ItisasmallsteptowardwhatCBFhopesisovercomingDEPslossof700positions,14
percentofitsemployees,since2008.Theirshasbeenoneofthelargestcutsofanyagency.Its
clearthatitwilltakeagreaterinvestmentbytheCommonwealth,ifitistogetitscleanwater
effortsbackontrack.
Roughly19,000milesofriversandstreamsinPennsylvaniahavebeendamagedby
pollutionandtheCommonwealthissignificantlybehindinmeetingitscleanwater
commitments.Effortstoreducenitrogenandsedimentpollutionfromagricultureandurban
pollutedrunoffremainofftrackbymillionsofpounds.DEPestimatesonlyabout30percentof
farmsintheCommonwealtharecurrentlyincompliance.
Pennsylvaniahaspromisedarebootofitscleanwatereffortsanditwillrequirerenewed
commitment,investment,andleadershipbytheGovernorandlegislaturetoreachitsgoals.
Investingincleanwatercanpaydividends.A2014economicanalysisfoundthatfully
implementingPennsylvaniascleanwaterplanswillresultinanincreaseinthevalueofnatural
benefitsby$6.2billionannually.
CleanwatercountsinPennsylvania
.Increasingfundingforcleanwaterinthisand
futurebudgetsistherightthingtodoandisalegacyworthleavingfuturegenerations.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiatives,specialeventsandhowyoucanbecome
involved,visitthe
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
webpage.
VisitHere
tosignupforregular
updatesfromCBFPA(bottomofleftpanel).
NewsClips:
PhiladelphiaUsesGreenInfrastructureToStayAboveWater
RepairsToStopGroundwaterLeakingIntoAlcosanSystem
Nestle:PAWaterFacilityWontDamageWells
BusinessAnswerToWaterQuality,Conservation
DelawareRiverkeeperDec.26RiverWatchVideoReport
PittsburghRiverTownsSeriesFosteringEconomicGrowth
Editorial:PittsburghsRiverZoneFacesUpdate
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Analysis:StateEnvironmentalAgencyFundingHasntCaughtUpTo2DecadesAgo
Evenwiththerecentincreasesinstatefunding,GeneralFundsupportforthedepartmentsof
EnvironmentalProtectionandConservationandNaturalResourcesstillremainsbelowwhereit
wasmorethantwodecadesago.
WhileDCNRsgeneraloperationfundinghasbeenmadeupwithsignificantrevenues
fromtheOilandGasFund,DEPsfundinghasnot.
DEPreceivedabout$164.4millionin199495fromtheGeneralFundandincreasedtoa
highof$245.6millionin200203.Inthe201415budget,DEPsGeneralFundtotalwas$141.4
million,afterbottomingoutin201213at$126.8million,lessthanhalfthehighwatermarkin
200203.
DEPattemptedtomakeupforsomeofthesecutswithover$30millionincreasesin
permitreviewandadministrationfeesandbychargingmorecoststospecialfunds,butitstill
cameupshort.
DEPsofficialstaffcomplementisalsobelow199495levelswhenDEPwassplitfrom
DER.In1995DEPhadanauthorizedcomplementofabout3,000,whichincreasedto3,211by
200203.Nowtheauthorizedcomplementisdowntoabout2,681orso,withouttheincreases
proposedbyGov.Wolfin2015.
ClickHere
toviewatablewithEnvironmentalAgencyFunding199495to201617.
EnvironmentalAgencyFunding199495to201617
(figuresinmillions)
199495 199596 200203 200304 201112 201213 201415

Casey* Ridge Schweiker Rendell Rendell Corbett Corbett
201617
Wolf**
Agriculture
General
Fund
$44.8
$46.5
$76.1
$71.9
$130.4
$129.5
$124.6
$52.9
Federal
$2.9
$3.7
$17.1
$27.7
$38.6
$39.5
$40.1
Total
$103.9
$108.2
$213.3
$217.8
$288.7
$301.2
$341.2
Staff
656
628
596
598
596
DCNR
General
Fund
$72.2
$82.7
$108.8
$98.2
$53.7
$53.7
$14.5
$59.9
Federal
$4.9
$15.7
$18.4
$25,9
$39.1
$43.8
$40.7
Total
$116.9
$192.7
$322.9
$295.9
$255.8
$300.1
$334.2
Staff
1,391
1,380
1,389
1,383
1,406
DEP
General
Fund
$164.4
$170.6
$245.6
$193.3
$134.2
$126.8
$141.4
$142.6
Federal
$72.7
$100
$142.2
$147.1
$261.9
$233.6
$193.1
Total
$401.4
$526.9
$728.3
$654.7
$622
$655
$680
Staff
3,000
3,211
3,071
2,770
2,730
2,681
*TransitionbudgetfromsplitofDERintoDCNR,DEP
**BudgetsofaraslineitemvetoedbyGov.Wolf
Sources:
Pastbudgetdocumentsareavailableonthe
GovernorsBudgetOffice
webpagebackto
196970.
Thetotalfundingdeficitforenvironmentalprogramssince200203isnowsomewhere
around$2.4billionnotcountingthisyearbecausethebudgetisntfinal.Ifyouwantalistofthe
cutsanddiversionsofenvironmentalfundsforotherpurposes,
justClickHere
.
Thesecutsinsupportforenvironmentalprotectionhasoccurredduringatimewhenthe
responsibilitiesofAgriculture,DEPandDCNRhaveincreased,notdecreased.No
environmentallawsorprogramshavebeenrepealedtomatchfundingcut,norwouldmany
advocaterepealingourenvironmentalprotectionlaws.
DEP,inparticular,isexpectedtodothesamejobandmorewithlessthanhalfthe
GeneralFundsupportithadbefore.
Somewherethismathmayaddup,butnothere.
Obviously,wearestillbetteroffnowthanwewereinthe196970budget,butthatisnt
sayingmuch.
Inthe196970budget,theDepartmentofAgriculturereceived$7.7millionfromall
sourcesandhadastaffof94theDepartmentofForestsandWatershadabudgetof$18.6
millionandacomplementof1,138andtheDepartmentofMinesandMineralIndustryhada
$5.6millionbudgetandstaffof277.
Ofcourse,therewerefewenvironmentalprotectionprogramsbeyondaddressingsome
mining,airqualityandwasteissues.
Pennsylvaniahasbeenmovingmorebackward,notforwardinsupportingits
environmentalprograms,andhugechallengesremainaheadofus.
Cleaningupourmorethan19,000milesofpollutedstreamsandmeetingthepollution
reductionsPennsylvaniaagreedtointheChesapeakeBayAgreementarejusttwoofthose
challenges.
Westillhavealmost220,000acresofabandonedminesthatpollutemorethan5,000
milesofstreams.
Tohiscredit,thecurrentDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyhasbeenverydirectaboutthe
fundingandstaffingissue.
AthisSenatebudgethearinglastyear,SecretaryQuigleysaidhisagencyhadbeen
hollowedout,
anditsstaffreducedby14percentratherthanthe6percentotherstateagencies
werehitwith.
HealsosaidPennsylvaniais
notgoingtomeetitsChesapeakeBaycleanupcommitments
andaplantoreboottheprogramisintheoffing.
TherearealsodiscussionsgoingonaboutthenextversionofaGrowingGreener
ProgramandthepossibilityofincludingitinGov.WolfsnextbudgetaddressinFebruary.
Pennsylvaniahasalongwaytogotobebackwherewewere,butwehavetostart
somewhere.
RelatedStories:
Analysis:PAEnvironmentalFunding:EatYourVegetables,ThenYoullGetDessert
BudgetBriefing:TimeToEndTheDownwardSpiralOfEnvironmentalFunding
Analysis:BringConstructiveEmotion,PassionBackToTheEnvironmentalMovement
Analysis:FundingDeficitForBasicPAEnvironmentalProgramsNow$2.4Billion
DEPSecretary:PennsylvaniaWillMiss2017ChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
StatusOfRemainingBudgetRelatedBills
HeresthecurrentstatusofthebudgetrelatedbillsthathavebeeninplayintheSenateand
HousesinceJuly1.Note:Futureactiononthebudgetmayincludeotherlegislativevehiclesfor
oneormoreoftheseissues
House
Agreed-To General Fund Budget*:

SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)includesthe
agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetandremainsontheHouseCalendarinposition
forafinalvote.IftheHousepassesthebillasis,itwillgodirectlytotheGovernor.A
House
FiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.
Agreed-To Fiscal Code Bill*:
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike),theFiscalCodevehicle
includestheagreedtolanguage,plusoneortwoextras.ItremainsontheHouseCalendarfor
avoteonwhethertoreturnittotheSenateforaconcurrencevote.Thebasicprovisionsinclude
givingtheGeneralAssemblyextratimetoreviewPennsylvaniasplanformeetingEPAsClean
PowerClimateRule,killingtheconventionaloilandgasregulationsonthevergeofbeing
finalizedbyDEP,a$12millionNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundand$22million
forsmallwaterandwastewaterprojectfundingfortheCommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
Agreed-To Pension Reform Bill*:

SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedto
pensionreformbillremainsontheHouseCalendaraftertheHousefailedtopassthebill52to
149December19andamotiontoreconsiderthevotewasmade.IftheHousepassesthebillas
is,itgoesstraighttotheGovernor.
Agreed-To Education Code Bill*:

HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset),theEducation
CodeagreedtolanguagewasamendedbytheHouseandremainsontheHouseCalendarfora
voteonwhethertosenditbacktotheSenateforaconcurrencevoteonHouseamendments.
TaxCodeBill:
HouseBill1198
(DunbarRWestmoreland),theTaxCodevehicle,was
nonconcurredinbyboththeSenateandHouseandcanbeputinaHouseSenateconference
committeeifneededtocarrywhateverprovisionsarenecessarytofundwhateverGeneralFund
budgettheywantto.
AgreedToLiquorPrivatizationBill*:
LiquorPrivatization:
HouseBill1690
(TurzaiRAllegheny)withtheagreedtoversionofliquorprivatizationremainsintheHouse
RulesCommittee.
SenateNonPreferredAppropriations:
SenateBills912to916
,nonpreferredappropriations
billsforstaterelateduniversities,remainontheHouseCalendarforaction.
HouseNonPreferredAppropriations:
HouseBills1385to1389
,nonpreferred
appropriationsbillsforstaterelateduniversities,werepassedbytheHouseonJune28,but
remainintheHouse.
201516CapitalBudget:
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516CapitalBudget
billisnowontheHouseCalendarforaction.A
HouseFiscalNote
Senate
NotQuiteAgreedToAdministrativeCode*:
HouseBill941
(ReganRCumberland)
AdministrativeCodevehicleremainsintheSenateRulesCommitteeonconcurrence.A
House
FiscalNote
*AgreedTo
isareferencetotheagreedto$30.8billionbudgetframeworkarrivedatthe
daybeforeThanksgivingbyall
four
CaucusesandtheGovernorthatisnowmostlydead.
StateTreasuryExpediting$3.3BInDelayedPaymentsVendors,CheckStatusOfInvoices
TheStateTreasurersOfficehasreceivedpaymentrequestsfromthegovernorsOfficeofthe
Budgetforapproximately16,400delayedpaymentstotalingnearly$3.3billiontoschool
districts,countiesandhumanserviceorganizationsandexpectsthefundstobedeliveredbythe
middleofnextweek.
