Issue #788 Harrisburg, PA August 5, 2019
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Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!
On August 2, Pennsylvania's Envirothon team from Carmichaels Area High School in Greene County took third place out of 53 teams from the United States, Canada and China competing in the 2019 NCF Envirothon at North Carolina State University!
Congratulations to team members Jacob Hair, Ryan Swartz, Christina Adams, Stephen Zacoi, Joey Kurincak and coaches Kevin Willis and Megan Patton!
This is the second year in a row a team from Carmichaels Area High School won the Pennsylvania Envirothon and then went on to the international competition!
The Carmichaels team bested 65 other Pennsylvania Envirothon teams to win the state title this year and 50 other international teams to win third place in the international competition!
“I’d like to congratulate the Jamestown team and all of the teams for their hard work and dedication,” NCF Chair Steve Robinson said. “Their knowledge about environmental and natural resource issues, as well as their commitment to these areas, have shown me that the future of conservation is in good hands.”
The winning NCF-Envirothon teams are awarded scholarships and prizes, with the top three scoring teams receiving $30,000 in total, thanks to the support of Smithfield Foods, Inc.
As the largest corporate sponsor of NCF-Envirothon, Smithfield donated a combined $120,000 to support regional, statewide and international competitions throughout the year.
In addition to financial support from the company, Smithfield employees donated their time and expertise to the program, serving as volunteer advisors to lead training sessions, facilitate program curriculum, and coordinate activities.
“Smithfield Foods is proud to support the NCF-Envirothon competition and award the next generation of natural resource professionals,” said Bill Gill, assistant vice president of sustainability for Smithfield Foods. “The dedication, passion and expertise of these high-schoolers is inspiring.”
Click Here for a quick look at the training the team did in North Carolina.
Send Congratulations!
Send the team a congratulatory email via Lorelle Steach, PA Envirothon,: lsteach@envirothonpa.org.
PA Envirothon
The Envirothon competition was first created in 1979 by the Fulton, Luzerne and Schuylkill conservation districts. By 1984 the program expanded to a statewide competition and then went national and international.
At the Envirothon, five-member teams participate in a series of field station tests that focus on five topic areas – soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and environmental issues.
The teams also prepare and deliver oral presentations to panels of judges who evaluate each team on its problem-solving capabilities, oral presentation skills and recommendations to help solve the specific environmental challenge, which relates to the current environmental issue.
At the state level, the Envirothon is sponsored by Pennsylvania’s sixty-six county conservation districts, the State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.
The program is managed by a board of directors representing those sponsors. Technical expertise is provided by the following partners: Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, and U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Sponsors and partners of the 2019 Envirothon are Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Education, National Energy Foundation, Shell Oil Company, PPL, The Hershey Company, EQT Foundation, Weis, Chief Oil & Gas LLC, UGI Utilities, Car Charging Group, Pittsburgh Regional Clean Cities, and National Conservation Foundation Envirothon
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Envirothon website, call 814-310-3271 or contact Lorelle Steach by sending email to: lsteach@envirothonpa.org. You can also contact your county conservation district.
NewsClips:
Letter: Let’s Clean Up Our Abandoned Mines, Congress Needs To Pass RECLAIM
Clearfield High School Fishing Team Competes In Chesapeake Bay Fishing Championships
Related Articles - Recognition:
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County
Related Articles - Education:
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?
[Posted: August 3, 2019]
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
The Green Building Alliance will honor five winners of the 2019 Emerald Evening Gala Awards on September 12 in Pittsburgh.
Each year the Alliance honors people and sustainability projects that have transformed communities across the region, demonstrating the boldness of leadership and ingenuity of spirit.
This year’s winners are--
-- Vivian Loftness - Legacy Award (For lifelong commitment to sustainable transformation): Vivian Loftness is an internationally renowned scholar in the field of building performance and human health, including key studies on advanced building systems integration, climate and regionalism in architecture, and design for performance in workplaces of the future. Her career spans more than 30 years at Carnegie Mellon University, including head of the School of Architecture and co-founder of the Intelligent Workplace laboratory.
-- Malik Bankston - Luminary Award (For courage of leadership and vision): Malik Bankston has been a lifelong community activist in Larimer and the East End, advocating for a number of successful initiatives including the Larimer Green Print Plan. Led Larimer’s green team is to earn the LEED Silver for Neighborhood Development. He has been the Executive Director of the Kingsley Association for 21 years, cultivating new generations of community advocates.
-- DMI Companies - Enterprise Award (For ingenuity in product design, manufacture, and operations): DMI Companies specialize in HVAC duct systems has a decade long commitment to sustainable operations, including EnergyStar Certification and LEED certified facilities. DMI was the first manufacturer in Pennsylvania to achieve TRUE Silver Zero Waste certification, successfully diverting 94.49 percent of its waste from landfills through recycling, reuse and reduction programs.
-- MuseumLab - Vanguard Award (For innovation in sustainable design and construction): MuseumLab created the stunning restoration of the first commissioned Carnegie Library in the world (1890) that is seeking LEED Gold Core and Shell certification. The project maintains intricate balance of historic preservation, high-performance design, and universal accessibility and became the largest cultural campus for children in the country.
-- Erie Community - Beacon Award (For dedication to just and inclusive development): The Erie Community is involved in a collective movement for sustainable development, as represented by the 57 properties committed to the Erie 2030 District, including by Erie City and County government. Local institutional innovations include the Erie County School District’s comprehensive sustainability plan and CRANE’s (Community Resilience Action Network of Erie) legacy of environmental and economic resiliency work.
Click Here for more information on helping to sponsor or to attend the Green Building Alliance’s Emerald Evening Gala on September 12.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Green Building Alliance website.
NewsClip:
Penn State-Led Global Building Network At Forefront Of Building Performance
Related Articles - Recognition:
Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County
Related Articles - Energy Conservation:
PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy
Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County
On August 2, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Heritage Conservancy in Southern Bucks County with its Excellence in Site Reuse Award for outstanding work in the reuse of the Croydon TCE Superfund Site.
The award is part of EPA’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Superfund Redevelopment Initiative, launched in 1999 with the goal of returning formerly contaminated lands to long-term sustainable and productive reuse for communities across the country.
“Today, we get to talk about the incredible opportunities that Superfund sites offer for rejuvenating properties and revitalizing neighborhoods once they are cleaned up,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio.
Before the agency’s Redevelopment Initiative, sites were cleaned up but not necessarily put back into productive use. By considering reuse early in the site cleanup process, the Redevelopment Initiative helps ensure that desired future uses are compatible with site cleanup remedies and removes barriers that could keep areas vacant or underused.
The Croydon TCE Site, located in a 3.5 square mile area within the southernmost portion of Bristol Township, Bucks County, includes residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
The Site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1986 after elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in groundwater. EPA’s cleanup remedy included connecting impacted residents to public water and constructing a groundwater extraction and treatment system to clean up the contamination.
Returning Superfund sites back to productive use has resulted in dramatic changes in communities by improving the quality of life, raising property values, and providing needed services to communities.
Heritage Conservancy acquired 80 acres of the Croydon Site in 2016 and operates a preserve that is one of the last remaining coastal plain forests in Pennsylvania.
The preserve provides publicly accessible green space in a developed area of Bucks County and is inhabited by many mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Heritage Conservancy also works closely with the local Little League and the nearby Keystone Elementary School to provide field trips and educational opportunities.
“Green spaces that exist in highly populated areas are some of the most important natural lands that exist today, because they provide connections to nature for people who would not otherwise be able to experience it,” said Heritage Conservancy President Jeffrey Marshall.
As part of the commemoration, EPA released SRI’s 20th Anniversary Report.
For more information about Superfund redevelopment, please visit EPA’s Redevelopment webpage.
For more information on regional redevelopment efforts, read the EPA Region II 2018 Redevelopment Beneficial Effects report.
Visit the Heritage Conservancy website for more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved.
NewsClip:
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Croydon Superfund Site Reuse As Preserve
Related Articles - Recognition:
Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
On July 29, Commonwealth Court issued a ruling saying about $135.3 million of State Forest gas drilling money transferred by the General Assembly from DCNR’s Oil and Gas Lease Fund to the state General Fund in 2009 was part of the trust determined to exist in the 2017 PA Supreme Court ruling applying the public trust provisions of the Environmental Rights Amendment.
However, the Court said $67.6 million of the shale gas money generated from bonus and rental payments were not part of the trust, one-third of these payments, under an interpretation of a 1947 state law, not the constitution.
If this one-third rule holds for the 2010 bonus and rental payments, a total of about $255 million in bonus and rental payments that were part of the public trust established by the Environmental Rights Amendment were transferred by the General Assembly in 2009 and 2010, the years covered by this initial litigation. About $122.6 million-- one-third-- were transferred was part of the trust.
PEDF Reaction
The ruling was based on motions for summary judgment filed by the PA Environmental Defense Foundation, which brought the original case resulting in the 2017 opinion, and the Commonwealth.
John E. Childe, the attorney handling the case for the PEDF said Commonwealth Court ignored the direction of the PA Supreme Court’s 2017 in making its decision--
“Yesterday, the Commonwealth Court issued findings and conclusions in the 2012 case, PEDF v. Governor Corbett answering the Supreme Court’s remand order in its opinion in the same case, 161 A.3d 911, (Pa. June 20, 2017).
“The Supreme Court remanded two questions: First, whether money received from payments due under leases for the extraction and sale of oil and gas on state forest lands, including bonuses and annual rental payments, are part of the corpus of the environmental public trust established by Article I Section 27 of Pennsylvania’s Constitution. Second, whether the enactments of Section 1604-E and 1605-E of the 2009 Fiscal Code are unconstitutional.
“The Supreme Court delineated the framework for the Commonwealth Court, stating: “In construing Section 1604-E and 1605-E [of the Fiscal Code], to the extent that the lease agreements reflect the generation of revenue streams for amounts other than for the purchase of the oil and gas extracted, it is up to the Commonwealth Court, in the first instance, and in strict accordance and fidelity to Pennsylvania trust principles, to determine whether these funds belong in the corpus of the Section 27 trust.” Id.
“As to the first issue the Commonwealth Court ignored the direction of the Supreme Court, and determined that, based on the leases, bonus and rental payments are not payments for the “severance” of the oil and gas from the land, and that they are payments only for exploring for the oil and gas.
“But the leases expressly state otherwise. The leases specifically state that they are “for the sole purposes of (1) exploring, drilling, operating, producing, and removing of oil, gas and liquid hydrocarbons, and (2) at locations approved by the Department, laying pipelines and constructing roads, tanks, towers, stations, and structures thereon to produce, save, take care of, and transport extracted products.”
“The purpose of these lease provisions is to expressly allow the oil and gas, the Section 27 trust assets, to be physically changed, to be drilled, produced, removed, saved, taken and transported away from the control of the trust.
“These actions would dispose of the trust assets and deprive the trust of those assets. If no oil or gas is actually found and removed, that does not change the purposes of the leases and the payments made thereunder as intended by the parties to the lease.
“The bonus and annual rental payments are express consideration paid by lessees for the right to enter upon our State forests to extract and remove the oil and gas.
“Contrary to the direction of the Supreme Court the Commonwealth Court did not reaching its findings and conclusions in strict accordance and fidelity to Pennsylvania trust principles, to determine whether these funds belong in the corpus of the Section 27 trust. Instead, Commonwealth Court relied “Principal and Income Act of 1947”.
“To get there the court determined that the beneficiaries of the trust who are both living today and for future generations must be broken down into two categories. Those beneficiaries living today must be life tenants or income beneficiaries, those of future generations are remaindermen.
“These designations are based on the court’s analysis of the principals under lease law, not under strict principles of trust law.
“Under Article I Section 27 the beneficiaries of the trust are also owners of the public natural resources. The second sentence of Section 27 states, “Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come.” As common owners of the natural resources the beneficiaries cannot be limited as either life tenants or income beneficiaries.
“The Supreme Court emphasized that the proper standard of judicial review lies in the text of the Article I Section 27 itself as well as the underlying principles of Pennsylvania Trust law.
“Nothing in the terms of the trust language of Section 27 authorizes the trustee to lease and sell our public natural resources. Nothing in Section 27 authorizes the trustee to limit the beneficiaries, as common owners, to life tenants and remaindermen.
“One of the basic principles of trust law is that it is the duty of the trustee to protect the corpus of the trust for the benefit of the people, not the trustee. Interpreting the leases of the trustee to provide that the trustee receives the income from leases in the form of bonus and rental payments belies this principle.
“The Supreme Court in PEDF II recognized this fact, stating that the “Commonwealth, as trustee, has the constitutional obligation to negotiate and structure leases in a manner consistent with its Article I Section 27 duties. Oil and gas leases may not be drafted in ways that remove assets from the corpus of the trust or otherwise deprive the trust beneficiaries (the people, including future generations) of the funds necessary to conserve and maintain the public natural resources.” 161 A.3d at 936.
Commonwealth Court Argument
Commonwealth Court was directed by the 2017 PA Supreme Court opinion to apply public trust law to the 2009 and 2010 appropriations acts using the findings of its opinion to determine specifically which shale gas lease payments made to DCNR for drilling on state forest land and then transferred to the General Fund were unconstitutional-- upfront bonus payments, rental payments or royalties-- or portions of those payments.
Commonwealth Court concluded, “Based upon the evidence presented and our review of Pennsylvania's trust law in effect in 1971, we conclude that bonus and rental payments are not for the severance [extraction] of natural resources.
“Rather, these payments are consideration for the exploration for oil and gas on public land. More particularly, the rentals secure the lessee's right to enter the property for exploratory and development purposes and the rents accrue based on mere passage of time, not the production of oil or gas.
“The purpose of the bonuses is to determine the highest bidder for the award of the lease. The bonuses are consideration for the execution of the lease, and not consideration for severance of the mineral. Though bonuses and rental payments are made in anticipation of extraction, these payments relate directly to the lessee's ability to secure the lease and the right to explore for oil and gas on the property.
“As demonstrated by the evidence presented, the Commonwealth is entitled to keep this money regardless of production, even when the lease is terminated. Thus, we conclude that these payments were received as rent or payment on a lease and were not "received as consideration for the permanent severance" of natural resources from the land.”
Commonwealth Court, using the trust law prevailing at the time, said the Principal and Income Act of 1947 guided the further apportionment of the bonus and rental payments between income and the trust.
The Court said, “Pursuant to former Section 9 of the 1947 Act, "one-third of the net proceeds, if received as rent or payment on a lease, . . . shall be deemed income, and the remaining two-thirds thereof shall be deemed principal to be invested to produce income."
“Therefore, we conclude that one third of the rental and bonus payments going into the Lease Fund constitute income; the other two thirds of rental and bonus payments constitute part of the corpus [the public trust].
“Because proceeds designated as "income" are not required to remain in the corpus of the Section 27 [Environmental Rights Amendment] trust and used solely for the conservation and maintenance of our public resources, this money may be appropriated for General Fund purposes.
“However, an accounting is necessary to ensure that only one-third of the proceeds allocable to income are removed from the Lease Fund for non-conservation purposes and that the funds designated as principal are ultimately used in accordance with the trustee's obligation to conserve and maintain our natural resources.”
In the July 29 ruling, the Court further reiterated that the 2017 PA Supreme Court decision determined royalty payment transfers were facially unconstitutional because they are paid for the extraction of the natural gas.
Almost all the of transfers made out of the Oil and Gas Lease Fund after 2010, including in the just passed FY 2019-20 budget were royalty payments.
The courts have not yet ruled on motions and petitions by the PA Environmental Defense Foundation to declare all these subsequent transfers unconstitutional which pay for DCNR operating expenses which total, as a minimum, an additional $311.5 million from FY 2011-12 through the current budget.
The transfers from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund to pay for DCNR operating expenses were: $69.774 million in FY 2019-20, $48.7 million in FY 2018-19, $11.2 million in FY 2017-18, $31.9 million in FY 2015-16, $62.5 million in 2014-15, $16.1 million in FY 2012-13 and $15 million in FY 2011-12.
Click Here for a copy of the Commonwealth Court ruling.
The PA Environmental Defense Foundation has motions and petitions before Commonwealth Court to declare other transfers from environmental funds as unconstitutional under the Environmental Rights Amendment.
Since this is a summary judgment ruling only, there will be additional legal argument on these points covering both 2009 and 2010 and transfers made in subsequent years.
Related Articles:
PA Supreme Court Declares Law Diverting Oil & Gas Lease Funds To General Fund Unconstitutional
Related Articles This Week:
Oil & Gas Lease Fund Was Part Of The Public Trust; PEDF Says Court Ignores PA Supreme Court Decision
Related Articles - State Budget:
Major Environmental Priorities Not Addressed In FY 2019-20 State Budget, Shell Game Continues
Politicians In Harrisburg Are Proud Of Their New State Budget! -- Meanwhile In The Real World…
CBF: State Needs To Step Up Support For Those Working Hard To Cleanup PA's Rivers And Streams - Harry Campbell
Op-Ed: Conservation Efforts Lose Out In State Budget - Len Lichvar
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Gov. Wolf Announces Redevelopment Assistance Project Grants, Including $30.4 Million For 20 Environmental, Recreation, Energy Projects
On August 1, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the approval of Round 1 of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Projects Grants for this year funded under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
The environment, recreation and energy-related projects funded include--
Allegheny County
-- Homewood Park Expansion, Pittsburgh - $500,00: Design and first phase construction, including providing a new athletic field, ADA accessible routes through the park, lighting, stormwater management, and associated amenities.
Beaver County
-- Mycellia Development, Beaver Falls - $1.3 million: The MDCA Project will be constructed by the Beaver County Redevelopment Authority on a brownfield site at 1410 7th Avenue in the center of the downtown core of Beaver Falls, utilizing sustainable and Passive House building principles.
Bedford/Fulton Counties
-- Old PA Pike Trail - $1 million: Bedford and Fulton Counties have created a joint recreation authority for long-term ownership and to guide/control its implementation. The project consists of approximately 8.5 miles of abandoned turnpike between Breezewood and Pump Station Rd. in Fulton County. A new pedestrian access bridge over Route 30/trailhead parking in Breezewood is one of the critical first components of the project, as is the restoration of the former Cove Plaza site in Fulton County. The project includes detailed design for the trail surface, Rays Hill and Sideling Hill tunnels, two bridges, trailheads, wayfinding signage, restrooms, etc.
Bradford County
-- Expansion Of Eureka Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facility - $1.5 million: The project includes expansion of Eureka Resources’ existing centralized oil and gas wastewater treatment facility in Standing Stone. The expansion will provide additional throughput capacity. The upgrades will allow for a 100 percent increase in pretreatment and sodium chloride crystallization capacity, provide systems necessary for recovery of methanol and calcium chloride byproducts, provide additional liquids and byproduct storage, and provide much needed natural gas service to the facility to fuel existing and proposed systems.
Crawford County
-- French Creek District Initiative - $2 million: In recognition of the need for Meadville to attract and retain young talent, the area along the French Creek Corridor in Meadville has been identified as a strategic area to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy. Developing this area will include access to the creek for canoes and kayaks, and the development of publicly accessible trails complemented by appropriate commercial and retail services.
Delaware County
-- Brandywine River Museum Of Art - $1.5 million: The Brandywine River Museum of Art RACP grant will be used to fund hard costs related to the renovation of its Museum building and three National Historic Landmark properties on the Brandywine campus. This project will expand the Museum's cafe to accommodate more guests, address the circuitous accessible entry sequence and the limited loading functions for both facilities and art needs, and reconfigure the building's floorplan to improve visitors' experiences, including the addition of a first-floor bathroom and ADA accessibility upgrades.
Erie County
-- Green Junction Park, Corry City - $1 million: This project will entail the construction of Green Junction Park at the exact center of the City of Corry. It will consist of the renovation and development of approximately 1.7 acres of land that includes two existing and historic train depots, new public restroom facilities, the addition of a pavilion/amphitheater, along with new Hardscapes and Greenways.
Jefferson County
-- Taylor Memorial Park Revitalization, Brockway - $3 million: Brockway Borough will use the funds to revitalize, improve and expand facilities and amenities in Taylor MemorialPark, adjacent areas and other areas throughout the borough. The project will include the following: (1) Park & Playground Restoration and Installation of ADA area for all-inclusive play; (2) Sports Facilities and Fields Development and Restoration - Restoration of Recreational areas, to include basketball courts, hockey rink, skateboard park, volleyball courts, and any other activities; (3) Waterfront Walkway - Development of a waterfront walkway along the Little Toby Creek; (4) Aquatic Facilities Restoration and Development; (5) Trails and Streetscape Project - Develop multi-use trail network that will integrate other trails into an exceptional value hub that will accommodate local, regional and interstate users; (6) Multi-use Recreational Development - Create space for multi-use recreational activities.
Lackawanna County
-- Old Forge School District - $500,000: Old Forge School District will do a district wide analysis of energy improvements as part of an ESCO project that will change out existing lighting to more energy efficient lighting, update their HVAC system, install security measures, address building envelope issues, auditorium issues and improvements will be made to the grounds that will provide much needed security upgrades and a more comfortable environment for the students.
Lawrence County
-- Westminster College Hoyt Science Resources Center- $1.5 million: The epicenter of STEM education at Westminster College is the Hoyt Science Resources Center. The grant will be used to support phase III construction of the three-story addition to Hoyt; phase IV renovation plan for the third floor, exterior façade, and courtyard of the Hoyt Science Resources Center.
Montgomery County
-- First Avenue Linear Park, King Of Prussia - $1 million: The King of Prussia Business Improvement District will construct the First Ave. Linear Park in two phases. The first phase will construct an accessible multimodal path on 11 parcels. Improvements along the trail include pedestrian lights, seating plaza, benches, rain gardens, trees, and bus shelters. The second phase will utilize RACP funds to extend the trail across 6 more parcels. Site improvements include 79 solar powered pedestrian lights, benches, 2 pedestrian bridges, 16 ADA curb ramps, retaining walls, planting beds, trees, and 3 solar powered bus shelters. All property owners along the First Ave. Linear Park will donate bikeway easements to KOPBID extending 25'-50' into each parcel.
-- Musser Scout Reservation, Malborough Township - $2 million: Musser Scout Reservation, located on 1,400 acres of contiguous forest in Southeastern PA and offers programs to develop character, cultivate leadership and wilderness skills, foster a commitment to service, and provide outdoor experiential learning opportunities. The project will transform 350 acres and 27,000 sq ft into centers for biking, boating, climbing, aquatics, and shooting, create a Dining Hall and Welcome Center, and expand capacity with 12 Campsites and 4 Comfort Stations. Sitework will include trail improvements, demolition, building new structures, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) work, painting, and installing recreation equipment.
Northumberland County
-- Delaware Township Logistics Center - $2 million: This project will consist of the construction of a new, modern state-of-the-art logistics facility with a focus toward energy efficiency.
Perry County
-- Perry Innovation Park Cogeneration Power Project - $1 million: The Perry Invocation Park Cogeneration Power Project will establish the use of cogeneration power within the county for a new building that is planned and provide the opportunity for others. This proposed project will consist of the construction of the cogeneration power unit and processing facility.
Philadelphia
-- Panati Playground Recreation Center - $1 million: The project will improve and benefit the community by supplying more community space through the new construction of a recreation center located at Panati Playground on the N. 22nd Street Commercial Corridor. The current recreation center serves as the central location for recreation and public participation for nearby neighborhoods and the Allegheny West community as a whole.
-- Passyunk Solar Energy Center - $2 million: With RACP funding, the Passyunk Energy Center would invest in approximately 5.2 MW of solar PV equipment at the Passyunk site. This would be the largest single solar installation within the City and a commitment to zero emission energy throughout the Commonwealth. This solar production will generate enough electricity to operate all the equipment with the Passyunk Energy Center, as well as all the Philadelphia Gas Works electricity needs for the Passyunk site. With associated equipment, this production will support a microgrid, enabling the site to operate normally even when the local electric grid is done, ensuing a safe, robust and redundant operational capability for the City.
-- Schuylkill River Trail - $1.48 million: The Schuylkill River Trail is a 128-mile multi-use trail running along the Schuylkill River with trail segments at various stages of development. The project will fill the last major gap in the Schuylkill Banks trail, along approximately 3,000 feet of the riverfront between Christian and 34th streets.
-- Venice Innovation Island II Brownfield Redevelopment - $4 million: The project is the redevelopment of a massive 31-acre former industrial site into a vibrant 21st century live/work/play community in Manayunk. This project will entail a master plan that will transform a recently decommissioned paper mill into a new “Innovation Island.” The plan includes the adaptive re-use of nearly 500,000 square feet of existing space, selective demolition and sitework, new construction of several commercial buildings, a limited number of multi-family residential units, public access to two miles of waterfront and amenity space.
Tioga County
-- Marsh Creek Greenway - $1.5 million: The MCG project includes 17,800 linear feet of ADA accessible trail, bike/pedestrian amenities, bridge improvements/ replacements, stormwater controls (bioswales, rain gardens), curbs, sidewalks, informational signage, and public amenities. The project also includes the acquisition and demolition of the freight building to be replaced with the construction of a 5,000 sq. ft. trailhead building and parking lot to provide public restrooms, retail space (bike sales/rentals/repairs, gift shop, conservation/outdoor shop), office space, an eatery and a small museum. The refurbishing of the existing railroad siding will accommodate an alternative passenger pick-up for the Tioga Central Railroad to expand tourism opportunities.
Westmoreland County
-- Latrobe Sports & Recreational Complex - $625,000: This project specifically entails the construction of a multi-purpose sports and recreation facility located in Unity Township, Westmoreland County. The project includes: A dek hockey rink, dog park, maintenance facility, site prep, planting for grass, and non-traditional sports field, an adventure park, canoe/kayak launch, riparian buffer planting, and other miscellaneous costs.
Click Here to download the complete project list, including projects funded and projects pending.
The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a grant program administered by the Governor’s Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity.
RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.
For more information on the program, visit the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program webpage.
(Photo: Old PA Pike Trail in Bedford, Fulton counties.)
NewsClips:
Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County
Pike 2 Bike Trail Gets $1 Million State RCAP Grant
DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA
Related Articles This Week:
DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area
Related Articles - State Budget:
Major Environmental Priorities Not Addressed In FY 2019-20 State Budget, Shell Game Continues
Politicians In Harrisburg Are Proud Of Their New State Budget! -- Meanwhile In The Real World…
CBF: State Needs To Step Up Support For Those Working Hard To Cleanup PA's Rivers And Streams - Harry Campbell
Op-Ed: Conservation Efforts Lose Out In State Budget - Len Lichvar
[Posted: August 3, 2019]
DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area, Erie County
On August 1, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and other DCNR officials toured the McKean Conservation Area in McKean Township, Erie County and discussed how the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan could help address green infrastructure needs in the state.
“DCNR is proud to assist McKean Township and Lake Erie Region Conservancy in this effort, and this is just the start in the planning and development of this beautiful 88-acre site,” Dunn said. “Much more is needed to improve the project to its maximum benefit. This is exactly the type of green infrastructure the Restore Pennsylvania proposal would benefit.”
Restore Pennsylvania is a statewide plan to aggressively address the Commonwealth's vital infrastructure needs. Funded through a commonsense severance tax, Restore Pennsylvania is the only plan that will help make Pennsylvania a leader in the 21st century.
Reflecting a DCNR investment of $177,000 in grant funds to assist McKean Township and Lake Erie Region Conservancy, the Erie County conservation area is designed to enhance the ecology of the region and increase environmental education opportunities.
Future phases of the project would provide for new trails and amenities at a cost of at least $1,138,005. A master site plan has been completed, providing framework for decisions on hiking, fishing, nature education, and other outdoor recreation.
Walking the site with township and conservation area officials, Dunn noted Restore Pennsylvania could provide green infrastructure funding for improvements to the area on things such as construction of loop trails; improved quality and access to Elk Creek; new woodlands with invasive species management initiatives; parking areas; kiosks with trail signage; and viewing areas.
For more information on plans for this area, read the McKean Conservation Area Master Plan.
For an overview of the proposed infrastructure plan, visit read the Restore Pennsylvania Infrastructure Plan article.
NewsClips:
DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA
DCNR Celebrates Lake Appreciation Month With Presque Isle Park Visit, Discusses Restore PA Benefits
DCNR Chief Stumps At Presque Isle For State Parks Funding Plan
DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area
DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA
Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County
Pike 2 Bike Trail Gets $1 Million State RCAP Grant
Related Articles This Week:
Oil & Gas Lease Fund Was Part Of The Public Trust; PEDF Says Court Ignores PA Supreme Court Decision
Related Articles - State Budget:
Major Environmental Priorities Not Addressed In FY 2019-20 State Budget, Shell Game Continues
Politicians In Harrisburg Are Proud Of Their New State Budget! -- Meanwhile In The Real World…
CBF: State Needs To Step Up Support For Those Working Hard To Cleanup PA's Rivers And Streams - Harry Campbell
Op-Ed: Conservation Efforts Lose Out In State Budget - Len Lichvar
[Posted: August 3, 2019]
Bay Journal: Brunner Island Power Plant In York County To Stop Coal Ash Pollution, Pay $1 Million Fine To DEP
By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal
In a consent decree with four environmental groups, a large central Pennsylvania power plant has agreed to stop tainted water in its coal ash disposal sites from leaking into the Susquehanna River.
The Brunner Island Generating Station, located on the Susquehanna just south of Harrisburg, has agreed to close and excavate one of its active but leaking coal ash landfills and address leaks at seven other sites.
The plant also will be fined $1 million by the state Department of Environmental Protection, according to the consent decree to be filed today [July 31] in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.
The fine is the largest ever involving coal ash disposal in Pennsylvania.
The consent decree involves Brunner Island owner Talen Energy and the environmental groups Environmental Integrity Project, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, PennEnvironment and the Waterkeeper Alliance.
A consent decree is a legal agreement that solves a dispute between two parties without the accused party admitting guilt.
For 58 years, Brunner Island has burned coal to generate enough electricity to continuously power 1 million homes.
Beginning in 2016, the plant began producing some power with natural gas.
As part of another lawsuit and consent decree in 2018 with The Sierra Club, which had alleged air and water pollution, the plant is to phase out coal power by the end of 2028.
The legacy of toxic coal ash stored around the plant is the basis for the latest litigation. Coal ash includes fly ash and bottom ash left over from burning coal, boiler slag and flue gas materials.
The environmental groups contend that 367 acres of coal ash storage sites have leaked arsenic, boron, lithium, chlorine, phosphorus and suspended solids into the Susquehanna and two of its tributaries for at least the last five years-- a problem they say threatens fish and aquatic species and puts kayakers, anglers, birdwatchers and local business owners at risk.
The landfills cited as problems include six closed but unlined pits, one active unlined pit and one active lined pit.
The landfills are often saturated with water, and toxic material escapes through springs and seeps and overflows, according to the groups’ lawsuit, which was filed simultaneously with the consent decree.
Brunner Island is currently placing 442,000 tons of coal-burning waste into the landfills annually, according to documents filed by the groups.
The groups criticized the state Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for not prosecuting Brunner Island and correcting the leaks, which they say violate the federal Clean Water Act and Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law.
The DEP renewed Brunner Island’s discharge permit in 2018.
[From StateImpact PA: The company will also contribute $100,000 to a fund supporting projects to “reduce or mitigate the effects of water pollution in the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed.”]
“The projects funded by this settlement will help ensure we are leaving the Lower Susquehanna River in better shape for future generations,” said Ted Evgeniadis, the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper. “And those of us who enjoy the Lower Susquehanna River can rest easier tonight knowing that concrete measures and timelines are in place to reduce toxic pollution in the river.”
Mary Greene of the Environmental Integrity Project said Talen Energy deserves credit “for stepping up to the plate and agreeing to measures that should significantly reduce pollution.”
The Brunner Island plant has been long-criticized for generating air pollution, fined for fish kills and lambasted for closing fishing areas once open to the public.
(Photo: Brunner Island coal ash disposal areas, Environmental Integrity Project.)
(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)
NewsClips:
Kummer: Coal-Fired Power Plant Operator To Pay $1M Fine For Polluting Water With Ash
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to subscribe to the free Chesapeake Bay Journal
Click Here to support the Chesapeake Bay Journal
Related Article:
[Posted: July 31, 2019]
DEP Reports Mosquitoes Have Tested Positive For West Nile Virus In 2 More Counties Bringing Season Total To 17
On August 2, the Department of Environmental Protection announced mosquitoes in Scranton, Lackawanna County and East Buffalo township, Union County have tested positive for West Nile Virus bringing the total this season to 17.
DEP earlier announced mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in these counties-- Center Township, Beaver County; Kenhorst Borough, Berks County; Upper Southampton Township, Bucks County; North Coventry Township, Chester County; Cumberland County; Upper Darby Township, Delaware County; Harborcreek Township, Erie County; Quincy Township, Franklin County; Lancaster Township, Lancaster County; Shenango Township, Lawrence Count; Lebanon County; Allentown, Lehigh County; Montgomery County; Penn Township, Snyder County; and in Philadelphia.
Certain mosquito species carry the West Nile virus, which can cause humans to contract West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, all residents in areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk of contracting West Nile encephalitis.
Individuals can take a number of precautionary measures around their homes to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas, including:
-- Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold water.
-- Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.
-- Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
-- Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.
-- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
-- Turn over wheelbarrows and don't let water stagnate in birdbaths.
-- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
-- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.
If a resident has stagnant pools of water on their property, they can buy Bti (short for Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis) products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
Additionally, these simple precautions can prevent mosquito bites, particularly for people who are most at risk:
-- Make sure screens fit tightly over doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
-- Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly when mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, or in areas known for having large numbers of mosquitoes.
-- When possible, reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk during peak mosquito periods, usually April through October.
-- Use insect repellents according to the manufacturer's instructions. An effective repellent will contain DEET, picardin, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Consult with a pediatrician or family physician for questions about the use of repellent on children, as repellent is not recommended for children under the age of two months.
For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, please visit the West Nile Virus website.
NewsClip:
Mosquito In Lackawanna County Tests Positive For West Nile Virus
[Posted: July 29, 2019]
Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties
On August 1, the Department of Agriculture announced it will offer Spotted Lanternfly permit classes throughout the 14-county quarantine zone. The classes will be held from August 15 through December 18.
Quarantined counties include: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill.
“The risk of spreading the Spotted Lanternfly increases in late summer through late fall as the insects reach adulthood, then begin to lay eggs,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “The time a business traveler takes to inspect vehicles to safeguard against transporting insects is a small investment to protect our economy and our quality of life.”
Businesses that operate within the quarantined counties -- and those that cross through in transit -- are required to have a permit demonstrating that they know how to recognize the destructive pest and keep from spreading it to new areas.
Since implementing the permit system, PDA has issued over 900,000 permits to more than 17,000 companies throughout the United States that do business in the 14-county quarantine zone
Training classes are free and a permit is issued to those who successfully complete the two-hour class.
Click Here for the schedule. To register, contact PDA at 717-787-5674 or send email to: slfpermit@pa.gov.
Online Training Anytime
Permit training can also be accessed online at any time through Penn State Extension
For more information on this invasive species, visit the Department of Agriculture’s Spotted Lanternfly webpage or the Penn State Extension Spotted Lanternfly webpage.
Related Articles - Biodiversity/Invasive Species:
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
Cumberland County Master Gardeners: Aug. 17-Meet The Butterflies; Aug. 20-Gardening With Nature
PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative
NewsClips:
Muschick: What 2 Acres And A Dream Tell Us About The Future Of Lehigh Valley’s Open Space
Fresh Food, Urban Agriculture Focus Of New Grants In York
For 2 Weeks Every Summer, This Chester County Sunflower Field Is Instagrammer’s Dream
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
By Chris Ryer & Reginald Moore, City Of Baltimore
Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young recently introduced the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights, a positive and unifying vision of what childhood in Baltimore can and should be.
Led by the City of Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks, city agencies and many partners have been working with youth, residents and other stakeholders to develop a declaration of the rights of Baltimore children to access healthy outdoor time.
The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights states that children in Baltimore have the right to:
-- Breathe fresh air
-- Splash in clean streams, ponds, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay
-- Explore safe and inviting forests and wild spaces
-- Grow a garden and eat fresh fruits and vegetables
-- Play in vibrant neighborhoods, schoolyards and parks
-- Understand and feel connected to their city’s unique ecosystem
-- Develop confidence in outdoor skills and recreation
-- Work with neighborhood mentors in nature
-- Have space for agency and action
Research shows that children who learn and play in nature are healthier and happier and more likely to thrive in school and their communities.
People in communities with access to nature also tend to have increased resilience to trauma and stress and live longer, healthier lives.
In addition, they are more likely to have better attention spans and quality of sleep.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, spending time outside raises levels of vitamin D, which helps to protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues.
Being outside even improves distance vision.
The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights was introduced in conjunction with Baltimore Wildlife Week in May.
During the week, many children took part in the wide array of festivities, illustrating the idea that being close to nature and the outdoors brings positive health benefits, as well as fun and inspiration.
Some of the child-friendly events included wildlife-themed dance parties, nature walks, science shows and environmental art pop-ups.
Celebrations like Baltimore Wildlife Week are a great way to start introducing children to the outdoors and the wildlife that share their backyard.
Baltimore residents are no strangers to the array of wildlife that call the area home. The city is known for the Baltimore oriole-- the state bird of Maryland, with its distinctive black, white and orange plumage.
A few years ago, volunteers planted a 10,000-square-foot oriole habitat next to Camden Yards [baseball field].
Baltimore is also home to diamondback terrapins, peregrine falcons, checkerspot butterflies, blue crabs, oysters and cownose rays, just to name a few of our more iconic neighbors.
Gwynns Falls Urban Forest, the second largest urban forest in the country, offers more than 1,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat, as well as hiking/biking trails, a nature center, an Outward Bound facility, pavilions, historic structures and many other amenities.
Access to clean and welcoming parks, pools, schoolyards and trails supports civic pride. Children who are able and willing to embrace an outdoor lifestyle develop a positive relationship with nature and are more likely to become environmental and community stewards.
Giving children access to the wonders of nature grows their love for wildlife and inspires them to protect wildlife and natural resources.
We feel strongly that all children have a right to be proud of where they live. The Children’s Outdoor Bill is the first step of a larger effort to connect children to nature.
Baltimore is one of 18 cities participating in the Cities Connecting Children to Nature Initiative, generously supported by the National League of Cities and the Children & Nature Network.
The introduction of the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights would not have been possible without the support of the Baltimore Office of Sustainability (housed within the City of Baltimore’s Department of Planning), the City of Baltimore’s Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Greater Baltimore Wilderness Coalition.
City agencies and our partners are committed to continuing to work toward a city that is equitable, safe and nature-centric for all children and families-- it’s a critical part of how we can continue to build a city that is successful for everyone.
Chris Ryer is the city of Baltimore’s planning director. Reginald Moore is director of the City of Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks.
(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)
For other examples of Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights initiatives around the country, visit the Outdoors Alliance for Kids website.
NewsClips:
Letter: Let’s Clean Up Our Abandoned Mines, Congress Needs To Pass RECLAIM
Clearfield High School Fishing Team Competes In Chesapeake Bay Fishing Championships
Related Articles - Education:
Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition!
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
Bay Journal: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two
By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal
In World War II, the U.S. Navy captured a German submarine off the East Coast. But where in the world was the sub base that posed such an alarming threat to the country?
Military officials didn’t have a clue, but they scraped the crusted gunk off the bottom of the vessel and took it to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, which had an extensive collection of microscopic organisms that live in water.
Was there an expert on staff who could take a look?
Yes, there was. Dr. Ruth Patrick, an algae scientist who had excelled in obscurity at the illustrious academy for eight years, was working as a volunteer because no one hired female scientists at the time. She was advised not to wear lipstick to work.
Patrick, who was the world’s foremost expert on microscopic single-celled algae, recognized a particular diatom in the scrapings that lived in the West Indies. Armed with the intel, the military found and destroyed the sub base.
It was a coming out party, of sorts, for the woman who would go on to pioneer the concept that the health of freshwater streams and rivers could be determined by the type and number of organisms living in them.
It was a revolutionary idea at the time.
Patrick died in a retirement community near Philadelphia in 2013, not long before her 106th birthday and only a few years after stopping work.
She proved her iconoclastic ecosystem approach to evaluating stream health, now known as the “Patrick Principle,” by spending the summer of 1948 with a team of hand-picked scientists wading into the Conestoga River-- then known as Conestoga Creek-- in Lancaster County in southeastern Pennsylvania.
It was a time when testing for chemicals was the standard way to search for industrial or sewage pollution in a waterway. But those chemicals may not have been there the day before and could be gone by the next day. Patrick knew of dumping that went on at night so the evidence would be swept away by day.
She was sure of her more reliable approach, so she proved it by taking her team into the water at 150 spots on the Conestoga and its tributaries. They looked for leeches, fish, underwater insects, microscopic protozoa, algae, bacteria, nutrients, pH — all things that Patrick believed tell the true tale of stream health.
In 1949, when she published her study, she gave the scientific community a new litmus test for gauging water quality.
“It is a tome. It is amazing. Today, it would be a huge study. In 1948, it was just unprecedented,” recalled Dr. Bern Sweeney, a friend and colleague of Patrick who gave a heartfelt tribute to her in Lancaster in June as part of Lancaster Water Week. “This is the system we’re using today with a few twists. She got it right.”
Patrick’s curiosity in nature was sparked at an early age by her father, an attorney and amateur naturalist who dragged her into the woods each Sunday with a basket that his daughter used to collect anything from the natural world that caught her eye.
Back home, Patrick would sit on her father’s lap and peer into a microscope to examine organisms that lived in the creek, invisible to the naked eye.
She earned a doctorate in botany from the University of Virginia in 1934.
After the World War II sub discovery, which made headlines, Patrick was finally offered a paying job at the academy.
But that same year, in 1945, industrial giants Atlantic Richfield and DuPont approached the academy about using Patrick’s ecosystem approach to look into industrial pollution they had been accused of.
Sure, we can do that, but Patrick won’t be leading the project because women can’t manage big projects and big budgets, the executives were told. The executives insisted she would.
She’d do the tests, she told the officials, but the results would be published regardless of what they revealed. If the companies were indeed harming waterways, the public would know.
When she was asked by fellow scientists why she would cooperate with big industry, she would reply, “They need our help.”
Her status growing, Patrick was contacted by the state of Pennsylvania in 1948 to use her system on a stream somewhere in the state to prove that environmental degradation in a stream or river could indeed be ferreted out by looking at its denizens.
Patrick chose the Conestoga and its tributaries because they had a wide range of water quality and could be waded easily for sampling. It wasn’t always clear cut. Some organisms actually thrived in pollution.
But Patrick found that a healthy stream had a balance of many organisms with none dominating.
Her team of scientists from many disciplines raised eyebrows both among the local populace and the scientific community as they probed the water.
Always at the helm was a woman in printed blouses and a sun hat. Newspaper headlines were along the lines of “Female scientist heads big project.”
“What she included in that study back then is unheard of today,” Sweeney recalled. “We don’t include that many parameters today. You can’t afford to. But she didn’t know what she would get into.”
Patrick became an environmental groundbreaker on a par with Rachel Carson, helping to write the Clean Water Act and winning major environmental awards.
She advised President Lyndon B. Johnson on water pollution and President Ronald Reagan on acid rain.
In 1996, when she was almost 90, President Bill Clinton presented her with the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for a scientist.
She was one of the first to sound the alarm about global warming.
She also created the Stroud Water Research Center in Pennsylvania, which Sweeney would head for many years. The center conducts freshwater stream research that provides information for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. She also created an estuary research lab on the Bay.
After facing years of discrimination for her temerity in a man’s scientific world, she became the first female CEO of the Academy of Natural Sciences that had earlier refused to pay her.
She also was the first woman board member and environmental scientist to sit on the board of the DuPont Company.
She continued on at the academy in Philadelphia for nearly 80 years as chair of its limnology department, now named in her honor. She hired a lot of women and was hard on them.
At the same time, she taught botany and limnology classes at the University of Pennsylvania for 35 years. Students flocked to be taught by Patrick, even though she was a demanding professor and held mandatory field labs on Sundays.
And she kept expanding the field of freshwater ecology, writing an expansive series of books on the rivers of the United States.
Sweeney recalled a field trip Patrick led for a group of industry executives on the Savannah River. Patrick was in her 90s. The executives were gasping. Sweeney flashed a photo of Patrick, wading a stream for analysis at the spry age of 100. She worked five days a week at the academy until she turned 97.
“Ruth paved the way to enable women to excel in science, business and society in general,” Sweeney said. “She had the most difficult road to hoe to become a successful scientist but she became an extremely huge success. She did it through hard work. She was relentless.”
Patrick remained curious until the end. Of anyone she met during a day she would ask what they had learned new in the last 24 hours. Blank stares invited the gentle rebuke, “Then what have you been doing?”
(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)
Related Article:
In Memoriam: Dr. Ruth Patrick, Pioneer Who Shaped Environmental Science Research
Related Article This Week:
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
Fish & Boat Commission Reports 200+ Fish Kill In Letort Spring Run, Cumberland County
Pike Conservation District: The Importance Of High Quality And Exceptional Value Streams
Bay Journal-Crable: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Bills Introduced
Here are the Senate and House Calendars for the next voting session day and Committees scheduling action on bills of interest as well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--
Bill Calendars
House (September 17): House Bill 247 (Oberlander-R-Clarion) to allow cross unit unconventional drilling and authorizes voluntary pooling; House Bill 827 (Fritz-R-Wayne) requiring the Delaware River Basin Commission to reimburse property owners for drilling rights if the Commission adopts a ban on fracking was reported from the House Appropriations Committee (House Fiscal Note and summary); House Bill 1055 (Klunk-R-York) establish the Office of the Repealer unaccountable to anyone, General Assembly must vote to approve economically significant regulations, repeal 2 regulations for every new one adopted, reauthorize repeal of any regulation by resolution (House Fiscal Note and summary); House Bill 1410 (Stephens-R- Montgomery) redirecting future state tax revenue generated on and around military installations to create an authority to cleanup water contaminated with PFAS and other chemicals (House Fiscal Note and summary). <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.
Senate (September 23): Senate Bill 256 (Dinniman-D-Chester) amends the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act (Act 101), to expand the definition of “compost materials" to include spent mushroom substrate (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 258 (Dinniman-D-Chester, Killion-R-Delaware), a bipartisan initiative to improve emergency response to pipeline incidents; Senate Bill 284 (Killion-R- Delaware, Dinniman-D-Chester) require pipeline companies to provide current emergency response plans to PUC; Senate Bill 694 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) amends the Oil and Gas Act to provide for a process and accounting mechanism to allow well bores to cross multiple units, provided the operator has the right to drill wells on the units via leases with all landowners/members of the units [not pooling] (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 763 (Bartolotta-R-Washington) amends the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act (Act 54) to make reporting on impacts of underground coal mining optional. Click Here for more. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committee Meetings This Week
House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.
Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.
Bills Pending In Key Committees
Check the PA Environmental Council Bill Tracker for the status and updates on pending state legislation and regulations that affect environmental and conservation efforts in Pennsylvania.
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced last week--
Wind Farm Approval: House Bill 1734 (R-Carbon) requiring an authority proposing a wind farm in an adjacent municipality to get approval for the wind farm (sponsor summary).
House and Senate Co-Sponsorship Memos
House: Click Here for all new co-sponsorship memos
Senate: Click Here for all new co-sponsorship memos
Session Schedule
Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--
Senate
September 23, 24, 25
October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
November 18, 19, 20
December 16, 17, 18
House
September 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25
October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
November 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20
December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18
The Feds
Trout Unlimited, Partners Push Congress To Support Mine Reclamation Fund Reauthorization
By David Kinney, Trout Unlimited Eastern Policy Director
As any trout angler who has come upon a bright orange stream in the central Appalachians knows, historical coal mining practices left us an enormous mess. Polluted moonscapes. Hazardous conditions.
Dead streams laced with abandoned mine drainage.
To address this legacy of pollution, Congress established the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund in 1977. Financed by a fee on every ton of coal currently produced, these funds have been distributed to states suffering from mining impacts, including Pennsylvania ($1.3 billion) and West Virginia ($600 million).
The program has been a significant success. Mine-scarred states leverage these dollars to reclaim tens of thousands of acres of land and restore hundreds of miles of [abandoned mine drainage] AMD-impaired streams.
The problem is that the work is nowhere close to done, and the fee expires in just two years.
That’s why Trout Unlimited, alongside many partners, is pushing for Congress to take action now to reauthorize the fee.
In Pennsylvania alone, 287,000 acres of mine land await cleanup, and 5,500 miles of streams are polluted with AMD, many of them devoid of life. At least 1.4 million Pennsylvanians live within a mile of abandoned mine lands.
Estimates of the cleanup costs for Pennsylvania alone reach $15 billion, according to the Interstate Mining Compact Commission and the [federal] Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
With funding, Trout Unlimited and our partners can continue the good work we’ve been doing to improve water quality and give wild brook trout populations a chance to thrive again.
There is no better showcase of TU’s efforts to restore coldwater fisheries in Pennsylvania than the work we have done to revive waterways polluted by AMD.
Working with local partners over the past two decades, we have cleaned up most of the mine drainage in the lower Kettle Creek watershed, and we have welcomed the return of trout to once-polluted Twomile Run and Middle Branch.
In the West Branch Susquehanna River watershed and elsewhere, we are helping partners plan and implement mine drainage treatment projects. We have provided technical assistance on nearly 200 sites across the state, supporting millions of dollars of remediation projects made possible by grants from the AML trust fund.
With some 80 AMD treatment facilities now operating in the West Branch Susquehanna watershed, we are seeing water quality improve and fish populations multiplying, recent benchmark assessments show.
The $5.5 billion invested nationwide over the past decades has allowed states and tribes to clean up 875,000 acres of high-priority sites, seal 46,000 open mine shafts, and remove 29,000 acres of piles and embankments. More than $600 million has been spent to treat AMD.
For every dollar invested, $1.59 was returned to local economies.
In addition to seeking reauthorization of the fee, TU is encouraging Congress to restore the fee to the levels set in 1977; they were slashed in 2006. We also support exempting the fund from mandatory federal “sequestration” cuts, and requiring that all affected states receive at least $5 million annually.
Why now, when the fee does not expire until 2021? The last push for reauthorization took many years, so it is critical that we make sure this issue is on Congress’ radar now.
Visit TU’s Action Center, or reach out to David Kinney by sending email to: david.kinney@tu.org, to find out how you can help us make the case for finishing the job of abandoned mine cleanup in Pennsylvania and beyond.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved is available at the PA Council of Trout Unlimited website.
(Reprinted from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited Summer 2019 PA Trout newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
NewsClips:
Letter: Let’s Clean Up Our Abandoned Mines, Congress Needs To Pass RECLAIM
Related Articles:
PA Abandoned Mine Land Campaign Urges Action To Extend Expiring Federal Mine Reclamation Fee
Long Overdue: East Beth Coal Refuse Dump Cleanup Nearly Ready To Start In Washington County
Related Articles This Week:
August Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
News From Around The State
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants
The PA Council of Trout Unlimited is pleased to announce the 2019 Forever Wild Grant winners--
-- $1,500 to Tulpehocken Chapter for a TU Education Station on Little Cacoosing Creek.
-- $1,500 to Chestnut Ridge Chapter for Dunbar Creek Alternative Habitat Structure Site No.14.
-- $1,421 to Valley Forge Chapter for Stream Monitoring and Whitlock Vibert Box Installation on Pickering Creek.
-- $1,500 to Forks of Delaware Chapter for Bushkill Creek Restoration Project – Phase I.
-- $1,500 to Brodhead Chapter for Kiosk and Stream Signage for Learn Preserve on Pocono Creek.
-- $1,500 to Mountain Laurel Chapter for Stream Improvements on Soap Hollow Run.
-- $1,500 to Doc Fritchey Chapter for Water Quality Monitoring on Quittaphilla Creek.
-- $1,500 to Doc Fritchey Chapter for Geomorphic Assessment of Quittapahilla Creek.
The Forever Wild Grants are supported by funds raised by the PA Council of Trout Unlimited to support local Trout Unlimited Chapter protection, conservation and restoration projects in brook trout waterways. The maximum grant award is $1,500.
For more information on the Forever Wild Grant Program, contact Ashley Wilmont by sending email to: c-awilmont@pa.gov or call 814-359-5233.
More information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved is available at the PA Council of Trout Unlimited website.
(Reprinted from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited Summer 2019 PA Trout newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
NewsClips:
Clearfield High School Fishing Team Competes In Chesapeake Bay Fishing Championships
Mark Demko: Heavy Lifting Now Bill Benefit Minsi Lake’s Fish, Anglers In The Future
Fish & Boat Commission Video: Lake Habitat Project At Frances Slocum State Park
Appreciating The Awesomeness Of Pennsylvania’s Hellbender
Hundreds Of Fish Killed In Suspected Pollution Event In Letort Spring Run, Carlisle
Fish & Boat: 200+ LeTort Trout Killed In Suspected Pollution Event In Carlisle
Fish & Boat Commission Investigating Fishkill In LeTort Spring Run
Related Articles:
Fish & Boat Commission Reports 200+ Fish Kill In Letort Spring Run, Cumberland County
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
Pike Conservation District: The Importance Of High Quality And Exceptional Value Streams
Bay Journal-Crable: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch
Bay Journal-Crable: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County
The Schuylkill Action Network will host a tour of Schuylkill River Restoration Fund restoration sites in Montgomery County on September 13.
The tour will stop at restoration projects, including rain gardens, constructed wetlands, stormwater basins, stream restorations, and tree plantings.
This annual tour is free, but registration is required.
Click Here to register and for all the details, including a schedule and pick up points. Questions should be directed to Erica at ERossetti@DelawareEstuary.org or call 302-655-4990 ext. 122
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Schuylkill Action Network website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates. Like them on Facebook. Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to support their work.
NewsClips:
Editorial: PA Needs To Give The Delaware River Its Fair Share Of Funding
Delaware RiverKeeper August 2 RiverWatch Video Report
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[Posted: July 29, 2019]
Brodhead Watershed Assn. Hosts Aug. 17 Snorkel Your Way Through Cherry Creek For Kids In Monroe County
The Brodhead Watershed Association invites school-age children and their parents to snorkel Cherry Creek on August 17 in Monroe County starting at 2:00 p.m.
With guidance from an experienced outdoor educator, kids will come face-to-face with a new and different world – the underwater world of a creek bed.
Fish? Yes … but so much more! Snails and worms, turtles and frogs, about a zillion kinds of insects and dozens of plant species, from cattails and grasses to tiny algae.
Water striders zoom the surface of still waters. Dragonflies zip around creek banks.
The bottom of Cherry Creek is the whole world to the critters that live there. Put on a facemask and snorkel and come learn about it yourself!
The program is intended for elementary-age children, though older children and parents may take part. Kettle Creek will provide sterilized snorkels and masks and a life jacket (which must be worn) to each participant.
Participants must bring the following:
-- Swimsuit/board shorts, worn under clothing as there are no changing facilities.
-- Wading shoes, water shoes, strap-on sandals, or old sneakers — NO flip-flops or bare feet.
-- Towel and sunscreen.
This program is very weather dependent. If the water is too high or murky, if thunder and lightning are present, or if the water or air temperature is too cold, we may need to postpone or cancel. This is the last creek snorkeling event of 2019.
This event is part of the Water Wiser Kids Series sponsored by Brodhead Watershed Association, funded by a Dr. Claus Jordan Endowment Grant from Lehigh Valley Health Network Pocono Foundation.
The program is free, but registration is required and limited to 25 participants. To register, call 570-839-1120, 570-629-2727 or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Association. Click Here to become a member.
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Bay Journal-Crable: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two
[Posted: July 29, 2019]
Pike Conservation District: The Importance Of High Quality And Exceptional Value Streams
By Rachel Posavetz, Watershed Specialist
Since the [federal] Clean Water Act of 1972, states have developed their own water quality standards, such as special protection designations for qualifying surface waters (streams and lakes).
The purpose is to protect, by law, human and ecological uses such as water supply, recreation, and aquatic habitat.
To provide sufficient protection to Pennsylvania’s highest quality waters, the special protection designations of “High Quality” and “Exceptional Value” were established. These designations fall under PA Chapter 93 water quality standards.
High Quality (HQ) and Exceptional Value (EV) designations are reserved for the cleanest waters in all of Pennsylvania, which are considered important natural resources to be properly protected and maintained.
Most impressively, all of the surface waters in Pike County, excluding the Delaware River, are designated as either HQ or EV.
Tourism and outdoor recreation, largely drawn by Pike County’s clean lakes and fishing streams, are significant sources of economic value.
For example, the Pocono Mountains region draws $3.3 billion annually in tourism revenue, according to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.
How Do Surface Waters Qualify as High Quality or Exceptional Value?
High Quality (HQ) Waters must meet specific chemistry or biological conditions, if not both.
The chemistry standards must include at least one year of water quality data meeting scientific criteria established within Chapter 93 of the PA Code, measuring specific parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH (acidity & alkalinity) among others.
For biological conditions to be met, a high quality aquatic community must be supported in that water body.
As determined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assessment protocols, the benthic macroinvertebrate (aquatic insects, shellfish, etc.) community must receive a health rating of at least 83 percent.
Lastly, “Class A wild trout streams” as designated by PA Fish and Boat Commission (PAFBC), will qualify a surface water as HQ.
Exceptional Value (EV) Waters are those that will firstly meet HQ standards, and one of several other factors that qualify the surface water for additional protection. These other qualifying conditions include:
-- The surface water being located in a refuge or protection area or a state or federal special designation area
-- The surface water being designated as a PAFBC “wilderness trout stream,” or designated as “exceptional recreational significance”
-- If the surface water scores 92 percent or higher on the EPA bioassessment protocol for benthic macroinvertebrate community (aquatic insects, shellfish, etc.)
A surface water designated as having an “exceptional ecological significance” is considered EV without requiring any other standards to be met.
So What Does this Mean?
To ensure protection of HQ and EV surface waters, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires specific authorization for certain types of disturbance activities in or near these areas.
The Conservation District is the local clearinghouse for information and technical assistance related to projects in or around HQ and EV waterways. Contact the District for more information before starting your project.
Additional Facts & Benefits:
-- HQ and EV designations do not impact activities existing prior to the designations being placed; they have been grandfathered.
-- Municipal governments are not liable for cleaning up streams nor required to change local ordinances.
-- Many common activities are not impacted such as most road maintenance projects, most farm practices, and on-lot sewage systems.
-- HQ and EV designations can improve your local area via increasing the chance of receiving funding for upgraded wastewater treatment facilities and increasing your funding amount through PA Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road Maintenance Program grants.
-- EV designation prevents radioactive and hazardous waste disposal facilities from being located in your watershed.
For more information on stream classifications, visit DEP’s Statewide Existing Use Classifications webpage.
For information on landowners services and assistance, visit the Pike County Conservation District website.
(Reprinted from the Pike Conservation District website.)
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[Posted: August 1, 2019]
Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing Aug. 14, Business Meeting Sept. 11
The Delaware River Basin Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on water withdrawal requests on August 14 at the Commission’s office at 25 Cosey Road, West Trenton, New Jersey starting at 1:30 p.m. (formal notice)
The Commission will hold its next business meeting on September 11 to consider the water withdrawal requests that were the subject of the hearing and other business. The meeting will be held at the Conference Center at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, New Jersey starting at 10:30 a.m.
The meeting agenda, information on how to submit comments at the hearing and other meeting information is available at DRBC’s Commission Meeting webpage.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware River Basin Commission website. Click Here to sign up for regulator updates. Follow DRBC on Twitter. Visit them on YouTube.
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Editorial: PA Needs To Give The Delaware River Its Fair Share Of Funding
Delaware RiverKeeper August 2 RiverWatch Video Report
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[Posted: July 31, 2019]
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
By Judy Sittler, Spring Creek Chapter Trout Unlimited
Sometimes the best partnerships come from a serendipitous encounter.
In March, I attended a PATU executive committee meeting. No expectations on my part. I just planned to give my Youth Ed. report and hear what the committee was doing.
A man named Joe Greco was there to give a National Leadership Council report regarding Trout Unlimited’s Great Lakes Working Group. He also brought along information on his company’s nationally-certified USDA Biopreferred product trade named Phalanx Bio Switch® Erosion/Filtration Medium.
This product is 100 percent hydrocarbon free, non-toxic and filled with specially manicured switchgrass supercharged with seed used to help build pollinator habitat.
Phalanx Bio Switch® is designated as a highly qualified-exceptionally valued Department of Environmental Protection Statewide Approved Alternative Best Management Practice authorized to be placed in sensitive watersheds.
The product doesn’t require trenching, is lightweight, has a wide ground contact surface and does not need to be removed because it decomposes naturally.
I sat up and paid attention. At the end of the meeting I got some more information and went home.
A few weeks later, I was having a breakfast meeting to talk about a pollinator plot on College Township property that Spring Creek TU is working on with the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
During the meeting, I brought out the brochure from Greco’s company BEG Group, LLC, which describes, in detail, the advantages of their switch family of products.
The pollinator plot we are working is on a hillside and the worry was keeping the seed from washing down before it can take hold. Light bulbs came on and yes, you guessed it, I sent out an email to Greco, who is the President of BEG Group, LLC.
“Dear Joe,” I said, “Our chapter is planting a pollinator plot on the Gordon D. Kissinger Meadow in State College, and we think your switchgrass filled silt sock would be perfect.” (Did I mention the switchgrass can be infused with pollinator seeds?)
We scheduled a site visit and Joe drove to State College from Ohio and brought along Austin Kirk, owner of AK Environmental Consulting, to walk the property. Austin had a mobile application that could measure the meadow and determine the slope, etc.
The three-acre plot has varied steepness. Austin also supplies a variety of seed mixes for these types of projects.
Long story short, Joe and Austin showed up on May 30 with six pallets of Bio Switch® erosion/filtration sock to guard the project’s lower perimeter, one pallet of unvegetated Phalanx Bio Switch® sock to be used in the most sensitive area of the project and one pallet of 4-inch Phalanx Bio Switch® sock supercharged with pollinator mix.
Austin’s company designed the pollinator seed mix inside the Phalanx Bio Switch®.
BEG Group, LLC, AK Environmental Consulting and ETube, BEG Group’s sock supplier, sponsored the product for the G.D.K. Meadow Pollinator Habitat Project and Kirk supervised the placement and installation of the erosion/filtration sock. The installation was a breeze.
Why should we care about pollinators?
Pollinators provide pollination services for wild plants and many of our crop species – one in three bites of food is due to cross-pollination by pollinators.
Pollination is important for maintaining genetic diversity in plants and ensuring adequate fruit and seed production for crops, wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Our forests, prairies, meadows and gardens would look much different without the help of our pollinators.
The intricacies of pollinator-environment interactions mean that we must take a broad approach to conserve pollinators.
The above project is one modest campaign to weigh in on this very important topic.
For information on professional consultation and supplies aimed at building your own chapter’s pollinator habitat project please feel free to reach out to BEG Group, LLC through its website contact page.
Visit the Spring Creek Chapter Trout Unlimited website for information on their initiatives and upcoming events in Centre County.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved is available at the PA Council of Trout Unlimited website.
(Reprinted from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited Summer 2019 PA Trout newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
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[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Eat Oysters At Participating Restaurants On National Oyster Weekend Aug. 2-5, Support Oyster Recovery In Chesapeake Bay
The Oyster Recovery Partnership is holding National Oyster Weekend August 2 to 5. For every oyster sold at participating restaurants, the Partnership will receive 10 cents toward helping to plant oysters in sanctuary reefs in the Chesapeake Bay.
The participating restaurants in Pennsylvania are all in the Pittsburgh area: Eleven Restaurant, Muddy Waters Oyster Bar and Spirits & Tales at the Oaklander Hotel.
Click Here for participating restaurants in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
"This campaign serves as a celebration of local seafood and the hardworking watermen and aquaculturists who supply it, while supporting important Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration projects,” said ORP Executive Director Stephan Abel. “We encourage everyone to do their part by visiting these generous restaurants who have committed to a healthier Chesapeake Bay.”
Oysters are a critical species to the Bay’s long-term recovery because they filter excess nutrients and serve as habitat for a multitude of marine life. Over the past two decades, the Oyster Recovery Partnership has planted approximately 7 billion oysters on 2,400 underwater acres throughout Maryland.
Give Back to the Bay on National Oyster Weekend is generously sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
For more information on oyster restoration efforts, visit the Oyster Recovery Partnership website.
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[Posted: July 29, 2019]
Bay Journal: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch
By Ad Crable, Chesapeake Bay Journal
In a mad dash to keep the Chesapeake logperch from being placed on the federal endangered species list, the tiny fish is certainly doing its part.
In an underwater roundup of sorts, 28 logperch were netted in late March from three tributaries to the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, PA, just north of the Maryland line.
In an experiment with plenty of doubts, those 28 have multiplied to about 1,500 in propagation fish tanks in Tennessee and at Penn State University.
The plan is to reintroduce logperch into one southern Pennsylvania stream this fall, with later stockings possible into up to seven lower Susquehanna tributaries in Pennsylvania from the Holtwood Dam to Harrisburg.
That’s an area where the fish were once native but have disappeared.
It’s a rare experiment. The relatively recent discovery of the fish as a distinct species caused fisheries agencies in both Pennsylvania and Maryland to reassess its status. Both declared it threatened in their states.
“There has been quite a lot of work done in the last 10 years or so trying to restore fishes to their habitats, but there are not many restoration projects of this magnitude with a species that has not been federally listed,” said Jay Stauffer, a distinguished professor of ichthyology at Penn State. “To try to prevent a species from being federally listed is pretty unique,”
But first, a seed stock was needed. To make the captured fish feel right at home, researchers scooped gravel and sand from the streams where they were found. They even collected rocks that the members of the darter family flip over with their piglike snouts to look for aquatic insects. They are known for flipping rocks.
The elements from their home stream were combined in the propagation tanks, where pumps replicated the current.
Apparently, the fish indeed felt right at home. They reproduced so fast that their fecundity had to be cut off after three weeks for fear they would overwhelm their tanks.
The fish were divided between Penn State and rearing facilities in Tennessee run by the nonprofit aquaculture group Conservation Fisheries, Inc. so that an unforeseen accident or disease wouldn’t wipe out the entire population.
Ripe with that success, the next phase of the four-year plan has been expedited. This summer, teams will snorkel and scuba dive in candidate streams, checking stream-bottom habitat, flow and water temperatures in search of ideal homes for the juveniles.
The effort will be aided by an underwater drone attached to a 300-foot tether that will send back a deepwater video of the terrain.
They’ll also study the logperch themselves, because so little is known about the 4-inch fish that were only identified as a separate species in 2008.
“It’s never been studied,” remarked Doug Fischer, an ichthyologist and nongame fisheries biologist with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which is spearheading the effort. “We don’t know for sure what they eat, how old they get, when they spawn and at what water temperatures, where they spawn or how many eggs they release. This year, to increase the odds, we’re going to study what the fish does to live.”
Still, Fischer is “cautiously optimistic” logperch can be reinserted in the streams they once roamed and escape inclusion on the federal endangered species list.
As far back as 1842, one man knew the Chesapeake logperch roamed the lower Susquehanna and its feeder streams. He was Samuel S. Haldeman, a naturalist from Lancaster County, who caught and described the fish with its zebralike dark bars to the scientific community.
But the fish was promptly lumped in with other known and similar-looking logperch darters and forgotten. Then, in 2008, DNA testing proved the fish was a separate species. It was named Percina bimaculata Haldeman and given the common name of Chesapeake logperch because it was found only in streams that drain into the Chesapeake Bay.
Historically, the fish was found in the main stem and tributaries of the Lower Susquehanna in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and several streams that drain into the Upper Bay at the Susquehanna Flats.
In the Susquehanna, the fish are found in the river and streams between the Conowingo and Holtwood dams. They have not been found above the Holtwood Dam, including where Haldeman discovered them.
They are gone from about half of their native range in Pennsylvania.
They also were found in the lower and middle sections of the Potomac River basin but not have not been seen since 1938.
Matters escalated in 2017, when the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit that seeks to protect endangered species, sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for not taking enough action to protect threatened species. The Chesapeake logperch was one of them.
Fish and Wildlife contacted Maryland and Pennsylvania and to learn about the potential for restoration.
“We fleshed out a dream project for the species,” Fischer said. The Fish and Boat Commission secured $500,000 from Fish and Wildlife for the four-year restoration plan. Funds also came from Penn State and the state. Partners with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission include Penn State, Pennsylvania Biological Survey, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Conservation Fisheries, Inc.
Although Maryland is participating in the plan, there are no plans to begin stocking the fish in that state’s streams. A conservation plan for the fish in Maryland will be prepared, though.
Living in waterways vulnerable to agricultural runoff is a continued threat to the logperch.
The fish spawn over sand, and large rain events could smother fragile eggs with silt. Once researchers learn more about the life history of the logperch and what they need, future stream restoration projects could include creating specific habitat for them.
A more recent threat to logperch is the arrival of invasive fish such as snakeheads and the blue and flathead catfish.
The stocking of about 1,200 logperch this fall will be in a tributary, not the main stem of the Susquehanna. Researchers believe the fish will be more likely to find each other that way.
If reproduction is successful, they figure the larvae will reach the river anyway, bolstering the population there as well.
Fischer is buoyed by the initial success of the reproduction and thinks the Chesapeake logperch can escape the sad denouement of a federal listing or even extinction. Fish and Wildlife is holding off until the project is finished before determining whether it needs federal protection in 2023.
“Nobody wants to list anything [on the endangered species list],” he said. “That means something has happened. This is a novelty because we are repatriating fish. Our goal is to increase distribution to the point they are technically secure. We want to put them back to where Haldeman would have found them.”
(Reprinted from the Chesapeake Bay Journal.)
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[Posted: July 29, 2019]
Capital RC&D Video Series Explores Benefits Of On-Farm Composting
Successful, on-farm composting is showcased in four new videos now available free on the Capital Resources Conservation and Development Area Council website.
These videos were created by Capital RC&D staff with the help of five Pennsylvania farmers and researchers at Rodale Institute. The video case studies exhibit successful examples of on-farm composting and provide insight about each farm’s methods.
The videos, along with a corresponding written overview and bibliography, showcase five composting techniques including turned windrows, static aerated piles, in-vessel, vermicomposting, and bedded pack composting.
In addition to the benefits of each system, the videos provide detail about the inputs used by each farmer featured and how they use the finished compost. Viewers can also learn about research undertaken at Rodale Institute focused on using compost to increase disease and pest control.
Farmers and researchers featured in the videos include John Shenk, Shenk’s Berry Farm in Lancaster County; Mike Brownback, Spiral Path Farm in Perry County; Ned Foley, Two Particular Acres in Montgomery County; Kenny and Cyrus Gehringer, Four Springs Farm in Lehigh County; Rick Carr and Dr. Gladis Zinati, Rodale Institute, Berks County.
Click Here to watch the videos.
USDA-NRCS provided funding for the series and can provide technical assistance for farmers looking to implement or expand an on-farm composting system as part of their conservation practices.
Farmers should contact their local PA NRCS office to learn more about this and other conservation practices.
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or send email to: cburns@capitalrcd.org.
Visit the Capital RC&D website for more information on programs, services and upcoming events.
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[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Rodale Institute Launches New Organic Research Center In California With Ventura Seed Company
On August 1, Berks County-based Rodale Institute announced it is partnering with Ventura Seed Company to the California Organic Research and Training Center in Camarillo, Ventura County.
As a fifth-generation farmer in the Oxnard Plain, Phil McGrath has seen a vast shift in California agriculture over the past 60 years. Particularly a loss of biodiversity, as Ventura County has become increasingly monocropped with a few high-value food staples like strawberries, lemons and avocados.
“We’ve moved to conventional, chemical and industrial agriculture, and we’re seeing a rise in issues with pests, water shortages, and heavy chemical use,” said McGrath. “The world needs a wake-up call. We have to rethink the big picture now. Cheap food has an environmental and social cost. Farming can just as easily hurt us as sustain us. We need regenerative agriculture for our collective future.”
Phil McGrath’s farm, located in Camarillo, CA, will be the site of Rodale Institute’s new California Organic Center, a satellite location for the famed organic research & education institution to conduct regionally focused research trials, farmer outreach and consumer education.
The project is being funded by Ventura Seed Company, a hemp seed propagation and cultivation company with growers throughout the US. Ventura Seed Company currently grows about 60 acres of certified organic hemp for CBD on McGrath’s farm.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Rodale Institute to increase organic research and farmer training opportunities in California, the epicenter of the organic movement,” said Riki Trowe, President of Ventura Seed Company. “We know there is still so much we can learn about growing in a true regenerative fashion to support the health of people and the planet.”
California, always an agriculture powerhouse with its long growing season and huge geographical area, leads the U.S. in number of organic farms, the amount of land in organic production and in organic sales.
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, in its 2016 Organic Survey, reported that California has 2,713 certified organic farms, or 19 percent of the total in the U.S., with annual sales totaling nearly $2.9 billion.
However, California farmers still face growing challenges. Farmers are feeling the effects of climate change in fires and droughts, and pesticide use in the state is at an all-time high. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation reported that California used 208,972,917 pounds of pesticide in 2016.
The new Rodale Institute California Organic Center aims to solve challenges for farmers in the region and across the globe by conducting research in new climates and soil types, and on crops, pests, diseases and weeds that are most relevant to farmers in this important agricultural area.
Ultimately, the center aims to increase the number of organic farms and acreage in the region, help farmers improve soil health and other key metrics like yields and profitability without synthetic chemicals, and serve as an organic research and education hub for farmers and consumers in Ventura County and California.
“We know that organic research is still vastly underfunded compared to the size of the industry in the United States,” said Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute executive director. “We need more resilient agriculture that can deal with the extreme weather of climate change, so that farmers can continue to feed our growing population. That all starts with soil health. With researchers on the ground working on solutions geared for organic farmers in their own communities, we’ll continue to increase both the demand and supply of organic products in this country and around the world.”
The California Organic Center is Rodale Institute’s third new regional resource center. All three satellite centers were launched in 2019, as Rodale Institute works to fill the gap on more localized research and education to meet the needs of organic farmers around the country.
The other two centers include the Midwest Organic Center in Marion, Iowa, near Cedar Rapids, and the Southeast Organic Center in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, about an hour from Atlanta.
Throughout the summer and fall, Rodale Institute will hire research and extension staff for the site, meet with local partners in the area to determine research needs, and begin drafting trials and field plans.
For more information on research, projects and training opportunities, visit the Rodale Institute website.
(Photo: Phil McGrath, owner of McGrath Family Farm, the site of the California Organic Center.)
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[Posted: August 1, 2019]
Construction Of SR89 Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System Has Begun In Washington Twp., Butler County
The Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition is excited to report that construction of the SR89 passive system is underway in Washington Township, Butler county.
The passive system will treat an acidic metal discharge known as SR89 (a.k.a. Magnum discharge) that is located on Game Commission Gamelands #95 property.
The SR89 discharge is perhaps the largest untreated discharge remaining that flows directly into the main branch of Slippery Rock Creek in that area.
The system is being constructed by Vogel Disposal Services as part of a mitigation agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection related to stream and wetland impacts associated with expansion of their Seneca Landfill.
The passive system will consist of terraced iron formations for low pH iron removal, a Jennings-style (mixture of compost, wood chips, and limestone) vertical flow pond, and settling pond/wetland.
Completion of this project along with the rehabilitation of older passive systems that are planned over the next couple of years should greatly improve Slippery Rock Creek.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.
Clean Creek Products
Visit Clean Creek Products to find unique tableware, jewelry and other products made with iron oxide and manganese oxide harvested from passive mine drainage treatment facilities in Western Pennsylvania.
Your purchases help support mine drainage treatment and watershed restoration projects throughout the region.
(Reprinted from the August issue of The Catalyst newsletter published by the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition. Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)
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August Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
August Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition
The August issue of The Catalyst newsletter is now available from the Butler County-based Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition featuring articles on-
-- Westminster College Students Present Resource Recovery Findings At WPCAMR Meeting
-- Coalition Receives EPA 319 Funding For 2 Projects In Blacks Creek (photos)
-- Construction Of The SR89 Passive Mine Drainage Treatment System Has Begun
-- The KIDS Catalyst - Beautiful Butterflies!
-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website.
Clean Creek Products
Visit Clean Creek Products to find unique tableware, jewelry and other products made with iron oxide and manganese oxide harvested from passive mine drainage treatment facilities in Western Pennsylvania.
Your purchases help support mine drainage treatment and watershed restoration projects throughout the region.
(Photos: The sites of two new watershed projects recently funded in the Blacks Creek subwatershed.)
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Letter: Let’s Clean Up Our Abandoned Mines, Congress Needs To Pass RECLAIM
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Trout Unlimited, Partners Push Congress To Support Mine Reclamation Fund Reauthorization
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
PA Recycling Markets Center: PA ReMaDe Conference - Advancing The Circular Economy Sept. 18-19 In Bethlehem
The PA Recycling Markets Center will host the PA ReMaDe Conference - Advancing Circular Economy September 18-19 in Bethlehem at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
What is a circular economy? A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy-- make, use, dispose. A circular economy keeps resources in use for as long as possible, extracts the maximum value from them while in use, then recovers and regenerates products and materials at the end of each service life.
The PA ReMaDe Conference strives to connect anyone involved with recycling, materials management, and manufacturing to the opportunities of the circular economy.
The keynote Conference speaker will be Tom Szaky, CEO and founder of TerraCycle, which has worked to establish unique take back systems and recycled content product manufacturing in conjunction with major consumer brand companies, citizen-stakeholders, and governmental bodies leading to greater global circularity and producer responsibility.
During the Conference, services and tools that expedite advancement of circularity will be presented, including creation of business growth impacts through reuse, repurposing, refurbishment, repair, remanufacture, reprocessing, and upcycle of materials and products.
Presentations in several topic areas will be offered, including--
-- Circularity of the fiber industry
-- Circularity of the glass industry
-- Organics recycling: nature’s circular economy
-- Circular systems in plastics recovery
-- Life cycle analysis
-- EPA sustainable materials management
-- Pennsylvania Showcase of Circularity, including--
-- Just Born Quality Confections
-- C.F. Martin & Company Inc., (Martin Guitar & String)
-- Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
-- Bringing the global circular economy to our neighborhood
-- Assistance tools for building a circular economy
-- Venture investing, building the infrastructure of circularity
-- How consumer brands are leaders to circular economy
-- Does sustainable materials management bridge to a circular economy?
-- Advancing circular economics in electronics recovery
Click Here for the Conference scheduled and agenda.
Registration - Sponsorships
The Conference packet, including registration and sponsorship options can be found at the PA Recycling Markets Center website. A discounted room block is available until sold out, mention “Recycling Markets Center” for the discount.
Questions about the Conference should be directed to 717-948-6660 or send email to: PAReMaDe@PennRMC.org.
Related Articles:
NewsClips:
Erie County Hosts Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Aug. 10
West Chester Plastic Bag Ban Was Right Thing To Do, Even If It Defies State Law
Pittsburgh Goes Big On Smart Garbage Cans
Payments On Delinquent Recycling Fees Up In Wilkes-Barre
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Keystone Landfill To Try Again To Change Dunmore Zoning Ordinance
Republic Services Trash Hauler In Bucks County Tripled Prices With Little Notice
Bagenstose: Elcon Continues Push For Waste Plant In Falls Twp., Bucks County
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
PA Resources Council Holds First Reuse Fest In Erie Sept. 7 For Residents To Donate Used Items To Local Nonprofits
The PA Resources Council will hold its first Reuse Fest in Erie on September 7 to allow residents to donate gently used items to local nonprofit groups.
“This one-of-a-kind collection event provides area residents with an opportunity to responsibly donate a variety of unwanted but still usable items to multiple local nonprofits at one convenient location,” according to PRC Managing Director Justin Stockdale. “All materials donated at ReuseFest will be reused in some fashion, whether resold, repurposed or given to those in need in our region.”
“Since launching ReuseFest in Pittsburgh in 2012, PRC has collected and diverted tens of thousands of pounds of materials from local landfills,” said Stockdale. “Items donated and reused to benefit the local community have included everything from canes, crutches and wheelchairs to cat carriers, light fixtures and literally the kitchen sink.”
Nonprofits collecting materials at the September 7 event will include Chosen International Medical Assistance, Dress for Success Erie, Erie City Mission, Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity, Green Scene Thrift, Mercy Center for Women and The ANNA Shelter.
ReuseFest is sponsored by UPMC, UPMC Hamot and The Erie Community Foundation in collaboration with Erie County Recycling Program and City of Erie.
The Reuse Fest will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot of UPMC Health Plan, 380 E. Bayfront Parkway in Erie.
For a complete list of participating organizations and materials collected, visit PRC’s Reuse Fest Erie webpage. For additional information, call the PA Resources Council at 412-773-7156 or Erie County Recycling at 814-451-7326.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook. Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar. Click Here to support their work.
NewsClips:
Erie County Hosts Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Aug. 10
West Chester Plastic Bag Ban Was Right Thing To Do, Even If It Defies State Law
Pittsburgh Goes Big On Smart Garbage Cans
Payments On Delinquent Recycling Fees Up In Wilkes-Barre
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Keystone Landfill To Try Again To Change Dunmore Zoning Ordinance
Republic Services Trash Hauler In Bucks County Tripled Prices With Little Notice
Bagenstose: Elcon Continues Push For Waste Plant In Falls Twp., Bucks County
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[Posted: August 2, 2019]
PA Resources Council Hosts 3 More Allegheny County Pop-Up Glass Recycling Collection Events In August
The PA Resources Council will host three “pop-up” glass recycling collection events in August in response to the sudden removal of glass from many of the region’s residential curbside recycling programs.
Since launching in early March, the pop-up glass campaign has attracted more than 4,800 participants and arranged for the recycling of 86 tons of glass.
“Based on overwhelming demand from residents, local governments and the glass industry, PRC is providing an alternative for glass recycling,” according to PRC Co-Executive Director Justin Stockdale. “This program will ensure that glass is not trash, even if it can no longer be put out for curbside recycling in numerous municipalities due to recent changes in waste haulers’ contracts.”
The next pop-up recycling collection events will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.:
-- August 10: Village Square Mall, sponsored by Municipality of Bethel Park, upper lot near Kohl’s and Wine & Spirits;
-- August 17: Moon Municipal Building, sponsored by Moon Township; and
-- August 24: Chartiers Valley Shopping Center, sponsored by Collier Township, parking lot of former Kmart
Residents can drop off all colors of glass bottles, jars and jugs at no cost. PRC staff and volunteers will be on-site to assist recyclers. The preferred packing/delivery method is glass loosely placed in plastic bins or cardboard boxes.
“Glass remains a valuable commodity with vibrant demand in the regional/national recycled materials marketplace,” said Stockdale. “PRC now provides an opportunity for glass recycling in the Pittsburgh area that not only offers a solution for residents but that keeps the supply of recycled glass flowing to the mills that consume it as a raw material.”
PRC’s network is sponsored by CAP Glass, Owens Illinois and Straub Brewery in conjunction with several local municipalities impacted by recent changes in curbside recycling regulations.
PRC will host additional glass collections in future months. For more information, visit PRC’s Pop-Up Glass Recycling webpage or send email to: glass@prc.org.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook. Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar. Click Here to support their work.
NewsClips:
Erie County Hosts Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Aug. 10
West Chester Plastic Bag Ban Was Right Thing To Do, Even If It Defies State Law
Pittsburgh Goes Big On Smart Garbage Cans
Payments On Delinquent Recycling Fees Up In Wilkes-Barre
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Keystone Landfill To Try Again To Change Dunmore Zoning Ordinance
Republic Services Trash Hauler In Bucks County Tripled Prices With Little Notice
Bagenstose: Elcon Continues Push For Waste Plant In Falls Twp., Bucks County
Related Articles:
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
Reminder: DEP Accepts Applications Anytime For Municipal Waste Planning And Pollution Prevention Education Grants
The Department of Environmental Protection will accept applications for County Municipal Waste Planning and Pollution Prevention Education grants at any time during the year.
Counties are eligible for 80 percent reimbursement for preparation of waste management plans and pollution prevention education activities.
Click Here for more information on the financial assistance available. Questions should be directed to DEP Regional Waste Minimization and Planning staff or to Mark Vottero in Harrisburg by calling 717-772-5719 or send email to: mvottero@pa.gov.
Local HHW Collection Events
Click Here for a list of upcoming local household hazardous waste collection events by county maintained by DEP.
NewsClips:
Erie County Hosts Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Aug. 10
West Chester Plastic Bag Ban Was Right Thing To Do, Even If It Defies State Law
Pittsburgh Goes Big On Smart Garbage Cans
Payments On Delinquent Recycling Fees Up In Wilkes-Barre
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Keystone Landfill To Try Again To Change Dunmore Zoning Ordinance
Republic Services Trash Hauler In Bucks County Tripled Prices With Little Notice
Bagenstose: Elcon Continues Push For Waste Plant In Falls Twp., Bucks County
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[Posted: August 3, 2019]
DEP Signs $750,000 Penalty Agreement With PQ Corporation For Air Violations In Chester, Delaware County
On July 30, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has signed a Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty with PQ Corporation in the amount of $750,000 for air quality violations in the City of Chester, Delaware County for the period between July 2013 and December 2018.
A requirement of PQ’s air quality permit is that the company monitor hourly emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO), opacity, and data availability.
PQ has a Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) for this purpose. Prior to the CEMS being certified in 2014, PQ was required to complete annual stack testing to demonstrate compliance with permitted limits for NOx, CO, and particulate matter. The company is also required to keep records of their 12-month rolling totals.
DEP pursued penalties for hourly CEMS violations, NOx stack test violations, 12-month rolling NOx violations, and reporting violations where the company failed to submit quarterly reports in a timely manner.
“This penalty reinforces how important it is for companies to accurately control, track, and report their emissions. Failure to comply with environmental regulations is not acceptable to the department,” said DEP Southeast Regional Director Pat Patterson. “Collecting penalties and fines is important but bringing polluters into compliance as quickly as possible is the ultimate goal towards protecting the people and environment of the Commonwealth.”
A CEMS is a combination of the hardware and software used for the continuous determination and recording of a value for compliance with an emissions standard (i.e. NOx, CO, SO2), operational criterion (i.e. temperature or throughput), or informational reporting requirement (i.e. data availability).
It includes the measurement interface, all necessary measurement devices, and associated calibration and data handling apparatus and procedures.
Media questions should be directed to Virginia Cain, DEP Southeast Regional Office, 484-250-5808 or send email to: vicain@pa.gov.
NewsClips:
Kummer: Chester Plant Slapped With $750K Fine For Years Of Air Quality Violations
Delaware County Chemical Plant Fined $750,000 For Air Pollution Violations
DEP Posts 3 More Air Quality Violations Against Erie Coke (Coal) Plant
DEP Issues New Violation Notices To Erie Coke (Coal) Plant
US Steel Clairton Air Pollution Settlement Agreement Met With Praise, Criticism
Benefits Of Clairton Coke (Coal) Works Settlement Debated At Public Meeting
Lawrenceville Residents Worry How Foundry Emissions Could Impact The Future
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Wolf Awards $8.5 Million In Volkswagen Settlement Grants To Reduce Transportation Pollution
On August 1, Gov. Tom Wolf announced 34 cleaner energy transportation projects will receive $8,489,844 in Driving PA Forward grants and rebates.
Funded by Pennsylvania’s share of the settlement with Volkswagen Group of America for cheating on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions tests, the Department of Environmental Protection is committing funding for an extensive range of clean energy transportation projects on our roads, at schools, and at marine ports and airports.
“The funding awarded from the VW emission cheating scandal is helping Pennsylvania reduce transportation pollution statewide and will help continue our efforts to improve air quality throughout the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Wolf.
By replacing older, polluting engines with new technologies, the projects over their lifetimes are expected to prevent emission of 503 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx), 130 tons of carbon monoxide, 238 tons of carbon dioxide, 59 tons of hydrocarbons, 30 tons of fine particulate matter, and a half-ton of coarse particulate matter.
“This comprehensive approach to reducing emissions will help improve Pennsylvanians’ health and advance Gov. Wolf’s goal of protecting the state from further climate change impacts,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
These emissions contribute to climate change and ground-level ozone, or smog, which the EPA has shown can have negative health impacts, including asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Driving PA Forward launched in 2018 with the goal of permanently reducing NOx emissions in Pennsylvania by 27,700 tons by supporting clean transportation projects with funding from the Commonwealth’s $118.5 million settlement with Volkswagen.
Six projects received $580,000 in the first set of awards, announced last year.
Click Here for a list of grants awarded.
For more information on clean transportation grants and rebates available under the Volkswagen settlement in Pennsylvania, visit the Driving PA Forward webpage.
Other Clean Vehicle-Related Grants/Rebates
Applications are now being accepted for these other clean vehicle grant programs with these deadlines--
-- September 23-- DEP Class 8 Truck/Transit Bus Clean Vehicle Grants
-- September 30-- FirstEnergy Utilities Rebates On Nissan Electric Vehicles
-- October 30-- DEP Ocean-Going Vessel Shorepower Grants
-- December 13-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Vehicle Grants
-- December 16-- DEP Grants/Rebates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
-- December 31-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates
For more information on alternative fuel incentive grants and rebates, visit DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program webpage.
NewsClips:
6 Central PA Cleaner Energy Project Receive Volkswagen Settlement Funding
VW Settlement Will Fund New EV Charging Stations In East Liberty
Pittsburgh Port Authority Approved For $1.9M Grant To Purchase Electric Buses
Lithium Supply Outpaces Demand For Electric Cars, Philly Company Faces Stock Drop
Toomey, Feinstein Would Abolish Federal Ethanol Fuel Mandate
Related Article:
FirstEnergy Utility Companies, Nissan Partner On Electric Vehicle Rebates
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
FirstEnergy Utility Companies, Nissan Partner On Electric Vehicle Rebates
FirstEnergy utility customers served by Med-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power can receive a $3,500 rebate of the price of a 2019 Nissan LEAF or a $2,500 rebate on a 2019 LEAF Plus electric vehicles.
To receive the rebate, customers need to show their monthly utility billing statement and a copy of the FirstEnergy/Nissan promotional flyer to participating LEAF-certified Nissan dealerships. Nissan suggests calling ahead to the dealership to confirm inventory.
The rebate program ends on September 30, 2019.
For more information, visit the FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Vehicles webpage.
Other Clean Vehicle-Related Grants/Rebates
Applications are now being accepted for these clean vehicle grant programs with these deadlines--
-- September 23-- DEP Class 8 Truck/Transit Bus Clean Vehicle Grants
-- October 30-- DEP Ocean-Going Vessel Shorepower Grants
-- December 13-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Vehicle Grants
-- December 16-- DEP Grants/Rebates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
-- December 31-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates
For more information on alternative fuel incentive grants and rebates, visit DEP’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant Program webpage.
For more information on clean transportation grants and rebates available under the Volkswagen settlement in Pennsylvania, visit the Driving PA Forward webpage.
NewsClips:
6 Central PA Cleaner Energy Project Receive Volkswagen Settlement Funding
VW Settlement Will Fund New EV Charging Stations In East Liberty
Pittsburgh Port Authority Approved For $1.9M Grant To Purchase Electric Buses
Lithium Supply Outpaces Demand For Electric Cars, Philly Company Faces Stock Drop
Toomey, Feinstein Would Abolish Federal Ethanol Fuel Mandate
Related Article:
Wolf Awards $8.5 Million In Volkswagen Settlement Grants To Reduce Transportation Pollution
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy
The Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program will host a webinar August 15 on Building Re-Tuning (BRT), Operating Your Building More Efficiently To Save Energy from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
If you are involved with building operations, don't miss this upcoming webinar where we will show you how to operate buildings more efficiently, reduce operating costs, and provide energy savings.
Building Re-Tuning (BRT) is a strategy for building owners and renters to identify no-cost or low-cost building operational corrections to energy waste.
Over time, wear and tear, improper operation, lack of maintenance, and changing use can lead to energy inefficiencies and increased operating costs in residential and commercial buildings. BRT is a low-cost approach to bring back a building to meet its original performance.
Click Here to register or for more information.
Visit the Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program to learn about more opportunities to reduce costs and save energy.
NewsClip:
Penn State-Led Global Building Network At Forefront Of Building Performance
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Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg
The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance and its partners will hold the Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency Conference September 26-27 at the Hilton in Harrisburg.
The Conference will bring together the energy efficiency industry’s most prominent players will convene for two days of valuable networking and dynamic discussions about developing policy, emerging technology trends, and the future of energy efficiency.
Major speakers scheduled to participate are--
-- Robert Powelson, President & CEO National Association of Water Companies;
-- Steve Cowell, President, E4TheFuture;
-- David Althoff, DEP Director of Energy Programs;
-- Carmen Best, Director of Policy & Emerging Markets, ReCurve;
-- Joe Cullen, Director Of Policy & State Outreach, Building Performance Association;
-- Cassandra Kubes, Research Manager, Health & Environment for ACEEE;
-- Alison Steele, Director Of Community Programs & Advocacy, Conservation Consultants, Inc.; and
-- Michael Walsh, DCNR Deputy Secretary for Administration.
To register to view the agenda or for more information, visit the Pennsylvania Energy Efficiency Conference website.
NewsClip:
Penn State-Led Global Building Network At Forefront Of Building Performance
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Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?
PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
[Posted: July 31, 2019]
Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future
Penn State Extension will host another in its series of land use webinars on August 21, the one focused on Pennsylvania's solar energy future starting at 1:15.
Pennsylvania is well situated to lead the country into the next age of energy development with clean, renewable solar photovoltaic energy, a topic that will be discussed during a web-based seminar to be offered by Penn State Extension.
Ed Johnstonbaugh, extension program associate, and Peter Wulfhorst, extension educator, will present the 75-minute webinar at noon on Aug. 21.
This session will introduce participants to proposed changes in public policy that will encourage broader-scale deployment of clean, sustainable energy technologies with an emphasis on renewable solar photovoltaic energy. (Click Here for more on DEP's PA Solar Future Plan.)
With such expansion will come trade-offs in the use of both public and private lands, with the potential to impact land-intensive industries such as agriculture.
“Growth of distributed renewable energy generation technologies, since the 2004 passage of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Energy Portfolio legislation, has been limited to early adopters of technology with little or no financial constraints,” said Johnstonbaugh.
He explained that as economies of scale-- resulting from alternative energy portfolio standard successes in Pennsylvania and other states around the country-- have lowered costs, solar photovoltaic energy technology is poised for a second surge of growth.
This growth is being driven by policy changes such as support for community solar power, advances in microgrid technology and expanded compliance requirements.
“Finding Pennsylvania’s Solar Future” is the second webinar in Penn State Extension’s Summer/Fall 2019 Land-Use Webinar series that runs monthly from July through November.
The series helps municipal elected and appointed officials, planners, landowners, farmers, community organizations and other interested people to be informed regarding land-use issues and decisions in their communities.
All the webinars in the series are recorded and available for future viewing. Other topics and dates in the webinar series include the following:
-- July 17: “Complete Streets: Planning and Policy” (previously recorded)
-- Sept. 18: “Should We Consider a Stormwater Utility to Facilitate Stormwater Management?”
-- Oct. 16: “Northeast U.S. Agriculture: Why It Matters”
-- Nov. 20: “Yes, Communities Can Design Out Crime”
The cost of the webinar series is $50 for all five sessions, or $95 for all five sessions for those who want to receive AICP certification-maintenance credits from the American Planning Association.
The cost also is $95 for all five sessions for professional engineers needing PDH credits. In addition, registered landscape architects can receive continuing-education credits for a fee of $65.
Click Here to register for the webinars. Questions should be directed to Peter Wulfhorst at 570-296-3400 or by sending email to ptw3@psu.edu.
(Photo: Community Energy 5 MW Keystone Solar Project in Lancaster County.)
NewsClips:
Penn State-Led Global Building Network At Forefront Of Building Performance
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Related Articles This Week:
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?
PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy
Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
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PA Solar Future Plan Recommends Dramatic Increase In AEPS Solar Mandate Of Up To 8%
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania?
By Georgia Mae Lively, Communications Intern, The Energy Co-op
Pennsylvania is and always has been a powerhouse–literally–in terms of energy production. But when it comes to solar energy, Pennsylvania is lagging significantly behind some of our neighboring states, most notably New Jersey.
This is not due to a lack of natural resource-- since Pennsylvania has a similar geographic makeup to several states which are leaders solar development and production. So why is Pennsylvania so far behind?
Solar energy contributes only 0.24 percent to our electricity portfolio currently, which is far below our already modest goal of 0.5 percent for 2021.
This goal comes from the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), which passed the state legislature in 2004 and has shaped the renewable energy landscape in Pennsylvania since then.
The standards are split into two tiers of alternative energy sources, requiring 10 percent of the state’s energy to come from the second tier and 8 percent from the first by 2021. (Solar is in the first tier.)
At the time of passage, the standards were fairly progressive, but have since been criticized for having much lower and broader requirements than other states. States with similar legislation often have higher contribution requirements and only include renewable energy in their standards, while the AEPS includes non-renewables like waste coal in the second tier.
New Jersey, for example, has a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) which requires 5.1 percent solar and a total of 22.5 percent renewable electricity by 2021.
The RPS has two classes of renewable energy, similar to the tiers in the AEPS, but, unlike in Pennsylvania, every form of energy included in the two classes is renewable.
New Jersey is on track to meets its solar goal, reporting a 4.17 percent solar contribution for 2018.
Similarly, DC, Delaware, and Maryland all have much higher solar goals in their RPS’s at 5 percent, 3.5 percent, and 2.5 percent respectively.
Considering that similar solar resources exist in these states as in Pennsylvania, it seems perfectly possible that Pennsylvania could meet similar standards. In fact, Pennsylvania receives 2,600 hours of sunshine per year, making the potential for solar energy production here just as high as in New Jersey which receives 2,500 sunshine hours annually.
The main obstacle for Pennsylvania is our lack of utility-scale solar investment.
While we rank 22nd in the nation in solar energy overall, we rank 28th in utility-scale solar, with 80 percent of our solar energy coming from distributed generation (non-utility-scale such as residential rooftop systems) in 2017.
While New Jersey has over 50 utility-scale installations with over 5 MW of capacity, Pennsylvania has only two.
Considering the high quantity of sunshine we receive and its fairly even distribution across the state, it seems that we are not limited by our resources, but rather by a lack of legislation and incentives encouraging utility-scale solar development.
The PA Solar Futures program, led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and PennFuture, outlines a set of rules and regulations to increase solar energy production in the Commonwealth, including changes to the AEPS to increase solar requirements to 4 to 8 percent by 2030.
The proposed scenarios project that 65 to 90 percent of the power needed to meet those targets would come from utility-scale solar.
Pennsylvania has the potential to be a leader in solar generation based on our natural resources but lacks the policy mandates and incentives present in states with high solar energy contributions.
We have demonstrated our ability to adapt to changes in the energy industry in the past, and the rise of renewables, including solar, presents an opportunity for Pennsylvania to continue to play a leading role in the energy economy.
(Photo: Community Energy 5 MW Keystone Solar Project in Lancaster County.)
Georgia Mae Lively is a Communications Intern with The Energy Co-op. She is currently a Master’s of Public Policy student at Temple University focusing on energy and environmental policy.
NewsClips:
High Schoolers Paid To Learn Solar In Philly, It’s About To Become A Program Of Study
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Related Articles This Week:
Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future
PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy
Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12
Intern Stories Wanted!
Stories/Photos/Videos About Summer Interns Wanted! PA Environment Digest
Related Intern Articles:
Interns: Michael Gallagher, BioMost, Inc. Working On Mine Drainage Treatment
Interns: Introducing Pike Conservation District Summer Intern Anton Adams
Interns: Sarah Sharp - From Intern To Brandywine Conservancy’s New Assistant Planner
[Posted: July 31, 2019]
Call For Papers: MineXChange 2020 SME Annual Conference & Expo Feb. 23-26
The Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration has issued a call for papers for its MineXChange 2020 SME Annual Conference and Expo to be held February 23-26 in Phoenix, Arizona. Proposals are due August 1.
Share your expertise and help contribute to the dynamic technical program in February. The organizing committee will consider all abstracts covering any/all aspects of the mining/minerals industry.
Click Here for all the details, suggested topics and how to submit a proposal.
NewsClips:
Kummer: Coal-Fired Power Plant Operator To Pay $1M Fine For Polluting Water With Ash
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Remembering 17th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue In Somerset County
Ohio Nuclear, Coal Bailout Foes Take Initial Steps Toward Statewide Referendum
Retirements Of U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants Continue But Slow Slightly
Kentucky Coal Miners Protest After Not Being Paid By Bankruptcy Company
Coal Miners’ Struggle Continues Amid Trump Promises, Democratic Plans
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[Posted: July 29, 2019]
150th Anniversary Commemoration Of Avondale Mine Disaster That Killed 110 In Luzerne County Set For Sept. 6-8
The 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the 1869 Avondale Mine Disaster that killed 110 miners in Plymouth Township, Luzerne County will be held September 6, 7 and 8.
Events will be held at multiple locations in Scranton, Plymouth and Plymouth Township.
The events have been organized by the Anthracite Heritage Museum, the Lackawanna Historical Society, the Plymouth Historical Society, the Luzerne County Historical Society, and the Avondale Disaster Memorial Committee.
The program is sponsored by the North American Wales Foundation, the Pennsylvania Labor History Society, the St. David’s Society of Lackawanna County, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, the Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Penn Anthracite Section; Earth Conservancy; the First Welsh Baptist Church, the NEPA Labor Day Festival Committee, and individual donors.
Click Here for a complete listing of events.
(Photo: Harper’s Weekly illustrations.)
NewsClips:
Kummer: Coal-Fired Power Plant Operator To Pay $1M Fine For Polluting Water With Ash
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Remembering 17th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue In Somerset County
Ohio Nuclear, Coal Bailout Foes Take Initial Steps Toward Statewide Referendum
Retirements Of U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants Continue But Slow Slightly
Kentucky Coal Miners Protest After Not Being Paid By Bankruptcy Company
Coal Miners’ Struggle Continues Amid Trump Promises, Democratic Plans
Related Articles:
Call For Papers: MineXChange 2020 SME Annual Conference & Expo Feb. 23-26
[Posted: July 29, 2019]
PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative
On July 30, Bradford-based Zippo lighter company launched a new "Fight Fire With Fire" tree planting program to combat the effects of global deforestation.
As creator of one of the most famous flames of all time, Zippo is intimately aware of fire's usefulness. But this power, when wielded carelessly, can have devastating effects.
Nowhere is this more evident than fire's impact on forests across the globe. Wildfires destroy 4 percent of the Earth's surface each year, with 84 percent as a result of human hand.
"Temperatures are at the highest level on record and wildfires are affecting almost every continent on Earth, but unlike most natural disasters, the majority of wildfires are caused by humans,” Lucas Johnson, Senior Brand Manager, Global Marketing at Zippo. “In the US alone there are around 100,000 forest fires each year clearing up to 9 million acres of land. The Zippo windproof lighter gives people the power of portable fire but with this comes responsibility."
Zippo is working with WOODCHUCK USA to launch a global Fight Fire with Fire project that aims to help counter the effects of deforestation caused by wildfires.
Zippo has pledged to plant a tree for each windproof lighter sold from the Fight Fire with Fire collection, to shine a light on the effects of wildfire, starting with Zippo's first planting sites in Madagascar.
Globally renowned storyteller, National Geographic, has documented the efforts.
With unprecedented wildfires reported as far north as the Arctic Circle, and research citing humans as the main threat to the very existence of a third of all remaining animal species, there is a shared sense of urgency to protect our planet and biodiversity.
Zippo believes every individual has the power to make a positive difference; humans are responsible for the majority of fires, so the solution also rests in our collective hands.
To help educate on the problem of wildfires and their causes, National Geographic has produced a video for Zippo and a photography series in Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island; a land mass that has had 90 percent of its original forests destroyed.
The content produced by National Geographic, focuses on what people are doing to rectify the issue.
For more information, visit Zippo’s Fight Fire With Fire webpage. And, plan a trip to the Zippo/Case Museum in Bradford, McKean County.
NewsClips:
Kummer: Climate Change Makes Some Philadelphia Neighborhoods Extra Steamy
Carnegie Museum Will Use $1.3M Grant For Climate Change Education In Western PA
Related Articles - Biodiversity/Invasive Species:
Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
Cumberland County Master Gardeners: Aug. 17-Meet The Butterflies; Aug. 20-Gardening With Nature
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Cumberland County Master Gardeners: Aug. 17-Meet The Butterflies; Aug. 20-Gardening With Nature
The Cumberland County Master Gardeners will host two programs on pollinators and gardening to reduce stormwater runoff--
-- August 17: Meet the butterflies. There will be tours and educational children's activities at the Butterfly Garden is at the Midway Pavilion at Adams Ricci Park, 100 E. Penn Drive, Enola, Cumberland County from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
-- August 20: Gardening With Nature - Tricky Garden Spaces: Beautifying Strips and Slopes. Liz Letcavage, Penn State Master Gardener, will teach participants how to transform two tricky spaces, sidewalk strips and slopes by replacing lawn grass with hardy perennials, shrubs and small trees to add curb appeal, reduce stormwater run-off, and boost native beneficial insect populations. Frederickson Library, 100 N. 19th Street Camp Hill, Cumberland County starting at 7:00 p.m.. Workshop is $5. Click Here to register or call 1-877-345-0691.
Check in with the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners in your county to see what they have going on.
(Photo: Butterfly Garden at Adams Ricci Park.)
NewsClip:
Marcus Schneck: Butterfly Boom: Is It Really A Great Year For Butterflies In PA?
Pollinator/Native Plant Resources
There are lots of resources available to help property owners landscape with native plants, and now is the best time to start planning for Spring projects. Here are just a few of the resources available--
-- DCNR Landscaping With Native Plants
-- Game Commission: Common Beneficial Plants Found In Wildlife Habitat
-- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Native Plants For Wildlife Habitat And Conservation Landscaping
-- Chesapeake Bay Sustainable Landscape Professional Directory
-- Brandywine Conservancy: Forested Riparian Buffer Planting Guide
-- Audubon PA: Bird Habitat Recognition Program
-- National Audubon: Native Plants Database
-- Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation
-- Gardening For Butterflies: Penn State Extension
-- Planting For Pollinators: Penn State Extension
-- Penn State Extension Master Gardeners
-- Center For Pollinator Research, Penn State
-- Pennsylvania Pollinator Protection Plan - Learn Why Pollinators Are At Risk In PA
-- Ernst Seeds - Pollinator Habitat Restoration
-- Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
You can also check with land trusts, watershed groups, PA Audubon and Trout Unlimited Chapters, county conservation districts or other groups near you to see how they can help.
Related Articles:
Feature: Recognizing The Value Of Native Plants For Pollinators - Dr. Doug Tallamy
Agriculture, Penn State Release PA Pollinator Protection Plan Recommendations
Pollinator Population Is Going Down In PA Due To Pesticides, Parasites And Pathogens
Manada Conservancy Offers Pollinator/Native Plant Landscape Design Service [Recommended]
Penn State Extension: Planting Pollinator-Friendly Gardens - Pollinator Week June 17-23
Related Articles This Week - Biodiversity/Invasive Species:
Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the August 3 PA Bulletin it is canceling the proposed land exchange with Charles Rosamilia and others in Greene and Leidy townships in Clinton County.
The proposed exchange, published for comment in April, had involved approximately 106 acres in Leidy Township, Clinton County going from Charles R. Rosamilia, Jr. to the Department, approximately 0.4 acre in Greene Township, Clinton County going from Rosamilia-Larsen to the Department, and approximately 103 acres in Greene Township, Clinton County going from the Department to Rosamilia-Larsen.
The Department's acquisition of the properties from Rosamilia-Larsen were to fill a private inholding within Susquehannock State Forest, providing administrative and public access benefits.
The inholding is also within the watershed of a high-quality stream, as classified by the Department of Environmental Protection, and it will allow a new connection of a shared-use trail.
NewsClips:
Muschick: What 2 Acres And A Dream Tell Us About The Future Of Lehigh Valley’s Open Space
Mennonite-Related Retreat Buys Lancaster County Girl Scout Camp
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Croydon Superfund Site Reuse As Preserve
AP: Trump Picks Opponent Of Nation’s Public Lands To Oversee Them
Related Articles This Week:
Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County
Related Articles:
Oil & Gas Lease Fund Was Part Of The Public Trust; PEDF Says Court Ignores PA Supreme Court Decision
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
On July 30, the PA Parks and Forests Foundation released a “My DCNR Ranger” learning adventure booklet, highlighting the important role played by rangers in Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.
The coloring and activity book includes outdoor activity ideas, maps, word games, and educational material.
Children are encouraged to pick one of the rangers in the booklet to color and name, then take them on an adventure and write or draw about it.
Those completing the activity book will receive a prize and a certificate. Participants are also encouraged to share images of their ranger adventure.
“Inspired by the popular children’s book “Flat Stanley”, we hope to engage children and their families in an exploration of the career of a ranger while exploring our state parks and forests,” said Marci Mowery, President of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation. “Rangers play an important role in the safety and education of visitors to our public lands, and we want to be able to celebrate this role with the public.”
The book was funded through a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Community Conservation and Partnership Program and through the donations of members and donors to the Foundation.
The release of “My DCNR Ranger” corresponds with World Ranger Day, celebrated around the world on July 31st each year on the anniversary of the founding of The International Ranger Federation (IRF), an organization that supports the work of rangers as the key protectors of parks and conservation.
World Ranger Day will also remembers those rangers who have been injured or killed in the line of duty while protecting national and state parks.
Hashtags for the day and for the book include: #ThankARanger, #WorldRangerDay, #DCNRrangers
The “My DCNR Ranger” booklet is free and available for download on PPFF’s website.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation, Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.
NewsClips:
Meet The Retiree Hosts Who Keep PA’s State Parks Running
Related Articles:
Oil & Gas Lease Fund Was Part Of The Public Trust; PEDF Says Court Ignores PA Supreme Court Decision
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Celebrate Successful Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail Stewardship Weekend
The Warren-based Friends of Allegheny Wilderness has been the formal adopting organization of the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail in the Allegheny National Forest since their inception in 2001.
This year-- their nineteenth-- FAW is continuing their efforts to keep the 13-mile trail clear for hiking.
Over the weekend of July 26th through the 28th, the FAW trail stewardship crew undertook another project at Hickory Creek, as nine hardy volunteers contributed their labor to clearing the entire trail of downed woody debris and live vegetation encroaching on the trail corridor.
This included clearing several very large-diameter oak and black cherry trunks using only non-motorized tools.
The volunteers camped overnight in the wilderness all weekend, and carried all of their supplies with them on their backs.
Hickory Creek Wilderness is 8,633 acres in size, and was designated under the Wilderness Act of 1964 to be forever protected from all forms of development as part of America’s National Wilderness Preservation System nearly 35 years ago, in 1984.
The bill that designated Hickory Creek as a wilderness area had been brought by U.S. Congressman Bill Clinger in the House of Representatives, and U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and John Heinz in the Senate. President Ronald Reagan signed the Pennsylvania Wilderness Act into law in October of that year.
The FAW trail crew hopes to go out for another stewardship weekend later this year, likely in October. Exact dates to be announced.
If you think you might be interested in joining the crew in October, please feel free to contact FAW with any questions you might have by sending email to: info@pawild.org. No experience is necessary.
For more information on programs, initiatives, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness website.
(Photo: July 2019 FAW Hickory Creek Wilderness trail stewardship crew are, from left to right: Dan Fenstermacher, Luke Bobnar, Kirk Johnson, Alex Bobnar, Tom Malecki, Joe Torok, Jim Johnson, Dave Schultz, and Grace Tillotson. The dog’s name is Bailey.)
NewsClips:
Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County
Pike 2 Bike Trail Gets $1 Million State RCAP Grant
North Pocono Trails Assn. To Hold Sunday Hike In Moscow, Lackawanna County
Renderings Unveiled For New Stretch Of Delaware River Trail
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Section Now Open In Lebanon County
Related Articles:
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager
[Posted: August 1, 2019]
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11
Who was Gifford Pinchot and why is his birthday celebrated every year at Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, Pike County?
Learn the answers to these and more on August 11, as you take a tour of his ancestral home (Grey Towers), enjoy free birthday cookies and attend a free lecture.
The USDA Forest Service leads tours every hour on the hour from 11 am to 4 pm. Tour fees are $8 per person; $7 for seniors; $5 youth and kids under 12 are free. Birthday cookies will be enjoyed after every tour.
At 5:30 pm, plan to attend a free lecture that will help you gain a deeper understanding of two forces for nature: Gifford Pinchot and John Muir. Learn how these two titans influenced each other and how their work continues to be relevant today.
A birthday cake and coffee, provided by the Grey Towers Heritage Association, will follow.
Reservations are suggested for the lecture. Call 570-296-9630 or send email to: greytowers@fs.usda.gov.
More information on the special birthday celebration is available by calling 570-296-9630 or sending email to: greytowers@fs.usda.gov.
Documentary
Click Here to watch a PA Conservation Heritage/WITF documentary on the life of Gifford Pinchot.
For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the Grey Towers Heritage Association. Click Here to sign up for updates from the Association, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel, become part of their Google+ Circle and follow them on Instagram.
Also visit the Grey Towers Historic Site website and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation website for information on its conservation research and policy programs. Click Here to sign up for the Institute’s regular updates.
(Photo: Contemporaries Gifford Pinchot, Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir.)
NewsClips:
Centre County Has Seen Dramatic Increase In Tick-Borne Anaplasmosis Infection
Williamsport Tree Planting Grant Closer To Submission
Tree Replanting Advocates Get 229 Signatures In Williamsport Neighborhood
Related Articles:
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager
[Posted: July 31, 2019]
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
The August 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks & Forests Foundation featuring articles on--
-- Upcoming State Park/ State Forests infrastructure needs events
-- At Work and Play In The State Parks and Forests
-- My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Book
-- Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
-- Photo of the Week
-- Disc Golf Day Is August 3
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Foundation, Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter. Click Here to become a member of the Foundation.
(Photo: Ravensburg State Park, Lycoming County by Wilma Reeder.)
NewsClips:
Meet The Retiree Hosts Who Keep PA’s State Parks Running
Wolf’s Restore PA Could Fund Trail Improvements At French Creek State Park
DCNR Celebrates Lake Appreciation Month With Presque Isle Park Visit, Discusses Restore PA Benefits
DCNR Chief Stumps At Presque Isle For State Parks Funding Plan
DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA
Loyalhanna Conservation Corps Expands Laurel Ridge Trail For Hikers, Rescue Crews
Day Hikers: Be Prepared For Longer Trip, Just In Case
Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County
Pike 2 Bike Trail Gets $1 Million State RCAP Grant
North Pocono Trails Assn. To Hold Sunday Hike In Moscow, Lackawanna County
Renderings Unveiled For New Stretch Of Delaware River Trail
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Section Now Open In Lebanon County
Countryside Conservancy Trolley Trail Work Continues In Lackawanna County
AP: Three Rivers Regatta In Pittsburgh Canceled Days Before Slated To Start
Some Pittsburgh Regatta Events Will Go On Despite Canceled Festival
Pittsburgh To Launch Criminal Investigation into Three River Regatta Promoter
Allegheny County Sheriff Sues Pittsburgh Regatta Organizer
Editorial: Pittsburgh Regatta Board Needed To Trust By Verify
Easton Plants First Educational Forest In Lower Hackett Park
O’Neill: The Cost Of Renting A Public Park In Pittsburgh
Carbondale Takes Ownership Of Playground From Lackawanna County
York County Parks August Programs Feature Bats, Butterflies
Spruce Street Park Opens In Wilkes-Barre
Marcus Schneck: Beachcombing In Pennsylvania: What To Expect
Allegheny River Lock 2 To Close To All Boat Traffic Starting Aug. 5
Centre County Has Seen Dramatic Increase In Tick-Borne Anaplasmosis Infection
AP: Trump Picks Opponent Of Nation’s Public Lands To Oversee Them
Related Articles:
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
Plan Your Trip Now To Hawk Mountain Sanctuary As It Soars Into Autumn With Kick-Off Events
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Berks County invites visitors to watch and monitor the annual passage of raptor migrants as they move south during the Autumn Hawk Watch, held daily August 15 through December 15, at the Sanctuary’s famous North Lookout.
Trail fees apply for non-members and cost $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Members are admitted free year-round, and memberships can be purchased online or at the Visitor Center.
"Autumn migration is one of my favorite times of the year here at the Sanctuary,” says Sean Grace, President of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. “Seeing such a large group of hawks at once is truly breathtaking and I encourage visitors to come and share such a unique sight."
During the count, Sanctuary staff, trainees, and volunteers will be stationed at the lookouts to help visitors spot and identify raptors including broad-winged hawks, kestrels, vultures, ospreys, and bald eagles.
An average 18,000 raptors pass the Sanctuary each autumn. For raptor enthusiasts and those who cannot make it to Hawk Mountain, daily counts are posted online throughout the season.
Equipped with binoculars and a full daypack, visitors are invited to spend the day at North Lookout to enjoy the breathtaking autumn colors and soaring raptors. Binoculars can be rented at the Visitor Center, and staff members there can offer tips and suggestions for trails and lookouts.
The nearby South Lookout may be preferable to those with small children or with limited mobility, and it can be reached using the wheelchair-accessible Silhouette Trail.
In celebration of the start of autumn migration, Hawk Mountain will also be hosting a day of activities for visitors of all ages.
The Off to a Flying Start: Migration Kick-off will be on August 10, and the day starts at 9 a.m. with a guided bird walk to find songbirds and raptors with Hawk Mountain naturalist, Barb Ritzheimer.
Many activities will be happening simultaneously, which includes kids activities from 10 to 2, learning how to attract wildlife to your yard from 10 to 2, and learning the key field marks to find and identify raptors in the sky with Hawk Mountain’s education interns at South Lookout.
Visitors can also explore several information tables about binoculars from Zeiss and Opticron, ticks with L.L. Bean, and getting involved at Hawk Mountain.
At both 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., the Raptors Up Close program will give visitors of all ages the chance to learn about and see live raptors, hosted by Craig Beck. Finally, win some prizes at the Mountain Raffle Drawing at noon, and all proceeds support the Sanctuary’s conservation efforts. Tickets must be purchased by 11:45 a.m.
Aside from the attraction of the autumn scenery, there will be more events than ever this year at the Mountain!
In September, keep an eye out for the 85th anniversary historical marker commemoration, the Fall Native Plant Sale, Autumn Lecture series, Educator Workshops, and art events.
For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary website or call 610-756-6961. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Sanctuary, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit them on Flickr and visit their YouTube Channel. Click Here to support Hawk Mountain.
NewsClip:
National Aviary Project Tracks Birds Near Saltsburg Bird Haven
[Posted: July 30, 2019]
Fish & Boat Commission Reports 200+ Fish Kill In Letort Spring Run, Cumberland County
On August 1, the Carlisle Sentinel reported 200+ trout were found dead July 31 in Letort Spring Run in Carlisle, Cumberland County due to what the Fish and Boat Commission is calling a suspected pollution event.
A Fish and Boat Commission Waterways Conservation Officer was alerted to a fish kill on LeTort Spring Run at the U.S. Army War College property and responded to the area on the morning of July 31 around 10:00 a.m..
An initial count revealed between 200-250 dead wild brown trout, plus another 50-75 smaller fish including various minnows.
A strong chemical odor was detected in the area.
This is being investigated as a suspected pollution event, and the cause is still being determined.
Several dead fish were taken from the area to be analyzed at a lab to determine or confirm a suspected cause.
The LeTort splits into two forks around the U.S. Army War College and the fish kill was limited to the right fork, and dead fish were found within a 150 yard span downstream on Post Road.
The left fork of the stream was unaffected and live fish were present.
The investigation is still underway.
Anyone who may have information on the fish kill is asked to contact the Fish And Boat Commission at 1-855-347-4545
Letort Spring Run is a 9.4-mile-long tributary of Conodoguinet Creek that is famous for its wild brown trout fishing. Its origin is south of Carlisle Borough in South Middletown Township and the Bonnybrook area.
It flows through downtown Carlisle and is on display at the borough’s 12-acre Letort Park where it is contained within stone walls. The section of creek between Pennsylvania Route 34 and it’s outlet at the Conodoguinet Creek is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.
NewsClips:
Hundreds Of Fish Killed In Suspected Pollution Event In Letort Spring Run, Carlisle
Fish & Boat: 200+ LeTort Trout Killed In Suspected Pollution Event In Carlisle
Fish & Boat Commission Investigating Fishkill In LeTort Spring Run
Related Articles:
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat
Pike Conservation District: The Importance Of High Quality And Exceptional Value Streams
Bay Journal-Crable: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch
Bay Journal-Crable: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two
[Posted: August 2, 2019]
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager
The Keystone Trails Association, based in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Program Administrator/Office Manager.
The person in this position reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for office administration, event registration and implementation, membership, development and public relations activities.
Click Here for a complete job description and how to apply.
Related Articles:
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11
[Posted: July 31, 2019]
Environmental NewsClips - All Topics
Here are NewsClips from around the state on all environmental topics, including General Environment, Budget, Marcellus Shale, Watershed Protection and much more.
The latest environmental NewsClips and news is available at the PA Environment Digest Daily Blog and Twitter Feed.
Politics
Click Here for a Week’s Worth Of Political NewsClips
Air
Wolf Awards $8.5 Million In Volkswagen Settlement Grants To Reduce Transportation Pollution [PaEN]
6 Central PA Cleaner Energy Project Receive Volkswagen Settlement Funding
VW Settlement Will Fund New EV Charging Stations In East Liberty
Kummer: Chester Plant Slapped With $750K Fine For Years Of Air Quality Violations
Delaware County Chemical Plant Fined $750,000 For Air Pollution Violations
DEP Posts 3 More Air Quality Violations Against Erie Coke (Coal) Plant
DEP Issues New Violation Notices To Erie Coke (Coal) Plant
US Steel Clairton Air Pollution Settlement Agreement Met With Praise, Criticism
Benefits Of Clairton Coke (Coal) Works Settlement Debated At Public Meeting
Lawrenceville Residents Worry How Foundry Emissions Could Impact The Future
Pittsburgh Port Authority Approved For $1.9M Grant To Purchase Electric Buses
FirstEnergy Utility Companies, Nissan Partner On Electric Vehicle Rebates [PaEN]
Lithium Supply Outpaces Demand For Electric Cars, Philly Company Faces Stock Drop
Toomey, Feinstein Would Abolish Federal Ethanol Fuel Mandate
Alternative Fuels
Wolf Awards $8.5 Million In Volkswagen Settlement Grants To Reduce Transportation Pollution [PaEN]
6 Central PA Cleaner Energy Project Receive Volkswagen Settlement Funding
VW Settlement Will Fund New EV Charging Stations In East Liberty
Pittsburgh Port Authority Approved For $1.9M Grant To Purchase Electric Buses
FirstEnergy Utility Companies, Nissan Partner On Electric Vehicle Rebates [PaEN]
Lithium Supply Outpaces Demand For Electric Cars, Philly Company Faces Stock Drop
U.S. Senate Committee OKs $1 Billion For Electric, Natural Gas, Hydrogen Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure
Awards & Recognition
Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition! [PaEN]
Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition! [PaEN]
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12 [PaEN]
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County [PaEN]
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Croydon Superfund Site Reuse As Preserve
Philadelphia Inquirer Wins Environmental Reporting Prize
Biodiversity/Invasive Species
Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties [PaEN]
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat [PaEN]
Cumberland County Master Gardeners: Aug. 17-Meet The Butterflies; Aug. 20-Gardening With Nature [PaEN]
Marcus Schneck: Butterfly Boom: Is It Really A Great Year For Butterflies In PA?
PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative [PaEN]
Budget
July PA State Tax Revenues Up 4.1 Percent-- $90.8 Million- Over July 2018
Op-Ed: Can PA’s Record Drilling Impact Fee Receipts Be Sustained?
DCNR Celebrates Lake Appreciation Month With Presque Isle Park Visit, Discusses Restore PA Benefits
DCNR Chief Stumps At Presque Isle For State Parks Funding Plan
DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area
DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA
Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County
Antrim Twp. Supervisors In Franklin County Working Out Stormwater Fees
Sauro: Proposed Sale Of Harrisburg Water System Gets Attention At Meeting About Stormwater Fee
Chesapeake Bay
State Clearance Expected Soon For Stormwater Fee-Funded Projects In Luzerne
Antrim Twp. Supervisors In Franklin County Working Out Stormwater Fees
Municipalities Asked To Weigh In On Lehman Twp. Stormwater Program Agreement In Luzerne
Sauro: Proposed Sale Of Harrisburg Water System Gets Attention At Meeting About Stormwater Fee
Clearfield High School Fishing Team Competes In Chesapeake Bay Fishing Championships
Bay Journal-Crable: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch [PaEN]
Appreciating The Awesomeness Of Pennsylvania’s Hellbender
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Citizen Action
Trout Unlimited, Partners Push Congress To Support Mine Reclamation Fund Reauthorization [PaEN]
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants [PaEN]
Meet The Retiree Hosts Who Keep PA’s State Parks Running
Norwin Library To Host PUC Consumer Help Program Aug. 14
FirstEnergy Utility Companies, Nissan Partner On Electric Vehicle Rebates [PaEN]
Phillips: Philadelphia Advisory Group To Seek Public’s View On Future Of Philly Refinery
Climate
Kummer: Climate Change Makes Some Philadelphia Neighborhoods Extra Steamy
Carnegie Museum Will Use $1.3M Grant For Climate Change Education In Western PA
PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative [PaEN]
Coal Mining
Kummer: Coal-Fired Power Plant Operator To Pay $1M Fine For Polluting Water With Ash
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Call For Papers: MineXChange 2020 SME Annual Conference & Expo Feb. 23-26 [PaEN]
Remembering 17th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue In Somerset County
Ohio Nuclear, Coal Bailout Foes Take Initial Steps Toward Statewide Referendum
Retirements Of U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants Continue But Slow Slightly
Kentucky Coal Miners Protest After Not Being Paid By Bankruptcy Company
Coal Miners’ Struggle Continues Amid Trump Promises, Democratic Plans
Compliance Action
Kummer: Coal-Fired Power Plant Operator To Pay $1M Fine For Polluting Water With Ash
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Kummer: Chester Plant Slapped With $750K Fine For Years Of Air Quality Violations
Delaware County Chemical Plant Fined $750,000 For Air Pollution Violations
DEP Posts 3 More Air Quality Violations Against Erie Coke (Coal) Plant
US Steel Clairton Air Pollution Settlement Agreement Met With Praise, Criticism
Benefits Of Clairton Coke (Coal) Works Settlement Debated At Public Meeting
Dam Safety
Mark Demko: Heavy Lifting Now Bill Benefit Minsi Lake’s Fish, Anglers In The Future
DCNR
Meet The Retiree Hosts Who Keep PA’s State Parks Running
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County [PaEN]
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]
Delaware River
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County [PaEN]
Editorial: PA Needs To Give The Delaware River Its Fair Share Of Funding
Delaware River Basin Commission Hearing Aug. 14, Business Meeting Sept. 11 [PaEN]
Delaware RiverKeeper August 2 RiverWatch Video Report
Drinking Water
Click Here For A Map Showing Park Creek, Little Neshaminy PFAS Contamination
Bagenstose: State, Federal Lawmakers React To Report Finding More PFAS Contamination
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Radical Idea From Delaware Company Could Help Mitigate PFAS Contamination
Cusick: Navy Site In Cumberland County To Host PFAS Open House July 31
McKelvey: Drinking Water Could Be Contaminated By PFAS Chemicals At Cumberland County Navy Depot
Bagenstose/Wagner: Documents Say Military PFAS Chemical Hazards Went Unaddressed
Latest Steps States Are Taking To Deal With PFAS Water Contamination
Pittsburgh Water Authority Reports Lower Lead Results In Water Supply
Drinking Water Treatment Plant Starts Operation In Lawrence County
Harrisburg Considers Selling Capital Region Water Authority To Private Company
Intern Letter: Address Lead Crisis In Pittsburgh
Economic Development
Trump To Tour Ethane Plant In Beaver County Thursday
Education
Pennsylvania Envirothon Team Takes 3rd Place In International Envirothon Competition! [PaEN]
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation [PaEN]
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet [PaEN]
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania? [PaEN]
Letter: Let’s Clean Up Our Abandoned Mines, Congress Needs To Pass RECLAIM
Clearfield High School Fishing Team Competes In Chesapeake Bay Fishing Championships
Emergency Response
Police: Testing Inconclusive After Hazmat Incident At Upper Saucon Township Hotel
Energy
Exelon Wants To Wait Years For TMI Cleanup, Watchdog Group Says Do It Now
Watchdog Group Questions Use Of Fund For Three Mile Island’s Dry Cask Storage
TMI’s Unit 2 Reactor Might Get New Owner And Get Dismantled Faster [Not The Operating Unit]
Kummer: Coal-Fired Power Plant Operator To Pay $1M Fine For Polluting Water With Ash
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
Litvak: The Catch-22 Of Low Natural Gas Prices
Tenaska Natural Gas Power Plant Generating Power, Money In Westmoreland
Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg [PaEN]
Regular Power Outages In Regent Square, Wilkinsburg Frustrate Residents
Norwin Library To Host PUC Consumer Help Program Aug. 14
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania? [PaEN]
AP: Ohio's $1.5 Billion Nuclear, Coal Plants' Rescue Jolts Conservatives, Environmentalists
Blade: Ohio Nuclear, Coal Plant Bailout May Fuel 2020 Ballot Fight
Ohio Nuclear, Coal Bailout Foes Take Initial Steps Toward Statewide Referendum
Retirements Of U.S. Coal-Fired Power Plants Continue But Slow Slightly
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Exelon CEO Warns Wall Street 3 Unsubsidized Illinois Nuclear Power Plants Could Close
Energy Conservation
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12 [PaEN]
PennTAP Aug. 15 Webinar: Building Re-Tuning (BRT) To Save Energy [PaEN]
Reminder: KEEA PA Energy Efficiency Conference Sept. 26 & 27 In Harrisburg [PaEN]
Penn State-Led Global Building Network At Forefront Of Building Performance
Environmental Heritage
Bay Journal: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two [PaEN]
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11 [PaEN]
Remembering 17th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue In Somerset County
Farming
Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties [PaEN]
Capital RC&D Video Series Explores Benefits Of On-Farm Composting [PaEN]
Fresh Food, Urban Agriculture Focus Of New Grants In York
Cumberland County Master Gardeners: Aug. 17-Meet The Butterflies; Aug. 20-Gardening With Nature [PaEN]
Rodale Institute Launches New Organic Research Center In California With Ventura Seed Company [PaEN]
Muschick: What 2 Acres And A Dream Tell Us About The Future Of Lehigh Valley’s Open Space
For 2 Weeks Every Summer, This Chester County Sunflower Field Is Instagrammer’s Dream
Flooding
Severe Storms Drench Blair County Region
Storms Leave Pockets Of Allegheny, Westmoreland Counties Without Power
Tuesday Night Storms Bring Lightning, Flooding In Westmoreland
Heavy Rains Flood Portions Of Westmoreland County
Crawford County Road Repaired, Reopened After Flooding
This U.S. Heartland Has Been Flooded For 5 Months, Does Anyone Care?
Forests
Dept. Of Agriculture Offering Spotted Lanternfly Permit Classes In 14 Counties [PaEN]
PA's Zippo Lighter Company To Fight Global Deforestation With Tree Planting Initiative [PaEN]
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11 [PaEN]
Centre County Has Seen Dramatic Increase In Tick-Borne Anaplasmosis Infection
Williamsport Tree Planting Grant Closer To Submission
Tree Replanting Advocates Get 229 Signatures In Williamsport Neighborhood
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]
Geologic Hazards
State Lawmakers To Again Consider Landslide Insurance Bill
Couple Sues Pittsburgh Over Landslide That Destroyed Their Home
Allegheny County Launches Landslide Portal With Maps, Guidance For Municipalities
Ruling Reversed Over Landslide-Damaged Lakefront House In Erie
Grants/Funding
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants [PaEN]
Green Buildings
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12 [PaEN]
Green Infrastructure
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants [PaEN]
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County [PaEN]
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat [PaEN]
State Clearance Expected Soon For Stormwater Fee-Funded Projects In Luzerne
Municipalities Asked To Weigh In On Lehman Twp. Stormwater Program Agreement In Luzerne
Antrim Twp. Supervisors In Franklin County Working Out Stormwater Fees
Sauro: Proposed Sale Of Harrisburg Water System Gets Attention At Meeting About Stormwater Fee
Hazardous Substances
Click Here For A Map Showing Park Creek, Little Neshaminy PFAS Contamination
Bagenstose: State, Federal Lawmakers React To Report Finding More PFAS Contamination
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Radical Idea From Delaware Company Could Help Mitigate PFAS Contamination
Cusick: Navy Site In Cumberland County To Host PFAS Open House July 31
McKelvey: Drinking Water Could Be Contaminated By PFAS Chemicals At Cumberland County Navy Depot
Bagenstose/Wagner: Documents Say Military PFAS Chemical Hazards Went Unaddressed
Latest Steps States Are Taking To Deal With PFAS Water Contamination
Wolf Announces Millions To Fix Lead, Environmental Hazards In Philly Schools
State Again Pledges Extra Help To Remove Lead Paint From Philly Schools
Initial Tests Show Lead In Water Problems Fixed At Erie School
Philly City Hall Uniting Around A Lead Poisoning Law Hated By Landlords
Intern Letter: Address Lead Crisis In Pittsburgh
Police: Testing Inconclusive After Hazmat Incident At Upper Saucon Township Hotel
Land Conservation
Muschick: What 2 Acres And A Dream Tell Us About The Future Of Lehigh Valley’s Open Space
Mennonite-Related Retreat Buys Lancaster County Girl Scout Camp
Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future [PaEN]
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County [PaEN]
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Croydon Superfund Site Reuse As Preserve
DCNR Cancels Proposed Land Exchange With Rosamilia, Others In Clinton County [PaEN]
AP: Trump Picks Opponent Of Nation’s Public Lands To Oversee Them
Land Use Planning
Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future [PaEN]
Muschick: What 2 Acres And A Dream Tell Us About The Future Of Lehigh Valley’s Open Space
Lake Erie
Lake Erie Water Level Drops In July
Murphy: Lake Erie Lakefront Property Owner Wants His Groin Problem Fixed Program
Your Questions Answered: E.coli, Harmful Algal Blooms Near Erie
AP: Governors In PA, 4 Other States Push Presidential Candidate To Aid Great Lakes
Editorial: Great Lakes Governors Join Forces
Editorial: Make Great Lakes Great Again
Mine Reclamation
Trout Unlimited, Partners Push Congress To Support Mine Reclamation Fund Reauthorization [PaEN]
Letter: Let’s Clean Up Our Abandoned Mines, Congress Needs To Pass RECLAIM
Long Overdue: East Beth Coal Refuse Dump Cleanup Nearly Ready To Start In Washington County
August Catalyst Newsletter Now Available From Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition [PaEN]
Oil & Gas
Op-Ed: Can PA’s Record Drilling Impact Fee Receipts Be Sustained?
Litvak: The Catch-22 Of Low Natural Gas Prices
Tenaska Natural Gas Power Plant Generating Power, Money In Westmoreland
Murrysville Fracking Well Hearing Focuses On Truck Traffic
Fracking Linked To Anxiety, Depression In Pregnant Women
Penn Hills Manager Slams Peoples Gas For Response To Plaza Fire
Natural Gas Explosion Levels Washington County Home
Columbia Gas Takes Responsibility For Washington County House Explosion
National Fuel Gas Announces 8.24% Decrease In Gas Supply Charges
Letter: Shale Gas Development Has Brought PA Many Benefits
Phillips: Philadelphia Advisory Group To Seek Public’s View On Future Of Philly Refinery
The Chemical That Could Have Killed Millions In Philly Refinery Fire
Maykuth: EPA Administrator Visits Delaware County Refinery To Hear Gripes About Ethanol
Toomey Pushes To Reverse Ethanol Fuel Mandate At Delaware County Refinery
Toomey, Feinstein Would Abolish Federal Ethanol Fuel Mandate
U.S. Senate Committee OKs $1 Billion For Electric, Natural Gas, Hydrogen Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure
AP: Fire At Texas ExxonMobile Refinery Slightly Injures 37
Trump To Tour Ethane Plant In Beaver County Thursday
Pipelines
PUC Appeal Means Court Will Decide On Disclosure Of Mariner East Pipeline Risk Assessment
Huba: Settlement To Allow Midwest Gas To Flow To Pittsburgh, Beyond In Laurel Pipeline
Williams Selects Site In Schuylkill County For Pipeline Compressor Station
Permitting
DEP Posts 64 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In August 3 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Personnel
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager [PaEN]
Radiation Protection
Exelon Wants To Wait Years For TMI Cleanup, Watchdog Group Says Do It Now
Watchdog Group Questions Use Of Fund For Three Mile Island’s Dry Cask Storage
TMI’s Unit 2 Reactor Might Get New Owner And Get Dismantled Faster [Not The Operating Unit]
Ruling: Arguments Against Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant License Too Vague
AP: Ohio's $1.5 Billion Nuclear, Coal Plants' Rescue Jolts Conservatives, Environmentalists
Blade: Ohio Nuclear, Coal Plant Bailout May Fuel 2020 Ballot Fight
Ohio Nuclear, Coal Bailout Foes Take Initial Steps Toward Statewide Referendum
Exelon CEO Warns Wall Street 3 Unsubsidized Illinois Nuclear Power Plants Could Close
Recreation
Bay Journal: Children's Outdoor Bill Of Rights Will Grow A Healthier, Happier Generation [PaEN]
Wolf’s Restore PA Could Fund Trail Improvements At French Creek State Park
DCNR Celebrates Lake Appreciation Month With Presque Isle Park Visit, Discusses Restore PA Benefits
DCNR Chief Stumps At Presque Isle For State Parks Funding Plan
DCNR: How Restore PA Plan Could Address Infrastructure Needs In McKean Conservation Area
DCNR Officials Tour McKean Conservation Area, Talk About Restore PA
Meet The Retiree Hosts Who Keep PA’s State Parks Running
PA Parks & Forests Foundation Releases My DCNR Ranger Learning Adventure Booklet [PaEN]
Aug. 2 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation [PaEN]
Grey Towers Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs Aug. 11 [PaEN]
Loyalhanna Conservation Corps Expands Laurel Ridge Trail For Hikers, Rescue Crews
Day Hikers: Be Prepared For Longer Trip, Just In Case
Marsh Creek Greenway Project Receives RCAP Funding In Tioga County
Pike 2 Bike Trail Gets $1 Million State RCAP Grant
North Pocono Trails Assn. To Hold Sunday Hike In Moscow, Lackawanna County
Renderings Unveiled For New Stretch Of Delaware River Trail
Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Section Now Open In Lebanon County
Countryside Conservancy Trolley Trail Work Continues In Lackawanna County
AP: Three Rivers Regatta In Pittsburgh Canceled Days Before Slated To Start
Some Pittsburgh Regatta Events Will Go On Despite Canceled Festival
Pittsburgh To Launch Criminal Investigation into Three River Regatta Promoter
Allegheny County Sheriff Sues Pittsburgh Regatta Organizer
Editorial: Pittsburgh Regatta Board Needed To Trust By Verify
Easton Plants First Educational Forest In Lower Hackett Park
O’Neill: The Cost Of Renting A Public Park In Pittsburgh
Carbondale Takes Ownership Of Playground From Lackawanna County
York County Parks August Programs Feature Bats, Butterflies
Spruce Street Park Opens In Wilkes-Barre
Marcus Schneck: Beachcombing In Pennsylvania: What To Expect
Allegheny River Lock 2 To Close To All Boat Traffic Starting Aug. 5
Centre County Has Seen Dramatic Increase In Tick-Borne Anaplasmosis Infection
AP: Trump Picks Opponent Of Nation’s Public Lands To Oversee Them
Help Wanted: Keystone Trails Association Program Administrator/Office Manager [PaEN]
Recycling/Waste
Erie County Hosts Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Aug. 10
West Chester Plastic Bag Ban Was Right Thing To Do, Even If It Defies State Law
Pittsburgh Goes Big On Smart Garbage Cans
Payments On Delinquent Recycling Fees Up In Wilkes-Barre
Capital RC&D Video Series Explores Benefits Of On-Farm Composting [PaEN]
Bagenstose/Wagner: Waste Containing PFAS Poses Conundrums
Keystone Landfill To Try Again To Change Dunmore Zoning Ordinance
Republic Services Trash Hauler In Bucks County Tripled Prices With Little Notice
Bagenstose: Elcon Continues Push For Waste Plant In Falls Twp., Bucks County
Renewable Energy
Green Building Alliance To Recognize Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners Sept. 12 [PaEN]
Penn State Extension: Aug. 21 Land Use Webinar To Focus On Pennsylvania's Solar Future [PaEN]
High Schoolers Paid To Learn Solar In Philly, It’s About To Become A Program Of Study
Intern: Op-Ed: What's The Status Of Utility Scale Solar Energy In Pennsylvania? [PaEN]
Heat, Solar Panels Complicate Effort To Extinguish Dauphin County Blaze
Schuylkill River
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County [PaEN]
Stormwater
State Clearance Expected Soon For Stormwater Fee-Funded Projects In Luzerne
Municipalities Asked To Weigh In On Lehman Twp. Stormwater Program Agreement In Luzerne
Antrim Twp. Supervisors In Franklin County Working Out Stormwater Fees
Sauro: Proposed Sale Of Harrisburg Water System Gets Attention At Meeting About Stormwater Fee
Superfund Sites
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Reuse Of Croydon TCE Superfund Site, Bucks County [PaEN]
EPA Recognizes Heritage Conservancy For Croydon Superfund Site Reuse As Preserve
Sustainability
Penn State-Led Global Building Network At Forefront Of Building Performance
Wastewater Facilities
Harrisburg Considers Selling Capital Region Water Authority To Private Company
Watershed Protection
Bay Journal: Ruth Patrick's Stream Research Broke Ground And A Glass Ceiling Or Two [PaEN]
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants [PaEN]
Pike Conservation District: The Importance Of High Quality And Exceptional Value Streams [PaEN]
Sauro: Proposed Sale Of Harrisburg Water System Gets Attention At Meeting About Stormwater Fee
State Clearance Expected Soon For Stormwater Fee-Funded Projects In Luzerne
Municipalities Asked To Weigh In On Lehman Twp. Stormwater Program Agreement In Luzerne
Antrim Twp. Supervisors In Franklin County Working Out Stormwater Fees
Schuylkill Action Network Hosts Sept. 13 Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County [PaEN]
Erosion/Filtration System Perfect For Sensitive Watersheds, Builds Pollinator Habitat [PaEN]
Allegheny Front: Scientists Learning More About Unique Peatland Ecosystems In Western PA
Mark Demko: Heavy Lifting Now Bill Benefit Minsi Lake’s Fish, Anglers In The Future
Brunner Island Power Plant To Pay $1 Million Fine For Ash Dump Leaks Into Susquehanna River
Cusick: Brunner Island Power Plant Will Pay $1M Fine For Coal Ash Pollution
EPA Moves To Roll Back Environmental Protections For Utility Coal Ash Sites
Delaware RiverKeeper August 2 RiverWatch Video Report
Lake Erie Water Level Drops In July
Murphy: Lake Erie Lakefront Property Owner Wants His Groin Problem Fixed Program
AP: Governors In PA, 4 Other States Push Presidential Candidate To Aid Great Lakes
Editorial: Great Lakes Governors Join Forces
Editorial: Make Great Lakes Great Again
Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal
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Wildlife
PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Awards 2019 Forever Wild Watershed Grants [PaEN]
Clearfield High School Fishing Team Competes In Chesapeake Bay Fishing Championships
Mark Demko: Heavy Lifting Now Bill Benefit Minsi Lake’s Fish, Anglers In The Future
Fish & Boat Commission Video: Lake Habitat Project At Frances Slocum State Park
Fish & Boat Commission Reports 200+ Fish Kill In Letort Spring Run, Cumberland County [PaEN]
Hundreds Of Fish Killed In Suspected Pollution Event In Letort Spring Run, Carlisle
Fish & Boat: 200+ LeTort Trout Killed In Suspected Pollution Event In Carlisle
Fish & Boat Commission Investigating Fishkill In LeTort Spring Run
Raccoon Rabies Vaccine To Be Spread In Bait By Air, Hand In Allegheny County
Bay Journal-Crable: Scientists See Early Success In Breeding Effort To Help Save Chesapeake Logperch [PaEN]
Appreciating The Awesomeness Of Pennsylvania’s Hellbender
Marcus Schneck: Beachcombing In Pennsylvania: What To Expect
Huba: Proposed Game Commission Ban On Feeding Wildlife Riles Some In Pittsburgh Region
PJ Reilly: Game Commission Makes Commitment To Hunting As Primary Deer Management Tool
John Hayes: Despite Chronic Wasting Disease Concerns, More Support Given To Venison Donation Group
John Hayes: Understanding Antlers Helps Hunters Find The Big Ones
Plan Your Trip Now To Hawk Mountain Sanctuary As It Soars Into Autumn With Kick-Off Events [PaEN]
National Aviary Project Tracks Birds Near Saltsburg Bird Haven
Marcus Schneck: Butterfly Boom: Is It Really A Great Year For Butterflies In PA?
Marcus Schneck: Another Really Old Turtle Found, This Time On South Mountain
Centre County Has Seen Dramatic Increase In Tick-Borne Anaplasmosis Infection
West Nile/Zika Virus
Mosquito In Lackawanna County Tests Positive For West Nile Virus
Other
Editorial: Pittsburgh Mayor Fails To Deliver On Promised Grass-Cutting
Click Here For This Week's Allegheny Front Radio Program
Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events
This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and meetings and other interesting environmental events.
NEW means new from last week. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.
Note: DEP published the 2019 schedules of its advisory committees, councils and board meetings in the Dec. 10 PA Bulletin, page 7708.
August 2-5-- NEW. National Oyster Weekend - Eat Oysters At Participating Restaurants To Support Oyster Recovery In Chesapeake Bay.
August 5-- Lyme Timber Company, Three Rivers Forest Management Sawmilling and Lumber Forestry Summer Series. Cameron County. 3:00 to 5:00.
August 5-- Advanced Watershed Educator Workshop For School Administrators. Dauphin County Agricultural & Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain Road, Dauphin.
August 6-- DEP Informal Conference On Hanson Aggregates Mining Permit In Lawrence County. DEP’s Knox District Mining Office, 310 Best Avenue, Knox, Clarion County. 10:00 to Noon.
August 7-- Agenda Posted. DEP State Board For Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Ed Chescattle Edgar Chescattle, echescattie@pa.gov.
August 7-- Agenda Posted. DEP Aggregate Advisory Board meeting & Field Trip. Stonehedge Golf Course/Country Club, 55 Stonehedge Drive, Tunkhannock, Wyoming County. Daniel Snowden, 717-783-8846 or send email to: dsnowden@pa.gov. Call-In Option: Conference ID Number: 74943666# Toll Call-in Number: 1-267-332-8737. (formal notice)
August 7-- Schuylkill Action Network Funding For MS4 Stormwater Projects Workshop. Ursinus College, Collegeville, Montgomery County. 9:00 to 1:00.
August 7-- Game Commission Open House On Wildlife Feeding Issues. Delmont Fire Department, 2360 PA-66, Delmont, Westmoreland County. 6:00 to 8:00.
August 7-8-- Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center/Extension Reading The Farm Conservation Training Workshop. Lancaster County.
August 8-- CANCELED. PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee meeting. Next meeting August 16.
August 8-- Agenda Posted. DEP Small Water Systems Technical Assistance Center Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. Contact: Dawn Hissner 717-772-2189 or send email to dhissner@pa.gov. (formal notice)
August 8-- Game Commission Open House On Wildlife Feeding Issues. Game Commission Northcentral Region Office, 1566 South Route 44 Highway, Jersey Shore, Lycoming County. 6:00 to 8:00.
August 8-- DCNR 75th Birthday Bash For Smokey Bear! Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Adams County 1:00.
August 10-- Lacawac Sanctuary & Biological Field Station Farm To Plate Dinner To Honor 2019 Achievement Award Winners. Historic Watres Lodge at Lacawac in Lake Ariel, Wayne County.
August 10-- PA Resources Council Pop Up Glass Recycling Collection Event In Allegheny County. Village Square Mall-Municipality of Bethel Park.
August 11-- NEW. Grey Towers National Historic Site Celebrates Gifford Pinchot’s Birthday With Special Programs. Pike County.
August 12-- DEP Hearing On Air Quality Plan Approval AND Stormwater Permit For Slate Belt Biosolids Heat Recovery Center. Wind Gap Middle School, 1620 Teels Road in Pen Argyle, Northampton County. 6:00 to 9:00
August 12-- Wildlife Leadership Academy Hosts Special Screening Of Live The Stream: The Story Of Joe Humphreys. Tull Family Theater, 418 Walnut Street in Sewickley, Westmoreland County. 6:00.
August 12-16-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Youth Appalachian Adventure Camp. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Berks County.
August 13-- Location/Time Change. Agenda Posted. DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting, East Middle School Library, 1001 Atkins Street, Erie. 2:00. Contact: Allison Acevedo, 484-250-5942. (formal notice)
August 13-15-- Penn State Ag Progress Days. Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, Centre County.
August 14-- DEP State Board for Certification Of Sewage Enforcement Officers meeting. Conference Room 11B, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Amy Forney, 717-772-2186, aforney@pa.gov.
August 14-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission holds a hearing on water withdrawal requests. Commission’s Office, 25 Cosey Road, West Trenton, New Jersey. 1:30. (formal notice) Click Here for more on the agenda.
August 15-- Agenda Posted. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:15. Contact: Kirit Dalal, 717-772-3436 or send email to: kdalal@pa.gov.
August 15-- Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program Building Re-Tuning For Energy Efficiency In Downtown Buildings Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
August 15-- Penn State Extension Spotted Lanternfly Public Meeting. Bloomsburg, Columbia County.
August 16-- NEW. PA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Planning Steering Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 1:00 to 3:00. Click Here to attend the meeting via Webex. To participate in the meeting, use the same link and please also call in by phone at: 1-415-655-0003. Access Code: 792 466 329
August 17-- PA Resources Council Household Chemical Collection Event. Allegheny County (Boyce Park). 9:00 to 1:00.
August 17-- PA Resources Council Pop Up Glass Recycling Collection Event In Allegheny County. Moon Municipal Building.
August 17-- PA Resources Council Recycling Workshop. Construction Junction, Point Breeze, Allegheny County. 10:30 to Noon.
August 17-- Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association Creek Cleanup. Cumberland County. 8:45 to Noon.
August 17-- NEW. Brodhead Watershed Association Snorkel Your Way Through Cherry Creek For Kids. Monroe County. 2:00.
August 20-- Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. Questions should be directed to Laura Edinger by calling 717-772-3277 or send email to: ledinger@pa.gov.
August 20-- DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Questions should be directed to Keith Salador, Executive Director, by calling 717-787-8171 or send email to: ksalador@pa.gov. (formal notice)
August 21-- House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee holds hearing on House Bill 1568 (Comitta-D-Chester) establishing the Pipeline Safety and Communications Board (sponsor summary). Room G-50 Irvis Building. 9:30.
August 21-- NEW. Penn State Extension Land Use Webinar Series: Pennsylvania’s Solar Future. 1:15.
August 22-- EPA Webinar On Risk Assessment And Emergency Response Plan Training For Water, Wastewater Utilities. 1:00 to 2:00.
August 22-25-- PA Association Of Hazardous Materials Technicians Annual Hazmat Training and Education Conference. Seven Springs, Somerset County.
August 24-- Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA Heroes On The Water Veterans Fishing Event. Shank’s Mare Outfitters in Wrightsville, York County. 1:00.
August 27-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Lindsay Byron 717-772-8951, lbyron@pa.gov.
August 27-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Alumax Mill Products, Lancaster County. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg. 10:00.
August 29-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 9:30. Contact: Jay Braund 717-772-5636 or jbraund@pa.gov.
September 3-- PA Resources Council Rain Barrel Workshop. Phipps Garden Center, Mellon Park, Allegheny County. 7:00 to 8:30.
September 4-- DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting. Bureau of Laboratories, Room 206, 2575 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg. 9:00. Contact: Aaren Alger, 717-346-8212 or send email to: aaalger@pa.gov. (formal notice)
September 4-- DEP Hearing On Cleanup Plan For Pool Chemicals Site In Beaver County. Rochester Borough Municipal Building, 350 Adams Street, Rochester. 6:30.
September 4-- DEP Hearing [If Needed} On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Arcelomittal Plate LLC In Plymouth Township, Montgomery County. DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, Montgomery County. 2:00.
September 4- DEP Hearing [If Needed} On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Monroe Energy In Trainer Borough, Delaware County. DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, Montgomery County. 10:00.
September 4-- DEP Hearing [If Needed} On RACT II Air Quality Plan For Exelon Croydon Generation Station, Bristol Twp., Bucks County. DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, Norristown, Montgomery County. 2:00.
September 4-5-- PA Waste Industries Assn/Solid Waste Assn-Keystone Chapter Joint Conference. Harrisburg Hilton.
September 5-- Penn State Extension Spotted Lanternfly Public Meeting. Lancaster County.
September 5-- EPA Webinar On Risk Assessment And Emergency Response Plan Training For Water, Wastewater Utilities. 1:00 to 2:00.
September 6-8-- NEW. 150th Anniversary Commemoration Of Avondale Mine Disaster. Lackawanna, Luzerne Counties.
September 8-11-- Registration Open. 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference. Pittsburgh. PA Environment Digest is a proud sponsor of this event.
September 10-- NEW. House Game and Fisheries Committee hearing on Sunday Hunting-- Senate Bill 147 (Laughlin-R-Erie). Room 60 East Wing. 1:00.
September 10-- DEP Storage Tank Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Kris Shiffer, 717-772-5809, kshiffer@pa.gov. (formal notice)
September 11-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:30. Contact: Janice Vollero, 717-772-5157, jvollero@pa.gov. (formal notice)
September 11-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For GenOn Northeast Management Company, Armstrong County. DEP’s Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh. 9:00 to 9:30.
September 11-- DEP Hearing [If Needed] On RACT II Air Quality Plan For FirstEnergy Bruce Mansfield Power Plant, Beaver County. DEP’s Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh. 9:30 to 10:00.
September 11-- DCNR Hearing On FY 2019-20 Wild Resources Conservation Fund Grant Applications. 6th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.
September 11-- NEW. Delaware River Basin Commission business meeting. Conference Center, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, New Jersey. 10:30. (formal notice). Click Here for more on the agenda.
September 12-- NEW. Green Building Alliance Recognition Of Emerald Evening Gala Award Winners. Pittsburgh.
September 12-- South Mountain Partnership Speakers Series: Methods Of Combating Illegal Dumping And Vandalism In A Forest Setting. Caledonia State Park in Fayetteville, Franklin County. 6:30.
September 13-- NEW. Schuylkill Action Network Tour Of Restoration Sites In Montgomery County.
September 19-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. DEP Contact: Todd Wallace, 717-783-9438, twallace@pa.gov.
September 19-- Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program Alternative Energy Projects For Agriculture-Related Businesses Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
September 19-- Pike County Conservation District. Properly Maintaining Your On-Lot Septic System. Dingman Township Fire Hall, 680 Log Tavern Road, Milford. 9:00 to 11:00.
September 20-21-- 3rd Annual Pennsylvania Sportsmen’s Forum. Middle Creek Wildlife Area, Lebanon County.
September 21-- PA Resources Council Household Chemical Collection Event. Allegheny County (South Park). 9:00 to 1:00.
September 21-- PA Resources Council Pop Up Glass Recycling Collection Event In Allegheny County. Dormont Pool.
September 21-- PA Resources Council Backyard Composting Workshop. Construction Junction, Point Breeze, Allegheny County. 10:30 to Noon.
September 21-- Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association Creek Cleanup. Cumberland County. 8:45 to Noon.
September 21-- Manada Conservancy Owl Pellet Lab For Youth. Camp Catherine, 1275 Swatara Creek Road, Hershey, Dauphin County. 10:00 to Noon.
September 22-24-- Registration Open. Pennsylvania Greenways And Trails Summit. Shippensburg University Conference Center.
September 24 & 25-- Phipps Conservatory Wild & Neat: Successful Stormwater Management Planting Workshops. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh.
September 26-27-- Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance PA Energy Efficiency Conference. Hilton, Harrisburg.
September 28-- Brandywine Conservancy Bike The Brandywine, Chester County. 6:30 to 4:30.
September 30- October 4-- Penn State Extension 5-Day Intensive Workshops On Managing Mixed Oak Forests. Jefferson, Forest County Locations.
October 3-- Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program Economy, Energy And Environment For Food-Related Industries Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
October 5-- PA Resources Council Hard-To-Recycle Collection Event-Allegheny County. Settlers Cabin Park. 9:00 to 1:00.
October 6-- Manada Conservancy 3rd Annual Walk In Penn’s Woods. Halafax, Dauphin County 1:00 to 3:00.
October 8-10-- Registration Open. Natural Areas Association Natural Areas Conference. Pittsburgh.
October 10-- Manada Conservancy Watershed Health Program, Dauphin County. South Hanover Township Building, 161 Patriot Way, Hershey, Dauphin County. 7:00 to 8:00.
October 12-- PA Resources Council Household Chemical Collection Event. Beaver County (Bradys Run Park). (;00 to 1:00.
October 12-- PA Resources Council Pop Up Glass Recycling Collection Event In Allegheny County. Mt. Lebanon Main Park Commissioners Lot.
October 14--PA Resources Council Backyard Composting Workshop. Phipps Garden Center, Mellon Park, Allegheny County. 7:00 to 8:30.
October 15-- Villanova University, PA Environmental Council, PA State Association of Township Supervisors Managing Stormwater By Engaging Private Landowners - Success Stories and Strategies Workshop. Villanova University, Philadelphia.
October 15-- Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference. Lehigh University, Bethlehem. 7:30 to 4:00.
October 16-- Registration Open. PA State Association Of Township Supervisors Stormwater Conference. Monroeville, Allegheny County.
October 16-- EPA Workshop On Risk Assessment And Emergency Response Plan Training For Water, Wastewater Utilities. DEP Southwest Regional Office, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh. 9:00 to 5:00.
October 16-17-- Villanova University Biennial Stormwater Management Symposium. Villanova University.
October 16-17-- Registration Open. 7th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum. Allentown.
October 19-- PA Resources Council Pop Up Glass Recycling Collection Event In Allegheny County. Scott Township Park.
October 19-- Registration Open. National American Chestnut Foundation Fall Meeting. Wyndham Gettysburg, 95 Presidential Circle, Gettysburg. 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
October 23-- DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. Contact: Nancy Herb 717-783-9269 or send email to nherb@pa.gov. (formal notice)
October 29-30-- Northeast Recycling Council Fall Conference. Rhode Island.
November 1-- EPA Workshop On Risk Assessment And Emergency Response Plan Training For Water, Wastewater Utilities. Pip Moyer Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis, Maryland. 9:00 to 5:00.
November 4-5-- Registration Open. 10th Anniversary National EcoDistricts Summit. Pittsburgh.
November 14-- Manada Conservancy Preservation Updates. East Hanover township Building, 8848 Jonestown Road, Granville, Dauphin County, 7:00 to 8:00
November 15-- Registration Open. PA State Association Of Township Supervisors Stormwater Conference. Malvern, Chester County.
November 15-17-- Chesapeake Watershed Forum. Shepherdstown, WV.
November 21-- Penn State PA Technical Assistance Program Entrepreneurship Ecosystem At Penn State Webinar. Noon to 1:00.
February 23-26-- NEW. Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration MineXChange Annual Conference & Expo. Phoenix, Arizona.
March 9-11-- Engineers’ Society of Western PA, DEP Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference. State College
March 17-20-- PA Assn. Of Environmental Educators/PA Recreation & Parks Society Joint Conference. Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Somerset County.
Related Tools ----------------
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.
Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.
Visit DEP Connects for opportunities to interact with DEP staff at field offices.
Click Here to sign up for DEP News a biweekly newsletter from the Department.
DEP Facebook Page DEP Twitter Feed DEP YouTube Channel
DEP Calendar of Events DCNR Calendar of Events
Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule
You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.
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.
August 9-- DEP EPA Section 319 Watershed Restoration, Planning Grants
August 15-- Project Wingspan Pollinator, Native Plant Habitat Grants
August 15-- Leopold Farm Conservation Award
August 15-- Delaware River Basin Commission Photo Contest
August 16-- American Chestnut Foundation Research Grants
August 23-- DCNR Wild Resources Conservation Fund Grants
August 31-- Prequalification-DCNR/PennVEST Multifunction Stream Buffer Grants
September 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
September 2-- American Chestnut Foundation Photo Contest
September 3-- State Conservation Commission Begins Accepting Applications For
REAP Farm Conservation Tax Credits
September 4-- PA Parks & Forests Foundation Photo Contest
September 6-- Federal Office Of Surface Mining AMD Treatment Grants
September 6-- Agriculture: Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants
September 10-- Northeast Recycling Council Environmental Sustainability Award
September 13-- CFA High Performance Building Funding
September 15-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants Opens
September 20-- 10,000 Friends Of PA Commonwealth Awards
September 23-- DEP Class 8 Truck/Transit Bus Clean Vehicle Grants
September 30-- DEP Recycling Performance Grants
September 30-- DCNR/PennVEST Buffer Grants-Pre-Qualified Applicants Only
September 30-- DCNR ATV/Snowmobile Trail Grants
September 30-- NEW. FirstEnergy Utilities Rebates On Nissan Electric Vehicles
October 30-- DEP Driving PA Forward Ocean-going Vessel Shorepower Grants
December 1-- DEP Farm, Small Business Advantage Grants
December 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
December 13-- DEP Alternative Fuels Incentive Vehicle Grants
December 15-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Watershed Grants
December 15-- President’s Environmental Youth Award
December 16-- DEP Grants/Rebates Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
December 30-- USDA Rural Stormwater, Water Infrastructure Funding
December 31-- OSI Delaware Watershed Protection Fund Transition & Catalyst Grants
December 31-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates
March 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
March 22-- DEP Act 101 Recycling Implementation Grants
June 1-- Western PA Trail Volunteer Fund Grants
-- Visit the DEP Grant, Loan and Rebate Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial assistance for environmental projects.
-- Visit the DCNR Apply for Grants webpage for a listing of financial assistance available from DCNR.
Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits
Here are highlights of actions taken by agencies on environmental regulations, technical guidance and permits.
Regulations -----------------------
No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - August 3, 2019
Technical Guidance -------------------
No new technical guidance was published this week.
Permits ------------
The Fish and Boat Commission published notices in the August 3 PA Bulletin of additions to the list of Class A Wild Trout Waters and additions, revisions and removals from the Classification of Wild Trout Streams.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published notice in the August 3 PA Bulletin it is canceling the proposed land exchange with Charles Rosamilia and others in Greene and Leidy townships in Clinton County.
The proposed exchange, published for comment in April, had involved approximately 106 acres in Leidy Township, Clinton County going from Charles R. Rosamilia, Jr. to the Department, approximately 0.4 acre in Greene Township, Clinton County going from Rosamilia-Larsen to the Department, and approximately 103 acres in Greene Township, Clinton County going from the Department to Rosamilia-Larsen.
The Department's acquisition of the properties from Rosamilia-Larsen were to fill a private inholding within Susquehannock State Forest, providing administrative and public access benefits.
The inholding is also within the watershed of a high-quality stream, as classified by the Department of Environmental Protection, and it will allow a new connection of a shared-use trail.
Note: The Department of Environmental Protection published 64 pages of public notices related to proposed and final permit and approval/ disapproval actions in the August 3 PA Bulletin - pages 4012 to 4076.
Sign Up For DEP’s eNotice: Did you know DEP can send you email notices of permit applications submitted in your community? Notice of new technical guidance documents and regulations? All through its eNotice system. Click Here to sign up.
Related Tools ----------------------
Visit DEP’s Public Participation Center for public participation opportunities.
DEP Proposals Out For Public Review
Other Proposals Open For Public Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Other Proposals - DEP webpage
Other Proposals Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
DEP Regulations In Process
Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System
Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage
Recently Finalized Regulations - DEP webpage
DEP Regulatory Update - DEP webpage
August 4, 2018 DEP Regulatory Agenda - PA Bulletin, Page 4733
DEP Technical Guidance In Process
Draft Technical Guidance Documents - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage
Submit Comments on Proposals Through DEP’s eComment System
Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
Technical Guidance Recently Finalized - DEP webpage
Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage
DEP Non-Regulatory/Technical Guidance Documents Agenda (July 2019)- DEP webpage
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PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation and National Abandoned Mine Lands Program Conference to be held in Pittsburgh on September 8-11.
Sponsor: 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference Oct. 15 In Bethlehem
PA Environment Digest is proud to be a sponsor of the 8th Lehigh Valley Watershed Conference on October 15 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem.
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