PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward Harrisburg,PaApril21,2014 20Business,Oil,Coal,Aggregate,Farm,PowerGroupsOpposeAct13CourtRuling Mondayadiversegroupof20business,oil,coal,aggregate,farm,electricpower,builderand chambersofcommercewrotetomembersoftheSenateandHousesayingthePASupremeCourts rulingontheAct13drillinglawandtheEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentthreatenstheabilityof Pennsylvaniatoretainandgrowexistingbusinessesandattractnewones. PennsylvaniasEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentsays,"Thepeoplehavearighttocleanair, purewater,andtothepreservationofthenatural,scenic,historicandestheticvaluesoftheenvironment. Pennsylvania'spublicnaturalresourcesarethecommonpropertyofallthepeople,includinggenerations yettocome.Astrusteeoftheseresources,theCommonwealthshallconserveandmaintainthemforthe benefitofallthepeople." WhiletheletterdidnotcallforanyspecificactionbytheGeneralAssembly,thelettersaidwhat theycalledtheuncertaintyandambiguityofthedecisionwillleadtomorelitigationandthespectraof multiplelevelsofgovernmentandamyriadofagenciessecondguessingeachotherindecidingwhether toapproveparticulardevelopmentsandhowtomanagenaturalresources. Theopinion,theysaid,opensthedoortoamyriadoflitigation,atalllevelsofgovernment, attemptingtothwartvirtuallyanytypeofindustrial,agricultural,commercialorresidentialfacilityand development. Theyconcludedbysaying,Asyouconsiderandseektoaddresstheimpactofthiscourt decision,westronglyaskthatyougiveseriousconsiderationtoourconcernsregardingthisimportant matter. Thetextoftheletterfollows Onbehalfofadiversegroupofinterests,includingchambersofcommerceandassociations representingabroadarrayofbusinessesandindustriesthroughoutPennsylvania,wearewritingto expressourseriousconcernsabouttherecentPennsylvaniaSupremeCourtdecisionregardingAct13 of2012andthepluralityopinionsunprecedentlyexpansiveinterpretationanduseoftheEnvironmental RightsAmendmenttostrikedownstatelegislationintendedtoprovideacomprehensive,predictable, andrationalapproachtoenvironmentalregulation. Whilewehadhopedthecourtwouldreconsideritsoriginaldecisiononthiscriticalmatterand allowafurtherfactfindingprocesstooccur,therecentannouncementthattheoriginalrulingwould standwithoutadditionalconsiderationhasonlysolidifiedourconcerns. WebelievetheCourtsDecember19,2013decisioninRobinsonTownshipv.Commonwealth ofPennsylvaniahasfarreachingimplicationsthatwillimpactamultitudeofindustriesinPennsylvania beyondoilandgasextractionanddevelopment. Howthisdecisionwillbeappliedinfuturepermitting,developmentandothermatterscanbe

debated.Whatcannotbedebated,however,isthehighlevelofuncertaintyandlackofclaritytowhich Pennsylvaniaemployersarenowsubjectedtoasaresultofthedecision. Thepluralitysopinionhas,withoutadoubt,createdmorequestionsthananswers,manyof whichwillnotberesolvedwithoutalongandcostlylitigationprocess. ThepluralityopinionauthoredbyChiefJusticeCastilleexpandstheapplicationofthe EnvironmentalRightsAmendment(ERA)inPennsylvaniasConstitutionbyostensiblyauthorizingevery governmententityinthestate(includingtheexecutivebranch,thecourts,thelegislature,and municipalities)toactasatrusteeoftheCommonwealthsnaturalresources,inthemannereachentity seesfit. TheopinionunderminesthetraditionalandlongrecognizedauthorityoftheLegislatureto balanceenvironmentalandeconomicinterestsonastatewidebasis,leadingtothespectraofmultiple levelsofgovernmentandamyriadofagenciessecondguessingeachotherindecidingwhetherto approveparticulardevelopmentsandhowtomanagenaturalresources.Thisexpansive,broadand vaguelycasebycaseapplicationoftheEnvironmentalRights AmendmentthreatenstoreestablishtheveryuncertaintyandambiguitythatAct13andmany otherstatuteswereoriginallyintendedtoaddressthroughadoptionofaholistic,comprehensive regulatoryprogramthatcarefullybalancestheCommonwealthtwininterestsineconomicprogressand environmentalstewardship. Thepluralityopinionopensthedoortoamyriadoflitigation,atalllevelsofgovernment, attemptingtothwartvirtuallyanytypeofindustrial,agricultural,commercialorresidentialfacilityand development.Theaffectsofthisrulingwillbefeltbyemployersinallindustriesandwillcertainly adverselyimpacteffortstopromotejobcreationthroughoutthestate. TheintentofAct13wastoensurestableandenvironmentallyresponsibledevelopmentofthe statesnaturalgasindustryforthegreaterbenefitoftheCommonwealthand,moreimportantly,the communitiesinwhichthedevelopmenthasalreadyoccurred. Withthesupportofentitiesrepresentinglocalgovernmentsthroughoutthestate,theplanproved wecouldsuccessfullybalancetheconcernsofourcommunitieswhilepromotingunparalleledeconomic opportunity. However,asaresultofthecourtsdecision,thetiesthatboundAct13andmettheobjectives ofprotectingtheenvironment,supportinglocalcommunitiesandgrowingtheeconomyhavebeen severed.Inturn,thedecisionthusforcesusnowtoquestionhowitwillaffectnotonlytheabilityto responsiblygrowthestatesnaturalgasindustry,butalsothestatusofothercriticalenvironmental safeguardsincludedinthelaw. EachofourrespectivemembersandtheiremployeeshasmadePennsylvaniatheirhomeand hasavestedinterestinprotectingourenvironmentandensuringsafetyinourcommunities.Yetweknow thatinordertogrowoureconomyandpreserveahighqualitystandardoflivingforfuturegenerations, theremustbearesponsiblebalancebetweenenvironmentalprotection,localoversightandeconomic development. WebelievethatthePennsylvaniaSupremeCourtsdecision,becauseoftheuncertaintyand ambiguitythatithasproduced,hasseriouspotentialtounderminethatbalancebypresentingnew challengestopromotingeconomicgrowthandtothestatesabilitytoattractandretainofemployers throughouttheCommonwealth. Asyouconsiderandseektoaddresstheimpactofthiscourtdecision,westronglyaskthatyou giveseriousconsiderationtoourconcernsregardingthisimportantmatter. Thegroupssigningtheletterinclude:PAChamberofBusinessandIndustry,Associated

PetroleumIndustriesofPA,PAManufacturersAssociation,AssociatedPAContractors,Electric PowerGenerationAssociation,PAAggregatesandConcreteAssociation,PAAnthraciteCouncil,PA FarmBureau,PAForestProductsAssociation,PAIndependentOilandGasAssociation,PABuilders Association,NationalFederationofIndependentBusiness,PnnGradCrudeCoalition,Schuylkill ChamberofCommerce,GreaterReadingChamberofCommerceandIndustry,WestShoreChamber ofCommerce,HanoverAreaChamberofCommerce,LebanonValleyChamberofCommerce, Williamsport/LycomingChamberofCommerceandSomersetCountyChamber. Acopyoftheletterisavailableonline. NewsClips: AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty StraightTalk:ArticleI,Section27PAEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentCourtDecision ByJohnA.Arway,ExecutiveDirector,Fish&BoatCommission OnDecember19,2013,theSupremeCourtofPennsylvaniaissuedan opinionthatheldcertainpartsofournewOilandGasAct(Act13of2012) unconstitutional. AlthoughIamabiologistandnotalawyer,Ihavespentmanyhoursin courtandonthewitnessstandasanexpertwitnessdefendingtherightsofour aquaticresourceshowever,Iwillnottrytoexplaintheimplicationsofthe decisiontothelaw. Myprimaryinterestinstudyingthedecisionfocusedontheopinionof thethreejusticeswhoexplainedtheirconcernsabouthowthelawwas inconsistentwithArticle1,Section27ofourstateconstitution. Now,althoughthejointopinionofthreejusticesoutofsevendoesntqualifyforamajority opinion,Iamtoldthatitdoesmeetthedefinitionofaplurality,whichissignificantespeciallywhenthe ChiefJusticeagrees. ThepeopleinpublicreferendumratifiedArticle1,Section27,alsoknownastheEnvironmental RightsAmendment,onMay18,1971byafourtoonemargin.Iwasinundergraduateschoolatthe time,stilltryingtofigureoutwhatIwantedtodoinlifeandcanclearlyremembervotingforthis amendment.Inthevotingbooth,itresonatedwithmypersonalphilosophyaboutpublicrightsandtrust ingovernmentandstilldoestoday. Afterthat1971vote,IdidntthinkmuchmoreabouttheamendmentuntilIbeganmycareer withthePennsylvaniaFishCommissionin1980. [Note:PennsylvaniasEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentsays,"Thepeoplehavearighttoclean air,purewater,andtothepreservationofthenatural,scenic,historicandestheticvaluesofthe environment.Pennsylvania'spublicnaturalresourcesarethecommonpropertyofallthepeople, includinggenerationsyettocome.Astrusteeoftheseresources,theCommonwealthshallconserveand maintainthemforthebenefitofallthepeople."] AlthoughIstartedfreshoutofgraduateschoolasasemiskilledlaborerworkingonstream habitatimprovementprojects,Isoonbecameinvolvedinthereviewofminedrainagepermit

applicationsasarookiefisheriesbiologistanddiscoveredthatourExecutiveDirectorRalphAbelehad apassionforcleanwater. HestartedhiscareerinstategovernmentastheexecutivesecretaryoftheJointLegislativeAir andWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommitteeoftheHouseandSenatein1969.Duringhis tenure,heworkedwithlegislativechampionslikelegislatorsFranklinKuryandJohnLaudadioinwriting Article1,Section27. Theearly1980sweredayswhenacoaloperatorcouldtraveltoHarrisburgandbebackhome miningcoalintheverysameday.However,underAbelesleadership,weweretoldtodoourdutyand fearnoonewhenweappliedthenewsciencetoriskanalysiswitheverypermitwereviewed. HewouldpersonallysigneachpermitapplicationreviewandincludeacopyofArticle1, Section27inouragencysubmissiontoDepartmentofEnvironmentalResources(DER).IhadAbele signanddateoneoftheoriginalcopies,putitinaframeandhavehaditasaremindertodutyabovemy deskeversince.AsaresultofAbelesdiligence,Dr.MauriceGoddardcalledustheenvironmental conscienceofhisDER. Letsnowfastforwardtothepresentandreflectuponsomeofthethingsthatthepluralityof justicessaidintheiropinionthatprovidesnewmeaningandrelevancetotheamendment. ThepluralityspokeaboutcertainconstitutionalguaranteesinArticle1andconcludethatthe peopleknewwhattheyvotedforin1971,anditisntuptoanycourt,legislatureoradministrationto concludeotherwise.Itisasocialcontractbetweengovernmentandthepeopleandthefirstsection affirmstheinherentrightsofthepeopleofPennsylvania. ThefirstclauseofSection27dealswithindividualenvironmentalrightsandrequiresallbranches ofgovernmenttoconsidertheeffectofanyproposedactionontheconstitutionallyprotectedfeatures. Furthermore,Therighttocleanairandpurewatersetsplainconditionsbywhichgovernmentmust abide. HeretheyciteProfessorJohnDernbachwhowrotethemeasureofourprogressisnotjust whatwehavebuthowwelive,thatitisnotmanwhomustadapthimselftotechnologybuttechnology whichmustbeadaptedtoman. ThesecondandthirdclausesofSection27involvethepublictrustandreservesthepublics righttothecommonownershipofPennsylvaniaspublicnaturalresources,includinggenerationsyetto come. Theseresourcesgenerallyincluderesourcesofpublicinterestsuchasambientair,surfaceand groundwater,wildflora,andfauna(includingfish)sincethedrafterswantedtocapturethefullarrayof resourcesimplicatingthepublicinterest,asthesemaybedefinedbystatuteoratcommonlaw. ThethirdclauseofSection27establishestheCommonwealthsdutiesconsistentwiththepublic trustdoctrineanddesignatestheCommonwealthastrusteeandthepeopleasthenamed beneficiaries. Thisisourinsurancepolicy,sotospeak,toinsurethatourairstayssafetobreathe,ourwater remainssafetodrinkandournaturalresourcescontinuetobeprotectedforfuturegenerationsand ourselves. Thecourtremindedusthatthosedutiesandpowersattendanttothetrustarenotvested exclusivelyinanysinglebranchofPennsylvaniasgovernment. WhenIbecameExecutiveDirectorofthePennsylvaniaFish&BoatCommissionin2010and tookmyConstitutionalOathofOffice,Irememberedthatdayinthevotingboothin1971andamnow veryproudtobeabletobepartofthegovernmentthatupholdsthisconstitutionalobligation. Thecourtspluralityopiniongoesontoremindusaboutvariousenvironmentaleventsthatledto

ourdecisiontoplaceourenvironmentalrightsonparwithourpoliticalrights.Deforestationofour landscapeinthelate1800sandearly1900sfilledourstreamswithsedimentandleftbehindthousands ofacresofdevastatedtreelessacresdevoidofgameandwildlife.Next,cametheindustrial exploitationofPennsylvaniascoalfields,whichfueledoursteelmillsalongourmajorrivers. Thisindustrialrevolutionleftuswithover2,500milesofstreamspollutedbyacidminedrainage andriversthatwouldnotfreezeoverinthewinterbecauseofamixtureofchemicalantifreezeand thermalpollution. Ourgenerationbeganthecleanupofourairandwater,whichledtothepartialrecoveryofour naturalresources.Wecanthankavarietyofstateandfederallawsandregulationsthatplaced necessarycontrolsonindustriesthatposedrisktoourenvironment. WhenIand1,021,341othercommonownersoftheCommonwealthspublicresourcesvoted forthisconstitutionalamendmentin1971,webelievedthatitwouldmakeadifference.Upuntilnow, wehaveplacedourtrustandconfidenceinprimarilytwobranchesofgovernmenttofulfillthedutythat isrequiredbyArticle1,Section27. Althoughthisrecentcourtopinionisfromapluralityofjustices,whichcouldchangetoa majorityoraminoritywithjustonevote,weshouldregardthisopinionasashotacrossourproverbial bowandlistencloselytothesoundadviceprovidedtousbythisdecisionaswefacethechallengesof ourfuture. FormoreStraightTalkfromJohnArway,visittheStraightTalkwebpage. NewsClips: AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty DEPToCAC:Chapter78DrillingRegsWillNotBeFinalizedUntil2015 HayleyBook,DirectorofDEPsPolicyOffice,toldDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilTuesdaythe agencywasnotlikelytofinalizeproposedchangestoChapter78drillingregulationsuntilsometimein 2015. BooksaidDEPreceivedcommentsfromover25,000commenters,mostlyformlettersfrom proenvironmentandproindustryindividuals,thattheyplantoorganizeandreviewwiththeagencys OilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardthissummer. BookalsosaidDEPisconsideringdoinganAdvancedNoticeOfFinalRulemakingwhenthey areinpositiontofinalizetheregulationtoallowonemoreopportunityforpubliccommentsbeforeany finalactionbytheEnvironmentalQualityBoard. OnanotherMarcellusShaleissue,BooksaidpressreportsaboutChevronblockingaccessto theGreeneCountywellfiresiteinFebruaryincorrectlysaidDEPdidnotgetaccesstothesite.Book saidDEPinspectorshadaccess,butnotunrestrictedaccess. ShenotedanoticeofviolationsenttoChevronMarch18aboutthewellfirehadasoneifits counts,failuretoprovideaccesstoapermittedoilandgasfacilitytoproperlyidentifiedDepartment personnelandagents,aviolationof58Pa.C.S.Section325(a),(b)andtheexpressconditionsofthe wellpermitswhichallentrywithoutnoticeorasearchwarrant. Bookalsotouchedontheseissues

