Pa Environment Digest June 18, 2018

Issue #729 Harrisburg, PA June 18, 2018
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PUC Lifts Shutdown Order On Mariner East 1 Pipeline; Mariner East 2, 2x Pipeline
Construction Remains Shut Down In Chester County
The Public Utility Commission Thursday, on a

motion by Chairman Gladys Brown, voted 3 to 2 to
lift the shutdown order on Sunoco’s Mariner East 1
Pipeline, but continued the shutdown of
construction of the Mariner East 2 and 2x Pipelines
in West Whiteland Township, Chester County.
The action was taken in response to a
petition submitted to the PUC by Sen. Andy
Dinniman (D-Chester) on April 27 asking for the
pipelines to be shutdown and construction stopped.
Brown’s motion said the record developed by PUC Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth
Barnes that lead to issuing an Order to Sunoco on May 24 did not contain any new information
to support the shutdown of Mariner East 1 Pipeline and since the PUC lifted its previous
shutdown order on May 7.
However, related to continued construction of the Mariner East 2 and 2x Pipelines,
Brown noted Barnes' May 24 Order remains in effect and information required to be submitted to
the PUC must be submitted, including those related to inspection and testing, comprehensive
emergency response planning, emergency training program for employees and conformation
Sunoco continues to have a permit from DEP related to construction.
The Commission will review the information and make a determination at an upcoming
public meeting on whether Sunoco may resume construction on ME2 and ME2X.
In a joint statement, Commissioners John F. Coleman Jr. and Norman J. Kennard
underscored their support for the decision to resume operations on ME1, but dissented on the
continued suspension of construction on ME2 and ME2X, stressing the PUC’s active and
ongoing pipeline safety work related to the Mariner project.
“To date, the Commission’s pipeline safety experts have not reported any safety issues
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that warrant halting construction of ME2 and ME2X. However, as our experience with ME1
shows, we have full confidence that our Pipeline Safety Division will take necessary steps to
protect the public if a safety issue arises with the project.”
Brown noted the issues raised by Sen. Dinniman remain under consideration by the PUC
and adjudication of that case will continue.
Click Here for a copy of the Order issued by the PUC consistent with Brown’s motion.
Reaction
Sen. Dinniman released this statement on the PUC action--“I don’t understand why the
PUC would affirm some of the public safety issues at stake involving the construction of Mariner
East 2 and 2X, but completely ignore others involving Mariner East 1.
“After all, that’s the one that potentially presents the most immediate danger to my
constituents.
“I’ll be thoroughly reviewing the final order with my staff and attorney as we explore any
and all options moving forward.
“The bottom line is our position has not changed. We continue to have very real and
significant concerns regarding the stability of Mariner East 1 – an 87-year-old pipeline carrying
highly volatile natural gas liquids within close proximity of schools, playgrounds, senior care
facilities, neighborhoods, a library, shopping mall, and rail line, to name just a few.”
The case falls under PUC Docket Numbers: C-2018-3001451 and P-2018-3001453.
Additional information on DEP enforcement actions can be found on DEP’s Mariner East
2 Pipeline webpage.
Pending Bills
On June 12, the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee approved and
reported out Senate Resolution 373 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) that would establish a legislative
Commission to Study Pipeline Construction and Operations. It is now on the Senate Calendar
for action.
The Committee had on the agenda, but did not consider Senate Bill 1027 (Rafferty-R-
Montgomery) that would set additional notification requirements for residents impacted by
pipeline construction (sponsor summary).
Three bills sponsored by Sen. Dinniman related to pipeline safety issues have been on the
Senate Calendar waiting for action since April 24.
On Wednesday, Senate Bill 835 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the registration of land
agents working for pipeline companies (sponsor summary) was Tabled due to lack of action
under Senate Rule 9.
Still on the Senate Calendar are-- Senate Bill 930 (Dinniman-D- Chester) sets
notification requirements related to pipeline emergencies (sponsor summary); and Senate Bill
931 (Dinniman-D- Chester) requires the installation of automatic or remote controlled safety
values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas.
NewsClips:
Phillips: PUC Keeps Lid On Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction, Allows ME 1 To Restart
AP-Scolforo: PUC Issues Split Ruling On Mariner East Pipelines In Chester County
PA Allows Sunoco Mariner East 1 Pipeline To Resume Service
PA Regulators Deliver Mixed News For Sunoco Mariner East Pipelines
Maykuth: PUC Allows Contentious Mariner East 1 Pipeline To Restart
Senate Panel Approves Rafferty Resolution To Improve Pipeline Construction, Operations
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Hurdle: Suit Accuses Mariner East 2 Pipeline Of Violating Federal Clean Water Act
Citing Risk Of Huge Explosions, Township Supports Mariner East Pipeline Shutdown
Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction Starts, Stops Again In Lebanon County
Hurdle: As PUC Decision Nears, Mariner East Pipeline Foes Rally to Call For Total Shutdown
Locals Fight for Loyalsock Creek As Company Ponders Pipeline
Work Set To Begin On Birdsboro Natural Gas Pipeline In Berks
Laurel Pipeline Fight Moves To Federal Agency
Related Stories:
PUC Judge Issues Order To Shut Down Mariner East 1, 2, 2x Pipelines, Sunoco To Appeal
Sen. Dinniman Calls On PUC To Post Mariner East Pipelines Case Public Comments Online
Sen. Dinniman Files Complaint Asking PUC To Halt Mariner East 2 Pipeline Construction
PUC Allows Restart Of Mariner East 1 Pipeline Operations Following Compliance With
Emergency Order
Senate Committee Meets June 18 On Pipeline Eminent Domain Landowner Bill Of Rights
Legislation
Senate Committee OKs Bills Requiring Compensation For DRBC Fracking Ban, To Form
Pipeline Commission
Gasoline Suppliers, Refiners Object To Bi-Directional Flow Proposal For Laurel Pipeline
DEP Issues Water Quality Certification For Transcontinental Northeast Supply Pipeline In
Lancaster, Chester Counties
Penn State: Bradford County Water Quality Improves, Impacts Rare Near Shale Gas Wells
[Posted: June 14, 2018]
Pipeline Commission, But NOT Conventional Drilling Bill
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday approved and reported out
legislation to require compensation if a permanent ban on fracking is adopted by the Delaware
River Basin Commission, to form a pipeline safety commission, but did NOT consider a bill to
weaken environmental standards for conventional oil and gas drilling.
The bills and resolutions included--
-- DRBC Fracking Ban Taking: Senate Bill 1189 (Baker-R-Luzerne) that would declare, as a
matter of law, an oil and gas fracking moratorium enacted by the Delaware River Basin
Commission would constitute an act of eminent domain and a taking of property for which
compensated would be required from DRBC. Click Here for more.
Sen. Lisa Baker, prime sponsor of the bill, said her constituents are being treated
differently and unfairly by prohibiting the development of their natural gas rights compared to
others in the state who are all allowed to lease their rights.
A 2011 University of Delaware study referenced by Sen. Baker at the meeting found the
mean value of potentially recoverable natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation in the
Delaware River Basin is projected to be $30.4 billion, but it could be as high as $52 billion (page
91)
Since 1988, Pennsylvania has been responsible for 25 percent of the Delaware River
Basin Commission’s budget. No funding is provided in the bill.
Wayne County Commission Joseph Adams suggested to the House State Government
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Committee Monday property owners should be compensated for the loss of the right to develop
their land. He said a water use fee could be imposed on water users in the Delaware Watershed
to pay oil and gas rights owners for their loss of property value. He estimated the fee would be
about $20 per month per person.
Sen. Andy Dinniman (R-Chester) commented the General Assembly itself has passed a
moratorium on development of South Newark Shale in the Southeast. He also suggested an
amendment to the bill to require compensation of homeowners who lose the value of their homes
because of natural gas-related development, in particular pipelines.
The bill was reported out of Committee by a largely party-line vote (Republicans
supporting).
-- Pipeline Commission: Senate Resolution 373 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) is a concurrent
Senate-House resolution to establish a Senate-House legislative Commission to Study Pipeline
Construction and Operations and to recommend improvements for the safe transport of oil,
natural gas and other hazardous liquids through pipelines. Click Here for more.
The Committee amended the bill to make changes to the Commission membership and
pushes back the deadline for its report to July 2019.
Sen. Don White (R-Indiana) said if there is only about one company [Sunoco Mariner
East Pipelines] that’s a problem, we should be able to deal with that company and put them out
of business. But this resolution would apply to all companies and is an overreaction, he said.
“We need to get this natural gas to market.”
The resolution was reported out of Committee with a bipartisan vote.
-- Eliminate Act 101 Leaf Collection Programs Mandate: House Bill 927 (Rader-R-Monroe)
amends Act 101 Municipal Waste Planning and Recycling Act to eliminate the mandate on
smaller municipalities to have a leaf waste collection program (House Fiscal Note and
summary). The bill was reported out of Committee with a bipartisan vote.
-- Mushroom Compost: Senate Bill 917 (Dinniman-R-Chester) amends Act 101 Municipal
Waste Planning and Recycling Act to include spent mushroom compost under the definition of
“compost materials to encourage its reuse (sponsor summary). The bill was reported out of
Committee with a bipartisan vote.
-- Ethane Storage Hub: Senate Resolution 375 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) urging Congress to
support the development of an ethane storage hub in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary). The
resolution was reported out of Committee with a bipartisan vote.
-- Lewis & Clark National Trail: Senate Resolution 326 (Vogel-R-Beaver) encourage
Congress to recognize the Eastern Legacy of the Lewis and Clark National Trail for its historic
national significance (sponsor summary). The resolution was reported out of Committee with a
bipartisan vote.
Not Considered
These items on the agenda were NOT considered--
-- Conventional Oil & Gas Wells: House Bill 2154 (Causer-R- Cameron), the Conventional Oil
and Gas Act, which weakens environmental protection standards for conventional oil and gas
drilling and turns back the clock 34 years to the original 1984 Oil and Gas Act. Click Here for
more. This does not preclude future Committee consideration.
-- Pipeline Notification: Senate Bill 1027 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) setting additional
notification requirements for residents impacted by pipeline construction (sponsor summary).
This does not preclude future Committee consideration.
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Click Here to watch a video of the meeting (when posted).
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-787-3280 or sending email to:
gyaw@pasen.gov. Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be
contacted by calling 717-787-7105 or sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.
NewsClips:
Hurdle: Delaware Basin Landowners Welcome Committee Approval Of Fracking Ban
Compensation Bill
Legislation Would Require DRBC To Compensate Landowners Affected By Fracking Ban
Letter: Sen. Baker’s Fracking Ban As Property Taking Bill Is A Bad Idea
Related Stories:
House Committee Hears Testimony On Delaware, Susquehanna River Basin Commissions
Legislation
House Environmental Committee Meets June 19 On Bill To Implement Governor’s Oil &
Gas Well Permitting Reforms
The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet on June 19 to
consider House Bill 2304 (Fritz-R-Susquehanna) which would enact the oil and gas well
permitting reforms proposed by Gov. Wolf in January.
The well permitting changes in the bill include those proposed in a DEP permitting
reform white paper authorizing permitting of multiple wells on one pad with one application,
allow adjustments to the well bore location by up to 50 feet without permit amendments and
eliminate the requirement a well be constructed in one year and replace it with a 3-year term.
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The Committee postponed a meeting on this bill last week to allow time to discuss
concerns the Department of Environmental Protection had with the bill.
The meeting will be held in the Library of the Ryan Office Building at 9:30.
Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the House Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by calling 717-783-1522 or sending email to:
jmaher@pahousegop.com. Rep. Mike Carroll serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by
calling 717-787-3589 or sending email to: mcarroll@pahouse.net.
DCNR Outlines 123 Action Steps In Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation Report On
Public Lands
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday released the
department’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Plan outlining 123 action steps to be undertaken to make the
Commonwealth more resilient to potential impacts from a
changing climate.
The 53-page plan including the vulnerabilities and
recommendations was developed with the Northern Institute
of Applied Climate Science, a collaborative of the U.S.
Forest Services, universities, conservation groups and the
forest industry.
“As the state’s leading conservation agency, DCNR is using
the best available science to develop and implement climate
change strategies to minimize and adapt to these impacts, and serve as a role model for the
citizens of Pennsylvania,” Dunn said.
The secretary will highlight climate change resiliency during keynote remarks tonight at
the annual Pennsylvania Environmental Council dinner in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania is experiencing higher temperatures; increased precipitation; higher
numbers of storm events; decreased snow cover; and changing distribution of some plants and
animals related to climate change.
Pennsylvania has seen measurable changes in temperature, precipitation, and storm
intensity. Since the early 20th century, the commonwealth has seen a temperature increase of
more than 1.8° F. Winter temperatures have risen even faster, increasing 1.3 °F per decade from
1970 to 2000 in the northeast U.S.
Annual precipitation has increased about 10 percent over the past 100 years, and heavy
precipitation events also have increased significantly. According to the 2014 National Climate
Assessment, the heaviest downpours, which are the number of days where the total precipitation
exceeded the top 1 percent of all rain and snow days, have increased by 71 percent in the
Northeast.
During 2017, staff members from across all of DCNR’s bureaus participated in a rigorous
process to determine and prioritize the department’s greatest climate change vulnerabilities, and
identify strategies to address them.
Dunn noted efforts are already underway to implement recommendations, including
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significant work over the past several years on energy conservation and renewable energy in
DCNR’s hundreds of buildings and vehicle fleet, and the department’s leadership of the
movement to plant trees along streams to improve water quality and address impacts from
climate change.
Getting underway this year is an effort to increase staff knowledge and expertise on
climate change challenges and solutions through a newly-formed communication and education
team.
To test adaptive management practices on the ground, DCNR will be launching a climate
change adaptation pilot project on public lands in the Southcentral part of the state, including the
85,000-acre Michaux State Forest, and Kings Gap, Pine Grove Furnace, and Caledonia state
parks.
The report concludes by saying, “As the climate changes, so will species, natural
communities, and the ecological, societal, and economic services they provide. Consequently,
the department needs to embrace a conservation paradigm that facilitates, manages, and copes
with change in the natural world. As our scientific understanding of climate change advances and
as we implement and learn which adaptation strategies are and are not successful, this plan will
continually evolve.”
Click Here for a copy of the report.
More information is available on DCNR’s Addressing Climate Change On Public Lands
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:
Op-Ed: Build Better, Energy Efficient Buildings In Pittsburgh
Editorial: New Methane Limits On Oil & Gas Operations Partial Step
Consider The Source When Analyzing Climate Change Statistics
Related Story:
Wildlife For Everyone: Over 160,000 Students Received Trees Under Seedlings For Schools
Program
PA Environmental Defense Foundation Urges DCNR To Manage Drilling In State Forests

Consistent With The Environmental Rights Amendment Court Decision
The PA Environmental Defense Foundation Monday sent a letter urging the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources to amend its 2016 State Forest Plan to manage oil and gas
drilling in state forests according to the recent Environmental Rights Amendment trustee
decision of the PA Supreme Court before it proceeds with updating each of the separate District
Forest Plans.
PEDF said if the agency does not amend the Plan based on DCNR’s role as public trustee
for state forests and its resources, then it will file an action in Commonwealth Court to ensure it
complies with the Court decision.
DCNR announced in May it will be holding public meetings in each State Forest District
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to gather comments to be used in updating in State Forest Plans in each of the Districts.
The letter states in part, “PEDF hereby requests that you amend the 2016 State Forest
Plan consistent with Article I § 27 before you proceed with updates to the separate district forest
management plans.
“In addition, PEDF believes it is necessary for DCNR to publish an updated Shale-Gas
Monitoring Report that includes the current impacts from shale gas extraction on our State
forests and to incorporate those impacts into the amended State Forest Plan.
[Note: DCNR said it will release its next shale gas monitoring report in early summer
during budget hearings in February.}
“The DCNR Environmental Reviews prepared for the oil and gas lease sales conducted in
2009 and 2010 approved leasing and extracting oil and gas on over 60,000 acres of State forest
land in northcentral Pennsylvania even though DCNR had decided not to lease any more State
forest land after leasing over 70,000 acres in 2008.
“Nothing in the State Forest Plan in existence at that time established appropriate criteria
to evaluate whether such leasing would be consistent with the principles of ecosystem
management essential to conserve and maintain the public natural resources of our State forests
consistent with Article I § 27.
“The shale gas extraction conducted to date under the leases executed in 2009 and 2010
have already caused significant degradation, depletion and diminishment our public natural
resources, both by industrial development in our state forests and by removing and selling our oil
and gas reserves.
“Over 617,000 acres of State forest land in northcentral Pennsylvania are subject to oil
and gas development. This acreage comprises the core public natural resources of the entire
Pennsylvania Wilds. The 2016 State Forest Plan needs to recognize these existing and future
impacts and how they will be addressed.
“The 2016 State Forest Plan proposes for the first time that the extraction and sale of oil
and gas is one of the basis values and uses of our State forest.
“The plan states that “State forest lands are working forests, belonging to the citizens of
the commonwealth, and are managed for multiple resources and values consistent with the
principles of ecosystem management. The economic use and sound extraction and utilization of
geologic resources is part of the bureau’s mission in managing these lands. Managing geologic
resources requires thorough analysis, strategic planning, and attentive oversight to ensure that the
value of geologic resources is balanced with other forest uses and values. Development of
geologic resources should occur when it is compatible with landscape goals and functions,
avoids sensitive ecological and socially important areas, and minimizes adverse impacts” (page
156 (emphasis added)).
“None of the highlighted proposals are in conformance with Article I Section 27 or
ecosystem management.
“Nothing in the plain language of Article I § 27 allows the sale of our public natural
resources for economic use or benefit; or for use of proceeds from the sale of our natural
resources for operational expenses of DCNR. If a conflict exists between DCNR’s constitutional
trustee duties and its statutory authority, the statutory authority must give way to the
constitutional duties.
“The recent Supreme Court decision issued in PEDF v. Commonwealth, 161 A.3d 911
(Pa. 2017) defines your duties as trustees of our State forests and parks, including our oil and
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natural gas. Your constitutional obligation under Article I § 27 is to conserve and maintain the
corpus of the trust, our public natural resources, for the benefit of the people, who are the
beneficiaries of the trust.
“To conserve and maintain means that you cannot deplete, diminish or degrade those
resources. You have the duty to both prevent and remedy any degradation of those resources. It
means that you must ensure that the resources are conserved for future generations. The 2016
State Forest Plan does not reflect that you have complied with those duties.
“As trustees, you must comply with the fiduciary trust laws of Pennsylvania. One of your
primary fiduciary duties is to provide the beneficiaries with a complete inventory of the public
natural resources, including an inventory of the existing degradation of those resources.
“In addition, you have the duty to inform the beneficiaries of the management plans to
prevent and remedy the degradation, and to ensure the sustainability of the corpus of the trust for
future generations.”
Click Here for a copy of the letter.
Reaction
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn released this statement Tuesday in response to the
PEDF letter--
“DCNR fully embraces its public trustee role, and has expanded public input
opportunities to the forest district level.
“Both the district and statewide plans are designed to provide a framework for
management decisions; and to communicate to citizens how their forest is being managed for
different uses and values.
“This gives all Pennsylvanians an opportunity to participate, especially on the new
sections in this plan such as climate change and protecting core forests.
“DCNR vehemently disagrees with PEDF’s positon, and encourages all to read the plan
and take advantage of these public meetings as an opportunity to help set management priorities,
and meet the men and women who serve as trustees for the public forests.”
For more information on this and other initiatives, visit the PA Environmental Defense
Foundation website.
For information on State Forest planning and drilling, visit DRBC’s State Forest
Resource Management Plan, Natural Gas Management and Natural Gas Management webpages.
Related Stories:
PA Environmental Defense Foundation Files Motion To Protect $383 Million In State Forest
Drilling Payments
PA Supreme Court Declares Law Diverting Oil & Gas Lease Funds To General Fund
Unconstitutional
Penn State: Bradford County Water Quality Improves, Impacts Rare Near Shale Gas
Wells
By Matthew Carroll, Penn State News
A new study of groundwater in a rural Pennsylvania

