Pa Environment Digest Aug. 29, 2016

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
WinnerOfPAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
BusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward
PAEnvironmentDigestDailyBlogTwitterFeed
Issue#635Harrisburg,PAAugust29,2016
DEPToReviewComplianceOfSelectedFarmsInChesapeakeBayWatershed
Continuingeffortstoreduceannualloadingofnitrogen,
phosphorousandsedimententeringtheChesapeakeBay,the
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhasnotifieda
selectionoffarmersintheBayWatershedthatofficialswillbe
visitingfarmssoontoverifyandreviewtheoperations
manuremanagementandagriculturalerosionandsediment
controlplans.
Itisimportantthatweidentifygoodpracticesandbecome
awareofgapsinhavingthesemandatedplans,saidActing
DEPSecretaryPatrickMcDonnell.Thesevisitswillhelpusdocumentcompliancewithstate
requirements,anddirectresourceswheretheyareneededmost.
Initially,visitswillbeinhighpriorityareasofthewatershed,toreducenitrogen,
phosphorusandsedimentrunoffasquicklyaspossible.
Thevalue,McDonnellsaid,isasimportantnearbyasitisfurtherdownstream.Farmers
planscontrolerosionandmanagemanure,whichdirectlyhelpsimprovelocalwaterquality,he
said.
Approximately2,000ofthe33,000Pennsylvaniafarmersinthebaywatershedwere
selectedatrandomfornotificationbyletterthisweek.
TheletternotesthatDEPisresponsibleforensuringthatthenutrientandsedimentloads
arereducedenoughtomeetfederallymandatedallocationsby2025,andthattheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasdeterminedthattheurbanstormwaterandagricultural
sectorsarenotmakingsufficientprogresstowardachievingtheseallocations.
ThevisitswillallowDEPandCountyConservationDistrictstafftoensurecompliance
withbasicrequirementstohaveandimplementwrittenplansto:
Properlyhandle,storeandlandapplyanimalmanureandagriculturalprocesswastewateron
thefarmconsistentwiththenutrientneedsofgrowingcrops(commonlyreferredtoasamanure
managementplan)and
Properlymanagerisksoferosionandrunofffromagriculturalplowingortillingoperationsand
animalheavyuseareas(commonlyreferredtoasanagriculturalerosionandsedimentcontrol
plan,orAgE&SPlan).
FormoreinformationonBayrelatedefforts,visitDEPsChesapeakeBaywebpage.
NewsClips:
ActingDEPSecretaryAddressesChallengesInChesapeakeCleanup
Crable:LancasterCountyFarmsFaceStateInspections
DEPMovesToEnforceFarmsManurePlans
DEPVisitingFarmsToDetermineEnvironmentalCompliance
FarmersInChesapeakeBayWatershedToGetVisitsFromDEP
PAFarmersSurveyedAboutConservationEffortsForChesapeakeBay
PAWaterwaysShowSeriousSpikesInBacteriaStudiesShow
Creeks,SusquehannaRiverShowHighestBacteriaLevelsAfterRain
StudyFindsPollutionInDauphin,CumberlandStreams
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHeretosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
FollowChesapeakeBayJournalOnTwitter
LikeChesapeakeBayJournalOnFacebook
RelatedStories:
CBFPA:TestingFindsBacteriaAtUpTo10TimesLimitsInCumberland,DauphinStreams
ChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundAwards$9.9MillionFor13ProjectsInPA
AllianceForChesapeakeBayReceivesGrantToRestoreOctoraroReservoirInLancaster
DCNR,Nonprofits,UniversitiesWinNFWFGrantForPrecisionFarmConservation
PAsChesapeakeBayRebootStrategyToImproveWaterQualityMayNeedKickStart
DEPListsLowerSusquehannaAsImpairedForRecreation,NotAquaticUses
4,267MoreMilesOfStreamsListedAsImpairedByDEP,LowerSusquehannaNotListed
$4MillionAwardedForWaterQualityResearchInTheDelawareWatershed
OnAugust16theDelawareWatershedInitiativeatthe
AcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexelUniversity
awarded10researchgrantstotaling$4million.
Theresearch,tobedoneoverthreeyears,isdesignedto
helpanswerquestionslikeHowwillfuturedevelopment
affectcommunitiesupanddowntheDelawareRiver,and
whatsthebestwaytoprotecttheenvironmentthere?How
doyouconvincefarmerstoadoptnew,ecofriendlyways
ofmanagingtheirlandsofertilizersandanimalwastedont
pollutetheneareststream?
Theseprojectswillanswerquestionsthatwillhelpusbetterunderstandhowtoprotect
andrestorewaterquality,especiallyintheDelawareRiverWatershed,saidRolandWall,the
Academysseniordirectorforenvironmentalinitiatives.Theresultsofthesestudiescanbe
appliedtootherwatershedsaroundthecountry.
ThegrantsarefundedbytheDelawareWatershedResearchFund,establishedwiththe
supportoftheWilliamPennFoundation,toinformandadvanceonthegroundconservation
workincludingeffortscurrentlyunderwayaspartoftheDelawareRiverWatershedInitiative.
ThePhiladelphiabasedphilanthropysofarhascommitted$60millionto48nonprofit
organizationsintheinitiative,includingtheAcademy,whoareworkingtogethertoreduce
threatstowaterqualityineightcarefullyselectedareaswithinthelargerDelawareRiver
Watershed.
Weareexcitedaboutthepositiveimpactthisresearchislikelytohaveinadvancing
watershedprotectionacrosstheDelawareRiverbasinandbeyond,saidAndrewJohnson,
watershedprotectionprogramdirectorattheWilliamPennFoundation.
Ourregionisfortunatetobehometomanystrongconservationorganizationsworking
strategicallytoprotectandrestorewaterqualityintheDelawareRiverWatershed,includingthe
48involvedintheDelawareRiverWatershedInitiative,Johnsonsaid.Theresearchgrants
announcedbytheAcademytodaywillinformthatwork,andwehopemakeitevenmore
strategicandeffective.
The$4millioninnewresearchgrantstoexternalinstitutionshavebeenawardedto:
JohnBunnell,ChiefScientistwiththeNewJerseyPinelandsCommission,andKelly
Smalling,ResearchHydrologistwiththeU.S.GeologicalSurvey,whowillstudytheeffects
ofmunicipalwastewaterandrunoffcontainingpesticides,planthormonesandcomponentsof
commonlyusedproductsonthedevelopmentoffishandfrogs.
ThomasFikslin,DirectorofScienceandWaterQualityManagement,andNamsooSuk,
ManagerofWaterResourceModeling,bothwiththeDelawareRiverBasinCommission,
whowillcreateascientificmodelthatwillprovideabasisforregulationagenciestoestablish
waterqualitycriteriafordissolvedoxygenandnutrientsintheDelawareEstuary.
HeatherGalbraith,ResearchFishBiologistwiththeU.S.GeologicalSurvey,whowilllead
aUSGSteamthatwilldevelopfinescaletemperaturemodelsandrelatethemtofishand
mussels.
JeanMarieHartman,AssociateProfessoratRutgersUniversity,whowillleadateamfrom
theCenterforWatershedProtectionandthePinchotInstituteforConservationthatwillanalyze
municipalforestprotectionpoliciesanddeterminewhichregulationsarethemosteffective.
KristinaHopkins,ResearchPhysicalScientistwiththeU.S.GeologicalSurvey,whowill
leadateamfromtheUSGSandNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationthatwill
analyzetheecologicalprocessesandecosystemservicesoffloodplainsinordertoinform
conservationandrestorationefforts.
Dr.ClaireJantz,ProfessoratShippensburgUniversity,whowillleadateamofscientists
fromShippensburgandWoodsHoleResearchCenterthatwilllinkmodelsoflandcoverchange,
climatechange,hydrologyandtreespeciestoaddresstheimpactsoffuturedevelopmentand
environmentalchange.
GaryLovett,ResearchScientist,andKatherineCrowley,PlantEcologist,bothoftheCary
InstituteofEcosystemStudies,whowilldevelopamodelofnitrogenandcarboncyclingwithin
forestedwatershedsaimedathelpingbettermanageenvironmentalchanges.
KentMesser,DirectoroftheCenterforExperimental&AppliedEconomicsatthe
UniversityofDelaware,andPaulFerraro,ProfessoratJohnsHopkinsUniversity,whowill
analyzetheeffectsofinducingbehavioralchangeamongfarmersandhomeownerstoimprove
theenvironmentalqualityofthewatershed.
JamesPizzuto,ProfessorattheUniversityofDelaware,whowillleadateamofscientists
attheUniversityofDelaware,UniversityofMinnesotaandtheStroudWaterResearchCenter
thatwillanalyzesedimentrestorationeffortsontheWhiteClayCreekinChesterCounty,in
ordertoguidefuturerestorationwork.
AndreaWelker,ProfessoratVillanovaUniversity,andStanleyKemp,Assistant
ProfessorattheUniversityofBaltimore,whowillevaluatetheeffectivenessofstormwater
controlsatalargedevelopmentatGraniteRunMallinMiddletown,DauphinCounty.
FormoreinformationontheAcademyofNaturalSciencesatDrexelUniversity,visitthe
DelawareWatershedInitiativewebpageandtheWilliamPennFoundationsinitiative,visitthe
FoundationsWatershedProtectionwebpage.
NewsClips:
Lansdale,NorthWalesAgreeToProtectWissahickonWatershed
PhiladelphiasGreenCity,CleanWaterInSouthPhilly
OpEd:GreatCitiesNeedGreatWatersheds
ConservationDistrictOffersWayneCountyFarmTour
DelawareRiverkeeperAug.26RiverWatchVideoReport
RelatedStories:
DelawareRiverBasinWorkEarnsShippensburgUniversityProfessor$486KGrant
12LocalGovernmentsSignOnToWorkCollaborativelyToImproveWissahickon
DelawareEstuaryPartnershipCelebrates20YearsOfCleanerWaterOct.6
PECRenewsSupportForStudyOfWaterUseFeeToFundRestorationPrograms
ThePAEnvironmentalCouncilFridaysentaletterofsupportto
theGeneralAssemblyforHouseResolution908
(EverettRLycoming),whichwoulddirecttheLegislative
BudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconductanexploratorystudy
onindustrialandcommercialwaterwithdrawalfees.
Theresolutiondoesnotcreateormandateanysuchfee.
Pennsylvaniafacesextensivewatershedrestorationchallenges,
resultingfrombothlegacyandexistingpollutionsources.Ifthe
Commonwealthfailstoaddresstheseissues,itwillsoonfind
itselfsubjecttofederalorjudicialmandates.
Withoutquestion,findingtheresourcesnecessarytoaddressthisextraordinaryproblem
isasignificantchallengeonethatrequiresthoroughandthoughtfulconsideration.Regardless
ofoutcome,HouseResolution908isastepintherightdirectiontowardadvancingthat
consideration.
ThetextofPECsletterofsupporttoRep.GarthEverett,theprimesponsorofthe
resolution,follows
OnbehalfofthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil(PEC),Iwanttoofferoursupport
forHouseResolution908,whichdirectstheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteeto
conductastudyonwaterusefeesforwaterqualitymanagementandimprovement.
Asyouhavestronglyacknowledgedthroughthisresolutionandyourservicewiththe
ChesapeakeBayCommission,theneedforenhancedinvestmentinrestoringandprotecting
waterquality,notonlyintheChesapeakeBayWatershed,butstatewide,iscritical.
Pennsylvaniaisobligated,pursuanttoourownconstitutionandstateandfederallaw,toaddress
pollutiontoourwaterways.
AsdemonstratedbycompliancewiththeChesapeakeBayalone,thecostsoflegacyand
currentimpairmentvastlyexceedcurrentresourcesandinvestment.IfPennsylvaniadoesnot
provideleadershipintheseareas,thefederalgovernmentwillimposeasolutionthat
Commonwealthtaxpayersarenotlikelytoembrace.
AstudydevelopedpursuanttoHouseResolution908wouldprovidetheproperbasisto
determinewhetherafeeonwateruseorconsumptionisappropriateformeetingwater
managementneedsthroughouttheCommonwealth.
ThankyouforyourleadershiponwaterprotectionintheCommonwealth.WehopeH.R.
908willbeapprovedbytheHousebeforetheendofthecurrentlegislativesession.
Sincerely,
JohnWalliser
SeniorVicePresident,Legal&GovernmentAffairs
TheResolutionisintheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteefor
consideration.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:jmaher@pahousegop.com.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthePA
EnvironmentalCouncilwebsite,visitthePECBlog,followPEConTwitterorLikePECon
Facebook.VisitPECsAudioRoomforthelatestpodcasts.ClickHeretoreceiveregular
updatesfromPEC.
RelatedStories:
OpEd:HeresHowPACanGetSmarterAboutCleaningUpOurRivers&Streams
CBFPA:Rep.EverettIsRight,PANeedsNewFundingForCleanWaterPrograms
CBFPA:NewPAStateBudgetLacksFundingToReachCleanWaterGoals
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition:PAMustInvestMoreInEnvironmentalCleanup,Parks
PAFarmlandPreservationProgramReachesNewMilestone:Preserves5,000thFarm
Withtheadditionof26newfarms,PennsylvaniasFarmland
PreservationProgramreachedanewmilestoneWednesday,
surpassingthe5,000farmmark.
Pennsylvaniasprogramleadsthenationinthenumberof
farmsandthenumberoffarmacresthathavebeenpreserved
inperpetuityforagriculturalproduction.
AgricultureSecretaryRussellReddingjoinedformerstate
agriculturesecretaries,legislators,countyandlocalofficials,
andfarmersfromacrosstheCommonwealthtocelebratethe
milestonetodayduringthebimonthlymeetingofthePennsylvaniaAgriculturalLand
PreservationBoard.
ThemeetingwasheldattheSmuckerLandfarminLancasterCounty,whichwas
officiallythe5,000thfarmpreservedundertheprogram.
PreservingPennsylvaniasbestfarmlandisaninvestmentinourheritage,inour
economy,inourabilitytosustainourselves,andinourenvironment,saidRedding.Acrossthe
statefordecadesnowsomeofourmostproductivelandshavebeenlostforeverto
development.Andthosepressurescontinue.Protectingouragriculturalindustryandourability
togrowandproducefoodisastrategicandeconomicimperativeforusasastate.Todothat
requiresthatwepreservethepreciousassetthatisourstatesfarmland.
Alltold,thePennsylvaniaAgriculturalLandPreservationBoardvotedtosafeguard2,475
additionalacreson26farmsin16counties,includingAdams,Bedford,Berks,Bucks,Butler,
Cumberland,Dauphin,Fayette,Lackawanna,Lancaster,Lawrence,Lehigh,Montgomery,
Northampton,WestmorelandandYork.
Additionally,theboardapprovedincreasingthefarmlandpreservationprograms
spendingthresholdinlightofnewfundingaspartofthe201617fiscalyearbudget.
InJuly,theCommonwealthappropriatedanother$5millionforfarmlandpreservation
fromcigarettetaxrevenues.Thisadditionalfundingmakesitpossibleforthestatetoincreasethe
amountoffundingavailableto$36million,upfromthe$31millionthresholdsetattheFebruary
2016meetingbeforethebudgetsenactment.
Gov.WolfandthemembersofthePennsylvanialegislaturerecognizedtheimportance
ofpreservingourfarmlandandthefutureofagricultureinPennsylvania,andIwanttorecognize
andthankthemforthatappreciationandleadership,saidRedding.Thereisanextensive
backlogoffarmsacrossthestatewaitingtobepreserved.Thosefarmownershavebeenwaiting
anxiouslysomeofthemforyearstobeabletoprotecttheirfarm.Andoncetheyhavedone
so,manyofthemwillturnaroundandinvestthoseproceedsrightbackintotheiroperations.
Withthesenewfunds,wellbeabletostartchippingawayatthatbacklog.
Sincethestatesfarmlandpreservationprogrambeganin1988,federal,state,countyand
localgovernmentshaveinvestedmorethan$1.3billiontopreserve525,020acreson5,003farms
in58countiesforfutureagriculturalproduction.
ThenumberoffarmspreservedinPennsylvaniaisnearlyequaltothenumberpreserved
inMarylandandNewJerseycombinedtwostatesthatranksecondandthird,respectively,for
farmlandpreservationbehindPennsylvaniaaccordingtoa2015reportfromAmericanFarmland
Trust.
ThePennsylvaniaAgriculturalConservationEasementPurchaseProgramidentifies
propertiesandslowsthelossofprimefarmlandtononagriculturaluses.Itenablesstate,county
andlocalgovernmentstopurchaseconservationeasements,alsocalleddevelopmentrights,from
ownersofqualityfarmland.
Formoreinformation,visitAgriculturesFarmlandPreservationwebpage.
(Photo:Lancasteronline.com,2012)
NewsClips:
CornMazesFor2016InCentralPA
UncleJimsWormFarmBecameBigTensMostUnlikelyFootballFactory
NowOnline:DEPsMcDonnellOutlinesPrioritiesOnPECTVProgram
TheenvironmentalprioritiesfacingPennsylvania
andstateregulatorsarethesubjectofdiscussionin
AugustseditionofEnvironmentalFocus,thePA
EnvironmentalCouncilsmonthlyenvironmental
affairstelevisionprogram.
TheprogramisnowavailableonPECswebsiteasEpisode12.
DEPActingSecretaryPatrickMcDonnell,inoneofhisfirstinterviewssinceassuming
office,discussessomeoftheDepartmentsmostpressinginitiatives,fromnewregulationsfor
naturalgasdrillingtoimplementationoftheCleanPowerPlanandimprovingthewaterquality
oftheChesapeakeBay.
Ivetoldmystaff,Imnotinterestedinmodelsandplans,Iminterestedinnitrogen,
phosphorous,sediment,andhowdowegetitoutoftheBayandwhataretheeffectivestrategies
todothat,whereverthattakesus,McDonnellsaidofDEPsworkintheChesapeakeBay.
FollowingActingSecretaryMcDonnellsinterview,aroundtablebroadensthediscussion
toincludeanumberofotherenvironmentalissues.
TheconversationisledbyPresidentofthePennsylvaniaParksandForestsFoundation
MarciMowery,formerDEPSecretaryDavidHess,nowDirectorofPolicyandCommunications
atCrisciAssociatesinHarrisburg,andPECPresidentDavittWoodwell.
PreviouseditionsofEnvironmentalFocushavefeaturedtopicssuchasmethane
emissionsfromnaturalgasdevelopment,gaspipelines,diseasedfishintheSusquehannaRiver,
conservationoftheDelawareRiverwatershed,thePennsylvaniacapitalbudget,andothertopics.
ClickHeretoviewpastepisodesofEnvironmentalFocus.
updatesfromPEC.
NewsClip:
IndependentFiscalOffice:IncreasesFY201617RevenueEstimateBy$900Million
TheIndependentFiscalOfficeWednesdayincreaseditsFY201617revenueestimatebyabout
$900milliontotakeintoaccountthebudgetrevenuepackagepassedinJunetoincreasestate
revenues.
So,iftheIFOiscorrect,therewillbe$900millionmoreavailablefortheGeneralFund
thanwasspentintheFY201617budget.
TheIFOsaysavailablerevenueswilltotal$32.5billioninFY201617,ratherthan
$31.66billionithadestimatedinJune.
TheFY201617GeneralFundbudgetpassedinJunetotaled$31.6billionwithanother
$100millionorsoofnewrevenuetocomefromexpandedgaming,when,orif,theGeneral
AssemblyandGov.Wolfagreeonabilltopass.
TheIFOestimatesforrevenuebroughtinbythetaxpackageisactuallylowerinalmost
allcasesthanthesummarypublishedatthetimetherevenuepackagewaspassed.
Amongthebudgetpackageincome/lossitemizedbytheIFOare
BankSharesTax:$21.1million[$23.5million*]
Sales&UseTax(VendorDiscount):$61.5million[$55.5million*]
Sales&UseTax(DigitalDownloads):$45.7million[$46.9million*]
Sales&UseTax(transfertoCommonwealthFinancingAuthority):Lossof$95.3million
CigaretteTax:$411.7million[$431.1million*]
CigaretteTax(transfertoAgriculturalEasementFund):$5millionloss
ElectronicCigarettes:$11.2million[$13.3million*]
SmokelessTobacco:$33.7million[$48.2million*
PersonalIncomeTax(LotteryWinnings):$15.2million[$15.8million*]
TableGamesTax:$17.6million[$16.8million*]
TaxAmnesty:$100million[same]
TheIFOanalysisalsoincludesareviewoftheimpactofvariousnewandexistingtax
creditprogramsenactedaspartofthebudgetrevenuepackage.
Acopyoftherevisedestimatedisavailableonline.
*SummaryofrevenuepackagepublishedbyHouseDemocratsinJuly.
SenateReturnsTuesdayToConfirmBeemerAsAG,CastorDelaysPornEmailReport
TheSenateThursdayannounceditisreturningtosessionTuesdaytoconfirmBruceBeemeras
AttorneyGeneral,replacingActingAttorneyGeneralBruceCastor.TheSenateheldabrief
nonvotingsessiondayAugust23toacceptBeemersnominationfromGov.Wolf.
Ataboutthesametime,ActingAttorneyGeneralBruceCastorsentanemailtothe800
employeesintheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralsayingheisnowreviewingthepornemailreport
preparedbyDouglasGansleroftheMarylandlawfirmBuckleySandler,accordingtothe
AssociatedPress.
OnFriday,theFraternalOrderOfPolice,whichrepresentsinvestigatorsintheOfficeof
AttorneyGeneral,filedalawsuitinCommonwealthCourtseekingtoblockCastorsreleaseof
thepornemailreport,accordingtoPhilly.com.
