pa environment digest nov. 30, 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

Issue #596 Harrisburg, Pa November 30, 2015

PA Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Challenge To Use Of Oil & Gas Fund Monies

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Thursday the PA Supreme

Court has agreed to hear an appeal of a January 7

Commonwealth Court decision upholding the right of the

General Assembly and the governor to transfer monies fromDCNR ’s Oil and Gas Fund to the General Fund and the use of

those funds for DCNR State Par k and State Forest Operations.

PA Environmental Defense Foundation filed the

original lawsuit against Gov. Rendell for his leasing of nearly

137,000 acres of State Forest land for Marcellus Shale natural

gas drilling and then transferring $383 million of the proceeds from the Oil and Gas Fund to the

General Fund to balance the state budget.

Gov. Rendell also used Oil and Gas Fund revenue to fund administrative and personnel

costs of State Parks and State Forest Operations. The practice continued during the Corbett

Administration.

This year, Gov. Wolf’s original budget proposed to provide an additional $17.1 million

inGeneral Fund monies to DCNR to begin the process of weaning the agency off the Oil and Gas

Fund.

PEDF based its lawsuit, in part, on Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment to

the state Constitution.

With the makeup of the PA Supreme Court now dramatically changed as a result of the

November 3 election, it will be interesting to see how the Court decides this issue.

The PA Supreme Court’s 2013 decision overturning portions of the Act 13 drilling law

was based, again in part, on the Environmental Rights Amendment. The new court, with new

members, may be more sympathetic to that argument .

For more information on drilling, visit DCNR’s Natural Gas Development and State

Forests

webpage.NewsClip:

PA Supreme Court To Hear Appeal Of Oil & Gas Fund Money Transfers

DEP Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Schedules Dec. 16 Meeting

The DEP Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force has scheduled an

additional meeting on December 16 to review the 184

http://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/NaturalGas/index.htmhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=27347http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=27347http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=28906http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31129http://www.pedf.org/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30909http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30909http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30909http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30909http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/26/Court-to-hear-case-on-Pa-s-conservation-duty/stories/201511260024http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.Vkzs6N-rRBxhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/26/Court-to-hear-case-on-Pa-s-conservation-duty/stories/201511260024http://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/NaturalGas/index.htmhttp://dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/NaturalGas/index.htmhttps://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/03/supreme-court-race-could-hold-the-key-to-future-environmental-rulings/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=27347http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31526&SubjectID=195http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=28906http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31129http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=31129http://www.pedf.org/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30909http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=30909http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/26/Court-to-hear-case-on-Pa-s-conservation-duty/stories/201511260024http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953


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recommendations in the draft Task Force Report released on November 9.

At its November 18 meeting, members of the Task Force said they needed more time to

discuss the recommendations and asked DEP to schedule another meeting. Click Here to watch

a video of the November 18 meeting.

DEP is now accepting comments from the public on the draft Report until December 14

through DEP’s eComment webpage

.The group of 48 experts and stakeholders, led by DEP Secretary John Quigley, will

recommend policies, guidelines, and best practices to guide the anticipated and unprecedented

build-out of pipeline infrastructure expected to take place across Pennsylvania during the next

decade.

The group’s report is due to Gov.Wolf by February 2016.

The meeting will be held at DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office at 909 Elmerton Ave. in

Harrisburg starting at 1:00. Click Here to view a live webcast of the meeting.

For more information, visit the DEP Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force webpage.

(Reprinted in part from the November 25 edition of DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your

own copy.)

State Budget Twists, Turns, Cliffhangers, But No Happy Ending... Yet

This week’s actions surrounding the state budget had as many twists and

turns as a holiday blockbuster.

On Monday, Gov. Tom Wolf told the Pennsylvania Press Club

Republicans should do what they agreed to do: pass a budget by

Thanksgiving based on the framework agreed to November 10; except

they couldn’t because they can’t deliver the votes.

Instead of working on passing the budget framework, Wolf said,

Senate Republicans focused on voting a school property tax elimination

bill-- Senate Bill 76 (Argall-R-Schuylkill)-- that is not part of the

framework and which Wolf said he would veto.

Instead, Wolf said, House Republicans passed a liquor reform

bill-- House Bill 1690 (Turzai-R-Allegheny)-- that was identical to the

bill he vetoed in July.

One other alternative to passing the budget framework as is, Wolf said, “ they can present

me with any full year spending plan that can pass by next Friday” and he’ll sign it. [Yes, he

said that.] But, he said, he will not sign a stopgap funding bill.

Later Monday night, the audience in the Senate gallery was on the edge of their seats for

every vote cast when an effort to eliminate school property taxes through an amendment toHouse Bill 683 (Rapp-R-Forest) failed in a very rare tie vote-- 24 to 24. Lt. Gov. Stack (D) had

to break the tie by voting no.

Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 76, was not present to

vote because he apparently had to attend a previously scheduled fundraiser in Pittsburgh.

One Senate seat was vacant until the swearing in of Sen.-Elect Guy Reschenthaler

(R-Allegheny)... Tuesday.

Were the two Senate absences deliberate? It remains a mystery.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0683https://www.governor.pa.gov/remarks-by-governor-wolf-at-the-pennsylvania-press-club/https://www.governor.pa.gov/remarks-by-governor-wolf-at-the-pennsylvania-press-club/http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1690http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0076http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/Pages/DEP-Newsletter.aspx#.VlYnNYSa10chttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20Nov.%2025%202015.pdfhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/PipelineTaskForce/Pages/Meeting-Agendas.aspx#.Vkzs6N-rRBxhttp://enews.state.pa.us/q/gddaiP-nILmS4fh2TNk2MME0EqXJc5xXjVhdjvrs-79WPVlG9qDaDJ9Hfhttp://www.ahs.dep.pa.gov/eComment/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWcDFRRiz1Mhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34036http://files.dep.state.pa.us/ProgramIntegration/PITF/Meetings/11-18-15/Governor%27s%20Pipeline%20Infrastructure%20Task%20Force%20DRAFT%20Report.pdf


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On Tuesday evening, after more fruitless budget discussions, Senate Republicans

threatened to try an override of Gov. Wolf’s veto of the stopgap budget Republicans passed in

September.

Less than an hour after the threat was issued, and a meeting held between Senate and

House Leaders and Gov. Wolf, the threat was rescinded with the announcement budget talks

have resumed.At the same time, Republicans said the effort to use a Sales Tax increase to fund $1.4

billion in additional school property tax relief as agreed to in the budget framework was dropped

because many of their own members and Democrats would not vote for it.

Somehow, they said, they would look for other revenue sources. And that’s where

matters came to an uncomfortable rest before the holiday.

Wednesday, Gov. Wolf took time to tweet his family’s recipe for Thanksgiving stuffing.

A hidden message there? Another mystery.

Meanwhile, counties struggling to deal with the lack of state funding said they would

begin to withhold millions in fees and other monies they collect and pass on to the state, if the

budget impasse continues. Other counties threatened to sue the state to release the funding they

are owed.The House, nose to the grindstone, added voting days to the schedule, including through

Saturday of next week (which will never happen) to show they are working hard. They also

added December 10, 11 and 12 (another Thursday, Friday and Saturday that won’t happen) to

their schedule.

Unless, of course, they have something to vote on.

Many House Republicans also announced they would forgo the food, fun and shopping of

New York City by not attending the Pennsylvania Society dinner the weekend of December 12 if

there was no budget. Since this year’s awardee is former Gov. Ed Rendell (D), it probably didn’t

take much convincing for them to make that decision.

Then again, Donald Trump was just announced as the headline speaker at the marquee

December 11 Commonwealth Club luncheon, a pre-PA Society dinner event. A photo with

Trump and admission to the VIP section only costs $2,500 per.

The Senate added December 2 as a voting day, but apparently unrelated to budget issues.

