PA Environment Digest Jan. 29, 2018

Issue #709 Crisci Associates, Harrisburg, PA Jan.
29, 2018
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Winners Of 2018 PA Park & Forests Volunteerism, Leadership And Management Awards
The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Monday

announced the winners of its 2018 awards to
recognize the outstanding service, programs, and
exemplary work being done in state parks and forests.
This year’s winners will be honored at the 12th
annual banquet on May 9, 2018 at the Susquehanna
Club, New Cumberland. Sponsorships for awards are
available.
“The awards banquet is one of my favorite times of year,” said Marci Mowery, President
of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “The commitment of the award winners to the
stewardship of our public lands for generations to come inspires and engenders a continued
commitment to these precious resources.”
Award Winners:
-- Cliff Jones Keystone Legacy Award: This top honor is being awarded to Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn to recognize her
outstanding contribution to the protection and enhancement to the park and forest system in
Pennsylvania.
-- President’s Award: The Pennsylvania Wilds Conservation Landscape Program and the PA
Wilds Center are being awarded the President’s Award to recognize their outstanding work to
protect open space, conservation, outdoor recreation, and volunteerism.
-- Joe Ibberson Government Award: Rep. Kate M. Harper (R-Montgomery) is being awarded
the Joe Ibberson Government Award for her focus on preserving the environment and work to
protect and enhance the state’s Growing Greener program, Keystone Recreation, and Parks and
Conservation Fund, which supports open space, historic preservation and improvements to state
parks and forests.
-- Park of the Year: Cook Forest State Park is being recognized for its exemplary and
innovative work in customer service, education, programming, recreation, stewardship of the
natural, cultural, historic assets, and/or accommodation of special needs of visitors.
-- Forest of the Year: Rothrock State Forest is being recognized for the innovative and
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exemplary work in both forest management and recreation being done.
-- Improvement Award: Boulder Woods Country Club is being recognized for the creation and
stewardship of two disc golf courses at Gifford Pinchot State Park.
-- Education Award: Marilyn and Tom Fye are being recognized for their help with decades
of education programming, campground hosting, volunteerism, and commitment to Parker Dam
and Clear Creek State Parks and their visitors.
-- Volunteerism Award: The Over-the Hill Gang at Oil Creek State Park, is being recognized
for their decades of dedication to the maintenance and care of the 40 miles of trails in Oil Creek
State Park.
-- Young Volunteer Award: Sarah Reeping is being recognized for her significant
commitment to volunteerism at the Laurel Hill State Park complex.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Parks &
Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation,
Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to become a member of the
Foundation.
NewsClips:
Oil Creek State Park Volunteers To Receive Statewide Honor
Crable: Why Some Lancaster County Residents Love To Be Outside In The Snow
Westmoreland Heritage Trail Expansion Plans To Be Unveiled
Delaware Valley Bike & Walking Trail Projects Get $7.9 Million Boost
Millcreek Reinstates Parks Department
Philly Rail Park Team Working To Bring Affordable Housing To Area
Related Stories:
DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Local Parks, Recreation, Conservation Project Grants
POWR Now Accepting Applications For 2018 Pennsylvania Sojourn Grants
PEC Now Accepting Applications For Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants
Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications
Register Now For Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference April 12-14 In Chester County
Reminder: PA Land Trust Assn Accepting Nominations For Govt. Leadership Award Thru Feb.
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[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Local Parks, Recreation, Conservation Project
Grants
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is

now accepting applications for its Community Conservation
Partnerships Program Grants. The deadline for applications is
April 11. (formal notice)
Local governments and recreation and conservation
organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to assist
with:
-- Planning, acquisition, and development of public parks;
-- Recreation areas;
-- Motorized and non-motorized trails;
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-- River conservation and access;
-- Stream buffers; and
-- Conservation of open space.
Grants also support regional and statewide partnerships that build capacity to better
develop and manage resources.
Funds will be awarded for applications that meet the priorities established in the
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.
Grants are funded through a variety of sources. The primary source of funding comes
from the Keystone Fund, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Since 1993, more
than 300 trail projects have been built and improved, more than 2,400 community park
development projects have been completed, and 117,400 acres conserved through the Keystone
Fund.
For more information and to apply, visit DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships
Program Grants webpage.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit
DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured
DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other
social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
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[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Keep PA Beautiful Earns National Recognition At Keep America Beautiful Awards

Ceremony
Keep America Beautiful presented Keep

Pennsylvania Beautiful with a Diamond State
Affiliate Recognition Award at Keep America
Beautiful’s National Awards Ceremony during its
2018 National Conference in Dallas, Texas this
month.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was honored for its
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outstanding promotion of Keep America Beautiful’s mission statewide and for its program
support for local affiliates in Pennsylvania, distinguishing itself as an exemplary statewide
affiliate organization.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful earned the Diamond Award, the highest recognition, for its
implementation of multiple community improvement programs, including--
-- Great American Cleanup of PA: The Great American Cleanup of PA is Pennsylvania’s
premier community improvement initiative. Since the inception of this annual event in 2004,
over 2.1 million volunteers have picked up 97 million pounds of litter and waste, 170,619 miles
of roads, waterways, shorelines, and trails have been cleaned, and more than 181,000 trees,
bulbs, and flowers have been planted.
-- Cigarette Litter Prevention Program: The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program provides an
opportunity to educate consumers on the hazards of cigarette litter and provide tools to change
their behavior. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has been implementing the Cigarette Litter
Prevention Program throughout Pennsylvania since 2010.
“We are honored to be recognized with the Diamond Award for the implementation of
our statewide programming that provides the tools and resources that our local residents need to
improve our communities,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
“Keep America Beautiful’s National Awards celebrates some of our country’s most
dedicated community leaders-- representatives from our affiliates and partner organizations,”
said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Helen Lowman. “It’s my privilege to recognize
such valuable, mission-based work that our state affiliates achieve in helping communities
become more socially connected, environmentally healthy and economically sound.”
Celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2018, Keep America Beautiful consists of a national
network of more than 600 statewide and community-based affiliates whose programs and
initiatives, supported by millions of volunteers, help transform public spaces into beautiful
places.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member. Click Here to sign up for
regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on
Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.
NewsClips:
Free Tours Of Lancaster Waste-To-Energy Plant Feb. 19
Westmoreland Cleanways Moving Recycling Center To Fmr Machine Shop
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
EPA Approves Report Showing 19,900 Miles Of Streams, Rivers Are Polluted In
Pennsylvania
The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday

announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has
approved its most recent 2016 Integrated Water Quality
Monitoring and Assessment showing 19,900 miles of
rivers and streams in Pennsylvania are impaired and do
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not meet federal water quality standards.
The report is a biennial comprehensive analysis of the water quality status of the more
than 86,000 miles of streams and rivers and more than 160,000 acres of lakes in Pennsylvania.
Rivers, lakes, and streams are assessed in four categories: Aquatic Life, Water Supply, Fish
Consumption, and Recreation.
The 2016 Integrated Report lists approximately 19,900 miles of streams and waterways
as impaired for at least one of their designated uses.
The report evaluates whether a waterbody is achieving the water standards that protect
and provide clean water. It is not an advisory to avoid contact with the surface waters, instead it
identifies waters that require controls and/or best management practices to restore clean water.
“EPA views the 2016 Integrated Report as an accurate snapshot of the Commonwealth’s
water quality,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “DEP will continue to use all available
data in its ongoing effort to evaluate and improve the quality of surface water in the
Commonwealth.”
By accepting the report, EPA agrees with DEP’s decision to maintain Category 3 status--
unassessed due to insufficient information-- for the Susquehanna River. The decision is based on
rebounding smallmouth bass populations, and supported by data provided by DEP and the Fish
and Boat Commission. (Click Here for more information from DEP. Click Here for more
information from the Commission.
DEP, PFBC, and other agencies and organizations collaborated and used EPA’s Casual
Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System analysis (CADDIS) to finalize an analysis of
potential stressors impacting the health of the smallmouth bass in the river.
DEP is committed to continue to monitor the river’s water quality to ensure smallmouth
bass populations and health continue to improve.
DEP collected data from a variety of sources in compiling the report. Those sources
included government agencies, academic institutions, advisory groups, citizen monitoring
groups, watershed associations, public interest and sportsmen groups.
EPA concluded that DEP properly assembled and evaluated all existing and readily
available data and information. DEP will be publishing three new assessment methods in the
coming months to advance its ability to accurately assess surface waters.
Impaired waters can require development of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) if a
pollutant or pollutants is the reason for an impairment listing. A TMDL is one of the tools used
to reduce pollutants into a waterway from nearby sources.
Some of the most common pollutant sources are abandoned mine drainage, agriculture
runoff, and urban stormwater runoff. The DEP Bureau of Clean Water will work with the public
and local governments to install best management practices to control and/or treat runoff and
improve the quality of the water entering streams and lakes.
Click Here for a copy of the full report. Click Here for an interactive map of
Pennsylvania waterways and impairments can be found. This mapping tool can identify
individual stream/river segments and any applicable impairments and their causes.
NewsClips:
Bay Journal: Conowingo, Growth, Climate May Threaten Bay Cleanup Deadline
Volunteers Help Protect Health Of Lehigh River Watershed
Frazier: Study: Conventional Drilling Waste Responsible For Radioactivity Spike In Rivers
U.S. Secretary Of Agriculture Visits Penn State Watershed Management Facility
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Delaware RiverKeeper Jan. 26 RiverWatch Video Report
Supreme Court Rules Against Trump Administration On Clean Water Rule
Patchwork Water Pollution Rule Takes Effect After Supreme Court Ruling
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
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Related Story:
DEP Reports 19,900 Miles Of Impaired Streams, Rivers To EPA, Lower Susquehanna Listed As
Impaired For Recreation Only
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Bay Journal: Conowingo, Growth, Climate May Threaten Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Deadline
By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal
The Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort is facing major

headwinds that threaten the region’s longstanding goal to
implement by 2025 all of the actions needed to restore the
Bay’s health.
Draft figures presented to state and federal officials in
December show that the combined impact of growth,
climate change and the filling of the Conowingo Dam
reservoir offset much of the nitrogen reduction efforts
undertaken since 2010, when the most recent Bay
pollution control plan was put into place.
As a result, officials left the December meeting agreeing that they would write plans to
offset the increased nutrient loads, but did not clearly commit to fully implementing those
actions, at least for Conowingo and climate change, by the original 2025 cleanup deadline.
“We’re going to continue to talk about that in February,” said Ben Grumbles, secretary of
the Maryland Department of the Environment. “That is a big number, there is no doubt about
that.”
Grumbles, who chaired the meeting of the Bay Program Principals Staff Committee,
which includes state agency heads and senior federal officials, said it was important to get
agreement among the states on the path forward, but added he was “not supportive of kicking the
can down the road.”
The numbers emerged from the state-federal Bay Program’s “midpoint assessment” of
cleanup efforts — 2018 is the midway point between 2010, when the latest Bay cleanup goals
were set, and the 2025 deadline for implementing plans to reach those goals.
Through the multi-year midpoint assessment process, state and federal officials reviewed
new science, adopted new computer models for assessing the movement of nutrients through the
watershed and their impact on the Bay, and are revising nutrient reduction goals needed to
restore clean water throughout the Chesapeake.
Based on that new information, each state is to update its watershed implementation plan
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later this year, detailing the actions that will be needed to achieve their share of the cleanup.
Those actions include such things as upgrading wastewater treatment plants, installing
new controls to capture stormwater from developed areas or planting streamside forest buffers or
cover crops to soak up excess nutrients from farmland.
The region faces a daunting task. Through 2016 — the most recent figures available —
the region was less than a third of the way to meeting its 2025 goal for reducing nitrogen.
The vast majority of the shortfall, though, is in Pennsylvania.
While states remain committed to meeting their original 2025 cleanup obligations and to
offsetting the impacts of new growth between now and then, they balked at firmly committing to
offset the impacts of Conowingo and climate change which, factored together, offset much of the
nitrogen reduction efforts taken since 2010.
Conowingo Dam once captured a significant portion of the nutrients that came down the
Susquehanna River, the Bay’s largest tributary — and largest source of nutrients. Nutrients,
trapped in sediment that accumulated behind the dam, were effectively cut off from their path
toward the Bay. Recent studies, though, have shown the reservoir behind the dam is now filled
with sediment, and most nutrients simply flow past it.
State officials at the December meeting agreed to develop a plan for additional nutrient
reductions to offset the impact of Conowingo, but they did not commit to fully implementing it
by 2025.
Climate change increases nutrients in the Bay because more rainfall and greater storm
intensity drive a larger amount of nutrients off the land and into streams. The original Bay
cleanup goals were based on modeling that assumed steady climate conditions from the early
1990s through 2025.
Instead, average precipitation during that period is expected to increase by slightly more
than 3 percent, increasing the expected size of the climate-related nutrient load.
State officials were caught off guard by the magnitude of the climate change numbers,
which boosted the estimates of nitrogen reaching the Bay by nearly 4 percent.
In addition, they expressed concern that changing climate patterns, such as increased
rainfall, would likely change the effectiveness of some nutrient control practices. Stormwater
ponds may not be able to handle more intense storms, for instance, while increased flooding
could affect others.
After extensive debate, officials agreed that their watershed implementation plans would
generally describe how the states will address nutrient loads from climate change, but delayed
quantifying the needed amount of reductions until 2021.
Delaying the inclusion of numeric goals was intended to give scientists more time to
refine their estimates and to identify which nutrient control practices are most likely to withstand
changing climate conditions.
“We need to get a better understanding of what those practices are and where they need
to go,” said Nicki Kasi, who is overseeing development of Pennsylvania’s nutrient reduction
strategies for the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. “Once we understand where
they need to go to be effective, then we can take another look at that. This is all early draft.”
Grumbles said the states are “all agreeing that we do need to factor it in, and we need to
have a strong approach to it. But it is going to take some time to get the numbers right.” He
pledged to keep the issue “on the front burner.”
Beth McGee, director of science and agricultural programs with the Chesapeake Bay
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Foundation, said she was “really disappointed” that the states would not commit to including
climate-related nutrient reduction goals in new cleanup plans, even if it meant those nutrient
reductions could not be achieved until after 2025.
“You can’t pick and choose what science you like just because climate change turned out
to be a bigger number than we anticipated,” she said.
David Flores, climate adoption policy analyst at the nonprofit Center for Progressive
Reform, said the decision to leave numbers out of the planning process was “outrageous” and
that it would reduce the urgency to address the problem. “They are not even advancing a
reasonable rationale for why they shouldn’t just acknowledge the numbers,” he said. “No one is
arguing there is not some load of pollution that is attributable to climate change.”
On the issue of Conowingo, though, McGee praised the framework being developed to
address the impacts from the dam.
Under the emerging plan, all of the states in the watershed will steer a portion of their
federal Chesapeake Bay restoration grants to fund implementation of the Conowingo plan, and
Maryland will seek contributions from Exelon Corp., the dam’s owner, as part of its relicensing
agreement.
It’s unlikely, though, that actions to offset Conowingo’s impact will be fully implemented
by the original cleanup deadline.
“I think we are kidding ourselves if we think we are going to do that by 2025,” McGee
said. At the same time, she added, “we certainly don’t want to see it kicked too far down the
road.”
The joint funding would also help Pennsylvania, the state faced with implementing the
majority of the nutrient reduction practices needed to offset increased nutrients from Conowingo.
“The devil is going to be in the details to see how that plays out, but I’ve been optimistic
as far as to the direction it is going,” said Kasi of Pennsylvania’s DEP. “It is a realistic way of
moving forward together.”
Excess nutrients foul the Bay by spurring algae blooms that cloud the water, blocking
sunlight to underwater grasses, which provide shelter and food for fish, shellfish and waterfowl.
When the algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that draws oxygen from
the water, creating oxygen-starved dead zones.
The Bay cleanup plan -- formally known as the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily
Load, and often referred as the Bay’s “pollution diet”-- sets nutrient levels intended to clear the
Chesapeake’s water and ensure that enough oxygen is available to support everything from
bottom-dwelling worms to the striped bass that swim along the surface.
But several places, all of which are in Maryland, would fail to meet clean water goals
even when all the nutrient reductions required under the TMDL were achieved, computer models
showed. In those places, Maryland and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved
temporary variances, which allow the state’s water quality standards to be exceeded.
McGee said she was open to extending the time frame for fully implementing actions to
offset Conowingo and climate change impacts beyond 2025 because, if the needed actions seem
unachievable, states may instead push to expand variances or make other decisions that would
weaken the clean water goals.
“We don’t want to lower the bar,” she said. “We want to keep the bar the same but maybe
take a little bit longer to get over it.”
About the Midpoint Assessment and its Update
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Current pollution reduction goals were established for the Chesapeake Bay in 2010 when
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued the Bay’s Total Maximum Daily Load, often
referred to as a “pollution diet,” which sets nutrient and sediment caps for each state and river.
The pollution reduction goals are intended to reduce algal blooms, improve water clarity and
enhance oxygen levels to sustain fish, crabs, oysters and other aquatic life.
The TMDL calls for reducing the amount of nitrogen entering the Bay from about 260
million pounds in 2010 to about 192 million pounds in 2025, and reducing the amount of
phosphorus from 19.2 million pounds to 14.5 million pounds annually.
Responsibility for the reductions was divided among the states that drain into the Bay —
Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and New York — and the District of
Columbia.
Actions to achieve those caps were to be fully implemented by 2025, although it would
take several years for those practices to become fully effective. It takes times for trees planted in
a streamside buffer to grow, for instance, so the full impact would not be seen in the Chesapeake
until later.
This year, the state-federal Bay Program is completing a “midpoint assessment” of the
TMDL goals to determine what course corrections, if any, are needed to meet that deadline.
The assessment, which is coming to a close, examined the impact of issues not fully
understood when the TMDL was written, including climate change and the filling of the
reservoir behind Conowingo Dam.
It also included the development of updated computer models to better understand where
nutrients are coming from, their impact on water quality and the effectiveness of various nutrient
control practices.
What’s next?
The new computer models were approved for management use. The models produced
revised nutrient reduction goals for each state, which were released as drafts and now fall under a
four-month review.
Under those revisions, the amount of nutrient reductions needed to reach Bay goals —
not accounting for the impact of climate change and Conowingo — remains similar to before.
But the draft numbers show some changes at the state level.
Pennsylvania’s job, for instance, gets slightly easier, while Maryland’s task gets harder.
But the impacts of climate change, Conowingo and growth are challenges for everyone, with the
greatest increased burden falling on Pennsylvania.
After the numbers are finalized, states are responsible for updating their watershed
implementation plans by Feb. 8, 2019, with input from local governments and others, to show
how they will achieve those nutrient goals. After public review, the plans should be finalized in
June 2019.
Key Issues
-- Conowingo Dam
-- The Problem: The reservoir behind the 94-foot-high dam near the mouth of the
Susquehanna River is essentially filled with sediment, and therefore no longer trapping a portion
of the sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen flowing downstream.
-- The Impact: About 6 million additional pounds of nitrogen and about 260,000 additional
pounds of phosphorus are reaching the Chesapeake in an average year than previously thought.
-- The Policy: Bay states will create a plan to fund and conduct nutrient reduction activities
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needed to reduce or offset the additional nutrient load from behind the dam.
Because all of the Bay states benefited when the dam was trapping nutrients, they have all agreed
to contribute a portion of their federal Bay cleanup funding to help fund pollution control
solutions. Contributions will also be sought from Exelon, the dam’s owner.
-- Climate Change
-- The Problem: Climate change has increased precipitation and the intensity of storms in the
Chesapeake region. Both are driving more water-fouling nutrients into the Bay. Warming water
temperatures can reduce dissolved oxygen for aquatic animals.
-- The Impact: The original computer model used to calculate the 2025 cleanup goals did not
anticipate such impacts as a 3 percent increase in precipitation since the early 1990s, or changes
in storm intensity. Updated calculations show that, by 2025, an additional 9 million additional
pounds of nitrogen and 385,000 pounds of phosphorus will be reaching the Bay each year.
-- The Policy: Bay states will update their watershed implementation plans to broadly describe
how they will address the additional nutrient and sediment loads resulting from climate change.
But states will not be required to incorporate numeric targets in their plans until after 2021, when
the Bay Program will complete additional climate-related estimates and analyses of runoff
control practices. States would then use this information to revise their watershed plans with
strategies for addressing those specific loads. The draft policy does not specifically require that
actions needed to offset additional climate related loads be implemented by 2025.
-- Future Growth
-- The Problem: Increasing amounts of people, farm animals and developed land, along with
the loss of nutrient-absorbing forests, will increase the amount of nutrients running off the land
and reaching the Bay.
-- The Impact: By 2025, the Bay Program’s computer models estimate that increased growth
and related land use changes will result in an additional 4 million pounds of nitrogen and
154,000 pounds of phosphorus entering the Bay.
-- The Policy: Previously, states have tried to offset pollution from growth after-the-fact
through a variety of tactics such as sewage treatment updates, tree planting and stormwater
management. But tracking among jurisdictions has been uneven and has resulted in some
surprises as new data have become available. Instead, forecasts of growth will be incorporated
into the nutrient reduction goals given to each state, which will now account for growth upfront
when they write new watershed implementation plans.
The forecasts will be revisited every two years, with nutrient reductions goals being
adjusted up or down based on the latest information. Some land conservation advocates see this
as a positive move because, for the first time, it will allow states to get nutrient reduction credit
for protecting environmentally sensitive land such as forests.
If fewer forests are developed than predicted, their nutrient reduction burden would
decrease as well.
[Note: The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Committee meets Friday and will
hear a presentation from EPA on methods for accounting for grown in setting pollution reduction
goals. Click Here for more.]
For more information on cleaning up streams and rivers in Pennsylvania to meet
Chesapeake Bay obligations, visit DEP’s PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering
Committee webpage.
(Photo: Conowingo Dam, just before the PA-Maryland border)
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NewsClips:
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Working
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Runoff
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Gov. Wolf, DEP Taking Action To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize
Permit Process
Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental

Protection Friday announced the administration's plan to
reduce permit backlogs, modernize permitting processes,
and better utilize technology to improve both oversight and
efficiency.
This action is a result of a yearlong effort to identify and
implement strategies that will help DEP meet the goals of
the Permit Decision Guarantee, while continuing to issue
strong permits with strict environmental protections.
Gov. Wolf also announced the administration will bolster
DEP staffing, which has been deeply eroded in past budget
cuts, to boost these efforts.
“Working with Secretary McDonnell, I tasked DEP with looking at ways to reduce
backlogs and wait times responsibly, so that we could meet the ambitious goals of the Permit
Decision Guarantee, while providing even stronger environmental protections for our citizens,”
said Gov. Wolf. “Secretary McDonnell and his team have implemented a number of changes and
the results have been remarkable.”
To capitalize on the success to date, DEP will continue to implement new approaches to
its permitting processes by simplifying bureaucratic and outdated procedures, while continuing
its mission of protecting the environment. New initiatives include:
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-- E-Permitting: Expanding the e-permitting system to include several key development
permits, reducing the time spent trading paper between DEP and industry;
-- Track Progress: Creating a new analytics program that helps managers track progress on
open permit applications – allowing them to know how long permits have been in the system;
-- New Review Processes: Releasing new review processes and registration practices for key
development permits for clarification on what is needed to complete an application and make it
easier to apply for these permits; and
-- Well Pad Permitting: Supporting common sense legislation that will bring the permit process
in line with the industry it is engaged with, such as extending permit terms and allowing
multi-well oil and gas pad permitting.
-- Simplified Water Obstruction & Encroachment General Permit Process online by
February 2018. Click Here for more.
“Gov. Wolf has made a strong commitment to strengthening the DEP and helping us
rebuild after a decade of cuts that led to bigger backlogs and longer wait times,” said DEP
Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “By investing in additional staff for the department across all
programs, Gov. Wolf is helping us better protect the environment of our commonwealth and
more efficiently process permit applications on their merit in a timely manner.”
“The initiatives implemented at DEP will undoubtedly have positive impacts for
Pennsylvania’s economy, while demonstrating that the economy and environment don’t have to
be at odds,” said Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis
Davin. “From an economic development perspective, these efforts will strengthen communities
by empowering businesses, which creates jobs and grows local economies across the
Commonwealth."
Following a comprehensive review across programs, DEP implemented several new
initiatives to streamline processes and modernize practices, including an innovative new permit
review approach to shrink review timelines of the Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit
(ESCGP), a key development permit, to under 100 days while reducing backlogs for well permits
in the southwest region.
Since implementing the new approach, DEP’s Southwest District Office reduced its
permit review timeline for the ESCGP by over 220 days, and has cut its permit backlog in half.
Since the summer of 2017, the department has reduced the overall permit backlog by
more than 6,000 permits.
Additional efficiencies implemented include:
-- Redistributing Workload: Rotating pending permits to regions with the capacity to review
additional applications;
-- Moving Staff Positions: Reallocating positions within the Office of Oil and Gas Management
to equalize the permit review workload and improve permit review consistency;
-- Updated Application Processes: Providing updated technical guidance documents and
improved permit application forms and instructions to clarify regulatory requirements to permit
applicants and facilitate the submission of adequate permit applications; and
-- New Staff To Permit Reviews: Targeting new hires in key permit review areas.
Since 2006, the department has assumed significant new responsibilities for the oversight
of the natural gas sector and water and air programs.
In that same time period, the department has repeatedly suffered from staffing cuts.
DEP’s staff has been reduced by 43 percent since 2006. This has led to long wait times for
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permits and a large backlog.
“When I was in business, I never would have tried this kind of gimmick because simply
put – it doesn’t work,” said Gov. Wolf. “You cannot cut your way to greater efficiency if all you
are cutting is the number of people that do the work and you don’t have to be in business to
know that.”
To continue to provide high-quality, responsive oversight, the governor will allocate $2.5
million in the 2018-19 budget for additional staffing at DEP.
This investment will allow the department to hire new employees in high priority
positions across programs and regional offices and will help the department fulfill its mission to
protect the natural resources of the Commonwealth.
Click Here for a Permitting Reform White Paper. Click Here to watch a video of the
announcement.
Reaction
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr said
this about the steps taken Friday, "We applaud Gov. Wolf and the Department of Environmental
Protection for taking positive steps towards making the state's permitting and regulatory program
more predictable and accountable.
"We have often heard from our members that the state's permitting process was
cumbersome and often a barrier to growth. Today's announcement is a step in the right direction
to making it easier for job creators to operate in the Commonwealth.
"We look forward to working with the legislature and the Wolf administration on
additional steps to improve the state's regulatory and overall business climate."
David Spigelmyer, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, said, "We appreciate Gov.
Wolf and DEP's recognition of the importance to establish efficient and consistent permitting
standards [and] we’ll continue to engage with policymakers on ways to maximize the shared
benefits of natural gas development."
Stephen Miskin, Spokesperson for House Republicans, said, “DEP permitting and
regulatory reform is very important to House Republican members; we are glad the governor is
listening, and while we review his actions, this won't be the end to needed actions.”
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council said, “The Pennsylvania Environmental
Council commends Gov. Wolf and the Department of Environmental Protection for their efforts
to improve Department performance with respect to environmental protection and
responsiveness to the regulated community.
“Today’s announcement that the Governor will seek to add Department staff to further
the Department’s mission is most welcome, given the ever-increasing demands placed on the
agency.
“We look forward to working with the administration on additional policy and permitting
reform that will further ensure protection of our state’s environmental resources and quality of
life, while also supporting the needs of communities, individuals, and businesses throughout the
Commonwealth.”
Andrew Williams, Environmental Defense Fund, said, "Gov. Wolf and The Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection announced plans to increase funding for the department
and increase efficiency by reducing the amount of time it takes to approve new oil and gas sites.
“The Governor’s plan will both reduce bureaucratic delays in permitting and improve
oversight of the state’s oil and gas industry. Continued vigilance from the Wolf Administration
13
will be critical to protect Pennsylvanians’ air and water, and to ensure all oil and gas companies
operate more responsibly within the Commonwealth.”
(Photo: DEP Secretary McDonnell, Gov. Wolf, DCED Secretary Davin.)
NewsClip:
Maykuth: Wolf Proposes To Speed Up PA Permit Review, Hike Fees
Related Stories
Gov. Wolf’s Statement Introducing Plan To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize
DEP’s Permit Process
Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Resolutions On Permit Program Reviews, Ending State
Forest Drilling Moratorium
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Gov. Wolf’s Statement Introducing Plan To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight,

Modernize DEP’s Permit Process
Gov. Tom Wolf gave this opening statement Friday at

a press conference to introduce his plan to reduce DEP
permit backlogs, improve oversight and modernize
DEP’s permit processes--
Thank you all for being here. When I was running for
Governor, I traveled around the state and met with
citizens and businesses to hear what they wanted to see
from their government.
I wanted to hear about the issues they saw so
that when I became Governor, I was ready to tackle
their challenges so that we could build a more
responsive Government that Works for all.
One of the criticisms I heard was around permit backlogs and long wait times that people
had encountered with DEP.
So, when I became Governor, I tasked DEP with looking at ways to reduce backlogs and
wait times responsibly, so that we could meet the ambitious goals of the Permit Decision
Guarantee, while still providing robust environmental protections for our citizens.
To get at the solution, we had to first identify the problem. And the problem was clear.
For the last ten years, the Republican Legislature and previous administrations had cut the
Department drastically, even as it has been given significant new responsibilities.
In the last ten years, even while the Marcellus Shale Industry was growing and beginning
to create economic opportunity for the Commonwealth, DEP staff had been reduced by 43%
across all programs.
This meant that a huge new piece of work was being placed on a significantly smaller
number of staff.
The Legislature and previous administrations were attempting to cut the Department,
while asking it to do more – and to do its work quicker. When I was in business, I never would
have tried this kind of gimmick. Because simply put – it doesn’t work.
You cannot cut staff and then ask them to do twice the work in half the time.
14
You cannot cut your way to greater efficiency if all you’re cutting is the number of
people that do the work. And you don’t have to be in business to know that.
So, previous administrations and the legislature put the Department in a no-win situation
– and then heaped blame on the Department when they couldn’t make this impossible situation
work.
We all know what this led to. Hundreds of days to get simple development permits.
Thousands of permits sitting in backlogs. And permit reviewers with workloads they could never
meet.
This kind of thinking doesn’t make sense. Not for our industries. Not for our
environment. And not for the people of Pennsylvania who have a constitutionally protected right
to clean air and pure water.
When I became Governor, I knew we had to improve the permitting process. So, instead
of forcing cuts or sanctions on them, as previous administrations had done, I listened to the
Department about what their needs were. I asked how we could responsibly reduce permit time
frames and backlogs without risking the protection of our environment.
And I tasked Secretary McDonnell and his staff with finding new strategies to cut down
on wait times and backlogs – while still doing the critical work of protecting our environment.
And this approach has worked. Secretary McDonnell implemented a number of changes
to the permit review process that he piloted in the Southwest Regional Office.
And the results in the Southwest Regional Office have been remarkable. Through a series
of common sense steps, this pilot has helped DEP reduce wait times and backlogs.
We’ve seen a 220-day reduction in wait times for some common development permits.
We’ve seen the number of overdue applications for well permits under review reduced from
almost 300 to around 30.
And we’ve seen drastic reductions in the number of permits awaiting review.
DEP has made this reduction possible by:
-- Auditing the performance of the Southwest District Office, so it could get a sense of where the
greatest needs are.
-- Rotating pending permits to regions with the capacity to review additional applications.
-- Reallocating positions within the Office of Oil and Gas Management.
-- Targeting new hires in key permit review areas.
-- And providing permit reviewers with additional training to standardize permit review
processes.
While this pilot was ongoing, DEP has also worked to attack their Department wide
backlog head on by devoting staff time and elevating permit reviews.
And since the summer of 2017, we’ve been able to achieve an over 6,000 permit
reduction in the department wide backlog.
This progress has been unparalleled in DEP’s history, and has been felt by the industry.
And we did it by applying a common-sense approach to the problem – rather than by punishing
the very people we’re asking to do this critical work.
While we’ve seen drastic reductions in wait times and backlogs –we still have more work
to do to meet the goals of the Permit Decision Guarantee.
So, in the coming year, we will be applying the lessons we’ve learned in our pilot
program in the Southwest to the rest of the state, so that those incredibly results can be replicated
statewide.
15
And we will also be taking a number of additional steps that will help us cut down on
backlogs and wait times. Among those steps are:
-- Expanding our Epermitting system to include a number of key development permits, reducing
the time spent trading paper between DEP and industry.
-- Creating a new analytics program that helps managers track progress on open permit
applications – allowing them to know how long permits have been in the system.
-- Releasing new review processes and registration practices for key development permits – so
that we can clarify what is needed to complete an application and make it easier to apply for
these permits.
-- And supporting common sense legislation that will bring the permit process in line with the
industry it is actually engaged with, such as extending permit terms, allowing for well flexibility,
and allowing multi-well pad permitting.
These steps will help us meet our broader goals by making it much easier to track permits
as they move through the system, while making it much simpler to apply for, and use, these
permits.
While these steps are incredible important, we also know that we have a staffing issue at
the Department after years of misguided cuts that we must work to remedy.
That’s why, in this year’s budget I am proud to announce that I will be proposing, and
fighting for, funding for an additional 35 positions at DEP, so that we can begin to rebuild the
department after a decade of cuts.
This is a step that hasn’t been taken in a long time, and is frankly, long overdue. We must
turn the page on a decade of funding cuts and staff losses that led to this problem. And that
begins with bringing people back to do this incredibly important work.
We believe that, with these changes in place and through the expansion of the successful
permitting pilot program, we can drastically reduce permit time frames and eliminate the
backlogs.
And we believe that these changes will help DEP to meet the goals of the Permit
Decision Guarantee by the end of 2018 – while keeping in place strong protections for our
environment.
Our approach has been incredibly successful already. We’ve proven that, through
targeted investment and better management practices, we can make the permitting process work
better for everyone.
And we’ve taken a smart approach, rather than the misguided and backwards approach
that has been taken in this town for decades.
We don’t need staff cuts at DEP. And we don’t need to attack the people who are actually
doing the work.
We’ve tried all that – and it only led to giant backlogs and long wait times. What this
process needs, and what we’ve proven works, are common sense solutions that actually help the
Department work better.
We will continue to make progress and make this process more efficient for all involved.
I want to thank Secretary McDonnell for his leadership on this issue, and for his work in helping
make DEP work smarter.
Through a stronger and more efficient permitting process, we can protect our God-given
natural resources while strengthening the economy.
And now, to further discuss the progress we’ve made and where we are going, I’d like to
16
introduce DEP Secretary Pat McDonnell.
Click Here to watch a video of the announcement.
NewsClip:
Related Stories:
Gov. Wolf, DEP Taking Action To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize Permit
Process
Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Resolutions On Permit Program Reviews, Ending State
Forest Drilling Moratorium
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Resolutions On Permit Program Reviews, Ending

State Forest Drilling Moratorium
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on January 30
to consider resolutions to require an independent performance evaluation of two of DEP’s
permitting programs critical to development and another to end the moratorium on drilling on
state forest land.
The legislation includes--
-- Senate Resolution 226 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance
Committee to conduct an independent performance evaluation of DEP’s Chapter 102 Erosion
and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (Water Obstruction and Encroachment) permitting
programs (sponsor summary) Click Here for more;
-- Senate Resolution 104 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) resolution urging the Governor to end the
moratorium on new non-surface disturbance natural gas drilling on state forest land (sponsor
summary);
-- House Bill 1341 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) further providing for training and certification of
emergency medical personnel responding to bituminous deep mine accidents (House Fiscal Note
and summary); and
-- House Bill 1486 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) exempting agricultural high-tunnel structures
from the Stormwater Management Act (House Fiscal Note and summary).
The meeting will be held in Room 8E-B East Wing of the Capitol starting at 9:30.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov. Sen. John Yudichak
(D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to:
yudichak@pasenate.com.
Related Stories:
Gov. Wolf, DEP Taking Action To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize Permit
Process
Gov. Wolf’s Statement Introducing Plan To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight, Modernize
DEP’s Permit Process
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
DEP, DCNR Discuss Special Funds Use To Support Community Projects, Agency
Environmental Missions With House Appropriations Committee
17
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and DEP Secretary
Patrick McDonnell Thursday appeared before House
Appropriations Committee to discuss how their agencies
use special funds to support community-initiated projects
and carry out the environmental and conservation
missions of their agencies.
The 2-hour question and answer session covered
uses of several funds-- the Conservation District Fund,
Environmental Education Fund, Environmental
Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund, Hazardous Sites
Cleanup Fund, Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund and the Recycling Fund.
Secretary McDonnell noted DEP uses these funds as prescribed by statute to carry out its
mission of protecting Pennsylvania’s air, land and water from pollution and ensuring the health
and safety of Pennsylvania’s citizens through a cleaner environment.
He said the funds help bring brownfield and coalfield sites back into productive use,
advance new sources of energy, support county conservation districts in their important
on-the-ground work, assist municipalities in reducing the amount of waste going to landfills,
support watershed protection and restoration, and help fund environmental education projects
throughout the state. DEP, he said, takes its responsibility as a trustee of these resources very
seriously.
DCNR Secretary Dunn said communities all over Pennsylvania compete for and depend
on these limited funds and match their own local funds to get local recreation and conservation
projects done and when completed, the projects remain a huge draw for visitors, tourists,
residents and businesses, noting tourism is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy She said parks
and trails are a major reason for visitation and spending.
Here are some of the highlights from the hearing--
-- Volkswagen Settlement: Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York), Majority Chair of the House
Appropriations Committee, said he would like to see a level playing field for rebates under the
federal Volkswagen settlement. Under the settlement, he said states can pay rebates of up to 75
percent for electric vehicles and up to 25 percent for natural gas vehicles. Given Pennsylvania’s
natural gas resources and saying natural gas vehicles like buses are cheaper than electric, the
rebates should be similar. McDonnell said there are restrictions in the federal settlement on the
percentages and for who can get what and said there will be a request for information coming out
shortly asking for ideas on projects to fund. [Note: DEP had a series of listening sessions and
comment period on spending the funds starting in May of last year. Click Here for more.]
-- Transparency Of Reporting Balances: Rep. Curtis Sonny (R-Erie) said this is an issue of
reporting how the special funds are being used to the General Assembly in a transparent way and
encouraged more sharing of information. He noted the balances at times come from the length
of time needed to complete a local or state project and asked how that could be shortened.
As an example of why balance show up, McDonnell pointed to the Recycling Fund
saying annually DEP reserves $20 million a year for local recycling performance grants because
they don’t know how much will be requested and that is reported, but it shows up in the balance
in the fund. Dunn said the issue seems to be constrained by accounting terminology, but the
reality is when grants are awarded the funds are precommitted on their books.
18
DCNR is also looking more closely at whether projects are truly ready to go at the time
of application. Sometimes it does take 3 to 4 years to complete a project, she said, because of
construction seasons, municipal contracting procedures, land purchases and other considerations
that can happen when communities do a project. She said there is a constant conveyor belt of
projects moving through the system.
-- Conservation District Funding: Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery) asked how conservation
districts can receive more timely reimbursements from the Fund and why is the Conservation
District Fund balance so high. McDonnell explained the funding comes from several sources,
but noted some of the primary funding comes through the Public Utility Commission from Act
13 drilling impact fees and the balance has a lot to do when fees are actually collected, once a
year, and deposited.
Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D-Delaware) also asked about conservation district
funding related to Mariner East 2 Pipeline construction violations. She said she was referred by
DEP’s Southeast Regional Office to conservation districts because DEP could not get out to look
at the incidents for several days due to staff cuts. McDonnell said DEP has lost 700 to 800 staff
to budget cuts over the past decade and a proposed cut to the conservation district Fund last year
of $3.2 million would have also cut conservation district staff significantly.
-- Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund: Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) asked how has DEP
coped with the loss of revenue from the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax to the Hazardous Sites
Cleanup Fund. McDonnell said the Funds is used to clean up state hazardous waste sites, pay
federal Superfund costs, for emergency response, brownfields cleanup and more. Traditionally,
DEP had spent $45 to $50 million a year for the program from the Fund. The tax had provided
about $40 million a year. Now DEP receives only Act 13 drilling fees and hazardous waste fees
which yield only about $20 million a year. He said over the next 2 years the agency will be
spending those monies down, adding they will need to have a conversation about where the Fund
goes from there.
-- Measuring Results From Fund Spending: Rep. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) asked if the agencies
measured how well they are achieving the goals of the funds? McDonnell said each of the funds
has statutorily required purposes and those are typically reported on in the budget each year, in
program metrics and outcomes and through annual reports. DEP is also taking additional steps to
link program efforts and actual outcomes in the environment-- cleaner air and water-- for
example. Dunn said they measure the success of the funds as part of the budget process as well,
including the economic impact.
-- Environmental Education Fund: Rep. Maria Donatucci (D-Delaware) asked for background
on how these funds are spent. McDonnell said the Fund comes from 5 percent of all fines and
penalties collected by DEP that are used to support local environmental education programs and
provided some examples. Dunn said DCNR receives 25 percent of the funds to support
environmental education efforts in state parks and also provide some examples.
-- Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund: Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin) asked for
an overview of the Fund and its uses and why the balance is so large. Dunn noted it is the 25th
anniversary of the Keystone Fund and it is the basic “bread and butter” fund used to support
local community recreation, land conservation projects and improvements to state parks and
forests. She noted, projects can take 3 to 4 years for the reasons noted above which accounts, in
part, for the large balance.
-- Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund: Rep. Helm also expressed a concern
19
about withdrawing monies out of the Indemnification Fund and asked for an overview.
McDonnell said the primary purpose is to act as an insurance fund for storage tank owners, but
recently the programs to clean up home heating oil tanks spills and other tank cleanup programs
were reauthorized by the General Assembly. Click Here for more.
-- Steps To Speed Up Projects: Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) said his constituents are
sometimes frustrated about the length of time it takes to complete projects that are being held up
for bog turtles and other reasons He pointed to PennDOT projects primarily. What steps can
the General Assembly take to speed up these projects? Dunn said there have been several
initiatives to speed up projects like through better cooperation and coordination between
agencies like PennDOT. She also pointed to the Conservation Explorer tool to identify
endangered plant and animal species more quickly to help speed projects.
-- Restrictions On Uses Of Special Fund: Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky (D-Delaware) asked
if the monies in the funds and their uses are restricted. McDonnell said each fund is different,
but they each restrict the use of the monies for specific purposes to fund local projects or to
support the administration of the programs they serve. Dunn said it is the same with DCNR’s
funds, they all have restrictions.
Rep. Saylor said they may need to look at giving agency Secretaries more authority to
move funds from one to another based a more urgent funding needs.
-- Lack Of Staff At Agencies Holding Up Job Creation: Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna)
also expressed concerns about the speed of permit reviews and was concerned that staff cuts at
agencies have affected getting permits out in a timely way that prevents job creation. McDonnell
said DEP’s General Fund support has been cut consistently over the last decade and it was the
water permit programs that have been affected the most because those permit review programs
[erosion and sedimentation and water obstructions and encroachments] were funded by the
General Fund.
-- Special Fund Cash Flow: Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland) noted there were heated
debates within the Republican Caucus over whether the special fund balances are available for
transfer or not. He asked for more explanation of the funding for the Environmental Stewardship
(Growing Greener) Fund balance and whether there are concerns about continuing revenues.
McDonnell said there is money flowing in and being spent on a constant basis in this Fund like
most funds. DEP receives about $24 million from ESF and commits those funds to local
projects, but a significant portion goes for the debt service [up to $60 million] for the $625
million bond issue [that was all been spent years ago.] He said there is a “robust” discussion now
going on about future needs, like for the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. He also noted taking money
out of this Fund, the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund and others would also also jeopardize
matching federal funding.
-- Responding To Water Well Contamination: Rep. James Santora (R-Delaware) expressed a
concern about finding private water wells, noting recent well contamination problems with
Mariner East 2 Pipeline construction. Dunn noted DCNR does register private water wells
locations and recently enhanced the data system used to make water well locations available to
the public. McDonnell, with respect to cleaning up water wells, said DEP looks to responsible
parties first to correct the problems, or failing that, to taking emergency action and recoups costs
from responsible parties. Funding would come from the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund, Storage
Tank Fund or other appropriate funding source.
Click Here for a video of the hearing. Click Here for Secretary Dunn’s testimony and
20
Click Here for her handouts. Click Here for Secretary McDonnell’s testimony and Click Here
for the handouts.
Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) serves as Majority Chair of the House Appropriations
Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: ssaylor@pahousegop.com. and Rep. Joe
Markosek (D-Allegheny) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to:
RepMarkosek@pahouse.net.
NewsClips:
Cusick: Lawmakers Question DEP, DCNR Use Of Special Funds
Gottesman: House GOP, Wolf Administration Seek To Clear The Air On Special Funds
Related Stories:
DCNR Secretary Dunn’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations Hearing
DEP Secretary McDonnell’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations Hearing
House Appropriations Jan. 25 Hearing On DEP, DCNR Use Of Special Funds
DCNR: House GOP Raid On Funds Threatens State, Local Park Contracts, Related Jobs
DEP: House GOP Raid On Funds Threatens Environment, Breaks Promises To PA Communities
Analysis: Why Everyone Else Says There Are No Unused Environmental Funds, Except Some
House Republicans
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
DEP Secretary McDonnell’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations

Hearing
DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell submitted this written testimony for

the Thursday hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on
the use of special funds by the Department of Environmental
Protection--
Chairman Saylor, Chairman Markosek, and members of the
committee, thank you for the opportunity to talk about the uses,
management, and balances of a few of the Department of
Environmental Protection’s (DEP) vital programs.
DEP depends on various funding sources, along with the
General Fund and federal dollars for our day-to-day operations, and we
use the funds that we’re here to discuss today as prescribed by statute to
carry out our mission of protecting Pennsylvania’s air, land and water from pollution and
ensuring the health and safety of Pennsylvania’s citizens through a cleaner environment.
These funds are statutorily created and directed to provide important environmental and
economic development benefits.
These funds are used to bring brownfield and coalfield sites back into productive use,
advance new sources of energy, support county conservation districts in their important
on-the-ground work, assist municipalities in reducing the amount of waste going to landfills,
support watershed protection and restoration, and help fund environmental education projects
throughout the state. DEP takes its responsibility as a trustee of these resources very seriously.
Created with legislative foresight to ensure that the agency directs funds to designated
needs, the fund balances are prescriptively derived from such sources as fees on solid waste
disposal and air emissions; fees on permits and inspections; fees for the annual registration of
21
operations and licenses; appropriations from bonds; and fines and penalties.
They are not available to DEP for non-specified activities or General Fund use.
The special funds represent 32 percent of the budget, with the balance provided by
federal funding (30 percent), general funding (21 percent), and other funding, such as restricted
accounts (17 percent).
There is no such thing as a typical use or movement of the dollars in the special fund
accounts.
As to the use of these funds, they may support operational needs; are delivered externally
in the form of grants or contracts; or serve as direct funding to partners, as is the case with
Conservation Districts.
Revenue from the Conservation District Fund is appropriated to the State Conservation
Commission and distributed to the 66 districts to provide local staff resources, training, technical
assistance to farmers, and implementation of water quality projects.
Not only are the conservation districts frequent awardees in the Growing Greener
program but they each receive a yearly grant towards funding Watershed Specialist positions.
The total amount each year for these positions is more than $2 million, and DEP uses it as match
for federal grant purposes.
As to the movement of these funds, at any given moment, a fund may appear to be
flourishing. That doesn’t mean the funds within it aren’t pre-committed.
Funds are deposited into these accounts throughout a fiscal year, on a quarterly basis, or
at the conclusion of a fiscal year, so a one-time snapshot of fund balance does not reflect cash
flow or planned activities.
Commitments are planned based on the availability of funding and may be competitively
awarded as is the case with Growing Greener grants; or the funds may be a planned commitment,
as with the Recycling Performance Grants.
Using much of these funds for the general budget would directly result in lapses and
delays in services from DEP, like permits, inspections, and responses to complaints.
Beyond that, the impact would be felt throughout the Commonwealth: at municipalities,
in businesses, in classrooms, and at nonprofit organizations.
Reducing funding in the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund would postpone or cancel
projects to rehabilitate sites throughout the state, and require an evaluation of the need to reduce
the number of DEP personnel working in brownfield redevelopment, toxic site cleanup and
hazardous waste management.
Redirecting the Industrial Sites Cleanup and Industrial Sites Environmental Assessment
Funds would end projects to rehabilitate industrial brownfields into usable space, such as a
proposed pilot project that transforms brownfields into multi-dimensional community assets.
These dollars aren’t the only resources for many of the thousands of projects represented
in these funds.
DEP acts as a responsible steward of these funds, coordinating with other state and
federal agencies to leverage additional resources and combine efforts to help execute
environmentally beneficial economic development, such as abandoned mine land pilot projects,
brownfields to playfields, and Superfund site clean-ups.
The dollars in these funds are in great demand by these partners.
Municipalities’ requests for reimbursement grants for developing and implementing
recycling programs regularly exceeds available funds in the Recycling Fund. That program is
22
supported by the $2 per ton fee on solid waste disposed at municipal landfills.
DEP is especially gratified that the General Assembly recently eliminated the expiration
of the recycling fee. Your decision this past October to eliminate the sunset created reliability for
local governments who are obligated to provide this legislatively mandated program.
Overall, these programs represent jobs, economic development, and most important,
healthy environments for Pennsylvania’s communities.
We look forward to working with the General Assembly in improving the management
and allocation of taxpayers’ dollars to protect public health and the environment.
Click Here for a copy of the testimony and Click Here for the handouts.
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website,
Click Here to sign up for DEP’s monthly newsletter, visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook,
Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
DCNR Secretary Dunn’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations Hearing
House Republicans
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
DCNR Secretary Dunn’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations

Hearing
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn submitted this written testimony for
the Thursday hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on the
use of special funds by the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection--
Chairman Saylor, Chairman Markosek, members of the committee, thank
you for the opportunity to answer questions about the management of and
balances in the Keystone and Environmental Stewardship funds.
Joining me are Deputy Secretary for Conservation and Technical Services
Lauren Imgrund, Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry John Norbeck,
and Director of Administrative Services Stacie Amsler.
The Keystone and Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund
dollars provide popular local parks and trails, rehabilitate and maintain our
121 state parks and 2.2 million acres of state forests, and protect critical parcels of natural lands.
Communities all over Pennsylvania compete for these limited funds and match their own
local funds to get these projects done.
Removing money from these dedicated funds would mean postponing and cancelling
popular projects that help Pennsylvania communities and public lands.
Once designated, whether it’s a new trail, community park, or a state park or forest
23
project, the process of design, competitive bidding, environmental and labor and industry
permitting begins.
The length of time to completion is not a reflection of the value of the project. In fact, it’s
more of a reflection of what it takes to do a project right with public and donated funds.
Most of the projects -- in communities and on public lands -- require contracts with
engineering and construction firms, and result in a significant boost to the local economy and
jobs.
A transfer in Keystone and ESF from DCNR would cause a loss of millions of dollars
infused into local economies through construction and design jobs, in addition to the loss of
essential improvements to our facilities and communities.
When completed, these recreation and conservation projects remain a huge draw for
visitors, tourists, residents and businesses. Tourism is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy, and
parks and trails are a major reason for visitation and spending.
Some details about how the funds work:
-- These funds come from a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax in the case of Keystone and
landfill tipping fees in the case of ESF. The receipts from these sources stay in the fund and are
used for the purposes delineated in the enabling legislation.
-- DCNR’s grant program is transparent and competitive – applications are scored and ranked
and funding is allocated to ready-to-go projects in score order until the funds available are
exhausted.
-- Program demand on the grant side is typically twice the funding available each fiscal year.
-- The funds DCNR receives are programmatically managed on an annual basis. Grant funds
approved in any given fiscal year are programmed into that year’s grant round and used to fund
the grants announced in that year. This year’s announcement of 266 grants was December 5.
-- When announced, the funds are not contracted yet but they are listed as “pre-committed” in the
SAP financial system that the executive branch uses.
-- Most grants contracts are written for four years to permit time for design, permitting, bidding,
construction, inspection and closeout. As such, at any given point in time there are four years of
funding being managed on contracted projects.
-- In general, upon notification of their grant award, grantees are encouraged to submit a request
for up to 50 percent of the grant award.
-- Additional funds require that certain thresholds be met with signed professional service or
construction contracts, or incurred costs.
-- What is seen as available balances does not reflect financial commitments on contracted
projects and projects that are being contracted.
-- Returned funds are reprogrammed for amendments for projects that are bid and are more
expensive than anticipated or used for other projects that are ready to go and rank well.
Related to our public lands, state park and forest infrastructure is aging, much of it
passing 50 years old. The era of park and forest-district building in the ‘60s and ‘70s is now
requiring serious maintenance to remain safe and usable.
DCNR once had a major maintenance fund that was eliminated when budgets were tight
in 2007-2010. Now DCNR relies on a combination of capital spending and Keystone and ESF
funds to do all of this major maintenance. If not for the Keystone and ESF funds, we would need
to rely even more on General Fund dollars.
Although there is great value in the conservation of beautiful spaces for wildlife habitat
24
and places for healthy play outdoors, our local and state parks, and state forests are so much
more:
-- The close to 40-million visits to Pennsylvania state parks each year generate more than $1
billion in economic activity.
-- For every dollar invested in state parks, more than $12 of value-added income is returned to
the Commonwealth.
-- State forests provide a steady supply of quality timber to the market, supporting thousands of
jobs in Pennsylvania’s $17 billion wood products industries.
-- Pennsylvania has more than 6,000 local parks, many of which have been supported through
DCNR grants that leverage twice their amount in private dollars, and local park-related spending
creates $1.6 billion annually in economic activity.
-- Trails also have impact, with $40 million in revenue each year generated by the 150-mile
Great Allegheny Passage – just one of the many fantastic trails in the state.
-- The economic impact of the contracts through DCNR grants and infrastructure projects are
hugely important to communities, especially in some of the rural areas where our parks and
forest districts literally anchor the local economy.
DCNR has supported grant projects in hundreds of communities and all 67 counties, and
provides a state park or forest within 25 miles of every Pennsylvanian.
A proposal to take away Keystone and ESF funds would jeopardize more than 900
community conservation and recreation grants, and much of our major maintenance funds for
infrastructure projects, continuing to kick the can down the road on the maintenance of our
award-winning state park and forest systems.
The value of parks, trails, river access and natural spaces to make our communities and
state places were people want to live, visit and work is well known, and it’s what our citizens
want.
It was the taxpayers of Pennsylvania who voted in overwhelming numbers for dedicated
conservation funds. The Keystone Fund was established in 1993 with an overwhelmingly
approved voter referendum, a 48-0 vote in the Pennsylvania Senate and a 196-3 vote in the
House.
How we spend the money we have should continue to be evaluated. The department
provides an annual report on the use of the Keystone Fund to the General Assembly every year.
DCNR continues to look for ways to operate efficiently, and make the best use of our
staff and resources.
For example, we have an ongoing effort to audit our energy use in parks and forests and
replace high-energy infrastructure with low-energy and low-water systems that save energy and
save money.
Using Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) funding, we will see significant savings
in a few years on our entire state parks and forest systems that more than pay for the upgrades.
We should not jeopardize ongoing efforts overwhelmingly supported by the public to
create communities where people want to live and work; protect our water and health; and
conserve our natural places.
Click Here for a copy of the testimony and Click Here for her handouts.
DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured
DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other
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social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
DEP Secretary McDonnell’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations Hearing
House Republicans
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
PA Supreme Court Causes Scrum In Throwing Out Congressional District Maps
The PA Supreme Court Monday, by a vote of 4 to 3,

issued a decision finding the state’s Congressional
District Map “clear, plainly and palpably violates the
Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
and, on that sole basis, we hereby strike it as
unconstitutional.”
The decision immediately set off a scrum in the
Capitol as legislators scrambled to respond.
The Court said the General Assembly and Governor
have until February 15 to submit a revised plan for consideration by the Court.
If the General Assembly and Governor fail to act by that date, the Court itself will adopt a
plan based on the evidentiary record development in the Commonwealth Court.
On Tuesday Senate and House Republicans filed a petition with the PA Supreme Court
asking the Court to reconsider its order based on what they said was a nearly impossible
scheduled to comply. On Thursday the PA Supreme Court turned them down.
Also on Thursday Senate and House Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to
intervene and stay the PA Supreme Court’s order to redraw the Congressional districts map. Still
awaiting word on that one.
On Friday, perhaps anticipating no action in time by the General Assembly, the PA
Supreme Court appointed a Stanford professor as special master in the case to help prepare a
redistricting map for the Court, if it comes to that.
And not to be outdone, Gov. Wolf, also on Friday, hired his own redistricting expert, Dr.
Moon Duchin, a mathematician from Tufts University, to give him “guidance” on evaluating the
fairness of any redistricting maps that come before him.
Why can’t anyone from a college in Pennsylvania get these jobs?
$40 Million Richer
The Commonwealth got $40 million richer on Wednesday when the PA Gaming Control
Board announced Stadium Casino, LLC was the high bidder for the second mini-casino with a
bid of $40,100,005.
The new mini-casino is being proposed for an area 30 miles in diameter in Derry
26
Township in Westmoreland County.
That makes $90 million of the $100 million they anticipated so far on the sale of
mini-casino licenses, and they have 8 more to go.
Running/Not Running
There were more retirement announcements in the Senate and House this week, including
long-time Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery).
Representatives Kevin Haggerty (D-Lackawanna) and Adam Harris (R-Franklin) also
said they will not be running again.
But the big news was House Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana) announced he was
running for retiring Congressman Shuster’s seat and not running for his House seat.
That means both the top House Republican leaders are running for other offices,
including House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) who is running for Governor.
The Scorecard: 9 House members retiring (8 Republicans) and 5 others running for
different jobs. In the Senate 2 members announced retirements, both Republicans, and 1 is
running for another job-- Governor.
Oh yes, and Congressman Meehan, a Republican from Southeast Pennsylvania,
announced he was not running after he paid a settlement for a sexual harassment claim with
public funds and confessed what amounted to “puppy love” for his ex-staffer.
More retirements ahead no doubt, for a variety of reasons.
What’s Next
The Senate returns to session Monday, while the House takes off a week before both
return the following week to hear the Governor’s budget address on February 6.
NewsClips:
AP-Levy: PA Court Throws Out Congressional Boundaries
PA Republicans Ask PA Supreme Court To Stay Its Own Gerrymandering Order
Thompson: PA Supreme Court Rejects Stay Of Its Own Redistricting Order
AP-Levy: PA’s GOP Take Gerrymandering Case To U.S. Supreme Court
AP-Levy: Firm Wins 2nd Mini-Casino Auction With $40.1 Million Bid
Meyer: State Making More Than Expected On Mini-Casino Auctions So Far
AP-Levy: Rep. Reed Runs For Shuster Seat, Will NOT Run For House Seat
Meehan Will Not Seek Re-Election After Sexual Harassment Furor
Meehan Says He Developed Affection For, Saw Younger Aide As Soul Mate But Denies
Harassment
Related Story:
Learn More About Nonpartisan Redistricting Legislation At Jan. 30 Meeting In Harrisburg
[Posted: Jan. 27, 2018]
Bills On Governor's Desk
The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the
Governor's desk for action--
Steel Slag Waste Exemption: Senate Bill 497 (Vogel-R-Beaver) exempting steel slag from the
definition of waste under certain circumstances. A House Fiscal Note and summary is available.
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Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week
The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--
House
Steel Slag Waste Exemption: Senate Bill 497 (Vogel-R-Beaver) exempting steel slag from the
definition of waste under certain circumstances was removed from the Table, referred into and
out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House without changes. The bill
now goes to the Governor for his action. A House Fiscal Note and summary is available. (Note:
See related House Bill 2034 (Marshall-R-Beaver).)
Molybdenum In Ag Lime: House Bill 2034 (Marshall-R-Beaver) requiring agriculture lime to

be labeled with the percentage of molybdenum it contains was reported out of the House
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and will be on the House Calendar for action.
(Note: This bill is related to Senate Bill 497 due to a concern that agricultural lime made from
steel slag may have excessive amounts of molybdenum. The Department of Agriculture
expressed a concern with Senate Bill 497 due to a study that found sheep were killed on a field
where lime made from steel slag was spread.)
Senate
Regulatory Review: Senate Bill 977 (Gordner-R-Columbia) which limits information given to
the public on proposed regulation changes and give one committee of the House or Senate the
authority to delay consideration of any regulation was amended and reported from the Senate
Rules Committee and was passed by the Senate. The bill now goes to the House for action.
Click Here for more.
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced
Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees
scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (Feb. 5): House Bill 1401 (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends Title 58 to impose a
sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on natural
gas production (NO money for environmental programs) and includes provisions related to
minimum landowner oil and gas royalties; House Bill 2034 (Marshall-R-Beaver) requiring
agriculture lime to be labeled with the percentage of molybdenum it contains; House Resolution
284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s
MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (sponsor summary). <> Click Here for full
House Bill Calendar.
Senate (Jan. 29): Senate Bill 792 (Alloway-R-Franklin) requiring law fertilizer applicators to be
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certified in application techniques and creates an education program; Senate Bill 799
(Alloway-R-Franklin) a voluntary program to allow municipalities to pay for nutrient reductions.
<> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: the Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-
Lackawanna) would authorize local governments to create energy improvement districts to help
fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects by commercial and
industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs, Click Here for more; the Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Senate Resolution 226 (Yudichak-D-
Luzerne) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an independent
performance evaluation of DEP’s Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105
(Water Obstruction and Encroachment) permitting programs (sponsor summary) Click Here for
more; Senate Resolution 104 (Bartolotta-R- Washington) resolution urging the Governor to end
the moratorium on new nonsurface disturbance natural gas drilling on state forest land (sponsor
summary); House Bill 1341 (Pyle-R-Armstrong) further providing for training and certification
of emergency medical personnel responding to bituminous deep mine accidents (House Fiscal
Note and summary); House Bill 1486 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) exempting agricultural
high-tunnel structures from the Stormwater Management Act (House Fiscal Note and summary);
the Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 913 (Everett-R- Lycoming)
providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by incorporated towns, House Bill 914 (Everett-R-
Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by boroughs, House Bill 915
(Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first class townships and
House Bill 916 (Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of
the Third Class-- Click Here for more.<> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Bills Pending In Key Committees
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced last week--
Government Oversight Committees: House Bill 2026 (Grove-R-York) establishing Senate and
House Government Oversight Committees to oversee state agencies (sponsor summary) [each
standing committee already has assigned oversight responsibilities.].
End Exemption From Property Tax On Natural Gas Interests: House Bill 2036
(Sturla-D-Lancaster) would end the current exemption for natural gas property interests from
local property tax as a result of a state court decisions (sponsor summary).
29
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
January 29, 30, 31
February 5, 6 (Governor's Budget Address), 7
Budget Hearings: Feb. 20 - March 8
March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
April 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30
May 1, 2, 21, 22, 23
June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
House
February 5, 6, 7
Budget Hearings: Feb. 20 to March 8
March 12, 13, 14
April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 30
May 1, 2, 22, 23
June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Governor’s Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
News From The Capitol
Senate Passes Bill That Reduces Transparency, Gives 1 Committee Power To Delay
Regulations
The Senate Wednesday passed Senate Bill 977 which limits information given to the public on
proposed regulation changes and gives one committee of the House or Senate the authority to
delay consideration of any regulation.
The vote was 29 to 21 with only Republicans supporting. The bill was introduced
December 6 and passed by the Senate in one week. No public hearings were held.
The PA Environmental Council Monday wrote to members of the Senate Rules
Committee asking them to oppose
The text of PEC’s letter follows--
Today you may be asked to vote on Senate Bill 977, legislation similar to last session’s
Senate Bill 562 that was vetoed by the Governor over concerns that it would cause uncertainty in
the regulatory process and decrease transparency in state government. These concerns remain
with the language of Senate Bill 977. For these reasons, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council
30
respectfully asks that you oppose Senate Bill 977.
Specifically, our concerns with this legislation are as follows:
First, Senate Bill 977 would block publication of agency Statements of Purpose for
rulemakings in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. There is no equitable rationale for this proposed
revision to a longstanding, statutory practice – in fact, it decreases transparency by limiting
information provided to the public.
Second, Senate Bill 977 enables standing committees of the General Assembly to
unilaterally postpone Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) consideration of
rulemaking proposals.
Currently, the Regulatory Review Act gives standing committees the power to further
review or disapprove a regulatory proposal after the IRRC – which consists of four legislative
appointees and one appointee of the Governor – has voted on it.
Moreover, IRRC does not vote until after a proposal has been vetted by legal and
scientific experts; subjected to review by the general public, advisory committees, the General
Assembly, and the Attorney General; in addition to being vetted in other forums like the
Environmental Quality Board.
Under existing law, when a standing committee invokes its power to review or
disapprove, a regulatory proposal is stayed for a definite period of time, and can eventually be
brought to a vote before the full legislature. In short, the General Assembly’s current oversight
power is both substantial and well defined.
By contrast, Senate Bill 977 would enable standing committees to invoke the power to
“further review” of proposed regulations a mere 24 hours before the IRRC votes, and sets an
indefinite time frame by basing said review on the legislative calendar.
Given that there are prolonged periods where the General Assembly is out of session, this
delay could extend over several months. This could have the effect of invalidating rulemaking
proposals merely by lack of action by a single Committee within the mandatory rulemaking
timeframe already set by law.
While we understand the importance of ensuring that standing committees receive all
necessary and supporting information for review of regulatory proposals, Senate Bill 977 would
block some of that information from being provided to the public at large, and create greater
uncertainty for review and finalization of proposals.
Senate Bill 977 undermines certainty and transparency in the rulemaking process, and is
against the public interest. We ask you to oppose this legislation.
Thank you for your consideration.
Click Here for a copy of the letter.
The prime sponsor of Senate Bill 977 said the legislation was needed to give committee
additional time to review regulations.
On the requirement to remove the statements of purpose for a regulation for publication
in the PA Bulletin for the public to see, the prime sponsor said, "There have been instances when
courts have interpreted SOPs in a way that is either inconsistent with the regulations themselves
or inconsistent with the intent of the General Assembly. This legislation seeks to correct those
instances."
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
31
updates from PEC.
Related Stories:
Gov. Wolf Vetoes SB 562 Allowing Senate, House To Block A Regulation By Inaction
House Committee Chair Releases Regulatory Overreach Report, Endorses Bill Authorizing
Repeal Of Regulations By Doing Nothing
Senate OKs Bill To Allow General Assembly To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Republican Senators Propose A Count, Cap And Cut Regulations Initiative
Republicans Senators Scott Wagner (R-York), John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) and Michele Brooks
(R-Crawford/Erie/Mercer/Warren) Thursday announced they will introduce legislation to count,
cap and cut the number of regulations in Pennsylvania.
The Senators observed how the regulatory environment in Pennsylvania is holding back
Pennsylvania businesses and individuals from succeeding in their fields.
“If we want to bring jobs to Pennsylvania and see our economy thrive, we need to cut
through the bureaucracy in Harrisburg,” Sen. Wagner said.
A recent study by the Mercatus Center of George Mason University found that the
Pennsylvania Code, which holds all current state regulations, likely contains around 153,000
regulations, and that it would take one person 18 weeks to read the entire Code.
“We are literally chasing jobs out of this state because small businesses are buried in red
tape,” Sen. Wagner added, who pointed to the 24 pages in the Pennsylvania Code regarding the
use and design of ladders as an egregious example.
“Government does not create jobs, but it can prevent their creation,” Sen. DiSanto
observed. “My own experience as a business owner proves this out. Many Pennsylvanians have
shared with me how excessive government red tape discourages innovation and investment that
would grow our economy. Time would be better spent on producing goods and serving
customers than on completing paperwork and jumping through regulatory hoops with no real
value to anyone except the entrenched bureaucracy.”
The senators’ bill, called the Red Tape Reduction Act, will accomplish three things:
-- Count the number of state regulations in the Pennsylvania Code.
-- Cap the number of state regulations at the current number.
-- Cut the number of state regulations by instituting a one-in, two-out regulatory model.
A one-in, two-out rule means that for every new regulation imposed in Pennsylvania, two
would be eliminated. Canada, British Columbia, the United Kingdom, and most recently the U.S.
federal government have all seen success with variations of this policy. It is an effective way to
curb excessive government regulation, reported the senators.
“Consistently, I hear that overreaching regulations are creating undue burdens on our
farmers, local governments, business owners, and so many others. This legislation is an
important step in identifying and rolling back bureaucratic red tape that is stifling our agriculture
industry, communities, and job growth,” Sen. Brooks said. “By loosening the grip of
government, we can help to free innovators and investors from regulatory overreach, and
cultivate economic growth and new jobs.”
“It’s time we empower Pennsylvanians to succeed,” declared Sen. Wagner. “That starts
with reducing our state’s regulatory burden.”
32
Click Here to listen to Sen. Wagner’s comments.
Related Stories:
Senate Passes Bill That Reduces Transparency, Gives 1 Committee Power To Delay Regulations
House Committee Chair Releases Regulatory Overreach Report, Endorses Bill Authorizing
Repeal Of Regulations By Doing Nothing
Shale Gas Industry Tells House Committee We Don’t Want Regulatory Relief, We Want Permits
On Time
House Committee Seeks Ways The General Assembly Can Get More Involved In The
Regulatory Process
House Bill 1960 Short Circuits Imposition Of Fines, Penalties For Environmental Violations
House Bill 1959 Creates New 3rd Party Permit Review Bureaucracy At DEP, State Agencies
Senate OKs Bill To Allow General Assembly To Kill Regulations By Doing Nothing
Analysis: House/Senate Republicans Introduce DEP Permit/Reg Reform Bills
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Re-Write Of Oil & Gas Act For Conventional Drillers Returns To 1984
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) Monday circulated a co-sponsor

memo to colleagues asking them to sign on to a re-write of the Oil and
Gas Act to specifically apply to only conventional oil and gas drillers.
The draft is based on the Oil and Gas Act passed in 1984.
The existing Act 13 would then apply only to unconventional oil
and gas drilling.
The draft of the legislation was discussed at length at the PA Grade
Crude (Oil) Development Advisory Council meeting on Thursday in
Indiana.
“In the near future I plan to introduce legislation that would
re-enact the Oil and Gas Act of 1984 with provisions that make it
reflective of today’s conventional oil and gas industry,” said Sen.
Hutchinson.
“The conventional oil and gas industry has been in Pennsylvania and contributing to our
economy for more than a century and a half. With the Marcellus Shale boom and the
proliferation of advanced drilling methods, a new type of oil and gas industry developed in
Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Hutchinson. “As a result, Act 13 of 2012 was passed to address some
of the concerns and issues that were specific to this new unconventional industry. Although it
was intended to address new issues with the unconventional industry, Act 13 also placed an
unbearable burden on the much smaller conventional producers and over time has brought the
conventional industry to near collapse.
“To help alleviate this, I am introducing a redraft of the Oil and Gas Act with new
language designed to update or clarify old provisions where needed,” explained Sen. Hutchinson.
“This will help to provide a legislative framework for regulations specific to conventional oil and
gas drillers in a way that protects the environment while preserving this valuable industry.”
Click Here for a copy of the draft legislation.
Differences With 1984 Law
The draft Conventional Oil and Gas Act being circulated for comments now is based on
33
the Oil and Gas Act adopted in 1984. There are, however, some key differences even from that
basic law--
-- Eliminates Protections For Public Resources: Section 305 of the draft omits this language
from Section 205 of the 1984 law--
The department shall, on a making a determination on a well permit, consider the impact
of the proposed well on public resources to include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Publicly owned parks, forests, gamelands and wildlife areas.
(2) National or State scenic rivers.
(3) National natural landmarks.
(4) Habitats of rare and endangered flora and fauna and other critical communities.
(5) Historical and archaeological sites listed on the federal or State list of historic places.
The conventional oil and gas industry lost a challenge to DEP’s ability to consider
impacts on public resources last June before the PA Supreme Court. This is no doubt an attempt
to correct that. Click Here for more.
-- Drastically Increases The Threshold For Spill Reporting: New Section 1103 eliminates the
requirement to report any spills less than 25 barrels of oil (1,000 gallons) or 90 barrels of brine
(3,780 gallons) unless the well operator determines there is an immediate threat to public safety,
health or the environment. The threshold for reporting now is 5 gallons of a regulated substance,
like oil and more than 5 gallons of brine within 24-hour period.
-- Takes Away Authority For DEP To Issue Injection Well Permits: New Section 904 takes
away DEP’s present authority to issue its own permit for drilling waste injection wells unless it
has primacy under the U.S. EPA Underground Injection Well Program. DEP has approved
permits for 3 injections wells for drilling wastewater in Clearfield, Elk and Indiana counties.
-- Sets New Standard For Crude Oil Spill Site Cleanup: New Section 1103 sets a new
standard for crude oil spill site cleanup from active wells in law for total petroleum hydrocarbons
of 10,000 mg/kg (ppm) and substitutes something called "established field practices" for
cleaning up a spill rather than the methods used in the PA Land Recycling Program. The number
comes from EPA’s standard for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells where no responsible
party is found. The PA Land Recycling Program does not have a total petroleum hydrocarbon
standard because it is too imprecise. Instead, standards are set for benzene, toluene ,
ethylbenzene and xylene.
-- Allows For Warnings For Violations: New Section 711 establishes a new enforcement
practice of issuing warnings for violations that pose no material harm to public health or the
environment, rather than just having DEP issue notices of violations to “alleviate the
unwarranted use of notices of violation for minor violations.” The warnings will be issued were
compliance can be accomplished within 48 hours and cannot be used as a basis for a civil penalty
when compliance is achieved.
-- Fines, Penalties, Permit, Registration Fees Go To General Fund: Section 601 of the 1984
law directed all fines, penalties, permit and registration fees for oil and gas wells to a restricted
account used to pay for the administrative costs of the program. The new Section 901 directs
those monies to the General Fund where are not directly available to support the program. This
puts the Oil and Gas Program at the mercy of annual appropriations from the General Fund.
[Note: DEP’s General Fund appropriations have been cut by the General Assembly and
Governors over the last decade by 40 percent leaving only fees to support environmental
protection programs in many cases.] Sen. Hutchinson has separate legislation-- Senate Bill 32--
34
to do this same thing for the entire Oil and Gas Regulatory Program conventional and
unconventional.
Click Here for a copy of the draft legislation.
(Photo: Conventional well drilling site, PA Independent Oil & Gas Association.)
Related Stories:
DEP Authority To Regulate Impact Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wells On Public Resources
Upheld By PA Supreme Court
DEP: Conventional Oil and Gas Well Violations Up Nearly 80 Percent In 2016
Conventional Drillers Have 5 Times The Violations, 3.5 Times The Enforcement Actions
Hutchinson Bill Killing DEP Update Of Conventional Drilling Regulations Signed Into Law
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
New Senate Bill Would Require 30% Reduction In Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 2025 In
PA
Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana

(D-Allegheny) Thursday announced the introduction
of Senate Bill 15-- the PA Climate Change Mitigation
Act that directs the Department of Environmental
Protection to reduce statewide greenhouse gas
emissions by 30 percent by 2025.
They were joined in the announcement by
environmental, clean energy and sustainable business
advocates from the Clean Power PA Coalition.
“When President Trump announced he was
withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate
Agreement last year, he was wrong to say that he did so to represent Pittsburgh, not Paris,” said
Sen. Costa. “Those of us who actually represent Pittsburgh reject the president’s defeatist
position and we know that taking action to ensure a healthy, safe and prosperous future by
tackling climate change is actually in the best interest of our constituents. Where our federal
government is failing to lead on this issue, we will do so. ”
Sen. Fontana added, “Pittsburgh has made tremendous strides toward a cleaner
environment and a vibrant, thriving high-tech economy, including exciting developments in
advanced energy. If we want to continue this progress, we must take action to reduce the
pollution driving climate change. I am confident that Pennsylvania can create a plan to reduce
carbon pollution that will make us proud in Pittsburgh and benefit residents across the
Commonwealth.”
The PA Climate Change Mitigation Act instructs DEP to revisit the state plan originally
being developed to comply with the carbon pollution reduction targets of the Clean Power Plan
and submit to the General Assembly for approval and implementation.
The legislation does not prescribe a particular approach, but rather allows the
Commonwealth to determine the lowest-cost and most efficient policies to meet the emission
reduction goals.
The framework for the legislation will also keep Pennsylvania working toward the goal
of fighting climate change under the Paris Climate Agreement.
35
“This bill is the first effort to set a reasonable carbon reduction goal in Pennsylvania and
allow more innovative, low and zero-carbon energy sources to grow, create jobs, and reduce
pollution in our communities,” said PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo. “I
commend the senators for their leadership and commitment to a carbon-free future.”
Pennsylvania ranks third among states for the emission of carbon pollution, a distinction
that poses a significant responsibility upon the Commonwealth to take action that will mitigate
climate change, according to the groups.
The most recent PA Climate Impacts Assessment finds that the Commonwealth also
faces significant environmental, public health and economic harms as a result of climate change,
and that those negative impacts are already underway.
In order to blunt the worst impacts of climate change upon future generations of
Pennsylvanians, carbon pollution must be cut quickly and dramatically.
“Addressing and avoiding the threats posed by climate disruption is critical, but this
legislation is also about creating opportunity in Pennsylvania,” said Joanne Kilgour, Director of
Sierra Club’s Pennsylvania Chapter. “Reducing and ultimately eliminating climate disrupting
pollution will require huge amounts of investment in the form of research, technology
development, manufacturing, construction, and installation-- nothing short of the next industrial
revolution. The question is, will Pennsylvania be at the forefront of this new economy, or will we
be left behind clinging to the old one?”
The PA Climate Change Mitigation Act would build upon progress already underway in
Pennsylvania to grow and expand a clean energy economy focused on renewable energy and
energy efficiency.
The 2017 Clean Jobs Pennsylvania report issued by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2)
and the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEEA) shows that there are nearly 70,000 clean
energy jobs in Pennsylvania in more than 6,000 companies, with a 6 percent growth rate in clean
energy jobs between 2016 and 2017.
There are twice as many energy efficiency and renewable energy jobs in Pennsylvania as
fossil fuel jobs and Allegheny County ranks first in Pennsylvania for clean energy employment,
with 8,100 jobs.
Stronger clean energy policies would drive even more job creation and business
investment in Pennsylvania.
Court Gould, Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh remarked, “The business
community, including the companies with whom we work here in the Pittsburgh region, view
tackling climate change as an opportunity to foster innovation and responsible economic growth.
Climate change exacerbates both risk and uncertainty, which smart business leaders are looking
to mitigate in order to ensure the long-term prosperity of their companies and to meet
expectations of investors and customers. This legislation is an important policy signal that will
help to coalesce our economic, environmental and social equity efforts and forge a more
sustainable southwestern Pennsylvania region.”
Under the leadership of Mayor Bill Peduto, the City of Pittsburgh is committed to
following the Clean Power Plan and Paris agreement emission reduction goals.
Pittsburgh is joined by mayors and cities across Pennsylvania, from Philadelphia to
Lancaster to Allentown, who have affirmed their commitment to the Paris agreement goals
despite the Trump Administration’s intent to withdraw the United States from the international
accord.
36
For more on efforts to address climate change in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s Climate
Change webpage.
(Photo: Sen. Costa making the announcement.)
NewsClips:
Legislators Call On State To Recommit To Paris Climate Agreement Goals
Can We Fight Climate Change Without Scaling Up Nuclear Energy
Op-Ed: Reversed Climate Policy Ensures Failure Across Generations, Ed Perry
Cusick: Wolf Doesn’t Recall Campaign Pledge To Join Regional Climate Initiative
Related Story:
PA: Not That Far To Go To Meet EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Emission Limits
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Joint House-Senate Conservation Committee Celebrates 50th Anniversary
By Sen. Scott Hutchinson, Chair, Joint Legislative Air Pollution Control and Conservation
Committee
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Joint Legislative

Conservation Committee, an important milestone in our history.
Although one of the smallest legislative service agencies, the
Committee serves an important role for General Assembly, providing
bipartisan information on the environment, energy and conservation.
Its work is often removed from political headlines, but past and
present members understand the significant contributions such a
unique, nonpartisan committee brings to the legislative process.
The Committee was established in the late-1960s, a time when the
public sought basic protections for the Commonwealth’s diverse
natural resources.
Act 448 of 1967, signed by Gov. Raymond P. Shafer, created a new agency to provide
legislative oversight for a conservation bond referendum known as Project 500. The Committee
was also tasked with studying pollution across the Commonwealth and recommending laws to
the General Assembly.
This spring, the Committee will publish a retrospective of the last 50 years. It will
highlight the origins of the Committee, its activities over the decades and the legislators and staff
who have been integral to its success. I hope that you will take some time to read about the
Committee’s influence on Pennsylvania’s conservation legacy.
In its early history, the Committee’s role was pivotal in enacting many of the state’s first
environmental laws, perhaps most famously the Environmental Rights Amendment to the
Pennsylvania Constitution.
Written by Committee member Rep. Franklin Kurry, voters approved the ballot measure
by a four-to-one margin in May of 1971. Since then, the Committee has diligently worked to
navigate the complex relationship between our society and the environment.
Over the years, the Committee has had a significant influence on the development of
environmental legislation and policy in Pennsylvania.
For example, Committee public forums, roundtables, investigative hearings, reports and
37
studies have assisted in the development of the following laws: the “Pennsylvania Infrastructure
and Investment Authority Act”, the “Municipal Waste Planning Recycling and Waste Reduction
Act, the “Small Water Systems Assistance Act”, the “Oil and Gas Act”, the “Keystone
Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund Act”, the “Waste Tire Recycling Act” and the
“Covered Device Recycling Act.”
Not to mention the iconic Pennsylvania Wild Resource Conservation Fund specialty
license plates. In 1990, the Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the issues
confronting how the WRCF financed its vibrant and sought-after grant program which supports
research and conservation of Pennsylvania’s non-game wildlife.
At that time, the WRCF relied on a state income tax checkoff for its funding. The
Committee determined that a special revenue-generating license plate program would be a better
solution, performing the double duty of helping to fund the program bringing awareness to a
popular cause.
The WRCF plate, introduced in November 1993, was the first specialty plate issued by
Pennsylvania. Now they are found on the back of cars and trucks throughout the Commonwealth.
The Prescribed Burning Practices Act, a byproduct of the Committee’s legislative
forestry task force, is integral to the stewardship of our forest resources and the communities
they support. The prescribed fires law was a collaboration between academics, state conservation
officials and the forest products industry.
Without giving away too much of the upcoming retrospective, I thought I would share a
few interesting facts about the Committee’s membership and activities over the years:
-- The Committee is one of the oldest state legislative agencies of its kind in the U.S.
-- Almost every county in the Commonwealth, or parts of it, has been represented by a legislative
member serving on the Committee.
-- From 1968-2018, there have been 119 legislative members that have served on the Committee.
In addition, there have been seven different Committee chairmen and nine executive directors.
-- Beginning in 2000, the Committee has held 83 Environmental Issues Forums that were
attended by over 1,600 individuals including legislators, state agency representatives,
stakeholders and others.
-- The longest serving member is Rep. Camille “Bud” George, a Democrat from Clearfield
County, who sadly passed away in September. Bud was an active member of the Committee for
nearly 30 years (1983-2012).
The Committee’s staff often refers to the “environmental umbrella” which covers nearly
all sectors of our society and economy.
Since becoming Chairman in 2001, I’ve been amazed at the sheer scope of issues and
programs we have examined.
I’ve found myself in the Pennsylvania Wilds learning about forest management, on a
mountain in Berks County observing migratory raptors and in Columbia County surrounded by
over 6 million tires in Pennsylvania’s largest waste tire pile.
There are still many topics left for the Committee to explore.
As the Committee reflects on 50 years of service, it is natural to consider what is next for
the agency. How will its work continue to evolve to meet the needs of the Pennsylvania General
Assembly?
What legislation and policies will help shape the next 50 years? The answer to those
questions is history in the making.
38
Thank you to all of our supporters, past, present and future!
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Joint Conservation
Committee.
For more information, visit the Joint Conservation Committee website, Like them on
Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Committee.
NewsClip:
Ceremony Marks 59th Anniversary Of Knox Mine Disaster
(Reprinted from the January Environmental Synopsis newsletter from the Joint Conservation
Committee.)
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Video Available Of Environmental Issues Forum On Pumped Storage Hydro
The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control

and Conservation Committee now has a video
available of the Environmental Issues Forum it held
Monday on the issue of pumped storage hydroelectric
facilities in Pennsylvania.
Click Here to watch a video of the Forum. Click Here
to view of copy of the PowerPoint presentation.
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of
the Joint Conservation Committee.
For more information, visit the Joint Conservation
Committee website, Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to sign up
for regular updates from the Committee.
Related Story:
Is Pumped Storage Hydro The Next Wave Of Energy Development In PA? One Company
Submits 17 Applications To FERC
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Local Stormwater Fee Authorization Bills
The Senate Local Government Committee meets January 30 to consider a package of four bills
to authorize boroughs, townships of the first class, cities of the third class and incorporated
towns to adopt local stormwater management fees. The bills include--
-- House Bill 913 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by incorporated towns;
-- House Bill 914 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by boroughs;
-- House Bill 915 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first class townships; and
-- House Bill 916 providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of the Third Class.
Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) is the prime sponsor of the bills and is one of
Pennsylvania’s members and the current chair of the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission.
These bills are the latest in a series of actions to give local governments the tools they
need to better deal with stormwater flooding and resulting pollution, in particular in
39
Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
In July of 2016, the General Assembly passed and Gov. Wolf signed into law House Bill
1325 (Mustio-D-Allegheny) authorizing townships of the second class to levy stormwater fees
(now Act 62).
In July of 2014, the General Assembly passed and Gov. Corbett signed into law Senate
Bill 1255 (Erickson-R-Delaware) authorizing municipalities to establish municipal authorities
for the purpose of implementing stormwater pollution prevention programs (Act 123).
The meeting will be held in the Rules Room and will be called Off the Floor, meaning
anytime after the Senate recesses.
Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can be
contacted by sending email to: swagner@pasen.gov. Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna) serves as
Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: jblake@pasenate.com.
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Learn More About Nonpartisan Redistricting Legislation At Jan. 30 Meeting In

Harrisburg
Join Fair Districts PA to learn more about nonpartisan redistricting legislation at a meeting
January 30 at the Giant Food Community Center, Blue Mountain Room, 2300 Linglestown Road
in Harrisburg from 6:30 to 7:45.
Senate Bill 22 (14 co-sponsors) and House Bill 722 (102 co-sponsors) have been
introduced with 116 Republican and Democratic co-sponsors, but so far have not been
considered by the Senate or House State Government Committees.
The bills would amend the state constitution to establish an Independent Redistricting
Commission with a nonpartisan, transparent and accountable process for creating Senate, House
and Congressional voting districts.
The commission members-- 4 Republicans, 4 Democrats and 3 that are neither-- is
strictly prohibited from using partisan data to draw the district maps. Maps must be approved by
at least 7 members, including 1 from each of the 3 groups.
The purpose of the meeting is to share information about the legislation and to discuss
efforts to pass this legislation and the role volunteers can play.
Click Here to RSVP for the meeting, but no registration is required. Questions should be
directed to Jodi Reese, Volunteer Coordinator, by sending email to: jlreese59@gmail.com.
For more information on this bipartisan initiative, visit the Fair Districts PA website.
Click Here to sign up for updates.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
PA Supreme Court Throws Out Congressional District Maps, Senate Rs To Seek U.S. Supreme
Court Stay, Start Drawing New Maps
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
40
News From Around The State
PA Environmental Professionals Accepting Nominations For Karl Mason, Walter Lyon

Awards
The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is

now accepting nominations for the 2016 Karl Mason
and Walter Lyon Awards. The deadline for
nominations is March 30.
The awards are presented to Pennsylvanians who made
a unique and creative contribution to the field of
environmental management in Pennsylvania with
preference given to the fields of administration, law,
regulation and community organization.
Each year, the Karl Mason Award is presented to
meritorious nominees selected by the PAEP Board of
Directors. The Walter Lyon Award will be selected in the same manner and has been an annual
addition that started in 2014.
One nominee will be chosen for the two categories as follows:
-- An individual who demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of environmental
management. (the Karl Mason Award)
-- An organization, project or program that made a unique, creative, or significant contribution
toward maintenance or restoration of Pennsylvania’s environmental quality or to the field of
environmental management. (the Walter Lyon Award)
Karl Mason served as Pennsylvania’s first State Environmental Administrator from 1952
to 1966. Karl’s holistic vision of environmental management embraced essential, but
conflicting, needs associated with waste disposal and community environmental protection.
The general framework established by Karl serves as the foundation for Pennsylvania’s
environmental protection programs to this day.
Karl believed and put into practice the notion that environmental protection is primarily
the business of professionals who have the skills, by virtue of their scientific training, to manage
the technical and scientific complexities of maintaining a safe, healthy and clean environment.
He was committed to the belief that continuing education was an essential part of the
career of every environmental professional.
Walter Lyon began his professional career as a sanitary engineer at the U.S. Public
Health Service in Washington D.C. serving as Assistant Chief of the Planning and Development
Branch, Division of Engineering Resources from 1950-1954.
He then served for three-years as the Assistant Chief of the Environmental Health
Section, Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
From 1983 to 2013, Walter went on to teach and consult in the areas of environmental
engineering and water policy.
For many years, Walter participated in the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental
Professionals conferences and special events and generously shared his knowledge and
experience.
He was a strong advocate for employing highly educated, qualified, and experienced
41
environmental professionals in the public and private sectors and serves as a role model for the
environmental professionals of today and tomorrow.
PAEP is pleased to honor their contributions to environmental professionalism and
commemorate the vision of both of these pioneers.
The 2017 winners were Eric H. Buncher, Manager of Planning Services, Allegheny
County Airport Authority-- Karl Mason Award, and the PA Senior Environment Corps managed
by Nature Abounds is the winner of the Walter Lyon Award.
The Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Award presentations will take place at the PAEP
Annual Statewide Conference, May 2-4 at the Toftrees Resort, State College, PA.
Click Here for a nomination form.
For more information on programs, initiatives, workshops and other special events, visit
the PA Association of Environmental Professionals website. Click Here to sign up for regular
updates on PAEP activities or Like them on Facebook. Click Here to become a member.
(Photo: Karl Mason, Walter Lyon)
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Pittsburgh Water Authority Reports Water Sampling Results Show Lead Exceeding EPA
Action Level
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Monday released estimated results from its most
recent compliance testing for lead required by state and federal regulations showing it has
exceeded the EPA action level of 15 ppb (parts per billion).
PWSA expects the Department of Environmental Protection to certify the compliance
testing results Tuesday.
One hundred eighteen (118) samples were collected from homes that were determined to
have, or are expected to have, lead service lines or plumbing.
The 90th percentile results from the latest round of testing were 21 ppb, exceeding the
EPA action level of 15 ppb. Previous compliance testing results were 15 ppb in June 2017, 18
ppb in December 2016 and 22 ppb in June 2016.
According to EPA, there is no safe level of lead. Residents should continue to consider
the recommendations provided by PWSA to reduce exposure to lead if they know or suspect they
have lead service lines or plumbing.
Samples were taken by customers at 114 residential sites based on a method prescribed
under DEP and EPA guidelines. Four samples were submitted twice from the same sites. All
samples were taken from homes that have, or are expected to have, lead service lines or
plumbing.
Service lines are the connections from the home to the water main and are the primary
source of lead entering tap water. Samples were sent by customers directly to an independent,
accredited lab, and the results were reviewed and will be calculated by DEP.
Seventy four percent of the samples collected were below 10 ppb. The details of the
December 2017 compliance testing results, as well as a comparison of previous testing rounds,
are as follows:
-- 38 are non-detect for lead
-- 23 are between 2.1 and 4.9 ppb
-- 27 are between 5 and 9.9 ppb
42
-- 12 are between 10 and 14 ppb
-- 3 are higher than 50 ppb
Click Here for more complete sampling results. Click Here for a frequently asked
questions document on lead in water from the Authority.
For more on actions by DEP related to lead in the Pittsburgh Water Authority system,
visit DEP’s Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority webpage.
For more on the issue statewide, visit DEP’s Lead In Drinking Water webpage.
NewsClips:
Pittsburgh Water Authority Continues To Exceed Federal Lead Threshold
Pittsburgh Water Authority Again Exceeds Federal Threshold In Latest Lead Tests
Pittsburgh Water Authority To Replace Public, Private Lead Lines
Pittsburgh Water Authority Lifts Water Advisory For Lawrenceville
Pittsburgh Mayor Forges Ahead To Restructure Pittsburgh Water Authority Leadership
City Of Pittsburgh Gets Delinquent Bill Shut-Off Warning From Pittsburgh Water Authority
Editorial: Pittsburgh Water Authority Oversight, New Board Promise Needed Change
Upper Macungie Residents Have Cloudy Water For Month, They’re Fed Up
Flat Rate Set For New Kensington Water Use
Related Story:
Pittsburgh Water Authority Reaches $5 Million Settlement With Veolia Water To Benefit
Community
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
Pittsburgh Water Authority Reaches $5 Million Settlement With Veolia Water
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Thursday announced it has reached a settlement with
Veolia related to the management services it provided to PWSA from 2012 to 2015. Through a
mediated agreement, PWSA secured a $5 million settlement, and Veolia will pay $500,000 to a
fund aiding PWSA’s most vulnerable customers.
“The settlement is a favorable outcome for PWSA, our customers, and the City of
Pittsburgh,” stated Debbie Lestitian, PWSA Board Chair. “We have avoided lengthy and
potentially costly arbitration while bolstering our customer assistance program. I appreciate the
willingness of both parties to come to this settlement and I am pleased to close out this chapter in
PWSA’s history.”
Both parties resolved all claims between them. Veolia agreed to withdraw all of its
remaining claims totaling more than $4.9 million for payments from PWSA relating to the
management services it provided.
The settlement concludes the arbitration between PWSA and Veolia. For PWSA, the
agreement results in a combined savings and contributions to the community totaling more than
$5 million.
At PWSA’s request, Veolia agreed to make a $500,000 contribution to a Pittsburgh-based
community organization to provide assistance to customers having difficulty paying their water
and sewer bill.
PWSA anticipates that Dollar Energy Fund will receive this contribution to expand the
43
Customer Assistance Program established by the Authority this past November.
The two active programs funded through the Customer Assistance Program and
administered by Dollar Energy Fund include the Bill Discount Program and the Winter
Moratorium Program.
“We are pleased to have this behind us and are happy with the outcome of the
settlement,” Debbie Lestitian, PWSA Board Chair stated. “We can now focus on the work we
need to do to provide Pittsburgh with the water utility it expects and deserves, like replacing lead
lines, investing in infrastructure, and improving customer service and billing functions.”
“We are excited to focus on this important work and look forward to providing our
customers with updates throughout the year,” Lestitian stated.
For more information on the Authority, visit the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Pittsburgh Water Authority Reports Water Sampling Results Show Lead Exceeding EPA Action
Level
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
DEP Asks For Information On Adequacy, Impact Of New Manganese Water Quality
Standard Required By Law
The Department of Environmental Protection published an advance notice of proposed

