Pa Environment Digest Dec. 26, 2016

PA Environment Digest
An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner Of PA Association of Environmental Educators
Business Partner Of The Year Award
PA Environment Digest Daily Blog
Issue #652
Harrisburg, PA
Twitter Feed
December 26, 2016
Over 1,160 Stories On Thousands Of PA Environmental Stewards, 160 In 2016

Since June of 2004, the PA Environment
Digest has
printed over 1,160 stories about thousands of businesses,
farmers, schools, local governments, students of all ages,
nonprofit groups, organizations and individuals just like
you recognized for doing great things to protect and
restore Pennsylvanias environment in every corner of
the Commonwealth.
Here are the 160 stories we published during
2016.
Will we find YOU on this list in 2017?
KPB: 14,000 Volunteers In PA Collect 1 Million Pounds Of Trash In Coastal Cleanup
Zero Waste PA Served Over 700,000 People In Western PA During 2015
Game Commission Recognized With National Award For Providing Hunter Access
Partnership For Safe Water Recognizes 4 PA American Water Treatment Plants
DEP Reports On 2015 Accomplishments To Protect Air, Land, Water, Public Health
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Announces 2016 Award Winners
Susquehanna Rivers North Branch Named PA River Of The Year
Harrisburg Weis Market Signage Highlights Environmental Initiatives
Energy-Efficient PECO Customers Saved $500 Million With PECO Smart Energy Ideas
Keep PA Beautiful: 590,500 Volunteers Removed 7.5 Million Pounds Of Trash In 2015
KPB Recognizes Volunteers In Allegheny, Blair, McKean, Mifflin, Philadelphia Counties
2015 Winners Of Lens On Litter Photo Contest Announced By PA Resources Council
Reading Water Authority Plant Completes 3rd Phase Partnership For Safe Water
Former DER Chief Counsel John Carroll Receives Environmental & Energy Law Award
Keep PA Beautiful Earns National Recognition From Keep America Beautiful
PEC: 2015 Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition Accomplishments
Covantas 3rd Sustainability Report, Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions 18.2M Tons
PAs Largest Wetlands Mitigation Bank In Washington County Nationally Recognized
West Penn Power Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Allegheny County Office Building Triples Waste Diversion Rate In One Year
PRC Honors 8 Organizations With Zero Waste Awards In Pittsburgh
Lebanon Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Earns National Recognition
Americas First African American Foresters Legacy To Be Recognized April 4
Hugh Clark Receives Corps Of Engineers Volunteer Award For Water Trail Work
Standing Stone Trail In Central PA Named 2016 Trail Of The Year
DEP, Partners Receive National Awards For Anti-Litter Campaigns
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners Awards Program March 31 In Philadelphia
In Memoriam: Former Senator William J. Stewart, Land Recycling Bill Sponsor
Carol Collier Named To American Institute Of Certified Planners College Of Fellows
Kennett Twp Wins 2016 Growing Greener Communities Award In Chester County
Huntingdon, Juniata, Perry and Mifflin County Tire War Receives National Award
Keep PA Beautiful Programs, Local Affiliates Earn National Recognition
PA Environmental Educators Recognize 2016 Award Winners
DEPs Michael Korb Recognized By Interstate Mining Compact Commission
Fish & Boat Commission Celebrates 150th Anniversary March 30
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, Centre County, DCNR Green Park Award Winner
12 Schools In PA Recognized In National Recycle Bowl Competition
Sister Pat Lupo Honored With Women In Conservation Award In Erie
Winners Of 2016 Governors Award For Environmental Excellence Announced
Tribune-Review: John Linkes, Armstrong County, Receives National River Heroes Award
PECO Earns LEED Green Building Certification For Philadelphia HQ
2015 Manure Expo Receives Governors Environmental Excellence Award
Dominion, PEC Announce Western PA Environmental Award Winners
DCNR Honors Exemplary Volunteer Service At State Parks in Blair, Venango Counties
PRC: Lets Clear The Air Poster Contest Winners Chosen, Vote 4 Peoples Choice
Keep PA Beautifuls Annual Report On 2015 Activities Now Available
Saint Vincent College Named Champion Of National RecycleMania Competition
Pennsylvania Society To Honor Patrick J. Solano With Distinguished Citizen Award
PA Wilds Team: 11 Receive PA Wilds Champion Awards
Philadelphia Prison System Receives Accolades From EPA For Food Recovery
Centre County Honors 55 Green Businesses, Schools And Organizations
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Receives Governors Environmental Excellence Award
In Memoriam: Albert F. Moran, Co-Founder Independence Conservancy
PBS: Fairmount Park Philadelphia, 1 Of 10 Parks That Changed America
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Wins 2016 Arbor Day Foundation Recognition
Earth Day In Monroe County, A Reunion Of Environmental Pioneers
PSU Student Michael Cavazza Wins Society Of Petroleum Engineers Regional Contest
Southmoreland High School Wins Westmoreland County Envirothon
PA Environmental Council Honored With Friend Of French Creek Award
Schuylkill Action Network Announces Winners Of Schuylkill Street Art Contest

Schuylkill Action Network Recognizes 3 Schools For Protecting Drinking Water
PAEP: Carol Collier & Natural Lands Trust Win Karl Mason & Walter Lyon Awards
Lacawac Sanctuary To Celebrate 50th Anniversary With Farm To Plate Dinner Aug. 13
AE Works Of Pittsburgh Recognized By Duquesnes Center For Green Industries
EPA Recognizes PA Small Business Development Center Environmental Help Program
PA Chapter National Assn. Of Water Companies Honors Rep. Maher
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Earns Arbor Day Foundations Good Steward Award
Berks County Students Paint The Rain (Barrels) Competition For Earth Day
Award Winner: Crawford County Riparian Restoration Program
Kinzua Sky Walk Named 1 Of 10 Most Beautiful Sky Walks In The World
Award Winner: Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance
Keep PA Beautiful Applauds Pennsylvania Winners Of 2016 RecycleMania
DEP Oil & Gas Staff Participate In Sustainable Energy Workshop In Mongolia
Philadelphia Celebrates 5 Years Of Green City, Clean Waters
PECs Patrick Starr Receives Delaware River City Corps Outstanding Service Award
Kelly Gutshall, LandStudies, Named Central Penn Business Journal Woman Of Influence
PAs Outdoor Recreation Plan Recognized As Nations Best For 2nd Time
Keep PA Beautifuls Electronic Waste Recycling Website Recognized With National Award
Award Winner: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Immersing People In Outdoor Wonders
Award Winner: Ed Schroth, Duquesne University, Environmental Educator, Biologist
West Lampeter Twp Honored By PA Land Trust Assn For Conservation Leadership
PA Land Trust Assn Honors Fmr DCNR Secretary John Oliver With Leadership Award
Tom Ridge Environmental Center Marks 10th Anniversary In Erie
Winners Of 2016 Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation Contest Announced
Award Winner: Garden Club Of Allegheny County
Award Winner: Connoquenessing Watershed Alliance, Butler County
PA American Water Plant In Dauphin County Achieves Highest Level Of Performance
Penncrest High School, Delaware County Wins 2016 PA Envirothon
Independence Conservancy Receives Washington County Foundation Presidents Award
KPB Thanks 1,000s Of Volunteers Participating In 2016 Great American Cleanup Of PA
DEP's Bruno Named To The 2016 Class Of Erie's 40 Under 40
3 PA Schools Named U.S. Dept. of Educations 2016 Green Ribbon Schools
PA American Water Receives 17 National Awards For Excellence In Water Quality
Centre County Mine Reclamation Project Wins Reforestation Award
Keep PA Beautiful Announces Winners Of Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest
Covantas John Waffenschmidt Honored By Chester Environmental Partnership
DCNR Honors Employees With Secretarys Achievement Awards
Dr. Colson E. Blakeslee Memorial Natural Area Dedicated In Elk County
EPA Recognizes Veterans Affairs Medical Center In Altoona For E-Waste Recycling
Dawes Huntingdon Farm Named Regional Environmental Stewardship Winner
Manada Conservancy Notes 20th Anniversary With Music Over The Mountain Sept. 25
Sustainable Energy Fund Honors Ron Celentano With Lifetime Achievement Award
Schuylkill Action Network Unveils Students Stormwater Street Art
69th Annual PA Conservation District Conference & Awards Program A Success
PACD: 5 Pennsylvania Farms Receive Clean Water Farm Awards
PA Chapter American Planning Assn. Recognizes 4 Great Greenways, Trails In PA
White House Honors Centre County Elementary Students, Pittsburgh H.S. Student
PA Horticultural Society 2017 Gold Medal Plant Winners
DCNRs Nature Inn At Bald Eagle Wins USA Today 10Best Eco-Friendly Resort Voting
Raccoon Creek Watershed Put On PA Rivers Conservation Registry
SustainPHLs Winners Of Sustainability Awards To Be Celebrated Aug. 18
PA Resources Council Announces 4 Winners Of Environmental Stewardship Awards
Northeast Environmental Partners Announce Winners Of Environmental Awards
McKinley Park Pittsburgh Receives Great Urban Parks Grant
Feature: Hiker Karen Verchimak Completes Quest To Hike In Every PA State Park
Covanta Named One Of Top 200 Carbon Clean Companies Worldwide
Philadelphia Water Tackles Climate Change, Named Sustain PHL Climate Hero
PA Coal Alliance Recognizes Exemplary Mine Reclamation Projects
PA Farmland Preservation Program Reaches New Milestone: Preserves 5,000th Farm
Brodhead Watershed Assn Honors Craig Todd, Monroe Planning Commission Sept. 30
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Releases Complete List Of Photo Contest Winners
Recycling Group Honors Covantas Meg Morris, PA Recycling Markets Center Director
Westmoreland County Conservation District Presents Conservation Awards Sept. 14
EPA Recognizes Weis Markets, Giant Eagle For Climate Leadership
Hershey Named To Dow Jones Sustainability World Index For 4th Consecutive Year
Eries Elena Prenovitz Selected For Keep America Beautiful Youth Advisory Council
DCNR Dedicates Observation Area At Shikellamy State Park In Honor Of Franklin Kury
PECO Recognized With Delaware Valley Green Building Council Groundbreaker Award
DEPs Eric Cavazza Receives National Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Award
Greene, Luzerne County Reclamation Projects Recognized By Office Of Surface Mining
Fish & Boat Commission Historical Marker To Be Dedicated Oct. 12 At Harrisburg HQ
PA Horticultural Society Announces 2016 Gardening & Greening Award Winners
2016 Chesapeake Bay Forest Champions Honored, 3 From Pennsylvania
Dedication Of Historical Marker To Honor Firefighters Who Died in 1938 Wildfire Oct. 19
Penn Nursery In Centre County Renamed In Honor Of Mira Lloyd Dock
Lackawanna State Forest District Dedicated In Honor Of Gifford Pinchot
DEP Northwest Regional Office Building Receives Energy Star Label Certification
Heenan Award: Lancaster Authority Uses Recycled Glass To Help Save Chesapeake Bay
PA Horticultural Society Honors Champion Of Community Gardens
Presque Isle State Park Receives Eries Choice Award As Best Local Attraction
Pittsburgh 2030 District Reaches 100th Property Partner YWCA Greater Pittsburgh
Central PA Green Building Chapter Names Penn State Sustainable Leader Of The Year
Central PA Green Building Chapter Names Winners Of Forever Green Awards
Weis Markets: 12 Centre County 5th Grade Students Win Recycling Poster Contest
PA Institute Of Architects Honors Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Program
PUCs Powelson Elected President, National Assn Of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
Weis Markets, Ahold USA, PepsiCo Among EPAs First Food Loss & Waste Champions
Stroud Water Research Center Celebrates Park Services Commitment To Fresh Water
Schuylkill Center For EE Honors Carole Williams-Green For Cobbs Creek Work
EPA Recognizes Food Recovery Challenge Participants, Ursinus College In PA
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Announces Winners Of 2016 Photo Contest
Penn State Named Silver Bicycle Friendly University, Joining 6 Other PA Schools
Year in Review: DCNR Expands Economic Impact of State Forests, Parks
DEP Wins 2016 PA Excellence In Technology Award For Network Innovations
PUC Marks 20th Anniversary Of Electric Competition, 14 Consecutive Months Of Growth
DEP: National Mine Land Reclamation Award To Amerikohl For Beaver County Quarry
Exelon Recognized For Transparency In Environmental Practices, Sustainability Programs
B.R. Kreider & Son Recognized For Floodplain Restoration Project In Lancaster County
Brodhead TU Chapter Volunteers Contributed Over 1,600 Hours Across Monroe County
Year In Review: DEP Puts Miners To Work, Protects Air, Water, Boosts Energy Economy
Related Story:
A 1,000 Stories, On 1,000s Of PA Environmental Stewards Since 2004
[Posted Dec. 20, 2016]
Analysis: Wolf Will Cut His Way To A Balanced Budget Proposal For Next Year
Gov. Tom Wolf told the Associated Press Wednesday he will propose a
FY 2017-18 budget that is balanced using funding cuts and steps to
make government more efficient, rather than ask Senate and House
Republicans for an income or sales tax increase to cope with an
estimated deficit of over $2.2 billion.
But, Wolf said he would still press lawmakers to raise taxes on
the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry.
Gov. Wolf took the first step on this path on December 16 with
the unprecedented action of eliminating thousands of vacant state
employee positions across state government to save an estimated $100
million.
This strategy is in marked contrast to the approach he took for his first two budgets in
2015 and 2016 when he proposed significant sales and income tax increases and a bucket full of
other revenue enhancements.
The Rendell Approach Redux
It is, however, the same approach Gov. Rendell used for his first budget in 2003. Rendell
used only budget cuts to close an estimated $2 billion budget deficit in his FY 2003-04 budget
proposal in what was then a $20.8 billion General Fund budget.
The FY 2016-17 state budget was $31.5 billion by comparison.

Facing a Republican House and Senate during his budget address, Gov. Rendell said very
plainly-- "I hate this budget. I hate it with every fiber of my body."
Then Senate Majority Leader David Brightbill (R-Lebanon) reacted to the budget by
saying-- This guy has done a good job of proposing reasonable cuts, and we need to lock that
in."
Gov. Rendell did go on to propose a separate package that included increased school and
economic development funding ending up in an epic budget battle that was not finished until
December of 2003, the previous record before the FY 2015-16 budget debacle.
True to Sen. Brightbills words, the Republican House and Senate passed Rendells
budget and he signed it in March 2003, but vetoed all school funding to keep the Senate and
House working on a bigger budget solution.
The final resolution in 2003 involved a 10 percent income tax boost and a $258 million
increase in education spending.
Perhaps Gov. Wolf is thinking-- hoping-- for a similar outcome by adopting Rendells
strategy.
Environmental Losses Approaching $3 Billion, One-Third Of DEP Staff
A significant casualty of the Rendell Administrations approach to budgeting was the
beginning of 8 straight years of cuts to environment funding that resulted in a total of $1.3 billion
in funding losses or diversions from environmental programs during his tenure to help balance
the state budget or fund programs that could not get funding on their own.
DEPs General Fund line-item is still below 1994-95 funding levels and the total loss of
environmental funding is approaching $3 billion over the last 14 budgets.
As a result of these cuts, DEPs staff has been cut 22 percent and Gov. Wolfs action on
December 16 removed another 290 positions or so from its rolls.
This brings the total reduction over the last 14 budgets very close to one-third of its staff;
without a decrease in responsibilities of course.
The FY 2016-17 budget diverted or cut $39 million alone from special funds previously
earmarked for environmental programs to again balance the budget. Thats in addition to the
cuts baked into DEPs budget from earlier budgets.
Last March, DEP said its budget came from these sources: 22 percent from General Fund,
28 percent federal funds and now 50 percent from permit review and annual permit
administration fees, plus a very small percentage from penalties.
If General Fund support is cut further and now with federal support possibly in doubt, the
only logical place the state has to go to fund its environmental programs is putting even more
burden on the businesses, local governments and individuals regulated by state laws
administered by DEP.
And fees are going up at DEP. This year alone, 8 different programs have proposed fee
increases, including--- NPDES Water Quality Permit Review and Renewals: Nearly $9 million increase;
-- Drinking Water Permit Review and Administrative Fees (fee report): $7.5 million increase;
-- Laboratory Accreditation Fees: $170,000 increase (fee report);
-- Radiological Health, Radon Fees: $1.69 million (fee report);
-- Coal Mining Permit Fees: fee proposal discussed by Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board.
-- Non-Coal Mining Permit Fees: fee proposal discussed by Aggregate Advisory Board
Proposed fee increases are also under consideration for the - Air Quality and Oil and Gas
Programs.
DEP has been working to make its programs more efficient and just as effective and it
was forced to reduce the most significant cost-- staff-- by budget cuts, with again, no
corresponding reduction in responsibilities.
In fact, those responsibilities have only increased with the passage of new environmental
laws by the General Assembly.
The federal government has also been critical of DEPs lack of resources.
DEPs Drinking Water Protection, PennVEST, Chesapeake Bay, Stormwater Pollution
Control, Air Quality and Surface Mining programs have ALL been criticized as inadequate by
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the federal Office of Surface Mining in the last
year.
Restructuring Government
Gov. Wolfs talk of improving government efficiency fits right in with what House
Majority Leader David Reed (R-Indiana) told the media December 14. He said given the
massive budget deficit the state faces there needs to be consideration of a broad restructuring of
state agencies to save money.
He said restructuring could affect schools, human services, prisons, what he called
corporate welfare, and operations of the General Assembly itself.
Early Thursday morning, Rep. Reed took to Twitter to say Gov. Wolfs approach is
good news for the taxpayers. We need to challenge the status quo and truly reinvent how
government operates in Pennsylvania.
House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) late Thursday also commented, saying, I
agree with Gov. Wolfs decision to put forward a fiscally responsible budget that does not raise
personal income or sales taxes. The House of Representatives looks forward to working with the
governor to construct a responsible budget that respects hard-working taxpayers, reduces debt
and reinvents government to make it more efficient.
Eliminating Cost Drivers
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre) said in an op-ed released Friday his
priorities in the next budget will be to address the same three cost drivers they have tried to deal
with before-- pension reform and increasing costs in the departments of Corrections and Human
Services.
Unless we want to see our budgets continue to grow significantly faster than our
revenues, we must have the courage to deal with difficult issues that will affect very delicate
constituencies, said Sen. Corman. The easiest thing to do in order to address budget deficits is
to increase taxes.
The hardest thing to do is to put in the work to reform these areas and slow growth,
Sen. Corman added. One reason it is so hard is because the benefits of these reforms may not be
seen for years. But until you put in the hard work and begin to make reforms, you are looking at
a future of repeated and significant tax increases.
Sen. Corman also credits Senate Republicans with opposing a new Governor determined
to impose an agenda out of touch with ordinary Pennsylvanians, including massive government
growth and the largest tax increase in Commonwealth history.
Expanding Gaming
The Associated Press reported Friday, Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Majority Chair
of the Senate Committee with jurisdiction over gaming, called a meeting of the states 12 casino
operators for January 3-- swearing in day at the Capitol-- to jumpstart talks about gaming issues.
At the top of the list is how to reenact the $141 million a year local casino assessment
share program declared unconstitutional in September.
Also on the agenda is expanded gaming, left on the table when the Senate and House
adjourned. The failure to act on gaming expansion left a hole in the budget, since they were
counting on at least $100 million in revenue to come from more gaming.
Unexpected Opportunities
Looks like when its all said and done, we may be looking at a repeat of 2003-- and the
last 2 years-- severe budget cuts, restructuring and more budget drama.
Well have to see how it comes out for environmental funding, especially given the
backdrop of changes likely coming at the federal level from a new Trump Administration.
We hope the future brings unexpected opportunities to show Pennsylvanias
environmental leadership is still alive and kicking.
NewsClips:
AP: Wolf Says He Wont Seek Major Tax Increase To Balance Budget
Reed: Amid Another Budget Gap Talk Of Redesigning Government
Swift: State Agency Reform Is By Fits And Starts
Anadarko, Big Marcellus Driller In State Forests, Leaving PA
DCNR Still Fighting With Drillers Over Royalty Monies Due
Swift: In-Lieu Of Tax Payments Increasing For State-Owned Forests, Parks
PECO Completes $32M Project To Juice Up Marcus Hook
New Data Shows Spike In Severe Black Lung Disease
Casey Asks For Better Information On Black Lung Disease Cases
Editorial: Time To Help Retired Coal Miners
AP: Trumps Commitment To Infrastructure Vow Being Questioned
PA Needs Infrastructure Investment, But Getting It Could Be Tough
Related Stories:
Proposed $7.5M Fee Increase On DEP Water Systems Advisory Committee Agenda Jan. 5
Analysis: 2017 PA Environmental Policy Initiatives In 140 Characters Or Less
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Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Govs Schedule