TreasuryisalsoworkingwiththeOfficeoftheBudgettoprocesstheremainingdelayed
paymentsandexpectstheentirebacklogwillbesentoutwithinapproximatelytwoweeks.
Thebudgetimpassehascausedalotoffinancialhardshipthroughoutthestate,and
Treasuryiscommittedtogettingthesemuchneededstatepaymentsoutthedoorasquicklyas
possible,saidPennsylvaniaTreasurerTimothyReese.
Normally,onceTreasuryreceivesapaymentrequestitrequiresapproximatelyten
businessdaystoconductamandatedlegalandaccuracyreview,processthepaymentandsendit
electronicallyorbymail.Howevertoexpeditedelivery,TreasuryhasworkedwiththeOfficeof
theBudgetduringtheimpassetoidentifyandpreauditthousandsofpayments.
Insteadoftheusualtenbusinessdays,preauditedpaymentswillbedeliveredbynext
weekandincludeeducationpayments(basiceducation,HeadStart,publiclibraries,andspecial
education)publicwelfarepayments(childcare,homelessassistanceandsomehealthservices)
veteranspaymentsandcriticalleaseandutilitypayments.
Treasuryanticipatesreceivingpaymentrequestsfortheremainderofdelayedpayments
fromtheOfficeoftheBudgetthisweek,andstaffwillworkovertheholidayweekendtoreview
andprocessthesepayments.
TheentirebacklogofpaymentsshouldbesentoutwithintwoweeksofTreasury
receivingthepaymentrequests.
ToobtainastatusofoutstandingFY201516invoicessubmittedtotheCommonwealth,
vendorscancontacttheOfficeoftheBudgetutilizinganyofthefollowingmethods:
Commonwealthvendorscancheckthestatusofinvoicessubmittedforpaymentusingthe
paymentlookupfunction
foundonthePennsylvaniasOfficeoftheBudgetwebsite.
Commonwealthvendorscanalsoinquireonthestatusofinvoicessubmittedforpaymentby
emailingtheCommonwealthsPayablesServicesCallCenterat:
RAPSCPAYMENTINQUIRE@PA.GOV
orbycallingtollfreeat8774357363orlocallyat
7173462676.ThePayablesServicesCallCenterisopenMondaythroughFriday8a.m.4:30
p.m.EST.
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.
Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom:
PAEnviroDigest.
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora
oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.
PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(???):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinkingwaterwell
construction
HouseBill530
(ReeseRSomerset)EducationCodebillwithmuchofthe
agreedtolanguagestillremaining,butwithchanges
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)further
providingforliabilityprotectionforlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsor
summary
)
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)FiscalCodebillwithagreedtobudgetlanguage
restored,plussomeextras
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingthe
LegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconductacomprehensivereviewofthestates
programtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)
updatingandimprovingtheTransitRevitalizationinvestmentDistrict
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselfortheEnvironmentalQuality
Board
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516CapitalBudgetbill
SenateBill
1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
SenateBill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill.
<>
ClickHere
forfull
HouseBillCalendar.
Senate(???):
SenateBill201
(SchwankDBerks)authorizingtheleasingofpropertyinthe
CleanandGreenProgramtoaruralenterprise(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlargeelectricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgascompetition(
sponsor
summar
y).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
OnJanuary5theSenateandHousereturnfortheceremonialbeginningofthe2016sessionof
theGeneralAssembly.
Senate
Senateisona6hourcall.
House
Houseisona6hourcall.
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction

$30.2BillionGeneralFundBudget:
HouseBill1460
(AdolphRDelaware)$30.2billion+
HouseRepublicanbudget.ThebillwaslineitemvetoedbytheGovernor.
NewsFromAroundTheState
DrillersWinProceduralRulingOnDEPPermitReviewsForImpactsOnPublicResources
CommonwealthCourtTuesdayruled
theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiondoeshaveto
fileresponsestoachallengefromthe
PAIndependentOilandGasAssociation
challengingDEP
righttoreviewconventionaloilandgasdrillingpermitsfortheirimpactsonrareandendangered
species,parks,drinkingwatersuppliesandotherpublicresources.
PIOGAaskedtheCourt
toprohibitDEPfromenforcingSection7541(a)ofAct13
becausethePASupremeCourthadenjoinedtheapplicationofthatprovisioninits
Robinson
Townshipv.Commonwealth
decisioninDecember2013.
DEPhadopposedPIOGAspetitionforreviewonthegroundsthegrouplackedstanding
andotherprecedentsforpreenforcementreviewofregulatoryprovisionssayingpermit
applicantshadtoexhausttheadministrativeremediesavailabletothembeforecomingto
CommonwealthCourt.
TheCourtdisagreed.
VisitHere
foracopyoftheCourtopinion.
DrillerEQTWinsProceduralRulingAgainstDEPInSettingPenalties
The
PittsburghPostGazettereported
WednesdayEQTdrillingwonaproceduralrulingfromthe
PASupremeCourtsayingthecompanydidnothavetoexhaustitsadministrativeremedies
beforechallenginga
$4.5millionpenalty
leviedbyDEPin2014incourt.
TheSupremeCourtreversedaCommonwealthCourtrulingontheissueandreturnsthe
casetothatcourtforafullhearing.
EQTfiledthelawsuitopposingthefundamentalprincipleDEPusesincalculating
penaltiesforviolationsofenvironmentallawssoeachdayaviolationoccursandcontamination
isspreadingisaseparatepenalty.
DEPfinedEQTforallowingdrillingwastefluidstoleakthroughaholdingpondlinerin
TiogaCounty.
Acopyoftheopinion
isavailableonline.
NewsClip:
EQTWinsProceduralRulingAgainstDEPInSettingPenalty
OpEd:SneakAttackOnEnvironmentalProtectionInFiscalCodeBill
By
Rep.GregVitali
(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee
Severalprovisionstuckedinabudgetrelatedbillwouldsetback
environmentalprotectioninPennsylvania.Onewouldcancelregulations
relatedtonaturalgasdrilling.AnotherwoulddelaytheCommonwealths
efforttoaddressclimatechangeandathirdwouldtakemoneyearmarkedforenergy
conservationanddirectittowardsnaturalgasdevelopment.
TheFiscalCodeisoneofseveralbillsnecessarytoeffectuatethecommonwealthbudget.
Thebillscontentsshouldbelimitedtodirectinghowbudgetmoneyshouldbespent.
Unfortunately,thePennsylvaniaSenatehasinsertedthreeenvironmentallytroublesome
provisionsinthisyearsFiscalCode(
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike).
Thefirstwouldcancelregulationsrelatingtoconventionalgasdrilling(Chapter78
surfaceregulations).Theseregulationswould,amongotherthings,providestricterstandardsfor
spillreportingandcleanupandrequirepredrillinginvestigationstoascertaintheexistenceof
activeorabandonedwells.Drillingintoexistingwellscanresultingroundwatercontamination
andotherenvironmentaldamage.
Thesedrillingregulationshavebeenthreeyearsinthemaking,subjecttotwentyfour
thousandpubliccommentsandtwelvepublichearings.
ThesecondtroublesomeprovisionwoulddelaythePennsylvaniaimplementationplanto
reducegreenhouseemissionfromcoalandgasfiredpowerplants.Thisstateimplementation
planisrequiredbyrecentEPAregulationsdesignedtoreducecarbonemissionsfrompower
plantsbyabout32percentby2030.Powerplantsarethelargestsinglesourceofgreenhousegas
pollutioninPennsylvania.
AthirdtroublesomeprovisionintheFiscalCodewouldtransfer$12millionfromthe
PennsylvaniaAlternativeEnergyInvestmentFundearmarkedforhighefficiencybuildingsto
naturalgasinfrastructuredevelopment.
TherecentParisclimateagreementunderscorestheurgencyofmovingawayfromfossil
fuelstowardsrenewableenergyandconservation.TheseFiscalCodeprovisionswoulddojust
theopposite.
Notonlyisthisbillbadpublicpolicybutitisalsounconstitutionalasviolativeofthe
singlesubjectrequirementsofthePennsylvaniaConstitution(ArticleIII,Section3).
HouseBill1327hasalreadybeenapprovedbytheSenateandispoisedtobeconsideredbythe
PennsylvaniaHouse.TheHouseshouldrejectthisbillandGovernorWolfshouldvetoitshould
itreachhisdesk.
RelatedStory:
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
TheCommonwealthCourtWednesday
issuedarulingupholding
theabilityofaGovernorto
lineitemvetoprovisionsinaFiscalCodebillHouseBill278
vetoedbyGov.Corbettin
2014
.
TheCourtfoundprovisionsrelatedtostatefundingintheFiscalCodebillcorrelate(d)
withtheGeneralFundappropriationsbill,citingappropriationsforDCNRreducedbylineitem
vetointheGeneralFundbillandaprovisionlineitemvetoedintheFiscalCodebill.
TheCourtsaid,SpecificallydesignatingfundsforaparticularpurposeintheFCA
(FiscalCode)isclearlyanappropriationmadebylawitauthorizestheexecutivebranchtouse
thefundsforthemeansdirected.
Further,theCourtsaid,WhiletheGovernorisnotempoweredtointerferewiththe
legislativepowertocraftthepurposeandscopeofgenerallegislationviaapartialveto,hehas
beenempoweredwiththeabilitytodisapproveofspecificitemsofappropriationinabillmaking
appropriationsofmoneythatis,hecandisapproveofanyprovisioninabilldirectingfundsto
bespentforaparticularpurpose,therebyexertingagreaterinfluenceandmeasureofcontrol
(i.e.,hislimitedlegislativeauthorityintheappropriationscontext)inachievingabudget
acceptabletoallsides.
TherulingdeniestheSenateschallengeandupholdstheabilityofaGovernorto
lineitemvetoofitemsofappropriationsinaFiscalCodebill.
Acopyoftheruling
isavailableonline
.
ThisdecisioncanbeappealedtothePASupremeCourt.
TherulingissignificantbecausetheGeneralAssemblyhaspiledmoreandmore
provisionsinFiscalCodebillsdirectingtheexecutivebranchtotakeactionsthatcouldno
otherwisepasstheGeneralAssemblyontheirown.
Forexample,thisyearsagreedtoFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)
containsprovisionsgivingtheGeneralAssemblyextratimetoreviewPennsylvaniasplanfor
meetingEPAsCleanPowerClimateRule,killingtheconventionaloilandgasregulationson
thevergeofbeingfinalizedbyDEP,a$12millionNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFund
and$22millionforsmallwaterandwastewaterprojectfundingfortheCommonwealth
FinancingAuthority.
RelatedStory:
OpEd:SneakAttackOnEnvironmentalProtectionInFiscalCodeBill
DEP:NaturalGas,CoalBedMethaneEmissionReportsDueMarch1
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheJanuary2,2016PA
Bulletinnaturalgasandcoalbedmethaneemissionsmustbereportedforcalendaryear2015by
March1.
ThisisthefourthyearDEPhasrequirednaturalgasandcoalbedmethanereporting.
