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PA Environment Digest

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

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa July 21, 2014

Court Dismisses Challenges To Act 13, Enjoins PUC Review Of Local Ordinances

Commonwealth Court Thursday dismissed the remaining challenges to the Act 13 drilling law remanded

for reconsideration by the PA Supreme Court, but did enjoin the Public Utility Commission from

reviewing local ordinances regulating drilling consistent with the higher Court’s ruling in December .

Issues considered by the Court include---- Drinking Water Supply Notification: Whether notice to only public drinking water systems

following a spill resulting from drilling operations, but not private water suppliers, is unconstitutional

because it is a special law and/or violates equal protection.

The Court ruled there are valid reasons for treating notification of public drinking water supplies

and private well owners differently based on the fact DEP does not regulate private wells, may have no

knowledge of the location of all the wells and that public drinking water systems can not be easily

replaced if affected by a spill.

The Court said, however, that does not mean DEP or the drilling company should not use its

best efforts to notify affected well owners.

-- Health Professional Medical Disclosure: Whether those provisions of Act 13 prohibiting health

professionals from disclosing to others the identity and amount of hydraulic fracturing additives receivedfrom the drilling companies impedes their ability to diagnose and treat patients, is unconstitutional

because it is a special law and/or violates equal protection and violates the single subject rule.

The Court ruled Act 13 does not unreasonably restrict the sharing of information with health

professionals

-- Eminent Domain: Whether conferring the power of eminent domain upon a corporation empowered

to transport, sell, or store natural gas in this Commonwealth to take the property of others for its

operations is unconstitutional because it permits a taking for private purpose.

The Court dismissed this allegation saying the existing statutory language only confers the right o

eminent domain on a public utility.

-- Local Ordinance Review: Whether 58 Pa. C.S. §§3302 and 3305 to 3309, which authorizes the

Public Utility Commission to review local zoning ordinances and to withhold impact fees from localgovernments, are severable from the enjoined provisions of Act 13.

The Court found the provisions are not severable and and enjoined the Public Utility

Commission from reviewing local ordinances that regulate drilling operations.

A copy of the Court decision is available online.

NewsClips:

Court Restores Zoning Rules For Shale Gas Drillers

Appeals Court Issues Split Decision On Drilling law

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Court Throws Out Several Challenges To Act 13 Drilling Law

Court Limits Drilling Law Again, PUC Can’t Withhold Fees

Municipalities Pleased With Act 13 Ruling

More Drilling On DCNR Land Delayed Until Court Rules On Oil & Gas Fund Challenges

Commonwealth attorneys Friday announced they have negotiated a

settlement in the case of PEDF v. Commonwealth, ensuring the

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources receives essential

funding while preserving the opportunity to present the

Commonwealth’s case in court.

Under the terms of the agreement, the department will continue

to work to prepare for leasing of DCNR managed land that does not

involve surface disturbance on the newly leased areas, but not take any

final action pending the Commonwealth Court’s final decision on the underlying case.

“Without this settlement, DCNR’s capacity to preserve Pennsylvania’s natural treasures would

have been decimated,” Gov. Tom Corbett said. “We cannot allow our commitment to protectingPennsylvania’s state parks and forests to be held hostage during the duration of this lawsuit.”

“The preliminary relief that PEDF was seeking would have eliminated more than $120 million in

funding appropriated to the department,” DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti said. “This agreement will

allow the critical operations of DCNR to continue, including all state parks remaining open and staff

being available during our busiest time of year, and no interruption to the work of our Bureau of

Forestry, such as managing the multiple uses of our state forests, monitoring gas development on the

forests to protect their natural and recreational values, fighting fires, forest pest management and other

operations.”

The Patriot-News reported Friday, John Childe, the lead attorney for the PA Environmental

Defense Foundation, said: "Should the court have enjoined the use of the Oil and Gas lease Funds,

DCNR would be left without the ability to operate for the next year, and our Parks and Forests would

have had to close down.

"PEDF is bringing their case to support DCNR's ability to protect our Parks and Forests, not to

shut them down," he added. "With the fear of losing more park and forest land to new leases for gas

extraction gone, PEDF is anxious to get the case decided as quickly as possible."

“We appreciate the Commonwealth Court taking these significant issues into consideration and

we look forward to presenting our case in court,” said the Governor’s General Counsel Jim Schultz.

Capitolwire.com reported Friday Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson set the timetable

for PEDF's motion for summary judgment: the Commonwealth must file a response by August 29, and

PEDF must file a reply brief by September 14.

The FY 2014-15 budget approved by Senate and House Republicans counted on a $95 milliontransfer from the Oil and Gas Fund to the General Fund to help balance the budget. Part of that

revenue was to come from additional “non-impact” leasing of natural gas drilling rights under State Park

and State Forest land.

Click Here for a copy of the July 17 Court Order. Click Here for a copy of the stipulations.

NewsClip:

Leasing Of Additional DCNR Land Delay Until Court Rules On Oil & Gas Fund Case

Corbett Agrees Not To Sign Additional Gas Leases Until Court Decision

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State, Environmental Group Deal Releases $$ For DCNR Operations

DEP: Fiscal Code Provision On Conventional Wells Delays Drilling Regs 2-3 Months

DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo told the DEP Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday the provision in the

Fiscal Code bill passed by the General Assembly as part of the budget requiring DEP to have separateenvironmental requirements for conventional oil and gas wells will delay finalizing the Act 13 Chapter 7

drilling regulations for several months.

“I don’t think there will be substantive changes in the regulations. It’s a change in format,” said

Secretary Abruzzo. “I’m disappointed that it will delay the regulations.”

Hayley Book, DEP’s Director Policy, elaborated saying the existing Chapter 78 package will

be split into two parts-- Chapter 78 will cover conventional wells and Chapter 78-A will cover

unconventional (Marcellus Shale) wells.

Book said DEP has decided to release an Advanced Notice of Final Rulemaking in early 2015

to allow the public to comment on not only the reformatted conventional-unconventional well rules, but

also the changes DEP made in response to the original public comment period on Chapter 78.

Burt Waite, the Council’s representative on DEP’s Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board, saidthe Board is expecting to get a copy of the revised Chapter 78 regulations to start its review before the

end of 2014. The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for September 25.

For more information, visit the DEP Oil and Gas Surface Regulations webpage.

NewsClips:

DEP Details Plan To Split Drilling Rules

Budget Lands In Legal Disputes Over Gas Drilling, Vetoed Earmarks

Secretary Abruzzo: I’ll Continue To Advocate For An Increase In DEP’s Budget

DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo told the DEP Citizens Advisory Council Tuesday he was very grateful for

the $11.5 million increase in DEP’s FY 2014-15 budget this year and said he would continue to

advocate for an increase in DEP’s budget because of the critical work done by the agency.

“While other agencies were asked to tread water, we received an increase,” said Secretary

Abruzzo. “I will ask for another increase next year and continue to advocate for growth in DEP’s

budget.”

DEP was required to give up an additional 55 vacancies in the new budget, bringing the total

DEP complement to 2,653 of which 2,490 positions are filled. In 2002-03, DEP had a complement of

3,211 with about 3,000 of those positions filled, but that was before Gov. Rendell cut DEP’s budget

and staff significantly. The agency is just now trying to recover from those cuts.

In response to a letter from the Council in May urging a major review of the Act 537 onlot

sewage program, Secretary Abruzzo invited Council and the Sewage Advisory Committee to appointmembers to a small work group to develop recommendations on improving the use of so-called

alternative onlot sewage technologies and integrating them into the sewage planning process.

Council appointed Tim Weston, Thad Stevens and Janet Keim to the group and the Sewage

Advisory Committee said they would also appoint members.

