PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PA

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award Harrisburg, Pa July 4, 2011

New State Budget Continues Severe Rendell Cuts To Environmental Protection The Senate and House gave final approval and Gov. Corbett signed the FY 2011-12 General Fund budget bill-- House Bill 1485 (Adolph-R-Delaware)-- this week spending $27.1 billion, a 4.1 percent reduction in spending from the FY 2010-11 funding levels and without any tax increases. On the Marcellus Shale drilling impact fee issue, bipartisan efforts in the House and Senate fell apart after Gov. Corbett specifically threatened to veto any impact fee bill sent to his desk before the Governor's Marcellus Shale Commission submits its report July 22. (see separate story) There are no provisions for re-funding the Growing Greener Program which became all but bankrupt this year. Just $6 million in Growing Greener funds will be available for the next round of grants, down from its peak of $50.1 million in 2001. (see separate story) The only bright spots in the budget were the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program which was restored to its full $10 million in funding and a transfer of $15 million from the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority to the H2O Water Infrastructure Program administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority included in the Fiscal Code bill. The transfer does not represent a net gain in funding. For those keeping track, a total of $1.5 billion has been diverted or cut from environmental programs to help balance the state budget or to fund programs that could not get funding on their own over the last nine years. (see separate story) Just hours after Gov. Corbett signed the FY 2011-12 state budget, the Department of Revenue announced the state collected $785.5 million more in revenue than they estimated. This year the entire budget was negotiated by Senate and House Republicans and the Corbett Administration without input from the Democratic minorities in either chamber, a point Democratic members made over and over, and over, again. Interestingly, neither Senate President Pro Tempe Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) nor Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), both with Marcellus Shale impact fee proposals pending, attended the 11:45 p.m. budget signing ceremony with Gov. Corbett on June 30. House Speaker Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) did attend. Funding for both the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and

Natural Resources were slight below the proposal made in March by Gov. Corbett: DEP- $4.5 million less for a total cut of $10 million and DCNR- $3.1 million less. Gov. Corbett had proposed increasing DCNR's budget by $2 million, but made up for cuts elsewhere in State Park and State Forest operations budgets by transferring monies from the Oil and Gas Fund fed by Marcellus Shale gas development leases on State Forest land. There were no raids on other environmental funds, like the Oil and Gas Fund, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Recycling Fund or the Storage Tank Fund to help balance the state budget like there were during the Rendell Administration. Complement levels at DEP were reduced from 3,211 in FY 2002-03 to 2,776 now, even less if you take out the 105 positions DEP added for the Marcellus Shale drilling inspection and permit program. In addition, over 100 DEP Air, Waste and Water Quality field staff use all or part of their time to act as managers for federal stimulus projects, projects funded by the Energy Harvest and PA Energy Development Authority programs taking time away from permit reviews, inspections and compliance activities. The FY 2009-10 budget cuts alone required DEP and DCNR to furlough or eliminate 333 full time positions. DCNR had to eliminate or reduce hours for 1,131 seasonal workers, putting appropriations for DEP at 1994 levels and for DCNR at 1995-96 levels. The new budget will further reduce DEP complement levels by 69 positions. One result of all these cuts is the permit review backlog DEP said was already building in 2009 and in truth the last 7 years, delaying hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development projects across the state. Complement levels at DCNR were 1,391 in FY 2002-03 to 1,389 positions of which 1,289 positions are filled. Fiscal Code Accompanying the General Fund budget was Senate Bill 907 (Browne-R-Lehigh) amending the Fiscal Code which includes an omnibus amendment designed to implement the budget agreement. The bill includes a transfer of $15 million from the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority to the H2O Water Infrastructure Program administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. House Republicans put out a summary of the General Fund budget as well as a line item summary of appropriations. House Democrats put together their own view of the Republican General Fund budget. Budget Highlights Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit: $10 million, increase of $5.5 million. H2O Water Infrastructure Program: Transfer of $15 million from the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority to the Commonwealth Financing Authority, no net gain. Environmental Protection Total General Fund Appropriations: $135.4 million, decrease of $10 million General Government Operations: $10.7 million, decrease of $2.3 million

Environmental Program Management: $28 million, decrease of $1.4 million Environmental Protection Operations: $78.1 million, decrease of $1.3 million Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Source Abatement: $2.7 million, decrease of $76,000 Flood Control Projects: zeroed out, decrease of $3.4 million Sewage Facilities Planning Grants: $779,000, decrease of $87,000 Sewage Facilities Enforcement Grants: $2.5 million, decrease of $49,000 Conservation Districts: $2.8 million, decrease of $29,000 Conservation & Natural Resources General Government Operations: $17.1 million, decrease of $1.5 million Heritage and Other Parks: zeroed out, $350,000 Note: Decreases of $19.1 million in State Parks Operations, and $6.1 million in State Forest Operations were offset by transfers from the Oil and Gas Fund from Marcellus Shale production revenues. Total State General Fund Appropriations: $55.2 million, were 82.4 million. Agriculture General Government Operations: $26.4 million, decrease of $472,000 Conservation Districts: $1 million, decrease of $10,000 Nutrient Management Administration: zeroed out, decrease of $300,000 Nutrient Management Fund: $2.74 million, no change Note: funding for Penn State Extension and other line items were transferred into the Agriculture budget raising the overall General Fund Appropriation from $62.8 million to $133 million State System Of Higher Education PA Center for Environmental Education: zeroed out, $368,000 McKeever Environmental Center: zeroed out, $213,000 Community & Economic Development Land Use Planning & Technical Assistance: zeroed out, decrease of $358,000 Floodplain Management: zeroed out, decrease of $56,000 NewsClips: PA Ends Fiscal Year With Higher-Than-Expected Tax Revenues Rep. Markosek: Revenue Surplus Exceeds $785 Million Corbett's First Budget Signed On Time State Budget Cuts May Affect Drilling Regulations State Budget Defines Losers, Winners Analysis: PA Budget Plan Is Lean And On Time Part Of Legislative Surplus Earmarked Amid PA Cuts, $437 Million Goes To Private Projects Re-Funding Growing Greener - Rep. Kate Harper With Funding Cut, PSU Expects To Curtail Agriculture Research Corbett Says He Would Veto Impact Fee Sent Now Shale Impact Fee Push Sputters Out Shale Drilling Fee Again Off Table In Budget Talks Debate On Gas Drillers' Impact Fee Put Off Natural Gas Levy Vote Pulled From House Agenda

No Go On Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fee State Official Argues For More Funds To Keep Eye On Drilling Impact Fees, Somewhat New Idea Marcellus Fee Plans Largely Benefit 8 Drilling Counties Op-Ed: Refunding Growing Greener Editorial: Tax The Frack Editorial: No Drilling Tax? Just Give Us Free Natural Gas Related Stories Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Loses Another Round In 3 Year Battle Over Last 9 Years: $1.5 Billion Cut/Diverted From Environmental Protection Programs Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Loses Another Round In 3 Year Battle Now in its third year, efforts to adopt a Marcellus Shale fee or severance tax lost another round this week as bipartisan initiatives in both the House and Senate fell apart after Gov. Corbett specifically threatened to veto any Marcellus Shale natural gas impact fee bill sent to his desk before the Governor's Marcellus Shale Commission submits its report on July 22. Interestingly, neither Senate President Pro Tempe Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) nor Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), both with Marcellus Shale impact fee proposals pending, attended the 11:45 p.m. budget signing ceremony Thursday with Gov. Corbett. Just hours after Gov. Corbett signed the FY 2011-12 state budget, the Department of Revenue announced the state collected $785.5 million more in revenue than they estimated. Momentum toward adoption of a Marcellus fee proposal was building significantly over the last several weeks. Two weeks ago the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee amended and reported out Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) establishing a Marcellus Shale Impact fee and requiring the development of a model local zoning ordinance to control drilling activities to provide a vehicle for the impact fee issue. This week Rep. David Reed (R-Indiana), Chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, filed an amendment to Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) on the House Calendar which would allocate monies from the Oil and Gas Fund to support the Growing Greener Program and establish a per well Marcellus Shale impact fee. In addition to these proposals, Rep. Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks) introduced House Bill 1700, Rep. Kate Harper (R-Montgomery) introduced House Bill 1406, Senators John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) and Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) introduced Senate Bill 905, and Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) introduced House Bill 833 containing Marcellus Shale fee or severance tax proposals. In the House this week, Republicans and Democrats proposed more than half a dozen amendments to the Fiscal Code bill-- Senate Bill 907 (Browne-R-Lehigh)-- containing a variety of severance tax and fee proposals, including proposals by Reps. Reed, Quinn and George. Those amendments were suddenly dropped after the Governor's veto threat. In the Senate, Sen. Scarnati was still pushing hard for Senate Bill 1100 up until the last minute. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Yudichak did offer an amendment to the Fiscal Code bill when it returned to the Senate for a concurrence vote, but ultimately were unsuccessful. This is the third year in a row we have talked but not acted on the issue of Marcellus

Shale. We cant allow this to be one more year where drillers are let off the hook, said Sen. Yudichak. The majority of Pennsylvanians and legislators on both sides of the aisle support a reasonable fee. The industry expects to be asked to do their part, yet Pennsylvania remains the only state that year after year gives this multi-billion dollar industry a free pass. Last year before the legislative session ended, Senate Republicans and House Democrats, then in control of the House, failed to meet their commitment to adopt a severance tax. The most recent voter poll on the issue found 69 percent of those polled supported a new tax on drilling companies, including at least 60 percent in each region of the state. Twenty-four percent said they were opposed. Former Gov. Tom Ridge has also encouraged the adoption of a Marcellus Shale severance tax. Rep. Reed's Proposal Rep. David Reed (R-Indiana), Chair of the Republican Policy Committee, filed an amendment to Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) on the House Calendar which would allocate monies from the Oil and Gas Fund to support the Growing Greener Program and establish a per well Marcellus Shale impact fee The proposal was in two parts--- Transfers from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund: -- 25 percent of the available yearly ending balance to the Environmental Stewardship Fund; -- 7.5 percent of the available yearly ending balance up to $7.5 million to payment in lieu of taxes to communities with State Forest land; -- 1 percent of the available yearly ending balance up to $3 million to a Catastrophic Fund associated with unconventional wells; -- $40 million to the Hazardous Site Clean Up Fund. This transfer will be updated annually based on the CPI (inflation rate). -- Marcellus Shale Per Well Impact Fee: -- Fee Schedule: Year 1: $50,000; Year 2: $25,000; Year 3: $25,000; Year 4: $10,000; Year 5: $10,000; Year 6: $10,000; Year 7: $10,000; Year 8: $10,000; Year 9: $10,000; Year 10: $10,000; -- In cased when a well is re-stimulated (re-fracked) the fee rate reverts back to $10,000 per year for 5 additional years. If an existing well is used to drill to a different strata (Utica) then the impact fee structure resets at year 2 ($25,000). -- Revenues collected under this fee are distributed as follows: 37.5 percent to host counties; 10 percent to host counties dedicated to EMS and first responders; 25 percent to host municipalities on a per well basis; 17.5 percent to all municipalities within a host county; 10 percent to Conservation Districts. Sen. Yudichak's Proposal The proposal authored by Sen. Yudichak, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and offered by Senate Democrats to Senate Bill 907 was based on the framework in Senate Bill 1100 and would establish an annual fee of $17,000 per well, an increase over the $10,000 per well fee proposed by Sen. Scarnati, raising an estimated $205 million in FY 2011-12 and $260 million in FY 2012-13. Revenues from the impact fee would be distributed to--- County Conservation Districts-- $5 million, rather than $7.5 million;

