Pa Environment Digest October 11, 2010

PA Environment Digest
An Update On Environmental Issues In

PA
Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award
Harrisburg, Pa October 11, 2010
House Misses Bus On Transportation Funding, No Severance Tax In Sight
It was another tough week for House Democratic Leadership.

After failing to move any transportation funding bill, House
Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) finally announced
Wednesday there are no further voting session days between now
and the November 2 election in spite of a number of outstanding
issues still being discussed with the Senate including a Marcellus
Shale natural gas severance tax, pension reform and an
independent fiscal office.
Transportation Funding
After a tumultuous House Democratic Caucus and two meetings of the House
Transportation Committee this week, Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), Majority Chair of the
House Appropriations Committee, the Committee ended up amending a transportation bill--
Special Session House Bill 8, but didn't report it to the floor for a vote.
Rep. Evans said he would take up the bill again when the House returns to session on
November 8, after the election. Unfortunately for him, nothing will happen on the issue because
the Senate said they are not coming back after the election to act on legislation.
Severance Tax
The Senate this week said the bill the House sent them with the Marcellus Shale
severance tax was unconstitutional and they didn't think they had another legislative vehicle
handy to push their version of the severance tax back to the House next week.
In fact, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scranati (R-Jefferson) requested a legal
opinion from the Legislative Reference Bureau to back up his claims on constitutionality.
Meetings between Senate and House staff and the Department of Environmental
Protection on several related issues the Senate wants to hook to the severance tax-- coal-gas well
spacing, local government preemption and certain enforcement and inspection provisions-- went
basically no where.
While acknowledging the constitutional questions with the bill sent to the Senate by the
House, Gov. Rendell Friday called on Senate and House leaders to meet on Monday to hash out
a compromise on the severance tax. Senate Republican politely said they are returning to session
on Tuesday and expect to get an opinion on the legal issues from the Legislative Reference
Bureau at that time.
Without another legislative vehicle in hand, and with little coming of discussions so far,
it's difficult to see how the Senate and House can reconcile their differences on the severance tax
and meet their written commitments to act on a proposal.
Solar Energy
Another priority of Gov. Rendell, increasing the solar energy mandate in the Alternative
Energy Portfolio Standards, was added to yet another bill-- House Bill 2693 (Baker-R-Tioga)--
by the House Consumer Affairs Committee this week.
As with the same proposal in the Senate last week, this one isn't going anywhere either.
NewsClips: Governor Wants Columbus Day Meeting To Hammer Out Severance Tax
Rendell Calls For Summit On Marcellus Shale Tax
Rendell Wants Lawmakers To Return For Marcellus Shale Tax
Senate Leaders Refuse Call For Holiday Session On Shale Gas Tax
House Adjourns For Elections, Leaving Items Unsettled
Rendell Urges Action On Marcellus Shale Tax
Natural Gas Tax Delayed In PA Senate
Severance Tax Bill Criticized For Skimpy Aid To Shale Area
Tax For Infrastructure Considered For Marcellus Drilling
PA Severance Tax, Too High Or Just Right?
Split Decisions On Natural Gas Tax
Drillers Split On Severance Tax
Legislators Worry About Severance Tax Levy
Luzerne Officials Seek Gas Extraction Tax
Op-Ed: House Took First Step On Marcellus Tax, Now It's Up To Senate
John Baer: House Dems' Take On Shale Tax Is Creepy, Kooky
Editorial: Senate Clock Ticks For Marcellus Shale Tax
Editorial: Taxing Marcellus
Editorial: Gas Tax's Fate Tied To Cash
Governor's Race: Transportation
Related Stories
CBF: Senate Inaction On Severance Tax Could Cost PA Taxpayers Billions To Cleanup Water
PA Environmental Council Urges Senate To Meet Its Commitment And Pass Severance Tax
Gov. Rendell Urges Senate Action On Severance Tax
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CBF: Senate Inaction On Severance Tax Could Cost PA Taxpayers Billions To Cleanup
Water
Matthew Ehrhart, Pennsylvania Office Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, sent this
letter to all members of the Senate Friday saying if they don't meet their commitment to pass a
Marcellus Shale natural gas severance tax in time to cleanup Pennsylvania's rivers and streams, it
will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers billions of dollars.
Dear Senator:
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, on behalf of our 16,800 members across Pennsylvania, asks
that you fulfill the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s commitment to pass a Severance Tax. We
urge you to pass a bill that provides the Environmental Stewardship Fund with level of support
similar to Senate Bill 1155 as passed by the House.
This funding is critical to Pennsylvania’s ability to meet our obligations to the Federal
Clean Water Act and Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. Senate inaction on the natural gas
Severance Tax could cost Pennsylvania billions of dollars.
Two weeks ago the EPA published its draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), or
pollution budget, for the Chesapeake Bay States. They said very clearly that Pennsylvania’s
draft plan to improve water quality to meet that TMDL was woefully inadequate, primarily
because there was no documentation that the STRATEGIES and RESOURCES necessary to
implement PA’s plan were available.
If the Commonwealth cannot improve its draft plan to demonstrate with reasonable
assurance that implementation is possible, EPA clearly identified how it would use its legal
authority.
In the absence of satisfactory assurance of implementation of the non-point source
pollution controls for agriculture and suburban runoff, EPA has the authority and will require
limit of technology upgrades at wastewater treatment plans and they will dramatically increase
the requirements of the MS4 stormwater permits held by many of our local communities.
These actions will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers billions of dollars if we cannot provide a
plan and resources to provide cost effective controls on our non-point sources of pollution.
Adequate resources in the Environmental Stewardship Fund is a critical component to
provide EPA with the reasonable assurance that the Federal Clean water Act Requires. These
resources are also critical to deal with impaired water resources throughout the Commonwealth.
A responsible Severance Tax is a keystone to building a plan that EPA will accept and
avoiding tremendously costly upgrades to our wastewater infrastructure.
Please keep the commitment that was made this summer to pass legislation enabling a
Severance Tax.
Related Stories
PA Environmental Council Urges Senate To Meet Its Commitment And Pass Severance
Tax
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council sent this message to all Senators urging them to keep
their written commitment to pass a Marcellus Shale natural gas severance tax to fund
disappearing environmental programs--
With the last three days of voting session coming up next week, the Pennsylvania Environmental
Council urges all Senators to meet their commitment to pass a responsible natural gas severance
tax to help fund disappearing environmental programs like Growing Greener.
A reasonable severance tax will provide much-needed revenue to the State’s popular and
effective “Growing Greener” environmental funding program that is now all but out of money to
support vital and mandated environmental restoration programs.
A reasonable severance tax will also provide strong support for the General Fund, local
and county governments where gas drilling is taking place, State wildlife management agencies,
county conservation districts and other environmental purposes.
In talking with many of you over the last several months, we appreciate your dedication
to ensuring that environmental program funding is a primary component of any severance tax;
but now is time for the Senate to act on this once in a generation opportunity to support effective
environmental programs like Growing Greener.
The House of Representatives has fulfilled its promise by approving a severance tax
proposal.
Without action, Growing Greener will all but disappear, 19,000 miles of Pennsylvania's
rivers and streams will remain polluted, and we will have lost an amazing opportunity to meet
the mandate of Pennsylvania's Constitution:
The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural,
scenic, historic and ethic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are
the common property of all of the people, including generations yet to come. As trustees of these
resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.
(Article I, Section 27).
Related Stories
Gov. Rendell wrote to Senate leaders this week and urged them to deliver on their promise to
enact a severance tax on natural gas extraction this fall.
While acknowledging the constitutional questions with the bill sent to the Senate by the
House, Gov. Rendell Friday called on Senate and House leaders to meet on Monday to hash out
a compromise on the severance tax. Senate Republican politely said they are returning to session
on Tuesday and expect to get an opinion on the legal issues from the Legislative Reference
Bureau at that time.
Here's a copy of the letter sent by the Governor to the Senate earlier in the week--
Dear Senators:
A week ago the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted to impose a severance tax on
natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania. Since that time, in spite of the expressed commitment made
by the you in the fiscal code, your comments, and those made by your staff, do not offer a shred
of evidence that you have any intention of living up to this commitment you made to put the
severance tax to a vote in the Senate before you adjourn the session.
Although the House believes the bill that passed imposes a tax at a fair and reasonable
rate, I recognize that you may want to make changes to their taxing approach. However, in the
last seven days you have not made a counter offer to the House tax rate, tax approach or their
defined uses of the new revenues. Your failure to make a counter offer seems to suggest that you
are more interested in running out the clock than living up to your public commitment to impose
a tax on this industry.
I understand that in your estimation, the bill passed by the house is inherently flawed. I
am certain there are ways to resolve the problems associated with the bill or its construct. What's
important here is that the House lived up to its end of the bargain and passed a tax bill for your
consideration. It's now time for you to make the next move to bring this matter to a close and say
what you believe makes sense on the specifics of rate, approach and the use of the funds.
Obviously, the final severance bill must be drafted to survive a legal challenge. And, I
know that when your chamber wants to get something done, you figure out how to do so. Thus I
write today to urge you to put your counter offer on the table this week and to begin to work in
earnest and with a sense of urgency to reach an agreement on a bill that can pass out of your
chamber before you adjourn next week, that the House will support, and if sent to my desk, I will
sign.
I am not interested in being party to bickering over vehicles or flawed statutory
constructs. Neither are the people of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's roads, water ways and other
state and local infrastructure are being overburdened by the expansion of natural drilling. The
time has come for these companies to stop taxing our resources and challenging our environment
and instead for us to tax them and apply these new revenues to improve our communities and
protect our environment.
Every day that goes by when these companies are drilling in our state untaxed is another
day that our citizens are paying for the escalating cost imposed on us by these companies while
they profit from our natural resources.
Let's get to work now and get this done.
Related Stories
DEP Publishes Final NPDES Permit Fee Increase Worth $5.3 Million
The Environmental Quality Board published final regulations this weekend that will provide the
Department of Environmental Protection with about $5.3 million a year to support its NPDES
water quality permit program.
The Environmental Quality Board and the Department of Environmental Protection have
finalized or proposed permit fee increases for DEP totaling about $24.7 million over the last year
to help offset the dramatic cuts in the agency's General Fund budget.
Last July the EQB finalized changes to permit fees for Marcellus Shale natural gas
drilling applications to increase revenue from about $935,000 a year to $8.4 million for FY
2009-10.
The increase in the NPDES water quality permit fee increased revenue from about
$750,000 annually to about $5 million. In addition to increasing permit review fees, the agency is
also imposing an annual permit administration fee for the first time.
The new NPDES fees will have an impact on 5,000 industrial and public wastewater
treatment systems across the state as well as about 5,000 applicants applying for NPDES General
Permits.
Regulation changes finalized in August to Chapter 102 Erosion and Sedimentation
regulations increased application fees to yield about $7.3 million annually instead of about
$635,000. Much of the increase-- about $5 million- was supposed to go to county conservation
districts which perform this permit review work, however DEP has since said it plans to take the
bulk of the fees to make up for budget cuts.
Other fee changes finalized or proposed this last year include--
-- Finalized Laboratory Accreditation fees increased from $500,000 to $1.6 million;
-- Proposed Air Quality fee increases from $20.2 million to $24.4 million;
-- Proposed Non-Coal Mining permit fee increases in June from $25,000 to over $2.5 million;
-- Proposed Beneficial Use Of Coal Ash Fees to raise $75,000;
-- Proposed new fees for the administration of the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act that
will raise $82,250 annually; and
-- On October 12 the EQB considered proposed permit fee increases for the surface coal mining
program that will increase revenue from $50,000 to $400,000.
For more information, visit the Environmental Quality Board webpage.
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Senate/House Agenda/Session 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--
Session Schedule
The last voting session days of the year and for this legislative session for the Senate are
scheduled for the coming week. Any legislation not given final action by the Senate and then the
House will die and have to be reintroduced in the new session.
Senate Session
October 12, 13, 14
Change: November 18 changed to November 17 (Ceremonial Session to Elect an Interim
President Pro Tempore)
House Session
November 8, 9, 10, 15, 16
Calendars
Senate (October 12): Senate Bill 1379 (Musto-D-Luzerne) requiring the recycling of college
textbooks; Senate Bill 1422 (D.White-R-Indiana) authorizing PennVEST to fund non-point
source management projects including specifically urban stormwater projects; House Bill
708 (Ross-R-Chester) requiring electronics recycling funded by industry fees; House Bill
2591 (George-D-Clearfield) authorizing PennVEST to fund non-point source management
projects including specifically urban stormwater projects.
House (November 8): House Bill 80 (Vitali-D-Delaware) expanding the Alternative Energy
Portfolio Standards and authorizing a carbon sequestration network; House Bill 894 (Phillips-R-
Northumberland) establishing a Lyme Disease Task Force and assigning responsibilities to the
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources without funding; House Bill
2405 (DePasquale-D-York) which would increase the solar mandate provisions of the
Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards and provide for carbon sequestration facilities; House
Bill 2619 (Preston-D-Allegheny) further providing for municipal aggregation of electric
generation supply; House Resolution 864 (Mundy-D-Luzerne) memorializing Congress to pass
the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act.
Committees
House: the House Democratic Policy Committee holds three hearings on Marcellus shale
environmental issues in Newtown, Worcester and Phoenixville.
Senate: the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee hears briefing on
Rendell Administration's review of the Office of Homeland Security; the Urban Affairs and
Housing Committee meets to consider House Bill 712 (J.Taylor-R-Philadelphia) further
providing for the creation of urban land banks; the Appropriations Committee meets to
consider House Bill 1394 (Houghton-D-Chester) relating to splitting off farm and forest land
under preferential assessment for alternative energy production.
Bills Introduced
The following bill of interest was introduced this week--
Full-Cost Infrastructure Pricing: Senate Bill 1482 (Musto-D-Luzerne) requiring water and
wastewater systems to develop and implement asset management plans and document progress
toward full-cost pricing.
Gas Mineral Rights Disclosure: Senate Bill 1486 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) further