LateronFriday,PennLive.comreportedCastorsaidhewoulddelayreleaseoftheporn
reportindefinitelyoruntilhisOfficecoulddevelopaprocedurethatallowsthoselistedinthe
reportmoreinformationonwhichtorespond.
InanemailtoOfficeofAttorneyGeneralemployeesFriday,Castorsaid,Thenotice
manyofyoureceivedfromBuckleySandlersetsadeadlineof10a.m.Monday,August29,2016
torespondtothefactthatyournamewouldeitherbelistedinareportorinanappendix.The
noticedoesnotgiveyouanyindicationofwhatcontentwasallegedlyinappropriate.Inkeeping
withpastofficepractice,andinmyownjudgment,OAGshouldnotrequireresponsesfrom
peopleuntilthosesamepeoplehavehadanopportunitytoseewhattheyarerespondingto:a
simplematteroffairness.
Thus,whileIremainAttorneyGeneral,Iwillnotbeapprovingthereleaseofanypartof
thereportuntilwecandeviseaprocedurethat,attheveryleast,allowsforinformedresponses.
Therefore,theresponsedeadlineofAugust29that10amassetbyGeneralGanslerisextended
indefinitelypursuanttomyauthorityasthecurrentAttorneyGeneral.
Yesterday,Iaskedyoutoremaincalmandnotbeanxious.Idosoagain.Thereportwas
notreleasedinMaybecauseIwasunhappywithit.ItwasnotreleasedinJulybecauseIwas
unhappywithit.TherewerezeroleaksinallthattimebecauseIhadtheonlycopies.So
pleasetrustmenowwhenIassureyouthatIamacutelyawareofthedamagethisinformation
coulddo,howeverunwarranted,tomanyofyourreputations.Iamproceedingwithextreme
cautionduringmyfewremainingdayswiththisagency,andthemenandwomenthatarepartof
itthatIhavecometoadmireandrespect.
CastortoldemployeesinanemailThursdaytheyshouldhavebeennotifiediftheirnames
wereincludedinthereport.Thenotethenwentontosay,accordingtoPhilly.com,Please
dontbeanxious.Iamconferringwithseniorstaffonhowtoproceed.
PennLive.comprintedwhatitsaidwastheCastorsentireThursdayemail
"Ihavelearnedthatsomeofyoureceivedemailsnotifyingyouthatyournamesmaybe
includedintheBuckleySandlerReport.Iwanttoreassureyouthatthereportandallattachments
arenowwithmeforreview,andcannotbereleasedwithoutmyapproval.Iamreminding
GeneralGanslerofthattoday.
"Whenthereismoretoreport,Iwillletyouknow.Pleasedon'tbeanxious.Iam
conferringwithSeniorStaffonhowtoproceed."
PennLive.comquotedCastorlaterThursdayassaying:"I'mnotgoingtomakeadecision
thataffectsalotofpeople'slivesandtheirfamily'sliveswithoutthinkingitthrough.WhenI'm
confidentIammakingtherightcallIwillmakeit,"headded,"andnotuntilthen."
TheTribuneReviewreportedThursdaythepornemailreportwouldnameonlythose
individualswhohadsent50ormoreoffensiveemailsintheAttorneyGeneralsOffice,otherlaw
enforcementofficesandotheragencies.
PennLive.comreportedFridaythereportissaidtoname38personsas"highvolume"
senderswhosentorforwardedmorethan50offensiveemailstoothers,plus"severalhundred"
stafferswhowillbelistedinanappendixashavingsentlessthan50.
Philly.comThursdayreportedthenoticetoemployeesandothersnamedinthereport
gavethemuntilMonday(August29)tocontesttheirnaming,eventhoughthenoticedidnot
indicatewhichoftheiremailswereincludedinthereport.
GanslerwashiredbyconvictedformerAttorneyGeneralKathleenKanetoreviewthe
offensiveemailsandprepareareport.
Just9daysago(countingtheweekend),CastortoldapressconferencetheBuckley
Sandlerreportwasinverypoorshapeonedraftevengavehiscomputeravirus.Healsosaidhe
hadverylittlesuccessingettingGanslerslawfirmtodoanythinghewantedthemtodo.
Apparentlythatchanged.
NewsClips:
McKelvey:CastorDelaysReleaseOfPornEmailReportIndefinitely
Thompson:AGAgentsUnionAskCourtToStopReleaseOfPornEmailReport
Bumsted:LawsuitSeeksInjunctionToPreventReleaseOfPornEmailReport
Esack:CourtInjunctionSeeksToBlockReleaseOnPornEmailReport
AGInvestigatorsUnionAsksCourtToBlockPornEmailReport
PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds
PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+CirclecalledGreenWorksInPA.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.
AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates
PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantnewsupdates.
PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
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oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.NEW!Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.
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includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
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TwitterfeedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.
Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule(Updated)/GovsSchedule
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(Sept.19):<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(August30):HouseResolution872(CauserRForest)urgingfederalandstate
regulatoryagenciestousesciencebased,peerrevieweddatawhenevaluatingmodern
agriculturaltechnologytoolsanddevelopingregulations(sponsorsummary).<>ClickHerefor
fullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
CheckthePAEnvironmentalCouncilBillTrackerforthestatusandupdatesonpendingstate
legislationandregulationsthataffectenvironmentalandconservationeffortsinPennsylvania.
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
SessionSchedule[Updated]
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Senate[Updated]
August30
September26,27,28
October17,18,19,24,25,26
November16
House
September19,20,21,26,27,28
October17,18,19,24,25,26
November14,15
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.ClickHeretoviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
NewsFromTheCapitol
HouseGOPPolicyCommitteeHeldHearingOnConventionalDrillingIndustry
TheHouseRepublicanPolicyCommitteeheldahearingAugust23todiscussthedifferences
betweenconventionalnaturalgaswellsandunconventionalshalegaswellsinanticipationofthe
statesnewforthcomingChapter78regulations.
Thehearingalsoincludedadiscussiononthepipelineconstructionneededtobring
naturalgastopowerplantsinorderfortheenergygenerationsectortomeetnewEPAairquality
regulationsandtheobstaclescurrentlyblockingthatendeavor.
Testifiersincluded:MikeHuwar,TransCanada/ColumbiaMidstreamMichaelKnapp,
MDSEnergyDevelopment,LLCTomDefibaugh,SnyderBrothersInc.andPaulBergad,
BergadSpecialtyFoams&Composites.
Rep.JeffPyle(RArmstrong),anoutspokenopponentoftheupdatetoDEPsChapter78
drillingregulations,hostedthehearing.
ThehearingwasheldattheHenshawFarmsBanquetFacility,314CityRoad,Freeport,
ArmstrongCounty.
ClickHeretowatchavideoofthehearing.MoreinformationisavailableattheHouse
RepublicanPolicyCommitteewebsite.
NewsClip:
ConventionalWellDrillingIndustryAgainComplainsAboutRegulations
RelatedStory:
JointCommitteeUnanimouslyDirectsFinalPublicationOfDEPMarcellusDrillingRegs
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeToHoldBiosolidsHearingAug.29InCentreCounty
TheHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeisscheduledtoholdahearingonbiosolidsandthe
landapplicationofsewagesludgeonAugust29attheQualityInn,971N.EagleValleyRoadin
Milesburg,CentreCounty,startingat2:00p.m.
ThehearingisbeinghostedbyRep.MikeHanna(DCentre)andprimesponsorofHouse
Bill738whichwouldprohibittheapplicationofsewagesludgeinasourcewaterprotectionarea
andrequiretheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontoholdaleastonepublichearingon
landapplicationpermits(sponsorsummary).
Formoreinformation,visittheHouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteewebpage.
NewsFromAroundTheState
AShippensburgUniversityprofessorDr.ClaireJantz
receivedoneof10grantsannouncedWednesdaybythe
AcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexelUniversityforprojects
aimedatprotectingandrestoringwaterqualityintheDelaware
RiverWatershed.
Dr.Jantz,professorofgeography/earthscienceanddirectorof
ShippensburgUniversitysCenterforLandUseandSustainability,willleadateamofscientists
fromSUandtheWoodsHoleResearchCenterinMassachusettswhowillconnectmodelsof
landcoverchange,climatechange,hydrologyandtreespeciestoaddresstheimpactoffuture
developmentandenvironmentalchangeonthewatershed.
ThethreeyearprojectdirectedbyJantzreceiveda$486,000grant,whichwillbe
providedbytheDelawareWatershedResearchFundandadministeredbytheAcademyof
NaturalSciences.
Thefundprovidedatotalof$4millioningrantsfor10projectstacklingsuchissuesas
municipalandindustrialwastewatersimpactonfish,theeffectoffuturedevelopmenton
communitiesalongtheDelawareRiverandfarmlandmanagementthatprotectsnearbywater
sources.
ThenewprojectbuildsononethatJantzcurrentlyisleadingatSU,supportedbya$1
milliongrantfromtheWilliamPennFoundation,todevelopalandusemapping,modelingand
monitoringsystemfortheDelawareRiverBasin.
OurcurrentworkhasfocusedoncreatingforecastsoffuturelanduseintheDelaware
RiverBasin,Dr.Jantzsaid.Wequicklyrealizedthatitisdifficulttocreatearealisticvisionof
landuseinthebasinin2070withoutfullyconsideringclimatechangeimpactsatthesametime.
Thiswasamajorgapinourresearchthatweaimtoaddressinthisnewproject.
Theprimaryquestiontobeaddressedbythenewresearch,Jantzsaid,ishowforest
ecosystemsandhydrologicprocessesinthebasinwillbeaffectedbyclimatechangeandland
coverchange.
OtherShippensburgfacultyandstaffontheprojectareDrs.TimothyHawkins,
ChristopherWoltemadeandScottDrzyzga,professorsinthegeography/earthscience
department,andCLUSstaffmembersAlfonsoYezandAntoniaPrice.
Eachteammemberbringsauniqueexpertisetotheproject:landuse/landcoverchange
mappingandmodeling,hydroclimatology,climatechange,watershedrainfallrunoffandflood
modeling,biodiversityconservation,geotechnologyandprojectmanagement,Dr.Jantzsaid.It
isexcitingtobeabletoworkonaprojectofthissignificancewithsuchadiverseandtalented
team.
Theresearchwillbenefitconservationpractitionersworkingacrossmultiplewatersheds
withinthebasin,Dr.Jantzsaid,helpingtoidentifyareaspotentiallycriticalforregulatingwater
flows,maintainingclimaterefugesforcertaintreespeciesormaintainingresilienceagainst
pathogens.
Thedata,analysesandoutreachthatweproposewiththisprojectwillenablefuture
planningeffortstoincorporatethesecriticalissues,shesaid.
TheDelawareRiverWatershedcoversmorethan13,500squaremilesinPennsylvania,
NewJersey,DelawareandNewYork.
Inadditiontobeingamajorsourceofdrinkingwaterfor15millionpeople,thewatershed
supportsanarrayofwaterrelatedbusinessesvaluedat$25billionperyearandishometoa
varietyofanimalsandplants.
The10newlyfundedprojectswillanswerquestionsthatwillhelpusbetterunderstand
howtoprotectandrestorewaterquality,especiallyintheDelawareWatershed,saidRoland
Wall,seniordirectorforenvironmentalinitiativesfortheAcademyofNaturalSciences.The
resultsofthesestudiescanbeappliedtootherwatershedsaroundthecountry.
ShippensburgsCenterforLandUseandSustainabilitysupportssciencebasedsolutions
tointerdisciplinarysustainabilitychallenges.Itsgoalistobecomeanationallyrecognized
interdisciplinarycenterthatleveragestheexpertiseoffaculty,staffandstudentstopromote
sustainablelanduse,economicdevelopmentandcommunitiesatlocal,regionalandglobal
scales.
TheCenterhasmorethan15affiliatedscientistsandtwofulltimestaffwithexpertisein
geographicinformationsystemsglobalsystemsnavigationsatellitephysicalandenvironmental
scienceslanduseplanning,economicsandtransportationappliedhistoryandarchaeology
sustainablebusinesspracticescommunitysustainabilityandgrantwritingandproject
management.Formoreinformation,visitcenterforlanduse.org.
Foundedin1812,theAcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexelUniversityisaleading
naturalhistorymuseumdedicatedtoadvancingresearch,educationandpublicengagementin
biodiversityandenvironmentalscience.
TheDelawareWatershedResearchFundwasestablishedwiththesupportoftheWilliam
PennFoundation.
FormoreinformationontheWilliamPennFoundationinitiative,visittheFoundations
WatershedProtectionwebpage.
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Twelvesuburbanmunicipalities,plusthePhiladelphia
WaterDepartment,intheWissahickonWatershedin
MontgomeryandPhiladelphiacountieshaveadopted
anIntergovernmentalAgreementordinanceto
officiallymoveforwardwiththeWissahickonClean
WaterPartnership.
TheAgreementsimplystatesthattheywill
committoworktogetheronarealplantoimprove
drinkingwater,mitigatedamagingflooding,reduce
streambankerosion,protectfishandwildlifeand
restorevaluablerecreationareathroughouttheCreek
corridor.
LocalmunicipalitiesbeganmeetinginJunetovoteonjoiningtheAgreementwiththe
lastmeetingsoccurringAugust23withNorthWalesBoroughandLowerGwyneddvotingto
signtheIGA.
TheWissahickonCleanWaterPartnershipisaunique,unprecedentedopportunityfor
ourlocalcommunitiestocometogethertorestoretheWissahickonCreek,saidRickCollier,
BoardChair,WissahickonValleyWatershedAssociation.ThisisourchancetoOwnthe
Solution.13ofthe16municipalitiesplus3ofthe4wastewatertreatmentplantssigningon,
sendingastrongmessageofcommitmenttoa#CleanWissahickon.
WVWAonceagainledtheefforttoeducateelectedofficialsrepresentingthe16
municipalitiesinthewatershedaswellaslocalresidentsabouttheimportanceofofficially
signingontotheWissahickonCleanWaterPartnership.
SomeresidentsremainunawareoftheCreeksimportancetodrinkingwaterorthatitis
officiallyconsideredimpaired.
Throughtheseefforts,over1,100residentssignedapetitionurgingtheirlocalofficialsto
votetopasstheIGA.
DecisionmakersfromallarenassaythatthePartnershipisimperativetoprotectingand
restoringcleanwater.
Itenablesthemunicipalitiestoownthesolutioncollaborativelyortogether,andshape
futureregulatoryguidelinesinsteadofcomplyingwiththecurrentpendingstrictpollutionlimit,
orTotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)fromtheFederalgovernment.
ThePartnershipreducescostsforallparticipatingmunicipalitiesduetotheWilliamPenn
Foundationscommitmentofover$1millioninfinancialsupportforplanning.
Inaddition,thePartnershipisadvantageousinthatitallowsmunicipalitiestoshare
resourcesandreceiveguidancefromexpertsinthefield.
Thisisawinwinsituationfortodayformunicipalityleaders,forcommunity
members,andfortheoverallhealthoftheWissahickonCreek,saidLaurieGrant,Directorof
InstitutionalAdvancementatWVWA.Moreimportantly,weshouldbethinkingabout
tomorrowandjointogethertosecureahealthyfutureforourchildrenandgrandchildren.
ThethirteenmunicipalitiesinthewatershedwhohavesignedtheIntergovermental
Agreement:Abington,Ambler,Cheltenham,Lansdale,LowerGwynedd,Montgomery,North
Wales,Philadelphia,Springfield,UpperDublin,UpperGwynedd,Whitemarsh,Whitpain.
HorshamTownship,UpperMorelandTownship,WorcesterTownship,whichmakeup
only3percentofthewatershedhavedeferredsigningtheIGAatthistime,buthavevoicedtheir
support.
RepresentativesfromeachofthemunicipalitieswhosignedontotheIGAwillmeetinthe
falltoofficiallyappointtheteamanddeterminenextsteps.
ClickHereforafactsheetontheWissahickonCleanWaterPartnership.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visittheWissahickon
ValleyWatershedAssociationwebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromthe
Association.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
FriendsOfWissahickon:NewChildrensBookAvailableOnWissahickonValleyPark
TheDelawareEstuaryPartnershipwillcelebrate20yearsof
cleanerwater,estuaryscienceandeducationprogramson
October6atAulettoCaterersinDeptford,NewJerseyfrom
5:00to8:30p.m.
Thisannualcelebrationtypicallyattractsmorethan300
friendsandsupportersofthePartnership.Theeveningwill
include:cocktailreceptionhorsd'oeuvresanddinner
DelawareBayoysterslivemusicsilentandliveauctions
andmore.
Opportunitiesaboundtogetinvolved,includingcorporate
sponsorship,auctionitemdonations,andvolunteering.
Formoreinformation,visittheDelawareEstuaryPartnershipCelebrationwebpageor
call(800)4454935,extension120,orsendemailtoDebbieHeatonat:
DHeaton@DelawareEstuary.org.
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RelatedStories:
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyandthe
NationalFishandWildlifeFoundationThursday
announcedtheawardrecipientsofnearly$11millionin
ChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundGrantsforrestoration,
conservationandenvironmentaloutreachinDelaware,
Maryland,Pennsylvania,Virginia,Washington,D.C.and
WestVirginia.
PACongressmanGlenn'GT'Thompson*(PA5)
notedPennsylvaniawillreceive$9.9millionand13
projectswillbefundedinhisstate.
"IhavehadseveralopportunitiestotourfarmsitesusingAginnovationandsmart
conservationpracticesasprovidedbytheNFWFgrantsandPennStateUniversity,aswellas
otherdynamicpartners,"Thompson,amemberoftheHouseAgricultureandNaturalResources
committeessaid."Ihavebeenveryimpressedbytheonthegroundworkacrosstheentiresix
stateChesapeakeBayWatershed,especiallyinincreasingtheremovalofsedimentandnutrients
fromourstreamsandrivers."
"Wearehonoredtohostthisyear'sChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundgrant
announcement,"saidRickRoush,deanofPennsylvaniaStateUniversity'sCollegeof
AgriculturalSciences."AstrongpartneroftheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationformany
years,thecollegesince2008hasreceivedmorethan$3.6millioningrantfundingfromNFWF
andprovidednearly$4millioninmatchfromthecollegeandourmanypartnerstosupport
innovativeresearch,communityengagementandimplementationofbestmanagementpractices
onfarms,incommunitiesandalongstreamsthroughoutPennsylvania'sportionofthe
ChesapeakeBaywatershed.Inconcertwiththeobjectivesofthesenewlyfundedprojects,Penn
Stateiscommittedtobuildinganewconsensusbased,collaborativestrategytoachievewater
qualitygoalswhileensuringprofitableandproductiveagriculture."
ThePennsylvaniaprojectsinclude
AlliancefortheChesapeakeBay,Inc.($749,676)TheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBaywill
improvedrinkingwatersuppliesintheOctoraroCreekWatershed,LancasterCounty,through
outreachandagriculturalbestmanagementpracticeinstallationonPlainSectfarms,buildingon
existinglocalefforts.
PennsylvaniaDepartmentofAgricultureAdaptiveToolbox($632,319)willpilotthe
PennsylvaniaAdaptiveToolboxforConservationSaturation,seekinggreaterparticipationin
conservationplanningandpracticeimplementation,anddemonstratingacorrelationbetween
conservationefforts,herdhealthandfarmprofitability.
BoroughofCarlisle,CumberlandCountyStormwaterManagement($599,452)will
reducefloodingbyprovidingtheneededstormwaterretentioncapacitytoserverunofffromthe
plannedredevelopmentofanadjacentbrownfieldsite,whilepreventingnutrientsandother
pollutionfromenteringthevulnerableLeTortSpring,whichfeedsintotheConodoguinetCreek
andeventuallytheChesapeakeBay.
BoroughOfSpringGrove,CodorusCreekStreamRestoration($185,000)SpringGrove
Borough,YorkCounty,willrestoreapproximately1,250linearfeetofCodorusCreektocorrect
erodingstreambanksandchannels,therebyreducingsedimentdischargetotheLower
Susquehannawatershed.
ChesapeakeConservancy,ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA,SusquehannaUniversity
($562,236)TheChesapeakeConservancy,SusquehannaUniversityandtheChesapeakeBay
FoundationPAwillcollaborateandharnessnewlyavailablehighresolutionGeographic
InformationSystemdatasetsandtoolstopilotanewinnovativeapproachtoconservation,
conductprecisionconservation,andbetterfocusrestorationeffortsandbestmanagement
practiceimplementationontheground.
LancasterFarmlandTrustEastLampeterTwp.BMPImplementation($328,328)The
LancasterFarmlandTrustwillimplementstreamcorridorandlivestockbestmanagement
practices(BMPs)onstrategicfarmsinEastLampeterTownship.
LancasterFarmlandTrustBMPImplementationWithMennoniteFarmers($187,662)
TheLancasterFarmlandTrustwillassistthreeconservativeMennonitefarmersinEastern
LancasterCountywithimplementingstrategicfieldbasedandstructuralpracticesthataddress
nitratelevels.
AmericanRiversChiquesCreekMigratoryFishHabitat($199,915)AmericanRiverswill
removeafishbarriertorestoreaccessto2.9milesofupstreamheadwatersforspawningbrook
troutinChiquesCreek.
TroutUnlimitedKettleCreekSedimentReduction($163,231)TroutUnlimitedwill
increasecoldwaterhabitatavailabilityandreducesedimentpollutiontobenefittheeasternbrook
troutinKettleCreek,inTioga,PotterandClintoncounties,asacontinuationofthewatershed
restorationthathasbeenunderwayforthelast17years.
WesternPAConservancyChestCreekWatershedRestoration($178,708)TheWestern
PAConservancywillimplementagriculturalbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)andsediment
reductionmeasures,andinstallriparianbuffersintheChestCreekWatershed,locatedin
northernCambriaCounty.
