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Issue #722 ​Crisci Associates​, Harrisburg, PA April 30, 2018

PA Environment Digest Blog​ ​Twitter Feed​ ​PaEnviroDigest Google+

New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers

National, state, and local partners gathered on a


Lancaster County farm Tuesday for the announcement
of one of Pennsylvania’s most ambitious, collaborative,
and challenging efforts to restore and protect its rivers
and streams – the planting of 10 million trees by the end
of 2025.
Through the end of April, the ​Keystone 10 Million
Trees Partnership​ will be planting more than 31,000
trees at over 50 locations throughout the
Commonwealth.
The Partnership is a collaborative effort, coordinated by
the ​Chesapeake Bay Foundation​, of national, regional, state, and local agencies, conservation
organizations, watershed groups, conservancies, outdoors enthusiasts, businesses, and
individuals.
Click Here​ for video of the introduction to the kick off event by Harry Campbell,
Executive Director PA Office Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Rodney Garber, owner of the
Garber Farm in Lancaster County where the event was held.
“The old proverb, “it takes a village,” is certainly true for restoring Pennsylvania’s rivers
and streams,” said CBF President William C. Baker. “The Commonwealth is significantly
behind in meeting its pollution-reduction commitments and the Keystone 10 Million Tree
Partnership will accelerate efforts to close that gap.”
Click Here​ for video of remarks by Will Baker, CBF President.
About 100 conservationists, including three state cabinet secretaries and the Region III
Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, met on the Garber Farm in
Manheim for the official launch of the Partnership and a tree-planting in a streamside buffer
along Little Chiques Creek.
Offering remarks at the event were EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio; CBF
President William C. Baker; Pennsylvania Secretaries Patrick McDonnell of the Department of
Environmental Protection, Cindy Adams Dunn of the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, Russell Redding of the Department of Agriculture; Christopher Thompson, district
manager of the Lancaster County Conservation District, and farm owner Rodney Garber.
“EPA applauds the efforts beginning here today by our partners in retaining and
expanding forests throughout the watershed,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio.
“It’s appropriate that this kickoff occurs between Earth Day and Arbor Day since this effort will
help to keep our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay clean. From filtering out pollutants to
absorbing stormwater and preventing erosion, planting a tree is one of the most impactful
conservation practices anyone can do.”
Click Here​ for video of remarks by Cosmo Servidio, EPA Region III Administrator.
“When we look at solutions for some of our conservation challenges such as managing
stormwater from very heavy rain events, having clean drinking water, and providing habitat for
fish and wildlife, it turns out that trees are the answer,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
said. “We are excited to work with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and many other partners on
this movement to plant trees along streams and in communities across Pennsylvania.”
Click Here​ for video of remarks by Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of DCNR.
Roughly 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are impaired by polluted
runoff and the legacy of coal mining. Trees are the most cost-effective tools for cleaning and
protecting waterways by filtering and absorbing polluted runoff, stabilizing streambanks, and
improving soil quality.
“We’ve all seen fast-moving uniformly brown water in streams after a rainstorm, and
many people have come to take it for normal,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “It’s not.
It’s sediment—literally the earth beneath our feet—eroding from banks to damage water quality
and aquatic life.
“With 43 counties in the Bay watershed, Pennsylvania faces a great challenge to restore
local water quality and help farms, towns, businesses, and residents make changes to prevent
further pollution. The only way to meet the challenge is to combine innovative ideas with
committed partnerships, as the Keystone 10 Million Trees initiative demonstrates today.”
Click Here​ for video of remarks by DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
The Commonwealth’s Clean Water Blueprint calls for about 95,000 acres of forested
buffers to be planted in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Adding 10
million new trees alongside streams, streets, and other priority landscapes would accelerate the
Keystone State toward its clean water goals, achieving as much as two-thirds of the 95,000-acre
goal.
“A farm is the perfect place to kick off this initiative,” Agriculture Secretary Russell
Redding said. “Prosperous farms and a safe, abundant food supply depend on clean water, and a
clean water supply depends on strategic farm management practices like forested buffers.
Pennsylvania’s farmers are key to clean water for our region and we are pleased to support them
as stewards of our resources.”
Click Here​ for video of remarks by Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding.
By 2025, the Keystone State is to have all practices in place to restore local rivers,
streams, and the Chesapeake Bay. It missed its goal of having 60 percent in place by 2017.
The partnership is placing special emphasis on plantings in Lancaster County and four
others in Southcentral Pennsylvania. Those counties are critical because of the amount of
nitrogen pollution generated and that local stream impairment and overall loss of trees along
streams and streets is where greatest need meets greatest opportunity.
The Partnership can jumpstart the Commonwealth’s efforts with concentrated plantings
in those counties.
“As Lancaster County pursues our goal of cleaning up our local creeks streams and rivers
we know that a healthy Bay begins to take root when trees are planted upstream,” said
Christopher Thompson, district manager of the ​Lancaster County Conservation District​.
Click Here​ for video of remarks by Christopher Thompson, Lancaster County
Conservation District Manager.
Trees placed in parks, municipal properties and other urban and suburban settings absorb
and clean stormwater, reduce flooding, and help restore abandoned mine land.
“Trees, especially when alongside streams and streets, are one of the most cost-effective
ways to restore and protect stream health, help keep nutrients and soils on the land, and cleanse
drinking water sources,” said Harry Campbell, CBF Executive Director in Pennsylvania. “More
trees benefit our farmers, our communities, and our health and welfare.”
Campbell expressed confidence in the Partnership’s effort and noted that its success will
be influenced by how it evolves.
“Many hands make light work. Together with partners new and old, we can plant 10
million trees,” Campbell said. “We encourage organizations, business, schools, and anyone else
concerned about restoring and protecting Pennsylvania’s waters, to sign up as partners. All that’s
necessary is a commitment to reducing pollution and to planting trees as a solution to making
that happen.”
Click Here​ for video of remarks by Sarah Bleacher, ​Manor Chapter Future Farmers of
America​, who helped plant 100 trees at the event.
Click Here​ for a video lesson on how to plant tree seedlings by Jim MacKenzie, ​Octoraro
Native Plant Nursery​ in Lancaster, one of the partners on the Garber Farm tree planting project.
Current members of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership include: ​Adams County
Watershed Alliance​; Antietam Watershed Association; ​Arbor Day Foundation​; ​Central
Pennsylvania Conservancy​; ​Chesapeake Bay Foundation​; ​City of Lancaster​; ​ClearWater
Conservancy​; ​Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association​; ​Derry Township​; ​Doc Fritchey Trout
Unlimited​; ​Donegal Experiential Education Program​; ​Donegal Trout Unlimited​; ​East Pennsboro
Township​; ​Halifax Middle School​; ​Huntingdon County Conservation District​; ​Juniata County
Conservation District​; ​Juniata Watershed Alliance​; ​Lancaster Conservancy​; ​Lebanon Rotary​;
Lebanon Valley Conservancy​; ​Luzerne Conservation District​; ​Manada Conservancy​; ​Penn State
Master Watershed Stewards​; ​Musser Forests, Inc​.; ​North Branch Land Trust​; ​Octoraro Native
Plant Nursery​; ​Partners for Fish and Wildlife​; ​Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center​;
Penn State Cooperative Extension​; ​Penns Valley Conservation Association​; Department of
Agriculture; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Department of Environmental
Protection; ​Pennsylvania Environmental Council​; ​Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery
Association​; ​Schuylkill Trout Unlimited​; ​Silver Mine Park/Pequea Township​; ​Silver Spring
Township​; ​Spring Creek Trout Unlimited​; ​Stroud Water Research Center​; ​Tiadaghton Trout
Unlimited​; U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service; ​York
County Conservation District​.
To learn more, visit the ​Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership​ website.
For more information on cleaning up Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers, visit the ​PA
Chesapeake Bay Plan​ webpage.
NewsClips:
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Related Stories:
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

PA Environmental Professionals Recognize Felicia Dell, York Planning; Suskie


Bassmasters With Karl Mason, Walter Lyon Awards

The ​PA Association of Environmental Professionals​ Monday announced they recognized Felicia
Dell, Director of the York County Planning Commission with the Karl Mason Award and the
Suskie Bassmasters with the Walter Lyon Award.
The winners will be recognized at the PAEP Awards Dinner at its ​annual conference​ May
3 in State College.
-- Karl Mason Award: Felicia Dell, Director York County Planning Commission
Felicia Dell became Director of the ​York County Planning Commission​ in the spring of
2000, after previously serving as Chief of the Transportation Division and Assistant Director. As
Director, she manages the day-to-day operation, as well as the long-term direction, of the
organization.
Early in her duties as Director, it became apparent water related issues would become
very important, not only in York County, but also Statewide, especially in the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed.
In an attempt to get continuity concerning water issues for York County, upon Felicia’s
recommendation, the York County Planning Commission (YCPC) became one of the first, if not
the first, county planning offices to hire a full time planner dedicated solely to water related
issues.
Very quickly, YCPC became a prominent player in water issues for Pennsylvania and
continues to be an expected presence at local, State, regional, and Federal water related functions
and meetings.
Felicia keeps abreast of proposed water related legislation, policies, and plans and
frequently directs the Water Resources Coordinator to prepare comments for submission.
Under Felicia’s guidance, YCPC developed an ​Integrated Water Resources Plan​ (IWRP),
which met the requirements of the PA Municipalities Planning Code and the PA Stormwater
Management Act (Act 167).
The County Commissioners adopted the Plan in 2011 as a component of the County
Comprehensive Plan, making York County one of the first to incorporate a countywide Act 167
Stormwater Management Plan into a Comprehensive Plan.
Additionally, the IWRP contains a unique flow chart tool that demonstrates how
everything related to water resources interacts and ties together. An inherent value of the
flowchart tool is its applicability to all municipalities in York County and its transferability to
other counties in Pennsylvania.
Felicia is an active member of Pennsylvania’s ​Chesapeake Bay WIP Phase 3 Steering
Committee​, Co-Chair of the WIP Phase 3 Stormwater Workgroup, and a Board member of the
Watershed Alliance of York and the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County.
She also administers the County’s ​MS4 Permit​ and serves to advise and coordinate local
water related projects. Additionally, Felicia has presented on the topic of water resources and
York County’s regional efforts at many conferences and workshops throughout the
Commonwealth.
She regularly assigns staff to attend water resource meetings, participate in water related
educational functions, and conduct water legislative/policy research to keep informed.
Most importantly, Felicia is deserving of this award for her “big picture” vision and
diligence in striving to coordinate the local, State, Regional, and Federal players in this picture.
This is no small task in Pennsylvania. However, Felicia’s efforts have “broken turf” as
PennDOT has become an active participant in implementation of the YCSWC’s CBPRP, thereby
meeting its own MS4 requirements in York County.
Coordination of the many regulators, agencies, programs, and stakeholders is necessary
to maximize efficiency in reaching the common goal of having a reliable supply of clean water
throughout all of York County and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
[​Note:​ ​Felicia Dell also won​ a Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence this
year.]
-- Walter Lyon Award: Suskie Bassmasters.
The ​Suskie Bassmasters​ were founded in February 2005 when a group of anglers based in
Shavertown, Luzerne County decided to start a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving
public access and use of the Susquehanna River Watershed by promoting environmental
protection and responsible use of the river, its wetlands, and wildlife resources.
The organization’s goals are enhancement of recreational angling, hunting, boating, and
other outdoor activities along the river as well as promoting and supporting appropriate habitat
improvements, educational projects, improving the Susquehanna River fishery, and working with
public authorities and other conservation/recreational organizations toward these goals.
Since inception, the organization’s forefront has been improvements to the Nesbitt Park
facility in Wilkes-Barre as well as assisting local, state, and federal authorities to improve the
surrounding river ecosystem.
The Suskie Bassmasters have facilitated improvements like the installation of a 2 lane
boat launch and canoe/kayak launch at Nesbitt Park. Installation of a paved parking lot at Nesbitt
Park with wetland mitigation, provided river access to disaster recovery officials during the
flooding in 2011, and most recently the purchase and installation of solar lighting in the parking
lot and boat launch area.
The Suskie Bassmasters nomination is in recognition of their past, present, and future
efforts to protect and preserve the local fishery as well as habitat and community service goals
and partnerships the organization has built.
Any fishing club can form and do well in a community bringing people together for a
common cause but this organization has taken the local lead to partner with other groups to
benefit the community.
After the flooding in September 2011, the organization helped with PEMA, EPA, and
DEP to facilitate the transportation of hazardous material contractors to remote islands on the
river for the collection and disposal of materials including propane and fuel oil tanks, aerosols
containers, and household cleaning products that were accumulated during the flooding.
The group was also instrumental in locating the areas of accumulated debris as traversing
the miles of flood ravaged shorelines would have been nearly impossible.
Recently, the Suskie Bassmasters were invited by the Riverfront Parks Committee to
participate in the annual Riverfest event at Nesbitt Park. The Suskie Bassmasters partnered with
Cabelas and local outdoor shops to provide fishing rods and all the essential gear to kids during
the 2016 Riverfest event.
The event was a huge success with the highlight of giving away over 75 fishing rods to
kids that most had never fished before or had someone to take them fishing. Members provided
all the essentials for a day of fishing and taught the basics of casting and use of the equipment.
Also on display was a large aquarium showcasing fish caught from the river earlier in the
day so onlookers can visualize and learn from club member the truth about the river.
he two-day event and the joy brought to kids and parents was more valuable than any
imagined and set the bar even higher for future events.
Not to be outdone, the organization partnered with the Riverfront Parks Committee in the
fall with the annual Chalkfest/Hydromania where members once again showcased the fish of the
river and helped over 20 children fish the river simultaneously for the duration of the event.
During the summer of 2016 a longtime goal of the organization became a reality with the
installation of 5 solar lights at the Nesbitt Park boat launch and parking lot.
Despite a failed request for grant money to purchase and install the lights, the
organization managed to independently raise the funds and work with the City of Wilkes-Barre
to purchase and install the lights. Not only do they provide much needed lighting and a
safety/security measure but they are 100 percent solar powered and removable during high water
events.
The impact of the lights is obviously evident during nighttime hours but the real impact is
in the people who notice them and ask questions and thank you for installing them.
The publicity garnered during the fundraising and installation has turned into a following
where more are interested in donating to community based causes and many more are attending
the fishing tournament events not to participate but to spectate and learn more about the
Susquehanna River.
Many who come to spectate are amazed at the fish brought in and consistently say “You
caught that here” and “I thought the river was dirty and polluted.”
The organization has taken the standpoint that no improvement too big or too small
cannot be achieved.
Whether it’s talking to someone about environmental stewardship, best spots to fish, or
how to improve the area, the Suskie Bassmasters have taken a proactive approach and reached
out to any partner willing to assist.
Currently the next project is to install park benches overlooking the river at Nesbitt Park
and after that maybe picnic tables or pavilions.
For a fishing club utilizing a very small portion of the park and the boat launch area once
a week for a few months out of the year, these endeavors are all beyond the normal expectations
for a “fishing club.”
The physical lasting effects in the park and attributable gain for the community along
with outreach far surpass what one could reasonably expect for an organization in an industry
that is primarily based solely on fishing and prizes. For the Suskie Bassmasters, the prize is the
partnerships built and the lasting effects that those partnerships have created for the surrounding
communities.
Click Here​ for more information on the Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards Program.
For more information on programs, initiatives, workshops and other special events, visit
the ​PA Association of Environmental Professionals​ website. ​Click Here​ to sign up for regular
updates on PAEP activities or ​Like them on Facebook​. ​ Click Here​ to become a member.
NewsClips:
AP: Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn Wins Western PA Environmental Award
Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn To Receive Western PA Environmental Award
Profile: Delaware RiverKeeper Maya Van Rossum Honored
Cusick: Wolf Joins Donor At Sixers Game, Skips Environmental Awards Ceremony
Related Story:
DCNR Honors Parks In Allegheny, Delaware Counties With Green Park Award
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

DCNR Honors Parks In Allegheny, Delaware Counties With Green Park Award

Department of
Conservation and Natural
Resources Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn Friday
announced ​Aspinwall
Riverfront Park​ in
Allegheny County and
Clem Macrone Park​ in
Delaware County are
recipients of DCNR’s annual ​Green Park Award​.
Co-sponsored by DCNR and the ​PA Recreation and Parks Society​, the awards recognize
statewide excellence demonstrating green and sustainable practices in parks that supply passive
enjoyment or active, structured recreation.
“It’s exciting to see that this year’s awards honor both a commitment to sustainability by
incorporating green and sustainable practices, and recognition of the type recreation and public
enjoyment they provide,” Dunn said. “Aspinwall Riverfront Park, our passive winner offering
unstructured play, is committed to water quality, connecting people to nature, and environmental
stewardship.”
The secretary noted the 10-acre park, along the Allegheny River at 285 River Road,
Aspinwall, was transformed from a brownfield site and marina, and saved for recreation and
open space in the face of commercial development.
DCNR officials presented the award Monday at a park event attended by park, recreation
and other local officials.
This is the second time the Green Park Award, created in 2010, has been awarded to an
Allegheny County facility.
In 2012, Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair received the honor.
“Our active park winner, Clem Macrone Park, has demonstrated commitment to
sustainable and environmentally friendly materials selection and construction, environmental
stewardship and education, and natural landscaping,” Dunn noted.
The 9.4-acre park at 810 Conestoga Road, in the Bryn Mawr section of Radnor
Township,
Clem Macrone Park is in a densely populated neighborhood. Purchased in 1958, the park
bears the name of the Clem Macrone, an active, dedicated community member. The Green Park
Award was presented Fridayby DCNR officials attending a park ceremony.
Both winning parks will receive commemorative trees and engraved markers to later be
installed.
Green Park judges include DCNR staff from its bureaus of Recreation and Conservation
and State Parks, the secretary’s office and PRPS.
For more information on the award, visit DCNR’s ​Green Park Award​ webpage. More
information on greening your community parks is available on DCNR’s ​Green and Sustainable
Community Parks​ webpage.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit
DCNR’s 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.
(​Photo:​ Aspinwall Riverfront Park, Clem Macrone Park.)
NewsClips:
AP: Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn Wins Western PA Environmental Award
Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn To Receive Western PA Environmental Award
Profile: Delaware RiverKeeper Maya Van Rossum Honored
Cusick: Wolf Joins Donor At Sixers Game, Skips Environmental Awards Ceremony
Related Story:
PA Environmental Professionals Recognize Felicia Dell, York Planning; Suskie Bassmasters
With Karl Mason, Walter Lyon Awards
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

House Will Again Try To Move 5 Bills Creating New Bureaucracies To Take Permit
Reviews Away From DEP, Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing

Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), Republican Caucus Chair, ​alerted members of her Caucus
Thursday the House will again try to move a package of five Republican bills giving the General
Assembly authority to kill regulations by doing nothing and creating new bureaucracies taking
permit reviews away from DEP, putting a cap on the number of regulations, requiring the
elimination of two regulations for every new one adopted and setting up a procedure to waive
penalties for violations.
These bills were supposed to move the week of April 16, but were delayed.
The bills include--
-- Killing A Regulation By Doing Nothing:​ ​House Bill 1237​ (Keefer-R-York) authorizes the
General Assembly to kill an economically significant final regulation from any agency by doing
nothing.
-- Taking Permit Reviews Away From DEP, State Agencies Giving It To Third Parties:
House Bill 1959​ (Rothman-R-Cumberland) Establishes the Pennsylvania Permit Act which
requires agencies to create and develop a navigable online permit tracking system and takes
authority to issue certain permits away from state agencies like DEP and creates a new
bureaucracy of third-party reviewers. ​Click Here​ for more.
-- Cap On Number Of Regulations:​ ​House Bill 209​ (Phillips-Hill-R-York): Establishes the
Independent Office of the Repealer, a new bureaucracy to undertake an ongoing review of
existing regulations; receive and process recommendations; and make recommendations to the
General Assembly, the governor, and executive agencies for repeal. It also places a cap on all
regulations and requires agencies to delete two regulations for every new regulations agencies
seek to adopt. It is modeled after policies adopted by the Trump Administration.
--Waiving Penalties:​ ​House Bill 1960​ (Ellis-R-Butler) which requires each agency to appoint a
Regulatory Compliance Officer with the authority to waive fines and penalties if a permit holder
“attempts” to comply.
-- Repeal Any Regulation By Resolution:​ ​House Bill 1792​ (Benninghoff-R-Mifflin) Gives the
General Assembly the ability to repeal any state regulation in effect by a concurrent resolution
by requiring a single vote in the Senate and House. The process is modeled after a federal
procedure used by the Trump Administration to repeal regulations (​sponsor summary​).
Currently, the General Assembly can repeal any regulation by passing a new law which involves
a more extensive committee review and several votes each by the Senate and House.
The five bills were reported out of the House State Government Committee in March
with only Republican votes.
Click Here​ for a copy of the memo.
Related Stories:
House Committee OKs Bills Creating New Bureaucracies To Take Permit Reviews Away From
DEP, Waive Penalties, Create Office Of The Repealer, Cap Number of Regulations
House Committee Republicans OK Bill To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing
Analysis: How Do The Senate, House Use The Tools They Have Now To Review Agency
Regulations?
PA Environmental Council: General Assembly Already Has Ample Authority To Review
Regulations
22 Groups Express Opposition To So-Called Regulatory Reform Bills By House Republicans
House Committee Chair Releases Regulatory Overreach Report, Endorses Bill Authorizing
Repeal Of Regulations By Doing Nothing
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