Presentations To Council

Council heard several presentations on a variety of issues at the meeting, including--

-- Ellen Shultzabarger, DCNR Divisions of Conservation Science & Ecological Resources ,

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provided an overview of improvements planned for the PA Natural Heritage Program’s online

environmental permit and conservation planning tools.

NatureServe has been retained by DCNR to provide significant updates to the PNDI online

tools building on its work for other states. Shultzabarger said they expect to roll out the changes in

earlier 2015 and provide training on the new system to users.

When completed, Shultzabarger said, the updated tools will be the most advanced in the UnitedStates.

DCNR declined to discuss how the endangered species and natural resource information they

have will be used to evaluate the new non-impact natural gas drilling the agency must undertake as part

of the approved FY 2014-15 budget.

-- Dennis Whitaker, DEP Chief Counsel, provided an update on the court ruling in December

declaring some portions of the Act 13 drilling law unconstitutional and a violation of Pennsylvania’s

Environmental Rights Amendment.

Whitaker said, although Payne vs. Kassab is still the controlling decision in considering

Environmental Rights Amendment issues because the Act 13 ruling was by a plurality of the justices on

the PA Supreme Court, DEP has formed work groups in each of its programs to determine where they

might need changes to meet the requirements laid out in the Amendment.He said he anticipates those reviews will be complete in September based on a checklist

developed by his office.

He said so far fewer than 20 new appeals have been made to the Environmental Hearing Board

using the Act 13 case as part of the appeal.

-- Vince Brisini, Deputy Secretary for Waste, Air, Radiation and Remediation, provided an

update to Council on EPA’s proposed climate change rule and its impact on existing Pennsylvania

coal-fired power plants.

Brisini said the EPA gives states, in particular, Pennsylvania less flexibility in developing a plan t

reduce carbon emissions than press statements by EPA would suggest because it includes methods,

such as increasing nuclear generation, which states cannot control.

Under EPA’s proposed rule, he said EPA projects coal-fired generation of electricity in

Pennsylvania would be reduced from using 43.4 million tons of coal in 2005 to just 10.5 million tons in

2030.

He noted, however, that if natural gas continues to be substituted for coal in electric generation

as it has been in the last few years and the price of gas stays at about $4/MMBus, the use of coal would

probably be reduced to about the same levels as EPA projects anyway, even without the climate

change rule. Click Here for more information on natural gas prices.

Public Comments

Bonita Hoke, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of PA, provided the only

remarks during Council’s public comment period suggesting the need to improve environmental permit

reviews for endangered species, expressed the League’s opposition to additional natural gas drilling inState Parks and Forests and urged action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions leading to climate

change.

The next meeting of the Citizens Advisory Council is September 16.

For more information, visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage.

NewsClips:

Budget Lands In Legal Disputes Over Gas Drilling, Vetoed Earmarks

Fish Commission Manpower Shortage Impacting Pollution Investigations

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Non-Surface Disturbance Natural Gas Leasing On July 30 DCNR Committee Agenda

DCNR’s Natural Gas Advisory Committee will meet on July 30 to hear an update on the proposed

non-surface disturbance natural gas leasing of State Park and State Forest land for additional drilling.

Also on the agenda is a update from DEP on air emissions from natural gas operations and a presentation by Shell on site restoration.

The meeting will be held in Celebration Hall, 2280 Commercial Blvd, State College starting at

10:00.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Natural Gas Advisory Committee webpage.

Add Us To Your Google+ Circle

PA Environment Digest now has a Google+ Circle called Green Works In PA. Just go to your

Google+ page and search for DHess@CrisciAssociates.com, the email for the Digest Editor David

Hess, and let us join your Circle.

Google+ now combines all the news you now get through the PA Environment Digest, Weekly,Blog, Twitter and Video sites into one resource.

You’ll receive as-it-happens postings on Pennsylvania environmental news, daily NewsClips

and links to the weekly Digest and videos.

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

PA Environment Digest Twitter Feed: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from:

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PA Environment Daily Blog: provides daily environmental NewsClips and significant stories and

announcements on environmental topics in Pennsylvania of immediate value. Sign up and receive as

they are posted updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email

alerting you to new items posted on this blog.

PA Capitol Digest Daily Blog to get updates every day on Pennsylvania State Government, including

NewsClips, coverage of key press conferences and more. Sign up and receive as they are posted

updates through your favorite RSS reader. You can also sign up for a once daily email alerting you to

new items posted on this blog.

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

to get instant updates on other news from in and around the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Senate/House Agenda/Session Schedule

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

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House (August 4): House Bill 202 (Harper-R-Montgomery) prohibiting standby water service charges

for fire companies; House Bill 1684 (Everett-R-Lycoming) which seeks to clarify a minimum royalty

payment in state law; House Bill 2104 (Godshall-R-Montgomery) further providing for consumer

protections in variable rate electric supplier contracts; House Bill 2354 (Snyder-D-Fayette) requiring

the approval of the General Assembly of any plan submitted by DEP to comply with EPA greenhouseemission reduction requirements- sponsor summary; House Resolution 249 (Swanger-R-Lebanon)

supporting increased development and delivery of oil from North American oil reserves- sponsor

summary; Senate Bill 771 (Gordner-R-Columbia) establishing the State Geospatial Coordinating Board.

<> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (September 15): All bills on the Senate Calendar were Tabled as per the Senate procedure

for a summer break. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Bills Pending In Key Committees

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

House

Appropriations

Education

Environmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Affairs

Gaming Oversight

Human Services

Judiciary

Liquor Control

Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

AppropriationsEnvironmental Resources and Energy

Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

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Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Session Schedule

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

House

August 4

September 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

October 6, 7, 8, 14, 15

November 12

Senate

September 15, 16, 22, 23, 24

October 6, 7, 8, 14, 15

November 12

News From Around The State

EQB Adopts Medical Waste Rule, Hears Update On Chloride, Sulfate Standard Setting

On Tuesday the Environmental Quality Board adopted final regulations comprehensively updating the

medical and chemotherapeutic waste regulations, proposed regulations establishing the Land

Reclamation Finance Guarantee and Bioenergy Crop Bonding Programs and heard a scientific update

on chloride and sulfate toxicity testing in surface waters.

Kelly Heffner , Deputy Secretary for Water Management, reported DEP has completedsampling in 40 of the 135 stream segments they would like to do to establish background levels of

chloride and sulfate levels to help the agency set water quality standards for those pollutants. Sampling

for the study has been delayed by high water levels in some areas.

In 2012 DEP withdrew a portion of a regulation that would have set standards for chlorides,

sulfates, Molybdenum and 1-4 dioxane saying they did not have enough information to set those

standards. The DEP study is designed to fill in that gap.

DEP has also retained Stroud Water Research Center to provide toxicity data on what levels of

chlorides begin to have an impact on macroinvertebrates in streams, in particular, mayflies. The results

of this testing are due back to DEP by the end of this year.

The agency expects to award another contract to do similar toxicity testing for sulfates.

Heffner said the agency has updated in NPDES water permit forms to include monitoring majordischarges for chlorides, sulfates and molybdenum as a step toward implementing a standard when it is

adopted for these pollutants.

Click Here for Heffner’s presentation.

DEP’s response to the Ashley Funk and Kids climate change regulatory petition is anticipated

to be on the August 19 EQB agenda.

For more information and copies of handouts and presentations, visit the Environmental Quality

Board webpage.

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Wildlife Foundation Awards $2.4 Million In Delaware River Watershed Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Wednesday announced $2.4 million in grants as part of the

first round of $7 million in funding to improve waters that contribute to the overall health of the Delawar

River.This initial round of funding includes 15 projects (9 in Pennsylvania) that will work toward

restoring water quality and fish and wildlife habitat across the Delaware River watershed. The projects

will collaboratively restore 34 acres of wetlands and 32 miles of riparian habitat, engage 1,050

volunteers and mitigate nearly two million gallons of stormwater runoff.

