PA Environment Digest Jan. 23, 2017

PA Environment Digest
An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner Of PA Association of Environmental Educators
Business Partner Of The Year Award
PA Environment Digest Daily Blog
Issue #656
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Harrisburg, PA
January 23, 2017
Delaware River Basin Commission Lifts Basinwide Drought Watch

The Delaware River Basin Commission Wednesday
announced the termination of its drought management
special permit in effect since November 23, 2016, when
the basin was placed in a drought watch.
Due to recent precipitation and snowmelt,
combined storage in three large upper basin reservoirs has
achieved and sustained a sufficient level for five
consecutive days to result in automatic termination of the
basinwide drought watch, said DRBC Executive
Director Steve Tambini.
Although upper basin reservoir storage has
rebounded in recent weeks automatically ending the drought watch operations, other indicators
such as groundwater levels, stream flows, precipitation, soil moisture, and local reservoir storage
have not all recovered, said Tambini. As a result, various state-issued drought watches and
warnings based on those indicators remain in effect across most of the basin.
DRBC continues to urge all water users to maximize water efficiency wherever possible
and to fully cooperate with requests by the basin states to curb water use where drought watches
and warnings have been issued based on local conditions, added Tambini. The importance of
a coordinated response by all water users cannot be overstated.
The DRBCs primary drought management objective, which complements the basin
states drought response efforts, is to provide for conservation of regional reservoir storage for
purposes of water supply and flow augmentation in the Delaware River and salinity control in
the Delaware Estuary (i.e., the tidal river and bay).
The upper basin reservoirs which determine DRBC drought stages are located in the
Catskill Mountains at the headwaters of the Delaware River in New York State.
These three New York City reservoirs provide about half of the citys water supply and
support a minimum flow target in the Delaware River at Montague, N.J. established by the U.S.
Supreme Court Decree of 1954.
Storage, releases, diversions, and flow targets in the DRBC drought management plan are
determined in advance and must have the unanimous concurrence of the parties to the decree,
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which include the four basin states and New York City.
Combined storage in the three upper basin reservoirs had been as low as 39.3 percent of
capacity in late November 2016. The reservoirs are currently at about 58 percent of capacity,
which is approximately 70 billion gallons below normal for this time of the year.
By transitioning out of the drought watch stage, out-of-basin diversions to New York
City and portions of New Jersey established by the decree will return to normal levels.
In addition, the Delaware River flow objective at Montague and a second flow objective
at Trenton, N.J. will also return to the normal targets of 1,750 cubic feet per second (cfs) and
3,000 cfs, respectively.
The purpose of the Trenton flow objective is to control the movement of the salt line or
salt front in the tidal Delaware River.
Adequate freshwater flowing downstream is needed to repel the upstream migration of
salty or brackish water from the Delaware Bay to keep it away from drinking water intakes
serving residents in Philadelphia and New Jersey, as well as industrial intakes along the river.
As of January 16, thanks to increased downstream flows, the salt front was located at
river mile 73, which is four miles upstream of the normal January location.
The salt front reached river mile 90 in late November-early December, which was well
above the normal location but still 20 miles downstream of water supply intakes in Pennsylvania
and New Jersey.
Cooperation from the states, from New York City, and from water users and managers
has been effective during the basinwide drought watch period, said Tambini. Although recent
trends in storage volume and the location of the salt front have been positive and DRBC is
required to move from drought watch status back to normal status, the volume of water in the
reservoirs and other indicators suggest additional cooperation and water efficiency are still
needed.
For more information, visit DRBC Drought webpage.
NewsClips:
Delaware River Basin Lifts Drought Watch, But PA Does Not
Drought Problems Continue In PA
Despite Rain, Lehigh Valley To Remain Under Drought Warning
Delaware River Basin Conservation Law Resilient To Any Trump Rollbacks
Year In Review-Part 1: 2016 Big Year For Phillys Water Stewards
Schuylkill Watershed Organizations Receive County Grants
Digital Overlay Maps Planned For Upper Delaware
Bi-State Shad Tournament Set For Late April Along Delaware
[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
Chesapeake Bay Journal: Trumps EPA Pick Vows To Enforce Chesapeake Bay Program
By Timothy B. Wheeler, Chesapeake Bay Journal
President-elect Donald Trumps pick to head the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency pledged Wednesday to
enforce the Chesapeake Bay pollution diet, even saying
it should be commended and celebrated despite his
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earlier participation in a lawsuit challenging it.

(Click Here to watch the hearing video.)
In a U.S. Senate hearing on whether to confirm his nomination as the EPA administrator,
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt praised the way in which the federal regulatory agency
had worked with the Bay watersheds states to develop a plan that set binding pollution reduction
targets for improving the Chesapeakes water quality.
He brushed aside his earlier objections to the EPAs role in developing that plan, and
vowed to see that it is carried out.
That plan known officially as a total maximum daily load, or TMDL prompted
farming and home-building industry groups to file a lawsuit challenging its legality shortly after
the EPA issued it at the end of 2010.
The groups contended that the EPA had overstepped its authority and that it should be up
to the states to decide how best to reduce water pollution affecting the Bay.
Pruitt joined 20 other state attorneys general in 2015 in filing a legal brief supporting the
lawsuit and asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal. The high court declined to do so
last year, letting stand lower court rulings that solidly upheld the legality of the EPAs action.
Under questioning by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat, Pruitt said he had
been concerned that EPA might take similar action to address pollution elsewhere, particularly in
the Mississippi River basin, which includes Oklahoma.
As happens in the Chesapeake, the Gulf of Mexico experiences oxygen-starved dead
zones every year as a result of nutrient pollution from sewage plants and farm runoff in its
watershed.
There were some concerns about the precedent, the role that the EPA was playing
initially, Pruitt said. But through that litigation, he added, EPA has acknowledged that their
role is more informational.
Now, Pruitt said, he believes that the EPAs role in helping the states clean up the Bay is
something that should be commended and celebrated. And in relation to enforcing that TMDL, I
can commit to you that I will in fact do so. (Click Here for Pruitt statement.)
Under the TMDL, the states have the primary responsibility of enacting and enforcing
programs that achieve cleanup goals. But the EPA can take backstop actions if states fail to
meet their pollution reduction obligations.
It did temporarily withhold some grant funding from Pennsylvania after finding that state
significantly lagging in fulfilling its cleanup requirements.
Later in the hearing, Pruitt repeated his praise for the Chesapeake Bay Program, saying
he applauded how the six states joined with EPA to address the estuarys water quality problems.
The effort they engaged in is something states ought to model, Pruitt said, adding that
EPA is providing assistance to those states.
Pruitt's remarks about the Bay took just a few minutes in a day-long hearing where he
fielded largely friendly questions from Republican senators and took sometimes testy grilling
from Democratic committee members over his views on climate change, air and water pollution,
his record of suing to challenge EPA regulations and his ties to fossil fuel companies and other
industries that EPA regulates.
In response to Pruitts remarks at the hearing, Chesapeake Bay Foundation President
William Baker issued a statement saying that the federal government, led by EPA, plays an
essential role in what is often described as a federal-state partnership to clean up the Bay. Baker
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added that CBF looks forward to working with Mr. Pruitt, should he be confirmed, to build on
the progress that has been made and achieve the goal of restoring this national treasure.
Cardin had said earlier that he was troubled by Pruitts record of suing EPA, but vowed
to withhold judgment on whether to support or oppose his nomination until after the hearing.
But Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, issued a statement Wednesday saying he
would oppose Pruitts nomination, citing Pruitts role in challenging the Bay TMDL and other
other EPA initiatives as Oklahomas attorney general.
If Pruitt is confirmed, Casey said he was concerned that the standards that protect the
quality of the water Pennsylvanians drink and the air Pennsylvanians breathe will be weakened
and our Commonwealths children will pay the price.
Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Follow Chesapeake Bay Journal On Twitter
Like Chesapeake Bay Journal On Facebook
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left
column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PAs most recent newsletter.
NewsClips:
Trumps EPA Nominee Vows To Enforce Chesapeake Bay Pollution Diet
Crable: Lancasters Farm Bounty Not Good Thing To Ailing Chesapeake Bay
Scranton Regional Effort At Stormwater Would Spur Cooperation, Fee
Editorial: Stormwater Major Issue For Scranton Region
Editorial: Conowingo Dam Woes Hurt Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
USGS: Turning The Tide On The Chesapeake Bay
Crable: Fish Commission May Again Allow Bass Fishing On Lower Susquehanna
Crable: Trumps Pick For EPA Excites Lancaster Farmers
Trumps EPA Pick Vows to Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Effort
Trumps EPA Nominee Has Opposed Chesapeake Bay Cleanup
Trumps Last Vacant Cabinet Post: Agriculture
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
U.N. Hears From Nature Abounds President On Volunteer Citizen Science Programs
Melinda Hughes, president of Clearfield County-based Nature Abounds,
made a presentation at the United Nations European Headquarters in
Geneva, Switzerland on incorporating volunteers into citizen science
programs.
She spoke as a presenter to conference participants from all over the
globe on December 14.
Citizen Science is the term used for when volunteer help is used to aid
scientists collect data to be used in analyzing various environmental
indicators such as pollution and climate change.
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Hughes has managed volunteer initiatives for over 20 years and has been involved with
citizen science programs since 1999. Among the citizen science programs she has managed and
developed are FrogWatch USA and the PA Senior Environment Corps.
The PA Senior Environment Corps was recognized by the United Nations Environment
Programme in 1999 on its Global 500 Honour Roll for the programs contribution to protecting
the environment, joining the work of individuals like Jacques Cousteau and Jane Goodall.
The Corps also received awards from the President's Council on Sustainable
Development, Renew America, was a semifinalist in the Ford Foundations Innovations in
Government Award Program and by the Council of State Governments Innovations Award
Program as an outstanding example of community participation.
The PA Senior Environment Corps was originally founded in 1997 with support by DEP
and other partners.
On its 10th anniversary, the Corps had over 2,900 volunteers across the state who
regularly sampled water quality at over 628 sites across the state, mentored students on
environmental issues and undertook dozens of local environmental projects in 52 counties
contributing over 37,400 volunteer hours annually.
Gov. Rendell ended funding for the program in 2007 even though the program was
established in law on 2004. The program was reborn with support from DEP during the Corbett
Administration and Nature Abounds.
Since cofounding Nature Abounds in 2008, Hughes has also created and managed two
signature citizen-science opportunities-- Watch the Wild and IceWatch USA, with the latter now
with sister programs in Canada and Germany.
In addition to presenting in Geneva about citizen-science, Hughes has also presented on
the subject at conferences in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington DC, Oregon, and Colorado and
works with others in the field from across the United States and around the globe.
While in Geneva, she also toured CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear
Research, and home to the particle collider where physicists and engineers are probing the
fundamental structure of the universe.
Click Here to read Hughes blog entry on her presentation and trip to Switzerland.
For information, visit the PA Senior Environment Corps webpage, Click Here to watch a
video about the Center in the Park Senior Environment Corps in Philadelphia and Click Here and
Click Here to watch videos about the Corps and how it makes an impact.
Hughes holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the Indiana University of
Pennsylvania and a Masters of Environmental Law and Policy from the Vermont Law School.
She resides in the DuBois, Pennsylvania area.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Nature
Abounds website.
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
Apply For DCNR Conservation Partnership, Riparian Buffer Grants Starting Jan. 23
The Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources will begin accepting applications
for the next round of Community
Conservation Partnership Grants January 23.
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The grant round closes April 12. (formal notice)

The grant program focuses on planning, acquisition, and development activities
associated with conservation areas, community parks, trails, river conservation and recreation-and new this year-- riparian buffer areas.
DCNR set these priorities for this grant round--- Community parks and recreation: Priority projects in this category include planning and
development projects that focus on rehabilitation of existing parks or promote health and
wellness through innovative partnerships;
-- Land conservation:Priority projects in this category include land conservation projects that
protect critical habitat, forested watersheds, wetlands and riparian corridors, or create critical
connections between public lands;
-- Rivers implementation:Priority projects in this category include projects that enhance
public access to the Commonwealth's waterways or projects that improve the Commonwealth's
watersheds including the planting of riparian forest buffers; and
-- Trails:Priority projects in this category include projects that close priority trail gaps as well
as projects that rehabilitate or upgrade existing trails.
For grant guidelines, priorities and more, visit DCNRs Community Conservation
Partnership Grant webpage. DCNRs Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Regional Advisors
can also be helpful in the grant process or call DCNR Grants Customer Service at
1-800-326-7734 or send email to: DCNR-Grants@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Volunteers Map Out Goals For Norristowns Riverfront Park
Proposed Board Would Oversee Bike Lane Plans In Pittsburgh
Philly Takes Control Of Riverfront Property For Cycling/Walking Trail
Natural Lands Trust Invites Community To Explore Nature Preserves
Funding Uncertain For Sand Work On Presque Isles Beaches
Legislators Vow To Keep Pushing For Presque Isle Funding
National Parks Offer 10 Free Admission Days In 2017
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds
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Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Govs Schedule/ Bills Introduced

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as
well as a list of new environmental bills introduced-Bill Calendars
House (Jan. 23): <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (Jan. 23): <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider Senate Bill
138 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) further providing for the calculation of proceeds paid to interest owners
(sponsor summary); and Senate Bill 139 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishes the Natural Gas Lease
Anti-Retaliation Act (sponsor summary). <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Bills Pending In Key Committees
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state
legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in
each-7
House
Appropriations
Education
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Affairs
Gaming Oversight
Human Services
Judiciary
Liquor Control
Transportation
Links for all other Standing House Committees
Senate
Appropriations
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Community, Economic and Recreational Development
Education
Judiciary
Law and Justice
Public Health and Welfare
Transportation
Links for all other Standing Senate Committees
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced this week-Oil & Gas Royalty Reform: Senate Bill 138 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) further providing for the
calculation of proceeds paid to interest owners (sponsor summary) and Senate Bill 139
(Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishes the Natural Gas Lease Anti-Retaliation Act (sponsor summary).
Extending Natural Gas Service To Unserved Areas: Senate Bill 140 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)
requiring natural gas utilities to submit a plan to the PUC on how they intend to extend serve to
unserved or underserved areas (sponsor summary).
Pugh Clause Fix: Senate Bill 141 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) no longer allowing drilling companies the
option of drilling on a small portion of a landowners property to provide themselves additional
years to utilize the land-- the so-called Pugh Clause (sponsor summary).
Authorize Company To Company Gas Pooling: Senate Bill 142 (Yaw-R-Lycoming)
authorizing company to company pooling of natural gas drilling to provide for more effective
production of Shale gas (sponsor summary).
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Membership On Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board: Senate Bill 143

(Yaw-R-Lycoming) replacing the Middle Atlantic Truck Stop Operators with the PA Food
Merchants Association on the Board (sponsor summary).
Alternate Systems/Sewage Planning: Senate Bill 144 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amending the
Sewage Facilities Act to allow the inclusion of alternative onlot septic systems in sewage
planning modules (sponsor summary).
Potomac River Basin Commission Members: House Bill 146 (Moul-R-Adams) providing for
the appointment of alternates on the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (sponsor
summary).
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House-Senate
January 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
February 1, 6, 7, 8
March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29
April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
House
January 23, 24, & 25.
February 6, 7, & 8.
March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, & 22.
April 3, 4, 5 , 18, 19, 24, 25, & 26.
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, & 24.
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, & 30
Governors Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolfs Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
News From The Capitol

Senate Republicans, Democrats Name Members Of Standing Committees
Senate Republicans and Democrats Friday named members of the standing committees to
prepare for the new session. Here are members of several key committees--- Appropriations Committee
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Majority: Browne (R-Lehigh), Chair; Ward (R-Westmoreland), Vice-Chair; Argall

