PaEnvironmentDigest March 18, 2013

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PA Environment DigestAn Update On Environmental Issues In PAEdited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates

Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award

Harrisburg, Pa March 18, 2013

Governors Environmental Award Winners Announced, To Be Honored April 17

The Pennsylvania Environmental Council announced Wednesday the award ceremonies for this years

recipients of the 2013 Governors Award for Environmental Excellence will take place at an awards

dinner on April 17 at the Hilton Harrisburg starting at 5 p.m.

The Governors Awards for Environmental Excellence are presented each year by theDepartment of Environmental Protection to highlight the best in environmental innovation and expertise

throughout the Commonwealth.

The awards are the highest statewide honor bestowed upon businesses and organizations for

environmental performance and innovation from cleaning up watersheds, saving energy, and eliminating

pollution, to reducing waste and more.

Richard Allan, Secretary of the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, will serve

as the keynote speaker for the event and Janelle Stelson, News Anchor for WGAL, Channel 8

television will be the program emcee.

This years recipients of the Governors Awards for Environmental Excellence are:

-- Propel Andrew St. High School of Allegheny County for the High School Beekeeping Project-- Bennett Branch Watershed Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Western Pennsylvania

Conservancy and the P&N Coal Company for the Dents Run Watershed Restoration Project in Elk

County

-- The Boeing Company of Delaware County for the Central Utility Plant Bldg. 86-4-14 Project

-- Earth Conservancy of Luzerne County for the Huber IV Mine Land Reclamation Project

-- East Penn Manufacturing Co, Inc. of Berks County for the Grid Scale Energy Storage

Demonstration for Ancillary Services Using Deka Unigy Ultra Battery Technology Project

-- Harley-Davidson Motor Company Operations, Inc. of York County for the Harley-Davidson

Promotes Redevelopment in York County Project

-- Hoopes Turf Farm, Inc. of Potter County for The Ulysses Liquefied Natural Gas Vehicle DieselReduction Project

-- Jersey Shore Steel Company of Lycoming & Clinton Counties for the Jersey Shore Steel: Making

and Marketing the World's Greenest Steel Project

-- Kline's Services, Inc. of Lancaster County for the Kline's Services, Phase II: Methane Digester

Electrical Generation Project

-- Partnership for the Delaware Estuary of Schuylkill, Berks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester,

Lehigh and Delaware Counties for the Schuylkill Action Network Source Water Protection Initiative
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fgovernor_award_for_environmental_excellence%2F14057&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFU-9M9SU9Qm6Zzo6ZjEVSD7iX-kghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pecpa.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEM8BUWa5gnVDqY89QNay-YF-Anfwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portal.state.pa.us%2Fportal%2Fserver.pt%2Fcommunity%2Fgovernor_award_for_environmental_excellence%2F14057&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFU-9M9SU9Qm6Zzo6ZjEVSD7iX-kghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pecpa.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEM8BUWa5gnVDqY89QNay-YF-Anfwhttp://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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Project

-- Pittsburgh Voyager, Inc. DBA RiverQuest of Allegheny County for the Exploring the Marcellus

Shale Outreach Program

-- RETTEW Associates, Inc. of Lancaster County for the Chesapeake Energy Roadway Restoration

and Upgrade Project

-- Seed Farm of Lehigh County for The Seed Farm New Farmer Training Program-- Shoup's Run Watershed Association of Huntington County for the Miller Run Brook Trout

Enhancement Project

-- SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc. of York County for the Lean and Clean Manufacturing Project

-- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center of Allegheny County for the Creation of an Energy and

Environmental Engineering Department at a Healthcare Facility Project

Dominion Resources is the Premier Platinum Sponsor of this years event.

Gold Reception Sponsors: Shell Oil Company Silver Dinner Sponsors: Chevron and Pennoni

Associates, Inc. Bronze Table Benefactors: Foundation for PA Watersheds and Range Resources

Corporation Environmental Excellence Sponsors Crisci Associates and the Boeing Company

Innovator Dinner Sponsors: RT Environmental Services, Inc.Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Angela Vitkoski of the PA

Environmental Council at 570-718-6507 or send email to: [email protected].

Keystone Fund Partners To Celebrate 20 Years Of Recreation, Conservation Grants

Keystone partners from across Pennsylvania along with Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources Secretary Richard Allan and the original 1993 legislative champions will celebrate the 20th

Anniversary of the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund at a special event in the Capitol

Rotunda on March 18 starting at 1:30.The event is hosted by the PA Growing Greener Coalition, PA Land Trust Association, PA

Library Association, PA Parks and Forests Foundation, PA Recreation and Park Society, and

Preservation Pennsylvania.

The celebration will include the presentation of the Keystone 20th Anniversary Awards,

designed to recognize successful Keystone projects throughout the Commonwealth, and the release of a

new report detailing the economic benefits of the Keystone Fund.

Awards will be presented for projects in Bucks, Cumberland, Greene, Lancaster and

Westmoreland counties, and the Delaware & Lehigh Valley. Award categories include library,

recreation, trail, historic preservation, state park and conservation.

Festivities will conclude with a Keystone Cake cutting by original Keystone champions

responsible for the creation of the program in 1993, including, former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel, former

Sen. F. Joseph Loeper and former Rep. William Lloyd.

Did You Know You Can Search 8 Years Of Digests On Any Topic?

Did you know you can search 8 years of back issues of the PA Environment Digest on dozens of

topics, by county and on any key word you choose. Just click on the search page.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paenvironmentdigest.com%2Fnewsletter%2Fsearch.asp&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG3YMJhJTavF8eWahj5px0Dtv-fMQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fkeystonefund.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFnCtGhobqG_7Rebg4viV58_ykpOwmailto:[email protected]


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

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

PAEnviroDigest.

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 Environment Digest Video Blog: showcases original and published videos from environmental

groups and agencies around the state. Sign up to receive as they are posted updates through your

favorite RSS read. 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/Bills Introduced

Here are the Senate and House Calendars and Committee meetings showing bills of interest as well as a

list of new environmental bills introduced--

Session Schedule

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

Senate

March 18, 19, 20

April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30

May 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14

June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

House

March 18, 19, 20

April 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

May 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2FPaCapitolDigest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGWrE0J29KeaafDM7MJyMC8ers1CAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpacapitoldigestcrisci.blogspot.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEsEHXOUzs6gT1RCKAugVwOVKqPwAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvirodigestvideo.blogspot.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEmKqFvZOkdb3_B7R1MBSPh3LLnzAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpaenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFRzy2G1pqBkPajQhREHSFOtt9DyQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGXriPf7nAwCc24P4VynFe1LpqWFghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crisciassociates.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHXIVMkGh_c7n4BmGVntccrLXM7eg


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June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

Bill Calendars

House (March 18): House Resolution 129 (Causer-R-Forest) directing the Legislative Budget and

Finance Committee to investigate combining the Game and Fish and Boat Commissions. Click Herefor full House Bill Calendar.

Senate (March 18): Senate Bill 177 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) establishing a task force on Lyme

Disease and related diseases Senate Bill 351 (Erickson-R- Delaware) authorizing the formation of

stormwater management municipal authorities. Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar.

Committee Meeting Agendas This Week

House: the State Government Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 211 (Grove-R- Lancaster)

requiring the review of regulations every five years and House Bill 549 (Scavello-R- Monroe)authorizing the review of regulations every two years instead of three years House Democratic Policy

Committee holds a hearing on Fish and Boat Commission fiscal slope. Click Here for full House

Committee Schedule.