These grants are part of a $35 million multi-state investment by the William Penn Foundation to

protect the Delaware River.

In April, The William Penn Foundation announced a $7 million grant to the National Fish and

Wildlife Foundation to restore habitat in the Delaware River as part of a $35 million initiative that also

includes the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Open Space Institute and more

than 40 additional national and regional partners.

The initiative aims to permanently protect more than 30,000 acres, implement more than 40restoration projects, pilot new incentives for landowners and businesses, provide replicable models for

other locations in the watershed, and develop long-term water quality data for the watershed at an

unprecedented scale.

Dignitaries and grantees alike gathered at the Race Street Pier in Philadelphia for the 2014

Delaware River Restoration Fund grants announcement.

Amanda Bassow, Director, NFWF Eastern Partnership Office; Laura Sparks, Chief

Philanthropy Officer, William Penn Foundation; Denise Coleman, State Conservationist, Natural

Resources Conservation Service – Pennsylvania; and Shawn Garvin, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA

Region 3, provided remarks about the multi-state investment to protect and restore critical sources of

drinking water for 15 million people.

The nine initial grant recipients in Pennsylvania are: Brandywine Conservancy, Inc.; Brandywine

Valley Association, Inc.; Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership; Stroud Water Research

Center ; Berks County Conservancy; Lower Merion Conservancy; Pennypack Ecological Restoration

Trust; Pennsylvania Resources Council; and the Brodhead Watershed Association.

“NFWF is thrilled to announce the inaugural slate of Delaware River Restoration Fund grants.

With an investment of only $2.4 million from NFWF this year, our grantees are able to leverage more

than twice that amount for on-the-ground conservation and restoration,” said Amanda Bassow, Director

of the Eastern Partnership Office for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “We're grateful to

William Penn Foundation for sparking this initiative by bringing together such a talented group of

partners—and we're looking forward to supporting additional important projects in subsequent rounds.”

“The team at the William Penn Foundation is very excited to see the first steps of therecently-launched Delaware River Watershed Initiative come to life. We're pleased that these NFWF

grants will further align efforts to restore streams, advance implementation of green infrastructure, delive

robust conservation on working lands and improve water quality in our region,” said Laura Sparks,

Chief Philanthropy Officer for the William Penn Foundation.

"Conservation is truly a partnership effort," said Denise Coleman, NRCS State Conservationist.

"NRCS is looking forward to expanding our conservation efforts with partners and grant recipients to

protect and improve water quality in the Delaware River."

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In recent years, deforestation from commercial, residential and energy development,

contaminated runoff from farms and urban stormwater have increasingly threatened the health of the

Delaware River.

The Delaware is the only free-flowing river east of the Mississippi and provides clean and safe

drinking water to more than 15 million people, many in major cities including Philadelphia, New York,

Camden (NJ) and Wilmington (DE).The Delaware River watershed covers 13,539 square miles of land and water, touches a

population of over eight million people and is home to native brook trout, river herring, oysters and

threatened plants and other wildlife.

NewsClips:

Projects On Delaware River Win $2.4 Million In Grants

State Budget Cuts DRBC Funding

PA Cuts Funding To Delaware River Basin Commission

DEP Awards $1.66 Million To Clean Streams Foundation For AMD Maintenance

The Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has awarded a $1.66 million grantto the Clean Streams Foundation, Inc. to maintain acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment facilities in

Butler, Cambria, Clarion and Venango counties.

This grant will allow CSF to operate and maintain nine existing water treatment plants that

remove AMD from nearby waterways. This includes costs incurred for water monitoring, treatment

chemicals, system flushing, sludge removal, emergency repairs, among other things.

“It is important for us to fund facilities like these that are making a big impact on the water

quality of our rivers and streams,” said DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo.

Collectively, these nine treatment facilities treat nearly one million gallons of mine-influenced

water daily.

The grant will be paid to CSF over a period of five years. This is the second grant DEP has

awarded to CSF for the operation and maintenance of the treatment facilities.

In 2005, DEP entered into a Consent Order and Agreement with C & K Coal Company to

address post-mining issues, such as AMD. In that COA, a trust fund was created by C & K to

construct and operate AMD treatment plants in impacted areas. CSF was named as the trustee and is

now responsible for the operation and maintenance of the AMD treatment facilities.

Until the trust grows to cover all operation and maintenance costs for these treatment facilities,

DEP has agreed to provide supplemental funding from the federal Surface Mining Conservation and

Reclamation Fund. The fund is supported by a fee on the coal industry and is distributed to states as

annual grants to reclaim abandoned mine sites.

For more information, call 717-783-9581.

Grants Awarded For Sinnemahoning Creek Projects By Fish & Boat Commission

The Fish and Boat Commission Tuesday announced $500,000 in grants to develop and implement

projects that benefit fishing, boating, and aquatic resources in and around Sinnemahoning Creek in

Cameron, Elk, Potter and McKean counties.

The funding is available through a 2007 settlement agreement with Norfolk Southern as

restitution for environmental damages from a June 30, 2006, train derailment in rural Norwich

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Township, McKean County.

Under the settlement, Norfolk Southern agreed to pay the Commonwealth $7.35 million as

restitution for environmental damages. The PFBC received $3.675 million of the settlement.

“The funds received through this damage settlement have been used to improve access, water

quality and stream health and to restore stream connectivity,” said PFBC Executive Director John

Arway. “We are pleased to work cooperatively with our conservation partners to make ongoing andlasting improvements in the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed and eligible surrounding counties.”

The projects funded total $500,000 and include:

— Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, $58,000 - “Miller Run Access and

Viewing Area.” Provide a new public access along the Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek in

Cameron County, information kiosk, and parking. Boating access will include a trail to the water and

launch ramp for canoes and kayaks.

— McKean County Conservation District, $100,000 - “Fish Habitat Improvement and Stream

Restoration Program.” Improve fish and wildlife habitats in streams and riparian buffers; protect public

and private property by installing in-stream structures; stabilize eroded streambanks; and plant trees and

shrubs in riparian corridors.

— McKean County Conservation District, $100,000 - “Improved Fishing and Boating AccessProgram.” Install public fishing and boating facilities which are accessible for persons with disabilities a

three sites: Marilla Reservoir, Gilbert Reservoir, and along Potato Creek at the Donald G. Comes

Natural Resource Learning Center.

— Potter County Conservation District, $88,000 - “Fish Habitat Improvement and Stream

Restoration Program.” Improve natural functions of streams and riparian areas to ensure they are

supporting aquatic and riparian wildlife communities. Accomplished by completing streambank

stabilization and fish habitat enhancement using PFBC-approved habitat structures.

— Potter County Conservation District, $42,000 - “Opening Stream Corridors through Bottomless

Culverts.” Use an already completed county-wide inventory of bridges and culverts requiring

replacement or repair to help guide the district staff as they assess and rank these structures using both

biological and non-biological criteria. Following completion of the culvert/bridge rankings, will replace

the top priority structure with a bottomless arch in order to improve passage for aquatic organisms.

Monitoring of aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish will be performed before and after replacement of the

structure.

— Toby Creek Watershed Association, $31,000 - “Abandoned Mine Drainage Treatment

Systems/Mine Reclamation.” Purchase chemicals for operation of the Blue Valley AMD Treatment

Facility and Trout Hatchery located in Elk County along Brandy Camp Creek, which is a tributary to

Toby Creek and the Clarion River. Site also has a trout stocked pond and parking to provide public

fishing.

— Lock Haven office of Trout Unlimited, $81,000 - “Improving Brook Trout Habitat in the Kettle

Creek Watershed” in Potter County. Reduce erosion from high priority dirt and gravel roads; stabilizeactively eroding streambank; restore forested riparian buffer; train volunteers to assess stream crossing

sites at roads to determine potential to be barriers to aquatic organism passage (AOP); design and

permit high priority AOP barrier removals.