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as
well as a list of new environmental bills introduced-Bill Calendars
House: All bills died and have to start over after January 3. <> Click Here for full House Bill
Calendar.
Senate: All bills died and have to start over after January 3. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill
Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Bills Pending In Key Committees
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in
each--
House
Appropriations
Education
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Affairs
Gaming Oversight
Human Services
Judiciary
Liquor Control
Transportation
Links for all other Standing House Committees
Senate
Appropriations
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Community, Economic and Recreational Development
Education
Judiciary
Law and Justice
Public Health and Welfare
Transportation
Links for all other Standing Senate Committees
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House-Senate
January 3 (swearing in day), 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
February 1, 6, 7, 8
March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
House
January 3 (swearing in day), 23, 24, & 25.
February 6, 7, & 8.
March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, & 22.
April 3, 4, 5 , 18, 19, 24, 25, & 26.
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, & 24.
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, & 30
Governors Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolfs Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
News From The Capitol

Part II: Environmental, Energy Bills To Be Introduced In January
On December 1 members of the Senate and House
began circulating co-sponsor memos to their
colleague announcing bills they plan to introduce or
re-introduce in the new session.
Heres a list of just a few of the co-sponsor
memos distributed this week related to
environmental and energy issues--- Creating New Office Of The Repealer: Rep.
Kristin Hill (R-York) prior House Bill 2408; Would
create yet another level of bureaucracy all state
agency regulations and statutes would have to go
through-- the new Office of the Repealer-- to see if they defy common sense. Click Here for
more background.
-- Extending Natural Gas Service To Underserved Areas: Rep. Robert Godshall
(R-Montgomery) prior House Bill 1946: authorizing natural gas distribution companies to
imposed a distribution system extension charge to recover costs of extending pipelines to
underserved areas.
-- Extending Natural Gas Service To Underserved Areas: Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming)
prior Senate Bill 214: requiring natural gas distribution companies to develop a plan and rules for
the orderly expansion of their distribution system to underserved areas.
-- Moving Energy-From-Waste Facilities To AEPS Tier I: Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York) prior
Senate Bill 1035: would move energy-from-waste facilities to Tier I in the Alternative Energy
Portfolio Standards Act. Click Here for more background.
-- Natural Gas Leaseholder Protection: Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) prior Senate Bill 147:
authorizes natural gas leaseholders to inspect the records of a drilling company to verify proper
payment; prior Senate Bill 148: prohibit a drilling company from retaliating against a royalty
leaseholder by terminating the lease agreement or ceasing development because the leaseholder
questions the accuracy of the royalty payment.
-- Company To Company Pooling Of Natural Gas Lease Holdings: Sen. Gene Yaw
(R-Lycoming) prior Senate Bill 313: provides for the proportional payment of leaseholders
within a land unit where natural gas rights have been sold by landowners, even if up to 35
percent of the unit is owned by another company. It does not force landowners to lease their
natural gas rights or participate like other so-called pooling arrangement do.
-- Allow Alternative Onlot Septic Systems In Sewage Planning: Sen. Gene Yaw
(R-Lycoming) prior Senate Bill 1114: authorize the use of so-called alternative onlot septic
systems in sewage planning. Click Here for more background.

-- Authorizing Stream Buffer Waivers: Rep. James Santora (R-Delaware) prior House Bill
2403: authorizing DEP to waive riparian buffer requirements related to NPDES stormwater
permits.
-- Allow The Fish & Boat Commission To Set Its Own Fees: Sen. Eichelberger-R-Blair) prior
Senate Bill 1168: authorize the Fish and Boat Commission to set it own fees.
-- Allow The Game Commission To Set Its Own Fees: Sen. Stefano (R-Fayette) prior Senate
Bill 1166: authorizing the Game Commission to set its own fees.
(Photo: From How A Bill Becomes Law In Pennsylvania.)
Related Story:
Part I: Senate, House Environmental, Energy Bills To Be Reintroduced In The New Session
December Environmental Synopsis Now Available From Joint Conservation Committee
The December edition of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is
now available from the Joint Air and Water Pollution Control and
Conservation Committee featuring articles on--- History Of The Christmas Tree and Pennsylvanias Christmas
Tree Industry
-- Avoiding Collisions Between Deer And Vehicles
-- Coastal Wetlands Save Millions Of Dollars In Damages
-- PA Electric Competition Driving Down Prices, Increasing
Reliability
-- Implementation Cost Of PA Lyme Disease Programs
-- Management Of Hazardous Materials Transportation
-- 109 Years Ago: 636 Coal Miners Killed In 2 PA, 1 WV Mine Accidents
-- 163 Years Ago: Mira Lloyd Dock, PA Conservation Pioneer, Was Born
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy of the Synopsis.
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) served as Chair of the Joint Conservation Committee
last session
For more information, visit the Joint Conservation Committee website, Like them on
Facebook or Follow them on Twitter.
News From Around The State

LancasterOnline: Lancaster Farmland Provides $676M In Annual Environmental Benefits
LancasterOnline.coms Ad Crable reported Friday
Lancaster Countys farmland provides environmental
benefits worth more than $676 million annually and
thats not counting agricultural products they produce,
according to a new study commissioned by the
Lancaster County Agricultural Council.
The study, Beyond Food: The Environmental Benefits of Agriculture In Lancaster

County, identifies benefits as including providing water, pollination, recreation, tourism and
flood protection, soil and trees that absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to
global warming.
Any farmer will tell you fertile soil, clean water and a stable climate is as crucial to the
business as a tractor. These natural services can be viewed as capital assets-- just like the land or
the tractor.
Lancaster Countys natural capital provides a robust flow of essential economic goods
and service benefits, including food, water, clean air, natural beauty, climatic stability, storm and
flood protection and recreation.
The study values Lancaster Countys natural capital asset value would be roughly $17.5
billion.
Because natural capital assets are renewable, self-sustaining and long-lived, there is
good reason not to discount the value of future ecosystem services like water and food
provisioning or flood protection.
Agricultural lands make up over 65 percent of Lancaster Countys ecosystem and form a
key part of the regions economic foundation.
Among the recommendations in the study are--- Invest in the agricultural sector, farmland preservation and natural resource conservation;
-- Create incentive structures to provide landowners and farmers direct financial benefits for best
stewardship practices; and
-- Employ ecosystem valuation to calculate the return on investment and recognize ecosystem
services provide an objective means for quantifying trade-offs in development decisions.
The study was completed by Earth Economics.
A copy of the study is available online.
(Photo: LancasterOnline.com, Richard Hertzler, staff photographer)
NewsClips:
Crable: Lancaster Farmland Provides $676M In Annual Environmental Benefits
Study Credits Farmers For Efforts To Clean Up The Chesapeake Bay
Crable: PA Farmers Not Getting Credit For Aiding Chesapeake Bay
Penn State Study: Farmers Deserve More Credit For Protecting The Environment
Project Receives Funding To Improve Soil Health, Reduce Water Pollution
Video: Penn State, DEP, Ag, EPA Summary Of Chesapeake Bay Farm Conservation Survey
Editorial: Farmers Deserves Credit, But Much Conservation Work To Do
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
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Related Stories:
PSU Survey Documents Farmer Efforts To Cleanup PA Water Going To Chesapeake Bay
PA Farm Bureau: Survey Confirms Voluntary Efforts To Improve Chesapeake Bay Water
Quality
CBF-PA Applauds Voluntary Efforts By PA Chesapeake Bay Farmers To Reduce Pollution
USDA Announces $396K Conservation Partnership Grant For 3 Chesapeake Bay Counties
Webinar: PSU, DEP, Ag Webinar On Chesapeake Bay Farm Conservation Survey
NRCS-PA: Remote Sensing Multiplies Evidence Of On-Farm Conservation Practices

PA Farm Bureau: Survey Confirms Efforts To Improve Chesapeake Bay Water Quality
The PA Farm Bureau Monday said a Penn State survey,
which identifies best management practices (BMPs) paid
for entirely by farmers, confirms that farmers have done
much more than they have ever been given credit for in
implementing measures that improve water quality in the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
The results of the survey unequivocally confirm what
Pennsylvania farmers and Pennsylvania Farm Bureau have
been telling environmental officials for years that farmers
have not received credit for a wide variety of conservation
practices that significantly reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff in the bay watershed. The
survey results clearly expose a critical flaw in the existing bay computer model, which refuses to
account for any of the numerous best management conservation practices paid for voluntarily
and exclusively by farmers, said PFB President Rick Ebert.
The survey was undertaken by Penn State Universitys Survey Research Center and
funded by Penn State and the Department of Environmental Protection.
A total of 6,782 farmers in 41 counties completed the survey and more than 700 of those
farms were randomly selected for inspections by trained Penn State Extension staff to verify the
accuracy of the survey responses.
The verification component of the survey confirmed that farmers were accurate in their
reporting.
The survey results, farm verification process and other survey-related information were
presented to the Chesapeake Bay Agriculture Workgroup last week.
Apparently, additional work needs to be done to give Pennsylvania full credit for all of
the conservation practices identified within the survey. The technical consultant commonly used
by EPA has already verified the accuracy of both the method and the results of the survey, as
well as the conservation practices implemented by Pennsylvania farmers. There is no legitimate
reason why EPA should not move forward quickly to do what needs to be done to give
Pennsylvania farmers the credit they deserve, concluded Ebert.
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Lancaster Farmland Provides $676M In Annual Environmental Benefits
The saying everything flows downstream is
especially important in a place like Pennsylvania,
where the land-management decisions of farmers
and forest landowners are helping send cleaner
water downstream to the Chesapeake Bay,
according to Denise Coleman, PA NRCS State
Conservationist.
Since 2009, USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service has worked with partners
and producers to install conservation systems on more than 1 million acres in the basin, investing
$267 million.
Additionally, new research shows that producers are making a difference on their own.
A recent remote sensing pilot project conducted by NRCS and the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection found that producers in the Potomac watershed in
southcentral Pennsylvania have installed and implemented more than four times the number of
conservation practices that make up the current NRCS database, which is one of the contributors
to the Bay Model.
This level of conservation is testimony to the strong stewardship of farmers and forest
managers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
This latest study shows that agriculture in the region is doing even more than initially
documented.
Conservation works and farmers significant conservation investments are improving
water quality in the watershed while maintaining the role of a strong and vibrant economic
engine for the region.
Remote sensing is the art and science of gathering useful information from imagery and
other data acquired from a distance.
NRCS soil scientists and other soil survey specialists use remote sensing techniques that
protect producers privacy while collecting aggregate information on farms that can assist with
mapping, analysis and correlation.
The remote sensing approach is accurate and makes a total landscape inventory possible
while establishing a baseline of conservation in the counties.
NRCS conducted 200 farm visits to verify the practices identified on the aerial images
and found less than a 1 percent error rate.
Over 16,000 conservation practices on more than 5,970 farms were inventoried in
Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin and Adams counties using aerial imagery interpreted by the
NRCS Remote Sensing Lab and staff in Pennsylvania.
Although we cannot share site-specific data, including that collected from aerial imagery,
it is important to share what we have learned about the true conservation footprint in
Pennsylvania with our partners.
This information was provided to DEP in aggregate form on a watershed scale so that no
individual farm information would be revealed.
For more information on targeted conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed,
visit the NRCS-PA webpage. Click Here for a September 2016 NRCS-PA update on
Chesapeake Bay-related activities.
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Quality
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday
announced 88 high-impact projects across the country
will receive $225 million in federal funding as part of
the USDA's Regional Conservation Partnership
Program, including one grant in Pennsylvania.
The $396,800 grant will help improve soil
health and reduce water pollution on farms in Clinton,
Centre and Lycoming counties.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, PA
No-Till Alliance, Penn State University and conservation districts in the three counties and other
partners are collaborating on the project.
This funding is good news for Pennsylvania farmers, their land, and local rivers and
streams. It will enhance the productivity and economic well being of participating farms, by not
only improving the soil, but by keeping it on the farms as well, said Harry Campbell,
Pennsylvania Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation..
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, roughly 19,000
miles of the Commonwealths rivers and streams are damaged by pollution, and agriculture is the
leading source. Healthy soil is key to greater farm productivity and cleaner water across the
Commonwealth, explained Campbell. This RCPP funding will be used for innovative
conservation practices that will improve soil health and reduce erosion and polluted runoff on an
estimated 4,000 acres of farmland in Clinton, Centre, and Lycoming counties.
Partners will provide on-farm demonstrations, field days, videos and other educational
materials to farmers in these three counties, added Campbell. The goal is to encourage farmers
to employ management techniques like continuous no-till planting, diverse crop rotations,
integrating grazing with crops, cover crops, and pest management to promote soil organisms and
biodiversity.
Clean water counts in Pennsylvania. Healthy families, strong communities, and a
thriving economy depend on it.
Through the Improving Land, Water and Profitability project, the partners will build
farmer management capacity to implement strategic farm conservation practices that promote
soil health (i.e. maximize in soil organic matter, soil organisms, and nutrients) and improving
whole-farm conservation performance.
While addressing other resource concerns of the participating farms, the partners will
focus on implementing high-level, innovative conservation stewardship practices on 1,000 acres
annually for three years, with emphasis on watersheds in Clinton and Centre Counties in Central
Pennsylvania.
Project objectives include better soil health management practices to improve farm
economic viability through reduced input costs and productivity gains associated with advanced
management of soil as a living ecosystem, while also reducing soil erosion and nutrient loss.
Partners will encourage farmers to consider implementing soil management practices
through outreach and educational activities such as on-farm demonstrations, field days,
educational materials, and on-farm research/monitoring outcomes.
Additionally, in an effort to provide individualized solutions and reduce barriers to
implementation, partners will construct specific mentor teams to provide practical advice for
farmers throughout the planning and operational phases of implementing conservation practices.
For more information on Pennsylvanias Chesapeake Bay efforts, visit DEPs
Chesapeake Bay Office webpage.
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left
column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PAs most recent newsletter.
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Quality
2017 Pennsylvania Farm Show Set To Run January 7-14 In Harrisburg
The most often question asked this time of year? Whens the
Pennsylvania Farm Show? This years Show will run from
January 7 to 14 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex off
Cameron Street in Harrisburg.
Every year up to 225,000 people visit the Farm Show to see
6,000 live farm animals, 10,000 competitive food, produce,
and animal exhibits as well as 300 commercial exhibits all
related to Pennsylvania agriculture.
Visitors can learn about farm conservation and explore
educational displays from the departments of Agriculture,
Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the Game and Fish and Boat
Commissions and many others.
The popular butter sculpture that turns 1,000+ pounds of butter into a 3D scene
celebrating Pennsylvania agriculture is usually unveiled a few days before the Show opens. And
if past practice holds, the butter will be turned into renewable fuel after the Show ends.
And, of course, the famous milk shakes, sticky buns, stuffed mushrooms and other
goodies showing of agricultural products produced here in the Commonwealth.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nations largest indoor agricultural event that has an
estimated economic impact of $95 million to the Southcentral Pennsylvania economy, supporting
more than 18,000 jobs over the course of the week-long event.
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Farm Show website.
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[Posted. Dec. 23, 2016]
Greening The Lower Susquehanna Celebrates Another Successful Year
The Greening the Lower Susquehanna volunteer corps,
organized by Penn States Agriculture and Environment
Center had another successful 2016 filled with tree
plantings, litter pickups, maintenance days, and other
exciting volunteer events.
Each year, the program engages Dauphin, Lebanon, and
Lancaster county residents in environmental volunteer
events that help improve local waterways and
environments.
This year was no exception to that, as over 400 volunteers came out to be stewards of their local
communities.
With over 400 volunteers mobilized, more than 1,000 hours were dedicated to our environment
in 2016. Just some of the things these volunteers accomplished are:
-- Harvested and planted over 1,000 live stakes along two streams to stabilize their eroding
banks;
-- Removed over 2,000 square feet of invasive plants and replaced them with native pollinator
plants;
-- Collected over 100 bags of litter, 40 tires, and countless large car parts to keep the trash out of
our waterways;
-- Weeded and maintained a rain garden that captures and filters roof and parking lot runoff;
-- Rescued over 400 tree seedlings that were replanted in streamside restoration and reforestation
projects across the region; and
-- Planted nearly 1,000 trees along streams to help create improved riparian buffer habitats that
clean runoff water before it reaches the stream.
Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds helped make these events possible. Greening the Lower
Susquehanna is always recruiting new volunteers to help with tree plantings, rain garden
maintenance, litter pickups, and much more.
Churches, businesses, youth groups, service organizations, and all others are welcome to
participate in any of the groups events.
If you or your organization is interested in volunteering, visit the Greening the Lower
Susquehanna webpage or contact Jennifer Fetter by sending email to: jrf21@psu.edu to be added
to the Greening the Lower Susquehanna email list.
For more information on other programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit Penn
States Agriculture and Environment Center webpage.
(Photo: Volunteers plant trees in the City of Lancaster.)