county shows only rare instances of possible gas
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contamination amid an overall trend of improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale
natural gas development.
By investigating data from gas companies, the state, and the U.S. Geological Survey,
researchers saw possible contamination by natural gas near no more than seven out of 1,385
shale wells studied in heavily drilled Bradford County.
The rest of the water chemistry data highlighted that groundwater had either improved or
remained level from samples taken prior to the 1990s.
"The most interesting thing we discovered was the groundwater chemistry in one of the
areas most heavily developed for shale gas – an area with 1400 new gas wells – does not appear
to be getting worse with time, and may even be getting better," said Susan Brantley, director of
Penn State's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and distinguished professor of
geosciences. "But using data analytics we could also see rare sites that warrant more
investigation for possible gas anomalies."
Brantley and an interdisciplinary team of geoscientists and computer scientists used new
data-mining techniques to study a large dataset of 11,000 groundwater samples from the 2010s,
taken after drilling in Bradford County.
The team recently reported their findings in the journal Environmental Science &
Technology.
"Unlike previous studies, our findings show that groundwater quality might even be
improving in an area heavily exploited for shale gas-- northeastern Bradford," said Tao Wen, a
post-doctoral scholar in Penn State's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and lead author
on the paper.
Using data-mining techniques and learning computer models, the team searched for
patterns in methane concentrations, a possible indicator of contamination from shale gas wells
that use fracking to extract shale gas.
Methane also naturally occurs around geological features like fault lines and valleys.
Data-mining techniques help researchers sort through large amounts of data to find elevated
methane levels and determine possible sources.
"We look at methane in this groundwater data and we actually can see geology in the
data," Brantley said. "I can tell you where there are faults, where there are big folds in the rock
based on the groundwater. Then what we look for is where the water chemistry does not look
like the geology and looks like something we don't understand. Our hypothesis is sometimes that
shows you something about human activities, like shale development."
The team found slightly elevated levels of methane near seven of 1,385 shale gas wells in
the study area that were not explained by geological features alone.
The team also analyzed other indicators in all the water samples-- iron, manganese, total
dissolved solids, sulfate, pH-- and found they had either improved or remained level compared to
sites sampled in the 1980s.
"Data-mining highlighted a few, rare sites of possible methane contamination close to
seven shale gas wells and a few conventional wells," Wen said. "Such sites should be sampled
and studied in the field. Rare methane contamination cases are consistent with the overall
observation that shale gas production has not downgraded the average groundwater quality
overall over time."
This research could document improved groundwater quality caused by decreased acid
rain, especially since the implementation of the Clean Air Act, or decreased steel production or
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coal burning, researchers said in the paper.
"I think that's really a story of what's been done since the 1970s and the Clean Air Act
and its amendments that have lowered atmospheric deposition," Brantley said. "If such
deposition is impacting groundwater chemistry positively that is important – but it needs to be
investigated more."
Researchers have made their data public online and and the data-mining technique.
The National Science Foundation Interdisciplinary Research and Education program,
which seeks to support bold, interdisciplinary projects in science, engineering and education
supported this research.
NewsClips:
Hopey: Penn State Study: Brine From Drilling Spread On Roadways Is Hazardous
U Of Cincinnati Study Finds Fracking Doesn’t Harm Drinking Water
Related Stories:
Legislation
Pipeline Commission
(Reprinted from Penn State News.)
DEP Sets June 18 Mosquito Spraying In Lycoming County; West Nile Virus Found In 2
More Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection Friday

announced it will conduct a mosquito control operation to
reduce high populations of mosquitoes on June 18 in
portions of Lycoming Township, Lycoming County to
help reduce the risk of West Nile Virus.
Mosquito sampling results found West Nile Virus in
two more counties this week-- Lebanon and Montgomery.
West Nile Virus has now been found in three counties,
including York from last week.
DEP will use ruck mounted ULV spray equipment will be
utilized and the product used will be Duet applied at a rate of .67 oz/acre. This product is
designed to provide quick knockdown and effective control of adult mosquitoes. The control
work will begin late in the evening.
Weather conditions and other unexpected events (such as lowered mosquito populations)
could delay or cancel this spray operation. The rain date for this application is June 19.
Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which can cause humans to contract
West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to
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the Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at
risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.
Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help
eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:
-- Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold
water;
-- Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most
mosquitoes breed;
-- Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers;
-- Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a
tendency to plug drains;
-- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use;
-- Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths;
-- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish; and
-- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on
pool covers.
If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy Bti products at
lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring
bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people
who are most at risk:
-- Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
-- Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when
mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of
mosquitoes.
-- When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods,
usually April through October.
-- Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions. An effective repellent will
contain DEET, picardin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician
for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children
under the age of two months.
For more information on spraying operation and surveillance results, visit the West Nile
Virus website.
NewsClips:
Lyme Disease May Linger Even With Treatment
Ticks Are Here: Be Very Careful
DEP Reminds Homeowners To Check For Mine Subsidence Risks
Pennsylvania homeowners have new tools at their disposal

to identify risks and insure their property from
underground mine subsidence, thanks to a newly revamped
website from the Department of Environmental Protection.
The new website contains information for residents about
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known underground mine locations and possible risks for subsidence.
Recently updated maps show historic mining and known coal-bearing areas that could be
affected by mine subsidence from old and abandoned mines.
“Underground mining has a long history in Pennsylvania, and historic mines can still
cause subsidence today,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “I encourage all
Pennsylvanians to log on and see what their risk is, and to sign up for mine subsidence insurance
if needed.”
Cracked foundations, collapsed walls, and even homes sinking into the ground are all
possible impacts of underground mine subsidence, which is not typically covered by
homeowner’s insurance policies.
A subsidence event can occur at any time and cause sudden, significant damage, often
exceeding $100,000 or total loss of the structure. Mine subsidence occurs when the ground above
an old or abandoned mine cavity collapses.
“DEP is continuously improving our maps and data for underground mining,” said
McDonnell. “Our goal is to have the best underground mine mapping easily accessible to anyone
who wants to view it, so that residents can know if they could be affected and can easily sign up
for Mine Subsidence Insurance if they need it.”
DEP administers low-cost mine subsidence insurance (MSI) coverage through the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The average policy of $160,000 costs about $7 a month, and
senior citizens are eligible for discounted rates.
Homeowners should visit DEP’s Mine Subsidence Insurance webpage or call
1-800-922-1678 to check if their home is over an abandoned mine and for more information on
the Mine Subsidence Insurance Program.
NewsClip:
DEP Unveils New Website To Identify Mine Subsidence Risk
DEP Declares Code Orange Air Quality Action Days In Southwest, Southcentral, Lehigh
Valley Counties June 16 to 18
The Department of Environmental Protection

and its regional air quality partnerships have
forecast a series of Code Orange Air Quality
Action Days for ozone for the Southwest,
Southcentral and the Lehigh Valley in
Pennsylvania.
On June 16 for the Southwest which
includes: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler,
Fayette, Indiana, Mercer, Washington, and
Westmoreland counties).
On June 17 and 18 for Southcentral Pennsylvania, including Cumberland, Dauphin,
Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties
On June 17 and 18 for the Lehigh Valley-- Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.
A strong ridge of high pressure, a mostly sunny sky, temperatures in the lower to middle
90s Fahrenheit, and west to southwesterly transport will be highly favorable for ozone formation,
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starting across western Pennsylvania Saturday, and in all locations Sunday into the day Monday.
This will result in code ORANGE conditions to a widespread area of Pennsylvania
Sunday into Monday. An approaching cold front will bring a better chance for afternoon and
evening thunderstorms Tuesday, reducing the risk for elevated ozone.
On air quality action days, young children, the elderly and those with respiratory
problems, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of
air pollution and should limit outdoor activities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standardized air quality index uses colors
to report daily air quality. Green signifies good; yellow means moderate; orange represents
unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive people; and red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for
all.
To help keep the air healthy, residents and business are encouraged to voluntarily restrict
certain pollution-producing activities by:
-- Refueling cars and trucks after dusk;
-- Setting air conditioner thermostats to a higher temperature;
-- Carpooling or using public transportation; and
-- Combining errands to reduce trips.
These forecasts are provided in conjunction with the Southwestern PA Air Quality
Partnership, Inc, the Susquehanna Valley Air Quality Partnership and the Lehigh Valley-Berks
Air Quality Partnership.
Visit DEP’s Air Quality Partnerships webpage for more information on air quality across
Pennsylvania.
NewsClips:
Delaware To EPA: Reconsider Petition About Upwind Air Pollution
AP: Judge Rules EPA Failing To Curb Air Pollution Blowing East
Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week
The following bills of interest saw action last week in the House and Senate--
House
Eminent Domain: House Bill 2468 (Kampf-R-Chester) limiting use of eminent domain on land
with conservation easements for parks and open space purposes (sponsor summary) was
amended and reported from the House Local Government Committee and referred to the House
Rules Committee as all bills are this time of year.
PennVEST Audit: House Resolution 948 (Causer-R-Cameron) requesting the Auditor General
to do a financial audit of the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority nonpoint source water
pollution control program (sponsor summary) was reported out of the House Agriculture and
Rural Affairs Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.
Littering Fines: Senate Bill 431 (Scavello-R-Monroe) was amended and reported out of the
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House Transportation Committee and Tabled. Click Here for more.
Pollinator Week: House Resolution 971 (Matzie-D-Allegheny) designating June 18 to 24

Pollinator Week was adopted by the House (sponsor summary).
Loyalsock Creek: House Resolution 964 (Everett-R-Lycoming) recognizing the Loyalsock

Creek as the 2018 River of the Year was adopted (sponsor summary). The Senate adopted an
identical resolution Wednesday-- Senate Resolution 388 (Yaw-R-Lycoming).
Senate
Ag Security Areas: Senate Bill 819 (Aument-R-Lancaster) amending the Agricultural Security
Law to provide for agritourism uses on protected land was referred into and out of the Senate
Appropriations Committee (Senate Fiscal Note and summary) and is on the Senate Calendar for
action.
DRBC Fracking Ban Taking: Senate Bill 1189 (Baker-R-Luzerne) that would declare, as a
matter of law, an oil and gas fracking moratorium enacted by the Delaware River Basin
Commission would constitute an act of eminent domain and a taking of property for which
compensated would be required from DRBC was reported from the Senate Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Pipeline Commission: Senate Resolution 373 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) is a concurrent

Senate-House resolution to establish a Senate-House legislative Commission to Study Pipeline
Construction and Operations and to recommend improvements for the safe transport of oil,
natural gas and other hazardous liquids through pipelines was amended and reported from the
Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for
action.
Eliminate Act 101 Leaf Collection Programs Mandate: House Bill 927 (Rader-R-Monroe)
amends Act 101 Municipal Waste Planning and Recycling Act to eliminate the mandate on
smaller municipalities to have a leaf waste collection program (House Fiscal Note and summary)
was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the
Senate Calendar for action.
Mushroom Compost: Senate Bill 917 (Dinniman-R-Chester) amends Act 101 Municipal Waste
Planning and Recycling Act to include spent mushroom compost under the definition of
“compost materials to encourage its reuse (sponsor summary) was amended and reported from
the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for
action.
Ethane Storage Hub: Senate Resolution 375 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) urging Congress to

support the development of an ethane storage hub in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary) was
reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is on the Senate
Calendar for action.
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Lewis & Clark National Trail: Senate Resolution 326 (Vogel-R-Beaver) encourage Congress
to recognize the Eastern Legacy of the Lewis and Clark National Trail for its historic national
significance (sponsor summary) was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action.
Farm Animal Advisory Board: Senate Bill 1171 (Brooks-R- Crawford) replacing the Nutrient
Management Advisory Board with the Farm Animal Advisory Board (sponsor summary) was
reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action.
Agtourism Liability: Senate Bill 820 (Aument-R-Lancaster) providing liability protection for
owners and operators of on-farm agritourism activities (sponsor summary) was amended and
reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee and is on the Senate Calendar for action.
Loyalsock Creek: Senate Resolution 388 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) recognizing the Loyalsock Creek
as the 2018 River of the Year (sponsor summary) was adopted by the Senate. The House
adopted an identical resolution Tuesday-- House Resolution 964 (Everett-R-Lycoming).
Pipeline Land Agents: Senate Bill 835 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requiring the registration of land
agents working for pipeline companies (sponsor summary) was Table pursuant to Senate Rule 9
(inaction).
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--
Local Clean Energy Funding: Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna), Property Assessed
Clean Energy Financing Program, that authorizes local governments to create energy
improvement districts to help fund energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation
projects for commercial, agricultural and industrial buildings to reduce their operating costs
(Senate Fiscal Note and summary) was signed into law as Act 30.
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 (June 18): House Bill 1401 (DiGirolamo-R-Bucks) which amends Title 58 to impose a
sliding scale natural gas severance tax, in addition to the Act 13 drilling impact fee, on natural
gas production (NO money for environmental programs) and includes provisions related to
minimum landowner oil and gas royalties; House Bill 1446 (Quinn-R- Bucks) encouraging
infrastructure for electric and natural gas fueled vehicles; House Bill 1284 (Peifer-R-Pike)
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directs DCED to develop a one-stop-shop online permitting portal for business (sponsor
summary); House Resolution 284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s MS4 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (sponsor
summary). <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (June 18): Senate Bill 819 (Aument-R-Lancaster) amending the Agricultural Security
Law to provide for agritourism uses on protected land was referred into and out of the Senate
Appropriations Committee (Senate Fiscal Note and summary); Senate Bill 820 (Aument-R-
Lancaster) providing liability protection for owners and operators of on-farm agritourism
activities (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 917 (Dinniman-R-Chester) amends Act 101 Municipal
Waste Planning and Recycling Act to include spent mushroom compost under the definition of
“compost materials to encourage its reuse (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 930 (Dinniman-D-
Chester) sets notification requirements related to pipeline emergencies (sponsor summary);
Senate Bill 931 (Dinniman-D-Chester) requires the installation of automatic or remote controlled
safety values in natural gas pipelines in densely populated areas; Senate Bill 1171 (Brooks-R-
Crawford) replacing the Nutrient Management Advisory Board with the Farm Animal Advisory
Board (sponsor summary); 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); Senate Resolution 326 (Vogel-R-Beaver) encourage Congress to
recognize the Eastern Legacy of the Lewis and Clark National Trail for its historic national
significance (sponsor summary); Senate Resolution 373 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) is a
concurrent Senate-House resolution to establish a Senate-House legislative Commission to Study
Pipeline Construction and Operations and to recommend improvements for the safe transport of
oil, natural gas and other hazardous liquids through pipelines; Senate Resolution 375
(Bartolotta-R-Washington) urging Congress to support the development of an ethane storage hub
in Pennsylvania (sponsor summary); House Bill 544 (Moul-R-Adams) further providing for
liability protection for landowners opening their land for public recreation; House Bill 927
(Rader-R-Monroe) amends Act 101 Municipal Waste Planning and Recycling Act to eliminate
the mandate on smaller municipalities to have a leaf waste collection program (House Fiscal
Note and summary); House Bill 1782 (Delozier-R-Cumberland) authorizing alternative
ratemaking such as decoupling, performance-based, multiyear and other mechanisms for utilities
regulated by the PUC, including electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services. (House
Fiscal Note and summary). <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
House: the Consumer Affairs Committee holds a hearing on competitive energy supplier sales
and marketing practices; the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to
consider House Bill 2304 (Fritz-R-Susquehanna) which would enact the oil and gas well
permitting reforms proposed by Gov. Wolf in January; the State Government Committee meets
to consider House Bill 2105 (Fritz-R-Susquehanna) eliminating outdated boards and
commissions (including the Energy Development Authority) (sponsor summary); the Consumer
Affairs Committee meets to consider House Bill 107 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) providing a
mechanism to cover costs of extending natural gas distribution systems (sponsor summary),
House Bill 2075 (Charlton-R-Delaware) lead water service line and damaged sewer lateral
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replacement (sponsor summary). <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: the Judiciary Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1199 (Rafferty-R-
Montgomery) providing for a landowners’ bill of rights in cases of eminent domain, including by
private entities like pipeline companies (sponsor summary); the Urban Affairs and Housing
Committee and Senate Republican Policy Committee Joint Workshop on Historic
Preservation Tax Credits <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Other: the Senate House Nuclear Energy Caucus meets.
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--
Growing Greener: House Bill 2485 (English-R-Allegheny) adding new categories of energy,
community redevelopment and environmental projects and existing programs like the REAP
farm conservation tax credit program to be funded through the Environmental Stewardship
(Growing Greener) Fund and removing the requirement that debt service for the Growing
Greener II bond issue be paid from the Fund ($20 million, which means a net loss of Growing
Greener funding because of the existing programs added to the Fund, page H25) (sponsor
summary).
Keystone Tree Fund: House Bill 2486 (Everett-R-Lycoming) establishing a check off on
vehicle registrations and drivers licenses for the Keystone Tree Fund (sponsor summary).
Dredging Schuylkill River: House Resolution 979 (Cephas-D-Philadelphia) urging Congress to