WesternPAConservancyJuniataRiverAgriculturalTechnicalAssistance,BMP
Implementation($158,846)TheWesternPAConservancyandpartnerswillworkwith
agriculturallandownersintheJuniataRiverwatershedtoimplementbestmanagementpractices
toreducenutrientandsedimentrunoffintheYellowCreeksubwatershed.
YorkCountyPlanningCommission($203,419)willcreateacountystormwaterauthority
whosepurposewillbethreefold:(1)assistmunicipalitiesinmeetingPennsylvanias
ChesapeakeBayWatershedImplementationPlan,whichsetsforthastrategyforthestateto
achievetherequiredpollutantreductionsmandatedbytheTotalMaximumDailyLoad,or
pollutiondietfortheChesapeakeBay(2)completespecificMunicipalSeparateStormSewer
Systempermitrequirementsonbehalfoftheregulatedmunicipalitiesand(3)coordinatestaffing
needswiththeYorkCountyConservationDistricttoprovidetechnicalassistancetothewaiting
listoffarms.
MultiStateRegionalPhosphorusPollutionReduction($626,834)SustainableChesapeake
willengagestakeholdersthroughouttheChesapeakeBaywatershedinacomprehensive
approachfocusedonachievingfarmandregionalnutrient(especiallyphosphorus)balancein
highdensityanimalproductionareas.
Formoreinformation,visittheNFWFsChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundGrants
webpage.
*EditorsNote:InJuly,CongressmanThompsonwasoneoftwomembersoftheU.S.House
offeringanamendmenttotheInteriorandEnvironmentAppropriationsbilltogutthefederal,
stateefforttocleanuptheChesapeakeBayanditsriversandstreams.
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TheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resources,SusquehannaUniversity,Bloomsburg
University,ChesapeakeConservancyandthe
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAThursday
receivedaNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation
ChesapeakeBayStewardshipFundgrantfor
$562,236toimplementaprecisionfarm
conservationprograminCentreandClinton
counties.
Thethreeyearinitiativewillpilotanew
approachtoconservationwithlocalpartnersinPennsylvaniasCentreandClintoncountiesto
reducenutrientandsedimentpollutionfromnonpointsourcestoimprovewaterqualityand
scenicbeauty.
Oncecomplete,theprojectmayserveasanationalmodel.
(Photo:ProjectpartnersHarryCampbell,ChesapeakeBayFoundation,MattKeefer,
PennsylvaniaDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,andCarlyDean,Chesapeake
Conservancy.)
TheNFWFgrantprovidesfundingtohelplocalpartnersplantheirrestorationprojects
usingnewhighresolutionlandcoverandLiDARdatasetstobetterdeterminepreciselywhere
projectswillcreatethehighestimpactopportunitiesforconservationandrestoration.
Theprojectwillalsohelpmeasureprogresstowardachievingthe2014ChesapeakeBay
ProgramAgreementgoals.
WeareverygratefultoNFWFforfundingthisjointproposal.Wereexcitedtowork
withourpartnersinCentreandClintoncountiestoshowcasethepowerofnewtechnologyand
datatohelpguideefficientdecisionmakingfortheuseoflimitedrestorationfundingandto
measureourcollectiveprogresstowardourgoals,ChesapeakeConservancyPresidentandCEO
JoelDunnsaid.Weliveinabravenewworldwheretransformativetechnologiesarethegreat
opportunityofourtime.Thisgrantwillallowustousetheseinnovationstoenhanceour
collectiveimpactforenvironmentalconservation.
TheChesapeakeConservancyandpartnershavespentthelast18monthsworkingwith
theChesapeakeBayProgramtoproduce1meterby1meterresolutionlandcoverdataforthe
entire64,000squaremileChesapeakeBaywatershed.
Thisisoneofthelargest,highresolutionlandcoverdatasetseverproducedandwillbe
opensourcedataavailabletoallgovernmentagencies,nonprofitsandindividualsacrossthe
watershed.
Withwillinglandowners,theNFWFprojectwillmakeuseofthisrevolutionarydataset
andenhancetheimplementationofBestManagementPracticesinthehighestprioritylocations
forClintonandCentrecounties.
Usingthenewhighresolutiondata,throughpartnershipssuchasthisone,makesit
possibletofocusactionswheretheywillachievethegreatestwaterqualitybenefitswitha
minimalamountofaction,ChesapeakeConservancyDirectorofConservationTechnology
JeffreyAllenbysaid.Thisinformation,with900xtheresolutionofpreviouslyavailabledata,
willfundamentallychangehowconservationandrestorationplanningarecompletedandwill
enhanceeveryonesefficiencyandeffectiveness.
Oneoftheuniquethingsaboutthispartnershipisthepairingoftechnologywith
restorationactivitiesonthegroundtohelppeopleidentifytherightplaces,therightscaleand
therightpracticestoproducerealmeasurableresults,Allenbycontinued.
SusquehannaUniversityisdelightedtobeinthisnewpartnershipwiththeChesapeake
Conservancy,SusquehannaUniversityVicePresidentforUniversityRelationsRonaldCohen
said.OurFreshwaterResearchInstitute,fundedbytheRichardKingMellonFoundation,andits
growingresearchagendainvolvinglocal,stateandnationalagencies,academicinstitutions,and
nonprofitorganizations,bringsrelationshipsthatshouldbeadvantageoustotheConservancyand
theworkofthegrant.
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TheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBaywasawardeda
grantof$800,000asapartoftheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationsChesapeakeBay
StewardshipFund.
ThegrantwillbeusedtoworktorealizetargetedagriculturalBestManagementPractices
onfarmstoachievepollutantreductionsintheOctoraroReservoir,adrinkingwatersourcefor
250,000householdsinLancasterCounty.
Theprojectgoalistoreduce9,305poundsofphosphorus,285,488poundsofnitrogen,
and8,172,082poundsofsedimentfromsubwatershedsoftheOctoraroCreekthatareupstream
ofthereservoir.
Weareveryexcitedtolaunchthisprojectwiththelocalgroupsandagenciesthathave
alreadyamassedagreatdealofscientificdataandhavebuiltrelationshipsintheagricultural
community,saidPennsylvaniaDirectoroftheAlliance,DonnaMorelli.TheOctoraro
WatershedAssociationhasbeenworkingwiththeAmishcommunitywithagreatdealofsuccess
inimplementingpractices.
TheprojectwillbuilduponexistinglocaleffortsoftheOctoraroWatershedAssociation,
theChesterWaterAuthority,ChesterCountyWaterResourcesAuthorityandtheLancaster
CountyandChesterCountyConservationDistricts.
Thesegroups,theAllianceandotherpartnerswillcreateaSourceWaterProtection
Collaborativetocontinueworkingonwaterqualityissuesaswellasdevelopasustainable
regionalfinancingplanforongoingBMPimplementation.
Wereverythankfultohavethisopportunitytouseanewapproachtocostsharethe
implementationofBMPsonPlainSectFarms,saidPatFasano,projectcoordinatorofthe
OctoraroWatershedAssociation.
OWAhasbeenvisitingAmishfarmersforabout18years,toconvincetheconservative
PlainSectfolksofthebenefitsofprotectingwaterqualitythroughbuildingmanurestorageunits,
fencingandotheronfarmprojects.
ThefundingpartnersfortheNFWFgrantincludegovernmentandprivatefoundations.
ThegrantprogramisdedicatedtoprotectingandrestoringtheBaybyhelpinglocalcommunities
cleanupandrestoretheirpollutedriversandstreams.
Moreinformationisavailableonprograms,initiativesandspecialeventsontheAlliance
fortheChesapeakeBaywebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromtheAlliance,
LiketheAllianceonFacebook,FollowthemonTwitter,addthemtoyourCircleonGoogle+
andvisittheAlliancesYouTubeChannel.
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CBFPA:TestingFindsBacteriaAtUpTo10TimesLimitsInCumberland,Dauphin
Testingforpollutedrunoffatswimming,fishing,and
boatinglocationsinsouthcentralPennsylvaniafoundlevels
ofbacteriainthewaterthatinsomecasesweremorethan
10timesoverhealthstandardssetbytheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,especiallyafterheavy
rains,accordingtotheChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
Wednesday.
Runoffcancarrylivestockandpetwaste,untreatedor
partiallytreatedhumanwaste,andotherpollutantsoffthe
landscapeandintoourriversandstreams,saidHarryCampbell,ChesapeakeBayFoundation
Pennsylvaniaexecutivedirector.Wehopethetakeawayfromthisstudyisthatweallmustdo
moretoreducepollutedrunoffandtousecautionwhenconsideringgoingintothewaterwithin
48hoursofaheavyrain.
(Photo:ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAInternMyranndaKlecknercollectsawater
sampleatWillowMillParkontheConodoguinetCreekinCumberlandCountythissummer.)
FourteenwatersampleswerecollectedbyCBFateachof10locationsfromJuneto
midAugustandtestedforE.coliandfecalcoliformbacteriabytheALSEnvironmental
LaboratoryinMiddletown.
SamplinglocationsinCumberlandCountyontheConodoguinetCreekweretheNorth
MiddletonParkandWestFairviewboatlaunches,andWillowMillPark.OntheYellow
BreechesCreek,waterwascollectedattheMessiahCollegecoveredbridge,NewCumberland
BoroughPark,andSouthMiddletonParkbridge.
InDauphinCounty,samplesweretakenattheFortHunterboatlaunchonthe
SusquehannaRiver,andonSwataraCreekattheboatlaunchupstreamofHanoverStreetBridge,
attheBoathouseParkboatlaunch,andtheFullingMillRoad/CliftonBridgeaccesspoint.
E.coliandfecalcoliformsareeasytomeasureindicatorsofbacteriathatareusedtotest
forcontaminationofhumanoranimalwaste,saidReneeReber,CBFstaffscientistin
Pennsylvania.Theyareanormalpartofintestinalbiology.Thepresenceofthisbacteriainthe
waterdoesnotguaranteerisktohumanhealth,butsuggestspathogensmaybepresentwhichcan
causegastrointestinalillness,headache,andothersymptoms.
Countsareexpressedascolonyformingunits(cfu)andE.coliresultsgreaterthan235
cfu/100mlindicateconditionsconsideredbytheEPAtobeunsuitableforswimmingatpublic
beaches.
ThespikesinE.colipollutionwereevidentafter24and48hourraineventsofmore
than0.25inches.
SamplestakenonAugust2werewithin24hoursofaheavyrainandproducedthe
highestnumbersofthesurvey.Thatday,sixofthe10siteshadlevelsofE.coliabovethe
acceptablelimit,fourofthoseweremorethan10timesthelimit.
Throughoutthestudy,resultsofsamplestakenattheWestFairviewboatlaunch
immediatelyabovethemouthoftheConodoguinetattheSusquehannaRiver,andtheFort
HunterboatLaunchontheSusquehannawerewithinlimitsacceptabletotheEPAandstate
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionforE.coliandfecalcoliform.
Intestsforfecalcoliformbacteria,theDEPconsidersthemaximumacceptablegeometric
mean,oraverageoffivetestsindryconditions,tobe200cfu/100ml.Thegeometricmeanwas
overthe200cfu/100mlthresholdfortestsofwaterfromtheNorthMiddletonPark(248),New
CumberlandBoroughPark(258),andSouthMiddletonPark(616)locations.
MoreE.coliwasfoundinwatertakenattheSouthMiddletonParkbridgeonYellow
BreechesCreekthanfromanywhereelse.Nineofthe14samplingsforE.colireturnedresults
abovethe235cfu/100mlthresholdsetbytheEPA.
Insixtests,thelevelofE.coliwasmorethanfourtimesthatlimit.Threeofthosewerein
dryconditionswhenrainwasnotlikelytohavebeenafactor.
Thegoodnewsisthat,exceptforSouthMiddletonPark,justfourtestsfromallother
locations,duringdryconditions,camebackslightlyoverstandardsforE.coli.
Thesourcesofbacteriafoundinallofthestreamsandwhetheritwashumanoranimal,
werenotdeterminedinthetesting.Samplesiteswerechoseninordertogaugeinputby
agriculture,urbanandsuburban,andmixedlanduses.
Roughly19,000milesofPennsylvaniariversandstreamsarepollutedandthe
CommonwealthhasaCleanWaterBlueprinttoreducenitrogen,phosphorus,andsediment
runoffthatisdamagingitswaters.
TheDEPhasacknowledgedthatPennsylvaniawillnotmeetitsBlueprintgoalofhaving
60percentofthepollutionreductionpracticesnecessarytorestorewaterqualityinplaceby
2017.
TheCommonwealthmustaccelerateeffortsifittoreachits2025goalofhaving100
percentinplace.
ReducingpollutedrunoffinPennsylvaniaiscriticaltorestoringandprotectingthe
ChesapeakeBay.HalfofthefreshwaterthatflowsintotheBaycomesfromtheCommonwealth.
CBFstaffinMarylandandVirginiaalsoconductedsimilarstreamstudiestomeasure
bacterialevelsinthosewaters.
Wewanttoeducatepeopleaboutpollutedrunoff,Campbelladded.Whenwemention
thatE.coliandfecalcoliformbacteriaareinthemix,peoplemaybetterunderstandhow
importantitisthatwereducerunoffthatisharmingourriversandstreams,andcanaffectour
health.
Moreinformationandwaterbywaterresults,visitCBFPAsPollutedRunoffStudy
webpage.
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visittheCBFPAwebpage.
ClickHeretosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).ClickHereforacopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
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YorkCountySeniorEnvironmentCorpsVolunteersNeeded,MonitoringWorkshopSet
Areyou55yearsorolder,liveinYorkCountyandwant
tobecomeinvolvedinprotectingourresourcesand
educatingthepubliconthenaturalworld?Ifso,the
PennsylvaniaSeniorEnvironmentCorpswantsyou.
SeniorEnvironmentCorps(SEC)memberscan
participateinavarietyoftasksfrommonitoring
waterquality,observingandreportingonwildlife,
reachingouttoothersabouthowtheycanhelpthe
environment,andevenaidingwithofficetasks.
Thepossibilitiesareendless.
SeniorEnvironmentCorpsmembershavemonitoredwaterquality,helpedtoinventory
wildlife,markedabandonedoilwellsandeducatedthenextgenerationofenvironmental
stewards,saidMelindaHughes,PresidentofNatureAbounds,theorganizationthatmanages
theSeniorEnvironmentCorpsProgram.SeniorsinPennsylvaniareallycanmakeadifference.
Infact,thevalueoftheSECprogramacrossPennsylvaniaisestimatedatover$3,000,000a
year.
WaterMonitoringWorkshop
OneoftheprojectsthattheSECmembersareengagedinisbaselinewaterquality
monitoring.
AwaterqualitymonitoringworkshopsponsoredbyYorkAudubonSocietyisscheduled
tobeheldonSeptember12from9:00a.m.until2:30p.m.atthePennStateExtensionofficein
York,PA.
Theeventisfreeandparticipantsareaskedtobringabrownbaggedlunch.Registration
isrequiredfortheevent.RegistrationsarebeingacceptedthroughSeptember8.
ToregisterfortheworkshoporformoreinformationonbecomingaSeniorEnvironment
Corpsvolunteer,contactMelindaatNatureAboundsateither8147651453x203orsendemail
to:sec@natureabounds.org.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visittheNature
AboundsPennsylvaniaSeniorEnvironmentCorpswebpage.
StormwaterHelpAvailableForYellowBreechesLandowners,LearnMoreAug.28
TheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBaysRunoffBustersteamis
lookingforhomeownersorrentersintheYellowBreeches
WatershedinAdams,CumberlandandYorkcountieswhowant
tohelpprotecttheBaybywelcomingourteamandlandscape
professionalintotheiryards.
ApplicationsaredueSeptember15.
RunoffBusterswillcometotheirhometodesignand
installChesapeakeBayfriendlygardenandpatiofeaturesin
theiryard,andfilmthemakeovertousetoeducatemorehomeownershowtodothesame.
Designswillbecustomizedforeachproperty,andareexpectedtorangefromrain
gardensinalargeryardtoediblegardensinpotsoncitypatios.
ClickHereforanapplication.
Formoreinformationandasimpleapplications,visittheRunoffBusterswebpage.
ListenAugust28
AllisonCampbelloftheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBaywillbepromotinga
homeowner'sstormwatercostshareprogramthisweekendonGardenTalk,withBobCarey.
Theprogram,ReduceYourStormwaterisaDYIwebtoolthathelpshomeownersdesign
andplantraingardensandotherenvironmentallyconsciousgardeningpracticeswithnative
plants.
IfyouliveintheYellowBreechesWatershed,theAlliancemayabletoprovidegrantsto
helpyougonative.
Listenintotheliveshowat11:30a.m.,August28onWIOOAM1000AM1480FM
97.9FM93.9.
Moreinformationisavailableonprograms,initiativesandspecialeventsontheAlliance
fortheChesapeakeBaywebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromtheAlliance,
LiketheAllianceonFacebook,FollowthemonTwitter,addthemtoyourCircleonGoogle+
andvisittheAlliancesYouTubeChannel.
StroudHostsWebinarsOnLeafPackEnvironmentalEducationProgram
TheStroudWaterResearchCenterishostingaseriesof4
webinarsonitsinnovativeLeafPackExperimentStream
EcologyKitinSeptember.Thewebinarsarescheduled
for
September7:IntroductionToTheLeafPackNetwork3:30and6:30p.mand
September17:SlimyLeavesForHealthyStreams9:303:30.
TheLeafPackExperimentisafun,handsonresearchandoutreachtoolforcitizensofall
agesandteachers,demonstratinghowouractionsonlandimpactlifeinstreamsandwater
quality.
LeafPackpromotesinquirybasedinterdisciplinarywatershededucationandengages
diverseaudiencesinconductingtheirownexperiments,gatheringrelevantecologicaldata,
exploringfoodwebs,learningclassificationskills,usingtechnologytosharedata,comparing
datawiththoseofothercommunitiesandapplyingthatinformationtoprotectlocalwatersheds.
ClickHeretoregisterorformoreinformation.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visittheStroudWater
ResearchCenterwebsite,ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromStroud,Likethemon
Facebook,FollowonTwitter,includetheminyourCircleonGoogle+andvisittheirYouTube
Channel.
NewsClips:
ParkForestStudentsReceiveEnvironmentalAwardAtWhiteHouse
WilkesBarreH.S.StudentsReleaseButterfliesAtMinersPark
WaynesburgUStudentsHelpCommunityWithServiceProjects
FrancesSlocumBuildingDedicatedToPatSolanoForDecadesOfWork
NextPennsylvaniaLakeErieForumSetForSeptember19InErie
ThePennsylvaniaSeaGrantProgramandtheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionwillholdthenextmeetingofthe
PennsylvaniaLakeErieForumonSeptember19attheErie
CountyConservationDistrict,1927WagerRoadinEriefrom
1:00to4:00p.m.
ThepurposeofPALEEFistopresentinformationtothepublic
onwaterquality,scientificstudies,policyissues,DEPand
partneractionsonPennsylvaniaLakeErietributaries,and
largerscalepoliciesacrosstheGreatLakes.
ThemeetingwillfocusonthestatusofcurrentdraftsofthePennsylvaniaDomestic
ActionPlantomeetLakeEriephosphorusreductiontargetsandtimelinesforimplementation.
TheForumwillprovidetheopportunityforDEPandSeaGrantstafftogathercomments
andinputfrommeetingattendees.
TheForumwillalsoupdateparticipantsonmultiplemonitoringprogramsincluding
hypoxiaandHABs.
TheSpecialFocustopicwillbestormwatermanagementandtherolesmunicipalitiesplay
inprotectingLakeEriewaterquality.
Presentationswillintroducenewmethodsavailabletomunicipalitiestosustainablyfund
stormwatermanagementresponsibilitiesandinfrastructure.
ClickHeretoreviewtheForumagenda.
R.S.V.P.ordirectyourquestionsaboutPALEEFtoMartiMartzbysendingemailto:
mam60@psu.eduorcall8142179011,x104.
FormoreinformationandtoreviewthepresentationsfromthelastmeetinginApril,visit
thePASeaGrantProgramsPennsylvaniaLakeErieForumwebpage.
DEPsOfficeoftheGreatLakes,locatedattheTomRidgeEnvironmentalCenterinErie,
canbecontactedbycalling8148337474.
RelatedStory:
MillcreekTwp,ErieCountyOffersNewVideoOnAquaticInvasiveSpecies
MillcreekTwp,ErieCountyOffersNewVideoOnAquaticInvasiveSpecies
MillcreekTownshipinErieCountyandWQLNTV
haveproducedanewvideoonaquaticinvasive
speciesandwhatcitizenscandotorecognizethese
speciesandpreventtheirspread.
Dr.JamesGrazio,AquaticBiologistswith
DEPsOfficeoftheGreatLakes,discussesthe
environmental,economicandhealthimpactsofjusta
fewoftheinvasivespecieslikezebramussels,the
AsianorBigHeadcarpandsealamprey.
ClickHeretowatchthevideo.
Formoreinformationoninvasivespecies,visittheFishandBoatCommissionAquatic
InvasiveSpeciesandtheStopAquaticHitchhikerwebpages.
ThePennsylvaniaSeaGrantPrograminEriealsohashelpfulinformationontheir
AquaticInvasiveSpecieswebpage.
DEPsOfficeoftheGreatLakes,locatedattheTomRidgeEnvironmentalCenterinErie,
canbecontactedbycalling8148337474.
PACoalAllianceRecognizesExemplaryMineReclamationProjects
ThePACoalAllianceMondayannounceditrecentlyrecognizedtheeffortsofseveralmember
companieswhoperformedaboveandbeyondthefederalandstateregulationsforreclaiming
coalminingsitestoenvironmentallysoundconditionswithproductiveuses.