CommunityEnvironmentalProjects:ThefinalpolicyguidingdecisionsonDEPaccepting CommunityEnvironmentalProjectinlieuofsomepenaltyassessmentswillbepublishedintheApril19 PABulletin.(ThefinalversionofthepolicywillbeavailableinDEP'seLibrarybysearchingforpolicy 0124180001.) AgencyReorganization:TheEnergyOfficeandpollutionpreventionprogramshavenowbeen assignedtotheOfficeofPolicytheEnvironmentalEducationProgramhasbeenmovedtothe Communicationsoffice. ClickHereforacopyofDEPswrittenmonthlyreporttoCouncil. OtherIssues TheCouncilheardapresentationbyJoelKoricich,DistrictMiningManagerfromtheCalifornia Office,abouttheupcomingAct54longwallminingimpactreport.Koricichsaidthereportshouldbe completedandavailableforCouncilreviewinMay.DEPscontractorforthereportistheUniversityof Pittsburgh. KoricichsaidthisnextAct54willbefocusedmoreonanalyzingthestructuraldamageand watersupplyissuescausedbylongwallmining,ratherthanjustrecountingthefactsofhowmuch damagetherewas. DEPisrequiredtoprepareareporteveryfiveyearsontheimpactoflongwallmining.Thiswill betheagencysfourthreport. TheCounciltookactiontoformanadhoccommitteetoreviewthereportconsistingofCouncil ChairTerryDayton,CynthiaCarrow,JohnWaliserandBurtWaite. LeeMcDonnell,DirectoroftheBureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,provided CouncilwithanupdateontheAct537SewagePlanningandPermitProgram.Hetalkedabouttwo issuesreconcilingsewageplanningandalternativesystemsrequirementsandimplementingAct41. HesaidtheagencyistryingtoupdateitsChapter71,72and72sewageregulationstodealwith anissuewhere537planningapprovalsneededforallsubdivisionscannotusesocalledalternative sewagetreatmentsystemstomeetthesewagerequirements.Theycanonlyuseconventionalsystems. McDonnellsaidthereisgeneralagreementtheissueneedstoberesolvedwithinDEPsSewage AdvisoryCommittee,butsomememberswanttodoasurgicalchangeandotherswanttodoabroader updatesincetheregulationshavenotbeenchangedsince1997. CouncilvotedtosendalettertoDEPSecretaryChrisAbruzzourginghimtoresolvethe sewageplanningandalternativesystemissueandundertakeawiderreviewofAct537reforms. Councilalso ThankedmembersNancyPerkinsandJamesClauserfortheservicetoCouncilsincetheyareleaving thegroup NotedtherearethreemembersservingwithexpiredtermsPatLupo(Governorsappointment), JanetKelm(HouseSpeakersappointment)andDonWelsh(Governorsappointment)and NotedtherearefourvacanciesontheCouncil:2appointmentsbytheSenatePresidentPro Tempore,1appointmentbytheHouseSpeakerand1appointmentbytheGovernor. CouncilPriorities Councilmembersalsodiscussedprioritiesforthecomingyeardecidingtofocustheireffortson severalissues,giventheirlimitedstaffresources ReviewoftheAct54longwallminingimpactreport DEPProgramPerformance,includingreviewingtheimpactofbudgetandstaffingcutsatDEP Enhancingpublicparticipationandtransparency Continuingsupportforadoptionofconstructionstandardsforprivatewaterwellsand

ContinuingitsrequiredreviewofairqualityandotherregulationspresentedtoCouncil. PublicComments Duringthepubliccommentsportionoftheagenda,Councilheardcommentsfrom BonitaHoke,PALeagueofWomenVoters,whourgedCounciltogiverenewedattentiontothe reviewofDEPsAct54longwallminingimpactreportgiventheproblemswithstructuraldamageand watersupplyissuescreatedbymining.ShealsoexpressedconcernabouttheproblemsDEPhad gainingaccesstothesiteoftheGreeneCountywellexplosion. StephenKunz,Schmid&Company,Inc.,notedithasbeen20yearssinceAct54wasenacted intolawandlongwallmininghaschangedsignificantlysincethen.Forexample,hesaidlongwallpanels haveincreasedfrom700800feetto1,500feetwidewhichcouldresultinmoreimpactsoveramuch widerarea.Basedonthesechanges,heurgedDEPtoreviewsomeofitsassumptionsabouthowit regulatesthisactivity. ThenextmeetingofCouncilwillbeWednesday,May21startingat10:00a.m.inRoom105of theRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburg. Formoreinformation,visittheDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwebpage. NewsClips: Editorial:StateShouldNotBeBarredFromDrillSites Editorial:DEPMustHaveAccessToSellSites AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax WantToBeGovernor?GiveFrackingWindfallToThePeople Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty IRRCProvides19PagesOfCommentsToDEPOnChapter78DrillingRegulations TheIndependentRegulatoryReviewCommissionMondayprovided19pagesofcommentstothe DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiononproposedChapter78drillingregulationsrequiredbyAct 13. Amongotherquestions,theIRRCasDEPtoexplain Itsauthoritytorequiresetbacksfromwaterbodiesandotherwelllocationrestrictionsinlightofthe PASupremeCourtsrulinginDecemberdeclaringtheunconstitutional IfthereisabasisinacceptabledatafortheregulationandthestandardsDEPseekstoimposein theregulation Whythesameprovisionsapplytoconventionalandunconventional(MarcellusShale)gaswells Howitcalculatedthepotentialcostoftheregulationtotheindustry Whetheralesscostlyorlessintrusivealternativemethodofachievingthegoaloftheregulationhas beenconsideredforsmallbusinessand RequirementsforwatermanagementplansastheyapplyintheOhioRiverWatershed DEPisrequiredtorespondtoallthesecommentsatthetimefinalregulationsaresubmittedto theIRRCforreview. Acopyofthecommentsisavailableonline. NewsClips: Editorial:StateShouldNotBeBarredFromDrillSites Editorial:DEPMustHaveAccessToSellSites

AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax WantToBeGovernor?GiveFrackingWindfallToThePeople Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty DCNRReleasesFirstReportOnTheImpactsOfDrillingInStateForestLands TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources Wednesdayreleasedacopyofitsfirstmonitoringreportonthe impactofshalegasdrillinginStateForestsbasedon15different monitoringvaluesdevelopedbyagencyscientistswithinputfromits advisorycommittees. Thereportcoversactivitiesfrom2008to2012andwas releasedatameetingoftheagencysNaturalGasAdvisory CommitteeinStateCollege. The268pagemonitoringreportcoveredimpactsto infrastructure,flora,foresthealth,invasivespecies,water,soil,air,incidents,fauna,recreation, communityengagement,timber,energy,revenueandforestlandscapes. DCNRwillalsoholdawebinaronthereportonApril21at1:30.ClickHeretoregisterorcall tollfree8776684493. DCNRisalsocollectingobservationsaboutthereportthroughanonlinesurvey. Peoplemayhavedifferentperspectivesonhowmonitoringisdefined,buttheywanttoknow thatstaffisonthegroundobservingandmanaginggasdevelopmentactivitythatisoccurringinourstate forests,saidDCNRSecretaryEllenFerretti.Thebreadthanddepthofthisreportdemonstratesthat shalegasproductiononstateforestsisbeingcarefullymanaged. Monitoringdoesnotnecessarilygiveyouanswersitgivesyoudatatobeusedfor decisionmaking,Ferrettisaid.Wealreadyhaveandcontinuetomakeadjustmentsbasedonour observations,andourmanagementguidelineswillcontinuallybeupdatedasmoreinformationisbrought forth. Theintentofthereportistopresentinformationinasobjectiveamanneraspossible. Oftentimestrendsoreffectsarenotevidentforyearsordecades.Despitethat,therearesomefindings thatcanbegleanedfromthisinitialreport,ActingDeputySecretaryforParksandForestryDanDevlin said. ShalegasdevelopmentonStateForestlandshasresultedin$583.2milliondollarsrevenueto thestatethrough2012andintheconversionof1,486acrestofacilitategasdevelopmentoverthe 385,400acresofleasedStateForestland.Alloftheshalegasleasesweresignedbefore2011. DCNRpointedoutithasadded8,900acresofnewStateForestlandtotheforestdistricts wheregasisbeingdeveloped. About15percentoftheshalegasproducedinPennsylvaniacomesfromStateForestlandsthe reportsaid. DCNRnotedevenwithshalegasdevelopmentithasretainedtheForestStewardshipCouncil sustainableforestcertification,includingaftera2013comprehensivefiveyearrecertificationaudit whichresultedinnomajorcorrectiveactionrequests. DEPinvestigated324incidentsinvolvingdrillingsitesinStateForestsfrom2008through2012

whichresultedin308noticesofviolation.Thereportsaidtwoofthoseincidentswereadieselfuelspill andabrinespill.Inaddition,DCNRsownreportingsystemfound264incidentsin50different categoriesrelatedtoshalegasdevelopment. Watermonitoringatover300sitesinStateForestsandbytheSusquehannaRiverBasin Commissionsrealtimemonitoringnetworkhavenotidentifiedanysignificantimpactsduetoshalegas development,althoughthereportcautionedtheseresultswerefromthefirstroundofsamplingwhich waslargelybaselinesampling. Thereportpointedoutthat87percentofthestreamsintheshalegasregionareclassifiedas highqualityorexceptionalvalue. IntermsofrecreationalexperiencesonStateForestlands,thereportsaidnoiselevelsat6of the7compressorstationsonstatelandswereabovethelevelsrecommendedintheenvironmental standardsinstateleases.Alimitedsurveyof116StateForestlandusersfoundthat46saidgas developmenthadchangedtheirvisitationexperienceandrecreationaluseoftheseareas,butlittle followupdetailwasprovided. Thereportsaidinvasivespeciesareaconcernasareasofdisturbancetendtocreateconditions conducivetoinvasionofunwantedplantspeciesorpests.Invasivespeciesneedtobecarefully managedandcontrolled.DCNRleasesrequirethatcompaniesaddressinvasivespecies. Asaresultofcurrentshalegasleases,DCNRanticipatesatotalofapproximately3,000gas wellswillbedrilledonStateForestlandswhenfullydeveloped.Therewereabout568wellsdrilledby theendof2013. DCNRalsosaidtheagencyisjustbeginningtoreceiveroyaltiesfromtheshalegasdevelopment asactualgasproductionincreases. ClickHereforacopyofthefullreport.ClickHereforanexecutivesummary. ThefollowingarethefindingsfromDCNRsmonitoringreport. Infrastructure Approximately1,486acresofforesthavebeenconvertedtofacilitategasdevelopmentinthecore gasdistricts(stateforestssubjecttoshalegasdevelopment),includingroads,infrastructureandwell padsandpipelines.Duringthesametimeperiod(2008to2012),thebureauacquired33,500acresto addtostateforestsystem,including8,900acresincoregasforestdistricts. Onehundredandsixtyonetotalmilesofroadhavebeenimprovedorconstructedforshalegas developmentinthecoregasdistricts.Ofthese,131milesofstateforestroadsthatexistedpriortothe shalegasdevelopmenthavebeenimprovedorupgradedforgasdevelopmentactivities,and30milesof newroadshavebeenconstructedforgasdevelopmentactivities. Onehundredandninetyoneinfrastructurepadshavebeenconstructedtofacilitateshalegas developmentinthecoregasforestdistricts. Onehundredandfourmilesofpipelinecorridorhavebeenconstructedorwidenedinthecoregas forestdistricts. Flora Amajorityofforestconversionfortheconstructionofgasinfrastructureonstateforestlandsoccurs inthedryoakheathcommunitytype. Inundisturbedforesthabitatsurroundingpads,NewYorkfern(Thelypterisnoveboracensis)and hayscentedfern(Dennstaedtiapunctilobula)hadthehighestaveragepercentcoverintheunderstory, with31.2percentand31percentcoverrespectively. Themostprevalentspeciesinareasaroundtheedgesofpadsrevegetatedwitherosionand sedimentationcontrolseedmixeswereFestucaspecies,with19.2percentaveragepercentcover,

Orchardgrass(Dactylisglomerata,16.0percent),andredclover(Trifoliumpratense,14.2percent). ForestHealth ThebureauparticipateswiththeUSDAForestServiceintheForestHealthMonitoringProgram,a nationalprogramdesignedtodeterminethestatus,changes,andtrendsinindicatorsofforestcondition onanannualbasis. Theprincipaldamagecausingagentsfrom2008to2012inthecoregasforestdistrictsweregypsy moth,foresttentcaterpillar,andfrost. Impactstotheforestsurroundingdisturbancecanonlybediscoveredthroughlongtermforesthealth monitoring InvasiveSpecies Elevennonnativeinvasiveplantspecieswerepresentat14of18representativepadsacrosscore gasforestdistricts.TheinvasiveplantwiththelargestmeanpopulationsizewasJapanesestiltgrass (Microstegiumvimineum). Increasedsusceptibilitytopestattack,especiallybynonnativeinvasivespecies,mayoccurwherever thereisforestdisturbance,especiallyfortreesalongnewlycreatededges.However,impactsinthe surroundingforestscanbediscoveredonlythroughlongtermforesthealthmonitoring. Water Themajorityofstreamsinthecoregasforestdistricts(71percent)arefirstorder,headwater streams. Themajorityofstreamsintheshalegasregion(87percent)areclassifiedashighqualityor exceptionalvaluebytheDEP,andmanystreamsareidentifiedashavingnaturallyreproducingtrout populationsbytheFishandBoatCommission. Awidespreadsamplingoffieldchemistry,includingover300locations,showedthatpHresultswere primarilyinthecircumneutralrange,with72percentofresultsbetween6.5and7.5andamedianpH of7.01. Awidespreadsamplingoffieldchemistryshowedthat91percentofspecificconductanceresults werebelow100microsiemens(S)/cm,withamedianof41.3S/cm. Initialwatermonitoringresultshavenotidentifiedanysignificantimpactsduetoshalegas development.Thisisbasedononeroundoffieldchemistrysamplingthroughouttheshalegasregion andoverayearofoperationfor10continuousmonitoringdevicesinkeywatersheds.Atthisearly stage,thedatacollectedareprimarilyforestablishingbaselineconditions. Futuremonitoringeffortsincludelongitudinalsurveysoffieldchemistry,surfacewatergrabsampling, installationofcontinuousmonitoringdevices,andanassessmentofpipelinestreamcrossings Soil Totheextentpossible,placementofshalegasinfrastructurehasavoidedwetsoilsandsoilswithhigh runoffpotential. Ofallpads,impoundments,andcompressorsconstructed,over85percentwereonwelldrainedto excessivelywelldrainedsoils,andover80percentwereonsoilswithmediumtoverylowsurface runoffindex. Ofallpipelinesconstructed,over70percentoccurredwithinwelldrainedtoexcessively welldrainedsoilsandwithinsoilswithmediumtoverylowsurfacerunoffindex. Ofallroadsnewlyconstructedorimprovedduetoshalegasdevelopment,over80percent occurredwithinwelldrainedtoexcessivelywelldrainedsoilsandwithinsoilswithmediumtoverylow surfacerunoffindex. Futureresearchandmonitoringwillfocusontheeffectsofwellpadconstructiononsoilphysicaland

chemicalproperties,aswellastheeffectsofbestmanagementpracticesonhydrologyandsediment loads. Air SinceshalegasdevelopmentbeganinPennsylvaniain2008,therehasbeenamarkeddecreasein severalmajorairpollutants,suchassulfur,nitrogenoxides,andcarbondioxide.Thisisdue,inpart,to theincreaseduseofnaturalgasforpowergeneration,theshutdownofseveralmajorfacilities,andthe installationofairpollutioncontrolequipment. Shorttermairsamplingatseverallocationsaroundthestate(byDEP)hasdetectednaturalgas constituentsandassociatedcompoundsinthevicinityofshalegasoperations.Thesecompoundswere notdetectedatconcentrationsthatwouldlikelycausehealthrelatedimpacts,althoughsomewere detectedatlevelswhichwouldproduceanodor. AoneyearstudyisunderwayinsouthwestPennsylvania(byDEP)tostudythepotentiallongterm andcumulativeeffectofairemissionsfromcompressorstationsandamajorprocessingfacility.Astudy isalsounderwaytoexaminetheconcentrationsofgroundlevelozoneinthevicinityofshalegas operations. AshorttermairqualitystudyinRamseyVillage,inLycomingCountyalongthePineCreekRail Trail,didnotdetectairpollutantsaboveruralbackgroundconditions Incidents From2008through2012,DEPinvestigated324incidentsonstateforestland,resultingin308 noticesofviolations(NOVs). FromJuly1,2009,through2012,264incidentsin50differentcategorieswerereportedthroughthe bureauIncidentReportingSystemacrossallstateforestdistrictsdirectlyrelatedtogasdevelopment activity. Fauna Wildlifehabitatwillchangeduetoshalegasinfrastructure,resultinginmoreedgeandearly successionalhabitat. Thebureauismonitoringthepositiveandnegativeimpactsofshalegasdevelopmentonwildlife communitiestobetterunderstandtheirlongrangeimplicationsandstepsthatcanbeinstitutedtoavoid andmitigatenegativeimpacts. Thebureauisintheearlystagesofdevelopingitswildlifemonitoringprotocols.Thebureauwillfocus onmonitoringchangesinhabitatconditionsinrelationtoshalegasdevelopment Throughitsmonitoringprogram,thebureauisfundingmultipleresearchprojectstoadvancethe understandingoftheimpactsofshalegasdevelopmenttowildlifespecies,suchasinteriorforestbirds andtimberrattlesnakes. Recreation NonationalhikingtrailsinPennsylvaniahavebeenimpactedbyshalegasdevelopment.Three designatedstateforesthikingtrailshavebeenimpacted. Statewide,since2006,therehasbeena5percentincrease(145miles)intotalsnowmobiletrail milesacrossthestateforestsystem.Thisistheresultofa203miledecreaseinjointusetrailsanda 348mileincreaseindesignatedsnowmobiletrails. Snowmobiletrailsystemshavebeenimpactedineachofthecoregasforestdistricts.New snowmobiletrailshavebeencreatedtoreplaceimpactedsnowmobiletrails. Theneedforroadaccessforshalegasdevelopmenthasresultedinheaviertrafficonstateforest roads.Upgradedroadsmaybesaferandeasiertodrivebutmayhavelostsomeoftheirwild charactervalue.

