Pa Environment Digest Oct. 6, 2014

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PA Environment Digest

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

Winner 2009 PAEE Business PartnerOf The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa October 6, 2014

Gov. Corbett Accepts Resignation Of DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo, Glenn Parno

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday accepted the resignation of DEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo,

effective immediately. Secretary Abruzzo said he made his decision based on the best interest of the

important mission of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Glenn Parno, DEPs Oil and Gas Compliance Coordinator, also resigned Thursday. Parnocame to DEP from the Environmental Crimes Section in the Office of Attorney General.

Dana Aunkst, Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, hasbeen designated as Acting

Secretary. Aunkst is a 22-year veteran of the department and a resident of Cumberland County. (see

separate article)

I thank Chris for his dedicated service to the people of Pennsylvania, Gov. Corbett said. Our

environment and natural resources are better protected today due to his leadership, as well as the hard

work of the men and women of DEP.

In an email to DEP Employees, Secretary Abruzzo said

Today, I sent Gov. Tom Corbett the official notice of my resignation from the position of

Secretary at the Department of Environmental Protection, effective immediately.

Since first becoming Acting DEP Secretary on April 13, 2013, I have had the wonderfulopportunity to work with the most distinguished, extraordinary individuals in state government

individuals who dedicate their lives to carrying out the departments noble mission to protect

Pennsylvania's air, land and water from pollution and provide for the health and safety of its citizens

through a cleaner environment.

It has been an honor to serve with you to carry out this important mission as a fellow member

of the Department of Environmental Protection team.

Secretary Abruzzo resigned amid the controversy over explicit emails sent during the time he

was employed in the Office of Attorney General.

NewsClips:

DEP Secretary Chris Abruzzo, Glenn Parno Resign

2 DEP Officials Resign Over Porn Emails2nd DEP Official Resigns Over Explicit Emails

PA Environmental Secretary, Lawyer Resigns Amid Email Controversy

DEP Chief Resigns Over Pornographic Email Controversy

DEP Secretary Resigns Amid Lewd Email Scandal

DEP Chief Resigns Over Porn Emails

Abruzzo: Leaving Cabinet To Avoid Becoming A Distraction

Tom Corbett: How I Would Address 3 Pressing PA Issues
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fnews%2Fbreaking%2Fmc-pa-kane-pornography-emails-1001-20141002-story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFdXfRqjuzR_AtW19cH6P9ebhCFeAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F10%2Fanother_corbett_administration.html%23incart_m-rpt-1&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWADqLEhRuuQnwDPDJ2_fJzqmxsghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fadminpage%2F6900794-74%2Fcorbett-emails-kane%23axzz3EwftvklI&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG1qVsILbeqGVIVQX0cIe5J2dUuCQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D30078&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF4lSl5jZ2AhK3ex33mhF6R8815vQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D11953&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFSPEUcwhnqVJLvxVyzABsEHAreLQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fopinion%2Ffeaturedcommentary%2F6840789-74%2Ftaxes-corbett-issues&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGtTqcEpGobfPiHe0ehekwg8JFh-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F10%2Fin_resignation_letter_christop.html%23incart_m-rpt-1&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFuHzMCxwd7yg1QIPd6ayD2A0iQ7Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F20141003_Pa_s_top_environmental_officer_resigns_over_porn_emails.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWmFju5a81HFah87F_Czjw2x430Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F10%2F02%2Fdep-secretary-chris-abruzzo-resigns%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG3gH31-z6c_CEqySKbfgVOMLEROghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fnews%2Fbreaking%2Fmc-pa-kane-pornography-emails-1001-20141002-story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFdXfRqjuzR_AtW19cH6P9ebhCFeAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fstate%2F2014%2F10%2F02%2FPennsylvania-environmental-secretary-resigns-amid-email-controversy%2Fstories%2F201410020392&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFGx9ToLoRfI8DtNfIQ6D9Zi3_pzAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennlive.com%2Fmidstate%2Findex.ssf%2F2014%2F10%2Fanother_corbett_administration.html%23incart_m-rpt-1&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWADqLEhRuuQnwDPDJ2_fJzqmxsghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F20141003_Pa_s_top_environmental_officer_resigns_over_porn_emails.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFWmFju5a81HFah87F_Czjw2x430Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fadminpage%2F6900794-74%2Fcorbett-emails-kane%23axzz3EwftvklI&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG1qVsILbeqGVIVQX0cIe5J2dUuCQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D30078&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF4lSl5jZ2AhK3ex33mhF6R8815vQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D30078&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF4lSl5jZ2AhK3ex33mhF6R8815vQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D11953&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFSPEUcwhnqVJLvxVyzABsEHAreLQ


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Tom Wolf: How I Would Address 3 Pressing PA Issues

Gov. Corbett Names Dana Aunkst Acting Secretary Of DEP

Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday named Dana Aunkst Acting Secretary of the

Department of Environmental Protection. Aunkst previously served asExecutive Deputy Secretary for Programs, the number two position in the

agency.

As the Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs he planned, directed,

integrated and evaluated all of the core environmental protection programs for

the agency. This includes building effective relationships with public officials,

non-government organizations, the regulated community and other partners to

further the agency's strategic agenda.

Aunkst directly oversaw the Offices of Active and Abandoned Mining

Operations, Oil and Gas Management, Water Management, and Waste, Air,

Radiation and Remediation to ensure that policies and regulations are implemented consistently through

the Department's six regional offices.Aunkst was also responsible for overseeing the operations of DEP's six regional offices. The

regional field offices directly implement the Air Quality, Environmental Cleanup and Brownfield

Redevelopment, Radiation Protection, Waste Management, Watershed Conservation and Restoration,

Clean Water, Waterways and Wetlands, and Safe Drinking Water Programs.

He was previously the Director for the Bureau of Water Standards and Facility Regulation at

DEP. There he was responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the Department's programs and

regulations related to water quality standards, drinking water facilities, and sewage and industrial

wastewater treatment facilities.

Aunkst started with DER in 1985 as a sanitary engineer in the Meadville regional office. He also

worked for a period of time in the Williamsport regional office. He has been with the Department off

and on for 22 years and has worked in environmental protection, in both the private and public sectors,

for 30 years.