providing for gas mineral rights lease agreement disclosure and indemnification.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell: House Bill 2503 (Milne-R-Chester) establishing a hydrogen fuel cell
collaboration program in DEP taking $5 million from the General Fund that supports staff and
operating costs for state agencies to finance this program.
On The Governor's Desk
The following bill was given final action by the General Assembly and is now on the Governor's
Desk for action--
Capital Budget: House Bill 2291 (D.Evans-D-Philadelphia) 2010-2011 Capital Budget projects
bill was passed by the House and now goes to the Governor for his action.
Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House--
House
Capital Budget: House Bill 2291 (D.Evans-D-Philadelphia) 2010-2011 Capital Budget projects
bill was passed by the House and now goes to the Governor for his action.
Blight: Senate Bill 900 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) establishing the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation
and Revitalization Act was reported from the House Appropriations Committee and was passed
by the House. It returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote.
“I commend my colleagues in the House for lending a much needed hand to
communities, large and small, impacted by blighted and dilapidated buildings,” Sen. Argall said.
“Blight is an obstacle to breathing new life into our older communities and this legislation will
help tremendously to overcome this barrier.
“This legislation was the dream of my predecessor Senator Jim Rhoades when he first
introduced this bill (Senate Bill 1291) last session, as well as the goal of the Blight Task Force
which he created. Many people have worked long and hard to reach this day and I am very
pleased that this bill is now this close to becoming law,” Sen. Argall added.
NewsClip: House Approves Tough Blight Bill
Borough Electric Purchases: Senate Bill 168 (Brubaker-R-Lancaster) further authorizing

electric purchases by boroughs was reported from the House Appropriations Committee and was
passed by the House. It returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote.
Energy Production On Farmland: Senate Bill 298 (Yaw-R-Bradford) amends the Farmland
and Forest Land Assessment Act to allow the splitting off of preserved farm and forest lands
used for alternative energy systems and natural gas and coal bed methane was recommitted to,
amended and reported from the House Appropriations Committee and was passed by the House.
It returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote.
Local Government Merger: Senate Bill 1429 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) further providing for the
merger and consolidations of local governments was referred into and out of House
Appropriations Committee, amended on the House Floor and passed by the House. It returns to
the Senate for a concurrence vote.
Pipeline Safety/Solar Share: House Bill 2693 (Baker-R-Tioga) further providing for pipeline
safety was amended to increase the solar energy mandate of the Alternative Energy Portfolio
Standards and reported from the House Appropriations Committee and is now on the House
Calendar for action.
Water Supply Protection From Drilling: House Bill 2213 (George-D-Clearfield) further
providing water supply projection from gas and oil drilling was reported from the House
Appropriations Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.
Biofuels Exemption: Senate Bill 901 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) providing a limited exemption for
small refiners to the biofuels requirement was reported from the House Appropriations
Committee and amended on the House Floor to include fees on businesses handling biofuels. It
remains on the House Calendar for final action.
Pittsburgh RiverLife: House Resolution 964 (Wagner-D-Allegheny) honoring the Pittsburgh

organization RiverLife on its mission to reclaim, restore and promote Pittsburgh's riverfronts was
adopted by the House.
News From The Capitol
House Fails To Adopt Low Sulfur Heating Oil Standard To Save Consumers $86 Million/
Year
The House this week failed to adopt a Clean Heat Initiative to require ultra low sulfur standard to
provide clean-burning heating oil, but moved Senate Bill 901 (Scranati-R-Jefferson) that was the
intended vehicle.
The House did amend the bill to include new taxes on thousands of gas stations and
convenience stores to fund enforcement of the biofuels program and ignored the bigger issue of
requiring clean-burning heating oil with biofuels content.
John Kulik, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers and
Convenience Store Association, said an amendment to Senate Bill 901 that was passed during a
last-minute flurry of legislation debated before the House adjourned for its election recess
imposes new burdens on small businesses and the customers they serve. The amendments would
add another new fee, or tax, on companies that sell diesel fuel in Pennsylvania. Each
convenience store,service station,truck stop or other retail locations would pay an additional
$100 tax, on top of myriad other local, state and federal fees and taxes.
"This tax, which is imposed on distributors and retailers who are required by the state to
sell this kind of fuel, adds more costs to handling the fuel,” said Kulik. "While some might argue
that $100 does not seem like much, for businesses that have multiple locations the tax can
accumulate to thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a tax that they and their customers
will be forced to pay."
An amendment to the bill supported by PA Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store
Association, American Lung Association, Clean Air Council and the biofuels industry in
Pennsylvania, would have put in place a clean heat plan to reduce the sulfur content in home
heating oil in Pennsylvania from as high as 5,000 parts per million (ppm) to 15 ppm and require
a 5 percent biodiesel blend in the fuel that 1.2 million Pennsylvania households rely upon to stay
warm each winter.
This change would save Pennsylvania heating oil users $86 million a year (14 cents a
gallon) by lowering the sulfur content of heating oil and reduce maintenance costs for customers
using the cleaner-burning fuel.
The proposed requirements mirror current national standards for on-road diesel, which is
exactly the same product as home heating oil. And, the plan would bring Pennsylvania in line
with New York, the largest market for heating oil in the United States, and New Jersey, which
this year adopted plans to meet the new standard.
Heating oil and diesel fuel are in the fact the same product and refiners have been making
ultra low sulfur diesel fuel to meet the federal requirements since 2009. Sunoco, a
Pennsylvania-based oil refiner in Marcus Hook, now makes nothing but ultra low sulfur heating
oil and diesel fuel for its customers.
The use of ultra low sulfur fuel will also help the state meet federal mandates of limiting
PM .5 particulate standards and reduces the state's carbon foot print compared to the existing
fuel.
“The House chose to ignore this far-reaching proposal which would have balanced
operating cost savings and enforcement costs and passed the tax increase instead," Kulik said.
"We’re disappointed that the such an important amendment was rammed through the House as
the legislative session is winding down. Our association will oppose passage of Senate Bill 901
in its current form in the event the House takes up the measure on final passage.”
The House is expected to take a final vote on Senate Bill 901 the next time they are in
voting session. The House is not scheduled to be in after the election in the lame duck session.
The Senate is expected to adjourn for the year on October 14 and Senate Republican Leadership
has repeatedly said they will not return after the election in the lame duck session to vote on any
legislation.
For more information, visit the PA Clean Heat Initiative webpage.