-- Local share would be 55 percent, rather than 60 percent and the statewide distribution would increase to 45 percent from 40 percent. Ten percent of the funds would go to local governments in areas where there is no drilling activity by where they have pipelines and other related facilities; -- There would be a cap on the amount of funds a municipality could receive equally 50 percent of a municipality's budget; -- Growing Greener (Environmental Stewardship Fund) would be restored as an eligible program; -- There would be a hard limit on the amount of money that could be spent on statewaide initiatives like drinking water, wastewater, flood control and dam safety projects administered by the Commonwealth Financing Authority; -- The revenue going to the Hazardous Waste Cleanup Fund would be increased to 20 percent; -- It would add weatherization, energy efficiency and energy conservation measures to the list of eligible projects; -- The Motor License Fund would be removed from the distribution; -- Office of State Fire Commissioner $2 million; -- Model Ordinance language is removed from the bill; -- The Shale Impact Fee Housing Credit is removed; and -- Would require annual reports from the Public Utility Commission, the administering agency, to the General Assembly, from municipalities receiving funds and to the public. NewsClips: Corbett Says He Would Veto Impact Fee Sent Now Shale Impact Fee Push Sputters Out Shale Drilling Fee Again Off Table In Budget Talks Debate On Gas Drillers' Impact Fee Put Off Natural Gas Levy Vote Pulled From House Agenda No Go On Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fee State Official Argues For More Funds To Keep Eye On Drilling Impact Fees, Somewhat New Idea Marcellus Fee Plans Largely Benefit 8 Drilling Counties Op-Ed: Refunding Growing Greener Editorial: Tax The Frack Editorial: No Drilling Tax? Just Give Us Free Natural Gas Related Stories New State Budget Continues Severe Rendell Cuts To Environmental Protection Over Last 9 Years: $1.5 Billion Cut/Diverted From Environmental Protection Programs Over Last 9 Years: $1.5 Billion Cut/Diverted From Environmental Protection Programs A total of $1.5 billion has been diverted or cut from environmental programs to help balance the state budget or to fund programs that could not get funding on their own over the last nine years. Just hours after Gov. Corbett signed the FY 2011-12 state budget, the Department of Revenue announced the state collected $785.5 million more in revenue than they estimated. Here are the highlights of the cuts and diversions--

-- $481 million in Act 339 grants intended to support wastewater plant operations over the last nine years were eliminated to balance the budget; -- $143 million diverted from the DCNR Oil and Gas Fund to balance the FY 2008-09 budget; -- $79 million cut from the DEP and DCNR General Fund budget during FY2009-10; -- $60 million diverted from the DCNR Oil and Gas Fund to balance the FY 2009-10 budget; -- $100 million in 2002 from the Underground Storage Tank cleanup insurance fund to balance the budget (although this is slowly being repaid over 10 years); -- $52.7 million one-time diversion from the Keystone Recreation, Parks and Conservation Fund in 2006 to balance the budget; -- $50 million in 2007 and 2008 from the Environmental Stewardship Fund, which supports mine reclamation and watershed restoration, to fund the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program because there was no agreement on how to fund that program; -- $164.3 million in FY 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 from the Environmental Stewardship Fund to pay debt service on the Growing Greener II bond issue and taking funding away from restoration projects each year for the next 25 years reflecting a pattern of only environmental programs being required to address their own bond debt service; -- $15 million from the Recycling Fund in to balance the FY 2008-09 budget; -- $18.4 million put into budgetary reserve in 2008-09 from the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; -- $5 million reduction in Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm conservation tax credit program in FY 2009-10; -- $102.8 million cut from the DEP and DCNR General Fund budget in FY 2010-11 budget; -- $180 million diverted from the DCNR Oil and Gas Fund to General Fund in proposed FY 2010-11 budget; -- $5.5 million reduction in Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm conservation tax credits in FY 2010-11; -- $5 million in additional cuts to the agencies to balance the FY 2010-11 budget; -- $3.9 million in across-the-board cuts to help fill gaps caused by reduced federal Medicaid appropriations-- $2.4 million from DEP, $1.5 million from DCNR; -- $669,000 from the Safe Water line item in DEP's budget; and -- $102.8 million cut continued from the FY 2010-11 DEP and DCNR General Fund budget in FY 2011-12 budget. Growing Greener Bankrupt In 2005 voters did approve a $625 million Growing Greener II bond issue, but that bond and the implementing legislation in 2006 capped the original Growing Greener program and expanded its original purpose. The bond issue funds ran out this year. The original purpose was to fund watershed restoration, mine reclamation, capping abandoned oil and gas wells, drinking water and wastewater system improvements farmland preservation and parks and recreation projects. But in 2005-06, the projects Growing Greener II could fund expanded to include funding alternative energy projects, downtown redevelopment projects, the Game and Fish and Boat Commissions, provided funding for similar projects by counties and diverted the $4.25 per ton fee on waste disposal to paying off the debt service for the bond.

For the first time in FY 2010-11, more than half of the income in the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener) will go for debt service-- $36.8 million-- with only $33.2 remaining for projects. In FY 2011-12 the debt service payment increased to $42.5 million. Debt service payments will increase to $60 million of the $66 million in new revenues coming into the Fund annually leaving little funding for mine reclamation, watershed restoration, oil and gas well plugging, agricultural best management practices, recreation and farmland preservation. And with Growing Greener II bond monies now gone, project funding will drop from over $50 million at its peak to just $6 million in FY 2011-12. Other Environmental Funding Just to complete the environmental funding picture, in 2008 the General Assembly approved a $650 million bond issue to fund renewable energy projects, a $800 million H2O Water Infrastructure Program funded by gaming revenue to fund drinking water, wastewater, flood protection and high hazard dam repair projects outside of Allegheny and Philadelphia counties and a $400 million water infrastructure bond issue was passed by voters. NewsClips: PA Ends Fiscal Year With Higher-Than-Expected Tax Revenues Rep. Markosek: Revenue Surplus Exceeds $785 Million Related Stories New State Budget Continues Severe Rendell Cuts To Environmental Protection Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Loses Another Round In 3 Year Battle 3 Central PA Conservation Groups Urge Action On Marcellus Shale Drilling Three central Pennsylvania conservation groups with a combined membership of about 2,200 joined together this week to petition their state legislators to implement six steps to safeguard natural resources and residents from the impacts of Marcellus Shale gas extraction in the Commonwealth. ClearWater Conservancy, the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited and Sierra Club Moshannon Group delivered by hand or mailed the joint statement to the offices of Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), and Reps. Scott Conklin (D-Centre), Kerry Benninghof (R-Mifflin) and Mike Hanna (D-Centre). The three conservation groups are united in the conviction that Pennsylvanias sad history of environmental disaster including the clear cutting of vast forests by uncontrolled logging and later the contamination of thousands of miles of streams by a poorly regulated coal mining industry- must not be repeated. The statement calls on the legislators to: -- Establish a moratorium on all new drilling until effective regulations have been developed and can be enforced; -- Enact legislation requiring drillers to provide funds to state and local governments comparable to those required in other gas-producing states; -- Empower and require regulatory agencies to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of drilling;

-- Require regulatory agencies to monitor the industry and collect cumulative data on environmental impacts; -- Amend the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act to include increased oversight, disclosure and environmental protection; and -- Enact legislation that prohibits forced pooling of unwilling landowners. Also included in the joint statement document are the official position papers on Marcellus Shale drilling adopted by each of the three groups previously. Farm Bureau Troubled By Major Cuts to Agriculture Programs, REAP Increased Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is troubled by deep cuts to several key agricultural programs, especially reductions to Cooperative Extension and agriculture research, which are included in the new state budget approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Corbett. Meanwhile, PFB credited the General Assembly for doubling REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection Act of Pennsylvania) program funding to $10 million and for restoring funding to the state budget for the Department of Agriculture in the areas of Agriculture Excellence (such as the Center for Dairy Excellence), Agriculture Research (within PDA) and funding for livestock and dairy shows. REAP has helped farmers and businesses invest in agricultural conservation measures, such as forested stream buffers, fencing projects, barnyard improvements and no-till practices by providing state tax incentives as part of the cost-share program. The practices implemented through REAP benefit the environment and local communities, concluded Shaffer. PFB has learned that cuts totaling nearly $10.5 million to Penn States Agriculture Extension and Agriculture Research programs will result in the elimination of nearly 200 of the 814 permanent jobs within Penn States College of Agricultural Sciences. Agriculture research and Cooperative Extension are vital components of farming and our food industry. Pennsylvania farmers rely on timely assistance provided by agriculture extension agents and valuable developments in research to stay viable in a constantly changing industry. Innovations in research and new information about agricultural practices have not only helped farmers throughout the years, but have also helped keep food prices down for consumers and resulted in conservation improvements on farms to protect the environment, said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer. "Pennsylvania's farm families support the efforts of Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly to restore fiscal discipline in our state, but the budget cuts in Cooperative Extension and agriculture research are excessive." Cooperative Extension has been a major help to landowners and the public in understanding issues surrounding the development of Marcellus Shale natural gas in Pennsylvania. Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House-Senate Returns to session on September 19

House Returns to session on September 26 Bill Calendars House (September 26): Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) providing for the disposition of fines under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act; Senate Bill 304 (MJ White-R-Venango) requiring the posting of the state air quality implementation plan on the Internet; House Resolution 70 (Harhart-R-Lehigh) requesting the Department of Transportation to study the potential use of quarry and other mining waste in highway and civil engineering projects. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar. Senate (September 19): <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. Committees House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule. Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule. Bills Introduced The following bills of interest were introduced this week-Drilling Wastewater: House Bill 1741 (Mundy-D-Luzerne) further providing for hydraulic fracturing wastewater transportation. Sunday Hunting: House Bill 1760 (J.Evans-R-Crawford) authorizing Sunday hunting. NewsClips: Game Commission Asks State To Remove Ban On Sunday Hunting Coalition Applauds Legislation To End Sunday Hunting Ban In PA Historic Restoration: Senate Bill 1150 (Smucker-R-Lancaster) providing tax incentives and credits for rehabilitation of blighted historic structures. Green Buildings: Senate Bill 1136 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) establishing the HighPerformance State Government Buildings Standards Act.

Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills was given final approval and are now on the Governor's desk-General Fund Budget: House Bill 1485 (Adolph-R-Delaware) providing for the 2011-12 General Fund Budget was amended with the final agreed-to budget numbers among the

Republicans and the Corbett Administration, passed by the Senate and House and signed into law by the Governor-- on time. It is now Act 1A. House Republicans put out a summary of the General Fund budget as well as a line item summary of appropriations. House Democrats put together their own view of the Republican General Fund budget. Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 907 (Browne-R-Lehigh) the Fiscal Code was amended by the House to include an omnibus amendment designed to implement the budget agreement, including Harrisburg takeover language, and reported from the House Appropriations Committee, considered on the House Floor and was again referred into the House Appropriations Committee amended and was passed by the House. The bill was returned to the Senate and the Senate concurred. The bill was signed by the Governor and is now Act 26. The bill includes provisions related to: -- Filing returns for certain sales and use taxes; -- Neighborhood Improvement Zone Fund; -- Financially Distressed Municipalities; -- Creating a new Keystone Special Development Zone; -- Vocational Rehabilitation Fund applications; -- Tobacco Settlement Fund deposits; -- Transfer from PennVEST to H2O Water Infrastructure Program; and -- Audits of Race Horse Development Fund. Act 319 Exceptions: House Bill 143 (Major-R-Susquehanna) amending Act 319 to authorize the splitting off of land for noncoal mining was reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed by the Senate without amendment. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Act 319 Exceptions: House Bill 144 (Pickett-R-Bradford) amending Act 319 to authorize taxation of oil and gas well production was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee, reverted to prior Printer's Number and passed by the Senate without amendment. The bill goes to the Governor for his action. Acceptable Data: Senate Bill 263 (Erickson-R-Delaware) requiring data to support rulemakings was debated on the Floor with all amendments defeated and referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and was passed without amendment by the House. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Recreation Liability: House Bill 870 (Everett-R-Lycoming) further providing for recreation liability for opening land to recreational noncommercial aircraft operations was passed by the Senate without amendment and now goes to the Governor for his action. Air Penalties: Senate Bill 151 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) sharing Air Pollution Control Act fines with municipalities was reported from the House Appropriations Committee, was passed by the House and concurred in by the Senate. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action.

Keystone Fund Report: Senate Bill 302 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for annual reports from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was passed by the House without amendment and now goes to the Governor for his action. Bluff Recession: Senate Bill 791 (Earll-R-Erie) further defining bluff under the Bluff Recession Setback Act was removed from the Table and passed by the Senate. The bill went to the House and was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House without amendment. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Ag Security Areas: House Bill 562 (Cillen-R-Berks) further providing for the purchase of conservation easements under the Agricultural Area Security Law was reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed by the Senate. The bill returned to the House and was concurred in by the House and now goes to the Governor for his consideration.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate-House Acceptable Data: Senate Bill 263 (Erickson-R-Delaware) requiring data to support rulemakings was debated on the Floor with all amendments defeated and referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and was passed without amendment by the House. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Air Penalties: Senate Bill 151 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) sharing Air Pollution Control Act fines with municipalities was reported from the House Appropriations Committee, was passed by the House and concurred in by the Senate. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Keystone Fund Report: Senate Bill 302 (MJ White-R-Venango) further providing for annual reports from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was passed by the House without amendment and now goes to the Governor for his action. Leaf Waste: House Bill 1691 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) further dealing with leaf waste under Act 101 was amended and reported from the House Rules Committee and was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and was passed by the House. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. Conservation Corps: House Bill 1683 (Culver-R-Northumberland) transferring the PA Conservation Corps Program from the Department of Labor and Industry to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources passed the House. The bill went to the Senate for consideration and was amended and reported from the Senate Rules Committee and referred to Senate Appropriations Committee amended and was Tabled.

Waste Reuse: House Resolution 70 (Harhart-R-Lehigh) requesting PennDOT to conduct a study of the slate industry for the purpose of developing the best means of using slate waste for highway construction was removed from the Table and is now on the House Calendar for action. Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 907 (Browne-R-Lehigh) the Fiscal Code was amended by the House to include an omnibus amendment designed to implement the budget agreement, including Harrisburg takeover language, and reported from the House Appropriations Committee, considered on the House Floor and was again referred into the House Appropriations Committee amended and was passed by the House. The bill was returned to the Senate and the Senate concurred. The bill was signed by the Governor and is now Act 26. The bill includes provisions related to: -- Filing returns for certain sales and use taxes; -- Neighborhood Improvement Zone Fund; -- Financially Distressed Municipalities; -- Creating a new Keystone Special Development Zone; -- Vocational Rehabilitation Fund applications; -- Tobacco Settlement Fund deposits; -- Transfer from PennVEST to H2O Water Infrastructure Program; and -- Audits of Race Horse Development Fund. Senate Recreation Liability: House Bill 870 (Everett-R-Lycoming) further providing for recreation liability for opening land to recreational noncommercial aircraft operations was passed by the Senate without amendment and now goes to the Governor for his action. Bluff Recession: Senate Bill 791 (Earll-R-Erie) further defining bluff under the Bluff Recession Setback Act was removed from the Table and passed by the Senate. The bill went to the House and was referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and passed by the House without amendment. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. Ag Security Areas: House Bill 562 (Cillen-R-Berks) further providing for the purchase of conservation easements under the Agricultural Area Security Law was reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed by the Senate. The bill returned to the House and was concurred in by the House and now goes to the Governor for his consideration. Gas Well Emergency: Senate Bill 995 (Baker-R-Luzerne) requiring the posting of certain emergency information for each gas well was amended and passed by the Senate. It now goes to the House for consideration. Conservation Corps: Senate Bill 1128 (Gordner-R-Columbia) transferring the PA Conservation Corps Program from the Department of Labor and Industry to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was amended and reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee and was passed by the Senate. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

Marcellus Fee: Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) establishing a Marcellus Shale Impact fee and requiring the development of a model local zoning ordinance to control drilling activities was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Trails: Senate Bill 469 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) allows walking, jogging, bicycling, exercising and horseback riding on nature trails as a recreational purpose by limiting liability was Tabled. Open Space: Senate Bill 394 (Brubaker-R-Lancaster) further providing for local authority to preserve open space was referred to Senate Appropriations Committee.

News From The Capitol

Sen. Baker's Gas Wellsite Safety Bill Passes Senate The Senate this week passed Senate Bill 995 (Baker-R-Luzerne) designed to maximize wellsite safety and improve community protections. The changes will reduce the risk for workers, first responders and the community when things go wrong at drilling sites, according to Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), who sponsored the measure. "At its heart, this bill requires well operators to meet the most basic rules of public safety," Sen. Baker said. "Plan ahead. Tell us where your wells are. Give us clear directions to each site. Call at the first sign of trouble." Sen. Baker's legislation requires gas well operators to post signs bearing their GPS coordinates and other emergency response information at all wellsites and to share those coordinates with appropriate state, county and local officials. Emergency response plans must also be developed and shared with state, county and local officials. Currently, firefighters, ambulance crews, and haz-mat teams may not be told where wells are being planned, or where the access roads to those sites begin. Sen. Baker's measure requires that notification be triggered in the earliest stages of planning, rather than after waste is discharged or chemicals are brought on-site. "This bill ensures the development of a complete emergency plan, covering every stage from road clearing and well-pad preparation through well closure," Sen. Baker added. The bill now goes to the House for consideration. Sen. Pileggi: Local Communities To Receive Fair Share Of Air Pollution Fines

Calling the bill's passage "a significant victory for communities across Pennsylvania," Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) this week announced his legislation-- Senate Bill 151-- to give local communities a share of air pollution fines to be used for environmental projects has been sent to the Governor. Senate Bill 151 would provide one-quarter of any fine under Pennsylvania's Clean Air Act above $50,000 to the municipality in which the violation occurred for local projects designed to reduce air pollution, to improve parks and trails, or to create open space. Under current law, all fines levied under the Clean Air Act go to the state. "This bill represents a significant victory for communities across Pennsylvania," Sen. Pileggi said. "The impact of air pollution is felt locally, and local residents should derive some benefit from the fines that are imposed. Providing funding for local environmental projects is a great way to do that." The legislation was developed in response to several situations in the Ninth Senatorial District. In Marcus Hook Borough, the site of an oil refinery, the state has levied more than $7.4 million in fines since November 2000. Senate Bill 151 would also require the Department of Environmental Protection to notify the municipality in which a violation occurs within five business days. It was amended by the House to allow counties to apply for funding if the municipality chooses not to. The bill also contains provisions designed to protect the ongoing viability of the Clean Air Fund. Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign Senate Bill 151 into law. Keystone Fund Project Funding Report Bill Sent To Governor Senate Bill 302, sponsored by Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, received final legislative approval and is now with the Governor for his action. The bill requires state agencies receiving funding under the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Act (Key '93) to submit annual reports to the governor and General Assembly - including grants awarded from the fund, the recipients name, the location, a description of the project and project costs --and post the information online. Agencies required to report include the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Education, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the State System of Higher Education. More than ever, the Commonwealth has to track every dollar spent, and by putting these reports online, taxpayers as well as legislators will be able to see what is being spent what kind of projects are being funded, said Sen. White. In the 2010-11 fiscal year, DCNR alone awarded $15.1 million in Key 93 grants for local recreation projects and an additional $6.1 million to land trusts. Key 93 grants are used for recreation, park and conservation planning, acquisition, development education and technical assistance, planning for and acquisition of open space and

critical habitat by land trusts, grants to nonprofit organizations and municipalities for rivers conservation and rails-to-trails planning, acquisition and development activities.

