Pa Environment Digest May 8, 2017

PA Environment Digest
An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner Of PA Association of Environmental Educators

Business Partner Of The Year Award
PA Environment Digest Daily Blog Twitter Feed
Issue #671 Harrisburg, PA May 8, 2017
Senate Environmental Committee To Consider Nomination Of Patrick McDonnell To Be

DEP Secretary May 9
Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Thursday
announced the Committee will hold a confirmation hearing May 9
to consider the nomination of Patrick McDonnell to serve as
Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
If approved by the Committee and confirmed by the full
Senate, Mr. McDonnell would succeed John Quigley as Secretary
of the Department, who resigned in May 2016.
Prior to serving as Acting DEP Secretary, Mr. McDonnell
served as director of policy for the Department, where he oversaw
the agencys regulation and policy development processes.
In addition, Mr. McDonnell ran the State Energy Office and was charged with
coordination of renewable energy and energy efficiency issues.
Prior to returning to DEP, Mr. McDonnell was executive policy manager for former
Commissioner Pamela A. Witmer of the Public Utility Commission, focusing on electric, natural
gas and water issues as well as cybersecurity and the impact of environmental regulation on
energy markets.
Previously, Mr. McDonnell spent 13 years with DEP in a variety of roles. As deputy
secretary for administration, he managed the budget, human resources, information technology
and oversaw the facilities management functions of the agency.
He also previously served as policy director and as an assistant to the special deputy
secretary. He began his career at DEP working in the State Energy Office on energy efficiency,
renewable energy, and green building projects.
The Senate has until May 23 to act on the nomination.
The hearing will be held in room 8-EA of the East Wing of the Capitol Building starting
at 9:00 a.m. Click Here to watch the hearing live online.
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:
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yudichak@pasenate.com.
[Posted: May 4, 2017]
EPA Still Concerned About DEP Drinking Water Program, Urges Temporary Funding To
Hire Staff Sooner
In a letter dated April 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency responded to DEPs plan to correct deficiencies in
the states Safe Drinking Program by saying it is
encouraged by the plan, but said they remain concerned
about the ability of DEP to hire staff quickly enough to meet
minimum federal inspection and other standards.
DEP told EPA in February part of its plan is to put a
$7.5 million increase in drinking water fees in place to
support the hiring of up to 33 additional staff. To do that,
however, requires adoption of the fees by regulation that can take up to 2 years.
The Environmental Quality Board is scheduled to take the first step in adopting the Safe
Drinking Water Program fee increases on May 17 when it considers putting a proposed
regulation out for public comment.
However, EPAs letter goes on to say-- EPA remains concerned about Pennsylvanias
program performance in the interim until staff are hired in 2018 and trained and productive in the
year afterward.
EPA recommended DEP seek a temporary funding source to begin the hiring process
earlier.
Until new staff is hired, EPA agreed DEP should continue to prioritize drinking water
sanitary survey inspections and target its limited resources to ensure the highest level of public
health protection.
DEP will also submit quarterly updates on its progress to correct the deficiencies in the
program EPA outlined in December and is required to alert EPA to any new challenges or
changes in the proposed timeline.
A copy of EPAs April 12 letter is available online.
Background
EPA notified DEPs Safe Drinking Water Program in December that its lack of resources
to enforce minimum federal requirements could be grounds for taking primacy away from
Pennsylvania.
Primacy means DEP administers the federal Safe Drinking Water Program in
Pennsylvania for the federal government under state law.
EPAs review said Pennsylvania failed to conduct the minimum number of sanitary
surveys of water systems-- once every 3 years for community water supplies and once every 5
years for non-community systems-- schools, camps, bulk water suppliers.
Because of the lack of staff, DEP completed only 1,847 sanitary surveys in FY 2015-16
compared to 3,177 in FY 2009-10.
EPA also pointed out, the lack of staff meant the number of unaddressed Safe Drinking
Water Act violations doubled over the last 5 years from 4,298 to 7,922.
This increased risk to public health is of concern to EPA, the letter said.
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Another concern EPA outlined was a large amount of pertinent information was missing
from the files involving DEPs enforcement of Pennsylvanias lead and copper rule, the
regulation of lead in drinking water supplies.
DEP has been discussing a proposed $7.5 million fee increase package to make up for
state General Fund budget cuts with the agencys Technical Assistance Center For Small Water
Systems Board since November.
The proposal would not only increase permit review fees, but also impose an annual
permit administration fee for the first time.
The deficiencies EPA cited in DEPs Safe Drinking Water Program caused by the lack of
resources was a prime topic in Senate and House budget hearings in March.
$100 Million At Risk
If Pennsylvania loses primacy in enforcing federal Safe Drinking Water Act
requirements, it loses $5.5 million in annual funding to support its regulatory program, $100
million on federal Drinking Water Revolving Fund monies to fund water system improvements
through PennVEST and subjects state water systems to double permitting if EPA takes over that
responsibility and DEP enforces Pennsylvanias Safe Drinking Water Act.
NewsClips:
McKelvey: PA Should Act Now On Drinking Water Program Problems EPA Says
Cusick: EPA Urges PA To Move Faster On Drinking Water Safety Issues
Report: Some PA Drinking Water Systems Struggle To Meet Federal Health Standards
Pittsburgh Water Authority 2nd Largest U.S. System Exceeding Lead Levels
Pittsburgh Council Gives Nod To Water Authority Restructuring
Repairs Crews Discover 200-Year-Old Wooden Water Mains In Philly
Plans To Use Chloramines To Treat Water Leads To Lead Worries
Brackenridge Residents Say No To Chloramines
Boil Water Advisory Issued In Steelton Neighborhood
Northampton County Water Customers Face 17% Rate Hike
Op-Ed: The Big Danger Of Lead Poisoning
Related Stories:
EQB To Consider Safe Drinking Water Fee Increases At May 17 Meeting
EPA: DEP Lacks Resources To Enforce Minimum Federal Safe Drinking Water Regs
DEP Sends Plan To EPA, Clearing Safe Drinking Water Deficiencies Could Take Until 2020
Senate Budget Hearing: Historic Cuts To DEP Budget, Safe Drinking Water, Chesapeake Bay
House DEP Budget Hearing: Safe Drinking Water, Permitting, Pipelines, Chesapeake Bay
Bill On Senate Calendar Would Prevent Funding Crisis In Recycling Program
Senate Bill Would Fill Funding Gap In DEPs Underground Storage Tank Program
Growing Greener Coalition Holds Capitol Rally May 9 To Support Green Infrastructure Funding
CBF Thanks Congress For Bipartisan Action To Protect 2017 Chesapeake Bay Funding
Proposed Trump Cuts To State Grants Will Cripple DEP, Cause Drastic Fee Increases
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EPA notified DEPs Safe Drinking Water Program in December that its lack of resources
to enforce minimum federal requirements could be grounds for taking primacy away from
Pennsylvania.
EPAs review said Pennsylvania failed to conduct the minimum number of sanitary
surveys of water systems-- once every 3 years for community water supplies and once every 5
years for non-community systems-- schools, camps, bulk water suppliers.
In a letter dated April 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency responded to DEPs
plan to correct deficiencies in the states Safe Drinking Program by saying it is encouraged by
the plan, but said they remain concerned about the ability of DEP to hire staff quickly enough to
meet minimum federal inspection and other standards.
EPA recommended DEP seek a temporary funding source to begin the hiring process
earlier.
Also on the EAB agenda is a rulemaking petition by the Delaware RiverKeeper
proposing that certain portions of the Delaware River be reclassified to include fish propagation
for warm water fish and migratory fish use.
The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building starting at 9:00.
For more information and copies of the fee proposal and the petition, visit the
Environmental Quality Board webpage. Questions should be directed to Laura Edinger at
717-772-3277 or send email to: edinger@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
Related Stories:
EPA Still Concerned About DEP Drinking Water Program, Urges Temporary Funding To Hire
Staff Sooner
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Legislation now on the Senate Calendar for action when it

returns May 8-- Senate Bill 646 (Killion-R-Delaware)-- would
prevent a funding crisis in the states Recycling Program by
eliminating the expiration date for the Act 101 $2 per ton
recycling fee on waste disposed in Pennsylvania.
DEP has already stopped accepting new applications for
local recycling implementation grants until the fee issue is
resolved by the General Assembly. The fee was due to sunset
on January 1, 2020.
The recycling grants are critical to supporting local and
county curbside and drop-off recycling programs that provide 94 percent of the states
population with access to recycling their household waste.
The $2/ton fee is projected to bring in about $38 million in FY 2016-17, however, the
General Assembly used $9 million of that revenue to balance the states General Fund budget
(page H69).
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, PA Resources Council, PA Environmental
Council and many other groups are supporting reauthorization of the fee.
For more information on Act 101 and recycling in Pennsylvania, visit DEPs Recycling
In PA webpage.
NewsClips:
Pittsburgh Mills Mall Hard-To-Recycle Event Returns May 13
Pittsburgh To Spend $580K On Smart Garbage Can Technology
Proposed Fee Would Fund Blair Electronics/Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Cities Oppose Bill That Would Stop Them Curbing Use Of Plastic Bags
Sequoia Waste Solutions Is Crunching Numbers, Curbing Trash
CMU Chemist Finds Way To Break Down Meds That Pollute Water Supplies
Related Stories:
Sen. Killion To Introduce Bill To Eliminate Sunset Date On $2 Recycling Fee
Staff Sooner
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Legislation introduced last week by Sen. John Yudichak

(D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental
Resources and Energy Committee-- Senate Bill 649-- would
fill an urgent funding gap in DEPs Underground Storage
Tank Program by authorizing the transfer of an additional $4
million from the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification
Fund to pay for administrative expenses.
The legislation would also extend DEPs underground
storage tank environmental cleanup and pollution prevention
programs another five years. The programs were set to expire
June 30, 2017.
DEP regulates the installation and ongoing operations of underground and aboveground
storage tanks to prevent leaks, spills and tank failures under the states Storage Tank and Spill
Prevention Act. Pennsylvania also has primacy to enforce federal underground storage tanks in
the state.
DEP regulates over 40,000 aboveground (about 17,400) and underground storage tanks
(about 22,500) in Pennsylvania. DEP did a presentation to the Storage Tank Advisory
Committee in December 2016 on the funding gap in the Storage Tank Program.
The Storage Tank Act was passed in 1989 following the January 2, 1988 catastrophic
failure of an aboveground storage tank 20 miles upstream of Pittsburgh which caused 1 million
gallons of diesel oil to spill into the Monongahela River.
The spill caused up to $15 million in damage and 23,000 residents of Pittsburgh were
without water for a week during a period of extremely cold weather. The spill also caused water
shortages downstream on the Ohio River as the oil moved passed water intakes. About 1,200
residents of nearby Jefferson Borough were evacuated due to the fear of an explosion in the area
from a gasoline leak.
Of the over 22,500 underground storage tanks DEP regulates, there were a reported 192
confirmed spills from those tanks in federal fiscal year 2016, a decrease from 246 that occurred
in 2014.
The Trump Administration has proposed eliminating grants to states to administer the
federal underground storage tank program in federal FY 2018.
The Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund is an insurance fund administered
by the Department of Insurance and a Fund Board which provides cleanup insurance to owners
of underground tanks based on a per gallon fee paid by tank owners.
The bill is now in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. A
sponsor summary is available.
To learn more about storage tank regulation, visit DEPs Storage Tanks webpage.
Related Stories:
Sen. Killion To Introduce Bill To Eliminate Sunset Date On $2 Recycling Fee
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Staff Sooner
Growing Greener Coalition Holds Capitol Rally May 9 To Support More Investments In
Green Infrastructure
The Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of

conservation, recreation and preservation organizations in
Pennsylvania, will hold a rally May 9 at 10:00 a.m. on the
Capitol steps to support additional investments in the states
land conservation, recreation, environmental protection and
restoration programs.
The PA Growing Greener Coalition has called on Gov. Tom
Wolf and the Legislature to provide more funding to protect
Pennsylvanias water, land and other natural resources, not
less.
We want to remind Gov. Wolf and the Legislature that Pennsylvania needs more
funding to protect our water, land and other natural resources, not less, said Andrew Heath,
executive director of the Coalition. While we recognize the current fiscal challenges facing the
state, this budget must not and cannot be balanced at the expense of the environment.
Cuts to state programs like Growing Greener, Keystone and Farmland Preservation are
unacceptable, Heath continued. Further, any new revenue proposals must include funding for
Growing Greener to ensure that Pennsylvanians continue to have access to clean water, green
open spaces, parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, and nutritious, locally grown food.
Funding for Growing Greener has decreased from an estimated average of $200 million
in the mid-2000s to $57 million this year. This represents a 75 percent cut and an all-time low for
the program.
Established in 1999, the states Growing Greener program has funded hundreds of local
parks and trail projects, conserved more than 80,000 acres of threatened open space, and restored
hundreds of miles of streams and waterways.
The program has also protected more than 78,000 acres of farmland, restored more than
1,600 acres of abandoned mine land, and helped reduce flooding and water pollution through 400
watershed protection projects and more than 100 drinking and wastewater treatment
improvements.
Since its inception, the states Growing Greener program has enjoyed widespread,
bipartisan public support. A 2015 Penn State poll found that 90.7 percent of Pennsylvanians
surveyed would support increasing state funds to conserve and protect open space, clean water,
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natural areas, wildlife habitats, parks, historic sites, forests, and farms.
For more information on funding needs and proposals, visit the PA Growing Greener
Coalition website.
NewsClips:
Letter: Growing Greener Program In Dire Need Of Funds
Rep. Pashinski Hosts Hearing On Natural Gas Severance Tax
Officials Argue For Natural Gas Severance Tax At Hearing
Editorial: State Continues To Squander Severance Tax Opportunity
PEMA Concerned House GOP Budget Cuts Would Compromise Service
AP: April Tax Collections Bring More Bad News For Pennsylvania
Thompson: State Revenue In April Missed Revenue Estimate By $537 Million
PA Faces $1.2 Billion Budget Hole, April Revenues Fall Short By $537M
Esack: PAs Deficit Growing As Fiscal Year Winds Down
U.S. Senate Sends Measure To Fund Government Thru Sept. To Trump.
Congress Reaches Funding Deal Without Trump Priorities, 1% EPA Cut, No Staff Loss
Congressional Budget Deal Fixes Coal Miner Health Care, But Not Pension Issues
AP: Congressional Budget Deal Fixes Retired Miner Health Benefits
Congressional Spending Bill Helps Retired Coal Miners
EPA, Clean Energy Spared Trumps Ax In Congressional Budget Deal
AP: Congressional Budget Deal Calls For Releasing Asian Carp Prevention Report
Fed Budget Bill May Force Disclosure Of More On Polluted Military Sites In Montco, Bucks
Lake Wallenpaupack District Watchful Of EPA Funding Cuts
Letter: Federal Funds Critical For Cherry Valley Wildlife Refuge
Related Stories:
PA Growing Greener Coalition: More Work To Do To Protect Water, Natural Resources
Growing Greener Coalition: Wolf Budget Falls Short In Protecting Water, Other Natural
Resources
Growing Greener Coalition To Wolf, Legislature: Funded Needed For Green Infrastructure
Staff Sooner
PA House Republican Budget Deals Crippling Blow To DCNR Budget, Leads To Layoffs
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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn told members
of the House and Senate Environmental Committees Monday the House-passed Republican
budget-- House Bill 218 (Saylor-R-York)-- would deal a crippling blow to the agency and lead
to layoffs.
Secretary Dunn said the cuts would also eliminate the Pennsylvania Trails Program and
other vital grant programs, reduce seasonal staff, services and programs available at state parks,
and cuts in forest district staff creating visitor safety issues.
Elimination of Gov. Wolfs proposed PA Economic Revitalization Fund would result in
the loss of $22 million in Oil and Gas Lease Fund and $15 million in Environmental Stewardship
Fund monies significantly reducing the ability to operate core agency functions and community
grants.
If no substitute funding is provided to make up for the cuts through a House Republican
proposed Endowment Fund, DCNR will have to shut down its Minerals Division resulting in no
gas program monitoring, no gas lease transactions and no gas well auditing.
It would also stop tree planting efforts in communities through TreeVitalize and all aerial
fire suppression, that spots fires and makes airtanker drops throughout the Commonwealth.
These monies also support the purchase of all field equipment, including heavy vehicles used in
road maintenance and fire-fighting.
In addition, it would further reduce the Commonwealths funding for the Gypsy Moth
spraying program.
The text of the letter follows--
As DCNR prepares for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, we are dedicated to using our limited resources
wisely and efficiently, in support of a cooperative and seamless government that works for all
Pennsylvanians.
However, as my staff and I have reviewed the budget recently passed by the House
Republican Caucus (House Bill 218, Printers No. 1236), we have deep concerns about the
impact that it would have on the capability and efficiency of this agency.
House Bill 218 makes considerable cuts to DCNRs budget, dealing a crippling blow to
an agency that receives only one half of one percent of the states general funds, yet provides
significant economic returns to the Commonwealth.
The bill calls for a $2.8 million reduction to DCNRs operating budget, with the most
significant cuts to general government operations ($1.3 million loss) that would lead to layoffs.
General Government Operations funds 6 of 8 of DCNRs bureaus, which affects agency
administration, grants programs, scientific and mapping services, and engineering and design
services.
An additional cut of nearly $1.5 million to the state parks and forests operations budgets
would reduce services in a way that would impact the publics enjoyment of these lands.
Specifically, the public and industry would face these impacts if HB 218 was enacted
with its current proposed funding levels:
-- Reduction in the public services and programs available at State Parks. A $971,000 cut
will result in a wage force reduction equal to eliminating approximately 40 seasonal employees.
In FY15-16, the last full fiscal year completed, the Bureau utilized 953,000 wage hours to
support operations. HB 218 will only enable the purchase of 738,000 wage hours, a 22.5 percent
reduction.
To operate all 121 units currently under State Parks authority, the park systems core
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salaried complement needs to be preserved and funded at a ceiling of no less than the 616
positions identified in the Governors proposed budget.
The 616-complement number represents a 33-salaried position reduction while in recent
years the bureau has absorbed additional mandates to operate more facilities: Point State Park
[Pittsburgh] and Washington Crossing Historic Park [Bucks County].
Service reductions would include significantly reduced operating seasons and/or days and
hours of access such as:
-- Camping seasons shortened and overnight accommodations negatively impacted at 53
state parks.
-- Reduced operation days/hours at 61 state parks headquarters locations, impacting the
availability of permit sales for boat launching, mooring, and firewood.
-- Seasonal reductions for restrooms cleaning and operation hours
-- Reduced safety patrols and shortened beach seasons effecting 45 state parks.
-- 10 percent reduction in law enforcement patrols across entire system
-- Elimination of the Pennsylvania trails program or other vital grant programs and
technical assistance to communities. A staffing reduction in the Bureau of Recreation and
Conservation would eliminate capacity to develop and implement trails projects and eliminate
statewide trails and greenways planning, and jeopardize support to small communities
(approximately 70 percent of PA communities) provided through the Small Community Program
the Peer and Circuit Rider Program, and specialized Technical Assistance to communities.
Pennsylvanias parks and trails are engines of economic activity. Local parks operations and
capital spending created $1,628,999,305 in economic activity and supported 12,480 jobs in 2013.
-- Protection of public safety in Pennsylvanias State Forests. A $502,000 cut will result in a
wage force reduction in the fall season by 25-50 percent in each forest district, creating visitor
safety issues:
-- Because fall is the busiest season in the forests with hunters and hikers, search and
rescue operations are at the highest. Last fall alone, forestry personnel conducted 9 search and
rescues.
-- Reduced road maintenance work going into the hunting season and critical winter
season could include early road closures, which will reduce visitor services for key recreational
users of the forests.
-- Wage cuts in the spring season will leave DCNR short staffed for the fire season,
which is the most active and dangerous time for wildfires in Pennsylvania. This will put lives
and property at risk.
-- Dramatic service reductions in online tools needed by industry and the public. DCNR has
invested millions in recent years to develop databases to aid in the processing of permits and
protection of natural resources. Cuts would jeopardize these tools:
-- The state's only publicly available database of oil and gas wells, EDWIN (Exploration
and Development Wells Information System). EDWIN currently holds records for more than
178,000 wells, and is updated daily as new information is received. More than 100,000
transactions per year are performed through EDWIN. Cuts in staffing would result in an
outdated database used by the oil and gas industry, the academic and research community and
the public.
-- PA Groundwater Information System (PaGWIS). DCNR is mandated to license water
well drillers, collect detailed information of groundwater resources, and disseminate that
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information to the public. Cuts to PaGWIS would result in the delivery of incomplete data to
government agencies, groundwater and environmental professionals, and private well owners.
PaGWIS received 73,040 hits in 2016, and BTGS answered an additional 675 requests for
groundwater information.
-- Conservation Explorer. Delays will occur in reviewing development projects and other
activities seeking permits through our Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory process and the
Conservation Explorer Tool.
-- Decrease in maintenance and improvements projects in state park and state forests. A
reduction in engineering and design staff would increase facility maintenance repair and
replacements costs and completion times, resulting in the potential for public health and safety
concerns.
-- A cut to wage maintenance staff will reduce the number of planned maintenance
projects. Roof replacements, water and sewer system maintenance, dam maintenance, and
energy conservation projects will be deferred at all 121 state parks.
-- State Parks will no longer inspect bridges under 20, effecting 26 state parks.
-- Dam inspections will only be conducted every two years rather than every year,
affecting 65 state parks.
-- The time for processing project documents for payments of contractors will increase
and it will take longer for projects to go through the bidding phase. There will also be less
overall funding DCNR can bid out to new projects, impacting many businesses from planners to
consultants to construction firms.
Additionally, elimination of the Governors proposed use of the Pennsylvania Economic
Revitalization Fund (PERF) to make the necessary transfers to fund DCNR operations, would
result in a loss of $37 million to the Commonwealth - $22 million to the Oil and Gas Lease Fund
and $15 million to the Environmental Stewardship Fund.
This elimination would drastically cut our ability to operate core functions. DCNR uses a
portion of its allocated Oil and Gas Lease Fund to support basic operations that cannot be
covered by the states General Fund budget.
There would also be a $3.6 million loss to DCNRs portion of the Environmental
Stewardship Fund, reducing the amount of funds available for community grants and for critical
rehabilitation and repair of state park and forest infrastructure and maintenance.
If no substitute funding comes through the GOP-proposed Endowment Fund, then DCNR
will have to shut down its Minerals Division, resulting in no gas program monitoring, no gas
lease transactions, and no gas well auditing.
It would also stop tree planting efforts in communities through TreeVitalize and all aerial
fire suppression, that spots fires and makes airtanker drops throughout the Commonwealth.
These monies also support the purchase of all field equipment, including heavy vehicles used in
road maintenance and fire-fighting.
In addition, it would further reduce the Commonwealths funding for the Gypsy Moth
spraying program.
We appreciate the support you have shown to DCNR over the years. We know you
understand what DCNRs programs and services mean to the citizens of the Commonwealth and
to the businesses and industries we support. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss these
matters further and answer any questions you may have.
A copy of the letter is available online.
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Related Stories:
Growing Greener Coalition Holds May 9 Rally To Support More Investment In Green
Infrastructure
DCNR Budget Testimony Outlines Economic Benefits Of Recreation, Accomplishments
DCNR Budget Hearings: Drilling On DCNR Lands, Privatization, Oil & Gas Lease Fund
Gov. Wolf Proposes New Budget With Little New For The Environment
State Budget Deficit For Current Year Now Tops $1.2 Billion
The Department of Revenue Monday reported state revenues for the current FY 2016-17 fiscal
year fell $537 million below estimates in April bringing the year-to-date state deficit to over $1.2
billion, worse than projected earlier. The best estimate now is the deficit-- current and next
year-- will total at least $3 billion.
On January 26, the Independent Fiscal Office estimated the FY 2016-17 deficit would be
$912 million, but that included $524 million in supplemental appropriations, which the current
numbers do not. The estimated deficit for FY 2017-18 was then projected to be just over $2
billion.
The best estimate now is the deficit-- current and next year-- will total at least $3 billion.
Related Stories:
State Budget Deficit For Current Year Now Tops $1.2 Billion, So Far
IFO Cuts FY 2016-17 Revenue Estimate By $695M, Confirms $1.2 Billion Deficit
Sen. Martin Proposes Bill To Impose The Public Costs Of Protests Against Pipelines On
The Protestors
Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) Friday announced he will be introducing

