MARCH 2017

A Monthly Update from the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee

The Chairman’s CornerSenator Scott E. Hutchinson

The Environmental Synopsis

While bison may conjure images of the old Amer-ican West, the iconic bovine has enjoyed a renewed popu-larity in recent

decades. Prized for its tender meat, bison are increasingly found on farms across the country, including Pennsylvania. As bison farming continues to become more profitable, more farmers are seizing the opportunity this unorthodox animal pres-ents for agriculture and the economy. The bison has also received national recogni-tion for its symbolic role in U.S. and Native American culture.

Many people use the term bison and buffalo interchangeably, yet bison are only a distant relative of the “true” buffa-lo, which inhabit parts of Africa and Asia. The American bison is nonetheless an impressive animal. Weighing upwards of 2,000 lbs. and standing over 6 feet tall, the bison is the largest mammal in North America, comparable in size to many small SUVs. Its large skull and muscu-lar body are covered in a thick coat of brown fur, and its sharp horns are used to defend itself from its few natural pred-ators, such as wolves and bears.

In the wild, bison are a nomadic species, moving across broad swaths of the Great Plains and Midwest in search of fertile grazing lands. They are excellent swim-mers, can jump as high as 6 feet and run

as fast as 40 mph. Possessing an unpre-dictable temper, bison can be aggressive if threatened. If you come across a bison in the wild, or even captivity for that matter, it is best not to get too close, especially if in the presence of its young or potential mates.

Today, only 15,000 bison are considered wild, compared to the 530,000 bison that exist in captivity on private and public lands, such as Yellowstone National Park. As many as 30 million bison once domi-nated the continent, spanning from the Appalachians (including Pennsylvania) to the Rockies. Their historical decline is largely due to overhunting by European settlers and the spread of bovine disease. By the end of the 19th century, the bison population was reduced to just 1,000

individuals, prompting a successful na-tional conservation effort.

The American bison’s story is not all gloom and doom, however. Much of the recent population growth is attributed to their newfound popularity as dinner. Pio-neered by restaurants like Ted’s Montana Grill and Ruby Tuesday, bison steaks and bison burgers are a growing trend across the nation. High-end grocery stores, such as Whole Foods, are selling bison strip steaks for nearly $28 a pound. There are even more niche meat products, like bison jerky or snack sticks.

Approximately 7.5 million pounds of meat from 15,000 bison is sold annually in the U.S., and that number continues to rise. Bison meat is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in protein, making it a healthy alternative to beef. Unlike venison or oth-er game animals, bison does not have a

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In ThIs IssueThe Chairman’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Notes from the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Research Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3• California’s Workplace Lead Exposure• Forest Development, Fragmentation Hurting Ecosystems• GAO Criticizes Food Safety Oversight• Study Links Methane Emissions to Gas Processing

On the Horizon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

This Month in Conservation History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

March 2017Volume 18, Number 3

2 E n v i r o n m E n t a l S y n o p S i S

After an unusually mild winter, Pennsyl-vania anglers are anxiously waiting to hit their favorite fishing hole with hopes of hooking the trophy of a lifetime. Since mid-February, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has been busy stocking waterways with more than 3 mil-lion adult trout in more than 700 streams and 120 lakes. Cooperative nurseries, often run by sportsmen’s clubs, will add another one million trout. The trout are raised all year, before they are finally ma-ture enough to stock in the early spring.

Saturday, April 15, at 8:00 a.m. marks the traditional statewide opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania – the most popular fishing day of the year. The PFBC estimates over one million people will take advantage of the state’s lakes and streams during this year’s trout season.

A closer look shows a growing number of youngsters today are going fishing. A special day of trout fishing for kids and their adult mentors before opening day was added in 2013. To participate, adult anglers must have a valid fishing license and a trout/salmon permit, and be accompanied by a youth under the age of 16. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary $2.90 youth fishing license. Both are available

at www.GoneFishingPA.com, or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state.