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News From Around The State
Many Voluntary Farming BMPs In PA Portion Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed Not

Counted
Several years ago, Don McNutt was surprised when he learned that the state of Pennsylvania
claimed Lancaster County farmers were doing only 4,000 acres of no-till farming in its annual
(Chesapeake) Bay cleanup reports.
In drives along the county's back roads, it seemed clear to McNutt, who heads the
Lancaster County Conservation District, that large numbers of farmers had adopted no-till
practices and stopped plowing their land before planting something that reduces erosion and
phosphorus runoff.
Now, McNutt has data to back up his hunch. His office recently surveyed 379 farmers,
whose operations covered 15.7 percent of the agricultural acreage in the county, and found that
no-till was practiced on more than 34,000 acres. The survey also found more stream buffers and
cover crops than previously reported.
"The numbers pretty much came out where we thought they would," he said. "There is a
significant under-reporting of a lot of good BMPs that the farmers have put in place on their own
nickel."
Conservation measures, known as best management practices or BMPs, are typically
tracked by agencies based on reporting from various programs that help fund measures such as
planting cover crops, installing a streamside buffer or building a manure storage facility.
Efforts not funded through government programs typically go under-reported or not
reported at all. No-till is a prime example. Many farmers have stopped plowing their land in
recent years because of rising fuel costs. Sometimes, they simply borrow the equipment needed
to plant crops without plowing from others, rather than resorting to programs to help buy it.
The problem is likely exacerbated in Lancaster County, with a high population of Amish
and other Plain Sect farmers who don't accept government funding.
Under-reporting BMPs is an issue elsewhere, as well. A survey conducted in
Pennsylvania's Bradford County not only found significant numbers of undercounted farm
BMPs, but also found that many urban stormwater control practices that had gone unreported,
including street sweeping and various stream protection measures.
As many call for more restrictions on farmers to help clean up the Bay, many agricultural
agencies and organizations have countered that farmers are not being fully credited for actions
they have already taken.
The issue of accounting for so-called "voluntary BMPs" has arisen on and off for years.
But it has gained more urgency as the EPA develops a new regulatory cleanup plan, known as a
total maximum daily load. Unlike past plans, states could face penalties if they fail to meet
cleanup goals.
Just about every Bay jurisdiction said in their draft Watershed Implementation Plans
submitted to the EPA in September that they planned to do a better job finding and reporting
previously uncounted BMPs.
"If you take a blind eye to what you are doing on the ground, you are going to get half [of
what you see] as a result," noted John Hines, deputy secretary for water with Pennsylvania's
Department of Environmental Protection, at the September meeting of the Chesapeake Bay
Commission. Because of such undercounting, the state's draft watershed plan says the nutrient
reduction actions credited to Pennsylvania by the Bay Program are only "reflecting a portion of
what is happening on the ground."
"We actually think there are many things that we are going to be able to identify that will
give us credit," agreed Virginia Natural Resources Secretary Douglas Domenech at the same
meeting.
The Virginia General Assembly this year passed legislation requiring agencies to develop
a mechanism to count and track voluntary actions by farmers.
Mark Dubin, an agricultural technical coordinator with the University of Maryland
Extension who works with the Bay Program, agrees that many BMPs go unreported. In addition
to working on Bay issues, he owns and operates a farm in Pennsylvania.
"I am doing things that would be considered BMPs, but there is no opportunity for me to
report what I am doing to the state," he said. "So even if I did want to report it, there is no
mechanism. It requires a bit of retooling on everybody's part to do this."
But there are problems in crediting nutrient and sediment reductions from such voluntary
BMPs, he cautioned. Practices implemented through cost-share programs must meet certain
standards, and technicians must verify that those standards are met.
Practices that don't rely on those programs may not fully meet those standards. For
instance, stream buffers may be narrower, cover crops may not be planted soon enough after
harvest or may use less beneficial species, or no-till may be used only for some crop rotations.
As a result, Dubin said, it's possible that some voluntary BMPs may produce smaller
nutrient reduction benefits, depending on their level of implementation.
"For the most value out of what is going on, there needs to be somebody who has the
training to go out and look at something, and say, 'it meets what we are looking for,'" he said.
"That is going to be part of that ongoing discussion. Who is going to do that? Where are the
resources for doing that type of work?"
On-the-ground inspections can create their own issues, such as raising concerns by some
farmers who are worried about confidentiality.
"When it comes down to doing the survey work, the concern is for trust and
confidentiality," McNutt said. "Are you out here spying? Is my name going to show up in the
newspaper tomorrow?"
But he said those problems can be overcome by working with farmers. During the
county's survey work, he said, technicians found they could get information from farmers as long
as their identities were "scrubbed."
If adequate reporting mechanisms are developed, EPA officials say they are open to
counting those practices toward Bay goals in the future.
"If there are additional efforts out there that are not currently being counted by
somebody, we are interested in looking to get that information on how much further the states
are, or are not, ahead," said Shawn Garvin, administrator of EPA Region III, which includes
most of the Bay watershed.
But, he said, mechanisms need to be in place to verify that those practices are properly
installed, maintained and work. "We are going to be truth-testing all of this stuff."
Garvin noted that what counts toward removing the Bay from the EPA's impaired waters
list is not the number of BMPs on the ground, but an improved Chesapeake. "Ultimately, the
Bay, and the Bay's water quality will tell us how successful all these activities are."
Written by Karl Blankenship and reprinted from Chesapeake Bay Journal October 2010

Fish & Boat Commission Presents Awards During Community Meeting

The Fish and Boat Commission this week formally recognized
several waterways conservation officers, a local district
attorney and four private citizens for their efforts in
investigating a 2009 fatal boating incident on the Susquehanna
River near Lock Haven, Clinton County.
Board President William Worobec formally recognized
Renee Carey, executive director of the Northcentral
Pennsylvania Conservancy, for her work on more than 30
habitat restoration projects in the area. (Photo)
Carey coordinated the projects as part of a team which
included Dave Keller, PFBC area habitat manager, and Jason
Fellon, watershed manager with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Tom Kamerzel, PFBC Director of Law Enforcement, presented the agency’s Top Gun
Award to WCO Thomas Nunamacher and to Clinton County District Attorney Michael
Salisbury, who accepted the award on behalf of his office. The award recognizes an officer’s
outstanding effort during the past year in detecting and apprehending boaters operating under the
influence.
Mr. Kamerzel also presented Outstanding Service Awards to the following individuals
for their assistance with the investigation: WCOs Donald Heiner, Jr., David Decker, Corey
Britcher and Ronald Myers; and citizens Robert Barto, Dennis Miller, Justin Breyerton and
David Lee Masters. WCO Nunamacher and District Attorney Salisbury also were honored with
Outstanding Service Awards.
“The combined efforts of concerned citizens, committed officers and dedicated legal
professionals resulted in the successful prosecution of the charge of homicide by watercraft
while operating under the influence,” said Mr. Kamerzel.
On July 16, John Edward Englert II pleaded "no contest" to numerous criminal charges
filed against him as a result of the July 10, 2009, boating crash. The Mill Hall man pleaded "no
contest" to five criminal counts, including homicide by vehicle while under the influence of
alcohol, two simple assault charges, obstruction of the administration of law, and driving a water
craft while under the influence. The homicide by vehicle charge carries a mandatory minimum
sentence of three years in prison.
Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team Gets Website Upgrade
The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies awarded the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy a
grant of $1,000 for its Website Additions and Revisions project.
The grant was made possible through the Robert Waters Charitable Trust and the
Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and was matched with funds from the Foundation
for Pennsylvania Watersheds.
The Conservancy used these monies to update and integrate the Kiski-Conemaugh
Stream Team’s website with its own. The Stream Team is a program of the Conservancy that
manages a water monitoring program, provides environmental education, implements special
projects, and offers technical assistance to conservation organizations.
Visit the Stream Team’s new website.
Save The Date: Delaware Estuary Science & Environmental Summit Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2011
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will holds its annual Delaware Estuary Science and
Environmental Summit in Camp May, NJ on January 30 to February 2, 2011.
The theme of the conference is "Connections- Land To Sea, Shore to Shore and Science
to Outreach."
This Theme has the goal of creating more effective partnerships among scientists,
outreach specialists, resource managers and others with an interest in the prosperity of the
Delaware Estuary.
The Summit will feature--
-- Over 130 presentations on the latest science, education, and policy topics;
-- Regional focus on the issues that matter to the Delaware Estuary and vicinity.Timely topics
such as Marcellus Shale, emerging contaminants, climate change and other contemporary issues;
-- Special sessions on benthic ecosystems, multiple stressors, and energy, as well as regular
technical sessions devoted to the full range of water, habitat and living resources;
-- Special guest speaker Eric Eckle of Water Words that Work leading hands-on workshops on
communicating controversial topics and developing outreach campaigns with measurable results;
--Plenary presentation by Dr. Jonathan Sharp on long-term trends in environmental conditions;
-- Hands-on workshops showing how to relay complex information using conceptual diagrams
and visual displays;
-- Workshops on how to gain more support for your research/projects through new, easy to use
web tools and social media; and
-- Ample networking and cross pollination opportunities in a retreat-like atmosphere.
For more information, visit the Delaware Estuary Summit webpage.
Follow Ohio River Watershed Celebration-Port Of Pittsburgh Issues On Twitter
Now you can follow issues and events related to the Ohio River Watershed Celebration and Port
of Pittsburgh issues on Twitter and Facebook.
The 9th Annual Port of Pittsburgh-Ohio River Watershed Celebration attracted over 700
people participating in this unique event which consisted of two cruises: the “Imagination
Cruise” on the Empress for students, parents and educators, and the “Networker Cruise” on the
Majestic for adults (18 and over).
This community of interested people now has a better way to keep in touch. Try it and
see!
PEC Announces Winners Of 40th Anniversary Photo Contest
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council recently announced