(R-Schuylkill); Baker (R-Luzerne); Eichelberger (R-Blair); Greenleaf (R-Montgomery); Killion
(R-Delaware)-NEW; Langerholc (R-Cambria)-NEW; Martin (R-Lancaster)-NEW; Mensch
(R-Lehigh); Scavello (R-Monroe); Vogel (R-Beaver); Vulakovich (R-Allegheny); Wagner
(R-York); Yaw (R-Lycoming.
Minority: Hughes (D-Philadelphia), Chair; Schwank (D-Berks), Vice-Chair; Blake
(D-Lackawanna); Brewster (D-Allegheny); Haywood (D-Philadelphia)-NEW; Leach
(D-Montgomery); Street (D-Philadelphia)-NEW; Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia).
-- Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee
Majority: Vogel (R-Beaver), Chair; Yaw (R-Lycoming), Vice-Chair; Argall (R-Schuylkill);
Aument (R-Lancaster); Brooks (R-Mercer); DiSanto (R-Dauphin)-NEW; Regan
(R-Cumberland)-NEW.
Minority: Schwank (D-Berks), Chair; Blake (D-Lackawanna)-NEW; Dinniman
(D-Chester)-NEW; Street (D-Philadelphia)-NEW.
-- Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee
Majority: Tomlinson (R-Bucks), Chair; Scavello (R-Monroe), Vice-Chair; Baker (R-Luzerne);
Bartolotta (R-Fayette); Gordner (R-Columbia); Greenleaf (R-Montgomery); Killion
(R-Delaware); Rafferty (R-Montgomery); Regan (R-Cumberland)-NEW
Minority: Boscola (D-Lehigh), Chair; Farnese (D-Philadelphia); Fontana (D-Allegheny)-NEW;
Haywood (D-Philadelphia); Yudichak (D-Luzerne).
-- Environmental Resources & Energy Committee
Majority: Yaw (R-Lycoming), Chair; Bartolotta (R-Fayette), Vice Chair; Hutchinson
(R-Venango); Martin (R-Lancaster)-NEW; Vogel (R-Beaver); Ward (R-Westmoreland); White
(R-Indiana).
Minority: Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Chair; Leach (D-Montgomery); Dinniman (D-Chester);
Williams (D-Philadelphia)-NEW.
Click Here for Republican members of all Senate Committees. Click Here for
Democratic members of all Senate Committees.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Senate Environmental Committee Meets Jan. 24 On Natural Gas Royalty Reform Bills
The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee is scheduled to meet January 24 on
two bills introduced by Majority Chair Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) to reform the way oil and
natural gas royalties consider post-production costs. The bills include--- Senate Bill 138 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) further providing for the calculation of proceeds paid to
interest owners (sponsor summary); and
-- Senate Bill 139 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishes the Natural Gas Lease Anti-Retaliation Act
(sponsor summary).
The meeting will be held in Room 461 Capitol Building starting at 10:30.
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental
Committee and can be contacted by sending email to: gyaw@pasen.gov. Sen. John Yudichak
(D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to:
yudichak@pasenate.com.
NewsClip:
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Northeast PA Counties Align To Fight Royalty Abuses

[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Sen. Vogel To Reintroduce Bill To Reduce Waste Reporting From Marcellus Gas Wells
Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) Tuesday circulated a co-sponsor memo to
colleagues announcing the reintroduction of Senate Bill 1273 that would
eliminate monthly reporting of drilling waste from Marcellus Shale
operations and replace it with a report every six months.
The monthly reporting requirement is in DEPs new
unconventional drilling regulations and has been contested by the
Marcellus Shale industry.
The bill would amend the Unconventional Well Report Act, which
sets reporting requirements for natural gas production, not the law setting
environmental standards-- Act 13 of 2012.
[Posted Jan. 17, 2017]
Senate Bill Would Take Time Away From DEP Permit Reviews, Without More Funding
On Tuesday, Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) announced plans to introduce
legislation requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to
provide electronic notice to all permit holders 60 days before a permits
expiration telling them how laws, regulations and fees were changed since
the original permit was issued.
Nice idea, but the bill description provides no funding for DEP to
accomplish this task.
DEP processes between 33,900 and 36,000 applications for new
permits or renewals every year.
Over the last 14 years the General Assembly and various
Governors have cut DEPs General Fund budget (which is mostly personnel costs) by 40 percent
and as a result of this and other actions, DEP staff has been cut by nearly one-third since 2003.
As anyone can plainly see from these facts, without funding for this new mandate, DEPs
ability to actually review permit applications would be impacted significantly.
DEP already has an initiative underway to work with environmental consultants to submit
complete and technically correct applications to the agency to speed up permit processing times.
Recent reports from DEP found from 60 to 80 percent of applications come to them
incomplete or with deficiencies dramatically slowing processing times.
Of course, you would also post a report showing which consultants submitted complete
applications that were not technical deficient (information DEP already has) and let the market
decide which consultants to use for DEP permit applications.
DEP is also planning to roll out an ePermitting initiative in the coming months to begin to
make key permitting processes nearly all electronic.
An existing eFACTS permit information system, available to the public and permit
holders, also provides information on the status of permit applications, the results of DEP
inspections of facilities and more.
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The eFACTS system is also being significantly upgraded by DEP.

[Posted: Jan. 17, 2017]
News From Around The State

Pittsburgh Drinking Water Still 3 ppb Higher Than EPA Standard For Lead
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Thursday released the results from December
compliance testing for lead and copper required by state which show the 90th percentile value
was 18 parts per billion, 3 parts higher than the federally accepted minimum of 15 ppb.
Previous testing in June 2016 resulted in a 90th percentile of 22 ppb for lead.
The 90th percentile is not an average of all samples, but rather a calculation to determine
whether 10 percent of the sites exceed the action level of 15 ppb for lead.
PWSA tested 149 residential sites based on a method prescribed under Department of
Environmental Protection and EPA guidelines. All samples were taken from homes that have, or
are expected to have, lead service lines or plumbing.
Samples were taken by the property owners and sent to an independent, certified lab for
analysis, and the results were reviewed by DEP.
The December 2016 compliance testing results are as follows:
-- 51 are non-detect for lead;
-- 25 are between 2.1 and 4.7 ppb (parts per billion);
-- 28 are between 5 and 9.8 ppb;
-- 25 are between 10 and 14 ppb;
-- 16 are between 15 and 19 ppb;
-- 12 are between 20 and 46 ppb; and
-- 2 are between 50 and 160 ppb (The sample that detected a 160 ppb level was taken from a sink
that had not been used for several years.)
PWSA will repeat compliance testing every six months until the 90th percentile level is
below 15 ppb for two consecutive rounds of testing.
There is no detectable level of lead found in PWSAs drinking water source, the
Allegheny River, or in PWSAs treated drinking water when it travels through water mains.
However, lead can be found in old service lines that run from water mains to homes.
These service lines are a joint responsibility; PWSA owns the portion of the line in public space,
and homeowners own the portion on private space that connects to their property. Lead can also
be found in older household plumbing.
In response to the high levels of lead found in some homes, PWSA is identifying and
removing lead service lines in public space. As the Authority identifies the location of lead
service lines, it will make the information available to the public.
In addition, PWSA is conducting studies to help determine why lead levels have risen
and identify water treatment chemicals, or modifications to the treatment plant, that may reduce
corrosion from lead pipes.
PWSA is also continuing its public education activities on lead, and working with the
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh to identify financial assistance for homeowners to
replace their lead service lines.
Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young
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children. Although most lead exposure occurs from ingesting lead paint, dust, or lead
contaminated soil, EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent may come from drinking water.
If residents know or suspect they have lead service lines or plumbing, they are
encouraged to reduce exposure in drinking water by using the following recommendations:
-- Run your water to flush out lead. If you havent used your water for several hours, run your
cold tap for one minute before using for cooking or drinking. Homes with longer lead water
service lines may require flushing for a longer period of time.
-- Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Lead dissolves more easily in hot
water. Do not drink, cook with, or make baby formula using hot water.
-- Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
-- Look for alternative sources or treatment of water. Purchase a water filter that is certified
by NSF to remove lead. Customers can also choose to drink bottled water.
-- Identify if your plumbing fixtures contain lead. There are commercially-available lead
check swabs that can detect lead on plumbing surfaces such as solder and pipes. Consider having
lead-containing pipes and fixtures replaced. Contact PWSA if you decide to replace your lead
service line. PWSA will coordinate with residents to replace its portion of lead service line at the
same time.
-- Test your water for lead. Send an email to: servicelines@pgh2o.com or call the Authority at
412-255-2423 to request a free lead test kit. This service is available for all homes served by
PWSA.
-- Get your childs blood tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to
find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about exposure.
Many American cities face similar challenges posed by old lead infrastructure. PWSA is
committed to working with our community to identify solutions to reduce the risk of lead
exposure.
The Authority encourages customers to learn more about lead in water at the PWSA Lead
In Drinking Water webpage, engage with us on Twitter @pgh2o, and join the Authority at an
upcoming community meeting.
Information is also available at DEPs Lead In Drinking Water webpage.
NewsClips:
Lead In Pittsburgh Water Samples Down, But Still Exceed EPA Threshold
Toxic Metal In York, Adams County Water Under Scrutiny
6 Years Without Water In Butler County, Drilling Blamed By Residents
Lead-Based Plumbing Products Scarce In PA
Editorial: Get Lead Out Of Lancasters Day Care Centers
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
Applications Being Accepted For Next Penn State Master Well Owner Course
If you are interested in learning more about the proper
management of private water wells, springs and cisterns
and you are willing to share what you learn with others,
you might be interested in applying for the Penn State
Master Well Owner Network online course being
offered by Penn State Extension starting on February 13.
13
The registration deadline for this course is February 1.

The Penn State Master Well Owner Network will provide free, online training for the
first 25 volunteers who submit an application and are accepted into the program. To be eligible
for this program you must:
-- Not be employed by any company that provides paid services to private water supply owners
(i.e. water testing companies, water treatment companies, water well drillers, etc.); and
-- You must be willing to pass along basic private water system management knowledge to other
private water system owners.
Each accepted volunteer will receive seven weekly emails with links to short reading
assignments and video presentations on private water system basics, water testing, water supply
protection, water treatment, water conservation, and outreach strategies.
Course registrants can complete the course at their own pace from February 13 to March
27. A computer with a high speed internet connection is recommended to view all of the course
materials and videos.
Volunteers who successfully complete the training course and pass a short exam will
receive a free copy of the 80 page publication - A Guide to Private Water Systems in
Pennsylvania, a free basic water test through the Penn State water testing lab, and access to
various MWON educational materials.
In return, MWON volunteers are asked to pass along what they have learned to other
private water supply owners and submit an annual report of their educational accomplishments.
Volunteers who recently completed the online course said:
-- The course was very educational and included items that I had not given any thought or
concern to. Thank you for the opportunity to get more educated.
-- I have had water wells for over 35 years and had found it difficult to get GOOD information
on care and maintenance of existing wells.
Click Here for more information on the course and to submit an application.
Pennsylvania is home to over one million private water wells and springs but it is one of
the few states that do not provide statewide regulations to protect these rural drinking water
supplies.
In 2004, Penn State Cooperative Extension and several partner agencies created the
Master Well Owner Network (MWON); trained volunteers who are dedicated to promoting the
proper construction, testing, and maintenance of private water wells, springs and cisterns
throughout Pennsylvania.
Since its inception, hundreds of MWON volunteers have provided education to over
40,000 private water supply owners throughout the state.
For more information on the program, visit the Penn State Master Well Owner Network
webpage.
(Reprinted from Penn State Extensions January 17 Watershed Winds newsletter. Click Here to
sign up for your own copy.)
New DEP Rules For Chapter 105 Environmental Assessments For Pipeline, Multi-County
Projects
14
The Department of Environmental Protection published

notice in the January 21 PA Bulletin inviting comments on
a new interim final guidance telling applications for large,
multi-county projects, like pipelines or highways, how to
do environmental assessments required under Chapter 105
Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits.
The fundamental principle outlined in the new
guidance is applicants should consider the environmental
impacts, avoidance, minimization and mitigation measures,
compliance with antidegradation measures and alternatives
for the entire project, even if individual permit applications
are submitted for parts of the project.
The interim guidance entitled, Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit
Comprehensive Environmental Assessment of Proposed Project Impacts- DEP ID:
310-2137-006 is intended to provide guidance to clarify the process for completing the
information requirements for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit application,
Environmental Assessment Form # 3150-PM-BWEW0017.
Currently, the permit application requirements generally address proposed project
impacts to waters of the Commonwealth associated with small scale projects located in a single
county and covered by a single permit application.
Large scale projects, however, often cross more than one county and are covered by
multiple permit applications necessitating the need for a comprehensive review of all proposed
impacts to waters of the Commonwealth from the entire project.
This guidance outlines for the permit applicant the required project wide comprehensive
environmental assessment information in the permit application in accordance with the rules and
regulations of 25 Pa.Code Chapter 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management).
Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft technical guidance
document by March 21.
Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments
submitted by e-mail must include the originator's name and address. Commentators are
encouraged to review this proposed guidance and submit comments using the Department's
online eComment tool or by e-mail to: ecomment@pa.gov.
Written comments should be submitted to the Technical Guidance Coordinator,
Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building,
P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.
A copy of the interim final guidance is available online.
Questions regarding this technical guidance document should be directed to Sidney
Freyermuth, Chief, Water Obstruction and Encroachments, Bureau of Waterways Engineering
and Wetlands at (717) 772-5977 or sfreyermut@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
Natural Gas Industry Expects Major Growth, New Infrastructure In PA
Lancaster County Pipeline Opponents Prepare For Encampments
Natural Gas Pipeline Opponents Hold Protest In Lancaster County
Wolf Says Mariner East 2 Pipeline Permits Could Be Approved
Consultants Report Endorses Safety Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline
15
PennEast Pipeline Announces Nonprofit Grant Program

