PAEnvironmentDigest

AnUpdateOnEnvironmentalIssuesInPA
EditedBy:DavidE.Hess,CrisciAssociates
Winner2009PAEEBusinessPartnerOfTheYearAward Harrisburg,PaApril8,2013 DEPCelebratesEarthMonthWithFullCalendarOfEnvironmentalActivities TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionkickedoff EarthMonthMondaywiththelaunchofitsEarthDay Centralwebpageandtheannouncementthattheagencywill displayitsinteractiveDEPatHomeexhibitintheEast WingRotundaoftheStateCapitolBuildinginHarrisburg, DauphinCounty,fromApril2226. EarthDayonMonday,April22,isanannualglobalobservancethatremindspeopletodotheir parttocarefortheEarthsair,landandwater. "Thisinteractiveexhibithassignificanteducationalvalue,andIamdelightedwehavethe opportunitytoshareitwithfellowCommonwealthemployeesandvisitorstotheCapitol,especially students,DEPSecretaryMikeKrancersaid.Iencourageanyonewhocantostopbyandseeit duringEarthWeek. DEPatHomeisaninteractive,educationalexhibitfashionedintoahomestructurethatfeatures practicesandproductspromotingenergyefficiencyandenvironmentallybeneficialproductsforthe home.ItwascreatedthroughagrantprovidedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergysStateEnergy Program. ThePennsylvaniaStateCapitolBuildingisopentovisitorsweekdaysfrom7a.m.to6p.m. DEPsenergyexpertswillbeattheexhibitdailyfrom11a.m.to2p.m.toanswervisitorsquestions andsharedetailsabouttheexhibit.Allvisitorsmustgothroughavisitorentrancetogainaccesstothe Capitol. InadditiontovisitingtheDEPatHomeexhibit,theagencyencouragesallPennsylvanianstovisit theEarthMonthpageofitswebsitetoposteventsaroundthestatetothevirtualcalendarandlearn aboutactivitiesthatDEPsregionalofficesandotherorganizationsarehosting,aswellasGreat AmericanCleanupofPennsylvaniaevents. TheGreatAmericanCleanupofPennsylvania,anannualeffortDEPsponsors,ishappening nowthroughMay31toencouragecommunitiesandindividualstoorganizecleanupeventsthroughout thestate. TherewillalsobeafreeDEPatHomewebinar,WatchYourWaste,onApril3,from7to8 p.m. AwardAnnouncements DuringEarthMonth,DEPwillannouncethewinnersofitsnewEmployeeRecognitionAwards,

theEnvironmentalEducationgrantsandtheGovernorsAwardsforEnvironmentalExcellence. Formoreinformation,visittheEarthDayCentralwebpage. PUC:DrillingImpactFeeRevenueDropsBelow$200MillionThisYear TheTribuneReviewreportedWednesdaythestatewillcollectabout$6millionlessindrillingfee revenuesforthe2012reportingyearthanduringthefirstyearofcollections$198millionversus$204 millionbringingthetotalcollectedsofarto$402million. Lowernaturalgaspricesandalowersecondyearfeeforsomewellsresultedinthereduction. TheImpactFeeproducerpaymentsfor2012wereduetothePublicUtilityCommissionApril1. Act13isalawthathashelpedbringPennsylvaniaforwardbotheconomicallyand environmentally,Gov.Corbettsaid.Inadditiontoenactingsomeofthemostrigorousenvironmental standardsinthenation,wevebroughtinmorethan$400millionforourcommunitiesdirectlyimpacted byunconventionaldrilling,alongwithotherenvironmentaleffortsacrossthestate. Asthisindustrygrows,benefittingallPennsylvanianswiththousandsofnewjobs,lowerenergy prices,andincreasedenergyindependence,Act13hasplayedakeypartinourrolemakingsurethatit growssafelyandresponsibly,Corbettsaid. Paymentsforsomewellsarestillbeingchallengedbysomeproducers.Asperthelaw,disputed wellsarenotreflectedinthecurrentdataavailable.Anyadditionalpaymentsreceivedfromthese disputedwellswillbeupdatedonthewebsiteandincludedinthe2012ReportingYeardisbursementif theyarereceivedpriortowhenthecalculationsaremadetodistributethefunds. IampleasedtoseethepositiveeffectthattheMarcellusShaleImpactFeerevenuefundsare havingacrossourstate,saidSen.JoeScarnati(RJefferson).Thisreasonableimpactfeeonthe industryprovidesthenecessaryfundingtoprotectPennsylvaniasnaturalresources,particularlyduringa timewhenwecontinueneedingtofindwaystostretchourtaxdollars. Sen.ScarnatiwasachiefarchitectoftheMarcellusShaleImpactFeelegislation,whichwas enactedlastyearafterconsiderablediscussionamongstategovernment,localgovernment,citizens, representativesofenvironmentalgroupsandrepresentativesoftheindustry. Thelawprotectstheenvironmentbyprovidingforenvironmentalsafeguards,whilealso imposingareasonableannualimpactfeeoneachwell. ThepassageofAct13lastyearwasamajorachievementforPennsylvaniaresidents,Sen. Scarnatisaid.TheMarcellusShaleImpactFeelegislationistheresultofgreatcollaborationbetween Gov.Corbett,membersoftheHouseofRepresentativesandmycolleaguesintheSenate. TheprovisionslaidforthinAct13areensuringthatourenvironmentisprotected,countiesand municipalitiesreceivethefundingtheyneedandalsoplaceanincreasedleveloftransparencyonnatural gasdrilling,Sen.Scarnatisaid.Thefeedbackandresponsewehavereceivedfromindividuals regardingAct13isextremelypositive,yetIamamazedthattherearelocalofficialsinDerryTownship WestmorelandCounty,forexample,whoareactuallycomplainingaboutreceivingmillionsofdollarsfor localprojects. Sen.ScarnatialsostatedthatthezoningprovisionslaidforthinAct13arecurrentlybeing reviewedbytheSupremeCourt. Theshaleindustryhasbroughttensofthousandsoffamilysustainingjobsandeconomic growthtoPennsylvania,hopefullyincludingasoontobe$2billionethanecrackerplant.Itisimportant

thatwecontinuetoseethissignificanteconomicgrowthwithinourstate.ItismyhopethattheSupreme Courtwillrecognizetheimportanceofprovidingtheindustrywithincreasedstabilitythroughvalidating thezoningprovisionsinAct13,Sen.Scarnatisaid. MarcellusShaleCoalitionCEOKathrynKlaberissuedthefollowingstatementregardingthe releaseof2012impactfeerevenuedatabythePublicUtilityCommission: ThisismoreexcitingnewsfortheCommonwealth,withliterallyeveryPennsylvanianbenefiting fromresponsibleMarcellusdevelopment,evenascommoditypricesremainathistoriclows. Thesefunds,inadditiontothehundredsofmillionsinnaturalgasrelatedtaxrevenue,are ensuringthatcriticalprojectsandinvestmentswillcontinueacrossthestate,regardlessofwherenatural gasproductionoccurs. Itsalsoastarkreminderthatthesebenefitsshouldnotbetemperedbypoliciesthatdiscourage safe,tightlyregulatednaturalgasdevelopment,especiallyasitrelatestolocalzoning. InteractiveFeeWebpage ThePUCWednesdayintroducedaninteractivewebsitethatallowsuserstobetterexamine informationrelatedtothecollectionanddistributionofthestatesunconventionalgaswellImpactFee. InadministeringtheImpactFee,thePUChasbeenunwaveringinoureffortstobetransparent withtheimplementationofthelaw,saidPUCChairmanRobertF.Powelson.Thiswebsitetakesthat tothenextlevelbyprovidinganinteractive,searchableresourcewhereresidents,localofficialsor anyoneinterestedintheImpactFeecanviewwhatmoneywascollectedanddistributedaswellasthe calculationsbehindthosenumbers. Thewebsiteincludesgraphicaldataanalysisincludingthetoppayingproducers,wellcount breakdownsandtopcollectingcountiesandlocalgovernments. Additionalinformationontheamountofmoneyexpectedfor2012aswellastheamountof moneycollectedtodatecanbefoundonthewebsite. Paymentsforsomewellsarestillbeingchallengedbysomeproducers.Asperthelaw,disputed wellsarenotreflectedinthecurrentdataavailable.Anyadditionalpaymentswillbereflectedastheyare receivedbeforecalculationsaremadetodisbursethefunds. Usersalsocansearchstatisticssuchasmoneypaidbyproducersormoneydispersedtostate, countyorlocalgovernment.Theinformationalsobreaksdownthedistributioncalculationsoutlinedin thelawinareassuchaseligiblewellspercounty/municipalityanddistributionstomunicipalitiesand countieswithqualifyingwellsandtomunicipalitiesthatarelocatedwithinacountywithqualifyingwells andarecontiguoustoamunicipalitywithwellsorwithinfivemilesofamunicipalitywithwells(basedon populationandhighwaymilescalculations). DistributionsoftheImpactFeebythePUCareduetocountyandmunicipalgovernmentsby July1.Countyandmunicipalgovernmentinformationonhowthe2011ImpactFeemonieswerespent areduetothePUCbyApril15. OnFebruary14,2012,Gov.CorbettsignedintolawAct13of2012,theUnconventionalGas WellImpactFeeAct,whichamendedTitle58(OilandGas)ofthePennsylvaniaConsolidatedStatutes. ThePUCisresponsibleforimplementingtheprovisionscontainedinChapters23and33ofthe Act.Chapter23providesfortheimposition,collectionanddistributionofanunconventionalgaswell fee(alsocalledadrillingimpactfee). Chapter33governslocalordinancesthatimposeconditions,requirementsorlimitationsonoil orgasoperations.

