Pa Environment Digest May 1, 2017

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 Twitter Feed
Issue #670 Harrisburg, PA May 1, 2017
Winners Of 2017 Governors Environmental Excellence Awards Honored At Dinner
Department of Environmental Protection and the PA

Environmental Council Tuesday honored the 21
organizations across the Commonwealth receiving the
prestigious 2017 Governors Award for Environmental
Excellence for 16 projects at a special dinner in
Harrisburg.
The Environmental Excellence Awards show
just how many Pennsylvanians, from fourth-grade
students to factory owners, care deeply about the air,
land, and water in their communities, said Gov. Wolf. We all benefit, as their commitment to
tackling important environmental challenges improves our quality of life statewide.
The award-winning projects remediate acid mine drainage, take fresh approaches to
environmental education, reduce emissions and greenhouse gases, conserve energy, implement
green municipal infrastructure, prevent pollution, reduce waste, conserve water, and restore the
health of rivers and streams in locations across Pennsylvania.
Any individual, business, school, government agency, or community organization in
Pennsylvania was eligible to apply for the award. DEP chose the winners from more than 50
applications, a 25 percent increase over 2015-2016.
Although past winners may submit applications for different projects each year, more
than half of this years awardees are first-time recipients.
Every year were impressed anew by the ingenuity and commitment Pennsylvanians
bring to environmental stewardship, said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. Its
exciting to see the interest is growing.
The winners of the 2017 Governors Award for Environmental Excellence are:
-- Building STEM Skills through Aquaponics, by Riverbend Environmental Education Center
and Norristown Area School District (Montgomery County) Almost 500 seventh graders
learned about ecosystems, farming, and sustainability and gained science, technology,
engineering, and math skills as they grew strawberry plants and fish together in aquaponics
systems installed in three middle schools.
-- City of Pittsburgh 100 Percent Biodiesel Project, by Optimus Technologies (Allegheny
County)-- Twenty-five of the citys fleet of 1,038 vehicles were equipped with technology to
optimize their performance on biodiesel fuel. Operational challenges typically associated with
biodiesel, such as fuel gelling and filter clogging, were eliminated, resulting in smooth operation
and a 6.44 percent reduction fleetwide in greenhouse gas emissions.
-- Fall Brook Acid Mine Drainage Remediation, by Tioga County Concerned Citizens
Committee Mine drainage had brought Fall Brook, a tributary to the Tioga River, to the level
of battery acid. A system of gravity-flow underground pipes now routes the water to limestone
beds that absorb pollutants and increase pH level to help restore water quality and aquatic life in
both the brook and 3 miles of the Tioga.
-- Helping Our Earth Field Project, by Nittany Valley Charter School (Centre County)
Students applied in-class and in-field instruction to develop and implement their own
stewardship plan that promotes carbon sequestration through native landscaping and wildlife
habitat at a nearby rural location.
-- Making a Difference in the Community and Lake Erie Environment by Recycling
Plastic Bags, by Iroquois School District (Erie County) Wanting to improve local waters
and wildlife habitat, students in grades 4-6 reduced their communitys use of plastic grocery bags
and increased plastic bag recycling. After conducting research, they concluded the lack of
curbside pickup makes it difficult for people to recycle plastic bags. They created receptacles at
school and started a recycling competition. In two months, the school recycled more than 68,000
plastic bags.
-- Merck Cherokee Water Conservation, by Merck Cherokee Pharmaceuticals
(Northumberland County) Cherokee right-sized its wastewater treatment plant equipment and
processes to reduce water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Water use decreased from more
than 5 million gallons/day (MGD) to less than 2 MGD. Energy efficiency improvements reduced
electricity use by 6.5 million kWh per year, equivalent to more than 4,500 tons of greenhouse
gas emissions.
-- Modeling Biomass Excellence, by West Branch Area School District (Clearfield County)
The school district shifted its central boiler plant to locally grown, sustainably harvested
woody biomass to reduce oil consumption by 75 percent, or about 57,000 gallons annually.
Carbon dioxide emission will be reduced by about 949,057 pounds/year.
-- Mulberry Street Two-Way Conversion, by City of Lancaster (Lancaster County) Green
infrastructure, including permeable pavers and vegetated curbs, was installed in a Complete
Streets approach to reduce stormwater runoff and associated pollutants, improve traffic
circulation and pedestrian safety, and increase economic visibility for businesses on Mulberry
Street.
-- Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit and Best Practices, by Urban Redevelopment
Authority of Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) In five municipally operated garages in the city,
metal halide light fixtures were retrofitted with LED fixtures with occupancy and daylight
sensors. Kilowatt hours of usage dropped an average of 57 percent, for a savings of $123,000 in
the first 9 months.
-- Quittapahilla Creek Garbage Museum Improvements, by Quittapahilla Creek Garbage
Museum (Lebanon County) Quittie Creek is often saturated with plastic trash. The museum
raises citizens awareness of this dark underbelly of our throw-away culture. Expanded
programs, clean-up events, and other improvements led to more on-site visits by school groups,
scout troops, other organizations, families, and individuals, helping people to see their world and
themselves differently.
-- Saving Energy to Save Wildlife, by Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia County) Educators
created an innovative program to encourage zoo visitors to make energy conservation behavior
changes after participating in an exhibit on how ocean acidification is negatively affecting coral
reefs.
-- South Campus Energy Project, by Community College of Allegheny County The
physical plant was revamped with new boilers, electric chillers, lighting, ventilators, and
plumbing to reduce natural gas usage and lower water treatment and maintenance costs. Summer
natural gas use decreased from more than 2,000 MCF (thousand cubic feet) to 2 MCF per month.
-- Tanoma Passive Abandoned Mine Discharge Remediation Trompe, by Evergreen
Conservancy (Indiana County) Improvements to this existing passive treatment system
increased the amount of iron oxide removed from Crooked Creek to rejuvenate its water quality
and keep its designation as a Cold Water Fishery. Educational programs inform citizens on how
the system works and the importance of acid mine drainage remediation.
-- Tire War, by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful, Keep
Juniata County Beautiful, PA CleanWays of Mifflin County, and Keep Perry County Beautiful
In an annual contest to win the Gold Rim Award, these organizations pick up old tires from
local residents to keep them off the landscape and get them properly recycled. But everyones a
winner, as thousands of tires are collected and ultimately turned into useful products, such as
athletic turf and road surfaces. (photo)
-- Water Education Day, by Columbia County Conservation District At Briar Creek Lake
Park, eighth graders learned that good water = good life by participating in activities that
helped them identify their water sources; understand how their water is treated; learn what
macroinvertebrates tell us about water quality; and draw connections between pollution, water
quality, and soil health.
-- WikiWatershed Website, by Stroud Water Research Center, Avondale (Chester County)
GIS maps, real-time data, mobile apps, and other tools equip teachers, students, local
governments, and community organizations to monitor their local stream and watershed health,
determine specific location stormwater runoff, and learn how to predict and change human
impact on freshwater ecosystems in Pennsylvania.
For more information and past winners, visit DEPs Environmental Excellence Awards
webpage. For more information on environmental programs generally, visit DEPs website,
Click Here to sign up for DEP News, visit DEPs Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on
Twitter and visit DEPs YouTube Channel.
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.
[Posted: April 27, 2017]
KPB Affiliates In Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry Counties Receive Governors

Environmental Excellence Award
The Tire War, hosted annually by Keep

Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliates Keep Huntingdon
County Beautiful, Keep Juniata County Beautiful, PA CleanWays of Mifflin County and Keep
Perry County Beautiful, received a Governors Award for Environmental Excellence in
Harrisburg at a special dinner hosted by the Department of Environmental Protection and the PA
Environmental Council Tuesday.
The Environmental Excellence Awards show just how many Pennsylvanians, from
fourth-grade students to factory owners, care deeply about the air, land, and water in their
communities, said Gov. Wolf. We all benefit, as their commitment to tackling important
environmental challenges improves our quality of life statewide.
The Tire War program began in 2006 when the affiliates decided to turn the otherwise
unglamorous tire collections into a friendly competition to see who could collect the most tires
from their countys residents.
At the end of each event, the county that collected the most tires that year proudly took
home the Gold Rim Award, an actual gold painted tire rim to proudly display, and the
bragging rights for the next year.
The tires that are collected are shipped to a processor where they are turned into useful
products like rubber mulch, play and athletic turf, and even crumb rubber for road surfaces.
The collections have gathered and recycled over 35,000 tires from local County residents
since 2006. These tires are prevented from ending up over the hill or in waterways where they
would pose serious environmental impacts.
Tires do not biodegrade, but decompose and leach toxic chemicals that contaminate soil
and water. Tires also provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of West Nile
Virus and Zika Virus.
Our local affiliates share our mission of empowering Pennsylvanians to keep our
communities clean and beautiful. By coordinating annual tire collections, our affiliates
consistently provide their residents with a convenient, low cost option for tire disposal, keeping
them off our public lands where they become an environmental hazard and are costly to
remove, stated Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Since the Tire War
programs inception, affiliates have reported finding less tires during illegal dump cleanups. We
congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.
The Tire Wars are sponsored in part by the Department of Environmental Protections
HHW/Small Business Hazardous Waste Collection 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.
Sign up now for the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup
and beautification event through May 31.
(Photo: Brent Leach, Keep Juniata County Beautiful; Shannon Reiter, Keep PA Beautiful; Pam
Sechrist and Mindy Williams, PA CleanWays of Mifflin County; Sally Tengeres and Kristie
Smith, Keep Perry County Beautiful; Stacia-Fe Gillen, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful.)
NewsClips:
Thompson: House Acts To Keep Pennsylvania Safe For Plastic Bags
Harrison Twp Residents Pay To Discard Old Chemicals, Electronics
DEP: Benefits Outweigh Harms For Bethlehem Landfill Expansion
Editorial: Northeast Do Not Have Standing In Keystone Landfill Case
Slate Belt Sludge Plant Hearing Put On Hold Again
Choose Clean Water Coalition Urges Action Now On Water Quality Cleanup Issues
House members Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) and Mike

Sturla (D-Lancaster) and representatives of the Choose
Clean Water Coalition Monday urged lawmakers to
pass legislation to address Pennsylvanias critical water
quality and Chesapeake Bay cleanup issues.
This action follows a letter sent by members of
Pennsylvanias delegation to the Chesapeake Bay
Commission to all House and Senate members in
January urging the creation of a Pennsylvania Clean
Water Fund.
The letter was signed by Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin), Rep.
Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York) and Rep. Mike Sturla
(D-Lancaster).
Rep. Everett, who chairs the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission, said all
stakeholders need to work together to clean up the streams and rivers in our own backyards to
improve water quality in the Bay, pointing to the Loyalsock Creek in his home area of Lycoming
County.
We drink the water; we bathe in the water; we use it in our industrial and commercial
processes; its our lifeblood. We need to take better care of it, said Rep. Everett. I believe we
need to find a dedicated fund to address water quality in the Commonwealth.
Rep. Sturla noted one potential source of revenue is a new fee on using water owned by
the Commonwealth which currently is given away for free to commercial and industrial water
users.
Reps. Sturla and Everett co-sponsored House Bill 2114 last year to assess a fee on water
use, except by agriculture and municipal water suppliers. The bill has not yet been introduced
this session.
Marel King, Pennsylvania Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, said
Pennsylvania is facing some critical mandates in cleaning up the Susquehanna River because it
plays in the Bays water quality.
She noted Pennsylvania has a large number of streams-- over 19,000 miles-- that are
deemed impaired enough they do not meet one or more of the federal standards for drinking,
swimming, fishing, or aquatic life.
Legislative Initiatives
King said the Coalition supports actions in at least 4 areas--
-- Adopt A Water Use Fee: Pennsylvania should enact a fee on major water withdrawals to fund
Bay-related restoration projects and other statewide water quality initiatives. Currently, the
Commonwealth, which owns the water, levies no fee for the commercial and industrial use of
billions of gallons of the publics water. Sen. Richard Alloway-- Senate Bill 1401-- and Rep.
Sturla-- House Bill 2114-- both introduced different versions of water use fee proposals last
session and plan to introduce fee bills again this session.
-- Restore State Environmental Agency Funding For Clean Water, Infrastructure
Programs: The budget for the Department of Environmental Protection has been cut for the
last decade and these cuts have reduced the ability of Pennsylvania to enforce federal clean
drinking water standards in the Commonwealth. Due to the cuts, hundreds of staffing positions
have been lost and DEP can only address fewer than half of the state's water critical pollution
issues.
The budget for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has shrunk,
resulting in the agency having to cut vital state park and forest maintenance budgets to continue
providing basic conservation services, like park rangers. Increased funding will help the agency
address nearly a billion dollar maintenance backlog as well as work on critical water pollution
issues, like expanding forested riparian buffers.
The budget for the Department of Agriculture has also been cut dramatically.
Increased funding to Conservation Districts is needed to support more technical assistance for
farmers and landowners to meet their obligations to properly conserve and manage their land.
Increased funding should also support shovel-ready projects for best management practice
implementation in the agriculture sector.
-- Landowners Getting State Tax Breaks Should Also Do Conservation: The Clean and
Green Program is a state program providing tax breaks and financial support to landowners to
preserve agricultural and forest land. House Bill 1053, introduced by Rep. Sturla, would require
landowners getting this state financial support to comply with at least the minimum conservation
requirements state law now requires. Many now do not.
-- Lawn Fertilizer Education: Legislation to be reintroduced by Sen. Alloway would require
additional labeling and education requirements for the application of lawn fertilizers by
homeowners to avoid over use that pollutes local streams and rivers. The legislation last session
was Senate Bill 563.
Click Here for a more complete description of these initiatives.
For more information on water quality issues, visit the Choose Clean Water Coalition
website.
NewsClips:
Swift: Nuclear Bailout Debate Heats Up
Cusick: PA Lawmakers Mull Support For Nuclear Power Plants
Grid Operator Urges Cooperation If States Want To Preserve Nuclear Plants
Op-Ed: Encourage More Natural Gas Production, Dont Tax It Best Way To Boost Revenues
Why Does Trump Want To Pull The Plug On Chesapeake Bay Cleanup?
States Weigh Impact On Enforcement If EPA Grants Cut
Related Stories:
PA Chesapeake Bay Commission Members Spotlight Need For Clean Water Fund In PA
Wolfs Budget Lacks Adequate Investments To Meet PAs Clean Water Commitments
Gov. Wolf Proposes New Budget With Little New For The Environment
Senate Budget Hearing: Historic Cuts To DEP Budget, Safe Drinking Water, Chesapeake Bay
House Republicans Pass Budget Proposal With Across-The-Board Cuts Again
EPA: DEP Lacks Resources To Enforce Minimum Federal Safe Drinking Water Regs
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Sustainable Funding For Parks, Environmental Restoration Matters
By Tim Herd, CEO, PA Recreation and Park Society
Environmental health and sustainability is a growing priority for

communities everywhere.
A recent poll conducted by the National Recreation and Park
Association found that most Americans want their governments to
prioritize sustainable environmental practices in such things as water
quality monitoring, green space assessment, urban planning, eco-friendly
buildings and lawn upkeep.
The overwhelming majority (83 percent) of Americans polled
agree that local governments must prioritize environmental initiatives.
This is particularly true of Millennials who say it's either "extremely
important" or "very important."
Both families with children (89 percent) and non-parents (79 percent) feel strongly about
local government prioritizing funding for environmental initiatives.
While many environmental stewardship choices continue to be made on the consumer
level, governments have an essential, leading role in prioritizing sustainable practices. And
funding those priorities is the difference-maker in improving our environmental health and
sustainability."
Park and recreation agencies are leaders in promoting the protection of our environment,
embracing practices that include conservation of public land, protection of wildlife habitats, and
the use of green infrastructure.
Yet the lack of adequate funding resources substantially hinders the progress of most
agencies.
At the state level, the Pennsylvania General Assembly will soon have an opportunity to
both prioritize and fund a Growing Greener 3 program by investing more than $300 million
annually for conservation, recreation and preservation projects.
The Need Is Clear
More than 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania streams and rivers are not safe for drinking or
recreational use and cannot support aquatic life.
The majority of the state's 6,000 local parks and more than 11,000 miles of trails need
significant upgrades to remain safe, clean and ready-to-use.
Abandoned mines scar 189,000 acres in 43 of our 67 counties, causing 5,500 miles of
dead streams.
Some 1500 family farms remain on a waiting list to be protected and preserved.
The Rationale Is Inclusive
Preserving and protecting the environment is not for tree-huggers only, but for everyone
who values personal health and a prosperous society.
Protecting our land, wildlife and heritage of abundant and clean natural resources
strengthens the entire economy and supports thousands of jobs.
The recreation industry alone accounts for $6.4 billion of tourism spending in the state.
For every dollar invested in our state parks, $12 is generated in economic benefits for the
surrounding communities.
Access to well-maintained parks, trails and open space is good for our physical and
mental health and is proven to reduce healthcare costs by encouraging exercise and other healthy
lifestyle choices.
The Support Is Extensive
A 2014 Penn State University poll found that 97 percent of Pennsylvanians think that
state funds dedicated to preserving open space and farmland, providing parks and trails, and
protecting rivers and streams should continue to be used for these purposes.
Furthermore, 82 percent of survey respondents support increasing state funds for these
purposes even if that would cost the average household $10 more annually.
Today's convergence of indisputable reason and popular acclaim make this Earth Day
and every day the right time to renew our resolve and prioritize our future for environmental
health and sustainability.
Urge your Pennsylvania legislators to support Growing Greener. For more information,
or to get involved, visit www.GrowingGreener3.org.
Tim Herd is CEO of the PA Recreation and Park Society.