Including the current grant announcement, the PFBC has awarded nearly $2.1 million in grants

from the Sinnemahoning settlement.

EPA Awards 5 Urban Waters Grants In PA’s Delaware Watershed

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday awarded $2.1 million to 37 organizations in 17

states and Puerto Rico to help protect and restore urban waters, improve water quality, and support

community revitalization and other local priorities.

The funding is through EPA’s Urban Waters Program, which supports communities in their

efforts to access, improve and benefit from their urban waters and the surrounding land. Urban watersinclude canals, rivers, lakes, wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, bays and oceans in urbanized areas.

“People, buildings, and businesses are all concentrated in urban areas, making it even more

important to protect waterways from pollution.” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “These

communities will receive grants, allowing them to help turn these waterways into centerpieces of urban

renewal, spurring economic development and job creation.”

The Pennsylvania grants include:

-- Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Delaware River Basin —Chester- $41,679: The

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will create training sessions that address the current lack of skills

needed to maintain and improve the multi‐functionality of the City of Chester’s green spaces. The

trainings will focus on three target audiences: municipal employees, under ‐skilled landscape laborers,

and at-risk youth. These audiences will learn about basic watershed concepts, tree and perennialvegetation installation and maintenance, invasive plant management, riparian buffer restoration and

installation, green stormwater infrastructure, sustainable turf management, and community engagement.

-- Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Delaware River Basin —Philadelphia - $40,000:

Schuylkill River Development Corporation will analyze the feasibility of using a “greenway- systems”

approach to stormwater management by extending the Schuylkill River Trail from 58th Street to south

of Passyunk Avenue. Plans for the proposed greenway include absorbing and filtering stormwater

runoff, reducing nonpoint source pollution, and contributing to the environmental restoration of the

Schuylkill River.

-- Temple University - Delaware River Basin —Philadelphia- $60,000: Temple University’s Center

for Sustainable Communities will develop a framework for developing a Green Stormwater

Infrastructure (GSI) plan through a participatory geodesign process, and then applying the framework in

Delaware Direct and Tookany/Tacony-Frankford watersheds. The project team will create a

conceptual GSI plan for the study area, visualize three specific GSI project site plans, and conduct three

design charettes in lower-income and minority neighborhoods.

-- Villanova University - Delaware River Basin —Delaware County - $60,000: Villanova

University will create two vegetated roof shelters in the Darby Creek Watershed. These roof shelters

will function as school bike racks or solar charging stations, as well as living laboratories for conducting

research. The results from this project are expected to increase knowledge of stormwater issues in the

community, implement stormwater control measures within the member townships of the Eastern

Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative, and reduce stormwater volume.

-- Wilderness Inquiry, Inc. - Delaware River Basin —Philadelphia, Camden,Wilmington - $59,333;Wilderness Inquiry, Inc., will create opportunities for minority and underserved youth to experience,

enjoy, and learn about the Delaware River and its tributaries. A main program component is the

Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile. The Canoemobile is a roving fleet of six 24-foot, 10-passenger

Voyageur canoes, staffed by seven highly trained outdoor educators. The Canoemobile will spend three

days in each of the four cities (Chester and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Camden, New Jersey, and

Wilmington, Delaware) where 2,400 underserved school children will paddle the Delaware River or a

major tributary, learn about the watershed and their community, and collect water samples for analysis

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and study.

For more information, visit EPA’s Urban Waters Program webpage.

NewsClips:

Projects On Delaware River Win $2.4 Million In Grants

State Budget Cuts DRBC Funding

PA Cuts Funding To Delaware River Basin Commission

Pennsylvania NRCS Receives $11.4 Million To Rehab 9 Dams

Communities across Pennsylvania will benefit from a $11.4 million investment in technical and financial

assistance to rehabilitate dams that provide critical infrastructure and protect public health and safety

under the NRCS Watershed Rehabilitation Program.

“These structures play a critical role in flood prevention, water supply, and recreational

opportunities,” said Denise Coleman, NRCS State Conservationist. “This investment will protect people

and ensure that these critical structures continue to provide benefits for future generations.”

From the 1960s through the 1990s, local communities using NRCS assistance constructed

more than 85 dams throughout the Commonwealth. These watershed management projects have primarily reduced flooding, protecting lives and property throughout the Commonwealth.

Nine dams in Pennsylvania will receive rehabilitation assistance for planning, design or

construction through NRCS’ Watershed Rehabilitation Program. Planned projects include:

— Hibernia and Beaver Creek dams in Chester County;

— Core Creek dam in Bucks County;

— Conneautville and Rainbow dams in Crawford County;

— Beechwood Lake and Hamilton Lake dams in Tioga County; and

— Two Mile Run dam in Venango County.

The program will also enable other NRCS-assisted dams to be assessed for safety. The

projects were identified based on recent rehabilitation investments and the potential risks to life and

property if a dam failure occurred.

“These funds will go a long way to helping ensure public safety,” Coleman said. “We will work

closely with the local project sponsors to ensure that these dams continue to protect and provide water

for communities.”

Funding through the Watershed Rehabilitation Program was made possible by the 2014 Farm

Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while

achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers.

Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this

critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk

management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative

public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; andinvesting in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural

America.

For more information, visit the Watershed Rehabilitation Program webpage or local USDA

service center .

Dog Lovers Have Until July 31 To Vote For Philadelphia’s Water Spokesdog

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Dog lovers have until National Mutt Day on July 31 to vote for Philly Water’s Best Friend. The dogs

with the most votes will compete in two pageants next fall.

The winning duo will soon represent the Philadelphia Water Department in Juniata, Lower

Moyamensing and beyond. Each winner will receive $200 in prizes and the title of Philly Water’s Best

Friend.

“We had so much fun participating in the spokesdog competition,” said Anna Fineberg, theowner of Josie, a beagle that won last year’s competition in Fitler Square. “We really enjoyed the

opportunity to enter our dog into a contest — how often do you get to do that? — and had even more

fun at the ‘pageant,’ where we got to spend the morning with lots of cool dogs and their adoring

humans.”

The purpose of the PWD’s spokesdog contest is to keep Philadelphia’s rivers and streams

clean. Winners accomplish this by attending two or more events, handing out flyers, and giving away

dog-waste bags. This encourages dog walkers to pick up their pets’ waste.

Pet waste is a problem because it pollutes Philadelphia’s water. This happens when rain or

melting snow washes it into storm drains, which can overflow into waterways.

“This program fosters a culture of greener city living, especially when it’s paired with new dog

runs, like the one at Penn’s Landing,” said Joanne Dahme, general manager of public affairs at thePWD. “This makes it safer for people to boat, fish, and enjoy Philadelphia’s coast — and it saves our

four-legged friends from unnecessary embarrassment.”

Sponsors of this program include the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Philadelphia Water

Department, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Juniata Action, and Lower

Moyamensing Civic Association.

For more information, visit the Water’s Best Friend Competition webpage call Melissa Bittner

at (800) 445-4935, extension 113.

Susquehanna River Basin Commission Hearing Aug. 7 On Consumptive Use Requests

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission will hold a public hearing on requests for consumptive water

use on August 7 in Harrisburg. ( formal notice )

The hearing will be held in Room 8E-B, East Wing, Capitol Building starting at 2:30.

For more information, visit the SRBC Public Participation Center webpage.

Governor’s Office Publishes Updated Regulatory Agenda

The Governor’s Office Saturday published its semi-annual Regulatory Agenda showing the status of

existing and proposed regulatory changes listed by agency (PA Bulletin, Page 4641). DCNR begins on

page 4643, the Environmental Hearing Board on page 4646 and DEP begins on page 4646.