News From Around The State

Next Round Of Growing Greener Watershed, Mine Reclamation Grants Now Being Accepted The Department of Environmental Protection is now accepting applications for the next round of Growing Greener watershed restoration, Section 319 and local mine reclamation grants. A total of about $10 million will be available for all three types of grants. The deadline for applications is August 26. Only about $6 million in Growing Greener funds will be available for this round of grants. At its peak, over $50 million in Growing Greener grants were made available in this program alone. $3 million is available for Section 319 grants and about $1 million for local mine reclamation grants. There are no provisions in the newly adopted state budget for re-funding the Growing Greener Program which became all but bankrupt this year. We are glad to provide whatever support we can to local communities and watershed groups to fund projects that enhance and protect Pennsylvanias water quality, DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. That includes projects that address mining land reclamation and acid mine drainage treatment systems, stream bank improvements and agricultural best-management practices. The Department will invest its limited Growing Greener funding in projects that will ultimately protect and/or restore this Commonwealth's watersheds from impairment due to nonpoint source pollution. Examples of special priority areas include: projects located in ''priority'' watersheds that reduce the source of impairment; ''priority'' type activities that lead to water quality restoration or protection; and projects that support the installation of agricultural Best Management Practices to achieve compliance with existing agricultural water quality requirements. Examples of eligible projects could include reducing nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired; integrating stormwater management into watershed management and water conservation strategies; and projects that will help reduce Total Maximum Daily Load pollutants. Through the same application process, applicants can also apply for funding through the Department's Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act Grant Program and Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grant Program. SMCRA grants are available to municipalities, municipal authorities and nonprofit organizations for projects meeting SMCRA grant requirements. Section 319 grants focus on funding similar projects to Growing Greener but with special emphasis within targeted watersheds. Information on how to apply for the grants will be posted on DEP's Growing Greener webpage. (formal notice)

Call For Presentations: 2012 Keystone Coldwater Conference Feb. 24-25 The 10th Keystone Coldwater conference will be held in State College on February 24-25 with the theme, "Responsible Land use: Protecting Habitat and Native Species." The Coldwater Heritage Partnership and other conference organizers are now accepting proposals for presentations and posters for this special event through September 2. Proposals are welcome on topics related to the protection of coldwater resources as Pennsylvania continues to develop. Priority will be give to the following 7 topics: landscape fragmentation, buffer maintenance, stormwater management, access to waterways, invasive species, development (pervious/ impervious) and agriculture. Organizers want to hear about your ideas, projects and success stories. Presentations should highlight research, case studies, proactive community action, policy and regulations, or targeted outreach and advocacy that have played a part in ensuring environmental protection. More information and guidelines for presentations are available online. Submit presentations to: PA Council of Trout Unlimited, PO Box 5148, Bellefonte, PA 16823, Attn: Coldwater Conference Committee, send email to: Samantha Kutskel at cskutskel@state.pa.us or call 814-359-5233 Janie French Nominated For Women Greening Pittsburgh Honor Janie French, Director of Green Infrastructure Programs for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, has been nominated as one of the Women and Girls Foundation's "Women Greening Pittsburgh." In her work at PEC, Janie directs a number of projects in green infrastructure, including stormwater management, combined sewer overflow projects, and related programs. The recognition program began in 2005 and each year honors a select group of women who are engaged in dynamic work in exciting and challenging career fields in Southwest Pennsylvania. Janie and the other nominees will be honored at a gala at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh on November 19th. Friends of the Wissahickon Reduce Stormwater Erosion in Wissahickon Valley Park The Friends of the Wissahickon are making substantial progress on the Wissahickon Stormwater Mitigation and Sediment Reduction Project, a two-year project in partnership with the Natural Resources staff of Fairmount Park, which will reduce sediment, improve water quality, protect drinking water sources, and restore critical wildlife habitat. (Photo: FOW volunteers John Cassidy of Abington, Melissa Cresswell of Chestnut Hill, Cathy Sulimay of Andorra, and Jennifer Overberg of Germantown at the Kitchen's Lane work site.) This summer, FOW is working on four severe erosion sites on the west side of the Wissahickon gorge: Bluebell Meadow Pavilion; Historic RittenhouseTown; Kitchens Lane White Trail; and Kitchens Lane Gully.

All the sites carry substantial stormwater volume and sedimentation into the Wissahickon Creek, damaging the riparian and upland habitats in the watershed, and include stormwater gullies and degraded trail corridors. All four projects include any necessary trail repair. Historic RittenhouseTown Gully Restoration/Trail Re-route. Materials are currently being assembled at the Historic RittenhouseTown Gully Restoration/Trail Re-route. This trail section has stormwater runoff problems where the trail carries flow during storm events. FOW will be shortening the drainage areas along the trail by installing four water bars made of rock at strategic locations and diverting the flow to forested areas. Bluebell Meadow Pavilion Gully Restoration/Trail Re-route. FOW is still finalizing permits for the Bluebell Meadow Pavilion Gully Restoration/Trail Re-route. This degraded channel is the result of unmanaged stormwater runoff from impervious parking, roads, and lawns at the top of its drainage area (around Blue Bell Meadow). Although inverts in the road curb allow some drainage into forested areas, the stormwater needs to be better managed in this section of the park to reduce sedimentation to the Wissahickon Creek below. Kitchens Lane Gully Restoration/Trail Re-route. Permits are still being finalized for the Kitchens Lane Gully Restoration/Trail Re-route, which involves a closure and re-route of two trails in the vicinity of Kitchens Lane. The first is situated across the lands steep contours near the gully area, and the second is located near the bottom of a forested slope. The poor alignment of these trails has resulted in significant trail erosion and sedimentation into a tributary of Wissahickon Creek. In addition, the second trail has caused extreme downward cutting through the soil profile due to heavy use over the past 20 years. Stormwater Best Management Practices, such as stepped pool sand retention areas, may be used to slow runoff. Kitchens Lane White Trail. Work has already started at the Kitchens Lane White Trail, which addresses stormwater runoff from Kitchens Lane that has created a small gully leading to an unnamed tributary of the Wissahickon Creek, causing soil erosion and widening of this downstream section of the gully. FOW will stabilize the bank and conclude with complete matting, seeding, and replanting of trees and shrubs. For both Kitchens Lane projects, FOW hired consultant John Crandell, from Enduring Nature Designs. In the Kitchen's Lane area we will be replacing several paths that fall short of modern standards for environmental impact and sustainability, says Crandell. The new routes will address those issues with paths where all of the parks users will find a more enjoyable experience. It's a win for everyone. Interested in the Wissahickon? Visit the FOW Calendar for special events during June and July. PEC: New Marcellus Shale Conservation Guide Designed To Help In Gas Leasing Property owners faced with a decision about leasing the mineral rights beneath their land for Marcellus Shale gas drilling have a new tool to help them understand their options and make more informed choices. The Marcellus Shale Lease Guide is a set of lease guidelines and principles that property owners can use with the help of an attorney to understand the environmental risks and rewards of mineral rights leasing. Homeowners, farm owners and private landowners throughout Western Pennsylvania now face decisions about the use of their land from drilling companies and many more will soon face similar challenges.

Developed by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Marcellus Shale Lease Guide is intended as a helpful resource for Pennsylvania residents who are considering leasing their property for Marcellus Shale gas production, or who have decided to lease and are beginning the negotiating process. It identifies key environmental issues that can be addressed in a lease, summarizes the types of approaches that have been used to address these issues in other Marcellus Shale gas leases in Pennsylvania, and offers options for handling these issues in a more protective lease, using best management practices employed in oil and gas leasing both in Pennsylvania and nationwide. The Lease Guide is also available online where individuals can weigh in with additional suggestions for protective lease provisions. The perfect Marcellus Shale gas lease doesnt exist, says John Walliser, vice president of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. The drilling companies have standard lease agreements that they prefer to use, but those standard leases arent always designed to meet the specific interests of the property owner or to protect the unique features of the property. The Marcellus Shale Lease Guide provides a menu of approaches for the property owner to use with their attorney in crafting lease language for that best suits their own individual circumstances. The Marcellus Shale Lease Guide was developed to help property owners navigate the complex and constantly-changing issues related to natural gas drilling and extraction. The scale of the Marcellus Shale play throughout Pennsylvania is vast and the race among drillers to secure mineral rights in hundreds of communities is already going strong. But in many cases, property owners lack the experience, resources or expertise to engage gas companies in negotiations that will ultimately lead to mutually beneficial agreements. The Marcellus Shale Lease Guide is not meant to replace the expertise of qualified professionals, but simply to help citizens and their lawyers alike understand the various environmental issues associated with a new industry and its practices in their negotiations with gas industry representatives pursuing the mineral rights. Users should still do their own research, talk to other property owners who have had similar experience, and retain the services of an oil and gas attorney before signing any documents related to the mineral rights associated with their property. The Marcellus Shale Lease Guide is publicly available online free of charge and is based on feedback from landowners and other conservation interests. We created the Marcellus Shale Lease Guide to help landowners become better informed about the wide range of potential environmental and conservation issues associated with Marcellus Shale development said PECs Walliser. We intend to continually update the guide as new information or new management practices arise. The Marcellus Shale Lease Guide provides a wealth of useful information that property owners can use to do their own research, including other resources and research tools that are readily available online or in print. It also explains how Marcellus Shale gas well development is different from Pennsylvanias existing laws and regulations governing oil and gas extraction. Additionally, it provides specific advice for landowners to incorporate into their lease agreements on such issues as farmland use, erosion control, emergency response plans, impacts to existing structures, fencing, noise control, pollution prevention, seismic testing, property access rights by gas company personnel, impact on wildlife and timber, and many other issues. The complete document is available online.