NewsClips:
Related Earth Day Stories:
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: How Trumps Budget Will Hurt The Environment In PA
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Student To Instructor-Andre Carpenter-Energy Coordinating Agency
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Why Yes, Natural Gas Drilling Can Be Done Responsibly
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Statement From President Donald J. Trump On Earth Day
By Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee
Since its creation in 1999, Pennsylvanias Growing Greener Program

has funded hundreds of local parks and trail projects, conserved more
than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored hundreds of
miles of streams and waterways.
Statewide, the program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of
farmland, restored more than 1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and
helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400 watershed
protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater
treatment improvements.
In Carbon and Luzerne Counties, the Growing Greener Program has enhanced our
communities through a vast range of investments from improving water quality in our
watersheds, reclaiming acres of abandoned mine land and expanding tourist and recreational
opportunities.
In Carbon County, the historic Delaware and Lehigh Trail is a central part of the heritage
tourism industry in northeastern Pennsylvania. In Luzerne County, nonprofit organizations like
the Earth Conservancy, have partnered with Pennsylvania to transform thousands of acres of
mine-scarred land into new recreational and economic opportunities.
Continued investments in improving our environment are critical to our quality of life in
northeastern Pennsylvania, and set the stage to invest in both community and economic
development.
Growing Greener must continue to deliver strategic and common-sense aid within our
communities to support beautification, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Yet, despite the programs proven track record of success, the need remains greater than
ever.
Local communities will soon be tackling significant stormwater infrastructure upgrades,
with little availability of state aid.
Thousands of miles of streams and rivers are impaired, thousands of acres of abandoned
mine land remain untouched, and miles of trails require upgrades.
Working with a broad coalition of environmental and economic development groups, I
am supporting bipartisan legislation, to be introduced by Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware), that
provides renewed investment in our Growing Greener program.
We can keep Pennsylvania growing greener by investing in a time-tested and
result-producing program, like Growing Greener, that will allow us to continue protecting our
natural resources, boost economic growth in local communities, and improve the quality of life
for all Pennsylvanians.
Sen. John Yudichak represents Luzerne and Carbon counties. He can be contacted by sending
email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.
NewsClips:
Related Story/Link:
PA Growing Greener Coalition: More Work To Do To Protect Water, Natural Resources
PA Growing Greener Coalition website
By Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
When Pennsylvania native Rachel Carson drew attention to the

connection between the pesticide DDT and the loss of bald eagles and
birds of prey, she helped spark the first Earth Day and the movement to
create laws and programs that make sure we have clean water to drink,
and protections for our air, land and wildlife.
This Earth Day, proposed drastic budget cuts at the federal level
and the undoing of regulations threaten to weaken safeguards that protect
our land and water resources.
Those changes will have a profound impact on state agencies
doing the work to protect our citizens' health and safety and provide for a
better quality of life.
For the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, some of the likely
consequences of federal cuts include:
-- Loss of funding for the arsenal to combat invasive pests and plant species such as the emerald
ash borer, hemlock wooly adelgid and gypsy moth;
-- Decreased ability to acquire and conserve forests and other lands that provide clean water, a
chance to enjoy the outdoors and are the defining feature of Penn's Woods;
-- Cuts to essential resources for our staff of geologists and scientists who map what lies
underground and provide important information to well drillers and industry;
-- Elimination of funding for National Heritage Areas that protect and draw tourists to experience
the natural, historic and cultural resources that make the Commonwealth unique;
-- De-emphasis of the importance of science in preserving and conserving our environment and
ensuring a clean, healthy and livable Pennsylvania; and
-- Potential elimination of all funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program, including funds to
expand riparian buffers along Pennsylvania streams, for new boat launches, and other practices
to make our rivers cleaner.
Spring is upon us in Pennsylvania, and science and technology make it possible for us to
watch eaglets as they grow in nests in several locations in the state.
Though we once wondered whether our national symbol would be silenced, through
research, environmental protection and conservation, raptor populations have returned.
At DCNR, we are proud to come to work every day in a state office building that bears
Rachel Carson's name, and to carry on the work she started and the mission she cared about so
passionately.
Today we face challenges about how to respond and adapt to a changing climate, and we
need to act.
We need federal funding for programs and research that continue to make new
discoveries and environmental improvements, like the work of Rachel Carson.
We should not feel that scientific research and programs that protect our air, land and
water threaten our way of life - in fact, they have restored and they safeguard our natural
resources and landscapes.
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.
NewsClips:
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NewsClips and links to the weekly Digest and videos.
Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates--
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once daily email alerting you to new items posted on this blog. NEW! Add your constructive
comment to any blog posting.
PA Environment - The Feds: site is intended to be a single point of reference for changing
federal environmental policy and personnel that have an impact on Pennsylvania environmental
issues and programs.
PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government,
including NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they
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Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Govs Schedule/ Bills Introduced
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 (May 8): House Bill 290 (Metzgar-R-Bedford) changing the members of the
Underground Storage Tank Indemnification (Insurance) Board to include legislative
appointments <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (May 8): Senate Bill 143 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) changing the makeup of the Underground
Storage Tank Indemnification Board to include legislative appointments (sponsor summary);
Senate Bill 242 (Baker-R-Luzerne) adds natural gas gathering lines to the PA One Call utility
construction safety program so they can be identified and mapped for emergency services
(sponsor summary). <> 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
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced this week--
Fixing Act 13 Impact Fee: House Bill 1283 (Snyder-D-Fayette) fixing the Act 13 drilling
impact fee so companies cannot avoid the fee by temporarily reducing production for one month
(sponsor summary). Click Here for more background.
Repealing MS4 Program: House Resolution 284 (Moul-R-Adams) urging Congress to repeal
EPAs MS4 stormwater pollution reduction program (sponsor summary).
Bike To Work Week: House Resolution 301 (Dean-D-Montgomery) designating May as Bike
Month, the week of May 15-19 as Bike To Work Week and May 19 as Bike To Work Day in
Pennsylvania (sponsor summary).
Storage Tank Cleanup Programs: Senate Bill 649 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) extending the
Underground Storage Tank Environmental Cleanup and Pollution Prevention Program and
increasing the amount of reimbursement DEP may request from the USTIF Board for program
activities from $3 to $7 million (sponsor summary).
Requiring Votes On Regs: House Bill 911 (Rothman-Cumberland) (sponsor summary), Senate
Bill 561 (DiSanto-R-Dauphin) (sponsor summary), House Bill 1237 (Keefer-R-Cumberland)
(sponsor summary) requiring a vote of the General Assembly on regulations costing more than
$1 million. Does not require an assessment of benefits. Click Here for more information.
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
House
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.
Senate/House Bills Moving
The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--
House
Construction Code: House Bill 409 (Evankovich-R-Allegheny) makes fundamental changes to

the method of adopting updates to the Uniform Construction Code was passed by the House. A
House Fiscal Note and summary is available. The bill now goes to the Senate for action.
Plastic Bag Fee Bans: House Bill 1071 (Farry-R-Bucks) prohibiting bans, fees, surcharges and
taxes on recyclable plastic bags was referred into and reported out of the House Appropriations
Committee and passed by the House. A House Fiscal Note and summary is available. The bill
now goes to the Senate for action.
Underground Tank Insurance Fund Board: House Bill 290 (Metzgar-R-Bedford) changing
the members of the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification (Insurance) Board to include
legislative appointments was removed from the Table, referred into and out of the House
Appropriations Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.
Steel Slag: House Bill 938 (Evankovich-R-Allegheny) exempting steel slag from the definition
of waste under Act 97 (sponsor summary) was removed from the Table, amended on the House
Floor and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
Wind Power In Ag Security Areas: House Bill 187 (Sonney-R-Erie) authorize wind power
generating systems in Agricultural Security Areas (sponsor summary) was reported from the
House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Tabled.
Noxious Weeds: House Bill 790 (Pashinski-D-Luzerne) establishing the Controlled Plant and
Noxious Weed Committee (sponsor summary) was amended and reported from the House
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and Tabled.
Game, Fish Commission Fees: Senate Bill 30 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) authorizing the Fish and
Boat Commission to adopt its own fees (Senate Fiscal Note and summary) was no action on the
bill in Committee and Senate Bill 192 (Stefano-R-Fayette) authorizing the Game Commission to
adopt its own fees (Senate Fiscal Note and summary was Tabled in the House Game and
Fisheries Committee.
Earth Day: House Resolution 130 (Murt-R-Montgomery) encouraging all residents to observe
Earth Day on April 22 (sponsor summary) was adopted by the House.
Drinking Water Week: House Resolution 290 (Maher-R-Allegheny) designating May 7-13 as
Drinking Water Week was adopted by the House.
Senate
Construction Code: Senate Bill 269 (Baker-R- Luzerne) changing the process for updating the
PA Construction Code (sponsor summary) was amended and reported from the Senate Labor and
Industry Committee and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
USTIF Board Membership: Senate Bill 143 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) changing the makeup of the
Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board to include legislative appointments (sponsor
summary) was reported out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and is now on the
Senate Calendar for action.
Drinking Water Week: Senate Resolution 100 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) designating May 7-13 as
Drinking Water Week was adopted by the Senate.
The Feds
Federal Court Grants Trump Request To Suspend Action On EPA Clean Power Plan Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Friday granted a Trump
Administration request to put on hold a legal challenge to EPAs Clean Power Climate Plan by
industry and a group of states, rules President Trump is moving to undo.
The Court put the litigation in abeyance for at least 60 days.
Ozone Standard
This action is similar to the action taken by the same Court on April 11 to delay oral
arguments in a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys 2015 ozone
pollution standard.
The Trump Administration asked for the delay in that case as well to give the EPA more
time to determine whether the rule needs to be changed or eliminated. The standard, finalized
under the Obama Administration, lowered the allowable concentration of ozone from 75 parts
per billion to 70 parts per billion
NewsClips:
Federal Court Suspends Action On EPA Clean Power Plan Case
Reuters: Court Grants Trump Request To Suspend Action On Clean Power Plan Case
Op-Ed: Global Climate Change Demands A Local Response
Op-Ed: Carbon Tax Wont Stop Climate Change
Climate Change Research At Penn Might Take A Nosedive
Thousands To March Saturday In Philly Against Climate Change
Bloomberg To World Leaders: Ignore Trump On Climate
4 Republicans Sign Letter Urging Trump To Stay In Climate Deal
Editorial: Trump Taking Bad Advice On Climate Change Threat
News From The Capitol
Senate Environmental Committee OKs Bill Extending Recycling Fee, Other Bills
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday unanimously approved
bills eliminating the sunset date on the Act 101 recycling fee, creating a task force on lead
exposure, exempting steel slag from the definition of waste and allowing the incorporation of
alternative on-lot sewage systems in sewage plans.
The bills include--
-- Eliminate Sunset On Recycling Fee: Senate Bill 646 (Killion-R-Delaware) would eliminate
the January 1, 2020 sunset date on the $2 per ton recycling fee (sponsor summary);
-- Creating Task Force On Lead: Senate Resolution 33 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) creating a Task
Force on Lead Exposure (sponsor summary) (amended);
-- Exempting Steel Slag From Definition of Waste: Senate Bill 497 (Vogel-R-Butler)
eliminating the designation of steel slag as waste (sponsor summary) (amended); and
-- Alternative Onlot Septic Systems: Senate Bill 144 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending Act 537
ton include alternative on-lot sewage systems in sewage plans (sponsor summary).
The bills now go to the full Senate for action.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov. Sen. John Yudichak
(D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to:
yudichak@pasenate.com.
NewsClips:
Senate Environmental Committee OKs Resolution Creating Lead Exposure Task Force
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday amended and reported out
Senate Resolution 33 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) creating a bipartisan task force to investigate the
scope of Pennsylvanias lead exposure problem.
The Senate Lead Task Force will marshal the resources of medical professionals,
industry leaders, and cabinet officials to provide the Senate with expert recommendations so that
we can act quickly and efficiently to reduce the risk of lead exposure in Pennsylvania, said Sen.
John Yudichak. It is inexcusable for any Pennsylvanian to fear that their health or their familys
health could be jeopardized because of ineffective lead polices or sufficient lead abatement
programs.
The resolution calls for the Senate to establish a task force on lead exposure comprised of
the chairs of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Health and Human
Services Committee and two members appointed by the Senate President pro tempore and the
Minority Leader.
It also calls for the Joint State Government Commission to convene an advisory
committee, which will include the Secretaries of Health, Environmental Protection, and Labor
and Industry as well as the chair of the Public Utility Commission.
The Physician General and two medical professionals with expertise in pediatric care and
lead poisoning will also be appointed to the advisory committee.
Representatives of municipal water authorities, rural water companies, water utilities
incorporated in Pennsylvania, urban and rural school districts, a local health official, and the
executive director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania will assist with a comprehensive
review of Pennsylvania law and public policy on lead abatement and exposure.
Within 18-months, the Joint State Government Commission must submit a report to the
Senate detailing recommendations to amend existing laws or regulations or enact new legislation
that will reduce the risk of lead contamination in Pennsylvania.
The report must assess the age of housing and infrastructure, lead exposure threats, and
identify the prevalence of lead in structures where children spend significant time.
The resolution now goes for a vote by the full Senate.
NewsClips:
Sen. Yudichak Lead Task Force Moves Forward In Senate
Grant To Help Allegheny County Remove Lead Hazards
Allegheny County Lead Safe Homes Program Open For Business
Allegheny County To Launch Lead Task Force
Controller: Allegheny Healths Lead Testing Not Enough, Launches Audit
Study: PAs Rate Of Lead-Poisoned Children Among Nations Highest
Sign-Up Now For Free Lead-Filtering Water Pitchers For Pittsburgh Authority Customers
Pittsburgh Could Spend $900K To Restructure Water Authority
Veolia Accuses Pittsburgh Water Authority Of Defamation
Editorial: Overhauling Pittsburgh Water Authority Vital
Pittsburgh Environmental Groups Help Schools, Daycares Address Lead, Radon
Butler School To Resolve Lead Problem By Switching To Public Water
PJM: States Should Create Climate Benefit Markets If They Want To Subsidize Nuclear
Plants
Representatives of the PJM Interconnection made a

presentation before the Senate-House Nuclear Energy Caucus Wednesday showing how
electricity generation fuel sources have become more diverse and the competitive market for
power run by PJM has resulted in significant benefits to reliability and in costs for consumers.
In Pennsylvania, the operational efficiencies of the competitive market have resulted in
the equivalent of adding an additional nuclear power plant in generation capacity.
At the same time, PJM noted at least one power plant-- Three Mile Island-- is in danger
of closing because it has not cleared PJMs generation capacity auctions. A recent PJM study on
reliability of the grid did not include a look at the issue of losing nuclear generating capacity.
A PJM official suggested if states wanted to subsidize nuclear power plants they should
work together to form a market for climate benefits, like carbon, separate from PJMs capacity
auctions.
Nuclear Energy Caucus co-chairs Senators Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) and John
Yudichak (D-Luzerne) and Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Allegheny) led the meeting. In addition, Rep.
John Maher (R-Allegheny), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee, also attended.
Frederick Bresler, Senior Vice President for Operations and Markets at PJM, presented
on three major points to Caucus members--
-- Electricity supply is reliable in the PJM region. PJMs responsibility is to maintain reliable
electricity supplies and does that by auctioning power capacity three years in advance. In May,
for example, PJM will hold auction for capacity in 2020-21 covering the expected peak load in
the PJM region, plus a reserve margin of about 15 percent. It also has an additional 6 percent
reserve as a safety margin.
Bresler pointed out the PJM auction market has been extremely competitive.
-- Fuel mix is becoming more diverse and balanced than it has been historically. There has
been a dramatic shift between coal and natural gas resources, beginning in 2014 when the wave
of investment in natural gas-fueled power plants began and new regulations on coal plants were
adopted.
In 2005, coal and nuclear resources generated 91 percent of the electricity on the PJM
system. PJMs installed capacity in 2016 consisted of 33 percent coal, 33 percent natural gas, 18
percent nuclear, and 6 percent renewables (including hydro).
A March study released by PJM showed there was no upper bound to the growth of
natural gas in the fuel mix that would impact grid reliability.
In response to a question about the 2013 polar vortex, Bresler said 75 percent of outages
during 2013 polar vortex were not related to fuel supply, but a significant part of the remaining
outages were the result of natural gas fuel outages.
He noted PJM does not allow generators to be a capacity generator in its auction if they
cannot deliver the capacity when needed. One of the changes PJM has made internally is to
judge the ability of generators to produce electricity during a supply emergency like the polar
vortex. It also increased penalties for nonperformance during these times.
Bresler said PJM will be doing additional work on the issue of grid resiliency and what
the trigger situations are to assure resiliency and reliability. He said work on those issues will be
done through the PJM stakeholder process which should show some results before the winter
heating season this year.
Bresler said state subsidies for existing power resources means energy buyers have to buy
capacity twice under the current system, first through the PJM price at the auctions and second
through the state subsidy.
PJM is considering how to incorporate any state subsidies into a competitive market
without losing the ability of the market to send clear signals to investors as they make decisions
on creating generation capacity.
As an alternative, Bresler said states could come together and form a market for climate
benefits, for example, to handle the issue of subsidies separately from the PJM power capacity
auctions.
In response to a question, Bresler said the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant has not
cleared recent PJM capacity auctions and is the only nuclear plant he is aware of today that may
be in some danger of closing in Pennsylvania.
In response to a question from Rep. Maher, Bresler said the scope of the March study on
reliability did not look at the issue of losing nuclear power plant capacity.
Bresler noted since 2007 there has been 30,000 megawatts of coal-fired power plants
retired across its system and PJM managed those issues through its planning processes to
maintain reliability. He said, for example, they have changed transmission line resources to
adjust to plant closures.
-- Moving from regulated electric markets to a transparent and competitive electricity
market has had significant benefits. Competitive markets resulted in increased operational
efficiencies resulting in more generation being available more of the time. These efficiencies
have resulted in adding the equivalent of another nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
Bresler said 11,600 megawatts of new natural gas-fueled capacity has come online in
Pennsylvania, 7,000 megawatts more are under construction and 7,900 megawatts are under
study.
This represents more new capacity than the next two states combined. As a result,
Pennsylvania continues to be a net exporter of electricity.
The other major benefit of competition has been to consumers. He pointed to a study
done by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania which found
consumers saved $818 million in 2016 over inflation-adjusted pre-1996 regulated generation and
transmission costs.
Click Here for a copy of the handouts from the meeting.
A video of the meeting will be posted on Sen. Auments website.
NewsClips:
Crable: Three Mile Island Could Close As Soon As 2019
Oil-Gas Lobby Opposes State Subsidies For Nuclear Power Producers
FirstEnergy Looks To Feds For Help With Coal, Nuclear Plants
Related Stories:
PUC: Act 129 Energy Efficiency Savings, Growth Of Natural Gas Generation
Senate, House Lawmakers Announce Formation Of First Nuclear Energy Caucus
Op-Ed: Nuclear Energy - A Keystone For Pennsylvanias Economy And Environment
PJM Study: Electric System Reliable Even With Much More Natural Gas, Renewables
New Report On Economic, Carbon Emissions Benefits Of PAs 5 Nuclear Power Plants
Exelon, Illinois OK Bill To Keep Nuclear Plants Open, Expand Renewables, Energy Efficiency
New York PSC Approves 50% Clean Energy Standard, Nuclear Subsidies
Is Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant Next For Early Shutdown?
House Hearing: Bill Allows Utilities To Charge All Ratepayers For Gas Service Extensions
The House Consumer Affairs Committee Wednesday held a hearing on House Bill 107
(Godshall-R-Montgomery) which would authorize a new Distribution System Extension Charge
on all natural gas ratepayers bills to pay for service line extensions to new customers.
The bill addresses a concern legislators in the Senate and House have that it is difficult to
expand existing natural gas service into unserved or underserved areas because the full cost of
that expansion is typically borne by the new customers.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) introduced Senate Bill 140 to address this issue in a
different way.
The latest U.S. Energy Information Administration data shows 51 percent of
Pennsylvania households use natural gas as their primary home heating fuel, 21 percent
electricity and 19 percent heating oil.
Gladys Brown, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission, told the Committee the
Commission has no formal position on the bill, but supported making any system expansion
charge separate and distinct from the existing Distribution System Improvement Charge which
addresses the significant problem of deteriorating service pipelines.
Brown, in her personal opinion, said authorizing recovery of costs for system expansion
rebates or buy downs for in-house piping or furnaces on the customer side of the meter
equipment offers no discernable benefit for existing customers.
Tanya McCloskey, Acting PUC Consumer Advocate, noted the wholesale price of
natural gas has declined significantly since 2008, but that it will not stay low forever. She said
the price of heating oil has also declined.
She said House Bill 107 could be a tool to extend service, but recommended
clarifications and consumer protections to improve the bill and said the 2.5 percent cap on the
new fee in the bill should be reduced. An utility wishing to take advantage of the fee should be
required to submit a plan for the extension of their mains to the PUC.
McCloskey also recommended the bill should clarify the difference between the
economically feasible portion of the main extension and the uneconomic portion and set clear
standards for sharing costs.
John Evans, PUC Small Business Advocate, offered support for the bill, but said the bill
should be revised to allow more protections for existing customers and eliminate the one size
fits all nature of the new charge. He said some of the risk for extending new service should be
borne by the utilities instead of entirely on ratepayers.
Terry Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania
(representing natural gas distribution companies), said getting new natural gas service to
customers can cost as much as $1 million per mile to build and that current decisions on
extensions are made only if there will be a payback to the distribution company in a reasonable
period of time.
He offered his support for the legislation saying the bill establishes a reasonable balance
between the interests of those requesting service extensions and existing customers.
Ronald Bradley, Vice President for PECO (a natural gas distribution company), offered
his support for House Bill 107 and underlined the high cost of providing natural gas service to
new customers.
Morgan OBrien, President & CEO of Peoples Natural Gas, Robert Stoyko, Vice
President for UGI and Patrick Cicero, Executive Director of the PA Utility Law Project all
expressed their support for the bill.
Rep. Bob Godshall (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the Committee, concluded the
hearing by saying even some urban areas like his do not have natural gas service.
We have to look at the abundance of natural gas we have and how we can expand
natural gas service to unserved and underserved areas of the state. Chairman Godshall can be
contacted by sending email to: rgodshal@pahousegop.com.
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks) services as Minority Chair of the Committee. He
can be contacted by sending email to: RepCaltagirone@pahouse.net.
NewsClip:
PA May Allow Utilities To Raise Rates To Pay For Natural Gas Line Extensions
New Bills Would Require Vote On Regs Costing $1 Million Or More, But Ignore Benefits
Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland), Sen. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) and Rep. Dawn Keefer
(R-Cumberland) announced Wednesday they have each introduced different bills that would
require an up or down vote by the General Assembly if a regulation has a fiscal impact of $1
million or more.
[Note: There is no requirement to look at the benefits of a regulation.]
We want the final say on burdensome regulations to be in the hands of the people
Pennsylvanians have elected to represent them in the General Assembly, said Rep. Rothman,
whose House Bill 911 would send the regulations to the House and Senate, assign them to the
appropriate committee and require an informational hearing before the regulations would be
voted up or down. (sponsor summary)
Expensive regulations are just a hidden form of taxation paid by business owners and
the customers they serve, said Rep. Rothman.
My 35 years of experience as a business owner have shown me that government red tape
makes it more difficult to grow a business and create jobs, and Ive heard the same message
repeatedly from other job creators since Ive been in the Senate, said Sen. DiSanto, whose
Senate Bill 561 would require the General Assembly to approve major regulations. (sponsor
summary)
Our current regulatory process stifles the economy and vests too much power in
unelected government employees and agencies that lack direct accountability to the people. This
is a blueprint for regulatory growth and amounts to laws being crafted without the consent of the
governed, said Sen. DiSanto.
Reducing the regulatory burden could help keep existing jobs in Pennsylvania and
encourage new employers to open here, said Rep. Keefer. My bill would shape our
Commonwealth into a better, less bureaucratic state, and would enhance the regulatory review
system by giving agencies additional incentives to engage the Legislature throughout the
process.
Rep. Keefers bill-- House Bill 1237-- would require the Independent Fiscal Office to
verify the cost of the regulations and then provide the House and Senate with 30 calendar days or
10 legislative days to vote on the proposal. (sponsor summary)
[Note: There is no similar requirement for the IFO to provide a cost estimate for
legislation introduced. No funding is provided to implement the bill.]
If a vote is not taken in that time or the regulation is voted down in either chamber, it
would not be implemented.
Carl Marrara, vice president of government affairs with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers
Association; Anna McCauslin, deputy state director with Americans for Prosperity in
Pennsylvania; and Suzanne Stoltenberg, Pennsylvania communications director for the National
Federation of Independent Business attended the news conference to offer their support for the
legislation.
James Broughel, a research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University,
spoke at a press conference about his related research about the cost of regulations.
May 22 Environmental Issues Forum Features Presentation On Pollinators
The May 22 Environmental Issues Forum hosted by the

Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and
Conservation Committee will feature a presentation on the
decline of pollinator populations in Pennsylvania.
The presenters include Dr. Harland Patch, a research
scientist at Penn States Department of Entomology, and
Mr. Charles Vorisek, past president of the Pennsylvania
State Beekeepers Association and member of the
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.
Pollinators play a significant role in the production
of fruit and vegetables. For example, 90 percent of our nations apple crop relies on bee-induced
pollination.
Over the last decade, however, there has been a staggering decline in the Western
honeybee population, attributed to several causes, including colony collapse disorder. This has
alarmed scientists and farmers alike, as it poses a significant risk to the worlds agriculture and
food supply.
The Forum will be held in Room 8E-A East Wing of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg
starting at Noon.
Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Joint Conservation
Committee.
For more information, visit the Joint Conservation Committee website, Like them on
Facebook or Follow them on Twitter.
Helpful Links:
Ernst Seeds: Pollinator Habitat, Problems, Solutions
NewsClips:
PA Leads The U.S. In Supporting Farmers To Be Better Water Stewards
Debate Over Urban Farming Surfaces In Alle-Kiski Valley
U.S. Senate Confirms Perdue As Trumps Agriculture Secretary
News From Around The State
Report: Upstream Pollution Reductions Could Ease Effects Of Conowingo Reservoir Infill
Reducing pollution in the Susquehanna River watershed

could ease the environmental effects of an essentially full
reservoir behind Conowingo Dam, according to a final
report from the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed
Assessment Team released in March.
For decades, the reservoir behind Conowingo Damas
well as those behind the Holtwood and Safe Harbor
damshas trapped particles of sediment flowing down the
Susquehanna River, along with the nutrients that are often
attached.
But a draft report from the LSRWA team released in November 2014 indicated this
reservoir is fulland the final report upholds these findings: no substantial changes were made
to the findings or recommendations of the report between the draft and final phases.
According to the report, the reservoir is trapping smaller amounts of sediment and
nutrients and, during large storms, sending more of these pollutants into the Susquehanna River
more often.
The report indicates that reducing pollution loads, particularly nutrients, upstream of the
dam would provide a more effective solution than various strategies for managing sediment at
the dam itself, such as dredging or bypassing.
Among the findings in the report are--
-- Dams Not Longer Trapping Sediment: Each of the three reservoirs sediment trapping
capacity is greatly reduced and that each reservoir has reached an end state of sediment storage
capacity. The evaluations carried out through this assessment demonstrate that Conowingo Dam
and Reservoir, as well as upstream Safe Harbor and Holtwood Dams and their reservoirs, are no
longer trapping sediment and the associated nutrients over the long term. Instead, the reservoirs
are in a state of dynamic equilibrium.
-- Storms Scour Sediment From Behind Conowingo: During storm events 20 to 30 percent of
the sediment that flows into Chesapeake Bay from the Susquehanna River is from scour of bed
material stored behind Conowingo Reservoir, and the rest is from the upstream watershed, which
includes scour from behind Holtwood and Safe Harbor Dams;
-- Nutrients Carried By Sediment More Harmful Than Sediment: Nutrients associated with
the scoured sediment were determined to be more harmful to Bay aquatic life than the sediment
itself. The particulate nutrients settle to the bottom and are recycled back up into the water
column in dissolved form and stimulate algal production.
-- Minimal Benefits From Dredging: Increasing or recovering storage volume of reservoirs via
dredging or other methods is possible, but the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem benefits are minimal
and short-lived, and the costs are high. When sediment is strategically removed from the
reservoirs behind the dams, there was a predicted minor influence on scour load (reduction) and
sediment deposition (increase); there was also a predicted minor reduction in adverse impacts to
Chesapeake Bay ecosystem health for a future similar storm event. Scour events would still
occur, but lower amounts of sediment and associated nutrients were estimated to be mobilized
during these events.
-- Nutrient Management/Mitigation More Effective: Management opportunities in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed to reduce nutrient delivery are likely to be more effective than
sediment reduction opportunities at reducing impacts to the Chesapeake Bay water quality and
aquatic life from scour events, but these management opportunities were not investigated in
detail during this assessment. The relative importance of nutrient load impacts from the lower
Susquehanna River reservoirs is a finding that indicates that nutrient management and mitigation
options could be more effective and provide more management flexibility, than solely relying on
sediment management options only.
In 2010, the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was established to
reduce nutrient and sediment loads across the watershed. Bay jurisdictionsDelaware,
Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbiaand
federal agencies are currently in the process of submitting draft two-year water quality goals, or
milestones, to achieve the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment reduction goals of the TMDL.
At the first meeting of the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning
Steering Committee meeting on April 3, DEP said the next round of watershed implementation
plans will contain revised nutrient and sediment reduction goals to account for the failure of the
Susquehanna River dams to traps sediment.
The final report is available on the LSRWA website.
NewsClips:
Task Force Recommends Clean Water Tax Proposal In Delaware
Partnership Will Improve Stream Mapping For The Chesapeake Bay Watershed
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:
Lack Of Resources, New Cleanup Goals Will Make Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Harder In PA
Feature: Conowingo Dam No Longer Holds Back PA Nutrients Going To Chesapeake Bay
Dams On Susquehanna Are Undoing Progress In Reducing Pollution To Chesapeake Bay
Senate Committee: Exposure To Endocrine Disruptors Ubiquitous, Impacts Being Studied
PA Chesapeake Bay Commission Members Spotlight Need For Clean Water Fund In PA
Choose Clean Water Coalition Urges Action Now On Water Quality Cleanup Issues
(Reprinted in part from the Chesapeake Bay Program Blog.)
PA First Lady Outlines Waterway Protection Efforts Under Way At Earth Day Gathering
With the expansive waters of a challenged Susquehanna

flowing directly behind her, First Lady Frances Wolf Monday
told a gathering of students and top environmental leaders
protection of the iconic waterway is an ongoing priority at the Governors Residence in
Harrisburg.
Two days after Gov. Wolf proclaimed Earth Day 2017 on April 22, the First Lady
announced plans are under way on the residence grounds at 2035 North Front Street, Harrisburg,
to lessen stormwater runoff by installing and maintaining a rain garden and additional
rain-collection barrels, and enhancing existing green features.
Taken alone, none of these steps is monumental, but collectively they reflect the will
and the theme of Gov. Wolfs Earth Day proclamation -- The Difference YOU Can Make,
said the First Lady. We have some of the states top environmental leaders gathered here today,
but they can accomplish only so much without an individual environmental commitment by all
of us.
Mrs. Wolf publicly commended the 30 students and several teachers from nearby St.
Stephen's Episcopal School, noting they have demonstrated environmental awareness by
participating in the residence event and dedicating this week to Earth Day 2017-related field
trips.
You have demonstrated your commitment to our states wealth of woods and waters at a
young age, and I commend you, the First Lady said. Feel free to ask questions of the
environmental leaders gathered here today about what you see and hear. Hopefully, some of you
will be inspired to follow in their footsteps.
Joining the Harrisburg school group and First Lady Wolf were Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn; Department of
Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell; Department of General Services
Secretary Curt Topper; and Harry Campbell, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Office,
Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
These enhancements of the residence grounds are directly in line with DCNRs ongoing
efforts to protect our waterways, such as expanding forest buffers along streams and rivers, said
Dunn. When properly installed and maintained, all are indicative of what individual home and
property owners can do to curb runoff into waterways; control erosion; and improve the quality
of our wealth of waterways, such as the nearby Susquehanna River.
"Pollution from stormwater runoff is the next great challenge to our streams and rivers.
Reducing it is one of DEPs highest priorities, said McDonnell. As citizens step up to make a
difference, DEP is working with municipal leaders to do the same with comprehensive
stormwater management plans.
During Gov. Wolfs Administration, the Commonwealth has taken many steps towards
jumpstarting the restoration of Pennsylvanias rivers and streams, said Campbell. The
Governor and First Lady are clearly demonstrating that here at the governors residence, on the
banks of the Susquehanna River, which is the largest source of freshwater entering the
Chesapeake Bay. As every Pennsylvanian has a stake in having clean water, the rain garden, rain
barrels and enhanced green features at the governors residence set the example that we all can
contribute. We commend Governor and Mrs. Wolf for their leadership and commitment to clean
water.
Penn State student Zoe Roane-Hopkins will join DCNRs Landscape Design Section as
an intern this summer to oversee planning, design and maintenance of the residence rain garden.
Residence staff will provide materials, funding for plantings and equipment assistance for
preparing and planting.
DCNR plans to conduct an analysis of the site, looking at drainage, soils, solar
orientation, and utilities, and determine the best area for a rain garden. Areas with drainage
issues or wash-outs would be likely locations.
Details on the benefits of rain gardens and rain barrels, suggested plantings and other
information can be found at the iConservePA website.
Visit DEPs Chesapeake Bay webpage for more information on Bay-related initiatives.
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: Acting DEP Secretary McDonnell, PA First Lady Frances Wolf, DCNR Secretary Dunn,
Harry Campbell, CBF-PA.)
NewsClips:
CBF-PA To Help Educate Communities On Causes, Cures Of Polluted Stormwater Runoff
Residents in Harrisburg, Lancaster and York will be able

to learn about the problems caused by polluted runoff and
have a say in how it is addressed, thanks to a state
Environmental Education Grant to be administered by the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA.
The environmental justice project will be funded by grant
of $42,360 from the state Department of Environmental
Protection, and matched by CBF. Capital Region Water is
a key partner.
Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell defined environmental justice as empowering
low-income minority communities with better environmental information so they can more fully
participate in the kinds of processes we at the department engage in every day; connecting
people with their environment and their government to get better outcomes.
This project will empower and educate people in urban areas of Harrisburg, Lancaster,
and York on how to improve and protect the water quality in their communities, said Renee
Reber, CBFs staff scientist in Pennsylvania, who worked on the grant. We look forward to
working with community members who will guide how project activities such as rain barrel
workshops and watershed discovery trips are tailored to work best for their interests and needs.
CBFs environmental justice project will also include a demonstration rain garden in the
City of Harrisburg, to be installed in the spring of 2018. The location has not been determined.
CRWs City Beautiful H2O Program to reduce combined sewer overflows in Harrisburg
includes a green infrastructure plan developed with a significant amount of community input.
CRW is in the midst of a green stormwater infrastructure project in the Camp Curtin area of the
city that will include rain garden.
Urban and suburban polluted runoff is the only source of pollution that continues to
increase within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Impervious surfaces like roofs, streets, and
parking lots generate polluted runoff that can find its way into the nearest river or stream,
threatening drinking water.
Capital Region Water is proud to partner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to further
engage the Harrisburg community around clean water, said Andrew Bliss, CRWs Community
Outreach Manager. Green infrastructure has the power to reduce pollution and beautify
neighborhoods, but only if driven by the neighborhood community itself.
Prioritizing education about water quality, especially in our disadvantaged communities,
builds a stronger community overall, said CBFs Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry
Campbell. We all have a stake in clean water. Our health, way of life, and economic well being
depend on it. Thats why we all should have the knowledge and opportunity to be part of the
solution.
CBFs environmental justice effort in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York is one of 79
projects statewide that received almost $1.2 million in Environmental Education Grants from the
DEP.
Environmental Education Grants are funded by 5 percent of the pollution fines and
penalties collected annually by DEP.
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: The rain garden at the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, has features that may be
included in the rain garden to be installed in the city in spring of 2018 as part of an
environmental justice project administered by CBF-PA.)
NewsClips:
Beth-Center Students Raise Trout From Eggs To Stock Ten Mile Creek
Innovation, Inspiration For Kids At Philadelphia Science Festival
Swarthmore College Students Protest Schools Fossil Fuel Investments
Swarthmore Students Launch New Sit-In To Protest Fossil Fuel Investments
Chesapeake Conservancy Releases Vision Document For Susquehanna River Conservation
The Chesapeake Conservancy recently released Envision the Susquehanna: A Vision for the
Susquehanna Watershed in partnership with the National Park Service, the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for
Environmental Studies, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, and the Wildlife Management
Institute.
This Vision Document maps out the recommendations of the Envision the
Susquehanna (ETS) initiative, a coalition among many partners across the watershed to identify
local conservation priorities and develop locally supported recommendations for future action.
Launched in 2013, ETS has encouraged individuals, community leaders, and
organizations to describe their vision for the Susquehanna River watershed. Using interviews,
surveys, and workshops to solicit input from the Susquehanna River community, the ETS team
developed a shared vision for the river and its watershed.
This Vision document is a tremendous milestone for the citizens and communities in the
Susquehanna Watershed. It represents the input of more than 1,000 individuals and organizations
collected through three years of community engagement and data analysis, all of which is
focused toward a common vision for the future of the river, Chesapeake Conservancy President
and CEO Joel Dunn said. The community vision builds upon existing partner-driven
conservation initiatives and will improve the health of the Susquehanna River to the benefit of
everyone who lives, works, and plays in the watershed.
The creation of the Vision document required four phases to gather and analyze
information. Data collection was carried out in 19 of the 22 counties that are contiguous to the
Susquehanna River in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. \
This work included Interviews with 63 key land use stakeholders, reviews of 36 open
space, greenway, and comprehensive plans, a phone survey of 965 residents, and input from
more than 250 practitioners and community members through workshops and meetings in 17
communities.
In addition to this focused research, the information in this Vision document was also
informed by other activities carried out by ETS Advisory Council members. These include direct
input from nearly 40 members of the Council, informed directly by partners engagement in a
variety of community-based efforts.
Using this information, the ETS partnership has the divided the Susquehanna into three
watershed sections and will focus projects on five themes, which include: American Indian
Heritage and History, Recreation and Public Access, Working Lands, Stormwater and Flooding
and Wildlife Habitat.
The ETS partnership has cited a number of steps following the completion of the
document, designed to engage the public and potential future partners by raising awareness of
environmental issues in the Susquehanna River watershed, developing and delivering better data
for evidence-based decision-making, and increasing funding for conservation efforts.
One example of how the Conservancy and its partners plan to address cross-sector goals
identified in the Vision is through a three-year project in Clinton and Centre Counties with
funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The project aims to pilot a new approach to conservation combining technology with
working lands restoration activities on the ground to help local partners in Pennsylvania best
leverage public and private dollars to manage stormwater runoff, improving water quality and
wildlife habitat.
The partnership is led by the Conservancy and includes Susquehanna University,
Bloomsburg University, Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources.
The goal of the project is to create a model to use throughout the Susquehanna River
watershed.
It is impossible to separate Susquehanna University from the river that shares our
name," said Susquehanna University President L. Jay Lemons. "We are committed to ensuring
the good health of the river through our work with the Chesapeake Conservancy and we look
forward to working with the Conservancy and its many partners to secure a robust future for the
Susquehanna River.
A copy of Envision the Susquehanna is available online.
For more information, visit the Envision The Susquehanna website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Dominion, Western PA Conservancy Award 20 Local Watershed Grants
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Dominion