House Committee Meets April 30 To Consider Conventional Drilling Bill Weakening


Environmental Protection Standards For Fracking

The ​House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee​ is scheduled to meet April 30 to
consider ​House Bill 2154​ (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate
conventional drilling operations based on the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act.
In announcing the meeting in an email Wednesday, Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny),
Majority Chair of the Committee, said, “The vast majority of these abandoned wells are older
than any of us but we can not ignore the sad legacy that vents methane 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. This unabated source of methane has great importance for anyone concerned about
greenhouse gas.
“Last year, the state plugged 4 of these wells. Yes, only four.
“The Governor's 2015 Climate Change Action Plan estimates about 350,000 gas wells
predate Pennsylvania's regulatory era. Other estimates expressed by DEP during his term range
from 200,000 to 750,000 abandoned wells. No one really knows. But it's a lot.
“On Monday, the ERE committee will consider legislation that will establish a
streamlined bounty program that could see as many as 1,000 wells plugged each year.”
The program referred to is apparently the one on page 36 of House Bill 2154 that would
give individuals who voluntarily plug an orphan well the ability to apply to the Commonwealth
Finance Authority for a $5,000 payment payable from the Marcellus Legacy Fund or be credited
for each plugged well in the form of a permit-fee waiver for any succeeding well permit
application.
The provision would provide no new source of funding to plug abandoned wells, instead
it would take money away from the environmental restoration programs now funded by the
Marcellus Legacy Fund and take permit application revenue away from DEP for running the Oil
and Gas Regulation Program.
There are no limits in this bill on the amount of money that could be taken from the
Marcellus Legacy Fund or diverted away from DEP for running the Oil and Gas Regulation
Program.
[​Note:​ This is a clever provision, much like the amendment made to the severance tax
bill in September by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee to simply
rename the existing drilling impact fee a “severance tax.”​ It appears to do something, but
actually doesn’t.
[This provision hurts a key regulatory program and the public employees trying to do
their jobs in ways no boss in a private company would ever do.
[There was also an October announcement to​ introduce a Republican Pennsylvania Clean
Power Plan​ that has yet to materialize.
[Hopefully someone will fix this.]
Good Samaritan Program
In January, after discussions with the ​PA Grade Crude Oil Development Advisory
Committee​ representing the conventional oil and gas drillers, DEP announced a private-sector
Good Samaritan initiative to cap abandoned​ oil and gas wells statewide.
The state ​Environmental Good Samaritan Act of 1999​ protects groups and individuals
who volunteer to implement qualifying environmental remediation projects from civil and
environmental liability. The Act doesn’t provide immunity for injury or damage that may result
from reckless, unlawful, or grossly negligent acts or omissions.
While the Act historically has been used for mine reclamation, DEP first applied it to two
oil and gas well projects in 2017. Cameron Energy plugged a well in Warren County that had
been discharging crude oil to the ground and nearby streams, and Chemtrade Logistics plugged a
leaking gas well in Elk County.
These projects are estimated to have saved DEP $60,000 to $85,000, in addition to
administrative cost savings related to contract development and management.
Three more project proposals are currently under review, and DEP welcomes others.
The agency has ​developed online training​ to walk volunteers through the process of
submitting a project proposal and applying for the liability protection. In addition, the ​eFACTS
environmental database​ and ​Oil and Gas Mapping Tool​ have been updated to provide an
inventory of Environmental Good Samaritan project proposals for abandoned wells in
Pennsylvania.
Conventional Drilling Bill
On April 11, the ​PA Environmental Council​ and ​Environmental Defense Fund
Wednesday ​sent a letter to the members​ of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee expressing their concerns about legislation weakening environmental protection
standards for conventional oil and gas drilling about Senate Bill 1088.
Senate Bill 1088 is identical to House Bill 2154.
The legislation, they said, would make Pennsylvania "the only state in the country to
walk back protections applied to oil and gas operations."
The text of the letter follows--
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Pennsylvania Environmental Council
(PEC) respectfully submit the following comments on Senate Bill 1088 (P.N. 1546), which we
anticipate will come before the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for a
vote early next week. At the start, we wish to express our appreciation to Senators Yaw and
Hutchinson for allowing additional time for review and comment on this legislation.
Senate Bill 1088 seeks to revert performance and protection standards for the
conventional oil and gas industry, which were modernized with the bipartisan enactment of Act
13 of 2012.
However, even today, that law has yet to be fully implemented by the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP), as the agency was directed by the General Assembly in 2016 to
restart their rulemaking for the conventional industry.
It is our understanding that DEP is poised to issue a revised proposal for public comment
in the near future.
Senate Bill 1088 would not only reverse protection standards from the 2012 law, it would
actually be weaker in several important instances than the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act.
Pennsylvania would have the discreditable distinction of being the only state in the
country to walk back protections applied to oil and gas operations – whether conventional or
unconventional.
In fact, the way certain provisions are worded in this legislation, this bill could potentially
weaken standards applied to unconventional operations as well.
Both EDF and PEC believe that any potential divergence in standards must be based on
the practices and technologies employed at a well site, as well as objective risk assessment.
Unfortunately, Senate Bill 1088 is a blunt instrument that fails against both of these
metrics. This legislation contradicts leading industry practices as articulated in API standards and
recommended practices.
Under Act 13, and as defined in Senate Bill 1088, the fundamental distinction between
“conventional” and “unconventional” operations is one based on depth of drilling.
“Conventional” wells can be drilled horizontally, and in many cases are hydraulically
fractured at much shallower formations in closer proximity to groundwater – a fact this
legislation clearly acknowledges.
In other words, the legal distinction in Pennsylvania is made irrespective to the size of the
operator or operation, the practices employed at the well site, or the associated risks involved.
Any law that alters protection standards should only do so where the actual operations at
the well site allow.
In our view, any well that employs high volume hydraulic fracturing should be subjected
to stringent and uniform control.
Other states follow this distinction for their application of standards – for example, the
state of Illinois, which utilizes “high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing operations” as a
threshold. Pennsylvania should do the same.
Beyond this fundamental problem, there are several other major concerns with Senate
Bill 1088 including, but not limited to:
-- Removal of language that requires additional analysis of potential impacts to Public
Resources. This language was in the 1984 law, reinforced by Act 13, and validated by the
Pennsylvania courts.
-- Removal of any requirement for operators to disclose chemicals used in the fracturing process.
Disclosure – for both conventional and unconventional operators – is currently required practice
in Pennsylvania as well as in virtually all other jurisdictions in the United States, and it should
remain that way.
-- Removing storage, spill, and leak prevention provisions, despite the fact that conventional sites
present spill and leak threats similar to unconventional operations. In fact, this legislation
provides express exemptions from the state’s Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, and
dramatically weakens spill and leak reporting requirements.
-- Exempting certain existing wastewater treatment facilities from state water protection
requirements, even though those protections have been applied for years.
-- Weakening protections for impacted drinking water supplies, including failure to ensure that,
in all instances, replacement supplies meet the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
-- Reducing setback provisions from homes, buildings, and surface waters.
-- Weakening well integrity standards that are critical for groundwater protection.
-- As was already invalidated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2013, attempting to preempt
local ordinances that address issues associated with oil and gas activities.
-- Maintaining woefully inadequate bonding and financial assurance requirements, which leaves
Pennsylvanians on the hook for costly remediation work in the decades to come.
Conclusion
Senate Bill 1088 is a wholesale weakening of necessary protection standards; standards
that are already the law in Pennsylvania, and that are accepted common practice in the industry
and other oil and gas producing states.
It also contradicts recent decisions of the Pennsylvania courts that have upheld
protections on both statutory and constitutional grounds.
For these reasons, we strongly urge you to oppose this bill.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Andrew Williams
Director, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Climate and Energy
Environmental Defense Fund
John Walliser
Senior Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Click Here​ for a copy of the letter.
The meeting will be held in Room G-50 of the Irvis Building starting at 12:30. ​Committee
meetings are typically webcast through the ​House Republican Caucus website​.
The bill is also ​scheduled for action by the full House​ and is expected to move quickly.
Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the ​House Environmental
Committee​ and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1522 or sending email to:
jmaher@pahousegop.com​. Rep. Mike Carroll serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by
calling 717-787-3589 or sending email to: ​mcarroll@pahouse.net​.
NewsClips:
Proposed PA Severance Tax Likely Offset By State Corporate Tax Cut, Says Analysis
Cheswick Coal Power Plant Hearing Draws Scrutiny Over Water Pollution
NRG’s Springdale Power Plant Discharges Debated At Hearing
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Residents Express Concerns About Drilling Wastewater Disposal Well In Allegheny County
Freeport Delays Vote To Allow 5 New XTO Natural Gas Wells
Washington, Greene Lead State’s Surge To No. 2 Gas Producer
EQT Drilling Keeps Eyes On Marcellus Shale
Petrochemical Conference To Focus On Ethane Plants
Related Stories:
PEC, EDF: Conventional Oil & Gas Bill Will Reverse, Weaken Environmental Protection
Standards For Fracking
PennFuture: Senate Bill 1088 Would Roll Back Conventional Drilling Rules To 1984 Levels
DEP Launches Good Samaritan Outreach To Promote Abandoned Oil & Gas Well Plugging
Projects
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC To Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction

Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) Friday filed a ​formal legal complaint​ and a​ ​petition for interim
emergency relief​ with the Public Utility Commission to prohibit construction of the Mariner East
2 and Mariner East 2X pipelines in West Whiteland Township.
Since Pennsylvania lacks any regulation on the placement of intrastate pipelines,
Dinniman said he was employing a rarely used quasi-legal process through the PUC to bring
relief to residents in the pipelines’ path and establish a precedent regarding the commission’s
jurisdiction over the placement and safety of hazardous materials pipelines.
“This an innovative way we can utilize the PUC process to protect the public from
potentially dangerous pipeline construction projects, like Sunoco’s,” he said. “The complaint
centers on West Whiteland because that is where the PUC ordered an emergency stop to Mariner
East 2 and 2X drilling, as well as Mariner East 1 operations, earlier this spring. However, if
successful, we expect it to have ramifications on the entire pipeline process in the
Commonwealth.”
The four-count complaint, Dinniman v. Sunoco Pipeline, L.P., asserts that:
-- Construction of ME2 and ME2X is unreasonable, unsafe, inadequate, and insufficient at that
location.
-- Sunoco has failed to take reasonable efforts to warn and protect the public from danger.
-- Sunoco has failed to select a pipeline right-of-way so as to avoid areas containing private
dwellings and places of public assembly.
-- Mariner East 1 (ME1) is located within 50 feet of private dwellings despite being less than 48
inches underground.
It calls on the PUC to prohibit “the construction of ME2 and ME2X in areas of West
Whiteland Township where ME1 is located within 50 feet of a private dwelling, industrial
building or place of public assembly, and grant such other relief as the Commission finds to be
just and appropriate.”
Sunoco has 20 days to respond to the complaint.
Since the complaint will take time to work through the legal process, Dinniman also a
filed petition for interim emergency relief calling on the PUC to grant an injunction against the
construction of ME2 and ME2X in West Whiteland.
According to the petition, “The route of ME2 and ME2X through the complex, soluble,
fractured and potentially unstable geology of West Whiteland Township, and its proximity of
ME1 risks a catastrophe to residents and other individuals, homes, schools, water supplies,
Amtrak and SEPTA rail lines and other infrastructure.”
Sen. Dinniman, who has been a leading and vocal critic of the pipeline project, said he
called on the PUC to consider the risks and potential dangers of the entire project as its impacts
continue to threaten his constituents and communities in Chester County.
“I have a moral, ethical, and constitutional duty to stand for the safety of the people of
Chester County and the protection of their children and families, as well our environment,
drinking water, natural resources, and public infrastructure,” he said. “The Mariner pipelines
continue to pose a potential threat to all of the above and more. I am asking the PUC to consider
all of that – the numerous drilling problems, the risks to safety, the proximity to homes and
schools, and the unique and problematic geology of the region – in concluding that these
pipelines should not be built here period.”
“The bottom line is we continue to make the case against putting these pipelines in an
area where we know they shouldn’t be and where it appears that Sunoco may not have done its
due diligence,” said Sen. Dinniman. “The construction of Mariner 2 and 2X have potentially
destabilized the geology of the surrounding area. If they are unsafe, then we have serious
concerns and questions about the safe operation of Mariner 1.
“I am hopeful that given the big picture of the potentially disastrous problems and safety
risks at hand, the PUC will agree that these pipelines should not have been permitted in this
area,” he added.
The filing comes weeks after a March emergency order by the PUC to suspend operations
on ME1 pipeline after it was exposed at a site in West Whiteland by a sinkhole that apparently
developed as a result ME2 and ME2X drilling.
In ordering the suspension, PUC Chair Gladys Brown wrote “that permitting continued
flow of hazardous liquids through the ME1 pipeline without proper steps to ensure the integrity
of the pipeline could have catastrophic results impacting the public.
As a result of that order, Sunoco was required to suspend operations on ME1, which
dates back to the 1930s and is permitted to carry liquid propane, butane, and ethane, and conduct
extensive geophysical and seismic tests, analysis, and reevaluations related to ME2 and ME2X
horizontal direct drilling activities in West Whiteland.
Those tests are ongoing and in late March, Sunoco paid to relocate several West
Whiteland residents as it continues to investigate the geophysical conditions, apparently related
to the development of several sinkholes, behind their homes.
In addition, Sunoco has requested to change pipeline construction techniques at two
drilling sites in West Whiteland. The company is seeking to switch methods from horizontal
direct drilling (HDD) to conventional bore at one site and from HDD to a combination of
conventional bore, HDD, and open trench drilling at another site.
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing those proposed
changes on April 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at E.N. Peirce Middle School located at 1314
Burke Road in West Chester.
Sen. Dinniman said the petition was necessary not only to push for a safe end to the
project but also to compel the PUC to take a closer look at pipeline drilling operations in relation
to the challenging geographic makeup of the region.
“Sunoco may be conducting the requisite geologic testing, but from our past experience
on this project, we already know that tests have not always been reliable in predicting or
preventing problems,” Dinniman said. “And given their apparent plans to continue to leap
forward into this project with different drilling methods, we deserve a clearer picture of what
exactly they’re jumping into. After all, when something goes wrong, the residents are the ones
left holding the bag.”
Copies of the​ ​formal legal complaint​ and a​ ​petition for interim emergency relief
are available online.
For more information on actions taken by DEP, visit the DEP Mariner East 2 Pipeline
webpage.
NewsClips:
Cusick: Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC to Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Construction
Senate Committee Approves Sen. Dinniman’s Pipeline Safety Bills
Sisk: Following Spills, DEP Stops Mariner East 2 Pipeline Work In Delaware County
Hurdle: PUC Asks Mariner East 1 Pipeline To Do More To Stabilize Land At Chester County
Site
MPLX Pipeline Pays $610,000 Penalty to DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
MPLX Pipeline To Pay $610,000 Penalty To DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
ATF Increasingly Confident Explosives Stolen From Pipeline Site Have Been Recovered
ATF Believes All Explosives Stolen From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Recovered
Editorial: Loss Of Explosives From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Inexplicable
FERC Called Rubber Stamp By Critics, Begins Review Of Pipeline Approval Process
Natural Gas Industry A Boon For Jobs, Report Says
Related Story:
Senate Committee Reports Out Pipeline Safety Construction Bills
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

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--

Mine Medical Personnel:​ ​House Bill 1341​ (Pyle-R-Armstrong) further providing for training
and certification of emergency medical personnel responding to bituminous deep mine
accidents.. A ​House Fiscal Note​ and summary is available. The bill was signed into law as Act
16.

Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--

Senate

Pipeline Land Agents:​ ​Senate Bill 835​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the registration of land
agents working for pipeline companies (​sponsor summary​) was reported from the Senate
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar
for action.

Pipeline Emergency Notifications:​ ​Senate Bill 930​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) sets notification


requirements related to pipeline emergencies (​sponsor summary​) was reported from the Senate
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar
for action.

Pipeline Safety Equipment:​ ​Senate Bill 931​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of
automatic or remote controlled safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas
was amended and reported from the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Drug Take-Back Day:​ ​Senate Resolution 329​ recognizing April 28 as National Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day was adopted by the Senate. ​Click Here​ for more.
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s 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 (April 30)​: ​House Bill 1401​ (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends Title 58 to impose a
sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on natural
gas production (NO money for environmental programs) and includes provisions related to
minimum landowner oil and gas royalties; ​House Bill 1446​ (Quinn-R- Bucks) encouraging
infrastructure for electric and natural gas fueled vehicles; ​House Bill 1284​ (Peifer-R-Pike)
directs DCED to develop a one-stop-shop online permitting portal for business (​sponsor
summary​); ​House Resolution 284​ (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (​sponsor
summary​)​. ​<> ​Click Here​ for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (May 21): ​Senate Bill 835​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the registration of land
agents working for pipeline companies (​sponsor summary​); ​Senate Bill 930​ (Dinniman-D-
Chester) sets notification requirements related to pipeline emergencies (​sponsor summary​);
Senate Bill 931​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of automatic or remote controlled
safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas; ​ ​Senate Resolution 104
(Bartolotta-R-Washington) resolution urging the Governor to end the moratorium on new
non-surface disturbance natural gas drilling on state forest land (​sponsor summary​); ​House Bill
544​ (Moul-R-Adams) further providing for liability protection for landowners opening their land
for public recreation; ​House Bill 913​ providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by
incorporated towns; ​House Bill 914​ providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by boroughs;
House Bill 915​ providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first class townships; and
House Bill 916​ providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of the Third Class​.
<> ​Click Here​ for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House:​ the ​Environmental Resources and Energy Committee​ meets to consider ​House Bill
2154​ (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate conventional drilling
operations and weaken environmental protection standards on fracking based on the original
1984 Oil and Gas Act. ​Click Here​ for more​; the ​Commerce Committee​ meets to consider
Senate Bill 234​ (Blake-D- Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program
(​Click Here​ for more.).​ <> ​Click Here​ for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate:​ [ not in voting session ] <> ​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--

100% Renewable Energy: ​Senate Bill 1140​ (McIlhinney-R-Bucks) transitioning Pennsylvania


to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 (​sponsor summary​). ​Click Here​ for more.

Lewis & Clark Trail:​ ​Senate Resolution 326​ (Vogel-R-Beaver) urging Congress to adopt the
National Park Service’s Recommendations to extend the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
along the Eastern Legacy (​sponsor summary​).

Drug Take-Back Day:​ ​Senate Resolution 329​ recognizing April 28 as National Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day was adopted by the Senate. ​Click Here​ for more.

Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease Month:​ ​Senate Resolution 349​ (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery)


designating May as Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Awareness Month was adopted by the Senate
(​sponsor summary​).

Drinking Water Week:​ ​Senate Resolution 355​ (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) designating May 6 to 12


Drinking Water Week was adopted by the Senate.

Lyme Disease Education: ​House Bill 2301​ (R.Brown-R-Monroe) providing for continuing
education of health care professionals on Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases (sponsor
summary).

Bike To Work:​ ​House Resolution 857​ (Dean-D-Montgomery) designating May Bike Month and
May 14-18 as Bike To Work Week (​sponsor summary​).

Public Lands Day:​ ​House Resolution 860​ (Daley-D-Montgomery) designating September 22 as


Public Lands Day (​sponsor summary​).

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate
May​ 21, 22, 23
June​ 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

House
April​ 30
May​ 1, 2, 22, 23
June ​4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Governor’s 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. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.

News From The Capitol

Senate Committee Reports Out Pipeline Safety, Construction Bills

The ​Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure


Committee​ Tuesday approved and reported out several bills
related to pipeline safety and construction. They include--
-- ​Senate Bill 835​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the
registration of land agents working for pipeline companies
(​sponsor summary​);
-- ​Senate Bill 930​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) sets notification
requirements related to pipeline emergencies (​sponsor
summary​); and
-- ​Senate Bill 931​ (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of automatic or remote
controlled safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas (amended to refer to
value locations required by federal regulations).
“We want to see the profit and prosperity that comes from Marcellus Shale gas but we
want it to be done safely. We don’t want to hurt our partners in the west and middle parts of the
state and we ask them not hurt us,” said Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester). “What has happened
is that Sunoco as a company [Mariner East 1 & 2 Pipelines] has been arrogant and treated our
population in a very negative way. All these bills do is create some type of regulatory
infrastructure. This is not an anti-Marcellus shale bill; almost every other state in the union has
some form of these regulations. Why shouldn’t we have safety valves? Why shouldn’t we license
real estate agents? Why shouldn’t we share information with emergency personnel?”
“We have a number of pipelines that travel through Chester County and the southeast.
The only one we have had an issue with is Sunoco [Mariner East 1 & 2 Pipelines]. They have
been very arrogant,” said Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery). “They have not spoken to the
townships, they haven’t spoken to us, they haven’t spoken to neighbors,” he stated. “We are
trying to get a handle on Sunoco going forward to ensure that it’s managed properly and there is
proper oversight.”
On March 20 the Committee held an extensive public ​hearing on pipeline safety
reviewing the state’s authority to regulate pipelines and the steps and missteps taken to deal with
a variety of issues related to the Sunoco Mariner East 1 and 2 Pipelines in Chester County and
other areas.
The bills are now on the Senate Calendar for action.
Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) serves as Majority Chair of the Consumer Affairs
Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5072 or sending email to:
rtomlinson@pasen.gov​. Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) serves as Minority Chair and can be
contacted by calling 717-787-4236 or sending email to: ​boscola@pasenate.com​.
(Based in part on reporting by ​PA Legislative Services​.)
NewsClips:
Sisk: Following Spills, DEP Stops Mariner East 2 Pipeline Work In Delaware County
MPLX Pipeline Pays $610,000 Penalty to DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
MPLX Pipeline To Pay $610,000 Penalty To DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
ATF Increasingly Confident Explosives Stolen From Pipeline Site Have Been Recovered
ATF Believes All Explosives Stolen From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Recovered
FERC Called Rubber Stamp By Critics, Begins Review Of Pipeline Approval Process
Related Story:
Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC To Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

Senate Committees Hear Short-Term Measures Like Stream Cleaning May Make Flooding
Worse If Stream Characteristics Not Taken Into Account