the winners of its 40th Anniversary Photo Contest showcasing
some spectacular photographs of Pennsylvania landscapes.
The winners in each category include:
Agriculture: Old Red Tractors by Barbara Grace of Simpson,
Pa;
Landscape: October Morning at Two Mile Run by Kimberly Copley-Harris of Franklin, Pa;
People In the Environment: Canal Paddle by Ian Kindle of Upper Black Eddy, Pa;
The Built Environment: Urban Texture by Betsy Manderino of Belle Vernon, Pa; and
Wildlife: Nesting Time by Misha-Linda Spina.
PEC extends a special thanks to Paul G. Weigman of Pittsburgh and Tommy Leonardi of
Philadelphia for judging the contest.
Click here to view all winning photographs.
DEP Fines Marcellus Shale Driller For Illegally Filling Exceptional Value State Forest
Wetland
The Department of Environmental Protection has fined a Marcellus Shale driller $40,000 and
ordered it to correct multiple violations after discovering that the company illegally built an
impoundment on wetlands in Tioga State Forest, jeopardizing an important natural resource.
DEP inspected the Bloss Township, Tioga County, site in March and found Seneca
Resources Corp. of Brookville had filled nearly one acre of “exceptional value” wetland without
authorization, improperly built an impoundment, and caused sediment runoff by failing to
institute erosion control best management practices.
The unauthorized fill in a wetland and sediment runoff were violations of the
Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act.
“Wetlands are highly protected in Pennsylvania for a number of reasons, but largely
because many plant and animal species depend on them for survival,” said DEP North-central
Regional Director Nels Taber. “Beyond that, they improve water quality providing a natural
purification system, add to a healthy environment, and help control flooding. It’s important that
we do everything possible to protect them, that’s why DEP requires a permit before a wetland
can be impacted.”
Exceptional value wetlands receive special protection under DEP’s Chapter 105 Dam
Safety and Waterway Management regulations based on certain characteristics. The wetland that
was improperly filled by Seneca received the classification because it was located along the
Johnson Creek floodplain, a wild trout stream in the Tioga River watershed.
DEP issued an Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit No. 1 to Seneca in
November 2009 so the company could build a fresh water impoundment to store water for use in
hydraulically fracturing Marcellus Shale natural gas wells.
To correct the violations, DEP’s Oil and Gas Program required Seneca to submit a
wetland restoration and mitigation plan.
DEP approved the plan and the wetland restoration is underway. Seneca has removed fill
from the impacted wetland, but not finished final grading or constructed the new, 0.86-acre
exceptional value wetland.

Penn State Animations Show Extent Of Marcellus Shale Development Over 3 Years
The pace and extent of Marcellus Shale development
across Pennsylvania can be seen in animated maps
produced by the Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach
and Research.
Based on data from the Department of
Environmental Protection, the animations show both the
number of drilling permits issued for the Marcellus Shale
target and the number of wells drilled by year from 2007
through August 2010. Although permits were issued prior to 2007, information on those permits
did not include latitude and longitude.
"These animations give people a chance to see how the pace of Marcellus development
has accelerated," said Tom Murphy, co-director of the Marcellus Center and extension educator
with Penn State Cooperative Extension. "When you look at these animations, you are able to
trace where development is occurring and get a sense of the rate at which it is occurring."
The two animations also allow comparison between the number of permits issued and the
actual number of wells drilled.
The animations show that interest in the Marcellus has skyrocketed with just 99 drilling
permits issued in 2007 compared to 2,108 in the first eight months of 2010. A similar surge in
the numbers of wells drilled is also evident. In 2010, through August 31, 950 wells had been
drilled in the Marcellus Shale while in all of 2007, only 43 wells were drilled.
"We expect that the uptick in Marcellus well drilling activity will continue, given the
high production rates being seen in the wells and the relatively low cost to develop this gas
resource," said Michael Arthur, co-director of Penn State's Marcellus Center and professor of
geosciences. "Even with the low natural gas commodity pricing, drilling in the Marcellus can
still be profitable for efficient companies."
The DEP updates its permit and well reports weekly. A separate spreadsheet identifies
Marcellus permits and whether they are for horizontal or vertical wells.
The Marcellus Shale occurs as deep as 9,000 feet below ground surface and covers about
95,000 square miles over six states including Pennsylvania. Its organic carbon-rich, gas-
producing layers range from less than five feet thick to more than 250 feet thick. Estimates are
that the Marcellus has enough recoverable natural gas to supply the entire U.S. for at least 20
years at the current rate of consumption.
The Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research is supported by Penn State Outreach,
Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment and the colleges of Agricultural Sciences
and Earth and Mineral Sciences.
For more information, visit the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research webpage,
send email to: marcellus@psu.edu or call 814-865-1587.
NewsClip: Penn State Has Marcellus Shale Web Tool

State Police Place 208 Trucks Out Of Service During Operation FracNET
The Pennsylvania State Police placed 208 trucks out of service during a three-day enforcement
effort that focused on commercial vehicles hauling waste water from Marcellus Shale natural gas
drilling operations in the state, Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski announced this week.
"Pennsylvania is experiencing heavy truck traffic in areas where Marcellus Shale natural
gas drilling operations are taking place, particularly in Bradford, Clearfield, Susquehanna, Tioga
and Washington counties," Pawlowski said. "The process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking,
requires significant amounts of water to be delivered to the sites and later trucked away."
Pawlowski said 140 of the vehicles placed out of service were trucks hauling waste water
from the drilling operations. The others were trucks being used in support of drilling operations,
or trucks not involved in drilling operations that were traveling roads where the inspections took
place.
In total, 1,135 trucks were inspected during "Operation FracNET," which was conducted
September 27-29. State police Troops B, C, F, P and R participated.
In addition to placing vehicles out of service, state police also issued 959 citations and
placed 64 drivers out of service. The most common problems involved faulty brakes, exterior
lighting issues and hauling permit violations.
During an "Operation FracNET" held June 14-16, troopers placed 250 trucks and 45
drivers out of service and issued 669 citations.
NewsClips: State Police Cracks Down On Drilling Trucks
Drilling Trucks Fail More Tests, State Police Say
State Police Dole Out 959 Citations To Marcellus Trucks
Lycoming College Poll Gauges Opinion On Marcellus Shale In Northcentral PA
According to results of a Lycoming College poll released this week, public opinion is largely
supportive of the development of Marcellus Shale in the region, but there is some concern about
possible negative consequences.
Fifty percent of respondents indicated that the development of Marcellus Shale would be
beneficial to their community, compared to 28 percent who felt its effects would be detrimental
and 22 percent who did not have an opinion. In total, 79 percent of respondents indicated they
followed news about Marcellus Shale somewhat or very closely.
“Marcellus has made big news in the region. We polled likely voters in the 10th
congressional district, which largely overlaps with the Marcellus region in northeast
Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Jonathan Williamson, chair of the Department of Political Science at
Lycoming and director of the College’s Center for the Study of Community and the Economy.
“Respondents were relatively knowledgeable about the issue and more supportive of the
development of natural gas than not.”
Political science students, under the direction of Williamson, surveyed 370 likely voters
from September 26-30 in the 10th congressional district, which extends from Williamsport in the
west to sections of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, excluding the cities of Scranton and
Wilkes-Barre.
When offered a list of possible benefits that might result from the development of
Marcellus Shale in the region, respondents were most optimistic about its potential for the
creation of many new jobs for the region; in total 78 percent felt the creation of many new jobs
was very likely or somewhat likely to occur.
Similarly, 71 percent felt that the natural gas industry would create needed economic
development in the region. Sixty-one percent agreed that natural gas development would be very
likely or somewhat likely to reduce our reliance on foreign sources of energy. Fewer respondents
felt that natural gas development in our region would result in lower energy costs (47 percent) or
lower taxes (33 percent).
“People are most optimistic about the possibilities that Marcellus brings to their local
communities,” said Williamson, “but they are more cautious when asked about the broader
reaching effects.”
When asked whether drilling should be limited or the growth of the industry should be
encouraged, respondents were more divided.
Forty-six percent of respondents agreed with those who felt drilling should be limited
because of threats to the environment, while 37 percent agreed with those who feel growth of the
industry should be encouraged because the economic benefits outweigh the environmental risks.
Seventeen percent of respondents remain undecided on the issue.
Among possible problems created by the growth of the natural gas industry, respondents
expressed the most concern about threats to their water supply, with 57 percent indicating it was
a major concern, and the damage to local roads caused by increased truck traffic, with 56 percent
indicating that as a major concern.
Significant minorities also indicated health risks to those living near well sites (40
percent), risks to the health and beauty of forests (33 percent), jobs not going to local workers
(30 percent), and increasing prices of housing and other necessities (30 percent), as major
concerns.
“Even though respondents are hopeful about the potential benefits of natural gas
development,” said Williamson, “they expressed healthy reservations about the potential
negative consequences as well.”
Respondents were also asked their opinion regarding legislation related to the natural gas
industry currently under consideration in Harrisburg. A plurality (45 percent) supported levying
a severance tax on natural gas, although 37 percent were undecided on the issue and 18 percent
were opposed.
A vast majority (70 percent) of respondents indicated that if a severance tax were levied
most of the money should go to local governments to pay for costs like road maintenance or
public safety that are attributable to the natural gas industry, as opposed using the funds to
balance the state budget deficit, an option supported by only 10 percent of respondents.
The remaining respondents either did not have an opinion on the issue, felt the money
should be divided between the two options, or preferred the revenue to be used in another way.
Respondents were also asked whether they favored proposed legislation that would
require land owners to sign gas leases if the majority of their neighbors had done so. Only 11
percent of respondents favored such pooling legislation, while 56 percent opposed it. One third
of respondents didn’t know enough about the issue to express an opinion.
“The severance tax and pooling legislation has been in the news a lot in recent weeks,”
said Williamson, “but a sizable share of the public still haven’t learned enough about the issues
to take a position. Among those that have, it is notable that most are comfortable with the idea of
a severance tax, but don’t want it to be absorbed into the state’s general fund. The pooling
legislation is unpopular likely because respondents see it as violating their rights to control their
property.”
In sum, 54 percent of respondents had signed a natural gas lease or had someone in their
family or someone else they knew who had done so.
A copy of the poll results is available online.
Hard To Recycle Collection Event In Pittsburgh October 16
The PA Resources Council, Allegheny County and other partners will hold a Hard To Recycle
Collection Event On October 16 at The Mall at Robinson in Pittsburgh on October 16.
Click here for the details. For more information, contact Sarah Alessio Shea of PRC at
412-488-7490 ext. 236 or send email to: saraha@ccicenter.org.
Allegheny County Pharmaceutical Collection Event Set For October 23
The Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force and the PA Resources Council
will hold a pharmaceuticals collection event on October 23 at the Mt. Lebanon Municipal
Building in Allegheny County.
Click here for the details.
College & University Recycling Committee Meets November 16 In Philadelphia
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania will hold the next College and University Recycling
Committee meeting at the University of Pennsylvania on November 16 in Room 1201 of the
Wharton School Steinberg Hall starting at 10:00 a.m.
PROP is extending an invitation to all K-12 schools, hospitals, prisons, and other
institutions who want to learn more about recycling and organics collections and processing as
well as waste minimization and sustainability.
The goal of the Committee is to make meetings a place where institutions can all come
together with challenges and successes and share experiences in order for institutions to help
each other.
The tentative agenda includes a presentation by a Coca-Cola representative, Roundtable
discussion, and CURC meeting. There will also be a presentation by Peninsula Composting and
a tour of Penn’s recycling and organics efforts.
Please RSVP Jan Arnold by sending email to: jarnold@proprecycles.org or
1-800-769-7767 by November 9.
EPA Awards $1.5 Million In Environmental Education Grants, 1 In PA
In an effort to improve environmental literacy and stewardship across the country, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to 14
organizations in 11 states and the District of Columbia, including one grant to Galton Area
School District in Pennsylvania.
The Galeton Area School District received a $119,530 grant for the Potter County
Consortium Water Quality Education Initiative.
Teachers and students will monitor water quality of local streams and rivers to increase
their awareness and knowledge of local threats to the environment. The project also includes the
provision of teacher training in a nationally recognized curriculum (Project Wet) and follow-on
support for teachers in the classroom.
The organizations receiving grants will use the money to fund environmental education
efforts, which work to inform the public of environmental issues and help them make educated
choices on actions they can take to reduce negative environmental impacts.
“Every American community relies on clean air, water and land for their environmental
and economic health. We want to help expand awareness on how they can get involved in
environmental protection,” EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said. ”These grants will help
communities across the country show how a clean environment starts at home.”
For more information, visit EPA's Environmental Education Grants webpage.
Elk County Visitor Center Holds Grand Opening This Week
At the peak of elk viewing season in the

