Pa Environment Digest Nov. 6, 2017

Issue #697 Crisci Associates, Harrisburg, PA Nov.
6, 2017
PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed
Gov. Wolf Signs Bills Implementing $31.9 Billion Budget, With Environmental Riders
Gov. Wolf Monday signed the bills needed to generate or borrow the revenue to fund the $31.9
billion General Fund budget. The bills include--
-- Fiscal Code: House Bill 674 (sponsor withdrew) WITH $300 million in fund transfers,
environmental riders. Click Here for House Fiscal Note and summary.
-- Administrative Code: House Bill 118 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne)-- WITH environmental riders.
Click Here for Senate Fiscal Note and summary.
-- Tax Code: House Bill 542 (Thomas-D- Philadelphia)-- with NO environmental riders. Click
Here for a House Fiscal Note and summary.
Click Here for a summary of environmental riders-- bad and good-- and other provisions.
Will Wolf Borrow Double The Money?
One of the issues Gov. Wolf was coy about this week was whether he would go ahead
with his plan to borrow $1.25 billion by securitizing revenues from the Liquor Control Board
AND the $1.5 billion the Senate and House included in the budget bills securitized by Tobacco
Settlement monies.
Well just have to wait and see.
October Revenues Below 2016
The Independent Fiscal Office Wednesday reported state revenues for October were $59
million below revenues in October 2016, but only $9.6 million below the IFO estimates
year-to-date.
The IFO tax revenues coming in were $27.4 million below estimate so far and nontax
revenues coming in at $17.8 million above estimate.
With legislators relying on stronger than usual revenues to help balance their very shaky
budget house of cards, this was not especially welcome news.
November 7 Election
There are two big statewide issues on the November 7 election ballot-- the races for
statewide appellate courts and a referendum on property taxes.
For the environmental community, the appellate court races are particularly important
because it makes a real difference who sits on those court benches these days.
The property tax referendum is important because it will lay the groundwork for shifting
local taxes away from property tax to personal taxes, at the very least for residential properties.
Whats Next?
Before, during and after the November 7 election the political folks will be busy trying to
find meaning in the results.
Meanwhile, the House and Senate were both supposed to return to voting session on
November 13, but the House decided to bag that week and will not be back until November 20.
Issues hanging fire include a vote that is expected/promised in the House on a natural gas
severance tax wanted by Gov. Wolf, but that is not part of the budget agreement.
Click Here for a list of GOOD environmental bills the Senate and House could work on,
several of which have moved so far.
The House has 12 voting days scheduled in November and December and the Senate has
9, but they both are set to adjourn on December 20 for the year.
With many members wrung out by the 4 month long budget battles, well see how much
stamina they have to settle other issues.
NewsClips:
Editorial: Shale Gas Tax Can Spark Reform
Proposed Allentown Budget Calls For Stormwater Fee
SteelHead Season Comes Amid Uncertainty Over Fish & Boat Commission Cuts
Thompson: Gambling, Deficit Borrowing Are In As PA Closes Book On State Budget
Wolf Signs Some Budget Bills, Slams House GOP Majority
John Baer: Wolf And That Bad, Bad Stranger Things Budget In Harrisburg
AP: Budget Bills Are Ugly But Wolf Has Little Choice But To Sign
PA Budget Standoffs: July 1 Needs To Mean Something Again
Related Stories:
PEC Op-Ed: State Limps Across Budget Finish Line - The Environmental Bottom Line Is No
One Wins
Final Budget Fills Littered With Bad Environmental Riders; A Budget That Failed To Address
ANY Environmental Shortfalls
Analysis: Environmental Riders Never Voted On By The House/Senate Keep Showing Up In
Budget Bills, And Its Getting Worse
[Posted: Nov. 3, 2017]
PEC Op-Ed: State Limps Across Budget Finish Line - The Environmental Bottom Line Is
No One Wins
The PA Environmental Council Thursday posted this after-action

review of how the final FY 2017-18 state revenue and budget
bills ended up in Harrisburg--
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed, and Governor

Wolf has signed, a jumble of legislative measures that construct
an operating budget for the Commonwealth.
As in the past few years and in a way that has become the
unsettling new normal, this budget package was expanded to
include a number of bad environmental riders additions to the
budget bills that have nothing to do with the budget and ride along on a piece of legislation
that must, eventually, pass.
Many of these provisions have no business being in budget legislation. To make matters
worse, these riders represent new legislative language that had not been independently vetted or
voted on.
Instead, they were quietly inserted into the budget bills, forcing all or nothing votes
with little notice or public opportunity to respond.
For a full rundown of the riders, please see this PA Environmental Digest summary.
Some of particular note:
-- Air Pollution Act Transfer: The budget legislation transfers $30.4 million from a settlement
by the Attorney General relating to violations of the Air Pollution Control Act by Volkswagen.
These funds were intended to be used for environmentally beneficial purposes, but are
now being used to balance the states General Fund. While the General Fund supports an array of
environmental programs and resource protection agencies, there was no meaningful increase in
any of those programs this year.
Furthermore, both DEP and DCNR are still held to long term reductions in funding that
have severely impeded their ability to meet their core mission and responsibilities.
-- Manganese Standard: The administrative code legislation contained a provision that
eliminates a requirement that has been in place for 28 years regarding water quality standards for
manganese.
That standard applied water quality protection criteria at the point of discharge of
manganese into a river or stream.
The rider in the budget bill has now changed that standard to apply only when, and
where, water is withdrawn for drinking water. If there is no water supply downstream, the
standard functionally ceases to exist.
This revision also now places the burden of meeting the standard onto the entity
withdrawing the water, instead of the company discharging manganese into the waterway.
This is extraordinarily bad policy, done without any justification, that risks water quality
and imposes cost burdens on the public instead of polluters.
-- Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment: The administrative code bill also included
a rider that artificially extends current operating permits for water treatment facilities providing
wastewater treatment and disposal for conventional oil and gas wells. While questionable on its
own-- again, no rationale was provided-- this may also run counter to federal water quality
regulations.
As bad as these riders are, it could have been even worse.
In July, the Senate hurriedly amended budget legislation to include provisions that would
have stripped DEP of its permitting authority, subjected air quality protections to a
politically-appointed review committee, and fast-tracked permits for the oil and gas industry
even if those applications were deficient.
Thankfully, these riders were not included in what ultimately became the final budget
legislation, but they had been tacitly agreed to by the Governor as a trade-off for enacting a
severance tax on natural gas.
In addition, this years budget package includes a requirement that the Governor identify
$300 million in special fund revenues to divert to the General Fund. Whether that will include
taking money from environmental, conservation, and/or recreation programs remains to be seen.
It goes without saying that the use of a self-inflicted budget crisis to hide and enact bad
environmental provisions without rationale, without deliberation, and without public
opportunity to comment is flatly bad policy and practice.
The fact that it has become routine and acquiesced to evidences a lack of genuine
governance and representative responsibility.
There is ample opportunity to have open and honest dialogue on these issues; the fact that
elected leadership is actively evading that dialogue speaks volumes. Pennsylvania its people,
communities, and environment deserve better than the current state of affairs.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PECs Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
updates from PEC.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
Gov. Wolf Signs Bills Implementing $31.9 Billion Budget, With Environmental Riders
Final Budget Fills Littered With Bad Environmental Riders; A Budget That Failed To Address
Analysis: Environmental Riders Never Voted On By The House/Senate Keep Showing Up In
Budget Bills, And Its Getting Worse
Senate Environmental Committee Holds Hearing On Lead Exposure In Northeast PA
The Senate Environmental Resources and

Energy Committee Tuesday held a hearing
on lead exposure and mitigation in Pittston,
Luzerne County to hear a regional
perspective on lead policy in Northeast
Pennsylvania.
Click Here to watch a video of the
hearing. Click Here for copies of written
testimony.
Lead exposure can lead to
long-term health consequences, especially
for children and older adults. In Northeastern Pennsylvania, efforts to mitigate lead exposure like
the city of Wilkes-Barre doing biannual testing of its public water system and Pittston leading
county-wide efforts to address aging infrastructure through a new municipal land bank authority
are laudable, said Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate
Environmental Committee.
However, we can do more and we should do more. Todays committee hearing, along
with the work of the Lead Task Force and Advisory Committee will help us establish policies to
protect children and vulnerable populations from lead poisoning, Sen. Yudichak added.
Dr. Loren Robinson, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,
Department of Health, said Pennsylvania is third in the nation for having the most housing units
built before 1950, when lead-based paint was most prevalent.
As these houses get older and the condition deteriorates or normal renovation occurs to
replace windows, scrape and repaint porches, or any other work that affects the condition of the
paint, there is a chance that lead-based paint dust can be spread to floors, yards, or windowsills,
where it becomes easy for children to be exposed, she explained
If you buy or rent a house built before 1978, federal law requires the seller or landlord to
disclose any records of the presence of lead-based paint, to help you make your decision about
whether this is the right home for you and your family, she said. Lead-based paint isnt
hazardous if its maintained in good condition, and there are also state and federal requirements
for contractors to be trained and certified and follow work practices designed to reduce the
amount of hazardous lead dust that is created as a result of renovation work. If your home is
built before 1978 and youre hiring a contractor to work in it, you should ask the contractor to
show you the contractors lead certification.
Lisa Daniels, Acting DEP Deputy Secretary for Water Programs, said lead enters
drinking water mainly from corrosion of lead containing plumbing materials, including lead
service lines, faucets and fixtures with leaded brass, and pipes with lead solder.
She noted lead was widely used in plumbing materials through the 1950s, and its use
continued until 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, prohibiting the use
of pipes and solder that are not "lead free."
Daniels said 3,031 water systems in Pennsylvania must comply with federal lead and
copper rule requirements that sets standards for lead in drinking water.
Ninety-six percent of those systems are now in compliance and 112 are not. Of those 112
systems, 58 are schools and child care facilities and 54 are community water supplies.
She said the federal government is now in the process of updating its lead and copper rule
that could require replacement of lead service lines and consider the potential role for point of
use water filters.
Daniels recommended communities considering water line replace take advantage of a
recently released toolkit from the Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative
Jennifer Berrier, Director, Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety, Department of
Labor and Industry, provided the Committee with an overview of its program to certify
contractors involved in lead-based paint cleanup and disposal.
Henry Radulski, Health Director, City of Wilkes-Barre, said in May of 2016 the city of
Wilkes-Barre became proactive in the fight against childhood lead poisoning. The health
department and its team of inspectors assumed the responsibilities for inspecting all rental units
in the city.
"Prior to the health department doing the rental inspections approximately 300 units were
inspected each year. Since the health department became the lead agency over 2,000 inspections
will be conducted this year," said Radulski.
In early September of this year, the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department was awarded
a 2 year Lead Hazard Control Grant from HUD through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The most important aspect of this grant is that there is now funding for abatement of lead hazards
in housing units," said Radulski. When there is a child under 6 with an elevated blood level the
city now has funding available for mitigation of the lead hazard.
Additionally, we were able to hire a lead paint risk assessor who with the necessary
equipment can do on site analysis of lead paint. Through the Lead Hazard Control Grant we are
required to provide abatement of risk factors for 19 units, explained Radulski. Although it
may not seem like a lot, if we can prevent childhood lead poisoning in the children in these units
we will have accomplished our goal of creating a healthier Wilkes-Barre. It will take much more
work and many more resources for public health to continue its fight to prevent childhood lead
poisoning.
Dr. Aimee Johnson, Pediatrician, said because Pennsylvania does not have a universal
screening mandate, the data on the prevalence of elevated lead levels in young children is
limited. According to the Department of Healths 2015 Childhood Lead Surveillance Report,
only 28 percent of children less than 23 months of age had been tested for blood lead levels.
The first things (parents should do) is to speak to your childs physician and advocate
for your child to be screened prior to age 2, Dr. Johnson said. All children in the state are at
risk even if they do not live in a home built prior to the 1950s.
A major source of lead exposure is from dust in the environment, Dr. Johnson
explained. Children often spend several hours a day away from their homes at schools,
churches, parks, playgrounds and homes that may have lead dust.
If your childs blood lead level is found to be elevated, your childs doctor and the
Health Department will assist you in resources to find the source of exposure and eliminate it,
said Dr. Johnson, Additionally, as citizens we can work to have clean green spaces for children
to play near our homes.
Cherie Gudz, Vice President, Environment, Health and Safety, SGS, provided an
overview of lead testing programs on the federal, state and local levels.
David R. Kaufman, Vice President, Engineering, Pennsylvania American Water, said his
company has proposed a program to the Public Utility Commission to identify and replace lead
service pipes where they are encountered during replacement projects.
In addition, Kaufman said the company will remove and replace lead service pipes when
requested to do so by a customer following program guidelines it adopted.
Allowing the company to replace lead service pipes under the program it proposed to the
Public Utility Commission, Kaufman said, spreads the costs across its entire customer base and
represents a reasonable solution to this problem.
Click Here to watch a video of the hearing. Click Here for copies of written testimony.
In June, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 33 sponsored by Sen
Yudichak creating a bipartisan task force to investigate the scope of Pennsylvanias lead
exposure problem.
The resolution establishes a Task Force on lead exposure comprised of the chairs of the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Health and Human Services
Committee and two members appointed by the Senate President pro tempore and the Minority
Leader.
The Joint State Government Commission is also directed to establish an Advisory
Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of Pennsylvania law and public policy related to
lead exposure and abatement practices and then submit a report to the Task Force and full Senate
within 18-months.
The report must assess the age of housing and infrastructure, lead exposure threats, and
identify the prevalence of lead in structures where children spend significant time.
The Joint State Government Commission Senate Resolution Project Manager is Yvonne
Hursh, Counsel, 717-787-1906 or send email to: yhursh@legis.state.pa.us.
For more background on the lead issue, visit DEPs Lead In Drinking Water webpage
and the Department of Healths Lead Poisoning webpage.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov. Sen. John Yudichak
(D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to:
yudichak@pasenate.com.
(Photo: Sen. Yaw, Sen. Yudichak, Joanne Manganello, Democratic Committee Executive
Director.)
NewsClips:
Senate Hearing Focuses On Concern For Lead Exposure
Perfect Storm Heightens Risk For Childhood Lead Poisoning In NE Region
Senate Committee Hosts Public Hearing On Lead Exposure
Lancaster To Hold Public Hearing On Tougher Lead Ordinance
Sen. Fontana, Others Appointed To Task Force Studying Lead Exposure
Related Stories:
Senate Task Force, Lead Exposure Advisory Committee Members Released
Pittsburgh's Women For A Healthy Environment Awarded EPA Grant For Lead Exposure
Education
DEP To Hold Public Meeting Nov. 16 On Remediation Of Former Lead Smelter Site In
Philadelphia
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Senate Task Force, Lead Exposure Advisory Committee Members Named
The Joint State Government Commission Monday released the names of individuals serving on
the Senate Task Force On Lead Exposure and the Lead Exposure Advisory Committee created
pursuant to Senate Resolution 33 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne).
The members of the Senate Task Force are Senators Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), John
Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Judith Schwank (D-Berks), Thomas McGarrigle
(R-Delaware) and Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny).
The members of the Advisory Committee include: Phyllis Chamberlain, Housing
Alliance of PA; Robert Christian, P.E., West View Water Authority; Joseph Cocciardi, Ph.D.,
Cocciardi and Associates, Inc.; Christopher Crockett, Ph.D., Aqua America; Suzanne Dell,
School Director, West Perry School District; Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, Director Allegheny
County Health Department; David Masur, PennEnvironment; Christopher Norris, Borough of
Doylestown, Director of Water; Kevin C. Osterhoudt, MD, MS, Medical Director, The Poison
Control Center, The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia; Karen Beck Pooley, Ph.D., School
Director, Bethlehem Area School District Education center; and Jerry Vockley, MD, Ph.D.,
University of Pittsburgh Cleveland Family Professor of Pediatric Research.
State Agency representatives on the Committee include: Dr. Rachel Levine, Acting
Secretary, Department of Health; Patrick McDonnell, Secretary, Department of Environmental
Protection; Gladys Brown, Chairman, Public Utility Commission; W. Gerard Oleksiak, Acting
Secretary, Department of Labor and Industry; and Brian A. Hudson, Sr., PA Housing Finance
Agency
The Joint State Government Commission Senate Resolution Project Manager is Yvonne
Hursh, Counsel, 717-787-1906 or send email to: yhursh@legis.state.pa.us.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
Education
Philadelphia
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2018 Governor's Awards For Environmental
Excellence
The Wolf Administration invites all

Pennsylvanians who have recently worked
on successful environmental projects to
apply for the states top environmental
recognition: the 2018 Governors Awards
for Environmental Excellence, honoring
individuals and organizations whose dedicated efforts have improved air, land, and water quality
in Pennsylvania.
The deadline for nominations is January 1.
The Commonwealth would be a different place if not for the great work of many
Pennsylvanians who tackle the full range of environmental challenges, from local creek cleanups
to citywide sustainability, said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick
McDonnell. Its a pleasure to shine a light on their work with the Governors Awards for
Environmental Excellence.
DEP oversees the application and award selection process. Projects are evaluated on the
basis of seven criteria: degree of environmental protection, climate change, sustainability,
partnership, economic impact, innovation, and environmental education and outreach. A project
doesnt have to meet all criteria to merit an award.
The award is open to all individuals, whether a project leader or participant, and to all
schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, farms, and government agencies. Past winners may
submit applications for new projects, but projects that have previously received a Governors
Award for Environmental Excellence are not eligible.
Eligible projects must have been completed before November 1, 2017. Submission
guidelines may be found at the application page.
Last year, 21 organizations received awards. Their projects collectively saved 8 million
kWh/year; reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 14,608 metric tons; captured 3.2 million
gallons of stormwater runoff; saved over $105 million in operation, maintenance, and energy use
expenses; conserved 3 million gallons of water; engaged 8,500 students in environmental issues;
recycled 68,000 plastic bags; properly disposed of 5,287 tires; and treated 450.5 million gallons
of stream water that had been laced with acid mine drainage.
The Governors Awards for Environmental Excellence have been presented since 1996.
Click Here to apply.
For more information, visit the Governors Award For Environmental Excellence
webpage.
NewsClips:
Governors Environmental Award Applications Sought
Loyalhanna Weather Observers Honored For Service
Chester County Farmer Of The Year Wants Water Clean
Brandywine Red Clay Conservation Alliance Recognizes Contributors
Outdoor Corps Honored For Improvements At Seven Tubs Nature Area
PA Outdoor Corps Fixes Up Seven Tubs Nature Area
PA Parks, Forests Group Seeks Nominees For Awards
Foundation Seeks Nominees For State Park & Forest Work Awards
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Accepting Nominations For 2018 Awards
The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Tuesday announced it is now

accepting nominations for its 2018 Awards which recognize exemplary
work being done in parks and forests by both staff and volunteers to
improve Pennsylvanias quality of life and protect our natural resources.
The deadline for nominations is December 18.
Nominations are being accepted for the State Park of the Year, State
Forest of the Year, Volunteerism Awards-- Volunteerism, Improvement,
Education Awards, Young Volunteer of the Year.
The Foundation also selects award winners for the Cliff Jones Keystone
Legacy Award, Joseph Ibberson Government Award and the Presidents
Award.
Award winners will be announced in January and honored at the PPFFs
awards banquet in May.
Nominations can be sent to the PPFF office at 1845 Market Street, Suite
202, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or emailed to mmowery-ppff@pa.net. Click Here for more
information on the Awards Program.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Parks &
Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation,
Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to become a member of the
Foundation.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Bills On Governor's Desk
The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the
Governor's desk for action--
Budget - Tax Code: House Bill 542 (Thomas-D-Philadelphia) budget-related tax and borrowing
provisions to implement the FY 2017-18 budget. A House Fiscal Note and summary is available.
Signed into law as Act 43. Click Here for more.
Budget - Fiscal Code: House Bill 674 (Bernstine-R- Beaver) amending the Fiscal Code to
implement the FY 2017-18 General Fund budget. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary is
available. Signed into law as Act 44. Click Here for more.
Budget - Administrative Code: House Bill 118 (Kaufer-R-Luzerne) amends the Administrative
Code with the Senate-passed budget revenue package-- WITH a series of environmental riders.
One provision removes the sunset date for the $2/ton Recycling Fee. A House Fiscal Note and
summary is available. Signed into law as Act 40. Click Here for more.
Noxious Weeds: House Bill 790 (Pashinski-D-Luzerne) repeal the Noxious Weed Control Law
and replace with the Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act. A House Fiscal Note and
summary is available. Signed into law as Act 46.
Utility Line Safety: Senate Bill 242 (Baker-R- Luzerne) adding unconventional and larger
conventional natural gas gathering lines to the PA One Call utility safety program. House Fiscal
Note and summary. Signed into law as Act 50.
Performance-Based Budgeting: Senate Bill 181 (Mensch-R-Montgomery) providing for a

performance-based budgeting (exempting appropriations to the General Assembly and the
Judiciary) and creating a Performance-Based Budget Board. A House Fiscal Note and summary
is available. Signed into law as Act 48.
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule [Updated]/Govs Schedule/ Bills
Introduced
Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees
scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (Nov. 20): House Bill 1401 (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends the Tax Code to
impose a sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on
natural gas production was amended to divert all revenues to the General Fund and NO money
for environmental programs and add provisions related to minimum landowner oil and gas
royalties; House Resolution 284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agencys MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (sponsor
summary). <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (Nov. 13): Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna) would authorize local governments to
create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water
conservation projects by commercial and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs;
Senate Bill 792 (Alloway-R-Franklin) requiring law fertilizer applicators to be certified in
application techniques and creates an education program. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill
Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Bills Pending In Key Committees
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced last week--
Pipeline Siting: Senate Bill 928 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires pipeline companies to apply to
the Public Utility Commission for authorization regarding the siting or placement pipelines to
be constructed under safety and environmental standards. It also requires consultation with
Department of Environmental Protection , the countys local governing body, and the local
emergency management organization coordinators in evaluating each standard (sponsor
summary).
Local Pipeline Emergency Fund: Senate Bill 929 (Dinniman-D-Chester) allows local
municipalities to levy a fee on pipelines to fund increased emergency response services and
related expenses, such as training, equipment, and planning (sponsor summary).
Pipeline Emergency Notification: Senate Bill 930 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires pipeline

companies to meet with county emergency coordinators to identify and share vital information
regarding a potential pipeline emergency. Currently, the PUC is prevented from disclosing this
information due to security concerns (sponsor summary).
Pipeline Shutoff Valves: Senate Bill 931 (Dinniman-D-Chester) incorporating automatic or

remote shutoff valves on pipelines in high consequence areas throughout Pennsylvania (sponsor
summary).
Session Schedule [Updated]
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
November 13, 14, 15
December 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
House [Updated]
November 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22,
December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20
Governors Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolfs Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
The Feds
AG Shapiro, DEP Request A Public Hearing On Proposed Repeal Of EPA Clean Power
Climate Plan
Attorney General Josh Shapiro and DEP Secretary