Senate: the Appropriations Committee meets to considerSenate Bill 196 (White-R- Indiana) further

providing for funding non-point source pollution control projects,Senate Bill 680 (Corman-R-Centre)

providing for an itemized list of Capital Budget Projects for 2012-13 the Environmental Resources

and Energy Committee holds a hearing on Senate Bill 258 (Yaw-R-Bradford) related to quieting titles

involving mineral rights Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule.

Other: Environmental Issues Forum by Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and

Conservation Committee. Presentation by PA Association of Conservation Districts on natural

resource management and preservation services and the Dirt and Gravel Road Program

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
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D28%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE8laLY8-2fNFQwO2I3GM8xy67vNAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D24%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEj0T4DMvS-Do_PTGnG1M1IMJZd7whttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D56%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGtzO07uQSwtQoHuuk14hWq3d60gwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D54%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNETvX_kv57bKi9X1aUnj7T000SRiwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D10%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFTt-ARiXW9soyui0IvrazqU61quAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D8%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFxUAkR70KgxtgUTF3f8bVMWtCySghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D12%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHChd4URUtlhk9tHinZDzI9l2PFSAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FCteeInfo%2Findex.cfm%3FCode%3D4%26CteeBody%3DH&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMLwVjcUxZLx4Cw4D2aell4MHkRAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FSM%2FCOSM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGm2MqrSWvfq9tan4rDgY7fJhcc2Ahttp://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%3D0258&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEyH6EV7Gm1L2UqZMHRtavGZoU6iAhttp://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%3D0258&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEyH6EV7Gm1L2UqZMHRtavGZoU6iAhttp://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%3D0680&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEL_3nq5FIqG0rMFFVRXiNrIi3R8whttp://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%3D196&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG6a_oOLWyFLQC3YktfDlYKNTS0TAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FCO%2FHM%2FCOHM.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHN4VHsg-7-WbaLdRZFal9NTpr5vQhttp://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%3D0549&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGVBY8BWCn_PiLh8_cbYEgihpG1LAhttp://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%3D0549&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGVBY8BWCn_PiLh8_cbYEgihpG1LAhttp://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%3D0211&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFvJV9D54e_sEuhHWsmuXeZHfhaJQhttp://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%3D0211&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFvJV9D54e_sEuhHWsmuXeZHfhaJQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FSC%2F0%2FRC%2FCAL.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNENWoZbghsL-QNbPuf7XexFfCvTqQhttp://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%3D351&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE5i5yUmAo5jLBhe7Ii098u2JlhDghttp://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%3D177&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEu9Z62Su1yBALdDMrzMg9xUf38kghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2FWU01%2FLI%2FSC%2FHC%2F0%2FRC%2FSCHC.HTM&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE9F2VxwWmFjFIYNSSBlw4h-xB5dghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Fbillinfo%2Fbillinfo.cfm%3Fsyear%3D2013%26sind%3D0%26body%3DH%26type%3DR%26BN%3D0129&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHlG1f67LAG__EFEuljQ7mwzQd8Og


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Transportation

Links for all other Standing House Committees

Senate

Appropriations

Environmental Resources and EnergyConsumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Community, Economic and Recreational Development

Education

Judiciary

Law and Justice

Public Health and Welfare

Transportation

Links for all other Standing Senate Committees

Bills Introduced

The following bills of interest were introduced this week--

Capital Budget Projects:Senate Bill 680 (Corman-R-Centre) providing for an itemized list of Capital

Budget Projects for 2012-13. [Note: Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to consider the bill

March 18.

Water Use Fees: Senate Resolution 39 (Alloway-R-Franklin) directing the Legislative Budget and

Finance Committee to study the establishment of fees for the consumptive use and degradation of water.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate--

House

Combining Commissions: House Resolution 129 (Causer-R-Forest) directing the Legislative Budget

and Finance Committee to investigate combining the Game and Fish and Boat Commissions was

reported from the House Game and Fisheries Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.

Senate

Natural Gas Infrastructure: Senate Resolution 29 (Yaw-R-Bradford) directing the Center for Rural

Pennsylvania to study the potential for increased extension of natural gas distribution infrastructure by

natural gas utilities to un-served and under-served areas was adopted by the Senate.
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Reuse Of Mine Water: Senate Bill 411 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) providing for the reuse of mine

drainage as drilling fluids was Tabled by the Senate.

Stormwater Management:Senate Bill 351 (Erickson-R- Delaware) authorizing the formation of

stormwater management municipal authorities was reported from the Senate Local Government

Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Lyme Disease:Senate Bill 177 (Greenleaf-R-Montgomery) establishing a task force on Lyme Disease

and related diseases was reported from the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and is now on

the Senate Calendar for action.

News From The Capitol

Senators Baker, Vogel Call On PEMA To Investigate Fracking Fluid Spill

Two state senators are calling on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to conduct animmediate review of a critical communications breakdown that occurred in Beaver and Lawrence

Counties following the illegal dumping of thousands of gallons of fracking wastewater in Ohio.

Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), Majority Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency

Preparedness Committee, and Sen. Elder Vogel Jr. (R-Beaver) wrote to PEMA last week asking for

answers to why local officials and the public were not informed about the possible threat to drinking

water downstream from the dumping.

"While a long list of agencies, including PEMA and the PA State Police were notified of the

illegal dumping in Ohio near the Pennsylvania border, no one took the all-important step of sharing this

critical information with other relevant agencies," the senators wrote in their letter to PEMA Director

Glenn Cannon.They said that neither the Department of Environmental Protection nor two Beaver Country

drinking water suppliers downstream were notified of the illegal dumping, potentially putting more than

17,000 public water customers at risk.

Senators Baker and Vogel asked for a review of the situation and recommendations for an

improved notification process, noting that the incident could have caused or exacerbated a serious

public health threat.

"The fact that this dumping happened in a neighboring state does not absolve our duty to share

the information with the proper authorities," Sen. Baker said. "Clearly, there was a serious breakdown

in communication that needs to be addressed."

Sen. Vogel added that he wants answers so constituents in his district have assurances that theirwater supply is clean.

It's crucial that we get to the bottom of this. We need to know what happened so that this

doesn't happen again," Sen. Vogel said. "It is not acceptable that the drinking water authorities were not

contacted. This could have been a very dangerous situation and those in charge of supplying our

residents with clean water need to be among the first contacted."

NewsClips:
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Lawmakers Want PEMA To Investigate Fracking Fluid Spill

Water Study Shows Risk From Marcellus Drilling Spill Small

House Environmental Committee Holds Briefing On Nutrient Credit Trading

On Monday the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held a briefing on the statesNutrient Credit Trading Program featuring testimony by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority and

Red Barn Consulting, a company involved in developing credit-worthy projects.

Paul Marchetti, Executive Director of PennVEST, and Robert Boos, a Credit Trading Specialist

with PennVEST, provided the Committee with an overview of their agencys role in the credit trading

process.

Boos explained the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy requires Pennsylvania to reduce

nitrogen by 37 million pounds a year, phosphorus by an additional 1.1 million pounds per year and

sediment by an additional 116,000 tons per year from discharging into the Chesapeake Bay annually to

meet the total daily maximum load (TDML) and remove the Chesapeake Bay from the Federal

Impaired waters list.Boos said PennVESTs Nutrient Clearinghouse can facilitate an increase in demand that makes

undertaking credit-generating projects more viable and possibly create an additional revenue source

and that PennVEST holds forward auctions and spot auctions to facilitate the buying and selling of

the credits. Theres is no cost to register and participate in any of the auctions, he stated. PennVEST

charges 2.5 cents for every credit bought and sold in the auction to cover administrative expenses for

implementing the program which is due when credits are delivered.