Formoreinformation,visitthePUCsAct13DrillingImpactFeeswebpage. AtitsApril16meeting,DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwillhearapresentationfromPUC CommissionerPamelaWitmeronAct13drillingfeesreceivedandhowitwasdistributed. NewsClips: DropInNaturalGasPricesHitsDrillingFeeRevenue PAWillGet3PercentLessInDrillingFees ImpactFeeProceedsDeclineWithPriceOfGas TownsToSeeFewerDrillingFeeDollars CorbettAnnounces2013EnvironmentalExcellenceAwardWinners Gov.TomCorbettThursdayannouncedthat19organizationsinvolvedin16environmentalprojects fromacrossthestatewillreceivethe2013GovernorsAwardforEnvironmentalExcellence. Thisadministrationvaluesinnovationandhardworkthatpositivelyimpactstheenvironment, Corbettsaid.Theseorganizationshaveproventhattheytootakethoseprinciplestoheart. AnyPennsylvaniabusiness,school,governmentagency,tradeorganization,nonprofit organizationoragribusinessthathascompletedprojectstopromoteenvironmentalstewardshipand economicdevelopmentwaseligibletoapplyfortheaward. ThewinnerswereselectedbyDEPandthenonprofitorganizationPennsylvaniaEnvironmental Council. PECwillhostadinnertohonortheawardwinnersApril17attheHiltonindowntown Harrisburg.DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesSecretaryRichardAllanwillbethe keynotespeaker. Everyyear,Iamimpressedbythediversityoftheawardwinnersandthemanywaysthey innovate,DEPSecretaryMikeKrancersaid.TheireffortsplayabigpartinprotectingPennsylvanias air,landandwater. Thewinningprojectsincludebeekeeping,abandonedminereclamation,brownfields redevelopment,roadimprovementsandtheuseofalternativeenergy,amongothers. The19winnersofthe2013GovernorsEnvironmentalExcellenceAwardsarelistedbelow,by countyandprojectlocation: Allegheny PropelAndrewSt.HighSchoolHighSchoolBeekeeping RiverQuestExploringtheMarcellusShaleOutreachProgramand UniversityofPittsburghMedicalCenterCreationofanEnergyandEnvironmentalEngineering DepartmentataHealthcareFacility Berks EastPennManufacturingCo.Inc.GridScaleEnergyStorageDemonstrationforAncillaryServices UsingDekaUnigyUltrabatteryTechnology Delaware TheBoeingCompanyCentralUtilityPlantBuilding86414 Elk BennettBranchWatershedAssociationDentsRunWatershedRestorationProject(seerelated

story) RockyMountainElkFoundationDentsRunWatershedRestorationProject WesternPennsylvaniaConservancyDentsRunWatershedRestorationProjectand P&NCoalCompany,Inc.DentsRunWatershedRestorationProject Huntingdon ShoupsRunWatershedAssociationMillerRunBrookTroutEnhancementProject Lancaster KlinesServicesPhaseII:MethaneDigesterElectricalGenerationand RettewAssociatesInc.ChesapeakeEnergyRoadwayRestorationandUpgrade Lehigh TheSeedFarmNewFarmerTrainingProgram Luzerne EarthConservancyHuberIVMineLandReclamationProject Lycoming JerseyShoreSteelCompanyMakingandMarketingtheWorldsGreenestSteel(Facilitylocatedin ClintonCounty) Potter HoopesTurfFarmInc.TheUlyssesLiquefiedNaturalGasVehicleDieselReductionProject Schuylkill PartnershipfortheDelawareEstuarySchuylkillActionNetworkSourceWaterProtectionInitiative York HarleyDavidsonMotorCompanyInc.HarleyDavidsonPromotesRedevelopmentinYork Countyand SPXCoolingTechnologiesLeanandCleanManufacturing Formoreinformation,visittheGovernorsAwardforEnvironmentalExcellencewebpage. NewsClip:EarthConservancyEarnsStatewideEnvironmentalAward DidYouKnowYouCanSearch8YearsOfDigestsOnAnyTopic? Didyouknowyoucansearch8yearsofbackissuesofthePAEnvironmentDigestondozensof topics,bycountyandonanykeywordyouchoose.Justclickonthesearchpage. AlsotakeadvantageoftheserelatedservicesfromCrisciAssociates PAEnvironmentDigestTwitterFeed:OnTwitter,signuptoreceiveinstantupdatesfrom: PAEnviroDigest. PAEnvironmentDailyBlog:providesdailyenvironmentalNewsClipsandsignificantstoriesand announcementsonenvironmentaltopicsinPennsylvaniaofimmediatevalue.Signupandreceiveas theyarepostedupdatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemail alertingyoutonewitemspostedonthisblog.

PAEnvironmentDigestVideoBlog:showcasesoriginalandpublishedvideosfromenvironmental groupsandagenciesaroundthestate.Signuptoreceiveastheyarepostedupdatesthroughyour favoriteRSSread.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyoutonewitemspostedonthis blog. PACapitolDigestDailyBlogtogetupdateseverydayonPennsylvaniaStateGovernment,including NewsClips,coverageofkeypressconferencesandmore.Signupandreceiveastheyareposted updatesthroughyourfavoriteRSSreader.Youcanalsosignupforaoncedailyemailalertingyouto newitemspostedonthisblog. PACapitolDigestTwitterFeed:Don'tforgettosignuptoreceivethePACapitolDigestTwitterfeed togetinstantupdatesonothernewsfrominandaroundthePennsylvaniaStateCapitol. Senate/HouseAgenda/SessionSchedule/BillsIntroduced HerearetheSenateandHouseCalendarsandCommitteemeetingsshowingbillsofinterestaswellasa listofnewenvironmentalbillsintroduced SessionSchedule HereisthelatestvotingsessionschedulefortheSenateandHouse Senate April8,9,10,15,16,17,29,30 May1,6,7,8,9,13,14 June3,4,5,10,11,12,17,18,19,24,25,26,27,28 House April8,9,10,15,16,17,22,23,24 May6,7,8,13,14,15 June3,4,5,10,11,12,17,18,19,20,24,25,26,27,28 BillCalendars House(April8):HouseResolution129(CauserRForest)directingtheLegislativeBudgetand FinanceCommitteetoinvestigatecombiningtheGameandFishandBoatCommissions.<>ClickHere forfullHouseBillCalendar. Senate(April8):SenateBill177(GreenleafRMontgomery)establishingataskforceonLyme Diseaseandrelateddiseases.<>ClickHereforfullSenateBillCalendar. CommitteeMeetingAgendasThisWeek

House:theEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderbillsrelatedtothe HouseRepublicanMarcellusWorksInitiativeHouseBill302(MoulRAdams)transferringfunds fromtheOilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPforacompetitivegrantprogramtoconvertsmallmasstransit busfleetstonaturalgas,HouseBill303(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGas LeaseFundtoDEPforacompetitivegrantprogramtoconvertlargemasstransitfleetstonaturalgas, HouseBill306(PickettRBradford)redirectingtheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveFundtocreatethe KeystoneFuelIncentiveProgramtofundconversionsofvehiclestonaturalgas,HouseBill307 (EvankovichRArmstrong)amendingtheAirPollutionControlActtoeliminateduplicationof certificationfornaturalgasvehicles,HouseBill308(SaylorRYork)redirecting$6millionannually fromtheCleanAirFundtofinancevehicleconversionstonaturalgastheFinanceCommitteemeets toconsiderbillsrelatedtotheHouseRepublicanMarcellusWorksInitiativeHouseBill301 (SaylorRYork)providingforanaturalgasvehiclefleettaxcredit,HouseBill305 (DenlingerRLancaster)providingforanaturalgascorridortaxcredit,HouseBill309 (GroveRYork)providingforanaturalgasvehicletaxcredit.<>ClickHereforfullHouseCommittee Schedule. Senate:<>ClickHereforfullSenateCommitteeSchedule. BillsPendingInKeyCommittees HerearelinkstokeyStandingCommitteesintheHouseandSenateandthebillspendingineach House Appropriations Education EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerAffairs GamingOversight HumanServices Judiciary LiquorControl Transportation LinksforallotherStandingHouseCommittees Senate Appropriations EnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy ConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensure Community,EconomicandRecreationalDevelopment Education Judiciary LawandJustice

PublicHealthandWelfare Transportation LinksforallotherStandingSenateCommittees BillsIntroduced Thefollowingbillsofinterestwereintroducedthisweek NaturalGasAccessAct:SenateBill738(YawRLycoming)directingnaturalgasdistributionutilities tosubmitplanstothePUCrelatingtoexpansionofnaturalgasservices.Asummaryofthebillis available.[Note:wasreferredtotheSenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.] NaturalGasConversions:SenateBill739(YawRLycoming)amendingtheAlternativeenergy InvestmentActtoprovide$15millioningrantsthroughtheCommonwealthFinancingAuthorityto schools,hospitalsandsmallbusinessestoobtainaccesstonaturalgas.[Note:wasreferredtothe SenateEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommittee.] SurfaceOwnerProtection:SenateBill780(KasunicDSomerset)providingforsurfaceowners damagesresultingfromoilandgasoperations.Asummaryisavailable. HealthRegistry:SenateBill790(GreenleafRMontgomery)allocating$2millionfromthenaturalgas drillingfeesforahealthregistry.Asummaryisavailable. NaturalGasTierII:HouseBill1062(MoulRAdams)addingnaturalgastoTierIIofthe AlternativeEnergyPortfolioStandards.Asummaryisavailable. NaturalGasTierI:HouseBill1073(MoulRAdams)addingnaturalgastoTierIoftheAlternative EnergyPortfolioStandards.Asummaryisavailable.