allocate funding for dredging the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia (sponsor summary).
Keystone Tree Fund: Senate Bill 1208 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishing a check off on vehicle
registrations and drivers licenses for the Keystone Tree Fund (sponsor summary).
Loyalsock Creek: Senate Resolution 388 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) recognizing the Loyalsock Creek
as the 2018 River of the Year (sponsor summary). The House adopted an identical resolution
Tuesday-- House Resolution 964 (Everett-R-Lycoming).
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
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June 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
House
June 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
House Committee Hears Testimony On Delaware, Susquehanna River Basin Commissions
The House State Government Committee Monday held a hearing on issues related to “regulatory
overreach” by the Delaware and Susquehanna River Basin Commissions.
In introductory remarks, Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne) said the Delaware River Basin
Commission has morphed into a “dangerous,” “unaccountable” and “rogue” agency that has
harmed landowners in his district.
The issue Rep. Fritz was referring, but did not state, was the temporary and now proposed
permanent moratorium on oil and gas fracking by the Delaware River Basin Commission. He
said his constituents are being treated differently than other citizens in the state which represents
an “injustice” and “discrimination.”
House Resolution 515 sponsored by Rep. Fritz opposing the proposed moratorium was
passed by House Republicans in October. The House Republican Policy Committee had a
hearing on the issue and a failed federal lawsuit by Wayne County landowners in November.
Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) provided an overview of House Bill 2222 he sponsored
which directs the Department of Environmental Protection too replace the interstate Delaware
and Susquehanna River Basin Commissions in the regulation of groundwater and extend that
authority statewide.
Rep. Moul said his bill would eliminate the current redundant regulation of groundwater
withdrawals by the Delaware and Susquehanna River Basin Commissions and DEP.
He also said the Susquehanna River Basin Commission was set up to regulate surface
water and have no authority to regulate groundwater.
[Note: DEP has no statutory authority to regulate the withdrawal of groundwater. It only
has authority to regulate the withdrawal of water by supply water companies from surface water
sources.
[DEP can only collect information on how much water is being withdrawn from surface
and ground water sources under the Water Resources Planning Act of 2002.
[In fact, the 2002 Act specifically says, “Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
authorize a delegation to the Statewide committee or the department of any power to regulate,
control or require permits for the withdrawal or use of water.”
[In addition, no state or federal statutory authority exists to regulate the withdrawal of
ground or surface water from sources in the Ohio River Watershed in the entire Western part of
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the state.
[Both the Susquehanna and Delaware River Compacts has explicit authority to regulate
ground and surface water withdrawals in their respective areas.]
Kyle Gallagher, Appalachian Utilities, Inc. from Lock Haven, repeated testimony he gave
in a previous Committee field hearing about water permitting issues he has with the Susquehanna
River Basin Commission pointing to the cost of permits and the work required to prepare them
for his system that serves 3,000 people.
Wayne County Commissioner Joseph Adams told the Committee he believes the
Delaware River Basin Commission stands in the way of economic development in his County
with its regulation of water withdrawals and water quality, and oil and gas development in
particular with its proposed fracking moratorium.
Adams said he believes science should be brought to bare on regulating oil and gas
drilling and not a blanket moratorium, especially with the track record of gas development in
other areas of the state.
He noted he and his wife have their names on the deeds of over 5,000 acres in the county.
Adams also supported legislation introduced by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)-- Senate
Bill 1189-- that would declare the fracking moratorium in the Delaware River Basin a taking of
property. [Senate Bill 1198 is due to be considered by the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee June 12.]
He said property owners should be compensated for the loss of the right to develop their
land. He suggested a water use fee be imposed on water users in the Delaware Watershed to pay
oil and gas rights owners. He estimated the fee would be about $20 per month per person.
[Note: Since 1988, Pennsylvania has been responsible for 25 percent of the Delaware
River Basin Commission’s budget.]
Betty Sutliff, Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens, a pro-gas development group,
pointed to contradictory statements and actions by Gov. Wolf on gas development saying he did
not support a moratorium originally and favored strengthening drilling regulations.
Wolf’s support for the DRBC’s proposed moratorium on fracking contradicts these
statements.
As a result, she said Wayne County landowners are being treated differently than all
other landowners in Pennsylvania that can develop their oil and gas rights.
Sutliff said the moratorium means a $150,000 of loss of income for her, plus future
royalties.
All 67 counties in Pennsylvania should be governed by the same law, not regulated
differently by the Delaware River Basin Commission she said.
Thomas Shepstone, Shepstone Management Company, and Ned Lang, President of the
Upper Delaware River Basin Citizens, expressed concerns similar to Commissioner Adams and
Betty Sutliff.
David Spigelmyer, President, Marcellus Shale Coalition, noted Pennsylvania has over
8,000 producing unconventional natural gas wells in 33 counties which accounted for 20 percent
of the gas production in the United States in 2017.
“More than $150 million had been invested in northeast Pennsylvania to secure leases,
plan for development, and drill several exploratory wells,” said Spigelmyer. “Yet, with no end
to the de facto moratorium in sight, and plenty of options elsewhere, the companies vacated these
leases, and the economic opportunities lost for those mineral owners.
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“Economically, this inability to develop the resource was devastating. Initial bonus lease
payments totaled over $100 Million, but another nearly $187.5 Million was never paid due to the
invocation of force majeure.
“Over 1,500 leases - affecting thousands of landowners - were terminated. The total
economic impact to the region-- the loss of upwards of $8 Million into the local economy per
well, and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost royalty revenue-- is impossible to calculate.
“We need to look no further than the neighboring Susquehanna River Basin Commission
(SRBC) to realize the absurdity of the DRBC's actions.
“For more than a decade now, the SRBC has safely managed water resources, while
allowing for responsible development of property rights. Indeed, the unconventional natural gas
industry has worked closely with the SRBC to ensure that water withdrawals and water usage
within the basin are done in a safe and responsible manner.
“SRBC has adopted a regulatory framework that is workable, flexible, protects our water
resources and respects the needs of other users. Furthermore, the industry has developed an
excellent working relationship with the SRBC and has found their staff to be professional and
accessible in executing their charge of water management and environmental protection.
“To date, the DRBC has squandered this incredible opportunity - and neglected their
obligation - to build a similar relationship with industry in order to mirror similar responsible
development within its basin.
“This decade of experience -bolstered by repeated scientific studies undertaken by SRBC
- has demonstrated that unconventional natural gas development has occurred within the
Susquehanna River Basin with no discernable impact on our water resources.
“This is a testament to both industry and the SRBC, and a model that should have been
emulated within the DRBC.
“Make no mistake, the landowners and property owners of Wayne and Pike counties have
suffered under this moratorium, not to mention the consumers in and around the basin. The
economic loss to the Delaware basin is evidenced in the capital being invested in other shale
opportunities in Pennsylvania, the Tri-State region, and other basins across the country.
“We have already lost 10 years of capital investment, enhanced energy security, and
proving the resource capability of the resources in the basin.
“This means we have also lost 10 years of job opportunities, lease bonus payments and
royalty income for landowners - which translates to deferred retirements, deferred college,
inability to pass down the family farm, and many other determinants that need not to have
happened if the DRBC had simply done its job instead of playing politics with people's
livelihoods.”
Steve Tambini, Executive Director Delaware River Basin Commission, provided an
overview of the DRBC’s formation, operation and accomplishments.
"We strive to be fair, responsive, open, and solution-oriented. We invite the regulated
community and other stakeholders to serve on our water resources advisory committees, and we
ensure the DRBC commissioners receive the committees’ input, including dissenting views,” he
said.
DRBC provided the Committee with 30 letters from water companies and others DRBC
regulates in support of the Commission.
“Understandably, those who are regulated by state agencies and the DRBC are at times
confused about our unique roles and responsibilities.
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“Although the DRBC and state programs are not duplicative, and we have good working
relationships with the water resource agencies of all four basin states, including the PADEP, we
have certainly heard the “duplication” theme before.
“For this reason, over the past several years DRBC has worked with our commissioners
and state agencies to find ways to improve and streamline the regulatory process.
“In 2015, we initiated a program called “One Process One Permit,” whereby the DRBC
works with each state agency that elects to participate, to ensure that DRBC standards are
included in the agency’s permits.
“Regulated entities apply to just one agency and receive a single approval that contains
all state and DRBC requirements. In addition, where this program has been implemented in New
Jersey and New York, the applicant pays just one application fee – the state fee.
“Pennsylvania agencies to date have not availed themselves of the One Process One
Permit Program; however, DRBC is more than willing to work with the PADEP to implement
this program in Pennsylvania when and if the Department so requests.”
[Note: DEP has no statutory authority to regulate the withdrawal of groundwater. It only
has authority to regulate the withdrawal of water by supply water companies from surface water
sources.]
Click Here for a Summary of DRBC Benefits to Pennsylvania.
Other written testimony was submitted by: Philadelphia Water Department, Montgomery
County Planning Commission, Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority,
Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery), Delaware Riverkeeper Network, East Latitude LLC and
the PA Septage Management Association.
This is one of a series of hearings and actions taken by Republicans on the Committee
related to what they see as “regulatory overreach” by DRBC and SRBC.
The Committee hearings led to House Republicans passing a series of “regulatory
reform” bills and to propose the introduction of House Bill 2222 in April to have DEP take over
the groundwater regulation functions of the two river basin commissions.
Click Here for a video of the June 11 hearing.
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can be
contacted by calling 717-783-1707 or sending email to: dmetcalf@pahousegop.com. Rep.
Matthew Bradford (D-Montgomery) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling
717-772-2572 or sending email to: mbradford@pahouse.net.
NewsClips:
Compensation Bill
Crable Mystery Of Susquehanna River Bass Kill Solved As Concern Shifts To Delaware River
Delaware RiverKeeper June 15 RiverWatch Video Report
Related Stories:
Bill Would Require DEP To Replace Delaware, Susquehanna River Basin Commissions In
Regulating Groundwater
House Passes Bills Changing Regulation, Permit Process In Ways That Puts Politics Ahead Of
Science, Adds More Bureaucracy
DRBC: No Timetable For Finalizing Fracking Ban, Makes Comments Available
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House Republican Policy Committee Hears Testimony On Proposed Delaware Watershed
Drilling Ban
House Committee Approves Resolution Calling For Audit Of PennVEST Nonpoint Source
Program
The House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Monday unanimously approved and
reported out House Resolution 948 (Causer-R-Cameron) requesting the Auditor General to do a
financial audit of the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority nonpoint source water pollution
control program.
The resolution now goes to the full House for consideration.
“The overwhelming support for the resolution clearly demonstrates the widespread
concern of lawmakers from across the state about these transactions and whether they are an
appropriate or lawful use of PennVEST funds,” said Majority Chair Rep. Martin Causer. “As
lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure our taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately.”
The resolution was prompted by a March 26 information meeting the Committee had on
the $50 million in loans the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority made to Lyme Timber
Company to help the private company buy 60,103 acres of private forest land in 6 Northern Tier
Counties.
At the meeting, a number of members questioned whether financing the purchase of
forest land by a private company was the best use of $50 million in PennVEST money.
The goal of the audit is to determine if the $50 million loan falls within the definition of
“project” under Act 16 of 1988 that established PennVEST.
Click Here for a video of the meeting (when posted).
Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron) serves as Majority Chair of the House Agriculture
Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: mcauser@pahousegop.com. Rep. Eddie
Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to:
epashins@pahouse.net.
Related Stories:
House Ag Committee: Is A $50M PennVEST Loan To Buy Forest Land The Best Use Of That
Public Funding?
House Committee OKs Bill To Limit Eminent Domain Use On Land Protected By
Conservation Easements
The House Local Government Committee Tuesday unanimously approved and reported out
House Bill 2468 limiting the use of eminent domain by government agencies on land with
conservation easements for parks and open space purposes.
The bill was amended to apply to any declaration of taking filed since January 1, 2018.
Two school districts in the state-- Cumberland Valley in Cumberland County and Lower
Merion in Montgomery County-- have decided to use eminent domain to condemn
privately-owned land permanently preserved by conservation easements held by local land trusts,
over the objections of many residents of the communities. Other suitable non-preserved land in
23
each vicinity is available, according to the bill sponsors.
The bill would require any government agency to obtain Orphans’ Court approval before
using eminent domain to take permanently preserved land. The procedure is similar to that found
in the Agricultural Area Security Law which requires additional scrutiny before condemnation of
agricultural lands. The Orphans’ Court is given authority in the Donated and Dedicated Property
Act over certain transactions related to publicly owned lands held for public uses.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Warren Kampf (R-Chester), Kate Harper
(R-Montgomery) and Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery).
Click Here to watch a video of the meeting.
Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair and can be contacted by
calling 717-787-2801 or by sending email to: kharper@pahousegop.com. Rep. Robert Freeman
(D-Lehigh) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-783-3815 or sending
email to: rfreeman@pahouse.net.
NewsClips:
Thompson: Lawmakers Wade Into School District Land-Taking Issues
Lower Merion School District May Only Seize Part Of Stoneleigh Site
Op-Ed: Save McCormick Farm From Cumberland Valley School Board
Kummer: 1,000s Of Acres, Millions Of Dollars, Land Trusts Are A Force In SE Development
Land Donation Closing Gap For 8-Mile Trail Between Hartwood Acres, Allegheny River
Ohiopyle, Game Lands In Fayette County Benefit From Western PA Conservancy Acquisitions
Lancaster County Conservancy: Conserving Land For 50 Years
Bill On Littering Penalties Reported Out Of House Transportation Committee
The House Transportation Committee Tuesday amended and reported out Senate Bill 431
(Scavello-R-Monroe) changing the penalties for littering and illegal dumping.
The bill was amended to authorize the designation of local litter enforcement corridors
where fines are doubled for certain offences or even tripled for commercial littering or illegal
dumping. All designed scenic highways are automatically considered litter enforcement
corridors.
A second change would eliminate the higher fines in the Senate-passed version of the bill
and reduce the number of hours a violator would have to pick up litter or illegally dumped trash
in addition to the penalty. Click Here for a copy of the amendment.
The amended bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) serves as Majority Chair and can be contacted by
calling 717-787-3179 or send email to: jtaylor@pahousegop.com. Rep. William Keller
(D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5774 or send
email to: wkeller@pahouse.net.
NewsClip:
Illegal Dumping In Philadelphia
House Designates June 18 to 24 As Pollinator Week In Pennsylvania
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The House Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution-- House Resolution 971 (Matzie-D-
Beaver)-- recognizing the week of June 18 to June 24 as Pollinator Week in Pennsylvania.
The resolution recognizes the significant role pollinators such as honey bees play in the
production of the state’s food supply. The resolution also recognizes the important work of
beekeepers and other groups that promote pollination.
“Bees and other pollinators are a critical link in our ecosystem,” Rep. Rob Matzie said.
“Assisted by the efforts of beekeepers and other groups that promote pollination, they produce
about one-third of all foods and beverages, including so many of the foods we take for granted.
Honey bees alone account for between $1.2 billion and $5.4 billion in U.S. agricultural
productivity.”
Rep. Matzie noted that according to Pollinator Partnership-- a nonprofit group that
promotes and protects pollinators and their ecosystems-- pollinators serve more than 180,000
different plant species and more than 1,200 crops, adding $217 billion to the global economy.
They also promote healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize the soil, protect crops
from severe weather and support other wildlife.
In addition to the work of Pollinator Partnership, the resolution recognizes the efforts of
the Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association, the Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State
University Cooperative Extension and the Delaware Valley College for their collective work on
processes that promote pollination and beekeeping.
The text of the resolution follows--
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of June 18 through 24, 2018, as "Pollinator Week" in Pennsylvania
WHEREAS, Pollinator species such as birds and insects, including bees, are essential
partners of farmers and ranchers in producing much of our food supply; and
WHEREAS, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of our national forests and
grasslands, which provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources and
recreational opportunities as well as enhanced economic development opportunities for
communities; and
WHEREAS, Pollinator species, including bees, provide significant environmental
benefits that are necessary for maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has managed wildlife habitats and public lands,
including forests and grasslands, for decades; and
WHEREAS, The Bee Law, which appears in Chapter 21 of Title 3 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, and other laws and regulations provide producers with conservation
assistance to promote wise conservation stewardship, including the protection and maintenance
of pollinators and their habitats on working lands and wildlands, and, through the Department of
Agriculture, register and regulate each apiary; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association works with the Department
of Agriculture to promote pollination, beekeeping and the production of honey; and
WHEREAS, Among its activities, the association:
(1) Produces a newsletter 10 times per year.
(2) Meets twice yearly to conduct business.
(3) Operates a booth at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Ag Progress Days to promote honey
and beekeeping.
(4) Maintains an education program to inspire new beekeepers and continues to investigate
25
avenues to provide information to more accomplished beekeepers.
(5) Supports Delaware Valley University and The Pennsylvania State University in projects,
staff and grant requests that further research and continually promote beekeeping.
(6) Operates the Honey Queen Program to promote honey and provide beekeepers across this
Commonwealth with a resource person to assist in promoting honey in local areas; and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership is a nonprofit organization that protects the
health of managed and native pollinating animals vital to North American ecosystems and
agriculture; and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership collaborates with stakeholders who manage or
influence landscapes to do a better job of sharing the landscape with pollinators; and
WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership's mission is to protect pollinators critical to food
and ecosystems through conservation, education and research which includes "National
Pollinator Week," the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign and ecoregional planting
guides; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the week of June 18 through
24, 2018, as "Pollinator Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate the Pennsylvania State
Beekeepers Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Delaware Valley University and the
Department of Agriculture for their cooperative efforts to promote pollination, beekeeping and
the production of honey; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the efforts of the Pollinator
Partnership to annually observe "National Pollinator Week"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor to issue a
proclamation urging all residents to recognize this observance; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the
Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association and the Pollinator
Partnership.
For more information on pollinators and supporting pollinators, visit Penn State’s Center
for Pollinator Research webpage.
Related Stories:
Agriculture, Penn State Release PA Pollinator Protection Plan Recommendations
Pollinator Population Is Going Down In PA Due To Pesticides, Parasites And Pathogens
Legislation
The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet on June 18 to consider Senate Bill 1199
(Rafferty-R- Montgomery) providing for a landowners’ bill of rights in cases of eminent domain,
including by private entities like pipeline companies.
“Landowners deserve to know their rights when their property is looking to be acquired
through eminent domain,” said Sen. John Rafferty. “This process is often overwhelming to
many landowners and the taking of property often leaves landowners frustrated and angry with
this realization, as evidenced in Chester County [in cases related to pipeline development].
“Landowners are often ill informed when it comes to eminent domain and many do not
26
have the resources to consult with an attorney to fully understand the ramifications of eminent
domain and their legal rights under the law,” said Sen. Rafferty. “At the very least, any
Pennsylvania landowner facing eminent domain should be provided with an adequate
understanding of the eminent domain process and all options that may be available to them going
forward.”
The bill requires Office of Attorney General to prepare a written statement that includes a
bill of rights for a property owner whose real property may be acquired by a governmental or
private entity through the use of the entity’s eminent domain authority.
The written statement must then be available on the Attorney General’s website and a
copy of this written statement must be physically presented to each affected landowner by the
entity seeking eminent domain in advance of the acquisition.
The meeting will be held in the Rules Room off the Senate Floor when announced by the
President of the Senate during a break at some point during the day.
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and
can be contacted by calling 717-787-6599 or sending email to: sgreenleaf@pasen.gov. Sen.
Daylin Leach serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling 717-787-5544 or send
email to: dleach@pasenate.com.
Related Stories:
Pipeline Commission
House Committee Meets June 20 On Bills Extending Natural Gas Service, Replacing Lead,
Broken Service Lines
The House Consumer Affairs Committee is scheduled to meet on June 20 to consider legislation
encouraging the extension of natural gas distribution systems and on replacing lead water service
line and damaged sewer laterals. The bills include--
-- House Bill 107 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) providing a mechanism to cover costs of extending
natural gas distribution systems (sponsor summary); and
-- House Bill 2075 (Charlton-R-Delaware) lead water service line and damaged sewer lateral
replacement (sponsor summary).
The Committee held a hearing on House Bill 107 on April 27, 2017.
The meeting will be held in Room B-31 of the Main Capitol and will be called Off the
Floor by the House Speaker during a break in legislative session that day. Committee meetings
are typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus website.
Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and
can be contacted by calling 717-783-6428 or sending email to: rgodshal@pahousegop.com. Rep.
Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by calling
27
717-787-3525 or sending email to: RepCaltagirone@pahouse.net.
Related Story:
House Hearing: Bill Allows Utilities to charge All Ratepayers For Gas Service Extensions
News From Around The State
Bay Journal: Chesapeake Bay Earns Another C On Its Annual Report Card
By Timothy B. Wheeler, Chesapeake Bay Journal
Buoyed by a resurgence in aquatic grasses and

water-quality upticks in several rivers, the
Chesapeake Bay remained moderately healthy in
2017, according to the latest ecological report card
from the University of Maryland Center for
Environmental Science.
The Bay’s overall condition garnered a ‘C’ letter
grade for the sixth straight year, and its health score
remained unchanged from 2016, at 54 percent.
Scientists see positive signs in that stability, though.
They note that the Chesapeake’s health scores have gone up and down since UMCES
began issuing annual report cards in 1986. But for three years now, the estuary’s overall health
score has held relatively steady.
Scientists detailed the report card results Friday morning by the Potomac River in the
District of Columbia, where they were joined by state and local officials.
“It is the first time that the Chesapeake Bay report card scores are significantly trending
in the right direction,” Bill Dennison, UMCES vice president for science application, said in a
press release announcing the results. “We have seen individual regions improving before, but not
the entire Chesapeake Bay. It seems that the restoration efforts are beginning to take hold.”
In 2017, aquatic grasses earned their best score ever, for the first time in decades
covering more than 100,000 acres of the bottom of the Bay and its tributaries.
Still, submerged aquatic vegetation, as the grasses are also called, scored a moderate 44
percent because the overall grass recovery goal is to reach 185,000 acres by 2025. The 2017
score is a 5 percent improvement over the prior year, and a 32 percent increase since 1986, when
the score was only 12 percent.
The 2017 assessment also gave a record-high combined score for the health of striped
bass, Bay anchovies and blue crabs, three ecologically and economically important fish species.
Striped bass registered continued optimal health, while crabs and Bay anchovies both
received slightly higher grades than the previous year.
Survey results released in May reported a drop in the Bay’s adult crab abundance,
particularly for female broodstock, but there was a big increase in juveniles, so state fisheries
officials declared the overall crab population healthy and sustainable.
Five of the seven indicators of Bay water-quality tracked in the report card either
improved or held steady in 2017.
28
Dissolved oxygen levels earned the highest score, 89 percent, trailed by progress in
reducing the nutrients phosphorus (76 percent) and nitrogen (59 percent).
However, water clarity and an indicator measuring algae growth in the Bay both have
been showing significantly declining trends, the assessment noted.
The abundance of bottom-dwelling worms, clams and other tiny organisms also showed
no improvement over time.
While the Bay’s overall health remained unchanged, seven of its 15 regions registered
improvements in 2017 and none declined, according to the report card.
Virginia’s Elizabeth and James rivers saw significant improvements last year, as did the
Upper Western Shore in Maryland. The Elizabeth, in particular, once deemed one of the most
degraded Bay tributaries, raised its letter grade from a ‘D’ to a ‘C.’ The James improved to a
‘B-minus.’
Eight regions, however, showed no improvements, with the York River in Virginia and
the Patuxent River and Lower Western Shore in Maryland earning ‘D’ grades for relatively poor
ecological health. The Patapsco and Back rivers around Baltimore garnered the lowest grade,
‘D-minus,’ but those rivers, which once earned failing ‘F’ grades, showed significant
improvement in 2017, according to the report card.
Click Here for the latest report card.
For information on cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania’s portion of the Bay
Watershed, visit DEP’s Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Plan webpage.
NewsClips:
The Chesapeake Bay Hasn’t Been This Healthy In 33 Years, Scientists Say
Stream Restoration At Lancaster Plain Sect Farm Earns Governors’ Award
Lackawanna Conservation District’s No-Till Program Good For Farmers, Environment
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal On Facebook
Related Story:
Program
(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)