Foundation recently awarded $30,000 to 20 environmental
organizations in 13 counties across the Commonwealth as
part of their 2017 Watershed Mini Grant Program.
Awardees included the following organizations,
which received its award at a reception on April 18:
-- Allegheny Aquatic Alliance of Freedom, Beaver County.
received $2,000 for its 6th annual cleanup of
Connoquenessing Creek, a tributary of the Beaver River.
Funds will be used to help with the cost of garbage disposal and outreach items for the event.
-- Aultman Watershed Association of McIntyre, Indiana County. received $2,000 to continue a
restoration project on Neal Run. Funds will be used to purchase high-calcium limestone for an
auto-flushing, vertical flow pond, which will generate alkalinity and remove metals.
-- Bennett Branch Watershed Association of Benezette, Elk County received $415 to print
updated brochures that highlight their restoration success.
-- Bucktail Watershed Association of Emporium, Cameron County. received $1,200 for its
efforts to control the spread of invasive plants, such as Japanese knotweed, along the stream
banks of the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed. The organization will also use funds to send out
newsletters to their members.
-- Conemaugh Valley Conservancy of Johnstown, Cambria County received $900 to distribute
their Annual Report, as well as their Stream Team Adopt-A-Site and West Penn Trail brochures.
Creek Connections at Allegheny College of Meadville, Pa. received $1,500 for pH test kits to
continue measuring water quality in local watersheds.
-- Crooked Creek Watershed Association of Ford City, Armstrong County received $475 for
printing and distributing their newsletters.
-- Emigh Run/Lakeside Watershed Association of Osceola Mills, Clearfield County received
$1,940 to continue water quality monitoring on Emigh Run and Hubler Run. Funds will pay for
sample analysis costs.
-- Evergreen Conservancy of Indiana, Indiana County received $2,600 for water quality
monitoring, environmental outreach and a restoration project. Funds will be used to maintain
data loggers and associated equipment, produce newsletters and remediate a stream bank on
Laurel Run in Yellow Creek State Park.
-- Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited of Laughlintown, Westmoreland County received
$950 to continue outreach efforts for the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail.
-- First Fork Watershed Association of Coudersport, Potter County received $800 for outreach
materials.
-- French Creek Valley Conservancy of Meadville, Crawford County received $1,400 for
educational and promotional display items.
-- Kiskiminetas Watershed Association of Greensburg, Westmoreland County received $2,650
for restoration work on their West Leechburg property. KWA will remove invasive species and
old concrete, replant the area and install informative signage.
-- Nine Mile Run Watershed Association of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County received $2,400 for a
fish passage and stream bank stabilization project. Funds will be used to purchase the rock and
plant materials needed to undergo the stream restoration.
-- North Fork Watershed Association of Brookville, Jefferson County received $1,150 to produce
an educational brochure and install educational signage about the watershed throughout the
county.
-- Seneca Chapter of Trout Unlimited of Port Allegany, McKean County received $1,400 for
data loggers and associated hardware to better monitor water quality.
-- Sewickley Creek Watershed Association of Youngwood, Westmoreland County received
$2,400 to purchase water quality monitoring equipment that will be used as part of an education
partnership with local students at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and California
University.
-- Tubmill Trout Club Unlimited of New Florence, Westmoreland County received $1,500 to
purchase hemlock logs for a restoration project.
-- Turtle Creek Watershed Association of Murrysville, Westmoreland County received $1,500 to
install educational signage at two watershed access points on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.
-- Upper Allegheny Watershed Association of Roulette, Potter County received $1,000 for the
production of education and outreach materials.
The grant program provides assistance to the regions watershed groups. This years
awards cover program expenses in three areas: water quality monitoring, watershed restoration,
and organizational promotion and outreach.
Since 2005, WPC and the Dominion Foundation have collaborated to help enhance water
quality and watershed initiatives through this grant program, which has awarded $343,475 to
more than 115 organizations.
The Mini Grant Program offers invaluable funding for smaller volunteer-based
organizations and helps them to administer and complete a variety of different projects like tree
plantings and water monitoring that are important to sustaining and enhancing local
watersheds, said Don Houser, Dominion Energys state policy advisor.
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.
(Photo: Brenda Costa of the French Creek Valley Conservancy accepted the 2017 grant award
from Dominion employees, Environmental Supervisor Jen McCloskey and State Policy Advisor
Don Houser.)
NewsClips:
Potomac Gets A B- For Health As Pollution Levels Decrease
2 Western PA Watersheds Awarded Dominion Grants
Earth Day Good News For Cambria County Region
Muncy Watershed Assn Keeps Close Watch On Lycoming Streams
Jenkintown Creek Flowing Toward Healthy Future Thanks To Stream Huggers
Delaware RiverKeeper April 28 RiverWatch Video Report
Apply Now For ARIPPA Mine Reclamation Mini-Grants
The Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers

Association is again partnering with the Eastern and Western
PA Coalitions for Abandoned Mine Reclamation to offer
Mini-Grants totalling $5,000 for local watershed reclamation
projects.
The deadline for applications is July 7.
Grants of a maximum of $2,500 will be awarded to at least
one eligible environmental organization or Conservation
District in the Anthracite Region and one eligible
environmental organization or Conservation District in the
Bituminous Region.
Smaller grants are encouraged. Grant proposals should be for on-the-ground mine
reclamation or mine drainage treatment projects with a completion date between July 2017 and
June 2018.
Click Here for more information and the application.
(Photo: Earth Conservancy 2015 ARIPPA Mini-Grant for the Askam Borehole AMD Treatment
System in Luzerne County.)
NewsClips:
Jeanesville Underground Mine Fire A Long Way From Being Extinguished
PEC Video: Mine Land To Forest Land In Pinchot State Forest
Stroud Water Research Center: Volunteers Plant 1,140 Trees Along Read Clay Creek
Stroud Water Research Center in

Chester County celebrated
National Volunteer Week
Thursday by restoring 3.8 acres
(approximately 165,528 square
feet) along two first-order,
headwater tributaries of Red Clay
Creek in Chester County, which
is a major tributary of
Brandywine Creek and then the Christina River.
Volunteers from Exelon Generation, one of the monetary supporters of the planting, were
joined by volunteers from BB&T, Cheshire Hunt Conservancy, Colonial Pipeline, Dansko, Hugh
Lofting Timber Framing, and local community members to plant 1,140 trees and shelters along
this forested buffer.
Exelon supports and encourages our employees to support the organizations that they
care about through volunteer service we want to improve quality of life in the communities
where we live, work, and serve. This year, we are extremely proud to support Stroud Water
Research Center with not only funding but also the opportunity to make an impactful difference
through conservation measures that protect our freshwater resources, said Vicky Will, Exelon
Powers vice president of operations support and environmental services.
Restoration projects to create forested buffers are used to protect streams by filtering out
contaminants from agriculture and other land uses before they can enter streams.
A forest buffer provides a first line of defense (keeping sediment and nutrients out) as
well as a secondary line of defense (keeping sediment and nutrients from moving downstream)
for maintaining clean water in our streams and rivers.
Scientists at the Stroud Center have been studying the important effects of forested
buffers over the past 50 years, and each tree planting is another opportunity to learn more about
the relationship between trees and clean fresh water for all.
Trees are the foundation of watershed health, said Bern Sweeney, Ph.D., distinguished
scientist and president of Stroud Water Research Center. We are so grateful to have the support
of the wonderful companies in our community to help us restore our streams through riparian
plantings. This one was our largest volunteer-only tree planting to date.
Funding for this project was provided by Exelon Generation and TreeVitalize.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water
Research Center website, Click Here to sign up for regular updates from Stroud, Like them on
Facebook, Follow on Twitter, include them in your Circle on Google+ and visit their YouTube
Channel.
NewsClips:
Scranton Mayor To Hold Arbor Day Ceremony
DCNR, PA Outdoor Corps Plant Trees Along Creek In Laurel Hill State Park For Arbor
Day
To celebrate Arbor Day-- April 28-- Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn Friday joined young adults participating in
the PA Outdoor Corps planting trees along Laurel Hill
Creek in Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County, to
protect and improve water quality.
On Arbor Day we celebrate trees, and all they do to
help clean our air, protect our water quality, and make
our landscapes and communities beautiful, Dunn said.
Trees are even more beneficial growing along our waterways, because they buffer them from
runoff from the land, and cool the water for fish and other wildlife in the stream.
About 500 trees are being planted on 3-acres of the Countryman parcel acquired for
Laurel Hill State Park in 2012. Laurel Hill Creek is a 37-mile tributary to the Youghiogheny
River, and is a prime destination for trout fishing.
National Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives
and promotes tree planting and care.
Critical to the future of conservation work is connecting young people to the outdoors,
and thats why Im excited to pitch in and work alongside members of the PA Outdoor Corps,
who have a 10-month opportunity to learn about jobs involving the stewardship of our land and
water resources, Dunn said. Planting trees anywhere is something that anyone can do to
make a difference.
The PA Outdoor Corps offers young people ages 15-25 job training, work experience and
educational opportunities on Pennsylvanias public lands. A 10-member crew of 18-25 year olds
based in Greensburg has been working on projects at Laurel Hill for several weeks.
DCNRs Bureau of Forestry is leading an effort to work with numerous agencies,
partners, and landowners to expand forest buffers along waterways in the Commonwealth.
One of the original purposes for establishing the state forest system and the various
bureaus including state parks that today make up DCNR was to protect forested watersheds that
provide clean water, Dunn said.
Dunn noted that DCNR Bureau of Forestry service foresters located in each of the 20
forest districts statewide can assist landowners with information about planting buffers.
Forest buffers along stream banks provide critical barriers between polluting landscapes
and receiving waterways.
Properly planted and maintained, streamside tree and shrub plantings filter the runoff of
sediments and the fertilizers that are applied to lawns and crops; control erosion; improve water
quality; reduce flooding; cool stream temperatures; and improve fish habitat.
For more information, visit DCNRs Stream Buffers and the PA Outdoors Corps
webpages.
More information on recreation and outdoor opportunities 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.
NewsClips:
April 24 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension
The April 24 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now

available from Penn State Extension featuring articles on--
-- View March Webinar On An Inventory Of Farm Conservation
Practices (photo)
-- Woods In Your Backyard Topic Of Earlier Workshop In
Southwest PA
-- Shifts In Stream Microbial Communities Exposed To Oil & Gas
Wastewaters
-- Invasive Species: Rusty Crayfish
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
Sewickley Creek, Firestone And Scouts Join Forces On Earth Day Cleanup
Sewickley Creek Watershed Association in

Westmoreland County teamed up again this
year with Firestone Building Products and
Boy Scout Troop 465 on April 22 to
celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up litter and
trash from four miles of roadway and a mile
of stream banks around Youngwood
Borough and Hempfield and Unity
Townships.
Sixty bags of trash, several tires, mattresses, desks and demolition debris were collected.
The Association coordinated its efforts with Youngwood Borough residents who cleaned
additional streets that morning.
The Associations would like to thank the Youngwood Borough Public Works
Department for hauling away all of the trash collected.
Hats off to Firestone for, once again, sponsoring lunch for all of the volunteers. Many
plant employees also assisted with the cleanup effort.
This is one of the ways that we try to give back to the community where we operate and
where our employees live, said Michael McCrea, Plant Manager for Firestones Youngwood
complex. We enjoy having the stream right outside our doors and the green space that
surrounds the industrial park. We want to help make our community a more attractive place to
live.
Scout Leader, Dan Laco, spent some of his morning trying to answer questions from the
younger scouts such asWhy do we have to clean litter along the same roads and stream banks
every year? What kind of people would throw mattresses into the weeds instead of putting them
out for curbside garbage pickup? Why do people throw tires into the stream instead of recycling
them? At least they could leave them along the road for easier pickup.
Maybe some of our readers can answer those questions!
Dan suggestedIts probably a fraction of one percent of our society that would even
consider throwing litter out the car window. But when the same people do it day-after-day, its
enough to create an eyesore along an otherwise beautiful stream and roadway.
Troop 465 has been partnering with Sewickley Creek on Earth Day projects since 1996.
Click Here for photos from the Earth Day Cleanup event.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Sewickley Creek Watershed Association website. The Associations helps manage the 168 square
mile watershed drained by Sewickley Creek in Westmoreland County. Their primary focus is
remediation of abandoned mine discharges. Other projects include building riparian buffers, trail
development and environmental education.
NewsClips:
Volunteers Beautify Outdoors Around Lancaster County For Earth Day
New Frick Environmental Center Hosts Earth Day Events
Philadelphia Protesters Accuse Trump Of Anti-Science Bias
Philadelphias March For Science Draws Thousands
Bethlehem Rally Supports National March For Science Campaign
Wilkes-Barre Earth Day Ralliers March For Science, Bash Trump
March For Science Protesters Fill Lancaster Square
Column: New Reasons To Take Part In Earth Day
On Earth Day, An Environment-Minded PA GOP Congressman Turns To Birds
Trump On Earth Day: Protect Environment Without Harming Americas Working Families
ClearWater Conservancy: Volunteer Turnout For Watershed Cleanup Breaks Records
ClearWater Conservancy celebrated Earth Day on April 22

alongside 552 community volunteers at its 21st annual
Watershed Cleanup Day. This one day event is aimed at
combating littering and illegal dumping in our local
watersheds.
The 2017 cleanup brought out our greatest number of event
participants to date to keep Centre County and Central
Pennsylvania beautiful.
Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers, ClearWater
Conservancy, in partnership with Centre County Recycling &
Refuse Authority, was able to properly dispose of over 38.1 tons of trash, or 76,200 pounds,
from 59 sites at roadsides, parks, streams, and sinkholes.
This total included over 48,900 pounds of assorted trash, over 17,240 pounds of scrap
metal, and over 10,120 pounds of tires which numbered 550.
This years tonnage brings the project total to over 6.16 million pounds of waste removed
from local streams, roadways, sinkholes, and illegal 1997.
It always amazes me that we the few, can do so much, in such a short time, said Rod
Fye, Cleanup Day committee member and Enforcement Officer at CCRRA. If many others
would change their attitude about littering our roads and improperly disposing of their trash; we
could accomplish so much more! It should be our goal to take care of our Mother Earth, we
really only have one.
Led by ClearWater Conservancy and in partnership with Centre County Recycling &
Refuse Authority and the local MS4 [stormwater management] partners, Watershed Cleanup Day
is supported by local contractors, heavy equipment operators, businesses, and Centre County
municipalities.
ClearWater Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Conservancy.
NewsClips:
Scranton Community Foundation Supports Lacawac Watershed Education Program
Lacawac Sanctuary in Wayne County received a $4,000 grant from the

Scranton Area Community Foundation which will allow the
organization to develop a water resource program for elementary
school classes in Lackawanna County schools to educate students on
the importance of watersheds and how to protect water sources.
Lacawac Sanctuary provides students opportunities to learn
about the local natural environment and how they can improve
conditions for future generations.
Lacawacs Watershed Education and Awareness program
operates in local schools and afterschool programs to teach natural
resource sciences, ecosystem management, and watershed stewardship
to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders in Lackawanna County. Students gain
valuable watershed knowledge through hands on and engaging environmental science lessons.
The Watershed Program is aligned and compliments the various Watersheds and
Wetlands and Humans and the Environment Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Environment
and Ecology.
The future well-being of our local watersheds will soon rest in the hands of its youngest
citizens, said Craig Lukatch, President of the Foundation. Establishing strong, targeted
environmental education programs now provides a vital foundation for these future watershed
stewards.
Lukatch described Lacawacs Watershed Education and Awareness Program goals--
Enable students in Lackawanna County to graduate with the knowledge and skills to act
responsibly to protect and restore their local watersheds including the Lackawanna River and
increase community awareness of watershed issues, preserve local water resources, and
gradually change student behaviors to reduce the amount of pollutants from stormwater runoff.
From March 2016, 1,500 Lackawanna County students participated in the program.
Lacawac Sanctuary is a nonprofit association founded in 1966 for the purpose of
protecting a gift of the original Connell Park lands by Arthur and Isabel Watres and facilitating
environmental education and research.
Located on Lake Wallenpaupack, the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation plays an important
role in the preservation of Lake Lacawac which is one of the southernmost glacial lakes in the
hemisphere and has been preserved in pristine condition free from development and
encroachment.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Lacawac
Sanctuary website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Get Outdoors Poconos: May 20 Hike To Lacawac Lake, Wayne County
Southmoreland High School Wins Westmoreland County Envirothon
Southmoreland High School Team 1 took first

place Monday in the Westmoreland County
Envirothon an academic competition in which
students test their knowledge of the natural world.
Rounding out the top three winners are--
-- Second Place Winners Yough Senior High
School Team 2 Caitlin Allen, Christian
Wardezak, Kaylee Goblesky, Emma Krofcheck,
Kyla Denitti, Greg King (advisor)
-- Third Place Winners Greater Latrobe High
School Team 2 Macy Logan (advisor), Rebecca
Dill, Alexis Brown, Rachel Garbeglio, Hunter Petrosky
They bested a field of 21 teams from nine Westmoreland County high schools in their
knowledge of forestry, soil and land use, aquatic ecology, wildlife, and this years current
environmental issue: agricultural soil and water conservation stewardship.
Some high schools had more than one student team competing.
Team 1 from Yough Senior High School netted second place and Greater Latrobe High
School Team 2 placed third in the hands-on competition, hosted by the Westmoreland
Conservation District.
The first-place Southmoreland High School Team 1 will go on to compete in the state
competition at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown on May 23 and 24.
This is the second year in a row that Southmoreland High School will represent
Westmoreland County in the state competition.
This years Westmoreland County Envirothon received funding support from the
Pennsylvania Envirothon, Inc.; Apex Energy, LLC; and Smithfield.
A number of cooperating organizations and agencies also assist the Westmoreland
Conservation District in hosting the event, including: the Game Commission, Fish and Boat
Commission, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry,
Department of Environmental Protection, Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and
Recreation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Westmoreland Cleanways and
Recycling.
To learn more about county conservation district Envirothons, visit the PA Envirothon
webpage.
Westmoreland County Conservation District website.
(Photo: Southmoreland High School Team 1 members Alex Busato, Haley Rollinson, Brendan
Hixon, Jenna Hixon (advisor), Mady Bodenheimer, Raine Lookabill.)
NewsClips:
Watch The Banding Of Peregrine Falcon Nestlings Live From Harrisburg May 10
Game Commission staff will band the peregrine falcon

nestlings living on the Rachel Carson Building Harrisburg
from 11:00 a.m. to noon on May 10. And you can watch it
live online!
Have a question about peregrine falcons? Submit
your questions using the hashtag #HbgFalconsBanding and
the Game Commission and DEP staff will answer some of
them live during the event! Please submit your questions by
May 8.
Click Here to watch the 2016 Banding video.
In the meantime, you can watch the nestlings grow up right before your eyes live by
going to DEPs Falcon Cam webpage.
NewsClips:
AP: Suburban Development Deemed Top Bird-Friendly Neighborhood
Got Birds? Erie Region Due Spring Migration
Great-Horned Owl Thrives In Harrison Hills Park
Agriculture: Grants For Succession/Transition Planning Available To Farmers
The Department of Agriculture reminds farmers it

is still accepting applications for succession and
transition planning under the Agricultural Land
Conservation Assistance Grant Program. (formal
notice)
Grants of up to $3,000 are available to the
owners of land subject to agricultural conservation
easements for the purpose of succession planning
to ensure that agricultural operations continue on
these lands.
Click Here for the application. For help with the application, call 888-724-7697 or send
email to: RA-pagrows@pa.gov.
For more information on farm transitions, visit Agricultures Center for Farm Transition
website or call 717-783-3167.
NewsClips:
DEP Aggregate Advisory Board Committee To Discuss Sinkhole Issues Paper May 5
The Regulatory, Legislative and Technical Committee of

