Pa Environment Digest Sept. 7, 2015

PAEnvironmentDigest
AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009
PAEEBusinessPartner
OfTheYearAward
Harrisburg,PaSeptember7,2015
ChesapeakeBayCommissionGetsMilestoneUpdateSept.10,WhatWillPADo?
The
ChesapeakeBayCommission
willhearamidpoint
assessmentoftheprogressstatesaremakingtowardmeeting
their2017ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestonesatitsnext
meetingonSeptember1011inAlexandria,Virginia.
Inadditiontotheprogressreport,therewillbeseveral
presentationsonstormwatermanagementandotherBay
Programissues.
Pennsylvaniahas481days(asofSeptember7)toputthebest
managementpracticesonthegroundneededtoeliminate10
millionpoundsofnitrogenand212millionpoundsofsedimentfromgoingintoourriversand
streamstomeetthe2017ChesapeakeBaycleanupmilestones.
Pennsylvaniaisevenfurtherbehindbecausewedidnotmeetthe2013pollution
reductionmilestones.
InJune2014,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyreportedPennsylvaniaexceeded
its
2013ChesapeakeBaycleanup
milestoneforphosphorusby242,000pounds,butfellshortin
meetingthenitrogengoalby2millionpoundsandsedimentreductionmilestonebynearly116
millionpounds.
IfPennsylvaniadoesntmeetthemilestones,itleaves
EPAfreetocomeupwithitsown
plan
onhowthestatecanmeetthem,andas
Rep.GarthEverett(RLycoming)
saidduringDEPs
budgethearing,Itisntpretty.
Athis
budgethearinginMarch
,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyacknowledged,tohis
credit,PennsylvaniaisnotmeetingitscommitmentstocleanupPennsylvaniawatersheds
contributingwatertotheBayandpromisedaplantoreboottheprogramtogetitbackontrack.
QuigleyandAgricultureSecretaryRussellReddingreiteratedtheircommitmenttoreboot
PennsylvaniasplanstomeetBaycleanupmilestonesatthe
JulyChesapeakeBayExecutive
Council
meeting.
Evenbyanyroughmeasure,Pennsylvaniawillneedtorampupitswatershedrestoration
programssignificantlytomeetitscommitments.
UsingtheCommonwealthsreportedaveragerateofChesapeakeBayProgram
implementationfrom2009to2013,heresanestimateofhowmucheachofkeymeasureswould
havetoincreasetomeetthe2017milestones:
Forestedstreambuffersonfarms:from6acresperdaytoover38acres
Farmconservationplandevelopment:from46acresadaytoover589acres
Rotationalgrazingpractices:from8.5acrestoroughly135acresaday
Urbanstormwaterinfiltrationpractices:from7acresto368acresperday
Stormwatertreatmentwetponds&wetlands:from0.4acresto28acresadayand
Dirt&gravelroadrepair:from334feetperdaytoover1,411feetperday.
Sincemostofthe2015workseasonisnowgone,thismeansthesebestmanagement
practicesmustgetdonein2016,becauseonlythosemeasuresputonthegroundbyDecember
31,2016willcounttowardmeetingthe2017milestones.
Thequestionremains,whatisPennsylvaniasplan?
TheCommissionmeetingwillbeheldintheCourtyardAlexandriaPentagonSouth,4641
KenmoreAvenueinAlexandria.
Formoreinformation,visitthe
ChesapeakeBayCommissionMeetings
webpage.
NewsClips:
EPA:PennsylvaniaLaggingBehindInPollutionReduction
PenaltiesLoomForPAsFailureToMeetFedWaterPollutionStandards
MuchLeftToDo,JurisdictionsCleanupChesapeakeBayVerificationPlans
FalsePositiveRadioactiveResultsSuspectedInGreeneCountyStream
ProjectsTargetTaintedMineWaterInLittleConemaugh
SteelValleyWorksToReduceStormwaterWithTreePits
WallyLakeFestMakesAnnualSplash
IceLakesWaterLevelRecedingInLuzerne
JudgeRulesAgainstPPGInLawsuitOverPollution
MillerChemicalFireWaterWoesMayBeOver
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStories:
CBFPAPollutedRunoffFeeCanHelpFundSolutionsToLocalFlooding,Pollution
Analysis:WillPAShowLeadershipOnWaterCleanupIssues,OrSurrenderToFeds?
CBFPA:PollutedRunoffFeeCanHelpFundSolutionsToLocalFlooding,Pollution
ByHarryCampbell
,PAExecutiveDirector,
ChesapeakeBayFoundation
HampdenTownship
,CumberlandCounty,isthelatestPennsylvania
municipalitytoaddressitsfloodingandcleanwaterproblemsby
implementinga
pollutedrunofffee
,andaskingresidentstobepartofthe
solutions.
HampdenTownshipisnotalone.Thereareover1,550
municipalitiesintheUnitedStateswithsimilarfees,andlocal
governmentsacrosstheCommonwealtharelininguptoimplementtheir
own.Philadelphia,Lancaster,Hazleton(LuzerneCounty),Mt.Lebanon
(AlleghenyCounty)andRadnor(DelawareCounty)townships,and
JonestownBorough(LebanonCounty)havealreadyinstitutedpolluted
runofffees.
Pollutedrunofffeesarealsoreferredtoasstormwaterfees,orthesillyraintax.The
termisdeceptive,anddownrightinaccurate.Whileraintaxmakesforacatchyheadline,the
termobscuresrealproblemsandderailshonestdiscussionsabouthowtofixthem.
Byanyname,thestormwaterfeeisnotataxonrain,butafeebasedontheamountof
pollutedrunoffthatimpervioussurfaceslikeroofs,streets,andparkinglotsgenerateandthen
shuttleintomunicipallyownedstormsewers.
Fromthere,itsoftensentdirectlytothenearestriverorstream,carryingwithitdirt,
garbage,animalwaste,oils,lawnchemicalsandotherpollutantsintostreamsandrivers,
threateningdrinkingwater.
Regularfloodingfromuncontrolledrunoffinflictshuman,economic,andproperty
damage,whichaffectshundredsofcommunitiesacrosstheCommonwealth.
Formunicipalities,therevenueisalocalsolutiontolocalproblems.
HampdenTownshiphasmorethan75milesofstormpipesand250outfallsthatmustbe
inspectedandmaintained.Stormwaterpipesintheareaarefailinginsixlocationsandcausing
erosion.Thetownshiphopestoremedyfloodingissuesinatleastonearea.
TheCumberlandCountymunicipalityof30,000expectsthefeetogenerateabout$1.5
millionannually.Fundswillbeusedprimarilytocomplywithcleanwaterlaws,fornewand
improvedstormwaterinfrastructure,andtomeetplanningandreportingmandates.
Revenuesfromrunofffeesareusuallydedicatedtothestormwaterauthority,andused
onlyforpollutedrunoffissueswithinthemunicipality.
Pollutedrunofffeesalsotendmakemanagementofrunoffmoreequitable,inthatthey
relievetaxpayersfrombearingtheentireburden.Becauseitisnotatax,thefeeprovidesthat
taxexemptpropertiespaytheirfairshare.HampdenTownshiphas$1billionintaxexemptreal
estate.
JohnV.Thomas,vicepresidentoftheHampdenTownshipBoardofCommissioners,
saystaxeswouldhavetobeincreasedby30percenttooffsetpotentialincomecollectedfromthe
NavybaseandWestShoreHospitalalone.
Ratesvarywiththemunicipalityandmany,likeHampdenTownship,offerfeereductions
ifhomeownersorbusinessesbuildraingardens,planttrees,orinstallrainbarrelsontheir
property.
EachHampdenresidence,forexample,willpayafeeof$13.25perquarter,basedonthe
averageamountofhardsurfaceforareahomes.Therateforlarger,nonresidentialproperties
willbescaledupwardrelativetotheiramountofimpervioussurfacesandtheamountofrunoff
theycreate.
Pollutedrunofffromagricultureandurban/suburbansources,arethefirstandthird
leadingcausesofimpairmenttoroughly19,000milesofriversandstreamsinPennsylvania.The
Commonwealthisperilouslybehinditscleanwatergoals.Measuresfundedbypollutedrunoff
feesareamongthosethatcangetusbackontrack.
Cleanwatercounts.Pollutedrunofffeesareaninvestmentinsolvingourownlocal
problems.Itmakessensethatwekickinourfairsharetocleanuppollutedrunoffandtoreduce
floodingofourstreets,basementsandbackyards.
RelatedLink:
HampdenTownshipStormwater
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
RelatedStories:
ChesapeakeBayCommissionGetsMilestoneUpdateSept.10,WhatWillPADo?
Analysis:WillPAShowLeadershipOnWaterCleanupIssues,OrSurrenderToFeds?
HarryCampbell
canbecontactedbysendingemailto:
hcampbell@cbf.org
.
DEPToHold14ListeningSessionsOnDevelopingPAsCleanPowerClimatePlan
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayannounced
14
listeningsessions
anda2monthcommentperiodonthefederal
Clean
PowerPlan
tohearfromPennsylvaniansabouttheplantocutcarbon
pollution.
DEPwillalsoholdawebinaronSeptember9ontheCleanPower
Planandacceptwrittencommentsongeneralandspecificissuesby
November12.
WewanttohearfromthepeopleofPennsylvaniaandall
stakeholdersasweprepareaPennsylvaniacentricplantocomplywith
theCleanPowerPlan,saidDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.Gov.Wolfiscommittedtomaking
theCleanPowerPlanworkforPennsylvaniaandtheselisteningsessionswillhelpmeetthat
goal.Westronglybelievewecanreducecarbonemissionsstatewideandaddressclimatechange
infairandsmartwaysthattakeintoaccountlegitimateconcernsofallparties.
ListeningSessionSchedule
Participantswishingtospeakatthelisteningsessionsmustregisterat7177838727.
September15:
DauphinCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,DepartmentofEnvironmental
ProtectionSouthCentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve,Harrisburg,PA17110
September21:
AlleghenyCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,CarnegieMellonUniversity,
RobertsHallSingletonRoom,4thFloor,5000ForbesAvenue,Pittsburgh,PA15213
September22:
CambriaCounty,9:00a.m.12:00p.m.,ConferenceCenteratUniversityof
PittsburghJohnstown,HeritageHallA,450SchoolhouseRoad,Johnstown,PA15904
September22:
GreeneCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,WaynesburgCentralHighSchool,
Auditorium,30ZimmermanDrive,Waynesburg,PA15370
September28:
LuzerneCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,WilkesUniversity,HenryStudent
CenterBallroom,2ndFloor,84WestSouthStreet,WilkesBarre,PA18701
September30:
PhiladelphiaCounty,1:00p.m.4:00p.m.,UniversityofPennsylvania,
KleinmanCenter,FisherFineArtsBuilding,Room401,220South34thStreet,Philadelphia,PA
19104
September30:
DelawareCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,MarcusHookCommunityCenter,7
WestDelawareAvenue,MarcusHook,PA19061
October5:
YorkCounty,2:00p.m.5:00p.m.,WyndhamGardenYork,WhiteRoseEvent
Center,CrystalBallroom,2000LoucksRoad,York,PA17408
October22:
LehighCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,MuhlenbergCollege,Trumbower130,
2238ChewStreet,Allentown,PA18104
October28:
SchuylkillCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,PennStateSchuylkill,JohnE.
MorganAuditorium,200UniversityDrive,SchuylkillHaven,PA17972
October29:
ErieCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,HirtAuditoriumatBlascoLibrary,160East
FrontStreet,Erie,PA16507
October30:
ClarionCounty,9:00a.m.12:00p.m.,ClarionUniversity,CornerofPayneSt
&WilsonAve,Clarion,PA16214
October30:
ClearfieldCounty,2:00p.m.5:00p.m.,PennStateDubois,7HillerBuilding
Auditorium,OneCollegePlace,Dubois,PA15801
November4:
LycomingCounty,6:00p.m.9:00p.m.,PennCollegeWilliamsport,
MountainLaurelRoom,OneCollegeAvenue,Williamsport,PA17701.
PersonsinneedofaccommodationsasprovidedforintheAmericanswithDisabilities
Actof1990shouldcontacttheDepartmentat7177838727,orthroughthePennsylvania
AT&TRelayServiceat18006545984(TDDusers),or18006545988(voiceusers),to
discusshowtheDepartmentmayaccommodatetheirneeds.
September9Webinar
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillalsoholdawebinarontheClean
PowerPlanat10a.m.onSeptember9.SpeakerswillincludeDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyand
DEPPolicyDirectorPatrickMcDonnell.Toregister,please
ClickHere
.
SpecificQuestionsDEPIsAsking
DEPissolicitingcommentsontheCleanEnergyIncentiveProgramcomponentofthe
CPPandontheEPAproposedFederalPlanthatservesasamodelruleforstatesdeveloping
theirstateplans.
DEPisalsosolicitingcommentsonspecificcompliancerelatedquestionsaspartofthis
process
ComplianceTargets/Timeline
Shouldthestateplanuseratebased(expressedinpoundsofcarbondioxideemissionsper
megawatthour)ormassbased(totaltonsofcarbondioxide)targets?
Howshouldallowancesbeallocatedunderamassbasedapproach?
Shouldnewnaturalgasplantsbeincludedwithinamassbasedtarget?
Whatmethodsshouldbeusedtomeasurecompliance?
ParticipationinTrading
ShouldPennsylvaniaadoptatradereadyprogramwithoutaformalmultistateagreement?
ShouldPennsylvania,joinaformalmultistatetradingcollaborative?
ShouldPennsylvaniamanagecarbonemissionswithouttradingatall?
EnergyEfficiency&Renewables
Howcanthestatebestuserenewableenergyinmeetingitscomplianceobligations?
Howcanthestatebestuseenergyefficiencyinmeetingitscomplianceobligations?
ShouldthestateparticipateintheCleanEnergyIncentiveProgram?
ShouldthestatesetasideallowancesorcreditstoparticipateintheCleanEnergyIncentive
Program?
Whatotherenergyconservationmeasurescouldbeconsidered?
LeastCostComplianceandReliabilityIssues
WhatcompliancepathwayrepresentstheleastcostoptionforPennsylvania?
HowcanPennsylvaniameetitsobjectiveofprioritizingindigenousresources?
HowcanPennsylvaniamaintainadiversefuelmix?
HowcanPennsylvaniaprotectthecommonwealth'spositionasanetenergyexporter?
HowcanPennsylvaniaensureelectricreliability?
Vulnerable,OverBurdened,andEnvironmentalJusticeCommunities
WhatspecificPennsylvaniacommunitiesmaycurrentlybeexperiencingadverse,
disproportionateimpactsofclimatechangeandairpollution?
WhatspecificPennsylvaniacommunitiesmayexperienceeconomicconcernsoverthe
implementationofthestateplan?
WhatadditionalstepscanbetakenbyDEPtoeffectivelyreachouttothesevulnerable
communitiestoensurethattheirconcernsaretakenintoconsideration?
HowcanPennsylvaniaensurethatthesecommunitiesarenotdisproportionatelyimpactedby
thestateplan?
WrittenComments
Inadditiontothelisteningsessions,DEPwillacceptcommentsonPennsylvanias
compliancewithEPAsCleanPowerPlanthroughNovember12,2015.
Commentsubmissionscanbemadethrough
DEPseComment
systemoremailedto:
ecomment@pa.gov
ormailedto400MarketStreetP.O.Box2063Harrisburg,PA17105.
Forquestionsconcerningthecommentperiodandlisteningsessions,contacttheDEP
PolicyOfficeat7177838727.
Formoreinformationandbackground,visitDEPs
ClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPToHostCleanPowerPlanMeetingInErie
ScrantonToHavePhillysClimateBy2050
Editorial:ObamaNotACarbonHypocrite
RelatedStories:
DEP:CarbonEmissionsContinueToDeclineInPA
PAHasAlreadyCutCarbonDioxideEmissionsByUsingNaturalGas
WesternPABusinessLeaders:EPAOzoneRuleWillBeDevastatingToPAEconomy
DEP:CarbonEmissionsContinueToDeclineInPA
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpostedanew
factsheetoncarbonemissions
in
PennsylvaniahighlightingthefactthatPennsylvaniaisachievingemissionsreductionsthrough
regulatoryrequirementsandholisticdecisionmakingefforts,andthoseeffortshaveresultedin
considerableemissionsreductionsinrecentyears.
Forexample:
Pennsylvaniasgreenhousegasemissionsemissionsareexpectedtobelowerin2020thanin
2000withreductionsintheresidential,commercial,transportation,agricultureandwastesectors,
accordingtothe2013Updateto
PennsylvaniasClimateChangeActionPlan
.
CarbondioxideemissionsfromthefossilfuelfiredelectricgeneratingfleetinPennsylvania
havedeclinedby12percentfrom2008through2013andareprojectedtodeclineby29percent
from20052020.
Since2008,cumulativeaircontaminantemissionsacrossthestatehavecontinuedtodecline.
Inparticular,sulfurdioxideemissionsfromelectricgeneratingunits(EGU)havebeenreduced
byapproximately70percent.Theemissionsofnitrogenoxidesandparticulatematterhavealso
beenreducedbyapproximately23percentand46percent,respectively,fromthissector.These
reductionsrepresentbetween$14billionand$37billionofannualpublichealthbenefit,based
onU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencymethodologies.
Othernotablereductionsinclude:
Sulfuroxideemissionshavegonedown70percentsince2008.
Mercury,ahazardousairpollutant,emissionshavegonedown37percentsince2008.o
Carbonmonoxideemissionshavegonedown16percentsince2008.
DEPiscommittedtoachievingemissionsreductionswhilekeepingtheeconomystrong,
andtheholisticapproachtomanagingenvironmentalissuesistheprincipalreasonforthe
correspondingdeclineinGHGemissionsandimprovedeconomicoutlook.
Acopyofthefactsheet
isavailableonline
.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
DEPToHold14ListeningSessionsOnDevelopingPAsCleanPowerClimatePlan
PAHasAlreadyCutCarbonDioxideEmissionsByUsingNaturalGas
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilToHearUpdateOnPNDIReviewToolSept.15
OnSeptember15
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
willhearanupdatefromDCNRonthe
improvementsitplanstothe
PANaturalDiversityInventory
EnvironmentalReviewTool.
TheCouncilwillalsohearanupdateonactivitiesandprioritiesfromDCNRs
ConservationandNaturalResourcesAdvisoryCouncil
.
DEPprovideditsregulatorwritten
MonthlyReportToCouncil
featuringupdateson
Chapter78&78ADrillingRegulations:
DEPexpectstopresentthefinalversionofthe
rulestotheEnvironmentalQualityBoardonJanuary19
Act54LongwallMiningImpactReport:
DEPsaiditreceivedCouncilscommentsandwill
workwiththeCACtoaddressitsconcernsand
Regularupdates
onthestatusofregulations,issuesconsideredbyadvisorycommitteesand
thelateststatsfromtheOilandGasProgram.
Councilalsopostedrevisedproceduresfortakingcommentsduringthepubliccomment
portionoftheCACsmeetingagenda.Theproceduresareon
page3ofthisdocument
.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105RachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburgstartingat
10:00.
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
webpage.Thenext
scheduledmeetingoftheCouncilisonOctober20.
BudgetImpasseDay69:NoProgress,SenateReturningAWeekEarly,Maybe
Gov.Wolftriedanewtacticthisweeksmallermeetingswithfewerkeyplayers,buttheresults
werethesamenoprogressonthebudget.
RepublicansannouncedtheSenatewouldbereturningaweekearlierthanplanned
September14,15,16,buttheyweremetwithimmediatecriticismbecauseSeptember14also
happenstobethebeginningoftheJewishholidayRoshHashanah.
LateFriday,mediareported
theSenatescheduleisnowuncertain,butitisnotlikelyto
meetSeptember14or15.Noofficialannouncementhasbeenmadeyet.
WhattheSenatewilldoiftheycomebacktoHarrisburgnooneseemstoknow.Will
theytrytopassastopgapbudget?WilltheyputtheGovernorsbudgetupforavotelikethe
Housedidearlierintheyear?WilltheyattempttooverridetheGovernorsvetoonpartsofthe
budgetliketheHousetried?
Or,dotheywanttojustlookbusy?Wellfindoutwhentheygethere.
TheHousestillplanstoreturnSeptember21,22and23,althoughSeptember23isYom
Kippur.
StatetaxesbroughtinmorerevenueinAugustthisyearthanlast,buttheIndependent
FiscalOffice
reportedFiscalYearToDaterevenues
wereoffby1percent,about$34million,
smallpotatoesintheschemeofa$29billion+statebudget.
Meanwhile,thereweremorestoriesthisweekaboutschooldistrictsandcountiesdipping
intotheirownlocaltaxrevenuetofundprogramsnormallyhandledbythestatebecauseofthe
budgetimpasse.