The Senate ​Environmental Resources and


Energy​ and ​Veterans Affairs and Emergency
Preparedness​ Committees Wednesday held a
joint hearing on flooding and emergency
response with testimony by state and local
officials.
One comment made by several witnesses
suggested short-term measures like potentially
harmful stream cleaning may make flooding
problems worse if the characteristics of streams
are not taken into account.
On the other hand, there are steps communities can take before and after flooding to
reduce the damage caused by stormwater and flooding.
Click Here​ to watch a video of the hearing and for available written testimony.
Patrick McDonnell​, ​Secretary of DEP,​ provided an overview of the agency’s
responsibilities during flooding events, including monitoring damage to sewage and drinking
water treatment facilities, spill, storage tank and hazardous materials response, issuing
emergency permits to restore roads, cleanup debris and for stream stabilization, ensuring safe
disposal of flood debris and monitoring dams and flood control projects.
He noted DEP assists communities ​before​ flooding occurs by ensuring stream work is
done in an environmentally responsible manner and in a way that does not actually cause
flooding later.
McDonnell said a recently released publication-- ​Guidelines for Maintaining Streams in
Your Community​-- is designed to help communities head off problems and understand the
agency’s permit and approval process for stream-related improvements.
He also described DEP’s limited ​Flood Protection​ and ​Stream Improvement​ programs
that can get involved in building some local flood protection projects, working with federal and
other partners.
His ​written testimony outlined​ the kinds of flood debris removal and other activities that
require and do not require pre-approval by DEP.
He also described recent updates to the agency’s ​Chapter 105 water obstructions and
encroachments permit process​ that will speed reviews and help applicants where permits are
needed to reduce the risk of flooding and water pollution.
McDonnell pointed to the examples of the 2011 Tropical Storm Lee flooding that
resulted in the Northcentral Regional Office issuing more than 700 emergency permits and the
2017 flash flooding in Bradford County where more than 86 emergency permits were issued to
deal with waterway restoration issues.
He noted other flood recovery resource materials are posted on DEP’s ​Storm Recovery
Information​ webpage to help individuals and communities deal with the aftermath of flooding
events.
“We recognize the varied geology across our state, and are continuing to work with local
and federal partners to create appropriate processes that acknowledges the conditions while
protecting public safety and our environment,” said McDonnell. “As I said at the outset of my
testimony, staff at DEP work hard, and collaboratively, to determine how we can avoid
environmental problems. We all believe that if we can proactively reduce the cause, we will
spend less time on managing the impacts after the fact.”
Richard Flinn​, Director, PA Emergency Management Agency​, provided an overview
of the agency’s responsibilities in responding to and preventing flooding and flood damage and
said this winter’s flooding has been different than other years due to ice jams.
Flooding from ice jams, in particular, is difficult to predict, he said, and PEMA and
federal and local agencies took steps to closely monitor the jams to help provide flood warnings
down stream.
Flinn said PEMA’s ​Hazard Mitigation Program​ helps to remove homes from flood risk
areas and prevent damage and has installed online cameras in certain areas to help residents and
agencies monitor flood water levels to people out of harm’s way when needed.
He said this past season also saw landslide damage, particularly in Allegheny County,
caused by rain during the winter and early spring. He noted this has been the wettest January
through March ever recorded in Allegheny County in history.
Damage assessors are now out in the affected areas of Allegheny County to determine the
amount of damage to see if it meets the threshold for a federal disaster declaration.
Flinn said one thing the state does not have is a disaster relief fund or a state hazard
mitigation fund to provide financial assistance to homeowners and businesses to help recover
from or prevent flood damage.
He said PEMA is also reviewing ​Senate Bill 1131​ (Costa-D-Allegheny) that would create
a Landslide Insurance and Assistance program.
Flinn also said land use changes, fewer trees and more paved areas have caused an
increase in flooding events and flooding in areas that have not been affected before. In addition,
he said the state is seeing the effects of climate change that ​may worsen precipitation events​.
Andrew Shields​, Director Bureau of Fisheries, Fish & Boat Commission, said the
Commission acts as an advisor to DEP on stream issues and during the Chapter 105 permitting
process to ensure the protection of waterways and aquatic life.
Shields said often “stream cleaning” is referred to as a tool for dealing with flooding, but
he pointed out there can be acute and chronic impacts on stream life and physical habitats from
the practice.
He said riparian buffers and other best management practices can help reduce the impacts
of stormwater and flooding more than stream cleaning.
“... (N)o one can fully predict how much rain will fall, how fast snow will melt or when
river ice will back up. Catastrophic hurricanes, tropical storms and severe localized rain events
seem to be occurring more frequently in Pennsylvania and may eventually overwhelm our
attempts to plan and design around them,” said Shields.
“However, if we employ best management practices in land use planning and understand
the physical properties of water and water flows, we can work with the natural processes of
rivers and floodplains rather than against them. Humans, fish, aquatic species, and water quality
all benefit when a stream or river can perform its naturally intended functions,” said Shields.
In response to questions, Shields said additional impacts are being felt from changes in
climate that are causing an increase in ​more severe precipitation events​.
Matt Brown​, Allegheny County Dept. Of Emergency Services, described how “many
cities and municipalities within Allegheny County are extremely stretched financially or have
completely exhausted their available budgets related to storm, rain and flooding damages, as well
as landslide response. And we are only into early April with many Spring weather events
predicted.
“The continuous nature of these weather cycles has severely impacted every person and
element of Allegheny County and continues to threaten the area with additional flooding and
landslides as we speak.
“Resiliency is a cornerstone of Allegheny County in all aspects of government and with
our residents. However, our combined capacity to recover from these extreme conditions
continues to be in jeopardy and impactful to the residents of Allegheny County.”
Stephen Libhart​, Dauphin County Emergency Management, described how flooding
events have affected county residents and business over the years.
“Flooding will always be a risk to many communities in Dauphin County. Our local
municipalities, first responders and utility providers have proven time and again their ability to
respond and assist during these events.
“The long-lasting impacts can create major financial burdens on individuals, businesses
and governments that last long after the flood waters recede. The federal programs, some of
which I have discussed are imperative to assist in the recovery process and we should actively
advocate for their continuation, adequate funding and even their expansion.
“States should also create similar programs for those events that do not meet the federal
thresholds for eligibility.”
Mike Lovegreen​, Bradford County Conservation District, outlined the county’s Hazard
Mitigation Plan which identified flooding and stream channel erosion as top concerns.
“One of the central acknowledgements in both studies, and one that is constantly
reinforced by my experience, is that the true stewards of our stream resources are the individuals,
farmers and communities that live and manage the areas in the Stream Corridor," said
Lovegreen.
"While legislation and regulation are somewhat effective, true resource management can
only be achieved when individuals directly impacting the resource understand the workings and
consequences of their actions.”
Lovegreen said one of the additional steps it has taken is to educate first responders and
local officials on emergency stream intervention “without adding adverse impacts as a result of
uninformed excavation of the stream channel.”
“[We are] recognizing that streams in similar setting of watershed, hydrology, etc.,
develop characteristics (morphology) that are similar and that provide stable functions of water
and sediment transport. With this transport stability also comes habitat stability.
“Working with the USGS and their “Stream Stats” program, we have been able to
develop sets of “regional curves” that approximate the dimensions of a stream channel in an
identified region and watershed, along with its corresponding floodplain needs. In Bradford
County we have refined this tool down to a County specific level.
“This essential tool provides a manner to deliver a rough version of the science and
engineering needed to approximate stable channel dimension for any point along a stream.
“Combined with a full day of training to explain both “how a stream works and
responds” with a full explanation of the tool’s use, we believe we finally have an approach to
begin that “cultural change” in how we manage our stream corridors that is understandable at the
local level.”
Lovegreen said one of the reactions he has gotten from these education sessions has been
local officials coming up to him saying, “They’ve been telling me for years not to dredge these
streams, and now I understand why.”
Tom Blaskiewicz​, Mayor, Borough Of West Pittston (Luzerne County), provided an
overview of the flooding events affecting the Borough from the 1972, Tropical Storm Lee in
2011 and most recently the ice jams in January of this year.
He outlined the steps taken by the Borough, with other state and federal partners, to use
hazard mitigation to reduce property damage and reducing flood risk reduction through structural
solutions.
“In the Wyoming Valley, West Pittston is unlike any of the other communities that are
not protected by the levee system. West Pittston has no vacant land to expand its tax base,” said
Blaskiewicz. “Exacerbating the problem is the loss of tax revenue from properties acquired
through the various federal programs that preclude any development on parcels following
acquisition. Additionally, the threat of flooding is depressing real estate values of the properties
located in the floodplain.
“Once you add in the impacts of skyrocketing flood insurance rates, the situation is bleak
for river communities. Pennsylvania needs to develop a comprehensive approach that balances
structural projects with mitigation activities. New approaches, similar to the options studied by
Lycoming County and the Corps of Engineers in 2016, need to become part of the toolbox for
existing in the floodplain.”
Andy Walker​, Manager, City of Meadville (Crawford County), outlined the significant
impacts of the January ice jams on his community resulting flooding along French Creek in
Meadville and the county.
He said among the lessons learned in these events was while they were well equipped to
handle the flooding and cleanup aspects of these events, they were not well prepared to address
the technical and regulatory aspects of ice jam removal.
Mary Ellen Ramage​, Manager, Borough Of Etna (Allegheny County), also provided an
overview of how flooding events have had an impact on the residents and businesses in Etna
over the years.
She noted stream gauges have helped with advance warning of flooding and residents log
onto their website and look at the stream gauges directly to see how heavy rain may affect them.
She said restoring natural floodplains would be difficult in Etna given the development
there. “It would be far cheaper to flood-proof those homes or protect upstream then to tear them
down and relocate people.”
“We need to incorporate a more holistic approach to development, including highway
systems. Planning projects should be inclusive of the communities surrounding these projects to
identify areas where stormwater and localized flooding is already an issue so that we aren’t
contributing to an existing problem.
“This should include technical experts like those at the Army Corps of Engineers, who
deal with flood protection planning projects regularly so that features are built in at the time of
construction to lessen and perhaps actually improve flooding and stormwater issues already
prevalent in those areas.
Ellen Ramage also pointed to the steadily increasing National Flood Insurance Program
rates over the last few years and the expected 25 percent increase over the next five years as a
significant problems.
She said these increases are driving people from their homes and “this helps no one.”
“There are no words to describe what it’s like to experience a flood - simply put, it wipes
you out,” said Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny), Majority Chair of the Senate Veterans
Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. He urged the state agencies to work more
closely with local officials to clean out creeks from debris so that flooding can be prevented or
limited.
“Flooding throughout Pennsylvania has caused devastation to many of our local
communities over the years,” said Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate
Environmental Resources & Energy Committee. “This Hearing provided an opportunity to
discuss necessary resources and financial assistance for many of our communities still in
recovery.”
Sen. Yaw added at the end of the hearing that while there have been hearings before on
the flooding issues “the stars may be lining up on this issue” in terms of seeing further action to
help.
Click Here​ to watch a video of the hearing and for available written testimony.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the ​Senate Environmental
Committee​ and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to:
gyaw@pasen.gov​. Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be
contacted by calling 717-787-7105 or sending email to: ​yudichak@pasenate.com​.
Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Veterans
Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-6538
or by sending email to: ​rvulakovich@pasen.gov​. Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) serves as
Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-7683 or by sending email to:
costa@pasenate.com​.
(​Photo: ​Andrew Shields, Fish & Boat Commission; Richard Flinn, PA Emergency Management
Agency; Patrick McDonnell, Secretary of DEP.)
NewsClips:
Landslide Prompts Evacuation Of Millvale Home, Threatens Nearby Properties
Repair Work Scheduled To Begin Next Week Along Route 11/15
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Related Stories:
DEP Releases information On Maintaining Streams To Assist Flood Recovery Efforts
New Forms For Chapter 105 Development-Related Permits Should Reduce DEP Review Times
Insurance Dept Urges Homeowners To Consider Flood Insurance Regardless Of Flood Hazard
Area Designation
Ice Jams. Localized Flooding Possibilities Across State As Temperatures Rise
IceWatch USA Volunteers In PA Report On Potentially Damaging Ice Jams
DEP Updating Probable Maximum Precipitation Events To Better Define High-Hazard Dams
71% Increase In Very Heavy Precipitation In Last 54 Years, 831,000 Pennsylvanians Living At
Risk On Floodplains
Explaining How Green Infrastructure Can Provide Protection From Flooding
Investing In Green Infrastructure Offers Triple Benefits: Reduces Flooding, Nutrient, Sediment
Runoff
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup PA’s
Streams, Rivers
[Posted: April 25, 2018]

Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April
28

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of


the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee, Monday announced the 15th
Semi-Annual ​National Drug Take-Back Day​,
sponsored by the Drug Enforcement
Administration, will be held on April 28 from
10:00 to 2:00.
Residents living throughout Pennsylvania
can take advantage of Drug Take-Back Day to
properly dispose of expired and unused
prescription drugs, opioids and other medicines.
Senator Yaw also sponsored a ​Senate
Resolution 329​ recognizing April 28 as National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, to bring
attention to statewide events taking place throughout the Commonwealth.
During the October 2017 "National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, ",Pennsylvania
law enforcement collected 36,909 pounds of prescription drugs. Nationally, over 912,000 pounds
were collected in 2017 by 4,274 law enforcement agencies.
“Take-Back Day is an excellent way to reduce drug abuse and misuse across the board,”
Sen. Yaw said. “It’s not only about preventing people from stealing or abusing prescription
drugs, but it’s also about preventing accidental use and overdose, especially by our senior
population. Further, many people are unsure on how to properly dispose of the medications so
they flush them down the toilet or throw them in the garbage. This can lead to the medications
entering into our water supply, which is a huge environmental concern.”
Locations of drug take-back collection sites in Pennsylvania are available on the DEA
Drug Take-Back Day​ website.
NewsClips:
Medication Disposal Event Planned At Courthouse In Wilkes-Barre
Western PA Police, Pharmacies, Hospitals Participate In Drug Take Back Day
Related Stories:
Gov. Wolf: Saturday, April 28 Is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
PA Resources Council, PA American Water, Partners Host 3 Drug Take-Back Day Collection
Events In Allegheny County
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

House Committee To Consider Local Clean Energy Financing Bill May 1

The ​House Commerce Committee​ is scheduled to meet May 1 to consider ​Senate Bill 234
(Blake-D-Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program that authorizes
local governments to create energy improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency,
renewable energy and water conservation projects for commercial, agricultural and industrial
buildings to reduce their operating costs (​Senate Fiscal Note​ and summary).
The Committee held a ​hearing on the bill April 19​ where Sen. John Blake
(D-Lackawanna) and Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny), the bipartisan sponsors of the bill,
provided an overview of the commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program created by
the legislation.
They noted the C-PACE program overcomes some of the challenges of energy efficiency
financing and does not cost taxpayers a dime noting that financing is coming from private, not
public, institutions.
They said the program will create jobs, lower energy costs and increase competitiveness,
all while improving the environment.
The meeting will be held on ​Room G-50 Irvis Building for an off the floor meeting. An
off the floor meeting can be held any time after the House breaks from session on Tuesday.
Committee meetings are typically webcast through the ​House Republican Caucus website​.
Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler), Majority Chair of the Committee, said his intention is to vote
on the bill in Committee on May 1. Rep. Ellis can be contacted at 717-787-7686 or by sending
email to: ​bellis@pahousegop.com​.
Rep. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted at
717-787-9471 or by sending email to: ​cthomas@pahouse.net​.
NewsClips:
Legere: Game Commission Says No To Wind Turbines On Game Lands
Game Commission Declares Moratorium On Wind Turbines
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Fuel Cell Tech’s Next Frontier: Homes Of Pittsburgh-Area Peoples’ Customers
Geisinger’s New Cogeneration Plant To Provide Clean Energy
Letter: Neighboring States Set Higher Targets For Renewable Energy
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
Related Story:
House Committee Holds Hearing On Bipartisan Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy
Financing Program
[Posted: April 25, 2018]
House Agriculture Committee Holds June 5 Hearing On Lawn Fertilizer Bill

The ​House Agriculture and Rural Development


Committee​ is scheduled to hold a hearing on ​Senate
Bill 792​ (Alloway-R-Adams) regulating the application
of lawn fertilizer.
When the bill passed by the Senate in March, the
primary sponsor Sen. Richard Alloway said, “The
health of Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers is of
critical importance to our economic future and quality
of life,” said Sen. Alloway. “Unfortunately, thousands
of miles of streams in the Commonwealth are impaired
due to excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Excess levels of these nutrients are also
significant contributors to the impairment of the Chesapeake Bay, whose watershed covers 50
percent of our state.
“For decades, Pennsylvania’s farmers have led the way to implement erosion and
sedimentation controls, nutrient management plans and other best management practices on
farms,” explained Sen. Alloway. “More recently, wastewater treatment plants have begun to
implement upgrades to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus emissions. Both sectors should be
commended for their successful efforts.
“Unfortunately, as these sectors continue to implement nutrient reductions, the loads
from urban and suburban stormwater continue to grow,” noted Sen. Alloway. “In the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed, acres of turf now outnumber acres of corn.
“This legislation will reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer applied to turf areas,
such as lawns, golf courses and athletic fields, while ensuring that all turf areas within the
Commonwealth will be able to receive adequate nutrients so that adverse turf health will not
result as an unintended consequence,” said Sen. Alloway.
“In addition to setting clear standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, the bill will
also require all professional fertilizer applicators to be certified in proper application techniques
and best management practices,” said Sen. Alloway. “This legislation is specifically focused on
the lawn care industry and will not apply to agricultural production.”
Sen. Alloway is one of Pennsylvania’s representatives on the ​Chesapeake Bay
Commission​. Other representatives include Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of
the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming),
Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) and DEP Secretary Patrick
McDonnell.
Similar legislation has already been enacted in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey, and
the industry has expressed a strong desire for consistency across the region and state.
The hearing will be in Room 205 of the Ryan Office Building starting at 9:00.
Committee meetings are typically webcast through the ​House Republican Caucus website​.
Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) serves as Majority Chair of the ​House Agriculture
Committee​ and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5075 or by sending email to:
mcauser@pahousegop.com​. Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and
can be calling 717-783-0686 or by sending email to: ​epashins@pahouse.net​.
Related Story:
Senate Passes Lawn Fertilizer Application Bill, Now Goes To The House
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

April Environmental Synopsis Newsletter Now Available From Joint Conservation


Committee

The ​April edition of The Environmental


Synopsis​ newsletter is now available from the
Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution
Control and Conservation Committee​ featuring
stories on--
-- Mining In Pennsylvania That’s Not Coal
-- A Look At The Federal Omnibus Spending
Package
-- Legacy Nitrogen Feeds Gulf Of Mexico Dead
Zone
-- Calculating Methane Emissions From Dairy
Cattle
-- Report Highlights Lack of Diversity In Green Organizations
-- Plastic Fees Starting To Show Dividends
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Joint Conservation
Committee.
For more information, visit the ​Joint Conservation Committee​ website, ​Like them on
Facebook​ or ​Follow them on Twitter​. ​Click Here​ to sign up for regular updates from the
Committee.
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

News From Around The State

Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest

The Department of Agriculture Thursday reminded


farmers the deadline to apply for the ​Resource
Enhancement and Protection (REAP)​ farm conservation
tax credit program is June 30. It is recommended
producers apply by June 1 for this first-come, first-served
program.
The tax credits can help those in production agriculture
offset the costs of implementing best management
practices (BMPs), like planting forested stream buffers or
purchasing on-farm conservation equipment.
“Agriculture producers are facing tremendous market
volatility and uncertainty today. At the same time, our farmers want to be good stewards of our
natural resources, and they’re being called on to help restore and protect the quality of our
waterways,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “REAP is a way for farmers to make
upgrades and improvements that increase their farm’s bottom lines and clean up our waterways
at the same time. If you’re an agricultural producer thinking about purchasing new equipment or
implementing a BMP and you want to take advantage of REAP, now is the time to act..”
REAP is a Pennsylvania tax credit program for agricultural producers who install BMPs
or make equipment purchases that reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, which improves
Pennsylvania’s streams and watersheds.
The program is administered by State Conservation Commission, which provides support
and oversight to the state's 66 county conservation districts.
Farmers may receive tax credits of up to $150,000 per agricultural operation for 50 to 75
percent of the project’s cost.
The most commonly approved projects are for no-till planting and precision ag
equipment, waste storage facilities, conservation plans, ​nutrient management plans​, and
protecting barnyards and other areas with animals.
Cover crops and riparian stream buffers are also popular REAP-eligible practices.
REAP can be used in conjunction with other funding sources, such as the Environmental
Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) or the Chesapeake Bay Program to help install BMPs.
For projects that include the proposed purchase of equipment, the equipment must be
delivered by June 30, 2018.
For projects involving the implementation of structural BMPs, all BMPs and BMP
components must be complete by June 30, 2019 to be eligible.
REAP applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, up to the June 1
deadline for this year’s funds.
The longer producers wait, the less chance they have of securing funding from this year’s
allocation, Redding added.
“Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly have made a commitment to continue funding the
REAP program in this year’s budget,” Redding noted. “They see its value for our farms and
waterways, and hear firsthand from farmers who have benefited from the program. I thank
everyone who has a hand in this program’s success.”
Private investors may act as project sponsors by providing capital in exchange for tax
credits. Any individual or business subject to taxation through personal income tax, corporate net
income tax, the bank shares tax or others is eligible to participate in REAP.
Since the program began in 2007, REAP has awarded tax credits to more than 4,800
projects totaling more than $68 million. Public and private investments in REAP have
contributed to the conservation projects, worth more than $165 million.
The 2017-18 REAP application packet, as well as other information about REAP, is
available on Agriculture’s ​Resource Enhancement and Protection​ webpage or by contacting Joel
Semke at 717-705-4032 or ​jsemke@pa.gov​.
Learn more about Chesapeake Bay-related initiatives by visiting DEP’s ​Pennsylvania’s
Chesapeake Bay Plan​ webpage.
NewsClips:
Stress Curdles Idyllic PA Farm Life, Especially For Dairy Farmers
Schneck: Surprising Diversity Of Bees Coming To Your Backyard
Get Funding, Support From Pittsburgh Community Garden Sustainability Fund
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Chesapeake Bay Group Chasing Ambitious Buffer Goal
A Record Arbor Day Tree Planting In Lancaster
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Related Stories:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay

Penn State Extension is bringing together farmers


like ​Jim Harbach​, industry, and government
agencies to come up with science-based solutions for
reducing pollutants in the area’s watersheds
impacting the Chesapeake Bay.
Penn State's Agriculture and Environment Center​ --
joined by faculty and staff from across the
University, including the Environment and Natural
Resources Institute -- is leading the crusade to
reduce pollutant loads in watersheds by bringing
farmers, agricultural industry groups, landowners, government agencies, and environmental and
nonprofit organizations together to explore science-based solutions.
That might seem like a Herculean task considering that Pennsylvania has 83,000 miles of
rivers and streams; more than 4,000 lakes, reservoirs and ponds; thousands of acres of wetlands
and floodplains; and a complex network of underground aquifers.
"Pennsylvania is blessed with an abundance of water -- almost every resident lives near a
river or stream," said Matt Royer, director of Penn State’s Agriculture and Environment Center.
"Ensuring that those waters are clean is crucial for health, quality of life, recreation and the
economy. We all play a role, whether you own a 1,000-acre farm or a tiny lot in town."
Equally important is the Chesapeake Bay -- the largest estuary in the United States.
Pennsylvania plays a big part in the restoration of this crucial resource -- about half of the state
drains to the bay, and the Susquehanna River is its largest tributary, providing about 50 percent
of its fresh water.
Significant sources of pollution are excess nutrients and sediment runoff from urban
landscapes and agricultural operations, explains Royer, who is also an environmental attorney
and founder of the ​Tri-County Conewago Creek Association​, a group dedicated to restoring the
53-mile Conewago Creek in Dauphin, Lebanon and Lancaster counties.
Excess nutrients encourage the growth of algae that robs water of oxygen, making it
unlivable for aquatic life. Sediment coats streambeds, smothering the vegetation and insects fish
need for habitat and food.
Agricultural activities and stormwater runoff have contributed to the Chesapeake Bay's
dead zones, areas where no life exists. An estimated 34,000 Pennsylvania farms are located in
the bay's watershed. Farmers must do their part to prevent runoff from entering water sources.
Agriculture is one of the state's largest industries -- feeding millions and employing tens
of thousands -- and Royer said it is Penn State's responsibility as Pennsylvania's land-grant
institution to aid these farmers.
"Many farmers are willing to invest their own dollars, but some can't shoulder the cost,"
he said. "They need financial, technical and educational resources. We want to help them so they
can provide our food supply, be profitable and be good stewards of land and water."
That explains why farmers have an interest in the Chesapeake Bay, but why should the
average citizen care? As Royer points out, not only is the bay home to an abundance of fish and
wildlife, but it's also vital to the country's economy and well-being, providing jobs, recreation
and food for millions, including Pennsylvanians.
With so much at stake, researchers and Penn State Extension specialists have made
significant strides in water quality through cutting-edge research and education.
For example, researchers are investigating subsurface manure injection technology
designed to keep nutrients in the soil, where crops can use them. They also have evaluated no-till
cropping systems for their ability to reduce erosion and keep nutrients on the land.
Scientists also are studying "precision livestock feeding," which can reduce the amount
of excess phosphorus and nitrogen in manure while maintaining animal health and productivity,
and are examining the role of riparian buffers -- zones of vegetation adjacent to streams -- that
reduce the amount of sediment, nutrients and other pollutants entering waterways.
Another Penn State innovation is the interseeder, a piece of agricultural machinery that
makes it easier for farmers to plant cover crops. Research has shown that cover crops can
significantly reduce erosion and take up excess nutrients, thereby reducing the amount of
agricultural pollution infiltrating water.
These initiatives are paying off, according to Royer. He referenced a Penn State-led
survey of farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that measured their use of soil conversation
and water quality practices.
Nearly 7,000 ​producers responded to the survey​, which showed that farmers funded and
installed 1.3 million feet of fencing along streambanks, installed 2,000 manure storage units, and
planted 6,000 acres of forest buffers.
Supplementing those efforts, volunteers from Penn State have planted 25,000 trees and
shrubs along rivers and streams in the past six years.
More good news -- long-term monitoring of Pennsylvania's rivers and streams show
nutrient pollution is decreasing, and recent report cards for the Bay show improving conditions,
Royer noted.
"It's extremely rewarding to know we are making a difference in our local communities,
our state and our world," he said. "And we won't stop because there is nothing more important to
life than safe, clean water."
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events and education
opportunities, visit the ​Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center​ website. Questions
should be directed to Matt Royer Director, 814-863-8756 or send email to: ​mroyer@psu.edu​.
NewsClips:
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Facebook
Related Stories:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water
In PA