Southcentral Regional Watershed Workshop Set For June 20 In Carlisle
The PA Environmental Council and PA Organization for

Watersheds and Rivers will host another in their series of
Regional Watershed Workshops June 20 at Dickinson
College, Stern Great Room, 208 West Louther Street in
Carlisle, Cumberland County from 9:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Those working for watershed and environmental
organizations, their board members and volunteers, as
29
well as interested citizens, are encouraged to attend this event to share information, learn
techniques to help build membership, and network with other groups in the South-Central
Pennsylvania region.
This and similar meetings across the state are being organized to identify needs and
provide organizational capacity and technical resource tools to help make watershed
organizations across the Commonwealth as successful as possible.
Presenters at this workshop include staff from the South Mountain Partnership, the
Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, County Conservation Districts, and regional and local environmental organizations
with watershed-focused programs and resources.
And optional tour of Dickinson College’s sustainable features will wrap-up the day.
The cost of the workshop is $15 and includes breakfast, lunch, and the optional tour.
Click Here to register online. Questions should be directed to either Janet Sweeney, PEC Vice
President, 570-718-6507 or send email to: Jsweeney@pecpa.org or Susan Myerov, PEC Director
of Watershed Programs, at 215-545-4570 or send email to: smyerov@pecpa.org.
The Regional Workshops will also help set the agenda for our next statewide conference
of watershed organizations to be held on February 24-25, 2019 in State College.
Visit the PA Organization for Watersheds and Rivers website for information on
watershed restoration, the PA Rivers of the Year and annual Sojourn programs.
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.
NewsClips:
KeyBank Employees Volunteer At Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
Bus Tour Will Explore Local Green Infrastructure In Westmoreland
Westmoreland Farm Summit Focuses On Ag Trends, Success Strategies
Brandywine-Christina Watershed: Can A Water Fund Bring New Dollars For Watershed
Restoration?
IUP Students Continue Testing Air, Water At Beaver Run Reservoir
Lebanon Property Owners Face New Fees To Combat Stormwater Pollution
ORSANCO Moves To Eliminate Its Water Quality Standards For The Ohio River
Millcreek Twp, Erie County Plans To Reduce Stream Sediment
Editorial: Lake Erie Cleanup Keeps Paying Dividends
DCNR Blog: Fire & Rain - Using Biochar To Improve Rain Gardens, Control Stormwater
Spring this year in Pennsylvania has been wet,

complete with high water in rivers and streams;
30
flooding in some communities; and conversations about the weather impacting outdoor fun and
what’s growing.
DCNR is involved in a number of efforts to address the impacts that heavy rain can have,
including supporting and employing green infrastructure and planting trees along streams.
Another unique practice is encouraging the use of biochar in rain gardens and urban tree
plantings to assist plant growth and adsorb water.
There is evidence of use of biochar all the way back to ancient South American
civilizations, and has recently be proven as seen an eco-friendly soil amendment.
What Is Biochar?
Biochar is charcoal that is ground down to a certain size, and added to the soil. (Biochar
is not briquettes, like you would buy in a bag for your grill, but smaller pieces made from
organic matter, such as wood, that is processed at high temperatures).
As wood is heated in a controlled environment, it chemically breaks down, leaving
carbon behind. The hydrogen and oxygen that made up a portion of the wood fiber are driven off
as gases and burned.
When this charcoal is pulverized and added to the soil, it is called biochar.
This material has a large, porous surface area that attracts and retains soil nutrients, such
as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These essential elements often leach away and enter the
water system if not taken up quickly by the plants.
Biochar is not a fertilizer, but rather a very effective holder for plant nutrients and it
provides habitat for microorganisms. The biochar acts like a battery that collects and stores these
essential compounds for plant growth, but then releases it back to the plant when needed.
Benefits Of Biochar
Biochar has a number of benefits -- here are some of them:
-- Improves soil structure
-- Holds water and nutrients in the soil, while still making them available to plants
-- Continues to store carbon in the soil in a form that does not break down
Because biochar is nearly pure carbon, it cannot rot, unlike wood mulches. It is a
long-term investment in the soil that will last for centuries.
Each pound of charcoal placed in the soil keeps three pounds of carbon dioxide out of the
air.
Biochar In Rain Gardens
Biochar is very porous and can hold up to six times its weight in water. It acts almost like
a sponge, absorbing, holding, and keeping water and nutrients available for plants. This makes
biochar a good addition to a rain garden.
The pores also function as small condominiums holding bacteria, nematodes, fungi,
protozoa, and other organisms that digest and recycle nutrients in the soil.
In 2017, DCNR’s Bureau of Facility Design and Construction was working with staff at
the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg to design and install a rain garden at the property along
Front Street as part of a number of sustainable practices.
Intern Zoe Roane-Hopkins, attending Penn State pursuing a degree in landscape
architecture, was working on the project and had been introduced to biochar and how it can be
used.
She felt adding charcoal to the rain garden would be a good idea and made this
suggestion to her supervisor, who approved this project, and her vision moved forward.
31
The biochar put in the rain garden at the residence is made from low-grade hard and soft
woods grown in Pennsylvania.
It represents a product that can be increasingly used to: Improve soil quality; Filter water;
Reduce nutrient pollution; Eliminate manure odor; Sequester carbon; Adsorb stormwater runoff;
and Create jobs
This work at the Governor’s Residence is one more step forward in letting others know
about the benefits of biochar.
Biochar In Urban Tree Plantings
This spring on a farm in Auburn, Schuylkill County, DCNR’s Woodland Stewardship
Coordinator Gary Gilmore was assisting the landowner in making biochar to be used for the first
time in urban tree plantings in Pottsville and Orwigsburg.
Because biochar assists in keeping plants hydrated, it’s a perfect addition to urban tree
plantings, which are often surrounded by sidewalk or asphalt.
“Urban soil can be a difficult place for plants to grow,” Gilmore said. “Usually, urban
soils contain a lot of clay and are compacted, which can make it difficult for roots to get through
-- biochar reduces soil density.”
In addition, biochar can assist with trapping pollutants, such as oil or anything running
off streets, pavements, and parking lots. Once trapped, microorganisms in the soil can then digest
and degrade these pollutants.
Biochar As A Forest Product
Non-marketable trees are those which are not being used for lumber or are undesirable.
Those trees could be recycled and made into charcoal.
“Trees can’t be landfilled,” Gilmore said. Some communities turn trees they have
removed into mulch. Charcoal creation could be another option. Any type of hard or soft wood
can be used as long as it’s not chemically treated.
Exploring Biochar Uses With Cumberland-Perry Vo-Tech Students
DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry has been working closely with teachers and students at the
Cumberland-Perry Area Vocational Technical School (Vo-Tech) on making biochar, and using it
in bare-root tree planting experiments at the campus.
The building trades classes take the cut-offs from the lumber used to build model homes
and turn them into charcoal. This has drastically reduced the amount of waste that used to go into
dumpsters and then landfills.
This charcoal is then passed to the students in the horticulture classes to process into
biochar. They crush the charcoal and add it to compost. This material can then be used in the
green house for potting mix or in the newly installed bare-root nursery.
Many communities around the area are starting to plant bare-root stock for shade trees.
The Vo-Tech horticulture department wants to help supply that need since they have the
space, the program, the students, and the interest.
Using biochar will help make it easier to care for the plants by holding nutrients, holding
water, and making it easier to pull the trees when they are large enough to sell.
It would have been hard to imagine several years ago that the “waste” from building
trades could be used to help the plants grown by the horticulture classes in the same school. The
school has purchased a portable mill through a USFS grant.
Learn More
To learn more about biochar and urban wood utilization, visit the DCNR website or send
32
email to DCNR's Gary Gilmore at: ggilmore@pa.gov.
DCNR’s website, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog, Click Here for upcoming events, Click
Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Related Story:
Program
Independence Conservancy, Local Partners Cleanup Flood Debris From Raccoon Creek In
Beaver County
On May 15th an ambitious crew of about 30

people spent a day cleaning up flood debris from
the Raccoon Creek Greenway in Potter Township,
Beaver County.
Volunteers from Range Resources’ Canonsburg
office brought trucks, trailers, and even a small
boat to help them retrieve three tons of tires,
appliances, furniture and household garbage from
both banks of Raccoon Creek.
Beaver County Jail’s Community Service Crew
worked with Independence Conservancy’s tire
shear to clean up an illegal dump, properly disposing of a hundred tires and rusty wheels.
Sure-footed folks in hip waders ventured deep into a wetland to pull out plastic pipes,
barrels, bottles and things no longer identifiable.
Thanks to these hard-working people for making nearly two miles of creek bank and a
mile of Raccoon Creek Road sparkle! They had so much fun; they want to come back next
spring.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Independence Conservancy website.
NewsClips:
Storms Spread Flooding In Allegheny, Westmoreland Counties
Flooding Around Turnpike Construction Hits McDonald Area Again
PennDOT Wants More Information Before Replacing Pittsburgh Floodgates
Officials Probing Options To Advance Rushbrook Creek Flood Project
Stroud Water Research Center: Car Enthusiasts Explored Chester County Watersheds
The rain did not stop car enthusiasts from hitting

the road in support of clean fresh water at the
Stroud Water Research Center’s second annual
Road Rally on June 10 in Chester County.
The official Axalta Coating Systems pace
33
car led off at 2:30 p.m. and cars were released every two minutes. Drivers counted bodies of
water and restoration sites while answering fun clues about the history of the region.
The halfway point was the Marsh Creek State Park boat launch where drivers and their
navigators checked in with volunteers, refueled on Herr’s Snacks and water, took selfies, and
then continued to the Finish Line Party.
The Finish Line Party took place in the Lenfest Center at the beautiful ChesLen Preserve
which is owned by Natural Lands. ChesLen Preserve is the largest privately owned nature
preserve open to the public in Chester County.
Miles of marked hiking trails lead visitors through shady woodlands, flower-filled
meadows, fields of corn and soybeans, and stream valleys.
A delicious BBQ dinner and drinks were enjoyed as drivers and their navigators talked
about the missed turns made along the way.
During the party, Stroud Center Director Dave Arscott explained some of the restoration
work and research projects taking place through the watersheds that were explored during the
day.
Regina Tracy, global CSR of corporate affairs and internal communications at Axalta
Coating Systems, helped Arscott to award the prizes from the day-- from a 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS
that won the Car Most Likely to Get Stuck in a Creek to a Ford Galaxie that won the Most
Unusual Car.
The Grand Prize winners took home gift certificates for oil changes and a bottle of
champagne in their baby blue Porsche Boxter.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water
Research Center website, Click Here to subscribe to UpStream. Click Here to subscribe to
Stroud’s Educator newsletter. Click Here to become a Friend Of Stroud Research, Like them on
Facebook, Follow on Twitter, include them in your Circle on Google+ and visit their YouTube
Channel.
Valley Creek Restoration Partnership Green Infrastructure Tour June 20 In Chester

County
Join the Valley Creek Restoration Partnership for a tour of four infiltration trench projects
completed in the Upper Crabby Creek Watershed on June 20 from 10:00 a.m. to Noon starting
from the Tredyffrin Township Building, 1100 DuPortail Road in Berwyn, Chester County.
These best management practices collect the runoff of one-half to one inch storms from
35 acres of drainage area in residential neighborhoods. The trenches range in length from 25
yards to 130 yards and in width from 4 to 10 feet. The storage capacity of the 4 trenches is
60,000 gallons.
The projects were managed by Tredyffrin Township, designed by Cahill & Associates
and then ch2m. The trenches were installed in the eased land along the street curbing on four
different roads in upper Crabby Creek.
Questions should be directed to: Chuck Marshall by sending email to:
cgmarshall1@verizon.net.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Valley Creek Restoration Partnership website.
34
NewsClips:
Restoration?
Next Generation Farm Summit In Westmoreland County June 29
The Westmoreland County Conservation District

and many partners are hosting a Next Generation
Farm Summit on June 29 at the Donohoe Center,
218 Donohoe Road in Greensburg from Noon
until 3:30.
The future of farming in Westmoreland
County is looking very different from the days
when dairy farms dominated the landscape.
Yet, different doesn’t mean diminished.
In fact, agriculture has a very good chance
of keeping its place as Westmoreland County’s
number one industry because of the many new
and exciting agricultural opportunities on the horizon -- from industrial hemp, which is now
being legally grown in Pennsylvania for the first time in 80 years, to year-round farming inside
abandoned warehouses.
An upcoming free Summit will explore emerging trends in agriculture, and offer ways to
make today’s farm operations successful, including ways to diversify growing, connect farm
products with local businesses, and make operations more energy efficient.
Area farmers who already have successfully built a niche market for their products –
including John and Sukey Jamison of Jamison’s Lamb Farm, Jessica Hoover of Jessi’s Chickens,
and organic goat and free-range chicken farmer Richard Nolt – will share their experiences.
And a variety of agricultural agencies and partners will be on-hand with information
about their programs, including the Department of Agriculture with its new apprenticeship
program that prepares journeyman technicians to work on agricultural equipment without the
need for a college education.
Other participants in the farm summit include: its sponsors, Westmoreland Conservation
District, AgChoice Farm Credit, and Commonwealth Alternative Medical Options; in addition to
Peoples Natural Gas; Hollymead Capital; Chatham University’s sustainable Eden Hall campus;
Republic Food Enterprise Center; Penn State Extension Westmoreland County; PA Association
for Sustainable Agriculture; U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development, Farm Service
Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA; Western Pennsylvania Conservancy;
Westmoreland Land Trust; PA Veterans Farming Project/Troops to Tractors; Southwest Project
Grass; and National Young Farmers Coalition.
There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required, ideally by June 20. To
register, go online to the Next Generation Farm Summit webpage or call Sandy Donovan at
35
724-837-5271.
(Photo: Jamison’s Lamb Farm.)
NewsClips:
Beekeepers Look Forward To Passage Of Lancaster City Ordinance
Crable: At Least 2 Lancaster Dairy Farmers Producing Controversial A2 Milk
PennFuture: U.S. Senate Farm Bill Protects PA Forests, Environment
DEP Accepting Comments On Assessment Methodologies For 2018 Integrated Water