Patrick McDonnell Tuesday formally wrote to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to request a
public hearing on the proposed repeal of EPAs
Clean Power Climate Plan. The text of the letter
follows--
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office
of Attorney General and Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP), hereby request a public hearing on EPAs proposed repeal of
the Clean Power Plan, 82 Fed. Reg. 48,035 (Oct. 16, 2017).
As a major energy producer whose air quality and environment is significantly impacted
by activities outside our borders, Pennsylvania has unique concerns and is heavily impacted by
the Clean Power Plan and federal environmental and energy regulations.
Because of the importance of both energy production and climate change to the
economy of Pennsylvania and the health of 12 million Pennsylvanians, we request that EPA hold
a public hearing it its region 3 headquarters.
We believe you should have the benefit of hearing first hand from our residents both the
importance of energy production to our state and the harms we are experiencing from climate
change.
Pennsylvania has been dedicated to responsible energy production for generations. Our
communities have been built and sustained by natural resource extraction while also suffering
first-hand the consequences of pollution and inadequate regulation.
We know the potential for harm and prosperity. For these reasons we seek a hearing on
the EPAs proposed actions here in our Commonwealth.
A copy of the letter is available online-- page 1 and page 2.
NewsClips:
EPA To Hold Hearing On Climate Plan Repeal In West Virginia
EPA Plans Coal-Country (WV) Hearing On EPA Clean Power Plan Repeal
Op-Ed: The Clean Power Plan Is Irrelevant
Effects Rising Sea Levels Could Have On Philadelphia Area Homes
World Wine Production Just Hit A 56-Year Low
New Federal Report Says Climate Is Warming And Humans Are The Cause
Trump Administration Issues Report Saying Climate Change Is Real
Carbon Dioxide At Record Levels In Atmosphere Meteorological Group Says
Earths Ozone Hole Shrivels To Smallest Since 1988
Related Stories:
PA Attorney General, 13 Others Intervene In Lawsuit Against EPA On Reducing Oil & Gas
Methane Emissions
Federal Court Rejects Efforts To Delay EPA Oil & Gas Methane Control Regulations
Despite Trump Order, DEP Will Continue To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Draft Greenhouse Gas Inventory Showing 3.6M Ton Reduction Goes To DEP Advisory
Committee
AG Shapiro Joins 19 Govt. Leaders Vowing To Support Paris Climate Accord
News From The Capitol
House Republican Policy Committee Hears Testimony On Proposed Delaware Watershed

Drilling Ban
The House Republican Policy Committee Tuesday held a hearing in Waymart, Wayne County to
hear testimony from residents of Northeast Pennsylvania on the proposed Delaware Watershed
drilling ban.
The hearing was hosted by Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne) who sponsored House
Resolution 515 urging DRBC to suspend consideration of a moratorium. The resolution was
adopted by the House October 17 by a party-line vote of 101 to 83 (Republicans supporting).
A resolution adopted by the Delaware River Basin Commission in September calls for
publishing proposed regulations enacting a ban no later than November 30.
In April a U.S. Federal District Court judge threw out a lawsuit by a group of Wayne
County landowners who said the Delaware River Basin Commission lacks the authority to
review and approve natural gas facilities on land owned by the group.
Comments offered at the House hearing included--
Anthony Ventello, Executive Director, Central Bradford Progress Authority, who
outlined the benefits of natural gas development to his region saying the economic development
impacts are prolific, and the industry is helping to develop much-needed local infrastructure,
including public water, sewer, clean power, broadband, natural gas distribution, two new
hospitals and housing improvements.
Thomas Shepstone, Planning Consultant, provided the Committee with an overview of
the authority the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basin Commissions have over water
resources. He said DRBC wants to abscond our mineral rights and regulate anything it wishes.
Vince Phillips, representing the PA Septage Management Association and the PA State
Grange, said both groups oppose the proposed ban as a huge overreach which shows disrespect
to Northeast Pennsylvania and its economy.
Click Here to watch a video of the hearing and for written testimony and letters submitted
to the Committee.
Reaction
Several environmental groups released statements Tuesday in connection with the House
Policy Committee hearing--
Damascus Citizens for Sustainability has tracked and recorded individuals and
communities suffering near drilling and its infrastructure for years with more and more peer
reviewed science to show the damages that fracking and drilling cause to those who are being
impacted. Over and over again the scientific reports show public health suffers greatly near
drilling. The drilling industry fought hard to get their exemptions from our major federal
environmental protection laws laws that every other industry has to follow. They did so to
escape liability for the damages they knew were unavoidable. Now they want more to spread
their industry even further but we wont stand for it, said Barbara Arrindell, Director, and
Damascus Citizens for Sustainability.
Drilling and fracking in our watershed would have devastating health, economic, and
environmental impacts. This blatantly biased hearing is designed to ignore all that, said, Maya
van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.
Evidence of the growing public support for a total ban on fracking include: the
submission of over 65,000 petitions to the DRBC Commissioners in July; hundreds of people
attending the DRBCs public meetings in recent months demanding a permanent and complete
ban; and the publics gearing up for a comment period to commence when the DRBC issues draft
natural gas regulations by November 30.
House Resolution 515 is based not on facts and the law, but is rather an attempt to
divide our communities in Northeast PA, said PennFutures President and CEO Jacquelyn
Bonomo. The Delaware River provides thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic
benefits from river recreation and clean drinking water supplies. PennFuture supports the
DRBCs authority to protect this important water resource in Pennsylvania. This hearing did not
intend to seek input from all constituents, but rather served as a one-sided attempt to favor the
gas industry over the ecological harm its activities would have.
Earlier this month, PennFuture sent a letter to members of the House outlining the
problems with House Resolution 515, including the basic fact that the DRBC is the steward for
the river and has the authority to regulate projects that could impair the water quality of the
Delaware River.
PennFuture supports a ban on natural resource extraction activities in the absence of
strong rules to protect environmental interests, Bonomo said. For too long, Pennsylvanias
environment has come at the expense of industry profits. Now is the time for informed and
scientifically-supported regulations.
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Mifflin) serves as House Republican Policy Committee
Chair.
NewsClips:
Delaware Watershed Drilling Ban Flares Pike/Wayne County Legislators
Pike, Wayne Landowners Sound Off On Possible Delaware Watershed Drilling Ban
Lawmakers Hold Hearing On Pocono Fracking
Kummer: Shad Make Strong Comeback In Delaware River
Delaware RiverKeeper Nov. 3 RiverWatch Video Report
Related Stories:
Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York Approve Resolution To Permanently Ban Fracking In
Delaware River Watershed
Federal Judge Throws Out Wayne County Landowner Challenge To DRBC De-Facto
Moratorium On Drilling
Sen. Bakers Natural Gas Pipeline Safety, PA One Call Bill Signed Into Law
Gov. Tom Wolf Monday signed into law Senate Bill 242
sponsored by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) adding unconventional
and larger conventional natural gas gathering lines to the PA One
Call utility safety program.
There are now an estimated 100,000 miles of unmapped
natural gas pipelines in Pennsylvania vulnerable to hits from
construction and digging equipment.
Sen. Baker noted in a background memo on the bill there
are more than 6,000 incidents of striking utility lines every year,
with approximately half involving natural gas lines because facility
owners do not join the PA One Call program or for other reasons.
Click Here for more.
Public Utility Commission members issued statements on
final passage of the legislation.
There are about 6,000 reported hits on underground facilities across Pennsylvania every
year, which means that a pipeline or other vital utility system is struck once every 20 minutes
during the average workday, noted Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr., who has been a strong
advocate for safety improvements. Our goal from Day One is to cut the number of those
incidents by eliminating exemptions and strengthening enforcement, as part of a focused
program to reduce risks to our contractors, utility workers and residents.
Speaking from my experience in the industry and as a farmer, I am acutely aware of the
potential dangers of underground lines and the dependence workers in the field have in knowing
where hazards lie, PUC Vice Chairman Andrew Place told legislative leaders in a personal plea
for enhancements to the PA One Call program. Strengthening this program will impact both
public safety and public confidence in energy and utility development across Pennsylvania.
We thank Sen. Baker for her prime sponsorship of this important legislation and the
General Assembly for addressing this key safety issue, said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown.
This is a step forward for utility, contractor and consumer safety in Pennsylvania and we will
now turn our attention to implementing these improvements.
Hits on underground utility systems are not only a hazard to workers and bystanders, but
also result in service interruptions, possible environmental damage and costly repairs to damaged
lines which drives up the cost of utility service for everyone, said Commissioner David W.
Sweet. The improvements to the PA One Call law are the result of a collaborative effort by
legislators, contractors, utilities, municipalities and other stakeholders, all with a shared goal of
making Pennsylvania a safer place to live and work.
A House Fiscal Note and summary is available. The bill is now Act 50.
Sen. Scavello's Bill On Solar Energy Credits Becomes Law In Admin Code Bill
Legislation originally drafted as Senate Bill 404 and sponsored by Sen.

Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) to require solar energy credits generated as
part of the states Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to be
purchased only in Pennsylvania became law this week when Gov. Wolf
signed the Administrative Code bill-- House Bill 118 (Kaufer-R-
Luzerne).
Solar energy isnt a niche industry anymore, it is a viable
addition to our diverse energy portfolio, said Sen. Scavello. We have
the best fabrication, engineering, manufacturing and distribution
networks in the country. The solar energy industry and the clean
energy sector in general, offers communities both rural and urban
the opportunity to retool, reposition and modernize our economy to
attract additional 21st century jobs.
The 2004 Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards requires that increasing percentages of
electricity sold in Pennsylvania be generated through alternative energy sources like solar
energy.
Solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) are used to demonstrate compliance with the
Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act through the purchase of these credits from
homeowners and businesses with solar panels.
However, Pennsylvania remains at a competitive disadvantage when compared to our
neighboring states. Pennsylvania currently allows out-of-state systems to sell SRECs in the
Commonwealth.
Act 40 of 2017 essentially closes the borders of the Commonwealth on SREC
purchases, similar to many neighboring states, said Sen. Scavello. Electric distributors will
now have to purchase their credits from within the Commonwealth, protecting
Pennsylvania-based solar credits and putting us in line with many of our neighboring states. In
addition, closing the borders ensures that Pennsylvania ratepayers are supporting jobs,
investment and tax revenue here in Pennsylvania.
A Senate Fiscal Note and summary is available. The bill is now Act 40.
NewsClips:
Philadelphia Issues Call For Hydro Energy Projects
U.S. Trade Body Urges Restrictions On Solar Panel Imports
DOEs Perry: Expanding Use Of Fossil Fuels Will Help Prevent Sexual Assault
Proposed GOP Federal Tax Changes End Electric Vehicle Credit, Overhauls Other Energy Taxes
Related Stories:
PEC Op-Ed: State Limps Across Budget Finish Line-The Environmental Bottom Line is No One
Wins
Final Budget Bills Littered With Bad Environmental Riders; A Budget That Failed To Address
News From Around The State
DEP Outlines New Procedures For Handling PAG-02 Stormwater General Permits,
Revisions Proposed
In order to ensure the continued coverage of existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
(NPDES) permitted activities, the Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced
it is taking a number of steps related to its PAG-02 General Permit for stormwater discharges
associated with construction activities.
The PAG-02 General Permit is required when a construction site larger than one acre
will discharge stormwater to surface water bodies, and is the departments most commonly
applied-for general permit for stormwater discharges associated with construction activities.
On October 21, DEP extended the use of the NPDES General Permit for stormwater
discharges associated with construction activities (PAG-02) for one year, until December 31,
2018. The existing PAG-02 General Permit expires on December 7, 2017.
This extension applies to PAG-02 General Permit authorizations obtained prior to
December 7, 2017. All authorizations obtained prior to December 7, 2017 can be used through
December 31, 2018.
On November 4, DEP will publish notice of its intent to reissue the current PAG-02 for a
five-year term in order to allow the agency time to propose sound revisions to the current
General Permit.
DEPs November 4 notice says, The Department is not proposing any changes to
PAG-02 at this time. (formal notice)
The PAG-02 reissuance process requires: a) publication of proposed reissuance, which
will occur on November 4; b) a 30-day public comment period which begins on November 4; c)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval; d) consideration of public comments, if
any; and e) publication of final PAG-02.
DEP has requested expedited approval from the EPA to reissue the PAG-02 to minimize
any gap between the December 7, 2017 expiration date and reissuance of the PAG-02. DEP
would like to complete this process before December 31, 2017.
After December 7, 2017, and before any PAG-02 final reissuance, applicants who wish to
conduct earthmoving requiring an NPDES permit may apply for an individual permit.
Please contact the relevant DEP Regional Office prior to preparation of an individual
permit application.
Individual permittees who were previously eligible for PAG-02 will be charged the
current PAG-02 review fee until the PAG-02 is reissued.
DEP expects to propose revisions to the PAG-02 some time during the 5-year permit
term; which revisions will include notice and a public participation process.
DEP is taking steps to ensure the continued coverage of existing NPDES permitted
activities while we work to revise the PAG-02 permit, said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
Beginning this Saturday, interested parties may comment on the proposed PAG-02 reissuance.
We encourage the publics input on the reissuance of our existing General Permit.
The proposed PAG-02 is available on DEPs website.
DEP invites public comments on the proposed draft. Interested persons are invited to
submit written comments through December 3, 2017. Commentators are encouraged to use
DEPs online eComment system.
Written comments may be mailed to: ecomment@pa.gov, or mailed to the Department of
Environmental Protection, Policy Office, 400 Market Street, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA,
17105-2063. All comments submitted during the 30-day comment period will be retained and
considered in finalizing the PAG-02.
Related Story:
DEP Outlines New Procedures For Handling PAG-02 Stormwater General Permits Starting In
December
Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Volunteers Contributed Over 2,100 Hours Over Past
Year, Plans For Next Year
Streams across Monroe County are cleaner and healthier

thanks to countless volunteers with Brodhead Chapter Trout
Unlimited who contributed more than 2,100 hours of service
to the mission of this national conservation organization from
October 2016 to September 2017.
With 5 conservation projects protecting, restoring, and
repairing rivers, and over 20 education and outreach programs
and activities to engage community in conservation that were
held from Blakeslee to Delaware Water Gap and from Skytop
to Saylorsburg.
Trout Unlimiteds philosophy is simple and powerful.
If you take care of the water, the fishing will take care of itself, said Todd Burns, President of
the Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited which serves Monroe County. We are a community of
people who care deeply about our local rivers and the trout and other wildlife that need clean,
healthy rivers to survive and were willing to roll up our sleeves to ensure those rivers are in
better shape for our children and grandchildren.
Learn more about the accomplishments of the Chapters volunteers over the last year,
about plans for the next year.
Accomplishments
Here in Monroe County projects and programs that improved rivers, engaged local
communities and educated youth were broad and diverse in their location and impact. They
included:
-- Restored 2,000 feet of the Pocono Creek in Tannersville;
-- Restored 300 feet of the Cherry Creek near Stroudsburg;
-- Monitored the physical and chemical properties of two streams in Monroe County as part of
the Coldwater Conservation Corps Program;
-- Investigated and monitored for potential impacts from a sewage treatment plant in
Snydersville;
-- Participated in to garbage clean-up efforts in Tannersville and Stroudsburg;
-- Improved access to public open space properties in Tannersville;
-- Installed signage promoting the catch and release of wild trout in Tannersville and Paradise
Valley;
-- Provided financial support for Monroe County Conservation District Programs and advocated
to strengthen their environmental program;
-- Provided financial and volunteer support for the Monroe County Youth Field Day;
-- Partnered with the Kunkletown Major Paul Syverson Veterans Sanctuary to help veterans heal
and recover from the trauma of combat through therapeutic fly fishing lessons and 10 fishing
trips;
-- Educated more than 20 students of Pocono Mountain East School District on the importance of
clean water through the Trout In The Classroom (TIC) Program;
-- Provided a womens only fly fishing course in Neola;
-- Taught fly fishing to more than 20 youth campers at the Monroe County Conservation Camp
in Marshalls Creek and sponsored two campers to the camp;
-- Sponsored a local camper at the Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp;
-- Provided a fishing opportunity for more than 80 children with a Fishing Contest held in
conjunction with the Knights of Columbus in Stroudsburg;
-- Provided 10 public meetings on Conservation and Fishing topics in Bartonsville; and
-- Held more than a dozen fly fishing and fly tying classes in Bartonsville, Neola, and
Stroudsburg.
These projects and so many more were thanks to the members and volunteers of the
chapter and the many of supporters who provide the time, talent and resources to make Monroe
Countys rivers healthier.
Plans For Next Year
For 2017 and 2018 the Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited already has a busy schedule
planned. In addition to our usual slate of conservation, educational, and youth activities the
chapter is planning the following large scale projects--
-- Restore 2700 additional linear feet of Cherry Creek in Stroudsburg;
-- Restore 1000 linear feet of the Tobyhanna Creek in Blakeslee and provide signage for catch
and release fishing in cooperation with Tobyhanna Township;
-- Restore an additional 500 linear feet of the Pocono Creek in Tannersville by partnering with
the Brodhead Creek Regional Authority and the Pocono Heritage Land Trust, along signage
promoting catch and release fishing;
-- Monitor and document the impacts of previous years habitat improvements on the Pocono and
Cherry Creeks;
-- Looking into partnering with the Monroe County Conservation District for riparian buffer
restoration;
-- Investigated and monitored for potential impacts from a sewage treatment plant in
Snydersville;
-- Looking to add an additional Trout In the Classroom program with a local school district;
-- Install signage promoting the catch and release of wild trout in Jonas;
-- Preparing to increase the advocacy efforts in Monroe County;
-- Plans on improving and providing additional opportunities for veterans; and
-- Working with the new Master Watershed Stewardship Program.
For more information on programs, projects and upcoming events, visit the Brodhead
Chapter of Trout Unlimited website.
(Photo: Volunteer places a boulder in Pocono Creek in Tannersville.)
Related Stories:
Support Embrace A Stream Challenge, Brodhead Chapter Of TU, Nov. 6 - 12
Fall PA Trout Newsletter Available From PA Council Of Trout Unlimited
[Posted: Oct. 30, 2017]
Support TU Embrace A Stream Challenge, Brodhead Chapter Of TU, Other PA Chapters

