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AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
CrisciAssociates
WinnerOf
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
BusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAEnvironmentDigestDailyBlog
TwitterFeed
Issue#612Harrisburg,PAMarch21,2016
4thSenate,HouseRepublicanBudgetSentToGovernorInTheFaceOfVetoThreat
SenateandHouseRepublicans,inoverwhelmingly
partylinevotes,tookfinalactiontosend
HouseBill
1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05billionin
supplementalappropriationsforFY201516(Senate
31to18,House128to63),theFiscalCodebill
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)(Senate30to19,
House120to71)andthebillsfundingstaterelated
universitiestotheGovernorforhisaction.
Gov.WolfsaidWednesdayafternoonhe
wouldvetothebills,butwedontknowatthispoint
ifthatmeanstheentirebillsorwhetherhewillusehislineitemveto.
ThebillswereformallypresentedtotheGovernorforactiononThursdaybytheSenate
andHouse.
HouseSpeakerMikeTurzai(RAllegheny)saidFriday
withoutclosingouttheFY
201516budget,negotiationscannotbegintotalkabouttheFY201617budget.Heandother
RepublicansurgedGov.Wolftosignthebudgetbillsonhisdesk.
Regardlessoftheveto,SpeakerTurzaididhinttheremightbeenoughDemocraticvotes
intheHousetooverridetheveto.
Wewereveryappreciativethatwepickedup13ofourDemocraticcolleaguesvotes,
wethinkthatmanymoreofourDemocraticcolleaguesmanyofuswhoaregoodfriends,very
professionalunderstandtheneedtoclosethe1516budget,Rep.Turzaisaid.
ReactingtotheSpeakerscommentsFridayafternoon,HouseDemocraticCaucus
spokespersonBillPattonsaidtheSpeakeriscontinuingtorefusetoacknowledgereality.
Everystepthegovernorhastakenhasbeenanactiontoclosethedeficit,notmakeit
worse,hesaid.ThepeoplethataremakingthedeficitworsearetheHouseRepublican
leadershipwhowouldnotlettheHousetakeavoteonarealbudget."
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEP
Chapter78conventionaldrillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreener
watershedrestorationfundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofany
stateplantocomplywiththeEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldalsotransfer$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreenBuildings
ProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
HouseRepublicansandsomeDemocratsfinallyreachedtherequiredtwothirdsvoteand
passedfundingforthestaterelateduniversitiesPennState,Pitt,LincolnandtheUniversityof
PennsylvaniainSenateBills912,913,914,915and916andsentthemtotheGovernorforhis
action.
Gov.Wolfthreatenedtovetothesebillsaswell.
ThisentirepackageofbillsputtogetherbySenateandHouseRepublicansrepresentsa
$30billionFY201516GeneralFundbudgetrestoringmany,butnotall,ofthe
lineitemvetoes
Gov.Wolf
madeinthe$30.2billionRepublicanbudgetapprovedinDecember.
Republicanssaythebudgetrequiresnoadditionaltaxrevenueandincreasesfundingfor
basiceducationandnonpreferredappropriationstostaterelateduniversities.
Gov.WolfandSenateandHouseDemocratssaytheRepublicanbudgetisoutofbalance
byatleast$290million,wouldcreateayearenddeficitofmorethan$1.6billionin201617and
wouldforcePennsylvaniaoffthefiscalcliff.
Specifically,Democratssay,itdoesnothingtofundstateprogramsadministeredby
counties.
ClickHere
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouse
Republicans.
Thisisthe
fourthbudgetRepublicans
havesenttotheGovernorsinceJune30oflast
year.
(
ClickHere
forthetimeline.)
TheGeneralFundbudgetwasvetoedentirelybytheGovernorlastJuly.Astopgap
budgetpackageinSeptemberwasvetoedbytheGovernorinitsentirety.Andfinally,$6.8
billionoftheGeneralFundbudgetpassedinDecemberwaslineitemvetoedbytheGovernor.
Inbetweenthosebudgets,theHousefailedin14attemptstooverridetheGovernorsveto
oftheJune30budget.
Andnowwehavebudget#4.
GovernorsVetoThreat
Gov.WolfissuedthisstatementjustaftertheSenatevoteontheRepublicanbudget:
DespiterepeatedeffortsbymyadministrationtoworkwithRepublicanleaderstofind
compromise,includingoverthelastcoupledays,Republicanleadersareonceagaininsistenton
passinganotherirresponsibleandunbalancedbudgetthatdoesnotfundourschoolsorfixthe
deficit.
ThisisfurtherindicationthattheRepublicanleadershavenointentionofworking
togetherwithmetoproduceafinalbudget.Thisisthethirdtimetheyhaveattemptedtopassan
unbalancedbudgetwithnoconsultationwiththeadministration.Thisissimplyunproductiveand
awasteoftaxpayerresources.
Themathinthelatestversionstilldoesnotwork.EvenusingtheRepublicans
questionablemathandassumptions,thebudgetcreatesa$1.6billiondeficitthatwillprompt
massivecutstoeducation,teacherlayoffs,higherpropertytaxes,andcutstovitalprogramsfor
seniors.ThisbudgetnotonlydoesnothingtoaddressPennsylvaniaschallenges,butby
continuingtokickthecandowntheroad,itfurtherexacerbatesourproblems,
Initscurrentform,Iwillvetothisbudget,andIurgeRepublicansinthelegislatureto
stopthepartisangamesandcomebacktothetabletonegotiateafinalbudgetthatfundsour
schoolsandeliminatesthenearly$2billiondeficit.Ilookforwardtoworkingwithbothparties
inthelegislaturetofinallyendthisimpasse,fixourschools,andeliminatethedeficit.
Inlatercomments,Gov.Wolfsaidspecificallyhewillvetofundingforstaterelated
universitiesbecausethereisnorevenuetosupportit.
SenateRepublicanComments
SenateRepublicanLeadersofferedthefollowingstatementsonthepassageofthebudget
Wednesday
SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson):Todaysvotetookan
importantsteptoclosethe201516budgetimpassewhichhasnowentereditsninthmonth.Iam
pleasedthatwearefinallycompletingthisbudgetyearwithoutraisingtaxesonPennsylvanias
hardworkingresidents.ThesupplementalbudgetpassedbytheSenatetodaywillprovideour
schools,agricultureprograms,criticalaccesshospitalsandmanyotherworthwhileprograms
withthefundingtheyneedtokeeptheirdoorsopen.Gov.Wolfsdesiretocreateacrisisbyline
itemvetoingfundinglastDecemberwascompletelyinappropriate.Itislongpasttimetoclose
the201516budgetandmoveontoworkingtoprovideatimelyandresponsiblebudgetfor
201617.
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman(RCentre):Weareinanemergencysituation.
Letsstoplookingatwhatthisbudgetisntandfocusonwhatitis.Thisbudgetis$200million
newdollarsforeducationandkeepsourschoolsfromclosingtheirdoors.Itrestoresthefunding
forouragriculturalcommunityandmeansPennStatewontlayoff1,100employees.Rural
hospitalsreceivetheirfundingasdoregionalcancercenters,poisoncontrolfacilitiesandmore.
Thisplangetsourcommunitiesthemoneytheydesperatelyneedwithoutthetaxincreasesthe
Governorsodesperatelywants.
SenateAppropriationsCommitteeMajorityChairPatBrowne(RLehigh):Wecannot
continuedownthepathweareonwhereschoolsarefacingtherealprospectofbeingforcedto
closeandwherevitalnonprofitsandsocialserviceorganizationsareunabletokeeptheirdoors
openandoperating.Wehaveafundamentalandconstitutionalresponsibilitytoprovidefunding
tothesecriticalstateprogramsandservices.Thissupplemental201516appropriationsbudget
restoresmostoftheGovernorslineitemvetocutsfromDecemberandprovidesincreased
fundingforeducation,restoresfundingtocorrectionalfacilitiesandsocialserviceagenciesand
doessowithoutraisingtaxesonourhardworkingfamiliesandjobcreators.
SenateMajorityWhipJohnGordner(RColumbia):IampleasedtheSenatehasacted
torestorefundingtoourschools,agriculturalcommunity,ruralcriticalaccesshospitalsandother
vitalprograms.ThisresponsiblebudgetreversesthepunitivecutsinflictedbyGovernorWolf
throughhislineitemvetoesandatthesametimeincreasespublicschoolfundingby$200
millionwithoutraisingasingletax.
GeneralFundBillContents
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)includes$6.05billioninsupplementation
appropriationsfor
Dept.ofAgriculture$83.8million
Dept.ofConservation&NaturalResources$2.25millionHeritageParksProgram
Dept.ofEnvironmentalProtectiondoesNOTrestore$900,000forSewageFacilitiesGrants
ClickHere
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouse
Republicans.
NewsClips:
McNickle:PhoneCallTelegraphsWolfsRealIntentOnShaleGas?
Swift:WorseningBudgetMessAwaitingLawmakers
Editorial:BetterLeadersWouldEndTheBudgetImpasse
AuditorGeneralToExamineAct13ImpactFeeSpending
PCN:PASupremeCourtArgumentsOnAct13,Oil&GasLeaseFund
PLS:SpeakerTurzaiImploresGov.WolfToSignBudget
WolfThreatensVetoOfRepublicanBudget
Sen.Yudichak(D)RipsWolf,LegislatureOverBudgetImpasse
Thompson:GOPPondersVetoOverride,WithGrowingDemSupport
BudgetImpasseConcernsPennStateExtensionDirector
PennStateExtension,4HProgramsHangInBalance
PennStatesAgriculturalExtensionDollarsAffectYourTable
LancasterPennStateExtensionOfficeFacesClosure
RelatedStories:
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayingCleanPowerPlan
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,CleanPowerPlanDelayInFiscalCode
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
WednesdaysentalettertoallmembersoftheSenateexpressing
itsoppositiontoprovisions
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendstheFiscalCodetoamong
otherthings,killDEPChapter78conventionaldrillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,
reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestorationfundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandto
slowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywiththeEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldalsotransfer$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreenBuildings
ProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
ThebillisnowontheGovernorsdeskforaction.
Thetextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil(PEC),Iamwritingtoexpress
ourstrongoppositiontoprovisionsinHouseBill1327(P.N.2969)thatutilizethefiscalcodeas
avehicletonegateimportant,publiclydevelopedenvironmentalregulatoryprovisionsrelatingto
oilandgasdevelopment,andtoseekfurtherdelayofCleanPowerPlanimplementationplanning
inPennsylvania.
IftheGeneralAssemblywishestoaddressthesematters,itshoulddosoinstandalone
legislationwithduepublicnoticeandopportunityforinvolvement.Useofthefragmentedstate
budgetprocesstoadvanceunrelatedmeasuresofsubstantivelawisagainstgoodpublicpolicy
andviolatesthesinglesubjectruleofthePennsylvaniaConstitution.
WecallonmembersoftheSenatetorejecttheseprovisions,aswellasthepracticeof
circumventingpublicparticipationinissuesofenvironmentallawthatarewhollyunrelatedto
thebudget.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
RelatedStories:
4thSenate,HouseRepublicanBudgetSentToGovernorInTheFaceOfVetoThreat
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyMondaytoldtheSenateAppropriations
SubcommitteeonInfrastructure,EnvironmentandGovernment
OperationsDEPwillhave12specialfundsrunningintheredby2018
andatleasttwoofthosefundswillrequirelegislativeactiontofix.
Hesaidtomakeupfortheshortfallsintheotherfunds,DEPwill
beproposingpermitfeeincreasestocoveradministrativecostsinthe
absenceofmoreGeneralFundsupportfortheagency.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPneedsamajorinvestmentin
informationtechnologycapacitytonotonlybecomemoreefficientand
effective,buttopotentiallyreducetheneedformorestaffinthefuture.
HepointedtoaproposalbyGov.WolftoincreaseDEPsOiland
GasProgramstaffby50positionslastyear,sayingiftheagencycaninvestiniPadsandmobile
technologyandthesystemstobackthemup,perhapsDEPwouldnotneedallthosenew
positions.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasbeenlookingatmanyotheropportunitiestocutcostsby
consolidatingfunctionswithintheagency,partneringwithotheragenciestosharecosts,
reviewingtheneedforofficespaceandclosely
reviewsfillingeverysinglestaffvacancy
.
HetoldSenators,however,thatDEPhasbeenthevictimofrelentlessanddebilitating
budgetcutsformorethanadecade.
Thisagencyisntlean,itsemaciated,andwecantcutourwaytocleaningupthe
environment,SecretaryQuigleysaid.Weareperilouslyclosetonotmeetingtheagencys
mission.
EveryfunctionoftheagencyhasbeencompromisedbythecutsinDEPsbudget.
Headded,regulatoryrequirementsdontgoaway,ifanythingtheyexpand.
[
Note:
DEPadministersover40stateenvironmentalprotectionandpublichealthand
safetylawsassigningresponsibilitiestotheagency.Nonehaveeverbeenrepealed,butmany
havebeenreplacedwithnewandmoresignificantrequirements.]
Atthesametime,SecretaryQuigleysaid,DEPsemployeeshavebeendoingan
outstandingjob,inspiteofthelackofresources,meeting
PermitDecisionGuaranteeProgram
reviewdeadlines89percentofthetime,wheretheagencyisgivencompleteapplications,and80
percentofthetimeevenwhenapplicationsareincomplete.
SecretaryQuigleysaid,overall,22percentofDEPscostsarefundedbytheGeneral
Fund,28percentarefederalfundsand50percentcomefrompermitreviewandadministration
feesandasmallpercentagefrompenalties.
HesaidDEPhasacomplementofabout2,683positions,downfrom3,200in200203.
ThissecondhearingonDEPsbudgetbytheSenateAppropriationsCommitteewas
chairedbySen.JohnEichelberger(RBlair).HenotedtheSubcommitteeisbipartisan,but
Democraticmemberschoosenottoattendthishearing.
ClickHere
towatchtheSubcommitteehearingonline.
Whilemuchofthehearingwasarehashoftheoriginal
SenatehearingonDEPsbudget
,
heresaquicksummaryofsomespecificquestionsaskedduringthishearing
SpecialFundsShortfalls:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)saidtherewere12or13specialfunds
associatedwithDEPthatwillgointotheredshortlyandaskedifDEPhadanyproposalsfor
dealingwiththeissue.SecretaryQuigleysaid12specialfundsatDEPwillgointothered
sometimein2018.
Hesaid
DEPwillproposefeeincreases
toaddresstheshortfallsinmostofthesefunds,
butlegislativeactionwillbeneededinatleasttwocasestheHazardousSitesCleanupand
StorageTankfunds.Henotedfeeincreasesareina3yearreviewscheduleandalwayslag
behindcostsbecauseofthenatureoftheregulatoryprocessusedtoincreasefees.
Inarelatedquestion,Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)saidtheproposalto
increasethestate
wastetippingfees
wouldonlyresultinthefeebeingpaidbyconsumers.SecretaryQuigleysaid
thereasonforthefeeincreasewastoprovideenoughmoneytotransfer$35milliontothe
EnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)FundandHazardousSitesCleanupFund.
Ifthefeeincreaseisnotenacted,thesefundswoulddowithoutoralternativeswould
havetobefound.
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)saidhecantsupportincreasedfees,oranyappropriations
increase,untilagenciesturnovereveryrocktoreducecosts.
HowMuchWorkDoesDEPDoThatIsntMandatedByStatute?:
Inresponsetothis
questionbySen.Eichelberger(RBlair),SecretaryQuigleysaidallofwhattheydoisrequired
byfederalorstatelaws.DEPgotridofalltheextrasalongtimeago.
LevelOfEffortToMeetFederalFunding:
Sen.RobertMensch(RMontgomery)asked
aboutthelevelofeffortneededtokeepfederalfundingcominginforDEPprograms.Secretary
Quigleysaidtheagencyhasseenslightincreasesinsomefederalfunds,butmostofthefederal
fundsrequirematchingstatefundswhichhascausedproblems.Hepointedtotwoexamples:the
miningprogramhadtoturnback$6.5millioninfederalfundingbecausetheydidnthavestate
matchoverthelast6yearsandEPAwithheld$3millioninChesapeakeBayProgramfunding
becauseDEPdidnothaveadequatestaff.HenotedtheBayProgramfunding
hassincebeen
released
becauseoftheChesapeakeBayProgramebootannouncedinJanuary.
(
ClickHere
for
moreinformationonshortfallsinDEPfundingandstaffidentifiedbyfederalagencies.)
InformationTechnology:
Sen.RobertMensch(RMontgomery)askedagainabout
investmentsininformationtechnologynotingthecostofhardwarehasdroppedsignificantly
overtheyears.Hesaidherecognizeswearedroppingtheballoninvestmentsininformation
technologyandwouldliketohelpaddresstheissuesincehecomesfromanITbackground.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPisstillusing1990stechnology,likethe
eFACTSdatabase
thatwillshortlynotbesupportedbythecompanywhowroteit.Asaresult,hesaid,DEPs
abilitytodoitsbasicworkisbeinghamper.
Henotedtherewasa$2millioninformationtechnologylineitemintheGovernors
budget$1milliontoreplaceeFACTSand$1millionformobiletechnologylikeiPadsfor
inspectors.
StaffBuyTheirOwnTechnology:
Sen.Menschsuggested,andSen.ScottWagner
(RYork)supported,theideathatDEPemployeesmightbeaskedtobuytheirowntechnology.
SecretaryQuigleypointedoutthattechnologyneedstoconnecttoandthatswherethereisareal
challengeforDEP.
MeasuringAgencyPerformance:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)saidoneofthegeneralissues
theSubcommitteeislookingatistoidentifymoreaccurateagencyperformancemeasures.
SecretaryQuigleysaidhewouldliketohaveamanagementdashboard,butDEPisntbuiltfor
thatsortofapproachandneedsamajorinvestmentinnewinformationtechnology,likereplacing
eFACTS,togettothatlevel.
SeveranceTaxLobbying:
Sen.Wagner(RYork)questionedwhySecretaryQuigleywas
spendingsomuchtimelobbyingfortheGovernorsnaturalgasseverancetaxproposal.
SecretaryQuigleysaidherespondstoquestionswhenasked,buthedoesntspendtimelobbying
fortheseverancetax.[
Note:
NoneoftheseverancetaxrevenuegeneratedbyGov.Wolfs
proposalwouldgotosupportDEPprograms.]
Sen.PatBrowne(RLehigh)latercommentedtheWolfAdministrationkeepssayingthe
statedoesnthaveaseverancetaxandaskedifchangingthenameoftheAct13drillingimpact
feetoseverancetaxwoulddealwiththeproblemordoesnttheimpactfeeraiseenoughmoney?
SecretaryQuigleysaidthestateneedstofindadditionalnew,sustainablesourcesof
revenuetodealwitha$2billionstructuraldeficitinthestatebudget.Hesaidhebelievesthe
existingimpactfeehasaneffectivetaxrateof1.5percentanddisputedthe
5.5percenttaxrate
publishedbytheIndependentFiscalOffice
.
HenotedtheCEOsof5differentnaturalgascompaniesrecentlypointedtohowuniquely
positionedtheywereinPennsylvaniabecauseofthelowcostofproductionandproximityto
markettodealwiththecurrentnaturalgasmarket.Hesaidtheseverancetaxproposal,which
includesacreditforimpactfeespaidandcertainproductioncosts,wouldplacePennsylvania
squarelyinthemiddleofthepackofthosestateswithseverancetaxes.
SecretaryQuigleysaidGov.Wolfwantsthegasindustrytosucceedandsaidthe
Administrationisaddressingoneoftheindustrysbiggestproblemsgettingnaturalgasto
market.Aboutonethirdoffinishedwellscannotbeconnectedtoanymarketbecausethe
pipelinesarenotthere.The
GovernorsPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
made184
recommendations,including84forwhichDEPhasresponsibility,tohelpwiththepipeline
developmentinaresponsibleway.HesaidthefirstrecommendationwasforDEPtohavemore
staff.
PrivatizingOilandGasRegulatoryProgram:
Sen.Browne(RLehigh)askedifitwas
possibletogetalongwithprivatizingpartsoftheOilandGasProgramtoavoidhiringsome
permanentstaffgiventheupsanddownsoftheindustry.SecretaryQuigleysaidwhilethe
numberofnewpermitshavedeclinedbyaboutonethird,DEPstillhasvacanciesintheprogram.
Hesaidhebelievespermitreviewsareabasicfunctionofgovernmentandinsomeinstances
DEPmaybeprohibitedfromhavingprivate,thirdpartiesdoreviewsofpermitapplications.He
notedDEPhasto
justifyfillingeverysinglevacancy
inhisagency.Inearlierbudgettestimony,
SecretaryQuigley,pointedoutDEPhasalsonotbeeninspectingconventionaland
unconventionalwellswiththefrequencytheybelieveisnecessary.
EPACleanPowerClimateRule:
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)askedifDEPshould
discontinueanyworkonplanstomeetEPAsCleanPowerPlanClimateRule
untilthecourts
havereviewedtheissue
.SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasputworkonaPennsylvaniaPlanona
lowboil,butwascontinuingtoworkonaplanatareasonablepaceuntilthereissomeclarity
fromthefederalcourts.HesaidDEPisalsowrappingupitsworkwithaNationalGovernors
Associationprojectonmodelingalternativecompliancestrategiesforthestate.
However,SecretaryQuigleysaidifDEPstopsworkaltogether,thestatewouldbebehind
thecurveiftheEPAruleisupheld.Henotedrenewableenergyandcheapnaturalgaswill
continuetoreplaceexpensiveandinefficientcoalfiredpowerplantsinthefutureregardlessof
whatthestatedoes.Thereisalsoaconcern,hesaid,aboutdefiningtherolenuclearpower
plantswillplaybecausetheyrepresent95percentofcarbonfreeenergygenerationnowinthe
state.
NutrientCreditPurchasesByState:
Sen.Wagner(RYork)askedabouttheprogram
suggestedbySen.Vogel
tohavethestatebuynutrientcreditstomeetChesapeakeBay
requirements.SecretaryQuigleysaidhavingthestatebuyingnutrientcreditswouldbe
unprecedentedandveryexpensive.ThetechnologyadvocatedbySen.Vogelslegislation,he
said,wouldrequirethestatepayinganestimated$11perpoundofnutrientreduction,when
currentlycreditsaresellingforlessthan$1forpracticeslikeforestedbuffers.DEPisactively
lookingatmarketbasedsolutionsandisproposingchangestoitsmarketbasedNutrientCredit
TradingProgramtomakeitmorecompetitive.
NewGrowingGreenerProgram:
InresponsetoaquestionfromSen.Vogel(RBeaver),
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheGovernorsOfficehashaddiscussionsaboutanewGrowingGreener
fundinginitiativewithstakeholdersandwouldbeanxioustocontinuethatdialoguewith
legislators.
RecyclingLawUpdate:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)saidwastehaulersinhisdistricthave
expressedconcernsaboutfindingmarketsforalltherecycledmaterialstheypickupandaskedif
itwasnttimetotakeanotherlookattheAct101recyclinglaw.SecretaryQuigleysaidhe
wouldliketohaveaconversationaboutincreasingthestatesrecyclingtargetsandpointedtoa
specificconcernnowis
changingtheelectronicswasterecyclinglaw
todealwithelectronics
recyclingissues.
PermitReviews:
InresponsetoaquestionfromSen.Wagner(RYork),SecretaryQuigley
saidanumberoffactorshaveaffectedpermitreviewtimes.HesaidDEPlost671positionsover
thelastdecade441ofthosewerepermitwritersandinspectors.HepointedtotheHarrisburg
RegionalOfficerasanexampleoftheimpactofthesereductionswhere4permitwritershave
200permitapplicationsontheirdeskwithnewonescomingineveryday.HesaidDEPhasalso
lostpeopletotheprivatesectorbecauseofhigherprivatesalariesandishavingdifficultyfilling
positions.
Inaddition,inthenearfuture,30percentofDEPsworkforceabout800peoplewill
beoldenoughtoretireandtheirexperiencewillbelosttotheagency.
Inspiteofthesedifficulties,SecretaryQuigleysaidDEP,underits
PermitReview
GuaranteeProgram
,meetsthedeadlineforpermitreviews89percentoftimewhenapplications
arecompleteandeven80percentofthetimewhentheyarentcomplete.
Healsoexplained,permitreviewsatDEP,hesaid,arenotboxcheckingoperations,
theyrequireactualreview.
SecretaryQuigleysaid39percentofthepermitapplicationscominginthedooratDEP
havedeficiencies,accordingtoarecentstudybyDEP,andtheprivatesectorneedstouptheir
game,but,headded,Iwillownanyproblemsinmyagency.
Sen.WagnerfollowedupbysayingthereshouldbeanAngiesListforconsulting
firmsandunderstoodtheissuebecausehewaspersonallyinvolvedinapermitissuewherehe
wasnotwellservedbyaconsultant.
StatusOfPermitReviews:
Sen.Eichelberger(RBlair)expressedconcernedabout
permitapplicationsmovingattheirownpaceandgoingintoablackhole.SecretaryQuigley
saidthePermitDecisionGuaranteeProgramprovidesdeadlinesforreviewwhereapplications
arecomplete.Hesaidhealsounderstandtherewillbeapplicationsthathavesignificant
economicdevelopmentopportunitiesbehindthem.Itallcomesbacktolimitedstaff,hesaid.