Quality Monitoring Report
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on the water quality

assessment methods it will use to do stream evaluations for the 2018 Integrated Water Quality
Monitoring and Assessment Report required by the federal Clean Water Act. (formal notice)
The assessment methodology is a compilation of multiple methods used to assess waters
that may appear in the Integrated Report. For the 2018 Integrated Report, the assessment
methodology is being updated to reflect three newly developed methodologies.
The Department will accept comments on the new methods including: Semi-Wadeable
Large River Macro-invertebrate Assessment Method; Continuous Physico-chemical Assessment
Method; and Eutrophication Cause Determination Method. The Department will consider all
public comments regarding the data analyses protocols contained in these three methodologies.
Copies of the assessment methodologies will be available on DEP’s eComment webpage.
Comments are due by July 30. Read the notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin for
instructions on submitting comments.
Click Here to review a copy of the 2016 Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and
Assessment Report.
Related Stories:
DEP Reports 19,000 Miles Of Impaired Streams, Rivers To EPA, Lower Susquehanna Listed As
Impaired For Recreation Only
DEP Invites Groups To Submit Data For Stream Standard Reviews For 63 Class A Wild Trout
Streams
[Posted June 15, 2018]
DEP Invites Groups To Submit Data For Stream Standard Reviews For 63 Class A Wild
Trout Streams
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin

inviting groups and individuals to submit water quality and other information to help its review
of water quality standards for 63 streams classified by the Fish and Boat Commission as Class A
Wild Trout Streams.
36
The streams are located in Berks, Blair, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton,
Dauphin, Elk, Forest, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin,
Monroe, Northampton, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Tioga, Venango and York counties.
Click Here to read the June 16 PA Bulletin notice for a list of the streams.
Persons who have technical data concerning the water quality, instream habitat or
biological condition of these stream sections are encouraged to make it available to the
Department for consideration in the assessment. These assessments may lead to
recommendations to the Board for redesignation.
Data should be submitted to Mark Brickner, Division of Water Quality, Bureau of Clean
Water, P.O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774, or sent by email to: mbrickner@pa.gov.
Data should be submitted within 30 days of this notice. Questions concerning this evaluation can
be directed to Mark Brickner at 717-787-9637.
For more information on stream assessments, visit DEP’s Stream Assessment
Notifications webpage.
Related Stories:
DEP Invites Groups To Submit Data For Stream Standard Reviews For 3 Watersheds In 7
Counties
DEP Accepting Comments On Assessment Methodologies For 2018 Integrated Water Quality
Monitoring Report
July 17 DEP Hearing On Renewal Of Water Quality Permit For Fmr Embreeville State
Hospital Grounds, Chester County
The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting and hearing on July 17 on the
renewal of the NPDES discharge permit for the wastewater treatment plant serving the former
Embreeville State Hospital grounds in Newlin Township, Chester County. (PA Bulletin, page
3640)
The meeting and hearing will start at 6:00 at the Marshallton united Methodist Church,
1282 W. Strasburg Road, West Chester.
Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should contact the Department’s
Community Relations Coordinator at 484-250- 5808 on or before July 17, 2018.
Appointments may be made to review the Department’s files on this case by calling the
File Review Coordinator at 484-250-5910.
Read the June 16 PA Bulletin notice for all the details and on how to submit comments
(PA Bulletin, page 3640).
Keep PA Beautiful Welcomes Rob Dubas To Coordinate Illegal Dump Free PA Initiative
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday announced Rob Dubas

has joined KPB as the Illegal Dump Free Program Coordinator.
Dubas will help facilitate their Illegal Dump Free PA initiative
across the state, working with local governments, communities,
and enforcement agencies to identify and hold accountable
37
individuals and businesses that choose to dump their trash illegally.
IllegalDumpFreePA.org is an innovative program launched in 2015 that provides
surveillance camera loans, training and support to Pennsylvania municipalities and community
groups.
“I'm excited to work with the towns and cities across PA to combat dumping. Whenever
I had mentioned to friends or family about starting at Keep PA Beautiful, almost everyone said
they knew of an unsightly dump in their neighborhood. That emphasizes to me how widespread
the problem is and how it affects all of the state; urban, suburban, and rural areas included,” said
Dubas.
After working in banking for almost a decade, Dubas went back to school to earn a
Master of Environmental Science and Management from Duquesne University.
He decided to change careers to one that made protecting the environment a priority after
having spent many hours in the woods volunteering with Pittsburgh-area trail groups, mountain
biking, running, and hiking.
As part of his studies, he also had internships with an area land trust and a long-term
water-quality research project.
"We are excited to welcome Rob to our team. The combination of his education, passion
for the outdoors and respect for nature and the environment makes him a perfect fit to advance
the Illegal Dump Free PA program and our mission to empower Pennsylvanians to keep our
communities clean and beautiful. Rob shares the values and vision of Keep Pennsylvania
Beautiful and will serve as a great resource to the Illegal Dump Free PA initiative and the
organization as a whole," states Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful.
The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Surveillance Camera Loan Program provides grant
recipients with three surveillance cameras to capture evidence of illegal dumping at an active
dumpsite and technical assistance with installation.
To learn more about the program, visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website or contact Rob
Dubas by sending email to: rdubas@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121 x107.
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.
NewsClip:
Related Story:
River Sweep Volunteers Needed June 16 To Cleanup Waterways In Western PA
River Sweep Volunteers Needed June 16 To Cleanup Waterways In Western PA
Volunteers are needed for the 28th Annual River Sweep Saturday,
June 16, from 8 a.m. to noon to help clean up stream and
riverbanks in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver and Westmoreland
Counties.
The River Sweep, an annual six-state effort to clean up litter and
debris in the Ohio River watershed, is the largest organized
38
volunteer river cleanup effort in the country. The event winds through Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Illinois, covering more than 2,400 miles of shoreline.
“The River Sweep is a community effort that teaches the value of our waterways,
teamwork and stewardship,” said Betsy Mallison, Pennsylvania River Sweep Coordinator.
“Bring dad and the rest of the family and spend a few hours along our rivers and streams and
help make a difference in our waterways.”
Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes and long pants, and to bring work gloves, if
available. Volunteers must sign a waiver and will receive a free River Sweep t-shirt for
participating.
In Pennsylvania, the River Sweep is sponsored by the Department of Environmental
Protection, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and a number of
Pennsylvania corporate sponsors including Duquesne Light, EQT, and the Neville Chemical
Company.
There are more than 10 cleanup points in Pennsylvania. Residents can find out more
about River Sweep cleanup locations, by checking the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation
Commission’s River Sweep webpage.
(Photo: Grand Prize Winner Ohio River Sweep Poster Contest, Hannah Jones, Mr. Lebanon
High School, Pittsburgh.)
NewsClip:
Related Story:
Keep PA Beautiful Welcomes Rob Dubas To Coordinate Illegal Dump Free PA Initiative
Hazelwood Green, Pittsburgh Selects Gustafson Guthrie Nichol As Public Plaza Designer
Hazelwood Green, a former steel mill site that is

the City of Pittsburgh’s largest riverfront
redevelopment project, Monday announced the
design firm Gustafson Guthrie Nichol (GGN)
has been selected to create the first public plaza
at the 178-acre site.
GGN, whose past work includes the
National Museum of African American History
and Culture, Washington, D.C.; North End
Parks, Boston, Mass.; and The Lurie Garden at
Millennium Park, Chicago, Ill., was selected
out of a field of 30 design firms that submitted qualifications in response to an RFQ issued in
November 2017.
The Public Plaza is envisioned as an adaptable and innovative gathering and event space
for those who work, reside in, or visit Hazelwood Green and its neighborhood of Hazelwood.
Elements of the new Plaza may include benches and seating, green space and native plantings,
lighting, public art, and space for seasonal events.
GGN will work with local Pittsburgh firms, including Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Klavon
Design Associates, KU Resources, and Santangelo & Lindsay, on elements of the project.
39
Additional partners include DCW Cost Management, SITEGreen Solutions, and Tillett Lighting
Design Associates.
“We received an outstanding mix of proposals, but were most impressed by GGN and
their understanding of the role of this first public space in shaping Hazelwood Green as a place
and for its important role within a larger system of well-loved civic centers in the City of
Pittsburgh,” says Hazelwood Green Project Director Rebecca Flora. “GGN’s portfolio reflects a
high quality of design and aesthetic, as well as sensitivity and experience in the integration of
sustainability with design elements, all of which align with the vision for Hazelwood Green.
These attributes, together with their demonstrated ability and commitment to working within the
constraints of the project’s budget and schedule, made GGN the clear choice among a team of
highly qualified contenders.”
The two-acre space allocated for the Plaza lies south of the Mill 19 building, an
expansive former mill structure currently under construction, that will house Hazelwood Green’s
first anchor tenants – the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute and Carnegie
Mellon University’s Manufacturing Futures Initiative.
Mill 19 will open out onto one of the Plaza’s four sides, with a second side facing
Hazelwood Green’s Main Street – Lytle Street – that will begin construction this summer. The
remaining two sides of the Plaza will be framed by future buildings that will activate first floor
uses facing the Plaza as market interest evolves.
Design for the Plaza will commence in June, with construction anticipated to begin in
early 2019, with a late summer or early fall completion date.
“Hazelwood Green is regenerative land. It is land that has changed so much over time
and its most recent transition is a big one – from a privately held steel mill to a publicly
accessible gathering place for the community of Pittsburgh,” says GGN Founding Principal
Jennifer Guthrie, FASLA, PLA. “It’s a big change. This whole group – client and design team –
is ‘all in’ to create a civic heart for Hazelwood Green that is welcoming for everyone and
nourishes the bigger landscape.”
Kathryn Gustafson, FASLA, PLA, and Founding Principal, GGN, adds, “It’s an
incredible site – the wooded green hills drop down to a flat land plain, and from there you see
green mountains, river, and sky from one direction, and green mountain, sky, and the city view
from the other. These are the two views that characterize this wonderful place that we are
honored to help shape.”
GGN’s proposal was selected by a nine-member advisory committee that included:
Karen Abrams, Program Officer, Equitable Development, The Heinz Endowments; Rebecca
Flora, AICP, LEED BD+C/ND, Hazelwood Green Project Director; Raymond W. Gastil, AICP,
Director, Department of City Planning, City of Pittsburgh; Nicole Graycar, AIA, Project
Manager, Campus Design and Facility Development Carnegie Mellon University; Don Johnson,
Senior Development Manager, Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC); Sean C.
Luther, Executive Director, InnovatePGH; Lawrence T. Mangan, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer, C.W. Benedum Foundation; Sam Reiman, Associate Director, Richard King Mellon
Foundation; and Tim Smith, Executive Director, Center of Life, Chair, Greater Hazelwood
Community Collaborative (GHCC). The selection process was facilitated by Mary Navarro and
the Plaza’s project manager, Katrina Flora, AICP.
For more information, visit the Hazelwood Green website.
(Photo: One early concept not from GGN.)
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NewsClip:
Design Team Announced For Hazelwood Green Public Space
[Posted: June 11, 2018.]
Proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan Changes For Meeting Ozone Standard,
New Source Review Open For Comment, 3 Hearings
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

inviting comments on proposed changes to the State Air Quality Implementation Plan to
implement regulations under the 2008 national ozone pollution and new source review standards.
The SIP Plan revision includes regulations and policies already adopted by DEP to meet
these standards.
DEP has scheduled three public hearings on the proposed changes on July 16 all starting
at 1:00--
-- DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh;
-- DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown; and
-- 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg.
Persons wishing to present testimony should contact Randy Bordner, P.O. Box 8468,
Harrisburg, PA 17105, or Amanda Rodriguez at 717-787-9702 or amarodrigu@pa.gov to reserve
a time. Witnesses will be limited to 10 minutes and should provide two written copies of their
testimony.
If by July 13, 2018, no person has expressed an interest in testifying at a hearing, the
hearing will be canceled. The Department will provide public notice on the Bureau of Air
Quality webpage.
Read the June 16 PA Bulletin notice for additional details.
A copy of the SIP Plan revisions is available on DEP’s eComment webpage. Questions
should be directed to Amanda Rodriguez at amarodrigu@pa.gov or 717-787-9702.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
PA’s Proposed 2018 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan Available For Comment
PA’s Proposed 2018 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan Available For Comment

now accepting comments on the proposed 2018 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan for
criteria pollutants.
The Plan includes DEP’s procedures for monitoring ambient levels of carbon monoxide,
lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate pollution and sulfur dioxide.
A copy of the draft plan is available on DEP’s eComment webpage. Questions should be
directed to Nick Lazor at nlazor@pa.gov or 717-783-9268.
Comments are due by July 16. Read the June 16 PA Bulletin notice for instructions on
41
submitting comments.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Proposed State Air Quality Implementation Plan Changes For Meeting Ozone Standard, New
Source Review Open For Comment, 3 Hearings
PUC Now Accepting Comments On Proposed Policy For Third-Party Electric Vehicle
Charging
The Public Utility Commission is now accepting

comments on a proposed policy on third-party
electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that seeks to
provide greater clarity and consistency throughout
the state. (June 16 PA Bulletin, page 3584)
“Elimination of any regulatory uncertainty is an
important first step in supporting the build-out of
electric vehicle infrastructure,” Chairman Brown
stated in a motion at the PUC meeting in March
when the Commission adopted the proposed
statement. “The existing panoply of different tariffs indeed results in a lack of clarity and
consistency throughout the state regarding resale/redistribution of electricity for EV charging,
and I believe it is prudent to make tariff provisions of this nature ubiquitous among Electric
Distribution Companies.”
The Commission voted 5-0 to publish a draft Policy Statement which clarifies that
third-party electric vehicle charging is not considered resale/redistribution under Section 1313 of
the Public Utility Code and further directs EDCs to add EV charging tariff provisions consistent
with the policy.
Upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, there will be a 45-day comment period for
interested parties to share their thoughts with the Commission.
On June 15, 2017, the Commission issued a Secretarial Letter launching a third-party EV
charging inquiry, underscoring the differing rules and provisions of the resale of utility service
by third-party EV charging stations, all of which may be subject to differing interpretations.
In her comments, Chairman Brown emphasized the distinction between electricity for use
as a transportation fuel and electricity as an essential public utility service, noting that the
Commission has already approved one tariff provision – for Duquesne Light Company - which
helps to reduce regulatory uncertainty in that service territory.
Comments are due by July 31 (45 days from the notice).
The contact persons for this matter are Scott Thomas, 717-783-2812 or
sjthomas@pa.gov, and Joseph Cardinale, 717-787-5558 or jcardinale@pa.gov, Assistant
Counsel in the Law Bureau, and Darren Gill, 717-783-5244 or dgill@pa.gov, Deputy Director,
Bureau of Technical Utility Services.
42
Documents related to the issue can be found at: Docket No.: M-2017-2604382.
(Photo: Electric vehicle charging station behind Weis Markets, Union Deposit Road in
Harrisburg.)
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin it has
issued the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline
Company’s Northeast Supply Enhancement Expansion Pipeline Project in Lancaster and Chester
counties. (PA Bulletin, page 3640)
The Project facilities consist of approximately 10.17 miles of new 42-inch diameter
natural gas pipeline in Drumore, East Drumore, and Eden Townships, Lancaster County and the
addition of one 21,902 horsepower motor-driven compressor at the existing Compressor Station
200 in East Whiteland Twp., Chester County.
Related Stories:
Legislation
Pipeline Commission
A coalition of Pennsylvania businesses

that provide fuel to consumers across the
Commonwealth, filed a formal protest
with the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission in response to a proposed
plan by Buckeye Partners to convert a
portion of the Laurel Pipeline system into
a federally regulated bi-directional
pipeline.
Far from a true bi-directional operation,
the coalition said Buckeye’s plan would heavily favor its out-of-state partners and deprive
Pennsylvania-based shippers, refiners and retailers of pipeline access to substantial portions of
Pennsylvania, including the greater Pittsburgh market, which they have consistently utilized for
over half a century.
Buckeye’s petition with FERC appears to be an attempt to circumvent a recent
recommendation by a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission administrative law judge to deny
43
Laurel's application to reverse the flow of the Laurel Pipeline, according to the coalition. The
PUC's final order on that matter is pending.
The coalition said, "This ill-conceived and unworkable plan was concocted by Buckeye
only after their attempts to reverse the flow of the Laurel Pipeline have stalled or failed. It’s
unfortunate that Buckeye continues to seek ways to cut off competition so that out-of-state
refiners can pump transportation fuels into Pennsylvania.
"This would unfairly cut off supply from eastern Pennsylvania refineries, which have
consistently supplied the Pittsburgh market with less expensive fuel, which benefits consumers.
Additionally, this plan puts thousands of family-wage-sustaining Pennsylvania jobs at risk."
Members of coalition include: Gulf Oil; Sheetz; Guttman Energy; Monroe Energy;
Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing; and Giant Eagle.
A FERC decision is not expected before late summer. Click Here for a copy of the
coalition's motion to intervene in the FERC case.
For more information, visit the Deny Buckeye website.
(Map: Shows Laurel Pipeline route and original flow reversal proposal.)
Related Stories:
Buckeye Now Proposing Bi-Directional Laurel Pipeline Service
Administrative Law Judge Recommends PUC Deny Request To Reverse Flow Of Laurel
Pipeline
Related Stories:
Legislation
Pipeline Commission
Wolf Signs Bill Authorizing New Local Funding Option For Energy Efficiency, Clean
Energy Projects
Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday signed Senate Bill 234 (Blake-D-Lackawanna), establishing
Pennsylvania’s Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE), a financing mechanism that
enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water
conservation upgrades to commercial or industrial properties.
This legislation represents a triple win, for small businesses who will save money on their
electricity and water bills, for Pennsylvania’s economy through the creation of new good paying
clean energy jobs, and for cleaner air and water as new clean energy sources are added to our
diverse energy mix.
“This innovative financing mechanism will support the creation of new clean energy and
energy efficiency projects throughout the Commonwealth, while also enhancing property values
and employment opportunities, while lowering the costs of doing business,” said Gov. Wolf.
44
“The implementation of this economic development tool in Pennsylvania is yet another example
of the bipartisan work that can come out of Harrisburg when we work together on common sense
legislation.”
Currently the upfront cost of installing energy-efficient or clean energy technology can be
prohibitive for many small business owners. This legislation provides a common sense,
market-driven, and voluntary solution to this problem without requiring any public funds.
This legislation provides a new option for local governments, who may choose to develop
or participate in a PACE program. Once established, private lenders provide financing to
building owners for energy-efficiency and clean energy technology upgrades.
Then the local community simply collects an assessment on the improved building over a
period of years and remits the payment to the lender to pay for the retrofit. In many cases, these
upgrades can save the building owner more than the cost of the assessment, meaning they begin
saving money immediately.
“The PACE program is a voluntary market-driven initiative which will create jobs and
enhance Pennsylvania’s clean energy portfolio,” Sen. John Blake said. “I have enjoyed working
with my colleague Senator Guy Reschenthaler and wish to thank Gov. Wolf for signing this
bipartisan legislation into law and I look forward to working with our communities to begin
implementing PACE in Pennsylvania.”
“We thank Gov. Wolf for his leadership growing and sustaining good jobs in our state
and protecting the environment and the leaders in the legislature that made this idea a reality,”
said Khari Mosley, Regional Program Manager for the BlueGreen Alliance. “The Blue Green
Alliance strongly supports commercial PACE because it will help our state by creating good
jobs, boosting energy and water efficiency efforts, and make our state more competitive in the
increasingly global marketplace.”
"This is an important victory in the effort to promote clean energy in Pennsylvania,"
noted PennEnvironment Executive Director David Masur. "It's impressive when Democrats and
Republicans, environmentalists and labor unions, and business leaders can all come together to
pass a critical clean energy policy like this."
“We’re excited for the potential of PACE to attract investment and boost economic
development here in Pennsylvania. PACE financing will help our contractors provide needed
energy solutions for their commercial and industrial customers while putting electricians to
work,” said Jeffrey Scarpello, Executive Director of the Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter of the National
Electrical Contractors Association.
“The signing of Senate Bill 234 marks a major step forward for Pennsylvania’s energy
efficiency industry,” said Matt Elliott, executive director for the Keystone Energy Efficiency
Alliance (KEEA). “With PACE financing for commercial properties coming to Pennsylvania,
we’re going to see more investment in energy efficiency, more energy savings for Pennsylvania
businesses, and more energy efficiency jobs. The commonwealth's existing energy efficiency
programs now employ more than 62,000 Pennsylvanians in fields ranging from construction to
engineering to manufacturing. The establishment of PACE financing will help further grow this
important local jobs market."
PACE loans can be used to pay for clean energy upgrades such as new heating and
cooling systems, lighting improvements, solar panels, water pumps, and insulation.
Currently, 33 states plus the District of Columbia authorize PACE financing for clean
energy and energy efficiency projects; this includes a diverse group of states such as Alabama,
45
California, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Texas.
NewsClips:
Cusick: Wolf Signs Bill To Help Finance Local Clean Energy, Efficiency Projects
Sisk: Solar Installers In PA Weather Tariff Upheaval
Report: End Of Gas Rush?, Renewables, Storage Reaching Cost Parity
Related Story:
Hundreds Rally For Passage Of PA Bipartisan, 100 Percent Renewable Energy Bill
Hundreds Rally For Passage Of PA Bipartisan, 100 Percent Renewable Energy Bill
On Tuesday, hundreds of Pennsylvanians