Nov. 6 - 12
The Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a local,

volunteer-led nonprofit dedicated to improving and
restoring local rivers and streams in Monroe County, has
been entered in the Embrace A Stream Challenge, a new
online contest sponsored by Orvis and Trout Unlimited.
From November 6-12, the chapter has a chance to win its
share of $50,000 in cash prizes to help fund the Cherry
Creek Habitat Improvement Project, an initiative to
restore Cherry Creek in Stroudsburg.
[Note: Other TU chapters in Pennsylvania have also
been entered in the Embrace A Stream Challenge this
year-- Cumberland Valley, Forks of the Delaware, Mountain Laurel and Seneca. Click Here to
see all the projects.]
In early October, the Brodhead Chapter received an $8,500 grant from the Embrace A
Stream program to support this project, and now has a chance to win additional funds to
complete the work.
To win, the chapter needs the help of its members, volunteers and community residents.
From November 6-12, anyone who visits Embrace At Stream Challenge website and
makes a donation of as little as $10 to support the chapters work will help it unlock prizes
ranging from $250 to $5,000.
The chapter is competing in this contest with more than 40 other Trout Unlimited
chapters from across the country.
Were excited to have the chance to raise even more money to restore and improve
Cherry Creek in the Embrace A Stream Challenge, said Todd Burns, Brodhead Chapter
President. But we need the help of all of our community members to win. If you care about
clean water, and share our love for Cherry Creek, please help our more than 180 local members
and volunteers by donating to this important project.
The Cherry Creek Habitat Improvement Project will provide wild trout with the
necessary rearing habitat, feeding lies, and protection to ensure they can thrive in Cherry Creek.
The Project will place random boulders, a rock deflector, a rock cross-vane, a log cross
vane, a log vane deflector, a brush deflector, and a log-framed stone deflector in the stream to
increase native and wild trout biomass in this pristine coldwater tributary of the Delaware River.
Embrace A Stream is a matching grant program administered by Trout Unlimited that
provides funds to local chapters and councils for coldwater fisheries conservation.
Since its inception in 1975, the grant program has funded more than 1,000 individual
projects for a total of $4.4 million in direct cash grants.
Local chapters and councils contributed an additional $13 million in cash and in-kind
services to EAS funded projects, for a total investment of more than $17 million. The Embrace A
Stream Challenge is a new national online contest sponsored by Orvis and Trout Unlimited to
connect people who care with a chance to support improvements to the rivers and streams in
their communities.
For more information on programs, projects and upcoming events, visit the Brodhead
Chapter of Trout Unlimited website.
(Photo: Cherry Creek after some stream work.)
Related Stories:
Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Volunteers Contributed Over 2,100 Hours Over Past Year,
Plans For Next Year
[Posted: Oct. 30, 2017]
Philly Green City, Clean Waters: 1,000 Greened Acres Keep Nearly 28 Million Gallons Of
Polluted Runoff Out Of Rivers
The Philadelphia Water Departments Green City,

Clean Water Program recently celebrated the
greening of its 1,000th acre. So far, the program has
prevented nearly 28 million gallons of polluted runoff
from entering Philadelphia waterways.
While the Philadelphia Water Department
designed the Green City, Clean Waters program, its
scope has grown far beyond PWD since being
approved by state and federal environmental agencies
in 2011.
As weve seen over the last six years, it takes much more than Water Department crews
and contractors building rain gardens to transform Philadelphias landscape on a scale thats big
enough to have an actual impact on our rivers.
Thats why PWD, Mayor Kenney and our partners across City government wanted the
spotlight on community groups, nonprofits, businesses, organizations and residents as we
celebrated the 1,000th Greened Acre created under Green City, Clean Waters.
The diverse group of people and organizations at the City Hall 1,000 (Green) Thank
Yous celebration was a real tribute to the dedicated coalition thats working to protect
Philadelphias water.
Much more than a number, the 1,000 Greened Acres you helped us build represent a true
transformation of our urban landscape, one thats having a positive impact on our waterways.
Today, green tools can keep nearly 28 million gallons of polluted runoff out of our rivers
during just one inch of rainan amount that can add up to a billion gallons of stormwater and
sewer overflows not going into our waterways annually.
Visit the Philadelphia Water Departments Green City, Clean Water Program webpage to
learn more.
(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Water Department Blog.)

[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Spotlight On Success: Brubaker Run-Lime Spring Square Green Infrastructure Project
The Brubaker Run-Lime Spring Square

development project in East Hempfield Township,
Lancaster County is a 98-acre development site
that includes an 11.5 acre floodplain restoration
project.
LandStudies was brought in by Oak Tree
Development group to design the restoration.
Construction started in September and
represents just one piece of the network of
stormwater best management practices (BMPs) associated with Lime Spring Square, which will
contain a mix of industrial, commercial, retail, office space, and a community park.
When complete, the floodplain restoration project will not only remove legacy sediment
and pollutants but will enhance groundwater recharge and provide many ecological and aesthetic
improvements.
The 8.4-acres of created wetlands and native vegetation, when combined with the
restored and reconnected floodplain, will provide additional water quality benefits.
According to Justin Spangler, LandStudies Project Manager: This is a great
demonstration of how we can incorporate an ecologically productive ecosystem into a developed
watershed.
The Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration is reestablishing important stream and
wetland functions that have been systematically erased from this watershed over the last 300
years. Restoring these functions will help the entire watershed by providing important ecological
and water quality benefits on a large scale.
We are already seeing favorable ecological responses. Significant numbers of
macroinvertebrates like mayflies, caddisflies and scuds have already repopulated the gravel
within 20 days of returning water to the new stream channel, even while the floodplain is under
active construction upstream.
One reason this is important is because macroinvertebrate populations support higher
order organisms in the food web.
The floodplain restoration project was all privately funded by the developer.
Click Here for drone video of the site taken on October 10 when the project was about 50
percent complete.
For more information, visit the LandStudies website or contact Christine Le,
717-726-4440 or send email to: christine@LandStudies.com. LandStudies is certified as a
Womans Business Enterprise (WBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE) based in Lititz, Lancaster County. Follow LandStudies on Twitter,
Like them on Facebook.
Related Stories:
Remarks Of Mark Gutshall At Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Commencement Ceremony
Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Public-Private Project In Lancaster County
Rock Lititz Project Reduces Sediment, Nutrient Runoff Without Taxpayer Money
How To Fund A Riparian Buffer Project On Your Property
Investing In Green Infrastructure Offers Triple Benefits: Reduces Flooding, Nutrient, Sediment
Runoff
(Reprinted from LandStudies November newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
So you want to plant a riparian buffer on your

property, but are wondering how to fund it?
There are several state and federal sources of
funds that you may be eligible for and which
LandStudies details here.
DCNR Buffers Program
The Commonwealth has a goal of planting
95,000 acres of riparian forest buffers statewide
by 2025 to improve waterways in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay.
To help make that goal a reality the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
has a grant program for landowners wishing to install a forested buffer of at least 15 feet wide on
each side of the stream/river.
The landowner signs an agreement of 25 years or more in exchange for receiving funds
and technical assistance for the installation and short-term (3 years) maintenance of the buffer.
Click Here to learn more.
CREP Program
The PA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is available to the
agricultural community within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to lease land around a stream or
river on their property to a conservation organization to plant a riparian buffer.
The lease typically runs from 10 to 15 years and can be renewed. The program provides
cost share to cover 50 to 100 percent of the cost of the buffer installation and maintenance.
DEP Special Projects
The Department of Environmental Protection has special project funds for landowners
within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Federal Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides Conservation Reserve Program funds to the
agricultural community in a similar fashion to the PA CREP program. There are two types of
programs: one that has a designated sign-up period and one that has continuous registration.
Federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The USDA through the Natural Resources Conservation Service also offers funds
through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides financial and
technical assistance to agricultural producers to plan and implement conservation practices on
agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland.
Federal Chesapeake Bay Program
The Chesapeake Bay Program and its partners offers many grant and cost-share programs
for landowners in the Bay watershed (primarily agricultural but not exclusively), including Small
Watershed Grants and Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants.
For more information on federal landowner technical and financial support program, visit
the NRCS Pennsylvania webpage.
Landowners Guide To Incentives
These are just some of the many financial support opportunities that exist for installing
and maintaining riparian buffers.
More information is available in the Landowners Guide To Conservation Buffer
Incentive Programs in Pennsylvania published by the PA State Conservation Commission. The
Guide catalogs major federal, state and private voluntary conservation programs that provide
financial incentives to private landowners for the installation of conservation buffers.
Additional assistance is available from Landstudies, a Lancaster County-based firm
dedicated to finding a better way to restore and protect the environment for a sustainable future.
Related Stories:
Runoff
(Reprinted from LandStudies November newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
PA Sea Grant, Benedictine Sisters Of Erie Host Nov. 6 Walking Tour Of Sevenmile Creek
Restoration Site
PA Sea Grant and the Benedictine Sisters of Erie

are hosting a public tour November 6 to view the
restoration of approximately 500 feet of Sevenmile
Creek starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Glinodo Center
located at 6270 East Lake Road in Harborcreek
Township.
Each year tons of sediment erodes from the banks
of Sevenmile Creek, which flows through Glinodo,
and into Lake Erie.
This erosion and excess sediment is detrimental to
the health of the stream, to macroinvertebrates, fish and other aquatic species, to the stability of
streamside properties, and ultimately to the health of Lake Erie.
The restoration of this stretch of Sevenmile Creek will improve fish habitat and water
quality, and will reduce sedimentation entering the stream by 45.6 tons annually.
The project includes the widening and re-vegetation of an existing forested riparian
buffer which will help to stabilize the banks and provide shade, while also providing vital
habitats for birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
The project also includes monitoring of improvements to determine the pre and
post-construction fish and macroinvertebrate populations, and educational activities to inform the
public of the project and its benefits.
These efforts were made possible by the Department of Environmental Protection's
Growing Greener Program, which awarded $141,891 in 2015 to the project. Growing Greener
remains the largest single investment of state funds in Pennsylvania's history to address
Pennsylvania's critical environmental concerns of the 21st century.
Pennsylvania Sea Grant and the Benedictine Sisters of Erie encourage the community to
participate in the event to learn more about Sevenmile Creek, the project, the positive
improvements they may see because of the work, and to ask questions.
Contact Dave Skellie or Tom Cermak of PA Sea Grant with questions or for additional
details, at 814-217-9011.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the PA
Sea Grant website. Follow them on Twitter. Like them on Facebook.
Green Valleys Watershed Assn. Hosts Dec. 2 Community Water Resources Planning
Workshop In Chester County
Green Valleys Watershed Association will host

a workshop about protecting and preserving
community freshwater resources for up to 50
participants at The Washington at Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Road, Chester
Springs in Chester County on December 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The workshop, titled Planning Strategies and Tools that Preserve and Enhance
Community Freshwater Resources, is designed for Pennsylvania municipality staff, council and
committee members, and consultants and all individuals who are concerned about their
communitys freshwater are welcome to attend.
Participants will hear from 10 representatives of regulatory agencies, planners, designers,
and conservation organizations about techniques, strategies, and resources for preserving and
protecting a communitys water resources.
Presenters will include the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Chester
County Water Resources Authority, Chester County Conservation District, Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, Theurkauf Design & Planning, Natural Lands, PA
Horticultural Society, and Land Ethics, LLC.
The workshop will include panel discussions and Q&A opportunities.
Continuing education credits are available for registered landscape architects through the
American Society of Landscape Architects.
The workshop is sponsored by The William Penn Foundation and Green Valleys
Watershed Association.
The cost of the workshop is $10, with an additional $25 CEU processing fee. Online
registration and workshop details are all available at the workshop webpage and agenda are
forthcoming.
Questions may be directed to Kelsey Stanton by sending email to:
Kelsey@greenvalleys.org or call 610-469-4900.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Green
Valleys Watershed Association website.
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Integrating Stream Restoration Into PAs Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction Plans
Workshop Dec. 11
The Center for Watershed Protection and Ecosystem

Planning and Restoration will host an Integrating Stream
Restoration Into PAs Chesapeake Bay Pollution Reduction
Plans Workshop on December 11 at the Upper Allen
Township Office, 100 Gettysburg Pike in Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland County from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Workshop will provide training to improve
understanding of how to use and apply the Chesapeake Bay Program Stream Restoration
crediting protocols towards TMDL and Pollution Reduction Plan targets, to address FAQs about
how to implement the protocols and how they will be affected by the new Phase 6 Chesapeake
Bay Watershed Model, and to provide guidance on how to rapidly determine suitable candidates
for stream restoration.
The Workshop will be classroom based and include lectures and hands-on exercises.
Participants will also learn about site selection and assessment methods to rapidly
evaluate existing stream conditions, recommend potential stream restoration solutions, and
evaluate the feasibility of potential stream restoration projects for project implementation
prioritization.
The cost of the Workshop is $40 for nonprofit groups and government employees and
$100 for consultants for online registration. The deadline for online registration is December 1.
Click Here to register and for all the details.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other training and education
opportunities, visit the Center for Watershed Protection website.
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
LandStudies November Newsletter Demonstrates Triple Benefits Of Green Infrastructure
The November issue of the green

infrastructure newsletter from LandStudies
is now available featuring stories on--
-- Spotlight On Success: The Brubaker
Run-Lime Spring Square Development
-- How To Fund A Riparian Buffer Project
On Your Property
-- PAs Municipalities Have A Significant
Role To Plan In Stormwater Management
-- Illicit Discharge Detection, Elimination Key Component Of Stormwater Management
-- Click Here to sign up for green infrastructure updates.
Related Stories:
Runoff
12th Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum Nov. 3-5 Shepherdstown, WV
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bays 12th Annual

Chesapeake Watershed Forum takes place Nov. 35,
at the National Conservation Training Center in
Shepherdstown, WV.
In keeping with this years theme, Healthy
Lands, Healthy Waters, Healthy People, the event will
explore how the health of the Chesapeake Bay
watershed affects the communities that live in it.
In conjunction with this theme, the Alliance is
focusing on engaging the health community, as well as the communities who are most directly
affected by environmental health disparities.
This year, the Forum welcomes Sacoby Wilson Ph.D., M.S. as keynote speaker. Wilson
is an associate professor with the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health and
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of
Maryland-College Park.
He has more than 15 years of experience as an environmental health scientist in the areas
of exposure science, environmental justice, environmental health disparities, community-based
participatory research, water quality analysis, air pollution studies, built environment, industrial
animal production, climate change, community resiliency, and sustainability.
He works primarily in partnership with community-based organizations to study and
address environmental justice and health issues as well as transforming research into action.
New to the Forum this year are half-day workshops on Sunday designed to delve deeper
into specific issues surrounding Chesapeake restoration.
Attendees will be able to choose from a variety of options, including: visiting a
stormwater site assessment of the NCTC facility to see what they are doing well and could do
better; joining a privilege walk to help understand how power and privilege affect our lives;
learning about Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) environmental education activities
to help illustrate ones water quality message; diving into habitat issues with the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources Scales and Tales program; touring a local dairy farm to see
how they are lessening their environmental footprint; and exploring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Services museum archives where they store relics and artifacts from their years of service.
Also new this year: Friday night will have plenty of fun options, from storytelling around
the campfire, to stargazing on the lawn, to a networking happy hour and more.
For the fourth year in a row we will be highlighting the Chesapeake Collective, an
intentional effort to create a space for a range of diverse voices and narratives to be expressed,
shared and incorporated into the broader conversation about our common vision for a healthy,
flourishing and resilient watershed.
Chesapeake Collective recognizes and celebrates our watershed wide diversity as a
source of strength and the foundation for the type of social movement it will take to meet all of
our restoration goals.
This year, Chesapeake Collective will have an even larger focus than earlier forums, with
displays, artwork and activities spread throughout the weekend.
One display, the Climate Ribbon Project, recently premiered at the Alliances annual
Taste of the Chesapeake. The Climate Ribbon Project uses art as a visual aid for us to grieve
what we each stand to lose to climate chaos around the world, as well as affirming our solidarity
as we unite to fight against it.
Chesapeake Collective will provide an opportunity to try forest bathing. Forest bathing
is the practice of taking a short, leisurely visit to a forest for health benefits. The practice
originated in Japan, and has recently been popularized in the health community for its relaxation
and stress-reduction benefits
The Alliance is also working to make the Chesapeake Watershed Forum more accessible
for people all around the watershed. Need-based scholarships are available, and transportation
options from several of the Chesapeakes major cities are being offered.
The Forum is also a social event. Professionals from around the watershed gather with a
common goal of a clean and healthy Chesapeake. I
t is a perfect networking opportunity, as members of different organizations, groups and
schools meet and discuss their work and how they can team up in the future. Its also a great
opportunity to hear the work of ones peers, and be inspired by the tireless activities taking place
all around the watershed.
The Forum focuses on inspiring and sharing techniques, strategies, tools and best
practices to help watershed organizations and local governments engage in effective watershed
management within and across jurisdictional boundaries.
It is a great event to keep your watershed organization (staff, board, volunteers) or your
local government up-to-date on the latest science and information surrounding watershed
restoration while also having a lot of fun!
The core tenet of the forum is to celebrate the great work the Chesapeake community is
doing to protect and restore the Bay watershed.
For more information and the full agenda, visit the Chesapeake Watershed Forum
webpage.
More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events on the Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Alliance,
Like the Alliance on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, add them to your Circle on Google+
and visit the Alliances YouTube Channel. Click Here to support the Alliances work.
NewsClips:
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal On Facebook
(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)