LengthPermitReviewTimes:
Sen.Mensch(RMontgomery)askedifthereareother
waystoaddressthepermitreviewissuesbylengtheningpermitreviewtimesabit,forexample.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheyhavebeenlookingatavarietyofideasforrefiningDEPspermit
reviewprogramsincludingelectronicpermitting.
RestructuringPrograms:
Sen.Browne(RLehigh)askedaboutopportunitiestorestructure
programsandtheagencytosavemoney,createsynergiesandmakestaffmoreeffective.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheyhavereorganizedto
meetChesapeakeBaycommitments
,butthere
wasnoopportunitytosavemoney.Hepointedoutagainwaterqualityrelatedprogramsin
particularhavebeenhardhitbybudgetcutsandweareunderwaterastheagency.Hepointed
tothe25percentreductioninstaffinSafeDrinkingWaterProgramasanotherexample.
ControllingOvertime:
InresponsetoaquestionfromSen.Pat(RLehigh)aboutthesteps
takentocontrolovertime,SecretaryQuigleysaidhehasauthorizedsomeovertimeforpermit
processing.HepointedoutDEPstaffrespondstoemergenciesthatfrequentlyinvolveworkon
weekendsoroutsidenormalworkhoursandovertimeisauthorizedinthosecircumstances.
ClickHere
towatchtheSubcommitteehearingonline.
NewsClips:
McNickle:PhoneCallTelegraphsWolfsRealIntentOnShaleGas?
Swift:WorseningBudgetMessAwaitingLawmakers
Editorial:BetterLeadersWouldEndTheBudgetImpasse
AuditorGeneralToExamineAct13ImpactFeeSpending
PCN:PASupremeCourtArgumentsOnAct13,Oil&GasLeaseFund
PLS:SpeakerTurzaiImploresGov.WolfToSignBudget
WolfThreatensVetoOfRepublicanBudget
Sen.Yudichak(D)RipsWolf,LegislatureOverBudgetImpasse
Thompson:GOPPondersVetoOverride,WithGrowingDemSupport
BudgetImpasseConcernsPennStateExtensionDirector
PennStateExtension,4HProgramsHangInBalance
PennStatesAgriculturalExtensionDollarsAffectYourTable
LancasterPennStateExtensionOfficeFacesClosure
RelatedStories:
4thSenate,HouseRepublicanBudgetSentToGovernorInTheFaceOfVetoThreat
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayingCleanPowerPlan
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
BudgetHearing:DEP:StateCantCutItsWayToABetterEnvironmen
t
SenateHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
GovernorsOfficeLatestRegulatoryAgenda:DEPPermitFeeIncreaseFor6Programs
DEPTellsHouseCommitteesChesapeakeBayProgramFacesInadequateResources,Data
AgricultureSecretarySaysMoreResourcesNeededToMeetCleanWaterCommitments
HouseBudget:DCNRToPropose$40FeeForNaturalDiversityInventoryPermitReviews
SenateBudget:DCNR:NoDrillingRigsNowOnStateForestLand
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
PUCAsksForIncreasedFundingForMoreRail,PipelineInspectors
After9Months,NoDueDateForResolvingStateBudgetImpasse
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
The
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
MondaycalledontheWolfAdministrationandstate
lawmakerstoboostfundingfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,citingconcernsthat
inadequatetechnologyandbarebonesstaffinglevelsareputtingPennsylvania'senvironmentat
risk.
Inaddition,theCoalitionurgedtheGovernorandlegislatorstoalsoprovideadequate
fundingfortheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesandtheDepartmentof
AgriculturetoaddressPennsylvania'sgrowingenvironmentalneeds.
"Ifwewanttoimproveandprotectthequalityofourwaterandair,thestatemuststop
shortchangingenvironmentalprotection,"saidAndrewHeath,executivedirectorofthe
PennsylvaniaGrowingGreenerCoalition."Inadequatefundingdirectlythreatensthehealthof
Pennsylvania'sland,airandwaterandconsequently,ourcommunities."
Asdiscussedin
Monday'sSenateAppropriationsCommitteehearing
,DEPsimplycannot
absorbfurtherbudgetcutswithoutsacrificingtheabilitytoenforceregulationsthatprotectthe
Commonwealth'senvironment,andinfact,thestateshouldbeputtingmoremoneynotless
towardprogramsthatprotectandpreservePennsylvania'sopenspaces,familyfarms,parksand
trails,waterwaysandhistoricsites.
"WithhundredsofacresofopenspacelosttodevelopmenteachdayinPennsylvania,we
needtobedoingmoretoprotectournaturalresources,notless,"saidHeath."Asthe
EnvironmentalStewardshipFundcontinuestoshrink,nowisthetimeforlawmakersfromboth
sidesoftheaisletocometogethertoadvanceaGrowingGreenerIIIinitiativeandcontinue
Pennsylvania'sconservation,recreation,andpreservationlegacy."
FundingfortheGrowingGreenerEnvironmentalStewardshipFundhasdecreasedfrom
anaverageof$200millioninthemid2000stoapproximately$60millionin2014.
TheCoalitionalsocalledforrestoringfundingforthestateDepartmentofAgriculture,
whichalongwithDEP,playsacriticalroleinensuringPennsylvaniameetsitscommitmentsto
cleaninguptheChesapeakeBayWatershed,andurgedtheWolfAdministrationtosaveDCNR's
HeritageAreasProgramfrombeingeliminated.
The
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
isthelargestcoalitionofconservation,recreation
andpreservationorganizationsintheCommonwealth.
RelatedStories:
4thSenate,HouseRepublicanBudgetSentToGovernorInTheFaceOfVetoThreat
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayingCleanPowerPlan
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
ReservationsNowBeingAcceptedForApril19GovernorsEnvironmentalAwardsDinner
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
isnowaccepting
reservationsforthe
April19dinnertohonorthe2016
winners
oftheGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellence
AwardtobeheldattheHarrisburgHilton.
TheGovernorsAwardsarepresentedeachyearbythe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontohighlightthebestinenvironmentalinnovationand
expertisethroughouttheCommonwealth.
Theawardsarethehigheststatewidehonorbestoweduponbusinessesandorganizations
forenvironmentalperformanceandinnovationfromcleaningupwatersheds,savingenergy,and
eliminatingpollution,toreducingwasteandmore.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleywillprovidethekeynoteaddressandDCNRSecretary
CindyAdamsDunnwillprovidespecialcommentaryforthisspecialevent.
JanelleStelson,newsanchorwithWGALChannel8inLancaster,willbetheprogram
emcee.
Theyearssponsorsinclude:PlatinumDominionResources,SilverUGICorporation,
BronzeCrisciAssociates,EnvironmentalExcellenceSponsorGroundwaterSciences
CorporationandInnovatorDinnerSponsorsK&LGatesLLPandRTEnvironmentalServices,
Inc.
Forallthedetailsandtoregister,visitPECs
GovernorsAwardDinner
webpageorsend
anemailwithyourquestionstoAngelaVitkoskiat:
avitkoski@pecpa.org
.
PresqueIsleStateParkBeachesNamedBestFreshwaterBeachByUSAToday
Thebeachesat
PresqueIsleStatePark
inEriewere
namedthebestfreshwaterbeachesintheUnited
Statesbythe
USAToday10BestReadersChoice
Contest
Friday.
ThecontestpagedescribedPresqueIslethis
way:"VisitorstoPresqueIsleStateParkareinfora
singularPennsylvaniaexperience:thestate'sonly
formidableshoreline,whichboastsanumberof
beaches.
Beach11(photo)isthepark'smostsheltered,
andthereforemostserene.Itsshallowwaterisasafe
optionforvisitorswithlittleonesandboastsviewsoftheErieskyline.
Beach6ontheotherhand,isadrawforyoungpeople,withitsconcessionstandsand
volleyballcourts.Theflipside,itisoftenthemostcrowded."
PresqueIsleencompases3,200acresonasandypeninsulathatarchesintoLakeErie.As
Pennsylvaniasonlyseashore,PresqueIsleoffersitsvisitorsabeautifulcoastlineandavariety
recreationalactivities,includingswimming,boating,fishing,hiking,bicyclingandinline
skating.
ANationalNaturalLandmark,PresqueIsleisafavoritespotformigratingbirds.Because
ofthemanyuniquehabitats,PresqueIslecontainsagreaternumberofthestate'sendangered,
threatenedandrarespeciesthananyotherareaofcomparablesizeinPennsylvania.
Alsofeaturedattheparkisthe
TomRidgeEnvironmentalCenter
whichisnotonlyhome
toavisitorandeducationcenterforthepark,butalsohousesgroundbreakingresearchfacilities
onGreatLakesandwaterqualityissuesaffectingLakeErieanda75footobservationtower.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
PresqueIsleStatePark
webpage.
NewsClips:
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
NewNorthwestLancasterCountyRiverTrailSection,VisitorsCenterOpen
WaterfrontRoadWillFillGapInD<rail
LackawannaHeritageValleyHoldsMeetingOnFellTwpTrail
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
CrowdProvidesInputIntoNewSectionOfLackawannaHeritageTrail
LackawannaHeritageTrailToGet14Cameras
GoalReachedToSaveAppalachianTrailHotel
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
SusquehannaRiverPeopleSeeksToSaveIslandRetreat
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.
Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantnewsupdates.
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/BillsIntroduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(March21):
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)furtherprovidingforliabilityprotection
forlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconducta
comprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselforthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516Capital
Budgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
Senate
Bill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill
Senate
Resolution55
(HutchinsonRVenango)reestablishingtheForestryTaskForceundertheJoint
House/SenateLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
(
sponsorsummary
).
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(March21):
SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlarge
electricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepound
ReidVaporPressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatisduetoexpireonMay1,
2016
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)amendstheStorageTankActtoaddmemberstothe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationFundBoard
HouseBill806
(CauserRCameron)
providingforcountyspecificusevaluesforlandinforestreserves(
sponsorsummary
).<>
Click
Here
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)
furtherprovidingforTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrictsthe
EnvironmentalResources
andEnergyCommittee
meets,buttheagendaisnotyetavailable,DEPsChapter78drilling
regulationsmaybediscussedthe
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
hearingon
incentivizinguseofnaturalgas.<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
the
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtoconsider
Senate
Bill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseofalternativeonlotsepticsystemsonthesewage
facilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amending
Act101toauthorizecountiesandlocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingfee(
sponsor
summary
)
SenateBill1145
(YawRLycoming)amendingtheOilandGasConservationLawto
exemptdrillingcompaniesthatpassthroughtheOnondagaformationwithoutproducingitfrom
a$5,000permitfee(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishinga
PrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).<>
Click
Here
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
Other:
theJointConservationCommitteeholdsahearingon
CollapseofPennsylvanias
ElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
StorageTanks:
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersofthe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationBoard(
sponsorsummary
).
GreenhouseGasReductions:
HouseBill2030
(SantarsieroDBucks)settingagoalofreducing
greenhousegasemissionsinPennsylvaniaby50percent(
sponsorsummary
).
WorldWaterDay:
HouseResolution741
(McClintonDDelaware)designatingMarch22as
WorldWaterDayinPA(
sponsorsummary
).
SessionSchedule
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate
March21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
House
March21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
BillsOnGovernor'sDesk
ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction
SupplementalFY201516Appropriations:
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05
billioninsupplementalappropriationsforFY201516developedbyRepublicanswerepassedby
votesofSenate31to18,House128to63andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction..
Click
Here
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouseRepublicans.A
Senate
FiscalNote
andsummaryareavailable.
FY201516FiscalCodeBill:
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendingtheFiscalCodeto
implementtheFY201516RepublicanGeneralFundbudgetwerepassedbyvotesof(Senate
30to19,House120to71)andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction.A
HouseFiscalNote
and
summaryareavailable.
ThebillamendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEPChapter78conventional
drillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestoration
fundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywith
theEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldalsotransfer$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreenBuildings
ProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
Senate/HouseBillsMoving
ThefollowingbillsofinterestsawactionthisweekintheHouseandSenate
House
Stormwater:
HouseBill1103
(ZimmermanRLancaster)providingforexemptionsfrom
stormwaterpermittingforagriculturalhightunnelswasremovedfromtheTable,referredinto
andoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommitteeandpassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.ThebillnowgoestotheSenateforaction.
HeritageAreas:
HouseBill1605
(JamesRVenango)whichwouldestablishtheprogramin
law,wasremovedfromtheTable,referredintoandoutoftheHouseAppropriationsCommittee
andwaspassedbytheHouse.A
HouseFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.Thebillnow
goestotheSenateforaction.
TransitRevitalizationDistrict:
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)furtherprovidingfor
TransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistrictswasremovedfromtheTable,amendedontheHouse
FloorandwasreferredtotheHouseAppropriationsCommittee.
(AHouseAppropriations
CommitteemeetinghasbeenscheduledforMarch21toconsiderthebill.)
PotomacRiverBasinCommission:
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)authorizingdesignees
withproxyvotingrightsforcertainmembersofInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiver
Basin(
sponsorsummary
)wasreportedfromtheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
CommitteeandTabled.
USTIFBoard:
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersofthe
UndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationBoard(
sponsorsummary
)wasamendedtorequire
theSenateandHousetoappoint4membersofthe10memberboardleavingtheGovernorto
appoint2membersandreportedfromtheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
CommitteeandTabled.
ForestryTaskForce:
SenateResolution55
(HutchinsonRVenango)concurrentresolution
reestablishingtheForestryTaskForceunderthe
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommittee
wasgivenfinalactionbytheHouseandnowbecomes
effective.
Senate
SupplementalFY201516Appropriations:
HouseBill1801
(IrvinRCentre)containing$6.05
billioninsupplementalappropriationsforFY201516developedbyRepublicanswerepassedby
votesofSenate31to18,House128to63andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction..
Click
Here
foracopyofthelinebylineGeneralFundspreadsheetbyHouseRepublicans.A
Senate
FiscalNote
andsummaryareavailable.
FY201516FiscalCodeBill:
HouseBill1327
(PeiferRPike)amendingtheFiscalCodeto
implementtheFY201516RepublicanGeneralFundbudgetwerepassedbyvotesof(Senate
30to19,House120to71)andsenttotheGovernorforhisaction.A
HouseFiscalNote
and
summaryareavailable.
ThebillamendstheFiscalCodetoamongotherthings,killDEPChapter78conventional
drillingregulationsandmakeDEPstartover,reduceGrowingGreenerwatershedrestoration
fundingby$15millionthisfiscalyearandtoslowconsiderationofanystateplantocomplywith
theEPACleanPowerClimatePlan.
Thebillwouldalsotransfer$12millionfromtheHighPerformanceGreenBuildings
ProgramtotheNaturalGasInfrastructureDevelopmentFundadministeredbythe
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority.
USTIFBoard:
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)amendstheStorageTankActtoadd
memberstotheUndergroundStorageTankIndemnificationFundBoardwasamendedtorequire
theSenateandHousetoappoint4membersofthe10memberboardleavingtheGovernorto
appoint2membersandreportedoutoftheSenateBankingandInsuranceCommitteeandisnow
ontheSenateCalendarforaction.
1PoundWaiver:
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendstheonepoundReidVapor
PressurewaiverforgasolinesoldinPennsylvaniathatisduetoexpireonMay1,2016was
reportedoutoftheSenateAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeandisnowontheSenate
Calendarforaction.
FarmlandPreservation:
HouseBill806
(CauserRCameron)providingforcountyspecificuse
valuesforlandinforestreserves(
sponsorsummary
)wasamendedandreportedfromtheSenate
AgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeandisnowontheSenateCalendarforaction.
NaturalGasCompetition:
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfornaturalgas
competition(
sponsorsummary
)wasTabledperthe10dayrule.
NewsFromTheCapitol
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeWillReviewFinalDEPDrillingRegulations
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),MajorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyCommittee
,announcedWednesdaytheCommitteewillbereviewingthefinalDEP
Chapter78and78aoilandgasdrillingregulations
atitsnextmeeting.
Sincethismeeting,theCommitteehasscheduledameetingforMarch23startingat9:30
inRoomB31MainCapitol.
AtWednesdaysmeeting,Rep.Maheraskedmemberstoprovidehimwithcommentsand
questionsontheregulationpriortothemeeting.
UndertheRegulatoryReviewAct,theCommitteecanoffercommentstotheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissionorchoosetoreportoutaconcurrentHouseSenateresolution
blockingtheirimplementation.
TheSenateandHousemustpasstheresolutionandpresentittotheGovernorforhis
action.TheresolutioncanbesignedorvetoedbytheGovernor.Ifhesignsit,theregulationis
deadandDEPwouldhavetostartover.
Rep.MaherhasbeenacriticoftheprocessusedbyDEPtodeveloptheregulationsand
votedagainstthemattheFebruaryEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.
TheIRRCisscheduledtomeetonthedrillingregulationsApril21.
TheCommitteealsoreportedouttwobills
HouseBill577
(MoulRAdams)authorizingdesigneeswithproxyvotingrightsforcertain
membersofInterstateCommissiononthePotomacRiverBasin(
sponsorsummary
)and
HouseBill1895
(MetzgarRBedford)changingthemembersoftheUndergroundStorage
TankIndemnificationBoard(
sponsorsummary
).TheCommitteeamendedthebilltorequirethe
SenateandHousetoappoint4membersofthe10memberboardleavingtheGovernortoappoint
2membersandmakeitlooklike
SenateBill1142
(YawRLycoming)reportedoutoftheSenate
BankingandInsuranceCommitteeTuesday.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
HouseCommitteeHeldInformationMeetingOnNaturalGasRoyaltyLegislation
The
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
Tuesdayconductedan
informationalmeetingon
HouseBill1391
(EverettRLycoming)thatwouldprotectnaturalgas
royaltyownersfromunjustifiedpostproductioncostdeductions.
HouseBill1391isalsocosponsoredbyReps.SandraMajor(RSusquehanna),Matt
Baker(RBradford),TinaPickett(RBradford)andKarenBoback(RLackawanna).
"Thismeetingisanotherstepinwhatcontinuestobealong,ongoingprocesstoprotect
landownersfrombeingcheatedbythenaturalgasdrillingcompanieswhenitcomestoroyalty
fundstheyhaverightlyearned,"saidRep.Everett."Iampleasedthatthecommitteeheardfroma
numberofinterestedpartiesonthisissueandIamhopefulthiswillbreakthelogjamandhelp
movethisbadlyneededlegislation."
Rep.EverettsaidtheGuaranteedMinimumRoyaltyAct(Act60of1979)simplystates
thataleaseforoilornaturalgasshallguaranteeaminimumoneeighth(12.5percent)royalty.
Thedevelopmentofunconventionalshalegaswells(i.e.Marcellus)inthe
Commonwealthhasbeenaccompaniedbyaneffortofsomecompaniestoreduceroyaltiesbelow
thisstatutoryminimumbydeductingpostproductioncostsfromtheroyaltypaymentsto
landowners.
Thesepostproductioncostscanincludecompression,dehydration,transmissionand
othercostsincurredbetweenthewellheadandafinalmarketpointofsale.Whentheseexpenses
arededucted,finalroyaltypaymentsoftenarebelowthestatutoryoneeighth.
"Thisisclearlyanissueoffairness,period,"saidRep.Everett.
Thisisthesecondconsecutivelegislativesessioninwhichthislegislationhasbeen
offered.Rep.Everettsaidhehasheldtalkswithallinterestedstakeholderstosatisfytheir
concerns.
Rep.Major,whoattendedthehearing,saidthisefforthastakenagreatdealoftime.
"Wehavebeenworkingonthisissueforthepastfewyears,andIamhopefulwecan
finallygetthisbillthroughthelegislativeprocessandsignedintolawsolandownersacrossthe
northeastregionareensuredtoreceivefairandequitablepaymentsfornaturalgasreservesunder
theirland,"saidRep.Major.
Thelegalprocessonthisissueincludesacriticalrulingmadein2010thathashada
majorimpactonthelandowners.Rep.Pickett,whoalsoattendedthemeeting,saidthatruling
changedthewayinwhichroyaltieswerecalculatedandthatnewlegislationisvitalforthe
regionandforallleaseholders.
"Beforeanymoretimepasses,it'simperativethatweenacttheseverybasicconsumer
protections,"Rep.Pickettsaid."Whenmanyoftheseleasesinourareaweresigned,the1979
royaltylawwasstandardpractice.ItwasonlyafterfurthershaledevelopmentandaSupreme
Courtrulingin2010thatalloweddrillerstoconsiderincalculatingroyaltiesthecostofmoving
thegasfromthewellheadtothemarketplacetherebyknownaspostproductioncosts.I
appreciateallthelandownerscomingforwardandsharingtheirexperiencestoday,andIam
hopefulthatthislegislationmovesforwardsothatwhenthenaturalgasmarketbouncesback,
ourresidentswillbeprotected."
Rep.Bakersaidthisisamatterofthedrillingcompanieslivingupthepromisesmadein
legalcontracts.
"Thisisimportantlegislationthat,oncesignedintolaw,willrequirenaturalgas
companiestoupholdthegoodfaithcontractssignedbylandownerswithrespecttoroyalties
owedthembythecompanies,"saidRep.Baker."Landownersneedtohaveaguaranteed
minimumroyaltylawtoensuretheyreceivefairpaymentandarenotundercutbyany
unscrupulouspractices."
TestimonywastakenfromJackieRoot,presidentoftheNationalAssociationofRoyalty
Owners(Pennsylvaniachapter)royaltyownersDavidDeCristoandRobertSherJamesSoto,
seniorvicepresidentandchiefriskandadministrativeofficerofPSBankofWyalusingDaniel
A.Devin,stateforester,DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesMichaelDiMatteo,
chiefenvironmentalplanningandhabitatprotectiondivision,GameCommissionandJessica
Brisendine,litigationmanager,EQT,anaturalgasandpetroleumpipelinecompanybasedin
Pittsburgh.
Rep.Bobacksaidsheispleasedthatforwardprogressisbeingmadeonthis
longstandingissue.
"Iamencouragedbytheprogressmadeontheimportantissueofprotectingnaturalgas
royaltyowners.Itiscriticalthatwecontinuetoadvocateforlandownersandensuretheyare
treatedfairlybynaturalgasdrillingcompanies,"shesaid.
Rep.Everettcalledthemeetingasuccess.
"NowthattheCommitteemembershavehadanopportunitytolearnaboutthisissueand
mybill,itismyhopethatwecangetitvotedoutofcommitteeandtothefloorforavote,said
Rep.Everett.
AtwobillpackageonoilandgasroyaltiessponsoredbySen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)
hasbeenintheHouseEnvironmentalCommitteesinceFebruaryof2015
SenateBill147
and
SenateBill148
(
sponsorsummary
).
Copiesofwrittentestimonyareavailableonline
JackieRoot
,NationalAssociationofRoyaltyOwners
DavidDeCristo
,royaltyowner
RobertSher
,royaltyowner
JamesSouto
,NationalAssociationofRoyaltyOwners
DanielDevlin
,StateForester,DCNR
MichaelDiMatteo
,GameCommission
JessicaBrisendine
,EQT
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
NewsClips:
GasRoyaltiesBillBackInTheSpotlight
BillWouldProhibitDrillingCompaniesFromTakingRoyaltyDeductions
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
JaneSheffield,Presidentof
HeritagePA
,toldtheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommitteeMondayPennsylvanias12HeritageAreas
generate$2
billiontothestateseconomy
,accordingtoarecentstudybytheCenterforRuralPennsylvania.
Sheffieldoutlinedthehistory
ofthePAHeritageAreaProgramtoHouseandSenate
membersandothersattendingtheJointCommitteesEnvironmentalIssuesForum.
Shesaidthedatashowedtouristsspentanestimated7.5milliondays/nightsinthe12
heritageareasin2014,andspent$2billioningoodsandservices.Tothestateeconomy,she
said,thatspendingmeant25,708jobsand$798millioninlaborincome.
SheffieldsaidGov.Wolflineitemvetoedthe$2.25millionallocatedfortheprogramfor
FY201516anddidnotproposeanyfundingfortheprograminFY201617.Shewarnedifnew
revenueisnotfoundinFY201617,theprogramwillbegintoerodeandmayceasetooperateas
privateandfederalfundsleveragedbystatefundingwillevaporate.
Rep.LeeJames(RVenango)notelegislationheintroduced
HouseBill1605
(JamesRVenango)wouldestablishtheprograminlaw,andisnowontheHouseCalendarfor
possibleaction.
Pennsylvanias12HeritageAreasare:
AlleghenyRidgeHeritageArea
,
Delaware&
LehighNationalHeritageCorridor
,
EndlessMountainsHeritageRegion
,
LackawannaHeritage
Valley
,
LincolnHighwayHeritageCorridor
,
LumberHeritageRegion
,
NationalRoadHeritage
Corridor
,
OilRegionNationalHeritageArea
,
PARoute6HeritageCorridor
,
RiversofSteel
NationalHeritageArea
,
SchuylkillRiverNational&StateHeritageArea
,and
Susquehanna
GatewayHeritageArea
.
AcopyofSheffieldstestimony
isavailableonline
.
EWasteHearing
TheJointConservationCommitteehasscheduleda
hearingonthecollapseofthe
electronicsrecyclingprogram
inPennsylvaniaforMarch21startingat9:00a.m.inRoom8EA
oftheEastWingCapitolBuildinginHarrisburg.