TheSchoolEmployeesPensionFundalsotoldschooldistricts,budgetimpasseorno,
theywerestillexpectedtopaytheirlocalshareofpensioncostsontime.
TwocreditratingagenciescommentedonthebudgetstalemateFriday,withStandard&
PoorsandMoodyssayingtheycoulddowngradesomeschoolsdistricts,communitycolleges
andtownsbecauseofuncertaintyoverwhetherthestatewouldprovidefundingtocoverdebt
servicepayments.
WiththeCapitolBuildingnotreallybeingusedforanythinglately,
PennLive.com
reportedFriday
theCapitolRotundahashadagoodyearbookingweddingceremonies41so
farthisyear,withanother34setfornextyear.
The
costisveryreasonable
,about$275$200fortheCapitolPolicesecurityandabout
$100topurchasea$1milliongeneralliabilityinsurancepolicy.Youcanevenrentthechairs
fromthestatefor$1each.
Maybethestatecanlookintochargingmoreforweddingsasarevenuegenerator?If
folkscanagreeonitthatis.
Theclockisstillticking
NewsClips:
IFO:YearToDateRevenueCollectionsDown1%
OpEd:HowAPrincipledSeveranceTaxCanBreakBudgetStalemate
Op-Ed: Tell Congress To Keep PA Beautiful, Support Land Conservation Funding
Editorial:RenewLand&WaterConservationFund
GameCommission:WhyShouldIPayMoreForMyHuntingLicense?
WolfTriesNewBudgetTalksTactic:SmallerMeetings
CreditRatingAgenciesEyePAsBudgetStalemate

By
Rep.GeneDiGirolamo
(RBucks)and
SteveStroman
AsthebudgetstalemateinHarrisburgdragsintoits10thweek,itiscleartomostobserversthata
reasonablenaturalgasseverancetaxwillbeakeyelementofthefinalcompromise.
Suchaseverancetaxissmartpublicpolicy,fairtotheindustry,makessubstantial
investmentsinourcitizensandnaturalresources,andcanattractthesupportofGov.TomWolf,
Republicanlegislativeleaders,andbothDemocraticandRepublicanmembersoftheGeneral
Assembly.
OurperspectiveisinformedinverygeneraltermsbyourworkonHouseBill1363.We
developedthisbipartisanseverancetaxlegislationinconjunctionwithRepublicanTomMurtof
MontgomeryCounty,andDemocratsHarryReadshawofPittsburghandPamDeLissioof
Philadelphia.
Areasonabletaxrate:
Pennsylvaniaremainstheonlymajornaturalgasproducingstatewithoutaseverancetax.
TheCommonwealthnowassessesadecidedlymodestimpactfeebasedonthenumberofwells
drilled.
Taxinggasatafairratebasedontheeconomicvalueofthegasproduced,followingthe
modelof27otherstates,wouldgeneratehundredsofmillionsinadditionalstaterevenues.
Weproposea3.2percenttaxontopoftheexistingimpactfee,whichwouldtranslateinto
aneffectivetaxrateofapproximately5percent,essentiallytherateofneighboringWest
Virginia.TheindustryisthrivinginWestVirginia,anditwillcontinuetothriveinPennsylvania
ifweenactasimilartax.
ThenonpartisanIndependentFiscalOfficeconcludedthattheimpactfeetranslatesinto
thelowesteffectivenaturalgastaxrateintheUnitedStates.For2014,theeffectiveratewas2.1
percent.AtaxakintoWestVirginia'swouldbringintwotofourtimesasmuchrevenueasour
impactfee,accordingtovariousstudies.
Areasonabletaxstructure:
Wolfproposestaxingthegasindustrystartingataminimumpriceofnaturalgas,
specifically$2.97perthousandcubicfeet,regardlessoftheactualpriceofgas.Lastweek's
HenryHubspotpricefornaturalgasaveraged$2.65,over10percentlowerthantheproposed
Wolftaxfloor.
Whileweappreciatethedesiretoestablishafloorforstaterevenues,thiselementofthe
Wolfproposaliscontrarytobasicmicroeconomicsandcreatesadditionalvulnerabilityforan
industryalreadyunderstressfromlowgasprices.
WeunderstandthatWolfhasshownawillingnesstomoveawayfromthetaxfloor.He
willneedtomakesuchamovetoearnthesupportofRepublicanleadership.
ProtectAct13impactfeedistributions:
Pennsylvania'simpactfeerevenues,whilemodestoverall,provideimportantfundingto
localgovernmentsdealingwiththeimpactsofgasdrillingontheircommunities.
Theimpactfeealsoprovidesfundingforaffordablehousingandenvironmental
initiativessuchasGrowingGreener,waterinfrastructure,hazardoussitescleanup,conservation
districts,parksandtrails.
Wolfproposestoplaceaceilingontheseimpactfeerevenuesandtheirbeneficiaries.
WhiletheseprogramsdobetterunderWolf'sproposalundercertainscenariosofgasprices,we
advisethegovernortoremovetheimpactfeecap.
TakingsuchastepwouldhelpreassuresomeoftheprincipalRepublicanarchitectsof
Act13whoarealsonegotiatingthebudget.
Directthelion'sshareoffundingtoeducation:
AcenterpieceofWolf's2014campaignwasenactingaseverancetaxanddirectingthe
bulkofthefundingtobasiceducation.Republicanlegislativeleadershavemovedthegovernor's
wayonincreasingeducationfunding,andalmostallhavebeencarefulnottoruleoutaseverance
tax.
Itisclearthatthiswill,orshould,beacentralelementofthefinalbudgetcompromise.
Weproposethat,onceimpactfeeprogramsarefullyfunded,thatatleast75percentof
additionalrevenuesbedirectedtoeducation,withtheremaindergoingtoenvironmentaland
humanservicesprograms.
Fundingforconservation,cleanenergyandenvironmentalprotection:
Wolfisonthemarkforproposingtoearmarkaportionofseverancetaxrevenueto
bolstercleanenergyinitiativesandtoprovidetheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwith
additionalstafftoenforcedrillinglaws.
Itisappropriatethataportionofanextractiontaxbeinvestedinsolar,wind,energy
efficiencyandothertechnologiestohelpbuildalowcarbonfuture.
Wealsorecommendthataportionofthetaxrevenuebedirectedintothepopular
GrowingGreenerconservationandenvironmentalprogram,andtolocalcleanwaterprograms
thatwillhelpPennsylvaniacomplywithitsChesapeakeBayobligations.
Fundinghumanservicesprograms:
Weproposethatsomeofthetaxrevenuebedirectedtohumanservicesprogramssothat
wecanbetterstrengthenthestitchingofoursocialsafetynetforindividualsandfamiliesinneed.
Someofthesevaluableprogramsincludedrugandalcoholprograms,intellectual
disabilityprograms,behavioralhealthservices,theHumanServicesDevelopmentFund,the
HomeownersEmergencyMortgageAssistanceProgram,rapeanddomesticviolenceprograms,
andtheoperationandmaintenanceofveterans'homes.
[
EditorsNote:
Rep.DiGirolamohasintroducedhisnaturalgasseverancetaxproposal
as
HouseBill1363
.]
Rep.GeneDiGirolamo
(RBucks)isMajorityChairoftheHouseHumanServicesCommittee
and
SteveStroman
isthedirectorofPenn'sWoodsConservationAdvocates.
NewsClips
:
RelatedStory:
EPAHearingOnOil&GasMethaneProposalInPittsburghSept.29
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Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule[
Updated
]/GovsSchedule/Bills
Introduced
HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced
BillCalendars
House(September21):
HouseBill48
(GodshallRMontgomery)settingstandardsfordrinking
waterwellconstruction
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependent
counselfortheEnvironmentalQualityBoard.
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.
Senate(September14?):
SenateResolution54
(ArgallRSchuylkill)urgingCongressto
imposetariffsonimportedanthracitecoal(
sponsorsummary
)
SenateResolution55
(HutchinsonRVenango)aconcurrentresolutionestablishingaForestryTaskForceassociated
withtheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee(
sponsor
summary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.
CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek
House:
<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.
Senate:
<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateCommitteeSchedule.
BillsPendingInKeyCommittees
HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingin
each
House
Appropriations
Education
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerAffairs
GamingOversight
HumanServices
Judiciary
LiquorControl
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees
Senate
Appropriations
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure
Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment
Education
Judiciary
LawandJustice
PublicHealthandWelfare
Transportation
LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees
BillsIntroduced
Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek
NaturalGasSeveranceTax:
HouseBill1536
(PetriRBucks)imposinga5percentnaturalgas
severancetaxdistributingtherevenuebasedonthedistributionintheAct13impactfeeandany
additionalrevenuewouldbeappliedtopensionobligationandbasiceducation(
sponsor
summary
).

SessionSchedule(
Updated
)
HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse
Note:
TheSenatescheduleisuncertain.
MediareportsFriday
saidtheSenatemaynotmeet
September14or15,butnoofficialannouncementhasbeenmade.
Senate
(unlesssoonerrecalled)
September
14,15,16,
21,22,23,28,29,30
October13,14,19,20,21,26,27,28
November16,17,18
December7,8,9
House
(unlesssoonerrecalled)
September21,22,28(NonVoting),29,30
October5,6,7,19,20,21,26,27,28
November16,17,18,23,24,25(NonVoting)
December7,8,9,14,15,16
GovernorsSchedule
Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.
NewsFromTheCapitol
HouseConsumerAffairsCommitteeHearsUpdateOnAct129EnergyEfficiencyProgram
The
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
Tuesdayheldahearingonthe
Act129Energy
EfficiencyProgram
requiringelectricutilitiestodecreasetheirpeakandoverallelectricdemand.
GladysBrown
,Chairofthe
PublicUtilityCommission
,saidthesuccessoftheprograms
underAct129hasloweredPennsylvaniasoverallcarbonfootprint.Afterprovidinganoverview
oftheactanditisimplementation,sheofferedthefollowingfivemodificationstofurtherelevate
theprogramandbenefititsparticipants:
ThePUCrequeststheauthoritytoincreaseprogrambudgetswherenecessarytoobtain
additional,incrementalpeakdemandandenergyconsumptionreductions.Thisincreasewould
trackwithchangestotheBureauofLaborStatisticsElectricPriceIndexfortheregion,and
couldbeimplementedonceeveryfiveyears.
TheActrequiresaminimum$1,000,000penaltyfornoncompliance,evenifanEDCmisses
compliancebyonlyoneMWh.
TheCommissionbelieveslanguagemandatingonlyanupperlimitwouldbebeneficial.
TheTotalResourceCost(TRC)onlyallowsfortheaccountingof15yearsofcostsand
benefits.Manyresources,suchassolararraysorcombinedheatandpowerfacilities,lastlonger
than15years.Assuch,theCommissionrecommendsallowingfortheentireeffectivelifeofa
measure.
TheActgivestheCommission120daystoreviewtheEDCs'proposeplans.Increasingthis
timelineto180dayswouldbeprudenttogiveallstakeholdersandtheCommissionmoretimeto
thoroughlyreviewproposedplans.
TheActrequirestheCommissiontofileannualreportstothelegislature.TheCommission
believesarequirementofonereportperphaseorforareporteveryfiveyearswouldbeaprudent
amendment.Thisallowsmoredatatobecompiledinthereport,therebymakingitmore
valuable.
TerranceFitzpatrick
,President&CEO,
EnergyAssociationofPennsylvania
,providedan
overviewofAct129andreportedthatelectricdistributioncompanies(EDCs),withthe
exceptionofonewhichwaspenalized,havemetthemandatesofthelaw.
HeaddedthattheEDCsareontracktomeetadditionalconsumptionreductiontargets
orderedbythePublicUtilityCommissioninPhaseII.
FitzpatrickreviewedthecostrecoveryallowedtoEDCsandsaidEDCsspentnearly$250
millionlastyearonAct129programs,whichhenotedisultimatelybornebyratepayers.
HenotedthePUCdidnotorderadditionalpeakdemandreductionrequirementsinPhase
II,buthasproposedadditionalrequirementsforPhaseIIIbaseduponafindingthatadditional
peakdemandreductionscanbedesignedtobecosteffective.
KevinSunday
,ManagerofGovernmentAffairsforthePAChamberofBusinessand
Industry,reportedthatPennsylvaniahasthe15thhighestaverageresidentialretailelectricity
priceinthenationbutcommercialandindustrialratesare,onaperkilowatthourbasis,much
morecompetitivecomparedtothatofotherstates.
Hesaidtheprivatesectorhasbeenforcedtoexpendconsiderableamountsofcapitalto
complywithalternativeenergyandenergyefficiencymandatesoverthepastdecade.
HecitedPUCdatathatAct129costmorethan$1.7billionin20092013andsaiditcan
bereasonablyprojectedthatoverthenextthreeyears,utilitieswillspendroughlyanadditional
$735milliontocomplywiththenewtargetsallofwhichwillbebornebyratepayers.
GregGeller
,DirectorofRegulatory&GovernmentAffairs,EnerNOC,aproviderof
energyintelligencesoftware.Heexplainedenergyisoftenoneofthelargestcostdriversfor
businesses,governments,andinstitutions,yetitisrarelymanagedascloselyasotherexpenses.
RobertAltenburg
,Director,
PennFutureEnergyCenterforEnterpriseandthe
Environment
,arguedPhaseIofAct129wasasuccess,notingthatalloftheparticipatingEDCs
exceededtheirfinaltargetsforbothenergyefficiencyanddemandreduction,andtheydidso
whileremainingsignificantlyunderbudget.
HecitedthefindingsofthePUCsstatewideevaluator,whichreportedtheprogram
returnedmorethan$2.40insavingsforeverydollarspent.Additionally,carbonpollutionwas
reducedbymorethan3.4milliontons.
AltenburgsaidPhaseIIisexceedingitsgoalsandheexpectstheprogramsinPhaseIII
willonceagainmorethanpayforthemselves.
Despitethesesuccesses,Altenburgofferedanumberofimprovementstothelaw.He
arguedthatthetwopercentspendingcapmeansPennsylvaniacanonlyachieveafractionof
whatiscosteffectiveand,duetotheeffectsofinflationthiscapiseffectivelydeclining.
HesuggestedtheLegislatureconsiderremovingthespendingcap,protectexistinggains,
buildonthesuccessbyexpandingtothegasutilities,andrethinkratedesignstoencourage
energyefficiency.
MichaelMesser
,ManagerofEnergyandRegulatoryAffairsforLinde,LLC,onbehalfof
the
IndustrialEnergyConsumersofPA
,reportedlargeconsumersareaheadofAct129andare
seekingvoluntaryoptoutfromtheact,asisauthorizedin15otherstates.
HeexplainedAct129doesnotassistlargeconsumerseffortsandrepresentsan
unrecoverablecostincreaseandfurthernotedthatmajorandtraditionalefficiencyprojectsare
notsupportedbyAct129.
MesserarguedthatAct129cannotbefixedtoaddressmajorprojects,projectsalready
inserviceorincompatiblewithAct129fundingandsaidtheactimposessignificant
unrecoverablecosts.
Speakingtotheproposedoptout,Messerargueditwouldbelimitedtolargeconsumers,
whoarehighlymotivatedtoenergyefficiencyregardlessofAct129.Hesaidtheoptoutwould
notimpactjobsandutilityprogramswouldberightsizedtoprovidefundingforconsumers
seeingbenefit.
RichSelverian
,PresidentofMcGrannAssociatesandPresidentofthe
KeystoneEnergy
EfficiencyAlliance
,offeredhisthoughtsonhowtomakePennsylvaniaseconomystronger
throughprobusinesspoliciesonenergy.
HepointedoutthatprogramsinitiatedbyAct129havegeneratednearly$2billionof
benefitstoPennsylvaniaelectriccustomersanddemonstratedasignificantpositivereturnon
investmentforeach$1spent.
HeofferedsevenpointsabouthowenergyefficiencyisvitallylinkedtoPennsylvanias
economy:inPennsylvania,energyefficiencycompanieshaveseenjobcreationlargelydueto
smartpolicytheeconomicbenefitsofenergyefficiencyhavebeenwidespreadthereis
significantlymoreenergyefficiencytogaininPennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaisjuststartingtosee
thepotentialoftheutilityprogramsutilityenergyefficiencyprogramsworkwhentheyengage
allcustomerclasseschangingtheprogramtosupportoptoutswouldonlyhelpthefewatthe
expenseofthemanyandthePUChasresponsiblymanagedtheseprograms.
Rep.BobGodshall(RMontgomery)servesasMajorityChairandRep.PeterDaley
(DWashington)servesasMinorityChair.
NewsClips:
EfficientHeatingAppliancesCouldMeanLostSavings
PPLAgreesToTrimRateHikeTo5.1%
PPLCustomersFaceRateHike
PPLSettlesRateHikeCase,CutsFees
PUCOKsPPLsRevisedSmartElectricMeterPlan
MineEquipmentFirmsAreFeelingCoalsPain
OpEd:LetFreeMarketKillCoal
HarrisburgTakesLoanToLaunchLEDStreetlightProgram
3ChargedInElaborateGreenEnergyPonziScheme
RelatedStories:
HouseHearingOnPUCRulesLimitingBenefitsOfManureDigesterElectricSystems
PUCApprovesPPLSmartElectricMeterPlan
PUCApprovesDistributionSystemImprovementChargeForPECOGas
PUCOKsEliminatingLimitsForUGIGas,ElectricCustomerAssistancePrograms
The
HouseConsumerAffairsCommittee
Wednesdayheldahearingon
HouseBill1349
(ZimmermanRLancaster)thesponsorsaidwouldremovethelimitsimposedbythePublic
UtilityCommissiononthesizeandbenefitofmanuredigestersgeneratingelectricityonfarms
(
sponsorsummary
).
Rep.DavidZimmerman
providedanoverviewoftheissuetotheCommitteesayingthe
currentPUCregulationsunderconsiderationwouldlimitthebenefitsofdigestersingenerating
electricityandcontributingtothereductionofpollutantsgoingtotheChesapeakeBay.
AnnSwanson
,ExecutiveDirectorofthe
,testifiedthatthe
Commissionhasbeenworkingtosupportdeploymentofmanuretoenergysystemsthroughout
thewatershedbypromotingpoliciesthatwillmakethemfeasiblebotheconomicallyand
environmentally.
Sheexplainedmanuretoenergysystemscanbeanimportanttoolforfarmersastheyface
increasingchallengestotheirmanagementofmanureandencouragedthecommitteetomove
forwardwitheffortsthatwillremovebarrierstotheinstallationofthesesystemsandenablethem
tobeeconomicallysustainable.
GrantGulibon
,DirectorofRegulatoryAffairsforthe
PAFarmBureau
,theregulations
recentlyproposedbythePUCwilldeterminewhoamonghomegrowngeneratorsofelectricity
willqualifyfornetmeteringtreatment.
HearguedthePUCsstrictuseofthecapacitystandarddoesnotmakesensein
situationswheresystemsaredevelopedandoperatedonworkingfarmsandmaysignificantly
hurtthefutureabilityofPennsylvaniasfarmfamiliestoadapttheiroperationstokeeptheir
farmsviable.
JohnWilliamson
,of
TeamAg,Inc
.onbehalfofthe
ProfessionalDairyManagersof
Pennsylvania
,saidHouseBill1349addressesconcernsthattheproposedPUCregulationswill
limitthenetmeteringprovisionsthathavebenefiteddairiesandlivestockoperationswith
digesters.
Pennsylvaniawasaleaderinthedevelopmentofmanureanaerobicdigestersduringthe
firstdecadeof2000s,withtheCommonwealthspromotionstrategythroughitsPennsylvania
EnergyHarvestGrantsandnetmeteringprovisionsoftheAEPSSincethePUCsproposed
rulechangein2014,therehavebeennomorenewdigesters.
RonCelentano
,PennsylvaniaSolarEnergyIndustriesAssociation,testifiedthatabout45
stateshavesomeformofnetmeteringand16ofthemrecentlyenactedorareconsidering
changestotheirexistingnetmeteringpoliciessomestatesareexpandingnetmeteringby
increasingaggregatecapsorallowingmeteraggregationorvirtualnetmetering,whileothersare
examiningsuccessortariffstonetmetering,orrequiringsolarcapacitylimitations,suchasin
Pennsylvania.
HeexpressedconcernwiththePUCsproposedrulesregardingnetmetering,expressing
oppositiontotheproposedchangesthatwouldgivetheCommissiontheauthoritytoorder
utilitiestochargecustomergeneratorsadditionalfees,rejectingtheimpositionofa200percent
ofannualloadlimitationonsolarPVsystemcapacities,andopposingthechangetothe
definitionofvirtualmeteraggregationthataddsarequirementthatallservicelocationsmust
haveseparateexistingmeasurableloads.
DonnaClark
,VicePresidentandGeneralCounselofthe
EnergyAssociationof
Pennsylvania
,addressedindustrysupportforandconcernswithnetmeteringasitcurrently
standsinPennsylvania.
