PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward Harrisburg,PaSeptember9,2013 HouseCommitteesToHold2ndHearingOnEndangeredSpeciesBillSept.17 TheHouseGameandFisheriesandEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteesholdasecond hearingSeptember17inIndiana,PaonHouseBill1576(PyleRArmstrong)whichfundamentally changesthewaythreatenedandendangeredspeciesarelistedandchangesthedesignationprocessfor wildtroutstreams. LettersofoppositiontothebillweresubmittedbytheGameCommission,FishandBoat Commission,PACouncilofTroutUnlimitedandthePAEnvironmentalCouncilatthefirsthearing. ClickHereformoreinformationoftheoppositionoftheCommissionsandTroutUnlimited.ClickHere forPECsletterofopposition.ClickHereforasummaryofthefirsthearing. ThehearingwillbeheldatIndianaUniversityNorthpointe,167NorthpointeBlvd.,Building 167,Room129,Indiana,Pastartingat10:00. Rep.MartinCauser(RCameron)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseGameandFisheries CommitteeandRep.GaryHaluska(DCambria)servesasMinorityChair. Rep.RonMiller(RYork)servesasMajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesand EnergyCommitteeandRep.GregVitali(DDelaware)servesasMinorityChair. NewsClip:PAMayLose$19MOverEndangeredSpeciesLegislation DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil,EnvironmentalJusticeBoardJointMeetingSept.17 OnSeptember17DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilandtheagencysEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisory BoardholdajointsessiontodiscussDEPdraftCommunityEnvironmentalProjectPolicy,ideasonhow theCouncilandBoardcancollaborateandtohearapresentationfromtheOfficeofHealthEquityat theDepartmentofHealth. DEPActingSecretaryChrisAbruzzoisalsoscheduledtoattendtheCouncilmeettoprovidean updateonagencyactivitiesandtoanswerquestions. ClickHereforacopyofthefullagenda. DEPAwards$12.2MillionMineReclamationContractInSproulStateForest TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionMondayannouncedithasawardeda$12,181,873 contractfortheHulingBranchabandonedminereclamationprojectonSproulStateForestpropertyin

LeidyandNoyestownships,ClintonCounty. Theapproximately100acreprojectwilleliminatepublichealthandsafetyconcernsrelatedto dangeroushighwallsandreduceacidminedrainage.Itisoneofthelargestminereclamationprojects undertakenbyDEPinrecentyears. TheHulingBranchworkincludesthebackfillingofabout6,000linearfeetofdangeroushighwall thatis40to70feethigh,andoneadjacentspoilarea.Thespoilmaterialwillbegradedintothepitsto returnthesurfaceminesitetoitsoriginalcontour. Theprojectwillusemorethan$756,000inGrowingGreenerfundingtoimplementasource remediationplanaimedatreducingacidminedrainagepollutionoriginatingfromthesite.Themoneywill beusedtopurchase370,000tonsofalkalinematerialtoneutralizehighlyacidicminespoil,including about15,000tonsofcoalrefusematerialimproperlyplacedwithinpitareasthroughoutthesite. Inaddition,about137,000tonsofcropcoalaroundtheperimeterofthereclamationareawill beremoved,alongwith17,500tonsofburiedcoalrefusealongsectionsoftheexistinghighwall. TheprojectareaispartofadesignatedATVtrailadministeredbytheDepartmentof ConservationandNaturalResourcesBureauofForestry,DEPDeputySecretaryforActiveand AbandonedMineOperationsJohnStefankosaid.Thehighwallsareadangeroushazardtotheseriders andotherforestvisitors,andDEPclearlyunderstandstheneedfortheirremoval. Theprojectwillreconstructabout8,500feetofrecreationaltrails,whicharepartoftheBureau ofForestrysWhiskeySpringsATVtrailsystem.About54acreswillberevegetatedwith48,150tree seedlingsutilizingtheAppalachianRegionalReforestationInitiative.Anadditional47acreswillbe revegetatedwithwildlifehabitatgrasses. PreliminaryplanscallforthewesternhalfoftheWhiskeySpringsATVtrailtoremainopen, butinadiminishedcapacityforthelengthoftheremediationproject,saidDCNRActingSecretary EllenFerretti.WewillbecoordinatingcloselywithDEPandthecontractorbeforestartofconstruction toaddressshortenedfutureridingseasons,andtrail,stateforestroadandparkinglotclosures. Oneof11ATVtrailsonstateforestlandsacrossthestate,WhiskeySpringsstretches45miles throughSproulStateForest,beginningnearWestport,ClintonCounty.The305,450acreforestalsois hometothenearby39mileBloodySkilletATVTrail. AsHulingBranchconstructionintensifies,thesafetyofallwillbeparamountandthebidto lessenATVheavytruckandequipmenttrafficconflictswillbepronounced,Ferrettisaid.For instance,accessandparkingfortraileredATVswillbeseverelylimited. Forthesereasons,weforeseeWhiskeySpringsevolvingasalocalusetrail,withthenearby BloodySkilletATVTrailemergingasthealternativeforriding.ATVenthusiastsparticularlythose travelinglongdistancesandtraileringmachineswillfindmuchmoresatisfyingexperiencesonthe BloodySkilletATVTrailthanatWhiskeySpringsforthenextseveralyears. TheactingsecretarynotedfuturetrailinactivitywillbetterenabletheBureauofForestryto completemuchneededtrailrehabilitationwork,suchasimprovederosionandsedimentationcontrols andtrailsurfacerestoration.ThesummerridingseasonwillendonJuly30,2014and2015inorderto addresstheseenhancements. Thereclamationwork,whichwillbedonebyL.R.CostanzoCo.Inc.ofScranton,willbegin aroundSeptember4andbecompletedbySeptember3,2015. Thecontractwasawardedonacompetitivebasisandisbeingpaidforoutofgrantsfromthe federalOfficeofSurfaceMininginadditiontostateGrowingGreenermoney.Thefederalfundis

supportedbyafeeonthemoderncoalindustryandisdistributedtostatesasannualgrantstoreclaim minesitesthatwereabandonedpriortopassageofthefederalSurfaceMiningControlandReclamation Actof1977. Thecontractrequiresthatanyrevenuegeneratedfromtherecoveryofcropcoalbecredited towardtheoverallprojectcost. Formoreinformation,visitDEPat7177832267. SproulStateForestATVTrailClosingAmidMineReclamationProject Thestartofalargescale,abandonedminereclamationprojectinSproulStateForestwillnecessitate closingtheentireWhiskeySpringsATVTrail,effectiveatsundownSeptember8,Departmentof ConservationandNaturalResourcesofficialsannouncedThursday. ConstructionbeginsSeptember9,onthe$12.2millionDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection project,covering100acresinLeidyandNoyestownships,ClintonCounty.TheHulingBranch reclamationeffortisdesignedtoreduceacidminedrainageandeliminatepublichealthandsafety concernsrelatedtodangeroushighwalls. Originally,wehadhopedtokeepthewesternhalfoftheWhiskeySpringsATVtrailopenina diminishedcapacityforthelengthoftheremediationproject,saidSproulStateForestDistrictForester DouglasDAmore.However,aftermeetingyesterdaywiththecontractor,DEPandlocalofficials,itis evidentheavytruckandequipmenttrafficandtheimpendingconstructionstartrequireanearlyand completeclosure. Safetyofallconcernedisthedrivingforceinthisdecision,DAmoresaid.Thecontractorhas notedasmanyas40to50largetrucksadaycouldbetravelingonroadstoandfromthejobsite.In additionthereareoperationalefficiencyandjobsitesecurityissuestobeconsidered. DCNRofficialsofferedthenearbyBloodySkilletATVTrailasanalternativeforATV enthusiasts,asitoffersasimilarexperience. Also,theDentonHillATVTrailSystem,located45minutestothenorth,isanotheralternative. Maps,directionsandotherdetailscanbefoundontheDCNRwebsite. Oneof11ATVtrailsonstateforestlandsacrossthestate,WhiskeySpringsstretches45miles throughSproulStateForest,beginningnearWestport,ClintonCounty.The305,450acreforestisalso hometothenearby39mileBloodySkilletATVTrail. ClosingtheWhiskeySpringstrailwillbetterenableDCNRtocompleteneededtrail rehabilitationwork,suchasimprovederosionandsedimentationcontrolsandtrailsurfacerestoration. Also,theremediationeffortwillresultinthereconstructionofabout8,500feetofthetrail.About54 acreswillberevegetatedwith48,150treeseedlingsandanadditional47acreswillberevegetated withwildlifehabitatgrasses. HulingBranchworkalsowillincludebackfillingofabout6,000linearfeetofdangerous highwall,40to70feethigh,andoneadjacentspoilarea.Thespoilmaterialwillbegradedintothepits toreturnthesurfaceminesitetoitsoriginalcontour. Theprojectwillusemorethan$756,000inGrowingGreenerfundingtoimplementasource remediationplanaimedatreducingacidminedrainagepollutionoriginatingfromthesite.Themoneywill beusedtopurchase370,000tonsofalkalinematerialtoneutralizehighlyacidicminespoil,including about15,000tonsofcoalrefusematerialimproperlyplacedwithinpitareasthroughoutthesite.