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Related Story:
(Reprinted from the Penn State Extension Dec. 19 Watershed Winds newsletter. Click Here to
sign up for your own copy.)
Interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission Meets Jan. 5-6 In Annapolis
The interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission will hold its next meeting in Annapolis on January
5-6 to hear a presentation on the Bay and climate change, positive signs of change in Bay water
quality and the importance of continuing federal involvement in the Chesapeake Bay cleanup.
Also on the agenda are presentations on the ecological effects of drugs and endocrine
disruptors in rivers and streams and an overview of new land use and land cover data tools now
available in the Bay watershed.
Click Here for a full meeting agenda and other available materials.
Pennsylvanias representatives on the Commission are Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming),
Vice-Chair, Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin), Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Rep. Keith
Gillespie (R-York), Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) and Acting DEP Secretary Patrick
McDonnell.
For more information, visit the Chesapeake Bay Commission website or contact Marel
King by calling 717-772-3652 or send email to: mking@chesbay.us.
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Partnership For Delaware Estuary Sets Workshops On New Conservation Plan In PA
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is in the middle
of a series of public workshops to solicit ideas from
stakeholders on what should be in an updated
Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the
Estuary.
There are two workshops coming up in
Pennsylvania--- January 31: Healthy Communities Workshop: John
Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.,
Philadelphia from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.; and
-- February 1: Healthy Habitats Workshop: Montgomery County Community College, 340
Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
A third kind of workshop called Healthy Waters was not scheduled in Pennsylvania, but
there is one set for January 10 in Camden, New Jersey.
Click Here to review an Ideas Document for background before you go to the workshop.
An Introduction to the CCMP webinar is also archived and can be viewed by entering password:
RKKNov7.
Click Here for the full schedule and to register. Questions about the workshops should be
directed to Emily Baumbach by email to: ebaumbach@DelawareEstuary.org.
Background
The workshops will provide information about this important plan for the future of the
Delaware River and Bay and its tributaries, and to gather ideas and questions from people who
live and/or work in the region.
The Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan is a blueprint for collective
action to make the Delaware Estuary regions water drinkable, fishable, and swimmable by 2020.
To be successful at this is a long-term team effort, lots of action is required by many other
people, agencies, and organizations over 25 years.
When it comes to the Plan, the Partnership acts as both a coach and a player.
As a coach, the Partnership encourages and tracks the efforts of others on projects and
programs to address CCMP actions particularly the environmental agencies on the Estuary
Implementation Committee and Steering Committee.
As a player, the Partnership works directly on projects and programs that address CCMP
actions. The goals, objectives, and strategies for being a successful coach and player for
2013-2018 are expressed in a 5-Year Strategic Plan.
Like all National Estuary Programs, the Partnership is a science-based and stakeholder
driven program. If you live, work or play in the Delaware Estuary, you are a stakeholder and
your input is important to the Partnership.
To learn more about the Plan update process and how you can become involved, visit the
Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the Estuary webpage. Questions should be
directed to Sarah Bouboulis by calling 302-655-4990 x 119 or send email to:
sbouboulis@delawareestuary.org.
For more information on the programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Partnership, Like the Partnership on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, Join them on Instagram
or Subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
NewsClip:
New Federal Law Adds Protection For Delaware River Basin
Related Stories:
NRCS-PA Now Accepting Applications To Protect Wetlands Within Delaware Watershed
The Academy Of Natural Sciences December Stream Samples Newsletter Now Available
USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA is now
accepting applications from Pennsylvania landowners and
groups interested in protecting wetlands in selected watersheds
through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program in
parts of the Delaware River Watershed.
Applications are accepted on a continual basis; however,
January 31 is the submission deadline date for ranking and
approving eligible applications for this project.
To be considered for the Wetlands Reserve Easement Program
for the Delaware River Watershed Working Lands
Conservation and Protection RCPP, applicants must be located
within the watershed project area.
Available funding for this project area is limited.
WRE applicants must have farm records established with
USDA's Farm Service Agency and the land should have been
owned for two years.
Eligible land includes farmed wetlands that can be successfully and economically
restored; former or degraded wetlands with a history of agricultural use; wetlands farmed under
natural conditions; and prior-converted cropland converted on or before December 23, 1985.
CRP land established with trees may also be eligible for enrollment through a waiver
process.
Landowners have two options under WRE:
-- Permanent Easements NRCS pays 100 percent of the easement value for the purchase of the
easement. Additionally, NRCS pays up to 100 percent of the restoration costs.
-- 30-Year Easements NRCS pays the landowner 50 to 75 percent of the easement value for the
purchase of the easement and 50 to 75 percent of the restoration costs.
Applications are available at your local USDA Service Center and online at the
NRCS-PAs Regional Conservation Partnership Program webpage.
For more information on financial and technical assistance available for farm, forest
landowners conservation projects, visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA
webpage.
NewsClip:
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[Posted Dec. 19, 2016}
The December edition of the Stream Samples
newsletter from the Delaware Watershed Initiative is
now available from the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Drexel University.
This edition provides updates on the Stream Reach
Assessment Tool, planning for next years modeling,
monitoring and data analysis in the Delaware River
Watershed and an overview of staff activities on the
Delaware Initiative over the last month or so.
The Delaware Watershed Initiative is supported by the William Penn Foundation.
For more information, visit the Academys Delaware Watershed Initiative webpage and
Click Here to sign up for your own copy of Stream Samples.
NewsClip:
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Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Program 2016 Successes In 13 Counties
The Penn State Extension Master Watershed
Steward Program was established to help address
nonpoint source pollution, which remains one of
the biggest challenges facing surface water
quality in Pennsylvania.
From stormwater runoff to acid mine drainage to
nutrients from farms, nonpoint source pollution
runs off from hundreds of thousands of individual
sites throughout the state into Pennsylvania
streams and rivers.
No number of government regulators and
environmental professionals could possibly address all the one-on-one outreach, engagement,
and action needed to make change to so many sites, over so great an area.
The sheer investment of time needed to make a difference requires ground-level citizen
engagement.
The Master Watershed Steward program creates a corps of environmentally literate adult
learners who will, in turn, volunteer in their communities to pass their knowledge to youth,
adults, and elected officials through educational programming and on-the-ground restoration
projects.
In 2016, with support from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Master
Watershed Steward Program, was offered in 13 counties across the state, including: Berks,
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton,
Philadelphia, Wyoming, and York.
There are now 150 Master Watershed Stewards and they reported 3,662 volunteer hours,
valued at $85,690.
They directly educated 9,693 Pennsylvania residents about environmental stewardship
practices through offering workshops, providing programming in 47 schools, and staffing
information booths at over 43 community events.
They also connected with over 100,000 residents indirectly through newspaper articles,
newsletters and social media.
Across the state, the Master Watershed Stewards assisted 53 community partners with
environmental education and restoration projects.
They also helped install and maintained 10 demonstration rain gardens, helped to plant
351 trees, sampled 7 streams, assisted 5 municipalities and built 61 rain barrels!
For more information on the program generally, and an application form, visit the Penn
State Master Watershed Stewards Programs webpage. For more information on the program
generally, and an application form, visit the Penn State Master Watershed Stewards Programs
webpage.
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Court Refuses To Kill Sportsmens Groups Challenge To Turnpike Expansion
Knapp: Susquehanna Bass Cause Ruckus
AP: Scientists Propose Ways To Measure Great Lakes Water Quality
PA Investing $300 Million Into Philadelphia Ports
Pittsburghs Industrial Past Fuels Tech-Focused Future
Water Infrastructure Needs Fixing, But How To Fund It Unclear
Op-Ed: Investing In Our Waterways Infrastructure In Pittsburgh
Obama Sets Up Water Clash With Mining Rule Trump Opposes
AP: Obama Sets Rule To Protect Streams Near Coal Mines
Bloomberg: Obama Sets Up Water Clash With Trump Over Mining Rule
OSM Adopts Last-Minute Rule To Make Coal Industry Cleaner

AP: Groups Threaten To Sue EPA Over Lake Eries Toxic Algae
Related Story:
(Reprinted from the Penn State Extension Dec. 19 Watershed Winds newsletter. Click Here to
sign up for your own copy.)
Elk County Headwaters Charitable Trust Accepting Volunteer Service Award
Nominations
Do you know an outstanding volunteer in the community
that deserves recognition? It is about that time of year again
to nominate individuals for the Presidents Volunteer
Service Award. The deadline for nominations is January 15.
Headwaters Charitable Trust is teaming up with the
Corporation for National and Community Service to
administer these awards to worthy citizens in the
Pennsylvania Wilds Region.
PSVA recognizes citizens from age 5 or older who have
achieved certain numbers of service hours over a twelve-month period or cumulative hours over
their lifetime. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each
milestone of service achievement.
The levels include bronze, silver, gold and the highest of honors, Presidents Lifetime
Award for those who have contributed 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.
Along with the ultimate honor of presidential recognition, recipients will receive a
personalized certificate, an official pin, medallion or coin and a congratulatory letter from the
president of the United States
Last year, HWCT recognized nine recipients and honored their achievements on Martin
Luther King Day. A similar event will take place this year on MLK Day, January 16.
This day was formerly recognized as a day of service by the Mayor of Saint Marys,
Robert Howard.
The Pennsylvania Wilds Region includes the counties of Cameron, northern part of
Centre County, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Warren, Lycoming, McKean,
Potter and Tioga.
If you know a citizen that meets the requirements of the award, Click Here and fill out the
online nomination form or contact Bri Pursley at 540-292-5630 or send email to:
bripursley@hwct.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Headwaters
Charitable Trust website. Click Here to sign up for updates from the Trust (bottom of the page).
NewsClips:
Related Story:
[Dec. 21, 2016]
Green Infrastructure: Managing Stormwater Naturally With Green Parks
We think of our community park as a great place to take a
walk, be active, or enjoy nature, but with a few key
features they also can help manage the runoff and
flooding that occurs when it rains or when snow melts.
Stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, and
rooftops causes problems including flooding, erosion,
washing pollution into waterways, and less groundwater
recharge.
A traditional landscape for a local park often
consists of turf grass, with a few trees, shrubs, and
flowers interspersed throughout. The layout and
maintenance of these areas offers limited habitat for wildlife, and may require considerable
amounts of water and nutrients to maintain.
Sustainable landscapes, on the other hand, focus more attention on selecting appropriate
native plants, on minimizing human impacts on the environment, and on other methods that will
conserve the communitys natural resources and character and improve overall quality of life.
If designed correctly, parks also can reduce stormwater impacts, and depending on
conditions can save money spent on gray infrastructure like pipes and treatment facilities.
Features can include:
-- Just planting trees, but especially along waterways;
-- Rain gardens and planted swales;
-- Natural detention basins;
-- Wetland restoration that also hosts wildlife;
-- Fewer mowed areas, meadowlands, and native plantings;
-- Green roofs;
-- Paved areas that allow water to soak through (pervious); and
-- Rain barrels, cisterns, and irrigation supply systems.
Gray infrastructure is largely designed to move urban stormwater away from the built
environment, while green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater at its source while
delivering other environmental, social, and economic benefits.
How does green infrastructure help? It can capture runoff, slow it down, and help it soak
back into the soil and groundwater.
Native vegetation helps evaporate and transpire storm water. Trees along streams
improve water quality and cool the water. Planted areas look good, provide recreational
opportunities and help clean the air.
Often, the cost of green infrastructure projects, which do require some maintenance, is
competitive with or less than comparable gray infrastructure projects, and the environmental and
public health benefits of green infrastructure add to the equation.
Green infrastructure is a cost-effective, resilient approach to managing the impacts of
rain and snow events that also provides many community benefits, DCNR Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn said.
Green infrastructure also can help communities meet the stormwater management
requirements of Pennsylvanias Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) Program.
Municipalities and partners across the commonwealth are greening their projects with
the support of DCNR grants. DCNRs Bureau of Recreation and Conservation has a number of
resources available to assist with green infrastructure at parks and natural areas, and offers
technical assistance through regional advisors.
A story map of sustainable parks in Pennsylvania lets you take a virtual tour of some
communities that have incorporated green infrastructure into their parks and natural areas.
Homeowners who might be interested in implementing stormwater management on their
properties can find information in the Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Management produced
by the City of Philadelphia.
For more information, visit DCNRs Manage Stormwater Naturally/Green Infrastructure
webpage, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to hook up with
DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
(Reprinted from the December 21 edition of DCNRs Resource newsletter. Click Here to sign up
for your own copy.)
NewsClips:

Related Stories:
Feature: Parks To The Rescue On Stormwater, Flooding
Philadelphia Green City, Clean Waters Program Blows Past 5 Year Targets
Pittsburgh Releases Draft City-Wide Green First Stormwater Infrastructure Plan
Harrisburg Unveils Draft Green Infrastructure Plan To Cleanup Water Pollution
Analysis: 2017 PA Environmental Policy Initiatives In 140 Characters Or Less
Nominations Now Being Accepted For DCNR/PRPA Green Parks Award
National Healthy Watersheds Consortium Accepting Applications For 2017 Grants
The Healthy Watersheds Consortium is now
accepting proposals for the 2017 Healthy
Watersheds Consortium Grant Program. The
deadline for proposals is February 1.
The goal of the grant program is to accelerate
strategic protection of healthy, freshwater
ecosystems and their watersheds.
The Healthy Watersheds Consortium is a partnership
of U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
Inc., Environmental Protection Agency, and Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
Click Here for all the details. An archived webinar and presentation slides are also
available to help applicants.
River Network Seeking Nominations For National River Hero Award
The River Network is now seeking nominations for its
national River Hero Award to recognize and celebrate
people whose efforts to protect and restore their local
waters have been extraordinary in scope, scale, impact and
heart. The deadline for nominations is January 20.
River Heroes are nominated by peers, selected by peers and
celebrated by peers at the annual River Rally to be held
May 8-11 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Past River Heroes Award winners from Pennsylvania
include: John Linkes (2016), for his leadership in the Roaring Run and Kiskiminetas Watershed
Associations in Armstrong County; John Klunk (2004), founder of the Codorus Monitoring
Network in York County; and David Hess (2002), former Secretary of the Department of
Environmental Protection.
Click Here to submit a nomination. Questions should be directed to Victoria Yu by
sending email to: vyu@rivernetwork.org.