GladysBrown
,ChairofthePublicUtilityCommissiondiscussedtheevolutionof
netmeteringinPennsylvaniaandsaidPennsylvaniapresentlyhasmorethan8,700netmetered
facilities.Shenotedthevastmajorityofthesefacilitiesaresolar.
BasedonthePUCsexperienceinimplementingthecurrentnetmeteringregulations,
BrownsaidthePUCitisnecessaryupdateandrevisetheseregulationstocomplywithAct35of
2007andAct129of2008.
Sheclarifiedthat
theproposedrulemaking
,inpart,onlyseekstolimitthesizeofsystems
thatseektotakeadvantageofthepublicsubsidyprovidedvianetmetering.Thebillitself,she
continued,makesnospecificreferencetonetmeteringandcouldbeinterpretedashavingno
impactontheCommissionsproposedrulemaking.
SheaddedthePUCsproposedrulemakingseekstolimitnewcustomergenerator
systemsthatqualifyfornetmeteringsubsidiestoanameplatecapacitythatproducesnomore
than200percentoftheirhistoricalload.
ThisexceptionallanguagewascraftedwithinputfromthePennsylvaniaDepartmentsof
AgricultureandEnvironmentalProtectioninrecognitionofthecommentsreceivedfromthe
agriculturalcommunityduringourinitialpubliccommentperiod,Brownpointedout.
OtherwrittentestimonywasprovidedtotheCommitteeby:
MichaelBrubaker
,Brubaker
Farms,LLC,
MarkPedersen
,PAWasteIndustriesAssociation,AgricultureSecretary
Russell
Redding
.
TheChesapeakeBayFoundationPAalso
announceditssupportforHouseBill1349
.
Rep.BobGodshall(RMontgomery)servesasMajorityChairandRep.PeterDaley
(DWashington)servesasMinorityChair.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
CBFPASupportsHB1349LiftingLimitsOnEnergyProducedByManureDigesters
The
ChesapeakeBayFoundationPA
announcedFridayitsupports
HouseBill1349
(ZimmermanRLancaster)whichwouldeliminatelimitsonhowmuchenergycanbegenerated
andsoldfromtheanaerobicprocessingofanimalwaste.
Theanaerobicprocessusesbacteriatobreakdownmanureandcreatemethaneto
generateheatorelectricity.Thesludgebyproductretainsmostofitsnitrogenandphosphorus,
takesuplessspace,andcanbeusedasacropfertilizer,withminimalodor.
Themeasure,introducedbyRep.DavidZimmerman,canincreasetheuseofanaerobic
wasteprocessingtechnology,enablingmanysmallfamilyfarmerswithlivestock,tobetter
manageandtreatmanure.
Asaneconomicincentiveforproducingalternativeenergybyanaerobicdigestion,farms
thatgenerateenergybeyondtheirownneedsareabletoselltheexcessbacktothepowergrid.
Theamountofenergythatcanbegeneratedandsoldiscurrentlylimitedto110percentofa
farmsannualelectricconsumption.Themeasureeliminatesthatcap.
HarryCampbell,CBFsPennsylvaniaExecutiveDirector,saidanaerobicdigesterscanbe
onetool,butnotnecessarilyalwaysthebest,orthemostcosteffective,amongmanyfor
addressingnitrogenandphosphorouspollutionfromexcessiveamountsofmanure.
Campbellsaidgreatestvalueofanaerobicdigestionisinmanuremanagement,as
opposedtothewaterqualityprotectionsthatconservationpracticessuchasstreamsideforests
provide.
Manuretreatmenttechnologiescanplayaroleintreatingtheportionofthenutrientload
associatedwithmanure,butotherpracticeshavebeenshowntobemorecosteffectiveandwith
broadenvironmentalbenefits.CurrentlythesetechnologiesarentrecognizedbytheChesapeake
BayProgramasawaterqualitytool,Campbellsaid.
Sincethesetechnologiesprimarilydealwithnitrogen,tosomedegreephosphorus,
pollutionandnotatallwiththeleadingcauseofstreampollutionintheCommonwealth
sedimenttheyarenotconsideredthesolutiontolocalwaterqualityissuesandtheBay.
EffortsareunderwaywithintheChesapeakeBayProgramtoaddmanuretreatment
technologiestotheroughly150acceptedpractices.
WerecognizeandappreciatethePUCsneedtobalanceratepayerinterestsandofthose
lookingtoproduceenergyfromalternativesources,Campbellsaid.Beingabletosellsurplus
energyproducedwithmanuretechnologythroughnetmetering,offsetssomeofthefinancial
commitmentfarmersmakeintheconstruction,operation,andmaintenanceofthedigester.
Eliminatingrestrictionsontheamountofenergythatcanbeproducedandsoldthrough
anaerobicdigesterscanincreasetheirimplementationonPennsylvaniafarms.
Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)hassponsoredacompanionbill
SenateBill844
inthe
stateSenate.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
Sept.21EnvironmentalIssuesForum:GrowingGreenerCoalitionFundingGuide
Thenext
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
EnvironmentalIssuesForumwillbeheldonSeptember21featuringapresentationonthe
GrowingGreenerCoalitions
FindingTheGreen!
projectfundingguide.
AndrewHeath,executivedirectorofthe
PAGrowingGreenerCoalition
,willprovidean
overviewofthemajorstatefundingsources,aswellasspecificgrantopportunitiesprovided
throughPennsylvaniasstateagenciesforrecreation,landpreservation,watershedrestoration
andotherlocalenvironmentalprojects.
TheForumwillbeheldinRoom8EAEastWingoftheCapitolBuildinginHarrisburg
startingatNoon.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheCommittee.
NewsFromAroundTheState
DEPOKsJohnstownSanitarySewerOverflowAbatementPlan
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayapproveda
SanitarySewerOverflow
AbatementPlan
fortheCityofJohnstown,torelievetheoverloadconditionsthatarethemain
causeofsanitaryseweroverflowsinheavyrains.
Johnstownistobecommendedfordevisingastormwatercontrolplanthatwillservethe
cityandsurroundingcommunitiesforyearstocome,saidSusanMalone,DEPsSouthwest
RegionalDirector.Eliminatingseweroverflowisoneofthebestwaystoensurecleanwaterfor
thepeopleofJohnstownandtheirneighborsdownstream.
Duringrainyweather,watercanleakintothesewagesystemthroughleaksinpipesand
deterioratedconnections.Theextrawateroverwhelmstreatmentfacilities,forcingbypassesthat
resultinrawsewageflowingintowaterways.
Federalandstateregulationsmandatethatallcommunitiesdrasticallyreduceoreliminate
sewagetreatmentbypasses.JohnstownwasrequiredtodeveloptheplanunderaConsentOrder
andAgreementsignedinJulyof2010.
TheAbatementPlanisintendedtorelievetheheavywaterrunoffconditionsand
eliminateSSOsfromthecityssystem,andthesystemownedbytheJohnstownRedevelopment
Authority,whichprovideswatertreatmentforthecityand20surroundingcommunities.
Portionsofthesystemwillbecompletelyrebuilt,whileothersectionswillbe
refurbished.UndertheAbatementPlanallconstructionmustbecompletedbyNovember30,
2022andallSSOsmustbeeliminatedbyDecember31,2022.
Whenconstructioniscomplete,thesystemsflowwillbemonitoredtoensurethatthe
reconstructedsystemmeetstheflowlevelsoutlinedintheplan.
TheCityandtheJohnstownRedevelopmentAuthoritydeterminedthatthecomplete
replacementofthesewersystem,includingprivateconnections,wasthemostcosteffective
longtermsolutiontoeliminateSSOs.
Formoreinformation,visittheJohnstownRedevelopmentAuthority
CSO/SSOwebpage
.
NewsClip:
OpEd:CrumblingWater,WastewaterSystemRequireAction
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionMeetsSept.10
The
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
isconductingits
quarterlybusinessmeeting
September10at9:00a.m.,DoubleTreebyHiltonBinghamton,GrandRiversideRoom,225
WaterSt.,Binghamton,N.Y.13901.Themeetingisopentothepublic.
TheCommissionerswillactonseveralagendaitems,including28projectapplications
resolutiontocorrectExhibitAattachedtoResolutionNo.201311releaseofproposed
rulemakingforpubliccommentamendmentoftheComprehensivePlanfortheWaterResources
oftheSusquehannaRiverBasinregulatorycompliancematterwithDownsRacingL.P.request
fromPandaPowerFundsfortransferofownershipofHummelStationLLC(DocketNos.
20081222and200812222)andapprovalofgrantagreementsthattheCommissionwillreceive.
Thebusinessmeetingagendawillalsoincluderequeststoextendemergencycertificates
forAquaPennsylvania,Inc.andFurmanFoods,Inc.
SRBCwillalsohostaninformationalpresentationfromDr.JosephGraney,Associate
DirectorforBinghamtonUniversitysCenterforIntegratedWatershedStudies,focusedonwork
inurbanwatershedsintheUpperSusquehannasubbasin.
Opportunitiesforpubliccommentonprojectapplicationswereprovidedpreviously
however,SRBCmayacceptgeneralpubliccommentsattheconclusionofthemeeting.
SRBCsRulesofConductforquarterlybusinessmeetingsinclude:
Attendeesmustsigninandshowphotoidentification.
Signage,posters,bannersorotherdisplaymediawillbepermittedonlyindesignatedareas.
Thepresswillbepermittedtosetupandusevideoandrecordingdevicesinadesignated
area.Thepublicwillbepermittedtousesmall,handhelddevicesthatremainintheirpossession
andareusedinanondisruptivemanner.
Forthecompleteagendawiththelistofprojectapplicationsandthefullsetofrulesof
conduct,visitSRBCs
PublicParticipation
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
LehighCountyFarmerRecognizedForCommitmentToWaterQualityInDelaware
JoelLoch,afourgenerationdairyfarmerinWeisenbergTownship,
LehighCounty,Tuesdaywasrecognizedforreceivinga2015Clean
WaterFarmawardfromthe
PAAssociationofConservationDistricts
inJuly.
(Photo:JoelandBrendaLoch.)
Pennsylvania
StateConservationCommission
ExecutiveDirector
KarlBrownandDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionDeputy
SecretaryforWaterManagementKellyHeffnerpresentedhimwiththeaward.
Theythentouredtheoperation,viewingthebestmanagementpracticesfirsthand.
ImprovementstoPennsylvaniaswaterqualitystartatthefarmlevelwith
forwardthinkingproducerslikeJoel,saidBrown.ThisistheidealsuccessstoryJoel
approachedhiscountyconservationdistricttovoluntarilyimplementcosteffectiveandsimple
bestmanagementpracticestothecreekonhispropertythatwillimprovewaterquality
downstream.
Lochoperatesa65cowdairyand300birdpoultryfarmwithnearly138acresof
croplandandnearly20acresofpastureintheDelawareRiverWatershed.Thefarmisalsoin
Pennsylvaniasfarmlandpreservationprogram.
MillCreek,atroutstockedandmigratoryfishery,passesthroughLochsfarm.The
waterwayisatributaryintheMaidenCreekwatershed,whichsupplieswatertotheCityof
Reading.
Withtheassistanceofthe
LehighCountyConservationDistrict
,mostofthefarms
improvementsweredevelopedtominimizesoilerosionandrunoffandanimalaccesstothe
stream.
Bestmanagementpracticesincludeawatercontrolstructurewithastormwaterbasin,
concretedropboxandundergroundoutletsonthepastureananimalwalkwaystabilizedstream
crossingsandstreambankfencingagrassedwaterwayandananimalheavyusearea.
Theimprovementshavereducedsedimentationintothestream,aswellasnitrogenand
phosphorustwonutrientsthatcanpromotethegrowthofalgaethatcanuseuptheoxygenina
waterway,killingfishandupsettingitsecosystem.
Theimprovementstothecreekincludecoolerwatertemperaturesandhighervisibility
thatimprovehabitatforfishandotherwildlife.
Mr.Lochisdoingmorethanjustimprovinghisfarmhesimprovinglocalwater
quality,bothnowandforfuturegenerations,saidHeffner.Safeguardingthehealthofourland
andwaterwaystakescoordinationfromeveryone,fromlandownerstononprofitsand
governmentstocitizens.WethankJoelforhiscommitmenttohisfarm,hisfamilyandour
state.
ThedepartmentsofAgricultureandEnvironmentalProtectionhaverestartedthestates
commitmenttomeetingthe
ChesapeakeBayWatershedImplementationPlan
agreement,which
wouldreducethetotalmaximumdailyloadofnutrientsintotheChesapeakeBay.
Theagreementcallsforagriculturetocontributethreequartersofthereductionslargely
throughnearstreampracticessuchasthoseimplementedontheLochfarm.
WhiletheLochfarmisintheDelawareRiverwatershed,improvementstoallof
Pennsylvaniaswaterwaysareessentialforthehealthofthestatesecosystem.
ClickHere
toseethetwoother2015CleanWaterFarmAwardwinners.
Formoreinformation,visitAgricultures
StateConservationCommission
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
EnterThePAGrasslandEvaluationStudentContestSetForOct.1InStateCollege
The11thAnnual
GrasslandEvaluationStudentContest
willtakeplaceatPennStateAg
ProgressDaysSitenearStateCollegeonOctober1anditsnottoolatetoregisteryourstudent
teams.EntriesaredueSeptember22.
Thisisagreathandsonopportunityforstudentsstatewide,withthechanceofreceiving
scholarshipfundstowardcollege!Thecontestisaimedateducatingyouthaboutthevalueand
benefitsofgrazingandotherconservationpractices.
Thecontestisopentoany4personFFA,4H,orfreelanceteam.Thefirstplaceteam
willearna$500scholarship,withsecondplaceearninga$250scholarship.Thehighestscoring
individualwillalsoreceivea$500scholarship.
TheGrasslandEvaluationContestishostedby
SouthwestProjectGrass
andsponsoredby
the
PAGrazingLandsCoalition
,
SomersetCountyConservationDistrict
,and
AgProgressDays
wherethecontestisheldinRockSprings,PA.
Forallthedetails,includingaContestflyer,registrationformandstudyguide,visitthe
SWOG
webpageorcontactDanGriffithat7248375271,
sendemailto:
dan@wcdpa.com
.DaniswiththeWestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict,
218DonohoeRoadGreensburg,PA15601.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
VolunteersNeededForBayFriendlyLandscapingProjectInYellowBreechesWatershed
The
AlliancefortheChesapeakeBays
RunoffBusters
teamislookingforhomeowners/renters
intheYellowBreechesWatershedinAdams,CumberlandandYorkcountieswhowanttohelp
protecttheBaybywelcomingtheirteamandlandscapeprofessionalintotheiryards.
VolunteershaveuntilSeptember15
toapplyonline
.Thereisnoapplicationfeeandno
costtoparticipateifselected,thoughhomeownersareresponsibleforanypermittingor
homeownerassociationapprovals,ifrequired.
Participantsshouldbewillingtowelcomeateamtotheirhometoredesignandinstall
ChesapeakeBayfriendlygarden/patiofeaturesintheiryard,andfilmthemakeovertouseto
educatemorehomeownershowtodothesame.
Designswillbecustomizedforeachproperty,andareexpectedtorangefromrain
gardensinalargeryardtoediblegardensinpotsoncitypatios.
ThinkofthisastheChesapeakeBaysversionofthehitshowYardCrasherson
HGTV,saidDrewSiglin,ProgramManagerwiththeAlliancefortheChesapeakeBay.Thats
whatweredoinghere.Wereshowingresidentshandsonhoweasyitistomakesmall,and
sometimeslarge,changesintheiryardsthatwilllookgreatandalsocontributetothehealthof
localstreams,andultimatelytheChesapeakeBay.Andweredoingitinafun,approachable
way.
Thesimpleapplicationasksresidentstoprovidetheirname,address,contactwith
propertyowneriftheyarearenter,thetypeofyardtheyhave(frontorsideyard,patioonly,
backyardlessthanandmorethanhalfandacre),whytheywouldliketomaketheiryard
ChesapeakeBayfriendlyandtoprovideaphotooftheircurrentyard.
Wereexcitedtogetresidentsofallkindstoapplyforthisandwehopetohighlighta
diversesetofbestmanagementpracticesandhabitsthathelppreventrunoffproblems,Siglin
said.Wewanttoshowthecommunitythatevenwhenyoudonthaveafullyardtoworkwith,
therearestepsyoucantake.Forexample,apartmentresidentscouldhaveediblegardensinpots
ontheirbalconyandsmallrainwaterbarrels.Whenyoudohavealargeyard,youcanturnyour
traditionallandscapingintoanenvironmentallysoundlandscapethatstilloffersallofthesame
amenities.
Ifaccepted,residentsmustagreetohavetheirhome,gardens,patioandotheroutdoor
spacesvideotapedandusedformarketingpurposesbytheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBay.
VideotapingwilltakeplaceinmidOctober,withvideosreleasedtothepublicthrough
March2016.Also,ifaccepted,residentsagreetobeinterviewedoncamerabythefilmcrew.
Whatisrunoffandwhydowecare?Runoffisrainwaterormeltingsnowthatrunsoff
thelandinsteadofseepingintothegroundbeforeitentersourwaterways.
Runoffiscreatedwhenrainfallsonroads,driveways,parkinglots,rooftopsandother
pavedsurfacesthatdontallowwatertosoakintotheground.Slowingrunoffreducessediment,
chemicals,animalwasteandmorefrommakingitswaytoourriversandChesapeakeBay,where
theycreateproblemsforBayplants,animals,andpeoplewhouseourwaterways.
TheYellowBreecheswatershedareaincludesseveralmunicipalitiesinCumberland,
York,andAdamscounties:CampHill,CarrollTownship,CookeTownship,Dickinson
Township,Dillsburg,FairviewTownship,FranklinTownship,HampdenTownship,Lemoyne,
LowerAllenTownship,Mechanicsburg,MenallenTownship,MonaghanTownship,Monroe
Township,MountHollySprings,NewCumberland,PennTownship,Shiremanstown,
SouthamptonTownship,SouthMiddletonTownship,SouthNewtonTownship,andUpperAllen
Township.
RunoffBustersispartoftheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBays
ReduceYourStormwater
Project
,aneffortgenerouslyfundedbytheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation.
Applicantswhoarenotselectedaswinnersmaybeeligibleforacostshareprogram
towardraingardenandenvironmentallyfriendlylandscapingmaterials.Thiscostshareprogram
isexpectedtolaunchinearly2016andwillbeavailabletoresidentsinboththeMiddleJames
andYellowBreecheswatersheds.
Formoreinformation,visittheAlliancefortheChesapeakeBay
RunoffBusters
webpage.
NewsClips:
ClickHere
PATUColdwaterConservationCorpsTrainingSept.12InEmporium
PATroutUnlimited
andthe
AquaticResourceMonitoringofDickinsonCollege
areoffering
ColdwaterConservationCorpstrainingSeptember12inEmporium,ForestCounty.
Participantswilllearnhowtousewatermonitoringequipment,selectmonitoring
locations,whotocallifapollutionincidentisobservedandhowtouseTUsonlinedataportal
andmappingapplication.
Theprogramisbeinghostedbythe
BucktailWatershedAssociation
attheAromaCafe,
51E4thStreetinEmporiumfrom9:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
ToregistersendJakeLemonanemailat:
jlemon@tu.org
orcall8147793965by
September11.
ClickHere
todownloadaflyeronthetrainingprogram.
NationalTroutUnlimitedandthePATroutUnlimitedCouncilteameduptodevelopthe
ColdwaterConservationCorpsProgramtomonitorwaterresources,conductvisualassessments,
andreportviolationsofstateenvironmentallawstoappropriatestateagencies.
CCCvolunteersprovideanextrasetofeyesandearsontheground,ensuringthatspecial
watershedsandcoldwaterresourcesareprotectedfromthethreatsofenvironmentaldegradation.
ThecompleteCCCFieldManualandtrainingvideoscanbefoundonthePATU
Documents
webpage.
NorthcentralPAConservancy:Sept.1617StreambankWorkDays,CoasterEdProgram
The
NorthcentralPAConservancy
andthe
TiogaCountyConservationDistrict
invites
landownerstoatwodayseriesofWorkDaysonSeptember1617attheCanoeCampCreek
neartheWalMartatMansfield,PA.
TheConservancyanditspartnerswillworkwithseveralprivatelandownerstostabilize
thestreambankandincreaseaquatichabitat.Thiswillbeanactiveconstructionsiteandyoull
seesectionsofthestreamthatstillhaveerodingstreambanks,andsectionsofthestreamwhere
multilogdeflectorsandmudsillshavebeeninstalled.
Possiblybestofall,youcantalktothedesignersandinstallersaboutthetechniques,how
theyarepermitted,andhowyoucanapplytotheupcomingcostshareprogramtomakethissort
ofprojecthappennearyou.