[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Auditor General: Audit Of Pittsburgh Water Authority Shows Urgent Need For
Immediate Action
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Wednesday said his recent

performance audit of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority,
Allegheny County, shows PWSAs deteriorating infrastructure and
financial distress has been caused by years of mismanagement, lack of
leadership, and impaired decision making due, in part, to influence by
Pittsburgh city officials.
Everyone customers, PWSA, even city officials knows and
acknowledges PWSA has extreme financial, management, infrastructure
and water quality problems, DePasquale said. PWSA customers are
tired of hearing how broken everything is and want to start hearing about
how the system is going to be fixed.
The PWSA board needs to immediately gain control of the situation and start doing
whats right for residents, he said.
Pittsburgh Water Authority officials issued these statements on the audit results--
"On behalf of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors, I would like
to thank the Pennsylvania Auditor General and his team for their thorough and thoughtful
performance audit, said Board Chairperson Debbie Lestitian. The Board will consider and act
on many of these recommendations as we guide PWSA toward becoming the utility Pittsburgh
expects and deserves.
PWSA Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar said, The audit released today
sheds light on the historical and structural conditions that have placed PWSA in a difficult
position today. Fortunately, PWSA and its Board of Directors are currently taking action to
stabilize infrastructure, invest in needed capital improvements, and adding to our leadership team
who is committed to advancing the organization.
The 55-page audit report, which covers January 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017, contains one
finding and 17 recommendations for improvement.
Fix Broken System
Pittsburgh residents have been plagued by the dysfunctional operations of the PWSA,
including a heavy debt load, deteriorating infrastructure, constant operational problems, lack of
leadership and frequent senior-level turnover.
PWSA serves 82,000 customers in the city who are all too familiar with these issues.
Auditors found that there have been more than 3,500 pipe breaks since January 2014 alone,
which is about 2.5 breaks per day.
Additionally, PWSA is not able to bill about 50 percent of the clean water its system
produces due, in part, to leaky pipes that cannot be located. The report also notes that water
storage facilities and other equipment need to be replaced.
These problems didnt happen overnight, DePasquale said. Years-- decades even-- of
mismanagement and lack of leadership caused the current situation that, at times, has endangered
the health of Pittsburghs families.
When the PWSA was created in 1984, the water and sewer system was over 70 years old.
PWSA could not provide any documentation about the condition of the system at that time the
authority was created, but DePasquale noted that his auditors review found the city used PWSA
proceeds for non-system purposes from 1984 through 1995.
In 1995, a new lease agreement was executed, which required the PWSA to issue revenue
bonds in order to pay the city $101 million upfront for the opportunity to operate the system until
2025.
This was a bad deal for residents who rely on PWSA for their water, DePasquale said.
It also set the stage for the PWSA to continue to issue debt to deal with an old and deteriorating
system. Add in PWSAs admission that routine system maintenance was not performed for
years, as well as the authoritys obvious inability to find competent leadership, and its no
wonder the system is broken.
PWSA attempted to fill the leadership void by contracting with Veolia Water North
America Northeast to manage the system from July 2012 through December 2015. During that
time, key operational positions were filled by Veolia, which managed the day-to-day operations
with some oversight by the PWSA Board.
The initial contract with Veolia was for one year with an optional six-month extension.
The contract was extended twice and Veolia was paid a total of $11,006,525.
However, PWSA staff indicated that they anticipate other charges from Veolia for which
it has not been invoiced. Collectively, invoiced and uninvoiced charges could total an additional
$3 million.
Part of Veolias compensation was based on the amount of cost savings realized by
PWSA, DePasquale said. So, it stands to reason that some decisions about repairs and
upgrades may have been made to benefit Veolias profitability rather than to benefit PWSA and
its customers.
PWSAs heavy debt load and poor financial position prevented adequate capital
investments.
PWSAs bond and loan debt increased from $300 million in 1995, to $680 million in
2012 and to more than $750 million in 2016. PWSAs working capital (current assets minus
current liabilities) has decreased from a positive $7.7 million to a negative $15.7 million from
2012 to 2016.
On average, PWSA invested $31.4 million annually in capital improvements from 2012
to 2016. However, based on its size and value, on average the PWSA should have been
investing $200 million annually.
My audit shows that PWSA invested just 15 percent of what it should have in annual
system upgrades and repairs. This lack of capital improvement investment contributes to the
deteriorating infrastructure that continues to fail routinely, forcing whole neighborhoods to boil
their water, DePasquale said.
Follow Roadmap To Recovery
It should come as no surprise that fixing PWSAs water and sewage system could take
decades and cost billions, DePasquale said. Stabilizing deteriorating infrastructure and
investing in necessary improvements is obvious and, based on PWSAs track record, customers
are understandably concerned. PWSA absolutely cannot continue down its current path.
My recommendations provide a road map to help put the PWSA and its customers on
the path to safe, reliable drinking water for generations of Pittsburgh families to come.
Get Handle On Water Give-Away
The number of poor business practices I found at PWSA is appalling, and many of them
stem from the unfair and outdated 1995 co-op agreement between PWSA and the city,
DePasquale said. This agreement is not only a financial burden to PWSA but is also a slap in
the face to city residents. That agreement must be amended immediately.
The 40-year co-op agreement was created to establish which services the city would
provide to the PWSA and how the PWSA would pay the city for these services.
The most troubling term of the co-op agreement is that PWSA provides the city with up
to 600 million gallons of free water each year, DePasquale said. Residents have to pay a
PWSA bill every month, but 400 city-owned properties including public pools, parks and ball
fields, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Phipps Conservatory receive free water.
DePasquale valued the 600 million gallons of water at approximately $6 million and
$6.84 million in 2016 and 2017.
If over 600 million gallons is used, the PWSA may offset that cost against money owed
the city. However, auditors found that PWSA does not know how much water the city actually
uses each year because PWSA does not have a complete list of all city-owned properties that
receive free water, and 90 percent of the city-owned properties do not have a water meter.
Right now, PWSA customers are paying for hundreds of millions of gallons of water
used at city-owned properties, DePasquale said. Some of these are important city assets that
help boost the economy, but the problem is, no one has a clue exactly how much water is being
used.
We are talking about millions of gallons and, especially when funding is tight, the city
and PWSA need to find balance in who pays for the water to these properties, DePasquale said.
There are potentially millions of dollars at stake that could be used help offset rate increases for
PWSA customers and be invested in improving the system.
For starters, DePasquale recommends that PWSA:
-- Obtain a complete list of all properties owned by the city on a routine basis, and regularly and
routinely update PWSAs database.
-- Meter all city properties that currently are not metered.
-- Begin using the meter readings to track the amount of water used by the city annually and bill
the city for all water usage over the allotted 600 million gallons in accordance with the co-op
agreement.
The co-op agreement also requires PWSA to subsidize water service for city residents
serviced by Pennsylvania American Water. This provision of the agreement basically means that
PWSA is responsible for paying the difference between its rate (lower) and PAWs rate (higher)
for those city residents who are serviced by PAW.
Auditors found that from January 2014 through December 2016, PWSA provided
approximately $4.8 million in subsidy payments and PWSA waived $14.4 million in sewage
conveyance charges for PAW customers, totaling $19.2 million over three years.
In just over three years, the subsidy provision of this flawed co-op agreement and
waived sewage fees cost PWSA customers $19.2 million, DePasquale said. Not only are
PWSA customers subsidizing water use for city-owned properties, but they are also subsidizing
the water usage of residents serviced by a different company.
DePasquale recommends PWSA develop a strategy to reduce and ultimately close the
subsidy gap between the Pennsylvania American Water company charges and the PWSA rates.
Another costly provision of the co-op agreement is the requirement for PWSA to pay the
city for direct expenses plus overhead.
During the audit period, the city billed PWSA $7.15 million annually. Auditors found
that invoices covering the 2014, 2015 and 2016 calendar years did not contain detailed
information as to what services were being billed.
When my team asked why PWSA was paying for these city bills that had no detailed
explanation, PWSA indicated that the practice was to just pay the bill, DePasquale said. This
is not just bad accounting or business practice, its just bad practice, period.
DePasquale recommends PWSA:
-- Immediately request that the city provide detailed invoices (or detailed support) for each
quarterly bill to verify charges for both actual direct expenses and overhead expenses.
-- Discontinue payment of city invoices for services unless those invoices have complete
documentation to show valid details of those charges.
DePasquale also noted that, while not related to the co-op agreement, PWSA is paying
for fire hydrant service charges invoiced by the various water companies, which totaled more
than $960,000 during the audit period.
Moreover, PWSA does not charge the city to service the citys 7,400 hydrants in PWSAs
service area, which could total $1.8 million annually.
Implementing my recommendations immediately will help PWSA finances without
placing unnecessary burden on customers, DePasquale said.
Address Structure Of Board
PWSAs articles of incorporation require the city treasurer and director of finance to be
permanent members of the PWSA board. Pittsburghs home rule charter requires the mayor to
appoint, and the city council to approve, a city councilperson as well as four additional members
to the PWSA Board.
Accordingly, all seven PWSA board members have direct or indirect ties to the city; and,
currently, four PWSA board members are compensated by the city.
DePasquale recommends PWSA amend its articles of incorporation to require that PWSA
Board seats be filled by individuals not compensated by the city.
Either PWSA should be a separate independent authority and operate as such, or the city
should operate the water and sewage system as part of the citys functions, DePasquale said.
Arguments can be made for either scenario, but there is no decent argument for keeping the
dysfunctional current structure.
Secure Quality Leadership
From January 2016 through June 2017, four people have filled the executive director
position; three of them, including the current executive director, have filled the position on an
interim basis.
All five senior-level management positions turned over at least once, and four of the five
positions experienced turnover since the start of the audit.
DePasquale recommends PWSA hire and establish a qualified and experienced
management team, including a permanent, full-time executive director committed to working
through the tough problems and to leading and operating the PWSA in the best interest of its
customers.
Quality leadership is essential for PWSA to make the necessary changes to benefit the
residents of the city, DePasquale said. Quality leadership will also help ensure that there is not
a repeat of the costly problems that occurred under Veolias management.
Move Forward With Cautious Optimism
PWSA generally agreed with the audit finding and recommendations and has already
begun to implement changes.
I am encouraged that the current PWSA board and management created a five-year
capital improvement plan to more heavily invest in the PWSAs infrastructure. If the plan is fully
implemented, PWSA would collectively invest more than four times what it had invested in the
previous five years, DePasquale said.
DePasquale said he appreciates the current PWSA board and management for their recent
efforts to seek professional guidance to help the PWSA comply with industry best practices and
for demonstrating a commitment to working with the city to develop a new cooperation
agreement.
These actions are a good start, but they are only a start, DePasquale said. PWSA has a
lot of work to do in order to regain the confidence of its customers and to prevent a total system
collapse. My recommendations can help PWSA accomplish this work.
Click Here for a copy of the complete audit.
NewsClips:
Audit: Pittsburgh Water Authority Drowning In Its Own Debt
AP: Audit Urges Changes To Pittsburgh Water Authority
Residents Urge Public Control As City Weighs Pittsburgh Water Authority Options
Consultants Public Workshop To Center On Pittsburgh Water Authoritys Future
Related Stories:
DEP Orders Pittsburgh Water Authority To Make Critical Infrastructure Upgrades
PA American Water Testing Shows Pittsburgh System Fully Complying With Lead Standard
Education
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday announced an Environmental Justice Small
Grant award of $30,000 to Women for a Healthy Environment, a community group based in
Pittsburgh, to provide education and outreach on lead exposure risks.
Women for a Healthy Environment will use this funding to provide education and
outreach about the public health risks associated with lead exposure. Project partners include the
Allegheny County Health Department, Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh, Office of Child
Development at the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.
Focusing on Pittsburgh residents, the project includes development of a comprehensive
educational awareness campaign on the sources of lead, its health impacts, and strategies that can
be taken to reduce those risks.
Community training will focus on equipping citizens with tools and resources to engage
with decision-makers and advance policies that address lead exposure.
EPAs Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is designed to help communities
understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks, and funds projects
up to $30,000 a year.
For more information on the grant program, visit EPAs Environmental Justice Small
Grant webpage.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
Philadelphia
Susquehanna River Basin Commission Now Registering Grandfathered Water Uses
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Thursday announced it is now accepting registrations
of grandfathered water withdrawals and consumptive water uses that could amount to 1 billion
gallons a day, an amount of water about equal to the total daily water use currently accounted for
in the basin.
In a recent study that compiled all available data to characterize Basin-wide water use
and availability, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission estimated that there are possibly
more than 700 facilities exempt from oversight, with an estimated water use of nearly one billion
gallons per day.
If accurate, this volume of water use is roughly equal to the total amount currently
accounted for, and managed, by the Commission across the entire Basin.
Due to the outcomes of this study, the Commission has become concerned about the
availability of water to meet immediate and future needs of residents, businesses and industry.
With such large quantities in question, the Commission decided to develop a program
that would close this significant knowledge gap regarding exempt water use (also known as
grandfathering) to ensure the Commissions ability to effectively manage the water resources of
the Basin.
Under this new program, facilities must register their grandfathered withdrawals and
consumptive water uses by December 31, 2019, to preserve the facilitys exemption from any
permit approval in the future.
Letters are being sent to contacts throughout the Basin informing them of the registration
program and offering assistance in determining if the registration program applies to their
facility.
As the demand for water resources increases, it is imperative that we protect existing
water sources and manage shared resources for the economic, social and ecological benefit of the
entire Basin, stated Andrew Dehoff, P.E., executive director. We look forward to working with
all large water users to help carry out our crucial mission.
Currently, certain older surface water and groundwater withdrawals and consumptive
water uses that exceed the Commissions regulatory thresholds do not require approval to
operate if those activities pre-date applicable regulations and cause no environmental harm.
Generally, the following water withdrawals and uses are considered to be grandfathered:
-- Consumptive water uses initiated prior to Jan. 23, 1971;
-- Groundwater withdrawals initiated prior to July 13, 1978; and
-- Surface water withdrawals initiated prior to Nov. 11, 1995.
The Commission is incentivizing early registration by offering a free registration period
from January 1 through June 30, 2018, after which a $500 registration fee (July 1 through
December 31, 2018) or $1,000 registration fee (all of 2019) will apply.
Webinars On Registration
The Commission will conduct informational webinars to explain the registration program
on November 14 and December 13 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. each day. Click Here to register for
the webinars.
For all the details, visit the SRBCs Grandfathered Water Uses Registration Program
webpage.
NewsClips:
Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing Nov. 15, Business Meeting Dec. 13
The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing on water withdrawal requests
on November 15 and a business meeting on December 13 to considers those requests and other
agenda items.
The November 15 hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the December 13 business meeting
will begin at 10:30 a.m. Both meetings will be held at the Washington Crossing Historic Park
Visitor Center, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Bucks County.
Click Here for more details on the hearing/meeting agendas.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware
River Basin Commission website. Click Here to sign up for regulator updates. Follow DRBC
on Twitter. Visit them on YouTube.
DEP Reschedules December Sewage Enforcement Officer Exams To Nov. 17
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 4 PA Bulletin it

has rescheduled the December 11 exam for the certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers to
November 17.
The exam will be held at the PA State Association of Township Supervisors Education
Center, 4855 Woodland Drive in Enola, Cumberland County from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Registration for the exam will begin at 12:30. The application for the exam will be
available on DEPs website.
Questions should be directed to this telephone number: 717-772-2186 or by email to:
RA-seotrng@pa.gov.
For more information, visit DEPs Sewage Enforcement Officers webpage.
Keep PA Beautiful Asks: How Will You Celebrate America Recycles Day Nov. 15?
Did you know when you recycle one aluminum can

enough energy is saved to power a laptop for 5.2
hours? Celebrate America Recycles Day on
November 15 and learn about the power of
recycling.
America Recycles Day recognizes the benefits of
recycling while providing an educational platform
that helps raise awareness about the value of
reducing, reusing and recycling every day throughout the year.
To celebrate, you can--
-- Hold An Event: Hold an event in your area to educate your community on the benefits of
recycling. Click Here for tools you can use to get started. Click Here to register your event.
-- Attend An Event: Click Here to find a America Recycles Day event near you.
-- Take The Recycling Pledge: Click Here to take the pledge to find out about recycling in your
community, reduce the amount of waste you use and buy products made with recycled content.
Keep America Beautiful is determined to end littering, improve recycling, reduce waste,
and beautify Americas communities, said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president, recycling, Keep
America Beautiful. America Recycles Day is a key fall initiative to educate, motivate, and
activate individuals and entire communities to better understand what to place in recycling bins
and the many environmental, economic, and social benefits of recycling.
America Recycles Day provides a means to encourage recycling 365 days a year
whether its at school, home or whole communities, said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful. We are grateful to Keep America Beautiful for providing these tools
and resources to our local communities.
America Recycles Day is an educational program of Keep America Beautiful and Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful helps promote the initiative in the Commonwealth.
Visit the America Recycles Day website for more information and ideas for setting up
events.
For more information about recycling in Pennsylvania, visit DEPs Recycling webpage or
contact your County Recycling Coordinator.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member. Click Here to sign up for
regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on
Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
communities and keep them clean and KPBs new Electronics Waste website.
NewsClips:
Stakeholders Sound Off On Possible Changes To PAs E-Waste Recycling Program
Op-Ed: Recycling Old TVs Isnt Easy
Luzerne To Hold Community Recycling Collection Event Nov. 2
Drug Take-Back Boxes In Northeast
State Police At Wyoming Installs Drop Box For Unused, Expired Medication
ONeill: That Giant Sucking Sound? 500 Million Straws A Day
ONeill: Stopping Straw Waste Just The Start In Restaurants
Weis Markets Grows Sustainability Efforts
Upper Darby Police Using Recycled Guns To Generate Electricity At Covanta Plant
Residents Have Questions About Greentree Landfill, Washington County
Keystone Landfill Expansion Challenge Reaches Commonwealth Court
Related Story:
Apply Now For Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grants
Apply Now For Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grants
Applications are now being accepted for the

Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grant
Program. The deadline for applications is
November 17.
The grant program awards actual
recycling bins to schools, government agencies, colleges and other community organizations on
a competitive basis.
Interested parties complete an online application, designating the style and number of
bins they would like and explaining how and where they would use the bins.
Keep America Beautiful selects recipients based on the merits of their proposal according
to several criteria, including need and the potential to recover the greatest amount of recyclables.
KAB then works with its vendors to arrange delivery of the bins at no cost to the grant
recipients. In addition to the free bins awarded through the grant, all applicants are extended the
opportunity to purchase additional recycling bins and related accessories at a special, discounted
price.
For all the details, visit the Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grant Program
website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Keep PA Beautiful Asks: How Will You Celebrate America Recycles Day Nov. 15?
State, Local Officials Kick Off Transformation Of 48-Acre Brownfield Site Into
Residential, Retail Complex, Park In Carlisle
State and local officials from Carlisle

Borough and Cumberland County
Wednesday kicked off the shovel-ready
phase of a private-public collaborative
project to transform a 48-acre industrial
brownfield into a residential/retail/office
complex and public park.
The complex will include a hotel,
restaurant, retail, residential and office
space. Streets that were removed when
the site was a manufacturing facility will be restored. When concluded, the project will restore
connections within the neighborhood and the downtown area.
The project is supported by $7.9 million in state funding from the departments of
Environmental Protection, PennDOT, Conservation and Natural Resources, and Community and
Economic Development for new roads, brownfield site cleanup, the park, and stormwater
management.
Additional project support includes $12.9 million in local funding, $6.2 million in federal
funding, and $640,000 from charitable organizations.
Innovation comes from partnerships envisioning transformations, said DEP Secretary
Patrick McDonnell. Were witnessing the showcase of local, state, and federal partners working
together with private businesses to improve the quality of life for the citizens of the
Commonwealth.
The site is the former location of International Automotive Components and Masland
Carpet. It has been underutilized since 2008.
With several years of planning now completed and funding secured, the project moves
into site work, beginning with infrastructure and streets.
The three-acre park, to be located along Fairground Avenue, will feature bicycle-
pedestrian trails and an innovative stormwater management system. The park project is one of
the national award-winning Brownfields to Playfields projects implemented by DEP, DCNR, and
DCED.
This transformative project represents a truly impactful investment in the Carlisle
community, said DCED Secretary Dennis Davin. Under Gov. Wolfs leadership, we are
maximizing collaboration between state agencies and among our economic development partners
to fortify private-sector revitalization efforts and make a real, sustainable difference in the lives
of Pennsylvanians.
Its a great symbol of community revitalization to add green and open space that
provides recreational benefits to citizens to a former industrial site, DCNR Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn said. The addition of the park to the redevelopment project will create a more
walkable community, connect neighborhoods, and even connect Carlisle to Shippensburg
through the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.
Dunn noted that innovative stormwater controls including cleaning and recycling runoff
to create water features in the park are a nice demonstration of how green infrastructure can be
incorporated into local park development.
To learn more about the brownfields program, visit DEPs Brownfield Redevelopment
webpage.
NewsClip:
Crable: New Park On Old Polluted Power Plant Site Opens In Mount Joy Borough
Philadelphia
The Department of Environmental Protection Friday