(Photo: John Linkes receiving his River Hero Award in May 2016.)
CBF-PA: Need A New Years Resolution? Try These For Cleaner Water
With the new year, come resolutions to be
healthier by losing weight, quitting smoking, or
getting real face-time with family and friends.
In the spirit of the season, the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation-PA offers resolution suggestions to
help manage stormwater on the homefront and
improve the health of local waters.
Stormwater is a leading cause of water
pollution, says CBF scientist Renee Reber in
Pennsylvania. Making a resolution to curb the
amount of polluted runoff that leaves your
property can help prevent damage caused by flooding, limit streambank erosion, and reduce the
amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that is carried into our rivers and streams.
Roughly 19,000 miles of rivers and streams in Pennsylvania are damaged by pollution.
By keeping resolutions from CBFs checklist, people can develop clean-water habits and
reap the benefits throughout the year. Local Penn State Extension offices and County
Conservation Districts are good sources of additional details.
CBF-PAs Checklist
-- Plant A Tree: Trees are the most cost-effective tools for improving water quality. Trees
absorb water, filter pollutants before they get into waterways, and stabilize the soil to reduce
erosion. Trees also mean shade and cooler temperatures for water and its surroundings. The
presence of trees also increases property values. [Click Here to learn more.]
-- Install A Rain Garden: Rain water soaks into the garden of native plants situated in an area
where water collects naturally. The rain garden reduces stormwater beautifully. [Click Here to
learn more.]
-- Get A Soil Test: Learning how much, if any, fertilizer is needed for the lawn can prevent
over-application, reduce polluted runoff, and save money. [Click Here to learn more.]
-- Mow Not So Low: Mow your grass to a height of 2-3 inches. The longer the blades of grass,
the more water is retained and the stronger the root system. A stronger lawn can choke-out
weeds, calling for less herbicides. [Click Here to learn more.]
-- Leave Grass Clippings On The Lawn: Grass clippings are rich in nitrogen, a main ingredient
in fertilizer. Be careful not to throw clippings into the street where they clog drains and can be
washed away with stormwater. [Click Here to learn more.]
-- Clear The Drain: Keep storm drains clear of leaves and other debris that could clog and cause
flooding. [Click Here to learn more.]
-- Install A Rain Barrel: Rainwater collected from rooftops and used for watering plants,
washing cars and more, wont contribute to flooding and can be helpful when water isnt
otherwise available. [Click Here to learn more.]
-- Cut The Concrete: Converting paved surfaces to grass, rain gardens, or other pervious
surfaces allows stormwater to be absorbed before it can become harmful runoff. [Click Here to
learn more.]
-- Get The Big Picture: Find out what your municipality is doing to manage stormwater in your
community.
Getting the Keystone State back on track toward meeting its clean water goals is an
important resolution for all Pennsylvanians in 2017.
Clean water counts in Pennsylvania. Healthy families, strong communities, and a thriving
economy depend on it. It is a legacy worth leaving future generations.
How Clean Is Your Stream?
Click on your county to see a map of where streams have impaired water quality: Adams
| Allegheny | Armstrong | Beaver | Bedford | Berks | Blair | Bradford | Bucks | Butler | Cambria |
Cameron | Carbon | Centre | Chester | Clarion | Clearfield | Clinton | Columbia | Crawford |
Cumberland | Dauphin | Delaware | Elk | Erie | Fayette | Forest | Franklin | Fulton | Greene |
Huntingdon | Indiana | Jefferson | Juniata | Lackawanna | Lancaster | Lawrence | Lebanon |
Lehigh | Luzerne | Lycoming | McKean | Mercer | Mifflin | Monroe | Montgomery | Montour |
Northampton | Northumberland | Perry | Philadelphia | Pike | Potter | Schuylkill | Snyder |
Somerset | Sullivan | Susquehanna | Tioga | Union | Venango | Warren | Washington | Wayne |
Westmoreland | Wyoming | York.
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left
column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PAs most recent newsletter.
(Photo: Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Adams) and the tree planting team in Adams & Franklin
Counties.)
NewsClips:
Related Story:
How Clean Or Dirty Are Streams In Your County? Check Here And Find Out
As part of the statewide Clean Water Counts In
Pennsylvania campaign by the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation-PA, county maps of streams with impaired
water quality were posted online.
To check how healthy your streams are, simply click on the name of your home county:
Adams | Allegheny | Armstrong | Beaver | Bedford | Berks | Blair | Bradford | Bucks | Butler |
Cambria | Cameron | Carbon | Centre | Chester | Clarion | Clearfield | Clinton | Columbia |
Crawford | Cumberland | Dauphin | Delaware | Elk | Erie | Fayette | Forest | Franklin | Fulton |
Greene | Huntingdon | Indiana | Jefferson | Juniata | Lackawanna | Lancaster | Lawrence |
Lebanon | Lehigh | Luzerne | Lycoming | McKean | Mercer | Mifflin | Monroe | Montgomery |
Montour | Northampton | Northumberland | Perry | Philadelphia | Pike | Potter | Schuylkill |
Snyder | Somerset | Sullivan | Susquehanna | Tioga | Union | Venango | Warren | Washington |
Wayne | Westmoreland | Wyoming | York.
Once you know, do something about it. Talk to your legislator, local officials, join a
watershed group, plant a tree or take other steps to improve water quality.
For more on water quality and Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates
(bottom of left column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PAs most recent newsletter.
(Map: Impaired streams in Cambria County. Red and orange are bad.)
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Dec. 19 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension
The Dec. 19 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State
Extension featuring articles on--- DEP Increases Drought Warning To 8 Counties, 26 Counties Remain In Drought Watch
-- Archived Webinar Discusses Protecting Groundwater From Pesticides
-- Penn State Master Watershed Steward Program 2016 Successes
-- Chesapeake Bay Watershed Land Use Data Available
-- PAs CHEMSWEEP To Provide 15 Counties With Safe Pesticide Disposal In 2017
-- Penn States Greening The Lower Susquehanna Celebrates Successful Year
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Court OKs Agreement Ending Untreated Sewage Discharge Into Youghiogheny River
The U.S. District Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania approved a settlement between
PennFuture, the Department of Environmental Protection and Confluence Borough Municipal
Authority in Somerset County on December 16 to end the discharge of untreated sewage into the
Youghiogheny River and prevent future pollution.
The settlement is the result of a lawsuit filed by PennFuture in May 2014, alleging
numerous and ongoing violations of the federal Clean Water Act, state Clean Streams Law, and
state Sewage Facilities Act at the sewage treatment plant operated by the authority.
Under the terms of the settlement, the authority agrees to:
-- Design and construct a new pressurized collection and conveyance system throughout the
borough to replace the existing aged, gravity flow system;
-- Eliminate two unpermitted sewage outfalls that discharge raw sewage during periods of wet
weather flow;
-- Submit and obtain a permit from the PADEP for construction of the new collection system;
and
-- Have the system fully operational with users connected to the project within approximately
four years.
PennFuture is pleased to reach a settlement that will correct the violations at the plant
and clean up the Middle Yough, an area known for its fishing, boating and other recreational
opportunities, said George Jugovic, Jr., Vice President of Legal Affairs at PennFuture.
This project is a perfect example of how investing in infrastructure that cleans the
environment will provide opportunities for economic growth in this area of the Laurel Highlands.
With the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail and Ohiopyle State Park nearby, the natural beauty
that surrounds Confluence offers substantial economic value, so long as we treat our
environment with respect and invest in its maintenance, Jugovic said.
The authority conveys sewage to the boroughs sewage treatment plant by an old gravity
flow system that allows surface water to overwhelm the system during periods of high flow,
resulting in the discharge of untreated and inadequately treated sewage into the river.
The collection system also consists of two overflow structures that discharge untreated
sewage into the river during periods of high flow.
As part of the settlement, the authority will design and construct a new pressurized
collection system that will replace the gravity flow system and prevent surface inflow from
entering, allowing the plant to adequately treat sewage before discharge and eliminating illegal
sewage overflows.
The compliance schedule in the settlement allows the Authority to apply for low-cost
financing for the project from the PA Infrastructure and Investment Authority.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PennFuture
website.
NewsClips:
Lake City Treatment Plant Gets $1.2 Million In Upgrades
EPA: Mercury From Tooth Filling Cant Go Down Public Sewers
Proposed $7.5M Fee Increase On DEP Water Systems Advisory Committee Agenda Jan. 5
The DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board is scheduled to meet on
January 5 in Harrisburg to discuss a proposed $7.5 million increase in drinking water permit and
annual administration fees to help deal with cuts in state General Fund support for this program.
Click Here for a summary of the proposal.
The meeting will be held in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at
9:00.
For more information, visit the Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board
webpage or contact Dawn Hissner by sending email to: dhissner@pa.gov or call 717-772-2189.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Analysis: Wolf Will Cut His Way To A Balanced Budget Proposal For Next Year
Call For Abstracts: PA Section American Water Works Assn Conference April 25-27
The PA Section of the American Water Works Association has issued a
call for abstracts for its 2017 Annual Conference to be held on April
25-27 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey.
Suggest presentations will be accepted until January 8. Questions
should be directed to: Peter Lusardi at 717-541-0622.
For more information on registration, conference sponsorship
opportunities, exhibit space and more, visit the PA-AWWAs Annual
Conference webpage.
Upcoming Design Build Breakfast Meeting
The Tri-State Chapter of the Design-Build Institute of America will hold a breakfast
meeting in Philadelphia on January 24. Click Here for all the details.
$125,000 In State Funding Announced To Temporarily Fix Solomon Creek Flood Wall
Gov. Tom Wolf, Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), and Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne)
Thursday announced the state would commit $125,000 for a temporary fix to the Solomon Creek
flood wall in Wilkes-Barre to try to prevent further erosion until a full repair can be made.
I am glad the state is able to support the temporary fix to the Solomon Creek flood
wall, said Gov. Wolf. My administration will continue to monitor this situation closely and
work with local and federal officials for a long-term solution to this serious issue. I want to
sincerely thank Sen. Yudichak, Rep. Pashinski and Mayor George for their swift response and
commitment to ensuring the safety of Wilkes-Barres citizens.
In the evening of December 9, 2016, approximately 40 feet of the Solomon Creek flood
wall along Brook Street collapsed.
The immediate short term solution consists of repairing the failure location with a
moment slab style wall for a distance of approximately 48 between existing wall construction
joints. This will eliminate the risk of more of the wall collapsing.
"Mayor George has worked non-stop to find funding to repair the damaged Solomon
Creek flood wall, and with the Governor's release of $125,000 in state funds, we are one big step
closer to addressing the long-standing problems related to Solomon Creek, said Sen. Yudichak.
"I would like to sincerely thank Gov. Wolf for his commitment to assist Sen. Yudichak
and me to secure much needed funding for the Solomon Creek emergency," said Rep. Pashinski.
"I am pleased to announce the Governor along with the House and Senate Appropriations staff
have released $125,000 to jump start the construction necessary to protect the residents and
businesses in the South Wilkes-Barre area.
NewsClips:
Greene County Cleaning Up After Sunday Flooding
Waynesburg U Football Field Damaged By Flooding
AP: Evacuations, Rescues Reported In Southwest PA Flooding
Snowmelt, Rain Lead To Flooding In Westmoreland County
Money Coming For Temporary Fix To Solomon Creek Flood Wall
Federal Office Of Surface Mining Releases Final Coal Mining Stream Protection Rule
The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Monday released final regulations to prevent or minimize impacts to surface water and
groundwater from coal mining.
The final rule updates 33-year old regulations and establishes clear requirements for
responsible surface coal mining that will protect 6,000 miles of streams and 52,000 acres of
forests over the next two decades, preserving community health and economic opportunities
while meeting the nations energy needs.
The responsible rule released today represents a modern and balanced approach to
meeting the nations energy needs, said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.
Regulations need to keep pace with modern mining practices, so we worked closely with many
stakeholders to craft a plan that protects water quality, supports economic opportunities,
safeguards our environment and makes coalfield communities more resilient for a diversified
economic future.
Developed by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the Stream
Protection Rule includes reasonable and straightforward reforms to revise three-decades-old
regulations for coal mining in order to avoid or minimize impacts on surface water, groundwater,
fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
The rule incorporates current science, technology, and modern mining practices to
safeguard communities from the long-term effects of pollution and environmental degradation
that endanger public health and undermine future economic opportunities for affected
communities.
This rule takes into account the extensive and substantive comments we received from
state regulators, mining companies and local communities across the country, said Assistant
Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Janice Schneider. We traveled the country,
visited many mines, and met with many of the people who work and live in coal country to make
sure we wrote the best rule possible one that is both economically achievable and protective.
Guided by the best-available science and utilizing modern technologies, the final rule
would require companies to avoid mining practices that permanently pollute streams, destroy
drinking water sources, increase flood risk, and threaten forests.
It would also require companies to restore streams and return mined areas to the uses they
were capable of supporting prior to mining activities, and replant these areas with native trees
and vegetation, unless that would conflict with the implemented land use.
To help companies meet these objectives, the rule requires the testing and monitoring of
the condition of streams that might be affected by mining before, during and after their
operations to provide baseline data that ensures operators can detect and correct problems that
could arise, and restore mined areas to their previous condition.
Through clear, measurable standards, the rule promotes operational accountability to
achieve the environmental restoration required when mining operations were permitted.
Economic impacts were thoroughly analyzed and the final rule is projected to have a negligible
impact on the coal industry overall.
Since announcing its intention to write a rule to clarify mining in and around streams in
2009, OSMRE received more than 150,000 written comments and statements from 15 open
houses and public meetings, and extensive outreach efforts with stakeholders nationwide.
This updated, scientifically modern rule will make life better for a countless number of
Americans who live near places where coal is being mined, said OSMRE Director Joseph
Pizarchik. We are closing loopholes and improving our rules to more completely implement the
law passed by Congress.
The final Stream Protection Rule, which will take effect 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register, is available on the OSMRE website.
This is one of the environmental regulations some in the incoming Trump Administration
had targeted for elimination.
Click Here for a copy of the Department of Environmental Protections October 2015
comments on the proposed Stream Protection Rule.
NewsClips:
Coal Mine Owner Murray: Trump Cant Bring Back Coal Mining Jobs
Related Story:
PA Coal Alliance, Others Comment On Proposed OSM Stream Protection Rule
Greenwire: EPA Regulatory Status Report To Trump Transition Now Available
Greenwire Friday made available the 76-page Regulatory Transition Report given to the Trump
Transition Team detailing the current status of environmental regulations and an overview of the
agencys organization and staff.
Greenwire received the report under a Freedom of Information Act request.
A copy of the report is available online.
NewsClip:
Bloomberg BNA: Energy, Environmental Wish List Compiled For Trump
DCNR: Spring Environmental Education Workshops For Teachers
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of State Parks has updated its schedule of
Environmental Education Workshops for Teachers at
state parks providing Act 48 credits. Among the new
workshops are
-- March 25: Project Learning Tree, Moraine State
Park, Butler County;
-- April 9: Watershed Education, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie County;
-- May 4: Project WET, Caledonia State Park, Franklin County;
-- May 6: Project WET, Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County;
-- May 10: Project WILD, Nescopeck State Park, Luzerne County;
-- May 13: PA Songbirds Curriculum, Little Pine State Park, Lycoming County;
-- May 20: WILD About Raptors, Codorus State Park, York County; and
-- May 25: GO Teach Hiking, Prince Gallitzin State Park, Cambria County.
Click Here for more information on content and instructions for registering. Questions
should be directed to: Carissa Longo, Environmental Education Program Coordinator, DCNR
Bureau of State Parks, 717-772-1807 or send email to: calongo@pa.gov.
Education Programs For Students
Find environmental education programs happening now for students ages 4 to 17 at state
parks near you through the DiscoverE Program.
Also visit DCNRs Watershed Education and Kids In Nature website for more ideas on
getting outside and learning and the Cosmos World Video Series website for more
environmental learning opportunities.
Learn about the Bureau of Forestrys Conservation Education and related programs,
including Project Learning Tree, classroom resources, lesson plans and the Forest Conservation
Award for Boy and Girl Scouts.
Youth Education/Jobs Experience
The PA Outdoor Corps Program offers a combination of paid work experience and
education opportunities at DCNRs state parks, forestlands and other public lands for youth
15-18 and 18 to 25.
For the last several years, DCNR has also run a summer Environmental Careers Camp for
students in grades 10 to 12 to learn more about conservation and the environment and spark
interest in career opportunities related to the environment.
Education For Adults

Visit DCNRs iConservePA website for ideas on how you can save energy, plant smart,
save water and more.
For more information on parks and forests, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up
for the Resource newsletter, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to
hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClip:
Homewood Teaching Garden Project Foiled By Lead Contaminated Soil
Getting New Electronic Devices For Christmas? Dont Forget To Recycle The Old Ones
Santa Claus is likely to bring good little girls and
boys lots of new electronic devices and
peripherals-- bigger screen TVs, computers,
tablets, phones, printers, scanners and more.
In many cases, they will replace a ton (tons
actually) of old, outdated models that usually end
up in the basement, a forgotten closet or worse, in
the case of TVs, by the side of the road on in a
nearby creek.
You should know state law prohibits you from just putting these devices out with the
trash for disposal.
Keep PA Beautiful and the PA Resources Council encourage you to recycle those old
electronics through local e-waste recycling programs in many areas of the state.
KPB offers advice on where to take them through its eWastePA.org website.
Law Needs Changes
Pennsylvanias e-waste recycling program, however, is not as robust as it was when it
was created in 2010.
A hearing last March by the Joint Senate-House Conservation Committee found the
e-waste recycling market had all but collapsed in Pennsylvania due to electronics manufacturers
not paying the actual costs of recycling as they should do under state law.
Electronics recycling companies, environmental groups and local governments all called
for major reforms of the e-waste recycling law, but no action was taken in 2016.
Visit the Keep PA Beautiful and the PA Resources Council e-waste recycling webpages
to learn more about how you can help rebuild Pennsylvanias electronics waste recycling
program.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them
on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
communities and keep them clean and KPBs new Electronics Waste website.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources
Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them
on Facebook. Click Here for PRCs Events Calendar.
NewsClips:
Letter: PA Needs Better Law For Recycling Old TVs
Philadelphia Aiming To Achieve Zero Waste Goal By 2035
Philly Mayor Takes On Trash With Zero Waste Goal
Philly Mayor Establishes Zero Waste & Litter Cabinet To Address Trash Problem
DEP Sets Hearing On Chrin Landfill Expansion
Scranton Man Sue City Over $300 Trash Fee
Heats On For Proposed Slate Belt Processed Waste Plant
DEP Sets January 17 Hearing On Chrin Landfill Expansion In Northampton County
The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday announced it will host a public hearing on
January 17 on the permit application to expand the Chrin Landfill in Williams Township,
Northampton County.
The hearing will be held at the Wilson Area High School, 424 Warrior Lane, Easton from
6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m.
During the meeting, DEP staff will take testimony regarding the landfills application for
expansion.
Chrin Landfill is requesting an expansion of the landfill permit area by approximately
30-acres and the disposal area by approximately 33-acres.
The application for this expansion was deemed complete by DEP on November 9, 2015.
Chrins response to the DEPs environmental assessment of the expansion application was
received on November 21, 2016.
Those wishing to testify at the hearing can do so by emailing: Colleen Connolly,
Community Relations Coordinator by send an email to: coconnolly@pa.gov. The public
comment period on the expansion application will close on January 27, 2017. DEP will accept
written testimony until 4:00 p.m. on that date.
A copy of Chrins permit application can be viewed by appointment at DEPs Northeast
Regional Office located at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, 18701 or the DEPs Bethlehem
District Office located at 4530 Bath Pike, Bethlehem 18017.
Those wishing to make an appointment to view the documents can do so between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by calling the Northeast Regional Office at 570-826-2511 or the
Bethlehem District Office at 610-861-2070.
Additional copies of the application are also available for review at the Easton Public
Library, 515 Church St. and the Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 902 Philadelphia Rd. The
public does not need an appointment to view documents at either location.
Individuals in need of an accommodation for the meeting as provided for in the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Colleen Connolly at 570-826-2035 or
send an email to: coconnolly@pa.gov.
NewsClips:

Philadelphia Sets 2035 Zero Waste Goal, Creates Zero Waste & Litter Cabinet
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney Tuesday signed an Executive Order
creating the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet, charged with creating a
comprehensive plan for waste reduction and litter prevention.
A clean Philadelphia is a vibrant and healthy Philadelphia, said the
Mayor. With this Executive Order, Im assembling a group of experts
from within and outside of government to identify more effective ways
to increase our waste diversion rate and tackle the long-standing
problems of litter and cleanliness that many of our neighborhoods have
long struggled with.
The Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet is charged with developing an action plan to achieve
the following objectives:
-- Setting a zero waste goal for Philadelphia to reduce the amount of material in the waste
stream and increase the percentage of waste diverted from conventional landfills and incinerators
with a long-term goal of diverting almost all waste from conventional landfills and incinerators
by 2035. Many other major U.S. cities, such as New York and Los Angeles, have recently
adopted similar zero waste goals and Philadelphia is proud to join them.
-- Prevent and better manage litter and illegal dumping in the right-of-way and other public
spaces in neighborhoods across the city.
-- Improve education, through outreach and partnerships with public and private stakeholder
organizations, on preventing and managing litter and working toward a long-term zero waste
goal.
-- Implementing measurable standards to demonstrate progress toward the goals of a greener and
cleaner city through an enhanced litter index.
-- Engage citizens and strengthen communities to better empower them to keep their
neighborhoods clean, litter-free, and environmentally sustainable.
-- Build strategic partnerships with government agencies, private businesses, community
organizations, and other stakeholders to assist the Managing Directors Office in implementing
the action plan.
Over the years, Ive seen important but piecemeal efforts toward reducing waste and
litter in Philadelphia, said Managing Director Michael DiBerardinis. Im convinced that a
comprehensive, interdepartmental approach that tackles all aspects of the issues and
coordinates the responses across departments, in cooperation with City Council and community
members is the only way to achieve the aspirational goals of a zero waste, litter free City and
this cabinet can help accomplish those objectives.
Illegal dumping in Philadelphia, as with so many other beautiful places in Pennsylvania,
cannot be addressed by cleanup or surveillance alone, said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep
PA Beautiful. We applaud Mayor Kenney for creating the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet and
stand ready to assist him and our local affiliate, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful as they work
together to keep Philadelphia beautiful.