Matthew Royer is director of the ​Agriculture and Environment


Center​ in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. In
this role, he works with key stakeholders to proactively build
partnerships to improve the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways, and by extension, the pollution
problem in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Q: What challenges are faced by the Chesapeake Bay?
A:​ The challenges faced by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed really relate to addressing water
runoff from the land, which brings with it the pollution to the bay. Much of this runoff comes
from Pennsylvania, including its abundant, productive farmland. Our goal at Penn State is to
work collaboratively with farmers and other landowners to implement land management
practices that can help to clean up water in Pennsylvania before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
Q: I live in Pennsylvania, not Maryland or Virginia, so why should I be concerned about
the health of the Chesapeake Bay?
A:​ As Pennsylvanians, we are not directly on the Chesapeake Bay, but many of our rivers and
streams drain into the bay. These streams comprise the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Our
decisions related to land use here in Pennsylvania affect the health and welfare of our local
waterways and of the bay. The Chesapeake Bay -- with its abundant food supplies, including
blue crabs and oysters -- is an economic engine for the entire nation. If we clean up Pennsylvania
rivers and streams for our own benefit, that will, in turn, have a positive impact and help to
restore the Chesapeake Bay downstream.
Q: Could you explain the significance of the Agriculture and Environment Center’s work
to the health of the Chesapeake Bay? How has Penn State helped to drive the Chesapeake
Bay cleanup efforts within Pennsylvania?
A:​ The mission of the Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center is to build partnerships
with people and organizations who are working on land and water issues. We look for
collaborative, innovative solutions to the problems that farmers and other communities within
Pennsylvania face in ensuring clean rivers and streams here in Pennsylvania, and in cleaning up
the Chesapeake Bay. Penn State is uniquely situated to take on the challenging problem of
cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Finding the solution to this problem involves aspects
of agriculture and environmental science, engineering, politics, law, sociology and business
management. With all these areas of expertise and Penn State’s coverage across Pennsylvania,
we are uniquely positioned to help resolve the pollution problem in the bay.
Q: As a Pennsylvania resident, what can I do to help improve the health of the Chesapeake
Bay?
A:​ Anyone living within the watershed, whether you have a 1,000-acre farm or very tiny lot in
town, can take steps to help control runoff to the watershed – installing rain barrels and planting
native plants in your backyard to soak up storm water are a few easy places to start. You can
learn more and contact our experts by visiting http://agsci.psu.edu/aec.
Q: What can be done to keep the cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay moving in the right
direction?
A: ​We need to keep investing in land management practices, including the critical work to
reduce runoff from farmland. Farmers alone can’t shoulder the cost of implementation. There is a
big role for Penn State to play in this - particularly the extension program – in helping farmers to
affordably implement water runoff strategies.
Q: How did you arrive in your current role as director of the Agriculture and Environment
Center, and what keeps you motivated?
A:​ I've always been interested in the environment. I grew up on a small farm in Pennsylvania ...
that instilled within me an interest in the environment and the stewardship of our landscape, and
led to my career within environmental law and policy, and now working to direct the Agriculture
and Environment Center here at Penn State.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events and education
opportunities, visit the ​Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center​ website. Questions
should be directed to Matt Royer Director, 814-863-8756 or send email to: ​mroyer@psu.edu​.
NewsClips:
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Facebook
Related Stories:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania

Sarah Xenophon​ is a watershed technician in the


Agriculture and Environment Center​ in the College of
Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. She creates
large-scale watershed assessments and meets with
farmers, landowners, municipalities and others to
restore polluted or otherwise “sick” bodies of water in
Pennsylvania.
The center works with key stakeholders to
proactively build partnerships to improve the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways, and by
extension, the pollution problem in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Q: What do you do in your role, and how did your education at Penn State prepare you to
take on this important work?
A:​ I create large-scale watershed assessments and then bring homeowners, farmers and
municipalities to the table. We all work together to clean up waterways in a manner that benefits
everyone.
My education at Penn State has done a tremendous amount in preparing me for this job. I
absolutely would not be in this position if I had not gone to Penn State. As a student I did work
with the Agriculture and Environment Center as an intern, and that work was a gateway to
environmental professionalism.
From there, I transitioned into a temporary position during the summer and now I have a
full time position with the center. All of those steps, beginning with my education at Penn State,
led to my career as a professional scientist today.
Q: What motivates you to do your work?
A: ​I believe that every human being has a right to clean water. In my job, I try to bring together
diverse groups of Pennsylvanians to tackle challenges related to restoring and preserving our
waterways. This work impacts all Pennsylvanians; these are large scale challenges and everyone
needs to be at the table.
Q: How does Penn State positively impact the health of Pennsylvania waterways?
A:​ Fixing water quality is a massive global problem that no one person or institution can solve.
However, Penn State, as a leader in research globally, can make huge strides in fixing these
problems statewide and beyond.
The Agriculture and Environment Center helps to forge partnerships among critical
difference makers; without Penn State, these partnerships wouldn’t exist. Every day at Penn
State I am improving water quality, even if I spend the day at my desk pouring through data and
conducting research.
It’s important and it’s an area where Penn State is making an impact.
Q: Has there been a particular moment on the job that you come back to as an example of
your potential for positive impact? A moment or story that keeps you motivated?
A: ​The first time I see a stream that’s been totally restored, that’s a moment when I get to say to
myself, “this is why I do this work.” You get out there and see brook trout in the stream, and
fishermen, farmers and homeowners are there. They’re happy, I’m happy, the local municipality
is happy, and it’s a win-win-win. Clean water is important to everyone.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events and education
opportunities, visit the ​Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center​ website. Questions
should be directed to Matt Royer Director, 814-863-8756 or send email to: ​mroyer@psu.edu​.
(Reprinted from ​Penn State Today​, April 23, 2018)
NewsClips:
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Facebook
Related Stories:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In


Clearfield County

By Steve Harmic, ​Penn State News

A group of students in the Penn State ​DuBois Wildlife


Technology program​ partnered with local and state
organizations to help improve the habitat of a wild
trout stream in the area.
Situated at the edge of ​S.B. Elliott State Park​ on
Rockton Mountain are privately owned properties
through which the stream, Montgomery run, flows.
Eventually, the stream empties into the reservoir that
provides the City of DuBois' water supply.
As part of their Silviculture class, students joined
forces with representatives from the ​Clearfield County
Conservation District​, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of
Forestry, and the ​Allegheny Chapter of Trout Unlimited​ to help improve the habitat for native
trout in this section of Montgomery Run.
The biggest effort has been in planting trees, which can make surprising changes,
according to Kelly Williams, a watershed specialist with the Conservation District.
"With no trees in this area, it makes the water too warm for trout," Williams explained.
"Trees will eventually shade the stream and keep it cool."
The lack of trees in the area is due to the impact of a logging operation over a century
ago. However, it's not only because trees were harvested from the site.
"A splash dam left here in the late 1800's from logging caused this area to flood over and
over again through the years, which didn't allow trees to fill back in. It did allow for grass to take
root. Once grass takes hold, that keeps the trees out," Williams explained.
The dam would have been used by loggers to intentionally flood their log landing in
order to float timber downstream to a saw mill. But when the logging was done, the dam
remained in place, with a portion of it still intact even today.
While has dam deteriorated enough that the area no longer floods, it does remain a
wetland, with soft, soggy soil. That led experts to seek out tree species to plant that would thrive
in that environment.
Rick Conrad, a forester with the DCNR Bureau of Forestry explained, "We chose trees
that do well in wet areas, as well as species that are native to this part of the state. We also chose
trees that will shade the stream well and keep it cool. That's a lot better for aquatic life."
The tree species they chose were white pine, elderberry, river birch, American sycamore,
and black willow. In all, 1,100 trees will be planted, with white pine being the predominant
species, at 600 trees.
"I think this is an awesome learning experience," said Wildlife Technology student
Morgan Silvis, of Tionesta, PA. "It's great to contribute something to wildlife in the area."
"It's really adding to my experience," agreed student Katelyn Blystone, from Smicksburg, PA.
Williams, a graduate of the Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technology program herself, said a
win-win is just what she had in mind when she contacted campus faculty for help on the project.
"I graduated from Penn State DuBois, and now I'm working in Clearfield County, and it
was awesome to reach out to my alma mater for help," Williams said. "Without these students,
getting these trees planted would be impossible. And they get a nice field experience, too. It
really benefits both groups."
(​Photo:​ Students Katelyn Blystone, right, and Morgan Silvis look over one of the saplings they've
planted as part of an environmental repair and restoration effort along native trout stream
Montgomery Run.)
NewsClips:
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Facebook
Related Stories:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration

Addressing the need for better stormwater


management along the Susquehanna River, First
Lady Frances Wolf Monday officially unveiled a
newly constructed rain garden at the Governor’s
Residence.
The First Lady joined several of the state’s top
environmental leaders to showcase the rain garden,
as well as other green features on the property, as
part of the Residence’s second annual Earth Day
celebration.
“We are proud of the steps taken here at the
Governor’s Residence to conserve energy, minimize
waste, and provide more means to sustainable living,” Mrs. Wolf said. “In working with our
partners throughout state government and across the commonwealth, we’ve been able to
collaborate on many levels – from projects like the rain garden and new vegetable planters, to
our honey-producing apiaries, to the solar panels on the roof -- all of these things represent a
commitment to protecting the environment and hopefully serve as example of easy initiatives we
can all bring to our own backyards.”
Joining First Lady Wolf were Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick
McDonnell, as well as more than 40 young people working for DCNR’s ​PA Outdoor Corps
program, who presented the First Lady with wood planters they constructed for use in the
Residence gardens.
Secretary Dunn invited listeners to visit several DCNR-staffed stations on the Residence
lawn that addressed the value of watershed education, soil improvement and the planting of tree
buffers along waterways.
Also, the Bureau of Forestry’s Mira Lloyd Dock Resource Management Center supplied
free white pine seedlings for visitors to plant when they returned home.
“As Governor Wolf noted in his 2018 Earth Day proclamation, ‘Everyone Plays a Part in
Keeping Pennsylvania Clean,’ and this gathering helps us all learn what we can do to lessen
impact on the environment,” said Dunn. “Those who work with me in the nearby building named
for a conservation icon -- Rachel Carson -- are committed to a cleaner, greener Earth. I invite
you to tap their knowledge and enthusiasm. “
“Every day is Earth Day at DEP,” said Secretary McDonnell. “We’re passionate about
our work to educate and partner with citizens, schools, towns, farms, community organizations,
businesses, and state leaders to protect Pennsylvania’s environment. As the First Lady shows, if
everyone does a little, together we get a lot done for the benefit of all who appreciate the
outdoors.”
Rain gardens are designed to lessen storm water runoff in an area with poor drainage
issues or wash-outs.
During the summer of 2017, Penn State student Zoe Roane-Hopkins joined DCNR’s
Landscape Design Section as an intern to oversee planning, design and maintenance of the
Residence rain garden.
Residence staff provided the materials, funding for plantings and equipment assistance
for preparing and planting.
Additional green features of the Governor’s Residence building and grounds include:
-- Rain barrels.​ The Residence utilizes several rain barrels placed strategically throughout the
property to prevent stormwater runoff.
-- Solar panels ​on south-facing roof of Residence. The panels provide not only a source of clean
electricity to the Residence, but also an uninterrupted power supply of renewable energy for
critical communications systems.
-- Ground source heat pump (GSHP) system​, which replaced existing electric resistance
heating. GSHP systems, also called geothermal heat pumps, concentrate existing heat, rather than
burning fossil fuels to release energy. The GSHP system provides heat as well as supplemental
cooling to the Residence.
-- Reduction of paper products where possible.​ This includes a major reduction in the use of
paper plates, paper and plastic cups, and bottled water daily at events held at the Residence.
Recycling of glass, plastic, paper and cardboard.
-- Herb and vegetable gardens.​ The Residence is currently home to an herb garden and raised
vegetable beds, the produce from which is used for cooking at the Residence.
-- Hydroponic garden.​ To address the need for fresh herbs and vegetables that do not grow well
on the Residence grounds or are needed for events in harsh winter months, Residence staff
recently built an indoor hydroponic garden.
-- Working and observation beehives.​ In additional to honey-producing beehives, the
Residence installed observation beehives in 2017 so children can view the honey-making process
and learn how important bees are to the environment and how the honey for culinary purposes at
the Residence.
Click Here​ for details on the benefits of rain gardens and rain barrels, suggested plantings
and other information.
Visit the ​iConservePA​ website more on how you can do more to reduce your
environmental footprint.
NewsClips:
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Facebook
Related Stories:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
Applications For REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits Due June 30, At The Latest
Students Partner With Conservationists For Tree Planting, Habitat Improvement In Clearfield
County
PA First Lady Unveils Governor's Residence Rain Garden During Earth Day Celebration
Penn State Extension: Changing Practices From The Farm To The Chesapeake Bay
Q&A With Matthew Royer On Penn State's Impact On The Chesapeake Bay, Clean Water In PA
Penn State Q&A: Sarah Xenophon: Making Impact On Clean Water In Pennsylvania
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy & Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

Students See Green: Mock Spill Illustrates Potential Impact Of Wastewater Leak

By Matt Carroll, ​Penn State News

Bright green water swirled around Mariah Airey’s


boots as it made its way into Black Moshannon
Creek in Centre County.
A freshman at State College Area High
School, Airey watched as green dye trickled down a
tributary, mixed with the clear water in the creek
and then rushed downstream.
A group of State High students participated
in a mock spill event last week simulating what
might happen if a contaminate spill reached the
stream.
“When it reached Black Mo, it surprised me how far it went,” Airey said. “I thought my
eyes were deceiving me.”
Airey and her classmates are part of TeenShale Network, a group of high school students
working with Penn State scientists to monitor water quality in local streams around Marcellus
Shale development.
Penn State researchers and Department of Environmental Protection staff placed
environmentally safe dye in the creek to help the students visualize what might happen if a truck
hauling wastewater from a Marcellus Shale well site crashed and spilled its contents.
“There are a series of wells up on the hill, and trucks carry brine from the production of
shale gas out of this watershed to treatment facilities,” said David Yoxtheimer, a research
assistant in Penn State’s Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. “We set the stage that a
brine truck rolled over and spilled some of its brine into the creek.”
Brine, or wastewater, from a Marcellus Shale well can contain high concentrations of
salts and metals that had been trapped deep underground with the natural gas. Drillers pump
large amounts of water into wells during hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” and what returns to
the surface is wastewater.
For the past five years, ​TeenShale​ members have monitored sections of Black
Moshannon Creek for impacts of natural gas drilling. They collect water samples for testing at
Penn State, and later analyze data looking for potential environmental impacts.
“The results are just like you are actually doing something to answer a real-world
problem,” Airey said. “That’s what I really like about this. It’s not just something that we need to
check off our list to get through the year, it’s something that is a question that’s always evolving
and changing and the answer is not going to be in our book.”
More recently, the group has been studying possible environmental impacts of an old,
abandoned oil well in Centre County. That work is part of a larger project at Penn State to
identify so-called orphaned and abandoned wells. Estimates place the number of those wells in
Pennsylvania in the hundreds of thousands.
Through the TeenShale project, Penn State researchers have taught students to use
professional field equipment and comb through the data they collect to tell stories about what’s
happening to the environment. The students have presented their results at professional
conferences, like a Geological Society of America conference in Pittsburgh.
“The conference in Pittsburgh was really cool,” said Emily Lieb, a senior at State College
Area High School. “We were able to talk to professional scientists and not only get introduced to
their careers and areas of study, but also to say, ‘wow, look we can do this too. We can present
with other actual scientists, because we are scientists.’ That was cool to see.”
Lieb, who has participated in the project for four years, said her experiences encouraged
her to pursue science in college.
“It’s taught me that science is a collaborative process and that it changes,” Lieb said. “We
are always looking for new questions and new answers.”
TeenShale Network​ has received funding from the National Science Foundation and an
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Education Grant.

(Reprinted from ​Penn State News​)


[Posted: April 23, 2018]
Latest UpStream Newsletter Now Available From Stroud Water Research Center

The latest ​edition of the UpStream newsletter​ from


Chester County-based ​Stroud Water Research Center
is now available featuring articles on--
-- ​We Planted 1,975 Trees For Clean Water!​ ​(photo)
-- ​Muddy Boots Fund Created to Benefit Boy Scouts,
Stroud Center
-- ​Protecting Water Thru Collaboration, Science And
Conservation
-- ​Clean Water: A Bi-State Solution In
Brandywine-Christina Watershed May 3 Program
-- ​Secretive Mink Caught On Video In White Clay
Creek
-- ​Test Your Skills With The #MysteryMacro Quiz
-- ​Meet Scott Ensign, New Assistant Director
-- ​Click Here​ to sign up for your own copy
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the ​Stroud Water
Research Center​ website. ​Click Here​ to subscribe to Stroud’s Educator newsletter. ​Click Here
to become a Friend Of Stroud Research, ​Like them on Facebook​, ​Follow on Twitter​, include
them in your ​Circle on Google+​ and visit their ​YouTube Channel​.
Related Story:
New Statewide Partnership Launches Major Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees To Cleanup
Pennsylvania’s Streams, Rivers
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

Capital Region Water Invites Public For Tour Of DeHart Dam Reservoir In Dauphin
County May 19

Capital Region Water​ is inviting the public to register


for a behind-the-scenes tour of the DeHart Dam
Reservoir in Dauphin County on May 19.
DeHart Dam is the primary source of drinking
water for the City of Harrisburg and surrounding
municipalities.
Click Here​ for more information and to register
for the tour.
For more information on programs, initiatives
and other upcoming events, visit the ​Capital Region Water​ website.
NewsClips:
Pittsburgh Water Authority Encourages Homeowners To Sign Up For Free Water Line
Replacement
Pittsburgh Water Authority OKs Midyear Budget Increase As PUC Oversight Begins
A Step To Overhaul Pittsburgh Water Authority On The Table Stalls
Struggling Lehigh County Authority Eyes Raising Allentown Rates
Boil Water Advisory Lifted For East Mountain
Op-Ed: 4 Changes That Can Protect Thousands Of Philly Kids From Lead Poisoning
New Philly-Based Fund Helps U.S. Landlords Boost Green Power, Water
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

Earth Day Kicks Off With Great American Cleanup Of PA Events All Around
Pennsylvania

To kickoff Earth Day celebrations across the state, ​Keep


Pennsylvania Beautiful​, the Department of Environmental
Protection, Department of Transportation, Keep Chester
Beautiful, ​Covanta​, local officials and residents came together
at Sun Village Park in the City of Chester, Delaware County,
for a ​Great American Cleanup of PA​ beautification event on
April 20.
Local volunteers engaged in a litter pick up, mural and
bench paintings, flower planting and mulching.
This event is a continuation of an ongoing park revitalization led by community cleanup
organizer, Bonnita Taylor, from Bonnie’s Community Development Corporation. As part of the
celebration, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful presented the group with a $1,000 grant to continue the
park’s transformation.
“We are honored to play a role in Sun Village Park’s renaissance and to participate in this
Earth Day kickoff event with our sponsors, DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell and PennDOT
Secretary Leslie Richards,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “It is
inspiring to see the dedication and commitment of individuals, groups and entire communities all
across the state making great strides in revitalizing our common areas. Thank you!”
With sunny skies and pleasant temperatures, volunteers were out in full-force across the
state this past weekend in honor of Earth Day. Some noteworthy Great American Cleanup of PA
events include:
-- Allegheny County: ​Nearly 90 local residents turned out to participate in a community-wide
cleanup that included the James Sharp Landing in Allegheny County. The Sharpsburg
Neighborhood Organization, ​Sharpsburg Environmental Advisory Council​, Fox Chapel
Presbyterian Church, Girl Scouts of PA, the Wounded Warrior Project and Sharpsburg
Councilors Matthew Brudnok, Brittany Reno, and Jonathan Jaso were among those who helped
pick up over 120 bags of litter, various scrap metal and three tires from areas throughout the
community.
-- Northumberland County:​ Shamokin Area High School student, Rosalind Kane, organized a
community cleanup of multiple sections of Shamokin City and Coal Township in
Northumberland County. Turning out for the event were students from the University of
Pittsburgh, Shamokin National Honor Society, Cub Scout Pack 2354, Boy Scout Troop 254, St.
Johns United Church of Christ, Shamokin head coach and former NY Giants fullback, Henry
Hynoski, Mayor John Brown and Councilman Dan McGaw. The City of Shamokin disposed of
the 175 bags of trash that was collected. Local authorities and firefighters assured the safety of
volunteers. This is Rosalind’s seventh community-wide cleanup. Her first was held on Labor
Day 2012.
-- Tioga County:​ Keith Ruhl, Solid Waste Specialist from the Northcentral Regional Office of
the Department of Environmental Protection and several local government agencies and
businesses teamed up for a community cleanup in Deerfield Township, Tioga County. ​Northern
Tier Solid Waste Authority​ supplied the containers and disposal for the 6,340 pounds of trash
that was collected. 277 tires were also collected.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful coordinates the Great American Cleanup of PA, which runs
through May 31, with support from the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, ​PA
Waste Industries Association​ and other supporters.
Sign up now for the ​2018 Great American Cleanup of PA​ and set up your own cleanup
and beautification event from March 1 to May 31.
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 KPB’s ​Electronics Waste​ website.
NewsClips:
Pennsylvania Cleanup Events Touch Urban, Rural Areas
Phoenixville Uses Student Art To Fight Littering, Protect Waterways
Ligonier Twp To Accept Appliances, Tires Saturday
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Groups Combine To Cleanup Exeter For Earth Day
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Op-Ed: Litterers Bug All Of Us
Editorial: Litter, Litter Everywhere And Some Folks Just Don’t Care
Related Stories:
DEP, PennDOT, Local Officials, KPB Participate In Park Beautification Event In Chester,
Delaware Count​y
Keep Chester Beautiful, Delaware County, Becomes Newest Keep America Beautiful Affiliate
Columbia Gas Of PA Latest Sponsor Of KPB's Great American Cleanup Of PA, Local Events
Reminder: PRC, Partners Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events In Western PA
Starting May 5
Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April 28
Gov. Wolf: Saturday April 28 Is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
PA Resources Council, PA American Water, Partners Host 3 Drug Take-Back Day Collection
Events In Allegheny County
[Posted: April 25, 2018]

Columbia Gas Of PA Latest Sponsor Of KPB's Great American Cleanup Of PA, Local
Events