Theimpactofshalegasdevelopmentonrecreationalexperienceandwildcharacterasmeasuredby theRecreationOpportunitySpectrumisa9,341acreincreaseinsemidevelopedanddeveloped acreagea913acredecreaseinsemiprimitiveacreagean8,409acredecreaseinsemiprimitive nonmotorizedacreageanda19acredecreaseinprimitiveacreage.Initialmeasurementsatsixout ofthesevenoperatingcompressorstationsmeasuredonstateforestlandswerelouderthanthe 55db(A)suggestedbytheupdatedGuidelinesforAdministeringOilandGasActivityonStateForest Lands. Fortysixoutof116commentcardrespondentsincoregasforestdistrictsindicatedthatMarcellus activityhadchangedtheirvisitationexperience.Fortyoneoutof116respondentsindicatedthat Marcellusactivityhadchangedtheirrecreationaluseofthestateforest. CommunityEngagement Naturalgasdevelopmentonstateforestlandshaspotentialeconomicandsocialeffectsonlocal communities. Thebureauusesadvisorycommitteestopromotestakeholderfeedbackandproduce recommendations Outreachoffersvaluableopportunitiestodemonstratehownaturalgasactivityisconductedand managedonpubliclandsandhasbecomeasourceofunderstandingpublicperceptions. Focusgroupshavebeendesignedtoidentifyandunderstandthesocialeffectsoncommunities resultingfromnaturalgasdevelopmentonstateforestlands.Onepilotfocusgrouptargetingcommunity leadersinPineCreekValleywasconductedinNovemberof2013.Twoadditionalgroupstargeting governmentleadersinTiogaandClintoncountieswereconductedin2014. Timber Initialanalysisshowsthatsometimbermanagementactivitiesincoregasforestdistrictsmaybe shiftingawayfromareasleasedforshalegasdevelopment.Someofthischange,however,maybedue togypsymothsalvageharvesting. Theeffectofshalegasdevelopmentontimberharvestplacementandharvestallocationgoalsis inconsistentacrosscoregasforestdistricts.Moreinformationanddataareneededtodiscernreliable trends. ShalegasdevelopmentisindirectlydecreasingtimberharvestrevenueduetoRoute44bonding costsresultingfromheavyhaulingassociatedwithshalegasdevelopment Energy Approximately15percentofallshalegasproducedinPennsylvaniacomesfromstateforestlands. ThisgasissoldanddistributedacrosstheeasternandmidwesternUnitedStatestoserviceenergy marketsonadailybasis. NaturalgasintheUnitedStatesisanopenmarkettradedcommoditythathasseenthepriceper productunitfallfromahighofapproximately$10perMcf(1,000cubicfeet)in2010tothecurrent (endof2013)$4.75perMcfasadirectresultofPennsylvaniashalegascomingontothemarketgrid andforcinggaspricestomoderatewithrespecttothegassupply. Onstateforestland,thenumberofwellsperpadrangesfromonetoten,withapproximatelyfourto eightwellsbeingtheaverage.Atypicalwelldrainsapproximately100acres,butthatfigurecanbeless orgreaterdependingonanumberoffactors. Thebureauanticipatesthatapproximately3,000gaswellsmaybedrilledonstateforestlandsto fullydevelopthecurrentleasedacreageoncommonwealthgasleases,onwhichapproximately568had beendrilledbytheendof2013.Aportionofthesenewwellswillbedrilledonexistingwellpads. Stateforestleasetractstargetingshalegasareestimatedtobeapproximatelyonefifthdeveloped.

This,however,isonlyaprojection,asfutureenergydevelopmentpatternsaredifficulttoaccurately predictanddependonmarketconditionsandtheperformanceofindividualtracts. Revenue Thepreshalegasperiodofoilandgasactivityprovidedatotalincometothecommonwealthof approximately$153,659,522.Theshalegasperiod(through2012,forthepurposesofthisreport)has provided$582,250,644inrevenue.Thecombinedtotalofallrevenuefromtheoilandgaslease programfrom1947totheendof2012hasbeenapproximately$735,910,166. Theinfluxofshalegasproductionrevenuebeganin2009whenmostofthewellsthathadbeenfirst proposedin2007,2008,andearly2009weredrilledandconnectedtothepipelinesystemandgas wasdeliveredtothemarket. RoyaltyincomeisjustbeginningtocometoDCNRfromthehundredsofnewshalegaswellson stateforestland. Steadyrevenuegrowthfromgasextractionisexpectedtocontinueforthenextdecadeasthefull developmentoftheleasescomestoaconclusion. ForestLandscapes approximately1,486acresofthe2.2millionacrestateforestsystemhasbeenconvertedtofacilitate shalegasdevelopment.Duringthesametimeperiod(2008to2012),thebureauacquired33,500 acrestoaddtostateforestsystem,including8,900acresinthecoregasforestdistricts. Oneassessmentofthecurrentimpactofgasinfrastructureonwildcharacter,usingtheRecreation OpportunitySpectrumasameasurementtool,isa9,340acreincreaseinsemidevelopedand developedacreage.Correspondingly,therewasa912acredecreaseinsemiprimitivearea,an 8,409acredecreaseinsemiprimitivenonmotorizedarea,anda19acredecreaseinprimitivearea. Incoregasforestdistricts,thebureausforestfragmentationanalysisshowedthelargestincreasesin edgeforestinTiadaghtonStateForest(1,813acres)andTiogaStateForest(1,257acres).Overall, coregasforestdistrictsadded4,355acresofedgeforest. Inthecoregasforestdistricts,therewasalossof9,242acresofcoreforestgreaterthan200 hectares.Coreforestsarelargeparcelsofinteriorforestnotaffectedbyroads,pipelines,wellpads,and otherinfrastructure.Elk,Moshannon,andTiadaghtonstateforestshavehadacombinedtotalof10well padsthathavebeenpartiallyreclaimedbyreducingthepadsizeandreplantingtheadjacentareaswith vegetation.Nogasinfrastructuresiteshavereceivedfullecologicalrestoration Reaction CindyDunn,President&CEOofPennFuture,releasedthisstatementinreactiontothereport, "WearepleasedtofinallyseetheMarcellusmonitoringreportandapplaudtheeffortofagencystaffers taskedwithitsrelease.Ataglance,thereportraisesmorequestionsthanitanswers.WhenwillDCNR releasetherawdataanalyzedinthereport?Wasthereportpeerreviewedbyoutsideexperts?How willthegeneralpublic,andscientificprofessionals,beabletoprovideinputonanongoingbasis?What changeshasDCNRmade,orwillitmake,basedontheanalysisandconclusionsinthereport?How manyforestacreshavebeenindirectlyandcumulativelyimpactedbythe1,486acresconvertedtogas infrastructure? "Weremainunequivocallyopposedtoadditionalleasingofourstateparksandforestsfor naturalgasdrilling.It'stimeweputthebrakesonrunawaydrillingthegasisunderourlandandit'snot goinganywhere.WeoweittothecitizensoftheCommonwealthtomorefullyunderstandtheimpactsof naturalgasdrillingbeforeweturnspecialplacesintoindustrialzones.Thesuggestionthatthisindustrial activitycanbe'carefullymanaged'providesscantcomforttoPennsylvanianswhofrequentPenn's Woods.Carefullymanagedindustrializationisstillindustrialization,sotheneedforamoratoriumon

leasingofstateforestsandparkstodrillersremains. "PennFutureiscollaboratingwithenvironmentalandconservationorganizationsinthestateto reviewthisreportintheinterestofalarger,publicconversationondrillingofpubliclands." Capitolwire.comreportedtheGovernorsEnergyExecutivePatrickHendersonassaying, "Contrarytothedoomandgloomfromthefarleft,likePennFuture,PennEnvironmentandCleanWater Actiontwoofwhomopposeallshalegasdevelopmentunderanycircumstances,preferringinsteadto gettheirgasfromautilityinsteadoftheearththereportwaswellreceivedbytheAdvisory Committee,"saidHenderson,whoregularlybuttsheadswiththoseorganizations. "ReasonablegroupslikePAEnvironmentalCouncil,TroutUnlimited,theNatureConservancy, etc.thatserveonthecommitteeandspentfourhoursdiscussing(ratherthan10minuteswritingapress release)mayprovideamoreaccurateperspectivethatisworthyofconsideration.Severalofthe membersofthecommitteepraisedDCNRforthethoroughnessandprofessionalismofthereport." NeitherthePAEnvironmentalCouncilnortheNatureConservancyhaveissuedanystatements oropinionsaboutDCNRsMonitoringStudy. Formoreinformation,visitDCNRsNaturalGasDevelopmentandStateForestswebpage. NewsClips: StateReaps$582MWindfallOnGasDrillingInStateForests StateForestsBecomingLessWildWithGrowthOfDrilling DCNRReportQuantifiesMarcellusImpactsOnPublicLands DCNRReleasesFirstMarcellusMonitoringReport ReportOnGasDrillingInStateForestsReleased DrillingInStateForests,ImpactsAndTradeOffs OpEd:CorbettDrillingPlanIsGoodForParks AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax WantToBeGovernor?GiveFrackingWindfallToThePeople Letter:StateIsGoodStewardOfDrillingOnPublicLands Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty Opinion:CorbettPlanForDrillingGoodForStateParks,Forests By JohnC.OliverIII,FormerSecretary,DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources and JamesM.Seif,FormerSecretary,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection AsformersecretariesofPennsylvaniasdepartmentsofConservationandNaturalResourcesand EnvironmentalProtection,wearepleasedthatGov.TomCorbettsbudgetcontinuesPennsylvanias historiccommitmenttoourtreasuredstateparksandforeststhathaveservedourcitizensfor generations. Hisproposaltoraiserevenuethroughlimitedleasingofstatelandfornaturalgasextraction wouldbedoneinawaythatpreventsadditionalsurfacedisturbancetotheselands.Withfutureroyalties directedbackintotheparksandforests,andwithanewcommitmenttoprovidemorethan$200million forstateparkandforestinfrastructure,thecommonwealthismeetingoneofitsmostimportant

obligationstheconservationofourvaluedpubliclands. Ourstateparksandforestsofferoutstandingoutdoorrecreationopportunities,protectspecial wildlifespeciesandplacesandsupportlocaleconomies.Providingvaluableresourcesliketimberand naturalgasalwayshasbeenanimportantroleandfunctionoftheselandsaswell. Recentadvancesintechnologiesallownaturalgastobeextractedfromunderneathlandsuptoa mileawayusinghorizontaldrilling.Gov.Corbettisproposinginhisnextbudgetlimitedleasingtoallow naturalgastobeextractedfromdeepbeneathourstatelandswithoutallowinganyadditional disturbanceonstateparksandforests. Thisnosurfaceimpactdrillingcanbedonebyaccessingthegasfromadjacentprivatelandsor fromwellpadsiteswhichalreadyexistorareplannedunderpreexistingleases.Futureroyalty paymentswouldbeinvestedbackintotheparksandforestsforinfrastructureimprovements,land acquisitionandthepurchaseofprivatelyownedoilandgasrights.Instateparksaloneabout80percent ofthesubsurfacerightsareheldprivately. ThegovernorwillissueanexecutiveorderprohibitingtheleasingofDCNRlandsthatwould resultinanyadditionaldisturbancetothesurfaceofstateforestorparkland. Someareskepticalaboutthisnewleasingprogram.Wearenot.Asformersecretariesofthe twostateagenciesentrustedtocareforourlandsandwaters,weknowtheemployeesofDCNRand DEPworktirelesslyeachdaytobegoodstewardsofthecommonwealthsnaturalresources.DCNR employeeshavebeenmanagingMarcellusgasdrillingonstateforestlandssince2008andconventional drillingfordecades. Becauseoftheirstringentstandardsandprofessionalmanagement,thestateforestshave maintainedtheirthirdpartycertificationaswellmanagedforests.Thesesameemployeestrained foresters,botanists,biologistsandgeologistswillmakesurethatnosurfaceactivitywillmeanjust that.Andtheyllbebackedbyanexecutiveorderthatguaranteestheseprotections. Ourparksandforestswillgreatlybenefitfromthisadditionalinfusionofmoney.Theirvaluable butaginginfrastructureneedsourattention.ThatswhyGov.CorbettalsoislaunchingEnhancePenns Woodswith$200millioninfundingovertwoyearsthelargestevershortterminvestmentinthese landstofixourstateparkandforestroads,bridges,buildings,damsandmore.EnhancePenns Woodswilluseexistingandnewfundingsourcestotacklemorethan200projectsthatwillmaketrips tothesepubliclandssaferandevenmoreenjoyable. Beinggoodstewardsoftheselandsmeansmakingbalanceddecisions.WebelieveGov. Corbettsproposalstoenhanceandprotectourstateparksandforestswillbelongviewedaswise stewardship. JohnC.OliverIIIservedasthefirstSecretaryoftheDepartmentofConservationandNatural ResourcesandJamesM.SeifservedassecretaryoftheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection underformerGov.TomRidge. NewsClips: StateReaps$582MWindfallOnGasDrillingInStateForests StateForestsBecomingLessWildWithGrowthOfDrilling DCNRReportQuantifiesMarcellusImpactsOnPublicLands DCNRReleasesFirstMarcellusMonitoringReport ReportOnGasDrillingInStateForestsReleased DrillingInStateForests,ImpactsAndTradeOffs

OpEd:CorbettDrillingPlanIsGoodForParks AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax WantToBeGovernor?GiveFrackingWindfallToThePeople Letter:StateIsGoodStewardOfDrillingOnPublicLands Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty PAParks&ForestFoundationAwardWinnersToBeHonoredMay6 PrinceGallitzinStatePark,GallitzinStateForestandotherawardwinnerswillbehonoredatthe2014 PennsylvaniaParksandForestsFoundationAwardsBanquetonMay6attheWestShoreCountry ClubofCampHillnearHarrisburg. Inadditiontothetopstateparkandforest,awardrecipientsincludeenvironmentalstalwart CarenGlotfelty,authorRalphHarrison,BushkillTownship,andvolunteersfromGiffordPinchot, PromisedLandandPymatuningstateparks. Thisyearswinnersinclude CliffJonesKeystoneLegacyAward:CarenGlotfelty.Thistophonorrecognizesanoutstanding contributiontotheprotectionand/orenhancementtotheparkandforestsysteminPennsylvania. Glotfeltyhasbeenanactiveandvibrantplayerintheconservationmovementthroughoutherlong career.Herdistinguishedcareerinenvironmentalstewardshiphasincludedpromotingsmartgrowth, cleanairandwater,greenbuildinginitiatives,andsustainabledevelopmentinPennsylvaniainavarietyof roles.ShewasamajorstrategistintheproductionoftheBrookingsInstitutionstudy,Backto Prosperity.CarenspenttheearlyyearsofhercareerworkinginPennsylvaniaandMarylandstate governmentonlanduseandwaterqualitypolicyandplanningissues,becomingthefirstDeputy SecretaryforWaterManagementinPennsylvania. PresidentsAward:RalphHarrison.Thisawardrecognizesoutstandingcitizensorbusinessesthat havemadeanimpactinprotectingopenspace,conservation,outdoorrecreation,orvolunteerism. Harrisonisaretiredstateforesterandstillgoingstrongasavolunteer,andrecentlywroteQuehanna: TheBlemishedJewelRestored,abookaboutthePennsylvaniaWilds. JoeIbbersonGovernmentAward:BushkillTownship,NorthamptonCounty.Thisawardis giventoapersonordepartmentatanylevelofgovernmenttorecognizetheirworkinthestewardshipof Pennsylvaniasstateparkandforestsystem.BushkillTownshipisbeinghonoredforitsworkwiththe JacobsburgEnvironmentalEducationCentertoprotectimportantnaturalareasandwaterresourcesin thearea,benefitingtheecologicalresourcesintheparkandtheeducationcenter. ParkoftheYear:PrinceGallitzinStatePark.Thisawardrecognizesaparkforexemplaryor innovativeworkinanyorallofthefollowing:customerserviceeducationprogrammingorrecreation stewardshipofthenatural,cultural,orhistoricassetsand/oraccommodationofspecialneedsof visitors.Theparkproducesgenerousenvironmentaleducationprogrammingforthepublicandlocal schoolsandpublishesanenewsletterthreetimesayear.ItsannualAppleCiderFestivaldrawsupto 17,000peopleeachyear. ForestoftheYear:GallitzinStateForest.Thisawardrecognizesaforestdistrictforinnovative andexemplaryworkinbothforestmanagementandrecreationforawiderangeofactivities.Inrecent years,thestaffoftheGallitzinhascreatednewhealthful,lowdensityrecreation,whilemaintainingforest ecosystemintegrity.Inadditiontoimprovinghabitatandforestconditions,staffhavefocusedon

improvingpublicaccess,assistance,andsafety,whileeffectivelyusingvolunteerstoenhance recreationalprogramming,planninganddevelopmentactivities. FriendsGrouporVolunteerAwards ImprovementsAward:KathyandGaryDiegan.TheDiegansworkedtoimprovethelandscape atthespillwayofPymatuningStatePark,contributingacombinedaverageof20hoursaweekApril throughOctoberduringthepastfouryears.Abotanistandmultiplehandicapclassroomteacher,Kathy alsoassistsvisitorswithspecialneedswhofrequenttheSpillway. VolunteerismAward:FriendsofGiffordPinchotStatePark.Thisgroupraisedfundsand workedonanumberofimprovementsthroughouttheparkin2013,includingbenchesandpicnictable replacements,turtlebaskingplatformsandporcupinecribfishhabitatstructures,trailmaintenanceand installingtwoplaygroundstowardathreephaseplaygroundreplacementgoal. EducationAward:PromisedLandNatureCenterVolunteers.Started30yearsago,Promised LandsNatureArts&Craftsprogramisoneoftheparksmostpopularprograms.Lastyearprogram volunteersdonatedover3,100hoursofvolunteertimepresentingfivetoseventhemedcraftsforan averageof135participantsperweek. YoungVolunteerAward:EleanorDavis.Thisawardisdesignedtoshowappreciationofa significantcontributiontoaparkorforestbyapersonundertheageof25.AsaPPFFintern,Davis spearheadedavideodevelopmentproject,wrotegrantsforstateparkprojects,andhelpedorganizean adaptiverecreationdayforwoundedservicemembers.ShehasalsointernedwiththeNationalParks ConservationAssociationandtheGeorgeWashingtonUniversityOfficeofSustainability. PPFFestablishedtheawardsprogramin2007torecognizetheoutstandingservice,programs andexemplaryworkwithinPennsylvaniasstateparkandforestsystem. Theeventisopentothepublicandticketsforthe2014PPFFAwardsBanquetmaybe purchasedfor$50.AdvancedregistrationisrequiredandmustbereceivedbyApril23. Registrationisavailableonlineorbyphoneat7172367644. Formoreinformation,visitthePAParks&ForestsFoundationwebsite. AddUsToYourGoogle+Circle PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+CirclecalledGreenWorksInPA.Justgotoyour Google+pageandsearchforDHess@CrisciAssociates.com,theemailfortheDigestEditorDavid Hess,andletusjoinyourCircle. Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,Weekly, Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource. YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,dailyNewsClips andlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos. AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail

alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto newitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol. Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced BillCalendars House(April28):HouseBill202(HarperRMontgomery)prohibitingstandbywaterservicecharges forfirecompaniesHouseBill1684(EverettRLycoming)whichseekstoclarifyaminimumroyalty paymentinstatelaw.<>ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar. Senate(April28):SenateBill1255(EricksonRDelaware)authorizingmunicipalauthoritiesto establishprogramsthatallowpropertyownerstoreducetheirstormwaterratesandchangesby implementingbestmanagementpracticessponsorsummary.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBill Calendar. CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule. Senate:theJudiciaryCommitteeholdsahearingonSenateBill1095(FarneseDPhiladelphia) amendingtheantiSLAPPlawsuitprovisionssponsorsummaryPhiladelphia.<>ClickHereforfull SenateCommitteeSchedule. BillsPendingInKeyCommittees HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach House Appropriations Education EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerAffairs GamingOversight HumanServices