Among the regulations on the Regulatory Agenda are--Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

-- Proposed changes to the listing of PA’s Native Wild Plants - Proposed Fall 2014

Environmental Hearing Board

-- Update to rules of practice and procedure - Final in July 2014

Dept. of Environmental Protection

-- Proposed changes to handling and use of explosives - Proposed in First Quarter 2015

-- Proposed changes to surface mining water replacement - Proposed in First Quarter 2015

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-- Proposed Chapter 78, Subchapter D well drilling, plugging - Proposed in First Quarter 2015

-- Proposed Nutrient Credit Trading, Offset Program - Proposed in 4th Quarter 2015

-- Proposed Sewage Facilities Planning Program Chapter 71, 72, 73 - Proposed 4th Quarter 2015

-- Proposed changes to Stage II emission control requirements - Proposed 4th Quarter 2015

-- Proposed Radiological Health changes - Proposed in First Quarter 2015

-- Proposed Laboratory Fee increases - Proposed in 2015

Teacher Training Project WET Workshop Aug. 1 At Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve

The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in Westmoreland County will host a Project WET teacher training

workshop on August 1. Click Here for all the details.

Hearings On Hilcorp Application For Gas Well Spacing Units, Pooling, Set For Sept. 16, 17

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced hearing officer Michael Bangs has

rescheduled the public hearing sessions on an Application for Gas Well Spacing Units, or spacing order,

(commonly called pooling) received from Hilcorp Energy Co., for September 16 and 17.Hilcorp Energy Co. is applying for a well spacing order that establishes four gas well drilling

units on 3,267 acres to drill into the Utica Shale Formation in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County and

Shenango Township, Mercer County.

Under the Oil and Gas Conservation Law of 1961, when a spacing order application is

submitted, an administrative hearing must be held prior to entering an order establishing well spacing and

drilling units. The hearing sessions were postponed twice previously.

The first hearing session has been rescheduled for September 16 and 17. The hearing session

will begin at 10 a.m. and 9 a.m. respectively and be held at the Albert P. Gettings Government Center

Annex of the Lawrence County Government Center, Assembly Room, 349 Countyline St., New

Castle.

The first, two-day hearing session will accept testimony on the spacing order application. DEP,

Hilcorp and property owners and operators in the area subject to the order will be eligible to provide

testimony. The first session will be open for the general public to attend and observe.

The second hearing session will begin at 6 p.m. on September 17, at the same location. As

requested previously by DEP, anyone from the general public will have the opportunity to provide input

about the application at the second session.

Interested persons and operators wishing to present testimony at either hearing should contact

Glenda Davidson at 717-787-4449 at least seven days prior to the first session. Those giving testimony

at the second session will be requested to submit three written copies of their oral testimony to the

assigned hearing officer.

The department will submit a public notice of the rescheduled hearings for publication in local papers at least two weeks prior to the hearing sessions. Although not required by law, DEP also will

directly notify all royalty owners and operators within the area subject to the requested order.

Information on the hearing will also be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo Friday also signed an order granting intervention to

additional property owners and directing the assigned hearing officer to respond to pending motions to

stay and any future motions to stay.

For more information about Hilcorp’s application, visit DEP’s Conservation Law webpage or

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call 717-772-2199.

Groups Call For Investigation Of Dept. Of Health On Fracking Complaints

Several environmental groups Tuesday called for a full investigation into actions by the state Department

of Health around natural gas drilling complaints.The request is on the heels of the revelation that the health department circulated a list of

"buzzwords" to the department's employees with the admonition that calls with drilling-related

complaints not be returned. The list of flagged words includes "skin rash," "hair falling out," "drilling,"

"fracking," and "Marcellus Shale."

The groups include: Cindy Dunn, president and CEO, PennFuture; Adam Garber, field director,

PennEnvironment; Steve Hzovdovich, Marcellus Shale coordinator, Clean Water Action-Pennsylvania;

Joanne Kilgour, director, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter; and Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., executive

director, Clean Air Council.

Their statement follows--

“This past weekend, the Associated Press reported that Gov. Tom Corbett's former top health

official said the state has failed to seriously study the potential health impacts of gas drilling activity.“We are calling for a full independent and transparent investigation into the Pennsylvania

Department of Health's response to drilling complaints. The legitimate questions of Pennsylvania citizen

concerning their health or that of family members as a result of natural gas drilling activity cannot be

discounted or dismissed outright.

“The fact that the department originally denied the existence of a "buzzwords" list, and the fact

that Gov. Corbett has refused to weigh in with a forceful response, leaves us no choice but to call for a

full investigation. We are also asking the department to make available to the public all past and future

health complaints, and to commit to addressing all future complaints in a timely manner.

“This entire episode begs the question: Is the Corbett administration more concerned with

protecting the natural gas industry than it is the health and welfare of Pennsylvania families and future

generations? There should not be one set of rules for the gas industry and another set for everyone else.

“If there is any question that the actions of drillers are causing harm to our air, water and land as

well as the health of our citizens, the governor and state agencies must address those concerns

immediately. Gov. Corbett needs to show leadership on this issue of great public concern, not delay and

deny.”

NewsClips:

Expert: PA Didn’t Address Fracking Health Impacts

PA Health Boss: No Quick Answers To Drilling Complaints

Editorial: Fracking Buzzwords Stir Causes Controversy

Editorial: State Should Study Drilling Health Impacts

DEP Told To Release Natural Gas Study Background Documents, Data Records

The PA Office of Open Records Wednesday directed the Department of Environmental Protection to

release background documents and data records the agency has as part of its comprehensive study of

radioactivity in natural gas production and distribution.

This action was prompted by an appeal filed by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

DEP had turned down part of the Riverkeeper’s request to provide several documents related

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to the study, claiming exemption as internal, predecisional deliberations and noncriminal investigative

records under the Right to Know Law.

Delaware Riverkeeper Network appealed the denial to the Office of Open Records, arguing

that the records are purely factual not deliberative, and not part of an inquiry or official probe, simply

part of an agency study.

The Department did provide the Riverkeeper with 294 pages of records generally describingthe study and an earlier NORM study (1994), as requested by the organization.

In response to Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s appeal, DEP produced an exemption log

containing 57,308 pages of information and further claimed public disclosure of the shielded records

posed a threat to public safety and public security of infrastructure and a threat to personal safety.

Claiming that the data was unvalidated and preliminary and would eventually be validated in a

final report issued to the public, DEP argued that the premature release of the data would lead to

“…erroneous and/or misleading characterizations of the levels and effects of NORM and/or TENORM

associated with [Oil and Gas] exploration and production…”

DEP went on to assert release of the information would “likely result in a substantial and

demonstrable risk of physical harm” resulting from the public knowing the location and quantity of the

radioactive materials.“The public’s right to know is founded on the important principle that citizens need access to

information about their government’s activities to ensure openness, prohibit secrets, and promote

opportunity for critical review and accountability of public officials for their actions. DEP’s attempts to

hide facts about their study of radiation caused by gas development sounds disingenuous and like they

are trying to hide something. Delaware Riverkeeper Network fought for this information so the sun can

shine on what DEP is doing regarding this critical study and the impacts of shale gas drilling and

fracking, the public has a right to know,” said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.

The Office of Open Records determination said in part: “It is important to note that the

TENORM study is the gathering of information on radioactive material that already exists from the oil

and gas exploration and production activities. The Department contends that a reasonable likelihood of

harm exists by releasing the information because of the risks associated with exposure to radioactive

materials. In essence, the Department’s argument attempts to equate the risk of radioactive material

itself to the release of information about radioactive material. The risks associated with exposure to

radioactive material is not the same as any risk associated with releasing information about radioactive

material.”

The Office also ruled that the responsive records are “factual in character consisting of sample

data collected and sample location” and not part of a deliberative process that will express legal

opinions or policies.