Thosewhosigninforthetourwillgainadditionalpointsonrankingforfunding.
ContractorswhowishtobidonfutureLogcribbingonCharlestonCreekprojectsthroughour
costshareprogramshouldalsoattendtogetabetterideaofthescopeandcostofsuchprojects.
Bothdayswillhaveamorningtourat11:00a.m.,lastinguntilaboutNoon,followedbya
freelunch.Youandyourclassarewelcometoattendeitherday.Bootsaresuggestedasyoumay
wishtocrossovershallowwater.
Duetosafetyrestrictions,pleasecoordinatewithusifyouplantoarrivemorethan15
minutesbeforethetour,aswewillhaveheavymachineryoperatinguntilthetouropens.
Whilepreregistrationisnotrequired,weareaskingpeopletopreregistertohelpwith
planning.Youcanregisterbysendingemailto:
lmaloney@tiogacountypa.us
,orcallthe
Conservancyat5707241801x113.Pleaseincludeyournameandadaytimecontactnumber.
BeverageCoasterEducation
Now,whileenjoyingabeverageatalocalrestaurantortaverninCentre,Clinton,Potter
orTiogaCountyyoucanalsolearnaboutriparianbuffersandhowtheyrelatetotrout.
Fundingfrom
DominionWatershedMiniGrantProgram
,administeredbythe
Western
PAConservancy
,wasusedtoprinttwocoasterswithtroutonthefrontandinformationabout
riparianbuffersontheback.
Onecoasterfeaturesthemessagethatsedimentinthewatercanclogthegillsofthe
aquaticinsectsandthegillsofyoungtrout.Whiletallgrass,shrubs,andothervegetationalong
thestreamcanlookmessytheyareactuallyhelpingholdsoilinplaceandprovidebetterhabitat
forfish.
Theothercoasterfocusesontherolenativeplantsplayinkeepingbrooktrout,theonly
troutnativetoPennsylvania,inourstreams.
Moreinformationonriparianbuffersandhowtomanageyourriparianbuffercanbe
foundattheConservancys
PlantsAlongAStream
webpage.
WhiletheNorthcentralPennsylvaniaConservancycoordinatedtheproject,theCounty
ConservationDistrictsinCentre,Clinton,Potter,andTiogaCountyareworkingwithlocal
partnerstogetthecoastersinthehandsoflocalrestaurantandtavernowners.
Formoreinformationonprogramsandactivities,visitthe
NorthcentralPAConservancy
website.
DEPSurveillanceProgramShowsMostStoresComplyingWithLeadBanAct
DEPsBureauofSafeDrinkingWaterrecentlycompletedits
annualLeadBanSurveillance
Program
toeducatetheplumbingsupplyindustryabouttherequirementsoftheLeadBanAct.
ThePennsylvaniaPlumbingSystemLeadBanandNotificationActwasenactedin1989
andprohibitsthesaleoruseof50/50or85/15tinleadacidcoreorsolidwiresoldersorany
leadedsolderthatdoesnotcontainawarningstatementonthelabel.
TheLeadBanActalsorestrictsthesaleanduseofallotherleadedsoldersto
nonplumbinguseonly.
Thissummer,DEPinternsvisitedhardwarestores,homecentersandotherretailfacilities
thatsellsoldertogatherdatausedtodeterminewhetherbannedsolderissoldandwhether
restrictedsolderisproperlylabeledandisnotsoldintheplumbingsection.
Ofthe392storesvisited,323sellsolder.Mostofthe323storesweresellingleadfree
solderand57percentsellonlyleadfreesolder.In2015,only7iofthestoressellingsolderwere
inviolationoftheLeadBanAct:5percentweresellingbannedsolderand2percentwereselling
restrictedsolderintheplumbingsectionwithnostoressellingbothbannedandrestrictedsolder
intheplumbingsection.
Thefinalreportfor2015
isavailableonline
.Copiesofpreviousannualreportsare
availableonDEPsBureauofSafeDrinkingWater
ProgramActivitiesReports
webpage.
NewsClips:
ResidentsRallyToStopWaterBottlingProjectInPoconos
(Reprintedfromthe
Sept.3DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
BrodheadWatershedAssn.GrowingGreenMembershipCelebrationOct.2
BrodheadWatershedAssociation
willhonortwoMonroeCountyorganizationsforGrowing
GreenatitsannualMembershipCelebration,tobeheld6to9p.m.October2,at
Northampton
CommunityCollege
inTannersville,PA.
NCCsBoardofTrusteeswillbehonoredforcreatinganenvironmentallyresponsible
MonroeCampus
,conservingwaterwithraingardensandutilizingsolarenergy.
DarrylandJackieSpeicherwillbehonoredfortheir15yearsasfoundersandoperators
of
PoconoAvianResearchCenter
.
Thepublicisinvitedtojoininthecelebration,whichwillincludeasilentauction,music
andakeynotespeaker.Alsofeaturedwillbemultichefdisplaycooking,heartyhotandcold
appetizers,gourmetdessertsandlocalbeerandwine.
SilentauctionitemsincludeatwonightstayinaKalahariResortsuite,Liztechpins,
farmfreshfoodbaskets,andmore.
Eventsponsorshipsanditemsforthesilentauctionaremostwelcome.Donorswill
benefitfromadvertising,eventpublicationsandpreferredreservations.
Levelsare:RiverPatron($2,500),StreamSponsor($1,000),SpringFriend($500)and
ListedDonor($100$499).Todonatetotheauction,
downloadtheonlineform
.Tobeasponsor,
pleaseemail:
info@brodheadwatershed.org
.
BWAthanksPPLElectricUtilitiesforbeingaRiverPatron.
Tojoininthecelebration,visitthe
GrowingGreenMembershipCelebration
webpageor
call5708951120.Ticketscost$35forBWAmembers,$40fornonmembers.
3rdAnnualDelawareRiverWatershedForumOct.56
The
3rdAnnualDelawareRiverWatershedForum
willbeheldOctober56attheUniversityof
DelawareinNewark,DE.
Learnabouteffortstoprotectandrestorecriticalresources,tournearbydestinationsthat
highlightkeyconservationissues,andnetworkwithotherswhocareaboutthehealthandfuture
oftheWatershed.
FreeorganizationcounselingalsoavailablethroughouttheForumonafirstcome,
firstservebasis.Registrationisrequiredandspaceislimited,soregistertodaytoparticipatein
thisyear'sevent.
AlimitednumberofscholarshipsareavailablecontactMadelineEmde,
Coalitionforthe
DelawareRiverWatershed
,bysendingemailto:
madeline.emde@njaudubon.org
formore
information.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtoregister.
InterestedInFollowingDelawareWatershedRestorationIssues?CheckThisOut
IfyoureinterestedinfollowingDelawareRiverWatershedrestorationissues,subscribetothe
DelawareRiverWatershedWeekly
,aweeklyonlinecompilationofstories,newsarticlesand
postedgearedtowardDelawareRiverwater,wildlifeandrecreationissues.Thesiteisorganized
bythe
CoalitionfortheDelawareRiverWatershed
.
PAFloodplainManagersAssociationAnnualMeetingSept.1617InHarrisburg
The
PAAssociationofFloodplainManagers
willholdits
annualmeeting
inHarrisburgon
September1617whichwillfeatureDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyasthekeynotespeaker.
Workshopswillcoveravarietyoftopicsincludingupdatesonthefederalfloodinsurance
program,usingGIStoinformPAsresponsetofloodinsurancereform,statewidefloodplain
managementtraining,naturebasedandgrayinfrastructurecasestudy,hazardmitigationhowit
worksandmuchmore.
ClickHere
formoredetailsandtoregister.
KeepPABeautifulEncouragesColleges,UniversitiesToParticipateInRecycleMania
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
isencouragingcollegesand
universitiesinPennsylvaniatoparticipateinthe
RecycleMania
competitionsponsoredbyKeepAmericaBeautiful,TheAlcoa
FoundationandtheCocaColaCompany.
RecycleManiaisafriendlycompetitionandbenchmarkingtoolfor
collegeanduniversityrecyclingprogramstopromotewaste
reductionactivitiestotheircampuscommunities.
Overan8weekperiodeachspring,collegesacrosstheUnited
StatesandCanadareporttheamountofrecyclingandtrashcollectedeachweek.
Schoolsarerankedinvariouscategoriesbasedonwhorecyclesthemostonapercapita
basis,whichschoolshavethebestrecyclingrateasapercentageoftotalwasteandwhich
schoolsgeneratetheleastamountofcombinedtrashandrecycling.
Witheachweeksupdatedranking,participatingschoolsfollowtheirperformance
againstothercollegesandusetheresultstorallytheircampustoreduceandrecyclemore.
RecycleManiaoffersafunincentivetoimproveeffortsoncollegecampusestoreduce
wastegeneration.Itisawaytobuildschoolspiritandengageandmotivatestudentbodiestobe
responsibleabouttheamountofwastethatisbeinggeneratedandhowthatwasteishandled,
saidShannonReiter,PresidentofKeepPABeautiful.Weencouragecampusrecycling
coordinatorstojointhecompetition!
ProgrammanagementforRecycleManiaisprovidedbyKeepAmericaBeautiful.
ProgramsupportisprovidedbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency's
WasteWise
Program
andthe
College&UniversityRecyclingCoalition
.
RegistrationopensinSeptemberandcompetitionrunsfromFebruary7throughApril2.
FinalresultsareannouncedApril15.
Toregisterorformoreinformation,visitthe
RecycleMania
website.
NewsClips:
PASchoolTakes2ndInInternationalEnvirothon
EnvironmentalCharterSchoolsSeeksToOpen2MoreInPittsburgh
InternationalCoastalCleanup:KiskiRiverCleanupSept.2627VolunteersNeeded
The
RoaringRunWatershedAssociation
and
KiskiWatershedAssociation
arelookingfor
volunteersfortheirKiskiRivercleanupeventonSeptember2627attheAvonmoreBridgeon
Route156inWestmorelandCountyaspartofthe2015InternationalCoastalCleanup.
Othersponsorsinclude:BridgestoneandFirestone,LibertyTire,OceanConservancy,
KeepPABeautiful
andtheGreatAmericanCleanup.
Ifyouareinterestedinvolunteering,contactJohnLinkesat7248459420orsendemail
to:
jplinkes@comcast.net
.
ClickHere
toorganizeyouownInternationalCoastalCleanupevent.
ClickHere
tofind
cleanupscomingup.
ClintonCountyCleanScapesBaldEagleCreekCleanupSept.12
VolunteerswantedfortheClintonCountyCleanScapesBaldEagleCreekCleanuponSeptember
12inBaldEagleTownship,ClintonCountyaspartofthe
KeepPABeautiful
International
CoastalCleanup.
Collectmanmaderelateddebris&tiresfromBaldEagleCreek.Teamswillwadeinthe
creek.AllteamswillbeguidedbyaCleanScapesSafetyCaptain.Closedtoedshoesare
mandatory(nobarefeet,orsandals).Anextrajacket,hat,sunscreen,shoes&socksarehighly
recommended.
ClickHere
todownloadaflyerfortheeventwithallthedetails.Questions?Contact
ElizabethLynchMcCoybysendingemailto:
clintoncountycleanscapes@yahoo.com
ThenextClintonCountyCleanScapescleanupeventisonOctober17inCastanea
Township,ClintonCountywithpartnersPPLElectricUtilitiesandBaldEagleTownship.
ClickHere
toorganizeyouownInternationalCoastalCleanupevent.
ClickHere
tofind
cleanupscomingup.
1stAnnualPittsburghWild&ScenicFilmFestivalOct.29
AlleghenyCleanways
andthe
PAResourcesCouncil
arepartneringtohostthe1stAnnual
Pittsburgh
Wild&ScenicFilmFestival
onOctober29.
InitiallyaprojectoftheSouthYubaRiverCitizensLeague,theWild&ScenicFilm
Festivalworkstocombinebeautifulandmovingfilmmakingandenvironmentalissuestoinspire
citizensacrossthenationtoprotecttheenvironmentandtakeactionforourlocalandglobal
communities.
Festivalgoerscanexpecttoseeawardwinningfilmsaboutresourceconservation,litter,
watersheds,andmore!
TheFestivalwillbeheldfrom6:00to9:30p.m.attheManchesterBidwellCorporations
ConcertHall,1815MetropolitanSt.,Pittsburgh.
Ticketswillbe$15andwillbeavailablemidSeptember.Staytunedfordetails!
Formoreinformation,visitthePRCs
Wild&ScenicFilmFestival
webpage.
SeptemberePRCNewsletterNowAvailableFromthePAResourcesCouncil
The
SeptembereditionoftheePRC
newsletterisnowavailablefromthe
PAResourcesCouncil
featuringarticleson
Reminder:LensOnLitterPhotoContestEntriesDueOct.31
StillTimeToEnterThePRCWestAntiLitterVideoContest
BusinessesCanGetATaxCreditForSupportingEnvironmentalEducationPrograms
UpcomingHardToRecycleCollectionEventsInWesternPA
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomofthepage).
PROP:BecomeACertifiedRecyclingProfessional
Thenationallyrecognized
PARecyclingProfessionalCertificationProgram
hasdevelopedits
programtoprovideallinterestedpartieswithacosteffectivemethodtobecomenationally
certifiedasaRecyclingProfessional.
ThePennStateaccredited
RecyclingCertificationProgram
iscurrentlyofferinga
certificationwhichcanbecompletedinlessthanoneyear.
TheProgramhasbeendesignedtomeetthestandardsoftheNationalStandards
CertificationBoard.Thesestandardsmeetalllearningobjectivesandpromotetheestablishment
ofhighprofessionalstandardsforrecycling,sustainableresourcemanagement,organics,and
solidwastemanagersinboththepublicandprivatesectors,aswellasprovidingacareertrack
fornewprofessionalsenteringthefield.
ClickHere
foradescriptionofthefirsttrainingsessiononOctober2223inState
College.
ClickHere
toregister.
VisitthePROP
RecyclingCertificationProgram
webpageformoreinformation.
Questions?ContactMichelleFreyGlenny,PROPCertificationCoordinatorbysendingemailto:
mglenny@proprecycles.org
orcall8149376041.Askaboutscholarshipopportunities.
ClickHere
tosignupforthePROPnewsletter.
NewsClips:
ElectronicsRecyclingUpBigInMidstate
PPGLiableForViolationsAtLongtimeDumpSite
PAResourcesCouncilHosts9BackyardCompostingWorkshopsInAlleghenyCounty
The
PAResourcesCouncil
willhost9backyardcompostingworkshopsinAlleghenyCountyto
teachparticipantshowtoturnkitchenscraps,leaves,gardenandyarddebrisintohomemade
compost.
Theworkshopscovertheimportanceandbenefitsofcomposting,theprocess,settingup
acompostpile,propermaintenance,andwaysofusingfinishedcompost.
ParticipantsreceiveaFreeGardenEARTHCompostBinwithattendance.Thebin,ideal
forurbanandsuburbanareas,hasaneightytwogalloncapacity.
Theworkshopswillbeheld
September26:
HarrisonHillsEnvironmentalLearningCenterfrom10:30a.m.toNoon
September30:
CastleShannonLibraryfrom7:00to8:30p.m.
October3:
Mt.LebanonLibraryfrom11:00a.m.to12:30p.m.
October7:
ChurchillBoroughBuildingfrom7:00to8:30p.m.
October8:
BridgevilleBoroughBuildingfrom6:30to8:00p.m.
October15:
CooperSiegelCommunityLibraryfrom6:30to8:00p.m.
October21:
HeidelbergBoroughBuildingfrom6:30to8:00p.m.
October30:
BlueberryHillParkinFranklinParkfrom7:00to8:30p.m.and
November17:
NationalAviaryfrom11:00a.m.to12:30p.m.
Thecostis$70perperson/$75percoupleandpreregistrationisrequired. Online
registrationisavailable
orcall:4124887490X226.
NewsClips:
TheNationalBlackChamberofCommerce,theAfricanAmericanChamberofCommerceof
WesternPennsylvaniaandtheU.S.ChamberofCommerceWednesdaywelcomedPennsylvania
communityandbusinessleaderstoapublicsymposiumdiscussingthepotentialemploymentand
economicimpactsoftheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency'sproposedgroundlevelozone
rule.
ThisforumcomesontheheelsofEPA'sannouncementthatPittsburghandPhiladelphia
failedtomeetthe2008ozonestandardbytheJuly2015deadline,butqualifyforaoneyear
extension.
"AsworldmarketsshutteredamidstinstabilityinChina,thePresidentremindedusthat
theAmericaneconomyisresilientandthebackboneoftheglobalmarket.Unfortunately,the
EPA'sproposedozonerulethreatensthatresiliency,foundinoururbancenterslikePittsburgh,
bybringingtheeconomicrecoverytoahalt,"NBCCpresidentandCEOHarryC.Alfordsaid.
"Today'sforumwasanopportunityforlocalbusinessownersandelectedofficialstodiscussthe
effectsofthisregulationandhowtocontinueourfighttokeepEPA'sassaultatbay."
"Pittsburghhaswagedahardfoughtcomebackoverthelastthirtyyears,andwestill
havealotofgroundtomakeupasaresultofthe2008downturn.Ourlocalleadersunderstand
thatweneedpoliciesthatencouragehiringandinvestmenttoensureafullcomebackforthe
entirecity,"statedDorisCarsonWilliams,presidentandCEOoftheAfricanAmericanChamber
ofCommerceofWesternPennsylvania.
"TheEPAshouldnotmovethegoalpostwithanunattainablemandatethatwillslow
economicgrowthopportunities,"addedWilliamKovacs,seniorvicepresident,Environment,
Technology&RegulatoryAffairsfortheU.S.ChamberofCommerce."ThePittsburgh
comebackstoryisoneofenvironmentalandbusinesssuccess,butthisnewproposalcouldhalt
thecity'sprogressasbusinessesareforcedtoslowexpansionplansandoutsidedevelopment
lookstootherregions.Thosemostatriskofbeingdeniedfuturejobopportunitiesarethe
residentsofPennsylvania'surbanareas,likePittsburgh,thatwillbedisproportionatelyimpacted
byeffortsinhighpopulationareastodecreasegroundozonelevels."
TheEPA'sproposalwouldreducePennsylvania'sGrossStateProductbyover$98billion
from2017to2040,resultinover101,000jobslostannually,costeachhousehold$1,420per
year,andcomewith$109billionincompliancecosts,accordingtoarecentanalysisbythe
NationalAssociationofManufacturers.
AlsoparticipatingintheforumwereStateRep.JakeWheatley(DAllegheny)Gene
Barr,presidentandCEOofthePennsylvaniaChamberofBusinessandIndustryRobertAgbede,
presidentofChesterEngineersHowardFeldman,directorattheAmericanPetroleumInstitute
MarkKempic,presidentofColumbiaGasandMorganO'Brien,presidentofPeoplesNatural
Gas.
Alfordconcluded,"UrbanareaslikePittsburghareonthelosingendoftheseregulations.
AndwhilemanyintheminoritycommunitybelievePresidentObama'senvironmentaleffortsto
beadmirable,theyalsounderstandthefocusmustbeoncreatingandkeepingjobsthatbuilda
strongfuture.Theozonerulewon'taccomplishthat."
NewsClips:
WesternPABusinessDecryEPAOzoneProposal
BusinessGroups:SmogRuleWouldHarmLehighValley
WhatErieHasToLoseOrGainWithEPAOzoneRule
BusinessGroups:SmogRuleWouldHurtPAEconomy
RoadProjectsWontPolluteLehighValleyAir
PixControllersDetectsMethaneGasLeaks
ConfusionOverPowerPlantAirQualityVentedAtDEPHearing
LancasterSoybeanPlantDelayFrustratesSupporters
OpEd:CleanUpTheShenangoCokeWorks
EPAHearingOnOil&GasMethaneProposalInPittsburghSept.29
TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
willholdahearing
onits
proposedmethane
emissionsreductionrule
foroilandgasoperationsonSeptember29attheWilliamS.Moorhead
Federalbuilding,1000LibertyAve.,Pittsburgh.
ClickHere
toregistertospeakatthehearingnolaterthanSeptember25.
NewsClips:
ShaleGasWellViolationsDown,ConventionalViolationsUp
HowSoundArePAsConventionalOilAndGasWells?
Editorial:PublicNeedsAssuranceOfOil,GasWellIntegrity
PhillySniffingForGasLineLeaksAheadOfPopesVisit
RelatedStory:
EQBToConsiderExplosive,RadioactiveMaterialsReminingRegsSept.15
OnSeptember15the
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
willconsiderregulationsrelatedto
explosives,radioactivematerialsandcoalreminingrequirements,including
ProposedHandlingAndUseOfExplosiveRegulationChanges
FinalRegulations:SecurityRuleForRadioactiveMaterial
UpdatedProposedRegulationsCoveringReminingRequirements
9:00.