legislation to impose any public costs for dealing with pipeline or other
protests entirely on the individuals doing the protesting or is hosting the
protest and convicted of rioting or creating a public nuisance.
Sen. Martin said in light of the costs incurred by taxpayers during
other protest events across the country, like the Dakota Access Pipeline,
his bill ensures protesters are held accountable for any damages they
cause, as well as any other costs resulting from the demonstration.
Sen. Martin noted that local demonstrations in Lancaster County
regarding the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline have been peaceful and said the
legislation would be designed in a way that balances the First Amendment
rights of protesters with the need to ensure taxpayers are not asked to pay exorbitant costs for
emergency response, property damage and clean-up.
The rights of free speech, assembly and petition are part of the bedrock of our
democracy, but nobody should have the right to cause property damage or create a dangerous
situation for innocent bystanders, and later expect taxpayers to pay for it, Sen. Martin said.
Nothing in this bill will infringe upon the rights of protesters in any way. It simply ensures that
when individuals or groups gather to protest, taxpayers arent stuck paying the tab for the
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associated costs.
Sen. Martin hosted a presentation this week via teleconference with officials from areas
affected by the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, which created nearly $40 million in additional
costs to state and local taxpayers.
Local government leaders, law enforcement and other emergency responders were
invited to participate in order to help ensure any protest directed at the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline
project could be handled in a peaceful manner that does not create a burden on taxpayers.
Dakota Access Pipeline protesters created an environment that was so dangerous, the
National Guard was called in and school buses could not travel through the area without a police
escort. Nobody benefits from a situation like that, Sen. Martin said. I appreciate the fact that
local protesters have remained generally peaceful and respectful of others and have committed to
a non-violent approach. They deserve a great deal of credit for that.
However, if the situation deteriorates to a point similar to the violent and destructive
Dakota Access Pipeline protests, then protesters should not be able to walk away from the
damage they cause without consequence and expect first responders and taxpayers to deal with
the fallout, said Sen. Martin.
Click Here to read the co-sponsor memo Sen. Martin circulated to colleagues Friday
asking them to endorse his legislation. No bill language was available Friday.
Sen. Martin can be contacted by sending email to: smartin@pasen.gov or by calling
717-787-5471.
NewsClips:
Sen. Martin Hosts Event In Lancaster On Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Protest
Crable: Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Opponents Call Local Response Disrespectful
Crable: Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Opponents Plan Parallel To Sen. Martins
North Dakota Officials Warn Lancaster County Ahead Of Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Protests
Crable: Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Donates $42,300 To Lancaster Groups
AP: Pipeline Protestors Could Be Arrested For Trespassing On Own Land In Huntingdon
County
Westinghouse To Sell Land To Sunoco For Pipeline
Township Zoning Board Refuses To Block Mariner East 2 Pipeline
Congress Hears Testimony On Fast-Tracking Pipeline Projects
Another FERC Commissioner Announces Departure
FERC Appointment Delays Another Roadblock For PennEast Pipeline
Senate Committee To Consider Bill Requiring Vote On Regs Costing $1 Million+ May 8
The Senate Rules Committee is scheduled to meet May 8 to consider Senate Bill 561
(Disanto-R-Dauphin) which requires an up or down vote by the General Assembly on every final
regulation approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission if that regulation has a
fiscal impact of $1 million or more.
My 35 years of experience as a business owner have shown me that government red tape
makes it more difficult to grow a business and create jobs, and Ive heard the same message
repeatedly from other job creators since Ive been in the Senate, said Sen. John DiSanto.
Our current regulatory process stifles the economy and vests too much power in
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unelected government employees and agencies that lack direct accountability to the people. This
is a blueprint for regulatory growth and amounts to laws being crafted without the consent of the
governed, said Sen. DiSanto.
Under the legislation, the estimate of the cost of a regulation must be verified by the
Independent Fiscal Office. There is no requirement the benefits of the regulation be calculated
or compared to the cost.
The Senate and House have 30 calendar days or 10 legislative days to vote on a
concurrent resolution submitted by an agency approving a final regulation. If no action is taken,
the final regulation would be deemed disapproved and cannot take effect.
Consider these points--
-- Do Nothing And Kill A Regulation: By doing absolutely nothing, the Senate and House
could kill a regulation. There is no requirement for an affirmative vote to enact something like a
law or other resolutions and put their votes on the line to overturn a regulation a state or federal
law required agencies to do. Because there is no affirmative action, the Governor has no
opportunity to review the action like there is in every other instances where resolutions are used.
This process would be unique.
-- No Measure Of Benefits: There is no requirement to compare the costs to benefits as there is
on the regulatory analysis form that comes with each regulation. This only looks at one side of
the equation and is blind to things like health and safety benefits and mandates of state and
federal law.
-- Unfunded Mandate: There is no funding for the Independent Fiscal Office to implement this
regulation. In 2016, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission took action on 43 final
regulations from all agencies, nearly one a week through the entire year. That workload needs to
be paid for.
The meeting will be Off the Floor in the Rules Room.
Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) serves as Majority Chair of the Rules Committee. He can
be contacted by sending email to: jcorman@pasen.gov. Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) serves as
Minority Chair. He can be contacted by sending email to: costa@pasenate.com.
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Govs Schedule/ Bills Introduced
Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as
well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (May 8): House Bill 290 (Metzgar-R-Bedford) changing the members of the
Underground Storage Tank Indemnification (Insurance) Board to include legislative
appointments. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (May 8): Senate Bill 143 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) changing the makeup of the Underground
Storage Tank Indemnification Board to include legislative appointments (sponsor summary);
Senate Bill 242 (Baker-R-Luzerne) adds natural gas gathering lines to the PA One Call utility
construction safety program so they can be identified and mapped for emergency services
14
(sponsor summary). <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meeting Agendas This Week
House: the Appropriations Committee meets to consider House Bill 938 (Evankovich-R-
Allegheny) exempting steel slag from the definition of waste under Act 97 (sponsor summary);
the Transportation Committee meets to consider House Bill 603 (Metzgar-R- Bedford)
exempting heavy duty natural gas-fueled vehicles from weight limits (sponsor summary); the
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee holds an information meeting with Agriculture
Secretary Russell Redding on budget and other priorities of the agency; the Local Government
Committee meets to consider House Bill 913 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption
of stormwater fees by incorporated towns (sponsor summary), House Bill 914 (Everett-R-
Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by boroughs (sponsor summary),
House Bill 915 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first
class townships (sponsor summary), House Bill 916 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the
adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of the Third Class (sponsor summary). <> Click Here for
full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: the Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 269 (Baker-R- Luzerne)
changing the process for updating the PA Construction Code (sponsor summary); the
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee considers the nomination of Patrick
McDonnell to be DEP Secretary; the Rules Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 561
(DiSanto-R-Dauphin) requiring legislative approval of regulations with an economic impact of
$1 million or more (Click Here for more background.); the Transportation Committee meets
to consider Senate Bill 431 (Scavello-R-Monroe) increasing fines for littering (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--
House
Appropriations
Education
Environmental Resources and Energy
Consumer Affairs
Gaming Oversight
Human Services
Judiciary
Liquor Control
Transportation
15
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--
End Natural Gas Drilling Moratorium: Senate Resolution 104 (Bartolotta-R-Washington)

urging Gov. Wolf to end the moratorium on new natural gas leases on DCNR lands and
authorize the agency to again enter into leases in order to address the state budget deficit
(sponsor summary).
Extending Biofuel Mandate To Heating Oil: House Bill 1306 (Harkins-D-Erie) extending
biofuel mandates to heating oil as well as diesel fuel (sponsor summary).
Small Project Fee For Chapter 105 Permits: House Bill 1326 (Hanna-D-Centre) establishing a
permit fee for small projects for Chapter 105 permits (sponsor summary).
Plastic Bag Recycling Advisory Board: House Bill 1330 (Hanna-D-Centre) establishing the
Plastic Bag Recycling Board making recommendations on how to reduce pollution from
improper disposal of plastic bags and plastic bag recycling (sponsor summary).
Temporary Cessation Of Coal Mining: House Bill 1333 (Gabler-R-Clearfield) extending the
period of time for the temporary cessation of coal mining without clear standards (sponsor
summary). (Click Here for more background.)
Certification Of Deep Mine Medical Responders: House Bill 1341 (Pyle-R-Armstrong)

certification of bituminous coal mine emergency medical responders (sponsor summary).
Landowner Liability For Public Recreation: House Bill 1328 (Hanna-D-Centre) adds
snowmobile and ATV activities to public recreation liability protection for landowners (sponsor
summary).
Lyme Disease Awareness Month: House Resolution 316 (Baker-R-Tioga) designating May as
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Lyme Disease Awareness Month (sponsor summary).
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
House
May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24
June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, & 30
Governors Schedule
Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day
will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolfs Weekly Calendar and Public
Appearances.
News From The Capitol
Lawmakers, State Agencies, Industry Discuss Forest Products Industry Opportunities
More than two dozen lawmakers and industry leaders

gathered at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford,
McKean County, Wednesday to discuss the importance of
the forest products industry to the local and statewide
economies, as well as how to maximize the opportunities
it offers.
Todays meeting offered a great opportunity for
lawmakers from other parts of the state to gain a better
understanding about the impact of the forest products
industry, not only here in the northern tier but also across
the Commonwealth, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron), Majority Chair of the House
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. That understanding is vital as we move forward and
look at policy changes necessary help the industry reach its full potential.
Wayne Bender, Executive Director of the PA Hardwoods Development Council,
highlighted the statewide economic impact by noting the counties with the highest number of
jobs in the industry are Lancaster, York, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, where a variety
of secondary wood products are manufactured.
Two of the biggest challenges facing the industry are workforce related. Several industry
leaders noted logging companies in Pennsylvania pay very high workers compensation rates,
nearly twice the amount paid by similar employers in New York state. These rates are making it
extremely difficult for them to expand their operations.
17
Another workforce concern is getting more young people exposed to and involved with
the industry. Challenges include the focus on college, rather than vocational education, and laws
that may inhibit a familys ability to involve their younger children in learning the trade.
Another topic of discussion during the meeting was the growing export of wood products
to places like China, Canada and Mexico.
While lawmakers praised the industrys involvement in world markets, several also
encouraged developing more end-use manufacturers in Pennsylvania to insulate the industry
from geopolitical concerns and to generate more job creation in the Commonwealth.
The impact of state regulations and local ordinances was also discussed as possible
impediments to the industry.
Rep. Causer closed the meeting by highlighting recent and ongoing legislative efforts to
support the industry, including new laws creating a tax exemption on logging equipment and an
increase in the states Payment in Lieu of Taxes on Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources land in the region.
He also pointed to continuing efforts to maintain funding for the Hardwoods
Development Council within the Department of Agricultures budget and to address the states
growing noxious weed problem, which can be damaging to the states forests.
Industry leaders participating in the meeting included state Agriculture Secretary Russell
Redding; John Norbeck, Deputy Secretary for Parks and Forestry within DCNR; Wayne Bender,
Executive Director of the PA Hardwoods Development Council; Sue Swanson, Executive
Director of the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group; David Gustafson, Chief of the Forestry
Division of the Game Commission; Dr. Richard Roush, Dean of the Penn State College of
Agricultural Sciences; Tom Kase, Land Manager for Collins Hardwood; and Ken Kane,
President of Generations Forestry Inc.
According to the PA Forest Products Association, Pennsylvania is the largest producer of
hardwoods in the country, accounting for 10 percent of the total hardwood output in the United
States.
Revenue from the industry exceeds $5.5 billion annually, and approximately 90,000
people make a livelihood in forest products.
For more information on promoting the forest products industry in Pennsylvania, visit
DCNRs Green Ribbon Task Force webpage.
(Photo: Ken Kane, Forester and President of Generations Forestry Inc., talks with lawmakers
and area leaders about timber management on the Bradford City Municipal Water Authority
property.)
NewsClips:
Luzerne County Could Be Hardest Hit Area For Gypsy Moths
Waynesburg Students Plant Trees In Parks For Arbor Day
Tree Commission May Take Root In Penn Hills
Landscape Designer Plants Idea For Tree Program In Penn Hills
Shell Nearly Finished Replanting 300 Trees At Ethane Plant Site
Crews Battling Brush Fire In Northeast Philly
Prescribed Burns Planned For Fields In Delaware Water Gap Park
House Bill Rolls Back Protections From Mine Operators Temporarily Suspending
18
Operations
Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield) again introduced legislation this week-- House Bill 1333
(Gabler-R-Clearfield)-- that would eliminate the current DEP limit on temporarily ceasing
surface coal mining operations of 180 days and replace it with the less stringent federal
requirement that has no specific time frames.
This bill would allow surface coal mines to remain open and unreclaimed potentially for
years since the term of permits varies with the size and complexity of the mining operations.
DEPs regulations require the agency to review an active permit every five years.
Rep. Gabler said this measure was necessary because the Pennsylvania coal industry is
experiencing severe economic hardships.
While the legislation says the mine operator remains responsible for all permit
obligations, clearly in this economic climate for coal, this bill would give mine operators license
to simply disappear without reclaiming the site.
In May of last year, the PA Environmental Council sent a letter to Gabler and then to all
members of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee expressing significant
concerns with the legislation.
While recognizing the current market challenges faced by the coal industry, PEC said it
was concerned about the risk of adding to Pennsylvanias coal mining-related environmental
liabilities if appropriate safeguards are not put in place during the cessation of operations.
Without these safeguards, PEC said, these liabilities could ultimately be borne by
Commonwealth taxpayers if an operator elects not to restart mining activity or declares
bankruptcy.
There were no changes made to the legislation in response to PECs concerns.
A sponsor summary is available.
NewsClips:
Where Coal Was Once Mined, A Garden Now Thrives
EPCAMR Provides Comments To DEP On Environmental Justice
Related Story:
PEC Expresses Significant Concerns With Bill To Temporarily Suspend Mining Operations
Senate Resolution Urges Gov. Wolf To End Gas Leasing Moratorium On DCNR Lands
Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) introduced Senate Resolution 104

Thursday urging Gov. Wolf to end the moratorium on new natural gas
leases on Department of Conservation and Natural Resource lands and
authorize the agency to again enter into leases in order to address the states
growing budget deficit.
For seventy years, the DCNR has managed the responsible mineral
extraction of natural gas on state land, said Sen. Bartolotta. According to
the Department, approximately 1.5 million acres of the 2.2 million-acre
state forest land are underlain by Marcellus and other shale gas formations,
making it a key venue for developing this important energy source in
Pennsylvania.
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Restoring DCNRs ability to provide new natural gas leases in a safe and responsible
manner will generate much needed new revenue, Sen. Bartolotta said. While the exact amount
is difficult to determine given the current uncertainty in the energy markets, previous proposals
estimated it could generate close to $100 million. This non-tax revenue option should be fully
utilized before asking taxpayers to pay higher taxes.
The resolution has 10 Republican co-sponsors. A sponsor summary is available.
Senate Resolution 104 was referred to the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee for consideration.
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. He is a co-sponsor of
the resolution.
Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be contacted by
sending email to: yudichak@pasenate.com.
For more information on this issue, visit DCNRs Natural Gas Development and State
Forests webpage.
Proposed Senate Bill Would Distribute Volkswagen Diesel Testing Settlement Funds
Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) circulated a co-sponsor memo this week asking
colleagues to sign on to legislation that would ensure what she called an equitable distributions
of funds Pennsylvania receives from the federal Volkswagen diesel testing settlement.
The Senate proposal would ensure any plan developed by Pennsylvania for spending the
funds would provide for this distribution
-- The majority of funds be used to deploy vehicles that are certified to one of California Air
Resources Board's optional low-NOx standards- the strongest environmental vehicle emission
standards in the country;
-- Any vehicle grant funding for a non-government fleet vehicle shall provide for 25 percent of
the total vehicle cost, up to $50,000 per vehicle;
-- No more than 20 percent of the funds may be dedicated to government fleets;
-- To the extent funds are made available to government fleets, mass transit, para transit, and
waste disposal fleets will be considered priority use; and
-- The funding must be prioritized in a manner which leverages private matching funds or
investment.
Pennsylvania is due to receive an estimated $118 million from the Volkswagen
settlement and the Department of Environmental Protection has been designed as the lead agency
for determining how, within the rules of the federal settlement with EPA, those funds will be
spent. The funds will be available to the state over a three year period.
In addition, Attorney General Shapiro announced in April Pennsylvania would receive an
additional $53.5 million as a result of a multi-state lawsuit over Volkswagens consumer and
environmental violations.
Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell told the House Appropriations Committee in
March his agency will be working with the public and stakeholders to develop a draft plan for
spending the funds.
NewsClips:
20
Kummer: CA Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over Philly Ozone Levels
Experts: Asthma At Epidemic Levels In Western PA Schools
Penn Student Invention Saves Energy, Reduces Air Pollution, Through Gravel
Op-Ed: Biofuels: Climate Of Unintended Consequences
Related Stories:
AG Shapiro: $30.4 Million Damage Settlement With Volkswagen Over Vehicle Emissions
News From Around The State
PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Plan Implementation Steering Committee Meets May 8
The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning

Steering Committee meets for the second time on May 8 to
continue discussing Pennsylvanias plans for developing Phase
III Watershed Plans to meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup
requirements.
At its first meeting on April 3, members of the Committee
discussed the lack of resources to meet current nutrient and
sediment reduction goals and the new milestones coming as
early as June that will mean even more nutrient and sediment
reductions will be needed in Pennsylvania.
The Steering Committee will coordinate the work of at least 6 workgroups each with 10
or so members to come up with the watershed implementation plan strategy.
The initial, draft Game Plan for Success reviewed by the Committee at its first meeting
calls for the workgroups to be put together in April and May and have a kick-off Watershed
Implementation Plan Conference on June 5 in Harrisburg to solicit ideas for what should be in
the Plan.
The Committee will meet in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building from 1:00 to 4:00
p.m. Click Here to register to listen to the meeting online.
For more information and available handouts, visit the PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Implementation Planning Steering Committee webpage.
Related Stories:
Lack Of Resources, New Cleanup Goals Will Make Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Harder In PA
Choose Clean Water Coalition Urges Action Now On Water Quality Cleanup Issues
Report: Upstream Pollution Reductions Could Ease Effects Of Conowingo Reservoir Infill
Inspectors Find Most PA Farms Trying To Comply With Conservation Regs, But Not All
By Donna Morelli, Chesapeake Bay Journal
On the day of the inspection of the 350 acres he

farms, Jay M. Diller drove his skid loader from the
21
barn to meet staff from the district conservation office. The farmer pulled out large files from his
desk and got ready.
Nobody likes inspections, said Diller, as he produced plans and other farm records the
inspectors wanted to see. I dont even like state inspections on my car; they always find
something wrong.
Diller was joking, but hes very serious about water quality. Im doing everything I can
to keep manure out of the creek, he said.
Pennsylvania farmers like Diller are finding themselves under increased scrutiny as the
state and many county conservation districts have ramped up their efforts to check whether farms
have required manure management and sediment control plans.
The inspections are part of the states Chesapeake Bay reboot strategy announced last
year that was aimed at getting its Bay cleanup efforts on track.
The Keystone State is the largest contributor of water-fouling nitrogen to the Bay, but it
has fallen far behind in its nutrient control efforts.
Pennsylvania needs to reduce the amount of nitrogen reaching the Bay by 34 million
pounds by 2025 almost 70 percent of the total reductions needed from the entire watershed.
Lack of progress could mean further action from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency which, in the past, has temporarily withheld funds from the state because of its
shortfalls.
Most of the nitrogen reaching the Bay from Pennsylvania originates on the more than
33,000 farms in its portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
But an EPA review of the states programs found that only 2 percent of those farms were
inspected annually a rate that would take it half a century to comply with regulations required
since the 1970s.
In its reboot strategy, the state pledged, among other things, to inspect 10 percent of those
farms annually.
To do that, it has increased inspections by state Department of Environmental Protection
staff and enlisted help from the staff of more than two dozen county conservation districts
county-based entities that support landowners in managing land and water resources.
Through its first quarter, the DEP reported that 500 farms had been checked, but officials
vowed to pick up the pace.
I think its doable even though we started late, said Veronica Kasi, program manager of
the DEPs Chesapeake Bay Office. Were going to meet 10 percent, because thats what we
said we would do. And each year were going to have a better understanding of how many farms
we have in the watershed.
So far, the inspections are showing somewhat better compliance than state officials
originally thought.
When the reboot plan was announced in early 2016, they cited a DEP review that
suggested as many as 70 percent of farms didnt have state-mandated plans to curb pollution.
But through the first three months of inspections, the DEP said that 64 percent of the
farmers required to have a manure management plan did have one, as did 60 percent of the
farmers required to have an agricultural erosion and sedimentation control plan.
The farmers have been very cooperative with this new inspection program, said
Deborah Klenotic, a DEP spokeswoman.
Being out of compliance at this point means that a farms plans are either missing or no
22
longer valid. Part of the problem, conservation district staff say, is that even if farmers are good
stewards, many arent good file clerks when it comes to preparing and maintaining plans.
Diller milks about 180 cows on his Cumberland County farm and raises young hens to be
sold to egg operations. He also grows crops: hay, soybean and corn. In addition, he leases several
parcels of land in various townships in Cumberland County.
Diller joked a bit during his two-hour inspection but when discussing farm management,
the conversation was one of scientific precision. An avid reader of agricultural publications,
Diller is well-versed in how to reduce soil erosion and responsibly manage manure.
He said he practices no-till cropping methods and plants winter cover for those reasons
and because they make good business sense.
The last thing I like to see is brown water crossing the road, Diller said. I think about
water quality, and I like to keep my soil on the farm.
Still, Dillers agricultural erosion and sedimentation plan was out-of-date. But his manure
management plan was current.
The district gives farmers 90 days to rectify any issues with their plans and offers
technical and financial assistance to get plans up-to-date.
The problem will cost him about $3,600 to fix, and Diller may need an extension of the
90-day grace period; the wait to get a consultant to write or update a plan can be months because
of increased demand by farmers who know they are going to be inspected soon, or whose plans
are insufficient.
I find the paperwork part of all this frustrating, Diller said. But if this is what its
going to take to improve, I say, lets do this. Id rather do it than be in violation. I dont want to
be in violation. Farmers get enough bad publicity.
All farms, large and small, are regulated to some degree. Manure management plans are
required for those that generate or use manure.
Agricultural erosion and sedimentation control plans are required for farms that plow (or
no-till) at least 5,000 square feet or have an Animal Concentration Area such as a barnyard or
exercise lot of at least 5,000 square feet.
While the purpose of each plan is simple to control runoff in areas where manure and
animals are kept a lot of detail is required to ensure proper management.
Out-of-date plan aside, Diller is a model farmer, said Brady Seeley, Chesapeake Bay
technician for Cumberland County. But he said those farmers who dont follow the rules dont
know what theyre doing wrong.
Often, the problem is a failure to record practices that the farmer is already doing, Seeley
said, and district staff try to help get that in order, when they can.
Of 40 inspections conducted so far in Cumberland County, he said, about 32 were out of
compliance but we were able to get 13 into compliance immediately.
District staff have no authority or desire to enforce the rules that they are checking.
If they cant readily resolve a problem, they report it to the DEP, which can issue a notice of
violation or a fine to farmers who refuse to comply.
So far, the district has not referred any farms to the DEP for enforcement, said Carl
Goshorn, the Cumberland district manager. He said that farmers have multiple chances to
comply with the regulations.
If we turn a farmer over to DEP for enforcement action, they just didnt want to work
with [the] government, Goshorn said.
23
District staff members acknowledge that some farmers resent what they perceive is being
told how to farm.
When Brady talks to farmers, Goshorn said, explaining how his technicians work, he
tells them its just a cost to do business. Hell bring up water quality, especially if theres a
stream going through the farm. Do you remember when you used to fish in that stream? And
hell often say, yeah, I wish I could see my kids doing that.
But word of pending inspections is leading farmers to take pre-emptive action, Goshorn
said. Many are coming to the district for help.
Its also conducted three manure management workshops this year to help farmers write
their own plans or to offer technical assistance in getting manure management plans.
District staff cant meet the demand to help write the plans, so its board of directors put
aside enough funding in 2017 to offer a 50 percent cost share for plans, up to $1,000 per farmer.
A lot of folks are asking for it (inspections), Goshorn said. They heard of all the new
attention, and they want to get into compliance, and some are looking for money. They know its
not going to be this easy as time goes on.
For now, inspections primarily focus on whether farmers have required plans that are
up-to date and available for each parcel of land farmed not necessarily that the plans are being
strictly followed.
As a result of this initiative, Pennsylvania has substantially increased their presence in
the agricultural community to ensure that farmers have the state-required plans, said David
Sternberg, a spokesman for EPA's Region 3.
The EPA anticipates that the state will be adding verification of practices installed on
farms in the near future, Sternberg said, as well as improving programing, funding and tracking
of key practices.
District staff say that encouraging good stewardship has always been a large part of their
job, and that will increase along with the inspections.
We may be only checking for an ag E&S (agricultural erosion and sedimentation plan)
and a manure management plan to make sure its on schedule, but we also advocate and promote
implementation, said Christopher Thompson, Lancaster County Conservation District manager.
Overall, inspections in Lancaster have gone well, Thompson said, adding that part of the farm
visits are educational. We hear what they have to say, but remind them this is not a requirement
just for 2016, this is a decades-old requirement.
Lancaster County is the heart of Pennsylvania agriculture, with about 5,000 farms,
compared with Cumberlands 500. Technicians there have completed inspections on 200 farms
and found that about 50 percent either didnt have plans or had incomplete plans, said Kevin
Seibert, who is in charge of agricultural compliance and oversees two technicians.
Like the Cumberland district, he said farmers are using the inspections to learn what they
need to do to comply.
If they dont have one or the other plan, we give them 90 days to submit a plan to the
district. If they dont come through, we grant extra time, Seibert said. If they show some
effort, we dont report them.
He said they have had to send fewer than 10 farmers to the DEP for enforcement.
Even counties that rejected state funding to carry out inspections say the ramped-up
attention is driving up requests for help with writing plans.
York County Conservation District is one of eight in the state that opted out of doing
24
inspections. But their usual waiting list for technical assistance of 150 farmers remains
consistent.
I think folks have taken notice, said Mark Kimmel, district manager for York. Were
doing the best we can with the resources we have.
(Photo: Jay M. Diller, center, escorts Brady Seeley, right, and Jared McIntire to their vehicle
after a lengthy review of the conservation plans for Diller's farm in Cumberland County.)
For more information on Pennsylvanias Bay cleanup efforts, visit the DEP Chesapeake
Bay Office webpage.
NewsClips:
Crable: Farmer Meets With Trump As Part Of Roundtable At White House
Growing Future Farmers, Ag Education Important
Hearing Wednesday On Urban Farming In Erie
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Related Stories:
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Chesapeake Bay - PA In The Balance Conference Report Now Available From Penn State
PA Chesapeake Bay Commission Members Spotlight Need For Clean Water Fund In PA
(Reprinted from the May 2 Chesapeake Bay Journal.)

Chesapeake Bay Foundation President William C. Baker Wednesday issued this statement after
the U.S. House of Representatives approved funding in support of Chesapeake Bay restoration
efforts for the remainder of the federal 2017 fiscal year.
The U.S. Senate is expected to approve the bill on Friday.
We want to thank the bipartisan coalition of Senators and Representatives from the
Chesapeake Bay watershed for their tireless efforts to preserve funds for Bay restoration in the
omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal 2017.
While much remains to be done, the federal-state partnership is now making real
progress after decades of fits and starts. The dead zone is getting smaller, female crab numbers
are up, and we have seen record levels of Bay grasses in each of the last four years. After so
much effort by federal, state, and local governments and by the private sector as well, we must
not stop now.
Just as importantly, a healthy Bay supports tens of thousands of jobs from commercial
and recreational fishing, to vibrant travel and tourism across the watershed and the coast. CBFs
peer reviewed economic report found that implementing the practices necessary to restore the
Bay would create $22 billion in economic benefits provided by nature annually.
Congress will soon turn its attention to the 2018 fiscal year budget. The Chesapeake Bay
25
Foundation urges Congress to stand strong and continue the investments in clean water that have
led to the success we have seen in recent years. Our health, our economy, and our legacy depend
on it.
The federal FY 2017 appropriations means $11.6 million in funding will come to
Pennsylvania from EPA for Chesapeake Bay-related activities, including $7.3 million in grants
to the state for implementation and monitoring and $4.3 million for small watershed and nutrient
and sediment reduction grants, according to the Choose Clean Water Coalition.
In March, the Trump Administration issued its proposed budget blueprint for FY 2018
which includes elimination of funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program and drastic cuts to
federal grants to states to implement federal programs.
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 to become a member.
Related Stories:
Lack Of Resources, New Cleanup Goals Will Make Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Harder In PA
Choose Clean Water Coalition Urges Action Now On Water Quality Cleanup Issues
Report: Upstream Pollution Reductions Could Ease Effects Of Conowingo Reservoir Infill
Students Invited To Paddle CBF-PAs Susquehanna River Canoe Classic In York County
May 27
Area high school students are invited to paddle for fun

and prizes when the Chesapeake Bay Foundations
Pennsylvania Student Leadership Council hosts its
second annual Canoe Classic on the Susquehanna
River on May 27, from noon to 5 p.m.
CBF-PA will provide all gear for the timed
competition. The free event at Shanks Mare Outfitters,
2092 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, York County,
will also feature a live band, food, and a chainsaw
carving demonstration.
In lieu of a registration fee, students are asked to commit to an action or advocacy project
to help cleanup and protect Pennsylvanias rivers and streams.
Students ages 14-18 can register by visiting the Canoe Classic webpage. Questions can be
directed to: pastudentleaders@cbf.org.
column). Click Here to become a member.
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Green Infrastructure: Managing Stormwater Runoff At The Municipal Level
If left unchecked, stormwater can add pollutants

like soil, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus),
and pathogens into our streams and rivers. This
may lead to health impacts, unsightly and
unpleasantly smelling waterways, and a
degraded environment.
That is why there are laws in place for proper
management of stormwater runoff. In this
article, we will give a brief overview of those laws, with a special focus on municipal ordinances
and the important role they play in stormwater management.
The Stormwater Management Act of 1978, also known as Act 167, provides the legal
basis for stormwater management in the Commonwealth. The Act requires that counties within
designated watersheds develop stormwater management plans, and that each affected
municipality adopt specific stormwater ordinances to implement their Act 167 plan.
There are 376 stormwater management watersheds designated across Pennsylvania, and
2,566 municipalities contained within. This set-up allows for various municipalities and counties
to work together and individually to address their stormwater management concerns.
Some of these municipalities are required to obtain a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
System (MS4) permit, which comes with its own set of requirements.
But for the others, the development of a stormwater ordinance is the best line of defense
in minimizing the negative effects of stormwater runoff.
An ordinance is a piece of legislation put in place by a municipality to set rules for a
specific activity. For instance, most municipalities in the state have a zoning ordinance that
outlines what activities can take place in each zoning district, such as residential homes,
industrial warehouses, and commercial shopping centers.
The ordinance may include height restrictions, required number of parking spaces, and
the penalties for violating the content of the ordinance.
Act 167 requires municipalities to adopt or amend, and shall implement such ordinances
and regulations, including zoning, subdivision and development, building code, and erosion and
sedimentation ordinances, as are necessary to regulate development within the municipality in a
manner consistent with the applicable watershed stormwater plan and the provisions of this act.
A municipality may or may not refer to their ordinance specifically as a stormwater
management ordinance, yet the purpose is to do just that.
The content may vary from one municipality to another, but the overall goal is to
minimize the pollutants entering stormwater and to reduce the amount of polluted stormwater
entering a municipalitys waterways.
It may do this by restricting what types of chemicals can be used near streams,
designating stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that must be used on construction
sites or in new housing developments, and setting fines and other penalties for those who pollute
stormwater runoff.
The Department of Environmental Protection was directed under Act 167 to create a
model stormwater ordinance. This is a good place to start in developing your own, but remember
that each municipality has its own unique conditions that will need to be considered.
27
It is highly recommended that you consult your solicitor to ensure that the documents
contents are applicable with other municipal code. Other sample ordinances can be found with a
quick Google search.
For more information, visit the LandStudies website.
NewsClip:
Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration To Save Land, Help Bay And Spare Taxpayers
Related Stories:
Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Public-Private Project In Lancaster County
Rock Lititz Project Reduces Sediment, Nutrient Runoff Without Taxpayer Money
(Reprinted from the May newsletter from LandStudies.)
Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Public-Private Project In Lancaster County
Oak Tree Development Group, a Lancaster-based

real estate development company, is partnering
with East Hempfield Township in Lancaster
County on an expansive water quality initiative
located within the proposed 98-acre Lime Spring
Square commercial development project.
This major floodplain restoration project will help
the Township meet its EPA directed Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction goals at no cost to
taxpayers. The restoration efforts will remove an estimated 35,000 cubic yards (38,500 tons) of
legacy sediment from the floodplain during construction.
Efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay have intensified in recent years, resulting in an
increased level of regulation for governments and private industries.
In January 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection started
requiring municipalities and the state government to expend considerable resources to address
pollution reduction requirements for MS4s as part of its reboot to the Chesapeake Bay efforts.
At the same time, many companies, municipalities, and business operations have less
money available to address these issues due to the economy, associated government spending
cuts, and smaller operating and capital expenditure budgets.
East Hempfield Township is required by its MS4 permit to reduce sediment pollution by
at least 10 percent, or approximately 346 tons of sediment in the Little Conestoga Creek
Watershed.
Once constructed, the Lime Spring Square project, using the DEP-approved floodplain
restoration Best Management Practice (BMP), will remove an estimated 250 tons of sediment
annually (115 lb/ft/yr per DEP PRP Instructions 3/2017).
The amount of sediment pollution removed each year by the project will equal that of
approximately 64 miles of buffers installed on both sides of the stream, which would have cost
the public as much as $5.6 million. Both the Oak Tree Development Group and the Township
will benefit from using floodplain restoration.
Furthermore, Oak Tree expects to gain as much as 100,000 square feet of additional
leasable space on the project site. The Township will gain an 11-acre recreational park in
addition to the MS4 pollution reduction credits beyond Oak Trees permit obligations.
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Implementing the floodplain restoration BMP is a unique opportunity for local and state
governments in Pennsylvania to join forces with the private sector to maximize funding sources
and create substantive rather than symbolic water quality benefits that can be applied to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated water quality improvements for the
Commonwealth.
The restored and functioning stream system results in two synergistic benefits that are of
significant interest to the public and private sector: (1) pollutant load reductions and (2)
stormwater management.
The multiple and overlapping benefits require that floodplain restoration projects be
looked at holistically within the context of the development site rather than the traditional each
side of the creek approach to stormwater management.
Significant hurdles exist currently to optimizing benefits of this BMP and a public/private
partnership to its full potential because floodplain restoration does not fit within traditional
stormwater BMP thinking within the various state agencies.
By looking beyond traditional ways of developing and permitting stormwater BMPs, land
development provides a significant opportunity for both economic and environmental gains for
the private and public sectors.
The private sector may have the financial resources to fund the implementation of
floodplain restoration as part of the land development planning, permitting, and construction
process, while benefitting from the additional developable space that would otherwise be
required to implement traditional stormwater BMPs.
Local and state governments benefit from the pollution reductions and the community
benefits from cleaner water, additional wildlife habitat, and enhanced aesthetics.
For more information, visit the LandStudies Floodplain Restoration webpage.
NewsClip:
Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration To Save Land, Help Bay And Spare Taxpayers
Related Stories:
Rock Lititz Project Reduces Sediment, Nutrient Runoff Without Taxpayer Money
Managing Stormwater Runoff At The Municipal Level
(Reprinted from the May newsletter from LandStudies.)
Call For Abstracts: Joint Stormwater Management Summit Nov. 13-14
The PA Water Environment Association, the PA Section of the American Water Works
Association, and PA Municipal Authorities Association has issued a call for abstracts for
presentations at the Joint Stormwater Management Summit in State College on November 13-14.
The deadline for proposals is May 19.
The Summit will recognize the important role of cooperation in todays regulatory and
economic environment to meet water quality goals better, cheaper, and faster.
Among the categories of abstracts being requested are--
-- Green Infrastructure to Meet the Triple Bottom Line and its O & M
-- The Potential Impacts of Todays Changing Political Climate on Clean Water
-- Storm Frequency, Intensity, and Better Management of Cloudbursts
-- Where does Agriculture Fit in to MS4 Planning and the TMDL end game?
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-- Rainwater Harvesting for Municipal, Commercial, and Agricultural Applications
-- The Evolving Role of Nonprofits and Community Groups as Partners as Federal Support for
the Environment
-- Creative Funding and Financing To Fee or Not to Fee?
-- Collaboration and Cooperation for MS4 Public Education
-- Sharing Resources for Watershed Planning and Water Quality BMPs What Can Small Towns
do to Meet Demands?
-- PRP Implementation, including the Cost/Benefit and Feasibility of BMPs
-- Tech Tools for Modeling and Asset Management (GIS, AutoCASE, WinSLAMM, etc.)
Click Here for all the details on submitting an abstract. Individuals will be notified by
June 23 if their abstract has been accepted.
For more information on the Summit, visit the Joint Stormwater Management Summit
webpage.
Adopt-A-Passive Treatment System Volunteer Training A Success At Slippery Rock
On March 26, a brand new group of volunteers were

provided training for the Adopt-A-Passive Treatment
System Program. Twenty-one volunteers participated
in the training event. About fifteen of the volunteers
were students from Slippery Rock University in Butler
County.
Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
participants Wil Taylor of the Jennings Environmental
Education Center and Cliff Denholm of Stream
Restoration Incorporated conducted the training.
During the training session, volunteers learned about how to conduct site inspections and
how to use water quality test kits to determine how the passive treatment systems are performing.
The volunteers also learned how to enter their data onto Datashed. Datashed is a free
online tool to assist watershed groups, government agencies, volunteers, students, and industry in
storing and analyzing water quality information from passive treatment systems.
Datashed users can share tips, strategies, and news about the operation and maintenance
of their systems.
In addition, the volunteers learned about the SRWC, the coal mining history of
Pennsylvania, how acid mine drainage forms, and various treatment options. The volunteers will
receive additional site-specific training when they visit the treatment systems they will be
monitoring.
The Coalition greatly appreciates the Jennings Environmental Education Center for once
again hosting our event and thank the following volunteers who attended the training session:
Jordan Ayoub, Zane Barger, Janine Berner, Heather Bloom, Andy Franze, Gavin Garrigan,
Katherine Harry, Jeff Henderson, Abigail Hopkins, Matt Kaercher, Emily Kirkwood, Henry
Kramer, Wyatt Moyer Ty Rex, Anya Schrier, Luke Sherer, Courtney Slavic, Taylor Smith,
Maddie Stanisch, Megan Stephenson, Henry Thornton.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the
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Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Coalition.
NewsClips:
(Reprinted from the April Catalyst newsletter from the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition.)
April Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
The April edition of The Catalyst newsletter is now