Pennsylvaniacontinuestobealeaderinreclamationefforts.Completedatnocosttothe
Commonwealthortaxpayers,theawardedsitescover890acresandincludethereclamationof
50acresofpreviouslyaffectedabandonedminelands.
PBS/CorsaCoalofFriedens,PAreceivedanawardforthebestoverallreclamationfor
thecompletionofPaxtonStripSiteinSomersetCounty.Theprojectincludedreclamationof
over237acres,halfofwhichwasreclaimedtoprimefarmland.
ReclamationAwardswerealsopresentedbycountytocompanieswithoutstanding
achievementsinreclamation.
AmerikohlMining,Inc.ofButler,PA,wasrecognizedforcompletionofreclamationin
Armstrong,Butler,ClarionandFayetteCounties.
RobindaleEnergyServicesofArmagh,PA,wasrecognizedfortheirreclamationworkin
CambriaCounty.
Corsa/PBSCoalwasrecognizedforanadditionalcompletedreclamationprojectin
SomersetCounty.
PCAmemberscompanieshavetheexpertiseneededtoaddressenvironmentalimpacts
ofthepast,andastronglongtermcommitmenttoenvironmentalstewardship,saidPCA
ExecutiveDirectorRachelGleason.Wecommendtheircontinueddedicationtocommunities
andtheCommonwealth.
TheawardwinningsiteswerechosenincooperationwiththeDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionsOfficeofActiveandAbandonedMineOperationsusingan
evaluationprocessbasedonpreminingcondition,reclamationquality,thedegreeofdifficulty
andcorrectionofenvironmentalandsafetyhazards.
FormoreinformationonthePennsylvaniacoalindustry,visitthePACoalAlliance
website.
NewsClips:
Dawes:GOPCongressmenNeedToSupportMineReclamationBill
Conti:WesternPAsCoalSiteMonstrositiesReenvisioned
Sen.CaseyDemandsAnswersToWaterContaminationFromDept.OfDefense
U.S.SenatorBobCasey(DPA)Mondaysatdownwithlocalelectedofficialsandseveral
municipaladministratorstodiscusswaystohelpthecommunitiesinBucksandMontgomery
Countieswhohavebeenaffectedbytheperfluorinatedcompound(PFC)contaminationintheir
drinkingwater.
Thecontamination,causedbyfirefightingfoamusedatmilitaryinstallations,hasledto
thousandsoffamiliesexposedtounsafedrinkingwater.
Followingthemeeting,CaseysentalettertotheDepartmentofDefense,Centersfor
DiseaseControlandPrevention,andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,askingthemto
coordinatethedevelopmentandimplementationofarigoroushealthstudyofPFCcontamination
ofthedrinkingwaterinthesecommunities.
DeterminingthehealtheffectsofPFCcontaminationindrinkingwaterisessentialto
establishabaselineforaddressingconcernsthatarelikelytospreadacrossmanycommunities
acrossournation,SenatorCaseywrote.Theresidentsofthesecommunitiesdeserveanswers.
SenatorCaseyrecentlyintroducedanamendmenttotheNationalDefenseAuthorization
ActthatwouldrequireDODtopubliclyreportonwatercontaminationduetotheuseofAqueous
FilmFormingFoamanddevelopplansforremediation.
Whiletheamendmentwasnotincludedinthefinalbill,Caseyhascontinuedtopush
DODtoprovideremediationforthecommunitiesaffected.
Thefulltextoftheletterfollows
OnbehalfofmyconstituentsinSoutheasternPennsylvania,Iaskyoutocoordinatethe
developmentandimplementationofarigoroushealthstudyofPFCcontaminationofthe
drinkingwaterintheareasaroundHorsham,WarringtonandWarminster,Pennsylvania.The
residentsofthesecommunitieshaveraisedconcernsabouthealthconditionsthatmaybe
connectedwiththeingestionofthiscontaminatedwater,andtheydeserveanswers.
IhavepressedforlegislationthatwouldrequiretheDepartmentofDefensetoremediate
drinkingwatercontaminationinareaswherethefirefightingagentAqueousFilmFormingFoam
wasusedandIhaveaskedDODtofundbloodtestsforarearesidents.Iwasdisappointedinthe
DODsresponse,whichdeclinedtopursuebloodtestingintheabsenceofabroaderhealthstudy.
IfDODwillnotpursuebloodtestingwithoutabroaderscientificstudyofhealtheffects,
thenastudyiswarranted.DODshouldfundajointDODCDCEPAhealthstudythatwillgive
theaffectedcommunitiessomeclarityontheimpactthisexposurehashadontheirhealth.
ThewidespreaduseofAFFFacrossourNationindicatesthatWarminsterandHorsham
arelikelytobejusttwoofmanycommunitiesadverselyimpacted.Determiningthehealth
effectsofPFCcontaminationindrinkingwaterisessentialtoestablishabaselineforaddressing
concernsthatarelikelytospreadacrossmanycommunitiesacrossourNation.
Istandreadytoworkwithyouonthisimportantmatterandtocommunicatewith
Pennsylvaniansaboutthestepsthatyouragenciesaretakingtoaddressthisproblem.Please
contactmeat2022285098orCaitlinGearenFrazer(caitlin_frazer@casey.senate.gov)at
2022244946.
Thankyouforyourattentiontotheconcernsoutlinedabove.
NewsClips:
AirForceHaltingUseOfFoamThatTaintedWells
AP:FamilySuesNavy,BlamingItForContaminatedDrinkingWater
SecretaryOfHealthAsksPennsylvaniansToDonateToLouisianaFloodVictims
SecretaryofHealthDr.KarenMurphyWednesdayexpressedhersympathiesforthoseaffected
bythehistoricfloodinginLouisianaandaskedPennsylvanianstoconsiderdonatingtohelpthe
victimsofthatstatesworstnaturaldisasterinrecentyears.
Hundredsofthousandsofpeoplehavebeenaffectedbythistragedyandmanyarein
criticalneedofbasicsuppliessuchasfood,medicine,andshelter,saidSecretaryMurphy.This
historicfloodinghascompletelydevastatedsomeresidentsofLouisiana,leavingthemextremely
vulnerableandindesperateneedofourhelp.IamencouragingallPennsylvanianstosupportand
helpthoseresidentsofLouisianawhohavelostsomuch.
LastweeksstormdumpeduptotwofeetofrainonthehardesthitareasofLouisiana.
AccordingtotheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency,morethan110,000
individualsandhouseholdshaveregisteredforassistance.Sincethefloodingbeganlastweek,
morethan45,000overnightstaysinsheltersandnearly300,000mealsandsnackshavebeen
providedtofloodsurvivors.
Inaddition,morethan30,000Louisianaresidentshadtobesavedfromthefloodingby
organizationssuchastheU.S.CoastGuard,theNationalGuard,andlocalemergency
responders.Thousandsofanimalshavealsobeenrescued.
IfyouwouldliketodonatetothevictimsoftheLouisianaflooding,pleasevisit
LouisianaFloodReliefBatonRougeAreaFoundation.
Tolearnimportantsafetytipsaboutpreparingandrespondingtofloodingin
Pennsylvania,visitwww.readypa.org.
FriendsOfAlleghenyWildernessAlleghenyRiverCleanupSept.1017
TheFriendsofAlleghenyWildernesswillholdthe2016
AlleghenyRiverCleanupSeptember10to17.Thismarks
theeighthconsecutiveyearforthecleanup.
Thecleanupwilltakeplaceoverfivedays:
September10:ConewangoCreek(FrontStreettoPoint
Park,3.5Miles)MeetatPointParkinWarrenat9:00a.m.forregistrationandshuttletothe
FrontStreetlaunchsiteinNorthWarren.
September12:ConewangoCreek(LarimerParktoFrontStreet,5Miles)MeetatFront
StreetlaunchsiteinNorthWarrenat9:00a.m.forregistrationandshuttletoLarimerPark
launchsite.TheFrontStreetlaunchsiteisatthefootofHackneyMeadowsLaneoffof
ConewangoAvenue.
September13:AlleghenyRiver(WildwoodtoTidiouteBoatLaunch,7.5Miles)Meetat
TidiouteBoatLaunchat9:00a.m.forshuttletoWildwood.ThisportionoftheCleanUp
includesthefederallydesignatedCoursonWildernessIsland.
CoursonIsland(photo)ispartoftheAlleghenyIslandsWilderness,designatedassuch
whenPresidentRonaldReagansignedthePennsylvaniaWildernessActintolawinOctoberof
1984.Itisa62acrealluvialislandsituatedabouttwomilesnorthofTidioute.Itistheislandthat
canbeclearlyseenwhilelookingnorthuptheAlleghenyRiverfromthefamousTidioute
Overlooksite.
ForamoredetaileddescriptionofCoursonIsland,seepage76intheNativeTree
Societysreport,TreesandForestsoftheAlleghenyRiverIslandsWildernessandNearby
Islands.
September16:AlleghenyRiver(TidiouteBoatRamptoWestHickory,8Miles)Meetat
WestHickoryboatlaunchat9:00a.m.forregistrationandshuttletoTidiouteBoatRamp.
Volunteerswillbebriefedaboutislandlocations,trashhotspotsandotherinformationatthe
launchsite.Ifyoudliketovolunteerbutdonotwanttogetonthewater,shorehelperswillbe
neededbeginningat11:00a.m.until5:00p.m.
September17:AlleghenyRiver(PointParktoBuckaloons,7Miles)MeetatBuckaloons
RecreationAreaneartheboatrampat9:00a.m.forshuttletoPointParkinWarren.Volunteers
willbebriefedabouttrashhotspotsandotherinformationatthelaunchsite.Ifyoudliketo
volunteer,butdonotwanttogetonthewater,shorehelperswillbeneededbeginningat11:00
a.m.until5:00p.m.
Sowhatdovolunteersdo?Canoersandkayakerswillpickuptrashastheypaddle
downriver.Sometimestheywillneedtogetoutalongtheshoretopickupobjectsonthe
riverbankthisiswheremuckbootsorwaderscomeinhandy.
Whenyourboatisfullofgarbage,floattothenearesttrashdropoffpoint.Onshore
volunteerswillbeneededatthesepointstounloadboatsfulloftreasuresandsortrecyclables
fromtrash,andtostacktires.
Othervolunteerswillbeneededtotransportallofthesegoodiestodesignateddumpsters,
trailers,andstorageunits.
Whenyouregister,youwillneedtoknowhowmanypeopleareinyourpartyinorderto
reserveyourcanoes.Limitedspaceisavailable,sodontdelay.Ifyoudonotwanttocanoe,we
stillneedlotsofshorehelperstohelpunload,sort,andstackallofthebountyofourharvest,
oncethepaddlersarrivebacktoshore.
Besuretoshowupontherightdayandatthecorrecttimeandplacedesignatedforyour
trip.Pleasedontbelateasthiscansetoffawaveofdelaysthroughouttheday.
YoucanlearnmoreaswellassignupbyvisitingtheFriendsofAlleghenyWilderness
2016AlleghenyRiverCleanupwebpage.
KeepPABeautifulInvitesPennsylvaniansToParticipateInInternationalCoastalCleanup

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulinvitesPennsylvania
residentstocoordinateacleanupaspartofthe2016
InternationalCoastalCleanup(ICC)from
September1throughOctober31.
In2015,14,000Pennsylvanianspickedupover1
millionpoundsoftrashaquarterofthenations
totalreportedtrashcollectedduringICC.Our
volunteerturnoutwasfourthinthenation,stated
ShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.
Ourgoalthisyearistoengageevenmoreorganizations,civicgroups,familiesandindividuals
forthisglobaleffort.
TheICCisthelargestvolunteereffortaimedatimprovingthehealthoftheocean,
bringingouthundredsofthousandsofvolunteersfromaroundtheworldtoremovemillionsof
poundsofplasticsanddebrisfrombeaches,lakesandwaterways.
Thiseventhasgrowntoincludeparticipationbyall50statesandU.S.territoriesand90
countrieswiththenumbergrowingeachyear.KeepPABeautifulisproudtocoordinatethis
effortinPennsylvania.
Anycleanupsiteiseligiblesinceweallliveinawatershedandallwaterwaysflowinto
ourcoastalwaters.InternationalCoastalCleanupDaywillbeheldonSaturday,September19,
however,ICCeventscanbeheldfromSeptember1stthroughOctober31st.
Glovesandbagsareavailableforregisteredeventswhilesupplieslast.
Cleanuptoolsandresourcestohelporganizeasafeandsuccessfulcleanupcanbefound
attheKPBCleanItwebpage.
IfyouareinterestedincoordinatinganICCcleanuporvolunteeringatacleanup,visit
KPBsInternationalCoastalCleanupwebpageorcontactMichelleDunnat18777723673Ext.
113orsendemailto:mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visittheKeep
PennsylvaniaBeautifulwebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,Likethem
onFacebook,FollowonTwitter,DiscoverthemonPinterestandvisittheirYouTubeChannel.
AlsovisittheIllegalDumpFreePAwebsiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemcleanandKPBsnewElectronicsWastewebsite.
StateElectronicsChallengeSustainability&YourOfficeEquipmentWebinarSept.13
TheStateElectronicsChallengewillholdawebinarSeptember
13onSustainabilityandYourOfficeEquipmentfrom3:00to
4:00p.m.
Buyinggreen,savingpowerandpaper,responsiblereuseand
recyclingtheStateElectronicsChallengeisafreeprogramthat
canassistyoutoimproveyourorganization'ssustainability
practices.
TheChallengeisopentolocal,regional,tribal,andstategovernments,allpublic&
privateK12schools,collegesanduniversities,andnonprofitorganizations.
Participantsreceiveaccesstofreetechnicalassistance,tools,resources,andrecognition
insupportoftheireffortstodecreasetheenvironmentalimpactofelectronicofficeequipment.
TheChallengealsodocumentsthesuccessofparticipatingorganizations.
Programparticipantsreceiveannualsustainabilityreportsthatdetailtheirreductionsin
energyuse,greenhousegases,andwaste.
ClickHeretoregister.Questionsaboutthewebinarshouldbesentbyemailto:
info@stateelectronicschallenge.net.
Formoreinformationontheprogramingeneral,visittheStateElectronicsChallenge
website.
CourtesyofPROP.Formoreinformationontheirprograms,initiativesandspecial
events,visittheProfessionalRecyclersofPAwebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdates
fromPROP.
LandRecyclingProgramCleanupStandardsUpdatedByDEP
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardpublishedfinalregulationsintheAugust27PABulletin
updatingthecleanupstandardsunderDEPsLandRecyclingProgram.
Formoreinformationonthisawardwinningprogramanditssuccessstories,visitDEPs
LandRecyclingProgramwebpage.
(Photo:FormerBethlehemSteelMillsiteinNorthamptonCounty.)
RelatedStory:
DEPUpdatesClosureRequirementsForUnderground,AbovegroundStorageTanks
DEPUpdatesClosureRequirementsForUnderground,AbovegroundStorageTanks
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheAugust27PABulletinof
finaltechnicalguidanceonClosureRequirementsforUndergroundStorageTankSystemsand
AbovegroundStorageTankSystems.
DEPID:2634500601.Title:ClosureRequirementsforUndergroundStorageTank
Systems.Description:Thepurposeofthisguidanceistoestablishminimumstandardsthatmust
bemettocomplywiththeclosurerequirementsforregulatedundergroundstoragetanks.These
proceduresincludeclosurenotification,tankhandling,wastemanagementanddisposal,site
assessment,samplingrequirements,analyticalrequirements,releasereportingand
recordkeeping.ClickHereforacopy.
ThistechnicaldocumentisbeingrevisedtoupdateAppendixE,Standards/ActionLevels
forConfirmatorySamplesCollectedatClosureSiteAssessments,foundonpages54and55.The
numericstandardscontainedinthetablesreflectcurrentstandardsthatwereupdatedand
publishedat46Pa.B.5655(August27,2016)asamendmentsto25Pa.CodeChapter250
(relatingtoLandRecyclingProgram).
Contact:Questionsregardingthistechnicalguidancedocumentshouldbedirectedto
RandyMartinat7177725828orsendemailto:ramartin@pa.gov.
DEPID:2634200001.Title:ClosureRequirementsforAbovegroundStorageTank
bemettocomplywiththeclosurerequirementsforregulatedlargeabovegroundstoragetanks.
Theseproceduresincludeclosurenotification,tankhandling,wastemanagementanddisposal,
siteassessment,samplingrequirements,analyticalrequirements,releasereportingand
publishedat46Pa.B.5655(August27,2016)asamendmentsto25Pa.CodeChapter250.
ChadClancyat7177725830orsendemailto:cclancy@pa.gov.
Formoreinformationontheprogramanditsrequirements,visitDEPsStorageTanks
webpage.
RelatedStory:
LandRecyclingProgramCleanupStandardsUpdatedByDEP
DEPToCloseApplicationPeriodForAlternativeFuelIncentiveGrantsSept.9
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillnow
closedtheapplicationperiodforitsAlternativeFuels
IncentiveGrant(AFIG)ProgramonSeptember9.
DEPsprogramoffersfundingforinnovative,advanced
fuelandvehicletechnologyprojectsforcleaneralternative
transportationwithintheCommonwealth.
TheAFIGProgramwillassistschooldistricts,municipal
authorities,nonprofits,corporations,LLCs,and
partnershipsregisteredtodobusinessinPennsylvaniainoffsettingthecostsofimplementing
alternativefuelusingtransportationprojects.TheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgramis
fundedbyannualgrossreceiptstaxonutilities.
DEPisofferinggrantsinthefollowingprojectcategories:
VehicleRetrofitorPurchaseTooffsettheincrementalcostofpurchasingalternativefuel
vehiclesorretrofittingexistingvehiclestooperateonalternativefuels.
AlternativeFuelRefuelingInfrastructureToassistinthecoststopurchaseandinstall
refuelingequipmentforfleetorhomebasedrefueling.
BiofuelUseTosupportaportionofthecosttopurchasehighcontentbiofuels.
InnovativeTechnologyTosupportresearch,training,development,anddemonstrationof
newalternativefuelsandalternativefuelvehicles.
OnlineApplicationsOnly
ApplicationswillonlybeacceptedonlinethroughtheeGrantsSystem.Hardcopy
applicationswillnotbeaccepted.
IndividualsarenoteligibletoapplyfortheAFIGprogram.TheAlternativeFuelRebate
ProgramoffersrebatestoPennsylvaniaresidentstoassistwiththecostofpurchasingan
alternativefuelvehicle.
ForAFIGprogramguidelines,applicationinstructions,andmoreinformation,visit
DEPsAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantProgramwebpage.
NewsClips:
NaturalGasStationOpensInPittstonTwp
OpEd:WhyWeNeedToKeepPressingAheadOnRenewableFuels
PhiladelphiaRoundtableTargetedVehicleEmissions,NextSteps
NearlyahundredPhiladelphiapolicymakers,publichealth
practitioners,environmentalists,andcitizensattendeda
publicroundtablediscussionTuesdayevening,which
focusedonPhiladelphiastransportationandpublichealth
policy.
Theevent,hostedbyPennFutureandCleanAirCouncil,
featuredspeakersfromSEPTA,theMayorsOfficeof
Sustainability,PhiladelphiaDepartmentofHealth,andthe
EasternPAAllianceforCleanTransportation.Rep.Donna
Bullock(DPhiladelphia)deliveredanopeningkeynote.
Peoplehavebecomedeaftothehornsoftraffic.Insteadofplanningforcleanair,we
planforcongestion,saidBullock.Peoplewantsustainabletransportation,andfightingfor
theseprogramscanincreasethequalityoflifeforallPhiladelphians.Weneedtofightforthose
whodonothaveaseatatthetableoureldersandourchildren.
Transportationrecentlysurpassedelectricitygenerationasthelargestsourceofcarbon
dioxidepollutionintheUnitedStates.
[EditorsNote:InPennsylvania,thelargestcontributoriselectricgeneration104.7
milliontonsin2012,industrialsources80.3milliontonsandtransportationisthirdat64.74
milliontons,asinventoriedinPennsylvaniasrecentlypublished2015ClimateActionPlan
Update(page17).]
Rep.Bullockcalledattentiontothe126annualdeathsinPhiladelphiafrompoorair
qualityandalsohighlightedtransportationseconomicburden.Transportationisthethird
largestcosttolowincomepeople,behindfoodandshelter.
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyrecentlyreleasedtheTechnicalAssessment
ReportonCorporateAverageFuelEconomy(CAFE)andcarbonpollutionstandardsforcarsand
lighttrucks,whichrevealedthatautomakersarerapidlyadoptingstrongerfueleconomy
strategiesformodelyears20222025.Butexpertssaythatweneedtothinkbeyondfuel
economy.
Alotoflowerincomepeoplearedependentoncarsbecausetheyliveinthecitybut
workinthesuburbs.Thereisanequityissuethatneedstobeaddressedwhenwetalkabout
behavioralchange,saidChristineKnapp,directorattheMayorsOfficeofSustainability.
Somethingthatsreallyimportantforbehavioralchangeisforpeopletounderstandthe
risksofdrivingavehiclethatemitspollution,saidJessicaCaumMA,MPH,CPH,assistant
programmanagerinBioterrorismandPublicHealthPreparednessattheDepartmentofHealth.
Airpollutionandclimatechangeisincreasinglyplacingaheavierburdenon
Philadelphia.
In2015,Philadelphiasufferedfourredozonedaysforthefirsttimeinthreeyears.
Exposuretooutdoorairduringredozonedaysposesathreattopublichealth,evenwithouta
preexistingsensitivity,suchasasthma.