Inaddition,about137,000tonsofcropcoalaroundtheperimeterofthereclamationareawill beremoved,alongwith17,500tonsofburiedcoalrefusealongsectionsoftheexistinghighwall. Thereclamationwork,undertakenbyL.R.CostanzoCo.Inc.ofScranton,willbecompleted bySeptember3,2015. DidYouKnowYouCanSearch9YearsOfDigestsOnAnyTopic? Didyouknowyoucansearch9yearsofbackissuesofthePAEnvironmentDigestondozensof topics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose.Justclickonthesearchpage. AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog. PAEnvironmentDigestVideoBlog:showcasesoriginalandpublishedvideosfromenvironmental groupsandagenciesaroundthestate.Signuptoreceiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyour favoriteRSSread.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthis blog. PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto newitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol. Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced SessionSchedule HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse House

September23,24,25,30 October1,2,15,16,17(NonVoting),21,22,23 November12,13,18,19,20 December9,10,11,16,17,18(NonVoting) Senate September23,24,25,30 October1,2,15,16,21,22,23 November12,13,18,19,20 December3,4,9,10,11 BillCalendars House(September23):HouseBill302(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGas LeaseFundtoDEPforacompetitivegrantprogramtoconvertsmallmasstransitbusfleetstonatural gasHouseBill303(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPfora competitivegrantprogramtoconvertlargemasstransitfleetstonaturalgasHouseBill304 (MarshallRBeaver)fundingconversionsoftransitbusestonaturalgasHouseBill306 (PickettRBradford)redirectingtheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveFundtocreatetheKeystoneFuel IncentiveProgramtofundconversionsofvehiclestonaturalgasHouseBill308(SaylorRYork) redirecting$6millionannuallyfromtheCleanAirFundtofinancevehicleconversionstonaturalgas.<> ClickHereforfullHouseBillCalendar. Senate(September23):[AllbillsontheSenateCalendarwereTabledbeforetheyadjournedto September23.]<>ClickHereforfullSenateBillCalendar. CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek House:<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommitteeSchedule. Senate:theConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingon electricreliabilityandtheclosingofcoalfiredpowerplantsinGreeneCountyinWaynesburgthe GameandFisheriesCommitteeholdsahearingonelkmanagementandthe100thanniversaryofthe reintroductionofelkintoPennsylvaniainBenezette,ElkCounty.<>ClickHereforfullSenate CommitteeSchedule. BillsPendingInKeyCommittees HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach House Appropriations Education

EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerAffairs GamingOversight HumanServices Judiciary LiquorControl Transportation LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees Senate Appropriations EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment Education Judiciary LawandJustice PublicHealthandWelfare Transportation LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees BillsIntroduced Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek GreenTechnology:HouseBill1672(MillerRYork)establishingtheStateAgencyGreen TechnologyImplementationActtoprovidefortestinggreentechnologysummary. RecyclingAnniversary:HouseResolution425(MillerRYork)celebrating25yearsofsuccessful recyclingandurgingDEPtoreviewrecyclingprogramsandmakerecommendationsforimprovements summary. SewageSludgeStudy:HouseResolution426(MillerRYork)directingtheLegislativeBudgetand FinanceCommitteetoreviewtheprogramforbeneficialuseofsewagesludgebylandapplication summary.

NewsFromTheCapitol
Celebrating25YearsOfRecycling,LookingAtChangesForTheFuture Rep.RonMiller(RYork),MajorityChairoftheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy Committee,thisweekintroducedHouseResolution425celebrating25yearsofrecyclingin PennsylvaniaandurgingDEPtoreviewrecyclingprogramsandmakerecommendationsfor

improvements. StatewiderecyclinginPennsylvaniabeganin1988withtheMunicipalWastePlanning RecyclingandWasteReductionAct(Act101),whichrequireslargermunicipalitiestorecycle,said Rep.Miller.Today,morethan11.6millionresidents,atleast94percentofthestate'spopulation, haveaccesstorecycling. WhilePennsylvaniahas,todate,doneanoutstandingjobcreatingandimplementingeffective recyclingprograms,weasaCommonwealthshouldcontinuetoseekimprovementsinourrecycling law,saidRep.Miller.(Myresolution)celebrates25yearsofsuccessfulrecyclinginthe CommonwealthanddirectstheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectiontoreviewitsrecycling programsandmakerecommendationsforimprovingrecyclinglaw. Thetextoftheresolutionfollows Celebrating25yearsofsuccessfulrecyclingandurgingtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionto reviewitsrecyclingprogramsandreportanyrecommendationsforimprovements. WHEREAS,StatewiderecyclinginPennsylvaniabeganin1988withtheMunicipalWastePlanning, RecyclingandWasteReductionAct,whichrequireslargermunicipalitiestorecycleand WHEREAS,Today,morethan11.6millionresidents,atleast94%oftheState'spopulation,have accesstorecyclingand WHEREAS,In2011,thisCommonwealthrecycledover5.85milliontonsofresourcesand WHEREAS,ThematerialsPennsylvaniansrecyclesavemorethan150trillionBritishthermalunitsof energyandcutmorethan15millionmetrictonsofcarbondioxideemissionsfromtheairannuallyand WHEREAS,Byconvertingwasteintovaluableproducts,recyclingcreatesjobs,contributesfeedstock tomanufacturingandaddssignificantvaluetotheentireUnitedStateseconomyand WHEREAS,Ourwastereductionandrecyclingactivitiescanalsomakeadifferenceinproblemssuch ashazardouswaste,endangeredspecies,acidrainandthemunicipalwastecrisis and WHEREAS,WhilePennsylvaniahasdoneanoutstandingjobcreatingandimplementingeffective recyclingprogramstodate,theCommonwealthcontinuestoseekimprovementsinitsrecyclinglaw thereforebeit RESOLVED,ThattheHouseofRepresentativescelebrate25yearsofsuccessfulrecyclinginthis Commonwealthandbeitfurther RESOLVED,ThattheHouseofRepresentativesurgethepeopleofPennsylvaniatocontinuetoexcelin theirrecyclingeffortsandbeitfurther

RESOLVED,ThattheHouseofRepresentativesurgetheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionto reviewitsrecyclingprogramsandreportanyrecommendationsforimprovementstothechairpersonand minoritychairpersonoftheEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteewithinoneyearofthe passageofthisresolution.

NewsFromAroundTheState
WeRememberSeptember11,2001DEPRespondsToANationalTragedy Weallrememberwherewewereandwhatweweredoingon September11,2001,buttheemployeesoftheDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtectionrememberbetterthanmostbecausethey playedakeyroleintherespondingtotheSomersetCountycrash siteofFlight93. BetsyMallison,CommunityRelationsCoordinatorfrom DEPsSouthwestRegionalOfficeinPittsburgh,willremember becauseshewasoneofthefirststateofficialsonsceneafterthe crashrelayinginformationaboutthesitebacktothePAEmergencyManagementAgencyOperations Center.ClickHeretoreadherstory. DEPEmergencyResponsepersonnelhelpedlocalfirstresponderssetuphazardousmaterials safetymeasurestomakesurethehundredsoflocal,stateandfederalofficialsatthesiteweresafeas theydealtwithjetfuelandotherhazards. Waterqualitystaffmonitoredanearbypondandstreamforcontamination. Stafffromtheminingprogramgaveinvestigatorsvaluableinformationonsitegeologybecause theplanecrashedonpartofareclaimedsurfacecoalmine.Thesite,afterall,wasacrimesceneandit hadtobeinvestigatedcarefully. DEPstafffrommanyprogramswererotatedinandoutofthesiteforweeksdealingwith environmentalissuesthere.Therotationwasnecessarynotonlybecauseofthework,butbecauseit wasdifficulttobeatthesiteofsuchtragedyforverylong,especiallyduringvisitsbythefamiliesofthose whoperishedinthecrash. Althoughasmalltowngrewupatthesiteofthecrashwithhundredsofpeople,trailers,ATVs andequipment,everytimeacarorbuscarryingfamiliescametothelittlevillageitbecameveryquiet andstillasthefamiliespassedthrough. Oneincidentinparticularaffectedmanypeople.Onaroutineruntotakewatersamples,two DEPstaffersfoundanearlyintactBible,itselfamiracle,withanoteinside.Itwasfromoneofthe passengerswritingtoalovedoneforthelasttime. DEPandPennsylvaniaofferedstaffandequipmentsupporttoNewYorkCitytohelpthemdeal withairquality,wasteandotherenvironmentalissuesinandaroundtheWorldTradeCentersite. AgoodexamplewasfieldingarequesttoallowlandfillsinPennsylvaniatostayopenlongerto allowregulartrashfromthecitytobedisposedofhere.Regularserviceslikegarbagepickupwere significantlydisruptedbythemonumentalresponsetothetragedythere,somethingbasicthatyoujust don'tthinkabout. IntheweeksafterSeptember11,DEPemployeesagainplayedkeyrolesinhelpingtorespond

tothescarecreatedbytheanthraxattacks,runningdownpotentialthreatstopublicwatersupplies, dams,nuclearpowerplantsandotherinfrastructure. Emergencyresponseproceduresandlocalstateemergencymanagementpartnershipsputin placeinPennsylvaniaafterfloods,mineaccidentsandthe1979accidentatThreeMileIslandservedthe Commonwealthwell,albeitafterthosehardlessons. Manypublicemployeesandvolunteersfromfirstresponders,local,stateandfederal governmentswillrememberthatday,butthosewhowerethereatthecrashsiteofFlight93onthatday andthemanydaysthatfollowedhaveaveryvividandpersonalmemoryofwhathappened,justlikeall thoseattheWorldTradeCenterandthePentagon. LittledidDEPemployeesknowthatin10monthstheywouldbebackinSomersetCounty dealingwiththeQuecreekMineRescue. WestmorelandCountyConservationDistrictPresentsAwards,DedicatesBuilding TheWestmorelandConservationDistrictwillpresenttwoawardsforoutstandingconservationservice andrenameits1880serabarnbuildingheadquartersposthumouslyinhonorofitslongtimechairman,J. RoyHouston. TheeventsareplannedforSeptember12andthepublicisinvitedtoattendanopenhousetype reception,whichrunsfrom6:30p.m.until8:00p.m.attheDistrictslocationonDonohoeRoad. Receivingawardsare: HelenClevenger,andRickandMaryDuncanFarmeroftheYear JacobsCreekWatershedAssociationJ.RoyHoustonConservationPartnershipAwardsponsored byPeoplesNaturalGas TwogenerationsHelenClevenger,andRickandMaryDuncanarebeingrecognizedas theWestmorelandConservationDistricts2013ConservationFarmeroftheYearforthemany conservationmeasurestheyveinstalledontheir180acreDerryTownshipbeeffarm. Oneofthemostdramaticisalarge,roofedheavyusearea,whichprovidesaplacefortheherd tostayininclementweather,andadrystackmanurestoragearea.Bothfeaturessignificantlyreduce erosionofthepastures(sediment)andtheamountofanimalcontaminates(nutrients)thatwashintothe streamontheproperty,whichisatributaryofStonyRun. ClevengerandtheDuncansalsoinstalledaspringdevelopmentwithwatertroughs,anaccess roadforpeopleandequipment,ananimalwalkwayforthecows,alargediversionditch,astream buffer,andguttersanddownspoutswithsubsurfacedrainagetoseveralexistingbuildings. TheStonyRunWatershedhasbeenidentifiedasanareaforfocusedconservationefforts becauseitswaterwayshaveoneofthehighestlevelsofsedimentandnutrientpollutioninWestmoreland County. TheJacobsCreekWatershedAssociation,recipientoftheJ.RoyHoustonConservation PartnershipAward,isbeingrecognizedforitsdecadesofimportantconservationwork,including helpingtorealizeoneofthemostsignificantconservationimprovementsinWestmorelandCounty,the JacobsCreekWatershedProtectionandFloodPreventionProject. Thisproject,whichincludesAcmeDam,BridgeportDam,GreenlickDam,andtheScottdale Channel,hasbeenprotectingarearesidentsandbusinessesfromfloodingandprovidingrecreation opportunitiessincetheearly1970s.ItisoneofonlyafewsuchprojectsintheentireU.S.that