announced it will hold a public meeting November 16
on a remediation plan for the former Anzon lead
smelter site in the Kensington/ Port Richmond area of
Philadelphia.
The meeting will be held at the First Presbyterian
Church in Kensington, 418 E. Girard Avenue in
Philadelphia with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting starting at 6:30.
DEP entered into a Consent Order and Agreement (CO&A) with Port Richmond Dev.,
L.P. and its affiliates (PR Dev) to address unacceptable levels of lead in soil at the former lead
smelter site.
To address contamination on six of the eight parcels that comprise the Anzon site, the
CO&A requires PR Dev to submit a Work Plan to DEP within 45 days that describes how the
exposure pathway will be eliminated. This must be achieved by capping areas with two feet of
clean fill or with asphalt.
The Work Plan will also include a Health and Safety Plan and Air Monitoring Plan for
protecting the public from any contaminants that could be encountered during construction
activities.
In response to July media reports indicating elevated levels of lead on a soil mound
located at 2535 Aramingo Avenue, DEP collected soil samples dispersed across the Anzon
footprint.
Results from three separate sampling events show lead levels of concern not just on the
soil mound, but across the entire site.
The parcel containing the soil mound is being addressed by the current tenant of the
property. The tenant has submitted plans to DEP stating it will remove the soil mound and
replace it with two feet of clean fill.
The remaining property, located at 2500 Aramingo Avenue, is being addressed separately
by a second property owner.
We are ensuring that the responsible property owners and lessee select and implement a
remedy that is fully protective of those who live near or use the site and do so as quickly as
possible, said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. We have also been working closely with our
federal and local partners on this issue and thank them for their cooperation.
Lead smelting is the process by which lead is processed into a pure state that can then be
used for industrial and commercial purposes. Historically, lead was commonly used in plumbing,
gasoline, paints, and ammunition. It has since been phased out of most products.
Click Here for a map of the Anzon footprint, which shows DEPs sampling locations and
results.
The site is bounded by Huntington Street to the northeast, E.Thompson Street to the
southeast, E. Cumberland Street to the southwest, and Almond Street to the northwest, with
Aramingo Avenue running through the center
Questions should be directed to Virginia Cain, DEP Southeast Regional Office, at
484-250-5808 or send email to: vicain@pa.gov.
NewsClip:
State Confirms Extreme Lead Levels In Kensington Soil
Related Stories:
Education
Bailey Longwall Coal Mine Issued Permits For New Mining By DEP In Greene County
Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Greene) Friday announced the Department of Environment Protection
today cleared Consol Energy to mine new sections at the Bailey Mine in Greene County.
"I have worked with Consol, DEP and the Wolf administration virtually night and day
over the last couple of months to keep people working and the mines operating in Greene
County," Rep. Snyder said. I thank DEP and Governor Tom Wolf for their diligence and
determination to get this done.
Rep. Snyder said Consol in September furloughed about 300 miners as permit reviews
and lawsuits threatened production at the mine, the largest-producing underground coal mining
operation in North America.
However, Consol shifted mining operations to other sections of the mine while the
permits were being reviewed, enabling miners to be recalled to work.
Besides permits for new longwall sections, todays approvals also will enable operations
to continue in other panels, which should ensure mining at the Wind Ridge complex for as long
as five years, Rep. Snyder said. I regret the uncertainty while the permits were being secured,
but now there is a viable long-term solution so coal will continue to be our regions economic
engine.
Its been a nail-biting, months-long marathon, but many people worked long and hard to
ensure that the Bailey Mine received this new lease on life. The working families in my district
will always be my top priority, and today was a big win for them, added Rep. Snyder.
The Bailey Mine has been at the heart of a legislative and legal battle over enforcement
of Pennsylvanias Act 54 regulating underground mining.
In July, Gov. Wolf let legislation become law without his signature changing Act 54 that
was promoted by the owners of Bailey Mine.
In August, the Environmental Hearing Board ruled in favor of challenges brought by the
Sierra Club and the Center for Coalfield Justice to a 2015 expansion permit issued by DEP to the
Bailey Mine violates DEPs trustee responsibilities under the state constitutions Environmental
Rights Amendment.
Other appeals are pending.
NewsClip:
U.S. OSM May Walk Back Tougher Self-Bonding Regulations For Coal Mining
PA Grade Crude Oil Advisory Committee To Discuss Legacy Wells, Production Reporting
Initiative Nov. 16
The Department of Community and Economic Development PA Grade Crude Development

Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on November 16 to continue its discussion of issues
related to abandoned and legacy wells and production reporting.
The production reporting initiative is designed to bring down the relatively high rate of
non-compliance in conventional oil and gas production reporting. If an operator corrects their
deficiencies voluntarily, no enforcement action will be taken. If DEP has to issue orders to
correct the violations, then penalties will follow.
Also on the agenda is a presentation on brine hauling and disposal costs, economic
incentives for improved production and recommendations on DEP options for testing new
technologies.
The Advisory Council was formed in June 2016 as part of Act 52 that killed DEPs
update of regulations covering conventional oil and gas well drilling.
One of the Councils duties was to advise DEP on developing oil and gas regulations, but
has yet to really discuss the issue. The focus has been on legacy well and other issues.
The meeting will be held in Hearing Room 1, 2nd Floor, Keystone Building, 400 North
Street in Harrisburg starting at 1:00. A conference call option is available for attending by
calling 515-739-1545 and using passcode 270595#.
For more information and available handouts, visit DCEDs PA Grade Crude
Development Advisory Council webpage. DCED Contact: Zach Reber, 717-720-1451.
NewsClips:
Cusick: Wolf Aide Criticized After Downplaying Oil & Gas Royalty Problems
Farming Continues To Flourish In Northcentral PA Due To Marcellus Boom
2017 Shale & Public Health Conference Nov. 13 In Pittsburgh
The League of Women Voters of PA and University of

Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health will host the
2017 Shale and Public Health Conference on November 13
at the Pitt University Club, 123 University Place in
Pittsburgh from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Conference will address the health impacts of the
various stages of shale gas development, from fracking at
well pads, to distribution through pipelines and compressor stations, to ethane crackers and
petrochemical processing.
Brian Schwartz MD, Geisinger researcher and Johns Hopkins professor and Tara
McAlexander MPH will discuss current studies of unconventional natural gas development and
heart failure, and depressive symptoms.
Keynote speaker will be former Philadelphia Health Commissioner Walter Tsou MD,
now Executive Director of Philadelphia Physicians for Social Responsibility, will address the
significance of research on the health impacts of shale gas development.
A panel of local and national research experts will explore how to research the public
health impacts of the ethane crackers and petrochemical development being planned for the
Pittsburgh region.
The Conference will also include citizen science and other practical applications, such as
learning how to collect and interpret pollution data from air monitors, and how to join a shale
health registry.
In a break-out session, Pittsburgh-area pediatrician Dr. Ned Ketyer will present to
physicians and health professionals about patient health impacts from climate change which are
now being seen in doctors offices and emergency rooms.
This free conference is open to the public. A buffet lunch is available for $14.
The Conference is part of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvanias educational
programming, which is supported by grants from the Colcom Foundation and The Heinz
Endowments to the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund.
For more information and to register, visit the Shale and Public Health Conference
webpage or call 1-800-61-SHALE.
Visit the League of Women Voters of PAs Straight Scoop On Shale Drilling webpage
for background information on natural gas drilling and videos from the 2016 conference.
Clean Air Council Joins CBF, Maryland Action Against EPA To Reduce Power Plant
Emissions In PA, Other States
The Clean Air Council Tuesday announced it is joining litigation filed this month against the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by a coalition of public health, conservation, and
environmental groups over the problem of smog (ground-level ozone) in the northeast.
The environmental groups seek an order compelling EPA to take action on a petition by
the State of Maryland to make a finding that power plants in upwind states are undermining
Marylands ability to meet the federal health standard for ozone.
Although EPA was required to hold a public hearing on the states petition within sixty
days, over eleven months have passed without a public hearing.
When EPA does not perform its obligations under the law, it is for the courts to uphold
the rule of law and ensure that the agency does what it is legally required to do, said Joseph
Minott, the Councils Executive Director and Chief Counsel.
The industrial plants include 36 electric generating units at 19 coal-fired power plants in
five upwind states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The plaintiffs
allege the power plants have pollution controls in place, but are not running them effectively,
putting the health of people at risk.
Of these five states, Pennsylvania has the largest number of these units a total of eleven.
There is one unit at the Bruce Mansfield Plant (Beaver County), two units at the Cambria Cogen
Plant (Cambria County), one unit at the Cheswick Generating Station (Allegheny County), three
units at the Homer City Plant (Indiana County), two units at the Keystone Power Plant
(Armstrong County), and two units at the Montour Power Plant (Montour County).
In addition to generating smog pollution for downwind states like Maryland,
Pennsylvania also suffers from smog pollution from power plants in the other four upwind states.
Properly running the pollution controls would improve air quality in the Philadelphia and
Washington, D.C. areas, in other downwind states like New Jersey and New York, and in
communities surrounding the power plants in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, western Pennsylvania
and West Virginia.
Christopher Ahlers, a Staff Attorney of the Council stated that not only do these
practices harm the health of plant workers and their communities, they harm the health of people
hundreds of miles away.
The initial complaint in Chesapeake Bay Foundation v. Pruitt was filed by Adirondack
Council, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Chesapeake
Physicians for Social Responsibility, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Integrity
Project, and Sierra Club.
The Maryland Department of the Environment has commenced a similar action in State
of Maryland v. Pruitt.
For more information on programs and other initiatives, visit the Clean Air Council
website.
NewsClips:
Environmental Groups Urge Tougher Rules On Clairton (Coal) Coke Works
Activists: Clean Up (Coal) Coke Plant
New York Threatens EPA Lawsuit Over Cross-State Air Pollution
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Renovo Energy Center 1,000 MW Natural Gas Power Plant Air Permit Application
Submitted In Clinton County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 4 PA Bulletin

the Renovo Energy Center LLC has submitted an air quality permit application to construct a
natural gas/ultra-low sulfur diesel-fired combined cycle power plant to produce 1,000 MW of
electricity in the Borough Of Renovo, Clinton County. (PA Bulletin page 6837)
Copies of the application are available for review at DEPs Northcentral Regional Office
at 208 West Third Street, Suite 101 in Williamsport. To schedule an appointment to review the
application, call 570-327-0550.
Public comments are due December 4. Written comments or requests for a public hearing
should be directed to Muhammad Q. Zaman, Environmental Program Manager, Department of
Environmental Protection, Air Quality Program, Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third
Street, Suite 101, Williamsport, PA 17701, 570-327-3648.
NewsClips:
Cusick-Hopkins: Natural Gas Power Plant Divides Jessup, 40 Plants Proposed In PA
Frazier: Natural Gas Plant Proposed In Coal-Rich Greene County
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Now Accepting Applications
The PA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

begins accepting applications November 1 for cash grants
sent directly to the utility company or a crisis grant for
households in immediate danger of being without heat.
For eligibility guidelines, benefits paid and to learn
how to apply, visit the Department of Human Services
LIHEAP webpage. The deadline for applications is April
6.
NewsClips:
LIHEAP Applications Will Be Accepted Starting Wednesday
LIHEAP Home Heating Assistance Opens Today
Helping Low-Income Families Pay Utility Bills
Related Stories:
PUC Kicks Off Prepare Now Campaign On Help With Cold-Weather Energy Bills
Winter Reliability Reports Now Available From Natural Gas Distribution Companies
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
As part of its 15th year of Prepare Now education efforts, the

Public Utility Commission Thursday urged utilities to help
Pennsylvania consumers who may struggle with the cost of
cold-weather energy bills.
The PUCs 2017 Prepare Now campaign continues the focus
on educating consumers about the availability of low-income
programs; increasing awareness of ways to reduce winter
heating costs; educating consumers on energy conservation;
encouraging consumers to check electric and natural gas bills and supplier contracts; and
informing consumers about PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com as resources to shop
for energy suppliers and learn more about efficiency and conservation measures.
A letter signed by the PUC Commissioners has been sent to all of Pennsylvanias electric
and natural gas utility companies under the PUCs jurisdiction, asking them to join the
Commission in educating consumers about the many winter assistance programs and services
that are available.
The letter also includes specific suggestions for utility companies and emphasizes that
they have more flexibility to make allowances for payment-troubled customers than the PUC
does, under the law.
It is imperative that we work together to remind consumers about the availability of
programs to help them maintain or restore utility service. Some individuals and families may not
be familiar with these services, while changing circumstances may trigger a need for assistance
for households who may not have faced this situation before, the Commissioners wrote.
The size and reach of these programs is notable: In 2016, Pennsylvania utilities spent
nearly $398 million on customer assistance programs last year.
Collectively, these utility programs assisted more than 313,000 electric customers and
over 160,000 natural gas customers across the state, helping heat homes or pay energy bills
through Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs), Low-Income Usage Reduction Programs
(LIURPs) and other services.
Low-income households may also be eligible for grants under the federal Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, a companion to the utility-based services.
Consumers interested in more information about these important programs can visit the
PUCs Prepare Now webpage, or call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380.
Consumer outreach specialists from the PUC are active across the state, conducting or
participating in workshop events, free seminars, roundtable discussions and community fairs.
During those events, plain language materials and literature designed to educate
consumers about assistance programs and their rights are handed out.
Materials include information on consumer rights in dealing with terminations and
reconnections, available low-income programs and tips on how to Prepare Now for winter.
For more information on hosting a PUC consumer outreach specialist at a community
event, please call 717-787-5722.
Visit the PUCs Prepare Now For Winter Energy Costs webpage for more information on
all of these programs.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
Public Utility Commission Friday released 2017 Winter Reliability Overview Reports from the
states major natural gas distribution companies, along with a related Readiness Report from the
Energy Association of Pennsylvania.
The reports provide insights regarding preparations for conditions that may affect service
reliability, supply and prices for the winter months, including topics such as system readiness;
employee safety/readiness; communications outreach; gas supply and planning; and natural gas
demand for electric generators.
Ensuring the safe and reliable operation of utility systems is a top priority, especially as
winter approaches, said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. These reports detail the steps being
taken by natural gas distribution companies under the PUCs jurisdiction to prepare for extreme
cold and severe winter conditions.
The winter readiness can be viewed using the following links:
-- Columbia Gas of PA
-- National Fuel Gas
-- PECO Energy
-- Peoples Natural Gas & Peoples Gas
-- Philadelphia Gas Works
-- UGI Utilities/UGI Penn Natural Gas/UGI Central Penn Gas
-- Energy Association of PA
In addition to promoting preparedness by utilities, the Commission also encourages
consumers to take steps now to ready themselves for colder temperatures and higher energy
demands.
The PUCs Prepare Now campaign educates consumers about the availability of
low-income programs; increases consumer awareness of ways to reduce winter heating costs;
and educates consumers on energy conservation.
It also encourages consumers to check electric and natural gas bills and supplier
contracts, and use the PUCs PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com websites as resources
to shop for services and learn more about conservation and energy efficiency.
For more information, visit the PUCs Winter Reliability Overview Reports webpage.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
Philadelphia Launches 2030 District To Reduce Energy, Water Use By Half By 2030
On October 26 the City of Philadelphia and the

Delaware Valley Green Building Council
announced the launch of the Philadelphia 2030
District, a voluntary private initiative to reduce
building energy and water use and
transportation emissions by 50 percent by the
year 2030.
Really, this impacts everyone because unless
we can get a handle on carbon emissions, and
seriously reduce them, climate change is going
to have an impact on the whole city and the
world, said Alex Dews, executive director of the DVGBC.
The district is currently limited to University City and Center City, where there is a large
concentration of buildings that tend to be the biggest energy consumers in the city, although
Dews says there are plans to expand the area down the road.
The average commercial building in Philly wastes 30 percent of its energy, while 60
percent of carbon emissions are produced by the building sector.
The reason were focused on the largest buildings is because theyre by far the largest
energy users, says Dews, and small changes in large buildings yield really big results.
Some organizations including SEPTA and Drexel, as well as the City of Philadelphia,
have already signed onto the 2030 commitment. Developer Brandywine Realty Trust also
committed to the pledge early on; a number of its new buildings, including the FMC Tower and
Cira Centre fall within the district and include not just commercial developments, but also
residential properties.
Each year, the DVGBC will release an annual progress report to see if companies and
organizations are meeting their pledged goals.
Philly is now among 18 cities in the country to commit to this national initiative known
as Architecture 2030, with 15 million square feet committed to the pledge.
Dews hopes that number expands now that the program has officially launched; there is a
total of 120 million square feet of properties within the district that could commit to the pledge,
he says.
The commitment of private organizations and companies to energy reduction is the latest
in a series of recent city efforts to combat climate change.
Last month, the city released its own Philadelphia Municipal Energy Master Plan, a
multi-step roadmap to reduce energy use and clean the citys energy supply. It also has a goal to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the citys buildings in half by 2030.
Earlier this summer, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed onto the Mayors for 100
percent Clean Energy effort spearheaded by the Sierra Club. The commitment for Philly to
transition to 100 percent renewable energy came on the heels of the White Houses move to
reject the Paris climate accord.
Of the Philadelphia 2030 District, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, Were really
happy to be a part of this effort. With the federal government abdicating responsibility to a
sustainable planet and denying climate change, we as cities need to lead.
For more information, visit the Philadelphia 2030 District webpage.
NewsClip:
Related Story:
Pittsburgh 2030 District Saves Nearly $53 Million In Energy, $4 Million In Water Costs
(Reprinted from Delaware Valley Green Building Council Philadelphia 2030 District webpage.)
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Registration Opens Soon For 2018 Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge!
Mark your calendars! Registration opens soon

for the 2018 Green Workplace Challenge
under a new name: Sustainable Pittsburgh
Challenge!
All businesses, nonprofits,
colleges/universities, K-12 schools, and municipalities with operations in Southwestern
Pennsylvania are invited to participate in this friendly competition.
To earn points, participants measure improvements in energy, water, waste, air quality,
and transportation, and advance social equity and employee engagement.
Networking, professional development, and technical assistance are all benefits to
participatingin addition to gaining efficiencies in operations, reducing costs, and earning
positive recognition!
The Sustainable Pittsburgh team can work with participants to develop a customized
game plan for success.
All organizations that sign up by November 22 immediately earn 50 points in the
competition.
Contact Sustainable Pittsburgh with questions, and be ready to sign your organization up
to compete.
For all the details, watch the Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge! website.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Sustainable
Pittsburgh website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates. Like them on Facebook, Follow
them on Twitter. Click Here to support their work.
To learn more about green innovation in the Pittsburgh Region, visit the Pittsburgh Green
Story website.
NewsClip:
States Release Framework For First-Ever National Energy Efficiency Registry
Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, The Climate Registry and the
National Association of State Energy Officials Tuesday released the National Energy Efficiency
Registry Principles and Operating Rules.
The NEER Principles and Operating Rules are the critical foundation for the first-ever
national web-based platform to collect standardized and transparent data on the savings
associated with energy efficiency projects across the U.S.
They also outline a credible, broadly supported reporting and verification standard that
could underpin a voluntary energy efficiency trading market.
In tandem with the Principles and Operating Rules, the group has published a NEER
Roadmap that identifies potential opportunities for the NEER to support state and regional
energy objectives.
In 2015, the NEER project partners were awarded competitive funding from the U.S.
Department of Energy to develop the concept for the national Energy Efficiency Registry. Since
then, the Project Team has consulted with other states, local governments, academic institutions,
the energy efficiency community and the public to ensure the NEER can support a wide range of
energy efficiency policies and programs.
The National Energy Efficiency Registry Project shows the advances states can make
when they work together. The NEER has the potential not only to help states achieve their
energy efficiency goals, but also to support the Administrations goals for affordable, reliable
and resilient energy for the American people, said Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Energy Efficiency, U.S. Department of Energy.
Over 2.2 million Americans are now working in energy efficiency jobs, and
building-related energy efficiency investments generated $68.8 billion in revenues last year.
Energy efficiency will play a key role in reducing Pennsylvanias greenhouse gas emissions and
increasing our competitiveness and we welcome tools that help us capitalize on the opportunity,
said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf.
Energy efficiency can play a key role in improving air quality by reducing the need for
power generation and lowering associated emissions. The National Energy Efficiency Registry
addresses one of the key challenges in attributing these air quality benefits to energy efficiency:
the ability to quantify the impacts of specific policies or programs in a standardized, transparent
way, said Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob
Martineau.
The Pacific Northwest has a long tradition of recognizing the value of energy efficiency,
which is an important carbon-free resource that also reduces costs. Oregon is pleased to work
with our colleagues in other states on initiatives like the National Energy Efficiency Registry so
we can reap the full range of benefits associated with energy efficiency, said Janine Benner,
Acting Director of the Oregon Department of Energy.
The NEER is intended to serve as a central repository that will allow the public and
private sectors to: (1) transparently track energy efficiency and conservation savings, and (2)
support the documentation of program compliance and voluntary tracking of sustainability and
energy goals.
The National Energy Efficiency Registry will allow public and private sectors to unleash
the tremendous market potential of energy efficiency across our nation. Energy efficiency
already accounts for nearly two-thirds of the more than 3 million U.S. jobs supported by the
broad advanced energy industry. NEER will help private and mainstream investors gain the
confidence to engage in energy efficiency more than ever before, driving further investments in
this growth market and the millions of U.S. jobs that it supports, said Graham Richard, Chief
Executive Officer of national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE).
The National Energy Efficiency Registry will support a range of energy efficiency
projects and program types, ranging from ratepayer-funded programs to ESCO projects. NEER
will help us overcome the barriers to deploying energy efficiency measures by providing better
measurement, tracking and recognition of energy efficiency and conservation savings, said Matt
Elliott, Executive Director of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA).
The National Energy Efficiency Registry has broken new ground by building broad
stakeholder support for a national repository for energy efficiency projects. The Climate Registry
is delighted to support the NEER as it will help the public and private sectors collect consistent,
comparable and transparent data on the impacts of energy efficiency, said Ann McCabe, TCRs
Interim Executive Director.
Energy efficiency is a prominent resource in U.S. energy markets, not only in utility
customer-financed programs but also through non-utility and voluntary investments and
initiatives. The National Energy Efficiency Registry offers an important framework for State
Energy Offices and their partners to identify and verify energy efficiency adoption and benefits
across these various marketplaces in support of their states energy and environmental goals,
said David Terry, NASEO Executive Director.
Additional resources to support the development of the NEER were provided by
E4TheFuture and APX.
Click Here for a copy of the NEER Principles and Operating Rules. Click Here for a
copy of the Roadmap for NEER.
For more information on the project, visit the National Energy Efficiency Registry
webpage.
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Weis Markets Continues To Reduce Environmental Impact, Releases 2016 Sustainability