NewsFromTheCapitol
SenateResolutionUrgesSupportForStudyOfConvertingStateFleetToNaturalGas Sen.TimSolobay(DWashington)isagainintroducingaresolutionSenateResolution38urgingthe DepartmentofGeneralServicestostudywhetheritshouldconvertmorestatevehiclestorunonnatural gas. Pennsylvaniaisattheforefrontofthenaturalgasindustryandourresourcesupplyputsusina positiontoreapgreatbenefitsfromusingthisassetwisely,hesaid.Oneofthewaysinwhichwecan dothisisbysettinganexamplefortheCommonwealthbyusingnaturalgasinourstatefleet. Manygasolinepoweredvehiclescanbecosteffectivelyconvertedtorunonnaturalgas, Solobaysaid.Whilemanyprivatecompanieshaveconvertedtruckfleetstotakeadvantageof historicallylownaturalgasprices,consumerconversionshavebeenhamperedbyalackofrefueling infrastructure.

Ifwecouldconvertthestatefleetthatwouldkickstartthedevelopmentofrefuelingstationsin allcornersofthestateanditcouldhaveasnowballeffect,hesaid.Morerefuelingstationscouldlead tomoreconvertedcarsandthatwouldmeanlessdependenceonforeignoil. WiththeexplorationofgasdepositsintheMarcellusShale,Pennsylvaniahasbecomealeader innaturalgasproductionandtheproductioncouldspinoffothereconomicbenefits. Ifwewanttokeepthejobsandtheeconomicbenefitofnaturalgasdrilling,wehavetohelp createnewmarkets,Sen.Solobaysaid.Buildingmomentumtowardwidespreaduseofthischeaper, cleanerfuelwillpaydividendstofuturegenerations. ProposedBillEliminatesAntiDegradationRuleForOnlotSystemsInHQ,EVWatersheds Rep.DavidMaloney(RBerks)circulatedamemothisweekaskingHousememberstosignontoabill whichwouldprohibitDEPfromapplyingitsantidegradationruletotheconsiderationofonlotsewage modulesinHighQualityandExceptionalValuewatersheds. Rep.MaloneysaidhislegislationwaspromptedbyaproposalfromDEPtoapply antidegradationrequirementstoonlotsystemstheagencywasdirectedtoputforwardasaresultofan EnvironmentalHearingBoarddecisiondirectingthedepartmenttoact. "Thisproposedguidancewillhaveasignificantimpactongrowthanddevelopmentacrossthe stateasmanydevelopingareassimplycannotlocatelargesewagetreatmentfacilitiesneithernearbynor inacosteffectivemanner,saidRep.Maloney.Likewise,theproposedonlotrequirementswillmake ittoodifficulttolocatethesesystemsineconomicalwaystiflingbuildingprojectsandfurtherstraining oureconomy.Perhapsmosttroubling,theserestrictionswillultimatelydenyPennsylvaniansoftheright tousetheirland.Propertyownersinvestintheirlandandtheyestablishestatesfortheirchildren. Overlyburdensomeregulationslikethesedolittlemorethanrobsuchassetsfromour residents,Rep.Maloneysaid."We'vebeenabletoprotectourwaterwhilebalancingtheneedforon lotsystems"withourexistingregulations. LeeMcDonnell,DirectoroftheBureauofPointandNonPointSourceManagement,provided theDEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwithanoverviewofnewproceduresDEPisdevelopingfor reviewingsewagemodulesinHighQualityandExceptionalValuewatershedsatitsmeetinginMarch. ClickHereforacopyofhispresentation. McDonnellnotedthenewprocedureswerepromptedbytwoEnvironmentalHearingBoard decisionsPineCreekWatershedAssociationv.DEPdirectingDEPtoconsidertheimpactsofonlot septicsystemsonHQandEVstreamsduringitsreviewprocess. McDonnellsaidtheproposedreviewprocessgivesonlotsewagemoduleapplicantsoptions theycanmixandmatchtoachievetherightwaterqualityprotectionfactors.Thoseoptionsinclude:one acreormorelotsize,setbackdistancesfromstreamsorwetlands,riparianbuffersandinground barriersbetweenthesystemsandstreams. Henotedtheproposedprocessisundergoingpublicreviewandthedepartmentisopento consideringwaystoimprovetheprocess. ClickHereforacopyoftheproposalunderreviewbyDEPsSewageAdvisoryCommittee. HouseRepublicansSetToMoveMarcellusWorksNaturalGasConversionBills

TheHouseFinanceCommitteeonApril9andtheHouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergy CommitteeonApril10arescheduledtoconsideraneightbillpackagedesignedtopromotethe conversionofvehiclesandfleetstonaturalgascalledMarcellusWorks. FundingfortheprogramswouldcomefromdivertingmoniesfromDCNRsOilandGasLease FundandDEPsCleanAirFund. TheFinanceCommitteewillmeetinRoom60EastWingat9:45onApril9toconsider HouseBill301(SaylorRYork)providingforanaturalgasvehiclefleettaxcredit HouseBill305(DenlingerRLancaster)providingforanaturalgascorridortaxcreditand HouseBill309(GroveRYork)providingforanaturalgasvehicletaxcredit. TheEnvironmentalCommitteewillmeetinRoom60EastWingat9:00onApril10to consider HouseBill302(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPfora competitivegrantprogramtoconvertsmallmasstransitbusfleetstonaturalgas HouseBill303(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromtheOilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPfora competitivegrantprogramtoconvertlargemasstransitfleetstonaturalgas HouseBill306(PickettRBradford)redirectingtheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveFundtocreatethe KeystoneFuelIncentiveProgramtofundconversionsofvehiclestonaturalgas HouseBill307(EvankovichRArmstrong)amendingtheAirPollutionControlActtoeliminate duplicationofcertificationfornaturalgasvehiclesand HouseBill308(SaylorRYork)redirecting$6millionannuallyfromtheCleanAirFundtofinance vehicleconversionstonaturalgas.

NewsFromAroundTheState
DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilToHearUpdateOnDrillingFeeIncome,Distribution AtitsApril16meeting,DEPsCitizensAdvisoryCouncilwillhearapresentationfromPUC CommissionerPamelaWitmeronrevenuereceivedfromtheAct13drillingimpactfeesandhowthose moniesweredistributed. Alsoontheagendaisanupdateonnaturalgasradiationstudyandasummaryofcomments receivedonnaturalgasdistributionfacilitygeneralpermitbyVinceBrisini,DEPDeputySecretaryfor Air,RadiationandRemediation. ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburgstartingat 11:00. ClickHereforacopyoftheagendaandmoreinformation. FormerlyPollutedBennettBranchToBeStockedWith1,000TroutInElkCounty ThankstotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtections successfulHollywoodacidminedrainagetreatmentplant,the BennettBranchandTobyCreekwatershedassociationsandthe PotterCountyAnglersClubwillcelebratethewaterways rebirthonApril6andstock1,000troutaboveandbelowthe