He has also worked in private practice as a consulting environmental engineer, an industrial plant

engineer, and for local government as a Public Works Manager. Mr. Aunkst holds a B.S. in Chemical

Engineering from Penn State University and is a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania.

Senate Committee Puts Two Bad Environmental Bills On Agenda For Monday

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committeeis

scheduled to meet Monday, October 6 to consider two bad

environmental bills-- House Bill 1565(Hahn-R-Northampton)eliminating the nearly 4 year old requirement for stream buffers in

High Quality and Exceptional Value streams and House Bill 2354

(Snyder-D-Fayette) which authorizes one House of the General

Assembly to veto any greenhouse gas emission reduction plan

required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Committee failed to list House Bill 343

(Miller-R-York) which would set standards for the construction and abandonment of private water
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wells for any action.

Click Hereto find your Senator and tell them to vote NO on House Bill 1565, House Bill 2354

and to bring House Bill 343 up for a vote before its too late.

The PA Environmental Councilput out a letter Mondayto all members of the Senate opposing

House Bill 2354 saying action on the bill was premature and not in the best interests of the

Commonwealth.House Bill 1565 is opposed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, PA Environmental

Council, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Fish

and Boat Commission, PA Council of Trout Unlimited, PA Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, PA

League of Women Votersand former DEP Secretary David E. Hess.

The water well standards legislation-- House Bill 343-- is supported by the PA Environmental

Council, DEP Citizens Advisory Council, former DEP Secretary David E. Hessand many other groups

and organizations.

Also on the Committee agenda are--

-- House Bill 402(Pickett-R-Bradford) further providing for the recording of oil and gas leases

-- House Bill 2278(Pickett-R-Bradford) requiring semi-annual reporting of oil and gas production

-- Senate Bill 1061(Rafferty-R-Montgomery) requiring state buildings to meet green buildingstandards- sponsor summary and

-- Senate Bill 1481(Erickson-R-Delaware) prohibiting DEP from prohibiting the vehicular

transportation of leachate to an offsite facility for treatment.

The meeting will be in the Rules Committee Room, but off the floor, which means there is no set

meeting time.

Sen. Gene Yaw(R-Lycoming) serves as Majority Chair, who can be reached by sending email

to: [email protected] and Sen. John Yudichak(D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair and can be

reached by sending email to: [email protected].

Click Hereto find your Senator and tell them to vote NO on House Bill 1565, House Bill 2354 and to

bring House Bill 343 up for a vote before its too late.

Related Story:

5 Voting Days Left, Damaging Environmental Bills May Be Headed To Governor

PEC Opposes Bill To Allow The Senate Or House To Veto A PA Climate Plan

The Pennsylvania Environmental CouncilMonday wrote to members of the

Senate expressing its opposition to House Bill 2354(Snyder-D-Fayette)

which authorizes one House of the General Assembly to veto any

greenhouse gas emission reduction plan required by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency saying the legislation was premature and not in the

interests of the Commonwealth.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committeeis

scheduled to meet Monday, October 6 to consider House Bill 2354.

The text of the letter follows--

In the final five days of this session you may be asked to vote on

House Bill 2354 (P.N. 3898), which authorizes a one-House veto of any plan the Pennsylvania
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Department of Environmental Protection (Department) develops to comply with a proposed U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency regulation under Section 111(d) of the federal Clean Air Act. Section

111(d) requires a reduction in climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council believes this legislation is an inappropriate and

premature response to the serious issue of climate change, and should be opposed.

By authorizing a one-House veto of any plan the Department develops, HB2354 goes farbeyond the oversight role the General Assembly should have over the implementation of environmental

regulations in the Commonwealth. It replaces any balanced discussion of the actions we should take and

turns this into an unguided political football.

In contrast to the oversight role the General Assembly has already carved out for itself under the

Regulatory Review Act, it does not require passage of a concurrent House-Senate resolution with an

opportunity to sign or veto that resolution by the Governor. It allows one chamber to veto those plans

and force the Department to start over. This creates a serious chilling effect on any effort to pass

necessary measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our Commonwealth.

In 2008 the General Assembly passed bipartisan legislation -- the Pennsylvania Climate Change

Act -- laying out a thoughtful process for detailing the contributions the Commonwealth makes to

climate change, and offers members of the General Assembly a direct role in helping to formulate aClimate Change Action Plan through the Climate Change Advisory Committee.

Further, the Air Pollution Control Act requires any changes to the State Implementation Plan,

which ultimately any climate change plan would be, to have extensive public review before it is

forwarded to EPA.

The Regulatory Review Act requires any regulations proposed to implement the State

Implementation Plan to be reviewed by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the

General Assembly under an extensive process, allowing for concurrent resolution and the Governors

review.

Now House Bill 2354 would add a fourth bite at the apple for interests who oppose action on

this critical and complex issue by authorizing a one-House veto. It makes a decision that should be

decided on facts and substantive analysis into a political debate without any criteria to guide the General

Assemblys review.

The timing of this legislation is also off. EPAs proposed 111(d) rulemaking is still undergoing

public review it is likely that numerous and substantial comments will be raised and considered by

EPA. Accordingly, the content of EPAs final rule is uncertain. Therefore, any legislative action relating

to or in anticipation of EPAs rule would be untimely given the likely timeframes for promulgation of a

final rule and subsequent State Plan development.

We fully recognize that EPAs proposal, if finalized, will require an unprecedented undertaking

for the people and environment of our Commonwealth. Nonetheless, Pennsylvania must take action.

PEC unequivocally supports prompt reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from all sources and sectors

across the Commonwealth. Decision making toward that goal must be based on substantive analysis.House Bill 2354 would unbalance that equation and impair Pennsylvanias ability to advance a

strong and sound emissions reduction strategy, potentially forcing EPA to impose its rules directly on

Pennsylvania. We suspect this is not the desired outcome by the General Assembly.

We ask that you oppose this legislation. Thank you for your consideration.

John Walliser

Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs

Pennsylvania Environmental Council


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NewsClips:

Farmers Confront Methane Emissions From Cows

Lancaster Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Audubon: PA State Bird May Have To Flee

Studies: 2013 Wild Weather Due To Global Warming

EPA: Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Wells, Pipelines DeclineOp-Ed: Will America Take Bold Action On Climate Change?