Illegal dumping in Philadelphia costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year, drives down
property values, and threatens public health, added Reiter. It will take a multi-faceted,
systematic approach including training and education, convenient and affordable access for trash
disposal and recycling, enforcement and other types of deterrents, and of course cleanup.
The Cabinet, co-chaired by the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director for
Transportation and Infrastructure, will be composed of 16 members, including representatives
from the Commerce Department, Department of Planning and Development, the President of
City Council, the School District of Philadelphia, the Office of the District Attorney, SEPTA,
and PennDOT.
Representatives of the business community and nonprofit organizations will also be
included in the Cabinet.
Additionally, leaders from City operating departments will extensively advise, assist, and
support the Cabinet throughout its work. Click Here for a list of members.
The Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet is expected to deliver its plan to the Mayor in six
months. Beyond that, it will prepare and publish annual reports on its progress.
PlanPhilly.com reported Wednesday this new initiative is part of the new Philadelphia
Greenworks Pla were the City is already taking on cross-departmental initiatives like litter
coordination and the litter index, a street-by-street assessment action to reduce waste.
In addition, different city agencies are also working separately on efforts to reduce waste
through recycling, composting, sustainable procurement, and education.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them
on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
communities and keep them clean and KPBs new Electronics Waste website.
NewsClips:
December 22 DEP News Now Available
The December 22 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental
Protection featuring stories on--- Year In Review: DEP Puts Miners To Work, Protects Air, Water, Boosts Energy Economy
-- Gov. Wolf Provides Pennsylvanians Tips For Preparing For Winter Weather
-- PSU Survey Documents Farmer Efforts To Cleanup PA Water Going To Chesapeake Bay
-- DEP Extends Drought Warning To 4 More Counties For Total Of 8
-- DEP Wins 2016 PA Excellence In Technology Award For Network Innovations
-- DEP Hearing On Proposed Chrin Landfill Expansion Jan. 17 In Northampton County

For more information, visit DEPs website, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on
Twitter and visit DEPs YouTube Channel.
10,000 Friends Of PA Honors SEPTA, Philadelphia Water Department, Drexel Jan. 24
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania will honor the Southeast PA
Transportation Authority and the Philadelphia Water Department
with its annual Commonwealth Award and Drexel University with
its inaugural Joanne Denworth Founders Award for Institutional
Excellence at a special awards program January 24 in Philadelphia.
SEPTA will receive the 10,000 Friends Community Transportation
Excellence Award and the Philadelphia Water Department will
receive the 10,000 Friends Public Infrastructure Excellence Award.
The years Award showcase the transformational impact institutions can have through
creative public-private partnerships and strategic investment in placemaking projects that
exemplify land use excellence.
The awards program will be held on January 24 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of
Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
The Keynote Speaker will be John A. Fry, President, Drexel University.
For information on sponsorships and tickets for this special event, visit the 10,000
Friends of PA Commonwealth Awards webpage.
DEP OKs Water Quality Cert. For Dominion Leidy Compressor Stations In 3 Counties
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 24 PA Bulletin
(page 8095) it has approved Section 401 Water Quality Certification for Dominion
Transmissions Leidy South Project to upgrade pipeline compressor stations in Centre, Clinton
and Franklin Counties.
NewsClips:
UGIs Sunbury Pipeline To Power Plant Nears Completion
Court Grants New Hearing To Landowners Battling Pipeline Eminent Domain
Obama Oil Pipeline Rules Face Uncertain Future Under Trump
Op-Ed: Dakota Pipeline And Nations Clean Energy Future
PG PowerSource: PA To Get $110M From VW Settlement To Reduce Air Pollution
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PowerSources Laura Legere reported Saturday Pennsylvania will
receive $110 million to reduce air pollution from the $2.7 billion EPA settlement with
Volkswagon over the companys diesel emissions-cheating scandal.
The Department of Environmental Protection is developing a plan for investing the funds,
which must be used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, and publish it for public comment in late
spring.
The EPA settlement has determined eligible projects include retrofitting or replacing
things like local freight trucks, school and public transit buses, railroad switching locomotives,
ferries, forklifts and ground support equipment at airports.
DEPs Citizens Advisory Council was briefed on the program on December 8.
Click Here for a FAQ on the EPA Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Agreement.
NewsClips:
Volkswagen Expected To Pay Another $1 Billion In Emissions Scandal
PA To Get $110M From VW Settlement To Reduce Air Pollution
I Love Pittsburgh, But This Air Is Killing Us
Op-Ed: Why PA Is Moving Forward To Reduce Methane Pollution, EDF
PUC: Fewer Households Without Heat, Consumers Urged To Call For Heating Aid
The Public Utility Commission Thursday
released the results of its annual Cold Weather
Survey, which showed that more than 22,000
households across the state are entering the
winter season without heat-related utility
service or using unsafe heating sources.
That figure is approximately 9 percent lower
than last year (2,150 fewer households starting
the winter without heat), and nearly 13 percent
lower (3,147 fewer households) than the Polar Vortex winter of 2014.
This winter, for the second year in a row, fewer Pennsylvania families are beginning the
winter without heat-related electric or natural gas service or depending on potentially unsafe
heating sources, said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. Still, our Cold Weather Survey shows
that thousands of our neighbors continue to struggle, and we urge those residents to take
advantage of the numerous programs available to help them restore utility service and stay warm
and safe this winter.
In conjunction with the release of that report, the PUC urged consumers to contact their
utilities as soon as possible about various programs to help them afford and maintain essential
utility services.
The 2016 Cold Weather Survey showed the following, as of December 15:
-- 6,949 residences are without safe electric heating, including 6,565 households without electric
service and 384 households that are heating with potentially unsafe heating sources.
-- 15,076 residences are without safe natural gas heating, including 13,941 households without
natural gas service and 1,135 households that are heating with potentially unsafe heating sources.
-- Additionally, 11,653 residences where electric service was terminated and 4,232 residences
where natural gas service was terminated now appear to be vacant.
-- Note: Some households may be without both electric and natural gas service, resulting in a
double-counting of some households.
According to the survey data, the number of families without electric utility service is 24
percent lower than last winter.

Further, the number of homes where electric utility service was terminated this year, and
who are now depending on potentially unsafe heating sources, dropped by 7percent compared to
last winter while the number of former natural gas customers now depending on potentially
unsafe heating sources, dropped by 22 percent.
Across the state, seven of Pennsylvanias eight major electric distribution companies
reported improvements in their Cold Weather Survey data, as did five of the states nine natural
gas distribution companies.
Click Here for charts showing the number of residential properties without service for
each of the major, regulated electric and natural gas distribution companies in the
Commonwealth.
Despite the steady improvements, there are still many households in-need across the
state, said Chairman Brown. We encourage anyone struggling to maintain their heat-related
service to call their utilities as soon as possible about a variety of PUC-required assistance
programs to help heat their homes or pay their energy bills such as Customer Assistance
Programs (CAPs) and Low Income Usage Reduction Programs (LIURP). According to the
PUCs most recent Universal Service Report, those assistance programs impact more than
767,000 households and are valued at over $418 million per year.
Additionally, as part of the annual Prepare Now campaign, the Commission continues
to appeal to utilities to increase their efforts to educate consumers about other available resources
that may be available, such as grants under the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP) which is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) with
information available through local County Assistance Offices or via the LIHEAP hotline at
1-866-857-7095.
The PUC emphasized that consumers without utility service should understand their
rights and responsibilities, including additional options that may be available for those who are
seriously ill or are facing other unique circumstances, such as a protection from abuse order.
Consumers should call their utility first to make arrangements to pay their bill.
If they are unable to reach an agreement with the utility, the PUC may be able to provide
assistance. The PUC can be reached toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.
A copy of the Cold Weather Survey is available online.
NewsClips:
PUC: 64% Of PA Customers Without Heat Live In Philly Area
PUC OKs PPL Plan To Replace High-Voltage Electric Lines
Bloomberg: States Are Nuclear Industrys Best Hope (TMI, Exelon)
Penn State Team Tests Low-Carbon Hybrid Microgrid For Use Across The State
Related Stories:
Proposed Rules To Speed Natural Gas Supplier Switching To Be Published By PUC
Kleinman Center Study: Electric Competition Driving Down Prices, Increasing Reliability
NRG Completes Conversions Of 2 Power Plants In PA From Coal To Natural Gas
NJR Clean Energy Ventures Completes 39.9MW Wind Farm In Somerset County
EPA Will Not Issue Final Model Rules For Implementing Clean Power Climate Plan
The Public Utility Commission Thursday issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
seeking public comment on new regulations designed to reduce the time it takes customers to
change natural gas suppliers (NGSs), and further align rules and procedures for the states NGSs
with electric generation suppliers (EGSs).
The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt proposed changes to Chapter 59 of the Public Utility
Code (Chapter 59) regarding standards for changing a customers natural gas supplier.
These changes, initiated by the PUCs Office of Competitive Market Oversight, are
intended to accelerate gas switching while preserving consumer safeguards; further align rules
for natural gas suppliers with electric suppliers to avoid customer confusion and frustration; and
help encourage greater product diversity, including but not limited to the potential benefits of
bundled electric and natural gas service for consumers.
The PUC seeks comments on proposed amendments and additions to Chapter 59,
including, but not limited to, the following measures:
-- Requirements on natural gas distribution companies (NGDCs) to shrink switching time frames
from the current one to two months to three business days, which is consistent with the electric
industry standard;
-- Requirements on NGDCs to implement any operational, metering, billing or other changes
required to facilitate accelerated switching within twelve months of the new regulations
becoming final;
-- Cost recovery for NGDCs in implementing these new requirements;
-- A proposal that customers can contact their NGDC and request a return to NGDC service; and
-- Efforts to maintain, and in some cases strengthen, current consumer protections, including but
not limited to preserving safeguards to prevent the unauthorized switching of a customers
account, known as slamming.
Interested parties may submit comments up to 45 days from the date the Advance Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin by providing written
comments to the Public Utility Commission, Attn: Secretary, P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA
17105-3265.
Comments may also be filed electronically through the PUCs e-File System. (Docket
No.: L-2016-2577413)
Click Here to go to the PUC Docket for this rulemaking.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
By Coleen P. Engvall, Joint Conservation Committee
In 1996, the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition
Act became law, allowing Pennsylvanians to choose from a catalogue
of different electricity suppliers. Still in effect today, customers can
shop through various options, with information about price, variability,
bonuses and renewable sourcing.
This market-based approach, coupled with the low cost of
natural gas, has resulted in benefits to consumers and the environment,
according to a study by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the
University of Pennsylvania.
The study, A Case Study of Electricity Competition Results in
Pennsylvania: Real Benefits and Important Choices Ahead, was
presented at a conference in Hershey in [October].
The researchers examined electricity generation and
consumption in the state since the utility company monopoly on generation was dissolved.
Overall, the competition has appeared to produce positive effects for the state, as well as
for consumers.
Before the Act was passed, Pennsylvanias electricity prices were 15 percent higher than
the national average. Today, they are slightly below it.
Specifically, the report notes that the commercial sector has experienced the bulk of the
savings from the new system, while residential consumers are actually paying slightly more. This
may be due to households switching away from the default provider towards a more expensive
option such as renewably sourced power or rewards programs.
The market-based system has allowed utility electricity generators to be replaced by new
investments and new energy mixes.
This allowed natural gas to easily become a dominant resource in the market following
the shale gas boom here in Pennsylvania.
Alongside cheaper energy bills, this shift brought cleaner air across the region. The report
notes that carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides all decreased after the Act was
passed.
The report concludes with several policy recommendations aimed at building on the
successes of the current law to maintain healthy competition, reduce pollution, cut costs and
assure grid reliability.
The first set of recommendations deals with retail guidelines.
The researchers begin by tasking legislators with pursuing a comprehensive statewide
strategy to modernize supplier operations, instead of simply reacting to challenges as they arise.
They also emphasize the importance of grid reliability and security, with emphasis on
extreme weather events and cyber threats.
The researchers note that the transportation sector increasingly uses electricity with the
recent growth of full-electric vehicles. Using the right policies, this transition could benefit the
electricity sector.
The final retail recommendation encourages lawmakers to revisit the debate about default
service, with some seeing it as a hindrance to promoting competition, and proponents defending
it as a government-regulated choice for customers.
With respect to wholesale policy, the researchers warn that regulations and subsidies can
impact the flexibility of a market-based system.
In terms of grid capacity and reliability, the report addresses several concerns, from
seasonal challenges to balancing state mandates with marketplace efficiency.
The polar vortex of 2014 revealed many challenges related to energy dependence as
well as grid security.
Finally, the report calls on FERC [Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] and other
policy makers to consider the changing energy landscape, particularly in regard to distributed
energy resources.
These resources are smaller generators that can be incorporated into a smarter grid.
Examples include renewables and power storage solutions, which are both experiencing a
revolution in technology and capacity.
The report urges stakeholders and policymakers to preempt and maximize the
opportunities in this budding industry.
A copy of the report is available online and visit the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy
at the University of Pennsylvania webpage to learn more about energy policy.
For more information on Pennsylvanias electricity market, visit the Public Utility
Commissions Electricity webpage.
NewsClip:
Related Article:
PUC Marks 20th Anniversary Of Electric Competition, 14 Consecutive Months Of Growth
(Reprinted from the December Environmental Synopsis from the Joint Air and Water Pollution
Control and Conservation Committee.)
NRG Energy, Inc. Monday announced it has completed the
coal-to-gas projects at four power plants across NRGs fleet,
including 2 plants in Pennsylvania-- Shawville, Clearfield
County, and New Castle, Lawrence County.
The successful introduction of natural gas replacing coal as
the primary fuel allows these units to continue meeting
customer needs while complying with current
environmental standards and supporting NRGs wider
decarbonization efforts.
Weve made outstanding progress across our generation portfolio to support our
optimization strategy, said Mauricio Gutierrez, CEO of NRG. Driven by the economics of
power generation, we modified units at four plants to switch from burning coal to natural gas,
significantly reducing greenhouse gas and other emissions, while maintaining reliability in the
system. Along with growing our renewables portfolio, these optimization projects keep NRG
competitive while advancing on our sustainability commitments.
Collectively, the modified units can generate more than 2,780 MW, enough power to
meet the demands of more than two million average homes.
Given the anticipated reductions in carbon emissions resulting from these modifications,
combined with the expected operating profiles for the units, the four plants are expected to
reduce their combined carbon footprint by more than 80 percent.
These modifications allow us to keep the lights on for millions of customers, helping
keep power reliable, affordable and cleaner, while we continue towards a sustainable energy
future, added Gutierrez.
Click Here for more details on the Shawville Generating Station. Click Here for more on
the New Castle Generating Station.
(Photo: NRGs Shawville Generating Station.)
NewsClips:
Archbald Retains Legal Counsel As Power Plant Progresses
Related Stories:
NJR Clean Energy Ventures Tuesday announced the
completion of the Ringer Hill Wind Farm located in
Somerset County.
The project consists of 14 GE turbines with a total
capacity of 39.9 megawatts, enough to power more
than 9,800 homes annually. Additionally, the wind
farm qualifies for federal production tax credits,
which will be used by NJR.
With the successful completion of Ringer Hill - our
fifth onshore wind project - wind now accounts for 50
percent of our clean energy portfolio, said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New
Jersey Resources. As we continue to invest in and grow our business, we are making clean
energy even more accessible in todays marketplace.
Iron Mountain Incorporated, a global leader in storage and information management
services, purchased 26.6 megawatts at Ringer Hill in a 15-year wind power purchase agreement,
which will support the energy requirements for its data center business.
NJRCEV invests in, owns and operates clean energy projects that provide low-carbon
energy solutions.
For more information on other wind and solar energy projects, visit the NJR Clean
Energy Ventures website.
NewsClips:
Could Former Shenango Coke Works Become A Solar Farm?
What SolarCitys Expansion In PA Means For States Reputation
U.S. Solar Industry Is Booming And Isnt Afraid Of Trump
Renewable Energy Sector Remains Optimistic Amid Trump Policy Outlook
DOE Helped Start A Revolution, Doesnt Know Who To Hand It Off To
Report: Republicans, Democrats Alike Want More Clean Energy
Why Corporate America Is Picking Wind Over Solar Power
Related Stories:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Janet McCabe Monday announced her
agency would not finalize the model rules intended to help states implement the Clean Power
Climate Plan, but will rather make them available as working drafts.
The Clean Power Plan is on hold while a lawsuit against the Plan is being heard in federal
court. Trump Administration EPA-designate Scott Pruitt was leading the legal challenge to the
rule as Attorney General of Oklahoma.
In a blog post, McCabe said, EPA proposed the Model Rules in August 2015 when we
issued the final CPP. The proposed Model Rules highlighted straightforward pathways to
adopting a trading system, making it easy for states and power plants to use emissions trading to
reduce carbon pollution.
Today, we are withdrawing the draft Model Rules and accompanying draft documents
from interagency review and are making working drafts of them available to the public.
While these drafts are not final and we are not required to release them at this time,
making them available now allows us to share our work to date and to respond to the states that
have requested information prior to the end of the Administration.
In a letter issued today, we [EPA] have notified those 14 states about the information we
are making available.
The documents we [EPA] are posting today are still working drafts. They are not final
documents, they are not signed by the Administrator and they will not be published in the
Federal Register.
EPAs docket will remain open, with the potential for completing the agencys work on
these materials and finalizing them at a later date.
-- Draft Model Trading Rules for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric Utility Generating
Units Constructed on or Before January 8, 2014
-- Draft EM&V Guidance for Demand-Side Energy Efficiency
-- Draft Clean Power Plan Tracking Systems White Paper
-- Draft Technical Support Document: Leakage Requirement for State Plans Using Mass-based
Emission Budget Trading Programs
For more information on Pennsylvanias actions related to the EPA Clean Power Rule,
visit DEPs Climate Change webpage.
NewsClips:
Energy Benchmarking Comes To Pittsburgh
Penn State Climate Prof Can Pursue Defamation Claims Against Critics
Op-Ed: Penn State Climate Scientist Gets Death Threats
Op-Ed: Facts, Lies And Climate Change
Op-Ed: Trump Cant Deny Climate Change Without A Fight
Op-Ed: Trump Cabinet Mostly Enemies Of The Environment
Transforming Greenhouse Gas To Clean Fuel
EPA Drops Proposed Model Carbon Trading Rules Ahead Of Trump Takeover
Related Stories:
170 University Presidents Urge Support For Paris Climate Agreement, 12 From PA
Presidents and Chancellors from more than 170 Colleges and Universities, including 12 from
Pennsylvania, joined together Monday to urge president-elect Trump and the incoming
congressional representatives to accelerate progress towards a clean energy future.
Through their open letter, organized by a diverse group of higher education institutions
and the Boston-based nonprofit Second Nature, they call on elected officials to support
participation in the Paris Agreement, climate research, and investment in the low carbon
economy.
The upcoming transition of federal leadership presents a unique opportunity to address
head-on the challenges of climate change by accelerating the new energy economy and creating
strong, resilient communities, wrote the group. We are committed to developing and deploying
innovative climate solutions that provide a prosperous future for all Americans.
Climate change cannot be reversed by a single institution nor a single country. said
Nancy Zimpher, Chancellor of the State University of New York system A collective
intervention in the multitude of factors that impact climate change is necessary for success. [...]
all of higher education must be a driving force in the continued examination of climate change
and the development of opportunities to assure a cleaner more secure planet for future
generations.
In Pennsylvania, these presidents signed the open letter
-- James Mullen, President, Allegheny College
-- John Bravman, President, Bucknell University
-- David Finegold, President, Chatham University
-- Neil Weissman, Acting President, Dickinson College
-- Lee Snyder, President, Eastern Mennonite University
-- Kimberly Benston, President, Haverford College
-- Alison Byerly, President, Lafayette College
-- Lewis Thayne, President, Lebanon Valley College
-- John Anderson, President, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
-- Marvin Krislov, President, Oberlin College
-- Valerie Smith, President, Swarthmore College
-- Peter Donohue, President, Villanova University
A copy of the letter is available online.
NewsClips:
Westmoreland County CleanWays Encourages Christmas Tree Recycling
Westmoreland County Cleanways and
Recycling would like to encourage everyone to
continue the spirit of giving by recycling your
live Christmas tree.
After the festivities are finished, you can
take your tree to one of many drop-off sites
located throughout Westmoreland County. The
trees will either be chipped into mulch by the
municipalities and used to beautify community
parks, or placed in natural areas to provide
wildlife habitat.
All locations require that trees are completely bare of decorations when dropped off. This
includes any tree bags or wrappings used to transport the tree to the drop-off site.
There is no cost to recycle your Christmas tree, but some organizations hosting tree
recycling sites collect donations to fund their own projects such as:
-- Boy Scout Troop 239 collecting trees at Shramms Farm and Orchards in Penn Township;
-- The Burrell High School Environmental Club collecting trees at the Lower Burrell Municipal
Building; and
-- The Murrysville-Export Rotary collecting trees at the lot adjacent to the Windstream parking
lot in Murrysville.
For more information, visit the Westmoreland County Cleanways website. Questions
should be directed to Natalie Reese by calling 724-879-4020 or send email to:
nreese@westmorelandcleanways.org.
DCNR/PA Urban & Community Forestry Council Award TreeVitalize Grants Statewide
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
and the PA Urban and Community Forestry Council,
Tuesday announced grant funding for 21 TreeVitalize
tree planting and innovative projects throughout the
state.
Grant amounts range from $750 to $15,000, with
a total of $114,016 funded for more than 1,100 trees to
be planted.
Funds will provide opportunities for
municipalities and nonprofit organizations to create
more sustainable community and urban foresting networks through coordinated tree plantings,
volunteer engagements and municipal support.
Receiving 2017 tree planting grants are: Derry Township - $6,187 City of Easton $7,645; Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership - $1,901; Greenfield Township - $750; City of
Harrisburg - $3,750; Borough of Hollidaysburg - $4,870; Huntingdon Shade Tree Commission $3,729; Municipality of Kingston - $5,700; City of Lancaster - $15,000; Luzerne County Flood
Protection Authority - $5,100; Millcreek Township - $7,630; Silver Spring Township - $3,000;
City of Warren - $7,500; Waynesburg Borough - $1,650; West Pittston Borough - $3,600; City
of Wilkes Barre - $7,349; Williamsport - $8,746; and Wilson Borough - $5,000.
2017 innovative project grantees are: Carnegie Shade Tree Commission - $3,000; Friends
of Briar Bush - $8,640; and Fruit Tree Planting Foundation - $3,268
TreeVitalize is a public/private partnership between DCNR Bureau of Forestry and the
PA Urban and Community Forestry Council to restore tree cover in Pennsylvania communities.
For more information about tree planting opportunities and training to be Tree Tenders,
visit the TreeVitalize website.
For more information on state parks and forests in Pennsylvania, visit DCNRs website,
Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online
Community, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube and Flickr.
Reminder: The deadline for applying for the next round of DCNR Community
Conservation Partnership Grants is January 23.
NewsClips:
Christmas Trees Take Years To Grow Into Holiday Centerpiece
Flash Flood Washed Out DCNR Forestry Road Strands Business
Latrobe Begins To Map Public-Space Trees
Nominations Now Being Accepted For DCNR/PRPS Green Parks Award
The Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources and the PA Recreation and Park
Society are now accepting nominations for the
Green Parks Award. Nominations are due
January 27.
This annual award recognizes excellence in
the public park community for those that
demonstrate the integration of green and
sustainable park practices.
Entries are judged on: site location and design, water conservation practices, natural
landscaping, materials selection and construction, how they connect people to nature, operations
and maintenance and environmental stewardship messaging.
Click Here for descriptions of past winners and those receiving honorable mention
recognition.
More information on the Award criteria and nomination forms are available by visiting
DCNRs Green Parks Award webpage.
For more information Pennsylvanias state parks, forests and other recreation
opportunities, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Click
Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other
social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
For more information on programs, initiatives, special events, workshops and grant
opportunities, visit the PA Recreation and Park Society webpage. Click Here to sign up for
regular updates from the Society and Like on Facebook.
Reminder: PRPS 2017 Conference will be held on March 26-29 in Hershey.
(Photo: Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, Centre County - 2016 Winner.)
NewsClips:
Can Recreation Economy Help Revitalize Small Towns On The Ohio River?
Western PA Conservancy Buys 170 Acres In Crawford County
Trail Connection Extends Circuit Trails In Bucks County
Safety Improvements Planned Along Lackawanna River Heritage Trail
Laurel Mountain Ski Resort Reopens After Years Of False Starts