plantneartheClearfieldElkcountiesborder. Inlessthanayear,theHollywoodplanthastreated21separatedischargesfromfour abandoneddeepmines,raisingthepHfrom3.8toneutralandremovingharmfulmetalslikeiron, aluminumandmanganese,DEPDeputySecretaryforWaterManagementKellyHeffnersaid.Bennett Branchisnowsohealthythattroutstockingwillbedoneforthefirsttime,whichissuretoincrease tourisminthatareaandbenefitlocalanglerrelatedbusinesses. ThetroutstockingwillbedonebythePotterCountyAnglersClubaspartoftheFishandBoat CommissionsCooperativeNurseryProgram. ThisisamilestoneintherecoveryoftheBennettBranch,FishandBoatCommission ExecutiveDirectorJohnArwaysaid.ThankstoremediationeffortsledbyDEP,Iampleasedtosay thatitisnowfishableagain.TheBennettBranchisoneofthefewplaceseastoftheMississippiRiver whereonecannowfishfortroutandlistentothebugleofRockyMountainelk. The$14.5millionplantbeganoperatinginJuly2012andcovers41acres.DesignedbyDEPs BureauofAbandonedMineReclamationandoperatedbytheagencysBureauofConservationand Restoration,itcantreatanaverageof4,000gallonsperminuteofacidminedrainage. Theprojectwasfundedby$12millionfromthestatesCapitalBudgetand$2millionfromthe GrowingGreenerprogram.Annualoperatingandmaintenancecostsof$400,000arebeingfundedby DEPsAcidMineDrainageSetAsideprogram,whichisfundedbyafeeplacedoneachtonofcoal minedinthecountry. ThefederalOfficeofSurfaceMiningcollectsthefeesandreturnssomeofthemoneytostates likePennsylvaniathathavehistoricacidminedrainageproblems. DEPchosetheBennettBranchlocationfortheprojectbecauseabout70percentoftheland withinitsnearly400squaremilewatershedisonstategamelandorstateforestland.Itisalsowithin thescenic,ruggedareadesignatedasPAWilds,anditisthehomeofPennsylvaniaselkherd. ThelocalBennettBranchWatershedAssociationhasbeenanactivepartnerwithDEPformany yearsinwatershedrestorationeffortsandwillbeawardedoneoftheGovernors2013Awardsfor EnvironmentalExcellenceforanotherprojectinElkCounty. TheHollywoodplantmixeslimewiththeacidwaterremovesthemetalsina180footdiameter clarifierandpumpsalkalinesludgebackintothedeepmines.Amajortreatmentcomponentofthe facilityisa4.5acrepolishingpond,whichholds10milliongallonsofwaterfivetoninefeetdeep, dependingonflow.Waterflowsthroughthepondbeforeenteringthestream. Theplant,builtbyKukurianContractingInc.ofExport,WestmorelandCounty,alsohasa numberofsafetyfeatures,includinganemergencygeneratorwithenoughfuelstoredonsitetooperate thefacilityfortwodaysintheeventofamajorpowerfailure.Ifnecessary,aplantoperatorcanusea laptopcomputertoremotelycontrolthefacility. InadditiontotheHollywoodplant,DEPhasbeenworkingsince2004withtheBennettBranch WatershedAssociation,severalotherstateandfederalagenciesandtheactiveminingindustryto reclaimabandonedminesitesandimprovewaterqualitythroughouttheBennettBranchWatershed. Sincethen,morethan1,000acresofabandonedminelandhasbeenreclaimedsixcoalrefuse pileshavebeenreprocessedandfivesmallerminedrainagedischargeshavebeentreatedwithwetland, orpassive,treatmentsystems.Themajorityhasbeenonstategamelandsorstateforestlands. WildlandsConservancyInvitesFriendOfTheLehighRiverNominations

TheWildlandsConservancyisseekingnominationsforitsFriendoftheLehighRiverAwardswhich annuallyrecognizesindividuals,groups,organizations,businesses,institutions,orgovernmententitiesfor theircommitmenttopreserving,protecting,restoring,andenhancingtheLehighRiveranditswatershed. NominationsaredueMay17andcanbesubmittedbyaonepagesummaryofthenominees accomplishmentsandjustificationforreceivingtheaward.Contactinformationofthenomineeandthe grouporindividualmakingthenominationshouldbeincluded. ThisyearsawardwinnerswillbeannouncedduringWildlandsConservancysLehighRiver SojournClosingCeremonyheldatWildlandsConservancysPoolWildlifeSanctuaryonJune24. LastyearsFriendoftheLehighRiverAwardwinnerswere:MarioSpangoletti,memberofthe WhitehallTownshipEnvironmentalAdvisoryCouncilTomShive,retiredCentralCatholicHighSchool teacherandchampionfortheschoolsEnviroMentorprogramandtheHokendauquaChapter#535of TroutUnlimited. Nominationsshouldbesentto:FriendoftheLehighRiverAwardNominationCommittee,c/o WildlandsConservancy,3701OrchidPlace,Emmaus,PA18049oremailnominationsto: msciarrino@wildlandspa.org. Formoreinformation,contactMeganSciarrino,directorofannualfundandcommunications,at 6109654397,ext.116orsendemailto:msciarrino@wildlandspa.org. KiskiConemaughStreamTeamPublishesAnnualReport TheConemaughValleyConservancysKiskiConemaughStreamTeamhaspublishedits2012annual report,whichisavailablefordownloadonitswebsite. In2012,theStreamTeamengagedover100peopleinitswatermonitoringandenvironmental educationprograms,aswellasinspecialprojects,likestreamandroadsidelittercleanups,anative plantgarden,andfieldstudiesforacoldwaterconservationplan. Theseindividualscontributedmorethan1,300hoursofinkindservice,valuedatwellover $28K,totheStreamTeam.Pleaseviewtheannualreportformoredetailsandaccomplishments. TheStreamTeamispleasedtobetherecipientoftworecentlyawardedDEPGrowingGreener grantsthatwillsupportitswatermonitoringprograms.AnotherGrowingGreenergrantwasawardedto thePoconosNortheastResourceConservationandDevelopmentCouncilforCSAW(Consortiumfor ScientificAssistancetoWatersheds),ofwhichtheStreamTeamisapart. ThesefundssustainandwiselygrowtheStreamTeam.Welloveradozenwatershedand conservationgroupsbenefitfromapartnershipwiththeStreamTeamandotherscanrequestassistance throughCSAW.In2013,NaturalBiodiversitywillbeworkingwiththeStreamTeamtooffer technicalassistanceandmentoringtoeligiblegroupsthroughCSAW. TheKiskiConemaughRiverBasinencompassesportionsofArmstrong,Cambria,Indiana, SomersetandWestmorelandcounties. FormoredetailsonthisassistanceoranyoftheStreamTeamprojects,pleasecall 8144442669orsendemailto:mreckner@kcstreamteam.org. WissahickonCreekCleanUpNeedsYouOnApril27

TheFriendsoftheWissahickonandtheWissahickonValleyWatershedAssociationinMontgomery CountyarejoiningforcestocleantheWissahickonCreekfromtoptobottomonApril27from9:00 a.m.tonoon. Thisspringmarksthe43ndanniversaryofWissahickonValleyWatershedAssociationsannual CreekCleanUp,andthefourthyearthatFOWhasteamedupwithWVWAtocleanall21milesofthe WissahickonCreek. Volunteersofallageswillcleanthecreek,itssurroundingtrails,anditsmanytributaries.Armed withbags,volunteerswillbeassignedtosectionsofthecreektocollectanythingfromplasticbagsand swingsets,tomattressesandtires. Followingthecleanup,allvolunteersareinvitedtoWVWAsTalkinTrashpicnicheldfrom 11:00a.m.to1:00p.m.attheFortWashingtonParksFlourtownPaviliononMillRoadinFlourtown. CBF,CommunityActionPartnerOnApril27HarrisburgTreePlanting TheChesapeakeBayFoundationhaspartneredwiththeCommunityActionCommissiontoplant20 streettreesalongDerryStreetinHarrisburgonApril27startingat1:00. Streettreesaregreatatreducingwaterpollutioncomingoffsidewalksandroads,alsocalled stormwater,thelargestgrowingsourceofpollutiontotheChesapeakeBay.Streettreesalsoprovide communitybenefitslikeincreasingpropertyvaluesandcommunitypride,anddecreasingheatingand coolingcostsfornearbyresidents. Thesesharedenvironmentalandcommunitybenefitsmakestreettreesaneffectivewayto improvethehealthofourstatecapitalandwater. Volunteerswillbetaskedtodigholeswithshovels,maneuver1.5inchcalipertrees,andcover uptheholeswithsoilandmulch.Pleasewearhardsoleshoesandbepreparedtowork! Ifyoureinterestedinvolunteeringorhaveanyquestions,contactAndrewBlissbysending emailto:abliss@cbf.org. DEPInvitesCommentsOnProposedWatershedTMDLsInFranklinCounty TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishednoticesinvitingpubliccommentsonproposed totalmaximumdailyloadplansforDoylestownStreamandDryRunWatershedsinFranklinCounty (PABulletinpage1931). AcopyoftheplansisavailableonDEPsTMDLwebpage. RoyerNamedDirectorOfPennStateAgricultureAndEnvironmentCenter Anenvironmentalattorney,withexperienceworkingfortheChesapeakeBay Foundation,hasbeennamedasthenewdirectorofthePennStateAgriculture andEnvironmentCenter,intheCollegeofAgriculturalSciences. MatthewRoyer,ofMountGretna,whohasservedasthecenter's strategicinitiativesdirectorfortheLowerSusquehannaBasinforthepastthree years,tookthedirector'sreinsApril1fromKristenSackeBlunk,whoisnow workinginsupportoftheNationalFishandWildlifeFoundation'sChesapeake

