Pa Environment Digest April 4, 2016

8/18/2019 Pa Environment Digest April 4, 2016

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PA Environment Digest An Update On Environmental Issues In Pennsylvania

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner Of PA Association of Environmental Educators Business Partner Of The Year Award

PA Environment Digest Daily Blog Twitter Feed

Issue #614 Harrisburg, PA April 4, 2016

Tribune-Review: John Linkes, Armstrong County, Receives National River Heroes Award

The Tribune-Review reported Wednesday that John Linkes, a

volunteer active in the Roaring Run and Kiskiminetas Riverwatersheds in Armstrong, Indiana and Westmoreland counties, has

received the national River Heroes Award for his conservation efforts

from the River Network .

This national award honors only five winners each year who are

leaders from the river and water conservation community.

Linkes tests the water, picks up garbage, talks to local government

officials and leads anti-litter campaigns — even donning an insect

costume to get his point across as the PA Resources Council Litterbug .

In 1999, he started testing the Kiski River, Roaring Run and other tributaries, turning up

acid mine drainage — legacy pollution from the region's coal mining history. He especially liked

doing aquatic surveys.Links is a director on the boards of the Roaring Run Watershed Association and the

Kiskiminetas Watershed Association; a member of the Crooked Creek Environmental Learning

Center steering committee and Leechburg Recycling Center ; and coordinates the annual Ohio

River Sweep for the Kiski River.

He majored in earth sciences in college. Although his career path took him to the steel

mills, working for Allegheny Technologies Inc. (formerly Allegheny Ludlum) in Leechburg and

then Vandergrift for 40 years.

Past River Heroes Award winners from Pennsylvania include: John Klunk (2004),

founder of the Codorus Monitoring Network in York County and David Hess (2002), former

Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

NewsClips:

Volunteer Linkes Of Leechburg Honored For Conservation Efforts

NE Sustainable Energy Education Group Wins Governor’s Award

Spring Reruns: Senate, House Return To Voting Session Monday

Beginning Monday, the Senate and House return

http://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10222848-74/linkes-river-awardhttps://www.rivernetwork.org/hero/john-klunk/http://kiskiwatershed.blogspot.com/http://armstrongedutrust.org/services/elc/https://www.rivernetwork.org/about/https://www.rivernetwork.org/events-learning/awards/river-heroes/https://www.rivernetwork.org/events-learning/awards/river-heroes/http://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10222848-74/linkes-river-awardhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/https://twitter.com/paenvirodigesthttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20160325/NEWS/160329899http://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10222848-74/linkes-river-awardhttps://www.rivernetwork.org/hero/david-hess/https://www.rivernetwork.org/hero/john-klunk/http://www.orsanco.org/sweephttp://www.orsanco.org/sweephttp://www.co.armstrong.pa.us/recyclinghttp://armstrongedutrust.org/services/elc/http://armstrongedutrust.org/services/elc/http://kiskiwatershed.blogspot.com/http://www.roaringrun.org/http://prc.org/learn-act/fighting-litter/https://www.rivernetwork.org/about/https://www.rivernetwork.org/events-learning/awards/river-heroes/http://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10222848-74/linkes-river-awardhttps://twitter.com/paenvirodigesthttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=11953http://www.crisciassociates.com/


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to Harrisburg for 2 weeks of voting session to pick up where they left off on the debate [battle]

over the state budget-- this year’s and next year’s.

During the break, of course, Gov. Wolf let most of the state budget become law without

his signature so money began flowing to school districts, counties, state-related universities,

nonprofit human service groups and state vendors that needed it badly.

He did pick up his pen to veto the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1327

(Peifer-R-Pike)--that contained the formula for distributing basic education money, fund transfers to support

Department of Agriculture programs and other “special” provisions to kill DEP’s update of

conventional oil and gas drilling regulations and delay any plan to meet EPA’s Clean Power

Climate Plan requirements.

As if on cue, Senate and House Republicans cried “foul,” saying there was nothing in the

Fiscal Code bill the Governor didn’t see or agree-to before. [There’s that word-- “agreed-to”

again.]

Gov. Wolf countered on a Pittsburgh radio program Wednesday saying these were the

same people [Republicans] he had an agreement with before [several in fact] and they failed to

deliver.

Those who said the budget impasse was over two weeks ago apparently weren’t payingenough attention. The same players are saying the same things they’ve been saying since March

a year ago.

No doubt Senate and House Republicans will spend some time discussing where they go

from here with items Gov. Wolf vetoed, again.

Do they want to re-pass some provisions and put new bills on his desk?

Do they want to focus just on the FY 2016-17 budget and try to sneak the provisions they

care about in legislative vehicles they think are more veto-proof?

The good news? Pennsylvania collected $4.5 billion in General Fund revenue in March,

which was $86.7 million, or 2 percent, more than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund

collections total $22.2 billion, which is $147.4 million, or 0.7 percent, above estimate.

Stay tuned for more..

Third Ring Of Political Circus Here

Politics expanded in another direction this week as the Presidential campaign circus

arrived in Pennsylvania.

The first events by Kasich and Cruz in Philadelphia and Harrisburg and the opening of

campaign offices by Sanders and one of his trademark shows in Pittsburgh mean things are

getting serious ahead of the April 26 primary.

Polls say Trump and Clinton will be the winners. We’ll see. The Republican side could

be closer than people think.

Also Presidential this week, Obama stepped into Pennsylvania politics by endorsing

McGinty for U.S. Senate (chronically behind in the polls) and Shapiro for Attorney General (atleast competitive). He could bat 50 percent come election day.

The other circus (as the media calls it) that is the indicted Attorney General Kathleen

Kane continued this week when she spent yet more money to hire former Montgomery County

DA Bruce Castor for a new position of Solicitor General; a position that will likely only last

another few months like she will.

Castor is now famous for not prosecuting Bill Cosby for sexual wrong-doing.

This somehow fits because Kane hired the former Maryland Attorney General Doug

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/elections/mc-pa-latest-polling-20160401-story.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2016/04/01/New-budget-battle-Wolf-and-Republican-leaders-just-never-quit/stories/201604300003http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1327


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Gansler in December to further “investigate” the porngate emails, himself a victim of an

impeachment attempt. Unfortunately, even Gansler said he didn’t think any criminal indictments

would result from his spending as much as $2 million reading titillating emails.

As the media has said, you can’t make this up.

What’s Next

The Senate and House Environmental Resources and Energy Committees are expected totake some action in the near future related to their review of DEP’s final Chapter 78

(conventional) and 78a (unconventional) drilling regulation updates.

Whether that action will be to send a disapproval letter before the Independent

Regulatory Review Commission meets on April 21 on the regulation or notify the IRRC they

will opt to take their extra 14-day review time after the April 21 IRRC meeting on the

regulations or save a step and report out a resolution disapproving the regulations, only time will

tell.

19 members of the House wrote to the IRRC this week supporting DEP’s regulations,

headed by Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee.

After these 2 weeks of session, the House returns May 2 and the Senate May 9 to beginthe marathon run up to what used to be the June 30 deadline for a state budget.

In case anyone is counting, it’s just 87 days until the deadline for a new budget.

It’s been 277 days since the deadline for the FY 2015-16 state budget.

[Sigh]

NewsClips:

Drilling Slowdown To Leave DEP $2.9M Deficit

Coal Industry Balks At Proposed 1,200% Hike In DEP Permit Fees

Can Coal Companies Afford To Clean Up Coal Country?