ClickHere
foralinktowatchthehearinglive.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairofthe
JointCommittee
.Tosignup
forregularupdatesfromtheCommittee,sendanemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
NewsClips:
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
WaterfrontRoadWillFillGapInD<rail
LackawannaHeritageValleyHoldsMeetingOnFellTwpTrail
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
CrowdProvidesInputIntoNewSectionOfLackawannaHeritageTrail
LackawannaHeritageTrailToGet14Cameras
GoalReachedToSaveAppalachianTrailHotel
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
SusquehannaRiverPeopleSeeksToSaveIslandRetreat
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
SenateCommitteeToConsiderRecyclingFee,SepticSystem,OtherBillsMarch22
The
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtomeetMarch22on
legislationauthorizingalocalrecyclingfee,furtherallowingtheuseofalternativesepticsystems
insewageplanning,establishingaprivatedamfinancialassuranceprogramandalimitedoiland
gaspermitfeeexemption.Thebillsinclude
AlternativeSepticSystems:
SenateBill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseof
alternativeonlotsepticsystemsonthesewagefacilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
RecyclingFee:
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizecounties
andlocalgovernmentstochargearecyclingfee(
sponsorsummary
)
OnondagaPermitFeeExemption:
SenateBill1145
(YawRLycoming)amendingtheOil
andGasConservationLawtoexemptdrillingcompaniesthatpassthroughtheOnondaga
formationwithoutproducingitfroma$5,000permitfee(
sponsorsummary
)and
PrivateDamFinancialAssurance:
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishinga
PrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscalNote
andsummary).
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom8EBEastWingCapitolBuildingstartingat9:30.
ClickHere
foralinktowatchthemeetinglive.
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)servesasMajorityChairoftheCommitteeandcanbe
contactedbysendingemailto:
gyaw@pasen.gov
.Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne)servesas
MinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
yudichak@pasenate.com
.
HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeMeetsMarch23,PossiblyToDiscussDrillingRegs
The
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledtomeetonMarch23,
howevernoagendahasyetbeenposted.
AttheCommitteemeetinglastWednesday,Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),Majority
ChairoftheCommittee,saidtheCommitteewillbereviewingthefinalDEP
Chapter78and78a
oilandgasdrillingregulations
atitsnextmeeting.
AtWednesdaysmeeting,Rep.Maheraskedmemberstoprovidehimwithcommentsand
questionsontheregulationpriortothemeeting.
UndertheRegulatoryReviewAct,theCommitteecanoffercommentstotheIndependent
RegulatoryReviewCommissionorchoosetoreportoutaconcurrentHouseSenateresolution
blockingtheirimplementation.
TheSenateandHousemustpasstheresolutionandpresentittotheGovernorforhis
action.TheresolutioncanbesignedorvetoedbytheGovernor.Ifhesignsit,theregulationis
deadandDEPwouldhavetostartover.
Rep.MaherhasbeenacriticoftheprocessusedbyDEPtodeveloptheregulationsand
votedagainstthemattheFebruaryEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.
TheIRRCisscheduledtomeetonthedrillingregulationsApril21.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoomB31MainCapitalstartingat9:30.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
WrittenTestimonyAvailableForMarch21HearingOnCollapseOfEWasteRecycling
The
JointHouseSenateLegislativeAirandWater
PollutionControlandConservationCommittee
is
scheduledtoholdahearingMarch21onthecollapseof
PennsylvaniasElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
createdbytheCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct.
Thetentativeagendaforthehearingincludes
commentsfrom
(clickonTestimonyforavailablewritten
testimony)
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester)theprimesponsorofthe
2010CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
KenReisinger,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaste,Air,RadiationandRemediation
WalterAlcorn,ConsumerElectronicsAssociation(manufacturers:
Testimony
.Attachment:
CustomerSurvey
.Attachment:
CRTCapacity
NedEldridge,CEOof
eLoopLLC
,anelectronicsrecyclerfromWesternPA:
Testimony
DavidVollero,
YorkCountySolidWasteAuthority
:
Testimony
BekkiTitchner,
Recycling&SolidWasteCoordinator,ElkCounty
:
Testimony
ShannonReiter,President,
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
:
Testimony
and
BobBylone,President&CEO,
PARecyclingMarketsCenter
:
Testimony
.
TheJointCommitteewillalsobeacceptingwrittencommentsonelectronicswaste
recyclinguntilJune21.SendcommentstoMikeNerozzibyemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
Background
The
PAResourcesCouncil
hasreportedonly25percentofstateresidentshaveaccessto
freeTVrecycling,downfrom63percentjustashorttimeago,andthatcoveragecontinuesto
shrink.Inthelast2yearsPRCsaid
Goodwillannouncedit
willnolongeracceptTVsforrecycling
FivecountiesaroundPhiladelphiareporttheywereforcedtosuspendelectronicsprograms
becausenorecyclerswerewillingtosupportthem
ConstructionJunction
inPittsburghcloseditsdoorstoacceptingelectronics
YorkCountyshutsdownallelectronicscollectionssites
eLoop,aPittsburghbasedrecycler,announcesitwill
nolongerofferCDRAsupported
recyclinginwesternPA
and
BestBuyissuesanewsreleaseannouncing
itwillnolongeracceptTVs
forrecyclingatits37
PAstores.
Thelackofrecyclingopportunitiesandthebanonlandfilldisposalmeansmore
Pennsylvaniansmayresorttoillegaldumping.
KeepPABeautiful
wrotetoeveryHouseandSenatememberearlierinFebruarywarning
2016couldbea
recordbreakingyearforabandonedanddumpedelectronics
ifPennsylvanias
electronicsrecyclinglawisntfixed.
InJanuarytheElectronicsRecyclingAssociationofPA,representingewasterecyclers,
calledforactiontofixthestatesrecyclinglaw
sayingwithoutfundamentalchangesrecycling
opportunitieswillcontinuetodisappear.
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),theoriginalsponsoroftheewasterecyclinglaw,is
planningtointroducechangestothelawtotrytogetitbackontrack.
ClickHere
forthePRCactionflyeronewasterecycling.
TheCommitteehearingwillbeinRoom8EAEastWingoftheCapitolstartingat9:00.
ClickHere
thedayofthehearingforalinktothelivewebcastofthehearing.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointCommittee.Tosignup
foramonthlyupdatefromtheJointCommittee,sendanemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
Formoreinformationonewasterecycling,visitDEPs
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedStories:
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewElectronicsWasteRecyclingWebsite
PAEnvironmentalCouncilOpensNewBillTrackerWebpageOnLegislation,Regulations
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
openedanew
BillTrackerfeature
onits
websitetoprovidequick,easytounderstandinformationonthestatus
oflegislation,HouseandSenateCommitteemeetingsrelatedto
environmentalissuesandDEPandotheradvisorycommitteemeetings
havinganimpactonthedevelopmentofenvironmentalregulations.
BillTrackertracksthestatus,latestactionsandupcomingmeetingsonthetop50orso
environmentalbillspendingintheHouseandSenate.
Thewebpagealsotrackskeyenvironmentalrulemakings,technicalguidancedocuments
andenvironmentalplansoutforpubliccomment.
TheitemsincludedinBillTrackerareacuratedlistofbills,regulationsandmeetings
meanttoprovideinterestedindividuals,businessesandorganizationswithaquickreferenceto
themostimportantenvironmentalpolicyissuesbeingdiscussedinHarrisburgtoday.
Formoreinformation,visitthePEC
BillTracker
webpage.
Visitthe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
websiteformoreinformationonPECprograms,
initiativesandspecialevents,readthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsFromAroundTheState
ARIPPANowAcceptingAppsForAbandonedMineReclamationGrants+SENSEAct
The
AnthraciteRegionIndependent
PowerProducers
arenowaccepting
applicationsforthe2016Abandoned
MineReclamationGrantProgram.
ProposalsaredueJuly8.
Grantsatamaximumof$2,500
willbeawardedtoatleastoneeligible
environmentalorganizationor
ConservationDistrictintheAnthracite
RegionandoneeligibleenvironmentalorganizationorConservationDistrictintheBituminous
RegionactivelyworkingonAML/AMDissues.
GrantproposalsshouldbeforonthegroundAML/AMDconstructionprojectswitha
completiondatebetweenAugust2015andAugust2017.Theamountgrantedisdependentupon
demonstratedneed.
ApplyingorganizationsmustsupportthemissionofARIPPA,includingtheremovaland
conversionofwastecoalintoalternativeenergyandthebeneficialuseofCFBashfor
AML/AMDreclamation.
Applications,instructions
and
samplesupportletter
forproposalsareavailableonthe
WesternCoalitionforAbandonedMineReclamation
website.
ARIPPABackground
DueinparttoARIPPAmemberactivities,unsightlycoalrefusepilesandtheproblems
associatedwiththemaregraduallydisappearing.Thousandsofacresoflandhavebeenand
continuetobereclaimedtoanaturalstateorforproductiveuseandfuturedevelopment.
ARIPPAfacilitiesremoveandutilizecoalrefusefrombothpastandcurrentmining
activities,therebyabatingacidminedrainagefromcoalrefusepiles.ARIPPAreportsthat145
milliontonsofcoalrefusehasbeenprocessedandconvertedintoalternativeenergybytheir
memberplantsfrom1998to2008.
Further,thetechnologyusedtoconvertcoalrefusetoelectricity,knownasCirculating
FluidizedBed(CFB)technology,producesalkalinerichashbyproducts.Therearemany
beneficialusesforCFBashincludingfillingminepits,asareplacementforlime(foracidmine
drainageremediation),foracidminedrainageremediation,asasoilamendmentatminingsites,
and/orasaconcreteadditiveforroadways.
TheuniquenatureofARIPPA'sworkcombinedwiththedesiretocoordinateeffortswith
environmentallyorientedgroupsandgovernmentalagenciessymbolizeacommitmentto
improvingthelandscapeandenvironmentofournation.
Ifwastecoalfiredplantsareforcedtocloseduetounreasonableregulations,streamswill
continuetobecontaminated,publicsafetywillcontinuetobeatriskduetothedangersthepiles
pose,pileswillcontinuetoselfigniteandspewthesamepollutantsintotheairthatthe
regulationsaretryingtocurtail,andcommunitieswillcontinuetobeshadowedbytheunsightly
blackmountains.
Allofthiswouldbeataxpayerburden.
FederalSENSEAct
Thisweek,theU.S.HouseofRepresentativepassed
H.R.3797
,theSatisfyingEnergy
NeedsandSavingtheEnvironment(SENSE)Act.
ThebillaimstoestablishthebasesbywhichtheAdministratoroftheEnvironmental
ProtectionAgencyshallissue,implement,andenforcecertainemissionlimitationsand
allocationsforexistingelectricutilitysteamgeneratingunitsthatconvertcoalrefuseintoenergy.
Morespecifically,SENSEseekstoestablishalternativecompliancestandardsforcoal
refusefacilitiesbasedupontheremovalandcontrolofSO2relativetotheMercuryandAir
ToxicsStandardsRule(MATS).
TheSENSEActalsoseekstoprovidecoalrefusefiredpowerplantswiththesameS02
allocationsinPhaseIIasinPhaseIoftheCrossStateAirPollutionRule(CSAPR)while
ensuringthatCSAPRdoesnotincreasetheoverallstatelevelCSAPRSO2budget.
WPCAMRsupportstheequitableregulationsproposedinthe
SENSEAct
thatwillhelp
thewastecoalindustrystayinbusinessandcontinuetohelpourcommunitiesrecoverfromour
unregulatedcoalmininghistoryandprosperintothefuture.
YoucanlearnmoreabouttheSENSEActby
ClickingHere
.Lettersfromthepubliccan
besenttoyourCongressmanand/or
CongressmanRothfus
,thesponsoroftheSENSEAct.
NewsClips:
DEPToSpend$13.4MToRemoveOldCoalPile
HuberCoalBreakerOwnersHave10DaysToBeginCleanup
(WrittenBy:AnneDaymut,WatershedCoordinator,
WPCAMR
,andreprintedfromAbandoned
MinePosts.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
GreenInfrastructureExpandingInStroudsburgArea,MonroeCounty
WhatdoraingardensandDontFeedtheDuckssignshavetodowithcleanwater?Plenty,
saysthe
BrodheadWatershedAssociation
workinginMonroeCounty.
Forthepastseveralyears,BWAhastestedwaterqualityintheBrodhead,McMichael
andPoconocreeks.Thefindingsareclear:thestreamswheretheyflowthroughStroudsburgand
EastStroudsburgarenotsafeforswimmingandotherwatercontact.
ThatfindingledtoagrantfromtheNationalFish&WildlifeFoundationtolookfor
sourcesofpollutionanddevelopplanstocleanupthestreams.
Itsnotunusualforstreamstobecomepollutedastheyflowthroughurbanareas,but
theBWAandmunicipalpartnersEastStroudsburg,StroudsburgandStroudTownshipwant
tomakesuretheproblemsarefixedbeforetheygetworse.
Whenwatertestsshowedthatsomeoftheproblemwascausedbylargegatheringsof
ducksandgeese(drawnbypeoplefeedingthem),BWAdesignedandpurchased"Don'tFeedthe
Ducks"signs,andmunicipalpartnersinstalledthematpopularduckfeedingspots.
Raingardenscapturerunofffromparkinglots,roofsandstreets,soBWAandcommunity
partnershaveplantedraingardensatEastStroudsburgHighSchoolSouth,EastStroudsburg,and
SarahStreetGrill,Stroudsburg,andplanmore.Thesegardenscapturepollutedrunoffbeforeit
canreachstreamsandallowittoinfiltratedslowlythroughthesoil.
Homeownersholdtherealkeytocleaninguppollutedrunoff.Theycaninstallrain
barrelsundertheirdownspouts(asJohnProvoznikhasdoneathisEastStroudsburglawoffice),
buildtheirownraingardensandpickupaftertheirpets.Takeaplasticbagwithyouwhenever
youwalkyourdog.
ThenextstepintheNFWFfundedprojectistodevelopaplanforfutureprojects.BWA
hashiredHanoverEngineeringAssociatesforthattask.
Hanoverwillprovidemunicipalities,residents,andbusinessesamodelplantofollow
forprotectionandrestorationoftheLowerBrodheadWatershed,theBartonsvilleconsultants
said.
Theplanwillidentifyareasforgreenpractices,suchas:GreenroofsConstructed
wetlandsPerviouspavementRaingardensRainbarrelsPlanterboxesVegetatedswales
BufferrestorationandLawnconversions(tonativespecies,unmowedasnaturalarea).
Wheremunicipalitiesownlandsuchassidewalks,streetsandparkinglots,green
practicescanbeinstalledbythemunicipality.However,mostlandisprivatelyowned,soprivate
landownerswillbeencouragedtoinstallgreenprojectsontheirproperties.
Asearchforfundingtohelplandownersandmunicipalitiesgogreenwillfollowthe
plan.
Overthesummer,publicmeetingswillbeheldtodiscusspossibleprojectstoincludein
theplanpleaseattendandofferyourideas.
Toreceiveregularupdatesontheproject,sendanemailto:
info@brodheadwatershed.org
(subjectlinegreeninfrastructure)orcall5708391120.
Forinformation,visittheBrodheadCreekWatershedAssociations
GreenInfrastructure
Project
webpage.
NewsClip:
ProposalMeansBigImprovementsToPhillyPark,WaterQuality
LandownerOpenHouseMarch29InWestmorelandOnConservationFunding
The
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
willholdanopenhouseMarch29in
Greensburgtoanswerquestionsaboutfundingavailabletolandownerstocreateormaintain
wildlifehabitatandforestedstreambuffersontheirlands.
Anyoneinterestedinlearningaboutthe
ConservationReserveEnhancementProgram
,as
wellaslandownersalreadyintheprogram,areinvitedtostopintodiscusshowtheprogramcan
benefitthem.
CREPprovidesfinancialandtechnicalassistancetolandownersforcreatingwildlife
habitatwhileaddressingsoilerosionandwaterqualityissuesontheirproperties.Landowners
arepaidanannualrentalpaymentandotherincentivepaymentstotakemarginallandoutof
productionandinstallingapprovedconservationpractices.
CREPisadministeredbytheUSDAFarmServiceAgencyinpartnershipwithother
governmentagenciesandprivateorganizations.
ThisfreeOpenHouseeventwillbeheldattheWestmorelandConservationDistrict,218
DonohoeRoad,Greensburgfrom9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
Alightlunchwillbeavailablefrom11:00a.m.to1:00p.m.Landownersshouldstop
anytimeduringthedaytotalkabouttheirspecificsituationwithCREPexperts.
AninformalpresentationonCREPEligibility,PaymentsandResponsibilitieswillstart
at9:30a.m.andrepeatagainat1:00p.m.anotheronConservationPracticeMaintenanceIssues
andSolutionswillheldat10:30a.m.and2:00p.m.
TolearnmoreaboutCREPandthiseventvisitthePA
ConservationReserve
EnhancementProgram
websiteorcontactTerryFisherbysendingemailto:
tfisher@pacd.org
or
call7172387223.
TheCREPProgramisavailabletolandownersintheOhioandSusquehannaRiver
WatershedsandwillbecomingsoontotheDelawareRiverWatershed.
March14WatershedWindsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPennStateExtension
The
March14editionoftheWatershedWinds
newsletterfromPennStateExtensionisnow
availablefeaturingstorieson
FundingAvailableToHelpFarmersImproveWaterQualityInChesapeakeBayWatershed
EPAEncouragesAmericansToBecomeLeakDetectives
DoYouKnowYourInvasiveSpecies?
Estrogen,AntibioticsPersistInDairyFarmWaste
FreshwaterBiodiversityHasPositiveImpactOnGlobalFoodSecurity
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
NewsClip:
PennStateExtension,4HProgramsHangInBalance
March14ChesapeakeBayJournalNewsNowAvailable
TheMarch14
ChesapeakeBayJournal
Newsisnowavailablefeaturingstorieson
Study:BayCleanupThreatenedByConowingoDamsSedimentBuildUp
SinkYourTalonsIntoThisEagleEyedQuiz
ChesapeakeBayCalendarofEvents
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Winter2016NewsletterFromPartnershipForDelawareEstuaryNowAvailable
The
Winter2016editionofEstuaryNews
fromthe
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
isnow
availablefeaturingarticleson
TidalWetlandsWet,Wild,WonderfulAndWashingAway
PDECelebrates20/20Vision
DecadeOfResearchShinesLightOnWetlandLoss
SchuylkillNavyOfPhiladelphiaRiverStewardsCommitteeProtectsHomeWaters
LocalCollaborationsResultInExpandedHabitatsInCleanerWater
NewResearchCouldUsherInAgeOfSmart
ThisWetlandIsYourWetland
TownshipsFutureHingesOnWetlandResearch
MinionsOfTheMarsh
MeetingNewPDEStaffandBoardMembers
UpcomingEstuaryEvents
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopyandotherPartnershipnewsletters.
AcademyOfNaturalSciencesUpdateOnDelawareWatershedInitiativeNowAvailable
The
March17editionofStreamSamples,
anupdateonthe
DelawareWatershedInitiative
atthe
AcademyofNatural
SciencesofDrexelUniversity
isnowavailablefeaturing
storieson
GISAndTheDelawareWatershedInitiative
DRWIWaterQualityMonitoring
GeotourismOnTheDelaware
MacroinvertebrateMadness!
SubmitACoolPhotoForPublicationInStreamSamples
DRWIMapper
UpcomingEvents
TheDRWIisfundedbythe
WilliamPennFoundation
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
DEPSamplesShowCrystalSpringWaterAtAcceptableLeadLevelsInBerksCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionFridayreleaseditsownresultsfromawater
sampletakenMarch8at
CrystalSpringWater
,acompanythatsellswellwaterthroughvending
machinesinAdamstown,BerksCounty.
TheDepartmentstestingindicatedaleadlevelof1.8partsperbillion,withinthe
acceptablemaximumcontaminantlevelof5ppb.
AroutinetestsamplecollectedbyCrystalSpringownerLynnRannelsinSeptember
2015containedaleadlevelof16ppb.
AccordingtotheSafeDrinkingWaterAct,DEPshouldhavebeennotifiedDEPwithin
24hoursofreceivingthistestresultandcustomersshouldhavebeennotifiedwithin30days.
Neithernotificationwasgiven.
Thereisnoquestionthattheinitialwatersampletakenfromthefacilitycontainedan
elevatedleadlevel,saidLynnLanger,DEPSouthcentralregionaldirector.DEPhasverified
theresultsofthatinitialtestwiththelabM.J.ReiderAssociates,Inc.,whichwaschosenbythe
owner.
CrystalSpringhasapermittooperateasapublicwatersupply,andisboundbythe
sameregulationsbywhichallsimilarwatersuppliesoperate,saidLanger.DEPtookthe
proactivestepoftakingitsownsampletoprotectthehealthandsafetyoftheconsumer.
Thereareatotalof12regulatedvendedpublicwatersuppliesinBerks,Lancasterand
Lebanoncounties.Therearenomonitoringcomplianceissuesattheother11locations.
ANoticeofViolationwasissuedonFebruary19,askingCrystalSpringtotakeand
submittothedepartmentadditionalsamples.OnMarch8,DEPissuedanOrdertoCrystal
SpringwhichrequiredadditionalsamplesandresultsreportedtoDEP.
Certifiedlabresultsareconsideredvaliduntilthenextsetofresultsareobtained.Crystal
Springswillstillberequiredtotakequarterlysamplesforthenextyeartoensurethewateris
belowactionableleadlevels.
Infantsandchildrenwhodrinkwatercontainingleadinexcessofthestandardcould
experiencedelaysintheirphysicalormentaldevelopment.Adultswhodrinkthiswaterover
manyyearscoulddevelopkidneyproblemsorhighbloodpressure.Customerswithspecific
healthconcernsshouldspeakwiththeirdoctors.
Formoreinformationonleadinwatersupplies,visit
DEPsLeadInDrinkingWater
webpage.
NewsClips:
BerksRoadsideWaterVendorClaimsVindicationAfterLatestTests
UtilitiesDontKnowWhereLeadPipesAre
PATopsNationInDaycares,SchoolsWithLeadInWaterSuppliesTheyOwn
2YorkCountySitesFlaggedWithLeadInWater
PittsburghWaterAuthorityBillsCustomer$5Million
InsuranceCommissionerHailsCongressionalActionOnPrivateFloodInsurance
InsuranceCommissionerTeresaMillerMondayhailedarecentvotebytheU.S.Houseof
RepresentativesFinancialServicesCommitteeapprovingtheFloodInsuranceMarketParityand
ModernizationAct(
H.R.2901
).
Thislegislationencouragesmoreprivateinsurerstowritefloodinsuranceandfitswith
currenteffortsbytheWolfAdministrationtoincreaseconsumerprotectionbyraisingawareness
aboutgrowingoptionsintheprivatefloodinsurancemarketthatcouldresultinsubstantial
savingsformanyPennsylvaniahomeowners.
"ProtectingconsumersandhomeownersistheInsuranceDepartment'stoppriority.In
Pennsylvania,weareworkingwithinsurerstomakeaffordable,privatefloodcoveragemore
availableforourconsumers,"saidCommissionerMiller.
"Weareencouragedbytheunanimous,bipartisanpassageofthisbilloutofcommittee
andareurgingthefullHouseofRepresentativestoconsiderthislegislationsoon,andtheSenate
tofollowsuit.Weneedourpartnersinthefederalgovernmenttotakethisimportantstepto
makesuremortgagesareavailabletohomeownerswithprivatefloodinsurance,"Commissioner
Millersaid.
In
January,CommissionerMillertestified
beforetheHouseSubcommitteeonHousing
andInsurance.
"Duringmytestimony,Istressedthatoneoftheobstaclestoincreasingtheavailabilityof
privatefloodinsuranceisthatmanylendersareunsureifprivatecoveragemeetsthe
requirementsofthefederalgovernment.Thisleadstoreluctanceamonglenderstoissue
mortgagesforhomeswithprivatefloodcoverage,"CommissionerMillersaid."TheFlood
InsuranceMarketParityandModernizationAct(
H.R.2901
)wouldremovethatobstacleby
requiringlenderstoacceptprivatefloodinsuranceifitcomplieswithstatelawsandregulations
andincludestherequiredlimitsofcoverage."
Mortgagesbackedbythefederalgovernmentrequirefloodinsuranceforhomesin
designatedfloodzones.Priortothelastthreeyears,almostallresidentialfloodinsurancewas
soldthroughthefederalgovernmentrunNationalFloodInsuranceProgram.
RecentpremiumincreasesformanyhomeownerswithNFIPpolicies,andremappingof
manyotherpropertiesintofloodzonesbytheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency,has
madethefloodinsurancemarketmoreattractivetoprivateinsurers.
"Providingoptionsforhomeownerswhenitcomestofloodinsuranceisimportanttohelp
consumerswhoneedorwantthiscoveragefinditatmoreaffordableprices,"Commissioner
Millersaid.
Lastmonth,aspartoftheWolfAdministration'songoingconsumerprotectioninitiative,
CommissionerMillerannouncedcreationofaonestopshopforconsumerstofindinformation
aboutprivatefloodinsuranceinPennsylvania.
ThelegislationapprovedbytheHousecommitteewoulddefineasacceptableapolicy
issuedbyaprivateinsurancecompanythatislicensed,admitted,orotherwiseapprovedinthe
stateinwhichtheinsuredpropertyislocated.
Apolicyissuedbyanonadmittedinsurer,alsoknownasasurpluslinespolicy,would
alsoqualify.Includingsurpluslinespoliciesisimportant,asmostprivatecoveragenowsoldin
Pennsylvaniaisthroughthesurpluslinesmarket.
Formoreinformation,visittheInsuranceDepartments
FloodInsurance
webpage.