BayStewardshipprogram. Mostrecently,Royerhasservedaspointmanforthecenter'sConewagoCreekConservation Initiative,anintegratedwatershedapproachtorestoringwaterstoanunimpairedstatusthrough collaborativepartnerships.Hehasbeenworkingwithdiversepartnersacrossalllandscapes agricultural,urban,commercialandmunicipaltodevelopandimplementinnovativeapproachesto reducingpollutantloads. AformerstaffattorneywiththeChesapeakeBayFoundation'sPennsylvaniaoffice,Royerhas alsoworkedasastaffattorneyfortheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionandforaprivatelaw firm.Heholdsabachelor'sdegreefromDartmouthCollegeandalawdegreefromDukeUniversity SchoolofLaw. Createdin2008,theAgricultureandEnvironmentCenterisaninitiativeoftheCollegeof AgriculturalSciences'EnvironmentandNaturalResourcesInstituteandPennStateExtension.Itsgoalis toconnectscience,policyandpartnershipstosolveproblemsandresolveissuestoimprovethebalance ofagriculturewiththeenvironment. "IamhonoredtobenameddirectoroftheAgricultureandEnvironmentCenterandexcitedto takeonthisnewrole,"Royersaid."Ilookforwardtobuildinguponthesuccessesthecenterhas enjoyedtodateandgrowingitsbreadthandreachinresearch,extensionandeducationinthearenaof agricultureandtheenvironment." Royerwasclearlytherightpersonforthedirector'sposition,accordingtoJimShortle, DistinguishedProfessorofAgriculturalandEnvironmentalEconomicsanddirectoroftheEnvironment andNaturalResourcesInstitute. "Mattisaleaderinbuildingpartnershipsthatengagescienceandeducationtohelp Pennsylvanianssolveenvironmentalproblemsinagriculture,"Shortlesaid."Hewillbeatremendous assettotheCollegeofAgriculturalSciences,PennStateandtocitizensofPennsylvaniainthisnew role." Tolearnmore,visitthePennStateAgricultureandEnvironmentCenterwebpage. AgProducersLearnAboutWaterQualityEffectsOnPesticideSprayApplications PennStateExtensionisdeliveringanimportantmessagetopesticideapplicatorsinPennsylvaniathis yearontheimpactofwaterqualityonpesticideperformance. PesticideapplicatorseachyearlooktoPennStateExtensiontolearnofnewresearch informationandtoobtainpesticiderecertificationcreditstomaintaintheirapplicatorlicenseswiththePA DepartmentofAgriculture. AwaterpresentationwascreatedbyFredWhitfordatPurdueExtensionandadaptedfor PennsylvaniabyBillRideninthePesticideEducationProgramatPennState.Inmanycases,water makesupninetyfivepercentofthetotalpesticidespraymixandisthefoundationoftheapplication.T hequalityofthewatertheapplicatorusescanaffecttheefficiencyofthespraymaterial.Yetfew peopleconsidertheimpactthatthequalityofthewatercanhaveonthesprayproduct. ThepHofthewaterisamainconcernduetoaprocesscalledalkalinehydrolysis.Thisisa chemicalreactionthatoccurswhensomepesticidesinthepresenceofalkalinewater,orwaterwitha pHabove7.0,degradeorlosetheireffectiveness.ManypesticidesareformulatedatapHof4.0to6.5 orslightlyacidic.

Thehalflifeofaproductmeanstheamountoftimethatisneededforonehalfofthesubstance tobreakdown.TheherbicideFlumioxazin,forexample,isverystableatapHof5,butatapHof7the halflifeis24hours,andatapHof9thehalflifedropstoonly15minutes. ExtensionWaterResourcesEducator,JimClark,wasrecentlyinvolvedwithaprojectinNorth CentralPennsylvaniathattested689privatewatersupplies.ThelowpHinthisprojectwas3.0and wasfoundinClearfieldCounty,butthehighpHof8.79wasfoundinneighboringJeffersonCounty. AnimportantquestionforapplicatorsiswhatisthepHofthewaterthatyouareusingtomix upyoursprayapplicationandisitaffectingtheefficiencyofthepesticideproductyouareusing? Oneotheraspectofwaterqualitycoveredinthepresentationistheamountoftotalsuspended solidsinthewater.Thisistheamountofmaterialthatisfloatingorsuspendedinyourwater.Usuallythe totalsuspendedsolidslevelinwaterwillbehigherinsurfacewatersourcessuchasponds,rivers,or ditches. Filterscanremovethisdebrisfromwater,andpreventspraynozzlesfrompluggingup. However,therecanbeverysmallmaterialsuchassalt,clay,andorganicmattersuspendedinthewater andthesewillsettletothebottomofthetankiftheyareleftundisturbed. Itcanbesurprisingwhatsettlesoutofwater,ifyoutakeaglassofwaterandleaveitonthe shelfforafewweeks.Thisturbidwaterisimportantbecausepesticideshavetheabilitytoadsorbor sticktosoilparticlesandotherparticlessuspendedinwater. Thepesticideproductthatadsorbstotheseparticlesisnotavailabletodowhatisexpectedand desiredinasprayapplicationandtheefficiencyofthesprayapplicationisdecreased.Thisclearly describeswhyitissoimportanttoproperlycleanoutspraytanksbetweenapplications,aswellas, checkthetotalsuspendedsolidslevelinthesourcewater. Twentyfourpercentor166ofthe689oftheprivatewatersamples,inthetestingproject referencedbefore,werefoundtobeabovetheturbiditystandardof1NTU(NephelometricTurbidity Units). Pesticideapplicatorsshouldbeawarethatwaterqualityissuescanmeanreducedpesticide performanceeveniftheequipmentiscalibratedandtheapplicationisperfect.Ithasbeenprovenin research,andnowsharedbyextension,thatpoorwaterqualitycanhaveanegativeeffectoncertain familiesofpesticides. Asmallamountofefforttohaveyourwatertestedisrathercheapinsurancetoensurethat productsperformaspromisedanddelivertheexpectedresults. (WrittenBy:JimClark,ExtensionEducator,McKeanCounty,andreprintedfromPennState ExtensionsWatershedWindsnewsletter.) TheStoryOfHoneyHollowWatershedSymposiumMay4 TheBucksCountyAudubonSocietywillpresentasymposiumonMay4entitled,AHistoryof ProtectingtheFuture:TheStoryoftheHoneyHollowWatershed,attheBuckCountyAudubon VisitorCenterat2877CreameryRoadinNewHope. JeanCutler,DirectoroftheBureauofHistoricPreservationforthePAHistoricandMuseum Commissionwillbethekeynotespeaker. TherewillbeaguidedwalkingtouroftheCenterbyMalcolmCrooksandasoilandwatershed

conservationworkshopwhereparticipantswilllearnhowtoprotectwaterresources. ReserveaseattodaybygoingonlineorcallJoyceat2153457020ext.114. EQBToConsiderFinalWaterQualityStandardsChangesApril16 TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeetsonApril16toconsideraseriesofregulationchanges,including finalrulemakingchangingsomewaterqualitystandards.Theagendaitemsinclude ProposedMedicalandChemotherapeuticWasteRegulations ConsiderationofRulemakingPetitiononCranberryCreek,MonroeCounty ConsiderationofFinalRulemakingTriennialReviewofWaterQualityStandards StatementofPolicyOnSiteSpecificWaterQualityCriteriaForToxicSubstances ThemeetingwillbeheldinRoom105oftheRachelCarsonBuildinginHarrisburgstartingat 9:00. Acopyoftheagendaisavailable.Formoreinformationandavailablehandoutsand presentations,visittheEnvironmentalQualityBoardwebpage. ProjectLearningTreeGrantsAvailableForClassrooms ProjectLearningTreeisnowacceptingapplicationsfromschoolsandnonprofitorganizationsfor environmentalservicelearningprojects.DeadlineforapplicationsisSeptember30. Doyouhaveanideaforaschool/communitynativeplantgarden,aforestimprovementproject, astreamsiderestorationplan,arecyclingprogram,orenergyconservationprojectforyourstudents? Needfundstoimplementit?ApplyforaProjectLearningTreeGreenWorks!grant! TraditionalGreenWorksgrantsofupto$1,000willbeawardedinsupportofenvironmental projectsthatdemonstrateservicelearning,exemplifystudentvoice,involveatleastonecommunity partner,andcanbecompletedwithinayear.Tobeeligible,projectsmustsecureatleast50percentin matchingfunds(inkindacceptable). GreenWork!grantsforregisteredPLTGreenSchoolsofupto$3,000supportprojectsthat meetalltheparametersfortraditionalGreenWorksgrantfundingarealsoavailable.Tobeeligible, applicantsmustbeaschool(publicorprivate),beregisteredonthePLTGreenSchoo!Website,have anestablishedGreenTeam,havecompletedoneormoreofthePLTGreenSchoolsInvestigations,and proposeaprojectbasedonthefindingsofoneormoreofthePLTGreenSchoolsInvestigations. Formoreinformationandapplications,visittheProjectLearningTreewebsite. PASustainableAgricultureSupportsSustainabilitySchoolsPartnerships ThePAAssociationforSustainableAgriculture,alreadyattheforefrontoffarmbasededucationin Pennsylvania,Tuesdayannouncedanexpandedlistofpartnersofferingcoursesforconsumers interestedinlivingmoresustainably. ThroughitsGoodFoodNeighborhoodprogram,PASApartnerswithorganizations,groups andindividualstoprovideSustainabilitySchoolsthroughouttheCommonwealth. Livingmoresustainablyissomethingwecanalldotocontributenotonlytotheviabilityofour ownfamilies,butincreasinglyofourlocalcommunities,saysHannahSmithwhoheadsupPASAs