Editorial: Climate Change In The Air

Editorial: The Climate Debate, Better Science

Former DEP Secretary Urges Senators To Oppose Anti-Stream Buffer Bill

David E. Hess, Department of Environmental Protection

Secretary under Governors Ridge and Schweiker, wrote to all

members of the Senate Tuesday urging them to oppose House

Bill 1565(Hahn-R- Northampton) eliminating the nearly 4 year

old requirement for stream buffers in High Quality andExceptional Value streams if it comes up for a vote in the five

remaining days of legislative session.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy

Committeeis scheduled to meet Monday, October 6 to

consider House Bill 1565.


The science is clear and the economics are indisputable, forested stream buffers are the most

effective and least-costly best management practice you can install to help prevent pollution of our

streams and rivers, stabilize stream banks and improve habitat for fish and other aquatic life.

But dont believe me, research by Pennsylvanias own Stroud Water Research Centerin

Avondale, world-recognized experts on stream buffers and watershed ecology, and decades of

experience on the ground have proven it. A large and growing body of scientific evidence clearly

indicates there is no practice more effective or less costly.

Nearly four years ago the Department of Environmental Protection adopted a rule requiring

stream buffers, not along all streams, but only in High Quality (HQ) and Exceptional Value (EV)

Watersheds, 4 percent of the watershedsin Pennsylvania.

To provide flexibility, the rule provided nine different exemptions and six different waivers from

the requirement, including for single family homes not part of a development, maintenance of pipelines,

and for oil, gas, timber and mining operations. In January DEP told the Housethey did not recall a

single instance when a waiver was not granted.

The House also heard overwhelming opposition to House Bill 1565 from environmental,conservation, sportsmens groups and from the Monroe County Conservation Districtwhich has

decades of real-world experience with development where nearly all the countys streams are HQ or

EV. I would note Monroe County is the second fastest growing county in Pennsylvania. Its population

increased more than 70 percent since 1990.

House Bill 1565 would take away the stream buffer requirement without any scientific or

independently verified evidence of any problems it is creating. I know, because I met with the Builders

Association.
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When I was Secretary of DEP under Governors Ridge and Schweiker, I visited every one of

Pennsylvanias 67 counties at least twice and saw first-hand how simple tools like stream buffers, many

times installed by volunteers and funded by the Growing Greener Program matched by local support,

improved water quality.

That improved water quality made it easier to use streams and rivers as sources of drinking

water, meet water quality standards and helped restore fishing on streams that hadnt seen a fish indecades. More than one grandparent came up to me and said how happy it made them to be able to

take their grandkids to a local stream to fish. As a grandparent now myself, Ive come to appreciate

these comments even more.

In the five voting days remaining, you may be asked to vote on House Bill 1565. As you make

your decision, I would encourage you to look at the clear scientific evidence and decades of

on-the-ground experiencesupporting the effectiveness and economics of stream buffers versus the lack

of any documented problem with the requirement from the other side.

If there are problems with the way the rule is administered, lets tackle those issues, not throw

out one of the most effective tools we have to improve water quality.

Pennsylvania is facing significant mandates to meet water quality standards under the federal

Clean Water Act in every watershed in the Commonwealth, as well as in special areas like theChesapeake Bay, Lake Erie and Ohio River Watersheds.

To deny us the use of tools like stream buffers in our best watersheds will impose additional

costs on taxpayers they can ill afford in todays economy.

I encourage you to vote against House Bill 1565.

I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about this issue and my experience

with stream buffers. Call me at 717-576-0420 or send email to: [email protected].

The bill is also opposed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, PA Environmental Council,

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Fish and Boat

Commission, PA Council of Trout Unlimited, PA Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, and PA League of

Women Voters.



NewsClips:

Letter: Buffers Necessary To Maintain Streams Quality

Great Lakes Algae Battle Focuses On Farm Runoff

Officials Unveil New Mine Drainage Treatment System In Hegins

Western PA Towns Eye Fees To Control Stormwater

Octorara Watershed Group Hires Amish Farmers As Liaisons

Enviros May Sue Over Sewage Spills Into Valley Forge Trout Stream

Trout Stream Near Ephrata Disappears Into Sinkhole

Gas Drillers Draw Less Water, But Concerns LingerFloating Boardwalk Opens Along Schuylkill River

CBF-PA Urges Senators To Oppose HB 1565 Eliminating Stream Buffer Rule

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PAWednesday wrote to all members of the Senate urging them to

oppose House Bill 1565(Hahn-R-Northampton) eliminating the nearly 4 year old requirement for

stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value streams if it comes up for a vote in the five
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1565&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHJhTCfEB6X10Xv94PswmVOFQyIcQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fpa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSWPVAaMesqRihAJwZTyppW6zgVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2F20141003__Floating__boardwalk_opens_along_the_Schulkill_s_bank.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFHW4DlwvneSVIanOAgijY2JHWcwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.omaha.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2Fgas-drillers-draw-less-water-but-concerns-linger%2Farticle_9225acf3-f8c8-59f1-9a84-4adf69c92331.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE1tYHbV8uRW18XlPIVbj2nbeHJrwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Ftrout-stream-north-of-ephrata-disappears%2Farticle_6e60b4ec-4992-11e4-adec-001a4bcf6878.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGZuVvgwXu3O-lEoHEW0N2HBsw1Oghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F10%2F01%2Fenviros-threaten-to-sue-over-sewage-spills-in-valley-forge-trout-stream%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHg85ob15LTFkgxeOBpRHT0p9oQzghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgroup-hires-amish-farmers-as-liaisons-to-arm-twist-plain%2Farticle_bb5be00e-465a-11e4-b8a5-0017a43b2370.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHgfINxh0rwR7Fq-Z-5-1lTrvVoXAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fallegheny%2F6736472-74%2Fstormwater-fee-dormont&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFMUek736NRl6natngj4eOunkc-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Frepublicanherald.com%2Fnews%2Fofficials-unveil-new-acid-mine-water-treatment-system-at-keystone-potato-products-1.1764659&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGTgU3UOfS96GBzcH98-xfSR8EQ9Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F10%2F03%2FSlash-phosphorus-flowing-into-Lake-Erie-Great-Lakes-Commission-says%2Fstories%2F201410030098&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHwTgngPIG5yQJ55tLNA9oWNQ5xwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Fmc-hahn-house-bill-1565-baylog-20140930-story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHuCgT0HFeaUXr6J30tZ4RKU1U1jghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Flegis%2Fhome%2Ffindyourlegislator%2Findex.cfm%23address&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkAVpyGBxo-DWFQ-pYi2otzUYq3whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpa-league-of-women-voters-urges-house.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUrMlciXZuvz22ozcxUOIUde4eBwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpa-league-of-women-voters-urges-house.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUrMlciXZuvz22ozcxUOIUde4eBwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fpa-federation-of-sportsmens-clubs-urge.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGcjJw9Vcc6Vo6J7g1JCsqOjt9mTQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrout.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fdocuments%2Ftu-letter_hb1565-(a-4116)-9-22-14.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHznOyt4iKR_JVk9cJq7vS18-n4Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Ffish-boat-commission-support-water.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGiNRu9wXqJrrxNqjmc8rxF7jV1kwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Ffish-boat-commission-support-water.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGiNRu9wXqJrrxNqjmc8rxF7jV1kwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpec-urges-senators-to-oppose-bill.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGX_YdHA8G0zMZaf5WBo-IibWUYjwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fchesapeake-bay-foundation-pa-urges.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXg2a3W2a8TG0Lau1M3x5h9_R8Zwmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2FHarryCampbell-012914&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHFct9oJstyKw0EIzcJ868jFCwiXQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2FHarryCampbell-012914&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHFct9oJstyKw0EIzcJ868jFCwiXQ


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The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committeeis scheduled to meet Monday,

October 6 to consider House Bill 1565.

The text of the letter follows

On behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), I am writing to express our opposition

to House Bill 1565 (P.N. 4116). This legislation would eliminate the existing requirement of a riparianbuffer or forested riparian buffer for new development requiring a National Pollution Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) permit in a High Quality or Exceptional Value watershed.

The current Chapter 102 regulation helps to protect the Commonwealths most pristine and

ecologically sensitive streams and, as such, the current legislation threatens to degrade water quality in

these important areas.

Forested stream buffers have been proven scientifically to be the most effective and least costly

best management practice (BMP) you can install to help prevent pollution of our rivers and streams.

Riparian buffers can also prevent property damage and the expense of flooding, dramatically reduce

stormwater management costs, reduce the cost of treating water for potable uses, and help keep pristine

streams clean, and in general, promote and sustain healthier communities.

The simple act of planting a new, or maintaining an existing, forested riparian buffer allowsstormwater runoff to soak into the ground when it rains, instead of rushing directly into our streams.

Water is purified by plants, trees, and soil, and is released more slowly into the stream, thereby

preventing pollution, erosion, and flood damage.

As you may know, the existing buffer requirement is only triggered by the need for an NPDES

permit in those limited watersheds, and therefore does not apply to existing landowners and their current

land use, but only in a new development context.

Further, the Department of Environmental Protections (Department) regulations (25 Pa Code

Section 102.14) already provide a long list of exceptions to the buffer requirement.

This requirement can also be exempted through a waiver from the Department. According to

the testimony of the Deputy Secretary for Water Management, Kelly Heffner, before the House

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, DEP could not identify an instance where a waiver

was denied.

In other words, the law as it exists today already provides ample flexibility. And, passage of

this legislation could set the Commonwealth back with regards to the federal requirements for riparian

buffers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

According to a recent assessment of Pennsylvanias two-year milestones goals, it is estimated

that the current rate of implementation of 6.44 acres of riparian buffers per day will need to be increased

to 50.13 acres per day in order to meet the Commonwealths 2017 target for forested riparian buffers.

This bill will make the 2017 goal of 109,735 acres of forested riparian buffers more challenging

since we will begin losing this important, and cost effective, BMP.

Given the innumerable societal and ecological benefits provided by forested riparian and riparianbuffers, along with the ability to obtain a waiver, CBF maintains that House Bill 1565 is unnecessary and

could result in undesired consequences for Pennsylvania.

We strongly urge you to oppose this bill. Thank you for your consideration.

Lee Ann H. Murray, Esq.

Pennsylvania Assistant Director/Staff Attorney

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The bill is also opposed by the PA Environmental Council, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy,
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpec-urges-senators-to-oppose-bill.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGX_YdHA8G0zMZaf5WBo-IibWUYjwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FcteeInfo%2FIndex.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DS%26Code%3D9&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXZM125r9jFvvLFNAJfZNVD3DBaA


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the PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Fish and Boat Commission, PA Council of Trout

Unlimited, PA Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, PA League of Women Votersand former DEP

Secretary David E. Hess.



NewsClips:Letter: Buffers Necessary To Maintain Streams Quality







Gas Drillers Draw Less Water, But Concerns Linger

Floating Boardwalk Opens Along Schuylkill River

PEC Urges Senators To Oppose Bill Eliminating Stream Buffers In HQ, EV Watersheds

The PA Environmental CouncilTuesday wrote to all members of the Senate Tuesday urging them to

oppose House Bill 1565(Hahn-R-Northampton) eliminating the nearly 4 year old requirement for

stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value streams if it comes up for a vote in the five


The bill is also opposed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, Western Pennsylvania

Conservancy, the PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Fish and Boat Commission, PA Council

of Trout Unlimited, PA Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, PA League of Women Votersand former

DEP Secretary David E. Hess.


October 6 to consider House Bill 1565.

The text of the PEC letter follows--

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

opposition to House Bill 1565 (P.N. 4116). This legislation would eliminate the existing requirement of a

riparian buffer or forested riparian buffer for new development requiring a National Pollution Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) permit in a High Quality or Exceptional Value watershed.

It is important to note that the existing buffer requirement is only triggered by the need for an

NPDES permit in those limited watersheds, and therefore does not apply to existing landowners and

their current land use. Further, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Department)

regulations (25 Pa Code Section 102.14) already provide a long list of exceptions to the buffer

requirement.This requirement can also be exempted through a waiver from the Department. In her January

29, 2014 testimony before the House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee, Deputy

Secretary for Water Management Kelly Heffner could not recall a single instance where such a waiver

was denied.