Presumably, they will continue the process of removing indicted Attorney General Kathleen

Kane now that its Special Committee on Senate Address Wednesday said it had enough

information to proceed to take a vote.

The Senate did take time from its busy schedule to delve into foreign policy by adopting,

largely along party lines, a resolution-- Senate Resolution 248 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) on

blocking Syrian refugees-- sponsored by a declared Republican candidate for Attorney General.

Otherwise, the Senate is scheduled to return to session December 7-- Pearl Harbor Day.

Speaking of spending money, Saturday’s PA Bulletin

also brought the official news thatHouse and Senate members would not be getting a cost of living raise for their efforts next year.

There are now only 65 days to Gov. Wolf’s second budget address-- February 2--

Groundhog Day.

Are we likely to see a replay of the, as yet, unfinished budget process from this year?

There are hints.

Gov. Wolf has already said he is bringing back a natural gas severance tax in his new

budget proposal next year to fund something [most likely a Growing Greener III environmental

http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-48/2095.htmlhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=R&bn=248http://senateaddress.pasen.gov/http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/11/incentive_to_finish_the_pabudg.html#incart_river_home_pophttp://www.pasociety.com/dinner.html


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restoration program] even though it did not have significant bipartisan support [sic] last time

around.

What will the next plot twist be? How will our heroes resolve the crisis?

Tune in next week….

NewsClips:

No Sign State Budget Impasse Will End Soon Could State Budget Reach Wolf By Dec. 5?

Pre-Holiday Flurry Leads To More Budget Negotiations

Wolf: Theatrics Holding Up Budget

PA Supreme Court To Hear Appeal Of Oil & Gas Fund Money Transfers

Deja Vu: Why Shale Gas Tax Keep Flaming Out

Editorial: Who Do Lawmakers Work For?

Wolf: Proposed Budget Deal In Peril, GOP Lacks Support

Senate Defeats Property Tax Overhaul Plan

Property Tax Plan Collapses, Imperiling Budget Framework

Renewed Signs Of Stress Over Enacting Budget Framework

Sales Tax Looks To Climb, So Does Unfairness Lawmakers To Skip PA Society If No Budget Deal

Counties May Protest Impasse By Keeping Revenue Owed State Budget Standoff Has Food Banks Looking To Hunters

PA Environment Digest Google+ Circle, Blogs, Twitter Feeds

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http://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.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/11/27/Budget-standoff-has-Pennsylvania-food-banks-looking-to-hunters-for-help/stories/201511300042http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pennsylvania-state-budget-impasse-counties-may-protest-by-keeping-revenue/article_6871b9ee-8fc0-11e5-be74-f73d2d40362a.htmlhttp://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/9480666-74/budget-pennsylvania-statehttp://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/news/politics&id=352813291http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/11/pa_state_budget_talks_appear_t.html#incart_river_homehttp://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/news&id=352950791http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/9501582-74/pennsylvania-tax-propertyhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=HqLcicEshttp://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/opinion&id=355382131https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/11/25/deja-vu-all-over-again-why-the-shale-gas-tax-keeps-flaming-out/http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/26/Court-to-hear-case-on-Pa-s-conservation-duty/stories/201511260024http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/9508405-74/wolf-state-senatehttp://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/1019/Pre-Thanksgiving-flurry-leads-to-more-negotiations-on-to-be-agreed-to-budget-framework.aspxhttp://www.ydr.com/story/news/politics/2015/11/25/could-pa-general-budget-reach-wolf-dec-5/75921972/http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-wolf-gop-budget-1124-20151124-story.html#nt=outfit


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PA Capitol Digest Twitter Feed: Don't forget to sign up to receive the PA Capitol Digest

Twitter feed to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State

Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule [Updated

] /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 December 1): House Bill 48 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) setting standards for drinking

water well construction; Senate Bill 385 (Pileggi-R-Delaware) updating and improving the

Transit Revitalization investment District; Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing for

an independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board. Click Here for full House Bill

Calendar.

Senate (December 2): Senate Bill 201 (Schwank-D-Berks) authorizing the leasing of property in

the Clean and Green Program to a rural enterprise ( sponsor summary ); Senate Bill 805

(Boscola-D-Lehigh) allowing an Act 129 opt-out for large electric users (sponsor

summary ). 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 EnergyConsumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

Judiciary

Liquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

http://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//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18088http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0805http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=15642http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=201http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/HC/0/RC/SCHC.HTMhttp://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/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0385http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0048http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigest


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Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational DevelopmentEducation

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule ( Updated )

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

Senate ( Updated )

December 2 , 7, 8, 9

House (Updated )

November 30 (non-voting), Dec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

December 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16

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.

News From The Capitol

Senate Environmental Committee Sets Hearing On Sewage Facilities Act Dec. 8

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a hearing on the Sewage

Facilities Act (Act 537) on December 8 in Room 8E-B East Wing Capitol Building in Harrisburg

starting at 9:30.

Act 537 was originally passed in 1968 to provide for the planning, permitting and designof all types of sewage facilities including onlot septic systems.

DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council has been active in recent years urging DEP to

undertake a comprehensive review of the Act 573 planning process and approve the use of tested

and proven alternative technology systems as part of its regular onlot sewage planning program.

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and can be

contacted by sending email to: [email protected] . Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as

Minority Chair and can be contacted by sending email to: [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Y3VQLxjkxOMGh0Vkc2RkdQQXc/edithttp://environmental.pasenategop.com/http://www.governor.pa.gov/Schedule/Pages/schedule.aspx#.VNVGE0K4lBxhttp://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=H


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News From Around The State

Lehigh, Northampton Master Watershed Steward Program Accepting Applications

The Penn State Extension Lehigh & Northampton County offices are now accepting applicationsfor the 2016 Master Watershed Steward Program. Applications are due by January 8.

The program, now in ten Pennsylvania Counties, is designed to provide people who are

enthusiastic about the environment with the information and skills necessary to share their

experience and knowledge with others.

Master Watershed Stewards receive 40 hours of training on topics including water

quality, stream health, native plants, recreational resources, and groundwater. After completing

the training session, students fulfill 50 hours of volunteer service.

In subsequent years, Master Watershed Stewards can maintain their status through 20

hours of volunteer time to watershed projects or programs, and attending a minimum of 10 hours

of continuing education training.

Examples of projects and programs include designing and installing demonstration rain

gardens or streamside plantings, teaching children about stream ecology, and organizing

educational workshops that address such topics as backyard conservation or homeowner storm

water management.

Training Schedule

The 2016 Master Watershed Steward training program starts March 9th and continues on

subsequent Wednesdays from 6:00 to 8:30pm through mid-June. The course also includes three

handson Saturday field trips.

Classes will be held at partnering environmental organizations throughout the Lehigh

Valley.

The fee for the program is $100, which helps offset the costs for program materials and professional guest speakers. Scholarships are available for those with financial hardships.

Information Sessions

Two information sessions will be offered. One will be held on January 13 from 6:30 p.m.

to 8:30 p.m. at the Lehigh County Agricultural Center . The second will be held on January 27 at

Illick's Mill in Bethlehem from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The 2016 Master Watershed Steward Program is a collaborative effort of Penn State

Extension, the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, Northampton County Conservation

District, Appalachian Mountain Club , the Wildlands Conservancy and the Lehigh Gap Nature

Center .

For more information about the Master Watershed Steward Program or to request an

application for the 2016 training program, contact Erin Frederick by telephone at 610-391-9840or send email to: [email protected] .

CBF Program To Help Farmers Improve Grazing, Water Quality To Expand

An innovative program that helps livestock farmers increase

per-animal profits while also reducing agricultural pollution will

expand in three states, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department

mailto:[email protected]://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/watershed-education/watershed-stewardshttp://lgnc.org/http://lgnc.org/http://www.wildlandspa.org/http://www.outdoors.org/http://www.northamptoncd.org/http://www.northamptoncd.org/http://www.watershedcoalitionlv.org/http://extension.psu.edu/lehighhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/watershed-education/watershed-stewards


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of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and

its partners.