Judiciary LiquorControl Transportation LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees Senate Appropriations EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment Education Judiciary LawandJustice PublicHealthandWelfare Transportation LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees BillsIntroduced Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek WasteCoalEnergy,ReclamationTaxCredit:SenateBill1346(WhiteRIndiana)wouldestablish awastecoalenergyandreclamationtaxcreditsponsorsummary. SessionSchedule HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse House April28,29,30 May5,6,7 June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 Senate April28,29,30 May5,6,7 June2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18,19,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

NewsFromTheCapitol
Rep.VitaliFiles2NewRightToKnowRequestsOnNewDrillingInStateForests Rep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy Committee,ThursdayhasfiledtwonewRighttoKnowrequestsseekinginformationaboutGov. Corbettsplantoraise$75millionthroughtheadditionalleasingofstateparksandforestsfornatural

gasdrilling. ThenewrequestswerefiledwiththeOfficeoftheBudgetandtheGovernorsOffice. Rep.VitalialsosaidhewillappealtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources' April11denialofhisoriginalrequestseekingthesameinformation. Rep.Vitalinotedthatinitsdenial,DCNRspecificallydirectedhimtotheOfficeoftheBudget. HealsofiledaRighttoKnowrequestwiththeGovernorsOfficebecausetheGovernorsEnergy ExecutivePatrickHendersonisalikelypossessorofthisinformation. Rep.Vitalisaidheisrequestingthisinformationbecausethelegislatureneedstoknowwhich parksandforestsareunderconsiderationfordrilling,howmanyacreswillbeleased,whichcompanies willbedoingthedrillingandhowthe$75millionfigurewascalculated. Itsimportanttoobtainthisinformationsowecanputafaceonthisproposal,Rep.Vitalisaid ThelegislatureandthepublicneedtobeawareofthespecificconsequencesofCorbettsplan. ThebudgetpresentedbyCorbettonFebruary4proposedraisinganadditional$75million from"nonsurfaceimpactdrilling.Rep.Vitaliisopposedtothisproposal.Hesaidthatthebetterway toraiserevenuethroughgasdrillingiswithaseverancetax. Rep.Vitalisaiddrillingisahighlyindustrialactivity,anexpansionofwhichwillundoubtedlyhave negativeimpactonstateparksandforests. DCNRacknowledgedthenegativeimpactsofdrillinginitsShaleGasMonitoringreport, releasedWednesday,thatstates:"Naturalgasdevelopment...affectsavarietyofforestresourcesand values,suchasrecreationalopportunities,theforestswildcharacter,scenicbeauty,andplantand wildlifehabitat. AccordingtotheDCNRmonitoringreport,44percentofstateforestland,or673,000acres, thatsitsatoptheMarcellusShale,isalreadysubjecttodrilling. NewsClips: StateForestsBecomingLessWildWithGrowthOfDrilling DCNRReportQuantifiesMarcellusImpactsOnPublicLands DCNRReleasesFirstMarcellusMonitoringReport ReportOnGasDrillingInStateForestsReleased DrillingInStateForests,ImpactsAndTradeOffs Letter:StateIsGoodStewardOfDrillingOnPublicLands OpEd:CorbettDrillingPlanIsGoodForParks AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax StateReaps$582MWindfallOnGasDrillingInStateForests

NewsFromAroundTheState
DEPReleases2014SusquehannaRiverSamplingPlan TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayreleasedaworkplanoutliningeffortsto continuestudyingandsamplingtheSusquehannaRiverbasinthroughout2014.Theplanincludes analysisofwaterquality,waterflow,sediment,pesticides,hormones,invertebrates,fishtissueand more. Overthelasttwoyearswherewetremendouslyenhancedourexaminationefforts,DEPhas learnedagreatdealaboutthehealthoftheSusquehannaRiver,DEPSecretaryE.Christopher Abruzzosaid.ItisimportanttocontinuetheseeffortssothatDEPcancreatepolicyandregulation

basedonfactsandsoundscience. In2013,DEPstaffspent927dayscollectingsamplesontheriver.Theamountofworkdaysin 2014isexpectedtobethesameorincreaseslightly. DEPwillcollectsamplesatsitesalongtheSusquehannainMarietta,CityIslandandSunbury andalongtheJuniataRiverattheLewistownNarrowsandNewport.Additionalsamplingsitesalong theDelaware,AlleghenyandYoughioghenyriverswillbeusedascontrolsitestoestablishabaselinefor waterquality.Portionsofthestudywillfocusonareaswheresmallmouthbassreproduce. Staffwilltestforvariouswaterqualityparameters,likedissolvedoxygen,temperatureandpH, atmultiplesitesintheSusquehannaRiver. Samplesoffish,musselsandmacroinvertebrates,suchasmayflies,willalsobecollected.Fish tissuefrombasscollectedduringthespawningseasonwillbeanalyzedforpesticides,PCBsandmetals. Throughout2014,DEPwillcontinuetosampleforpesticidesatexistingwaterqualitynetwork stationsalongtheSusquehanna,JuniataandDelawarerivers.Sampleswillbecollectedduringhighand lowflowstobetterdocumentpesticidesinthesewaters. DEPsbiologistscontinuetoconsultwithacontractedalgalexperttoanalyzesamplescollected intheSusquehannaRiverBasinandcontrolsites.Algalsamplesareanalyzedfortotalsuspendedsolids, ammonia,nitrogenandphosphorustodeterminetherelationshipbetweennutrientrunoff,ordischarges, andalgalgrowth.Excessivealgaemaybeindicativeofpoorwaterquality. Formoreinformation,visitDEPsSusquehannaRiverStudyUpdateswebpage. NewsClips: CBF:PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterways DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab DEPPublishesFinalPoliciesOnImpairedWatersAssessment,ListingMethodology TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheApril19PABulletinofthefinal assessmentandlistingmethodologyfordeterminingwhenwatersareimpairedunderSections303(d) and305(d)ofthefederalCleanWaterActandrequiredforPennsylvaniasIntegratedWaterQuality MonitoringandAssessmentReport. The2013AssessmentMethodsincludesthefollowingdocuments:InstreamComprehensive EvaluationsLimestoneStreamsMultiHabitatPool/GlideStreamsRiffle/RunFreestoneStreams ContinuousInstreamMonitoringPeriphytonStreambedSedimentSurfaceWaterCollection SemiQuantitativeFishSamplingProtocolLakeAssessmentProtocolAquaticMacrophyteCover LakeFisheriesEvaluationsofPhosphorusDischargestoLakes,PondsandImpoundmentsPlankton SamplingChlorophyllASamplingChemistryBacteriologicalEvaluationsFishTissueSampling NaturalPollutantSourcesOutsideAgencyDataAppendixASourcesandCauseDefinitions AppendixBTaxaTolerancesAppendixCBiologicalFieldMethodsAppendixC1Habitat AppendixC2BenthicMacroinvertebratesAppendixC3FishandAppendixC4Taxonomic Reference. ThesedocumentswillbepostedonDEPsWaterQualityStandardswebpage. SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionMay8PublicHearingOnWaterWithdrawals

TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionholdsapublichearingonwaterwithdrawalrequestsonMay 8inRoom8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburgstartingat2:30.(formalnotice) Acopyoftheagendaisavailableonline.Formoreinformation,visitSRBCsMeetings webpage. CorpsOfEngineersOpensCommentPeriodOnDEPsInLieuAquaticResourcesPolicy TheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineerspublishedanoticeApril11openingapubliccommentperiodona proposalbytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionanewinlieufeeprogramcalledthe PennsylvaniaIntegratedEcologicalServices,CapacityEnhancementandSupportProgramtooffset theiraquaticresourceimpacts.CommentsaredueMay11. DEPalsohasacommentperiodopenonthesameproposal.CommentsaredueMay7. AnglersHaveSuccessfulOpeningDayInFormerlyAMDPlaguedWatershed Forthesecondyearinarow,anglerswereabletofishfortroutalongthetributariesofBennettBranch SinnemahoningCreekinClearfieldCounty.TheFishandBoatCommissionstockedthewaterwayfor thefirsttimethisyearafteraprivategroupstockeditlastyear. Thestockingwasmadepossibleduetothewaterqualityimprovementsmadeasaresultofthe $14millionHollywoodAcidMineDrainageTreatmentPlantthattreats21separatedischargesinthe WestBranchSusquehannaWatershed. OperationofthetreatmentplanthasallowedfortherestorationofwaterqualityintheBennett BranchtoalevelwherefisharenowbeingstockedinthemainstemoftheBennettBranchandfishhave returnedtotheDentsRuntributaryforthefirsttimeinroughly100years. DEPbeganworkingwiththeBennettBranchWatershedAssociation,otherstateandfederal agenciesandtheminingindustryin2004torestorewaterqualityandreclaimabandonedminesinthe lower33milesoftheBennettBranchandmanyofitstributaries. NewsClips: WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost CBF:PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterways PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab (ReprintedfromDEPsApril17Newsletter.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.) PaddleWithoutPollutionAnnounces2014WatershedStewardshipEvents PaddleWithoutPollutioninPittsburghannouncedtheirwatershedstewardshipeventschedulefor2014 includes18cleanups:TenMileCreek(Marianna)SlipperyRockCreekMoraine,ErieBluffs,and PresqueIsleStateParksKiskiminetasRiver(Leechburg)AlleghenyRiver(Franklin)ChartiersCreek (SouthFayetteandUpperSt.Clair)andtheYoughiogheny,Ohio,andMonongahelarivers. In2013,volunteercrewsremoved16.6tonsofillegallydumpeddebrisandlitterfrom waterwaysinWesternPennsylvania,exceeding2012stotalof15.3tons. PWPswatershedstewardshipeventsprovideexercise,encourageteamwork,andoffera chancetoparticipateinpositivechange.Noexperienceisnecessaryandvolunteersmayborrowa

kayakorcanoefromthePWPfleet. Inadditiontowatershedstewardshipevents,PWPisexpandingtheirWatershed/Paddling EducationProgramforUrbanYouth,andcontinuingworkonthePresqueIsleStateParkWaterTrail andaccompanyingfilm.ThefilmwilldebutinJune2014.PWPwasrecentlyawardedaWestern PennsylvaniaEnvironmentalAwardfromPennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncil. PWPisanonprofitorganizationwhosemissionistorestoreandprotectthehealthofrivers, streams,lakes,andwetlandsthroughhandsonstewardshipandeducation,therebybenefitingthe regionscommunities,economy,andqualityoflife. PWPoperateswithverylittleornonegativeimpacttotheenvironment,usingvolunteersin kayaksandcanoestogetintoecologicallysensitive,shallow,andinaccessibleareasthatlandbased cleanupcrewscannotreach. FormoreinformationabouthowtogetinvolvedwithPWP,visitthePaddleWithoutPollution websiteorsendemailto:paddlewithoutpollution@comcast.net. April30,May7BufferInABox&BackyardTreesWorkshopsInChambersburg FranklinCountyhomeownersareinvitedtoattendanApril30orMay7workshoptolearnaboutthe benefitsofplantingtreesontheirpropertyandwalkawaywithaboxofnativespeciesfortheirown backyardstartingat6:30p.m.attheFranklinCountyAgHeritagebuilding,185FranklinFarmLane, Chambersburg,FranklinCounty. Theworkshop,beingheldontwodifferentdates,willintroducetheTreesforTomorrow program,anddiscusswaysinwhichhomeownerscanparticipateintheinitiative.Benefitsoftreeson waterquality,benefitstohomeowners,andpropermethodsforplantingandmaintainingplanthealthwill bediscussed. Homeownerswhoattendtheworkshopwillreceiveaboxoftreeseedlingsandyoungnative shrubstoplantintheirownyardandsupplementalliteratureandresources.Representativesfromthe CountysConservationDistrictandtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauof ForestryarepartneringwiththeAllianceontheseworkshopsandwillbepresentingaswell.The workshopsareexpectedtobeanhourtoanhourandahalflong. TheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBay,whoishostingtheworkshops,isworkingwithFranklin CountyaspartoftheTreesforTomorrowprogram,acountywideefforttoplant150,000newtreesin theFranklinCounty. TheAllianceisbeingfundedthroughgrantsreceivedfromtheNationalFishandWildlife FoundationandtheFoundationforPennsylvaniaWatershedstoprovidetechnicalandfinancial assistancetohomeownersandlocalgovernmentstoacceleratetheadoptionoftreeplantingsthroughout theConococheagueWatershedinFranklinCounty. Inadditiontoprovidingassistancetohomeowners,theAlliancehasfundedtreeplantingsin Chambersburg,includingtheupcomingWilsonCollegebufferplantingandfestivaleventonApril26th. TheAllianceisinpreliminaryplanningstagestoplanttreesinmoreparksinChambersburg,aswellas Greene,Guilford,Antrim,andothertownshipsinFranklinCounty. FormoreinformationonthiseventcontactKimSlaughter,AlliancefortheChesapeakeBay PennsylvaniaProjectAssistantbysendingemailto:kslaughter@allianceforthebay.orgorcall 7177378622x2.Onlineregistrationisavailable. BufferPlanting&FestivalApril26AtWilsonCollegeChambersburg