Column: DEP’s Quigley Crying Wolf Over His Tough Budget

Wolf: Public Supports Issues I’m Fighting For

Republicans Spoiling For A Fight Over Fiscal Code

Swift: State Budget Hurdles Remain

AP: School Funding, Borrowing Trigger Wolf Veto To Budget Bill

PLS Reporter: Wolf’s Fiscal Code Veto Draws Mixed Reaction

Swift: New Wolf Fiscal Code Bill Veto To Have Impact

Ratings Agencies See Much Not To Like In PA Budge

Lawmakers Might Put Hunting, Fishing License Bills On Fast Track

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Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates --

http://www.crisciassociates.com/https://plus.google.com/+DavidHessGreenWorksInPA/postshttp://triblive.com/sports/outdoors/10207330-74/bill-boat-fishhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Ij0PZWgAhttp://citizensvoice.com/news/new-woilf-veto-to-have-impact-1.2023551http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/1224/Governor%E2%80%99s-Fiscal-Code-veto-draws-mixed-reaction.aspxhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=kJcv7wrMhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-budget-hurdles-remain-1.2024010http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2016/03/did_wolfs_fiscal_code_veto_set.html#incart_2box_opinionhttps://governor.pa.gov/blog-you-support-these-issues-why-doesnt-your-state-representative/http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2016/04/deps_quigley_is_crying_wolf_ov.html#incart_river_homehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/can-coal-companies-afford-to-clean-up-coal-country/2016/04/01/c175570c-ec73-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html?postshare=3101459546919902&tid=ss_twhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2016/03/29/Proposal-to-hike-Pennsylvania-coal-mining-fees-prompt-sticker-shock-DEP/stories/201603290010https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/03/29/drilling-slowdown-to-leave-regulators-with-2-9-million-deficit/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2016/03/19-house-members-urge-irrc-to-approve.htmlhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35069http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35069


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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 (April 4): House Resolution 60 (Emrick-R-Northampton) directing the Legislative

Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the state’s program toregulate the beneficial use of sewage sludge; Senate Bill 307 (Yudichak-D-Luzerne) providing

for an independent counsel for the Environmental Quality Board; Senate Bill 811 (Hughes-D-

Philadelphia) FY 2015-16 Capital Budget bill; Senate Bill 1071 (Browne-R-Lehigh), the

“agreed-to” pension reform bill; Senate Bill 1073 (Browne-R-Lehigh) “agreed-to” $30.8 billion

General Fund budget bill. Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (April 4): Senate Bill 289 (Fontana-D-Allegheny) funding to assist homeowners with

deteriorating private sewer laterals ( sponsor summary ); Senate Bill 805 (Boscola-D- Lehigh)

allowing an Act 129 opt-out for large electric users (sponsor summary); Senate Bill 973

(Scavello-R-Monroe) increasing the fines for littering ( sponsor summary ); Senate Bill 1041

(Schwank-D-Berks) amending Act 101 to authorize all local governments to charge a recyclingservice fee (sponsor summary ); Senate Bill 1114 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) allowing the use of

alternative on-lot septic systems on the sewage facility planning process (sponsor summary );

Senate Bill 1168 (Eichelberger-R-Blair) authorizing the Fish and Boat Commission to adopt fees

charged by the agency rather than have them set by the General Assembly (sponsor summary);

Senate Bill 1166 (Stefano-R-Fayette) authorizing the Game Commission to adopt fees charged

by the agency rather than have them set by the General Assembly ( sponsor summary ); House

Bill 806 (Causer-R-Cameron) providing for county-specific use values for land in forest reserves

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0806http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=0806http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=19679http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1166http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=19508http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1168http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=19376http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1114http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=18547http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1041http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20150&cosponId=16502http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0973http://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=15457http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0289http://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=1073http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=1071http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0811http://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=H&type=R&bn=0060http://www.twitter.com/PaCapitolDigesthttp://pacapitoldigestcrisci.blogspot.com/http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/https://twitter.com/paenvirodigest


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( sponsor summary ); House Bill 1712 (R.Brown-R-Monroe) establishing a Private Dam Financial

Assurance Program ( House Fiscal Note and summary). Click Here for full Senate Bill

Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: the Appropriations Committee meets to consider House Bill 1895 (Metzgar-R-

Bedford) changing the membership of the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Board

from appointments only by the Governor to appointments by both the General Assembly and the

Governor; the Game and Fisheries Committee hearing on hunting license fees. 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 ineach--

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

JudiciaryLaw and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule

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/CO/HM/COHM.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1895http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/SC/SC/0/RC/CAL.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/HB1712P2772.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1712http://www.legis.state.pa.us//cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17643


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

Senate

April 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18

June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

House

April 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13

May 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25

June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

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--

Valuation of Water Systems: House Bill 1326 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) valuation of water

and wastewater systems for ratemaking purposes (House Fiscal Note and summary).

News From The Capitol

19 House Members Urge IRRC To Approve Final DEP Drilling Reg Update

A group of 19 members of the House members led by Rep. Greg Vitali

(D-Delaware), Minority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and

Energy Committee, Thursday sent a letter to the Independent Regulatory

Review Commission urging approval of DEP’s final regulations that

would make conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling safer in

Pennsylvania.

IRRC, the agency created to review Commonwealth agency regulations to

ensure they are in the public interest, is scheduled to consider theregulations at its April 21 hearing.

Rep. Vitali said the regulations would enhance public resource

protections, including those for state parks and forests, playgrounds,

schools and public water supplies; provide for pre-drilling review of potential abandoned and

operating wells; require water supply restoration standards for operators who degrade a water

supply; and enhanced spill reporting and cleanup requirements.

The final Chapter 78 (conventional) and Chapter 78a (unconventional) drilling regulation

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35069http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35069http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/OilandGasMgmt/Public-Resources/Pages/Oil-and-Gas-Surface-Regulations.aspx#.VthvFcea10chttp://www.pahouse.com/files/Documents/2016-03-31_11-25-00__Ch%20_78_IRRC_Letter.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/FN/2015/0/HB1326P2396.pdfhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1326https://governor.pa.gov/schedule/


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updates were promulgated in accordance with Act 13 of 2012, and have not been updated since

2001, so modernizing them is critical to ensure protection of Pennsylvania’s environment, the

group’s letter states.

The drilling industry opposes the regulations and on March 24, the PA Independent

Petroleum Producers Association filed a suit in Commonwealth Court challenging them.

The House and Senate can stop the regulations by passing a concurrent resolutiondisapproving them, which must be signed by the governor. If he vetoes, the General Assembly

can override the veto by a two-thirds majority.

However, legislators supporting the regulations argue that after two public comment

periods, 12 public hearings, two dozen advisory committee meetings and nearly 28,000

stakeholder comments, the issue has been thoroughly vetted and the time has come for the IRRC

to adopt them.

A copy of the letter is available online.

For more information on the regulations, visit DEP’s Oil and Gas Regulations webpage.

NewsClip:

41 Natural Gas Companies Join EPA To Cut Methane Emissions

Related Story:The Clock Starts: DEP Delivers Final Drilling Regs To House, Senate, IRRC For Review

April 11 Environmental Forum: Sustainable Manufacturing In Forest Products Industry

The April 11 Environmental Issues Forum hosted by the Joint legislative Air and Water Pollution

Control and Conservation Committee will feature presentations by the PA Forest Products

Association and the American Forest and Paper Association on sustainable manufacturing in the

forest products industry.

Pennsylvania has a historical role in the forest products industry, with the first paper mill

in the nation built near philadelphia in 1690.

Today, the industry employs over 53,000 Pennsylvanians and produces countless

household and commercial goods. The industry has also increased its focus on environmental

stewardship by increasing paper recycling, improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions,

promoting sustainable forestry practices, improving workplace safety and reducing water use.

The presentation will highlight environmental practices in the forest products industry as

well as how state and federal regulations can impact the industry’s future sustainability goals.

The Forum will be held in Room 8E-A of the Capitol’s East Wing starting at noon.

April 14 Forestry Task Force Meeting

The Joint Conservation Committee’s Legislative Forestry Task Force will hold a meeting

in State College on April 14 on invasive species and their impact on forest health.