Forcopiesoftheregulationstobeconsidered,visitthe
webpage.
September3DEPNewsIsNowAvailable
TheSeptember3editionofDEPNewsisnowavailablefromtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protectionfeaturingarticleson
DEPToHold14ListeningSessionsOnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan
PAClimateImpactsReportShowsThreatsToHumanHealth,WaterAndAirQuality
DEPSecretaryQuigleyConvenes2ndMeetingOfPipelineTaskForce
PASchuylkillRiverTrailNamedNationsBestUrbanTrail
EPABrownfieldsGrantsWillHelpRevitalizePittsburghProperties
DEPOKsJohnstownSewerOverflowAbatementPlan
DEPReturnsCleanEarthsApplicationForAirportProject

WorkToExtinguishMineFireInCarbonCountyContinues
LehighCountyFarmerRecognizedForCommitmentToWaterQualityInDelaware
SurveillanceProgramShowsMostStoresComplyWithLeadBanAct
PAsConservationHeritageDocumentaries,PanelDiscussionSept.15
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedthepetitionofUGIUtilitiesInc.Gas
Division(UGIGas),UGIPennNaturalGasInc.(UGIPNG),UGICentralPennGasInc.(UGI
CPG)andUGIUtilitiesInc.ElectricDivision(UGIElectric)(collectively,UGI)toeliminate
enrollmentlimitsonCustomerAssistanceProgramsintheirUniversalServiceandEnergy
ConservationPlan.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprove
UGIspetition
toremovetheCAPenrollment
limitsfromits201417USECP.UGIwasdirectedtofollowthecustomaryproceduresrelatingto
costrecovery.
OfUGIstotal596,816residentialnaturalgasandelectriccustomers,21,280areCAP
customersasofJune30,2015.Priortotodaysapproval,theCAPenrollmentlimitwas26,000
customers.
TheCommissionrequiresallregulatednaturalgasandelectricutilitiestoofferprograms
andprotectionstohelplowincomecustomersmaintainutilityservice,includingCAPs.
CustomersenrolledinaCAPagreetomakemonthlypaymentstotheutilitybasedonhousehold
sizeandgrossincome.Thesepaymentsmaybeforamountslessthanthecurrentbill.
WhiletheCommissionsCAPpolicystatementdoesnotaddressenrollmentceilings,the
Commissionhasconsistentlyapproved,since2006,USECPsandCAPswithoutenrollment
limitsuponrequestbyutilities.Nootherjurisdictionalelectricornaturalgasutilitycurrently
employsCAPenrollmentlimits.
Further,toensurethateligible,lowincomecustomersareprovidedaffordableenergy
bills,jurisdictionalutilitiesareallowedrecoveryofmostuniversalserviceandenergy
conservationcostsincurredtoservequalifiedlowincomecustomers,includingCAP
implementationexpenses.Thesecostsarerecoveredfromotherresidentialcustomers.
UGIGas,UGIPNGandUGICPGprovidenaturalgasdistributionservicetomorethan
600,000customersinportionsof46easternandcentralPennsylvaniacounties.UGIElectric
provideselectricdistributionservicetoapproximately62,000customersinportionsoftwo
northeasternPennsylvaniacounties.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedPECOEnergyCompanysplantoimplement
adistributionsystemimprovementcharge(DSIC)foritsgasoperations.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovePECOsDSICpetition,whichwasfiledin
compliancewithAct11of2012.TheDSICwillallowPECOtofundtheinfrastructure
improvementsassociatedwithitslongterminfrastructureimprovementplan(LTIIP),whichwill
allowforacceleratedreplacementoftheutilitysatrisknaturalgasmainsandafasterrelocation
ofindoormeterstooutdoorstructures.
Withthisapproval,PECOcanfileatarifftobecomeeffectiveonOct.1,2015,
implementingtheDSIC.
TheCommissionreferredtwoissuesfromthepetitiontothePUCOfficeof
AdministrativeLawJudge(OALJ)forhearings.Oneitemrelatestorecoveryofeligible
investmentbasedonthecompanysoverearningsituationatthetimeofDSICimplementation.
AsecondissueregardingthetreatmentofbalancingchargesasdistributioninPECOstariff,
andtheproposaltoincludethemintheDSICcalculationalsowasreferredtotheOALJ,based
onamotionbyCommissionerJamesH.Cawley.
OnMay7,2015,theCommissionapprovedPECOsmodifiedLTIIP.Thecompanys
originalLTIIPwasapprovedonMay9,2013.ThemodifiedplanwillincreasePECOsannual
LTIIPexpendituresfrom$34millionperyearundertheoriginalLTIIPto$61millionperyear
by2018,increasingthetotalestimatedcostfrom$371.3millionto$534.4million,orby44
percentovertheperiodfrom2013to2022.
TheLTIIPalsowillacceleratethereplacementofcastironandbaresteelmains,
completingreplacementby2035insteadof2047,anditwillaccomplishtherelocationofindoor
meterstooutdoorstructuresby2034.Therateofbaresteelservicereplacementandatriskcast
ironmainreplacementwillremainthesame,scheduledtobecompletedby2022.
PECOprovideselectricdeliveryservicetoabout1.6millioncustomersandnaturalgas
deliveryservicetoabout503,000customersinBucks,Chester,Delaware,Lancasterand
Montgomerycounties.
OnFeb.14,2012,formerGov.CorbettsignedAct11of2012,whichallows
jurisdictionalwaterandwastewaterutilities,naturalgasdistributioncompanies,citynaturalgas
distributionoperationsandelectricdistributioncompaniestopetitiontheCommissionfor
approvaltoimplementaDSIC.
Underthelaw,theDSICmustbedesignedtoprovidefor"thetimelyrecoveryofthe
reasonableandprudentcostsincurredtorepair,improveorreplaceeligiblepropertyinorderto
ensureandmaintainadequate,efficient,safe,reliableandreasonableservice.
PUCsDSIC
webpage.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedtheSmartMeterTechnologyProcurement
andInstallationPlansubmittedbyPPLElectricUtilitiesCorporation.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovean
OrderfinalizingPPLsplan
forsmartmeter
deployment,asrequiredbyAct129of2008(Act129).
TheSmartMeterPlanreplacesPPLsoriginalSMP,whichwasfiledwiththePUCin
August2009.TheCommissionfoundthatPPLsoriginalplandidnotfullycomplywithAct
129,mostsignificantlybecausetechnologythathadinitiallybeendeployedwasunableto
providecustomerswithdirectaccesstopriceandconsumptioninformation.
Asaresult,theCommissiondirectedPPLtodevelopaplanthatwouldfullycomplywith
Act129andtheadditionalrequirementsoftheCommissionsSMPImplementationOrder.
AnupdatedPPLSMP,filedwiththePUConJune30,2014,wasthesubjectofextensive
filings,briefsandhearingsbeforetheCommissionsOfficeofAdministrativeLawJudge,
extendingfromJuly2014throughJune2015.ThevotebytheCommissionfinalizesapprovalof
PPLsupdatedSMP.
Act129of2008requiredelectricdistributioncompanies(EDCs)withmorethan100,000
customerstofurnishsmartmetertechnologybothuponrequestandinnewbuildingconstruction,
andtohaveafulldeploymentschedulenottoexceed15years.
TheActdefinedsmartmetertechnologyasthatcapableofbidirectionalcommunication
thatrecordselectricityusageonatleastanhourlybasis,includingrelatedelectricdistribution
systemupgradestoenablethetechnology.
TheActalsodirectedthatsmartmetertechnologymustprovidecustomerswithdirect
accesstoanduseofpriceandconsumptioninformation,suchashourlyconsumptionthe
abilitytosupporttimeofuseratesandrealtimepriceprogramsandautomaticcontrolof
electricconsumptionbythecustomer.
PUCsAct129
webpage.
NewsClips:
RelatedStories:
PAEnvironmentalCouncil:InCaseYouMissedItInAugust
The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
justpublishedits
InCaseYouMissedItforAugust
,featuring
storieson
AgendaAnnouncedForOct.13EnvironmentalPolicyConference
EnvironmentalFocusTVProgramOnPipelineInfrastructure
EPAAnnouncementsOf
MethaneEmissionLimits
and
FinalCleanPowerPlan
PAGetsItRightOnOutdoorRecreationPlan
LindsayBaxterTalksAboutPECsRiverTownProgram
UpstreamSuburbanPhiladelphiaWatershedTour
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.
10,000FriendsExtendsDeadlineForCommonwealthAwardsNominations
10,000FriendsofPennsylvania
hasextendeditsdeadlinefornominationsforthe
2015
CommonwealthAwardsProgram
untilSeptember28.
TheCommonwealthAwardsis10,000Friends'signaturerecognitionprogramthathonors
andcelebratesgreatdevelopmentprojectsandthepeoplewhomakethemhappen.
Thisyear,winnerswillberecognizedatanspecialAwardseventonDecember2atthe
LancasterMarriottatPennSquareinLancaster.
ThroughtheCommonwealthAwards,10,000Friendsrecognizesleadingandinnovative
developmentprojectsthatutilizebestpracticescreatinggreatwalkable,sustainable,equitable,
healthycommunities.
Overtheyears,wehaverecognizedawidearrayofgreatprojectsmixeduse,
residential,commercial,industrial,publicinfrastructure,recreational/greenspace,schoolsand
othercommunityinstitutions,andmunicipalplanningprojectsthatdemonstrateurbaninfill,
historicrehabilitation,adaptivereuse,brownfieldredevelopment,andotherrevitalization
techniques.
Apanelofjurorsfromacrossarangeofrelevantprofessionaldisciplinesisenlistedto
choosetheawardwinnersfromamongtheprojectsubmissions.Thepanelreviewsprojects
utilizingmetricsbasedonsoundlanduse,smarttransportationandsmartgrowthprinciples.
TheCommonwealthAwardsremaintheonlystatewidesmartgrowthawardprogramin
Pennsylvania.
TheCommonwealthAwardsreflect10,000Friends'commitmenttoimprovingthe
qualityoflifeforallPennsylvanians.10,000Friends'approachistobuildconsensusamong
manydiverseconstituenciesandtotakeeffectiveactioninsupportofresponsiblelanduseand
policyreformsthatwillrevitalizecities,boroughsandoldersuburbspreserveagriculturaland
rurallandsandconservenatural,heritageandfiscalresources.
Smartandinnovativeprojectscananddoserveascatalystsformoresustainable
development.ByrecognizingtheseeffortsthroughtheCommonwealthAwards,wehopeto
encouragecivicleadershipatalllevelsandencouragelocaldeveloperstomakemoresuch
projectsareality.
TheMarkC.SchneiderFriendofPennsylvaniaAward
Inadditiontotheprojectawards,attheCommonwealthAwardsprogramwepresentour
highestindividualhonortheMarkC.SchneiderFriendofPennsylvaniaAward.
10,000Friendshonorsindividualsforoutstandingvolunteerorprofessionalserviceto
improvingtheirlocalbuiltenvironmentsandcreatinggreatneighborhoodstoliveandworkin
Pennsylvania.
Tohonoratrulyoutstandingindividual,ourBoardofDirectorschoosestheMarkC.
SchneiderAwardhonoree,"InRecognitionofExemplaryandOutstandingContributionsto
PoliciesandProjectsthatAdvancetheVisionandMissionof10,000FriendstoImprovethe
QualityofLifeforallPennsylvaniansthroughResponsibleandEfficientLandUse."
PreviouslyknownsimplyastheFriendofPennsylvaniaAward,itwasrenamedinhonor
oftheexemplaryserviceandcontributionsofourlatefriendandBoardChairman,whodiedina
tragicbicycleaccidentin2012.
TheawardhasbeenbestowedtojustsevenrecipientssincetheCommonwealthAwards
beganin2003,mostrecentlytoformer
Gov.TomRidge
in2013.Priorrecipientsinclude10,000
Friends'founder
JoanneDenworth
,
CarenGlotfelty
formerlyoftheHeinzEndowments,civic
andbusinessleader
LouisJ.Appell,Jr
.,PennDOTSecretary
AllenBiehler
,andformerBoard
MemberandStateRepresentative
RobertButera
.
In2012,theFriendofPennsylvaniaAwardwasposthumouslyawardedto
MarkC.
Schneider
,whoinadditiontohisserviceto10,000Friends,wasastatewidecivicleaderand
visionaryurbanrealestatedeveloper.
Formoreinformation,visitthe10,000Friends
CommonwealthAwards
webpageor
contactJackMachekat7172346070orsendemailto:
Jmachek@10000friends.org
.
NewsClips:
Editorial:KeepingAnEyeOnHowLancasterCountyGrows
PAChapterAmericanPlanningAssn.AnnualConferenceOct.1820InPittsburgh
The
PAChapteroftheAmericanPlanningAssociation
willholdits
2015AnnualConference
in
PittsburghOctober1820.
Thisyear'sconferenceincludesawonderfulgroupofspeakersoffering49sessionsand5
mobileworkshops.Earnupto14.5CMcreditsand/or13LEEDcredits.Keynotespeakersare
GilPenalosafounderof
880Cities
andJamesBrasuellfrom
Planetizen
.
Formoreinformationandtoregister,visitthe
2015AnnualConference
webpage.
NewsClips:
PAHighlandsCoalitionMunicipalLandConservationToolsWebinarSept.25
The
PAHighlandsCoalition
willhostawebinaronSeptember25startingat10:30a.m.on
CreativeSolutionsforLandConservationinPennsylvania
featuringStephanieArmpriesterof
LancasterFarmlandTrustandBrianHarris,TownshipManagerforBushkillTownship.
Thewebinarwillbeanindepthlookatsomeoftheinnovativelandconservationtools
beingusedatthemunicipalleveltoday,includingtransferofdevelopmentrightsprograms,
officialmapordinances,andzoning,aswellasexamplesoftheirsuccessfulapplicationsacross
thePennsylvanialandscape.
Participantsareinvitedtoaskquestionsandagroupdiscussionwillfollow.
StephanieArmpriesterisMunicipalOutreachCoordinatorwith
LancasterFarmland
Trust
,locatedinStrasburg,LancasterCounty.LancasterFarmlandTrustisoneoftheleading
locallyoperatedfarmlandpreservationnonprofitsinthenation.
Stephaniepossessesprofessionalplanningandpreservationexperienceinthenonprofit,
private,andpublicsectorsinNewJersey,NewYork,andPennsylvania.ShereceivedaBachelor
ofArtsdegreewithhonorsinHistoryatTheCollegeofNewJerseyandaMasterofArtsdegree
inHistoricPreservationPlanningfromCornellUniversity.
In2007and2008,StephaniegainedexperienceattheNewJerseyHistoricPreservation
OfficeintheSurveyandOutreachUnit,assistingmunicipalitiesdevelopregulationsand
programsatthelocallevel.
AtLancasterFarmlandTrust,Stephanieservesplainsectfarmersinpreservingtheirland
throughconservationeasementsandassistsLancasterCountymunicipalitiesinbridgingthe
connectionbetweenagricultureandlandusepolicythroughzoningordinances,federalandstate
waterqualityregulations,andTDRprogramadministration.
BrianHarriscurrentlyservesasTownshipManager/SecretaryTreasurerfor
Bushkill
Township,NorthamptonCounty
,andholdsaB.S.DegreefromPennStateUniversityandan
M.B.A.fromAlverniaUniversity.
Brianhasover10yearsofprofessionalexperienceinlocalgovernmentandcurrently
servesontheNorthamptonCountyAssociationofTownshipOfficials,SecretaryTreasurerfor
theNazarethAreaCouncilofGovernmentsandservesontheFirstRegionalCompostAuthority.
PriortoBushkillTownship,BrianservedastheBoroughManagerinMarysvilleBorough.
ClickHere
toregisterforthewebinar.Afterregistering,youwillreceiveaconfirmation
emailcontaininginformationaboutjoiningthewebinar.
TheHighlandsRegionstretchesfromnorthwesternConnecticutacrosstheHudson
ValleyofNewYork,throughnorthernNewJerseyandsoutheasternPennsylvania,andendsin
theMichauxStateForestofSouthcentralPennsylvania.
The
PennsylvaniaHighlandsCoalition
isadiversepublicprivatepartnershipthat
conservescriticalworkingandnaturallandsandnaturalresourcesandpromotesthedevelopment
andenjoymentofrecreationaltrailsinthePennsylvaniaHighlands.
CongressdesignatedtheMidAtlanticHighlandsasNationallySignificantwhenit
passedtheHighlandsConservationActin2004.
Formoreinformationaboutprogramsandactivities,visitthe
PAHighlandsCoalition
website.
NewsClips:
AppalachianTrail:AWalkInTheWordsWorthTaking
AppalachianTrail:AWalkInTheWoodsMovie
LHVASeeks$14.2MGrantToCloseLackawannaTrailGaps
LandTrustSponsorsHikeAtThomasDarlingPreserveInLuzerne
ParkServiceConsideringTrail,OtherChangesAtDelawareWaterGap
PEMAUrgesCitizensToUseFreeSmartphoneAppToPrepareForEmergencies
Pennsylvanianscanusefreetoolsavailablefromthe
ReadyPA
apptotakesimplestepstomake
suretheyrereadyforanytypeofincident.SeptemberisNationalPreparednessMonth,a
nationwidemonthlongefforttoencouragehouseholds,businesses,andcommunitiestoprepare
andplanforemergencies.
ThisyearsthemeisDontWait.Communicate.MakeYourEmergencyPlanToday.
Itisimportanttogetpeopletothinkaboutpreparednessnow,beforeanemergency,
saidPAEmergencyManagementDirectorRichardD.Flinn,Jr.Thestepsyoutakenowcan
makeabigdifferenceforyouandyourlovedoneswhenanemergencyoccurs,andknowinghow
tocommunicatewithlovedonesprovidesanimmeasurablesenseofreliefduringaverystressful
time.
PEMAemphasizesthatsimplestepscanbetakennowtoprepareafamily,school,
workplaceorcommunityforanytypeofincidentthatwoulddisruptthedaytodayroutine.
CitizensareencouragedtodownloadthefreeReadyPAappforAppleorAndroidorvisit
www.ReadyPA.org
tofindsamplechecklists,contactlistsandotherpreparednesstoolstotake
advantageofbeforeanemergency.
Anallhazardsapproachisthebestwaytoprepareyourfamily,ratherthanaspecific
planforspecificincident,saidFlinn.Supplieslikefood,water,medicationandafirstaidkit
areagoodfoundation.Youshouldalsocreateacommunicationsplanintheeventthatan
emergencyhappenswhilethefamilyisseparatedatwork,schoolordifferentactivities.Knowing
howtoreacheachother,wheretomeet,andwhotocalltoreportthatyouresafecaneliminatea
lotofthefearanduncertaintyyoucouldotherwisefaceinacrisis.
PEMAremindseveryonethattheyshouldbepreparedtosustainthemselveswithoutany
assistancefor72hoursintheeventofanemergency.
Inparticular,peopleshouldthinkaboutthoseintheirfamilywhomayhavespecialneeds
thatcouldinhibittheirabilitytohelpthemselves.Familiesshouldincludetheirpetsintheir
preparednessplanningaswell.
www.ReadyPA.org
website.
NewsClip:
UpdatedDEPScheduleForMosquitoSpraying
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandWestNileProgramsacrossthestate
announcedmosquitospraydatesinthecomingweek.Theyinclude
September8:
BucksCounty
(partsofBristolTownship,FallsTownship,andMiddletown
Township)
LycomingCounty
*(partsofWilliamsportCity)
YorkCounty
*(partsofManchester
Township)and
September9:
DauphinCounty
*(partsofHarrisburgCity).
ClickHere
foralistofspraydates.Formoreinformation,visitthe
WestNileVirus
website.
*New
StroudWaterResearchCenterHostsVarietyOfInterestingFallPrograms
The
StroudWaterResearchCenter
inAvondale,ChesterCountywillsponsoravarietyof
educational,entertainingandthoughtprovokingprogramsthisfall.Amongthemare
September25:MoonlitStreamStroll
Learnhowourstreamsaredifferentduringan
eveningstrollalongtheWhiteClayCreekwithDirectorBernSweeney
October9:StroudUncorked
Livemusic+Libations+NibblesFor21andabove
October18:LastCallAtTheOasis
FromAcademyAwardwinningdirectorJessicaYu
andAcademyAwardnominatedproducerElisePearlstein,LastCallattheOasisshedslight
onthevitalrolewaterplaysinourlives,exposesthedefectsinthecurrentsystem,shows
communitiesalreadystrugglingwithitsilleffectsandintroducesustoindividualswhoare
championingrevolutionarysolution
November4:TheArtofStewardship
withAmericanartistandenvironmentalistGregMort
whowillprovidealivelylecturehighlightingthehistoryandinfluenceofimageryandtherole
artistsplayasStewardsoftheEarthand
November19:TheWatersEdge
EachyearStroudWaterResearchCenterhostsThe
WatersEdgegalaincelebrationofourmostpreciousresourcewater.JointheCenteratThe
WatersEdgegalaatLongwoodGardenstopresentthe2015StroudAwardforFreshwater
ExcellencetoAlexandraCousteau.