Thisyear,Philadelphiahasalreadywitnessedthreeredozonedays,andbrokea114year
oldprecipitationrecordaswellasa1999heatrecord.
Thesimplestandeasiestsolutiontoourairqualityissuesistheenforcementofour
antiidlingregulations,saidTonyBandiero,executivedirectoroftheEasternPennsylvania
AllianceforCleanTransportation.
Weneedtoeliminatetheneedforcarsbysupportingdenserdevelopmentsothatpeople
canwalk,andencouragemodeshiftsoweusecarsless,addedKnapp.
SEPTAisconvertingitsbusfleettohybridandbatteryelectric.Rightnow,thebest
thingwecandoistogetpeopletoridepublictransit,saidErikJohanson,directorofinnovation
atSEPTA.Fueltaxesallowustoinvestinbettertransit,butwithacarbontaxthereisthe
potentialformoreregenerativeincome.
Pennsylvaniaisrankedseventhnationallyincarbonpollutionfromtransportationandhas
benefitedfromaninfluxoffederalfundingforelectricbusesandchargingstations,inadditionto
newtransportationinfrastructureliketrafficlights,multimodaltrails,andbusstops.
Workplaceelectricvehiclechargingisonethebestoptionsavailable,Bandierosaid.I
hopetheutilitiesgetinvolvedbecauseweallpayutilitytaxes.ButBandierocautioned,keep
yourmindopentoalltypesoffuelsourcesthereisnosilverbullet.
AretheUbersandLyftsoftheworldgoodorbadthings,askedJohanson.Theycan
worktogetherforandagainstpublictransit.Weareinavery,verydisruptivemomentin
transportationhistory.
NewsClips:
ProposedWaterQualityCertificationOfPennEastPipelineProjectOutForPublicReview
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticein
theAugust27PABulletin(page5611)thatitintendstoissuea
stateSection401WaterQualityCertificationforthePennEast
PipelineProjectrunningthroughBucks,Carbon,Luzerneand
Northamptoncounties.
Theproposedprojectsisa77.4milelong,36inchnatural
gaspipelinewhichstartsinDallas,LuzerneCounty,throughthe
AllentownareaandwouldendinTrenton,NewJersey.
DEPoriginallyproposedaSection401CertificationforthispipelineprojectinMayof
thisyear.
DEPisacceptingpubliccommentontheproposedcertificationuntilSeptember26.
CommentsshouldbedirectedtoJosephBuczynski,P.E.,DEPNorthcentralRegional
Office,2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre,PA187011915.Mr.Buczynskicanbecontactedby
calling5708262511.
NewsClips:
PlainsTwpFireChiefBlastsPennEastPipelinesImpactStatement
GasCompanyFinedForBuildingPipelineInWrongPlace
ConsolFoundStrayingFromPermitsForPipelines
ConstructionBeginsOnUGISunburyPipeline
WhyPipelineSafetyIsPAsNextBigEnergyChallenge
OpEd:PipelineKeyToPAEconomicProsperity
RelatedStories:
TenaskaBreaksGroundFor925MWNaturalGasPowerPlantInWestmorelandCounty
UGIStartsConstructionOnSunburyPipelineToServeNewNaturalGasPowerPlant
DEPFinesPipelineCompanies$174KForChangingPlansWithoutApproval
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayannouncedithasfinedCNXGas
CompanyLLCandCONEMidstreamPartnersLPfornotconstructingpipelinesasapprovedin
theirpermitswiththeagencyforpipelinesinGreene,Washington,IndianaandJefferson
counties.
CNXwasdirectlyfined$139,000andCONEwasfined$45,000forviolatingthestates
CleanStreamsLawandOilandGasAct.
DuringroutineinspectioninDecember2015,inspectorsfromDEPsSouthwestOiland
GasDistrictdiscoveredthatCNXsMcQuaytoMorrisPipelineandtheMorrisSpurPipeline
werenotconstructedtothestandardscontainedintheirErosionandSedimentControlGeneral
Permits(ESCGP).
Theinspectionshowedthatthepipelineswereconstructedoutsidetheexactarea
specifiedinthepermit(thelimitofdisturbance)andinonecaseagravelroadandapadfora
valvewereconstructedbutnotidentifiedinthepermitapplication.
DuringafollowupmeetingwithDEP,thecompaniesacknowledgedthatotherpipelines
wereinviolationforearthmovingbeyondtheboundariescontainedintheESCGPpermits.
Ultimately,20pipelinesbelongingtoCNXand7ownedbyCONEMidstreamPartners
weredeterminedtobeinnoncompliance.ThepipelinesarelocatedinGreene,Washington,
IndianaandJeffersoncounties.
UndertheConsentOrderandAgreements,CNXandCONEhaveuntilNovember15,
2016completeareviewoftheirpipelines.Thecompanieswillhave90businessdaysafterDEP
approvaloftheirplantobringthosepipelinesintocompliance.
Ifthereviewsrevealadditionalpipelineprojectsthatareoutofcompliance,the
companiescanaddthosetotheConsentOrder.TheadditionswillbereviewedbyDEPonacase
bycasebasisandadditionalpenaltiescouldbeadded.
ThecompanieshaduntilJuly31,2016toeitherpermanentlystabilizeandrestore
locationswheretheESCGPshaveexpiredorapplyfornewESCGPauthorization.Theyhave
sincebeenworkingwithDEPtowardscomplianceatthesesites.
Thecompaniesfaceadditionalstipulatedpenaltiesforeachdayiftheyfailtomeettime
framessetintheConsentOrderandAgreement.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
UGIEnergyServicesLLC,themidstreamandenergy
marketingsubsidiaryofUGICorporation,Wednesday
celebratedthestartofconstructionofitsSunbury
Pipelinewithagroundbreakingceremonynearthe1,124
MWPandaHummelStationPowerPlantitwillserve.
UGIEnergyServicesPresidentBradHallwelcomed
nearly100gueststotheceremony.UGI,hetoldthe
gathering,ispleasedtobeapartofapartnershipwith
PandaPowerFundsthatwillresultincleanerpower
generationandjobsforcentralPennsylvania.
TheSunburyPipelineProjectrepresentsanincrementalstepforwardforPennsylvania
naturalgasinfrastructure,andamajorstepforwardforPennsylvaniasenergyfuture,Hallsaid.
UGIisexcitedtocontinueitsmorethancenturylongtraditionofputtingnaturalgastoworkfor
PennsylvaniabyfuelingthestateoftheartHummelStationalongwithenhancinglocalnatural
gassupplies.
GladysM.Brown,ChairmanofthePublicUtilityCommission,stressedtheimportance
ofnewpipelinecapacitysuchastheSunburyPipelinetotransportlocalenergytoPennsylvania
familiesandbusinesses.
Pennsylvaniacontinuestosetnewrecordsinnaturalgasproduction,breaking4.6
trillioncubicfeetlastyear.ProjectsliketheSunburyPipelineprovidenewcapacitytoleverage
thatrecordproduction,ChairmanBrownsaid.TheSunburyPipelineProjectwillnotonlyhelp
bringmorelocalenergytolocalusers,butalsohelpmeetourcleanpowergoalsbyfueling
efficientnaturalgasfiredelectricgeneration.
Sen.JohnGordner(RColumbia)saidtheProjectsimplicationsreachwellbeyondthe
GreaterSusquehannaValley.
"AsSenateMajorityWhip,I'veworkedwiththeGeneralAssemblytocraftpoliciesto
encouragedevelopmentofthisnaturalresource.ConsumerswillbenefitfromtheSunbury
Pipelineasitensurescontinuedreliablegenerationofelectricitytotheregionalgrid,aswellas
fromeconomicalnaturalgaspricesthankstothenewlocalsupplyenteringthemarket,"saidSen.
Gordner.
Rep.LyndaSchlegelCulver(RNorthumberland)saidcentralPennsylvaniansrecognize
thesignificanceoftheSunburyPipelinetothearea.
AsidefromprovidingcleanandaffordablefuelforHummelStation,theSunbury
Pipelinewillsupporthundredsofjobsforpeopleinourarea.ThePipelineisanotherexampleof
howPennsylvaniasabundantnaturalgasreservesarepositivelyaffectingallpocketsofthe
state,saidRep.SchlegelCulver.
JoeLloyd,VicePresidentofOperationsforPandaPowerFunds,emphasizedwhatthe
SunburyPipelinemeansforPandasmissiontogenerateclean,naturalgasfueledelectricity.
Pandaisthrilledtobeconstructingoneofthelargestcoaltonaturalgaspower
replacementprojectsintheUnitedStates,whichwouldnotbepossiblewithouttheSunbury
Pipeline,Lloydsaid.AlongwithUGI,werepleasedtobecontributingtothelocaleconomy
throughourprojectsconstructionandfutureoperation,andproudofwhatboththePipelineand
HummelStationmeanforPennsylvaniaslongtermenergyreliabilityandeconomicgrowth.
The35milelongSunburyPipelineislocatedentirelywithinnorthcentralPennsylvania.
Whenitisfinishedattheendof2016,itwillcarrynaturalgasfromtheTranscointerstate
pipelineineasternLycomingCountyandtravelthroughpartsofMontour,Northumberland,
UnionandSnydercountiesonitswaytothepowerplantinShamokinDam.
Formoreinformation,visitUGIsSunburyPipelinewebsite.Forinformationonthe
powerplant,visitthePandaHummelStationPowerProjectwebpage.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
TenaskaPennsylvaniaPartners,LLC
Wednesdaycelebratedthestartof
constructionfortheTenaskaWestmoreland
GeneratingStation,a925megawatt(MW)
naturalgasfueledpowerplantnear
SmithtoninWestmorelandCounty.
Morethan75electedofficials,community
leadersandcompanyexecutivesgatheredat
thesitefortheceremonialgroundbreaking.
AttendeesincludedU.S.Rep.TimMurphy(RPAandstateRep.TedHarhai(DWestmoreland),
alongwithleadersfromWestmorelandCounty,SouthHuntingdonTownshipandSmithton
Borough.
NaturalgasproductionisanimportantindustryinPennsylvaniaandisonethatnotonly
createsdirectemploymentbutalsostimulatestheeconomyandfostersadditionaljobsthroughits
supportofrelated,downstreambusinesses,saidDennisDavin,SecretaryofCommunityand
EconomicDevelopment,whogavethekeynoteaddress.OnbehalfoftheCommonwealthof
PennsylvaniaandtheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment,itsanhonorto
welcomeTenaskatoWestmorelandCountyandtobreakgroundonaprojectthatissuretobea
significantcontributortothevitalityoftheregionandbeyond.
ConstructionofTenaskaWestmorelandisexpectedtoboostthelocaleconomy,with
directconstructioncostsofmorethan$500million.
Whencompleteinlate2018,theplantwillbeabletoprovideenoughpowerfor
approximately925,000homesinthePJMInterconnectionmarket,whichcoordinatesthe
deliveryofreliablepowerinallorpartsof13easternstates,includingPennsylvania,andthe
DistrictofColumbia.
TenaskaWestmorelandhasbeenmanyyearsinthemaking,saidTenaskaVice
ChairmanandCEOJerryCrouse.Weappreciatethecontinuedsupportwehavereceivedfrom
manyresidentsandcommunityleaders,andwearepleasedtonowbestartingconstructionand
bringingthemanyeconomicbenefitsoftheprojecttoreality.
TenaskaPennsylvaniaPartners,LLC,comprisedofaffiliatesofTenaskaandDiamond
GeneratingCorporation,asubsidiaryofTokyobasedMitsubishiCorporation,ownstheTenaska
Westmorelandproject.
DiamondGeneratingCorporationispleasedtobeapartofthishighlyefficient,
combinedcycleprojectinPennsylvania,continuingourlongtermrelationshipwithTenaska
saidCEOSatoshiHamada.TheTenaskaWestmorelandGeneratingStationdemonstratesour
commitmenttoprovideclean,flexibleandreliableenergyforlocalcommunitiesincompetitive
markets.
TheTenaskaWestmorelandprojectisexpectedtocreatemorethan300directjobs,on
average,overthenearlythreeyearconstructionperiod,aswellasopportunitiesforlocal
contractorsandvendors.
Onceoperational,theplantwillgeneratemillionsofdollarsintaxrevenueoveritslife.
Tenaskaismeetingtheneedsofanevolvingindustry,saidJasonRigone,executive
directorofWestmorelandCountyIndustrialDevelopmentCorporation,whoalsospokeatthe
event.Inrecentyearsnumerouscoalfueledpowerplantshaveretired,leavingavoidtofillour
energydemands.TheTenaskaWestmorelandGeneratingStationwillutilizelocallyproduced
naturalgasandprovideacleansourceofelectricityforourregionsbusinessesandensureour
homesarewarminthewinterandcoolinthesummer.
Black&Veatchistheengineering,procurementandconstructioncontractorforthe
project.TheEPCcontractorperformsdesign,completesengineeringandmanagesconstruction
oftheplant.TenaskaencouragesitsEPCcontractorstohirelocallywhenpossible.
Formoreinformationonthepowerplant,visitTenaskasWestmorelandProjectwebsite.
NewsClips:
EarthFinallyMovedForTenaskasNaturalGasPowerPlant
NewNaturalGasPowerPlantBreaksGroundInWestmoreland
RelatedStories:
EnergyEfficiency,EconomicBenefitsHighlightedIn2015PAClimateChangePlan
Update
Gov.TomWolfMondayacceptedtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection2015Climate
ChangeActionPlanUpdatethatdetailshowincreasingenergyefficiencyinallsectorsandatall
levelswillplayakeyroleinreducingPennsylvaniasgreenhousegasemissionsbytargetyear
2030.
ThePennsylvaniaClimateChangeActof2008mandatedtheClimateChangeAction
Planin2009aswellasupdateseverythreeyears.ThelastPlanUpdatewasdeliveredtothe
GovernorinDecember2013.
Fewofthe52recommendationsinthe2009PlanUpdatewereimplemented.Noneofthe
legislativerecommendationsmadeinthe2013PlanUpdate(page78)wereenacted.
The2015updatepresentsdatafromtheEPAStateInventoryToolfor2000through2012
(themostrecentdataavailable),showinganoveralldecreaseof15.93percentinnetemissions,
reflectingashiftbysomepowerplantsfromcoaltonaturalgas,aswellasthesuccessof
Pennsylvaniasenergyefficiencyprograms.
Overall,Pennsylvaniastotalgreenhouseemissionsareprojectedtobelowerin2030
thanin2000,withreductionsintheresidential,commercial,transportation,agricultureandwaste
sectors.
Addressingclimatechangeandtherealimpactonthehealthofourcitizens,thecostsof
ourbusinessesandtheenvironmentmustbeapriorityfornotjustthecommonwealth,butall
sectors,Gov.Wolfsaid.
Theupdatepresents13workplanstofurtherreducegreenhousegasemissionsby2030.
AneconomicanalysisoftheworkplansincludedinthePlanshowsthatthemajorityhavethe
potentialtogeneratenotonlygreenhousegasemissionsreductionsbutalsosignificant
improvementsintotalemployment,totalincomeandrealdisposablepersonalincome.
WithPennsylvaniabeingthethirdlargestemitterofenergyrelatedcarbondioxide
emissionsinthecountry,additionalreductionsareneeded.Pennsylvaniawillbe3C(5.4F)
warmerby2050thanitwasin2000,accordingtothe2015ClimateImpactsAssessmentReport
bythePennStateUniversityEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesInstitute.
Theresultwillbedangerouslyhighsummertemperaturesandmoreseverestorms,
increasedthreatofcertaininsectbornediseases,anddrasticchangestoagricultureandwater
quality.
TheconsequencesofinactiononclimatechangewillbefeltbyallPennsylvanians,said
DEPActingSecretaryMcDonnell,Itwillaffectthefoodwegrow,theenergyweuse,our
recreation,andevenourhealth.
Themajorityofworkplansinthe2015ClimateChangeActionPlanUpdatefocuson
energyefficiencymeasures.
Thegreatestemissionsreductionswouldbeachievedbyholdingnewbuildingstoan
emissionsperformancestandard60percentlowerthantheregionalaverage.Sizableemissions
reductionwouldalsobeattainedbycontinuingAct129of2008,whichrequiresutilitiestocome
upwithplanstoencourageenergyefficiencyamongtheircustomers,through2031.
Otherworkplansaddresscoalminemethanerecovery,thelatestbuildingenergycodes,
heatingoilconservationandfuelswitching,combinedheatandpowersystems,groundsource
heatpumps,energytechnicalassistanceformanufacturers,treeplantingprograms,energy
efficiencyfinancingforhomeowners,semitruckadaptations,andanaerobicmanuredigesters.
TheplanswerecreatedinpartnershipwiththeClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee,
whosemembersincludethesecretariesoftheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
ResourcesandDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentthechairofthePublic
UtilityCommissionandGovernorsOfficeandlegislativeappointees.Allplanswerevotedon,
withmostapprovedunanimously.
TheCenterforClimateStrategiesconductedmacroeconomicanalysestodeterminethe
potentialcosts,benefits,andjobimpactsoftheworkplans.Inadditiontoenvironmental
benefits,theanalysisshowseconomicbenefits,includingincreasedjobs.
HighlightingtheimportantrolethatallPennsylvaniansplayinhelpingtolower
emissions,theupdateincludes25actionsindividualscantake,includingloweringtheirenergy
use,findingenergyefficiencyfinancing,reducingfoodwaste,andplantingtreestoabsorb
carbon.
Formoreinformationandacopyofthe2015PlanUpdate,visitDEPsClimateChange
webpage.InformationonpastreportsisavailableattheDEPClimateChangeAdvisory
Committeewebpage.
NewsClips:
Crable:PAAdoptsClimateActionPlanCitingPredictionsOfGrimFuture
UpdateToPAClimatePlanMayBenefitEconomicClimate
EDF:WhyArePAsOil&GasEmissionsGoingUp?
Editorial:ClimateForce,ChillingRetort
Editorial:ClimateGames:Anchorvs.Sail
RelatedStory:
Final2015PAClimateChangeActionPlanWithDozensOfRecommendationsAvailable
Reminder:RegisterForSustainablePittsburghsGreenWorkplaceChallengeByAug.31
ThedeadlinetoregisterforSustainablePittsburghs
2016GreenWorkplaceChallengeisAugust31.The
Challengeenablesbusinessestoreceiverecognitionfor
theirsustainableactionsandachievements,
Thecompetitionincludesmeasurableandverifiable
actionsforbusinessesandpropertyownerstoimplement,whichresultsinearningpoints.
TheGWCstepsbeyondnationaltrendsettersinenablingbusinessestoactivelytrackand
receivecreditandverificationfortheirgreenactionsinasafeandsecureenvironment.Because
theGWCinvolvesthetransferofpotentiallysensitiveinformation,allcompanydataremain
confidential.
Manybusinessesrentratherthanowntheirofficesorbuildings,butweencourageand
offerpointstothosewhorentandworktoaccesstheirutilitydata.Bothbusinessandproperty
managerparticipantscantracktheircurrentpointtotalsusingtheGWCleaderboard,which
appearsonthecompetitionwebsiteandisupdatedmonthly.
InordertogiveGWCparticipantsadequatetimetoestablishanenergyusagebaseline,
implementactions,andmakesignificantchanges,thechallengewillrunfor13months,starting
inJuneof2016.
Itconcludeswithparticipantsbeingrecognizedfortheireffortsatanawardsceremonyin
Septemberof2017.
ClickHeretoregisterforthe2016Challenge.
ThePittsburghGreenWorkplaceChallengeisaninitiativeofSustainablePittsburghs
BusinessClimateCoalition,comprisedofa22membersteeringcommitteerepresentingacross
sectionofPittsburghsbusinesscommunity.
SustainablePittsburghisanonprofitorganizationthataffectsdecisionmakinginthe
Pittsburghregiontointegrateeconomicprosperity,socialequity,andenvironmentalquality
bringingsustainablesolutionstocommunitiesandbusinesses.
NewsClip:
PNCsLivingWallInPittsburghComingDown
Gov.WolfLaunchesOpenDataPAWebsite,LimitedEnvironmentalData
Gov.WolfMondaylaunchedOpenDataPAtoenhanceaccesstovaluableinformationby
creatingacentralrepositorytosharetheCommonwealthsdatawiththegeneralpublic.Citizens,
researchers,media,anddeveloperscannowbrowsethroughthefirstreleaseddatasets.
TheonlyenvironmentaldatareleasedsofarisNewOil&GasWellInspections
20152020.
InMay,DCNRlauncheditsownopendataportalallowingaccesstoallpublishedGIS
data.
Sincedayoneofmyadministration,Ihavebeencommittedtomakingstategovernment
moreopenandtransparent,saidGov.TomWolf.ThatswhyIsignedanexecutiveorderto
releaseagencydatatothepublicinanopen,accessibleformat,andtoday,Iamlaunching
OpenDataPA.Oneofourmostvaluableandunderutilizedresourcesinstategovernmentisdata.
Ourgoalistomakedataavailableinordertoengagecitizens,createeconomicopportunitiesfor
businessesandentrepreneurs,anddevelopinnovativepolicysolutionsthatimproveprogram
deliveryandstreamlineoperations.
OpenDataPAhasthreemaingoals:
Accountability:OpenDataPAisthenextsteptowardmakingPennsylvaniagovernmentmore
opentocitizens.Withthefirstdatasetsreleased,citizenswillbeabletotracktheprogressof
goalsrelatedtoGov.WolfsthreegoverningobjectivesSchoolsThatTeach,JobsthePay,
GovernmentThatWorksinaninteractive,simpleformat.
