PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPennsylvania
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,
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Issue#609Harrisburg,PAFebruary29,2016

Budget:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms

DEPSecretaryJohnQuigley
wasverydirectintellingtheSenate
AppropriationsCommitteeThursdaythathisagencydoesnothave
enoughstafftomeettheneedsofanyofitsprogramsbecauseof
persistentandcontinuousbudgetcutsoverthelastdecade.
Headdedadditionalcutswouldnotonlyberuinousforthe
agency,butalsofortheregulatedcommunity.
DEP'sabilitytoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment,and
toperformbasicfunctionslikeevaluatingpermitapplicationsinatimely
fashion,havebeenstressedtothelimit,saidSecretaryQuigley.
Furthercutswilljeopardizethecitizensweserveandtheenvironment
thatweareobligatedtoprotect,andharmthestate'seconomy.
Incommentsattheendofthe3hourhearing,Sen.PatBrowne(RLehigh),Majority
ChairoftheSenateAppropriationsCommittee,saidabunchofDEPspecialfundswillbe
underwaterinthenearfutureandmanyofthemareforveryimportantprograms.He
mentionedtheCleanWaterandRadiationProtectionfunds.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtheStorageTankFundwillbeoutofmoneyinmid2017andthe
HazardousSitesCleanupFundinmid2018.
Sen.BrownesaidotherDEPfundsdohavemoneyandcouldbelookedattosupport
otherprogramsandlookedforwardtoworkingwithDEPonthoseissues.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasbeeninapositionforthelastdecadetodomorewith
less.Henotedtheagencylost14percentofitsstaff,whiletheaverageagencylost6percentof
staff.
Headded,inanotherexample,DEPspent$23millionforinformationtechnologya
decadeagoandjustwithinflationthebudgetshouldbe$29million.However,itisnowjust$16
million.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasidentified10projectsundertheGovernorsGoTime
initiativetomaketheagencymoreefficientincluding
Consolidatingthegrantapplicationprocessintooneplatform
DEPreceivedpermissiontodownloadappstoagencyiPhone,whichitcouldnotdobefore,
thatwillmakestaffmoreeffective

AdoptedfasterInternetservicetoitsregionalofficesthatwillmakeworkmoreefficient
StartusingiPadsthisyearintheOilandGasProgram,ratherthancarryingclipboards,that
willdoubletheproductivityofDEPsinspectors
Institutinganelectronicdocumentmanagementsolutionstoeliminatetheneedof10sof
thousandsofsquarefeetofwarehousespacenowusedtostorepaperdocuments
Replacingthe
eFACTSpermitmanagementandinspectionreportingdatabase
,whichis
includedintheGovernorsbudgetand
Startinganelectronicpermitacceptanceandreviewinitiativeintheminingprogramasafirst
steptomakingotherpermitprocessingelectronic.
HereareotherchangesproposedforDEPintheGovernorsFY201617
$0fundswillbetransferredfromtheMarcellusShaleLegacyFundtoDEPinFY201617,
$10.3millionwastransferredinFY201516and
2newpositionsforCoveredDevice(electronicswaste)RecyclingActadministeredatDEP.
HereisaquicksummaryofquestionsraisedbySenatorsatthehearing

EPACleanPowerClimateRule:
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming),MajorityChairofthe
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,askedwhyDEPismovingaheadwith
developingaplantomeettheCleanPowerClimateRulewhentheU.S.SupremeCourtstayed
theimplementationoftheProgram.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPisplanningtocontinueworkingwithstakeholdersonthe
developmentofaPennsylvaniaPlantomeettheEPArulebecauseoneoftheoutcomesofthe
federalcourtchallengecouldbetomeettheexistingcomplianceschedule.Hesaiditiswortha
deepdiveontheissue,becausethatisthesafestoption.
Atthesametime,SecretaryQuigleysaiditisunlikelyDEPwillbesubmittingaPlanto
EPAbeforethelegalchallengesaredecided.
Headded,alternative/renewableenergyandusingPennsylvaniascleanernaturalgasis
thefutureandthosetrendswillcontinueirrespectiveofwhathappenstoEPAsrule.
Sen.KimWard(RWestmoreland)askedwhatthecostistodevelopPennsylvaniasplan
tomeettherequirement.SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPisnothiringnewstafftopreparetheplan
about6staffusepartoftheirtimetopreparetheplan.Inaddition,Pennsylvaniaisgetting
specialmodelingsupportfromtheNationalGovernorsAssociationtolookatpolicyoptions.
Sen.JohnWozniak(DCambria)saidcoalfiredpowerplantsareimportanttothe
economyinWesternPAandeverythingshouldbedonetoprotectthemaslongaspossible.

ProposedWasteFeeIncreases:
Sen.YawaskedSecretaryQuigleytoexplaintheproposed
$1.75/tonincreaseandbroadeningofthestatewastedisposalfeethatwouldbedepositedto
DCNRsOilandGasFund.SecretaryQuigleysaidtheideabehindthefeeistoeventheplaying
fieldbetweenmunicipalandconstructionanddemolitionandresidualwastetowhichthefeeis
proposedtoapply.Withoutthefeeincrease,theEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)
Fundwillbehitwitha$35millionreductioninfundingforwatershedrestorationandrecreation
projects[alongwitha$15millionreductiontotheHazardousSitesCleanupfund].

CitizensAdvisoryCouncil/Oil&GasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard:
Sen.Yawaskedabout
issuesrelatedtoadvisorycommittees,including
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
whereits
ExecutiveDirectorwasdismissedbytheagency.Healsonotedthe
OilandGasTechnical
AdvisoryBoard
andthe
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
bothrecommendedDEP
notgoaheadwith
Chapter78drillingregulation
changesandDEPdid.Sen.Yawsaiditseems
likeDEPignoresitsadvisorycommitteeortheagencydismissespeopleitdoesntlike.

SecretaryQuigleysaidtherewasnopolicydifferenceswiththeCitizensAdvisory
Council,butdismissingtheExecutiveDirectorisapersonnelissuethathecouldnotdiscuss.
SecretaryQuigleysaidhethoughtitwashealthytooccasionallyhavedisagreementswith
itsadvisorycommitteesaspartofthediscussionofregulatoryrequirementsandpolicy.He
notedtheOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardwhichadvisesDEPonissuesrelatedto
MarcellusShaledrillingdidnotrecommenddelayingtheregulations
HesaidDEPappointedindividualstothetwooilandgasadvisorycommitteesfrom
severalsources,includingSen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango).HeexplainedDEPaddedthe
ConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommitteebecausetherewasonlyoneadvisorygroup
previouslyadvisingDEPonboththeconventionalandMarcellusdrillingindustriesandthey
thoughtseparategroupswouldbehelpful.

ChesapeakeBayProgram:
Sen.YawsaidhewasawareofaproposedGrowingGreenerIII
Programforasuggested$900millionwithmany,manyitemsthatwerenicetohave.Hesaid
someofthosemayhavetoberedirectedtosupporttheChesapeakeBayProgramandother
programstheCommonwealthmustdo.
SecretaryQuigleysaidtherehavebeendiscussionswithavarietyofgroupsonaproposal
andGov.WolfisanxioustohaveaconversationwithmembersoftheGeneralAssemblyabout
whatshouldbeinanynewGrowingGreenerProgram.
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)askedlaterformoreinformationontheChesapeakeBay
Programonwhetherputtingsomeoftherequirednutrientreductionsoutforbidwouldbeagood
idea.[ThereferenceistoSenateBill724that
wouldbeanineffectivewaytoaddressnutrient
reductions
thatwouldnotcounttowardthestatesChesapeakeBaycleanupcommitments.]
SecretaryQuigleysaidthereareopportunitiesformarketbasedapproachestonutrient
reductions,liketheNutrientCreditTradingProgram,andDEPisnowproposingchangestothe
programtomakeitmoreeffective.
SecretaryQuigleysaidthereisanincrediblesenseofurgencyinmakingthechanges
neededtomaketheTradingProgrammoreefficientandeffectiveandtoaddressPennsylvanias
ChesapeakeBaycleanupcommitments.
Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)askedifthe
PennStatesurveyoffarmers
onconservation
practicesmentionedinthe
ChesapeakeBayReboot
willactuallybeusedintheChesapeakeBay
Program.SecretaryQuigleysaidthesurveyispartofanefforttogetPennsylvaniafarmersthe
maximumcreditpossibleforconservationpracticesontheground,butwhichhavenotbe
creditedwithintheBayProgram.
Sen.LloydSmucker(RLancaster)saidLancasterCountyisatgroundzeroon
ChesapeakeBayProgramandthereareconcernsabouttheBayRebootproposedbyDEP.He
askedabouttheconfidentialityofthefarmersurveyresults.SecretaryQuigleysaidPennStateis
handlingthesurveyandnodatafromindividualfarmerswillbemadeavailabletoDEP.Itwill
beaggregatedforDEPsuse.
Sen.JohnEichelberger(RBlair)askedwhatrolecountyconservationdistrictswillhave
inimplementingtheChesapeakeBayRebootandexpressedconcernsaboutdistrictinvolvement.
Sen.LloydSmucker(RLancaster)hadsimilarconcerns.SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhadpaid
for100educationalvisitstofarmers,butnowDEPisproposing,instead,topayfor50
enforcementvisitstofarmers.However,DEPisnotaskingdistrictstotakeenforcementactions.
Heemphasizedthenewprogramwouldbevoluntaryonthepartofdistricts.SecretaryQuigley
saidPennsylvaniahasbeentryingtoeducatingfarmersfor30yearsnowisthetimetogotothe

nextstep.
Heacknowledgedtherehasnotbeenoughoutreachtodistrictsaboutthereboot,noting
DEPismeetingwithdistrictsnextweektodiscussRebootindetail.Sen.Eichelbergersaidheis
concernedaboutconservationdistrictsbeingviewedasanenforcer,ratherthanbeinganentity
thathelpsfarmers.

SusquehannaRiverImpairment:
Sen.RobTeplitz(DDauphin)askedwhatthenextstepis
inmakingadecisiononlistingtheLowerSusquehannaRiverasimpaired.SecretaryQuigley
saidDEPdoesnotyethaveaspecificsourceforthe
endocrinedisruptorsandherbicides
thatare
thelikelythecausesforthesmallmouthbassintheriver.HesaidDEPwillbedoingaherbicide
usesurveyandanextendedwatersamplingprogramthatwillgouptheriverstributariestotry
toidentifysources.

FederalMineReclamationFee:
Sen.JohnYudichak(DLuzerne),MinorityChairofthe
SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,saidthefederalAbandonedMine
ReclamationFundfeeissettoexpirein2021andwantedtoknowwhatisDEPdoingtoensureit
continues.SecretaryQuigleysaidtheyaredeeplyengagedwiththestatesCongressional
Delegationtodoeverythingwecantomakesurethefeecontinues.

CoalWastePowerPlants:
Sen.Yudichak(DLuzerne)saidhelearnedthisweekthePanther
Creekwastecoalpowerplantiscuttingbackitsoperationswhichprovidenotonlyenergy,but
minereclamationbenefits.HeaskedwhatDEPisdoingtomakesuretheseplantsandtheir
benefitscontinue.SecretaryQuigleysaidthewastecoalpowerplantsareanincredible
resourceforPennsylvaniabecauseoftheirmultiplebenefits.Hesaidhasbeenindiscussions
withWhiteHouseofficialsonhowthecoalwasteplantscancontinuetobeviable.Headded
theyalsorecognizedtheirimportanceastheyhadtheopportunitytocommentonfederalair
qualityregulations.
Sen.RandyVulakovich(RAllegheny)alsoexpressedsupportforcoalwastepower
plantsandtheirmultiplebenefits.

LeadInDrinkingWater:
Sen.Yudichak(DLuzerne)askedaboutwhatDEPisdoingto
preventleadindrinkingwaterproblems.[Sen.Yudichak
sponsoredSenateBill1254
signedinto
lawlastyearthatloweredtheleadcontentofpipesandotherplumbingproductsaspartofa
programthathasbeeninplaceinPennsylvaniasince1989.]
Sen.VincentHughes(DPhiladelphia),MinorityChairoftheSenateAppropriations
Committee,alsoexpressedconcernsaboutleadlevelsinchildreninPennsylvania.Hesaidhe
understandspartoftheproblemisduetoPennsylvaniasolderhousingstock.
SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasawatersamplingprogramforthe159publicwater
systemsinthestateandnotedthat
noneofPennsylvaniaspublicwatersuppliesexceed
EPA
leadstandards.SecretaryQuigleyagreedwithSen.Hughestheproblemiscausedinlargepartby
theolderhousingstockinPennsylvania.
HesaidoneproblemDEPhasistheSafeDrinkingWaterProgramisdown25percentin
itsstaffduetotherelentlesscutsinDEPsbudget.Themajorimpactsofallthebudgetcutshas
disportionatelyfallenonwaterprotectionprogramsbecausetheyaresupportedbytheGeneral
Fund.Ifwecontinueonthispath,SecretaryQuigleysaid,heisnotconfidenttheirsuccesswith
theseprogramscancontinue.DEPwasaskedtoprovideitsrecommendationsonwhatitneeded
toproperlysupportthisprogram.

PipelineInfrastructureTaskForce:
Sen.Yudichak(DLuzerne)askedwhatpartsofthe
PipelineInfrastructureTaskForcerecommendations
willrequirelegislationtoimplement.

SecretaryQuigleysaidGov.Wolfwantstouseasmuchnaturalgasaspossibleforenergy
generationandtomakethingsandpipelinesareakeypartofdoingthat.HesaidDEPis
responsibleforimplementing94ofthe184recommendationsandaninternaltaskforcehasbeen
formedtoseehoweachofthoserecommendationswillbeimplemented,includingbylegislation.
DEP,hesaid,willalsocontinuetoreachouttostakeholdersasthisprocessgoesforward.He
notedthefirstrecommendationwasthatDEPneededmorestaff.

SpeedOfOil&Gas/OtherPermitPrograms:
Sen.JamesBrewster(DAllegheny)asked
whatstepsDEPistakingtospeedupthepermittingofoilandwellsandrelatedpermitted
processesandwhetherDEPhadthestaffneededfortheprogram.SecretaryQuigleysaid,no,
DEPdoesnothaveenoughstafftomeettheneedsofanyoftheregulatoryprogramsorforthe
regulatorycommunity,notjustintheOilandGasProgram.HesaidDEPisgoingtoelectronic
permittingprocessandotherchangesthatwillhelpspeeduptheprocessandprovidemore
transparencyforthepublic.
SecretaryQuigleysaidatthesametimethereisaresponsibilityonthepartofthe
applicantstosubmitgoodapplications.HenotedlastFallhisstaffdidan
analysisof2,600
randomlyselectedapplicationsfromDEPsbiggestprograms
theChapter102erosioncontrol
andChapter105streamencroachmentprograms.
Hesaid30percentoftheapplicationshadtechnicaldeficienciesthatsloweddownDEPs
reviewprocess.Onlyahandfulofthe47firmspreparingthoseapplicationsgotpassinggrades
inapplicationpreparation1consultantgotanA,5consultantsgotaB,7gotaC,8aDand26
anF.
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)askedlaterifthelistofsubstandardconsultantsispublicly
available.SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPhasnotgotteninthebusinessofshamingcompanies,but
wantedtoworkindividuallywithconsultants.
SecretaryQuigleynotedDEPsSoutheastRegionalOfficehasfourpermitwriterswith
over200permitapplicationsontheirdesk[intheChapter102105programs].Hesaid
additionalcutswouldnotonlyberuinousfortheagency,butalsofortheregulated
community.HesaidhewouldnotcometotheGovernorortheGeneralAssemblyformorestaff
unlesshefirstdidasmuchaspossibletoreducecosts.

ExtendingExistingPermits:
Sen.MarioScavello(RMonroe)suggestedextendingexisting
environmentalpermitsratherthanhavingcompaniesreapplyfornewpermitsasawaytosave
moneyandsupportbusinesses.SecretaryQuigleysaiditwouldnotbeanappropriatesolutionto
thisissue,inparticularwherethereareupdatedenvironmentalprotectionstandardsthatapplyto
issuingnewpermits.Investmentsinelectronicpermittingandotherinitiativeswillhelpspeed
thepermitprocess,hesaid.

NaturalGasSeveranceTax:
Sen.KimWard(RWestmoreland)askediftheproposed6.5
percentnaturalgasseverancetaxwouldallowfordeductionsforproductioncosts.Shenotedthe
existingdrillingimpactfee,whichwouldberetainedundertheGovernorsproposal,hasa5.5
percenteffectiverate.SecretaryQuigleysaidtheproposaldoeshavecreditsforpaymentsunder
thedrillingimpactfee.HealsonotedPennsylvaniadrillers/producershavelowproductioncosts,
andproducershavebeenbraggingabouthowlowtheyareinannouncementsofrecentbusiness
results.

KeystoneLandfill/Act101Update:
Sen.JohnBlake(DLackawanna)askedaboutthestatus
oftheKeystoneLandfillexpansionapplication.SecretaryQuigleysaidDEPexpectsaresponse
tothetechnicaldeficiencylettersenttoKeystoneinlateSpringorearlySummer.DEPhas

alreadystartedtheairmonitoringthatlocalresidentshadrequestedwiththefederalAgencyfor
ToxicSubstancesandDiseaseRegistry.Theresultswillbereleasedtothepublicwhenthey
becomesavailable.
Sen.Blakefollowedupbysayinghewasworkingonanupdatetothe1988Act101
MunicipalWastePlanning,RecyclingandWasteReductionActsayingthereshouldbeareview
ofstatewastedisposalfeeandwhereitisdirectedandthematerialsincludedinthemandatory
recyclingprogram.SecretaryQuigleysaidhewouldbehappytoworkwiththeSenatoronan
update.Healsosaidotheractsaredueforareviewaswell,includingtheAct537Sewage
FacilitiesAct.
Sen.Blakeaskedwhethertherewasawaytosetdifferentrequirementsforimported
waste.SecretaryQuigleysaidcourtdecisionshaveheldwasteimportsarepartofaprotected
classofinterstatecommerce.

RecyclingFund:
Sen.ScottWagner(RYork)askedformoredetailsonrevenuesand
expendituresfromtheRecyclingFundandnotedthenumberofgrantsavailabletobuyrecycling
containersandsupportlocalprogramsseemstobedeclining.[Sen.Wagneristheownerof
PennWastewhichprovideswasteandrecyclingservicesinCentralPennsylvania.]Hesaid
moneyshouldneverhavebeentransferredoutoftheRecyclingFundtobalancethestates
budget.TheSenatorsaidImmoreon(DEPs)sidethanyouthinkonthisissue.Secretary
Quigleysaid
$15millionwastransferredoutoftheRecyclingFund
tobalancethebudgetseveral
yearsago.HealsonotedtheamountofwastebeingdisposedinPennsylvaniaisdeclining.

ElectronicsWaste:
Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)expressedconcernsaboutshrinkingoptions
forelectronicswaste.SecretaryQuigleysaidtheproblemneedsalegislativefixthatRep.Chris
Ross(RChester),
butitisarealproblem
.Hespecificallyexpressedconcernsabouttheillegal
dumpingofTVs,iflocalrecyclingprogramsstartedchargingforrecyclingservicesinsteadof
havingelectronicsmanufacturespayforrecyclingliketheydonow.

HazardousSitesCleanupFund:
Sen.StewartGreenleaf(RMontgomery)askedforthe
statusoftheHazardousSitesCleanupFundanditsfunding.SecretaryQuigleysaidtherehas
beena55percentreductioninfundingtotheHazardousSitesCleanupProgramwiththeendof
theCapitalStockandFranchiseTaxandsaiditwillrunoutofmoneybymid2018.[Note:Ifthe
increaseandbroadeningofthe
stateswastetippingfee
isnotadoptedanddepositedtotheOil
andGasLeaseFund,a$15milliontransfertotheHazardousSitesCleanupFundcouldnotbe
made.]

ThirdPartyPermitReviews:
Sen.GeneYaw(RLycoming)asked,givenDEPsconcerns
aboutstaffing,whetheritwouldbepossibletohavethirdpartyreviewofpermitsbyconsultants.
SecretaryQuigleysaidforthesakeofpublicintegrityhebelievespermitreviewsanddecisions
shouldremainatapublicagency.HesaidasanoptionmightbewhatPennDOThasdone.That
agencypaysforadditionalDEPstafftoworkonitspermits.

PermitFeeIncreases:
Sen.LloydSmucker(RLancaster)askedaboutthestatusofpermitfee
increases.SecretaryQuigleyhewouldgetthedetailedinformationtotheCommittee,butnoted
22percentofDEPsbudgetisGeneralFund,28percentisfederalfundsandtheremainderis
permitrevieworadministrativefees.Hesaidgenerallytheagencyreviewpermitfeesevery
threeyearsandtheyareinthatreviewcyclenow.
[TheGovernorsRegulatoryAgendapublishedonFebruary27showsDEPproposing
permitfeeincreasesforthecoalandnoncoalmining,SafeDrinkingWater,Environmental
Laboratories,RadiationProtectionandAirQualityprogramsinthecomingyear.(
PABulletin,

page1127
)

BlackFlyControlProgram:
Sen.RobTeplitz(DDauphin)askedaboutthestatusofthe
BlackFlyControlProgramandwhetheritwillbeexpanded.SecretaryQuigleysaidtheprogram
wouldneedmorefundingtobeexpandedbeyondthecosttocarrybudgetappropriationof$3.3
millionincludedinthebudgetrequest.

TravelBan:
Sen.BobMensch(RLehigh)saidhehashadproblemsarrangingameetingwith
hislocalconstituentsandDEPonwaterpollutionissuesinMontgomeryCountybecauseofthe
GovernorstravelbanthatpreventscertaintravelbyDEPemployees.DEPofferedtomeetat
theNorristownRegionalOffice,butthatwasnotanacceptablesolution.Hesaidtheydidfinally
arrangeforameeting,butitwasntagoodsituation.SecretaryQuigleysaidthetravelbanhas
beenliftedwiththesigningofthebudgetinDecember.HesaidDEPhasacostofdoing
businessandthatbillhastogetpaid,particularlyduringabudgetimpasse.HesaidDEPhas
triedtoaccommodatethepublicwithinitsrestrictions.Sen.Menschsaidthatisnotagoodway
ofdoingbusiness.HenotedtheGovernorspentover$30billionduringtheimpasse,andsaid
thereisalessonheretobelearned.
ClickHere
foracopyofSecretaryQuigleyswrittentestimony.
ClickHere
foravideo
oftheDEPbudgethearing[tobeposted].
BudgetBackground
DEPreceivedabout$164.4millionin199495fromtheGeneralFundwhichincreasedto
ahighof$245.6millionin200203.Inthe201415budget,DEPsGeneralFundtotalwas
$141.4million,afterbottomingoutin201213at$126.8million,abouthalfthehighwatermark
in200203.
DEPsauthorizedcomplementhasshrunkfrom3,200in200203toitscurrent2,495,
about705positions22percentasDEPSecretaryJohnQuigleymentionedina
videoreportto
DEPemployees
inawaythatheconsideredthemlost.
Twoadditionaldevelopmentswill
causeadecreaseinwatershedrestorationandother
funding
availabletoDEPinthecomingyear.
TheIndependentFiscalOffice
releasedanewreport
lastweeksayingthedropinnatural
gaspricesmeansthestatewillcollect$38millionlessinAct13impactfeesthisyearthanitdid
lastyear.
AportionofthosefeesgotosupporttheEnvironmentalStewardship(GrowingGreener)
Fundtosupportlocalwatershedprojects.Asnotedabove,theGovernorsbudgetdoesnot
transfermoneytoDEPtosupportitsOilandGasRegulatoryProgramforthecomingyear.
TheIndependentFiscalOfficeissuedanotherreportsayingroyaltyincomefromnatural
gaswellsonDCNR
StateForestlandwoulddeclineby40percent
inthecurrentfiscalyear
goingtotheOilandGasLeaseFund.
Gov.Wolfsbudgetincludesaproposaltoincreaseandexpandthestatewastedisposal
feeby$1.75/tonwiththeresulting$35millioninrevenuetobedepositedintheOilandGas
LeaseFund.
Thefeeincreasewasnecessary,accordingtotheproposal,toallowthecontinued
transfersoutoftheOilandGasLeaseFundtotheEnvironmentalStewardship(Growing
Greener)Fund($35million)andtheHazardousSitesCleanupFund($15million)requiredby
Act13.
Ifthewastefeeincreasedoesntgothrough(ithastobedonelegislatively),thesetwo
programswouldtakeahitfinancially.