Army Corps Plans Dakota Pipeline Environmental Study
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
DEP Invites Comments On Proposed TMDL For Stony Run, Westmoreland County
The Department of Environmental Protection invites public comments on a proposed Total
Maximum Daily Load Plan for Stony Run in Derry Township, Westmoreland County (PA
Bulletin, page 358).
The proposed TMDL sets allowable loadings within the specifically impaired stream
segments of the Stony Run watershed. The loading was allocated among the land uses of
cropland, hay/pasture, and associated stream banks present in the watershed.
Data used in these TMDLs was generated using a water quality analysis model
(MapShedGWLF) designed by the Penn State University.
Comments are due January 20 and should be sent to: Scott Alexander, Water Program
Specialist, Bureau of Clean Water, Central Office, Department of Environmental Protection,
Rachel Carson State Office Building, Harrisburg, PA 17105, 717-772-5670 or send email to:
salexander@pa.gov.
A copy of the proposed TMDL is available on DEPs TMDL webpage.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
January Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
The January issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available
from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition in Butler County
featuring articles on--- 2016 Year In Review: Partnering With You To Improve Our
Watershed
-- Thank You From Slippery Rock Campground Assn For
Streambank Restoration (photo)
-- The KIDS Catalyst: Animals Years In The New Year
-- Micro-Hydro Power Presenter To Be Featured At March 9
SRWC Meeting
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
The Catalyst newsletter is distributed to over 1,100 individuals in over a dozen countries
including: Brazil, Peru, South Korea, Mexico, England, Wales, Venezuela, South Africa, New
Zealand, Australia and Germany.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and volunteer
opportunities, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Jan. 17 Watershed Winds Newsletter Available From Penn State Extension
The January 17 Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn
State Extension featuring articles on-16
-- Applications Being Accepted For Next Penn State Master Well Owner Course
-- DEP Urges Pennsylvanians To Test Homes For Radon
-- Maintaining Home Water Treatment Systems (photo)
-- DEP Completes Surveillance Program To Keep Lead Solder Off Shelves
-- 2016 Natural Resource Education Champion Award To TNCs Mike Eckley
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
[Posted: Jan. 17, 2017]
Center For Watershed Protection National Watershed & Stormwater Conference April 4
The Center for Watershed Protection will host the
2017 National Watershed & Stormwater Conference
on April 4. Participants have the option to attend the
Conference online or at a regulation hub location-Baltimore is included.
The Conference theme is Connecting Practitioners to Innovative Ideas and will focus
on emerging trends to protect and restore watersheds and manage stormwater.
Learn about case studies, special regional considerations and recent research from experts
around the country highlighting effective tools and innovations.
For more information and to register, visit the Centers National Watershed &
Stormwater Conference webpage.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
EPA Accepting Entries For Groundwater Awareness Week Video Challenge
The U.S. Environmental Protection will be accepting entries to
its first ever National Groundwater Awareness Week Video
Challenge from February 1 to 24 to submit original videos
about understanding, protecting and conserving groundwater.
Groundwater and aquifers are out of sight, but we dont
want them to be out of mind. Teach others about the basics of
groundwater and explain why it is important.
All people can take everyday actions to protect
groundwater our nation and the worlds most abundant
freshwater supply. Explain how you can increase awareness
and how you're taking steps to protect groundwater.
Click Here for all the details.
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
DEP: Study Shows No Changes Needed To Make Gas Drilling In Deep Mining Areas Safer
The Department of Environmental Protection
announced Thursday it has reviewed a study
proposing changes to existing requirements
for coal mine pillars as well as alternative
17
methods for constructing natural gas wells where coal is mined underground.
DEP found that the study did not provide results supporting changes.
Natural gas extraction is increasingly intersecting with longwall mining, particularly in
southwestern Pennsylvania, said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. While new drilling
methods may make extraction more efficient, coal miners safety remains our primary concern.
For this reason, DEP stands by the established regulatory benchmarks that we believe better
protect miner safety and maintain the integrity of gas wells.
Coal mine pillars are columns of coal or rock left in place in the mine to support
overlying rock and furnish protection for gas wells drilled in the permitted area of a mine.
Currently, the size of pillars suitable for ensuring the integrity of gas wells and miners
safety is specified by the Joint Coal and Gas Committee report, first published in 1957.
The new industry-agency study, titled the Gas Well Pillar Study Update, is the result of
Act 2 of 2011, which called for a review of the 1957 study in light of modern longwall mining
methods and their impact on natural gas well development.
The study was conducted by the John T. Boyd engineering consulting firm in cooperation
with DEP, the PA Coal Alliance and the Marcellus Shale Coalition. It was also reviewed by the
federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, who shared DEPs concerns.
The appropriate size of coal pillars around active, inactive and plugged oil and gas wells,
along with well clusters, was examined to ensure the integrity of the well and to support the coal
seam. Any additional criteria that should be considered when approving pillars around an oil or
gas well that penetrates a workable coal seam were also examined.
Field tests were conducted in 2013 and 2014 at CONSOLs Enlow Fork Mine in
Washington County to create a model to measure the impacts of ground movements related to
longwall panel removal and the resulting potential for damage of typically constructed shale gas
wells.
Results showed that subsidence-related deformation could occur if a support pillar is not
suitably sized.
Our analysis of the new study recommendations concluded that they could not be
implemented as an appropriate alternative to the 1957 Coal Pillar Study, McDonnell said.
Should new data or methodologies be developed in the future, DEP will analyze their impact on
the safety of our miners and the integrity of gas wells.
Under the existing approach, there have been no incidents to date where drilling a natural
gas well has compromised an active mining operation.
Click Here for DEPs review of the Gas Well Pillar Study Update.
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
Keep PA Beautiful Urges Adoption Of Local Roads, Parks, Other Areas To Fight Litter
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites local residents, organizations,
civic groups, and businesses to join programs to adopt local areas,
such as municipal roads, communities, parks, neighborhood
blocks, greenways, waterways and trails to keep them litter free.
In Allegheny County, James Sharp Landing was recently adopted
through the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Adoption Program by
Snakeguys Redd Up Team.
18
The team of volunteers agreed to clean up twice a year and report results to Keep PA
Beautiful and Sharpsburg Borough agreed to support the adoption by installing the sign and
providing trash disposal options.
Sharpsburg Borough is proud to be a part of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and setting an
example for our community and others the importance of working together to provide a clean,
safe and friendly place to live, work and visit, said William Rossey, Manager, Borough of
Sharpsburg.
According to Keep America Beautifuls 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter
Cost Study, litter cleanup costs the U.S. more than an estimated $11.5 billion each year with
municipalities spending more than $790 million and counties spending $185 million each year.
Many communities depend on volunteers to clean up litter. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
works hand in hand with local municipalities and counties to provide residents with the tools and
resources they need to keep our communities clean and beautiful, said Shannon Reiter,
President of Keep PA Beautiful. Our adoption program helps mitigate the costs associated with
cleaning up and encourages partnerships between local residents and municipalities. Its a
win-win.
For more information visit KPBs Adoption Programs webpage or contact Stephanie
Larson by sending email to: slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or call 724-836-4121 x104.
For information about adopting a state maintained road visit PennDOTs Roadside
Beautification Program webpage.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them
on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
communities and keep them clean and KPBs new Electronics Waste website.
Sign up now for the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup
and beautification event through May 31.
NewsClip:
MLK Service Volunteers Help To Clean Philly Rivers
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
PA Environmental Professionals Accepting Nominations For Karl Mason, Walter Lyon
Awards
The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is
now accepting nominations for the 2016 Karl Mason and
Walter Lyon Awards. The deadline for nominations is
March 3.
The awards are presented to Pennsylvanians who made a
unique and creative contribution to the field of
environmental management in Pennsylvania with
preference given to the fields of administration, law,
regulation and community organization.
Each year, the Karl Mason Award is presented to
meritorious nominees selected by the PAEP Board of Directors. The Walter Lyon Award will be
19
selected in the same manner and has been an annual addition that started in 2014.
One nominee will be chosen for the two categories as follows:
-- An individual who demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of environmental
management. (the Karl Mason Award)
-- An organization, project or program that made a unique, creative, or significant contribution
toward maintenance or restoration of Pennsylvanias environmental quality or to the field of
environmental management. (the Walter Lyon Award)
Karl Mason served as Pennsylvanias first State Environmental Administrator from 1952
to 1966. Karls holistic vision of environmental management embraced essential, but
conflicting, needs associated with waste disposal and community environmental protection.
The general framework established by Karl serves as the foundation for Pennsylvanias
environmental protection programs to this day.
Karl believed and put into practice the notion that environmental protection is primarily
the business of professionals who have the skills, by virtue of their scientific training, to manage
the technical and scientific complexities of maintaining a safe, healthy and clean environment.
He was committed to the belief that continuing education was an essential part of the
career of every environmental professional.
Walter Lyon began his professional career as a sanitary engineer at the U.S. Public
Health Service in Washington D.C. serving as Assistant Chief of the Planning and Development
Branch, Division of Engineering Resources from 1950-1954.
He then served for three-years as the Assistant Chief of the Environmental Health
Section, Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
From 1983 to 2013, Walter went on to teach and consult in the areas of environmental
engineering and water policy.
For many years, Walter participated in the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental
Professionals conferences and special events and generously shared his knowledge and
experience.
He was a strong advocate for employing highly educated, qualified, and experienced
environmental professionals in the public and private sectors and serves as a role model for the
environmental professionals of today and tomorrow.
PAEP is pleased to honor their contributions to environmental professionalism and
commemorate the vision of both of these pioneers.
The 2016 winners were Carol Collier, Karl Mason Award and the Natural Lands Trust is
the winner of the Walter Lyon Award.
The Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Award presentations will take place at the PAEP
Annual Statewide Conference, April 5-7 at the Toftrees Resort, State College, PA. PAEP is now
celebrating 31 Years of Advancing Pennsylvanias Environmental Professionals.
To submit a nomination or for more information, visit the Karl Mason and Walter Lyon
Awards webpage.
For more information on programs, initiatives, workshops and other special events, visit
the PA Association of Environmental Professionals website. Click Here for regular updates on
PAEP activities or Like them on Facebook.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Women Environmental Professionals-Capital Conference April 13, Summerdale
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The Society of Women Environmental Professionals - Capital Chapter will hold its annual
conference on April 13 at the Central Penn Colleges Conference Center in Summerdale,
Cumberland County, near Harrisburg.
Conference organizers are now soliciting ideas from members on topics and speakers.
Questions and suggestions should be directed to Namita Sinha by sending email to:
nsinha@sqcivil.com or to: swepharrisburg@gmail.com.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
SWEP - Capital Chapter website.
[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
Women Environmental Professionals-Philly Accepting College Scholarship Applications
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Women Environmental Professionals is now
accepting applications for two college scholarships for women to pursue environmental careers.
The deadline for applications is February 1.
SWEP presents these scholarships to outstanding young women as part of its mission to
encourage and promote the leadership, achievement, and professional development of women in
the environmental field.
Click Here for all the details on eligibility and how to apply.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the SWEP Greater Philadelphia website.
Related Stories:
Dominions Project Plant It! Education, Tree Planting Program Now Available
PennEast Pipeline Announces STEM Education Grants Program
Dominion To Provide Environmental Education, Stewardship Grants In Service Areas
Wildlife Leadership Academy Seeks Students For Youth Conservation Ambassadors
Nominations Being Accepted For Presidents Environmental Youth Award
Deadlines For PEMA Student Severe Weather Poster, Video Contests Coming Up
Interns Wanted: Gifford Pinchots Grey Towers Offers College Internships
[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
Online enrollment for Project Plant It!, the free
environmental education program created by Dominion
Resources to teach children about the important role of trees
in the ecosystem, is now open across regions served by
Dominion.
The program is available for children of all ages and
grade levels, including those in schools, scout troops, civic
groups, environmental clubs and other entities. A hallmark of
the program is the distribution of free redbud tree seedlings
in honor of Arbor Day.
21
"Project Plant It! is one of the many ways Dominion supports educators and invests in
local communities," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources. "This innovative tree-planting program for children
aligns with our mission to promote environmental stewardship in a fun and meaningful way."
Dominion recently was named by Forbes magazine and its partner JUST Capital to the
prestigious "JUST 100" list of the best corporate citizens in the United States.
Educators, group leaders and parents who are interested in participating can register by
going to the Project Plant It! Register Now webpage. If the zip code is confirmed as being in an
eligible area up to 25 free redbud tree seedlings can be requested. Seedlings will be shipped to
arrive in time for Arbor Day (April 28, 2017).
The deadline to register is February 17 or while supplies last.
The website provides a variety of free educational resources to educators and parents,
including lesson plans that support third-grade learning standards for math, science, language
arts and social studies.
All of the lesson plans can be downloaded at no charge from the website and they can be
adapted easily to all grade levels from preschool through college.
In addition, the website features interactive games and instructional videos about trees,
along with a variety of outdoor activities that families can enjoy together.
This program will distribute 50,000 redbud tree seedlings in 2017. The states served by
Dominion include Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.
The latter four states are new this year as a result of Dominion's recent merger with
Questar Corporation.
Project Plant It! was established in 2007 to educate children, plant trees and improve the
environment. The tree seedlings are grown and shipped to participants in April by the Arbor Day
Foundation, a longtime partner with Dominion.
In 2017, more than 400,000 tree seedlings will have been distributed to children in states
where Dominion operates. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, this equates to
about 1,000 acres of new forest if all of the seedlings are planted and grow to maturity.
For more information, visit the Project Plant It! website.
NewsClips:
Montco Students Get A Charge Out Of Electric Cars
For Kids, A Butterflys Eye View At Carnegie Museum Of Natural History
Schneck: Penn State Forestry Students Make Annual Climb Of 142-Foot Tree
Art Installation Interprets Water Pollution With Sound
Related Stories:
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
22

PennEast Pipeline Company Monday announced
a new Powering STEM Grant Program to help
nonprofits promote Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math Programs. Applications
are due February 17.
The regions abundant natural gas
supplies are helping usher in a wave of new career
opportunities, said Pam Witmer of PennEast
Pipeline Company. From the exploration and
production of natural gas to its delivery, its use as
an electric generation fuel to a manufacturing feedstock and beyond, it is critical that existing
and new businesses have a workforce prepared to take advantage of an energy-based economy.
The Program will award several grants up to $10,000 each to Pennsylvania and New
Jersey 501(c)(3) organizations, which includes after school, summer, youth programs and
educational institutions that promote STEM education.
Eligible activities under the Program include a focus on:
-- Incorporating energy exploration, distribution, use (as well as affiliated trades and disciplines)
and/or environmental education in their curriculum;
-- Providing individuals of all ages greater access to STEM education;
-- Developing a workforce to meet the needs of the regions continued position as a global
energy leader;
-- Promoting hands-on learning, problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork;
-- Supporting general awareness about energy and environmental-related issues; and, more.
Much has been written about the regions economic and environmental opportunities
thanks to its low-cost natural gas reserves, said Witmer. These opportunities such as those in
the petrochemical, plastics, high-tech manufacturing, and many other sectors will be
accelerated by providing the proper training to our young people, as well as older residents
considering a career change.
Click Here for all the details and to apply for the grants.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
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Dominion Resources announced Wednesday it will once again provide $1 million in
environmental grants this year through its charitable arm, the Dominion Foundation, in its
service territories. The deadline for applications is March 1.
The competitive program is designed to support specific short-term projects by nonprofits
and K-12 schools working to improve the environment and provide environmental education
experiences in communities served by Dominion companies.
"Each year Dominion partners with a broad range of nonprofits and schools to fund
meaningful environmental projects that preserve, enhance, or make nature more accessible
within our communities," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation.
"The grants will support a variety of innovative environmental efforts to improve natural spaces
and teach students, as well as the public, to treasure natural resources and use them wisely."
There are two components to this year's grants.
Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each for
short-term projects that promise measurable results to improve the environment.
Also, public and private K-12 schools in eligible regions are now invited to apply for
classroom grants of up to $5,000 each for environmental education programs.
Dominion will consider grant requests that focus on one or more of the following
priorities:
-- Educating students and the public about environmental stewardship
-- Protecting and preserving natural habitats
-- Improving open spaces and making nature accessible
To find out if your organization would qualify in Dominions Pennsylvania service
territory, send an email with your organization name and localities served to:
DominionFoundation@dom.com.
Click Here for complete details and to submit an online application.
NewsClips:
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[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
24
The Wildlife Leadership Academy in Lewisburg,