Boos also highlighted the benefits of a using an auction, including the following:

-- PennVEST guarantees purchase and delivery of credits to successful participants in auction

-- Credits through the auction provide a potentially cost effective means to comply with discharge limits

without having to implement a "bricks and mortar" infrastructure project-- Registration to participate in auctions can serve as documentation for Department of Environmental

Protection permit applications as the means to comply with net zero nitrogen and zero phosphorus limits

for new land development to get permits issued.

Peter Hughes, Red Barn Consulting, said his company is an aggregator of nutrient credits and

since 2006 the company has held 27 nutrient credit trading contracts which resulted in 346,257 pounds

of nutrients reduced to the Chesapeake Bay.

He explained agriculture contributes more than 50 percent of the phosphorus and nitrogen that

enters the Chesapeake Bay and then walked through how the company determines if a farm meets

baseline compliance for the program.

Its very important that we have assured additionally within our credit trading program that

were able to see a farm throughout the year that it is a done by a qualified professional to ensure that

these credits that have been traded are there and they comply, he said. The fact of the matter is that

not all farms are going to qualify, not all farms are meeting that baseline requirement.

Hughes also offered recommendations for changing the program.

Of the three stages of a credit, the certification stage is where a business would rely on a

decision by DEP to go ahead and make an investment that would generate the credits, he stated. The

business can challenge DEPs calculation at the certification stage but it is not clear whether interested
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members of the public have standing to challenge those calculation and in fact the general understanding

is that they do not have standing at this point. This leaves the credit calculation open to challenge at a

later stage, when the credit is applied to an NPDES permit. By this point, investments have been made,

but uncertainty not only undermines the confidence of the potential credit financers but also potential

buyers, thus limiting the market. It would be very helpful to have any potential challenges come forward

up front at the certification stage, so that both buyers and sellers have certainty in the number of creditsgenerated. For this to happen, we need a clear understanding that interested members of the public have

standing to challenge a certification decision by DEP. This may require legislation.

Hughes added, we really need to look at the cost associated with compliance cap and trade is

one component as a way to meet the regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act and NPDES

permit process. He noted weve seen a lot of the waste treatment plants decide that they are going to

raise rates put in the capital upgrade and not trade but they are only 20 percent of the problem.

DEP was not represented at the meeting, but for more information visit DEPsNutrient Credit

Trading webpage.

Rep. Ron Miller (R-York) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep. Greg Vitali

(D-Delaware) serves as Minority Chair.

House Consumer Affairs Committee Holds Briefing On Retail Natural Gas Distribution

On Wednesday, the House Consumer Affairs Committee held a briefing for members on retail natural

gas distribution services in the Commonwealth.

Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery), Majority Chair of the Committee, opening the meeting

by noting development of MMarcellus Shale natural gas has increased the supply of natural gas in

Pennsylvania and prices are currently very low and said all Pennsylvanians should be able to benefit

from this development.

Terry Fitzpatrick, President, Energy Association of PA, explained Energy Association membercompanies own the natural gas distribution system, but do not own production wells or transmission

lines.

He provided an overview of how natural gas moves through the system and of the interstate

pipeline system, pointing out the infrastructure issues related to extending service throughout the

commonwealth.

Fitzpatrick provided policy considerations for the expansion of natural gas service and urged the

legislature to consider all the facts, consider the rationale of existing policies, weigh benefits and costs of

new policies, consider the drawbacks, consider innovative tech developments, and consider

environmental benefits.

He indicated it is best to handle expansion through the PUC-approved gas utility tariffs and

remarked the goal is to ensure gas service is available to as many as possible without unduly burdening

current customers.

Fitzpatrick reviewed barriers to expansion, noting that utilities face the increasing cost of putting

in new infrastructure at a time when consumers are consuming less per person.

Russell Miller, Vice President of Gas Supply and Marketing for Leatherstocking Gas Company,

provided an overview of the brand new company and its service territory, which includes 13

municipalities in Susquehanna County and is in the process of developing design and engineer plans for
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an anticipated build of five miles of system in Bridgewater.

He said as Leatherstocking looks to expand, it is seeking anchor customers and highlighting the

cost savings that could result from converting to natural gas.

He suggested the committee could explore options to create a process that allows funding to be

extended to medium size energy users, such as high schools or hospitals, that could benefit by switching

to natural gas but cannot afford the upfront costs of conversion.He proposed a surcharge model to pay down the rate base, ideally over ten years on a project

or municipal base.

Bryan McConnell, Environmental Program Manager Tenaska, Inc, testified on behalf of the

Marcellus Shale Coalition. He said, It is clear that development of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale

presents an unprecedented opportunity to provide sustainable and broad based economic benefits to

our region... The challenge is connecting those dots to keep our momentum going.

Tanya McCloskey, Acting PUC Consumer Advocate, commended the Committee for

exploring options to extend natural gas service and discussed the current affordability of the resource.

She provided data demonstrating that the cost to heat with natural gas can be more than 50 percent

lower than heating with oil.McCloskey explained rural areas do not have natural gas service because the cost of building

pipelines to serve those areas is so high compared to more densely populated areas. Additionally, a

utility has no assurance that potential customers in the area will choose to change their heating system,

which can come at a substantial upfront cost.

She explained a utilitys obligation to extend service is set forth in the utilitys Main Extension

Tariff and the outlined economic test and said her office works has worked on cases customers have

been asked to make significant upfront contributions in order to obtain service.

She argued it is critical for the test to be revisited in order to ensure all the tests and assumptions

are reasonable and noted initiatives have been taken in other states to share the burden between

customers, communities, and government.Robert Powelson, Chairman, Public Utility Commission, observed access to natural gas service

is not simply a rural issue as many believe. He stated several suburban areas and cities do not have

service and reported Pennsylvania is well positioned to take adv of the new natural gas supply and

consumers can enjoy significant savings in household expenses.

He said the PUC is ready willing and able to help advance the expansion of natural gas service

to underserved areas and highlighted a meeting held recently with the Chamber, at which he learned

there is no single solution but are a number of options that should be explored.

He particularly reviewed low cost third party financing, anchor tenant participation, economic

development grants, on-bill financing by the utility, municipal funding assistance, gas producer

participation, and riders or surcharges on customer bills.

Rep. Peter Daley (D-Washington) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.

Senate Environmental Committee Holds Hearing On Bill To Quiet Mineral Rights Titles

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold a public hearing March 19 on

Senate Bill 258 (Yaw-R-Bradford) to help landowners address antiquated title problems related to

subsurface ownership, according to Sen. Gene Yaw, Majority Chair of the Committee.
http://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%3D0258&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGX0cwcW8ujB7Qn4yJLrYbYyCuZ-Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pasenategop.com%2Fcommittees%2Fenvironmental.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHeOcwzaQbDVEUHr2PDryJreB09XQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2Fpa%2Flibrary%2F2013%2F20130313tp.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF9oOnko7p-4G8tF_OMiFOdPKSYQwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2Fpa%2Flibrary%2F2013%2F20130313tm.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaLtAc_aykuR6ZfXXFLTUQEtL52Ahttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwallaby.telicon.com%2Fpa%2Flibrary%2F2013%2F20130313tl.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEHflmk1u1qkFm0-oAYySxgpRvrPg


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Senate Bill 258 would amend the current Action to Quiet Title law in Pennsylvania providing

landowners with a means to address antiquated title deficiencies, which in some cases have been in

existence for as long as 150 years.

In the event that the rights are unclear or unknown, Senate Bill 258 provides for a 'rebuttable

presumption' that the mineral, oil and gas rights have been abandoned in favor of a surface owner, thus

allowing the surface owner a starting point in seeking legal title.The rebuttable presumption language does not change the fact that the plaintiff landowner still

must prove their case, in court, by a preponderance of the evidence, just as the plaintiff is required to do

today.