DEPs Aggregate Advisory Board will discuss a
background policy paper DEP staff prepared entitled
Resolving Sinkhole Issues: A State Government
Perspective at its meeting on May 5. (formal notice)
Although the policy paper was prepared in 2005, it
was based on a series of major sinkhole occurrences DEP
investigated from 1997 to 2005 related to sinkhole
formation as a result of groundwater withdrawal, urbanization and stormwater handling.
The meeting will be held in the 14th Floor Conference Room of the Rachel Carson
Building starting at 10:00. To join the meeting by conference phone, call 1-650-479-3208,
Meeting Number: 640 749 002, Password: EarthEnviroEd$50.
For more information, visit DEPs Aggregate Advisory Board webpage or contact Daniel
Snowden by calling 717-783-8846 or send email to: dsnowden@pa.gov.
For information on sinkholes in Pennsylvania, visit DCNRs Sinkholes In PA webpage
which includes an interactive sinkhole map, reports and records on sinkholes and more.
(Map: Carbonate Bedrock areas prone to sinkholes, DCNR Bureau of Topographic and
Geologic Survey.)
NewsClips:
2.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Lancaster County
More Earthquakes Hit Lancaster Than Any Other Place In PA
DEP: May 3 Meeting On Waste Transfer Station Permit In Erie
The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday invited interested members of the public
to a public information meeting on May 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McKinley Elementary
School (gym/cafeteria) located at 933 East 22nd Street, Erie, PA 16503.
The meeting is to inform the public about a municipal waste transfer station permit
application submitted by Pro Waste Services, Inc.
The purpose of the meeting is for the applicant to answer questions about their project
and permit application, for the department to explain the permit application review process, and
for both the department and the applicant to hear and understand concerns or questions from the
public.
Copies of the application are available for review at the Department of Environmental
Protection, Northwest Regional Office, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335 and at the
Raymond M. Blasco Memorial Library, 160 East Front Street, Erie, PA 16507 at the reference
desk.
Questions should be directed to Melanie Williams, DEP Meadville Office, 814-332-6615.
NewsClips:
Gov. Wolf Announces Drug Take-Back Day To Be Held April 29
Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday announced that April 29 is National

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in Pennsylvania.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Department of Drug and Alcohol
Programs, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the federal Drug
Enforcement Administration will give the public its 13th
opportunity in seven years to prevent pill abuse and theft by
ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused,
and unwanted prescription drugs.
Drug Take-Back Day addresses a vital public safety and
public health issue and I encourage all Pennsylvanians to check their homes for unwanted and
unneeded drugs that they could turn in at a drug take-back box, Gov. Wolf said.
Pennsylvania now has 584 take-back locations in its 67 counties, making it convenient
for people to find a location near them.
The Wolf Administration has worked to expand take-back locations to include more local
police departments and pharmacies. Also included are some fire stations and DEA offices. Click
Here for a map of locations. The take-back service is free and anonymous.
Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and
abuse and studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and
friends, including from home medicine cabinets.
Pennsylvania has an opioid epidemic; one in four families is affected, said Jennifer
Smith, acting secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is a great way to encourage people to get opioids
and other unused medications out of circulation, and to bring attention to this crisis.
We lose far too many people to opioid overdoses, said Smith. These people are mothers,
fathers, daughters and sons. They leave behind grieving families.
The number of opioid overdose deaths in 2016 is expected to be higher than 2015 when
3,500 people died from overdoses.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is an important part of the effort to
combat the opioid crisis, said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker.
Allowing for the safe, anonymous disposal of prescription drugs helps to ensure that powerful
narcotics and other medications do not end up in the wrong hands.
In 2016 across Pennsylvania, 124,335 pounds, or almost 62 tons of unwanted prescription
drugs were collected and destroyed by the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Bureau of Narcotics
Investigation, the Pennsylvania National Guard, and the DEA.
Last October, during its fall National Drug Take-Back Day, the DEA and its partners
collected more than 893,498 pounds (about 447 tons) of unwanted prescription drugs at almost
5,400 collection sites.
Since January, Pennsylvania has collected approximately 20,000 pounds of unwanted
prescription drugs.
To find a drop-off location for the disposal of prescription drugs or for more information,
visit:
-- Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs website; or
-- PA State Police website; or
-- Drug Enforcement Agency website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
PRC, PA American Water Host 3 Drug Take-Back Collections April 29 In Allegheny County
PRC Celebrates 15 Years Of Household Chemical Collection Events In Western PA
The PA Resources Council celebrates its 15th year of

holding household chemical collection events by setting
2017 collection dates for household chemicals.
The Pennsylvania Resources Council provides residents
of the Commonwealth with numerous options to
conveniently and cost-effectively dispose of a wide
variety of materials, according to PRC Regional Director
Justin Stockdale. Since details vary for each of these
opportunities, we encourage individuals to visit our
website or call PRC at 412-488-7452 for complete
details.
Individuals can drop off automotive fluids, household cleaners, pesticides, paints and
other household chemicals for a cost of $3/gallon (a few exceptions apply), cash only. NEW IN
2017: collections will accept camp fuel and small propane bottles.
The collection dates are--
-- May 6: North Park, Allegheny County
-- May 20: Concurrent Technologies Corporation ETF Facility, Johnstown, Cambria County
-- July 22: Consol Energy Park, Washington County
-- August 19: Boyce Park, Allegheny County
-- September 16: South Park, Allegheny County
-- October 14: Bradys Run Park, Beaver County
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:
17 DEP Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants Awarded To Schools, Businesses, Municipalities
Department of Environmental Protection Thursday

awarded grants to 17 alternative fuel projects that
will save an estimated 650 million gallons of fuel
in Pennsylvania.
These Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants will be
used to develop and promote the use of alternative
fuels and develop supporting infrastructure,
improving air quality through alternative fuel use.
The AFIG program has made tremendous strides
in reducing air pollution, improving the quality of the air we breathe, and paying economic
dividends through a reduction in the use of gasoline, said Gov. Tom Wolf. These grants are
awarded to a wide range of projects, both large and small. From purchasing two alternative fuel
vehicles to converting entire fleets, these projects show a commitment to make changes that will
benefit all Pennsylvanians.
Nearly $2 million in grants were awarded across the two categories. The awards for
vehicles will save approximately 650 thousand gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel annually.
This is the final awarding of AFIG funding for applications submitted in 2016. Nearly
$5.5 million was awarded to 43 projects for the calendar year. DEP expects to reopen the AFIG
program with next the application submission date due early this summer.
Places like Lycoming County and the River Valley Transit system will save money on
fuel costs and cut down on air pollution, and the Philadelphia Airport will be able to serve
customers with electric vehicles with new charging stations, said Acting DEP Secretary Patrick
McDonnell.
The primary goals of the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program are to improve
Pennsylvanias air quality and reduce consumption of imported oil through the use of alternative
fuels that will help the Commonwealth's economy and environment.
DEP accepts applications for innovative, advanced fuel and vehicle technology projects
resulting in a cleaner and greener transportation sector within the Commonwealth.
The AFIG Fund was established under Act 166 of 1992 and is administered by the DEP
through the Office of Policy.
Click Here for a list of grants awarded.
Cleaner Vehicle Grants Open
There are three other cleaner vehicle grant programs now accepting applications with
these deadlines--
-- May 12: DEP PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program
-- June 1: DEP Vehicle Fleet Owner Alternative Fuels Technical Assistance Program
-- June 20: EPA Clean Diesel National Grants
For more information on this program, visit DEPs Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants
webpage.
NewsClips:
Electric Car Boom Is Coming Soon
Consumers, Farmers Burned By EPA Regulations On Renewable Fuel
Seneca Resources Assessed $375K Penalty For Multiple Violations At Drilling Operations
The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced Seneca Resources

Corporation, part of the National Fuel Gas Company, has agreed to a $375,000 civil penalty for
oil and gas violations of the Clean Stream Law, Dam Safety and Encroachment Act, the Oil and
Gas Act, and the Solid Waste Management Act.
Beginning in August 2013 through 2015, DEP inspected various areas of construction in
Forest, McKean, and Elk Counties and determined that multiple violations of erosion and
sedimentation control existed, including:
-- Failure to comply with the conditions of the Erosion Control Permit and maintain best
management practices during earth moving activities;
-- Discharge of an estimated 70 to 100 barrels of crude oil which flowed across land then into a
tributary of Windfall Run, a High Quality Cold Water Fishery in McKean County;
-- Discharge of an estimated 500 barrels of flowback fluid generated from a valve failure to the
ground and surrounding wetlands in Forest County; and
-- Failure to follow the approved water management plan for 105 days in McKean County when
Seneca withdrew water during a drought watch.
Seneca has resolved all the violations identified in this civil penalty.
Sediment is a major cause of stream impairment in Pennsylvania. DEP inspectors are
diligent about inspecting construction activities to ensure operators are meeting permit
conditions and regulatory requirements, said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. This
penalty is reflective of DEPs commitment to enforcing those conditions and requirements."
NewsClips:
Study: Fracking Didnt Impact WV Groundwater, But Spills Pollute Streams
Activists Decry Drilling Pollution At Wolfs Pittsburgh Office
Op-Ed: Why Yes, Natural Gas Drilling Can Be Done Responsibly, Marcellus Shale Coalition
Center for Responsible Shale Development Recertifies Shell, CONSOL Drilling Operations
The Center for Responsible Shale Development Tuesday

announced both Shells and CONSOL Energys Appalachian
operations have been recertified to the Centers 15 Performance
Standards focused on responsible stewardship of air and water
resources.
Both were certified in the spring of 2015 for an initial two year
term, and now have demonstrated ongoing conformance with the
Performance Standards for a second term.
We commend both CONSOL Energy and Shell for their dedication to operating
responsibly and willingness to advance the conversation on what best practice for shale
development means, said Susan LeGros, President and Executive Director of the Center for
Responsible Shale Development. Their recertification is a testament to the value of voluntary
performance standards and transparency.
As a company with deep local roots that stretch back over 150 years, being a good
neighbor is a key component of our corporate culture, commented Nick DeIuliis, President and
CEO of CONSOL Energy Inc. Shale development under CRSD standards represents an
unparalleled opportunity to drive progress in our region for generations to come. CONSOL is
firmly committed to responsibly developing these resources, and our recent recertification by
CRSD clearly demonstrates that vital commitment.
Shell strives to conduct operations in a transparent manner working with groups like the
Center for Responsible Shale Development to bring about improvements in the sector, said
Michael De Witt, General Manager for Shells operations in the Appalachian basin. Through
collaboration and innovation, Shell has continued to reduce potential impact to the environment.
The audits were independently conducted by a team of environmental management
experts contracted through Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification.
The verification and evaluation process included documentation and record reviews, field
and office personnel interviews, and field inspections of operations through Shells and
CONSOLs operations in the Appalachian Basin.
The auditors report and recommendations are reviewed by a Certification Decision
Committee made up of individuals not affiliated with an oil and gas company or an
environmental organization, who make the final certification decision.
The Centers performance standards are developed in collaboration with both industry
operators and environmental organizations.
All shale producers operating in the Appalachian region are eligible to apply for
certification and encouraged to pledge their commitment to operating in a responsible manner.
The standards, criteria used by auditors and audit results are publicly available on the
Center for Responsible Shale Development website. Questions should be directed to Susan
LeBros, President of the Center, at 412-804-4170 or send email to:
spl@responsibleshaledevelopment.org.
The Center is an alliance of energy producers and environmental organizations working
together to define the most responsible way to deal with the challenges presented when shale
resources are developed.
NewsClip:
Drilling Company, Environmental Group Appeal Indiana County Drilling Waste Injection
Well Permit
Two appeals were filed with the Environmental Hearing Board over drilling waste injection well
permits issued by the Department of Environmental Protection in Grant Township, Indiana
County this week. The EHB combined the appeals into one case for action before the Board.
The appeal by the PA General Energy Company, LLC challenges all 26 special
conditions DEP attached to the permit to protect the environment, mechanical integrity
conditions and monitor and mitigate any seismic activity that may result from the operation of
the well in the future.
The appeal alleges the special conditions were imposed without a basis in law, the
conditions represent development and applications of a regulation not properly promulgated and
that the regulation of the construction, use and operation of injections wells generally and the
specific well permitted by DEP specifically is expressly or impliedly preempted by the federal
Safe Drinking Water Act.
The second appeal by the East Run Hellbenders Society, Stacy Long and Judith
Wanchisn filed Tuesday challenges the permit on 39 different grounds, including--
-- Violates the equal protection rights of the citizens of Grant Township, Indiana County,
Pennsylvania, in that it results in disparate treatment based on economic status of communities
which are otherwise similarly situated in every respect.
-- Fails to require the permittee to identify with specificity the chemical composition of the waste
intended to be injected into the ground and as a result DEP cannot assure compliance with state
laws regulating the generation, handling, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste.
-- Fails to require the permittee to include tracers within the disposed of waste so that residents
who may have their water supply contaminated with the disposed of fracking waste will be able
to recognize the contamination and trace it back to the source.
--Fails to require the permittee to provide financial surety for pollution damages and remediation.
The permit applications reference a surety bond of $60,000, but a closer reading of the
applications reveals that this surety bond is exclusively for the eventual plugging and
abandonment of the Yanity #1025, The bond is not a financial surety or guarantee of
performance for clean-up of pollution emanating from the proposed Yanity #1025 injection and
storage operations. Even if this bond were applicable to pollution damage and clean-up, the
amount is woefully inadequate.
-- Fails to take into account the proximity of the East Run Watershed to the site of the injection
well. The East Run Watershed is a High Quality Watershed, See, 25 Pa.Code 93.4b(a), located
approximately 1000 feet southwest of the well site. Mill Run Creek and East Run Creek, both
High Quality waterways, are each within the zone of endangering influence after ten years. By
placing these waterways at risk of contamination by surface spills, spills during transport,
migration of waste fluids out of the containment area, and other types of releases of the fracking
disposal waste, the DEP has failed in its constitutionally imposed obligations to the citizens of
Grant Township.
Click Here for more information on the East Run Hellbenders Society.
The EHB schedule for consideration of the case says: initial discovery and exploration of
a settlement by June 5, full discovery is to be completed by October 23 and all motions are to be
filed by November 23. A hearing will be held sometime thereafter. The scheduled can be
amended.
Click Here to find documents related to the combined appeals. Click Here to find
documents related to the PA General Energy Company appeal. Click Here to find documents
related to the East Run Hellbenders Society appeal.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
DEP Approves 2 Underground Drilling Waste Injection Wells In Elk, Indiana Counties
By David Spigelmyer, Marcellus Shale Coalition
Over the past decade, America's energy outlook has transformed in ways
few could have ever projected.
Thanks to continuous technological advancements along with a lot of hard
work, the United States is now the world's top oil and natural gas producer
- putting our nation in a position to meet our energy demands while
boosting our role in the global energy economy.
Our shale energy revolution is strengthening Pennsylvania, too. As a
natural gas leader, the Commonwealth is in the early stages of realizing
the full economic and manufacturing opportunity tied to affordable energy.
Beyond the clear economic and national security benefits of this game-changing
revolution, shale development also has enabled the United States to lead the world in carbon
emission reductions.
With Earth Day upon us, it's an important opportunity to take stock in the meaningful
environmental progress that our nation and the Commonwealth continue to enjoy - especially as
it relates to air quality.
By transitioning to clean, domestic natural gas, America's carbon emissions have
plummeted to levels not seen in decades.
In fact, the International Energy Agency reported last month that with the "surge in shale
gas," U.S. carbon emissions are falling even as America's economy grows - which demonstrates
that we can have clean air, affordable energy and good jobs.
And it's not just carbon emissions that are falling alongside significant increases in
natural gas production -- methane, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and asthma-causing particulate
matter are all dramatically declining as more clean natural gas is used to power our economy.
Natural gas is also a critical partner for intermittent energy forms like wind and solar
sources, that require a reliable base load fuel as back-up.
A 2016 Harvard Business School study highlighted the "complementary" relationship
between shale and renewables given that "natural gas is the only fuel that can cost-effectively
deliver large-scale carbon emissions reductions over the next 20 years."
It's not just our air quality that's improving with natural gas - Pennsylvania's overall
environment is benefitting as well.
The Commonwealth's unique natural gas impact tax has generated more than $1 billion
over the last five years, providing critical funding directly for community programs and key
statewide environmental initiatives.
Specifically, natural gas impact tax revenues have funded acid mine drainage treatment,
stream and waterway restorations, new outdoor trails, and improvements to community parks
throughout the Commonwealth, to name a few.
As we safely produce more domestic natural gas to meet our growing energy demands,
we're becoming a more energy secure nation, as well.
There is little doubt that the U.S. has some of the world's most rigorous environmental
regulations. States like Pennsylvania are leading the way - with support from the energy industry
- to make certain that commonsense, workable regulations are in place to protect and enhance
our environment for generations to come.
We're in the early stages of fully realizing the widespread benefits of America's energy
revolution.
Let's focus on policies - at the state and federal level - that encourage natural gas
production, transmission, and use so we can continue to enhance our environment while
providing more economic opportunities for all Pennsylvanians.
David Spigelmyer is president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition

NewsClips:
DEP Opens New Our Common Wealth Blog
The Department of Environmental Protection

Tuesday opened a new Our Common Wealth Blog
to, as its description says, provide citizen initiative
tips, stories that foster a better understanding of
how PAs environmental regulations affect the
daily lives of PA citizens, stories by and about our
dedicated employees across the state and more.
In his opening post, Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said, As Rachel Carson
famously wrote, The real wealth of the nation lies in the resources of the earth soil, water,
forests, minerals and wildlife. We at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) believe that philosophy. But we add another ingredient to her list of what makes a nation
wealthy. That is its people.
All the natural resources arent of value if they dont also enable the citizens of this
nation to live healthy and productive lives. Its why DEPs mission statement is a reflection of
both resource and resident DEPs mission is to protect Pennsylvanias air, land and water
from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner
environment.
Welcome to DEPs blog, Our Common Wealth. Through this medium, well bring
you messages about the ways we work to achieve our mission. We hope youll find our entries
useful about the many, many ways that our staff impact you throughout your day. I feel confident
you dont often (or even ever) think about our role in your life. But, actually, we do have stories
about that to share with you.
The stories will come from the amazing staff of DEP. The best way to give you a small
sense of their commitment is to recreate a bit of the most recent Employee Recognition Awards.
As I handed out the awards, I said, For many of us, the job is a vocation. We want to get our
decisions right. Every time. Because we care about the consequences. I like to say that the
agencys passion is its superpower.
A few of the award winners took the time to share their thoughts about working for
DEP. [Click Here for the video.] The passion you see in our employees is truly what helps us
achieve our mission. My colleagues at DEP invest every day in our mission. On behalf of all of
them, we hope that you agree that its an investment in Pennsylvanias future.
Have an idea for a post? Email us at ra-epblog@pa.gov.
For more information, visit DEPs website, Click Here to sign up for DEP News, visit
DEPs Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEPs YouTube
Channel.
Pittsburgh 2030 District Saves Nearly $53 Million In Energy, $4 Million In Water Costs
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported

Wednesday the Pittsburgh 2030 District
released its 2016 annual report documenting
cumulative energy savings of nearly $53
million and $4.6 million in savings from water
use reduction toward its goal of reducing
energy and water use by 50 percent by 2040 in
downtown Pittsburgh buildings.
Started in 2012, the Pittsburgh 2030
initiative of the Green Building Alliance has
grown to include 491 buildings or over 72
percent of the buildings in the district.
The report documents a 10.7 percent reduction in energy use from baseline in 2016-- 2.6
billion kBtu; a 7.4 percent reduction in water use-- 222.8 million gallons; and a 24.2 percent
reduction in transportation emissions from baseline.
Click Here for a copy of the report.
To learn more about this initiative, visit the Pittsburgh 2030 District website.
NewsClips:
Pittsburgh 2030 Progress Report Shows Millions In Energy Savings
Companies Decry Trump Plan To Eliminate Energy Star Program
EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Student To Instructor-Andre Carpenter-Energy Coordinating

Agency
Some people become environmentalists; others like

Training Center grad and new instructor, Andre
Carpenter, are born. A young man with a well-honed
sense of what he wants to see in the world, like the best
teachers, he leads by example.
Originally, from Brookhaven, Delaware County, as a
child, Andre was drawn to science and the environment;
or as he prefers to say, I have always had a general love
for science, period.
After considering engineering, Andre found a home in
the Environmental Science program at Widener
University, where he was able to accompany professors on field research.
He spent ten days in Costa Rica studying sustainable development, which included
visiting a butterfly farm. Later, he spent three weeks in Peru, in the Amazon rainforest studying
light gaps.
After graduation, Andre was on the job hunt; not quite finding the right opportunity until
he found Energy Coordinating Agencys environmental workforce training program.
The core training program includes instruction in Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), solid waste management and cleanup, waste treatment and
stormwater management, enhanced environmental health and safety, mold remediation, and
asbestos abatement.
Each semester a cohort of 20 eligible students enter the program. For Andre, his
classmates became a family.
A bunch of different personalities, with different life experiences, they took care of each
other and made sure each one understood the content and completed the program.
Throughout the term, ECAs Registrar, Sherleen Laboy became, in Andres view like a
fairy godmotheryou need this or that, Sherleen took care of it.
Walt Yakabosky, the Training Center Director recognized that Andre had all the makings
of a strong instructor himself. Was he interested in moving to the front of the class? It was easy
to say yes.
After all, Andre knew the material and considered himself well-prepared.
Standing in front of people and being the expert was a bit unnerving. Still, Andre quickly
understood that he would earn the respect and trust of his students by being himself, sharing his
expertise, and working with students to find answers to any questions they might throw his way.
When asked to reflect on his experience at ECA, first as a student, now as a teacher,
Andre readily recommends the Training Center. The diversity of training and the skills students
learn can lead to a broad range of job opportunities.
In particular, Andre loves to teach the hungry student, the one who wants it, has
questions, and gets the process. Andre also loves to see the student who is keeping at it, coming
along.
Andre is keen to focus his students attention on safetyfundamental to the OSHA
courses and essential to stay healthy on the job.
Youve only got two eyes, is his standard line to remind students to wear their safety
goggles.
As a born environmentalist, Andre walks the talk. As an instructor, he understands that
theory and hands-on learning result in proficient and confident students. Hes already working on
expanding learning experiences for students to share his love of science and environmental
stewardship. The sky is the limit for Andre.
At the EPA graduation in March 2017, Sherleen, ECA's registrar, always standing by her
students.
The Energy Coordinating Agency is a nonprofit based in Philadelphia and has trained
over 3,600 energy professionals. Since its founding in 1984, ECA has weatherized 45,000
homes; repaired or replaced 50,000 heating systems; provided water conservation services to
37,000 homes, and prevented over 75,000 tons of carbon emissions. Click Here to sign up for
regular updates from the ECA.
(Photo: Andre Carpenter, (left) with his instructor, ECA's Mat Himmelein and fellow graduate
Ronnie Fowler.)
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
Report: Clean Energy Employs 66,000 Pennsylvanians
Report: Pennsylvania Is Part Of American Clean Energy Transformation
Four Seasons Produce In Ephrata Joins KEEA To Tout Benefits Of Energy Efficiency
PennTAP Developing An Energy Baseline For Complex Facilities Webinar May 18
The PA Technical Assistance Program is hosting a webinar Mary 18 on Developing An Energy

Baseline For Complex Facilities from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
The webinar will review the steps for developing and analyzing the energy baseline at
industrial facilities and large commercial buildings. PennTAP will review how to identify major
energy use inputs, the tools required for the project, and how to accurately account for variables.
A well-developed energy baseline will allow for the identification of suitable energy
efficiency projects and the incorporation of corporate energy footprint into longer-term decision
making.
Click Here to register for the webinar. Click Here to view other upcoming education
opportunities from PennTAP.
Visit the PennTAP website to discover the full range of assistance available to businesses
related to energy and the environment.
NewsClips:
WPSUs Managing Risk In A Changing Climate Screened For Climate Caucus
Peter Buckland from Penn States Sustainability

Institute screened the WPSU documentary Managing
Risk In A Changing Climate at a meeting of the
Climate Caucus hosted by Rep. Steve McCarter
(D-Montgomery) on Wednesday in Montgomery
County.
The documentary examines how Louisiana decision
makers engage with researchers and stakeholders to
inform choices about how to manage risks driven by
changing sea levels and storms.
Featuring some of the nations leading climate experts and narrated by Peter Coyote,
Managing Risk in a Changing Climate examines one of humanitys most pressing challenges
through the lens of the many academic disciplines needed to address the impacts and surrounding
economic, social, and environmental issues that come with managing risk in a changing climate.
Scientists and policymakers have identified the potential for Earth systems threshold
responses, or tipping points, that will potentially cause dramatic climate impacts. A melting of
the Greenland ice sheet, for example, would cause sea-level rise that could threaten the
sustainability of low-lying regions like the Louisiana lower Mississippi delta.
Managing Risk in a Changing Climate was produced by WPSU Penn State in partnership
with the Network for Sustainable Climate Risk Management (SCRiM) and with the financial
support of the National Science Foundation.
Centered at Penn State, SCRiM links a transdisciplinary team of scholars at universities
and research institutions across several nations to address fundamental challenges in
sustainability and to answer the question, What are sustainable, scientifically sound,
technologically feasible, economically efficient, and ethically defensible climate risk
management strategies?
Visit the Managing Risk in a Changing Climate website to view the documentary and
resource links on the issue of climate change and its impacts.
NewsClips:
Air & Waste Management Assn. Annual Conference In Pittsburgh June 5-8
The 110th Annual Conference and Exhibition of

the Air and Waste Management Association will
be held in Pittsburgh at the LEED-certified
David L. Lawrence Convention Center on June
5-8. The theme this year is Bridging
Environment, Energy and Health.
The connections that link environment, energy and health are as historic and direct as the
446 bridges that crisscross Pittsburgh, the city with more bridges than anywhere else in the
country.
The 2017 Air & Waste Management Association's 110th Annual Conference &
Exhibition (ACE) will examine how leaders in industry, government, academia, and
non-governmental citizen groups work together to improve community health and protect the
environment.
With an unmatched technical program, courses, a packed exhibit hall and events, ACE
2017 is the most comprehensive event on environmental technology and regulation and has
something for everyone looking to learn, share, connect, and grow.
The Conference will include--
-- Technical Information A visionary Keynote session, historical Critical Review, plus 42
panels, and 300 technical presentations
-- Regulatory Direction Hear first-hand about the latest regulations, changes, and solutions
for the future from high level panels and platform sessions
-- Valuable Connections A packed exhibit hall, equipment showcase, and plenty of
networking time to connect with the people and companies that can help you move ahead
-- Educational Events 11 professional development courses on modeling, compliance, EHSS,
and more that can earn you CLE, PE, and CEU credits
Don't miss the most valuable week in the environmental industry. Visit the 110th Annual
Conference and Exhibition webpage for all the details and to register.
DEP Begins Spraying To Control Black Flies; Only DEP Line-Item Not Cut But Increased
By House GOP
The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has begun aerial spraying on
more than 1,600 stream miles in 37 Pennsylvania counties to control black flies, also referred to
as gnats.
[Note: The line-item for Black Fly spraying in the FY 2017-18 General Fund budget
passed by House Republicans was the ONLY line-item not cut in DEPs budget. In fact, it was
INCREASED $100,000.]
The first aerial spraying took place on April 20 on the Juniata River and Susquehanna
River and several of their smaller tributaries. Other waterways will be treated as stream flows
and weather conditions allow.
This annual initiative reduces the nuisance of black flies so Pennsylvanians can enjoy
our states waterways, Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said.
Pennsylvania rivers and streams will be monitored and treated as needed. Spraying
activities will be performed both by helicopter and ground crews; their frequency will depend
upon weather and biological conditions.
Treatments cannot occur during periods of heavy rain or when water levels are high as
high water conditions lower the effectiveness of the treatment.
DEP uses Bti, a naturally occurring bacterium, to treat the larval stage of four specific
human pest black fly species. This bacterium degrades quickly in the environment and does not
harm the aquatic ecosystem, birds, or other insects.
DEP notifies county and local emergency management officials prior to any spraying
activity. Helicopters seen flying over waterways and ground crews using backpack sprayers off
bridges are conducting control operations on behalf of DEPs black fly program.
Anyone concerned at the sight of a helicopter or ground personnel is encouraged to call
their county emergency management office to verify that a black fly treatment is taking place in
their area on that day.
Click Here for a list of waterways to be sprayed for black flies.
For more information, visit DEPs Black Fly webpage.
Brandywine Conservancy Hosts Take Care of Your Woods Workshop May 18
The Brandywine Conservancy is hosting a Take Care Of

Your Woods For The Future Workshop on May 18 at the
Brandywine Museum, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road in Chadds
Ford, Delaware County from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
It may seem unnatural but its true. Woodlands in
Southeast PA cant take care of themselves. Under intense
pressure from invasive plants, hungry deer, and
environmental changes, our woods are in serious danger.
They need active management to regenerate and thrive
whether your forest goals are for wildlife, timber harvest,
water quality or a combination.
At this free workshop, find out
-- Why our forests need human help to survive;
-- How to create and carry out a forest stewardship plan; and
-- Sources of funding and technical assistance.
The workshop speakers include: John Nissen, Service Forester, DCNR Bureau of
Forestry and Ryan Davis, Chesapeake Forests Program Coordinator, Alliance for the Chesapeake
Bay.
Click Here for more details and to register. Questions should be directed to
610-388-8386.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Associate Director For Land Stewardship
DCNR, Partners Celebrate New Boat Launch On Juniata River In Mifflin County
Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
Tuesday helped celebrate a new boat launch
and riverfront access on the Juniata River in
McVeytown, Mifflin County.
Pennsylvania has 2,100 miles of water trails
statewide, and we are continually seeking
additional access points for the public so they
can get out and have fun on the water, Dunn
said. This boat launch is the only access
point on a 22-mile stretch of the Juniata, so this project is a great accomplishment.
Mifflin County received a $125,000 DCNR grant for the boat launch at 155 River Road.
Partners on the project include the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network,
municipal governments that will maintain the site, and Raymond and Arlene Byler who leased
the launch property to the county.
The water trail and boat launch have strong potential to increase recreation-related
businesses and spending along the Juniata, Dunn said.
DCNRs work connected to water quality and conservation includes increasing public
access to waterways for recreation through its Community Conservation Partnership Program
that supports rivers conservation plans. Increasing the number of river access points also is a goal
for the statewide outdoor recreation plan, and for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
The Juniata River is one of 26 designated water trails in Pennsylvania. Secretary Dunn
thanked the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area for managing the trail.
Two more boat launches in Mapleton and Mt. Union along the Juniata are currently in the
permitting process.
A water trail is a boat route suitable for canoes, kayaks and small motorized crafts.
DCNR works in cooperation with the Fish and Boat Commission, NPS and the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council to provide guidance and management for water trails.
For more information on all types of trails in Pennsylvania visit the Explore PA Trails
website.
NewsClips:
Pittsburgh Ramps Up Riverfront Infrastructure Projects
Schneck: Unique Wedding Venues In PA State Parks
Clean Up Presque Isle Beaches Saturday In Erie
Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation: https://goo.gl/pgqCRM
Muddy Mess Remains At Wilkes-Barre Parks
Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Bridge Opening Sunday In Shippensburg
Volunteers Clean Up Schuylkill River Trail For Earth Day
Bike Trails Abound Throughout Western PA
Sly Fox Brewing Set To Release Ale To Benefit Schuylkill River Trail
Eastons Hugh Moore Park Gets $850,000 Upgrade
Officials Hope Federal Funding Comes Thru For Cherry Valley Wildlife Refuge
Philadelphia Schools Green Initiatives Focus On Improved Outdoors Spaces For Students
School officials presented a summary of more than a decade of investment in schoolyard

improvements across The School District of Philadelphia on Thursday, culminating in almost
100 completed and new projects under the Office of Capital Programs.
Members of the School Reform Commission voted to approve donations from both the
Philadelphia Eagles-- $100,000-- and Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates to revamp the
playground at Lewis Elkin Elementary School.
The new outdoor space will include a new playground, outdoor classroom, exterior
murals and mosaic tile tables, and a synthetic turf field.
The improvements across our District reflect our dedication to providing healthy and
safe school environments conducive to teaching and learning, said Dr. William R. Hite,
Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia. We want to create more green spaces
where children can play, in an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective manner, and
incorporate outdoor space as learning space wherever possible.
The Districts Director of Capital Programs, Danielle Floyd, gave a presentation during
the SRC meeting about progress on various projects at schools around the city.
Since 2004, we have invested $8.75 million in new and potential greening and
constructed play spaces at school campuses across the District, said Floyd. That translates to
67 projects completed with our partners and partner organizations, including 22 campus parks,
21 stormwater improvements and 24 playgrounds. We also have almost 30 additional projects in
design, or under construction. Our mission has been a great school close to where children live,
and these projects provide greats spaces for our students to play as well.
While the Districts Office of Capital Programs and relationships with the Eagles, and
other public-private partnerships, have led to the increase in available greenspaces, there is
another important contributing factor.
Through direct District capital investment, and in alignment with the Philadelphia Water
Departments Green City, Clean Waters Plan, the focus has been on stormwater management and
de-paving, primarily in campus parks.
In conjunction with the Districts dedication to increased community involvement, the
District has worked with local Friends of and HSA organizations to design and revitalize
school playgrounds.
Theres been such an upswing in local interest in these initiatives, the District has added
a full-time landscape architect to serve as the point person for these projects, and created an
online fundraising and grant guide and annual forum to help communities help each other reach
their greening goals, Floyd added.
For more information on green initiatives at Philadelphia Schools, visit the GreenFutures
Sustainability Plan webpage.
Get Outdoors Poconos: May 20 Hike To Lacawac Lake, Wayne County
The Brodhead Creek Watershed Association will host another

in a series of Get Outdoors Poconos hikes on May 20 to Lake
Lacawac in Wayne County.
On the journey to the 52-acre lake, guided by Carol
Hillestad,hikers will enjoy an easy, well-marked, wide and
mostly level trail. Wildlife sightings may include nesting
ospreys, hooded mergansers, turtles and beavers.
Flora includes wildflowers such as trout lilies, columbine,
elderberry and Quaker ladies as well as rock tripe, reindeer
moss and many other varieties of lichen.
After Lake Lacawac comes another reward for hikers a spur in the trail leads to a
lichen-covered rock ledge and a bench with a view of Lake Wallenpaupack, a sheer drop of 250
feet below.
Hikers should meet at the Lacawac Sanctuary parking lot in Lake Ariel at 10:00 a.m.
The hike is free, but registration is required. The hike is also limited in size. To register Call
570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727 or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.
For information on this and other hikes in this series, visit the Get Outdoors Poconos
webpage. For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
Brodhead Creek Watershed Association website.
NewsClips:
Related Story:
Scranton Community Foundation Supports Lacawac Watershed Education Program
PA Horticultural Society Accepting Entries To Southeast Gardening & Greening Contest
The PA Horticultural Society celebrates the

accomplishments of gardeners of all interests in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware with the PHS
Gardening and Greening Contest. The deadline for entries
is June 10.
The contest invites backyard gardeners, community
gardeners, and all who are passionate about greening public
spaces to enter.
Entries from throughout the region will be judged
on maintenance and horticultural practices, as well as the
variety, color, and suitability of plantings. Design and total visual effects and imaginative ideas
will also be considered. Volunteer judges will be chosen for their expertise and achievements.
The eight contest categories are: Childrens Garden; Combination Garden; Container
Garden; Flower & Specialty Garden; Garden Block; Public Space: Plantings/Parks; Urban Farm;
and Vegetable Garden.
Participants can include home gardeners with in-ground, combination, container or
specialty gardens. Childrens gardens, maintained by school-age children under the supervision
of an adult, are welcome to enter. Community gardeners may enter vegetable and flower
gardens, garden blocks, public-space plantings, and parks. Businesses that have beautified their
properties are eligible as well.
A new category this year is Flower & Specialty Gardens, which recognizes the increased
interest in pollinator, native or rain gardening, as well as rose and rock gardens.
Gardeners whose projects are chosen for recognition will be invited to an awards
reception, where photos of the winning gardens will be showcased. Discounted workshops and
garden tours will be offered to all contest participants in the fall.
For all the details, visit the PHS Gardening and Greening Contest webpage. Questions
should be direct to 215-988-8897, or send email to: ggcontest@pennhort.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA
Horticultural Society website, Like PHS on Facebook, Join PHS on Instagram and Follow on
Twitter. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from PHS.
(Photo: Neighborhood Food Farm, 2016 Award Winner.)
Apply Now For Community Garden Sustainability Fund Support In Allegheny County
The Grow Pittsburgh Community Garden Sustainability