NewsClips:
FloodProneEdwardsvilleBusinessReceivesAssessmentReduction
SurvivorsOf1936FloodRememberRiversRampage
PushToPreserveSurvivorStoriesFrom1936JohnstownFlood
DelawareRiverBasinCommissionFloodInfo.PortalLetsUsersSignUpForAlerts
The
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
openedaFloodResourcesPortaltoprovideresidentsof
thewatershedwithaonestopshopforfloodhazardinformation,floodforecasts,flood
preparedness,floodingalertsandmuchmore.
ClickHere
tovisitthePortal.
NewsClips:
FloodProneEdwardsvilleBusinessReceivesAssessmentReduction
SurvivorsOf1936FloodRememberRiversRampage
PushToPreserveSurvivorStoriesFrom1936JohnstownFlood
DEPInstallsAirSamplingMonitorsNearKeystoneLandfill,LackawannaCounty
AspartofitsongoingmonitoringoftheKeystoneLandfillinDunmore,LackawannaCounty,the
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedTuesdayithasinstalledairsampling
monitorsatthreelocationsnearthelandfill.
DEPbeganairmonitoringandsamplinginLackawannaCountylastmonthtocollectdata
forahealthstudybytheDepartmentofHealthnearKeystoneSanitaryLandfillinDunmore.The
threemonthmonitoringandsamplingperiodwillprovidebothagencieswithinformationon
whattypeofparticlesandvaporsareintheairandwhatpeopleinthesurroundingareaare
breathing.
TheDepartmentofHealthiscommittedtoensuringthesafetyofallPennsylvania
residents.Aswithallmattersofpublichealth,wearetakingconcernsaboutairqualityaround
theKeystoneLandfillveryseriously,saidHealthSecretaryKarenMurphy.Laterthisyear,we
willsharethedatawiththecommunityandengageresidentsinaconversationabouttheresults.
Theairsamplerswereplacedinthreelocationswithinaonemileradiusofthelandfill
andnearcommunitieswhereresidentshavereportedodorsinthepast.Forthenextthreemonths,
twiceaweek,DEPstaffwillcollectnewairsamplingdata.TheDOHwillreviewthedataalong
withnewandexistingenvironmentalandhealthinformation.
Theinformationobtainedfromthisstudywillbeusedbythedepartmenttoidentifyair
contaminantsthatpeoplemaybeexposedtointhisarea,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.
Complexissuessurroundingairqualityandpublichealthrequirecarefuldatagatheringandthe
applicationofsoundscience.
TheeffortispartofacooperativeagreementwiththefederalAgencyforToxic
SubstancesandDiseaseRegistrytoevaluatepublichealthissuesrelatedtothelandfill.
Forthisairsamplinginitiative,DEPwillcollectapproximately90samples,30samples
persamplingsite,overaperiodofthreemonths.Thesampleswillbeanalyzedbyaprivately
certifiedlaboratoryselectedbyDEPforammonia,volatileorganiccompounds,sulfurgas,
methanol,aldehydes,methylamines,trimethylaminesandotherchemicals.
HealthReport
ThedatawillgiveDOHarepresentativepictureofthelocalairqualityfornearby
residents.Afterresultsfromthisairsamplingprojectareanalyzedandcomplete,DOHin
collaborationwithATSDRwillprepareareportevaluatingtheresults,aswellasotheravailable
relevantsourcesofenvironmentalexposureinformationforthecommunity.
Thishealthreportwillbedistributedfora30daypubliccommentperiod,afterwhicha
finalversionwillbepublishedanddistributed.
DOHandATSDRwillalsoconductapublicinformationsessioninthecommunity
duringthepubliccommentperiod.
DOHwillremainavailabletothecommunitytorespondtoanyhealthconcernsandto
providehealtheducationtothecommunityandhealthprofessionalsasneeded.
ResidentsmaycontacttheDepartmentofHealthat1800PAHEALTH.
NewsClips:
PAShowsEPATheWayOnPendingMethanePolicy
PA,10OtherStatesFailToSubmitSulfurDioxideReductionPlans
MildWinter,WarmUpCouldTriggerEarlyAllergySeason
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
Theresultsareinfromtheelementary,middleandhigh
schoolscompetinginKeepAmericaBeautifuls2015
RecycleBowlCompetition
whichtookplaceinthefour
weekspriorto
AmericaRecyclesDay
onNovember15.
These12schoolsinPennsylvaniawerepartofthecompletion
andthisishowtheyrankedintermsofhowmuchmaterial
theyrecycledintheirschools
AlbertM.GreenfieldSchool,Philadelphia
RiversideElementaryWest,Taylor
BoyceMiddleSchool,UpperSt.Clair
TunkhannockAreaSchoolDistrict,Tunkhannock
ReynoldsMiddleSchool,Lancaster
ParkForestElementarySchool,StateCollege
FallingSpringElementarySchool,Chambersburg
SouthSaintMarysStreetElementarySchool,St.Marys
NorthwestPennsylvaniaCollegiateAcademy,Erie
CoolSt.ElementarySchool,StateCollege
ColfaxUpperElementary,Springdale
AvisElementaryinJerseyShorecollectedenoughtobelistedintheCommunity
DivisionRankingsbyrecyclingmaterialintheirschoolandfromtheircommunity.
Nearly700,000studentsandteachersparticipatedinRecycleBowlnationwide
recoveringatotalof4millionpoundsofmaterial,whichpreventedthereleaseof5,726metric
tonsofcarbondioxideequivalent(MTCO2E).Thisreductioningreenhousegasesisequivalent
totheannualemissionsfrom954passengercars.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
RecycleBowlCompetition
webpage.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
Wednesdayannounced
CleanEarth
astheirnewestsponsorofthe
2016Great
AmericanCleanupofPA
,theirannualsignatureevent.
Itisourplanet,ourcountry,ourPennsylvania,
ourcounty,ourtown,ourstreet,ourhome.Itisour
responsibilitytostepupeachandeverydayand
especiallyourdutytoshowleadershipandsetthe
exampleduringtheGreatAmericanCleanup,stated
ChrisDods,PresidentandCEO,CleanEarth.
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwelcomesClean
EarthasthenewestsponsoroftheGreatAmerican
CleanupofPA.Wearepassionateaboutthepositivebenefitsthatworkingtogetherwillprovide
ourlocalcommunitiesandenvironment.KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulishonoredandgrateful
forthesupportofCleanEarth,statedShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.
CleanEarthjoinsother2016eventsupporters:theDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,PennDOT,
PAWasteIndustriesAssociation
,the
PAFoodMerchantsAssociation
,
WeisMarkets,Inc.
,
RepublicServices
,
SteelRecyclingInstitute
,
LancasterCountySolidWaste
ManagementAuthority
,
GiantEagleInc
.,
GiantFoodStores,Inc
.,
Wawa
,
WegmansFood
Markets
,
ShopRite
,
FreshGrocer
and
Sheetz
.
The2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPArunsthroughMay31st.Duringthisperiod,
registeredeventscangettrashbags,gloves,andsafetyvestsfromPennDOTdistrictoffices,as
supplieslast.Eventscanbelittercleanups,illegaldumpcleanups,beautificationprojects,special
collections,andeducationalevents.
Aspartofthisevent,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandthePAWaste
IndustriesAssociationwillsponsorLetsPickItUpPAEverydayfromApril16thMay9th.
DuringthePickItUpPADays,registeredeventswillbeabletotakethetrashcollected
duringtheircleanuptoparticipatinglandfillsforreducedcostorfreedisposal.
SincetheinceptionoftheGreatAmericanCleanupofPAin2004,over1.8million
volunteershavepickedup86,578,947millionpoundsoflitterandwasteand236,743tiresfrom
Pennsylvaniaslandscape.
Inaddition,morethan149,371trees,bulbs,andflowershavebeenplanted.
Moreinformation,visitKeepPABeautiful's
GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpageor
contactMichelleDunn,GreatAmericanCleanupofPAProgramCoordinator,at
18777723673ext.113orsendemailto:
mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemclean.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
ThePaintCreekRegionalWatershedAssociationandthe
KiskiConemaughStreamTeam
are
invitingvolunteerstohelpwiththeLittlePaintCreekCleanuponMarch26inCambriaCounty.
VolunteersareaskedtomeetatthepulloffalongRoute160betweenWindberandElton,
whereLittlePaintCreekpassesundertheroad.
Volunteersshouldwearpantsandbootsorotherclosedtoeshoesanddressforthe
weather.Gloves,safetyvests,garbagebags,andlightrefreshmentswillbeavailable.
EffortswillfocusonBerwickRoadandaportionofRoute160fromthepulloffupto
Wingards.
RegisterbycallingMelissaat8144442669orsendemailto:
mreckner@kcstreamteam.org
.
Findothercleanupeventsnearyouorregisteryourowncleanuporbeautificationevent
throughthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpagethroughMay31.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril9InPotterCounty
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
andthe
PotterCounty
ConservationDistrict
haveorganizedacommunityillegal
dumpsitecleanupApril9inGaleton,WestBranch
TownshipinPotterCountyfrom9:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
Thiseventwillfocusoncleaningupillegally
dumpedtrash,tires,appliancesanddebrislocatedinand
alongthebanksofPineCreek.Thisisanillegaldumpsite
cleanupandvolunteersareaskedtodressappropriately.
Onthemorningofthecleanup,volunteerswillgather
acrossfromtheVFWPost661forregistrationand
instructions.Afterregistration,volunteerswillbeprovidedwithworkgloves,trashbagsand
safetyvest.Whensuppliesaredistributedandinstructionshavebeenprovided,volunteerswill
beginthecleanup.
Families,individuals,scoutinggroups,4Hgroups,environmentalorganizations,
businesses,colleges,universitiesandhighschoolclubsandstudentsareinvitedtobepartofthis
effort.
Anyoneundertheageof18mustbeaccompaniedbyaparent/guardianorhavea
parent/guardiansignaregistration/insuranceformpriortothecleanupandbringitwiththem.
Anyoneover18cansigntheinsuranceformthedayoftheevent.
Formoreinformation,contactPalmiraMiller,PECoffice5707186507,(cell)
5705927876orsendemailto:
pmiller@pecpa.org
orGlenDunnII,PotterCountyConservation
District8142748411ext114orsendemailto:
g.dunnii@pottercd.com
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanupDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
Join
GreenValleysWatershedAssociation
andcommunityvolunteersasweremovelitterfrom
theFrenchCreekinPhoenixvilleonApril23from8:30a.m.tonoon!HelptoprotecttheFrench
Creekandbeautifyanimportantcommunityresource!
Thiseventispartofthe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvania
,andthe
2016
SchuylkillScrub
.
Thiscleanupwillrunrainorshine,andwillfocusonthreesitesalongtheFrenchCreek
inthePhoenixvillearea.VolunteerswillmeetwithGVWAstaffbeforedrivingtothethreefocus
areas.
Volunteerswillbeprovidedwithcleanupsuppliesandrefreshments.Pleasebringsturdy,
closedtoeshoes,bugspray/sunscreen,andclothingthatcangetdirty.
Formoreinformationandtosignup,pleasecontact6104694900orsendemailto:
kelsey@greenvalleys.org
.
Findothercleanupeventsnearyouorregisteryourowncleanuporbeautificationevent
throughthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpagethroughMay31.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
CleanandGreenHarrisburg
andKeepHarrisburg/Dauphin
CountyBeautifulareholdingthe
4thAnnualGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
onApril16from
9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
Thisannualcleanupisadayforcommunitymemberstojoinforcesandremovetrashand
litteroffthecitysstreets,alleys,andpublicspaces.
Lastyear,327volunteersregisteredandpickedupanddisposedof16tonswaste,3,000
poundsofelectronicswererecycledattheDauphinCountyRecyclingCenterandremoved665
tires.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtoregister.
Findothercleanupeventsnearyouorregisteryourowncleanuporbeautificationevent
throughthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
webpagethroughMay31.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycledCollectionEventsInWesternPA
Markyour2016calendarnowfordatestodropoffawidevarietyofmaterialsrangingfrom
computersandhouseholdchemicalstousablebuildingmaterialsandunwantedmedicationsat
upcomingcollections
sponsoredbythe
PAResourcesCouncil
anditspartners.
ThePennsylvaniaResourcesCouncilprovidesresidentsoftheCommonwealthwith
numerousoptionstoconvenientlyandcosteffectivelydisposeofawidevarietyofmaterials,
accordingtoPRCRegionalDirectorJustinStockdale.Sincedetailsvaryforeachofthese
opportunities,weencourageindividualstovisitourwebsiteat
PRCswebsite
orcallPRCat
4124887452forcompletedetails.
The
HardToRecycleCollectionEvents
forelectronicswaste(
butnotTVs
)willallow
thepublictodropoffcomputers,cellphones,printer/tonercartridges,CFLsandexpandable
polystyrenepackagingmaterialatnocost.
Foranominalfee,individualscandropoffalkalinebatteries,fluorescenttubes,small
Freonappliancesandtires.
TheHardToRecycleCollectionEventsarescheduledfor
April16:
PittsburghTechnicalInstitute,Oakdale,AlleghenyCounty
May14:
GalleriaatPittsburghMills,FrazerTownship,AlleghenyCounty
June25:
ANSYS,Inc.,Canonsburg,WashingtonCounty
July30:
locationtobeannounced
August20:
CenturyIIIMall,WestMifflin,AlleghenyCountyand
October1:
TheMallatRobinson,RobinsonTownship,AlleghenyCounty.
At
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvents
individualscandropoffautomotivefluids,
householdcleaners,pesticides,paintsandotherhouseholdchemicalsforacostof$3/gallon.The
datesforthesecollectioneventsare
May7:
NorthPark,AlleghenyCounty
May21:
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorporationETFFacility,Johnstown,CambriaCounty
July9:
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds,WashingtonCounty
August13:
BoycePark,AlleghenyCounty
September17:
SouthPark,AlleghenyCountyand
October8:
BradysRunPark,BeaverCounty.
The
2016DEANationalDrugTakeBackDay
isApril30
from10a.m.to2p.m.at
numerouslocationsthroughoutregion,includingmanymunicipalbuildingsandpolice
departments.
Thisyears
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest
willbeheldonJune18intheparkinglotof
JeffersonMiddleSchool,21MoffettStreet,Mt.Lebanon,AlleghenyCounty.
Forcompletecollectioneventinformation,visitPRCs
CollectionEvents
webpageorcall
PRCat4124887452.
NewsClips:
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
RelatedArticles:
PEC,ConservationDistrictHoldIllegalDumpsiteCleanupApril19InPotterCounty
VolunteersNeededForLittlePaintCreekCleanupMarch26InCambriaCounty
AnnualFrenchCreekCleanUpDayApril23InMontgomeryCounty
VolunteersNeededForGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanupApril16
KeepPABeautiful:CleanEarthSupports2016GreatAmericanCleanupOfPA
PAResourcesCouncilSchedulesHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
12SchoolsInPARecognizedInNationalRecycleBowlCompetition
DEPConductsMineRescueSafetyTrainingDrillInScranton
StafffromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections
DeepMineSafetyProgram
conductedaminerescuedrillfor
localminingrescueteamsonMarch16atthe
Lackawanna
CoalMine
inScranton.
Thefocusofthedrillwastoeducateminersonproper
techniquesfordealingwithaminefireaswellastherescue
ofapatient.
Teamsofthreeenteredthemineandhadtosafelyaddress:
carbonmonoxideandmethanelevels,afirebelowand
rescuingaminertrappeddeepinthemines.Eachteamwas
evaluatedforitsperformance.
TheDeepMineSafetyprogramstaffisrequiredtoholdthesedrillstwiceayear.
DEPstaffwhotookpartinclude:TroyWolfgang,DavidWilliams,JeffreyStanchek,
ScottWolfgang,StevenGeist,ArthurSnyder,JeffreyHarman,TerryWolfgang,Kenneth
DenglerandLarryGraver.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
DeepMineSafetyProgram
webpage.
NewsClip:
DeepMineSafetyTrainingDrillAtLackawannaMineTour
(Reprintedfromthe
March17DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
AgricultureExtends1PoundWaiverToAvoidGasolineSupplyDisruption
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
intheMarch19PennsylvaniaBulletin
extendingbytechnicalguidancetheonepoundReidVaporPressurewaivernowinstatelaw,but
duetoexpireonMay1,2016.
ThiscontinuestheNationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnologyexceptionwhichis
alsoduetoexpireonMay1.NISThasbeenconsideringextendingthewaiver,buthasnotyet
acted.
StatelegislationextendingthewaiverwasreportedoutoftheSenateAgricultureand
RuralAffairsCommitteeTuesday
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver),buttheguidancewill
serveasabackstopactionuntilthelegislationispassedbytheSenateandHouseandsignedinto
law.
Withoutthispolicy,andultimatelythelegislativechange,expirationoftheonepound
waiverwouldcreatehavocinPennsylvaniasgasolinesupplysysteminSeptemberbecausea
uniquefuelwouldberequiredtobesoldinthestate.
ThestateDepartmentofAgriculturehasbeenworkingonthisissuecollaborativelywith
refiners,thePAPetroleumAssociationandgasolinedistributorsandservicestations.
NewsClips:
AlleghenyFront:OilTrainsCarryBiggerRisksForPeopleOfColor
StoringCrudeOilInRailCarsNotWidespread
LowFuelPricesEqualsSavingsForWestmorelandSchools
PittsburghGasolinePricesApproach$2/Gallon
LehighValleyGasolinePricesRisesTo$2Again
InReversal,ObamaBansAtlanticOceanDrilling
DEPIssuesWaterPermitForJessupGasFiredPowerPlantInLackawannaCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannouncedithasissuedaNational
PollutionDischargeEliminationSystempermittoLackawannaEnergyCenter,LLCofChicago
todischargetreatedwastewaterfromaproposed1500megawattnaturalgasfiredpowerplantto
beconstructedonIndustrialDriveinJessup,LackawannaCounty.
ThepermitauthorizesthecompanytodischargeintonearbyGrassyIslandCreek.
ThedepartmentthoroughlyreviewedLackawannaEnergysapplicationandfoundthatit
metthecriteriafordischargeregulations,saidMikeBedrin,DirectorofDEPsNortheast
RegionalOfficeinWilkesBarre.
TheNPDESPermitallowsforanewdischargeofaircooledcoolingtowerblowdown,
lowvolumeindustrialwastewater,chillereffluentandstormwaterintoGrassyIsland,whichisa
designatedcoldwaterfishery.
TheDepartmentpublishednoticeofthedraftpermitinthePennsylvaniaBulletinon
November7,2015andsolicitedwrittencomment.ApublichearingwasalsoheldinJanuaryof
2016tosolicitpubliccommentatValleyViewHighSchoolinArchbald.
Atotalofthirtyseven(37)commentswerereceivedbythedepartmentandasubsequent
comment/responsedocumentwasalsoprepared.
AcopyoftheNPDESpermitandcomment/responsedocumentcanbeviewedatDEPs
NortheastRegionalOfficeinWilkesBarre.
Thosewishingtomakeanappointmenttoviewthedocumentscandosobetweenthe
hoursof8a.m.4p.m.bycalling5708262511.
ThepubliccanalsoviewthecommentsontheDEPNortheastRegionalOffice
CommunityInformation
webpage.
NewsClips:
JessupGasFiredPowerPlantGetsFinalStatePermitInLackawanna
ElizabethTwpGasFiredPowerPlantLeadsToZoningDebate
NaturalGasToSurpassCoalInElectricGeneration
CarnegieMellonsInstituteGainsExposureWithEnergyWeek
ElectricSupplierAccusedOfJackingPricesOrderToRefund$6.8M
ElectricCustomersToGetRefundsUnderSettlement
WestPennMarks100YearsOfElectricService
GrantsWonByPittsburghProjectsOnEnergy,Music,Art
FederalFundsToAidLayoffHitAppalachianCoalCommunities
U.S.CoalTechnologiesCouldFindMarketInChina
PeabodyEnergyWarnsOfPossibleBankruptcy
Briefing:Abandoned,OrphanOil&GasWellsMeansTheyreAbandonedAndOrphans
Aquestioncameup
intheHousehearing
ontheDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtectionsbudgetonhowmanytimes
DEPinspectsabandonedandorphanedoilandgaswellsit
ownsinPennsylvania.
TheanswertothisquestionisreallysimpleDEP
doesntownanywells.
First,abandonedandorphanedmean,by
definition,nooneownsthesewells,includingthestate.The
conventionaloilandgasdrillerswhoboughtthemineral
rightstodrillthesewellswaybackwhendidnttransferthat
ownershiptoanyoneelse.
Theysimplywalkedawayfromtheirresponsibilitytoeitherproducethewellorplug
themproperly.
Since1859whenthefirstoilwellwasdrilledinPennsylvaniatheconventionaldrilling
industrydrilledasmanyas325,000oilandgaswells,butitcouldbemore.Wedontknow.
Fornearly100yearstheywalkedawayfromanyresponsibilityforthosewellswhen
productionendedortheydidntwanttoproducethemanymoreortheywentbankruptleaving
propertyownersortaxpayerstocleanupthemesstheyleftbehind.
Theywerentevenrequiredtotellanyonewheretheydrilledtheirwells.
Itwasntuntil1956whenPennsylvaniapassedthefirstlawtoregulateoilandgas
drillingineventhemostbasicwaythatthestateevenknewwherenewwellswerebeingdrilled,
asidefromwellblowoutsandwaterwellownerslightingtheirfaucetsandgardenhosesonfire.
Itwasntuntil1984thatconventionaloilandgasoperatorswerefirstrequiredtoputup
limitedbondstocoverthecostofpluggingwellsthatwerenolongerproduced.
Itwasntuntil1985thatoperatorswererequiredtoregisterthelocationoftheiroldwells.
Ifanabandonedwellisdiscoveredbyanoperatororpropertyownernow,DEPistobe
notifiedwithin60daysoffindingit.But,theyareoftenverydifficulttofind
(seephoto)
,unless
problemsdevelop.
In1992anamendmenttothe1984OilandGasActfirstgavetheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectiontheauthoritytoplugorphanandabandonedwellsincertain
circumstances.SurchargeswereestablishedonnewpermitstofundthenewAbandonedand
OrphanWellPluggingProgram.
Wherenoresponsiblepartyisidentifiedforabandonedororphanwells,whichmakes
themabandonedororphan,theycanbepluggedusingthesurchargesfromtheAbandonedand
OrphanWellPluggingFund.
In1999,withthecreationoftheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)Fund,
morefundingwasdevotedtotheabandonedandorphanwellpluggingprogram,butrarelymore
thanabout$5millionayear.
In2003mostoftheGrowingGreenerFundingwasdivertedtopayfordebtserviceonthe
GrowingGreenerIIbondissue.Itwasntuntil2012whentheAct13drillingimpactfeeswere
passedthatthewellpluggingprogramwasrevivedsomewhat.
Withlimitedresources,DEPisonlyabletoplugabandonedororphanwellsthatpresent
thebiggestenvironmentalorsafetythreats.
Asoftheendof2014,DEPhas
pluggedjustover3,000abandonedandorphanwells
nearlyhalfofthosewells1,336werepluggedduringthefirstfewyearsoftheoriginal
GrowingGreenerProgram.
WiththedevelopmentoftheMarcellusandUticaShaleunconventionalnaturalgas
industry,DEPputmoreemphasisonhavingoperatorsidentifyabandonedororphanwellswithin
theareasofplanneddrillingbecauseofsafetyandenvironmentalconcerns.
In2014DEPbegananefforttodigitize
thelocationsofabandonedandorphanwellsit
hasandthatpermitteesidentify.About
12,301abandonedandorphanwelllocations
havebeen
confirmedoutofanestimated200,000wellsouttheresomewhere.
IfmembersoftheGeneralAssemblywantstorequireDEPtoinspectthe12,301
abandonedandorphanwellsinthestateitknowsabout,DEPcouldcertainlydothat,provided
thepeopleandmoneyaremadeavailabletodothejob.
Rightnow,DEPsOilandGasProgramisfundedprimarilybypermitfees,finesand
penaltiesontheindustry,nottaxmoney.Adding12,301newwellstoinspect(andmanymore)
wouldmeanasignificantincreaseinpermitfeesontheindustryatatimewhen
DEPisalready
consideringfeeincreases
becauseofadownturnintheoilandgasindustry.
Nothingisfree.
Sotosummarize
1.AbandonedandOrphanmeans,bydefinition,abandonedandorphaned,nooneowns
thesewells,includingthestate,becauseownershipwasnottransferredanywhere.
2.Nooneknowsthelocationoftheoverwhelmingmajorityofthesewells,soevenifsomeone
wantedtoinspectthem,nooneknowswheremostofthemare.
3.ThestatesAbandonedandOrphanWellPluggingProgram,duetoverylimitedresources,is
onlyabletoplugthosewellsofgreatestconcernDEPknowsabout.
4.IftheGeneralAssemblydirectsDEPtoinspecttheabandonedandorphanwellsitknows
about,itwouldmeanasignificantincreaseinpermitsfeesontheoilandgasindustryduringthe
mostseveredownturninindustryhistory.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
Abandoned&OrphanedWellPluggingProgram
webpage.
ClickHere
forafactsheetontheprogram.
ClickHere
tofindabandonedandorphan
wellsnearyouincludedonDEPsinventoryof12,301.