The hearing will be in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building, Harrisburg starting at 9:30.

Because of time constraints, there will not be an opportunity for a public comment period.

However, written testimony will be accepted by the committee. The public can also submit comments at

at Sen. Yaws website following the hearing.

Click Here to listen to statement from Sen. Yaw about the legislation.

Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair of the Committee.

March 18 Environmental Issues Forum To Address Conservation District Funding Issues

Robert Maiden, Executive Director of the PA Association of Conservation Districts, will be the guest

speaker at the March 18 Environmental Issues Forum hosted by the Joint Legislative Air and Water

Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

Maiden will describe the mission and operations of PACD, whose 66 conservation districts

provide a variety of natural resource management and preservation services to the areas they support.

One program the association will focus on is the Pennsylvania Dirt and Gravel Road

Maintenance Program. The program funds and promotes environmentally and economically sound

maintenance practices on Pennsylvania's 20,000+ miles of public unpaved roads. PACD will describehow the program works, and the important role it fills in state government.

The Forum will begin at noon in Room 8E-B of the Capitol Building East Wing.

Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango) serves as Chair ofthe Committee.

News From Around The State

Study Says Marcellus Drilling Will Raise Pollution Levels

Shale gas development can adversely affect surface water quality by increasing the downstream

concentrations of two pollutants, chloride and total suspended solids, according to a study by scholarsat Resources for the Future.

The results were published online Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences.

Sheila Olmstead, Lucija Muehlenbachs, Jhih-Shyang Shih, Ziyan Chu, and Alan Krupnick relied

upon more than 20,000 surface water quality observations taken over 11 years in Pennsylvania to

estimate the effects of shale gas development on downstream water quality through 2011.

The results indicate statistically significant water quality impacts from wastewater sent to
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rff.org%2FNews%2FPress_Releases%2FPages%2FShale-Surface-Water.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGhklityz8ongWJOyrp9ViCImtaEQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pnas.org%2Fcontent%2Fearly%2F2013%2F03%2F06%2F1213871110.full.pdf%2Bhtml&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMoTSKXBxkNDYt7-smKgK5dx5gBghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fjcc.legis.state.pa.us%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF1_eCDfu6UweCMMuSMtduq2hvD_ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpacd.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGayAKCRYvxOW3fw9ebHJ_i8kcmuQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fav.pasenategop.com%2FYaw%2F2013%2F0313%2FYaw-031213-SB258.mp3&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFCyesip6Ma9WPnqNtQ2JC-U9w85ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.senatorgeneyaw.com%2Fcontact.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGMRk0BwyH6e-9-7_Wn2P9wqLBPIA


11/35

treatment plants and runoff from well pad development. The study found no systematic statistical

evidence of spills or leaks of flowback and produced water from shale gas wells into waterways.

Specifically:

The upstream treatment and release of shale gas wastewater by treatment plants raised

downstream chloride concentrations in surface water, but not TSS concentrations. The researchers

estimated that an increase of 1 upstream waste treatment facility accepting shale gas waste raisesdownstream chloride concentrations in a watershed by about 7 percent.

The presence of well pads upstream raised the concentration of TSS, but not chloride. An

additional 18 well pads upstream increases downstream TSS concentrations in a watershed by about 5

percent.

In 2011 Pennsylvania increased the stringency of wastewater treatment standards for several

water pollutants and placed a voluntary ban on the shipment of shale gas waste to municipal sewage

treatment plants and some industrial wastewater treatment plants. These changes partially address the

chloride concentrations impacts estimated by this study.

The finding of measurable downstream impacts on TSS from shale gas infrastructure in only

these first years of burgeoning shale gas development in Pennsylvania suggests that land managementissues may be important as well.

While much of the public concern and controversy around shale gas development has focused

on its impacts on groundwater, our findings indicate that there are risks to rivers and streams, said lead

author, Sheila M. Olmstead.

The results are also consistent with a recent survey of experts carried out by scholars at RFFs

Center for Energy Economics and Policy. We found a high level of agreement among the experts we

surveyed that surface water impacts should be a high priority for risk mitigation, said CEEP Director

and survey lead author Alan Krupnick. This study supports that perspective.

Study details:

-- The first large-scale statistical examination of the extent to which shale gas development affectssurface water quality.

-- 20,283 water quality observations in Pennsylvania (2000 to 2011).

-- The research design exploits spatial variation in the location of water quality monitors, shale gas wells

and wastewater treatment facilities that have accepted shale gas waste along with inter-temporal

variation generated by the timing of well development and waste shipments.

-- The effects of shale gas activity on water quality are estimated using regression analysis controlling fo

rainfall, general trends over time, intra-annual variation by watershed, and time-constant characteristics

of the location of the monitors.

A copy of the study is available online.

Industry Uses For Acid Mine Drainage: Now Time To Speak Your Mind

The following article written by Andy McAllister, WPCAMR Regional Coordinator, appeared in this

weeks Abandoned Mine Posts by the Western PA Coalition of Abandoned Mine Drainage.

As you are all aware, even with the Title IV funding from the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation

Act, there isn't enough money to totally clean up Pennsylvania's immense AMD/AML problems.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wpcamr.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF1XcSd50vxROitu7CbiHBehggs2Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pnas.org%2Fcontent%2Fearly%2F2013%2F03%2F06%2F1213871110.full.pdf%2Bhtml&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHMoTSKXBxkNDYt7-smKgK5dx5gBg


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Our challenges far outweigh available resources. No one organization or government agency

can do it alone. We as a community have been very well aware of this for quite some time. Many in

our community think it's about time that we start seeing AMD as a resource.

Pennsylvania's Abandoned Mine Reclamation community has a long history of working

cooperatively with industry, government, and others for our common good. Our community, perhaps

more than any other environmental movement, has understood the value of working together andpartnering with industry.

Several years ago, some forward thinking individuals thought to encourage the use of AMD by

the shale gas industry. That idea progressed and more and more people thought it was a good idea.

Not long after the DEP began crafting the white paper, "Utilization of Mine Influenced Water

for Natural Gas Extraction Activities, " conversations ensued about liability in using AMD.

Representatives from the shale gas industry were concerned that liability, from their standpoint, would

be one of the issues that would stand in the way of widespread use of AMD for fracking.

The use of AMD by the shale gas industry holds a lot of potential for our community. Making

lemonade out of lemons, it could be a way for watershed groups and Conservation Districts to secure

operation and maintenance funds for their AMD treatment systems and, quite possibly, to work withindustry to secure funding to construct additional treatment systems.

Another plus for this idea is that our existing potable water supplies and our healthy streams and

rivers can be conserved.

Are there hurdles to the use of AMD by the shale gas industry? Absolutely. According to

experts in the shale gas industry, sulfate concentrations in AMD and the issue of liability are the two

biggest hurdles that need to be overcome.

Is this some sort of cure-all for our AMD problems? No way. However, it is an opportunity

that needs to be explored. As we hear many times, "It's another tool in the tool box".

During the last legislative session, the PA General Assembly considered Senate Bill 1346

(Kasunic-D-Somerset) which limited liability for those involved in using AMD for shale gas operationsor for any other industry for that matter. The bill never got the traction it needed to progress [although

the bill did pass the Senate unanimously in 2012].

The concept of liability protection for using AMD by industry has been resurrected in this

session as Senate Bill 411, "An Act Amending Title 27 (Environmental Resources) of the Pennsylvania

Consolidated Statutes, further providing for definitions, for eligibility and project inventory, for

landowner liability limitation and exceptions, for project liability limitation and exceptions and for

exceptions," again sponsored by Senator Kasunic and endorsed by 15 other legislators.