HouseBudgetHearing
DEPsHouseAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearingisMarch1at9:30.
ClickHere
towatchHousehearingslive.
HerearethemajorbudgetdocumentsfromtheGovernorsBudgetOffice

FY201617ExecutiveBudget

FY201617LineItemSpreadsheet
NewsClips:
DCNRFindsErrorsInRoyaltiesPaidToOil&GasFund
SlowdownInPANaturalGasIndustryAddsToBudgetCrisis
StateSeesLittleActivityOnNaturalGasLeasesOnForestLand
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PennStateThreatensToLayOff1,100ExtensionEmployees
PennStateWarnsItMayLayOff1,100InAgPrograms
PennStateCantJustifyUsingTuitionForExtensionServices
GameCommissionConsidersShuttingMiddleCreek
MiddleCreekConsideredForClosureByGameCommission
Swift:BudgetWorkStarts(Again)InHarrisburg
Swift:ElectionMightPerpetuateStateBudgetFiasco
RelatedStories:
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
PUCAsksForIncreasedFundingForMoreRail,PipelineInspectors
GovernorsOfficeLatestRegulatoryAgenda:DEPPermitFeeIncreaseFor6Programs
DCNRBudgetHearing:NoDrillingRigsNowOnStateForestLand
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch
LackOfFunding,FocusIsCriticallyHarmingPennsylvaniasEnvironmentalPrograms
CBFPA:WolfsBudgetProposalLacksAdequateFundingForNewCleanWaterPlan
CBF:ObamaBudgetHelpsChesapeakeBayFarmersAtCriticalTime,ShortsCities
WolfBudgetProposesToRaise,ExpandStateWasteDisposalFeesTo$9.00/Ton
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysWrittenBudgetTestimony

Thefollowingisthetextof
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyswritten
testimony
submittedtotheSenateandHouseAppropriationsCommittees
whichoutlinesDEPsaccomplishmentsinthefirstyearoftheWolf
Administration,efficienciestheagencyisimplementingandDEPs
budgetneedsforFY201617

ThankyoufortheopportunitytopresentGov.WolfsproposedFiscalYear20162017
budgetfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP).I'mhonoredtoworkwithover
2,600ofPennsylvania'sfinestpublicservants,whosetahighstandardofprofessionalismevery
day.
Asyouknow,DEP'sdutybeginswithArticle1,Section27ofPennsylvania's
Constitution.Ourcharge,astrusteeofournaturalresources,istoprotectthepublic'srightto
cleanair,purewaterandpreservingourenvironmentforourcitizenstodayandforevery
generationofPennsylvaniansyettocome.
DEP'smissionistoprotectPennsylvania'sair,landandwaterfrompollutionandto
provideforthehealthandsafetyofourcitizens.WearetoguaranteethatallPennsylvanians,
includingfuturegenerations,haveasafe,healthyenvironment.
Wearetoworkaspartnerswithindividuals,organizations,governmentsandbusinesses
toachieveabalanceinpreventingpollutionandprotectingournaturalresources,whilecarrying
outtheseresponsibilitiesinafairandtimelymannerthatrespectsboththeenvironmentandthe
regulatedcommunity,andisdeservingofthepublic'strust.
Icomebeforeyoutodayrepresentinganagencythathasbeenseverelydegradedoverthe
lasteightyears,aconditionthattheWolfAdministrationhasbeenworkingtoovercome.
It'simportanttounderstandthat,
afteryearsofrelentlessbudgetcuts
,DEPhasover670
fewerstaffthanitdideightyearsago.Over440ofthosepositionsperformedthebasicagency
functionsofinspectionsandprocessingpermits.
Hereisanimportantexampleofthetwopathsweface:cutshavebeenmadeinthepast
tomeetshorttermdeficits,andthishashurtPennsylvaniabusinessesthatrelyonourpermits
andPennsylvaniacommunitiesthatrelyonourprotection.
Thechoiceinfrontofusistochooseapaththataddressesthestructuraldeficitand
avoidsfurthercuts,orcontinuethispathwe'reonwherecutshurttheeconomyandthe
environment.
Ourregulatoryresponsibilitieshavenotdiminishedindeed,workloadisincreasing.In
recentaudits,the
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhascitedDEPforsevereunderstaffing
inourcoalmineinspection,airqualitymonitoring,safedrinkingwater,andstormwater
programs.
Asaresult,DEP'sabilitytoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment,andtoperform
basicfunctionslikeevaluatingpermitapplicationsinatimelyfashion,havebeenstressedtothe
limit.
Furthercutswilljeopardizethecitizensweserveandtheenvironmentthatweare
obligatedtoprotect,andharmthestate'seconomy.
DEP'sstaffinglevelisnottheonlyissueweface.
DEP'sinformationTechnologybudgetin2004was$23million,andatthattimethe
agencyreceivedan"A"gradefromtheOfficeofAdministration,whichratedusthenasamong
themostcapableagenciesinstategovernmentfromanITperspective.
Today,weareatthebottomoftheclass,ratingatbesta"D."Merelyadjustedfor
inflationsince2004,ourITbudgetshouldbe$29milliontoday.
Unfortunately,itstandsat$16million43percentlessinnominaltermsthanIIyears
ago.Andthat'snotbecausepersonalcomputershavebecomecheaper.Thisrepresentsa
cumulative$83milliondivestmentintheagency'sITcapacityovertheperiod.
Oneoftheresultsisthatagencystaffareusingantiquatedtoolstopermitandmonitor

industriesequippedwith21stCenturytechnology.WemustreinvestinourITcapacityto
improveefficiency,productivity,businessprocesses,servicelevels,andtransparency.That
investmentisrequiredforallofDEP's
GOTIMEinitiatives
.
ThebudgetproposalthatGov.Wolfhaspresentedformyagencyisexceptionallyleanin
thefaceofaprojected$2billionstructuralbudgetdeficit.ItembodiestheGovernor'sdirectiveto
agenciestoreducecosts,improveefficiencyandeffectiveness,andenhancetransparencyina
governmentthatworks.
Iwanttofocusmytestimonythismorningontheinitiativeswe'veundertakenatDEPto
respondtohisdirectionandtoconcernsthatI'veheardfrommembersoftheGeneralAssembly
abouttheagency'sperformance.
First,wehavebegunamultiphaseagencyreorganization,
separatingWaterPrograms
andWaterResourcesPlanning
intodifferentdeputateswithoutaddinganyadditionalstaffto
betteralignresourcesandimprovemanagementfocusandaccountability.
Amongthenextstepsistoevaluatetheeffectivenessofourcurrentimplementationof
stormwaterregulationtoimproveimplementationconsistencystatewideandtorestoreand
maintainPennsylvania'swaterquality.
IwantyoutoknowthatI'veheardtheconcernsexpressedbysomemembersofthe
GeneralAssemblythattheagency'spoliciesandcomplianceeffortsvariedwidelyfromregionto
region.
Wearecurrentlyreviewingandrevisinginternalpoliciesandproceduresregarding
inspections,compliance,andenforcementtonotonlymakethemmoreeffective,buttohelp
ensureconsistentapplicationacrossallofourregionaloperations.
Wewillbereleasingthoserevisedpoliciesforpubliccommentthisyear.
Webelieveintransparencyandhaveseveralexamplestoproveit.In2015,DEP
instituted
monthlyonlineproductionreportingforunconventionalnaturalgaswells
toimprove
transparencyingasproductioninformationamovethatwillbeparticularlyusefulforroyalty
ownersandproductionforecasters.Productiondatawaspreviouslyreportedonasemiannual
basis.
Welaunchedthe
onlineeCommenttool
toenhancepublicparticipationinand
transparencyofregulatoryprocess.Nearly4,000commentshavebeensubmittedtothesystem
onawidevarietyofissues.
In2016,wewillrolloutadditionaltoolstoprovideaccessible,understandableonline
reportingandpublicinformation.
Wehaveimprovedkeyoperationsandoureffectiveness,andsavedmoney.
DEPevaluatedandredesignedatreatmentmethodatLancashireacidminedrainage
treatmentplantinCambriaCountywithintheWestBranchSusquehannaRiverBasin,lowering
operatingcostswhilepreservingplantperformance,withannualsavingsofmorethan$200,000.
Ournationleadingwellintegrityreportingsystemhasalreadyenabledoperatorstoavoid
riskandprotectpublichealthandtheenvironmentbysignificantlyincreasingtheirwellplugging
activities.
In2016,wewilltieournewwellintegritydatabasetowatersupplyinvestigationsinthe
fieldwithmobiletechnology,toincreaseefficiency,effectiveness,andresponsiveness.This
datadrivenworkwillalsoenablemoresurgicalrulemakingaimedatspecificproblemsthatwe
arenowmorereadilyabletoidentify.
Wehavefocusedonrestoringtheagency'sinformationtechnologycapacityasthefastest

pathtocostssavingsandefficiencygains.DEPcompletedanassessmentofITneedsand
developedastrategicplantoimprovebusinessprocesses,trackperformancemetrics,transition
tonewgeolocationbasedmobilesolutions,andinstitutepaperlessworkflows.
Wearealsoplanningtodigitizeourarchivesinsteadofwarehousingpaperrecords.
Indeed,IThasbeenthefocusofDEP'sGOTIMEinitiatives,whichwillbegroundedina
standardmethodologyforcalculatingcostsavingsandproductivitygains.
WearehardatworkontenGOTlMEprojectsthathavealreadysavedthe
Commonwealthover$250,000andthatwillproduceover$28.5millioninnetannualsavings
whencompleted.
Adetailedbreakdownofthosesavingshasbeenprovidedtoyouinpreparationfor
today'shearing.Theprojectsinclude:
DEP'sgrantprogramsarecurrentlymanagedbyseveralbureausacrossmultiplesystems,
duplicatingeffortsandwastingITresources.PartneringwithDCED,wehavebegunto
consolidatethoseprogramsandcentralizetheawardingofgrantmoneytoimproveservicetothe
public,localgovernment,universities,andthebusinesscommunity.Aspartofthisprocess,we
willdecommissionanoutdatedserver.Movinggrantadministrationfrommanysystemstoone
withonlinegrantapplicationprocesseswillcreateefficiencies.
InJuly2015,DEPdeployed25highresolutionscannerstoemployeeswhohandlelarge
volumesofpaper.Thescannersmaximizeefficiency,minimizinguseofpaperandstreamlining
theagency'sworkflow.
SlownetworkconnectivityforemployeesinDEP'ssixregionalofficesreducesproductivity.
Webpagestakemanyminutestoload,iftheyloadatall.Toremedythis,DEPwillprocurea
muchfasterconnectionthroughanopenbidprocesstocommenceinJuly2016.
Wewillpurchaseroutersandswitchesthatarecurrentlyleasedatall26officelocations,
resultinginnetsavingsinlessthan3years.
WehavebegunthedeploymentofmobileiPhoneapplicationsonagencysmartphonesto
improveefficiency,minimizepaperusage,streamlinetheagency'sworkflow,andimprove
serviceprovidedtothepublicandtheregulatedcommunity.
In2015,DEPpurchased147tabletcomputersforemergencyandcriticalstaffaccordingtothe
agency'scontinuityofoperationsplan,creatingamoremobileworkingenvironmentforagency
personnelandreducingthenumberofdevicesandvolumeofpaperincirculation.
DEPinspectorsarecurrentlysentintothefieldwithclipboardsandcarbonlessforms.
Theyrecordresultstwiceonpaperinthefield,thenelectronicallyintheoffice.In2016,by
partneringwithPennDOT,wewillbegintheprocessofequippingourinspectionstaff
throughouttheagencywithtabletcomputers.Thiscoulddoubletheirproductivity,and
significantlyreduceourongoingneedsforadditionalstaffwhilebetterservingtheregulated
communityandthepublic.
DEPreliesheavilyonpaperrecordsandarchives,whichrequiremorepersonneltimeto
manageandmorespacetohouse.DEPisexploringvariousdepartmentwideelectronic
documentmanagementsystem(EDMS)solutions.ByinstitutinganEDMSsystemagencywide,
theabilitytoshareinformationacrossagencieswillbeimproved,andtheturnaroundtimefor
respondingtorequestsforpublicinformationwillimprove.
Facedwithincreasingdemandforcapacity,aginghardwareandlimitedspace,DEPis
transitioningtoanoutsourceddatacentertoreducecostandprovideformoreefficient
maintenance.

DEP'scentraldatabase,knownas
eFACTS(EnvironmentFacilityApplicationCompliance
TrackingSystem)
,usesendoflifetechnologythatwillbesupportedforonlyfivemoreyears.
Thisdatabaseiscriticaltoprovidingaccurateinformationforagencyoperationsandtothepublic
andtheregulatedcommunity.Wewillachievesignificantcostsavingsbyupdatingthesystem
now,versuswaitinguntilthetechnologyisnolongersupportedinfiveyears.
Theseprojectsserveasthefoundationforadditionalworktoimproveourefficiency,
effectiveness,andproductivity,andtorespondtotheneedstotheregulatedcommunity.
Forexample,amongthetoprecommendationsofGov.Wolfs
PipelineInfrastructure
TaskForce
wasforDEPtomovetoelectronicpermitting,streamliningtheprocessforthe
regulatedcommunity.
Iamhappytoreportthat,buildingontheinitiativesI'vedescribedthismorning,weare
currentlyalsodesigningapilotprojecttoimplementepermittingwithinDEP'sMiningDeputate,
sothatwecanlearnfromthatdeploymentandthenproceedtoadoptitagencywideoverthe
courseofthenexttwoyears.
DEPisstrivingtodemonstrategovernmentthatworks.Thatgreatworktakestimeto
build.Wearehardatthetask.
Thankyou.
ClickHere
foracopyofSecretaryQuigleyswrittentestimony.
ClickHere
foraudioand
videooftheSenatebudgethearings.
HouseBudgetHearing
DEPsHouseAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearingisMarch1at9:30.
ClickHere
towatchHousehearingslive.
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DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
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WolfBudgetProposesToRaise,ExpandStateWasteDisposalFeesTo$9.00/Ton
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts

The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
and
ChesapeakeBay

FoundationPA

wrotetomembersoftheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeWednesday
toraise
concernsabouttheriskoflosingcontrolofkeyenvironmentalregulatoryprogramstothefederal
governmentandcourtsbecauseofthecutsinfundingandstaffattheDepartmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionoverthepastdecade.
Thefollowingisthetextoftheletter
TomorrowtheSenateAppropriationsCommitteewillholdahearingonbudgetingforthe
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(Department).Againstthebackdropoftheongoing
budgetstalemate,itcouldbeeasytolosesightoftheveryrealandprecarioussituationfacingthe
Departmentwithrespecttocapacityissues.
Wearewritingtounderscoresomeofthoseissues,which,ifnotaddressedbythe
GovernorandGeneralAssembly,mayresultinaseriesofunintendedanddamaging
consequencesincludingfederalmanagementofpermittingprograms.
BudgetImpactstoDepartmentOperations
SinceFY20022003,therehasbeenmorethana40percentcutinGeneralFundsupport
fortheDepartmentgoingfrom$245.6millionin20022003to$142.6millionin20152016.
Asaresult,theDepartmenthaslost22percentofitsstaff.Thatsmorethan700positions.
Thesecutshaveoccurredacrosstheboard,cripplingtheDepartmentsabilitytomeetits
missionofprotectingthehealthandsafetyofPennsylvaniascitizens.Ithasalsocostthe
Commonwealthmillionsofdollarsinfederalfundingforstaffandprogramsupport.
Thesecutshavebeenmadewithoutregardfortheirimpactonreviewingandissuing
permits,conductingcomplianceinspections,andtakingenforcementactions.Theyarecutsthe
Departmenthassimplybeenexpectedtolivewith,regardlessoftheconsequences.
Atthesametime,therehasbeennocorrespondingdecreaseinthelawstheDepartment
hastoenforce,theprojectsitistoldtoundertake,themandatesitmustmeet,andthe
emergenciestowhichitmustrespondinordertoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment.
Thoseresponsibilitieshaveonlyincreasedinthelastdecade.
ConsequencesofBudgetCuts
Wehavereachedthetippingpoint.Failuretochangecoursewillleadtothecourtsand
federalgovernmentmakingourdecisionsforus.
Overthepastseveralyears,theDepartmenthasbeenengagedinaseriesofremedial
reportsandactionplanswiththeU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)andOfficeof
SurfaceMiningReclamationandEnforcement(OSMRE),amongothers,toaddressongoing
capacityandstaffingissues.Someexamplesinclude:
Someexamplesinclude:
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyWater
ThereareanumberofprogramswhereEPAreviewhasfounddeficienciesinstaffingand
resources:
A
2012SummaryFieldReportontheDepartmentsStormwaterProgram
,thatcontained
severalobservationsregardinglackofcapacityincluding:insufficientRegionalOfficereviews
ofpostconstructionstormwatermanagementplans(Observation5)overallabilitytoundertake
complianceandenforcementactivities(Observation10)lackofCentralOfficeoversight
(Observations14and23)andinsufficientstaffingtoimplementtheMunicipalSeparateStorm
SewerSystem(MS4)TotalMaximumDailyLoad(TMDL)andChesapeakeBayPollution
ReductionPlans.

AMay2015letter
,notingthatEPAmayneedtoconditionorredirectfederalfundingfor

ChesapeakeBaypollutionreductionefforts.Thisfundingwasindeedwithheld,thoughitwas
recentlyreleaseduponannouncementoftheDepartments
RebootPlanfortheChesapeakeBay
.
However,ongoingfundingwillbecontingentondemonstrationofsufficientfundingand
outcomesforthateffort.
A
June2015EPAProgramEvaluationReportontheDrinkingWaterStateRevolvingFund
Program
,whichisadministeredbyboththeDepartmentandthePennsylvaniaInfrastructure
InvestmentAuthority.SpecificactionitemsfromtheReportincludedDepartmentevaluationof
staffresourcestoaddressfailuresininspectionsandthefinalizationofprojects.
A
June2015EPAProgramEvaluationReportontheCleanWaterStateRevolvingFund
Program
,notingsimilarstaffingreviewneedsaswiththeDrinkingWaterStateRevolvingFund
Program.
U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyAir
Ina
November2015EPATechnicalSystemAudit
onairqualitymonitoring(attached
withthiscorrespondence),EPAdeterminedthattheDepartmentsAirQualityMonitoring
Divisionisseverelyunderstaffed,constitutingaMajorFindingwhichequatesto
nonconformanceofhighimportancewhichisunacceptableandmustberemedied.
ReportdiscussionnotesthattheDepartmentlacksadequateresourcesbothinpersonnel
andfunding,andthatEPAauditorsfoundsignificantconcernswith[theDepartments]field
staffshortage.
Thecorrectiverecommendationofferedinthereportisthatvacantpositionsneedtobe
filledinordertocontinueoperating(the)airmonitoringprogrampursuantto40CFR58
AppendixA.
OfficeofSurfaceMiningandReclamationEnforcement
Since2011,theDepartmenthasbeenrequiredtosubmitaseriesofActionPlansfor
regulatorycompliancetoOSMRE.Inthe
2016OversightPerformanceAgreementandAction
Plan
signedbyboththeDepartmentandOSMRE,therearetwospecificareasofparticularnote
withrespecttobudgetissues:
Duetostaffingreductions,theDepartmenthasnotbeenabletomeetrequiredinspection
compliancerates.In2012,thecomplianceratewas71%onactiveminepermits38%oninactive
minepermitsand20%onbondforfeitedpermits.
OSMREhasalsotakenissuewithadequacyofbondingforminingpermits,citingtheinability
oftheDepartmenttoconductfullvolumebondingwithpropersiteanalysisduetostaffing
shortfalls.Thismatterisdoublyimportantbecauseanybondingshortfallscould(andlikelywill)
ultimatelybecomealiabilityfortheCommonwealth.
IncorrespondencebetweenOSMREandtheDepartment(attachedtothis
correspondence),OSMREstates:failure[tocomplywiththeOversightPerformanceAgreement
andActionPlan]willjeopardizePennsylvaniasprimacyundertheFederalSurfaceMining
ControlandReclamationActforregulatingcoalsurfaceminingoperations.
PennsylvaniasBudget&EnvironmentalResponsibility
Theseexamples,whicharelikelyafewofmanyareasofconcern,demonstratea
pervasiveinabilityoftheDepartmenttoperformitsmandatedresponsibilities.Thesedeficiencies
arenottheresultofDepartmentneglecttheystemdirectlyfromlongtermstaffingandfunding
shortfalls.
Inotherwords,therearedeficienciesthatwehavethemeanstoremedy.Theseare
deficienciesthatwearelegallyobligated,throughstateandfederallaw,toaddress.

TheobligationsoftheDepartmentareonlygoingtoincrease.OneofPennsylvanias
mostimmediateandchallengingobligationscleaningofroughly
19,000milesofpolluted
streamsinPennsylvania
,includingtheChesapeakeBayWatershedisnowsquarelyinthe
crosshairs.
TheCommonwealthisprojectingasignificantshortfallfor2017pollutionreduction
targets.Thesearenotaspirationalstandardstheyarelegallymandatedrequirementsthat
Pennsylvaniaisnotgoingtomeet.
The
Departmenthasbeenextraordinarilycandid
aboutthisreality,evenwhile
undertakinganewmultiagencystrategy,usingallavailableresources,toreducewaterpollution.
IftheGovernorandGeneralAssemblyfailtofullyact,theyknowinglyrisktheveryreal
possibilitythatPennsylvaniawilllosecontrolofair,water,andminingprograms,amongothers,
tothefederalgovernment.
Thisisnotanoutcomethatanyone,regardlessofpartyaffiliationorfiscalviewpoint,
shouldwant.
Wesuspecttheregulatedcommunitywouldstronglyagree.
LackofadequatefundingfortheDepartmentwill,andshould,resultindramaticpermit
feeincreasesinanefforttoatleastpartiallybridgetheshortfall.
Byourveryownstateconstitution,thereisadefinitiveobligationonelectedmembersof
governmenttoprotectpublichealthandtheenvironment.Thisstartswithensuringthatour
resourceprotectionagencieshavethetoolsandcapacityneededtofulfilltheirmission.
Sincerely,
DavittWoodwell,PresidentandCEO,PAEnvironmentalCouncil
HarryCampbell,PAExecutiveDirector,ChesapeakeBayFoundation
Acopyoftheletterandattachments
isavailableonline
.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesonPECprograms,activitiesandspecial
events.)
FormoreonChesapeakeBayrelatedissuesinPennsylvania,visitthe
CBFPA
webpage.
ClickHere
tosignupforPennsylvaniaupdates(bottomofleftcolumn).
ClickHere
foracopy
ofCBFPAsmostrecentnewsletter.
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OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
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GovernorsOfficeLatestRegulatoryAgenda:DEPPermitFeeIncreasesFor6Programs

TheGovernorsOfficepublisheditssemiannualRegulatoryAgendashowingregulationchanges
inprocessandbeingdevelopedinthecomingyearintheFebruary27PABulletinstartingon
page1119
.TheAgendaprovidesanagencybyagencylistingofregulations.
FortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,theGovernorsRegulatoryAgenda
showsDEPproposingpermitfeeincreasesforthecoalandnoncoalmining,SafeDrinking
Water,EnvironmentalLaboratories,RadiationProtectionandAirQualityprogramsinthe
comingyear.
AmongtheregulationslistedintheAgendaforDEPare
ProposedNoncoalPermitFeeIncreases2ndQuarter
ProposedCoalMiningPermitFeeIncreases2ndQuarter
ProposedSubchapterD,Chapter78DrillingRegulationChanges4thQuarter
FinalTotalColiformInDrinkingWaterRule3rdQuarter
FinalDisinfectantResidualinDrinkingWaterRule4thQuarter
ProposedSafeDrinkingWaterFeeIncreases4thQuarter
ProposedNutrientCreditTrading/OffsetProgramChanges2ndQuarter
TriennialReviewOfWaterQualityStandards2ndQuarter
ProposedChangesToSewageFacilitiesPlanning,Permitting4thQuarter
ProposedEnvironmentalLaboratoryFeeIncreases2ndQuarter
FinalLandRecyclingProgramChanges1stQuarter
ProposedStorageTankRegulationChanges4thQuarter
ProposedRadiationProtectionPermitFeeIncreases1stQuarter
ProposedAirQualityPermitFeeIncreases2ndQuarter
ProposedEliminationOfLowRVPGasolineInPittsburgh2ndQuarter
ProposedEliminatingInstallationofStageIIVaporRecoverySystems3rdQuarter
FortheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,theRegulatoryAgenda
includesupdatingtheagencyslistofthreatened,endangeredandrarenativewildplants(
PA
Bulletin,page1123
).
InadditiontothisRegulatoryAgenda,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
publishedits
NonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda
onFebruary1showing
guidanceinprocessandunderdevelopmentforthecomingyear.
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PUCAsksForIncreasedFundingForMoreRail,PipelineInspectors