Grants Pave Way For Hempfield Park Upgrade
Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Op-Ed: Keep Pittsburghs Rivers Open For Business & Recreation
Pittsburghs Health Ride Bike-Sharing Program To Expand
Editorial: Limits On Bike Lanes In Pittsburgh
AP: Philadelphia National Parks Official Billed Vacation Costs To NPS
Op-Ed: Trump Should Make Our National Parks Great Again Too
State Park First Day Hikes Offer Invigorating Start To New Year
To promote a healthy start to the new year,
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn will join
hikers January 1 at Pine Grove Furnace State Park
as her department again sponsors free, guided
hikes in 28 state parks on New Year's Day as part
of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative
in all 50 states.
Dunn and other hikers will step off at 1
p.m. January 1, at the state park near Gardners
Cumberland County. Other DCNR officials will be participating in First Day Hikes planned at
Cambria County's Prince Gallitzin and other state parks across the state.
"For the sixth consecutive year, First Day Hikes offer a great cure for cabin fever and a
chance to burn off those extra holiday calories, and what better way to welcome the new year
than with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks?" said Dunn said. "State
parks offer so much, regardless of the season, and we are excited to showcase their winter beauty
by joining in this national effort to get people outdoors and into parks."
Organized by the National Association of State Park Directors, the nationwide, New
Year's Day hikes originated more than 20 years ago in Milton, Mass. The program was launched
to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks.
State involvement has grown to the point where, for the first time in 2012, all 50 state
park systems joined together to sponsor First Day Hikes.
"In prior years we have hosted more than 1,200 people who hiked almost 3,000 miles in
our state parks across Pennsylvania," Dunn said. "The winter 'Welcome Mat' is out at our state
parks. Whether you're staying close to home or traveling, join us New Year's Day!"
The following Pennsylvania state parks are participating during daylight hours January 1:
Beltzville, Caledonia, Canoe Creek, Codorus, Cowans Gap, Delaware Canal, French Creek,
Greenwood Furnace, Gifford Pinchot, Hills Creek, Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center,
Jennings Environmental Education Center, Keystone, Kings Gap Environmental Education
Center, Little Buffalo, Lyman Run, Moraine, Nescopeck, Nolde Forest Environmental Education
Center, Parker Dam, Pine Grove Furnace, Prince Gallitzin, Pymatuning, R.B. Winter, Shawnee
and Sinnemahoning.
Click Here to find a state park near you.
Presque Isle State Park in Erie will offer a New Year's Eve or "Last Night" hike for those
who wish to ring in the new year while hiking. This 3-mile easy hike begins at 11 p.m. Thursday,
December 31, and will end around 1 a.m. January 1.
Also, Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County is offer an evening hike December 31 that
will focus on owls in the park.
"With this selection we hope to draw both novices and trail-hardened veterans alike into
our state parks in what has become an annual salute to healthy exercise and the winter beauty
and serenity of our 120 state parks," Dunn said. "Weather will dictate activities at our state parks
on Jan. 1, but different hikes will match different abilities. The accent is on enjoyment."
Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes and
#GetOutdoorsPA.
Pennsylvania State Park staff and volunteers are leading the hikes, which are usually
about one or two miles, but can be longer depending on the park and its terrain.
More information is available on the DCNR Calendar of Events.
For more information, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource
newsletter, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to hook up with
DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
(Photo: DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, 2015 First Day Hikes.)
NewsClips:
Denton Hill State Park Master Planning Effort Gains Momentum In Potter County
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
officials Tuesday announced the department has
secured a contractor to facilitate the master planning
and redesign of Denton Hill State Park, Potter County.
The contractor is LaBella Associates, D.P.C, an
architectural, engineering, and environmental planning
consultant firm, headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., with
satellite offices in Elmira, N.Y., and Scranton and Coudersport.

LaBella, will advance and expand work begun during a feasibility study coordinated by
Moshier Studio of Pittsburgh.
This preliminary effort provided comprehensive evaluation of existing infrastructure, as
well as an in-depth look at long-term potential for skiing and other potential year-round activities
at the park.
SE Group, a subcontractor during the feasibility study process has been retained by
LaBella to collaborate on the ski area development.
DCNR staff and La Bella Associates have defining the projects scope, to include
improvements, redesign, and new infrastructure for skiing facilities, overnight accommodations,
and four-season recreation development opportunities.
An existing lodge is expected to be fully rehabilitated, including modifications for ADA
accessibility and mechanical system upgrades.
Direction of the plan will be influenced by public input collected over the last 18 months
through public meetings, direct inquiries, and the Denton Hill State Park: Visions for the Future
survey.
Throughout the master planning process a ground team consisting of DCNR and
partner agency staff and LaBella Associates representatives, stakeholders and others will
coordinate necessary research, development, and focused community outreach, ensuring a
blended representation of constituents concerns and DCNRs mission.
As the master plan process moves forward, LaBella will facilitate two stakeholder and
two public meetings designed to present progress and gain community input.
The first of these will occur in late winter/early spring 2017, allowing LaBella to evaluate
the past feasibility study and verify data points to ensure we are moving ahead with the most
current information.
Our team looks forward to working with LaBella and the Denton Hill community as we
turn the page and begin to realize Denton Hills future, said Bureau of State Parks Director John
Hallas. LaBella has a strong background in developing recreational master plans and they are a
good fit to advance Denton Hill as we work together to determine a future course of action for
operations at Denton Hill State Park.
Denton Hill State Park was opened as a ski area in 1958 and operated by the
Commonwealth until 1979.
In 1983, DCNR signed a 35-year concession lease agreement with Denton Hill Family
and Ski Resort, Inc. The concessionaire notified DCNR in November 2014 that they would no
longer be able to operate.
Ski operations were closed for the winter of 2014-2015. Although no ski operations are
taking place, the park continues to host special events and recreational activities supported by the
existing infrastructure.
Click Here for more information on the Denton Hill State Park Master Plan.
For more information on state parks, state forests and other recreation opportunities in
Pennsylvania, visit DCNRs website, call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS, Click Here to sign up for the
Resource newsletter, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to hook
up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

NewsClips:
Dec. 21 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR
The December 21 edition of the Resource
newsletter is now available from the
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources featuring articles on--- Managing Stormwater Naturally With Green
Parks
-- DCNR/PA Urban & Community Forestry
Council Award TreeVitalize Grants Statewide
-- State Park First Day Hikes Offer Invigorating Start To New Year
-- Denton Hill State Park Master Planning Effort Gains Momentum In Potter County
-- DCNR: $45M In Community Conservation Partnership Grants, Next Round Due Jan. 23
-- Apply Now For PA Outdoor Corps For Youth Job Openings Feb. to Nov.
-- PA State Parks, Forests Offer Visitors A Winter Playground
-- Nominations Now Being Accepted For DCNR/PRPA Green Parks Award
-- Hawk Mountain Has Record Bald Eagle County
For more information, visit DCNRs website, , Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online
Community, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:

PEC, Partners Open New Section Of Delaware & Lehigh Trail In Bucks County
The PA Environmental Council joined with its partners in
the Greater Philadelphia Circuit Trails initiative to
celebrate the opening of a new section of the Delaware &
Lehigh Trail in Bristol Township, Bucks County
December 16.
Trail users can now use a pedestrian crossing to get across
Green Lane Road, then continue along the newly
constructed side path to safely cross Route 13 at a new
controlled intersection.
The project adds approximately 1,200 feet to the Delaware
& Lehigh Trail through Bristol, closing a longstanding gap in what will eventually be the longest
continuous trail in Pennsylvania.
All of this restores continuity to the old towpath trail severed by Route 13 widening
back in the 1950s, PEC Executive Vice President Patrick Starr said.
The ultimate goal is to link communities across eastern Pennsylvania via the East Coast
Greenway, which in turn will connect with the 750-mile Circuit Trails Network.
Our rallying cry now is 500 miles built by 2025, Starr said. We are going to do it
one project at a time.
Bristol Township officials formally opened the new section in a ribbon-cutting event
attended by representatives from PEC and other groups, agencies, and businesses that
contributed to the effort.
Those partners include: the D&L National Heritage Corridor, the East Coast Greenway,
the Bucks Transportation Management Association, the Department of Transportation, DCNR
State Parks, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Traffic Planning & Design
(engineer/designers), and the James D. Morrissey Company (construction contractors).
As with other trail projects around the state, PEC has played a leadership role in
convening partners under the Circuit Trails initiative.
Similarly, PEC and the Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape work with the
Lackawanna Heritage Valley, the North Pocono Trail Association, and the Anthracite Scenic
Trails Association to organize the quarterly Northeast Pennsylvania Trails Forum.
In western Pennsylvania, PEC is working across state lines with the Rails to Trails
Coalition and others in the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition to build a 1,450 mile trail
network linking the region with neighboring Ohio, New York, and West Virginia.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PECs Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
updates from PEC.

NewsClips:
FAW: Allegheny National Forests Lump Of Coal For Tracy Ridge Wilderness Area
The Friends of Allegheny Wilderness announced the
Allegheny National Forest released the
Environmental Assessment for the proposed Tracy
Ridge Mountain Biking On Hiking Trails Project
late Friday afternoon.
The FAW believes the highest use for the
entire 9,700-acre proposed Tracy Ridge Wilderness
Area in McKean and Warren counties (including
nine miles of the spectacular North Country National
Scenic Trail), is permanent protection under the
federal Wilderness Act of 1964.
FAW has consistently opposed allowing biking on the hiking-only trails within the
Wilderness Area.
Bradford District Ranger Rich Hatfields cover letter for the Tracy Ridge Mountain
Biking On Hiking Trails Project is available online and the Environmental Assessment are
available online.
The legal notice for the Tracy Ridge Mountain Biking On Hiking Trails Project is
expected to be published in the Warren Times Observer newspaper on Monday, December 26.
The 30-day comment period starts the day after the legal notices publication.
Individuals who wish to provide written comments should mail them to the Tracy Ridge
Project, USDA Forest Service, Allegheny National Forest, Bradford Ranger District, Attention:
Rich Hatfield, 29 Forest Service Drive, Bradford, PA 16701.
For those submitting hand-delivered comments, Bradford Ranger District office hours are
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding the holidays.
Submit oral comments via telephone at 814-363-6098, Monday through Friday from 8:00
a.m. To 4:30 p.m., and by fax at 814-362-2761.
Email comments must be sent to: comments-eastern-allegheny-bradford@fs.fed.us, and
have the project name in the subject line, your name, and mailing address in one of the following
formats: e-mail message, plain text (.txt), rich text format (.rtf), Word (.doc) or any software
supported by Microsoft applications.
If no identifiable name is attached to an electronic message, a verification of identity will
be required for objection eligibility. A scanned signature is one way to provide verification.
For more information, contact the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness by calling
814-723-0620 or send email to: info@pawild.org.
Take Five Fridays With Pam, And Guest-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation
This week's edition of Take Five Fridays With Pam
from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation features a
photo too good to be true, but it is.
The photo was taken at Sinnemahoning State
Park in Potter County.
For more information on programs, initiatives
and special events, visit the PA Parks & Forests
Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular
updates from the Foundation, Like them on Facebook
or Follow them on Twitter.