The Office also decided that the information being sought is not part of a searching inquiry or

official probe but rather a study, stating, among other reasons, “The very name identifies it as a study.”

This makes the files ineligible to be concealed as a “noncriminal investigative record.”The Office points out that records are “presumed public unless exempt” and exemption is only

granted “…by a preponderance of evidence”, citing 65 P.S. Section 67.708(a).

“The public has a great capacity for understanding facts and information, deep concern about

the levels of radioactivity associated with shale gas development in the state since people are being

exposed every day, and huge interest in what DEP is finding. For DEP to assert that the public can’t

handle this information intelligently is an insult and is no excuse for withholding information the public h

a right to,” said Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

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DEP was directed to provide all responsive records requested by DRN within 30 days. Under

the law, the Order can be appealed by DEP to Commonwealth Court.

A copy of the Final Determination is available online.

For more information, visit DEP’s Natural Gas Radiation Study webpage.

NewsClip: Truth Hurts: State Must Divulge Radioactivity Data

After Harsh Winter, Natural Gas Storage At 5-Year Lows

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday on a report by the U.S. Energy Information

Administration saying natural gas storage inventories are still below the five-year average.

The amount of natural gas being put in storage which utilities use during the winter has triple digi

increases over the last eight weeks.

EIA expects replenishment to slow during July as utilities use the natural gas to meet

summertime electric demands.

Natural gas prices are still around $4.12 to $4.15 per MMBtus with about 18 to 19 weeks left

to pump gas into storage.

At a state Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee hearing in Aprilon why electricity prices spiked so dramatically in January, the PJM Interconnect reported natural gas

prices increase to from $60 to $100 per MMBtus. PJM also said natural gas delivery problems to

utilities pushed electricity prices to the $1,000 per MwH ceiling imposed by PJM. Click Here for a

summary.

NewsClip: After Harsh Winter, Natural Gas Stocks Being Replenished

Crude Oil Trains Again In The Pennsylvania Press

Several articles this week again put the spotlight on crude oil trains

delivering product to Pennsylvania, including a “blast zone” map

published by the environmental group PennFuture.

The “blast zone” map looked at potential rail lines in Pittsburgh

and Philadelphia and the areas that could be affected by an accident and

the explosions that followed from the crude oil train derailment in

Quebec last year. Click Here for the article and maps.

WITF, public radio in Harrisburg, did a feature story on “What

you should know about crude oil on trains coming through PA” asking

and answering a dozen questions about where the crude comes from,

how it’s shipped and where it’s going. Click Here to read the article.

NewsClips:

What You Should Know About Crude Oil Trains PennFuture Map Shows Oil Train Blast Zones

Expert: Without Fracking Boom, U.S. Would Face Another Oil Crisis

StateImpact PA reported Tuesday on a presentation by energy expert and oil historian Daniel Yergin

who said without the recent domestic boom in oil production, the United States would face another oil

crisis.

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“We still call them unconventional, but they’re becoming pretty conventional,” Yergin said of

recent increases in domestic oil and gas production. “U.S. natural gas production’s up 34 percent since

2005. Recoverable reserves have doubled. Crude oil production is up 66 percent since 2008. We’re

seeing a re-balancing of world oil.”

Click Here to read the full article. Click Here for a special report from Yergin’s firm-- IHS--

called, “Crude Oil Export Special Report.”

Keep PA Beautiful Affiliates Host Month-Long Juniata River Cleanup Initiative

Keep PA Beautiful affiliates, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful, Keep Juniata County Beautiful, PA

CleanWays of Mifflin County, and Keep Perry County Beautiful will be hosting a four-county wide

month-long cleanup initiative along the Juniata River.

This is the second annual cleanup coordinated by the four affiliates. During the inaugural

cleanup, over 100 volunteers collected more than 10,000 pounds of debris and more than 360 tires.

The cleanup dates, times, and meeting places are:

-- Perry County - July 25, 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Old Ferry Road (1.4 miles from the intersection

of Oak Hall and Old Ferry Road north of Newport)-- Mifflin County - August 2, 8:00 a.m. at Bylers Campground (264 Brought Farm Road in Granville

Township)

-- Juniata County - August 9, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Walker Township Building (9698 William

Penn Hwy, Thompsontown)

-- Huntingdon County – August 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Point Access (near Snyder's Run) just east

of Huntingdon

Lunch and T-shirts will be provided for cleanup volunteers at each event. For participant

registration, contact the local County affiliate by visiting www.keeppabeautiful.org/getinvolved and click

on Find an Affiliate.

The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River and is approximately 104 miles in

length and provides many recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating and sightseeing. Help make

everyone’s next Juniata River experience a little better by pitching in to clean up trash and tires from in

and along the river! You’ll be glad you did!

NewsClip: Juniata River Cleanup Planned By Keep PA Beautiful Groups

Historic Pike County Bridge Offered For Sale, Reuse By PennDOT

The Departments of General Services and Transportation are

seeking buyers interested in purchasing and preserving the historic

Pond Eddy Bridge in Pike County.

According to DGS Secretary Sheri Phillips, herdepartment is currently accepting letters of interest until August 29

and bids until September 5 from potential buyers willing to

preserve the bridge in a new location.

Built in 1904, the Pond Eddy Bridge carries Route 1011

over the Delaware River in Shohola Township, Pike County. The

two-span bridge is 504 feet long and 16 feet wide. Each span of

the bridge is 252 feet in length. Both spans of the bridge are available as a set or individually.

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"The Pond Eddy Bridge is a significant part of the history of the towns of Pond Eddy,

Pennsylvania, and Lumberland, New York, where it served as the only connection point between the

two towns since its construction," Phillips noted. "By no means is the life of this bridge over. There are

many other ways this bridge can continue to be a part of our state's history."

Phillips noted that historic bridges can be successfully adapted to become bike and walking

bridges on trails, in parks and on college campuses."There are many applications this bridge can be adapted to fit and the flexibility of purchasing

the spans as a pair, or individually, will enable potential owners to cover a large or smaller crossing,"

Phillips said.

In addition to the Pond Eddy Bridge, 10 county and locally owned bridges are currently being

marketed through PennDOT's Bridge Marketing Program. The program allows state agencies,

municipalities, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and the general public to purchase

historic bridges that would otherwise be dismantled during replacement or removal projects.

PennDOT and DGS partner on marketing state-owned historic bridges, inviting the public to

own or reuse some historic bridges that are being replaced by newer structures.

"Bridges are a rich part of Pennsylvania's history, and we have the third-highest number of

bridges in the country," PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. "While we sometimes have toreplace historic bridges because of safety and modern traffic patterns, this program helps our historic

structures live on in other uses."

Once a buyer is selected for the Pond Eddy Bridge, DGS will transfer ownership of the bridge

to the buyer and PennDOT will remove the bridge and transport it to an agreed upon location.

While anyone can purchase eligible bridges through the program, the purchasers must agree that

they will preserve the historical characteristics of the bridge and not sell it. New bridge owners are

responsible for costs associated with the rehabilitation and future maintenance of the bridge.

For information on the Pond Eddy Bridge letter of interest and bid process, visit the DGS

webpage and PennDOT’s Bridge Marketing Program webpage or call 717-705-1484.

EPA Supports PA Small Business Sustainable, Innovative Products

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Monday announced 21 small businesses in 15 states are

receiving funding from the EPA to develop and commercialize innovative, sustainable technologies to

address current environmental issues.

The agency’s Small Business Innovation Research Program is providing $2 million in funds to

advance these innovative products and research.

In Pennsylvania, Environmental Fuel Research, LLC in Philadelphia was awarded a grant for a

project to turn grease trap waste into biofuels.

“A strong economy and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand. With this funding we are

providing opportunities for small companies to ultimately take their ideas and technology from thelaboratory into the marketplace,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Their contributions

strengthen the economy while fostering public health and environmental protection.”