Senate Bill 411 is currently on the table in the Senate. It may be up for a vote soon.

At this time, there is a lot of push back from environmental groups outside of our AMR community

regarding the use of AMD by the shale gas industry.

To our knowledge, they have not proposed any alternate plans for providing operation and

maintenance funding to ensure the perpetual treatment of AMD or alternate ways to find construction

funding to build AMD treatment systems. Most have not been instrumental in providing solutions to

help the AMR community achieve its goal, they simply wish to stop fracking.

Now is a very good time for you, who are out in the trenches working on AMD treatment and

support the AMR community, to weigh in on the issue and have your voice heard by the General

Assembly, both on the use of AMD by industry and the importance of protecting watershed groups,
http://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%3D0411&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEjPD9dE3wMU0Qs3QoMD46OXXoAFghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2FbillInfo%2FbillInfo.cfm%3FsYear%3D2011%26sInd%3D0%26body%3Ds%26type%3Db%26bn%3D1346&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGaXrPK0AZ9sn7sbTPNfwPQB04zmQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.dep.state.pa.us%2FMining%2FAbandoned%2520Mine%2520Reclamation%2FAbandonedMinePortalFiles%2FMIW%2FFinal_MIW_White_Paper.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH-4NTmMPm4kWfAJRhzq1pAnZ474Qhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ffiles.dep.state.pa.us%2FMining%2FAbandoned%2520Mine%2520Reclamation%2FAbandonedMinePortalFiles%2FMIW%2FFinal_MIW_White_Paper.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH-4NTmMPm4kWfAJRhzq1pAnZ474Q


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Conservation Districts, and their partners from liability as they seek to find innovative ways to secure

operation and maintenance funding for their treatment systems.

A quick email to your legislator or perhaps a phone call to his or her office will ensure that they

hear your voice. Send an email to your legislators and let them know how you feel. Click Here to find

your legislator by your home address.

NewsClips:

Some Groups Oppose Effort To Reuse Acid Mine Water

Using Abandoned Mine Drainage To Frack

Sewickley Creek Watershed Association Presents Annual Awards

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association was very pleased to

present Yough High School, Westmoreland County, with this

years Environmental Education Leader Award at its annual

fundraiser banquet held March 9th at Giannillis II Restaurant inGreensburg.

At Yough, the work of the students and staff makes a

difference in our communities where we live. Teaching students

commitment to projects such as the one done in Lowber is an

important part of their educational work in our school district.

Creating a citizenry that cares about our environment and the world in which we live is critical, noted

School Superintendent, Dr. Janet Sardon.

Photo - Award recipients L to R: Rob Cronauer, WCO Jason Farabaugh, Randy Swink,

Mr. Bill Janiro, Mike Diebel, Rob Hepler, Dorothy Bibby and Lou Stout.

Dr. Janet Sardon, along with teachers and students attended the event and accepted the award.The students constructed an education kiosk and interpretive trail at Sewickley Creeks Lowber

abandoned mine treatment facility.

Other award recipients included Heplers Hardware-- Environmental Business Leader-- and

Game Commissions WCO Jason Farabaugh-- Community Environmental Service.

Rob Cronauer, Watershed Specialist, Westmoreland Conservation District and Lou Stout each

received Volunteer of the Year Awards for their dedication and service to natural resource conservation

efforts.

Guest speaker for the event was Ellen C. Keefe, Executive Director, Westmoreland Cleanways

and her topic was SCWA and Westmoreland Cleanways Working Together to Protect our

Watershed.

Board President, Dr. Ellen Uschak, provided a brief Who We Are and What We Do

presentation about how the organization was founded in 1991 and the types of projects and services

theyre involved in.

Included was an update on their Lowber abandoned mine remediation facility in Westmoreland

County which received the 2008 Governors Award for Environmental Excellence. Award winner Lou

Stout will serve as tour guide and interpreter for school field trips to the Lowber facility.

The Association expresses its sincere appreciation to all who attended and supported their
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sewickleycreek.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE6BRy5v47gl8A5uo60tSyw5SS4PQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F03%2F12%2Fusing-abandoned-mine-drainage-to-frack%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEkSon2vPVXc3_82L7OiZazPHR9DAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fstateimpact.npr.org%2Fpennsylvania%2F2013%2F03%2F15%2Fenvironmentalists-throw-cold-water-on-efforts-to-amend-good-samaritan-act%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEYPygBUdgR10cehQOEK9Kynj91Awhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legis.state.pa.us%2Fcfdocs%2Flegis%2Fhome%2Ffindyourlegislator%2F%23address&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG1orQX2bHSdAmnFrs0sNmj5xjKcA


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2013 fundraiser banquet. Business sponsors included: University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Heplers

Hardware Rachel Hoza, CPA Loyalhanna Watershed Association by SNS Properties Westmoreland

Conservation District and, Adam Eidemiller, Inc.

New Cambria County Senior Environment Corps Seeking Volunteers

The Cambria County Conservation District is now sponsoring a county PA Senior Environment Corps

Chapterin partnership withNature Abounds, the statewide coordinator for the program.

The PaSEC, established in 1997, involves senior volunteers (aged 55+) in activities including

water quality monitoring and stream assessments, macroinvertebrate identification, riparian buffer

assessment, trail restoration,clean-ups, marking of abandoned wells, and environmental education.

As a sponsor, the District will provide PaSEC volunteers with the opportunity to feel connected

to the community and take an active role in protecting our environment and planning for a healthier

planet.

The staff at the Conservation District are very excited for the opportunity to participate in this

program and are looking forward to uncovering the many benefits of working with the PaSECvolunteers.

For more information on how to sign up to volunteer for the Cambria County SEC, contact

the Conservation District office at 814-472-2120.

Workshops Planned On PennVEST Non-Point Source Project Application Process

The PA Association of Conservation Districts is offering two workshops aimed at helping people to

better understand the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority Nonpoint Source Program

Application process.

The workshops will be held---- April 30 at the Dauphin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Center, 1451 Peters Mountain

Road, Dauphin-- Click Here to register and

-- May 7 at the Lysock View Building, 542 County Farm Road, Montoursville, Lycoming County--

Click Here to register.

Sign in for both sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the workshops starting at 9 a.m. A

networking lunch is included before the seminars conclude at 1p.m. The workshops are free.

Preregistration is encouraged.

The NPS Program provides low-interest loans and grants for nonpoint source projects that

have a significant water quality benefit to the commonwealth's streams and rivers.

PennVEST and DEP personnel will be available to explain the application process and to

review the type of supporting information and documents required for application submission.

Representatives from conservation districts, the agricultural community, municipalities, watershed

organizations and anyone else who wants to learn about the program can attend

Questions can be directed to Terry Fisher, PennVEST NPS Application Developer, by sending

email to: [email protected] or call 717-238-7223 x11.