NewsClips:
EffortsUnderWayToFindAbandonedGas,OilWells
MarcellusShaleHealthRegistryStalls
AuditorGeneralToExamineAct13ImpactFeeSpending
RelatedStory:
AbandonedOil&GasWellsMorethanJustARustyEyesore
Briefing:DCNRLeasingOfStream,RiverBottomsForNaturalGasDevelopment
AquestioncameupattheHouseandSenatebudgethearings
for
DCNR
and
DEP
onhowmuchleasingtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResourcesdidofriverandstream
bottomssubmergedlandsinspiteofthefact
Gov.Wolf
signedanExecutiveOrder
onJanuary29,2015puttinginplace
amoratoriumonleasingmoreStateParkandForestlandfor
naturalgasdevelopment.
DCNRisthestate
agencyauthorizedtoenterintoleases
forthedevelopmentofoilandgaswellsbeneathstreamsand
riverbedssubmergedlandsownedbytheCommonwealth,whetherornottheyarewithinany
StateParkorForestlands.
Submergedlandsaregenerallydefinedasthearealyingbelowallnavigablewaters
betweentheordinarylowwatermarkspicturearibbonofownershipgoingacrossthe
landscape.
Thisareacanvaryinwidthfromafewfeettohundredsoffeetacrossamajorriverlike
theSusquehanna.
DCNRhasa
listofthesenavigablestreams
andan
interactivemapofstreams
postedon
itswebsite,althoughothersmayfitthedefinition.
ThisauthorityisdistinctandseparatefromtheauthorityDEPhastograntrightsofway
across(overorunder)stateownedriversandstreamsforutilityandpipelinecrossings,bridge
abutments,docksandotherencroachmentsontosubmergedlandsthrougha
SubmergedLands
LicenseAgreement
.Theseagreementsrequire
paymentofafee
tothestatesincetheapplicantis
usingstateproperty.
DCNR
adoptedaformalpolicy
onleasingsubmergedlandsfornaturalgasdevelopment.
Withoutaleasetousethesepubliclyownedlands,naturalgasdrillerswouldbeappropriating
publiclyownedpropertywithoutpayingforit.
DCNRhasa
listofthe24submergedlandsnaturalgasleases
ithasexecutedsofaronits
website.
ThefirstleasewasexecutedinMayof2010betweenDCNRandChesapeakeAppalachia
for1,538acresundertheSusquehannaRiverinBradfordCounty.Theleasepaymentwasfor
$6,152,000.
ThenextlargestleasewasalsobetweenDCNRandChesapeakeAppalachiafor
$4,368,000for1,092acresundertheSusquehannaRiverinBradfordandWyomingcountiesin
Marchof2014.
Therehavebeenthreesubmergedlandsnaturalgasdevelopmentleasesexecutedduring
theWolfAdministration,accordingtoDCNRswebsite
June2015:$695,600for173.9acresunderLoyalsockCreek,LycomingCounty
January2016:$24,400for6.1acresundertheCowanesqueRiver,TiogaCountyand
January2016:$287,200for71.8acresundertheAlleghenyRiver,ArmstrongCounty.
Thetotalvalueofthesubmergedlandsleasessofaris$21,543,617,whichgoesinto
DCNRsOilandGasLeaseFund,for3,803.3acresofstreamandriverbottomorjustover
$5,664peracre.
DCNRpublishesa
noticeinthePABulletin
eachtimeasubmergedlandsleaseis
executedtoprovidethepublicwithnotice.
Toputthisincontext,the
RendellAdministrationleased137,000acres
ofStateForest
landforshalegasdrillingduringitstenureandwhenthemarketwasatitspeak.
InOctober2010,justdaysbeforethegubernatorialelection,
Gov.Rendellsignedan
ExecutiveOrder
puttinginplaceamoratoriumonleasingmoreStateForestorParkslandfor
shalegasdevelopment.
NoadditionalshalegasleasingonStateForestorParkswasdoneduringtheCorbett
Administration,althoughan
ExecutiveOrderissuedinMay2014
,replacingGov.Rendells
moratoriumOrder,wouldhaveallowednonsurfacedisturbanceleasing,ifthereweredrillers
interested.
TheFiscalCodebillpassedaspartofthebudgetinJuly2014includedaprovision
promotedbySenateandHouseRepublicansrequiringDCNRto
leasethousandsofadditional
acresoflandtobringinatleast$95million
tohelpbalancethestatebudgetthatyear.
Noadditionalleasingwaseverdonebecausethe
marketwasalreadygoingsouth
bythat
time.
Asnoted,
Gov.WolfsignedanExecutiveOrder
inJanuary2015imposingamoratorium
onfurthershalegasleasingonStateForestorParksland.
Obviously,allthreeadministrationscontinuedtoleasestateownedsubmergedlandsfor
naturalgasdevelopment.
Formoreinformationonsubmergedlandsleasing,visitDCNRs
ShaleGasAnd
PubliclyOwnedStreambeds
webpage.
MoreinformationisalsoavailableontheexistingStateForestshalegasleasingprogram
onDCNRs
NaturalGasDevelopmentandStateForests
webpage,includingitsprogramfor
monitoringthe1,600acresofits2.2millionacresofStateForestsaffectedbyshalegasleasing.
2NewMembersJointPAEnergyInfrastructureAlliance
TwoPittsburghareaeconomicdevelopmentandtradeorganizationshavejoinedthe
PAEnergy
InfrastructureAlliance
the
PittsburghAirportAreaChamberofCommerce
andthe
Western
PennsylvaniaChapteroftheNationalElectricalContractorsAssociation
.
AsaresultofWesternPennsylvaniasabundanceofnaturalresources,ourregionhas
playedavitalroleoverthelastseveralyearsinshapingournationsenergyrevolution,said
BernadettePuzzuole,PresidentandCEOofthePittsburghAirportAreaChamberofCommerce,
whichrepresentsmorethan1,100businessesinthe34Pennsylvaniacommunitiesthatmakeup
theairportcorridor,aswellasfromneighboringOhioandWestVirginia.Wehaveseen
firsthandthepositiveeconomiceffects,bothdirectlyandindirectly,thatpipelineprojectshave
hadonmanyofourcommunitiesalongtheairportcorridor.
EnergyishelpingPennsylvaniacreateathriving,diverseandstrongeconomy,andone
thatshouldbeamodelforotherstates.Itisimperative,therefore,tocontinuetoencourage
energydevelopment,addedPuzzuole.Pipelineprojectsprovidesustainablewagesforour
regionsresidentsandhelpincreaserevenueforourlocalbusinesses.Wejoinedthe
PennsylvaniaEnergyInfrastructureAlliancebecause,forourmorethan1,100members,its
importanttoreaffirmoursupportfordevelopingamodernenergyinfrastructureacrossthe
Commonwealth.
AlsojoiningPEIAasanewmemberistheWesternPennsylvaniaChapteroftheNational
ElectricalContractorsAssociation.Formorethan65years,WPANECA,whichrepresents
electricalcontractorsthroughoutWesternPennsylvania,hasprovideditsmemberswithan
effectivechannelthroughwhichtoexpresstheircollectivevoiceonissuesaffectingtheelectrical
constructionindustry.
Investinginenergyinfrastructureisvitaltotheeconomichealthofcommunitiesin
WesternPennsylvania.Itbenefitsthousandsoffamilies,saidChadM.Jones,executivedirector
ofWPANECA.Werepresentthemostqualified,reliableandexperiencedcontractorsinthe
regionandourmembersarereadytohelpourcommonwealthtakeitsrightfulplaceasoneofthe
premiereenergyproducingstatesinthenation.
Utilizingqualifiedelectricalcontractorsonpipelineinfrastructureandrelated
developmentprojectsensuresthatthebesttrainedprofessionalsarehiredforthework,Jones
added.Weliveinthecommunitiesthatthepipelineswillserveandwetakegreatpridein
ensuringourworkwillmeetandexceedsafetyrequirements.Werealsoproudmembersofthe
PennsylvaniaEnergyInfrastructureAlliance,anorganizationthatadvocatesforpipelinesafety
andbelievesminimizingapipelinesimpactoncommunitiesisakeytoanydevelopmentplan.
ThePAEnergyInfrastructureAlliancewaslaunchedJune8bytheWashingtonCounty
ChamberofCommerceandDelawareCountyChamberofCommerce,alongwiththeLaborers
InternationalUnionofNorthAmericaandtheInternationalUnionofOperatingEngineersLocal
66.TherearemorethantwodozenPEIAmemberstoday.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PAEnergyInfrastructureAlliance
websiteorFollowon
Twitter:@PAllies4Energy.
NewsClips:
OfficialsSaluteStartOfSunocoMarcusHookPlant
FERCRejectionOfOregonPipelinePlanAFirst
EnvironmentalGroupsAskFERCForPublicParticipationOffice
Activists:DontStopFightingPipelines
U.S.ToExpandSafetyRulesForNaturalGasPipelines
ExplosiveHistoryPromptsFederalPipelineSafetyProposal
March30DeadlineForCommentsOnDEPClimateChangeActionPlanUpdate
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionisacceptingpubliccommentsonthe
updatetothe
PennsylvaniaClimateChangeActionPlan
throughMarch30.
(January30formalnotice)
DEPhassofarreceivedonlyonecommentthroughits
eComment
webpage.
ThePlanisrequiredto:
Identifygreenhousegas(GHG)emissionandsequestrationtrendsandbaselinesinthis
Commonwealth
EvaluatecosteffectivestrategiesforreducingoroffsettingGHGemissionsfromvarious
sectorsinthisCommonwealth
Identifycosts,benefitsandcobenefitsofGHGreductionstrategiesrecommendedbythe
Plan,includingtheimpactonthecapabilityofmeetingfutureenergydemandwithinthis
Commonwealth
IdentifyareasofagreementanddisagreementamongcommitteemembersaboutthePlanand
RecommendtotheGeneralAssemblylegislativechangesnecessarytoimplementthePlan.
ClimatePlanUpdateSections
PartofthePlanUpdatewillinclude13workgroupreportsmakingrecommendations
covering:
CombinedHeatandPower
,
ManureDigesters
,
GeoExchangeSystems
,
HeatingOil
ConservationandFuelSwitching
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
SemiTruckFreight
Transportation
,
BuildingEnergyCodes
,
HighPerformanceBuildings
,
CoalMineMethane
Recovery
,
UrbanandCommunityForestryRoleinClimateChangeMitigation
,
Act129Phase
IV&V
,
ManufacturingEnergyTechnicalAssistance
and
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
.
KeyFactsFromUpdate
HerearesomekeyfactsfromtheClimatePlanUpdate
Overall,Pennsylvaniasgreenhousegasemissionsin2030areexpectedtobelowerthanin
2000.
Between2000and2012totalstatewidegreenhousegasemissionsinPennsylvaniadeclinedby
35.58milliontoncarbondioxideequivalentsorby11.02percentfrom322.96MMTCO2eto
287.38MMTCO2e.
The13specificWorkPlansincludedintheUpdateareexpectedtoreducegreenhousegas
emissionsby337.69milliontoncarbondioxideequivalents.
TheWorkPlanswiththemostcosteffectiverecommendations,accordingtotheanalysisdone
intheUpdateare:
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
,
SemiTruckFreightTransportation
,
GeoExchange
Systems
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuelSwitching
and
HighPerformanceBuildings
(see
page6)
.
TheWorkPlanswiththehighestpotentialreductionsare:
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
,
High
PerformanceBuildings
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuel
Switching
,and
GeoExchangeSystems
(seepage6)
.[Note:4of5overlap.]
Acopyofthe
ClimatePlanUpdateforcomment
isavailableonline.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyhassaidtheClimateChangeActionPlanandits
updatesare
broaderinscope
thanthespecificrequirementtomeet
EPAsCleanPowerClimateRule
requirements.DEPisjustnowputtingtogetherPennsylvaniasplantomeettheCleanPower
Rule.
Commentscanbesubmitthrough
DEPseComment
webpageorbysendingemailto:
ecomment@pa.gov
orinwritingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PolicyOffice,
RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box2063,Harrisburg,PA171052063.
AcopyofthePlanupdateispostedon
DEPseComment
webpage.Questionsaboutthe
PlanupdateshouldbedirectedtoMarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
MorebackgroundontheClimateChangePlanandotherreportsisavailableonDEPs
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.ThenextmeetingoftheCommitteeissetfor
March8.
FormoreinformationonPAclimaterelatedissues,visit
DEPsClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
PLS:PACleanPowerClimatePlanPutOnLowBoil
PAShowsEPATheWayOnPendingMethanePolicy
AlleghenyFront:KasichOnClimateChange,Environment
Editorial:UNClimateFund,MoreQuackery
Editorial:NewSeaLevelRiseCallsForAction
$65.5MInFederalCoalImpactedCommunitiesEconomicDevelopmentFunding
Available
Gov.TomWolfFridayannouncedtheavailabilityof$65.8millioninfederalfundingthrough
thePartnershipsforOpportunityandWorkforceandEconomicRevitalization(POWER)
Initiativetodevelopnewstrategiesforeconomicgrowthandworkeradvancementfor
communitiesthathavehistoricallyreliedonthecoaleconomyforeconomicstability.
Myadministrationiscommittedtoensuringthatourcommunitieshavetheresources
theyneedtocontinuetothriveasindustrysectorstransform,saidGov.Wolf.Whilewedo
everythinginourpowertoadvancethenextgenerationofenergyproduction,itiscritically
importantthatweinformeligiblePennsylvaniacommunitiesofthefederalfundsthathavebeen
madeavailabletosupporttheireconomicneedsthroughthetransition.
TheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentincollaborationwiththe
DepartmentofLabor&Industrywillworkwithcommunitiesandregionsthathavebeen
negativelyimpactedbychangesinthecoaleconomybyencouragingthemtoapplyforavailable
fundsandprovidingthedataandinformationnecessarytohelpsupportstrongapplications.
ItisextremelyimportantthatwecollaborateoneveryleveltoensurethatPennsylvania
submitsthestrongestapplicationspossible,saidDCEDSecretaryDennisM.Davin.Thisisa
greatopportunityforourcommunitiesthatarefeelingtheeffectsfromchangesinindustry
sectorsandtheseresourcescanhelpstrengthentheireconomiesandworkforces.
Fundsareavailableforarangeofactivities,including:
Developingprojectsthatdiversifylocalandregionaleconomies,createjobsinnewand/or
existingindustries,attractnewsourcesofjobcreatinginvestment,andprovidearangeof
workforceservicesandskillstraining
Buildingpartnershipstoattractandinvestintheeconomicfutureofcoalimpacted
communities
Increasingcapacityandothertechnicalassistancefosteringlongtermeconomicgrowthand
opportunityincoalimpactedcommunities.
WebinarsBeginMarch23
ThefederalagenciesinvolvedinthePOWERInitiativewillholdaseriesofwebinars
abouttheprogrambeginningMarch23.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
ThePOWERInitiativeisamultiagencyeffortaligningandtargetingfederaleconomic
andworkforcedevelopmentresourcestocommunitiesandworkersthathavebeenaffectedby
joblossesincoalmining,coalpowerplantoperations,andcoalrelatedsupplychainindustries
duetothechangingeconomicsofAmerica'senergyproduction.
TheAppalachianRegionalCommission(ARC)isparticipatingintheinitiativewiththe
U.S.EconomicDevelopmentAdministration(EDA).
TheObamaadministrationlaunchedthePOWERInitiativein2015andawardednearly
$15milliontocoalimpactedcommunities,makinginvestmentsinsevenAppalachianstates.
CongressexpandedtheworkofPOWERfor2016,providing$50milliontoARCto
assistcommunitiesacrossAppalachia,alongwith$15milliontoEDAtoassistcommunities
nationwide.
Formoreinformation,visitthefederal
POWERInitiative
webpage.
NewsClips:
FederalFundsToAidLayoffHitAppalachianCoalCommunities
U.S.CoalTechnologiesCouldFindMarketInChina
PeabodyEnergyWarnsOfPossibleBankruptcy
PUCOrdersPaG&EToRefund$6.8Million,PayPenaltiesForDeceptiveMarketing
The
PublicUtilityCommission
Fridayconfirmedthefinalizationofsanctionsagainst
PennsylvaniaGas&ElectricCompany(PaG&E)forallegeddeceptiveactionsduringandafter
thePolarVortexinthewinterof201314.
AnOrderapprovingaJointPetitionforSettlementdirectsthecompanytoissueatotalof
$6.8millionincustomerrefunds,paya$25,000civilpenalty,contribute$100,000toelectric
distributioncompanies(EDCs)HardshipFundsandmodifyitsmarketingpractices.
AtitsFebruary11PublicMeeting,theCommissionvoted50toadopt
aJointMotion
modifyinga
JointPetitionforSettlement
betweenPaG&E,theOfficeofAttorneyGeneral,the
OfficeofConsumerAdvocateandtheCommissionsindependentBureauofInvestigationand
Enforcementandseekingcommentsfromthepartiesofthesettlementonthe
amendedTentative
Order
.
Amongotherthings,theJointMotionmodifiedthesettlementobligationsofOAGand
OCAbyrequiringthemtoprovideaspecificnoticetocustomerswhoelecttoreceivepayment
fromarefundpoolestablishedbythesettlement.
Nocommentswerefiled,makingtheOrderfinalwithoutfurtheractionbythe
Commission.
OAGandOCAfiledajointformalcomplaintagainstPaG&EonJune20,2014,which
allegedthatthecompanymisledcustomerswithdeceptivepromisesofsavingsengagedin
slamming,ortheunauthorizedenrollmentofacustomermishandledcustomercomplaints
failedtoprovideaccuratepricinginformationchargeddifferentpricesthanlistedincustomer
disclosurestatementsandfailedtocomplywiththeTelemarketerRegistrationAct.
Thesettlementdirectsthefollowingactionsbythecompany:
Providerefundstocustomers,honoringallcommitmentstorebateprograms,guaranteed
introductoryrates,serviceagreementsforrepairandmaintenanceandincentiveoffers
Paya$25,000civilpenalty
Contribute$100,000toEDCsHardshipFundsand
Makenumerousmodificationstoitsbusinesspracticesrelatedtoproductofferings,marketing,
thirdpartyverifications,disclosurestatements,training,compliancemonitoring,reportingand
customerservice.
Thetotalrefundpoolamountsto$6,836,563,including$4,511,563thatthecompany
previouslyandvoluntarilypaidincashrefunds.ThenetrefundpooleffectivewithFridays
approvalis$2,325,000.
TheAttorneyGeneralsBureauofConsumerProtectionandOCAwilldeterminewhich
customerswereaffectedbythecompanysmisconductbetweenJanuaryandMarch2014and
determinerefundamounts,accountingforusage,pricechargedandrefundamountsalready
receiveddirectlyfromPaG&E.
BCPandOCAwillutilizeathirdpartyadministratortodistributetherefunds.The
administratorisrequiredtoprovideanoticetoeachrefundrecipientstatingthatsigninga
ReleaseofClaimsandreceiptofpaymentmayaffectacustomersrighttorecoveramountsfor
thesameconductofPaG&Ethatcouldresultfromcourtproceedingsagainstthesupplier.
Theadministratorwillusebesteffortstodistributeallrefundswithin180daysofthe
FinalOrder.CustomerswhodonotreceiveorarenotsatisfiedwiththeofferbyBCPand
OCAmaycontactPaG&Edirectlytorequestarefund.Consumerswithquestionsaboutthe
settlementmaycontactBCPat18004412555.
I&EistheindependentenforcementarmofthePUC.Tosatisfydueprocessoflawunder
thePennsylvaniaConstitution,separationisrequiredbetweenstaffinvolvedininvestigatoryand
prosecutoryfunctionsandtheCommissionersinvolvedindecisionmaking.Asaresult,the
Commissionerscanexamineeachcasewithanunbiasedperspective.
NewsClips:
ElectricSupplierAccusedOfJackingPricesOrderToRefund$6.8M
ElectricCustomersToGetRefundsUnderSettlement
PUCApprovesPPL,PECOAct129EnergyEfficiencyPlans
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedPhaseIII
Act129EnergyEfficiencyand
Conservationplans
submittedbyPPLElectricUtilitiesCorporationandPECOEnergy
Company.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovethePPLandPECOplans,whichoutlinecompany
effortstoreduceenergyconsumptionandpeakdemandthrough2021.
EE&Cplansforthestatesfiveotherlargeelectricdistributioncompanieswere
approved
bytheCommissionlastweek
,includingplanssubmittedbytheFirstEnergyCompanies(MetEd,
Penelec,PennPowerandWestPennPower)andDuquesneLight.
AllofthePhaseIIIEE&CplanswillgointoeffectonJune1,2016.
EE&CplansarerequiredaspartofAct129of2008.TheActcallsforefficiencyand
conservationefforts,ifshowntobecosteffective,tohelpreduceelectricpricevolatilityand
ensureaffordableandreliableelectricservicetoPennsylvaniasresidentsandbusinesses.
InJune2015,theCommissionissuedits
FinalImplementationOrder
forPhaseIIIofAct
129,buildinguponallofthelessonslearnedanddatacollectedtodate.
Nowabouttoentertheirthirdphase,theseEE&Cprogramshavepromotedtheadoption
ofenergyefficientlighting,appliancesandothermeasuresintendedtohelpreduceconsumption.
PhaseIIIcoversafiveyearperiod,from2016through2021,withnewtargetsforeachof
theEDCsbasedonnumerousstudiesbytheCommission.
Theoveralltargetsforreductioninpowerconsumptionrangefrom2.6percentto5
percent,dependingonthepotentialsavingsineachEDCterritory.
Thetargetsforpeakdemandreductionalsovarydependingonthepotentialforeach
territory,rangingupto2percent.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
PUCsAct129
webpage.
ElectricCarChargingStationToOpenAtHarrisburgInternationalAirport
Travelerswhoparkat
HarrisburgInternationalAirport
willsoon
beabletochargetheirelectricvehicles.
ALevel3DCfastchargerhasbeeninstalledatthecell
phonelotaspartofan
AlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrant
toCar
ChargingGrouptoinstallchargersthroughoutPennsylvania.
Thechargerwillbeoperationalbeginningnextweek.
HIAandCCGIhavealsoobtainedpermitstoinstallan
additionalDCfastchargerintheshorttermparkinggarage.
ClickHere
forotherelectricvehiclechargingstationsin
Pennsylvaniaand
sitesontheTurnpike
.
DEPhasscheduledaseriesofAFIGGrantSeminarscominguponMarch22in
WilkesBarre,March24inHarrisburgandApril7inNorristown.
ClickHere
foranupdatedlist
ofseminars(bottomofthepage).
Thenextroundofapplicationsforthe
AlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgram
aredue
April29.
NewsClips:
ElectricCarChargingStationOnTapForYork
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
RelatedStory:
DEPSetsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminarInNorristownApril7
(Reprintedfromthe
March17DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
DEPSetsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminarInNorristownApril7
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandthe
EasternPennsylvaniaAllianceforClean
Transportation
invitefleetmanagers,municipalities,schooldistricts,incorporatednonprofit
entities,andbusinessestoanApril7
AlternativeFuelIncentiveGrant
seminarinNorristown,
MontgomeryCounty.
TheseminarwillbeheldatDEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainStreet,
Norristownfrom10:00a.m.toNoon.
Thefreeseminarisopentoeligibleapplicantsonly.Seatingislimitedandtheregistration
deadlineisApril6.
ClickHere
toregisterforthisworkshop.
OtherSeminars
DEPwillalsoholdAFIGseminarsinotherareas,including:March22inWilkesBarre
andMarch24inHarrisburg.
ClickHere
fordetails.
SeminarattendeeswillhearhowPennsylvanianscanmoveawayfromimported
petroleumfuelstohomegrown,clearburning,andaffordablealternativeswhichincludenatural
gas,propane,biodieselandelectricity.
Industryexpertswilldiscusstheadvantagesofalternativefuels,vehiclesand
technologies.DEPstaffwillprovideareviewoftheAFIGprogrameligibilityandapplication
requirements.
FundingisavailableundertheAFIGprogramtohelpfundfourprojecttypes:alternative
fuelvehicleretrofitorpurchase,alternativefuelrefuelinginfrastructure,biofueluse,and
innovativetechnology.
Formoreinformationonthegrantprogram,visitDEPs
AlternativeFuelsIncentive
GrantProgram
webpage.ThegrantapplicationdeadlineisApril29.
NewsClips:
ElectricCarChargingStationOnTapForYork
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
RelatedStory:
ElectricCarChargingStationToOpenAtHarrisburgInternationalAirport
March17DEPNewsNowAvailable
TheMarch17editionof
DEPNews
isnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEPSecretaryReiteratesNeedForMajorTechnologyInvestmentBeforeSenatePanel
DEPInstallsAirSamplingMonitorsNearKeystoneLandfillLackawannaCounty
DEPConductsDeepMineRescueSafetyTrainingDrillInScranton
DEPIssuesWaterPermitForJessupGasFiredPowerPlantInLackawannaCounty
ElectricCarChargingStationToOpenAtHarrisburgInternationalAirport
DEPIssuesNoticeOfLeadExceedanceForBerksCountyWaterVendor
DEPNorthwestRegionalEmployeesReceiveLegalAidExcellenceAward
RegistrationOpenForApril5PeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
EPAAcceptingApplicationsFor2016ToxicsReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyisnowacceptingapplicationsforits
2016Toxics
ReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
.ApplicationsaredueMarch27.
TheTRIUniversityChallengeaimstoincreaseawarenessoftheTRIProgramanddata
withinacademiccommunitiesexposestudentstoTRIdata,tools,andanalysisandgenerate
innovativeprograms,activities,recommendations,orresearchthatimprovetheaccessibility,
awareness,anduseofTRIdata.