available from the Slippery Rock Watershed
Coalition in Butler County featuring stories on--
-- Abandoned Mine Drainage, GIS Information
Shared With Butler County School
-- Adopt-A-Passive Treatment System Volunteer
Training A Success (photo)
-- The Kids Catalyst: Earth Day Bookmarks To
Color!
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.
Penn State Extension May 16 Webinar: Green Infrastructure-Designers Perspective
Penn State Extension Community Forestry Management will

host a webinar on May 16 on Green Infrastructure - The
Designers Mission Perspective from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Naturalists, natural resource managers, designers, and
others have debated how intensively a landscape should be
managed to deliver ecosystem services.
In this webinar, U.S. Forest Service Landscape Architect
Donna Foster presents how landscape management is viewed
from the perspective of a designer. Donna Foster has worked as
a landscape architect helping communities with urban and community forestry in the
northeastern United States for more than 20 years.
Click Here to log into the webinar 15 minutes before its scheduled beginning.
Questions should be directed to Scott Sjolander at 814-350-7749 or send email to:
sas305@psu.edu. Click Here for more information on the Green Infrastructure webinar series.
Click Here for information on other Community Forestry Management Webinars.
May Newsletter Now Available From LandStudies
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The May newsletter is now available from Lititz-based LandStudies is now available featuring
articles on--
-- Managing Stormwater Runoff At The Municipal Level
-- Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Commencement Ceremony
-- Public-Private Partnership Bootcamp, May 2 Philadelphia
-- Stormwater Management: Compliance, Coordination & Cost Workshop May 18
-- Employee Spotlight - Michael LaSala, Municipal Stormwater Management
-- LandStudies Ryan Hartnett To Become Air Force Officer
-- Job Openings At LandStudies
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy (right panel)
For more information, visit the LandStudies website.
Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing May 17, Business Meeting June 14
The Delaware River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on its draft budget for FY
2018 and water withdrawal requests on May 17. DRBCs next business meeting will be held on
June 14
Participants in the hearing are asked to register to provide testimony and to use the
online comment system to submit comments
The hearing and business meeting will be held at the Washington Crossing Historic Park
Visitor Center, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, Bucks County. The hearing will begin at
1:30 and the business meeting on June 14 at 10:30.
For more information and a detailed agenda, visit the DRBC Upcoming Commission
Meeting webpage.
NewsClips:
Court Decision Potentially Expands DRBCs Regulatory Reach To Land Use Projects
Delaware RiverKeeper May 5 RiverWatch Video Report
PA Section American Water Works Assn. Highlights Upcoming Training Courses
The PA Section of the American Water Works Association Tuesday highlighted a series of
upcoming training opportunities, including--
-- May 18: Crisis Communications-Developing A Workable Strategy
-- May 22: Management & Supervisory Leadership Training
-- June 5: Backflow Prevention Device Inspector/Tester Recertification
For more information, visit the PA-AWWAs Events webpage.
Op-Ed: Lets Raise The Respect And Understanding Of Science For Everyone
By Harry Campbell, PA Office Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
32
Scientists have failed. We have failed at something so critical to being human, so necessary in
our work and our lives, that when done with skill we are in awe.
We have failed to communicate, to relate, and to make relevant to all the role of science
in our lives.
For if we had not failed, then the need for and message of today would be unnecessary.
Simply stated science informs the basic structures of our society. Our medicine, our
technologies, our foodall that and more depend on science.
Today, as populations increase and as demands on our limited resources grow, science is
and must play a fundamental role in finding solutions.
Im a water quality scientistthe work I do largely translates science into
actionwhether it be regulation, legislation, or restoration.
In Pennsylvania roughly 19,000 miles of our rivers and streams dont meet scientific
standards for quality. Theyre simply too polluted.
The legacy of coal mining, intensive agriculture, and urbanization are the leading factors
polluting our streams. How do we know? Science.
Agencies like PA DEP, EPAs Bay Program, SRBC, USGS and others study our waters
to to determine their health.
That science and the work to identify science-based solutions to restoring our water is
vital not only to the things that live in our streamsbut to our economy, our communities, and
even our health.
The majority of Pennsylvanians get their drinking water from surface waters like the
Conestoga and Susquehanna.
Science has shown that for every $1 invested in keeping pollution out of the water
through things like trees, especially stream-side trees, and other natural-based solutions, $27 is
saved in treatment costs to meet human health standards.
Science has also shown that these same solutions reduce nuisance flooding, help cleanse
the air, preserve and return wildlife, and increase property values and farm productivity.
Without science our waters haveand may yet againcatch fire, be laden with raw
sewage, and be choked by algae.
We have a long way to go to meet the goal established in the 1972 Clean Water Act of
fishable and swimmable waters, but without it and the science-based regulations from it, things
would be far worse.
But no matter who you are, what you do, or what you care about, the principles of sound
science apply to you.
Science is everywhere; Science affects everything and everyone.
And everyone can and should be a scientist. All it takes is to differentiate evidence from
opinion and fact from emotion.
So if you care about your family, if you care about the future of the country and the
world, then you care about science.
Join me in raising the respect and understanding of science among our family, friends,
and politicians of all stripes.
column). Click Here for a copy of CBF-PAs most recent newsletter.
(Note: These remarks were delivered at the March for Science in Lancaster on April 22 - Earth
33
Day.)
Related Stories:
Inspectors Find Most PA Farms Trying To Comply With Conservation Regs, But Not All
PSU Survey Documents Farmer Efforts To Cleanup PA Water Going To Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay - PA In The Balance Conference Report Now Available From Penn State
PA Chesapeake Bay Commission Members Spotlight Need For Clean Water Fund In PA
Keep PA Beautiful, Local Affiliates Recognize Outstanding Volunteers, Groups
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its local affiliates recently

recognized volunteers and groups across the
Commonwealth for their dedication, commitment and
exceptional contributions to keeping Pennsylvania
beautiful.
There are two different awards-- the Gold Shovel Awards
are designed to acknowledge Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Affiliates and or partners for outstanding program
achievement and the Local Affiliate Volunteers of the Year
Awards nominated by the local affiliates themselves.
This years recipients of the Gold Shovel Awards are--
-- Clean It!-- Rothrock Outfitters in Huntingdon County was recognized for their dedication
and commitment to the Juniata River Cleanups, providing volunteers and donations of canoes,
kayaks, and trailers.
-- Enforce It!-- Todd Ottinger, Ranger for the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources at Michaux State Forest, District #1 was recognized for utilizing the
IllegalDumpFreePA.org programs to implement a comprehensive approach to illegal dumping
within Michaux State Forest, building relationships with local officials, educating the public
about the effects of illegal dumping and garnering 40 prosecutions.
The winners of the Local Affiliate Volunteers of the Year Awards are--
-- Keep Lancaster County Beautiful Dr. David Eichler and students of the Donegal
Experiential Education Program (DEEP), a program that teaches students about the
importance of protecting and conserving the environment, for faithfully maintaining a 2-mile
section of PA Route 772 in East Donegal Township and cleaning up the Little Chiques Creek
and the Susquehanna River bank. The group also installed, monitors and maintains Mallard and
Wood Duck boxes in the wetlands of East Donegal Townships Riverfront Park.
-- PA CleanWays of Mifflin County Tim Zimmerman was recognized for valuable
contributions during river, road and illegal dump cleanups. Tim provides labor as well as hauling
services, thereby saving precious resources for the local affiliate.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful believes that clean and beautiful communities are the
bedrock for building stronger more vibrant communities and that by engaging volunteers and
partnering with local businesses and state agencies we extend the reach of our educational efforts
and multiply the impact of our actions. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of
our Gold Shovel awardees and volunteers of the year and thank them for making their
34
communities clean, beautiful and more vibrant, said Shannon Reiter, Keep Pennsylvania
Beautiful President.
Award winners photos and their programs can be found on KPBs website under Grants
& Awards and Gold Shovel Awards webpages.
(Photo: Keep Lancaster County Beautiful Dr. David Eichler and students of the Donegal
Experiential Education Program)
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them
on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.
Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up
communities and keep them clean and KPBs new Electronics Waste website.
Sign up now for the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup
and beautification event through May 31.
NewsClips:
Workers Collect 1,839 Tons During Eries Spring Cleanup
350 Volunteers Spruce Up Blue Marsh Lake In Berks County
Group Barred From Adopting Highway Because of Pro-Pot Stance, Name
McKelvey: Pro-Marijuana Groups Wants To Adopt Highway, PennDOT Says No
Letter: Litter Makes Mother Nature Cry
Keep PA Beautiful Report On Partner, Affiliate Accomplishments In 2016
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday

issued its annual newsletter summarizing the
accomplishments of its partners and network
of affiliates around the state in 2016.
Highlighted were--
-- 158,821 Volunteers Picked Up Over 5
Million Pounds Of Trash During Great
American Cleanup Of PA;
-- 13,800 Volunteers Picked Up 860,000
pounds of trash during International Coastal
Cleanup;
-- Highlights of other cleanups: Juniata River,
The Tireless Project In Allegheny County, Tire Cleanups Statewide
-- Cigarette Litter Prevention Program Achieves 43 Percent Reduction In State Parks;
-- National and state awards and grants won by KPB, its partners and affiliates;
-- Initiatives taken on enforcement to reduce littering and illegal dumping;
-- Weis Markets & Centre County Partnering On America Recycles Day Poster Contest;
-- Fresh Paint Days Grants Awarded
-- KPB Partners With Westmoreland County On Land Bank
-- Litter Free School Zones Program Expands
-- KPB, Partner Adoption Programs Help Keep Communities Litter Free
-- KPB 25 Community Improvement Grants
35
Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its partners and affiliates have cleaned up
126,576,587 pounds of trash, recycled 4,882,860 pounds of electronics waste, properly disposed
of 872,439 tires, cleaned 169,436 miles of road and involved 2,186,150 volunteers.
Click Here for a copy of the annual report.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep
Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member. 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.
NewsClips:
64,000 Pounds Collected In Centre County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Household

Hazardous Waste Collection Event on April 28-29 took in 64,000
pounds of material from 1,066 households and 1,014 vehicles.
Residents from 32 of the countys 35 municipalities participated.
There were several dozen people from five surrounding counties
and as far away as Snyder County that came to participate.
In addition to the pesticides and other household hazardous waste,
nearly four miles of linear feet of fluorescent tubes were accepted
for recycling.
In addition to CCRRA employees, volunteers from Penn State
Environmental Health and Safety and State College Area High
School were on-site to assist in checking vehicles.
The event was co-sponsored by Centre County Recycling &
Refuse Authority, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of
Agriculture. MXI of Langhorne, PA was the successful contractor.
Centre County residents showed up in force and really showed their environmental
caring. said Joanne Shafer, Centre Countys Deputy Executive Director/Recycling Coordinator.
The number of participants was up from last year; I think that folks are really more aware of
their environment and they want to protect the beauty of our county. Clean air and water are key
to the economy of our area. Many county residents were aware of their carbon footprint and
combined trips and helped neighbors
On Friday, the collection was visited by three bald eagles flying overhead who seemed to
be thanking residents for protecting their habitat.
36
Collection and disposal costs will be split between DEPs Household Hazardous Waste
Program and CHEMSWEEP. The collection also benefitted the Central Pennsylvania Food
Bank and residents filled 6 barrels with food.
If you missed this collection, look for information next spring. The Centre County
Recycling & Refuse Authority will be holding another Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Event in 2018.
Related Story:
PRC Celebrates 15 Years Of Household Chemical Collection Events In Western PA
PRC Launches 2017 Hard-To-Recycle Collection Events In Allegheny County May 13
The PA Resources Council and its partners will host

the first of its five 2017 Hard-To-Recycle Collection
Events in Allegheny County on May 13 from 9:00
a.m to 1:00 p.m. at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills,
Frazer Township.
This is the 15th year PRC and its partners are
coordinating these events. Since 2003, PRC has
collected more than 2 million pounds of electronics
waste and 10,000 tires from 23,500 participants in
Hard-To-Recycle events.
Individuals can dispose of cell/home phones, CFL bulbs, computer towers and peripheral
equipment (keyboards, laptops, mice, UPS/servers, Zip drives, etc.), expanded polystyrene
packaging material, microwave ovens, stereo equipment and video game consoles/DVD players
at no cost.
Participants will pay a fee to drop off televisions, computer monitors, printer, alkaline
batteries, CDs/DVDs/floppy discs, fluorescent tubes, small Freon appliances, stereo speakers,
tires (with and without rims) and VHS tapes.
The other collection dates are--
-- June 24: Quaker Valley High School, Leetsdale, Allegheny County;
-- July 29: La Roche College, McCandless, Allegheny County;
-- August 12: Century III Mall, West Mifflin, Allegheny County; and
-- October 7: Settlers Cabin Park, Allegheny County.
For complete collection event information for Western Pennsylvania, visit PRCs 2017
Collection Events webpage or call PRC at 412-488-7452.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources
Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them
on Facebook. Click Here for PRCs Events Calendar. Click Here to become a member.
NewsClips:
37
Related Story:
PRC Celebrates 15 Years Of Household Chemical Collection Events In Western PA
May Newsletter Now Available From PA Resources Council
The May newsletter is now available

from the PA Resources Council featuring
articles on--
-- 2017 Household Hazardous Waste,
Hard-To-Recycling Collection Event
Schedule
-- Register Now For Backyard
Composting Workshops In May
-- Vote Now For Peoples Choice Studen
Lets Clear the Air Poster Challenge
-- Pittsburgh 6th Annual ReuseFest A Success!
-- Newtown Square Farmers Market Opens May 24
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources
Council website, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook. Click Here for PRCs
Events Calendar.
DEP To Host May 23 Meeting On Landfill Expansion In Northampton County
Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will host a public meeting to

answer residents questions regarding IESI Landfills permit application to expand its facility on
Applebutter Road in Lower Saucon Township, Northampton County.
The meeting will take place May 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Saucon Valley High
School Auditorium, at 2100 Polk Valley Road, Hellertown, PA.
IESI Landfill is requesting an expansion of 6 acres, with 22.5 acres overtopping existing
landfilled areas.
The company filed the original expansion application on January 21, 2015. The
department held its first public meeting on June 22, 2015 to answer questions about the permit
application and then held a public hearing on April 13, 2016 to take public testimony.
An environmental assessment of the application was issued by the department on April
17, 2017.
A copy of IESIs permit application can be viewed at DEPs Northeast Regional Office
located at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, 18701 or the DEPs Bethlehem District Office located
at 4530 Bath Pike, Bethlehem 18017.
Those wishing to make an appointment to view the documents can do so between the
hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. by calling the Northeast Regional Office at 570-826-2511 or the
Bethlehem District Office at 610-861-2070.
38
Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Colleen Connolly, or make accommodations through the
Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 1-800-654-5984 (TDD).
Questions should be directed to Colleen Connolly, DEP Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre,
570-826-2035.
Wolf, DEP Announce $2 Million+ In Mosquito Control Grants To 30 Counties
Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental

Protection Thursday announced the award of more than $2
million in grants to Pennsylvania counties to survey and
control mosquitoes that carry West Nile or Zika virus.
Monitoring for WNV began May 1, 2017;
monitoring for Zika virus will begin on June 1.
DEP Tuesday reported its first West Nile Virus
positive test result for the season from a mosquito in
Cressona Borough in Schuylkill County. A second positive
result was reported Wednesday in Reading, Berks County.
I am pleased that we are once again able to partner with Pennsylvania counties to
conduct this surveillance and control of mosquitoes, which can carry diseases that pose a serious
risk to human health, said Gov. Wolf.
DEP annually partners with counties to cover the costs associated with surveying and
controlling mosquitoes that can carry WNV, and for 2017, Zika virus. DEP and county programs
use a combination of education, surveillance, source reduction, and environmentally responsible
insecticides to reduce the risk of WNV and Zika virus.
DEP is committed to preventing the spread of mosquito borne disease in Pennsylvania,
said Acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. County governments use this grant funding to
identify and control mosquitoes associated with West Nile and Zika virus using the safest, most
effective integrated pest management practices available.
The grants, funded by the General Fund, were developed in consultation with county
officials and are largely based on the historic occurrence of mosquito species that can carry
WNV and/or Zika virus.
The most common species of mosquito that carries Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, has not
been found in Pennsylvania since 2002, however another species that can carry the virus, Aedes
albopictus, is prevalent in southern Pennsylvania counties, especially in the southeast.
Mosquitoes that can carry WNV are found in all 67 counties.
In 2016 there were 16 confirmed human cases of WNV in Pennsylvania. There were no
cases of Zika virus that were the result of local transmission; Zika cases in 2016 were all travel
related.
Simple, commonsense preventative measures are critical in reducing mosquito
populations. DEP encourages Pennsylvanians to remove standing water from their property and
use insect repellents outdoors to prepare for mosquito season and prevent infection.
Birds can be carriers of WNV, and DEP tests dead birds for WNV to determine the virus
presence in the environment.
39
To report a dead bird, file a mosquito complaint, or for more information about WNV,
visit the West Nile Virus website or call 717-346-8243.
Zika virus is not carried by birds. For more information on Zika virus, please visit
Healths Zika Virus webpage.
[Note: The budget adopted by House Republicans in April would cut funding for West
Nile Virus and Zika Virus Control by $338,000.]
(Photo: Zika Virus carrying mosquito.)
NewsClip:
West Nile Virus Found In Mosquitoes Collected In Cressona
Gov. Wolf Requests Federal Disaster Aid In 9 Counties For March Snowstorm
Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday sent a letter to President Trump requesting federal disaster aid for
Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Northumberland, Pike, Wayne and
Montour counties to help offset the financial burden of a record-breaking snowstorm that
crippled much of the northeastern part of the state in March.
This snow storm required the resources of all state and local snow removal capabilities,
including state and local road crews and equipment, and countless hours of staff time to ensure
the health, welfare and safety of the public and property. The closure and slowing of mass transit
then caused a ripple effect in the lack of access to critical facilities, Gov. Wolf said. The
severity and magnitude of this storm stretched our Commonwealth resources well beyond their
limits, which is why supplemental federal assistance is now necessary.
The major disaster declaration through the Federal Emergency Management Agency
would provide federal funding to local, county and state governments, as well as certain eligible
non-profits in those counties through the Public Assistance program.
Applicants can be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the costs incurred on eligible expenses
for the eligible 48-hour time period. Eligible expenses can include but is not limited to: costs
associated with paying overtime, repairs to damaged infrastructure, equipment rentals and
materials.
The overall total costs associated with this request, as validated by the Joint Preliminary
Damage Assessment conducted by the state and federal emergency management agencies are
$7.2 million.
Click Here for a copy of the letter and additional background.
NewsClips:
Wolf Requests Federal Disaster Aid For March Snowstorm
Storms, Strong Winds Cause Widespread Damage In Northcentral PA
Volunteer Fire Companies Fight Shortage Crisis
U.S. Dept. Of Education Names Green Ribbon Schools, 2 In PA
The U.S. Department of Education Thursday released

the names of the 2017 U.S. Department of Education
40
Green Ribbon Schools, including Coebourn Elementary School in Brookhaven, Delaware
County and the School District of Philadelphia.
The award recognizes schools and districts that: Reduce environmental impact and costs;
Improve the health and wellness of schools, students, and staff; and Provide environmental
education, which teaches many disciplines, and is especially good at effectively incorporating
STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways.
-- School District of Philadelphia: In May 2016 the district launched its first five-year
sustainability plan, called GreenFutures. The plan aims to reduce energy consumption
districtwide, increase waste diversion from landfills, increase school green spaces, and create
healthy indoor environments and healthy living habits. Below are examples of just some of the
many green initiatives the district has undertaken:
-- Home to 19 registered National Wildlife Federation EcoSchools and a 2013 U.S.
Department of Education Green Ribbon School.
-- LEED certifications have been obtained for eight district schools.
-- The district implemented a comprehensive recycling program at 42 schools and plans
to implement full recycling programs at every school within five years.
-- Construction of large green stormwater infrastructure projects was completed at 31
schools.
-- In 2011, the district was awarded the EPAs Indoor Air Quality Great Start Award for
establishing an indoor environmental quality program that was based upon the EPAs Tools for
Schools program.
-- In 2016 a minimum of three hydration stations were installed at every school. These
are filtered for lead, chilled, and have a bottle filling counter to illustrate to students how many
water bottles are saved from landfills by using the stations.
-- The district uses certified Green Seal cleaning products.
-- Sustainability-infused curriculum, professional development opportunities for teachers
and operations staff, and the intentional shift in organizational culture toward sustainability is a
priority for the School District of Philadelphia.
-- Coebourn Elementary School, Penn-Delco School District: As stated on the U.S.
Department of Educations Green Ribbon Schools Highlights, Coebourn Elementary is a new
construction in the Penn-Delco School District that opened in January 2015.
During construction of the Coebourn Elementary, the district opted for a hybrid
geothermal HVAC system, replaced several dual-fuel large boilers with high efficiency gas fired
boilers and domestic hot water heaters, and installed heat wheels and reheat systems.
Coebourn uses low-flow fixtures throughout the school. There is no irrigation system
onsite; grass is watered by rain only. The site includes rain gardens and stormwater inlets.
Coebourn has implemented and maintains a single stream recycling program with Waste
Management as its partner. Coebourns science curriculum includes a deep understanding and
connections to life, physical, and earth sciences.
Save the date! A formal recognition event will be held at the Pennsylvania state capitol,
June 27 from 11:00 a.m. to Noon.
For more information on green school programs, visit the PA Green & Healthy Schools
website.
NewsClips:
Philadelphia Science Festival Delights Thousands
41
(Reprinted from the May newsletter of the PA Green & Healthy Schools Program.)
Weis Markets Sunbury Hosts PAEPs P2E2 Roundtable Meeting May 18
The PA Association of Environmental Professionals