Union County, has opened its exclusive Youth
Conservation Ambassador nomination process to
the public and is currently seeking referrals of
motivated students ages 14 to 17 to become
Certified Conservation Ambassadors.
Nominated students should have
demonstrated interest in wildlife and/or fisheries
conservation.
Accepted nominees will become certified
Conservation Ambassadors through attending one of five 5-day residential summer field schools
which will focus on white-tailed deer, bass, brook trout, ruffed grouse, turkey, and black bear.
Students in each field school will gain extensive knowledge about wildlife/fisheries and
conservation, leadership experience, and communication skills.
Applicants may be nominated by an adult who knows them well but is not a relative
(teacher, school counselor, Envirothon advisor, employer, youth group leader, etc.).
Students who successfully complete the program receive a letter of a recommendation
for college applications; certification of community service work, and a certificate designating
them as Conservation Ambassadors, and are also eligible to apply for three college credits
through Cedar Crest College, return to the Academy tuition free the following year, compete for
college scholarships, and join an Academy Alumni Network of 100+ wildlife, fisheries, and
conservation professionals.
Students are also eligible to apply for three college credits through Cedar Crest College,
return to the Academy tuition free the following year, compete for college scholarships, and join
an Academy Alumni Network of 100+ wildlife, fisheries, and conservation professionals.
Academy Alumni and Conservation Ambassador Luke Benzinger of Westmoreland
County describes his participation in the program as life changing.
He shared, My whole life changed since attending the Wildlife Leadership Academy
where I talked to so many knowledgeable adults who wanted to spend time with other teenagers
that were there with me. These adults opened my eyes to what I could do to teach everyone else
in the world about the passion I have for the outdoors.
Letters to nominated students, with an invitation to apply to the 2017 program, will be
sent out January 1, 2017.
The Wildlife Leadership Academy is a cooperative initiative involving state agencies and
conservation organizations and is administered by the PA Institute for Conservation Education
whose mission is to connect people, nature and community.
For more information and to nominate a student, visit the Youth Conservation
Ambassador webpage or contact Program Coordinator, Katie Cassidy, by sending email to:
kcassidy@piceweb.org or call 570-939-5109.
You can also connect with the Academy by visiting the Wildlife Leadership Academy
website or Facebook page.
NewsClips:
25
Related Stories:
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
The Presidents Environmental Youth
Award Program is now accepting
nominations for the 2017 winners. The
deadline is March 1.
The Presidents Environmental
Youth Award recognizes outstanding
environmental projects by K-12 youth and
promotes awareness of our nation's natural
resources and encourages positive
community involvement.
In 2016, the Park Forest Elementary Zero Waste Team from Centre County and Rohan
Chalasani, a student at Fox Chapel High School in Pittsburgh were among the recipients of the
Presidents Award. (Photo)
Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency to recognize young people for protecting our nation's air, water, land, and
ecology.
It is one of the most important ways EPA and the Administration demonstrate
commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation's youth.
For more information and to submit nominations, visit the Presidents Environmental
Youth Award webpage.
NewsClips:
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[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
The PA Emergency Management Agency is accepting
submissions from students in grades 1 through 12 for a poster
and video public service announcement contest featuring
weather safety messages.
Were really excited about this contest, to see how
students from across the state can help us spread these
important safety messages, said PEMA Director Richard D.
Flinn Jr. This is a great opportunity for kids to showcase their
creativity while learning about severe weather safety.
Video Contest - Grades 7-12
The theme for the video PSA contest is Turn Around,
Dont Drown and is open to all Pennsylvania high school and
middle school students in grades 7 through 12, including those
attending private, parochial, cyber or home schools.
The deadline for submissions is January 31.
The winner of the PSA contest will work with the PA Association of Broadcasters to
develop a broadcast quality television commercial based off their winning entry to be aired
statewide the final two weeks of March 2017.
Poster Contest - Grades 1-6
The theme for the poster contest is When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors and is open to all
Pennsylvania students in grades 1 through 6, including those attending private, parochial, cyber
or home schools.
The deadline to submit a poster is March 7.
The winning poster will be featured in state parks across the Commonwealth.
Winners of both contests will be recognized at a ceremony to celebrate their achievement.
The contest is being held with support from the departments of Education, and
Conservation and Natural Resources, along with the Keystone Emergency Management
Association, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross and the United Way of
Pennsylvania.
For more information, visit PEMAs Student Poster and Video Contest webpage.
Students, teachers and parents or guardians can download all official entry forms at that website.
NewsClips:
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27

[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Applications currently are being accepted for a number
of different summer internships at Gifford Pinchots
Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike
County.
College students interested in parks and recreation,
history, gardening and landscape architecture and
forestry are encouraged to apply.
Students can earn from $85 per week subsistence
allowance to $2,500 for the 12-week season, depending
on which internship they qualify for. Housing on the historic estate and uniforms may be
provided.
Several internship positions are available--- Education/Interpretation/Visitor Services: Multiple 12-week internships are available for
students to deliver interpretive mansion tours and education programs and hone their visitor
services skills. Students will have an opportunity to learn and improve skills in such areas as
public speaking, communication, research and related programs. Students will develop and
deliver tours, assist with educational and other public programs, provide visitor services and
complete one research/interpretive project.
Deadline to apply is March 1 for May through August internship. Visit the Forest Service
website or send email to: greytowers@fs.fed.us or call 570-296-9630 for information.
-- Gardening/Horticulture: Two opportunities are available for May through August; each
provides a valuable, practical experience for a motivated undergraduate college student who
wants a hands-on experience to challenge and broaden the students knowledge of practical
applications of horticultural theory learned in the classroom.
Deadline to apply is March 31, 2017. For the Elizabeth S. Mortimer gardening internship,
send a resume and cover letter that indicates your field of study and expected graduation date to:
Elizabeth Hawke, Horticulturist, Grey Towers National Historic Site, PO Box 188, Milford, PA
18337, or fax to 570-296-9675 or email to: ehawke@fs.fed.us.
A second horticulture position is available by searching the Student Conservation
Association for Position ID 00722488. For more information visit the Forest Service Grey
Towers webpage or email to: greytowers@fs.fed.us or call 570-296-6061 ext. 162.
Additional horticulture, visitor services and museum internships will be offered in the fall
(August through December) for recent college graduates and current students who may be
seeking practical experience. For more information call 570-296-9630 or email
greytowers@fs.fed.us.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Grey
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Towers Heritage Association. Click Here to sign up for updates from the Association, Like them
on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, become part of their
Google+ Circle and follow them on Instagram.
Also visit the Grey Towers Historic Site website and the Pinchot Institute for
Conservation website for information on its conservation research and policy programs. Click
Here to sign up for the Institutes regular updates.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
DEP Sets March 1 Hearing For PennEast Pipeline Compressor Station In Carbon County
The Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a hearing for March 1 on the air
quality permit for the PennEast Pipeline compressor station to be located in Kidder Township,
Carbon County. (PA Bulletin page 325)
The hearing will be held at the Split Rock Resort Lodge, 100 Moseywood Rd in Lake
Harmony from 6:00 to 9 p.m.
To develop an agenda for the hearing, the Department requests that individuals wishing
to testify at the hearing submit a written notice of their intent.
The notice should be sent to Mark Wejkszner P.E, Air Quality Program Manager,
Department of Environmental Protection, Air Quality Program, Wilkes-Barre Regional Office, 2
Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915.
The Department will accept notices up to the day of the public hearing.
This written notice should include the persons name, address, telephone number and a
brief description as to the nature of the testimony. Individuals who submit a notice of intent to
testify will be given priority on the agenda.
If time permits, the Department will allow individuals who have not submitted a notice of
intent to testify to present their comments.
Each individual will have up to 5 minutes to present testimony. The Department requests
that individuals present written copies of their testimony in addition to their oral presentations.
To insure that all speakers have a fair and equal opportunity to present their testimony,
relinquishing of time will be prohibited. Further details relating to the procedures to be followed
at the hearing will be outlined at the beginning of the hearing.
Persons unable to attend the hearing can submit written testimony to the Department
29
through March 11, 2017.

Copies of the applications, the Departments technical reviews and other supporting
documents are available for public inspection between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the
Departments Wilkes-Barre Regional Office, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1915.
Appointments for scheduling a review may be made by calling (570) 826-2511.
For more information regarding the hearing, contact Mark Wejkszner P.E at
570-826-2511 or send email to: mwejkszner@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Help Available For Vehicle Fleet Owners To Maximize Benefits Of Using Alternative Fuels
The Department of Environmental Protection is now
accepting applications from vehicle fleet owners who are
interested in maximizing the economic and environmental
benefits of alternative fuel use in vehicle fleets. (formal
notice)
The application period for assistance will remain
open from January 21 to June 1.
Under the Alternative Fuels Technical Assistance
Program, successful applicants will receive professional
assistance by a Department-assigned contractor who will
work with the applicant to develop technically viable and economically sustainable alternative
fueling plans and strategies.
Alternative fuels considered under the AFTA Program may include natural gas, electric,
propane, hydrogen, hythane, ethanol, methanol and other advanced biofuels.
Entities eligible for this assistance are: municipalities; school districts; municipal
authorities; and nonprofit organizations.
Eligible organizations may apply to DEP by completing an application and providing
basic fleet and operational information. An eligible entity can apply alone or in combination with
other eligible project partners.
Upon acceptance into the AFTA Program, the Department will assign a technical
assistance provider with relevant experience and expertise.
The applying organization will work directly with that provider to develop a suitable
scope of work and provide all relevant fleet and operational information necessary to complete
the analysis.
The provider will then evaluate the technical and economic considerations of various
alternative fueling strategies specific to the circumstances of the vehicles and organizations
30
involved.
The technical assistance project will result in a final report that will identify fueling
options and recommended strategies based on technical and economic considerations specific to
the circumstances of the organizations involved, their vehicle needs and their operating profiles.
The report is not expected to include detailed project designs or engineered site plans, but
will provide analysis and recommendations needed for the applying organizations to make
informed decisions that may result in the implementation of an alternative fueling project.
The AFTA Program was designed to provide assistance to those eligible entities who are
considering an alternative fuels project in this Commonwealth. Funding from the AFTA Program
is provided the by the Department's Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund.
For more information visit DEPs Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program webpage or
application assistance contact Geoff Bristow, Department of Environmental Protection, Office of
Pollution Prevention and Energy Assistance at 814-332-6681 or send email to:
gbristow@pa.gov.
(Photo: Rose Tree Media School District cuts ribbon on 23-bus CNG project.)
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Delaware Valley Green Building Council Philly 2030 Initiative To Reduce Energy Use 50%
The Delaware Valley Green Building
Council Wednesday announced in
PlanPhilly it is leading the formation of
Philadelphia 2030, a private sector-led
initiative to reduce energy use, water
consumption, and transportation-related
emissions from the building sector 50
percent by 2030 at a district scale.
The program is based on a Policy Framework For Advancing Green Building in
Philadelphia published in January.
By doing so, Philadelphia will be joining Los Angeles, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Austin, San
Francisco and 10 other cities participating in 2030 District, a project that already covers almost
300 million square feet of new and existing commercial building space.
This is a strategy to mitigate climate change, ultimately, Katie Bartolotta, DVGBCs
policy and program manager told PlanPhilly.
Buildings are the single-greatest source of carbon pollution in Philadelphia, according to
the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, and are responsible for 60 percent of citywide
carbon emissions.
Right now, buildings are contributing to the problem, but strategies for reducing energy
use in buildings is part of the solution, Bartolotta said. The city has a goal to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. If you want to make strides in reaching that goal,
reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector is a really good target area to focus a
lot of resources on.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware
Valley Green Building Council website.
NewsClip:
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Delaware Valley Green Building Council Initiative To Reduce Energy Use 50% By 2030
[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
FirstEnergys PA Utilities Offer Demand Response Program For Business Customers
FirstEnergy Corp.'s Met-Ed, Penn Power and West Penn Power are now offering commercial
and industrial customers a Demand Response Program that provides financial incentives to
businesses that curtail their energy use when requested by the utility during peak hours.
The program will operate from 2017 through 2020 during the summer months of June
through September.
Load reduction can include temporarily reducing or shutting down industrial processes,
turning off lights in groups or sequences, reducing the use of HVAC systems, shutting down
large motors and compressors, or starting back-up generation.
"This demand response program is a great opportunity for businesses to improve their
bottom line by managing their electricity use," said John Dargie, vice president, Energy
Efficiency. "In addition to saving energy, businesses that participate can reduce the demand on
the electric system and help prevent potential increases in electricity prices when demand is
high."
The program is administered by approved Demand Response Program Service Providers
selected by FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities: CPower and EnerNOC.
For more information on the program, visit these webpages for each utility:
Met-Ed customers; Penn Power customers; and West Penn Power customers.
NewsClips:
FirstEnergy Sells Off PA Natural Gas, Hydro Power Plants
Delaware Valley Green Building Council Initiative To Reduce Energy Use 50% By 2030
Related Stories:
PUC OKs Lower Rate Hikes For FirstEnergy: Penn Power, West Penn, Met-Ed, Penelec
FirstEnergy To Sell Natural Gas, Hydro Assets In PA, VA
The Public Utility Commission Thursday approved joint settlements for lower rate increases than
originally requested by FirstEnergy Corp. for its four Pennsylvania subsidiaries: Metropolitan
Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, Pennsylvania Power Company, and West
Penn Power Company.
The rate increases impact the cost to deliver electric service to homes and businesses,
which makes up about one-third of a customers bill.
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the Joint Petitions for Partial Settlement, which
were agreed to by all formal parties in the case, including: FirstEnergy; the Commissions
independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement; Pennsylvanias Office of the Consumer
Advocate; the Commonwealths Small Business Advocate; CAUSE-PA, representing
low-income customers; and advocates for large electricity users.
According to the settlements, annual base rate distribution revenues will increase by
$90.5 million (6.52 percent) for Met-Ed; $94.6 million (7.22 percent) for Penelec; $27.5 million
32
(6.54 percent) for Penn Power; and $60.6 million (3.83 percent) for West Penn Power. The rate
increases will become effective on or before Jan. 27, 2017.
Under the Met-Ed settlement, a typical monthly bill for a Met-Ed residential customer
using 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month will increase from $139.91 to $153.82, or 9.94
percent.
Under Met-Eds original proposal, the average total monthly bill for a residential
customer would have increased from $139.91 to $157.43, or 13.5 percent.
The company provides service to approximately 560,000 customers in eastern and south
central Pennsylvania.
Under the Penelec settlement, a typical monthly bill for a Penelec residential customer
using 1,000 kWhs per month will increase from $145.86 to $163.49, or 12.08 percent.
Under Penelecs original proposal, the average total monthly bill for a residential
The company provides service to approximately 590,000 customers in western, northern
and southcentral Pennsylvania.
Under the Penn Power settlement, a typical monthly bill for a Penn Power residential
customer using 1,000 kWhs per month will increase from $141.24 to $154.75, or 9.56 percent.
Under Penn Powers original proposal, the average total monthly bill for a residential
The company provides service to approximately 163,000 western Pennsylvania
customers.
Under the West Penn Power settlement, a typical monthly bill for a West Penn Power
residential customer using 1,000 kWhs per month will increase from $113.27 to $121.36, or 7.14
percent.
Under the companys original proposal, the average total monthly bill for a residential
The company provides service to approximately 721,000 customers in central and
southwestern Pennsylvania.
On June 9, 2016, the Commission voted to suspend and investigate each rate increase
request to determine what, if any, of the requested increases were justified. The Commission
held 12 public input hearings across the Commonwealth to gather public comment about the rate
increase requests.
Docket Nos.: R-2016-2537349, R-2016-2537352, R-2016-2537355, R-2016-2537359
NewsClip:
Related Stories:
FirstEnergy's PA Utilities Offer Demand Response Program For Business Customers
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
FirstEnergy Corp. Thursday announced it has entered into an agreement to sell four natural gas
electric generating plants in Pennsylvania and its competitive portion of a Virginia hydroelectric
power station to a subsidiary of LS Power Equity Partners III, LP, of New York.
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Under the terms of the agreement, the facilities would be purchased for approximately
$925 million in an all cash transaction.
The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2017, subject to customary and
other closing conditions, including approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and
other agencies, as well as third-party consents.
The power stations included in the sale are owned directly or indirectly by FirstEnergy
subsidiaries Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, and Allegheny Generating Company and
have a total capacity of 1,572 megawatts (MW).
The 23 current employees at these power stations will be offered employment with the
new owner.
The transaction includes:
-- Springdale Generating Facility Units 1-5 (638 MW natural gas) in Springdale Township,
Pa.
-- Chambersburg Generating Facility Units 12-13 (88 MW natural gas) in Guildford
Township, Pa.
-- Gans Generating Facility Units 8-9 (88 MW natural gas) in Springhill Township, Pa.
-- Hunlock Creek (45 MW natural gas) in Hunlock Creek, Pa.
-- Bath County Hydro (713 MW pumped-storage hydro) in Warm Springs, Va. (which
represents the FirstEnergy competitive ownership interest in the power station)
In November 2016, FirstEnergy announced it was moving away from competitive
generation markets and was exploring a variety of options, including seeking to move some of its
competitive assets to more regulated or regulated-like constructs, or selling or deactivating
additional units.
The sale of these plants is consistent with FirstEnergy's strategy of operating as a fully
regulated utility company.
Upon completion of the sale, FirstEnergy will own or control a total generating capacity
of approximately 15,380 megawatts from nuclear, coal, hydro, wind and solar facilities across
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey, Virginia and Illinois.
LS Power, an employee-owned, independent power company with offices in New York,
New Jersey, Missouri and California, is a developer, owner, operator and investor in power
generation and electric transmission infrastructure throughout the United States.
NewsClip:
Related Stories:
FirstEnergy's PA Utilities Offer Demand Response Program For Business Customers
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
DEP Issues Water Quality Certification For Emsworth Locks & Dam Hydro Project
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in
the January 21 PA Bulletin it has issued a Section 401 Water
Quality Certification for the 24-megawatt Emsworth Locks and
Dam hydroelectric project in Allegheny County (page 354).
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
34
UGI Penn Natural Gas Requests Service Delivery Increase Of Nearly 11 Percent
UGI Penn Natural Gas Thursday filed a request with the Public Utility Commission to increase
its base rates for residential, commercial and industrial customers by $21.7 million annually or
10.6 percent for the average residential customer.
Even with the base rate request, UGI Penn Natural Gas residential heating customers
would be paying 39 percent less on their total average bill than in August 2009, when UGI Penn
Natural Gas last base rate increase was implemented.
The base rate increase would fund ongoing system improvements necessary to maintain
safe and reliable natural gas service, as well as proposed new programs such as an energy
efficiency and conservation program that would provide financial incentives to encourage
customers to reduce their energy consumption.
UGI Penn Natural Gas is working hard to manage costs and improve system
performance while continuing our commitment to safely and reliably deliver natural gas to our
customers and the many communities we serve, Paul Szykman, UGI Vice President of Rates
and Government Relations, said.
Szykman also noted that since its last rate case in 2009, UGI Penn Natural Gas has made
significant system investments.
UGI Penn Natural Gas anticipates investing $168 million in capital projects to upgrade
our system over the next two years, bringing our total investment to over $400 million since the
last base rate case, Szykman said. This includes not only a continuation of our infrastructure
betterment initiative focused on pipeline replacement, but also an upgrade to a new customer
information system.
UGI Penn Natural Gas base rate increase request will impact one of the two major cost
components that appear on customers natural gas bills. The delivery charge, which this
proposal would increase, provides a utility with the funds needed to own, operate and maintain
the gas distribution system and provide customer service and emergency response services.
The other component of customers bills, which will not be affected by Thursdays base
rate filing, is the purchased gas commodity charge and reflects the actual cost the Company pays
to purchase gas on the wholesale market, with no profit markup.
In fact, in December 2016, UGI Penn Natural Gas lowered its gas commodity charge.
The December 2016 purchased gas cost decrease is a continuation of a nine-year trend of
moderating natural gas prices.
If UGIs base rate case is approved, the bill for a typical UGI Penn Natural Gas
residential heating customer who uses 91.2 hundred cubic feet of gas (ccf) per month will
increase $8.34 or by 10.6 percent from $78.53 to $86.87 per month.
The bill for a typical UGI Penn Natural Gas commercial heating customer who uses 29.6
thousand cubic feet (Mcf) per month will increase $22.35 or by 11.5 percent from $194.25 to
$216.60 per month.
The bill for a typical UGI Penn Natural Gas industrial customer who uses 97.4 thousand
cubic feet (Mcf) per month will increase $65.17 or by 11.6 percent from $561.06 to $626.23 per
month.
35
UGI Penn Natural Gas is requesting that the new gas rates take effect March 20, 2017.
However, the PUC typically suspends the effective date for general base rate proceedings to
allow for investigation and public hearings.
The PUC proceeding is expected to last approximately nine months, which would delay
implementation of the new rates until late October 2017.
Customers and interested parties may view UGI Penn Natural Gas base rate filing
materials on the Companys website.
Customers with questions may also call UGI Penn Natural Gas toll-free at
1-800-276-2722 to receive further information on the proposed rate increase or to find out what
actions they make take.
UGI Penn Natural Gas serves more than 166,000 customers in 13 counties throughout
northeastern and central Pennsylvania, including customers in and around Scranton,
Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.
NewsClip:
UGI Seeks Service Delivery Rate Increase For Gas
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
88 New Jobs Created By Xpress Natural Gas Fueling Station In Susquehanna County
Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced Xpress Natural Gas, LLC will construct a commercial
compressed natural gas fueling station in Susquehanna County and create 88 new, high-wage
jobs.
Pennsylvanias abundant natural resources and dedicated workforce have been, and will
continue to be, major factors in attracting new business, said Gov. Wolf. We welcome
businesses like Xpress Natural Gas that recognize the advantages that can only be found in
Pennsylvania, and we extend our gratitude for the jobs they are creating and the ongoing
economic stimulus that this project will provide.
Designed to daily fuel up to 100 trailers that the company uses to deliver compressed
natural gas to customers across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, XNG will construct a
130,000-square-foot fueling station on 20 acres of land in Forest Lake Township, Susquehanna
County.
The company will invest $18,620,000 in this first phase, which includes the land
purchase and construction and infrastructure costs for the station. XNG has committed to the
creation of 88 new, full-time jobs over the next three years. Employee hiring has commenced.
We are sincerely appreciative of the hard work and support from the Governors office
and so many Pennsylvania state agencies. Their combined efforts to advance our project have put
us in the position to make this investment and to create so many jobs, so quickly, said John
Nahill, CEO of Xpress Natural Gas. We are excited to take advantage of the skilled workforce
in Susquehanna County to grow our business.
XNG received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic
Development that includes $176,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits to be distributed upon creation
of the new jobs and $11,050 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training.
The project was coordinated by the Governors Action Team, an experienced group of
economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with
businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the
36
Central Bradford Progress Authority.