In other words, existing law already provides ample flexibility. Passage of this legislation could i

fact invite new federal review of permitting activities in Pennsylvania particularly in the Susquehanna /

Chesapeake Bay watershed where targeted pollution reduction requirements and strategies are already
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FcteeInfo%2FIndex.cfm%3FCteeBody%3DS%26Code%3D9&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXZM125r9jFvvLFNAJfZNVD3DBaAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fformer-dep-secretary-urges-senators-to.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5pm-FhVBWfhDoVhOf-lUpdDWjnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fformer-dep-secretary-urges-senators-to.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5pm-FhVBWfhDoVhOf-lUpdDWjnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpa-league-of-women-voters-urges-house.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUrMlciXZuvz22ozcxUOIUde4eBwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fpa-federation-of-sportsmens-clubs-urge.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGcjJw9Vcc6Vo6J7g1JCsqOjt9mTQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrout.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fdocuments%2Ftu-letter_hb1565-(a-4116)-9-22-14.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHznOyt4iKR_JVk9cJq7vS18-n4Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrout.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fdocuments%2Ftu-letter_hb1565-(a-4116)-9-22-14.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHznOyt4iKR_JVk9cJq7vS18-n4Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Ffish-boat-commission-support-water.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGiNRu9wXqJrrxNqjmc8rxF7jV1kwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fchesapeake-bay-foundation-pa-urges.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXg2a3W2a8TG0Lau1M3x5h9_R8Zwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1565&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHJhTCfEB6X10Xv94PswmVOFQyIcQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pecpa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNECSvVRvFebqz1uGOkG9_LYYlNATwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2F20141003__Floating__boardwalk_opens_along_the_Schulkill_s_bank.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFHW4DlwvneSVIanOAgijY2JHWcwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.omaha.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2Fgas-drillers-draw-less-water-but-concerns-linger%2Farticle_9225acf3-f8c8-59f1-9a84-4adf69c92331.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE1tYHbV8uRW18XlPIVbj2nbeHJrwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Ftrout-stream-north-of-ephrata-disappears%2Farticle_6e60b4ec-4992-11e4-adec-001a4bcf6878.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGZuVvgwXu3O-lEoHEW0N2HBsw1Oghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F10%2F01%2Fenviros-threaten-to-sue-over-sewage-spills-in-valley-forge-trout-stream%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHg85ob15LTFkgxeOBpRHT0p9oQzghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgroup-hires-amish-farmers-as-liaisons-to-arm-twist-plain%2Farticle_bb5be00e-465a-11e4-b8a5-0017a43b2370.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHgfINxh0rwR7Fq-Z-5-1lTrvVoXAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fallegheny%2F6736472-74%2Fstormwater-fee-dormont&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFMUek736NRl6natngj4eOunkc-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Frepublicanherald.com%2Fnews%2Fofficials-unveil-new-acid-mine-water-treatment-system-at-keystone-potato-products-1.1764659&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGTgU3UOfS96GBzcH98-xfSR8EQ9Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F10%2F03%2FSlash-phosphorus-flowing-into-Lake-Erie-Great-Lakes-Commission-says%2Fstories%2F201410030098&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHwTgngPIG5yQJ55tLNA9oWNQ5xwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Fmc-hahn-house-bill-1565-baylog-20140930-story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHuCgT0HFeaUXr6J30tZ4RKU1U1jghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Flegis%2Fhome%2Ffindyourlegislator%2Findex.cfm%23address&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkAVpyGBxo-DWFQ-pYi2otzUYq3whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fformer-dep-secretary-urges-senators-to.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5pm-FhVBWfhDoVhOf-lUpdDWjnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fformer-dep-secretary-urges-senators-to.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5pm-FhVBWfhDoVhOf-lUpdDWjnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpa-league-of-women-voters-urges-house.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUrMlciXZuvz22ozcxUOIUde4eBwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fpa-federation-of-sportsmens-clubs-urge.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGcjJw9Vcc6Vo6J7g1JCsqOjt9mTQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrout.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fdocuments%2Ftu-letter_hb1565-(a-4116)-9-22-14.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHznOyt4iKR_JVk9cJq7vS18-n4Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrout.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fdocuments%2Ftu-letter_hb1565-(a-4116)-9-22-14.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHznOyt4iKR_JVk9cJq7vS18-n4Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Ffish-boat-commission-support-water.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGiNRu9wXqJrrxNqjmc8rxF7jV1kwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQ


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aesthetic or social reasons alone.

Buffers along waterways serve to protect a necessity of life quality water. We recognize that

in both situations the landowner, whether private or commercial, may feel as though the use of a small

part of their property is limited but, everyone has a responsibility to steward the natural resources on

which all of mankind relies.

Without riparian buffers, erosion and sedimentation is certain to happen. By allowing theseharms to occur simply by demanding remedial efforts in another area, we would be remiss. Erosion and

sedimentation is a problem no matter where it occurs and should be managed in as many places as it

occurs.

Keep in mind that the result of erosion and sedimentation does not only effect those who are

local to the occurrence but, it causes trickle down problems as a watershed feeds into larger bodies of

water such as the Chesapeake Bay, the DE Bay and the Great Lakes.

While native plants maintained in riparian buffers help stabilize stream banks thereby minimizing

erosion and sedimentation, they also provide aesthetic value, air quality advantages and even additional

wildlife habitat. It should be obvious that these benefits in addition to clean water distinctly outweigh

land use practices of a harmful nature.

Please do not support the weakening of soil and water quality regulations in Pennsylvania.Thank you,

Lowell D. Graybill

President

PA Federation of Sportsmens Clubs

The bill is also opposed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA, PA Environmental Council,

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the PA Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Fish and Boat

Commission, PA Council of Trout Unlimited, PA League of Women Votersand former DEP Secretary

David E. Hess.