Fund is now accepting applications for two types of
support for members of community food gardens. The
deadline for applications is June 1.
Are you a member of a community food garden? Could
your garden use some support to become more
sustainable?
Apply to the Community Garden Sustainability Fund for
materials like compost, fencing and tools or technical
assistance like consulting and educational programming.
Small Potatoes Awards are generally for time sensitive projects that do not require
extensive staff time, and are fairly inexpensive. We have set an eight week timeline which is
intended to speed up the process of getting awarded applicants the materials needed to get
growing! Applications can be submitted June 1, August 1 and October 1.
Big Tomatoes Awards are time-intensive projects that tend to have a higher dollar
amount. Accepted projects will include a site visit by staff before any work begins. The deadline
for applications is June 1.
The Community Garden Sustainability Fund is a project of the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy and Grow Pittsburgh that exists to provide support to existing community food
gardens in Allegheny County. The program has been active since 2012, having supported 60
community gardens with nearly $35,000 in materials, not including staff time.
Visit the Grow Pittsburgh Community Garden Sustainability Fund webpage for all the
details.
Wildlands Conservancy Highlights May Education Programs
The Wildlands Conservancy Thursday highlighted its

upcoming educational programs in May featuring--
-- Register Now For June 24-26 Lehigh River Sojourn
-- May 5: Party With The Frogs
-- May 7: Wild In The Parks: Canoe 101
-- May 13: Bike & Boat Mothers Day Spring Fling
-- May 14: Thomas Darling Wild Edibles Hike
-- May 20: Pond Restoration Workshop
-- Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Conservancy
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Wildlands
Conservancy website, Like on Facebook, Follow on Twitter and Join on Instagram.
99 Streams Added To List Of Wild Trout Streams By Fish & Boat Commission
The Fish and Boat Commission added 99 streams and stream segments to the list of Wild Trout
Streams and removed one stream from the list at its Board meeting Tuesday. Click Here for a
list of the streams.
Another 41 stream sections were added to the list of Class A wild trout streams. Click
Here for a list of streams added.
Both list changes were subject to a public comment period.
A more complete summary of actions taken at the meeting is available online.
NewsClips:
Schneck: List Of Best Trout Streams In PA Just Got Longer
Trout Season Opener On Mehoopany Creek
Free Event Introduces Families To Fishing In Mercer County
Fish & Boat Commission: 2017 Family Fishing Festivals Set For May And June
The Fish and Boat Commission Monday announced it has

scheduled several opportunities in May and June for
families to learn fishing skills and enjoy fishing.
The PFBC is holding three Family Fishing
Festivals in May and three in June. These events lead up to
the two statewide Fish-for-Free Days the Sunday before
Memorial Day, May 28, and Independence Day, July 4.
Family Fishing Festivals are a convenient way to
introduce friends and family to the sport of fishing at no
cost, said Carl Richardson, PFBC Education Section
Manager. These are educational events designed for families with little or no fishing
experience. Participants will learn basic fishing skills and have an opportunity to practice those
skills while fishing during the program.
PFBC Family Fishing Festivals will be held at these locations:
-- May 6: Gifford Pinchot State Park - Conewago Day Use Area, York County, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
(for more information or to register)
-- May 13: Tohickon Access, Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (for more
information or to register)
-- May 20: North Park County Park, Allegheny County, 2 - 6 p.m. (for more information or to
register)
-- June 3: M. K. Goddard State Park Launch #3, Mercer County, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (for more
-- June 11: Bald Eagle State Park - Pavilion #6 & #7, Centre County, 3 - 7 p.m. (for more
-- June 25: Frances Slocum State Park Environmental Education Center, Luzerne County, 1 -
5 p.m. (for more information or to register)
The PFBC is waiving the fishing license requirement during the program for registered
Family Fishing Festival participants 16 and older. The program is open to all ages, including
children ages 5 and older. The PFBC provides equipment, bait, and tackle. PFBC staff will be
present to teach skills and assist those who fish.
Preregistration is required. Space is limited, and there will be no registrations accepted
the day of the events.
In addition, PFBC partners will be hosting programs throughout the summer. Visit
www.GoneFishingPA.com to learn more about these programs and to see a complete list of
PFBC programs. Participants can also register through this website.
NewsClips:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Hosts Lecture May 13 By Birds Of Prey Author Pete Dunne
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County will host author Pete

Dunne on May 13 at 2 p.m. as he presents a look into his new book,
Birds of Prey: Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, and Vultures. His lecture will
be immediately followed by an exclusive book signing.
The presentation and signing will take place in the Sanctuary's Visitor
Center Gallery and are free to the public.
During the presentation, Dunne will offer a look behind the writer's
slate with this insightful and anecdotal overview of his new book,
which is a definitive guide to raptors with hundreds of stunning color
photographs showing raptors up close, in flight, and in action.
These gorgeous photographs enhance the comprehensive,
authoritative text, which goes beyond identification to cover raptor
ecology, behavior, conservation, and more. The program will be
followed by a book signing where attendees have the opportunity to
purchase his book.
Pete Dunne is an American author, known for his writings on nature and birding, often
with focus on raptors, including Hawks in Flight, Hawk Watch: A Guide for Beginners, The Art
of Pishing, and many more.
He is also the founder of the World Series of Birding, as well as Birding Ambassador for
the New Jersey Audubon Society and the former director of the Cape May Bird Observatory.
In 2001, Dunne received the Roger Tory Peterson Award from the American Birding
Association for lifetime achievement in promoting the cause of birding.
On May 13 Hawk Mountain will also host the International Migratory Bird Day
celebration, with kid-friendly activities and information available from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the
Visitor Center.
This event highlights and celebrates the migration of nearly 350 species of migratory
birds in North America, Latin America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Weekend programs will also
be available throughout the day, all free with a trail pass.
Click Here for more information on these and other upcoming events.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary website or call 610-756-6961. Click Here to sign up for regular updates
from the Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr, be part of
their Google+ Circle and visit their YouTube Channel.
NewsClips:
Shrivastava Penn States New Chief Sustainability Officer, Head Of Sustainability Institute
Paul Shrivastava, recently the executive director of Future Earth, a global

environmental change research program, as well as a prominent researcher
in the fields of sustainability, risk and crisis management, has been named
Penn State Universitys chief sustainability officer and director of the Penn
State Sustainability Institute.
Shrivastavas appointment is effective July 1, 2017.
Penn States commitment to sustainability touches every area of our
University, and involves hundreds of students, faculty and staff. As chief
sustainability officer, Paul will have a lead role in guiding us to an even
greater impact, said Penn State President Eric Barron.
As the director of Future Earth, Shrivastava helped establish five global hubs and four
regional centers, as well as transdisciplinary Knowledge Action Networks to extend the impact
of the organizations research projects and its network of 50,000 scientists.
Shrivastava said, I am very excited about Penn States wide disciplinary base, its
interdisciplinary research and deep engagement with communities across its 23 campuses. With
the Universitys traditional strengths in agriculture, engineering, healthcare, arts and humanities,
we are uniquely positioned to lead the Commonwealth and the country in implementing
sustainable development goals and the global Agenda 2030 agreement that the United States
signed in 2015.
Prior to his work with Future Earth, Shrivastava served as the David OBrien
Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Enterprise, and the director of the David OBrien Centre
for Sustainable Enterprise, at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University,
Montreal.
He has served as the Howard I. Scott Chair and professor of management at Bucknell
University, where he was also the senior advisor on sustainability.
Shrivastava received his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, and he was a
tenured associate professor of management at the New York University Stern School of
Business.
Shrivastavas academic service has included the development of online learning
communities, courses and entire platforms, as well as workshops and courses to train faculty on
successfully utilizing online learning systems.
Shrivastava also leads the International Research Chair on Art and Sustainable Enterprise
at the ICN Business School, Nancy, France.
This project is based on the assumption that science alone cannot solve all problems of
sustainability. At least part of our current environmental crisis is rooted in a deficit of emotional
connection between humans and nature. Art as a repository and vehicle of human emotions
needs to be integrated with the science of sustainability to achieve compelling solutions,
Shrivastava said.
The Penn State Sustainability Institute provides many university-wide programs at Penn
State, including Green Teams, Green Paws and the Reinvention Fund, which has awarded more
than $875,000 for sustainability-related projects.
Public-facing programs include the Sustainable Communities Collaborative, which
focuses on developing University partnerships around community-identified projects.
Through our strengths in interdisciplinary research, Penn State is already making an
impact with research on topics that are crucial to sustainability, said Neil Sharkey, vice
president for Research. Pauls experience in not only teaching and research, but in management
and global environmental consulting, will help continue to strengthen Penn States position as a
thought-leader on issues of campus, local and global sustainability.
Shrivastava will succeed Denice Wardrop, senior scientist and professor of geography
and ecology at Penn State, who served as the director since its inception as a standalone institute.
Thomas Richard, director of Penn States Institute of Energy and Environment, will
oversee the universitys sustainability efforts until Shrivastava assumes leadership.
We thank Denice for her tireless efforts to help grow the Sustainability Institute into the
organization that it is today, Sharkey said. She has worked to build and provide direction to an
outstanding team that is well-positioned to carry the mission of the institute far into the future.
We also thank Dr. Richard for his willingness to fill the void over the next few months."
National Mining Hall Of Fame & Museum To Induct PAs Tom Falkie
The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum will induct three
honorees in 2017, including Tom Falkie, retired President and CEO of
Berwind Natural Resources Corp from Mt. Carmel, Northumberland
County, at a banquet on September 23 at the Museum in Colorado.
Tom Falkie, a native of Mt Carmel, PA is retired President and
CEO of Berwind Natural Resources Corp. He received his BS, MS and
PhD degrees from Penn State.
A pioneer in the use of computers and operations research in
mine planning, he joined International Minerals and Chemical in
various engineering and management positions in its headquarters and
Florida phosphate operations.
He then became Professor and Head of the Mineral
Engineering and Mineral Engineering Management programs at Penn State. From 1974-1977 he
was Head of the U.S. Bureau of Mines. He then joined Berwind.
Falkie served on the Boards of Foote Minerals and Cyprus Amax, NMA, CEED, NCA
and the Keystone Coal Association. He is a past chairman of the American Coal Foundation.
Falkie is a Past President and Distinguished Member of Society for Mining, Metallurgy
and Exploration and Past President and Honorary Member of the American Institute of Mining,
Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. He was awarded the Erskine Ramsey and Charles F
Rand awards.
He is a member of National Academy of Engineering and a past member of its Governing
Council and Industry Advisory Committees.
He is Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Mining Hall of Fame and
Museum.
He is a Distinguished alum of Penn State. He is author of over 200 publications, lectures,
and speeches.
For more information, visit the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum website.
Penn State Geologist Terry Engelder Who Calculated Marcellus Gas Reserves To Retire
Penn State University Geologist Terry Engelder, who is credited with

calculating some of the first estimates of natural gas contained in the
Marcellus Shale fields covering the six northeast U.S. states in 2007--
489 trillion cubic feet, about 18 years worth of total U.S. gas
consumption, is retiring.
The calculation that I did was based on very little data and a
whole heck of a lot of insight. And maybe you could argue that bubble
gum and some rubber bands held it together but it worked, said
Engelder. That was the firm number that allowed a lot of people who
spent money on this to move forward. That particular calculation was by
far the highlight of my career.
Engelder said people recognized that vast reserves of gas were in the Marcellus Shale,
but most thought they were inaccessible. But when fundamental changes in technology, through
hydrofracturing, or fracking, showed promise in areas such as Texas, Engelder applied that
technology to his calculation.
The result led to a natural gas boom that for the first time in decades allowed the
nation to extract more natural gas than it used. It also led to a boom in jobs for the region and
hundreds of millions of dollars in lease bonuses flowed into the region.
In terms of satisfaction, very few scientists can say that they did something that affected
a lot of people in the state and the nation in such a palpable way, said Engelder. The amount of
money that was spent in Pennsylvania, particularly off of the excitement generated by that initial
projection, was rather remarkable.
That projection thrust Engelder into the spotlight, as well. Hes been interviewed by
nearly 600 reporters worldwide. Hes been cited by Foreign Policy magazines Top 100 Global
Thinkers, alongside Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.
Hes served on commissions advocating for the safe extraction of natural gas for former
Gov. Tom Corbett and current Gov. Tom Wolf.
Engelder said despite losing valuable research time during those years of intense public
interest in his expertise, he doesnt regret the countless hours hes spent educating the public and
advocating for U.S. energy sustainability.
There are a number of ways that science manifests itself, said Engelder. One way is
writing peer-reviewed papers. Another is serving as a liaison between science and the public, and
very few scientists have the opportunity for such intense interaction with the public.
The Marcellus Shale play in Pennsylvania began in 2003 after Range Resources drilled
its first exploratory well in Washington County.
NewsClip:
Penn State Geologist Who Calculated Marcellus Gas Reserves To Retire
Help Wanted: Brandywine Conservancy Associate Director For Land Stewardship
The Brandywine Conservancy is seeking qualified

candidates to fill an Associate Director for Land
Stewardship. The deadline for applications is May 31.
The Associate Director reports to the Director of the
Brandywine Conservancy and leads and manages the
administration, monitoring and enforcement of
Brandywine conservation and preservation easements, the
stewardship and management of preserves and other
fee-simple land, including its subsidiary, Penguin Court,
Inc.
Click Here for a detail position description. Send cover letter, resume and salary
requirements to Connie Scholz at: cscholz@brandywine.org. Click Here to review other job and
internship positions available with the Conservancy.
Related Story:
Brandywine Conservancy Hosts Take Care of Your Woods Workshop May 18
DEP Opportunity To Bid On Underground Tank Removal Project In Clearfield County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 29 PA Bulletin of an

opportunity to bid on an underground storage tank removal project in Clearfield County.
The Department of Environmental Protection has available a current list of
Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage, Surface Mine Reclamation, Cleaning Out
and Plugging Oil and Gas Wells, Waterways Engineering (Concrete Dams/Concrete Lined
Channels, Walls and Box Culverts, etc.), Hazardous Site Remediation, Removal and Disposal of
Underground Storage Tanks, and Wetland Restoration projects available for bidding. Click Here
for the list.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a current list of bid
proposals for construction projects in State Parks and State Forests available online. Click Here
for the list.
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.
May 1-- NEW. House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on proposed Marcellus Shale
severance tax. Wilkes University, Henry Student Center Ballroom, 84 West South St.,
Wilkes-Barre. 2:00.
May 2-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909
Elmerton Ave., Conference Room, Harrisburg, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
May 2-- Pinchot Institute Virtual Meeting on U.S. Forest Service Stewardship Contracting
Projects. 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
May 3-- House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee informational meeting on the forest
products industry. University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, 300 Campus Drive, Bradford. 9:00.
May 3-- NEW. DEP public meeting on Pro Waste Services waste transfer station permit.
McKinley Elementary School (gym/cafeteria) located at 933 East 22nd Street, Erie. 6:00 to 8:00
p.m.
May 3-- Registration Open. Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn Conference
Center, State College.
May 4-- CANCELED. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting.
The next scheduled meeting is June 8. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner, dhissner@pa.gov or
717-772-2189. (formal notice)
May 4-6-- Registration Open. PA Land Trust Association Land Conservation Conference &
Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference. Lancaster.
May 5-- NEW. Agenda Posted. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board Regulatory, Legislative and
Technical Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
To join the meeting by conference phone, call 1-650-479-3208, Meeting Number: 640 749 002,
Password: EarthEnviroEd$50. DEP Contact: Daniel Snowden, 717-783-8846 or send email to:
dsnowden@pa.gov. Click Here for more background. (formal notice)
-- Discussion of non-coal mining permit applications modules, sinkhole issues paper and karst
issues site list.
-- Discussion of DEP sinkhole issues paper
-- Click Here for available handouts
May 6-- 2017 Environmental Advisory Committee Conference. DoubleTree Resort, 2400
Willow Street Pike in Lancaster. 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
May 6-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Ross Twp.
Community Center, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
May 6-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. North Park, Allegheny
County.
May 6-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Dinner & Live, Silent Auctions. Silver Birches
Waterfront in Hawley, Pike County.
May 8-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning Steering Committee meeting.
Room 105 Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
May 9-- CANCELED. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Rescheduled for
May 30. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, mbrojakows@pa.gov or 717-772-3429. (formal
notice)
May 9-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Carnegie
Municipal Building, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 10-- House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee holds an information meeting with
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding on budget and other priorities of the agency. Room 60
East Wing. 9:00.
May 10-- CANCELLED. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. Rescheduled for May 31.
DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or 717-787-5103. (formal notice)
May 10-- 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.
May 10-- NEW. Game Commission/DEP Banding Of Rachel Carson Building Peregrine Falcon
Nestlings Webcast. 11:00 a.m. to Noon.
May 10-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Fern
Hollow, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
May 11-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. Allentown Public Library, Community
room, 1210 Hamilton St, Allentown. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
May 11-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a hearing on proposed water withdrawal
requests and proposals to amend its fee structure and comprehensive plan for the river basin.
Room 8E-B East Wing State Capitol Building, Harrisburg. 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. SRBC Contact:
Jason Oyler, General Counsel, 717-238-0423 x 1312. (formal notice)
May 11-- Cumberland Conservation Collaborative Preserving Cumberland Countys Rural

Landscape & Natural Resources Community Forum. Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department
Social Hall, 1750 Pine Road, Newville. 6:30 p.m.
May 13-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Galleria at Pittsburgh