addressesanentirewatershed. Morerecently,JacobsCreekWatershedAssociationbecameoneofonlyafewsuch organizationsthathascompletedaWatershedImplementationPlanandbeenidentifiedbythe DepartmentofEnvironmentalResourcesasaprioritywatershed. Thisdesignationopenedthedoorfortheorganizationtoreceivegrantmoney,whichwasused tofundanumberofwaterqualityimprovementsinLaurelville,Scottdale,MountPleasant,Acme,and othercommunitiesthroughoutthe98squaremilesthatitcovers. TheJ.RoyHoustonConservationCenterwillbetheofficialnewnameofthe1880serabarn onDonohoeRoadinHempfieldTownshipwheretheWestmorelandConservationDistricthasits officesandholdsmanyofitsconservationeducationevents. HoustonwastheguidingforceoftheDistrictfor40yearsalevelofserviceunparalleledinthe organizations64yearhistory. RoywasanemployeeofPeoplesNaturalGasCompanyin1968whenthecompany encourageditsworkerstovolunteerwithareaorganizations.HebecameamemberoftheDistricts boardthatyear,andwaselectedchairmanoftheboardin1970.Heheldthatvolunteerpostuntil November2010whenhepassedawayatage82. TheDistrictsbarnheadquartersoriginallywasananimalandgrainbarnonaworkingfarmin PennTownship,WestmorelandCounty.Afternearly120yearsofagriculturalservice,thebarnwasno longerbeingusedand,infact,wasinthedirectpathofaplannedhousingdevelopmentwhentheDistrict rescuedit,movedittoitspresentlocationalongDonohoeRoadinHempfieldTownship,retrofittedit withpractical,greenmaterials,andgaveitanewuseasaconservationheadquarters/educationcenter. TheJ.RoyHoustonConservationPartnershipAwardissponsoredbyPeoplesNaturalGas Company. Alsosupportingthe2013awardspresentation,buildingdedication,andreceptionare:Adam EidemillerInc.BoveEngineeringCompanyKAGEngineeringIncorporatedLeeSimpson Associates,Inc.Lennon,Smith,SouleretEngineering,Inc.LigonierConstructionCompanyThe MarkoskyEngineeringGroupIncR.A.SmithNationalInc.TriCountyEngineering,LLC.andthe WestmorelandCountyParksCitizensAdvisoryBoard. Formoreinformation,visittheWestmorelandCountyConservationDistrictwebsite. OpEd:FederalFarmBillPromotesCleanWater,VibrantFarms ByHarryCampbell,ChesapeakeBayFoundationPAExecutiveDirector TheChesapeakeBayFoundationandmanypartnerscallonCongresstoswiftlypassafederalFarm Billupontheirreturninjustafewdays. Beforeleavingforsummerrecess,boththechamberspassedtheirownversions,whichnow mustbereconciledbeforebeingsignedintolawbythepresident. Whilethecrisisoverseasmustcertainlybedealtwith,weaskthatCongressalsoaddressmany crucialconcernsbackhomesuchastheFarmBill. Specifically,wehopeU.S.RepGlennThompsonwillensurethatthefinalbillsupports PennsylvaniafarmersandcleanwaterbyrobustlyfundingvitalFarmBillconservationprograms. Theseprogramshelpourfarmerstomaketheiroperationsmoreviable,toimproveherdhealth

andtoconservetheirsoilandresourceswhilehelpingtoimprovethequalityofourstreamsandrivers. WhenCongressreturnsMonday,themediaandpublicattentionrelatedtotheFarmBillwill surelyagainfocusonnutritionandcropinsuranceprograms.Together,theseprogramsmakeupnearly 80percentoftheFarmBillspending,comparedwithjust5.7percentinspending,nationwide,for conservationprogramsthatcountforourlocalstreamsandriversandtheChesapeakeBay. Pennsylvaniafarmersmanagethousandsofacres,andtheirdaytodaydecisionsabouttilling, fertilizing,pasturingandplantinghaveahugeimpactonourenvironment. WecallonThompsonandtheentirePennsylvaniadelegationtorecognizethecriticalrole conservationfundingservesinhelpingfarmersmakethosedecisions. Thompsonhastheopportunitytodemonstratealeadershiproleinconservationandcleanwater effortsbysupportingourfarmersandthesevitalprogramswhenCongressreturns. FarmBillconservationprogramshelpfarmersthroughoutPennsylvaniatoreducenutrientand sedimentpollutionthroughtheimplementationofcrucial,yetvoluntary,conservationefforts. Thesepracticesalsohelpimprovethelongtermproductionpotentialforthefarmerbykeepingthesoil onthefarmandbyimprovingherdhealth. InPennsylvaniasportionoftheChesapeakeBaywatershedfrom2010through2012,these conservationprogramshelpedourfarmersmakeabout100,000acresofonfarmimprovements. Theprogramshaveaproventrackrecordofcleanwatersuccesses,andifadequately supportedwillhelpPennsylvaniareachourstatecleanwatergoals.ItiscrucialforPennsylvaniafarmers tohaveadequatefederalsupportfortheonfarmpracticesthatcounttowardmeetingthosegoals. TheonfarmconservationpracticessupportedbytheFarmBillaretangiblepracticesor projectsthatincludeimprovingbarnandbuildingdownspoutsandtreatmentofrainwatertokeepsoil andexcessnutrientsfromrunningintostreamsimprovingbarnyardareastolessensoilerosionfencing cattlefromstreamsandinsteadprovidingthemwithaconsistentandhealthydrinkingwatersource plantingtreesandnativevegetationalongstreamsinordertofilterpollutionbeforeitreachesthestream plantingcovercropsduringtheoffseasontoprotectfieldsfromerosionandplantingcropsforwildlife insteadofleavingthemfallow. Thesepracticesarevitalforcleanwater,butalsoforthethousandsofPennsylvaniafarmers whofeedmillionsofAmericans.Farmersarestewardsofthelandandthevastmajoritytakethatrole seriously. But,inmanycases,farmersaredelayingtheseinvestmentsbecauseofthelackoffederal assistanceintheFarmBillsConservationProgrambudget.Demandisfargreaterthansupply,withonly oneinthreefarmsthatapplyforconservationassistancereceivingit. Pennsylvaniansdeservecleanwater,healthycommunitiesandstrongandvibranteconomiesfor todayandforgenerationstocome. TheconservationprogramsintheFarmBillcanhelp. NewsClips: NutrientTradingKeyToChesapeakeBayCleanupEffort BillPledgesToReduceChesapeakeBayCleanupCosts,ButWillIt? PennStateExtensionEducatorsReceiveNationalRecognition

FourmembersofthePennStateExtensioneducationstafftoreceivenationalrecognition. JenniferFetterandSanfordSmith PennStateExtensionWatershedYouthDevelopmentEducator,JenniferFetter,whoisbasedin DauphinCounty,andExtensionSpecialist,SanfordSmith,whoisbasedinStateCollege,arenational winnersoftheAssociationofNaturalResourceExtensionProfessionals2013SilverAwardinthe InnovativeProgramCategory. FetterandSmithreceivedtheawardfortheirorganizationofthefirsteverDiveDeeperYouth WaterEducatorsSummit,whichwasheldinHarrisburg,PAonSeptember27,2012.TheDive DeeperSummitwasaoneday,multistateenvironmentaleducationsummitspotlightinginnovative teachingaboutwater.Itwasgearedtowardsanyonewhoteachesyouthaboutwater,formallyor informally. 83WaterEducatorsfromacrossthemidAtlanticregionattendedand86percentofthe participants,whocompletedapostworkshopsurvey,wereabletogivespecificexamplesoftheirplans tochangetheirwatereducationprogramsinthenext12monthsasaresultofattending.Thesummitwas supportedbyagrantfromtheUSDANIFAIntegratedWaterProgram. BryanSwistockandJimClark PennStateExtensionWaterSpecialist,BryanSwistock,basedinStateCollege,andExtension Educator,JimClark,basedinMcKeanCounty,arenationalwinnersoftheAssociationofNatural ResourceExtensionProfessionals2013SilverAwardintheInnovativeProgramCategory. SwistockandClarkreceivedtheawardbasedontheirefforttoassistprivatewatersupply ownersinterpretwatertestreportsrelatedtopregaswelldrilling.548Pennsylvaniaresidentsattended oneof8extensionworkshopsinNorthCentralPennsylvaniaand346(96percent)ofthe362 participants,whocompletedapostworkshopsurvey,statedtheycouldnowidentifyandunderstandthe informationontheirwatertestreport. TheprojectwasapartnershipbetweenPennStateExtension,theClearfieldConservation District,andtheHeadwatersResourceConservationandDevelopmentCouncil,andwasfundedbya grantfromtheColcomFoundation. TheawardswillbepresentedduringtheANREPAwardsBanquetonSeptember19atthis yearsNationalGalaxyConferencetobeheldinPittsburgh,PA. (ReprintedfromthePennStateExtensionWatershedWindsnewsletter.) ConococheagueCreekHabitatImprovementProjectBenefitsBrookTrout Whenthe53acreBirchRunReservoirintheMichauxStateForestwasbreachedin2005,itleft behindastreambedoftheConococheagueCreekthathadbeensubmergedforyears.Asaresult,the streamrunningthelengthoftheoldreservoirwasaboutafootdeepwithlittleinthewayofcoverand habitatforthecolorfulnativebrooktroutthatthrivethere. ForesterPhilBietschdecidedtomakethingsmorehospitableforthetroutandbeganwork developingaplanforthishighprioritystreamrestorationlastfall.Philisanativeoftheareaandhashad alongtimeinterestinthebrooktroutstreamsoftheMichaux. ThissectionoftheConococheaguehasveryhighqualitywaterandnaturallyreproducing brooktrout,butthesectionofthetributaryintheabandonedreservoirhadverylittleinthewayofcover