Pennsylvania Wilds, Gov. Rendell this week
officially opened the new Elk Country Visitor
Center. The facility showcases a region known
for its magnificent natural resources, majestic
scenery and many opportunities to get an up-
close view of wildlife.
The 8,420-square-foot green building, nestled on 245 acres owned by the Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, includes interactive interpretive exhibits, wildlife trails and
viewing blinds, year-round restrooms and parking for cars and buses.
"We proposed this center three years ago as one of the first major state investments as
part of our Pennsylvania Wilds initiative, so it's incredibly exciting to see it become a reality,"
Gov. Rendell said. "People from all over the nation and all around the world come to this region
to experience everything it has to offer. This center is now a key destination for those visitors.
It's just another part of what my administration has done to boost tourism and economic
development in the region and teach people the importance of conservation and environmental
stewardship."
The Governor pointed to a report issued earlier this year showing the positive economic
impact of the PA Wilds initiative:
-- From 2004 to 2008, while national park attendance was relatively flat, attendance at the 29
state parks within the Wilds region increased by 3.3 percent per year;
-- From 2002 to 2006, visitor spending within the Pennsylvania Wilds region grew by 6.3
percent per year; and
-- From 2002 to 2007, tourism employment and earnings within the region increased by 0.5
percent and 5.4 percent per year, respectively.
For Elk County, the Governor said the initiative has boosted local revenues through
higher hotel tax receipts, which increased 30 percent from $67,000 in 2005 to $87,000 in 2008.
The visitor center is already very popular. More than 20,000 visitors from 29 states and
six countries have visited it since its "soft opening" in early September.
The facility includes a multimedia theatre complete with fiber optic star ceiling and a
"smoking" campfire to immerse the visitor in the sights, sounds and smells of a mixed hardwood
forest, the natural world of the elk and native wildlife and the heritage of the region.
Web cameras also provide a glimpse of fields and wildlife beyond the viewing range of
the center, and wildlife watching trails and viewing blinds to provide closer encounters for the
more adventurous. The center also has space to accommodate school groups and special
programs.
It also uses the latest green technologies to lessen environmental impact and showcase
innovations in environmental sustainability, with features such as rainwater collection and reuse
systems; night sky-friendly light fixtures; use of locally available materials and certified wood
from sustainably harvested timber; and geothermal heating and cooling. The building is eligible
for LEED "Gold" certification.
The Commonwealth invested $6 million to build the center with another $6 million
coming in the form of private donations and management costs. The Richard King Mellon,
Dominion, and Thoreson foundations; Safari Club International; Eastern Chapter Foundation for
North American Wild Sheep; Grice Gun Shop; and many individual donors made contributions
for the center.
The facility is owned by DCNR and will be operated by the non-profit Keystone Elk
Country Alliance, in conjunction with the department.
"Our intention for this world-class facility is to provide a safe and rewarding elk-
watching experience and engage visitors in educational exhibits that will further their
understanding of elk and their natural habitat," said Rawley Cogan, president and CEO of the
Keystone Elk Country Alliance.
"This center will give us additional opportunities to reach out to new visitors—some 50
million of them in Pennsylvania and its surrounding states," Gov. Rendell said. "Drawing visitors
to this area is a great shot in the arm for local economies.
"Already, largely because of the response to the PA Wilds initiative, 15 bed and
breakfasts, lodge and cabin operations have opened in Elk County. And since this center's soft
opening last month, all businesses in Benezette have expanded their operating hours and the
number of days they are open during the week to meet new customer demands. That's great news
for the local and regional economy."
For more information about the Elk Country Visitor Center webpage. And to see the
features of the Visitor Center building, visit the DCNR Visitor Center webpage.

Bear Run Trail Care Weekend With The Keystone Trails Assn. October 15-17
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Keystone Trails
Association are sponsoring a Bear Run Trail work days October
15-17 and are seeking volunteers to clear brush and blowdowns,
painting blazes, and install signage where necessary.
The Bear Run Nature Reserve is the largest property owned
by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and its 5,000 acres are
made accessible by more than 20 miles of trails. You can access a
map of these trails here.
For information about how you can participate, contact Andy Zadnick by sending email
to: azadnik@paconserve.org or call 412-586-2318.
Management Of Natural Areas Workshop Set For November 16
The Natural Lands Trust will host a workshop on managing natural areas in parks and
subdivisions on November 16 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hildacy Farm Preserve in Media, Pa.
Whether your community has recently purchased parkland, has preserved open space in
new developments, or is faced with caring for land already owned, we can show you how to care
for natural areas, saving money and man-hours through practical, effective, and sustainable
techniques.
Join Natural Lands Trust staff Randall Arendt and Drew Gilchrist as we use Natural
Lands Trust’s Hildacy Farm headquarters as an outdoor classroom, sharing tips for designing and
managing open space in cost-effective ways that benefit your community.
The $20 registration fee includes supper and all workshop materials. Please RSVP by
November 9 by contacting Ann Hutchinson, senior director of municipal conservation services,
at 610-353-5587, ext. 230 or send email to: ahutchinson@natlands.org.
DCNR Acquires 664-Acre Tract For Addition To Delaware State Forest
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials this week hailed acquisition of 664
acres in Pike and Monroe counties that will serve as a vital connector to the Delaware State
Forest and have long been popular with hunters, hikers and other outdoors enthusiasts.
Camp William Penn, purchased from the Philadelphia Industrial Development Authority,
will be deeded to DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry and will expand the Delaware State Forest to
almost 85,000 acres.
This timely, valuable purchase comes amid marked housing development in the
northeastern region of the state, and more people turning to nearby public lands for recreation
and relaxation,” said Bureau of Forestry Director Daniel Devlin. “Although there are roughly
111,604 acres of state and federal land in Pike County -- roughly about 32 percent of the county
– these lands are feeling the mounting pressure of surrounding development and increased use.”
Originally owned by the City of Philadelphia, the camp and surrounding acreage is about
eight miles north of Marshalls Creek, in Porter Township, Pike County, and Middle Smithfield
and Price townships, Monroe County. Developed campgrounds encompass about 72 acres and
contain 114 buildings, some dating back to the late 1920s.
The camp began as the Philadelphia-based Girard College Camp in 1929. Philadelphia
purchased the property in 1952 and for many years operated a resident summer camp for
children from low-income homes. Currently, DCNR is negotiating a campground lease with the
YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity that would facilitate continuation of this service.
With its 7.2-acre lake, smaller pond, and scattered wetlands and small streams, Camp
William Penn has been popular with naturalists and varied outdoors enthusiasts, and several
roads and trails promote easy access, noted District Forester Nicholas Lylo.
“That tract has been used by hunters, hikers, nature watchers, and timber harvesters in the
past,” said Lylo, who oversees the Delaware and neighboring Lackawanna state forest districts.
“These popular land uses -- along with angling, trapping, cross-county skiing, mountain biking,
horse back riding, and other recreational opportunities -- will continue with DCNR’s acquisition.
“This new addition is a critical corridor linking the Delaware State Forest at the Pike and
Monroe county line, while also improving the administration, management and forest
recreational opportunities for the forest user.”
Delaware State Forest, with its acreage now almost totaling 85,000, along with the
neighboring Lackawanna State Forest and its 27,500 acres, are keystones in the Poconos Forests
and Waters Conservation Landscape Initiative, one of seven major land preservation efforts
under way across the state.
Regional in scope, CLIs partner local governments, conservancies and residents with the
DCNR and other state departments in long-term planning and implementation that promotes
sustainability, conservation, community revitalization and recreational projects.
“Conservation of the lands at Camp William Penn follows the recommendations of both
the Pike and Monroe county open space plans and the goals of the Pocono Forest and Waters
Conservation Landscape,” said Ellen M. Ferretti, vice president of the Pennsylvania
Environmental Council’s Pocono Forest and Water Initiative. “Now that the forested acres of
Camp William Penn will be conserved, the public can enjoy this wonderful place as part of the
Delaware District of the Bureau of Forestry.”
For information, visit the Delaware State Forest District, Pocono Forest and Waters
Conservation Initiative and PA Environmental Council websites.
NewsClip: State Adding 664 Acres Onto Delaware State Forest
DCNR Seeking Members For Recreational Trails Advisory Board
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking three new members for the
PA Recreational Trails Advisory Board. Nominations are due November 12.
The Board consists of one member from each of the following nine recreational trail user
organizations: Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, Off-Highway Motorcycling, Snowmobiling,
Horseback Riding, All-Terrain Vehicle Driving, Bicycling, Four-Wheel Driving and Water
Trails. One member also represents physically challenged individuals.
The Board's main responsibilities include advising the Department on the use of Federal
trails funding in this Commonwealth, reviewing and ranking trail project applications and
presenting an annual report to the Secretary on the accomplishments of the preceding Federal
fiscal year, including recommendations for changes.
Nominations for the three new appointees are to be made from individuals representing
the following trail user organizations: Four-Wheel Driving, Horseback Riding and Cross-
Country Skiing.
Appointments will be made by the Secretary of the Department. Appointees will serve for
3 consecutive years.
To obtain a nomination form, contact Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, P. O.
Box 8475, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8475, call 717-787-7672 or send email to: loross@state.pa.us.
PA Preserves 1,434 More Acres Of Prime Farmland
Pennsylvania's nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program this week permanently