We are very excited and supportive of Xpress Natural Gass business development in
Susquehanna County. The company represents the vertical integration of the prolific Marcellus
Shale natural gas resource in Northeast Pennsylvania, said Anthony Ventello, executive director
of the Central Bradford Progress Authority. The investment being made by Xpress Natural Gas
in a compressed natural gas terminal and the jobs it will create along the Route 81 corridor
creates a virtual pipeline to move low-cost, clean burning natural gas throughout the region and
beyond. This value-added effort will both stimulate development and lead to economic benefit in
our region.
Xpress Natural Gas, LLC provides rapid and reliable delivery of compressed natural gas
and liquid natural gas to customers throughout the United States and eastern Canada through its
network of virtual pipelines.
XNG provides commercial, industrial, and institutional customers the ability to lower
their energy costs and dramatically reduce their environmental impact using natural gas. The
company also offers a range of services to gas utilities to improve reliability and expand their
franchise area with trucked gas solutions.
Last year, DCED approved nearly $1.1 billion in low-interest loans, tax credits, and
grants for projects across the Commonwealth and secured private sector commitments for the
creation and retention of more than 245,000 full-time jobs.
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
January 20 DEP News Now Available
The January 20 edition of DEP News is now available
from the Department of Environmental Protection
featuring articles on--- DEP Accepting Green Infrastructure Grant Applications
In 10 Chesapeake Bay Counties
-- Help Protect Your Family From Lung Cancer -- Test
Your Home For Radon
-- DEP Completes Lead Surveillance Program To Keep
Banned Solder Products Off Shelves
-- DEP: Study Shows No Changes Needed To Make Gas
Drilling In Deep Mining Areas Safer
-- Call For Presenters - 2017 PA Groundwater Symposium May 3 In State College
-- Acting Secretary McDonnell Takes Part In Celebrity Cow Milking Contest (photo)
-- Click Here to sign up for DEP News
For more information, visit DEPs website, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on
Twitter and visit DEPs YouTube Channel.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
PA Environmental Council Environment Ride 2017 Set For June 2-4
The PA Environmental Council will hold its 2017 PEC
Environment Ride in Southeast PA on June 2 to 4.
37
On Friday, June 2, three-day riders will gather in Doylestown for safety orientation and
lunch prior to riding off to Bethlehem through beautiful (and hilly) northern Bucks County. The
overnight will be at the Hyatt Place in the heart of historic downtown Bethlehem with a delicious
dinner within walking distance.
After a great nights rest, the ride along the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers through lovely
rolling landscapes to Trenton will kick off at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday night riders will check into the Element Hotel in Ewing NJ and enjoy an elegant
dinner at the nearby charming Yardley Inn on the Delaware River.
Sunday, participants will ride 40 miles to Center City Philadelphia, following the path of
the Delaware Canal and East Coast Greenway through historic river towns to our closing party
at the Fairmount Waterworks overlooking the Schuylkill River.
Sundays course is varied, more urban, and relates to PECs work in facilitating
development of The Circuit Trails and the East Coast Greenway.
To register or for more information, visit PECs Environment Ride webpage.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA
Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog, follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on
Facebook. Visit PECs Audio Room for the latest podcasts. Click Here to receive regular
updates from PEC.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
State Park Fees For Camping, Swimming Pools, Reservations Increase Feb. 1
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
published notice in the January 21 PA Bulletin of revisions to
the schedule of fees charged for certain activities in state
parks.
Fees will be increased for larger multifamily overnight
facilities, non-Commonwealth residents for the base night of
camping, swimming pools and increased transaction fees for
online reservations.
Many of the changes adopt a range of fees, instead of one
fee, to allow DCNR to charge higher rates on peak use days.
DCNR said the new price schedule, which is comparable to those of state parks in
neighboring states, is needed to increase revenue to the Bureau. In addition to offsetting
inflation, it narrows the gap between State Parks and private facilities, resulting in a more
favorable competitive climate for the private sector.
Click Here for existing state park fees. Click Here for notice of the revised fees.
For more information, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource
newsletter, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to hook up with
DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:
38
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]

DCNR, Partners Mark Return Of Skiing To Laurel Mountain Resort In Westmoreland
With skiers and snowboarders descending the slopes before
her after a 10-year absence, Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
Thursday joined Seven Springs Mountain Resort Chairman
Robert Nutting and Bureau of State Parks officials in
celebrating the reopening of Laurel Mountain Ski Resort at
Laurel Mountain State Park, near Ligonier, Westmoreland
County.
DCNRs Bureau of State Parks and the Department of
General Services committed to $6.5 million in
improvements that were completed in time for Laurel Mountain to open for the 2016-17 season.
The ski area, part of Laurel Mountain State Park, features major enhancements including
a new chair lift, doubled snowmaking capacity, trail improvements and more. Seven Springs
assumed operation of the ski area and renovation of facilities, and DCNR is maintaining its role
as steward of park resources.
Skiers and snowboarders, park visitors and so many local communities all share in the
rewards of this renewal effort fueled by the tremendous amount of energy coming from Seven
Springs and the commitment of our Bureau of State Parks to make this work, Dunn told
listeners in the ski areas newly renovated lodge. This is win-win partnership, with Seven
Springs bringing its proven expertise in winter sports to Laurel Mountain and our bureau
dedicated to reestablishing this park as one of the Laurel Highlands many natural jewels.
And, with the eight state parks in this immediate area, and the nearby Forbes State
Forest, the Laurel Highlands are a true winter lovers playground, the secretary noted. When
weather cooperates, these areas also draw those who enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing,
snowmobiling, ice fishing and so much more.
Dunn cited past support for the Laurel Mountain reopening demonstrated by nearby
Ligonier and Jennerstown officials, Chamber of Commerce representatives, tourism bureaus,
media, and a knot of dedicated skiers who learned how to ski on the mountain.
I know many of you are here today and I commend and thank you all for your support,
Dunn said. Not only will this opening pump new vitality into area snow sports, it will bring new
visitors and customers to the areas and businesses you represent. It also helps prove our state
parks are a tremendous boon to local economies.
Since the ski area opened to skiing and snowboarding December 20, public reception has
been strong, according to Bob Nutting, chairman of Seven Springs and Hidden Valley and
operator of Laurel Mountain.
The community response to Laurel Mountain has been absolutely incredible," Nutting
said. This gem of a mountain is the result of a great partnership between the resorts and the
DCNR, as well as the passion of our local community members. Laurel Mountain's unique
charm is truly an asset to the Laurel Highlands and the entire Mid-Atlantic region."
Tourism in the Laurel Highlands is big business with more than $1.83 billion spent
annually in our tri-county region, said Anna Weltz, director of public relations with the Laurel
39
Highlands Visitors Bureau. The winter tourism product in the Laurel Highlands is very strong
as a recognizable and desirable destination for visitors from Baltimore, Washington, D.C.,
Cleveland, Columbus and beyond. Now that Laurels doors are open, the outdoor fireplace is
roaring, the chairlift is running and skiers are taking on Lower Wildcat, we can expect to see an
increase in those figures. We will see visitors extending their visit by one or two more days,
spending additional time shopping, dining at local restaurants and visiting other nearby
attractions.
As the regions destination marketing organization, committed to promoting tourism in
our tri-county region, we are so proud and thankful for what the DCNR and Seven Springs have
done for Laurel Mountain.
Operation of the resort by Seven Springs is latest development in an on-again, off-again
history of one of three ski areas privately operated on state parkland. Once the exclusive winter
playground of Rolling Rock Club members, it opened in 1939 and later was deeded to the state.
Laurel Mountain is among the first ski areas in Pennsylvania.
Facing financial issues and warm winters, it was beset by a series of closings -- one
lasting more than 10 years. Seven Springs Mountain Resort signed a 10-year lease to operate the
area in 2008.
Work completed by Ligonier Construction Co. of Laughlintown, included: tree removal
and site clearing; earthmoving as part of pump house and pond connection piping work;
installation of water and air Lines for snowmaking guns; ski lift demolition; ski lift foundations;
ski lift erection, installation and testing; electrical work; and inspections.
Most recently, Seven Springs undertook lodge improvements that included an expansive
heated concrete terrace and staircase leading to the entrances and an outdoor fireplace. The
interior of the lodge was upgraded with new furniture and carpeting.
The Laurel House Cafe on the upper level offers a variety of food and drinks and an
impressive view of the valley below. The lower level of the lodge features the new Wildcat
Lounge that also serves food and refreshments.
High atop Laurel Ridge at close to 3,000 feet in elevation, Laurel Mountain State Park is
known for offering a family-oriented downhill skiing area and beautiful views of rolling
countryside that is the Ligonier Valley.
The slopes and trails provide opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Located just 72 miles east of Pittsburgh and only 35 miles from its sister resorts Seven
Springs and Hidden Valley, Laurel Mountain should be a strong attraction to avid skiers looking
to add to their Laurel Highlands winter experience.
Now skiers can use their Highlands Season Pass at Laurel Mountain in addition to Seven
Springs and Hidden Valley.
For more information, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource
newsletter, Click Here to be part of DCNRs Online Community, Click Here to hook up with
DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
40
DCNRs Conservation And Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Jan. 25