Presenters for the task force meeting include: Mr. Don Eggen, forest health manager,DCNR's Bureau of Forestry; Mr. Sven Shichiger, entomology program manager, Department of

Agriculture; and Dr. Sarah Johnson, conservation GIS analyst, The Nature

Conservancy-Pennsylvania Chapter .

The meeting will be in Room 217 of the Forest Resources Building, Penn State

University at State College starting at 10:00.

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

Committee.

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/pennsylvania/http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/pennsylvania/http://www.afandpa.org/http://www.paforestproducts.org/http://www.paforestproducts.org/http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35069http://triblive.com/business/headlines/10228799-74/gas-methane-climatehttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/OilandGasMgmt/Public-Resources/Pages/Oil-and-Gas-Surface-Regulations.aspx#.VthvFcea10chttp://www.pahouse.com/files/Documents/2016-03-31_11-25-00__Ch%20_78_IRRC_Letter.pdfhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35335http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35335


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For more information, visit the Joint Conservation Committee website, Like them on

Facebook or Follow them on Twitter . To be added to the email list for the Synopsis, send an

email to: [email protected] .

NewsClips:

Prescribed Burn Slated For State Game Land In Cumberland

Prescribed Burns Planned For Acres Of State Game Lands Jacobsburg, Delaware Water Gap Announce Controlled Burns

Crews Battle Brush Fire In Carbondale Twp

Brush Fire Season Underway In NE PA

Ash-Killing Emerald Ash Borer At Our Doorstep

News From Around The State

StateImpact: Drilling Slowdown Puts DEP $2.9 Million In Debt

StateImpact reported Tuesday the slowdown in the drilling industry will put collection of permit

fees about $2.9 million below what is needed to support the Oil and Gas Regulatory Program at

DEP in the FY 2016-17 budget year.

The following fiscal year income could be as much as $9.8 million less than what is

needed to run the program.

DEP Secretary John Quigley raised the issue of the oil and gas and 11 other DEP special

funds that will have shortfalls between now and 2018 in his second hearing before the Senate

Appropriations Committee two weeks ago.

DEP is scheduled to propose permit fee increases for at least 6 of its major programs in

2016.

A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office said they are looking at a range of options to

maintain the solvency of the fund.NewsClips:

Drilling Slowdown To Leave DEP $2.9M Deficit

Coal Industry Balks At Proposed 1,200% Hike In DEP Permit Fees

Can Coal Companies Afford To Clean Up Coal Country?

Column: DEP’s Quigley Crying Wolf Over His Tough Budget

Wolf: Public Supports Issues I’m Fighting For

Republicans Spoiling For A Fight Over Fiscal Code

Swift: State Budget Hurdles Remain

AP: School Funding, Borrowing Trigger Wolf Veto To Budget Bill

PLS Reporter: Wolf’s Fiscal Code Veto Draws Mixed Reaction

Swift: New Wolf Fiscal Code Bill Veto To Have Impact Ratings Agencies See Much Not To Like In PA Budge

Lawmakers Might Put Hunting, Fishing License Bills On Fast Track

Related Stories:

2nd Senate Budget Hearing: DEP: 12 Special Funds Will Have Funding Shortfalls By 2018

DEP To Propose Permit Fee Increases For 6 Programs In 2016

Analysis: Final Budget Rolls Back Environmental Funding For 13th Year In A Row

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35334http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34999http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35228http://triblive.com/sports/outdoors/10207330-74/bill-boat-fishhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Ij0PZWgAhttp://citizensvoice.com/news/new-woilf-veto-to-have-impact-1.2023551http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/1224/Governor%E2%80%99s-Fiscal-Code-veto-draws-mixed-reaction.aspxhttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=kJcv7wrMhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-budget-hurdles-remain-1.2024010http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2016/03/did_wolfs_fiscal_code_veto_set.html#incart_2box_opinionhttps://governor.pa.gov/blog-you-support-these-issues-why-doesnt-your-state-representative/http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2016/04/deps_quigley_is_crying_wolf_ov.html#incart_river_homehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/can-coal-companies-afford-to-clean-up-coal-country/2016/04/01/c175570c-ec73-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html?postshare=3101459546919902&tid=ss_twhttp://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/policy-powersource/2016/03/29/Proposal-to-hike-Pennsylvania-coal-mining-fees-prompt-sticker-shock-DEP/stories/201603290010https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/03/29/drilling-slowdown-to-leave-regulators-with-2-9-million-deficit/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34999http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35228http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35228https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2016/03/29/drilling-slowdown-to-leave-regulators-with-2-9-million-deficit/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160331_Experts_warn__Ash-killing_emerald_ash_borer_is_at_our_doorstep.htmlhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/brush-fire-season-underway-in-nepa-1.2024324http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/crews-battle-brush-fire-in-carbondale-township-1.2023790http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/jacobsburg_delaware_water_gap.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/prescribed_burns_planned_for_a.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/04/big_burn_slated_for_state_game.html#incart_river_homemailto:[email protected]://twitter.com/PA_JLCChttps://www.facebook.com/jointconservationcommittee/https://www.facebook.com/jointconservationcommittee/http://jcc.legis.state.pa.us/


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DEP Awards $1.19M For Mine Reclamation Projects In Elk, Fayette, Schuylkill Counties

Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday announced the selection of 4 projects to receive $1,193,603 in funding

to reclaim abandoned coal mines in Elk, Fayette and Schuylkill counties. The projects awarded

grants are--

-- Elk County: Headwaters Charitable Trust

, Kyler Hollow AMD Passive Treatment System -ALD 1 & ALD 2 Rehabilitation: $618,118; and

-- Headwaters Charitable Trust, Hayes Run & Backside Hayes AMD Passive Treatment System

Modifications/Improvements: $384,918;

-- Fayette County : Mountain Watershed Association, Inc. , Rondell-Correal AMD Treatment

System: $123,543; and

-- Schuylkill County: Schuylkill County Conservation District, Upper Swatara Creek QHUP

AMD Monitoring Project: $67,024.

The selected projects mitigate acid mine drainage (AMD) and support programs that

improve water quality in watersheds, wetlands, and fisheries that have been impaired by AMD.

“The health of Pennsylvanians depends on the health of Pennsylvania’s waterways” said

Gov. Wolf. “These grants will aid projects that are committed to protecting public health byeliminating acid mine drainage.”

“Pennsylvania’s history is inextricably linked to mining,” said Department of

Environmental Protection Secretary John Quigley. “Unfortunately, acid mine drainage has also

been a part of this history. The investments we are making today are essential in correcting the

errors of the past to restore water quality in our streams for generations to come.”

Funding for the AMD Set Aside Program comes from a fee on the active mining industry

designated in the Federal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act.

NewsClip:

Op-Ed: Mine Reclamation To Transform Ehrenfeld Horizon, Secretary Quigley

Vote Now: Nominations For West Branch Susquehanna River Orange Rock Awards

The nominations are in and now you can vote for the winners

of the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition’s

Orange Rock Awards to recognize the contribution a group or

individual has made to cleaning up the West Branch of the

Susquehanna. Voting will close on April 6.

The categories and nominees are--

-- Outstanding Volunteers Commitment Award

-- Earl Smithmyer: Earl has been a key to the success of the

Clearfield Creek Watershed Association. He served very productively as president for four years early in CCWA’s

history. He has been a leader in organizing and conducting most of the group’s projects,

including the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby and road and stream cleanup. Earl has been a major

contributor to the Clearfield Creek Assessment and other sampling programs, construction of

treatment systems, education programs with students and interactions with social and political

groups. He has been an outstanding example to the rest of the watershed group and has always

been there for the day-to-day chores and interactions, including providing his home as the

http://www.clearfieldcreekwatershed.org/http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F7CCQJHhttp://www.wbsrc.org/orange-rock-award-winners.htmlhttp://www.wbsrc.org/http://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/transformation-on-the-ehrenfeld-horizon/article_c10d80a0-71d1-5cca-9cc4-1d5101403d7e.htmlhttp://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Growing-Greener/Pages/default.aspx#.Vv1m_BMrJByhttp://schuylkillcd.org/http://www.mtwatershed.com/http://www.headwaterspa.org/http://www.headwaterspa.org/


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CCWA address and “headquarters.” Most of all, Earl has been a friend and a great person to

work with.

