PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates

Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward

Harrisburg,PaNovember3,2014

PECQ/AWithGov.Corbett,TomWolfOnEnvironmentalIssues,NowYouDecide

Tuesday,November4yougettodecidewhetherTom
Corbett(R)orTomWolf(D)willbeGovernorthe
nextfouryears.
Herearetheresponsesthecandidatesgavein
MaytothePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilto
questionsonimportantenvironmentalissues.Theyare
stillveryrelevanttodayasvotersgotothepolls.

1.TherecentSupremeCourtdecisiononAct
13hastremendousimplicationsforthewayPennsylvaniaregulatesnaturalgasactivity.But
thisrulingalsoextendstoallenvironmentalprotectionlaws.Whatdoyouthinkthismeansfor
stateandlocalpolicymakersmovingforward?Doyousupportenhancedlocalcontrolof
environmentalprotectionmeasures,eveniftheymightbeinconflictwithstatecontrols?

TomCorbett
TheAct13rulinghascreatedmuchmoreuncertaintythanexistedbefore,andthatisdetrimentaltoboth
industrytryingtofostereconomicdevelopment,andlocalofficialstryingtobalancetheirown
obligations.FulfillmentoftheEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentisastateresponsibility.
Protectionofournaturalresourcesshouldnotbedependentonwhetheralocalgovernmentchoosesto
adoptzoningindeed,approximately65percentofnaturalgaswellsdrilledoverthepasttwoyearsare
inmunicipalitiesthathavenotadoptedlocalzoning.
Zoninghasneverbeenutilizedasameansofenvironmentalprotection.Itisalsoimportantto
notethattheAct13rulingretainedtheprerogativeofstategovernmenttosetenvironmentalprotection
standardsfornaturalgasdevelopment.Inmyview,theEnvironmentalRightsAmendmentandits
responsibilitiesaresoimportantthattheydeservetheoversight,protectionandenforcementofstate
government,consistentacrosstheCommonwealth.
TomWolf
Wehavetostrikeabalancebetweenenvironmentalprotection,localrights,andeconomicdevelopment.
WithAct13,GovernorCorbettclearlygotthisbalancewrong.Insteadofstandingupfor
Pennsylvaniashardworkingfamilies,GovernorCorbettgavehisbiggestdonorsandsupportersfree
reignoverPennsylvania'snaturalresourcesandlocalcommunities.
Therulingpresentsanopportunityforustopushfornewlegislationthatrequiresoilandgas
companiestopaytheirfairshare.Asgovernor,Iwillinstitutea5percentextractiontaxbecauseitis
simplynotrightthatPennsylvaniaistheonlymajorgasproducingstateinthecountrythatdoesnot
chargeataxonoilandnaturalgasextractionstateslikeTexas,Wyoming,Louisiana,NewMexico,
andOklahomachargeextractionfeesfornaturalgastofundtheirkeyinvestmentpriorities.Itisnow
longpasttimeforPennsylvaniatodothesamething.
Thistaxislargelyanexportabletaxasitwouldbepaidbyconsumerslocatedoutsideof
Pennsylvania.RevenuefromthetaxwouldallowPennsylvanianstoshareinthebenefitsofnaturalgas
extractionitisanopportunityforustohaveasafeandsecureenvironment,andtheabilitytomake
criticalinvestmentsineducation,healthcare,economicdevelopment,andinfrastructure.
Ibelievethatlocalleadersshouldcontrolzoning,andthatthecommunitieswheredrillingistakingplace
shouldcontinuetobenefitfinanciallyfromtheactivity.Iwilldirectaportionoftherevenuegenerated
fromtheextractiontaxtothesecommunities.

2.Pennsylvaniastillfacessignificantpollutionlegacyissueslikeabandonedminedrainage
(AMD),withcostestimatesexceeding$1billionneededforrestorationofAMDalone.With
thecontinualreductioninfederalandstatefundingforthiswork,whatnovelapproaches
wouldyousupporttoaddressthisneed?Wouldyoualsopromoteaseverancetaxoncoalor
otherfossilfuels?

TomCorbett
WhileabandonedminelandsareasignificantenvironmentalchallengetoPennsylvania,itisimportantto
notethatfundingfortheCommonwealthhasactuallygoneup,notdown.Coalproducersalreadypaya
severancefeebasedoneachtonofcoalminedintheCommonwealth.Thefederaldistributionformula
hasbeenchangedtodirectagreatershareofdollarstoaddresshistoricminingreclamationneeds
acrossthenation,includingPennsylvania,whichisveryappropriate.
AsGovernor,Ialsoproposedandthenenactedanimpactfeeonnaturalgasthathas,todate,
generatedover$630millioninnewrevenuefortheCommonwealthanditslocalcommunities.This
fundingincludesthefirstinfusionofnewstatemoneyintotheGrowingGreenerprogram,including
fundingforabandonedminelandreclamation,inoveradecade.Italsoincludesanewprogramunder
theMarcellusLegacyFundthatprovidesfundingforhighpriorityabandonedminelandreclamation.
Additionally,asGovernorIhaveworkedwithPennsylvaniaswastecoalelectricgeneration
industryoncreativeandinnovativewaystospurtheircontinueddevelopment,partneringwithlocal
electricutilitiesoncooperativeagreementsthathelpcleanupabandonedminepilesandsaving
taxpayersmillionsofdollars.
TomWolf
IbelieveweneedamultiprongedapproachtoaddresstherestorationofAMD.First,weneedto
enacttougherlegislationtoholdcoalminingcompaniesresponsibleforcleanupandenvironmental
damages.Second,weneedtoengagePennsylvaniasworldclassuniversitiesandcollegesaswellas
theprivatesectorindevelopingcosteffectiveapproachestoabandonedminedrainagerestoration.
Third,boththefederalgovernmentandthestateneedtostepupandproactivelyaddressthisissueby
directingadditionalfunding.

3.GamesahasannouncedthatitwillbeclosingitsEbensburgwindturbineassemblyfacility
attheendofMarch2014.Whatdoyouthinktheramificationsofthisdecisionarefor
Pennsylvania?

TomCorbett
AnydecisiontocloseamanufacturingfacilityinPennsylvaniaisoneItakeseriously.Thisparticular
decisionappearstobedrivenbyanationwidetrend.Icontinuetoworkonfosteringpoliciestoimprove
ourbusinessclimateinPennsylvania,reformourtortandunemploymentcompensationsystems,and
otherimprovementsthathavehelpedPennsylvaniaaddover150,000privatesectorjobsandreduce
ourunemploymentratetoitslowestpointinnearlysixyears.
TomWolf
IbelievewehaveanopportunitytousetheMarcellusShaleasabridgetoacleanenergyfuture.
GamesasdecisiontocloseitsEbensburgfacilityisastepinthewrongdirectionweneedtobe
expandingtheuseofrenewableenergysources.Asgovernor,Iwillworktocreatemarketconditions
thatencouragetheincreaseduseanddevelopmentofrenewableenergyandenergyefficiency
technologiesinPennsylvania.

4.UsingthepotentialShellethanecrackerplantinBeaverCountyasanexample,how
wouldyou,asgovernor,balanceenvironmentalandhumanhealthprotectionwithkey
economicdevelopmentopportunities?

TomCorbett
Firstandforemost,Pennsylvaniamustcontinuetopositionitselftoattractworldclassmanufacturing
facilitiesastheoneproposedbyShellforwesternPennsylvania.ThatiswhyIhaveworkedhard,andin
abipartisanmanner,tofostercontinuedimprovementstooureconomicandbusinessclimatein
Pennsylvania.Pennsylvaniaisnowonthemapforconsiderationoftheseprojects.
Thebalanceofprotectingtheenvironmentwhileencouragingjobgrowthmuststartwiththe
premisethatthesetwoobjectivesarenotmutuallyexclusive.Indeed,wecanandmustprotectthe
environmentwhileattractingcapitalinvestmentopportunities.Fosteringnewmanufacturingopportunities
canhelptoreuseexistingbrownfields,limitgreenfielddevelopment,andgeneratenewrevenuetohelp
addresslegacyenvironmentalneeds.Additionally,earlyengagementwithprospectiveproject
developerslikeIhavedonewithShellenableustolayoutclearlytheenvironmentalexpectationsto
protectourair,waterandlandresourcesandtoworkthroughthepermittingprocessinamannerthat
ensuresthoseprotectionsaremet.
TomWolf
TheMarcellusShaleprovidesagreatopportunitytogrowandtransformPennsylvania'smanufacturing
economy.OnespecificexampleisthepotentialShellethanecracker,plantwherenaturalgaswouldbe
brokendowntocreateethylene.Becauseethyleneisusedin90percentofallmanufacturedgoods,
thereisahugepotentialtoattractnewmanufacturingbusinessestothestateandforthosealreadyhere
toexpand.
Butwemustdoitsmartlyandfairly.Forinstance,it'ssimplynotrightthatPennsylvaniaisthe
onlymajorgasproducingstateinthecountrythatdoesnotchargeataxonoilandnaturalgas
extractionevenTexasdoes.Andwemustbevigilantaboutpublichealthandsafetyintheprocessof
tappingournaturalresources.Ifdonecorrectly,thisisanopportunityforPennsylvaniatohave
goodpayingenergyjobsasafeandsecureenvironmentandtheabilitytomakecriticalinvestmentsin
education,healthcare,andinfrastructurethroughataxonoilandnaturalgasextraction.

5.Doyouthinkfederalregulationofnaturalgasoperationsisappropriate?Ifso,why?
TomCorbett

Statesarebestequippedtoregulatenaturalgasoperations.Wehaveaprovenandstronghistoryof
oversightinPennsylvania,andstatesarebestequippedtoaccountfortheiruniqueandindividual
geology,geography,topographyandotherfactorsthatmayvaryfromstatetostateandmakea
national,cookiecutterregulatoryapproachunwieldyandineffective.Undermyadministration,oversight
andinspectionsareup,andoutofproposalsputforthbymyMarcellusShaleAdvisoryCommission
onwhichthePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalCouncilwasakeycontributorIproposed,championedand
thensignedthemostsweepingandcomprehensiveenhancementtoourenvironmentalprotectionlawsin
overtwentyfiveyears.
Thishandson,personalinteractionwherePennsylvaniansputforthconcreteproposalsthatfit
Pennsylvaniasneedsdemonstratesthepreferenceincontinuingthedecadesofsuccessofstate
primacyofnaturalgasregulation.
TomWolf
Oneoftherolesofgovernmentistoenactrulesandregulationsthatareinthecollectiveinterestsofboth
currentandfutureresidents.Thisincludesregulationsonnaturalgasoperationstoprotectour
environmentandkeepresidentshealthyandsafe.Inthisvein,IwillworkwithSenatorCaseyto
promotepoliciestoprotectourfreshairandcleanwater.
Asgovernor,myfocuswillbetotakearesponsibleapproachtonaturalgasdrillingthatincludes
enactingafivepercentextractiontaxandtakingactionstoprotectourenvironment.Specifically,Iwill
increasefundingfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsothatitissufficientlystaffedandable
toprovideproperoversightofdrillers,andbringinggreatertransparencytothefrackingprocessby
requiringdrillerstopubliclydisclosechemicalsusedinthehydraulicfracturingprocess,andliftingthe
currentgagorderonphysicians.