NewsClips:

Letter: Buffers Necessary To Maintain Streams Quality







Gas Drillers Draw Less Water, But Concerns Linger

Floating Boardwalk Opens Along Schuylkill River

Former DEP Secretary Urges Senate To Pass Water Well Standards Bill

David E. Hess, former Secretary of Environmental Protection under

Governors Ridge and Schweiker, Thursday sent a letter to

members of the Senate urging them to pass House Bill 343

(Miller-R-York) which would set standards for the construction

and abandonment of private water wells.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D0343&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHE7XcOsi4NDYb5Z6tMNZzlLFqG0Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fnews%2F20141003__Floating__boardwalk_opens_along_the_Schulkill_s_bank.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFHW4DlwvneSVIanOAgijY2JHWcwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.omaha.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2Fgas-drillers-draw-less-water-but-concerns-linger%2Farticle_9225acf3-f8c8-59f1-9a84-4adf69c92331.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE1tYHbV8uRW18XlPIVbj2nbeHJrwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Ftrout-stream-north-of-ephrata-disappears%2Farticle_6e60b4ec-4992-11e4-adec-001a4bcf6878.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGZuVvgwXu3O-lEoHEW0N2HBsw1Oghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2014%2F10%2F01%2Fenviros-threaten-to-sue-over-sewage-spills-in-valley-forge-trout-stream%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHg85ob15LTFkgxeOBpRHT0p9oQzghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flancasteronline.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fgroup-hires-amish-farmers-as-liaisons-to-arm-twist-plain%2Farticle_bb5be00e-465a-11e4-b8a5-0017a43b2370.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHgfINxh0rwR7Fq-Z-5-1lTrvVoXAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fallegheny%2F6736472-74%2Fstormwater-fee-dormont&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEFMUek736NRl6natngj4eOunkc-ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Frepublicanherald.com%2Fnews%2Fofficials-unveil-new-acid-mine-water-treatment-system-at-keystone-potato-products-1.1764659&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGTgU3UOfS96GBzcH98-xfSR8EQ9Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.post-gazette.com%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2014%2F10%2F03%2FSlash-phosphorus-flowing-into-Lake-Erie-Great-Lakes-Commission-says%2Fstories%2F201410030098&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHwTgngPIG5yQJ55tLNA9oWNQ5xwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mcall.com%2Fopinion%2Fletters%2Fmc-hahn-house-bill-1565-baylog-20140930-story.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHuCgT0HFeaUXr6J30tZ4RKU1U1jghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Flegis%2Fhome%2Ffindyourlegislator%2Findex.cfm%23address&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkAVpyGBxo-DWFQ-pYi2otzUYq3whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fformer-dep-secretary-urges-senators-to.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5pm-FhVBWfhDoVhOf-lUpdDWjnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fformer-dep-secretary-urges-senators-to.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG5pm-FhVBWfhDoVhOf-lUpdDWjnwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpa-league-of-women-voters-urges-house.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEUrMlciXZuvz22ozcxUOIUde4eBwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.patrout.org%2Fdocs%2Fdefault-source%2Fdocuments%2Ftu-letter_hb1565-(a-4116)-9-22-14.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHHznOyt4iKR_JVk9cJq7vS18-n4Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Ffish-boat-commission-support-water.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGiNRu9wXqJrrxNqjmc8rxF7jV1kwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Ffish-boat-commission-support-water.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGiNRu9wXqJrrxNqjmc8rxF7jV1kwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29936&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEPlZkUYWoRAdfkGFz_2oakZAa_sQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F09%2Fpec-urges-senators-to-oppose-bill.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGX_YdHA8G0zMZaf5WBo-IibWUYjwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fchesapeake-bay-foundation-pa-urges.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXg2a3W2a8TG0Lau1M3x5h9_R8Zw


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October 6, but has not included House Bill 343 on the agenda.

The text of the letter follows

There are 20,000 new drinking water wells drilled every year in Pennsylvania, according to the

Penn State Cooperative Extension, many of those in areas where thousands of Marcellus Shale natural

gas wells are being drilled.Over 3.5 million residents depend on wells for clean water, yet a 2009 Center for Rural

Pennsylvania Studyfound 41 percent of private water wells in Pennsylvania failed to meet at least one of

the health-based drinking water standards.

Poorly or improperly constructed water wells can result in pathways for bacteria and other

contaminants, such as naturally occurring shallow methane, to migrate into rural potable water supplies.

As many reports did before it, the 2011 Governors Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission

recommended the adoption of drinking water well standards, yet Pennsylvania remains one of only two

states without statewide private water well construction standards.

These clear threats to rural drinking water supplies, and the embarrassment of not having well

standards, can be overcome if the Senate passes House Bill 343(Miller-R-York) in the remaining five

days of session this year.Members of the Senate have also recognized this threat and want to deal with it, among them

Sen. Vance and the co-sponsors of Senate Bill 1461which also sets water well standards.

As Secretary of DEP under Governors Ridge and Schweiker, I have seen first-hand the

problems improperly constructed water wells can cause and the threats they pose to groundwater.

Without useable water supplies, residents have to rely on bottled water, drill new wells at added

expense or abandoned the homes theyve worked hard to maintain.

I encourage you to act on House Bill 343 to protect rural water supplies and the people that

rely on them for drinking water.

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council, other groups and former DEP Secretary David Hesshave

also urged the Senate to pass House Bill 343.



DEP Citizens Advisory Council Urges Senate To Pass Water Well Standards Bill

The DEP Citizens Advisory Councilwrote to members of the SenateFriday urging them to pass House

Bill 343 (Miller-R-York) which would set standards for the construction and abandonment of private

water wells.

The Council has a diverse membership of 18 individuals appointed by the Governor, the

President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committeeis scheduled to meet Monday,October 6, but has not included House Bill 343 on the agenda.


Dear Senators:

I am contacting you on behalf of the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) to express the CACs

strong support of House Bill 343 (P.N. 2004). The legislation authorizes the Environmental Quality

Board to promulgate regulations for the establishment of water well construction and decommissioning

standards.
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The bill was passed by the House in June with bipartisan support and awaits action in the

Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

With only a limited number of days in this legislative session, the CAC respectfully asks for your

support and immediate action on this important bill.

Pennsylvania is one of only two states nationwide that does not have water well construction

standards in place to protect the integrity of groundwater resources. Without these standards in place,private water wells can be improperly constructed, resulting in the creation of pathways for bacteria and

contaminants to degrade well water quality.