The grant will increase the number of grass-fed livestock operations in the Bay watershed

where animals spend the majority of their time on pasture, rather than being confined. A key

element of the program is farmer to farmer mentoring.

The program is targeted to the following counties in Pennsylvania: Lancaster, Franklin,Adams, Cumberland, and Lebanon.

“Making sure that the land is covered with growing plants will reduce runoff, it’s as

simple as that. The density of pasture plants versus crops does impact water quality. If farmers

can find a way to economically do that, then I think it is a win-win because they also will find in

many cases, that it helps their bottom line,” said Susan Richards, executive director of one of

CBF’s partners in the project, Capital Resource and Development Area Council, Inc. in

Pennsylvania.

The new grant will expand outreach and technical assistance for farmers who graze

livestock in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania and provide opportunities for current and new

grazing farmers to share information.

The program will include activities such as two-day Grazing Schools and field days, anannual state-specific planning calendar for grazers, a regional conference, a quarterly electronic

grazing newsletter, and an update of the “Amazing Grazing” Directory for direct marketing of

grass fed products.

The hope is to create a regional network of more than 250 grazers in Pennsylvania,

Maryland and Virginia, as well as enrolling an additional 1,400 acres in pasture farming.

Agriculture remains the largest source of pollution to local streams, rivers, and the

Chesapeake Bay. But farm conservation measures also are the most cost effective means of

restoring water quality compared to upgrading sewage plants, retrofitting stormwater systems,

and other strategies.

Helping farmers, and holding states accountable for farm conservation is a critical

component of cleaning up local water, and the Bay.

Putting livestock back on pasture as farmers did for generations rather than raising them

in confined pens where manure piles up is one of the best means for restoring both farm profits

and clean water.

It also has greenhouse gas benefits by reducing use of fossil fuels, fertilizer and

increasing soil carbon.

Because of these dual environmental benefits, CBF is able to leverage an existing

partnership with WGL Energy and Sterling Planet that provides funding for practices that benefit

water quality and reduce greenhouse gases via WGL’s CleanSteps Carbon Offset Program.

In addition, as part of the grant, CBF and their partners will be quantifying these

environmental and economic benefits, then sharing the results to encourage more farmers toconvert to grazing systems.

The grant is for $492,000. Partner groups will match that funding, providing nearly $1

million in all for the program.

Farmers across the watershed are encouraged to participate. Farmers interested in signing

up for the quarterly newsletter and learning about field days and other events should contact

Michael Heller at 443-482-4393.

Project partners include: Future Harvest – Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable

http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/http://www.wglenergy.com/cmp/carbonoffsets/http://www.capitalrcd.org/http://www.cbf.org/pa


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Agriculture , Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, University of Maryland, Red Barn

Consulting , World Resources Institute , Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research,

Water Stewardship Inc., Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Chesapeake

Bay Foundation website. Click Here to sign up for regular email updates for Pennsylvania

(bottom of left panel).NewsClips:

Farmers Dispute Data Over Pollution In Chesapeake Bay

Alcosan Supports Greener Overflow Solutions

Alcosan Plan To Treat Sewage Overflows

Editorial: Alcosan Must Finish Sewer Upgrades On Time

Former Borough Manager Gets Fines For Sewage Discharge

Chiques Creek Project Aims To Reduce Flooding

I-83 Project Moves Wetlands To York County Park

Mon River Boat Rental Could Spur Economic Growth

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here

to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

Chesapeake Bay Trust RFP For Technical Assistance On Meeting Bay Agreement Goals

The Chesapeake Bay Trust has issued a request for proposals for assistance on 11 specific

technical assistance projects that will assist with implementation across the outcomes defined in

the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Proposals are due January 7. Click Here for more

information on how to apply.

(Reprinted from the November 25 edition of DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own

copy.)

PSU Extension Water Team Receives International Lake Management Society Award

Penn State Extension Educator, Jim Clark, accepted the 2015 Outreach and Education Award

from the North American Lake Management Society Award on November 19 on behalf of the

Penn State Extension Water Resources Team for their work in pond and lake management

education in Pennsylvania.

The Extension team conducts a twelve week Online Pond Home Study Course

each year

beginning in April. Three hundred and twenty-two pond owners have participated to date, 227

from Pennsylvania, 51 covering 24 other states, and one international student.

They produce and archive monthly water webinars related to water resources. Since2010, there have been 9 pond and lake management related webinars. A total of 578 pond and

lake owners or consultants have attended one of these live webinars and nearly 2,000 have

viewed the recorded webinars.

Of the 271, from 2013 to 2015, that evaluated the webinars, 96 percent or 261 stated they

learned new information about pond and lake management and 154 or 57 percent stated they

planned on taking action to improve their water resource because they viewed the webinar.

Pond and lake workshops are held across Pennsylvania each year. During 2014, over 450

http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/ponds/webinarshttp://www.cvent.com/events/online-pond-home-study-course-2016/event-summary-4818bbd8b141474cb1b11356b03f08f7.aspxhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/pondshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/pondshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/waterhttp://www.nalms.org/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/Pages/DEP-Newsletter.aspx#.VlYnNYSa10chttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20Nov.%2025%202015.pdfhttp://www.cbtrust.org/site/c.miJPKXPCJnH/b.5368633/k.BDEA/Home.htmhttp://www.cbtrust.org/atf/cf/%7BEB2A714E-8219-45E8-8C3D-50EBE1847CB8%7D/RFP%20Technical%20Assistance%20-%20Chesapeake%20Bay%20Program%20Goals%20and%20Outcomes%20FINAL%2011-19-15.dochttp://www.cbtrust.org/http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmonvalley/yourmonvalleymore/9435118-74/river-business-coalition#axzz3sKXGj4QFhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/penndot_project_on_i-83_moves.html#incart_river_homehttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/project-aims-to-relieve-flood-woes-in-manheim/article_775c0d6e-92d2-11e5-b6bf-1703d68cade8.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/camp_hill_sewage_borough_manag.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/11/26/Get-it-done-Alcosan-must-finish-its-sewer-upgrades-on-time/stories/201511260028http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/11/22/An-Alcosan-plan-to-treat-sewage-overflows/stories/201511220125http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/11/24/Alcosan-hears-more-calls-to-go-greener-in-its-plans-for-sewage-compliance/stories/201511240183http://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/farmers-group-argues-its-not-polluting-the-bay-as-much-as-data-shows.phphttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.capitalrcd.org/http://www.wri.org/http://www.redbarnag.com/http://www.redbarnag.com/http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/


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pond or lake owners attended, representing several thousand acres of ponds and lakes.

Ninety-nine percent of attendees learned some new management concept and a 6 month

follow up evaluation showed that 72 percent or 324 had already taken action on nearly 1,500

acres of water as a result of attending an extension workshop.

In 2015, the Penn State Water Team was trained in identifying harmful algal blooms and

an 18 thousand dollar grant was secured for training. Compound microscopes, with cameras,have been placed in several extension offices across the state. Pond owners can now submit algae

samples to extension water educators for identification.

The Penn State Extension Water Team was also instrumental in working with the Penn

State Water Lab to offer a pond and lake water test kit to the public. The team assists in

distributing the test kits and assisting pond owners with interpretation of the test results.

Kits were made available in 2010, and to date 546 pond and lake water samples have

been analyzed. The aggregate data from this analysis is available on line and shared at

educational events for educational purposes.

For more information, contact James A. Clark, Extension Water Resources Educator,

Renewable Natural Resources Extension Team, Penn State Extension, McKean County by

sending email to: [email protected]

.

(Reprinted from November 23 edition of the Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter.

Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

CBF-PA: Presence Of Pharmaceuticals In PA Waters Double Dose Of Reality

By Harry Campbell, Executive Director PA Office, Chesapeake Bay

Foundation

In 2001, 14 percent of Pennsylvania youths surveyed admitted to taking

someone else’s prescription drugs. The state Coroner’s Association

reported that there were 2,500 drug overdoses in the Commonwealth last

year.

As Pennsylvania works to remedy the scourge of prescription drug

misuse and abuse, the presence of pharmaceuticals in our rivers and

streams is a double dose of reality for those concerned about water quality in the Keystone State.

An investigation by the Associated Press in 2008, found a total of 56 pharmaceuticals or

byproducts - antibiotics, pain relievers, and heart, mind, and veterinary drugs - in the City of

Philadelphia’s drinking water.

Small quantities of drugs, including antibiotics, sex hormones, and anti-seizure

compounds, were detected in public drinking water supplied to over 40 million Americans acrossthe country.

While 70 percent of all antibiotics are used are for agriculture and animal husbandry, the

U.S. Geological Survey found in Pennsylvania that the greatest source of pharmaceuticals in the

rivers and streams is sewage treatment plants.

Pharmaceuticals find their way into the environment through treated effluent from

sewage treatment plants, farmland irrigation with reclaimed wastewater, septic systems, manure

from treated livestock, raw sewage discharges, and leaching from municipal landfills.

http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pahttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/subscribehttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news?utm_campaign=Watershed+Winds+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_view_onlinemailto:[email protected]://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testinghttp://agsci.psu.edu/aasl/water-testing


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Our bodies excrete portions of pharmaceuticals that we take and have not been

metabolized. This includes metabolites that may have biological activity of their own. For many

pharmaceuticals, about 90 percent of the drug is metabolized. In some cases, a significant

amount of the parent pharmaceutical is released as human waste or sweat.

Scientists believe the main way a great majority of pharmaceuticals are getting into the

wastewater, is through disposal. It was reported at the Susquehanna Water Science Forum in2013 that 54 percent of medications went into the trash and 35 percent went down the toilet or

sink.

Many people still believe that keeping drugs out of the wrong hands means flushing

unused medications down the toilet. In fact, they are introducing portions of those compounds

into rivers and streams and eventually even drinking water.

While treatment plants may remove 95 to 98 percent of pharmaceuticals from sewage,

low concentrations are still active biologically. No one treatment method can currently remove

all pharmaceuticals.

In Pennsylvania, the USGS found low concentrations of pharmaceuticals that are used for

other than agricultural purposes, upstream of drinking water intakes. This suggests that most

pharmaceuticals near those intake sites entered the stream environment via municipalwastewater-treatment effluent or on-lot septic systems.

Private wells, which may also harbor pharmaceuticals, often receive limited to no

treatment before consumption.

So far, there is little evidence that human health is negatively impacted by

pharmaceuticals in the water. But health experts are concerned that small amounts of so many

pharmaceuticals could have a synergistic and negative effect in humans.

On the other hand, the effects on aquatic life from these “contaminants of emerging

concern” in the water are well-documented, shocking, and sad.

Intersex fish have been found in the Susquehanna River. According to USGS researcher

Dr. Vicki Blazer, about 90 percent of male smallmouths sampled had sexual abnormalities that

include eggs growing in their testes. This intersex condition is believed to be linked to the

presence of pharmaceuticals in the water.

Smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna continue to bear lesions and sores from a “perfect

storm” of factors such as abundant, harmful runoff of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment,

herbicides, cosmetics, detergents, and hormones in animal and human waste. These can weaken

the smallmouths’ immune systems and make them vulnerable to disease.

A drug take-back program operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and

Alcohol Programs manages 410 drop-boxes across the Commonwealth where unused

pharmaceuticals can be turned in for proper disposal.

Since the program began two years ago, 32,000 pounds of prescription drugs have been

collected.For more information about the drug take-back program and locations of the boxes, visit

the DDAP website .

Geisinger Health Systems and others also have turn-in programs. Each year for the past

10 years, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency has hosted a National Prescription Drug

Take-Back Day .

Clean water counts . We can all help protect our precious water supplies and rivers and

streams, by limiting the amount of unused pharmaceuticals that get into the trash, sewers, septic

http://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/offices-operations/harrisburg-pa/issues/urge-county-commissioners-to-pass-clean-water-resolutionshttp://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/http://www.ddap.pa.gov/Prevention/Pages/Drug_Take_Back.aspx#.VlR7nN-rRBwhttp://www.srbc.net/waterscienceforum/assets/docs/Peterson_Univ_Sciences_Water_Science_Forum_Presentation_fs199625.PDF


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tanks, and wastewater treatment plants.

Harry Campbell is PA executive director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation . He can be contacted by

sending email to: [email protected] . Click Here for regular updates on CBF-PA activities in

Pennsylvania (bottom of left panel).

NewsClips:Farmers Dispute Data Over Pollution In Chesapeake Bay

Alcosan Supports Greener Overflow Solutions

Alcosan Plan To Treat Sewage Overflows

Editorial: Alcosan Must Finish Sewer Upgrades On Time

Former Borough Manager Gets Fines For Sewage Discharge

Chiques Creek Project Aims To Reduce Flooding


Mon River Boat Rental Could Spur Economic Growth

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal

DEP Awards $9.3 Million Contract To Extinguish Carbon County Mine Fire

The Department of Environmental Protection Tuesday

announced it has awarded Hazleton Shaft Corporation a $9.3

million contract to isolate and extinguish the Jeanesville

mine fire near the village of Tresckow in Banks Township,

Carbon County.

Hazleton Shaft has an active permit with DEP to

mine on land adjacent to the entire 200-acre site and has been

working to extinguish the part of the fire that is burning on

the active mining area.

“We are happy to be working with Hazleton Shaft

Corporation on this phase of the mine fire project,” said Mike Korb, Environmental Program

Manager of the Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation in Wilkes-Barre. “The company,

lowest of eight bidders, is familiar with the mine fire, and they and DEP’s Pottsville District

Mine Office have implemented a work plan for the active mine area that will be worked in

coordination with this abandoned mine project.”

The Jeanesville mine fire is burning on approximately 28 acres both on the surface and

underground. Approximately 50 new and existing monitoring boreholes will be used to continue

to gauge the scope and intensity of the fire.

Hazleton Shaft has also agreed to extinguish any underground burning material they maydiscover during the project.

During the work, residents may experience a sulfur-like odor. DEP is committed to

completing the construction utilizing any methods available to minimize the smoke and odor,

and conducting air quality monitoring on an as-needed basis. Previous air quality monitoring

related to the fire indicated no dangerous levels of gases in the area.

“Our Air Quality staff is ready to respond if residents notice any lingering odors in their

neighborhoods,” said Mike Bedrin, Director of the DEP Northeast Regional Office in

http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmonvalley/yourmonvalleymore/9435118-74/river-business-coalition#axzz3sKXGj4QFhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/penndot_project_on_i-83_moves.html#incart_river_homehttp://lancasteronline.com/news/local/project-aims-to-relieve-flood-woes-in-manheim/article_775c0d6e-92d2-11e5-b6bf-1703d68cade8.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/camp_hill_sewage_borough_manag.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/11/26/Get-it-done-Alcosan-must-finish-its-sewer-upgrades-on-time/stories/201511260028http://www.post-gazette.com/news/environment/2015/11/22/An-Alcosan-plan-to-treat-sewage-overflows/stories/201511220125http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/11/24/Alcosan-hears-more-calls-to-go-greener-in-its-plans-for-sewage-compliance/stories/201511240183http://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/farmers-group-argues-its-not-polluting-the-bay-as-much-as-data-shows.phphttp://www.cbf.org/pamailto:[email protected]://www.cbf.org/pa


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Wilkes-Barre. “We want people to feel safe knowing the fire is being extinguished and the air

they breathe is not hazardous.”