AppearingbeforetheHouseAppropriationsCommittee
Wednesday,PublicUtilityCommission
ChairGladysBrown
said
thePUCsFY201617budgetrequestincludesthehiringoftwo
additionalrailsafetyinspectorsandtwoadditionalpipeline
inspectors,butnotanincreaseinoverallPUCcomplement.
Pennsylvaniasgrowthasanenergyhubisdrivingaseries
ofinterrelatedissuesacrossthestate,saidBrown.Forinstance,
thePUCiswitnessingagrowingdemandforaccesstogas.In
response,overthepasttwoyearsthePUChasapprovedpilot
projectsforsevennaturalgasdistributioncompanies.Thesepilots
areaimedatreducingcostsandprovidingalternativefinancing
mechanismsfortheextensionofgasservicetohomesandbusinesses.
ThereisnodoubtthatagrowinglistofPennsylvanianswantaccesstolowcostnatural
gasandtheywantitsoonerratherthanlaterbutwecannotoverlooktheimportanceof
replacingoldleakproneandpossiblycorrodedlinesasquicklyaspossible,explainedBrown.
TheCommissioncontinuestopushforrapidreplacementofagingnaturalgasinfrastructure,
especiallyinPhiladelphiaandotherolderserviceareas,wherethousandsofmilesofoldcastiron
andunprotectedsteellinesareconsideredatrisk.
JustlastmonththePUCapprovedamechanismtoexpeditePhiladelphiaGasWorks
pipelinereplacementplansignificantly,from86yearstoapproximately55years.Onadollar
basis,companieslikeUGIGasandColumbiahaveincreasedexpendituresonpipeline
replacementbymorethan100percentsince2010.Thesecompaniesarenowonpacetoreplace
allatriskpipeby28and14yearsrespectively.
Currently,thePUChas15gassafetyinspectorswhoareresponsibleforinspecting
46,000milesofdistributionpipeline,3,000milesoftransmissionpipeline,and1,300ofAct127
nonjurisdictionalpipeline,saidBrown.IamproudtoconveythatlastyearthePUCreceived
theresultsofa2014PHMSAperformanceevaluation.PHMSAgavethePUCaperfectscorein
itsevaluationofourenforcementoffederalpipelinesafetyregulations.
Theseresultswillhelpbolsterourcaseforcontinuedfederalfunding.However,asI

notedearlierinmyremarks,ourbudgetincludestheproposedhiringoftwoadditionalgassafety
inspectorstoassistwithoureffortstoeffectivelymonitorthesafetyofthisburgeoningindustry.
ThePUCcontinuestopromoteenhancementstothePAOneCallprograms,aimedat
reducingthenumberofhitsonundergroundlines.Thesehitsareathreattothesafetyof
workersandbystanders,andcanimpactthecostandreliabilityofutilityservice.
WebelievethatthetransferofenforcementauthorityfromtheDepartmentofLabor&
Industry(L&I)tothePUCwillincreaseenforcementofPAOneCall,curbthenumberof
undergroundlinehits,improvepublicsafety,andreducecostsassociatedwithlinehitsfor
utilities,excavatorsandultimatelyutilitycustomers.
IencourageyoutosupportthesePAOneCalllegislativeinitiatives,whicharecontained
in
HouseBill445
(RBradford),aswellastheinclusionofanamendmenttoremovethe
exemptionrelatedtocrudeoilornaturalgasproductionandgatheringlines,orfacilities
associatedwithconventionaloilandgaswells.
TheflowofresourcesusedtoproduceenergyacrossPennsylvaniaisnotjustoccurring
bypipeline,butalsobyrailsomethingthatisaconcernforcommunitiesacrossourstate,for
you,andforthePUC.
Approximately70trainscrossthroughPennsylvaniaeachweekcarryingmillionsof
gallonsofBakkenShalecrudeoil.WorkinginpartnershipwiththeFederalRailroad
Administration(FRA),PUCrailsafetyinspectorsworktoensurethesafemovementoftrains
throughoutthestatebycheckingtracks,equipment,operatingpractices,signals,gradecrossings
andthehandlingofhazardousmaterials.
Currently,wehaveeightrailsafetyinspectors(onevacancy)responsiblefor5,600miles
ofrailwayslocatedintheCommonwealth.
Overthispastyear,wehaveworkedtofillvacanciesinourrailsafetyinspectionunit,
andthebudgetrequestbeforeyouincludesthehiringoftwoadditionalinspectorsincreasing
ourcomplementby25percentandgoingbeyondrecommendationsincludedintheGovernors
August2015AssessmentofCrudeByRailSafetyIssuesinCommonwealthofPennsylvania
report.
Ourgoal,workingwithFRA,istoensurethatourrailnetworkissafefortransporting
allcargoesfromcrudeoiltopeoplesocommunitiesandindustriesacrossthestatecan
continuetobenefitfromthepositiveeconomicimpactthatrailtransportationprovides.
AcopyofthePUCswrittentestimony
isavailableonline
.
ClickHere
forvidoesof
Housebudgethearings..
HerearethemajorbudgetdocumentsfromtheGovernorsBudgetOffice

FY201617ExecutiveBudget

FY201617LineItemSpreadsheet
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WolfBudgetProposesToRaise,ExpandStateWasteDisposalFeesTo$9.00/Ton
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

Budget:DCNRNoDrillingRigsNowOnStateForestLand

DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources
SecretaryCindyAdams
Dunn
appearedbeforetheSenateAppropriationsCommitteeWednesdayto
answerquestionsabouttheGovernorsproposedFY201617budgetrequest
formorethantwoandonehalfhours.
SecretaryDunnsaidDCNRhasseenasignificantdeclineindrilling
ontheexistingleasesonStateForestLandsayingthereisntasingledrilling
riginStateForests.
Senatorsfrombothpartiesalsoexpressedsupportforthe
Heritage
AreasProgram
thatwasnotfundedbytheGovernorsrequestandasked
detailedquestionsaboutthelossofnaturalgasroyaltiesgoingtotheOiland
GasLeaseFundanditsimpactonDCNR.
TheGovernorsbudgetincludes$50.9millioninadditionalGeneralFundsupportfor
DCNRtotakeanothersteptowardweaningtheagencyofftheOilandGasLeaseFundrevenue
topayforadministrationandoperationalcosts.
Thebudgetwouldalsoincreaseandbroadenthestate
wastedisposalfeeby$1.75/ton
withtheresulting$35millioninrevenuetobedepositedintheOilandGasLeaseFundtohelp
makeupforthe
lossofrevenuefromDCNRnaturalgasroyaltiestotheFund
.
Thefeeincreaseandexpansionarenecessary,accordingtotheproposal,toallowthe
continuedtransfersoutoftheOilandGasLeaseFundtotheEnvironmentalStewardship
(GrowingGreener)FundandtheHazardousSitesCleanupFundrequiredbyAct13.
$35millionistobetransferredtotheEnvironmentalStewardshipFundand$15million
totheHazardousSitesCleanupFundinFY201617.Ifthosetransfersdonothappen,these

Fundswillalsobeobviouslyshortforthecomingyear.
Otherchangesproposedinthebudgetinclude
$2.5millionincreaseinPAConservationCorpsand
1newpositionforPAConservationCorpsforatotalof1,427fulltimepositions,althoughthe
freezeimposedbytheGovernorsbudgetofficepreventsvacanciesfrombeingfilled.
HereisaquicksummaryofthequestionsaskedSecretaryDunnduringthebudget
hearing
StateForestNaturalGasRoyalties:
InresponsetoquestionsfromSen.GeneYaw
(RLycoming),MajorityChairoftheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee,
SecretaryDunnsaidnaturalgasroyaltiesdeclined$60millioninFY201516andisprojectedto
bedown$48millionnextfiscalyear.TheGovernorsproposedbudgetincludesanincreaseand
expansionofthe
statewastetippingfeeby$1.75/ton
.
SecretaryDunnsaidtherearestillmanyexistingleasesthatneedtobedeveloped.She
notedthereisnotasingledrillingrigonStateForestlandatthemoment.ShesaidGov.Wolf
issuedamoratoriumonnewnaturalgasleasing
onStateForestandParklands,butevenwithout
that,drillingactivityisdownacrossthestate.
Inaddition,SecretaryDunnsaid,inresponsetoaquestionfromSen.ElderVogel
(RBeaver),therehaveahandfulofdrillerswholetleasesexpirewithoutdoinganydrilling.
Againinresponsetoaquestion,SecretaryDunnsaidDCNRstillconsidersnewleases
underriversandstreamssubmergedlandtoaccommodatepipelinesandmoreefficientwell
developmentonbothsidesofawaterbody.TheseleasesarenotcoveredbytheGovernors
moratorium.
Sen.YawaskedifDCNRretainedanoutsideauditortolookatwhetherDCNRreceived
alltheroyaltiestheyweredue.SecretaryDunnsaidtheyhavePennStateUniversityasa
doublecheckonroyaltyincomeandtheyhavefounderrors.
SeveranceTax:
Sen.KimWard(RWestmoreland)notedtheGovernorsnaturalgas
severancetaxisnotlikelytobringinthekindofmoneytheGovernorisexpecting,especially
sincetheindustryisdownrightnow.SecretaryDunnacknowledgedtheindustrydoesgoupand
downandasmorepipelinescomeonlinetherewillbemoreproduction.Aseverancetax,she
said,ispartoftheinitiativesneededtoincreasestaterevenues.
KeystoneFund:
Sen.JohnBlake(DLackawanna)notedthereisanincreaseinthe
Keystone
Recreation,ParksandConservationFund
moniesprovidedtoDCNRinthecomingyearbecause
itisfundedbyrealestatetransfertax.SecretaryDunnsaiditwillincreasebyabout$8.6million
forDCNRtouseforparksandrecreationgrants.Shesaidthereiscurrentlyan$800millionlist
ofbackloggedinfrastructureprojectsinparksandforests.AnextgenerationoftheGrowing
GreenerProgramwouldalsobeahelp.
Sen.MarioScavello(RMonroe)suggestedtheKeystoneFundincreasebeusedinstead
oftheGeneralFundincreaserequestedbyDCNRtooffsetlessrevenuefromnaturalgas
royalties.SecretaryDunnsaidwhatisneededismorerevenuesinthebudget.TheKeystone
Fundisnowusedforspecificpurposesandnotforcoveringoperatingcosts.
HeritageAreas:
Sen.BlakesaidheandmanymembersoftheSenatesupport
HeritageAreas
fundingandweredisappointedtoseeitwaszeroedout.SecretaryDunnsaidtheWolf
AdministrationsupportsHeritageAreasasaneconomicdriver,butthelackoffundspointstothe
needformorestaterevenuesources.ShenotedtheseareascanstillapplyforGrowingGreener
funds.

StateForestManagement:
Sen.JudySchwank(DBerks)askedaboutthestatusoftimber
salesonStateForestlands.SecretaryDunnsaidthetimberindustrycontributestotheeconomy
ofeverycountyintheCommonwealth.DCNRhassetupa
GreenRibbonTaskForce
to
determinehowthestatecanmaximizethebenefitsfromandgrowthetimberandrelated
industries.In2015StateForesttimberharvestsbroughtinabout$23millionfrom15,000acres
andDCNRhopestoincreasethatin2016.Shesaidtheyareona140yearrotationfortimber
cutting.
AcquiringMoreStateLand:
Sen.YawaskedifDCNRhascommunicatedwithlandowners
andlocalgovernmentsonwhichlandsitwouldliketoacquiretakingitoutofthetaxbase.
SecretaryDunnsaidStateParkandForestsdohavealistofedgeholdingstheymaywantto
purchase,butiflocalgovernmentsareopposed,theypayattentiontothoseopinionsandDCNR
doesnotgoafterthem.Shenotedlocallandtrustshavealsobeenactiveinacquiringnewlands.
DeerManagement:
Sen.MarioScavello(RMonroe),MajorityChairoftheGameand
FisheriesCommittee,askedforanexplanationofthe
DMAPDeerManagementProgram
noting
hehashearddifferingopinionsonhowwelltheprogramworks.SecretaryDunnsaiditdesigns
DMAPtomeetlocalconditionsandneedsandsheunderstandssomehuntersmaynotbe
completelyhappywiththeirdecisions.
TrailGapStudy
:Sen.ElderVogel(RBeaver)askedifDCNRdidatrailgapstudytosee
wherethereareopportunitiestoclosegapsbetweentrailsegments.SecretaryDunnsaidshe
expandedthetrailgapstudytomakeitsstatewideandarelookingforopportunitiestoworkwith
DEPonminereclamation,forexample,toidentifywheretrailgapscanbeclosed.
UsingTaxpayerDollarsForATV,Ski,OtherActiveRecreationAreas:
Sen.BobMensch
(RLehigh)questionedwhytaxpayermoneyisbeingusedtoATV,skiareasandotheractive
recreationthatprivateindustrycoulddo.Governmentshouldnotbesubsidizingprivate
industry.SecretaryDunnsaidDCNRhasusedpublicprivatepartnershipstodevelopareaslike
therecentannouncementofthe
skiareainWestmorelandCounty
.DCNRhas120
concessionairesthatoperateswimming,boatingandotherservicesinStateParks.
Sen.SeanWiley(DErie)notedforevery$1dollarinvestedinStateParksreturns$12in
economicbenefit.
PAConservationCorps:
Sen.BobMensch(RLehigh)saidyoutharenotenteringeducation
programsforweldersandotherprogramsandDCNRisnotajobtrainingorganizationand
questionedthe$2.5millionrequestforthe
PAConservationCorpsProgram
.SecretaryDunn
saidthePCCProgramwaspopularwithyoungpeoplethatgivesthemjobsskillswithreal
benefittotheagencysStateParksandForests.
PCCCorpsmembers15to18yearsoldworkincrewsundertheguidanceofskilled,
adultcrewleadersoverasixweekperiod.Theygainhandsontrainingincarpentry,masonry,
landscapingandothertrades,andareofferedavarietyofoffsiteeducationalopportunities,
includingGEDpreparation,vocationaltechnicalclasses,collegecoursesandjobshadowing.
Sen.RandyVulakovich(RAllegheny)andSen.PatBrowne(RLehigh),MajorityChair
oftheSenateAppropriationsCommittee,askedformoreinformationonthePCCProgram
becausealltheyknowaboutitisintheGovernorsExecutiveBudgetbook.
SecretaryDunnsaidtheyarelookingtohireapersontooverseeworkcrewmanagement.
DCNRalsowantstodoaspecialprogramfor18to25yearoldstogivethemadditionalwork
skillsovera10monthprogram.
TheSecretarysaidsheseesthisprogramasawayofincreasingdiversity.

AllowedATVEquipment/Safety:
Sen.YawcommentedthatDCNRsrulesallowingATV
usedonotmatchwiththekindsofequipmentisnowavailable.SecretaryDunnsaidequipment
ischangingrapidlyandDCNRislookingatwhatiscompatiblewithdesignatedATVuseareas.
Sen.MarioScavello(RMonroe)askedaboutwhatDCNRisdoingabouttheincreasing
injuriesandfatalitiescausedbyATVaccidents.SecretaryDunnsaidDCNRwouldliketooffer
additionalsafetytrainingtohelppreventtheseaccidentsandpointedtothefacttheagencyhas
offeredgrantsforsafetytraining.Shesaidshewouldprovidemoreinformationtothe
Committee.
NoLifeguardsAtStateParkBeaches:
Sen.RobTeplitz(DDauphin)saidsincelifeguards
wereeliminatedonStateParkbeachesfivepeoplehavedrowned.Hesaidheiswaitingfor
followupfromDCNR.SecretaryDunnsaidtheywillbepostinganewsetofbilingualsigns
makingsurepeopleareawareofDCNRsopenswimpoliciesonitsbeachesbasedononeof
theSenatorssuggestions.
ClickHere
foracopyofSecretaryDunnswrittenbudgettestimony.
ClickHere
for
audioandvideooftheSenatebudgethearings.
HouseBudgetHearing
DCNRsHouseAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearingisFebruary29at2:00.
Click
Here
towatchHousehearingslive.
HerearethemajorbudgetdocumentsfromtheGovernorsBudgetOffice

FY201617ExecutiveBudget

FY201617LineItemSpreadsheet
NewsClips:
DCNRFindsErrorsInRoyaltiesPaidToOil&GasFund
SlowdownInPANaturalGasIndustryAddsToBudgetCrisis
StateSeesLittleActivityOnNaturalGasLeasesOnForestLand
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PennStateThreatensToLayOff1,100ExtensionEmployees
PennStateWarnsItMayLayOff1,100InAgPrograms
PennStateCantJustifyUsingTuitionForExtensionServices
GameCommissionConsidersShuttingMiddleCreek
MiddleCreekConsideredForClosureByGameCommission
Swift:BudgetWorkStarts(Again)InHarrisburg
Swift:ElectionMightPerpetuateStateBudgetFiasco
RelatedStories:
BudgetHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
GovernorsOfficeLatestRegulatoryAgenda:DEPPermitFeeIncreasesFor6Programs
PUCAsksForIncreasedFundingForMoreRail,PipelineInspectors
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch
LackOfFunding,FocusIsCriticallyHarmingPennsylvaniasEnvironmentalPrograms
CBFPA:WolfsBudgetProposalLacksAdequateFundingForNewCleanWaterPlan
CBF:ObamaBudgetHelpsChesapeakeBayFarmersAtCriticalTime,ShortsCities

WolfBudgetProposesToRaise,ExpandStateWasteDisposalFeesTo$9.00/Ton
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText

Thefollowingisthetextof
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn
submittedtotheSenateandHouseAppropriationsCommittees
outliningDCNRsaccomplishmentsinthefirstyearoftheWolf
Administration,efficienciestheagencyisimplementingandDCNRs
budgetneedsforFY201617
GoodmorningChairmanBrowne,ChairmanHughesand
membersoftheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.Thankyouforthis
opportunitytodiscussthebudgetprioritiesoftheDepartmentof
ConservationandNaturalResources.
Whenhepresentedhisbudget,Gov.TomWolfnotedthereare
twopathswecantake.TheGovernorsproposalprovidesaclearpath
forapromisingfutureforourCommonwealthbyinvestinginour
schools,meetscriticalhumanserviceneeds,fullyfundsourpensionanddebtobligations,and
eliminatesthestructuralbudgetdeficitthathasplaguedus.
Thegovernoralsorecognizesthatconservingournaturalplaces,providingcitizensand
visitorswithopportunitiesforoutdoorexperiences,andharnessingournaturalresources
responsiblyimproveoureconomyandqualityoflifeforallPennsylvanians.
Duringthepastyear,DCNRadded
WashingtonCrossingHistoricPark
tooursystem,
androlledouta5yearplanwith83actionstepstoimproveouropportunitiesforoutdoor
recreationandadventuresallacrosstheCommonwealth.
ThreebuildingsonDCNRlands,includinganewvisitorcenterat
OhiopyleStatePark
,
receivedtopcertificationsforbeinggreenandsustainable.Wealsocollectedmorethan4,000
commentstoinforma
plantomanageourstateforests
tomakesuretheyarehealthyand
productiveformanyyears.
DCNRsproposedtotalbudgetof$356.8millionfornextfiscalyearallowsthe
departmenttooperateaswecurrentlydo.
TheGovernorsproposalreturnsstabilitytoourbudgetbyreducingby$51millionour
relianceonrevenuesgeneratedfromleasesfornaturalgasextraction,andrestoringthatsame
amountofGeneralFundmoniestothedepartmentsgeneralgovernment,stateparkandstate
forestoperations.
Thismovesusawayfromfundingconservationthrougharevenuesourcethatissubject
tofluctuationsrelatedtotheenergymarket.
ImpleasedtosaythatDCNRsbudgetincludes$2.5millionforayouthconservation
corpsprogramthatwillofferworkexperience,jobtrainingandeducationalopportunitiesto

youngpeoplewhocompleterecreationandconservationprojectsonPennsylvaniaslands.
Studiesshowthatpeopleage1624whoareemployedhaveabetterchanceinthelabor
marketlaterinlife.Gov.WolfbelievestherewillbepositiveimpactsonPennsylvaniasfuture
workforceifweincreaseyouthemploymentopportunitiesnow.
Wevebeenlayingthegroundworkforthisimportantprogramthroughayouth
engagementstrategicinitiativeoneofsixstrategicinitiativesDCNRisfocusingonthatgrow
fromandbuildonthecoreworkourbureausandstaffperformeveryday.
IfwetakethepathoutlinedbyGov.Wolf,theproposedbudgetsforourbureausofstate
parksandforestryallowustoprovidethesamelevelsofstaffandservicetoensureourvisitors
haveameaningfulandenjoyableexperiencemaintainandimproveourfacilitieswithaneyeto
energyefficiencyandsustainabilitycontinuemonitoringandoversightofgasdevelopmenton
previouslyleasedlandsandcarryonthetraditionofharvestingtimbertomanagetheforestand
supportjobsthatpayintheforestproductsindustry.
Ifwechooseapaththatcontinuestoignorefinancialrealityandpretendsthe
Commonwealthsbudgetisinbalancewhenitclearlyisnot,weputourlocalandstatepark
systemsandourforestsatriskfromcrumblinginfrastructureandinadequatemanagementstaff,
aswellasinvasivepestslikegypsymothandthewaterbasedhydrillaandloseopportunitiesto
helplandownersandcommunitiesaddressissueslikemanagingstormwaterbyplantingtreesand
attractingtouriststoournaturalandheritageassets.
Ourstateandlocalparksandforestsaddbeauty,placestorelievestressandimprove
healththroughfamilyrecreation,andhabitatforwildlifetoflourish.
Inaddition,ourworkprotectingournaturalassetsisimportanttolocaleconomies,
especiallyinruralareas,asourawardwinningstateparksystemgeneratesmorethanabillion
dollarsannuallyineconomicactivityandsupports13,000jobs.
Ourforestproductsindustry,withsupportfromasteady,continuoussupplyofquality,
sustainablyharvestedtimberfromourstateforests,providesjobsthatpayineverycountyinthe
Commonwealthwithanoveralleconomicimpactof$19billioncontributedannuallytothe
stateseconomy.
Closertohome,localandregionalparkscreate$1.6billionineconomicactivityin
Pennsylvaniaandsupportabout12,500jobs.
Relatedtorecreationandconservation,weanticipatethatdollarsfromthe
KeystoneFund
forgrantswillincreasebyabout$8million,reflectingrecentrecoveryinthehousingmarket.
DCNRwillcontinueourworktoconnecttocommunitiesand,throughourgrants,
supportthetrailsandlocalprojectsthataddgreatlytoourfuturehealthandeconomicprosperity.
Thedepartmentsmanypublicservicesfromgeologicalandseismicdatatocommunity
firefightertraining,forestpestmanagement,developmentofrecreationaltrailsareallimportant
toagovernmentthatworks,andtoensuringavitalandhealthyPennsylvaniaforfuture
generations.
Withafullyfundedbudget,thiswillbeanexcitingyearforDCNRaswebuilduponour
coreworkandgrowoureffortsaroundnotonlyyouthengagement,sustainabilityandforest
conservation,butalsowaterresources,adaptingtoclimatechangeandpromotingourfantastic
outdoorrecreationopportunities.
ThemenandwomenofDCNRstriveeverydaytocreateopportunitiestogrowour
recreationalandtourismeconomythrougharevitalizedparkandforestsystemthatensureswe
areconservingournaturalresources,andprotectingourpeopleandtheenvironment.Improud

toworkwiththem,andyou,tomakePennsylvaniaagreatplacetolive,work,andplay.
ClickHere
foracopyofSecretaryDunnswrittenbudgettestimony.
ClickHere
for
audioandvideooftheSenatebudgethearings.
HouseBudgetHearing
DCNRsHouseAppropriationsCommitteebudgethearingisFebruary29at2:00.
Click
Here
towatchHousehearingslive.
HerearethemajorbudgetdocumentsfromtheGovernorsBudgetOffice

FY201617ExecutiveBudget

FY201617LineItemSpreadsheet
RelatedStories:
BudgetHearing:DEPDoesNotHaveEnoughStaffToMeetNeedsInAnyOfItsPrograms
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
DCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWrittenBudgetTestimonyFullText
PAFacesLosingControlOfEnvironmentalProgramsDueToDEPFunding,StaffCuts
GovernorsOfficeLatestRegulatoryAgenda:DEPPermitFeeIncreasesFor6Programs
PUCAsksForIncreasedFundingForMoreRail,PipelineInspectors
WhatsInGov.WolfsNewBudgetForTheEnvironment?NotMuch
LackOfFunding,FocusIsCriticallyHarmingPennsylvaniasEnvironmentalPrograms
CBFPA:WolfsBudgetProposalLacksAdequateFundingForNewCleanWaterPlan
CBF:ObamaBudgetHelpsChesapeakeBayFarmersAtCriticalTime,ShortsCities
WolfBudgetProposesToRaise,ExpandStateWasteDisposalFeesTo$9.00/Ton
WolfShrinksDEPsStaffByAnother200,EvenThoughDEPHasMoreMoney
OpEd:PennsylvaniaMustInvestInItsNewCleanWaterPlan
DrillingImpactFeesDropBy$5,000PerWellIn2015,LossCouldBe$34Million
IFO:DCNROil&GasLeaseFundRevenuesToDropNearly40Percent
CBFPA:PAReleasesNewStrategyForMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
DEP:PennsylvaniaNotMeetingChesapeakeBayCleanupCommitments
Analysis:PAIsntCleaningUpOurRivers,AbandonedMinesQuicklyEnough

PAEnvironmentDigestGoogle+Circle,Blogs,TwitterFeeds

PAEnvironmentDigestnowhasaGoogle+Circlecalled
GreenWorksInPA
.Letusjoinyour
Circle.
Google+nowcombinesallthenewsyounowgetthroughthePAEnvironmentDigest,
Weekly,Blog,TwitterandVideositesintooneresource.
YoullreceiveasithappenspostingsonPennsylvaniaenvironmentalnews,daily
NewsClipsandlinkstotheweeklyDigestandvideos.

Alsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfrom
CrisciAssociates

PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed
:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantnewsupdates.

PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:
providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstories
andannouncementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupand
receiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupfora

oncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.
NEW!
Addyourconstructive
commenttoanyblogposting.

PACapitolDigestDailyBlog
togetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,
includingNewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveasthey
arepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedaily
emailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.

PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed
:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethe
PACapitolDigest
Twitter
feedtogetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaState
Capitol.

Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/GovsSchedule

HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestas
wellasalistofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced

BillCalendars

House(March14):
HouseBill544
(MoulRAdams)furtherprovidingforliabilityprotection
forlandownerswhoopentheirlandforrecreation(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseResolution60
(EmrickRNorthampton)directingtheLegislativeBudgetandFinanceCommitteetoconducta
comprehensivereviewofthestatesprogramtoregulatethebeneficialuseofsewagesludge
SenateBill307
(YudichakDLuzerne)providingforanindependentcounselforthe
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
SenateBill811
(HughesDPhiladelphia)FY201516Capital
Budgetbill
SenateBill1071
(BrowneRLehigh),theagreedtopensionreformbill
Senate
Bill1073
(BrowneRLehigh)agreedto$30.8billionGeneralFundbudgetbill
Senate
Resolution55
(HutchinsonRVenango)reestablishingtheForestryTaskForceundertheJoint
House/SenateLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommittee
(
sponsorsummary
).

<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseBillCalendar.

Senate(March14):

SenateBill805
(BoscolaDLehigh)allowinganAct129optoutforlarge
electricusers(
sponsorsummary
)
HouseBill57
(PayneRDauphin)furtherprovidingfor
naturalgascompetition(
sponsorsummary
).<>
ClickHere
forfullSenateBillCalendar.

CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

House:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
holdsbudgethearingson:Dept.ofConservationand
NaturalResources,Dept.ofEnvironmentalProtectionthe
EnvironmentalResourcesand
EnergyandAgricultureandRuralAffairsCommittees
holdaninformationalmeetingofthe
ChesapeakeBayRebootPlan.<>
ClickHere
forfullHouseCommitteeSchedule.

Senate:
the
AppropriationsCommittee
holdsabudgethearingon:Dept.ofAgriculture.<>

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

SessionSchedule

HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse

Senate
BudgetHearings:Feb.29,March1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11(nosessionduringhearings)
March14,15,16,21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May9,10,11,16,17,18
June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

House
BudgetHearings:Feb.29,March1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11(nosessionduringhearings)
March14,15,16,21,22,23
April4,5,6,11,12,13
May2,3,4,16,17,18,23,24,25

June6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30

GovernorsSchedule

Gov.TomWolf'sworkcalendarwillbepostedeachFridayandhispublicschedulefortheday
willbepostedeachmorning.
ClickHere
toviewGov.WolfsWeeklyCalendarandPublic
Appearances.

BillsOnGovernor'sDesk

ThefollowingbillsweregivenfinalapprovalbytheSenateandHouseandarenowonthe
Governor'sdeskforaction

CACExecutiveDirector:

HouseBill941
(ReganRCumberland),whichamendsthe
AdministrativeCode,includesaprovisionallowing
DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
to
independentlyhireitsownExecutiveDirectorandmakestheSecretaryofDEPanexofficio
memberoftheCouncil.A
SenateFiscalNote
andsummaryisavailable.Thebillwassigned
intolawasAct7.

NewsFromTheCapitol

HouseCommitteesToHoldInformationMeetingOnChesapeakeBayStrategyFeb.29

TheHouse
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
and
AgricultureandRuralAffairs
Committeeswillholdan
informationalmeetingontheWolfAdministrations
ChesapeakeBayRebootStrategy
onFebruary29.
Pennsylvaniaisoneofseveralstatesinthe
ChesapeakeBaywatershed,andassuch,wehave
obligationstoreducenitrogen,phosphorusandsediment
enteringtheBay,saidRep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny),
MajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalCommittee.
Todate,wehavemetmilestonesforphosphorus,butare
stilllagginginourgoalsfornitrogenandsediment.
Asaresult,throughcollaborationamongtheDepartmentsofAgriculture,
EnvironmentalProtectionandConservationandNaturalResources,theAdministrationhas
developedwhattheyarecallingarebootofourexistingChesapeakeBayrestoration
strategy,saidRep.Maher.
ItisthisstrategytheCommitteeswillreviewattheirmeeting.
AmongthoseexpectedtooffercommentsbeforetheCommitteeare:DEPSecretaryJohn
Quigley,AgricultureSecretaryRussellRedding,RichardRoush,DeanofPennStatesCollege
ofAgriculturalSciences,ChrisThompson,LancasterCountyConservationDistrictonbehalfof
thePAAssociationofCountyConservationDistrictsandDeniseColeman,State
Conservationist,USDANaturalResourcesConservationService.
ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom60EastWingstartingatNoon.

Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.
Rep.MartinCauser(RCameron)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseAgriculture
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
mcauser@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Mike
Carroll(DLuzerne)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
mcarroll@pahouse.net
.
NewsClips:
CountiesAttackEPAsChesapeakeBayTMDLRegulation
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
Editorial:FixALCOSANSewageOverflowProblemOnTime
IdleMillInBeaverCountySpursHigherWaterCosts
DelawareRiverkeeperRiverwatchVideoReportFeb.19
U.S.,CanadaToSeek40%CutInLakeEriePhosphorus
AlleghenyRiverLockFixesTakeBackSeat
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
RelatedStory:
CBFPA:WolfsBudgetProposalLacksAdequateFundingForChesapeakeBayCleanupPlan

JointConservationCommitteeEnvironmentalIssuesForumOnHeritageAreasMarch14

The
JointHouseSenateLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservation
Committee
willholditsnextEnvironmentalIssuesForumonMarch14onDCNRs
Heritage
AreasProgram.
JaneSheffield,PresidentofHeritagePA,the
AssociationofPAsHeritageAreas
,willdo
apresentationontheprogram,alongwiththeopportunitiesandchallengesthegrouphas
identifiedforthefuture.
ArecentstudybytheCenterforRuralPennsylvaniafoundthe12HeritageAreas
contributenearly$2billionannuallytothestateseconomy.
TheForumwillbeheldinRoom8EAEastWingCapitolBuildingstartingatnoon.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointCommittee.Tosignup
foramonthlyupdatefromtheJointCommittee,sendanemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
NewsClips:
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PresqueIsleRanked#3InNationalFreshwaterBeachContest
GnomesEvictedFromLittleBuffaloStatePark
PhillyMayorProposes$600MParks,LibraryOverhaul
SchuylkillRiverTrailTakesAnotherBigStep
RelatedStory:
JointConservationCommitteeMarch21HearingOnCollapseOfEWasteRecyclingInPA

HouseEnvironmentalCommitteeInfo.MeetingMarch15OnGasLeaseRoyaltyBill

The
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
willholdaninformationmeeting
onMarch15on
HouseBill1391
(EverettRLycoming)providingforaguaranteedminimum
royaltyonoilandgasleases(
sponsorsummary
).
Themeetingwillbeheldin140MainCapitolBuildingstartingat9:30.
TheCommitteehasalsoscheduledavotingmeetingforMarch16,buthasnotreleased
themeetingagenda.ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoomB31MainCapitolstartingat9:30.
Rep.JohnMaher(RAllegheny)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmental
Committeeandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
jmaher@pahousegop.com
.Rep.Greg
Vitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChairandcanbecontactedbysendingemailto:
gvitali@pahouse.net
.

JointConservationCommitteeMarch21HearingOnCollapseOfEWasteRecycling

The
JointHouseSenateLegislativeAirandWater
PollutionControlandConservationCommittee
is
scheduledtoholdahearingMarch21onthecollapseof
PennsylvaniasElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
createdbytheCoveredDeviceRecyclingAct.
Lastweekthe
PAResourcesCouncil
reportedonly
25percentofstateresidentshaveaccesstofreeTV
recycling,downfrom63percentjustashorttimeago,and
thatcoveragecontinuestoshrink.
Inthelast2yearsPRCsaid
Goodwillannouncedit
willnolongeracceptTVsforrecycling

FivecountiesaroundPhiladelphiareporttheywereforcedtosuspendelectronicsprograms
becausenorecyclerswerewillingtosupportthem

ConstructionJunction
inPittsburghcloseditsdoorstoacceptingelectronics

YorkCountyshutsdownallelectronicscollectionssites

eLoop,aPittsburghbasedrecycler,announcesitwill
nolongerofferCDRAsupported
recyclinginwesternPA
and
BestBuyissuesanewsreleaseannouncing
itwillnolongeracceptTVs
forrecyclingatits37
PAstores.
Thelackofrecyclingopportunitiesandthebanonlandfilldisposalmeansmore
Pennsylvaniansmayresorttoillegaldumping.
KeepPABeautiful
wrotetoeveryHouseandSenatememberearlierinFebruarywarning
2016couldbea
recordbreakingyearforabandonedanddumpedelectronics
ifPennsylvanias
electronicsrecyclinglawisntfixed.
InJanuarytheElectronicsRecyclingAssociationofPA,representingewasterecyclers,
calledforactiontofixthestatesrecyclinglaw
sayingwithoutfundamentalchangesrecycling
opportunitieswillcontinuetodisappear.
Rep.ChrisRoss(RChester),theoriginalsponsoroftheewasterecyclinglaw,is
planningtointroducechangestothelawtotrytogetitbackontrack.
ClickHere
forthePRCactionflyeronewasterecycling.

TheCommitteehearingwillbeinRoom8EAEastWingoftheCapitolstartingat9:00.
Sen.ScottHutchinson(RVenango)servesasChairoftheJointCommittee.Tosignup
foramonthlyupdatefromtheJointCommittee,sendanemailto:
mnerozzi@jcc.legis.state.pa.us
.
Formoreinformationonewasterecycling,visitDEPs
CoveredDeviceRecyclingAct
webpage.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
2014DEPReportToGeneralAssemblyDocumentedProblemsWithEWasteRecycling
Analysis:ElectronicsRecyclingEffortShrinkingInPA,TheLawNeedsToBeFixed
JointConservationCommitteeEnvironmentalIssuesForumOnHeritageAreasMarch14

HouseDemPolicyCommitteeMarch21HearingOnIncentivizingUseOfNaturalGas

The
HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
willconductapublichearingatMarch21in
HarrisburgtodiscussifPennsylvaniashouldincentivizenaturalgas.Theissuewillbeexamined
fromaclimatechange,economic,andhealthperspective.
ThehearingwasorganizedbyRep.GregVitali(DDelaware),MinorityChairofthe
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.
Confirmedspeakersinclude:
RobAltenburg,Director,PennFutureEnergyCenter
MichaelGriffin,AssociateResearchProfessor,EngineeringandPublicPolicy,Carnegie
MellonUniversity(alsoExecutiveDirector,CenterforClimateandEnergyDecisionMaking)
DonBrown,ScholarinResidence,WidenerUniversityCommonwealthLawSchool
RobertHowarth,theDavidR.AtkinsonProfessorofEcologyandEnvironmentalBiology,
CornellUniversity
DaveAlthoffJr.,Manager,DEPOfficeofPollutionPreventionandEnergyAssistanceand
ArepresentativefromtheDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment.
Thehearingwillbeheldin418MainCapitolBuildingstartingat10:00a.m.
ClickHere
towatchthehearinglive.
Publicattendanceiswelcome,butquestionswillbelimitedtoPolicyCommittee
members.MembersofthepubliccansubmitwrittenquestionsandcommentstotheCommittee.
Rep.MichaelSturla(DLancaster)istheChairoftheCommittee.Questionsaboutthe
hearingshouldbedirectedtoRobFogelbysendingemailto:
RFogel@pahouse.net
.

Game,Fish&BoatCommissionsPresentedAnnualReportsToGeneralAssembly

TheGameandFishandBoatCommissionspresentedtheirannualreportstotheHouseGame
andFisheriesCommitteeonTuesdayandWednesday.
ClickHere
fortheGameCommissions
2015Report.
ClickHere
fortheFishandBoatCommissions2015Report.
NewsClips:
GameCommissionConsidersShuttingMiddleCreek
MiddleCreekConsideredForClosureByGameCommission

13BaldEaglesFoundDeadInMaryland
PittsburghBaldEaglesLay3rdEgg
2ndEggSpottedInCodorusBaldEagleNest
Audubon,ParksFoundationToBuild100NestingSites
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA
ErieMarineSanctuaryApplicationAcceptedByNOAA

NewsFromAroundTheState

PABusinessGroupsBackLegalEffortToOverturnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan

ThePAChamberofBusinessandIndustry,OhioChamberofCommerceandTexasAssociation
ofBusinessWednesday
filedajointamicusbrief
with166chambersofcommerceandbusiness
groupsfrom40statesinsupportofalawsuitbystatesandindustrytooverturnEPAssocalled
CleanPowerPlan.
EPAsgreenhousegasregulations,whichwerefinalizedinAugustof2015,seekto
reducegreenhousegasemissionsfromtheelectricitysectorasawhole.Thebriefoutlinesthe
significantdetrimentalimpactstherulewillhaveoncommunitiesthroughoutthenation.
WhiletheU.S.SupremeCourtrecentlyrecognizedthevalidityoftheseconcernsby
imposingastayintheimplementationoftheplan,afinalrulingonthelegalityoftheregulations
stillneedstooccurtoprovidecertaintytoallstakeholders.
EPAsowndocumentsinsupportofthisruleshowthatthenetimpactonclimate
changewillbeminimal,PAChamberPresidentandCEOGeneBarrsaid.Weare
handicappingourselveswhilebothdevelopedanddevelopingnationsareincreasingtheir
emissions.Pennsylvaniahasshownthatafreeandcompetitiveenergymarketcandeliver
emissionsreductionsthecommandandcontrolapproachEPAisusingisbothunnecessarily
costlyandlegallyquestionable.
ThebriefsaidEPAhasadmittedthattheplanwillincreaseenergypricesnationwide,
whiledoinglittletoloweroverallgreenhousegasemissions.
AnindependentanalysisbyNERAEconomicConsultingprojectedtheplanwillincrease
energypricesnationwidewithPennsylvaniaspricesexpectedtoincrease1416percent,Ohios
by1217percentandTexassby1318percent.Ohio,TexasandPennsylvaniaareamongthe
leadersofelectricityproductionandtotalmanufacturingoutput.
Theseprojectedincreasedenergycostswillcreateeconomicrippleeffectsonboththe
stateandnationallevels.
Acopyoftheamicusbrief
isavailableonline
.
ClickHere
foralistoflocalchambersof
commercewhosignedontothebrief.Thecompleteannouncementis
alsoavailableonline
.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleytoldthe
YorkDailyRecordWednesday
DEPhasnttaken
ourfootofftheacceleratorhere,andplanstocontinueitseffortstodevelopaPennsylvaniaplan
formeetingtheEPACleanPowerClimateRulesSeptemberdeadlineforsubmittingaplan.
SecretaryQuigleytoldDEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilatitsFebruarymeetingDEPis
aimingtohaveadraftplanavailablebyMemorialDayforpubliccomment.
DEPheld
14publiclisteningsessions
aroundthestatelastFalltogatherideasonwhat
shouldbeinPennsylvaniasplan.
An
updatetoDEPsbroaderClimateChangeActionPlan
isoutforpublicreview.The

deadlineforcommentsisMarch30.
Formoreinformation,visitDEPs
ClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPPushesOnDespiteCourtRulingOnEPACleanPowerPlan
Editorial:CourtActionOnClimatePlanDisappointing
Editorial:NewEPARulesLimitingMethaneGoodStart
NuclearIndustryBemoansCleanPowerClimatePlanStay
OpEd:NuclearPlantsContributeToGreenerEnergyFuture
OpEd:PoliticalAttacksWontStallClimateChange
CaliforniaMethaneLeakLargestInU.S.History(SoFar)
InZikaEpidemic,AWarningOnClimateChange?
RelatedStory:
DEPClimateChangeActionPlanUpdateCommentsDueMarch30

DEPClimateChangeActionPlanUpdateCommentsDueMarch30

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionisnowacceptingpubliccommentsonthe
updateto
thePennsylvaniaClimateChangeActionPlan
.CommentsaredueMarch30.
(January30formal
notice)
ThePlanisrequiredto:
Identifygreenhousegas(GHG)emissionandsequestrationtrendsandbaselinesinthis
Commonwealth
EvaluatecosteffectivestrategiesforreducingoroffsettingGHGemissionsfromvarious
sectorsinthisCommonwealth
Identifycosts,benefitsandcobenefitsofGHGreductionstrategiesrecommendedbythe
Plan,includingtheimpactonthecapabilityofmeetingfutureenergydemandwithinthis
Commonwealth
IdentifyareasofagreementanddisagreementamongcommitteemembersaboutthePlanand
RecommendtotheGeneralAssemblylegislativechangesnecessarytoimplementthePlan.
ClimatePlanUpdateSections
PartofthePlanUpdatewillinclude13workgroupreportsmakingrecommendations
covering:
CombinedHeatandPower
,
ManureDigesters
,
GeoExchangeSystems
,
HeatingOil
ConservationandFuelSwitching
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
SemiTruckFreight
Transportation
,
BuildingEnergyCodes
,
HighPerformanceBuildings
,
CoalMineMethane
Recovery
,
UrbanandCommunityForestryRoleinClimateChangeMitigation
,
Act129Phase
IV&V
,
ManufacturingEnergyTechnicalAssistance
and
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
.
KeyFactsFromUpdate
HerearesomekeyfactsfromtheClimatePlanUpdate
Overall,Pennsylvaniasgreenhousegasemissionsin2030areexpectedtobelowerthanin
2000.
Between2000and2012totalstatewidegreenhousegasemissionsinPennsylvaniadeclinedby
35.58milliontoncarbondioxideequivalentsorby11.02percentfrom322.96MMTCO2eto
287.38MMTCO2e.
The13specificWorkPlansincludedintheUpdateareexpectedtoreducegreenhousegas
emissionsby337.69milliontoncarbondioxideequivalents.

TheWorkPlanswiththemostcosteffectiverecommendations,accordingtotheanalysisdone
intheUpdateare:
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
,
SemiTruckFreightTransportation
,
GeoExchange
Systems
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuelSwitching
and
HighPerformanceBuildings

(see
page6)
.
TheWorkPlanswiththehighestpotentialreductionsare:
EnergyEfficiencyFinance
,
High
PerformanceBuildings
,
ReLightingPennsylvania
,
HeatingOilConservationandFuel
Switching
,and
GeoExchangeSystems
(seepage6)
.[Note:4of5overlap.]
Acopyofthe
ClimatePlanUpdateforcomment
isavailableonline.
DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleyhassaidtheClimateChangeActionPlanandits
updatesare
broaderinscope
thanthespecificrequirementtomeet
EPAsCleanPowerClimateRule
requirements.DEPisjustnowputtingtogetherPennsylvaniasplantomeettheCleanPower
Rule.
Commentscanbesubmitthrough
DEPseComment
webpageorbysendingemailto:
ecomment@pa.gov
orinwritingtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,PolicyOffice,
RachelCarsonStateOfficeBuilding,P.O.Box2063,Harrisburg,PA171052063.
AcopyofthePlanupdateispostedon
DEPseComment
webpage.Questionsaboutthe
PlanupdateshouldbedirectedtoMarkBrojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
MorebackgroundontheClimateChangePlanandotherreportsisavailableonDEPs
ClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
webpage.ThenextmeetingoftheCommitteeissetfor
March8.
FormoreinformationonPAclimaterelatedissues,visit
DEPsClimateChange
webpage.
NewsClips:
DEPPushesOnDespiteCourtRulingOnEPACleanPowerPlan
Editorial:CourtActionOnClimatePlanDisappointing
Editorial:NewEPARulesLimitingMethaneGoodStart
NuclearIndustryBemoansCleanPowerClimatePlanStay
OpEd:NuclearPlantsContributeToGreenerEnergyFuture
OpEd:PoliticalAttacksWontStallClimateChange
CaliforniaMethaneLeakLargestInU.S.History(SoFar)
InZikaEpidemic,AWarningOnClimateChange?
RelatedStory:
PABusinessGroupsBackLegalEffortToOverturnEPACleanPowerClimatePlan

ChesapeakeBayProgramsTryToIncreaseDiversity

Thefederalstate

ChesapeakeBayProgram
isdevelopinga
comprehensivestrategyfor

increasingdiversity
inits
leadership,decisionmaking,inimplementationof
conservationandrestorationactivitiesandiscreating
meaningfulopportunitiestorecruitandengagediverse
stakeholdersintheBayProgramefforts.
InEnglishthatmeansminoritygroupsarewoefully
underrepresentedintheChesapeakeBayProgramandthe

concerns,opinionsandcreativeideasofthesecommunitiesisbeingoverlooked.
Tohelprectifythisoversight,theProgramformedthe

DiversityActionTeam
shortlyafter
thesigningofthelatest

ChesapeakeBayAgreement
in2014andchargeditwithdevelopinga
strategyforinvolvingandrecruitingminorityparticipation.
TheActionTeamdevelopeda26pagedraft

DiversityOutcomeManagementStrategy
for
accomplishingthisgoal,butnowneedsrealworldfeedbackonits

suggestedactionsfor
201617
.

ClickHere
forasummaryoftheapproachestakeninthestrategy.
ClickHere
fora
summaryofcurrenteffortstoincreasediversity.
KristenWolfatDEPistheDiversityProgramscontactinPennsylvania.Shecanbe
contactedbysendingemailto:
kwolf@pa.gov
.
Formoreinformation,visittheChesapeakeBayPrograms

DiversityActionTeam
and
Diversity
webpages.
NewsClips:
CountiesAttackEPAsChesapeakeBayTMDLRegulation
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
Editorial:FixALCOSANSewageOverflowProblemOnTime
IdleMillInBeaverCountySpursHigherWaterCosts
DelawareRiverkeeperRiverwatchVideoReportFeb.19
U.S.,CanadaToSeek40%CutInLakeEriePhosphorus
AlleghenyRiverLockFixesTakeBackSeat
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

USDA,PartnersUrgeFarmersToFillOut3SurveysToEvaluateConservationPractices

Thereareseveralsurveyscurrentlyunderwayandcomingsoonthat
willhelpUSDA
andpartners
assessthebenefitsofvoluntaryconservationandidentifyconservationneedsthroughout
PennsylvaniaandintheChesapeakeBayWatershed.
ThesurveysincludeUSDAsConservationEffectsAssessmentProjectCropland
NationalAssessment(CEAP2)andNRCSSupplementalSurvey,andtheChesapeakeBay
WatershedStudy.
Itisimportantforfarmerstocompleteallofthesesurveys,astheyhelpdocumentallthe
conservationworkproducersaredoingtoimprovethelandscape.
ConservationEffectsCroplandNationalAssessment
TheUSDANationalAgriculturalStatisticsService(NASS)andtheUSDANatural
ResourcesConservationServicearecurrentlyconductingtheConservationEffectsAssessment
ProjectCroplandNationalAssessment(CEAP2).
ThisisthesecondCEAPstudydesignedtoprovideanevaluationofthetrendsinand
effectsofconservationpracticesimplementedsinceCEAP1.CEAP2isthesameasCEAP1,
exceptthatCEAP2includescroplandandpastureacres.
Updatedinformationwillhelpdocumentthecurrenttrendsinmanagementand
prevalenceofconservationpracticesonthelandscapeandcanpositivelyinfluenceconservation
planning,programdevelopment,andpracticeimplementation,thusenhancingthebenefitsof
voluntaryconservation.