Each year, EPA provides a solicitation and funding opportunity for small businesses in a

competitive two phase process. In Phase I, small businesses can receive up to $100,000 for ”proof of

concept” of their technology, and successful Phase I companies can apply to develop and

commercialize their technology with Phase II funding totaling up to $300,000. The small businesses

announced today are part of Phase I of the SBIR program.

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Many of the SBIR recipient companies go on to leverage EPA’s funding to bring their designs

to reality, expand business, and create products that help protect human health and the environment.

Companies that previously won SBIR contracts include Faraday Technology Inc., which developed a

non-carcinogenic chrome plating process, and Cambrian Innovation, which created the EcoVolt system

that treats wastewater and generates energy in the process.

The solicitation for the next round of SBIR Phase I awards will open this month.For more information, visit EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program webpage.

Women Forest Landowners Educational Retreat Sept. 25-28 In Lycoming County

Women across the mid-Atlantic region who own, care for, or are interested in

learning more about forestland are invited to apply to attend the fourth annual

Women and Their Woods Educational Retreat from September 25-28 at

Camp Susque in Trout Run, Lycoming County.

The four-day workshop is full of exciting educational programs and

field trips related to the care and management of forestland. The result is a

friendly, peer-learning environment and connection to a network of educatedlandowners and natural resource professionals.

Topics and activities in indoor and outdoor sessions include forest

ecology, wildlife, estate and financial planning, calculating the value in your forest, forest plant

identification, and more. WaTW graduates go on to serve as mentors for other landowners in their

communities in the proper stewardship of their lands.

According to Christine Foland, PA Landowner and 2013 WaTW Retreat Graduate, “It is hard

for me to believe how differently I view my woods after our four days together. In addition to loving my

woods, I feel a strong responsibility to care for it in a purposeful way. The network of support available

is wonderful. I am embarked on a new, beautiful, and heretofore unexpected relationship with my

forest.”

The cost to attend the four ‐day retreat is $130 and covers lodging and meals. The application

deadline is September 1.

For more information, visit the Women and Their Woods Retreat webpage, email Amanda

Subjin of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at: conserve@delawarehighlands.org, or call

570-226-3164.

June Issue Of Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Newsletter Now Available

The June issue of FAWN, the official newsletter of the Friends of Allegheny Wilderness, is now

available. Click Here to read a copy.

Fish & Boat Commission Offers Discounted License For Labor Day Youth Fishing Day

The Fish and Boat Commission Monday announced it will host a second Mentored Youth Fishing Day

on Labor Day, September 1, on 17 Panfish Enhancement lakes.

To encourage participation on this day, the PFBC also announced that it has reduced the price

of a Labor Day 1-day adult resident and Labor Day 1-day adult non-resident license to just $1 on

Labor Day. With issuing agent and transaction fees, the total price for the 1-day adult license is $2.70.

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Click Here for details.

Ned Smith Center For Nature & Art Opens Amphitheater July 25, Annual Festival July 26

The Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art in Millersburg, Dauphin County, will hold a grand opening for

the DeSoto Amphitheater on July 25 starting at 6:00 p.m. and its annual Festival on July 26.

Your 2 Cents: Issues On Advisory Committee Agendas

This section gives you a continuously updated thumbnail sketch of issues to be considered in upcoming

advisory committee meetings where the agendas have been released

July 23-- Agenda Released. DEP Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee meeting. 12th

Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00.

-- Reports from Small Business Ombudsman, Environmental Management Assistance Program

-- Overview of Office of Environmental Advocate, Office of Program Integration

-- Overview of State Air Quality Implementation Plan

-- Clean Power Plan Basics

-- Updated on Air Quality rulemakings

<> Click Here for available handouts.

July 23-- No Agenda Posted. DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council meeting.

Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. ( formal notice )

July 24-- Agenda Released. DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board meeting. 12th Floor

Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 9:00. ( formal notice )

-- Land Recycling Program update-- Proposed Vapor Intrusion Guidance language

-- Separate phase liquids at storage tank corrective action sites

<> Click Here for available handouts

July 30-- Agenda Released. DCNR Natural Gas Advisory Committee meeting. Celebration Hall, 2280

Commercial Blvd, State College. 10:00.

-- Update on non-surface disturbance natural gas leasing

-- DEP: air emissions from natural gas operations

-- Shell’s approach to site restoration

<> Click Here for available handouts.

August 5-- No Agenda Posted. DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. Delaware

Room, Rachel Carson Building. 8:30.

August 5-- DCNR Wild Resource Conservation Program hearing on funding applications. 6th Floor

Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. ( formal notice )

August 7-- No Agenda Posted. DEP Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105

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Rachel Carson Building. 9:15.

August 7-- NEW. Susquehanna River Basin Commission holds a public hearing on requests for

consumptive water use. Room 8E-B, East Wing, Capitol Building, Harrisburg. 2:30. ( formal notice )

August 12-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.10:00.

August 19-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.

August 19-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board holds a public hearing on proposed regulations setting

emission standards from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. DEP Regional Office, 400 Waterfront

Dr., Pittsburgh. 1:00. ( formal notice )

August 20-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board holds a public hearing on proposed regulations setting

emission standards from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. DEP Regional Office, 2 East Main St.

Norristown. 1:00. ( formal notice )

August 20-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909

Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 10:00.

August 20-- NEW. DEP holds a public hearing on a proposed revision of the State Air Quality

Implementation Plan for the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority western

regional treatment plant in Chester. DEP Regional Office, 2 East Main St., Norristown. 1:00. ( formal

notice )

August 21-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board holds a public hearing on proposed regulations setting

emission standards from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. DEP Offices, Room 105 Rachel

Carson Building, Harrisburg. 1:00. ( formal notice )

September 9-- CANCELED. DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286

Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. ( formal notice )

September 10-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.

10:30. ( formal notice )

September 24--DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park

Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. ( formal notice )

October 15-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board. 14th Floor Conference Room,

Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.

Visit DEP’s new Public Participation Center for information on how you can Be Informed! and Get

Involved! in DEP regulation and guidance development process.

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Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.

DEP Calendar of Events

Add Green Works In PA To Your Google+ Circle

Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition

programs. NEW means new from last week.

July 21-- CFA Sewage Facilities Program

July 21-- CFA Abandoned Mine Drainage Abatement

July 21-- CFA Watershed Restoration Protection

July 21-- CFA Baseline Water Quality Data Program

July 21-- CFA Greenways, Trails and Recreation July 21-- CFA Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging

July 21-- CFA Flood Mitigation Program

July 31-- Perkiomen Watershed Environmental Awards

August 15-- DEP Section 902 Recycling Grants

August 15-- PA Energy Development Authority Clean Energy Funding

August 15-- PA Housing Authority Marcellus Housing Funding RFP

September 3-- PPFF 2014 Photo Contest

September 19-- Southeast PA TreeVitalize Watershed Grants

September 22-- CFA Alternative and Clean Energy Program

September 22-- CFA Renewable Energy Program

September 22-- CFA High Performance Building Program September 30-- DEP Recycling Performance Grants

October 23-- PEMA Fire Company & Ambulance Services Grants

October 31-- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Digital Photo Contest

October 31-- PRC Lens On Litter Photo Contest

December 31-- DEP Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebates (or until they last)

-- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial assistance

for environmental projects.