Modernization:Avastimprovementoverthestaticagencyreportsofthepast,OpenDataPA
willbothreleasenewlycollecteddatasetsandconsolidatedatasetsfromotherstateagency
websitestocreateaonestopshopforallofthecommonwealthsopendata.
Innovation:OpenDataPAstrivestobeasourceofinnovationforcitizens,entrepreneurs,
civicdevelopers,researchers,andpolicymakerswhocanmanipulatethedatawewillbe
releasingtodiscovereconomicopportunities,creategovernmentapplications,andmake
datadrivendecisions.
OpenDataPAlauncheswith12valuabledatasets,includinginformationaboutjob
creation,schoolperformance,bridgesthatarebeingrepaired,andmore,thatrelatetoGovernor
TomWolfsSchoolsThatTeach,JobsThatPay,andGovernmentThatWorkspriorities.
Inthecomingweeks,wewillreleaseaperformancedashboardthatusesthese12datasets
totrackGov.Wolfsperformancegoals.
Futuredatareleaseswillgobeyondperformancemetricsandincludedatasetsfrom
agenciesandprogramareasacrossstategovernment.
TheWolfAdministrationispartneringwithstakeholdersincludingtheOfficeofOpen
Records,collegesanduniversities,andcitiestoidentifyandprioritizefuturedatasetsfor
publication.
Thereisalsoanonlinesuggestionformondata.pa.govfornewdatasets.
Inrecentyears,governmentsatthefederal,stateandlocallevelshaveadoptedopendata
initiativestoincreasetransparencytocitizens,spurinnovationandeconomicopportunity,and
demonstratetheeffectivenessofstatepoliciesandprograms.
Bymakingdataeasilyaccessible,theWolfAdministrationhopestoencouragecitizensto
becomemorefamiliarwithhowtheirgovernmentisperforming,engagewiththestates
developercommunity,andbuildtoolsandresourcesthatultimatelymakePennsylvaniaaneven
betterplacetoliveandwork.
Toexplorethisdata,visittheOpenDataPAwebsite.
RelatedStory:
DCNRPostsOpenDataPortalAllowingAccessToAllPublishedGISData
WesternPAConservancy:Fresh,NewOutdoorLearningLessonPlans
TheWesternPAConservancyispleasedtoprovideaseriesof
environmentallessonplanstoaideducatorsinconnecting
youngpeopletothenaturalworld.
Theselessonplans,designedforgradelevels1through7,
coverawidevarietyofindoorandoutdooractivities,suchas
exploringdifferentecosystems,experiencinghowspecies
adapttotheirenvironment,andlearninghowtoidentifyplants
andinsects.
Theactivitiessendyounglearnersonfunoutdooradventures,
includingagardenscavengerhunt,abugbonanza,and
exploringfornaturefriends.Thelessonsaredesignedtohelpteachersmeetthestate's
environmentaleducationstandards.
They'realsobeneficialtoanyonelookingforenvironmentallearningactivities,suchas
homeschoolteachersandscoutleaders.
Thelessonplansinclude:AGardenScavengerHuntTheMagicBagTreemendous
TwigsWhatDoesYourGardenGrow?BeneathYourFeetBugBonanzaToFertilizeOrNot
toFertilizeTheGreatEscapeMadeforEachOtherMicroclimatesCoveringGroundEnergy
Flow:WhereDoesitGo?FriendorFoeIntegratedPestManagement(IPM)TheKeytoYour
IdentitySmallChangeandSchoolGardenJournal
ClickHeretoreviewthelessonplans.
Moreinformationisavailableonprograms,initiativesandspecialeventsattheWestern
PAConservancywebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy,Like
themonFacebook,FollowthemonTwitter,addthemtoyourCircleonGoogle+,jointhemon
Instagram,visittheConservancysYouTubeChanneloraddthemtoyournetworkonLinkedin.
NewsClips:
PPLToAcceptApplicationsForTeacherScience,Technology,Engineering,MathGrants
PPLsEmpoweringEducatorsGrantProgramwillbeginacceptingapplicationsforgrantson
September1atitsthreepartnerbroadcaststationsPBS39,WITFandWVIA.Thedeadlinefor
applicationsisOctober31.
Tomorrowsengineersandmathematiciansneedonlyasparktogettheirimaginations
andtheircareersheadedintherightdirection.
ThePPLEmpoweringEducatorsGrantProgramisdesignedtohelpK8teachersprovide
handsonlearningbybringingscience,technology,engineeringandmath(STEM)tolifefor
theirstudents.
TheProgramdirectsfocustowardSTEMprojectstoencourageactioninschoolsinthe
29PennsylvaniacountiesservedbyPPL.
Throughthesecompetitivegrants,teacherscanreceive$1,000fundingforeducational
projectssuchassciencefairs,energyconservationprojects,renewableenergydemonstrations
andmathcompetitions.
PBS39(LehighValley),WITF(CentralPA)andWVIA(NortheastPA)arehelpingto
sparkcuriosityinstudents.
EmpoweringEducatorswillfeatureteacherledstudentteamswhowillidentify
STEMrelatedprojectsintheirschools.
Eachschoolwhowishestoparticipatemustsubmitacontestapplicationtoitslocal
stationviaanonlineapplication.
EmpoweringEducatorsisagreatwaytogivelocalstudentsahandsonSTEMlearning
experience,saidTimFallon,PBS39CEO.Forstudentsandteachersalike,thisprogram
promisestobeanenrichingexperience.
Thisyear,PPLwillaward$15,000inEmpoweringEducatorsgrants.
Thesuccessofourfutureworkforcedependsontodaysstudentshavingexperiencein
andenthusiasmforscience,technology,engineeringandmath,saidLissetteSantana,manager
ofcorporaterelationsforPPL.WereexcitedtopartnerwithourlocalPBSstationstosupport
teachersandschoolprojectsthroughtheEmpoweringEducatorsgrantstohelpgeneratestudents
interestintheseexcitingfields.
PBS39,WITFandWVIAwillselectfivewinningteamsapiece,foratotalof15.Each
winningteamwillbeawarded$1,000duringaceremonyattheirlocalstationinearly
November,whichwillbeusedtobringtheirprojectstofruition.
Eachteamwillbejudgedonitsprojectproposal,itsschoolneed,andpotentialoverall
impact.
BycompletingaSTEMrelatedprojectfromstarttofinish,oureducationalcommunities
standtobenefitfromthediscoveriesmade,saidTomCurr,WVIAPresident/CEOand
executiveproducer.Moreover,thegeneralpublicwillreapthebenefitsofhavingtheir
importantneedsaddressed.
Theteamswillcelebratetheircompletedprojectsduringaceremonyattheirlocalstation
inMay2017.Studentswillberequiredtopreparea23minutepresentationfortheceremony
thatwilladdresstheexperienceandtheimpacttheirprojecthadonthecommunity.Video
presentationsareencouraged.
Sincetheprogramsinceptionin2003,PPLhasawardedmorethan$165,000forprojects
in93schoolsthroughoutthe29countiesservedbyPPL.
GrantrecipientswillbeannouncedDecember2,2016.Eachprojectmustbecompleted
byApril15,2017.Afinalreportmustbesubmittedtotheapplicantslocalstationdescribingthe
outcomesofeachprojectbyMay6,2017.
Formoreinformation,andexamplesofpastprojects,visitPPLsEmpoweringEducators
GrantProgramwebpage.Questionsshouldbedirectedbyemailto:community@pplweb.com.
NewsClips:
DominionAwardsEnergy,EnvironmentEducationGrants,1InPAToIndianaU.
TheDominionFoundationWednesdayawarded$1millionfor96grantsthroughitsEnergyand
EnvironmentEducationGrantsinthe11statesinitsserviceterritory.
Onegrantof$25,000wasawardedinPennsylvaniatoIndianaUniversityofPAfor
naturalgasresearchattheWeylandtExperimentalSite.
Formoreinformationongrantprograms,visittheDominionFoundationwebpage.
NewsClips:
Health,DEPConductExerciseToBolsterPAsZikaPreparedness,ResponsePlanning
ThedepartmentsofHealthandEnvironmental
ProtectionMondayparticipatedinatabletopexercise
aimedatbolsteringtheCommonwealth'sabilityto
respondtoapotentialsituationinvolvinglocal
transmissionoftheZikaVirusinPennsylvania.
"Exercises,likethetabletopdiscussiontoday,
areavitalpartofthecommonwealth'songoingefforts
tobepreparedforpublichealthemergencieslikethe
Zikavirus,"saidSecretaryofHealthDr.Karen
Murphy."Conductingthisexercisewiththe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhelpsensurewearebetterpreparedtorespondquickly
andprotectallPennsylvaniansiftheZikavirusbeginstospreadlocallyintheCommonwealth."
Tabletopexercisesarediscussionbasedsessionswhereteammembersmeetinan
informalsettingtodiscusstheirrolesduringanemergencyandtheirresponsestoaparticular
emergencysituation.Thesetypesofexerciseshelpstrengthenpreparednessplans.
Intheexercise,thefictitiousscenarioinvolvedaPennsylvaniaresidentwhotraveledto
Miami,Florida,andlatertestedpositiveforZikaafterdevelopingsymptomsuponreturningto
theCommonwealth.Aspartofthescenario,thevirusalsospreadtoayoungchildinthesame
household.Thechilddidnottravel,indicatingalocalspreadofthedisease.
Participantsinthetabletopexercisediscussedthestepsthatwouldbetakenbyeachof
theiragenciesthroughoutthescenariotimeline,includingthingslikewhenthePennsylvania
ZikaVirusResponsePlanwouldbeimplementedandthemeasuresthatwouldbetaken
regardingvectorcontrolofmosquitoes.
Pennsylvania'sZikaVirusResponsePlanisadocumentthatdescribesactionsthatwillbe
takenastheriskoflocallyacquiredcasesofZikaincreasesinPennsylvania.Theseactionsare
consideredaphasedresponsetotheZikavirus.
"Wehavealreadybeenouttoinvestigateandconductfurthersurveillanceonseveral
importedcasesofZikatoday'sexercisecontinuedhoningourskillsandresponseefforts,"said
ActingDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSecretaryPatrickMcDonnell."Thebest
responseisstillprevention,however,andweencourageallPennsylvanianstotake
commonsenseactionstoprotectthemselvesfrommosquitoes."
Zikaisamosquitobornevirusthatgenerallycausesnosymptoms.Ifsymptomsdooccur,
theyaregenerallymildandincludefever,rash,jointpainandpinkeye.Zikararelykillsor
causesseriousdisease.
However,theviruspresentsamajorthreattopregnantwomenorwomenwhoplanto
becomepregnant.Zikainfectionduringpregnancyhasbeenlinkedtoseriousbirthdefects,
includingmicrocephalyinwhichbabies'headsaresmallerthannormal.
ThemosquitothatprimarilycarriesthediseasehasrarelybeenfoundinPennsylvania.A
relatedtypeofmosquitothatcanpotentiallycarryZikahasbeenfoundinsouthernand
southeasternPennsylvania.Atpresent,thismosquitodoesnotappeartobeaseffectiveat
spreadingZika.
ThisisthetimeofyearwhenallPennsylvaniansshouldtakepreventivemeasuresto
preventmosquitobites,including:
Wearinglightcolored,lightweight,loosefittingclothingthatcovershands,arms,legsand
otherexposedskin
Stayingandsleepinginairconditionedorscreenedroomsorunderamosquitonetwhen
outdoorsand
Stayingindoorswhenmosquitoesaremostactive.
Tocontrolallmosquitoesoutsideyourhomeorbusiness:
Installorrepairandusewindowanddoorscreens
Onceaweek,emptyandscrub,turnover,cover,orthrowoutanyitemsthatholdwaterlike
buckets,toys,pools,birdbathsortrashcontainers.Mosquitoeslayeggsnearwater
Useanoutdoorflyinginsectspraywheremosquitoesrestdark,humidareaslikeunderpatio
furnitureorunderthecarportorgarageand
Havecloggedroofgutterscleanedeveryyear,particularlyiftheleavesfromsurroundingtrees
haveatendencytoplugupthedrains.
Ifyouhaveaseptictank,repaircracksorgaps.Coveropenventorplumbingpipeswith
wiremeshthatconsistsofholessmallerthananadultmosquito.
Currently,theonlyconfirmedcasesofZikainPennsylvaniaareinindividualswho
contractedtheviruswhilevisitingoneoftheareaswherethevirusisactivelyspreading.
AdditionalinformationonZikaviruscanbefoundontheDepartmentofHealth'sZika
Viruswebsite.
NewsClips:
2MoreInAlleghenyCountyInfectedWithZika
DEPMonitoringMosquitoesThatCouldSpreadZika
BethlehemsOraSureGetsZikaFunding
FloridasZikaOutbreakIsSpreadingInSt.PetersburgArea
FDAAdvisesZikaScreeningForAllU.S.BloodCenters
NIHOfficial:ZikaCouldHangAroundU.S.ForYearOrTwo
RelatedDiseaseVectorStories:
Dept.ofHealthNowDistributingZikaVirusPreventionKitsForPregnantWomen
YorkCountyWestNileVirusMosquitoSprayingAug.29
BucksCountyWestNileVirusMosquitoSprayingAug.31
PAReportsFirst2016HumanCaseOfWestNileVirusInIndianaCounty
Dept.OfHealthTipsOnPreventingLymeDisease
WestNileVirusMosquitoSprayingSetForYorkCountyAug.29,BucksCountyAug.31
TheYorkCountyWestNileProgramwillbe
conductinganultralowvolume(ULV)mosquito
controloperationtoreducehighpopulationsof
mosquitoescapableoftransmittingWestNileViruson
August29inpartsofSpringettsburyTownship.
Weatherconditionsandotherunexpectedeventscould
delayorcancelthissprayoperation.Ifconditionsdo
notallowapplicationonAugust29,thefollowing
eveningwillserveasthebackupspraydate.
Thetreatmentswillbeadministeredviatruckmounted
equipment,sprayingresidentialandrecreational
mosquitohabitat.TheequipmentdispensesBiomist3+15ULVatarateof1.50ouncesperacre.
BucksCountyAug.31
TheBucksCountyWestNileProgramwillbeconductinganultralowvolume(ULV)
mosquitocontroloperationtoreducehighpopulationsofmosquitoescapableoftransmitting
WestNileVirusonAugust31inpartsofBristolTownshipandMiddletownTownship.
Weatherconditionsandotherunexpectedeventscoulddelayorcancelthisspray
operation.IfconditionsdonotallowapplicationonAugust31,thefollowingeveningwillserve
asthebackupspraydate.
Thetreatmentswillbeadministeredviatruckmountedsprayingequipment,spraying
residentialandrecreationalmosquitohabitats.TheequipmentdispensesBiomist3+15appliedat
arateof.75ouncesperacre.
Theproductisdesignedtoprovidequick,effectivecontrolofadultmosquitopopulations.
Theapplicationmaterialhasaverylowtoxicityprofiletomammalsandwillhavenegligible
impacttonontargetinsectsandtheenvironment.
CertainmosquitospeciescarrytheWestNilevirus,whichcancausehumanstocontract
WestNileencephalitis,aninfectionthatcanresultinaninflammationofthebrain.Accordingto
theDepartmentofHealth,allresidentsinareaswherevirusactivityhasbeenidentifiedareat
riskofcontractingWestNileencephalitis.
In2016,WestNilevirushasbeendetectedinthefollowingcounties:Adams,Allegheny,
Beaver,Berks,Blair,Bucks,Cambria,Centre,Chester,Cumberland,Dauphin,Delaware,
Fayette,Franklin,Greene,Indiana,Juniata,Lancaster,Lawrence,Lebanon,Lehigh,Luzerne,
Lycoming,McKean,Montgomery,Northampton,Philadelphia,Schuylkill,Union,Warren,
Westmoreland,andYork.
Individualscantakeanumberofprecautionarymeasuresaroundtheirhomestohelp
eliminatemosquitobreedingareas,including:
Disposeofcans,buckets,plasticcontainers,ceramicpotsorsimilarcontainersthathold
water.
Properlydisposeofdiscardedtiresthatcancollectwater.Stagnantwateriswheremost
mosquitoesbreed.
Drillholesinthebottomofoutdoorrecyclingcontainers.
Havecloggedroofgutterscleanedeveryyearastheleavesfromsurroundingtreeshavea
tendencytoplugdrains.
Turnoverplasticwadingpoolswhennotinuse.
Turnoverwheelbarrowsanddon'tletwaterstagnateinbirdbaths.
Aerateornamentalpoolsorstockthemwithfish.
Cleanandchlorinateswimmingpoolsnotinuseandremoveanywaterthatmaycollecton
poolcovers.Ifaresidenthasstagnantpoolsofwaterontheirproperty,theycanbuyBTI
productsatlawnandgarden,outdoorsupply,homeimprovementandotherstores.Thisnaturally
occurringbacteriumkillsmosquitolarvae,butissafeforpeople,pets,aquaticlifeandplants.
Additionally,thesesimpleprecautionscanpreventmosquitobites,particularlyforpeople
whoaremostatrisk:
Makesurescreensfittightlyoverdoorsandwindowstokeepmosquitoesoutofhomes.
Considerwearinglongsleevedshirts,longpantsandsockswhenoutdoors,particularlywhen
mosquitoesaremostactiveatdawnanddusk,orinareasknownforhavinglargenumbersof
mosquitoes.
Whenpossible,reduceoutdoorexposureatdawnandduskduringpeakmosquitoperiods,
usuallyAprilthroughOctober.
Useinsectrepellentsaccordingtothemanufacturer'sinstructions.Aneffectiverepellentwill
containDEET,picardinorlemoneucalyptusoil.Consultwithapediatricianorfamilyphysician
forquestionsabouttheuseofrepellentonchildren,asrepellentisnotrecommendedforchildren
undertheageoftwomonths.
FormoreinformationaboutWestNilevirusandthestate'ssurveillanceandcontrol
program,visittheWestNileViruswebsite.
NewsClips:

SecretaryofHealthDr.KarenMurphyMondayreminded
Pennsylvaniansoftheimportanceoftakingproperprecautionsto
protectthemselvesandtheirlovedonesagainstLymediseaseand
othertickrelatedillnesses.
"Warmersummerweathermeanspeoplearespendingmore
timeoutdoors,increasingtheirpotentialexposuretoLymedisease,"
saidDr.Murphy."Ifleftuntreated,Lymediseasecanbeavery
damagingailment.Thereareeasywaystodrasticallyreduceyour
chancesofgettingbittenbyticksandcontractingthisillnesswhile
stillhavingfunoutdoors."
Lymediseaseisanillnessthatcanbetransmittedtohumansthroughthebiteofinfected
blackleggedticks.SomeofthefirstgeneralsymptomsofaLymediseaseinfectionarefever,
malaise,fatigue,headache,muscleaches,andjointpain.
Anindividualwhohasbeenbittenbyatickwilloftendevelopatelltaleredrashthat
maylooklikeabullseye.
ThefirstlineofdefenseagainstLymediseaseandanyothertickborneillnessesis
avoidanceoftickinfestedhabitats,suchasareasdensewithshrubberyortallgrass.
Properuseofpersonalprotectivemeasures,suchasrepellentsandprotectiveclothingand
checkingforandremovingattachedticks,isalsoanimportantdeterrenttotickrelated
complications.
"Whenresidentsspendtimearoundcommontickenvironments,suchasthewoods,and
theydon'twearmanylayersofclothing,theyarevulnerabletobebeingbittenbyaninfected
tick,"addedMurphy."Wesuggestthatindividualswearprotectiveclothing,useinsectrepellent
(i.e.,DEET),anddoafullbodycheckafterspendingtimeoutdoors.Showeringwithintwohours
ofoutdoorexposuremayalsohelppreventtransmission."
Lymediseasecanleadtoveryserioushealthissuesifnotgiventhecorrectmedical
attention.AtransmissionofLymediseasethatisleftuntreatedorinadequatelytreatedmay
progresstolatestagearthriticornervoussystemcomplicationsrequiringmoreintensivetherapy.
IndividualswhodevelopsignsandsymptomsofLymediseaseafteratickbiteshould
seekmedicalattention.
Tofindoutmore,visittheDepartmentofHealthsLymeDiseasewebpage.
NewsClips:
YorkCountyWestNileVirusMosquitoSprayingAug.29
BucksCountyWestNileVirusMosquitoSprayingAug.31
PAWildsCenterReceivesOnlyAppalachianRegionalCommissionGrantInPA
ThePAWildsCenterhasreceivedathreeyear,$500,000grantfrom
theAppalachianRegionalCommissionthroughthePOWERInitiative
toassistwithnaturetourismclusterdevelopmentinthePennsylvania
Wilds.
ThePennsylvaniaWildsincludesthecountiesofWarren,
McKean,Potter,Tioga,Clinton,Lycoming,Cameron,Elk,Forest,
Clarion,Clearfield,JeffersonandthenorthernpartofCentreCounty.
TheawardannouncementwasmadeWednesdayinWest
VirginiaaspartofapackageofPOWERinvestmentsacrossthe
AppalachianRegiontotalingmorethan$26.78million.
ThePOWERInitiativesupportseffortstocreateamorevibranteconomicfuturefor
coalimpactedcommunitiesbycultivatingeconomicdiversity,enhancingjobtrainingand
reemploymentopportunities,creatingjobsinexistingornewindustries,andattractingnew
sourcesofinvestment.
MorethanhalfofthePennsylvaniaWilds12countiesareimpactedbycurrent
coalindustrycontractions,accordingtoindustrydata.Collectivelytheregionhasseenalossof
744coaljobssince2000,with434ofthoseoccurringinthelastfiveyears.
Tourismisagrowingindustryintheregion,accountingfor$1.7billioninannualvisitor
spending.