safeguarded an additional 1,434 acres on 17 farms for production, Agriculture Secretary Russell
C. Redding announced.
Pennsylvania's program has now preserved 442,731 acres on more than 4,000 farms.
Both figures are the highest of any state.
"The commitment to farmland preservation shown by Pennsylvania farmers is one that no
other state can match," said Secretary Redding. "Our 4,073 preserved farms are critical to
ensuring that agriculture will remain a strong, productive part of our state's future."
The farms approved this week by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation board
are located in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Fayette, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northampton, Union
and Westmoreland counties.
The state's farmland preservation program works through the Pennsylvania Agricultural
Conservation Easement Purchase Program, which was developed in 1988 to help curb the loss of
prime farmland to non-agricultural uses. The program enables state, county and local
governments to purchase conservation easements, also called development rights, from owners
of quality farmland.
With this purchase of development rights, farm owners create an agreement under which
the land will forever remain in production agriculture, regardless of who may later own or work
the land.
The easement purchases approved represent a $6.7 million total investment of state,
county and township funds.
Since the program's inception, state, county and local governments have invested more
than $1 billion to preserve farms.
For more information, visit Agriculture's Farmland Preservation webpage.
Largest Green Wall In North America Takes First Breath In Longwood Gardens
The largest green wall in North America, provided by GSky Plant Systems, a leading provider of
green wall systems, will be unveiled October 9 at the world-renowned Longwood Gardens in
Kennett Square, PA.
The flagship of Longwood's redesigned East Conservatory Plaza wing is the 4,072 sq ft
green wall, displacing the title of North America's largest green wall from the PNC Bank
building in Pittsburgh by over 70 percent.
The green wall at Longwood Gardens is unprecedented in size, but its long-lasting plant
support system makes it one of the most advanced green walls in the world. The wall's 47,000
plants provide as much oxygen as 90 fourteen foot-tall trees and clean over 15,500 lbs of dust
and harmful toxins per year.
The backbone of Longwood Gardens' wall is GSky's Green Wall Panel System, which
features advanced technologies that allow plants to thrive in atypical environments.
"GSky was the clear choice," says Stu Appel of Wells Appel, the lead landscape architect
for the project in conjunction with Kim Willkie Associates. "We were impressed with the
longevity of GSky's high-quality system, technical competence, and portfolio of work," adds
Appel. The green wall was installed as collaboration with Ambius, the world's largest interior
landscaper.
Rather than soil, GSky's 3,595 panel-based system uses a long-lasting structural growth
medium, the only one of its kind in the industry. The 3,800 ft vertical drip irrigation system uses
minimal water levels, conserving 90 percent more water than traditional irrigation systems.
Similar to how an alarm system company works, a computerized monitoring system
tracks irrigation activity and water usage 24/7. Given how these features work together, if
maintained properly, the "green wall will last a very long time, as long as the building itself,"
says GSky President Chad Sichello.
By solving many of the challenges to keep a green wall healthy, GSky's system will
easily allow for more sustainable green walls in future. "The Longwood Gardens project has
solidified the momentum of interest in green walls," says GSky CEO Hal Thorne.
"The green wall is an extraordinary addition to Longwood," said Longwood Gardens
Director Paul Redman. "The size and beauty of the green wall will amaze our guests as well as
advance our continuing commitment to sound environmental practices."
Earlier Story
PNC Unveils Largest Green Wall In North America
EPA Awards $1.9 Million In Environmental Justice Grants, 4 In PA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1.9 million in environmental justice
grants to 76 non-profit organizations and local governments working on environmental justice
issues nationwide, including four groups in Pennsylvania.
The groups receiving grants in Pennsylvania include:
Operation GRUB (Gardens Replace Urban Blight), Reading: The Berks County
Conservancy's "Operation G.R.U.B." Project (Gardens Replace Urban Blight), will work with
city residents to transform areas of trash accumulation into urban gardens by educating
communities about the environmental hazards associated with trash accumulation and the
benefits of recycling and composting.
Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health:
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health - Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health
will be teaming with the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program to provide outreach
support and training for mothers and children at-risk and/or affected by lead exposure.
Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia: The Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
will work with the Hunting Park neighborhood residents to convert vacant lots that have become
dump sites into community gardens. These new green spaces will greatly reduce the health
hazards related to pollution runoff. The gardens will be used as outdoor classrooms to further
promote stewardship of the environment. Air monitoring data will also be collected.
Women’s Health & Environmental Network: The Women's Health & Environmental Network
and partner New Courtland Network will develop and implement a program that will provide
education and training to adult seniors focusing on the environmental and public health impacts
of climate change and mitigation techniques each participant can take to lessen the effects of
climate change.
The grants are designed to help communities understand and address environmental
challenges and create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships focused on improving
human health and the environment at the local level. The grant program supports Administrator
Lisa P. Jackson’s priority to expand the conversation on environmentalism and work for
environmental justice.
“Through our efforts to support local environmental justice projects, we are advancing
EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment in communities overburdened by
pollution,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance. “Providing training to develop a skilled green workforce will help
communities become more resilient in the face of economic and environmental changes and help
build healthy and sustainable communities.”
The principles of environmental justice uphold the idea that all communities
overburdened by pollution – particularly minority, low income and indigenous communities –
deserve the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, equal access to
the decision-making process and a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.
In addition to the traditional criteria, EPA encouraged applications focused on addressing
the disproportionate impacts of climate change in communities by emphasizing climate equity,
energy efficiency, renewable energy, local green economy, and green jobs capacity building.
Grantee projects include trainings for local residents to increase recycling, avoiding heat
stroke, improving indoor air quality, reducing carbon emissions through weatherization, and
green jobs training programs.
For more information, visit the EPA Environmental Justice webpage.
PPL: October Is Energy Awareness Month
As consumers focus more and more on pocketbook issues, one way to save is to keep a close
watch on energy use at home and at work.
A member of the federal Department of Energy’s Energy Star Partnership, PPL Electric
Utilities is urging its customers and the communities it serves to use October — Energy
Awareness Month — to focus on wiser and more efficient ways of using the electricity that
powers their lives.
“This month provides a great opportunity for all of us to assess our energy habits at
home, at school and in the community, and make changes for the better,” said Robert M.
Geneczko, vice president of Customer Services for PPL Electric Utilities. “Everyone from small
residential customers to large industrial users can take steps to use energy more efficiently. In
some cases, it can be done for little or no up-front investment.”
Since knowledge is power, the PPL Electric Utilities website offers customers access to
the Energy Analyzer so they can track energy use in their homes on an hourly, daily and monthly
basis. There also are energy calculators, an energy library and information on various programs
to help customers having trouble paying their electric bill. E-power program information can be
found online.
Energy awareness isn’t just for adults. Working with the National Energy Foundation,
PPL Electric Utilities is scheduled to visit more than 200 schools and reach 18,000 children and
their teachers during October through the Think! Energy E-power initiative. The programs help
students become more informed energy consumers at school and at home.
The company’s effort to raise energy awareness is a year-round process that includes its
E-power programs that provide all customer groups with tips, tools, rebates and incentive
programs to enable them to use energy more efficiently, save money and reduce their carbon
footprint. You can follow E-power on Twitter and Facebook.
“We’re encouraged by the great customer response, but we also know so much more can
be done,” Geneczko said. “We want to make sure all of our customers know how to get the most
from their energy dollars. Taking smart steps now will save energy well into the future.”
Since the E-power programs started launching last fall:
-- PPL Electric Utilities has distributed 2.1 million compact fluorescent light bulbs in its
29-county service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania through discounted store sales
and special event giveaways.
-- More than 60,000 E-power rebates have been paid, totaling more than $11 million, for
programs ranging from Energy Star appliances to custom incentives for businesses.
-- More than 12,500 old, inefficient appliances have either been picked up and recycled, or
scheduled for pickup. About 95 percent of the material in collected refrigerators and freezers is
converted to other beneficial uses and kept out of landfills.
-- We expect our income-eligible Winter Relief Assistance Program will enable energy-saving
measures to be installed in about 3,700 homes this year.
-- Monthly energy use “report cards” are being mailed to about 50,000 customers so they can
compare their use with that of their neighbors and take action, if necessary.
New key account managers have been appointed to work more closely with schools, as
well as state, county and local governments, to help them benefit from the E-power programs.
PPL Electric Utilities has helped school districts get rebates on things such as lighting, office
equipment and ground-source heat pumps. The company is also helping governments in areas
ranging from energy efficiency standards to solar projects.
“PPL Electric Utilities has always partnered with its customers and the communities it
serves. Helping people become better, more responsible energy consumers is an important part
of support for our customers,” Geneczko said.
For more information on the federal government’s Energy Awareness Month and
consumer energy-saving tips, visit the websites of the Department of Energy or the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
Drexel University Commits To 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Wind Energy