CEAP2beganinOctober2015andistakingplacethrough2017.Theprocessbegins
withtheselectionofNationalResourceInventorypointsrepresentativeofourNations
agriculturallands.
Next,trainedenumeratorsfromtheNationalAssociationofStateDepartmentsof
Agriculturewillvisitthefarmerormanagerateachoftheselectedpointstoseeiftheyare
willingtovoluntarilyparticipateintheCEAPfarmersurvey(
availableonline
).
Farmerswhoparticipatewilldescribethefarmingandconservationpracticestheyhave
adoptedontheirownlandsoverthepreviousthreeyears.
NRCSSupplementalSurvey
AnothersurveycriticaltotheCEAPanalysesistheNRCSSupplementalSurvey,that
gathersinformationfromNRCSrecordsandknowledgerelatedtoconservationactivities,
practices,andprogramparticipationrelatedtothefieldsthatweresurveyed.
Thecontentofthesupplementalsurveywillbeavailableincomingweeksonthesame
websiteasthefarmersurvey
.
USDAsincerelyappreciatesyoursupportfortheCEAPeffort.
TheinformationfromtheCEAPsurveywillprovidethefarmingcommunity,thegeneral
public,scientists,andpolicymakerswithacurrentaccountofthetrendsinconservationpractice
adoptionandtheirimpactsonsoilhealthandwaterquality.
Additionally,CEAP2reportswillidentifyconservationsuccessesfromwhichwecan
learntodevelopmorecomprehensiveconservationplansandimplementmoreeffectivepractices
andprograms.
CEAP2willalsoidentifyconservationneedsacrossthecountrysothatNRCScanbetter
allocatefutureresourcestoouragriculturalcommunitiestofurtherprotectthesoil,water,and
relatedresourcesonwhichourfarmingandranchingcommunitiesdependon.
QuestionsregardingCEAP2canbedirectedtoJohnChibirka,6103724655,ext.112or
bysendingemailto:
John.Chibirka@pa.usda.gov
,orJoeKraft,7172372207orbyemailto:
joseph.kraft@pa.usda.gov
.
ChesapeakeBayWatershedStudy
Theothersurveytakingplaceisthe
ChesapeakeBayWatershedStudy
,acollaborative
effortbyPennStateUniversityandseveralstateagencies,conservationorganizations,andother
nongovernmentalorganizations.
TheChesapeakeBayWatershedStudyaimstodeterminetheamountofconservation
practiceadoptiononPennsylvaniafarms.CumulativeresultswillbeprovidedtotheDepartment
ofEnvironmentalProtectiontodocumentthepracticesthatPennsylvaniafarmersaredoingto
conservesoilandwater,andprotectwaterquality.
Tenpercentoftheparticipantsinthisinventorywillberandomlyselectedforfarmvisits
byPennStateExtensiontoassesstheaccuracyoftheoverallinventory.
OnJanuary29,theSurveyResearchCentermailedalettertomorethan20,000farmers
inPennsylvaniasportionoftheChesapeakeBaywatershed,invitingthemtoparticipateinthe
survey.
Theletterprovidesalinktothesurveyonline,allowingfarmerstorespondtothesurvey
attheSRCs
secureweblocation
.Farmersreceivingthelettershouldusethefivedigitcode
providedinthelettertologinandcompletethesurvey.
AllfarmersintheChesapeakeBaywatershedareurgedtofilloutthesurvey,whether
theyreceivedaninvitationletterinthemailornot.

IfafarmerintheChesapeakeBaywatershedhasnotreceivedamailingfromtheSRC
butwouldliketofilloutthesurvey,theycanrequestasurveyinoneofthreeways:

Visitthewebsite
torequestacodenumbertofilloutthesurveyonline,orhaveasurvey
mailed

CalltheSurveyResearchCenter
at18668984277torequestasurveybymail.Besureto
referencePAFarmConservationPracticesInventoryProjectinyourrequestor

Filloutapostcardorsignupsheet
availableatmanywintermeetingsheldbysurvey
partners.
ForadditionalinformationregardingtheChesapeakeBayWatershedSurveyplease
contactMattRoyer,PennStateUniversity,111BFergusonBuilding,UniversityPark,PA16802,
call8148638756orsendemailto:
mzr154@psu.edu
.
Formoreinformationonfederalfarmconservationprograms,visitthe
NRCS
Pennsylvania
webpage.
NewsClips:
CountiesAttackEPAsChesapeakeBayTMDLRegulation
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
Editorial:FixALCOSANSewageOverflowProblemOnTime
IdleMillInBeaverCountySpursHigherWaterCosts
DelawareRiverkeeperRiverwatchVideoReportFeb.19
U.S.,CanadaToSeek40%CutInLakeEriePhosphorus
AlleghenyRiverLockFixesTakeBackSeat
LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal

Feb.23ChesapeakeBayJournalNewsNowAvailable

The
February23ChesapeakeBayJournalNews
isnowavailablefeaturingarticleson

SupremeCourtToConsiderBayTMDLChallengesFeb.26

EPAPostsDraft201617MilestonesOnWebsite

PCBLevelsInSomeDCCaughtFishDecline

CalendarofBayEvents

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy.

BerksConservationDistrictManureManagementWorkshopsMarch19,April6,8

The
BerksCountyConservationDistrict
willhold
ManureManagementWorkshops
onMarch19
andApril6and8.
Doyouneedamanuremanagementplanorisyourcurrentplanoutofdate?Allfarms
thatgenerateorspreadmanurearerequiredtohaveawrittenplanandareencouragedtoattend
oneoftheseworkshops.
Wewillshowyouwhattheadvantagesareofhavingaplan,howtocompleteeachstep
oftheworkbook,andhowtoimplementtheplan.
TheMarch19workshopisintendedforallfarmsgeneratingorapplyingmanure.Itwill
beheldfrom10:00a.m.to3:00p.m.attheHosssSteakandSeaHouse,121CenterAve.in
Leesport.Acomplementarymeanisincluded.

TheApril6and8workshopsarespecificallyforhorseoperationsandwillbeheldatthe
BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport,from6:00to9:00p.m.
Lightrefreshmentsanddoorprizeswillbeavailable.
Attendanceforbothworkshopsisfreebutregistrationisrequired.Tosignupforeither
workshoporforanyquestionscontactRitaSeidelat6103724657Ext.207orsendemailto:
Rita.Seidel@berkscd.com
.
Formoreinformation,visittheBerksConservationDistricts
ManureManagement
Workshops
webpage.
NewsClips:
LehighFarmlandOwnersUrgedToPreserveLand
Crable:FarmersCanContinueToSellExcessPowerFromDigesters

ElkCountyMarch29WorkshopToFocusOnStreamProtection,WaterQualityIssues

Landowners,municipalofficials,watershedorganizations,farmersandcontractorsare
encouragedtoattendaMarch29workshopatthe
ElkCountyVisitorCenter
inBenezetteto
learnthelatestonstreamprotection,bestmanagementpracticesandforestbuffers.
AmongthespeakerswillbeDr.BernSweeney,Presidentofthe
StroudWaterResearch
Center
inChesterCounty.
The
ElkCountyConservationDistrict
,
WesternPAConservancy
,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtectionandtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyaresupportingthe
workshop.
Thisfreeworkshopwillbeheldfrom9:00a.m.to3:30p.m.Lunchwillbeprovided.
ThedeadlineforregistrationisMarch24.Spaceislimitedtothefirst50registrants.To
register,contactKateYetzerbysendingemailto
kyetzer@countyofelkpa.com
orcall
8147765369.

DEPOKsCoudersportWaterWellUseAfterContaminationByDrillingPadSpill

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayannouncedithasgrantedapprovaltothe
CoudersportBoroughAuthoritytobeginusingtwodrinkingwaterwellsthathadbeenoutof
servicesinceSeptemberduetoasurfactantspillata
JKLMEnergy
wellpadinSweden
Township,PotterCounty.
TheresultsofsamplingdoneinlateDecemberbyDEPandtheauthorityindicateall
drinkingwaterparametersarewellbelowmaximumcontaminantlevelsorwerenotdetected,
DEPRegionalDirectorMarcusKohlsaid.Allotherparameterswerenotdetectedoratminute
safelevels.
TheauthoritysEastWells#1and#2weretakenofflineinlateSeptemberasa
precautionarymeasurefollowingasurfactantspillatJKLMEnergysReeseHollow118well
pad.
TheColeMemorialHospitalwellsremainofflineashospitalofficialshavenotasked
DEPforapprovaltoplacethembackinservice.
TheOilandGasprogramsinvestigationintothespilliscontinuing.
Formoreinformation,contactDEPsNorthcentralRegionalOfficeat5703273636.

LebanonWastewaterTreatmentPlantUpgradeEarnsNationalRecognition

GannettFleming
ofCampHill,CumberlandCounty,hasearnedaNationalRecognitionAward
forexemplaryengineeringachievementinthe
AmericanCouncilofEngineeringCompanies

49thannualEngineeringExcellenceAwardsforthe
CityofLebanonAuthoritys
Wastewater
TreatmentPlant.
Afourprongedapproachupgradedahalfcenturyoldtreatmentplanttomeetprojected
longtermgrowthwhilealsomeetingenvironmentalstandards.
Theprojectteamincorporatedequipmentthatincreasestheplantsratedhydraulic
capacityto30milliongallonsperday,yetfitswithinthefacilitysexistingfootprint.This
strategysustainstheenvironment,andsavesmoney.
Theapplicationofseveralemergingtechnologieshelpedtransformtheplantintoa
facilitythatexceedsChesapeakeBaynutrientdischargelimits,andmeetsthecommunitys
wastewatertreatmentneedsthrough2035.
Completedontimeandunderbudget,theprojectaddsvaluetothewastewaterindustry
byprovidingamodelofoptimizationforbothnewandretrofittedplants.
ACECrecognized151projectsthroughoutthenationandtheworldaspreeminent
engineeringachievements,andallwereeligiblefortopnationalhonors.Judgingforthisyears
awardsknownindustrywideastheAcademyAwardsoftheengineeringindustrytook
placeinFebruary,conductedbyapanelofmorethan30engineers,architects,government
officials,mediamembers,andacademia.
Awardcriteriaincludeduniquenessandoriginality,technicalinnovation,socialand
economicvalue,complexity,andsuccessinachievinggoals.
Winnersofthetopnationalawardsincluding16HonorAwards,eightGrandAwards
andtheprestigiousGrandConceptorAwardfortheyearsmostoutstandingoverall
engineeringachievementwillberevealedattheannualEngineeringExcellenceAwardsDinner
andGala,ablacktieeventtobeheldApril19attheMarriottWardmanParkHotelin
Washington,D.C.

PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh

AtareceptionheldonThursdayatitswestern
headquartersbuildinginPittsburgh,the
PAResources
Council
presenteditsinauguralZeroWasteawards
toeightenvironmentalleadersinrecognitionoftheir
commitmenttoadoptingsustainableenvironmental
practicesandminimizingtheamountofsolidwaste
senttoarealandfills.
PRCs
ZeroWastePennsylvaniaProgram
providesspecialevents,commercialbusinesses,
residentialentitiesandinstitutionswithvitalwaste
reductionassistance,saidPRCWesternRegional
DirectorJustinStockdale.Werepleasedtointroduceaformalawardsprogramtorecognize
theaccomplishmentsofthosecommittedtopreservingtheenvironment,andweapplaudthe
effortsofthisyearsclassofhonoreesfortheiroutstandingleadership,innovationand

dedication.
In2015,PRCsZeroWasteteamassistedmorethan50events,businessesand
institutionswithsustainablewastemanagementsolutions.
OurZeroWasteteammembersprovidetechnicalexpertiseandhandsonassistanceto
enableawidevarietyoforganizationstopursuetheultimategoalofproducingzerowaste,said
Stockdale.Eachyearthesemanysuccessfulpartnershipsresultindivertingtonsofmaterial
fromlandfillstobecomevaluablecompostandrecycledproducts.
Inrecognitionoftheircommitmenttozerowasteprinciples,theeighthonored
organizationsreceivedawardsmadeofreclaimedmaterials.Artistsfrom
PittsburghCenterfor
CreativeReuse
handcraftedtheawardsusingwood,glassandavarietyofsalvagedmaterials.
The2015ZeroWasteAwardrecipientswere:
GreenInitiativeEventsAward

PittsburghCulturalTrustDollarBankThreeRiversArts
Festival
:Sincelaunchingitsgreeninitiativein2008,theDollarBankThreeRiversArts
Festivalhasconsistentlyexpandeditseffortsincludingintroducingcompoststations,providing
recyclingcontainersandcollectingcookingoilforrecyclingtopursueitsgoalofhostingazero
wasteannualevent.
RecyclingInstitutionAward
AlleghenyCountyOfficeofSustainability
:Employeesatthe
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingindowntownPittsburghtripledwastediversionduringa
oneyearperiod(beginninginJanuary2015)andnowdivert60percentofthebuildingswaste
fromlocallandfills.
DedicatedPartnerAward
AgRecycle
:ThecomprehensiveprogramsofAgRecyclewhich
exemplifiestheindustrystandardforqualitycompostproduction,customerserviceand
dedicationtowardorganicwastediversionhaveassistedcountlesseventsandinstitutionsreach
highdiversionrates.
PRCalsopresentedZeroWasteawardstofiveeventsthatachievedwastedivisionrates
of90percentorgreater:
ALCOSAN
13thannualALCOSANOpenHouse
:
Since2011,ALCOSANsopenhouse
hasearnedPRCssoleplatinumcertificationdesignation.Sustainedleadershipachieved90+
percentwastediversionforfiveconsecutiveyears,includingthe2015openhouse,which
diverted93percentofitswastefromlandfills.
Citiparks
38thrunningofTheGreatRace
:
In2015,Pennsylvaniaslargest10Kraceandits
relatedeventsdiverted94percentofitsmaterialsfromlandfillsduringtheeighthyearofits
greeninitiative.
ConstructionJunction
9thannualSteelCityBigPour
:

ConstructionJunctions
annual
fundraiser,whichhasworkedwiththeZeroWastePennsylvaniateamsince2010,hasachieveda
92percentdiversionratesince2014.

PittsburghThreeRiversMarathon,Inc.(P3R)DicksSportingGoodsPittsburghMarathon
:
The2015marathonservedasthegreenesttodatewith90percentoftheeventswastediverted
fromlandfills.P3Rssustainabilityinitiativeshavedivertedmorethan39.3tonsofmaterial
fromlandfillssince2011.
TheOutdoorClassroom
7thannualBountyatBoyceMayviewParkFallFest:
Thefestival
experiencedwastediversionratesof97to99percentin2012,2013and2014.The2015event
divertedmorethan22,000poundsofcompostablematerialsreusedfromotherlocations.
Visitthe
ZeroWastePennsylvania
webpageformoreinformationorcall4124887490.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAResources

Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear
PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15
VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear

Workinginpartnershipwiththe
PAResourcesCouncil
,AlleghenyCountywasabletotripleits
wastediversionattheAlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingduringaoneyearperiod.
Thepilotprogramthatdiverted60percentofthebuildingswastefromlocallandfillshas
beenexpandedtoadditionalbuildingsinthecountysfootprintandisexpectedtoseecontinued
benefits.
Whilethecountyhashadarecyclingprogramforawhile,itwasnoteasilyunderstood
andemployeeswerenoteducatedaboutwhatcouldberecycled,saidDirectorDougNolfi,
directoroftheDepartmentofFacilitiesManagement.ThroughthepartnershipwithPRC,we
havebeenabletobetterunderstandwhatwevebeendoingwrongandwereabletoincorporate
manyrecommendationsintoourpilotprogramlaunchedinJanuary2015.
Followinganinitialassessmenttomeasurethequantityandtypeofrefuseinthe
buildingswastestreams,PRCs
ZeroWastePennsylvania
crewworkedwiththecountys
SustainabilityOfficeintheFacilitiesManagementDepartmenttoupgradethebuildings
recyclingprogrambyeducating400employeesandmaintenancestaffmembers,adding
centralizedcollectionstationsandremovingalldesksidebinsinthe235,000squarefoot
buildinglocatedindowntownPittsburgh.
"PRCstrivestokeepvaluablematerialsoutoflandfillsandisproudtoworkwith
AlleghenyCountystaff,saidTeresaBradley,PRCsZeroWasteServicesCoordinator.After
baselinedataisdeterminedandrecommendationsprescribed,followupauditsarestrongly
encouragedthroughouttheyeartotrackprogramsuccessanddeterminehowtheupgraded
recyclingprogramisoperating.
Whentheprogramwaslaunched,theCOBsrecyclingratewasatabout20percent,but
werenowdiverting60percentofthebuildingswasteandweplantoseethatpercentage
continuetoincrease,saidKathleenHrabovsky,SustainabilityManager.PRCstaffvalidates
thetypeandquantityofrecyclingandlandfillwastebysortingthewasteintocategories,
weighingthevariouscategoriesandassessingthequantityinordertomeasureouroverall
diversionrate.Withtheirassistanceandguidance,wecanmeasureandtrackoursuccess."
InJune2015,AlleghenyCountyexpandedthepilotprogramtoinclude40additional
employeesworkingatthenearbyHealthDepartmentAdministrationBuilding,where67percent
ofwastewasdivertedfromlandfilltorecyclingduringthefirstsixmonthsofthecampaign.

Inrecognitionoftheoveralleffort,AlleghenyCountyreceivedtheTopWasteReducer
Awardof
SustainablePittsburghs
2015
GreenWorkplaceChallenge
,andHrabovskysaysthe
countyplanstoexpandtheprogramtoadditionalfacilitiesin2016.
PRCiscommittedtofindingpracticalsolutionsforclientsrangingfromsmall
businessestoregionalgovernmentstoachievethehighestlevelofwastediversionandwaste
avoidance,saidPRCWesternRegionalDirectorJustinStockdale.Thetremendoussuccess
experiencedattheCountyOfficeBuildingispossibletoreplicateelsewhere,andPRCiseagerto
workwithorganizations,businessesandgovernmenttodevelopstrategiestoreduceanddivert
wastethroughouttheregion.
ZeroWastestrategiessavefinancialresourcesaswellasprotectandpreservethenatural
resourcesofPennsylvania.
WhilethecityrequiresrecyclingbyallentitiesincludingAlleghenyCountyoperations,
itsparticularlyencouragingtoseeafacilitysuchasthisoneinvestadditionaleffortand
resourcestoimproveitsrecyclingprogramandachievesuccessfarbeyondwhatisrequired,
saidKyleWinkler,RecyclingSupervisoroftheCityofPittsburghDepartmentofPublicWorks.
Successfulrecyclingisnthard,butitdoesrequireaplan,communication,bestpractices,
measurementofoutcomes,repetitionandongoingcommitment.
MoreinformationisavailableonPRCs
ZeroWastePennsylvania
webpage.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PAResources
Council
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdates,follow
PRConTwitter
or
Likethem
onFacebook
.
ClickHere
forPRCsEventsCalendar.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh
PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15
VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15

The
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPA
announcedMondaythereisanopportunityopentoapplyfor
a
RecyclingPartnershipGrant
from
TheRecyclingPartnership
.ApplicationsaredueApril15.
TheGrantprovidesfundingtocounties,municipalities,solidwasteauthorities/districts,
andtribeswith4,000ormorehouseholds(atleast10,000residents)withcartsandeducational
resources.Thisisagreatchanceforthesecommunitiesthatarestrugglingwiththeircartbased
collectionstomovetothenextlevel.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Professional
RecyclersofPA
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPROP.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue

RelatedStories:
PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear
VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1

ThedepartmentsofTransportationandEnvironmentalProtectionareseekingvolunteersforthis
years
GreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvania
thatbeginsMarch1andrunsthroughMay31.
ThecleanupissponsoredeachyearbyPennDOT,DEP,
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
and
otherpartners.Groupsparticipatingin
PennDOTsAdoptAHighwayProgram
,whichinvolves
volunteerscleaningroadsidesyearround,arealsoencouragedtoparticipateinthecleanup.
Pennsylvaniaisabeautifulstate,anditsimperativethatweworktogethertokeepitthat
way,PennDOTSecretaryLeslieS.Richardssaid.Iurgeindividualstojointhethousandsof
volunteersintheircommunitiestoparticipateinthecleanupthisyeartokeepPennsylvanianot
onlyaestheticallybeautiful,butenvironmentallysafe.
Interestedindividualscanfindalistingofcleanupevents,resourcesfororganizinga
cleanup,andother
informationabouttheeffortonline
.Groupsinterestedinadoptingasectionof
highwayareencouragedtocontacttheirlocalPennDOTCountyMaintenanceofficeandaskfor
theAAHcoordinator
.
Inadditiontolitterpickupevents,volunteersalsoorganizerecyclingeventsforhardto
disposeofitems,helpingtoreduceillegaldumpingthatthreatenspublichealthanddamagesthe
environment,DEPSecretaryJohnQuigleysaid.Volunteerscanalsotakepartbyplanting
bulbsandtreesthatnotonlybeautifyourgreenspacesbuthelpstopreventrunoffpollutionto
ourwaterways.
Alsoaspartofthisyearscleanup,thePARoute6Allianceencouragesresidentsnearthe
Route6HeritageCorridortoregisterfortheir
Route6Roundup
beautificationefforts.
DuringlastyearsGreatAmericanCleanup,6millionpoundsoflitterwascollectedfrom
Pennsylvaniasroads,trailsandshorelinesbymorethan128,000volunteers.PennDOTsAAH
programcontributednearly71,000volunteerswhocleanedupnearly40percentofthecollected
litteron8,757milesofcleaneduproadway.

ThroughPennDOTsAAHprogram,volunteerscollectlitteronatwomilesectionof
statehighwayatleasttwotimesayear.Theprogramcurrentlyhasover6,000participating
groups,morethan111,000volunteersand13,973milesofadoptedstatemaintainedroadways.
Gloves,trashbagsandsafetyvestsareprovidedbyPennDOT,DEP,andtheGLAD
ProductsCompany,anationalsponsorofKeepAmericaBeautifulsGreatAmericanCleanup.
Inaddition,duringPickitUpPADaysfromApril16toMay9,registeredeventshave
accesstoreducedorfreedisposalatparticipatinglandfillssponsoredbyDEPandthe
PAWaste
IndustriesAssociation
.
Forallthedetails,visitthe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvania
webpage.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemclean.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear
PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest

KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
isnowacceptingentriesforitsannual
GreatAmericanCleanupof
PAVideoContest
.ThedeadlineforentriesisJune3.
Toparticipate,sendKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifula2minutevideoofyour
Great
AmericanCleanupofPA
eventshowingindividuals,groups,children,andadultshavingfun
makingyourcommunitiescleanandbeautiful!BesuretomentiontheGreatAmericanCleanup
ofPAinyourvideo.
Cashprizes,sponsoredbythe
PAWasteIndustriesAssociation
,are$200forthewinning
entryand$100eachfortworunnersup.
Weareexcitedtoprovidethisopportunityforcommunitygroupsandindividualsto
showcasetheirlocalprograms.AlotofhardworkandpartnershipsgointotheGreatAmerican
CleanupofPAeventsandthatswhatwewanttosee!saysShannonReiter,presidentofKeep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful.TheKeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulvideocontestisawaytogain
recognitionandbuildsupportforlocalprograms.
AdditionalsponsorsincludeKeepPABeautifulandtheDepartmentofEnvironmental
Protection
HelpChooseTheWinner
Helpchoosethewinnersbylikingyourfavoritevideoonthe
KeepPennsylvania
BeautifulFacebook
page.VotingbeginsonJune13andconcludesonJune23at3:00p.m..