CBF: Volunteers Needed For Stream Buffer Planting Projects
mailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fevents.r20.constantcontact.com%2Fregister%2Fevent%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26oeidk%3Da07e76l0pjz66f6f95e%26llr%3Dojcxsrkab%26utm_campaign%3DPENNVEST%2BNPS%2BWorkshops%26utm_source%3DFree%2BPENNVEST%2BWorkshops%2BApril%2Band%2BMay%2B2013&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEC7JVD8Phq2_kiA1UgaJSesGDDtAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fevents.r20.constantcontact.com%2Fregister%2Fevent%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26oeidk%3Da07e76dulzt8e06bea2%26llr%3Dojcxsrkab%26utm_campaign%3DPENNVEST%2BNPS%2BWorkshops%26utm_source%3DFree%2BPENNVEST%2BWorkshops%2BApril%2Band%2BMay%2B2013&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGAgYIT11v0OinxO1IBTInFdGaubQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fpacd.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGayAKCRYvxOW3fw9ebHJ_i8kcmuQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.natureabounds.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEhcsNGF_G5zmlaTGm5uU3YHnoa0ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.natureabounds.org%2FSEC.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHfcneH7u7JGiZPvLoOeRZ_N_vWwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.natureabounds.org%2FSEC.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHfcneH7u7JGiZPvLoOeRZ_N_vWwghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.co.cambria.pa.us%2Fconservation-district.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFcZQN0ioucn35foKlcD0xC5GSsrA


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The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Penn State Extension's Lower Susquehanna Initiative are inviting

volunteers to help plant trees in seven stream buffer projects over the next few weeks.

The projects include:

-- March 21: Native Tree Live Stake Harvest and Potting, Elizabethtown

-- March 23: Little Conewago Creek Live Stake Planting Workday, Palmyra-- April 6: Old Hershey Road Riparian Buffer Planting, Hershey

-- April 11: Wenger Farm, Spring Buffer Maintenance Day, Elizabethtown

-- April 13: Conewago Earth Day Celebration and Planting at Aberdeen Mills

-- April 27: Hershey Meadows Spring Buffer Maintenance, Elizabethtown and

-- May 4: Mill Creek Riparian Buffer Planting, New Holland.

Trees are one of the best "natural tools" we have to help clean up our rivers and streams. They

improve habitat, keep pollutants out of creeks, increase a stream's ability to purify water, and provide

shade and cooler water temperatures critical for aquatic life.

Click Here to sign up for one or all seven.

Managing Municipal Stormwater Workshops April 17-18 In Erie

Environment Erie is hosting a Managing Muncipal Stormwater Workshop on April 17-18 at the Tom

Ridge Environmental Center in Erie.

This workshop will consist of presentations from the Department of Environmental Protections

Tim Bruno to discuss stormwater regulations, Penn States Dr. Elmendorf and Scott Sjolander about

stormwater ordinances and using trees in stormwater infrastructure, and keynote speaker Dr. Traver

with the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership to speak about sustainable design in urban/suburban

stormwater retrofits.

While this workshop is geared towards all those interested in stormwater management, we arealso offering continuing education credits/units at an additional charge for those professionals who

qualify.

While these are just a few of the topics being discussed in this action packed workshop, the first

day will end with a round table discussion for the option of a Q and A. The second day will be

completely spent in the field visiting local stormwater management projects. The idea behind day two is

to connect the topics from the first day with the visuals in day two.

For more information on the workshop or to register, visit the online registration webpage or

contact Matt Pluta with Environment Erie at 814-835-8069 ext 104

(Reprinted from Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter.)

Stormwater As A Resource Workshop March 23 In Pottstown

The Green Valleys Watershed Association at Welkinweir in Pottstown, Montgomery County, is holding

a workshop on March 23 entitled, "Stormwater As A Resource: Best Management Practices Modeling

Nature."

Poorly functioning stormwater infrastructure can cause costly damages to property, are
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greenvalleys.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHBijk1u8GmdMttzjS7ToanMk8wIwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fwater%2Fdiscovery-watersheds%2Fnews%2F2013%2Fmanaging-municipal-stormwater-protecting-water-quality-streams-and-communities%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2Bagsci-water-watershedwinds%2B%2528Penn%2BState%2BWatershed%2BWinds%2BNewsletter%2529&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHp62F0cvovXOy0zJ1LtybOkwEpCghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fenvironmenterieworkshops.ticketleap.com%2Fstormwater-erie%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGdqQa2mjc4khRmZXz3Reu2PH-JCwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fenvironmenterieworkshops.ticketleap.com%2Fstormwater-erie%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGdqQa2mjc4khRmZXz3Reu2PH-JCwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fevents%2Fother%2Fpa%2Frestoration-events%2Fregistration%3Fsrctid%3D1%26erid%3D16064507%26trid%3D794fa3db-9d7e-4838-b48c-cf84053d6b4d&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG6BeK2ZycQ7c0bu9q3CddKbUuTxwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fagsci.psu.edu%2Fenri%2Fcenters%2Fmulti-college%2Flower-susquehanna-land-and-water-initiative&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEvsRq1AZ9NBQOH1x6DOf7IkgdfZQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fpa&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGSWPVAaMesqRihAJwZTyppW6zgVA


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unattractive, and can lead to significant loss of soil and freshwater resources. Best Management

Practices that model ecological processes slow, collect, and absorb stormwater runoff, trap/ filter out

water pollutants, ultimately protecting finite freshwater resources, and can be aesthetically pleasing.

Three experts in the field will explain the background & importance of stormwater BMP's,

design and construction practices, and management & monitoring protocols/ strategies. The program

will conclude with an In the Field panel discussion where case studies will be examined and questionswelcomed.

Continuing education credits are available for Landscape Architects, Pennsylvania Landscape

and Nursery Association and Association of Professional Landscape Designers members.

To register, send an email to: [email protected] or phone 610-469-4990. The registration

fee is $75. The workshop will be held at Welkinweir, 1368 Prizer Road, Pottstown.

Elk, Jefferson, McKean County Water Suppliers April 2 Source Water Protection Meeting

The Department of Environmental Protection Friday announced a Source Water Protection Coalition

roundtable with community leaders and advocates in Elk, Jefferson and McKean counties, as part of aneffort to further protect local water supply sources.

The April 2, meeting is aimed at public water suppliers, but is open to any municipality, authority

or individual in the three counties. It will be at 10 a.m. at the Elk County Office of Emergency Services

at 653 Montmorenci Road, Ridgway, Pa.

This is an opportunity for communities to work together to provide a larger voice to ensure that

water resources are protected now and preserved for future generations, DEP Northwest Regional

Director Kelly Burch said.

The Source Water Protection program is a community-based, voluntary effort to protect

drinking water sources used by community water systems. Local SWP programs are effective tools for

public health protection, water supply security and managing operational and capital costs throughimproved and maintained source water quality.

Many benefits can be realized through a coalition of this nature, Burch said. The benefits

could include cost sharing resource sharing familiarization with similar water systems shared education

and outreach approaches partnerships and increased communication between agencies, businesses

and organizations affiliated with our public drinking water sources.

For more information about the meeting or DEPs Source Water Protection Program, contact

Jacob Moore, DEP Northwest Regional Office, at 814-332-6176 or send email to: [email protected].

CBF Chesapeake Bay Watershed Photo Contest Now Accepting Entries

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Wednesday announced its ninth annual watershed photo contest.

Photo submissions are being accepted now through April 12.

Photographers of all skill levels, ages 13 and up, are encouraged to participate to win the top

cash prize and have their photo featured in CBFs award-winning publications.

The contest promotes awareness of conservation issues relating to the Chesapeake Bay and

local rivers and streams. This year concepts and topics for photographers to consider include: beauty,

recreation, history and legacy, and agriculture. Photos can illustrate a wide variety of topics, but all must
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fphotocontest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF3dmr2jxyPp66oJqHR5fAnUUab3gmailto:[email protected]://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdep%2Fdeputate%2Fwatermgt%2Fwc%2FSubjects%2FSrceProt%2FSourceAssessment%2Fdefault.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFqnzYg_TW8ruKmjReoab_eR36USQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dep.state.pa.us%2Fdep%2Fdeputate%2Fwatermgt%2Fwc%2FSubjects%2FSrceProt%2FSourceAssessment%2Fdefault.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFqnzYg_TW8ruKmjReoab_eR36USQmailto:[email protected]


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include water in the photo.