NewsClips:
Wildfires Burned 12,067 Acres, Causing $3.5M In Damage, 1 Fatality, 12 Injuries In 2016
The PA Forest Heritage Association reported in its Winter
quarterly newsletter Saturday 12,067 acres were burned in
836 wildfires in Pennsylvania to December causing $3.5
million in damage, 1 fatality and 12 injuries.
This represents a significant increase in acres
burned over 2015, when there were 817 wildfires, but
4,165 acres affected. The fires cost over $2.1 million to
extinguish.
It is the largest number of acres burned since 1990.
This years largest wildfire burned 8,000 acres in Monroe and Pike counties. It was the
largest in DCNR's history. DCNR is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the
arrest of the individuals responsible.
Almost 200 volunteers were deployed for two weeks to fight wildfires in 11 states; 25 of
them as recently as November, answering calls from North Carolina and Georgia.
For more information on wildfires and prevention, visit DCNRs Wildfire in PA
webpage.
Visit the Discover Center at Caledonia State Park in Franklin County to learn more about
Pennsylvanias forest fire fighting heritage.
The PA Forest Heritage Association is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the
heritage of forest conservation and forest fire protection in Pennsylvania. Click Here to contact
the PFHA for more information on the programs, initiatives and upcoming events.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
PA Forest Heritage Assn. Quarterly Newsletter Now Available
NRCS, US Forest Service Commit $1M To Conserve Oak Ecosystems In Northcentral PA
Denise Coleman, State
Conservationist for Pennsylvania
NRCS announced Thursday the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Natural
Resources Conservation Service and
the U.S. Forest Service will invest
$1,074,030 in financial assistance in
2017 to improve and protect the health
and resiliency of Oak ecosystems in
Northcentral Pennsylvania.
The assistance is being made available through the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration
Partnership Project
This unique, landscape-scale public-private lands project includes an area that spans 15
counties across the predominantly forested northern tier of Pennsylvania.
The project is a partnership between NRCS, the Allegheny National Forest, the Game
Commission, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, American Bird Conservancy, National Audubon Society, National
Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Forest Service-Northern Research Station, U.S. Forest
Service-Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.

All partner agencies will coordinate efforts by leveraging financial and technical
resources to initiate conservation activities on public lands and private lands adjacent to public
lands.
This collaboration will help meet the growing challenges that come with protecting
communities, watersheds, and forests from the devastating and costly impacts of introduced and
native insects and disease, non-native invasive plants, fire exclusion, and other threats to forest
health, while protecting water resources, and improving wildlife habitat, said Coleman.
The northern tier of Pennsylvania is one of the largest contiguous forest land areas in the
eastern U.S. with primarily oak-hickory, oak-pine, and maple-beech-birch forest types.
The project area contains 2,642 miles of Exceptional Value streams and canvasses 4.6
million acres of watersheds with greatly reduced brook trout populations. These systems feed
into the Ohio River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds.
Within the project area the land base is weighted toward private ownership with public
lands constituting approximately 32 percent of the landscape.
The collaboration will help public and private forest landowners maintain a diversity of
forest age classes and species to sustain forest ecosystems that are resilient to stressors. This, in
turn, will improve habitat quality for at-risk species, protect water quality and supplies, and
reduce and mitigate the threat of wildfire.
The project entitled Sustaining Pennsylvanias Oak Ecosystems through Partnership in
Forest Management is one of 10 newly selected projects for the Joint Chiefs Landscape
Restoration Partnership in fiscal year 2017.
With 26 partnership projects already underway throughout the country, Federal, state and
local partners will bring an additional $30 million through financial and in-kind contributions
over three years to implement the newly added projects.
With this funding, Joint Chiefs projects will extend to 29 states.
For a full list of project descriptions and information on new and completed projects, visit
the NRCS Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership website.
For more information on other farm, forest and landowner conservation assistance, visit
the NRCS Pennsylvania webpage.
NewsClips:
Western PA Conservancy Protects 171 Acres Along French Creek In Crawford County
The Western PA Conservancy Thursday announced
a forested property located in Hayfield and Vernon
townships, Crawford County was permanently
protected and became available for recreational use.
This 171-acre property, which protects ecologically important land in the French Creek
watershed, contains more than 5,600 feet of frontage along the Cussewago Creek. Cussewago
Creek is a major tributary to French Creek, which is within the headwaters of the Allegheny
River.
The property is among the remaining larger undeveloped properties in the French Creek
Watershed, an important PA Natural Heritage Area known for its aquatic biodiversity and a
longtime priority conservation area for the Conservancy.
Located within Pennsylvania Audubon Societys Cussewago Bottom Important Bird
Area, the property includes an intact forest, wetlands and marshes, which are all important for
further protection of the regions migrating bird populations and species associated with mature
and early-successional forest types.
This is an important property to protect within the French Creek watershed, and a great
addition to a Conservancy-owned natural area, said Thomas Saunders, president and CEO of
the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. We will continue working with our partners in the
region to protect land along French Creek and its tributaries. Were excited about expanding this
natural area that the Conservancy owns and makes available for hiking, birdwatching and
exploring its woods and wetlands.
This land has been added to the Conservancys Helen B. Katz Natural Area, which is
open to the public for hunting, fishing, hiking, birding and other wildlife watching. The natural
area now totals 552 acres.
This property was acquired with funds from the estate of Helen B. Katz, whose 2008
legacy gift has allowed the Conservancy to permanently protect more than 20 properties in the
region totaling more than 4,700 acres.
The Conservancy has protected approximately 4,800 acres of land within the
1,250-square-mile French Creek watershed since 1969, and a total of more than a quarter million
acres across the region since its establishment in 1932.
More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western
PA Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like
them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, add them to your Circle on Google+, join them on
Instagram, visit the Conservancys YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.
NewsClip:
Foundation For Sustainable Forests Protects 128-Acre Woodland In Mercer County
A 128-acre woodland in Otter Creek Township,
Mercer County, has been permanently protected by
the Foundation for Sustainable Forests through a
charitable bargain sale.
Bargain-sale donors Jean Engle, Glorianne
Leck, Ken Jorgensen, and Pat Tuchscherer were
members of the Moxie Cooperative Community, a
group founded in 1970 in central Pennsylvania based
on shared values of organics, environmental
sustainability and human rights.

The Moxie Cooperative, having moved to Youngstown, Ohio, purchased the property in
1981 as a woodland retreat under the agreement that it would ultimately be gifted to a nonprofit
conservation organization that could carry on their legacy of land stewardship and wildlife
habitat preservation.
The charitable bargain sale, in which the land is sold at well below fair market value, was
made possible by a private donation of the initial payment.
Under the stewardship of the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, the land will remain an
important part of the local community, staying on the tax rolls and providing jobs through active,
sustainable forest management.
In keeping with the Moxie Cooperatives principles, the land will not be leased for gas
and oil production. This acquisition, the FSFs first in Mercer County, furthers its mission to
conserve working lands and promote healthy forests.
Engle, also the co-founder of a native tree-planting nonprofit in Youngstown called Treez
Please, has found peace of mind in the donation, stating I am confident that I am leaving Moxie
Woods in great hands towards making these forests full of life and a strong future, but also
profitable enough to keep these lands from being developed.
Guy Dunkle, FSF Land Manager, applauds Engles vision.
It has been a great privilege to get to know these woods and Jean Engle, says Dunkle.
With a history of hard use as a subsistence farm prior to 1981, this land has thrived under her
care. The protection of this property gives the Foundation a chance to share its message of
sustainable forestry in a new region, and an opportunity to perpetuate the legacy of land
stewardship that was begun by Jean and her colleagues.
This land will also be the site of events for the community.
Annual Conference
On May 20, the FSF will hold its annual Loving the Land Through Working Forests
conference at Moxie Woods. This event features speaking programs, woods walks,
horse-logging demonstrations and a picnic lunch.
For more information on the programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the
Foundation for Sustainable Forests website. Click Here to read a copy of the Foundations most
recent newsletter.
NewsClips:
PA Forest Heritage Assn. Quarterly Newsletter Now Available
The PA Forest Heritage Associations Winter edition of the
Burning Issues newsletter is now available featuring articles on--- 2016 Wildfires To Dec.: 1,2067 Acres Burned, $3.5 Million In
Damage, 1 Fatality
-- Josepha A. Dague Receivers Award For Volunteer Efforts With PFHA
-- Profile of Fire Warden Charlie Myers From Shippensburg
-- PHMC Dedicates Historical Marker To Pepper Hill Forest Fire
Questions about the newsletter should be directed to Michael J. Klimkos, Editor, by
sending email to: klimkos@embarqmail.com.
Visit the Discover Center at Caledonia State Park in Franklin County to learn more about
Pennsylvanias forest fire fighting heritage.
The PA Forest Heritage Association is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the
heritage of forest conservation and forest fire protection in Pennsylvania. Click Here to contact
the PFHA for more information on the programs, initiatives and upcoming events.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Wildfires Burned 12,067 Acres, Causing $3.5M In Damage, 1 Fatality, 12 Injuries In 2016
Wildlands Conservancy Highlights Education Programs In January
The Wildlands Conservancy in the Lehigh Valley
Wednesday highlighted its schedule of educational
programs coming up in January, including--- December 30-31: PEEPSfest 2016
-- January 1: First Day Hikes In Lehigh Valley
-- January 8: Project Feeder Watch
-- January 12: Tracking & Live Animals
-- January 16: Schools Out Day Camp
-- January 19: You & Me: Last Teddy In The Woods
-- January 21: Stone Soup Stroll
-- Look For The Summer Camps Schedule
-- Click Here to review the entire schedule
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Wildlands
Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like on
Facebook, Follow on Twitter and Join on Instagram.

New Members Join PA Parks & Forests Foundation Board
The PA Parks and Forests Foundation Wednesday
announced the appointment of Nancy Ball (retired,
Lafayette College), Jae Ellison (Director of Outdoor
Leadership & Education, Lycoming College), and
Senator Guy Reschenthaler (State Senate), to its Board
of Directors, effective January 1, 2017.
PPFFs new board members come from varying
geographical locations across Pennsylvania. They
bring extensive personal and professional experience in
fundraising, academia, volunteerism, and a love of the
outdoors.
In 2017 we plan to launch a Back to Basics program to help people develop outdoor
recreation skills to increase their confidence and time spent in the outdoors, said Marci
Mowery, President of the Foundation. The experience that Nancy, Jae, and Guy bring to the
board of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation will be helpful in advancing this
program, as well as, our mission of stewardship of our state parks and forests.
In 2017, the new officers of PPFFs Board of Directors will be Chair, Maria Montero;
Vice Chair, Mary Soderberg; Treasurer, Jim Grace; Secretary, Brian Clark; Development,
George Asimos. Current board members include: George Fernandez, Gus Frederick, Maxine
Harrison, Rep. Mark Longietti, Tina Molsky, and Barb Sexton. Advisory board members consist
of: Linda McKenna Boxx, William Forrey, Jon C. Oliver III, Gary Smith, Mary Weber, and Rob
Wonderling.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Parks &
Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation,
Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter.
(Photo: Waterfall at Ricketts Glen State Park in Columbia, Luzerne and Sullivan Counties.)
NewsClips:
Hawk Mountain Fall Hawk Watch Tally 6% Below 10-Year Average, Eagles Set Record
In autumn 2016, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County
tallied 17,548 hawks in 1,106 hours of effort. The overall total was
6 percent below the 10-year average, but a 2010 record for bald
eagle sightings was broken.
A new record was set for the Bald Eagle, 489, well above the prior
record of 406 set in 2010. The best day for Bald Eagles occurred
late in the season, on December 3rd when 22 Bald Eagles flew past
representing half the migrants observed that day.
Nine of the 16 regularly recorded species showed below-average
counts in 2016, including the American Kestrel, which was 50
percent below the 10-year average and Osprey 343, 33 percent
below average.
Favorable winds in September boosted counts of Broad-winged
Hawks in 2016, with 9,361 counted, 22 percent above the 10-year average of 7,683.
The largest one-day count in 2016 coincided with the peak Broad-winged Hawk flight,
with 3,066 hawks for the day, including 3,018 broadwings.
On December 1, the 407th bald eagle soared over North Lookout, breaking the record
previously set in 2010. At the end of the fall migration count on December 15, the count stood at
489.
The bald eagle has increased steadily since the ban of DDT in 1972, leading to it being
down-listed from Endangered to Threatened, and then finally removed from the Endangered
Species List entirely in 2007.
A record 406 migrating bald eagles were counted during the duration of the 2010 Autumn
Migration season, and Hawk Mountain has seen improved numbers in recent years as nesting
populations continue to increase throughout Pennsylvania, New England, and eastern Canada.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary or call 610-756-6961. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr, be part of their
Google+ Circle and visit their YouTube Channel.
NewsClips:
Schneck: Reindeer Once Roamed Wild And Free In PA
Asian Carp Invasion Making Way To Allegheny, Mon Rivers
Raising, Training Birds Of Prey Is A Way Of Life
Game Commission: Plant Toxins Killed Family Of Bears
Allegheny Front: Penn State Has Best Squirrels In The World
Too Late To Book A Room In Punxsutawney For Groundhog Day
Amidea Daniel Focuses On Youth, Womens Programs At Fish & Boat Commission
A love of the outdoors was instilled
at an early age for Amidea Daniel, who grew up fishing, hunting, camping and exploring the
natural world around her.
Ultimately, this passion led her to earn a degree in Outdoor Resource Management from
Lock Haven University and then guided her to the Fish and Boat Commission, where shes
applied her skills since 2008 as an outreach and education specialist and Trout in the Classroom
coordinator.
Her success in these roles, and the PFBCs desire to focus more precisely on tailoring
fishing programs toward youth and women, were the motivation behind the agency creating a
new Youth and Womens Program Coordinator position and tapping Daniel for the job.
The 37-year-old Mill Hall resident, who uses fly fishing as the catalyst to explore nature
with her husband and two children, moved into her new role earlier this month.
She says shes excited about the opportunity and is already working on a few pilot
initiatives for 2017, details of which will be released in the coming months.
I enjoy connecting people to nature, whether its through educational programs like
Trout in the Classroom, or through recreational programs like fishing, she said. Its fun to see
the excitement of kids when they release trout theyve raised into local streams or the thrill when
female anglers throw that first solid cast from their fly rod. We want to expand those
opportunities through these tailored programs.
PFBC Executive Director John Arway said Daniel is a great fit for the new position and
is uniquely qualified to lead the initiative.
As a PFBC instructor for family fishing programs and a private fly fishing guide, she
knows firsthand what kids and customers want to gain from their experience, he said. She also
launched the agencys first women-only fly fishing program in 2012 with tremendous results.
That has always been a popular but small program. Were looking forward to her using that as a
template to provide more women-only fishing opportunities.
Keeping in line with the PFBCs increased use of social media to reach and engage
customers, Daniel recently launched a Facebook page FISH PA Youth and Womens
Programs to promote youth and women programs offered by the agency and its partners.
The page will continue to change over the next year as Facebook users Like and
Share content and interact by sharing their own fishing tactics, stories and photos.
In addition, a separate Instagram page will be initiated in the upcoming months.
In her new role, Daniel will also be responsible for cultivating and managing the ideas
that have emerged from the Female R3 workgroup that the PFBC formed in early 2016 and
acting as a mentor to the Governors Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation.
She will also continue to coordinate the Trout in the Classroom Program.
NewsClips:
PA Outdoor Writers Assn. Fall Newsletter Now Available
The Fall edition of the PowWow newsletter from the PA
Outdoor Writers Association is now available featuring
stories on--- Recap Of PA Outdoor Writers 2016 Award Winners, 2017 Nominations Due Feb. 18
-- Place Matters: Put Your Readers There
-- Spring Conference May 19-21 In Grantville, Near Harrisburg
-- Schuylkill Sportsmen Honor Kermit Henning
-- In Memoriam: Dale Miller
Questions about the newsletter should be directed to Brad Isles, Editor, by calling
724-967-2832 or send email to: powwow@paoutdoorwriters.com.
For more information on programs, initiatives, membership, supporting memberships,
visit the PA Outdoor Writers Association website.
PUC Appoints Kelly Monaghan Director of Bureau Of Audits
The Public Utility Commission Thursday announced the appointment
of Kelly Monaghan of Lancaster County as the Director of the Bureau
of Audits. Monaghans appointment is effective January 1, 2017.
We are happy to welcome Ms. Monaghan to the Commission, said
PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. Her knowledge and experience in
audit issues and management operations will suit us well in her new
position.
Since 2005, Monaghan has held various audit roles within the state,
having worked in the former Department of Public Welfare, the
Department of State, the Executive Offices within the Office of the
Budget and most recently at the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance.
Monaghan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and
a Masters of Business Administration in accounting. Monaghan currently lives in
Elizabethtown.
The Bureau of Audits performs financial, management, operational and specialized audits
on electric, natural gas, steam heat, wastewater, water and telecommunications utilities.
It also reviews certain adjustment clause rate filings and 1307(e) reconciliation
statements.
The Bureau also conducts a limited number of reviews of the annual assessment reports
for transportation companies. The audits may result in recommendations to refund
over-recovered costs and/or to improve accounting or operational procedures that, if adopted,
may save the utilities, and therefore, consumers, money.
The Bureau also is responsible for adjusting the annual reconciliation statements for
certain companies authorized to use the distribution system improvement charge.
DEP Opportunity To Bid On Mine Reclamation Project In Allegheny County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of an opportunity to bid on a mine
reclamation project in Allegheny County in the December 24 PA Bulletin.
The Department of Environmental Protection has available a current list of
Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage, Surface Mine Reclamation, Cleaning Out
and Plugging Oil and Gas Wells, Waterways Engineering (Concrete Dams/Concrete Lined
Channels, Walls and Box Culverts, etc.), Hazardous Site Remediation, Removal and Disposal of
Underground Storage Tanks, and Wetland Restoration projects available for bidding. Click Here
for the list.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a current list of bid
proposals for construction projects in State Parks and State Forests available online. Click Here
for the list.
UPDATED: Help Wanted: DEP Citizens Advisory Council Executive Director
DEPs Citizens Advisory Council is seeking qualified
candidates to fill the position of Executive Director. The
deadline for applications is January 20.
This position coordinates functions on behalf of the Citizens
Advisory Council including conducting research and
investigations related to environmental protection,
conservation and resource management issues, as well as
issuing recommendations involving policies, procedures, plans, and goals for protecting the
environment and natural resources of the Commonwealth.
The CAC is an 18-member group charged by law with a advising DEP on all its
programs and activities. Members of the Council are appointed by the Governor, Senate and
House leaders.
As a result of Act 7 signed into law in February, the Council has independent authority to
hire its own Executive Director.
The CAC has been without a permanent Executive Director since October 2015.
Click Here for a full position description and details on how to apply.
Help Wanted: Wildlands Conservancy Aquatic Ecologist
The Wildlands Conservancy in the Lehigh Valley is
seeking qualified applicants for a full-time Aquatic
Ecologist to be responsible for implementing water
quality monitoring programs in the Lehigh River
watershed and assisting with a variety of habitat
restoration projects.
The successful candidate will provide support for habitat restoration projects, assist in
developing and managing grants, coordinate and manage community volunteer groups activities
assisting with stream monitoring and restoration, conduct environmental education and outreach
activities for the public, implement water quality monitoring program, assist with water quality
data analysis and provide technical assistance to landowners related to ecological restoration and
environmental stewardship.
Click Here for all the details. The deadline for applications is December 31.