Residents who do experience any odors coming from the fire are encouraged to contact

DEP’s Northeast Regional Office complaint line at 1-866-255-5158 ext. 2.

The work to extinguish the blaze involves digging two isolation trenches to contain the

fire and stop it from spreading. The project will involve the excavation of approximately 2.6million cubic yards of material to isolate the fire on the south side.

A water supply for the fire will be obtained by connecting to a line owned by the

Hazleton City Authority and from a well to the mine pool which lies below the area.

As part of the project, approximately 200 acres will be cleared and grubbed. It is

anticipated that the work will take two years to complete, and upon completion of the project,

any disturbed areas will be seeded, cleaned up and the equipment removed from the site.

The site will be stabilized and vegetated in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service and Office of Surface Mining. Firefighting foam will be used as needed. The overall

length of the project could be up to two years.

NewsClips:

DEP Awards Contract To Extinguish Carbon County Mine Fire Congressman Hopes Luzerne Mine Fire Gets Resolved Soon

Nov. 23 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The November 23 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State

Extension featuring articles on--

-- Impacts Of Penn State Extension Drinking Water Education

-- Penn State Extension Water Team Receives NALMS Outreach Award

-- Pharmaceuticals, Other Contaminants Of Emerging Concern

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

Latest E-News From Chesapeake Bay Journal Now Available

The November 23 E-News from the Chesapeake Bay Journal is not available featuring stories

on--

-- Effort Will Raise Number Of Citizens Collecting Water Quality On Bay

-- Calendar for Events

-- Click Here

to sign up for your own Chesapeake Bay Journal E-News.

PA American Water Treatment Plant Completes 3rd Phase Of Partnership For Safe Water

Pennsylvania American’s Water Rock Run Treatment Plant in Chester County recently

completed the third phase of the Partnership for Safe Water program, a voluntary effort to

provide safe drinking water.

Phase III entails a detailed, peer-reviewed report that summarizes the rigorous

self-assessment portion of the program.

This phase targets identifying weaknesses in plant operation, design and administration

that could lead to a breakthrough of waterborne disease-causing organisms into the finished

http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/BureauSafeDrinkingWater/Partnership/Pages/default.aspx#.VlYl5ISa10chttp://www.amwater.com/paaw/http://bayjournal.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b17f916d2763f0738a1910143&id=bde9036159http://www.bayjournal.com/calendarhttp://www.bayjournal.com/article/14567http://www.bayjournal.com/http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b17f916d2763f0738a1910143&id=f796c86130&e=49bc155bbdhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/subscribehttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/todays-disposable-society-pharmaceuticals-and-other-contaminants-of-emerging-concernhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/penn-state-extension-water-team-receives-2015-nalms-outreach-awardhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2015/impacts-of-penn-state-extension-drinking-water-educationhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news?utm_campaign=Watershed+Winds+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_view_onlinehttp://www.witf.org/news/2015/11/midstate-congressman-hopes-mine-fire-gets-resolved-soon.phphttp://timesleader.com/news/business/495883/dep-awards-9-3-million-contract-to-extinguish-jeanesville-mine-fire-near-hazleton


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water that is distributed to consumers.

Correcting these weaknesses helps prevent waterborne disease outbreaks from pathogenic

organisms like Cryptosporidium and Giardia.

Currently, 119 surface water treatment plants serving more than 6.1 million people are

now involved in Pennsylvania's Partnership program.

For more information, visit the DEP Partnership for Safe Water webpage.

(Reprinted from the November 25 edition of DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own

copy.)

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Business Meeting Dec. 4

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is conducting its quarterly business meeting

December 4 at 9:00 a.m., State Capitol Complex, North Office Building, Hearing Room 1 in

Harrisburg. The meeting is open to the public.

The Commissioners will act on several agenda items, including 30 project applications (1

involving an into-basin diversion); a rulemaking action to amend SRBC regulations to simplifyand clarify the process for transferring approvals and to add sections pertaining to general

permits and minor modifications to approvals; a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to provide

financial support to the Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program; an update to

SRBC’s Investment Policy Statement; regulatory compliance matters with Seneca Resources

Corporation and Schreiber Foods, Inc.; and approval of agreements which SRBC proposes to

enter. The business meeting agenda will also include a request to extend an emergency

certificate for United Water Pennsylvania.

SRBC will also host an informational presentation from Ms. Claire Maulhardt, from

Capital Region Water . Ms Maulhardt will speak on an intergovernmental cooperation agreement

for the Paxton Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Strategy that will reduce sediment

from stormwater discharges and stream bank erosion to improve the health of Paxton Creek

Watershed in Harrisburg and the surrounding communities.

Opportunities for public comment on project applications and rulemaking action were

previously provided and will not be accepted at the meeting. However, the Commissioners may

accept general public comments at the conclusion of the meeting.

SRBC’s Rules of Conduct for quarterly business meetings include:

— Attendees must sign-in and show photo identification.

— Signage, posters, banners or other display media will be permitted only in designated areas.

— The press will be permitted to set up and use video and recording devices in a designated

area. The public will be permitted to use small, hand-held devices that remain in their possession

and are used in a non-disruptive manner.For more information, visit the SRBC Public Participation Center webpage.

DEP: Chesapeake Appalachia Fined $1.4 M For Drill Pad Landslide In Greene County

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC

has agreed to a Consent Order and Agreement and will pay a fine of $1.4 million for violations

of Pennsylvania’s Oil and Gas Act, Clean Streams Law and Dam Safety and Encroachments Act.

http://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/publicparticipation.htmhttp://capitalregionwater.com/paxtoncreekstrategy/http://capitalregionwater.com/http://www.srbc.net/pubinfo/publicparticipation.htmhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/Pages/DEP-Newsletter.aspx#.VlYnNYSa10chttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20Nov.%2025%202015.pdfhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/BureauSafeDrinkingWater/Partnership/Pages/default.aspx#.VlYl5ISa10c


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As a result of the settlement, the company will restore waterways affected by the slide.

The violations stem from a landslide that occurred at the Stinger 8H gas well located in

Aleppo Township Greene County at the well pad on September 15, 2011. The slide impacted

seven unnamed tributaries of Harts Run. Sediment from the slide filled more than a quarter-mile

of streams below the well pad.

“DEP expects oil and gas operators to make all possible efforts to prevent violations fromoccurring and, if they do occur, to make timely efforts to restore all impacted resources,” said

John Ryder, DEP’s Director for Oil and Gas Operations. “Washington and Greene Counties are

within one of the most landslide-prone areas in the nation and this landslide resulted in a

significant impact to habitat and impairment of our waterways. Oil and gas operators must

understand the landslide potential and exercise proper oversight in the design and construction of

well sites to prevent slides from occurring.”

Although CALLC immediately began efforts to temporarily stabilize the site, the

company was not able to complete permanent stabilization until July 26, 2014. DEP closely

monitored the company’s efforts.

However, the agency and the company initially could not agree on actions needed to

permanently restore the streams impacted by the slide.Through this agreement, DEP and CALLC have a permanent plan and schedule for the

company to complete restoration work on the impacted waterways.

Beginning in March 2012, CALLC began to address the issues at the site, first by filing a

plan to clean up the impacted streams, then to permanently stabilize the well pad slide area. The

stabilization plan was accepted by DEP, and in September 2013 work began on the permanent

stabilization project.

While much of the work has been completed at the site, the COA stipulates that CALLC

must remove the remaining sediment and stabilize the banks of the headwater tributaries to Harts

Run by December 31, 2015.

The company has until September 30, 2016 to complete restoration work of the Harts

Run tributaries and improvements to an off-site stream. If CALLC fails to comply with the

stream restoration schedules, additional penalties will be assessed.

CALLC no longer operates the Stinger 8H well. It is now under the control of Rice

Drilling B, LLC.