Approximately 3 million Commonwealth residents depend on private water wells for drinking

water, making this bill integral to protecting public health and sustaining Pennsylvania's groundwater

quality.

The CAC is not alone in its position that water well construction standards are needed in

Pennsylvania.

In 2008, the Statewide Water Resources Committee, through the issuance of the

Commonwealth's State Water Plan, called upon the PA State Legislature to pass legislation establishing

statewide private water well construction standards as an integral part of the Commonwealth's water

resource protection program.The Governors Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission in 2011 reiterated this call by also

recommending that private water well construction standards legislation be enacted to ensure the

delivery of safe drinking water to the residents of Pennsylvania.

Every year approximately 20,000 new water wells are drilled in Pennsylvania. Through the

passage of H.B. 343, you can ensure these wells are constructed to national standards that will protect

public health.

Thank you for your consideration of H.B. 343. If you have any questions or require further

information, please contact Michele Tate, CAC Executive Director, at 717-787-4527 or by email at

[email protected].

Sincerely,

Terry Dayton

Chair

DEP Citizens Advisory Council

A copy of the letter is available online.

The PA Environmental Council, other groups and former DEP Secretary David Hesshave also

urged the Senate to pass House Bill 343.



5 Voting Days Left, Damaging Environmental Bills May Be Headed To Governor

With just five voting days left this session for the House and Senate-- October 6, 7, 8, 14, 15-- the

General Assembly is poised to end the year by putting damaging environmental legislation on the

Governors desk when they return October 6.

With Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) saying liquor privatization and

meaningful pension reform are now off the table for this year, the question is-- if not liquor and pensions

what will they do?

The fact is any bills not on the Governors desk by October 15 will have to start over in
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Flegis%2Fhome%2Ffindyourlegislator%2Findex.cfm%23address&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGkAVpyGBxo-DWFQ-pYi2otzUYq3whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F2014%2F10%2Fformer-dep-secretary-david-hess-urges.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEZeW3NjR391r7Y2iieBfEtoozJyghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fdefault.asp%3FNewsletterArticleID%3D29998&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF864QbbumUVMMUrR8YdjwpgEN1UQhttp://goo.gl/mIbo9vmailto:[email protected]


13/55

January.

With polls continuing to trend, a kind way to put it, against Gov. Corbett, Republican Leaders

have also got to be thinking about the things they want to finish while a Republican is in the Governors

Residence.

There are lots of potential issues that could or might get done, but ultimately, with so few voting

days left, the Leadership in the Senate and House will determine which issues are addressed and whichissues will be left to the new legislative session.

Bad Environmental Bills

From the watch list published on September 15 by PA Environment Digest, these are the most

likely and most damaging environmental bills to move--

-- Senate: Elimination Of Buffer Requirement:House Bill 1565(Hahn-R-Northampton)

eliminating the current requirement for stream buffers in High Quality and Exceptional Value streams.

The House passed this bill 119 to 79 before adjourning for the week and the Senate Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee has the bill on the agenda for a meeting Monday, October 6. Click

Herefor background on the bill.

-- Senate: Legislative Approval Of DEP Climate Plan:House Bill 2354(Snyder-D-Fayette) which

requires Senate and House approval of any plan DEP submits to the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants is on the agenda for a Senate

Environmental Resources and Energy Committee meeting Monday, October 6. Click Here for

background on the bill.

-- Senate:Eliminating Protections For Endangered Species:Senate Bill 1047(Scarnati-R-

Jefferson) would eliminate some protections for endangered species and set additional requirements for

adopting Wild Trout Streams. The bill is in the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee. Click Herefor

background on the bill.

-- House:Eliminating Protections For Endangered Species:House Bill 1576(Pyle-R-Armstrong)

would eliminate some protections for endangered species and set additional requirements for adopting

Wild Trout Streams. The bill was removed from the Table in the House September 16 and is now on

the House Calendar for action. Click Herefor background on the bill.

Good Environmental Bills

-- Senate: Drinking Water Well Standards: House Bill 343(Miller-R-York) setting standards for

drinking water wells is in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, but no action has

been scheduled.

-- Senate: Green State Buildings:House Bill 34(Harper-R-Montgomery) setting green building

standards for state owned or leased buildings. A similar bill-- Senate Bill 1061

(Rafferty-R-Montgomery)-- is on the agenda for a Senate Environmental Resources and Energy

Committee Monday, October 6, but there are not enough voting days left for the Senate version to

move to the Governors desk.

Click Hereto find your Senator and tell them to vote NO on House Bill 1565, House Bill 2354and to bring House Bill 343 up for a vote before its too late.

Watch These Other Bills, Good & Bad, Closely

These other bills-- good and bad-- are worth watching closely--

House

-- Conventional Well Regulation:House Bill 2350(Causer-R-Cameron) regulating conventional oil

and gas wells differently than unconventional, Marcellus Shale wells. The bill remains Tabled in the

House A provision similar to this was included in the Fiscal Code bill signed into lawin July. Click Her
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for background on the bill.

-- Sewer/Water P2 Partnerships:House Bill 2239(Evankovich-R-Armstrong) authorizing

public-private partnerships for sewer, water, school district projects was reported out of the House

Rules Committee Monday and Tabled.

-- Leasing State Lands For Mineral Development:Senate Bill 1443(White-R-Indiana) amending

the Indigenous Mineral Resources Development Act to authorized state agencies (other than DCNR) torelease mineral rights whether they owned the surface rights or not is in the House Environmental

Resources and Energy Committee.

-- Natural Gas Royalties: House Bill 1684(Everett-R-Lycoming) which seeks to clarify a minimum

royalty payment in state law has been on the House Calendar for action.

-- Natural Gas Royalties:Senate Bill 1236would expand upon the Oil and Gas Lease Act by

allowing royalty interest owners the opportunity to inspect records of natural gas companies to verify

proper payments. In addition, the bill requires all royalty payments be made within 60 days of

production unless otherwise stated in the contract. Any delinquent payments are to be paid with

interest. The bill is in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

-- Natural Gas Royalties:Senate Bill 1237would prohibit a gas company from retaliating against any

royalty interest owner by terminating their lease agreement or ceasing development on leased propertybecause a royalty interest owner questions the accuracy of current royalty payments. Companies found

to have violated the provisions of this act face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day. The bill is in the

House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

-- Natural Gas Royalties:Senate Bill 1238would require a gas company to record a surrender

document in the county Recorder of Deeds office where the oil and gas well is located within 30 days

upon expiration, termination, or forfeiture of an oil and gas lease. The surrender document will release

the gas companys interests in the oil and gas. This is similar to what a mortgage company would be

required to do after a mortgage was paid in full. The bill is in the House Environmental Resources and

Energy Committee.