 Volunteersarebeingsoughttoplantmorethan300nativetreesandshrubsalongtheConococheague CreekontheWilsonCollegecampusinChambersburg,FranklinCounty,onApril26aspartofa specialbufferplantingandfestivalevent. TheeventkicksoffTreesforTomorrow,acountywideefforttoplant150,000newtreesinthe ConococheagueWatershed. TreesforTomorrowisajointinitiativeoftheFranklinCountyCommissionersandtheAlliance fortheChesapeakeBay,withfundingprovidedbytheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundationandthe FoundationforPennsylvaniaWatersheds. ThegoalofTreesforTomorrowistoplant150,000newtreesinFranklinCountyby2016 tofostercleanwater,cleanairandabetterqualityoflifeforallresidents,saidDonnaMorelli,director ofACBsPennsylvaniaoffice. WilsonCollege,whichiscommittedtoenvironmentalsustainabilityandhasalreadycompleted severalstreamimprovementprojectswithpartnerssuchasthePennsylvaniaFishandBoatCommission, wasalikelysettingtolaunchTreesforTomorrow,accordingtoMorelli. WilsonandACBofficialshopetoattract100volunteersfortheApril26treeplanting,which willbeginwithregistrationat8a.m.intheparkingareabehindtheBrooksComplexandwillrununtil 3:30p.m.,withafestivalatmospherefeaturingmusic,food,studentactivities,campustoursandremarks byWilsonspresident,BarbaraK.Mistick,Morelli,andChrisMayer,programmanagerofWilsons FultonCenterforSustainableLiving,whichiscelebratingits20thanniversarythisyear. PlantingtreesandshrubsalongtheConococheaguecreatesariparianbuffer,whichhelps improvestreamqualitybyfilteringrunoffandmoderatingwatertemperature,amongotherthings, accordingtoWilsonsEdwardWells,professorofenvironmentalstudiesanddirectoroftheES program. Thebufferwillprovideoutdoorclassroomopportunitiesourstudents,Wellssaid.Wealso plantoinstallsignagethatinformsthepublicaboutstreamrestorationandeducatespeopleaboutwhat canbedoneineverycommunitytoimprovewaterquality. Volunteerswillworkinteams,plantingnativetreesandshrubsinpredugholesalongthe Conococheague,startingroughlybehindWilsonsBrooksScienceComplexandrunningnorthwesttoa pointbeforethebridgeleadingtoWilsonsequestriancenterandorganicfarm. Aftertheplantingiscompleted,volunteerswillbetreatedtoafreelunchintheWilsondining hall.Intheafternoon,studentorganizationswillhaveboothsofferingthingsliketiedying(participants shouldbringaTshirt),fruitsmoothiesandrootbeerfloats,food/snacks,Tshirtsandfacepainting. Otherstudentsand/orfacultywillbemakingartanddance.TourswillbegivenofFultonFarm, theBrooksScienceComplex,streamimprovementsatWilsonandtheoverallcampus. Toregistertovolunteer,contactMargaretLight,Wilsondirectorofcorporateandfoundation relations,bysendingemailto:margaret.light@wilson.eduorcall7172644141,Ext.3179.Online registrationisalsoavailable. FriendsOfTheWissahickon90thAnniversaryForbidden10KRaceMay18 TheFriendsoftheWissahickoninMontgomeryCountyishostinga10KracealongForbiddenDrivein thenorthwestsectionofPhiladelphiaonMay18. The10K,6.2mileloopcoursebeginsat9a.m.andtakesplaceintheWissahickonPark,along ForbiddenDriveandwillpassbymanyhistoricpointsofinterestincludingtheThomasMillcovered

bridge,theTeedyuscungIndianstatueandValleyGreenInn.Theraceiswellsuitedforboththeserious runnerandtheoccasionalrunner/walker. Therewillbeawardsformaleandfemaledivisionsaswellasvariousagegroups.BrynMawr RunningCo.willbedoingthechiptimingfortherace. Thecostofregistrationis$40perentrant.AfterMay1,itis$50.Onlineregistrationis available. Fundsraisedfromtheracewillassistinthecontinuedrestorationandpreservationofthehistoric ValleyGreenInnandWissahickonPark. RacesponsorsincludeIndigoSchuy,LarryWeanerLandscapeDesign,RyanPainting,C.E. HopkinsRoofing,WissahickonTreeandLandscapeServicesandCharlesUniatowskiPhotography. Sponsorshipopportunitiesareavailable.ContactSarahMarleybysendingemailto: marley@fow.orgorcall2152470717,ext.109. Joinusaftertheraceforapostracecleanup.WorkinginpartnershipwithKeepPhiladelphia BeautifulandClearChannelandRadio104.5FM,wewillleadacommunitywidecleanupoftherace site.Toparticipateinthecleanup,meetatNorthwesternAvenueandForbiddenDriveat12p.m. ParticipantsinthecleanupwillbeenteredintoadrawingforticketstoseeJackJohnsonathis upcomingsoldoutshowattheMannCenter.FOWwillsupplygloves,tools,andtrashbags.Register withEricFalkbysendingemailto:falk@fow.org. ChathamUniversityWorkshopsSeekToAdvanceRainwaterCatchmentSystems AmericanRainwaterCatchmentSystemsAssociationispartneringwiththeFalkSchoolofSustainability atChathamUniversitytohostanaccreditedworkshoponMay8and9attheUniversitysEdenHall Campus,6035RidgeRoad,Gibsonia,AlleghenyCounty. Thetwoday,APlevelworkshopisanindepthrainwaterharvestingcourseproviding attendeeswithknowledgeforrainwaterharvesting,bothactiveandpassive,designandinstallationfor bothoutdoorandinhomerainwaterusesanitationforpotableusesrulesandregulations,guidelines businessmanagementprojectplanningsiteandinstallationsafetyandsystemconstructionand maintenance. Thiscoursewilldealwithresidential,irrigationandlargercommercialinstallations.Thecourse tuitionwillincludeARainHarvestingplanningmanualwhichhasbeenexpandedtoincludeallofNorth America. ClickHereformoreinformationandtoregister. DelawareRiverSourceWaterCollaborativeWebinarMay8 ItsDrinkingWaterWeekMay410andtheDelawareRiverBasinSourceWaterCollaborativeis hostingafreewebinarhighlightingtheUSGSWaterCensusstudyoftheDelawareRiverBasin. Thisisthefifthinanongoingseriesoffreewebinarsdedicatedtosourcewaterprotection throughouttheDelawareRiverBasinonMay8at2:003:00pm. JeffFischer,ProjectChief,USGeologicalSurveywilldiscusstheUSGSWaterCensusstudy oftheDelawareRiverBasinandhowitwillprovidewateruseandhydrologicmodelingtoolsto evaluatecurrentandfuturechallengesofprovidingdrinkingwaterto15millionpeoplewhorelyonthe basin,whilealsomeetingotherwateravailabilityobjectives. PeterClaggett,ageographerwiththeUSGS,willdiscussprojectionsoffuturelandusechange

thatweredevelopedaspartofthestudy. ClickHereforthewebinaraddress,nopreregistrationisrequired,andsigninasaguestorlist viaconferencecallat8662993188,ConferenceCode:2158142761. Formoreinformation,visittheDelawareRiverBasinSourceWaterCollaborativewebsite. NewsClips: DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston CBF:PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterways PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab DelawareAdvocatesSeekMoreWaterAtTheRightTimeInNYCReservoirPlan AbroadcoalitionofDelawareRiveradvocatesisurgingNewYorkCityMayorBilldeBlasioandthe watershedregionsfourgovernorstoadoptamorefairandequitablewatermanagementplan. Thefourstates(NewYork,NewJersey,PennsylvaniaandDelaware)andNewYorkCity subjecttothe1954rulingonhowmuchwaterfromtheCannonsville,Pepacton,andNeversink reservoirsisdeliveredtoNewYorkCityandhowmuchgoesintotheriverthatflowsthroughthe DelawareRiverareexpectedtocometoanewagreementbyJune1.Theexistingagreementexpires onMay31.TheDelawareRiverBasinCommissionishelpingtofacilitatethisprocesswithmodeling andotherservices. TheDelawareWatershedConservationCoalition,alongwith40organizationsandbusinesses, havecalledondeBlasioandthegovernorsofPennsylvania,NewYork,NewJerseyandDelawareto adoptawaterflowplanthatmeetstheneedsofallstakeholdersinthewatershed. NewYorkCityandthefourstatesthatbordertheDelawareRivermustunanimouslydecideon thetermsofthenextwatermanagementplan. TheDelawareRiverisanecologicaljewelandaneconomicenginefortheentirewatershed, saidJeffSkelding,executivedirectorofFriendsoftheUpperDelawareRiver.Itmustbemanagedina sustainablemannertoensurethatcommunitiesandpeoplewhorelyontheriverfordrinkingwater, recreationaluse,commerceandhabitatprotectionareequallyserved. InalettertodeBlasioandthegovernors,theDWCCmadefiveFairSharerequests: AmanagementapproachthatprovidesequitableapportionmentoftheDelawaresystemswater, basedonproportionateuseofNYCswatersupplysystem.Thiswouldensureplentyofwaterfor downstreamstateswhilemeetingtheneedsofNewYorkCity. Amechanismtoautomaticallytriggeremergencypulsesofadditionalcoldwaterreleasesfromthe reservoirsduringhot,dryperiodsinthesummermonthstoprotectthecoldwaterfisheryandhabitatin theUpperDelawareRiverwatershed. Eliminationoferraticwaterreleasesfromthereservoirsthatcreatedramaticfluctuationsinwater levels,threateninghabitatandwildlife. Aoneyearonlyextensionoftheflowplansoitcanbereexaminedtoaddresslingering uncertainties,includinghowthereactivationoftheCrotonReservoirwillimpactmanagementofthe DelawareRiverbasins. Increasedtransparencyinthedecisionmakingprocessandadditionofa45daypubliccomment periodonaplanthatimpactsmillionsofcitizensfromabroadswathoftheeasternUnitedStates. "ManagingtheflowoftheDelawareRiverisacomplexissuethatisofgreatimportancetomany groupsacrossthebasinworkingtoprotectthecleanwaterandothervitalresourcesprovidedbythe

watershed,"saidKimBeidler,coordinatoroftheCoalitionfortheDelawareRiverWatershed."It'stime forthedecisionmakersfromallfourstatesandNYCtocometogetherandensureasciencebased approachtothemanagementofwaterforpeople,fish,andwildlife." Otheradvocatesandstakeholdersweighedin,aswell,includingTroutUnlimitedandthe AmericasGreatWatersCoalition. TheUpperDelawareRiverwatershedsupportsaworldclasscoldwaterfisherythatrivals manywesterntroutrivers,saidRonUrban,chairmanofNewYorkTroutUnlimited.Theeconomic potentialofthisfisheryistremendous,butitsfuturedependsonconsistent,sustainablereleasesofcold waterfromtheNYCreservoirsattherighttimeofyear. TheDelawareRiverisoneofAmericasGreatWatersandalleffortsshouldbemadeto protectandrestorethismagnificentwatershed,saidMaliaHaleoftheNationalWildlifeFederationand cochairofAmericasGreatWatersCoalition.ThemanagementoftheNYCoperatedreservoirsin theheadwatersoftheDelawaresystemisintegraltothehealthoftheoverallwatershed,andthenext watermanagementplanmustensurethatthewaterresourceneedsofdownstreamStatesaremet. FundraisingEventApril2527 TheFriendsoftheDelawareRiverareholdingtheirannualOneBug2014fundraisingevent April2527.ClickHereformoredetails. Formoreinformation,visittheFriendsoftheDelawareRiverwebsite. NewsClips: DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston CBF:PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterways PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab YorkWaterCompanyJoinsPartnershipForSafeWaterTreatmentProgram TheYorkWaterCo.WaterPlantinYorkCountyrecentlybecamethenewestmemberofthe PartnershipforSafeWaterTreatmentProgram,avoluntaryefforttoprovidesafedrinkingwater. Presently,thewatersystemprovidesdrinkingwaterservicetoapproximately159,623people. TheYorkfacilityisthefourthplantinYorkCountytojointhetreatmentprogram. ThePartnershipforSafeWaterismadeupofDEP,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency, thePennsylvaniaSectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociationandotherdrinkingwaterorganizations. Itsgoalistoimplementpreventativemeasuresthatarebasedonoptimizingtreatmentplantperformance. Thetreatmentprogramisspecificallygearedtowardidentifyingweaknessesinplantoperation, designandadministrationthatcouldleadtoabreakthroughofwaterbornediseasecausingorganisms intothefinishedwaterthatisdistributedtoconsumers.Correctingtheseweaknesseshelpsprevent waterbornediseaseoutbreaksfrompathogenicorganismslikeCryptosporidiumandGiardia. Byparticipatingintheprogram,theYorkWaterCo.WaterPlantisworkingtoprovidean additionalmeasureofprotectiontoitsdrinkingwaterconsumers. ThePartnershipforSafeWateralsooffersaDistributionProgramforwatersupplierswho wishtopursueoptimizationoftheirdistributionsystem. Currently,118surfacewatertreatmentplantsservingover6.1millionpeoplearenowinvolved inPennsylvania'sPartnershipforSafeWaterTreatmentProgram. Formoreinformation,visitDEPsPartnershipforSafeWaterTreatmentProgramwebpageor contactKevinAndersonat7177839764orsendemailto:keanderson@pa.gov.

 (ReprintedfromDEPsApril17Newsletter.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.) PECO,NaturalLandsTrustCelebrateNationalVolunteerWeekAtHildacyFarmPreserve Morethan40PECOemployeevolunteersjoinedNaturalLands TrusttohelpimprovethewildlifehabitatatHildacyFarm PreserveinMedia,ChesterCounty,duringthecompanys NationalVolunteerWeekactivitiesonApril612. VolunteersremovedinvasivevinessuchasEnglishivy andhoneysucklefromthewoodlandsatthe55acreproperty, whichservesastheheadquartersforNaturalLandsTrusts regionallandconservationwork. Weuseavarietyoftechniquestomanageinvasiveplants onourpreserves,saidDanBarringer,invasivesmanagement coordinatorforNaturalLandsTrust.Withvines,goodoldfashionedmechanicalremovalsuchas cuttingandpullingthembyhandisthemosteffective. Invasiveplantspeciesdefinedasthosenotnativetoaregionthatspreadrapidlyand aggressivelyareathreattothehealthofwoodlandsandmeadowsinsoutheasternPennsylvania. NaturalLandsTrustownsandmanages22,000acresoflandintheregion,sovolunteerhelptoremove invasivevinesiscriticaltotheirlandmanagementefforts. ThisvolunteerprojectwasthelatestinadecadelongpartnershipbetweenPECOandNatural LandsTrust.PECOemployeeswillvolunteerwithNaturalLandsTrustagainonApril16atthe organizationsStroudPreservenearWestChester,Pa. PECOandNaturalLandsTrustalsocollaborateonPECOGreenRegion,thecompanys awardwinningmunicipalopenspaceandenvironmentalgrantprogram.Sinceitsinceptionin2004, PECOhasawardedmorethan$1.2millioningrantstolocalcommunitiestohelpplanfor,protectand improveopenland. PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterwaysInCBFsSusquehannaWatershedEdProgram Forthepast24years,teamsofChesapeakeBayFoundation educatorshavetakentotheSusquehannaRiverandother Pennsylvaniawaterwaystoexplorethevastwatershedwith studentsandteachersfrom85differentmiddleandhighschools. ThemissionoftheSusquehannaWatershedEducationProgram (SWEP)isalwaysthesame:toteachstudentsaboutthe importanceofcleanwater,toshowhowstreamsystemsfunction, andtoconducthandsonexperimentsthatengageandexcitea student'ssenseofexploration. NearlyeveryschooldaySWEPEducatorsTomParkeandAlex McCrickardhitthewaterwiththeirtravelingfleetofcanoes,12inall.Affectionatelynamedbystudents, InaPickle,PeasinaPod,andTippaCanoe,andtheothershavebecomefarmorethanjust boatseachoneisapartoftheteamandoftheexperience. Throughthem,studentsgettofeelandconnectwiththewater.Andforstudentswhomayhave

neverbeeninaboattheSWEPcanoescanalsohelptoinstilltrustandlessentheirfearsofthewater. ThespringseasonrunsthroughJune,witheachoftheday'slessonswhetherit'sahandson experiencewiththecritterslivinginthewaterorthetechnicalwaterchemistrycomponentpromoting activelearninginawaythatgoeswaybeyondtheclassroom.Yet,eachoneisbydesignacomplement toinclassstudies. HonoringaTeacher'sCommitment After35yearsofteachingscienceatLowerDauphinMiddleSchool,Mr.BenCooperwillbe retiring.For19ofthoseyearshehasbeentakinghisstudentsoutonthewaterwithSWEP,andsays "Westudyfreshwaterandwatersheds,whatbetterwaytolearnaboutthemthantobeinone." OnTuesday,April8,Mr.Cooperand22ofhis6thgradesciencestudentsjoinedTomand AlexforadayonthewateratMemorialLakeinLebanonCounty.Theyhadplannedtoexplorethe SwataraCreekbuthighwaterlevelsledthemtothecalmerlakewaters. ThiswascertainlynotthefirsttimeTomhasbeenonthewaterwithCooper. "IfirstmetMr.Cooper,Ben,whenIwasin5thgrade.AsastudentatLowerDauphinMiddle School,Iparticipatedinoneofhissummerstreamstudycampprograms.Nowasanadult,and educatormyself,ithasbeenanhonortoleadBenandhis6thgradersonthesamewaterwaysthatI grewupexploringsomewithBen." Mr.Coopermayberetiring,buttherewerenosignsofsombernessasthegrouppaddledinto shore.Singing"row,row,rowyourboat"andcountingdown"21bottlesofmilkonthewall,"their songsandlaughtercouldbeheardfromtheshore. Oneofthestudentsproudlyshared,"Ihadtodoallofmyhomework,andgetitright,justtobe abletocometoday."Shewasproudofherachievement,aswellsheshouldbe.And,whilebrief,her wordsspeakvolumesaboutthevalueoftheprogramandofstudentrecognitionoftherewardsofhard work. Afterthecanoeswereloadedbackontotherigandgearputaway,TomsurprisedBenby presentinghimwithaspecialgiftofgratitudeandrecognitionofhiscommitmenttocleanwater,tohis students,andtoeducation.LocalTVandnewspaperscoveredtheawardpresentation,withonenaming Mr.Coopera"HometownHero." Tomsaid,"IaskedBenwhathewasgoingtomissmostaboutteaching.Hesaid,'Thekids,I willmissmysixthgraders,andthecanoetrips,too.ButIwillcontinuegettingoutonthewateronmy own.'" DanBerra,PrincipalatLowerDauphinMiddleSchoolshared,"Mr.Cooper'scommitmentto environmentaleducationhastouchedthelivesofliterallyhundredsofstudentsoverhiscareer.Weare thrilledthattheChesapeakeBayFoundationhaschosentorecognizehisworkineducatingourstudents thatweallhavearesponsibilitytocareforthewatershedinwhichwelive." CBFwouldliketoextendourgratitudetoMr.Cooperfor35yearsofteachinghisstudentsthe importanceofscienceandwaterstudies,andforencouragingthemtoloveandexploretheworld aroundthem.Weareespeciallygratefulforthe19yearsthathehassharedthoseexperienceswithus. Beforegettingontotheschoolbustoleave,Benconfidentlyshoutedbacktousthathewould beseeingtheteamoutonthewater,anotherday. IfyouareateacherwhowantstogetinvolvedwithCBF,pleasevisitourwebsitetolearnhow. ClickHereformorelinksandphotos. (WrittenBy:KellyDonaldson,CBF'sPennsylvaniaCommunicationsandMediaCoordinator.)