-- Terry O’Connor: Terry O, as many know him, has become such a common face to watershed

group meetings, conference and events that it’s easy to forget how much he does. Terry has been

active in many groups such as the Anderson Creek Watershed Association, Clearfield County

Senior Environment Corps and Bilger’s Rocks Association

. Terry works tirelessly to monitorlocal waterways, bring people together to learn about our environment and promotes the

importance of clean streams. Without Terry’s dedication many of the groups in Clearfield

County would not be as successful as they are.

-- Outstanding Professional Commitment Award

-- Eric Cavazza: Eric is the Director DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation . He has

held this role since 2012 and has over 1 years of experience with the DEP in many positions. In

addition to his work with the state, Eric has been active in many national activities, including the

National Association of Abandoned Mine Land Programs, and the Abandoned Mine Land

Committee of the Interstate Mining Compact Commission . Eric has been involved in a

multitude of AMD abatement and treatment activities. These include: serving on the DEP work

group to establish an evaluation and approval process for the use of AMD for industrial usesincluding natural gas extraction, developing program implementation guidelines for BAMR’s

Acid Mine Drainage Set-Aside Program, providing support to three OSM National Excellence in

Abandoned Mine Reclamation Award projects in the Susquehanna Basin and developing training

programs for planning/design engineers in the area of wastewater (mine drainage) monitoring,

characterization and treatment including the design of passive treatment systems.

-- Mike Smith: Mike is the District Manager of DEP’s Moshannon District Mining Office .

Mike is well known to many in the AMD world, most likely because he is the go to person for

anything AMD in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Mike has taken the lead on many

AMD related projects, and has helped to develop many initiatives throughout the West Branch to

restore AMD impacted streams. This has included work on the approval process for the use of

AMD in the natural gas industry. Mike has worked tirelessly over many years at the district to

improve and protect the waters of the West Branch.

-- Scott Koser: Scott is the Watershed Specialist and Education Coordinator for the Clinton

County Conservation District. Restoration of Tangascootack Creek has been one of his

priorities. With years of dedication to this project, results are being seen. Scott, along with other

partners and Conservation District staff, have overseen the construction of seven treatment

systems in the watershed. Water Quality is starting to improve in the stream and a large number

of native brook trout are being seen in sections of the stream they were not present in just a few

years ago. Scott also works to coordinate many education events including a summer day camp

and education day for local 6th graders. Scott completes all of these projects and many others,

including stream habitat and stabilization projects and other AMD-related projects throughoutthe county.

-- Outstanding Watershed Association Commitment Award

-- Anderson Creek Watershed Association: The Anderson Creek Watershed Association was

formed in 1998 to give a voice to Anderson Creek. While the stream was largely written off as

dead due to the legacy of coal mining, the dedicated volunteers of ACWA have always seen the

potential of this stream. Since its formation, ACWA has completed an assessment of the stream

and developed the Anderson Creek Watershed: Assessment, Restoration and Implementation

http://waterlandlife.org/384/anderson-creek-amd-assessment-and-restoration-planhttps://www.facebook.com/Anderson-Creek-Watershed-Association-172158116304207/http://www.clintonconservation.org/http://www.clintonconservation.org/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Mining/BureauofDistrictMining/Moshannon/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us/dsweb/Get/Document-106321/370-5500-001.pdfhttp://www.imcc.isa.us/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Mining/AbandonedMineReclamation/Pages/default.aspxhttp://www.bilgersrocks.com/http://www.clfdccd.com/clearfield-county-senior-environment-corps.htmlhttp://www.clfdccd.com/clearfield-county-senior-environment-corps.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/Anderson-Creek-Watershed-Association-172158116304207/


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Plan . In 2008, they completed the construction of a passive treatment system on Bilger Run.

This system has extended the healthy stretches of Bilger Run and improved the overall health of

the stream. In 2013, ACWA completed restoration on an abandoned mine in the Little Anderson

Creek Watershed. This work is starting to improve the water chemistry of this section of stream.

The group has faced many obstacles in the years they have been working on these projects. The

dedicated volunteers could have easily given up years ago, but instead they have persevered!-- Deer Creek Watershed Association: The Deer Creek Watershed Association has been

working on restoring Deer Creek since 2005. In that time they have completed an assessment of

the watershed that resulted in the Deer Creek Watershed Implementation Plan. While continuing

to monitor several locations in Deer Creek, They partnered with the Clearfield County

Conservation District to secure funds for the design of a passive treatment systems on the worst

discharge in the watershed. They are currently seeking funds for construction of this systems,

which when completed, will improve water quality in the main stem of Deer Creek enough to

support wild trout all the way to its confluence with the West Branch Susquehanna! For years

now the group has been on the verge of accomplishing their dream of one day restoring the final

3 miles of Deer Creek, the most impaired section. Through ups and downs, success and

drawbacks, they have stayed together and kept hope alive that they would succeed. For theirdiligence, patience and hopefulness, they deserve to be the Outstanding Water Group of the Year

for 2016.

The voting process is open, but you can only vote once. However, feel free to encourage

other conservationists to vote as well!

Click Here to vote.

For more information, visit the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition’s

Orange Rock Awards

West Branch Restoration Symposium

Register now for the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium to be held April

14-15 in State College. The Orange Rock Award winners will be recognized at this special

event.

NewsClips:


Op-Ed: Mine Reclamation To Transform Ehrenfeld Horizon, Secretary Quigley

NE Sustainable Energy Education Group Wins Governor’s Award

Westmoreland Seeks Public Input In Managing Stormwater Runoff At April Meetings

April showers bring May flowers but, unfortunately, they sometimes also bring things that aren’t

as nice, like flooding of homes and businesses and an increased flow of sewage and pollution

into local streams.Many communities in Westmoreland County regularly deal with problems caused by too

much rain and stormwater runoff with no easy place to go.

If you know of such a problem place, you are encouraged to attend one of four public

meetings that will be held during April.

The meetings are one way organizers hope to identify where stormwater problems are

especially troublesome in Westmoreland County, with the goal of ultimately identifying ways to

fix them.

http://www.wayneindependent.com/article/20160325/NEWS/160329899http://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/transformation-on-the-ehrenfeld-horizon/article_c10d80a0-71d1-5cca-9cc4-1d5101403d7e.htmlhttp://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10222848-74/linkes-river-awardhttp://www.wbsrc.org/eighth-symposium.htmlhttp://www.wbsrc.org/orange-rock-award-winners.htmlhttp://www.wbsrc.org/http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F7CCQJHhttp://www.clfdccd.com/http://www.clfdccd.com/http://www.clfdccd.com/watersheds.htmlhttp://waterlandlife.org/384/anderson-creek-amd-assessment-and-restoration-plan


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“Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings, and we especially hope that people who

know of or deal directly with stormwater runoff situations, such as farmers, business owners,

engineers, developers, and municipal officials, will attend,” said Greg Phillips, District

manager/CEO of the Westmoreland Conservation District.

Phillips’ organization, along with the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and

Development, is coordinating this effort, which has the backing of the Westmoreland CountyCommissioners.

Input from the public meetings will be used over the next few years to develop a

comprehensive plan for managing stormwater in Westmoreland County. This plan will include

such things as the development of local municipal ordinances regarding stormwater

management, planning for better upfront management of stormwater, and ways to solve flooding

and other water-related problems.