NewsClips: New Lease Guide Available For Landowners New Natural Gas Lease Guide Available For Landowners DEP Fines Chief Oil & Gas $180,000 for Oil Spill, Waste Violations The Department of Environmental Protection announced this week Chief Oil & Gas LLC has paid $180,000 in civil penalties for a hydraulic oil spill and for failing to properly maintain a drill pit at a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Jefferson Township, Somerset County. A June 10, 2010 site inspection by DEP found evidence of the discharge of hydraulic oil onto the ground. Operators are required to notify DEP of any spills of that nature because the oil is classified as a residual waste. Chief did not notify DEP of the spill and was not permitted to discharge residual waste at the site. Chief Oil & Gas has since successfully remediated the site. NewsClips: DEP Fines Gas Company For Somerset County Spill Drilling Firm Pays $180,000 For Oil Spill EPA Seeks $157,000 Penalty For Dumping Oil Well Brine The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a $157,500 civil penalty against a Kansas-based company for alleged illegal discharges of more than 228,000 gallons of oil brine into injection wells in the Allegheny National Forest in McKean County, Pa. EPA alleges violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and EPA regulations on the underground injections of fluids and wastes, in seeking the penalty against Swamp Angel Energy, LLC, of Wichita, Kan. EPA takes our responsibility to protect public health very seriously, said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. When companies break the law and threaten our drinking water supplies, they must be held accountable. The proposed Administrative Order and Complaint for Penalty against Swamp Angel Energy alleges that the company illegally pumped brine generated from its oil production operations into the underground wells. In addition to the penalty, EPAs action also requires the company to properly plug one of the two wells at issue, known as Old Glory. In its complaint, EPA states that the unauthorized disposal of brine into injection wells without the proper safeguards poses a potential threat to underground sources of drinking water. In Pennsylvania, EPA authorizes and enforces Underground Injection Control permitting requirements including responsibility for regulating the construction, operation, and closure of injection wells that place fluids underground for storage or disposal. Two company employees were previously convicted on criminal charges in connection with the illegal brine injection. They were sentenced to home detention and probation and ordered to pay a fine and perform community service. The company has the right to appeal the alleged violations and proposed penalty. Marcellus Commission Environmental Work Group Changes Meeting Time

The Governor's Marcellus Shale Commission Public Health, Safety and Environmental Protection Work Group meeting set for July 5 will now start at 2:00 in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg. Chesapeake Bay Foundation Opposes National Builders Lawsuit On Bay Restoration Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker issued this statement concerning the lawsuit filed this week by the National Home Builders Association against EPA. The national lobbying organization, which bills itself as the voice of the housing industry, filed a lawsuit in federal court asking that all efforts to implement pollution limits for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries be stopped. One has to believe that real success in Saving the Bay is close at hand when yet another national lobbying organization files suit to stop the restoration effort. Meaningful pollution reduction will require all to do their part, including those who build new houses. This lawsuit is yet another attempt by a special interest to avoid responsibility for their part of the total pollution loading. Apparently, they want to maximize profit for their narrow interest and force everyone else to bear the burden of dirty, unsafe water. With Bay scientists predicting that this summers dead zone might be the fourth largest since records have been kept, now is hardly the time to reverse the course of Bay restoration. NewsClip: Home Builders Sues EPA Over New Chesapeake Bay Pollution Rules

Spotlight
Penn State Extension: Feeding Cows Differently To Improve The Water Improving local water quality and the Chesapeake Bay starts with feeding cows. The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that goes in the front end of the cow directly impacts how much comes out the back end. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two main nutrients associated with impaired local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Penn State has teamed up with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to promote and implement Feed Management Plans on dairy farms throughout Pennsylvania. Feed management plans are written by nutritionists, who attended further training through Penn State. The plans are written with significant input by the farmer and are then submitted to NRCS. The farmer can apply for EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) funds through NRCS to cover the costs of having the plan written, and the costs of implementation of the plan for the next three years, assuming a three year contract with NRCS. Plans are written to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loss from the farm by addressing issues with the ration itself and/or how feed is managed on the farm. Initially this program focused on dairy operations, but due to increased interest it has been expanded to beef operations as well. Although improving water quality issues through

feeding cows may not seem like the most logical place to start it is one of the best practices we have available to reduce the impact of livestock on water quality. For more information on the Feed Management program go to the Penn State Dairy and Animal Science website or the NRCS Feed Management website. (Written By: Sarah K. Dinh, Ph.D., Penn State Cooperative Extension, Extension Educator, Dairy/Environment, reprinted from the Penn State Extension Watershed Winds Newsletter.) Penn State's Ag Progress Days To Be Held August 16-18 Preparations are in full gear for Penn State's 2011 Ag Progress Days exposition, which will be held August 16-18 at Rock Springs, on state Route 45, nine miles southwest of State College. Bob Oberheim, Ag Progress Days manager, said the event's diversity will appeal to a wide audience. "Agricultural producers and natural-resource professionals continue to value Ag Progress Days for the opportunity to see the latest technology and learn about research on new production practices," he said. "For consumers, the event offers a chance to learn about how their food is produced and how they can manage their family's health, nutrition and finances." Oberheim noted that with more than 430 commercial exhibitors expected to display the latest goods and services, Ag Progress Days provides producers with a convenient place to shop and compare. Interactive educational exhibits, guided tours and workshops will highlight agricultural research and extension programs. The College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building will provide a hub for expert information on topics such as renewable energy, water quality and quantity, pest prediction and response, and issues in animal science and production. Faculty and extension staff also will be on hand throughout the grounds to answer questions and provide information on crop, dairy, livestock and equine production; conservation practices; integrated pest management; woodlot management; farm safety; and home gardening and lawn care. Visitors can get a glimpse of scientific research under way at the surrounding 2,100-acre Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. "New field demonstrations this year will feature corn chopping, planting of cover crops and overseeding standing corn with cover crops," Oberheim said. Returning machinery demonstrations will feature hay mowing, hay rakes and tedders, hay baling and bale handling. Other planned activities and attractions include family living exhibits; food demonstrations; a corn maze; horse exhibitions and clinics; wildlife displays; children's activities; exhibits of antique farm and home implements in the expanded Pasto Agricultural Museum; and a wide variety of food booths. Additional information about the event will be released as details become available. Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 16; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 17; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 18. Admission and parking are free. Free shuttle bus service between the Ag Progress Days site and downtown State College will be available. For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website. Gov. Corbett Proclaims July Lakes Awareness Month In PA

July has been proclaimed Lakes Awareness Month in Pennsylvania by Gov. Tom Corbett. Pennsylvania's landscape is home to more than 1,500 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. These lakes and ponds are critical resources to Pennsylvania's environment and quality of life, providing sources of recreation, scenic beauty and habitat for wildlife. Lakes are valuable economic resources for Pennsylvania businesses, tourism and municipal governments, with uses ranging from flood control and other agricultural purposes to water supply. Maintaining the health of our lakes is the responsibility of every citizen. Pennsylvania recognizes the need to protect these lakes and ponds for future generations. PALMS annually organizes pond and lake management workshops, trains lake monitors through technical assistance programs, and continues to bring educational resources and assistance to lake properties and their owners across the state. For more information on Lake Management in Pennsylvania check out the Pennsylvania Lake Management Society or contact Kerilynn Frey by calling 570-864-3847. 2011 Secchi Dip-In Now In Full Swing Until July 17 From June 25 until July 17 volunteers participating in the Secchi Dip-In will be collecting transparency data in the United States and Canada. Water transparency is affected by the color of the water and by particles of silt or clay or small plants called algae, and therefore is a simple measure of some forms of pollution. Changes in water transparency may signal changes in land use or the success of efforts to restore waterbodies to better conditions. The Dip-In is an international effort in which volunteers produce a "snapshot" of the transparency of water in the United States and Canada. Sponsored by the North American Lake Management Society and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Dip-In is directed by Kent State University scientists, Dr. Robert Carlson and Dr. Jay Lee. Since the Dip-In began in 1994 in six Midwest states it has expanded to participation by more than 400 programs and 9,000 volunteers in the U.S., Canada, and several other countries. The Dip-In has generated more than 41,000 water transparency records that are used to detect trends in transparency. Carlson said that he wanted to find a way to produce a scientific "snapshot" of the trends in water quality of the world's waterbodies. Such a project could only be done using the thousands of volunteers who routinely measure transparency in local volunteer programs. The Dip-In is a chance for volunteers to think and contribute globally by taking a measurement in their local environment. Although the Dip-IIn accepts data from all types of turbidity instruments, m ost volunteers will use an instrument called a "Secchi disk," a flat, horizontal, black and white disk that is lowered from a rope into the water until it disappears. The depth the disk disappears is a measure of the transparency of the water. The disk itself is named after the Jesuit priest, Pietro Angelo Secchi, who first used the disk more than 150 years ago. Previous Dip-In's have provided valuable information about transparency. Transparencies found during the Dip-In range from one inch to more than 65 feet. Waterbodies in the northern parts of the United States and in Canada typically have the clearest lakes, while lakes in

agricultural regions of the Midwest have some of the lowest transparencies. Remarkably, most of the lakes that are exhibiting change are also in this northern part of the continent. The Dip-In has found that the volunteer's perception of water quality varies considerably from region to region. A person in Minnesota, Maine or Canada, for example, may think that a lake is degraded if the transparency is six feet while in other states, a lake with a transparency of only a foot may be considered beautiful. Carlson suggests that these regional differences mean that people become accustomed to the quality that they see every day. Most sobering may be the possibility that everyone grows up thinking that their environment is normal. Small changes in water quality may go unnoticed. Fortunately, there are volunteer monitors who record these changes in water quality year after year. Without their observations, our environment might change unnoticed. For more information, visit The Secchi Dip-In website. For more information on Lake Management in Pennsylvania check out the Pennsylvania Lake Management Society or contact Kerilynn Frey by calling 570-864-3847. DEP OKs Coffer Dam For PA General Energy Water Intake Project On Pine Creek The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced it has approved a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit amendment for Pennsylvania General Energy to allow the company to finish construction of a water intake structure on Pine Creek in Lycoming County. PGE is an oil and gas drilling company based in Warren, Pa. PGE submitted the application for amendment on June 27. A stone coffer dam that PGE was constructing washed away in May due to a series of heavy rainstorms. The new coffer dam will be a portable type that was allowed in DEPs original permit, but it will be built closer to the creek bank, and the intake structure will move 40 feet nearer the bank. After the original structure was washed away, DEP required PGE to submit a new plan and amend its existing permit to avoid a repeat of the problems experienced with the first coffer dam. The coffer dam is a temporary structure that will only be in place until the installation of the water intake structure is finished. Work on the new coffer dam is expected to begin July 5. To ensure minimal impact on Pine Creek, DEP will conduct periodic inspections during installation of the new coffer dam and while construction of the water intake structure is finished. The original stone coffer dam, which washed away, was not constructed in accordance with the permit issued in December 2010. On May 20 of this year, DEP issued a notice of violation to PGE for improper coffer dam construction, sediment discharges to Pine Creek and improper earth disturbance activities related to a pipeline project associated with the water intake structure. Clinton County CleanScapes Sets July, August, September Cleanups The Clinton County CleanScapes Program has scheduled four cleanup events in July, August and September along with West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Clinton and Lycoming counties. The events will be held on: -- July 16: Loyalsock Township, Lycoming County;

-- July 23: Woodward Township Cleanup, Clinton County; -- August 13: Jersey Shore, Lycoming County: and -- September 10: Lock Haven, Clinton County. For more information, visit the Clinton County CleanScapes webpage or contact Elisabeth Lynch McCoy at 570-726-3511 or send email to: clintoncountycleanscapes@yahoo.com. Video Blog - Chester County Student Recycling Video Contest Winner Posted The Chester County Board of Commissioners this week announced the video submitted by West Chester East High School students Christina Betz and Jeff Cindric who won the County High School Recycling Video Contest was posted online. Click Here to watch the video. KPB: Applications Now Being Accepted For Fresh Paint Days PA Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced their new program, Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania, and is currently accepting applications. Applications must be received by July 31. Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania is designed to provide community groups with paint and painting supplies enabling them to renew a community structure in need into something beautiful through the application of fresh paint and a lot of elbow grease. This annual event is held in partnership with support from PPG PITTSBURGH Paints and The Home Depot. The 2011 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania will take place in September. During this month-long period, ten grant awardees along with their volunteers will be eligible for up to 40 gallons of exterior paint and $200 in painting supplies. The Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania grant is available to any tax-exempt group within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Private property owners or individual applicants cannot apply. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will select the ten winning projects from among applications submitted. Applications must meet the following requirements to be considered only one building per application, proof of liability insurance, signed permission to paint from the building owner, and two before photos of the intended project. Selected awardees must also agree to provide a final report with during and after photos. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will also provide two of the awardees an additional $500 from PPG Pittsburgh Paints and The Home Depot at the end of the project for community improvement projects, based on reporting and the winner of two criteria; best visual impact and best community revitalization story. We are proud supporters of Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania, said Dori Marks, senior marketing manager, PPG Industries. It is a valuable new program and I really want to encourage community groups in Pennsylvania to take full advantage of this great opportunity.