The voluntary licenses are much more important than the face value. It offers an added benefit when it comes to federal funding, which accounts for 25 percent of the PFBC’s annual budget. For every youth license sold, the PFBC gets $5 in federal revenue from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Act program. This Act provides funds to states based on a formula that includes the number of licenses sold in that state.

Trout season is an annual rite of passage for many

Pennsylvania anglers, and the PFBC estimates nearly

one million anglers will try to hook the popular game fish this season.

While there are a number of game fish species available to anglers, trout fishing still is the primary driver of license sales. The number of voluntary youth fishing licenses was 9,300 in 2015, up dramatical-ly from 1,700 the year before. The agency issued almost 19,000 free Mentored Youth Permits in 2015, up from 2,500.Young an-glers that take advantage of the program are permitted to keep two trout. Mentors can fish as well, but have to practice catch and release.

The first Mentored Youth Trout Day for 2017 will be March 25 in 18 southeastern counties. A second day will be held on April 8, the Saturday before the statewide opening day of trout season in the other 49 counties. The opportunity to get youth out in a trout-rich environment, away from the normal opening day hustle and bustle, is the key to this special program.

A new trout program was unveiled for the 2016 season that benefits anglers of all ages. The Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters program provides anglers the chance to catch 14- to 20-inch trophy trout in eight Pennsylvania waterways. About 3,200 large trout, in addition to the regular stocking, were distributed among the designated waterways. The trout were stocked at a rate of up to 250 fish per mile, which gives anglers a good chance of hooking a trophy this season.

Anglers can pursue trout 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unlike hunting in the Commonwealth, fishing is permitted on Sundays. Trout need cool, clean water to survive and are considered an excellent indicator of stream health. Rainbow and brown trout were introduced in Penn-sylvania. Brook trout are the only trout native to Pennsylvania and it is the official state fish, enacted by the General Assem-bly on March 9, 1970.

Despite not having the pomp and cir-cumstance of trout season, many other Pennsylvania fish species are available to anglers throughout the year. Late summer nights are ideal for catfish, and fall is the perfect time to catch the notoriously feisty smallmouth bass. Pennsylvania’s scenic waters also produce popular species such as pike, musky, walleye and panfish.

The PFBC also hosts two days when anglers can go fishing free of charge, as part of an effort to attract new anglers to the pastime. The first of two Fish-For-Free Days in Pennsylvania occurs on Sunday, May 28, the day before Memo-rial Day. The other free day this year will be July 4, Independence Day, which is a popular day to hit the water.

On those select days, anyone can legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways with no fishing license or specific stamp required. Other regulations, like creel and size limits, do apply.

Notes from the Director Tony M. Guerrieri, Executive Director

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Research BriefsEach month, the committee’s staff researches and prepares a number of “briefs” on several topics relevant to the committee’s mission. Very often these briefs include references to reports and further research on the topics so that readers may pursue issues on their own. Please note that the information and opinions expressed in the Research Brief articles do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, nor those of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Lead Standards put California Workers, Families at Risk Tony M. GuerrieriExecutive Director

Childhood lead poisoning recently made headlines due to events in Flint, Michigan, but adults can also experience serious health effects from lead. Industries with high potential for lead exposure often put workers at elevated risk of lead poisoning. According to a report by the California Department of Public Health, more than 6,000 workers in munitions, manufacturing and other industries have elevated levels of lead in their blood that could cause seri-ous health problems down the road.

Nearly a fifth of all workers routuinely

tested for lead exposure in California showed elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream.

Most workers were 20-52 years old and live in the southern region of

the state.The report, Blood Lead Levels in California Workers, contains the results of tests con-ducted between 2012 and 2014. Current state standards are based on information available in the 1970s, which at the time did not recognize the dangers of even low-level exposure to lead. California is currently in the process of updating its

own occupational lead standards. According to the report, modern scientific and medical evidence shows chron-ic, low-level exposure can cause lasting harm.