communityoutreachefforts. SmithdesignedtheprogramwhichparallelsPASAsverypopularpeertopeerfarmer educationprogram. PASAiswellknownforitsfarmbasededucationprogramswhichhighlighttheskillsand experienceofourfarmerstofarmsustainably.Likewise,ourlocalcommunitiesaregainingstrengthby thenetworkingoffolkswhohavemuchtoofferinthewayoflivingsustainably.OurSustainability Schoolsdrawonthesecommunityresources,saidSmith. Smithpointstoawiderangeofcoursesavailablefromcompostingtobackyardpoultryand beekeeping,fromhomeenergyefficiencytofoodpreservation,andevenhomebrewingand fermentation. PASAisnowpartneringwithChathamUniversitysSchoolofSustainabilityandthe Environment(EdenHallFarmCampus,Gibsonia,Pa)DickinsonCollegeFarm(BoilingSprings,Pa) EasternPennsylvaniaPermacultureGuild(Lansdale,Pa)GreenerPartners(Collegeville,Pa)Home GrownInstitute(Philadelphia,Pa)JenningsEnvironmentalEducationCenter(SlipperyRock,Pa) QuietCreekHerbFarmandSchoolofCountryLiving(Brookville,Pa)SpringCreekHomesteading Fund(StateCollege,Pa)andPennypackFarm&EducationCenter(Horsham,Pa). KatherineWatt,anorganizerwithSpringCreekHomesteading,offers,"Thesecoursesare aboutlearninghowtodomorethingsforourselves.Inthistimewhenfamiliesarefeelingsostretched fromacontractingeconomy,risingenergypricesandtheimpactsofextremeweatherconditions, buildingasafetynetusinglocalresourcesoftime,skillandlandcanmakeallthedifference." Formoreinformationonupcomingcourses,visittheSustainabilitySchoolswebpage. ZeroWastePittsburghToHelpApartmentBuildingResidentsRecycle AttentionPittsburghapartmentdwellersandfriendsofapartmentdwellersdoesyourbuildingrecycle? TellZeroWastePittsburghyourstoryandyourbuildingcouldbeselectedtoparticipateinamultifamily housingrecyclingprogrammadepossiblethroughthegeneroussupportoftheAlcoaFoundation. ContactKyleWinklerfordetailsat4127737159orsendemailto:kylew@ccicenter.org. ZeroWastePittsburghisalsolookingforcontractorstoassistwithZeroWasteSpecialEventsthis springandsummer. PRC:HardToRecycle,Drug,HouseholdChemicalCollectionEventsInPittsburgh ThePAResourcesCouncilanditspartnersaresponsoringspecialcollectioneventsinPittsburghin AprilandMay.Heresalistofupcomingevents April20:HardToRecycleCollection,Pittsburgh April27:DrugTakeBackDay,variouslocationsand May4:HouseholdChemicalCollection,AlleghenyCounty. Formoreinformation,visitPRCsZeroWastePittsburghwebsite. PROPSponsorsPlastics:BeyondTheBottleCertificationClassMay2

TheProfessionalRecyclersofPAwillhostarecyclingcertificationclassonMay2inHarrisburg entitled,Plastics:BeyondtheBottle. Plasticrecyclingremainsthemostcomplicatedandfrequentlyconfusingportionofourrecycling stream.Yettheirprocessesandprofitabilityarefrequentlyunderminedbypackagingthatisnot designedforrecyclability.Thisclasswillhelpanswerthequestionaboutplasticsrecycling. TheclasswillbeheldattheWildwoodParkandOlewineNatureCenter,100WildwoodWay, Harrisburg. ClickHerefortheclassannouncement.ClickHereformoreinformationonPROPcertification classesandregistrationorcallMichelleGlenny,PROPCertificationCoordinator,at8149376041or sendemailto:mglenny@proprecycles.org. DEP:Sampling,QualityAssurancePlansForNaturalGasRadiationStudyAvailable TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionWednesdayreleaseddetailedsamplingandquality assuranceplansforitsongoingcomprehensiveradiationstudyofoilandgasdevelopment. Theagencywillsampleandanalyzeradioactivitylevelsofflowbackwaters,treatmentsolids, drillcuttingsanddrillingequipment,alongwiththetransportation,storageanddisposalofdrillingwastes. Basedoncurrentdata,regulationsandindustrypractices,thereisnoindicationthatthepublicor workersintheoilandgasindustryfacehealthrisksfromexposuretoradiationfromthesematerials.The studyisaimedatensuringthatpublichealthandtheenvironmentcontinuetobeprotected. Pennsylvaniaissettingthebarforresponsibleshalegasdevelopment,andthestudyofradiation issuesinoilandgasdevelopmentisyetanotherexampleofthat,DEPSecretaryMikeKrancersaid. NotonlydoweinPennsylvaniaoperatewithscientificrigor,wedosowithunmatchedtransparency. Theseplansshowexactlyhowweareconductingthisstudy. OnJanuary24,Gov.CorbettdirectedDEPtoundertakeacomprehensivestudyexamining naturallyoccurringlevelsofradioactivityinbyproductsassociatedwithoilandgasdevelopment.Since then,theagencysoughtapeerreviewofitssamplingandqualityassuranceplansandexpectstobegin samplingthismonth. ThesamplingplanoutlinesthetypesofsamplesDEPwillcollect,theirlocationsandthe methodsforanalyzingthem.Thequalityassuranceplanprovidesspecificsonhowtheagencywill collect,transportandanalyzethesamples. DEPwillcollectandanalyzedrillcuttings,flowbackfluidanddrillingmudforavarietyof radioactiveparticles.Staffwillalsoexaminecompressorstations,storagetanks,trucks,drillrigsand wastewatertreatmentfacilities. DEProutinelyreviewsradioactivitydatainwastesthatthedrillingindustryandotherindustries generate,andtheinformationobtainedtodateindicatesverylowlevelsofnaturalradioactivity.The agencyalsomaintainsastatewidemonitoringnetworktoprotectthepublicfromexposuretounsafe levelsofradiation. Formoreinformationandtoviewtheplans,visitDEPsOilandGasDevelopmentRadiation Studywebpage. NewsClip:DEPUnveilsMoreDetailsOnNaturalGasRadiationStudy

DEPToHostMeeting,HearingOnWashingtonCountyCompressorPermitMay1 TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedFridayitwillhostanopenhouseandformal publichearingonMay1todiscussaproposedairqualityplanapprovalforMarkWestLiberty MidstreamandResourcesLLCtoinstallandbegintemporaryoperationofnewequipmentatitsSmith CompressorStation. ThefacilityislocatedinSmithTownship,WashingtonCounty. Theopenhouseandhearingwillbeheldfrom6:30to8:30p.m.attheSmithTownship MunicipalBuilding,locatedat1948SmithTownshipStateRoadinSlovan,WashingtonCounty. Thecompanyisrequestingapprovaltoallowtheinstallationandtemporaryoperationofeight newrichburnnaturalgasfiredcompressorengines.Thenewlyproposedengineshaveahigher horsepowerratingthanenginescurrentlyinoperationatthefacility.Thecompanyisalsoaskingto increasethecapacityofacurrentlyauthorizeddehydrator. At6:30p.m.,theopenhouseportionoftheeveningwillbeginwithrepresentativesfrom MarkWestmakingapresentationoutliningtheirrequest.DEPwillexplaintheplanapprovalprocess. Then,companyrepresentativeswillbeavailabletofurtherexplaintherequestandanswerquestions. Immediatelyfollowing,at7:30p.m.,membersofthepublicmaypresentuptofiveminutesof formaltestimonyforthepublicrecord.Thetestimonywillberecordedbyacourtreporterand transcribedintoawrittendocument,andDEPwillcreateawrittenresponsetoallrelevanttestimony. ThosewhowishtopresentoraltestimonyshouldcontactDEPCommunityRelations CoordinatorJohnPoisterat4124424203orregisterthateveningpriortothehearing.Onlythose whoregistercangivetestimonyatthepublichearing. Foranyoneunabletoattendthepublichearing,writtencommentshouldbesubmittedbythe closeofbusinessMay11toAlanBinder,PADEPBureauofAirQuality,SouthwestRegionalOffice, 400WaterfrontDrive,Pittsburgh,PA15222. IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct of1990shouldcontactJohnPoisterat4124424203ormakeaccommodationsthroughthe PennsylvaniaAT&TRelayServiceat18006545984(TDD). FirstEnergyApril10WebinarOnEnergyEfficiency FirstEnergywillsponsorawebinaronApril10onSustainableLightingBasicsWheretoBeginstarting atNoon. Thissessionprovidesabeginners'lookatlightingandcontrolstechnologies.Itisdesignedfor facility,operations,sustainabilityandfinancemanagerswhohavenotyetconsideredlightingretrofits beforeandareinterestedinunderstandinghowtoevaluatewhetheralightingretrofitisforyou,what factorstoconsider,thelatestupdateontechnology,conductingalightinginventoryandbasicaudit,and identifyingtherightpartner. Awhitepaper7EssentialGuidelinesforEveryLightingRetrofitwillbemadeavailableto participants. FormoreinformationonFirstEnergyAct129programs,visittheEnergySavePAwebsiteor sendemailto:energysavePA@saic.com.ClickHereforalistingofallFirstEnergywebinars.