Through our partnership with PPG Pittsburgh Paints and The Home Depot, Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania empowers community groups to take a direct role in community revitalization efforts, explains Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint on a public library or community center sends a strong message that we care about our communities. Grants will be awarded in mid-August. For more information or to download the application or contact Michelle Dunn, Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania Program Coordinator, at 1-877-772-3673 ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. PA Center For Environmental Education Summer Update The regular EE Connections monthly newsletter of the PA Center for Environmental Education will return to publication in August. In the meantime, keep up-to-date with environmental news by going to the PCEE news webpage and the EE Events webpage. Here is just one of the many upcoming teacher workshops available in Pennsylvania: Stroud Center's Leaf Pack Network Teacher Workshop, August 3 & 4 in Chambersburg. The $15 cost includes a Leaf Pack kit ($180 value), some meals and Act 48 credit; register by July 15. The new state budget zeroes out the appropriation for PCEE. EPA Offers Tips To Save Energy This Summer The summer heat is here. To help you and your family stay cool, comfortable and save energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Energy Star program suggests a few simple steps. The average American home spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling. Increased energy production to run cooling systems raises your costs and contributes to pollution that adversely affects the quality of the air we breathe. Here are seven simple ways to help protect your wallet and the environment: -- Use Ceiling Fans Optimally. Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan. -- Maximize Shade. Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the suns rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade. -- Find the Best Thermostat Settings. If you have a programmable thermostat, program it to work around your familys summer scheduleset it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so you are not cooling an empty house. -- Reduce Oven Time. Use a microwave or grill outside instead of oven cooking, when you can. Ovens take longer to cook food and can make your house warmer, requiring your air conditioning system to work harder to keep the house at a comfortable temperature. -- Check Air Conditioner Filters. Check your cooling systems air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A good rule is to change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you coolwasting energy.

Also, remember to have your system serviced annually to ensure its running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings. -- Change to More Efficient Light Bulbs. Change out incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy Star qualified lighting uses less energy and also produces approximately 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting. -- Plug Duct System Leaks. As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your homes duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Also, make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork. For more information, visit EPA's Summer Cooling Tips webpage. Students Share Their Bright Ideas With PPL Electric Utilities With nearly 3,000 entries from more than 100 Pennsylvania communities, students had a lot of bright ideas about energy savings for the inaugural Bright Ideas Energy Efficiency Poster Contest. The contest focused on raising awareness among students, teachers and families of the small changes they can make that can have a big impact on their energy savings. It was developed by PPL Electric Utilities and implemented in schools with assistance from the National Energy Foundation as part of PPL's Earth Day activities in April. The contest was open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade within PPL Electric Utilities' 29-county service area. A panel of judges selected winners in three grade categories: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. The winners of the Bright Ideas 2011 Energy Efficiency Poster Contest are: Grades K-2 Grand prize: Rachael Rose, Scranton, St. Clare/St. Paul School Kindergarten: Khristian Banks, Mountain Top, Fairview Elementary School 1st grade: Cole Roberts, Moscow, Moscow Elementary Center 2nd grade: Heather Slocum, Jim Thorpe, L.B. Morris Elementary School Grades 3-5 Grand prize: Madison Emans, Pocono Pines, Tobyhanna Elementary Center 3rd grade: Toni Perez, Allentown, Cetronia Elementary School 4th grade: John "Jack" Wetherhold, Hershey, St. Joan of Arc School 5th grade: Benjamin Quaglio of Allentown, Parkway Manor Middle School Grades 6-8 Grand prize: Laura Tatiana C. Frayna, Hershey, St. Joan of Arc School 6th grade: Millionaire Pil, Oberlin, Swatara Middle School 7th grade: Sneha Shankar, Macungie, Eyer Middle School 8th grade: Kim Troyer, Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg Middle School

"PPL Electric Utilities is always looking for ways in which we can educate our customers and the public about energy conservation," said Tom Stathos, director of Customer Programs and Services for PPL Electric Utilities. "What better way to promote energy efficiency than to help teach future energy savers the students who live and learn within our 29-county service area the small steps they can take to be more energy-efficient today so that we can all benefit tomorrow." "With nearly 3,000 entries, it's clear that students have a lot of bright ideas on how to use energy wisely," Stathos said. Grand-prize winners in each category received a $500 savings bond and a congratulatory plaque. In addition, the teachers of grand-prize winners in each category received a $500 classroom grant. The three finalists in each category received a $200 savings bond and a congratulatory plaque. Additionally, each winning poster will be framed and included in a traveling art exhibit used to educate the public about energy efficiency. For more information, visit the PPL Bright Ideas 2011 Energy Efficiency Poster Contest webpage. Penn State: Culture Influences People's Response To Environmental Concerns How people choose to consume resources and use contraception influences their responses to climate change, according to a team of psychologists. Janet K. Swim, professor of psychology, Penn State, and her colleagues report that growing consumption and growing population are two significant contributors to human impact on the environment. Both substantially increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, the researchers report in a special issue of American Psychologist that focuses on how psychology contributes to understanding and addressing global climate change. "Engaging in one type of environmentally friendly behavior can predispose one to engage in similar behaviors, inhibit other behaviors, or even increase environmentally harmful behaviors," said Swim. Swim and her colleagues reported that people's perceptions of how their behavior affects the environment influences how they act. If people do not believe that the choices they make will substantially improve the environment, then they are less likely to participate in activities like recycling, turning off lights when leaving a room or car pooling. Some behaviors offset environmental gains. If a family buys a fuel-efficient vehicle but chooses to drive more miles than they previously did, there is no gain for the environment. Also, while the average U.S. household size is decreasing, Americans are generally choosing to live in larger homes, counteracting the energy savings on heating and cooling that could be made in smaller spaces. Decisions about environmental consumption and behaviors that use environmental resources are influenced by culture as well as an individual's abilities and motivations, the researchers noted. Some cultural factors are structural. For example, as people began moving further away from city centers, cars became important for transportation. Other cultural factors, however, influence perceived needs and desires. The types of cars people drive and how fast people drive influence how much gasoline is

consumed. People's cars and speed are often both influenced by advertising and others' purchasing and driving behaviors. People adjust their explanations for behaviors in ways that allow them to maintain their consumer lifestyles. Carpool lanes decrease carbon dioxide emissions and lower costs of commuting. In one study on carpooler explanations for driving choices, the researchers noted that prior to the existence of carpool lanes commuters said carpooling was too expensive. After carpool lanes were available, commuters were surveyed again and reported that flexibility prevented them from carpooling. Cultural and individual abilities and needs also influence contraceptive use. Population growth in India has in part been attributed to the importance placed on male children, creating a cultural need to have more children in order to increase the number of sons. Individually people often consider the emotional value of children when determining how many children to have. However in some circumstances people consider the environmental effects as well. For example, in Nepal if people felt that "environmental destruction had influenced their agricultural productivity [they] were more likely to use contraceptives," the researchers said. Also working on this research were Susan Clayton, professor and chair of environmental studies, College of Wooster, and George S. Howard, professor of psychology, University of Notre Dame. For more information, Dr. Swim can be reached by calling 814-863-1730 or send email to: jks4@psu.edu. Commissioners Welcome Pam Witmer To Public Utility Commission The Public Utility Commission this week welcomed Pamela A. Witmer of Dauphin County to the Commission and thanked the Senate for its unanimous confirmation vote in support of her nomination. "My colleagues and I are very pleased to welcome Pam to the Commission," Chairman Robert F. Powelson said. "Pam possesses the character, drive, knowledge of the issues and aptitude to be a vital part of the Commission. In my view, Gov. Corbett has made a wise choice in Pam Witmer." On June 23, the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously approved Gov. Tom Corbett's June 7 nomination of Witmer as PUC Commissioner. In her confirmation hearing remarks, Witmer promised she would be a "strong, independent Commissioner, thinker and decision-maker on behalf of Pennsylvania's consumers." Witmer most recently led the energy and environment practice for Harrisburg-based Bravo Group, a governmental and public relations firm. From 2000 to 2007, she was President and CEO of the PA Chemical Industry Council, a trade association. She formerly served in the Department of Environmental Protection under Gov. Tom Ridge as the lead legislative liaison, where she successfully steered legislation through the General Assembly to create the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. She also served on the Corbett Transition Team's Energy & Environment Committee. Witmer earned a bachelor's degree in public service from the Pennsylvania State University. She lives in Hummelstown, Dauphin County.