Thesourcesandactivitiesrequiredtoreportemissionsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,
midstreamcompressorstations,piggingoperations,dehydrationunits,drillrigs,heaters,
pneumaticpumps,stationaryengines,simplecycleturbines,naturalgasdrivenpneumatic
controllers,pneumaticpumps,fugitivesources,storagevessels/tanks,venting,blowdown
systems,wellheadsandwellcompletions.
Fugitivesourcesincludeconnectors,flanges,pumplines,pumpsealsandvalves.The
storagevessels/tankscategoryincludesstoragetanks,pressurizedvessels,impoundmentsand
centralimpoundments.
Formoreinformation,contactKarenGee,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,
BureauofAirQuality,AirInformationSection,P.O.Box8468,HarrisburgPA171058468,
call7177839241orsendemailto:
kgee@pa.gov
.
VisitDEPs
NaturalGas/CoalBedMethaneGasOperations
webpagefortheresultsof
pastemissionreporting.
LacawacSanctuary&FieldStation201415AnnualReportNowAvailable
The201415AnnualReportofthe
LacawacSanctuaryandFieldStation
in
LakeAriel,WayneCountyisnowavailable.
ThereportoutlinestheachievementsoftheSanctuaryinecologicalresearch,education
programsforyouthandadultsandtrainingforthenextgenerationofscientists.
TheSanctuaryalsolooksforwardto2016whenitwill
celebrateits50thanniversary
with
specialeventsandactivities.
VisitHere
toreadacopyofthereport.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandactivities,visitthe
LacawacSanctuary
andFieldStation
website.
ClickHere
foracalendarofeventsearlyin2016.
OrderNow:BerksConservationDistrictAnnualTreeSeedlingSale,AndMore,April22
Everyoneiswelcometojointhe
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
atourannual
TreeSeedling
Sale
onApril22from11:00a.m.to8:00p.m.attheBerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238
CountyWelfareRoadLeesport,PA19533.
(LookforsignsonCountyWelfareRoad.)
Althoughwinterhasjuststarted,itisnevertooearlytobeginthinkingaboutspring!The
treeseedlingsaleoffersawidevarietyofconifers,trees,shrubs,andagrowingselectionoffruit
producingplants.
Otheritemsavailableincludeplantingbars,fertilizerpellets,wildflowerseed,rain
barrels,andfivefoottreeshelters.
NewitemsforthisyearincludetheCanadianHemlock,GoldRushAppleTree,Flamin
FuryPeachTree,andRedBartlettPearTree.Allthefavoritesfromlastyeararestillavailable
too.
ThedeadlineforordersisFebruary22.
ProceedsfromourannualSeedlingSalebenefittheBerksCountyConservationDistricts
ScholarshipFund.
Thesescholarshipsareawardedtostudentswhowishtocontinuetheircollegeeducation
withtheintentofmajoringinenvironmentalscience,forestry,agriculture,engineeringorrelated
studies.Placeyourordertodaytoplantsometreesthisspringandsendsomeonetocollege.
MasterGardeners
DuringourSeedlingSaleeventonApril22,2016from11:00amto7:00pmjointhe
BCCDandthe
PennStateExtensionMasterGardeners
atBackyardBasicsasweexplore
conservationtopicsanddiscusshelpfulbackyardtips!
ThealwayspopularAskaMasterGardenerboothwillbeansweringthosetough
gardeningquestions!
NewtothiscelebrationincludesourfirstPAINTTHERAIN:RainBarrelPainting
Contest.PreviewrainbarrelspaintedbyBerksCountyhighschoolstudentsandvoteforyour
favorite!
StudentPosterContest
Also,onviewwillbetheposterscreatedbyourareastudentstoillustratethisyears
theme:WeAllNeedTrees.ThereisstilltimetosubmitpostersthedeadlineisApril8.
Click
Here
forallthedetails.
Toplaceanorder,visittheBerksDistrict
TreeSeedlingSale
webpageforacatalogand
orderformorcall6103724657torequestyourcopy.Excessplantinventorywillbeavailable
forpurchaseduringpickuponApril22,butsupplieswillbelimited.
Dec.29ChesapeakeBayJournalNowAvailable

The
December29issue
ofthe
ChesapeakeBayJournal
isnowavailablefeaturingstorieson
CongressOKs$11MToProtectLandscapesInBayRegion
CongressPassesSchoolBillIncludingEnvironmentalEducation
Opinion:2017MidpointAssessmentWillHelpMakeGoodEffortsEvenBetter
MovingTheNeedleAtTheChesapeakeWatershedForum2015
CalendarOfBayRelatedEvents
ConsiderSupportingTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
100thPAFarmShowSetForJanuary916
The
100thPAFarmShow
willbeheldinHarrisburgfromJanuary9to16
againfeaturingnearly6,000animals,10,000competitiveexhibitsand300
commercialexhibits.
AgencieslikeAgriculture,DEP,DCNR,theGameandFishandBoat
CommissionsandmoreallhaveinformativedisplaysattheFarmShowand
letsnotforgetthe1,000poundbuttersculpture!
Learnaboutagriculture,farmconservation,energyefficiencyandhow
youcanprotecttheenvironment.
ClickHere
toplanyourvisitnow.
CarolCollier:FrontRowSeatAtTheParisClimateConference
CarolCollier,fromthe
AcademyofNaturalSciencesatDrexel
University
,hadafrontrowseatattheParisClimateConferenceat
thebeginningofDecember.Shecapturedherexperienceina
series
ofblogposts
thisweekfortheAcademy
Part1:OverviewOfTheConference
Part2:VoluntaryVersusCommitmentWithTeeth
Part3:AcademyResearchIntoClimateChangeImpacts
CollieristheSeniorAdvisorforWatershedManagementand
PolicyattheAcademyofNaturalSciencesatDrexelUniversity.She
alsoservesasamemberoftheBoardforthe
PAChapterofThe
NatureConservancy
.
ShealsoservedasExecutiveDirectoroftheDelawareRiverBasinCommission,helped
guidePennsylvanias
199821stCenturyEnvironmentCommission
,wasDirectorofDEPs
SoutheastRegionalOfficeandworkedfor19yearswithBCMEnvironmentalEngineers,Inc.
NewsClips:
OpEd:5WaysToBreakOurAddictionToFossilFuel
OpEd:HowTheNationalBlackChamberMisleadsMinorities
OpEd:GoingBeyondCO2Emissions,BecomingCarbonNeutral
LastKingCoalMakesHisStandAsMinesVanish
CoalLosingFootholdInPittsburghsRiverTraffic
BucksCountyEarthGuardianJoinsSuitAgainstDEPOnSettingCarbonDioxideLimits
OnDecember4,
BucksCountyEarthGuardian
KaiaElinichofficiallyjoinedsixother
PennsylvaniayouthsaspetitionersinalawsuittoforceDEPtodevelopcarbondioxideandother
limitstocombatclimatechangefiledbythe
OurChildrensTrust
ontheirbehalf.
ThepetitionseeksreliefbyrequestingGov.TomWolf,inadditiontoanumberofstate
agenciessuchastheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandtheEnvironmentalQuality
Board,todevelopacomprehensiveplanandregulateinacomprehensivemanner
Pennsylvaniasemissionsofcarbondioxideandothergreenhousegasesconsistentwithandin
furtheranceoftheCommonwealthsdutiesandobligationsunderArticleI,Section27.
Theplaintiffsareseekingtoprotecttheirconstitutionalrightstocleanair,purewater,and
otheressentialnaturalresources,whichtheyrelyonfortheirsurvivalandwellbeing,butare
currentlythreatenedbyclimatechange.
TheoriginalsixyoungpeoplefromPennsylvaniafiledtheclimatechangelawsuitinthe
CommonwealthCourtinmidSeptember.
Theircomplaintassertsthatdefendantsarefailingtofulfilltheirtrusteeobligationsto
meettheCommonwealthsArticleI,Section27requirementsbyfailingtoregulateCO2
emissions,asevidencedbythecurrentharmfulimpactsofclimatechangewithinPennsylvania,
suchasextremeweatherevents,risingtemperatures,anddisruptionstothehydrologicalcycle.
AshleyFunk,oneoftheplaintiffs,previouslypetitionedtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionthreedifferenttimesurgingthestateagencytotakesciencebased
actiontoreducePennsylvaniascarbondioxideemissions.
ThroughourworkpetitioningtheDEP,IvelearnedsomuchandsohastheDEP,said
Funk.OurpetitionsforcedtheDEPtotakeamorecriticallookatwhattheyaredoingto
addressclimatechangeinourstate.Despitemultipleopportunities,theDEPfailedtotakethe
necessarystepstoreducegreenhousegasemissionsandaddressclimatechange,makingthis
lawsuitnecessary.IhopethattheDEPcontinuestolearnandfollowssuitwithothercallsto
actionfordecreasinggreenhousegasemissions.Ihopetheyfinallytakeactiontodowhatour
constitutionrequiresthemtodo:preserveouratmosphereasapublictrustforgenerationsto
come.
ClickHere
forachronologyofactionsrelatedtoAshleyFunkandDEPontheclimate
issue.
Kaiasmanyactionstoprotestpipelineinfrastructure,especiallytheproposedPennEast
PipelineandgasfrackinginPennsylvania,eventuallyledhertotheEarthGuardiansand
Our
ChildrensTrust
,anorganizationoutofEugene,Oregon,establishedtoprotectEarthsclimate
forfuturegenerations.
OurChildrensTrust,alongwithDirectoroftheEnvironmentalandNaturalResources
LawClinicatDelawareLawSchool,KennethT.Kristl,Esq.,feltKaiasconcernswere
importanttothecase,andshewasaddedtotheamendedpetition.
TolearnmoreabouttheBucksCountyEarthGuardians,visittheir
Facebookpage
and
Twitterfeed
orcontactArianneandKaiaElinichat4843577474orsendemailto:
bucksccap@gmail.com
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
EQBVotesToTurnDownPetitionToSetCarbonEmissionReductionStandards
DEPRecommendsAgainstEQBAdoptingAshleyFunkCarbonDioxideEmissionLimits
EQBAcceptsPetitionFrom19YearOldOnSettingGreenhouseGasReductionsInPA
18YearOldPetitionerWillGetOpportunityToPushClimateChangeRuleBeforeEQB
18YearOldPAStudentFilesClimateChangeLawsuitAgainstDEP
WestmorelandCountyStudentWinnerOfSueWisemanScholarship
WinnersOf2010PACleanWaysLitterHawkYouthAwardsAnnounced
GreenTreksNetwork2015YearInReview
2015wasabusyandproductiveyearatthe
GreenTreksNetwork
andits
EcoExpress
and
StormwaterPA
relatededucationalinitiatives.
GreenTreksisanawardwinningPhiladelphiabased
nonprofitcommunicationsorganizationdedicatedto
educatingpeopleabouttheinterconnectednessof
environmental,societal,economic,andindividual
health.
Theyfillavitalroleonbehalfoftheenvironment:Communicatingthepowerofthe
individualincreatingmeaningfulchange.
VisitHere
tolearnmore.
ClickHere
toreadthe
BestOfGreenTreks:2015AYearInReview
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
GreenTreks
Network
website.
NortheastPennsylvaniaObservesJanuaryAsMiningHistoryMonth
KingsCollegeandthe
AnthraciteHeritageFoundation
arehelpingtocoordinatetheregional
observanceofMiningHistoryMonthinJanuarywithprogramsinWilkesBarre,Scranton,
Pittston,PortGriffith,Plymouth,Nanticoke,Ashley,HazletonandWilkesBarreTownship.