Overthelastdecadeavastallianceofpartnersincludingstateandfederalpartners,
countyandlocalgovernments,visitorbureaus,legislators,businesses,heritageareas,economic
developmentagenciesandothernonprofitshaveworkedtogethertogrownaturetourisminthe
PennsylvaniaWildsasawaytocreatejobs,diversifylocaleconomies,inspirestewardshipand
improvequalityoflife.
Theregionisknownforitsmorethan2millionacresofpubliclanditisalsohometo
twoNationalWild&ScenicRivers,thelargestwildelkherdintheNortheastandsomeofthe
darkestskiesinthecountry.
AspartofthePennsylvaniaWildsinitiative,strategicstateinfrastructureinvestments
haveresultedinmanynewnatureandheritagetourismattractionscomingonlineintheregionin
recentyears,includingtheElkCountryVisitorCenter,theNatureInnatBaldEagleStatePark,
stargazingamenitiesatCherrySpringsStatePark/InternationalDarkSkypark,thePALumber
Museum,andmajornewinterpretivevisitorcentersatSinnemahoningStateParkandKinzua
BridgeStatePark.
Theseplaceshavebecomeeconomicenginesforsurroundingcommunitiesandacrossthe
region.
KudostothePAWildsCenter,countyofficials,regionalplanningorganizationsand
tourismpartnerswhotogetherarecreatingnew,excitingopportunitiesfortheircommunitiesand
localbusinesses,saidDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindy
AdamsDunn.Thisworkhasbeenverygratifyingtoouragencyandithasexceededallofour
expectationsaspartofourConservationLandscapeProgram.
ThePOWERgrant,whichisbeingleveragedbysupportfromtheDept.ofCommunity&
EconomicDevelopment,Dept.ofConservation&NaturalResourcesandthePAWildsCenter,
willadvancetheseefforts,saidTatabolineEnos,executivedirectorofthePAWildsCenter,a
regionalnonprofitthathelpsspearheadandcoordinatepartnerinvestmentsinthelandscape.
AlloftheseinvestmentswillallowustoexpandTheWildsCooperativeofPA,which
focusesongrowingandclusteringtheuniquelocalbusinessescentraltoplacebasedtourism
development,Enossaid.Itwillallowustogrowourregionalnetworkofcraftproducersandto
bettermarrytheirproductstotheregionaltourismbrandandvisitorexperience,likewehave
beguntodoatournewgiftshopatKinzuaBridgeStatePark,creatingrealworkopportunities
forlocalartisansandmicroproducers.Itwillallowustobetterpushfoottrafficfromthesenew,
worldclassvisitorfacilitieswehave,outtobusinessesaroundthem.Lastly,itwillallowusto
begintoestablishasustainableregionalmarketingprogram,somethingthathaschallengedthe
Wildseffortsinceregionalmarketinggrantswerecutfromthestatebudgetseveralyearsback.
EnossaidactivitiesunderthePOWERgrantareslatedtobegininJanuary.ThePAWilds
Centerwillbedoingfocusedoutreachincoalimpactedcommunitiestohelpresidentsand
creativeentrepreneurstherebetterunderstandthetoolsandresourcesofferedthroughTheWilds
CooperativeofPAandotherPAWildsprograms.
Pennsylvaniahaslongbeenafavoritetraveldestinationformany,offeringrichhistory
andcultureinawiderangeofsettingsfromsleekcities,toruggedwoodlands,torolling
countryside,saidDCEDSecretaryDavin.DCEDssupportofthisinitiativebolsterstourism
businessdevelopmentthroughoutthePAWildsregionandhelpscreatenewopportunitiesfor
coalimpactedcommunitiestopartakeinthesuccessofthecommonwealthstourismindustry.
Wearepleasedtocontributetothisimportanteffortandlookforwardtocontinuedpartnership
withARCtobenefitPennsylvaniascommunitiesgoingforward.
CongressmanGlennThompson(RPA)whoservesmostofthePennsylvaniaWilds
region,echoedthatsentimentinastatementreleasedWednesday.
ThePennsylvaniaWildshaveplentytooffer,fromcanoeingandkayakingonthe
regionsrivers,toalltypesofrecreationintheAlleghenyNationalForest,Thompsonsaid.I
amproudthatthisprogramwillassisteconomicdevelopmentthroughouttheregionandprovide
localsmallbusinessesthetechnicalassistancenecessarytocreatejobs.Thesetypesof
partnershipsareessentialtothelongevityofourcommunities.
EnossaidsheisgratefulfortheAppalachianRegionalCommissionsPOWER
investmentintheWildswork.
Naturetourismcantsolveallofourregionseconomicchallenges,butthanksto
sustainedstrategicplanningandinvestmentbyastrongallianceofpartnersincludingARC
ithasemergedasarealgrowthindustry,Enossaid.Itisacriticalsectorforustogrowforthe
jobsitcreates,andforhowitaddressesqualityoflifeissuesimportanttoresidentsandtothe
regionsmajoremployers.Growingnaturetourismwasimportantpriortothecurrent
coalindustrycontractionandisonlymoreimportantinlightofit.
Formoreinformationontheprograms,initiativesandupcomingevents,visitthePA
WildsCenterwebsite.
RelatedStories:
ActNow:PACongressmenAbsentFromAbandonedMineReclamationFundingDebate
Wolf:$30MPilotAbandonedMineReclamation,EconomicDevelopmentProgram
DEPHostsKickOffCeremonyForEhrenfeldMineReclamationProjectInCambria
UniversityOfScrantonExtremePhysiologyClassConnectsStudentsToOutdoors
HikingalongtheFrostHollowTrailinLackawannaState
Park,LackawannaCounty,PAEnvironmentalCouncil
VicePresidentJanetSweeneyandherhusbandTerry
foundthemselvesdiscussingwaystoattracttheregions
collegestudentstotheenrichingoutdooropportunities
availableinNortheasternPennsylvania.
Terry,ProfessorandChairoftheUniversityofScrantons
BiologyDepartment,hadforseveralyearsbeenteaching
ahumanperformancetravelcourseinArizonaExtreme
Physiology.Thatcoursecapitalizesonthediverse
environmentsofArizona.
WhynotdesignanewcourseinNortheasternPennsylvaniathatwouldbringstudentsin
tunewithallthatourregionhastooffer?
Now,just10monthslater,UniversityofScrantonstudentshavewrappeduptheExtreme
Physiology,NEPAEditionclass,acoursemadepossiblethroughapartnershipbetweenthe
universityandthePoconoForestsandWatersConservationLandscape.
Throughoutthefourweeksummerterm,studentslearnedfirsthandhowaerobictraining
enhanceshumanperformanceandhealth,andtheydiditbytraininginsomeoftheregionsmost
beautifulandchallengingenvironments.
TerryandhiscolleaguesTaraFay(biology)andMichaelLandram(exercisescience)
deliveredthephysiologicalaspectsofthecourse,includinglaboratorypreandposttraining
fitnesstestingofthestudentsandthemselves,oftenintheearlymorningbeforetherealworkouts
began.
AstheexternalleadforthePoconosLandscapeInitiative,JanetSweeneysetupan
ActivitySiteandOutreachSteeringCommittee,whoseexpertiseinservingasstewardsof
Pennsylvaniasnaturalresourcesenabledusselectthebestsitesforthecoursestraining
activities,whilebroadeningthelearningoutcomesofthecourseatthesametime.
PoconosInitiativepartnersmadethisuniquecoursepossible.JanetSweeneyreachedout
toDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesregionaladvisorsandparksandforest
managers,locallandtrustpreservemanagers,andtrailgroupstoarrangetheoutdoorclass
activitiesandvenues,alongwithspeakersandserviceprojects.
Betweenbiking28milesfromClarksSummittoNicholsonandback,kayakingonboth
theSusquehannaRiverandPecksPond,andhikinginRickettsGlenandLackawannaState
Parks(tonamejustafewoftheactivities),thestudentswereimmersedinthenaturalresources
oftheregion.
Intheend,ourpartnershipswereawinwin.Inadditiontoeducatingstudentsaboutthe
synergismofnutritionandtrainingintheenhancementofhumanphysicalperformanceand
health,theExtremePhysiology,NEPAEditioncoursesupportedthePFWCLscoregoalsof
conservation,community,andconnections
Conservation:Teachingstudentsabouthoworganizationsnotonlyconserveandmaintain
lands,butalsowhytheydotheworkthattheydo.
Community:Engagingthecommunity(students)andeducatingthemonallthewonderful
closetohomeparks,forests,preservedlands,andtrailstherearetoexploreinNortheast
Pennsylvania.
Connections:IntroducingthemtothegrowingtrailnetworkinNortheastPennsylvaniaand
thepeoplewhoareworkingtirelesslytobuild,maintain,andconnectthesetrails.
QuestionsaboutthisinitiativeshouldbedirectedtheJanetSweeney,PAEnvironmental
Council,bycalling5707186507orsendemailto:jsweeney@pecpa.org.
ForinformationonthePoconosInitiative,visitPECsPoconoForestsandWaters
ConservationLandscapewebpage.
updatesfromPEC.
NewsClips:
DCNRMarksOpeningOfPatrickJ.SolanoEnvironmentalEdCenterInLuzerneCounty
DepartmentofConservationandNatural
ResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
Fridayjoinedotherstateofficialsin
celebratingtheofficialopeningofthe
PatrickJ.SolanoEnvironmental
EducationCenteratFrancesSlocumState
Park,LuzerneCounty.
DedicatedinearlyDecember,
2013,thecenterissonamedbecauseof
Solanosexemplarylifeofleadershipand
servicetoPennsylvaniasstateparksand
forests.Significantimprovementstothe
facilityanditsprogramshavebeenmade
tomeetincreasingpublicinterestand
involvement.
JustasMr.Solanosnameissynonymouswithenvironmentalleadership,this
environmentaleducationcenter,andsomanyothersacrossthestate,arelinkeddirectlytoour
stateparkvisitorsbetterknowingandrespectingthelandsandwaterstheyvaluesomuch,said
Dunn.They,theirprogramsandtheirandtheirdedicatedstaffareoneofthemajorreasons
Pennsylvaniaisarecognizedleaderinconservationandoutdoorsrecreation.
Locatedneartheparks165acreFrancesSlocumLake,thePatrickJ.Solano
EnvironmentalEducationCenterpromotesstrongcommunityandschoolinvolvement.It
providesnatural,cultural,historicalandrecreationalprogramsformorethan15,000visitorsand
educatorswhohelpswelltheparksattendancetoalmost576,500annually.
Whenparkvisitors,especiallytheyoungerones,seeanospreyfeedingonthelake,or
sunfishguardingtheirnestsintheshallows,theyenjoyit,Dunnnoted,butwhentheyleavethe
PatrickJ.SolanoEnvironmentalEducationCentertheyarebetterequippedtounderstandwhat
theysawhere,andmorestronglymotivatedtoprotectwhattheyfound.
Inadditiontomanyotherroles,Solano,whoattendedandspokeattheevent,servedas
deputysecretaryforParksandForestswiththeformerDepartmentofEnvironmentalResources
andasactingsecretarywhentheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceswasfirst
createdin1995.
Throughouthiscareer,Solanoheldnumerousprestigiouspositions,includingsenior
counselortoformergovernorsTomRidgeandMarkSchweiker.Hehasservedasfriendand
advisortonumerouspublicofficialsandcommunityleaders.
DuringWorldWarII,Solanocompleted23combatmissionswiththeEighthU.S.Air
ForceHeavyBombardmentGroup.Forhisservice,hewasawardedtheGroupPresidential
Citation,theAirForceMedalwithtwoOakLeafClusters,andtheEuropeanCombatTheatre
MedalwithtwoBronzeStars.
Theenvironmentaleducationcenternamedinhishonorisoverseenbyanenvironmental
educatorfromMarchthroughNovember.Curriculumbasedenvironmentaleducationprograms
andteacherworkshopsareavailabletoareaschools.
ThebuildingfeaturesexhibitsonAmericanIndiansandecologicaltopics,and
improvementstothefacilityanditsprogramsareongoing.
FrancesSlocumStateParkconsistsof1,035acresinLuzerneCounty.Theparkisnamed
forFrancesSlocum,ayounggirlwhowaskidnappedbyAmericanIndiansin1778.Frances
SlocumLakeisthefocalpointoftheparkandformsahorseshoecovering165acres.
FormoreinformationonFrancesSlocumandPennsylvaniasotherstateparks,visit
DCNRsStateParkswebpage.
NewsClips:
WildlandsConservancyHighlightsSeptemberEducationPrograms,Activities
TheWildlandsConservancyintheLehighValleywillhostavariety
ofeducationalprogramsandactivitiesinSeptemberforpeopleofall
ages.
Amongtheactivitiesareworkshopson:You&Me:Little
Ecowarriors,PoetryInPaint,AdventureAllentown:MiniBike&
Boatandmuchmore.
TheConservancywillholdaTrailblazingWorkDayonSeptember
17forvolunteersinterestedinhelpingtoimprovethetrailnetwork
ontheMapleTract.
AlsohighlightedisaCharacters,Caches&OzOhMy!Program
onNovember20ongeocaching.
ClickHereformoreinformation.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visittheWildlands
Conservancywebsite.ClickHeretosignupforregularupdatesfromtheConservancy,Likeon
Facebook,FollowonTwitterandJoinonInstagram.
FriendsOfWissahickon:NewChildrensBookAvailableOnWissahickonValleyPark
CedarsHouse,ValleyGreenInnandeventheTedyuscungstatue
arecharactersinthestoryofGoodNightWissahickonValley
Park,anewchildrensbookcreatedbyFriendsofthe
WissahickontobepublishedinSeptember.
Thebooktellsthetaleofafamilyoffourwhobegintheirvisitin
themorningatthenorthendoftheparkandstopatseveral
belovedlandmarksastheymaketheirwaysouth.Bytheendof
thebook,nightisfallingasthefamilysays,GoodNight
Wissahickon.
FriendsoftheWissahickonworkedhardtoensurethebooks
illustrationsandcontentwereaccurate.
Wewanttodevelopasenseofwonderandexplorationtoeveryonewhovisitsthe
Wissahickon,saidMauraMcCarthy,FriendsoftheWissahickonexecutivedirector.Thisbook
helpseducatechildrenabouttheparkandbringstheparktolifeinafun,engagingand
educationalway.
ThebookwillofficiallygoonsaleinSeptemberataneventattheWissahickon
EnvironmentalCenter,September10from10a.m.tonoon.Therewillbelivereadingsofthe
bookbycommunityleaders,specialWissahickonanimalvisitors,facepaintingandhikesfor
children.
Thepriceofthebookis$9.95.AllproceedsfromthebookwillgotoFriendsofthe
Wissahickon.
GoodNightWissahickonValleyParkwillbecomeafavoriteforchildrenthroughoutthe
areaforkidswhoalreadyknowtheparkandforthosewhohavenevervisitedtheparkbefore,
McCarthysaid.
WissahickonValleyParkislocatedinPhiladelphia.
Toordercopiesofthebook,contactGiuilaMorronebysendingemailto:
morrone@fow.org.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visitthe
FriendsoftheWissahickonwebsite.
RelatedStory:
GiffordPinchotsGreyTowersHostsMilfordWalkingToursSept.10,Oct.1
Anewhistorywalkingtourthatwillhaveparticipants
munchingtheirwaythroughMilford,PikeCounty,isbeing
offeredfrom10a.m.to12p.m.onSeptember10and
October1,bytheGreyTowersHeritageAssociation.
TheMovableFeast:PinchotFamily&MilfordHistoric
WalkingTourwillfeaturesometastingsofMilfordsfavoritefoodspotsandillustratethemany
contributionstothecommunitymadebytheprominentPinchotfamilysincethe1800s.
ParticipantswilllearntheanswerstosuchquestionsaswhatwastheMilfordCommunity
Housebeforeitbecamealibrary?WherewastheGiffordPinchotGrangeHall?WhobuiltForest
Hallandwhatwasitusedfor?
The2hourstrollthroughtheboroughwillillustratehowonefamilyinfluencedthe
beginningsofthecommunity.ParticipantsshouldmeetontheporchofJorgensonsatthe
DimmickInn,BroadandHarfordstreets,at10a.m.,rainorshine.
TheGreyTowersHeritageAssociationaddedthiswalkingtourtothepublicprograms
offeredbytheU.S.ForestServiceatGreyTowers,ancestralhomeofthePinchotfamily,to
enhancethecommunitysunderstandingofthedeepconnectionbetweenthePinchots,Grey
Towersandthecommunity.
Tourparticipantshavebeensurprisedtolearnofsomeofthecommunitycontributionsin
additiontoGreyTowersthatweremadebythefamily,whocametoMilfordinthe1800sand
quicklybecameactivecommunitymembers,contributinggreatlytothegrowthanddevelopment
oftheregion.
SomesignificantbuildingswithPinchothistoryincludeForestHall,theCommunity
House,NormandyCottage,thePikeCountyCourthouseandothers.GiffordPinchotfoundedand
servedasfirstchiefoftheUSDAForestServiceandwastwiceGovernorofPennsylvania.
Preregistration/paymentisrequiredandlimitedtothefirst30paidparticipantsorsenda
checktoGTHA,POBox188,Milford,PA18337.Indicatewhichdateyouareregisteringfor
(September10orOctober1).
MoreinformationisavailableattheMovableFeast:PinchotFamily&MilfordHistoric
WalkingTourwebpage.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandotherupcomingevents,visittheGrey
TowersHeritageAssociation.ClickHeretosignupforupdatesfromtheAssociation,Likethem
onFacebook,FollowthemonTwitter,visittheirYouTubeChannel,becomepartoftheir
Google+CircleandfollowthemonInstagram.
AlsovisittheGreyTowersHistoricSitewebsiteandthePinchotInstitutefor
Conservationwebsiteforinformationonitsconservationresearchandpolicyprograms.Click
HeretosignupfortheInstitutesregularupdates.
(Photo:PinchotStorecirca1870.)
CapitalRC&D:MarketingPlanKeyToSuccessfulFarmBusinessWebinarSept.12
TheCapitalResourceConservationandDevelopmentCouncilwillhostawebinarSeptember12
onMarketingandBrandingForSmallFarmBusinessesfrom7:30to8:30p.m.
ParticipantswillengagewithLauraGifford,founderofTheLaramieGroup,whowill
leadthissessionanddrawfromexperiencesconsultingwithsmallbusinessownerstosharethe
importanceandbasicsofamarketingplan,identifyingyourbrand,andtipsforstayingontrack.
Giffordhasover12yearsofexperienceindevelopingplans&materialsforsmall
businessesandaimstoempowerbusinessownerstofeelincontroloftheirmarketingefforts.
ShecollaborateswiththeSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenteratShippensburg
Universitytohostworkshopsandtoserveasconsultantforsmallbusinessesneedingplanning,
marketingordevelopmentassistance.Farmersandsmallbusinessesusingfoodproductscantap
intotheresourcesofSBDCsthroughoutthestate.
Aswithinpersonworkshops,webinarparticipantsmaycompletemarketinghandouts
duringthewebinarandaskquestionsinrealtimetohelpbegintheirplandevelopment.
Followupmaterialswillalsobeprovidedforuseafterthewebinar.Alltacticsand
worksheetsprovidedhaveyourlimitedtimelineandbudgetinmind.
Forthoseunabletoparticipateintheliveevent,arecordingwillbeavailableonthe
CapitalRC&Dwebsite.
ThewebinarisfreebutpreregistrationisrequiredbySeptember9.
Formoreinformationortoregister,visittheMarketingandBrandingForSmallFarm
BusinesseswebpageorcontactCherylBurnsatCapitalRC&Dat7172414361orsendemail
to:cburns@capitalrcd.org.
VisittheCapitalResourceConservationandDevelopmentCouncilwebsiteforadditional
upcomingworkshopsandfielddays.
OpportunityToBidOnDEPMineReclamationProjectInCambriaCounty
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheAugust27PABulletinof
theopportunitytobidonaminereclamationprojectinCambriaCounty.
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionhasavailableacurrentlistof
AbandonedMineReclamation,AcidMineDrainage,SurfaceMineReclamation,CleaningOut
andPluggingOilandGasWells,WaterwaysEngineering(ConcreteDams/ConcreteLined
Channels,WallsandBoxCulverts,etc.),HazardousSiteRemediation,RemovalandDisposalof
UndergroundStorageTanks,andWetlandRestorationprojectsavailableforbidding.ClickHere
forthelist.
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceshasacurrentlistofbid
proposalsforconstructionprojectsinStateParksandStateForestsavailableonline.ClickHere
forthelist.
HelpWanted:PAAssnForSustainableAgricultureExecutiveDirector
ThePAAssociationforSustainableAgricultureisseekingqualifiedcandidatesfortheposition
ofExecutiveDirector.ApplicationsaredueSeptember15.ClickHereforallthedetails.
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.[AgendaNotPosted]meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.GototheonlineCalendarwebpageforupdates.
August27CBFPAHeroesOnTheWaterKayaking,FlyFishingEvent.ShanksMare
Outfitters,Wrightsville,YorkCounty.1:00p.m.
August27GreyTowersHeritageAssn.SummerLectureSeries:TheSpiritualityOfGifford
Pinchot.GreyTowersNationalHistoricSite,Milford,PikeCounty.5:30p.m.

August29NEW.HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteehearingonbiosolidsandtheland
applicationofsewagesludge.QualityInn,971N.EagleValleyRoadinMilesburg,Centre
County.2:00.
August29DEPChapter78DrillingRegulationsWebinar:AreaofReview1:00p.mto3:00
p.m.[1.5hourpresentationfollowedbyQ/A]ClickHeretoregister.