The plan will be specific by watershed and will meet the requirements of the state

Stormwater Management Act (Act 167).

Public meetings will be held in four locations throughout the county for the convenience

of area citizens. Each meeting will be exactly the same; so there is no need to attend more than

one. — April 19: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., Westmoreland Conservation District, J. Roy Houston Conservation

Center, 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg

— April 19: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Rostraver Township Municipal Building, 201 Municipal

Drive, Belle Vernon

— April 21: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Ligonier Township Municipal Complex, One Municipal

Park Drive, Ligonier

-- April 28: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Allegheny Township Community Building, 136 Community

Building Road, Leechburg

“Citizen input is valuable in making sure that we create a plan that addresses our county’s

key stormwater problems – from drainage issues to flooding – and improves the quality of life

for county residents,” Phillips said.

The plan will be a meaningful guidance document for the major users of our county’s

water and for those who help ensure its quality.

It also will help to protect the county’s exceptional- and high-quality streams, and

encourage remediation of impaired streams.

Homeowner’s Stormwater Guide

The Westmoreland District also has available a Homeowner’s Guide To Stormwater on

how to develop and implement a stormwater management plan.

For more information, contact Christie at the Westmoreland Conservation District

,

724-837-5271.

Pittsburgh Sewer Authority Green Stormwater Project Grant Apps Due April 6

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is accepting

applications for community green stormwater

infrastructure projects until April 6.

Grants of $5 to $25,000 are available to reimburse

applicants for up to 50 percent of the cost of green

http://pgh2o.com/GI-Grant?utm_content=buffer94c57&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferhttp://pgh2o.com/GI-Grant?utm_content=buffer94c57&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=bufferhttp://www.pgh2o.com/http://wcdpa.com/http://wcdpa.com/wp-content/uploads/Homeowners-Stormwater-Guide.pdfhttp://wcdpa.com/


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infrastructure stormwater project design and construction.

The applicant must either be the property owner or have legal control of the project site.

Projects for a single-family home are not eligible.

Applications must include proposed green infrastructure designs, stormwater

calculations, monitoring plans, education plans, and long-term maintenance plans.

For all the details, visit PWSA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Program

webpage or contactItha Cao at 412-255-8800 x8562 or send email to: [email protected].

Applications For NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Grants Due May 10

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications from

landowners for Regional Conservation Partnership Grants through May 10.

The program leverages local leadership to establish partnerships that can include private

companies, local governments, universities, non-profits and other non-government partners to

work with farmers and forest landowners on landscape- and watershed-scale conservation

solutions that work best for their region.

“Across the country, locally-driven efforts are having a positive effect on conservationand production,” said Denise Coleman, NRCS state conservationist in Pennsylvania. “RCPP

serves as a valuable vehicle for matching federal investment and private capital to advance

natural resource conservation and support agricultural production.”

“We recognize the growing interest in leveraging private capital markets to foster impact

investments in conservation, sustainable agriculture and forestry,” said Coleman. “For this new

round, we hope to see even more applications that support the development of environmental

markets and conservation finance projects.”

For more information, visit the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Grants

webpage for all the details.

Visit the NRCS Pennsylvania webpage for information on all the funding opportunities

and technical assistance services available through USDA Natural Resource Conservation

Service.

DCNR Held First Meeting Of Riparian Forest Buffer Advisory Committee Monday

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Tuesday

announced the launch of the Riparian Forest Buffer Advisory Committee to provide advice and

expertise as the Commonwealth works toward a goal of planting 95,000 acres of buffers along

waterways by 2025.

“DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is leading an effort to work with numerous agencies,

partners and landowners to expand forest buffers along waterways in the Commonwealth,” Dunnsaid. “We are convening a group of experts that will share their ideas about what’s working on

the ground and lessons they have learned planting buffers, as well as brainstorm around new

ideas and provide advice about outreach to citizens and stakeholders.”

Dunn said Pennsylvania is in the process of developing a comprehensive approach to

provide funding, training, and outreach to farmers and landowners to increase forest buffers.

Planting trees and shrubs along streams is one of the best management practices that will

help Pennsylvania meet its obligations to improving water quality in the Commonwealth and the

http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34611http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/pa/home/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/farmbill/rcpp/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/pa/home/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/farmbill/rcpp/mailto:[email protected]://pgh2o.com/GI-Grant?utm_content=buffer94c57&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


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Chesapeake Bay.

The 44-member advisory committee includes representation from agriculture; non-profits

and conservancies; educational institutions; and federal, state and local governments.

The initial objectives of the committee include--

— Share ideas on what’s working and lessons learned;

— Develop recommendations and provide feedback to DCNR, PDA, and DEP on riparian forest buffer programs;

— Brainstorm new ideas;

— Develop communications and outreach advice; and

— Assist with implementing the Commonwealth’s 2-year RFB work plan.

Planting forest buffers along stream banks provides critical barriers between polluting

landscapes and receiving waterways. Properly planted and maintained, streamside tree and shrub

plantings reduce nutrient runoff and sediment deposits; control erosion; improve water quality;

reduce flooding; cool stream temperatures; and improve fish habitat.

The first meeting was held Monday. It’s anticipated the committee will meet quarterly.

Click Here for a list of committee members.

“Our current work will build on on past success in establishing buffers—many partners atlocal levels using federal, state, and private funding have already installed tens of thousands of

acres in the past 15 years which are providing significant water quality benefits,” Dunn said.

One of the original purposes for establishing the state forest system and the various

bureaus that today make up DCNR was to protect forested watersheds.

DCNR lands serve as the headwaters and the living filter for municipal drinking water

supplies and thousands of miles of high-quality coldwater streams. Sound management keeps

these important waters clean.

DCNR’s service foresters provide private landowners, including farmers and woodland

owners, and communities, with advice on forest buffers and how to manage their forested lands

and metropolitan trees.

Click Here

to find a DCNR Service Forester near you.

NewsClips:

Lancaster Farming: PA Launches Stream Buffer Initiative

Lancaster Farming Editorial: Turning The Chesapeake Bay TMDL Page


Harrison Native Brings Rain Barrels Full Of Education

Chesapeake Bay Journal At 25: We’re Just Getting Started

Codorus Concept Recaptures The Waterfront In York

Delaware RiverKeeper March 25 RiverWatch Video Report

Latest From The Chesapeake Bay Journal

Click Here

to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay JournalRelated Story:

CBF-PA: Lack Of Funding For Farmers Defeats Effort To Meet Clean Water Commitment

March 28 Watershed Winds Newsletter Now Available From Penn State Extension

The March 28 edition of the Watershed Winds newsletter is now available from Penn State

Extension featuring stories on--

http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news?utm_campaign=Watershed+Winds+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter_view_onlinehttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35072http://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/https://youtu.be/qLOyXOCetz4?list=PL3yVl0q9sFIyUShoCaXnd1xVzzz6VRiXBhttp://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2016/03/31/codorus-concept-recaptures-waterfront/82484260/http://www.bayjournal.com/blog/post/bay_journal_turns_25_with_march_issuehttp://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10195169-74/barrels-rosenberger-bayhttp://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10222848-74/linkes-river-awardhttp://www.lancasterfarming.com/news/editorials/editorial-turning-the-tmdl-page/article_bfd28ab0-be99-59cf-8972-5a9a47dbff03.htmlhttp://www.lancasterfarming.com/news/main_edition/pennsylvania-launches-stream-buffer-initiative/article_87555905-d2cc-5d97-ba33-358a33bcebcc.htmlhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/yourwoods/serviceforesters/index.htmhttps://goo.gl/1oNpQJ


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-- Project Completed To Help Pond Owners Identify Harmful Algae

-- Overfishing Increases Fluctuations In Aquatic Ecosystems

-- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Safe For Water?