Theannualeventseekstorememberandhonortheareasanthracitemineworkers,their
familiesandcommunities.
Theprogramsaresponsoredbythe
AnthraciteHeritageMuseum
,
AnthraciteHeritage
Foundation
,
KingsCollege
,
WilkesUniversity
,
LackawannaHistoricalSociety
,
Barnes&
Noble
,
LuzerneCountyHistoricalSociety
,
LuzerneCountyCommunityCollege
,
Greater
PittstonHistoricalSociety
,
PlymouthHistoricalSociety
,
NanticokeHistoricalSociety
,
Huber
BreakerPreservationSociety
,
AnthraciteLivingHistoryGroup
,
PennAnthraciteSectionSociety
forMiningEngineers
and
KnoxMineDisasterMemorialCommittee
.
Alleventsexceptthefirstareopentothepublicandmostarefreeofcharge,exceptas
noted.
MiningHistoryMonthEvents
January9:
8a.m.6p.m.,BoyScoutsofAmerica:MininginSocietyMeritBadgeDay,
OpentoBoyScoutsoftheNortheasternPennsylvaniaCouncil,King'sCollege
January14:
SocietyforMiningEngineersPennAnthraciteSectionDinnerMeeting,Topof
the80's,Sugarloaf,jointmeetingwiththeAnthraciteChapteroftheProfessionalSocietyof
ProfessionalEngineers,OpentoPublic.5:30PMSocialHour,6:30PMDinner$35atthedoor
checkstoSMEPennAnthraciteSection.briantraweek@gmail.comMikeKorbwillbespeaking
aboutReclamation,Revegetation,andMonarchButterflyHabitat.
January14:
78:30p.m.,PlymouthHistoricalSocietyPublicProgram:F.CharlesPetrillo,
TheSusquehannaNavy:TheRiverCoalDredgingIndustryinNortheasternPennsylvania,
CommunityRoomofDanFloodApartments(150E.MainSt.,Plymouth),refreshmentsserved
January15:
67:30p.m.,LackawannaHistoricalSocietyPublicProgram:JamesGuthrie,
DealersandJobbers:AdvertisingAnthracitetotheIntermediateMarket,CatlinHouse(232
MonroeAve.,Scranton),refreshmentsserved
January16:
78:30p.m.,GreaterPittstonHistoricalSocietyPublicProgram:Craig
Robertson,TheButlerMineTunnelfromtheInside:ExaminingtheWyomingValleysWorst
ToxicDisaster,PittstonMemorialLibrary(47BroadSt.,Pittston),refreshmentsserved
January17:
10a.m.,KnoxMineDisasterMemorialService,St.JohntheEvangelistChurch
(35WilliamSt.,Pittston)
January17:
11:30a.m.,KnoxMineDisasterPublicCommemoration,PHMCHistorical
MarkerinfrontofBalogaFuneralHome(1201MainSt.,Pittston),coffeeservedcourtesyof
BalogaFuneralHome
January17:
12noon,WalktotheKnoxDisasterSiteinPortGriffith,weatherpermitting
meetatBalogaFuneralHome.
January19:
6:308p.m.,HuberBreakerPreservationSocietyPublicProgram:JohnWelsh,
DocumentaryFilm:BeyondtheHuberBreaker,(EarthConservancyBuilding,101S.Main
Street,Ashley),refreshmentsserved
January21:
7:308:45p.m.,KingsCollegeAnnualMsgr.JohnJ.CurranLecture:Sue
Hand,TheAnthraciteMinersandTheirHollowedGround,Room162,KingsontheSquare
Building,refreshmentsbeginat6:45pminthelobby
January22:
78:30p.m.,NanticokeHistoricalSocietyPublicProgram:WilliamHastieand
RobertWolensky,AnthracitesLaborWarsandtheKnoxMineDisasterandDavidBrocca,
TheKnoxMineDisasterDocumentaryFilm,NanticokeCulturalCenter,(38WestChurchSt.,
formerlySt.StansChurch),refreshmentsserved
January23:
23:30p.m.,AnthraciteHeritageMuseum:AnnualKnoxMineDisaster
RemembranceProgram,(22BaldMt.Road,Scranton),DavidBrocca,LosAngeles,
CADocumentaryTributetoMyronThomasandtheKnoxMineDisasterMyronThomas
OralHistoryReading,commentsbymembersoftheThomasfamily,ChesterKulesaandothers
refreshmentsserved
January24:
24p.m.,Barnes&NobleBookstore(WilkesBarreTownship):Meetthe
Authors,Localauthorswillspeakbrieflyabouttheirbooksandsigncopies.Authorsinclude
LuciaDailey,MarkDziak,StephanieLongo,JohnStuartRichards,SheldonSpear,Robert
Wolensky,andChesterZaremba
January27:
68p.m.,WilkesUniversity:PanelDiscussionTheIndustrialHistoryofthe
WyomingValley:AGlobalPerspective,Moderator:DianeWenger(WilkesU.)Panelists:John
Hepp(WilkesU.,Railroads)JonathanKuiken(WilkesU.,AnthraciteCoal)Robert
Schmidt(IndependentScholar,Economy)RobertWolensky(KingsCollege,Garments)
TheBallroom,HenryStudentCenter(84W.SouthStreet,WilkesBarre)
January31:
57:00p.m.,TheAnthraciteCaf(804ScottSt.,WilkesBarre):SpecialBenefit
DinnerforTheKnoxMineDisasterdocumentarydirectedbyDavidBroccaofLosAngeles,CA
Chef/ownerMikePrushinskiwillserveanauthenticCoalMinersDinnerexcerptfromthe
Knoxdocumentarywillbeshownticketsfortheeveningare$20,availableattheCaforat
5708224677.
Formoreinformationonprogramsandspecialevents,visitthe
AnthraciteHeritage
Foundation
website.
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrantWebinarsJan.21,Feb.11
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceshasscheduledtwowebinarstohelp
applicantsapplyfor
CommunityConservationPartnershipGrants
January21:
Thiswebinarisdesignedforapplicantswhowereunabletoattendoneofthe
inpersongrantworkshopsheldlastfall.Itwillbeheldfrom10:00to11:30a.m.
ClickHere
to
registerand
February11:
Thiswebinarisdesignedforthoseinterestedingrantfundingtosupportpublic
recreation,conservationorheritageinitiativesacrossastatewideorregionallandscape.Itwill
alsobeheldfrom10:00to11:30a.m.
ClickHere
toregister.
Formoreinformationonthewebinars,contactLindaManningat7177834736orsend
emailto:
linmanning@pa.gov
.
TheapplicationperiodforDCNRsC2P2GrantsopensJanuary20andclosesApril13.
VisitHere
formoreinformationandtoapply.
NewsClips:
OpEd:BillionsOfReasonsWhyPAsParksAreGoodForUs
PresqueIsle,PymatuningPromoteHealthyHikesToStart2016
LaurelMountainSkiResortRenovationAheadOfSchedule
WesternPAConservancyBuysLandInSomersetCounty
WesternPAConservancyBuysLandNearGreatAlleghenyTrail
DogSledding,BeaverHabitatsDrawVisitorstoArmstrongTrails
DeadlineToSaveLastBitOfMcKeanCountyRailCorridor
WarmWeatherClosesHiddenValleySlopes
PittsburghsBikeShareProgramLogs40KTrips
PittsburghsBikeShareOfferingMemberships
LancasterOutlinesAmbitious$4.7MBikePlan
RangersOnDutyInAlleghenyCountyParks
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssn.EasyWinterHikeJan.23InMonroeCounty
The
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssociation
willhostaneasywinter3.3milehikeonJanuary23
startingatthetrailheadattheWestEndRegionalPark,578EvergreenHollowRoad,
Brodheadsville,MonroeCountyat10:00a.m.
CarolHillestadofBrodheadWatershedAssociationwillleadahikeat10a.m.to
showcasethewinterwondersatthisBrodheadsvillepark.ThehikeispartoftheGetOutdoors
Poconoseries.
In3.3milesofwellmaintainedandmarkedtrails,youllseemixedhardwoodforests,a
birdinhabitedmeadowandaformertreenursery.TryFleetwoodTrail,namedinmemoryof
esteemedChestnuthillTownshipSupervisorDaveFleetwood,whichisalsowheelchair
accessible.
Followthefarthestrangingtrailtobetreatedtoabucolicviewofblackcowsgrazingon
thenexthill.Benchesallowhikerstotakeabreakandabsorbthelatentnature.
MinutesfromthehurryandscurryofBrodheadsvilleandRoute209,thisparkisa
sanctuarywheretrafficsoundsaremutedandtimeslows.Itsawalkinthewoodsthatwillleave
yourefreshed,recharged,andgrateful.
Thehikeisfree,butregistrationisrequired.Call5708391120or5706292727orsend
emailto:
info@brodheadwatershed.org
withWestEndhikeinsubjectline.
Visitthe
GetOutdoorsPoconos
websiteformoreinformationonthishikeandothersin
theNortheast.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialactivities,visitthe
Brodhead
CreekWatershedAssociation
website.
VisitHere
tosignuptoreceiveregularupdateson
Associationactivities.
OpEd:ThereAreBillionsOfReasonsWhyPAParksAreGoodForUs
ByTimHerd,ExecutiveDirector,
PARecreationandParkSociety
Parksdrawpeople.Wevisitforrecreation,refreshmentandrenewal.We
gotoplaysportsorcheerourteams.Webreezethroughtowalkourdogs
andimproveourhealth.Wedropintoswim,bike,eat,golf,watchbirds,
sail,sled,read,ride,hunt,ski,paddle,snorkelandathousandother
importantreasons.
Butthefullvalueinourparksisn'tfoundinourfunandgames
alone.Parksarevitalcontributorstoourlivabilityandcivic
connectedness,ourpersonalandenvironmentalhealth,aswellasour
collectivebottomlines.
Infact,wehavemorethanabillionreasonswhyPennsylvania'sparksaregoodforus.
Ina
recentlyreleasedstudy
,researchersatGeorgeMasonUniversitydocumentedthatthe
economicimpactofPennsylvania'slocalandregionalparksannuallyproducesmorethan$1.6
billionineconomicactivity,generatesnearly$600millioninsalariesandwages,andsupports
morethan12,000jobs.
Andwhenwealsoconsiderconsumerspendingfortourismandoutdoorrecreation
productmanufacturinginPennsylvania,thateconomicimpactdramaticallycompoundsto
include219,000jobs,$7.2billioninwagesand$1.6billioninstateandlocaltaxrevenues,
accordingtotheOutdoorIndustryAssociation.
Nationally,America'slocalandregionalparksgeneratednearly$140billionineconomic
activityandsupportedalmost1millionjobsfromtheiroperationsandcapitalspendingin2013.
That'snochumpchange.
Suchaneconomicdriverintheprivatesectorwouldbewellprizedforitscontributions
tothepublicgood.Butbecauseparksaren'tusuallyrecognizedforthejobsandgoodsthey
create,they'reoftenunderappreciatedfortheindispensablevaluetheyaffordthecommunity.