DCNRs Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on January
25 to discuss, among other agenda items, DCNRs Path To Sustainability.
Also on the agenda is a presentation on ATV/Snowmobile Safety Programs and an
update from DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
The meeting will be held in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building starting at 10:00 a.m.
For more information, visit DCNRs Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory
Council webpage or contact Gretchen Leslie at 717-772-9084 or send email to: gleslie@pa.gov.
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
Central PA Conservancy Protects 500 Acres On The Kittatinny Ridge, Perry County
The Central PA Conservancy recorded a conservation
easement with Perry County landowner Matthew Rice,
permanently preserving 500 acres of forested ridge
habitat on the Kittatinny or Blue Mountain.
This property is in close proximity to other
protected lands including Tuscarora State Forest (only
one property divided from the state forest), the
Reineman Wildlife Sanctuary, Waggoners Gap Hawk
Watch, county-preserved farms, and other nearby CPC
easement properties in Perry County.
One of CPCs primary goals is to protect forested mountain ridges, especially the
Kittatinny Ridge, because it is a critically important migratory bird route with local, national, and
international significance.
We applaud the long-term vision and conservation commitment of landowners like
Matthew Rice, who partnered with Central PA Conservancy to achieve the protection of special
resources on this part of the Ridge in Perry County-its geology, scenic value, recreational assets,
prime habitat for woodland species, and water resources, notes CPC Executive Director Anna
Yelk. With this project, CPC has permanently protected over 6,000 acres of land and natural
resources in Central Pennsylvania.
The property was valued in the highest category for protection, according to a GIS
analysis completed by The Nature Conservancy-PA and PA Audubon and funded by the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for use by land trust partners of the
Kittatinny Coalition.
The Kittatinny Ridge landscape is recognized Globally Important Bird Area and within
the state as an Important Mammal Area for threatened bats and Allegheny woodrat.
As a key funder and partner in this effort, Appalachian Audubon Society president Kathy
Kuchwara claims, "This project is important to AAS as it adds to the protection of the forested
Kittatinny Ridge for songbird nesting, raptor migration, and water quality for residents of Perry
County. The partnership of a landowner, a local land trust, and a local chapter of the National
Audubon Society to permanently protect ridge habitat for wildlife and future generations is
something we can all be proud of."
41
Mr. Rice agrees, urging, Commitments both large and small to preservation of nature by
individuals and organizations inevitably make a large positive impact for the environment and
mankind.
This property is part of a contiguous forest block of over 4000 acres, and offers refuge for
woodland organisms requiring deep woods. These include Scarlet Tanager, a species of
conservation concern observed on the property, and the Golden-winged Warbler. If not
protected, these natural resources would be threatened by construction, fragmentation, and
mismanagement.
In terms of water resources, the protected land maintains and improves the quality of
water within, around, and downstream of the property. Both Sherman Creek and Stillhouse
Hollow Run flow through it, tributaries to the Susquehanna River.
Overall, the property filters and regulates water flows to support coldwater fisheries of
Laurel Run and McCabe Run, significant for anglers.
Finally, the conservation easement protects ecosystem services, or natural resource
benefits that translate to economic value.
For instance, to improve forests for silviculture; to absorb rainwater that might otherwise
contribute to flooding downstream; sequester carbon in plants and soil to mitigate rising
atmospheric carbon levels; and otherwise contribute to resiliency and functioning of natural
processes important to human systems.
Forests, covering 99 percent of the property, provide timber and work, stabilize slopes,
ease effects from storms, recharge groundwater, trap carbon, and soften impacts of intensified
uses on neighboring properties.
There are so many facets of land protection that translate to overwhelming public benefit
for current and future generations, and Central PA Conservancy looks forward to continuing its
mission in the region.
We would like to thank Appalachian Audubon, Perry County Conservation District, the
PA Land Trust Association, and landowner Matthew Rice for their unique roles in bringing this
3-year project to completion.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Central PA
Conservancy website, contact the office at 717-241-4360.
(Photo: Rice property, Shermans Creek.)
NewsClips:
Centre County Farmland Trust Receives 2 Conservation Easements
William Penn Grant Helps Chestnut Hill Preserve Whats Special
[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
Natural Lands Trust Preserves 25.3 Acres In Delaware County
James A. Miller wanted to protect his land in memory of
his late wife. On November 15th, 2016, Natural Lands
Trust helped him achieve his vision with a conservation
easement on his 25-acre property on Lenni Road in
Chester Heights.
The easement will permanently protect the
42
natural features of the landscape and preserve critical open space in highly developed Delaware
County.
"Conservation begins in the heart of a willing landowner," said Molly Morrison,
president of Natural Lands Trust. "Mr. Millers decision to forever preserve his beautiful
property is a testament to his love of nature and his generosity towards his community. In an area
thats being swiftly developed, his choice to make nature a priority will have impact for
generations to come."
Millers land is largely forested, but also includes a meadow and several streams that feed
into Chester Creek.
With an expanding population in Chester Heights, forest areas such as this provide vital
contributions to clean water, healthy wildlife, and the scenic character of the region. In addition,
forests help to prevent erosion and flooding by absorbing and filtering rainfall.
Forested streams like those on the Miller property are particularly valuable for wildlife
both as habitat and a source of food. Leaves that fall from trees into the stream provide food for
aquatic insects that are, in turn, food for larger aquatic species.
Millers forest, streams, and meadow are home to many native species of mammals and
birds.
The Miller conservation easement is located nearby Natural Lands Trusts Wawa
Preserve (photo), which is a 98-acre nature preserve owned by Natural Lands Trust and operated
in partnership with Middletown Township.
The Miller property is also within view of the proposed Chester Creek Trail Greenway;
the easement will preserve the scenic views along that future trail.
This conservation easement is a legally binding agreement in which the property remains
in private ownership but is protected from future development forever. This easement was made
possible due to the generous support of James A. Miller, Richard D. Wood Jr., Frederick Wood,
Richard Wood, and Lisa and Christopher Wright.
Natural Lands Trust is the regions largest land conservation organization and is
dedicated to protecting the forests, fields, streams, and wetlands that are essential to the
sustainability of life in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.
Since its founding in 1953, Natural Lands Trust has preserved more than 120,000 acres,
including 43 nature preserves totaling nearly 22,000 acres.
Today, millions of people enjoy the healthy habitats, clean air and water, bountiful
recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty provided by the lands the organization has
preserved.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Natural
Lands Trust website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Trust and Like them on
Facebook.
(Photo: Wawa Preserve, Natural Lands Trust.)
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 17, 2017]
Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Shawnee Inn Guests Donate To Protect Land
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On January 17, staff at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in

Monroe County, proudly presented Delaware Highlands
Conservancy staff and board with a check for $13,412 for
donations collected through participation in the Green Lodging
Partnership program in 2016.
Through the Green Lodging Program, guests at participating
hotels and inns are invited to make a $2-per-stay donation to
the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.
These funds are used to support the Conservancys land
protection and education mission, and are an opportunity for each guest to invest in the future of
this special region.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Delaware
Highlands Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Conservancy (upper right of the page), Like on Facebook and Follow on Twitter.
(Photo: Jason Zarnowski, Scott Van Gorder, and Bethany Keene, Delaware Highlands
Conservancy; Kaitlyn O'Connor, Anthony Giacin, and Tamara Pettite, Shawnee Inn.)
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 18, 2017]
Nature Conservancys Mike Eckley Wins Natural Resource Education Champion Award
The PA Chapter of the Association of Natural
Resource Extension Professionals awarded its 2016
Natural Resource Education Champion Award to The
Nature Conservancy-PAs Mike Eckley of
Williamsport, Lycoming County.
The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual
or group for their support of and enthusiasm for
natural resources extension education at the county,
state or regional level in Pennsylvania.
Eckley is a forester and the Director of Forest Conservation with TNCs Williamsport
Office.
Mike is a true partner with Penn State Extension. He understands the value of education
and is always willing to help out and share his expertise as well as the resources made available
to him through TNC.
Over the years Mike has been a tremendous asset to Penn State Extension's forest
landowner outreach program. Mike has great ideas and a willingness to share methods and
practices with forest landowners.
He is always providing input to Extension programs with new ideas and opportunities to
outreach to landowners and forestry professionals. He is always able to articulate practices in
ways that are easy to understand.
44
Beyond just educational events Mike has been instrumental in the establishment,
maintenance, and data collection on a number of key research and demonstration projects as
well.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other special events, visit the PA
Chapter of The Nature Conservancy website. Click Here to sign up for updates from TNC, Like
them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter and Join them on Instagram.
(Photo: Mike Eckley (center) with PA-ANREP members Dave Jackson and Sandy Smith.)
(Reprinted from Penn State Extensions January 17 Watershed Winds newsletter. Click Here to
sign up for your own copy.)
21st Annual Northwestern PA Forest Landowners Conference Jan. 28 In Edinboro
The 21st Annual Northwestern PA Forest Landowner
Conference will be held on January 28 at the
Edinboro-McKean V.F.W. Post 740, 10613 Route 98,
Edinboro.
The Erie County Conservation District, Northwest
PA Woodland Association and the DCNR Cornplanter
State Forest District are hosting this special event.
The long-term sustainability of our natural resources
is in the hands of many local communities, state
agencies, non-profit conservation organizations and
thousands of private landowners.
Private forest landowners own over 12.5 million acres or 75 percent of the
Commonwealths forestland.
The reasons for owning are as variable as the landowners themselves. Recent studies
indicate that many landowners own forestland for multiple benefits including: water quality,
recreation, wildlife, aesthetic beauty and timber.
The demands on our forests are ever increasing; subsequently the knowledge a forest
landowner should have to properly manage their forests is also increasing. Future forest
conditions directly depend on the decisions being made today.
The goal of this conference is to help you explore and understand some of the
management options that are available to you and to provide an opportunity to network and meet
other forest landowners.
Click Here to view the conference brochure and registration information. If you have any
questions about this event, contact the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Cornplanter Forest District at
814-723-0262.
NewsClips:
AP: Ash Trees Disappear Across Pennsylvania
NYT: Photos: From Mystery To History: PAs Bygone Lumber Industry
45
Foundation For Sustainable Forests Hosts Woods & Waters Film Series In NW
The Foundation for
Sustainable Forests and
the French Creek Valley
Conservancy are hosting
an Our Woods & Waters
Film Series in January
27, February 24 and
March 31 in Northwest
Pennsylvania.
Gather on a winters night for warm community, great films and conversation! The film
viewings will be held--- January 27: Green Fire - Aldo Leopold & A Land Ethic For Our Time. Douglas Conference
Room, Economic Progress Alliance Building, 789 Bessemer St., Meadville starting at 7:00 p.m.
-- February 24: Selected Short Films - Forest Kindergarten, The Last Dragons and more!.
Whole Foods Co-Op Community Center, 1341 W. 26 St., Erie starting at 6:30 p.m.
-- March 31: Selected Short Films - Chasing Water, A Forest Year and more! Scot Cinema,
Pogue Student Center, 405 Scotland Rd., Edinboro starting at 7:00 p.m. in partnership with
Edinboro S.E.E.D.S.
All events are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more
information contact Annie Socci at 814-694-5830 or send email to:
amsocci@foundationforsustainableforests.org.
NewsClips:
Penn State: Common Crop Chemical Leaves Bees Susceptible To Deadly Viruses
A chemical that is thought to be safe and is, therefore, widely used
on crops such as almonds, wine grapes and tree fruits to
boost the performance of pesticides, makes honey bee larvae
significantly more susceptible to a deadly virus, according to
researchers at Penn State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"In the lab, we found that the commonly used organosilicone
adjuvant, Sylgard 309, negatively impacts the health of honey bee
larvae by increasing their susceptibility to a common bee
pathogen, the Black Queen Cell Virus," said Julia Fine, graduate
student in entomology, Penn State. "These results mirror the
symptoms observed in hives following almond pollination, when bees are exposed to
organosilicone adjuvant residues in pollen, and viral pathogen prevalence is known to increase.
In recent years, beekeepers have reported missing, dead and dying brood in their hives following
almond pollination, and exposure to agrochemicals, like adjuvants, applied during bloom, has
46
been suggested as a cause."

According to Chris Mullin, professor of entomology, Penn State, adjuvants in general
greatly improve the efficacy of pesticides by enhancing their toxicities.
"Organosilicone adjuvants are the most potent adjuvants available to growers," he said.
"Based on the California Department of Pesticide Regulation data for agrochemical applications
to almonds, there has been increasing use of organosilicone adjuvants during crop blooming
periods, when two-thirds of the U.S. honey bee colonies are present."
Fine noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies organosilicone
adjuvants as biologically inert, meaning they do not cause a reaction in living things.
"As a result," she said, "there are no federally regulated restrictions on their use."
To conduct their study, the researchers reared honey bee larvae under controlled
conditions in the laboratory.
During the initial stages of larval development, they exposed the larvae to a low chronic
dose of Sylgard 309 in their diets. They also exposed some of the larvae to viral pathogens in
their diets on the first day of the experiment.
"We found that bees exposed to the organosilicone adjuvant had higher levels of Black
Queen Cell Virus," said Fine.
"Not only that, when they were exposed to the virus and the organosilicone adjuvant
simultaneously, the effect on their mortality was synergistic rather than additive, meaning that
the mortality was higher from the simultaneous application of adjuvant and virus than from
exposure to either the organosilicone adjuvant or the viral pathogen alone, even if those two
mortalities were added together," said Fine. "This suggests that the adjuvant is enhancing the
damaging effects of the virus."
The researchers also found that a particular gene involved in immunity called
18-wheeler had reduced expression in bees treated with the adjuvant and the virus, compared
to bees in the control groups.
"Taken together, these findings suggest that exposure to organosilicone adjuvants
negatively influences immunity in honey bee larvae, resulting in enhanced pathogenicity and
mortality," said Fine.
The results appear in the January 16 issue of Scientific Reports.
Mullin noted that the teams results suggest that recent honey bee declines in the United
States may, in part, be due to the increased use of organosilicone adjuvants.
"Billions of pounds of formulation and tank adjuvants, including organosilicone
adjuvants, are released into U.S. environments each year, making them an important component
of the chemical landscape to which bees are exposed," he said. "We now know that at least
Sylgard 309, when combined at a field-relevant concentration with Black Queen Cell Virus,
causes synergistic mortality in honey bee larvae."
Other authors on the paper include Diana Cox-Foster, USDA-ARS-PWA Pollinating
Insect Research Unit.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported
this research.
For more information, Ms. Fine may be reached by sending email to: jdf250@psu.edu
and Dr. Mullin may be reached at 814-865-2435 or by email to: oy9@psu.edu.
(Photo: Black Queen Cell Virus, BeeInformed.org.)
NewsClip:
47
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Added To Federal Endangered Species List