WinnerswillbeannouncedJune24.
Foralltherulesandmoreinformation,visitthe
GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideo
Contest
webpage.
ClickHere
toseelastyearswinner.
ClickHere
toseepastcontestwinners
andentries.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Keep
PennsylvaniaBeautiful
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromKPB,
Likethem
onFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
,
DiscoverthemonPinterest
andvisittheir
YouTubeChannel
.
Alsovisitthe
IllegalDumpFreePA
websiteformoreideasonhowtocleanup
communitiesandkeepthemclean.
Signupnowforthe
2016GreatAmericanCleanupofPA
andsetupyourowncleanup
andbeautificationeventfromMarch1toMay31.Duringthisperiod,registeredeventscan
receivefreetrashbags,gloves,andsafetyvestsfromPennDOTdistrictofficesassupplieslast.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear
PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15
VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1
SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents

The
SchuylkillActionNetwork
leadsthe
SchuylkillScrub
to
connectpeoplewithlittercleanups,andtofosternewones.
EventsspantheentireSchuylkillRiverValleyfromMarch1
toMay31.
TomDavidockandothersatthePartnershipforthe
DelawareEstuaryhavehelpedtoexpandtheSchuylkillScrub
since2010.
Onewaytheyhavedonethisisbycollaboratingwith
likemindedgroups.Theserangefromlocalenvironmental
advisorycouncilsto
KeepPennsylvaniaBeautiful
.Another
wayisofferingprizesandsupport.
TwogroupsaretakingtheSchuylkillScrubtoanewlevelbycollaboratingwithpeople
foracleanerenvironment.
PennDOTsSchuylkillCountyMaintenanceDistrictisengagingvolunteerstokeepthe
riversheadwaterspure.
Over100milesaway,DaveBrindleyofNotinPhillyisrecruitinglocalstopickuplitter
thatmightotherwisewashintotheriversestuary.Botharehostingcleanupeventsthroughout
theentireSchuylkillScrubcampaign.
Iamorganizingvolunteersbecauseourblockhasmanychildrenonit,saidBrindley.I
hatethehopelessnessthattrashstrewnstreetsconveytothem.

AnyonewholeadsacleanupcanentertowinfreeprizesalongtheSchuylkillRiver,like
amoonlightkayakingtour,saidDavidock.Theycanalsotakeadvantageoffreetrashbags,
gloves,andvestsdonatedbyPennDOT.Andfreeordiscountedtrashdisposalisavailablefor
PickItUpPADays
,fromApril16toMay9.
ClickHere
towatcharecentvideoreportontheSchuylkillScrub.
Visitthe
SchuylkillScrub
websitetojoinorregisteracleanup.Localscanevenusethis
websitetosuggestandfindplacesinneedofcleaning.
Formoreinformation,pleasecallVirginiaVassalottiofthe
PartnershipfortheDelaware
Estuary
.Shecanbereachedat8004454935,extension121.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear
PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15
VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

ProfessionalRecyclersOfPAToBeManagedByWannerManagementGroup

Friday,thestaffofthenonprofit
ProfessionalRecyclersofPA
notified
friends,colleaguesandpartnerorganizationsthatMonday,February29
willbethefinaldayoftheiremploymentbyPROP.
ThePROPBoarddecidedtohire
WannerManagementGroup
in
Harrisburgtotakeoverthemanagementoftheorganization.
JenniferSummers(photo)hasbeennamedthenewExecutiveDirector
bytheWannerGroup.Shecanbecontactedbycalling7174416049or
sendemailto:
jennifer@wannerassoc.com
.
HeresthetextofthePROPemployeesnote
OnMonday,February29,2016,wethePROPstaffwillpackourbagsandturninour
keys.ItwillbeourlastdayemployedbyPROP.
ThePROPboarddecidedtohireWannerManagementGroupthatwillbetakingover
PROPandmanagingtheorganization.
Wewouldliketotakethismomenttoleteachoneofyouknowthatworkingwithyou
kindfolksandgettingtoknowyou,hasbeenoneofthebestexperiencesofourlives.Together
wehavelaughed,criedandbecameclosefriends.Wevalueeachoneofyourfriendshipsand
yourdedicationtotheorganization.
Itwasntourchoicetobeleavingsuchawonderfulcompany,weareoverwhelmedwith
emotions.Wehavebeensohappyfortheyearsworkinghere,butanewpathhasbeenmadefor
usinlife.
Wearesadthatwewillbeleavingbehindsomanyfriendsthathavetaughtuslessons,
laughedwithusandaboveallelse,wasthebestgroupofpeoplewehaveeverworkedwith.We
onlyhopethatwefindanewplaceofemploymentwithafractionofthelove,gratitudeand

friendshipthatweallhavefoundinPROP.
Thememoriesthatwewilltakewithusfromthisorganizationaresomethingwewill
alwaystreasure.WewillrememberalltheannualPROPconferencesandthemanyclassesand
workshopsthatweputtogether.
Wewanttothankallthemanyvolunteersthatcontributedtheirtimeandknowledgethat
helpeduseachsucceedinourindividualpositions,wewillneverforgetyou.Wealsowillnever
forgetthelatenightoutingswesharedthatmadeusmorelikeafamilythancoworkers,and
becauseofthatwewillmissyouoneandall.
OurjobsatPROPwereeasyandenjoyablebecauseofeachofyoupersonallyworking
alongsideus.Whilewedontknowwherewearegoingorwhatfutureliesaheadforeachoneof
us,wewishthebestforPROPmovingforwardandhopetokeepintouch.
Loveyouall!
MichelleFreyGlennyandBeckyMiller
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Professional
RecyclersofPA
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPROP.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
RelatedStories:
PRCHonors8OrganizationsWithZeroWasteAwardsInPittsburgh
AlleghenyCountyOfficeBuildingTriplesWasteDiversionRateInOneYear
PROP:ApplyForRecyclingPartnershipGrantsByApril15
VolunteersNeededForStatewideCleanup,BeautificationEffortBeginningMarch1
KeepPABeautifulAcceptingEntriesForGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest
SchuylkillActionNetworkKicksOffSchuylkillScrubCleanupEvents

ApplicationsForEPAEnvironmentalEducationGrantsDueApril8

The
ProfessionalRecyclersOfPA
announcedMondayapplicationsarenowbeingacceptedby
the
EPAEnvironmentalEducationGrantsProgram
.ApplicationsaredueApril8.
Thegrantcoversprojectsthatdesign,demonstrate,and/ordisseminateenvironmental
educationpractices,methods,ortechniques.
Applicantsmustrepresentoneofthefollowingtypesoforganizationstobeeligibleforan
environmentaleducationgrant:localeducationagencystateeducationorenvironmentalagency
collegeoruniversitynonprofitorganizationasdescribedinsection501(c)(3)oftheInternal
RevenueCodeandnoncommercialeducationalbroadcastingentity.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Professional
RecyclersofPA
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromPROP.

Feb.22EEResourcesFromPAEnvironmentalEducators

The
February22EEResources
newsletterfromthe
PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators
isnowavailablefeaturingarticleson

PAEEConferenceOnlyAFewShortWeeksAway

ProjectWETFacilitatorTraining


ProjectLearningTreeFacilitatorWorkshop

ClickHere
tosignupforyourowncopy(bottomleftofthewebpage).

TheOutdoorClassroomUpcomingEnvironmentalEdWorkshopsInPittsburgh

TheOutdoorClassroom
inPittsburghhasavarietyof
Act48EnvironmentalEducation
Workshops
availableforteachersinthecomingmonths.Heresasampling
March8:FrogWatchwithAudubonSocietyofPA
April8:HummingbirdsAtHome
May6:NestWatch
June25:LostLadybugProject
July15:FireflyWatchand
July23:MonarchLarvaMonitoringProject.
ClickHere
toregisterfortheprogramofyourchoice.
Formoreinformationonprograms,resources,trainingandeducationworkshops,visit
TheOutdoorClassroom
website,
LikeOnFacebook
,
FollowonTwitter
orvisit
theirYouTube
Channel
.

GameCommissionSeedlingsForSchoolsProgramsBeginsAcceptingOrdersFeb.29

TheGameCommissiononceagainishelpingstudents
learnaboutthevitalroletreesplayintheenvironment
throughthe
SeedlingsforSchoolsProgram
that
providestreeseedlingstoclassroomssostudentscan
plantthemaspartofprojectstoimprovewildlife
habitat.
OrdersarebeingacceptedfromFebruary29
throughMarch25.
Thereisnochargetoschoolsthatparticipatein
thisprogram.Theseedlingsareprovidedbythe
GameCommissionsHowardNursery
and
shippingcostsareoffsetbydonations.
Theprogramprovidestwolevelsofinvolvementbasedonthegradelevels.
SeedlingsforYourClassisprimarilyforpreKandelementarystudents.Aspartofthis
program,theGameCommissionprovidesaclassroomoronegradelevelwithenoughseedlings
foreachstudenttotakeaseedlinghometoplant.
Seedlingchoicesarewhitespruceandassortedfloweringcrabapple.
Ateachersguide
and
plantinginstructions
comewiththeseedlingsandcanalsobe
accessed
throughthewebsite
.
SeedlingstoDevelopHabitatsisprimarilyformiddleandhighschoolstudents.As
partofthisprogram,theGameCommissionprovidesavarietyofseedlingstostudentswho
mightusethemtoimprovehabitatonschoolorcommunitygroundsoralongstreams,orto
createtreenurseriesorenvironmentalareas.
Seedlingscomeinbundlesof25,andwillbeshippeddirectlytoschoolsbyUPSinApril,
assoonastheyareavailable.
Onceseedlingsarrive,itisimportanttokeepthemmoist,saidAnnettaAyers,

superintendentoftheGameCommissionsHowardNursery.
Seedlingsshouldbehandedouttostudentswiththeirrootsinplasticbagswithmoist
shreddednewspaper,orwiththeseedlingsplantedinjuiceormilkcartonsfortransplantingat
home,Ayerssaid.
TheSeedlingsforSchoolsProgramismadepossiblethroughgenerousdonationsbythe
WildlifeforEveryoneEndowmentFoundation
,
MealeysFurniture
,the
PAForestryAssociation
andthe
RockyMountainElkFoundation
.
IndividualsandgroupswishingtodonatetotheprogramcansendcheckstotheWildlife
forEveryoneEndowmentFund,whichmaintainstheaccountfordonations.Besuretoindicate
thedonationisfortheGameCommissionsSeedlingsforSchoolsprogram.
DonationscanbemailedtotheWildlifeforEveryoneEndowmentFoundation,341
ScienceParkRoad,StateCollege,PA16803.
Moreinformationabouttheprogramandtosubmitorders,visittheGameCommissions
SeedlingsforSchoolsProgram
webpage,orsendemailto:
RASchoolSeedlings@pa.gov
.

DEP:March21PublicMeetingOnChrinLandfillExpansionInNorthamptonCounty

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayannouncedithasscheduledapublic
meetingonMarch21toanswerquestionsregardingChrinLandfillspermitapplicationto
expanditsexistingfacilityinWilliamsTownship,NorthamptonCounty.
Themeetingwillbeheldfrom6:009:00p.m.atWilsonAreaHighSchool,424Warrior
Lane,Easton,PA18042.
Duringthemeeting,departmentstaffwillanswerquestionsaboutthepermitreview
process.Also,stafffromChrinLandfillwillanswerquestionsregardingtheexpansionitself.
ChrinLandfillfiledtheoriginalexpansionapplicationonJuly14,2015.Thecompanyis
requestinganexpansionofthelandfillpermitareabyapproximately30acresandthedisposal
areabyapproximately33acres.TheapplicationwasacceptedascompletebytheDepartmenton
November9,2015.
AcopyofChrinspermitapplicationcanbeviewedatDEPsNortheastRegionalOffice
(NERO)locatedat2PublicSquare,WilkesBarre,18701ortheDEPsBethlehemDistrict
Officelocatedat4530BathPike,Bethlehem18017.
Thosewishingtomakeanappointmenttoviewthedocumentscandosobetweenthe
hoursof8amand4pmbycallingtheNortheastRegionalOfficeat5708262511orthe
BethlehemDistrictOfficeat6108612070.
AdditionalcopiesoftheapplicationarealsoavailableforreviewattheEastonPublic
Library,515ChurchSt.andtheEastonAreaNeighborhoodCenter,902PhiladelphiaRd.The
publicdoesnotneedanappointmenttoviewdocumentsateitherlocation.
Individualsinneedofanaccommodationforthemeetingasprovidedforinthe
AmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1990shouldcontactColleenConnollyat5708262035or
sendemailto:
coconnolly@pa.gov
.
NewsClips:
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue

DEP:March3HearingOnCleanupOfDryCleanerSiteInChesterCounty


TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionThursdayannounceditwillhostapublichearing
onMarch3regardingthepromptinterimresponsecleanupactionstakenbyDEPattheformer
QualityServiceCleanerssiteinOxfordBorough,ChesterCounty.
Thehearingwillbeheldat7:00p.m.attheOxfordBoroughMunicipalBuilding,located
at401MarketStreet,Oxford,PA,19363.
Thehearingisintendedtoallowresidentstheopportunitytocommentontheprompt
interimresponsethatwasinitiatedbyDEPtoaddresssoilcontaminationandphysicalhazards
associatedwithanopenexcavation.
DEPwillrecordtestimonyandreceivewrittencommentsthroughoutthehearingDEP
willalsoacceptwrittencommentsuntilApril15.
ThosewishingtotestifyinpersonshouldcontactCommunityRelationsCoordinator
VirginiaCainat4842505808.WrittencommentsmaybesenttoDustinArmstrong,Project
OfficerattheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,2EastMainStreet,Norristown,PA
19401.Commentsmayalsobeemailedto:
darmstrong@pa.gov
,withthesubjectclearlystating
thattheemailisintendedforpublicrecord.
Todate,theactionsatthesiteincludeexcavation,offsiteshipmentandpropertreatment
and/ordisposalofcontaminatedsoils,followedbybackfillingandrestorationofthesiteto
preconstructiongrade.
DEPhasdeterminedthattheseactionsareprotectiveofhumanhealthandthe
environment,complywithApplicable,RelevantandAppropriateRequirements(ARARs),are
feasibleandcosteffective.
DepartmentactivitieswerecompletedbytheendofFebruary2016.
Theadministrativerecordcontainingtheinformationthatdocumentstheselectionofthis
responseactionisavailableforreviewbyappointmentbetweenthehoursof8a.m.and4p.m.at
DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2E.MainSt.,Norristown,PA19401.Call4842505910to
makeanappointment.
CopiesarealsoavailableattheOxfordBoroughMunicipalBuilding,401MarketSt,
Oxford.
NewsClips:
ChemicalSpillReportedOnPittCampus
RaucousHearingOnBucksHazardousWasteFacility

NoRadioactiveContaminationDetectedOutsideBeaverFallsScrapyard

OnThursdaytheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionsaiditwasnotifiedonFebruary23
thatrecyclescrapcontaminatedwithradioactivematerialwasshippedfroma
PSCMetals,Inc
.
facilityinBeaverFalls,PA,totwofacilitiesinOhio.
Aradium226sourceofunknownoriginwasaccidentallyshreddedwithothermaterials,
thenshippedtoprocessingfacilitiesinOhio.
AteamfromDEPsRadiationProtectionProgramtookextensivereadingsattheBeaver
Fallsscrapyard.Elevatedreadingswerefoundononelargemetalshredderandonglovesused
bytwoworkers.
DEPisperformingadditionaltestingtoensurethattherewasnoskincontamination.
Radium226canbeharmfulifingested.

Preliminarytestsontheworkerswhooperatedthemachineshowednocontamination.
Allotheremployeesatthescrapyardwerealsotestedforcontamination.Resultsarepending.
Theshredderhasbeenisolatedandthereisnoindicationthatthereisanyother
contaminationatthesiteandnoneoutsidethescrapyardproperty.
TheNuclearRegulatoryCommissionhasbeennotified.Thecontaminatedscrapmetalis
securelycontainedanddoesnotposeahealthrisktofacilitiesemployeesorthegeneralpublic
PSCMetalsisworkingwithaprivatecontractortodevelopaplantoquicklydecontaminatethe
BeaverFallsscrapyardandtheOhioSites.
DEPsRadiationProtectionteamhaslockeddownthescrapyardandwillcontinueto
takefollowupreadingsandmonitorthesituationasneeded.DEPandofficialsinOhiowill
overseetherecoveryandcleanupofthesesites.

EPANowAcceptingApplicationsFor$26MillionInCleanDieselGrants

TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyThursdayannouncedtheavailabilityof$26million
in
grantfundingtoestablishcleandieselprojects
aimedatreducingemissionsfromthenation's
existingfleetofdieselengines.
ApplicationsaredueApril26.EPAisrequestingproposalsbetween$750,000and
$2,700,000inRegionIII,whichincludesPennsylvania.
Dieselpoweredenginesmoveapproximately90percentofthenationsfreighttonnage,
andtodaynearlyallhighwayfreighttrucks,locomotives,andcommercialmarinevesselsare
poweredbydieselengines.
EPAissolicitingproposalsnationwideforprojectsthatsignificantlyreducediesel
emissionsandexposure,especiallyfromfleetsoperatinginareasdesignatedashavingpoorair
quality.
Priorityforfundingwillbegiventoprojectsthatengageandbenefitlocalcommunities
andapplicantsthatdemonstratetheirabilitytopromoteandcontinueeffortstoreduceemissions
aftertheprojecthasended.
Eligibleapplicantsincluderegional,state,localortribalagencies,orportauthoritieswith
jurisdictionovertransportationorairquality.Nonprofitorganizationsmayapplyiftheyprovide
pollutionreductionoreducationalservicestodieselfleetownersorhave,astheirprincipal
purpose,thepromotionoftransportationorairquality.
SincethefirstyearoftheDERAprogramin2008,EPAhasawardednearly700grants
acrosstheU.S.Manyoftheseprojectsfundcleanerdieselenginesthatoperateineconomically
disadvantagedcommunitieswhoseresidentssufferfromhigherthanaverageinstancesof
asthma,heartandlungdisease.
Formoreinformation,visitEPAs
CleanDieselGrants
andthe
NationalCleanDiesel
Campaign
webpage.
NewsClips:
Editorial:NewEPARulesLimitingMethaneGoodStart

PUCProposesPolicyStatementOnCombinedHeatAndPower

ThePublicUtilityCommissionThursdayapprovedajointmotionproposingaPolicyStatement
relatedtocombinedheatandpower(CHP)technologyandincreasingdevelopmentamong

Pennsylvaniasregulatedelectricandnaturalgasdistributioncompanies.
CHPisaformofdistributedenergy,locatedatornearabuildingorfacility,which
providesatleastaportionoftheelectricalloadandusesthermalenergyforspaceheatingor
cooling,processheatingorcooling,refrigerationordehumidification.
CHPisanefficientmeansofgeneratingelectricpowerandthermalenergyfromasingle
fuelsource,providingcosteffectiveenergyservicestocommercialbusinesseslikehotels,
universitiesandhospitals,saidChairmanBrown
inajointmotion
withCommissionerRobertF.
Powelson.Inadditiontoimprovingmanufacturingcompetitivenessandreducinggreenhouse
gasemissions,CHPbenefitsbusinessesbyreducingenergycostsandenhancingreliabilityfor
theuser.
TheCommissionvoted50toapprovethejointmotion,whichproposesaPolicy
Statementintendedto:
PromoteCHPinvestments
Encourageelectricdistributioncompanies(EDCs)andnaturalgasdistributioncompanies
(NGDCs)tomakeCHPanintegralpartoftheirenergyefficiencyandresiliencyplans,aswellas
theirmarketingandoutreachefforts
Encouragethesecompaniestodesigntariffsrelatingtointerconnectionandstandbyratesfor
ownersandoperatorsofCHPfacilitiesand
PromotetheconsiderationofspecialnaturalgasratesforownersandoperatorsofCHP
facilities.
TheproposedPolicyStatementwouldrequireEDCsandNGDCstoreporttothe
CommissionbienniallyonthedevelopmentofCHPintheirserviceterritoriesandtheireffortsto
promotesuchdevelopment.
TheCommissionheldtwoenbanchearingsonCHPin2014,duringwhichkey
stakeholdersdiscussedtheeconomics,socialcostsandbenefitsandregulatorypoliciesthat
impactgreateradoptioninPennsylvania.Participantsatbothhearingsidentifiedalistofbenefits
andbarriers,outlinedinthejointmotion.
OnJan.21,2016,PUCChairmanBrown,onbehalfoftheCommission,signeda
partnershipagreementwiththeU.S.DepartmentofEnergys(DOEs)BetterBuildingsInitiative.
Specifically,thePUCspartnershipagreementpertainstotheCHPforResiliencyAccelerator
program,whichwaslaunchedbyDOEtosupportandexpandtheconsiderationofCHPsolutions
bystates,communitiesandutilitiesfortheirinfrastructureneeds.
ATentativeOrderconsistentwithtodaysmotionwillprompta45daycommentperiod
fromthedateofpublicationinthePennsylvaniaBulletin,followedby25daysforreply
comments.
InterestedpartiescanprovidewrittencommentstothePublicUtilityCommission,Attn:
Secretary,P.O.Box3265,Harrisburg,PA171053265.
NewsClips:
UtilityTerminationsSkyrocketInPA,ButWhy?
ControversialLawLeftHarrisburgFamilyInCold
Editorial:HelpKeepHeatOnForPAsPoorest
Crable:FarmersCanContinueToSellExcessPowerFromDigesters
2ndPUCHearingOrderedOnPECOSmartMeters
NuclearIndustryBemoansCleanPowerClimatePlanStay
OpEd:NuclearPlantsContributeToGreenerEnergyFuture

PUCWaryOfOhioElectricDealsWithFirstEnergy,AEP
USGSReducesCoalIndustrysLifeExpectancy

WestPennPowerCelebrates100thAnniversary

Tracingitsrootstoacollectionofcompaniesthatoncegeneratedpowertoilluminatedowntown
streetlightsandoperateelectricpassengerrailways,
WestPennPower
,aFirstEnergyCorp.
subsidiary,marksits100thanniversaryonMarch1.
"Theworldhaschangedimmeasurablyoverthelasthundredyears,andWestPennPower
hasbeenthereeachstepoftheway,deliveringsafe,reliableelectricservicetoourcustomers,"
saidDavidW.McDonald,presidentofWestPennPower."Ouremployeescontinuetowork
tirelesslytosatisfyourcustomers'desireforthelatestelectricconveniencesandtechnologies."
OnMarch1,1916,thenumerouselectriccompaniesthatservedtownsandcitiessuchas
Uniontown,Greensburg,Jeannette,Kittanning,ButlerandConnellsvilleconsolidatedoperations
tobecomeWestPennPower,whichwasheadquarteredinPittsburghuntilmovingtoGreensburg
in1955.
Theelectricrailroadsrunbysomeofthesecompanieswerespunofftocreateaseparate
companycalledWestPennRailwaysCo.,which,atitspeakin1923,carried55million
passengersannually.
WestPennPowerinitiallycreatedbusinessforitsthennovelproductthroughitsretail
salesandmarketingsubsidiary,launchingamajorelectricrefrigeratorcampaignin1926.The
WestPennApplianceCompanyalsosoldelectrichouseholditemssuchaslamps,ranges,waffle
irons,toasters,heatersandvacuumcleaners.
Atitsoutset,WestPennPowerhad24,000customerswiththetypicalcustomerusing
about200kilowatthours(kWh)ofelectricityperyear.Today,WestPennPowerservesmore
than720,000customers,withresidentialcustomerstypicallyconsuming12,000kWhannually.
"WestPennPower'scommitmenttotheareaswecallhomedoesn'tstopwiththedelivery
ofreliableelectricservice,"McDonaldsaid."Ouremployeesresideinthecommunitiesweserve,
proudlyvolunteeringtheirtime,talentsanddollarstomakeeachabetterplacetolive,workand
raisefamilies."
Since2011,WestPennPoweremployees,augmentedby
FirstEnergyFoundation
matchinggifts,havepledgednearly$600,000toareaUnitedWaysandcollectedmorethan
$51,000andthousandsofpoundsoffoodtheequivalentofnearly365,000mealsforlocal
foodbanksthrough
HarvestForHunger
.
They'vealsoparticipatedinwalkathons,bookdrives,coatdrives,blooddrives,and
holidaytoyandgiftcollectionsfornumerousothercharitablecauses.
Currentandretired"WestPenners"willcometogetherinMarchtocelebrateWestPenn
Power's100thAnniversaryatthecompany'sGreensburgheadquarterswheretheywillswap
stories,viewoldphotosandbrowseacollectionofcompanymemorabilia.
Inaddition,inhonorofWestPennPower'scentennialandrailwayheritage,the
FirstEnergyFoundationwilldonate$5,000tothe
PennsylvaniaTrolleyMuseum
inWashington,
Pa.,whichhousesWestPennRailwaycarsNo.739and832,andWestPennRailwayElectric
LocomotiveNo.1.
WestPennPower'slinemen,operationsemployeesandmeterreadinggrouprecently
achievedanotherremarkablemilestoneinworkingmorethanafullyearwithoutincurringan

OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministrationrecordableinjury,thelongeststretchinthe
utility'scenturylonghistory.
Inaddition,WestPennPower'ssubstationgrouphasworkedtwoyearswithoutan
OSHArecordableinjury.
WestPennPower
servesabout720,000customersin24Pennsylvaniacounties.Follow
WestPennPoweron
Twitter@W_Penn_Power
and
LikeonFacebook
.
NewsClips:
UtilityTerminationsSkyrocketInPA,ButWhy?
ControversialLawLeftHarrisburgFamilyInCold
Editorial:HelpKeepHeatOnForPAsPoorest
Crable:FarmersCanContinueToSellExcessPowerFromDigesters
2ndPUCHearingOrderedOnPECOSmartMeters
NuclearIndustryBemoansCleanPowerClimatePlanStay
OpEd:NuclearPlantsContributeToGreenerEnergyFuture
PUCWaryOfOhioElectricDealsWithFirstEnergy,AEP
USGSReducesCoalIndustrysLifeExpectancy

WolfAsksForFederalDisasterHelpForJanuarySnowstormToCover$55.4MInCosts

Gov.TomWolfonMondayrequestedPresidentBarackObamatodeclareamajordisasterin
Pennsylvania,inordertoprovidefinancialreimbursementtomunicipalitiesin31countiesfor
costsassociatedwiththehistoricsnowstormthatimpactedthestateJanuary2223.
Ournumberssofarshowthatmunicipal,countyandstateagenciesspentmorethan$55
milliontorespondtothisstorm,saidGov.Wolf.Inmanyplaces,itwipedoutanentireyears
budgetforsnowresponseandremoval,andwinterisntoveryet.
TheGovernorsletterrepresentsaninitialrequestforfederalassistance,andthe
Commonwealthwillbeabletorequestassistanceforadditionalcountiesifdatashowstheymeet
thefederalsnowcriteria.
Inordertoqualifyforfederalpublicassistance,countiesmustmeetspecificfederal
criteria:
Recordornearrecordsnowfalleventmustoccurwithinthecounty
Coststothecountyandmunicipalitiesforsnowremovaloperationsduringacontinuous
48hourperiodandanyothercostsforemergencyprotectivemeasuresmustexceedthecounty
percapitathresholdof$3.56and
Totalcostsofallcountiesmeetingbothcriteriamustexceedthestatethresholdof$17.9
million.
Intheweekssincethestorm,municipalandcountyapplicantshavecomplieddataon
costsassociatedwithstormresponse.Eligibleexpensesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,costs
associatedwithpayingovertime,equipmentrentals,materials,searchandrescueoperations,and
openingandoperatingshelters.
ThatdatawasthenrelayedtothePennsylvaniaEmergencyManagementAgency,which
trackedandtotaledthecoststopresenttotheGovernor.
IftheGovernorsrequestisapproved,applicantscanbereimbursedupto75percentof
thecostsincurredoneligibleexpenses.
Thecountiesthatmetbothrecordornearrecordsnowfalltotalsandcountycostsare:

Adams,Bedford,Berks,Blair,Bucks,Chester,Cumberland,Dauphin,Fayette,Franklin,Fulton,
Huntingdon,Juniata,Lancaster,Lebanon,Lehigh,Mifflin,Montgomery,Northampton,Perry,
Philadelphia,Schuylkill,Somerset,Snyder,Westmoreland,andYork.
TheGovernorsrequestalsoincludesthefollowingcountiesthatmettheirrecordornear
recordsnowfalltotals,buthavenotyetmettheircountycosts:Cambria,Columbia,Montour,
Northumberland,andUnion.
PEMAstaffcontinuestogatherdatafromthosecountiesinanefforttoprovidethem
financialassistanceshouldtheGovernorsrequestbeapprovedbythefederalgovernment.
Theoverallestimatedtotalcoststhatareassociatedwiththisrequestare$55,468,967,
whichexceedsthestatepublicassistancethresholdof$17,910,354.
Itisimportanttonotethattotalcostsmayfluctuateslightlyasapplicationsforassistance
arereviewedatboththestateandfederallevels.
ItisnotknownwhenthePresidentwillmakeadecisiontograntordenydisaster
assistance.
NewsClips:
AuditFaultsFedsForLackOfOversightOnOilTrains
StormCleanupBeginsInSE,OutagesLingerAfterStorm
HeavyRainFloodsLehighValleyStreets,CutsPower
MidstateHitWithRecordSettingRains,PossibleTornado

FederalForestLegacyFundingAvailableForLandownersInUpperDelawareRegion

The
DelawareHighlandsConservancy
Mondayannouncedthefederal
ForestLegacyProgram
hasallocatedfundingforthepurposesofprotectingprivateforestlands.
LandownersintheDelawareRiverwatershedmaybeeligibleforfundingtoassistwith
thecostsofprotectingtheirpropertiesorimplementingaforestmanagementplan
Nearly$3millionwillbedirectedtoTheNortheastConnectionforthepermanent
protectionofthousandsofcontiguous,unfragmentedacresofforests,lakes,andwetlandsalong
theLittleBushkillCreekinPikeCounty.
TheConservancythankseveryonewhoworkeddiligentlyinthiscompetitive
environmenttocapitalizeonthisexcitingopportunity,includingCongressmenTomMarino,
CharlesDent,MattCartwright,MikeFitzpatrick,ChrisGibson,andPatrickMeehan,the
DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources,
TheNatureConservancyPA
,andmany
othernationalandregionalconservationorganizations.
Wecommendthecollaborativespiritthatprevailedandthemanypartnerswhoworked
sohardinprotectingtheseprivateforestlands,saidDCNRSecretaryCindyAdamsDunn.
ForestLegacyproponentsidentifyurbanizationandwoodlandfragmentationasthemajor
dangertothefutureofforestsinthelessdevelopedareasofourstate.Here,continuitywillbe
achievedandsoundmanagementtechniqueswillbeencouraged.
BudCook,NortheastPAProgramDirectorforTheNatureConservancystated,This
tractwashighlightedforitsimportanceinastatewideforestassessmentconductedbyThe
NatureConservancyandWesternPennsylvaniaConservancy.TheNatureConservancyis
committedtothegoalofprovidingintactforestlandsforwildlifehabitat,andtheNortheast
Connectionwillensurethesehealthyforestlandsremain,nowandinthefuture."
PeterReinhartof
MinkPondClub
stated,"Thisisawinwinopportunityforprivate

landownerswantingtopreservetheirpristineforestsforfuturegenerationsandfororganizations
likeDelawareHighlandsConservancywhopartnerwithprivatelandownerstoconserveand
protectavaluableresource.
PatCalpinstated,"LehmanLakehasbeenworkingwithDelawareHighlands
Conservancyformorethanadecadetoachieveourgoalofcontinuingtobevirtuousstewardsof
ourforestandvaluableanddiversenaturalresources,tobenefitcurrentandfuturegenerations.
Attainingtheeasementwillgreatlyenhanceourpotentialforsustainingourpropertyand
accomplishingourgoal.Theprojectfundingwillalsoassisttooffsetthecostsofmaintainingour
infrastructure,especiallyrequiredupgradestotheLehmanLakedam.
AccordingtoCharlesMosser,Themembersof
MaskenozhaRodandGunClub
are
excitedandverythankfulforthisopportunitytohelppreservethePoconoMountainwildlands
forthefuturegenerationsofoutdoorenthusiasts.Ithasbeenatenyearjourneytothispointbutit
willallbeworthwhilewhenweachieveourgoal.
Protectedforestlandsprovidecleandrinkingwater,wildlifehabitat,andsustainablelocal
jobsintheUpperDelawareRiverregion.
Privateforestlandownershavenumerousopportunitiestoprotecttheircherished
forestlandsforfuturegenerations,includingworkingwithalandtrustliketheDelaware
HighlandsConservancytocraftalandpreservationagreementfortheproperty.
LandownersintheDelawareRiverwatershedmaybeeligibleforfundingtoassistwith
thecostsofprotectingtheirpropertiesorimplementingaforestmanagementplancontactthe
Conservancytolearnmoreat5702263164or8455831010.
Formoreinformationonprogram,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
Delaware
HighlandsConservancy
website.
ClickHere
tosignupforregularupdatesfromthe
Conservancy(upperrightofthepage),
LikeonFacebook
and
FollowonTwitter
.
NewsClips:
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
LackawannaConservationDistrictSeedlingSale
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA
Editorial:TreeRulesAidEnvironment,Growth

PennStateExtensionOffersTreeTendersTrainingApril15InScranton

PennStateExtensionandDCNRsBureauofForestryareofferingTreeTenderstraining
designedtoincreasetreecanopycoverincommunities.
ThetrainingwillbeheldinScrantononApril15attheAnthraciteHeritageMuseum
from8:30to4:15.
ClickHere
forallthedetails.ThedeadlineforregistrationisApril8.
TreeTendertrainingisalsoofferedinSoutheastPAbythe
PAHorticulturalSociety
and
inWesternPAby
TreePittsburgh
.
DCNRs
TreeVitalizeProgram
coordinatesTreeTendertrainingacrossthestate.
NewsClips:
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
LackawannaConservationDistrictSeedlingSale
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA
Editorial:TreeRulesAidEnvironment,Growth

PennStateThreatensToLayOff1,100ExtensionEmployees
PennStateWarnsItMayLayOff1,100InAgPrograms
PennStateCantJustifyUsingTuitionForExtensionServices

DCNRSecretaryExtendsInvitationToVisitNewMoshannonStateForestLands

DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryCindyAdamsDunnWednesday
extendedaninvitationtoresidentsofClearfieldCountyandbeyondtovisitthealmost600acre
tractthatbecamethelatestadditionto
MoshannonStateForest
followingofficialcountyaction
latelastyear.
DonatedbythecountytoDCNRformanagementundertheBureauofForestry,the
CampWopsononockpropertyisaformerBoyScoutcampinGulichTownship,Clearfield
County,andbordersCambriaCounty,justnorthofTyrone.
Gracedwithseveralnaturalspringsandalargepond,numeroushikingtrailsandan
importantplantcommunity,thistractisamongthelargestandmostecologicallyintactforest
areasinsoutheasternClearfieldCounty,saidDunn.IencourageresidentsoftheClearfield
Countyareatotakeadvantageofthecomingspringweatherandhikeandexplorethesenewand
diversestateforestlands.
DunnthankedClearfieldCountysBoardofCommissionersandtheClearfieldCounty
MunicipalServicesandRecreationAuthority,formerowneroftheland,forworkingclosely
withDCNRslegalcounselanditsbureausofForestryandRecreationandConservationto
effecttheownershipchange.
TheBureauofRecreationandConservationhadapprovedagrantforthetractspurchase
in1986,andsuggesteditbedonatedtotheBureauofForestrytocomplywithgrantterms.
Muchofthisareawasappreciatedbythosewhoalreadyutilizedwhatwasoffered
hikersandhunters,horsebackriders,campersandotheroutdoorsenthusiasts,Dunnnoted.
ThesediverserecreationalusesareanexcellentmatchwithMoshannonStateForestandthe
BureauofForestrysmission.
Thisisanexceptionallybeautiful,highqualityforest,saidMoshannonStateForest
DistrictForesterJohnHecker.Weareexcitedthatthecountyhasentrusteduswithits
stewardship,andwelookforwardtomeetingwithusersandcommunitiesindevelopingfuture
plans.
Withthislatestacquisition,atotalof27,769acreshasbeenaddedtothestatewidestate
forestsystemunderGov.TomWolfsadministration.
TheMoshannonStateForestDistricts578acreacquisitionbringsitstotalacreageto
morethan190,600acresontheAlleghenyPlateau.Thestateforestderivesitsnamefrom
Mosshanne,or"moosestream,"theNativeAmericandescriptionofthewaterwaythatruns
throughthearea.
MoshannonStateForestDistrict
liesprimarilyinClearfield,Elk,andCentrecounties,
withsmalltractsinCameronandClintoncounties.Moshannonisoneofeightstateforestsinthe
PennsylvaniaWildsregion.
NewsClips:
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
LackawannaConservationDistrictSeedlingSale
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA

Editorial:TreeRulesAidEnvironment,Growth

PAEnvironmentalCouncilLaunchesRiverTownProgramAlongAlleghenyRiverfront

The
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
continuesits
worktostrengthencommunitiesthroughtheir
connectionstoriversandriverfronts.Inthis
ongoingeffort,PECishappytopartneragain
withMillvale,Etna,andBlawnoxaspartofthe
AlleghenyRiverTownProgram.
Fundedbythe
HillmanFoundation
,the
twoyearprojectwillbuildstewardshipofthe
AlleghenyRiverthrougheducationand
engagementwhileassistingthecommunitiesin
communitydevelopmentprojects.
Thetownswillhavedirecttechnicalassistance
incommunitydevelopmentworkwithafocusongreateruseandconnectionstotheriverfront.
Theeconomicbenefitsofagrowingoutdoorrecreationalmarketgivetownswith
riverfrontaccessgreateropportunitiestoattractbothvisitorsandbusinessinvestment.
Buildingonthis,PEClaunchedtheRiverTownProgramin2010inSharpsburg,
Blawnox,Aspinwall,OHaraTownship,Etna,andMillvale.
Atthattime,theprogramintroducedmunicipalitiestothevalueoftheoutdoorrecreation
marketandworkedcloselywiththebusinesscommunitytoofferservicesandproductstoattract
growingnumbersofvisitors.
Weareexcitedtocontinuethisconversationandprogram,whichbeganasastrategic
planningprocesswithinourcommunitiesandnowthoseseedshavebeguntogrow,Etna
BoroughManagerMaryEllenRamagesaid.Itisanexcitingtimeforthisrenewalinour
communities.
PECand
McCollomDevelopmentStrategies
(MDS)willworkwiththecommunitiesto
identifyandlaunchpriorityprojectstotakeadvantageofincreasedrecreationaluses.Thereare
significantinvestmentsalreadybeingmadeinsomeoftheindividualcommunities,andtheRiver
TownProgramwillseektoleveragetheseinvestmentswitharegionalapproachthatemphasizes
strengthinnumbers.
Thesearecommunitiesthatcontinuetotransformthemselves,andtheirparticipationin
theprogram,alongwiththefundingfromtheHillmanFoundation,allowallthepartnerstobuild
onwhattheyhavealreadyaccomplished,PECPresidentDavittWoodwellsaid.Effortslike
thisarehappeningacrosstheCommonwealth,andweareveryhappytohavethechancetowork
withcommunitieslikeMillvale,Etna,andBlawnox.
Asaresultofworkbythecommunities,manyengagedcitizensintheregionsriverfront
communitiesarealreadyworkinghardonprojectstheyidentifiedasprioritiesforimproving
theirtowns.
Projectsrangefromremovinginvasiveplantspeciestobuildingriveraccess
infrastructure,gatewayandurbangardens,engaginglocalartiststocreatepublicart,and
integratingacomprehensivewayfindingsystem.

Overthenexttwoyears,PECandMDSwillworkwiththesecommunitiesonriverand
trailconnectionprojects,takingtheleadanddirectionfromlocalleadershipandcommunity
priorities.
VisitPECs
RiverTownProgram
webpageformoreontheprogram.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesonPECprograms,activitiesandspecial
events.)
NewsClips:
PittsburghWeighsRiverfrontZoningChanges
Editorial:TreeRulesAidEnvironment,Growth

PECBlog:GroupthinkAtItsBestAtNortheastPennsylvaniaTrailForum

ThequarterlyNortheastPennsylvaniaTrailForumwas
hostedbythe
PAEnvironmentalCouncil
andheld
February12attheBearCreekReserve,justsouthwestof
WilkesBarre.
EveryfourmonthstheTrailForummeetsatanew
locationinupstatePennsylvaniatodiscussissues,share
insights,andlearnfromthevariousattendees.Theday
consistsofthreeparts:hiking,anetworkinglunch,and
projectupdates.Thisformatallowsfortherelatively
largegroup(around40attendees)avarietyofnetworkingopportunitiesthroughouttheday.
TheTrailForumdiffersfromothercoalitionsIvebeenapartofinlargepartbecauseof
itsuniquestructure.Mostofusthinkofmeetingsasactionorientedaffairswhereweeachleave
withconcretetaskstodonextandgenerallythisisagoodthing.
ButtheTrailForumisaboutbringingpeopletogethertolearnfromothersexperiences.
Whiletheremaybeakeyspeaker,thereisnoagenda.Aroundtablediscussionofprojectupdates
andquestionsfortheaudienceservesthatpurpose.
TheTrailForumisacasestudyinhowtobringleaders(bothprofessionaland
volunteers)togetherinawaythatmeetstheirneedsandimprovestheirwork.Thus,the
simplicityofbringingpeopletogetherwhodosimilarworkandsharesimilarproblemshas
proventobeaneffectivewaytoalignthemultitudeofgroupswhoaregeographicallydistantbut
sharecomplementarywork.
EachNortheastPennsylvaniaTrailForumincludesahikeattheendofeachday.
PEChasworkedregionallyinsoutheastandWesternPennsylvaniatobringtogethertrail
networksandcreateahighwaylikesystemoftrailsknownastheIndustrialHeartlandsTrail
CoalitiontothewestandTheCircuitTrailstotheeast.
AlongwithFrankMaguire,PECProgramDirectorforTrails&Recreation,Iwillbe
workingonthebeginningofasimilarprocessinNortheastPennsylvania.Ourfirststepisto
definethemajorgapsbetweenthetrailsinthenortheastandworkwiththeexistingtrailbuilders
toprioritizeandmapthosegaps.
Eventually,withclosecollaborationwiththeattendeesatFridaysmeeting,wemay
createatrailsystemsimilartothoseunderwayinwesternandSoutheastPennsylvania.

PEChasalwaysconsidereditselfabigtentorganization,andnowherewasthatmore
visiblethanattheNorthEastTrailsForummeeting.Themeetingscontinuetoshowthe
importanceofbeingaconduittobringpeopleandorganizationstogetherandempowerthemto
learnandsharecollectively.
Questionshouldbedirectedto:TonySpagnoli,ProgramManagerforTrails&
Recreation,bysendingemailto:
tspagnoli@pecpa.org
orcall2155454570.
Formoreinformationonprograms,initiativesandspecialevents,visitthe
PA
EnvironmentalCouncil
website,visitthe
PECBlog
,follow
PEConTwitter
or
LikePECon
Facebook
.
ClickHere
toreceiveregularupdatesonPECprograms,activitiesandspecial
events.)
NewsClips:
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PresqueIsleRanked#3InNationalFreshwaterBeachContest
GnomesEvictedFromLittleBuffaloStatePark
PhillyMayorProposes$600MParks,LibraryOverhaul
SchuylkillRiverTrailTakesAnotherBigStep

FortWashingtonStateParkSeekingVolunteersForApril2WorkDay

The
FriendsofFortWashingtonStatePark
inMontgomeryCountyisseekingvolunteerstohelp
withmulchingaroundrecentlyplantedtrees,trashcleanup,rakingleavesandotherSpringtime
projectsonApril2.
Over500,000peoplevisittheparkeachyearandwiththeassistanceofvolunteersthe
parkisabletomaintainitsnaturalbeautyandthewonderfuloutdoorrecreationopportunitiesit
provides.
VolunteerswillmeetintheMilitiaHillareoftheparkatparkinglot#5nearthe
observationdeck.Refreshmentsandapicniclunchwillbeprovided.
RaildateisApril3onlyifthereisheavyrainorsnow.Contacttheparkofficewith
questionsbycalling2155915250.
NewsClips:
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PresqueIsleRanked#3InNationalFreshwaterBeachContest
GnomesEvictedFromLittleBuffaloStatePark
PhillyMayorProposes$600MParks,LibraryOverhaul
SchuylkillRiverTrailTakesAnotherBigStep

MarchProgramsOfferedByTheWildlandsConservancy

TheLehighValleybased
WildlandsConservancy
hasarichvarietyofprogramscomingupin
Marchincluding:MapleSugaring&Pancake,WildSciGirls,WildEggs(NotYourAverage
EggHunt)andYou&Me:Hop,Hop,Hooray!
ClickHere
foranoverviewofMarchevents.
ClickHere
foracompletelistofprogramsforallages.

HawkMountainTraineeFromSpainSharesVideoOfHisExperiencesInPA

PabloSantonya,a
HawkMountainSanctuary
fromSpain,recentlypostedashortvideoofhis
experienceinPennsylvania.
ClickHere
towatchthevideo.Everyonceinawhile,itsniceto
seetherichdiversityofPennsylvaniasenvironmentthroughsomeoneelseseyes.
NewsClips:
GameCommissionConsidersShuttingMiddleCreek
MiddleCreekConsideredForClosureByGameCommission
13BaldEaglesFoundDeadInMaryland
PittsburghBaldEaglesLay3rdEgg
2ndEggSpottedInCodorusBaldEagleNest
Audubon,ParksFoundationToBuild100NestingSites
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA
ErieMarineSanctuaryApplicationAcceptedByNOAA

PublicParticipationOpportunities/CalendarOfEvents

ThissectionlistsHouseandSenateCommitteemeetings,DEPandotherpublichearingsand
meetingsandotherinterestingenvironmentalevents.
NEW
meansnewfromlastweek.
[AgendaNotPosted]
meansnotpostedwithin2weeks
oftheadvisorycommitteemeeting.Gotothe
onlineCalendar
webpageforupdates.

February29

House
EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy
and
AgricultureandRuralAffairs
CommitteeswillholdaninformationmeetingontheWolfAdministrationsrebootofthe
ChesapeakeBayProgram.Room60EastWing.Noon.
ClickHere
formoreinformation.

February29

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:2:00Dept.ofConservation
&NaturalResources.Room140MainCapitol.
ClickHere
towatchlive.

February29

LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.

March1

SenateAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearings:3:00Dept.ofAgriculture.
HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.
ClickHere
towatchlive.

March1

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:9:30Dept.ofEnvironmental
Protection.Room140MainCapitol.
ClickHere
towatchlive.

March2

WesternPAConservancy

HelpFillingOutTreeVitalizeApplicationsWorkshop
.
ConservancyOffice,800WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.6:00p.m.

March3

NEW
.
DEPHearingOnCleanupOfDryCleanerSiteInChesterCounty
.Oxford
BoroughMunicipalBuilding,locatedat401MarketStreet,Oxford,PA.7:00p.m.

March3

PublicUtilityCommissionEnBancHearingOnAlternativeUtilityRatemaking
Methods
.HearingRoom1,KeystoneBuilding.9:00.


March3
WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrict
Preventing/RepairingDriveway/Lane
WashoutsWorkshop
.SouthHuntingtonTownshipMunicipalBuilding,75SupervisorsDrive,in
WestNewton.6:007:00p.m.

March7

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantsWebinar
.1:002:00p.m.

March8

AgendaPosted
.
DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.10thFloor
ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding,Harrisburg.10:00.DEPContact:Mark
Brojakowski,BureauofAirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723429,
mbrojakows@pa.gov
.
Review,DiscussFinalClimateChangeActionPlanUpdate
DiscussClimateChangeAdaptation
Ideasfor2018ClimateChangeActionPlanUpdate
DiscussUseOfFacilitatorFor2018Update
DEPsNewAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrant

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

March8

CANCELED
.
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Thenextscheduled
meetingisJune7.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)
42TANKS)withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

March8
CANCELED
.
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286
IndustrialParkRd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,
DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,New
Stanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

March8

PittsburghBusinessTimes
,
GreenBuildingAlliance

BuildingSustainableBusinesses
Workshop
.Pittsburgh.

March8

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrantsWebinar
.11:00a.m.toNoon.

March9

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:1:30Dept.ofAgriculture.Room
140MainCapitol.

March10

HouseAppropriationsCommittee
BudgetHearing:9:30BudgetSecretary.Room
140MainCapitol.

March10

SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
businessmeeting.UniversityCenter,Rooms
130/131,1201TechnologyDrive,Aberdeen,MD.ContactJasonOyler,SRBCGeneralCounsel,
7172380423,Ext.1312,fax7172382436.
(
formalnotice
)(
formalnotice
)

March10

BowmansHillWildflowerPreserve

LandEthicsSymposium
.DelawareValley
University,Doylestown.


March12

RegistrationOpen.

2016SchuylkillRiverWatershedCongress
.Montgomery
CountyCommunityCollegePottstownCampus.

March12

PAResourcesCouncil

FilmsForABetterPlanet&DiscussionSeries
.AnnJones
GeraceCenter,64S.14thSt.inPittsburgh.7:00p.m.