andproductivehabitatBietschsaid. WorkingwiththeFishandBoatCommission,AdamsCountyTroutUnlimited,Cumberland ValleyTroutUnlimitedandFallingSpringTroutUnlimitedaswellastheNatureConservancyhehada planpreparedbyJanuary2013. DuringthesecondweekofJulythissummerthefirstphaseoftheplanwasimplemented. Habitatimprovementstothestreamincludedplungepools,logvanes,crossvanes,Jhooksand undercutbanks.Thedugoutpoolsinparticularprovideadditionaldepthwhichmeanscolderand moreoxygenatedwaterforthetrout. TheimprovementswerecarriedoutbyGleimExcavatingwhichspecializesininstream restorationprojectsaswellasbyvolunteersfromTroutUnlimited. TheresultswereimmediateanddramaticaccordingtoDistrictForesterRoyBrubaker. Itwasamazinghowquicklythebrooktroutfoundthedeeperpools.Thedayafterthework wascompletedwewalkedalongitandcouldalreadyseelittleschoolsoftrouthangingoutrightwhere theyweresupposedtobeBrubakersaid. ThesecondphaseoftheprojectistobecarriedoutnextJulyandmaybefundedbySouth MountainPartnershipgrants.Numerouseffortshavealreadybeenmadetogetthereservoirreforested andgraduallytheseplantingsareachievingsuccessaswell. TheMichauxStateForestislocatedinCumberland,FranklinandAdamscounties. (ReprintedfromtheSeptember4DCNRResourcenewsletter.) VolunteersNeededForStreamBufferTreePlantingsInDauphin,LancasterCounties TheChesapeakeBayFoundationPAisorganizingtwostreambuffertreeplantingeventsonSeptember 21inMiddletown,DauphinCountyandonSeptember28inEastLampeterTownship,Lancaster County. DauphinCounty TheSeptember21eventalongSwataraCreekwillrunfrom9:00a.m.to1:00p.m.andisbeing heldinpartnershipwithLondonderryTownshipandPennStateExtension'sGreeningtheLower Susquehannainitiative. Afterthe2011floods,LondonderryTownshippurchasedseveralpropertiesalongtheSwatara CreekthroughtheFEMAHazardMitigationGrantProgram.Thesepropertiesfrequentlyfloodedinthe pastandmakepoorlocationsforhousesandotherbuildings. Inanefforttorestorethesepropertiestotheirnaturalwoodedstate,wewillhelptheTownship createariparianbufferthatwillimprovethewaterqualityoftheSwataraCreekandhelpprevent floodinginthefuture. LancasterCounty TheSeptember28eventalongMillCreekisinpartnershipwiththeLancasterCounty ConservationDistrictandEastLampeterTownship,wherevolunteerswillplantalargeforestedbuffer (1,100trees)inthissuburbanpark,justoffRoute30.Theriparianbuffer,madeupofnativetreeand shrubspecies,willprotectMillCreekfrompollutedrunoff,providehabitatforwildlife,andimprove waterqualityinthecreek. ClickHeretoregisterforoneorbothevents.Formoreinformation,contactKateAustin,

CBFPAGrassrootsFieldSpecialist,bysendingemailto:kaustin@cbf.org. NewsClips: NutrientTradingKeyToChesapeakeBayCleanupEffort BillPledgesToReduceChesapeakeBayCleanupCosts,ButWillIt? OpEd:FarmBillPromotesCleanWaters,VibrantFarms iConservePA.orgVideo:LearnAboutInstallingRainBarrelCollectionSystems TheiConservePA.orgenvironmentaleducationwebsitehasjustpostedanewvideoaboutconstructing andusingrainbarrelcollectionsystemsaroundyourhome.StateParkManagerJimTweardy demonstrateshowthesesystemscanbemadefromrepurposedmaterialsandusedtowaterhis gardens,topsoffhiskiddiepoolandevencleanstheoccasionaldirtyfoot.ClickHeretowatchthe video. iConservePA.orgOffersMoreThan100WaysToConserveWater Learneasy,practicalwaystousewatermorewiselythroughiConservePA.organditsH2OWaterUse ItWiselywebpage.Youcanalsolearnhowtoencourageyourschoolsystemandlocalgovernmentto developandpromotewaterconservationamongchildrenandadults. PAPartnershipForSafeWaterSummitSept.2526InGrantville ThePASectionoftheAmericanWaterworksAssociationwillholdaPAPartnershipforSafeWater SummitSeptember2526attheHollywoodCasinoinGrantvillenearHarrisburg.ClickHereforallthe detailsandtoregister. PartnershipForDelawareEstuaryLatestNewsletterNowAvailable TheSummer2013issueofthePartnershipfortheDelawareEstuaryisnowavailableandfeatures articlesaboutthecleanwatereconomy,theconnectionbetweencleanwaterandcraftbeerand commercialfishingintheestuary.ClickHeretoreadyourcopy. PAResourcesCouncilHostsEWasteRecyclingSaturdaysInSoutheast ThePAResourcesCouncil,ECOvantaandtheirpartnerswillhostEWasteRecyclingSaturdaysinthe SoutheastoneverySaturdayinSeptember.ClickHereforthescheduleandtimes. KeepPABeautifulParticipatesInNationalPlantingDayWithSept.7 KeepPennsylvaniaBeautifulwillparticipatebyrevitalizingoutdoorgreenspacesatVAButler HealthcareaspartofNationalPlantingDay,aninitiativeofKeepAmericaBeautifultoencouragethe plantingofnativespeciesoftrees,shrubsandplants,nationallyonSeptember7.

TheworkismadepossiblethroughagrantfromTheHomeDepotFoundationandwillbe performedinpartnershipwithTeamDepot. TheHomeDepotFoundationisproudtobeafundingpartnerofKeepPennsylvania Beautiful,saidKellyCaffarelli,presidentofTheHomeDepotFoundation.Theydeserveenormous creditfortheworktheyaredoingforveteransinthecommunity,andwearethrilledtobepartoftheir efforts. ThroughNationalPlantingDay,KABisraisingawarenessabouttheimportanceofnative speciesinrestoringbalancetolocalenvironments,whilecreatingvibrant,morebeautifulcommunities. Whetheryouarepartofacitywidebeautificationprogram,amunicipalleader,orahomegardener,you canparticipatesimplybycommittingtousenativespeciesforyourfallplantingefforts. NationalPlantingDayisacalltoactiondesignedtoencouragepeopletoplantnativesathome, ortojoinavolunteerplantingefforttobeautifytheircommunity,saidCoriRotter,Sr.Manager,KAB BrandDevelopment.Itsincreasinglyimportantthatwefocusontheplantingofmoreecologically appropriate,droughttolerantnativespecies. Nativespeciesarelosinggroundtosuburbanization,fragmentedhabitats,ornamentalplantsand invasivespecies.Yetweknowthatnativesarecriticaltoattractingspecializedpollinatorsandinsects, whichinturnprovidefoodforbirdsandultimatelymanymoreanimalsupthefoodchain. Nativespeciesprovideidealhabitatforwildlife,arehardier,andrequirelesswaterandongoing maintenancethanotherornamentals.Thisisanespeciallyimportantbenefitinlightofthissummers extremetemperaturesinmanypartsofthecountry. Specialplantingactivitieswilltakeplaceindozensofcommunitiesthisfall.Contactyourlocal KeepAmericaBeautifulaffiliatefordetailsorregisteryoureventonline. TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturesPeoplesGardenInitiativeisalsojoiningKABinthese effortsbycallinguponthemorethan1,900PeoplesGardensacrossthecountrytoparticipatein NationalPlantingDay. CommunitiesthatwishtoberecognizedforgrowingaPeoplesGardenarealsoencouraged totakepartinNationalPlantingDaybyincorporatingsustainablepracticessuchasplantingnative species. ThesimplepracticeofplantingnativesprovidesoneofthecomponentsofaPeoplesGarden andhelpstheenvironmentbyconservingwater,protectingsoilfromerosionandprovidinghabitatfor wildlife. TheU.S.CompostingCouncilisjoiningKABinpromotingNationalPlantingDaybyreminding thepublicoftheimportanceofusingcompostwhenplantingtoprovideessentialorganicmattertosoils, addingvitalwaterholdingcapacity,helpingsoilretainnutrientslonger,improvingsoilstructureand supportinglocalorganicrecyclingprograms. FriendsOfWissahickonHostRooftopAgriculturePresentationSept.24 RooftopagricultureistakingrootincitiesacrossNorthAmerica.Learnmoreaboutthisexciting agriculturalmovementwiththeFriendsoftheWissahickonwhentheyhostalecturebyPhiladelphia landscapearchitectLaurenMandelonSeptember24at6:00p.m.atValleyGreenInn. RooftopAgricultureispartofFOW'spopularlectureseriesValleyTalks,sponsoredbyValley GreenBank.