Lead is a naturally occurring element. The soft gray metal and its various compounds have been used in many products, including pipes, paint, batteries, ammunition, industrial equipment and gasoline. Workers can be exposed to lead in the form of dust, either inhaled or swallowed, or by handling lead-tainted items.

Most public health actions have focused on protecting children from lead expo-sure and quickly treating those who are exposed, since the metal can severely impair development. But adults also can face serious health problems from lead exposure, including high blood pressure, decreased kidney function, reproductive effects and neurological impairments. The report suggests that not only are work-ers at risk, but their families may also be exposed through take-home lead dust.

To adequately protect workers and their families, blood lead levels must be routinely monitored when there is any possibility of lead exposure. The report contains data from the California Occupa-tional Blood Lead Registry, which tracks workplace exposures. From 2012 to 2014, over 38,000 workers had their blood tested for lead, and over 6,000 workers were identified with an elevated level of 5

micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood or more. Most of these workers were men between the ages of 20 and 52, and many lived in southern California.

About 14,000 of the workers had two or more blood lead tests, which showed roughly a fifth of them had elevated blood lead levels, according to the report. More than one elevated blood test suggests chronic exposure linked to health problems.

About 60 percent of workers with higher exposure – above 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood – worked in manufactur-ing, for companies that make and recycle batteries, aircraft and aircraft parts, ships, plumbing and pipefitting fixtures, and metal valves, according to the report.

Workers with the highest blood lead levels – 40 micrograms or more per deciliter – mostly worked at shooting ranges or in ammunition manufacturing, gun repair and firearm instruction, although some worked in metal industries, painting and construction.

4 E n v i r o n m E n t a l S y n o p S i S

California requires employers to provide testing for workers if their work uses or “disturbs” lead, such as removing lead paint from a home, and to take steps to minimize lead dust and fumes. However, many other workers who may be exposed to lead are never tested. While battery manufacturers and ammunition manu-facturers may routinely test their workers, many other companies, including found-ries and painting contractors, do not.

The California Department of Public Health’s 45-page report, Blood Lead Lev-els in California Workers: Data Reported to the California Occupational Blood Lead Registry 2012-2014, is available at: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/olppp/Doc-uments/CABLLReport2012-14.pdf.

Increasing Distance Harms Forest EcosystemsColeen P. EngvallResearch Analyst

There is growing concern that people are not experiencing enough nature, too en-grossed with work and electronic devices to enjoy the great outdoors. Scientists and health professionals alike warn that this trend goes beyond a simple decline in appreciation for the environment; physical and mental health can suffer

as well. Fresh air and exercise can help reduce the risk of many ailments, such as heart disease and obesity, and more research is discovering that surrounding oneself in nature can even reduce depres-sion, anxiety and other mental conditions.

One reason for the decreasing exposure to nature is the growing distance between people and forests. For the most part, this distance is increasing due to deforesta-tion and development of forested lands. This trend not only impacts humans, for the reasons listed above, but also has far reaching consequences for the envi-ronment. Forest cover facilitates robust biodiversity, helps store carbon, improves and regulates water quality, and performs numerous other beneficial services.

Researchers from the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) de-veloped a model to measure how and where forests have been pushed back. Their research focuses on forest loss, not just from a forest continuity standpoint, but on the human and environmental landscape as a whole. The report is enti-tled Forest Dynamics in the U.S. Indicate Disproportionate Attrition in Western Forests, Rural Areas and Public Lands.

Data from the report suggests that the distance from any point in the U.S. to the nearest forest has increased by

14 percent from 1990-2000. This increase works out to approximately a third of a mile, or a total loss nation-wide of almost 35 thousand square miles. As the title of the report sug-gests, this effect is more pronounced in western forests, forests in rural areas and public forests.