"Parksareoftenpattedontheheadandpeoplethinktheyarenicethingstohave,"says
BarbaraTulipane,presidentandCEOoftheNationalRecreationandParkAssociation."Butthe
realityisthattheyaredriversofeconomicactivityintheircommunities."
Thisisthefirsttimeadefinitiveeconomicimpacthasbeendocumentedinthelocaland
regionalpublicparkindustry.Thefindingsaddtothegrowingbodyofevidencethattheimpacts
oflocalparksextendwellbeyondtheirroleastakenforgrantedpublicspaces.
Thestudyfocusedexclusivelyonthedirect,indirectandinducedeffectsthatlocaland
regionalparkagencieshaveoneconomicactivity,with
analysisbasedondata
compiledfrom
boththeU.S.CensusBureauandNationalRecreationandParkAssociation.
Whatthestudydefinitivelyshowsisthatspendingatlocalandregionalparkagencies
rippletoallareasoftheircommunitiesbeyondtheactualspendingoftheagenciesthemselves.
Thisisimportantforthepublic,lawmakersandotherleaderstorealizeastheyconsider
priorities,legislation,fundingandotherwaystoinvestinlocalparksandrecreation,andinturn,
theprosperingoftheirowncommunities.
"We'renotjustprovidingplaygroundsorplacestoplay,oraswimminglessonorclass,"
declaresNeelayBhatt,NationalRecreationandParkAssociationtreasurer,ofrecreationand
parkproviders,"We'remakingadifferenceinthelivesofagenerationandimpacting
communitieseverywhereweare."
Undeniably,thepowerofourlocalparksextendsfarbeyondtheirmerepropertylines.
Pennsylvaniacities,boroughs,townshipsandcountieswithstrong,vibrantparkandrecreation
systemsbenefitfromimprovedhealth,acloserconnectiontonatureandagreatercivic
engagement.Thisleadstolowerhealthcarecosts,higherpropertyvalues,thrivingcommunities
andanoverallboostinourstandardofliving.
Findyourpersonalconnectiontomorethan5,600localparksinPennsylvaniaat
GoodForPA.com
throughaninteractivestatewidemap,searchablebyname,countyordistance
andstartexploringmoreofthebillionsofreasonsthatparksaregoodforyouandgoodfor
all.
Formoreinformationonissues,programs,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
RecreationandParkSociety
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheSociety.
NewsClips:
WoodwardFamilyFinalizesEasementToNaturalLandsTrustInPhiladelphia
The
NaturalLandsTrust
TuesdayannouncedonDecember17itcompletedthetransaction
grantingaconservationeasementontheSt.MartinsgolfcoursepropertyacquiredbyThe
PhiladelphiaCricketClub.
InitiallyannouncedinNovemberbyQuitaWoodwardHoran,GeorgeWoodwardIII,and
theirfamily,thedealmarksahistorictransitionfortheChestnutHillareaofNorthwest
PhiladelphiawherebyoneofitsfoundingfamiliestheWoodward/Houstonfamilyhasgranted
toNaturalLandsTrustaperpetualeasementtoprotectasopenspacenearly41acresintheheart
ofthecommunity.
Aspartofthetransaction,PCCcompleteditspurchaseoftheSt.Martinsgolfcourse
fromtheWoodwardfamilyfor$600,000subjecttotheconservationeasementinfavorof
NaturalLandsTrust.
Theland,whichwasownedbytheWoodward/Houstonfamilyfornearlyacenturyanda
half,hadbeenleasedbythemtoPCCforitsnineholegolfcourseattheSt.Martinscampus
sincethe1880s.
Aspreviouslyannounced,theWoodwardfamilywilldonateproceedsofthesaleto
severallocalcharities.
WearepleasedandhonoredtohavefinalizedthisagreementwithNaturalLandsTrust
and
ThePhiladelphiaCricketClub
.Inconservingthisacreagewearesecuringandpromotingan
importantlegacyofopenspaceinourcommunity,saidCharlesWoodward,a
greatgreatgrandsonofHenryHoustonandspokesmanforthefamily.Atthesametimeweare
extremelypleasedtosupportthreelocalcharitieswecaredeeplyabout:NaturalLandsTrust,the
ChestnutHillHistoricalSociety
,andthe
ChurchofSt.MartinintheFields
.
ThefactthatourorganizationoriginatedinChestnutHillwithasmallgroupof
advocateswhowantedtoprotectopenspacefromdevelopmentgivesthiseasementextraspecial
significanceforus,saidNaturalLandsTrustPresidentMollyMorrison.Wearehonoredto
haveearnedtheconfidenceoftheWoodwardfamilytoprotecttheirlegacyandexcitedtojoin
ThePhiladelphiaCricketClubinpreservingthisiconicpropertyforgenerationstocome.Thisis
thesecondlargestconservationeasementthatwenowholdinPhiladelphia.
ThetransactionempowersNaturalLandsTrusttopreventanyuseoftheproperty
inconsistentwiththeconservationpurposesoftheeasement,whichisdesignednotonlyto
protectthisscenicandhistoricaltreasureforuseasagolfcoursebutalsotoserveasanopen
spacebufferforFairmountPark.
Weareverypleasedtohavebeenapartofthishistorictransaction,forbothour
ChestnutHillcommunityandforTheCricketClub,addedPCCPresident,MichaelJ.Vergare.
WelookforwardtoworkingwithNaturalLandsTrusttopreservethisopenspace,whichhas
servedasahistoricalvenueforgolfformorethanacentury.Weareexceedinglygratefultothe
Woodwardfamilyfortheirextraordinarygenerosityinmakingthispossible.
TheChurchofSt.MartinintheFieldswasfoundedbyHenryHowardHoustonand
datesfromthefirstpublicserviceheldinthechurchin1889.Houstonsvisionofcommunity
andaspiritofgenerosityliveonthroughitsparishionersandtheWoodwardfamily.
OnbehalfoftheChestnutHillCommunityAssociationandalloftheresidentsof
ChestnutHill,IwanttothanktheWoodwardfamilyforthisboldstatementinconservingland
thatisimportanttolandscapeandopenspaceinourcommunity,saidWillDetweiler,President,
ChestnutHillCommunityAssociation.
ThesaleofthepropertytoPCCculminatesalonghistoryofinvolvementandsupportby
theHouston/WoodwardfamilybenefitingtheChestnutHillcommunity.Inthe19thcentury,
HenryHowardHoustongaveTheClubthepropertyforits18holecourseattheSt.Martins
campus.
ThecoursewasrepurchasedbytheHoustonestatein1922toprovidefundingforThe
ClubtodevelopanewgolfcourseinFlourtownwhiletheSt.Martinscourseremainedavailable
toPCCunderaleasearrangement.
Later,duringthedepressionyears,thecoursewasreducedtothenineholesinusetoday.
WhenthelandwasabouttobesoldbytheHoustonestateinthe1950s,Houstonsgrandson,
CharlesHenryWoodward,personallyacquiredthepropertyandextendedtheleasetoTheClub.
Hisdescendantshavemaintainedtothepresentthefamilyslongtraditionofopenspace
preservationforthecommunitysbenefit.
NaturalLands
Trust
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheTrust.
NewsClips:
PhiladelphiaCricketClubBuysSt.Martins
29AcresOnTusseyMountainAddedToRothrockStateForest
WhenTomHoy
(secondfromleft)
retiredfromacareerwiththeFBI
andreturnedtohishometownofStateCollegeinCentreCountyin
2006,hehadplanstobuildaretirementretreatonalittlepieceof
landonTusseyMountainhandeddowntohimbyhisparents.
The29acresliceofforestperchedaboveShingletownRoad
betweenPineGroveMillsandMusserGaphadbeeninHoys
familysince1916.Hoysmothergrewuponafarmatwhatisnow
theintersectionofWhitehallRoadandRoute26.
Themountainlandwasasummeringspotforheifersfromthefarm.
Theywoulddrivethemupthereandthatswheretheyoungoneswouldspendthesummer,he
said.
Hoysplansunraveledashebeganmakinginquiriesaboutbuildingontheland.
Iquicklyrealizedhowdifficultitwouldbetoaccessthepropertywitharoad.Fromthe
nearestpublicroad,Iwouldhaveneededrightofwaysfrom14differentpropertyownerstoget
totheland.EvenifIhadmanagedtobuildaroadin,therewerenoutilities,hesaid.
Facedwiththerealizationthathismountainhideawaywouldneverbebuilt,hetooka
suggestionfromafriendandcalled
ClearWaterConservancy
toexploreconservationoptions.
HoymetwithConservationBiologistKatieOmbalski,whosuggestedtryingtosellthe
landtoDCNRforinclusionin
RothrockStateForest
.Thatsuggestion,madeinNovember,2014,
cametofruitionDecember18,2015whentheDCNRBureauofForestrypurchasedtheland
fromHoyfor$60,000.
Thisway,abitofmyfamilylegacyispreservedandthelandisavailabletobeusedby
everyone.IfeelreallygoodthatifIcantuseitthewayIhadhoped,itisgoingtobepartofthe
forestandthestatewillbelookingafterit,saidHoy.Otherstoldmetheywouldbeinterested
inbuyingit,butIreallythoughtitshouldbeconserved.
MarkPotter,districtforesteroftheRothrockStateForest,saidhewashappytoseeabit
morelandbecomepublic.
ThisacquisitionaddsconservedacreagetoRothrockStateForest.Amajoremphasisof
ourworkwithClearWaterhasbeentoconservethatfaceofTusseyMountainlookingdownon
StateCollegeandthisfitsrightinwiththateffort,hesaid.
WiththeadditionofHoysland,RothrockStateForestisnow96,279acres.ClearWater
haspurchasedandtransferred928acresoflandonTusseyMountaintoRothrockStateForest
since2007.
Itmightseemlikeasmalladditiontotheforest,29acres,buteverybithelpsaddtothe
totalofpermanentlyconservedland,saidClearWatersOmbalski.Therearemanyofthese
small,inaccessibleforestedblocksoflandonthemountainsideswhichareundevelopableforone
reasonoranother.OthersmaywanttoconsiderwhatTomdidandtransferownershiptothestate
forestifitispossible.
ClearWaterConservancyfacilitatedthesalebyconnectingHoywithDCNR,helping
negotiatetermsandprovidinginitialmappingoftheland.NittanySettlementServicesofState
Collegeprovidednotaryservicesandameetingspaceforthesettlement.
Weregladtopitchinwithservicesanduseoftheoffice.Itshowwehelpsupportland
conservationincentralPennsylvania,saidScottHuberofNittanySettlement.
Photo:
KatieOmbalski,ClearWaterConservancyTomHoyScottHuber,Nittany
SettlementandMarkPotter,DistrictForester,RothrockStateForest.
ClearWater
Conservancy
website.
VisitHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy.
NewsClips:
Feature:Fish&BoatCommissionCelebrates150thAnniversary18662015
StraightTalk
,ByJohnA.Arway,ExecutiveDirector,Fish&BoatCommission
OnMarch30,2016,the
PennsylvaniaFish&Boat
Commission
(PFBC)willcommemorateand
celebratethe150thanniversaryofourfoundingin
1866.
AconventionwasheldinHarrisburgin
1866toinvestigatewaterpollutionbeingcausedby
thewholesaleloggingofPennsylvaniasforestsand
theimpactscausedbysedimentationofour
mountainlakesandstreams.