-- Here’s Why We Should Use Rainwater To Flush Toilets

-- PA NRCS Releases FY 2011-15 Strategic Plan Results

-- Extension Sponsors Cyanobacteria Session At PA Lake Society Conference -- Dangers Of Salt Pollution Of Freshwaters If Preventive Measures Not Taken

-- Nominations Due For EPA Presidential Environmental Education Award

-- Wastewater Plants Significant Source Of Microplastics In Rivers

-- Does Living Near Oil Or Gas Well Affect Your Drinking Water?

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

March 29 Chesapeake Bay Journal News: The Journal At 25

The March 29 Chesapeake Bay Journal News is now available celebrating 25 years of providing

information on challenges and solutions for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Click

Here to subscribe to the Chesapeake Bay Journal.

DEP Participates In Drinking Water Emergency Table-Top Exercise

The Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

recently hosted a table-top exercise regarding a how both agencies respond to natural disasters or

man-made events that affect a public water supply system.

Approximately 25-30 staff from DEP’s Northeast Regional Office took part in the event,

along with representatives from several municipalities and operators of public water supply

system.

The exercise focused on response time, outreach to the public, communication to the

public regarding updates on events and how each municipality’s emergency response plans are

up-to-date in dealing with emergency scenarios.

The June 2015 explosion at a fertilizer plant in Adams County was one example used in

how to prepare for emergencies.

For more information, visit DEP’s website , Like DEP on Facebook , Follow DEP on

Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.

NewsClips:

DEP Secretary: Flint Lead Problem An Anomaly

Senate Bills Focus On Building Lead Issues

Aging Housing Stock Poses Bigger Lead Threat Than Water Systems

Allentown, Bethlehem Schools Check Lead Level In Water Bethlehem School Lead Tests Falls Below EPA Standard

Health Dept. Confirms Allentown School Water Safe To Drink

PA American Water Closely Monitors Water Quality

Editorial: Flint: Public Must Hold Officials Accountable

DEP Suspends Lab Doing Faulty Testing For 15 Water Companies

(Reprinted from the March 31 DEP News . Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

http://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/Pages/DEP-Newsletter.aspx#.Vv2NFmOa10chttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2016/03/march-31-dep-news-now-available.htmlhttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/water_customers_beware_lab_sus.htmlhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2016/03/28/Lessons-of-Flint-The-public-must-hold-officials-accountable/stories/201603260012http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/pennsylvania_american_water_we.html#incart_river_homehttp://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-state-department-health-water-lead-test-20160401-story.html#nt=oft12aH-1li3http://www.mcall.com/news/local/bethlehem/mc-allentown-bethlehem-lead-water-results-20160329-story.html#nt=oft12aH-1la1http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-school-district-water-levels-20160328-story.html#nt=oft12aH-1la1http://timesleader.com/news/526458/pas-aging-housing-stock-poses-bigger-lead-threat-than-public-water-systems-officials-sayhttp://thetimes-tribune.com/news/senate-bills-focus-on-building-lead-issues-1.2024707http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/state-environment-secretary-flint-is-an-anomaly-1.2024705https://www.youtube.com/user/PennsylvaniaDEPhttps://twitter.com/pennsylvaniadephttps://twitter.com/pennsylvaniadephttps://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDEP/http://www.dep.pa.gov/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=32673http://www.dep.pa.gov/About/Regional/Northeast-Regional-Officehttp://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/subscriptionhttp://www.bayjournal.com/blog/post/bay_journal_turns_25_with_march_issuehttp://www.bayjournal.com/blog/post/bay_journal_turns_25_with_march_issuehttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=7a9127000d&view=lg&msg=153c2afca6f8b718http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/subscribehttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/does-living-near-an-oil-or-natural-gas-well-affect-your-drinking-waterhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/wastewater-treatment-plants-significant-source-of-microplastics-in-rivershttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/nominations-due-for-epa-presidential-environmental-education-innovation-awardhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/scientists-warn-of-the-dangers-of-salt-pollution-of-freshwaters-if-preventive-measures-are-not-takenhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/penn-state-extension-sponsors-cyanobacteria-session-at-palms-conferencehttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/pennsylvania-nrcs-releases-fy-2011-2015-strategic-plan-resultshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/down-the-drain-heres-why-we-should-use-rainwater-to-flush-toiletshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/reduce-reuse-recycle-safe-for-waterhttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/overfishing-increases-fluctuations-in-aquatic-ecosystemshttp://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/water/news/2016/penn-state-extension-completes-project-to-help-pond-owners-identify-harmful-algae


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Keep PA Beautiful Receives Grant To Continue Cigarette Litter Prevention Program

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday announced it

has received a $20,000 grant from Keep America

Beautiful to continue their work with the KeepAmerica Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention

Program.

Other Pennsylvania organizations received

Cigarette Litter Prevention Program (CLPP) grants

including: the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement

District which received $2,500 to explore cigarette

butt and cigar tip litter within the business district and

the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership received $5,000 to expand their current rate of cigarette

litter recycling in downtown Pittsburgh.

Keep PA Beautiful will partner with the Fish and Boat Commission and Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources on cigarette litter prevention in seven State Parks withrecreational lakes, including: Bald Eagle (Centre County), Kooser (Somerset County), Moraine

(Butler County), Neshaminy (Bucks County), Prince Gallitzin (Cambria County) and

Pymatuning (Crawford County).

These parks together have over 6 million annual combined visitors/users.

Additionally, KPB will conduct education and outreach to the 65 charter fishing boat

companies which are licensed by the Fish & Boat Commission and the marinas from which they

sail.

“Moraine State Park appreciates the opportunity to partner with Keep Pennsylvania

Beautiful for the 2016 Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Grant. As a

conservation agency that supports more than a million visitors for various recreational activities

each year, our park staff and volunteers are always challenged to keep the park free of litter and

cigarette butts can be one of the most challenging aspects of litter removal. This partnership will

provide the park with additional tools and resources to collect the butts before they become litter

and help to keep Moraine State Park beautiful,” said Dustin Drew, Park Manager, Moraine State

Park.

Tobacco products, consisting mainly of cigarette butts, are the most littered item in

America, representing nearly 38 percent of all items littered, according to "Litter in America,"

KAB’s landmark study of litter and littering behavior.

Over the past 10 years, the CLPP has consistently cut cigarette butt litter by

approximately half based on local measurements taken in the first four months to six months

after program implementation.Survey results also demonstrated that as communities continue to monitor the program

those reductions are sustained or even increased over time.

“The Cigarette Litter Prevention Program is a proven tool to address the number one

littered item in America. Thanks to Keep America Beautiful, we can continue to invest in this

highly effective program,” explained Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful.

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

Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them

https://www.facebook.com/Keep-Pennsylvania-Beautiful-126911964023550/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/AboutUsAffiliates/Publications/Beautiful.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/PreventIt/CigaretteLitterPrevention.aspxhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pymatuning/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/princegallitzin/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/neshaminy/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/moraine/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/kooser/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/baldeagle/http://www.downtownpittsburgh.com/http://www.harrisburgdid.com/http://www.harrisburgdid.com/http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/PreventIt/CigaretteLitterPrevention.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/PreventIt/CigaretteLitterPrevention.aspxhttp://www.keeppabeautiful.org/


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on Facebook , Follow on Twitter , Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up

communities and keep them clean and KPB’s new Electronics Waste website.

Sign up now for the 2016 Great American Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup

and beautification event through May 31.

NewsClips:Schuylkill Scrub Aims to Clean Up Norristown

Editorial: Illegal Dumpsites Mar Landscape, Cause Health Risk

Join An Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay Project Clean Stream Cleanup April 2

Looking for something to do April 2? There’s still lots of

time to volunteer for a Project Clean Stream cleanup being

organized by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay . Click

Here to find a cleanup near you.