ClickHere
forallthedetailsandtomakereservationorbuytickets.
SchuylkillRiverTrailNamedNationsBestUrbanTrail
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyjoinedotherstateandlocal
officialsonSeptember2tocelebratethe
SchuylkillRiverTrail
beingnamed
USATODAYsBestUrbanTrail
.
(Photo:DCNRSecretaryCindyDunn,PENNDOT
SecretaryLeslieRichardsandDEPSecretaryJohnQuigley.)
Apaneloftravelandoutdoorrecreationexpertsnominated20
trailsystemslocatednearmajorU.S.citiesandturnedtoUSA
TODAYand10Bestreaderstovotefortheirfavoritetrail.
TheSchuylkillRiverTrailswinisatestamenttoitspopularityforlocalsandtourists
alike,andtheregionsdedicationtoimprovingaccesstomultiusetrailsandpublicspace.
TheSchuylkillRiverTrailistheregionsmostheavilyusedmultiuse,recreationand
commutertrailandmaintainsastrongreputationasnotonlyalocalamenity,butatourist
attractionaswell.
Whencomplete,theSchuylkillRiverTrailisprojectedtobenearly130mileslong,
connectingfivePennsylvaniacounties,andwillbeakeycorridorofthe
CircuitTrailNetwork
andthe
EastCoastGreenway
.
Currently300milesofcompletedtrails,theCircuitisaplanned750milenetworkof
bicycleandpedestriantrailsconnectingpeopletojobs,communities,parks,andriversinthe
GreaterPhiladelphiaRegion.
Toviewavideoabouttheproject,visitDEP's
YouTubeChannel
.
NewsClips:
(Reprintedfromthe
Sept.3DEPNews
.
ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.)
BrodheadWatershedAssnAutumnHikeToBowersRun/FallCreekSept.20
The
invitesyoutoputasidethelong,hotsummerfora
refreshingautumnexplorationofthebeautiful,wildheadwatersofMcMichaelsCreekinMonroe
County.
From1to4:30p.m.September20,naturalistsDonMillerandJimConnorwillleada
hikethroughaportionof
PohoqualineFishAssociation
property,oneoftheoldestprivatefish
associationsinthecountryandtheoldestofthePoconoareashistoricfishingclubs.
Aconservationeasementheldby
PoconoHeritageLandTrust
protectsthethreeprimary
McMichaelsCreekheadwaterstreamsHypsyCreek,FallCreek,andBowersRunandthe
watershedsurroundingthem,andprovidesforpublicaccessto500oftheclubsacresforpassive
recreation,includinghikingandhunting.
ParticipantsshouldmeetintheparkingareaofPohoqualinesclubhouse,between
TannersvilleandBrodheadsvilleattheintersectionofRoute715andHypsyGapRoadin
McMichaels.
Thewalkwillbeheldrainorshine,andwillbebothonandofftrailonleveltomoderate
streamsideterrain.Dressforoutdooradventuringwithhikingbootsorsturdywalkingshoes,and
becomfortableinawildenvironmentforseveralhours.
PreregistrationissuggestedcallPHLTat5704241514(leaveyourcontactinformation
inamessage).Additionalwalkinformationanddirectionscanbeprovideduponregistration.
Thereisasuggesteddonationforthewalkof$10fornonmembersand$5forBWAand
PHLTmemberschildrenunder12walkforfree.
Forinformationaboutthisandotherupcomingeventsandactivities,visitthe
Brodhead
WatershedAssociation
or
PoconoHeritageLandTrust
websites.
AppalachianTrailConservancyPreparesForInfluxOfHikersInspiredByMovie
The
AppalachianTrailConservancy
Wednesdayannounceditis
completingplanningfortheexpectedincreaseofsectionand
thruhikersthatmaybeinspiredbytheupcomingfilm,
AWalkinthe
Woods
.
ThefilmwillbereleasedonSeptember2nd,andisan
adaptationofBillBryson'sfamousmemoirabouthikingthe
AppalachianTrailandstarscelebratedactorsRobertRedford,Nick
NolteandEmmaThompson.
ThefilmfollowsthesuccessoftheacclaimedfilmWild
starringReeseWitherspoon,whichchroniclesarecentlydivorced
womanseekingpeaceofmindinahikealongthePacificCrestTrail.
"Whenthenovel'AWalkintheWoods'wasreleasedin1998wesawanincreaseofover
60%forthruhikersstartingontheAppalachianTrail,"saidRonTipton,executivedirector/CEO
oftheATC."When'Wild'cameoutwesawaspikeinthenumberofAppalachianTrailhikers
andalsoalargeincreaseinthesalesofguidebooksandmaps.Thisisindicativeofthekindof
impactweexpectfromthemovieandisthereasonwehavepreparedandareimplementingan
actionplanincooperationwithourA.T.managementpartnerstoassureahighqualityhiking
experienceontheTrail."
Inresponsetotheexpectedincreaseinbothlongdistancehikesanddayhikesonthe
Trail,theATCanticipatesanadditional$1.4millionwillberequiredtooperateneworexpand
existingATCprogramstoprotecttheA.T.environmentandexperience.
Donationsforthisworkareurgentlyneeded.
"TheAppalachianTrailConservancyisveryexcitedaboutthenewvolunteersand
supportersthefilmwillbringtotheAppalachianTrail,"saidTipton."Althoughtherehasbeen
somerecentbuzzaboutdisrespectfulhikersontheA.T.,thevastmajorityofhikersrespectthe
trailanditsamazingnaturalbeauty.It'sthefeelingofclosenesstonatureandlifechanging
experiencesthatwestrivetopreservethroughteaching'
LeaveNoTrace
'andmaintainingthe
Trailforfuturegenerations."
TheactivitiesundertakenbytheATCincludeawarenessaboutproperTrailetiquette,
preparation,andethicsconsistentwithLeaveNoTraceprinciples,supportfortheridgerunners
andcaretakers,andvitalTrailmaintenance.
Ridgerunnersandcaretakersareseasonal,onTrailemployeesassignedtohelphikers
learnmoreabouttheA.T.includingwaystoreducetheirimpact.TheATCandtheirpartners
bringonboardapproximately30ridgerunnersandcaretakerseveryyear,andwillbeincreasing
theircapacityduringthebusy2016hikingseason.
Theorganizationalsocoordinateseffortswith6,000volunteersinthe
31Appalachian
Trailmaintainingclubs
responsiblefordaytodaytrailmanagement.
InPennsylvaniatheseclubsinclude:
WilmingtonTrailClub
,
BatonaHikingClub
,
AMCDelawareValleyChapter
,
PhiladelphiaTrailClub
,
BlueMountainEagleClimbingClub
,
AllentownHikingClub
,
SusquehannaAppalachianTrailClub
,
YorkHikingClub
,
Cumberland
ValleyAppalachianTrailClub
,
MountainClubofMaryland
andthe
PotomacAppalachianTrail
Club
.
"WeofcoursewelcomehikerstoenjoythewondersoftheA.T.,andexpectalargebump
intrafficontheTrailin2016dueto"AWalkintheWoods,"saidTipton."Becauseofthe
growingpopularityoftheA.T.,wewillneedadditionalfundstosupportalloftheseefforts.
Withthenecessaryresourceswecanensurehikersarewellinformedandhaveapositivehiking
experienceonthisimportantnationaltreasure."
AppalachianTrail
Conservancy
website.Alsotaketimetovisitthe
AppalachianTrailMuseum
locatedin
Pine
GroveFurnaceStatePark
inGardners,AdamsCounty.
NewsClips:
FriendsOfWissahickonToHostScottWeidensaulSept.24
FriendsoftheWissahickon
ishostingaValleyTalkonSeptember24withnationallyrenowned
naturalistandwriter
ScottWeidensaul
,whowillgiveatalkaboutmigratorybirdsandthe
importanceofpreservingtheirhabitatintheDelawareValley.
Thetalkwillbeheldat6p.m.at
ValleyGreenInn
,ValleyGreenRoadatWissahickonin
Philadelphia.SponsoredbyValleyGreenBank,theeventisfreeandopentothepublic.A
complimentarywineandcheesereceptionwillbeofferedaftertheevent.
Weidensaulwilldiscussthewonderandmechanicsofmigratingbirdsandthesimple,
effectivewayswecanpreservethem,fromwhatweplantinourbackyardstowhatwepourinto
ourmorningmugofcoffee.
Weidensaulistheauthorofmorethantwodozenbooksonnaturalhistory,includingthe
PulitzerPrizefinalistLivingontheWind,aboutbirdmigration.Heisalsotheauthorof
ReturntoWildAmerica,andTheFirstFrontier:TheForgottenHistoryofStruggle,Savagery
andEnduranceinEarlyAmerica.
Hisnewestbook,ThePetersonReferenceGuidetoOwlsofNorthAmericaandthe
Caribbean,willbepublishedinOctober.WeidensaulisacontributingeditorforAudubonand
writesforavarietyofotherpublications.HelivesinthemountainsofeasternPennsylvania,
wherehestudiesthemigrationofhawks,owlsandhummingbirds.
RegisterforthelecturebycontactingSarahMarleybysendingemailto:
marley@fow.org
orcall2152470417x109.Spacesarelimited.
website.
DCNR,Partners:LocalParks,RecreationAreGoodForYou,GoodForAll

TheDepartmentofConservationandNatural
Resourcesandthe
PAParkandRecreationSociety
areinvitingPennsylvanianstofindsomehealthy
funataparkorrecreationprogramclosetothem
throughanewwebsite,brandandoutreacheffort.
The
GoodforYou,GoodforAll
campaignisintendedtobroadenawareness,andincreaseengagementandsupportforlocalparks
andrecreation.
Thecampaignhopestomakemorethan5,600localparksgotodestinationsfor
Pennsylvanianswitha
newinteractivemapfeature
.Themapletsvisitorssearchforalocalpark
nearbyorbycountyprovidesaerialphotographyofthefacilityandalistofamenitiesavailable.
Localparksandrecreationfacilitiesandprogramsareourgotoforclosetohome
recreationinPennsylvania,DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnsaid.Fromhikingandbiking
trailsforthenaturelovertobasketballcourtsandsoftballfieldsforthesportsnut,localparksand
recreationfacilitiesofferPennsylvaniansplacesandprogramsthathelpthemstayhealthy,
strengthentheircommunities,andhavefun.
Localparksandrecreationareessentialservicesprovidedtocommunityresidents,
offeringmanybenefitsincluding:
Improvedhealthandwellnessforall
Arefugefrombusylivesandacommunitycommonsthatconnectspeopletonatureand
eachother
Moredesirablecommunitiesandanenhancedsenseofplace
Increasedpropertyvaluesandmunicipaltaxrevenues
Openspaceprotectionand
Increasedtourismandvisitorspending.
"Whenyougetdowntoit,thereisanundeniablegoodnesstolocalparksand
recreation,"saidPRPSExecutiveDirectorTimHerd.Nootheraspectofthrivinglivability
contributesasmuchtotheappealofoursurroundings,thevitalityofourcommunities,andthe
joyandpleasuresofdailylivingthanourlocalparkandrecreationsystems.
Gov.Wolfrecognizesandsupportsprovidingandpromotingoutdoorrecreationaspart
oftheefforttocreatejobsthatpayinourcommonwealth,Dunnsaid.
AGoodforYou,GoodforAllelectronictoolkitofbrandandmarketingmaterialsare
beingmadeavailabletomunicipalitiesandparksandrecreationprovidersaspartofthis
campaign.
PennsylvaniasnewfiveyearOutdoorRecreationPlantoconnectcitizenstohealthy
outdoorrecreationshowsmaintenanceofexistingparkandrecreationareascontinuestobeatop
concernandpriorityforcitizensandproviders,andthatparkandrecreationservicesareacentral
assetincombatingsocietalhealthcareissueslikeobesityandmentalhealth.
TheGoodforYou,GoodforAllinitiativemeetsoneof83actionstepsoutlinedinthe
recreationplantodevelopaunifiedbrandforlocalparksandrecreationwithaccompanying
marketingstrategy.The
GoodForPA.com
websitemeetsasecondgoaloflaunchinga
mobilefriendlywebsitetohelpresidentseasilyfindlocalparks.
VisitDCNRs
OutdoorRecreationPlan
websiteformoreonPennsylvaniarecreation.
NewsClips:
SenateBillWouldIncreasePenaltiesForKillingBald,GoldenEagles
Sen.LisaM.Boscola(DLehigh)hasintroduced
SenateBill979
toincreasethestatefineas
penaltyforkillingabaldorgoldeneagle.
"Whilepastconservationandprotectionlawshavehelpedbringeaglesbackfromthe
brinkofextinction,itistimetoupdatethepenaltiestobetterreflectthecontinuingimportanceof
thesebirdsasAmerica'sreverednationalsymbol,"Sen.Boscolasaid.
Sen.Boscolasaidtheeaglewasthefocusofoneofthegreatestconservationeffortsof
America'shistory.Congresspassedalawtoprotectbaldeaglesin1940andgoldeneaglesin
1962.Previously,theirpopulationwasthreatenedintonearextinctionbypoaching,hunting,
pesticideuse,habitatdestructionandotherdangersthroughouttheearly20thcentury.
AidedbytheprotectionlawsandtheGameCommission'sreentryprogram,thenesting
populationofbaldeaglesinPennsylvaniahasincreasedfromthreepairsin1980to270pairsin
2013.
Thebaldeaglewasremovedfromthefederalendangeredspecieslistin2007.Itsstatusin
Pennsylvaniawaschangedto"protected"in2014.
"Thechangeindesignationfrom'endangered'to'protected'lastyearresultedina
reductionoffinesandpenaltiesforkillingthesebirds,"Sen.Boscolasaid."Mylegislationwill
continuetosafeguardtheconservationprogressalreadymadeanddeterthekillingofthese
emblematiccreaturesinPennsylvania."
Sen.Boscola'sbillwouldhikethestatefinefrom$200to$2,500foreachinstanceof
someonekillinganeagle.Thisfineperbirdwouldbedesignatedtowardsreplacementcosts.The
FederalBaldandGoldenEagleProtectionActwouldcontinuetoapply.
ShenotedthatboththeDemocraticandRepublicanchairsoftheSenateGameand
FisheriesCommitteehavecosponsoredherlegislation.
TheNorthamptonCountylawmakersaidtheeaglesymbolizesstrength,andstillholds
greatsignificancewithinNativeAmericanculturesandtraditions.Ithasalsobeendisplayedon
theUnitedStates'sealsince1782.
Asponsorsummaryofthebill
isavailableonline
.
Quityourjob.PackupallyourworldlypossessionsandshipthemofftoHawaii.Makeahome
foryourselfthere.Andthen,andonlythen,willyoubeabletopurchasearesidenthunting
licensethatcostslessthanPennsylvania's.
TheGameCommissionlastweek
unveiledaproposaltoincreasefees
forhuntingand
furtakerlicensesforthefirsttimein16years.Itisasteptowardestablishingsustainablefunding
fortheagency,whichinrecentyearshasseenskyrocketingemployeebenefitcoststhatare
beyonditscontrol.
ClickHere
towatchofvideoofRichPalmer,DeputyDirectoroftheCommissionpresent
thefeeproposal.
Anylicensefeeincreasemustbeauthorizedbylegislativeaction.
TheGameCommissionhasmanagedPennsylvania'swildliferesourcesformorethan120
years.Andsince1913,whenthestatebegansellinghuntinglicensestofinancewildlife
management,licenserevenuehasbeenusedtorebuildwildlifepopulations,protectwildlife
throughlawenforcement,andassemblea1.5millionacrestategamelandssystemtoprovide
wildlifehabitatandpublichuntingopportunities.
AllofithasmadePennsylvaniaoneofthebeststatesinthecountrytohuntdeer,bear,
wildturkeysandelk,nottomentionsmallgameandfurbearers.
TheGameCommission'sringneckedpheasantprogramwhichinrecentyearshas
producedmorethan220,000pheasantsannuallyforreleaseonpubliclandsprovidessomeof
thebestpheasantactiononthecontinent.
WhilemostofPennsylvania'shuntersandtrapperslikelyagreetheygetalotfortheir
licensedollar,manymightnotrealizejusthowlittlelicensescosthere,incomparisontoother
states.
AndeveniftheGameCommission'sproposalisadoptedasdrafted,andfeesforhunting
andfurtakerlicensesareincreasedto$39overafiveyearperiod,Pennsylvaniastillwouldhave
theeighthcheapestlicenseinthenation,basedontheexistingfeesinotherstates.
GameCommissionExecutiveDirectorR.MatthewHoughsaidit'simportanthuntersand
trappersunderstandwhyanincreaseisneeded.
"LicensefeeincreaseshavenotcomeaboutveryofteninPennsylvania,"Houghsaid."In
fact,this16yearspanisthesecondlongestperiodtheGameCommissioneverhasgonewithout
anincrease.ThelongestspanwasfromtheGreatDepressionthroughWorldWarII.
"Seekinganincreaseisnotsomethingwetakelightly,"Houghsaid."Weunderstand
familiesoftenhavetightbudgets,andeveryoneneedstolivewithintheirmeans.That'ssomeof
thereasonwhyourlicensefeesareamongthelowestinthenation.
"Butwealsowantourhuntersandtrapperstorealizewe,asanagency,arefacing
overwhelmingfinancialchallenges,manyofwhicharebeyondourcontrolandarecertainto
continueintothefuture.Withoutalicensefeeincreasewesoonwillnotbeabletoprovidethe
samelevelofservice.Wewillhavetomakecuts.And,tome,thatwouldbemuchmorecostly
forhuntersandtrappersthantheincreasewe'veproposed."
HowIsWildlifeManagementFunded?
StatewildlifeagenciesliketheGameCommissiontypicallygetmostoftheirfunding
fromlicensebuyinghuntersandtrappers.
TodayinPennsylvania,almost40percentoftheGameCommission'srevenuecomes
fromthesaleofhuntingandfurtakerlicenses.Otherprimarysourcesofincomeincludefederal
PittmanRobertsonfundscollectedfromanexcisetaxonsportingarmsandammunition,and
revenuederivedfromthesaleofnaturalresourcesliketimber,oilandgasonlandsownedbythe
GameCommission.
Withtheserevenues,largelygeneratedbyhuntersandtrappers,theGameCommission
manages480speciesofwildbirdsandmammals,mostofwhicharen'thunted.
Unlikeanumberofotherstates,theGameCommissiondoesnotreceivetaxmoneyfrom
thestate'sgeneralfundtohelppayforstaffandoperations.
WhyIsMoreMoneyNeeded?
InPennsylvania,feesforhuntingandfurtakerlicensescan'tbechangedwithoutapproval
fromthestateGeneralAssemblythroughlegislativeaction.
It'sbeen16yearssincethelastincreasetookeffectin1999,raisingthecostofresident
adulthuntingandfurtakerlicensesfrom$11.75to$19.
Whilejustabouteveryoneunderstandshowmostcostshaverisensharplyoverthepast
16yearsduetoinflation,theGameCommissionasanemployerhasseenits
employeebenefitcostsmorethandoubleoverthattime.
Inthefiscalyearthelastincreasewasapproved,theagency'soverallpersonnelcosts
totaled$40.4million.Inthecurrentfiscalyear,theytotal$82.1million.
AndtherearefewerGameCommissionemployeestodaythantherewere16yearsago.
Mostoftheincreaseinpersonnelcostsisduetorisingbenefitcosts,whichhavedoubledinthe
pastdecade.Salarieshaveremainedrelativelyflatduringthatperiod.
Personnelcostslargelyareoutsidetheagency'scontrol.GameCommissionemployees
arestateemployees.Manyworkundernegotiatedcontracts,andallofthemareentitledtothe
samebenefitsasotherstateworkers.
TheonlywaytheGameCommissioncouldreducepersonnelcostssignificantlywouldbe
tocutthenumberofemployees.Butwithoutasufficientworkforce,theagencywould
compromiseitsabilitytocarryoutitsmissionofmanagingandprotectingthestate'swildlifeand
itshabitats.
Inrecentbudgetyears,theGameCommission'sexpenseshavebeenoutpacingits
revenues,andthistrendnotonlyisprojectedtocontinue,butthefundinggapisexpectedto
widen.
Manyplannedprojectsalreadyhavebeenputonholdbecauseoffundingshortfalls.The
GameCommissioncutitsoperationsbudgetby$11millionin201516tocovertherising
personnelcoststhatmakeupthebulkofits$106millionbudgettotal.