TherewerealsoseriousconcernsaboutthereductionofAmericanShadrunsinthe
SusquehannaRiver.ThisdiscussionresultedinGovernorAndrewCurtinsigningthelaw,Actof
March30,1866(P.L.370,No.336),thatnamedJamesWorrallPennsylvaniasfirst
CommissionerofFisheries.
In1925,Act1925263establishedtheBoardofFishCommissioners.Then,in1949,Act
1949180officiallyestablishedthePennsylvaniaFishCommissionasanagencyanddescribed
itspowersandduties.TheCommissionappointedCharlesA.Frenchasitsfirstexecutive
directorin1949,andin1991underAct199139,thePennsylvaniaFishCommissionbecame
PFBC.
Overthelast150years,theCommissionhasevolvedfromaonemanoperationfunded
solelybythegeneralfundtoanagencywithacomplementof432stafffundedbyanglersand
boatersthroughlicenseandregistrationfeesandthefederalexcisetaxesonfishingandboating
equipment.
Ourmissionhasbroadenedabitfromouroriginalone,butwearestillfocusedon
protecting,conservingandenhancingouraquaticresourcesandprovidingfishingandboating
opportunities.
Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytohighlightsomeofourmajoraccomplishments
overthepast150yearsandconcludewithmyoptimisticviewofthefutureforournext150
years.
(
VisitHere
toseethiscolumn,withallitshistoricphotographs,asitwasprintedinthe
JanuaryFebruary
PAAngler&Boater
magazine.)
SusquehannaRiverDams
In1867,thefirstfishwaywasconstructedattheColumbia(Wrightsville)Dam(builtin
1840)ontheSusquehannaRiverasthefirstattempttorestoreanadromousfishrunstothe
SusquehannaRiver.
Then,alongcameConowingo(1929),Holtwood(1910),SafeHarbor(1931)andYork
Haven(1904)dams,whichhavebeenmajorimpedimentstomigratoryfishsincetheywerebuilt.
Inthe1950s,theresourceagenciesimplementedaprogramtorestoreaccessfor
migratoryfishtotheupperSusquehannaRiverbasin,focusingonAmericanShad.
Inresponsetoharvestdeclinesthatsignaledcriticallylowfishstocklevels,fishingfor
AmericanShadintheChesapeakeBayregionwasclosed(Marylandin1980andVirginiain
1994).
AlthoughExecutiveDirectorRalphAbele(19721987)foughtpassionatelytohavefish
passageinstalledatthesedamsandbuiltashadhatcheryatVanDykealongtheJuniataRiverto
assisttherestorationprocess,wecontinuetofallshortofourmigratoryfishrestorationgoalsof2
millionAmericanShadand5millionriverherringspawningupstreamoftheYorkHavenDam.
TheAmericanShadstockintheSusquehannaRiverimprovedslowlyandmadean
impressivecomebackby2001whenover200,000adultshadwerecountedattheConowingo
Damfishlifts.
Table1shows
therecentnumbersofAmericanShadpassingthefourmajordownriver
damswithonly43AmericanShadpassingYorkHavenDamin2015.
The2010
SusquehannaRiverAnadromousFishRestorationCooperative
(SRAFRC)
MigratoryFishManagementandRestorationPlan
fortheSusquehannaRiverBasinidentifies
poorefficiencyoffishpassagemeasuresandfacilitieslowhatcheryproductioninrecentyears
lownumbersofspawningfishaccessingqualityhabitatpooryoungofyearrecruitment
upstreamofConowingoDamoceanandChesapeakeBaymortalityturbinemortalityand
predationasthemajorcausesofthisdecline.
Inrecentyears,theHoltwoodDamunderwenta$400millionexpansion,andtheowners
committedsignificantresourcestowardsimprovingfishpassage.AttheYorkHavenDam,plans
areinplaceforanaturelikefishwaytobebuilt,whichwouldbethelargestofitskindinthe
easternUnitedStatestoallowshadandotherspeciestofreelymigrate.
AnewoperatinglicenseapplicationispendingattheConowingoDam,andthefutureof
shadrestorationintheSusquehannaRiverisdependentupontheimprovementstofishpassage
thatmayberequired.
Therefore,thereisstillworktobedoneifweeverexpecttofulfillthedreamofseeinga
fishablepopulationofAmericanShadreturntothePennsylvaniaportionoftheSusquehanna
River.
StateFishHatcheries
In1870,ThadNorris,aprivatecitizen,purchased450basstakenfromthePotomacRiver
andrelocatedthemtotheirnewhomeontheDelawareRivernearEaston.Thisactionresultedin
othersdoingthesamethingontheSusquehannaandSchuylkillriversandotherwaters
throughoutPennsylvania,
creatingthenaturalizedfisheries
westillenjoytoday.
In1873,theStateHatchingHousewasbuiltinLancasterCountynearMariettaon
HooversSpring,whichisoneofthefamousDonegalSprings.JohnP.Crevelingwasappointed
assuperintendent.
In1875,thelegislatureappropriated$5,000topurchaseandbuildtheWesternFish
HatcheryinCorry,andWilliamBullerwasappointedassuperintendent.TheWesternHatchery
receivedthefirstshipmentofBrownTrouteggsfromGermanyin1886.
FundingtoconstructotherstatefishhatcheriesfollowedPleasantGap(1903),Pleasant
MountorWayne(1903),UnionCity(1905),Tionesta(1928),Reynoldsdale(1928),Huntsdale
(1932),Bellefonte(1933),Linesville(1939),BennerSpring(1952),Tylersville(1963,originally
afederalhatchery),Oswayo(1968)andFairview(1978).BigSpringStateFishHatcherywas
constructedin1970andclosedin2001.
Oursystemofstatefishhatcherieshasbeenupgraded,overtime,withstateoftheart
wastewatertreatmentplantsandupdatedfishcultureequipmenttoproduceandstockover5.1
millionadultandfingerlingtroutandover47millioncoolandwarmwaterfishinPennsylvania
watersin2014.
In1879,theUnitedStatesFishCommissionprovidedPennsylvaniaCommonCarpto
culture,butin1895,theagencyabandonedcarpcultureinfavorofblackbass.
In1888,RainbowTroutwerefirststockedintheSusquehannaRiverandthenin1892,
theCommissionhadtherailcarSusquehannabuilttotransportfisharoundPennsylvaniafor
stocking.
In1904,over90,000frogsandmorethan10.2millionChainPickerelwerestocked.In
1907,CommissionstaffexperimentedwithraisingfreshwaterPearlMusselsandstockedover
80,000CohoSalmonintheLackawaxenCreekdrainage.
In1912,theCommissionhatchedover500,000MuskellungeeggsatUnionCityandfirst
stockedMuskellungefryinthewatersofPennsylvania.In1917,electriclightswereinstalledat
fishhatcheries,andin1928,theBureauofResearchwasestablished.
In1932,theUnitedStatesBureauofFisheriesstartedtheCooperativeNurseryProgram
with21sportsmengroupsreceiving450,000BrookTrouteggsandfingerlings.In1962,the
PennsylvaniaFishCommissiontookovertheprogramforPennsylvaniaandestablishedthe
CooperativeNurseryBranchin1965.
Peakparticipationoccurredin1992with192nurseries.Today,thereare162nurseries
activelyparticipatingintheprogram.In1958,KokaneeSalmoneggswerehatchedatPleasant
Mountandstockedexperimentallyineightlakes.
In1969,theSovietUnionprovidedtheFishCommissionwithAmurPikeeggs,which
werehatchedandgrownintofingerlingsandsubsequentlystockedinGlendaleLake,Cambria
County,makingittheonlylakeintheUnitedStateswhereanglerscouldcatchthisspeciesof
fishandPennsylvaniatheonlyplaceintheworldwhereMuskellunge,NorthernPike,AmurPike
andthreespeciesofpickerelcouldallbecaught.
Education,InformationandOutreach
TheCommissionparticipatedinthe1893Chicagoand1904St.Louisworldsfairswith
livefishdisplays.ThefirstissueofthePennsylvaniaAnglermagazinewaspublishedin
December1931andcost50centscomparedtotodayspriceof$3.00.
In1984,thelegislatureestablishedthefirst
FishforFreeDay
,andthefirstissueofBoat
Pennsylvaniawaspublished.TheCommissioncreatedapresenceontheWebin1996with
www.fish.state.pa.us
,
Twitterin2010
and
Facebookin2012
.
In2001,online(Internet)
salesoffishinglicenses
began,andthesalessystemwas
updatedtoapointofsalessystemin2006.TheCommissionwasgiventheauthoritytosell
multiyearandreducedcostlicensesin2012,whichresultedin3and5yearfishinglicenses
beingofferedforsalein2013,anewvoluntaryyouthlicensetofundyouthfishingprogramswas
introducedin2014,andthefirstspecialmentoredyouthtroutdaybeganin2013.
Ametalfishinglicensebuttonwasreintroducedin2014asavoluntarylicensedisplay
option.Fishinglicensepriceswerereducedby$1.00forthefirsttimeinhistoryasanattemptto
increaselicensesalesandaf
reeFishBoatPAmobileapplication
(app)forsmartdeviceswas
introducedin2015.
The
SaveOurSusquehanna(S.O.S.)
campaignwasinitiatedin2015toincreasepublic
awarenessandfundingforprojectstohelpadecliningSmallmouthBassfisheryinthe
SusquehannaRiverfromSunburytoYorkHaven.
Fisheries
In1907,theCommodorePerry,a70footsteamtug,wasbuiltfortheagencysuseon
LakeErie,andin1913,itassistedinraisingPerrysflagshipNiagarafromMiseryBay.
In1924,agencystaffbeganperformingstreamsurveystoclassifywaterstomanage
fisheriesbasedonscientificprinciples.Dailycreellimitswerefirstsetin1925fortrout(25),
bass(10),Walleyes(10),pickerel(15)andMuskellunge(3).
Todaysgeneralcreellimits(consultthe
PennsylvaniaFishingSummary
forsizesand
exceptions)aretrout(5),bass(6),Walleyes(6),pickerel(4)andMuskellunge(1).Fishermans
Paradisewasopenedin1934andattractedalmost3,000visitors.
TheParadisegrewinpopularitytowhereithostedalmost35,000visitorsin1950and
wasthenmadeaFishforFunareain1962.
In1946,theCommissionacquiredamobilebiologicallaboratoryforfisheriesresearch
andmanagement.In1956,uniformflyfishingonlyregulationswereestablished.ThePerca
fisheriesresearchvesselwaslaunchedatLakeEriein1959,andGovernorDavidL.Lawrence
signedActNo.673,whichestablishedtheopeningdayoftroutseasonasthefirstSaturdayafter
April11,whichcontinuestoday.
In1969,thestartoftheopeningdayoftroutseasonchangedfrom5:00AMto8:00AM
duetocomplaintsfromlandowners.Also,in1969,theCommissioncreatedthe
WildernessTrout
Stream
(WTS)programandadded75streamsin1972.
Today,105streamsectionsareincludedintheWTSprogram,whichqualifyforthe
PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections(DEP)ExceptionalValue(EV)special
protectedwateruseclassification,whichrepresentsthehighestprotectionstatusprovidedbythe
Commonwealth.