May2PublicHearingOnUnionCountyTireDerivedFuelPowerPlant TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionwillholdapublicmeetingandhearingonMay2todiscuss aproposedAirQualityplanapprovalforEnTireLogisticsofMiltonPALLCforanewtirederived fuelsteamandpowergenerationplanttobeconstructedinWhiteDeerTownship,UnionCounty. Theplantwouldproduce7megawattsofelectricityandprovidesteamtotheadjacentNGC IndustriesLLCfacility. The6:30p.m.meetingwillbeattheWarriorRunAreaFireDepartmentat196WhiteDeer Ave.inAllenwood,UnionCounty. StafffromDEPsAirQualityprogramwillexplaintheapplicationreviewprocessand applicableregulations,andEnTireofficialswillreviewtheprojectwiththeaudience,DEP NorthcentralRegionalDirectorMarcusKohlsaid.Thesepresentationswillbefollowedbya questionandanswersession,sothatDEPandthecompanycanhearaboutresidentsconcernsand provideneededinformation. EnTiresubmittedtheAirQualityplanapprovalapplicationtoDEPonMarch19,2012.The planwouldincludeacombustionunitratedat185millionBtuperhourofheatinput,whichincorporates kilnandboilerstagesinseries. Theproposedprojectalsoincludestheconstructionofadrysorbentstorageandhandling system,acoolingtowerandoneaqueousammoniastoragetank.Emissionsfromthecombustionunit wouldbecontrolledbydryandwetscrubbers,afabriccollector,oxidationcatalystandselective catalyticreduction. DEPpublishedanoticeofintenttoissuetheplanapprovalinthePennsylvaniaBulletinon March30,2013,andaskedforpubliccomment.Alocalenvironmentalgroup,OrganizationsUnitedfor theEnvironment,hadpreviouslyrequestedthattheagencyholdapublicmeetingorpublichearingto discusstheapplication. Duringthe8p.m.hearingportionoftheevening,thepublicwillhaveanopportunitytopresent uptofiveminutesoforaltestimonyabouttheapplication.Writtentestimonyofanylengthwillalsobe accepted.Thetestimonywillberecordedbyacourtreporterandtranscribedintoawrittendocument, andDEPwillcreateawrittenresponsetoallrelevanttestimony. Thosewhowishtopresentoraltestimonymayregisterthateveningpriortothehearing. Foranyoneunabletoattendthepublichearing,writtencommentshouldbesubmittedbythe closeofbusinessonMonday,May13,toDEPAirQualityProgramManager,208W.3rdSt.,Suite 101,Williamsport,PA17701. IndividualsinneedofanaccommodationasprovidedforintheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct of1990shouldcontactDanielSpadoniat5703273659orthroughthePennsylvaniaAT&TRelay Serviceat18006545984(TDD). PHMCApproves12NewHistoricMarkers,IncludingForMineTunnelDisaster Thecreationofthebananasplit,aCivilWarprisonerofwarcampandtheinventorofthefirstpractical artificialbloodvesselreplacementareamongthesubjectsof12newstatehistoricalmarkersapproved bythePennsylvaniaHistoricalandMuseumCommission.

AmongthenewmarkersapprovedwasonefortheBaltimoreMineTunnelDisaster, WilkesBarre,LuzerneCounty. ThesecondworstindustrialdisasterinPennsylvaniahistory,thisincidentin1919ledtochanges inenforcementofregulationsatstatemines.Ateamofstateandnationalexpertswereassembledto investigatetheincidentwhichresultedinanorderagainstthepracticeoftransportingexplosivepowder andminersonthesamerailcar.NationalleadersoftheUnitedMineWorkersintervenedtoadvocate forreformsandproviderelieftovictims'families. Thenewmarkers,selectedfrom47applications,willbeaddedtothenearly2,200familiar bluewithgoldletteringsignsalongroadsandstreetsthroughoutPennsylvania. Since1946,PHMCshistoricalmarkershavechronicledthepeople,placesandeventsthat haveaffectedthelivesofPennsylvaniansoverthecenturies.ThesignsfeaturesubjectssuchasNative Americansandsettlers,governmentandpolitics,athletes,entertainers,artists,strugglesforfreedomand equality,factoriesandbusinesses,andamultitudeofothernotabletopics. Nominationsforhistoricalmarkersmaybesubmittedbyanyindividualororganizationandare evaluatedbyapanelofindependentexpertsfromacrossthestateandapprovedbyPHMC commissioners. Formoreinformation,visitthePHMCHistoricalMarkerProgramwebpage.VisittheExplore PAHistorywebsiteformoreonPennsylvaniasenvironmentalhistory. NewsClip:WilkesBarreMineDisasterHistoricalMarker RailsToTrailsConservancySurveyFindsD&LTrailHas$19MInEconomicValue TheDelaware&LehighTraila165milerailtrailthrougheasternPennsylvaniageneratesanannual economicimpactofmorethan$19millioninthecommunitiesitpassesthrough,accordingtonew findingspublishedbytheRailsToTrailsConservancy. TheseventhinaseriesofRTCreportstocharttheeconomicimpactrailtrailsbringtolocal communities,theusersurveyfoundthatofthe$19million,$16.3millionhasbeeninjecteddirectlyinto thelocalregion.Suchstudieshavebeenconductedsince2006bytheRTC. TheD&LTrailisthebackboneoftheDelawareandLehighNationalHeritageCorridor,afive countyregionofPennsylvaniathattraversesthehistoricDelawareandLehighCanalsthatwas designatedaNationalHeritageAreabyCongressin1988. TheareaismanagedbythenonprofitDLNHCorganization,ajointeffortofprivategroups, citizens,countyandmunicipalgovernments,theDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResources andthefederalgovernment. (ReprintedfromDCNRsApril3Resourcenewsletter.) Opinion:KeepPennsylvaniaMovingOnRailTrails By:TomSexton,RailstoTrailsConservancy Americaischanginginmanyways,nonemoresothanthewaywegetaround.

Pennsylvaniansarefortunatetohavestateandlocalleaderswhounderstandthecritical importanceofprovidingoptionsinourtransportationlandscapetrailsystems,sidewalks,andbike pathsintegratedwithtransit,rail,androads. Providingsuchactivetransportationoptionsproduceshealthiercitizens,reducescongestion,and allowslocalsandvisitorstoproperlyconnectwithourcitiesandtowns.Itisaplanningconcepteagerly adoptedbythrivingcommunitiesaroundtheworld.Communitiesthatattractnewbusinessesand residentsareheraldedforhighlivabilityanddesirablerealestate,and,mostimportantly,theyfunction bestforthepeoplewholiveinthem. Conversely,thosecitiesandtownswheretransportationsystemshaven'tevolvedareregularly theonessufferingfrompopulationdrain,withstagnantbusinesses,weakrealestatemarkets,andlow livabilityindexes. Lastyear,theTransportationFundingAdvisoryCommission(TFAC)establishedbyGov. Corbettmaderecommendationsforacomprehensivetransportationfundingstrategytosupportthe balancedtransportationinvestmentsweallhopetosee. TheTFACreportpromotessmartandbalancedinvestmentsinallmodesoftransportation, exactlywhataforwardthinkingstatelikePennsylvaniashouldbepursuing. Followingtheserecommendations,thegovernor'sproposedstatetransportationbudget,which wasreleasedlastmonth,usesinnovativenewstateandlocalrevenuesources,includingagradual uncappingoftheoilcompanyfranchisetax,tomaketheseinvestmentspossible. ThekeynowisforthestatelegislaturetomovequicklytoputtheTFACplan,andthefunding strategyitrecommends,inmotion. Gov.Corbett'sfundingplanissupportedbyanincrediblydiversegroupofstateandnational transportationinterests,includingtheKeystoneTransportationFundingCoalition,whichincludesthe RailstoTrailsConservancy,aswellasthehighwayconstructionindustry,publictransitagencies,farm organizations,AARP,bicycleandpedestrianadvocates,airandseaportinterests,andrailroad organizations. Itiscrucialthatthisplanformultimodaltransportationfundingbeenactedinthecomingweeks inordertoputPennsylvanianstoworkbuildingprojectsatthebeginningoftheconstructionseason. IamproudthatPennsylvaniaisanationalleaderintransportationreform.Weneedtocontinue thisimportantprogressbyfollowingtheTFACrecommendationsandapprovingCorbett'suncappingof theoilcompanyfranchisetaxtoprovideacomprehensivetransportationfundingsource. Pleasedemandthatyourelectedstateofficialkeepstheinterestsofthepeopleinmind,and commitstoinvestinginanactivetransportationsystemthatkeepsusmovingfaster,healthier,andinto thefuture. TomSextonisthedirectorofRailstoTrailsConservancy'sNortheastregionaloffice.Contacthimvia www.railstotrails.org. TreeVitalizePittsburgh'sSeasonBeginning TreeVitalizePittsburghhaslaunchedaspringseasonwillthatwillmovethepartnershipclosertoits currentgoalofplanting20,000treesintheregion. UnderthemanagementoftheWesternPennsylvaniaConservancyandthehelpofvolunteers,