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Budget/Quick NewsClips

Here's a selection of NewsClips on environmental topics from around the state--

Budget

Leasing Of Additional DCNR Land Delay Until Court Rules On Oil & Gas Fund Case

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Corbett Agrees Not To Sign Additional Gas Leases Until Court Decision

State, Environmental Group Deal Releases $$ For DCNR Operations

Budget Lands In Legal Disputes Over Gas Drilling, Vetoed Earmarks

Fish Commission Manpower Shortage Impacting Pollution Investigations

PA Cuts Funding To Delaware River Basin Commission

State Budget Cuts DRBC Funding Other

Juniata River Cleanup Planned By Keep PA Beautiful Groups

Dunmore Hopes To Renegotiate Keystone Landfills Fee

IESI Landfill Expands Landfill In New Way

Keystone Landfill Allowed To Receive Fracking Waste

LANTA Putting More Hybrid Buses On The Road

Lackawanna Signs Energy Saving Contract

Customer Satisfaction Improves For SE Electric Utilities

After Harsh Winter, Natural Gas Stocks Being Replenished

FirstEnergy Requests More Time For NRC Flood Hazard Report

Company Applies To Open Deep Coal Mine In Western PA EPA Hearing On Carbon Rules Extended To 2 Days

Op-Ed: PA Must Act Now To Reduce Carbon Pollution

Editorial: Climate Rules Another EPA Power Grab

St. Luke’s Sinking Roots Into Organic Farming

ABC’s Rooftop Garden Great Example Of Urban Gardening

Editorial: Why Erie Needs Urban Farmers

West Nile Found In More Mosquitoes

Windber Teen Helps Kids Understand Flight 93

Goats Help Hawk Mountain Take Bite Out Of Weeds

Mt. Airy Environmentalist Gives Up Lawn For Wildlife

Art In The Wild Exhibit At Wildwood Park

Race To The Moon Benefits Trails

Toomey Drops Proposal To Shift Funding For Bike Trails

Biking Trails Offer New Paths For Businesses

Pittsburgh Bike Share Program Pushes On

Op-Ed: Maintain Funding For Appalachian Trail

-- DEP’s NewsClips webpage - Click Here

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Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling---

Court Restores Zoning Rules For Shale Gas Drillers

Appeals Court Issues Split Decision On Drilling law

Court Throws Out Several Challenges To Act 13 Drilling Law

8/12/2019 Pa Environment Digest July 21, 2014

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Court Limits Drilling Law Again, PUC Can’t Withhold Fees

Municipalities Pleased With Act 13 Ruling

DEP Details Plan To Split Drilling Rules

Leasing Of Additional DCNR Land Delay Until Court Rules On Oil & Gas Fund Case

Corbett Agrees Not To Sign Additional Gas Leases Until Court Decision

State, Environmental Group Deal Releases $$ For DCNR Operations Fire Contained At Consol Gas Well In Greene County

Fish Commission Manpower Shortage Impacting Pollution Investigations

Expert: PA Didn’t Address Fracking Health Impacts

PA Health Boss: No Quick Answers To Drilling Complaints

Editorial: Fracking Buzzwords Stir Causes Controversy

Editorial: State Should Study Drilling Health Impacts

Exxon Battles Anti-Fracking Attorney General In PA

Truth Hurts: State Must Divulge Radioactivity Data

What You Should Know About Crude Oil Trains

PennFuture Map Shows Oil Train Blast Zones

After Harsh Winter, Natural Gas Stocks Being Replenished Mars Area Drilling Foes Seek School Safe Zone

Keystone Landfill Allowed To Receive Fracking Waste

Company Works To Keep Gas Production Safe

Pipeline Company Says It Can Take Your Backyard

Lancaster Residents Share Pipeline Concerns

Bradford County Asks Feds To Investigate Chesapeake Energy

Gulf Oil Plans LNG Facility In Susquehanna County

Financial/Other States

Letter: PA, U.S. Benefit From Gas Drilling Industry

Consol Raises Shale Forecast, But Expects 2Q Loss

Expert: Without Fracking Boom, U.S. Would Face Oil Crisis

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Flooding/Watershed NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state--

Flooding

FirstEnergy Requests More Time For NRC Flood Hazard Report

Frequent Storms Could Prompt Floodplain Changes Luzerne County Plans To Separate From Flood Board

Editorial: Wise Decision To Turn Floodplain Into Park

Editorial: Mother Nature Is Revising Flood Maps

Other Watershed NewsClips

Projects On Delaware River Win $2.4 Million In Grants

State Budget Cuts DRBC Funding

PA Cuts Funding To Delaware River Basin Commission

8/12/2019 Pa Environment Digest July 21, 2014

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Sewer Plant Upgrade Held Up By Dispute Over Nutrient Trading

DeNaples Will Pay For Spill Cleanup, DEP Says

Lackawanna River Oil Spill Contained

Leaking Valve Caused Lackawanna River Spill

Leaking Tank Should Have Been Registered With DEP

DEP Investigating Significant Spill In Lackawanna River Juniata River Cleanup Planned By Keep PA Beautiful Groups

Pittston Seeks Stormwater Grant

Major Fish Kill At Allentown Hatchery To Impact Stocking

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Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

The Environmental Quality Board published notice of proposed regulations setting emission standards

from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials and related public hearings.

The Governor’s Office published in semi-annual Regulatory Agenda showing the status of existing and

proposed regulatory changes listed by agency (PA Bulletin, Page 4641). DCNR begins on page 4643,

the Environmental Hearing Board on page 4646 and DEP begins on page 4646.

Pennsylvania Bulletin - July 19, 2014

Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage

Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage

DEP Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance & Permits

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice of federal consistency under the Coastal

Zone Management Act for the installation of a temporary floating park in Philadelphia and a Philadelphi

Water Department sludge force main pipe replacement in the Schuylkill River.

DEP also published notice of a proposed revision and a hearing on the State Air Quality Implementation

Plan for the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority western regional treatment

plant in Chester.

DEP published notice of changes to the list of companies certified to perform radon-related activities inPennsylvania (PA Bulletin, Page 4595).

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice of projects approved for consumptive uses

of water in April and in May.

Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage

Recently Closed Comment Periods For Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

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August 12-- DEP Climate Change Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.

10:00.

August 19-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.

August 19-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board holds a public hearing on proposed regulations settingemission standards from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. DEP Regional Office, 400 Waterfront

Dr., Pittsburgh. 1:00. ( formal notice )

August 20-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board holds a public hearing on proposed regulations setting

emission standards from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. DEP Regional Office, 2 East Main St.

Norristown. 1:00. ( formal notice )

August 20-- DEP Agricultural Advisory Board meeting. DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909

Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg. 10:00.

August 20-- NEW. DEP holds a public hearing on a proposed revision of the State Air QualityImplementation Plan for the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority western

regional treatment plant in Chester. DEP Regional Office, 2 East Main St., Norristown. 1:00. ( formal

notice )

August 21-- NEW. Environmental Quality Board holds a public hearing on proposed regulations setting

emission standards from fiberglass boat manufacturing materials. DEP Offices, Room 105 Rachel

Carson Building, Harrisburg. 1:00. ( formal notice )

September 9-- CANCELED. DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286

Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. ( formal notice )

September 10-- DEP Sewage Advisory Committee meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building.

10:30. ( formal notice )

September 24--DEP Board Of Coal Mine Safety meeting. DEP Cambria Office, 286 Industrial Park

Road, Ebensburg. 10:00. ( formal notice )

September 25-- Penn State Extension Youth Water Educator’s Summit. The Central Hotel and

Conference Center, Harrisburg.

October 15-- DEP Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board. 14th Floor Conference Room,Rachel Carson Building. 9:00.

Visit DEP’s new Public Participation Center for information on how you can Be Informed! and Get

Involved! in DEP regulation and guidance development process.

Click Here for links to DEP’s Advisory Committee webpages.

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DEP Calendar of Events

Note: The Environmental Education Workshop Calendar is no longer available from the PA Center for

Environmental Education because funding for the Center was eliminated in the FY 2011-12 state

budget. The PCEE website was also shutdown, but some content was moved to the PA Association of

Environmental Educators' website.

Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule

You can watch the Senate Floor Session and House Floor Session live online.

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