NewsClip:

Chesapeake Fined $1.4 Million For Landslide

Nov. 25 DEP News Now Available

The November 25 edition of DEP News is now available from the Department of Environmental

Protection featuring articles on---- DEP Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force Schedules Dec. 16 Meeting

-- Chesapeake Appalachia Fined $1.4M For Well Pad Landslide In Greene County

-- DEP Assesses $1.7M Penalty Against PQ Corp. For Air Quality Violations

-- Contract Awarded To Extinguish Carbon County Mine Fire

-- Air Monitoring Shows No Dangerous Levels Of Dust Near Luzerne Mine Site

-- Chesapeake Bay Trust RFP On Help To Bay Agreement Goals

-- Chester County Water Treatment Plan Completes 3rd Phase Safe Water Partnership

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/pa-american-water-treatment-plant.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/chesapeake-bay-trust-rfp-for-technical.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-no-dangerous-levels-of-dust-near.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-awards-93-million-contract-to.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-17-million-penalty-on-pq-corp-for.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-chesapeake-appalachia-fined-14-m.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/dep-pipeline-infrastructure-task-force.htmlhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Public%20Participation%20Center/PubPartCenterPortalFiles/Newsletters/DEP%20News%20for%20Nov.%2025%202015.pdfhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/11/23/Chesapeake-Energy-fined-1-4M-for-landslide-Pennsylvania-DEP-Marcellus-Shale-Greene-County/stories/201511230168


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

Bradford Commissioners Set Dec. 2 Forum On Proposed Chesapeake Royalty Settlement

The Bradford County Commissioners have scheduled a public forum for December 2 to provide

a platform for discussion of the proposed class action royalty settlement with ChesapeakeEnergy.

The Forum will be held at the Towanda High School Auditorium in Towanda starting at

7:00 p.m. Click Here for more information provided by the Connection for Oil, Gas &

Environment in the Northern Tier .

Electric Power Research Institute Briefing On EPA Clean Power Climate Plan Dec. 17

The Public Utility Commission is hosting a briefing on the EPA Clean Power Climate Plan by

the Electric Power Research Institute , an electric generating industry associated nonprofit group,

on December 17 starting at 1:00 in Hearing Room 1 of the Keystone Building in Harrisburg.

( formal notice

) The Institute has published a variety of background papers on issues related to reducing

carbon emissions from power plants, including most recently looking at whether coal-fired

power plants can meet new emission limits without carbon capture and storage .

NewsClips:

Allegheny Front: Carbon Footprint Of Thanksgiving Dinner Clean Power Plan Prompts Trash Fight In PA

Editorial: Clean Power Climate Plan Worth Fighting For

Well Pad Compressor Engines Not Included In EPA Standards

New Agreement On Climate May Not Be Enough

Op-Ed: Time To Slow Down Climate Change

PUC Offers Black Friday Top 5 Tips For Energy Shopping, Savings

The Public Utility Commission Tuesday offered consumers a “Top Five” list of Black Friday tips

for energy savings and shopping:

Shopping for Energy

The PUC recommends that consumers regularly review their contracts and bills from

electric and natural gas suppliers in order to be familiar with key factors like pricing, term length

and fees, including monthly fees and cancellation fees.

With current price and consumption information in hand (more information below),

consumers can visit the PUC’s PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com websites fordetailed information about offers from various energy suppliers.

The Commission also encourages consumers to discuss energy issues with family

members, especially relatives who may be older, may not have Internet access or may be initially

uncomfortable with shopping for alternate electric or natural gas supply.

Conservation and Energy Efficiency

Consumers should review their monthly bills to better understand their actual energy

usage. That information can help evaluate the potential savings related to conservation and

http://www.puc.pa.gov/consumer_info/natural_gas/natural_gas_shopping/gas_shopping_tool.aspxhttp://www.papowerswitch.com/http://www.puc.state.pa.us/http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/11/27/It-is-time-to-slow-down-climate-change-world-leaders-must-step-up-in-Paris-to-protect-our-planet/stories/201511270009http://wapo.st/1PQOVNBhttps://plus.google.com/+CogentpaOrg/posts/gzDFGVb1sR9http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2015/11/23/Battle-lines-The-Clean-Power-Plan-is-worth-fighting-for/stories/201511230033http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/24/Clean-Power-Plan-prompts-trash-fight-in-Pennsylvania-landfill-gas-incinerator/stories/201511240009http://www.alleghenyfront.org/story/what-carbon-footprint-typical-thanksgivinghttp://mydocs.epri.com/docs/PublicMeetingMaterials/1115/Emissions%20Without%20CCS%20white%20paper%20release%2011-11-15.pdfhttp://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol45/45-48/2119.htmlhttp://www.epri.com/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.VlhWRYSa10chttp://cogentpa.org/http://cogentpa.org/https://plus.google.com/+CogentpaOrg/posts/FypGoRAGyqahttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/Pages/DEP-Newsletter.aspx#.VlYnNYSa10c


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efficiency projects, such as switching to LED lighting, weatherization, programmable

thermostats and other improvements.

Conservation and efficiency steps undertaken now can help save money and provide

greater comfort and safety during the coldest and darkest months of the year.

Ask For Assistance

Information about various energy assistance programs also is available on the PUC’swebsite, as part of the Commission’s annual “ Prepare Now ” campaign.

Consumers on limited or fixed incomes are encouraged to call their utility company about

programs to help heat their homes or pay their energy bills, such as Customer Assistance

Programs and Low Income Usage Reduction Programs.

Other aid also may be available, such as grants under the federal Low Income Home

Energy Assistance Program – which is administered by the Department of Human Services.

Monitor Energy Bills

Consumers should carefully monitor their monthly utility bills, along with the financial

accounts used for bill payment. Any questions or concerns about pricing, payment processing,

meter readings or changes in energy consumption should be raised with utilities as soon as

possible.Report Problems

The PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services is available to help consumers resolve disputes

with utilities, but it is important that any potential issue be immediately brought to the attention

of the utility.

In most cases issues are quickly resolved – but more challenging problems may require

intervention through the informal or formal complaint process.

The Bureau of Consumers Services can be reached toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.

NewsClips:

Large Electric Customers Ask To Be On Their Own On Energy Efficiency

Coal Plants Move From Leaders To Followers On Price?

DEP Air Quality Committee To Discuss Repeal Of Low-RVP Gasoline In Pittsburgh

At its December 10 meeting, DEP’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to

discuss the repeal of the low-RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure) gasoline requirement that applied to

only the seven county Pittsburgh Region during the summer ozone season.

The counties include: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and

Westmoreland.

Act 50 of 2014 directed DEP to start the process of repealing the requirement, but only if

offsetting air emissions reductions could be found.

In a presentation scheduled for the Committee

, DEP said it would offset any emissionreductions lost by the repeal of the requirement by taking credit for regulations already on the

books, but for which DEP has not yet taken any credit in the State Air Quality Implementation

Plan.

DEP conducted a technical analysis to determine the contribution the low-RVP gasoline

requirements makes to reduced volatile organic compound emissions and found the difference

between low-RVP 7.8 gasoline and the 8.7 RVP gasoline required in other parts of the state was

only 0.126 tons per day in 2017 (25.2 pounds).

http://files.dep.state.pa.us/Air/AirQuality/AQPortalFiles/Advisory%20Committees/Air%20Quality%20Technical%20Advisory%20Committee/2015/12-10-15/06%20-%20Low%20RVP%20Repeal%20Presentation.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=29474http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/AdvisoryGroups/Air-Quality-Technical-Advisory-Committee/Pages/default.aspx#.VliLMd-rRBxhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/consumers-powersource/2015/11/24/What-happens-when-coal-plants-move-from-leaders-to-followers-baseload-cycling/stories/201511240007http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2015/11/24/State-s-largest-customers-ask-to-do-energy-efficiency-on-their-own/stories/201511170001http://www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/heatingassistanceliheap/#.VlSyi4Sa10chttp://www.dhs.pa.gov/citizens/heatingassistanceliheap/#.VlSyi4Sa10chttp://www.puc.state.pa.us/consumer_info/natural_gas/prepare_now.aspx


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The low-RVP gasoline requirement routinely caused gasoline to be at least 10 to 15 cents

per gallon more expensive in the Pittsburgh region than in nearby states and counties.