6.Whatspecificactionswouldyoutakeinyourfirst100daysasgovernortoaddressthe
mostsignificantenvironmentalissuesyoubelievearefacingPennsylvania?

TomCorbett
Iwouldcontinuemystrongcommitmenttoenvironmentalprotection,whichhastodateincluded
proposingandthenenactingsomeofthehighestandmostsweepingenvironmentallawprotectionsin
thenationproposeabudgetthatallowstheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandourother
agenciestofulfilltheirmissionandresponsibilities(asIhavedonewithDEP,reversingeightyearsof
budgetcutsundertheprioradministration,andunlikethefinalthreeyearsoftheprioradministration,not
furloughinganyDEPemployeestobalancethebudget).Iwouldalsoensurecontinuedaccountability,
strongleadership,andcommitmenttoproblemsolvingfromourkeyenvironmentalprotectionofficials,
bothinourcentralofficeandacrosstheCommonwealth.
TomWolf
Withinmyfirst100daysinoffice,Iwill:
AppointqualifiedindividualstoleadtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandtheDepartment
ofConservationandNaturalResources.Theseleaderswillberesponsibleforbringinggreater
transparencytothefrackingprocess,proactivelyaddressingclimatechange,andpromotingpoliciesthat
areinthebestinterestofcurrentandfutureresidentsnotspecialinterests
SubmitabudgetthatincludesadditionalfundingfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionso
thatitissufficientlystaffedandabletoprovideoversightofnaturalgasdrillersand
Introducelegislationtoenactafivepercentextractiontaxonnaturalgas.
Tolearnmore,visitGov.CorbettscampaignwebsiteandTomWolfscampaignwebsite.
NewsClips:
Wolf,CorbettSprintToFinishOfGovernorsRace
StateImpact:MeetTheCandidates:Gov.TomCorbett
Corbett:ImpactFeeStillBestDealForPennsylvanians
Corbett:MothersDeathSteeled17YearOldForChallenges
StateImpact:MeetTheCandidates:TomWolf
WolfTalksSeveranceTax,ProtectingTheEnvironment
Wolf:ReluctantHeirToFamilyBusiness,PeaceCorpsVolunteer
CorbettVowsToProtectCoalIndustryAtArmstrongRally
Corbett,WolfDifferOnObamasCarbonRules
EnergyContributionsToGubernatorialCandidates
EnergyCompaniesDonate$1MillionToCorbett
Senate,HouseLeadershipFightCouldImpactEnergyIndustry
NewPoll:CorbettCatchingUp,Only18PointsBehind
MuhlenbergPoll:CorbettCutsWolfsLeadTo12Points
Report:LobbyistTellsDrillingIndustryToWinUglyOrLose
OpEd:TomWolfIsntSeriousAboutEnergy

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Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa
listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(Adjourned):TheHouseadjournedandnomorevotingsessiondaysarescheduled.<>Click
HereforfullHouseBillCalendar.

Senate(Adjourned):AllbillsleftontheSenateCalendarwereTabledwhentheSenateadjournedas
isthecustomintheSenate.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBillCalendar.

CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.

Senate:<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.

SessionSchedule

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

House
November12(nonvoting,reorganizationsession)

Senate
November12(nonvoting,reorganizationsession)

BillsOnGovernor'sDesk

ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowontheGovernor's
deskforaction

NuclearReactorFees:SenateBill1355(YawRLycoming)increasingnuclearreactorandnuclear
fueltransportationfees.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.ItwassignedintolawasAct
190.

PublicDisasterGrants:SenateBill720(BakerRLuzerne)establishingthePublicDisaster
AssistanceGrantProgram.AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.Itwassignedintolawas
Act187.

NewsFromTheCapitol

CorbettSignsMunicipalDisasterAidBillSignedIntoLaw

Sen.LisaBaker(RLuzerne)FridayannouncedGov.CorbetthassignedSenateBill720intolawtofor
thefirsttimeevercreateastateprogramforsmalldisasterassistance.
Reactingtothedevastationcausedbyfloods,snowstorms,tornadoesandothernaturaland
manmadedisasters,Sen.Bakerproposedthegrantprogramtohelpcountiesandmunicipalitiesthat
becomevictimsofdisastersthatfallbelowthe$17.5millionthresholdforfederalaidtokickin.
Pennsylvaniaisafloodpronestate,andsofrequently,onestormcanwipeoutatownsentire
annualbudget,Sen.Bakersaid.Thisbillwilltaketheburdenofflocaltaxpayers,whomayalreadybe
strugglingwithpersonallossesoftheirownfromrisingfloodwatersandotherunexpectedtragedies.
Thenewlaw,whichwentintoeffectimmediatelyafterthegovernorsigneditasAct187of
2014onOctober27,alsograntsarrestpowerstooutofstatepoliceofficersactinginPennsylvaniaas
partofamutualaidcompactduringagovernordeclaredemergencyaprovisiondeemednecessaryas
lawenforcementcontinuestosearchforsuspectedstatetrooperkillerEricFreininMonroeandPike
counties.
SenateBill720willhelpPennsylvaniacommunitiesrecoverfromcatastropheduringan
emergency,whetheratthehandsofMotherNatureorextraordinarycriminalactivity,Sen.Bakersaid.
ShethankedthePennsylvaniaEmergencyManagementAgency,theCountyCommissioners
AssociationofPennsylvaniaandthePennsylvaniaStateAssociationofTownshipSupervisorsfortheir
advocacyandsupport.
AsummaryandHouseFiscalNoteareavailable.

NewsFromAroundTheState

StormwaterPermitInLititzBoonToRocknRollTown,WaterQuality,SetsPrecedent

ThankstothelikesoftheBonJovi,KatyPerry,WillieNelsonandothermusicstars,theChesapeake
BaywillbenefitfromcleanerupstreamwatersinoneSusquehannaRivertributary.
TheLancasterCountyConservationDistrictandtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
haveauthorizedapermitforaninnovativepostconstructionstormwatermanagementplanforRock
Lititz,the$100millionrehearsalcampuscateringtotherockconcertindustry.
InaletterdatedOctober21,2014,theconservationdistrictnotifiedRockLititzithad
approvedtheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permitfordischarges
associatedwithconstructionactivitiesfromtheRockLititzsiteinLititz,Pennsylvania,totheSanto
DomingoCreek,atributaryofLititzRun.
Itsthefirsttimetheconservationdistrict,whichissuedthepermitonbehalfofDEP,has
approvedfloodplainrestorationtotacklestormwaterissuesatthisgrandscale.
LandStudies,Inc.designedandoversawconstructionoftherestoredfloodplainthatruns
throughthe96.3acreRockLititzsitetoreducerunoffpeakrates,improvewaterqualityandrecharge
groundwater,therebycomplyingwithstateandlocalstormwatermanagementrequirements.
AlthoughDEPhaspreviouslyapprovedfloodplainrestorationforitsecologicalbenefits
whichincludethecreationofwildlifehabitat,reducedstreambankerosion,andnaturalbeautythis
permittiesfloodplainrestorationtomoreeconomicbenefitsinthiscase,reducedstormwaterrunoff.
MarkGutshall,principalofLandStudies,predictsthatinthefuture,morepartnershipsbetween
publicandprivateorganizationswillfocusonwhathecallsEconomicEcology:Betterthanapiecemeal
approachtowaterresourcechallengesisaholisticonethatexaminesthemosteffectiverestoration
methodsforanentirewatershedintermsofbothenvironmentalandeconomicgain.Headds,An
ounceofpreventionisworthapoundofcure,andfloodplainrestorationcanpreventalotofcostsand
damages.
Sincefloodplainrestorationalsoreducessedimentpollutioninstreams,asshowninDEPs
2013studyofBigSpringRun,theapprovalsetsthestagenotjustforrockstars,whosetopsecret
rehearsalswillpromotejobgrowthandothereconomicbooststoLancasterCounty,butalsoforhow
PennsylvaniamaymeetregulationstohelpcleanuptheChesapeakeBayinthefuture.
Gutshallsaid,Theisastepforward.Pennsylvaniaismovingtowardamorewatershedbased
approachtoaddressingtheimpactsofstormwaterrunoff.
NewsClips:
ConservationDistrictApprovesRockLititzStormwaterPlan
ArmstrongConservationDistrictShowsOffYearsWork
PorousCarlisleSewerSystemRepairsToCost$30$50Million
PlansToRestoreChesapeakeBayWontWorkWithoutConowingoCleanup
OpEd:OurWaterCantWait
UMarylandStudiesIntersexFishInSusquehanna

DEPPublishesNoticeOfProposedAgreementToCleanUpPartsOfDunkardCreek

OnNovember1theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofaproposedconsent
orderandagreementwithDanaMiningandAMDReclamation,Inc.tocollectandtreatacidmine
drainagedischargesfromabandonedundergroundcoalminesintheDunkardCreekWatershedin
GreeneCounty.(PABulletinpage6994)
Undertheproposedagreement,AMDRIandDanawillcontinuetocollectandtreatthe
ShannopinMinepoolattheSteeleShafttreatmentfacility.Inaddition,theywillalsocaptureandcollect
fouradditionaldischargesfromtheMaidenMinepool.
PubliccommentsaredueontheproposedagreementbyDecember1.
CopiesoftheproposedagreementcanbereviewedorobtainedbycontactingJoelKoricich,
DistrictMiningManager,CaliforniaDistrictOffice,25TechnologyDrive,CoalCenter,PA15423.
Phone:724.769.1100,Fax:724.769.1102orsendingemailto:jkoricich@pa.gov.