-- Variable Electric Rate Contracts: House Bill 2104(Godshall-R-Montgomery) further providing

for consumer protections in variable rate electric supplier contracts is on the House Calendar for action.

-- State Geospatial Coordinating Board:Senate Bill 771(Gordner-R-Columbia) establishing the

State Geospatial Coordinating Board is on the House Calendar for action.

-- North American Oil Reserves: House Resolution 249(Swanger-R-Lebanon) supporting

increased development and delivery of oil from North American oil reserves- sponsor summary-- is on

the House Calendar for action.

Senate

-- Conventional Well Regulation:Senate Bill 1378(Scarnati-R-Jefferson) regulating conventional oil

and gas wells differently than unconventional, Marcellus Shale wells, is in the Senate Appropriations

Committee. A provision similar to this was included in the Fiscal Code bill signed into lawin July, but

the House still moved its version of the bill recently. Click Herefor background on the bill.-- Nutrient Reduction Watershed Scheme:Senate Bill 994 (Vogel-R-Beaver) would construct an

unaffordable scheme to fund one technology that claims to reduce nutrients from manure. The bill was

Tabled in the Senate. Click Herefor background on the bill.

-- PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council:Senate Bill 1310(Hutchinson-R- Venango)

creating the PA Grade Crude Development Advisory Council within DEP is scheduled to be considered

by the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday, October 6.

-- Leasing DCNR Land For Alternative Energy Development:Senate Bill 684(Wozniak-D-
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Cambria) further providing for the leasing of DCNR lands for wind, solar and other energy projects is in

the Senate Appropriations Committee.

-- Nuclear Reactor Fees:House Bill 2264(Miller-R-York) increasing fees paid by nuclear reactors

to fund DEP oversight program is in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. The

Senate companion bill-- Senate Bill 1355(Yaw-R-Lycoming)-- is now on the House Calendar for

action and is scheduled for additional House consideration next week.-- Backup Generators: House Bill 1699(Ross-R-Chester) setting air quality standards for backup

generators is in the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

DEP Proposes Changes To Oil & Gas Program Enforcement Policy, Spill Reporting

The Department of Environmental Protectionpublished noticeof draft technical guidance for public

comment in the October 4 PA Bulletin changing the policy for identifying, tracking and resolving oil and

gas violations and for coordinating immediate responses and final remediation of spills and releases of

substances into soils.

Comments are due on the proposed changes by November 3.

Enforcement PolicyThe new proposed enforcement policy (DEP ID: 550-3000-001- Standards and Guidelines

for Identifying, Tracking, and Resolving Oil and Gas Violations) will replace the previous policy

''Compliance Monitoring of Oil and Gas Wells and Related Facilities and Activities'' that was issued in

2005. Revisions are necessary, DEP said, to reflect changes to the organizational structure of the

agency and to update the policies and procedures to reflect current oil and gas development activities in

Pennsylvania.

The new policy provides direction to Department staff in determining enforcement actions the

Department will pursue to resolve violations and achieve compliance with applicable laws and

regulations related to conventional and unconventional oil and gas development.

The proposed policy includes an entirely new section on water supply contamination

investigations.

Interested persons may submit written comments on this Draft Technical Guidance Document

by November 3, 2014. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including

comments submitted by e-mail, must include the originator's name and address.

Written comments should be submitted to John Ryder, Department of Environmental

Protection, Bureau of District and Oil and Gas Operations, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 15th

Floor, P.O. Box 8765, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8467 or send email to: [email protected] the

subject line ''Comments on Standards and Guidelines for Identifying, Tracking, and Resolving

Violations.'' Contact: John Ryder, 570-327-3636 or send email to: [email protected].

Spill Reporting, Cleanup

The new proposed spill reporting and cleanup policy (DEP ID: 260-0500-001- Policy forCoordinating Immediate Responses and Final Remediation of Spills and Releases) summarizes how the

Department oversees immediate responses and final remediation of spills and releases of regulated

substances onto soils.

The purpose of the policy is to facilitate the consistent investigation of and the response to spills

and to coordinate immediate response needs with final remediation endpoints.

Interested persons may submit written comments on this Draft Technical Guidance Document

by November 3, 2014. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdsweb%2FGet%2FDocument-102646%2F260-0500-001.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGmDjJ1EoMF1GhPbaBpU9dyXNT6Ngmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdsweb%2FGet%2FDocument-48286%2F550-3000-001.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHzdZFGGfxBl26v9QRa9kPOF8S2yAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdsweb%2FGet%2FDocument-48286%2F550-3000-001.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHzdZFGGfxBl26v9QRa9kPOF8S2yAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdsweb%2FGet%2FDocument-102620%2FDRAFT%2520550-3000-001.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGIAN2tbOj4CJmCMiQE0iv2ZD2Dkghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pabulletin.com%2Fsecure%2Fdata%2Fvol44%2F44-40%2F2067.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG-p0CRQF6EptgkURTP8Ow0yAVynwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1699&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEn-du6S1rTqRcEf6GLeLJbdl4rYQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sInd%3D0%26body%3DS%26type%3DB%26bn%3D1355&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGUZb0B80JayuTHKUBVnmG-gMsdBQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DB%26bn%3D2264&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNERW_VJpA5Mikli7SfZadLQh6k40A


16/55

comments submitted by e-mail, must include the originator's name and address.

Written comments should be submitted to Molly Adams, Bureau of Environmental Cleanup and

Brownfields, P.O. Box 8471, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8471, 717-787-1566, or send email to:

[email protected]. Contact: Randy Roush, 717-787-1566 or send email to: [email protected].

Both revised policies include some of the

Documents

Pa Environment Digest Oct. 6, 2014