ButeveniftheGameCommissionmaintainspersonnelandoperationsatcurrentlevels,
expenseswilloutweighrevenuesbyawhopping$35.5millionby201920,basedonprojections.
Andthatwouldbeonlytocontinuetheservicesprovidednow,andwouldn'tinclude
implementingtheobjectivesinthestrategicplanthatcarriestheagencyinto2020.
TheGameCommission'sstrategicplanidentifiestheneedforsustainableagencyfunding
tocontinuecarryingoutitsmission.
HuntingLicenseFees
Pennsylvania'shuntinglicensefeesareamongthelowestinthenation.
OnlyHawaiihasalowerfeeforresidentadultsseekingopportunitiessimilartothosea
Pennsylvaniahuntergetsforthecostofhisorhergenerallicenseandstatemigratorygamebird
license.
Inmanystates,thoseopportunitiescostresidenthuntersfourtimesasmuch,ifnotmore.
InNewJersey,forexample,thecosttohuntantlereddeer,springandfallturkeys,
pheasantsandothersmallgameandwaterfowl(notincludingthecostofafederalduckstamp)
costsadultresidents$122.InothertophuntingstateslikeWisconsin,OhioandMichigan,
residentspay$116,$106and$73,respectively,forthosesameopportunities.
ComparethattoPennsylvania,whereresidentspaylessthan$25forotherwiseidentical
licenses.
Additionally,manyotherwildlifeagenciesreceiveappropriationsfromtheirstate's
generalfund,orrevenuefromstatesalesorincometaxestosupplementtherevenuegenerated
throughtheirhigherlicensefees.
TheGameCommissioncurrentlyreceivesnofundingfromthestategeneralfund.
ProposedIncreases
TheGameCommission'sproposaltoincreasefeesforhuntingandfurtakerlicenses
wouldnotaffectjuniorhuntinglicenses,juniorcombinationlicensesorseniorhuntinglicenses.
Thoselicenseswouldremainat$5,$8and$12,respectively,plus$1.70infeesthataresplit
betweentheissuingagentandlicenseprocessor.
Mostotherresidentandnonresidentlicensefeeswouldincreasethreetimesinfiveyears
undertheproposal.Thecostofaresidentadulthuntingorfurtakerlicensewouldincreaseby$10
inthefirstyearfeesarechanged,thenwouldincreaseby$5inthethirdyear,andanother$5in
thefifthyearoftheplan.
Feesforbear,antlerlessdeer,archery,muzzleloader,migratorygamebirdandspecial
wildturkey(secondspringgobbler)licensesalsowouldseeincreasesaspartoftheproposal.A
chartshowingtheproposedincreasesisincludedwiththisnewsrelease.Moreinformationabout
theproposalforanincreasealsocanbefoundatthe
GameCommission'swebsite
.
Butaspartofitsproposal,theGameCommissionalsoseekstocreateanewlicensethat
couldbeusedtoparticipateinjustaboutallhuntingandtrappingopportunitiesinPennsylvania,
andatasignificantdiscountforthosewhopurchaseit.
NewLicense
TheUltimateOutdoorsmanlicensewouldincludeageneralhuntinglicense,furtaker
license,specialwildturkeylicense,andlicensesforbear,archery,muzzleloaderandmigratory
gamebird.
Ifapproved,theresidentUltimateOutdoorsmanlicensewouldbeavailableinitiallyfor
$125.That'sonly$25morethanresidentspaynowforthoselicensescombined.Andiflicense
feesincreaseasproposed,theUltimateOutdoorsmanlicensewouldsavehunters$23compared
tobuyingthelicensesindividually.
FeesfortheUltimateOutdoorsmanlicensewouldincreaseincrementallyby$25inthe
thirdyear,andanother$25inthefifthyear,basedontheproposal.Inthefifthyear,the$175
licensewouldresultinasavingsof$33.
AntlerlessdeerhunterswithanUltimateOutdoorsmanlicensestillwouldneedavalid
antlerlessdeerlicense,DMAPpermitorDMA2AntlerlessDeerPermitforeachdeerthey
harvest,exceptduringtheflintlockmuzzleloaderseason,whenanantlerlessdeermaybetaken
withanunusedantlereddeertag.
Thoseparticipatingintheseasonsforbobcats,fishersandriverottersalsowouldneed
validpermitsinadditiontotheirlicenses.Elkapplicationsandlicensesalsowouldcontinuetobe
soldseparately.
WhereDidAllTheGasMoneyGo?
Whilethefinancialprojectionsthataredrivingtheneedforalicensefeeincreasespeak
forthemselves,somehaveaskedabouttherevenuetheGameCommissionreceivesfromtimber
salesandenergyleasesongamelands,andwhytheycan'tbeusedtomakeupfundingshortfalls.
Theansweris,theyhavebeenusedinthatmanner.
About17percentoftherevenuesgeneratedbytheoil,gasandmineralprogramsince
2005havebeenusedtopurchaseanadditional43,731acresofstategamelands.Butthebulkof
oil,gasandmineralrevenueshasbeenusedasstopgapfundingthathasallowedtheGame
Commission'soperationstocontinue,evenasitstotalexpensesbegantooutweighitstotal
revenues.
Becausegasandtimberrevenuesaremarketdriven,theyareunpredictableandtherefore
unreliablesourcesofincome.Inrecentyears,bothtimbersalesandenergyleaseshavegenerated
lessmoney.Andindustryanalystspredictmarketpriceswillremaindepressedforthe
foreseeablefuture.
Thetopyearfortimberrevenuewas2005,whenmarketswerehighandtheprogram
nettedabout$12million.In2014,timbersalesresultedinonlyabout$550,000inactualprofits.
RevenuerelatedtoMarcellusshaleleasesandotherelementsoftheagency'soil,gasand
mineralprogrampeakedin2013,when$24millionwasraised.Inthecurrentfiscalyear,profits
areprojectedat$22.5million.
WhileMarcellusshaleleasescontinuetobeanimportantsourceofagencyrevenue,there
isminimalopportunityremainingforfurtherMarcellusshaledevelopmentongamelands.
FinancialPresentAndFuture
Asexpensesbeganoutpacingrevenuesinrecentyears,theGameCommissionresponded
withmajorprojectandprogramcuts.
Planstobuildanewvisitorcenterat
PymatuningWildlifeManagementArea
havebeen
putonhold,ashaveplanstobuildacentralofficefortheagency'sbiologists.Habitatprojects
havebeenscaledback,andsomewildliferesearchprojectsmightbeeliminated.
Furtherinfrastructureimprovementswithinthestate'selkrangearebeingputoff.And
positionshavebeeneliminatedorleftunfilled.
Still,furthercutswillbeneededwithoutatimelyincreaseinfundingtotheagency,
GameCommissionExecutiveDirectorR.MatthewHoughsaid.Eventhepopular
pheasantstockingprogramisvulnerableinthecurrentfinancialclimate.
Houghsaid,however,heanticipatesbetterdaysahead.Manyofthestate'shuntersand
trappersalreadyhavesteppeduptosupportalicensefeeincrease,andifhistoryisanyguide,a
clearmajorityquicklywillbecomeevident.It'sbeenthatwayfor100years,hesaid.
"HuntingandtrappingtraditionrunsdeephereinPennsylvania,andforgenerations,our
huntersandtrappershavebeenimportantpartnersinconservationwho,notonlyhaverecognized
theneedfortimelyfundingincreasestotheagency,buthavesteppeduptoprovidethatfunding
bypayinghigherlicensefees,"Houghsaid."Iwouldexpectnothingdifferentthistimearound.
Ourhuntersandtrapperscareaboutwildlife,andtheyunderstandtheirlicensedollarsgowell
beyondallowingthemtimeinthefieldthosedollarshelptoprotectandsustainwildlifeand
wildlifehabitat.Andgiventhatit'sbeen16yearssincethelastincrease,andourlicensefees
currentlyareamongtheabsolutelowestinthecountry,Iexpectsupportforanincreasewillbe
overwhelminglyclear."
TheGameCommissionalreadyhasmetwithanumberofsportsmen'sorganizationsto
discussalicensefeeincrease.AndHoughsaidmostthecommentshe'sheardinitiallyhavebeen
supportive.
"Noonewantstopaymore,"Houghsaid."ButmanyofthehuntersI'vespokenwithhave
toldmethey'rewillingtopaymore.Theyrecognizethecostofjustabouteverythinghasgone
up,andsympathizewithus,asanagency,inhavingtodealwithevergrowingexpenses.
"Theywantustocontinuetoprovidethesameorincreasedlevelsofservice,"Hough
said."Infact,manyhuntersseemtoreacttonewsoftheproposedincreaseinthesameway.
Theysay,'It'sabouttime.'"
Formoreinformation,visittheGameCommissions
LicenseIncreaseProposal
webpage.
Stock&Leader:AlexandraChiaruttiniToBeNewDEPChiefCounsel
EnvironmentalattorneyAlexandraChiaruttinihasbeennamedChief
CounselattheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,accordingto
theStockandLeaderwebsite
.ShereplacesRichardMorrisonwho
wasnamedChiefCounselinMarchfollowingthedepartureofDennis
Whitaker.HerofficialfirstdaywillbeOctober13.
ChiaruttinisprofilefromtheYorklawfirmswebsite
follows
Ms.Chiaruttinipracticesexclusivelyintheareaof
environmentallaw,andhasservedherclientssuccessfullyforover
fifteenyears.Sheprovidesawiderangeofservicesforclients,
includingcomplianceanalysisandassistance,permitting,
transactionalsupport,andleadrepresentationinenvironmental
litigation.
HerworkincludesFederalandStateissuesassociatedwithwatersupply,waterrights,
andwaterquality,contaminationremediation,HSCA/CERCLA(Superfund)defense,leadbased
paint,radiationprotection,airpermittingandcompliance,OSHAcompliance,wasteissues,and
damsafety.
Ms.Chiaruttiniisastatewideleaderinwaterqualitycredittrading,havingworkedonthe
majorityofthetradestodateinPennsylvania.AttorneyChiaruttinicurrentlyservesonthe
CommonwealthofPennsylvania'sNutrientCreditTradingProgramEnhancementWorkgroup.
ThisstateWorkgroupisassistingtoevaluateimpedimentstotradingorparticipationin
themarket,andopportunitiesforimprovementandforenhancementoftheCommonwealth's
currentwaterqualitycredittradingprogram.Thetradingprogramisanalternativewaytogain
compliancewithdischargepermitrequirementsandtoachievewaterqualityimprovement.
AttorneyChiaruttinitestifiedonSenateBill1493in2008beforetheSenate
EnvironmentalResources&EnergyandtheAgricultural&RuralAffairsCommittees.Thebill
discussesnutrientandsedimentreductioncreditstheideaofestablishingtheNutrientCredit
TrainingBoardandprovidingforitspowersanddutiesandprovidingforpowersanddutiesof
theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection.
Readhertestimonyhere
.
Shefurtherprovidesawiderangeofspecializedrepresentationfortherealestate
developmentandbuildingcommunity,includingsewerplanning,wetlandsregulation,
stormwater,erosionandsedimentcontrol,endangeredspecies,andhistoricandcultural
resources.
SheassistsclientsinidentifyingenergyconsultantsandfundingsourcesasPennsylvania
hasswitchedtoanelectricitychoicestate,providingspecializedgrantwritingservicesforthe
numerousFederalandStateenergygrantprograms,representationrelatedtocommercialscale
alternativeandrenewableenergyprojectsforbusinesses,government,nonprofits,andindustrial
entities.
SheisadmittedtopracticebeforeallPennsylvaniastatecourtsandbeforetheMiddle
DistrictofPennsylvania,andregularlypracticesbeforethePennsylvaniaEnvironmentalHearing
Board.
In2008,Ms.ChiaruttiniwasrecognizedasoneofCentralPennsylvania's40Under40
BusinessPeople,anawardthatdistinguishesindividualswhohavemadeasignificantimpactin
theirprofessionalcareersandintheircommunities.
In2014,shewasnamedaWomenofInfluencehonoreebytheCentralPennBusiness
Journal.Thedistinctionrecognizes25womenleadersinthemidstatewhoareinfluentialintheir
companies,industriesandcommunities,andhavesolidreputationsbasedontheirexperience,
integrity,leadership,andaccomplishments.
Senate,HouseMakeAppointmentsToDEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
OnAugust27,SenatePresidentProTemporeJoeScarnati(RJefferson)
appointedJamesWelty
,
VicePresidentofGovernmentAffairsforthe
MarcellusShaleCoalition
to
DEPsCitizens
AdvisoryCouncil
.HistermexpiresinJanuary2017.
OnAugust28,HouseSpeakerMikeTurzai(RAllegheny)
appointedJamesSandoe
from
Ephrata,LancasterCountyto
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.HistermexpiresinJanuary
2018.
SandoeisretiredfromBridgestoneLogisticsinYorkwherehewastheNortheast
RegionalManager.Sincehisretirementhehastakenseveralcollegecoursesonclimateand
sustainability.
TheHousenowhasnovacanciestofill.TheSenatehastwovacanciestofill,oneof
whichhasbeenvacantsince2009.TheGovernorhasonevacancy.
Ifyouhavequestionsaboutthe
,contactMicheleTate,
ExecutiveDirector,bycalling7177878171orsendemailto:
mtate@pa.gov
.
RelatedStories:
Senate,House,GovernorOweAppointmentsToCitizensAdvisoryCouncilsAug.17
Senate,GovernorOweAppointmentsToDEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteeAug.17
InMemoriam:RobertGing,EnvironmentalAttorney
RobertP.Ging,Jr.,anenvironmentalattorney,passedawayinPittsburghonAugust31.Going,
anavidoutdoorsmanwholovedhuntingandfishing,movedtoConfluence,PAtoliveouthis
dreamofbeingamoderndaymountainman.
Ging,whohadbeenaffectionatelynamedthe"GoodLawyer"forhistirelesseffortsto
fightfortheenvironmentandthosewhoenjoyedit.Hetookgreatprideindoingbattleforthose
whocouldn'tdefendthemselves.
AspartofahistoryofPATroutUnlimitedbyMichaelJ.Klimkos*publishedin2003,
DianaStares,aformerDER/DEPattorney,wrotethisappreciationofBobGing
IcanstillheartheexcitementinHowieWeinsvoicewhenheannouncedtothe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalResourceslegalstaffinPittsburghthatanewlawyerhadbeen
foundtorepresentthedepartmentssurfaceminingprogram.
Itwas1978,aftertheenactmentofthefederalSurfaceMiningControlandReclamation
Act,butbeforeanyofthechangesthatwouldflowfromthatlandmarklegislativeefforttocurb
theabusesofthesurfaceminingindustrywouldbefeltinPennsylvania.
DERssurfaceminingregulatoryprogramwasthestepchildoftheagencyandseenby
many,bothinsideandoutsideoftheagency,asanapologistforandenableroftheindustry.The
programneededastronglawyer.
ItfounditinBobGing.
Bobwasalawyerandanoutdoorsmananavidhunterandfisherman.Hehadtiredof
usingthetrialskillsthathehaddevelopedfirstwhileservingasthetipstaffforJudgeWeirofthe
CourtofCommonPleasinAlleghenyCountyduringhislawschoolyearsandlaterasayoung
lawyerworkingforacivildefensefirminPittsburghtosavemoneyforinsurancecompanies.
Hewantedtousethoseskillstoprotecttheenvironmentandpromoteconservation.To
hiswayofthinking,therewasnobetterplacetostartthanthelethargicsurfaceminingprogram
inPennsylvania.
Bobtookthecoalindustrybystorm.Appalledbythedestructioncausedbysurface
miningtothelandandthestreamsinthebituminouscoalfieldshecommencedacampaignto
compeltheindustrytocomplywiththelaw.Bobalwaysnotedthatthelawwasfineitsimply
neededtobeenforced.
Bobenforcedthelawwithavengeance.
WhenhediscoveredthatthebankruptBlakeBeckerwasminingwithoutminingpermits
inClarionandJeffersoncounties,hechargedpastthebankruptcycourttofilecriminalcharges
againstBlake.
UpondiscoveringthatMaynardGrahamwasdoingthesamethinginClearfieldCounty,
heobtainedacountycourtinjunctionandthencalledthestatepoliceintoenforceit.Beforethe
policecouldarrive,Bobhadtotakemattersintohisownhandsbylyingdowninfrontof
Maynardsbulldozer.
WhenthepowerfulAlHamiltonContractingCo.failedtocomplywiththe
CommonwealthCourtsorderstoreplacethecontaminatedwatersuppliesofnumerousinnocent
homeownersinthetownofEgyptinClearfieldCounty,Bobfiledpetitionsforcontempt
requestinghearingseachChristmasEveforthreeyearsinarow.
HesuccessfullyprosecutedSolomonandTeslovichinFayetteCountyforavarietyof
violationsincludingdischargingacidminedrainage,anddidsodespitethefactthatthedistrict
attorneyinthecountywasthefatherofoneoftheprincipalsofthecompany.
HeprotectedBigSandyCreekwatershedinFayetteCountybysuccessfullydefending
beforetheEnvironmentalHearingBoardDERsdenialofaminingpermittoBoyleLandand
FuelCo.
ThelistofoperatorswhomBobfoughtinjustabouteverycourtandtribunalin
Pennsylvaniaistoolongtorecite.
Bobwasabletoexecutethiscampaignbyjoiningforceswithindividualswhosharedhis
passionfortheenvironmentandhadthetechnicalexpertisetosupportthelitigationthathe
conducted.
HeforgedworkingrelationshipswithavarietyofindividualsPorterDuvall,Jim
AnsellandJohnArwayoftheFishCommissionKarlSheaffer,RogerHornbergerandMark
FrederickoftheDER,tonameafew.
ClickHere
toreadBobGingsobituaryfromthePostGazette.
*Stares,Diana,Esq.TheLions,RobertGing,in
AHistoryofTroutUnlimitedandthe
EnvironmentalMovement:19592000
byMichaelJ.Klimkos,PennsylvaniaTrout,Carlisle,
PA,2003.
(Usedwithpermission.)
PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents
ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.
September8
AgendaPosted
.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,
286IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
UpdateOnFinalRegulationSettingStandardsforSurfaceFacilities
PresentationOnEMTIndustrial
UpdateOnPerformanceBasedCableSafetyRequirements
UpdateStatusofFillingDirector,BureauofMineSafetyPosition
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.
September8
EQBhearingonproposedchangestoregulationsonthe
ControlofVOC
EmissionsfromAutomotiveandTransportationParts
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2East
MainSt.,Norristown.10:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPs
eComment
webpage.
September8
ControlOfVOC
EmissionsfromVehicleCoatingOperations
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,
Norristown.1:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPseComment
webpage.
September8
NEW
.
WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationCoalition
quarterlymeeting.
ClintonCountyResource&EducationCenter,47CooperationLane,MillHall,ClintonCounty.
6:30p.m.
September8
ManadaConservancy
,PennStateExtension
HowHealthyIsYourStream?
Workshop
.SwataraCreekPark,151SouthHanoverStreetinHershey,DauphinCounty.69:00
p.m.
September9
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.
10:30.
September9
ControlofVOC
.DEPOffice,Room105RachelCarson
Building,Harrisburg.10:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPs
eComment
webpage.
September9
ControlOfVOC
.DEPOffice,Room105RachelCarsonBuilding,
Harrisburg.1:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPseComment
webpage.

September9
NEW
.
DEPWebinarOnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan
.10:00.
ClickHere
to
register.
September10
ControlofVOC
.DEPPittsburghOffice,400Waterfront
Dr.,Pittsburgh.10:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPs
eComment
webpage.
September10
ControlOfVOC
.DEPPittsburghOffice,400WaterfrontDr.,
Pittsburgh.1:00.Copiesoftheproposedregulationsareavailablethrough
DEPseComment
webpage.
September10
AgendaPosted
.
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
meeting.DoubleTree
ByHilton,225WaterSt.,Binghamton,NY.9:00.
(
agenda+formalnotice
)
InformationalpresentationofinteresttotheUpperSusquehannaSubbasinarea
AmendmentoftheComprehensivePlanfortheWaterResourcesoftheSusquehannaRiver
Basin
Othermatters
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
September1011
NEW
.
AgendaPosted
.
meeting.Courtyard
AlexandriaPentagonSouth,4641KenmoreAve.,AlexandriaVA.
TMDLMidpointAssessmentLeadingTo2017Milestones
Stormwater:ChallengeAndOpportunity
FinancingLocalStormwaterPrograms:PAValuingNaturalCapitalInSmallTownships
ClickHere
September12
NEW
.
PATUColdwaterConservationCorpsTraining
.AromaCafe,51E4th
StreetinEmporium,ForestCounty.9:00.
September12
NEW
.ClintonCountyCleanscapes
BaldEagleCreekCleanup
.BaldEagle
Township,ClintonCounty.