TappingOurDelawareWatershed,NewMonthlyScienceCaf,KicksOffNov.17

Anewmonthlysciencecafbringsdevoteesofwatersciencetogetherforconversationswithtop
expertsinthefield.TappingOurWatershed,hostedbytheAcademyofNaturalSciencesofDrexel
University,willmeetnextonNovember17,toraiseglasseswithCarolCollier,theAcademyssenior
advisorforwatershedmanagementandpolicy.
TappingOurWatershedwillbeheldthethirdMondayofeachmonthat6p.m.atNational
MechanicsinPhiladelphiasOldCity.Thehappyhourstylelecturesaimtoengagestudents,scientists
andinterestedcitizensindiscussionsaboutissuespertainingtotheDelawareRiverwatershedandother
aquaticecologytopics.
Attendeesmustbe21yearsandolder,thoughadultsunder21mayattendwithachaperone
whoisatleast25.
CollierkicksofftheserieswithapresentationanddiscussionaboutTheFutureofthe
DelawareRiverBasinWhyWeNeedtoThinkHolistically.Shewilldiscussthemultiplestressors
andpotentialchangestotheregionswaterresourcesandtheneedtoworktogethertofindsolutionsto
reduceharmfulimpacts.
Apioneerinwatershedmanagement,Collierservedformorethan15yearsasexecutive
directoroftheDelawareRiverBasinCommissionbeforejoiningtheAcademyinApril.
SheservesastheliaisontogovernmentagenciesandofficialsaboutthevalueoftheAcademys
watershedmanagementprojects,includingtheDelawareRiverWatershedInitiative,andhowittiesinto
theirownprograms.ShealsoisdirectorofDrexelUniversitysEnvironmentalStudiesandSustainability
program.
EarlierthisyearCollierreceivedtheBronzeOrderoftheDeFleuryMedalfromtheU.S.Army
CorpsofEngineers,andinOctobershewashonoredforlifetimeachievementbythePartnershipforthe
DelawareEstuary.
TappingOurWatershed,formerlyknownastheDelawareRiverWatershedInitiativeSeminar
Series,issponsoredbytheWilliamPennFoundation.TheformatissimilartoScienceonTap,another
sciencecafheldthesecondMondayofeachmonthanorganizedbytheAcademyandother
institutions.
FormoreinformationabouttheDelawareRiverWatershedInitiativeandupcomingscience
cafs,visittheAcademyswebsiteandfollowonTwitter@ANSStreamTeam.

GovernmentOfficialsCelebrateSuccessOfBucksCountyFloodMitigationProgram

Governmentofficials,partnersandhomeownersgatheredalongtheNeshaminyCreekinLanghorne,
BucksCountythisweektocelebratethecompletionofa12year,$27millionfloodmitigationproject
madepossiblethroughthecooperationoflocalandfederalgovernments.
FloodinghashistoricallybeenaprobleminBucksCounty.Tohelpreducetheimpactofsevere
floodingthatwasrepeatedlyoccurringinthelowerpartoftheNeshaminyCreekwatershed,causing
destructionandruiningpeopleshomesandbelongings,theBucksCountyCommissionersandlocal
ConservationDistrictdecidedtoinitiateavoluntaryprogramin2001.
AfterworkingwithBucksCountyforover50years,theUSDANaturalResources
ConservationServicewasabletoprovidefundingtoimprovesafetyandreduceflooddamagesto
homesandbusinessesinthelower18milesofthewatershed.
Overthepast12years,NRCShasprovidedalmost$26millionfortheproject,$10millionof
whichcamefromtheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentAct.BucksCountywasalsoableto
providearound$1million.
Thesefundswereusedinseveralways.Peoplewhowantedtomoveoutofthefloodprone
areascouldvoluntarilyhavetheirhomepurchasedatfairmarketvalue.Therewere32purchased,
removed,andpropertieswererestoredtonaturalconditionsofgrassandtrees.
Forpeoplewholovedwheretheylivedandwishedtostay,theirhomeswereelevatedtoget
themandtheirbelongingsabove100yearfloodelevation.71homeswereelevated,includingonethat
wasraised14feethigh.
Duringtheceremony,CongressmanFitzpatricknoted,aseachofthesehomeswereelevated
andduringthecourseofthoserepetitivefloodingevents,fewerandfewerfamilieswereaffected,and
thefloodinsurancepayoutswerelessandless.
Inothersituationsaroomwasaddedtogetutilitiesandcriticallivingspaceoutoffloodprone
basements.Therewere29roomaddons.
Altogether,wehadanimpacton183homes,andthecostbenefitstothosehomeswere
significant,saidDeniseColeman,NRCSStateConservationist.
Thisprojecthascreatedbetterlivingconditionsandcreatedalotofworkinthecommunity,
Colemanadded.Afloodwarningsystemwasdeveloped,environmentalrestorationoftheriparian
areaswasdone,anditreduceddangeroussituationsformanyoftheresidents.
SamSmith,thefirsthomeownertohavehishouseelevatedagreesthattherehavebeenmany
benefitsforhimandhisfamily.Mostimportantly,theimpactoffloodinghasbeenreducedandhe
experiencedthiswithHurricaneIrene.
Therewasfourfeetofwaterinmybasement,whichisnowcalledmynewcrawlspace,andit
wasamatterofjusttakingahoseandwashingitout.Samrecallstheangstandanxietythatheandhis
familywentthroughbeforethemitigation,watchingweatherreportsandthinkinghereitcomesagain,
whatarewegoingtodo,andthrowingyourcouchesandfurnitureintoadumpsterandyoureoutof
yourhomeforalongperiodoftime.Thisprogramreallydoestakealotofthataway.
Asafederalagency,theUSDANaturalResourceConservationServicesmissionistohelp
peopleatthelocallevelsolvenaturalresourceproblems.
Weworkthroughpartnershipstofindsolutionsthatcanbevoluntarilyimplemented,said
Coleman.Projectslikethisareexcellentexamplesofhowwetrytohelppeopleandlocal
communities.
NewsClips:
NewToolShowsAreasThatFloodAlongSusquehanna
ConservationDistrictApprovesRockLititzStormwaterPlan
ArmstrongConservationDistrictShowsOffYearsWork
PorousCarlisleSewerSystemRepairsToCost$30$50Million
PlansToRestoreChesapeakeBayWontWorkWithoutConowingoCleanup
OpEd:OurWaterCantWait
UMarylandStudiesIntersexFishInSusquehanna

StormwaterManagementDesignTrainingInHarrisburgNov.13

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectioninvitescountyandcityplanners,engineers,developers,
redevelopmentauthoritiesandcommunityleaderstoattendatrainingsessionaboutstormwater
managementcontrolforpermittedactivitiesonNovember13,inHarrisburg.
Thetrainingwillbeheldfrom9a.m.to4p.m.attheHolidayInnHarrisburgEast,4751Lindle
Road,Harrisburg.Thecosttoattendis$150perperson.Lunchandtrainingmaterialsareincludedin
thecost.
ThetrainingwillfocusonexplainingthestatesChapter102environmentalregulation,
specificallythepostconstructionstormwatermanagementrequirements.Thetrainingwillteach
attendeeshowtoidentifytheappropriatepermitsforconstructionanddesignactivities,andhowDEP
reviewsapplicationsforthosepermits
ParticipantswillalsolearnaboutPennsylvaniaNaturalDiversityInventorysearchesandhowto
considerstormwatermanagementwhenlookingatasite.Nopriorknowledgeorexperienceworking
withtheChapter102regulationisneededtoattendthistraining.
Thetrainingwillalsoincludeaquestionandanswersession.Tosubmitanonymousquestionsin
advanceofthetraining,participantsshouldcontactBrandiHunterDavenport,DirectorofPublicAffairs
andEducationforthePennsylvaniaAssociationofConservationDistrictsattheemailaddressbelow.
PACDisworkinginpartnershipwithDEPsSouthcentralRegionalsOfficesWaterwaysand
WetlandsProgramtoprovidethetraining.
Spaceislimited,soregistrationswillbeacceptedonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.Please
registeronlineinadvanceofthetraining.
Formoreinformationonthetraining,interestedpersonsshouldcontactDEPWaterwaysand
WetlandsPermitsSectionChiefNathanCrawfordat7177054798.Interestedpersonswithquestions
regardingregistrationshouldcontactBrandiat7172387223orsendemailto:
brandidavenport@pacd.org.
NewsClips:
ConservationDistrictApprovesRockLititzStormwaterPlan
ArmstrongConservationDistrictShowsOffYearsWork
PorousCarlisleSewerSystemRepairsToCost$30$50Million
PlansToRestoreChesapeakeBayWontWorkWithoutConowingoCleanup
OpEd:OurWaterCantWait
UMarylandStudiesIntersexFishInSusquehanna

SRBCHoldsHearingsOnProposedRulemaking,WaterProjectApplicationsNov.6

TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionwillreceivepubliccommentattwoseparatehearingson
November6.atthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol,Room8EB,EastWing,CommonwealthAvenue,
Harrisburg.(formalnotice)Thetimesareasfollows:
ProposedRulemaking:1:302:30p.m.,orwhenpublictestimonyends,whichevercomesfirst.
ProjectApplications:2:305:00p.m.,orwhenpublictestimonyends,whichevercomesfirst.
Thesubjectofthefirsthearingistheproposedrulemakingtoclarifythewaterusesinvolvedin
hydrocarbondevelopmentthataresubjecttotheconsumptiveuseregulations,asimplementedbythe
ApprovalByRuleprogram.Thesecondhearingisonprojectapplicationsforonediversionofwater
andseveralwaterwithdrawalapplications.
BothhearingswillbeheldTheproposedrulemaking,listof21projectapplicationsandoptions
forsubmittingcommentselectronicallyareallavailableonSRBCsPublicParticipationCenter.
Personsplanningtopresentoraltestimonyateitherpublichearingareencouragedtonotify
SRBCpriortothehearingoftheirintenttotestifyandtoindicatethesubjectoftheircomment.The
noticesaretobedirectedtoMr.JasonOyler,RegulatoryCounsel,SusquehannaRiverBasin
Commission,4423NorthFrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA17110,Telephone:(172380423,ext.1312,
Fax:7172382436.
SRBCwillalsoacceptwrittencommentsontheproposedrulemakingandprojectapplications
untilNovember17.CommentsmaybesubmittedviatheInternetormailedorfaxedtoMr.Oyler.
SRBCisscheduledtovoteontheseandotheractionitemsatitsnextbusinessmeetingon
December5inAnnapolis,Md.
SRBCsrulesofconductforpublichearingsinclude(seefullsetofrulesonthewebsite):
Allpersonsmustsigninandshowphotoidentification.
Signage,posters,bannersorotherdisplaymediawillbepermittedonlyindesignatedareas.
Thepressispermittedtosetupandusevideoandrecordingdevicesinadesignatedarea.The
publicispermittedtousesmall,handhelddevicesthatremainintheirpossessionandareusedina
nondisruptivemanner.
Formoreinformation,visitSRBCsPublicParticipationCenterwebpage.
NewsClips:
ConservationDistrictApprovesRockLititzStormwaterPlan
ArmstrongConservationDistrictShowsOffYearsWork
PorousCarlisleSewerSystemRepairsToCost$30$50Million
PlansToRestoreChesapeakeBayWontWorkWithoutConowingoCleanup
OpEd:OurWaterCantWait
UMarylandStudiesIntersexFishInSusquehanna

CallForPresentations:HighSchool,CollegeStudentSymposiumOnTheEnvironment

WestminsterCollegeandtheSlipperyRockWatershedCoalitionareagainsponsoringtheStudent
SymposiumontheEnvironmentDecember4attheMcKelveyCampusCenter,WitherspoonRooms
andMuellerTheater,WestminsterCollege
TheStudentSymposiumontheEnvironmentisheldeachDecembertohighlightenvironmental
study,research,artisticexpression,andserviceworkbeingdonebystudentsintheregion.
Studentsfromalldisciplines,rangingfromhighschoolthroughgraduateschool,areencouraged
toparticipate.Researchposters,artwork,oralpresentations,andevenperformancesarewelcome.
PresentationproposalsarenowbeingacceptedfortheSymposium.Thedeadlinefor
submissions.
ClickHereformoredetailsortosubmitapresentationproposal.