Witmer will succeed Commissioner Tyrone J. Christy, whose term on the PUC has expired and whose last Public Meeting will be June 30. Governor's Office Publishes Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda The Governor's Office published notice of its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda showing the status of major regulatory proposals and proposals in development, including the departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. (PA Bulletin page 3614)

Feature
Bald Eagle Nests Surpass 200 Mark In Pennsylvania Americas symbol of freedom and strength, the bald eagle, has surpassed a milestone of 200 active nests this year in the Commonwealth, according to the Game Commission. So far this year, 203 bald eagle nests in 50 counties have been recorded in the state. As recently as 1983, only three Crawford County nests remained in the state. The bald eagles comeback is nothing short of remarkable, said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. Today, more Pennsylvanians have a greater opportunity of seeing a bald eagle in the wild than since before the Civil War. As wildlife managers, we are proud of that accomplishment. It is the product of sound science, interstate and international cooperation and commitment to the resource. With bald eagles expanding their nesting territory closer and closer to the states urban settings, more and more Pennsylvanians are getting to appreciate the progress that has been made with this symbolic species. In recent years, Philadelphia and Allegheny counties were added to the list with known bald eagle nests, demonstrating an apparent tolerance by some nesting eagles for human activity. But, then again, it doesnt hurt that both cities are strategically located along major river systems with good fisheries. For 2011, counties supporting the largest numbers of known nesting pairs are: Crawford, 19; Pike, 19; Lancaster, 18; York 10; and Northumberland, 8. Game Commission biologists noted that reporting on eagle nests is anything but an exact science. In 2010, the late-June nest count was 192; but that number increased to 199 by the end of the year. In 2009, the June nest count was at least 170; it increased by four by the end of the year. More dramatically, in 2008, the June estimate was 140 known nests; the final nest count was 156. The agency learns of new nests with increasing regularity from the public, said Patti Barber, Game Commission biologist. Some of the latest reported were found by birders walking trails in remote or rugged locations.

This years complete list of counties and number of known, active bald eagle nests are: Allegheny, 1; Armstrong, 4; Berks, 5; Bradford, 2; Bucks, 4; Butler, 5; Cameron, 1; Carbon, 3; Centre, 1; Chester, 5; Clarion, 1; Clearfield, 1; Clinton, 1; Columbia, 1; Crawford, 19; Cumberland, 2; Dauphin, 3; Delaware, 1; Elk, 3; Erie, 8; Forest, 1; Franklin, 1; Huntington, 4; Jefferson, 2; Juniata, 4; Lancaster, 18; Lawrence, 2; Luzerne, 4; Lycoming, 6; McKean, 1; Mercer, 7; Mifflin, 3; Monroe, 3; Montgomery, 2; Montour, 1; Northampton, 3; Northumberland, 8; Perry, 2; Philadelphia, 2; Pike, 19; Snyder, 1; Sullivan, 1; Susquehanna, 1; Tioga, 6; Venango, 2; Warren, 5; Wayne, 7; Westmoreland, 2; Wyoming, 4; and York, 10. Residents aware of a bald eagle nest which are among the largest nests of all birds in their area should consider reporting it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The easiest way to contact the agency by sending email to: pgccomments@state.pa.us. Use the words Eagle Nest Information in the subject field. Although Pennsylvanias bald eagle nesting population is increasing, more nests translates into more eaglets that could be involved in nest collapses caused by spring snowfall and strong winds, or that find themselves on the ground and vulnerable to terrestrial predators. Growing up is hard and juvenile missteps spurred by bad weather or human activities are challenges each eaglet must overcome to survive. The growing eagle population also has led to other deaths and injuries of adult bald eagles from other hazards. Perry County Wildlife Conservation Officer Steve Hower reported that even though there has been good news regarding nesting, this has been a difficult spring for bald eagles in his district, as well as neighboring Juniata County. One flew into a power line in Juniata Township, Perry County, and had to be euthanized; a second was found to be very sick sitting on the ground east of Mifflintown, Juniata County, and died shortly after it was captured; a third was found dead near Duncannon, Perry County, from an apparent respiratory infection; and a fourth was believed to have been hit by a train while feeding on carrion next to railroad tracks near Newport, Perry County, he said. If losing four adult eagles wasnt bad enough, a report was received of a nest in western Juniata County with young being destroyed by severe storms as they passed through the area. An individual who has been monitoring this nest for us reported that he has not seen any activity around this nest since the storms. In 23 years of serving as a WCO in Schuylkill and Perry counties, I had never had one sick, injured or dead bald eagle reported to me. After this series of four, I hope it is another 23 years before I have another. In western Pennsylvania, Mercer County WCO Donald G. Chaybin reported that the carcass of an immature bald eagle was found near a utility pole along McDougall Road in New Vernon Township. Preliminary examination in the field could not determine a cause of death, so the carcass is undergoing a necropsy by Dr. Walt Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, WCO Chaybin said. Accidental mortality does occur with wildlife, and at times electric lines contribute to these deaths in raptors. However, the necropsy also will determine if there are any traces of poison, toxic levels of lead, or if death was from other natural causes. We want to make sure this eagle was not a victim of an intentional act. Fortunately, eagle nest successes are more numerous. For example, Tioga County WCO Rodney Mee reported that the bald eagle pair in Canyon/Benjamin Hollow area has been nesting

there since 1987. During that time period, more than 40 eaglets have fledged successfully; there were only two years when no eaglets were produced. This pair used four nest sites, and re-used some nest sites during this rotation, WCO Mee said. The Pine Creek gorge pair of eagles that came from the Shohola Falls hacking project and are celebrating their 25th anniversary of holding territory in the canyon, and serve as a picture of success for the program. It is thanks to the efforts of Cecil Houser, who has been volunteering his time to monitor the nests since 1984, that we are able to know more about these eagles, as he was the first to document nesting and provide information about how many young were being hatched and fledged. Apparently the pair did not nest this year, perhaps because of a nest tree collapse or transition to a new nest. But, it is certainly a remarkable longevity story, as these eagles are now more than 30 years old! Bald Eagle Nest Etiquette Guide New this year is the first in a series of Eagle-watching in Pennsylvania guides, that will help direct those interested in viewing bald eagles in the wild on where to go, how to get there, what to expect and other wildlife viewing opportunities available at each site. Currently posted are eagle-watching guides for Erie National Wildlife Refuge, Crawford County; Conneaut Marsh, Geneva Marsh, State Game Land 213, Crawford County; Raystown Lake, Huntingdon County; State Game Land 180, Shohola Lake, Pike County; and Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Others guides planned to be posted within the next few weeks are for: Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County; Glendale Lake, Price Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County; John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Philadelphia and Delaware counties; Lower Susquehanna River, Lancaster and York counties; Moraine State Park, Butler County; Pine Creek Valley, Lycoming and Tioga counties; Promised Land State Park, Pike County; Pymatuning Reservoir, Crawford County; Upper Delaware River in Pike, Wayne and Monroe counties. There is something absolutely awe-inspiring about seeing a bald eagle soaring overhead, Roe said. These viewing guides are designed to connect Pennsylvanians with wildlife and to encourage a greater appreciation for one of the greatest wildlife recovery efforts. The Game Commission is proud to have played a role in that effort, and we certainly are pleased to showcase that success by helping residents seek out locations to get closer to eagles. The eagle etiquette guide was developed to help residents understand how they can view eagles without disturbing the nests. The Game Commission currently classifies the bald eagle as a threatened species in Pennsylvania. They were removed from the federal endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2007, because delisting goals had been achieved. For more information, visit the Game Commission's Bald Eagle webpage and download a copy of the Bald Eagle Nest Etiquette Guide. New Episode Of The Barkleavies Available From iConservePA.org

The iConservePA.org conservation education website is now featuring a new episode of The Barkleavies, a family of trees with issues. This episode "Hot Flashes" features information on how climate change is affecting the environment. Click Here to watch this and other Barkleavies programs. Prowl The Sproul State Forest Hiking Events July 22-24 The rugged beauty of the Sproul and Susquehannock state forests again will be showcased for hikers and other visitors when the three-day "Prowl the Sproul" series of hikes steps off July 22. Marking its eighth year, the increasingly popular hiking program links forest visitors with guides from the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Keystone Trails Association and local civic and sportsmen's groups. "Hikers of all ages and abilities will find the perfect venue in thousands of mountainous, unspoiled acres," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan. "This invitation is extended by the folks who best know the two forest districts and the Pennsylvania Wilds." At least 20 of the most popular trails in Sproul and the neighboring Susquehannock state forest districts have been selected to offer hikers a variety of terrain and scenery before "Prowl the Sproul VIII" events close July 24. Allan noted hikes are planned to waterfalls, overlooks, old railroad grades, and woodlands and flora that make Sproul and Susquehannock unique among the 20 state forest districts. "There is no better way to be introduced to the joys of hiking than to have skilled, knowledgeable group leaders guiding you to some of the most scenic hiking areas in the state," Allan said. "Prowl the Sproul is great for families and those new to hiking," said Keystone Trails Association Executive Director Curt Ashenfelter. "No matter what your fitness level, there will be hikes for everyone, from easy short hikes to difficult long hikes and numerous hikes in between. Descriptions of the hikes can be found on the Keystone Trails Association website." Besides the KTA, DCNR's Bureau of Forestry is teaming up with the Western Clinton Sportsmen's Association and greater Renovo Area Heritage Park Vision Project to introduce association members and the public to the wealth of hiking opportunities found in north central Pennsylvania. Food and lodging options are available for the weekend, Ashenfelter said, but reservations must be made by July 7. Visit the KTA website to download a registration form. For general information, contact Sproul State Forest District Office, 15187 Renovo Road, Renovo; 570-923-6011. Guided hikes ranging from 4.5 to 10 miles offer hikers a variety of difficulty levels, terrain and scenery. This year, one new hike will be introduced and guides will lead hikers off the beaten path to see some of the lesser-known, natural jewels of the state forests. Hikes include: a new "slackpack" challenge, led by Treks and Trails International, and taking 20 hikers almost 50 miles over the Chuck Keiper Trail in three days; a new outing on Boggs Ridge; the Nature Conservancy's West Branch Loop; Pat Reeder's Loop; Boone Road

Trail Loop; Jack Paulhamus/Garby Trail; Keating Loop; Kettle Creek Day Loop; Chuck Keiper Trail (Bridge Loop); Chuck Keiper Trail (Cranberry Bog to Drake's Hollow);Chuck Keiper Trail (Drake's Hollow to Wildlife Refuge); Eddy Lick Loop; Cooks Run Loop; Twin Sisters Trail (in Hammersley Wild Area); Donut Hole Trail (Mitchell Loop); Donut Hole Trail (Tamarack to Merriman Hollow); Donut Hole Trail (eastern terminus to Oak Ridge Road); Eagletone Mine Camp Trail; and Chuck Keiper-Yost Loop (a Pennsylvania Wilds destination trail). Also, Craig Fleming and the Pa. Trail Dogs, sponsors of the Hyner View Challenge, will sponsor the fourth annual Prowl the Sproul 10 K Hike/Run Saturday, July 23. This challenging course takes runners up the Little McCloskey Jeep Trail and down the Little McCloskey Hiking Trail. Visit the Hike Run website for registration and other details. The Pennsylvania Wilds designation is designed to encourage the growth of tourism and related businesses in north central Pennsylvania. Its goal is to enhance the visitor experiences in this region, while protecting and conserving the land's treasured natural resources. For more information, send email to: ktaadmin@verizon.net or visit the Keystone Trails Association website. PA State Parks, Gander Mountain Partnering To Help First-Time Campers Partnering with Gander Mountain, select Pennsylvania State Parks are offering first-time campers use of Gander Mountain equipment and two nights of camping at a participating park for only $20. What better way to connect with nature and learn about conservation than to spend two nights under the stars? You won't be able to keep the gear, but you'll receive great discounts on everything you're trying out! Click Here to learn more about the first-time camper program. Help Wanted: PA Council Of Trout Unlimited AmeriCorps Position PA Council of Trout Unlimited is seeking a full-time AmeriCorps service position, managed through the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps. Applications are due July 22. This position will begin August 22 and go through August 17, 2011. The AmeriCorps member receives a living stipend of $12,100 and health care benefits. Upon completion of service, Americorps members earn an Education Award of $5,550 that can be used to pay for college, graduate school or to repay qualified student loans. Current student loans will be placed in forbearance during the year of service to the AmeriCorps program. The position is based out of the Fish and Boat Commission office in Pleasant Gap, Pa. Click Here for the complete announcement.