In1970,theBrookTroutwasnamedtheofficialstatefish.In1971,ChinookSalmon
smoltswerereleasedintoLakeErietributaries.TheCommissionreceivedauthorityfor
regulatingreptiles,amphibiansandaquaticorganismsin1974.
TheworldrecordAmurPikewascaughtfromGlendaleLakein1976,andthe
Commissionpromulgatedthefirstregulationsfororganizedsnakehunts.TheCommission
adoptedOperationFUTURE(FisheriesUtilizationThroughUserResourceEvaluation)in1981,
andasexplainedbyformerDirectorAbele,(This)marksaformallydeclaredshiftinthe
philosophyandmissionofthePennsylvaniaFishCommissionfromrecreationfirsttoresource
first.ThistrulymakesthePennsylvaniaFishCommissionaconservationagency.
ResourceFirstwasadoptedbytheBoardofCommissionersasanagencymottoin1987
andthenasanoperationphilosophyin2008.Anearlyregionalopeningdayfortroutseasonin
southeasternPennsylvaniacountieswasinitiatedin2007.
LawEnforcement
TheActofJune3,1878forbadefishingonSunday,andin1937,HouseBillNo.6made
Sundayfishinglawfulagain.In1878,FishWardensLudwick,LoweandHooverwerepaid$50.
In1901,therewere12FishWardens,andin1902,SpecialWardens(nowDeputy
WaterwaysConservationOfficers(DWCOs))werecreated.
In1909,alawwaspassedforbiddingtheemptyingintoanywatersofthe
Commonwealthanywastedeleterioustofish,makingtheagencyoneoftheoldestwater
pollutionenforcementagenciesnotonlyinPennsylvaniabutintheentirenation.
In1913,GovernorJohnK.Tennersignedintolawthefirstcontrolsonmotorboating
requiringmotorboatstohavemufflers.In1915,fishwardensanddeputiesweregivenarrest
powers.In1919,nonresidentfishinglicenseswerefirstsoldfor$5.00to50nonresident
anglers.
BradfordCountyFishWardenWilliamE.ShoemakerwasshotandkilledonAugust25,
1921,andin1958,LycomingCountyFishWardenRaymondSchrolldrownedattemptingto
rescuehispartner.BothwereinductedintotheNationalLawEnforcementOfficersMemorialin
WashingtonD.C.
In1921,theResidentFishLicenseLawwaspassedandover200,000licenseswere
soldtocitizensover21yearsofage(agereducedto18in1923andthento16in1925)for$1.00
in1922.Thiswasthebeginningoftheagencybecomingselfdependentonuserfees.
Thefirstfishinglicensebuttonwasintroducedin1923,andresidentlicensefeeswere
increasedto$1.50in1928.Todaysfishinglicenseis$21withanoptional$8TroutStampand
$8LakeEriestamp,notincludingtheelectronicprocessingfee.
TheFishCommissionreceivedauthorityin1931tochargeaboatregistrationfeeof$1
percylinderforinternalcombustionmotorsand$2forelectricmotors.
Todaysregistrationfeesare$9peryearforunpoweredboatsand$13to$26for
motorboatsrangingfromlessthan16feettomorethan20feet.Whatabargain.
In1941,trollingwasprohibitedfromamotorboat,whichwasthenchangedin1944to
againallowtrollingonrivers.In1942,aprohibitionwasaddedtoregulationforoperatinga
motorboatwhileintoxicated.
In2015,PFBCWaterwaysConservationOfficers(WCOs)had91BoatingUnderthe
Influencearrests.In1956,carpfishingwithlongbowandarrowwaslegalized.Rulesoftheroad
boatingregulationswereamendedtoprohibitwaterskiingwithintheprovisionsofthe100foot
rule.
In1957,FishWardensreceivedtheauthoritytoenforcelittering.FishWardenswere
retitledWaterwaysPatrolmenin1969.
AmajorrecodificationoftheFishandBoatCodeoccurredin1980andprovidedlimited
policepowerstoWaterwaysPatrolmen.Act198416changedthenameofWaterwaysPatrolman
toWaterwaysConservationOfficers,andin1984,thefirstfemaleWaterwaysConservation
Officer,WCOSallyA.Corl,washired.
Apeaklawenforcementworkforceoccurredin1995with106WCOsand340DWCOs.
Today,wehave98WCOsand77DWCOs.
In2000,operatorsofpersonalwatercraftwererequiredtocompleteasafeboatingcourse,
andin2003,itbecamemandatoryforallpersonsbornonorafterJanuary1,1982topossessa
boatsafetycertificatetooperateaboatwithamotorover25horsepower.
TheFuture
Overthecourseofthenextyear,Ihopethatyou,myfellowanglersandboaters,willjoin
inourcommemorationofthelast150years.
ItwillbeagreattimetolearnaboutouragencyscontributiontothehealthofPenns
WoodsandWatersandcelebratethefactthatour86,000milesofstreams,nearly4,000lakes
andreservoirs,over404,000acresofwetlandsand63milesofLakeErieshorelinearestillhome
tomorethan25,000speciesofknownplantsandanimals,andperhaps,manythousandsmoreyet
tobeidentified.
ThesefactsdemonstratetheenormityandcomplexityofthechallengesthatfacePFBCas
westrivetofulfillourlegislativeandConstitutionaldutiestoprotect,conserveandenhanceour
Commonwealthsaquaticresources.
Over150speciesofplantsandanimalshavebeenlostfromPennsylvaniaand664others
arespeciesofgreatestconservationneedandaredetailedinourStateWildlifeActionPlan90
birds,19mammals,65fish,22reptiles,18amphibiansand450invertebrates.
Themajorthreatshavebeenidentifiedasresidentialandcommercialdevelopment(15
percent),energyproductionandmining(13percent),pollution(13percent),invasiveandother
problematicspecies,andgenesanddiseases(12percent).
Wecurrentlyhaveapopulationof12,763,536peoplethatcontinuestoincreaseonafixed
amountofland,45,333squaremiles.
Asof2015,83,438milesofstreamsandrivers,outofatotalof86,000miles,havebeen
assessedbythePennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionstaffforaquaticlifeuse
supportandapproximately19percent(15,882miles)donotfullysupporthealthyaquatic
communities.
Furthermore,someofthesewatersarestillnotfishableorswimmable.
Wehavethenations16thlargestriver,theSusquehannaRiver,whichdrainsnearlyhalf
ofPennsylvaniaslandareaandhasbeenidentifiedasamajorcontributortotheimpairmentof
theChesapeakeBay.
TheSusquehannaRivercurrentlysupportsaSmallmouthBassfisheryindistresswith
bacteriainfectingyoungbassproducingmortalityratesof10to70percent(20052015).
Adultbasshavebeenfoundwithcanceroustumors,otheropensoresandlesions,intersex
conditions(malebasswitheggprecursorsandhormones,whichshouldonlybefoundinfemale
bass),andblackspotsthatarentunderstood(blotchybasssyndromeormelanosis).
ThereissomethingwrongwiththeSusquehannaRiver,andweneedtoadmititandbegin
workingonaplantosolveitsproblems.
Wealsoknowthat15,882milesofourstreamsandriversand37,761acresofourlakes
arenotattainingtheiraquaticlifeusesbecauseofthecurrentandlegacyimpactsfrom
agricultureandcoalminingcreatingsiltation,metals,nutrientsandorganicenrichmentofour
waters.
AldoLeopold(18871948)recognizedtheimportanceoflandethicinhiswritingsand
teachingshowever,oursocietyisstilltryingtobalancetheimportanceofastrongeconomywith
thevalueofahealthyenvironment.
Thelandethicsimplyenlargestheboundariesofthecommunitytoincludesoils,waters,
plants,andanimals,orcollectively:theland.Inshort,alandethicchangestheroleofHomo
sapiensfromconquerorofthelandcommunitytoplainmemberandcitizenofit.Itimplies
respectforhisfellowmembers,andalsorespectforthecommunityassuch.AldoLeopold
(18871948).
Ourfutureisbrightbutnotwithoutchallenges.Wehavemadesubstantialprogressover
thelastgenerationbycleaningupourwaterssothatwecannowsaythatwehavemorewatersto
fishtodaythanwhenwewerechildren.
However,yesterdayschallengesweresimplecomparedtotheenvironmentalandnatural
resourcechallengesthatwefaceinthefuture.
Todayschallengesincludecanceroustumors,bacterialinfections,blackspotandintersex
SmallmouthBassinthemightySusquehannaRiverrapidlyexpandingdeepnaturalgas
developmentacrossPennsylvaniaandtheuncertaintiesaboutfrackingtheBrookTroutbeing
compromisedbychangingclimateinvasivespeciesoutcompetingnativespeciesourlakes,
riversandtheChesapeakeBaycloggedwithnuisancealgaebloomsthatloweroxygento
dangerouslevelsforfishandotheraquaticlifelesspeople,includingourlegislators,fishing,
boatingandrecreatingoutdoors,andwecantforgetaboutourobligationtorestoreAmerican
ShadtothemightySusquehannaRiver.
Unfortunately,IcantpromiseyouthesamethingthatExecutiveDirectorBielopromised
anglersinhisTurnofaCenturyarticlein1966.
Hewasabletopromisedoublingtheacreageoffishablelakewatersfrom57,000acresin
1966to111,000acresin1975becauseofaCommonwealthcommitmenttofundandbuildnew
lakes.
Today,wehaveasimilarfundingcommitment,butitistorepairandmaintainthosesame
historicdams,whichhavesincebecomeunsafeandhighhazard.Thiscommitmentwillinsure
thatourchildrenandgrandchildrenwillcontinuetohaveaplacetofishinPennsylvania.
Ournewchallengeswillnolongerbeatthelocalscalebutwillrequiremuchdifferent
solutionsatthewatershed,regional,nationalandevenglobalscales.
Wewillhavetoworkacrossdisciplinesandusetheappropriatesciencetodiagnosethe
problems,applytheengineeringskillstodevelopthesolutionsandhavethepoliticalwillto
createthelawsandprovidethefundingforthesolutions.
Itwontbeeasy,butIamconfidentthatournextgenerationwillhavetheknowledge,
skills,abilitiesandthegutstogetitdoneright.
Perhaps,wewillfinallycometorecognizethatahealthyeconomyandahealthy
environmentmustcoexistandtheadoptionofalandethicwillnolongerbeoptionalasLeopold
professed.
Pennsylvania
Fish&BoatCommission
website.
VisitHere
tosignuptoreceivepressreleasesandregular
updatesfromtheCommission.
VisitHere
toseethiscolumn,withallitshistoricphotographs,asitwasprintedinthe
JanuaryFebruary
PAAngler&Boater
magazine.
SaveTheDate:PAOutdoorWritersAssn.SpringConferenceMay1315
The
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
willholditsspringconferenceinSayre,BradfordCounty,
May1315.Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.
OpportunityToBidOnMineReclamationProjectInJeffersonCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheJanuary2,2016PA
Bulletin(
page66
)itisacceptingproposalsfromlicensedmineoperatorsforthecompletionofa
minereclamationprojectinUnionTownship,JeffersonCounty.ProposalsaredueJanuary8.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
NOTE:
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublisheditsscheduleofadvisory
committeeandboardmeetingsfor2016intheDecember19
PABulletin(page7230)
.Thenext
andfirstmeetingsofeachadvisorycommitteeorboardhasbeenaddedtothissection.