GovernorsOrder,FiscalCodeAllowingMoreDrillingOnDCNRLandChallengedAgain

TheDelawareRiverkeeperNetworkThursdayfiledapetitioninCommonwealthCourtagainstGov.
CorbettandtheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourceschallengingExecutiveOrder
201403issuedMay23,2014titledLeasingofStateForestsandStateParkLandforOilandGas
Development.
AccordingtothePetitionforReview:Petitionerschallengetheconstitutionalityofthe
Commonwealthsdecisiontoattempttobalancethestatebudgetbyleasingstateparkandforestland
forindustrialshalegasdevelopment.
TheGovernorsExecutiveorderwillinvite,inspireandspawnawaveofindustrial
developmentbothinourstateparksandforestsandrightuptoitsedgesturningoncenaturalareas
andbeautifulcommunitiesintoindustrialzones,irreparablyharmingthewater,air,recreationandthe
naturalresourcesofbothpresentandfuturegenerations,saidMayavanRossum,theDelaware
RiverkeeperandaPetitioneronthecase.
TheGovernorhasaconstitutionalobligationtoprotectPennsylvaniassharednaturalresources
fromharm.Byauthorizingincreasedindustrialgasdrillingofourstateparksandforests,Gov.Corbett
hasviolatedhisconstitutionalduties.Thislegalactionseekstoholdhimaccountableandtoprotectour
preciouspublicassetsfromfurtherharm.
Asissued,theGovernorsExecutiveOrderandSection1601.1E.oftheFiscalCodeallow
ongoingandincreasedshalegasdevelopmentonlandsalreadyleasedinstateparklandsandforestsas
wellasallowingdrillingbeneaththestateownedlandstoextractgasfromshale,includingbyusing
horizontaldrillingandfrackingtechnology.
TheFiscalCodebillHouseBill278(BakerRTioga)passedinJulytoimplementthestate
budgetcontainedaprovisionrequiringDCNRtodoadditionaloilandgasleasingandtransfer$95
millionfromtheOilandGasFundtotheGeneralFundtobalancethebudget
AmongthelegalclaimspresentedisthattheExecutiveOrderinfringesonthepeoplesrights
underArticleI,Section27tocleanair,purewater,andthepreservationofthenatural,scenic,historic
andestheticvaluesoftheenvironmentandbreachesthefiduciarydutiesoftheGovernorandthe
Commonwealthtoactasthetrusteeofthepeoplespublicnaturalresources,includingstateparksand
forests,andthemyriadofpublicnaturalresourcesinthem.
TheDelawareRiverkeeperNetworkandDelawareRiverkeeperwereintegraltoobtainingthe
recentSupremeCourtrulinginRobinsonTownship,DelawareRiverkeeperNetwork,etal.v.
Commonwealth,whichreinvigoratedArticleI,Section27andreaffirmedthatallcitizenshavearightto
acleanandhealthyenvironmentthattheCommonwealthandlocalgovernmentsmaynotunreasonably
infringeupon.
ThelegalactionseeksadeclaratoryjudgmentfromtheCommonwealthCourtthatExecutive
Order201403andSection1601.1E.oftheFiscalCodeviolateArticleI,Section27ofthe
PennsylvaniaConstitutionandthatfurtherleasingofstateforestandparkland(includingsubsurface
rights)violatesArticleI,Section27ofthePennsylvaniaConstitution.
ThelegalactionalsoasksthattheCourtissueaninjunctionprohibitingfurtherleasingofstate
forestandparkland(includingsubsurfacerights)andaninjunctionprohibitingfurtherpermittingofwells
usingthetechnologiesofhighvolumehydraulicfracturinganddirectionaldrillingwhether
unconventionalorconventionalon,in,under,orthroughstateforestsandparks.
AdditionaldrillingonDCNRlandsisalreadybeingdelayedasaresultofaCommonwealth
CourtorderinJulyinvolvinganotherchallengeinPEDFv.Commonwealthtotheuseofdrillingroyalties
andtransfersfromtheDCNROilandGasFund.
CommonwealthCourtheardargumentsinthatcaseearlierinOctober,butgavenoindication
whentheywouldruleontheissue.
Thepetitionforreviewisavailableonline.
NewsClips:
AnotherLegalChallengeToLeaseDCNRLandsForDrilling
2ndLawsuitFiledtoHaltDrillingInStateParks,Forests
TownshipsWaryOfProposedShaleGasTax
MarcellusGrantsHelpBuildMemorial,TreatMineDrainage
OpEd:ImpactFeeTaxOverwhelminglyBenefitsPennsylvania

Corbett:StateGrantToAssistCleanupOf2BrownfieldsSitesInMontgomeryCounty

Gov.TomCorbettMondayannouncedtheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment
awardedanIndustrialSitesReuseProgramgranttotheBoroughofConshohockenforenvironmental
remediationattheformerVerizonbuildingtobeutilizedasanewmunicipalcomplex.
OnFriday,CorbettannouncedthattheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment
awardedanIndustrialSitesReuseProgramgranttotheRedevelopmentAuthorityofMontgomery
CountyforenvironmentalremediationandasbestoscleanupattheformerKeasbey&Mattison
CompanymanufacturingfacilitylocatedinAmblerBorough.
ConshohockenSite
Abandonedorunusedbuildingscanberehabilitatedandusedforeconomicdevelopment
initiatives,saidGov.Corbett.OursupportofthisprojectwillallowtheBoroughofConshohockento
consolidatealladministrativeandpublicsafetyfunctionsintoonefacilityallowingforbettercoordination
ofservicesforitsresidents.
TheBoroughofConshohockenhasbeenawardeda$480,307IndustrialSitesReuseProgram
grantforremediationoftheformerVerizonbuilding,convertingitfromaClassC,nonfunctioning,
outofdatefacilityandtransformingthebuildingintoaClassAofficeassettobeutilizedasanew
municipalcomplex.
TheboroughpurchasedtheVerizonBuildingin2007withtheintentofredevelopingitforuseas
anewmunicipalcomplexandconsolidatingalladministrativeandpublicsafetyfunctionsintoonefacility.
However,therestorationandrenovationcostswereprohibitive,andnothingwasdonetostabilizethe
buildingandstopitsrapiddeterioration.
Thebuildingcontainshazardouscontaminantsandiscurrentlyuninhabitablebecauseofthe
environmentalcontamination.TheBoroughwillpartnerwithKeystonePropertyGrouptorehabilitate
thestructure.
AmblerBoroughSite
Withinvestmentsinenvironmentalremediation,Pennsylvaniasvacantandunusedfacilitiesare
opportunitiesfornewgrowthanddevelopment,Gov.Corbettsaid.Ourpartnershipwiththe
redevelopmentauthorityandAmblerwillhelpresolveanasbestoshealthhazardandopenthedoorto
futuredevelopment.
TheRedevelopmentAuthorityoftheCountyofMontgomerywasawardeda$1,000,000
IndustrialSitesReuseProgramgrantforenvironmentalremediationcostsattheformerKeasbey&
MattisonCompanymanufacturingfacilitylocatedinAmblerBorough,MontgomeryCounty.
ISRPfundswillbeusedforasbestosabatementofsteamtunnelpipingandsubsurface
structures,excavationanddisposalofcontaminatedsoil,excavationandhandlingofasbestoscontaining
material,installationofgeotextilemembraneforACMfreeutilitycorridors,andinstallationof
environmentalcap.
RAMChaspartneredwithAmblerCrossingsDevelopmentPartners,LPforenvironmental
remediation.ACDPplanstoremediatetheasbestoscontaminated4.6acreparcelandconstructa
115unitapartmentbuildingtotaling134,205squarefeet.Thetotalcostoftheprojectis$3,295,000
withACDPproviding$2,295,000infundstosupporttheproject.
ISRPprovidesgrantsandlowinterestloansforenvironmentalassessmentsandremediation.
Theprogramfostersthecleanupofenvironmentalcontaminationatindustrialsites,therebybringing
blightedlandintoproductivereuse.TheprogramisadministeredbyDCED.
Formoreinformation,visitDCEDsIndustrialSitesReuseProgramwebpage.

KeepPABeautiful:ElectronicsWasteCollectionsInJuniata,Mercer,VenangoCounties

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulaffiliatesinvitelocalresidentstodisposeofelectronicsproperly.PA
CleanWaysofVenangoCounty,TriCountyCleanWaysandKeepJuniataCountyBeautifulareholding
electroniccollectionsduringthemonthofNovember.
Thecollections,whichconsistofonedayeventswillacceptvariouselectronics,somefees
apply.Thewillbeheldon
November1:PACleanWaysofVenangoCounty,ContactErikJohnsonat8144329684
November6:TriCountyCleanWaysMercerCounty(byappointmentonly),Call7246586925
formoreinformationand
November15:KeepJuniataCountyBeautiful,ContactTeddiStarkat7174368953x123
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulworkstoincreasetheavailabilityofconvenient,affordabledisposal
forcertainitems,suchastires,householdhazardouswaste,pharmaceuticals,andappliances.Our
affiliatesacrossthestateoftenworkwithlocalsolidwasteandrecyclingofficestoidentifylocaldisposal
needsandimplementspecialcollections.
Iapplaudouraffiliatesforprovidingthisvaluableservicetotheircommunities.Withoutspecial
collectionsanddropofflocations,wewouldbeexpendingfarmoreresourcesonpullingthosematerials
upthehillside,statesShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful.
VisittheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwebsitesCalendarofEventstofindaspecialcollection
sitenearyou.OrcontactyourlocalRecyclingCoordinatorforalistingofonedayeventsorpermanent
dropofflocationsinyourarea.

DontTrashThatCampaignSign,RecycleThemInCentreCounty

Donttrashthatcampaignsign!BringittotheCentreCountyRecycling&RefuseAuthorityandhaveit
recycledbetweenNovember5thandNovember28th.
Recyclingisavailablebetweenthehoursof8:00a.m.and4:00p.m.,MondaythroughFridayto
BuildingA,attheAuthority.Comethroughthemaindoorsandlookforthedropoffbox.
PleasenotetheAuthorityisclosedonNovember27th.
Foradditionalinformationonthisrecyclingprogram,pleasecallourofficeat8142387005,or
sendemailto:ccrra@centrecountyrecycles.org.