EPAislookingtoacademicinstitutionstohelpbuildadiverseportfolioofpracticaland
replicableprojectsthatbenefitcommunities,theenvironment,academicinstitutions,andtheTRI
Program.
EPAwelcomesthesubmissionofanyprojectproposalthatadvancestheknowledge,use,
andunderstandingofTRIdataandrelatedinformation.Inreviewingproposalsforthe2016
Challenge,EPAisgivingprioritytoprojectsthatfocusonthefollowingthemes:
PromotingBroaderUseofTRIDatabyAcademicsandOtherExternalUsersand
UsingTRItoMeasureProgramEffectiveness.
Anyonewhoisaffiliatedwithanaccreditedcollegeoruniversityiswelcometoapply.
Proposedprojectsmayrangefromonesemestertomultiyearresearchorcoursework.
Applicantsmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:Undergraduate/graduatestudentswithfaculty
leadershipAcademicfacultyandresearchersandPh.D.candidates
Formoreinformation,visitEPAs
2016TRIUniversityChallenge
webpage.
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter,CentreCounty,DCNRGreenParkAwardWinner
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnTuesday
announced
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter
inCentreCountyisthe
GreenParkAward
winner
foritsdemonstratedcommitmenttoenvironmentaleducation,diverseparkusesandrestoration
ofanaturalenvironment.
MillbrookMarshNatureCenteristheembodimentoftheGreenParkAward,an
outstandingcommunityparkdemonstratinggreenandsustainablepractices,saidDunn.Inits
16yearexistence,thecenterhasemergedasastatewideleaderinincorporatinggreenand
sustainablepracticesinallcriteriaareas,whiledemonstratingthecompatibilityofdiversepark
useswithrecreationalopportunitiesandrestorationofanaturalenvironment.
Thesecretaryjoinedotherstateandlocalparksandrecreationofficialsinannouncingthe
awardrecipientataluncheonhostedbythe
PARecreationandParksSociety
atSevenSprings
MountainResort,Champion,SomersetCounty.
CosponsoredbyDCNRandthePRPS,theawardrecognizesstatewideexcellenceina
publicparkcommunitythatdemonstratesgreenandsustainablepractices.JudgesincludeDCNR
stafffromthedepartmentsbureausofRecreationandConservationandStateParks,the
secretarysoffice,andPRPS.
Occupying62acresat548PuddintownRoad,CollegeTownship,thenaturecenterwas
establishedin1997throughcooperativeeffortsofthe
CentreRegionParks&Recreation
Authority
,
CentreRegionCouncilofGovernments
andthePennsylvaniaStateUniversity.Itis
operatedbytheCentreRegionParks&RecreationAuthority.
TheawardwasacceptedatPRPSluncheonbyRonaldJ.Woodhead,directorofthe
CentreRegionParks&RecreationAuthority,andMelissaFreed,thecenterssupervisor.
TheCentreRegionParks&RecreationAuthorityishonoredthatthevision,effortsand
donationsofsomanycommunitymembersandgroupswillberecognizedbythisawardfor
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter,Woodheadsaid.Wearealsothankfulthatthestate
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceshasassistedbyprovidingvaluableguidance
andsupportsincethenaturecenterwasestablishedin1997.
TheMillbrookMarshpropertyincludesa12acrefarmsteadandanadjacent50acre
wetlandarea.Thefarmsteadconsistsofarenovated1850sbankbarnandtherecently
constructedLEEDcertifiedSpringCreekEducationBuilding.
Themarshispreservedprimarilyforwildlifehabitat,andboardwalkpathwaysgive
visitorsaviewofthemarshlandwhileminimizingdisturbancetotheecosystem.
Thenaturecenterhoststhousandsofvisitorseveryyear,andreceivednearly13,000
visitorsattendingorganizedprogramsin2015.Itswetlandpropertycontainsthreehighquality
streamsprotectedbythemarsh,whichalsohelpspreventsfloodingduringstormevents.
Othermarshareashavebeenrestoredtoprotectwaterqualityandreduceerosionfrom
localurbanrunoff.Thefarmsteadhasraingardens,swalesandpermeabletrailsandparking
areastopromoteinfiltration,andthebarnalsohasrainbarrelsprovidingwaterfornative
plantings.
In2015,DCNRpresentedtheGreenParkAwardtotheDelawareRiverCityCorporation
andPhiladelphiasParksandRecreationDepartmentfortheirroleindeveloping
LardnersPoint
Park
,ariverfrontimprovementprojectthatshowcasesareboundingDelawareRivertothe
multitudeofvisitorsdrawntoitsbanksinPhiladelphiasTaconysection.
ClickHere
forpastwinners.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
GreenandSustainableParkInitiative
webpage.
NewsClips:
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
PhiladelphiaChosenFor2021CityParksAllianceGreater&GreenerConference
Phillymag.comreportedFriday
thecityofPhiladelphiawaspickedbythe
CityParksAlliance
to
hostits2021
Greater&GreenerConference
,agatheringofparkprofessionalsandpolitical
leadersfromaroundtheworlddevotedspecificallytourbanparks.
OfficialssuggestedtheselectionisanothersignthatPhiladelphiahasturnedacornerin
thepublicperception,emphasizingthecitysstrengthsthathaveattractedmillennialsandhelped
reversedecadesofpopulationloss.
Philadelphiaisjustreallyexperiencingarenaissanceinpublicspace,drivingthefuture
ofourcityanditsqualityoflife,KathrynOttLovell,commissionerofPhiladelphiasParksand
Recreationdepartment,saidinFridaysannouncement.
Somethingquitepowerfulishappeninginthecitythroughourparkwork,saidNancy
Goldenberg,executivedirectoroftheCenterCityDistrictFoundationandaCityParksAlliance
boardmember.Wewerethemanufacturingcapitaloftheworldatonepoint.Nowweare
reusingouroldinfrastructureandabandonedlots,creatingpublicparksandopenspacesthat
connecttocommunitiesandhelpneighborsconnecttoeachother.
NewsClips:
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
The
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
WednesdaythankedHousemembersforunanimously
passing
HouseBill1605
(JamesRVenango)thatformallyestablishesa
PAHeritageArea
Program
toidentify,protect,enhanceandpromotethehistoric,recreational,natural,culturaland
scenicresourcesoftheCommonwealth.
WearepleasedthattheHouserecognizestheimportanteconomicandsocialbenefitsof
PennsylvaniasHeritageAreas,saidAndrewHeath,executivedirectorofthePennsylvania
GrowingGreenerCoalition.ThislegislationiscriticaltothefutureoftheHeritageAreas,and
welookforwardtoitspassageintheSenateintheupcomingweeks.
HeaththankedRep.LeeJames(RVenango)especiallyforhisleadershipinintroducing
thebillandhiscommitmenttoprotectingPennsylvaniashistoryandheritage.
HeritageAreasaregeographicregionsorcorridorsthatspantwoormorecountiesthat
containhistoric,recreational,naturalandscenicresourcesthatcollectivelyexemplifythe
heritageofPennsylvania.
Pennsylvanias12HeritageAreasare:
AlleghenyRidgeHeritageArea
,
Delaware&
LehighNationalHeritageCorridor
,
EndlessMountainsHeritageRegion
,
LackawannaHeritage
Valley
,
LincolnHighwayHeritageCorridor
,
LumberHeritageRegion
,
NationalRoadHeritage
Corridor
,
OilRegionNationalHeritageArea
,
PARoute6HeritageCorridor
,
RiversofSteel
NationalHeritageArea
,
SchuylkillRiverNational&StateHeritageArea
,and
Susquehanna
GatewayHeritageArea
.
Arecentstudyfoundthatin2014,touristsspentanestimated7.5milliondays/nightsin
PennsylvaniasHeritageAreas,purchasing
$2billionworthofgoodsandservices
.Thisspending
supported25,708jobsandgenerated$798millioninlaborincomeandnearly$1.3billionin
valueaddedeffects.
Inaddition,70percentofvisitorspendingandassociatedeconomiceffectswouldbelost
totheseareasifheritageanchorattractionswerenotavailable,accordingtothestudy.
The
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
isthelargestcoalitionofconservation,recreation
andpreservationorganizationsintheCommonwealth.
RelatedStories:
4thSenate,HouseRepublicanBudgetSentToGovernorInTheFaceOfVetoThreat
2ndSenateBudgetHearing:DEP:12SpecialFundsWillHaveFundingShortfallsBy2018
PECOpposesKillingConventionalDrillingRegs,DelayingCleanPowerPlan
GrowingGreenerCoalitionCallsForBoostInFundingForEnvironmentalAgencies
GrowingGreenerCoalitionThanksHouseForPassingHeritageAreasBill
JointConservationCommittee:HeritageAreasGenerate$2BillionForPAsEconomy
CommonwealthCourtUpholdsAbilityOfAGovernorToLineItemVetoFiscalCodeBill
PEC:PoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrantAppsDueApril25
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
isnowacceptingapplicationsfor
the
PoconoForestandWatersConservationLandscape
MiniGrantProgram
.ApplicationsaredueApril25.
Theprogramsprovideminigrantsof$2,000to$10,000to
projectswithinCarbon,Lackawanna,Luzerne,Monroe,Pike,
andWayneCountiesthatsupportandadvancethegoalsand
objectivesofthePFWCL.
Eligibleapplicantsincludeanymunicipality,councilof
governments,registeredPennsylvanianonprofits,county
conservationdistricts,orlearninginstitutionstoconsiderprojectsthatmayfitthegrantcriteria.
Atotalof$60,000ingrantfundingisavailable.Allminigrantsrequirea50/50match.
TheprogramisfundingbyagrantfromtheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources.
ClickHere
formorebackgroundonthePoconoForestandWatersConservation
LandscapeProgram.
Formoreinformationandallthedetails,visitthe
PoconoForestAndWatersMiniGrant
webpageorcontactJanetSweeney,PFWCLCoordinatorbycalling5707186507orsending
emailto:
jsweeney@pecpa.org
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
DCNRUrgesCautionToPreventWildfiresWithSpringApproaching
Withtheapproachofspring,DepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
Fridaynoteddryingspringwindsandwarming
temperaturesquicklycancombineto
increasefire
dangersacrossPennsylvaniasforests
andbrushlands.
Despiterecentwetweatherandsnowpredicted
thisweekendinmuchofthestate,recent,highlyvisible
firesaroundtheHarrisburgareashowedusitjusttakesa
fewdaysofsunandwindtoallowbrushandforestfire
dangertodevelop,Dunnsaid.Mostofthereportedfireslastyeararelinkedtopeoplepeople
cause98percentofwildfires.Ameresparkbyacarelesspersoncantouchoffadevastating
forestblazeduringdryperiodswhenconditionsenablewildfirestospreadquickly.
Commonsensecanlimitthethreatofwildfires,saidDunn.Whenstateresidentsand
forestvisitorsarecarelesswithburningtrash,campfiresandsmoking,volunteerfirefighters
oftenpaytheprice,answeringcallaftercallinspringwoodlandsthatareripefordamaging,
lifethreateningwildfires.
DCNRstatisticsshownearly85percentofPennsylvaniaswildfiresoccurinMarch,
AprilandMay,beforethegreeningofstatewoodlandsandbrushyareas.Namedforrapidspread
throughdormant,dryvegetation,underwindyconditions,wildfiresannuallyscorchnearly7,000
acresofstateandprivatewoodlands.
In2015,BureauofForestrypersonnelandvolunteerfirefightersbattledatotalof817
reportedfield,brushandforestfiresthatscorched4,165acresacrossthestate.
Anglers,campersandotherstateforestvisitorsareremindedopenfiresareprohibitedon
stateforestlandfromMarch1toMay25,andwhenthefiredangerislistedashigh,veryhigh,or
extreme,unlessauthorizedbydistrictforesters.
Communitiesinheavilywoodedareasareurgedtofollowwildfirepreventionand
suppressionmethodsofthe
PennsylvaniaFirewiseCommunityProgram
tosafeguardlifeand
property.
DCNRsBureauofForestryisresponsibleforpreventionandsuppressionofwildfireson
the17millionacresofstateandprivatewoodlandsandbrushlands.Thebureaumaintainsa
firedetectionsystem,andworkswithfirewardensandvolunteerfiredepartmentstoensurethey
aretrainedinthelatestadvancesinfirepreventionandsuppression.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
WildlandFire
webpageorcall7177872925.
NewsClips:
RainHasSquelchedDauphinCountyWildfire
Frost,RainCouldHelpExtinguishMountainFire
Luzerne,DCNRDetailPlansForGypsyMothSpraying
TreePhillyOfferingSaplings,FamousPlanter
WarmWeatherCouldSapErieMapleProduction
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
March18DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable
The
March18editionoftheResource
newsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources
MillbrookMarshNatureCenter,CentreCounty,GreenParkAwardWinner
DCNRUrgesCautionToPreventWildfiresAsSpringApproaches
VeteranForesterNamedToBaldEagleStateForestDistrict
PAHeritageAreasGenerateMillionsInEconomicBenefits
AwburyArboretumInPhiladelphiaProtectedByConservationEasemen
t
PAFarmersEncouragedToFillOutChesapeakeBayWatershedSurvey
HawkMountainSanctuaryNominatedFor10BestAwardVoteNow
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).
FriendsOfWissahickonHostValleyTalksApril5,May19InMontgomeryCounty
The
FriendsoftheWissahickon
inMontgomeryCountyarehostingtwoValleyTalksthisspring
thatexplorevariousaspectsofconservationandbenefitsofpublicparks.Theprogramswillbe
heldatthe
ValleyGreenInn
locatedonForbiddenDrivein
WissahickonValleyPark
.
OnApril5
theprogramwillfeatureaconversationwithDr.WilliamSchuster,executive
directorofthe
BlackRockForestConsortium
inCornwall,N.Y.
ClickHere
toregister.
Dr.Shusterwilltalkaboutthesuccessfulresearch,educationandconservationeffortsat
the4,000acreBlackRockForest,locatedanhournorthofNewYorkCity,includinga
discussionofsuccessesandchallengesofmanagingthepark,fromoverabundantdeer
populationstopublicuse.
Dr.isexecutivedirectoroftheBlackRockForestConsortiuminCornwall,N.Y.andhas
authoredorcoauthorednearly100publications.HehasaB.A.inbiologyfromColumbia
University,anM.S.inforestecologyfromPennStateUniversity,andaPh.D.inecologyfrom
theUniversityofColorado.Dr.SchustercompletedhispostdoctoralresearchattheUniversityof
Utah.Hisprimaryinterestsareinecology,ecosystemmanagementandenvironmentalchange.
OnMay19
,landscapearchitectClaudiaWestwilltalkaboutthebenefitsofecosystems,
particularlyinurbanparksandgardensandhowtheycontributetobiodiversityandhabitat.She
willdiscusstheecosystemsoftheWissahickonValleyPark.
ClickHere
toregister.
ClaudiaWestistheecologicalsalesmanagerat
NorthCreekNurseries
inLandenberg,
Pa.SheholdsanM.A.inlandscapearchitectureandregionalplanningfromtheTechnical
UniversityofMunich,Germany.Westworkscloselywithecologicaldesignandrestoration
professionals.
Herworkiscenteredonthedevelopmentofstable,layeredplantingdesignsandthe
reintroductionofAmericannativeplantsbackintothelandscape.Sheisthecoauthorwith
ThomasRainerof
PlantinginaPostWildWorld
(TimberPress,2015).
Thetalksaresponsoredby
ValleyGreenBank
andarefreeandopentothepublic.A
complimentarywineandcheesereceptionisofferedatthetalks.
Spacesarelimited.RegisterforthelectureattheFriendsoftheWissahickon
April5
and/or
May19
webpagesorcontactSarahMarleybysendingemailto:
marley@fow.org
orcall
2152470417x109formoreinformation.
Visitthe
FriendsoftheWissahickon
websiteforinformationonprograms,initiativesand
otherupcomingevents.
ClickHere
tosignuptoreceiveregularupdatesfromFOW(bottomof
thepage).
PennStateExtensionCommunityForestryShortCourseInPerson,OnlineMarch2931
PennStateExtensionwillholda
CommunityForestryShortCourse
InPersonandWebinar
March29,30and31from9:00a.m.to4:45p.m.eachday.
Planningandmanagingthegreeninfrastructureofstreettrees,parks,andopenspaces
willhelpanymunicipalitysafelytakeadvantageofthemanybenefitstheseassetsprovide.With
properplanningandmanagement,theseassetsappreciateandpayusbackwithtime.
ThisCommunityForestryShortCourseisdesignedtohelpmunicipalshadetree
commissions/committees,andstaff,includingmanagers,arborists,andforesterscommunitytree
advocatesandvolunteersgainknowledgeandskillsintheeffectivemanagementofpublictrees
inPennsylvania.
ParticipantswillhavetheopportunitytoattendthesessionsinpersoninStateCollege,or
attendthesessionsonline.Theycanselecttoattendall3daysoftrainingorjustoneortwodays.
Acertificatewillbeawardedtopeoplethatparticipateinthesessionsinpersonoronline.
TheinpersoncoursewillbeheldatPennStateUniversity,Room110AgScience&
IndustriesBuilding,UniversityPark.
TheregistrationdeadlineisMarch21.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtoregister.
NewsClips:
BudgetImpasseConcernsPennStateExtensionDirector
PennStateExtension,4HProgramsHangInBalance
PennStatesAgriculturalExtensionDollarsAffectYourTable
LancasterPennStateExtensionOfficeFacesClosure
SpringPennsStewardsNewsletterNowAvailableFromPAParks&ForestsFoundation
The
SpringeditionofthePennsStewards
newsletterfromthe
PAParksandForestsFoundation
featuringarticleson
AShortHistoryOfRecreationInPennsylvania
TheCCCBroughtRecreationToYou
YourFriendsInAction:LymanRunStatePark
ActsOf(Un)KindnessInParks,Forests
Profile:MaryHirst,OneOfFirstFemaleParkManagers
MilkweedsAndMonarchButterflies
ComingSoon:2016Parks&ForestsThruTheSeasonsPhotoContest
CalendarofEvents
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAParks&
ForestsFoundation
website,
LikethemonFacebook
or
FollowthemonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
NewNorthwestLancasterCountyRiverTrailSection,VisitorsCenterOpen
WaterfrontRoadWillFillGapInD<rail
LackawannaHeritageValleyHoldsMeetingOnFellTwpTrail
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
CrowdProvidesInputIntoNewSectionOfLackawannaHeritageTrail
LackawannaHeritageTrailToGet14Cameras
GoalReachedToSaveAppalachianTrailHotel
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
SusquehannaRiverPeopleSeeksToSaveIslandRetreat
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
NortheastLancasterCountyRiverTrailVisitorsCenterNowOpenInColumbia
AdCrable,LancasterOnline.com
,reported
Wednesdayanew
NortheastLancasterCounty
RiverTrail
sectionand
ColumbiaCrossingRiver
TrailsCenter
nowopenin
ColumbiaBorough
.
Youcanwalkorbikethroughanold
railroadtunnelblastedthroughrock,passwithin
feetofthebaseofChickiesRockasclimbersscale
theedificerightaboveyou,andviewthe
longforgottenremnantsofnolessthanfour19thcenturyironfurnaces.
Forthefirsttimesincetherecreationaltrailwasenvisioned20yearsago,youcannow
walkalongtheSusquehannafromColumbiatoFalmouth,neartheDauphinCountyline.
TheColumbiaCrossingtrailcenter,alongFrontStreetandjustacrosstherailroadtracks
fromthe1877trainstation,hasavastelevateddeckthatlooksacrosstherivertoWrightsville
andisframedtothenorthbytheartdecoVeteransMemorialBridgethatopenedin1930.
Thestonebridgeabutmentsthatoncesupportedthecoveredbridgethatplayedapivotal
roleintheBattleofGettysburgalsoarevisible.
Inside,highceilingsandlotsofglassshowcasethehistoryoftheriverandColumbia.
TenpaintingsfromtheVisionsoftheSusquehannaRiverArtCollectionarecurrentlyhangingin
thecenter,aswellasblackandwhitephotosfromthegreaticejamof1917.
Inside,highceilingsandlotsofglassshowcasethehistoryoftheriverandColumbia.
TenpaintingsfromtheVisionsoftheSusquehannaRiverArtCollectionarecurrentlyhangingin
thecenter,aswellasblackandwhitephotosfromthegreaticejamof1917.
TheVisitorsCenterisopenWednesday,Thursday,Friday,Sundayfrom10:00a.m.to
5:00p.m.andSaturdayfrom9:00a.m.to5:00p.m.
ClickHere
toreadtheentirearticleandtoseephotosoftheVisitorsCenter.
NewsClips:
NewNorthwestLancasterCountyRiverTrailSection,VisitorsCenterOpen
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
WaterfrontRoadWillFillGapInD<rail
LackawannaHeritageValleyHoldsMeetingOnFellTwpTrail
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
CrowdProvidesInputIntoNewSectionOfLackawannaHeritageTrail
LackawannaHeritageTrailToGet14Cameras
GoalReachedToSaveAppalachianTrailHotel
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
SusquehannaRiverPeopleSeeksToSaveIslandRetreat
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
April1DeadlineComingUpToRegisterForJunePECEnvironmentRide
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
EnvironmentRide
willbe
herebeforeyouknowit,andsowilltheApril1early
registrationdeadline!
ThelasttwoweeksofMarcharetheperfecttimeto
makethecommitmentforthisyear'sride,asourwinter
registrationratesaresettoexpireApril1!
Takeadvantageofthecurrentofferforboththe
3day($100)and1dayrides($50)fortheannualeventthat
willfeatureascenicnewroutethisyear.
ThreedayriderswillbegininDoylestownonJune3,continuingintoBethlehem,and
bikingalongtheLehighandDelawareRiversbeforetheevent'sconclusioninPhiladelphia,
whereourclosingpartywilloverlooktheSchuylkillRiveratthe
FairmountWaterworks
onJune
5.
Meanwhile,onedayriderswillbegintheirtrekinYardleyonJune5andarriveatthe
FairmountWaterworksintimetocelebrateattheclosingpartyaswell.
Notabletoride?Noproblem!Wearealwayslookingforadditionalcrewandvolunteers.
ContactPEC'sSoutheastregionalofficeat2155454570formoreinformation.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtoregister.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesfromPEC.
DayByDayScheduleForJune1825DelawareRiverSojournNowAvailable
Anoverviewofthe2016DelawareRiverSojournrunningfromJune18to25wasmade
availableonTuesday.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.
LacawacSanctuaryMarks50thAnniversaryWithBrickCampaignInWayneCounty
LacawacSanctuaryandBiologicalFieldStation
inWayneCountyis
celebratingits50thanniversaryandfriendsandsupportersare
invitedtoleavetheirpersonalimprintonitshistoryandfuture
throughparticipationinour
CommemorativeBrickCampaign
.
Joinusincelebrationofthisspecialanniversarythroughthe
purchaseofanengravedbrickthatwillbeplacedattheentranceof
theCoulterVisitorCenterandDr.SusanS.KilhamEnvironmental
Laboratory.
Since1966themissionofLacawacSanctuaryhasbeento
preservethenearlypristineglacialLakeLacawac,itswatershed,the
surroundingforestandhistoricstructuresinordertoprovideavenue
forecologicalresearch,scholarlyinteractionandthetrainingof
scientistsandprovidepubliceducationonenvironmentaland
conservationissues.
Lacawachasaccomplishedthismissionbyofferingadiversesetofnaturalareas,
facilities,andprogramsforPreK12grades,postsecondaryeducatorsandstudents,area
residents,scientificresearchers,andsummervisitorstotheregion.
Commemorativebricksareawonderfulopportunitytocelebratefamilymilestonesand
honorormemorializelovedones.Theyareagreatwaytorecognizeaspecialpersoninyourlife,
honoracasualeffort,orcommemorateaspecialoccasion.
Whyjoinourcommemorativebrickcampaign?SupportLacawacscommitmentto
educatethenextgenerationofscientistsandconservationleaders.Shareyourpassionforour
naturalresourcesbyprovidingopportunitiesforotherstolearnaboutnature.Showyour
commitmenttonatureandconservation.
Commemoratealovedone,friendorspecialmemory.Celebrateabirthdayorother
memorableoccasion.Honorateacher,colleagueorafriend.Promoteyourbusinessorgroup
BuyabrickatLacawacsVisitorCenterandEnvironmentalLaboratoryandhelpsupport
Lacawacsmissionofresearch,educationandpreservationforthenext50years.Lacawacisa
treasureandsomethingspecialtobeproudofandworthsupporting.
ThebrickcampaignwillallowLacawactoraisethenecessaryfundstomakeupgradesto
ourvisitorcenterandhistoric1903lodge.Eachdonatedandengravedbrickwillbecarefully
placedinanewwalkwayleadingvisitorsandgueststotheentranceoftheCoulterVisitor
Center.
TheBrickCampaignDonationOptionsareasfollows:4x8Brick$100(3linesof
text20spacesperline)or8x8Brick$250(6linesoftext20spacesperline).
Bricks
canbeorderedonline
.
ClickHere
todownloadabrickcampaignbrochure.
Formoreinformationonthecampaign,contactLacawacbycalling5706899494or
sendemailto:
info@lacawac.org
.
Visitthe
LacawacSanctuaryandBiologicalFieldStation
websiteformoreinformation
onprograms,initiativesandupcomingspecialevents.