gathered under murals depicting Pennsylvania’s
industrial history in the Capitol to rally for a new
vision for the Commonwealth powered by 100
percent renewable energy.
The attendees were joined by businesses,
religious leaders, local mayors, and nurses and
doctors to advocate for bipartisan legislation
awaiting action in the General Assembly that
would meet this goal by 2050-- House Bill 2132
(Rabb-D-Philadelphia), Senate Bill 1140
(McIlhinney-R-Bucks).
The legislation has bipartisan support from 13 state Senators and 42 state House
members.
“It's time to make Pennsylvania run on solar shining on rooftops and wind blowing in
hills,” said Adam Garber, Deputy Director for PennEnvironment. “And today, with hundreds
gathered in Harrisburg advocating for bipartisan bill to do just that, it's clear the future is bright."
“The transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy would boost the creation of future
jobs by harnessing a newly skilled workforce, and giving our universities the opportunity to
advance new fields of technology as they educate a new generation of Pennsylvania’s
technology-based workforce,” Rep. Chris Rabb said. “The need is clear and the vast majority of
scientists agree: Climate change is real. We must seize the opportunity to become a leader in this
industry – for our children, our communities and our Commonwealth.”
After holding a rally in the capitol rotunda, attendees went to their respective elected
officials in the state House and Senate to meet face-to-face with their elected officials and call
for much-needed action to promote clean energy and tackle climate change.
All told, constituents held more than 80 legislative offices to discuss how this transition
could tackle climate change, save consumers money, and create clean energy jobs.
“As a woman of faith, I believe we can transform the lives of families in our communities
one day at a time. My aspiration is to make Duquesne a better place to live,” said Mayor Nickole
Nesby of Duquesne, PA. “I want residents to have a quality education, promote home ownership
with reasonable mortgage payments, economic development, better transportation, ensure
medical providers are provided, update parks, and provide better recreation and playgrounds.”
46
While attendees hustled from meeting to meeting, making the case for clean energy,
businesses showcased the growing clean energy revolution in Pennsylvania at a Clean Energy
Expo with educational tables throughout the capitol building.
This Expo included Pennsylvania companies like Pittsburgh-based EverPower, which
highlighted wind farms and Philadelphia-based Solar States which focused on their solar
installations on local businesses and homes.
Energy conservation and efficiency companies also featured tips showing how
Pennsylvanians could reduce their energy consumption, in turn reducing pollution and saving
money on their utility bills.
PennEnvironment also displayed a video testimony entitled Voices for 100, which
highlighted diverse voices in support for renewable energy, including testimonials from hundreds
of experts and citizens from across the Commonwealth discussing why they support shifting
away from fossil fuels.
“Renewable energy makes us safer and healthier, protecting our communities from global
warming and from hazardous air pollution,” said Anthony Clarke, Co-Chair of the Climate
Justice and Jobs team for POWER. “While the health impacts of climate change affect us all,
they disproportionately affect the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.”
“Pennsylvania has a long history and leadership of creating energy by mining our natural
resources of oil, coal, and gas. With that history has come negative health consequences of black
lung disease, cancers, asthma, and poor birth outcomes,” said Ruth McDermott-Levy, Associate
Professor & Director, Center for Global & Public Health at Villanova University. “It is time for
Pennsylvania to be a leader in energy again by harvesting our renewable resources of air and
wind and in turn, protecting the health of Pennsylvanians and those beyond our state borders.”
“Jesus commanded his followers to love God and to love our neighbor, especially the
most vulnerable, and climate change hurts vulnerable people here in Pennsylvania and around
the world right now,” said Pastor Inge Williams from the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA
(LAMPa) Policy Council.
Sponsors of 100% Renewable Energy Advocacy Day: 350 Pittsburgh, Breathe Project /
Collaborative, Bucks County Audubon Society, Bucks County Green Party, Bucks County Sierra
Club, Bucks Environmental Action, Citizens Climate Lobby Bucks-Mont, Citizens' Climate
Lobby Chester County, Clean Air Council, Clean Water Action, Climate Reality Project:
Susquehanna Valley PA Chapter, Defend Our Future, League of Women Voters PA, Moms
Clean Air Force, Oakland Planning & Development Corp., PA Council of Churches, PA
Interfaith Power and Light, PennEnvironment, Sierra Club-PA, Sunlight of the Spirit House,
Sunrise Movement, Susquehanna Valley Progress, Sustainable Business Network of Greater
Philadelphia, The Social Justice Group, MontCo / Philly, and Vote Solar.
Click Here for a more complete list of groups supporting the 100% Renewable initiatives.
For more information, visit the Voices for 100% Renewable website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Wolf Signs Bill Authorizing New Local Funding Option For Energy Efficiency, Clean Energy
47
Projects
Greater Carlisle Heart & Soul Project, Partners Host June 20 Workshop To Connect
Citizens To Community Planning In Carlisle
The Greater Carlisle Heart & Soul Project, the Cumberland County
Historical Society, and the Cumberland Conservation Collaborative
will host a June 20 workshop on Breaking The Complaint Cycle:
Municipal Planning and Community Engagement from 8:00 to
10:00 a.m.
Are you a municipal official, municipal staff member, or community
organization representative who is looking for constructive ways to
break the complaint cycle?
This workshop provides participants with new engagement tool to
break the complaint cycle and positively connect community
members and organizations to the municipal land use and community planning process.
The focus will be to show the importance of public input early in the planning process for
economic development and redevelopment projects.
Panelists from the region, including those from planning firms, municipal planning
agencies, county government, and state government, will share lessons learned and strategies to
benefit your community and make the planning process more efficient.
The workshop will be held at the Cumberland County Historical Society, Todd Hall, 21
N. Pitt St. in Carlisle.
Click Here to register or for more information.
The Greater Carlisle Heart & Soul Project was formed in 2015 as a resident-driven
approach to land use and community planning and development, through grants from the
Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the South Mountain Partnership mini-grant program.
Heart & Soul engages people from all segments of the community to share what makes
their community a great place to live and what they value. Questions should be directed to Dr.
Lindsey Varner by sending email to: greatercarlisleproject@gmail.com.
State, Local Officials Dedicate Enola Low Grade Rail Trail Bridge In Lancaster County
Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Saturday
joined other state officials and Providence
Township representatives in the dedication of an
Enola Low Grade Rail Trail bridge over Route
222 in Providence Township, Lancaster County.
Funded by DCNR and the Department of
Transportation, the span is one of three bridges
linking the 30-mile Enola Low Grade Rail Trail.
The trail stretches from the Susquehanna River in
48
Lancaster County to Atglen, Chester County.
“The Enola Low grade is a true asset to the citizens of the Southern end of Lancaster
County,” Dunn told listeners gathered at the Providence Township dedication. “As sections of
the trail are completed, it will provide not only health and quality of life benefits to communities,
but also lay groundwork for opportunities for sustainable economic growth to support the trail
users through bed and breakfasts, restaurants, bike shops and outfitters.”
State investments totaling almost $2 million have gone into the bridge, one of three major
spans along the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail which stretches 30 miles and passes through seven
municipalities.
DCNR provided $300,000 to pay for design and engineering of the bridge. Bridge
construction totaling $2.1 million was funded by PennDOT and Lancaster County.
“We are committed to a truly multi-modal approach as we advance transportation across
Pennsylvania and helping to underwrite bicycling improvements is an important way for us to
enhance the quality of life for the state,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “I
personally biked this trail with Secretary Dunn and saw firsthand how this investment will have a
positive regional impact.”
DCNR has worked with Lancaster County and local municipalities for almost two
decades to construct the trail, and Providence Township has emerged as a keystone in developing
sections of the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail east of the Safe Harbor Bridge to Atglen.
“The Enola Low Grade Trail is a great asset to the southern end of Lancaster County,”
said Upper Providence Manager Vicki Eldridge, “We are thrilled that the completion of this
bridge re-establishes the connection of the trail to the eastern most portions of the trail located in
Quarryville Borough and Eden, Bart and Sadsbury townships.”
In addition to Providence Township, the trail passes through six other municipalities:
Quarryville Borough, and Martic, Conestoga, Bart, Sadsbury, and Eden townships.
There are three large bridges along the trail. The largest -- Safe Harbor in Bridge in
Manor and Conestoga townships -- recently received $3 million in PennDOT TAP funds and
$500,000 in additional DCNR funds.
The second largest -- Martic Forge -- was heavily damaged by fire April 13, and the third
was dedicated Saturday. Trail proponents say all three are critical for a connected system.
Dunn said a primary goal of her department is to provide a trail within 15 minutes’ travel
of all Pennsylvanians. Closing priority gaps in existing trails helps achieve this, she said.
The secretary noted an Outdoor Industry Association study recently found Pennsylvania’s
outdoor recreation industry is the fifth largest in the nation.
Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation economy generates $29 billion in consumer spending;
$1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue; $8.6 billion in wages and salaries; and sustains
251,000 direct Pennsylvania jobs.
Find out about trails near you by visiting Explore PA Trails website.
NewsClips:
Yudichak Highlights Importance Of Closing Gaps On D&L Trail
49
Kayaker Dies At State Park Prompting Investigation
June 15 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
O’Neill: B-Man’s The Name, Appalachian Trail’s His Domain
DCNR Grant Enables Ambridge To Make Playground Accessible
Dozens Take Part In Middletown Float Trip, Despite Uncooperative Weather
Juniata River Water Trail Gains 2 New Launch Sites
Greene (County) River Trail
Water Levels On Lake Behind Holtwood Dam On Susquehanna To Allow For Repairs
Man Whose Boat Capsized In Harrisburg Didn’t Know About Dangerous Dam
2 Susquehanna River Beaches Closed In York Due To Bacteria
Proposed Delaware Avenue Bike Trail Wins Some Early Fans
AP: Philadelphia Railroad Ruins Transformed Into Elevated Park
Op-Ed: How You Can Help Philly Reimagine Our Civic Spaces
Workers Touching Up One Of The Treasurers Of Lehigh Parkway Parks
Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Stand Against Mountain Bikes
Meyers H.S. Students Get Lesson In River Travel And Sunburn
Presque Isle To Get $1.5M In Federal Money For Sand Replacement
Watch Live Water Testing At Presque Isle Wednesday
Editorial: Presque Isle Beaches To Get Work They Need
ATV Crash In Beaver Kills 62-Year Old Clinton Man
Flight 93 Family Member To Speak At Memorial This Weekend
Related Story:
Legendary Delaware & Lehigh Trail Home Of 2018 National Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
Sojourn
Legendary Delaware & Lehigh Trail Home Of 2018 National Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
Sojourn
From June 10-14, participants of the Rails-to-Trails

Conservancy's 2018 Pennsylvania Sojourn set off
on a world-class biking adventure along the
Delaware & Lehigh Trail in Eastern Pennsylvania,
exploring the region's vibrant towns and attractions
while riding more than 160 miles on this scenic and
historic treasure.
The adventure begins in the high plateau of the
beautiful Pocono Mountains, travels through
picturesque Pennsylvania wilderness and wanders
by the Lehigh and Delaware rivers.
Along the way, camping is offered in the town of Jim Thorpe, named after the Olympian
50
and Native American sports legend, Hugh Moore Park and Washington Crossing Historic Park.
The trip also includes an inaugural ride at the dedication ceremony of the new Mansion
House Pedestrian Bridge, which will connect nearly 60 miles of the D&L Trail and its
surrounding towns.
"Our 2018 sojourn offers an exploration of the beauty and wonder of the trail's diverse
landscapes while simultaneously preserving historic pathways," said Tom Sexton, director of
RTC's Northeast Regional Office.
Sites along the trip include the Delaware and Lehigh canals, the National Canal Museum
and Josiah White II Canal Boat in Easton, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve and the
Thompson-Neely House in New Hope, and the Hessian Barracks Museum in Trenton.
"As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, it's incredibly rewarding to host Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy's Sojourn. We welcome you and invite you to experience first-hand the history,
community and culture along the D&L Trail," said Elissa Garofalo, executive director of the
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. "Once you get to know the passionate folks
behind this great undertaking, we hope you too will become a partner in closing the D&L's final
gaps."
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's Sojourn Series is designed to celebrate open trails and
draw attention to gaps in would-be trail systems that, if completed, could result in economic,
health, social and environmental benefits for their local regions.
Now in its 17th year, RTC's Sojourn Series has helped influence the creation and growth
of multiple regional trail systems, while bringing direct economic impacts to the regions it visits.
The 2018 Pennsylvania Sojourn is sponsored by the Department of Conservation and
National Resources, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Pocono Biking.
Visit RTC's website to view the complete 2018 sojourn itinerary and get more
information on previous trips.
Find out about trails near you by visiting Explore PA Trails website.
NewsClips:
51
Related Story:
State, Local Officials Dedicate Enola Low Grade Rail Trail Bridge In Lancaster County
Program
The Seedlings for Schools Program marked its

10th year anniversary with record number
participation. A total of 160,276 students across
Pennsylvania were presented with a seedling from
the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery in
central Pennsylvania to plant and watch it grow.
That amounts to nearly 65,000 more children – a
68 percent increase over last year.
This experience offers benefits far beyond adding
a tree to the planet. In today’s world of
over-extended children who prefer an electronic
device to fresh air, this program connects children to the outdoors by emphasizing their role in
the conservation of our natural resources.
Designed to educate youth about the importance of trees in the environment, especially
their role in providing food and habitat for wildlife, the Seedlings for Schools program provides
every teacher with a resource guide to educate youth about the various trees: how to identify and
care for them and determine their value in terms of habitat for wildlife.
“Through this experience, we hope that youth begin to understand the role that trees play
in the environment and the importance of conservation. We’re pleased that so many children
were able to make a connection to nature through this program,” comments Jerry Regan,
president of the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation.
The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation partners with the Game Commission’s Howard
Nursery to provide this program free to youth in the Commonwealth. Beginning in February any
teacher in Pennsylvania may place an order for seedlings for her students.
They arrive by the end of May, ready for planting. Seedlings may be planted at the school
52
or in the surrounding community, but most elementary students take their seedling home to plant
with an adult.
This program would not be possible without the support of sponsors who have made it
possible to extend the program’s reach into underserved areas, purchase seed, subsidize the cost
of shipping and handling, and enhance our communication to schools.
They include: EQT Foundation, FirstEnergy Foundation, First National Bank, Columbia
Gas of Pennsylvania, Janet and Jim Nyce, The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation,
Jennifer Speers, and an anonymous foundation.
All who agree with the Seedings for Schools’ overarching goal of shaping
environmentally thoughtful youth are asked to contact their state Senator or Representative to
show their support for the program.
Click Here for a full report on the 2018 program.
More information on the program is available at the Game Commission’s Seedlings for
Schools webpage.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Wildlife for
Everyone Foundation website.
NewsClips:
Ellen Shultzabarger Is Pennsylvania’s First Female State Forester
For First Time In 125 Years, Woman Appointed PA’s State Forester
Domtar, American Forest Foundation Announce Partnership To Improve Private Forest

Conservation, Bird Habitat In PA, NY
The American Forest Foundation and Domtar Wednesday

announced a new partnership to help family and private
woodland owners in northwest Pennsylvania and
southwest New York improve habitat for at-risk bird and
wildlife species.
In addition to AFF and Domtar, the partnership
includes the National Audubon Society’s New York and
Pennsylvania state programs (who will manage activities
on the ground), the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture,
U.S. Forest Service, Ruffed Grouse Society, National Wild Turkey Federation, and other state
and local organizations.
It will focus its efforts in the Upper Allegheny and Sinnemahoning watersheds, with a
specific focus on the area surrounding Johnsonburg, PA.
“A core of our business, beyond simply providing quality products, is to ensure that the
places in which we source are healthy and sustainable,” said Paige Goff, VP Sustainability for
Domtar. “The American Forest Foundation has been a key partner in bringing together a diverse
group of stakeholders, who all want our forests to be sustainable into the future and helped to
establish a partnership that can help us all achieve this goal.”
The partnership will work with woodland owners to implement important forest practices
53
to create better habitat for iconic bird species such as the golden-winged warbler, black-throated
blue and cerulean warbler, among others.
In addition, the project intends to build awareness in the community around the
importance of active forest management for birds and wildlife.
“Vibrant bird populations rely on healthy, structurally diverse forests of all ages.
Numerous species, such as the wood thrush, golden-winged warbler, and ruffed grouse, have
experienced steady declines for at least the past 50 years. Reversing those declines requires
active forest management to create habitat that supports the breeding needs of these species and
dozens more,” said Ron Rohrbaugh, Forest Program Manager for Audubon’s Pennsylvania state
program. “Family forest owners are a great, under-recognized group who can support healthy
forests and the birds that rely upon them.”
The partnership will include three 2,500-acre forest demonstration areas, where
landowners can learn about “Audubon-approved” forest practices for bird habitat.
The partnership will also provide educational materials for woodland owners regarding
tree species diversity, tree health, understory density and more, all important factors for bird
habitat.
Landowners will be given the opportunity to meet with trained foresters and coached
through the necessary steps to implement these forest practices. In the first two years alone, the
partnership intends to directly treat 750 acres of habitat on privately-owned forestland.
“Landowners across the Northeast, including in New York and Pennsylvania, are
passionate about creating habitat for wildlife and birds,” said Tom Martin, president and CEO of
AFF. “But most need technical assistance and resources to apply the most powerful practices to
their land. That’s what projects such as the latest AFF-Domtar-Audubon partnership are doing –
connecting landowners with trained professionals and guiding them through the right steps
towards conservation. Domtar, with their focus on sustainability and innovation, is the perfect
partner to help bring this work to life.”
In last year’s report, Hidden in Plain Sight: Family-owned Woodlands Are Key to
Protecting and Improving Wildlife Habitat in the Northeastern U.S., AFF found that forests
across the Northeast are ‘out of balance’ with much of the tree species being in the same age and
size class, with little complex, older forests, or young forests – both of which are needed for
nesting grounds and food sources for bird species.
The report also found that family forest owners, who own more than half of the forests
across the Northeast are key to improving these forest ecosystems.
According to the report, 85 percent of landowners surveyed, say protecting and
improving wildlife habitat is the top reason they own land. But most face barriers such as a lack
of technical knowledge and the cost of management.
This project is one in a series of projects that AFF has launched across the Northeast in
the most critical landscapes to help landowners overcome barriers and take the needed steps
towards active forest management.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
54
The Conservation Fund Purchases 32,598 Acres Of Forest Land In Elk, McKean Counties
Program
Western PA Conservancy Protects More Forested Ridges, Headwaters In Laurel