Oct.30DEPNewsNowAvailable

TheOctober30editionofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEPExtendsCommentPeriodOnOil&GasEnforcementPolicy
RegencyMarcellusGasFined$300KForPipelineConstructionViolations
WilkinsburgPennAuthorityFinedForDrinkingWaterViolations
StormwaterManagementDesignTrainingNov.13InHarrisburg
CorbettAnnounces$12.5MInPAEnergyDevelopmentAuthorityGrants
CorbettAnnounces$2.25MToImproveFloodProtectionInJeffersonCounty
ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyandtoseebackissues.

UGIUrgesEligibleCustomersToApplyForHeatingGrants

UGIUtilities,Inc.isencouragingeligiblenaturalgasandelectriccustomerstoapplyforfederalenergy
assistancedollarstokeeptheirhomeswarmthiswinter.Inaddition,UGIwillprovideassistancethose
whoneedhelpincompletingtheapplication.
LowIncomeHomeEnergyAssistanceProgram(LIHEAP)grants,whichdonotneedtobe
repaid,helpcustomerswithlimitedorfixedincomespaytheirheatingbills,repairorreplaceaheater,
avoidutilityserviceshutoff,orassistinrestoringaterminatedservice.
Lastwinter,qualifyingUGInaturalgasandelectricdivisioncustomersreceivedcashgrantsfrom
LIHEAPtotalingapproximately$6.2million.
LIHEAPfundsarelimitedandavailableonafirstcome,firstservedbasistoqualifying
customers.TheProgramopensNovember3,soUGIurgescustomerstoapplyassoonaspossible.
Formoreinformationonfederalenergyassistance,customersshouldcallUGIat1800UGIWARM
(18008449276).
UGIwillprovidecustomerswithinformationontheapplicationprocess,andalsoprovide
assistanceoncompletingandsubmittingtherequiredforms.Toqualifyforfundsacustomermust
provideproofofincome,arecentheatingbill,andthename,birthdateandSocialSecuritynumberfor
eachpersoninhisorherhousehold.
Atanytimeoftheyear,UGIcustomerswhoarehavingdifficultypayingtheirutilitybillare
encouragedtocontactUGIpromptlytodiscusspaymentarrangementsandreceiveinformationonthe
utilitysownassistanceprograms.
QualifiedlowincomecustomersmayreceivegrantsfromUGIshardshipfunds,reducedbills
basedonapercentageofthecustomersincome,orfreehomeweatherizationservices.
UGIUtilitiesheadquartersislocatedinReading,Pennsylvania.Theutilityservesmorethan
660,000naturalgasandelectriccustomersin45countiesinPennsylvaniaandonecountyinMaryland.
Formoreinformationandtoapply,visittheLIHEAPwebpageorUGIsFinancialAssistance
Programswebpage.
NewsClips:
NewLawAddressesUtilityShutoffs
CheckYourElectricRateBeforeWinterHits
MetEdSeeks18%HikeInElectricityBills

PUCHoldsHearingNov.14OnFutureOfPhiladelphiaGasWorks

ThePublicUtilityCommissionFridayannounceditwillholdahearingonthefutureofPhiladelphiaGas
WorksonNovember14.
"ThePUChasquestionsaboutthenextstepsforPGW,"saidCommissionChairmanRobertF.
Powelsoninaletterinvitingspeakers."ThePUCwaswaitingtodiscusstheseissueswhileitappeareda
salewasactivelyunderconsideration.Givenrecentdevelopments,theCommissionnowwouldliketo
evaluatethoseconcerns."
Theenbanchearingwilltakeplacefrom10a.m.to3p.m.November14atDrexelUniversity's
BehrakisGrandHall,32ndandChestnutstreets,Philadelphia.ThefivePUCCommissionerswill
presideoverthehearing.Thepublicisinvitedtoattend.
ThoseinvitedtoappearbeforetheCommissionatthehearinginclude:
PhiladelphiaMayorMichaelNutter
PhiladelphiaCityCouncilPresidentDarrellL.Clarke
PGWCEOCraigWhite
PhiladelphiaGasCommissionChairwomanMarianTascoandCommissionExecutiveDirectorJanet
Parrish
PhiladelphiaBuildingTradesPresidentPatrickGillespie
Local98IBEWPresidentJohnDougherty
CommunityLegalServicesCEOCatherineCarr
GreaterPhiladelphiaChamberofCommerceCEORobWonderling
TheCommissionhasestablishedadocketnumberwhereinterestedpartiesareinvitedtofile
writtencommentsforconsideration.Interestedpartiesshouldfilecommentsatdocketnumber
M20142450704withtheSecretaryoftheCommissionnolaterthanDec.1,2014.Alldocumentswill
bepostedonthePUC'swebsite.
Tobeconsidered,commentsmustbeofficiallyfiledthroughthePUC'seFilingsystemorserved
inwrittenformatwith:RosemaryChiavetta,Secretary,PAPublicUtilityCommission,PostOfficeBox
3265,Harrisburg,PA17105
"TheCommission'sconcernemanatesfromtheverycoreofitsmissionprovidingsafe,reliable
utilityserviceatareasonableprice,"ChairmanPowelsonsaid."TheCommission'suneasewithPGW's
currentstructureiswelldocumented."
TheCommission'sconcernsinclude:
In2013,itcostPGWabout$1.4milliontoreplaceonemileofpipe.
About49percentofPGW'spipeline(1,994miles)isconsidered"atrisk"andisinneedof
replacement.
Atthecurrentrateofpipelinereplacement,itwilltakeabout80yearstoreplaceallatriskpipe.
Priortobeginningcollectionofthedistributionsystemimprovementcharge(DSIC)in2013,PGW
wasonapacetoreplacetheatriskpipein110years.
PGW'sratesarethemostexpensiveintheCommonwealth.Residentialheatingcustomerspayabout
$225amonth,which,onanannualbasis,translatesintoalmost$600morethanresidentialcustomersof
othergasutilities.Similarly,Philadelphia'slargestemployerspayalmost$20,000ayearmoreinnatural
gasratescomparedtothesimilarcustomersofthenextmostexpensivenaturalgascompanyinthe
state.Comparedtothestate'scheapestnaturalgasrates,thisnumberjumpsto$45,000.
PGWcustomerspayabout$183ayeartosupportcustomersparticipatinginthecompany's
lowincomeprograms,whichisabout$128morethanthenaturalgasutilityaverage.
NewsClips:
PipelineReplacementAtHeartOfPGWDebate
PhillyCouncilKills$1.9BSaleOfPGW
WillDecisionNotToSellPGWDoPhillyWellInHarrisburg?
Editorial:KillingPGWDealBadDecision
NewLawAddressesUtilityShutoffs
CheckYourElectricRateBeforeWinterHits
MetEdSeeks18%HikeInElectricityBills

CalvinErnst,ErnstConservationSeeds,HonoredByPennState,AtlanticSeedAssociation

CalvinErnst,founderandpresidentofErnstConservationSeedsin
Meadville,CrawfordCounty,wasrecentlyhonoredforalifetimeof
contributionstothenativeseedindustrybytheAtlanticSeed
AssociationandPennStateUniversityduringseparateevents.
OnOctober10,ASApresidentStephanieBreckenridge
presentedErnstwiththe2014HonoraryMemberAwardin
recognitionofhisdedicatedservicetotheAtlanticSeedAssociation
andtheseedindustry.
TheawardwaspresentedduringatourofErnstConservationSeedsbymembersoftheASA
duringits62ndAnnualConvention.
BreckenridgecitedErnstsfiftyplusyearsofinnovativeandentrepreneurialspiritwithregards
toagribusiness,hissuccessproducingandsellingplantseedsintonewmarkets,andhiscompanys
commitmenttocollectingandpropagatingnativeplantspeciesthatbenefittheecologicalfunctionofthe
areasinwhichtheyareused.
Breckenridge,whoisalsoErnstConservationSeedssalesandinventorymanager,remarked,
RalphWaldoEmersononcesaid,Everygreatinstitutionisthelengthenedshadowofasingleman.His
characterdeterminesthecharacteroftheorganization.Andonthatfittingnote,wewouldliketoadd
onemorefeathertoCalvinstrademarkhatbyhonoringhimastheAtlanticSeedAssociations2014
HonoraryMember.
OnOctober17,PennStateUniversity'sCollegeofAgriculturalSciencesnamedErnsta2014
OutstandingAlumnus.Theawardrecognizesalumnifortheirachievementsandprovidesopportunities
forrecipientstointeractwiththecollege'sfaculty,studentsandotheralumni.
HeandthreeotherOutstandingAlumniawardeeswerepresentedtheirawardsduringaspecial
recognitioneventinUniversityPark,PennsylvaniaonOctober20.
ErnstgraduatedfromPennStatein1963withabachelor'sdegreeinagriculturalbioscience.
Thatyear,helearnedofanopportunitytoprovidethelegumecrownvetchtothePennsylvania
DepartmentofTransportationforhighwaymedianvegetationanderosioncontrol.
Heconvincedhisfathertosetasidefiveacresofthefamilysfarmsohecouldgrowthecrop
andharvesttheseedforPennDOT.Thenextspring,heandhisbrotherLutherplantedanadditional60
acresthatwereeventuallysoldtoStanfordSeed.
In1964,ErnstfoundedErnstCrownvetchFarms.Thefarmgrewcrownvetchseeds,plugsand
propagulesthatwereusedbynumeroushighwaydepartmentsandotheragenciesforerosioncontrol
androadsidebeautification.
Recognizingadeclineinthecrownvetchmarketandtheecologicalmeritsofashifttonative
seeds,Ernstintroducednativedeertongueashiscompanysfirstnativeplantseedinthelate1980s,and
foundamarketforitprimarilyinstripminereclamationprojects.
Withinafewshortyears,heshiftedalmosthisentireproductofferingtonativeplantseeds,and
soonchangedthenameofhiscompanytoErnstConservationSeeds.
Thecompanysoonbeganspecializingincustommixesforwetlandmitigation,restorationand
wildlifehabitat.Itlateraddedbioengineeringorliveplantmaterialsforstreambankrestorationand
otheruses.
Whatbeganasfiveacresnowincludesnearly10,000acresofnativegrassesandwildflowers
comprisingapproximately400nativeandnaturalizedspeciesforseedproductionandlimitedliveplant
sales.
ThemajorityofacreageislocatedinnorthwesternPennsylvania,thoughthecompanyowns
additionalfarmlandinFlorida,andhascooperativegrowingrelationshipsinMaryland,NorthCarolina
andOregon.
Itsproductsaresoldtoconservationorganizations,landscapearchitects,reclamation/restoration
contractors,governmentagenciesandprivatelandownersthroughouttheUnitedStatesandabroad.
Ernstandhiscompanycontinueamissiontoidentifyandlocatenativespecieswithrestorationand
conservationvaluethatcanbecultivatedintomassproduction.
Ernsthasreceivednumeroushonorsfromhispeersthroughouthiscareer,includingthe
AmericanAgriculturistMasterFarmerawardin2008,theGov.RaymondP.ShaferDistinguished
ServicetotheCommunityAwardin2007andtheUSDANRCSPlantMaterialsProgramSpecial
ServiceAwardin2004.Heisamemberofseveraltrade,professionalandconservationorganizations.
Formoreinformation,visitErnstConservationSeedsorcall8143362404.