NewsClips: DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab RecordNumberOfStudentsParticipateInWestmorelandEnvirothon Analltimerecordnumberofstudents95from9areahighschoolsaremovingintothefinaldaysof preparationfortheannualWestmorelandCountywideenvironmentalcompetitionknownasthe Envirothon. Thisexcitingacademicevent,whichhasbeenhostedbytheWestmorelandConservation Districtsince1986,willpitteamsofninthtotwelfthgradestudentsagainsteachotherinoutdoor settingsthattesttheirknowledgeofthenaturalworld. ThisyearscompetitionwillbeheldatTwinLakesParkinGreensburgonApril28. Duringthishandsoncompetition,studentsmaybeaskedtomeasureatree,analyzeorganisms fromastream,orfeelhandfulsofsoiltoidentifythetype.Theywillworkasateamtoanswerquestions offactandusetheircriticalthinkingskillstofindsolutionstorealitybasedchallenges,suchashowto balanceuseandconservationofournaturalresources. Topicsincludeforestry,soilandlanduse,aquaticecology,wildlife,andthisyears environmentalissue:sustainableagriculturelocallygrown.Alocalfarmerwillbeonhandtotalkwith studentsabouthisexperiencesworkingonasmallfarm. The95studentsscheduledtoparticipateinthiscompetitionrepresentBurrellHighSchool, DerryAreaHighSchool,GreensburgCentralCatholicHighSchool,KiskiAreaHighSchool,Greater LatrobeHighSchool,MountPleasantAreaHighSchool,NorwinHighSchool,SouthmorelandHigh School,andYoughSeniorHighSchool.WestmorelandCountyCommissionerTedKopaswillpresent awardstothetopthreeteams. ThewinningWestmorelandCountyteamwillgoontocompeteinthePennsylvaniaState EnvirothonatSusquehannaUniversityandPPLMontourPreserveonMay20and21. ThisyearsWestmorelandCountyEnvirothonreceivedfundingsupportfromPennsylvania Envirothon,Inc.,andanumberofcooperatingagenciesassisttheWestmorelandConservationDistrict inhostingtheevent,including:theGameCommission,FishandBoatCommission,theDCNRsBureau ofForestry,theNaturalResourcesConservationService,theWestmorelandCountyBureauofParks andRecreation,andtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection. Formoreinformation,visitthePAEnvirothonwebsite. DeadlineExtendedForTroutUnlimitedRiverResearchersTeenCampJune2228 ThedeadlineforregisteringfortheTroutUnlimitedandWestBranchSusquehannaRiverCoalitions secondRiverResearchersTeenCampinPenfield,ClearfieldCounty,hasbeenextendedtoMay1. Campprogramsaredesignedforstudentsages1417tolearnaboutabandonedminedrainage, brooktroutandcoldwaterconservation.ClickHereformoreinformationanddownloadaCamp brochure. HarrisburgsMidtownCinemaPresentsFirstEarthFestApril22

MidtownCinema,locatedat250ReilyStreetinHarrisburgisproducingthefirstannualEarthFest,47 p.m.onApril22. Inconjunctionwithenvironmentalandcivicorganizations,MidtownCinemaisproudtopresent anafternoonoflearningandfunforthewholefamily. Confirmedparticipatingorganizationsinclude2MinuteTuesday,CapitalRegionWater, ChesapeakeBayFoundation,FriendsofMidtown,GreenUrbanInitiative,JoshuaFarm,NedSmith CenterforNatureandArt,andRecycleBicycleHarrisburg. Thescheduleofeventsisbelow,butofparticularnoteisaFREEscreeningoftheBBC documentaryPLANETEARTHfrom4:00p.m.to7:00p.m..Thisfreescreeningissponsoredby ChesapeakeBayFoundation. MosteventswilltakeplaceoutsideofMidtownCinema,locatedonReilybetween SusquehannaandGreen.Rainbarrelpainting,bicyclerepairs,asessiononnativeplants(where participantswillgettheirhandsdirty!),atreeplanting,aswellasdemonstrationsfromparticipating organizations,willfilltheafternoon. Theeventwillculminateinascreeningofthe1996comedyBIODOMEwithPaulyShore.The screeningofBIODOMEwillbe$8or$5forMidtownCinemaMembers. ThecommunityisinvitedtoparticipateinthisnewinitiativebyMidtownCinema,itsparent companyLIFTDevelopment,ChesapeakeBayFoundation,andtheothercommunitypartners. Formoreinformation,visittheMidtownCinemawebsite. NewsClips: CBF:PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterways DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab ArmstrongCountyHostsTwoGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAEvents KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulthanksvolunteersfromKiskiTownship,RoaringRunWatershed,Apollo RidgeSchoolDistrict(aspartoftheirGlobalDayofServiceproject),andlocalresidentswhoremoved 3,460poundsoftrashand260tiresfromDunmireRoadandFosterRoadinKiskiTownship, ArmstrongCountyonApril5thand6th. ProjectfundingwasprovidedbytheFoundationforPennsylvaniaWatersheds.Thefundingalso providesforenforcementmeasurestobeimplementedwithintheKiskiConemaughBasin. KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulunderstandsthateliminatingillegaldumpingrequiresmorethan justcleanups,butalsoopportunitiesforproperdisposal,education,beautification,stewardship,and enforcement,saidShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulhas developedanenforcementsupportprogramthatincludeseducation,training,surveillanceresourcesand technicalassistanceformunicipalandcountyofficialsinanefforttoboostprosecutionsofillegal dumpingandwereexcitedaboutimplementingitintheKiskiConemaughBasin. Formoreinformation,visittheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwebsite.Tofindacollectionevent nearyou,visittheGreatAmericanCleanupofPAwebsite. KeepPABeautifulDonatesSurveillanceCamerasToCityofPittsburgh KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulFridaysaidtheyhavedonatedhightechsurveillancecamerastotheCity

ofPittsburghtosupportenhancedenforcementeffortssurroundingtheactofillegaldumpingwithinthe Citylimits. Thehighquality,motionactivated,covertsecuritycamerasprovideinstantwirelesstransmission ofsiteactivity,photodocumentationoflicenseplatesatspeedsofupto50mph,andclearphotosof activitydayornight,whicharekeytoprosecutions. FromPittsburghswonderfulgreenwaystoitssecludedhillsides,illegaldumpingisfartoo commoninourCity,saidMayorWilliamPeduto.Plentyofresourcesareavailabletohelpour residentsandbusinessesdisposeofwasteproperly,butirresponsiblebehaviorcontinues.Iwantto thankKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulforassistingeffortsbymyadministrationandlocalpartnersto enforcethelawandkeepourneighborhoodsclean. Theevidencecollectedbyourcamerashasbeenintegralintheprosecutionandconvictionof individualsfromAllegheny,Armstrong,andElkcounties.Puttingfacestowhatoncewasafaceless crimeisgratifyingandknowingthatviolatorswillbeheldaccountableisevenbetter,saysShannon Reiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.Wearehonoredtobepartoftheefforttoreduce illegaldumpingintheCityofPittsburgh. AlleghenyCleanWays,withthehelpoftheIllegalDumpSurveycompletedin2009byKeep PennsylvaniaBeautiful,willhelpdeterminesitelocationsforcamerainstallation.Cameraswillbe repositionedamongknownillegaldumpsitesasneeded. ThenewcameraswillaugmentaprogramthatwaspilotedbyAlleghenyCleanWaysandthe CityofPittsburghlastyear. Twocameras,purchasedthroughagrantfromtheAlleghenyCountyConservationDistrict, weredonatedtotheCityofPittsburghforsurveillanceofthecitysworstdumpingareasinlate2013. Theadditionofthenewcameraswillenablesurveillanceofmoresitesandincreasethelikelihoodofa conviction. Formoreinformation,visittheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwebsite. ProfessionalRecyclersofPARecyclerMagazineNowAvailable TheSpringissueofRecyclermagazineisnowavailablefromtheProfessionalRecyclersofPennsylvania featuringstoriesonrecyclingfacingnewchallenges,casestudiesinstewardshiplessonsinreuseandthe 2014PROPconferenceschedule. AttorneyGeneralTeamsUpWithDEAForNationalPrescriptionDrugTakeBackDay TheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralhasjoinedtheU.S.DrugEnforcementAdministrationandlocallaw enforcementofficialsfromacrossthecountryinsupportofNationalPrescriptionDrugTakeBackDay. AttorneyGeneralKathleenG.Kanesaidtheprogram,scheduledforApril26isaneffortto collectpotentiallydangerousexpired,unusedandunwantedprescriptiondrugsforproperdisposaland destruction.Theserviceisfreeandanonymous. ThelastNationalPrescriptionDrugTakeBackDaywasheldonNovember3inall50states andcollectedmorethan647,000pounds324tonsofprescriptionmedications.Lawenforcement partnersfromacrossthecountryhaveremovedmorethan3.4millionpounds(1,733tons)of medicationfromcirculationsincetheprogrambeganin2010. "Demographically,weareseeinganalarmingincreaseinabuseofprescriptionmedications amongmiddleandhighschoolstudents,"AttorneyGeneralKanesaid."Thefirstplacetheyfindthese

drugsisinmedicinecabinets.IencourageeveryonetovisitadroplocationonApril26andsafely disposeofunwantedmedicationsbeforetheyfallintothewronghands." Thecontinuingnationalinitiativestocollectexpiredorunwantedprescriptiondrugsprovide excellentopportunitiesforthosewhomayhavemissedpreviouseventsorwhomayhaveaccumulated additionalprescriptionstodisposeofthemsafely. PrescriptiondrugabuseintheUnitedStatesisincreasinginanalarmingrate.TheOfficeof AttorneyGeneralhasarrestedhundredsofindividualsforillegallydivertingprescriptiondrugsincluding doctors,nursesandmedicalprofessionals. Acommonmisconceptionwithprescriptiondrugdisposalisthatitissafetoflushunwanted medicinedownthetoiletorsimplythrowthemaway.However,theseoptionsposepotentialhealthand safetyhazards. Collectionwillbeavailablefrom10a.m.to2p.m.onApril26.Acompletelistofcollection sitesisavailableattheDEAwebsite.TheOfficeofAttorneyGeneralencouragesparticipationinthis safe,legalandenvironmentallyfriendlywayofdisposingprescriptionmedications. EnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardCommunityListeningSessionInChesterMay6 DEP'sEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardwillholdapubliclisteningsessionfrom68p.m.,May6 inChester,DelawareCounty,toprovideinterestedstakeholdersanopportunitytogivepubliccomment onconcernsandsuggestionsregardingenvironmentaljusticeissues. EJABwillproviderecommendationstothedepartmentbasedoninformationgatheredfromthe listeningsession.ThesessionwillbeheldintheCommunityRoomofChesterCityHalllocatedat1 FourthSt. Questionsandtopicsraisedfromthecommunitylisteningsessionwillbeaddressedina comment/responsedocumentthatwillbeavailableatalaterdateonDEPswebsite. Anyoneinterestedinprovidingoralcommentatthepubliclisteningsessionshouldregisterby contactingHollyCairns,DEPOfficeofEnvironmentalAdvocate,byphoneat7177839731orsend emailto:hcairns@pa.gov,nolaterthan5p.m.May2. Organizationsarerequestedtodesignateonespokespersontoprovidecomment.Comments arelimitedto5minutes.Anyoneprovidingoralcommentshouldprovidethreewrittencopiesoftheir commentsatthelisteningsession. Thoseunabletoattendthelisteningsessionbutwhowouldliketoprovidewrittencommentcan emailcommentsto:RAEPPubliccomments@pa.govorsubmitthemviaU.S.Mailto:Environmental JusticeAdvisoryBoard,c/oDEP,400MarketStreet,16thfloor,Harrisburg,Pa.17101.Written commentswillbeaccepteduntil8p.m.May6. PeopleinneedofaccommodationsasprovidedforintheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof 1990shouldcontactDEPat7177839731orthroughthePennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServicesat 8006545984(TDD)todiscusshowDEPmayaccommodatetheirneeds. (ReprintedfromDEPsApril17Newsletter.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.) BrownfieldsRedevelopmentSeminarInPittsburghMay14 TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitesmunicipal,townshipandboroughleaders,county andcityplanners,redevelopmentauthorities,communityleaders,andeconomicandindustrial

developmentagenciestoaseminar,WhatAllLocalGovernmentsNeedtoKnowaboutBrownfields, onMay14inPittsburgh. Theseminarisofferedfreeofchargeandwillbefrom9:30a.m.to1:30p.m.atDEPSouthwest RegionalOffice,400WaterfrontDrive,Pittsburgh,PA15222.Lunchwillbeprovided. Thehalfdayseminarwillfocusonhowtobreathelifeintoabandonedandvacantproperties. Participantswilllearnaboutsuccessfulbrownfieldredevelopmentprojectsintheirarea,learnthebasics ofbrownfields,findoutwherepublicfundingisavailableandhowtoapplyforit,andnetworkwith othermunicipalorganizations. Brownfieldsarepropertiesthatareinneedofexpansion,redevelopmentorreuse,butbecause ofactualoranticipatedhazardoussubstances,pollutantsorcontaminants,thatworkismademore challenging. Pennsylvaniasapproachtobrownfieldsredevelopmenthasproventobeanationalmodelfor transformingabandoned,idlepropertiesintoplacesofenvironmentalprotectionandeconomic opportunity. ThisworkshopisproducedinpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofCommunityandEconomic Development.ItisfundedbyabrownfieldgrantfromtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency. Spaceislimited,soregistrationswillbeacceptedonafirstcome,firstservebasis.Please registerinadvance.Onlineregistrationisavailable. Formoreinformation,contactKimHooverat7177831566orsendemailto: khoover@pa.gov. CleanupAtSiteOfMassiveTirePileFireAlmostCompleteInLuzerneCounty A$1millioncleanupofwhatwasleftafteranarsonfiretorched100,000tiresandburnedforthree daysin1991inLuzerneCountyisnearlycomplete. DEPtookoverthecleanupofthesiteneartheCoxtonrailyardsinDuryeathatwasonceone ofthelargesttirepilesinthestateafterthetirerecyclerwentbankruptfollowingthefire.Hundredsof thousandsoftiresremainedtobecleanedupafterthefire. Twentythreeyearslater,abulldozerispickingupthefinalremainingtiresandtossingtheminto adumpsterwheretheywillbehauledawaytoalandfillorrecycled. Mostofthefundingforthecleanupcamefromfinesandfeesthattirehaulerspayin Pennsylvania.. WiththecleanupatCoxtonYards,consideredoneoftheworsttirefiresinthestate, Pennsylvaniaisnowatacleanuprateof95percentandstillprogressing. (ReprintedfromDEPsApril17Newsletter.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.) DEPPublishesFinalCommunityEnvironmentalProjectsPolicyInPABulletin ThefinalversionofDEP'sCommunityEnvironmentalProjects(CEP)PolicywaspublishedintheApril 19PABulletin. TheCEPpolicyoutlinestheprocessforDEPconsiderationofaCommunityEnvironmental Project,incertainsituations,inlieuofaportionoftheamountofcivilpenaltyitwillacceptasa settlement. ACEPisaprojectthatsubstantiallyimproves,protects,restoresorremediatesthe

environment,orimproves,protectsorreducesriskstothepublichealthorsafety. DEPstaffwillconsidertheperformanceofaCEP,inappropriatesituations,inlieuofaportion oftheamountofcivilpenaltyitwillacceptasasettlement.Thedepartmentmay,indeterminingthe amountofcivilpenaltytocollect,considerprojectsthathavesubstantialpublichealthorenvironmental benefits. DEPmayconsiderCEPsinsituationsitdecidesareappropriate,asanexerciseofits enforcementdiscretion.AdditionalconsiderationmaybegiventoCEPsproposedinareasthatare susceptibletodisproportionateenvironmentalimpactsandprojectsthatwillbenefitconditionsinan environmentaljusticearea. DEPsoughtinputfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilandtheEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisory Boardinthedevelopmentofthepolicy.Wherepossible,thosecommentswereincludedintheversion thatwassharedwiththepublicforcomment. Duetotheearlyinvolvementofbothadvisorygroupspriortopubliccomment,neitherhad additionalcommentsontheversionpublishedforpubliccomment. ThefinalversionofthepolicywillbeavailableinDEP'seLibrarybysearchingforpolicy 0124180001. (ReprintedfromDEPsApril17Newsletter.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy.) PUCLaunchesMobileFriendlyPAPowerSwitchSite ThePublicUtilityCommissionthisweeklaunchedamobilefriendlyversionof www.PAPowerSwitch.com,theagencyswebsitewithinformationonshoppingforelectricsuppliers, consumeralertsandinformation,educationalvideosandmore. ThevariablerateissuethiswinterhasbroughthighertraffictoPAPowerSwitchbothoverall andwithmobileusersandthisisonemorethingweredoingtomakeiteasierforconsumersto navigatethecompetitivemarket,saidPUCChairmanRobertF.Powelson.Wewanttohelpasmany consumersaspossible. Thenewmobileversionmakesiteasierforconsumerstonavigatethewebsiteandevenswitch theirelectricsuppliersfromtheirsmartphoneortablet,ratherthanadesktoporlaptopcomputer. ThroughmonitoringPAPowerSwitchtrafficdata,thePUCsawahighnumberofmobilevisitors landingonapageandthenleaving,withoutclickingthroughtootherpages.Mobilevisitorsare immediatelyexitingthewebsiteatasignificantlyhigherratethandesktopusers. YearoveryeartrafficdatashowsthatmobileusageofPAPowerSwitchincreased100percent fromMarch2013toMarch2014. Onabroaderlevel,thenumberoftotalinternetusersinNorthAmericaaccessingthewebfrom amobiledeviceisestimatedtorisefrom57.9percentin2013to64.3percentthisyearaccordingto areportbyeMarketerandto79.2percentby2017. Inadditiontoreleasingamobilefriendlywebsite,thePUChasmadenumerousadditionsand updatestothesitescontentsinceJanuaryinordertoeducateconsumersonhotbuttonissuesregarding electricity. Topicsthatwereaddedorrevampedincludevariableandfixedratecontracts,consumer choicesandrights,questionstoasksupplierswhenshopping,whattodoattheendofacontractand more. NewsClips:

PPLRequestsMoreFrequentRateChangeForDefaultCustomers BerwickNuclearPlantShutDownForMaintenance BerwickNuclearPlantGetsExtensionOnSafetyImprovements ConstructionAheadOfScheduleOnBradfordNaturalGasPowerPlant OpEd:PhillyImprovesBuildingEnergyUse,StillHasWorkToDo PASeeksFlexibilityInGreenhouseGasEmissionRules GroupsSlamPASmogProposalAsLax Editorial:PowerPlantsComplyWithMercuryRule Editorial:AnotherClimateWarningMoreSciFi EnergyEfficientSolarPanelsToPowerKreiderFarmsChickenHousesInLancaster Committedtoestablishingearthfriendlyfarmpracticesforfuturegenerations,LancasterCountys KreiderFarmsislaunchingasolarpowerprojectthatwillincreaseenergyefficiencyforitsfour Manheimchickenhouses,whicharethemoststateofthearteggprocessingfacilitiesavailableinthe UnitedStates. SettobeginthismonthinconjunctionwithEarthDayonApril22,the$2millionprojectis slatedtobecompletebymidsummer. KreiderFarmshaspartneredwithMBCDevelopmentofSchuylkillHavenandA1Energyof Manheim,toinstallsolarpanelsontotheroofsofitsfourchickenhouses.Thechickenhouses,eachof whichmeasuresaboutthesizeofafootballfield,willutilize100percentofthepowerfromthesolar panelsforitsneeds,whichencompasseverythingfromfansandconveyorstolighting. ThisprojectisjustthelatestexampleofhowKreiderFarmsmakegreentechnologiesan importantpartofouroperations,saidRonKreider,presidentandCEO,andthirdgenerationfamily leaderofKreiderFarms.Overtheyears,weveinvestedmillionsofdollarsintoecofriendly,hightech facilitiesinanefforttoimprovethequalityofourproductsandreduceourenvironmentalfootprint, whichhelpstopreservefarmland. Thesolarpanelswillgeneratealmostamegawattofusableenergy.Thatsenoughtopower approximately100residentialhomes,saidJimMiller,presidentofMBCDevelopment.Solarpanels areevolvingandthesenewmodelsareapproximately15percentmoreefficientthanonesweinstalled3 yearsagoasignificantincrease. KreiderFarmsdistributesfarmfreshdairyproductstoretailersandwholesalersfromVirginiato NewEngland.Eggvarietiesincludewhite,brown,organicandcagefree. Formoreinformationonsustainabilityinitiatives,visittheKreiderFarmswebsite. NewsClip:KreiderFarmsLaunchesSolarChickenhouseProject HighConstructionCompanyWinsEPAEnergyStarBuildingCompetition TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyThursdayannouncedHighConstructionCompanyBuilding 105inMechanicsburg,CumberlandCounty,wasoneof15winnersoftheEnergyStarNational BuildingCompetition. Together,competitorsinthisyearsNationalBuildingCompetitionsavedmorethan$20million andreducedgreenhousegasemissionsbymorethan130,000metrictonsequaltotheannual electricityuseofnearly18,000homes.Manyorganizationsusedthecompetitiontoinvolve peoplesuchasstaffandstudentswhomightnotordinarilybeengagedinsuchefforts.

TheHighConstructionbuildinghada35.3percentreductioninenergyuseresultingina $32,960savingsandreducedgreenhousegasemissionsby221tons. Formoreinformation,visitEPAsEnergyStarNationalBuildingCompetitionwebpage. UniversityOfPittsburghInvests$37.5MInSustainabilityAcademics,Research TomarkthetenthanniversaryoftheUniversityofPittsburgh'sMascaroCenterforSustainable InnovationandtobuildupontheongoingphilanthropyoftwoofPitt'smostgenerousdonors,Pitt officialsannouncedanew$37.5millionfundinginitiativecomprisingvariousendowmentsandcurrent fundstosupportsustainabilityrelatedacademicsandresearch. ThroughtheleadershipofanewSustainabilityTaskForce,establishedbytheOfficeofthe Provost,theUniversitywillextendsustainabilityinitiativesthroughoutPitt'sacademicprogramsand researchinitiatives. AccordingtoChancellorMarkA.Nordenberg,Pitt'shistoriccommitmenttosustainabilitywas inspiredgreatlybyJohnC."Jack"Mascaro(ENGR'66,'80G),founderandchairofMascaro ConstructionCompanyL.P.,andJohnA.Swanson(ENGR'66G),founderofANSYS,Inc.,bothof whomalsohavecontributedtowardtheUniversity'sinvestmentinthisnewsustainabilityinitiative. "Sinceitsfoundingin2003,drivenbythevisionandphilanthropyofJackMascaro,the MascaroCenterforSustainableInnovation,whichisheadquarteredintheSwansonSchoolof Engineering,hashelpedtoinitiate,organize,andsupportawiderangeofimportanteducationaland researchinitiativesandhashelpedtoestablishourUniversityasahighlyrespectedcenterfor workofimpactinthebroadareaofsustainability,"Nordenbergsaid."OnbehalfoftheentireUniversity community,IwanttothankJack,bothforsharinghisideasandforinvestinginthem,providingmuchof theintellectualandfinancialimpetusforthisefforttoimbuesustainabilitythroughoutthecurriculum, acrosstheUniversity,andintothecommunityatlarge. "IalsowanttorecognizeProvostPatriciaE.Beesonforherleadershipincreatingaprogram thatwillextendthroughoutourUniversity,andtothankGeraldD.Holder,theU.S.SteelDeanofthe SwansonSchool,forhelpingtobuildPitt'sstrongfoundationforsustainabilityinourSchoolof Engineering." AccordingtoProvostandSeniorViceChancellorBeeson,theUniversity'ssustainability initiativeisgroundedinitsestablishedsuccesswithintheSwansonSchool,andthisnewinvestment recognizesthepotentialithasasaUniversityprioritytoimpactacademicprograms,research,and studentengagementacrosstheUniversityandtobuildonkeypartnershipswithbusinessunitsandthe community. "JackMascaro'sinitialgifthelpedtoestablishourfirstacademicsustainabilityprogramsatthe SwansonSchoolofEngineering,throughtheMascaroCenterforSustainableInnovation,"Beesonsaid. "Overthispastdecade,theMascaroCenterandtheSwansonSchoolhavesuccessfullydevelopedan educationalandresearchmodelthatcanserveasthefoundationforimpactthroughoutthegreater UniversityofPittsburghcommunity." Accordingtotheprovost,thenewlycommittedresourceswillbringthetotaltoapproximately $60millionofsupportforsustainabilitysinceMCSI'sfoundingtenyearsago. Thenewinitiativeisbeingled,inpart,bytheprovost'sSustainabilityTaskForce,which comprisesfacultyrepresentativesfromacrosscampus. ThistaskforcewhichisledbyEricJ.Beckman,whoisMCSI'scodirectorandtheGeorge M.BevierProfessorofEngineeringischargedwiththreegoals:tocatalyzeinterdisciplinary

sustainabilityresearchtoenrichtheundergraduateandgraduateprogramofferingsintheareaof sustainabilityandtofurtherenhancePitt'snationalrecognitioninsustainability. Thetaskforce,formedinfall2013,hasalreadydevelopedplanstoexpandtheUniversity's curricularofferingsinsustainabilitytoincludeacampuswidecertificateforundergraduatestudentsand asetofmaster'sleveldegreeprogramsthatwillhaveabroadfocusinengineering,business,andpublic policy. BeesonaddedthatPitt'snewsustainabilityinitiativehonorsMascaro'soriginalpassionfor establishingMCSIandsetsthecenteronacourseforagreaterimpact. "ThroughouthisrelationshipwithPitt,Jackhasneverthoughtof'sustainability'asmerelya brandingstatementorgreenwashing,butratheraphilosophythatshouldinfluenceeveryactionand interactionwithintheUniversityandwithout,bothnowandespeciallyinthefuture,"Beesonsaid. "Fromthebeginning,IwantedtheMascaroCenterforSustainableInnovationtopursue outcomesthatwouldhaveatrueimpactonPittandthecommunity,ratherthanremainasresearch housedinalaborpublishedinajournal,"Mascarosaid."TheSwansonSchoolandtheMascaro CenterhaveshowntheimpactthatsustainabilitycanhaveoncommunitiesascloseasPittsburgh's LarimerneighborhoodtovillagesasfarawayasPanamaandBrazil. "MyfamilyandIbelievethatnowisthepropertimefortheUniversityitselftoengageina multidisciplinaryapproachthatcanembedsustainablepracticesandinquiryacrossacademicprograms andintothedaytodaylifeofeveryoneassociatedwithPitt.ItisourgoaltoseetheUniversitybe nationallyrecognizedasagreatleaderinsustainableeducationwhilepositivelyimpactingthecommunity andeconomywithitseffortsinsustainabilitythroughtheMascaroCenterforSustainableInnovation." TheSwansonSchool,whichwasabletoexpanditsBenedumHallofEngineeringfacilities beginningin2007throughgiftsfrombothMascaroandtheschool'snamesake,JohnSwanson,will continuetoserveasMCSI'sphysicalhome. "I'mgratifiedbythesuccessfulstewardshipofmycontributionstoPittbyChancellor Nordenberg,ProvostBeeson,andDeanHolder,andpleasedbytheSwansonSchool'simpactonthe Universityasawhole,especiallywithrespecttosustainability,"saidSwanson,amemberofthe University'sBoardofTrustees."IamproudtojoinJackMascaroincontributingtotheprovost'snew initiative,whichIbelievewillgreatlybenefitourstudentsandfacultyassustainablepracticesbecome evenmoreintegraltoourprofessionalandpersonallives." HolderhopesthatdepartmentsandcentersacrossPitt'sOaklandcampuscanlearnfromwhat hisadministrationhasaccomplishedthroughtheimpactofMCSI,Mascaro,andSwanson. "JackandJohnhavebeenbothcolleaguesandcontributorsinhelpingusestablishprogramsthat nowserveasthefoundationforabroadenedUniversitycommitment,"Holdersaid."Sustainabilityhas hadapositiveimpactontheSwansonSchool,fromenhancedacademicreputationanddiversestudy abroadinitiatives,tostrongercommunityrelationswithnonprofits,schools,andindustry,topositively impactingstudentlife.WeareindebtedforthesupportofJackMascaroandJohnSwanson,andthank themforcontributingtosucharichlegacyofsustainabilityatPitt." InMarch2014,theUniversityreleaseditsfirstReportonSustainability,whichdescribedPitt's mostrecentsustainabilityeffortsoncampusineducationandresearchandthroughoutthe communityatlarge,aswellastherecognitionithasreceived. Thereportincludeddataonmeasurableoutcomesfromenergyconservationandemissions reductionstosustainablepurchasingandstudenthousing,aswellascurrentacademicprogramsand effortstoimprovethequalityoflifeinOaklandandotherPittsburghneighborhoods. "TheUniversityofPittsburghcommunityhasembracedsustainabilityasacriticalpartof

everydaylife.BoththeextraordinarygenerosityofJackMascaroandJohnSwansonandthecommitted effortsofcampusleaderslikeProvostBeeson,DeanHolder,andProfessorBeckmanhavetakenusto thisalreadyenviableposition,"saidChancellorNordenberg."Thesenewinvestmentsandtheworkof ourSustainabilityTaskForcewillenableustocontinueaddingtothatrichlegacyforgenerationsto come." Formoreinformation,visittheUniversityofPittsburgh'sMascaroCenterforSustainable Innovationwebpage. DEPAwards26CountiesNearly$2.1MillionInWestNileVirusGrants TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionTuesdayannounceditisawardingnearly$2.1millionin WestNileVirusControlProgramGrantsto26counties. "Thesecountygrantsensurethatmosquitopopulationsstayinchecktopreventthespreadof WestNileVirus,"DEPSecretaryE.ChristopherAbruzzosaid."Locallybasedprogramsplayan importantroleinprotectingthepublicfromthisperennialproblem." Thefundingisusedtocoverthecostsassociatedwithsurveyingandcontrollingmosquitoesthat carryWNV.DEPdevelopedthefundingproposalsinconsultationwithcountyofficialsbasedonneed. ThegrantprogramisfundedbytheGeneralFund. ClickHereforalistofgrantsawarded. ToreducetheriskofWNV,DEPandcountystaffuseacombinationofeducation,source reductionandmosquitocontrol.Mosquitocontrolislargelydonebyusinglarvalcontrolproducts,such asBti,whichisderivedfromsoilbacteria. Ifnecessary,manmadeadultmosquitocontrolproductsderivedfromthechrysanthemum flowerareusedtoreducemosquitopopulationswhentheyposeanelevatedriskofinfectingpeople. Adultmosquitocontrolproductsareeffectiveincontrollingmosquitopopulationsandposelittletono harmfuleffecttohumans,plantsorotheranimals. LastyearDEPdetected1,213mosquitosamples,28avianspecimens,twohorsesand11 humansinfectedwithWNVinPennsylvania. Inhumans,theviruscancauseWestNilefeverandencephalitis,aninfectionthatcancause inflammationofthebrainanddeath.Mostpeoplebittenbyaninfectedmosquitowillneverdevelopany symptoms,andonlyonepersonin150peoplewithsymptomswilldevelopthemoreseriousWestNile encephalitis. Residentsareencouragedtoremoveallstandingwaterfromtheirpropertytopreparefor mosquitoseasonandpreventinfection. Toreportadeadbird,fileamosquitocomplaintorformoreinformationaboutWNV,visitthe WestNileViruswebsiteorcall7173468243. PAAdds28Farms,Nearly2,800AcresToPreservationProgram PennsylvaniasAgriculturalLandPreservationBoardThursdaysafeguarded2,778additionalacreson 28farmsin13countiesthroughthestatesnationallyrenownedfarmlandpreservationprogram. TheboardpreservedfarmsinBedford,Bucks,Center,Chester,Cumberland,Erie,Lancaster, Mercer,Montgomery,Northampton,Schuylkill,SusquehannaandWaynecounties. Sincetheprogrambeganin1988,federal,state,countyandlocalgovernmentshaveinvested morethan$1.2billiontopreserve489,409acreson4,586farmsin57countiesforfutureagricultural

production. Thebestagriculturallandisoftenthebestlandfordevelopment,butourfarmlandpreservation programensuresprimesoilsstayinfarming,saidAgricultureSecretaryGeorgeGreig.Ithankthe producerswhowanttopreservetheirlandandthepeoplebehindthesceneswhomakeithappen. Together,werepreservingagriculture,thecornerstoneofPennsylvaniaseconomy. ThePennsylvaniaAgriculturalConservationEasementPurchaseProgramidentifiesproperties andslowsthelossofprimefarmlandtononagriculturaluses.Itenablesstate,countyandlocal governmentstopurchaseconservationeasements,alsocalleddevelopmentrights,fromownersof qualityfarmland. Insomecases,thefederalFarmandRanchlandsProtectionProgramprovidesadditional assistance.Lastfiscalyear,Pennsylvaniareceived$4.2millioninfederalreimbursements. Formoreinformation,visitAgriculturesFarmlandPreservationwebpage. ForestRestorationWorkshopMay10AtMilfordExperimentalForest,PikeCounty JointheDelawareHighlandsConservancy,thePinchotInstituteforConservationandthePikeMonroe WoodlandOwnersGroupforaforestrestorationworkshoponMay10atGreyTowersNational HistoricSiteandtheMilfordExperimentalForest,aprivatelyownedresearchforestinPikeCountyand learnhowtoimprovethehealthofyourforest. Theworkshopincludestwosessions:anindoorsessionfrom9a.m.NoonatGreyTowers NationalHistoricSite,andanoutdoorsessionfrom1p.m.3p.m.atthenearbyMilfordExperimental Forest. Participantscanarewelcometoattendthewholedayorjustthemorningorafternoonsession. Lunch,drinksandsnackswillbeprovided.Participantsshouldwearsturdyshoes,dressfortheweather andbepreparedforahikeonrockyandslopingterrain. InthemorningsessionatGreyTowersNationalHistoricSite,hearfromPeterPinchot,forest landowner,aboutthehistoryoftheMilfordExperimentalForestandthechallengesthatmanyprivate landownersfaceinourregionafterhavingtheopportunitytoshareyourownquestionsorconcerns. Later,hearhowclimatechangeisimpactingandwillcontinuetoaffectforestecologyand managementintheUpperDelawareRiverwatershedfromSusanBeecherofthePinchotInstitutefor Conservation. Afterlunch,drivetotheMilfordExperimentalForestandhearfromLeilaPinchot,Peters daughterandforestlandowner,aboutacurrentpipelinerestorationprojectwhileyoutourrestoration sitesalongthepipeline,anddiscussdeermanagement,wildlifehabitatmanagement,biodiversity,and treeplantingtechniques. ThisprogramissponsoredbytheDelawareHighlandsConservancy,thePikeMonroe WoodlandOwnersGroup,theGreyTowersNationalHistoricSite,andthePinchotInstitutefor Conservation. Theworkshopisfreeandopentothepublic,butregistrationisrequired.Pleasecallthe DelawareHighlandsConservancyat5702263164,8455831010,orsendemailto: info@delawarehighlands.orgtoregisterandreceivedirections.Onlineregistrationisavailable. VisittheDelawareHighlandsConservancywebsiteformoreinformationonotherupcoming events. PAWilds2014PartnershipSummitAndAwardsDinnerMay15