Mandelwillexploretheevolutionoftherooftopagriculturalmovementaswellasfourprimary productionstrategies:containergardeningraisedbedproductionrowfarmingandhydroponics.She willusecasestudiesandphotographstoillustratethediversepeopleandplacesinvolvedinrooftop foodproduction. ValleyGreenInnislocatedonForbiddenDriveinWissahickonValleyPark.Lightrefreshments willbeprovided.RegisterforthelecturebycontactingSarahMarleybysendingemailto: marley@fow.orgorcall2152470417x109.Spacesarelimited. DEPApplaudedForReducingNaturalGasProductionAirEmissions,MoreWorkNeeded TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionrecentlyproposedchangestoanairqualityexemption (Exemption38)pertainingtooilandgasexploration,development,productionfacilitiesandassociated equipment. EnvironmentalDefenseFund,GroupAgainstSmogandPollution,PennsylvaniaEnvironmental CouncilandPennFuturerespondedtotheagencyschanges,expressingsupportforDEPsinitialsteps tostrengthenthestatesairqualitypermittingprocess,whilealsosuggestingwaysitcouldbeimproved. Relatedtooilandnaturalgaswellsitesandproductionactivities,DEPsrevisionofExemption 38signalstheagencyscommitmenttoreduceairpollutionfromoilandgasoperations. RevisedExemption38isapositivesteptowardreducingharmfulemissionsassociatedwithoil andgasdevelopmentinPennsylvania,buttheworkdoesntendhere,muchmoreisneededtoprotect thepublichealthandwelfareofstateresidents,saidAndrewWilliams,EDFstatelegislativeand regulatoryaffairsmanager.EDFwillcontinueworkingwithlocalenvironmentalorganizationsandDEP topushforgreatercontrolsofairemissionsfromnaturalgasandoilproductionintheKeystonestate. Newexemptioncriteriaareanimprovementovercurrentstatelaw.Previouscriteriaunder category38hadexemptedmostalloilandgaswellsitesandproductionfacilitiesfromanyairquality permittingprocesses.Becausestateregulatorsnarrowedthescopeofexemptedsources,facility operatorsmustnowimplementcontrolstoreduceharmfulemissionsbelowspecifiedlevels. However,rigorousoversightandenforcementmechanisms,aswellasannualDEPinspection requirements,areneededtoensurethatfieldperformanceadherestothestatesairqualitystandards. DEPmusttakefurtheractiononExemption38byrequiringfacilitiestoprovideperiodic compliancecertificationsandverificationthatemissioncontrolssatisfytheexemptionrequirements. Withoutadequatereportingrequirements,thereisnoassurancethatindividualsitesoperatingwithouta permitareactuallymeetingtheexemptionrequirements. Thegroupscalledforsuchmeasuresinarecentletterfiledwiththeagency.Theyaregenerally encouragedbyDEPsleadershiponrecentchangestogeneralpermitsfornaturalgasprocessingplants andgascompressorstationsthatinclude,amongotherthings,quarterlyleakdetectionandrepair monitoringbutadvocateforfurtheractioncoveringotheractivitiesandsources. DickinsonUniversity,ChathamUniversityNamedInTop25GreenestUniversities SierramagazinehasrankedChathamUniversityasthecountrys24thgreenestuniversityinitsseventh annualrankingofthenationsCoolestSchools.ChathamisoneofonlytwoPennsylvaniainstitutions tomakethetop25.DickinsonCollegeinCarlislewasrankednumber2.

Therankings,publishedinthemagazinesSeptember/Octoberissue,salutethehighereducation institutionsacrosstheUnitedStatesthataretakingdramaticstepstohelpprotecttheplanetandits resources. ChathamUniversityisproudtoberecognizedasoneofthecountrystop25greenest universitiesbySierramagazineforourcommitmenttoexcellenceinoursustainabilityefforts,saysMary Whitney,sustainabilitycoordinatoratChatham. Sierraexaminedtheacademicinstitutionsmakingadifferencefortheplanet,seekingout campusesthatarecreatingtangiblechangeinallcategoriesofgreennessfromwhatsservedindining hallstowhatstaughtinlecturehallstowhatspoweringthedorms. Forthepastsevenyears,Sierramagazinehasrankedcollegesanduniversitiesontheir commitmenttofightingclimatedisruptionandmakingsurethefuturetheirstudentswillinhabithassafe water,cleanair,andbeautifullandscapes,saidBobSipchen,Sierramagazineseditorinchief.By showingsuchstrongleadershiponsomanyfrontsfromenergyuseandtransportationtothecourses theyofferthebestoftheseschoolsarepointingthewayforotherinstitutions. ChathamscommitmenttosustainabilityandtheenvironmentearneditanAASHESTARS GoldRatingandrecognitionfromtheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil,theEnvironmentalProtection Agency,andtheLeagueofAmericanBicyclists,amongothers. Inaddition,ChathamwastheonlyNorthAmericaninstitutiontoreceiveaSustainableCampus ExcellenceAwardfromtheInternationalSustainableCampusNetworkattheirconferenceinSingapore earlierthisyear.Theawardrecognizesuniversitiesforexceptionalsustainabilityeffortsincampus planning,integrationwithacademics,studentleadership,andexemplarybuildingprojects. AsachartersignatoryofthePresidentsClimateCommitment,Chathamiscommittedto becomingcarbonneutralby2025.Sincesigningin2007,Chathamssquarefootageandenrollment haveincreasedby36percentand45percent,respectively,yethasreduceditsgreenhousegasnet emissionsby68percent.TheChathamUniversityClimateCommittee(students,staff,andfaculty) supportssustainabilityandclimateactiongoalsthroughresearch,reductionprojects,andoutreach initiatives. Chathamssustainabilityeffortstodateareleadingtotheopeningofthenew,EdenHall CampusintheNorthHillsofPittsburghthisfall.EdenHallCampusisthefirstacademiccommunityin theworldbuiltfromthegroundupforthestudyofsustainableliving,learning,anddevelopment. Usingthelatestinenvironmentallyresponsibletechnology,design,andinnovation,EdenHallwill beselfsustainingineverywaybyemittingzerocarbonemissions,managingallwasteandstormwater onsite,andproducingmoreenergythanitconsumes.Itisdesignedtoonedayservemorethan1,500 students(onlineandoncampus)inthefieldsofsustainability,healthsciences,business,andmore. Byprotectingvaluablewatersheds,incorporatingsurroundinglandandagriculturalresources, andrehabilitatingexistingfarmstructuresalongsidedevelopingnew,greenbuildings,EdenHallwillbea oneofakindvenueforeducation,conferences,communityoutreach,andecotourism. SierramagazinescompleteCoolSchoolrankings,alongwiththisyearscoverageofhigher educationsenvironmentalefforts. EnvironmentalQualityBoardToConsiderFinalTitleVAirQualityEmissionFees TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeetsonSeptember17toconsiderafinalregulationincreasingAir

QualityTitleVemissionfeesfrom$57.50pertonofemissionsto$85perton.Thechangeisestimated toinitiallygenerateabout$5.1millionmoreinrevenuetotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionto administertheTitleVprogram. ThefeesarerequiredbystateandfederallawtocoverthecostofTitleVprogram administration,butduetodecliningairemissions,theexistingfeestructurewasnotadequatetomeet agencycosts. ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildingstartingat9:00. Formoreinformationandacopyofthefinalregulationandotherrelatedfeepackage documents,includingtheRegulatoryAnalysisForm,visittheEnvironmentalQualityBoardwebpage. CorbettAppealsFederalDecisionNotToProvideHelpToStormVictims Gov.TomCorbettFridayagainrequestedfederalfundingthatwouldprovidereimbursementtolocal, countyandstateagenciesforcostsassociatedwiththeresponsetoandrecoveryfromseverestormsin lateJuneandthroughJuly. Inhislettertothepresident,thegovernorreiteratedthattheNationalWeatherService,afederal agency,agreedthattherepeatedstormswerepartofthesameweatherregimelastingfromJune22 throughJuly25. LastmonththeFederalEmergencyManagementAgencydeniedthegovernorsrequestfora federaldisasterdeclaration,sayingthestormswerearesultoftwodistinctandseparatestormevents. CorbettalsonotedthattheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationawardeddisasterdeclarationsin multiplecountiestoprovidelowinterestloanstocitizensimpactedbythestorms. SomecommunitiesinPennsylvaniawerebatteredrepeatedlywithstormsthatleftbehind significantdamagetolocalinfrastructure,Corbettsaid.Federaldisasteraidisappropriateinthiscase, sinceweexceededthecommonwealththresholdof$17.4millionincostsanddamages. Thegovernorsinitialrequestaskedforpublicassistanceforstategovernment,local governmentsandcertainnonprofitorganizationsthefollowingcounties:Allegheny,Centre,Clearfield, Clinton,Crawford,Fayette,Huntingdon,Jefferson,Lackawanna,Lawrence,Schuylkill,Venango, WashingtonandWayne. Thisassistancecouldpay75percentoftheapprovedcostofdebrisremoval,emergency servicesrelatedtothedisasterandrepairingorreplacingdamagedpublicfacilities,suchasroads, buildingsandutilities. ClickHereforacopyoftheGovernorsletter. NewsClip:ResurrectionAfterTheFloodInLuzerneCounty SaveTheDate:50thAnniversaryOfThePinchotInstituteForConservationSept.1922 Comecelebratethe50thanniversaryofthePinchotInstituteforConservationatGreyTowersin Milford,MonroeCountySeptember19to22.ClickHereforalistofactivitiesandtoregisterforthis specialevent. EnvironmentalHeritage:Happy49thBirthdayToTheFederalWildernessActOf1964

ThefederalWildernessActof1964waswrittenbyTionesta,PennsylvanianativeHowardZahniserof TheWildernessSociety,andestablishedthelegaldefinitionofwildernessintheUnitedStates. Theresultofalongefforttoprotectfederalwildernessandtocreateaformalmechanismfor designatingwilderness,theWildernessActwassignedintolaw49yearsagotodaybyPresident LyndonB.JohnsononSeptember3,1964afteroversixtydraftsandeightyearsofworkbyZahniser andmanyothers. TheWildernessActiswellknownforitssuccinctandpoeticdefinitionofwilderness: Awilderness,incontrastwiththoseareaswheremanandhisownworksdominatethelandscape,is herebyrecognizedasanareawheretheearthanditscommunityoflifeareuntrammeledbyman,where manhimselfisavisitorwhodoesnotremain. WhenPresidentJohnsonsignedtheWildernessAct,itcreatedAmerica'sNationalWilderness PreservationSystemwhichencompasseslandsmanagedbytheU.S.ForestService(suchasinthe AlleghenyNationalForest),theNationalParkService,theU.S.Fish&WildlifeService,andthe BureauofLandManagement. TheinitialwildernessareasdesignatedintheActcomprised9.1millionacresofnationalforest lands.Aftermorethan100separatepiecesofwildernesslegislation,passedinalmosteverysessionof Congresssince1964,thecurrentstatusoftheNWPStotals757unitsandmorethan109millionacres in44states. (ReprintedfromtheFriendsofAlleghenyWilderness.) PennsylvaniansContinueAnsweringWildfireCallsFromOtherStates WithnationalattentionfocusedonmajorwildfiresinCaliforniaandIdaho,Harrisburgareamedia recentlycontinuedstrongcoverageofPennsylvaniafirefightingcrewsdeployedtoandreturning fromoutofstateblazes. FortyBureauofForestryemployeesandlocalvolunteerfirecompanymembersreturned August22,fromIdaho.TheyweregreetedattheairportbyActingSecretaryFerretti,whojoinedthem forbreakfastthenextdayattheLowerSwataraFireDepartmentheadquarters. Another20personcrewofPennsylvaniansreturnedAugust28aftertwoweeksfightingan OregonblazeanothercrewleftAugust29forMontanadutyandanothercrewremainsinCalif., fightingtheRimFirenearYosemiteNationalPark.Thatcrewisexpectedtoreturnlatethisweekor earlynextweek. Intotal,seven20personcrewshavebeendeployedfromPennsylvaniatoAlaska,Idaho, Montana,OregonandCalifornia.Withindividualassignments,closeto175firefightershavebeen deployedin2013. Inpastyears,thestateBureauofForestryhasdispatchedasmanyas300volunteersayearto helpotherstates. Pennsylvaniaovertheyearshasprovidedbothcrewsandhighlyspecializedindividualsto wildfiresinmanyEasternstatesandeverystatewestoftheMississippi.Mostassignmentsinvolve firefighterstravelingaspartofa20personcrew,andservingtwoweekassignments. AllvolunteersfromPennsylvaniahavereceivedintensivetrainingataBureauofForestrytraining