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful​ Tuesday announced


Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania​ has pledged support for
the 2018 ​Great American Cleanup of PA​, a statewide
community improvement initiative that runs now through May 31.
Events registered with the initiative receive free cleanup supplies of gloves, bags and
vests, as supplies last and access to free or reduced disposal during Pick It Up PA Days, through
April 30.
As part of their support, Columbia Gas employees participated in five service days with
local Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliates. Columbia Gas employees joined local volunteers
for the following community improvement projects--
-- On April 19, 7 Columbia Gas employees​ joined local volunteers to clean up approximately
10,000 pounds of trash and over 200 tires in a roadside cleanup and beautification of ‘Natalie’s
Garden’ located in the Beltzhoover neighborhood, Allegheny County. The event was coordinated
by ​Allegheny CleanWays.
-- Nine Columbia Gas employees, members of PA CleanWays of Fayette County​ and
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources staff tackled a site at Wharton Furnace 2 in
Forbes State Forest, Fayette County on April 18. The site, located along a stream, required a
winch to haul 50 tires, 800 pounds of trash, 12 appliances and other miscellaneous items over the
embankment.
-- On April 18, Columbia Gas employees joined local residents and members of Tri-County
CleanWays​ to remove approximately 2,000 pounds of trash and 22 tires from along the Stavich
Bike Trail, part of the Lawrence County greenways plan. The cleanup crew also did a litter
sweep of the surrounding area.
-- Columbia Gas employees joined members of PA CleanWays of McKean County​, Foster
Township and McKean County Adult Probation to clean up 1,500 pounds of trash and 70 tires
from along Pratt Hollow in Foster Township, McKean County on April 20.
-- A Community Garden on East King Street in York​ was the location of the service project
on April 19. Columbia Gas employees and ​Keep York County Beautiful​ volunteers constructed
twelve new raised garden beds, filling them with soil. The beds will be used for planting flowers
and other vegetation to assist in the beautification of the local community.
“Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania is committed to environmental stewardship,” said Sarah
Perry, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Community Engagement Manager. “We are humbled to
support community organizations like Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful that help to protect and
conserve the environment.”
“We are grateful for the support of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania. Our volunteers and
sponsors are who help make the Great American Cleanup of PA, Pennsylvania’s premier
community improvement initiative, possible. Keep PA Beautiful and Columbia Gas both believe
in responsible use and protection of the natural environment. We are honored to partner with
them on these community improvement projects,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful.
To become a sponsor of the annual Great American Cleanup of PA initiative, contact
Shannon Reiter by sending email to: ​sreiter@keeppabeautiful.org​ or call 724-836-4121.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s
largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. Your contribution will
directly support the Great American Cleanup of PA efforts.
Accomplishments
Since the inception of the Great American Cleanup of PA in 2004, over 2.1 million
volunteers have picked up 97 million pounds of litter and waste, 170,619 miles of roads,
waterways, shorelines, and trails have been cleaned, and more than 181,000 trees, bulbs, and
flowers have been planted.
Volunteers also removed over 279,681 tires and 226,395 pounds of scrap metal.
Video Contest
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is also ​calling for videos highlighting​ your 2018 Great
American Cleanup of PA event featuring groups, children, and adults having fun keeping your
communities clean and beautiful.
Cash prizes, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association, are $200 for
the winning entry and $100 each for two runners up.
Recognize sponsors and incorporate Great American Cleanup of PA in your video. Send
a 60 second video to ​slarson@keeppabeautiful.org​.
The statewide cleanup event continues through May 31. To register, please visit the ​Great
American Cleanup of PA​ website or contact Michelle Dunn, Great American Cleanup of PA
Program Coordinator, at 1-877-772-3673 ext. 113 or send email to:
mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org​.
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 KPB’s ​Electronics Waste​ website.
NewsClips:
Pennsylvania Cleanup Events Touch Urban, Rural Areas
Phoenixville Uses Student Art To Fight Littering, Protect Waterways
Ligonier Twp To Accept Appliances, Tires Saturday
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Groups Combine To Cleanup Exeter For Earth Day
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Op-Ed: Litterers Bug All Of Us
Editorial: Litter, Litter Everywhere And Some Folks Just Don’t Care
Related Stories:
Earth Day Kicks Off With Great American Cleanup Of PA Events All Around Pennsylvania
Reminder: PRC, Partners Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events In Western PA
Starting May 5
Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April 28
Gov. Wolf: Saturday April 28 Is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
PA Resources Council, PA American Water, Partners Host 3 Drug Take-Back Day Collection
Events In Allegheny County
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

Reminder: PRC, Partners Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events In Western
PA Starting May 5

The ​PA Resources Council​ and its partners have


scheduled seven ​Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events​ in Western Pennsylvania
starting on May 5 with an event at North Park in Allegheny County.
The events will be held in Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette and Washington counties
to collect household chemical products like cleaners, paints, stains and varnishes, batteries,
motor oil, pesticides and other products containing potentially hazardous chemicals.
The events will be held--
-- May 5:​ Allegheny County (North Park) from 9:00 to 1:00 at the swimming pool parking lot;
-- May 19:​ Cambria County (Concurrent Technologies Corporation);
-- June 23:​ Fayette County (Fairgrounds);
-- July 21:​ Washington County (Wild Things Park);
-- August 18:​ Allegheny County (Boyce Park);
-- September 22:​ Allegheny County (South Park); and
-- October 13:​ Beaver County (Bradys Run Park).
The cost to safely dispose of materials at all collection locations will be $3/gallon, cash
only.
The 2018 household chemical collection campaign is a project of the Pennsylvania
Resources Council in conjunction with ​Allegheny County Health Department​, ​Allegheny County
Parks Department​, ​Beaver County Commissioners​, ​Cambria County Solid Waste Authority​,
Fayette County Commissioners​, ​Washington County​, ​AAA East Central​, ​Colcom Foundation,
UPMC​, ​LANXESS​, ​NOVA Chemicals​, ​PA American Water​, Department of Environmental
Protection, ​Concurrent Technologies Corporation​, Washington County Family Entertainment
and ​NewsRadio 1020 KDKA​.
For more information – and a complete list of items accepted – visit PRC’s ​Household
Chemical Collection Events ​webpage or call 412-488-7452.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the ​PA Resources
Council​ website. ​Click Here​ to sign up for regular updates, follow ​PRC on Twitter​ or ​Like them
on Facebook​. ​Click Here​ for PRC’s Events Calendar. ​Click Here​ to support their work.
NewsClips:
Pennsylvania Cleanup Events Touch Urban, Rural Areas
Phoenixville Uses Student Art To Fight Littering, Protect Waterways
Ligonier Twp To Accept Appliances, Tires Saturday
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Groups Combine To Cleanup Exeter For Earth Day
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Op-Ed: Litterers Bug All Of Us
Editorial: Litter, Litter Everywhere And Some Folks Just Don’t Care
Related Stories:
Earth Day Kicks Off With Great American Cleanup Of PA Events All Around Pennsylvania
Columbia Gas Of PA Latest Sponsor Of KPB's Great American Cleanup Of PA, Local Events
Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April 28
Gov. Wolf: Saturday April 28 Is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
PA Resources Council, PA American Water, Partners Host 3 Drug Take-Back Day Collection
Events In Allegheny County
[Posted: April 25, 2018]
Gov. Wolf: Saturday April 28 Is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Gov. Tom Wolf Friday reminded Pennsylvanians


disposing of old, unneeded, or expired prescriptions can
help decrease access to powerful opioids and other
prescription drugs.
Saturday, April 28, is the 15th National Prescription
Drug Take-Back Day and Gov. Wolf encouraged
anyone needing to dispose of prescription medications
to safely dispose of the drugs at one of the nearly 700
drug take-back boxes around the Commonwealth.
“The opioid and heroin crisis has hit Pennsylvania hard
and this crisis doesn’t discriminate – it hits every age group, every creed, color, and income
level,” Gov. Wolf said. “Leftover opioids can be sold or misused by family members, leading to
even more people affected by their presence. That’s why I strongly encourage all Pennsylvanians
to look through your medicine cabinets and take the proactive step to keep your homes and your
loved ones safe.”
National Drug Take-Back Days are held twice annually by the Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA) and state and local partners to encourage people to take an active role in making
their homes and communities safe and lowering the risk of prescription drug misuse.
Nearly 37,000 pounds of old or unnecessary prescription drugs were collected in
Pennsylvania during the October 2017 take-back day. To date, nearly 400,000 pounds of
prescription drugs have been safely disposed of at Pennsylvania’s take-back boxes since 2014.
“Prescription drug misuse is a major catalyst for the heroin and opioid epidemic that we
are fighting every day, and too many people with an opioid use disorder obtain medicine from
family and friends’ medicine cabinets,” said Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol
Programs Secretary Jennifer Smith. “Keeping unused, unnecessary, or expired medication in
homes increases the risk of it being misused. By participating in National Drug Take-Back Day,
Pennsylvanians can help fight this crisis and make their homes safer by properly disposing of
medication.”
Prescription drug take-back boxes can be found in Pennsylvania State Police barracks,
local police stations and municipal buildings, and pharmacies around Pennsylvania.
A map of take-back box locations searchable by county and zip code can be found on the
Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ ​website​.
“Drug Take-Back Day is an opportunity to get rid of unused prescription drugs and
prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said.
“Prescription drug misuse and abuse plays a large role in the opioid crisis, but you can help
change that. There are a number of locations across Pennsylvania where unused prescription
drugs can be dropped off, with no questions asked.”
Click Here​ to find drug take-back locations near you.
NewsClips:
Medication Disposal Event Planned At Courthouse In Wilkes-Barre
Western PA Police, Pharmacies, Hospitals Participate In Drug Take Back Day
NewsClips:
Pennsylvania Cleanup Events Touch Urban, Rural Areas
Phoenixville Uses Student Art To Fight Littering, Protect Waterways
Ligonier Twp To Accept Appliances, Tires Saturday
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Groups Combine To Cleanup Exeter For Earth Day
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Op-Ed: Litterers Bug All Of Us
Editorial: Litter, Litter Everywhere And Some Folks Just Don’t Care
Related Stories:
Sen. Yaw Encourages Pennsylvanians To Take Advantage Of Drug Take-Back Day April 28
PA Resources Council, PA American Water, Partners Host 3 Drug Take-Back Day Collection
Events In Allegheny County
Earth Day Kicks Off With Great American Cleanup Of PA Events All Around Pennsylvania
Columbia Gas Of PA Latest Sponsor Of KPB's Great American Cleanup Of PA, Local Events
Reminder: PRC, Partners Hold Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events In Western PA
Starting May 5
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

PA Sea Grant: Perils Of Plastic Presentation May 3 At The Tom Ridge Environmental
Center, Erie

Pennsylvania Sea Grant​, the Department of


Conservation and Natural Resources, the
Regional Science Consortium​, and ​Environment
Erie​ will host a May 3 “The Perils of Plastic,” an
evening presentation by Dr. Sherri Mason, a
renowned plastic pollution researcher.
Dr. Mason and partners conducted the first-ever
survey for ​plastic pollution within the fresh,
open-waters of the Great Lakes​ (2012-2013).
Their survey and research found plastic particles
in each of the five Great Lakes.
The counts in Lakes Erie and Ontario rival those
found in the world’s oceans. Mason and fellow researchers also found plastic microfibers in fish
and birds that were tested.
“What surprised us the most is the size of the particles we found,” said Dr. Mason. “To
date, seventy-five percent of the plastic we skim off the surface of the Great Lakes is tiny -
between one third and one millimeter in diameter.”
Dr. Mason and partners hope to build up an understanding of the types and abundance of
plastics within the Great Lakes and other freshwater systems, laying the groundwork for
important additional investigations into their ecosystem impacts.
Dr. Mason’s presentation is being funded by ​The Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Foundation​.
Click Here​ to learn more about Dr. Mason, who is the Professor of Chemistry, and Chair
of the Geology & Environmental Sciences Department at the State University of New York at
Fredonia.
This event is free and open to the public at the ​Tom Ridge Environmental Center​ in Erie.
Seating capacity is limited to 175, so early arrival is highly recommended. Doors open at
6:30 p.m. with presentation at 7:00 p.m.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Pennsylvania Sea Grant​ webpage.
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

DEP Issues $20,750 Penalty Against Carbon County Property Owner For Waste Violations

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced it issued a $20,750 civil penalty
against James Umbriac of Banks Township, Carbon County for illegally disposing, storing, and
burning solid waste on his property along Centtown Road.
The penalty comes after Umbriac did not comply with a 2015 department order to
remove the waste from his property.
“This penalty is the result of what happens when property owners repeatedly fail to abide
by a DEP order to clean up debris that should not have been on that property in the first place,”
said Mike Bedrin, Director of DEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre.
In early 2015, after receiving numerous complaints, DEP conducted an inspection of the
property and found violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and determined that old tires,
garbage and construction and demolition debris were being brought onto the property.
Some of that debris was either being burned in open pits or buried on the property.
In April 2015, DEP ordered James Umbriac, as the owner of the property, to have the
debris cleaned up, including the waste buried on the property, within 45 days and provide
documentation of that clean-up.
Umbriac failed to comply and in August of 2016, the Carbon County Court of Common
Pleas, at the department’s request, issued a court order for clean-up of the property.
The debris was removed and the property returned to compliance in October 2016, with
full documentation of the clean-up and proper disposal of the debris provided to DEP in May
2017.
The civil penalty will be paid into the Solid Waste Abatement Fund which is
administered by DEP for the elimination of solid waste that presents a danger or hazard to the
public or environment.
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

DEP Celebrates Reuse Of Brownfield Site By AeroAggregates In Delaware County

Department of Environmental Protection


Secretary Patrick McDonnell Wednesday visited
AeroAggregates, LLC​ in Eddystone, Delaware
County to tour the remediated brownfield site
and celebrate the company’s commitment to
recycling innovation.
“Recycling is more than sorting cans and
cardboard, it’s a practice woven into the fabric of our economy and into the behaviors of our
citizens,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. ”Furthermore, the facility is on a former
brownfield site – a site that has itself been recycled into a usable area. The Brownfields program
is the ultimate recycling program – every brownfield that is put back into productive use means
that there is an untouched green space that isn’t developed.”
A ​2018 recipient of the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence​,
AeroAggregates is the first vertically-integrated, U.S.-based company to produce
ultra-lightweight construction material from 100 percent recycled glass of mixed color.
The final product is a pumice-like stone that can be used in a variety of construction
projects.
At its current facility, AeroAggregates has the capacity to use over 13,000 tons of
recycled glass per year, almost all of which comes from surrounding communities.
AeroAggregates uses the equivalent of roughly 55 million glass bottles annually to
produce the lightweight materials for road and building projects. The material is light enough to
reduce construction vehicle traffic from five trucks to one because the weight is so dramatically
reduced.
The AeroAggregates Eddystone facility sits atop the location of the former Baldwin
Locomotive site, a 10-acre former brownfield site in Delaware County.
For more information on brownfields reuse, visit DEP’s ​Brownfields Redevelopment
webpage.
NewsClip:
Norristown Receives $300K EPA Brownfields Grant
Related Stories:
DEP, Local Officials Tour Crazy Aaron's Putty World, Celebrate Remediation Of Brownfield
Site In Montgomery County
EPA Announces $2.7 Million In Grants For 7 Brownfields Projects In PA
DEP, Partners Celebrate First North American Use Of PA-Manufactured Recycled Glass
Construction Foam
[Posted: April 25, 2018]

DEP, Local Officials Tour Crazy Aaron's Putty World, Celebrate Remediation Of
Brownfield Site In Montgomery County

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell and local officials


Thursday visited ​Crazy Aaron’s Putty World​ in Norristown, Montgomery County to celebrate
the remediation, redevelopment, and revitalization of an area brownfield.
Crazy Aaron’s Putty World entered DEP’s Land Recycling Program in 2017 and worked
quickly to conduct soil sampling and remove historic underground storage tanks before moving
its headquarters and operations to the site.
“The Pennsylvania Brownfields is a program that works for communities and
businesses.” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “It works at getting sites remediated and
brought back into productive use, it drives economic development, and it works to further
revitalize places like Norristown and we are happy to welcome Crazy Aaron’s Putty World to the
family of businesses that are making productive use of former brownfields.”
Crazy Aaron’s Putty World creates non-toxic thinking putty, employs many individuals
with intellectual and physical disabilities, and is bringing new jobs to Norristown.
DEP and Crazy Aaron’s will continue to work together to further ensure any remaining
contamination is properly managed to prevent exposure.
For more information on brownfields reuse, visit DEP’s ​Brownfields Redevelopment
webpage.
NewsClip:
Norristown Receives $300K EPA Brownfields Grant
Related Stories:
DEP Celebrates Reuse Of Brownfield Site By AeroAggregates In Delaware County
EPA Announces $2.7 Million In Grants For 7 Brownfields Projects In PA
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

EPA Announces $2.7 Million In Grants For 7 Brownfields Projects In PA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday announced 144 communities that will
receive Brownfields grants for environmental assessment, revolving loan funds, and cleanups,
including $2.7 million in grants to support seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania.
“EPA’s Brownfields Program expands the ability of communities to recycle vacant and
abandoned properties for new, productive reuses, using existing infrastructure" said EPA
Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These grants leverage other public and private investments, and
improve local economies through property cleanup and redevelopment.”
“EPA’s Brownfields grants provide a boost to communities by helping to put people back
to work while also creating cleaner, healthier and economically stronger neighborhoods,” said
EPA Region 3 Administrator Cosmo Servidio. “Pennsylvania communities will use this funding
to explore ideas on how properties can be cleaned up and returned to productive use.”
The seven Brownfields projects in Pennsylvania include the following:
-- Lycoming County​ will receive an $800,000 revolving loan fund grant to support cleanup
activities for Brownfields sites contaminated with hazardous substances. The county will focus
much of this funding to support City of Williamsport and Muncy Borough, both of which have
supported industry since the early 19th century due to their proximity to rail lines.
“Lycoming County is pleased and honored to be the recipient of this grant and thankful to
continue our partnership with the EPA and our community partners,” said Community
Development/Lead Planner of the County Department of Planning & Community Development
Jenny Picciano. “Grant funds will allow the county to clean up Brownfields sites identified in
prior assessment grants, leverage public and private funding for economic redevelopment, and
ultimately reinvest in our communities.”
-- Butler County​ will receive $600,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could be
contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup
and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on the City of Butler and Petrolia Borough. Funds
will also support community outreach activities.
“This grant will provide the Butler County coalition with the opportunity to assess
industrial legacy Brownfields properties throughout the county, with the ultimate goal of
repurpose and beneficial use,” said Chief of Economic Development and Planning, Butler
County Mark S Gordon. “This collaborative initiative is one of many aimed at creating
opportunities for economic growth.”
-- The Clearfield County​ Economic Development Corp. will receive $300,000 to conduct site
assessments on properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances,
and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will focus on
mine-scarred properties in DuBois and Clearfield boroughs. Funds will also support community
outreach activities.
A statement from the Clearfield County Commissioners said the grant: “…will enable
Clearfield County to take land previously thought unusable and turn the same into springboards
for economic and community growth. It will enable future generations to also reap the benefit of
land once believed to have outlived its usefulness.”
-- The Greene County​ Industrial Development Authority will receive $300,000 to conduct site
assessments on properties that may be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances,
and determine the feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Assessments will target the
municipalities of Monongahela, Waynesburg, and Cumberland. Funds will also support
community outreach activities.
“This grant will be used for the assessment of unknown potentially hazardous or
contaminated sites that resulted from past industrial use,” said Chairman of the Green County
Board of Commissioners Blair Zimmerman. “We are hopeful that these sites will be able to be
utilized to attract future development to Greene County.”
-- Norristown in Montgomery County​ will receive $300,000 to conduct site assessments on
properties that could be contaminated with petroleum or hazardous substances, and determine the
feasibility for cleanup and redevelopment. Funds will also support community outreach
activities.
“This funding will allow Norristown to continue on the road of redevelopment and
revitalization that we have been working towards,” said Norristown Municipal Administrator
Crandall O. Jones. “We have felt the impacts of former industrial sites sitting idle and loss of
jobs and our workforce. However, with the assistance of EPA funding, we have been able to step
in front of the problem of historic environmental legacy issues and remove the obstacle of
unknown and uncontained impacts.”
-- Earth Conservancy in Luzerne County​ will receive $200,000 to clean up a 400-foot
segment of Espy Run that runs through the City of Nanticoke and Hanover Township. Espy Run
travels through mine-scarred lands once used for anthracite mining. The stream is impacted by
sedimentation and acid mine drainage. Grant funds will also support community outreach
activities and monitoring.
“The EPA’s continued support of Earth Conservancy is a testament to partnerships
working to improve the environment from past damages,” said ​Earth Conservancy​ President and
CEO Mike Dziak. “The generous support we are receiving for this third segment in the ongoing
restoration of Espy Run – which was destroyed decades ago by anthracite mining – will repair
the streamway and mitigate the production of acid mine drainage downstream. When complete,
the restored Espy Run will create habitat for wildlife and enhance quality of life for those
nearby.”
-- Lawrence County​ will receive $200,000 to conduct site assessments on properties that could
be contaminated with hazardous substances, and determine the feasibility for cleanup and
redevelopment. Assessment activities will target the City of New Castle’s gateway corridors.
Funds will also support community outreach activities.
“Having been the recipient of $600,000 of EPA funds in the past, the Lawrence County
Economic Development Corporation has successfully utilized the funds to benefit both economic
development and community development projects,” said Director of Economic Business
Development for LCEDC Linda D. Nitch. “We look forward to utilizing this new grant award to
further develop activities in New Castle.”
For more information on federal brownfields redevelopment assistance, visit EPA’s
Brownfields​ and ​Brownfields Success Stories​ webpages.
NewsClip:
Norristown Receives $300K EPA Brownfields Grant
Related Stories:
DEP, Local Officials Tour Crazy Aaron's Putty World, Celebrate Remediation Of Brownfield
Site In Montgomery County
DEP Celebrates Reuse Of Brownfield Site By AeroAggregates In Delaware County
[Posted: April 25, 2018]

DEP Permits For Brunner Island, Moxie Freedom Natural Gas Power Plants

The Department of Environmental Protection issued the required Air Quality Permit for the
conversion of the Brunner Island Power Plant in York County from coal to natural gas. ​(​April 28
PA Bulletin, page 2451​)
The ​Moxie Freedom, LLC​ natural gas power plant in Salem Township, Luzerne County
submitted a required Acid Rain Air Quality Permit application to DEP for review. Comments on
the permit will be accepted until May 28. A public hearing may be held if requested. ​(​April 28
PA Bulletin, page 2459​)
NewsClip:
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

DCNR Signs Submerged Lands Agreement With EQT Drilling Worth $874,200 In Greene,
Washington Counties

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources​ ​published notice​ in the April 28 PA
Bulletin it has executed an Oil and Gas Lease for Publicly-Owned Streambeds with the EQT
Drilling Company for $874,200, plus natural gas royalties.
The lease covers 218.55 acres in Center, Morgan and Jefferson Townships and Clarksville
in Greene County and Amwell and East Bethlehem townships and Marianna Borough in
Washington County. ​Click Here​ for a copy of the agreement and location maps.
[Posted: April 27, 2018]

Exelon Sets Goal Of Further Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 15% By 2022

Exelon​ Thursday announced it is setting a goal to


reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its internal
operations by 15 percent by 2022.
This marks the third in a series of
greenhouse gas commitments Exelon has
undertaken, with the first two programs resulting in the avoidance of more than 67.8 million
metric tons of emissions -- the equivalent of taking 14.5 million vehicles off the road for a year.
“Just as we partner with our customers and communities to achieve their
carbon-reduction goals, we continuously look within our own operations for opportunities to
improve our performance and lead by example.”
The latest goal is an extension of Exelon’s commitment to invest in innovative
technology and infrastructure to help states, municipalities and businesses reduce their carbon
footprint and contribute to healthier communities.
“As the nation’s largest producer of emissions-free electricity, Exelon has made
significant contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our new goal is part of our
long-term plan to integrate and develop carbon reduction energy solutions,” said Christopher M.
Crane, president and CEO of Exelon. “Just as we partner with our customers and communities to
achieve their carbon-reduction goals, we continuously look within our own operations for
opportunities to improve our performance and lead by example.”
The new GHG goal targets the 1.1 million metric tons of emissions associated with
Exelon’s internal operations, which includes everything from overhead lighting in the company’s
offices to its large fleet of utility vehicles.
The 15 percent reduction will be achieved primarily by driving down methane emissions
from natural gas distribution systems, reducing losses from other GHG gas-insulated electrical
equipment, and by investing in vehicle electrification.
The company also will increase the energy efficiency of its own buildings and select
emissions-free electricity at its facilities.
The new goal is a component in a suite of actions to address carbon emissions across
Exelon’s entire business and recognizes the importance of ongoing efforts to reduce emissions in
support of international climate goals.
By 2022, the cumulative impact of actions associated with our new goal, combined with
Exelon’s continued focus on clean generation and energy efficiency programs for customers, will
result in the total reduction of more than 700 million metric tons of carbon emissions.
Exelon’s fleet of emissions-free nuclear, solar, wind and hydro power plants currently
accounts for one-ninth of all clean energy produced in the U.S.
In 2017, Exelon’s six utilities helped customers save more than 19.2 million megawatt
hours of electricity through various efficiency programs designed to help customers use less
energy.
That’s enough to supply electricity to one million average homes for a year.
Exelon’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions dates back to its founding in 2001.
The company’s first carbon-reduction goal came under the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Climate Leaders Program, which was achieved in 2008.
That was followed by Exelon 2020, which set a goal to abate 17.5 million metric tons of
greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2020. The company achieved the goal seven years ahead
of schedule by abating 18 million metric tons of carbon emissions in 2013.
Recognition of Exelon’s Environmental Leadership includes:
-- 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index:​ Exelon named to the Index for 12 consecutive years
-- 2017 Newsweek’s Green Ranking:​ Exelon named to list for nine consecutive years, ranked
12th best in U.S. and 24th best overall among 500 of the largest publicly traded U.S. and Global
companies.
-- 2018 Energy Star Partner of the Year​: Sustained Excellence Award: Exelon Utilities (BGE,
ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco) recognized for demonstrating exceptional
leadership for more than three years in the ENERGY STAR program for evolving and enhancing
environmental practices.
For more information, visit ​Exelon’s Sustainability​ webpage.
(​Photo:​ Exelon solar energy installation in Bucks County.)
NewsClips:
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Crable: As State Help Fades For 2 Nuclear Plants, Will Trump Attempt Rescue?
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Locals Reflect On Three Mile Island Disaster, Closure
Op-Ed: Training Nuclear Engineers For Jobs That Don’t Exist
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
Editorial: No Energy Emergency On Coal, Nuclear Power Plants
FirstEnergy Reaches Agreement With Creditors On Bankrupt Subsidiaries
Cutting Loose Generation Lifts Earnings For FirstEnergy
Related Stories:
PECO Receives Energy Star Partner Of The Year - Sustained Excellence Award
Study: Closure Of 4 Nuclear Power Plants In Ohio, PA Will Have Significant Negative Impacts
On The Environment, Economy
Nuclear Energy Caucus Hearing: The Federal Government Is Not Going To Act In Time To
Save Nuclear Power Plants
FirstEnergy Files Letter With NRC Affirming Plans To Deactivate Beaver Valley, 2 Other
Nuclear Power Plants
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