Report
As Sunbury-based Weis Markets expanded its customer

base and footprint by more than 25 percent in 2016, the
company also grew its sustainability efforts across the
company and continued to reduce its environmental
footprint, according to the companys new report Weis
Sustainability 2016: Growing Greener and Investing in
Our Future.
Since launching its sustainability efforts in 2008,
the company has incorporated energy-saving measures
designed to lower energy consumption, fossil fuel
dependence and carbon emissions.
These sustainability initiatives have helped Weis to reduce its carbon footprint in its
existing stores by 25.4 percent as of mid-2016.
Over a three-month period in 2016 Weis acquired 44 new stores, expanding the
companys footprint to 204 stores in seven states.
As part of that acquisition Weis expanded its sustainability programs into all stores,
implementing key sustainability practices that reduce emissions in new store design and
remodels, expanding the companys recycling center and fuel efficiency of its vehicles, and
growing the Fresh Rescue Program.
These newly-acquired stores slightly lessened the companys carbon footprint reduction
to a total of 21.8 percent for 2016, as the stores continue to be retrofitted with key sustainability
measures.
This expansion helped to bolster and expand our presence in the Mid-Atlantic region,
said R. Kevin Small, vice president, store development at Weis Markets. But just as
importantly, it has allowed us to expand our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, bring our
sustainability practices into new markets, and establish relationships with the new communities
that we serve. This benefits our environment, customers, associates and shareholders.
Key sustainability achievements and accolades for Weis Markets in 2016 include:
-- Increasing recycling by more than 8.3 percent over the previous year. The company recycled
more than 25,600 tons of cardboard, 607 tons of mixed paper, 786 tons of plastic bags and 170
tons of recycled pharmacy bottles.
-- Being recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys GreenChill Program, which
encourages reduced refrigerant usage to help lower the overall environmental impact on the
ozone layer and climate change. Awards in 2016 include the 2016 Superior Goal Achievement,
the 2016 Exceptional Goal Achievement, and 2013-2017 Store Re-Certification Excellence.
-- Expanding its fleet of energy-efficient vehicles, hitting its goal of leasing 30 vehicles with
clean diesel exhaust technology.
-- Receiving LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the
companys Fogelsville, Lehigh County store. The design features now serve as the gold standard
for all future store remodels and new buildings.
-- Expanding its 1.2 million square-foot distribution center that streamlines the companys
supply chain while minimizing its environmental impact through use of an ammonia
refrigeration system, and also expanding the Weis Recycling Center.
-- Committing to reduce food waste in Weis operations 50 percent by 2030 as one of five grocers
for the inaugural class of the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, convened by the EPA
and the United States Department of Agriculture.
As we approach the 10th year tracking sustainability metrics, I am continually
impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication our associates have for meeting the goals that reduce
our environmental footprint, said Patti Olenick, sustainability manager for Weis Markets. It is
a true team effort, ranging from our corporate leaders to our staff in the distribution centers and
all of our stores.
Click Here for a copy of Weis Markets 2016 Sustainability Report.
For more information, visit Weis Markets Sustainability webpage.
NewsClip:
[Posted: Oct. 30, 2017]
Penn State Sustainability Institute Climate Stories Inspires Conversations On Climate

Change
Penn States Sustainability Institute Wednesday

announced the release of a curriculum guide and an
upcoming speaker, both aimed at getting people to
talk about climate change. Both events were spurred
by the release on the Institutes short film Climate
Stories, which invites viewers into a conversation
on climate change.
The curriculum guide, titled Climate Stories:
Connections for Discussion, works in concert with
the film. It is available to faculty and community members interested in using the film to explore
climate change in their courses and communities.
The guide, part of the Field Guide to Teaching Sustainability, teaches basic climate
change science, the sociopolitical context of climate change in the United States, methods for
communicating about the topic, and ways to develop listening and speaking skills. The guide
also directs users to relevant resources.
Betting The Farm On A Drought - Nov. 14
Additionally, Seamus McGraw will speak and read from his book Betting the Farm on a
Drought, which informed the making of the film. The event will take place at 12:30 p.m. on
November 14, in Foster Auditorium, Pattee Library at Penn States main campus in State
College.
McGraw will talk about the importance of storytelling, listening and the need for good
dialogue about climate change in a polarized political environment.
Political division, some bad actors, a lot of passion and misinformation have prevented
people from taking the action needed to address climate change, said Peter Buckland, academic
programs coordinator at the Sustainability Institute and author of the guide. But with a common
understanding of the science, by focusing on common values and by sharing and listening,
solutions can be developed.
In the film, McGraw; Richard Alley, notable climate scientist and professor of
geosciences; Janet Swim, professor of psychology; and Steve Sywensky, a local angler, discuss
the challenges of human-caused climate change and the importance of people talking about it.
Climate change is one of the most polarizing subjects, but if our democracy is going to
tackle the problem of climate, then we have to really talk about it, Buckland said.
For more information on the film, curriculum guide or McGraws talk, contact Buckland
by sending email to: pdb118@psu.edu.
Visit Penn States Sustainability Institute webpage for more information on sustainability
initiatives.
NewsClips:
PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In October
The October In Case You Missed It from the PA

Environmental Council is now available featuring stories
on--
-- 27th Annual Evening For Northeast PAs
Environment A Success
-- A Day Of Discovery On The Delaware
-- Exploring The Laurel Highlands With DCNRs
Advisory Council
-- Deadline Approaching For 2018 River Of The Year
Nominations
-- Another Exciting Circuit Trails Perspect From Southeast PA
-- Latest PA Legacies Podcasts: Good Samaritans, Better Samaritans; Mind The GAP, Budgeting
By Default.
-- Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PECs Audio Room for the latest podcasts.
Field Conference Helps Write The Book On Pennsylvania Geology
By Matt Carroll, Penn State News
If Duff Gold set out to write the history of

Pennsylvania geology, hed have a pretty good idea
where to start.
Gold, emeritus professor of geosciences at
Penn State, said the story can be found in the pages
of guidebooks published each year as part of the
annual Field Conference of Pennsylvania
Geologists.
If someone was commissioned to write the
history of Pennsylvania geology, 90 percent would
come out from whats in those guidebooks, Gold
said.
Penn State researchers got the chance to help write the most recent chapter of that history
when the 82nd annual conference came to the area in October.
More than 200 professional geologists and students from across Pennsylvania and
neighboring states attended several days of field trips and discussions on and around campus.
Its the first time in more than 30 years that Penn State has hosted the conference, which
is organized by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey [DCNR]. Juniata College co-hosted the
event with Penn State.
Much has changed since the conference was last at Penn State in 1985, including the
Marcellus Shale gas boom and the Skytop Mountain road construction project, which led to acid
rock drainage issues.
These topics and new initiatives and research projects at Penn State were among the focal
points of the 2017 conference. Researchers led field trips to the Penn State living filter and
arboretum and to the Susquehanna Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) near Shaver's
Creek Environmental Center, among other locations.
We looked at this as a mini-symposium, a chance to put all this information into one
publication, said Gold, who was instrumental in securing the return of the conference to Penn
State and in planning the event. Its the most up-to-date rendition of geology of the area.
As the conference travels to a different location each year, new research is highlighted
and recorded in the guidebooks published by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey. Those books
become an important record of geology research over time.
Kristen Hand, vice chair of the conference and a senior geologic scientist at the
Pennsylvania Geological Survey said the event is also important in helping professionals
reconnect with their roots.
As geologists, we often find ourselves strapped to our desks and we dont get a chance
to reconnect with our science in all its aspects, Hand said. And if we dont stay fresh with the
new science or developing theories, we can get behind. Its imperative we stay on developing
theories, new research and new developments across the state.
Gold said one such project is the Shale Hills CZO, part of a National Science
Foundation-funded network examining the thin outer layer of Earth that supports all human life.
There, cross-disciplinary researchers study everything from the highest vegetation to the deepest
underground fresh water, and almost anything in between.
This Shale Hills observatory is something thats the new face of geology, Gold said.
In 10, 20 years when textbooks are written, the stuff being done here will be included. To me,
its a flagship.
Roman DiBiase, an assistant professor of geosciences and associate in the Earth and
Environmental Systems Institute, helped lead the field trip to the CZO. He said researchers tried
to showcase the interdisciplinary work happening there.
"The things we talked about ranged from short-term time scale issues like measuring
CO2 fluxes from soils to thinking about how the landscape in Pennsylvania has changed over
hundreds of thousands of years, DiBiase said.
Ryan Mathur, a professor of geology at Juniata College, led another field trip to
Huntingdon County where participants looked at road cuts exposing Marcellus Shale rock.
The conference gives a lot of chances for good interactions across disciplines, Mathur
said. Its a good thing we have this conference to bring them all together.
Attendees include college faculty and students and professionals in industry from
environmental consultants to oil and gas professionals to geochemists.
Hand said the conference gives people who might not otherwise interact the chance to
talk about their work and make connections for future research.
The cross pollination of disciplines helps with creative new ideas with developing
concepts for research, she said. Ive seen many a new research project come out of field
conference conversations.
(Reprinted from Penn State News, October 31, 2017.)

Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Area To 13 Whole Counties, 5 New
Department of Agriculture officials published notice in the

November 4 PA Bulletin announcing the Spotted Lanternfly
quarantine has been expanded to include 13 whole
counties-- Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware,
Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery,
Northampton, Philadelphia and Schuylkill. (formal notice)
Carbon, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Philadelphia and
Schuylkill counties are entirely new to the quarantine area.
This new quarantine order replaces all previous orders issued by the Department.
Agriculture had previously designated 103 municipalities in just Berks, Bucks, Chester,
Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties as recently as September 22. (formal notice)
How You Can Help
Since receiving additional funding from the United States Department of Agriculture,
survey work began May 1, 2016 to identify additional challenges and improvements with the
invasive species.
Residents can help with this eradication effort. Download the Spotted Lanternfly
Quarantine Checklist or contact a local municipality or extension office.
The checklist provides guidelines for inspection of vehicles and other items stored
outdoors, each time they move them out of the quarantine area.
Businesses in the general quarantine area need to obtain a Certificate of Limited Permit
from the department in order to move articles. Local Department of Agriculture inspection staff
can work with businesses to ensure they are complying with quarantine restrictions.
Criminal and civil penalties of up to $20,000 and prison time can be imposed for
violations by businesses or individuals.
The Spotted Lanternfly is an inch-long black, red and white spotted pest and is native to
China, India, Japan and Vietnam. Its an invasive species in Korea, where it has attacked 25 plant
species which also grow in Pennsylvania.
The pest had not been found in the United States prior to its initial detection in Berks
County in the fall of 2014.
Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, attacks grapes, apples, pines and stone fruits. It
often attaches to the bark of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), an invasive species similar to
Sumac that can be found around parking lots or along tree lines.
Adults often cluster in groups and lay egg masses containing 30-50 eggs that adhere to
flat surfaces including tree bark. Freshly laid egg masses have a grey waxy mud-like coating,
while hatched eggs appear as brownish seed-like deposits in four to seven columns about an inch
long.
Trees attacked by the Spotted Lanternfly will show a grey or black trail of sap down the
trunk.
All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to watch for the Spotted Lanternfly and offered the
following suggestions:
-- During the months of July through December, when the adults are active, conduct a quick
inspection of your vehicle any time you move in or near a quarantine area, to find any spotted
lanternfly hitchhikers.
-- If you see eggs on trees or other smooth outdoor surfaces: Scrape them off, double bag them
and throw them in the garbage, or place the eggs in alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them.
-- If you collect a specimen: First, place the sample in alcohol or hand sanitizer in a leak proof
container. Then, submit the specimen to your county Penn State Extension office or to the
departments Entomology Lab for verification. Dont move live specimens around, even within
the quarantined area. There are many places under quarantine that do not yet have active
populations of spotted lanternfly you do not want to help them establish a new home base.
-- If you take a photo: Submit photo of adults or egg masses to: badbug@pa.gov.
-- If you want to report a site: Call the Invasive Species report line at 866-253-7189 and provide
any details of the sighting and your contact information.
Suspect specimens can also be submitted directly to the departments headquarters in
Harrisburg or to any of its six regional offices. Specimens can also be submitted to county Penn
State Extension offices as well.
For more information, visit the Department of Agricultures Spotted Lanternfly webpage.
NewsClips:
Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Expands To Lancaster, 6 Other Counties
Cornell Botanic Gardens Receives Grant To Conserve, Research Hemlock In Northeast
Related Story:
Agriculture Reports Nearly 1,500 Properties Infested With Spotted Lanternfly Populations In
Eastern PA
DCNRs PA Outdoor Corps Now Accepting Applications For 2018
DCNRs PA Outdoor Corps 10-month employment

program for young adults ages 18 to 25 is now
accepting applications for the 2018 program to run
from February through November.
Crews will be based in Altoona, Harrisburg,
Lewistown, Meadville, Philadelphia, Saint Marys,
Uniontown and Williamsport.
The PA Outdoor Corps offers work experience, job training, and educational
opportunities to young people who complete recreation and conservation projects on
Pennsylvanias public lands.
In addition to hands-on job skills, the program provides learning opportunities weekly in
resource management, environmental issues and topics, and recreation skills.
Corps members also will be provided with workforce development training and materials
during their period of employment.
Outdoor Corps members will work a 37.5-hour week and receive $10.25-per-hour
compensation and health insurance. Daily transportation to and from the worksite and breakfast
and lunch also will be provided.
More information will be available for the 6-week summer PA Outdoor Corps program
for youth between the ages of 15-18 in the coming weeks.
Visit DCNRs PA Outdoor Corps webpage for all the details.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit
DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured
DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other
social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Officials Salute PA Outdoor Corps Accomplishments In Pinchot State Forest
Officials Salute PA Outdoor Corps Accomplishments At Pinchot State Forest
DCNR Bureau of Forestry Director Dan Devlin and

state officials Thursday gathered at a state forest tract
outside Wilkes-Barre to salute the contributions and
successes of the PA Outdoor Corps at the Seven Tubs
Recreation Area in Pinchot State Forest, Luzerne
County.
Closing out its second year of operation, the
Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps certainly is emerging as a
win-win effort for all involved, Devlin told the
gathering of young workers. Pinchot State Forest has
profited greatly from the young workers spirit and commitment demonstrated here at Seven
Tubs, and at other state forests and state parks across the state. Corps crews have helped DCNR
chip away at a backlog of much-needed work, while gaining invaluable career direction and
exposure to the outdoors.
Transferred from Luzerne County to bureau ownership two years ago, Seven Tubs
Recreation Area was designated for recent deployment of the young workers, who tackled
heavy-duty trail restoration, picnic table assembly and other assignments.
The PA Outdoor Corps is an initiative offered through DCNR that offers paid work
experience, job training, and educational opportunities to young people who complete recreation
and conservation projects on Pennsylvanias public lands.
The program is designed to protect and restore public lands, while providing young
people with the knowledge to be good stewards of the states natural resources.
[Note: The PA Outdoor Corps is now accepting applications for its 10-month program
for young adults ages 18 to 25.]
Devlin, who also serves as State Forester, joined Pinchot District Forester Nick Lylo and
other participants in meeting members of the Wilkes-Barre-based PA Outdoor Corps and visiting
their project sites on the state forest tract.
PA Outdoor Corps Accomplishments
Your work here accents an incredible success story that I and other DCNR people are
seeing across the state, Devlin said. Corps members dedicated more than 84,000 hours to
improve state parks and forests, resulting in improvement to 68 acres of green spaces; 13,000
feet of shoreline; 142 miles of nature trails; and 1,251 park and forest structures; and the planting
of 567 trees.
This program is connecting youth and young adults with job opportunities relating to the
outdoors and the environment, and providing training in work skills necessary for future
successful employment.
Specifically, the work crew repaired more than 500 feet of eroded trail, using about 55
pallets of stone for steps; placing 20 tons of gravel to set the steps; moving approximately 10
tons of topsoil to stabilize eroded areas; and placing 300 feet of silt sock to protect stabilized
area. They also assembled 20 picnic tables.
What you did here this past summer and fall was not easy work, and I salute your
commitment and accomplishments, Lylo told the group. I encourage residents of Luzerne
County and beyond to take advantage of the autumn weather; come out and see your work; and
hike and explore this new and diverse forestland.
Part of Pinchots Deep Hollow Tract, Seven Tubs Recreation Area is closed to camping,
fuel wood permits and hunting. All other activities common to state forests are permitted in the
area, so named for a series of large potholes carved into bedrock by Wheelbarrow Run flowing
through a ravine.
In 2017, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corp employed 200 young people in 15 locations.
Established in 2016, the program is financed through the Department of Labor and Industrys
Reemployment Fund.
Managed by DCNR and the Student Conservation Association, the program consists of
two components: a six-week, summer program for youth between the ages of 15-18; and a
10-month program for young adults ages 18-25.
Locations were set up across the state to help facilitate participation by youth and young
adults in disadvantaged communities.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is Americas oldest and largest youth
conservation organization. Founded in 1957, its mission is to build future conservation leaders,
and seven in 10 of SCAs 80,000 alumni worldwide are employed or studying in
conservation-related fields.
Totaling more than 46,000 acres in an area marked by the confluence of the Susquehanna
and Lackawanna rivers, Pinchot State Forest District includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming,
Susquehanna and Wayne counties.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
DCNRs PA Outdoor Corps Now Accepting Applications For 2018
Gov. Pinchot's Grey Towers Opens Free For Veterans, Active Military Nov. 11 In Pike County
PA Township News: Saving Spaces: Conservation Tools Help Create Landscapes Residents
Want And Invest In
The October issue of PA Township News has a feature article on the

tools available to townships to help design a community landscape
that residents want and invest in.
The article, Saving Spaces, is written by Brenda Wilt, Assistant
Editor, and offers a comprehensive review of the tools and policies
communities can use to protect open space, natural areas and
increase local recreational opportunities.
Particularly helpful are examples of communities across the state and
how they are tackling this issue.
As development pressure grows in many areas of the
Commonwealth, townships are using a variety of tools to preserve
the land and natural resources that give their communities their
character.
From using dedicated taxes and regulations to specialized committees and outside
consultants, municipalities are working hard to create the landscapes that their residents wand
and, in many cases, are willing to invest in.
Click Here to download a copy of the article.
The monthly PA Township News includes articles on a variety of topics from a local
government perspective. Click Here to learn how you can subscribe.
(Reprinted with permission.)
NewsClip:
Penn State Arboretum To Conduct Prescribed Burn Between Nov. 1-22
George B. Stevenson Dam, Sinnemahoning State Park In Cameron County Restored
State and local officials Monday marked the restoration