September12
ManadaConservancy
NativePlantSale
.CladelHomesteadandPreserve,412
SouthMeadowLane,Hummelstown,DauphinCounty.10:00a.m.to3:00p.m.
September12
PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuary
PennsylvaniaCoastDay
.PennsLanding,
Philadelphia.11:00a.m.to4p.m.
September15
AgendaPosted
.
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.9:00.
ClickHere
September15
AgendaPosted
.
DCNR:PANaturalDiversityInventoryEnvironmentalReviewToolImprovements
DCNR:ConservationandNaturalResourcesAdvisoryCouncilUpdate
CACCommitteeReports
DEPMonthlyReportToCouncil
ClickHere
foravailablehandouts
September15
NEW
.
DEPListeningSessionOnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan
.Dauphin
County,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909Elmerton
Ave,Harrisburg,PA17110.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.
September1516
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
hearingonwaterwithdrawalrequests,
businessmeeting
.DravoAuditorium,ChaseCenterontheRiverfront,815JustisonSt.,
Wilmington,DE.
(
agenda+formalnotice
)
September16
DEPhearingonarequestfromHilcorpEnergyCompany
towaivethe330foot
setbackasrequiredbytheOilandGasConservationLawforawelllocatedinPulaskiTownship,
LawrenceCounty.FirstfloorconferenceroomattheDEPNorthwestRegionalOffice,230
ChestnutStreet,Meadville.6:00to9:00p.m.
(formalnotice
Aug.29PABulletinpage5448
)
September1620
NationalTroutUnlimitedMeeting.CenterCityHiltonHotelandConvention
Center,Scranton.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September1617
NEW
.
NorthcentralPAConservancyStreambankWorkDays
.CanoeCamp
Creek,Mansfield,TiogaCounty.
September1617
NEW
.
PAAssociationofFloodplainManagersannualmeeting
.Harrisburg.
September17
CANCELED
.
DEPWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meeting.ThemeetingwasrescheduledtoOctober13.
(
formalnotice
)
September18
RainAlertInformationNetwork
SourceWaterProtectionConference.Western
PA.(
moreinformationavailablesoon
)
September19
PeterA.YeagerMemorialFoundation
GolfOutingandScholarshipPicnic
in
Saegertown,CrawfordCounty.
September20
PennStateExtensionandthe
StroudWaterResearchCenter
willholda
RiparianStreamBufferWorkshop.StroudCenter,970SpencerRoad,Avondale,Chester
County.9:00a.m.
ClickHere
toregisterandformoreinformation.
September20
NEW
.
Autumn
HikeToBowersRun/Fall
Creek
.McMichaels,MonroeCounty.1:00.
September2022
2015GreenwaysandTrailsSummit
.HolidayInnandAllegheny
CommunityCenter,Warren.
September21
NEW
.EnvironmentalIssuesForum,
JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommittee
featuringapresentationontheGrowingGreenerCoalition
projectfundingguide
.Room8EAEastWingCapitolBuilding.Noon.
September21
NEW
.
.Allegheny
County,CarnegieMellonUniversity,RobertsHallSingletonRoom,4thFloor,5000Forbes
Avenue,Pittsburgh,PA15213.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.
September21
DEPhearingonproposedchanges
to2011baseyearemissionsinventoryand
forhearingsonStateImplementationPlanrevisionsrelatedtononattaimentareasforthe2008
8hourozonestandardforAllentownBethlehemEast,Lancaster,Philadelphia
WilmingtonAtlanticCity,PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.DEPSoutheastRegional
Office,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.1:00.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbesubmitted
throughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
September21
WilmingtonAtlanticCity,PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.DEPSouthwestRegional
Office,400WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbe
submittedthroughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
September21
WilmingtonAtlanticCity,PittsburghBeaverValleyandReading.DEPSouthcentralRegional
Office,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.Copiesareavailableandcommentscanbe
submittedthroughDEPs
eCommentwebpage
.
September21
AcademyofNaturalSciences
ofDrexelUniversity
ClimateChange:ANew
DialogueForum
.AcademyofNaturalSciences,1900BenjaminFranklinParkway,Philadelphia.
TheForumisfree,but
registrationisrequired
.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September22
CANCELED
.
DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.DEPsaidthe
meetingwillberescheduledforadatelaterthisyear.
(
formalnotice
)
September22
NEW
.
.Cambria
County,ConferenceCenteratUniversityofPittsburghJohnstown,HeritageHallA,450
SchoolhouseRoad,Johnstown,PA15904.9:00a.m.12:00p.m.

September22
NEW
.
.Greene
County,WaynesburgCentralHighSchool,Auditorium,30ZimmermanDrive,Waynesburg,PA
15370.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.
September23
DEPPipelineInfrastructureTaskForce
meeting.SusquehannaConference
Rooms,DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00.
(
formal
notice
)
PipelinesAnExemplaryVisionPresentation,JeffLogan,BravoGroup
PipelineHabitatImpactsandResponsesintheCentralAppalachians,NelsJohnson,TNC
September24
DEP
RecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
&
SolidWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
September24
CANCELED
.
DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.The
nextscheduledmeetingwillbein2016.
(
formalnotice
)
September24
NEW
.
ValleyTalkfeaturingnationallyrenowned
naturalistandwriter
ScottWeidensaul
,whowillgiveatalkaboutmigratorybirdsandthe
importanceofpreservingtheirhabitatintheDelawareValley.
ValleyGreenInn
,ValleyGreen
RoadatWissahickoninPhiladelphia.6:00.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
September25
NEW
.PAHighlandsCoalition
MunicipalLandConservationToolsWebinar
.
10:30.
September2527
ChesapeakeBayWatershedForum
.
NationalConservationTrainingCenter
,
Shepherdstown,WV.
September26
NEW
.
PAResourcesCouncilBackyardCompostingWorkshop
.HarrisonHills
EnvironmentalLearningCenter,AlleghenyCounty.10:30a.m.toNoon.
September26
PAWildsJuriedArtistShow
.Emporium,CameronCounty.
September26
BrodheadCreekWatershedAssociation
LongSwampHike
.MeetatCamp
SpeersYMCAonNichecronkRoad,offRoute739North,5.4milespasttheRoute209lightin
DingmansFerry,PikeCounty.10:00to11:30a.m.
GetOutdoorsPoconos!
September2627
NEW
.
RoaringRunWatershedAssociation
and
KiskiWatershed
Association
KiskiRiver
cleanupeventatAvonmoreBridge
onRoute156inWestmoreland
County.Tovolunteer,contactJohnLinkesat7248459420orsendemailto:
jplinkes@comcast.net
.
September28
NEW
.
.Luzerne
County,WilkesUniversity,HenryStudentCenterBallroom,2ndFloor,84WestSouthStreet,
WilkesBarre,PA18701.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.

September29
DEPhearingonproposedtransferanduseofNOx,VOCemissionreduction
creditsfortheYorkEnergyCenternaturalgaspowerplant,YorkCounty.DEPSouthcentral
RegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.
(
formalnoticeAug.22PABulletin,page
4947
).
September29
NEW
.U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
willholdahearing
onits
proposedmethaneemissionsreductionrule
foroilandgasoperations.WilliamS.Moorhead
Federalbuilding,1000LibertyAve.,Pittsburgh.
ClickHere
toregistertospeakatthehearingno
laterthanSeptember25.
September30
NEW
.
.Philadelphia
County,UniversityofPennsylvania,KleinmanCenter,FisherFineArtsBuilding,Room401,
220South34thStreet,Philadelphia,PA19104.1:00p.m.4:00p.m.
September30
NEW
.
.Delaware
County,MarcusHookCommunityCenter,7WestDelawareAvenue,MarcusHook,PA19061.
6:00p.m.9:00p.m.
September30
DEPhearingonPhaseIHazardousWasteStorage,TreatmentFacility
siting
applicationsubmittedbyElconRecyclingServicesinFallsTownship,BucksCounty.Sheraton
BucksCountyHotelat400OxfordValleyRd,Langhorne,PA.7p.m.to9p.m.
(formalnotice
Aug.29PABulletinpage5448
)
September30
NEW
.
.CastleShannon
Library,AlleghenyCounty.7:00to8:30p.m.
September30October2
DuquesneUniversityPresidentialConference
onClimateChange.
Pittsburgh.
October2
DEPLowLevelWasteAdvisoryCommittee
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October2
NEW
.BrodheadWatershedAssociation
GrowingGreenMembershipCelebration
.
NorthamptonCommunityCollegeinTannersville
,PA.
October3
NEW
.
.Mt.Lebanon
Library,AlleghenyCounty.11:00a.m.to12:30p.m.
October5
NEW
.
.YorkCounty,
WyndhamGardenYork,WhiteRoseEventCenter,CrystalBallroom,2000LoucksRoad,York,
PA17408.2:00p.m.5:00p.m.
October56
NEW
.
3rdAnnualDelawareRiverWatershedForum
.UniversityofDelaware,
Newark,DE.

October7
NEW
.
.ChurchillBorough
Building,AlleghenyCounty.7:00to8:30p.m.
October8
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
October8
NEW
.
.Bridgeville
BoroughBuilding,AlleghenyCounty.6:30to8:00p.m.
October11
CentralPAConservancy
SupportTheLetortFundraiser
.
Ironmaster'sMansion
at
PineGroveFurnaceStatePark,Gardners,AdamsCounty.
October13
DEPWaterSystemsTechnicalAssistanceCenterBoard
meetingRoom105
RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
(
formalnotice
)
ReviewGuidanceFromEPAOnRevisedTotalColiformRule
ClickHere
October13
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
2ndAnnualEnvironmentalPolicyConference
.
Harrisburg.
October13
LehighValleyWatershedConference
.LehighUniversityinBethlehem,
NorthamptonCounty.
October14
DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredMiningEquipment
meeting.DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
October1415
VillanovaSustainableStormwaterInitiativeSymposium
.Villanova
University,Philadelphia.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.
October15
NEW
.
.CooperSiegel
CommunityLibrary,AlleghenyCounty.6:30to8:00p.m.
October17
Sen.Alloway,AllianceForChesapeakeBayTreePlanting
.Cumberland,Franklin
Counties.
ClickHere
formoreinformationortovolunteer.
October1820
NEW
.
PAChapterAmericanPlanningAssn.AnnualConference
.Pittsburgh
October20
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
October20
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:00.
October21
DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,
909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.9:00.

October21
NEW
.
.Heidelberg
BoroughBuilding,AlleghenyCounty.6:30to8:00p.m.
October22
DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
October22
NEW
.
.LehighCounty,
MuhlenbergCollege,Trumbower130,2238ChewStreet,Allentown,PA18104.6:00p.m.
9:00p.m.
October24
NaturalLandsTrust
ChesLenChaseForOpenSpace
.ChesLenPreserve,
Unionville,ChesterCounty.
October27
DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
(
formalnotice
)
October28
(
formal
notice
)
VoluntaryBestPractices:ManagingOperationalRiskandProtectingSignificantHistoricand
CulturalResourcesPresentationbyLeadersinEnergyandPreservation(LEAP),Marion
Werkheiser,CulturalHeritagePartners
Integration/CoordinationofPermittingbetweenStateandFederalAgencies:Col.Edward
Chamberlayne,USArmyCorpsofEngineersHeatherSmiles,FishandBoatCommissionand
DanDevlin,DCNR.
October28
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October28
NEW
.
.Schuylkill
County,PennStateSchuylkill,JohnE.MorganAuditorium,200UniversityDrive,Schuylkill
Haven,PA17972.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.
October2830
2015PartnershipforSafeWater
2015WaterSystemOptimizationConference
hostedbythe
PASectionAmericanWaterWorksAssociation
.Hershey.
October29
DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
(
formalnotice
)
October29
DEPStateBoardForCertificationOfWaterAndWastewaterSystemsOperators
meeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
October29
NEW
.
.ErieCounty,
HirtAuditoriumatBlascoLibrary,160EastFrontStreet,Erie,PA16507.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.

October29
NEW
.
1stAnnualPittsburghWild&ScenicFilmFestival
,AlleghenyCleanways,
PAResourcesCouncil.Pittsburgh.
October30
NEW
.
.Clarion
County,ClarionUniversity,CornerofPayneSt&WilsonAve,Clarion,PA16214.9:00a.m.
12:00p.m.
October30
NEW
.
.Clearfield
County,PennStateDubois,7HillerBuildingAuditorium,OneCollegePlace,Dubois,PA
15801.2:00p.m.5:00p.m.
October30
NEW
.
.BlueberryHill
ParkinFranklinPark,AlleghenyCounty.7:00to8:30p.m.
November2
DCNR
CommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgramWorkshop
.Camp
HillBoroughBuilding,ProsserHall,2145WalnutSt.,CampHill.9:30to12:30.
November4
NEW
.
.Lycoming
County,PennCollegeWilliamsport,MountainLaurelRoom,OneCollegeAvenue,
Williamsport,PA17701.6:00p.m.9:00p.m.
November4
DCNR
.Pine
CommunityCenter,100PineParkDrive,Wexford.9:30to12:30.
November5
DCNR
.
Quality
InnEvent&BanquetCenter,1411LibertySt.,Franklin.9:30to12:30.
November10
CommonwealthFinancingAuthority
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.
10:30.
November12
PAResourcesCouncil
AnnualAwardsDinner
.
AcademyofNaturalSciencesof
DrexelUniversity
,1900BenjaminFranklinParkway,Philadelphia.
November12
DCNR
.
LuzerneCountyCommunityCollege,Building10,EducationalConferenceCenter,1333South
ProspectSt.,Nanticoke.9:30to12:30.
November1620
U.S.ForestService
StreamSimulationDesignApproachforProviding
AquaticOrganismPassageatRoadStreamCrossingsWorkshop
.StateCollege.
November17
NEW.
Building.9:00.
November17
NEW.
Building.10:00.
November17
DCNR
.
The
HistoricAldieMansion,85OldDublinPike,Doylestown.9:30to12:30.
November17
NEW
.
.National
Aviary,AlleghenyCounty.11:00a.m.to12:30p.m.
November18
(
formal
notice
)
November18
DCNR
.The
PennStaterConferenceCenterHotel,215InnovationBlvd.,StateCollege.9:30to12:30.
November20
WildlandsConservancy
AnnualGreenGala
.DeSalesUniversitycampusin
CenterValley,LehighCounty.
December15
NEW.
Building.9:00.
December16
DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoard
(
formalnotice
)
January13
(
formal
notice
)
February2627
2016KeystoneColdwaterConference
.StateCollege.
March1416
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
AnnualConference
.TheInnat
PoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.
VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
Get
Involved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThroughDEPsnew
EnvironmentalPolicyCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
DCNRCalendarofEvents
Note:
TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePA
CenterforEnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY
201112statebudget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedto
the
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators'
website.
SenateCommitteeSchedule
HouseCommitteeSchedule
Youcanwatchthe
SenateFloorSession
and
HouseFloorSession
liveonline.
AddGreenWorksInPAToYourGoogle+Circle
Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandother
recognitionprograms.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
September9
CFAHighPerformanceBuildingProgram
(foractionNov.10)
September9
CFARenewableEnergyProgram
(foractionNov.10)
September12
PPFFStateParksandForestsThroughTheSeasonPhotoContest
September12
YellowBreechesWatershedLandscapeMakeoverChallenge
September13
Stormwater Control Measure Recognition Program
September15
NEW
.
RunoffBustersYellowBreechesWatershedLandscapingProject
September18
PHSTreeVitalizeWatershedGrantsSoutheastPA
September18
FirstEnergySTEMEducationGrants
September22
NEW
.
September28
NEW
.
10,000FriendsOfPACommonwealthAwardsNominations
September30
DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrants
September30
ProjectLearningTreeGreenWorks!Grants
September30
PRCAntiLitterVideoContestPittsburgh
October1
REAPFarmConservationTaxCredit
(FirstCome,FirstServed)
October2
SustainableForestryInitiativeConservation,CommunityGrants
October9
DEPUrbanStormwaterGrantsChesapeakeBayWatershed
October19
DEPCoastalZoneManagementGrants
October22
OfficeStateFireCommissionFireCompanyGrants
(LimitedInfo)
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31
DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveVehicleRebates
January1
DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants
(firstcome,firstserved)
April13
DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
Visitthe
DEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpage
formoreideasonhowtogetfinancial
assistanceforenvironmentalprojects.
EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics
HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore
Air
WesternPABusinessDecryEPAOzoneProposal
BusinessGroups:SmogRuleWouldHarmLehighValley
WhatErieHasToLoseOrGainWithEPAOzoneRule
BusinessGroups:SmogRuleWouldHurtPAEconomy
RoadProjectsWontPolluteLehighValleyAir
OpEd:CleanUpTheShenangoCokeWorks
AlternativeEnergy
SolarizeAlleghenyPowersUpCommunities
CCACSolarPanelsPowerUpAfterDecadeOfDelay
FirstEnergyToPayForSolarInstallationsAtCCAC
FirstStrikeAgainstEthanolMovingThruGeneralAssembly
Awards&Recognition
Budget
Climate
DrinkingWater
ResidentsRallyToStopWaterBottlingProjectInPoconos
EconomicDevelopment
Education
EnvironmentalCharterSchoolsSeeksToOpen2MoreInPittsburgh
EmergencyResponse
Energy/EnergyEfficiency
FarmActivities
Flooding
PittsburghOfferLeavesChryslerAloneInFlashFloodLawsuit
Forests
Map:WhenWillFallLeavesReachTheirPeak?
DCNRPennsWoodsFallFoliage
LandConservation
MineReclamation
HuberCoalBreakerSiteCleanupAMust
Oil&Gas
ShaleGasWellViolationsDown,ConventionalViolationsUp
HowSoundArePAsConventionalOilAndGasWells?
Editorial:PublicNeedsAssuranceOfOil,GasWellIntegrity
PhillySniffingForGasLineLeaksAheadOfPopesVisit
BigCitiesScrambleToBePreparedForOilTrainDisaster
APSurvey:HowCitiesAreHandlingSurgeInOilTrains
PlansScrappedForDrillingWasteInPAGrandCanyon
McKeesportOKsDrillingUnderRenziehausenPark
OpEd:AllowScienceToGuideNaturalGasPipelines
Letter:DrillingNearSchoolsCanBeDoneSafely
Letter:FrackingNearSchoolsIsBadForChildrensHealth
Editorial:JessupPowerPlantZoningCureInevitable
GroupsPushEPAToRewriteOil&GasWasteDisposalRules
LowPricesContinueToDecreasePAShaleActivity
MarcellusToBecomeNetExporterOfNaturalGas
Thru2011,HalfOfDrillingJobsDidntGoToPennsylvanians
ChiefOil&GasClosingPittsburghOffice
FirstStrikeAgainstEthanolMovingThruGeneralAssembly
ThinkStockMarketIsCrazy?LookAtOilPrices
Recreation
Recycling/Waste
WastewaterProjects
WatershedProtection
ClickHere
Other
PlanForCareFreeCommunitiesSlowToBearFruit
McKeesportResidentsHonoredForGardenProjects

DEPsNewsClipswebpage
ClickHere
ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
PAEnvironmentDigestDaily
Blog
,
TwitterFeed
and
addustoyour
Google+Circle
.
Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
OnSeptember15the
willconsiderregulationsrelatedto
explosives,radioactivematerialsandcoalreminingrequirements,including
9:00.Forcopiesoftheregulationstobeconsidered,visitthe
webpage.
TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
publishednotice
offinalregulationsin
theSeptember5PABulletinconsolidatingChapters21and23relatedtoStateForestsintoanew
Chapter21.
PennsylvaniaBulletinSeptember5,2015
DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishedaformalnotice
ofavailabilityand
opportunitytocommentonthe
2015ClimateChangeImpactsAssessmentUpdate
inthe
September5PABulletin.
DEP
publishednotice
offinaltechnicalguidancerelatedtoBestManagementPracticesforLead
atOutdoorShootingRangesintheSeptember5PABulletin.
DEP
publishednotice
ofdesignationoffundsinthespecialaccountforLandReclamation
FinancialGuaranteesintheSeptember5PABulletin.
ThePublicUtilityCommission
publishednotice
ofits
PhaseIIIAct129EnergyEfficiencyand
ConservationProgram
intheSeptember5PABulletin.
TheDepartmentofAgriculture
publishednotice
ofextensionoftheSpottedLanternfly
quarantineintheSeptember5PABulletin.
DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
VisitDEPsnew
PublicParticipationCenter
forinformationonhowyoucan
BeInformed!
and
GetInvolved!
inDEPregulationandguidancedevelopmentprocess.
ClickHere
forlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages.
DEPCalendarofEvents
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Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesor
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PAEnvironmentDigest
to:
DHess@CrisciAssociates.com
.
PAEnvironmentDigest
iseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtection,andispublishedasaserviceof
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Pa Environment Digest Sept. 7, 2015

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