P2E2 Roundtable will have its May 18 meeting at Weis
Markets headquarters in Sunbury to learn about the
companys sustainability programs and do a walking
tour of a Weis store and the Grind2Energy System.
Learn about Weiss sustainability efforts, from local
and organic foods, to signage, energy efficiency and recycling. Take their successful projects
back to your company and get started on the path to a better tomorrow!
Weis Markets headquarters is located at 1000 S. Second Street in Sunbury. The meeting
will be held from 8:30 a.m. to Noon.
Click Here for all the details. Click Here to learn more about Weis Markets sustainability
efforts ahead of the meeting.
RSVP to Mike Parrent by sending email to: Michael.L.Parrent.civ@mail.mil by May 9.
For more information on programs, initiatives, workshops and other special events, visit
the PA Association of Environmental Professionals website. Click Here to sign up for regular
updates on PAEP activities or Like them on Facebook.
SustainPHL Seeking Nominations For 2017 Sustainability Awards
SustainPHL is now accepting nominations for its

2017 Sustainability Awards to recognize
individuals, groups, projects, non-profit, civic or
government entity or for-profit business that are
advancing sustainability, including social impact or
civic causes. Nominations are due May 12.
The categories this year include: FuturePHL,
Activist of the Year, Neighborhood Champion,
Sustainable Communities, Sustainability Mentor,
Climate Hero, Inclusive Economies, Most Improved
Business and Impact Business Leader.
Winners will be recognized at a special sustainability awards and celebration event
August 3. Click Here to see last years winners.
Click Here to submit a nomination. For more information on programs, initiatives and
upcoming events, visit the SustainPHL website.
State Fire Commissioner: Emergency Response Grants Available Related To Gas Wells
42
State Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay Wednesday
announced it is now accepting applications for the
Unconventional Gas Well Drilling Grant Program.
Applications are due June 30.
Grant money makes a big difference for the companies
that receive this funding, Solobay said. Incidents at
gas wells can be a little more challenging, so any
funding to provide training, equipment and professional
development to better handle those incidents goes a
long way in protecting workers and emergency responders at the scene.
Solobay said fire companies, rescue companies, and emergency medical services
throughout the 40 counties where unconventional gas well drilling has been permitted by the
Department of Environmental Protection, or counties that directly border the permitted counties,
are eligible to apply for the grants.
Eligible projects must, in the judgment of the PA State Fire Academy, in consultation
with the State Fire Commissioner, and in accordance with Act 13 of 2012, include development,
delivery and sustainment of training, professional certification, or the acquisition of specialized
equipment for emergency responses relating to natural gas production from unconventional gas
wells.
Eligible projects include:
-- Obtaining professional national certification of members.
-- Purchase of firefighting, emergency medical, rescue or air monitoring equipment used at or
related to an unconventional gas well pad incident on, or related to, an unconventional gas well
pad. All equipment purchased through the Program will include training on that equipment
provided by the PSFA at no additional costs to the grant recipient(s).
-- Training. Classes and required educational materials paid for with Program funds must be
PSFA approved curriculum, and meet a predetermined minimum class size.
For all the details and to apply online, visit the State Fire Commissioners
Unconventional Gas Well Drilling Grant Program webpage.
(Photo: 2014 Chevron natural gas well fire in Greene County.)
DEP Water Resources Committee Reviews Pipeline Water Quality Cert. Policy May 10
On May 10, DEPs Water Resources Advisory Committee meets to discuss a new, draft policy
on how the agency will review Section 401 Water Quality Certifications for natural gas pipeline
projects regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The policy outlines how DEP expects applicants to interact with the department and
when during the certification process, how it will handle public notices and comment and
outlines standard categories of certification conditions.
One of the goals is to standardize the way certification is handled across the state.
Also on the agenda for discussion are--
-- Chapter 102 Erosion & Sedimentation Control, NPDES Permitting Process Listening Session
Results And Tentative Plans For Moving Forward
43
-- Comprehensive Environmental Assessment of Proposed Project Cumulative Impacts For
Chapter 105 Water Obstruction And Encroachment Permit Application Technical Guidance
Aimed At Pipelines. (Public comment period ended March 21. Click Here for a copy.)
-- Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan Development
The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg
starting at 9:30.
For more information and copies of available documents, visit DEPs Water Resources
Advisory Committee webpage. Questions should be directed to: Diane Wilson by sending email
to: diawilson@pa.gov or call 717-787-3730.
NewsClips:
County
Opponents Of Mariner East 2 Pipeline File Lawsuit To Compel Delaware County Twp. To
Enforce Its Ordinance
Six Middletown, Delaware County residents on Friday

filed a complaint in Delaware County Court of
Common Pleas seeking enforcement of a section of
The Middletown Township Code which provides in
part that in no case shall there be a distance of less
than 75 feet between a dwelling unit and a petroleum
or petroleum products transmission line.
The Code also states that such lines must be installed
in the center of the easement.
Sunoco has proposed to construct its Mariner East 2 pipelines at distances of less than 75
feet from dwelling units in six locations in Middletown, according to the complaint. The
plaintiffs also contend that the pipelines will not be installed at the center of the easements.
Michael Bomstein of Pinnola & Bomstein, counsel for the plaintiffs, said The
Pennsylvania Supreme Court has affirmed in the Robinson Township series of cases that
Pennsylvania municipalities have the authority to adopt and enforce ordinances to protect their
residents from hazardous industrial operations. Unfortunately, Middletown Council has failed to
seek enforcement of its own ordinances, leading to this complaint.
The six plaintiffs, Meghan Flynn, Gina Soscia, James Fishwick, Glenn Jacobs, Glenn
44
Kasper and Alison L. Higgins, note in their complaint that the ordinance they seek enforcement
of was adopted more than fifty years ago, long before defendant Sunocos announcement of its
Mariner East project.
Sunoco proposes to construct its pipelines through Middletown in order to transport for
export natural gas liquids, which are gases that have been liquefied under high pressure. If
released to the atmosphere, they return to gaseous form, in which they are colorless, odorless,
heavier than air, and extremely flammable or explosive.
Sunoco has reported leaking these materials three separate times in the last year from the
so-called Mariner East 1 pipeline, which follows much of the same route as ME2, most
recently on April 1, 2017 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania.
A recent report conducted for MCCS by Quest Consultants indicated that, under one
particular set of atmospheric conditions, a delayed-ignition event in an NGL vapor cloud could
produce blast damage 1,800 feet from the point of release.
Plaintiffs in this case have referred questions to their attorneys and to MCCS. Questions
should be direct to: middletowncoalition@gmail.com or 484-441-3308.
For more information, visit the Middletown Coalition for Community Safety website.
NewsClips:
County
Penn State: Shale Gas Threat To Forests Can Be Eased By Consolidating Infrastructure
By Jeff Mulhollem, College of Agricultural Sciences
Fragmentation of ecologically important core forests within the

northern Appalachians driven by pipeline and access road
construction is the major threat posed by shale-gas
development, according to researchers, who recommend a change
in infrastructure-siting policies to head off loss of this critical
habitat.
Expansive tracts of continuous forest provide critical habitat for
some species of forest-dependent wildlife, and habitat
fragmentation resulting from "industrial linear corridors" in
forested landscapes can have many impacts on wildlife populations, noted research team member
45
Margaret Brittingham, professor of forest resources, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn
State.
She said that forest edges created by corridors have higher rates of predation compared to
interior forest for some species, and barrier effects created by linear corridors can restrict
movement by other species and alter their home ranges, decreasing gene flow and genetic
diversity.
Linear corridors also may be used as travel lanes for some species or facilitate the
invasion of exotic plant species into previously inaccessible habitat.
Although development of natural gas from deep shale formations has occurred in
Pennsylvania for slightly more than 12 years the first successful nontraditional gas well was
drilled in Washington County in November 2004 the Marcellus play currently is just 10
percent of what it is expected to be when fully mature, Brittingham said.
"So if Pennsylvania is to have core, interior forests left after shale-gas development
ramps up in coming decades, policies regulating placement of well pads, pipelines, access roads
and other infrastructure need to change."
In findings reported this month in the Journal of Environmental Management, the
researchers pointed out that current trends of land-use change resulting from shale-gas
development suggest that the greatest loss of core forest will occur with well pads constructed
farthest from pre-existing pipelines, requiring new pipelines and roads to be built to connect
pads.
"Our results suggest that to reduce future forest fragmentation, new pads should be
placed near pre-existing pipelines, and methods to consolidate pipelines with other infrastructure
should be used," Brittingham explained. "Without these mitigation practices, we will continue to
lose core forest as a result of new pipelines and infrastructure, particularly on private land."
The research revealed a distinct difference between shale-gas development taking place
on public land versus that occurring on private land, noted lead researcher Lillie Langlois, a
doctoral candidate in wildlife and fisheries science.
Nearly three fourths of all shale-gas development is located on private land. However, the
number of wells drilled per pad is lower on private property compared to public land.
"As a result, loss of core forest is more than double on private land than public land,
which likely results from better management practices implemented on public land," she said.
"We think these differences occur because public land tends to benefit from greater expertise and
landowner size."
Until now, knowledge about specific infrastructure effects on forest habitat has been
limited by a lack of spatial tracking of infrastructure development in different land uses.
This study used high-resolution aerial imagery, land-cover data, and well-point data to
quantify shale-gas development across four time periods 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016
including, the number of wells permitted, drilled and producing gas -- a measure of pipeline
development; land-use change; and forest fragmentation on both private and public land.
The researchers conducted this work in Lycoming County, located in Pennsylvania's
Northcentral region in the northern Appalachian Mountains.
Most of the county, which encompasses more than 1,200 square miles, is underlain by the
Marcellus Shale formation and is highly forested 84 percent prior to shale-gas development in
2005.
The Department of Environmental Protection database reports that Lycoming County
46
ranks fifth in the state for active well drilling, with 926 wells or a well density of 22 pads per 100
square miles, as of April 2016.
The majority of shale-gas development in the study area occurred since 2010, Langlois
said, resulting in almost 4 percent loss of core forest within just six years.
"Similar to other studies, we found that while a small portion of the total land area less
than 1 percent was directly converted for infrastructure, indirect impacts caused by habitat
fragmentation were far greater," noted Langlois.
Also contributing to the research was Patrick Drohan, associate professor of pedology,
Penn State.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of Forestry, the Heinz
Endowments, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported this work.
(Photo: Pipeline right-of-way in Lycoming County.)
NewsClips:
County
Reminder: 2 PUC Hearings May 16 On App To Change Direction Of Laurel Pipeline
The Public Utility Commission Monday issued a reminder it will hold two Smart Hearings on
May 16 to gather public comment on an application by Laurel Pipe Line Company, L.P. for
approval to change direction of petroleum products transportation service to delivery points west
of the Altoona area.
The Smart Hearings, conducted by Administrative Law Judge Eranda Vero, will be held
at the PUCs headquarters in Harrisburg, at the following times: May 16 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in
the Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North Street, Harrisburg.
PUC Smart Hearings are broadcast live on the PUC website and enable residents and
concerned parties throughout Pennsylvania to see and hear the testimony being offered without
the need to attend the hearings in person.
Witnesses are able to offer their comments by telephone, from the convenience of their
homes, offices, or other locations, to be included in the live Internet stream and considered as
part of the Commissions review.
In-person testimony at the Harrisburg hearing site also will be included, for those who
prefer to comment in that manner. Individuals will have the option of not having their testimony
47
live-streamed, if they prefer.
Individuals wishing to testify at the hearings by telephone must contact the PUCs Office
of Administrative Law Judge (OALJ) at 717-787-1399 and provide contact information no later
than May 8. Attendance in person requires no prior action, simply show up and sign in.
Laurel Pipeline Application
Laurel Pipeline submitted an application to the Commission on November 16, 2016,
requesting all necessary authority and approvals from the PUC, to the extent required, to
authorize Laurel to change the direction of its petroleum products transportation service over a
portion of its system, west of its Eldorado facility, located in the Altoona area.
According to their application, Laurel currently transports petroleum products from east
to west from points of origin near Philadelphia to destinations across the state, terminating west
of Pittsburgh, where it connects to pipelines originating from a number of refineries located in
the Midwest.
A portion of the capacity of the pipeline is also used to transport petroleum products from
New Jersey and Delaware to destinations in Pennsylvania.
Laurels application notes that expanding refining capacity in the Midwest has led to a
number of shippers indicating an interest in transporting petroleum products to destinations in
Western and Central Pennsylvania. Laurel is proposing to reverse the flow on part of the Western
Pennsylvania portion of its pipeline system, allowing petroleum products to move eastward,
toward the Altoona area.
Offering Comments The Hearing
Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Their
testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.
The PUC offers these tips on how to participate:
-- Prepare what you are going to say beforehand. Even though it is not required, you may want to
write out your statement, which can be read.
-- Bring copies, if you are attending an in-person hearing. If you have a written statement you
would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and
several copies for the other participants.
-- Plan to be questioned. Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something
you said.
Laurel Pipeline is PUC Docket: A-2016-2575829.
NewsClips:
County
48
3rd Annual PA Solar Summit May 9, Solar Advocacy Day May 10 In Harrisburg
The PA Solar Energy industries Association,

Solar Unified Network of Western PA and
Environmental Entrepreneurs-E2 will host
the 3rd Annual Pennsylvania Solar Summit
on May 9 at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts
Center, 1110 N. Third Street in Harrisburg.
At the summit, speakers will review
current legislative and policy issues, provide
an update about solar initiatives occurring in
Pennsylvania, participate with the
Department of Environmental Protection's Finding Our Solar Future Project to collect your
expertise for this visioning process to increase solar energy to 10 percent in Pennsylvania, and
more.
Participants will also be provided with advocacy information to prepare for our Lobby
Day on the morning of May 10 when we will visit legislators at the Capitol to ask their support
for solar.
Engaging with policymakers is an important process that lifts up the voice of your
business to encourage the adoption of policies that benefit your company, your employees, and
your customers.
For more information and to register, visit the PA Solar Summit calendar page.
NewsClips:
Group Seeks To Build Solar Array At Shuttered Shenango Coke Works
Whats Stopping Philly From Reaching Its Solar Energy Goal
Allegheny Front: Why Solar Eclipsed Coal In Jobs
Landmark Smart-Meter Case Grinds To A Halt
Philly.com: Wolf, 11 Other Governors Urge Trump To Stay In Paris Climate Agreement
Philly.com reported Wednesday, Gov. Wolf was one of a dozen

governors to sign on to a letter to President Trump urging him to stay in
the Paris Climate Agreement. The text of the letter says in part--
Given the progress our states have made in reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, we are convinced that the United States goal of 26-28
percent below 2005 levels is readily achievable. Maintaining the U.S.
commitment is essential to protect our residents, and indeed, all
Americans from the potentially catastrophic impacts of a changing
climate.
We see our climate changing today through rising sea levels,
increasing flooding, drought, and decreasing snow cover.
These changes are causing forest fires and water shortages, adding to air pollution
49
levels, and accelerating the spread of disease-carrying pests and causing illness and death from
extreme weather patterns, amongst other impacts.
Our states stand to bear the brunt of these climate change impacts and the economic
costs running in the tens of billions of dollars or more.
We stand ready as state leaders to continue to support the achievement of the existing
U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreementand if possible to go
further, faster.
The policies we are implementing that support the U.S.s achievement of its Paris
commitment not only cut carbon pollutionthey also create jobs, boost competitiveness, and
bring clean energy and a cleaner environment to our citizens. These benefits can and should
accrue to all Americans.
Collective action to limit emissions world-wide is critical; without collaboration, climate
change will cost the worlds nations several trillion dollars in damages.
Under the Paris Agreement, all the worlds major economies are taking action on
climate change for the first time, including China and India, which have put forward their own
commitments to cut their carbon pollution domestically.
If the U.S. does not maintain global climate leadership through national policies to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean energy, China and India will.
This would be a huge lost opportunity, putting us at a competitive disadvantage and
potentially locking us into technologies and economic pathways that are increasingly obsolete
while China and India reap the benefits of low-carbon leadership.
In each of our states, the path forward is clear. Our citizens demand the low-cost,
clean-air benefits that a clean energy transition can provide.
Our leading U.S. companies recognize the need to address business risks and
opportunities through the Paris Agreement, and are wisely investing in low-carbon fuels and
technologies to stay on the cutting edge of global economy.
Our track recordreducing carbon pollution while growing jobs and our
economiesprovides proof that we need not sacrifice opportunity for action. Indeed, we can
secure that opportunity only by continuing to lead.
The other states signing on to the letter include: California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington.
To find the latest on climate issues in Pennsylvania, visit DEPs Climate Change
webpage.
NewsClips:
Kummer: Wolf, 11 Other Governors Urge Trump To Stay In Paris Climate Agreement
Op-Ed: Front Yard Climate Threat, Leaking Gas Service Lines
Lake Erie Brims With Rising Water Level
Activists Rally In Philly Against Trump Climate Policies
Trump Opponents March In Pittsburgh For Climate Justice
Marchers Use Trumps 100th Day To Protest Climate Policies
Trump Pledges To Restore Coal, Steel During HBG Rally
A Skeptical Climate Change Columns Whips Up NY Times Storm
Related Story:
Videos, Materials Available From PEC Deep Decarbonization Conference In Pittsburgh
50
Videos, Materials Available From PEC Deep Decarbonization Conference
Videos of presentations and other materials are now

available from the Deep Decarbonization Conference
held by the PA Environmental Council in March.
Deep decarbonization focuses on cutting greenhouse gas
emissions by 80 percent or greater by mid-century,
which is in line with what the worlds top scientists
recommend. The conference explored why such a target
is important and how Pennsylvania might get there in a
way that balances environmental, economic, and equity impacts.
Featured speakers include-- Dr. Julio Friedmann, a former DOE official currently with
the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Patrick McDonnell, Acting Secretary of the PA
Department of Environmental Protection; Jessica Lovering of the Breakthrough Institute, an
energy and environment think tank; Dr. Matthew McKinzie of the Natural Resources Defense
Council; retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral David Titley, Ph.D., currently with the Penn State
Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science; and Dr. Granger Morgan of Carnegie
Mellon University and the NSF Center for Climate and Energy Decision Making.
The conference was supported by the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, the Sustainable Energy
Fund, the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund, the Metropolitan Edison Sustainable
Energy Fund, and the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, as well as a host of corporate and
nonprofit sponsors.
Visit PECs Deep Decarbonization Conference webpage as more material is added from
the Conference in the coming weeks.
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.
NewsClips:
Kummer: Wolf, 11 Other Governors Urge Trump To Stay In Paris Climate Agreement
PA Environmental Council April In Case You Missed It
The April In Case You Missed It from the PA
51
Environmental Council is now available featuring articles on--
-- Meet The 2017 Winners Of The Governors Award For Environmental Excellence
-- Podcast: Acting DEP Secretary McDonnell Talks About Award Winners
-- PEC Celebrates Earth Day By Planting Trees In Pinchot and Weiser State Forests
-- Videos: A Fresh Start, Sen. Yudichak and Mine Land To Forest Land
-- Materials Available From PECs Decarbonization Conference In March
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.
DEP: New GIS Open Data Site Puts Environmental Information At Publics Fingertips
The Department of Environmental Protection Friday