FinalSouthMountainSpeakersEventToFocusOnChangingClimateNov.13

HowachangingclimateisaffectingtheregionandPennsylvaniawillbethetopicofthefinallecturein
the2014SouthMountainSpeakersSeriesonNovember13atDickinsonCollegeinCarlisle.
"ChangingClimateintheSouthMountainRegion:HowaChangingGlobalClimateisAffecting
theLocalLandscape,"willbeheldat7p.m.intheGreatRoom,SternCenter,at208WestLoutherSt.,
Carlisle,ontheDickinsonCollegecampus.
"Thislectureandpaneldiscussionwillexplorehowachangingclimateisimpactingforestsand
habitats,agricultureandweatherpatternsincludingmajorstormeventsandfloodsintheSouthMountain
landscape,"saidJonPeterson,aplannerwiththeAppalachianTrailConservancywhoiscoordinating
thecommitteeonthespeakersseries.
TheeveningwillbeginwithShippensburgUniversityearthscienceprofessorTimHawkins,who
willdrawuponhisownresearchtodescribehistoricweatherandclimatepatternsandextremesforthe
region,includingtrendsfoundalongtheAppalachianTrail.
Thepaneldiscussionthatwillfollowwillinclude:BenWenk,growerandpartneratThree
SpringsFruitFarm,coveringfruitgrower/agriculturalissuesMarcMcDill,associateprofessorofforest
managementatPennStateUniversity,coveringforestryissuesandJeffNiemitz,professorofgeologyat
DickinsonCollegecoveringheavyrainfalleventsandfloodingissues.
ThiseventissupportedbyDickinsonCollege,theGreaterCarlisleProjectandtheSouth
MountainPartnership.Thelectureisfreeandopentothepublic.
TheannualSouthMountainSpeakersSeriesisenvisionedasarevivalofthetalksgivenby
JosephRothrockinthelate19thcenturyaspartofhisworktopreserveandrestorePennsylvania's
forestsandnaturallandscape.
ThisNovembereventmarksthelasteventinthe2014SeasonoftheSouthMountainSpeakers
Series.TheCumberlandValleyVisitorsBureausponsoredthisspecialfifthseason.Theserieswill
continuein2015withanexcitingsetofeventssoontobeannounced.
TheSouthMountainPartnershipisapublicprivatepartnershipbetweenDCNRandthe
AppalachianTrailConservancy,andhasgrownintoacoalitionofcitizens,businesses,nonprofit
organizationsandgovernmentrepresentativesinAdams,Cumberland,FranklinandYorkcounties,
workingtogethertoprotectandenhancetheSouthMountainlandscape.
SouthMountainisatthenorthernendoftheBlueRidgeMountains.Communitiesinthe
400,000acreregionhavethrivedofffertilelimestoneagriculturallands,thetimberthatfediron
furnaces,plentifulgameandwildlife,andabundantpurespringwaterthatiscapturedbythemountains'
permeablesoilsandreleasedintothevalleys.
Formoreinformationaboutthespeakersseries,visittheSouthMountainSpeakersSeriesblog
orcalltheAppalachianTrailConservancyat7172585771.Someoftheearlierlecturesinthe
speakerseriescanbefoundonYouTube.

DCNR,LocalOfficialsDedicateLycomingCountyTrailBridge

DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryEllenFerrettiMondayjoinedstateand
localofficialsandhikingenthusiastsontheBlackForestTrailintheTiadaghtonStateForestDistrictto
dedicateanewbridgespanningSlateRuninthevillageofSlateRun,LycomingCounty.
Forallofyouwhopatientlyawaitedthisnew,beautifulstructure,todayisindeedadayfor
celebration,Ferrettitoldthegathering.OnceagaintheBlackForestTrailinvitesyoutostrikeoutin
long,uninterruptedforaysthroughsomeofthemostscenic,uninterruptedandwildsectionsofour
bountifulstate.
Abridgehadbeenamissingvitallinkinthisverypopularstateforesttrailthatannuallydraws
thousandsofhikerstotheLycomingCountyareaofthePennsylvaniaWilds.
Notingthatsince1996a7.5milesegmentofBlackForestTrailhadbeeninaccessibletothose
notwishingtofordthestream,Ferrettisaidhikerswerefacedwithsometimesdangerousand
uncomfortableoptions.
ThisspanaffordshikerssaferpassageandtheopportunitytohiketheBlackForestTrailasit
wasmeanttobetraveled,Ferrettisaid.Circlingalmost42milesthroughdeephollowsofthe
AlleghenyPlateau,theBlackForestTrailisintendedtobehikedasaloop.Whenthatloopcouldnot
becompleted,qualitywasdiminished.
ThespanreplacesformerareacrossingsthateitherwerewashedoutbySlateRunfloodwaters
ordismantled,andoffersyearround,safepassageacrossthePineCreektributary.
Whileitsgoingtocomplementtheexperienceforthousandsofhikersalreadydrawntothe
mostpopularhikingtrailinthePineCreekwatershed,theirsafetyhasbeenthedrivingforcebehindthis
stateforestimprovement,saidFerretti.WeknowTiadaghtonStateForestisexperiencingasteady
increaseinrecreationalusers,especiallyhikers,andthenewspanhelpsmeettheirneeds.
FerrettiwasjoinedatthededicationbySen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),Rep.GarthEverett
(RLycoming),andrepresentativesofhikinggroupsandlocalbusinesses.
BuiltbynearbyLycomingSupplyofWilliamsport,the102foot,prefabricated,steeltruss,
pedestrianbridgecost$204,000.Theprojectreceiveda$150,000grantfromtheCommunity
ConservationPartnershipsProgram,overseenbyDCNRsBureauofRecreationandConservation.
Describedasmoderatetostrenuousinhikingdifficulty,theBlackForestTrailis27miles
northofJerseyShoreinthenorthwestcornerofLycomingCounty.Namedfordense,dark,virgin
coniferousforeststhatoncecoveredthearea,theruggedtrailshowcasesseveraloftheruggedvistas
thatdefinethebeautyofthePennsylvaniaWilds.LocatedoffRoute414,itoverlooksSlateRun,Pine
CreekandanumberofotherprominentTiadaghtonStateForestnaturalfeatures.
Detailedtrailguidesandmapsareavailableatacostof$12fromtheTiadaghtonForestFire
FightersAssociation,P.O.Box5091,SouthWilliamsport,Pa.,17701.Thedonationhelpsdefraycosts
oftheprivate,nonprofittrailmaintenancegroup.
Formoreinformation,visitDCNRsTiadaghtonStateForestDistrictwebpageortelephone
TiadaghtonStateForestDistrictOffice,5703273450.
NewsClips:
PALeadsNationInRailsToTrailsMiles
ManHonoredForHikingAll798MilesOfStateForestTrails

Feature:GreatStridesWithMEGATransectChestnutProjectInPA

In2014,MikeandKieuManesplayedatremendousroleinmoving
theAppalachianTrailMEGATransectChestnutProjectforwardin
Pennsylvania.Thisprojecttrainsvolunteerhikerstorecognizeand
countsurvivingAmericanchestnuttrees,astheyhikealongthe
AppalachianTrail.
InOctober2014,KieuandMikecompletedcountingallthechestnuts
alongtheAppalachianTrailinPA,betweenRoute61(PortClinton)
andtheDelawareRiver,adistanceofmorethan75miles.Theyfound
atotalof4,631chestnuttreesthreefeetormoreinheightwithin15feetoftheAppalachianTrail.
TheAppalachianTrailMEGATransectChestnutProjectisalongtermplantoprovide
informationabouttrendsinchestnutsurvivalincludingcharacteristicsoflocationsthatsupportchestnut
survival.TheultimategoaloftheprojectistoinformeventualrestorationoftheAmericanchestnuttoits
preblightroleintheAppalachianforest.
MikeandKieureceivedtheirtrainingfortheprojectfromTACFRegionalScienceCoordinator
SaraFitzsimmonsin2011atHawkMountain.Asactivetrailmaintenancevolunteerstheybroughta
wealthofskillsandknowledgeofthetrailtothetaskofcollectingAmericanchestnutdata,andtheirfirst
datacollectionreportrevealedtheirdedicationandcreativityviacarefuldocumentation,beautifuland
informativephotos.
SubsequentyearshavefoundtheManesorganizingandleadingtrainingstoengagenew
volunteersincountingAmericanchestnutalongthetrail.JohnStempa,anotherexperiencedtrail
maintainer,wasoneoftheManestraineesthisyear.Indiscussinghistraining,Johnstated,[I]never
knewwhatanAmericanchestnutevenlookedlike,untilMikeandKieuintroducedmetotheAmerican
ChestnutsalongtheAT.Sincethen,itsbeenalotoffunformetohelpeducateothers.Mysonhas
learnedhowtoidentifytheAmericanchestnutandhastaughtotherssincethen.Infact,ourdogsknow
moreabouttheAmericanchestnutthanmostofmyneighbors.
HeatherHousekeeper,another2014recruit,offeredsimilarpraisefortheworkMikeandKieu
doforTACF.Shestates,ItwassuchapleasuretojoinMikeandKieuintheirsurveyingofthe
Americanchestnut.IamanATthruhiker(08')aswellasanherbalistandauthorwhoisregularly
educatingthepubliconourlocalplants.NowthatIhaveabetterknowledgeoftheAmericanchestnut,
Iplantoincorporateitintomyplantwalkswheneverpossible!AndI'dliketoechoJohnStempain
remarkingonmyignoranceoftheAmericanchestnutthewholewhileIwashikingtheAT...nowIcan
educateotherhikersIcomeacrossinmytravels.MuchthankstoMikeandKieuandtheAmerican
ChestnutFoundation!
MikeandKieuManeshavebeenavidmembersofTheAmericanChestnutFoundationsince
2011.
Formoreinformation,visitthePAChapterTheAmericanChestnutFoundationwebsite.

WesternPAConservancy:TreeVitalizePittsburghSeeksVolunteers

FalltreeplantingseasonhasbegunforTreeVitalizePittsburghandweneedyourhelpwithplantings
acrossthePittsburgharea.PlantingsrunthroughNovember22andareheldrainorshine.
ManagedbytheWesternPAConservancy,andwiththehelpofvolunteers,TreeVitalize
Pittsburghisplantingmorethan800treesinabout24communitiesandneighborhoodsinandaround
PittsburghinNovember.
Ifyoureinterestedinvolunteeringorwanttolearnmore,call4125862386orregisteronline
foratreeplanting.