For more information and copies of the proposed regulation and presentation , visit DEP’s

Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee webpage.

NewsClip:

Well Pad Compressor Engines Not Included In EPA Standards

PA Environmental Council Outlines Work On Trails, Greenways

All across the state, the PA Environmental Council is improving and expanding networks of

recreational trails.

The Circuit in Philadelphia and the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition out of

Pittsburgh, both with strong PEC leadership and partnerships, are probably the two most exciting

trail networks in the country right now.

And PEC, along with others, are bringing Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Allentown into the

fold with a burgeoning partnership network.

Additionally, PEC continues to provide leadership in bringing trail groups together toeffectively collaborate and move trail development forward to put webmapping tools such as

GoToTrails.com to use.

Frank Maguire, PEC Program Manager for Trails and Recreation, outlines PEC's trail

development initiatives in the third of four videos this month highlighting different branches of

PEC's work in water resource protection, energy and climate, and policy in a short video by PEC.

With 1,400 miles of trails across Pennsylvania, PEC continues to strive toward bridging

the gaps between those trails to achieve its goal of a statewide trail network.

"Those key (trail) gaps will open up very long corridors and really prove the case for why

these trails will work and why they will bring economic development to local communities and

to engender a real sense of place to people who are using the trails,” said Maguire.

Click Here

to watch the video.

For more information on trails and recreation initiatives, visit the PEC Trails and

Recreation webpage. Click Here to sign up for monthly email updates on PEC activities. Click

Here to read PEC’s Blog.

NewsClips:

Op-Ed: Our National Parks Remain Unfinished


PA Land Trust Assn. Seeks Conservation, Government Leadership Award Nominations

The PA Land Trust Association seeks nominations for its Lifetime Conservation Leadership andGovernment Conservation Leadership Awards.

The Lifetime Leadership Award honors individuals for decades of leadership and

dedication in conserving our special places and landscapes. Nominations are due January 15.

The Government Leadership Award honors Pennsylvania municipalities and counties that

have demonstrated leadership and success in the conservation of our special places and

landscapes. Nominations are due February 12.

For more information on other programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Land

http://conserveland.org/http://conserveland.org/blog/palta-accepting-nominations-for-2016-government-leadership-awards/http://conserveland.org/blog/nominations-sought-for-lifetime-conservation-leadership-award/http://conserveland.org/http://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/penndot_project_on_i-83_moves.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2015/11/22/Our-national-parks-remain-unfinished-parks-such-as-Gettysburg-Ken-Salazar/stories/201511220132http://pecpa.org/pec-blog/http://pecpa.org/pec-blog/http://pecpa.org/email-signup/http://pecpa.org/programs/trails-recreation/http://pecpa.org/programs/trails-recreation/https://youtu.be/U_O_2_xL6Ychttps://youtu.be/U_O_2_xL6Ychttp://gototrails.com/http://ihearttrails.org/http://connectthecircuit.org/http://pecpa.org/https://plus.google.com/+CogentpaOrg/posts/gzDFGVb1sR9http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/AdvisoryGroups/Air-Quality-Technical-Advisory-Committee/Pages/default.aspx#.VliLMd-rRBxhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/Air/AirQuality/AQPortalFiles/Advisory%20Committees/Air%20Quality%20Technical%20Advisory%20Committee/2015/12-10-15/06%20-%20Low%20RVP%20Repeal%20Presentation.pdfhttp://files.dep.state.pa.us/Air/AirQuality/AQPortalFiles/Advisory%20Committees/Air%20Quality%20Technical%20Advisory%20Committee/2015/12-10-15/06a%20-%20Low%20RVP%20Repeal%20Annex%20A%20PROPOSED%20RULEMAKING.pdf


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Trust Association website. Click Here to sign up for updates on PALTA activities.

Fish Commission Opens Comment Period On Draft Trout Management Plan

The Fish and Boat Commission announced Friday it has opened a public comment period for

individuals to submit comments on the agency’s draft 2016-17 Trout Management Plan

.“The goal of the strategic plan is to ensure that adequate protection is afforded to wild

trout resources and that fisheries provided through the management of wild trout and the

stocking of adult and fingerling trout will continue to provide excellent angling opportunities in

Pennsylvania,” said Jason Detar, Chief of the Division of Fisheries Management.

“The plan includes input provided by a work group that consisted of commission staff,

anglers affiliated with a variety of sportsmen’s organizations, and independent anglers not

affiliated with a sportsmen’s organization,” he added.

As part of the plan, 22 priority issues have been identified encompassing four primary

resource categories, which include: management of wild trout streams, management of stocked

trout streams, management of stocked trout lakes, and trout management in Lake Erie.

Public comments will be accepted through December 31. Comments may be submittedonline . Written comments may be submitted to Mackenzie Ridgway, PFBC, 450 Robinson Lane,

Bellefonte, PA 16823.

For more information, visit the Fish & Boat Commission’s Trout Management Plan

webpage.

Wolf Signs Executive Order Creating Hunting, Fishing, Conservation Advisory Councils

Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday announced he has signed Executive Order 2015-13 to formally

establish both the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation and the

Governor’s Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation.

“Hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation is an important part of Pennsylvania’s civic and

cultural life,” Gov. Wolf said. “I look forward to hearing from and working with Pennsylvanians

who equally cherish these rich traditions. This executive order will help solidify the important

role of outdoors enthusiasts in my administration’s policies and priorities.”

While attending the annual kickoff event for a statewide venison donation program called

Hunters Sharing the Harvest, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary

Cindy Dunn announced the Governor’s executive order and spoke about the importance of

hunters, anglers and outdoors enthusiasts.

“As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches I wanted to take a moment to thank our hunters

and anglers for all they’ve done over the years to support conservation,” Secretary Dunn said.

“Today, we’ve learned about how hunters work to end hunger by making venison donations tolocal food banks and needy families through the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program. These

activities are such a rich part of our heritage and this executive orders ensures we will move

carefully and deliberately as we make important decisions regarding our natural resources.”

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation will be

comprised of twenty Pennsylvania residents who will offer recommendations and advice on a

range of outdoor-related issues, including pending legislation.

Among the council’s specific duties will be to recruit, screen and recommend nominees

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_432840_785_708_0_43/http%3B/pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/files/executive_orders/2010___2019/2015_13.pdfhttp://fishandboat.com/troutplan.htmhttp://fishandboat.com/promo/form/trout-plan2016.htmhttp://fishandboat.com/promo/form/trout-plan2016.htmhttp://fishandboat.com/troutplan.htmhttp://conserveland.org/get-updates-or-join-listservs/http://conserveland.org/


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for the boards of the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission.

The Governor’s Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation will be made up of

twenty youth from around the Commonwealth, ages 14-18, and will be asked to provide the

Governor with innovative ideas about how best to engage today’s youth, and future generations,

in the conservation of our natural resources and the enhancement our outdoor heritage.

“Here in Pennsylvania, we’re blessed with abundant natural resources that createwidespread recreational opportunities for all outdoor recreationalists,” Dunn said. “About 6.4

million people in Pennsylvania enjoy some form of outdoor recreation, like birdwatching, nature

photography, hiking, camping, boating and these healthy, family based activities not only

improve our quality of life, they enhance our economic well-being.”

Pennsylvania’s two wildlife agencies are sustained primarily from the license fees

hunters and anglers pay and from various federal excise taxes they’re charged when they

purchase things like firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, trolling motors and watercraft.