Help Wanted: Manada Conservancy Stewardship, Development, Office Manager Positions
The Dauphin County-based Manada Conservancy is seeking qualified candidates to fill three
positions: Stewardship Director, Development Director and Office Manager. The deadline for
applications is January 31.
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published its 2017 schedule of advisory committee and board meeting in the
December 17 PA Bulletin, page 7896.
January 3-- Opening Day Of 2017-18 Legislative Session.
January 5-- Agenda Posted. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board
meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner,
dhissner@pa.gov or 717-772-2189.
-- Discussion of Proposed Drinking Water Fee Increases
-- Click Here for a summary of the fee proposal
January 5-6-- NEW. Agenda Posted. Chesapeake Bay Commission meeting. Loews Annapolis
Hotel, 126 West St., Annapolis, MD. Click Here for more information.
January 7-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Eagle Day. Wallenpaupack Environmental
Learning Center, Hawley, Wayne County.
January 7-14-- NEW. Pennsylvania Farm Show. Harrisburg. Click Here for more information.
January 9-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop. East Marlborough Township
Building, 721 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, Chester County. 9:30 a.m. to Noon.
January 10-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, 717-783-9264 or send email to:
mbrojakows@pa.gov.
January 11-- DEP Technical Advisory Committee On Diesel-Powered Equipment (Deep Mine
Safety) meeting. DEP New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP
Contact: Peggy Scheloske, mscheloske@pa.gov or 724-404-3143.
January 11-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grant Writing Webinar. 10:00.
January 11-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop. DEP Southcentral Regional
Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:30 a.m. to Noon.
January 12-- DEP Coal & Clay Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund Board meeting. 12th Floor
Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Lawrence Ruane,
lruane@pa.gov or 717-783-9590.
January 17-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building,
Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Katie Hetherington Cunfer, khethering@pa.gov or
717-705-2693.
January 17-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding Workshop. Bedford County Courthouse,
Room 101, 200 South Julianna St., Bedford. 9:30 a.m. to Noon.
January 17-- DEP Public Hearing On Proposed Expansion Of Chrin Landfill In Northampton
County. Wilson Area High School, 424 Warrior Lane, Easton. 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (formal notice,
PA Bulletin page 7890). Click Here for more information.
January 18-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30. DEP Contact: Stacey Box, sbox@pa.gov or
717-772-5622.
January 19-- DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. 14th Floor Conference
Room, Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden,
dsnowden@pa.gov or 717-787-5103.
January 19- Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Training Program In Berks
County. Berks County Ag Center, 1238 County Welfare Road in Leesport. 6:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m.
January 19-- Penn State Extension Webinar: Shale Energy Fluids Management Trends. 1:00 to
2:00 p.m.
January 24-- NEW. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board Regulatory, Legislative and Technical
Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP
Contact: Daniel Snowden 717-783-8846 or send email to: dsnowden@pa.gov. (formal notice)
January 24-- NEW. 10,000 Friends Of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards Program.
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in
Philadelphia. 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
January 25-- DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee (Air Quality) meeting.
12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Nancy
Herb, nherb@pa.gov or 717-783-9269.
January 26-27-- PA Ground Water Association Annual Conference. Harrisburg/Hershey
Holiday Inn Grantville, Dauphin County.
January 31-- NEW. Partnership For Delaware Estuary Healthy Communities WorkshopConservation Plan Update. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd.,
Philadelphia. 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
February 1-- DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909
Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or
717-787-5103.
February 1-- NEW. Partnership For Delaware Estuary Healthy Habitats WorkshopConservation Plan Update. Montgomery County Community College, 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue
Bell. 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
February 1-4-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture Farming For The Future
Conference. State College.
February 8-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building, Harrisburg. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson, diawilson@pa.gov or 717-787-3730.
February 8-- DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators
meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Cheri
Sansoni, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, Operator Certification, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg,
PA 17101, 717-772-5158, csansoni@pa.gov.
February 11-- 3rd Annual GreenAllies Conference. Messiah College, Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland County.
February 16-- DEP Oil And Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kurt Klapkowski, 717-783-9438 or send email to:
kklapkowsk@pa.gov.
February 16-- PennTAP Webinar: Pollution Prevention: Lean Manufacturing With A Focus On
Food Manufacturing. Noon to 1:00.
February 23-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office,
909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Jay Braund, jbraund@pa.gov or
717-772-5636
February 23-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, kdalal@pa.gov or 717-772-3436.
March 7-- DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park
Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Allison Gaida, agaida@pa.gov or 724-404-3147.
March 7-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimback, 717-772-5599 or send email to:
dheimbach@pa.gov.
March 14-- PennTAP-DEP Facility Operations Workshop On Energy Efficiency. Penn Stater
Hotel & Conference Center, State College.
March 15-16-- Registration Open. PA Environmental Council: Achieving Deep Carbon
Reductions: Paths For Pennsylvanias Electricity Future Conference. David L. Lawrence
Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
March 23-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee (On-lot Systems) meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:30. DEP Contact: Brian Schlauderaff, bschlauder@pa.gov or
717-772-5620.
March 23-24-- Westmoreland County Conservation District 2017 Engineers Workshop. Fred
Rogers Center, a LEED Gold Certified building at St. Vincent College, Latrobe.
March 26-29-- Registration Open. PA Recreation & Park Society 2017 Annual Conference.
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.
April 5-7-- PA Assn. of Environmental Professionals 32nd Annual Conference. State College.
April 25-27-- NEW. PA Section American Water Works Association Annual Conference. The
Hershey Lodge, Hershey.
May 3-- Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn Conference Center, State College.
May 19-21-- NEW. PA Outdoor Writers Association Spring Conference. Harrisburg/Hershey
Holiday Inn Grantville, Dauphin County. Click Here for more information.
May 20-- NEW. Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests
Annual Conference. Mercer County.
June 7-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Stacey Box, 717-772-5622 or send email to:
sbox@pa.gov.
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEPs eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
July 2016 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, page 3713
DEP Technical Guidance In Process
Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2016) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review
Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Facebook Page
DEP Twitter Feed
DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DEP Calendar of Events
DCNR Calendar of Events
Note: The Environmental Education Workshop Calendar is no longer available from the PA
Center for Environmental Education because funding for the Center was eliminated in the FY
2011-12 state budget. The PCEE website was also shutdown, but some content was moved to
the PA Association of Environmental Educators' website.
Senate Committee Schedule
House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

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.
December 30-- Western PA Conservancy Watershed Mini Grants
December 30-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants
December 31-- REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credit (or until money runs out)
December 31-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (or until 250 rebates paid)
December 31-- Dept. Of Agriculture Succession/Transition Grants (until money runs out)
December 31-- PA Environmental Education Awards
December 31-- EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards
January 3-- Governors Awards For Environmental Excellence
January 5-- Philadelphia Proposals For Making Renewable Energy More Feasible
January 13-- DEP Growing Greener Plus Grants
January 13-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals College Scholarships
January 15-- AWWA Water System Exemplary Source Water Protection Award
January 15-- NEW. Headwaters Charitable Trust Volunteer Service Awards: PA Wilds
January 16-- PPFF Anti-Graffiti Video Contest For High School, College Students
January 16-- PPFF Anti--Graffiti Poster Contest For Middle School Students
January 17-- SBA Flood Disaster Physical Property Assistance In Northcentral PA
January 20-- NEW. River Network National River Hero Award
January 23-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
January 23-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants Open
January 27-- NEW. DCNR/PA Recreation & Park Society Green Parks Award
January 31-- NEW. NRCS-PA RCPP Wetlands Protection Grants-Delaware River Basin
January 31-- NFWF Urban Waters Restoration Grants
January 31-- PEMA Student Weather Safety Video PSA Contest
January 31-- SBA Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Physical Damage NC PA
February 1-- CFA Natural Gas Pipeline Investment Program (open application period)
February 1-- NEW. National Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grants
February 3-- EPA P3 Student Sustainability Design Grants
February 3-- NRCS Farm Conservation Stewardship Program Grants
February 5-- Ben Franklin Shale Gas Tech Innovation Contest
February 8-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding
February 10-- PA Resources Council Western PA Zero Waste Awards
March 7-- DCNR Beings Accepting Rural Firefighting Grants
March 7-- PEMA Student Weather Safety Poster Contest
March 17-- SunShot Prize: Solar In Your Community Challenge
March 24-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
April 12-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants Close
April 19-- SBA Economic Damage Disaster Loans In 5 Southwest Counties
May 3-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding
May 12-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans

May 19-- DCNR Rural Firefighting Grants
August 18-- SBA Flood Disaster Economic Injury Assistance In Northcentral PA
September 5-- SBA Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Economic Injury NC PA
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.

Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add us to your Google+ Circle.
Federal Policy
Bradford Oil Officials Take Wait-And-See Approach To Trump Nominees
GreenBiz: Trump Ushers In Next Phase Of Sustainable Business
Trumps Coal Promises Wont Deter Green Energy
Op-Ed: Rick Perry Now Praises Trump To Get A Job
Op-Ed: Trump Should Focus On Strengthening Our Energy Security From Day 1

Obama Bans Drilling In Parts Of The Atlantic, Arctic
U.S. Green Movement Needs A New Message
Fudging The Facts About Fracking
Air
I Love Pittsburgh, But This Air Is Killing Us
Volkswagen Expected To Pay Another $1 Billion In Emissions Scandal
PA To Get $110M From VW Settlement To Reduce Air Pollution
Budget
Chesapeake Bay
Climate

Coal Mining
Delaware River
Drinking Water/Lead
Audit Criticizes Allegheny County Health Dept. On High Lead Levels In Pittsburgh Water
Column: Run The Tap, Get The Lead Out Of Pittsburgh Water
Philadelphias Lead Task Force Vows More Follow-Up Enforcement
Philly Aims To Prevent Lead Poisoning Before Kids Are Harmed
Sen. Hughes Finds Money To Help Fight Phillys Lead Paint Scourge
Allegheny County Could Soon Require Lead Testing For All Children
Economic Development
Shale Gas Drilling Permits Increase In OH, PA
PA Oil & Gas Jobs Down 32% Since Last Year
Education
Emergency Response
Report: NJ Better Prepared For Disease, Disaster, Bioterrorism Than PA
Is Pennsylvania Prepared For A Disaster?
Energy
Talen Energy HQ To Stay In Allentown

Op-Ed: Trump Should Focus On Strengthening Our Energy Security From Day 1
Op-Ed: Rick Perry Now Praises Trump To Get A Job
Energy Conservation
Environmental Justice
DEP To Launch Initiative On Environmental Justice, Oil & Gas Drilling
Farming
Flooding
Greene County Cleaning Up After Sunday Flooding
Waynesburg U Football Field Damaged By Flooding
AP: Evacuations, Rescues Reported In Southwest PA Flooding
Snowmelt, Rain Lead To Flooding In Westmoreland County
Money Coming For Temporary Fix To Solomon Creek Flood Wall
Forests
Green Buildings
Green Infrastructure
Hazardous Sites Cleanup
Land Recycling
Lake Erie
Photo: Thick Coating Of Ice Covers Trees In Erie
Land Conservation
Litter/Illegal Dumping

Noncoal Mining
Ohio River
Oil & Gas
DEP Preparing Permits For Drilling Waste Disposal Wells In Elk, Indiana Counties
DEP To Launch Initiative On Environmental Justice, Oil & Gas Drilling
Transferred Water Quality Permit Could Allow Shell To Avoid TDS Pollution Limits
Bradford Oil Officials Take Wait-And-See Approach To Trump Nominees
Oil & Gas Development Could Pose Risk To Struggling PA Bats
Union Twp Looking To Update Zoning Ordinances For Drilling
Shale Gas Drilling Permits Increase In OH, PA
PA Oil & Gas Jobs Down 32% Since Last Year
Marcellus Shale Coalition: Top 10 Highlights Of 2016
After Tumultuous Year, Oil & Gas Law Will Be Active, But Uncertain
Oklahoma Announces New Guidelines To Reduce Earthquakes From Drilling
Op-Ed: Expand Liquefied Natural Gas Exports
Fudging The Facts About Fracking
Gasoline Prices Continues Unusual Winter Rise In Pittsburgh
Rising Gasoline Prices Among Biggest Concerns For Drivers
Obama Bans Drilling In Parts Of The Atlantic, Arctic
Pipeline
Court Grants New Hearing To Landowners Battling Pipeline Eminent Domain
Op-Ed: Dakota Pipeline And Nations Clean Energy Future
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
Renewable Energy
What SolarCitys Expansion In PA Means For States Reputation
Susquehanna River
Sustainability
GreenBiz: Trump Ushers In Next Phase Of Sustainable Business
Wastewater Facilities
Lake City Treatment Plant Gets $1.2 Million In Upgrades
Watershed Protection

Wildlife
Schneck: Reindeer Once Roamed Wild And Free In PA
Raising, Training Birds Of Prey Is A Way Of Life
Game Commission: Plant Toxins Killed Family Of Bears
Allegheny Front: Penn State Has Best Squirrels In The World
Too Late To Book A Room In Punxsutawney For Groundhog Day
Other
Court: Philly Cant Enforce Anti-Blight Law Because Its Not About Safety
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - December 24, 2016
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
July 2016 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, page 3713
Technical Guidance & Permits

Note: DEP published 61 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and
approval/disapproval actions in the December 24 PA Bulletin - pages 8044 to 8105.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a
proposed land exchange in Porter Township, Pike County, involving 8 acres of land going to
DCNR and 4 acres of land going to the township so the township can own the land on which a
municipal building is located (December 24 PA Bulletin).
The Governors Office formally published Executive Order 2016-8 rescinding obsolete
Executive Orders in the December 24 PA Bulletin.
DEP Technical Guidance In Process
Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2016) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review
Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page
DEP Twitter Feed
DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DEP Calendar of Events
DCNR Calendar of Events

CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest
CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest.
Stories Invited
Send your stories, photos and links to 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 of Crisci Associates, a
Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500
companies and nonprofit organizations.
Did you know you can search 10 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens
of topics, by county and on any keyword you choose? Just click on the search page.
PA Environment Digest weekly was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental
Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.
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Pa Environment Digest Dec. 26, 2016

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Over 1,160 Stories On Thousands Of PA Environmental Stewards, 160 In 2016

West Penn Power Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Schuylkill Action Network Announces Winners Of Schuylkill Street Art Contest

The FY 2016-17 state budget was $31.5 billion by comparison.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Govs Schedule

News From The Capitol

systems in sewage planning. Click Here for more background.

News From Around The State

The study, Beyond Food: The Environmental Benefits of Agriculture In Lancaster

NRCS-PA: Remote Sensing Multiplies Evidence Of On-Farm Conservation Practices

Like Chesapeake Bay Journal On Facebook

Crable: PA Farmers Not Getting Credit For Aiding Chesapeake Bay

(Photo: Volunteers plant trees in the City of Lancaster.)

Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter

OSM Adopts Last-Minute Rule To Make Coal Industry Cleaner

AP: Trumps Commitment To Infrastructure Vow Being Questioned

sending email to: vyu@rivernetwork.org.

Education For Adults

Scranton Man Sue City Over $300 Trash Fee

together to keep Philadelphia beautiful.

-- DEP Hearing On Proposed Chrin Landfill Expansion Jan. 17 In Northampton County

percent lower than last winter.

Laurel Mountain Ski Resort Reopens After Years Of False Starts

satellite offices in Elmira, N.Y., and Scranton and Coudersport.

Conservation Partnership Grants is January 23.

Op-Ed: Keep Pittsburghs Rivers Open For Business & Recreation

updates from PEC.

or Follow them on Twitter.

Service-Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science.

sustainability and human rights.

[Posted Dec. 22, 2016]

[Posted Dec. 20, 2016]

Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

DEP Twitter Feed

DEP YouTube Channel

Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DCNR Calendar of Events

House Committee Schedule

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

May 12-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

AP: Trumps Commitment To Infrastructure Vow Being Questioned

Op-Ed: Facts, Lies And Climate Change

Bloomberg BNA: Energy, Environmental Wish List Compiled For Trump

Philadelphia Aiming To Achieve Zero Waste Goal By 2035

Pittsburghs Industrial Past Fuels Tech-Focused Future

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

Technical Guidance & Permits

DEP Twitter Feed

DEP YouTube Channel

Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DCNR Calendar of Events

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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