[Posted: Jan. 17, 2017]
CBF-PA Names Lane Whigham Outreach & Advocacy Manager In Pennsylvania
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Thursday announced it has
named Lane Whigham as its Pennsylvania Outreach and Advocacy
Manager.
We all have roles to play in protecting our rivers and streams,
CBFs Pennsylvania Executive Director Harry Campbell said. With
Lanes leadership, CBFs outreach and advocacy programs intend to
galvanize citizens and encourage elected leaders to take action in
their own backyards and in the halls of government.
Whigham will oversee CBFs grassroots and outreach programs in Pennsylvania,
stressing to the importance of clean water through education, participation, and calls to action.
While were facing many challenges in keeping local waters healthy, Im certain that
Pennsylvanians are up to the challenge, Whigham said. I look forward to working with our
clean water advocates at many of our upcoming events in Pennsylvania.
Efforts in Pennsylvania and other Bay states have contributed to an improvement in Bay
health, as noted in CBFs 2016 State of the Bay report, which can be found on the CBF website.
But work to reduce pollution in the Keystone State is far from finished.
Roughly 19,000 miles of Pennsylvanias rivers and streams are damaged by pollution and
half of the freshwater that flows into the Chesapeake Bay comes from the Keystone State. The
Commonwealth is significantly off-track in meeting its Clean Water Blueprint goals.
Whigham previously managed CBFs Pennsylvania Student Leadership Program. He
coordinated leadership and advocacy activities for students in a variety of school districts and
youth organizations in Pennsylvanias portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
From 2011-2015, Whigham worked as a school administrator, managing a special
education school in Cumberland County. During his tenure, he was instrumental in designing the
schools first vocational program. Prior to his work as an administrator, Whigham was a special
education English teacher.
Whigham also currently works at his familys replacement heifer farm in Carlisle,
Cumberland County, and raises organic chickens at his home in Walnut Bottom, Cumberland
County.
Whigham can be contacted by sending email to: Lwhigham@cbf.org or calling
717-234-5550 ext. 4202.
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left
column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PAs most recent newsletter.
[Posted: Jan. 19, 2017]
Hannah Smith-Brubaker Named ED Of PA Assn. For Sustainable Agriculture
On January 23, Hannah Smith-Brubaker will become the new Executive
Director of the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture.
48
After an extensive national search lead by the PASA board of directors, Smith-Brubaker
will become the third person in the organizations 25 year history to serve as executive director,
following Brian Snyder and Tim Bowser (Lamonte Garber and Ted LeBow served as interim
directors).
The organizations 5,800 members are excited to take this next step forward on the
journey to meet their mission of promoting profitable farms that produce healthy food for all
people while respecting the natural environment.
Smith-Brubaker leaves her position as a Deputy Secretary in the Department of
Agriculture, having served with a focus on agricultural markets and economic development,
farmland preservation, and the charitable food system.
During her tenure she served to ensure a place at the table for everyone, developing a
reputation for inclusion and open dialogue that led to several significant achievements impacting
family farms throughout the state.
Scott Case, board chair and member of the search committee said, there was absolute
agreement among the search committee members that Hannah was the top choice in a strong
group of candidates. The committee valued her extensive work experience in sustainable
agriculture, along with her leadership abilities and her big tent approach to welcoming the full
diversity of agriculture into conversation and consensus building. We are excited to have her join
the PASA team!
With her partner Debra Brubaker and family, Smith-Brubaker also operates Village Acres
Farm & FoodShed - an organic produce and pastured poultry farm in Juniata County. Village
Acres is a second-generation family farm with 35 years in operation, 25 as Certified Organic.
The farm provides a year-round community supported agriculture program, direct sales to
restaurants and food hubs throughout the mid-state and is a grower-member of Tuscarora
Organic Growers Cooperative, marketing to Washington D.C. and Baltimore restaurants and
retailers.
A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Albright College, Smith-Brubaker has served as
president of the PA Farmers Union, president of the Keystone Development Center, as a director
with the PA Association of Conservation Districts, and spent over a decade early in her career
working in human services.
Smith-Brubaker shared with the PASA board of directors that she is excited to help
PASA build on a firm foundation of community partnerships. What makes PASA special as an
organization is its focus on people and the desire of its members to share their knowledge and
experience.
She will assume leadership of an organization with a renewed focus on supporting
sustainable farmers through educational resources.
Through its SOIL Institute programs, PASA works to connect farmers to share skills and
experiences, to provide apprenticeship programs for beginning farmers, and to coordinate
farmer-led research that advances sustainable techniques.
Smith-Brubaker will discuss the future of PASA and the sustainable agriculture
movement with attendees at the 26th Annual Farming for the Future Conference, February 1-4,
in State College.
For more information on the programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the PA
Association for Sustainable Agriculture website.
[Posted: Jan. 17, 2017]
49
Westmoreland Land Trust Names Mary Tate First Executive Director

The Westmoreland Land Trust Friday announced it has named Mary Tate as the
organizations first executive director.
This is an historic moment for our young organization, Chuck Duritsa, chair of
the Westmoreland Land Trust. And the beginning of what we hope will be even
greater success in conserving open space for the people of Westmoreland
County.
Tate has degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and Boston Architectural
College and experience in the areas of planning and preservation.
She worked as a preservation specialist, preservation consultant, and city secretary in and
around metro Dallas, Texas where she also was involved as a volunteer for Cub Scouts, the PTA,
and Autism Awareness.
Originally from western Pennsylvania, Mary and her family recently left Texas to return
to the local area.
Im looking forward to the opportunity to help the Westmoreland Land Trust build on
the great foundation thats already in place, Tate said. She will quickly get the chance to do
that, as her first day on the job is Monday.
Since 2008, the nine-year-old Westmoreland Land Trust has been achieving its goals
solely through the volunteered time, efforts, and energies of some 23 board members. Board
members will continue their active involvement, but having Tate as the dedicated staff person
will help achieve goals more quickly and comprehensively, Duritsa said.
The Westmoreland Land Trust has conserved some 235 acres in six Westmoreland
County communities, including the City of Greensburg, North Huntingdon Township, and
Murrysville.
Its most recent acquisition was 28 acres in Rostraver Township, obtained in partnership
with the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation, and added to Cedar Creek Park.
The Westmoreland Land Trust executive director position was created with funding from
the Allegheny Foundation.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the
Westmoreland Land Trust website.
NewsClips:
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
DEP Opportunity To Bid On Mine Reclamation Project In Indiana County
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 21 PA Bulletin of
an opportunity to bid on a mine reclamation project in Indiana County.
The Department of Environmental Protection has available a current list of
Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage, Surface Mine Reclamation, Cleaning Out
and Plugging Oil and Gas Wells, Waterways Engineering (Concrete Dams/Concrete Lined
50
Channels, Walls and Box Culverts, etc.), Hazardous Site Remediation, Removal and Disposal of
Underground Storage Tanks, and Wetland Restoration projects available for bidding. Click Here
for the list.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a current list of bid
proposals for construction projects in State Parks and State Forests available online. Click Here
for the list.
[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published its 2017 schedule of advisory committee and board meeting in the
December 17 PA Bulletin, page 7896.
January 23-- Senate and House Come Back To Voting Session.
January 24-- NEW. Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meets to consider
Senate Bill 138 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) further providing for the calculation of proceeds paid to
interest owners (sponsor summary); and Senate Bill 139 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) establishes the
Natural Gas Lease Anti-Retaliation Act (sponsor summary). Room 461 Capitol Building. 10:30.
Click Here for more information.
January 24-- Agenda Posted. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board Regulatory, Legislative and
Technical Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
DEP Contact: Daniel Snowden 717-783-8846 or send email to: dsnowden@pa.gov. (formal
notice)
-- Discussion of Non-Coal Hydrology Document
-- Click Here for available handouts
January 24-- 10,000 Friends Of Pennsylvania Commonwealth Awards Program. Academy of
Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. 5:30 to
8:00 p.m.
January 25-- Agenda Posted. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee (Air
Quality) meeting. 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:00.
DEP Contact: Nancy Herb, nherb@pa.gov or 717-783-9269.
-- Environmental Management Assistance program
-- Small Business Ombudsman Report
-- Overview of Small Business Champion Network
-- Stage II Enforcement discretion
51
-- Overview of Volkswagen Consent Decree

-- Ozone Air Quality Update
-- Overview of 2014 Emission Inventory for Unconventional Wells & Other Industries
January 25-- DEP notice of informal conference on an Amerikohl Aggregates C&K Coal Mine
Permit in Richland Township, Clarion County. DEP Knox District Mining Office, 310 Best
Ave., Knox. 1:00 p.m. DEP Contact: Knox District Mining Office 814-797-1191. (PA Bulletin,
page 71)
January 25-- Agenda Posted. DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council
meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Gretchen Leslie 717-772-9084 or
send email to: gleslie@pa.gov. (formal notice)
-- Update From DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn
-- DCNRs Path To Sustainability, Mike Walsh, DCNR Deputy For Administration
-- ATV/Snowmobile Safety Programs
January 25-- DCNR Webinar: DCNR Grant Stewardship Responsibilities. 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
January 25-- Penn State Water Quality Team Webinar: Green Parking Lot Zoning & Design.
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
January 26-- Sustainable Pittsburgh: The Shift To Sustainable Business Practices Workshop.
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, 305 Wood Street, Pittsburgh. 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
January 26-27-- PA Ground Water Association Annual Conference. Harrisburg/Hershey
Holiday Inn Grantville, Dauphin County.
January 27-- NEW. Foundation For Sustainable Forests Woods & Waters Film Series. Green
Fire - Aldo Leopold & A Land Ethic For Our Time. Douglas Conference Room, Economic
Progress Alliance Building, 789 Bessemer St., Meadville. 7:00 p.m.
January 28-- NEW. Northwestern PA Forest Landowners Conference. Edinboro.
January 31-- Partnership For Delaware Estuary Healthy Communities Workshop- Conservation
Plan Update. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia. 9:00
a.m to 3:00 p.m.
February 1-- DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909
Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or
717-787-5103.
February 1-- Partnership For Delaware Estuary Healthy Habitats Workshop- Conservation Plan
Update. Montgomery County Community College, 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell. 9:00 a.m to 3:00
52
p.m.
February 1-4-- PA Association For Sustainable Agriculture Farming For The Future
Conference. State College.
February 2-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a hearing on proposed water
withdrawal requests. Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol Building, Harrisburg. 2:30. Contact:
Jason Oyler, General Counsel, 717-238-0423, Ext. 1312. Click Here for more information.
(formal notice)
February 8-- DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building, Harrisburg. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson, diawilson@pa.gov or 717-787-3730.
February 8-- Location Updated. DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater
Systems Operators meeting. 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
DEP Contact: Cheri Sansoni, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, Operator Certification, 400 Market
Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, 717-772-5158, csansoni@pa.gov.
February 8-- DCNR Webinar: Applying For New Riparian Forest Buffer Grants. 10:00 to 11:30
a.m.
February 8-- Widener University Commonwealth Law School Program On African American
History In Our National Parks. Administration Building Room A180, Widener Law
Commonwealth, 3737 Vartan Way, Harrisburg. 5:30 program, 6:30 reception.
February 11-- 3rd Annual GreenAllies Conference. Messiah College, Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland County.
February 16-- CANCELED. DEP Oil And Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kurt Klapkowski, 717-783-9438 or send email to:
kklapkowsk@pa.gov. (Cancellation mentioned in DEP January Report To CAC)
February 16-- PennTAP Webinar: Pollution Prevention: Lean Manufacturing With A Focus On
Food Manufacturing. Noon to 1:00.
February 21-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street,
Harrisburg, PA 17101, 717-772-3277, edinger@pa.gov.
February 21--NEW. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box
8459, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8459, 717-705-2693, khethering@pa.gov.
February 22-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Public Utility
Commission . Room 140.
53
February 23-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office,
909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Jay Braund, jbraund@pa.gov or
717-772-5636
February 23-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, kdalal@pa.gov or 717-772-3436.
February 24-- NEW. Foundation For Sustainable Forests Woods & Waters Film Series.
Selected Short Films - Forest Kindergarten, The Last Dragons and more! Whole Foods Co-Op
Community Center, 1341 W. 26 St., Erie. 6:30 p.m.
February 27-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearing: 10:00- Department of
Environmental Protection; 1:00- Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Room
140.
February 27-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of
Agriculture. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building.
March 1-- House Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of
Agriculture. Room 140.
March 1-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 3:00- Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building.
March 1-- NEW. DEP hearing on PennEast Pipeline compressor station in Kidder Township,
Carbon County. Split Rock Resort Lodge, 100 Moseywood Rd in Lake Harmony. 6:00 to 9 p.m.
(PA Bulletin page 325)
March 5-6-- Registration Open. PA Environmental Council PA Statewide Watershed
Conference. State College
March 7-- DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park
Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Allison Gaida, agaida@pa.gov or 724-404-3147.
March 7-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5599 or send email to:
dheimbach@pa.gov.
March 7-- NEW. DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. Delaware Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 8:30. DEP Contact: Carl Jones, caejone@pa.gov or 484-250-5818.
March 8-- Senate Appropriations Committee budget hearings: 10:00- Department of
Environmental Protection. Hearing Room 1, North Office Building.
54
March 9-- NEW. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Hissner, dhissner@pa.gov or
717-772-2189.
March 11-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. BlueBerry Hill-Franklin Park,
Allegheny County. 10:30 a.m. to Noon.
March 11-- Registration Open. 20th Annual Schuylkill River Watershed Congress.
Montgomery County Community College, Pottstown.
March 14-- PennTAP-DEP Facility Operations Workshop On Energy Efficiency. Penn Stater
Hotel & Conference Center, State College.
March 14-- NEW. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, mbrojakows@pa.gov or
717-772-3429.
March 15-- NEW. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Mike Maddigan, mmaddigan@pa.gov or
717-772-3609.
March 15-- NEW. DEP State Board for Certification of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting.
Conference Room 11B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kristen Szwajkowski,
kszwajkows@pa.gov or 717-772-2186.
March 15-16-- Registration Open. PA Environmental Council: Achieving Deep Carbon
Reductions: Paths For Pennsylvanias Electricity Future Conference. David L. Lawrence
Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
March 16-- NEW. DEP Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura Henry, lahenry@pa.gov or 717-772-5713.
March 21-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
9:00. DEP Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg,
PA 17101, 717-772-3277, edinger@pa.gov.
March 21--NEW. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00 DEP Contact: Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8459, 717-705-2693, khethering@pa.gov.
March 23-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee (On-lot Systems) meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building, Harrisburg. 10:30. DEP Contact: Brian Schlauderaff, bschlauder@pa.gov or
717-772-5620.
March 23-24-- Westmoreland County Conservation District 2017 Engineers Workshop. Fred
55
Rogers Center, a LEED Gold Certified building at St. Vincent College, Latrobe.
March 24-25-- Penn State Forest Landowners Conference. Altoona.
March 26-29-- Registration Open. PA Recreation & Park Society 2017 Annual Conference.
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.
March 31-- NEW. Foundation For Sustainable Forests Woods & Waters Film Series. Selected
Short Films - Chasing Water, A Forest Year and more! Scot Cinema, Pogue Student Center, 405
Scotland Rd., Edinboro. 7:00 p.m.
April 5-7-- PA Assn. of Environmental Professionals 32nd Annual Conference. State College.
April 6-- NEW. DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference
Room, Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Joseph Melnic, jmelnic@pa.gov or
717-783-9730.
April 8-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Fern Park, Allegheny County. 10:30
a.m. to Noon.
April 11-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. North Park-Rose Barn, Allegheny
County. 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
April 12-- NEW. DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators
meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Cheri
Sansoni, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, Operator Certification, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg,
PA 17101, 717-772-5158, csansoni@pa.gov.
April 12-- NEW. DEP Technical Advisory Committee on Diesel-Powered Equipment (Deep
Mining) meeting. DEP New Stanton Office, 131 Broadview Road, New Stanton. 10:00. DEP
Contact: Peggy Scheloske, mscheloske@pa.gov or 724-404-3143.
April 12-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Phipps Garden Center, Allegheny
April 12-- PA Chamber Environmental Conference & Trade Show. Best Western Premier Eden
Resort & Suites, Lancaster.
April 13-- NEW. Society of Women Environmental Professionals - Capital Chapter Annual
Conference. Central Penn Colleges Conference Center, Summerdale, Cumberland County.
April 18-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
PA 17101, 717-772-3277, edinger@pa.gov.
56
April 18--NEW. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459,
April 18-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Lauri Ann West Community Center,
Allegheny County. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
April 20-- NEW. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, kdalal@pa.gov or 717-772-3436.
April 20-- NEW. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. 4th Floor Training
Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or
717-787-5103.
April 20-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. South Park-Buffalo Inn, Allegheny
April 21-22-- PEC, KPB Pinchot State Forest Earth Day Tree Planting. Luzerne County.
April 22-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Ross Township Community Center,
Allegheny County. Noon to 1:30 p.m.
April 25-27-- PA Section American Water Works Association Annual Conference. The
Hershey Lodge, Hershey.
April 26-- NEW. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th Floor
Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Nancy Herb, nherb@pa.gov
or 717-783-9269.
April 27-- NEW. DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office,
909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Jay Braund, jbraund@pa.gov or
717-772-5636.
April 27-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Boyce Park-Activity Center,
Allegheny County. 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 3-- Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium. Ramada Inn Conference Center, State College.
May 4-6-- Registration Open. PA Land Trust Association Land Conservation Conference &
Environmental Advisory Council Network Conference. Lancaster.
May 10-- NEW. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office,
909 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg. 10:00. DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or
717-787-5103.
57
May 10-- NEW. DEP Water Resources Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building, Harrisburg. 9:30. DEP Contact: Diane Wilson, diawilson@pa.gov or
717-787-3730.
May 16-- NEW. Primary Election Day.
May 17-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
PA 17101, 717-772-3277, edinger@pa.gov.
May 17--NEW. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459,
May 19-21-- PA Outdoor Writers Association Spring Conference. Harrisburg/Hershey Holiday
Inn Grantville, Dauphin County. Click Here for more information.
May 20-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests
Annual Conference. Mercer County.
June 1-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Phipps Garden Center, Allegheny
June 7-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Stacey Box, 717-772-5622 or send email to:
sbox@pa.gov.
June 7-- NEW. DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. Room 206,
Bureau of Laboratories Building, 2575 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Aaren
Alger, aaalger@pa.gov or 717-346-7200.
June 18-23-- Registration Open. Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp. Messiah
College, Grantham, Cumberland County.
September 21-- NEW. DEP Recycling Fund Advisory Committee/Solid Waste Advisory
Committee joint meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Laura
Henry, lahenry@pa.gov or 717-772-5713.
October 4-- NEW. DEP Low-Level Radioactive Waste Advisory Committee meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Rich Janati, rjanati@pa.gov or 717-787-2147.
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
58
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEPs eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
July 2016 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, page 3713
DEP Technical Guidance In Process
Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2016) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review
Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Facebook Page
DEP Twitter Feed
DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