Since 1938, when the Pittman-Robertson Act first went into effect, hunters and target

shooters across America have provided more than $9 billion to purchase land for wildlife habitat,

preserving open space for all citizens, not just those who hunt and fish.

And the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act collects about $1 billion annually atthe national level, providing the Fish and Boat Commission with about $13 million annually to

help it fulfill its mission.

Outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania accounts for $21.5 billion in consumer spending and

supports 219,000 direct jobs.

Our hunters and anglers spend about $1.5 billion annually, creating a ripple effect on our

economy valued at $2.5 billion; they support roughly the same number of jobs as are provided by

our third largest employer, Penn State University.

Interested In Serving?

Individuals interested in volunteering for either council should send a resume and

detailed cover letter explaining their desire to serve to Robb Miller, Governor’s Advisory

Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, 400 Market St., 7th Floor, Harrisburg, PA

17101-2301 or email their information to: [email protected] .

The selection process is expected to be competitive and the deadline for applications is

January 1, 2016.

A copy of the Executive Order is available online .

Gov. Corbett created an Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation by

Executive Order in 2012. Gov. Rendell created a Governor’s Advisory Council on Hunting,

Fishing and Conservation and a Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation in 2003

by Executive Order

. Gov. Ridge created a Sportsmen’s Advisory Council and Youth Advisory

Council in 1995 by Executive Order .

NewsClips:Budget Standoff Has Food Banks Looking To Hunters

State Orders Mr. Lebanon To Provide Deer Hunt Details

DCNR Interactive Website Offers Hunters Wealth Of Information

Timed for Monday’s opening of Pennsylvania’s traditional deer season, the DCNR Bureau of

Forestry is offering a revamped, interactive website offering a wealth of maps, statistics and

http://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/bof/huntmap/index.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/11/26/Mt-Lebanon-weighs-response-to-right-to-know-response-to-deer-hunt/stories/201511260045http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/11/27/Budget-standoff-has-Pennsylvania-food-banks-looking-to-hunters-for-help/stories/201511300042http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol31/31-45/31_45_gv.pdfhttp://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-rendell-creates-advisory-council-on-hunting-fishing-conservation-71129472.htmlhttp://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/governor-rendell-creates-advisory-council-on-hunting-fishing-conservation-71129472.htmlhttp://www.oa.pa.gov/Policies/eo/Documents/2012_02.pdfhttp://www.apps.dcnr.state.pa.us/news/resource/res2012/12-0229-hfcadvisorycouncil.aspxhttp://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_432840_785_708_0_43/http%3B/pubcontent.state.pa.us/publishedcontent/publish/global/files/executive_orders/2010___2019/2015_13.pdfmailto:[email protected]


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other information designed to make a hunter’s search more enjoyable and rewarding.

“Hinging on an interactive map of the entire state, this multi-faceted website was

designed by hunters – for hunters. Those who enjoy roaming our wealth of state forestlands,”

said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This

information should prove invaluable, not just to deer hunters but others seeking bear, turkey,

small game and even waterfowl in others seasons.”Offering details on newly opened roads, timber harvesting activity, forestry office contact

numbers and much more on the state forest map .

“Hunters are the bureau’s strongest ally in its bid to achieve deer populations in balance

with state forest habitat,” Dunn said, “and we know the more information they have about open

roads, good habitat, and state forest and Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)

boundaries, the better their chances of success.

“The website looks beyond deer for hunters who may be seeking other species,” said

Dunn. “Grouse and turkey hunters and others in tune with good habitat will be interested in

locations of young aspen stands; winter thermal cover; wildlife openings; oak forests and timber

sales.”

In addition, the site:-- Locates newly opened roads on state forestlands;

-- Offers directions to locations that prompt interest;

-- Displays legal shooting hours and supplies current weather conditions including wind direction

and strength;

-- Lists season and bag limits, filtered by species, season type, and/or what’s currently in season;

-- Delineates Game Commission Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) and what state forests

they encompass;

-- Lists deer harvest statistics and antlered and antlerless license allocations for WMUs;

-- Facilitates elk hunters in choosing Elk Hunting Zone applications by showing boundaries on

base map, along with each zone’s public land access, road access and the number of elk tags

issues.

“Essentially, we tried to make it easier for hunters to find their way around our 2.2

million acres of state forestland,” Dunn said. “They can display current state forest boundaries

atop aerial imagery, topographic maps, terrain, and other base maps, and then and zoom in to see

more detail. Hunters also can plot locations of personal waypoints and track logs from their GPS

on the map.”

Hunters heading into Pennsylvania’s state-owned woodlands on November 30, will find

additional roads open in 18 of the 20 state forest districts.

“The Bureau of Forestry hopes to improve accessibility while promoting hunting where it

is needed to benefit forest regeneration and the overall ecosystem,” said Dunn. “For that reason,

a total of 536 miles of state forest roads normally open only for administrative use will again beavailable to hunters and others visiting state forestlands this year.”

More than 3,000 miles of state forest roadways were open during the statewide archery

season, which began October 3 and closed November 14. They will continue to stay open

through other hunting seasons continuing into January, 2016.

Some state forest roads only will be opened for the second week of the traditional rifle

season because they cannot withstand the expected heavy traffic of the first week of that season.

Two- or three-month long openings will be in effect only where there is minimal threat of

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/deer/dmap/http://maps.dcnr.pa.gov/bof/huntmap/index.html


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damage or deterioration to road surfaces or forest surroundings.

Meanwhile, top-quality hunting is offered at many state parks -- especially those in the

12-county Pennsylvania Wilds region -- where state forestland often surrounds them.

Inexpensive camping can be found at many of those parks.

Primitive camping on state forestlands is also an option, giving hunters a backcountry

camping or hunting experience. Camping permits, issued by the managing forest district, arerequired when camping on state forestlands on designated sites.

Hunters traveling to some north central areas of the state are reminded some hunting

areas and travel routes may be impacted by Marcellus Shale-related activities. Some state forest

roads may be temporarily closed during drilling operations or other peak periods of heavy use to

reduce potential safety hazards.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s 20 state forest districts and 120 state parks, visit

DCNR’s Natural Gas Drilling and State Forests , Forestry and State Park webpages.

NewsClips:

Budget Standoff Has Food Banks Looking To Hunters

State Orders Mr. Lebanon To Provide Deer Hunt Details

Public Participation Opportunities/Calendar Of Events

This section lists House and Senate Committee meetings, DEP and other public hearings and

meetings and other interesting environmental events.

NEW

means new from last week. [Agenda Not Posted] means not posted within 2 weeks

of the advisory committee meeting. Go to the online Calendar webpage for updates.

November 28-- Allen Dieterich-Ward, Author of Beyond Rust-Pittsburgh Rebirth, Presentation,

Book Signing . Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. 2:00.

November 28-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Holiday Open House Featuring Scott Weidensaul .

Berks County.

November 30-- PA Resources Council Vermicomposting Workshop in Allegheny County.

Castle Shannon Library. 7:00 p.m.

December 2-- Agenda Posted . DEP Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee meeting.

DEP Bureau of Laboratories Building, 2575 Interstate Dr., Harrisburg. 9:00. Contact: Aaren

Alger, DEP, 717-346-8212 or send email to: [email protected] .

-- Draft Changes to Chapter 252 Environmental Laboratory Accreditation

-- Discussion of Fee Report Form-- Click Here for available handouts.

December 2-- NEW . Bradford County Commissioners public forum on proposed Chesapeake

Energy royalty settlement . Towanda High School Auditorium, Towanda. 7:00.

December 3-- Westminster College, Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition Student Symposium on

the Environment. McKelvey Campus Center, Witherspoon Rooms and the Mueller Theater,

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/westminster-college-slippery-rock.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2015/11/westminster-college-slippery-rock.htmlhttp://www.srwc.org/http://www.westminster.edu/academi