You can also sign up now for the 2016 Great American

Cleanup of PA and set up your own cleanup and beautification event through May 31.

Rail Trail Beautification Cleanup Day April 2 Clinton County

Join Clinton County CleanScapes , Lock Haven University students and Castanea Township staff

in removing litter and tires from the future Rail Trail extension in Castanea Township.

Other partners in this cleanup event include: PPL Electric Utilities, Susquehanna Transit,

Wayne Township Landfill/Solid Waste Authority, PennDOT Dist. 2, Clinton County GIS/MIS

Departments and the Clinton County Community Foundation, Inc.

Other cleanup events are set for July 23 and September 10 on the West Branch of the

Susquehanna River.

Click Here to download a flyer on this event. Click Here for a map of the cleanup plan.

For more information, visit the Clinton County CleanScapes Facebook page.

Council Rock High School South Electronics Recycling Event April 9 In Bucks County

Council Rock High School South

in Holland, Bucks County on April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00

p.m. to wipe and recycle cell phones, personal computers, laptops, printers, cables, video games,

televisions and more.

There will be a $25 charge for recycling CRT TVs and monitors.For more information, visit the E-Waste Experts, Inc. website or call 1-877-328-2927.

NewsClips:

What To Do With Our Old TVs, Computers

Editorial: Electronics Recycling Law Requires Retuning

Editorial: Recycling Electronic Waste Recycling

York Electronics Recycling To Start April 5

Woman Gives Up Garbage Cans For Lent

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/diana-nelson-jones/2016/03/28/For-a-Lent-challenge-woman-gives-up-garbage-cans/stories/201603280002http://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2016/03/29/york-electronics-recycling-start-april-5/82390924/http://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/opinion/2016/03/29/editorial-recycling-e-cycling/82328640/http://timesleader.com/opinion/editorials/525944/our-opinion-electronics-recycling-law-in-pennsylvania-requires-retuninghttp://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/03/law_giving_new_life_to_old_tvs.html#0http://www.ewasteexperts.com/http://www.crsd.org/crsouthhttps://www.facebook.com/ClintonCountyCleanScapeshttps://goo.gl/gAiwFihttps://goo.gl/GBqI3Whttps://www.facebook.com/ClintonCountyCleanScapeshttp://www.gacofpa.org/http://www.gacofpa.org/http://cleanstream.allianceforthebay.org/http://cleanstream.allianceforthebay.org/https://allianceforthebay.org/http://cleanstream.allianceforthebay.org/http://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/illegal-dumpsites-mar-the-landscape-cause-health-risk/article_f0d89f59-6936-5061-939b-f3e0edd9bf2a.htmlhttp://patch.com/pennsylvania/norristown/schuylkill-scrub-aims-clean-norristown-0http://www.gacofpa.org/http://ewastepa.org/http://illegaldumpfreepa.org/https://www.youtube.com/user/KeepPABeautifulhttps://www.pinterest.com/KeepPABeautiful/https://twitter.com/ABeautifulPAhttps://www.facebook.com/Keep-Pennsylvania-Beautiful-126911964023550/


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DEP Issues Fairless Municipal Waste Landfill Permit In Bucks County

The Department of Environmental Protection announced Wednesday it has issued a solid waste

permit for a new municipal waste landfill proposed for Falls Township, Bucks County.

DEP formally received the application from Waste Management of Fairless, LLC, asubsidiary of Waste Management, Inc., in March 2009.

The issuance of the Fairless Landfill permit will allow Waste Management to transition

current waste disposal operations from existing facilities in the area to this new location. No new

waste streams have been added; hazardous waste materials will not be accepted at this facility.

Fairless Landfill will have a permit term of ten years.

“As with all permit applications, DEP waste program staff conducted a thorough review

of all information submitted by Waste Management”, said DEP Southeast Regional Director

Cosmo Servidio. “From a volume standpoint, there won’t be an increased amount of waste

coming to the local community.”

Waste Management currently owns and operates the Tullytown and GROWS North

landfills. The average daily volume of 18,333 tons and the maximum daily volume of 20,000tons will now be shared across all three facilities. At any time, these volumes cannot be exceeded

by any combination of facilities in operation.

DEP recently renewed the Tullytown Landfill solid waste permit to be in effect until no

later than May 21, 2017, after which the facility must cease waste disposal operations and

properly close the facility.

GROWS North Landfill is permitted to receive waste until no later than February 15,

2019, at which time it will cease waste disposal operations and properly close.

Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute Accepting Apps For Student Summer Program

The Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute

is now accepting

applications for its summer residential program for students

ages 13 to 15. The deadline for applications is June 10.

The program will be held at the Ironmaster’s Mansion

at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County from

July 11-16.

This cooperative education program is coordinated by

the Central PA Conservancy

and Pine Grove Furnace State

Park and this year is joined by the Chesapeake Bay

Foundation-PA

.

Participants will spend three days at the Ironmaster’sMansion and two days at CBF-PA’s Philip Merrill

Environmental Center in Annapolis, MD.

The program explores conservation leadership, environmental and government issues,

marine biology, water quality and ecosystems, field studies, land use, agriculture, and forestry.

Students will also be taken on a workboat experience on the Chesapeake Bay.

For more information on the program, scholarships and how to apply, visit the Goddard

Leadership Legacy Institute website or call 717-241-4360.

http://goddardleadership.org/http://goddardleadership.org/http://www.cbf.org/pahttp://www.cbf.org/pahttps://www.centralpaconservancy.org/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/pinegrovefurnace/http://ironmastersmansion.com/http://goddardleadership.org/


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NewsClips:

Harrison Native Brings Rain Barrels Full Of Education

Lankenau High School Students Restore Vandalized Gardens

John Heinz Refuge Gets Increase In Funding

Other Student Education Programs:

Lacawac Sanctuary Offers Summer Camps For Students In Wayne County Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute Accepting Applications For Student Summer Program

Wildlife Leadership Academy Summer Outdoor Field Schools For Students 14-17

Students: Discover Tom Ridge Wetlands Thru The Camera Lens May 10

The Outdoor Classroom Upcoming Environmental Ed Workshops In Pittsburgh

DCNR Invites Students To Apply For Summer Environmental Careers Camp

Student/Educator Scholarships, Energy Camps Available For Energypath Conference

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Education Programs For Students, Teachers

Lacawac Sanctuary Offers Summer Camps For Students In Wayne County

The Lacawac Sanctuary

in Wayne County will be offering summerday camps for students from 5 to 16 to explore nature through

hands-on activities, creation of art, thematic games, science

experiments, specimens studies and nature observation.

Four different day camps will be offered—

— Wee-Scope Habitat Discoveries: Ages 5-6 from July 18-22.

Children will explore the habitats at Lacawac Sanctuary using nets,

bug boxes and other exciting hands-on methods. Each day focuses

on a different habitat as campers discover the plants and animals that live there. Games, crafts

and activities reinforce the concepts and importance of habitats while fostering a curiosity for the

natural world in a fun, safe environment. Click Here to register.

— Wilderness Eco-Explorations: Ages 7-8 from July 25-29. Hike to the big lake, explore the

bog, turn over rocks, catch aquatic animals with nets, play games with friends, learn about the

environment, connect with nature, and more! Campers will be immersed in a week of nature

explorations with experienced educators in a full schedule of hands-on activities. This camp aims

to develop an appreciation for the environment and explore natural systems. Click Here to

register.

— Earth Expressions: Ages 9-12 from July 11-15. Explore the various habitats at Lacawac

Sanctuary and be inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Join resident and local artists to

explore visual and fine arts in different mediums. Watercolors, sculpture, sketching techniques,

collage, and more await your inner artist. Learn more about our environment through artistic

creation, hikes and exciting activities. All levels of artists are welcome to explore in a fun,collaborative atmosphere. Click Here to register.