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

59
Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other
recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.
January 23-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
January 23-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants Opens
January 27-- DCNR/PA Recreation & Park Society Green Parks Award
January 27-- Green Stormwater Infrastructure Awards For Southeast
January 31-- NRCS-PA RCPP Wetlands Protection Grants-Delaware River Basin
January 31-- NFWF Urban Waters Restoration Grants
January 31-- PEMA Student Weather Safety Video PSA Contest
January 31-- SBA Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Physical Damage NC PA
January 31-- Vote For Frick Environmental Center Building Of The Year
January 31-- NEW. PEMA Student Severe Weather Video Contest - Grades 7-12
February 1-- NEW. Society Of Women Environmental Professionals-Philly Scholarships
February 1-- CFA Natural Gas Pipeline Investment Program (open application period)
February 1-- National Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grants
February 3-- College, University RecycleMania Tournament
February 3-- Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Funding
February 3-- EPA P3 Student Sustainability Design Grants
February 3-- NRCS Farm Conservation Stewardship Program Grants
February 5-- Ben Franklin Shale Gas Tech Innovation Contest
February 8-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding
February 10-- PA Resources Council Western PA Zero Waste Awards
February 15-- Dominion, PEC Western PA Environmental Awards
February 16-- Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Grants
February 17-- NEW. PennEast Pipeline STEM Education Grants
February 17-- NEW. Dominion Project Plant It! Education, Tree Planting Program
February 24-- NEW. EPA National Groundwater Week Video Challenge
March 1-- PA House 4-Year College Scholarships For High School Seniors
March 1-- NEW. Dominion Foundation Environmental Education, Stewardship Grants
March 3-- DEP Urban Stormwater Grants, 10 Counties, Chesapeake Bay Watershed
March 3-- NEW. PA Environmental Professionals Karl Mason & Walter Lyon Awards
March 7-- DCNR Beings Accepting Rural Firefighting Grants
March 7-- NEW. PEMA Student Severe Weather Poster Contest - Grades 1-6
March 7-- PEMA Student Weather Safety Poster Contest
March 17-- TreeVitalize Pittsburgh/Allegheny County Fall Plantings
March 17-- SunShot Prize: Solar In Your Community Challenge
March 20-- National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest
March 24-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
March 30-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy College Scholarships
March 31-- DEP Host Municipality Waste Inspector Program Grants
April 12-- DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants Close
60
April 17- Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Land Transaction Grants

April 19-- SBA Economic Damage Disaster Loans In 5 Southwest Counties
April 30-- Northeast PA Audubon Society College Scholarship
May 3-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding
May 12-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
May 19-- DCNR Rural Firefighting Grants
May 26-- PennAg Industries College Scholarships
June 1-- NEW. DEP Vehicle Fleet Owner Alternative Fuels Technical Assistance Program
August 18-- SBA Flood Disaster Economic Injury Assistance In Northcentral PA
September 5-- SBA Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Economic Injury NC PA
October 31-- PA Resources Council Lens On Litter Photo Contest
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.

Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add us to your Google+ Circle.
Swift: Rep. Carroll Gets Environmental Platform
Federal Policy
Reuters Poll: Unlike Trump, Americans Want Strong Environmental Regulator
Trump Team Prepares Dramatic Cuts In Federal Funding
AP: In Break With Trump, EPA Pick Says Climate Change Isnt Hoax
EPA Nominee Acknowledges Global Warming But Wants To Restrain EPA
Nominee To Lead EPA Testifies Hell Enforce Environmental Laws
Casey To Vote No On Trumps EPA, Education, AG Nominees
Trump EPA Pick To Face Tough Questions Wednesday
Bipartisan EPA Alumni Urge U.S. Senate To Reject Trump EPA Pick
Trump Pick To Lead EPA Has Spotty State Environmental Record
Bloomberg: Trumps EPA Pick Back $500M Coal Upgrade Over Wind, Gas
Trumps EPA Nominee Swamped By Ads From Environmental Groups
NYT: What Readers Would Ask Trumps EPA Nominee
61
AP: Report: Trump To Nominate Former GA Gov. Sonny Perdue For Ag Secretary
Trump To Nominate Sonny Perdue To Lead Agriculture Dept
Trump Picks Sonny Perdue For Agriculture Secretary
Trump Energy Nominee Rick Perry Says Hell Protect Climate Research
Rick Perry Softens Stance On Climate Change
Rick Perry Disavows Trump Transition Questionnaire On Climate Change
Trumps Energy Plan: Support Shale, Dump Climate Plan, Refocus EPA
Bloomberg: Trump Aides Prepare List Of First Days Energy Changes
PA Researchers Rush To Preserve Climate Data They Believe Threatened
Another Trump Nominee Disputes Trump On Climate Change
Crable: Trump Supporters: End U.S. Support Of Climate Change, Bring Back Coal
USDA Analysis Says Ethanol Sharply Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Op-Ed: Can Trumps Cabinet Save Him From Himself?
PSU Prof: Trump Worst Possible Scenario For Climate
PA Hunter Talks Trump, Drilling Politics Of Great Outdoors
Industry: What Does Trump Need To Do To Improve Pennsylvania?
Interior Nominee Zinke To Be Quizzed On Public Lands, Coal
Interior Nominee Will Review Obama Limits On Oil & Gas Drilling
EPA Moves To Preserve Gasoline Mileage Requirements
T. Boone Pickens: How To Make America Great Again: Energy Resources
Former Govs Urge NJ To Beef Up Environmental Protection In Trump Era
Air
PA Coal Plants Pressured By Other States To Curb Air Pollution
Whiff Of Citizen Engagement In CMUs New Air Pollution App
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Added To Federal Endangered Species List
Budget
Shale Drilling Fees Debated Amid Hints Of Rebound
AP: Question Burns In Capitol Over How Wolf Will Handle Deficit
Thompson: Why Is PAs Budget Out Of Whack?
Current Fiscal Year Deficit $600M, How Did We Get Here
Wolf Facing Tough Choices To Balance PA State Budget
Gambling Expansion Likely For PA In 2017 Lawmakers Say
Chesapeake Bay
62

Citizen Action
PHS: 2017 Philadelphia Flower Show Looks For Volunteers
Climate
Put Methane In Its Place, Not The Atmosphere
AP: In Break With Trump, EPA Pick Says Climate Change Isnt Hoax
EPA Nominee Acknowledges Global Warming But Wants To Restrain EPA
Trump Energy Nominee Rick Perry Says Hell Protect Climate Research
Rick Perry Softens Stance On Climate Change
Rick Perry Disavows Trump Transition Questionnaire On Climate Change
Bloomberg: Trump Aides Prepare List Of First Days Energy Changes
PA Researchers Rush To Preserve Climate Data They Believe Threatened
PSU Prof: Trump Worst Possible Scenario For Climate
EIA: Power Sector Carbon Emissions Fall Below Transportation Sector
Philly A Bellwether For Worldwide Warming In 2016
Science Agencies Declare 2016 Hottest Year On Record
Scientists Declare 2016 The Hottest Year Yet
Coal Mining
PA Number 3 In Coal Production In U.S. In 2016
Casey, Others Propose Competing Bills To Save Coal Miners Health Care
AP: McConnell Introduces Bill To Fund Coal Miner Health Plans
13 States Look To Halt Midnight Coal Mining Rule
Union Leaders Bank On Trumps Promises On Steel, Coal Jobs
Delaware River
Digital Overlay Maps Planned For Upper Delaware
Drinking Water
Lead In Pittsburgh Water Samples Down, But Still Exceed EPA Threshold
63

Lead-Based Plumbing Products Scarce In PA
Editorial: Get Lead Out Of Lancasters Day Care Centers
Drought
Delaware River Basin Lifts Drought Watch, But PA Does Not
Drought Problems Continue In PA
Despite Rain, Lehigh Valley To Remain Under Drought Warning
Economic Development
Township Gives Final Approval For Shell Ethane Plant
Beaver County Twp Green-Lights Shell Ethane Cracker
Education
Energy
New Video: Behind The Scenes Of Electricity Distribution
Outlook Positive For Natural Gas Industry In PA
Construction Of Jessup Natural Gas Power Plant Well Underway
2016 First Year Natural Gas Surpassed Coal As Primary Power Generation Fuel
Trump And The Philadelphia Energy Hub
T. Boone Pickens: How To Make America Great Again: Energy Resources
Energy Efficiency
Environmental Heritage
Farming
AP: Report: Trump To Nominate Former GA Gov. Sonny Perdue For Ag Secretary
Trump To Nominate Sonny Perdue To Lead Agriculture Dept
Forests
Green Buildings
Green Infrastructure
64
Green Technology
Guardian: Trump Urged To Embrace Green Tech To Make America Great
Hazardous Materials
AP: Report: More Work Needed On Identifying Great Lakes Toxins
Mine Reclamation
Deal Ends 17-Year Lawsuit Over Reclamation Of Abandoned PA Mines
Lake Erie
Land Conservation
Litter/Illegal Dumping
Mine Subsidence
Latrobe Family Rescued From Home Buckling From Mine Subsidence
Oil & Gas
Keep Drilling
Shale Drilling Fees Debated Amid Hints Of Rebound
Study: Fracking Has Net Financial Benefit Despite Drawbacks
Range Resources Gives Mon Valley Hospital $50K For ER Upgrades
Sign Up For Southwest PA Environmental Health Project
Discussion Over Gas Drilling Ordinance Continues In Murrysville
Northeast PA Counties Align To Fight Royalty Abuses
Township Gives Final Approval For Shell Ethane Plant
Beaver County Twp Green-Lights Shell Ethane Cracker
Construction Of Jessup Natural Gas Power Plant Well Underway
2016 First Year Natural Gas Surpassed Coal As Primary Power Generation Fuel
Residential Oil Spill Remediation Continues 1 Year Later
Outlook Positive For Natural Gas Industry In PA
California Finishes Review Of Gas Storage Area Blowout
Judge Lets Federal Gas Flaring Rules Take Effect During Lawsuit
Gasoline Price Spike Cools Off In Pittsburgh
OPEC Acts On New Years Resolution, U.S. Shale Pumps Away
Pipelines
65

Radon
Lancaster County Radon Levels Still Among Highest In PA
Recreation
Volunteers Map Out Goals For Norristowns Riverfront Park
Proposed Board Would Oversee Bike Lane Plans In Pittsburgh
Philly Takes Control Of Riverfront Property For Cycling/Walking Trail
Recycling/Waste
Lancaster Recycling Drop-Off Center Holding Open House
York Christmas Tree Recycling Continues
Stormwater
Watershed Protection
Wildlife
66

Fly Fishing Program Helps Disabled Military Veterans
York Area Bald Eagles Captured On Photos, Video
Schneck: How Does Your Backyard Bird Checklist Compare?
PA Hunter Talks Trump, Drilling Politics Of Great Outdoors
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Delaware River Basin Commission published notice in the January 21 PA Bulletin of final
regulations setting a new program fee schedule.
Pennsylvania Bulletin - January 21, 2017
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
July 2016 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, page 3713
Technical Guidance & Permits

Note: DEP published 38 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and
approval/disapproval actions in the January 21 PA Bulletin - pages 320 to 358. Thats one-third
of the Bulletin.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the January 21 PA
Bulletin of revisions to the schedule of fees charged for certain activities in state parks.
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 21 PA Bulletin
inviting comments on an Interim Final Technical Guidance dealing the Chapter 105 Water
Obstruction and Encroachment permit Environmental Assessments.
DEP ID: 310-2137-006. Title: Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit
67
Comprehensive Environmental Assessment of Proposed Project Impacts. Description: This

proposed technical guidance is intended to clarify the process for completing the information
requirements for a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit application, Environmental
Assessment Form # 3150-PM-BWEW0017.
Currently, the permit application requirements generally address proposed project
impacts to waters of the Commonwealth associated with small scale projects located in a single
county and covered by a single permit application.
Large scale projects, however, often cross more than one county and are covered by
multiple permit applications necessitating the need for a comprehensive review of all proposed
impacts to waters of the Commonwealth from the entire project.
This guidance outlines for the permit applicant the required project wide comprehensive
environmental assessment information in the permit application in accordance with the rules and
regulations of 25 Pa.Code Chapter 105 (relating to dam safety and waterway management).
Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft technical guidance
document by March 21.
Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments
submitted by e-mail must include the originator's name and address. Commentators are
encouraged to review this proposed guidance and submit comments using the Department's
online eComment tool or by e-mail to: ecomment@pa.gov.
Written comments should be submitted to the Technical Guidance Coordinator,
Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building,
P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.
A copy of the interim final guidance is available on DEPs eComment tool webpage.
Questions regarding this technical guidance document should be directed to Sidney
Freyermuth, Chief, Water Obstruction and Encroachments, Bureau of Waterways Engineering
and Wetlands at (717) 772-5977 or sfreyermut@pa.gov.
DEP Technical Guidance In Process
Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2016) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review
Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
68
DEP Facebook Page
DEP Twitter Feed
DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DEP Calendar of Events
DCNR Calendar of Events

CLICK HERE To Print Entire PA Environment Digest
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Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or
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PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection, and is published as a service of Crisci Associates, a
Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500
companies and nonprofit organizations.
Did you know you can search 10 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens
of topics, by county and on any keyword you choose? Just click on the search page.
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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

January 23, 2017

Delaware River Basin Commission Lifts Basinwide Drought Watch

earlier participation in a lawsuit challenging it.

The grant round closes April 12. (formal notice)

and announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and

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

Membership On Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board: Senate Bill 143

News From The Capitol

Majority: Browne (R-Lehigh), Chair; Ward (R-Westmoreland), Vice-Chair; Argall

Northeast PA Counties Align To Fight Royalty Abuses

The eFACTS system is also being significantly upgraded by DEP.

News From Around The State

The registration deadline for this course is February 1.

The Department of Environmental Protection published

PennEast Pipeline Announces Nonprofit Grant Program

PennEast Pipeline Announces STEM Education Grants Program

[Posted Jan. 17, 2017]

The Wildlife Leadership Academy in Lewisburg,

PennEast Pipeline Announces STEM Education Grants Program

through March 11, 2017.

Central Bradford Progress Authority.

[Posted: Jan. 20, 2017]

DCNRs Conservation And Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Jan. 25

On January 17, staff at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in

been suggested as a cause."

Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Added To Federal Endangered Species List

Westmoreland Land Trust Names Mary Tate First Executive Director

Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

-- Overview of Volkswagen Consent Decree

DEP Twitter Feed

DEP YouTube Channel

Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DCNR Calendar of Events

House Committee Schedule

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

Grants & Awards

April 17- Schuylkill River Restoration Fund Land Transaction Grants

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

Trumps EPA Pick Vows to Support Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Effort

Toxic Metal In York, Adams County Water Under Scrutiny

Natural Gas Pipeline Opponents Hold Protest In Lancaster County

Bi-State Shad Tournament Set For Late April Along Delaware

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

Technical Guidance & Permits

Comprehensive Environmental Assessment of Proposed Project Impacts. Description: This

DEP Facebook Page

DEP Twitter Feed

DEP YouTube Channel

Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.

DCNR Calendar of Events

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited

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