In a new agreement announced today between Drexel University and Community Energy, Inc.,
Drexel will purchase Renewable Energy Certificates equal to 100 percent of its energy use,
making Drexel one of the top 50 purchasers of wind energy in the nation.
This Renewable Energy Certificate purchase will ensure that 84,268 megawatt hours of
electricity will be matched annually with wind energy entering the electricity grid. The
Renewable Energy Credits will be supplied by renewable energy marketer and developer
Community Energy.
This purchase will place Drexel among the top five university purchasers in the nation,
according to the current Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership rankings.
"We are proud to be a leader among colleges and universities, and to do our part for the
environment," said James Tucker, Drexel senior vice president for Student Life and
Administrative Services. "Having our electricity matched with clean, renewable energy is one
piece of our larger commitment to sustainability. We hope other institutions will follow our lead
and make the choice as well."
Compared to the average generation mix in the national electric grid, the environmental
benefit from this purchase is equal to offsetting approximately 60,518 metric tons of carbon
dioxide per year, the annual impact of which is equivalent to the carbon sequestered by 12,904
acres of trees or removing 11,571 passenger vehicles from the road, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency's greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.
"Drexel University realized the importance of renewable energy early on and Community
Energy is proud of our long partnership," said Jay Carlis, Community Energy vice president.
"The decision to substantially increase the University's wind energy purchase to 100 percent of
electricity usage establishes Drexel as a national leader in supporting environmental
sustainability."
Drexel was recently honored by PennFuture, a leading Pennsylvania environmental
advocacy organization, with a Green Power Award for leadership in energy efficiency, including
deploying an energy monitoring system at the main campus.
Additional sustainability efforts include using biodiesel fuel for shuttle buses, purchasing
hybrid and battery-powered vehicles, free bike share program, implementing a multitude of
energy-saving controls and lighting efficiency measures, use of ice thermal energy for cooling
and wide-ranging recycling efforts.
Green-Certified Student Housing Opens At Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg’s new residence hall, which opened this fall, is the first LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified residential building at Penn State. The
30,000-square-foot structure houses 100 first-year students, bringing the total number of students
living on campus to 430.
Designed by SMP Architects of Philadelphia, the four-story building has an extensive list
of green features, including renewable bio-fiber paneling, built-in recycling centers on every
level, sustainably managed lumber, and recycled-content materials such as carpet, concrete, steel,
counters, storage lockers and ceilings. The college used locally-sourced building materials to
support area economies and minimize transportation costs.
Other features include energy-conserving heating and cooling units, and energy-efficient
lighting systems with motion sensors, and sinks, showers and toilets that reduce water usage. The
east-west orientation of the building provides optimal energy conservation and natural lighting
and exterior shades moderate seasonal changes in sun angles. Stormwater will be irrigated to rain
gardens with drought-tolerant, native species plants, helping to establish a healthy ecosystem
around the building.
The college’s new residence boasts several other firsts. The building is Penn State’s first
residential building designed to include wireless/keyless card access on the suite and bedroom
doors. Students use their university ID card to gain entry.
Throughout the residence hall construction, the college community could watch progress
via an online webcam that chronicled the process from laying the foundation to opening day.
Click here to see photos of the residence hall.
PA Sea Grant Program Hosts Climate Change In PA Webinar October 26
"Climate Change in Pennsylvania-How Will It Impact You" is the topic of an October 26

webinar hosted by the PA Sea Grant Program starting at 1:00 p.m.
The featured speaker will be Dr. Marc Abrams from Penn State University.
The webinars in this series have focused on various aspects of climate change including
its potential impacts on the Commonwealth’s ecosystem, economy, and Lake Erie. Webinars are
free and open to the public, however registration is required, even if you have viewed previous
webinars. Presentations will run approximately one hour, including a “Question and
Answer” period.
To register please send email to Sara Grise at: sng121@psu.edu or call 814-602-4383.
Once you have registered, details will be provided on how to connect to the webinar.
If you are unable to attend, webinars will be recorded and archived for later viewing on
the Pennsylvania Sea Grant climate change webpage.
Susquehanna University Hosts Special Lecture On Sustainable Higher Education Nov. 9
On November 9 Anthony Cortese, the principal founder and president of Second Nature, a
nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop the national capacity to make healthy, just
and sustainable action a foundation of all learning and practice in higher education will be the
Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow Lecturer at Susquehanna University at 7:30 p.m. in Stretansky
Concert Hall in Selinsgrove.
“Dr. Cortese will be a perfect fit for Susquehanna University. Our students will have a
chance to meet a world-class environmental educator with a deep knowledge of sustainability,
helping to create better understanding and new connections between the academic and
nonacademic worlds,” said Dr. Carl Moses. “We’re delighted that Dr. Cortese will also have
time to get to know our campus and to explore in depth how the classroom and campus relate to
the broader society.”
Anthony D. Cortese, ScD is co-founder with U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and
Teresa Heinz and President of Second Nature, a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop
the national capacity to make healthy, just, and sustainable action a foundation of all learning
and practice in higher education.
He is also a co-organizer of the American College & University Presidents Climate
Commitment and co-founder of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher
Education. He is co-founder and co-coordinator of the Higher Education Association
Sustainability Consortium and a consultant to higher education, industry and non-profit
organizations on institutionalization of sustainability principles and programs.
Dr. Cortese has B.S. and M.S. Degrees from Tufts University in civil and environmental
engineering, a Doctor of Science in Environmental Health from the Harvard School of Public
Health and an honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Allegheny College.
The Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows program, which is administered by the Council of
Independent Colleges in Washington, DC, brings prominent artists, diplomats, journalists,
business leaders, and other professionals to campuses across the United States for a week-long
residential program of classes, seminars, workshops, lectures, and informal discussions. The
Visiting Fellows program is available to all four-year colleges and universities.
For more information, visit CIC’s website.
Fall In PA: A Trillion Or So Trees Are Waiting To Say Hello
Every Fall, Pennsylvania puts on an unrivaled blaze of glory

along its highways, country roads and coastline. With the touch
of autumn's wand, rich and vibrant hues appear as far as the
eye can see.
Yeah, Fall is Bigger Here in Pennsylvania, with
unforgettable color excursions in every region. It's also the
harvest season in Keystone Country. And that means farm-
fresh apples from country markets, fairs and strolls through
pumpkin patches.
The only trick to our autumn wonderland is going at the perfect time of the season, so
check out the Weekly Foliage Report.
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.
October 15-- DEP Coastal Zone Management Grants

October 15-- NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training Grants
October 22-- PEMA Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service Grants
October 25-- DEP Power Plant Air Pollution Control Technology Grants
November 5-- DEP Small Business Advantage Grants
November 12-- DEP Alternative Fuels Electric Vehicle Grants
ASAP-- NRCS Health Forest Reserve Program Grants
December 17-- DEP Environmental Education Grants
December 17-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grants
December 31-- Fish & Boat Commission 2010 Photo Contest
January 7-- PA Conservation Corps Grants
February 15-- PennVEST Water Infrastructure Funding
June 30-- DEP Nitrogen Tire Inflation System Grants
Other Funding Programs

-- DEP PA Sunshine Solar Energy Rebates
-- CFA High Performance Building Financing (Program Link)
-- CFA Solar Energy Financing (Program Link)
-- CFA Geothermal, Wind Energy Projects (Program Link)
-- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial
assistance for environmental projects.