January4
DEPmeeting/hearingondraftNPDESpermitfordischargefromJessupnatural
gasfiredpowerplantinLackawannaCounty.ValleyViewHighSchool,1ColumbusDr.,
Archbald.6to9p.m.Contact:5708262511.
(
Nov.21PABulletin,page6752
)
January5
NEW
.Ceremonialbeginningofthe2016sessionoftheGeneralAssembly.
January7
DEPhearingontheMattCanestraleContracting,Inc.NPDESfor9outfallslocated
inLuzerneTownship,FayetteCountyandBethlehemTownship,WashingtonCounty.LaBelle
VolunteerFireDepartment,1101LaBelleRoad,LaBelle,FayetteCounty.6:00to8:00p.m.
Contact:BonnieHerbert,DEP,7247691100.
(
PABulletin,page6858
).
January916
100thPennsylvaniaFarmShow
.Harrisburg
January12
CANCELED
.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Thenext
regularmeetingisMarch8.
DEPContact:MarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
January12
SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.BlairsvilleCommunityCenter,101EastNorthLane,
Blairsville,PA,9:00a.m.toNoon.
January13
RescheduledToJan.20.
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.Dixon
UniversityCenter,2986N.SecondSt.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formalnotice
)
Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.
January13
AgendaPosted
.
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
ReviewofFormsRequiredToImplementChapter78
ReviewofTechnicalGuidanceToImplementChapter78
DCNRPresentationOnPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewSystem
PresentationonEPACleanPowerClimatePlanRequirements
WellCompletion,WasteReporting,Drilling/CoalMiningCoordination
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
January13
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPCoastalZoneAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.
DEPContact:StaceyBox,InterstateWaters
Office,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725622,
sbox@pa.gov
.
January13
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPowered
Equipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEP
Contact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,New
StantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
January13
SouthwestPAPlanningCommission
MS4StormwaterWorkshop
Construction
SiteStormwaterRunoffControl,PostConstructionStormwaterManagementforNew
DevelopmentandRedevelopment
.CranberryTownshipMunicipalCenter,2525Rochester
Road,CranberryTownship,PA.9:00a.m.toNoon.
January14
AgendaPosted
.
DEPOilandGas(Marcellus)TechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
ReviewofFormsRequiredToImplementChapter78
ReviewofTechnicalGuidanceToImplementChapter78
DCNRPresentationOnPANaturalDiversityInventoryReviewSystem
PresentationonEPACleanPowerClimatePlanRequirements
WellCompletion,WasteReporting,Drilling/CoalMiningCoordination
ClickHere
January14
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPCoalandClayMineSubsidenceInsuranceFundBoard
meeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:Lawrence
Ruane,BureauofMiningPrograms,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839590,
lruane@pa.gov
.
January19
U.S.EPAGreen&HealthySchools
WebinarOnSchoolsAndOutdoorAir
Quality
.3:00.
January20
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.Contact:
RAEPPITF@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
January20
DEP,PennState
EnergyAssetScoreToolWorkshop
.DEPsSouthwestRegional
Office,500WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.10:00.
January21
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.2ndFloorTraining
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMining
Programs,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177875103,
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
January21
DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
January21
NEW
.
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrantWebinar
.10:00a.m.
January23
DelawareHighlandsConservancyEagleDay
.
ClickHere
forotherBaldEagle
viewingopportunitieswiththeConservancy.
January23
NEW
.
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssociation
WestEndHike
.Brodheadsville,
MonroeCounty.
January27
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:SusanFoster,BureauofAir
Quality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177877019,
sufoster@pa.gov
.
January28
DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:DawnHissner,BureauofSafeDrinking
Water,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722189,
dhissner@pa.gov
.
February2
DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DelawareRoom,16th
Floor,RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
DEPContact:CarlJones,OfficeofEnvironmentalJustice,
2EastMainStreet,Norristown,PA19401,4842505818,
caejone@pa.gov
.

February3
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
FinalChapter78&78ADrillingRegulations
ClickHere
February3
DEPAggregateAdvisoryBoard
meeting.2ndFloorTrainingRoom,Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:DanielSnowden,BureauofMiningPrograms,400
dsnowden@pa.gov
.
February4
DEP
CitizensAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding
10:00.
DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.
February10
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400MarketStreet,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
February10
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
February11
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,
nherb@pa.gov
.
Febinary11
NEW
.
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrantWebinar
.10:00a.m.
February24
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MikeMaddigan,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723609,
mmaddigan@pa.gov
.
February2627
2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.
March8
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,Bureauof
EnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,
7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
March8
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
March10
BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve
LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley
University,Doylestown.
March1416
RegistrationOpen
.
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
Annual
Conference
.TheInnatPoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.
March16
StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.Conference
Room11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,Bureauof
PointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.
March22
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:30.
DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,400
jdiehl@pa.gov
.
March22
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room206,DEP
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:Aaren
Alger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.
April7
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.
April13
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April14
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
Building.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April1415
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
April19
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
May1113
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.
May1315
NEW
.
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference
.Sayre,Bradford
County.Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.
June35
RegistrationOpen
.
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
EnvironmentRide
.Philadelphiato
BethlehembacktoPhiladelphia.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
riashley@pa.gov
.
October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
rjanati@pa.gov
.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
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tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
January4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramOpens
January7
ChesapeakeBayTrustRFPForTechnicalAssistance
January8
PennDOTAlternativeTransportationProjectFunding
January15
GovernorsAwardForEnvironmentalExcellence
January15
DCNR/PRPSGreenParksAwards
January15
PALTALifetimeConservationLeadershipAward
January15
PAEnvironmentalEducatorsAwardNominations
January15
BowmansHillPreserveLandEthicsAwards
January15
ChesterCountyGrowingGreenerCommunitiesAward
January15
BayerCropScienceYoungFarmerSustainabilityAward
January29
2016YouthWildlifeArtContest
January29
EPASaferChoicePartnerOfTheYearAwards
January29
Fish&BoatCommissionStateWildlifeGrants
January30
DEPAlternativeFuelsVehicleRebates
(OrUntilFundingIsGone)
February1
BenFranklinShaleGasInnovationContest
February4
Delaware&LehighHeritageCorridorMiniGrants
February12
PALTAGovernmentConservationLeadershipAward
February15
AcademyOfNaturalSciencesDelawareRiverResearchGrants
February22
UrbanLandInstituteUrbanOpenSpaceAward
February22
UrbanLandInstituteGlobalExcellenceForRealEstateProjectsAward
March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
March4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramCloses
March31
DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
April13
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
May31
$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore
DEPChiefLeadingAgencyThruHighCuts,LowTimes
5LeadersFiguringToImpactPittsburgh
No,TomWolfCantGovernPennsylvania,Yet
HouseAppropriationsChairBillAdolphToRetire
Air
Editorial:PollutedItaly,ControllingEmissionsNotEasy
AlternativeFuels
CleanEnergyAdvocatesGiftsFromWashington
SustainableEnergyForumsSlatedInHawley
BucksCountySchoolDistrictMovesToPropanePoweredBuses
Budget
StateBudgetTalksReset,CapitolOnHolidayFooting
WolfVetoesRepublicanBudget,WillReleaseSchoolFunds
AP:GovernorVetoesPartOfBudget,OKsSchoolCash
PLS:WolfLineItemVetoesBudget
WolfToGOPLeaders:GetBackToWork
Winners,LosersInWolfsStopgapBudget
DEPGetsMoreMoney,NoNewInspectors
Editorial:ToyingWithTheStateBudget
OpEd:BudgetLaunchesAttackOnEnvironmentalProtection,Rep.Vitali
Climate
DrinkingWater
LehighValleyWaterOfficialsRetiresAfter41Years
SteeltonReceivesAnotherDrinkingWaterViolation
EconomicDevelopment
OfficialsHopeEthaneCrackerPlantsGoIntoProduction
EmergencyResponse
DisasterMoneySoughtForDemolitionOfWBRiverBridge
HighWindsLeave1,000sWithoutPowerInSouthwest
Winds,RainBringDamageToErieArea
Energy
OpEd:PAsPromisingEnergyFuture,CommissionerWitmer
OpEd:LowCostNaturalGasSavingYouMoney
FuelDealersFindNewUsesForLowPricedPropane
CoalIndustryOnTrackForRecordLowInMiningDeaths
AsCoalDemandDrops,SoDoFundingSources
LastKingOfCoalMakesHisStandAsMinesVanish
CleanEnergyAdvocatesGiftsFromWashington
CouldGoldenParachutesAtTalenMeanMerger,Takeover?
ChesterLandlordsPECOFightHits$100K
EnergySpotlight:CampbellHawkins,DuquesneLight
DamageClaimsFromArmyBlimpTop$300K
Flooding
FloodAdvisoryIssuedForWarrenCounty
Forests
AlleghenyNationalForestSeeksToSaveTrees
MothDamagingCherryTreesInAlleghenyNationalForest
LandConservation
Oil&Gas
EQTWinsProceduralRulingAgainstDEPOnPenalties
DrillersAwaitRebound,LowPrices,WarmWeatherTroubleProducers
OpEd:PAsPromisingEnergyFuture,CommissionerWitmer
OpEd:LowCostNaturalGasSavingYouMoney
OpEd:SunocoPipelineWillEmploySteelworkers
UGIRestoresServiceToWBCustomers
OfficialsHopeEthaneCrackerPlantsGoIntoProduction
ReportRevivesDebateOverRadiationRisksFromDrillingWaste
StateImpact:10StoriesFrom2015WorthHearingAgain
ScrantonWBTransitCouldGetNaturalGasStation
NFGForecastsHigherGasBillsInNorthwest
ShalesRunningOutOfSurvivalTricks,OPECRampsUp
FirstShaleGasExportTerminalStartsOperation
ArcLightToSell4GulfOilTerminals
OilPoisedForRecord2YearLoss
RadiationProtection
ReportRevivesDebateOverRadiationRisksFromDrillingWaste
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
WhyItsGettingHarderToRecycleElectronics
OptionsAvailableForChristmasTreeDisposalInScranton
YukonDumpOperatorOffers$120KToOffsetAdverseImpact
Twp.SettlesOfficersRetaliationClaimOverLandfillOpposition
Sustainability
SustainableEnergyForumsSlatedInHawley
WatershedProtection
PhiladelphiaUsesGreenInfrastructureToStayAboveWater
RepairsToStopGroundwaterLeakingIntoAlcosanSystem
BusinessAnswerToWaterQuality,Conservation
DelawareRiverkeeperDec.26RiverWatchVideoReport
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
Wildlife
ChristmasCountersFind28,000Birds,HawksInWesternPA
Other
DamageClaimsFromArmyBlimpTop$300K
ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
publishednotice
intheJanuary2,2016PABulletin
offinalregulationsonthereviewandapprovalofwaterwithdrawalprojectsanda
secondnotice
ofactionstakenatitsDecembermeeting.
PennsylvaniaBulletinJanuary2,2016
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheJanuary2,2016PA
Bulletinnaturalgasandcoalbedmethaneemissionsmustbereportedforcalendaryear2015by
March1.
TheExecutiveBoard
publishednotice
intheJanuary2,2016PABulletinofareorganizationof
theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
DEPFacebookPage
DEPTwitterFeed
DEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
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iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
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