pa environment digest april 4, 2011
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PA Environment DigestAn Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award
Harrisburg, Pa April 4, 2011
Senators Yudichak, Erickson Introduce Bipartisan Marcellus Shale Severance Tax
Sen. John T. Yudichak (D-Luzerne) this week announced legislation--
Senate Bill 905-- that would implement a severance tax on the extraction
of natural gas in Pennsylvania saying it is time for a fair and responsible
severance tax on natural gas.Joining Sen. Yudichak at the news conference were Sen. Ted
Erickson (R-Delaware) and Sen. John Blake (D-Lackawanna), co-sponsors
of the bill, Larry Williamson, Renew Growing Greener Coalition, and
Chris Carsia, Executive Director Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority.
Video Blog: Sen. John YudichakOpening Comments
Sen. Ted Erickson
Sen. John Blake
Larry Williamson
My goal is to initiate a fair and responsible severance tax in Pennsylvania. This proposal
will generate significant revenue for local governments, our clean water infrastructure, and the
Growing Greener program, Sen. Yudichak said. At the same time, such a moderate tax would
allow the industry to continue expanding and creating jobs, as well as generate the economic
development activity that Pennsylvania so desperately needs.
I am pleased to stand with my colleague, Sen. Yudichak, to support this much needed
legislation, Sen. Erickson said. The fact that this bill has bipartisan support shows the need for
this tax goes beyond partisan politics. I believe this bill invests the tax revenues in a responsible
way for the protection of our environment and the communities directly affected by the
expanding natural gas industry.
Under Sen. Yudichaks proposal, the severance tax would be gradually implemented
based on the gas production of each well:
-- A severance tax of 2 percent of the gross value of the natural gas severed at the wellhead; thistax rate would be in place for the first three years of well production;
-- When the well has been in production for more than three years, the tax rate would increase to
5 percent;
-- The tax rate would readjust back to 2 percent if a wells rate of production fell below 150
MCF of natural gas per day and above 60 MCF per day; and
-- Wells that produce less than 60 MCF of natural gas per day are exempt from the tax.
If implemented, the severance tax would go into effect on July 1, 2011.
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According to Sen. Yudichak, revenue from the severance tax would be distributed to
three program areas:
-- 33 percent of the revenue generated to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for water
supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater and flood control projects;
-- 33 percent to the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener); and
-- 34 percent to local governments in those areas of Pennsylvania that are experiencing the directeffects of natural gas drilling.
I think it is important to note that investments in our clean water infrastructure also
create jobs, Sen. Yudichak said. Also, in areas where there is drilling activity, local
governments are faced with a number of difficult issues. Revenue from a severance tax will
benefit those communities.
It is estimated the tax could generate more than $126 million in the first year and more
than $406 million by 2016. These estimates are based on current prices, the number of wells,
additional wells expected to be permitted in 2011 and expected production levels.
Also co-sponsoring the bill are Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Charles McIlhinney
(R-Bucks), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Stuart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) and Anthony
Williams (D-Philadelphia).NewsClips: Yudichak Proposes New Gas Severance Tax
Erickson Proposes Tax On Natural Gas Drilling
Yudichak Has High Hopes For Tax On Gas Extraction
Senate Dem, Republican Push Severance Tax Bill
Pocono Senator Pushes Natural Gas Tax
Montgomery Legislators Air Views On Marcellus Tax
Corbett: PA Gets Millions In Taxes From Marcellus Without New Tax
Corbett Resolute In Gas Tax Opposition
Corbett Maintains Hard Line On No Marcellus Shale Tax
Corbett: We've Got To Find A Balance On Impact FeesGovernor Stands By Stance Against Drilling Tax
PA Could Allow Gas Drilling On Prisons' Properties
Counties Weigh Drilling Impact Fee
Marcellus Impact Fee Proposal In The Works
State: Local Drilling Impacts Could Bring Aid
Reviewing The Marcellus Shale Tax, Fee Issue
Students Pitch Their Agenda In Harrisburg
Column: Corbett Plays Semantic Shell Game On Marcellus
Op-Ed: Making The Case For A Drilling Tax, John Quigley
Op-Ed: Case Of Addition By Extraction? Not For Corbett
Op-Ed: The Impact Of Marcellus Shale Impact FeesEditorial: Patriot Opposes Gas Severance Tax (April Fool)
Editorial: Three Letter Words, Marcellus Tax, Fee
Editorial: Time To Listen To Reason On Marcellus Fee
Search Nearly 7 Years Of Digests On Any Topic
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Venango) further providing for reports under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act; Senate Bill
304 (MJ White-R-Venango) requiring further public review of state Air Quality Implementation
Plans; Senate Bill 325 (Baker-R-Luzerne) giving the Public Utility Commission further authority
to regulate pipeline safety. Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.
Committees
House: the Urban Affairs Committee holds an informational meeting on legislation regarding
land banks and real estate tax reform.
Bills Introduced
The following bills of interest were introduced this week--
Clean And Green Conservation Verification: House Bill 1213 (Sturla-D-Lancaster) requiring
applicants for farmland preferential assessments under the Clean and Green Program to verify
the farmer is in compliance with existing farm conservation requirements.
Adopt-A-River Program: House Bill 1214 (Sturla-D-Lancaster) establishing the Adopt-A-
River Program at DCNR.
Regulating Forestry Profession: House Bill 1235 (Payne-R-Dauphin) providing for the
regulation of professional forestry.
Drilling On Other State Lands: House Bill 1238 (Baker-R-Tioga) authorizing drilling leases
and royalities on State System of Higher Education lands.
State Park Lifeguards: House Bill 1250 (Stern-R-Blair) requiring lifeguards in State Parks.
Conservation District Well Permits: House Bill 1263 (Boback-R-Columbia) re-involving
county conservation districts in oil and gas well permitting process.
Zero Waste Initiatives: House Resolution 159 (Davis-D-Bucks) urging communities,
businesses and residents to adopt zero waste initiatives.
Gas Well Locations Restrictions: Senate Bill 680 (Ferlo-D-Allegheny) further providing for
gas well location restrictions.
AEPS Impact Study: Senate Bill 849 (Solobay-D-Washington) requiring DEP to conduct an
environmental and economic impact study of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards.
Severance Tax: Senate Bill 905 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for a natural gas production
severance tax establishing the Natural Gas Severance Tax Fund and the Local Government
Services Account.
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News From The Capitol
Budget: Farm Conservation Programs Topic Of Agriculture Hearing
Acting Department of Agriculture Secretary George Greig was questioned by several members
of the Senate Appropriations Committee this week on farm conservation issues.
Nutrient Management Program: Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango), Majority Chair Senate
Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, expressed concern about the flat funding of
the Nutrient Management Program at a time when the state is dealing with new requirements
relating to the Chesapeake Bay TMDL. She asked Greig to consider accelerating the program.
Uncounted Conservation Measures: In response to a question from Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-
Lancaster), Greig said one issue he is dealing with is the under reporting of farm conservation
practices now on the ground but never reported to the Chesapeake Bay Program. He said the
Farm Bureau, conservation districts and DEP have been working together for years to cleanup
the Bay.
REAP: Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) expressed his thanks for the increase in the Resource
Enhancement and Protection farm conservation tax credit program from $4.5 million to $10
million noting it is a popular and needed program.
News From Around The State
Farm Bureau Clears Air Over Misinformation About Environmental Stewardship
While hundreds of farmers from across Pennsylvania were meeting with members of the GeneralAssembly inside the State Capital to discuss priority issues affecting agriculture, PA Farm
Bureau hosted a news conference this week to address the significant role farmers are playing to
maintain and improve land and water resources.
It should come as no surprise that farmers are proactively caring for our land and water
resources, because the farm is not only a place of work, it is the home of the farm family.
Farmers drink the water and breathe the air on their farms and are committed to being good
stewards of the land for their community and future generations on the farm, said PFB President
Carl T. Shaffer.
Farm Bureau is concerned that some people may have the wrong impression of
agriculture due to inaccurate claims and misinformation about environmental practices and how
farms are regulated. The reality is that farms are heavily regulated and farmers are committed to
conservation improvements.
In fact, a recent report from the Natural Resource Conservation Service revealed that 96
percent of farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed have implemented erosion control practices
on cropland acres in production. The report also found that sediment contributions from
cultivated cropland to the Bay's rivers and streams have been reduced by 64 percent, while
phosphorus was reduced by 43 percent and nitrogen reduced by 36 percent.
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Pennsylvania farmers have been able to better prevent soil erosion, preserve and restore
wetlands, and clean the air and water by implementing various conservation projects. Those
projects are costly and farmers often pay for the projects themselves or participate in cost-share
and other conservation funding programs, added Shaffer.
Farm Bureau noted that advances in research and technology have also sparked
productivity and efficiency on the farm.With global positioning systems, we have reduced the use of chemical compounds in
our fields and orchards, while improvements in technology have allowed us to use fewer
pesticides on weeds and pest-resistant crops. Agricultural research is generating even more
remarkable practices that will enable the production of more food on less land with even fewer
impacts on soil and water resources, said Shaffer.
PFB added that Pennsylvania farmers have helped pioneer conservation programs by
embracing practices that benefit the environment. For example, Pennsylvania introduced the
first and largest farmland preservation program in the nation, Pennsylvania enacted the first
Nutrient Management Program in the country and Pennsylvania farmers lead the nation in the
use of no-till cultivation, a cropland system that reduces land erosion and water runoff.
Farmers realize that more work needs to be done to meet environmental goals, but theyalso believe their efforts to improve water quality, decrease land erosion and maintain strong
rural communities should be recognized, concluded Shaffer.
Also participating in the news conference were Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) Majojrity
Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny),
Majority Chair of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Lebanon County farmer
Bonnie Wenger and Lancaster County Conservation District Administrator Don McNutt.
A copy of the Farm Bureau presentation is available online.
NewsClip: State Farmers Tout Industry's Environmental Protection Record
Marcellus Shale Commission Sets April 27 As Next Meeting, Working Groups Named
The Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission will meet as a group next on April 27 in
addition to the May 20, June 17 and July 15 meeting dates announced last week.
The members of the work groups for the Commission were announced this week
Public Health, Safety & Environmental Protection: Chair: Michael Krancer, Acting Secretary
of DEP, Vice-Chair: Cynthia Carrow, Western PA Conservancy, Rick Allan, Acting Secretary
DCNR, Nick Haden, Reserved Environmental SerVices, Ron Ramsey, The Nature Conservancy,
Tony Bartolomeo, PA Environmental Council, Jeff Kupfer, Chevron.
Economic & Workforce Development: Chair: Alan Walker, Acting Secretary DCED, Vice-Chair: Gene Barr, PA Camber of Business & Industry, Vince Matteo, Williamsport-Lycoming
Chamber of Commerce, Terry Engelder, Professor of Geosciences, Penn State University, Dave
Porges, CEO, EQT, Jim Felmlee, PA State Association of Boroughs, Terry Pegula, Former
President/CEO, East Resources.
Infrastructure: Chair: Barry Schoch, Acting Secretary of Transportation, Vice-Chair: Chris
Masciantonio, U.S. Steel, Rob Powelson, Chair, Public Utility Commission, Gary Slagel, PA
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Independent Oil & Gas Association, Christopher Helms, NiSource Gas Transmission and
Storage, Matt Ehrhart, PA Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Randy Smith, U.S.
Government Affairs Manager.
Local Impact & Emergency Response: Chair: Glenn Cannon, Director, PA Emergency
Management Agency, Vice-Chair: Jeff Wheeland, Lycoming County Commissioner, TerryBossert, Chief Oil & Gas, Ray Walker, Marcellus Shale Coalition, Kip Allen, PA League of
Cities and Municipalities, Dave Sanko, PA State Association of Township Supervisors, George
Greig, Acting Secretary of Agriculture.
For more information, visit the Governor's Marcellus Shale Advisory
Commission webpage. The Governor's Executive Order formally creating the Commission was
published this week.
NewsClip: Meet The Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission
DEP Centralizes Review Of Marcellus Shale Enforcement Actions
The Post-Gazette and other news outlets this week reported the Department of Environmental
Protection has centralized the issuance of any Marcellus Shale-related enforcement and permit
approvals, including notices of violations, with senior DEP management.
Internal emails to senior staff said those clearances would come from the Deputy for
Field Operations, Executive Deputy for Programs and final clearance from the Secretary of DEP.
There has been a long-standing policy in DEP to provide senior managers notice of
major, precedent setting and important actions related to permits and enforcement actions.
Katy Gresh, a DEP spokesperson, said the change in procedure was designed to help the
agency bring consistency to its enforcement actions. She told the Post-Gazette, "During
Secretary Krancer's meetings with legislators and his confirmation and budget hearings, onemessage he heard loud and clear is that constituents perceive there is in consistency at DEP.
"We want to ensure that as we regulate this industry, we are protecting the environment
in every corner of the Commonwealth, and we believe this procedures for violation notifications
will achieve that."
Gresh concluded by saying the directive will last for only three months.
In response to the new policy, several groups and legislators expressed concern about the
change.
"This 'signoff policy' as it has been reported, is impratical and unacceptable," said Sen.
Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne). "In my district, drilling is taking place in areas that are environmentally
sensitive and in places close to critical watersheds. As more inspectors are deployed to monitor
more drilling sites, I want to ensure there is comparable thoroughness to the inspections andconsistent application of penalties for violations. Nothing in that suggests the need for any sort
of upper-level clearance process."
"What we're seeing here is yet another step by the administration toward less
accountability, less transparency, and a total lack of responsibility for ensuring that Marcellus
shale gas drilling is properly regulated and public safety remains the priority," said Rep. Camille
George (D-Clearfield), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee. "This is going to backfire on the gas industry. I think we can have a vibrant
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Marcellus shale gas industry in Pennsylvania with one big caveat it has to be done correctly
with regulations and safeguards that are continually updated. We come across new challenges
almost weekly."
"Even if one were to assume that Secretary Krancer has the best of intentions, this order
will bring about an administrative traffic jam," said Sen. Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny). "Harrisburg
staff will be inundated with permit requests and violation notices for sites that they have notvisited or even seen."
In a letterto President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority
Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), Sen. Ferlo asked the Senate leaders to convene formal
Senate hearings on the issue "since the change was not publicly vetted or discussed."
NewsClips: Harrisburg Takes Reins For Marcellus Enforcement
Gas Driller Citations To Be Reviewed
DEP Secretary To OK Drilling Enforcement Actions
No Violations Against Drillers Without OK From Top
Punishments Of Shale Drillers Now Need OK From Top
DEP Boss Demands Approval Of Shale Citations
Sen. Ferlo Seeks Review Of New Marcellus Shale Enforcement RulesTop-Level DEP Approval Of Drilling Actions Under Fire
DEP Top Down Directive Draws Criticism
Marcellus Shale Inspectors' Authority Restricted
Column: It's Tough Drilling For Trust In Harrisburg
Editorial: DEP Boss Bows To Gas Drillers
Editorial: Now DEP Enforcement Will Be In Political Hands
DEP Issues Corrected Well Drilling Permits To Lake Erie Energy Partners
The Department of Environmental Protection has issued three corrected well drilling permits toLake Erie Energy Partners LLC after the company provided complete information to remedy the
original application defects.
The corrected permits are for the wells identified as Dohler 1, Dohler 3 and Rahal 3, all
located in North East Township, Erie County. Township residents contacted the department after
observing water supply notification shortcomings in the permit applications.
Lake Erie Energy Partners corrected those application defects, leading to todays action.
The original permits for the wells were revoked simultaneously with the issuance of the new
permits.
DEP also revoked the permit for the well known as Rahal 4, also in North East Township.
The application for this well failed to meet the setback provisions of the Oil and Gas Act, which
prohibits the siting of wells less than the required 200-feet from an occupied structure.If the company intends to construct Rahal 4, it will need to submit a new well drilling
application that addresses the setback issue.
The Department of Environmental Protection has issued three corrected well drilling
permits to Lake Erie Energy Partners LLC after the company provided complete information to
remedy the original application defects.
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The corrected permits are for the wells identified as Dohler 1, Dohler 3 and Rahal 3, all
located in North East Township, Erie County. Township residents contacted the department after
observing water supply notification shortcomings in the permit applications.
Lake Erie Energy Partners corrected those application defects, leading to todays action.
The original permits for the wells were revoked simultaneously with the issuance of the new
permits.DEP also revoked the permit for the well known as Rahal 4, also in North East Township.
The application for this well failed to meet the setback provisions of the Oil and Gas Act, which
prohibits the siting of wells less than the required 200-feet from an occupied structure.
If the company intends to construct Rahal 4, it will need to submit a new well drilling
application that addresses the setback issue.
Bucknell University Opens Marcellus Shale Initiative Publications Database
The Bucknell University Marcellus Shale Initiative announces a new educational resource: the
MSI Publications Database, a web-based clearinghouse that references and summarizes primarily
print-based publications on the Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction and related topics.The Marcellus Shale, a geologic formation containing natural gas spanning NY, PA, WV,
OH, and VA, is undergoing rapid development as a major US energy source. The use of
horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to release the gas qualifies the extraction to be termed
unconventional.
The Bucknell University MSI, directed by Carl S. Kirby, Professor of Geology, was
created in 2010 to support Marcellus Shale-related research in the physical sciences, social
sciences and humanities at Bucknell.
The MSI Publications Database covers primarily print-based publications as these are the
most reputable sources of information to date. The database contains links to publications as well
as short summaries of each publication. The database also explains the differences amongpublication types and how to access and retrieve copyrighted publications.
As the database grows, it will also include more references to publications that are not
directly related to the Marcellus Shale; such publications might feature other unconventional gas
extraction such as the Barnett Shale, hydraulic fracturing, potential health issues, or address
socioeconomic changes in energy boom towns.
The MSI Publications Database is intended to serve the public as well as regulators,
industry, citizens groups and academics who want to know more about the background and
potential impact of the development of this resource. The Initiative is dedicated to updating the
database as rapidly as resources allow.
This database does not provide coverage of websites, blogs, news articles, newsletters, or
other media. Partners in this effort include the Forum for Pennsylvanias Heartland, theDegenstein Foundation, and Geisinger Center for Health Research.
The MSI is the fourth and newest initiative of the Bucknell University Environmental
Center. The MSI will also facilitate teaching and additional public outreach efforts. Because an
avalanche of information is reaching the public through the web and other media, the MSI also
has a long-term plan to critically evaluate this information. This effort is currently in
development.
For more information, visit the Bucknell University Marcellus Shale Initiative webpage.
http://www.bucknell.edu/MarcellusShaleDatabasehttp://www.bucknell.edu/x2250.xmlhttp://www.bucknell.edu/x2250.xmlhttp://www.bucknell.edu/MarcellusShaleDatabasehttp://www.bucknell.edu/MarcellusShaleDatabasehttp://www.bucknell.edu/x2250.xmlhttp://www.bucknell.edu/x2250.xmlhttp://www.bucknell.edu/MarcellusShaleDatabase -
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Next Week: Chesapeake Bay Foundation Announcement On Marcellus Shale Impact
Analysis
Watch for an announcement on April 4 from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation related to
requesting the federal government to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cumulativeimpacts of Marcellus Shale development in Pennsylvania and other Marcellus states.
In each of the six states in the region people are concerned about the many unknown
consequences and cumulative impacts of natural gas drilling on the environment, drinking water,
and human health. There currently exists a large knowledge gap that science must fill.
While the natural gas industry is largely exempted from federal jurisdiction, under the
National Environmental Policy Act, the federal government still has the obligation to ensure that
the cumulative effects of Marcellus shale drilling will not adversely affect human health or the
quality of the environment.
In addition, the Presidents Executive Order (on Chesapeake Bay restoration) says,
Restoration of the health of the Chesapeake Bay will require a renewed commitment to
controlling pollution from all sources as well as protecting and restoring habitat and livingresources, conserving lands, and improving management of natural resources, all of which
contribute to improved water quality and ecosystem health. The Federal Government should
lead this effort.
And though there are several risk assessments underway, none is comprehensive or
complete. The cumulative effects of pollution from Marcellus shale drilling activities currently
underway or proposed in the future have not been assessed or factored in to any of the state plans
to reduce pollution.
CBFs partners include the National Parks Conservation Association, the Appalachian
Center for the Economy and the Environment, the Shenandoah Valley Network, the Chesapeake
Climate Action Network, Audubon Pennsylvania, Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, the Mid-Atlantic Council Trout Unlimited, and The Garden Club of America.
A copy of a background letter from CBF is available online.
Governor Says Public Water Supply Testing Finds No Risk From Japanese Fallout
Gov. Tom Corbett this week said testing last weekend of public drinking water found no elevated
levels of radioactivity.
On Friday, concentrations of Iodine-131, likely originating from the events at Japan's
damaged nuclear plants, were found in rainwater samples collected from Pennsylvania's nuclear
power plant facilities.
The numbers reported in the rainwater samples in Pennsylvania range from 40-100picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Although these are levels above the background levels historically
reported in these areas, they are still about 25 times below the level that would be of concern.
The federal drinking water standard for Iodine-131 is three pCi/L.
As a result of the findings, Corbett immediately ordered the Department of
Environmental Protection's Bureau of Water Quality, Radiation Protection and Laboratories to
test the drinking water from six regions in the state.
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"Ironically, today marks the 32nd anniversary of the accident at Three Mile Island
nuclear power plant,'' Corbett said. "The lessons we learned from that incident and the safeguards
that were installed, including constant monitoring, have made us better prepared for situations
like this.''
For more information, visit DEP's Nuclear Safety Division and the Radiation
Protection webpages. Fact sheet on Radiation Emergency Preparedness.NewsClips: Radiation Checks Determine PA's Water Is Safe
Japan Fallout In PA Rainwater, Corbett Says
Governor Says The State's Water Is Safe From Japan Fallout
PA Drinking Water Shows Normal Levels Of Radioactivity
Lancaster City To Test Susquehanna Water For Radioactivity
32nd Anniversary Of TMI Disaster Marked
Discovery Watersheds: What Youth Can Do For Water And Themselves
There are many projects that youth can become involved in to help protect and conserve local
water resources. Service-learning helps youth gain a better understanding of their communitiesand how their actions can make a difference.
Hands-on community service projects are an important addition to youth water education.
Learning about the science of water will help youth to make responsible decisions in the future,
but its not likely to generate significant excitement about water science or water-related careers.
Service-learning helps youth gain a better understanding of their communities and how
their actions can make a difference.
It is also a perfect opportunity to provide youth with experiential learning opportunities
(enhanced learning through thoughtful reflection during and after experiences) and even more
importantly, inquiry-based learning opportunities, where youth can use their own life
experiences to develop experiments to test in the natural world. Inquiry-based learning has beenshown to lead to increased conceptual understanding and the greatest positive difference in
science learning (Carmichael, 2010).
There are many projects that youth can become involved in to help protect and conserve
local water resources. Projects might be completed on school grounds, at home, in a community
park, on a farm or wherever help may be needed. Consider some of these ideas:
-- Create a school natural area around an existing water resource (pond, stream, etc) to use as a
future learning laboratory;
-- Find an alternative to bare soil areas on school grounds or in a community park;
-- Hold a water conservation campaign or contest school-wide;
-- Conduct a thorough leak assessment of home, school or community buildings and work to
remedy any discovered problems;-- Choose a local stream or pond to conduct regular water quality testing;
-- Try using alternatives to hazardous cleaners and other household substances and hold an
awareness event to teach others the same;
-- Be part of a streamside (riparian) tree planting effort or help with the maintenance of a
recently planted riparian area; and
-- Help install rain barrels or a rain garden where stormwater runs off of a school, home or
community building roof.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/Nuclear_Safety_Division/Nuclear_Safety_Section/Nuclear_Safety_Section_Homepage.htmhttp://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/default.htmhttp://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/default.htmhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/the_update/14289http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_729666.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/japan-fallout-in-pennsylvania-rainwater-corbett-says-1.1124842http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/03/pennsylvanias_governor_says_th.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110329_Pennsylvania__Drinking_water_shows_normal_levels_of_radioactivity.html?cmpid=41144277http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/367567http://www.timesleader.com/news/32nd_anniversary_of_TMI_disaster_marked_03-29-2011.htmlhttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/newsletter/news/2011/what-youth-can-do-for-water-and-themselves?http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/newsletter/news/2011/what-youth-can-do-for-water-and-themselves?http://www.timesleader.com/news/32nd_anniversary_of_TMI_disaster_marked_03-29-2011.htmlhttp://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/367567http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110329_Pennsylvania__Drinking_water_shows_normal_levels_of_radioactivity.html?cmpid=41144277http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/03/pennsylvanias_governor_says_th.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/japan-fallout-in-pennsylvania-rainwater-corbett-says-1.1124842http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_729666.htmlhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/the_update/14289http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/default.htmhttp://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/default.htmhttp://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/Nuclear_Safety_Division/Nuclear_Safety_Section/Nuclear_Safety_Section_Homepage.htm -
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When choosing a project, the most important thing is to make sure that the youth are the
ones who make the decision. A great resource for guiding the decision making process so that
the project is one that will serve a true need in the community is Give Water a Hand (University
of Wisconsin, 1996.)
This leader guide and youth activity book series walks you through the process of
understanding the importance of water, identifying needs in various parts of the community anddesigning a successful service project.
Penn State Cooperative Extension can provide you with additional information about
water quality issues that can also help choose a worthwhile service project.
Visit Penn State Cooperative Extension Water Resources online webpage.
Spotlight
Penn State Extension: Your Watershed And Your Drinking Water
Most people don't make the connection between what is happening around them and their
drinking water.
Did you know
More than 3 million Pennsylvania residents rely on drilled wells, hand-dug wells, cisterns
and even roadside springs for drinking water?
Water pollutants in water that can affect health often show no signs (taste, color, odor)?
Private water systems should be tested annually for total coliform bacteria?
Independent water testing by a certified laboratory can help homeowners avoid
purchasing unnecessary water treatment equipment?
Your Drinking Water
Your drinking water begins as rain or snow and ends at the tap in your home. An average
of 40 inches of rain falls annually in Pennsylvania. Of this, roughly seven inches becomessurface runoff. Thirteen inches percolate down to the groundwater, which slowly returns to the
surface and emerges as stream or spring flow.
The other 20 inches are used by plants and is returned to the air as water vapor.
Groundwater provides water for wells. Reservoirs, lakes, rivers and wells can all be water
sources for public water supply systems.
Many homeowners that have private water systems such as wells, cisterns or springs are
unaware of the need to test their own water.
All contaminant limits are set at the national level by the Environmental Protection
Agency, but enforcement is at the state level. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental
Protection is responsible for monitoring and enforcement for public water systems.
Those residents with private water systems, however, are their own water authorities andneed to test regularly and maintain records of all system maintenance and testing.
Contamination of a water supply can come from the surface or the ground water. Some of
the activities that can result in contamination of surface and groundwater are: oil and gas
extraction, mining, agriculture, roads, housing development, industry / landfills, and improper
use of pesticides and fertilizers or improper disposal of pharmaceuticals.
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Penn State Cooperative Extension conducts water education for well owners and
recommends that private wells be tested every 12-14 months for bacteriological safety, and every
third year, add pH, total dissolved solids and one analysis that reflects land use in your area.
It is also recommended that any homeowner considering a water treatment system for
their home have their water tested by a certified, independent laboratory before purchasing any
equipment to be sure they are treating the real problem.Water quality and quantity all depend heavily on activity within the watershed. Proper
agricultural practices, storm water management, maintenance of on-lot septic systems,
preservation of forested land and stream protection through the establishment of forested riparian
buffers are among the most useful actions to preserve and improve water quality and quantity.
If you have a well that is no longer in use, it should be properly decommissioned to avoid
contamination of the groundwater.
To learn more, please visit: The Penn State Water Resources website - Drinking Water
section, The Master Well Owner Networkwebsite and visit the Penn State Extension Discovery
Watersheds webpage.
Link: Penn State Watershed Winds Newsletter
PA Senior Environment Corps Water Quality Monitoring Training Schedule
Nature Abounds and the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps
have set some dates for water quality monitoring for current and
new volunteers.
Dates have been set as follows: April 5 - Elk County; April
7 - McKean County; April 11 - Lancaster County; April 12 -
Adams County; April 13 - Indiana County; April 18 - Philadelphia
(Center in the Park on Germantown Rd.); and May 2 - ClearfieldCounty.
PaSEC trainings are also being planned (dates still yet to be determined) for the following
locations: Crawford County, Blair County, Centre County, Harrisburg area, Montgomery County
(PEAK Center in Lansdale). A training was held in Schuylkill County in late March.
To become a volunteer with the PaSEC, a person needs to be aged 55+, live in the county
where the training will occur, and have an interest in the outdoors. Besides water quality
monitoring, volunteers may assist with wildlife observing and reporting, assessing stream habitat
and/or riparian buffers, trail restoration, or general office support.
The PaSEC has been active since 1997, monitoring the 86,000 miles of streams across the
Commonwealth, marking abandoned wells, restoring trails, and providing environmental
education to the public.The PaSEC program is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys 319
Non-point Source Program as well as matching funds from the Foundation for Pennsylvania
Watersheds, and is under the guidance of the Department of Environmental Protection.
For more information about any of the trainings or about becoming a PaSEC volunteer or
sponsor for a new PaSEC group, please contact Melinda Hughes-Wert at Nature Abounds. She
can be reached by sending email to: [email protected] or call 814-765-1453.
http://water.cas.psu.edu/drinking_water.htmhttp://extension.psu.edu/water/mwonhttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watershedshttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watershedshttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/newsletter/news/2011/your-watershed-and-your-drinking-water?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://www.natureabounds.org/http://www.natureabounds.org/PaSEC.htmlhttp://www.pennsylvaniawatersheds.org/http://www.pennsylvaniawatersheds.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pennsylvaniawatersheds.org/http://www.pennsylvaniawatersheds.org/http://www.natureabounds.org/PaSEC.htmlhttp://www.natureabounds.org/http://www.natureabounds.org/http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watersheds/newsletter/news/2011/your-watershed-and-your-drinking-water?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+agsci-water-watershedwinds+%28Penn+State+Watershed+Winds+Newsletter%29http://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watershedshttp://extension.psu.edu/water/discovery-watershedshttp://extension.psu.edu/water/mwonhttp://water.cas.psu.edu/drinking_water.htm -
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Nature Abounds, the coordinating organization of the PaSEC, is a national non-profit,
bringing people together for a healthy planet.
Brandywine Christina Clean Water Partnership Announces Award Winners
The Brandywine Christina Clean Water Partnership recognizedseveral award winners, including Whitford Country Club and
Stephen R. DePaoli Mushrooms at its Legislative Ceremony
recently at the Red Clay Room in Kennett Square, Pa.
(Photo: Charlotte Chotty Sprenkle, Watershed Coordinator
, Chester County Conservation District, Ron Rottmann, Whitford
Board General Manager , Greg Lewis, Whitford Board of
Directors, Rep. Chris Ross.)
The Watershed Conservation Award was presented to the Whitford Country Club for its
efforts to improve water quality and minimize flooding on Colebrook Creek, which bisects the
Whitford Country Club and Golf Course, West Whiteland Township, Exton, PA which drains to
Little Valley Creek.The Club recently completed a stream restoration project which incorporated the
following best management practices included relocating and restoring 3500 feet of stream
channel and creating 21 riffle/pool structures for fish habitat; creating eight acres of floodplain
by removing 20,000 cubic yards of sediment deposited after heavy rain storms: planted 566
native trees and plants, and created two acres of wetlands.
Whitford Country Club management also conducted tours for conservation groups and
golf course managers for a transfer of technology to other courses and stream sites.
The Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener II funded the
improvements, with a match from the Whitford County Club membership.
Stephen R. DePaoli Mushrooms was recognized for its efforts to improve water qualityentering the Red Clay Creek, Kennett Square, PA.
The mushroom growing operation recently constructed several best management
practices which included interior wastewater collection, wharf runoff collection, a waste transfer
system, a waste storage facility, and a wastewater treatment system.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funded the improvements
through the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority.
For additional information, please contact Charlotte Sprenkle, Chester County
Conservation District.
Watershed Student Education Program April 15 At PPL Susquehanna Riverlands
We all live in a watershed, but do you know your watershed address? Join us to find out how our
actions on land affect the quality and quantity of water in our local streams from 5:30-7 p.m.
April 15, at PPLs Susquehanna Riverlands near Berwick in Luzerne County.
Alana Roberts, PPL community affairs specialist, leads this informative program that
includes a demonstration of an Enviroscape. Then grab some nets and search for aquatic animals
including frogs, tadpoles, newts, aquatic insects and fish. Animals will be held temporarily so
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participants get a close-up look at their unique features and adaptations as well as learn about
their place in the food web.
The Susquehanna Riverlands preserve encompasses 1,200 acres on both the east and west
banks of the Susquehanna River, and has been providing the residents of northcentral
Pennsylvania with quality recreation, fishing and environmental education since 1980.
This program is most appropriate for children ages 5-12. Preregistration is requested. Formore information and to register, call 1-866-832-3312 or send email to:
Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team Publishes 2010 Annual Report
The Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team initiative by the Conemaugh
Valley Conservancy published its 2010 annual report this week
outlining its accomplishments for the year.
During the year 43 volunteer Stream Stewards and staff, the
Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team collected 667 water samples from
Abandoned Mine Discharges, AMD treatment systems, and riversimpacted by AMD.
These samples came from over 150 sites throughout the Kiski-
Conemaugh River Basin where samples were collected yearly, semi-
annually, quarterly, or monthly, based on need. Many of these sites were located at the 26 AMD
treatment systems that the Stream Team regularly monitored; however, some were sites chosen
in preparation for treatment.
The Stream Team also helped the Paint Creek Regional Watershed Association secure a
$306,000 Growing Greener grant from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Among the awards received by the Stream Team in 2010 were--
-- 1st Place-Most Innovative at the Ohio River Watershed Celebration;-- PA Association of Environmental Educator's Outstanding Educator Award;
-- PA Association of Environmental Educator's Outstanding Education Program Award; and
-- PA Association of Environmental Educator's Endorsement for Trout In The Classroom.
For more more on the Stream Team's accomplishments and to support their programs,
visit the Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team webpage.
Friends Of The Wissahickon Hold Helping Hands Week At Trolley Car Diner & Deli
The Friends of the Wissahickon are holding an important fundraising event at Mt. Airys Trolley
Car Diner & Deli, 7619 Germantown Avenue, from April 18 to 24.
The Diner will donate 15 percent of the revenue from supporters towards FOWsprograms and projects in Wissahickon Valley Park as part of its Helping Hands Week
fundraising program.
The Friends of the Wissahickon, founded in 1924, is a non-profit organization dedicated
to maintaining the Wissahickon Valley. FOW works in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and
Recreation to restore historical structures throughout the park, eliminate invasive plant species,
monitor watershed management issues, and restore trails throughout the park system with its
Sustainable Trails Initiative.
mailto:[email protected]://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/http://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/http://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/conservation/kcst.htmlhttp://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/conservation/kcst.htmlhttp://www.fow.org/http://www.trolleycardiner.com/http://www.trolleycardiner.com/http://www.trolleycardiner.com/http://www.trolleycardiner.com/http://www.fow.org/http://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/conservation/kcst.htmlhttp://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/conservation/kcst.htmlhttp://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/http://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/mailto:[email protected] -
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Show your support for the Friends of the Wissahickon by bringing your friends and
family for a delicious and fun dining experience at Trolley Car Diner & Deli (215-753-1500).
Bring a Helping Hands Coupon to the Diner, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and
Saturday and Sunday, 3 to 9 p.m.
To receive a Helping Hands Coupon, visit FOWs website or contact FOW by sending
email to: [email protected] or call 215-247-0417.
National Fish And Wildlife Foundation Names LandStudies As Approved Provider
LandStudies, a company based in Lititz, Pa., recently has been named to
the provider network for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations
Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund Technical Assistance Program.
As a recommended provider, LandStudies is approved to offer
technical assistance to clients of the Chesapeake Network for Education of
Municipal Officials (NEMO) and recipients of Chesapeake Bay
Stewardship Fund grants.
We have a long history of collaborating with municipalities,companies and community organizations on restoration, protection and conservation projects that
improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, said Kelly Gutshall, president,
LandStudies. We look forward to providing technical assistance for National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation partners, whose projects are making such a difference for the Chesapeake Bay and
the region.
Founded in 1989 by Kelly and Mark Gutshall, LandStudies provides clients with
innovative solutions on a wide variety of environmental challenges.
In Lancaster County, LandStudies played an instrumental role in the restoration of Lititz
Run, which has been cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the 12 best
watershed restoration projects in the nation. The company also received praise from the U.S.National Park Service for its stream restoration project in Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Today, the award-winning company is front and center in discussions on how Lancaster
County can best meet new state and federal regulations to clean up county waterways that feed
into the Chesapeake Bay.
For example, Mark Gutshall, LandStudies business manager, will serve as a panelist and
presenter on topics related to the Chesapeake Bay cleanup at the American Society of Landscape
Architects, Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter, annual meeting in early April.
At LandStudies, weve been focused on environmental sustainability since long before it
was in vogue, he said. Its exciting to see so many people taking it seriously today, and were
proud to have been named to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations provider list.
According to the foundations website, the goal of the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fundis to accelerate local implementation of the most innovative, sustainable and cost-effective
strategies to restore and protect water quality and vital habitats within the Chesapeake Bay
watershed. The technical assistance program empowers those acting on a local level in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed by providing free access to technical assistance throughout the
course of their projects.
LandStudies is a small, woman-owned business. The 15-employee company
specializes in green masterplans, watershed planning, floodplain restoration, stormwater
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management, conservation plans and environmental construction. LandStudies services
municipalities, companies large and small, and locations such as U.S. national parks and PGA
golf courses.
The company plans to use the services of consultants Dennis Auker, environmental
planner, and Dr. Angela Sowers, integrated water resource management specialist, on
Chesapeake Bay projects as needed.For more information, visit the LandStudies website or contact Mark Gutshall at
717-627-4440 or send email to: [email protected].
April Issue Of Environmental Ed Connections Newsletter From PCEE, Help Needed!
The April EE Connections newsletter is now available from the PA Center for Environmental
Education. Here are just some of topics covered in this month's newsletter--
PCEE Funding Eliminated: Help Needed To Restore Line Item
Kathleen Paul leaving PCEE: Five-Year Legacy
General News: Pennsylvania DCED Releases 2010 Land Use Report, Wildlife Conservation
Officer Training Accepting Applications, April Brings Earth Day and Earth Week Events,
President Obama Promotes Outdoors Initiative
K-12 News: Otter Creek Offers Programs, Schoolyard Habitat Development, Paid Internships
for Pittsburgh High School Students, Call for Nominations: Barron Prize Honoring Young
Leaders, EPA Releases 'Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands Toolkit'
Higher Education News: Saint Francis U. Provides Wind Evaluations for Landowners,Dickinson College Farm Earns Organic Certification, Northeast Pennsylvania Audubon Society
Offers Scholarship, Students Gain 'Green Building Skills' Over Spring Break
Professional Development for Educators: Carlisle Hosts PA DCNR Macroinvertebrate
Workshop, PRCST Sponsors Three Educator Workshops, Cash Prize for Leadership in Science
Education
Other Professional Development: 'Greening the Urban Environment' Comes to Philadelphia,
PennFuture to Sponsor Global Warming Conference, Chamber Sponsors Conference for
Environmental Professionals
Grants and Awards: Community Conservation Partnership Grants Available, Up to $25,000
Available for Sustainable Forest Management, Dominion Foundation Sponsors Science
Education Grants, Innovation Grants and Leadership Program Now Available
Contributions welcome! The Center receives news and information from a variety of
sources across Pennsylvania and beyond. We appreciate all of the organizations, agencies and
individuals who provide EE services and share their relevant information.
http://www.landstudies.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.pcee.org/static/current-newsletterhttp://www.pcee.org/http://www.pcee.org/https://s3.amazonaws.com/PCEEnewsletter/newsletters_2011/EE_Connections_1104_PCEE_News.pdfhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/PCEEnewsletter/newsletters_2011/EE_Connections_1104_PCEE_News.pdfhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/PCEEnewsletter/newsletters_2011/EE_Connections_1104_PCEE_News.pdfhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/PCEEnewsletter/newsletters_2011/EE_Connections_1104_PCEE_News.pdfhttp://www.pcee.org/http://www.pcee.org/http://www.pcee.org/static/current-newslettermailto:[email protected]://www.landstudies.com/ -
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If you would like to contribute to future issues of EE Connections, please submit your
article before the 15th of the month. Articles should be of statewide interest and are subject to
space availability.
Share EE Connections! If you know of others who would appreciate receiving EE
Connections, please complete the online form or call 724-738-9020. To see all of the resources
available on the PCEE website.
April 12: Student Symposium Leadership Of Maurice Goddard, Documentary Airs
The PA Parks and Forests Foundation and other partners are
sponsoring a student symposium on April 12 entitled, "Getting
Something DoneThe Invisible Leadership of Maurice Goddard" at
the Grace Pollock Performing Arts Center, Camp Hill, Pa.
The Camp Hill School District, The Lion Foundation, and the
PA Parks & Forests Foundation have joined in creating the annual
Maurice Goddard symposium series for K-12 students and the Camp
Hill community.Honoring the longtime Camp Hill resident and patriarch of
Pennsylvania State Parks, the symposium uses Goddard as a role
model to explore science, public policy, history, citizenship, environment, and communications.
This years inaugural discussion will be entitled, Getting Something Done, the Invisible
Leadership of Maurice Goddard. Moderating the panel discussion will be the President of the
PA Parks & Forests Foundation, Marci Mowery.
Goddards leadership traits of vision, tenacity, and problem solving while working with
diverse groups will be explored as a potential model for 21st Century leadership.
Featured participants in the symposium:
-- Charles Kupfer, Ph.D.: Professor of American Studies at Penn State Harrisburg;-- Cindy Dunn: Deputy Secretary, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources;
-- Tim Weston: Attorney and former Goddard colleague;
-- Chris Doran: Government / Economics Teacher, Camp Hill High School; and
-- Eleanor Davis: Camp Hill Student (junior), President of the Environmental Club.
For more information, visit the Maurice K. Goddard Legacy Project webpage or contact
Mark Ziegler by sending email to: [email protected] or call 717-901-2500 ext.
2492.
Goddard Documentary
The documentary "Life of Maurice Goddard" will air on several public television stations
in April: April 2- WYBE Philadelphia at 8 p.m.; April 3- WHYY Philadelphia 3:00 p.m.; April
14- WQED Pittsburgh 8 p.m.
Chester County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event April 9
Seventy-one Chester County municipalities are hosting a Household Hazardous Waste and
Computer Collection Event for Chester County residents on April 9 at the CAT Pickering,
Center for Arts and Technology Campus, 1580 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, Pa.
The collection site will be open at 9:00 a.m. and will close at 3:00 p.m. sharp.
https://mail.crisciassociates.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://pcee.org/static/newsletterSubscribehttp://www.pcee.org/http://www.paparksandforests.org/http://www.paparksandforests.org/goddard.htmlmailto:[email protected]://video.witf.org/video/1640758793/http://video.witf.org/video/1640758793/mailto:[email protected]://www.paparksandforests.org/goddard.htmlhttp://www.paparksandforests.org/http://www.pcee.org/https://mail.crisciassociates.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://pcee.org/static/newsletterSubscribe -
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Residents may bring as many as three old computers and peripherals and no more than
220 pounds or 25 gallons of Hazardous Products per household. Hazardous cleaning and
maintenance products will have the following cautionary words on the label: poisonous, caustic,
toxic, flammable, ignitable, corrosive, reactive, caution, warning, danger or hazardous.
The following items will not be accepted: latex paint, used motor oil, tires, asbestos,
explosives, gas cylinders greater than 20 lbs, household alkaline batteries, PCBs, medical waste,unidentified waste, commercial and industrial waste, explosives, ammunition and appliances
containing Freon.
Latex paint is not hazardous waste! Residents should not bring latex paint to Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Events. Solidify latex paint by either air drying small quantities or
pouring the paint into a plastic trash bag with sawdust, clay-based kitty litter or rags and placing
the bag and the opened can in the trash after the paint is solidified. Oil-based paint should be
brought to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
Interested residents can visit Chester County Solid Waste Authority website and call their
municipality or the Chester County Solid Waste Authority at 610-273-3771 ext. 228 for
information on how to properly handle unacceptable materials and for the other regional
collection events scheduled throughout the year.
Clinton County CleanScapes Fishing Creek Cleanup April 9
The Clinton County CleanScapes Program is sponsoring a cleanup along Fishing Creek in the
Borough of Mill Hall starting at 9:30. Click here for a schedule of 2011 cleanup events.
PEC: Community Cleanup In Dupont Picks Up 7.3 Tons Of Trash, 11.8 Tons Of Tires
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council reported the completion of the 2010 Community
Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program. This program resulted in the cleanup of several Illegaldumpsites through volunteer and contractor efforts.
On April 24 PEC in partnership with Dupont Borough held a cleanup that took place on
Wyoming Avenue between Oak & Commerce Streets in Dupont Borough, Luzerne County. This
cleanup was sponsored in part by the Pennsylvania American Water Company.
Students from Pittston High School, Lackawanna Trail High School and Wilkes
University along with numerous community volunteers turned out for the cleanup.
A total of 7.3 tons of trash and 11.8 tons of tires were removed from this site.
The Pennsylvania American Water Company has generously made a donation to the 2011
Community Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Program and presented a check in the amount of
$4,000.00 to the Pennsylvania Environmental Council on March 28
The funding received from the Pennsylvania American Water Company will be used tohelp offset the costs of future community illegal dumpsite cleanups which will be held in
Luzerne County in 2011.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful 2009-10 Annual Report Available
http://www.chestercountyswa.org/http://www.clintoncountypa.com/PA%20Cleanways%20Banner.htmhttp://www.clintoncountypa.com/PA%20Cleanways%20Banner.htmhttp://www.pecpa.org/http://www.pecpa.org/release/pecs-community-illegal-dumpsite-cleanup-programhttp://www.pecpa.org/release/pecs-community-illegal-dumpsite-cleanup-programhttp://www.pecpa.org/http://www.clintoncountypa.com/PA%20Cleanways%20Banner.htmhttp://www.clintoncountypa.com/PA%20Cleanways%20Banner.htmhttp://www.chestercountyswa.org/ -
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The 2009-10 Annual Report ofKeep Pennsylvania
Beautiful covering the merger of KPB and PA CleanWays
and detailing the accomplishments of local county chapters
and thousands of volunteers all across the state.
The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful grassroots
network made this effort possible as 191,727 volunteers donated 766,908 hours of work. Thedollar value of this time is $15,990,031. Support also came from local businesses, landfills,
municipalities, partners, and many more as KPB received $145,259 in in-kind donations.
There were a total of 5,038 litter and illegal dumpsite cleanups done last year. As a result
of those cleanups, 14,266,620 pounds of trash were removed from our communities, roadsides,
parks, and natural landscapes. That is over 7,000 tons of trash.
A total of 18,780 miles of road and 5,010 acres of parks were cleaned. In addition, the
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful network planted 21,605 trees, flowers, and bulbs. KPB also
reached 23,179 youth and adults educating them on being environmentally responsible through
presentations and displays.
A copy of the report is now available online.
Next South Mountain Lecture April 7 On American Chestnut Restoration
The decline and restoration of the American chestnut tree will be the topic of the next lecture in
the South Mountain Speakers Series on April 7 at the Penn National Community in Fayetteville,
Franklin County.
Dave Armstrong of the American Chestnut Foundation will offer a free lecture,
Restoring the Chestnut, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Trellis Terrace, 3720 Clubhouse Drive.
Armstrong will discuss the history of the American chestnut; the early 20th century blight
that led to its demise; and restoration efforts with an emphasis on the Michaux State Forest and
South Mountain area.This topic is certainly timely so close to Arbor Day, and in light of the many challenges
now facing our forests from a warming climate and invasive pests, Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn said. This series is designed to look at the
past to see if any lessons learned can apply to our modern-day environmental challenges.
American chestnut trees were once an important part of Pennsylvanias forests. In the
early 1900s, a foreign fungus called chestnut blight swept through eastern forests, and by the
1950s, more than four billion American chestnut trees were gone.
Because the blight does not kill the roots, some trees survive long enough to produce nuts
or pollen. Some of these remaining American chestnut trees have been crossed with blight-
resistant Chinese chestnut trees as part of restoration efforts.
Over the years, foresters at Michaux State Forest have assisted the American ChestnutFoundation in locating bearing trees and harvesting thousands of seeds from remaining chestnuts
on South Mountain. These nuts have contributed to chestnut research and plantings throughout
the region.
Recently, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, along with
students and faculty from Penn State Mont Alto, established an orchard near South Mountain.
The Mont Alto Campus also hosts a chestnut demonstration planting where visitors can view a
number of different chestnut species and crosses.
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After the lecture, a panel including Armstrong; Tracey Coulter, forest program specialist,
DCNR Bureau of Forestry; and Beth Brantley, instructor of Forest Technology, Penn State Mont
Alto, will discuss contemporary forestry issues and respond to questions from the audience.
This is the second year for the South Mountain Speakers Series, envisioned as a revival
of the talks given by Joseph Rothrock in the late 19th century as part of his work to preserve and
restore Pennsylvanias forests and natural landscape. Rothrock, a Pennsylvania native, was apioneer in forest management in the United States and is often referred to as the states Father
of Forestry.
This event is sponsored by Penn State Mont Alto, Penn National Community,
Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the South Mountain Partnership. The South Mountain
Partnership is a group of private citizens, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and
government representatives in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties, working
together to protect and enhance the landscape.
The South Mountain Partnership was sparked by DCNRs Conservation
Landscape Initiativean effort to engage communities, local partners, state agencies and
funding opportunities to conserve the high-quality natural and cultural resources while enhancing
the regions economic viability.May 12 Lecture
The series will continue with Conserving Treasured Landscapes in the Chesapeake Bay
Watershed, to be held May 12 starting at 6 p.m. at the Adams County Agricultural and Natural
Resources Center in Gettysburg.
For more information, visit the South Mountain Partnership or call the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy at 717-258-5771.
Earth Day: Wildlands Conservancy Hosts Spring Birding Programs, Celebrate Earth Day
The Wildlands Conservancy has scheduled a series of birding programs in April and Mayranging from a beginning birding course, to building birdhouses and a 24-hour birding odyssey.
Pre-registration is required. Contact Maureen Ruhe, Director of Environmental Education
at 610.965.4397, ext. 136 or send email to: [email protected] to register or for more
information. Click here for more information.
The Conservancy also has special Earth Day programs scheduled in April for students of
all ages and adults. Click here for more information.
Earth Day: PA Resources Council Host Variety Of Events For Earth Day
The PA Resources Council is celebrating Earth Day 2011 with a Green
Lifestyles Expo in Pittsburgh, having the Litterbug join the PhiladelphiaEarth Day parade, sponsoring cleanup events around the state and
partnering with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield drug take back day.
Also checkout their upcoming spring and summer environmental
workshops, their schedule of hard to recycle and household chemical
collection events and much more.
Click Here for all the details.
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli/index.htmhttp://southmountaincli.blogspot.com/http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htmhttp://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htmhttp://www.wildlandspa.org/mailto:[email protected]://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=q6hz5tcab&v=001iPF_ovG5vap_2ioXEemJP-7u53_cOTRg3v1QXWwYfhcCCxRslaJ37Y1XhODvnHPtDD5bgQmzDoNEORoK38ei8hmzHeKx7zmJjliYHv1iB1P9DJ-A1P1RH9xJ5gv6CGnGuiaJmpsmbSw%3Dhttp://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=q6hz5tcab&v=001o1NWE3yaJ-pp_Hc8w6aTvGctV3m3KnU1NTe6jYukdUqFzNh6t5xYlxLMn52SoeCi1qAbMrL2a-2tvM4ihGu5rDeCtnh1iLgTRL_-CeQ92wwgrqLKZgLjHHglXp1OoZ0hfuiuMjmdTdQ%3Dhttp://www.prc.org/http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=zdga6adab&v=001bjW2zZbXAkvzUuPhfk5ucdrYBWfHqEPfaJH-zbagr7BuciaP6g-U6pQOJPSru4Is7Umv-vZq8nZgI_nfm4vbHIoUrrTKmxuob5oapZnnlZg%3Dhttp://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=zdga6adab&v=001bjW2zZbXAkvzUuPhfk5ucdrYBWfHqEPfaJH-zbagr7BuciaP6g-U6pQOJPSru4Is7Umv-vZq8nZgI_nfm4vbHIoUrrTKmxuob5oapZnnlZg%3Dhttp://www.prc.org/http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=q6hz5tcab&v=001o1NWE3yaJ-pp_Hc8w6aTvGctV3m3KnU1NTe6jYukdUqFzNh6t5xYlxLMn52SoeCi1qAbMrL2a-2tvM4ihGu5rDeCtnh1iLgTRL_-CeQ92wwgrqLKZgLjHHglXp1OoZ0hfuiuMjmdTdQ%3Dhttp://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=q6hz5tcab&v=001iPF_ovG5vap_2ioXEemJP-7u53_cOTRg3v1QXWwYfhcCCxRslaJ37Y1XhODvnHPtDD5bgQmzDoNEORoK38ei8hmzHeKx7zmJjliYHv1iB1P9DJ-A1P1RH9xJ5gv6CGnGuiaJmpsmbSw%3Dmailto:[email protected]://www.wildlandspa.org/http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htmhttp://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805859/k.BFA3/Home.htmhttp://southmountaincli.blogspot.com/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli/index.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cli/index.htm -
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Earth Day: A Billion Acts Of Green
The Earth Day Network is organizing Earth Day 2011 around A Billion Acts of Greenthe
largest environmental service campaign in the world. With over 72 million actions to date, the
campaign inspires and rewards simple, measurable acts that support sustainability.
The goal is to register one billion actions in advance of the Earth Summit in Rio in 2012.A special website quantifies acts of green through an easy-to-use online registration tool.
For more information, visit A Billion Acts of Green webpage.
Earth Day: TreeVitalize Coupons Available For Trees In Midstate
Looking to plant a tree this Spring? The DCNRTreeVitalize Program in Central PA has
available coupons good for $15 off the purchase of a tree you can plant at participating nurseries
in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Perry and York counties. Click Here for details and to find
a participating nursery.
Success Stories Offered On 1-Year Anniversary Of State Outdoor Recreation Plan
The state outdoor recreation plan Pennsylvania Outdoors: The Keystone for Healthy Living
inspired a number of projects and initiatives in the first year since its release. A newly posted
14-page report outlines a number of success stories related to the four goals of the plan.
Successes include DCNR worked collaboratively with PennDOT in advancing projects
that were of interest to both agencies through the PA Community Transportation Initiative,
which set aside $60 million for 2009-2012.
Goals of the selected projects include supporting local economic development;
encouraging walk-able, multi-modal, mixed use corridors; enhancing the existing transportation
network; and improving connectivity.These cooperative funded projects included: the Brandywine Creek Trail Feasibility
Study in Chester County; the Lehigh Riverfront Development Plan in the Lehigh Valley; the
Pine Creek Rail Trail/Jersey Shore Trail Connector Project in Lycoming County and the
Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority (LARA) Rail Trail Project in Union County.
A partnership of DCNR, the Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Environmental
Counciland others made great strides in advancing the plans recommendations for improving
and expanding water trails in the state including updated maps, proposing House Resolution 884
(Levdansky-D-Allegheny) to conduct an economic impacts study of the benefits of water trails to
communities and technical assistance workshops.
A new report by the Green Space Alliance published in November 2010, Return on
Investment, makes the economic case for protecting open space in southeastern Pennsylvania.DCNR led by example with an overhaul of its own Community Conservation and Partnerships
Program grants by promoting green practices and prioritizing them for funding.
The departments outreach to communities about its Community Conservation
Partnership grant program included webinars for potential grantees this year and workshops
across the state, as well as numerous exhibits at conferences, publications and speaking
engagements.
http://act.earthday.org/http://act.earthday.org/http://www.treevitalize.net/index.aspxhttp://www.treevitalize.net/TreeCoupon2.aspxhttp://www.paoutdoorrecplan.com/http://www.paoutdoorrecplan.com/downloads/one_year_report.pdfhttp://www.smart-transportation.com/pcti.htmlhttp://www.pecpa.org/http://www.pecpa.org/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2009&sind=0&body=H&type=R&BN=0884http://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/http://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/whatsnew.asphttp://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/whatsnew.asphttp://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/whatsnew.asphttp://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/whatsnew.asphttp://www.greenspacealliance.org/home/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2009&sind=0&body=H&type=R&BN=0884http://www.pecpa.org/http://www.pecpa.org/http://www.smart-transportation.com/pcti.htmlhttp://www.paoutdoorrecplan.com/downloads/one_year_report.pdfhttp://www.paoutdoorrecplan.com/http://www.treevitalize.net/TreeCoupon2.aspxhttp://www.treevitalize.net/index.aspxhttp://act.earthday.org/http://act.earthday.org/ -
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The plan also reviews the goals and recommendations and outlines a call to action for the
next several years. Readers are encouraged to post updates and success stories at the PA Outdoor
Recreation Plan webpage.
Ground Broken For Model Sustainable Park In Philadelphia
Philadelphia officials recently held the groundbreaking for Philadelphias newest open
spaceHawthorne Park-- as a model for the sustainable greenscapes initiative.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provided some assistance for
Hawthorne Park to be selected as one of 150 national pilot projects to test out a new program for
greening landscapesthe Sustainable SITES Initiative.
SITES is a national collaboration that has produced the first voluntary set of performance
benchmarks to encourage the sustainable design, construction and m