NovemberWater,Land,LifeNewsletterNowAvailableFromWesternPAConservancy

TheNovembereditionofWater,Land,LifenewsletterisnowavailablefromtheWesternPA
Conservancyfeaturingarticleson
TreeVitalizePittsburghSeeksVolunteers
WPCNaturalAreaDedicationHonorsDonorsLegacy
FallingwaterMuseumStoreHostsBookSigningNov.13
EndOfYearStewardshipWorkday,PotluckNov.8
ClickHeretostartreceivingyourowncopyofWater,Land,Life.

PAParks&ForestFoundationToShowcasePhotoContestWinnersNov.12

ThePAParksandForestFoundationwillshowcasethewinningentries
initsThroughTheSeasonsPhotoContestonNovember12attheRoy
PitzBrewingCompany,140N.3rdSt.inChambersburgonNovember
12at4:00.ClickHereformoreinformation.
PhotoisfromKettleCreekStateParkbyScottHafer,BestIn
ShowPeoplesChoicewinner.

FriendsOfAlleghenyWildernessMark30thAnniversaryOfPAWildernessAct

FriendsofAlleghenyWildernessThursdaymarkedthe30thanniversaryofthesigningofthefederal
PennsylvaniaWildernessActpermanentlyprotectingtheAlleghenyIslandsandHickoryCreek
WildernessAreasfromallformsofdevelopmentforfuturegenerationstouseandenjoy.
ThePennsylvaniaWildernessActwasatremendousassetfornotonlyallPennsylvanians,but
alsoallAmericansofpresentandfuturegenerations.However,itwasonlyastart,notedFAW.
Thereisstillatleast50,000acresofwildernessqualitylandsremainingintheAlleghenytodaythat
couldandshouldbepermanentlyprotectedaswildernessbeforetheyarelosttooilandgasdrillingor
otherformsofcommercialdevelopment.
FormoreinformationonwhatyoucandotoextendprotectionsforPennsylvaniaswilderness,
visittheFriendsofAlleghenyWildernesswebsite.

ComeFlyWithAlleghenyLandTrustFundRaiserNov.22InPittsburgh

PleasejoinAlleghenyLandTrustattheNationalAviaryonPittsburghsNorthSideforafundraiser
celebrationof20yearsoflandconservationexcellenceonNovember22featuringaVIPhourfrom6to
7p.m.andamaineventfrom7to11p.m.
TheVIPportionofthecelebrationwillfeatureanawardssession,alivejazzbandperformance
featuringJessicaLee,birdinteractions,aspecialtycocktail,andAtriasheavyspecialtyhorsdoeuvres
andsmallplates.
Themaineventwillfeaturebirdexhibits,aliveDJ,acashbar,Atriasheavyhorsdoevresand
smallplates,interactiveconservationareaexhibits,andmuchmore.
ClickHeretopurchaseticketsforthisexcitingevening.

NorthAmericasLargestPredatoryBirdVisitsHawkMountainNov.8

VisitorstoHawkMountainSanctuary,Kempton,BerksCounty,willhaveaguaranteedchancetosee
NorthAmericaslargestpredatorybirdonGoldenEagleSaturday,heldNovember8with
onedayonlyeagleprogramsat10a.m.,noonand2p.m.
ThisliveraptoreventcoincideswiththepeakofgoldeneaglemigrationatHawkMountain.
Eachgoldeneagleprogramisfree,butatrailfeeappliesforthosewhowalktheSanctuarystrails.
CourtesyofShaversCreekEnvironmentalCenter,visitorstotheeagleprogramswillseealive,
nonreleasablegoldeneagleintheSanctuarysOutdoorAmphitheater.Intheeventofinclement
weather,programswillbeheldinsidetheVisitorCenter.
Thisprogramalsowillincludeotherraptorspeciesinordertoshowhowadaptationsdiffer
amongspecies,andtohelpexplainwhatsetsthegoldeneagleapartfromotherraptors.
Asolitaryandsecretivebird,thegoldeneagleisraretoseethroughoutthenortheastbutduring
autumn,anaverage90arespottedatHawkMountain,mostduringthefirsttwoweeksofNovember.
Thebirdsailsbyonplanklikewingsthatstretchmorethansevenfeetandtypicallymigratesalone,
headingsouthonupdraftsandthermalsalongtheKittatinnyRidgeorBlueMountain.
EarlyNovemberalsoisthebesttimetoseebothbaldandgoldeneaglesintheaironthesame
day,anotherrareopportunitythatbringsbirdersandwildlifeenthusiaststoHawkMountainsNorth
Lookoutforachancetoglimpsethetwoenormousraptors.Infact,lastweekendatHawkMountain,
thetwospecieswerephotographedtogether,inflight.
Thegoldeneaglesthatdopass,biologistsbelieve,movesouthfromnestinggroundsinQuebec
andthechilly,northernprovincesofCanada.
Atthistimeofyear,visitorsalsocanexpecttoseelargenumbersofredtailedhawks,the
Sanctuarysthirdmostnumerousmigrant,aswellasrarerbirdsofthenorth,suchasthenorthern
goshawk.
HawkMountainSanctuaryisaprimeobservationpointforautumnraptormigrationbecauseof
itslocationalongtheeasternmostedgeoftheAppalachianMountains.Hawksuseridgecurrentsfor
upliftlikegliderpilotsonlongdistanceflights.
Inadditiontobirdsofprey,hummingbirds,monarchbutterflies,songbirdsandwaterfowlusethe
AppalachianMountainFlyway.SomespeciesfollowtheAppalachianstotheirend,beforeheading
southtothecoastalplainsofeasternMexicoandfallingouttothetropicalforestsofCentralandSouth
America.
TheofficialHawkMountainraptorwatchrunsfromAugust15toDecember15.Astheworlds
firstrefugeforbirdsofprey,theSanctuaryboaststhelongestrunningdatabaseofhawkmigrationinthe
world.
VisitorsduringNovembershouldwearsturdyshoes,dressinwarm,layeredclothing,andbring
binoculars,somethingsofttositupon,andadaypack.TheSanctuaryhasnotrashreceptaclesand
followsacarryincarryouttrashpolicy.SnackfoodandwaterareavailableforsaleintheVisitor
Center.
TrailstothelookoutsatHawkMountainSanctuaryareopendailyfromdawntodusk.
Weekdaytrailfeesare$6foradults,$5forseniorsand$3forchildren612.Weekendtrailfeesfrom
September1throughNovember30cost$8foradultsandseniors,and$4forchildren612.Trailfees
includeavarietyoffreeweekendprograms,whichcontinuethroughNovember21.
HawkMountainSanctuaryisanonprofit,membersupportorganizationlocatedjustseven
milesnorthofI78nearHamburg(exit29B).
Formoreinformationonweekendprogramsorforweatherforecasts,interestedvisitorscancall
theinfolineat6107566000.Fordailyhawkcounts,visitHawkMountainSanctuaryswebsiteorcall
thehawkcountlineat6107566000x6.

Oct.29DCNRResourceNewsletterNowAvailable

TheOctober29issueoftheResourcenewsletterisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofConservation
andNaturalResourcesfeaturingarticleson
CorbettAnnounces$33MInGrantsToImproveRecreation,CommunityRevitalization
DCNR,LocalOfficialsDedicateLycomingCountyTrailBridge
SeedlingsFromGovernorsResidenceDonatedToFlight93Memorial
EnhancePennsWoodsReplacesWaterLineAtGreenwoodFurnace
DCNRCancelsWhiteWaterReleaseIntoTohickonCreek
LackawannaStateForestsResourceManagementCenterExpands
10thPACaptiveDeerTestsPositiveForChronicWastingDisease
CalendarOfUpcomingEvents
ClickHeretosignupforyourowncopyofResource(bottomofthepage)

OpportunityToBidOnDEPMineReclamationProjectsInButler,Luzerne,Schuylkill

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeoftheopportunitytobidonamine
reclamationprojectsinButlerCounty,LuzerneCounty,SchuylkillCountyandasecondprojectin
SchuylkillCounty.

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming
advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased.Italsogivesyouaheadsupon
HouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,conferencesandotherinterestingevents.Meetingsarein
Harrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.
NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.[AgendaNotPosted]meansnotpostedwithin2weeksof
theadvisorycommitteemeeting.GototheonlineCalendarwebpageforupdates.

November3PennStateAgricultureandEnvironmentCenter,CentreCountyConservationDistrict
CentreCountyWatershedSummit.NittanyLionInn,StateCollege.8:30a.mto7:00p.m.

November4ElectionDay(theultimatepublicparticipationevent).

November5AgendaPosted.DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Delaware
Room,16thFloor,RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30.
EnvironmentalAdvocateUpdate
EnvironmentalJusticeSummit/GrantsUpdate
2014ChesterListeningSessionFinalRecommendations
EPAEJScreenPresentation
DuplicatingPAsEJABInWashingtonState
ChesterCommunityListeningSessionDocumentReview
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts.

November5AgendaPosted.DEPSewageAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:30.
StatusofSEOCertification,TrainingProgramGuidance
PresentationondraftChapter71,72and73revisions
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts

November5DEPhearingonproposedredesignationrequestfortheJohnstownareaasmeetingthe
federalPM2.5standard.DEPEbensburgDistrictMiningOffice,286IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.
11:00.(formalnotice)

November6AgendaPosted.SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionholdshearingsonproposed
regulationsonwaterwithdrawalsbyunconventionaloilandgaswelldrillers(at1:30)andwater
withdrawalrequests(at2:30)tobeconsideredattheCommissionsDecember5meeting.Room8EB
EastWing,CapitolBuilding,Harrisburg.(formalnotice)(FederalRegisterNotice)(formalnoticeof
proposedregulations)

November67NEW.AgendaPosted.ChesapeakeBayCommissionmeeting.GenettiHotel,200
W.4thSt.,Williamsport.
ConservationOnShaleGasDevelopmentInChesapeakeWatershed
ChairmanRep.RonMillers(RYork)Updates
ConowingoDamUpdate
ChesapeakeBayTMDLManagingTime,Expectations
2017WaterQualityOutlook
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts.

November7[AgendaNotPosted]DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteespecialmeeting.
Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:15.(formalnotice)
DraftFinalFormReasonablyAvailableControlTechnologyIIrulemaking
<>ClickHereforavailablehandouts

November782014PABotanySymposium.PennStaterConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

November10DEPMeeting,HearingOnEastonCompressorStation.EastonAreaMiddleSchool,
1010EchoTrail,Easton.5:00p.m.meeting,6:00p.m.hearing.