campthatdatesback27years.Thethreedaycampduplicatesreallifefirefightingexperiencesfound acrossthenationBecauseofthetrainingandorganizationPennsylvaniasvolunteerwildfirefighters continuetogetthecallwhenthegoinggetsroughwithforestandbrushfiresacrossthecountry. Overtheyears,Pennsylvaniacrewsregularlyreceivehighreviewsfortheirtraining,attitudeand knowledge.Aftertrainingandtheiroutofstateassignments,thesePennsylvaniafirefightersbringhome morethanthesatisfactionofgiving100percent.Theybringbackfirsthandknowledgetohelpthem fightlargefiresinourwoodlands. Formoreinformation,visitDCNRsWildlandFirewebpage. (ReprintedfromtheSeptember4DCNRResourcenewsletter.) StartPlanningNowToSeePennsylvaniasFallFoliageAtItsBest Wherecanyoufindthelongestandmostvariedfallfoliageseasoninthenation?Thatwouldberight hereinPennsWoods. Becauseofitslatitude,forestcover,variedtopographysealeveltoover3,000feetandour 134speciesoftrees,Pennsylvaniaisthekingofleafpeepingopportunities. BeginningthelastweekofSeptember,forestersfromtheDepartmentofConservationand NaturalResourceswillbegivingtheirbestfieldadviceonthechangingcolors. Weeklyfallfoliagereportswillspotlightkeylocationsforviewingnaturesfallpaletteand communityfestivalsforenjoyingtheseasonalactivitiesandproducts. Whatsyourpredictionforthefallcolors?Thisfactsheetdescribesthesciencebehindcolor change,soyoucanpretendyoureaforestrypro. PlanahikeonExplorePATrailsforthosecool,delightfuldaysofautumn! NewExhibitsAtWildlifeCenterInSinnemahoningStatePark NewexhibitsdesignedtoenhancetheparkvisitorswildlifewatchingopportunitiesinthePennsylvania WildsregionarenowinplaceattheWildlifeCenteratSinnemahoningStateParkinCameronand Pottercounties. About350parkvisitorsgotthefirstpeakatthemduringanopenhouseinAugust. Therearearichvarietyofexhibittypesthatappealtomultiplelearningstylesimmersive environments,multimediaexperiences,murals,sculpturalelementsandinteractiveexhibits. TheFirstForkValleyisanimportanttravelway,linkingthenatural,cultural,educational,and recreationalresourcesofthePennsylvaniaWilds.Thistravelwaythemeispresentthroughoutthe building.Inthelobby,awindingtopographicalmapmodelleadsvisitorstowardtheexhibitgallery, introducingthesteepvalleytopographyoftheregion. Birdmodelsandanimpressiveswarmofmonarchbutterfliestracetheshapeofthemap,subtly presentingtheconceptofmigration.Visitorswalkthrougharockworkgatewaytoentertheexhibit gallery,fromtherefollowingawindingpaththroughaseriesofthemedenvironments. Wildlifewatching,naturephotographyandoutdoorrecreationareprominentlyfeaturedinthenew exhibitgallery.Insidethebarkshanty,visitorscanusetheinteractivedisplaytolearnaboutthehistoryof theFirstForkValley.

LinkstospecialsightsandactivitiesinthePennsylvaniaWildsarepresentthroughout.As visitorsleave,thelastexhibitelementtheyencounterisaninteractivePennsylvaniaWildsmapwith multiplesuggestionsonwhatelsetoexploreintheregion. ThenewexhibitsintheWildlifeCenterarenotforadultsonly.Acave,ahollowtree,aneagles nest,andmanyotherhandsonexhibitsallowtheyoungestvisitorstolearnaboutnatureintheirown style. TheOpenHouseeventofferedaninformal,funwayforfamiliestoviewtheexhibitsforthefirst time.NellieandBrandon,fromLilly,PAcommented,Theexhibitslookgreat!Wewereherelastyear andalothasbeenadded.Weloveit!Bobby,fromJohnstown,PA,summeditupsimply,The WildlifeCenterinamazing!Thankyousomuch. SinnemahoningStateParkisa1,910acremultiuseparkinCameronandPottercountieswith overnightfacilitiesandyearroundrecreationalopportunities.Theparkofferscamping,cabinrental, picnicpavilions,environmentalandoutdoorrecreationprograms,trailsforhiking,bikingand snowmobiling,andthe145acreGeorgeB.StevensonReservoirforfishing,kayakingandcanoeing. Sinnemahoningisalsopopularforviewingwildlifesuchasbaldeaglesandelk. TheWildlifeCenteratSinnemahoningStateParkisfreeofchargeandopentothepublicfrom 8:00a.m.to6:00p.m.sevendaysaweekfromApril1throughOctober31.Foroffseasonhours, pleasecontacttheparkofficelocatedintheWildlifeCenterat8146478401. (ReprintedfromtheSeptember4DCNRResourcenewsletter.) WildlifeForEveryone:SpeciesOfYoungForestFocusOfMcKeanCountyProject About30,000wildlifebeneficialtreesandshrubshavebeenplantedrecentlyonthe17,500acre ClermontTractinsouthernMcKeanCountytobegintherestorationofthesiteasprimehabitatforthe Americanwoodcockandotheryoungforestspecies. Theplantingispartofalongtermefforttoimprovewildlifehabitatandmonitorwildlife populationsonthissite,whichismanagedbyForestInvestmentAssociates. TheClermontTractwasloggedduringtheinitialperiodofcuttingacrossnorthernPennsylvania inthemid1800sandagaininthefirstthirdofthe20thcentury.Slashfireswerecommonafterlogging anddeernumbersincreaseddramaticallyafterthesecondcutting. Thedriersitescamebackinablackcherrydominatedforestthatproducessomeofthefinest cherrylumberintheworld,however,thewettermeadowsitesneverfullyregenerated. Aspen,willowandaldersdidcomeinfollowingthecuttingandbeaveraboundedalongthe streambottomscreatingandeventuallyabandoningimpoundments.Theseareasnormallywouldcycle backintoshrubandtreehabitat,whichinturnwouldprovidegoodhabitatforwoodcockandother brushlovingspecies. However,highdeernumbersinthe1960'sto1990'spreventedthenaturalregenerationof alders,willowsandaspensthatnormallywouldgrowinthedrainedareasofformerbeaver impoundments.Thesewetbrushyhabitatsarefavoredbywoodcockforfeedingandnesting. Overtimethelackoffoodreducedthebeaverpopulationintheseareastothepointwhere beaverwerenolongeramajorinfluenceonthehabitatcycle.Thespeciesthatuseyoungforestand shrubhabitat,includingthewoodcock,snowshoehareandruffedgrousedeclineddramaticallyinthese

areas. Despitethedegradedhabitatconditionsacrossthetract,eveningsurveysinmidAprilby volunteersfromWoodcockLimitedandtheRuffedGrouseSocietyandstafffromtheGame CommissionandWildlifeManagementInstitutelocatedanumberofsinging,malewoodcocks.Such singinggroundsurveysarethestandardU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceprotocolforassessing woodcocknumbersonasite. AimingtodetermineexistingwoodcockuseacrosstheClermontTract,thesurveysareafirst stepindevelopingamanagementplanforthesitethatwilldemonstratetechniquestorestorehabitatfor Americanwoodcockandassociated,youngforestspeciessuchasruffedgrouse,snowshoehareand goldenwingedwarbler. Bycomparingareasofthetractbeingusedandareasnotusedonthesamesoiltypes, researcherswillidentifyhabitatcomponentsthatneedtobeimproved,aswellastheimpactofhabitat restorationefforts,suchastherecentplantingofwinterberryholly,northernarrowwood,silky dogwood,redosierdogwood,Washingtonhawthorn,tremblingaspen,bigtoothedaspen,highbush cranberry,willow,whitepine,redpineandwhitespruce. PlantingsweredonebystafffromHabitatForever,usingshrubandtreespeciesselectedto provideavarietyofseedsandfruits,somethatlastwellintothewinter.Theyallwillprovidecoverfor youngforestspeciesformanyyears. MaryHosmerofRidgewayhasbeenoneofourmostenthusiasticvolunteersandhasspent manydaysplantingandsurveyingforwoodcock.Shesaidthatsheisexcitedaboutthisprojectbecause shecanseelandscapescalechangestakingplace.Maryisactiveinwithseveralofourcooperating organizations,includingWoodcockLimitedandtheRuffedGrouseSociety. Researchersbelievethesodlayerthathasdevelopedonthesiteisinhibitingtheestablishmentof woodyvegetationandmayneedtobebrokenupbyscalpingstripswithabulldozertoexposemineral soiltopromoterecolonizationbyaspen,alder,dogwood,viburnum,andothernativeshrubs.Direct seedingofthosespeciesisintendedtoaugmentnaturalregeneration. Whileplantingonthewetmeadowsiteswillproducegoodhabitat,thecommercialmanagement oftheforestistheprimaryfactorthatwillregeneratehabitatfortheshrublovingspecies.The regenerationoftheforestfollowingthecuttingofthelastcenturyproducedthegoodolddaysforruffed grouse,snowshoehare,andlaterdeer. Astheforestmatured,habitatforallofthosespeciesdeclinedandthepopulationofallofthose speciesfell.Otherspeciesrangingfrombobcatandweaselstowarblersdeclinedaswell. Thatforestisnowmatureandtheharvestcycleisstartingoveragain.Thisspellsgoodnewsfor allofbrushlovingspeciesinthenortherntierofPennsylvania. FundingfortheHabitatForeverstaffwasprovidedbyagrantfromtheWildlifeForEveryone EndowmentFoundation,usinggiftstothefoundationfromdonorsintheBradfordarea. AdditionalfundingwasprovidedbyWMIandUSFWS. The30,000seedlingswereproducedatthePGC'sHowardNurseryandweremadeavailable fortheprojectbecauseFIAisacooperatorinthecommission'sForestGameProgram,whichopens thesitetohunting. TheClermontTractalsoisenrolledinthePrivateLandownerOpportunitiesforWoodcock programofWoodcockLimitedofPennsylvania. Formoreinformation,visittheWildlifeForEveryoneFoundationwebsite.