The fragmentation of forests by roads

and developments is often emphasized as a major threat to ecosystems; howev-er, the researchers claim that the clear cutting they observed in their study has more direct consequences. Complete habitat loss has immediate and severe consequences for local biodiversity. When these habitats are surrounded by developed areas, they facilitate eco-system connectivity and migration by serving as refuge in a hostile, developed environment. The loss of these mi-cro-ecosystems can have compounding impacts on the broader landscape.

Researchers at SUNY-ESF showed that the

distance between forested lands have increased sharply,

impacting both human access and ecosystem

health. The clear cutting of isolated forested patches is much more pronounced in rural areas. Researchers found that urban and private forest cover has typically been perceived as being under greater threat, but their data actually shows the opposite. In fact, publicly-managed forests showed 20 times greater losses than those under private ownership. This correlates with the western imbalance, as most federal and state forest lands exist in the American West.

This surprising trend may be due to increased protections and regulations, based on the conception that they are under greater threat. Alternatively, forests near large population centers provide more visible benefits to a greater number of people, such as clean water and reduced flooding, than forests in rural areas.

With the new data, SUNY-ESF researchers hope that similar attention can be given to the forests that are currently at-risk.

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Understanding where threats to forest ecosystems are most pressing is vital to efficient conservation strategies. The report urges for more research to be con-ducted on the trends in forest attrition, as well as the ecological importance of isolated forest cover.

Find the full article at: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0171383.

GAO Knocks “Disjointed” Federal Food Safety ProgramTony M. GuerrieriExecutive Director

Fragmented oversight of food safety and quality in the U.S. has allowed foodborne illness to persist as an expensive and all-too-frequent health concern, accord-ing to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The report, Food Safety: A National Strat-egy Is Needed to Address Fragmentation in Federal Oversight, determined that the several federal agencies charged with en-suring food safety and quality often have redundant or confusing jurisdictions. Improvements in stopping foodborne illnesses have largely stalled as a result and the number of multi-state outbreaks is on the rise.

The nation’s current regulatory framework

for food safety is confusing and often

redundant, according to the GAO. Food-related

illnesses in the U.S. total more than $15 billion in

expenses each year.There are 16 different agencies charged with enforcing at least 30 applicable federal food-safety and quality laws and

regulations. The bulk of food safe-ty oversight falls to the U.S. Food and Drug Ad-ministration and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), but other players include the Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agen-cy, the Depart-ment of Trans-portation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Treasury and others.

The complex framework means that it can be difficult to determine the agency with lawful regulatory authority, the GAO found. For example, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service inspects manufacturers of packaged open-faced meat or poultry sandwiches. The FDA, in contrast, inspects manufacturers of more typical closed-faced packaged sandwich-es. If manufacturers plan on exporting those closed-faced sandwiches to Cana-da, however, jurisdiction might fall back to the USDA agency.

The GAO report illustrates the confusion with the example of frozen pizza. One agency may regulate frozen cheese piz-zas, while a second agency regulates fro-zen pizzas with meat, and a third agency regulates the ingredients included in both pizzas. According to the report, there are more than 3,000 nonfederal agencies (state, local, tribal and territo-rial authorities) involved in the complex system, as well.

Annually, 1-in-6 Americans, or 48 million people, suffers a food-related illness; 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die as a result. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those illnesses combined total more than $15.5 billion in expenses.

To resolve this fragmentation – which has been criticized in federal reports several times in the last 40 years – the GAO rec-ommends that the Executive Office of the President meet with key stakeholders and develop a single, unified national food safety plan to address weaknesses in the current oversight system.

While a drastic change in oversight would cause considerable confusion for manufacturers’ compliance efforts in the short run, the GAO argues that the cur-rent system costs manufacturers much more in terms of recalls and reputational damage when products are deemed unsafe. These costs would be significant-ly reduced if potential food quality and safety issues were caught by regulators before the products went to market.