 OnMay15thePAWildsProgramwillholditsPartnershipSummitandChampionOfThePAWilds AwardsDinnerattheRedFern,421OldKerseyRoad,Kersey,ElkCountystartingat4:30. Theprogramincludesregistration,networkinganddisplaytables,welcomeandinvocation, buffetdinner,DCNR&DCEDremarks,"CelebratingourChampions,"andthe2014Championofthe PAWildsawardspresentation. Costoftheprogramis$20perperson.Forregistrationinformation,call8145451333orvisit thePAWildsPartnershipSummitwebpage. April16ResourceNewsletterNowAvailableFromDCNR TheApril16issueoftheResourcenewsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofConservation andNaturalResources. April17DEPNewsletterNowAvailable TheApril17issueofDEPsnewsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental Protection.ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopy. OpportunityToBidOn5DEPMineReclamation,WellPluggingProjects TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeoftheopportunitytobidonfive projectsminereclamationprojectsinAlleghenyCountyandCentreCountyandabandonedwell pluggingprojectsinAlleghenyCounty,asecondprojectinAlleghenyCountyandoneinElkCounty.

Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased April23AgendaReleased.DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12th FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. DraftRulemakingforFiberglassBoatManufacturingMaterials DraftRulemakingforIndustrialCleaningSolvents DraftRulemakingforMiscellaneousMetalPartsSurfaceCoatingProcesses DraftRulemakingforAutomobileandLightdutyTruckAssemblyCoatingOperations UpdateonAirQualityRulemakings <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. April24DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. April24CANCELED.DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Themeetinghas beenrescheduledforJune12.(formalnotice)

May6DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.CityofChesterCityHall,Chester.5:00 p.m.(formalnotice) May7NEW.AgendaReleased.DEPChesapeakeBayManagementTeammeeting.DEP SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:30.(formalnotice) PresentationonhowtoreducecostsJimShortle EPAUpdates ProgressRunWatershedupdate MilestonesUpdate NewWatershedAgreementUpdate NextSteps <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. May7DEPhearingsessiononHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00a.m. May8DEPhearingsessionsonHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00a.m.and6:00p.m. May8DEPholdsahearingonaairqualityredesignationrequestfortheAllentownMaintenance Area.DEPRegionalOffice,2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre.1:00.(formalnotice) May8NEW.AgendaReleased.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionholdsapublichearingon waterwithdrawalrequests.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formal notice) May14DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 9:30. May21EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. May21DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. May27NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121 &129RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice, 400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00.(formalnotice) May28NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121 &129RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2 EastMainSt.,Norristown.1:00.(formalnotice) May29NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121 &129RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPOffice,Room105Rachel

CarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.1:00.(formalnotice) June12NEW.DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConference Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice) June26DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents

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Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek. April30NortheastPAAudubonSocietyCollegeScholarship April30EPAPresidentsGreenChemistryChallengeAwards May1DominionEnergy,EnvironmentEducationGrants May9CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram May9CFARenewableEnergyProgram May9CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram May14PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFinancing May15PhiladelphiaWaterSpokesdogCompetition May16Fish&BoatCommissionStateWildlifeGrants May16CFAPASmallWaterAndSewerProgram May22DCNRVolunteerFirefighterGrants May23KPBGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest May30DEPAlternativeEnergyVehicleConversionGrants June27SRBCConsumptiveUseMitigationProjectProposals June30DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebateProgram June30PennDOTMultiModalTransportationProjects July11CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram July11CFARenewableEnergyProgram July11CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram July21CFASewageFacilitiesProgram July21CFAAbandonedMineDrainageAbatement July21CFAWatershedRestorationProtection July21CFABaselineWaterQualityDataProgram

July21CFAGreenways,TrailsandRecreation July21CFAOrphanorAbandonedWellPlugging July21CFAFloodMitigationProgram September22CFAAlternativeandCleanEnergyProgram September22CFARenewableEnergyProgram September22CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram October31HawkMountainSanctuaryDigitalPhotoContest October31PRCLensOnLitterPhotoContest VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance forenvironmentalprojects.

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Budget/QuickNewsClips
Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate April17DEPNewsletter April16DCNRResourceNewsletter Budget AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax Editorial:PressureRisesForFairTaxOnNaturalGas WantToBeGovernor?GiveFrackingWindfallToThePeople Other EnvironmentalActivitiesAheadForHawleyEarthfest VolunteersPlantTreesInJeffersonCounty TrashCleanupSetAtFormerAvondaleMine VolunteersToCleanUpPresqueIsleOnSaturday FreeTreesForRadnorResidents ResponseExceedsExpectationsOnRecyclingCookingOil AllentownMayorShakesUpEnvironmentalBoard YudichakBillAimsToMakeDrinkingWaterSafer OpEd:RachelCarsonsSilence KreiderFarmsLaunchesSolarChickenhouseProject PPLRequestsMoreFrequentRateChangeForDefaultCustomers BerwickNuclearPlantShutDownForMaintenance BerwickNuclearPlantGetsExtensionOnSafetyImprovements ConstructionAheadOfScheduleOnBradfordNaturalGasPowerPlant OpEd:PhillyImprovesBuildingEnergyUse,StillHasWorkToDo PASeeksFlexibilityInGreenhouseGasEmissionRules GroupsSlamPASmogProposalAsLax Editorial:PowerPlantsComplyWithMercuryRule Editorial:AnotherClimateWarningMoreSciFi MercurySpillAtUniversityOfScranton

GroupsWantsConsolToAdhereToGreeneCountyMiningPermit MineMappingEffortTurnsToLuzerneCounty LackawannaMineTourOpeningDelayed CourtRevivesLegalBattleOverSewageSludgeInYorkCounty OliphantToHeadHeinzEndowments Editorial:HeinzEndowmentsRecruitsAnOldFriend BrushFiresSparkThroughoutLackawannaCounty HundredsToParticipateInYoughRiverTrailCouncilRace CountrysideConservancyToPushTrailProject TroutSeasonOpensAcrossNortheast RareAtlanticSturgeonFoundDeadOnDelawareInEaston PADoeLicensesWillDecrease GameCommissionPlansControlledBurnsInSEPA EagleWebcamEnthrallsViewersWhileAidingResearch DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling AnotherGOPLawmakerBacksDrillingIndustryTax StateReaps$582MWindfallOnGasDrillingInStateForests StateForestsBecomingLessWildWithGrowthOfDrilling DCNRReportQuantifiesMarcellusImpactsOnPublicLands DCNRReleasesFirstMarcellusMonitoringReport ReportOnGasDrillingInStateForestsReleased DrillingInStateForests,ImpactsAndTradeOffs Letter:StateIsGoodStewardOfDrillingOnPublicLands OpEd:CorbettDrillingPlanIsGoodForParks Editorial:StateShouldNotBeBarredFromDrillSites Editorial:DEPMustHaveAccessToSellSites Editorial:DrillingDataMustBePublicData Editorial:DrillingCleaner,ButNotCleanEnough DEP:WastewaterLeakedFromRangeDrillingImpoundment DEPInvestigatesDrillingWastewaterLeakInWashingtonCounty Study:SmallFractionOfPAWellsContributeLargeMethane MethaneEmissionLevelsByGasDrillersDisputedByEPA FrackingStudyInPAFindsFewWaterConcerns AGLookingAtGasRoyaltyPaymentIssues IncidentAtWyomingCountyNaturalGasCompressorStation DEP:MarshallPipelineRuptureScorched2Acres WyomingCountySmellWasNotNaturalGasLeak

PipelineWouldPassThruHundredsOfWaterways SunocoPipelinePlanDrawsMoreOppositionInChesco Oil&GasIndustryMustStopSilencingVictims CleanupToBeginAtTrailDerailmentSiteInNorthampton DrillingRejectionASetbackForMarsHomeForYouth ShaleGasOffersCommunitiesGood,BadAndUncertain AlleghenyCouncilGoesDeepIntoDeerLakesDrilling WouldBeDrillersQuizzedByAlleghenyCouncilCommittee DeerLakesParkDrillingDebateVeersIntoEthicsComplaint OpEd:TapTheGasUnderDeerLakes Editorial:CreditCountyOfficialsForGivingPeopleASayInDrilling OppositionGrowingToBerksNaturalGasToLiquidPlant EnergyPunditToSpeakAtLehighOnShaleGas NoPenaltyForOilAndGasConsultantOnPracticeOfLaw ConstructionAheadOfScheduleOnBradfordNaturalGasPowerPlant DEPMonitoringOhioEarthquakeSituation ShellToHoldPublicMeetingsOnEthaneCrackerPlant MeetingsOnShellCrackerPlantLure1,000 ShellHoldsMeetingsOnProposedCrackerPlant UGIToReplace65MilesOfObsoletePipes Editorial:CarefulWithSaleOfPGW Financial/OtherStates MarcellusShaleProductionWillContinueForDecades RangeResourcesBoostsMarcellusShaleProduction DrillRigMakerTakingRoughOutOfRoughnecking AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate Flooding TunkhannockWrappingUpDemolitionsOfFloodDamagedHomes OtherWatershedNewsClips DelawareRiverConservationGets$35MillionBoost CBF:PAStudentsExploreLocalWaterways WatershedAssociationWelcomesAnglersBackToForkston PittsburghSouthSideBecomesStormwaterLab AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardpublishednoticeofproposedchangestoChapter121&129Air QualityregulationsrelatedtoadditionalRACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCsfor publiccomment.Threepublichearingshavebeenscheduled. PennsylvaniaBulletinApril19,2012 ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofitsfinalPolicyforConsiderationof CommunityEnvironmentalProjectsintheApril19PABulletin. DEPalsopublishednoticeofthefinalassessmentandlistingmethodologyfordeterminingwhenwaters areimpairedunderSections303(d)and305(d)ofthefederalCleanWaterActandrequiredfor PennsylvaniasIntegratedWaterQualityMonitoringandAssessmentReport. The2013AssessmentMethodsincludesthefollowingdocuments:InstreamComprehensive EvaluationsLimestoneStreamsMultiHabitatPool/GlideStreamsRiffle/RunFreestoneStreams ContinuousInstreamMonitoringPeriphytonStreambedSedimentSurfaceWaterCollection SemiQuantitativeFishSamplingProtocolLakeAssessmentProtocolAquaticMacrophyteCover LakeFisheriesEvaluationsofPhosphorusDischargestoLakes,PondsandImpoundmentsPlankton SamplingChlorophyllASamplingChemistryBacteriologicalEvaluationsFishTissueSampling NaturalPollutantSourcesOutsideAgencyDataAppendixASourcesandCauseDefinitions AppendixBTaxaTolerancesAppendixCBiologicalFieldMethodsAppendixC1Habitat AppendixC2BenthicMacroinvertebratesAppendixC3FishandAppendixC4Taxonomic Reference. ThesedocumentswillbepostedonDEPsWaterQualityStandardswebpage. ThePublicUtilityCommissionpublishednoticeofafinalstatementofpolicyonutilityserviceoutage response,recoveryandpublicnotification. FinalDEPID:0124180001.Title:PolicyfortheConsiderationofCommunityEnvironmentalProjects inConjunctionwithAssessmentofCivilPenalty.Description:TheDepartmentstaffwillconsiderthe performanceofaCommunityEnvironmentalProject(CEP),inappropriatesituations,inlieuofaportion oftheamountofcivilpenaltyitwillacceptasasettlement.TheDepartmentmay,indeterminingthe amountofcivilpenaltytocollect,considerprojectsthathavesubstantialpublichealthorenvironmental benefits.TheDepartmentmayconsiderCEPsinsituationsitdecidesareappropriate,asanexerciseof itsenforcementdiscretion.AdditionalconsiderationmaybegiventoCEPsproposedinareasthatare susceptibletodisproportionateenvironmentalimpactsandprojectsthatwillbenefitconditionsinan environmentaljusticearea.TheDepartmentsoughtinputfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCouncilandthe EnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardinthedevelopmentofthispolicy.Wherepossible,those commentswereincludedintheversionthatwassharedwiththepublicforcomment.Duetotheearly involvementofbothadvisorygroupspriortopubliccomment,neitherhadadditionalcommentsonthe

versionpublishedforpubliccomment.Thisrevisedguidancewaspublishedasdraftat43Pa.B.6450 (October26,2013),fora30daypubliccommentperiod.Commentswerereceivedfromtwo commentators.Subsequenttopublication,theDepartmentcompletedminoreditsinresponsetothe publiccomments.Revisionstothedrafttechnicalguidancedocumentresultingfromthepubliccomments aredescribedintheaccompanyingCommentResponseDocument.Contact:Questionsregardingthis actionshouldbedirectedtoLauraHenryat7177053769orsendemailto:lahenry@pa.gov. TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

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CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar webpage. ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek. April22PAEnvironmentalCouncilGovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwardsDinner. HarrisburgHilton.5:00Reception.6:30Dinner. April23AgendaReleased.DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12th FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April24SenateJudiciaryCommitteeholdsahearingonSenateBill1095(FarneseDPhiladelphia) amendingtheantiSLAPPlawsuitprovisionssponsorsummary.PhiladelphiaBarAssociationOffice, 1101MarketFrankfordLine,Philadelphia.9:30. April24DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. April24CANCELED.DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Themeetinghas beenrescheduledforJune12.(formalnotice) April29SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingon electricreliability.Room8EAEastWing.9:30. May12PALandConservationConference.CrownePlaza,Reading,BerksCounty.

 May5LocationAdded.EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointConservationCommitteefeaturingan overviewoftheTreeVitalizeProgram.Room8EAEastWing.Noon. May6DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.CityofChesterCityHall,Chester.5:00 p.m.(formalnotice) May68PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociationConference.SandsCasinoResort, Bethlehem. May7HouseProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingonHouseBill997(PetriRBucks) establishingalicensingprogramforsoilscientistssponsorsummary.Room60EastWing.9:30. May7NEW.JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommitteeholdsa hearingonPAsWasteTireRecyclingProgram.Room8EB,EastWingCapitolBuilding.9:00. May7NEW.AgendaReleased.DEPChesapeakeBayManagementTeammeeting.DEP SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:30.(formalnotice) May72014PennsylvaniaGroundwaterSymposium.RamadaInnConferenceCenterinState College. May7DEPhearingsessiononHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.10:00a.m. May8DEPhearingsessionsonHilcorpEnergyGasWellSpacingUnitsapplication.AlbertP. GettingsGovernmentCenterAnnexoftheLawrenceCountyGovernmentCenter,AssemblyRoom, 349CountylineSt.,NewCastle.9:00a.m.and6:00p.m. May8DEPholdsahearingonaairqualityredesignationrequestfortheAllentownMaintenance Area.DEPRegionalOffice,2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre.1:00.(formalnotice) May8NEW.AgendaReleased.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionholdsapublichearingon waterwithdrawalrequests.Room8EBEastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.2:30.(formal notice) May14DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 9:30. May1518PAOutdoorWritersAssociationSpringConference.InandaroundShippensburg University.ClickHeretoreadanarticleontheconferenceinthePOWAnewsletter.ClickHerefora registrationform. May21EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.

 May21DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. May27NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121 &129RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice, 400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00.(formalnotice) May28NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121 &129RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2 EastMainSt.,Norristown.1:00.(formalnotice) May29NEW.EnvironmentalQualityBoardholdsahearingonproposedchangestoChapters121 &129RACTrequirementsformajorsourcesofNOxandVOCs.DEPOffice,Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.1:00.(formalnotice) June26DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June2627PennsylvaniaAbandonedMineReclamationConference.RamadaInnandConference Center,StateCollege. July2325PROPRecyclingandOrganicsConference.DoubleTreePittsburghMeadowLands, Washington,PA. September25PennStateExtensionYouthWaterEducatorsSummit.TheCentralHoteland ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg. VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof EnvironmentalEducators'website. SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

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