August30CANCELED.DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.ThemeetinghasbeenrescheduledforSeptember12.DEPContact:DawnHissner,
DEPBureauofSafeDrinkingWater,7177722189ordhissner@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
August30AlliancefortheChesapeakeBayStrategiesforFinancingYourStormwaterProject
Workshop.DerryTownshipMunicipalComplex,600ClearwaterRoad,Hershey,Dauphin
County.10:00a.m.
August30DEPChapter78DrillingRegulationsWebinar:ErosionControl,SiteRestoration
AndBorrowPitsfrom1:00p.m.to3:00p.m.ClickHeretoregister.
August31DEPpublichearingonproposeddelegationrequestforthefederalSewageSludge
IncinerationRegulationProgram.12thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding,
Harrisburg.10:00a.m.untilnoon.[Acopyofthedelegationrequestispostedhere.](formal
notice)
August31DEPChapter78DrillingRegulationsWebinar:ProtectionofWaterSuppliesfrom
10:00a.m.tonoonClickHeretoregister.
August31DEPChapter78DrillingRegulationsWebinar:WasteManagementDisposalfrom
1:00p.m.to3:00p.m.ClickHeretoregister.
August31RoundtableDiscussionOnNWFChangingTidesAlongTheEasternSeaboard.
JohnHeinzNationalWildlifeRefugeAtTinicum,8601LindberghBlvd.inPhiladelphia.2:30to
3:30.
September1DEPChapter78DrillingRegulationsWebinar:ApplicationRequirements&
PublicResources1:00p.m.to3:00p.m.ClickHeretoregister.
September3HawkMountainSanctuaryInternationalVultureAwarenessDay.Kempton,
BerksCounty.
September6CANCELED.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:CharlesSwokel,BureauofEnvironmental
CleanupandBrownfields,7177725806orsendemailto:cswokel@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
September7SchuylkillActionNetworkTourOfUpperSchuylkillRiverRestorationSites.
CabelasInHamburg,BerksCounty.10:00a.m.
September7NEW.StroudWaterResearchCenter.Webinar:IntroductionToTheLeafPack
Network.3:30,6:30.
September8SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionmeeting.TheOtesagaResortHotel,60
LakeStreet,Cooperstown,NY.9:00.(formalnotice)
September9October9PittsburghsRe:NEWSustainabilityFestival.
September10KeystoneTrailsAssociationTrailChallengeForTheLowerSusquehanna.
SusquehannockStatePark,LancasterCounty.
September10PhiladelphiaWaterFunFishingFestOnTheSchuylkillRiver.
September10NEW.GiffordPinchotsGreyTowersMovableFeast:PinchotFamily&
MilfordHistoricWalkingTour.Milford,PikeCounty.10a.m.to12p.m.
September1017NEW.FriendsOfAlleghenyWildernessAlleghenyRiverCleanup.
September12DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room
105RachelCarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.9:00.DEPContact:DawnHissner,DEPBureauof
SafeDrinkingWater,7177722189ordhissner@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
September12NEW.CapitalRC&D:MarketingPlanKeyToSuccessfulFarmBusiness
Webinar.7:30to8:30p.m.
September12NEW.NatureAboundsPASeniorEnvironmentCorps/YorkAudubonSociety
WaterMonitoringWorkshop.PennStateExtensionOffice,York.9:00a.m.to2:30p.m.
September13DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286Industrial
ParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,
7244043147,agaida@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
September13NEW.StateElectronicsChallengeSustainability&YourOfficeEquipment
Webinar.3:00to4:00p.m.
September14CANCELED.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Thedateofthenext
meetinghasnotbeenscheduled.DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPoint
SourceManagement,7177832941orsendemailto:jdiehl@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
September14DelawareRiverBasinCommissionholdsabusinessmeetingonwater
withdrawalrequests.HistoricHotelBethlehem,437MainSt.,Bethlehem.5:00.(formalnotice)
September14MonongahelaRiverTownSummit.CaliforniaUniversityofPA,California.

September15NEW.SenateRepublicanPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingonWaterfront
DevelopmentTaxCreditProgram.TalenEnergyStadium,1StadiumDrive,Chester,Delaware
County.11:00.
September1518DelawareHighlandsConservancyWomenandTheirWoodsEducational
Retreat.Milanville,WayneCounty.
September17PAResourcesCouncilHouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent.Allegheny
County,SouthParkWavePoolparkinglot.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.
September17NEW.StroudWaterResearchCenter.Webinar:SlimyLeavesForHealthy
Streams,LeafPackExperimentStreamEcologyKit.9:30,3:30.
September17BrandywineConservancyBikeTheBrandywine.ChesterCounty.
September17GreyTowersHeritageAssn.SummerLectureSeries:TheClearestWayInto
TheUniverse:NaturesMeaningInThePhotographsOfAnselAdams.GreyTowersNational
HistoricSite,Milford,PikeCounty.5:30p.m.
September19NEW.PennsylvaniaLakeErieForum.ErieCountyConservationDistrict,1927
WagerRoadinErie.1:00to4:00p.m.
September1920RegistrationOpen.4thAnnualDelawareRiverWatershedForum.
NormandyFarmHotel&ConferenceCenter,BlueBell,MontgomeryCounty.
September20EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
9:00.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177723277,edinger@pa.gov.
September20DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,khethering@pa.gov.
September20LaurelHighlandsTrailSummit.Meyersdale,SomersetCounty.
September20PAChapteroftheAmericanWaterWorksAssociationSmallWaterSystem
WorkshopOnImprovingWaterQuality.PAAmericanWaterOffices,852WesleyDr.,
Mechanicsburg,CumberlandCounty.8:30to4:30.
September21DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeets.Room105RachelCarson
Building,Harrisburg.9:30.DEPContact:LeeMcDonnell,7177875017orsendemailto:
lmcdonnell@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
September21DEPStateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOfficersmeeting.
11thFloorConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Kristen
Szwajkowski,BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,7177722186orsendemailto:
kszwajkows@pa.gov.
September21DEPHearingOnProposedNPDESWaterQualityPermitForConsolCoal
CompanyfortheBaileyCoalRefuseDisposalAreasNo.1and2.MorrisTownshipCommunity
Center,Nineveh,GreeneCounty.1:00to3:00p.m.CopiesofthedraftNPDESpermitareon
fileforpublicreview,byappointment,attheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,District
MiningOperations,25TechnologyDrive,CaliforniaTechnologyPark,CoalCenter,PA15423,
Phone:7247691100.ClickHereformoreinformation.(formalnoticeAug.13PABulletin,
page5024)
September2122ShaleInsightConference.Pittsburgh.
September22DEPRecyclingFundAdvisory&SolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteesmeeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWaste
Management,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,riashley@pa.gov.
September22CANCELED.DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,Room206,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.DEPContact:
AarenAlgerat717346822orsendemailto:aaalger@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
September22RegistrationOpen.PennStateExtensionDiveDeeperIIIWaterEducator
Summit.TheCentralHotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.
September24RegistrationOpen.SchuylkillRiverHeritageAreaRideTheSchuylkillRiver
TrailFromReadingToPottstown.
October1PAResourcesCouncilHardToRecycleCollectionEvent.RobinsonTownship,
AlleghenyCounty.
October1PittsburghSolarTour.1:00to4:00p.m.
October1NEW.GiffordPinchotsGreyTowersMovableFeast:PinchotFamily&Milford
HistoricWalkingTour.Milford,PikeCounty.10a.m.to12p.m.
October6NEW.DelawareEstuaryPartnershipCelebrates20YearsOfCleanerWater.
AulettoCaterersinDeptford,NewJersey.5:00to8:30p.m.
October7DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,rjanati@pa.gov.
October8PAResourcesCouncilHouseholdChemicalCollectionEvent.BeaverCounty,
BradysRunParkRecyclingCenter.9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.

October12DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipmentmeeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,WestmorelandRoom,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,7244043147,agaida@pa.gov.
October13DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,7177839269orsend
emailto:nherb@pa.gov.
October13DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,csansoni@pa.gov.
October14GovernorsOfficeStatePlanningBoard.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
Harrisburg.10:00a.m.ClickHereformoreinformation.
October18EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177723277,edinger@pa.gov.
October18DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,khethering@pa.gov.
October20PennTAPWebinar:SaveMoneyThroughEnergyManagementSystems.Noonto
1:00.
October20NortheastPAEnvironmentalPartnersAwardsDinner.WoodlandsInn&Resort,
WilkesBarre.
October21PennsylvaniaWildsFallBikingSeminar.AlleghenyGrille,Foxburg,Clarion
County.
October22NaturalLandsTrustChesLenChaseForOpenSpace.ChesterCounty.
October24EnvironmentalIssuesForumoftheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommitteefeatureapresentationonPennsylvaniasWildlifeAction
PlanbytheFishandBoatandGameCommissions.Room8EAEastWingoftheCapitol
BuildinginHarrisburg.Noon.
October26DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAir
Quality,7177839269orsendemailto:nherb@pa.gov.
October2628PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.
October27DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.SusquehannaRoomA,DEP
SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.DEPContact:TomJuengst,
BureauofCleanWater,7177837577orsendemailto:tjuengt@pa.gov.(formalnotice)
November2DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.LocationToBe
Announced.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OilandGasProgram,bycalling
7177839438orsendemailto:kklapkowsk@pa.gov.
November3DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.LocationToBeAnnounced.
10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OilandGasProgram,bycalling7177839438orsend
emailto:kklapkowsk@pa.gov.
November4PAEnvironmentalCouncil.IndustrialHeartlandTrailsCoalitionSummit.
RegionalLearningAlliance,CranberryTownship,ButlerCounty.
November10PAResourcesCouncilAnnualAwardsDinner.VillanovaUniversity
ConferenceCenter,Philadelphia.
November111211thAnnualSusquehannaRiverSymposium.BucknellUniversity,
Lewisburg,UnionCounty.
November15DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DelawareConference
Room,16thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.DEPContact:CarlJones,Director,DEPs
OfficeofEnvironmentalJustice,4842505818orsendemailto:caejone@pa.gov.
November15EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
17101,7177723277,edinger@pa.gov.
November15DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,
Harrisburg,PA171058459,7177052693,khethering@pa.gov.
November16DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoardmeeting.14thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:MichaelMaddigan,Land
RecyclingProgram,7177831566oremail:mmaddigan@pa.gov.
December6DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:CharlesSwokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,7177725806orsendemailto:cswokel@pa.gov.
December8DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:15.DEPContact:NancyHerb,BureauofAirQuality,7177839269orsend
emailto:nherb@pa.gov.
December13DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286Industrial
ParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,
7244043147,agaida@pa.gov.
December14DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Cheri
Sansoni,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,
PA17101,7177725158,csansoni@pa.gov.
December15PennTAPWebinar:E3Overview:EconomyEnergyEnvironment.Noonto
1:00.
December20EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
17101,7177723277,edinger@pa.gov.
December21DEPStateBoardforCertificationOfSewageEnforcementOfficersmeeting.
11thFloorConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:Kristen
Szwajkowski,BureauofPointNonPointSourceManagement,7177722186orsendemailto:
kszwajkows@pa.gov.
February16PennTAPWebinar:PollutionPrevention:LeanManufacturingWithAFocusOn
FoodManufacturing.Noonto1:00.
March2324WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict2017EngineersWorkshop.Fred
RogersCenter,aLEEDGoldCertifiedbuildingatSt.VincentCollege,Latrobe.
VisitDEPsPublicParticipationCenterforpublicparticipationopportunities.ClickHeretosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.
SignUpForDEPseNotice:DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.ClickHeretosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage
July2016DEPRegulatoryAgendaPABulletin,page3731
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(July2016)DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
DEPFacebookPageDEPTwitterFeedDEPYouTubeChannel
ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEventsDCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
thePAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'website.
SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule
YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.
August31NEW.SustainablePittsburghGreenWorkplaceChallenge
September1PAHorticulturalSocietySoutheastTreeVitalizeWatershedTreePlantingGrants
September1AmericanChestnutFoundation2016PhotoContest
September13PPFFStateParks&ForestsThruTheSeasonsPhotoContest
September15NEW.RunoffBustersYellowBreechesWatershedYardMakeover
September15YouthCouncilForHunting,Fishing&ConservationMembers
September15DCNRRiparianForestBufferGrants
September15DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants
September16WesternPAConservancyTreeVitalizePittsburghTreePlantingGrants
September16SBAPhysicalDamageDisasterLoansIn5SouthwestCounties
September1CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
September1CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
September9NEW.DEPAlternativeFuelIncentiveGrants
September13PPFFStateParks&ForestsThruTheSeasonsPhotoContest
September16EasternBrookTroutVenture:HabitatRestorationGrants
September28DCNRWildResourceConservationGrants
September30DCNRStatewideTreeVitalizeTreePlantingGrants
September30FishCommissionTulpehocken&QuittapahillaWatershedGrants
September30ProjectLearningTreeEnvironmentalServiceLearningGrants
October1DEPSmallBusinessEnergyEfficiency,PollutionPrevention(untilgone)
October11KeepPABeautifulK12RecycleBowlCompetition
October17DEPCoastalZoneGrants
October21PEMAFireCompany/EmergencyServicesGrants
October21Gov.WolfWilliamPennFellowshipForAdvancedDegreeGraduates
October31NEW.PPLEmpoweringEducatorsSTEMGrantProgram
October31PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
October31CFASmallWater&SewerProjectFunding
November2PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFunding
November30GameCommissionBigBuckTrailCamPhotoContest
December16DEPEnvironmentalEducationGrants
December31REAPFarmConservationTaxCredit(oruntilmoneyrunsout)
December31DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates(oruntil250rebatespaid)
February8PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFunding
April19SBAEconomicDamageDisasterLoansIn5SouthwestCounties
May3PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFunding
VisittheDEPGrant,LoanandRebateProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
VisittheDCNRApplyforGrantswebpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
DCNR.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore.
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthePAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog,TwitterFeedandaddustoyourGoogle+Circle.
Air
OpEd:ProposedBillCouldHaltCleanAirProgress
Editorial:ElectricPlant80MilesAwayIsPollutingPhillysAir
Editorial:EPAAndEthanol:SomethingSmells
Editorial:StudyEnvironmentalImpactOfEthanol
AlternativeFuels
Awards&Recognition
Budget
Editorial:NothingFishyInLicenseFeePlan
ChesapeakeBay
Climate
Crable:PAAdoptsClimateActionPlanCitingPredictionsOfGrimFuture
UpdateToPAClimatePlanMayBenefitEconomicClimate
Editorial:ClimateForce,ChillingRetort
Editorial:ClimateGames:Anchorvs.Sail
DelawareRiver
DrinkingWater
PittsburghWaterAuthorityToPickInterimDirector
LeadLevelsPromptPittsburghSchoolsToReplaceWaterFountains
OpEd:GettingTheLeadOutOfCommunities
EconomicDevelopment
WesternPARiverfrontDevelopmentsImprovedByPlanning
AppalachianCoalTownsGet$39MFederalBoostAimedAtRevitalization
DespiteLowOilPrices,ShellMovesForwardWithEthanePlant
RoundtableTakesLongTermLookAtBeaverEthanePlantsImpact
RumblingsofSecondCrackerAtBeaverForum
Education
Energy
UGIPresentsEnergyRebateToDept.OfCorrections
TexasStartupsBigIdea:StoringElectricityInShaleWells
OpEd:ShaleStabilizesEnergyPrices
Editorial:StudyEnvironmentalImpactOfEthanol
PPLDemonstratesDangerOfLivePowerLines
AppalachianCoalTownsGet$39MFederalBoostAimedAtRevitalization
PABituminousCoalShow,CelebratingCoalMiningHeritage
FedsProposeNuclearWasteTransportThroughErieCounty
Farming
Forests
WildfireFightersSayTrainingTranslatesWellOutWest
WhatToExpectFromFallFoliageIn2016
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
GreenInfrastructure
HazardousSiteCleanup
AP:FamilySuesNavy,BlamingItForContaminatedDrinkingWater
MineReclamation
Dawes:GOPCongressmenNeedToSupportMineReclamationBill
Conti:WesternPAsCoalSiteMonstrositiesReenvisioned
Oil&Gas
$275MPlantWillTreatWater,SendItBackToWellSites
StudyDoesNotShowGasDrillingCausesHealthImpacts
FederalOil&GasWasteRulesPutTraditionalDrillersInATightSpot
ConventionalWellDrillingIndustryAgainComplainsAboutRegulations
OpEd:WhyWeNeedtoExpandGasProductionInPA
UGIPresentsEnergyRebateToDept.OfCorrections
Mt.PleasantTwpGasPadHearingContinued
RoundtableTakesLongTermLookAtBeaverEthanePlantsImpact
DespiteLowOilPrices,ShellMovesForwardWithEthanePlant
LandmenWait,Shift,LeaveDuringOil&GasDownturn
WithGasDownturn,CommunityCollegeLandMgmt.ProgramOnHiatus
EnergySpotlight:StaceyOlson,Chevro
GasLeakPromptsEvacuationOrderInAdamsCounty
TrumpToSpeakAtMarcellusShaleConferenceInPittsburgh
StoneEnergyInTalksToSellPAAssetsToReduceDebt
SomeShaleDrillersReturnToOilPatch
TexasStartupsBigIdea:StoringElectricityInShaleWells
WVGasDrillerDiesSeekingMedicalHelp
PittsburghGasolinePricesUpSlightly
GasolinePricesExpectedToDropSignificantlyAfterLaborDay
OilTrainTrafficIsDown,ForMarketReasons
Pipelines
RadiationProtection
FedsProposeNuclearWasteTransportThroughErieCounty
Editorial:MoreInformationNeededOnErieNuclearWasteTransport
Recreation
WhatToExpectFromFallFoliageIn2016
LaurelHillStateParkAcquiresScenicOverlook
DogsPerformWaterRescueDemonstrationsAtCodorusStatePark
TakeFiveFridaysWithPam,PAParks&ForestsFoundation
PAWildsCenterReceivesARCGrantForTourism
StillPerfectWeatherForKayakingOnTheSchuylkillRiver
BikeLoopAlongDelawareRiverPicksUpSteam,Dollars
AP:BikeLanesAroundTheWorld,WhenMerePaintWontDoIt
VolunteersMakeoverLigonierBoroughsFriendshipPark
NorthBelleVernonParkDedicated
ATVRidershipOnTheRiseInPA
FriendsOfWissahickonBegin$1MTrailRestorationProject
PrettiestFitnessChallengeEver:TackleAllOfTheWissahickonsTrails
ExtendingFun,FitnessToAllAtPhillyParks&Playgrounds
Crable:MarticTwpAskedToTakeOverClosedHoltwoodPark
EnergyCompany,ConservancyGroupReachDealOnHoltwood
AP:AlleghenyPortageSiteRecalls1834RailroadInnovation
Crable:QuickestWayToDriveToAll47NationalParksInLower48
OpEd:CelebrateNationalParkServicesCentennial
Editorial:CashBestGiftToNationalParksOnTheirBirthday
RenewableEnergy
SchuylkillRiver
StillPerfectWeatherForKayakingOnTheSchuylkillRiver
Sustainability
WastewaterTreatmentFacilities
ScrantonSewerAuthority,AmericanWaterToGetSaleBackOnTrack
WatershedProtection
WesternPARiverfrontDevelopmentsImprovedByPlanning
Wildlife
Editorial:NothingFishyInLicenseFeePlan
CitizenAdvisoryPanelOffersRecommendationsOnDeerManagement
Schneck:14BestSpotstoWatchHawks
Crable:HighTechMonitoringUnlocksMysteriesOfBirdMigration
AreAllentownsNewGlassBuildingsBirdKillers?
ChathamUInvolvedInInternationalMothCollectionProject
WestNile/ZikaVirus
Other
AlleghenyFront:CanalsThatRemadePAsEconomy
CentraliasLastChurchInvitesPilgrimsForCelebrationOfFaith
ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardpublishedfinalregulationsintheAugust27PABulletin
updatingthecleanupstandardsunderDEPsLandRecyclingProgram.
Formoreinformationonthisawardwinningprogramanditssuccessstories,visitDEPs
LandRecyclingProgramwebpage.
PennsylvaniaBulletinAugust27,2016
SignUpForDEPseNotice:DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.ClickHeretosignup.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage
July2016DEPRegulatoryAgendaPABulletin,page3731
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheAugust27PABulletin
extendingtheNPDESGeneralPermitforPointSourceDischargesToWatersOfThe
CommonwealthfromtheApplicationofPesticides.
DEPpublishednoticeintheAugust27PABulletinofcertificationrequestsundertheNutrient
CreditTradingProgram.
TheDEPpublishednoticeintheAugust27PABulletinoffinaltechnicalguidanceonClosure
RequirementsforUndergroundStorageTankSystemsandAbovegroundStorageTankSystems.
DEPID:2634500601.Title:ClosureRequirementsforUndergroundStorageTank
bemettocomplywiththeclosurerequirementsforregulatedundergroundstoragetanks.These
proceduresincludeclosurenotification,tankhandling,wastemanagementanddisposal,site
assessment,samplingrequirements,analyticalrequirements,releasereportingand
publishedat46Pa.B.5655(August27,2016,page5655)asamendmentsto25Pa.Code
Chapter250(relatingtoLandRecyclingProgram).
RandyMartinat7177725828orsendemailto:ramartin@pa.gov.
DEPID:2634200001.Title:ClosureRequirementsforAbovegroundStorageTank
bemettocomplywiththeclosurerequirementsforregulatedlargeabovegroundstoragetanks.
Theseproceduresincludeclosurenotification,tankhandling,wastemanagementanddisposal,
siteassessment,samplingrequirements,analyticalrequirements,releasereportingand
publishedat46Pa.B.5655(August27,2016,page5655)asamendmentsto25Pa.Code
Chapter250.
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