FirstEnergy Files Letter With NRC Affirming Plans To Deactivate Beaver Valley, 2 Other
Nuclear Power Plants

FirstEnergy Solutions​ Wednesday announced it has


filed a Certification Letter with the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission formally notifying the
Commission of its decision to permanently
deactivate its nuclear power plants – two in Ohio
and a third in Pennsylvania – over the next three
years, citing "severe economic challenges."
The letter affirms the Company's March 28, 2018,
notification to PJM Interconnection, the regional
transmission organization, as well as its initial,
informal notification to the NRC.
The plant closures are subject to review by PJM for reliability impacts, if any. In the
interim, the plants will continue normal operations.
"We are actively seeking policy solutions at the state and federal level as an alternative to
retiring these plants, which we believe still have a crucial role to play in the reliability and
resilience of our regional grid," said Don Moul, president of FES Generation Companies and
chief nuclear officer.
"What also is at stake for the region is 4,048 megawatts of zero-emission baseload
generating capacity, an all but irreplaceable resource," he added. "As early as mid-2019, we will
begin facing decisions on each of these plants as to whether to refuel them or shut them down.
Absent legislative or regulatory relief, we cannot continue to operate the plants on their current
uneconomic basis."
FES, its subsidiaries and FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company on March 31, 2018,
filed petitions under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in order to facilitate an orderly
financial restructuring. The case is proceeding in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District
of Ohio, in Akron.
The retirement schedule of the nuclear plants is as follows:
-- Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station, Oak Harbor, Ohio, by May 31, 2020
-- Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 1, Shippingport, Pa., by May 31, 2021
-- Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Perry, Ohio, by May 31, 2021
-- Beaver Valley Power Station Unit No. 2, Shippingport, Pa., by October 31, 2021
The closure of the plants will affect about 2,300 plant employees.
The total capacity of the nuclear plants to be deactivated is 4,048 megawatts (MW). In
2017, the nuclear units contributed approximately 65 percent of the electricity produced by the
FES generating fleet.
The two nuclear plants in Ohio represent 14 percent of the state's overall generation
capacity; the Beaver Valley units represent 7 percent of Pennsylvania's overall generation
capacity.
(​Photo:​ Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant.)
NewsClips:
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Crable: As State Help Fades For 2 Nuclear Plants, Will Trump Attempt Rescue?
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Locals Reflect On Three Mile Island Disaster, Closure
Op-Ed: Training Nuclear Engineers For Jobs That Don’t Exist
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
Editorial: No Energy Emergency On Coal, Nuclear Power Plants
FirstEnergy Reaches Agreement With Creditors On Bankrupt Subsidiaries
Cutting Loose Generation Lifts Earnings For FirstEnergy
Related Stories:
Nuclear Energy Caucus Hearing: The Federal Government Is Not Going To Act In Time To
Save Nuclear Power Plants
FirstEnergy Files Deactivation Notice For 3 Nuclear Power Plants In Ohio, Pennsylvania
FirstEnergy Seeks Emergency Federal Order To Avert Shutdown Of Nuclear, Coal Plants
FirstEnergy Generation Files For Bankruptcy Just Before Midnight
Exelon Sets Goal Of Further Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 15% By 2022
PECO Receives Energy Star Partner Of The Year - Sustained Excellence Award
[Posted: April 25, 2018]

PECO Receives Energy Star Partner Of The Year - Sustained Excellence Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has presented Exelon’s energy companies, including
PECO​, with the ​Energy Star Partner of the Year: Sustained Excellence Award​.
The Sustained Excellence Award is given to companies that demonstrate exceptional
leadership for more than three years in the Energy Star program, while committing to superior
energy efficiency achievements.
“An essential part of powering a cleaner and brighter future for our customers is giving
them the tools to be more efficient energy consumers,” said Exelon CEO Christopher M. Crane.
“Our six electric and gas companies do this every day through a suite of programs that help
customers save energy and money.”
Among PECO’s 2017 accomplishments are--
-- Saving its customers more than 2.7 million megawatt hours through Energy Star-related
program offerings over the past eight years.
-- Promoting the sale of more than 1.8 million Energy Star certified LED bulbs and saving 76
million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy through instant discounts on qualifying bulbs and
fixtures at the point of sale.
-- Building an informed trade ally network to educate consumers during critical sales
opportunities, with nearly 10,000 certified appliances rebated by the program for estimated
annual savings of 6,698,000 kWh.
-- Paying incentives on more than 270 Energy Star certified homes, a 92 percent increase since
2016, while saving more than 1,000,000 kWh.
-- Increasing the number of participating builder partners to 17, a 112 percent increase since
2016, and re-designing the program to include multifamily units.
-- Leveraging the Energy Star Flip Your Fridge promotion to cross market its recycling and
refrigerator incentives and prominently display the Energy Star promotional mark. PECO’s
appliance initiative led to the recycling of more than 12,000 older refrigerators, freezers and
room air conditioners.
Through their energy efficiency programs across all its energy companies, Exelon’s
electric customers saved more than 19.2 million megawatt hours of energy in 2017, enough to
power to approximately 1 million average American homes for one year. Customers also avoided
almost 8.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
“The 2018 Energy Star Partners of the Year have demonstrated real leadership, showing
how American families and businesses can save energy, save money, and reduce air emissions,”
said Bill Wehrum, EPA assistant administrator for Air and Radiation.
PECO was recognized for energy efficiency nine times by EPA.
To learn more about how you can save energy at home and your business, visit the ​PECO
website.
NewsClips:
AP: Federal Appeals Court Sides With States Over Fuel Economy Standards
Op-Ed: Keep Federal Vehicle Fuel Standards In Place, DEP Secretary McDonnell
Op-Ed: Training Nuclear Engineers For Jobs That Don’t Exist
FERC Approves PJM Proposal To Implement Energy Efficiency Market Restrictions
Related Stories:
Exelon Sets Goal Of Further Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 15% By 2022
FirstEnergy Files Letter With NRC Affirming Plans To Deactivate Beaver Valley, 2 Other
Nuclear Power Plants
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

Pittsburgh-Based PPG Reports Sustainability Progress, New 2025 Goals

PPG​ Tuesday released its ​2017 Corporate Sustainability Report​, which details the company’s
continued progress in strengthening its sustainable operations in 2017 and the launch of new,
aggressive sustainability goals it aims to achieve by 2025.
“PPG’s sustainability efforts go beyond product innovations to extend to our customers’
operations and the communities in which we operate,” said Mark Cancilla, PPG vice president,
environment, health and safety. “We are encouraged by our progress in 2017 and excited about
our new goals, which are representative of the challenges and opportunities of our current
business portfolio.”
The company achieved the following progress in 2017:
-- 32 percent of sales from products that provide customers with a sustainable advantage, an
increase of 60 percent since 2012. This includes the unveiling of multiple products that provide a
sustainable solution, such as Sigma Air Pure, a revolutionary bio-based product that protects
indoor air quality while it beautifies;
-- 15 percent reduction in waste since 2012;
-- 46 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity since 2012;
-- 0.29 rate of injury and illness, a 6.5 percent reduction from 2016;
-- Implementation of employee wellness programs at 70 percent of locations with 50 or more
employees; and
-- $10.5 million invested in hundreds of community organizations across 29 countries.
For videos, infographics and more on PPG’s ​Sustainability Report​ webpage.
NewsClip:
Villanova U: Sustainability On Campus: A Conversation
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

Penn State Behrend Campus Will Connect Erie Companies To Shell Ethane Plant Project

The Department of Community and Economic Development Tuesday announced it has selected
Penn State Behrend​ as a lead partner for developing business and market opportunities created
by a $6 billion Shell Pennsylvania Chemicals project in Beaver County.
Shell is building an ethane “cracker” plant that will convert natural gas liquids into
polyethylene, a plastic material that is used in packaging, automotive parts, carpets and other
products.
The facility, which is expected to open in 2020, will produce 3.5 billion pounds of
polyethylene every year.
Access to that material — which traditionally has been produced in and shipped from the
Gulf Coast — will reduce transportation costs and shorten the supply chain for most U.S. and
Canadian plastics manufacturers.
Seventy percent of the North American polyethylene customer base is within a 700-mile
radius of Pittsburgh.
“PA DCED appreciates the strong partnership with Penn State Behrend’s School of
Engineering and is excited about the opportunities for additional growth in the plastics industry
that will emerge from the Shell investment,” said Denise Brinley, senior energy adviser with the
department. “Penn State Behrend can provide critical connections to research support, materials
testing and a talent pipeline that will add value to this large-scale petrochemical investment and
associated growth in the plastics sector.”
The strength of Erie’s plastics industry and the success of Penn State Behrend’s School of
Engineering, which offers one of only six accredited U.S. plastics undergraduate programs,
makes Erie of particular interest to DCED.
The agency will pilot its development strategies for Shell-related business, including
downstream manufacturing, during a series of events in Erie County over the next three years.
Several of those events will be hosted at Penn State Behrend.
To support the partnership with DCED and promote growth in northwestern
Pennsylvania, Penn State has committed $250,000 to an Energy University Partnership for oil
and gas strategies.
The funding — part of a $2 million commitment to priorities identified in Penn State’s
2016-2020 Strategic Plan — will advance student-led research through the Institute for Natural
Gas Research, the Marcellus Shale and Natural Gas Extension Office and at several Penn State
campuses, including Penn State Behrend.
It also will create a dedicated strategy room at Penn State Behrend, where stakeholders
can collaborate while pursuing partnerships and other opportunities with the Shell facility.
The first element of that support already is in place: A web-based research network where
businesses and organizations can post questions related to oil, gas, shale, plastics and related
energy matters, including supply chains, economic development and environmental
sustainability.
Questions will be assigned to student research teams at Penn State’s Behrend, Beaver,
Harrisburg and University Park campuses, and at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, with
oversight by faculty experts. There will be no charge for initial ​research through the website​.
The partnership also will position Penn State graduates for employment at Shell and other
petrochemical companies, and at companies that use polyethylene. New curricular and research
initiatives are being developed to advance that goal.
Shell will employ approximately 600 people on-site once production of polyethylene
begins in Beaver County. The impact outside the gate will be even larger:
For every employee Shell hires, as many as 13 more will be needed in downstream and
related industries, according to an economic analysis by Robert Morris University. That could
lead to $19 billion in regional economic activity over the next 40 years, according to the report.
“The Erie region is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Amy
Bridger, senior director of Corporate Strategy and External Engagement at Penn State Behrend.
“Our plastics companies are well established and positioned for growth. Expansion of the
Plastics Engineering Technology program at Penn State Behrend and the development of new
curricula and research will help those companies and others across the industry meet the
workforce demands of a larger, Pennsylvania-focused market. Our students also will benefit,
through opportunities for industry research, increased exposure to potential employers and the
sort of experiential learning that you can’t offer in a classroom.”
Click Here​ for more information.
(Reprinted from ​Penn State News​.)
NewsClip:
Petrochemical Conference To Focus On Ethane Plants
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

569 Registered For Central PA Conservancy's April 29 Ironmaster's Challenge 50K, 15K
Trail Events

On April 29, 569 participants are registered to hike or run


the popular ​Ironmaster’s Challenge​ 50K Ultra Marathon
Trail Run and the 15K Challenge Trail Run!
Hosted by the ​Central Pennsylvania Conservancy​ in
partnership with the ​Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club
and the ​Keystone VHF Club of York​, the 9th annual
Ironmaster’s Challenge will start at the Furnace Stack
Pavilion and end at the ​Ironmaster’s Mansion​ in ​Pine
Grove Furnace State Park​ in Adams County.
There are 400 registered for the 15k from 7 different
states, and 12 different states are represented among the
169 registered for the 50k Ultra, including west coast
entrants from OR and CA, as well as the Midwest.
They all have one goal in mind—to challenge themselves by traversing 50 kilometers (31
miles) or 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) through diverse terrain in the ​Michaux State Forest​, Tumbling
Run Game Preserve, and Pine Grove Furnace State Park, and finish at the Ironmaster’s Mansion.
Participants who complete the 50K will receive a finisher’s premium, tshirt, and goodie
bag for their impressive accomplishment.
For current updates on the event, ​you can visit Facebook​.
The event culminates in a festive finish-line picnic celebration at the Ironmaster’s
Mansion, including a lunch buffet supported by donations from the ​Boiling Springs Tavern​;
M&M Meats at ​Jim’s Farmer’s Market​ in Chambersburg; ​Filson Water​; ​Martin’s Famous Pastry
Shoppe​; ​Snyders of Hanover​; ​Hershey Company​; and ​Mt. Holly Sheetz​.
Our beverage sponsor is ​Roy Pitz Brewing Company​. Awards for participants will be
announced at 12:30 p.m. for the 15K and 2:00 p.m. for the 50K.
This unique, Southcentral Pennsylvania running and hiking trail race is the biggest annual
fundraiser of the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and allows it to continue to maintain,
operate, and host programs at the historic Ironmaster’s Mansion, as well as protect critical
natural resources in our region through conservation easements, land acquisition, education, and
outreach.
The Mansion is managed by the CPC as a youth hostel for overnight stays by the hiking
community; a group rental facility for retreats and special events; and a venue for environmental
education and history programming.
Free history tours of the Ironmaster’s Mansion are offered by its Innkeepers on Sundays
at 3:00 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
“This event is critical to helping the Conservancy advance its mission through important
projects like the Letort Spring Run headwaters acquisition and wetland restoration, the ​Goddard
Leadership Legacy Institute​ (conservation camp for youth), conservation easements with private
landowners in our region, and our land stewardship on already protected properties,” remarks
Anna Yelk, CPC’s Executive Director.
Among the many sponsors and volunteers that make this event possible include ​F&M
Trust​; ​The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park​; ​Pepper Hamilton LLP​, ​West Shore Family
Dentistry​; ​Boles Metzger Brosius & Walbourn​; ​Boyer & Ritter CPAs​; ​MidPenn Bank​; ​Select
Medical​; ​Sun Motor Cars​ and ​Edward L. Heim Company​.
Our participant goodie bags are made possible by donations from the ​Cumberland Valley
Visitor’s Bureau​ and ​Hershey Company​.
For more information on programs, initiatives and how you can get involved, visit the
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy​ website.
Related Stories:
Goddard Student Leadership Legacy Institute Accepting Applications For July 8-13 Program
Central PA Conservancy Acquires Watercress Farm At Letort Spring Run Headwaters In
Cumberland County
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

South To Christian Street Segment Of Schuylkill River Trail Dedicated In Philadelphia

The South to Christian Street Segment of the ​Schuylkill River Trail​ in Philadelphia was
dedicated on Sunday.
The event included a ceremonial opening of the gates and bridge that provide
neighborhood access to this new section of the trail at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Roberts Center for Pediatric Research.
The City of Philadelphia, elected city and state officials including the Honorable James
Kenney, Mayor, City of Philadelphia; Michael Di Berardinis, Managing Director of the City of
Philadelphia; Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia); Sen. Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia);
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson (D-Phila); Leslie Richards, Department of Transportation; Diane
Kripas, Trails Manager, DCNR; Shawn McCaney, Executive Director, William Penn
Foundation; Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and area
neighbors were part of the opening.
"From the beginning, we worked hard to make sure our plans for a world-class research
campus would benefit the surrounding community," said Doug Hock, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "This is why we donated land
for public use and built a bridge that offers a connection to the Schuylkill River Trail. Today, we
celebrate the realization of a vision that we have shared with our neighbors since the early stages
of developing the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research."
"We are thrilled to open South to Christian, an important segment of the Schuylkill River
Trail and the Circuit trail network," said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner of Philadelphia
Parks & Recreation. "With South to Christian opened, we are one step closer to historic
Bartram's Garden and diverse neighborhoods in South and Southwest Philadelphia."
"The new trail is tucked in between an active railroad freight line and the Schuylkill
River, and the new pedestrian bridge from the Children's Hospital Roberts Pediatric Research
Center helps ensure neighborhood connectivity," added Hock.
The trail segment opened in late January 2018 and, with the addition of the newly
constructed segment, extends the Schuylkill River Trail in Center City by 1,400 feet.
This segment, which is part of the regional trail network known as ​The Circuit​, was
constructed in two phases, which together cost approximately $5 million.
Grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PennDOT, the William Penn
Foundation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the City of Philadelphia and
others helped to make the trail and greenway a reality.
To learn more about trails in the Philadelphia area, visit the ​Schuylkill River Trail​ and
The Circuit​ website.
For information on trails statewide, visit the ​Explore PA Trails​ website and the Fish and
Boat Commission ​Water Trails​ webpage.
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

Brodhead Watershed Assn. Get Outdoors Poconos Booklets On 10 More Great Hikes

The ​Brodhead Watershed Association​ has released


the second volume of its ​Get Outdoors Poconos
booklets. The new volume includes maps,
directions, photos and more of 10 places to hike in
the Poconos.
The first edition, released in 2017, proved popular
and is in its fourth printing.
Hikes are rated easy, moderate or difficult so that
users can find their best hike to enjoy the Brodhead
watershed’s natural wonders.
The booklet is available for pickup at the BWA office, in the lower level of 425 Carlton
Road, Mount Pocono in Monroe County. For information, call 570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727;
or send email to: ​info@brodheadwatershed.org​.
The ​Get Outdoors Poconos​ webpage has an ​archive of hikes with the maps​ and trail
information as well as videos and more photos. Upcoming hikes in the ongoing series are posted
there.
The Get Outdoors Poconos series of hikes is administered by Brodhead Watershed
Association and supported by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Brodhead Watershed Association​ website. ​Click Here​ to sign up for regular updates from the
Association. ​Click Here​ to become a member.
(​Photo:​ ​Cherry Creek Loop​: An Oasis Not Far From You.)
[Posted: April 23, 2018]

Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Education, Other Programs Coming Up In May

The Lehigh Valley-based ​Wildlands Conservancy​ Tuesday


highlighted education and other programs​ coming up in May,
including--
-- May 5:​ ​Party With Frogs
-- May 6:​ ​Wild Edibles
-- May 12:​ ​Ringing Rocks: Park Music
-- May 19:​ ​Tick Awareness
-- May 26:​ ​Lake Minsi: Mud Painting
-- Still Time:​ ​10% Off Summer Camp Registration Before May 1
-- ​Now Hiring Seasonal Guides, Naturalists, Stewardship Crew Members
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the ​Wildlands
Conservancy​ website. ​Like on Facebook​, ​Follow on Twitter​ and ​Join on Instagram​. ​Click Here
to support the Conservancy.
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

Learn About Planting A Pollinator Garden At Adams Ricci Butterfly Garden May 12 In
Cumberland County

The ​Cumberland County Penn State Master Gardeners


will hold a special grand opening and pollinator education
event on May 12 at the Adams Ricci Butterfly Garden
near the Midway Pavilion at ​Adams Ricci Park​, 100 E.
Penn Drive in Enola, Cumberland County from Noon to
3:00.
Cumberland County Penn State Master Gardeners
planned and planted this new demonstration garden in
2017. Now, in 2018, they are ready to showcase the
garden as it continues to grow in beauty, activity, and educational value.
Join the Master Gardeners at one or all of these free events at the garden, or stop by at
your leisure during regular park hours to enjoy the flowers and the butterflies. Learn how you
can help to create and sustain habitat for butterflies and other pollinating insects in your own
garden!
Click Here​ for all the details. ​Click Here​ to learn more about pollinator gardens from the
Penn State Center for Pollinator Research​.
To learn more about the Master Gardener Program in your area, visit the Penn State
Extension ​Master Gardener Program​ webpage.
Penn State Extension also offers these other environment-related programs-- ​Master
Watershed Stewards​ and ​Master Well Owners Network​ programs.
Related Stories:
Agriculture, Penn State Release PA Pollinator Protection Plan Recommendations
Forbes State Forest To Participate In Bayer Feed A Bee Local Pollinator Project
Bayer Feed A Bee Initiative Awards Grant To Allegheny County Conservation District
Penn State Receives $2.1 Million Grant To Create Decision-Support Tools For Pollinator Health
Pollinator Population Is Going Down In PA Due To Pesticides, Parasites And Pathogens
[Posted: April 26, 2018]

Natural Lands, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, Conservation Fund Preserve 1,054 Acre
Former Scout Camp In Pike County

A 1,054-acre former Girl Scout camp near Dingmans


Ferry in Pike County has become part of the National
Park Service’s ​Delaware Water Gap National
Recreation Area​, permanently protecting it from development.
In 2012, the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania made the difficult decision to close
Camp Hidden Falls in an effort to consolidate camp operations across the region and improve
facilities at GSEP’s remaining sites.
To ensure the property would be preserved, GSEP turned to the conservation community,
including ​Natural Lands​ and ​Delaware Highlands Conservancy.
After five years of complex negotiations, during which time Natural Lands was able to
find a conservation buyer and secure grant funds to pay for the purchase, all the pieces came
together.
The Conservation Fund​ purchased the property in May 2017 and transferred it to the
National Park Service on April 23.
The breathtakingly beautiful former camp land includes more than two miles of pristine
streams, eight waterfalls, and 15 acres of wetlands teeming with wildlife. The bulk of the
property is wooded, offering essential habitat for a myriad of raptors and songbirds.
The property is an important acquisition that will help make a future connection between
the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and 20,000 acres of Delaware
State Forest.
“For generations, Girl and Boy Scouting has been a way for kids to experience nature in a
deeply personal way. These vivid experiences-- like sinking your toes into the mud at the bottom
of a swimming pond, learning to build a campfire, or finding the constellations on a starry night--
can catalyze a lifelong love of the natural world,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural
Lands and a Girl Scouts alum. “Natural Lands applauds GSEP for finding a conservation
solution for Camp Hidden Falls, and we’re so glad to have helped make it possible.”
Since 1996, Natural Lands has helped preserve nearly 8,500 acres of current and former
Girl and Boy Scout camps in the region.
This conservation effort was made possible with funding from the Middle Delaware
Mitigation Fund, established in 2012 by ​PPL​ and ​PSEG​ as compensatory mitigation for impacts
resulting from the upgrades to the Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line.
The mitigation fund is administered by The Conservation Fund in partnership with the
National Park Service.
“The memories we make in the outdoors learning, exploring and building friendships are
some of the most poignant and lasting,” said Kyle Shenk, Pennsylvania state director with The
Conservation Fund. “We’re honored to help facilitate the permanent protection of this land with
GSEP, Natural Lands, and the National Park Service so that the legacy of this special place can
live on into the future.”
Additional funding was provided by the ​Open Space Institute’s Delaware River
Watershed Protection Fund​ (capitalized by the ​William Penn Foundation​) and its ​Resilient
Landscapes Fund​, which receives funding from the ​Doris Duke Charitable Foundation​.
Additional funding came from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
(DCNR) through the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s ​Community Conservation
Partnerships Program​.
Kim Fraites-Dow, chief executive officer of GSEP, expressed her organization’s
satisfaction with the outcome-- “After a multi-year study and thoughtful decision-making
process and analysis, our council made the difficult decision to divest ourselves of this property.
We were committed to finding a conservation solution and are pleased that through the addition
of this essential large parcel to the Delaware Water Gap, the National Park Service will be able
to provide contiguous access to an exceptionally beautiful part of Pennsylvania, and that this
land will be preserved for future generations.”
“The acquisition of the property provides a critical link in connecting federal and state
lands and in creating a larger mosaic of contiguous, protected lands in the region,” said Kristy
Boscheinen, NPS project manager and environmental compliance officer for the park. “The Girl
Scouts were excellent stewards of the land for decades, protecting its forests, wildlife, rocky
outcrops, and the hidden falls themselves, and we are proud to be stewards of this important
property in perpetuity. We also want to extend our gratitude to all of the partners who worked
with us to bring this to fruition, including The Conservation Fund, Natural Lands, and Delaware
Highlands Conservancy. Future generations can now enjoy another special place within
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.”
“The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is proud to be a player in this
team effort that surely is a major win for all those who value protection of pristine, unspoiled
places,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Watershed and wildlife protection, public
access, and the future connection of two large public land areas — it’s all here in this transfer of
Camp Hidden Falls to the National Park Service’s Delaware Water Gap National Recreation
Area.”
“The Open Space Institute is proud to have partnered in conserving this forested property,
which will provide clean drinking water and the climate-resilient habitat to help species to persist
and migrate as the climate changes,” said OSI Executive Vice President Peter Howell. “The
Open Space Institute applauds the work of The Conservation Fund, Natural Lands, and the
Delaware Highlands Conservancy for completing this regionally significant conservation
transaction.”
For more on preserving land in Pennsylvania, visit the ​PA Land Trust Association
website.
NewsClips:
AP: After Years Of Talks, Fmr Girl Scout Camp Given To Delaware Water Gap
Fmr Girl Scout Camp Added to Delaware Water Gap

(Reprinted from the ​PA Land Trust Association​ website.)