and rededication of the George B. Stevenson Dam at
Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron County.
One of four dams placed specifically to control flooding
on the West Branch Susquehanna River, the George B.
Stevenson Dam is the only one not operated by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Dunn told a group of more
than 80 attendees gathered on the park lakes shore.
This places an intense burden of responsibility on the
shoulders of park staff and DCNR engineers.
Maintenance and operation of a large dam dating back
to 1955 is no small feat, but it never could never be accomplished without the expertise of those
gathered here today.
By controlling, the reservoirs in the comprehensive four-dam initiative provide
significant flood prevention to the towns downstream.
Among other state officials joining the DCNR secretary were Richard D. Flinn Jr.,
director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; Marcus Brown, director, Pennsylvania
Homeland Security; Roger Adams, acting director, Bureau of Waterways Engineering and
Wetlands, Department of Environmental Protection; and Scott Dunkelberger, deputy secretary,
Department of Community and Economic Development.
Ensuring public safety is necessary to allow visitors and residents alike to enjoy the
outdoor activities our great state has to offer, said PEMA Director Richard D. Flinn Jr. PEMA
was proud to work with DCNR and county and local officials to help with emergency planning
and notification systems to ensure that visitors to Sinnemahoning State Park and local first
responders have the tools they need to protect the public.
Before the dam was built, the surrounding valley and downstream watershed saw several
catastrophic floods, claiming life and land. Its high-hazard classification implies there is potential
risk for significant property damage or loss of life downstream, should a breach occur.
This classification is determined by the storage volume of the impoundment, the height of
the dam, and the potential extent of personal and economic loss, if the dam were to fail.
Included in the wide-ranging, two-pronged project, costing almost $12.2 million and
started in 2011, were electrical, sensor, siren and computer upgrades; toe drain and filter
improvements; dredging, stream realignment, and shoreline stabilization.
DCNRs work at Sinnemahoning and other state park impoundments across the state has
not gone unnoticed, noted Dunn. The department recently was recognized on a national level
at the Association of State Dam Safety Officials 2017 Dam Safety Conference, and presented
with the 2017 ASDSO Northeast Regional Award of Merit for outstanding work done in
improving the condition of its high hazard dams. This prestigious award is presented to
individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities, or other entities working in the dam safety
field that have made outstanding contributions to dam safety on a regional level.
In addition to the safety and well-being of those living downstream from the reservoir
outflow, visitors to the state park, one of many enriching the Pennsylvania Wilds, also share in
the rewards of these projects. Sediment removal and dredging in the upper half of the lake
increases water depth in the lake for fishing and boating. In hand with sediment dredging, stream
alignment and shoreline stabilization projects were completed while the lake level was down.
These resource management and remediation projects improved fish and wildlife habitat
in the lake while decreasing potential for future sedimentation buildup, Dunn said. The
northeast U.S. has seen more than a 70 percent increase in heavy rain events because of climate
change, and this has led to a significant increase in sedimentation in many of our lakes.
Returning the streams that feed these lakes to their natural contours, dredging, strengthening our
dams and installing water level monitoring systems, as weve done here, helps to ensure that we
can adapt as our climate changes.
NewsClips:
Nov. 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Elk And Their Mountain Music Attract Visitors To Pennsylvania
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
DCNR OKs Delaware Watershed Conservation Plan, Adds Watershed To Rivers Registry
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

published notice in the November 4 PA Bulletin it has
approved the Delaware River Watershed Conservation Plan
for the Delaware River Corridor and Naamans, Marcus Hook
and Stoney Creek Watersheds and is placing these
watersheds on the PA Rivers Conservation Registry.
Projects submitted to the Bureau, which are identified as part
of the Plan, will be given high consideration for
implementation, development or acquisition grant funding
through the Program.
Click Here for a copy of the Plan. Questions should be directed to Kelly Rossiter at
717-772-3319 or send email to: KRossiter@pa.gov.
Visit DCNRs Rivers Conservation webpage for more on this program.
[Note: DCNR is now holding workshops on how to apply for the 2018 round of
recreation and land conservation grants. Click Here for more.]
NewsClips:
Related Story:
DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Hold 6 Workshops & 2 Webinars On Apply For 2018
Grants
Pennsylvanias Fall Foliage Is Waning, But Areas In Southeast Boast Great Fall Color
The Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Thursday issued its latest Fall Foliage
Report showing Pennsylvanias Fall foliage is waning
in the Commonwealth, but some regions in the
southeastern quarter of the state still boast great fall color.
A recent, strong, and windy storm system stripped off many leaves statewide, but several
species of hickories, maples, and oaks are vibrant holdovers. Although at the end of their peak;
yellow poplar, sassafras, and yellow birch are adding bright color, even if only to the forest floor
in some areas.
The sweet smells of decaying leaves, so reminiscent of autumns of yesteryear, currently
pervade Penns Woods; adding to a most enjoyable sensory experience.
Notable regions currently vivid with autumn hues include Buchanan, Tuscarora,
Michaux, Weiser, and William Penn State Forest districts. Click Here for a map of state forests.
As the season concludes, you are encouraged to venture out for one last opportunity to
view the awe-inspiring beauty of Pennsylvania forests this fall. With dropping temperatures,
some folks prefer viewing fall foliage from their vehicles.
Click Here for information on scenic drives in Pennsylvania.
For more information on the status of foliage around the state, visit DCNRs Fall Foliage
Reports webpage.
NewsClips:
Schneck: Great Opportunity For Last Fall Foliage This Year
Western PAs Finest Fall Scenery
Fall Foliage Show 1 To 2 Weeks Behind, Blame The Warmth
Editorial: Planting The Future - TreeVitalize
Erie-Area Woods Offer More Than Pretty Home For Animals
Pine Grove Farmer To Supply Wolfs Christmas Trees
2017 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Will Be From State College
AP: California Wildfire Insurance Claims Top $3.3 Billion
Nov. 1 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR
The November 1 Resource newsletter is now

available from the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources featuring articles on--
-- DCNR Thanks And Honors Veterans During
November And All Year Long
-- DCNR Reminds Deer Hunters Of DMAP Hunting
Opportunities In State Forests
-- George B. Stevenson Dam, Sinnemahoning State
Park In Cameron County Restored
-- State, Hazleton Officials Discuss Revitalization Efforts, Local Parks, Trail Connections
-- DCNR, Reilly Twp. Officials Dedicate Renovated Branchdale Playground In Schuylkill
-- Restoration Project Restores Toms Run In Michaux State Forest, Cumberland County
-- DCNR Awarded $750K Grant For Stream Buffers In Chesapeake Bay Watershed
-- DCNR Reschedules Public Meetings On ATV Trail Study In Clinton County To Dec. 12, 19
-- PA Outdoor Corps Now Accepting Applications For 10-Month Employment Program
-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Accepting Nominations For 2018 Awards
-- Prescribed Burn Planned For Early November In Michaux State Forest
-- Register Now For Get outdoors PA Regional Summit Nov. 13 In Montour County
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
DCNRs website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click
Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
(Photo: Horse Valley Run in Tuscarora State Forest in Juniata County.)
Gov. Pinchot's Grey Towers Opens Free For Veterans, Active Military Nov. 11 In Pike
County
Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike

County, will offer a fee-free Open House for veterans,
active military personnel and their families on
November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The event is in keeping with the Pinchot family
tradition of welcoming the community, including
veterans, to their home at Grey Towers, when Gov.
Gifford Pinchot and his wife Cornelia lived here.
On September 13, 1919, the Pinchots hosted a
Welcome Home Reception at Grey Towers that included baseball, games, music and speeches.
The 1886 mansion was active with guests and visitors during its heyday when Pinchot,
who also was founder and first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, was Governor of Pennsylvania.
In addition to welcoming veterans to his private home in 1919, Pinchot rode the fire truck
during a parade in Milford at the conclusion of World War II and authored numerous articles
making a case for conservation as the foundation for global peace.
Grey Towers will be closed in observance of the Federal holiday on November 10, but
will re-open for the special Veterans Day Open House on November 11.
For information about the fee-free Veterans Day event contact Grey Towers by sending
email to: greytowers@fs.fed.us or call 570-296-9630.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Grey
Towers Heritage Association. Click Here to sign up for updates from the Association, Like them
on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, become part of their
Google+ Circle and follow them on Instagram.
Also visit the Grey Towers Historic Site website and the Pinchot Institute for
Conservation website for information on its conservation research and policy programs. Click
Here to sign up for the Institutes regular updates.
(Photo: Cornelia and Gifford Pinchot camping.)
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
DCNR Reminds Deer Hunters Of DMAP Hunting Opportunities On State Forestlands
With less than one month remaining before the start of

Pennsylvanias traditional deer hunting season,
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn Tuesday reminded hunters Deer
Management Assistance Program permits remain
available for state forest tracts across the state.
As of mid-October, more than 1,700 permits still were
available in four state forest districts among those
participating in the Game Commissions Deer
Management Assistance Program, or DMAP, Dunn said. DCNR views DMAP as an
invaluable tool in promoting hunter enjoyment and healthier forests. Always paramount in
DCNRs use of DMAP is the belief deer are an integral part of a healthy forest ecosystem and a
tremendous asset for the state.
Allowing landowners to apply for permits to encourage antlerless harvests on their
property, the program designates DMAP areas across the state that enable DCNR and private
landowners to more effectively manage white-tailed deer populations and curtail damage to
forests and crops.
Michaux State Forest has more than 300 DMAP permits that have gone unclaimed. Other
state forests with permits available as of mid-month included: Tioga, DMAP Unit 2860, 94
permits available; Susquehannock, 2010, 667; Susquehannock, 2858, 36; Susquehannock, 2859,
137; Tioga, 2860, 94; Rothrock, 1881, 100; Rothrock, 1883, 70; Rothrock, 2109, 49; and
Rothrock, 2110, 247. Click Here for a map showing state forest areas.
Applicants for DMAP permits can find DCNR tract locations and maps, availability
numbers, past hunter success rates and other information at DCNRs website.
By focusing DMAP antlerless harvests in our state forest districts and some of our state
parks, hunters can help balance deer populations with available habitat, and promote healthy
forests and healthy deer while enjoying quality hunting experiences, Dunn said.
DCNR continues to adjust DMAP applications based on habitat conditions. For instance,
some years some state forest districts will not participate in the program because of improved
forest regeneration, previously impacted by deer.
In some areas where we have seen decades of overabundance, the DMAP program
serves as a tool to help those areas recover, Dunn noted.
For questions about the statewide DMAP program, the application process, coupon
availability, or DMAP regulations, visit the Game Commissions DMAP webpage or call
717-787-4250.
(Photo: Deer hunters in Michaux State Forest.)
NewsClip:
November Most Dangerous Month For Deer/Vehicle Strikes In PA
[Posted: Oct. 31, 2017]
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Volunteer Eagle Watcher Training Dec. 2
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy Monday announced an

Eagle Watch Volunteer Training Day on December 2, from
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Lackawaxen, Pike County.
New volunteers will meet at the Upper Delaware
Visitor Center, 176 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen, at 9:00 a.m.
Then, new and existing volunteers will gather next door at the
Inn at Lackawaxen at from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. From Noon
to 1:00 p.m. attendees will visit the eagle observation areas.
Take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to learn
more about our magnificent national bird, help protect eagles
in their habitat, and assist in educating the public about
sharing our region with eagles.
Volunteers are trained to monitor and collect data about the large population of eagles
that migrate to this region every winter. Volunteers also learn how to help the thousands of
people who want to view the eagles in the safest and least intrusive manner, and share Eagle
Etiquette tips.
Volunteers are also needed to help staff the Visitor Center on weekends. Interact with
like-minded eagle enthusiasts, without needing to be out in the cold!
Binoculars, spotting scopes, training manuals, data forms, and hand warmers are
provided by the Conservancy. The winter Eagle Watch program runs through January and
February, weekends only. Volunteers may cover morning or afternoon shifts.
The main monitoring areas are the Mongaup Reservoir and the Delaware River at
Minisink Falls and the Zane Grey boat launch at Lackawaxen.
Trained eagle volunteers are also needed throughout the year to help staff booths,
participate in workshops, and be a part of other eagle-related Conservancy events.
It is highly recommended that all new volunteers attend the training day. Please dress
warmly waterproof boots, hats and gloves.
If you cannot attend, please contact us to make alternate arrangements. Volunteers should
be able to withstand cold temperatures and enjoy interacting with the public.
The Conservancys Eagle Watch program is supported in part by grant funding from the
American Eagle Foundation; Orange and Rockland; Sullivan County; the Community
Foundation of Orange and Sullivan; and The Philadelphia Foundation.
Advance registration for the Training Day is required. Send an email to:
info@delawarehighlands.org or call 570-226-3164 or 845-583-1010.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Delaware
Highlands Conservancy website or call 570-226-3164 or 845-583-1010.. Click Here to sign up
for regular updates from the Conservancy (upper right of the page), Like on Facebook and
Follow on Twitter. Click Here to support their work.
NewsClip:
Fyre: Eagles, Raptors And Lead Issues
[Posted: Oct. 30, 2017]
The Fall PA Trout newsletter is now available from the PA

Council of Trout Unlimited featuring articles on--
-- Fiscal Responsibility And A Plan For Fishing And
Boating in PA, John Arway
-- Fight Against State Funding Cuts, Efforts To Weaken
DEP Oversight Continues
-- Coldwater Heritage Partnerships 2018 Grant Program
Now Accepting Applications
-- Forever Wild Mini-Grants Applications Being Accepted
From TU Chapters
-- Enter The 2017 Trout In The Classroom Sweepstakes Fundraiser
-- PA TU Award Winners
-- PA TU Chapter Reports
-- Click Here to sign up for regular updates (top of page)
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Council
of Trout Unlimited website. Like them on Facebook. Follow PATU on Twitter. Click Here to
become a member. Click Here to support their work.
NewsClips:
SRBC: Tagging Trout, Clearfield County Stream Restoration Project
Fish & Boat Commission Adds To Keystone Select Stocked Trout Program For 2018
Related Stories:
Brodhead Chapter Trout Unlimited Volunteers Contributed Over 2,100 Hours Over Past Year,
Plans For Next Year
Support TU Embrace A Stream Challenge, Brodhead Chapter Of TU, Other PA Chapters Nov. 6
- 12
In Memoriam: Jim DeLong, Advocate For The Allegheny Wilderness
Friends of Allegheny Wilderness Friday announced

the passing of Jim DeLong, 71, of Titusville, a
long-time supporter of the Friends and an advocate
for wilderness protection.
He was a retired Oil City school teacher,
Prudential Insurance representative, and retired
October 1, this year, from Empowerment/Great West
as a certified financial advisor where he was
passionate about his work advising Pennsylvania
state employees on how to plan for retirement.
In 2007, DeLong was honored as a
Wilderness Hero by the Wilderness Society for his dedicated efforts to protect the Allegheny
National Forest.
He was quoted in the Titusville Herald as saying, from the first time he read through the
Citizens' Wilderness Proposal for Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest he knew he had to
get involved in the effort to permanently protect his beloved forest.
His favorite hobbies were kayaking and searching out little-seen waterfalls in the
Pennsylvania wilderness.
One of his favorite places in the ANF is the proposed Tracy Ridge Wilderness Area now
undergoing review by the U.S. Forest Service.
An avid photographer and outdoorsman, he published A Walk In The Park, a book of
photography and history of Oil Creek State Park.
Click Here to read his obituary.
(Photo: Jim DeLong, Titusville Man Honored As Wilderness Hero, Titusville Herald, May 8,
2007.)
Help Wanted: Berks Conservation District Nutrient Management Specialist
The Berks County Conservation District is seeking qualified and highly motivated applicants for
a full-time position focusing on working with landowners in Berks County to gain and maintain
voluntary compliance with Federal, State and Local Agricultural laws.
Primary responsibilities for this position includes the following: completing the goals and
objectives as dictated by contracts and/or delegation agreements including providing educational
outreach to promote agricultural compliance with federal, state and local laws, assisting in
developing and reviewing Nutrient Management plans as required by Act 38.
The deadline for applications is November 13. Click Here for all the details.
[Posted: Oct. 30, 2017]
Help Wanted: Partnership For The Delaware Estuary Marketing & Communications
Manager
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is seeking qualified candidates to fill a full-time
Marketing and Communications Coordinator position. The deadline for applications is
November 30. Click Here for all the details.
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events
This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
November 4-- Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Love Your Park Fall Service Day.
Philadelphia.
November 6-- Green Roofs For Healthy Cities/University of Pittsburgh. Green Roof & Wall
Symposium In Pittsburgh. University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh. 8:30 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.
November 6-- NEW. PA Sea Grant. Benedictine Sisters Of Erie. Walking Tour of Sevenmile
Creek Restoration Site. Glinodo Center,6270 East Lake Road, Harborcreek Township, Erie.
4:00.
November 8-- CANCELED. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Rescheduled
for December 4. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, 717-772-3429 or send email to:
mbrojakows@pa.gov. (formal notice)
November 8-- DEP Hearing On GE Transportation-Erie RACT II Air Quality Plan (if
requested). DEP Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville. 10:00.
November 8-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Workshop. Nanticoke,
Luzerne County, Luzerne County Community College Educational Conference Center. 9:00 a.m.
to Noon.
November 8-- Academy of Natural Sciences Of Drexel University Delaware Watershed

Research Conference. Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.
November 8-- PennTAP. Saving Energy Costs By Implementing Energy Management Systems
Workshop. Penn State Center at the Energy Innovation Center, 1435 Bedford Avenue, Suite A
in Pittsburgh. 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
November 9-- CANCELED. DCNR Public Meeting On Bloody Skillet & Whiskey Springs
ATV Trails In Centre, Clinton Counties. Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center, Lock Haven
University, Lock Haven. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. NOTE: Rescheduled for December 12, 19 same
place same time.
November 9-- Sponsorships Available. PA Resources Council Annual Awards Celebration.