rulemaking in the January 27 PA Bulletin requesting information on a water quality standard for
manganese required by law in an amendment to the Administrative Code adopted in October.
The deadline for submitting information is February 26.
DEP said it will used the information received to “evaluate the adequacy of the existing
manganese water quality criterion when the point of compliance is moved to the location of an
existing or planned surface potable water supply withdrawal.”
The law changed the manganese standard to 1 milligram/liter with the point of
compliance being at a water withdrawal point rather than the water discharge point.
The 1 milligram/liter standard is 20 times the level of manganese water suppliers should
have in their water supplies, according to EPA’s secondary maximum contaminant levels.
DEP said in the notice the current manganese standard has been in place since 1967.
The change was pushed in the General Assembly by the mining industry and opposed by
drinking water suppliers.
The Department is seeking scientific and economic information to support the
44
development of the required proposed regulations consistent with its duties under The Clean
Streams Law (35 P.S. §§ 691.1—691.1001) and section 303 of the Federal Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C.A. § 1313) regarding water quality standards, and Commonwealth law requirements
regarding the rulemaking process, including the Regulatory Review Act.
In particular, the Department will examine available scientific information to determine
the need to develop manganese toxics criteria related to human health and aquatic life exposure,
consistent with Chapter 16 (relating to water quality toxics management strategy—statement of
policy).
In addition, the Department will evaluate available scientific information to review the
adequacy of the existing manganese water quality standard for the PWS use.
Typically, the Department recommends a proposed rulemaking to the Board after it has
collected sufficient information and data to prepare the necessary rulemaking documents to
support the proposed rulemaking. In this instance, the proposed rulemaking is mandated by the
amendment to section 1920-A of The Administrative Code of 1929 and must occur on an
expedited schedule.
Therefore, the Department is using the advanced notice of proposed rulemaking process
to collect any available scientific information as quickly as possible to prepare the rulemaking
documents required by the Regulatory Review Act.
Manganese possesses toxic characteristics according to information available in the
scientific literature and as described in the EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
database.
Some studies suggest elevated levels of manganese may lead to neurological deficits in
children, including poor school performance, impaired cognitive function, diminished memory,
abnormal performance on neuro-behavioral tests, motor impairments, and increased oppositional
or aggressive behavior and hyperactivity.
Manganese is toxic to most aquatic life including fish, freshwater mussels and aquatic
insects. The concentrations necessary to induce lethal and sublethal effects appear to vary by
species and life stage.
Studies on freshwater species have suggested, at least for some organisms, that
relationships exist between toxicity and other water quality parameters such as temperature,
hardness and pH. A manganese water quality standard to protect aquatic life does not currently
exist in this Commonwealth
Written or electronic documents will be accepted by DEP. Electronic documents may be
submitted through DEP’s eComment system or sent by email to RegComments@pa.gov.
Written documents should be sent to the Department of Environmental Protection, Policy
Office, 400 Market Street, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.
A subject heading must be included noting that the document is being submitted in
response to the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Water Quality Standard for
Manganese. A return name and address must be included in each letter or transmission.
Documents will not be accepted by facsimile or voice mail.
Click Here for a copy of the formal notice which contains more information.
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
45
The Schuylkill River Restoration Fund is now accepting applications for grants for projects to
address stormwater runoff, agricultural pollution and abandoned mine drainage in the Schuylkill
River Watershed. The deadline for filing a letter of intent is February 13.
There are also two specific focus areas: the Perkiomen Creek Watershed and projects
designed to protect the Philadelphia water supply.
There is also a separate set of guidelines for projects involving land transactions
assistance available through Schuylkill River Greenways.
Grant applicants may request between $20,000 and $100,000. Applicants working in the
Perkiomen Creek Watershed may request between $5,000 and $100,000. All projects require a
minimum 25 percent match.
The grants are funded by Exelon’s Limerick Generating Station, the Philadelphia Water
Department, Coca Cola, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Aqua Pennsylvania and MOM’s
Organic Market.
The Restoration Fund last year awarded grants totaling $364,193 for 11 projects that will
improve water quality in the river and its tributaries. Since being established in 2006, the fund
has distributed over $3.3 million--and leveraged another $5 million--for 95 projects that protect
and restore the Schuylkill River.
The grants are administered by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, which is managed by
the Schuylkill River Greenway Association.
Click Here for more information and everything you need to apply.
(Photo: Bell Colliery, Reevesdale and Otto Abandoned Mine Drainage System, Schuylkill
County.)
Related Stories:
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
DEP, Local Leaders Celebrate Edinboro Lake Watershed Assn's General McLane High
School Growing Greener Project
DEP Regional Director Jim Miller and staff joined community leaders Tuesday to celebrate a
new project to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff into Edinboro Lake in Edinboro, Erie
County.
The project was made possible through a Growing Greener Grant to the Edinboro Lake
Watershed Association.
The project includes Best Management Practices (BMP) like a rain garden, a vegetated
swale, and an infiltration trench. This project will capture and treat runoff from about 38 acres,
helping to improve the water quality to Edinboro Lake Watershed.
By installing these BMP’s, they will help to reduce an estimated 24 pounds per year of
phosphorus, which represents a 1 percent improvement decrease in the budget of phosphorus for
Edinboro Lake and 10,000 pounds per year of reduction of total suspended solids.
Edinboro Lake Watershed Association chose General McLane School District due to its
ideal site for educating both students and the public and its proximity within the Edinboro Lake
Watershed.
46
The Growing Greener Grant was awarded to the Edinboro Lake Watershed Association,
which worked with partner organizations to put the project on the ground. Dr. Brian
Zimmerman serves as the President of the Edinboro Lake Watershed Association, which is the
grant recipient.
Steve Halmi, Deiss & Halmi Engineering, is also on the Edinboro Lake Watershed
Association Board and served as the project engineer.
General McLane alumnus and landscape architect for Pennsylvania State University,
Thomas Flynn served as the landscape architect. All have donated their time and services to the
project. J. J. Wurst Landscape Contractor, Inc. was the contractor for the project.
Click Here to watch a video about the project.
(Photo: Rain garden at Teresa E. Walters Education Center, General McLane School District.)
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Montour Run Watershed Assn Moving Forward With $1.1M Mine Water Treatment
Project In Allegheny County
The Montour Run Watershed Association will begin

construction in the next few months on a new $1,119,089
private-public passive abandoned mine water treatment system
project in the Montour Run Watershed adjacent to Mahoney
Road in North Fayette Township in western Allegheny
County.
The purpose of the system is to treat abandoned mine
drainage flowing to Milk Run, which is a tributary of Montour
Run. Milk Run flows parallel to Mahoney Road and has been
polluted for nearly a century.
The discharge, known as MKR3, is the single largest source of acidity and aluminum in
the Montour Run watershed.
This mine drainage has been flowing from an old, abandoned, underground coal mine
into Milk Run since the early 1900s.
Sulfur, typically pyrite, in and around the Pittsburgh number 8 coal seam oxidizes when
exposed to air in the mine. When the oxidized sulfur comes into contact with ground water, it
creates dissolved iron and sulfuric acid.
The acid dissolves additional minerals, including aluminum, found in the clay strata
underlying the coal seam. When the mine drainage that contains dissolved aluminum is mixed
with alkaline or higher pH water, the aluminum precipitates out as a white substance, giving the
stream a milky appearance.
The Montour Run Watershed Association has been working with government agencies
and officials, private companies and environmental advocacy groups on the new passive
treatment system for several years.
The project is funded by a Range Resources reclamation in-lieu of penalty project
($949,089), the U.S. Office of Surface Mining ($150,000) and the Foundation for Pennsylvania
Watersheds ($20,000).
The Department of Environmental Protection; the Allegheny County Conservation
District; the not-for-profit Stream Restorations, Inc.; Independence Conservancy; landowners
47
Continental Communities, LLC and Great Rentals, LLC; and the Washington County
Conservation District have also been instrumental in seeing the project come to fruition.
BioMost, Inc., a design-build firm that specializes in passive treatment systems and has
constructed other facilities within the Montour Run Watershed, is the MRWA’s contractor that
designed and permitted the system and will build the Milk Run treatment system in 2018.
Extensive design and permitting activities have been taking place since 2015 on the
project. In the late fall of 2017, BioMost received the last of the necessary permits to begin
construction.
Groundbreaking will take place when the weather breaks in the spring, most likely in
March.
The passive system will require no electricity, no pumps and no operator. The design
uses natural limestone and gravity to treat the water.
Once completed, the system will restore one mile of stream and improve Montour Run
for miles by removing an estimated 72,000 pounds of acid and 7,000 pounds of aluminum per
year.
The Montour Run Watershed Association will monitor the system and if necessary, see
that corrective actions are taken. The funding from Range Resources mentioned above includes
designated operation and maintenance funds of $191,000 to ensure the system remains effective
for decades to come.
For more information on the Montour Run watershed and other MRWA projects, visit the
Montour Run Watershed Association website.
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
DEP Releases New Guide To Maintaining Streams In Your Community Booklet
The Department of Environmental Protection recently released a

new resource for understanding the permit and notification
requirements affecting those wishing to work in or adjacent to
streams impacted by flooding called Guidelines For Maintaining
Streams In Your Community.
“DEP receives many inquiries each year about stream work from
municipalities, landowners, businesses, and communities
affected by flooding, or simply wishing to perform stream
maintenance to protect property and infrastructure and prevent
future flood impacts,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
The guide is a first step in determining what regulatory
requirements may apply before beginning a project.
It contains a "green, yellow, and red light” list of potential stream activities to indicate
whether permits are likely to be required, and additional sections titled “Good Rules of Thumb”
and “Myth vs. Reality.”
Stream work that is not properly designed and permitted can inadvertently cause
conditions to worsen in the next flood event, also impacting downstream neighbors.
The new guide is intended to proactively share information with the public so that stream
work is done in an environmentally-sensitive manner, and in a way that reduces the likelihood of
future problems.
48
Click Here to download a copy.
Click Here to sign up for DEP’s monthly newsletter, visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook,
Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Western PA Conservancy, DCNR Host 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit Feb.
28-March 1 In State College
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are
hosting the 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit at the
Ramada Conference Center in State College February 28
and March 1.
The Summit was created as an opportunity for those
interested in the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways to
learn more about the vital role Riparian areas play and how
we can improve planting and maintaining them.
The Summit will provide attendees with information and skills-- from creating planting
plans to working with contractors-- that they can utilize in their day-to-day work.
Those who would benefit from attending include conservation professionals and
decision-makers that work with riparian forest buffers across Pennsylvania.
There will also be opportunity for exhibitors and vendors.
For all the details and to register, visit the 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit webpage.
For more information on buffers, visit DCNR’s Forest Buffers webpage.
NewsClips:
Morelli: Spotted Lanternfly Threatens Chesapeake’s Crops, Hardwoods
PA Asks For More Help To Combat Spotted Lanternfly
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Hosts Feb. 28 Nature Talks Program

In Philadelphia With Author Richard Louv
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership will host a Nature Talks Program on

February 28 with Richard Louv, the author of The Nature-Rich Life: Nature-rich Cities, Homes,
Schools and More.
Louv's presentation will be followed by a meet the author reception.
The program will be held at the Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street in Philadelphia from
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The cost of the program is $50 and can be purchases online or by calling 215-744-1853.
Proceeds from the program will help fund TTF outreach and education programs.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership website.
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
49
Penn State Extension: Is Your Farm Ready For Inspection In PA's Chesapeake Bay
Watershed?
By the end of 2018, 1 in 5 Pennsylvania farms within the

Chesapeake Bay watershed will have been visited by the
Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Inspections Program.
With the continuing concern over meeting Pennsylvania’s
nutrient and sediment reduction targets set forth in the
Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL),
the Department of Environmental Protection, and many
County Conservation Districts are implementing the
Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Inspections Program to
assist farmers in complying with regulations surrounding manure management and soil erosion.
The inspections program plans to reach at least 10 percent of Pennsylvania farms inside
the Chesapeake Bay Watershed each year, with 12.7 percent of farms already receiving an
inspection in 2017.
Does this apply to my farm?
The inspections program is visiting farms that are not already regulated under
Pennsylvania’s Act 38 Nutrient Management Program, or are federally-permitted CAFOs. The
Act 38 regulated operations have been visited annually to ensure they have been meeting the
regulatory requirements for many years.
The farms of interest to CBAIP are typically smaller, less intensive operations, but which
still are required to comply with Pennsylvania state requirements, specifically Chapter 102
regulations for Agriculture Erosion and Sediment Control (Ag E and S), and Chapter 91
regulations for Manure Management Plans (MMP).
Any farm operation where manure is produced or land-applied is required to have and
implement a manure management plan. Any farm operation with plowable/tillable acres, even if
those acres are managed in continuous no-till, are required to have and implement an Ag E and S
plan.
Farms with animal heavy use areas greater than 5000 sq. feet are also required to have
and implement an Ag E and S plan. Land owners and those individuals managing rented land are
jointly responsible for complying with the regulations, but the first point of contact for setting up
an inspection is usually the land owner.
What do I need?
To prepare for an inspection, determine which plans your operation is required to
maintain and follow (MMP, Ag E and S, or both). Then make sure you have those plans prepared
in a way that reflects the current management practices on the farm.
If you have the appropriate plans for your operation and they are complete and accurate,
you will pass the inspection.
If you do not have the required plans available, or the plans do not reflect current
management practices or are prepared incompletely, you will be given a grace period, typically
90 days, to develop new plans or correct errors in existing plans before being referred to DEP for
enforcement actions.
In 2017, several hundred of the 2,080 farms that were inspected did not pass the initial
inspection for one reason or another, but only 73 were ultimately referred to DEP for not
50
attaining compliance within the 90 day window.
Where can I go for help?
There are many resources available to help you prepare MMP and Ag E and S plans.
Penn State Extension recently released an online course, “Writing a Manure Management Plan,”
that will guide you through the process of writing your own plan.
The Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program also has a series of written materials to
assist you in writing a MMP. You can also read the Manure Management Manual and utilize a
Manure Management Plan Workbook on the DEP website to help you write a plan.
The PAOneStop service, hosted by Penn State Extension, has an online module for
developing Ag E and S plans.
As always, Penn State’s own county-based Extension Educators on Crops and Animal
Systems teams can help answer any questions or concerns you may have and our services remain
confidential.
Many Conservation Districts offer in-person trainings on plan writing or they can connect
you with individuals who can assist you with your plan writing needs if needed.
Finally, please remember that the purpose of these plans is not to have paper on the shelf,
but practices on the ground. The planning process helps you to evaluate your operation and
identify the management practices that will maintain or improve environmental quality given
your specific scenario.
Once a plan is developed, make sure you follow through and implement it.
For more information on cleaning up streams and rivers in Pennsylvania to meet the
Chesapeake Bay cleanup obligations, visit DEP’s Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Plan webpage.
(Map: Tan is Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Pennsylvania.)
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Presentation
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Rescheduled: NRCS-PA State Technical Committee Meeting Feb. 7 In Harrisburg
The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA Office has rescheduled the Pennsylvania
State Technical Committee meeting for February 7 at the USDA State Office in Harrisburg.
Quarterly State Technical Committee Meetings are held to discuss natural resources
conservation in Pennsylvania and provide recommendations to NRCS on the implementation of
Farm Bill programs.
The meeting will include updates on 2018 conservation programs, a report on the NRCS
Technical Guide, and a presentation on Monitoring the Water Quality of Conservation Practices
from John Clune of the U.S. Geological Survey.
51
The public is invited to attend the meeting which will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Feburary 7
at the USDA State Office Conference Room at 359 East Park Drive, Harrisburg. To attend via
teleconference, call 1-888-844-9904 with access code 6941559.
Attendees requiring special accommodations and/or alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) associated with this meeting should
contact Ted Evans at 717-237-2209, or send email to: ted.evans@pa.usda.gov.
For more information on programs, initiatives, financial and technical assistance, visit the
Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA Office webpage.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Pittsburgh Students Win ORSANCO Ohio River Sweep Poster Contest
Hanna Jones from Mt. Lebanon High School in

Allegheny County is the Grand Prize Winner in the
2018 Ohio River Sweep Poster Contest organized
by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation
Commission.
Pennsylvania had two other winners-- Luke
DeVore a Second Grader in Woodland Hills
Academy and Charlise Cooper a Third Grader also
in Woodland Hills Academy in Pittsburgh.
The competition, which involves students in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana,
West Virginia and Illinois, highlights the importance of keeping the Ohio River and its
tributaries clean. Click Here to see the other winners.
This year's Ohio River Sweep will be held on June 16 to clean up stream and riverbanks
in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties in Western
Pennsylvania.
Click Here for more information on how you can be part of this interstate cleanup event.
(Photo: Grand Winning poster by Hanna Jones and Luke DeVore and Charlise Cooper from
Woodland Hills.)
NewsClips:
Greenhouse Project Offers Hands-On Education
PA Horticultural Society Philadelphia Flower Show's Focus On Water Lets Visitors Dive Into
Spring
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Ohio River Sanitation Commission Webinar On Proposed Revisions To Pollution Control
Standards Jan. 31
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
52
Entries Now Being Accepted For PA American Water Protect Our Watersheds Student
Art Contest
PA American Water is now accepting entries to its 2018

Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest which offers a fun
and imaginative way to draw children’s attention to the
protection and preservation of our water resources. The
deadline for entries is April 13.
The contest is open to all students in fourth, fifth and sixth
grades within Pennsylvania American Water's service
territories.
By participating, students not only learn about the value of our
precious water resources, but they also have the chance to win
valuable prizes – and earn positive recognition for your school!
Click Here for more information and all the details
(Photo: 2017 Grand Prize Winner Henry Rummel, Indiana
County 6th Grader.)
NewsClips:
Spring
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Entries Now Being Accepted For PA American Water Protect Our Watersheds Student Art
Contest
Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest Now Accepting Entries
Penn State Extension Seeking Proposals For Youth Water Educators Summit On Sept. 20
2017 Penn State Extension Youth Water Educators Summit Receives National Recognition
PA American Water Now Accepting Applications For Stream Of Learning College Scholarship
Program
Volunteers Wanted: Audubon PA Learn, restore, Explore Our Watershed Student Program
Interns Wanted: Gifford Pinchot Grey Towers College Internships Available
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the

Philadelphia Water Department are now accepting
entries for the 2018 Green City, Clean Waters Student
Art Contest. The deadline for entries is February 28.
This annual competition is open to all students from
kindergarten through 12th grade, including those that
are homeschooled, throughout the City of
Philadelphia.
For seventeen years, the nonprofit National Estuary
Program has been a partner of the Philadelphia Water
53
Department to administer this exciting contest, which educates thousands of children in public
and private schools annually about stormwater runoff, a leading cause of water pollution
throughout the Delaware Estuary.
This form of pollution occurs when water from rain or melted snow flows over sealed
surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets. This rainwater picks up litter, chemicals, dirt
and other pollutants on its way into sewers and into the water bodies we use for swimming,
fishing, drinking and more.
So what do creative students get if they win? The top three winners in each of the four
age groups receive gift cards ranging from $25 to $100, artwork featured in the 2018-2019
calendar (which is free to the public), and the opportunity to win the brand new “People’s Choice
Award.”
This new award will go to the student whose artwork that gets the most online votes from
the public. But that’s not all!
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will feature first place drawings
in an advertising campaign for thousands of people too enjoy.
“Marrying art with sciences is an extremely effective way to explain difficult concepts,”
says Renée Brecht, Director of Outreach with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. “This
contest provides a perfect avenue for teachers to talk about impacts on our waterways in a fun,
positive and engaging way. Hands-on activities that stimulate creativity are exactly what new
science standards are trying to move towards, and we want to help Philadelphia teachers do this.”
Teachers- you get something too! The first school to submit 100 qualified entries or more
by the February 28 deadline will also receive a $100 gift card for school supplies. Plus, each
teacher of a winning student will receive a $50 gift card.
To learn more about water pollution, visit the Green City, Clean Waters Student Art
Contest webpage. Questions should be directed to Brittany Musolino at 302-655-4990 ext.112.
NewsClips:
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Program
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
Volunteers Wanted: Audubon PA Learn, Restore, Explore Our Watershed Student

Program
Audubon Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to assist with
54
Audubon’s Learn, Restore, Explore our Watershed field studies program, which takes students
from Harrisburg, York, and Carlisle.
Elementary and middle school students will get to experience hands-on discovery of
aquatic insects, stream habitats and birds, and learn about stream systems, water quality,
stormwater, land use and wildlife habitat.
As part of the field trip, students also engage in habitat enhancement projects, such as
removing invasive species and/or planting or tending native plant gardens.
Volunteers choose from the field trip schedule which day(s) they wish to help. Field trips
take place during the school day from late-April to early-June. No experience necessary!
Training is provided.
If you love to be outside sharing nature with children and wish to learn more, contact
Holly Smith, Education Project Coordinator by sending email to: hsmith@audubon.org or call
717-514-4607. Background clearances are required.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Audubon
Pennsylvania website. Click Here to sign up for updates (bottom of page). Click Here to
support their work.
NewsClips:
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Program
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Penn State Extension is looking for individuals and

organizations interested in being part of the 2018 Dive
Deeper - Youth Water Educators Summit to be held
September 20 in Harrisburg. Proposals are due February 28.
Proposals are now being accepted for potential presenters and
exhibitors at Penn State Extension’s award-winning Dive
Deeper Summit.
Dive Deeper is a biennial event for anyone who teaches about
water, whether in the classroom, on the lake shore, in the
woods, or at the city playground. This full day conference features hands-on workshops,
networking, educational exhibits, and great guest speakers – and it could also feature you!
55
There are numerous time slots available for 45-50 minute concurrent session
presentations at the summit as well as spaces for 8-foot table exhibits. The focus of this
conference is to strengthen the capacity of educators to teach youth about water, water
ecosystems, aquatic life, and related topics.
All water-related proposals will be considered, but here are some ideas to get you
thinking:
-- New curriculum or teaching tools for youth water education
-- Using art and other media to teach about water
-- Urban water issues (drinking water, stormwater, wastewater, etc.)
-- New techniques for water quality monitoring
-- Using technology to teach about water
-- Current Issues/Topics (mineral extraction, climate change, invasive species, emerging
pollutants, land use) as they relate to water in the Mid-Atlantic Region
-- Teaching about water to diverse audiences, disabled audiences, and underrepresented
audiences
-- STEM Education with a water focus
-- Addressing science standards (NGSS and local) with water education
Click Here for all the details about submitting a proposal.
For more information on the conference and to sign up for updates, visit the 2018 Dive
Deeper - Youth Water Educators Summit webpage.
NewsClips:
Spring
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Program
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
The Penn State Extension 2017 Dive Deeper - Youth Water

Educators Summit was recently recognized as the 2017
Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education
program winner by the National Association of Extension
4-H Agents (NAE4-HA).
“This award is given annually to one national
winner, and is a great honor to receive.” says Jennifer
56
Fetter, Dive Deeper Steering Committee Chair and Penn State Extension Educator.
The award recognizes outstanding efforts in the field of environmental education that
have high educational value significantly benefiting the environment and the community and
which also includes collaborative programming with natural resource agencies and
organizations.
The award was presented in November during the 2017 NAE4-HA Conference in
Indianapolis, IN.
The Dive Deeper Summit is Penn State Extension’s biennial conference of educators,
both formal and informal, who teach youth of all ages about water. The summit premiered in
2012, and has been held every other September since then.
Each summit, 100 educators from across the Mid-Atlantic region gather to learn
innovative ways to engage youth in water education programs, include new technology tools in
their programs, stay up to date on emerging water quality issues in the region, and network with
like-minded peers who can be valuable resources beyond the day of the summit.
For more information on the 2018 conference and to sign up for updates, visit the 2018
Dive Deeper - Youth Water Educators Summit webpage.
(Photo: Jennifer Fetter and Bradley Kunsman represented the Dive Deeper Steering Committee
at the NAE4-HA Awards Ceremony in Indianapolis. Pictured with 2017 NAE4-HA President
Shawn Tiede (center).)
NewsClips:
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[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
PA American Water Now Accepting Applications For Stream Of Learning College