[Posted: April 27, 2018]

Game Commission Biologists Receive Recognition From The Wildlife Society

Game Commission​ biologists Mary Jo Casalena, Chris Rosenberry, Greg Turner and Lisa
Williams were recognized Monday for their outstanding contributions to wildlife management
by the ​Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society​.
Chris Rosenberry​, a deer biologist who heads the Game Commission’s deer and elk
section, accepted an award on behalf of the agency’s deer program, which recently was
recognized as having the top species-management plan in North America.
And the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation presented Game
Commission turkey biologist ​Mary Jo Casalena​ with the 2018 Dr. David D. Wanless Memorial
Award in recognition of her outstanding work for the state’s wild turkeys.
The presentations were part of Monday’s Board of Game Commissioners meeting.
Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said he’s proud of these biologists,
and the exemplary work for Pennsylvania wildlife that’s carried out daily by dedicated
employees throughout the agency.
“It’s our quality employees that make the Pennsylvania Game Commission, in my
opinion, the hands-down, best wildlife agency in the country,” Burhans said.
The certificates of recognition presented to Williams and Turner honor individuals who
have made noteworthy contributions to knowledge about wildlife or wildlife management,
furthered public understanding, or who have made available increased wildlife habitat.
Through her research, ​Williams​ identified the relationship between West Nile virus
outbreaks and sharp declines in ruffed-grouse populations.
Williams’ public-outreach work to gain support from grouse hunters for the difficult
decision to close the late grouse-season segment due to grouse declines also is commendable,
said Emily Just, past president for the Northeast Section of The Wildlife Society.
“Lisa has a wonderful rapport with Pennsylvania’s grouse hunters, and grouse are
benefiting from her work to better understand the problem, formulate potential solutions and
keep the public informed on all that’s going on,” Just said.
Just thanked ​Turner​ for his tremendous contributions to increase the overall
understanding of white-nose syndrome, a disease that has caused dramatic declines in cave-bat
populations.
Turner’s fieldwork comes at great physical risks, but it has resulted in more than 20
publications about the disease, achieved through collaborations with academic researchers,
government agencies and other organizations.
“Better understanding white-nose syndrome is the baseline for finding ways to minimize
its impacts, and we wouldn’t know nearly as much as we do about the disease if not for Greg,”
Just said.
The award presented to ​Casalena​, a biologist for 25 years who’s worked since 1999 as
the Game Commission’s wild turkey biologist, recognizes her work as a whole, from field
research to outreach to the technical assistance she provides to the organization and its chapters.
“The regularity with which Mary Jo is consulted by PANWTF and biologists in other
jurisdictions reflects both the esteem in which she is held, and her willingness to share her
expertise for broader application,” said Heath Nace, a PANWTF board member who presented
the award to Casalena. “Her enthusiasm and effectiveness in coordinating with the PANWTF
have tremendous positive impact in maintaining cooperation and support for scientific wild
turkey management in Pennsylvania.”
Meanwhile, Simon Fraser University in a recently published study that reviewed 667
species management plans among 62 wildlife management agencies in the United States and
Canada, and the Game Commission’s deer-management plan was among four that tied for No. 1
in North America.
That distinction was recognized by the Board of Game Commissioners.
“There is no entity more committed to deer-management than the Pennsylvania Game
Commission, and a lot of hard work goes into each and every decision we make on deer,” said
Board of Game Commissioners President Timothy Layton. “To see the agency’s
deer-management plan receive such high accolades shows we have sound guidance on our side
in making those decisions.
“And to see so many of our employees recognized for their outstanding work, shows the
level of professional excellence our workforce expects from itself,” Layton said.
For more information on wildlife programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the
Game Commission​ website.
NewsClips:
Highlights From April 24 Game Commission Board Meeting
Schneck: Game Commission Increases Doe Hunting Licenses By 34,000
Frye: Hunting Seasons, Bag Limits And Potential Sunday Opening For Deer Season
Schneck: Join The Harrisburg Peregrine Falcon Chicks For Breakfast
Game Commission Declares Moratorium On Wind Turbines
Legere: Game Commission Says No To Wind Turbines On Game Lands
Scientists Mobilize To Figure Out Rise In Mange Among PA Bears
AP: Police Corral Coyote For 2nd Time This Week In Philadelphia
[Posted: April 24, 2018]

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.

Note:​ DEP ​published the 2018 meeting schedules​ for its advisory committees and boards.

April 28-​- ​PA Resources Council​, ​PA American Water​. ​Drug Take-Back Day Collection Event
In Allegheny County​. ​Green Tree Borough Building, 10 W. Manilla Ave., Pittsburgh.​ 10:00 to
2:00.

April 28-​- ​PA Resources Council​, ​PA American Water​. ​Drug Take-Back Day Collection Event
In Allegheny County​. ​Medical Rescue Team South, 315 Cypress Way, Pittsburgh.​ 10:00 to 2:00.

April 28-​- ​PA Resources Council​, ​PA American Water​. ​Drug Take-Back Day Collection Event
In Allegheny County​. ​The Mall at Robinson, Sears parking lot, 100 Robinson Centre Dr.,
Pittsburgh.​ 10:00 to 2:00.

April 28--​ ​Stroud Water Research Center​. ​Wildlands Conservancy​. ​Citizen Science Volunteer
Training​. Emmaus, Lehigh County. 9:00 to 3:00.

April 28--​ ​Manada Conservancy Native Plant Sale​. ​Hummelstown Borough Park, Dauphin
County. 10:00 to 3:00

April 28--​ ​Delaware Highlands Conservancy​. ​Foods Of The Delaware​. ​Silver Birches
Waterfront​, 205 PA 507, Hawley, Wayne County.

April 28--​ ​Audubon Society of Western PA​. ​Backyard Habitat Biodiversity Workshop​.
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve​, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
April 28--​ ​Clinton County CleanScapes​. ​Piatt, Porter & Watson Townships Community Cleanup
Day In Lycoming County​.

April 28-29--​ ​PA Environmental Council​. ​Illegal Dump Cleanup In Susquehanna County​.

April 30-- ​NEW​. ​House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee​ meets to consider
House Bill 2154​ (Causer-R-Forest), the Conventional Oil and Gas Act to regulate conventional
drilling operations and weaken environmental protection standards on fracking based on the
original 1984 Oil and Gas Act. ​Click Here​ for more. ​ Room G-50 Irvis Building. 12:30.
Committee meetings are typically webcast through the ​House Republican Caucus website​.

April 30--​ ​DEP Hearing On Mariner East II Pipeline Permit Changes​. ​E. N. Peirce Middle
School​, 1314 Burke Road, West Chester, Chester County. 6:30 to 9:30

April 30--​ Dept. of Labor & Industry ​Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council
meeting. L&I Building, 651 Boas Street, Room E100, 1st Floor, Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact:
Cindy Holtry 717-783-4560 or send email to: ​choltry@pa.gov​. ​(​formal notice​)

April 30--​ ​Westmoreland County Conservation District​. ​High School Student Envirothon​. Twin
Lakes Park, Greensburg.

May 1-​- ​NEW​. ​House Commerce Committee​ meets to consider ​Senate Bill 234​ (Blake-D-
Lackawanna) Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing Program (​Click Here​ for more.).
Room G-50 Irvis Building. Off the Floor. ​Committee meetings are typically webcast through
the ​House Republican Caucus website​.

May 1--​ ​DEP Hearing On Letterkenny Army Depot Air Quality Permit, Franklin County​. DEP’s
Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. ​(no time given - probably
10:00)

May 1--​ ​Capital Chapter Society Of Women Environmental Professionals​ ​2018 Annual
Conference​. ​Central Penn College​ Conference Center, 600 College Hill Road in Summerdale,
Cumberland County.

May 2--​ ​DEP Hearing (If Requested) On Jeld-Wen, Inc. RACT II Air Quality Plan, Bradford
County​. ​DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Williamsport. 10:00.

May 2-4--​ ​PA Association Of Environmental Professional​. ​Annual Conference​. State College.

May 3-- ​Agenda Posted.​ ​DEP ​Sewage Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:30. DEP Contact: Janice Vollero, 717-772-5157, ​jvollero@pa.gov​. ​(​formal notice​)

May 3--​ ​Bi-State Solution To Protecting Clean Water In The Brandywine-Christina Watershed​.
Mendenhall Inn​, Route 52, Mendenhall, Chester County. 8:30 - 4:30.
May 3-​- ​NEW​. ​PA Sea Grant​. ​Perils Of Plastic Presentation By Dr. Sherri Mason​. ​Tom Ridge
Environmental Center​, Erie. 6:30.

May 3-4--​ ​NEW​. ​Agenda Posted​. Interstate ​Chesapeake Bay Commission​ meeting. May 3: EPA
Headquarters, Map Room South Wing, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC. May 4:
Beacon Hotel, 1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC. ​Click Here​ for available meeting
information.

May 4-6--​ ​Kettle Creek Watershed Association​. ​Special Veterans Project Healing Waters Fly
Fishing Weekend In Potter County​. ​Kettle Creek Adventures Lodge B&B​, Cross Fork, Potter
County.

May 5--​ ​Audubon Society of Western PA​. ​Habitat Restoration Project In Butler County​. ​148
Thompson Road, Sarver, Butler County. 9:00 to Noon.

May 5--​ ​Brodhead Watershed Association​. ​Walk and Talk Hike In Search Of Imperiled
Golden-Winged Warbler In Monroe County​. ​Barrett Paradise Friendly Library​, 6500 Route 191,
Cresco. 9:00

May 7-​- ​Public Utility Commission Workgroup On Universal Service & Energy Conservation
Programs​. ​Keystone Building, Executive Chambers, Harrisburg. 1:00 to 3:00.

May 8--​ ​Registration Open​. ​2018 PA Groundwater Symposium​. Ramada Inn in State College,
Centre County.

May 8-- ​DEP Keystone Energy Education Workshop For Teachers​. ​DEP Northwest Regional
Office​, Meadville, Crawford County. 8:30 to 3:00.​ ​Click To Register​.

May 8-10--​ ​PA Section American Water Works Association​. ​70th Annual Conference​. ​Kalahari
Resort and Convention Center​ at Pocono Manor, Monroe County.

May 9--​ ​Agenda Posted.​ ​DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson 717-787-3730 or send email to:
diawilson@pa.gov​.
-- Improving Wetlands Mapping Layers
-- Simplified Water Obstruction & Encroachment General Permit Process
-- Agricultural Operations Inspections
-- Chesapeake Bay Program Update

May 9-- ​DEP Keystone Energy Education Workshop For Teachers​. ​Westmoreland County
Conservation District Office​, Greensburg, Westmoreland County.​ ​ 8:30 to 3:00.​ ​Click To
Register​.

May 9--​ ​PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project​. ​Airville Volunteer Fire Department,
3576 Delta Road, Airville, York County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00.

May 10--​ ​DEP 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​.

May 10--​ ​Susquehanna River Basin Commission​ holds a hearing on water withdrawal requests,
changes to fee schedule and proposed records retention policy. Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol
Building, Harrisburg. 2:30 to 5:00. Contact: Jason Oyler, General Counsel, 717-238-0423, Ext.
1312, fax 717-238-2436. ​(​formal notice​) ​Click Here​ for more.

May 12--​ ​NEW​. ​Cumberland County Penn State Master Gardeners​. ​Adams Ricci Butterfly
Garden Grand Opening & Education Event​. ​Adams Ricci Park​, 100 E. Penn Drive in Enola,
Cumberland County. Noon to 3:00.

May 14-- ​PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project​. ​Airville Volunteer Fire Department,
3576 Delta Road, Airville, York County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00. ​Click Here​ for more.

May 15--​ ​CANCELED​. PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project. ​Airville Volunteer
Fire Department, 3576 Delta Road, Airville, York County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00. ​Click
Here​ for more.

May 15-- ​Pike County Conservation District​. ​Stormwater Management Field Tour​. Pike County
Training Center, 135 Pike County Boulevard,Lords Valley. 10:00 to 3:00.

May 16-- ​Environmental Quality Board​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP
Contact: Laura Edinger, 717-772-3277, ​ledinger@pa.gov​.

May 16--​ ​DEP Citizens Advisory Council​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
Contact: Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, 717-787-8171, ​leemurray@pa.gov​.

May 17--​ DEP ​Storage Tank Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Kris Shiffer 717-772-5809 or send email to: ​kshiffer@pa.gov​. ​(​formal
notice​)

May 17-- ​DEP Keystone Energy Education Workshop For Teachers​. ​King’s Gap Environmental
Center​, Carlisle, Cumberland County.​ ​8:30 to 3:00.​ ​Click To Register​.

May 19-- ​Foundation for Sustainable Forests​. ​Loving The Land Through Working Forests Field
Conference​. ​Floraroze Forest​ near 9201 South Creek Road, Girard, Erie County. 7:30 to 4:00.

May 19--​ ​Delaware Highlands Conservancy​. ​Milford Experimental Forest Native Plants Walk​.
Milford, Pike County. 9:00 to Noon.

May 19--​ ​NEW​. ​Capital Region Water​. ​DeHart Dam Reservoir Public Tour​. Dauphin County.
May 22--​ ​PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project​. ​New Franklin Fire Department
Social Hall, 3444 Wayne Road, Chambersburg. Franklin County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00.

May 22--​ ​CANCELED​. ​DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board​ meeting. Rescheduled for
May 29. DEP Contact: John Brakeall, 717-783-9731 or send email to: ​jbrakeall@pa.gov​.
(​formal notice​)

May 22--​ ​DEP Hearing On Sunoco Marcus Hook Terminal Air Permit​. ​Marcus Hook
Community, 7 W. Delaware Avenue, Marcus Hook, Delaware County. 6:00 to 8:00.

May 22-23--​ ​Choose Clean Water Coalition​. ​9th Annual Clean Water Conference​. Lancaster
Marriott.

May 23--​ ​House Consumer Affairs Committee​ holds a hearing on ​House Bill 2075
(Charlton-R-Delaware) replacement of lead water and damaged sewer laterals (​sponsor
summary​). Room B-31 Main Capitol. 10:00. ​Committee meetings are typically webcast
through the ​PA House Republican ​website.

May 23--​ ​PUC Hearing On Transource Power Line Project​. ​New Franklin Fire Department
Social Hall, 3444 Wayne Road, Chambersburg. Franklin County. Hearings at 1:00 and 6:00.

May 23-24--​ ​Penn State Extension Healthy Trees, Healthy People Program​. ​Frick Environmental
Center,​ 2005 Beechwood Boulevard, Pittsburgh.

May 24--​ ​DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board​ meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner 717-772-2189 or send email to:
dhissner@pa.gov​.

May 26--​ ​Audubon Society of Western PA​. ​Backyard Habitat Organic Garden Solution
Workshop​. ​Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve​, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.

May 29--​ ​DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: John Brakeall, 717-783-9731 or send email to: ​jbrakeall@pa.gov​.
(​formal notice​)

May 30-- ​DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers​ meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kristen Szwajkowski 717-772-2186 or send
email to: ​kszwajkows@pa.gov​.

May 30--​ Public Utility Commission. ​Combined Heat and Power Working Group​ meeting.
Forest Room, Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg. 1:00. A call-in number will be
published, ​Click Here​. Contact: Joe Sherrick 717-787-5369 or send email to:
josherrick@pa.gov​. ​(​formal notice​)

May 30-31--​ ​Penn State Energy Days​. ​Penn Stater Conference Center​, State College, Centre
County.

May 31--​ ​Philadelphia Air Management Services Public Hearing [If Requested] On Proposed
State Air Quality Implementation Plan Revisions RACT Controls For VOCs, NOx​. Spelman
Building, 321 University Avenue, 1st Floor Conference Room, Philadelphia. 6:00.

June 5-- ​NEW​. ​House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee​ holds a hearing on ​Senate
Bill 792​ (Alloway-R-Adams) regulating the application of lawn fertilizer. Room 205 Ryan
Building. 9:00. ​Committee meetings are typically webcast through the ​House Republican Caucus
website​.​ ​Click Here​ for more.

June 5--​ ​DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety​ meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park
Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloske 724-404-3143 or send email to:
mscheloske@pa.gov​.

June 5--​ ​CANCELED​. DEP ​Storage Tank Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kris Shiffer 717-772-5809 or send email to:
kshiffer@pa.gov​. ​(​formal notice​)

June 6-- ​DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee​ meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Stacey Box 717-772-5622 or send email to:
sbox@pa.gov​.

June 7--​ ​House Game and Fisheries Committee​ holds a hearing on Chronic Wasting Disease.
Room 60 East Wing. 10:00. ​Committee meetings are typically webcast at the ​House Republican
Caucus​ website.

June 7--​ ​DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry 717-772-5713 or send email to: ​lahenry@pa.gov​.

June 10-14--​ ​Rails-To-Trails Conservancy​. ​Delaware & Lehigh Trail Sojourn​. Eastern
Pennsylvania.

June 12--​ ​DEP Weathering The Storm Stormwater Education Workshop​. ​Alumni Room of the
Waldron Campus Center, Gannon University, 109 University Square, Erie. 8:30 to 3:30.

June 13-- ​DEP State Board For Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators​. 10th
Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Edgar Chescattie,
717-772-2814 or ​eschescattie@pa.gov​.

June 13--​ ​DEP Weathering The Storm Stormwater Education Workshop​. ​Winnie Palmer Nature
Reserve, Saint Vincent College, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, Westmoreland County. 8:30 to 3:30.

June 14--​ ​NEW.​ ​House Game and Fisheries Committee​ holds a hearing on Chronic Wasting
Disease. Room 60 East Wing. 10:00. ​Committee meetings are typically webcast at the ​House
Republican Caucus​ website.

June 14--​ ​DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, 717-772-3436, ​kdalal@pa.gov​. ​(​formal notice​)

June 14--​ ​PUC En Banc Hearing On Supplier Consolidated Billing By Electricity Suppliers​.
Hearing Room 1, Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg. 1:00.

June 15--​ ​Susquehanna River Basin Committee​ business meeting. Radisson Hotel Baltimore.
9:00.

June 20-21--​ ​Registration Open​. ​20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation


Conference​. Ramada Conference Center, State College.

June 23--​ ​Audubon Society of Western PA​. ​Backyard Habitat Flowers And Feathers, The
Connection Between Plants and Birds Workshop​. ​Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve​, 614
Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.

July 11--​ ​DEP Technical Advisory Committee On Diesel Powered (Mining) Equipment​. DEP
New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloski,
724-404-3143 or ​mscheloske@pa.gov​.

July 25-- ​DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee​ meeting. 12th Floor
Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Nancy Herb, 717-783-9269 or
nherb@pa.gov​. ​(​formal notice​)

July 25-27--​ ​Registration Open​. ​Professional Recyclers of PA​. ​28th Annual Recycling &
Organics Conference​. Best Western Premier Hotel, Harrisburg.

July 28--​ ​PA Resources Council​. ​Recycling Bin Distribution Event In Pittsburgh​. Point Breeze
Distribution Event, URA’s Parking Lot on Meade Street. 8:00 to 2:00.​ ​Click Here​ to register.

July 28--​ ​Audubon Society of Western PA​. ​Backyard Habitat Gardening for Pollinators and
Butterflies Workshop​. ​Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve​, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh.
10:00.

August 11--​ ​PA Resources Council​. ​Recycling Bin Distribution Event In Pittsburgh​. ​Fairywood
Distribution Event, B Keppel Trucking, 100 Beechnut Drive, Pittsburgh. ​8:00 to 2:00.​ ​Click Here
to register.

August 20-23--​ ​U.S. Biochar Initiatives Conference​. ​Chase Center on the Riverfront​,
Wilmington, Delaware.

September 6-9--​ ​Delaware Highlands Conservancy​. ​Educational Retreat For Women Forest
Landowners​. ​Highlights Workshop Facility​ in Boyd’s Mill, Milanville, Wayne County.
September 20--​ ​DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee​ & Recycling Funding Advisory
Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry
717-772-5713 or send email to: ​lahenry@pa.gov​.

September 22--​ Joint meeting of DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee and ​Solid Waste
Advisory Committee​. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry,
717-772-5713, ​lahenry@pa.gov​.

September 23--​ ​Audubon Society of Western PA​. ​Backyard Habitat Trees and Shrubs,
Supporting Wildlife In Winter Workshop​. ​Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve​, 614 Dorseyville
Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.

September 28--​ ​DEP Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee​ meeting Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, 717-787-2147, ​rjanati@pa.gov​.

October 1-3--​ ​Engineers’ Society of Western PA​. ​PA Brownfield Conference​. Sands Bethlehem
Casino, Bethlehem.

October 17-21--​ ​Passive House Western PA​. ​North American Passive House Network 2018
Conference​. ​David L. Lawrence Convention Center​, Pittsburgh.