DCNRsCosmosWorldSeriesTeachesStudentsImportantEnvironmentalConcepts
JointheEmmyAwardwinning
CosmotheFlyingSquirrel,Terra
theRiverOtter
andtheirfriendsonnewjourneysof
environmentaldiscovery.
CosmosWorldisproducedbythe
WildResourceConservation
Program
,
eMediaWorks
,
PBS39LehighValley
and
Natural
Biodiversity
tohelpclassroomteachersandenvironmental
educatorsteachthesetopicstoelementaryandmiddleschool
studentsinafunandengagingway.
ThevideosandlessonplansaretiedtoPennsylvaniaacademic
standardsforenvironmentandecology,whichrequireeducatorstoteachenvironmental
stewardship.
ComevisitCosmosWorldasoftenasyoulike.CosmoandTerrawillbeheretotake
youonadventuresthroughPennsylvaniashabitats.DoSomethingWild!Beafriendtoallliving
things,greatandsmall.
CosmosWorldvideoscovertopicslike:Biodiversity,ClimateChange,Sustainable
Agriculture,EndangeredSpecies,Energy,InvasiveSpecies,Waterandmore.
Themostrecent
CosmovideoonTrees
willairon
PBS39onFridayat3:30
.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRs
CosmosWorldVideoSeries
webpage.
NewsClip:
367StudentsCompeteInLancasterScience&EngineeringFair
WildlifeLeadershipAcademySummerOutdoorFieldSchoolsForStudents1417
The
WildlifeLeadershipAcademy
isnowacceptingapplicationsforits
four,5day
residentialfieldschoolsinPA
.Eachfieldschoolfocuseson
oneparticularspecies:WhitetailedDeer,BrookTrout,RuffedGrouseor
BlackBear.ThedeadlineforapplicationsisApril1.
Participantsinagivensessionintensivelyexplorethatspeciesbiology,
habitatneeds,managementandmore.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
WildlifeLeadershipAcademy
webpage.
NewsClip:
367StudentsCompeteInLancasterScience&EngineeringFair
RegistrationOpenForApril5PeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMonday
invitedteachers,nonformaleducators,homeschoolersand
youthgroupandscoutleaderstoattendafreePeregrine
FalconEducatorsWorkshop,WILDintheCity,from
9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.April5inthesecondfloor
auditoriumoftheRachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,
Harrisburg.
TheworkshopissponsoredbyDEPandtheGame
Commissionincooperationwith
ZOOAMERICANorthAmericanWildlifePark
andthe
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources.
Since1997,
peregrinefalcons
havemadeanestonaledgeoffthe15thFloorofthe
RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuildingtheirhome.
ThreehighdefinitioncameraschroniclethefamousHarrisburgfalconsthroughthelive
FalconCamforviewersaroundtheworld.
InPennsylvania,peregrinefalcons,aPennsylvaniaendangeredspecies,wereabsentfrom
thestateintheearly1960sasaresultofuseofthepesticideDDT.
Whileperegrinefalconswereextremelyrareformanyyears,throughreintroduction
programs,theyhaveadaptedtolifeincitieslikeHarrisburg,Reading,Pittsburgh,Philadelphia
andWilliamsport.
TheRachelCarsonnestsitehasbeenveryproductivewith58youngperegrinefalcons
producedsince2000.
Whatbetterwaytoengageyoungpeopleandcreatefutureenvironmentalstewardsthan
throughthislivinglaboratory,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.Weencourageeducatorsto
takeadvantageofthisuniquelearningopportunitythattheirstudentswillreallyconnectwith.
Workshopparticipantswillexplorethesuccessesofperegrinefalconreintroductionin
Pennsylvania,examinefalconspecificsandendangeredspeciesconcepts,andobservefalconsin
Harrisburg.Participatingteachersareeligiblefor5.5Act48credithours.
Theworkshopwillfeatureanumberofperegrinefalconexperts,includingDr.Art
McMorris,PGCsPeregrineFalconCoordinatorandZOOAMERICANaturalistPatrickMiller.
ToregisterforthePeregrineFalconworkshop,educatorsshouldcontactDEPs
EnvironmentalEducationandInformationCenterat7177721644orsendemailto:AnnDevine
at:
adevine@pa.gov
byMarch29.Spaceislimited,soregistrationswillbeacceptedona
firstcome,firstservicebasis.
TowatchtheRachelCarsonBuildingfalconslive,visitDEPs
FalconCam
webpage,
signup
forFalconWireemailalerts(bottomofthepage)or
followthemonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
HawkMountainToHoldAnnualSpringEquinoxCelebrationMarch19
HawkMountainSanctuary
inBerksCountyinvitesvisitorsof
allagestowelcomethespringseasonatitsannualSpring
EquinoxCelebrationonMarch19from11a.m.to3p.m.Trail
feesapplyfornonmembersbutindooreventsarefree.
HeldontheSaturdayclosesttotheequinox,theevent
willcelebratenaturesrenewalwithcomplimentaryhot
chocolateandbirdfriendlycoffee,liveraptorprograms,a
guidedwalk,andkidscrafts.
Inaddition,avolunteernaturalistwillbestationedat
thebirdfeederwindowstohelpidentifythegrowingnumber
ofbirdsandsmallmammalsthatvisit.
M&TBanksliveRaptorsUpClose!programbeginsthedayat11a.m.,followedbya
guidedSignsofSpringnaturewalkat12:30forthefirst20visitorsthatsignup.Fromnoonto
2p.m.,childrenmakeandtakehomeaspringthemedcraft.Thedayconcludeswithasecond
liveraptorprogramat2p.m..
Withlongerdaysandwarmerweather,thiseventisagreatexcusetogetthefamily
outside.We'vealreadyseenbutterfliesonthetrail,dozensofwoodfrogsinthepond,painted
turtles,andsomeoftheearlynativeplantsarestartingtopushup,saysspokespersonMary
Linkevich,thedirectorofcommunicationsattheSanctuary.
"WealsohaveournewAccessibleTrail,somorepeoplethanevercanmaketheshort
walktotheSouthLookout.Nomattertheweather,theviewisalwaysamazing,"sheadds.The
900footlongleadstotheclosestoverlookandincludesbenchseatingalongtheway.
The2,500acreHawkMountainSanctuaryistheworldsfirstrefugeforbirdsofpreyand
isopentothepublicyearroundbytrailfeeormembership,whichinturnsupportsthenonprofit
organizationsraptorconservationmissionandlocaltoglobalresearch,training,andeducation
programs.Trailfeescost$9adults,$7seniorsand$5childrenages6to12.
Tolearnmoreaboutprograms,initiativesandotherspecialactivities,visitthe
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
websiteorcall6107566961.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates
fromtheSanctuary.
NewsClips:
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
HawkMountainSanctuaryLaunchesSpringHawkWatchApril1
HawkMountainSanctuary
inBerksCountyinvitesvisitors
towatchforreturningraptorsandothermigrantsduringits
annualSpringHawkWatch,helddailyApril1throughMay
15from9a.m.to4p.m.attheSanctuarysfamousNorth
Lookout.
Inconjunctionwiththecount,springweekend
programsbeginaswellandareheldeverySaturdayand
Sundaythroughthecount.TheSanctuaryssignaturelive
raptorprogram,RaptorsUPClose!issponsoredbyM&T
BankandcontinuesthroughMemorialDay.
Afullscheduleofweekendprogramsandotherdetails
canbefoundonline
.
Duringthecount,staff,trainees,andvolunteerswillbestationedattheLookouttohelp
visitorsspotandidentifyraptorsincludingbroadwingedhawks,redtailedhawks,ospreys,and
baldeagles.
MigrationtypicallypeaksinmidtolateApril,especiallyondayswithsoutherlywinds
andcloudcover,whencountsofmorethan100birdsmaybeseen.Forraptorenthusiastsand
thosewhocannotmakeittoHawkMountain,countsare
posteddailyafter6p.m
.
Besidesthechancetoseesoaringhawks,thespringcountisachancetogettipson
hawkidentification,practiceyourwildlifephotography,andlearnmoreaboutthemigrationof
birdsinthearea,saidDirectorofLongtermMonitoringLaurieGoodrichwhocoordinatesthe
count.
TheSanctuaryhasmonitoredthespringraptormigrationsincethe1960sandreportsan
average1,063raptorseachseason.NumbersarejustafractionofHawkMountainsautumn
migration,asthebirdsaremorewidelydispersedduringtheirnorthboundmigration.
Youmightnotseeasmanyhawksasyoudoduringfall,butIlovespringatHawk
Mountain.Somepeopleareallaboutfallfoliage,butmyfavoriteviewisgreen.Here,itstretches
acrossthevalleyasfarasyoucansee,"saysMaryLinkevich,theSanctuary'sdirectorof
communications.
Since2000,ConservationSciencetraineeshaveregulatedthedailycountattheNorth
Lookoutduringthesecondhalfofthespringmigration,usingthetrainingofexperienced
volunteersandstafftolearnmigrationcounttechniques.
ThosewhowishtohiketotheNorthLookoutandjoininthefunshouldwearsturdy
shoes,carryabaggedlunch,bottledwaterandothersuppliesinadaypack,andbepreparedto
walknearlyonemileoverrockyterrain.
ThenearbySouthLookoutmaybepreferabletothosewithsmallchildrenorwithlimited
mobilityandcanbereachedusinga900footlongAccessibleTrailwithbenchseating.
Trailfeesapplyfornonmembersandcost$9foradults,$7forseniors,and$5for
childrenages6to12.Membersareadmittedfree,yearround,and
membershipscanbe
purchasedonline
orattheVisitorCenter.
The2,500acreHawkMountainSanctuaryistheworldsfirstrefugeforbirdsofpreyand
isopentothepublicyearroundbytrailfeeormembership,whichinturnsupportsthenonprofit
organizationsraptorconservationmissionandlocaltoglobalresearch,training,andeducation
programs.
Tolearnmoreaboutprograms,initiativesandotherspecialactivities,visitthe
Hawk
MountainSanctuary
websiteorcall6107566961.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates
fromtheSanctuary.
NewsClips:
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
Fish&BoatCommissionCelebrates150thAnniversaryMarch30
The
FishandBoatCommission
willcommemorateandcelebratethe
150thAnniversary
ofitsfoundingasoneofthenationsoldest
conservationagenciesduringthismonthsquarterlybusinessmeeting
andataspecialpubliceventatthe
StateMuseum
inHarrisburg.
ThePFBCsquarterlybusinessmeetingwillbeheldonMarch
3031attheHarrisburgheadquarters.Themeetingwasspecifically
scheduledtocoincidewiththeagencysfoundingonMarch30,1866.
FollowingcommitteemeetingsonMarch30,Commissioners
andstaffwilljoininvitedguests,membersofthepublic,legislators,
andGov.TomWolfattheStateMuseumforpresentationsabouttheagencyscelebratedhistory
anddiscussionsaboutitsfuture.
TheeveningeventwillbeheldonMarch30,from68p.m.attheStateMuseum,located
at300NorthStreet.Itisfreeandthepublicisencouragedtoattendandmeetpastandpresent
Commissionersandlearnmoreabouttheagencyshistory.
Overthecourseofthenextyear,Iinvitefellowanglersandboaterstojoininour
commemorationofthelast150years,saidPFBCExecutiveDirectorJohnArway,whowas
namedtheCommissions10thexecutivedirectoronMarch2,2010,andhasworkedforthe
agencyfor36years.Itwillbeagreattimetolearnaboutouragencyscontributiontothehealth
ofPennswoodsandwatersandcelebratethefactthatour86,000milesofstreams,nearly4,000
lakesandreservoirs,over404,000acresofwetlandsand63milesofLakeErieshorelinearestill
hometomorethan25,000speciesofknownplantsandanimals,andperhaps,manythousands
moreyettobeidentified.
Thesefactsdemonstratetheenormityandcomplexityofthechallengesthatfacethe
PFBCaswestrivetofulfillourlegislativeandConstitutionaldutiestoprotect,conserveand
enhanceourCommonwealthsaquaticresources,headded.
Pennsylvaniasabundanceofwaterways,frommountainstreamsandlakes,tomighty
riversliketheSusquehannaandAllegheny,totheGreatLakeErie,provideendlessrecreational
opportunitiestotheCommonwealthsanglersandboaters,addedPFBCBoardPresident
EdwardMascharka,III.Theseopportunitieswouldntbeherewithoutthehardworkand
dedicationoverthelast150yearsbythisagencytoprotectandconserveournaturalresources.
Improudtobeapartofthisrichhistoryandlookforwardtocarryingforthourmissionintothe
future.
Overthelast150years,theCommissionhasevolvedfromaonemanoperationfunded
solelybythegeneralfundtoanagencywithacomplementof432stafffundedbyanglersand
boatersthroughlicenseandregistrationfeesandfederalexcisetaxesonfishingandboating
equipment.
TheoriginsofthePFBCdateto1866whenaconventionwasheldinHarrisburgto
investigatewaterpollutionbeingcausedbythewholesaleloggingofPennsylvaniasforestsand
theimpactscausedbysedimentationofmountainlakesandstreams.Therewerealsoserious
concernsaboutthereductionofAmericanShadrunsintheSusquehannaRiver.
ThisdiscussionresultedinGov.AndrewCurtinsigningintolawActofMarch30,1866
(P.L.370,No.336),whichnamedJamesWorrallPennsylvaniasfirstCommissionerof
Fisheries.
In1925,Act1925263establishedtheBoardofFishCommissioners.Then,in1949,Act
1949180officiallyestablishedthePennsylvaniaFishCommissionasanagencyanddescribed
itspowersandduties.
TheCommissionappointedCharlesA.Frenchasitsfirstexecutivedirectorin1949,and
in1991underAct199139,thePennsylvaniaFishCommissionbecamethePennsylvaniaFish
andBoatCommission.
Ourfutureisbrightbutnotwithoutchallenges,addedArway.Wehavemade
substantialprogressoverthelastgenerationbycleaningupourwaterssothatwecannowsay
thatwehavemorewaterstofishtodaythanwhenwewerechildren.However,yesterdays
challengesweresimplecomparedtotheenvironmentalandnaturalresourcechallengesthatwe
faceinthefuture.
Ournewchallengeswillnolongerbeatthelocalscalebutwillrequiremuchdifferent
solutionsatthewatershed,regional,nationalandevenglobalscales,headded.Wewillhaveto
workacrossdisciplinesandusetheappropriatesciencetodiagnosetheproblems,applythe
engineeringskillstodevelopthesolutionsandhavethepoliticalwilltocreatethelawsand
providethefundingforthesolutions.
Formoreinformation,visittheFish&BoatCommissions
150thAnniversary
webpage.
NewsClips:
RealMarchMadnessAwaitsOutdoors
PopularMentoredYouthTroutFishingDaysReturnMarch26,April9
Video:AmphibianCrossingAtDelawareWaterGapSignalsSpring
NorthAlleghenyGradHelpsSolveTullyMonsterEnigma
GameCommission:315,813DeerHarvestedIn201516HuntingSeaso
n
TheGameCommissionMondayreportedhuntersharvestedanestimated315,813deeran
increaseofabout4percentcomparedtothe201415harvestof303,973.
Ofthose,137,580wereantlereddeeranincreaseofabout15percentcomparedtothe
previouslicenseyear,whenanestimated119,260bucksweretaken.
Huntersalsoharvestedanestimated178,233antlerlessdeerin201516,whichrepresents
anabout4percentdecreasecomparedtothe184,713antlerlessdeertakenin201415.
Thepercentageofolderbucksintheharvestmightwellbethemosteyepoppingnumber
inthereport.
Awhopping59percentofwhitetailbuckstakenbyPennsylvaniahuntersduringthe
201516deerseasonswere2yearsoldorolder,makingforthehighestpercentageofadult
bucksintheharvestindecades.
GameCommissionWildlifeManagementDirectorWayneLarochepointedoutthetrend
ofmoreadultbucksintheharveststartedwhenantlerrestrictionswereputintoplace.More
yearlingbucksaremakingitthroughthefirsthuntingseasonthroughwhichtheycarryarack.
Seasonafterseason,agreaterproportionoftheannualbuckharvesthasbeenmadeofadult
bucks.
In201415,57percentofthebuckstakenbyhunterswere2orolder.
Buttoseethatnumbernowatnearly60percentisremarkable,Larochesaid.Itgoes
toshowwhatantlerrestrictionshaveaccomplishedtheyvecreatedaPennsylvaniawhere
everydeerhunterinthewoodshasarealchanceoftakingthebuckofalifetime.
Whilethe137,580buckstakenin201516isasharpincreaseover201415,itcompares
toa201314estimateof134,280bucks.In201415,anumberoffactorsincludingpoorweather
onkeyhuntingdaysandlimiteddeermovementsduetoexceptionallyabundantmastcontributed
toareduceddeerharvestoverall.
Thedecreaseinthe201516antlerlessharvestwasapredictableoutcome,giventhat
33,000fewerantlerlesslicenseswereallocatedstatewidein201516,comparedtotheprevious
year.
ReducingtheallocationwithinaWildlifeManagementUnitallowsdeernumberstogrow
there.Recordsshowittakesanallocationofaboutfourantlerlesslicensestoharvestone
antlerlessdeer,andthesuccessrateforantlerlessdeerhuntersagainwasconsistentatabout25
percentin201516.
GameCommissionExecutiveDirectorR.MatthewHoughcongratulateddeerhunterson
theirsuccessesafieldduringthe201516seasons.
WhiletheGameCommissionagainreducedthenumberofantlerlesslicensesthatwere
allocatedin201516,andtheantlerlessharvestdroppedaccordingly,asexpected,theoverall
increaseintheharvestand,inparticular,thebuckharvestshowthiswasanotheroutstanding
deerseasoninPennsylvania,Houghsaid.ThepicturesIveseenoftrophybucksthisseason
camefromallovertheCommonwealthincludingthebigwoodsofthenorthcentralandthey
werejawdroppingandimpressive.Andthebestnewsisthereareplentyofnewmemories
waitingtobemadewhendeerhuntersgetbackoutthereinthecominglicenseyear.
ClickHere
toreadthefullannouncement.
Formoreinformation,visittheGameCommissions
WhiteTailedDeer
webpage.
NewsClips:
Schneck:StateHadBiggestBuckKillIn13Years
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
StateMuseum,GameCommissionWorkingTogetherForWildlifeExhibitComingApril8
ThePAHistoricalandMuseumCommissionandtheGameCommission
willhosttheopeningofaspecialexhibit,
WorkingTogetherforWildlife:
ThreeDecadesofPennsylvaniasNatureinArt
at10:00a.m.onApril8
at
TheStateMuseumofPennsylvania
inHarrisburg
JamesVaughan,executivedirectorofthePHMC,andMattHough,
executivedirectoroftheGameCommission,willjoinmuseumstaffand
otherofficialstocelebratetheopeningofthisexhibit.
WorkingTogetherforWildlife:ThreeDecadesofPennsylvanias
NatureinArtfeatures34originalpaintingsby19differentPennsylvania
artists.InthehistoricaltraditionofthePennsylvanianaturalistartists
AlexanderWilson,JohnJamesAudubonandNedSmith,Working
TogetherforWildlifeartistsdepictthebeautyofanimalsintheirnatural
habitats.
Theworkshighlightgameandnongameanimalssuchastheblackbear,thebobcat,the
graysquirrel,thegreatblueheron,thecardinalandtheruffedgrousePennsylvaniasState
Bird.
Eachyear,theGameCommissionhostsWorkingTogetherforWildlife,acompetition
thatisopentoPennsylvaniaartists.TheGameCommissionmakesthewinningartworkavailable
inspecialeditionprintsandpatches,withtheproceedsbenefittingthepreservationand
maintenanceofPennsylvaniaswildlife.
ThisentirecollectionwillbeexhibitedpubliclyandforthefirsttimeonApril8atThe
StateMuseum.
TheopeningceremonywillbefollowedbythreePennsylvaniaWildlifepresentations
hostedbyWildlifeConservationOfficerMichaelDohertyandSeniorCuratorofZoologyand
BotanyDr.WalterMeshakainNatureLab,amultipurposedemonstrationspaceadjacenttothe
naturalhistoryexhibitsonthethirdfloorofTheStateMuseum.
Presentationsarescheduledat10:30a.m.,11:15a.m.and12:15p.m.andareincluded
withmuseumadmission.
TheexhibitwillrunfromApril8toSeptember11inTheStateMuseumschanging
naturalhistorygallery,adjacenttoMammalHall.
TheStateMuseumofPennsylvania,adjacenttotheStateCapitolinHarrisburg,isoneof
25historicsitesandmuseumsadministeredbythePAHistoricalandMuseumCommissionas
partofthe
PennsylvaniaTrailsofHistory
.
Withexhibitsexaminingthedawnofgeologictime,theNativeAmericanexperience,the
colonialandrevolutionaryera,apivotalCivilWarbattleground,andtheCommonwealth'svast
industrialage,TheStateMuseumdemonstratesthatPennsylvania'sstoryisAmericasstory.
MuseumhoursareWednesdaythroughSaturday9:00a.m.to5:00p.m.andSunday
12:00p.m.to5:00p.m..Admissionis$7foradults(ages1264),$6forseniorcitizens(ages65
andup),and$5forchildren(ages111).
Formoreinformationaboutthemuseum,visitthe
TheStateMuseumofPennsylvania
website.
WildlifeArtResource:
NedSmithCenterforNature&Ar
t,Millersburg,DauphinCounty
NewsClips:
Schneck:StateHadBiggestBuckKillIn13Years
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
ManadaConservancyAnnualSpringNativePlantSaleMay7InDauphinCounty
The
ManadaConservancy
willholditsannualSpringNativePlantSaleonMay7in
Hummelstown,DauphinCounty.PreordersarenowbeingacceptedthroughApril15.For
moreinformation,visitManadaConservancys
SpringNativePlantSale
webpage.Questions?
Call7175664122.
DEPsMichaelKorbRecognizedByInterstateMiningCompactCommission
The
InterstateMiningCompactCommission
recentlyannounced
MichaelKorb,P.E.,EnvironmentalProgramManagerforDEPsBureau
ofAbandonedMineReclamationinWilkesBarre,isthewinnerofthe
IMCCs2016PublicOutreachAward.Thetextoftheaward
descriptionfollows
Korbhasenjoyedadistinguished50yearlongcareerworkingin
theminingandminereclamationfieldandhasbeencommittedtopublic
outreachandeducationonawiderangeofminingandreclamation
issues.
Hehasbeendedicatedandinvolvedmemberoforganizations
suchasthe
SocietyofMineEngineers
thathavefocusedsignificanteffortstowardeducatingthe
publicandyouthabouthowourliveshavebeenenrichedduetothemanycommoditiesand
productsthatrequiredminedresources.
Korbhasalwaysstrivedtoconductminingandminereclamationworkinthemost
technicallyandscientificallysoundmannerthatminimizesminingsimpactontheenvironment
andrestoresminedsitestoashighauseaspossiblefollowingreclamation.
Heispassionateaboutsharingwithothersabouthissuccessesandfailuresinorderto
enablethemtolearnfromhisexperiences.
Korbalsohasapassionformininghistoryandhasworkedtopreserveminingslegacy
nearhishomeinPennsylvaniasAnthraciteregion.
AsKorbsretirementapproaches,itisespeciallyappropriatetopresentthisindividual
awardasanacknowledgementofhisdistinguishedlifetimecommitmenttoeducatingthepublic
aboutthebenefitsandnecessityofmininginordertomaintainourwayoflifeandinteaching
othershowmining,whendoneresponsibly,canbecompletedwithminimalimpactstothe
environmentandthelocalcommunity.
AfewofthemanyhighlightsofKorbsaccomplishmentsinmineralseducationinclude:
outreachandtalkswithlocalcommunitiesaboutwhatanewmineorexpansionofanexisting
minewoulddoforthecommunityinvolvementincommunitymeetingsaboutminingprojects
providingtalkstocivicandenvironmentalgroupsandpublicmeetingsauthoringseveral
technicalpapersforvariousentities,includingtheGovernorsEnergyCommission,the
NortheastPennsylvaniaEconomicDevelopmentCouncil,theJuranInstitute,theNational
AssociationofAbandonedMineLandPrograms,andtheSocietyofMineEngineers,among
othersinvolvingresidentslivingnearamineinacollaborativeeffortwithpublicandmine
employeestoconstructaNationalWildlifeFederationCertifiedWildlifeHabitatonareclaimed
minearea,andtoconstructaparkandpicnicareainasubsidenceareaunsuitableforbuilding
homesdonatingoldmapsanddrawingsandobsoleteminingequipmenttouniversities,
museumsandhistoricalsocietiesdonatinglargepiecesofcoalforparksstartingalibraryina
communitycenterengaginginminingandenvironmentalheritagedevelopmentwiththe
DelawareandLehighNationalHeritageCorridor
,the
SusquehannaGreenwayPartnership
,and
numerouslocalandregionalwatershed,historical,andcivicorganizationsorganizinganumber
ofcommunityheritageandenvironmentalconferencesinstructingsessionsoncoalminingand
theenvironmentat
KingsCollege
inWilkesBarreservinginoutreacheffortsthroughSME,
suchasspeakingtocivic,community,heritageandenvironmentalgroupsservingasa
PennsylvaniaAnthraciteSMEOutreachVolunteeratseveralBoyScoutsofAmericaMerit
BadgeCollegesforthegeologyandMininginSocietyMeritBadgeservingasanSME
OutreachVolunteeratthe
AnthraciteHeritageMuseum
andatenvironmental,heritageand
industryconferencesservingasatechnicalinstructorforthefederalOfficeofSurfaceMining
NationalTechnicalTrainingProgramandamyriadofotheroutreachandeducationalendeavors.