— Conservation Leadership Academy: Ages 13-16 from June 26-July 1 residential camp.

Scholarship available. Join the team at Lacawac for a week of fun, adventure and hands-on

learning. High school students will be immersed in a week long resident camp at the beautiful

and historic Lacawac Sanctuary and Field Station. Campers will experience science along-side

local environmental professionals and resident university researchers. Field trips include a day

kayaking the upper Delaware River, ropes course, collecting water samples from a boat on Lake

http://cts.vresp.com/c/?LacawacSanctuaryFoun/859601ca07/187baf319c/8f9e93d6ddhttp://cts.vresp.com/c/?LacawacSanctuaryFoun/859601ca07/187baf319c/33e5283edfhttp://cts.vresp.com/c/?LacawacSanctuaryFoun/859601ca07/187baf319c/87bffa6239http://www.lacawac.org/http://www.cbf.org/join-us/education-program/apply-for-an-education-programhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34872http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34961http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35030http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35092http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35285http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2016/03/goddard-leadership-legacy-institute.htmlhttp://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2016/04/lacawac-sanctuary-offers-summer-camps.htmlhttp://www.newsworks.org/index.php/the-feed/item/92429-us-commits-extra-1-million-annually-to-heinz-refuge-for-education-community-connection?linktype=hp_topstoryhttp://www.newsworks.org/index.php/nw-philadelphia-more-stories/item/92192-lankenau-high-school-students-band-together-to-bring-vandalized-school-gardens-back-to-life?utm_source=dlvr&utm_medium=twitterauto&utm_campaign=social-inboundhttp://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10195169-74/barrels-rosenberger-bay


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Wallenpaupack, fishing, assisting with research, cheese tasting and farm tour, campfires and

more. Click Here to register.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the

Lacawac Sanctuary website.

NewsClips:

Harrison Native Brings Rain Barrels Full Of Education Lankenau High School Students Restore Vandalized Gardens

John Heinz Refuge Gets Increase In Funding

Other Student Education Programs:

Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute Accepting Applications For Student Summer Program

Wildlife Leadership Academy Summer Outdoor Field Schools For Students 14-17

Students: Discover Tom Ridge Wetlands Thru The Camera Lens May 10

The Outdoor Classroom Upcoming Environmental Ed Workshops In Pittsburgh

DCNR Invites Students To Apply For Summer Environmental Careers Camp

Student/Educator Scholarships, Energy Camps Available For Energypath Conference

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Education Programs For Students, Teachers

Environmental Defense Fund: Wolf Stands Up For Critical Environmental Protections

The Environmental Defense Fund Monday applauded Gov. Tom Wolf for vetoing House Bill

1327 (Peifer-R-Pike), the Fiscal Code Bill accompanying the state budget with extraneous

provisions that would have unnecessarily jeopardized critical environmental and public health

protections.

“By vetoing this bill, Gov. Wolf sent a strong message that Pennsylvania is serious about

moving forward thoughtfully on important environmental issues, including implementing the

Clean Power Plan in a way that works best for Pennsylvania, and finalizing long overdue oil and

gas regulations. His veto is a sign of leadership and shows a commitment by this Administration

to stand up to legislative games that could weaken important environmental protections that

safeguard the health of Keystone State residents.”

For more information on EDF initiatives related to climate and oil and gas development,

contact Andrew Williams , Senior State Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Manager for EDF.

NewsClips:

Wolf Vetoes Fiscal Code Budget Bill


Related Story:

PA Environmental Council Thanks Wolf For Veto, Resource Agencies Need More Funding

PA Environmental Council Calls For 80% Reduction In PA Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The PA Environmental Council President and CEO Davitt Woodwell Tuesday submitted

comments on DEP’s Climate Change Action Plan calling for an 80 percent reduction in

greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century and the use of the “ deep decarbonization ” strategy to

reduce emissions from the electric generation sector.

A copy of PEC’s comments is available online. The text of the Council’s cover letter

follows--

http://pecpa.org/wp-content/uploads/Letter-to-DEP-on-Climate-Change-Action-Plan-Update.pdfhttp://deepdecarbonization.org/http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Air/BAQ/ClimateChange/Pages/default.aspx#.VvrYBWOa10chttp://pecpa.org/wp-content/uploads/Letter-to-DEP-on-Climate-Change-Action-Plan-Update.pdfhttp://pecpa.org/wp-content/uploads/Letter-to-DEP-on-Climate-Change-Action-Plan-Update.pdfhttp://pecpa.org/http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35333http://triblive.com/business/headlines/10228799-74/gas-methane-climatehttp://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268748/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=kJcv7wrMhttps://www.edf.org/people/andrew-williamshttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1327http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1327https://www.edf.org/people/andrew-williamshttp://www.cbf.org/join-us/education-program/apply-for-an-education-programhttp://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34872http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=34961http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35030http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35092http://www.paenvironmentdigest.com/newsletter/default.asp?NewsletterArticleID=35285http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2016/03/goddard-leadership-legacy-institute.htmlhttp://www.newsworks.org/index.php/the-feed/item/92429-us-commits-extra-1-million-annually-to-heinz-refuge-for-education-community-connection?linktype=hp_topstoryhttp://www.newsworks.org/index.php/nw-philadelphia-more-stories/item/92192-lankenau-high-school-students-band-together-to-bring-vandalized-school-gardens-back-to-life?utm_source=dlvr&utm_medium=twitterauto&utm_campaign=social-inboundhttp://triblive.com/news/valleynewsdispatch/10195169-74/barrels-rosenberger-bayhttp://www.lacawac.org/http://cts.vresp.com/c/?LacawacSanctuaryFoun/859601ca07/187baf319c/4526ce3d8a


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On behalf of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), I am writing to express our

support of the state’s efforts to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and to submit the

following comments on the Draft 2015 Climate Change Action Plan Update .

We commend the Climate Change Advisory Committee for drafting such a

comprehensive update.

One concern we have is that the plan does not set a target for GHG reductions. While notexplicitly required by law, without a specific target, and timeline for achieving it, the

recommendations in the plan are of limited significance.

Only with a meaningful, and actual target, can decision makers then assess what

combination of actions from the plan will be the most cost-effective means for achieving

sufficient GHG reductions.

There is general consensus among experts that they goals of the [EPA] Clean Power

[Climate] Plan will not be sufficient to achieve the carbon reductions necessary to prevent

irreparable harm from climate change.

Strategies chosen to meet a 20 or 30 percent goal many not be the most cost-effective

options for reaching a 50 or 80 percent target. In fact, they could lock us into pathways that

make it more expensive to eventually achieve deeper reductions.At a minimum, the state should be focusing on a goal of 80 percent reduction in GHG

emissions by mid-century. PEC recommends a strategy of deep decarbonization, with a

particular focus on electricity generation and use, which has historically been the largest

contributor of GHG emission in the state accounting for over one-third of statewide gross GHG

emissions in 2012.

The results of the Center for Climate Strategies ’ macroeconomic analysis dispel the myth

that climate protection is at odds with economic goals. While not all actions are ranked equally,

most recommendations result in increased household and individual welfare.

Comments on specific recommendations within the plan follow. Thank you for the

opportunity to review and comment on this plan.

Sincerely,

Davitt Woodwell, President & CEO

Pennsylvania Environmental Council

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

Environmental Council website, visit the PEC Blog , follow PEC on Twitter or Like PEC on

Facebook . Click Here to receive regular updates from PEC.

NewsClip:


Related Story:

EPRI: Least Cost Option For PA To Meet EPA Climate Rule Is Natural Gas

Columbia Gas, Exelon/PECO, UGI Join EPA Methane Challenge Program

Columbia Gas of PA Thursday joined Exelon/PECO Gas Utilities and UGI Utilities to be

founding members of the U.S. Environmental Protectio