Quick Clips
Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--
Budget
Governor Wants Columbus Day Meeting To Hammer Out Severance Tax
Onorato, Corbett Spar Over Gas Industry Contributions
Corbett: Hard Line On Severance Tax
Onorato: Use State's Average For Natural Gas Tax
Onorato Vague On Marcellus Shale Gas Tax Rate
Wycoming Woman Opposed To Drilling Is Write-In For Governor
Governor's Race: Transportation
Other
Kunkletown Woman Recognized For Environmental Leadership
Lakeland Outdoor Classroom Officially Opens
Bright Kids Learn About Electricity, Conservation
Regional Greenhouse Cap And Trade Is Working And Maligned
LANTA Hybrid Buses Hit The Road In Lehigh Valley
Solar Tour Encompasses 6 Local Installations
Air Products Selects Suppliers For Solar Farm At Headquarters
Nazareth Solar Project Still Has Life
Suspected Terrorist Access To TMI Prompts Security Alert
Local Electrical Union Goes Green
Water Plant Goes With Flow To Reduce Electricity Costs
Editorial: Boiler MACT, Another EPA Diktat
Geisinger Architect Touts Green Building, Costs Savings
Radon Gas Is Serious Health Problem In Homes
House Approves Tough Blight Bill
State Farm: PA Ranked 6th In Deer-Related Car Crashes
Backers Say PA's Parks Need More Volunteers
National Aviary In Pittsburgh Spreads Its Wings
State Adding 664 Acres Onto Delaware State Forest
Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition Created
150 Compete In First Mine Rescue Team Skills Event
Inside A Mine Rescue Capsule
Colors Of Fall At Their Best This Weekend
Marcellus Shale NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---
Click here for this week's Marcellus Shale Examiner newsletter from DEP.
Governor Wants Columbus Day Meeting To Hammer Out Severance Tax

Property Rights Fight Develops Over Drilling In PA
Pooling Isn't Popular, Especially Before Election
DEP: No End In Sight For Gas Wells Leaking Into Dimock Water
Cabot Oil Says It Is Not Responsible For Methane
Town Loses Battle Over Gas Well Drilling
Gas Driller Polluted Susquehanna Water Wells Suit Claims
Tests: Wells Already Had Issues Before Drilling
Marcellus Shale Drilling: Gas Migration
DRBC Days Away From Releasing Historic Gas Drilling Regulations
Delaware Riverkeeper Says DRBC Dropping Ball On Drilling
Bill Proposes State Funding For Marcellus Infrastructure
Natural Gas Pipeline Owner Has Emergency Plan In Place
Column: Aging Utility Pipelines Need Repairs, Funding
State Police Cracks Down On Drilling Trucks
Drilling Trucks Fail More Tests, State Police Say
State Police Dole Out 959 Citations To Marcellus Trucks
Awareness Coalition Raises Concerns About Gas Drilling
Court Case Could Define Right To Set Gas Lease Submission Rules
Export Mayor Voices Concern About Drilling
Murrysville Ordinance Proposal Concerns Drilling
Black Creek Twp. To Consider Gas Well Drilling Ordinance
Gas Info Session Set In Luzerne County
Pike Commissioners Establish Marcellus Shale Task Force
Monroe, Pike Not Prime For Gas Drilling Says Testing
Property Owners Stump For Drilling Rights In Wayne
Residents Question Frack Wastewater Treatment In Wyoming Valley
Gasland Screenings In Uniontown Draw Drilling Protests
Penn State Has Marcellus Shale Web Tool
Energy Law Firms Booming
Thumper Trucks Shake Out Marcellus Shale
Blasting Caps Found Belonged To Shale Drillers
Who's Watching Marcellus Shale Activists?
Editorial: Their Royal Majesties, Inc.
Editorial: What Happens When Marcellus Gas Is Gone?
Editorial: Prepare Now For End Of Gas
Editorial: Hold Drillers Accountable
Op-Ed: It's Crucial To Preserve Land, Water Resources
Op-Ed: Marcellus Shale Community Guidelines, Tom Ridge
Politics
Onorato: Use State's Average For Natural Gas Tax
Onorato Vague On Marcellus Shale Gas Tax Rate
Onorato, Corbett Spar Over Gas Industry Contributions
Onorato Stands By Drilling Permit Plan
Corbett: Hard Line On Severance Tax
Wycoming Woman Opposed To Drilling Is Write-In For Governor
House Candidates Differ On Shale Tax
Marcellus Shale Drilling Major Issue In Pittston House Race
Marcellus Shale, Government Spending Take Spotlight In Forum
Editorial: Corbett Should Put Citizens First

Watershed NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--
Bucknell To Host Susquehanna River Symposium Oct. 22-23

Coming Clean On Streams
Rain Gardens Help Maiden Creek Watershed
Savan Dam Deconstruction Begins On Little Mahoning Creek
Dam Removal Aids Little Mahoning Creek
Turtle Creek Watershed Tackles Orange Water
Fecal Contaminants Rising In Bushkill Creek
Anderson Creek Watershed Assn. Hears Watershed Plan Details
Bethlehem Authority Plans To Raise Millions From Its Watershed
Bethlehem OKs Watershed Management Plan
Audubon Society Sets Sights On Planting 60 Rain Gardens
Free Water Well Testing In Cumberland County
Mount Pocono Wants To Resolve Sewerage Suit Before It Gets To Court
Storm Sent Sewage Into Little Lehigh Creek
Column: Region's Water Resources Must Be Protected
Exeter Mulls Watershed Flood Study
How High Did Delaware River Really Get?
Susquehanna River Receding After 15.39 Crest
Despite Recent Floods, Drought Not Over In PA, NJ
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
The Environmental Quality Board published final regulations making increasing NPDES permit
fees and making other changes and final rules implementing the Nutrient Credit Trading
Program.
Pennsylvania Bulletin - October 9, 2010
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Rolling Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance & Permits
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of a proposed State Air Quality
Implementation Plan for Regional Haze, including Allegheny County for comment and public
hearings.
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice of project approved for
consumptive water uses.
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Copies Of Draft Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Calendar Of Events
Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars.
Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW means new from last week. Go to the
online Calendar webpage.
Click on Agenda Released on calendar entries to see the NEW meeting agendas published this
week.
October 12-- NEW. Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider House Bill 1394
(Houghton-D-Chester) relating to splitting off farm and forest land under preferential assessment
for alternative energy production. Rules Room. Off the Floor.
October 12-- NEW. Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee meets to consider House
Bill 712 (J.Taylor-R-Philadelphia) further providing for the creation of urban land banks. Room
461. 12:00.
October 12-- Agenda Released. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel
Carson Building. (formal notice)
October 13-- NEW. Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee hears
briefing on Rendell Administration's review of the Office of Homeland Security. Room 156.
10:00.
October 13-- NEW. House Democratic Policy Committee holds a hearing on Marcellus shale
environmental issues. La Salle University, Bucks County Center, Newtown. 1:00.
environmental issues. Worcester Community Hall, Worcester. 10:00.
October 19-- CANCELED. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Rescheduled to October 12.
(formal notice)
environmental issues. Schuylkill Township Building, Phoenixville. 11:30.
October 21-- Agenda Released. DEP Radiation Protection Advisory Committee meeting. 14th
Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.
October 21-- Agenda Released. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting.
Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15.
October 26--DEP Board of Coal Mine Safety meeting. Fayette County Health Center,
Uniontown. 10:00. (formal notice)
October 26-- NEW. DEP Operator Certification Program Advisory Committee meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice)
October 27-- Agenda Released. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting.
12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
October 28-- Agenda Released. DEP Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board meeting. Room
105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
November 17-- CANCELED. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Advisory
Board. There are no further meetings scheduled in 2010. (formal notice)
DEP Calendar of Events

Environmental Education Workshop/Training Calendar (PA Center for Environmental
Education)
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

Stories Invited
Send your stories, photos and 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 to the clients of Crisci Associates, a
Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500
companies and non-profit organizations. For more information on Crisci Associates, call
717-234-1716.
PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators'

2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.
Supporting Member PA Outdoor Writers Assn./PA Trout Unlimited
PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers

Association, Pennsylvania Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout
Unlimited.

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Harrisburg, Pa October 11, 2010

House Misses Bus On Transportation Funding, No Severance Tax In Sight

It was another tough week for House Democratic Leadership.

Professional Services Directory

Gov. Rendell Urges Senate Action On Severance Tax

Stormwater Maintenance LLC Joins Professional Services Directory

Please join us in welcoming Stormwater Maintenance, LLC to the PA Environment Digest

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced

The following bill of interest was introduced this week--

Gas Mineral Rights Disclosure: Senate Bill 1486 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) further

On The Governor's Desk

Senate/House Bills Moving

Borough Electric Purchases: Senate Bill 168 (Brubaker-R-Lancaster) further authorizing

Pittsburgh RiverLife: House Resolution 964 (Wagner-D-Allegheny) honoring the Pittsburgh

News From The Capitol

Professional Services Directory

News From Around The State

Many Voluntary Farming BMPs In PA Portion Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed Not

Professional Services Directory

Fish & Boat Commission Presents Awards During Community Meeting

Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team Gets Website Upgrade

Follow Ohio River Watershed Celebration-Port Of Pittsburgh Issues On Twitter

PEC Announces Winners Of 40th Anniversary Photo Contest

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council recently announced

Professional Services Directory

Professional Services Directory

Lycoming College Poll Gauges Opinion On Marcellus Shale In Northcentral PA

Hard To Recycle Collection Event In Pittsburgh October 16

Allegheny County Pharmaceutical Collection Event Set For October 23

College & University Recycling Committee Meets November 16 In Philadelphia

EPA Awards $1.5 Million In Environmental Education Grants, 1 In PA

Elk County Visitor Center Holds Grand Opening This Week

At the peak of elk viewing season in the

Professional Services Directory

Management Of Natural Areas Workshop Set For November 16

DCNR Acquires 664-Acre Tract For Addition To Delaware State Forest

DCNR Seeking Members For Recreational Trails Advisory Board

PA Preserves 1,434 More Acres Of Prime Farmland

Pennsylvania's nation-leading Farmland Preservation Program this week permanently

EPA Awards $1.9 Million In Environmental Justice Grants, 4 In PA

PPL: October Is Energy Awareness Month

Drexel University Commits To 100 Percent Clean, Renewable Wind Energy

Green-Certified Student Housing Opens At Penn State Harrisburg

PA Sea Grant Program Hosts Climate Change In PA Webinar October 26

"Climate Change in Pennsylvania-How Will It Impact You" is the topic of an October 26

Susquehanna University Hosts Special Lecture On Sustainable Higher Education Nov. 9

Fall In PA: A Trillion Or So Trees Are Waiting To Say Hello

Every Fall, Pennsylvania puts on an unrivaled blaze of glory

Grants & Awards

October 15-- DEP Coastal Zone Management Grants

Other Funding Programs

Professional Services Directory

Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state--

Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Governor Wants Columbus Day Meeting To Hammer Out Severance Tax

Professional Services Directory

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

Bucknell To Host Susquehanna River Symposium Oct. 22-23

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

Pennsylvania Bulletin - October 9, 2010