HawkMountainHostsSpecialPrograms,RaptorsAplentyInSeptember HawkMountainSanctuary,Kempton,hasreported466migratinghawks,eaglesandfalconssince August15,andexpertsattheworldfamousSanctuaryexpectthenumbertojumpbymidmonth.The tallyincludes14raptorspeciestodate,amongthembaldeagles(68),ospreys(51)andbroadwinged hawks(171). SofarthebusiestdayhasbeenAugust23whenacoldfrontcarried84birdsofpreyincluding 20baldeagles.Toseethefullcount,includingdailyupdates,theseasonhigh,andindividualspecies totals,visitTheCountwebpageontheHawkMountainwebsite. ThefirsttwoweeksofSeptemberarethebesttimetoseebaldeagles,Americankestrelsand ospreys.Bothospreysandeagleshavebeenspottedalmosteveryday,althoughvisitorsalsoareseeing nonmigratingbaldeaglesthathavelocalnests. Ospreysontheotherhand,aremovingwithpurpose,sailingoverheadontheirwaytoSouth Americanwinteringgrounds. Theearlymorninghoursalsoareagreattimetoseeothermigrants,suchasthecolorful migratingwarblersandothersongbirdsthatstoptorestandfeedattheLookoutatdawn. Septemberismostnotableforbroadwingedhawknumberswhichwillbuildsteadily,peak,and thendropquicklybeforemonth'send. Anaverage8,000broadwingssoarbyHawkMountaineachSeptemberandpassinflocks, usingthermalsofhotrisingairtokettleorriseinaswirlingfunnelinthesky,liftingtogreatheights beforetheystreamsouthtofindthenextthermal.Thisuniquestrategyallowsthesmallhawkstosave energybysoaring,whichhelpsfueltheirlongdistanceflighttoCentralandSouthAmerica. Thepeakforbroadwingmigrationoccursonlyduringaveryshortwindowoftime,between September15and22,whenthebroadwingswillpassonjustoneortwodays,soaringthroughin impressiveflocksofhundreds,andwithonedaycountstotalingwellover1,000.Insomeyears,visitors andcountersseeseveralthousandinjustoneday. ThebestwaytoseebroadwingsistofollowthecountontheHawkMountainwebsiteandto signupfortheHawkMountaineNewsletter,explainsSanctuarypresidentJerryRegan.Ourstaff updatesthecounteveryeveningonourwebsite,andofferstipsinaweeklyemailthatarebasedupon theupcomingweatherpatterns.Itsagreathelpandwillincreaseyourchancesofsuccess,heexplains. Inautumn,ageneralruleisthatanicebreezydaywillofferthebestchancetoseeraptor movement,butalwaysbringbinoculars,somethingsofttositon,andadaypacktocarryyourgearin andout. InterestedvisitorscanalsocalltheSanctuarysinfolineat6107566000,option6,forweather updates,thepreviousdayshawkcountandmoreflighttips,or,visittheHawkMountainSanctuary websiteorcalltheVisitorCenter,daily,at6107566961. Feature:GameCommissionFilmCelebratesBaldEagleRestorationSuccess Oftentimeswhenwetalkaboutwildlife,wetalkaboutitinasingularsense.Wesaythecottontail rabbit,orthewhitetaileddeerasopposedtousingpluralnounsthatwouldaccuratelyrepresenttheir numbers.

Butwhenitcomestothebaldeagle,therewasatimenotsolongagoinPennsylvaniathatthe singularnounnearlysummeduptheentirepopulation. In1983,whentheGameCommissionlaunchedwhatwouldbecomeasevenyearprogramto restorebaldeagles,onlythreenestsremainedstatewide.Thatssixadultbirdsallofthemlocatedin CrawfordCounty,inthenorthwesterncornerofthestate,alongtheOhioborder. Whatadifference30yearshasmade. Today,baldeagleshavebecomeacommonsightthroughoutmuchofPennsylvania.Sofarthis year,268nestshavebeencountedstatewide.AndtheGameCommissionisconsideringaproposalto removebaldeaglesfromthestateslistofthreatenedspecies. Incelebrationofthe30thanniversaryofthosefirstrestorationefforts,theGameCommission hasproducedadocumentaryonthebaldeaglessuccessfulcomeback,andthefilmisscheduledbe screenedatseveralsitesthroughoutthestate. PennsylvaniaBaldEagles,Celebrating30YearsofRestorationbringsfullcircletheamazing storyofthebaldeagleintheCommonwealthfollowingthespeciesthroughitsdrasticdeclineand successfulreintroductiontothepresenttime,whenthepopulationonceagainisthriving. Thedocumentaryfeaturescommentaryfromahostofexperts.GameCommissionendangered birdbiologistPattiBarber,wildlifediversitysectionchiefDanBrauning,andwildlifeconservationofficer RondaBimbertalkabouttheeaglespast,presentandfuture. FollowwildliferehabilitatorsCarolHolmgren,SueDeArmentandMaryjaneAngeloasthe worktobringbacktohealthinjuredbaldeaglesoneofthema25yearoldbirdthatasaneagletwas pluckedfromaCanadiannestandbroughttoPennsylvaniaaspartoftheGameCommissions sevenyearrestorationprogram.Andwatchasthosebirdsarereturnedtothewild. Running22minutes,thefilmdoesanamazingjobofillustratingoneofthegreatsuccessstories inwildlifeconservationhistory,GameCommissionExecutiveDirectorCarlG.Roesaid. ThebaldeaglesrecoveryinPennsylvaniahasbeennothingshortofremarkable,andthisfilm doesanincrediblejoboftellingthatstoryRoesaid.Itcelebratesavictoryforwildlifeconservation andwillleaveresidentsfeelingproudtobePennsylvanians. PennsylvaniaBaldEagles,Celebrating30YearsofRestorationwasfilmedandeditedby GameCommissionvideographersHalKorberandTracyGraziano.Thefilmhasbeenenteredinthe JacksonHoleWildlifeFilmFestival,andaftermakingitstouraroundthestate,willbemadeavailableto thepubliconline. RoesaidthefilmwasreceivedwarmlyatitsfirstpublicscreeningduringarecentBoardof GameCommissionersmeeting.Somanyofthosewhowerethereandsawthefilmremarkedonhow movingtheyfoundit,hesaid. Peoplehaveanindescribableconnectionwithbaldeagles,andtoseethebaldeaglestaleof triumphlaidoutinthismannersimplyisathingofbeauty,Roesaid. PublicShowings SeveralshowingsofthedocumentaryPennsylvaniaBaldEagles,Celebrating30Yearsof Restorationhavebeenscheduledtotakeplacearoundthestatethisfall.Morecouldbeadded. Theinitialshowingswillbe September9,7:30p.m.AdamsCountyAgricultural&NaturalResourcesCenter,670Old HarrisburgRoad,Gettysburg,Pa.Aroomnumberforthemeetingwillbepostedonaninnerdooratthe frontentrance.HostedbytheSouthMountainAudubonSociety.

September17,7p.m.BellwoodAntisPublicLibrary,526MainSt.,Bellwood,Pa.Hostedbythe JuniataValleyAudubonSociety. September28,5p.m.HawkMountainSanctuaryVisitorCenter,1700HawkMountainRoad, Kempton,Pa. September29,NoonMiddleCreekWildlifeManagementAreaVisitorCenter,100Museum Road,Stevens,Pa.Formoreinformationcall7177331512. October17,7p.m.NedSmithCenterforNatureandArt,176WaterCompanyRoad, Millersburg,Pa.Admissiontothiseventis$5.NedSmithCentermemberscanusecouponstoreceive halfpriceadmission. November23,1p.m.JohnHeinzNationalWildlifeRefugeVisitorCenter,8601LindberghBlvd., Philadelphia,Pa. ProposaltoDelist TheGameCommissionsBureauofWildlifeManagementplanslaterthismonthtomakea recommendationforofficialstoremovethebaldeaglefromthestateslistofthreatenedspecies. AtarecentPennsylvaniaBoardofGameCommissionersworkshop,GameCommissionbiologistDoug Grossadvisedtheboardaproposaltoupgradethebaldeaglesstatusfromthreatenedtoprotected wouldbemadeformallyattheboardsnextmeeting,tobeheldSeptember23and24inDelmont,Pa. Undertheexistingprocedures,anendangeredorthreatenedspeciescannotberemovedfrom oraddedtothestateslistwithouttwosessionsforpubliccommentandtwovotesbytheboard. OpportunityToBidOnMineReclamationProjectsInArmstrong,Northumberland TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticeofanopportunitytobidonamine reclamationprojectsinArmstrongandNorthumberlandcounties. HelpWanted:ClearWaterConservancyWaterResourcesCoordinator CentreCountybasedClearWaterConservancyisseekingcandidatesforthepositionofWater ResourcesCoordinator.ResumesaredueOctober1.ClickHereforafulljobdescription.

Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased September10CANCELED.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Thenextscheduled meetingisDecember3.(formalnotice) September10DelawareRiverBasinCommissionholdsahearingonproposedchangestowater quality,watercodeandtheDRBCComprehensiveWaterplanrelatedtoPCBs.Agenda& Background.GoddardConferenceRoom,DRBC,25StatePoliceDr.,WestTrenton,NJ.1:00. (formalnotice)

September1112DelawareRiverBasinCommissionhearing/meetingClickHereforupdated agendainformation.TheEnterpriseCenter,BurlingtonCountyCollege,3331Route38,MountLaurel, NJ.(formalnotice+tentativeagenda) September17AgendaReleased.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:00. FinalAirQualityTitleVfeechanges <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts,includingtheRegulatoryAnalysisForm September17AgendaReleased.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.11:00. JointmeetingwithDEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoard PresentationofdraftchangestoCommunityEnvironmentalProjectPolicy PresentationbyOfficeofHealthEquity,DepartmentofHealth <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts September17AgendaReleased.DEPBoardofCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPMineRescue TrainingFacility,286IndustrialParkRoad,Ebensburg.10:00. ProposedHighVoltageContinuousMiningMachineregulation DraftStandardsforSurfaceFacilitiesregulation TaskForceReport:DraftPerformanceBasedCableSafetyRequirementsregulation <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts September17DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30. JointmeetingwithDEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncil(startingat11:00) PresentationofdraftchangestoCommunityEnvironmentalProjectPolicy PresentationbyOfficeofHealthEquity,DepartmentofHealth <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts September1819DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardAct13drillingregulationupdate subcommitteemeetingsonpublicresourceprotection,prehydraulicfracturingassessment,waste managementatwellsitesandwatersupplyrestorationstandards.Room105,RachelCarsonState OfficeBuilding,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg.10:00September18,8:30September19.(formal notice) September19SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionmeeting.BinghamtonStateOfficeBuilding, 18thFloor,44HawleySt.,Binghamton,NY.9:00.(formalnotice) RecognitionofPaulSwartz,appointmentofAndrewDehoffasnewexecutivedirector Waterwithdrawalrequests <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts.

September26DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteeandRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommitteejoint meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00..(formalnotice) ConsiderationofRecyclingFundspendingplan. <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts. October4DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. October8DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeetingRoom105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents[VisitDEPsnewandimprovedCalendar]

Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek. September15CFAHighPerformanceBuildingFunding September15CFAAlternative,CleanEnergyFunding September16FirstEnergyEducationGrants September25HeenanPARecyclingMarketsDevelopmentAward September30DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrant September30ProjectLearningTreeClassroomGrants October8DEPSmallBusinessAdvantageGrants October21DEPCoastalZoneManagementGrants October23PEMAFireCompany&AmbulanceServicesGrants October25Berks,LebanonWatershedImprovementGrants October30SchuylkillActionNetworkPhotoContest October31PRCLensOnLitterContest October31DCNRWildResourceConservationPhotoContest November13PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFinancing December31DEPPASunshineRebates(orbeforeiffundsrunout) February1SusquehannaGreenwayPhotoContest February19PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFinancing May1KeepPABeautifulSueWisemanStudentScholarship May14PennVESTWaterInfrastructureFinancing VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance forenvironmentalprojects.

Budget/QuickClips
Here'saselectionofNewClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate Budget BillPledgesToReduceChesapeakeBayCleanupCosts,ButWillIt? Editorial:FixBridges,Highways,MassTransit Rep.DickHess,HouseTransportationChair,Passes AugustRevenueCollectionSlowerThanAnticipated Other PAMayLose$19MOverEndangeredSpeciesLegislation NorthamptonCouncilOKsWasteRecyclingPlant LackawannaCollegeToHostElectronicsDropOff 12YearOldGasolineSpillCaseLingers PeopleFeelingBurnedShoppingForElectricity JudgeTossesPPLPowerLineLawsuit FirstEnergyToSell11HydroPlans,IncludingFayetteArmstrong NortheastTwpToConsiderWindOrdinance BerwickNuclearPlantFacesExtraInspection Editorial:BeaverNuclearPlantSecurityMustBeFirstRate ReadMissingStateClimateChangeReport CommuterServicesOfPAKicksOffTryTransitMonth WhitehallToFinishItsPartOfJordanCreekGreenwayTrail OpEd:CultureChangeCanStartWithMoreWalking BaldEagleMakesAComeback BaldEagleMayBeRemovedFromThreatenedSpeciesList

MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling SchwartzPlansExtractionTaxOnMarcellusShaleProduction CorbettEnergyAdvisorDefendsShalePolicy StudyPromises3.3MillionJobsMarcellusShaleJobs AuditorGeneralHintsAtDEPWaterMonitoringProblems PolicyCenterReportsMarcellusShaleNotBeneficial ChesapeakeEnergyToPay$7.5MToSettleLeaseholderLawsuit OpEd:PAShouldRejoiceOverNaturalGasProduction GasDrillingWastePitsAngerNeighbors Washington,GreeneGettingLotsOfMileageOutOfDrilling DrillingRoyaltiesNotEyedForPittsburghAirportDebt

DrillingIndustryTurnsToUpperDevonianShale LandownersPlanToFightPipelineWork PlasticsMakerProtects,ProfitsFromGasWells PGWLowersNaturalGasRate Financial/OtherStates SunocoLogisticsUpdatesMarcellusPipelinesProgress

Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate Flooding ResurrectionAfterTheFloodInLuzerneCounty OtherWatershedNewsClips NutrientTradingKeyToChesapeakeBayCleanupEffort BillPledgesToReduceChesapeakeBayCleanupCosts,ButWillIt? OpEd:FarmBillPromotesCleanWaters,VibrantFarms RobinHoodDamRemovalGetsOKFromAllentown ElizabethtownKeepsStormwaterPlanOnTrack JacobsCreekWatershedAssn.FundraiserSept.13

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeetsonSeptember17toconsiderafinalAirQualityregulation increasingTitleVemissionfees. PennsylvaniaBulletinSeptember7,2013 ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits
Nonewtechnicalguidancewaspublishedthisweek. TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage

CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar webpage. ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek. September10CANCELED.DEPStorageTankAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Thenextscheduled meetingisDecember3.(formalnotice) September10DelawareRiverBasinCommissionholdsahearingonproposedchangestowater quality,watercodeandtheDRBCComprehensiveWaterplanrelatedtoPCBs.Agenda& Background.GoddardConferenceRoom,DRBC,25StatePoliceDr.,WestTrenton,NJ.1:00. (formalnotice) September1112DelawareRiverBasinCommissionhearing/meetingClickHereforupdated agendainformation.TheEnterpriseCenter,BurlingtonCountyCollege,3331Route38,MountLaurel, NJ.(formalnotice+tentativeagenda) September13NEW.SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsa hearingonelectricreliabilityandtheclosingofcoalfiredpowerplantsinGreeneCounty.Waynesburg University,51W.CollegeSt.,Waynesburg.10:00. September13SenateGameandFisheriesCommitteeholdsahearingonelkmanagementandthe 100thanniversaryofthereintroductionofelkintoPennsylvania.ElkCountyVisitorsCenter,Benezette. 2:00. September16NEW.HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeholdsahearingonenergy.Jefferson VolunteerFireCompany,1483JeffersonRoad,Jefferson,GreeneCounty.2:00. September17NEW.HouseGameandFisheriesandEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy CommitteesholdahearingonHouseBill1576(PyleRArmstrong)fundamentallychangingtheway threatenedandendangeredspeciesarelistedinPAsummaryoffirsthearing.IndianaUniversity Northpointe,167NorthpointeBlvd.,Building167,Room129,Indiana,Pa.10:00. September17AgendaReleased.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:00.

September17AgendaReleased.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.11:00. September17AgendaReleased.DEPBoardofCoalMineSafetymeeting.DEPMineRescue TrainingFacility,286IndustrialParkRoad,Ebensburg.10:00. September17DEPEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryBoardmeeting.DelawareRoom,16thFloor RachelCarsonBuilding.8:30. September1819DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardAct13drillingregulationupdate subcommitteemeetingsonpublicresourceprotection,prehydraulicfracturingassessment,waste managementatwellsitesandwatersupplyrestorationstandards.Room105,RachelCarsonState OfficeBuilding,400MarketStreet,Harrisburg.10:00September18,8:30September19.(formal notice) September19SusquehannaRiverBasinCommissionmeeting.BinghamtonStateOfficeBuilding, 18thFloor,44HawleySt.,Binghamton,NY.9:00.(formalnotice) September26DEPSolidWasteAdvisoryCommitteeandRecyclingFundAdvisoryCommitteejoint meeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00..(formalnotice) September30EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControland ConservationCommitteewillfeatureDr.DavidJ.Nowak,Ph.D,projectleaderfortheUSDAForest ServicesNorthernResearchStation,willdiscusstheagencysinnovativeiTreeprogramandhow communitiescangethelpinplanninghowbesttomaketreesworkforthem.RoomG50IrvisBuilding, Noon. October4DEPLowLevelRadioactiveWasteAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. October8DEPClimateChangeAdvisoryCommitteemeetingRoom105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. October18CANCELED.SenateandHouseGameandFisheriesCommitteesholdajointhearing onuseofLakeEriepermitfundsandFishandBoatCommissionfeeexpansions.ErieYachtClub,1 RavineDrive,Erie.9:00. October21EnvironmentalIssuesForum,JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControland ConservationCommitteewillfeaturePennsylvaniahydrogeologistBruceLeavittwilldiscusshisback tothefuturetechnologyknownastrompetechnology,datingbacktothe16thcenturythathehas rediscoveredandisusingtoremediateacidminedrainageinanenergysaving,costefficientand effectiveway.(LTBA).

DEPCalendarofEvents[VisitDEPsnewandimprovedCalendar] Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof EnvironmentalEducators'website. SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

StoriesInvited
Sendyourstories,photosandlinkstovideosaboutyourproject,environmentalissuesorprogramsfor publicationinthePAEnvironmentDigestto:DHess@CrisciAssociates.com. PAEnvironmentDigestiseditedbyDavidE.Hess,formerSecretaryPennsylvaniaDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtectionandispublishedasaserviceofCrisciAssociates,aHarrisburgbased governmentandpublicaffairsfirmwhoseclientsincludeFortune500companiesandnonprofit organizations.Formoreinformation,visitthenewlyupdatedCrisciAssociateswebsiteorcall 7172341716. PAEnvironmentDigestweeklywasthewinnerofthePAAssociationofEnvironmental Educators'2009BusinessPartneroftheYearAward. AlsosignupfortheseotherservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog. PAEnvironmentDigestVideoBlog:showcasesoriginalandpublishedvideosfromenvironmental groupsandagenciesaroundthestate.Signuptoreceiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyour favoriteRSSread.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthis blog. PACapitolDigest:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeedbygoing

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