We constantly are impressed with the caliber of the photos submitted. Its wonderful to see

how connected and aware people are of our great rivers, streams, and the Bay, said Jennifer Wallace,

CBF Managing Editor and contest organizer.

All winners will receive a cash award ranging from the top prize of $500.00 to $100.00. The

first prize winner also receives a premium spot in the CBF 2014 calendar. All winners will also receive aone-year membership to CBF and will have their photos displayed on CBFs website, in a CBF

e-newsletter, in CBFs 2014 calendar, and in CBFs award-winning magazine, Save the Bay.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of CBF employees on the basis of subject matter,

composition, focus, lighting, uniqueness, and impact. The public will also be able to vote online for their

favorite photo in the Viewers Choice Gallery.

Last year the judges had their work cut out for them with more than 500 entries. Participation in

the Viewers Choice Award was outstanding, too, with more than 6,000 votes cast.

Contest rules and details are available online.

EPA Sets Water Quality Improvement Plan for Pine Creek, Allegheny County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a water quality improvement plan for

bacteria to protect public health and streams, creeks and a lake in the Pine Creek watershed in

Allegheny County, Pa.

The waters are severely impacted by sewer overflows, stormwater runoff, failing septic systems

and other sources that have driven bacteria levels as high as 100 times the acceptable limits.

EPA established the bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL for the Pine Creek

watershed in coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection. This TMDL identifies the

maximum amount of bacteria the waterbodies can accept from various sources and still meet

Pennsylvania water quality standards.We are guiding these reductions in harmful bacteria to protect public health in the Pine Creek

watershed, said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. These waters are meant for trout

fishing, kayaking, canoeing and other recreational activities, and this TMDL provides a clear path to

clean water based on extensive data and sound science.

Pine Creek flows through the North Hills area in Allegheny County and joins the Allegheny

River in Etna, north of Pittsburgh. The 67-square-mile watershed includes parts of 14 municipalities.

Since 2008, DEP has listed Pine Creek and many smaller tributaries in the watershed 118

stream miles in all as impaired for recreational uses. Under the federal Clean Water Act, a TMDL is

required for waters listed as impaired for a particular pollutant.

Contamination from raw sewage includes hundreds of different types of bacteria, viruses, and

parasites. The predominant symptoms of pathogenic bacterial infections include abdominal cramps,

diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. In addition to attacking the human digestive tract, pathogenic bacteria can

cause illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, swimmers ear, eye infections and hepatitis.

This TMDL addresses all sources of bacteria in the watershed, from sewage treatment plants

and stormwater pipes, to more diffuse dischargers such as failing septic systems.

EPA and DEP solicited broad stakeholder involvement and public participation, and held

discussions with local governments on developing a practical framework for achieving the necessary
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fphotocontest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF3dmr2jxyPp66oJqHR5fAnUUab3ghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbf.org%2Fevents%2Fphoto-contest&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFvLhI7QnqWFw9wsDwgyFnBX6FsZA


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pollution reductions.

The frameworks recommendations include encouraging municipalities to take steps that would

offer significant and immediate improvements, such as connecting failing septic systems to public sewer

and eliminating illicit discharges.

The final TMDL can be reviewed on the EPA mid-Atlantic Region website.

Green City, Clean Waters, Future Of Philadelphia's Waterways March 21

The Bicentennial Town Square is sponsoring apresentation and discussion on Philadelphia's Green City

Clean Water initiative on March 21 at the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel starting at 5:30.

Can we envision the future of urban sustainability by re-examining our urban past? Find out at

our March 21 Bicentennial Town Square, a three-part program on urban planning and water

management.

Hear an overview of Philadelphias nationally recognized watersheds program, Green City,

Clean Waters, which takes a groundbreaking approach to transforming the health of the citys

waterways primarily through land-based strategies.View a presentation by the winners of Infill Philadelphias Soak It Up competition, which

challenged participants to create innovative stormwater management solutions for three specific sites in

Philadelphia.

Special guest Eric Sanderson, senior conservation ecologist at the Wildlife Conservation

Society, will discuss New York Citys Mannahatta Project, a detailed study that uses Manhattans

ecological past to envision climate-resistant urban planning for the next 400 years.

This event is free and open to the public. Networking reception 5:30-6:30 p.m., Program

6:30-8 pm

Online registration is available.

McQuaide Blasko Funds ClearWater Conservancy GIS Internship

The State College office of McQuaide Blasko has funded ClearWater Conservancys Geographic

Information Systems (GIS) Internship for the third straight year.

This donation provides many hours of skilled GIS mapping support for our land and water

conservation projects and gives a student important, real-world experience at the same time, said

ClearWater Conservation Biologist Katie Ombalski.

Through the McQuaide Blasko internship, a geography student works at ClearWater an

average of 15 hours per week on mapping projects related to land conservation and riparian restoration

projects.

Mapping is fundamental to every project we do. From preparing project proposals for

landowners to documenting our conserved properties, GIS mapping is critical. The internship provides

advanced GIS know-how and relieves the ClearWater staff of many hours at the GIS computer,

Ombalski said.

Management of the internship program is provided by Dr. Joe Bishop, a member of ClearWater

Conservancy's Board of Directors, and a Research Associate and Geospatial Coordinator for the Penn

State Riparian Center in the Department of Geography.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clearwaterconservancy.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHc7-CDgWs6DWpCeouLTutAeKCWkghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fgreencleanwaters-es2002.eventbrite.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFUbwHNvJYfjYlIp7tSyBPSkNsEmwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillywatersheds.org%2Fwhat_were_doing%2Fdocuments_and_data%2Fcso_long_term_control_plan&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHTqhRDlEoJqMQOY6x0XT0TnddJOQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phillywatersheds.org%2Fwhat_were_doing%2Fdocuments_and_data%2Fcso_long_term_control_plan&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHTqhRDlEoJqMQOY6x0XT0TnddJOQhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fgreencleanwaters-es2002.eventbrite.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFUbwHNvJYfjYlIp7tSyBPSkNsEmwhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epa.gov%2Freg3wapd%2Fpdf%2Fpdf_tmdl%2Fpinecreek-bacteria-mar2013.pdf&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGETVE-tgKmlXnD4IC919GdY8zbbg


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Penn State Extension: What's Your Groundwater Awareness?

National groundwater awareness week is March 10-16 and this years theme is Groundwater

Awareness is Important to You! Groundwater is important to every person, and there is something

every person can do to be a good groundwater steward.Taking just a step or two to protect groundwater can make a big difference. For example, how

you store, use, and dispose of hazardous household substances can affect groundwater quality. In the

same manner, whether you regularly maintain your water well or septic system, or properly

decommission an abandoned well can impact the groundwater that serves as someones water supply.

In addition to privately owned wells, many public water systems use groundwater. For those in

water scarce areas, a big part of groundwater protection is using groundwater wisely and not wasting it.

Water wells can provide an excellent supply of good quality water. For generations they have

been the only water source for millions of Americans. Thats why its important to learn more about

how issues such as water well flooding, abandoned water wells, naturally occurring contamination, and

poor well maintenance can impact groundwater quality.In Pennsylvania, only about half of all private well owners have ever had their drinking water

tested. So, it is important that if you have a private well or spring as your drinking water source, that you

have it tested annually to be sure it meets drinking water standards.

TheNational Groundwater Associations website provides action steps people can take for

groundwater protection and groundwater conservation.