Mills, Frazer Township, Allegheny County.
May 13-- NEW. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Lecture By Birds Of Prey Author Pete Dunne.
Sanctuarys Visitor Center Gallery. 2:00.
May 15-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. HACC Lancaster Campus, East
Building, Room 203, 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
May 16-- Primary Election Day.
May 16-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. North
Park-Rose Barn, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 17-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP
Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
17101, 717-772-3277, edinger@pa.gov.
May 17-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
DEP Contact: Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8459, 717-705-2693, khethering@pa.gov.
May 18-- CANCELED. 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. (formal notice)
May 18-- PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council meeting. Location TBD. 1:00.
May 18-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Boyce
Park-Activity Center, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 18-- Brandywine Conservancy Take Care Of Your Woods For The Future Workshop.
Brandywine Museum, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road in Chadds Ford, Delaware County. 6:30 to 8:30
p.m.
May 18-- NEW. PennTAP Developing An Energy Baseline For Complex Facilities Webinar.
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
May 19-21-- PA Outdoor Writers Association Spring Conference. Harrisburg/Hershey Holiday

Inn Grantville, Dauphin County. Click Here for more information.
May 20-- PA Wild Resources Educator Symposium. Frick Environmental Center, 2005
Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30.
May 20-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests
Annual Conference. Mercer County.
May 20-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. Concurrent

Technologies Corporation, Johnstown, Cambria County.
May 20-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Lauri
ann West Community Center, 10:30 to Noon
May 20-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation. Highmark Walk For A Healthy Community.
Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg.
May 20-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Money Does Grow On Trees Workshop. Grey
Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pike County. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 20-- NEW. Brodhead Creek Watershed Assn. Get Outdoors Poconos Hike To Lacawac
Lake, Wayne County. 10:00.
May 22-- Environmental Issues Forum. Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and
Conservation Committee to hear a presentation on Pennsylvanias pollinator population and
emerging threats to agriculture and the beekeeping industry. Pollinators play a significant role in
the production of fruit and vegetables. Room 8E-A East Wing Capitol Building. Noon.
May 22-- NEW. DEP public meeting on IESI Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion in Greene Twp,
Franklin County. Greene Township Building located at 1145 Garver Lane, Scotland. 6:30 to
8:00 p.m. DEP Contact: John Oren, joren@pa.gov or 717-705-4706.
May 23-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. City of Chester (Delaware County),
Location TBA. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
May 24-- PA Green & Healthy Schools Partnership. PA Green & Healthy Schools Forum with
PA Envirothon. University of Pittsburgh Campus-Johnstown .
May 24-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. South
Park-Buffalo Inn, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 25-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. Philadelphia, Location TBA. 4:00 to
6:00 p.m.
May 30-- NEW. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, mbrojakows@pa.gov or 717-772-3429.
(formal notice)
May 31-- NEW. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office,
909 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or
June 1-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Phipps Garden Center, Allegheny
County. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
June 3-9-- Schuylkill River Sojourn.
June 5-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning Steering Committee public
input session. Location and time to be announced.
June 5-8-- NEW. Air & Waste Management Association Annual Conference. Pittsburgh.
June 6-- NEW. DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5599 or send email
to: dheimbach@pa.gov.
June 6-- NEW. 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.
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.
June 7-- DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. Room 206, Bureau of
Laboratories Building, 2575 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Aaren Alger,
aaalger@pa.gov or 717-346-7200.
June 7-- DCNR PA Trails Advisory Committee Public Forum. Murrysville Community Center,
3091 Carson Ave, Murrysville, Westmoreland County. 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
June 8-- NEW. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner, dhissner@pa.gov or
June 8-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Phipps
Garden Center, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
June 14-- PA Environmental Council Environmental Partnership Awards Dinner. Crystal Tea
Room, 100 East Penn Square, Philadelphia. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
June 15-- 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. (formal
notice)
June 17-23-- Registration Open. 2017 Delaware River Sojourn.
June 18-23-- Registration Open. Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp. Messiah
College, Grantham, Cumberland County.
June 21-- NEW. DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Operators meeting.
10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Cheri Sansoni,
717-772-5158, csansoni@pa.gov.
June 21-22-- PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference. Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel
and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre. Click Here for more information.
June 24-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Quaker Valley High
School, Leetsdale, Allegheny County.
June 28-- NEW. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5556 or daheimbach@pa.gov.
July 12-- SRBC, DEP Water Loss Management Training For Drinking Water Systems: Metering
and Billing Operations. SRBC, 4423 N. Front Street, Harrisburg. 8:30 to 3:30.
July 22-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. Consol Energy Park,
Washington County.
July 29-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. La Roche College,

McCandless, Allegheny County.
August 12-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Century III Mall, West
Mifflin, Allegheny County.
August 16-- SRBC, DEP Water Loss Management Training For Drinking Water Systems:
Fundamentals of Leakage and Pressure Management. SRBC, 4423 N. Front Street, Harrisburg.
8:30 to 3:30.
August 17-- PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council meeting. Location TBD. 1:00.
August 19-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. Boyce Park,
Allegheny County.
September 16-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. South Park,
Allegheny County.
September 21-- DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee/Solid Waste Advisory Committee
joint meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry,
lahenry@pa.gov or 717-772-5713.
September 23-26-- Statewide Greenways & Trails Summit. DoubleTree Hotel in Reading,
Berks County.
October 4-- DEP Low-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, rjanati@pa.gov or 717-787-2147.
October 5-- DCNR Snowmobile and ATV Advisory Council meeting. Promised Land State
Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown, Pike County. 10:00. DCNR Contact: Jennie Shade,
October 7-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Settlers Cabin Park,
Allegheny County.
October 14-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. Bradys Run Park,
Beaver County.
November 16-- PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council meeting. Location TBD.
1:00.
December 5-7-- National Brownfields Conference - Sustainable Communities Start Here.

LEED-certified David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
February 7-10-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture Annual Conference. State

College.
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
February 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 740
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 (Feb. 2017) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
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.
May 1-- PEC/DCNR Pocono Forests & Waters Initiative Grants

May 3-- Renewal Of NRCS Conservation Stewardship Contracts
May 3-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding
May 9-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Grants
May 12-- DEP PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program
May 12-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
May 12-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
May 12-- CFA Solar Energy Program
May 12-- CFA High Performance Building Program
May 18-- DCNR Volunteer Fire Company Wildfire Fighting Grants
May 26-- PennAg Industries College Scholarships
May 31-- CFA Act 13 Water-Related, Recreation Grants
May 31-- Abandoned Mine Land Programs Assn. College Scholarship
May 31-- PROP/Keystone SWANNA Waste Watcher Recognition Program
June 1-- DEP Vehicle Fleet Owner Alternative Fuels Technical Assistance Program
June 1-- South Mountain Mini-Grants To Promote, Conserve Natural Resources
June 1-- NEW. Grow Pittsburgh Community Gardens Sustainability Fund
June 2-- Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest
June 4-- Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute For Youths 13-15
June 5-- NRCS PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Grants
June 10-- NEW. PA Horticultural Society Gardening & Greening Contest
June 20-- EPA Clean Diesel National Grants
June 30-- Susquehanna Greenways Partnership 2017 Photo Contest
July 7-- NEW. ARIPPA Mine Reclamation Mini-Grants
July 14-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
July 14-- CFA Solar Energy Program
July 14-- CFA High Performance Building Program
August 18-- SBA Flood Disaster Economic Injury Assistance In Northcentral PA
September 5-- SBA Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Economic Injury NC PA
September 7-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Thru The Seasons Photo Contest
September 15-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
September 15-- CFA Solar Energy Program
September 15-- CFA High Performance Building Program
September 30-- DEP Recycling Performance Grants
October 31-- PA Resources Council Lens On Litter Photo Contest
-- 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.
Air
Pitt Professor Tells Local Crowd Shell Ethane Plant Will Affect Air Quality
Court Delays EPA Mercury Rule While Trump Reviews
Alternative Fuels
Electric Car Boom Is Coming Soon
Consumers, Farmers Burned By EPA Regulations On Renewable Fuel
Beautification
Budget
Op-Ed: Sustainable Funding For Parks, Environmental Restoration Matter, Tim Herd, PRPS
Op-Ed: How Trumps Budget Will Hurt The Environment In PA, DCNR Secretary Dunn
Chesapeake Bay
Climate
Coal Mining
Trump Agrees To Support Bailout Of Coal Miners Broke Health Care Fund
Congress Works Toward Deal On Miners Benefits
Kentucky Coal Miners: Why Wont Our U.S. Senators Notice Us?
Trumps Efforts Wont Bring Back Coal New Report Claims
U.S. Coal Power Wont Come Back: Power-Sector CEOs
Delaware River
Drinking Water
Sen. Yudichak Lead Task Force Moves Forward In Senate
Sign-Up Now For Free Lead-Filtering Water Pitchers For Pittsburgh Authority Customers
Pittsburgh Could Spend $900K To Restructure Water Authority
Veolia Accuses Pittsburgh Water Authority Of Defamation
Editorial: Overhauling Pittsburgh Water Authority Vital
Butler School To Resolve Lead Problem By Switching To Public Water
PA American To Upgrade Water Infrastructure In Scranton, Northeast
PA American Water Seeks 17% Rate Increase For Residential Customers
PA American Water Files For 16.4% Rate Increase In Philadelphia Area
Grant To Help Allegheny County Remove Lead Hazards
Allegheny County Lead Safe Homes Program Open For Business
Allegheny County To Launch Lead Task Force
Controller: Allegheny Healths Lead Testing Not Enough, Launches Audit
Study: PAs Rate Of Lead-Poisoned Children Among Nations Highest
Earth Day
Economic Development
Forbes: Pennsylvanias Natural Gas To The Rescue
Study: Solar Employs More In PA Than, Coal, Wind, Natural Gas
Education
Energy
Crable: Three Mile Island Could Close As Soon As 2019
Oil-Gas Lobby Opposes State Subsidies For Nuclear Power Producers
FirstEnergy Awaits Contract Judgment That May Hasten Bankruptcy
FirstEnergy Must Pay Rail Firms For Breaking Coal Contract
Converted Coal To Gas Hummel Power Plant To Begin Operations Early Next Year
Advocates Urge PUC To Snub PECOs Pay-As-You-Go Proposal
Advocates Say PECOs Pre-Pay Electric Plan Has Drawbacks
Another Electricity Supplier Penalized For Telemarketing Calls
Op-Ed: Trump Should Invest In Our Future On Energy
Energy Conservation
Farming
Flooding
Luzerne Levee Fees Set To Increase
Forests
Geologic Hazards
2.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Lancaster County
More Earthquakes Hit Lancaster Than Any Other Place In PA
Hazardous Sites Cleanup
Mt. Pleasant Site To Undergo Environmental Study
Court Confirms Continuous Trigger For Insurance Environmental Damage Claims
Corps Awards $350M Nuclear Dump Cleanup Contract In Parks Twp
Household Hazardous Waste
Land Recycling
Chester County Residents Urge Officials To Reject Plan For Brownfield Site
Mine Reclamation
Jeanesville Underground Mine Fire A Long Way From Being Extinguished
Oil & Gas
Legere: Landowners Seek To Turn Off Wells When Royalty Checks Disappear
Natural Gas Royalty Revisions Leaves Family Paying $5,700
Pitt Professor Tells Local Crowd Shell Ethane Plant Will Affect Air Quality
Penn State Geologist Who Calculated Marcellus Gas Reserves To Retire
Forbes: Pennsylvanias Natural Gas To The Rescue
EQT Drilling Widens Profit In First Quarter
Range Resources Turns A Profit, Anticipates More Spending
Westmoreland Transit Natural Gas Station Slated For June Completion
Pittsburgh Drivers Paying More At The Pump
Trump Signs Order To Expand Coastal Drilling, Were Opening It Up
Pipeline
Westmoreland Neighbors, Land Heal Year After Pipeline Explosion
Crable: Lancaster Earthquake Raises New Concerns About Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline
McKelvey: Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Opponents Face Crucial Zoning Vote
Crable: Atlantic Sunrise Opponents Encampment Can Continue
Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Protesters Get Exemption To Continue Encampment
Why Some Environmentalists Dont Give Wolf High Marks
Couple Unswayed On Mariner East Project As Pipeline Explosion Anniversary Nears
Sunoco Already Sourcing Water For Mariner East Pipeline Construction
Judge Grants Sunoco Authority To Have Pipeline Protesters Arrested In Huntingdon
Fearful Parents Demand Schools Near Mariner Pipeline Release Evacuation Plans
NJ Rejects PennEast Pipeline Incomplete Water Permit Request
Surveys Holding Up 2 Permit Approvals For PennEasts Pipeline
Cusick: Report: Northeast Needs More Gas Pipelines
With Merger, Sunoco Logistics Will Cease To Exist On Friday
Local Impact Of Sunoco Logistics Merger Still Under Wraps
Lehigh Valley Pipelines On UGIs Replacement List
UGI Announces Natural Gas Infrastructure Upgrades In Scranton
Mercyhurst Lecture To Focus On Dakota Access Pipeline
Potomac River
Radiation Protection
Corps Awards $350M Nuclear Dump Cleanup Contract In Parks Twp
6 Years Later, Fukushima Has Its Children Back
Radon
Recreation
Pittsburgh Ramps Up Riverfront Infrastructure Projects
Schneck: Unique Wedding Venues In PA State Parks
Clean Up Presque Isle Beaches Saturday In Erie
Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Muddy Mess Remains At Wilkes-Barre Parks
Eastons Hugh Moore Park Gets $850,000 Upgrade
Recycling/Waste
Renewable Energy
Study: Solar Employs More In PA Than, Coal, Wind, Natural Gas
Monaca Borough Manager Wants You To Think Green
Philadelphia Launches Solar Roof Program For Up To 500 Homeowners
Resource Recovery Facilities
AG Blames HBG Incinerator Money Problems On Power-Hungry Mayor
Lancaster Touts Harrisburg Incinerators Bright Future
Sustainability
Monaca Borough Manager Wants You To Think Green
Wastewater Facilities
Sewer Flow Reductions Deadline Extended For Allegheny Valley Sewage Authority
Watershed Protection
2 Western PA Watersheds Awarded Dominion Grants
Muncy Watershed Assn Keeps Close Watch On Lycoming Streams
Jenkintown Creek Flowing Toward Healthy Future Thanks To Stream Huggers
Wildlife
4 Deer Die After Jumping From PA Bridge
Schneck: What Does Nature Have Planned For PA In May?
West Nile/Zika Virus/Black Flies
AP: PA Starts Years Spraying To Suppress Black Flies
Other
Op-Ed: Trumps Attacks On The Environment Are Bad Enough, We Cant Afford Any Under
Wagner
Op-Ed: There Are Costs To Environmental Advocacy
What Are The Greenest States In The Country?
Federal Policy
Trump Agrees To Support Bailout Of Coal Miners Broke Health Care Fund
Congress Works Toward Deal On Miners Benefits
Kentucky Coal Miners: Why Wont Our U.S. Senators Notice Us?
Trumps Plan To Repeal Environmental Rules Faces Hurdles, Symposium Told
Op-Ed: Why We Cant Just Leave Environmental Protection To The States
Op-Ed: March For Science Affirms Rachel Carsons Living Legacy
Op-Ed: How Trumps Budget Will Hurt The Environment In PA, DCNR Secretary Dunn
Op-Ed: Trumps Attacks On The Environment Are Bad Enough, We Cant Afford Any Under
Wagner
Federal Court Gives Trump More Time To Review Power Plant Waste Rule
Trump Signs Order To Expand Coastal Drilling, Were Opening It Up
Reuters: Trump Says U.S. Wants Fair Treatment In Climate Pact
Lorax Project Set To Storm DC Capitol Hill
Trump Signs Order To End Abuse Of National Monuments
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
The Environmental Quality Board published notice in the April 29 PA Bulletin it has accepted a
rulemaking petition for study relating to the redesignation of Marsh Creek in Chester County.
Pennsylvania Bulletin - April 29, 2017

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
February 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 740
Technical Guidance & Permits
Note: DEP published 46 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and
approval/disapproval actions in the April 29 PA Bulletin - pages 2451 to 2497.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notices in the April 29 PA Bulletin listing
water withdrawal request approvals, water withdrawal requests approved with minor
modifications and projects rescinded during March.
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 (Feb. 2017) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
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
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Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or
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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.
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Pa Environment Digest May 1, 2017

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Winner Of PA Association of Environmental Educators

PA Environment Digest Daily Blog Twitter Feed

Issue #670 Harrisburg, PA May 1, 2017

Winners Of 2017 Governors Environmental Excellence Awards Honored At Dinner

Department of Environmental Protection and the PA

KPB Affiliates In Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry Counties Receive Governors

The Tire War, hosted annually by Keep

House members Garth Everett (R-Lycoming) and Mike

By Tim Herd, CEO, PA Recreation and Park Society

Environmental health and sustainability is a growing priority for

Tim Herd is CEO of the PA Recreation and Park Society.

EARTH DAY Op-Ed: Keep Pennsylvania Growing Greener

Since its creation in 1999, Pennsylvanias Growing Greener Program

By Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

When Pennsylvania native Rachel Carson drew attention to the

PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

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

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Govs Schedule/ Bills Introduced

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

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

Senate/House Bills Moving

Construction Code: House Bill 409 (Evankovich-R-Allegheny) makes fundamental changes to

News From The Capitol

Representatives of the PJM Interconnection made a

May 22 Environmental Issues Forum Features Presentation On Pollinators

The May 22 Environmental Issues Forum hosted by the

News From Around The State

Reducing pollution in the Susquehanna River watershed

With the expansive waters of a challenged Susquehanna

CBF-PA To Help Educate Communities On Causes, Cures Of Polluted Stormwater Runoff

Residents in Harrisburg, Lancaster and York will be able

Chesapeake Conservancy Releases Vision Document For Susquehanna River Conservation

Dominion, Western PA Conservancy Award 20 Local Watershed Grants

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Dominion

Apply Now For ARIPPA Mine Reclamation Mini-Grants

The Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers

Stroud Water Research Center in

To celebrate Arbor Day-- April 28-- Department of

The April 24 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now

Sewickley Creek Watershed Association in

ClearWater Conservancy: Volunteer Turnout For Watershed Cleanup Breaks Records

ClearWater Conservancy celebrated Earth Day on April 22

Scranton Community Foundation Supports Lacawac Watershed Education Program

Lacawac Sanctuary in Wayne County received a $4,000 grant from the

Southmoreland High School Wins Westmoreland County Envirothon

Southmoreland High School Team 1 took first

Game Commission staff will band the peregrine falcon

Agriculture: Grants For Succession/Transition Planning Available To Farmers

The Department of Agriculture reminds farmers it

The Regulatory, Legislative and Technical Committee of

DEP: May 3 Meeting On Waste Transfer Station Permit In Erie

Gov. Wolf Announces Drug Take-Back Day To Be Held April 29

Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday announced that April 29 is National

The PA Resources Council celebrates its 15th year of

17 DEP Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants Awarded To Schools, Businesses, Municipalities

Department of Environmental Protection Thursday

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced Seneca Resources

The Center for Responsible Shale Development Tuesday

By David Spigelmyer, Marcellus Shale Coalition