announced it has put a trove of environmental data at the
publics fingertips with a geographic information system
(GIS) open data map site.
DEP has a lot of location-based information that
citizens can find useful, said DEP Acting Secretary
Patrick McDonnell. In line with Gov. Wolfs calls for
improved state government transparency, efficiency, and
customer service, weve put a wealth of data in one
online place so that people can more easily find information about the air, land, and water where
they live.
Focused primarily on geographic information, the GIS open data site aggregates and
simplifies DEPs public data on abandoned mine lands, air quality, coal mining, hazardous
waste, industrial mining, land recycling, oil and gas, public water supply, radiation, streams and
lakes, waste management, water pollution control, and water resources.
Visitors can browse these categories or drill down into the details, for example, searching
for natural gas wells or impaired streams near a street address, zip code, or town. They can view
the data as a map, a table, or charts and download data into spreadsheets or embed it into their
own applications or websites.
Most data are updated daily. Currently there are 300 data sets, and DEP will be adding
more. Users whod like to suggest data for inclusion can email the DEP Geospatial Data Center
at: ra-epgeospatialdatacenter@pa.gov.
Because its map-based, the GIS site doesnt replace all DEP data tools. For example,
users can search for permitted oil and gas wells by location, but not simply by year.
Available to anyone, the DEP GIS tool may be especially useful to environmental
professionals, businesses, industry, government agencies, journalists, and others seeking raw
data they can download easily for analysis, visualization, and sharing.
The site is accessible across platforms and devices. Click Here to view the website.
The DEP GIS data are also available on OpenDataPA, a central repository for all open
data sets published by state agencies. Gov. Wolf signed an executive order in 2016 to establish to
create the states open data program and open data site to support transparency, learning and
52
research and civic engagement.
(Photo: Red lines-- streams with impaired water quality around Harrisburg.)
NewsClip:
Kummer: Find Out Where All PAs Mines, Streams, Hazardous Waste Sites Are
DCNR To Begin Spraying Forests In Gypsy Moth Suppression Effort In 16 Counties
The Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Bureau of Forestry will soon begin
aerial spraying of forestlands to combat gypsy
moth populations poised for spring outbreaks
in the eastern and central portions of
Pennsylvania, according to DCNR officials.
"Weather will determine a safe, effective
starting date for spraying, but the start-up
could come as early as this Saturday, with
likely targeted areas being woodlands in the
central area of the state," said DCNR Secretary
Cindy Adams Dunn. "The suppression effort begins in southernmost targeted areas and
progresses northward as the insect emerges and begins feeding."
The secretary noted a cold, wet spring in 2016 emerged as DCNR's strongest ally in
spraying efforts that go beyond trying to control an annoying and destructive insect.
"Spraying is needed to ensure the health of our valuable hardwoods when threatened with
heavy defoliation," Dunn said. "Amid drought, fire or other stress factors, oaks often fall victim
to the gypsy moth across the state."
Dunn said weather conditions curtailed "heavy infestations" anticipated in northeastern
and central counties in spring 2016, and reduced last year's statewide defoliation to 104,018
acres.
"Conversely, warm dry weather in April and May, 2015, helped delay emergence of a
fungus -- a natural and most effective enemy of the gypsy moth -- until June and the result was
nearly 700,000 acres of defoliation in 2015," Dunn said.
The gypsy moth suppression program is conducted by the Bureau of Forestry on a request
basis, with the goal of preventing defoliation so that trees do not become stressed and succumb
to disease and other pests.
A 46,540-acre suppression program in 110 treatment blocks is proposed for 2017 in 16
counties-- Berks, Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lehigh,
Luzerne, Mifflin, Monroe, Northampton, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder and Union.
In spring 2016, a total of 352 blocks totaling more than 136,000 acres were sprayed in 21
counties.
Aerial spraying by helicopter and fixed-wing airplanes principally will be on
state-managed forests, game lands and federal lands (Francis E. Walter Dam), as well as
residential county lands in three participating counties. Lackawanna, Lehigh and Northampton
counties have requested bureau spraying on a cost-share basis.
Though weather dependent, spraying is expected to be completed by the end of May or
53
early June.
Spraying progress and maps of the treatment areas will be posted on DCNRs Bureau of
Forestry webpage.
Targeted sites are determined by surveys of egg masses and other indicators across the
state indicating gypsy moth populations are increasing and have the potential to cause major
defoliation.
In 2015, gypsy moth populations increased in eastern Pennsylvania after several years of
high populations in the northwestern part of the state. Two years ago, DCNR treated 26,433
acres in six northeastern counties.
Bureau of Forestry experts note the state's oak stands are especially vulnerable to gypsy
moth infestation, often resulting in tree mortality. The loss of habitat, timber and tree growth are
considerable when gypsy moth populations go untreated.
Biological in nature, the applied insecticide must be ingested by young caterpillars as
they feed on emerging foliage.
"Private woodland owners and public lands visitors must remember spraying is a
suppression effort and a forest management effort to protect trees from moderate to severe
defoliation," said Dr. Donald Eggen, the bureau's forest health manager. "The gypsy moth will
continue its cyclic population with ups and downs about every five to 10 years. We cannot
eradicate the insect in Pennsylvania, only try to minimize the damage in areas where the land
manager requests assistance. It's too well-established and is here to stay."
Forestry bureau experts identify the gypsy moth as one of the most destructive forest
pests in Pennsylvania.
Feeding while in the larval -- or caterpillar -- stage, the insect usually hatches and begins
feeding from mid- to late April in southern Pennsylvania, and in early to mid-May in the
northern part of the state.
Oak, apple, sweet gum, basswood, birch, aspen and willow trees are affected the most by
the gypsy moth. Older larvae also will feed on hemlock, pines, spruces, northern white cedar and
other conifers.
A tree begins to significantly suffer when 30 percent or more of its leaf surface is lost.
Begun in 1972, forest insect spray program is a cooperative effort among DCNR's
Bureau of Forestry, county governments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's
Forest Health Protection Unit.
The gypsy moth was introduced to North America in 1869 at Medford, Mass., where it
was used in a failed silk-production experiment. The gypsy moth first reached Pennsylvania in
Luzerne County in 1932, and since then has infested every county.
For more information, including a Homeowners Guide To Gypsy Moth Management,
visit DCNRs Gypsy Moth webpage.
NewsClip:
Game Commission Begins Spraying For Gypsy Moths To Protect Game Lands Habitat
In an effort to protect wildlife habitat, the Game

Commission announced Thursday it will spray for
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gypsy moths on more than 23,907 acres of state game lands beginning next week.
Spraying will occur on 14 different state game lands, in areas identified as having the
greatest need for treatment to prevent defoliation and tree loss due to gypsy moth damage.
Those participating in spring gobbler season might encounter helicopters or other
aircraft spraying state game lands or other forested areas, said Dave Gustafson, Game
Commission Chief Forester. We want those hunters to rest assured that the spray - Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) is not harmful to humans, and it usually only takes a few hours to complete
each spray block.
The spraying follows a 2016 statewide inventory of gypsy-moth impacts that detected
defoliation on more than 15,000 acres.
This year, we are spraying additional acreage beyond what was actually defoliated last
year, Gustafson said. Based on the egg mass counts in 2016, we anticipate some local
gypsy-moth populations are growing again, and we want to be proactive to prevent a population
build-up that would result in similar defoliation and loss.
The game lands to be sprayed were selected based on the importance of oaks there;
whether they included existing Important Bird Areas, Important Mammal Areas or
critical/unique habitats; their past gypsy-moth impacts and resulting forest-habitat conditions;
and the financial values of timber stands there.
To pay for the spraying, the Game Commission will transfer $450,353 from its
Pittman-Robertson Federal Wildlife Grant funding to the state Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, which oversees the Statewide Cooperative Spray Program for gypsy moths.
Last year, the agency transferred $720,000 to DCNR for spraying 32,414 acres.
This years spraying will occur in the following regions: Southcentral, 2,611 acres;
Northeast, 8,706 acres; and Southeast, 12,590 acres. The Northwest, Northcentral and Southwest
regions, which suffered little to no gypsy-moth defoliation, are not slated for spraying at this
time.
Gustafson noted that previous gypsy moth impacts enabled a rapid transition of forest
habitat types on state game lands, from mixed-oak to stands dominated by birch and maple,
which are not nearly as beneficial to wildlife as mast-producing oak stands.
In the 1940s, after the chestnut blight nearly wiped out American chestnuts, which
provided the best and most reliable wildlife foods, oaks filled the void for wildlife, Gustafson
said. Unfortunately, in some areas, we now are seeing birch and maple replace the oak stands
lost to gypsy moth defoliation.
Prior to gypsy moth impacts, oak trees in Huntingdon County reportedly were producing
173 pounds of acorns per acre. After gypsy moths, the same areas were yielding only 67 pounds
of acorns per acre. Seven of the eight lowest acorn production years occurred after gypsy moths
hit the area, and 43 percent of oak trees were lost.
Peter Sussenbach, director of the Game Commissions Bureau of Wildlife Habitat
Management said that, based on how valuable oaks are for wildlife on game lands, the agency
simply cant afford not to invest in spraying this year.
We know mixed-oak habitats are important for all wildlife, Sussenbach said. Squirrel
populations fluctuate with acorn crops. If acorn production is low, bears will den earlier, weigh
less, produce fewer and smaller cubs and get into more nuisance situations. Deer reproduction
and their survival over winter suffer when acorns are sparse. Neotropical birds, such as cerulean
warblers, occupy habitats dominated by oaks. Wild turkey and ruffed grouse populations also
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depend on acorns.
Click Here for a list of areas to be sprayed.
For more information on gypsy moths, including a Homeowners Guide To Gypsy Moth
Management, visit DCNRs Gypsy Moth webpage.
NewsClip:
DCNR Designates Dead Mans Hollow In Allegheny County As Wild Plant Sanctuary
Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Friday announced the designation of
a new Wild Plant Sanctuary in the boroughs of
Liberty and Lincoln, Allegheny County.
Dead Mans Hollow, notable as the only
Youghiogheny River tributary valley free of
roads and other infrastructure, becomes the 17th
tract to be accepted into the DCNR Wild Plant
Sanctuary Program.
The distinction recognizes the
dedication of Allegheny Land Trust to restore
the property and conserve its impressive biodiversity.
Since it began in 2009, the Wild Plant Sanctuary Program has promoted conservation of
natural areas and native plants, while recognizing private landowners who serve as models of
good conservation and stewardship of these special resources," said DCNR Secretary Cindy
Adams Dunn. These properties serve as models for other landowners, offering strategies to
conserve rare plants as part of their management plans."
Acquired by the land trust in 1996, this 450-acre tract of forest is still recovering from
quarrying and industrial development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Shattered pipes, kiln foundations, and building shells, now decorated with graffiti, are all
that is left of a terracotta pipe factory that eventually burned in the 1920s.
Though profitable in the past, today the land is valued for a different kind of green, which
really does grow on trees.
By removing invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed, bush-honeysuckles, and garlic
mustard, ALT is breathing new life into Dead Mans Hollow. The native plant community is
beginning to return with the absence of invasive competitors.
A diverse assemblage of spring wildflowers can be viewed on six miles of trails,
including Virginia bluebells, large white trillium, bloodroot, Dutchmans breeches,
Jack-in-the-pulpit, and fire pink.
Visitors can climb to the top of table rock to view the stream valley below, perhaps
catching a glimpse of a brilliant scarlet tanager.
Dead Mans Hollow is an excellent place to birdwatch and is an important breeding area
for forest interior birds, which require tracts of continuous forest habitat. Acadian flycatcher;
American redstart; cerulean warbler; black-billed cuckoo; wood thrush; and broad-winged hawk
are just a few of the resident species, with many more passing through during annual migrations.
56
Click Here to see photos and video from Dead Mans Hollow.
ALT will be commemorating the designation on May 7 with an educational wildflower
hike. Participants are asked to register online.
ALT protects more than 2,000 acres of green space in Allegheny and Washington
Counties.
The Wild Plant Sanctuary Program was established through the Wild Resource
Conservation Act of 1982 to form a voluntary statewide network of native plant sanctuaries.
Landowners agree to protect the area and educate others about the importance of native and wild
plants and habitats.
In return, they receive any needed assistance with developing a management plan and
have access to technical assistance and ecological checkups.
For more information, visit DCNRs Wild Plant Sanctuary Program webpage, contact
DCNR's Bureau of Forestry at 717-787-3444, or send email to: RA-PAPlantSanctuary@pa.gov.
For more information, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource
newsletter, Click Here for upcoming events. 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:
50 Years Of Tax Incentives To Protect Brandywine Way Of Life
Brandywine Conservancy, Partners Purchase Historic Beaver Valley Property In Delaware

County
The Conservation Fund, in partnership with Mt. Cuba

Center and the Brandywine Conservancy, Monday
announced its purchase of the historic Beaver Valley
property in Concord Township, Delaware County.
Thanks to generous support from Mt. Cuba Center as well
as other private contributions, the national environmental
organization acquired the 270-acre property from the
Woodlawn Trustees for permanent conservation as open
space.
After years of negotiations, The Conservation Fund is
elated to finalize the purchase and protection of Beaver Valley, ensuring that everyone can
continue to enjoy the beautiful trails, scenic pastures, and wildlife of this vitally important
historic property, said Blaine T. Phillips, Jr., Senior Vice President of The Conservation Fund.
Once again, the steadfast support of Mt. Cuba Center has been crucial in preserving the
beautiful landscapes here and across the Brandywine Valley.
Mt. Cuba Center is thrilled that The Conservation Fund brought this deal to fruition, and
we are so happy to be able to participate as the major funder of the project, said Ann C. Rose,
President of Mt. Cuba Center. The beauty of this land speaks for itself as to why it is critical to
preserve. The thought of this property being lost to future generations with the addition of
hundreds of houses was simply unthinkable.
57
"It was an honor for the Brandywine Conservancy to help the Mt. Cuba Center, The
Conservation Fund, and the various grassroots organizations raise the final dollars necessary to
permanently protect this dramatically beautiful and ecologically distinguished property from
development, said Morris Stroud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Brandywine
Conservancy & Museum of Art. I believe posterity will look back in gratitude to the hard work
and generosity of all involved."
Located adjacent to First State National Historical Park in Delaware, the Beaver Valley
site is a favorite place for hikers, bikers, horseback riders and runners throughout the region. The
property will remain open to the public.
The Conservation Fund will work with the National Park Service to explore opportunities
to add the Beaver Valley site to the National Historical Park in the future.
First State National Historical Park applauds the vision, dedication, and collective
ability demonstrated by the world-class conservation community surrounding the park,
specifically The Conservation Fund, Mt. Cuba Center, The Brandywine Conservancy, and the
Brandywine community, at large, said Ethan McKinley, First State National Historical Park
Superintendent. Together, they have preserved a threatened culturally and naturally significant
site that shares a long border with the current Beaver Valley Unit.
The movement to save Beaver Valley began as a true grassroots effort, with tireless
support from the Beaver Valley Conservancy, Beaver Valley Preservation Alliance and Save the
Valley, as well as from hundreds of individuals in the surrounding communities.
These groups worked to plan countless fundraisers and spread the word to keep this issue
at the forefront of the publics consciousness.
The Brandywine Conservancy provided fundraising support to secure the additional
funding needed to complete the conservation acquisition. More than 2,000 individuals
contributed gifts to meet the fundraising goal.
In addition to public recreational access and landscape preservation, Beaver Valleys
conservation safeguards old-growth forests with 200- to 300-year-old trees, a variety of rare
plants and animals, as well as multiple streams that flow into the Brandywine River, supporting
water quality for the City of Wilmington and the surrounding communities.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Brandywine
Conservancy website.
NewsClips:
PAs National Heritage Areas Are Stewards Of American History
The Trump Administration has proposed eliminating

funding for the National Heritage Area Program for
FY 2018. Here is just a few of the contributions the
five Heritage Areas in Pennsylvania make to the
Commonwealths economy.
National Heritage Areas (NHAs) marry heritage,
conservation, recreation, and economic development
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to tell nationally significant stories that connect people to places.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the first NHA into law, calling it a new kind of
national park. Today, there are 49 NHAs in the country and five in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvanias NHAs include the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor,
Lackawanna Heritage Valley, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Schuylkill River National
Heritage Area and Oil Region Alliance.
According to a recent evaluation, 26 percent of federal funding received by
Pennsylvanias NHAs is dedicated to education.
NHAs build place esteem through educational programming that helps children and
adults understand how the unique heritage of their region contributed to the development of the
country.
Programs that instill pride in place and appreciation for history would be eliminated in
the Presidents Fiscal Year 18 federal budget proposal, resulting in a negative impact on 56
percent of Pennsylvania residents.
Scranton-based Lackawanna Heritage Valley Area supports an award-winning Summer
Heritage Passport Program designed to familiarize children with their community, heritage and
environment.
They also support Railroads, Rivers & You, developed by Steamtown National Historic
Site and featuring hands-on activities and demonstrations at Steamtown and along the
Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.
The Oil Heritage Region, headquartered in Oil City, hosts high school student re-enactors
who serve teas at the now fully restored Tarbell House in Titusville.
Within the past year, Pittsburghs Rivers of Steel NHA acquired RiverQuest, a floating
environmental education vessel and program, and its ship, Explorer.
In Pottstown, Schuylkill River NHA has the Schuylkill Explorers program for elementary
aged (grades K-8) student groups to explore the Schuylkill River Trail, learn about the Schuylkill
River's history and environment, and to develop an awareness of watershed protection.
One of Pennsylvanias best local history curriculum was launched eleven years ago by
the Easton-based Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L).
The D&L began developing the Tales of the Towpath elementary school curriculum in
2006. It had no idea how it would be received.
We thought we had a good product, says D&L Education Manager, Dennis Scholl, who
was one of 16 members of the curriculums development committee, but the concept was brand
new in our area; a curriculum based on a childrens storybook. We had our fingers crossed.
Today, Tales of the Towpath is alive and thriving in the D&Ls five eastern Pennsylvania
counties, where 20 public school districts and two private schools 80 elementary schools in all
use the curriculum to teach lessons about Americas 19th-century canals and industries.
More than 6,500 fourth-grade students annually. A total of 32,000 students have
participated to date.
The history is engaging, primarily because its introduced through the eyes of a friendly,
adventurous, albeit fictitious, 10-year-old storybook character named Finn Gorman. Finn is an
Irish boy who guides his readers up and down the Corridors Lehigh and Delaware canals, with
stops at coal mines, lumber camps, blast furnaces, towns big and small, and even Americas first
long-distance railroad, the Switchback Gravity Railroad in old Mauch Chunk, now called Jim
Thorpe in honor of the great American athlete buried there.
59
Tales of the Towpath was named Pennsylvanias Outstanding Social Studies Program in
2011. School administrators and teachers who instruct the curriculum like that they can teach
local history in the context of its importance to the development of Pennsylvania and the growth
of the United States.
Students up and down the Corridor learn, for example, that they live within one or two
hours of the canals, coal mines, and pig-iron furnaces that drew millions of immigrant workers
from overseas and eventually catapulted America to the top of the worlds industrial leaders.
The teaching of this curriculum is an asset to the elementary schools in our district,
says Nikki Giannaras, a fourth-grade teacher at Hanover Elementary School in Bethlehem, PA.
Students learn about the struggles of making a new, productive life in a new country, along with
learning life lessons about friendship and hard work, lessons that need to be reinforced in todays
society. Its important that we enlighten our students about the past and its importance in our
lives today.
The D&L offers all curriculum components student books, reproduction period trunks
and artifacts, teacher manuals, teacher training free of charge thanks to more than $215,000 in
public (including the National Park Service), corporate, and private grants since 2006. The D&L
has subsequently raised an additional $85,000 from schools that wanted to own their own
materials, money that the D&L has used to recruit and equip new schools.
The curriculum also includes a highly interactive website and two related student field
trips in Eastons Hugh Moore Park and in nearby Freemansburg, PA, where the D&L has turned
a collection of original and restored canal structures into a canal education center.
The two trips attract 3,500 students annually, grossing the D&L approximately $35,000 a
year, a portion of which is paid to a corps of trained field trip docents.
I feel that the Tales curriculum has made a big impact on our fourth graders' knowledge,
understanding, and appreciation of local history, says Lisa Gridley, who has been instructing the
curriculum for eight years at Pfaff Elementary School in Quakertown, PA. Overall, we have
found that our students are interested and highly engaged. The book, the boat ride and other
activities on the field trip; those are things that children talk about for years to come.
For more information, contact:
-- Elissa Garofalo, Executive Director, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Phone: 610-923-3548 x223 Email: Elissa@DelawareAndLehigh.org
--Joseph Corcoran, Executive Director, Lackawanna Heritage Valley National Heritage Area
Phone: 570-963-6730 Email: jcorcoran@LVHA.org
-- Marilyn Black, Vice President for Heritage Development, Oil Region National Heritage Area
Phone: 814-677-3152, Ext. 105 Email: MBlack@OilRegion.org
-- August R. Carlino, President & CEO, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area
Phone: 412-464-4315 Email: ARCarlino@RiversOfSteel.com
-- Tim Fenchel, Interim Executive Director, Schuylkill River National Heritage Area
Phone: 484-945-0200 Email: TFenchel@SchuylkillRiver.org
Learn more about Heritage Areas in Pennsylvania, visit DCNRs National Heritage Areas
in Pennsylvania webpage.
Related Story:
PA National Heritage Areas: Trump Budget Would Have Severe Consequences In PA
60
PHMC Anthracite Heritage Conference May 13 In Scranton
The PA Anthracite Heritage Museum will host

the 2017 Anthracite Heritage Conference on
May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The presentations at this exciting conference are
a continuation of interest in the Anthracite
Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The
conference presenters will discuss various areas
of research now being undertaken and the
possibilities for further regional studies.
Together these presentations provide examples
of the range of resource materials and illustrate
the value of an interdisciplinary approach to the regions history. Finally, as with all historical
studies, they raise new questions and create opportunities for additional research and writing.
Confirmed speakers include:
-- Richard G. Healey, Professor, Department of Geography, University of Portsmouth, Great
Britain, whose presentation is entitled: Where Have All the Railroaders Gone?
-- Janet Blaum, Attorney, will discuss Black Lung: Legal Perspectives.
-- Mike Korb, Board Member of the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates
will focus his comments on the reclamation of McDade Park and the preservation of the
Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and the development of the PA Anthracite Heritage Museum.
-- Mary Kay Kimelewski, Adjunct Faculty, Misericordia University, will address The 1943
Coal Strike.
-- Melissa R. Meade, PhD Candidate, Klein College of Media and Communications, Temple
University, will present: In the Shadow of King Coal: Media and Memories of the Anthracite
Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The Anthracite Heritage Conference Planning Committee Members include Chester
Kulesa, Bode Morin, F. Charles Petrillo, and Robert P. Wolensky. The Committee will accept
recommendations from the public for future conferences.
This program is supported, in part, by a Lackawanna County Arts and Culture grant, a
program of Lackawanna County Commissioners Patrick OMalley, Jerry Notarianni and Laureen
A. Cummings, as well as Lehigh Anthracite Coal, LLC, Richard Rusty Taylor, President; the
Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation; and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy
and Exploration, PA Anthracite Section.
There is a $25 registration fee or $20 for Anthracite Museum members and $15 students.
Lunch is included.
The PA Anthracite Heritage Museum is located in McDade Park, off Keyser Avenue, in
Scranton (Exits 182 or 191-B off I-81, and Exit 122, Keyser Avenue, from I-476).
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday,
Noon to 5 p.m.
For more information or directions, call 570-963-4804 or visit the 2017 Anthracite
Heritage Conference webpage.
NewsClip:
Anthracite Heritage Conference May 13 In Scranton
61
Intro To Backpacking In Tracy Ridge Wilderness Allegheny National Forest June 17-18
Friends of Allegheny Wilderness are hosting an