Scholarship Program
PA American Water Thursday announced applications are being

accepted for its 2018 Stream of Learning Scholarship Program to
provide financial assistance to high school seniors who are
planning to pursue careers in the water and wastewater industry.
The deadline for applications is March 23.
The program is designed to support outstanding students living in
Pennsylvania American Water’s service territories who are
57
charting a course of study in specific fields, ranging from engineering to environmental science.
The company will award scholarships of $1,000 each to 10 students who are selected
through the program’s application process. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
-- Students must currently live in Pennsylvania American Water service area. (Students can
attend a learning institution outside of the company’s service territory.)
-- Students must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or technical school, and must plan to
study environmental science, engineering, biology or chemistry.
-- Students must be high school seniors. (Current college students are not eligible.)
“In the nine years since we launched the program, we have seen our Stream of Learning
Scholarships attract the interest of more bright, dedicated students to our industry,” said
President Jeff McIntyre of Pennsylvania American Water. “We believe in supporting talented
young people who have so much to offer and who share our commitment to environmental
stewardship and protecting public health.”
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive their awards in May.
Family members of Pennsylvania American Water employees are not eligible.
This month, the company sent scholarship brochures and applications to high school
guidance counselors throughout its service territory.
Click Here for more information and an application.
(Photo: One of the 2017 Scholarship Winners Briana Long, Palmyra High School with PA
American Water Senior Manager of Business Development Michael Salvo.)
NewsClips:
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[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Westmoreland Shale Gas Stream Monitoring Workshop Feb. 24
The Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring and Protect Penn-Trafford will hold a Shale Gas
Stream Monitoring Workshop on February 24 at the Protect PT at 3337 Route 130 Suite 2 in
Harrison City, Westmoreland County from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Participants will be provided with equipment and trained on stream monitoring
techniques in order to document the health of local waterways, collect baseline data, and report
potential shale gas extraction impacts.
Limited spots are available, so please RSVP by filling out the form below.
Click Here to register. For more information or questions, contact Natalie McNeill by
58
sending email to: mcneilln@dickinson.edu or call 717-254-8143.
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
Jan. 30 Water Insights Seminar: What Is Water Law And Why Should Scientists Care?
The January 30 Water Insights Seminar will feature Lara Fowler, Penn State
Law, will give a presentation entitled, “What Is Water Law And Why
Should Scientists Care?” starting at Noon.
While water management is driven by hydrology, it is also heavily affected
by the legal system. This talk will provide a short overview of how water is
allocated in the eastern and western United States, as well as between
different states.
The talk will also briefly cover how the laws governing water allocation
also impact questions of water quality, stormwater and flooding, and a few
other hot topics in the legal world. Come prepared to ask questions.
The Seminar will be held from Noon to 1:00 p.m. in Room 102 of the
Forest Resources Building at Penn State University in State College. Click Here to attend the
Seminar by webinar (sign in with your name and email).
Click Here for the full schedule of Water Insights Seminar series from Penn State’s
Environment and Natural Resources Institute.
Related Story:
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy And Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
Presentation Now Available Online
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy And Practice Innovations To Improve Water Quality
Presentation Now Available Online
The January 23 Water Insights Seminar featuring a presentation by Matt

Royer of Penn State’s Agriculture and Environment Center on the topic
Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay: Emerging Policy and Practice
Innovations to Improve Water Quality is now available online.
Nutrient and sediment pollution from nonpoint sources and land
use and land management alterations are among the most persistent
unsolved environmental problems we face today.
Several decades of effort to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution
to the Chesapeake Bay has resulted in progress but not at the pace
necessary to meet water quality goals.
Innovative approaches in policy and practice are emerging in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to accelerate clean water efforts.
This seminar will discuss progress and approaches to date and the challenges to meeting
clean water goals when dealing with nonpoint-dominated pollution sources.
New and emerging innovations will also be discussed, including ideas promoted at the
Pennsylvania in the Balance Conference (March 2016), and successful development and
deployment of necessary delivery mechanisms in priority watersheds through community-based
59
watershed engagement and partnerships.
Click Here for the full schedule of Water Insights Seminar series from Penn State’s
Environment and Natural Resources Institute.
NewsClips:
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Jan. 30 Water Insights Seminar: What Is Water Law And Why Should Scientists Care?
Penn State Extension: Is Your Farm Ready For Inspection In PA's Chesapeake Bay Watershed?
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Ohio River Sanitation Commission Webinar On Proposed Revisions To Pollution Control

Standards Jan. 31
The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission is

now accepting comments on proposed revisions to the
pollution control standards for the Ohio River and its
tributaries through February 24.
A webinar will be held to present an overview of
the proposal and the issues involved on January 31 at 6:00
p.m. EST. Click Here for instructions on how to
participate in the webinars.
Public Hearing
ORSANCO will also be scheduling a public hearing on the standards revision. Click
Here to watch for more information on the schedule.
Background
The standards designate specific uses for the Ohio River, and establish guidelines to
ensure that the river is capable of supporting these uses. To keep pace with current issues,
ORSANCO strives to review the standards at least every three years.
This review of the Pollution Control Standards differs from past reviews in that it asks
your input on whether ORSANCO should continue to maintain, administer, and periodically
update the current Pollution Control Standards, or should eliminate the Pollution Control
Standards and withdraw from the process of maintaining and updating such standards.
An Ad Hoc Committee on Water Quality Standards Implementation has developed and
evaluated five (5) alternatives regarding the continuation, modification, or elimination of the
ORSANCO Pollution Control Standards and future involvement by ORSANCO in the
standard-setting process.
That Committee advanced those five alternatives to the ORSANCO advisory committees,
each of which has provided written comments on the alternatives.
A majority of the Ad Hoc Committee members, and a majority of current ORSANCO
60
Commission members, favor an expanded version of Alternative 2, which would eliminate
Chapters 3 and 4 of the Pollution Control Standards on water criteria and mixing zones, and
eliminate portions of Chapter 5.
That preference is not unanimous among the Commissioners, and a minority report
accompanying the expanded discussion of Alternative 2 is contained in the package of materials
for your review.
The package for your review includes the five (5) alternatives, with an expanded
discussion of the alternative favored by a majority of the Commission members and a minority
report, as well as the written comments of the ORSANCO advisory committees.
The Commission wishes to stress that no final decision has been made with respect to the
future of the Pollution Control Standards or ORSANCO’s maintenance of Pollution Control
Standards.
Now that the Ad Hoc Committee has presented the alternatives, and a majority of the
Commission has indicated a preliminary preference and has sought and received the comments
of the advisory committees, it is your turn to give the Commission your comments, your
suggestions, and your feedback on the future of ORSANCO’s Pollution Control Standards.
Copies Of Proposals
Here are links to the proposals under review--
-- Click Here for the five alternatives under consideration.
-- Click Here for the Expanded Alternative #2, which is preferred by a majority of ad hoc
committee members, and a Minority Report describing the position of a minority of ad hoc
committee members.
-- Click Here for a summary of comments on the alternatives by ORSANCO’s advisory
committees and Technical Committee.
-- Click Here for a mock-up of revised standards, for illustrative purposes, as they might look
based on Alternative #2 (marked up version).
-- Click Here for a mock-up of revised standards, for illustrative purposes, as they might look
based on Alternative #2 (clean version)
Submitting Comments
All parties interested in submitting comments may do so by mail or email. Mailed
comments should be addressed to ORSANCO, 5735 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230,
Attn: PCS Comments.
Emailed comments should be sent to: PCS@orsanco.org. Emailed comments must be
sent by the original submitter. Third party emails will not be accepted in order to protect data
systems integrity. Comments must be included in the body of the email. Email attachments will
not be accepted in order to protect data systems integrity.
Please contact ORSANCO directly at 513-231-7719 for instructions on submitting
technical and scientific information or data since email attachments cannot be accepted. Your
name and mailing address must accompany all correspondence.
For more information, visit ORSANCO’s Pollution Control Standards webpage.
Related Story:
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Delaware RiverKeeper Files PennEast Pipeline Rehearing Request With FERC
61
The Delaware Riverkeeper Network Wednesday announced
it has filed a Rehearing Request with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, asking the agency to reconsider its
decision to issue a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity for the PennEast Pipeline Project.
Before a FERC Certification can be challenged in federal
court, a rehearing request must be submitted and either
approved or denied by the agency. FERC has 30 days to
respond.
Unfortunately, according to a Dossier of FERC Abuses
crafted by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, FERC
traditionally responds to rehearing requests with a tolling
order, which neither grants nor denies the request, and as a result places challengers like the
Delaware Riverkeeper Network in legal limbo for months, sometimes over a year.
“Unfortunately, from the day the PennEast pipeline project was first announced in 2014,
we knew FERC would rubber stamp its approval, it was just a matter of when. And so every
comment filed by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network has been with an eye towards challenging
FERC’s approval in the courts. As a result, we are well positioned to win,” said Maya van
Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. “From a
lack of need to its devastating impacts on the environment, to the demonstrated false, misleading
and missing information provided by the PennEast companies to FERC, there is no way to
support approval of this project.”
“Based on FERC’s historical habitual denial of Motions for Stay and Rehearing Requests
by third parties, our submissions today are functionally nothing more than administrative
requirements to get into court to challenge this Project,” said Aaron Stemplewicz, Senior
Attorney at Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
Delaware Riverkeeper Network also submitted to FERC a Motion for Stay to halt
construction and any other land disturbance pending the rehearing request. The motion states,
“Unless a stay is issued by the Commission, construction of the Project will go forward without
the benefit of the meaningful environmental analysis that the National Environmental Policy Act
requires.”
The Rehearing Request asserts:
-- The Commission erred because the Environmental Impact Statement is unable to support its
conclusion that construction of PennEast as proposed by the company and FERC will not have
significant adverse environmental impacts
-- The Commission erred because the EIS assertion of need is contradicted by the preponderance
of the evidence and is largely a statement of industry desires rather than public need
-- The Commission erred because the EIS fails to consider cumulative impacts across the Project
and across multiple other projects, including the source and end use of the natural gas
-- The Commission erred because the induced shale gas production and impacts must be
considered by the EIS
-- The Commission erred because the economic benefits asserted in the EIS are indefensible and
unsupported, and the economic harms are entirely overlooked
-- The Commission erred because the EIS fails in its legal obligation to consider greenhouse gas
62
emissions and climate change implications of the PennEast Pipeline
-- The Commission erred because the EIS Alternatives Analysis is fundamentally flawed
-- The Commission erred because of the continued use of Segmentation in this EIS is improper
-- The Commission erred because the EIS fails to address comments and experience that shows
use of standard constructions practices will result in environmental violations and degradation
-- The Commission erred because the DRBC’s legal authority is misrepresented in the EIS –
thereby misleading the public and decision-making officials
-- The Commission erred because the EIS data and information gaps makes the document legally
deficient and incomplete – a new and complete Supplemental EIS is required
-- The Commission erred because the EIS is filled with assertions that are false, inaccurate,
misleading and/or deficient
-- The Commission erred because the EIS is riddled with Threatened and Endangered (T&E)
species data that is inconsistent, wrong, missing, or misleading thus failing to establish an
effective baseline for the review
-- The Commission erred because the EIS is legally inadequate in its failure to consider
alternative routes or construction practices that could avoid and/or mitigate harm
-- The Commission erred because the EIS fails to undertake a complete and accurate analysis of
the economic impacts of the PennEast Pipeline if constructed
-- The Commission erred because the EIS fails to undertake a healthy and safety impacts analysis
of the PennEast Pipeline if constructed
-- The Commission erred because the construction of the PennEast Pipeline will bring
demonstrable threats and harms to life, property, property rights and riparian rights
-- The Commission erred by failing to provide an accurate baseline from which to conduct its
environmental review of the Project
If built, the PennEast pipeline would cut through creeks, wetlands, forests and
communities in Luzerne County; Carbon County; Northampton County; and Bucks County,
Pennsylvania, and through communities in Mercer and Hunterdon Counties, New Jersey. The
116-mile gas pipeline would include three laterals extending off the mainline, a compression
station, and appurtenant above ground facilities.
Pennsylvania has issued Clean Water Act 401 Certification for the project, but not the
underlying state permits necessary to support the Certification. The Delaware Riverkeeper
Network is actively engaged in a legal challenge against Pennsylvania’s certificate.
New Jersey has not taken steps to issue its approval for the project. Approvals are also
required from the Delaware River Basin Commission and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The FERC certificate was issued with a 4-1 vote. FERC Commissioner Glick, a recent
appointee to the Commission, dissented from the decision questioning the asserted need for the
project and the information provided by the company regarding its impacts--
“In today’s order, the Commission relies exclusively on the existence of precedent
agreements with shippers to conclude that the PennEast Project is needed. Pursuant to these
agreements, PennEast’s affiliates hold more than 75 percent of the pipeline’s subscribed
capacity. While I agree that precedent and service agreements are one of several measures for
assessing the market demand for a pipeline, contracts among affiliates may be less probative of
that need because they are not necessarily the result of an arms length negotiation.”
“PennEast’s certificate application lacks evidence that I believe is important to making
the public interest determination. The Commission addresses this lack of evidence by
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conditionally granting the certificate, subject to PennEast’s compliance with the environmental
conditions. I recognize that the courts have upheld the Commission’s authority to issue
conditional certificates. Nevertheless, doing so comes with significant consequences for
landowners whose properties lie in the path of the proposed pipeline.”
Commissioners Chatterjee and Glick both questioned whether it was appropriate to issue
the certificate as a means of allowing the company to gain access to properties for purposes of
collecting the remaining data it needs to support permit applications.
Click Here for a copy of the Rehearing Request. Click Here for a list of concerns the
Delaware RiverKeeper has expressed about the FERC process generally.
For more information, visit the Delaware Riverkeeper Network website.
NewsClips:
Maykuth: PennEast Shale Gas Pipeline Gets Key U.S. Permit
PennEast Pipeline Gets Federal OK, But Some Locals Still Not Happy
Hurdle: FERC Approves PennEast Pipeline Saying It Would Supply Needed Natural Gas
Crable: Diesel Spill, Soil Runoff Events Report Along Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Route In
Lancaster
AP: Columbia Nuns Appeal Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project On Religious Grounds
Phillips/Hurdle: Texts Raise Questions On Governor’s Office Role In Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Permitting
PA Supreme Court Upholds Huntingdon County Mariner East 2 Pipeline Eminent Domain
Ruling
Residents Fear Threat Posed By Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Delaware County Looks Into Risk Assessment Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Feds Cite Sunoco For Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction Violations In Ohio
Shell Ethane Pipeline Could Travel Under A Dozen Local Waterways
Related Story:
FERC Approves PA-NJ PennEast Natural Gas Pipeline Late Friday
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Jan. 30 DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee Continues Act 101 Reform Discussion
DEP’s Recycling Fund Advisory Committee is scheduled

to hold a special meeting on January 30 to continue its
discussion on how to improve and reform the Act 101
recycling and waste reduction program.
There will be a specific discussion of the
responsibilities of county recycling coordinators and Act
101 funding mechanisms and grants.
Click Here for the agenda.
The meeting will be in the Room 105 of the Rachel
Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 10:00.
For more information, visit the DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee webpage.
Questions should be directed to Laura Henry, 717-772-5713 or send email to: lahenry@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
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[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Jan. 31 DEP Hearing On Air Quality Plan For Sunoco Marketing Terminal In Delaware
County
The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced it will host a public hearing
on January 31 (snow date February 1) regarding its intent to issue an Air Quality Plan Approval
for Sunoco Partners Marketing Terminals, L.P. (SPMT) in Marcus Hook Borough, Delaware
County.
“It is important that those interested in the project have the opportunity to voice their
comments, opinions and concerns,” said Southeast Regional Director Pat Patterson. “In this case,
we are looking at an existing facility that wishes to relocate a gas flare within its current property
boundaries. In doing so, the new gas flare would be located in Pennsylvania.”
The hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Marcus Hook Community Center, located at
7 W Delaware Avenue, Marcus Hook, PA 19061 and is intended to allow residents the
opportunity to comment on the draft Plan Approval.
DEP will record testimony and receive written comments throughout the hearing, and
will accept written comments until February 10.
Those wishing to testify in person should contact Community Relations Coordinator
Virginia Cain at 484-250-5808.
Written comments may be sent to: Jim Rebarchak, Environmental Program Manager at
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, PA
19401. Comments may also be emailed to: jrebarchak@pa.gov, with the subject clearly stating
that the email is intended for public record.
The Air Quality Plan Approval application and draft Plan Approval are available for
review online at the DEP Southeast Regional Office Community Information webpage, by
appointment between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2
E. Main St., Norristown, PA 19401, 484-250-5910; and at the Marcus Hook Public Library, 1015
Green Street, Marcus Hook, PA 19061.
Questions should be directed to Virginia Cain, DEP Southeast Regional Office,
484-250-5808 or send email to: vicain@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
Developers File Appeal Of Allegheny County Asbestos Fine
EPA Redefining What Are Major Sources Of Hazardous Air Pollution
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
DEP Hearing March 2, If Requested, On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Pipeline
Compressor Station In Perry County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 27 PA Bulletin of a

proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for the Texas-Eastern compressor station in Shermans Dale,
Perry County for comment.
A hearing will be held March 2, if requested, on the proposal at the DEP Southcentral
Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg starting at 10:00.
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To register to speak at the hearing, please contact Viren Trivedi at 717-705-4863.
Speakers must pre-register in order to testify at the hearing. The last day to pre-register to speak
at the hearing will be February 27.
For more information, read the formal notice in the January 27 PA Bulletin (page 633).
Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit applications submitted in your
community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations? All through its
eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
PennTAP: Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability Workshop On Energy Efficiency Feb. 15

In Chester County
The PA Technical Assistance Program will hold a Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability
Workshop On Energy Efficiency on February 15 at the Penn State Great Valley Conference
Center in Malvern, Chester County from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Building Re-Tuning is a systematic low-cost/no-cost approach to ensure that buildings
are operating at maximum efficiency. BRT is for any local government building, community
college, or K-12 school interested in reducing their facility energy costs.
This multi-media training includes a webinar, guest speakers, and two building
walk-throughs in regional facilities. Additionally, a second webinar will be made available the
week of February 5th, and is intended to be a prerequisite leading up to the workshop.
Click Here for all the details and to register.
Other upcoming programs include--
-- Feb. 20: Road To Alternative Energy For Businesses Webinar, Noon to 1:00.
-- April 18: Guide To Implementing An Energy Management System Webinar, Noon to 1:00.
-- June 21: Basics of Building Re-Tuning Webinar, Noon to 1:00.
For more information on other upcoming events or assistance available, visit the
PennTAP website.
NewsClip:
Submit Comments On Updated State Uniform Construction Code
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
Feb. 20 Road To Alternative Energy Webinar For Businesses From PennTAP
The PA Technical Assistance Program will hold a Road To

Alternative Energy Webinar for businesses on February 20
from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Energy efficiency first, then add alternative energy
projects to reduce the cost of energy and a company’s
environmental impact.
PennTAP will review methods to maximize energy
efficiency, in order to minimize alternative energy equipment
66
and installation costs. PennTAP will also review funding opportunities for energy efficiency and
alternative energy projects, to reduce the cost of implementation.
Click Here for all the details and to register.
Other upcoming programs include--
-- Feb. 15: Building Re-Tuning: An Energy Sustainability Series Workshop in Chester County.
-- April 18: Guide To Implementing An Energy Management System Webinar, Noon to 1:00.
-- June 21: Basics of Building Re-Tuning Webinar, Noon to 1:00.
For more information on other upcoming events or assistance available, visit the
PennTAP website.
NewsClips:
Westmoreland Authority Turning To Solar Power
Lawmaker Wants To Put Proposals Like Bethlehem’s Wind Farm To Voters
Trump Orders Tariffs On Solar Imports In Biggest Blow To Renewables Yet
Trump Issues 30 Percent Tariff On Solar Imports
Maykuth: Trump’s Solar Tariffs Cast Dark Cloud Over Local Solar Installers
Sisk: Trump Tariff Could Hurt PA Solar, But Won’t Slam The Door Shut
5 Solar Firms That Actually Stand To Gain From Trump’s Tariff
SEIA: Trump’s Decision On Solar Tariffs Means Loss Of 23,000 U.S. Jobs
Editorial: Solar Darkness
Editorial: Tariff Risks U.S. Solar Jobs
EIA: Wind To Beat Hydro As Leading U.S. Renewable Resource In Next 2 Years
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
U.S. EIA Forecasts Natural Gas To Remain Primary Source For Electricity Generation
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's January 2018 Short-Term Energy Outlook
(STEO) forecasts that natural gas will remain the primary source of U.S. electricity generation
for at least the next two years.
The share of total electricity supplied by natural gas-fired power plants is expected to
average 33 percent in 2018 and 34 percent in 2019, up from 32 percent in 2017.
Power plant operators are scheduled to bring 20 gigawatts (GW) of new natural-gas fired
generating capacity online in 2018, which, if realized, would be the largest increase in natural
gas capacity since 2004.
Almost 6 GW of the capacity additions are being built in Pennsylvania alone, and more
than 2 GW are being built in Texas. In contrast, about 13 GW of coal-fired capacity are
scheduled to be retired in 2018.
EIA expects the share of generation from coal, which had been the predominant
electricity generation fuel for decades, to average 30 percent in 2018 and 28 percent in 2019,
compared with 30 percent in 2017.
Generation from renewable energy sources other than hydropower has grown rapidly in
recent years. EIA expects the average annual U.S. share of total utility-scale generation from
non-hydro renewables to exceed 10 percent for the first time in 2019.
The mix of energy sources used for producing electricity generation continues to shift in
response to changes in fuel costs and the development of renewable energy technologies. Since
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2015, the cost of natural gas delivered to electric generators has generally averaged $3.50 per
million British thermal units (Btu) or less, and it is expected to remain near this level through
2019.
EIA expects the cost of natural gas for electricity generation to remain relatively
competitive with coal-fired electricity over the next two years.
The average cost of natural gas delivered to generators in 2018 is forecast to fall 2
percent, while the forecast delivered cost of coal rises 5 percent. These relative price changes
should increase the share of natural gas generation in 2018.
The costs of both natural gas and coal in 2019 are expected to remain relatively
unchanged from this year’s forecast prices.
These changes in the generating capacity mix contribute to the continuing switch from
coal to natural gas, especially in southern and midwestern states.
Click Here for the complete report.
NewsClips:
U.S. EIA: Natural Gas Production In Pennsylvania, OH, WV Growing Faster Than Demand
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
PA Anthracite Council Spring Meeting March 6 In West Hazleton, Luzerne County
The PA Anthracite Council will hold its spring meeting on

March 6 and will feature Iris Kapo, Senior International
Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce.
As Trade Specialist, Kapo counsels U.S companies
on the export process and works closely with clients to
develop an international growth plan. In that role, Kapo was
instrumental in working with local suppliers on the Ukrainian
coal order.
Her other responsibilities include leading Commercial Service efforts at local, national,
and international trade events.
The meeting will be held at the Top Of The 80’s Restaurant off I-81 in West Hazleton.
Click Here to fill out a registration form for the meeting. The cost is $35 per person.
The form should be returned to the PA Anthracite Council, PO Box 138, Pottsville, PA 1790,
email the form to: hardcoalorg@paanthracite.com or call 717-737-9825.
Sponsorship are also available for the meeting by sending email to:
hardcoalorg@paanthracite.com or call 717-737-9825.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the PA
Anthracite Council website.
NewsClips:
Deep Mine On Westmoreland/Fayette Border On Hold Pending Permit Appeal
Consol, Environmental Groups Settle Kent Run, Ryerson Station State Park Mining Appeal
Rustic Ridge Deep Mine, Environmental Group Reach Settlement In Westmoreland
Settlement Reached On Conditions Of New Coal Mine In Laurel Highlands
New Report Assesses Impact Of Coal Mining’s Decline On Appalachia
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Trump Uses Recent Bomb Cyclone To Push Coal Energy
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Jan. 24 DEP News & Views Newsletter Now Available
The January 24 News and Views newsletter is now available from

the Department of Environmental Protection featuring articles on--
-- Test For Radon And Breathe Easier
-- DEP Suspends Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction Permits
-- Oil And Gas Inspections App A Game-Changer
-- DEP Penalizes Energy Corp Of America For Drilling Violations
In Greene, Clearfield
-- DEP Releases New Guide To Maintaining Streams In Your
Community Booklet
-- DEP Blog: Going Greener In The New Year
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube
Channel.
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
The PA Organization of Watersheds and Rivers is now

accepting applications for 2018 Pennsylvania River
Sojourn Grants. The deadline for applications is February
26.
Grants are available on a competitive basis for
single and multi-day paddling events on Pennsylvania
Rivers. Sojourns must incorporate significant educational
programming, and be open to all participants (i.e., private
trips are not eligible).
The PA Sojourn Program is a nationally unique
program that distributes more than $40,000 in grants across the state to support local
organizations and their sojourn events.
Each year, between 10 and 15 paddling events are supported under this program,
encompassing over 500 river miles, 50+ on-the-water days, offering more than 100 educational
programs and engaging over 12,000 people.
Click Here for all the details. Questions should be direct to Angela Vitkoski, Project
Manager, or Janet Sweeney, PEC Vice President, at 570-718-6507 or send email to:
avitkoski@pecpa.org or jsweeney@pecpa.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other events, visit the PA Organization
of Watersheds and Rivers website. POWR is an affiliate of the PA Environmental Council.
Related Stories:
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12
[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]
PEC Now Accepting Applications For Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape

Mini-Grants
The PA Environmental Council is now accepting

applications for Laurel Highlands Conservation
Landscape Mini-Grants. The deadline for
applications is February 23.
Projects must be located in Cambria, Somerset,
Fayette or Westmoreland County to be eligible.
At total of $50,000 is available for mini-grants of
from $1,000 to $10,000 to support and advance the
goals and objectives of the Laurel Highlands Project, including to foster conservation and
stewardship of the natural and man-built environments while promoting sustainable economic
development through outdoor recreation.
Projects could include development of the region’s trail network, encourage land
conservation, work to protect and conserve water resources, expand “the connections between
the built and natural amenities in the landscape” or address infrastructure needs in parks and
forests.
All mini-grants require a one-to-one match in local funds or eligible non-cash in-kind
services – the mini-grant cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project costs.
Funding for the program is provided by the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources through the Environmental Stewardship "Growing Greener" Fund.
Grant winners will be announced on March 23, with an official “kick-off” event
scheduled to take place at the LHCL Annual Gathering on April 17.
For more information on the conservation landscape program, visit PEC’s Laurel
Highlands Conservation Landscape webpage.
Click Here for more information on the grant program. Questions should be directed to
Marla Meyer Papernick of the PA Environmental Council by email to: mpapernick@pecpa.org
or call 412-481-9400.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PEC’s Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
updates from PEC.
NewsClip:
Laurel Highlands Mini-Grants Available For Conservation-Focused Projects
Related Stories:
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12
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Reminder: PA Land Trust Assn Accepting Nominations For Govt. Leadership Award
Thru Feb. 12
The PA Land Trust Association will be accepting

nominations for the 2018 Government Leadership Award
until February 12.
This award recognizes any Pennsylvania municipal
or county government that has demonstrated leadership
and vision that resulted or will result in the permanent
conservation of open space and valuable and unique land
and/or water resources.
Success in natural resource conservation can be achieved
through land use planning and regulations, resource protection strategies, and land and/or
easement acquisition.
Recognition may be based on the work of a government, multi-government partnership,
commission or board but must be sanctioned by the governing body or bodies.
The deadline for nominations is February 12.
Click Here for all the details and a nomination form. Questions should be directed to
Nicole Faraguna at 717-909-1298 or send email to: nfaraguna@conserveland.org.
The Award will be presented in conjunction with the 2018 Pennsylvania Land
Conservation Conference April 12-14 in Malvern, Chester County.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Land
Trust Association website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from PLTA, Like them on
Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, and Join them on Google+. Click Here to support their
work.
(Photo: Lancasteronline.com.)
Related Stories:
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Register Now For Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference April 12-14 In Chester
County
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Register now for the PA Land Trust Association 2018
Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference to be held at
The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, Chester County April 12
to 14.
The Conference will feature 55 educational
sessions, including workshops, full and half-day seminars
and advanced roundtables and plenty of networking
opportunities.
Connect with experts from across the state and
beyond, attend professional enrichment opportunities that provide continuing education credits
for attorneys, park and recreation professionals and landscape architects.
The schedule also includes a series of field trips on topics like Beyond Hikes - Creative
Approaches to Engaging the Public, Reconnecting Philadelphia to the Delaware River and more.
The Friday evening keynote speaker will be Michael Gagne, an environmental leader and
educator dedicated to building “democratic capacity” for positive change. Also on Friday,
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn will address the Conference.
Click Here to register or for more information.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA Land
Trust Association website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from PLTA, Like them on
Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, and Join them on Google+. Click Here to support their
work.
Related Stories:
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[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium April 14 Lancaster
The 26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium

will be held on April 14 at the Lancaster Farm and Home
Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster from 7:30 am. To
2:45 p.m.
The Symposium will feature sessions presented by
locally and nationally renowned garden experts that will
inspire participants to improve their home gardens.
The program is presented by the Penn State
Extension Master Gardeners of Lancaster County.
Click Here for more information on the Symposium. Click Here for more information
on the Penn State Master Gardener Program and how you can become involved in your county.
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Helpful Links:
2018 Master Gardener State Conference
New Master Gardener Manual Now Available
Related Stories:
York County Master Gardeners Host GardenWise Workshop March 10
Dauphin County Master Gardeners Host 5 Spring Workshops
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Jan. 24 DCNR Resource Newsletter Now Available
The January 24 Resource newsletter is now available from the

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring
articles on--
-- Loyalsock Creek Named 2018 PA River Of The Year
-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Local Parks,
Recreation, Conservation Project Grants
-- POWR Now Accepting Applications For 2018 Pennsylvania
Sojourn Grants
-- Riparian Forest Buffer Summit Feb. 28 - March 1
-- Cure Your Cabin Fever This Winter By Ice Fishing (photo)
-- DCNR, Local Officials Celebrate Investments To Expand Delaware River Access In Southeast
-- Will A Harsh Winter Kill Ticks?
-- Gov. Wolf Signs Executive Order To Expand Invasive Species Council
-- DCNR Shares 2017 State Parks’ Cavity-Nesting Trails Program Numbers
-- Western PA Environmental Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
-- Collaborative Effort Provides Inmates With Arboriculture Program Training
-- Good Natured Pennsylvania: Joseph George
-- Get To Know DCNR’s Newest State Park Managers
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy
DCNR’s website, the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for
upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube and Flickr.
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Fish & Boat Commission To Hold 6 Sportsmen’s Forums On Conserving Aquatic

Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities
The Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday announced it has scheduled a

series of Sportsmen’s Forums across the state to solicit opinions from
anglers and boaters on how the agency can best conserve aquatic
resources while creating more opportunities for fishing and boating
recreation.
The Forums will feature an overview of the agency’s existing
programs and a discussion of its current financial state of affairs. A
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question and answer period will follow.
“Declining fishing license sales and boat registration fees coupled with increasing costs
make it necessary to take a fresh look at redesigning the agency’s strategic plan,” said Executive
Director John Arway. “The information learned will be used to help form a new agency strategic
plan to meet the expectations of anglers and boaters.”
The forums are titled “A Sportsmen’s Forum – How Resource First and Anglers and
Boaters Can Help Shape the Future of Fishing and Boating in Pennsylvania” and will be held at
the following locations--
-- February 3: Great American Outdoor Show, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Seminar
Room 1, 10:00;
-- February 17: Allegheny Outdoor, Sport & Travel Show, Monroeville Convention Center,
Monroeville, Stage 2, 10:00;
-- February 24: Fly-Fishing & Wing Shooting Expo, Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony, Striped
Bass Room, 4:00;
-- March 3: Erie Sport & Travel Expo, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, Room 140 ABC,
10:00;
-- March 10: Greater Philadelphia Boat Show, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, 10:00;
and
-- March 17: Lycoming College, Williamsport, Heim Building, Room G-11, 10:00.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Fish
and Boat Commission website.
NewsClip:
Schneck: Fish & Boat Commission Sportsmen’s Forums With John Arway - Video
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Penn State: Deer, Other Mammals Smaller, Move Less In Human-Modified Landscapes
By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News
In the big woods of Pennsylvania's Northern Tier,

the home range of the average white-tailed deer is
more than twice as large as that of a deer in urban
or agricultural areas of the state.
Penn State researcher Duane Diefenbach
documented that phenomenon early on in his
work, but it did not occur to him it might be
representative of many different mammal species
around the globe.
The adjunct professor of wildlife ecology
in the College of Agricultural Sciences, who
focuses on management implications of his findings, never had an opportunity to ponder the
bigger picture until German researchers invited him to contribute data to a worldwide study of
mammal movement.
Diefenbach has monitored the movement of dozens of deer fitted with global positioning
system collars over the past five years as part of Penn State's Deer-Forest Study.
74
"In Pennsylvania, we can go from contiguous forests to highly fragmented landscapes
that are dominated by agriculture with small wood lots, and I noticed that when we had highly
fragmented landscapes, home ranges of deer were much smaller — and the deer we studied in
contiguous forest and undisturbed areas had larger home ranges," said Diefenbach, director of
the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University.
"I attributed it to a couple of things. The fragmentation leads to many different types of
plants available to deer so they do not have to travel as far in search of food. Also, people tend to
live in areas with better-quality soil, because crops grow better, which also provides more food
for deer."
Diefenbach's research has shown that in the big woods of Pennsylvania, the home range
of male and female deer outside the breeding season is about a square mile. But in the
agricultural areas, a deer's home range is more likely to be half of a square-mile or even a third of
a square-mile.
In the rut, males generally have twice the home range size of females, he noted, but
outside the breeding season they have essentially the same home range size.
It turns out that Diefenbach's observations in Pennsylvania are identical to what wildlife
researchers around the world have seen with other species. On average, mammals move
distances two to three times shorter in human-modified landscapes than they do in the wild.
These findings, produced by an international team of researchers, appeared January 26 in
the journal Science.
This is the first time this topic has been examined at a global scale and for many different
species at once. The authors suggest that these results may have far-reaching consequences for
ecosystems and in turn, for society. Diefenbach is a co-author of the research.
Most mammals are on the move every day while searching for food, to find a mate or to
seek shelter. Some larger mammals, such as zebra, generally move longer distances, while
smaller mammals, such as hares, usually cover shorter distances.
Lead researcher Marlee Tucker, a biologist with Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate
Research Centre and Goethe University Frankfurt, has shown that the extent of these movements
is significantly reduced in human-modified areas. In these areas, mammals move distances that
are only half to one third of what they cover in more natural areas.
Tucker and 114 coauthors from various institutions collated movement data from 803
individuals across 57 mammal species from around the globe. To do this they used the data
portal, Movebank, which archives movement data from researchers worldwide.
"Our study looks at everything from hares to wild boars to elephants," Tucker said. "The
scientists in our team equipped individual animals with a GPS tracking device that recorded each
animal's location every hour for a period of at least two months."
The researchers then compared these data to the Human Footprint Index of the areas
where the animals were moving. The index measures how much an area has been changed by
human activities such as infrastructure, settlements or agriculture.
In Pennsylvania, Diefenbach has seen the effect that human-built structures such as roads
and pipelines have on both deer home ranges and movement.
Deer tend to avoid areas where there are few roads, he explained, but in areas with a high
density of roads, that behavior flips and they are actually more likely to be associated with roads
and spend time along them.
"I can't explain why they have shown that pattern," he said. "When yearling deer disperse
75
from where they were born, we know they are less likely to cross a busy highway and they are
more likely to disperse away from a busy highway. We know that when they set up home ranges,
things like roads, pipelines, streams and physical changes in the landscape will help define the
boundaries of where they spend their time, their home range. So when humans build roads and
pipelines, animals will naturally use those landscape features as boundaries of their home range,"
which may be another reason why deer home ranges are smaller in fragmented landscapes.
The global research was supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Minerva
Center for Movement Ecology. Diefenbach's forest-deer study is funded by the Pennsylvania
Game Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry
and the U.S. Geological Survey.
For more information on deer and forest impacts, visit Penn State's Deer-Forest Study
webpage.
NewsClips:
Schneck: What is A Pennsylvania Wild Game Dinner?
Frye: Shed (Antler) Hunting Booms In Popularity
Golden Eagles Chow Down For Camera At Forbes State Forest
Conservation Work Earns Pittsburgh National Bird Treaty Status
Frye: Anglers, Boaters May Face New Fees To Fund Their Sports
Volunteers Help Keep PA’s Lakes, Streams Stocked
Schneck: When Will Snow Geese Return To Middle Creek?
Block: Coyote Is Greatest Challenge of All PA Animals
Eastern Cougars Are Now Officially Extinct
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
Opportunity To Bid On Gas Well Plugging, Clinton County; Mine Reclamation, Jefferson
County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the January 27 PA Bulletin of

an opportunity to bid on a orphan gas well plugging project in Clinton County and an abandoned
mine reclamation project in Jefferson County.
The Department of Environmental Protection has available a current list of
Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage, Surface Mine Reclamation, Cleaning Out
and Plugging Oil and Gas Wells, Waterways Engineering (Concrete Dams/Concrete Lined
Channels, Walls and Box Culverts, etc.), Hazardous Site Remediation, Removal and Disposal of
Underground Storage Tanks, and Wetland Restoration projects available for bidding. Click Here
for the list.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a current list of bid
proposals for construction projects in State Parks and State Forests available online. Click Here
for the list.
[Posted: Jan. 26, 2018]
In Memoriam: Eugene C. Capaldi, Who Fought Against Illegal Dumping
Eugene C. Capaldi, 80, of Newtown Square, Delaware County, passed away Saturday. He was
dedicated to environmental conservation and active in the fight against illegal dumping.
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Capaldi was a long-time volunteer with the PA Resources Council and ran its Lens on
Litter Contest for 17 years and participated in many other events and programs by PRC.
He loved the responses and pictures that were sent to him each year for the contest,
especially those sent by young children.
He was employed with ARCO Chemical Company in Newtown Square as an
Environmental Health and Safety Manager.
He will be missed by everyone at PRC who had the privilege of working closely with him
over the years.
Click Here for the full obituary.
[Posted: Jan. 24, 2018]
Applications are now being accepted for a number of

different summer internships at Grey Towers National
Historic Site, Milford, Pike.
College students interested in parks and
recreation, history, gardening and landscape architecture
and forestry are encouraged to apply. Stipends range
from $85 per week subsistence allowance to $2,500 for
the 12-week season. Housing on the historic estate and
uniforms may be provided. Positions include--
-- Visitor Services/Tours/Public Programs: Multiple 12-week internships are available for
students to deliver interpretive mansion tours and education programs and hone their
communication skills. Deadline to apply is March 1. Send letter of interest to:
greytowers@fs.fed.us for 1-2 openings offered with support from the Grey Towers Heritage
Association. Or apply at www.thesca.org and search for Position #PO-00723863 for 1 opening
sponsored by the Student Conservation Association. Click Here to learn more or send email to:
greytowers@fs.fed.us or call 570-296-9672.
-- Gardening/Horticulture: Two opportunities are available for May through August; each
provides a valuable, practical experience for student who wants a hands-on experience.
Deadline to apply is March 31. For the Elizabeth S. Mortimer internship, send resume and letter
with field of study and expected graduation date to: Elizabeth Hawke, Horticulturist, Grey
Towers National Historic Site, PO Box 188, Milford, PA 18337, or fax to 570-296-9675 or email
to: ehawke@fs.fed.us.
A second horticulture position is available through the Student Conservation Association.
To apply go to www.thesca.org and search Position #PO-00725250. Click Here to learn more or
send email to: ehawke@fs.fed.us or call 570-296-9645.
Additional horticulture, visitor services and museum internships will be offered in the fall
(August through December) for recent college graduates and current students who may be
seeking practical experience. For more information call 570-296-9630 or send email to:
greytowers@fs.fed.us.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Grey
Towers Heritage Association. Click Here to sign up for updates from the Association, Like them
on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, become part of their
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Google+ Circle and follow them on Instagram.
Also visit the Grey Towers Historic Site website and the Pinchot Institute for
Conservation website for information on its conservation research and policy programs. Click
Here to sign up for the Institute’s regular updates.
Related Stories:
Contest
Program
[Posted: Jan. 25, 2018]
Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Senior Planner For Municipal Assistance

Program
The Brandywine Conservancy, a program of the

Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art based in
Chadds Ford, Delaware County, is seeking an
experienced, energetic, creative, senior planner to lead its
innovative water resources protection efforts in
southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware.
The position-- Senior Planner For Municipal Assistance
Program-- requires an individual with expertise in
comprehensive and sustainable watershed management, focusing on stormwater, wastewater, and
source water protection, and a working knowledge of both Delaware and Chesapeake Bay
watershed efforts.
The successful candidate must be a collaborative problem solver, an excellent
communicator, and a good fit with the Conservancy’s staff and organizational culture.
The Senior Planner promotes the Conservancy’s water resource protection initiatives to a
diverse audience of municipal officials, state, and federal agency representatives, engineering
and design professionals, farmers, private landowners, watershed associations, and the general
public.
Click Here for all the details and how to apply.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Brandywine
Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy (middle
of the webpage.) Visit the Conservancy’s Blog, Like the Conservancy on Facebook and Follow
them on Instagram.
[Posted: Jan. 23, 2018]
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events
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This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published the 2018 meeting schedules for its advisory committees and boards. Click
Here for DEP Aggregate Advisory Board 2018 meeting schedule.
January 29-- NEW. Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 234
(Blake-D-Lackawanna) would authorize local governments to create energy improvement
districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation projects by
commercial and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs, Click Here for more. Rules
Room. Off the Floor.
January 29-- DEP/Health/ATSDR public meeting on Keystone Landfill Health Assessment

Document. Mid Valley High School, 52 Underwood Road, Throop, Lackawanna County. 7:00.
January 30-- NEW. Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider
Senate Resolution 226 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance
Committee to conduct an independent performance evaluation of DEP’s Chapter 102 Erosion
and Sedimentation) and Chapter 105 (Water Obstruction and Encroachment) permitting
programs (sponsor summary) Click Here for more; Senate Resolution 104 (Bartolotta-R-
Washington) resolution urging the Governor to end the moratorium on new nonsurface
disturbance natural gas drilling on state forest land (sponsor summary); House Bill 1341
(Pyle-R-Armstrong) further providing for training and certification of emergency medical
personnel responding to bituminous deep mine accidents (House Fiscal Note and summary);
House Bill 1486 (Zimmerman-R-Lancaster) exempting agricultural high-tunnel structures from
the Stormwater Management Act (House Fiscal Note and summary). Room 8E-B East Wing of
the Capitol. 9:30.
January 30-- NEW. Senate Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 913
(Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by incorporated towns,
House Bill 914 (Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by
boroughs, House Bill 915 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees
by first class townships and House Bill 916 (Everett-R- Lycoming) providing for the adoption of
stormwater fees by Cities of the Third Class-- Click Here for more. Rules Room. Off the Floor.
January 30-- DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, 717-772-5713 or send email to: lahenry@pa.gov.
(formal notice)
-- Continue discussion of Act 101 changes and updates
January 30-- DEP Hearing on Water Quality Toxics Management Strategy Policy Changes.
DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street in Norristown, Montgomery County. 1:00.
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January 30-- Environmental Quality Board Hearing on Triennial Water Quality Standard
Regulation Changes. DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street in Norristown,
Montgomery County. 1:00.
January 30-- NEW. Penn State Water Insights Seminar. What Is Water Law And Why Should
Scientists Care? Room 102 Forest Resources Building at Penn State University, State College.
Click Here to attend the Seminar by webinar (sign in with your name and email). Noon to 1:00.
January 30-- Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council. Biochar Production &
Marketing Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
January 31-- DEP Hearing On Air Quality Permit At Sunoco Marcus Hook Facility Delaware
County. Marcus Hook Community Center, 7 W. Delaware Ave, Marcus Hook. 6:00 to 8:00.
January 31-- DEP Hearing On Emission Credits For Jessup Natural Gas Power Plant In
Lackawanna County. Valley View High School, 1 Columbus Dr., Archbald. 6:00 to 9:00.
January 31-- Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. Webinar On Proposed Revisions
To Pollution Control Standards. 6:00.
January 31-- Pocono Heritage Land Trust. Full Moon Night Hike, Jonas Mountain Nature
Preserve, 506 Watercrest Dr. Monroe County. 6:00 p.m.
February 1-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a hearing on proposed water
withdrawals and other requests. Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol. 2:30. (formal notice) Click
Here for more.
February 3-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic
Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Great American Outdoor Show, Farm Show
Complex, Harrisburg, Seminar Room 1. 10:00.
February 3-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Eagle Photo Workshop Bus Tour. Milford,
Pike County.
February 5-- Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee
holds hearing on Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Credit Trading Program. Room 8-EA East Wing
Capitol. 9:00. Click Here for more.
February 6-- Governor’s Budget Address.
February 6-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, 717-772-3429 or send email to:
mbrojakows@pa.gov.
February 6-- PA Resources Council Reuse Central Launch Celebration. Ann Jones Gerace
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Center, 64 South 14th Street, Pittsburgh. 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
February 6-- Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council. Small Scale Chestnut
Production Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
February 6-- PA Environmental Council. 2018 Philadelphia Area Environment Ride. Yards
Brewing, 500 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia. 5:30 to 7:30.
February 7-- Joint Legislative Budget & Finance Committee to release an update of cost
estimates for an alternative approach to meeting PA’s Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction targets.
Room 8E-B, East Wing. 10:00.
February 7-- NEW. NRCS-PA State Technical Committee meeting. USDA State Office
Conference Room at 359 East Park Drive, Harrisburg. 1:00. Call in option: 1-888-844-9904
with access code 6941559.
February 7-10-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture Annual Conference. State
College.
February 8-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, 717-772-3436, kdalal@pa.gov.
-- Proposal to reduce sulfur limits in heating oil from 500 ppm to 15 ppm
February 8-- DEP State Board for Certification of Water & Wastewater Systems Operators
meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Edgar
Chescattie, 717-772-2814, echescattie@pa.gov.
February 8-- DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel
Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel Snowden, 717-783-8846 or send email to:
dsnowden@pa.gov. (formal notice)
February 8-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Jeraco Enterprises,
Inc. Milton Plant, Northumberland County. DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third
Street, Suite 101, Williamsport. 10:00.
February 8-- Manada Conservancy. Nature Therapy: The Health Benefits Of Spending Time In
Nature. South Hanover Township Building, 161 Patriot Way in Hershey, Dauphin County. 7:00
February 9-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Graymont
Company, Centre County. DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street, Suite 101,
Williamsport. 10:00.
February 11--Pocono Heritage Land Trust. Winter Snowshoe Adventure, Brodhead Creek
Heritage Center at ForEvergreen Nature Preserve, 1539 Cherry Lane Rd., East Stroudsburg,
Monroe County. Noon.
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February 13-- DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. 14th Floor Conference
Room, Rachel Carson Building. 8:30. DEP Contact: John Brakeall, 717-783-9731,
jbrakeall@pa.gov.
February 13-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory
Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas
Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry,
717-783-4560. (formal notice)
February 13-- Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council. Agroforestry Practices
In The Federal Farm Bill Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
February 14-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Todd Wallace, 717-783-9438, twallace@pa.gov.
February 14-- DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting.
Conference Room 11B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kristen Szwajkowski,
717-772-2186, kszwajkows@pa.gov.
February 15-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 1:00 to 4:00. Click Here to register to attend the meeting by
webinar.
February 15-- MS4: Elements Of A Stormwater Management Program Workshop. Toftrees

Golf Resort & Conference Center, One Country Club Lane, State College, Centre County. 8:00
to 4:30.
February 15-- NEW. PennTAP. Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability Workshop On Energy

Efficiency. Penn State Great Valley Conference Center, Malvern, Chester County. 7:30 to 3:00.
Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Allegheny Outdoor, Sport & Travel Show,
Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, Stage 2. 10:00.
February 20-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Independent Fiscal
Office. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on
the Committee webpage.
February 20-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Independent Fiscal
Office; 1:00- Department of Revenue. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click Here to watch the
hearing online.
February 20-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.
DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
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17101, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
February 20-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. Contact: Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, 717-787-8171, leemurray@pa.gov.
February 20-- NEW. PennTAP. Road To Alternative Energy Webinar For Businesses Webinar.
Noon to 1:00.
February 22-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- State Police/Homeland
Security; 3:00- PA Emergency Management Agency/ Fire Commissioner. Hearing Room 1,
North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.
February 22-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of