Penn State Extension also provides educational materials targeted at Pennsylvania water well

and spring owners. These are available from your local Extension office or at the Water Resources

website.

PA Section-American Water Works Assn. Sets Training Sessions

The Water Works Association-PA Section has scheduled a series of training sessions in April and May.

Click Here for the latest schedule.

Carnegie Mellon Researchers Urge Congress To Establish Shale Gas Initiative

A team of Carnegie Mellon University researchers visit Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday to

encourage U.S. regional and state officials to establish a government-university- industry research and

education initiative to inform the public about issues surrounding shale gas and the environment so the

nation can better prepare for its energy future.

A recently released guide published by energy experts at CMU's Scott Institute for Energy

Innovation provides policymakers with a primer on shale gas development and an overview of CMU

research results assessing the impact of shale gas development on water resources, air quality,

greenhouse gas emissions and orphaned shale gas wells.

Shale gas production is increasing at a rapid rate and is expected to produce half of the U.S.

natural gas supply by 2040. An initiative is needed because insufficient research is in place to assess the

impact of shale gas operations and the public needs unbiased information informed by science and
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmu.edu%2Fenergy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHoOeAkJYl5RJ8P15NSpAMcaJw_gAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmu.edu%2Fenergy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHoOeAkJYl5RJ8P15NSpAMcaJw_gAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paawwa.org%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFzX6dH9HwbN3KwIkh6mYFbE1jxVAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fextension.psu.edu%2Fwater&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEck9bt2MXYXFkMOQkZBGHDb5A1Hghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ngwa.org%2Fevents-education%2Fawareness%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFNIVZnWkWeiuYI9vl4-LDOLdmiLA


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engineering, according to Carnegie Mellon researchers.

For example, in Pennsylvania alone, there are a little more than 100 surface water monitoring

stations for 86,000 miles of rivers and streams and almost 4,000 lakes, reservoirs and ponds yet

approximately 80 percent of Pennsylvania's land mass is included in the Marcellus Shale geological

formation.

"In addition, a government-university-industry initiative can provide a 'firewall' between thefunding of research and research priorities, set a common basis for conflict of interest policies, reduce

duplication of research efforts, and focus on policymaker information needs. Industry involvement is

important in identifying research priorities, using research results to establish best practices, and

providing the information researchers need to better understand shale gas operations. As a result,

industry initiation and leadership are key criteria for the success of such an initiative," said Deborah D.

Stine , professor of the practice in CMU's novel Department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP)

and associate director for policy outreach at the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.

A key mission of the Scott Institute, established last fall, is to take a systems approach to energy

issues collecting information and research results throughout CMU to provide an up-to-date

understanding of energy issues facing today's policymakers. Policymakers face complex systems ofeconomic, environmental, regulatory, social and business, and job implications when they make

decisions regarding shale gas development. A new multidisciplinary research initiative could help

develop a systems approach to assessing the risk and uncertainties associated with shale gas

development.

A team of researchers will brief administration and Congressional staff about its results and

discuss its recommendations for a new multidisciplinary research initiative to help develop a systems

approach to assess the risk and uncertainties associated with shale-gas development.

The team includes: Jeanne VanBriesen , professor of civil and environmental engineering

Michael Griffin , associate professor of EPP and the Tepper School of Business, and executive director

of the Green Design Institute Allen Robinson , head of the Mechanical Engineering Department andAustin Mitchell , a Ph.D. student in EPP.

The proposed initiative also would expand the ability of participants to transform limited

resources into improved results, create greater access to information making the program more efficient,

enhance project credibility and provide greater access to financial resources from private firms and

individuals.

For more information, visit CMUs Scott Institute For Energy Innovation.

NewsClip:CMU Official Lobbies For Shale Gas Research Initiative

8th Women Environmental Professionals Conference April 11, Scholarships Available

The PA Chapter of the Society of Women Environmental Professionals will hold their annual

Conference April 11 at the Conference Center at Central Penn College in Summerdale near Harrisburg.

The 2013 Making Environmental Connections Conference will feature presentations on the

State Recreation Plan, Local Water Issues and Emerging Contaminants, Urbanization in the

Chesapeake Bay Watershed, fracking impacts and more.

Conference Student Scholarships
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fswepharrisburg.wordpress.com%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHFPKdYnU8VIY26FsHOQg9DNATiOghttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Ftriblive.com%2Fnews%2Fallegheny%2F3648069-74%2Fresearch-shale-gas&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGI4EpjKUf_LhisutfwNsLJ-ybDIAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cmu.edu%2Fenergy&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHoOeAkJYl5RJ8P15NSpAMcaJw_gA


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This year the Chapter is offering $300 in scholarship money available that will be awarded at the

Conference. Please submit a writing sample for a chance to win a scholarship! It could be an essay or

scientific paper previously written by you for a college course.

The writing sample should have environmental relevance and should be limited to five (5) pages

or less. Please email your writing sample, along with your name, school, expected graduation year and

the attached application form to Heidi Biggs at: [email protected] by April 8. Click Here for ascholarship application form.

Click Here for a copy of the agenda. Click Here for the Conference registration form. The

registration deadline is April 3.

PA Waste Industry Looks To Block Westmoreland Township Waste Rules

The PA Waste Industries Association has asked the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas to

issue a declaratory judgment to block a recently adopted waste hauler registration program in Unity

Township.

PWIA, which represents private-sector waste haulers, recyclers and landfill operators, filed thelegal action last week on behalf of itself and its members.

The ordinance regulates waste haulers in significant and impermissible ways, PWIA asserted,

including requiring haulers to register with the township in order to haul waste generated in the township

to submit confidential and proprietary information such as customer lists, and to set prices restricting

competition.

Municipal waste hauler licensing and authorization programs are expressly preempted by

Pennsylvanias Waste Transportation Safety Act (Act 90), PWIA argued. The Pennsylvania

Legislature reserved to itself the field of solid waste regulation and management, and expressly and

implicitly preempted the authorization and/or licensing of waste haulers [by] any counties or

municipalities of the Commonwealth.PWIA President Mark C. Pedersen said, There is good reason for statewide regulation of

waste. Pennsylvania has 2,563 municipalities. The waste industry would be unable to operate effectively

or efficiently trying to work under 2,563 different waste regulation programs.

Commonwealth Court upheld the primacy of state regulation of waste in a 2005 decision.

EPA Recognizes Brownfields Progress In Norristown

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday recognizedNorristown, Montgomery County, for

its efforts to revitalize brownfields sites for future development.

Brownfields initiatives demonstrate how environmental protection and economic development

work hand-in-hand, said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. Once brownfields

properties are assessed, cleaned up and redeveloped, communities like Norristown can turn once

blighted properties into environmentally safe and productive locations that are ideal for attracting

businesses to stimulate the local economy.

Last fall, EPA awarded $400,000 in brownfields grants to Norristown to help assess former

industrial sites that may be contaminated with hazardous materials. The funding enables Norristown to

create an inventory of the parcels and conduct site assessments.
http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcfpub.epa.gov%2Fbf_factsheets%2Fgfs%2Findex.cfm%3Fxpg_id%3D7831%26display_type%3DHTML&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF1W8f3ihqqG5IpJHJ-hBf7Vo26lAhttp://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawasteindustries.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFHwWa89o7R_Uram1F-hFSSOCpeKwhttp://goo.gl/tNrQChttp://goo.gl/9W8Nfhttp://goo.gl/t32enmailto:[email protected]


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Additionally, funds will assist with public participation efforts to help build active community

involvement in achieving a vision for revitalizing Norristown.

EPA's Brownfields program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work

together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. There are an estimated

450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sit

Documents

PaEnvironmentDigest March 18, 2013