As supporting evidence, the GAO points to a study conducted by the Grocery Manufacturers Association in 2011 that found half of the companies surveyed conducted a recall in the prior five years. The recalls cost 29 percent of manufac-turers between $10-29 million per recall and another 23 percent a staggering $30 million or more.

Because of the high potential for disas-trous consequences to the economy and to public health and safety, food safety has been highlighted as one of the GAO’s high-risk areas since 2007.

6 E n v i r o n m E n t a l S y n o p S i S

The U.S. Government Accountability Of-fice report, Food Safety: A National Strat-egy Is Needed to Address Fragmentation in Federal Oversight, is available at: http://gao.gov/assets/690/682095.pdf.

Natural Gas Processing Impacting Local Air QualityColeen P. EngvallResearch Analyst

Hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling of natural gas have allowed producers to access vast reserves of the fuel, transforming the American energy sector, as well as the economy. Here in Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale region produced as much as 16 billion cubic feet of gas per day in 2016, and produc-tion shows no sign of slowing.

Natural gas is relatively cheap and clean-burning when compared to other fossil fuels, such as coal or diesel. Howev-er, leaks during the processing of natural gas, where methane can escape during compression, for example, have been speculated to impact local air quality.

Researchers from Drexel University in Philadelphia have published a study on the potential air quality impacts of this growing industry. The study, Analysis of Local-Scale Background Concentrations of Methane

and Other Gas-Phase Species in the Marcel-lus Shale, was published in February.

In order to test the relative concentrations of methane and other byproducts, re-searchers compared ground-based mobile measurements taken in 2012 and 2015, as well as several large scale studies conduct-ed by organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

They measured local concentrations of methane, ethane, carbon monoxide and other chemicals, adding considerations for geography and other compounding variables. They also compared the data to the number of unconventional wells in the area, along with how much gas they were producing.

Their analysis appeared to show that new wells being drilled in the region were not the primary driver of spikes in local atmospheric methane, since the number of new wells declined by over 50 per-cent from 2012-2015. From the various measurements researchers used, re-gions in southwestern and northeastern Pennsylvania did show higher levels of methane, despite this slow-down in new well drilling. So where was the methane coming from?

By analyzing the composition of the air quality, urban influences and other polluters were ruled out as primary causes. Additionally, the levels of carbon

monoxide, which is a byproduct of well drilling, had decreased. There-fore, the natural gas industry appeared to be the cause of the elevated methane levels, however, the development of new wells was clearly not the cause. Instead, researchers noted that other forms of natural gas infra-structure, such as

compressors and pipelines, have in-creased in the region.

Based on these findings, researchers suggest that the transport and process-ing of natural gas is responsible for the increased methane. The finding supports the idea of “super-emitters,” which are described as facilities disproportionately responsible for the majority of the natural gas industry’s emissions. This phenome-non was described in a widely-circulated study published by researchers from Stanford University in 2016.

Researchers from Drexel University found that

air methane levels in the Marcellus Shale basin

have increased, despite a decrease in new well

drilling over the last several years.

The researchers acknowledge efforts by natural gas producers to prevent methane leaks, but note that more progress could be made. In order to identify and under-stand the sources of methane, they also endorse increased air quality monitoring in areas that host unconventional drilling.

Pointing to the few studies that have been conducted that revealed potential dangers, especially to vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, the re-searchers stress the importance of filling this data gap.

From a policy perspective, regulations have primarily targeted the contami-nation of water sources. With greater understanding of air quality impacts, the researchers say that methane leaks could also be targeted.

To read the full report, go to: https://www.elementascience.org/arti-cles/10.1525/elementa.182/.

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38 Years AgoOn March 28, 1979, Harrisburg became the national center of attention as the partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor occurred at Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station, just south of the city. Attributed to a series of technical faults and human error, the meltdown is considered the nation’s worst commercial nuclear accident. At the urging of Governor Richard Thornburg, nearly 200,000 residents voluntarily evacuated the area, and schools remained closed for over a week and a half. The incident ushered in a dramatic shift in U.S. nuclear policy and safety regulations.