Villanova University Hotel and Conference Center, Philadelphia.
November 9-- Energy Coordinating Agency Fall Energy Conference. Temple University
Student Faculty Center, 3340 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia. 8:45 to 4:15.
November 10-11-- Bucknell University 12th Annual Susquehanna River Symposium. Bucknell
University Campus, Lewisburg, Union County.
November 11-- Westmoreland Cleanways & Recycling. Household Hazardous Waste

Collection Event. Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center, 113 Innovative Lane in Latrobe.
9:00 to 1:00.
November 11-- NEW. Gov. Pinchots Grey Towers Opens Free For Veterans, Active Military.
Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike County. 11:00 to 2:00.
November 12-- Trout Unlimited Allegheny National Forest Trout Spawning Sites Survey.
Sheffield, Warren County.
November 13-- House Transportation Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 1446
(M.Quinn-R-Montgomery) related to establishing a clean transportation infrastructure (sponsor
summary). Room 140. 11:00.
November 13-- Environmental Issues Forum, Joint Conservation Committee featuring a

presentation on pumped storage hydroelectric facilities. Room 8E-A East Wing. Noon. Click
Here for more.
November 13-- PA Recreation and Park Society/DCNR. Get Outdoors PA Regional Summit.
Montour Preserve/Environmental Education Center, 700 Preserve Road, Danville, Montour
County. 8:30 to 2:30.
November 13-- NEW. League of Women Voters of PA. University of Pittsburgh Graduate
School of Public Health. 2017 Shale and Public Health Conference. Pitt University Club, 123
University Place, Pittsburgh. 9:00 to 5:00.
November 13-14-- Northeast Recycling Council 30th Anniversary Fall Conference. Amherst,
Massachusetts.
November 14-- CANCELED. Environmental Quality Board meeting. The next scheduled
meeting is December 12. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400
Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov. (formal notice)
November 14-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Lee Ann Murray, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459, Harrisburg,
PA 17105-8459, 717-787-8171, LeeMurray@pa.gov.
November 14-- DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. 16th Floor Conference
Room, Rachel Carson Building. 8:30. DEP Contact: Carl Jones, caejone@pa.gov or
484-250-5818 or Glenda Davidson 717-783-4759 or gldavidson@pa.gov. Click Here for more.
-- Discussion of comments gathered in 2017 Listening Sessions
November 14-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Workshop. Clarion,
Clarion County, Trinity Point Church of God. 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
November 14-- NEW. Susquehanna River Basin Commission Webinar On Registering

Grandfathered Water Uses. 1:00 to 2:00. Click Here to register.
November 15-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee workgroup meeting. Desert Room, Keystone
Building Meeting Center, 400 North Street, Suite 114 East, Harrisburg. 9:30. DEP Contact:
Janice Vollero, jvollero@pa.gov, 717-783-7416. (formal notice) Click Here for more.
-- Review of Act 26 Implementation Strategy for including alternative onlot septic systems in
sewage facility plans
November 15-- NEW. DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council meeting.
Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DCNR Contact: Gretchen Leslie, 717-772-9084 or
send email to: gleslie@pa.gov. (formal notice)
November 15-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Workshop. Allison
Park, Allegheny County, Hampton Township Community Center. 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
November 15-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing on water
withdrawal requests and other items. Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center, 1112
River Road, Washington Crossing, Bucks County. 1:30. Click Here for more. (formal notice)
November 15-- NEW. America Recycles Day!
November 16-- CANCELED. Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Todd Wallace 717-783-9438 or send email to:
twallace@pa.gov. (formal notice)
November 16-- DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner, 717-772-2189 or
dhissner@pa.gov. (formal notice)
November 16-- Location Added. Agenda Posted. PA Grade Crude Development Advisory
Council meeting. Hearing Room 1, 2nd Floor, Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg.
1:00.
-- Legacy Well Discussion
-- DEP Production Well Amnesty Program
-- Presentation On Brine Hauling And Disposal Costs
-- Economic Incentives For Improved Production Environment
November 16-- NEW. DEP Public Meeting On Remediation Of Former Anzon Lead Smelter
Site In Kensington/Port Richmond Area Of Philadelphia. First Presbyterian Church in
Kensington, 418 E. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia. Doors open at 6:00.
November 16-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Workshop. Blue Bell,
Montgomery County, Montgomery County Community College, Central Campus. 9:00 a.m. to
Noon.
November 16-- PennTAP: How To Move Your Company Toward Sustainability Webinar.
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
November 16-- Penn State Extension. Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells, Whats A Reasonable
Estimate? Webinar. 1:00 to 2:00.
November 16-- 9th Annual Sustainability Conference: Engineering A Sustainable Economy.

August Wilson Center, 980 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. 8:00 a.m. to 3:00.
November 16-- PA Sea Grant Program. Responding To Hydrilla In The Lake Erie Watershed
Workshop. Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Presque Isle State Park, Erie. 9:00 to 3:30.
November 17-- NEW. DEP Sewage Enforcement Officer Exams. PA State Association of
Township Supervisors Education Center, 4855 Woodland Drive in Enola, Cumberland County.
1:00 to 4:30.
November 18-- Brodhead Creek Watershed Association. Water Wiser Kids. Explore The
H2Olympics. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville, Monroe County.
10:30.
November 18-- CANCELED. Westmoreland Cleanways & Recycling. Household Hazardous

Waste Collection Event. Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center, 113 Innovative Lane in
Latrobe. 9:00 to 1:00.
November 18-- Audubon Society Of Western PA. Zeloyle Sanctuary Reforestation Project.
Sarver, Butler County. 9:00 to Noon.
November 20-- DEP Hearing On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Foam Fabricators Columbia
County (if requested). DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Suite 101 in
Williamsport. 10:00.
November 21-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Workshop. State
College, Centre County, Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, Deans Hall 1. 9:00 a.m. to
Noon.
November 25-- Brodhead Creek Watershed Association. Get Outdoors Poconos. Cranberry
Creek Hike in Paradise Township, Monroe County. 10:00.
November 29-- NEW. DEP State Board For Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers
meeting. 11th Floor Conference Room B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact:
717-772-2186 or send email to: RA-seotrng@pa.gov. (formal notice)
November 30-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee workgroup meeting. 4th Floor Training
Room, Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Janice Vollero, jvollero@pa.gov,
717-783-7416. (formal notice) Click Here for more.
-- Review of Act 26 Implementation Strategy for including alternative onlot septic systems in
sewage facility plans
December 2-- NEW. Green Valleys Watershed Association. Community Water Resources
Planning Workshop. The Washington at Historic Yellow Springs, 1685 Art School Road,
Chester Springs, Chester County. 8:30 to Noon.
December 2-- NEW. Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Volunteer Eagle Watcher Training.
Upper Delaware Visitor Center, 176 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen, Pike County. 9:00.
December 4-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, 717-772-3429 or send email to:
mbrojakows@pa.gov. (formal notice)
December 5-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5599 or send email to:
dheimbach@pa.gov. (formal notice)
December 5-- DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office 286 Industrial
Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Allison Gaida, agaida@pa.gov, 724-404-3147.
December 5-7-- National Brownfields Conference - Sustainable Communities Start Here.

LEED-certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
December 6-- DEP Hearing On Chapter 16 Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy
Changes. DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 1:00.
December 6-- Environmental Quality Board Hearing On Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards
Changes Under Triennial Review. DEP Northeast Regional Office, 2 Public Square,
Wilkes-Barre. 2:00.
December 7--10,000 Friends Of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards Program. The Bond,

134 E. King Street, York.
December 7-- Westminster College Student Symposium On The Environment. Witherspoon

Rooms and Mueller Theater on the Westminster campus, Lawrence County.
Changes. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. 1:00.
Changes Under Triennial Review. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg. 2:00.
December 11-- CANCELED. DEP Sewage Enforcement Officer Exams. PA State Association
of Township Supervisors Education Center, 4855 Woodland Drive in Enola, Cumberland
County. 1:00 to 4:30.
December 11-- NEW. Center For Watershed Protection. Integrating Stream Restoration Into
PAs Chesapeake Bay Local Pollution Reduction Plans Workshop. Upper Allen Township
Office, 100 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. 8:00 to 4:00
December 12-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.
DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
17101, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
December 12-- DCNR Public Meeting On Bloody Skillet & Whiskey Springs ATV Trails In
Centre, Clinton Counties. Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center, Lock Haven University,
Lock Haven. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
December 13-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Michael Maddigan, mmaddigan@pa.gov, 717-772-3609.
December 13-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Webinar. 10:00 to
11:30.
December 13-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a business meeting on water
withdrawal requests and other items. Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center, 1112
River Road, Washington Crossing, Bucks County. 10:30. Click Here for more. (formal notice)
December 13-- NEW. Susquehanna River Basin Commission Webinar On Registering

Grandfather Water Uses. 1:00 to 2:00. Click Here to register.
December 14-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, kdalal@pa.gov or 717-772-3436.
December 14-- Agenda Posted. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. 14th Floor
Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact Daniel Snowden,
dsnowden@pa.gov or 717-787-5103. (formal notice)
December 14- DEP State Board For Certification Of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators
meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Cheri
Sansoni, csansoni@pa.gov, 717-772-5158.
Changes. DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh. 1:00.
Changes Under Triennial Review. DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive,
Pittsburgh. 2:00.
December 19-- DCNR Public Meeting On Bloody Skillet & Whiskey Springs ATV Trails In
Centre, Clinton Counties. Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center, Lock Haven University,
Lock Haven. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
December 20-- CANCELED. DEP State Board For Certification of Sewage Enforcement
Officers meeting. 11th Floor Conference Room B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP
Contact: 717-772-2186 or send email to: RA-seotrng@pa.gov. (formal notice)
January 11-- DCNR, PA Recreation & Park Society Grant Application Webinar. 10:00 to 11:30.
February 7-10-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture Annual Conference. State

College.
February 23-24-- Keystone Coldwater Conference. State College. (Note: PA Environment

Digest is a Conference sponsor.)
March 12-13-- PA Association of Environmental Educators. 2018 Annual Conference. State

College, Centre County.
April 17-19-- National Forum On Low-Zero Energy Buildings. Wyndam Grand Hotel,
Pittsburgh.
May 2-4-- PA Association Of Environmental Professional. Annual Conference. State College.
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEPs eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
August 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4922
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2017) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle
Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other
recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.
November 6-- POWR, DCNR 2018 PA River Of The Year

November 9-- PennDOT Green Light-Go LED Traffic Light Grants
November 17-- Western PA Conservancy Canoe & Kayak Access Grants
November 17-- DEP Alternative Fuels Public Refueling Facilities Grant
November 17-- DCNR 2018 Pennsylvania Trail Of The Year
November 17-- Recyclebank Green Schools Project Grants (in their service territory)
November 17-- NEW. Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grants
November 26-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Digital Photo Contest
December 1-- DEP Small Business Advantage Grant Program (First-Come, First-Served)
December 15-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
December 15-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants
December 18-- NEW. PA Parks & Forests Foundation 2018 Awards
December 20-- DCNR Forested Stream Buffer Grants
December 20-- DCNR Snowmobile, ATV Trail Grants
December 29-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators Excellence Awards
December 31-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (First-Come, First-Served)
January 1-- NEW. Governors Awards For Environmental Excellence
February 1-- U.S. Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program
April 1-- DEP Farm Conservation Plan Grant Chesapeake Bay Watershed
April 6-- NEW. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
May 23-- SBA Flood Assistance Clearfield, Washington, 8 Other Counties
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.
Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add us to your Google+ Circle.
Air
Allegheny River
Industries Brace For Allegheny River Closure Above Harrison
Awards & Recognition
Alternative Fuels
Pittsburgh Mayor Encourages PA Residents To Buy Electric Vehicles
Sheetz Makes Room For Tesla Superchargers
Tesla Supercharges For Electric Vehicles Installed Near Bellefonte
Its Trump, Farmers, DowDuPont vs. Philly-Area Refineries
Op-Ed: Working Together, We Can Grow PA, Heres How, Fmr Sen. Wonderling
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
Budget
Chesapeake Bay
Click Here to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Climate
Coal Mining
Shale Gas Overtakes Coal, But Is it An Environmentally Kinder Fuel?
Consol Energy Board Approves Coal, Natural Gas Split
Consol Separates Coal And Natural Gas Entities
Consol Energy To Split Into Coal Mining, Oil & Gas Extraction Companies
Reuters: PA Coal Miners So Convinced Trump Will Bring Coal Back Theyre Refusing Training
In Other Industries
Fmr-FERC GOP Commissioner Nora Brownell (PA): DOE Coal/Nuclear Proposal Is A Tax On
Customers
Trump Wants To Save Big Coal With $11 Billion Annual Bailout
CT, OH, Pennsylvania Make Substantive Gains For State Nuclear Subsidies
PJM: Can The Big Dog Deal With State Interference?
Op-Ed: FERC: Keep Energy Markets Free Markets
Op-Ed: DOE Grid Proposal Will Help Coal Barons, Not Coal Miners And Kill People
Compliance Action
DEP: Mariner East 2 Pipeline Issued 2nd NOV In 5 Days In Lebanon County
Delaware River
Drinking Water
Chester Water Authority Sets Meeting, Sale Talk Again Looms
East Liverpool Residents Concerned About Manganese Contamination
NJ Sets Strictest Limit In U.S. For PFOA In Drinking Water
Economic Development
Reuters: PA Coal Miners So Convinced Trump Will Bring Coal Back Theyre Refusing Training
In Other Industries
Education
John James Audubon Center Builds Native Plant Greenhouse For Norristown School
State Labor Official Highlights STEM Career Opportunities
Students Embrace STEAM Learning In Altoona
Tax Foes In Westmoreland Say Libraries No Longer Useful
Energy
EIA: It Will Cost More To Heat Your Home This Winter
Rising Rate Of PECO Service Shut-Offs Prompts Review Of Utility Costs For Poor
AP: Severe Storm Knocks Out Power In Pennsylvania
PPL Energy Price Sees Largest Drop Since 2015
Some PPL Customer Bills Heading Down, Others Up
PGW Customers Finally Have Choice Of Suppliers, Few Are Shopping
Customers
Trump Wants To Save Big Coal With $11 Billion Annual Bailout
Crable: Brunner Island Closes Fishing Spot, Conestoga River Access Blocked For Pipeline
Energy Conservation
Farming
Flooding
Solomon Creek Flood Gates Put Up To Prepare For Storm
AP: Severe Storm Knocks Out Power In Pennsylvania
Forests
Editorial: Planting The Future - TreeVitalize
2017 Rockefeller Christmas Tree Will Be From State College
Green Infrastructure
Green Technology
Meet Evoqua, Pittsburgh Water Treatment Company About To Make Its Wall Street Splash
Hazardous Sites
State Confirms Extreme Lead Levels In Kensington Soil
Land Conservation
Land Recycling
Mine Reclamation
East Liverpool Residents Concerned About Manganese Contamination
RECLAIM Act: New Ideas For Abandoned Mine Lands
Oil & Gas
Cusick: Wolf Aide Criticized After Downplaying Oil & Gas Royalty Problems
More Permits, More Drilling Equals More PA Natural Gas
Upper Burrell OKs Natural Gas Drilling Pads
Carr: Monroeville Defends Shale Seismic Testing Ordinance In Court
Lawsuit Adds Another Snag Toward A Combined EQT, Rice Energy
Main Opposition To EQT/Rice Energy Merger Backs Down, Kind Of
Customers
FERC Sees Few Regulations Limiting Domestic Energy Use Or Development
Court Rejects Greens Plea To Stop Natural Gas Export Projects
Get Ready For An Appalachian Natural Gas Bonanza
Gasoline Prices Climb 6.1 Cents In Lancaster
Pipelines
Plaintiffs Ask EHB Judge To Revoke Illegal Mariner East 2 Pipeline Permits
DEP Refuses To Allow Mariner East 2 Pipeline Drilling To Resume In Lebanon County
DEP: Mariner East 2 Pipeline Issued 2nd NOV In 5 Days In Lebanon County
Cusick: Activists Offer Pancakes To Sunrise Pipeline Workers In Lancaster
Crable: First Spot For Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Burial On Nuns Land In Lancaster
Oil Pipeline From Northampton County To Philly To Be Converted To Natural Gas
Op-Ed: Pipelines Are Safe And A Moral Imperative For PA
New York, FERC At Odds Over Construction Of Millennium Pipeline
U.S. Senate Approves 2 Trump FERC Nominees
Radiation Protection
Customers
Recreation
Fill Material At Scranton Park Not Contaminated
List Of Philadelphia City Parks, Rec Centers, Libraries Set For Makeovers
New Section Of Schuylkill River Trail Opens In Schuylkill County
Conrail Donates Swing Bridge To Extend Schuylkill River Trail
WITF Smart Talk: DCNR Secretary Dunn On Connecting PAs Trails
Nov. 3 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Schneck: Beautiful PA Waterfalls And Fall Leaves On Northkill Creek
Schneck: Whitewaters Fury To Be Unleashed On Tohickon Creek In Bucks
Harrisburgs Italian Lake Park Was Part Of City Beautiful Movement In 1901
Recycling/Waste
Renewable Energy
Stormwater
Susquehanna River
Sustainability
Water Resources
Industries Brace For Allegheny River Closure Above Harrison
Wastewater Facilities
Freeport Residents Split On $11.6M Sewage Treatment Plan
Watershed Protection
Wildlife
Fyre: Eagles, Raptors And Lead Issues
John James Audubon Center Builds Native Plant Greenhouse For Norristown School
Crable: Most Common Birds, Biggest Bullies At Backyard Feeders
Fish & Boat Commission Adds To Keystone Select Stocked Trout Program For 2018
AP: DA Rules Shooting By Fish & Boat Commission Officer Justified
November Most Dangerous Month For Deer/Vehicle Strikes In PA
Abuse Of Opossum At Bloomsburg U Being Investigated By Game Commission
AP: Men Cited After Photos Show Opossum Being Kissed, Given Beer
Schneck: 14 Things You Dont Know About The Opossum
Wildfires
Hurricanes
Lessons Go Unheeded 5 Years After Superstorm Sandy
Editorial: This Time FEMA Needs The Help
Federal Policy
EPA Bars Scientists With Agency Funding From Advisory Boards
Customers
FERC Sees Few Regulations Limiting Domestic Energy Use Or Development
Court Rejects Greens Plea To Stop Natural Gas Export Projects
New York, FERC At Odds Over Construction Of Millennium Pipeline
U.S. Senate Approves 2 Trump FERC Nominees
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - November 4, 2017
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
August 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4922
Technical Guidance & Permits
Note: DEP published 67 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and
approval/ disapproval actions in the November 4 PA Bulletin - pages 6818 to 6885.
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 4 PA Bulletin on

the proposed PAG-02 NPDES General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with
Construction Activities. DEPs November 4 notice says, The Department is not proposing any
changes to PAG-02 at this time.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the November 4 PA
Bulletin it has executed a streambed lease for 79.9 acres of submerged lands with in Lycoming
County for the development of oil and natural gas below the streambed by Pennsylvania General
Energy Company. Click Here for a copy of the lease.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notices in the November 4 PA Bulletin on
projects approved for consumptive uses of water and projects rescinded for consumptive uses of
water during August.
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2017) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
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Pa Environment Digest Nov. 6, 2017

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Pa Environment Digest Nov. 6, 2017

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Issue #697 Crisci Associates, Harrisburg, PA Nov.

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed

The PA Environmental Council Thursday posted this after-action

The Pennsylvania General Assembly has passed, and Governor

Senate Environmental Committee Holds Hearing On Lead Exposure In Northeast PA

The Senate Environmental Resources and

Senate Task Force, Lead Exposure Advisory Committee Members Named

The Wolf Administration invites all

PA Parks & Forests Foundation Accepting Nominations For 2018 Awards

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Tuesday announced it is now

Bills On Governor's Desk

Performance-Based Budgeting: Senate Bill 181 (Mensch-R-Montgomery) providing for a

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

The following bills of interest were introduced last week--

Pipeline Emergency Notification: Senate Bill 930 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires pipeline

Pipeline Shutoff Valves: Senate Bill 931 (Dinniman-D-Chester) incorporating automatic or

Session Schedule [Updated]

Attorney General Josh Shapiro and DEP Secretary

News From The Capitol

House Republican Policy Committee Hears Testimony On Proposed Delaware Watershed

Legislation originally drafted as Senate Bill 404 and sponsored by Sen.

News From Around The State

Streams across Monroe County are cleaner and healthier

Support TU Embrace A Stream Challenge, Brodhead Chapter Of TU, Other PA Chapters

The Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a local,

The Philadelphia Water Departments Green City,

(Reprinted from the Philadelphia Water Department Blog.)

Spotlight On Success: Brubaker Run-Lime Spring Square Green Infrastructure Project

The Brubaker Run-Lime Spring Square

How To Fund A Riparian Buffer Project On Your Property

So you want to plant a riparian buffer on your

PA Sea Grant and the Benedictine Sisters of Erie

Green Valleys Watershed Association will host

The Center for Watershed Protection and Ecosystem

LandStudies November Newsletter Demonstrates Triple Benefits Of Green Infrastructure

The November issue of the green

12th Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum Nov. 3-5 Shepherdstown, WV

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bays 12th Annual

(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)

Auditor General Eugene DePasquale Wednesday said his recent

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Now Registering Grandfathered Water Uses

DEP Reschedules December Sewage Enforcement Officer Exams To Nov. 17

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 4 PA Bulletin it

Did you know when you recycle one aluminum can

Apply Now For Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Bin Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the

State and local officials from Carlisle

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday

The Department of Community and Economic Development PA Grade Crude Development

2017 Shale & Public Health Conference Nov. 13 In Pittsburgh

The League of Women Voters of PA and University of

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the November 4 PA Bulletin

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Now Accepting Applications

The PA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

As part of its 15th year of Prepare Now education efforts, the

On October 26 the City of Philadelphia and the

Registration Opens Soon For 2018 Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenge!

Mark your calendars! Registration opens soon

Weis Markets Continues To Reduce Environmental Impact, Releases 2016 Sustainability

As Sunbury-based Weis Markets expanded its customer

Penn State Sustainability Institute Climate Stories Inspires Conversations On Climate