March1316

RegistrationOpen.

PARecreation&ParkSocietyAnnualConference
.Seven
Springs,SomersetCounty.

March14

NEW
.
EnvironmentalIssuesForum
.JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution
ControlandConservationCommittee.PresentationfromtheStateAssociationofPennsylvanias
HeritageAreas.Room8EAintheEastWingoftheCapitol.Noon.

March1416

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalEducators

AnnualConference
.TheInnat
PoconoManor,PoconoManor,MonroeCounty.

March1418
CarnegieMellonFirstEverEnergyWeek
.CMUcampus,Pittsburgh.

March15

NEW
.
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meetingon
on
HouseBill1391
(EverettRLycoming)providingforaguaranteedminimumroyaltyonoiland
gasleases(
sponsorsummary
).Room140MainCapitolBuilding.9:30.

March16

NEW
.
HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee
meeting.Agendato
beannounced
.RoomB31MainCapitolBuilding.9:30.

March15

CANCELED
.
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
meeting.Thenextscheduledmeeting
isApril19.DEPContact:LauraEdinger,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177723277,
edinger@pa.gov
.
(
formalcancellationnotice
)

March15

DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil
.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEP
Contact:KatieHetheringtonCunfer,CitizensAdvisoryCouncil,P.O.Box8459,Harrisburg,PA
171058459,7177052693,
khethering@pa.gov
.

March16

HouseTourismandRecreationalDevelopment
and
SenateCommunity,Economic
andRecreationalDevelopment
CommitteesholdajointhearingonPAstourismbudget,
HeritageAreasandtourismmarketing.HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.9:00.

March16

StateBoardforCertificationofSewageEnforcementOfficers
meeting.Conference
Room11B,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.
DEPContact:KristenSzwajkowski,Bureauof
PointNonPointSourceManagement,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722186,
kszwajkows@pa.gov
.

March16

AgendaPosted
.
DelawareRiverBasinCommission
meetingonwaterwithdrawal
requestsandotherissues(below).WashingtonCrossingHistoricParkVisitorCenter,1112

RiverRoad,WashingtonCrossing,PA.10:30.
(
formalnotice&agenda
)
AuthorizingtheExecutiveDirectortoenterintoacontractwiththelowestqualifiedbidderfor
theanalysisofperiphytonsamplesfromthenontidalDelawareRiver
AuthorizingtheExecutiveDirectortoenterintoanadministrativeagreementwiththeNew
YorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationforthereviewofwaterwithdrawaland
wastewaterdischargeprojectsintheNewYorkportionoftheBasinand
AdoptingtheWaterResourcesProgram20162018.

ClickHere
foravailablehandouts.

March16

DEPHearingOnIESILandfillExpansionInNorthamptonCounty
.SauconValley
HighSchool,locatedat2100PolkValleyRoad,Hellertown,PA.6to9p.m.

March16
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop.PoconoManor
.

March17

AppalachianAudubonSociety
:
GoNativepresentationbyKimPatten,Wilderness
Greenhouse&NativePlantNursery
.ChristPresbyterianChurch,421DeerfieldRoad,Camp
Hill,CumberlandCounty.7:00p.m.

March18

TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.6:308:30p.m.

March19

TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.1:003:00p.m.

March19

NEW
.
BerksCountyConservationDistrict

ManureManagementWorkshop
.Hosss
SteakandSeaHouse,121CenterAve.inLeesport.10:00a.m.to3:00p.m.

March21

NEW
.JointConservationCommitteehearingon
CollapseofPennsylvanias
ElectronicWasteRecyclingProgram
.Room8EAEastWing.9:00.

March21

NEW
.HouseDemocraticPolicyCommittee
hearingonincentivizinguseofnatural
gas
.Room418MainCapitolBuilding.10:00.

March22

DEPSewageAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.
10:30.
DEPContact:JohnDiehl,BureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177832941,
jdiehl@pa.gov
.

March22

DEPLaboratoryAccreditationAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room206,DEP
BureauofLaboratoriesBuilding,2575InterstateDr.,Harrisburg.9:00.
DEPContact:Aaren
Alger,BureauofLaboratories,2575InterstateDrive,Harrisburg,PA17110,7173467200,
aaalger@pa.gov
.

March22

LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.

March23
DEPBoardofCoalMineSafety
meeting.DEPCambriaOffice,286IndustrialPark

Rd.,Ebensburg.10:00.
DEPContact:AllisonGaida,BureauofMineSafety,Departmentof
EnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,
7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

March24

DEPWaterResourcesAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:30.DEPContact:SeanGimbel,OfficeofWaterManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177834693,
sgimbel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

March25

HawkMountainSanctuaryKestrelWebcamEducatorsWorkshop
.BerksCounty.

March25

TheNatureConservancyPA
:
ForestPoolsPreserveWalk
.
KingsGap
EnvironmentalCenter
,Newville,CumberlandCounty.6:308:30p.m.

March28
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSouthcentralRegionalOffice,SusquehannaRoom,909
ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)

March29

NEW
.
ElkCountyStreamProtection,WaterQualityWorkshop
.
ElkCountyVisitor
Center
,Benezette.9:00a.m.to3:30p.m.

March30

DEPConventionalOilandGasAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105Rachel
CarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,
400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

March31

DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoard
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KurtKlapkowski,OfficeofOilandGasManagement,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177722199,
kklapkowsk@pa.gov
.

March30
ProjectWETEducatorWorkshop
.BrandywineRedClayAlliance,WestChester.

March31April1
GreenBuildingAlliance
GreenSchoolsConference&Expo
.Pittsburgh.

April2

AllianceForChesapeakeBayProjectCleanStream!
ChesapeakeBayWatershed.

April2

NEW
.
FriendsofFortWashingtonStateParkVolunteerWorkDay
.Montgomery
County.

April5
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSoutheastRegionalOffice,2EastMainSt.,Norristown.
1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableandcommentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)

April5
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat

4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.

April6

NEW
.
BerksCountyConservationDistrict

ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.

April67:

PABarAssociationEnvironmentalLawForum
.Harrisburg.

April7

DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.14thFloorConference
Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.
DEPContact:JosephMelnic,BureauofRadiation
Protection,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839730,
jmelnic@pa.gov
.

April7
EnvironmentalQualityBoard
publichearingonproposedchangestopublicwater
supplydisinfectionrequirements
.DEPSouthwestRegionalOffice,Building500,400
WaterfrontDr.,Pittsburgh.1:00p.m.Acopyoftheproposedregulationisavailableand
commentscanbesubmittedvia
DEPseComment
webpage
(Feb.20PABulletin
page857
)

April8

NEW
.
BerksCountyConservationDistrict

ManureManagementForHorseOperations
Workshop
.BerksCountyAgriculturalCenter,1238CountyWelfareRoad,Leesport.6:00to
9:00p.m.

April12
DEPStateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterPlantOperators
meeting.
10thFloorconferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:CheriSansoni,
BureauofSafeDrinkingWater,OperatorCertification,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA
17101,7177725158,
csansoni@pa.gov
.

April13

DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeOnDieselPoweredEquipment
meeting.DEP
NewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.Contact:AllisonGaida,
agaida@pa.gov
.

April14
DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.9:15.Contact:NancyHerb,
nherb@pa.gov
.

April1415

WestBranchSusquehannaRestorationSymposium
.ToftreesResortand
ConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

April15

NEW
.PennStateExtension,
DCNRTreeTendersTraining
.Scranton.

April18

LunchAndLearnWithGreyTowersHeritageAssociation
.PikeCounty.

April19

DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponse&CommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil
meeting.
DEPNewStantonOffice,131BroadviewRd.,NewStanton.10:00.
DEPContact:Allison
Gaida,BureauofMineSafety,DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection,NewStantonOffice,
131BroadviewRoad,NewStanton,PA15672,7244043147,
agaida@pa.gov
.

April22

BerksCountyConservationDistrictAnnualTreeSeedlingSale
.

April23
GreyTowersHeritageAssociation8KRun/Walk
.PikeCounty.\

April27

AgendaPosted
.
DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.12th
FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:NancyHerb,Bureauof
AirQuality,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177839269,
nherb@pa.gov
.

May4
PAGroundwaterSymposium
.RamadaInnConferenceCenter,StateCollege.

May1113

PAAssociationofEnvironmentalProfessionals
AnnualConference.StateCollege.

May1315

PAOutdoorWritersAssociation

SpringConference
.Sayre,BradfordCounty.
Conferencedetailsarecomingtogether.ContactNickSisleybyemailto:
nicksisley@hotmail.com
withanyquestions.

May17
SusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
DevelopingAquiferTestingPlans&
GroundwaterWithdrawalApplicationsWorkshop
.CommissionsConferenceCenterlocatedat
4423N.FrontStreet,Harrisburg,PA.DayLong.

June35

PAEnvironmentalCouncil

EnvironmentRide
.PhiladelphiatoBethlehembackto
Philadelphia.

June7

NEW
.
DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.
DEPContact:CharlesM.Swokel,BureauofEnvironmentalCleanupand
Brownfields,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177725806or(800)4282657((800)
42TANKS)withintheCommonwealth,
cswokel@pa.gov
.
(
formalnotice
)

September22
DEPRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105RachelCarson
Building.10:00.DEPContact:KeithAshley,BureauofWasteManagement,400MarketStreet,
Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872553,
riashley@pa.gov
.

September22
PennStateExtension
DiveDeeperIIIWaterEducatorSummit
.TheCentral
Hotel&ConferenceCenter,Harrisburg.

October7

DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommittee
meeting.Room105
RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.DEPContact:RichJanati,BureauofRadiationProtection,400
MarketStreet,Harrisburg,PA17101,7177872147,
rjanati@pa.gov
.

October2628

PennsylvaniaBrownfieldsConference
.LancasterConventionCenter,
Lancaster.

VisitDEPs
PublicParticipationCenter
forpublicparticipationopportunities.
ClickHere
tosign
upforDEPNewsabiweeklynewsletterfromtheDepartment.

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
tosignup.

DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage
RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

DEPFacebookPage

DEPTwitterFeed

DEPYouTubeChannel

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.

February29

LaurelHighlandsConservationLandscapeMiniGrants
February29

PhiladelphiaGreenCity,CleanWatersStudentArtContest
February29

SchuylkillActionNetworkStudentStreetArtContest
March
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
March

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
March1
SusquehannaUFreshwaterResearchInitiativeRFPs
March1
PAHouseofRepresentativesCollegeScholarship
March1
SouthwestClearTheAirStudentPosterChallenge
March4
GetOutdoorsPAPartnerMiniGrantProgramCloses
March11

PittsburghClimate&UrbanSystemsPartnershipGrants
March11

CleanAirCouncilCleanAirCommutersContest
March14

PHMCHistoricPreservationGrants
March18

PittsburghTreeVitalizeGrantsInAlleghenyCounty
March18

OpenSpaceInstituteDelawareWatershedCapitalGrants
March21

PAAmericanWaterStreamOfLearningScholarships
March21
PAEPKarlMason,WalterLyonAwards
March25

MidAtlanticPanelOnAquaticInvasiveSpeciesGrantProposals
March25

NEW
.
GameCommissionSeedlingsForSchoolsProgram
March30

DelawareHighlandsConservancyCollegeScholarships
March30
PAAmericanWaterProtectOurWatershedStudentArtContest
March31

DEPHostMunicipalInspectorGrants
March31
DelawareWaterResourcesAssn.CollegeScholarship
April1

PAAmericanWaterEnvironmentalGrantProgram
April1

CFAAlternativeAndCleanEnergyGrants
April1
NortheastPAAudubonEnvironmentalEdScholarship
April8

NEW
.
EPAEnvironmentalEducationGrants
April13

DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipsGrantProgram
April15

NEW
.
RecyclingPartnershipGrants
April26

NEW
.
EPACleanDieselGrants
April30
AbeleCollegeScholarshipApplications
April30

NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship
April30

YorkLancasterCountiesHabitatImprovementGrants
May
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
May

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
May3

EnergySproutSustainableEnergyDesignCompetition
May31

$2KScholarshipsByNationalAssn.OfAbandonedMineLandPrograms
June3

GreatAmericanCleanupofPAVideoContest
June30
CFAAct13WatershedRestorationGrants
June30

CFAAct13AbandonedMineDrainageAbatementAndTreatmentGrants
June30

CFAAct13OrphanOrAbandonedWellPluggingGrantProgram
June30
CFAAct13BaselineWaterQualityDataGrantProgram

June30

CFAAct13SewageFacilitiesGrantProgram
June30

CFAAct13FloodMitigationGrantProgram
June30

CFAAct13Greenways,TrailsAndRecreationGrantProgram
June30
SusquehannaGreenwaysPartnershipPhotoContest
June30

EnergypathConferenceStudent/EducatorScholarships
July
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
July

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
September
CFARenewableEnergyGeothermalAndWindGrants
September

CFAHighPerformanceBuildingGrants
October31
PAResourcesCouncilLensOnLitterPhotoContest
December31

DEPAlternativeFuelsIncentiveGrants

Visitthe
DEPGrant,LoanandRebatePrograms
webpageformoreideasonhowtoget
financialassistanceforenvironmentalprojects.

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ApplyforGrants
webpageforalistingoffinancialassistanceavailablefrom
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EnvironmentalNewsClipsAllTopics

HereareNewsClipsfromaroundthestateonallenvironmentaltopics,includingGeneral
Environment,Budget,MarcellusShale,WatershedProtectionandmuchmore

Air
Editorial:NewEPARulesLimitingMethaneGoodStart
AlternativeEnergy
StatesNetMeteringCapsFrustrateSolarAdvocates
U.S.RooftopSolarSurged17PercentIn2015
Editorial:PUCStrikesBalanceOnExcessSolarEnergy
Awards&Recognition
N.PhiladelphiaProjectWinsTheOscarOfGreenHousing
EvolveEAArchitectureFirmDistinguishedForEnvironmentalPractices
Budget
DCNRFindsErrorsInRoyaltiesPaidToOil&GasFund
SlowdownInPANaturalGasIndustryAddsToBudgetCrisis
StateSeesLittleActivityOnNaturalGasLeasesOnForestLand
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PennStateThreatensToLayOff1,100ExtensionEmployees
PennStateWarnsItMayLayOff1,100InAgPrograms
PennStateCantJustifyUsingTuitionForExtensionServices
GameCommissionConsidersShuttingMiddleCreek
MiddleCreekConsideredForClosureByGameCommission

Swift:BudgetWorkStarts(Again)InHarrisburg
Swift:ElectionMightPerpetuateStateBudgetFiasco
Climate
DEPPushesOnDespiteCourtRulingOnEPACleanPowerPlan
Editorial:CourtActionOnClimatePlanDisappointing
Editorial:NewEPARulesLimitingMethaneGoodStart
NuclearIndustryBemoansCleanPowerClimatePlanStay
OpEd:NuclearPlantsContributeToGreenerEnergyFuture
OpEd:PoliticalAttacksWontStallClimateChange
CaliforniaMethaneLeakLargestInU.S.History(SoFar)
InZikaEpidemic,AWarningOnClimateChange?
ComplianceAction
DEPCitesDrillerForViolationsAtDozensOfWellSites
FormerChesterCountyOfficialWaivesHearingInPollutionCase
ConservationDistricts
LackawannaConservationDistrictSeedlingSale
DelawareRiver
DelawareRiverkeeperRiverwatchVideoReportFeb.19
DrinkingWater
PhiladelphiaHasAHugeLeadProblemToo
LehighValleyRespondsToFlintWaterCrisis
WaterUtilitiesReceivingMoreRequestsToTestForLead
DEPSaysWaterSafeToDrinkAtBethlehemCenterSchool
MostPAKidsNeverTestedForLead,ThatMayChange
WhyIsLeadPaintStillAProblemAfter40Years?
PhiladelphiaWaterDept.SeeksRateHike
WhyIsPennsylvaniasWaterExpensive?
YorkWaterCo.Celebrates200thAnniversary
SellingBenefitsOfPublicWater
EconomicDevelopment
PittsburghWeighsRiverfrontZoningChanges
Editorial:TreeRulesAidEnvironment,Growth
EmergencyResponse
AuditFaultsFedsForLackOfOversightOnOilTrains
StormCleanupBeginsInSE,OutagesLingerAfterStorm
HeavyRainFloodsLehighValleyStreets,CutsPower
MidstateHitWithRecordSettingRains,PossibleTornado
Energy
UtilityTerminationsSkyrocketInPA,ButWhy?
ControversialLawLeftHarrisburgFamilyInCold
Editorial:HelpKeepHeatOnForPAsPoorest
Crable:FarmersCanContinueToSellExcessPowerFromDigesters
2ndPUCHearingOrderedOnPECOSmartMeters
NuclearIndustryBemoansCleanPowerClimatePlanStay
OpEd:NuclearPlantsContributeToGreenerEnergyFuture

PUCWaryOfOhioElectricDealsWithFirstEnergy,AEP
USGSReducesCoalIndustrysLifeExpectancy
FarmingActivities
LehighFarmlandOwnersUrgedToPreserveLand
Crable:FarmersCanContinueToSellExcessPowerFromDigesters
FloodHazard
OakmontTakesOnFloodPronePlumCreek
Forests
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
LackawannaConservationDistrictSeedlingSale
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA
Editorial:TreeRulesAidEnvironment,Growth
GreenBuildings/Sustainability
N.PhiladelphiaProjectWinsTheOscarOfGreenHousing
EvolveEAArchitectureFirmDistinguishedForEnvironmentalPractices
HazardousMaterials
ChemicalSpillReportedOnPittCampus
HazardousWaste
RaucousHearingOnBucksHazardousWasteFacility
IllegalDumping
KPBEncouragesResidentsToAdoptLocalRoads
LakeErie
U.S.,CanadaToSeek40%CutInLakeEriePhosphorus
LandConservation
WildlandsConservancyOffersToBuyLandToBeSubdivided
LehighFarmlandOwnersUrgedToPreserveLand
Litter
KPBEncouragesResidentsToAdoptLocalRoads
MineReclamation
DEPOfficialsOfferInsightsIntoMineReclamationProjects
Oil&Gas
DCNRFindsErrorsInRoyaltiesPaidToOil&GasFund
StateSeesLittleActivityOnNaturalGasLeasesOnForestLand
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
PipelinePaysFamilyForMapleTreesInEminentDomainFight
JudgeRestartsTreeFellingForPipelineConstruction
FightToSaveMapleTreesUnitesDrillingSupporters,PipelineProtesters
Experts:ReadFinePrintInPipelineEasementOffers
Editorial:StateBehindPipelineSafetyCurve
DEP:CoudersportOKToUseWellsTaintedByDriller
DEPCitesDrillerForViolationsAtDozensOfWellSites
RangeResources,StateWorkToBringWellsIntoCompliance
FederalTrialBeginsInDimockWaterContaminationCase
WellContaminationTrialAgainstCabotBegins
JurySelectionBeginsInCabotWaterContaminationCase

SourceOfWaterContaminationAtIssueInCabotTrial
DimockResidentsTakeTheStandAgainstCabotOil&Gas
TrialBeginsForDrillerSuedOverFouledWaterWells
JudgeUpholdsExcludingEvidenceInWellContaminationCase
DEPIssuesASpateOfViolationsAgainstRangeResources
NaturalGasDisastersRaiseQuestionsInMilford
PARadioactiveDrillingWasteDumpedInKentucky
CoastGuardForgoesPolicyOnDrillingWastewaterShipments
CeramicParticlesChallengeSandInFrackingUticaShaleWells
Editorial:NewEPARulesLimitingMethaneGoodStart
ChesapeakeEnergyStopsDrillingInShales
ChesapeakeEnergyStopsDrillingInPAAfterLoss
RiceEnergyReportsLossFor4thQuarter
RangeResourcesSwingsToLoss,TapersSpending
NaturalGasLandmenExitingJobsInWesternPA
BanksAnalyzeRiskOfLendingToEnergyCompanies
EnergySpotlight:MarkKempicPresidentOfColumbiaGas
AuditFaultsFedsForLackOfOversightOnOilTrains
LowerGasolinePricesHelpInUnexpectedWays
PittsburghGasolinePricesHit7YearLow
IEA:SlashedSpendingByDrillersCouldLeadToPriceHike
CaliforniaMethaneLeakLargestInU.S.History(SoFar)
Recreation
DwindlingRoyaltiesMeanDCNRFundingSignificantlyDiminished
FundingForSusquehannaHeritageAreaInJeopardy
PresqueIsleRanked#3InNationalFreshwaterBeachContest
GnomesEvictedFromLittleBuffaloStatePark
PhillyMayorProposes$600MParks,LibraryOverhaul
SchuylkillRiverTrailTakesAnotherBigStep
Recycling/Waste
RecyclableTVsLanguishingInHomes
ScrantonCouncilToReviewKeystoneLandfillLeachateIssue
WastewaterFacilities
Editorial:FixALCOSANSewageOverflowProblemOnTime
FormerChesterCountyOfficialWaivesHearingInPollutionCase
BillIssuesWontStopValleyForgeSewerRepair
AlgaeUnlikelyHelperForCleaningWastewater
WatershedProtection
CountiesAttackEPAsChesapeakeBayTMDLRegulation
TreesForWater:BufferResourcesInSoutheast
Editorial:FixALCOSANSewageOverflowProblemOnTime
IdleMillInBeaverCountySpursHigherWaterCosts
DelawareRiverkeeperRiverwatchVideoReportFeb.19
U.S.,CanadaToSeek40%CutInLakeEriePhosphorus
AlleghenyRiverLockFixesTakeBackSeat

LatestFromTheChesapeakeBayJournal
ClickHere
tosubscribetotheChesapeakeBayJournal
Wildlife
GameCommissionConsidersShuttingMiddleCreek
MiddleCreekConsideredForClosureByGameCommission
13BaldEaglesFoundDeadInMaryland
PittsburghBaldEaglesLay3rdEgg
2ndEggSpottedInCodorusBaldEagleNest
Audubon,ParksFoundationToBuild100NestingSites
GameCommissionPlansPrescribedBurnsInNEPA
ErieMarineSanctuaryApplicationAcceptedByNOAA
ZikaVirus
PAResidentsTestPositiveForZikaVirus
ZikaHitsCloseToHomeForPittMicrobiologist
InZikaEpidemic,AWarningOnClimateChange?
Other
Flight93ExhibitWillFeatureChildrensGifts
ConsolidatingBusServiceIn7MidstateCountiesCouldSaveMillions
EnvironmentalActivistAppointedtoAllentownCouncil

ClickHereForThisWeek'sAlleghenyFrontRadioProgram

ThelatestenvironmentalNewsClipsandnewsisavailableatthe
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.

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheEnvironmentalQualityBoard
publishednotice
ofproposedchangestoregulationson
handlinganduseofexplosivesintheFebruary27PABulletin(
page996
).Commentsaredue
March28.

TheGovernorsOfficepublisheditssemiannualRegulatoryAgendashowingregulationchanges
inprocessandbeingdevelopedinthecomingyearintheFebruary27PABulletinstartingon
page1119
.TheAgendaprovidesanagencybyagencylisting.

PennsylvaniaBulletinFebruary27,2016

SignUpForDEPseNotice:
DidyouknowDEPcansendyouemailnoticesofpermit
applicationssubmittedinyourcommunity?Noticeofnewtechnicalguidancedocumentsand
regulations?AllthroughitseNoticesystem.
ClickHere
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DEPRegulationsInProcess
ProposedRegulationsOpenForComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriods
DEPwebpage

RecentlyFinalizedRegulations
DEPwebpage
DEPRegulatoryUpdate
DEPwebpage
Feb.27DEPRegulatoryAgenda
PABulletin,page1123

TechnicalGuidance&Permits

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeintheFebruary27PABulletin
(
page1089
)onNutrientCreditTradingProgramactions.

TheSusquehannaRiverBasinCommission
publishednotice
intheFebruary27PABulletinof
projectsapprovedinJanuary.

DEPTechnicalGuidanceInProcess
DraftTechnicalGuidanceDocuments
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlines
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage
CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidance
DEPwebpage
DEPNonRegulatory/TechnicalGuidanceDocumentsAgenda(Feb.1,2016)
DEPwebpage

OtherDEPProposalsForPublicReview
OtherProposalsOpenForPublicComment
DEPwebpage
SubmitCommentsonProposalsThrough
DEPseCommentSystem
RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForOtherProposals
DEPwebpage
OtherProposalsRecentlyFinalized
DEPwebpage

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DEPTwitterFeed

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ClickHere
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DEPCalendarofEvents

DCNRCalendarofEvents

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