On the Horizon A Look at Upcoming Events

• Check Us Out on Social Media •You can now receive updates on committee events, new research and more by following the Joint Legislative

Conservation Committee on social media. Find us on Facebook at www .facebook .com/jointconservationcommittee, or on

Twitter at www .twitter .com/PA_JLCC.

This Month in Conservation History Exploring the Evolution of Environmental Stewardship

Monday, May 22, 12 p .m .Environmental Issues ForumRoom 8E-A, Capitol East Wing, Capitol Complex, HarrisburgThe May forum will feature a presentation on Pennsylvania’s pollinator population and emerging threats to agriculture and the beekeeping industry. Pollinators play a significant role in the production of fruit and vegetables. For example, 90 percent of our na-tion’s apple crop relies on bee-induced pollination. Over the last decade, however, there has been a drastic decline in the number of Western honey bees, which threatens the future of global agriculture. Presenters will discuss possible causes of the decline, as well as strategies used in other states to sustain the honey bee population.

27 Years AgoBound for Long Beach, California, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground on March 24, 1989, spilling more than 11 million gallons of crude oil off the Alaskan coastline. The massive oil slick covered more than 1,300 square miles of coastline and killed more than 250,000 seabirds, along with otters, seals, bald eagles and numerous fish species. It ranks as the second largest oil spill by volume in U.S. waters, behind the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010.

8 E n v i r o n m E n t a l S y n o p S i S

typical “gamey” taste and is comparable in texture to most commercial cuts of beef.

The bison industry had its share of ups-and-downs, but seems to be moving in a positive, stable direction. In the early 1990s, when bison meat first started to become mainstream, initial demand was so strong that many farmers entered into the market as a get-rich-quick scheme. Livestock prices soared and the market went bust, decreasing bison values by as much as 90 percent. Over time, however, the popularity of bison meat started to grow again and farmers are struggling to meet demand. One-third of the nation’s bi-son supply currently comes from Canada, so experts stress there is plenty of room in the market for additional U.S. farmers.

Even in captivity, bison are considered wild animals, so experts find them best suited for small-to-medium sized farms, like those that dot the landscape of rural Pennsylva-nia. According to the Penn State Extension, our state is home to 50 herds with over 1,000 individual bison, almost exclusively for commercial meat production. Herd siz-es range from small operations with fewer than 25 bison, to more than 200 bison in large scale farming operations. Most Penn-sylvania bison farms, however, have only 10 to 25 animals and are family-owned and operated.

Many bison farmers take a truly back-to-basics approach to raising their livestock. To appeal to an organic-minded consum-er, some farmers swear by a 100 percent grass-fed diet. Reproduction is natural as well, as bison have not taken to artificial insemination, which is heavily used in the beef industry. Their wild nature and rustic upbringing can pay off, as bison are considered a hearty animal, resistant to disease and relatively low maintenance.

Nearly pushed to extinction, bison are making a resurgence in recent years due to their culinary appeal. Pennsylvania is home to 50 herds of bison, mainly on small and

part-time farms.If you, or someone you know, is interested in raising bison, the Penn State Exten-sion has plenty of resources to help get you started, including tips for housing, breeding and even marketing. You can find more information on their website at http://extension.psu.edu.

In a fitting tribute to its prominent role in North American culture, the bison became the Official Mammal of the U.S. in May of last year. The designation was

praised by ranch-ers, conservation-ists and Native American tribes, who recognize the important contri-butions bison have made to our soci-ety for thousands of years.

Joint Legislative Conservation

Committee

Contact Information

Phone : 717.787.7570

Website : jcc .legis .state .pa .us

Location:Room 408

Finance BuildingHarrisburg, PA 17120

Mailing Address:Joint Legislative

Conservation CommitteePA House of Represenatives

P.O. Box 202254Harrisburg, PA 17120-2254

The Chairman’s Cornercontinued from page 1