Transportation; 1:00- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Room 140 Main
Capitol. Click Here to watch the hearing online.
February 22-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office,
909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Jay Braund, 717-772-5636,
jbraund@pa.gov.
February 22-- Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing on Proposed Fracking Ban. Lisa
Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Services Center, Lehigh Carbon Community College,
4525 Education Park Dr., in Schnecksville, Lehigh County. 3:00 to 7:00. Click Here to register
to speak.
February 23-- DEP Hearing [If Requested] On NRG Shawville Generating Station RACT II Air
Quality Plan, Clearfield County. DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third Street in
Williamsport. 10:00.
February 23-24-- Registration Open. Keystone Coldwater Conference. State College. (Join PA
Environment Digest as a Conference sponsor.)
Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Fly-Fishing & Wing Shooting Expo, Split
Rock Resort, Lake Harmony, Carbon County Striped Bass Room. 4:00.
February 24-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Landscape For Life Workshop. Dauphin
County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to
11:00.
February 26-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of

Transportation. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically
webcast on the Committee webpage.
February 26-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of
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Environmental Protection; 3:00- Department of Agriculture. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click
Here to watch the hearing online.
February 28-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Department of

Agriculture; 3:00- Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Hearing Room 1, North
Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.
February 28-- DEP Hearing [if requested] On RACT II Air Quality Plan for Montour Power
Plant, Montour County. DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office 208 Third Street, Williamsport.
10:00.
February 28-March 1-- NEW. Western PA Conservancy, DCNR. 2018 Riparian Forest Buffer
Summit. Ramada Conference Center, State College.
March 1-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of

Environmental Protection. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building. Click Here: Hearings are
typically webcast on the Committee webpage.
March 2-- NEW. DEP Hearing [If Requested] On Proposed RACT II Air Quality Plan for
Texas-Eastern Compressor station in Shermans Dale, Perry County. DEP Southcentral Regional
Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. 10:00
March 2-- Harrisburg University Center for Environment, Energy and Economy. Hosts The
Fracking Debate Author Daniel Raimi In Discussion Program. Harrisburg University, 326
Market St, Harrisburg. 11:30 to 1:00.
March 3-- NEW. Fish & Boat Commission. Sportsmen’s Forum On Conserving Aquatic
Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Erie Sport & Travel Expo, Bayfront
Convention Center, Erie, Room 140 ABC. 10:00
March 3-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Stormwater Management & Native Plants.
Dauphin County Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin.
9:00 to 11:00.
March 3-- PA Wilds Buyer’s Market. Clarion University, Clarion.
March 6-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5556, daheimbach@pa.gov.
March 6-- DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park
Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloske, 724-404-3143, mscheloske@pa.gov
March 6-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council
meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas Street
in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry, 717-783-4560.
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(formal notice)
March 6-- Delaware River Basin Commission Moderated Hearing on Proposed Fracking Ban
By Telephone. 1:30 to 3:30. Members of the public are encouraged to listen by calling
1-866-831-8713 and asking the operator to connect them to the DRBC call. Click Here to
register to speak.
March 8-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Governor’s Budget
Secretary; 3:00- Governor’s Budget Secretary Continued. Hearing Room 1, North Office
Building. Click Here: Hearings are typically webcast on the Committee webpage.
March 8-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Governor’s Budget
Secretary. Room 140 Main Capitol. Click Here to watch the hearing online.
March 8-- DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, 717-772-5713, lahenry@pa.gov.
March 8-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a business meeting on proposed water
withdrawals and other issues. Location To Be Determined. 9:00. (formal notice)
March 8-- PA Resources Council. Allegheny CleanWays. 2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
Chatham University’s Eddy Theatre, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh. 6:00 p.m.
Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Greater Philadelphia Boat Show, Greater
Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks. 10:00.
March 10-- York County Penn State Master Gardeners GardenWise Workshop. Central York
Middle School, 1950 N. Hills Road, York. 7:30 to 4:00.
March 10-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Container Gardens. Dauphin County
Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.
March 10-- 2018 Schuylkill River Watershed Congress. Montgomery County Community
College West Campus, Pottstown.
March 12-13-- Registration Open. PA Association of Environmental Educators. 2018 Annual
Conference. State College, Centre County.
March 15-- Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. 18th Annual Land Ethics Symposium.
Delaware Valley University, Doylestown, Bucks County.
Resources, Creating Fishing, Boating Opportunities. Lycoming College, Williamsport, Heim
Building, Room G-11., 10:00.
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March 17-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Turf Management. Dauphin County Agriculture
& Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.
March 20-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.
DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
17101, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
March 20-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. Contact: Executive Director Lee Ann Murray, 717-787-8171, leemurray@pa.gov.
March 20-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory
Council meeting. Room E-100, First Floor, Department of Labor of Industry Building, 651 Boas
Street in Harrisburg. 10:00. Contact: Cindy Holtry, Department of Labor and Industry,
717-783-4560. (formal notice)
March 22-- DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Joseph Melnic, 717-783-9730, jmelnic@pa.gov.
March 24-- Dauphin County Master Gardeners. Attracting Bluebirds. Dauphin County
Agriculture & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin. 9:00 to 11:00.
March 27-- DCNR, Penn State Extension Forest Health & Disease Briefing. Penn Stater Hotel
and Conference Center in State College, Centre County. 8:30 to 3:30.
March 29-- DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner, 717-772-2189, dhissner@pa.gov.
April 3-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council
(formal notice)
April 3-6-- Carnegie Mellon University Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. 2018
Energy Week Program. Carnegie Mellon University.
April 4-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Mike Maddigan, 717-772-3609, mmaddigan@pa.gov.
April 5-- PA Camber of Business & Industry Environmental Conference & Trade Show. Eden
Resort Inn & Suites, Lancaster. 8:00 a.m. to 3:15.
April 10-- DEP Mine Families First Response & Communications Advisory Council meeting.
DEP New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy
Scheloske, 724-404-3143, mscheloske@pa.gov.
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April 10-- Center for Watershed Protection. 2018 National Watershed & Stormwater
Conference. Maryland and Virginia In-person and online.
April 12-- DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. DEP Bureau of
Laboratories building, 2575 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Aaren Alger,
717-346-7200, aaalger@pa.gov.
April 14-- NEW. Master Gardeners Of Lancaster County. 26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner
Garden Symposium. Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. 7:30 -
2:45.
April 17-- Dept. of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council
(formal notice)
April 17-19-- National Forum On Low-Zero Energy Buildings. Wyndam Grand Hotel,
Pittsburgh.
April 20-- Berks County Conservation District. Tree Seedling Sale & Education Programs
Event. Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport. 11:00 to 7:00.
April 24-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909
Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 10:30. DEP Contact: Janice Vollero, 717-772-5157,
jvollero@pa.gov.
April 28-- Manada Conservancy Native Plant Sale. Hummelstown Borough Park, Dauphin
County. 10:00 to 3:00
May 2-4-- PA Association Of Environmental Professional. Annual Conference. State College.
May 8-- 2018 PA Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn in State College, Centre County.
May 22-23-- Choose Clean Water Coalition. 9th Annual Clean Water Conference. Lancaster
Marriott.
June 20-21-- 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference. Ramada

Conference Center, State College.
July 25-27-- Registration Open. Professional Recyclers of PA. 28th Annual Recycling &
Organics Conference. Best Western Premier Hotel, Harrisburg.
August 20-23-- U.S. Biochar Initiatives Conference. Chase Center on the Riverfront,
Wilmington, Delaware.
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September 22-- Joint meeting of DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee and Solid Waste
Advisory Committee. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry,
717-772-5713, lahenry@pa.gov.
September 28-- DEP Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee meeting Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, 717-787-2147, rjanati@pa.gov.
October 17-21-- Passive House Western PA. North American Passive House Network 2018
Conference. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process

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

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

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
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Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other
recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.
February 1-- U.S. Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program

February 1-- Delaware River Basin Commission Winter Photo Contest
February 1-- ExtremeTerrain’s Clean Trail Grant Program
February 2-- Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners Excellence Awards
February 5-- PA Lake Management Society Award Nominations
February 5-- PA Environmental Professionals College Science Scholarships
February 8-- Dominion Energy, PEC Western PA Environmental Awards
February 12-- PA Land Trust Assn. Government Leadership Award
February 13-- NEW. Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Grants
February 15-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagles & Their Environs Photo Contest
February 15-- DEP Mine Map Inventory, Scanning Grants
February 23-- NEW. PEC Laurel Highlands Conservation Landscape Mini-Grants
February 26-- NEW. POWR Pennsylvania Sojourn Grants
February 26-- NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants
February 27-- West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund Clean Energy Projects RFP
February 28-- NEW. Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest
February 28-- Schuylkill Action Network Student Street Art Contest
March 1-- National Recreation & Park Assn/Disney Meet Me At The Park Grants
March 1-- PA Historical & Museum Commission Keystone Historic Preservation Grants
March 2-- NRCS-PA Farm Conservation Stewardship Program Assistance
March 7-- PA Lake Management Society Photo Contest
March 9-- NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education Grants
March 15-- Northeast PA Audubon Society Hog Island Family Camp, Maine Scholarship
March 15-- EPA Environmental Education Grants
March 16-- TreeVitalize Pittsburgh Free Trees For Fall Planting
March 22-- CFA Solar Energy Program Grants/Loans
March 23-- NEW. PA American Water Stream Of Learning College Scholarships
March 30-- NEW. PA Environmental Professionals Karl Mason, Walter Lyon Awards
March 30-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy College Scholarships
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March 31-- DEP Municipal, Hazardous Waste Municipal Inspector Grants
April 1-- DEP Farm Conservation Plan Grant Chesapeake Bay Watershed
April 6-- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
April 7-- DEP Local Recycling Implementation Grants
April 11-- NEW. DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants
April 13-- NEW. PA American Water Protect Our Watersheds Student Art Contest
April 30-- Northeast PA Audubon Society College Scholarship
May 18-- CFA Solar Energy Program Grants/Loans
May 23-- SBA Flood Assistance Clearfield, Washington, 8 Other Counties
June 30-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (first come, first serve)
July 20-- CFA Solar Energy Program Grants/Loans
December 31-- DEP County Act 101 Waste Planning, HHW, Education Grants
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.
Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add PaEnviroDigest Google+ to your Circle.
Politics
Air
Awards & Recognition
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
Budget
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Chesapeake Bay
Climate
Legislators Call On State To Recommit To Paris Climate Agreement Goals
Cusick: Wolf Doesn’t Recall Campaign Pledge To Join Regional Climate Initiative
Coal Mining
Deep Mine On Westmoreland/Fayette Border On Hold Pending Permit Appeal
Consol, Environmental Groups Settle Kent Run, Ryerson Station State Park Mining Appeal
Rustic Ridge Deep Mine, Environmental Group Reach Settlement In Westmoreland
Settlement Reached On Conditions Of New Coal Mine In Laurel Highlands
New Report Assesses Impact Of Coal Mining’s Decline On Appalachia
Compliance Action
I-81 Bridge Contractor Pleads Guilty To Pollution Susquehanna, Embezzlement
Energy Supplier Seeks To Overturn $1.8M PUC Rate-Spiking Fine
Delaware River
Kummer: Fracking Ban For Delaware Watershed Hearing Draws Crowd In Philly
Phillips: DRBC Hears Yea’s And Nay’s On Proposed Fracking Ban
Hearings On Proposed Delaware River Fracking Ban Begin This Week
Drinking Water
Education
Spring
91
Energy
Opponents To Power Line In Franklin County Organize Fight At PUC
Energy Supplier Seeks To Overturn $1.8M PUC Rate-Spiking Fine
FirstEnergy Receives Funding To Help It Convert Into Fully Regulated Utility
Op-Ed: Closing Three Mile Island Would Hurt Education, Communities
Beaver Valley Nuclear, Coal Power Plants Could Close Prematurely
Natural Gas Fueled Power Plants On Rise
New Jersey Nuclear Subsidy Bill Looks To Be Back On Fast Track
National Energy Tech Lab In Pittsburgh In Step With Trump Leaders Say
Natural Gas Will Fuel More Electricity Generation Over Next 2 Years
Energy Conservation
Environmental Heritage
Farming
Flooding
AP: Residents Urged To Remain Alert Due To Ice Jam Flooding
20 Miles Of Ice Jams Remain On Allegheny River
Officials Expect More Flooding In Meadville
Ice-Choked Susquehanna Prompts Mandatory Evacuation In West Pittston
Rivers Rising In Northeast As Ice Jams Travel Downstream
Ice Jam Sends Creek Rushing Backwards Near Scranton - Video
Ice Jam Leads To Flooding Along Mill Creek In Luzerne County
Ice Jam Floods Nicholson Neighborhood In Wyoming County
Northeast No Stranger To Ice Jams
Lake Erie Ice Melting As Temperature Rises
Flood Watch Extended To Tuesday In Lancaster, York
Western PA River Watch Still On, Experts Cautiously Hopeful There Won’t Be Major Flooding
Barge Removal Under Way At Emsworth Lock, Dam On Ohio River
Allegheny River Ice Melting Slowly, Alleviating Flooding Concerns
Flood Watch In York County Extended Through Monday
Officials Monitor Meadville Flood Stage, Ice Jam Amid Warmup
Forests
Geologic Hazards
Sinkhole Forces Demolition Of Home In North Catasauqua
92
Sinkhole In Whitehall Forces Road Detours
Lake Erie
Lake Erie Ice Melting As Temperature Rises
AP: Scientist Found Life Voyage On Brig Niagara, Lake Erie
Land Recycling
Brownfields Success: Luxury Living With An Industrial Legacy In Pittsburgh
Lehigh River
Oil & Gas
Kummer: Fracking Ban For Delaware Watershed Hearing Draws Crowd In Philly
Phillips: DRBC Hears Yea’s And Nay’s On Proposed Fracking Ban
Hearings On Proposed Delaware River Fracking Ban Begin This Week
PA Supreme Court Will Review Local Ordinance Blocking Gas Well Permit
Allegheny County Twp’s Challenge To Drilling Permit Still Alive In Court
Legere: AG Shapiro Vows Not Be Be Forced To Settle Chesapeake Energy Gas Royalty Case
Editorial: AG Shapiro Right To Support Landowners Gas Royalty Case
Range To Spend Nearly $1B On Drilling, Mostly In Southwest PA
EIA: Natural Gas Production In Pennsylvania, OH, WV Growing Faster Than Demand
Science: Engaging Over Data On Fracking And Water Quality
Scranton COLT Transit System Switching To Natural Gas Buses
Pine-Richland High School Will Close Thursday After Gas Leak Found
Philadelphia Refinery Files Chapter 11 Citing Federal Renewable Fuels Program
Philadelphia Energy Refinery Files For Bankruptcy
Maykuth: Philly’s PES Refinery Files For Bankruptcy Protection
Reuters: Small Refiners Hit EPA With Surge Of Biofuel Waiver Requests
Natural Gas Will Fuel More Electricity Generation Over Next 2 Years
Pipelines
Maykuth: PennEast Shale Gas Pipeline Gets Key U.S. Permit
PennEast Pipeline Gets Federal OK, But Some Locals Still Not Happy
Hurdle: FERC Approves PennEast Pipeline Saying It Would Supply Needed Natural Gas
Crable: Diesel Spill, Soil Runoff Events Report Along Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Route In
Lancaster
AP: Columbia Nuns Appeal Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project On Religious Grounds
Phillips/Hurdle: Texts Raise Questions On Governor’s Office Role In Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Permitting
PA Supreme Court Upholds Huntingdon County Mariner East 2 Pipeline Eminent Domain
Ruling
Residents Fear Threat Posed By Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Delaware County Looks Into Risk Assessment Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Feds Cite Sunoco For Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction Violations In Ohio
Shell Ethane Pipeline Could Travel Under A Dozen Local Waterways
Permitting
Radiation Protection
93
Op-Ed: Closing Three Miles Island Would Hurt Education, Communities
New Jersey Nuclear Subsidy Bill Looks To Be Back On Fast Track
Westinghouse Stakeholders Agree On Blueprint For Settling Claims
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
Renewable Energy
Westmoreland Authority Turning To Solar Power
Lawmaker Wants To Put Proposals Like Bethlehem’s Wind Farm To Voters
Susquehanna River
I-81 Bridge Contractor Pleads Guilty To Pollution Susquehanna, Embezzlement
Wastewater Facilities
Ebensburg Awards Contract For Large-Scale Sewer Project
Replacing 128-Year Old Sewer Pipe In Harrisburg
Harrisburg Sewer Line Collapse Prompts Emergency Street Closure
Watershed Protection
94
Wildlife
Golden Eagles Chow Down For Camera At Forbes State Forest
Frye: Anglers, Boaters May Face New Fees To Fund Their Sports
Volunteers Help Keep PA’s Lakes, Streams Stocked
Schneck: When Will Snow Geese Return To Middle Creek?
Schneck: What is A Pennsylvania Wild Game Dinner?
Frye: Shed (Antler) Hunting Booms In Popularity
Block: Coyote Is Greatest Challenge of All PA Animals
Eastern Cougars Are Now Officially Extinct
Other
Spring
AP: Scientist Found Life Voyage On Brig Niagara, Lake Erie
Engineer Who Lived Modestly Donates $37 Million To Pittsburgh Foundation
Hurricanes
Puerto Ricans Divided On Privatizing Local Utility, One Third Still Without Power
Federal Policy
Op-Ed: Replacing The Federal Environmental Guardrails, Larry Schweiger
Reuters: Small Refiners Hit EPA With Surge Of Biofuel Waiver Requests
Philadelphia Refinery Files Chapter 11 Citing Federal Renewable Fuels Program
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published an advance notice of proposed

rulemaking in the January 27 PA Bulletin requesting information on a water quality standard for
manganese required by law in an amendment to the Administrative Code adopted in October.
The deadline for submitting information is February 26. Click Here for more.
95
Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 27, 2018
Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
August 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4922
Technical Guidance & Permits
Note: DEP published 70 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and
approval/disapproval actions in the January 27 PA Bulletin - pages 614 to 684.
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 27 PA Bulletin

announcing the certification of emission reduction credits in Pennsylvania (page 671).
DEP published notices in the January 27 PA Bulletin of federal consistency under the Coastal
Zone Management Act for a public docking facility in Philadelphia and a Kayak Dock on the
Poquessing Creek in Philadelphia.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the January 27 PA Bulletin of
actions take during its December 2017 meeting.
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

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

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
96
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
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CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest. This Digest is 98 pages long.
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PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department

of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates, a
Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500
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PA Environment Digest Jan. 29, 2018

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Issue #709 ​Crisci Associates​, Harrisburg, PA Jan.

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

The ​PA Parks and Forests Foundation​ Monday

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is

Keep PA Beautiful Earns National Recognition At Keep America Beautiful Awards

Keep America Beautiful presented ​Keep

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday

By Karl Blankenship, ​Chesapeake Bay Journal

The Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort is facing major

Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental

Gov. Wolf’s Statement Introducing Plan To Reduce Backlogs, Improve Oversight,

Gov. Tom Wolf gave this opening statement Friday at

Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Resolutions On Permit Program Reviews, Ending

DEP Secretary McDonnell’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell ​submitted this written testimony​ for

DCNR Secretary Dunn’s Testimony On Special Funds Use At House Appropriations

PA Supreme Court Causes Scrum In Throwing Out Congressional District Maps

The PA Supreme Court Monday, by a vote of 4 to 3,

Bills On Governor's Desk

Molybdenum In Ag Lime:​ ​House Bill 2034​ (Marshall-R-Beaver) requiring agriculture lime to

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule/ Bills Introduced

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

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

Bills Pending In Key Committees

The following bills of interest were introduced last week--

News From The Capitol

Republican Senators Propose A Count, Cap And Cut Regulations Initiative

Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) Monday circulated a co-sponsor

Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana

Joint House-Senate Conservation Committee Celebrates 50th Anniversary

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Joint Legislative

Video Available Of Environmental Issues Forum On Pumped Storage Hydro

The ​Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control

Senate Committee Meets Jan. 30 On Local Stormwater Fee Authorization Bills

Learn More About Nonpartisan Redistricting Legislation At Jan. 30 Meeting In

PA Environmental Professionals Accepting Nominations For Karl Mason, Walter Lyon

The ​PA Association of Environmental Professionals​ is

Pittsburgh Water Authority Reaches $5 Million Settlement With Veolia Water

The Department of Environmental Protection ​published an advance notice of proposed

Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

The ​Montour Run Watershed Association​ will begin

DEP Releases New Guide To Maintaining Streams In Your Community Booklet

The Department of Environmental Protection recently released a

The ​Western Pennsylvania Conservancy​ and the

Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership Hosts Feb. 28 Nature Talks Program

The ​Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership​ will host a ​Nature Talks Program​ on

By the end of 2018, 1 in 5 Pennsylvania farms within the

Rescheduled: NRCS-PA State Technical Committee Meeting Feb. 7 In Harrisburg

Pittsburgh Students Win ORSANCO Ohio River Sweep Poster Contest

Hanna Jones from Mt. Lebanon High School in

PA American Water​ is now accepting entries to its ​2018

The ​Partnership for the Delaware Estuary​ and the

Volunteers Wanted: Audubon PA Learn, Restore, Explore Our Watershed Student

Audubon Pennsylvania​ is seeking volunteers to assist with

Penn State Extension is looking for individuals and

The Penn State Extension 2017 ​Dive Deeper - Youth Water

PA American Water Now Accepting Applications For Stream Of Learning College

PA American Water​ Thursday announced applications are being

Westmoreland Shale Gas Stream Monitoring Workshop Feb. 24

The January 23 ​Water Insights Seminar​ featuring a presentation by Matt

Ohio River Sanitation Commission Webinar On Proposed Revisions To Pollution Control

The ​Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission​ is

Delaware RiverKeeper Files PennEast Pipeline Rehearing Request With FERC

DEP’s​ ​Recycling Fund Advisory Committee​ is scheduled

Issue #709 Crisci Associates, Harrisburg, PA Jan.

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed PaEnviroDigest Google+

The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Monday

Keep America Beautiful presented Keep

By Karl Blankenship, Chesapeake Bay Journal

DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell submitted this written testimony for

Molybdenum In Ag Lime: House Bill 2034 (Marshall-R-Beaver) requiring agriculture lime to

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

The Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is

The Department of Environmental Protection published an advance notice of proposed

The Montour Run Watershed Association will begin

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the

The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership will host a Nature Talks Program on

PA American Water is now accepting entries to its 2018

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the

Audubon Pennsylvania is seeking volunteers to assist with

The Penn State Extension 2017 Dive Deeper - Youth Water

PA American Water Thursday announced applications are being

The January 23 Water Insights Seminar featuring a presentation by Matt

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission is

DEP’s Recycling Fund Advisory Committee is scheduled

The PA Technical Assistance Program will hold a Road To

The PA Anthracite Council will hold its spring meeting on

The January 24 News and Views newsletter is now available from

The PA Organization of Watersheds and Rivers is now

The PA Environmental Council is now accepting

The PA Land Trust Association will be accepting

The 26th Annual Shirley R. Wagner Garden Symposium

The January 24 Resource newsletter is now available from the

The Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday announced it has scheduled a

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

The Brandywine Conservancy, a program of the

January 29-- DEP/Health/ATSDR public meeting on Keystone Landfill Health Assessment

February 6-- Governor’s Budget Address.

February 15-- MS4: Elements Of A Stormwater Management Program Workshop. Toftrees

February 15-- NEW. PennTAP. Building Re-Tuning: A Sustainability Workshop On Energy

February 22-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of

February 26-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of

February 26-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of

February 28-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 1:00- Department of

March 1-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of

March 3-- PA Wilds Buyer’s Market. Clarion University, Clarion.

June 20-21-- 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference. Ramada

DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel

DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events

Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed PaEnviroDigest Google+

February 1-- U.S. Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed PaEnviroDigest Google+

The Department of Environmental Protection published an advance notice of proposed

DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel

Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.

DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed PaEnviroDigest Google+

PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department

PA Environment Digest weekly was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental

Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates--

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers