pa environment digest july 6, 2015

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PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa July 6, 2015

Gov. Wolf Vetoes Entire Republican Budget, Talks Resume Next Week

After vetoing the main budget bill Tuesday night, almost immediately after it was passed byRepublicans, Gov. Wolf met with Senate and House leaders of both parties Wednesday and came

away from the meeting optimistic, but recognized he and the GOP leadership had fundamental

differences on even the most basic parts of the budget, liquor privatization and pension reform.

Gov. Wolf Thursday issued formal vetoes of the liquor privatization bill-- House Bill 466

(Turzai-R-Allegheny), Fiscal Code-- Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh) and Education Code--

House Bill 762 (Roe-R-Crawford) bills.

The Fiscal Code bill has been especially controversial since it funds legislators’ pet

projects and included a provision killing DEP’s regulations covering conventional oil and gas

drilling and forcing DEP to start over.

House Republicans said they would continue to fight for the provision killing DEP’s

regulations in “round two.” The Governor has not yet acted on the pension reform bill-- Senate Bill 1

(Corman-R-Centre).

There is no deadline for further action on the budget and related bills, only the

commitment to talk.

The House formally adjourned until August 25 and the Senate until September 21, but

both can be called back to session if some sort of agreement is reached.

On Tuesday night Gov. Wolf said,”I am truly sorry that we are at this place….Republican

leaders have just said no… I’m sticking to my broad goals.”

Wolf said the Republican budget would result in a $3 billion deficit. “The math just

doesn’t work-- Two plus two does not equal five in the real world.”

The Republican budget, he said---- Does not adequately invest in education;

-- Does not enact a natural gas severance tax; and

-- Does not give property tax relief to seniors and families.

Here are more details on each of the budget-related bills--

-- General Fund: House Bill 1192 (Adolph-R-Delaware) Senate/House Republican General

Fund budget was passed by the House 112-77 and the Senate concurred in House amendments

by a vote of 30 to 19. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. Click Here for a quick

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0762http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32597http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/HB1192P1959.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1192http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0001http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0762http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0466http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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summary of the Republican environmental budget items.

-- Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh) Fiscal Code amendments designed to

implement the budget, fund projects wanted by legislators and insert legislative language wanted

by members into law. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

-- Education Code: House Bill 762 (Roe-R-Crawford) amendments to the Education Code

required to implement the budget and making other changes. A Senate Fiscal Note

and summaryare available. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

-- Pension Reform: Senate Bill 1 (Corman-R-Centre) Senate/House Republican pension reform

bill. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available. An Actuarial Note and summary of the

bill is available online .

-- Liquor Privatization: House Bill 466 (Turzai-R-Allegheny)House Republican liquor

privatization plan was amended with the Senate/House Republican liquor privatization plan. A

Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

NewsClips:

Wolf Vetoes Liquor Privatization, School Funding Bills

Wolf Vetoes Liquor, School Funding Bills

Who’s To Blame For Budget Impasse? Everyone Wolf, GOP Lawmakers Make Plans To Resume Talks

PA Budget Talks To Resume Next Week

Wolf, Legislators Plan New Round Of Budget Talks

Wolf Upbeat After Meeting With Legislators On Budget

Budget Negotiators Find New Resolve, Remain Far Apart

Video: Wolf- We Understand We Have To Reconcile Our Ideas

Budget Reset, Happy 4th See You Next Week

Expect Drawn-Out State Budget Impasse

Senate Passes $30.1B GOP Budget, Wolf Vetoes

Gov. Wolf Vetoes GOP Budget

Democrat Wolf Vetoes Republicans’ Budget

Budget Bill Would Block New Rules For Conventional Drillers

House Stymies DEP On Conventional Drilling Rules

House Keeps Rolling On Budget-Related Bills

Budget Standoff Continues, Bills Move Wolf Will Veto

Wolf Seeks To Reassure State Workers, Vendors On Budget

Taxes, Education Debated As Lawmakers Near Budget Deadline

House Passes GOP Budget To Dismay Of Democrats

Lawmakers, Budget Secretary Respond To GOP Budget

Wolf: I’m Disappointed In Republican Budget

Republicans Vote To Kill Conventional Gas Well Regulations, Wolf Vetoes Bill

Senate and House Republicans sent a Fiscal Code bill--

Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh)-- to the Governor that

invalidates the regulations DEP proposed to ensure

conventional oil and gas wells protect the environment and

makes DEP start the process over.

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_resources/20303/surface_regulations/1587188http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/06/im_disappointed_in_republican.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/its_balanced_with_no_new_taxes.html#incart_riverhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/pa_house_passes_gop-created_bu.html#incart_2boxhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/pennsylvania/taxes-education-debated-as-lawmakers-near-budget-deadline/article_e52d51cd-2bc9-534d-b6e5-a59f6c96023c.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2015/06/29/Governor-seeks-to-reassure-state-employees-vendors-as-budget-deadlock-looms-in-Pennsylvania-wolf/stories/201506290149http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/30/Budget-standoff-continues-as-GOP-moves-legislation-Wolf-plans-to-veto/stories/201506300126http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/house_keeps_ball_rolling_for_a.html#incart_riverhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/06/30/House-stymies-DEP-on-drilling-rules/stories/201506300144http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/budget-bill-would-block-new-rules-for-conventional-drillers/#more-35001http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-wolf-legislature-budget-veto-0630-20150630-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/30/Pennsylvania-governor-to-veto-GOP-s-budget-bill/stories/201506300295http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8658506-74/budget-state-liquorhttp://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/8667719-74/wolf-gop-statehttp://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/07/pennsylvania_budget_reset_happ.html#incart_riverhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/814/VIDEO-We-understand-that-we-have-to-reconcile-our-ideas-Gov-Wolf-says-after-latest-budget-meeting-with-GOP.aspxhttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/815/Budget-negotiators-find-new-resolve-but-remain-far-apart.aspxhttp://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/07/01/after-pa-budget-veto-gov-wolf-upbeat-after-meeting-with-legislative-leaders/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/07/02/Governor-legislators-plan-new-round-of-budget-talks/stories/201507020029http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150702_Pa__budget_talks_to_resume_next_week.htmlhttp://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/877737/Wolf--GOP-lawmakers-make-plans-to-resume-talks-after-veto.html?isap=1&nav=5020http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/07/wolf_lawmakers_meet_-_nothing.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150703_Wolf_vetoes_liquor_privatization_and_school_funding_bills.htmlhttp://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-liquor-privitization-vetoed-20150702-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/HB0466P1985.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/HB0466P1985.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0466https://goo.gl/kVbvmGhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0001P1132.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0001http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/HB0762P1999.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/HB0762P1999.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0762http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0655P1137.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655


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Gov. Wolf this week vetoed the entire Republican budget, including Senate Bill 655, but

House Republicans said they would continue to fight for the provision killing DEP’s regulations

in “round two.”

The language said the process used by DEP to propose the regulations was “invalid” with

respect to conventional wells, but the language could be interpreted to also apply to

unconventional (Marcellus Shale) wells since they both used the same process stopping that process as well.

The same tactic-- amending the Fiscal Code-- was used last year by conventional well

drillers to direct DEP to adopt separate regulations for conventional and unconventional

(Marcellus Shale) wells.

The bill also includef these other provisions affecting environmental programs--

-- Requires DCNR to fund operations at the new Washington Crossing Historical Park from

existing appropriations;

-- Earmarks $400,000 in funding for a specific clean water project in a fourth class county

(Centre County) with a population between 150,000 to 155,000; $200,000 to a municipal

authority in a county of the fifth class (Franklin County; and other earmarks;

-- Revokes the 2015-16 appropriation for the Consumer Energy Program; and-- Transfers unused funding under the Alternative Energy Investment Act to the Commonwealth

Financing Authority to pay interest due on the Authority’s Alternative Energy bond issues.

The Fiscal Code has been a convenient vehicle used by the Senate and House to adopt

laws that do not go through any committees, not subjected to public hearings and not voted on by

either chamber.

In fact, the language and concept of killing regulations for conventional well drillers

added to Senate Bill 655 didn’t even not appear in any Senate or House bill before it suddenly

appeared Sunday night.

Last week, PA Independent Oil and Gas Association filed a lawsuit challenging DEP’s

regulations saying “natural gas developers protect public resources through voluntary measures”

and other environmental law.

PIOGA ask the PA Supreme Court to eliminate DEP’s enforcement of setbacks from

streams, wetlands and other natural features as well as protection of public resources like parks,

game land or wildlife area, protect endangered species, historic sites and wellhead protection

areas.

The conventional well drillers try, at every opportunity, to perpetuate the myth that

conventional drill is “benign” and doesn’t affect the environment.

In fact, in 2014, conventional oil and gas well operations accounted for nearly 78 percent

of the total violations DEP recorded for conventional and unconventional drilling operations, but

just over 52 percent of the inspections.

DEP also has a running list of 248 cases

where DEP has made a determination onwhether water supplies were contaminated by oil and natural gas drill from 2008 to 2014. About

half of the water supplies were damaged by conventional drilling and half by unconventional,

according to DEP.

Of the 19 special caution areas with poisonous hydrogen sulfide dangers DEP has

identified and dealt with over the last few years, 14 were from conventional wells.

DEP began the process of proposing oil and gas regulations in response to the passage of

Act 13 in 2013, nearly two and a half years ago. DEP held an unprecedented 12 public hearings

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=29748http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=29748http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31809http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31809http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32600http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32600http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=29278


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on the proposals as well as lengthy public comment periods.

A House Fiscal Note and summary are available.

NewsClips:



House Republicans Will Keep Block On Conventional Drilling Regulations

PA Environmental Council Objects To Bill Killing Conventional Oil, Gas Well Regs

The PA Environmental Council Monday wrote to all members of the Senate Monday urging

them to remove a section of the Fiscal Code bill-- Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh)-- that

invalidates the regulations DEP proposed to ensure conventional oil and gas wells protect the

environment and makes DEP start the process over.

The House added the language to the bill late Sunday night and passed it Monday by a

vote of 107 to 87. The Senate voted to approve the House amendments by a party-line vote of 30

to 19.

Gov. Wolf vetoed the bill Thursday, but House Republicans said they will continue tofight for the provision killing DEP’s regulations in “round two.”

The text of the PEC letter follows--

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, we are asking members of the

Pennsylvania Senate to remove rulemaking prohibition language in Senate Bill 655 (P.N. 1137)

relating to conventional oil and gas operations. This prohibition does not belong in the state

fiscal code, is against the public interest, and potentially violates the single subject rule of the

Pennsylvania Constitution.

With Act 13 of 2012, the General Assembly passed, and Governor Corbett signed,

environmental protection standards applicable to both conventional and unconventional oil and

gas operations. Since that time, the General Assembly, through last second inclusion in state

budget legislation, has made efforts to walk back protections applicable to conventional

operations despite clear and growing evidence that such operations pose ongoing risks and

liabilities to the public and environment.

If the General Assembly wants to revisit standards relating to conventional operations, it

should do so openly in dedicated legislation where its members and the public are given fair and

full opportunity to participate and comment on the merits of the proposal. Using fiscal code

legislation as a vehicle violates the public trust. It may also violate the state’s Constitution.

Last week the Pennsylvania courts issued a determination in the consolidated Sears

challenge that questioned the ongoing legality of using state budget legislation to advance

non-fiscal ends. We believe that inclusion of an environmental rulemaking prohibition in Senate

Bill 655 is precisely the type of action the Court is contemplating when it references logrollingconcerns underlying Article III of the Constitution.

We ask that you give the people of Pennsylvania full and fair opportunity to participate in

the legislative process, and to remove the rulemaking prohibition in Senate Bill 655. We will

also call on Governor Wolf to veto this legislation if it passes in current form. Thank you for

your consideration.

-- John Walliser, Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs, PA Environmental Council

NewsClips:

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/public_resources/20303/surface_regulations/1587188http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655http://pecpa.org/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/house_republicans_to_keep_amen.html#incart_riverhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/06/30/House-stymies-DEP-on-drilling-rules/stories/201506300144http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/budget-bill-would-block-new-rules-for-conventional-drillers/#more-35001http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0655P1137.pdf


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House Republicans Will Keep Block On Conventional Drilling Regulations

Growing Greener Coalition: PA Should Enact Natural Gas Severance Tax

The PA Growing Greener Coalition Thursday issued the following statement from Executive

Director Andrew Heath in response to recent discussions concerning the enactment of a

severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania:

“Now that the deadline of June 30 has passed and Gov. Wolf has opted to veto the state

budget, the Coalition calls on the General Assembly and Administration to enact a fair and

reasonable severance tax on natural gas extraction for generating additional state revenues to

support various Commonwealth programs and initiatives, as well as investing in the state’s

Growing Greener Environmental Stewardship Fund.

“Using revenues from a severance tax to address Commonwealth needs, like education

and environmental initiatives makes sense. Given the impact of natural gas development on

local communities and the environment, a portion of this revenue should be earmarked toconserve, protect, and restore land, water and wildlife, to preserve farms and historic places, and

to provide well-managed parks and recreational areas throughout the state.

“The Governor’s proposed budget contains many elements our Coalition supports;

including increasing investments in renewable energy, increased funding for state agencies, such

as the Department of Environmental Protection, whose responsibility is to protect and enhance

the environment, and reducing the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

dependence on revenue from the Oil and Gas Lease Fund.

“Increasing investments to the Growing Greener program will ensure that these positive

steps towards ensuring Pennsylvania’s air, water, land, wildlife, farmland, recreational

opportunities, historic preservation, and heritage continue to prosper and grow for generations to

come.”

Since its establishment in 1999 by Gov. Tom Ridge, Growing Greener has created a

legacy of success, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvania’s family farmland,

conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to state parks

and forests, restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands, and thousands of community

recreation areas, trails, and greenways.

Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the

Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue.

Pennsylvania’s state parks, which are supported in part by Growing Greener funds, generate

more than $928 million in local spending and support more than 12,000 local jobs.

In addition, Growing Greener has been a powerful funding source for Pennsylvania’sHeritage Areas. Spending by visitors to these areas generates more than $400 million in sales and

contributes at least 6,000 jobs to the Pennsylvania economy.

Other examples of how Growing Greener benefits the economy include:

— Supporting Agriculture: By funding farmland preservation projects, Growing Greener helps

sustain Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. Agriculture produces more than $45 billion annually

and provides about one in seven jobs in the state, making it Pennsylvania’s leading industry.

— Increasing Property Values: In Southeastern Pennsylvania alone, preserved open space,

http://pagrowinggreener.org/http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/house_republicans_to_keep_amen.html#incart_riverhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/06/30/House-stymies-DEP-on-drilling-rules/stories/201506300144http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/budget-bill-would-block-new-rules-for-conventional-drillers/#more-35001


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which is often supported with Growing Greener funds, increases homeowners’ property values

by an average of $10,000 per household.

— Reducing Costs: Growing Greener has funded the cleanup of more than 16,000 acres of

abandoned mines and in doing so has reduced water treatment costs locally and in downstream

communities. Studies show that open space saves local governments and utilities millions of

dollars in costs associated with drinking water filtration, air pollution removal and flood control. — Supporting Forest Products Industry: Growing Greener funds support forest conservation,

which in turn helps sustain the resources on which the forest industry depends. This industry has

sales in excess of $16 billion annually, a total impact of $27 billion and employs more than

80,000 people.

— Bolstering Tourism Industry: Growing Greener funds have preserved more than 42,300

acres of natural areas and open spaces, many of which provide outdoor recreational opportunities

for residents and visitors alike. Outdoor enthusiasts spend more than $5.4 billion in the

Commonwealth annually.

For more information on positions and activities, visit the PA Growing Greener Coalition

website.

First Meeting Of DEP Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force July 22

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold the first

meeting of the Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force on July 22 at

DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Ave.,

Harrisburg starting at 1:00, according to a notice published in

the July 4 PA Bulletin .

Although DEP has not announced who the 34 members

of the Task Force will be, Rep. Martina White(R-Philadelphia)

issued a press release Thursday saying she had been named to

the Task Force.

The purpose and goals of the Task Force are to define a series of best practices to:

— Plan, site and route pipelines in ways that avoid or reduce environmental and community

impacts of pipeline development.

— Amplify and engage in meaningful public participation regarding pipeline development.

— Maximize opportunities for predictable and efficient permitting.

— Employ construction methods that reduce environmental and community impacts.

— Ensure pipeline safety and integrity during operation of the pipeline

The Task Force, which Gov. Wolf created in May

, will provide a final report to the

Governor detailing the findings of the Task Force in February 2016.

The notice said questions regarding the meeting can be directed to an email address:[email protected] .

More information about the meeting and an agenda will be published on DEP’s Pipeline

Infrastructure Task Force webpage.

NewsClips:

Sunoco Seeks To Calm Fears On Mariner Pipeline

Sunoco Hosts Forums On Mariner Pipeline In Southeast

Pipeline Builder Gives $1.5M To Lancaster Conservation Groups

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pipeline-builder-gives-lancaster-county-conservation-groups-million/article_063f215c-1e79-11e5-bb4a-dbbb42cc39cc.htmlhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/sunoco-to-host-public-forums-on-mariner-east-2-pipeline-in-southeast-pa/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/sunoco-seeks-to-calm-fears-of-mariner-east-pipeline-project-in-chester-county/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pipeline_infrastructure_task_force/22066/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pipeline_infrastructure_task_force/22066/mailto:[email protected]://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32348http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32538http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32538http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-27/1237.htmlhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pipeline_infrastructure_task_force/22066/http://pagrowinggreener.org/


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Millions Of Gallons Needed To Test Lancaster Pipeline

Uncertainty For Homeowners Along Lancaster Pipeline

Pipelines Being Built In Luzerne Concern Residents

FAQ About Pipeline Easements

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Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule/Gov’s Schedule

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as

well as a list of new environmental bills introduced--

Bill Calendars

House (August 25 ): Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for an independent

counsel for the Environmental Quality Board; Senate Bill 513 (McGarrigle-R-Delaware)

authorizing the transportation of landfill leachate by truck; Senate Bill 875 (Bartolotta-R-

Fayette) providing for the reuse of treated mine water for fracking gas wells ( sponsor

http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18364http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0875http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0513http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://www.crisciassociates.com/category/capitol-blog/http://www.crisciassociates.com/category/environment-blog/http://www.twitter.com/http://www.crisciassociates.com/https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/154268875/Frequently-asked-questions-about-pipeline-easementshttp://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/154237745/http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/uncertainty-for-homeowners-along-pipeline-s-path-in-lancaster-county/article_b4ce829a-1c1b-11e5-8adf-6f831aae178d.htmlhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/millions-of-gallons-would-be-pumped-from-lancaster-county-streams/article_4f2a0264-1f3d-11e5-8c7a-eb91ea161c9b.html


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summary ). Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (September 21): Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

Here are links to key Standing Committees in the House and Senate and the bills pending in

each--

House

Appropriations Education

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

Judiciary

Liquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule

Here is the latest voting session schedule for the Senate and House--

Senate

September 21 (unless sooner recalled)

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=19&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=33&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=29&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=39&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=23&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=31&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=7&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=9&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=3&CteeBody=Shttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/StandingCommittees.cfm?CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=38&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=28&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=24&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=56&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=54&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=10&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=8&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=12&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/CteeInfo/index.cfm?Code=4&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/SM/COSM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18364


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House

August 25 (unless sooner recalled)

Governor’s Schedule

Gov. Tom Wolf's work calendar will be posted each Friday and his public schedule for the day

will be posted each morning. Click Here to view Gov. Wolf’s Weekly Calendar and Public

Appearances.

Bills On Governor's Desk

The following bills were given final approval by the Senate and House and are now on the

Governor's desk for action--

General Fund: House Bill 1192 (Adolph-R-Delaware) Senate/House Republican General Fund

budget was passed by the House 112-77 and the Senate concurred in House amendments by a

vote of 30 to 19. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. The bill was vetoed by the

Governor as Veto #1.

Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh) Fiscal Code amendments designed to


by members into law. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available. This bill was vetoed by

the Governor as Veto #4.

Moon Lake Transfer: Senate Bill 699 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) transfers of Moon Lake Park

from Luzerne County to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. A HouseFiscal Note and summary are available. The Governor signed the bill as Act 14.

NewsClip: Editorial: Moon Lake Park Thrives Under State Control

Pension Reform: Senate Bill 1 (Corman-R-Centre) Senate/House Republican pension reform

bill. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available. An Actuarial Note and summary of the

bill is available online .

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

House

General Fund: House Bill 1192 (Adolph-R-Delaware) Senate/House Republican General Fund

budget was passed by the House 112-77 and the Senate concurred in House amendments by a

vote of 30 to 19. A Senate Fiscal Note and summary are available. (The bill was vetoed by the

Governor.)

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/HB1192P1959.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1192https://goo.gl/kVbvmGhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0001P1132.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0001http://timesleader.com/opinion/editorial/370786/our-opinion-moon-lake-park-and-other-sites-can-thrive-under-state-control-with-local-support-from-youhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0699P0683.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0699P0683.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0699http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0655P1137.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/SFN/2015/0/HB1192P1959.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1192http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBx


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Fiscal Code: Senate Bill 655 (Browne-R-Lehigh) Fiscal Code amendments designed to


by members into law was passed by the House 107 to 87 and the Senate concurred in House

amendments 30 to 19. A House Fiscal Note and summary are available. (The bill was vetoed by

the Governor.)

Pension Reform: Senate Bill 1 (Corman-R-Centre) Senate/House Republican pension reform

bill was amended in the House State Government Committee and referred to the House

Appropriations Committee after several attempts by House Democrats to amend the bill and was

passed by the House 106 to 89. The bill now goes to the Governor for his action. A House

Fiscal Note and summary are available. An Actuarial Note and summary of the bill is available

online .

EQB Independent Counsel: Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for an

independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board was amended and reported out of the

House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the House Calendar for

action.

Mine Water Reuse: Senate Bill 875 (Bartolotta-R-Fayette) providing for the reuse of treated

mine water for fracking gas wells ( sponsor summary) was reported out of the House

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Landfill Leachate: Senate Bill 513 (McGarrigle-R-Delaware) authorizing the transportation of

landfill leachate by truck was amended and reported out of the House Environmental Resources

and Energy Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Biofuel Mandate: House Bill 471 (Marshall-R-Beaver) amending the Biofuel Development and

In-State Production Incentive Act (Act 78 of 2008) to remove ethanol blending requirements

(sponsor summary ) was reported out of the House Environmental Resources and Energy

Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee.

News From The Capitol

House Committee OKs Mine Water Reuse, Biofuel, EQB Independent Counsel Bills

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Monday reported out these bills to

the full House--

-- Senate Bill 307

(Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for an independent counsel for theEnvironmental Quality Board (amended and on the House Calendar for action);

-- Senate Bill 875 (Bartolotta-R-Fayette) providing for the reuse of treated mine water for

fracking gas wells (sponsor summary ) (and is on the House Calendar for action);

-- House Bill 471 (Marshall-R-Beaver) amending the Biofuel Development and In-State

Production Incentive Act (Act 78 of 2008) to remove ethanol blending requirements ( sponsor

summary ) (and was referred to the House Rules Committee); and

-- Senate Bill 513 (McGarrigle-R-Delaware) authorizing the transportation of landfill leachate by

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0513http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17065http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17065http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0471http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18364http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0875http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/cteeInfo/Index.cfm?Code=8&CteeBody=Hhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17065http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0471http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0513http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18364http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0875http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0307https://goo.gl/kVbvmGhttps://goo.gl/kVbvmGhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0001P1132.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0001P1132.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0001http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/SB0655P1137.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0655


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truck (amended and is on the House Calendar for action).

Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee, email:

[email protected], and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair, email:

[email protected] .

NewsClip: SRBC Report: Water Quality Not Impacted By Drilling

House Passes Resolution Recognizing Work Of Conewango Creek Watershed Assn.

Rep Kathy Rapp (R-Forest) announced Saturday the House has passed House Resolution 412

honoring the Conewango Creek Watershed Association for its efforts in preserving, enhancing

and promoting the Conewango Creek in northwestern Pennsylvania, which was named

Pennsylvania’s 2015 River of the Year , has passed the House unanimously.

“I am very proud to have the 2015 River of the Year, Conewango Creek, in the 65th

Legislative District,” said Rapp. “House Resolution 412 is all about recognizing the outstanding

work of Conewango Creek Watershed Association that made this statewide recognition possible.

From regularly conducting stream cleaning, planting and restoration projects, canoe launch

rehabilitation projects and implementing invasive species action plans that have made sightingsof river otters, bald eagles, ospreys and herons a common occurrence along this major tributary

of the Allegheny River, I want to personally congratulate everyone at the Conewango Creek

Association for also receiving a leadership grant to move even more noteworthy conservation

projects forward.”

A sponsor summary of the resolution is available online .

June Environmental Synopsis Available From Joint Conservation Committee

The June issue of the Environmental Synopsis newsletter is now available from the Joint

Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee featuring articles on--

-- Bee Colony Collapse Disorder

-- Cigarette Litter

-- Households Unclear On Where Their Energy Is Going

-- Geothermal Energy May Be Gaining Steam

-- EPA Releases Preliminary Results On Hydraulic Fracturing

-- Who Uses Zipcars? Urban Boomers, That’s Who

-- This Month In Conservation History

-- To get your own copy, send an email to: [email protected]

.

Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair of the Joint Committee

.

News From Around The State

SRBC Water Monitoring Network Shows No Water Quality Changes Due To Drilling

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Thursday released its third report on water quality

conditions in select watersheds in the Marcellus shale region of the Susquehanna River Basin.

Prior to 2010, when SRBC began collecting the data through its state-of-the-art Remote

Water Quality Monitoring Network, little to no water quality data existed for many smaller

http://mdw.srbc.net/remotewaterquality/reports.htmhttp://www.srbc.net/http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfmmailto:[email protected]://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/resources/ftp/documents/newsletters/Environmental%20Synopsis%20-%20June%202015.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17884http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30993&SubjectID=&SearchWord=conewangohttp://www.conewangocreek.org/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=R&bn=0412http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/07/02/water-quality-not-impacted-by-drilling-according-to-new-report/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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streams in northern Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York.

SRBC’s first report in 2012 established existing conditions within the first 37 of 59

watersheds that SRBC is monitoring through the RWQMN. This third report provides a more

comprehensive report of conditions across the full monitoring network.

“The Commission takes very seriously one of its core functions of monitoring water

quality conditions in the streams and rivers of the Susquehanna Basin,” said SRBC ExecutiveDirector Andrew Dehoff. “This third report provides more information on the data collected as

part of the Commission’s effort to evaluate whether or not water quality conditions in streams

are reflecting impacts associated with natural gas drilling.”

SRBC’s objective of the RWQMN is to apply best available science to track changes in

water quality conditions over time and to allow for timely responses in the case of pollution

events.

Other objectives are to reduce the cost of data collection by using advanced technologies,

to enhance water supply protection through source water monitoring, and to be responsive to

public concerns.

Each RWQMN station is equipped with sensors that can continuously detect changes in

water quality. The water quality parameters are measured at five-minute intervals andtransmitted to SRBC headquarters in Harrisburg every two to four hours.

Of the 58 watersheds covered in this report, SRBC has observed:

— With continuous monitoring from 2010-2013, data collected did not indicate any changes in

water quality;

— With a few exceptions, the water chemistry at the monitoring stations indicates good water

quality; and

— The results of aquatic insect monitoring were not affected by the density of upstream natural

gas wells or pads.

As more stations accumulate additional years of continuous data, SRBC staff will be able

to detect any longer-term water quality trends in addition to immediate impacts.

For the full report, please visit SRBC’s Water Quality Monitoring Network

webpage.

NewsClips:

SRBC Report: Water Quality Not Impacted By Drilling

Op-Ed: PA Leaders Must Step Up To Meet Clean Water Commitments

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Healthy Watersheds Tour Brings Stormwater Professionals To Lancaster Area

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay partnered with

LandStudies Inc.

to host a tour of innovative green

infrastructure sites throughout Lancaster County, PA onJune 30th.

The tour is the latest in a series of trainings as part

the Alliance’s Building Green Infrastructure in Blair

County Program. The three-year program is an effort

generously funded by the National Fish and Wildlife

Foundation.

Photo: Ben Ehrhart, LandStudies engineer and

https://allianceforthebay.org/our-work/engaging-local-communities/blair-county-pa-building-green-infrastructure/http://www.landstudies.com/https://allianceforthebay.org/http://www.bayjournal.com/http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_28411846/op-ed-pennsylvania-leaders-must-step-up-meethttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/07/02/water-quality-not-impacted-by-drilling-according-to-new-report/http://mdw.srbc.net/remotewaterquality/reports.htm


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Director of Design, describes the challenges and innovation approaches to a floodplain

restoration area at the newly developed Rock Lititz.

LandStudies, an ecological design build firm, worked with the Alliance to tailor their

signature Healthy Watersheds Tour of innovative water quality practices to the needs of the Blair

County MS4 workgroup, who are at the planning stage of implementing green infrastructure in

their municipalities.The firm created the Healthy Watersheds Tour that showcases roughly 30 green

infrastructure sites with up to 18 years of performance history, near their home base in Lititz,

PA.

Many of the sites are a demonstration of how these practices have functioned and

changed over time, giving those embarking on new efforts data on cost effectiveness and

pollution reduction.

A group of municipal staff, engineers, landscape architects and elected officials attended

the two day bus tour that stopped in Lancaster City and surrounding municipalities.

The tour featured eight sites, and included projects like urban rain garden bumpouts,

stream and floodplain restoration projects, and environmentally progressive retrofits to existing

stormwater basins.A few of the tour highlights include Landis Homes , Lancaster Brewing Company, Rock

Lititz , and the Warwick Township Municipal campus. Lancaster City and the surrounding area is

well-known for being at the forefront of the environmentally friendly stormwater movement in

central Pennsylvania, and seeing these sites offered tour participants an experience that cannot be

achieved through classroom-only training.

The Alliance is working with Blair County municipalities, county departments, and

elected officials to focus their water quality improvements through green infrastructure and a

regional, multi-municipal, watershed approach.

For many resource-strapped smaller Pennsylvania communities, the task of addressing

stormwater regulations can seem daunting. The regional, partnership-heavy approach has been

proven to alleviate many of the burdens that the MS4-permittees would otherwise face alone.

Kelly Gutshall, President of Landstudies, led the tour and several local champions came

out to talk about project benefits, permit and construction process, education and outreach

efforts, how projects have changed over time, and more.

Dan Zimmerman, Warwick’s Township Manager, likened a watershed to a living

organism. When a watershed is impaired, it is not so unlike a person being sick and going to the

hospital. If the patient is running a fever, their temperature needs to be brought down. If streams

are too warm for their natural ecosystems, increasing riparian buffers may be the cure.

Water quality improvement facilities, like rain gardens and wetlands, are the livers and

kidneys of the watersheds that actively wash away dangerous nutrients like nitrogen,

phosphorous, metals, and chemicals.This also reinforces the need for effective monitoring efforts to understand where the

problematic areas in the small watersheds are and what actions should be taken to improve them.

Over the next several months, the Alliance will continue working with our Blair County

partners to bring additional training and technical assistance, while moving toward a design

competition that will implement innovative stormwater best management practices in the greater

Altoona area.

NewsClips:

http://www.landstudies.com/projects/projects_sheet.asp?PID=18http://www.landstudies.com/news/details.asp?NID=55http://www.landstudies.com/news/details.asp?NID=55http://chesapeakestormwater.net/the-bubbas/2014-winners/http://landstudies.com/news/details.asp?NID=71http://cityoflancasterpa.com/resident/stormwater-managementhttp://landstudies.com/healthy-watersheds-tour/index.php


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(Written By Drew Siglin, Program Manager, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay .)

CBF-PA: Trees Are A Cool Solution To Water Pollution

By Harry Campbell, PA Executive Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

These arid days of summer aren’t so dogged, spent

under the cool canopy of an old oak tree, a cold drink in

hand, and a refreshing breeze on your face.

While looking for relief and grabbing some

shade, we might pause to appreciate the health,

economic, and esthetic values that trees add to our lives.

Planting trees as streamside buffers is one of themost affordable ways to reduce the harmful runoff of

nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment that pollutes

Pennsylvania waters.

The Commonwealth is lagging well behind in its

goals to reduce pollution of its streams and rivers and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

To get back on track, the Pennsylvania must reduce nitrogen pollution by an additional

14.6 million pounds, or 22 percent, by the end of this year.

Trees and their roots can filter as much as 60 percent of nitrogen, 40 percent of

phosphorus, and nearly half of sediment in runoff. A single mature oak tree can absorb over

40,000 gallons of water per year.

Trees are the answer to multiple pollution reduction challenges in the Commonwealth. To

meet its commitments by 2017, Pennsylvania must also add 22,000 acres of forest and grass

buffers to Penn’s Woods. Another very tall task.

Streamside buffers also help reduce erosion, and provide shade, critical food, and shelter

for wildlife. Trees stabilize stream banks and lower water temperatures which are vital to a

thriving aquatic ecosystem.

Enhanced by the presence of trees, microbes and insects like caddisflies, stoneflies and

mayflies in cool, wooded streams consume runoff nutrients and organic matter. Some native

mayflies, for example, thrive at 68 degrees but perish at 70.

Native brook trout flourish in cool, clean water and are returning to streams where

buffers have been installed.Trees are also valuable around the home. When included in urban and suburban

landscaping, trees absorb pollution and provide shade. A single large tree in the front yard can

intercept 760 gallons of water in its crown, reducing stormwater runoff. The beauty of trees is

evident in every neighborhood.

Trees provide benefits wherever they stand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports

that one acre of forest can absorb six tons of carbon dioxide and put out four tons of oxygen,

enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.

http://www.cbf.org/pahttps://allianceforthebay.org/http://www.bayjournal.com/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/07/02/water-quality-not-impacted-by-drilling-according-to-new-report/http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_28411846/op-ed-pennsylvania-leaders-must-step-up-meet


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Trees have economic benefits. The U.S. Forest Service reports that healthy, mature trees

add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value, and when placed around buildings can reduce

air conditioning needs by 30 percent.

Native plants are preferred and more than 130 native tree species grow across

Pennsylvania. Popular types include the oaks, hickories, maples, dogwood, red bud, sycamore,

and honey-locust.Late summer and early fall are optimum months to plant trees in order to take advantage

of cooler soil temperatures and the ability of trees to establish strong root systems.

In the meantime, enjoy the shade. Summer is the ideal time to consider new plantings and

how and where more trees will make our lives better.

NewsClips:




Philly Water’s Best Friend Competition Opens In 2 Neighborhoods

Dog owners in Fishtown and Washington Square West have just days to make their canines

contenders for the title of Philly Water’s Best Friend . Philadelphia Water’s casting call for

“spokesdogs” ends July 15; top prize: $200 in gifts from local pet stores.

The purpose of the Philly Water’s Best Friend Spokesdog Competition is to keep

waterways clean. Organizers accomplish this by showing locals the importance of picking up

dog waste.

“Believe it or not, the average dog goes over 20 times a week, leaving up to 200 pounds

of waste in its tracks each year,” said Lisa Wool, program director at the Partnership for the

Delaware Estuary. “Multiply that hundreds of dogs per neighborhood and, well, you’re talking

about a big threat to our water. It’s important to pick it up.”

Philadelphia Water and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

have crowned eight

spokesdogs since 2011. They hail from all over Philadelphia, including: East Falls, Fitler Square,

Juniata, Lower Moyamensing, Northern Liberties, Queen Village, University City, Manayunk

and Roxborough.

Contrary to popular opinion, dog waste is not environmentally friendly, nor is it a

fertilizer. Dog poop is a pollutant, and it spreads whenever rain falls or snow melts. This waste

can leech into the earth, runoff into storm drains, and flow into waterways like the Delaware

River. The resulting bacteria and algae can kill fish and even your good time, should a swimming

ban occur.

Voters will select finalists during an online vote August 1-31.

Visit Philly Water’s Best Friend

to enter. Dog owners can also call Melissa Bittner of thePartnership for the Delaware Estuary at (800) 445-4935, extension 112.

July Chesapeake Bay Currents Newsletter Now Available

The July edition of the Chesapeake Bay Currents newsletter is now available from the U.S. EPA

Chesapeake Bay Program feature articles on--

-- Connecting Communities To The Chesapeake Bay

http://www.epa.gov/region3/chesapeake/http://www.epa.gov/region3/chesapeake/http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=f8c6c5815e1e73e0561b6f0f6&id=172af59866&e=4d1b0594behttp://phillywatersheds.org/Spokesdoghttp://www.delawareestuary.org/http://phillywatersheds.org/Spokesdoghttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/07/02/water-quality-not-impacted-by-drilling-according-to-new-report/http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_28411846/op-ed-pennsylvania-leaders-must-step-up-meet


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-- 17 Public Access Sites Open Along Chesapeake Rivers, Streams

-- Scientists Predict Smaller Than Average Dead Zone For Bay

-- Going Green At School

-- Click Here to sign up for your own copy.

NewsClips:

Op-Ed: PA Leaders Must Step Up To Meet Clean Water Commitments SRBC Report: Water Quality Not Impacted By Drilling


Online Tool Highlights Westmoreland County’s Natural Resource Protection Projects

Rain gardens, stream bank fencing, and stabilized roadways are some of the natural resources

protection projects, known as best management practices, that are featured in Westmoreland

Conservation District’s new online Best Management Practices Portfolio.

The portfolio, located on the District’s website, currently highlights 25 different projects

that are on the ground and working to benefit water quality in the region.

Visitors to the site can read about best management practices for stormwatermanagement, watershed restoration, dirt and gravel roads, and agriculture, and can view striking

photos of these projects.

The portfolio is a living document and will be updated as more projects are completed

throughout the county. The District hopes that visitors to the site will be inspired by the projects

and choose to adopt some of the best management practices highlighted in the portfolio.

The BMP portfolio was funded by a Department of Environmental Protection Education

Grant.

For more information, visit Westmoreland’s Best Management Practices Portfolio

webpage.

Water System Conference, Celebrating 20 Years Of Partnership For Safe Water Oct. 28-30

The PA Chapter of the American Water Works Association will host the 2015 Water System

Optimization Conference October 28-30 In Hershey. Click Here for more information on the

Conference agenda and registration information.

Attorney General Announces Environmental Charges Against York County Man

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane Wednesday announced the filing of criminal charges against

a man accused of improperly storing hazardous waste at his York County business.

Jessie L. Kline, 61, 1711 Manor Road, Windsor, is charged with one count ofmanagement of hazardous waste and four counts of unlawful conduct under the Solid Waste

Management Act.

Kline is the owner of Salvage Management Inc., located at 1900 Manor Road, Lower

Windsor Township. According to a criminal complaint, the Office of Attorney General's

Environmental Crimes Unit started its investigation of Kline and his business after receiving a

referral from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

DEP officials asserted a "history" of problems with Salvage Management Inc., which

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included the illegal storage of solid waste, unpermitted piles of thousands of tires and

contaminated soil. The investigation revealed Kline never obtained a permit from the state to

process, store, treat or dispose of solid waste at his business, investigators allege.

Kline's alleged conduct resulted in a compliance order in 2004 and a subsequent consent

order and agreement, which was filed in 2009 and amended a year later.

Despite those filings, several inspections of the business allegedly showed the site wasrelatively unchanged, with piles of tires and drums of unknown materials stored in box trailers.

The drums contained various substances showing the characteristics of hazardous waste,

investigators allege.

DEP officials in July 2014 issued an order that in part required the removal of all waste

from Kline's business within three months. An inspection conducted in October of that year

allegedly showed little had been done to comply with the order.

An arrest warrant was obtained Tuesday for Kline. The hazardous waste charge filed

against Kline is a second-degree felony punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 per day and/or

imprisonment between two and 10 years. The maximum penalties for the other charges are one

year in prison for each count and a fine up to $25,000 per day during the alleged violations.

The case will be prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Franz of the Office ofAttorney General's Criminal Prosecutions Section.

The Attorney General’s Office noted a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent

until proven guilty.

NewsClips:

DEP Nearing End Of Environmental Assessment Of Keystone Landfill

Dunmore Council Mum On Keystone Landfill

Cleanup Efforts Continue At Site Of Miller Chemical Plant Fire In Adams

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday issued the following update on the

cleanup efforts and environmental impacts of the June 8 fire at Miller Chemical, a fertilizer plant

in Adams County.

Recreational restrictions have been lifted for the Conewago Creek.

Results of water samples taken at various times and locations since the fire indicate the

waterway is again suitable for fishing, swimming and boating.

Samples were reviewed for pollutants of concern and results were within acceptable

limits under the department’s regulations.

Contaminated runoff water and soil currently stored on site is being hauled to treatment

facilities for proper disposal. Debris from the fire and contaminated soil is being taken to a local

landfill.

Containment measures remain in place to limit the creation of additional contaminatedstormwater runoff.

The New Oxford Municipal Authority’s (NOMA) water intake located on the South

Branch of the Conewago Creek remains closed. New Oxford is receiving water through an

interconnection with the York Water Company and other outside sources. Mandatory restrictions

remain in place and have been effective in allowing NOMA to meet the immediate needs of its

customers.

No significant impacts to the Susquehanna River have been observed or reported.

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-council-mum-on-landfill-1.1907461http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dep-nearing-end-of-environmental-assessment-of-keystone-landfill-expansion-1.1907463


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Public water supplies with intakes located on the Susquehanna reported no significant

change to raw water conditions.

C.O.G.E.N.T. Successfully Completes Pipeline Emergency Training In Northern Tier

C.O.G.E.N.T. (Connection For Oil, Gas And Environment In The Northern Tier ) announcedThursday it has completed Pipeline Emergency training in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna,

Tioga and Wyoming counties.

The group reported over 50 percent of the Northern Tier’s fire companies participated in

the training; 60 percent of participants had no previous pipeline emergency training. They had

higher participation rates in areas that have become new locations for natural gas pipeline

systems.

Participating county emergency management agencies, fire companies and emergency

services squads were provided with a training kit and additional manual to keep in one of their

trucks as a resource in the coming years.

The training sessions were funded by a U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety

Administration Technical Assistance Grant. In addition, Access Midstream, Crestwood, UGIEnergy Services and Williams Field Services participated in the training and providing lunch for

all attendees.

A new C.O.G.E.N.T. webpage provides area residents on how the public can react safely

to pipeline emergencies.

NewsClips:

Sunoco Seeks To Calm Fears On Mariner Pipeline

Sunoco Hosts Forums On Mariner Pipeline In Southeast

Pipeline Builder Gives $1.5M To Lancaster Conservation Groups

Millions Of Gallons Needed To Test Lancaster Pipeline

Uncertainty For Homeowners Along Lancaster Pipeline

Pipelines Being Built In Luzerne Concern Residents

FAQ About Pipeline Easements

DEP Completes First Round Of Air Monitoring Near Carbon County Mine Fire

The Department of Environmental Protection Thursday said it has completed a first round of air

quality monitoring near the Jeansville mine fire in Banks Township, Carbon County.

Initial air quality results do not indicate an actionable level of gases near the fire.

However DEP will continue monitoring with more sensitive detection equipment for hydrogen

sulfide to ensure the safety of nearby communities.

On several days in the vicinity of Tresckow and north of the mine fire, the Departmentdetected low levels of hydrogen sulfide. A very low level of carbon monoxide was also detected

one day. The levels were near the lower detection limit of the instrument and not at a level that

requires action.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that can emit an odor of rotten eggs; carbon monoxide

is both odorless and colorless.

In response to the detections, the Department has acquired a more sensitive instrument

that can detect hydrogen sulfide at much lower levels. The instrument will be put into use the

http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/154268875/Frequently-asked-questions-about-pipeline-easementshttp://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/154237745/http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/uncertainty-for-homeowners-along-pipeline-s-path-in-lancaster-county/article_b4ce829a-1c1b-11e5-8adf-6f831aae178d.htmlhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/millions-of-gallons-would-be-pumped-from-lancaster-county-streams/article_4f2a0264-1f3d-11e5-8c7a-eb91ea161c9b.htmlhttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pipeline-builder-gives-lancaster-county-conservation-groups-million/article_063f215c-1e79-11e5-bb4a-dbbb42cc39cc.htmlhttp://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/sunoco-to-host-public-forums-on-mariner-east-2-pipeline-in-southeast-pa/http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/29/sunoco-seeks-to-calm-fears-of-mariner-east-pipeline-project-in-chester-county/http://cogentpa.org/pipeline-emergency/http://cogentpa.org/information-pipeline-emergencies-training-grant/http://cogentpa.org/information-pipeline-emergencies-training-grant/http://cogentpa.org/


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week of July 6.

“The Department believes these actions will better characterize levels of hydrogen sulfide

in the surrounding communities,” said Mike Bedrin, director of DEP’s Northeast Regional

Office. “This is another way to respond to residents’ concerns about air quality near the mine

fire.”

Since April, DEP specialists have conducted 16 monitoring events near the mine fire. Allother gas readings, such as sulfur dioxide and oxygen, were at background levels.

In addition to the air monitoring, drilling of exploratory holes to gather data on the fire

site is progressing. It is anticipated that exploratory drilling will move into an area near protected

long-eared bat habitat next week.

A Declaration of Emergency from the federal Office of Surface Mining allows work to be

done on areas near the bat habitat.

Odor complaints and concerns should be called into the Department’s 24-hour complaint

line at 570-820-4854 or 1-800-541-2050. Department personnel will respond to odor complaints

beyond normal working hours.

NewsClips:

Court Overturns EPA Mercury Rule, Minimal Impact In PA Talen Nonchalant About Court Decision On Mercury Rule

Editorial: Shift To Cleaner Power

Editorial: Collaring The EPA, Hold The Cigars

Regulators Say Erie Coke Corp In Compliance

PUC Releases New Guide To Consumer Complaint Process

The Public Utility Commission Monday released a new Consumer Complaint Procedures Guide,

designed to educate consumers about the Commission’s complaint process. An additional quick

reference sheet, “ Know the PUC Complaint Process and Your Options ,” also offers handy

instructions about how to file a complaint with the PUC.

“These resources are intended to address common questions that are encountered when

filing a complaint against a utility,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “For example, it is

important for consumers to understand that they should first contact their utility if they are

experiencing a problem, and that the PUC acts as an intermediary between the customer and

utility. This is one of the most common areas of confusion that we see when consumers reach out

to our Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) to file a complaint.”

The consumer guide and quick reference sheet are available on the PUC’s website. They

detail the differences between filing an informal versus a formal complaint; provide an

explanation of the complaint filing process; and include information on how to find important

forms online.From January through June, the BCS has received approximately 45,000 consumer

inquiries, and, of those, approximately 30,000 cases have become informal complaint

investigations. The Commission has received 1,122 formal complaints since January.

NewsClips:

More Federal Oversight Of Berwick Nuclear Plant

PUC Commissioner Calls On Electric Utilities To Evolve

Verde Energy Illegally Called Customers’ Cell Phones Lawsuits Say

http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/consumers-powersource/2015/06/30/Verde-Energy-illegally-called-Pennsylvania-customers-cell-phones-lawsuits-say/stories/201506300028http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/06/30/Regulator-Pennsylvania-PUC-wants-electric-utilities-to-evolve-renewable-energy/stories/201506230014http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/more-oversight-due-on-nuke-plant-1.1905783http://www.puc.pa.gov/General/publications_reports/pdf/consumer_complaint_%20trifold.pdfhttp://www.puc.pa.gov/General/publications_reports/pdf/Consumer_Complaints_Procedure_Booklet.pdfhttp://www.goerie.com/regulators-say-erie-coke-corp-in-compliancehttp://triblive.com/opinion/editorials/8652215-74/epa-court-cigarshttp://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/shift-in-power-1.1906083http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-supreme-court-rules-against-epa-environmental-regulations-20150629-story.html#navtype=outfithttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/06/29/Supreme-Court-overturns-EPA-mercury-power-plant-regulations-MATS-emissions/stories/201506300088


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PA Outdoor Recreation Plan Focuses On Connecting Health, Outdoor Activities

Pennsylvania’s new five-year Outdoor Recreation Plan to connect

citizens to healthy outdoor recreation shows maintenance of

existing park and recreation areas continues to be a top concernand priority for citizens and providers, and that park and

recreation services are a central asset in combating societal health

care issues like obesity and mental health.

As part of Gov. Wolf’s initiative to create “Jobs that Pay” by

promoting outdoor recreation, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams

Dunn released the plan at an event in Pottstown, along with many

partners.

“Part of Gov. Wolf’s vision to create healthy and livable

communities that support jobs that pay includes successfully

serving the recreation needs of those who live, work and play in

them,” Dunn said. “The results of three in-depth surveys tosupport this plan show that Pennsylvania’s population continues to get older and more ethnically

diverse; chronic diseases such as obesity are epidemic; and residents are calling for access to

close-to-home recreation, walkable and bikeable communities, protected lands and waters, and

well-maintained park facilities.

"Based on this information, the plan outlines 20 recommendations and 83 action steps,”

Dunn said. “We will now look for increased opportunities for partnership, strategic investments

and coordinated programming to act on these recommendations.”

The secretary joined local officials, the Schuylkill River Greenway Association and the

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation making remarks today amidst clinics and

matches occurring on the first day of the Pottstown Rumble outdoor volleyball tournament being

held in Memorial Park.

The outdoor recreation plan was released by partners on the first day of the Pottstown

Rumble outdoor volleyball tournament.

During the same event, the foundation highlighted its second annual “On Your Park, Get

Set, Go!” campaign—a month-long contest in which local parks (within the foundation’s service

area) compete to achieve the highest number of votes, through community usage, to win grant

funds for park improvements.

“‘On Your Park, Get Set, Go!™’ is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness in the

community as to the varied amenities and health and wellness benefits of our local parks,” said

foundation President Dave Kraybill. “This year, we have 14 participating municipalities and

encourage all to visit, vote and donate to further improve our region’s parks. Look for us in a park near you, beginning July 1!”

Some of the specific recommendations in Pennsylvania’s Statewide Comprehensive

Outdoor Recreation Plan: Natural Connections include:

— Maintain existing park, trail and recreation areas, and prioritize other infrastructure needs;

— Challenge communities to increase the portion of their municipal budget dedicated to parks

and recreation to at least 5 percent;

— Support the creation of local park friend and advocacy groups;

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— Link grant selection criteria to community projects that strengthen the health and outdoor

recreation connection;

— Help communities become walkable and bike-friendly;

— Develop a Pennsylvania “prescription” program for health care providers to use to encourage

physical activity in the outdoors;

— Launch a mobile-friendly website to help residents easily find local parks; — Develop a unified brand for local parks and recreation with accompanying marketing

strategy;

— Increase access to business development resources and incentives for small tourism and

outdoor recreation businesses and entrepreneurs;

— Work with tourism partners to develop itineraries and travel packages that target the outdoor

recreation product and experience;

— Provide templates so schools and youth-based organizations can incorporate outdoor activities

into curricula; and

— Mitigate impacts of gas development to recreation and consider possibilities to develop new

recreation opportunities.

As in the past, the plan identifies walking for pleasure or fitness as the most popularoutdoor recreation activity in Pennsylvania. Residents also like to take scenic drives and visit

historic places, picnic, and swim. Increasingly they also like to kayak, watch wildlife and

participate in winter sports.

A majority of survey respondents said the main benefit they received from being

outdoors is their mental and physical health. Outdoor places also are perceived as making

communities more desirable places to live, providing children safe places to play, and protecting

the natural environment.

DCNR Secretary Dunn gives a high five for outdoor recreation to Olympian Misty

May-Treanor at the event releasing the statewide plan.

Survey respondents said areas that should be improved included playgrounds, picnic

areas, bike lanes, and lake/stream swimming areas. They listed rental cabins, bike lanes, natural

and wildlife viewing areas, and dog parks as the facilities they would most like to see increased.

The public had many opportunities to contribute to the creation of the plan. Three

stakeholder public meetings were held, and a total of three direct mail and online surveys also

were conducted. More than 10,000 people provided input into the plan’s strategy development.

The completed plan keeps Pennsylvania eligible for federal Land and Water

Conservation funding. Since 1965, Pennsylvania has received almost $165 million to fund

projects that support local parks and historic sites; conserved forests, rivers, lakes and wildlife

habitat; and improved access to recreation.

A copy of the plan is available online

.

NewsClips:3 Rivers Regatta Boat Races Canceled In Pittsburgh

Three Rivers Regatta Takes Over Point In Pittsburgh

Mercyhurst Team Study Tick Control At Presque Isle

D&H Rail Trail Opening New Bridges

Editorial: Moon Lake Park Thrives Under State Control

(Reprinted from the July 1 DCNR Resource newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy

http://www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/resource/res2015/15-0701-dcnr20.aspxhttp://www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/resource/res2015/15-0701-dcnr20.aspxhttp://timesleader.com/opinion/editorial/370786/our-opinion-moon-lake-park-and-other-sites-can-thrive-under-state-control-with-local-support-from-youhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/rail-trail-opening-new-bridges-1.1905266http://www.goerie.com/mercyhurst-team-studying-tick-control-effort-at-presque-islehttp://www.post-gazette.com/life/recreation/2015/07/02/Three-Rivers-Regatta-takes-over-the-Point-this-weekend/stories/201507020082http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8673472-74/regatta-boat-pittsburghhttp://www.paoutdoorrecplan.com/


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(bottom of the page).)

PA Environmental Council Receives $1.5M Trails Grant From William Penn Foundation

The PA Environmental Council Monday announced it has received a $1.5 million grant from the

William Penn Foundation for support of development of the Circuit trail network in Bucks,Delaware, and Philadelphia counties.

The funding, spread over two years, will enable PEC to focus on portions of the East

Coast Greenway , a trail stretching from Florida to Maine that is also a critical link in completing

the 750-mile Circuit.

“The William Penn Foundation’s commitment to completion of the Circuit is doubly

significant because of the trail work itself, and the importance that this network has to the

Philadelphia region,” PEC Executive Vice President Patrick Starr said. “The Foundation’s most

recent grant continues its commitment to ensuring alternative transportation for Philadelphians.”

Currently, 300 miles of the Circuit are open for use, while 400 remain to be built.

Working with a variety of partners, PEC has been a key factor in the creation of the Circuit as a

policy leader and as an implementer of trails.In particular, PEC has been involved with the planning and implementation of one of the

Circuit’s trunk lines—the East Coast Greenway—for more than a decade. The Circuit itself was

formally announced in May 2012. The grant period runs from July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017.

The grant also enables PEC to start the process of linking the Circuit with trail

development that has occurred and continues to grow in the Northeastern part of the state.

The ability to engage in additional endorsement of trail development and further

advocacy and leadership in statewide trail initiatives throughout Pennsylvania is a principal goal

of PEC’s 2015 Strategic Program Plan.

It is PEC’s aim to connect the people of the Commonwealth to the outdoors and educate

them about the state’s rich natural resources while engaging them in environmental stewardship

and advocacy. The continuation of the Circuit is a practical way for Pennsylvanians to explore,

experience, and enjoy Pennsylvania’s diverse outdoor resources.

“PEC is a leader in trail planning and promotion statewide, and this grant further

solidifies that fact,” PEC President and CEO David Woodwell said. “It is PEC’s goal to get

Pennsylvanians outdoors and in touch with the Commonwealth’s astounding natural resources to

engage citizens in the protection and restoration of the environment.”

As part of its statewide trail initiative, PEC is also a member of the Industrial Heartland

Trails Coalition

, a group of 20 organizations in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, Northern

West Virginia, Western Maryland, and Southwestern New York working to complete and

connect a system of 1,600 miles of share use trails.

Now 53 percent complete, the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition includes the GreatAllegheny Passage, a trail that hosts over 800,000 trips annually and generates over $40 million

in direct annual spending from its trail users.

PEC’s vision is that by 2033, the 53-county region will be positioned as the epicenter of a

multi-use trail system in the region.

For more information on activities and programs, visit the PA Environmental Council

website.

NewsClips:

http://pecpa.org/http://ihearttrails.org/tag/industrial-heartland-trails-coalition/http://ihearttrails.org/tag/industrial-heartland-trails-coalition/http://www.greenway.org/http://www.greenway.org/http://www.williampennfoundation.org/http://pecpa.org/


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3 Rivers Regatta Boat Races Canceled In Pittsburgh

Three Rivers Regatta Takes Over Point In Pittsburgh

Mercyhurst Team Study Tick Control At Presque Isle

D&H Rail Trail Opening New Bridges

Editorial: Moon Lake Park Thrives Under State Control

Gypsy Moth Meeting Set In Lackawanna County

Cherry Springs State Park Dark Sky Programs In Potter County

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Wednesday announced it will be initiating several changes

at the park in an effort to preserve the “dark sky” experience

while improving visitors’ satisfaction and safety at Cherry

Springs State Park in Potter County.

“Interest in Cherry Springs State Park and its Night

Sky Tour astronomy programs is growing exponentially.

The park’s Dark Sky designation is drawing visitors fromhundreds of miles away with international representation to

the Pennsylvania Wilds,” said Bureau of State Parks

Director David Kemmerer. ”It is inspiring to see so many people combining their love of the

outdoors with an innate curiosity about the stars.”

Cherry Springs State Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the Dark

Sky Association -- it is the only Dark Sky Park in Pennsylvania. This designation indicates the

park’s location provides exceptional night-time beauty, dark skies education programming, and

preservation of the night-time environment.

Since its designation in 2008, attendance for the park’s evening programs has grown to

pa environment digest july 6, 2015

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