Highlands In Fayette County
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Tuesday

announced the protection of two properties totaling 205
acres in Dunbar Township, Fayette County that conserve
forested ridges and headwater streams and expand both
State Game Lands 51 and Ohiopyle State Park.
A 72-acre forested property with extensive stream frontage
on Bruner Run, a headwater stream to the Youghiogheny
River, has been conveyed to the Game Commission to
expand SGL 51.
Protecting picturesque views high above of the Great
Allegheny Passage bike and hiking trail and the Youghiogheny River, a 133-acre property is the
Conservancy’s latest addition to Ohiopyle – a popular state park established in 1951 with the
help of the Conservancy.
With its heavily forested slopes, this property extends a corridor of protected ridge while
safeguarding the significant ecological values of the maple and oak hardwood forest. A tributary
stream to the Youghiogheny River runs through the property.
The Conservancy has conveyed this property to the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks.
These properties expand recreation opportunities for hiking, hunting, bird watching and
fishing, while connecting to more than 37,000 acres of state public lands in the Laurel Highlands.
Both are located within the Chestnut Ridge/Laurel Ridge Important Mammal Area, a
priority area of protection for unusual mammals or those of special concern such as the
Appalachian cottontail, Allegheny woodrat, northern river otter and bobcat.
Located within a Pennsylvania Audubon Society’s Important Bird Area, both properties
have important habitat for forest interior nesting birds such as warblers and the Louisiana water
thrush.
The Conservancy has focused significant land and water conservation efforts in the
Laurel Highlands since the 1950s, and has protected more than 83,000 acres of the Laurel
Highlands’ rivers, forestland, wild areas and scenic ridges.
Many of these WPC-protected acres over the years are now public land, including 11,890
for Ohiopyle and 696 for SGL 51.
“The Youghiogheny River, Great Allegheny Passage trail and surrounding forested areas
are conservation priorities for the Conservancy, so we are glad to be able to acquire these
properties for Ohiopyle State Park and the nearby game land,” said Tom Saunders, president and
CEO of the Conservancy. “These are key properties in this part of the Laurel Highlands that we
are very happy to protect and open up to the public.”
The conservation of both properties was made possible with funding from the Richard
55
King Mellon Foundation and Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation. A partial donation from
the landowner also supported the purchase of the property added to Ohiopyle.
Funding through the Game Commission and a grant from the Department of
Environmental Protection assisted the property added to SGL 51.
More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western
PA Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like
them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, add them to your Circle on Google+, join them on
Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.
Click Here to support their work.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Program
PA Water Trails Partnership Mini Grants Available, Apply By July 6
Mini grants are available for Pennsylvania’s water

trail network, which includes 26 designated water
trails that span more 2,100 miles of recreation
opportunity. Applications are due July 6.
Grant requests are capped at $5,000 and require a 1:1
match.
The 2018 PA Water Trails Grant application forms
are only available electronically. See the application
for more information about grant eligibility and other
information.
Applicants should submit completed forms, and additional forms requested as part of the
application, via email to Lizzie Hessek at: Lhessek@pecpa.org.
The PA Environmental Council works in partnership with the Fish & Boat Commission,
DCNR, and the National Park Service to direct the Pennsylvania Water Trails Program.
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.
NewsClips:
56
(Reprinted from the June 13 DCNR Resource newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own
copy.)
Keystone Trails Assn. Prowl The Sproul Weekend Highlights Northcentral PA Trails July
27-29
The Keystone Trails Association’s annual

Prowl the Sproul hiking weekend July
27-29 will provide Pennsylvania hikers
with opportunities to experience the
beauty of northcentral Pennsylvania in
Sproul State Forest.
The event is hosted by the Western
Clinton Sportsmen’s Association in
Renovo, Clinton County.
Experienced leaders from DCNR and KTA will guide hikes all three days. Hike leaders
will share their favorite trails with registered participants.
The guided hikes offer an opportunity for participants to experience new and unfamiliar
territory, and learn about different flora and fauna.
Hikers will have a variety of options from short, family-friendly hikes to longer mileage
and challenging hikes, and everything in between! Participants also are welcome to participate in
many other non-hiking activities.
Click Here to register or learn more about the weekend opportunities.
NewsClips:
(Reprinted from the June 13 DCNR Resource newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own
57
copy.)
June 13 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR
The June 13 issue of the Resource newsletter is now available from the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources featuring stories
of--
-- Fire & Rain - Using Biochar To Improve Rain Gardens, Control
Stormwater
-- Ellen Shultzabarger Named Pennsylvania State Forester
-- State, Local Officials Dedicate Mansion House Trail Bridge In Jim
Thorpe, Carbon County
-- State, Local Officials Dedicate Enola Low Grade Rail Trail Bridge
In Lancaster County
-- DCNR Celebrates New Boat Launches On juniata River In
Huntingdon County
-- Good Natured Pennsylvanians, The Fackler Family (photo)
-- Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee Earns National Recognition
-- PA Water Trails Partnership Mini Grants Available, Apply by July 6
-- Learn About The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly At Meetings In Monroe, Schuylkill Counties
-- Conservancy Protests More Forested Ridges, Headwaters In Laurel Highlands, Fayette County
-- KTA Prowl The Sproul Weekend Highlights Northcentral PA Trails July 27-29
-- It’s National Pollinator Month!
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy
78 Free-Ranging Deer Tested Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease In 2017, More Than 3x
Number In 2016
The Game Commission Thursday reported 78

free-ranging deer tested positive for chronic wasting
disease in 2017, more than three times the number in
2016 when 25 were detected.
With the number of chronic wasting disease cases
continuing to multiply, more of the state’s residents
are being impacted by rules that aim to slow the
spread of the disease, which always is fatal to the
deer and elk it infects.
Most of the new free-ranging positives – 75 of them – either were within or near the
boundary of Disease Management Area 2 (DMA 2) in Southcentral Pennsylvania. Three
free-ranging CWD-positives were within or near DMA 3 in northwestern Pennsylvania.
58
Both of these DMAs have been expanded as a result of CWD-positive deer being
detected near their boundaries.
And with the creation earlier this year of DMA 4, which was established after CWD was
detected at a captive deer farm in Lancaster County, more than 5,895 square miles within
Pennsylvania lie within DMAs, in which special rules apply to hunters and residents.
It’s unlawful to feed deer within DMAs. Hunters are prohibited from transporting
high-risk parts (generally the head and backbone) from deer they harvest within a DMA to points
outside a DMA. And the use or field possession of urine-based deer attractants also is prohibited
within DMAs.
Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans stressed the importance of
becoming familiar and complying with these rules.
“The escalating number of CWD detections and the sudden emergence of this disease in
new parts of the state should put all Pennsylvanians on guard to the threat CWD poses and the
disease’s potential to have damaging impacts on Pennsylvania’s deer and deer-hunting tradition,”
Burhans said. “It’s important for each of us to take this threat seriously and do all we can to slow
the spread of the disease where it exists.
“By discontinuing feeding of deer and curbing other behavior that induces deer to
congregate, and potentially spread disease, and by responsibly disposing of high-risk deer parts
and not transporting them outside DMAs, those living within DMAs can do their part in helping
fight CWD,” Burhans said.
Click Here for the complete announcement.
Game Commission Order
The Game Commission formally published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin of an order
changing the Disease Management Area boundaries.
House Hearing
At a hearing on chronic wasting disease by the House Game and Fisheries Committee
Thursday, Burhans said--
“The PGC has an open line of communication with PDA that includes meetings where
we try to identify agencies' roles and best practices to manage CWD, but we are limited with our
collaboration because of legislation.
“Addressing CWD in Pennsylvania will require more resources and more stakeholder and
landowner involvement, including PDA and PGC collaboration.
“How we address this disease is challenging, yet vitally important to the long-term
sustainability of the Pennsylvania deer herd. Captive deer and wild deer should be treated as a
"collective herd" and the finger pointing and buck passing must stop.
“It is all our responsibility to deal with this disease or the consequences will be
catastrophic. Without better tools to manage this problem we will fail. We ask you to give us the
tools we need so this does not happen.”
Click Here for a copy of Game Commission testimony at the Committee hearing.
Click Here for a copy of the Department of Agriculture at the Committee hearing.
Click Here to watch a video of the hearing (when posted).
For the latest information on expanded Disease Management Areas and special rules for
hunters, visit the Game Commission’s Chronic Wasting Disease webpage.
NewsClips:
Game Commission Says Number Of Chronic Wasting Disease Case Tripled
59
Lawmakers Hold Hearing On Chronic Wasting Disease
Crable: Another Deer In Lancaster Private Herd Found With Chronic Wasting Disease
Lancaster Deer Herd Euthanized To Stop Spread Of Chronic Wasting Disease
Frye: With More Deer Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease, Will Lawmakers Act?
Hayes: New Cases Of Chronic Wasting Disease Found In Captive Deer, Herd Destroyed
More Deer Test Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease In Blair
PA Expands Online Tool To Help Plan Hunts Ahead Of Deer Season
Related Stories:
Game Commission: Chronic Wasting Disease In Deer An Ecological Disaster Unfolding Before
Our Eyes
DCNR Expands Online Interactive Map To Offer More Services To Hunters, Other Forest
Visitors
DCNR Expands Online Interactive Map To Offer More Services To Hunters, Other Forest
Visitors
Working in cooperation with the Game Commission, the Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources is rolling out an expanded interactive map that adds state game lands to a
website already increasingly popular with hunters and other visitors to state woodlands.
“This information is timed perfectly, as state hunting and antlerless deer licenses go on
sale Monday across Pennsylvania,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Hunters now
can find invaluable information to plan their outings to both state forests and game lands.”
The map shows viewers areas of timber harvests and various habitat types as well as state
forest boundaries and Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) areas approved by the
commission. Other map overlays include bear check station locations, elk management zones,
and normally gated roads that will be opened in the fall.
The website is geared to be an invaluable tool for hunters seeking prime locations for a
variety of game, but is also useful for anyone planning a visit to state forest districts or game
lands.
In addition, the site lists hunting season information, deer harvest statistics and legal
hunting hours. The map also features GPS and mapping measurement tools enabling hunters and
others to find the best routes on state forest lands to areas they may want to hunt or visit.
“It’s all there at ‘Hunting in PA,’’’ Dunn said. “Whether you’re an archer planning to
open your season on state game lands, or a fall foliage fan looking forward to trips into our state
forests, this website is brimming with information on roads recently opened, forestry office
contact numbers, even links to weather and prevailing winds.”
More than 101,000 acres of DCNR land has been approved by the commission for
participation in its Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) during 2018-19. Hunting
map users can also find information on DMAP permits available, as well as details on the 15
participating state forests and other essential information.
Three new state parks are participating: Caledonia, Cowans Gap and Pine Grove Furnace.
Others are: Bald Eagle, Beltzville, Blue Knob, Canoe Creek, Codorus, Cook Forest, Gifford
Pinchot, Hickory Run, Keystone, Kings Gap, Moraine, Nescopeck, Ohiopyle, Oil Creek, Prince
Gallitzin, Presque Isle, Raccoon Creek, Ricketts Glen, Ryerson Station, Shawnee and
60
Tobyhanna.
Click Here to view the updated interactive map. Click Here for information on DCNR’s
Forest District.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
78 Free-Ranging Deer Tested Positive For Chronic Wasting Disease In 2017, More Than 3x
Number In 2016
FirstEnergy Uses Drones To Inspect Protected Bird Nests On Utility Poles, Equipment
FirstEnergy's electric utilities are using aerial drones to

inspect the nests of protected birds of prey in a fast
and safe way.
Drones help survey locations where the birds
have started nesting on utility poles and other electric
equipment, without disrupting the birds by having a
line worker inspect the nest.
Birds of prey like ospreys and eagles often
seek out tall structures, including electric transmission
towers and poles to build their nests, which can
measure up to three feet in width. These nesting
habits often place the birds near energized electrical equipment – jeopardizing their well-being
and potentially causing power outages.
A typical bird nest inspection requires a line crew to go out to each nesting site to inspect
the nest. This method is not only unsettling to the birds, but time consuming for the crews.
"We were initially concerned the drone would startle the birds, but they were more
frightened by the people on the ground and didn't seem to notice the drone in the sky," said
FirstEnergy's Amy Ruszala, an environmental scientist who was recently on-site for the first nest
inspections. "I am excited we are among the first in the utility industry to use drones for nest
inspections, and confident other utility companies will use our positive feedback and follow
suit."
Because birds of prey are very territorial, FirstEnergy's FAA-licensed drone pilot
61
maintained a 330-foot buffer between the drone and nests. The drone was able to capture
high-resolution images inside of the nests, and the company's environmental support staff
worked with line workers to determine the appropriate course of action based on the footage.
FirstEnergy's drone pilots have completed seven osprey and eagle nest inspections and
expect that number to increase significantly over the next year.
By using a drone, each nest inspection was completed within 15 minutes. If the drone
observed a nest without eggs on a utility pole, a line worker in an aerial bucket truck confirmed it
was empty and removed the nest.
Specialized equipment was also installed to divert and discourage ospreys from nesting
on the poles in the future. Disturbing or removing the nests can be a complicated task due to
environmental regulations.
In most cases, an active nest containing eggs cannot be disturbed.
"If a nest with eggs is situated on our equipment and poses a serious threat to the birds'
safety and our service reliability, we will work with state wildlife officials to install a special
nesting box to provide a safer home for the ospreys and eagles," Ruszala said.
Environmental scientists and utility leaders at FirstEnergy plan to team up with wildlife
officials this fall and use the drone footage to identify and build new nesting platforms for the
birds, far away from electrical equipment.
Click Here to watch a drone inspect of an osprey nests.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Receives Grant From The Philadelphia Foundation For Raptor
Care, Conservation
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County Monday announced it has received a grant in the
amount of $7,422.60 from the Gloria M. Young Ornithological Fund of The Philadelphia
Foundation to support the care, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the Sanctuary's on-site
education birds and other raptor conservation programs.
"We’re always grateful for raptor care support. Our non-releasable hawks and owls are
amazing in education programs, but they require food and water, health care, and trained staff
and volunteers, year-round, to handle the birds,” says Director of Development Mary Linkevich.
“It’s an expense people often forget about.”
Some of the support allows the Sanctuary to offer annual training for staff and volunteers.
Earlier this year, for instance, Hawk Mountain collaborated with The University of Minnesota's
Raptor Center to host a raptor care and management workshop for raptor handlers of Hawk
Mountain and the surrounding region.
"Not only did this provide expert enrichment for our own staff and raptor care volunteers,
but it also brought in a unique resource to benefit other nature centers and educators," Linkevich
said.
The Philadelphia Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life in the
Pennsylvania counties of Greater Philadelphia. A foundation and public charity, TPF connects
philanthropic resources to societal needs.
TPF manages assets of approximately $370 million and more than 900 charitable funds
established by its fund holders. It distributes about $25 million annually to nearly 1000
nonprofits as grants and scholarships, and promotes greater philanthropy and stronger nonprofits
62
in service to community needs.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary website or call 610-756-6961. Click Here to sign up for regular updates
from the Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr, be part of
their Google+ Circle and visit their YouTube Channel. Click Here to support Hawk Mountain.
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
AP-Levy: Fight Over Redistricting, Judicial Election Shifts To House
Poll: Casey, Wolf Still Have Big Leads
Murphy: F&M Polls Shows Its Wolf’s Race, Wagner Campaign Calls That A Joke
Poll: Wolf, Casey Lead Republican Candidates By Double-Digits
Micek: Poll Says PA Voters Are Fired Up For November Election
AP-Levy: Fight Over Redistricting, Judicial Election Shifts To House
Murphy: Senate Passes Redistricting Reform Bill With Judicial Election Changes
Air
Awards & Recognition
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
Poison Hemlock Is Spreading Around Franklin County
Budget
Chesapeake Bay
Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Climate
63
Coal Mining
Editorial: Support Coal, Nuclear Power, But Not Indefinitely
Editorial: No Electric Grid Emergency To Rescue Failing Coal Industry
FERC: Electric Grid Faces No Immediate Risk Requiring Trump To Bail Out Coal, Nuclear
Plants
Tapping A Coaled One! Ebensburg Brewery Celebrates Mining Heritage
NYT: Op-Ed: The Resource Curse Of Appalachia
Cong. Cartwright Calls For Urgent Action To Replenish Black Lung Trust Fund
Dam Safety
Delaware River
Compensation Bill
Drinking Water
Economic Development
Education
Emergency Response
Fatal Bucks Gas Station Blast Accidentally Triggered By Shop-Vac
Senate Bill Aims To Boost Payments To EMS Services
Energy
PPL Customers Will See Bigger-Than-Expected Bill Credit Related To Tax Cuts
UGI Gas Customers To Save On Monthly Bills Starting In July Due To Federal Tax Cut
More Than Half Of The Nation’s Nuclear Power Plants Are At Risk Of Closing
Op-Ed: Canada Can Show The U.S. How To Revive Nuclear Power
Op-Ed: Nuclear Industry Is Making A Big Bet On Small Power Plants
Plants
Energy Conservation
64
Environmental Heritage
Farming
Beekeepers Look Forward To Passage Of Lancaster City Ordinance
Crable: At Least 2 Lancaster Dairy Farmers Producing Controversial A2 Milk
Flooding/Storms
Storms Spread Flooding In Allegheny, Westmoreland Counties
Flooding Around Turnpike Construction Hits McDonald Area Again
PennDOT Wants More Information Before Replacing Pittsburgh Floodgates
Officials Probing Options To Advance Rushbrook Creek Flood Project
EF2 Tornado Battered Wilkes-Barre Twp. With 130 MPH Winds
Blown Away: Powerful Tornado Battered Wilkes-Barre Twp
Wolf, Officials Thankful For Minimal Injuries, First Responders In Wake Of Storm
Tornado In Wilkes-Barre Twp Caused At Least $18 Million In Damage
State Offers Information To Help File Storm Damage Claims
List Of Deadliest Tornadoes In PA History
Likely Tornado Ravages Mundy Street Stores In Wilkes-Barre
AP: Strong PA Storm Damages Wilkes-Barre Businesses, Overturns Cars
PA National Guard Prepares For Hurricane Season
Forests
Geologic Hazards
AP: Landslide Endangering 2 Homes In Millvale, Allegheny County
Landslide Shuts Down Portion Of Allegheny River Blvd In Pittsburgh
Green Infrastructure
Restoration?
Hazardous Sites
Whitehall Commissioners Angered That Toxic Fill Found In Coplay Aggregates’ Quarry
Hurdle: Public Interest Groups Raise Pressure On Feds To Release PFOS, PFAS Chemical Study
Casey Joins Letter Calling For PFAS Study Release
Lake Erie
65
Land Conservation
Land Recycling
Design Team Announced For Hazelwood Green Public Space
Littering/Illegal Dumping
Mine Subsidence
DEP Unveils New Website To Identify Mine Subsidence Risk
Ohio River
Oil & Gas
Compensation Bill
Phillips: Court Rejects Request To Rehear Rule Of Capture Decision, Drilling Company To
Appeal To PA Supreme Court
Ruling Highlights Importance Of Local Zoning Rules On Oil & Gas
Editorial: Court Again Saves Towns From Legislature On Regulating Drilling
Hopey: Penn State Study: Brine From Drilling Spread On Roadways Is Hazardous
Book: Effect Of Natural Gas Boom On Washington County Family Explored
Letter: Conventional Natural Gas Legislation Does Not Meet State’s Needs
Editorial: Keep Standards For Conventional Gas Wells
Hearing To Be Held On $46.9M Columbia Gas Rate Increase Request
Pipelines
66
Radiation Protection
More Than Half Of The Nation’s Nuclear Power Plants Are At Risk Of Closing
Op-Ed: Canada Can Show The U.S. How To Revive Nuclear Power
Op-Ed: Nuclear Industry Is Making A Big Bet On Small Power Plants
Plants
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
Change In China Recycling Policy Driving Costs In Midstate
Dispose Of Unwanted Medication At Drop-Off Boxes In Allegheny County
Renewable Energy
67
Stormwater
Susquehanna River
Watershed Protection
KeyBank Employees Volunteer At Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
Restoration?
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Wildlife
They’re Coming! Mayflies Are Starting To Hatch
Watch: Mayflies Swarm Report In 2015
Mange Spreading Among PA Black Bears
Pittsburgh Residents Receive Bear Of A Surprise
AP: Raccoon Killed By Dog Tests Positive For Rabies In Allegheny County
Big Fish Big Hit At Lower Burrell Fishing Derby
Game Commission License Purchases Could Be Blocked By Internet Update
68
West Nile/Zika Virus
Other
Lackawanna Transit: Get Ready To Dump The Pump
PA Lowers The Bar To Help Retired Lawyers Assist Those In Need
New Rep. O’Neal Assigned To Environmental Committee In House
Wildfires
New Wildfire Erupts Near Colorado Ski Resorts, Houses
Hurricanes
PA National Guard Prepares For Hurricane Season
Puerto Rico Raises Official Number Of Deaths From Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria Has Taken Heavy Toll On Puerto Rican Elderly
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events
This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published the 2018 meeting schedules for its advisory committees and boards.
June 16-- PA Resources Council. Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Bethel Park High School,
Allegheny County. 9:00 to 1:00.
June 16-- Brodhead Watershed Association. Water Wiser Kids Snorkeling In McMichael Creek.
Snydersville, Monroe County. 10:30 to Noon.
June 16-- Brodhead Watershed Association. Get Outdoors Poconos Van Buskirk Preserve Hike.
Paradise Township, Monroe County. 10:00 to 11:30.
June 18-- NEW. Senate Judiciary Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1199 (Rafferty-R-
Montgomery) providing for a landowners’ bill of rights in cases of eminent domain, including by
private entities like pipeline companies (sponsor summary). Rules Room. Off the Floor. Click
Here for more.
June 18-- House Consumer Affairs Committee holds a hearing on competitive energy supplier
sales and marketing practices. Room B-31 Main Capitol. 11:00. Committee meetings are
typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus website.
June 18-- NEW. Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee and Senate Republican Policy
Committee Joint Workshop on Historic Preservation Tax Credits. Room 461. 10:30. Click Here
69
to watch live online.
June 19-- NEW. House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider
House Bill 2304 (Fritz-R-Susquehanna) which would enact the oil and gas well permitting
reforms proposed by Gov. Wolf in January. Library, Ryan Office Building. 9:30. Click Here for
more.
June 19-- Senate House Nuclear Energy Caucus meeting. Room 8E-A East Wing. 8:00. Click
Here to watch the hearing live online.
June 19-- NEW. House State Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 2105
(Fritz-R-Susquehanna) eliminating outdated boards and commissions (including the Energy
Development Authority) (sponsor summary). Room G-50 Irvis Building. Off the Floor.
Committee meetings are typically webcast through the House Republican Caucus website.
June 19-- Agenda Posted. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
June 19-- Agenda Posted. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Neil Bakshi, DEP Policy Office, nebakshi@pa.gov. Call-In
Option: Bridge #: 717-612-4788, Toll Free #: 855-734-4390, PIN #: 083399.
June 19-- PA Technical Assistance Program. Saving Energy Costs By Implementing An Energy
Management System Workshop. Penn State New Kensington Campus, The Corner, 701 Fifth
Avenue, New Kensington, Westmoreland County. 9:00 to 3:00.
June 20-- NEW. House Consumer Affairs Committee meets to consider House Bill 107
(Godshall-R-Montgomery) providing a mechanism to cover costs of extending natural gas
distribution systems (sponsor summary), House Bill 2075 (Charlton-R-Delaware) lead water
service line and damaged sewer lateral replacement (sponsor summary). Room B-31 Main
Capitol. Off the Floor. Committee meetings are typically webcast through the House Republican
Caucus website. Click Here for more.
June 20-- Penn State Agriculture & Environment Center. Stream Stewardship Workshop Part 2.
Little Chiques Park, 229 Park Ave., Mount Joy, Lancaster County. 6:30. Part 1 is June 13.
June 20-- NEW. Valley Creek Restoration Partnership. Green Infrastructure Tour. Tredyffrin
Township Building, 1100 DuPortail Road, Berwyn, Chester County. 10:00 to Noon.
June 20-- PA Environmental Council. PA Organization For Watersheds and Rivers. Regional
Watershed Workshop. Dickinson College, Stern Great Room, 208 W. Louther St., Carlisle,
Cumberland County. 9:45 to 3:00.
June 20-- Penn State Extension. Public Meeting On Spotted Lanternfly. Schuylkill County
Agricultural Center, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville. 6:30.
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June 20-- NEW. Greater Carlisle Heart & Soul. Breaking The Complaint Cycle: Municipal
Planning and Community Engagement. Cumberland County Historical Society, Todd Hall, 21
N. Pitt St. in Carlisle. 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
June 20-21-- Registration Open. 20th Anniversary PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation

Conference. Ramada Conference Center, State College.
June 21-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Fiberglass Reinforced
Plastic, Shirley Township, Huntingdon County. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909
Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. 10:00. (PA Bulletin, page 2972) Click Here for more.
June 22-- 3 Rivers Wet Weather. Stream Restoration Workshop. McFadden Hall, 1520 Butler
Plank Road, Glenshaw, Shaler Township, Allegheny County. 9:00 to 3:00.
June 23-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Flowers And Feathers, The
Connection Between Plants and Birds Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614
Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
June 25-- Penn State Extension. Public Meeting On Spotted Lanternfly. The Friendly
Community Center, 6683 Route 191, Mountainhome, Monroe County. 6:30.
June 26-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: John Krueger, 717-783-9264, jkrueger@pa.gov.
June 26-- Allegheny, Westmoreland Conservation Districts. Local Green Infrastructure Tour.
Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd., Monroeville. 9:00 to 2:30.
June 27-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For DuPont Plant, North
Towanda Township, Bradford County. DEP Northcentral Regional Office, 208 West Third
Street, Williamsport. 10:00. (PA Bulletin, page 3009) Click Here for more.
June 28-- CANCELED. DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Contact: Jay Braund,
717-772-5636, jbraund@pa.gov. (formal notice)
June 28-- PA Environmental Council. PA Organization For Watersheds and Rivers. Regional
Watershed Workshop. Heritage Conservancy Aldie Mansion, 85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown,
Bucks County. 9:30 to 3:00
June 29-- PA National Guard Regal Fritillary Butterfly Tours. Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon
County.
June 29-- NEW. Westmoreland County Conservation District. Next Generation Farm Summit.
Donohoe Center, 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg. Noon to 3:30
71
June 30-- PA Resources Council. Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Quaker Valley High
School, Leetsdale, Allegheny County. 9:00 to 1:00.
June 30-- PA National Guard Regal Fritillary Butterfly Tours. Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon
County.
July 6-- PA National Guard Regal Fritillary Butterfly Tours. Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon
County.
July 7-- Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring. Mountain Watershed Association. Volunteer
Training For Shale Gas-Related Stream Monitoring. Blythedale Volunteer Fire Department,
1799 Blythedale Road, Buena Vista, Allegheny County. 9:00 to 3:30.
July 7-- PA National Guard Regal Fritillary Butterfly Tours. Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon
County.
July 11-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson, 717-787-3730, diawilson@pa.gov.
July 11-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee On Diesel Powered (Mining) Equipment. DEP
New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloski,
724-404-3143 or mscheloske@pa.gov.
July 11-- DEP Hearing On Interim Response At Ridge Run PFAS, PFOS, PFOA Well
Contamination Site In Bucks County. West Rockhill Township Building, 1028 Ridge Road,
Sellersville, PA. 6:30.
July 12-- PUC En Banc Hearing On Supplier Consolidated Billing By Electricity Suppliers.
Hearing Room 1, Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg. 1:00.
July 16-- NEW. DEP Hearing On State Air Quality Implementation Plan Changes For Meeting
Ozone Standard, New Source Review. DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive,
Pittsburgh. 1:00.
Ozone Standard, New Source Review. DEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street,
Norristown. 1:00.
Ozone Standard, New Source Review. 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building,
Harrisburg. 1:00.
July 17-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP
Contact: Laura Edinger, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
72
July 17-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
DEP Contact: Neil Bakshi, DEP Policy Office, nebakshi@pa.gov.
July 17-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Sonneborn Petrolia
Facility In Butler County. DEP Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville,
Crawford County. 9:00 a.m.
July 17-- NEW. DEP Hearing On NPDES Water Quality Permit For Fmr Embreeville State
Hospital Grounds STP. Marshallton united Methodist Church, 1282 W. Strasburg Road, West
Chester, Chester County. 6:00.
July 18-- Penn State Extension. Public Meeting On Spotted Lanternfly. Schuylkill County
Agricultural Center, 1202 Ag Center Drive, Pottsville. 6:30.
July 19-- NEW. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. New Stanton District
Mining Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 9:00. DEP Contact: Daniel Snowden,
717-787-5103, dsnowden@pa.gov. (formal notice)
July 19-- DEP Hearing On Interim Response At Nockamixon TCE Well Contamination Site In
Bucks County. Nockamixon Township Municipal Building, 589 Lake Warren Road, Upper
Black Eddy, PA. 7:00
July 25-- DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th Floor
Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Nancy Herb, 717-783-9269 or
nherb@pa.gov. (formal notice)
July 25-27-- Registration Open. Professional Recyclers of PA. 28th Annual Recycling &
Organics Conference. Best Western Premier Hotel, Harrisburg.
July 27-29-- NEW. Keystone Trails Association. Prowl The Sproul Weekend. Sproul State
Forest, Clinton County.
July 28-- PA Resources Council. Recycling Bin Distribution Event In Pittsburgh. Point Breeze
Distribution Event, URA’s Parking Lot on Meade Street. 8:00 to 2:00. Click Here to register.
July 28-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Gardening for Pollinators and
Butterflies Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh.
10:00.
August 1-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Michael Maddigan, 717-772-3609, mmaddigan@pa.gov.
August 8-- 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.
73
August 8-- NEW. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. Pennsy Supply, Thomasville
Quarry Office, 55 South Biesecker Road, Thomasville, York County. 10:00. DEP Contact:
Daniel Snowden, 717-787-5103, dsnowden@pa.gov. (formal notice)
August 11-- PA Resources Council. Recycling Bin Distribution Event In Pittsburgh. Fairywood
Distribution Event, B Keppel Trucking, 100 Beechnut Drive, Pittsburgh. 8:00 to 2:00. Click Here
to register.
August 15-- DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. 11th
Floor, Conference Room B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kristen
Szwajkowski, 717-772-2186, kszwajkows@pa.gov.
August 15-- DEP State Board For Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators
meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Edgar
Chescattie, 717-772-2814, eshescattie@pa.gov.
August 16-- NEW. DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. Ag Progress Days, 2710 West
Pine Grove Road, Furnace, Huntingdon County. 10:30. DEP Contact: Jay Braund,
717-772-5636, jbraund@pa.gov. (formal notice)
August 20-23-- U.S. Biochar Initiatives Conference. Chase Center on the Riverfront,
Wilmington, Delaware.
August 21-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.
DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, 717-772-3277, ledinger@pa.gov.
August 25-- PA Resources Council. Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Century III Mall, West
Mifflin, Allegheny County. 9:00 to 1:00.
August 28-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: John Krueger, 717-783-9264, jkrueger@pa.gov.
September 4-- DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial
Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Peggy Scheloske 724-404-3143 or send email to:
mscheloske@pa.gov.
September 6-9-- Registration Open. Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Educational Retreat For
Women Forest Landowners. Highlights Workshop Facility in Boyd’s Mill, Milanville, Wayne
County.
September 18-20-- Mid-Atlantic Chapter International Erosion Control Association. 25th

Annual Conference, Workshop and Trade Show. Radisson Hotel, Camp Hill, Cumberland
County.
September 20-- DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee & Recycling Funding Advisory
74
Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry
717-772-5713 or send email to: lahenry@pa.gov.
September 22-- Joint meeting of DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee and Solid Waste
Advisory Committee. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry,
717-772-5713, lahenry@pa.gov.
September 23-- Audubon Society of Western PA. Backyard Habitat Trees and Shrubs,
Supporting Wildlife In Winter Workshop. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville
Road, Pittsburgh. 10:00.
September 28-- DEP Low-Level Waste Advisory Committee meeting Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, 717-787-2147, rjanati@pa.gov.
October 1-3-- Engineers’ Society of Western PA. PA Brownfield Conference. Sands Bethlehem
Casino, Bethlehem.
October 6-- PA Resources Council. Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Settlers Cabin Park,
Robinson Township, Allegheny County. 9:00 to 1:00.
October 17-21-- Passive House Western PA. North American Passive House Network 2018
Conference. David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
October 18-- DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson. 9:00. DEP Contact: Joseph Melnic 717-783-9730 or send email to: jmelnic@pa.gov.
November 1-2-- PA Water And Wastewater Technology Summit. Penn Stater Conference
Center Hotel, State College.
Related Tools ----------------
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.
Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.
Visit DEP Connects for opportunities to interact with DEP staff at field offices.
Click Here to sign up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
75
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.
June 21-- DEP Mariner East II Pipeline Water Quality Project Grants
June 29-- Anthracite Power Producers’ Mine Reclamation Grants
June 30-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (first come, first serve)
June 30-- FirstEnergy Utilities All-Electric Vehicle Rebate From Nissan
July 6-- NEW. PA Water Trails Partnership Mini Grants
July 6-- DEP Clean Diesel Grants (VW Settlement)
July 13-- DEP Growing Greener Plus Watershed Grants
July 13-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
July 18-- Northeast Environmental Partner Environmental Awards
July 20-- CFA Alternative & Clean Energy Funding
July 20-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
July 20-- CFA Solar Energy Funding
July 20-- CFA High Performance Building Funding
July 31-- Keep PA Beautiful Fresh Paint Days Grants
August 1-- Delaware River Basin Commission Summer Photo Contest
August 15-- PA Leopold Farm Conservation Award $10,000
August 31-- OSMRE Not-For-Profit Acid Mine Drainage Watershed Grants
September 5-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Photo Contest
September 15-- CFA Alternative & Clean Energy Funding
September 15-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
September 15-- CFA Solar Energy Funding
September 15-- CFA High Performance Building Funding
September 28-- DEP Calendar 2017 Recycling Performance Grants
October 31-- PA Resources Council Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest
December 14-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
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.
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical

guidance and permits.
76
Regulations -----------------------------
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - June 16, 2018
Technical Guidance -------------------

rescinding technical guidance related to Vulnerability Assessment Summary (DEP
ID: 383-3500-105), Summary of Key Requirements for Phase II and V Wellhead Protection
Rules (DEP ID: 383-0810-105) and Summary of Key Requirements for Vended Water Systems
(DEP ID: 383-0810-303) in the Safe Drinking Water Program. Questions should be directed to
Jeff Allgyer at jallgyer@pa.gov or 717-772-4015.
The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on the water quality

assessment methods it will use to do stream evaluations for the 2018 Integrated Water Quality
Monitoring and Assessment Report required by the federal Clean Water Act. (formal notice)
Permits ----------------------------------
Note: The Department of Environmental Protection published 52 pages of public notices related
to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the June 16 PA Bulletin - pages
3589 to 3641.

inviting groups and individuals to submit water quality and other information to help its review
of water quality standards for 63 streams classified by the Fish and Boat Commission as Class A
Wild Trout Streams.

inviting comments on proposed changes to the State Air Quality Implementation Plan to
implement regulations under the 2008 national ozone pollution and new source review standards.

now accepting comments on the proposed 2018 Ambient Air Monitoring Network Plan for
criteria pollutants.
DEP published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin of changes to the list of businesses certified to
perform radon-related activities (PA Bulletin, page 3638).
Related Tools ----------------------
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.
77
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.
DEP Proposals Out For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP 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
March 3, 2018 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 1374
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (February 2018) - DEP webpage
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Issue #729 Harrisburg, PA June 18, 2018

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

Click Here to View or Print This Entire Digest

The Public Utility Commission Thursday, ​on a

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

PA Environmental Defense Foundation Urges DCNR To Manage Drilling In State Forests

By Matthew Carroll, ​Penn State News

A new study of groundwater in a rural Pennsylvania

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday

DEP Reminds Homeowners To Check For Mine Subsidence Risks

Pennsylvania homeowners have new tools at their disposal

The Department of Environmental Protection

Senate/House Bills Moving Last Week

Pollinator Week:​ ​House Resolution 971​ (Matzie-D-Allegheny) designating June 18 to 24

Loyalsock Creek:​ ​House Resolution 964​ (Everett-R-Lycoming) recognizing the Loyalsock

Pipeline Commission:​ ​Senate Resolution 373​ (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) is a concurrent

Ethane Storage Hub:​ ​Senate Resolution 375​ (Bartolotta-R-Washington) urging Congress to

Bills On Governor's Desk

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

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

Other: ​the ​Senate House Nuclear Energy Caucus​ meets.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

The following bills of interest were introduced last week--

Dredging Schuylkill River:​ ​House Resolution 979​ (Cephas-D-Philadelphia) urging Congress to

News From The Capitol

House Committee Hears Testimony On Delaware, Susquehanna River Basin Commissions

Bill On Littering Penalties Reported Out Of House Transportation Committee

House Designates June 18 to 24 As Pollinator Week In Pennsylvania

News From Around The State

By Timothy B. Wheeler, ​Chesapeake Bay Journal

Buoyed by a resurgence in aquatic grasses and

(Reprinted from the ​Chesapeake Bay Journal​.)

Southcentral Regional Watershed Workshop Set For June 20 In Carlisle

The ​PA Environmental Council​ and ​PA Organization for

Spring this year in Pennsylvania has been wet,

On May 15th an ambitious crew of about 30

The rain did not stop car enthusiasts from hitting

Valley Creek Restoration Partnership Green Infrastructure Tour June 20 In Chester

Next Generation Farm Summit In Westmoreland County June 29

The ​Westmoreland County Conservation Distric​t

DEP Accepting Comments On Assessment Methodologies For 2018 Integrated Water

The Department of Environmental Protection is inviting comments on the water quality

The Department of Environmental Protection ​published notice​ in the June 16 PA Bulletin

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful​ Wednesday announced Rob Dubas

River Sweep Volunteers Needed June 16 To Cleanup Waterways In Western PA

Hazelwood Green​, a former steel mill site that is

The Department of Environmental Protection ​published notice​ in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

The Department of Environmental Protection ​published notice​ in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

The Public Utility Commission is now accepting

A ​coalition of Pennsylvania businesses

On Tuesday, hundreds of Pennsylvanians

Department of Conservation and Natural

From June 10-14, participants of the ​Rails-to-Trails

The ​Seedlings for Schools Program​ marked its

Domtar, American Forest Foundation Announce Partnership To Improve Private Forest

The ​American Forest Foundation​ and ​Domtar​ Wednesday

Western PA Conservancy Protects More Forested Ridges, Headwaters In Laurel

The ​Western Pennsylvania Conservancy​ Tuesday

PA Water Trails Partnership Mini Grants Available, Apply By July 6

Mini grants are available for Pennsylvania’s ​water

The ​Keystone Trails Association’s​ annual

June 13 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR

The Game Commission Thursday reported 78

FirstEnergy'​s electric utilities are using aerial drones to

PA Environment Digest Blog Twitter Feed PaEnviroDigest Google+

The Public Utility Commission Thursday, on a

By Matthew Carroll, Penn State News

Pollinator Week: House Resolution 971 (Matzie-D-Allegheny) designating June 18 to 24

Loyalsock Creek: House Resolution 964 (Everett-R-Lycoming) recognizing the Loyalsock

Pipeline Commission: Senate Resolution 373 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) is a concurrent

Ethane Storage Hub: Senate Resolution 375 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) urging Congress to

Other: the Senate House Nuclear Energy Caucus meets.

Dredging Schuylkill River: House Resolution 979 (Cephas-D-Philadelphia) urging Congress to

By Timothy B. Wheeler, Chesapeake Bay Journal

(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)

The PA Environmental Council and PA Organization for

The Westmoreland County Conservation District

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday announced Rob Dubas

Hazelwood Green, a former steel mill site that is

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

A coalition of Pennsylvania businesses

From June 10-14, participants of the Rails-to-Trails

The Seedlings for Schools Program marked its

The American Forest Foundation and Domtar Wednesday

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Tuesday

Mini grants are available for Pennsylvania’s water

The Keystone Trails Association’s annual

FirstEnergy's electric utilities are using aerial drones to

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

September 18-20-- Mid-Atlantic Chapter International Erosion Control Association. 25th

Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.

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

DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel

DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events

Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 16 PA Bulletin it is

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

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