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. July 11-- PROP Annual Recycling FilmFest Competition

July 29-- PAEP Karl Mason Award Nominations July 31-- NEW. Keep PA Beautiful Fresh Paint Days July 31-- DCNR South Mountain Mini-Grants No Deadline-- DEP County Waste Planning Grants August-- EPA/American Rivers Potomac Highlands Restoration Grants August 26-- Foundation for PA Watersheds Grants August 26-- NEW. DEP Growing Greener/319/Local Mine Reclamation Grants September 1-- TKF Foundation Open Space Sacred Places Grants September 1-- PEMA Volunteer Fire Company Grants September 4-- Chester County Green Business Awards September 16-- EPA Apps For The Environment Challenge November 30-- iConservePA CSI Pennsylvania Super Sleuth Sweepstakes! December 31-- President's Environmental Youth Awards -- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial assistance for environmental projects.

Quick Clips
Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state-Budget PA Ends Fiscal Year With Higher-Than-Expected Tax Revenues Rep. Markosek: Revenue Surplus Exceeds $785 Million Corbett's First Budget Signed On Time State Budget Cuts May Affect Drilling Regulations State Budget Defines Losers, Winners Budget Sent To Governor, Continues Severe Rendell Cuts To Environmental Protection Re-Funding Growing Greener - Rep. Kate Harper With Funding Cut, PSU Expects To Curtail Agriculture Research Corbett Says He Would Veto Impact Fee Sent Now Shale Impact Fee Push Sputters Out Shale Drilling Fee Again Off Table In Budget Talks Debate On Gas Drillers' Impact Fee Put Off Natural Gas Levy Vote Pulled From House Agenda No Go On Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fee State Official Argues For More Funds To Keep Eye On Drilling Impact Fees, Somewhat New Idea Marcellus Fee Plans Largely Benefit 8 Drilling Counties Op-Ed: Refunding Growing Greener Editorial: Tax The Frack Editorial: No Drilling Tax? Just Give Us Free Natural Gas Waste Management Stint Trashed From Guv's Bio Other

Phillies Host Red Goes Green Ecycle Event Heinz Rolling Out Plant-Based Bottles Used By Coke Editorial: Don't Let Your Trash Go To Waste Kistler 5th Graders Complete Watershed Field Project Lower Dauphin's School Goes Green As It Grows Op-Ed: Electricity Customers Should Shop Around Op-Ed: Sun Shines On Taxpayers, Measuring Solar Performance State Study Details Turbine Bat And Bird Deaths Two Men Trespass At Three Mile Island, Only Sightseeing FirstEnergy's Emergency Center to Be Far From Nukes Casey Asks Probe Of Evac Plans For Nukes Robinson Twp. Power Plant Plan Faces Battle PPL Seeks Public Comment On Power Line CONSOL Takes Charge To Shutter PA Mine Foundry To Reactivate Furnace, Pollution Curbed A Tiny Step Forward For Green Roofs In Philadelphia Editorial: EPA, Courts And CO2 Last Breaker Standing EPA Rules Could Cost Cement Companies Billions, Force Closures Editorial: Allegheny Parks Naming Rights Worth Study Natural Lands Trust Working To Preserve York County's Farms Audubon Festival July 16-17 In Hawley Audubon Benefit Held At Beechwood Farms New Trail Is In Planning Stage In Wilkes-Barre Column: PA Hawk Mountain Is Now A Safe Haven Exelon Reviewing Shoreline Management Plan For Muddy Run Game Commission Asks State To Remove Ban On Sunday Hunting Coalition Applauds Legislation To End Sunday Hunting Ban In PA Bad Bug Imperils State's Ash Trees Invasive Algae Targets, Endangers Fishing Streams Educating Lake Wallenpaupack Users Of Invasive Species Threat Greene County Consol Miner Charged With Falsifing Reports Flight 93 Memorial Design Drawings Released

Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling--Corbett Says He Would Veto Impact Fee Sent Now Shale Drilling Fee Again Off Table In Budget Talks Debate On Gas Drillers' Impact Fee Put Off Natural Gas Levy Vote Pulled From House Agenda No Go On Natural Gas Drilling Impact Fee State Official Argues For More Funds To Keep Eye On Drilling

Impact Fees, Somewhat New Idea Marcellus Fee Plans Largely Benefit 8 Drilling Counties Op-Ed: Refunding Growing Greener Editorial: Tax The Frack Editorial: No Drilling Tax? Just Give Us Free Natural Gas How A Natural Gas Tycoon Tapped Into Corbett Analysis: U.S. Shale Gas Sector Girds For Next Battle- Pipelines Editorial: Stop Dithering Over Gas Drilling Sportsmen Monitor Water In Marcellus Shale Areas Gushers Highlight Potential Of PA's Marcellus Shale Is PA Gas Boom Not All It's Fracked Up To Be? Behind Veneer, Doubt On Future Of Natural Gas EPA Briefs Homeowners Near Blown Out Gas Well Editorial: Gassroots Or Astroturf? DOE Gas Well Hearing DOE Reps Get The Local Word On Drilling Insiders Sound An Alarm Amid A Natural Gas Rush Natural Gas Data Needs More Scrutiny Lawmakers Seek Inquiry Of Natural Gas Industry Editorial: Marcellus Boom, Bust At Same Time? Editorial: High Natural Gas Estimates Should Be Proven Penn Researchers Develop A Better Fracking Fluid Penn States' Shale Fracking Fluid Recipe Penn State Profs Aid Well Fracking EPA Fracking Study To Target Northeast PA Throop Seeks Ban On Marcellus Waste As Landfill Cover Op-Ed: Government Intervention Not Needed On Natural Gas Op-Ed: Marcellus Shale Commission Wants What's Best For PA Op-Ed: Unbiased Research Needed For Gas Drilling Industry DEP Fines Gas Company For Somerset County Spill Drilling Firm Pays $180,000 For Oil Spill EPA Proposes $157,500 Fine For Allegheny Forest Brine Dumping Prank Signs On Drinking Fountains Target Gas Drilling Illegal Immigrants Found Working In Natural Gas Industry Shale Drilling Forum Produces Heat, Light Altmire Leads Discussion On Marcellus Shale Feds Accuse PA Rig Worker Of Damaging Pipeline Op-Ed: Texas Shale Lessons Marcellus Gas Boom A Mixed Blessing For PA Banks Op-Ed: Hike In House Demand Critical Issue In Shale Area Industry News Marcellus Advocate Will Lead Range Resources Penn Hills Native To Head Range Resources Atlas Energy Increases Borrowing Base To $160 Million Radnor-Based Driller Posts Disappointing Marcellus Production Other States

NY Governor Will Seek To Lift Ban On Hydraulic Fracturing NY Aiming To Lift Fracking Moratorium New York Eyes Tighter Rules On Fracking New Jersey Passes Ban On Gas Well Fracking New Jersey Lawmakers Pass Ban On Fracking

Watershed NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state-Sportsmen Monitor Water In Marcellus Shale Areas Chesapeake Bay Foundation Wins Award For Cleaning Up Farms, Streams Two PA Proposals Picked For Chesapeake Bay Funding Home Builders Sues EPA Over New Chesapeake Bay Pollution Rules Up The Raccoon Creek With A Net Friend Of The Lehigh River Awards Announced A Stream, A Local And A President And Fly Fishing SRBC Explains Possible Draw Down Of Curwensville Lake FedEx Employees Roll Up Sleeves For New Moon Rain Garden Disc Golf Plan Moves Forward In Strasburg Township Wissahickon Watershed Assn Featured In Rep. Harper's TV Program Cong. Meehan Discusses Delaware River Water Quality Bill Berks County Gets $170,00 Growing Greener Grant For Lake Development Lake Wallenpaupack Drawdown Coming This Fall Educating Lake Wallenpaupack Users Of Invasive Species Threat Invasive Algae Targets, Endangers Fishing Streams Scientists Favor Dividing Great Lakes, Mississippi Work On Wyoming Valley Levee Never Ends Wyoming Valley Levee Passes Federal Inspection Scranton Residents Recall 2006 Floods

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Governor's Office published notice of its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda showing the status of major regulatory proposals and proposals in development, including the departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. (PA Bulletin page 3614) Pennsylvania Bulletin - July 2, 2011 Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage

Rolling Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance & Permits

No new polices were published this week. Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage Copies Of Draft Technical Guidance - DEP webpage Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Calendar Of Events
Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW means new from last week. Go to the online Calendar webpage. Click on Agenda Released on calendar entries to see the NEW meeting agendas published this week. July 5-- NEW Time. Governor's Marcellus Shale Commission Public Health, Safety and Environmental Protection Work Group meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 2:00. July 7-- CANCELED. DEP Chesapeake Bay Advisory Committee meeting. Next scheduled meeting is October 4. (formal notice) July 12-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee, Energy Production, Transmission and Distribution Subcommittee meeting. 15th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 1:30. (formal notice) July 14-- New Location. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. Elk County Visitor Center, Benezette. 9:00. (formal notice) July 19-- NEW. House Finance Committee holds an informational meeting regarding Marcellus Shale impact legislation. DCNR Tiadaghton District Office, Waterville, Lycoming County. 10:00. August 23-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) August 25-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. (formal notice)

September 16-- CANCELED. DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) December 6-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) DEP Calendar of Events Environmental Education Workshop/Training Calendar (PA Center for Environmental Education) Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule

You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

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Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com. PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and is published as a service to the clients of Crisci Associates, a Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations. For more information on Crisci Associates, call 717-234-1716. PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.

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