Korbcurrentlyworksforthe
DEPsBureauofAbandonedMineReclamation
,wherehe
hasservedforthepasteightyears.Duringthattimehispublicoutreachhasfocusedon
informingpeopleaboutthegoodworkthestates
AbandonedMineLandProgram
doesin
reclaimingAMLsites.
HisspeakingengagementsincludepresentationshighlightingawardwinningAML
projectsandthe
StayOutStayAlive
campaigntoadvisepeopleofthemanyhazards
associatedwithabandonedmines.
Throughhisengagementinoutreachwithlocalcollegesandlocalandnational
studentteacherandenvironmentalconferences,Korbhasshedapositivelightonthe
CommonwealthofPennsylvaniaanditsAMLProgram.
Korbhasreceivedmanyawardsandrecognitionsovertheyears,andmostrecently,in
Mayof2015,hewasnominatedtobeelevatedtotheGradeofDistinguishedMemberofthe
NationalSocietyofMiningEngineers.
RecentStoriesInvolvingMikeKorb:
SchuylkillCountyAbandonedMineReclamationProjectReceivesNationalRecognition
PAProjectWinsTopHonorsFromFederalOfficeOfSurfaceMining
DEPsMineReclamationEffortsFeaturedOnScrantonTVProgram
NationalAbandonedMineReclamationProgramsConferenceInScranton
DEPAwards$9.3MillionContractToExtinguishCarbonCountyMineFire
WorkBeginsToReclaimHazardousAbandonedMineLandInLuzerneCounty
NortheastPAObservesJanuaryAsMiningHistoryMonth
NationalMiningHallOfFameToInduct3NewPARelatedMembers
DEPNorthwestRegionalEmployeesReceiveLegalAidExcellenceAward
SixemployeesfromtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionsNorthwestRegional
SafeDrinkingWaterProgramandOfficeofChief
CounselwerepartofateamhonoredwiththeLegal
AidExcellenceAwardfortheirworktohelp
residentsofHardwoodEstatesMobileHomePark
locatedoutsideofConneautLakeinCrawford
County.
Morethan24peoplewholiveinthepark
wereleftwithoutareliablepublicwatersystemafter
thepropertyownerabandoneditin2012.
TheDEPemployees,withthehelpofLegalAidandseveralotherorganizations,helped
theresidentsformanassociationandsecurefundingtorepairthewatersystem'schlorinator,
obtainnecessarypermitting,hireaproperlytrainedcertifiedwateroperator,andultimatelytake
ownershipofthemobilehomeparkthroughajudicialsaleinApril2015.
Thisactionenabledtheresidentstoremainintheirhomes.
"Thisexampleofyourworkwiththegeneralpublicisyetanotherremarkablestoryof
DEPemployeesgoingaboveandbeyondourdaytodayjobsandisaperfectindicationofthe
commitmentanddedicationIseeeverydayamongstyourpeersatDEP,"DEPSecretaryJohn
Quigleysaid."Congratulationsforajobwelldone!"
TheDEPemployeesreceivingtheawardareBradVanderhoof,MattPostlewaite,Melissa
Crow,SeanSinger,John(Jack)CrowandAngelaErde.
(Photo:BradVanderhoof,DEPDrinkingWaterProgramManagerCharlesScalise,
HousingandNeighborhoodDevelopmentServicesofErie,CarlaFalkensteinP.HF.A.,Wendy
Carter,PathStone,RobertDamewoodEsq.,RegionalHousingStaffingServices,Kenneth
Joseph,Esq.,PepperHamilton,LLPandWesleyR.Payne,IV,PresidentEmeritusofthePA
LegalAidNetwork,Inc.)
(Reprintedfromthe
March17DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
March19
RedClayValleyCleanup
.ChesterCounty.
March19
TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.1:003:00p.m.
March19
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
ManureManagementWorkshop
.HosssSteak
andSeaHouse,121CenterAve.inLeesport.10:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
March19
NEW
.
HawkMountainSanctuary
SpringEquinoxCelebration
.BerksCounty.
March20
CameronCountyAnnualRiverAndRoadwayCleanup
.Emporium.
March21
NEW
.
HouseAppropriationsCommittee
meetstoconsider
SenateBill385
(PileggiRDelaware)furtherprovidingforTransitRevitalizationInvestmentDistricts.Room
140MainCapitol.OfftheFloor.
March21
JointConservationCommitteehearingon
CollapseofPennsylvaniasElectronic
WasteRecyclingProgram
.Room8EAEastWing.9:00. ClickHere
thedayofthehearingfor
alinktothelivewebcastofthehearing.
March21
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
hearingonincentivizinguseofnaturalgas
.
Room418MainCapitolBuilding.10:00.
March22
NEW
.
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
isscheduledto
consider
SenateBill1114
(YawRLycoming)allowingtheuseofalternativeonlotseptic
systemsonthesewagefacilityplanningprocess(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1041
(SchwankDBerks)amendingAct101toauthorizecountiesandlocalgovernmentstochargea
recyclingfee(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateBill1145
(YawRLycoming)amendingtheOiland
GasConservationLawtoexemptdrillingcompaniesthatpassthroughtheOnondagaformation
withoutproducingitfroma$5,000permitfee(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill1712
(R.BrownRMonroe)establishingaPrivateDamFinancialAssuranceProgram(
HouseFiscal
Note
andsummary).Room8EBEastWing.9:30.
ClickHere
foralinktowatchthemeeting
live.
March22
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:30.
DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSource
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177832941,
jdiehl@pa.gov
.
FactSheetDCNRBureauofForestryLeasedCampSites
ChesapeakeBayDataSharingAgreement
DraftNationalScienceFoundation350GuidanceDocument
StatusofProposedChangestoChapters71a,72aand73aofSewageRegulations
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
March22
AgendaPosted
.
DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room
206,DEPBureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:
AarenAlger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,
7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.
PreDraftLabReportingForTotalColiform,E.ColiInPublicWaterSystems
PreDraftCryptosporidia,E.ColiandTurbidityLabReportingInstructions
Discussion:TargetQuantitationLimits
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March22
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminar
.WilkesBarre.
March22
LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.
March23
NEW
.
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meets,butthe
agendaisnotyetavailable.DEPsChapter78drillingregulationsmaybediscussed.Room
B31MainCapitol.9:30.
March23
AgendaPosted
.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,
286IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMine
Safety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,
NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
StatusOfProximityDetectionSystemsProposedRegulation
EMTIndustrial
PerformanceBasedCableSafetyRequirements
BureauofMineSafetyDirectorPosition
NewRegulationsBook
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
March23
AgendaPosted
.
DCNRConservationandNaturalResourcesAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DCNRContact:GretchenLeslieat
7177729084orsendemailto:
gleslie@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
DCNRReportDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
PACommitmentToChesapeakeBayProgramDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley,MattKeefer,
AssistantStateForester
PAExplorerConservationToolPANaturalDiversityInventory
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
March24
AgendaPosted
.
DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
FeeIncreasePackagesForNPDES(Chapter92a
application
,
annual
fees)andWaterQuality
Management(
Chapter91
)permits.
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandardsOverview
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandardsChlorideMethodology
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandardsChapter93Annex
ProposedUpdatesToWaterQualityToxicsManagementStrategyPolicy
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
March24
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantSeminar
.Harrisburg.
March25
HawkMountainSanctuaryKestrelWebcamEducatorsWorkshop
.BerksCounty.
March25
TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.6:308:30p.m.
March26
NEW
.
LittlePaintCreekCleanup
.CambriaCounty.
March28
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,SusquehannaRoom,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
March29
ElkCountyStreamProtection,WaterQualityWorkshop
.
ElkCountyVisitor
Center
,Benezette.9:00a.m.to3:30p.m.
March29
NEW
.
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
LandownersConservation
ReserveEnhancementProgramWorkshop
.Greensburg.
March29,30,31
NEW
.
PennStateExtensionCommunityForestryShortCourse
.InPerson,
Online.
March30
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOiland
GasManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
March30
PartnershipForTheDelawareEstuary
Green$avesGreenStormwaterManagement
Workshop
.Phoenixville,ChesterCounty.
March30
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop
.BrandywineRedClayAlliance,WestChester.
March31
[AgendaNotPosted]
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGas
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.
March31
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
RegionalWatershedWorkshop
.Mechanicsburg.
March31
GreenStormwaterInfrastructurePartnersAwardsProgram
.Philadelphia.
March31April1
GreenBuildingAlliance
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
.Pittsburgh.
April1
NEW
.
HawkMountainSanctuarySpringHawkWatchBegins
.
April2
AllianceForChesapeakeBayProjectCleanStream!
ChesapeakeBayWatershed.
April2
FriendsofFortWashingtonStateParkVolunteerWorkDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April4
SpringBlackHistoryAchievementAwardsBanquetRecognizesRalphElwoodBrock
FirstAfricanAmericanForester
.Coraopolis.
April5
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.
1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableandcommentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
April5
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
April5
NEW
.
DEPPeregrineFalconEducatorsWorkshop
.Harrisburg.
April5
NEW
.
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
LessonsLearnedFromBlackRockForest
.
MontgomeryCounty.
April6
NEW
.
HouseHealthCommittee
holdsaninformationmeetingonLymedisease.
Room205RyanBuilding.10:00.
April6
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
RegionalWatershedWorkshop
.Scranton.
April6
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.
April67:
PABarAssociationEnvironmentalLawForum
.Harrisburg.
April7
HouseGameandFisheriesCommittee
hearingonhuntinglicensefees.Room205
RyanBuilding.10:00.
April7
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.
April7
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,Building500,400
WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)
April8
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.
April8
NEW
.StateMuseumOfPA,GameCommission
WorkingTogetherForWildlifeArt
ExhibitOpens
.Harrisburg.
April9
NEW
.
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
,
PotterCountyConservationDistrict
Illegal
DumpsiteCleanup
.Galeton,PotterCounty.
April11
NEW
.
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
hearingoncleanenergyjobs.Room418
MainCapitol.10:00.
April12
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterPlantOperators
meeting.
10thFloorconferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:CheriSansoni,
BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.
April13
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April14
CANCELED.
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April14
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
RegionalWatershedWorkshop
.KingofPrussia.
April14
CleanWaterCounts:YorkCountyTownHallReceptionOnWaterQualityIssues
.
Wrightsville.
April1415
RegistrationOpen
.
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.Toftrees
ResortandConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
April15
PennStateExtension,
DCNRTreeTendersTraining
.Scranton.
April16
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.Oakdale,
AlleghenyCounty.
April16
NEW
.Clean&GreenHarrisburg,
KeepHarrisburg/DauphinCountyBeautiful4th
AnnualGreatHarrisburgLitterCleanup
.DauphinCounty.
April18
LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.
April19
DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
April21
IndependentRegulatoryReviewCommission
meetstoconsider
finalChapter78
DrillingRegulations
.
333MarketSt.,14thFloor,Harrisburg.9:00a.m.
April22
NEW
.
EarthDay
.
April22
BerksCountyConservationDistrictAnnualTreeSeedlingSale
.
April23
CentreCountyWatershedCleanupDay
.
April23
NEW
.
FrenchCreekCleanupDay
.MontgomeryCounty.
April23
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.\
April27
AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,Bureauof
AirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.
April30
PAResourcesCouncil
PharmaceuticalCollectionEventsInAlleghenyCounty
.4
Locations.10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.
April30
FoodsOfTheDelawareHighlandsDinner
.Hawley,WayneCounty.
May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.
May7
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
NorthParkSwimmingPool.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
May7
NEW
.ManadaConservancys
AnnualSpringNativePlantSale
.DauphinCounty.
May10
WildlifeforEveryone
GovernorTomRidgeWetlandsThruTheCameraLensStudent
Program
.CentreCounty.
May1012
PAAmericanWaterWorksAssociationAnnualConferenc
e.BethlehemSands
HotelandCasino,Bethlehem.
May11
PAParks&ForestsFoundation2016AwardsBanquet
.CampHill,Cumberland
County.
May1113
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.
May1315
PAOutdoorWritersAssociation
SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.
May1315
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournSayertoSugarRun
.
May14
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.FrazerTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
May14
FoundationforSustainableForests
LovingTheLandThroughWorkingForests
.
Corry,ErieCounty.
May17
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.
May19
NEW
.
FriendsOfTheWissahickon
Lessons
BenefitsOfPark,GardenEcosystems
.
MontgomeryCounty.
May21
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.CambriaCounty,
ConcurrentTechnologiesCorp.ETFFacility,Johnstown.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
June35
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.
June7
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupandBrownfields,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)42TANKS)
withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)
June1217
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournLaceyvilletoShickshinny
.
June1719
SusquehannaGreenway
:
SusquehannaRiverSojournShickshinnyToSunbury
.
June18
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
AlleghenyCountyReuseFest.Mt.Lebanon.
June1825
NEW
.
DelawareRiverSojourn
.
June25
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.LTBA,Allegheny
County.
July9
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.WashingtonCounty,
WashingtonCountyFairgrounds.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August13
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.AlleghenyCounty,
BoyceParkFourSeasonsSkiLodgeparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
August20
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.WestMifflin,
AlleghenyCounty.
September17
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.
September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
October1
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncil
HardToRecycleCollectionEvent
.Robinson
Township,AlleghenyCounty.
October7
DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.
October8
PAResourcesCouncil
HouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent
.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
October2628
PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
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.
March21
WestBranchSusquehannaRiverOrangeRockAwards
March21
PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March21
PAEPKarlMason,WalterLyonAwards
March24
ChampionOfPAWildsAward
s
March25
MidAtlanticPanelOnAquaticInvasiveSpeciesGrantProposals
March25
GameCommissionSeedlingsForSchoolsProgram
March27
NEW
.
EPAToxicsReleaseInventoryUniversityChallenge
March30
DelawareHighlandsConservancyCollegeScholarships
March30
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest
March31
DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
March31
DelawareWaterResourcesAssn.CollegeScholarship
March31
SchuylkillActionNetworkScholasticDrinkingWaterAwards
March31
USDAFarmConservationPracticesFundingForPA
April1
PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
April1
CFAAlternativeAndCleanEnergyGrants
April1
NortheastPAAudubonEnvironmentalEdScholarship
April1
NEW
.
WildlifeLeadershipAcademyFieldSchools
April8
EPAEnvironmentalEducationGrants
April13
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April15
USDABedford,BlairFarmConservationPracticesFunding
April15
RecyclingPartnershipGrants
April25
NEW
.
PECPoconoForest&WatersConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
April26
EPACleanDieselGrants
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30
NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
April30
YorkLancasterCountiesHabitatImprovementGrants
May
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3
EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May16
EPAPresidentialEnvironmentalEducationInnovationAward
May31
$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June3
GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30
CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30
CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30
EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
July
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
July8
NEW
.
ARIPPAAbandonedMineReclamationGrants
September
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
September
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants
Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNR
ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Air
PAShowsEPATheWayOnPendingMethanePolicy
PA,10OtherStatesFailToSubmitSulfurDioxideReductionPlans
MildWinter,WarmUpCouldTriggerEarlyAllergySeason
Alternative/RenewableEnergy
ElectricCarChargingStationOnTapForYork
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
Awards/Recognition
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
Beautification
DonoraToReceivePennStateCommunityGarden
Budget
McNickle:PhoneCallTelegraphsWolfsRealIntentOnShaleGas?
Swift:WorseningBudgetMessAwaitingLawmakers
Editorial:BetterLeadersWouldEndTheBudgetImpasse
AuditorGeneralToExamineAct13ImpactFeeSpending
PCN:PASupremeCourtArgumentsOnAct13,Oil&GasLeaseFund
PLS:SpeakerTurzaiImploresGov.WolfToSignBudget
WolfThreatensVetoOfRepublicanBudget
Sen.Yudichak(D)RipsWolf,LegislatureOverBudgetImpasse
Thompson:GOPPondersVetoOverride,WithGrowingDemSupport
BudgetImpasseConcernsPennStateExtensionDirector
PennStateExtension,4HProgramsHangInBalance
PennStatesAgriculturalExtensionDollarsAffectYourTable
LancasterPennStateExtensionOfficeFacesClosure
ChesapeakeBay
Study:ChesapeakeBayThreatenedByNutrientsFlowingPastConowingoDay
OpEd:LetsHealTheSickSusquehannaRiver
Editorial:CourtRightToUpholdChesapeakeBayPollutionDiet
Climate
PLS:PACleanPowerClimatePlanPutOnLowBoil
PAShowsEPATheWayOnPendingMethanePolicy
AlleghenyFront:KasichOnClimateChange,Environment
Editorial:UNClimateFund,MoreQuackery
Editorial:NewSeaLevelRiseCallsForAction
ComplianceAction
ElectricSupplierAccusedOfJackingPricesOrderToRefund$6.8M
ElectricCustomersToGetRefundsUnderSettlement
DeepMineSafety
DeepMineSafetyTrainingDrillAtLackawannaMineTour
DrinkingWater
BerksRoadsideWaterVendorClaimsVindicationAfterLatestTests
UtilitiesDontKnowWhereLeadPipesAre
PATopsNationInDaycares,SchoolsWithLeadInWaterSuppliesTheyOwn
2YorkCountySitesFlaggedWithLeadInWater
PittsburghWaterAuthorityBillsCustomer$5Million
EconomicDevelopment
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
WarmWeatherCouldSapErieMapleProduction
AdvocatesPushForPhiladelphiaLowIncomeHousingImpactFee
MarcellusDownturnCausesBakerHughesToClose$40MFacility
Education
367StudentsCompeteInLancasterScience&EngineeringFair
EnergyPolicy
JessupGasFiredPowerPlantGetsFinalStatePermitInLackawanna
ElizabethTwpGasFiredPowerPlantLeadsToZoningDebate
NaturalGasToSurpassCoalInElectricGeneration
CarnegieMellonsInstituteGainsExposureWithEnergyWeek
ElectricSupplierAccusedOfJackingPricesOrderToRefund$6.8M
ElectricCustomersToGetRefundsUnderSettlement
WestPennMarks100YearsOfElectricService
GrantsWonByPittsburghProjectsOnEnergy,Music,Art
FederalFundsToAidLayoffHitAppalachianCoalCommunities
U.S.CoalTechnologiesCouldFindMarketInChina
PeabodyEnergyWarnsOfPossibleBankruptcy
EnergyEfficiency
PUCApproves$475MPECOPlanForSavingEnergy
FirstEnergySmartMetersComeToErie
EnvironmentalHeritage
HistoricalMarkerSetForLuzerneMiningGroup
AnthraciteHeritageMuseumCelebratesStateCharterDay
LackawannaCoalMineNominatedForUSATodaysContest
SurvivorsOf1936FloodRememberRiversRampage
PushToPreserveSurvivorStoriesFrom1936JohnstownFlood
Flooding
FloodProneEdwardsvilleBusinessReceivesAssessmentReduction
SurvivorsOf1936FloodRememberRiversRampage
PushToPreserveSurvivorStoriesFrom1936JohnstownFlood
Forests
RainHasSquelchedDauphinCountyWildfire
Frost,RainCouldHelpExtinguishMountainFire
Luzerne,DCNRDetailPlansForGypsyMothSpraying
TreePhillyOfferingSaplings,FamousPlanter
WarmWeatherCouldSapErieMapleProduction
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
GreenInfrastructure
ProposalMeansBigImprovementsToPhillyPark,WaterQuality
Litter/IllegalDumpCleanup
EriesSpringCleanupProgramToStartApril10
MineReclamation
DEPToSpend$13.4MToRemoveOldCoalPile
HuberCoalBreakerOwnersHave10DaysToBeginCleanup
Oil&Gas
EffortsUnderWayToFindAbandonedGas,OilWells
MarcellusShaleHealthRegistryStalls
AuditorGeneralToExamineAct13ImpactFeeSpending
McNickle:PhoneCallTelegraphsWolfsRealIntentOnShaleGas?
Editorial:ApparentlyJurorsLikeCleanWater
Editorial:CabotsLossInCourtWarnsDrillingIndustry
GasRoyaltiesBillBackInTheSpotlight
BillWouldProhibitDrillingCompaniesFromTakingRoyaltyDeductions
OpEd:StopOverRegulationOfPANaturalGasIndustry
OfficialsSaluteStartOfSunocoMarcusHookPlant
FERCRejectionOfOregonPipelinePlanAFirst
EnvironmentalGroupsAskFERCForPublicParticipationOffice
Activists:DontStopFightingPipelines
U.S.ToExpandSafetyRulesForNaturalGasPipelines
ExplosiveHistoryPromptsFederalPipelineSafetyProposal
MarcellusDownturnCausesBakerHughesToClose$40MFacility
WashingtonCountyLooksForReboundInGasDrilling
PennVirginiaEnergyReportsAMiserableYea
r
InReversal,ObamaBansAtlanticOceanDrilling
AlleghenyFront:OilTrainsCarryBiggerRisksForPeopleOfColor
StoringCrudeOilInRailCarsNotWidespread
LowFuelPricesEqualsSavingsForWestmorelandSchools
PittsburghGasolinePricesApproach$2/Gallon
LehighValleyGasolinePricesRisesTo$2Again
Permitting
DEPGivesBelatedOKToBridgeRebuildWithoutPermit
Pipelines
OfficialsSaluteStartOfSunocoMarcusHookPlant
FERCRejectionOfOregonPipelinePlanAFirst
EnvironmentalGroupsAskFERCForPublicParticipationOffice
Activists:DontStopFightingPipelines
U.S.ToExpandSafetyRulesForNaturalGasPipelines
ExplosiveHistoryPromptsFederalPipelineSafetyProposal
Recreation
PresqueIsleWinsNationalBestBeachContest
PhiladelphiaChosenToHost2021InternationalParksConference
NewNorthwestLancasterCountyRiverTrailSection,VisitorsCenterOpen
WaterfrontRoadWillFillGapInD<rail
LackawannaHeritageValleyHoldsMeetingOnFellTwpTrail
KennettTownshipGreenwayGetsGreenAwardInChester
CrowdProvidesInputIntoNewSectionOfLackawannaHeritageTrail
LackawannaHeritageTrailToGet14Cameras
GoalReachedToSaveAppalachianTrailHotel
TouristsSpent$1BillionInRoute6CorridorIn2014
SusquehannaRiverPeopleSeeksToSaveIslandRetreat
NationalGeographicEffortToBoostLehighValleyGeotourism
DCNRSecretaryRecognizedForRoleInPreservingEnvironment
Recycling/Waste
KeepPABeautifulLaunchesNewEWasteWebsite
Editorial:AntiKeystoneLandfillGroupsGrowth
Sustainability
TeddysGreatGrandsonBringsEnvironmentalPushToPittsburgh
ChambersburgSeeksSustainableCommunityDesignation
WastewaterTreatment
ValleyForgeSewageSpillCostsGoToCourt
WatershedProtection
Study:ChesapeakeBayThreatenedByNutrientsFlowingPastConowingoDay
OpEd:LetsHealTheSickSusquehannaRiver
Editorial:CourtRightToUpholdChesapeakeBayPollutionDiet
ProposalMeansBigImprovementsToPhillyPark,WaterQuality
MeetMontgomeryCountyWatershedVolunteerGeoffreySelling
DelawareRiverkeeperMarch11RiverwatchVideoReport
TroutUnlimitedReinventingPreciousColdwaterStreams
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
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tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
RealMarchMadnessAwaitsOutdoors
PopularMentoredYouthTroutFishingDaysReturnMarch26,April9
Video:AmphibianCrossingAtDelawareWaterGapSignalsSpring
NorthAlleghenyGradHelpsSolveTullyMonsterEnigma
Schneck:StateHadBiggestBuckKillIn13Years
PittsburghPeregrineFalconLays1stEgg
PittsburghPeregrineFalconFoundDead
HanoverEaglesEggsCouldHatchInComingWeeks
WHYY:RadioTimesProgramOnUrbanBirding
WindPowervsBats:SomeSpeciesMayBetterAbsorbLosses
Other
Lawmakers:MoreOversightOnMunicipalAuthorities
ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDEPBoardOfCoalMineSafety
publishednotice
ofproposedregulationsintheMarch19
PABulletinrelatingtoproximitydetectionsystems.CommentsaredueApril18.
TheDelawareRiverBasinCommissionpublishednoticeoffinalregulationsintheMarch19PA
Bulletinrelatingtothereviewofwaterwithdrawalprojects(
PABulletin,page1417
).
PennsylvaniaBulletinMarch19,2016
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applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
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DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
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ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
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DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
intheMarch19PABulletinextendingby
technicalguidancetheonepoundReidVaporPressurewaivernowinlaw,butduetoexpireon
May1,2016.TheSenateAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommitteeTuesdayreportedout
SenateBill1123
(VogelRBeaver)extendingtheonepoundwaiverandthebillisnowonthe
SenateCalendarforaction.Questionsregardingthisguidanceshouldbedirectedto
AgriculturesBureauofRideandMeasurementStandardsbycalling7177879089.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishednotice
intheMarch19PABulletinof
finaltechnicalguidanceonPermitTransfersforCoalandNoncoalOperators.Questions
regardingthistechnicalguidancedocumentshouldbedirectedtoGregGreenfield,7177873174
orsendemailto:
grgreenfie@pa.gov
.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
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DEPseCommentSystem
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DEPwebpage
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DEPwebpage
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