Introduction to Backpacking in the proposed Tracy
Ridge Wilderness Area in the Allegheny National
Forest in Warren County on June 17-18.
Join the guided backpacking trip into the wild,
untrammeled 9,700-acre proposed Tracy Ridge
Wilderness Area with all food and equipment provided
from 9:00 a.m. Saturday to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
The program will feature an introduction into the
planning process, what gear you'll need, how to pack
and what to do along the trail while hiking, setting up camp, and meal preparations.
The meeting place for the hike is Pavilion #2, Chapman State Park, 4790 Chapman Dam
Road in Clarendon.
The cost of the hike is $30/person. Registration is required by June 2. Questions should
be directed to Jennifer Moore at the park office at 814-723-0250.
Friends of Allegheny Wilderness website.
[Posted: April 30, 2017]
Share Your Opinions - Take Get Outdoors PA Usage Survey
Heres your chance to provide suggestions and

feedback on recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania by
taking the Get Outdoors PA Usage Survey. The
deadline for responses is May 14.
Get Outdoors PA has lots of information on
recreational opportunities of all types in Pennsylvania
and is a partnership of DCNR and the PA Recreation
and Park Society.
For more information on programs, initiatives,
special events, workshops and grant opportunities, visit
the PA Recreation and Park Society webpage. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the
Society and Like them on Facebook. Click Here to become a member.
For more information, visit DCNRs website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource
newsletter, Click Here for upcoming events. 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:
The Alle-Kiski-Connie Rivers Sojourn Turns 20
Pennsylvania Believes In Paddling
62
Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Campaign Dangles Bruno Mars Tix To Help Fund Phillys Rail Park
Philly Council Member Introduces Bill To Maintain Schuylkill River Trail Funding
Pittsburgh Wont Install Bike Lane, Reviews Trail Connection
Report: National Parks Generate Big Bucks In PA
(Reprinted from the May 3 Resource newsletter from DCNR. Click Here to sign up for your own
copy.)
May 3 Resource Newsletter Now Available From DCNR
The May 3 edition of the Resource newsletter is now

available from the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources featuring articles on--
-- Hiking In PA: Enjoying The Journey And The Destination
-- DCNR To Begin Spraying Forests In Gypsy Moth
Suppression Effort
-- DCNR, PA Outdoor Corps Plant Trees Along Creek In
Laurel Hill State Park
-- DCNR, Partners Celebrate New Boat Launch On Juniata
River In Mifflin County
-- PA First Lady Outlines Waterway Protection Efforts Under Way At Earth Day Gathering
-- DCNR, Agriculture Highlight Stream Buffers To Protect Water Quality In Snyder County
-- Chesapeake Conservancy Releases Vision Document For Susquehanna River Conservation
-- Mountain Creek Trail Bridge, Other Improvements Dedicated At Pine Grove Furnace SP
-- Central PA Recognizes Arbor Day By Providing Community Service
-- Help Us Serve You: Take Our Get Outdoors PA Survey By May 14
-- May Is National Bike Month
-- Conservation Tip: Start A Garden, Support Local Farmers
For more information, visit DCNRs website, Click Here for upcoming events. 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.
(Photo: Laurel Hill State Park, Somerset County.)
Hawk Mountain Ornithologist Dr. Keith Bildstein Publishes New Book On Raptors
Dr. Keith L. Bildstein, Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science

at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County, has published a new
book, Raptors: The Curious Nature of Diurnal Birds of Prey.
The book offers a comprehensive and accessible account of raptors,
including their evolutionary history, their relationships to other groups of
birds, their sensory abilities, their general natural history, their breeding
63
ecology and feeding behavior, and threats to their survival in a human-dominated world.
Raptors are formally classified info five families and include eagles, ospreys, kites, true
hawks, buzzards, harriers, vultures, and falcons. Because of their large size, distinctive feeding
habits, and long-distance flight patterns, raptors intrigue humans and have been the subject of
much general interest as well as extensive scientific research.
Keith L. Bildstein has watched and studied raptors on five continents and is well prepared
to explain their critical importance, not only as ecological entities but also as inspirational tokens
across natural and human-dominated landscapes.
Raptors is a biologically sound, nontechnical overview of this captivating group. It will
allow naturalists, birders, hawk-watchers, science educators, schoolchildren, and the general
public, along with new students in the field of raptor biology, to understand and appreciate these
birds and, in so doing, to better protect them.
"From wind turbines to West Nile virus, from rat poisons to habitat loss, raptors have
never been in the forefront of so much international press as they are today, and Keith L.
Bildstein has done a terrific job of providing essential background information that will allow
readers to put these issues in the context of what we now know about raptor biology, said Allen
Fish, Director, Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. Raptors is a stunning overview of its subject
and will be welcomed by students, birders, and biologists."
"Keith L. Bildstein's Raptors provides one-stop shopping for anyone interested in how
diurnal birds of prey go about their lives. Its global reach is impressive. This book is a tour de
force that benefits from its comprehensiveness and from Bildstein's use of his personal
experiences to illuminate raptor biology," said Alan Poole, Associate, Cornell Lab of
Ornithology, author of Ospreys: A Natural and Unnatural History and retired editor of Birds of
North America Online.
Bildsteins 324-page book, published by Cornell University Press, is illustrated with
numerous color photos, figures, and tables. The book is available for purchase at the Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary Visitor Center or by calling Hawk Mountain at 610-756-6961. It also is
available at Amazon.com.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk
Mountain Sanctuary website or call 610-756-6961. Click Here to sign up for regular updates
from the Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr, be part of
their Google+ Circle and visit their YouTube Channel.
NewsClips:
Birdwatching Festival Returns To Presque Isle Friday
Schneck: Bald Eagle Sightings In PA Special, But No Longer Rare
Penn State: If Hemlock Trees Can Hang On, Birds That Need Them May Be OK
By Jeff Mulhollem, College of Agricultural Sciences
In 2000, when a team of scientists led by Robert Ross studied

the response of birds to the beginning of hemlock tree decline
in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
64
[Monroe, Northampton and Pike counties], Matt Toenies was just seven years old, and the
ecological havoc wreaked by invasive species was the farthest thing from his mind.
Ross, a scientist employed by the U.S. Geological Survey, conducted research on habitat
use by breeding birds in hemlock forests threatened by infestations of hemlock woolly adelgid,
an aphid-like insect accidentally introduced from Japan. Seventeen years ago, the hemlocks were
just starting to decline, victims of the sap-sucking invasives.
Ross' study looked at 80 locations across 22 forest stands 11 deciduous and 11
hemlock.
Now Toenies, a master's degree student in Penn State's intercollege graduate degree
program in ecology, is leading a research team that is finishing up a similar research project,
following in Ross' footsteps.
Researchers have been measuring bird activity in the same plots that Ross' team did and
comparing the results.
"Using the unique approach of examining the same hemlock stands both before and after
degradation by the hemlock woolly adelgid, we found that hemlock decline drove changes in
vegetation structure and bird communities," Toenies said. "Hemlock stands declined
significantly since the pre-infestation baseline, with the severity of decline varying across
stands."
Researchers correlated hemlock decline with changes in vegetation structure, including a
denser deciduous understory, decreased live hemlock foliage in the canopy, and a greater number
of standing dead hemlocks.
The hemlock decline also changed the bird community, with the number of "hemlock
specialists" falling and most other species growing, especially those associated with a dense
shrub layer, the forest edge and deciduous forests.
Ultimately, Toenies noted, the species composition of the avian community in hemlock
stands shifted toward that of neighboring deciduous stands, highlighting a trend of long-term
homogenization of the bird community in regions affected by hemlock decline.
"The unique species assemblages associated with hemlock forests continue to disappear,"
he said.
Species that showed the greatest increases were those associated with the shrub layer
(veery, worm-eating warbler and wood thrush); those associated with the forest edge (blue jay,
great crested flycatcher and brown-headed cowbird); and those belonging to both groups
(rose-breasted grosbeak and cedar waxwing).
However, the numbers of five species associated specifically with hemlock showed
negative responses to hemlock decline. They are the Acadian flycatcher, Blackburnian warbler,
black-throated green warbler, hermit thrush and blue-headed vireo.
"We organized species into these groups to determine which habitat variables within
dying forests are driving the restructuring of bird communities over time," Toenies explained.
"Because we observed the strongest trends in groups associated with the shrub layer, woodland
edge and the declining forest type, these changing features in dying forests may be most
influential in shaping bird communities as die-offs progress."
The die-off of hemlocks resulting in the opening of intact canopies just adds to the threats
already faced by declining populations of many forest-interior bird species, Toenies pointed out.
Because of the higher presence of nest predators and brood parasites near edges, this is a typical
pattern across forested landscapes.
65
Although the dwindling of hemlock-associated birds represents a loss of biodiversity in
eastern Pennsylvania forests, Toenies has seen reassuring trends in his research that he believes
wildlife managers will want to keep in mind. Dying hemlocks, it turns out, are better than none.
Even in hemlock stands heavily degraded by the adelgid, researchers didn't find many
places in their study area where the trees were completely dead (although in nearby spots the
hemlocks are completely dead and being replaced by hardwoods). But they saw many places
where the trees were in poor condition.
"The adelgids defoliate the lower branches of the hemlocks first they do this in a
pretty systematic way and we often see a tight little clump of hemlock needles at the top of
the tree, and then it dies," he said.
"Still, we had a lot of these hemlock-associated bird species hanging around. So on a
local scale where we are managing, like in a national park, for example, if we can keep enough
hemlocks alive, they don't necessarily have to be that healthy. And if we have just a few
hemlocks but we invest heavily in keeping them in good shape, that also is beneficial for keeping
hemlock-dependent birds, at least on a very small scale."
Also participating in the research are David Miller, assistant professor of wildlife
population ecology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State; Matt Marshall, National Park
Service, Inventory and Monitoring Division, Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network; and Glenn
Stauffer, intercollege graduate degree program in ecology, Department of Ecosystems Science
and Management.
The National Park Service supported the research.
(Photo: Blackburnian warbler.)
NewsClips:
AG Shapiro Appoints Steve Santarsiero Chief Deputy For Environmental Protection
Attorney General Josh Shapiro Thursday announced the appointment of

former House member Steve Santarsiero, Esq. a lawyer with strong
experience supporting Pennsylvanias environment and natural resources,
as Chief Deputy Attorney General of the Environmental Protection
Section.
Environmental crimes impact the health of Pennsylvania families and
undermine our constitution, which says everyone has the right to clean air,
pure water and the preservation of their natural environment, Attorney
General Shapiro said. Thats why Im appointing Steve Santarsiero as
Chief Deputy Attorney General to lead our efforts to take on and prosecute
cases against anyone or any company that breaks the law and harms our
environment.
As the offices top environmental prosecutor, Santarsiero is in charge of prosecuting
polluters across three divisions of the Office of Attorney General: Criminal, Civil and Public
Protection.
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Shapiro vowed during his campaign last year to reinvigorate the environmental section in
importance and empower it to work more broadly across all office divisions to better protect
Pennsylvanians rights as spelled out in Article I, Sect. 27 of the state constitution.
In Santarsiero, Shapiro has appointed an attorney with more than a decade of experience
litigating environmental cases, including claims on behalf of citizens groups seeking relief under
the federal Clean Water Act.
Santarsiero also performed extensive legal work in Brownsfield redevelopment and
remediation cases on behalf of property owners who sought to reclaim the land for viable
commercial uses.
Im honored to be appointed by Attorney General Shapiro to lead our renewed efforts to
protect the environment and prosecute polluters who threaten or harm our natural resources,
Santarsiero said. Ive spent a great deal of my career working to protect the environment. That
experience has prepared me to implement Attorney General Shapiro's vision of an environmental
section that does more than ever before to hold polluters to account and protect our natural
resources for generations to come.
Santarsieros experience and the offices renewed focus on protecting Pennsylvanians
rights to clean air and pure water comes at a time when states seem poised to play a larger role
on environmental protection issues as Washington and federal regulators play less of a proactive
policy role.
The Office of Attorney General takes environmental crimes seriously, Shapiro said.
Im pleased weve appointed an experienced attorney and advocate for the environment to lead
our efforts to protect Pennsylvanians rights every day across our Commonwealth.
In his first several months in office, Attorney General Shapiro is keeping environmental
crimes near the forefront of his agenda.
Last month, Shapiro traveled to Jessup, PA in northeastern Pennsylvania to announce
criminal charges against the former operator of a drum recycling facility for illegally operating
the site and storing hazardous wastes without any of the required permits. The site was the scene
of a major fire in 2014 that caused 60 residents to evacuate.
In addition to his career as an environmental attorney, Santarsiero developed a record on
environmental issues over four terms as a member of the House of Representatives.
He helped persuade Gov. Ed Rendell to issue an executive order halting the further
leasing of state forest land for natural gas drilling. Santarsiero fought for tighter regulation of the
fracking industry, and advocated for greater buffers between gas drillers and drinking water
sources.
Steve Santarsiero has lived with his wife Ronni in Lower Makefield Township for over
22 years. They have three children, Nancy, Billy and Johnny.
DEP Opportunity To Bid On Water Supply Distribution System Project In Lancaster
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the May 6 PA Bulletin of an

opportunity to bid on a water supply distribution system in Leacock Township, Lancaster County
in connection with a Hazardous Site Cleanup Project.
The Department of Environmental Protection has available a current list of
Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Acid Mine Drainage, Surface Mine Reclamation, Cleaning Out
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and Plugging Oil and Gas Wells, Waterways Engineering (Concrete Dams/Concrete Lined
Channels, Walls and Box Culverts, etc.), Hazardous Site Remediation, Removal and Disposal of
Underground Storage Tanks, and Wetland Restoration projects available for bidding. Click Here
for the list.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has a current list of bid
proposals for construction projects in State Parks and State Forests available online. Click Here
for the list.
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events
This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and
meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks
of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published its 2017 schedule of advisory committee and board meeting in the
December 17 PA Bulletin, page 7896.
May 6-- 2017 Environmental Advisory Committee Conference. DoubleTree Resort, 2400
Willow Street Pike in Lancaster. 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
May 6-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Ross Twp.
Community Center, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
May 6-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. North Park, Allegheny
County.
May 6-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy. Dinner & Live, Silent Auctions. Silver Birches
Waterfront in Hawley, Pike County.
May 8-- NEW. Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 269 (Baker-R-
Luzerne) changing the process for updating the PA Construction Code (sponsor summary).
Rules Room. Off the Floor.
May 8-- NEW. Senate Rules Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 561 (DiSanto-R-Dauphin)
requiring legislative approval of regulations with an economic impact of $1 million or more
(Click Here for more background.). Rules Room. Off the Floor.
May 8-- NEW. House Appropriations Committee meets to consider House Bill 938
(Evankovich-R-Allegheny) exempting steel slag from the definition of waste under Act 97
(sponsor summary). Room 140. Off the Floor.
May 8-- NEW. House Transportation Committee meets to consider House Bill 603 (Metzgar-R-
Bedford) exempting heavy duty natural gas-fueled vehicles from weight limits (sponsor
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summary). Room 205 Ryan Building. Off the Floor.
May 8-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning Steering Committee meeting.
Room 105 Rachel Carson Building, Harrisburg. 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Click Here to register to
listen to the meeting online.
May 9-- NEW. Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee considers the
nomination of Patrick McDonnell to be DEP Secretary. Room 8E-A East Wing. 9:00. Click
Here to watch the hearing live online.
May 9-- CANCELED. DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Rescheduled for
May 30. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, mbrojakows@pa.gov or 717-772-3429. (formal
notice)
May 9-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Carnegie
Municipal Building, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 9-10-- NEW. 3rd Annual PA Solar Summit & Advocacy Day. Harrisburg Midtown Arts
Center, 1110 N. Third Street in Harrisburg.
May 10-- NEW. Senate Transportation Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 431
(Scavello-R-Monroe) increasing fines for littering (sponsor summary). Room 8E-A East Wing.
9:30.
May 10-- House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee holds an information meeting with
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding on budget and other priorities of the agency. Room 60
East Wing. 9:00.
May 10-- NEW. House Local Government Committee meets to consider House Bill 913
(Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by incorporated towns
(sponsor summary), House Bill 914 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of
stormwater fees by boroughs (sponsor summary), House Bill 915 (Everett-R-Lycoming)
providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by first class townships (sponsor summary).
House Bill 916 (Everett-R-Lycoming) providing for the adoption of stormwater fees by Cities of
the Third Class (sponsor summary). Room 205 Ryan Building. 9:30.
May 10-- CANCELED. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting. Rescheduled for May 31.
DEP Contact: Daniel E. Snowden, dsnowden@pa.gov or 717-787-5103. (formal notice)
May 10-- Agenda Posted. 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.
-- Chesapeake Bay Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan Development
-- Chapter 102 Erosion & Sedimentation Control, NPDES Permitting Process Listening Sessions
-- Proposed Draft Policy For Section 410 Water Quality Certification For FERC-Regulated
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Natural Gas Pipeline Projects
-- Comprehensive Environmental Assessment of Proposed Project Impacts For Chapter 105
Water Obstruction And Encroachment Permit Application Technical Guidance
-- Click Here for available handouts.
May 10-- NEW. Game Commission/DEP Banding Of Rachel Carson Building Peregrine Falcon
Nestlings Webcast. 11:00 a.m. to Noon.
May 10-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Fern
Hollow, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
May 11-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. Allentown Public Library, Community
room, 1210 Hamilton St, Allentown. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
May 11-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a hearing on proposed water withdrawal
requests and proposals to amend its fee structure and comprehensive plan for the river basin.
Room 8E-B East Wing State Capitol Building, Harrisburg. 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. SRBC Contact:
Jason Oyler, General Counsel, 717-238-0423 x 1312. (formal notice)
May 11-- Cumberland Conservation Collaborative Preserving Cumberland Countys Rural

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

Mills, Frazer Township, Allegheny County.
May 13-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Lecture By Birds Of Prey Author Pete Dunne. Sanctuarys
Visitor Center Gallery. 2:00.
May 13-- NEW. PHMC Anthracite Heritage Conference. PA Anthracite Heritage Museum,
Scranton. 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
May 15-- DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. HACC Lancaster Campus, East
Building, Room 203, 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
May 16-- NEW. Public Utility Commission public hearings on application to change direction of
Laurel Pipeline. Hearing Room 1, Keystone Building. Harrisburg. 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
May 16-- NEW. Penn State Extension Webinar: Green Infrastructure - Designers Perspective.
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
May 16-- Primary Election Day.
May 16-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. North
Park-Rose Barn, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
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May 17-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. DEP
Contact: Laura Edinger, Environmental Quality Board, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA
17101, 717-772-3277, edinger@pa.gov.
-- Safe Drinking Water Program Fee Increases and Making Other Changes
-- Rulemaking Petition To Reclassify Portions Of The Delaware River
-- Click Here for available handouts
May 17-- CANCELED. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Lee Ann Murray, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8459, 717-705-2693, LeeMurray@pa.gov. (formal notice)
May 17-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission holds a hearing on its draft budget for FY
2018 and water withdrawal requests. Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center, 1112
River Road, Washington Crossing, Bucks County. 1:30. Click Here to use DRBCs online
system to submit comments. (formal notice)
May 18-- CANCELED. DEP Oil And Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Kurt Klapkowski, 717-783-9438 or send email to:
kklapkowsk@pa.gov. (formal notice)
May 18-- PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council meeting. Location TBD. 1:00.
May 18-- NEW. PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals P2E2 Roundtable meeting. Weis
Markets Headquarters, 1000 S. Second St., Sunbury. 8:30 a.m. to Noon.
May 18-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Boyce
Park-Activity Center, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 18-- Brandywine Conservancy Take Care Of Your Woods For The Future Workshop.
Brandywine Museum, 1 Hoffmans Mill Road in Chadds Ford, Delaware County. 6:30 to 8:30
p.m.
May 18-- PennTAP Developing An Energy Baseline For Complex Facilities Webinar. Noon to
1:00 p.m.
May 19-21-- PA Outdoor Writers Association Spring Conference. Harrisburg/Hershey Holiday