October 18--​ ​DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee​ meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson. 9:00. DEP Contact: Joseph Melnic 717-783-9730 or send email to: ​jmelnic@pa.gov​.

November 1-2--​ ​PA Water And Wastewater Technology Summit​. ​Penn Stater Conference
Center Hotel, State College.

Visit DEP’s ​Public Participation Center​ for public participation opportunities. ​Click Here​ to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.

Sign Up For DEP’s 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.

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.

DEP Regulations In Process


Proposed Regulations Open For Comment​ - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through ​DEP’s eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods​ - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations​ - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update​ - DEP webpage
March 3, 2018 DEP Regulatory Agenda - ​PA Bulletin, Page 1374
DEP Technical Guidance In Process
Draft Technical Guidance Documents​ - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines​ - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through ​DEP’s eComment System
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 (February 2018)​ - DEP webpage

Other DEP Proposals For Public Review


Other Proposals Open For Public Comment​ - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through ​DEP’s eComment System
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 DEP’s 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.

PA Environment Digest Blog​ ​Twitter Feed​ ​PaEnviroDigest Google+

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.

April 30--​ ​Northeast PA Audubon Society College Scholarship


May 1-- ​PEC Pocono Forests & Water Conservation Mini-Grants
May 1--​ ​Delaware River Basin Commission Spring Photo Contest
May 15--​ ​Manada Conservancy Short Story Writing Contest
May 15--​ ​PA Anthracite Section SME Student Scholarships
May 18--​ ​CFA Alternative & Clean Energy Funding
May 18--​ ​CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
May 18--​ ​CFA Solar Energy Funding
May 18--​ ​CFA High Performance Building Funding
May 23--​ ​SBA Flood Assistance Clearfield, Washington, 8 Other Counties
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Watershed Restoration Grants
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement, Treatment Grants
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Orphaned Or Abandoned Well Plugging Grants
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Baseline Water Quality Data Grants
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Sewage Facilities Program Grants
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Flood Mitigation Grants
May 31--​ ​CFA Act 13 Greenways, Trails & Recreation Grants
June 1--​ ​NEW​. ​REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits
June 1--​ ​South Mountain Partnership Land Conservation, Recreation Mini-Grants
June 3-- ​Goddard Student Leadership Legacy Institute Camp Program
June 8--​ ​Keep PA Beautiful Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest
June 8-- ​Keep America Beautiful National Youth Advisory Council
June 21-- ​DEP Mariner East II Pipeline Water Quality Project Grants
June 30--​ ​DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates​ (first come, first serve)
July 20--​ ​CFA Alternative & Clean Energy Funding
July 20--​ ​CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
July 20--​ ​CFA Solar Energy Funding
July 20--​ ​CFA High Performance Building Funding
September 5--​ ​PA Parks & Forests Foundation Photo Contest
September 15--​ ​CFA Alternative & Clean Energy Funding
September 15--​ ​CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
September 15--​ ​CFA Solar Energy Funding
September 15--​ ​CFA High Performance Building Funding
September 28-- ​DEP Calendar 2017 Recycling Performance Grants
October 31--​ ​PA Resources Council Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest
December 31--​ ​DEP County Act 101 Waste Planning, HHW, Education Grants

-- 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.

PA Environment Digest Blog​ ​Twitter Feed​ ​PaEnviroDigest Google+

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 ​PaEnviroDigest Google+​ to your Circle.

Litvak: Constitutional Weapon: Environmental Rights Reimagined In PA


Litvak: Will The Environmental Rights Amendment Broaden Our Horizons?
Fortune Magazine: Trump’s OMB Director Urges Businesses To Pay For Access To Public
Officials
Air
Legere: Pittsburgh’s Cleaner, Pricier Summer Gasoline Blend On Its Way Out
Senators Ask Wolf To Press For Relief From Pittsburgh Summer Gasoline Mandate
Study: Just Breathing In Downtown Pittsburgh Can Be Like Smoking A Cigarette
Clean Air Run Celebrates Earth Day In Philadelphia
Editorial: Erie County Makes Grade For Clean Air
Allentown Among 100 Most Challenging Places To Live With Allergies
MPLX Pipeline Pays $610,000 Penalty to DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
MPLX Pipeline To Pay $610,000 Penalty To DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
Bethlehem Biofuel Entrepreneur Must Face Charges Of $50M Subsidy Fraud
Letter: Reducing Ethanol In Gasoline Will Help The Environment
Pruitt: EPA Will Seek Comprehensive Rule To Alter Air Quality New Source Review
Alternative Fuels
Retailers Roll Out Electric Charging Stations
Maykuth: Malvern Start-Up Recharges Electric Vehicles Wirelessly
Bethlehem Biofuel Entrepreneur Must Face Charges Of $50M Subsidy Fraud
Letter: Reducing Ethanol In Gasoline Will Help The Environment
Lehigh Valley Gasoline Prices May Hit $3 This Week
Blair Gasoline Prices Briefly Top $3 Before Dropping Back
Sisk: PA Gasoline Prices Creep Toward $3/Gallon Ahead Of Summer Travel Season
Awards & Recognition
Cusick: Wolf Joins Donor At Sixers Game, Skips Environmental Awards Ceremony
AP: Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn Wins Western PA Environmental Award
Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn To Receive Western PA Environmental Award
Profile: Delaware RiverKeeper Maya Van Rossum Honored
Biodiversity, Invasive Species
Celebrate Spring At Central PA Native Plant Festival, Sale In Boalsburg, Centre County
Native Plants Soon Available To Public At Western PA Audubon’s Beechwood Farms
Budget
Fish & Boat Commission Board: If General Assembly Does Not Act On License Fees, $2
Million Will Be Cut
Frye: Trout Hatchery Closing, Other Cuts Still On Table With Fish & Boat Commission
Proposed PA Severance Tax Likely Offset By State Corporate Tax Cut, Says Analysis
Editorial: Corporations Can Fill Giving Gap
Chesapeake Bay
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here​ to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal​ On Facebook
Climate
Laurel Ridge Braces For Climate Change
Op-Ed: Weather Is A Moment, Climate Is Lasting, Joseph Minott
AP: Federal Appeals Court Sides With States Over Fuel Economy Standards
Op-Ed: Keep Federal Vehicle Fuel Standards In Place, DEP Secretary McDonnell
Coal Mining
Clinic Aims To Shed Light On Black Lung, Get Coal Miners Help
Coal Exports From PA Have Bright Future, CEO Says
U.S. Coal Bailout Review Slows After Trump Faces Pushback
Compliance Actions
Sisk: Following Spills, DEP Stops Mariner East 2 Pipeline Work In Delaware County
MPLX Pipeline Pays $610,000 Penalty to DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
MPLX Pipeline To Pay $610,000 Penalty To DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
Delaware River
Profile: Delaware RiverKeeper Maya Van Rossum Honored
April 27 Delaware RiverKeeper RiverWatch Video Report
Drinking Water
Pittsburgh Water Authority Encourages Homeowners To Sign Up For Free Water Line
Replacement
Pittsburgh Water Authority OKs Midyear Budget Increase As PUC Oversight Begins
A Step To Overhaul Pittsburgh Water Authority On The Table Stalls
Struggling Lehigh County Authority Eyes Raising Allentown Rates
Boil Water Advisory Lifted For East Mountain
Op-Ed: 4 Changes That Can Protect Thousands Of Philly Kids From Lead Poisoning
New Philly-Based Fund Helps U.S. Landlords Boost Green Power, Water
Earth Day
Video: Celebrating Earth Day At The Governor’s Residence
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Groups Combine To Cleanup Exeter For Earth Day
Activist Group Holds Earth Day Rally In Wilkes-Barre Square
Van Zandt Celebrates Earth Day
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Volunteers Plant Trees, Pick Up Debris At Jacobsburg Park For Earth Day
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Bag Lady At Go Green In York Earth Day Celebration
Clean Air Run Celebrates Earth Day In Philadelphia
Earth Day Celebration At Marketplace In Scranton
Chesterbrook Students Release 9K Aphid-Eating Beetles To Mark Earth Day
Learning To Protect The Earth
Op-Ed: Today Is Earth Day, Here’s Why You Should Care
Economic Development
Petrochemical Conference To Focus On Ethane Plants
Education
Schneck: Join The Harrisburg Peregrine Falcon Chicks For Breakfast
Chesterbrook Students Release 9K Aphid-Eating Beetles To Mark Earth Day
Frye: Memories Of Exploring Nature Close To Home
Villanova U: Sustainability On Campus: A Conversation
Emergency Response
Oil Spill Stretches About 2 Miles In Lancaster County On Route 322
Editorial: Lawmakers Need to Fix First Responders Shortage
Energy
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Crable: As State Help Fades For 2 Nuclear Plants, Will Trump Attempt Rescue?
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Editorial: No Energy Emergency On Coal, Nuclear Power Plants
Geisinger’s New Cogeneration Plant To Provide Clean Energy
Cheswick Coal Power Plant Hearing Draws Scrutiny Over Water Pollution
NRG’s Springdale Power Plant Discharges Debated At Hearing
New Philly-Based Fund Helps U.S. Landlords Boost Green Power, Water
Proposed York Power Line To Lower Costs But Would Eat Prime Land
Op-Ed: How PA Can Prepare For The Next Big Power Outage
FirstEnergy Reaches Agreement With Creditors On Bankrupt Subsidiaries
Cutting Loose Generation Lifts Earnings For FirstEnergy
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
FERC Approves PJM Proposal To Implement Energy Efficiency Market Restrictions
Energy Conservation
AP: Federal Appeals Court Sides With States Over Fuel Economy Standards
Op-Ed: Keep Federal Vehicle Fuel Standards In Place, DEP Secretary McDonnell
Op-Ed: Training Nuclear Engineers For Jobs That Don’t Exist
FERC Approves PJM Proposal To Implement Energy Efficiency Market Restrictions
Farming
Stress Curdles Idyllic PA Farm Life, Especially For Dairy Farmers
Schneck: Surprising Diversity Of Bees Coming To Your Backyard
Get Funding, Support From Pittsburgh Community Garden Sustainability Fund
Flooding
Landslide Prompts Evacuation Of Millvale Home, Threatens Nearby Properties
Repair Work Scheduled To Begin Next Week Along Route 11/15
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Forests
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Chesapeake Bay Group Chasing Ambitious Buffer Goal
A Record Arbor Day Tree Planting In Lancaster
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Crable: New Attempt To Keep Log Of Lancaster County’s Notable Trees
Firefighters Extinguish Brush Fire In Erie County
Brush Fires Keep Crews Busy Sunday In Armstrong, Westmoreland Counties
Lyme Disease Is Not The Only Game In Town
Ticks Survived Erie County’s Nasty Winter
Officials Concerned Rare Tick Now Established Near Bucks County
Helicopter To Spray Schuylkill River For Black Fly Larvae
Geologic Hazards
Landslide Prompts Evacuation Of Millvale Home, Threatens Nearby Properties
Repair Work Scheduled To Begin Next Week Along Route 11/15
Green Infrastructure
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Chesapeake Bay Group Chasing Ambitious Buffer Goal
A Record Arbor Day Tree Planting In Lancaster
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
Lake Erie
Lawmakers Push For Erosion-Control Funding For Presque Isle
Land Conservation
AP: After Years Of Talks, Fmr Girl Scout Camp Given To Delaware Water Gap
Fmr Girl Scout Camp Added to Delaware Water Gap
Land Recycling
Norristown Receives $300K EPA Brownfields Grant
Littering, Illegal Dumping
Pennsylvania Cleanup Events Touch Urban, Rural Areas
Phoenixville Uses Student Art To Fight Littering, Protect Waterways
Ligonier Twp To Accept Appliances, Tires Saturday
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Groups Combine To Cleanup Exeter For Earth Day
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Cleanup Of Ice Jam Debris Underway At River Common Fishing Pier In Wilkes-Barre
Op-Ed: Litterers Bug All Of Us
Editorial: Litter, Litter Everywhere And Some Folks Just Don’t Care
Mine Reclamation
Walking Trail Planned At Lowber Mine Drainage Treatment System
Mine Subsidence
Frazier: EHB OKs Consol Plan To Mine Beneath Greene County Stream
Noncoal Mining
Concerns Over Dry Stretches of Bushkill Creek Near Northampton Quarry
Oil & Gas
Proposed PA Severance Tax Likely Offset By State Corporate Tax Cut, Says Analysis
Cheswick Coal Power Plant Hearing Draws Scrutiny Over Water Pollution
NRG’s Springdale Power Plant Discharges Debated At Hearing
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Residents Express Concerns About Drilling Wastewater Disposal Well In Allegheny County
Freeport Delays Vote To Allow 5 New XTO Natural Gas Wells
Washington, Greene Lead State’s Surge To No. 2 Gas Producer
EQT Drilling Keeps Eyes On Marcellus Shale
Petrochemical Conference To Focus On Ethane Plants
Bethlehem Biofuel Entrepreneur Must Face Charges Of $50M Subsidy Fraud
Legere: Pittsburgh’s Cleaner, Pricier Summer Gasoline Blend On Its Way Out
Senators Ask Wolf To Press For Relief From Pittsburgh Summer Gasoline Mandate
Gasoline Prices Continue To Rise As Outlook Remains Ominous Analyst Says
Gasoline Prices Hit $3/Gallon In PA, Highest In 3 Years
Lehigh Valley Gasoline Prices May Hit $3 This Week
Blair Gasoline Prices Briefly Top $3 Before Dropping Back
Sisk: PA Gasoline Prices Creep Toward $3/Gallon Ahead Of Summer Travel Season
Editorial: ANWR Open For Drilling On Earth Day
Pipelines
Cusick: Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC to Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Construction
Senate Committee Approves Sen. Dinniman’s Pipeline Safety Bills
Sisk: Following Spills, DEP Stops Mariner East 2 Pipeline Work In Delaware County
Hurdle: PUC Asks Mariner East 1 Pipeline To Do More To Stabilize Land At Chester County
Site
MPLX Pipeline Pays $610,000 Penalty to DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
MPLX Pipeline To Pay $610,000 Penalty To DEP, EPA For Air Pollution Violations
ATF Increasingly Confident Explosives Stolen From Pipeline Site Have Been Recovered
ATF Believes All Explosives Stolen From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Recovered
Editorial: Loss Of Explosives From Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Site Inexplicable
FERC Called Rubber Stamp By Critics, Begins Review Of Pipeline Approval Process
Natural Gas Industry A Boon For Jobs, Report Says
Radiation Protection
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Crable: As State Help Fades For 2 Nuclear Plants, Will Trump Attempt Rescue?
Frazier: As Nuclear Power Loses Ground To Natural Gas, Environmentalists Are Torn
Locals Reflect On Three Mile Island Disaster, Closure
Op-Ed: Training Nuclear Engineers For Jobs That Don’t Exist
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
Editorial: No Energy Emergency On Coal, Nuclear Power Plants
FirstEnergy Reaches Agreement With Creditors On Bankrupt Subsidiaries
Cutting Loose Generation Lifts Earnings For FirstEnergy
Recreation
Sen. Yudichak Takes A Hike On Delaware & Lehigh Trail Starting May 8
Pymatuning State Park Projects Prepare For Picnic, Camping Season
Midstate Susquehanna Heritage Area Moves Closer To National Designation
Presque Isle Beaches Evaluated For Erosion
Presque Isle Looking For More Lifeguards
O’Neill: Pittsburgh Living Proof Of City Beautiful Movement
Hike This Nature Preserve In York County Along The Mason-Dixon Trail
Volunteers Hit Streets, Parks In Wilkes-Barre For Great American Cleanup
Volunteers Mark Earth Day By Cleaning Harrison Hills Park
Scranton, No Money To Fix Popular Nay Aug Park Treehouse Close A Year Ago
Pollinator Garden Will Brighten Schuylkill River Trail
7 Parks Near Lancaster To Check Out During National Parks Week
Hopey: Penn State: Misuse Of Alcohol Contributed To Curbing Outdoor Clubs Activities
Editorial: Distress Plain In Scranton Park Issue
HBG Riverwalk Repairs Coming Soon To Replace Cratered Concrete Along Susquehanna River
Walking Trail Planned At Lowber Mine Drainage Treatment System
After Industry, Railroads, Columbia, Lancaster County Is Refocusing On River Recreation
Laurel Ridge Braces For Climate Change
Lyme Disease Is Not The Only Game In Town
Ticks Survived Erie County’s Nasty Winter
Officials Concerned Rare Tick Now Established Near Bucks County
Helicopter To Spray Schuylkill River For Black Fly Larvae
Army Corps Considers New Master Plan For Raystown Lake
AP: After Years Of Talks, Fmr Girl Scout Camp Given To Delaware Water Gap
Fmr Girl Scout Camp Added to Delaware Water Gap
Frye: Memories Of Exploring Nature Close To Home
Recycling/Waste
What Happens After Recyclables Are Picked Up In Wilkes-Barre
Lackawanna County Plans Electronics Recycling Program
Ligonier Twp To Accept Appliances, Tires Saturday
Public Tours Of Waste-To-Energy Plant In Lancaster Offered
Phoenixville Uses Student Art To Fight Littering, Protect Waterways
Medication Disposal Event Planned At Courthouse In Wilkes-Barre
Western PA Police, Pharmacies, Hospitals Participate In Drug Take Back Day
Op-Ed: It’s Earth Day, Now About The Mt Trashmore Outside By Door
Op-Ed: Litterers Bug All Of Us
Renewable Energy
Legere: Game Commission Says No To Wind Turbines On Game Lands
Game Commission Declares Moratorium On Wind Turbines
Legere: Report: Nuclear Plant Retirements Would Erase Decades Of Clean Energy Progress
Fuel Cell Tech’s Next Frontier: Homes Of Pittsburgh-Area Peoples’ Customers
Geisinger’s New Cogeneration Plant To Provide Clean Energy
Letter: Neighboring States Set Higher Targets For Renewable Energy
Op-Ed: FirstEnergy Emergency Order Request A Bigger Deal Than You Think, NRDC
Schuylkill River
Editorial: It’s Past Time To Dredge The Schuylkill River In Philly
Susquehanna River
HBG Riverwalk Repairs Coming Soon To Replace Cratered Concrete Along Susquehanna River
Sustainability
Villanova U: Sustainability On Campus: A Conversation
Wastewater Facilities
Freeport Get Low-Interest Loan From State To Help Upgrade Sewer Lines
Watershed Protection
Crable: Statewide 10 Million Tree Restoration Effort Launches On Lancaster County Farm
Kummer: PA Is Planting 10 Million Trees To Curb Pollution In Waterways
Morelli: PA Partnership Sets Tree-Mendous Goal Of 10 Million Plantings
New Statewide Partnership Launches Effort To Plant 10 Million Trees Across PA
10 Million Trees Could Be Planted Over Next 7 Years In PA
Planting 10 Million Trees In Pennsylvania For Clean Water
Tree-Planting Effort Focuses On Midstate Counties
Chesapeake Bay Group Chasing Ambitious Buffer Goal
A Record Arbor Day Tree Planting In Lancaster
Editorial: We Speak For The Trees​ [Scroll Down]
New Trees Plants Along Wilkes-Barre River Trail
Tree Planting Slated For April 27 At Griggs Farm, Tioga County
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Sen. Alloway’s Army Plants Deep (Tree) Roots In Shippensburg
Letter: Communities Benefit From Clean Streams
AP: Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn Wins Western PA Environmental Award
Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn To Receive Western PA Environmental Award
Letter: Thanks For The Plastic Pellet Cleanup In Pocono Creek
May 3 Conference To Highlight State Of Brandywine-Christina Watershed
Editorial: Keep The Kiski River Watershed Clean
Editorial: It’s Past Time To Dredge The Schuylkill River In Philly
Sen. Alloway’s Army, CBF-PA Plant Trees In Shippensburg Area
Concerns Over Dry Stretches of Bushkill Creek Near Northampton Quarry
Lawmakers Push For Erosion-Control Funding For Presque Isle
April 27 Delaware RiverKeeper RiverWatch Video Report
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Wildlife
Fish & Boat Commission Board: If General Assembly Does Not Act On License Fees, $2
Million Will Be Cut
Frye: Trout Hatchery Closing, Other Cuts Still On Table With Fish & Boat Commission
PA Responsible For More Than Half Of Progress Toward Fish Passage Goal In VA
Bagenstose: Shads’ Return To Delaware River Ensures Spring Has Arrived
2018 Family Fishing Festivals Set For May And June
Somerset Lake Project Moving Forward, Construction Expected In 2019
Highlights From April 24 Game Commission Board Meeting
Schneck: Game Commission Increases Doe Hunting Licenses By 34,000
Frye: Hunting Seasons, Bag Limits And Potential Sunday Opening For Deer Season
Schneck: Join The Harrisburg Peregrine Falcon Chicks For Breakfast
Game Commission Declares Moratorium On Wind Turbines
Legere: Game Commission Says No To Wind Turbines On Game Lands
Scientists Mobilize To Figure Out Rise In Mange Among PA Bears
AP: Police Corral Coyote For 2nd Time This Week In Philadelphia
Schneck: Surprising Diversity Of Bees Coming To Your Backyard
Ticks Survived Erie County’s Nasty Winter
Frye: Memories Of Exploring Nature Close To Home
West Nile/Zika Virus
Lyme Disease Is Not The Only Game In Town
Ticks Survived Erie County’s Nasty Winter
Officials Concerned Rare Tick Now Established Near Bucks County
Helicopter To Spray Schuylkill River For Black Fly Larvae
Federal Policy
Pruitt Unveils Transparency Rules Limiting EPA’s Use Of Secret Science
Pruitt: EPA Will Seek Comprehensive Rule To Alter Air Quality New Source Review
AP: Lobbyist Tied To EPA’s Pruitt, Condo Met On Chesapeake Bay Issues
U.S. Coal Bailout Review Slows After Trump Faces Pushback
AP: Federal Appeals Court Sides With States Over Fuel Economy Standards
Op-Ed: Keep Federal Vehicle Fuel Standards In Place, DEP Secretary McDonnell
Editorial: ANWR Open For Drilling On Earth Day

Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board published final regulations amending Chapter 109 setting
disinfection rule requirements in the ​April 28 PA Bulletin page 2509​.

Pennsylvania Bulletin - April 28, 2018


Sign Up For DEP’s 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.

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.

DEP Regulations In Process


Proposed Regulations Open For Comment​ - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through ​DEP’s eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods​ - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations​ - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update​ - DEP webpage
March 3, 2018 DEP Regulatory Agenda - ​PA Bulletin, Page 1374

Technical Guidance & Permits

Note:​ The Department of Environmental Protection published 71 pages of public notices related
to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the April 28 PA Bulletin -
pages 2391 to 2462​.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 28 PA Bulletin of


revisions to the Commonwealth’s Emission Reduction Credit Registry ​(​page 2460​).

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ​published notice​ in the April 28 PA
Bulletin it has executed an Oil and Gas Lease for Publicly-Owned Streambeds with the EQT
Drilling Company for 218.55 acres in Center, Morgan and Jefferson Townships and Clarksville
in Greene County and Amwell and East Bethlehem townships and Marianna Borough in
Washington County for $874,200, plus natural gas royalties. ​Click Here​ for a copy of the
agreement and location maps.

DEP Technical Guidance In Process


Draft Technical Guidance Documents​ - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines​ - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through ​DEP’s eComment System
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 (February 2018)​ - DEP webpage

Other DEP Proposals For Public Review


Other Proposals Open For Public Comment​ - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through ​DEP’s eComment System
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals​ - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized​ - DEP webpage
Visit DEP’s ​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 DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.

DEP Calendar of Events​ ​DCNR Calendar of Events

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Register Now For 20th PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference

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