November12CANCELED.DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.(formalnotice)

November12NEW.DEPHearingonitsrequestforauthoritytoimplementthefederalHospital,
Medical,InfectiousWasteincineratorsPlaninPennsylvania.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.(formalnotice)

November1213PAWildsTrailSummit.GenettiHotelandConventionCenter,Williamsport.

November13NEW.DEPStormwaterManagementDesignTraining.HolidayInnHarrisburgEast,
4751LindleRoad,Harrisburg9:00.

November13IndependentFiscalOfficeannualpresentationonPennsylvaniasEconomicand
BudgetOutlook.14thFloorConferenceCenter,HarrisburgUniversity,326MarketSt.,Harrisburg.
1:30.

November13PAResourcesCouncil75thAnniversaryDinnerCelebration.SimeoneFoundation
AutomotiveMuseum,6825NorwitchDr.,Philadelphia.

November14NEW.PublicUtilityCommissionhearingonfutureofPhiladelphiaGasWorks.Drexel
University'sBehrakisGrandHall,32ndandChestnutstreets,Philadelphia.10a.m.to3p.m.(formal
notice)

November17NEW.AcademyofNaturalScienceshostsTappingOurDelawareWatershed.
NationalMechanicsinPhiladelphiasOldCity.6:00

November18CANCELED.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:00.

November18DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

November1819PAWaterInfrastructureExpo.Grantville.

November22DelawareHighlandsConservancy20thAnniversaryCelebration.BethelWoods
CenterfortheArtsinBethel,NY.

December2DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.

December9DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

December9DEPBoardOfCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark
Road,Ebensburg.10:00.

December10AgendaReleased.DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewater
SystemsOperatorsmeeting10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

December10DEPMeeting,HearingonProposedHazardousWasteStorageandTreatment
Facility,FalslTownship,BucksCounty.FallsTownshipBuilding,188LincolnHighway,Suite100,
FairlessHills,Pa.7:00.(formalnoticePABulletinpage6715)

December11DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.

December11EnergyForThePowerOf32Counties,4States,1EnergyFuture.Pittsburgh.

December17DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.

December17DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard.14thFloorConferenceRoom,
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice)

December18DEPSmallWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoardmeeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

December22DEPStateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOperatorsmeeting.11th
FloorConferenceRoomB,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.

May68PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionalsAnnualConference.ToftreesResort,State
College.

May1315DEPandEngineers'SocietyofWesternPennsylvania2015PennsylvaniaBrownfields
Conference.ErieBayfrontConventionCenter,Erie.

VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage

ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor
EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state
budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof
EnvironmentalEducators'website.

SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule

YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

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Grants&Awards

Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition
programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.

November7DCNR2015TrailoftheYearNominations
November14DEPNaturalGasVehicleGrants
November15WesternPAConservancyCanoeAccessGrants
November20EPABuildingBlocksForSustainableCommunitiesAssistance
December1PHMCHistoricalMarkerNominations
December8PAGreenRibbonSchoolsNominations
December11EPACleanDieselGrantsForPorts
December19ColdwaterHeritageConservationGrants
December19DEPEnvironmentalEducationGrants
December31DEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates(oruntiltheylast)
January2NaturalLandsTrustChester/MontgomeryGrowingGreenerAwards
January29SustainableEnergyFundEnergyEfficiency,RenewableEnergyFinancing
April15DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants(oruntilfundsrunout)

VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance
forenvironmentalprojects.

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GeneralEnvironmental/BudgetNewsClips

Here'saselectionofNewsClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate

October30DEPNews
October29DCNRResource
CorbettVowsToProtectCoalIndustryAtArmstrongRally
Corbett,WolfDifferOnObamasCarbonRules
EnergyContributionsToGubernatorialCandidates
EnergyCompaniesDonate$1MillionToCorbett
Corbett:MothersDeathSteeled17YearOldForChallenges
Wolf:ReluctantHeirToFamilyBusiness,PeaceCorpsVolunteer
Senate,HouseLeadershipFightCouldImpactEnergyIndustry
NewPoll:CorbettCatchingUp,Only18PointsBehind
MuhlenbergPoll:CorbettCutsWolfsLeadTo12Points
Report:LobbyistTellsDrillingIndustryToWinUglyOrLose
OpEd:TomWolfIsntSeriousAboutEnergy
PipelineSlidesUpOnListOfIssuesInLancasterHouseRace
Cipriani,KauferBothSupportDrillingTax
Budget
AnotherLegalChallengeToLeaseDCNRLandsForDrilling
2ndLawsuitFiledtoHaltDrillingInStateParks,Forests
TownshipsWaryOfProposedShaleGasTax
MarcellusGrantsHelpBuildMemorial,TreatMineDrainage
OpEd:ImpactFeeTaxOverwhelminglyBenefitsPennsylvania
Other
DEPOfficialsCareerParallelsLandfillRegulation
YukonWasteDisposalFinedByWestmorelandMunicipality
PittGatheringFocusesOnSustainability,ClimateChange
NewLawAddressesUtilityShutoffs
CheckYourElectricRateBeforeWinterHits
MetEdSeeks18%HikeInElectricityBills
DEPToBeginWorkOnArchbaldCulmBankFire
CCACRespondsToEnergyIndustrysGrowingDemand
PALeadsNationInRailsToTrailsMiles
ManHonoredForHikingAll798MilesOfStateForestTrails
PittsburghsUrbanConservationOnDisplay
FireSpecialistsToBurnAcresOfGettysburgMilitaryPark
FortIndiantownGapControlledBurnsToBeHeld
LetsTalkAboutMigratingBirds

DEPsNewsClipswebpageClickHere

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MarcellusShaleNewsClips

HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling

AnotherLegalChallengeToLeaseDCNRLandsForDrilling
2ndLawsuitFiledtoHaltDrillingInStateParks,Forests
DEPExtendsCommentPeriodOnDrillingEnforcementPolicy
DEPsWellEnforcementPolicyDrawsCriticism
Senate,HouseLeadershipFightCouldImpactEnergyIndustry
Letter:DEPIntendedDrillingEmissionsDataToBeLimited
Letter:DEPsDrillingDataEmissionAConcern
TheyCame,TheyDrilled,TheyLeftThisTownInTiogaCounty
PACong.CartwrightLaunchesFrackWasteInvestigation
TownshipsWaryOfProposedShaleGasTax
MarcellusGrantsHelpBuildMemorial,TreatMineDrainage
DrillingOpponentViolatedCourtOrder,WontBePunished
DrillingActivistWontFaceFinesForCourtOrderViolation
ShellPlansMorePublicMeetingsOnEthaneCracker
ConstitutionPipelineClearsMajorRegulatoryHurdle
LancasterPipelineBuilderGetsOKForAnotherPipeline
NewPipelinePlannedFromSullivanToLuzerne
550MilePipelineToTakeMarcellusGasToSoutheast
PinkDrillBitsForCancerDrawProtestersAtSteelersGame
OpEd:RaceForCureShouldntDependOnDrillingMoney
Study:CancerCausingAirToxinsDetectedAtDrillingSites
ShaleBoomLiftsCivil&EnvironmentalConsultants
DetailsEmergeOnJessupNaturalGasPlant
PipelineReplacementAtHeartOfPGWDebate
PhillyCouncilKills$1.9BSaleOfPGW
WillDecisionNotToSellPGWDoPhillyWellInHarrisburg?
Editorial:KillingPGWDealBadDecision
Financial/OtherStates
RangeResourcesReports$146MProfitsOnRecordProduction
WillWinterRescueLowNaturalGasPrices,Stocks?
NaturalGasPriceOutlook:StillCheap
LocalBansOnFrackingInOhioUpForVote
ConsolEnergyMullingSeparateCoalCompany
OmanOil&GasMinisterPraisesFracking
ReluctanceToDrillHurtingNewYorkEconomy

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Watershed/FloodingNewsClips

HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate

Flooding
NewToolShowsAreasThatFloodAlongSusquehanna
OtherWatershedNewsClips
ConservationDistrictApprovesRockLititzStormwaterPlan
ArmstrongConservationDistrictShowsOffYearsWork
PorousCarlisleSewerSystemRepairsToCost$30$50Million
PlansToRestoreChesapeakeBayWontWorkWithoutConowingoCleanup
OpEd:OurWaterCantWait
UMarylandStudiesIntersexFishInSusquehanna

LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal

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Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeitisrequestingauthoritytoimplementthe
federalHospital,Medical,InfectiousWasteincineratorsPlaninPennsylvaniaalongwithapublichearing
November12inHarrisburg.

TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionpublishednoticeofproposedchangestoregulations
involvingwaterwithdrawalsrelatedtodrillingoperationsforpubliccomment.

PennsylvaniaBulletinNovember1,2014

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulationsDEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdateDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofarevisiontothereportinginstructions
forpublicwatersupplysystemsforpubliccomment.

DEPID:3833301106.Title:TurbidityandLT2ESWTRReportingInstructionsforPublicWater
SystemsUsingFilteredSurfaceWaterorGUDISources.Description:TheDepartmentprovides
accreditedlaboratoryandpublicwatersupplierstaffwiththeinformationnecessarytoproperlyreport
filteredsurfacewaterorGroundwaterUndertheDirectInfluenceofSurfaceWater(GUDI)turbidity
monitoringdataandtocompleteelectronicSafeDrinkingWaterAct(SDWA)formunderthesafe
drinkingwaterprogram.
ThisTurbidityandLT2ESWTRReportingInstructionsforPublicWaterSystemsUsing
FilteredSurfaceWaterorGUDISourcesmanualestablishesuniforminstructionsandprotocolfor
completingtheelectronicformsandforimplementingthepublicdrinkingwaterreportingrequirements
forturbidityandrecentadditionaltreatmentrequirementreportingundertheLongTerm2Enhanced
SurfaceWaterTreatmentRule(LT2ESWTR)forpublicwatersystems(PWSs)usingsurfacewateror
GUDIsources.ThisguidancewillapplytoPWSsthatarerequiredtosubmitpublicdrinkingwater
turbiditydata,includingfortherecentrequirementsfortheLT2ESWTRreportingtotheDepartment.
WrittenComments:Interestedpersonsmaysubmitwrittencommentsonthisdrafttechnical
guidancedocumentsbyDecember1,2014.Commentssubmittedbyfacsimilewillnotbeaccepted.
Comments,includingcommentssubmittedbyemailmustincludetheoriginator'snameandaddress.
WrittencommentsshouldbesubmittedtoPaulineRisserClemens,DepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection,BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,P. O.Box8467,Harrisburg,PA171058467,
prissercle@pa.gov.Contact:PaulineRisserClemmens,7177725970orsendemailto:
prissercle@pa.gov.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocumentsDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicCommentDEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposalsDEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage

VisitDEPsnewPublicParticipationCenterforinformationonhowyoucanBeInformed!andGet
Involved!inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.

ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.

DEPCalendarofEvents

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