Inn Grantville, Dauphin County. Click Here for more information.
May 20-- PA Wild Resources Educator Symposium. Frick Environmental Center, 2005
Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30.
May 20-- Foundation For Sustainable Forests Loving The Land Through Working Forests
Annual Conference. Mercer County.
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May 20-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. Concurrent
Technologies Corporation, Johnstown, Cambria County.
May 20-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Lauri
ann West Community Center, 10:30 to Noon
May 20-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation. Highmark Walk For A Healthy Community.
Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg.
May 20-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Money Does Grow On Trees Workshop. Grey
Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pike County. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 20-- Brodhead Creek Watershed Assn. Get Outdoors Poconos Hike To Lacawac Lake,
Wayne County. 10:00.
May 22-- Environmental Issues Forum. Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and
Conservation Committee to hear a presentation on Pennsylvanias pollinator population and
emerging threats to agriculture and the beekeeping industry. Pollinators play a significant role in
the production of fruit and vegetables. Room 8E-A East Wing Capitol Building. Noon.
May 22-- NEW. House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on natural gas production
severance tax. Room 418. 10:00.
May 22-- DEP public meeting on IESI Blue Ridge Landfill Expansion in Greene Twp, Franklin
County. Greene Township Building located at 1145 Garver Lane, Scotland. 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
DEP Contact: John Oren, joren@pa.gov or 717-705-4706.
May 23-- Location Added. DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. City of Chester
(Delaware County). Chester City Hall Council Chambers, 1 Fourth St., Chester. 5:00 to 7:00
p.m.
May 23-- NEW. DEP public meeting On IESI Landfill expansion permit. Saucon Valley High
School Auditorium, at 2100 Polk Valley Road, Hellertown, Northampton County. 6:00 to 9:00
p.m. DEP Contact: Colleen Connolly, DEP Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre, 570-826-2035.
May 24-- PA Green & Healthy Schools Partnership. PA Green & Healthy Schools Forum with
PA Envirothon. University of Pittsburgh Campus-Johnstown .
May 24-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. South
Park-Buffalo Inn, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
May 25-- Location Added. DEP Environmental Justice Listening Session. Fairmount Water
Works, 640 Water Works, Dr., Philadelphia. 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
May 27-- NEW. CBF-PA Susquehanna River Student Canoe Classic. Shanks Mare Outfitters,
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Wrightsville, York County.
May 30-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Mark Brojakowski, mbrojakows@pa.gov or 717-772-3429.
(formal notice)
May 31-- 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. (formal notice)
June 1-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Phipps Garden Center, Allegheny
County. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
June 2-- NEW. House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on natural gas production
severance tax. Abington School District Administrative Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington,
Montgomery County. 10:00.
June 3-9-- Schuylkill River Sojourn.
June 5-- PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning Steering Committee public
input session. Location and time to be announced.
June 5-8-- Air & Waste Management Association Annual Conference. Pittsburgh.
June 6-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. 14th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5599 or send email
to: dheimbach@pa.gov.
June 6-- CANCELED. 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
June 7-- DEP Coastal Zone Advisory Committee meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room,
Rachel Carson Building. 9:30. DEP Contact: Stacey Box, 717-772-5622 or send email to:
sbox@pa.gov.
June 7-- DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. Room 206, Bureau of
Laboratories Building, 2575 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg. 9:00. DEP Contact: Aaren Alger,
aaalger@pa.gov or 717-346-7200.
June 7-- DCNR PA Trails Advisory Committee Public Forum. Murrysville Community Center,
3091 Carson Ave, Murrysville, Westmoreland County. 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
June 8-- 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.
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(formal notice)
June 8-- PA Resources Council Allegheny County Backyard Composting Workshop. Phipps
Garden Center, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
June 14-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission business meeting on its draft budget for FY
2018 and water withdrawal requests. Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center, 1112
River Road, Washington Crossing, Bucks County. 10:30. (formal notice)
June 14-- PA Environmental Council Environmental Partnership Awards Dinner. Crystal Tea
Room, 100 East Penn Square, Philadelphia. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
June 15-- DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson
Building, Harrisburg. 9:15. DEP Contact: Kirit Dalal, kdalal@pa.gov or 717-772-3436. (formal
notice)
June 17-18-- NEW. Intro To Backpacking In Tracy Ridge Wilderness Allegheny National
Forest. Warren County.
June 17-23-- Registration Open. 2017 Delaware River Sojourn.
June 18-23-- Registration Open. Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp. Messiah
College, Grantham, Cumberland County.
June 19-22-- NEW. Jennings Environmental Education Center Experiencing Your Environment
Through Conservation Youth Camp - Grades 10 to 12. Butler County.
June 20-- 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.
June 20-- NEW. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.
10:00. DEP Contact: Lee Ann Murray, Citizens Advisory Council, P. O. Box 8459, Harrisburg,
PA 17105-8459, 717-705-2693, LeeMurray@pa.gov.
June 21-- DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Operators meeting. 10th
Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Cheri Sansoni,
717-772-5158, csansoni@pa.gov.
June 21-22-- PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference. Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel
and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre. Click Here for more information.
June 24-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. Quaker Valley High
School, Leetsdale, Allegheny County.
74
June 28-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. 9:00. DEP Contact: Dawn Heimbach, 717-772-5556 or daheimbach@pa.gov.
July 12-- SRBC, DEP Water Loss Management Training For Drinking Water Systems: Metering
and Billing Operations. SRBC, 4423 N. Front Street, Harrisburg. 8:30 to 3:30.
July 22-- PA Resources Council. Household Chemical Collection Event. Consol Energy Park,
Washington County.
July 29-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event. La Roche College,

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

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

College.
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEPs eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
February 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 740
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (Feb. 2017) - DEP webpage
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review

Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
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Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
Note: The Environmental Education Workshop Calendar is no longer available from the PA
Center for Environmental Education because funding for the Center was eliminated in the FY
2011-12 state budget. The PCEE website was also shutdown, but some content was moved to
the PA Association of Environmental Educators' website.
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle
Grants & Awards
This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other
recognition programs. NEW means new from last week.
May 9-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Grants
May 12-- DEP PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program
May 12-- CFA Solar Generating Equipment Loans
May 12-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
May 12-- CFA Solar Energy Program
May 12-- CFA High Performance Building Program
May 12-- NEW. Sustain PHL Sustainability Awards
May 14 NEW. Share Your Opinions - Take Get Outdoors PA Usage Survey
May 18-- DCNR Volunteer Fire Company Wildfire Fighting Grants
May 26-- PennAg Industries College Scholarships
May 31-- CFA Act 13 Water-Related, Recreation Grants
May 31-- Abandoned Mine Land Programs Assn. College Scholarship
May 31-- PROP/Keystone SWANNA Waste Watcher Recognition Program
June 1-- DEP Vehicle Fleet Owner Alternative Fuels Technical Assistance Program
June 1-- South Mountain Mini-Grants To Promote, Conserve Natural Resources
June 1-- Grow Pittsburgh Community Gardens Sustainability Fund
June 2-- Great American Cleanup Of PA Video Contest
June 4-- Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute For Youths 13-15
June 5-- NRCS PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Restoration Grants
June 10-- PA Horticultural Society Gardening & Greening Contest
June 20-- EPA Clean Diesel National Grants
June 30-- Susquehanna Greenways Partnership 2017 Photo Contest
June 30-- NEW. State Fire Commissioner Emergency Response Grants Related To Gas Wells
July 7-- ARIPPA Mine Reclamation Mini-Grants
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July 14-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
July 14-- CFA Solar Energy Program
July 14-- CFA High Performance Building Program
August 18-- SBA Flood Disaster Economic Injury Assistance In Northcentral PA
September 5-- SBA Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Economic Injury NC PA
September 7-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Thru The Seasons Photo Contest
September 15-- CFA Renewable Energy-Geothermal & Wind Funding
September 15-- CFA Solar Energy Program
September 15-- CFA High Performance Building Program
September 30-- DEP Recycling Performance Grants
October 31-- PA Resources Council Lens On Litter Photo Contest
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get
financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from
DCNR.
Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General
Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily
Blog, Twitter Feed and add us to your Google+ Circle.
Air
Kummer: CA Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over Philly Ozone Levels
Experts: Asthma At Epidemic Levels In Western PA Schools
Alternative Fuels
Pittsburgh To Add Electric Vehicles To City Fleet By Year End
Crable: Lancaster Transit To Replace Half Its Fleet With Hybrid Buses
Former Keystone Biofuels Executives Indicted In Alleged $10M EPA Fraud
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
Budget
Letter: Growing Greener Program In Dire Need Of Funds
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AP: April Tax Collections Bring More Bad News For Pennsylvania
Thompson: State Revenue In April Missed Revenue Estimate By $537 Million
PA Faces $1.2 Billion Budget Hole, April Revenues Fall Short By $537M
Esack: PAs Deficit Growing As Fiscal Year Winds Down
Chesapeake Bay
Climate
Wolf, 11 Other Governors Urge Trump To Stay In Paris Climate Pact
Coal Mining
Coal Miners-Turned-Coders Inspire Western PA Educators
Benedum Foundation Funds The Future Through Training Initiatives
Consol Posts Loss, Kicks Sales Into High Gear
Funds Needed For Huber Breaker Historic Marker
Anonymous Donor Makes Huber Coal Breaker Marker A Reality
Coal Jobs Prove Lucrative, But Not For Those In The Mines
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Environmentalists, Coal Companies Rally Around Clean Coal Tech
EPA Chief: U.S. Needs Coal To Protect Electric Grid
Dams
American Rivers Outlines Marianna Dam-Removal Project
Editorial: Risks Too Great To Keep Marianna Dam Intact
DEP Explores Options For The Rock & Kernsville Dam In Berks County
Deep Mine Safety
AP: Federal Mine Safety Agency Warns About Miners Working Alone
Delaware River
Drinking Water
Drought
Droughts Waterloo? Strong Storms, Heavy Rain Due
Economic Development
Natural Gas Official Sees Upsurge Signs
Benedum Foundation Funds The Future Through Training Initiatives
Coal Miners-Turned-Coders Inspire Western PA Educators
One City In PA Poised To Crush In 21st Century: Pittsburgh
Education
Philadelphia Science Festival Delights Thousands
Emergency Response
Wolf Requests Federal Disaster Aid For March Snowstorm
Storms, Strong Winds Cause Widespread Damage In Northcentral PA
Volunteer Fire Companies Fight Shortage Crisis
Energy
PSE&G Warns Shutting Down Nuclear Plants Could Mean Higher Electric Bills
Crable: Peach Bottom Nuke Plant Gets Good Report Card, Meeting Planned
Legere: PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Looks For Balance Between Consumer, Utilities
PPL Residential Rates To Jump 14 Percent
PECO Seeks $21.7M Rate Increase In Transmission Charge
80
Editorial: We Want Your Thoughts On Which Energy Sources Make Sense For PA
Talen Energy Looking To Cut More Jobs
Environmentalists, Coal Companies Rally Around Clean Coal Tech
States Role In The Trump-Era Energy Revolution
Trump Looks Past Energy Independence To Global Dominance
Trumps Arctic Drilling Plan Challenged By Environmental Groups
Energy Conservation
Environmental History
Anthracite Heritage Conference May 13 In Scranton
Funds Needed For Huber Breaker Historic Marker
Anonymous Donor Makes Huber Coal Breaker Marker A Reality
Environmental Justice
Farming
Crable: Farmer Meets With Trump As Part Of Roundtable At White House
Growing Future Farmers, Ag Education Important
Hearing Wednesday On Urban Farming In Erie
Flooding
Drained Batteries Might Have Led To Floodgate Failure In Pittsburgh
Residents Question Wyoming Valley Levee Fee Increase
AP: 40 Years After Flood, Former Robindale Residents Reunite
Forests
Tree Commission May Take Root In Penn Hills
Landscape Designer Plants Idea For Tree Program In Penn Hills
Crews Battling Brush Fire In Northeast Philly
Geologic Hazards
Scranton Concerned Over Responsibility For Backyard Sinkholes
GIS
Kummer: Find Out Where All PAs Mines, Streams, Hazardous Waste Sites Are
Hazardous Site Cleanup
EPA To Update Public On Superfund Site Cleanup In Quakertown Thursday
EPA: Capping Of Former Richland Twp Dump To Begin Mid-June
Lake Erie
Land Use Planning
Crable: Concerns Over Protected Wetlands, Historic Farmhouse In Lancaster
81
Land Conservation
Litter/Illegal Dumping
Mine Reclamation
Oil & Gas
Registry Will Study Health Impact From Living Near Shale Gas Wells
PA Supreme Court Wont Hear Amwell Drilling Case In Washington County
Murrysville OKs Long-Debated Fracking Ordinance
Natural Gas Official Sees Upsurge Signs
Consol Posts Loss, Kicks Sales Into High Gear
Carr: Noble Energy Sells Marcellus Shale Holdings In Region
Plunging Oil Prices Weigh On Stocks
Gasoline Prices Appear Poised To Drop Again In Pittsburgh
Permitting
DEP Has New Tool To Speed Up Construction Permit Process
Pipelines
County
Radiation Protection
PSE&G Warns Shutting Down Nuclear Plants Could Mean Higher Electric Bills
Crable: Peach Bottom Nuke Plant Gets Good Report Card, Meeting Planned
82
Recreation
The Alle-Kiski-Connie Rivers Sojourn Turns 20
Pennsylvania Believes In Paddling
Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Campaign Dangles Bruno Mars Tix To Help Fund Phillys Rail Park
Philly Council Member Introduces Bill To Maintain Schuylkill River Trail Funding
Pittsburgh Wont Install Bike Lane, Reviews Trail Connection
Recycling/Waste
Renewable Energy
Group Seeks To Build Solar Array At Shuttered Shenango Coke Works
Whats Stopping Philly From Reaching Its Solar Energy Goal
Allegheny Front: Why Solar Eclipsed Coal In Jobs
Resource Recovery Facilities
Go Green Initiative, Covanta Partners With Chester Upland On Family Summit, Carnival
Sustainability
One City In PA Poised To Crush In 21st Century: Pittsburgh
Wastewater Facilities
Pittsburghs Sewage Overflow Season Starts
Sewage Rates Could Rise For Lower Allegheny Valley
Scranton Council Wants Auditor General To Review Sewer System Sale
Auditor General Cant Audit Scranton Sewer System Sale Without A Request From The
Authority
Watershed Protection
Pittsburghs Sewage Overflow Season Starts
American Rivers Outlines Marianna Dam-Removal Project
Trout Unlimited Restores Native Brook Trout To Aquetong Creek In New Hope
Wildlife
83
Schneck: Free Fishing Skills Clinics For Families Begin Saturday
Kids, Parents Learn New Skills During Family Fishing Day At Harrison Hills Park
Trout Unlimited Restores Native Brook Trout To Aquetong Creek In New Hope
Crable: Time To Embrace Catfish In Lower Susquehanna River?
Schneck: 21 Species Of Snakes In PA, 3 Of Them Venomous
West Nile/Zika Virus
West Nile Virus Found In Mosquitoes Collected In Cressona
Federal Policy
AP: Federal Mine Safety Agency Warns About Miners Working Alone
States Move To Roll Back Environmental Rules In Trumps Wake
Trumps First 100 Days On Energy, Environment
23 Environmental Rules Rolled Back In Trumps First 100 Days
Editorial: Trump Begins Slow Rollback Of Environmental Regulations
Trump Willing To Consider Raising Gasoline Tax To Fund Infrastructure Plan
States Role In The Trump-Era Energy Revolution
Trump Looks Past Energy Independence To Global Dominance
Trumps Arctic Drilling Plan Challenged By Environmental Groups
Coal Jobs Prove Lucrative, But Not For Those In The Mines
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
The Public Utility Commission formally published notice of proposed changes to its Chapter 59
regulations regarding standards for changing a customers natural gas supplier for public
84
comment (page 2614)
Pennsylvania Bulletin - May 6, 2017
Sign Up For DEPs eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit
applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and
regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
DEP Regulations In Process

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
February 2017 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 740
Technical Guidance & Permits
Note: DEP published 50 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and
approval/ disapproval actions in the May 6 PA Bulletin - pages 2623 to 2673.
DEP published notice in the May 6 PA Bulletin of the proposed annual Air Monitoring Network
Plan for Philadelphia for public comment.
The Fish and Boat Commission published formal notices in the May 6 PA Bulletin on additions
to the list of Class A Wild Trout Waters, additions and removals from the list of Wild Trout
Streams, proposed additions and revisions to the list of Wild Trout Streams July 2017 and
proposed changes to the list of Class A Wild Trout Waters July 2017.
The Game Commission published notice in the May 6 PA Bulletin of changes to the Deer
Management Assistance Program to allow applications from political subdivisions and
government agencies.
DEP Technical Guidance In Process

Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (Feb. 2017) - DEP webpage
85
Other DEP Proposals For Public Review
Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Visit DEPs Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities. Click Here to sign
up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
Click Here for links to DEPs Advisory Committee webpages.
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
CLICK HERE To View Or Print Entire PA Environment Digest
CLICK HERE to Print The Entire PA Environment Digest. This Digest is 86 pages long.
Stories Invited
Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or
programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com.
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 14 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 May 8, 2017

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Pa Environment Digest May 8, 2017

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Winner Of PA Association of Environmental Educators

PA Environment Digest Daily Blog Twitter Feed

Issue #671 Harrisburg, PA May 8, 2017

Senate Environmental Committee To Consider Nomination Of Patrick McDonnell To Be

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming), Majority Chair of the Senate

In a letter dated April 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection

EQB To Consider Safe Drinking Water Fee Increases At May 17 Meeting

Bill On Senate Calendar Would Prevent Funding Crisis In Recycling Program

Legislation now on the Senate Calendar for action when it

Legislation introduced last week by Sen. John Yudichak

The Growing Greener Coalition, the largest coalition of

Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) Friday announced he will be introducing

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

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

Bills Pending In Key Committees

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

End Natural Gas Drilling Moratorium: Senate Resolution 104 (Bartolotta-R-Washington)

Certification Of Deep Mine Medical Responders: House Bill 1341 (Pyle-R-Armstrong)

News From The Capitol

Lawmakers, State Agencies, Industry Discuss Forest Products Industry Opportunities

More than two dozen lawmakers and industry leaders

Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) introduced Senate Resolution 104

News From Around The State

PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Plan Implementation Steering Committee Meets May 8

The PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Planning

By Donna Morelli, Chesapeake Bay Journal

On the day of the inspection of the 350 acres he

(Reprinted from the May 2 Chesapeake Bay Journal.)

Area high school students are invited to paddle for fun

If left unchecked, stormwater can add pollutants

Brubaker Run Floodplain Restoration Public-Private Project In Lancaster County

Oak Tree Development Group, a Lancaster-based

Call For Abstracts: Joint Stormwater Management Summit Nov. 13-14

Adopt-A-Passive Treatment System Volunteer Training A Success At Slippery Rock

On March 26, a brand new group of volunteers were

The April edition of The Catalyst newsletter is now

Penn State Extension May 16 Webinar: Green Infrastructure-Designers Perspective

Penn State Extension Community Forestry Management will

May Newsletter Now Available From LandStudies

PA Section American Water Works Assn. Highlights Upcoming Training Courses

By Harry Campbell, PA Office Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Keep PA Beautiful, Local Affiliates Recognize Outstanding Volunteers, Groups

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its local affiliates recently

Keep PA Beautiful Report On Partner, Affiliate Accomplishments In 2016

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday

The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority Household

PRC Launches 2017 Hard-To-Recycle Collection Events In Allegheny County May 13

The PA Resources Council and its partners will host

May Newsletter Now Available From PA Resources Council

The May newsletter is now available

DEP To Host May 23 Meeting On Landfill Expansion In Northampton County

Department of Environmental Protection Thursday announced it will host a public meeting to

Wolf, DEP Announce $2 Million+ In Mosquito Control Grants To 30 Counties

Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Environmental

U.S. Dept. Of Education Names Green Ribbon Schools, 2 In PA

The U.S. Department of Education Thursday released

Weis Markets Sunbury Hosts PAEPs P2E2 Roundtable Meeting May 18

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals

SustainPHL Seeking Nominations For 2017 Sustainability Awards

SustainPHL is now accepting nominations for its

Six Middletown, Delaware County residents on Friday

By Jeff Mulhollem, College of Agricultural Sciences