TreeVitalizePittsburghwillplantmorethan600treesinabout22communitiesandneighborhoodsin andaroundPittsburghinAprilandMay.Thepartnershipisacceptingregistrationsforvolunteersto workattheseevents. Withsupportoffivepartners,privatefoundationsandpublicagenciesandtheworkofmore than4,200volunteers,TreeVitalizePittsburghhasplantedmorethan17,000treessince2008. Formoreinformationaboutthepartnershiportolearnhowtovolunteer,visittheTreeVitalize Pittsburghwebpage. AppalachianAudubonSocietyNativePlantSaleApril27 Springhassprung!TheAppalachianAudubonSocietywillholdaSpringNativePlantSaleonSaturday, April27from9:00a.m.to1:00p.mattheMeadowoodNurseryinHummelstownnearHarrisburg. TheNurserygrowsapproximately300speciesofherbaceousandwoodyplantsnativetothe Pennsylvaniageographicregion. Nativeplantsneedlesswaterthannonnatives,dontrequirefertilizerorpesticides,andprovide foodforbirds,butterflies,andotherwildlifethatpassthroughornestinourneighborhoods.Restoring plantsthatarenativetoagivenregioncontributestoreestablishingahealthierecosystem. AllMeadowoodplantsarecontainergrownnonetakenfromthewild.Enjoybrowsingthe nurserywherevolunteerswillhelpyoumakeselectionsforyouryard. NewWesternPAConservancyScienceFieldNotesPodcast CharlesBier,theWesternPennsylvaniaConservancyseniordirectorofconservationscience,just createdanewepisodeofFieldNotes,theConservancysperiodicpodcast. InthisnewFieldNotes,BierdescribeshisexperienceswhileworkingasascientistinWestern Pennsylvania.Hehasabroadbackgroundinecologyandbiodiversityconservationissuesandhasbeen withWPCsince1981. ClickHeretolistentothisandthesevenotherFieldNotespodcasts. PrescribedFirePlannedForSpringOnDauphin,SchuylkillGameLands TheGameCommissionplanstouseprescribedfirethisspringtoimproveforestandwildlifehabitaton severalStateGameLandsinDauphinCountyandSchuylkillCounty. Theuseofprescribedfire,sometimesreferredtoasacontrolledburn,isverydifferentfroma wildfire.Infact,properlyconductedprescribedfirecanreducethepotentialfuelloadsuchasleaf litter,pineneedlesandtwigsontheforestflooritalsocandecreasethechanceofacatastrophic wildfirebeingignitedbyalightningstrikeorbyacigarettecarelesslytossedontheground. Withaprescribedfire,safetyisthefirstconsiderationintheprocess,fromtheplanningthrough theimplementation.Asafeandeffectiveprescribedburnisverydependentonbothsiteandweather conditions.Ananticipatedburnwindowisestablishedbetweentimeperiodswhenoptimumsiteand weatherconditionscouldbepresent. TheanticipatedburnwindowfortheprescribedfiresopenstheendofMarchandwillrun throughOctober2013,withaspringburnbeingthepreferredtimeframe.Asmoreexactweatherand

siteconditionsbecomeknown,thewindowfortheburnisnarrowed. ThepublicwillbenotifiedoftheburnwindowstatusthroughtheGameCommissionwebsite. Thespecificareastobetreatedwithprescribedburnsare: SGL210DauphinCo.,JeffersonTwp271acresReferredtoastheScarletLadyBurn SGL326SchuylkillCo.,BlytheTwp240acresReferredtoastheWolfCreekBurn SGL217SchuylkillCo.,WestPennTwp52acresReferredtoastheBaerRocks,Unit1 Burn SGL217SchuylkillCo.,WestPennTwp138acresReferredtoastheBaerRocks,Unit2 Burn ThemajorityoftheseStateGameLandsareforested,withoakbeingamajorcomponent.For moreinformation,visittheGameCommissionsSoutheastRegionalwebpage. (ReprintedfromDCNRsApril3Resourcenewsletter.) SouthMountainSpeakerSeriesToFocusOnGeologyApril10 Rhyolite,ageologicalfeatureofSouthMountain,willbethetopicofthenextlectureintheSouth MountainSpeakersSeriesonApril10,atPennStateMontAltoinFranklinCounty. ThisisthefourthyearfortheSouthMountainSpeakersSeries,envisionedasarevivalofthe talksgivenbyJosephRothrockinthelate19thcenturyaspartofhisworktopreserveandrestore Pennsylvaniasforestsandnaturallandscape. ThelectureissponsoredbyPennStateMontAlto,PennsylvaniaHistoricalandMuseum Commission,AppalachianTrailConservancy,DepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcesand theSouthMountainPartnership. Aprilsdiscussion,entitled"SouthMountainRhyolite:GeologyandArcheology,beginsat7 p.m.intheGeneralStudiesAuditoriumat1CampusDrive,MontAlto.Itisfreeandopentothe public. RhyoliteisanigneousrockthatwasquarriedextensivelybyNativeAmericansformakingtools andweapons,AllenDieterichWard,associateprofessorofhistoryatShippensburgUniversityandthe chairofthecommitteeonthespeakerseriessaid.Thislecturewillincludeinformationaboutthe geologyanddistributionoftheformationthatcontainsthestoneanditshistoricalimportancetoNative Americans. In1986,theCarbaughRunSiteinFranklinTownship,AdamsCounty,waslistedonthe NationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.ItisonlyoneofseveralrhyolitequarriesintheSouthMountain regionwitharcheologicalsignificance. ThelecturewillbegivenbygeologistBobSmithandStateMuseumofPennsylvaniaCurator KurtCarr. Thetworemaininglecturesthisyearwillbe: BeeWell:NativePollinatorsandtheWorkingLandscapesofSouthMountain,September12at WilsonCollegeand CrimesAgainstNature:ConservationLawandtheHistoryofWildlifeProtectionintheSouth MountainRegion,October24atShippensburgUniversity. TheSouthMountainPartnershipisagroupofcitizens,businesses,nonprofitorganizations,

academicinstitutionsandgovernmentrepresentativesinAdams,Cumberland,FranklinandYork counties,workingtogethertoprotectandenhancethelandscape. ThepartnershipwassparkedbyDCNRsConservationLandscapeInitiative,aneffortto engagecommunities,localpartnersandstateagenciesandidentifyfundingopportunitiestoconservethe highqualitynaturalandculturalresourceswhileenhancingtheregionseconomicviability. SouthMountainisatthenorthernendoftheBlueRidgeMountains.Communitiesinthe 400,000acreregionhavethrivedofffertilelimestoneagriculturallands,thetimberthatfediron furnaces,plentifulgameandwildlife,andabundantpurespringwaterthatiscapturedbythemountains permeablesoilsandreleasedintothevalleys. Formoreinformationaboutthespeakerseries,visittheSouthMountainSpeakerswebpageor calltheAppalachianTrailConservancyat7172585771.Someoftheearlierlecturesinthespeaker seriescannowbefoundonYouTube. Explore,PaddleOnWestBranchSusquehannaSojournInMay TheWestBranchoftheSusquehannaRiveriscallingyou.AnswerbysigningupfortheSusquehanna GreenwayPartnershipsannualsojournthathasbeenslatedforMay1419. Thesixday,97mile,canoeandkayaktripwillstartinMahaffey,ClearfieldCounty,andendin Keating,ClintonCounty.Itwilltakepaddlersofallagesandskilllevelstosomeofthemostbeautiful andremotelocationsalongtheWestBranchoftheSusquehannaRiver. Alongthewaylocalexpertswillgiveexclusiveaccesstotheareashistory,wildlife,and conservationeffortsthroughriversidepresentations. Registrationincludesriverguides,campsites,meals,insurance,shuttles,aTshirtand educationalprogramsandentertainment.Paddlersmustprovidetheirownboatandgear.Boatrental informationandadailyscheduleareavailableintheregistrationpacket.Beginnersareencouragedto join. OtherSojourns Pennsylvaniasriversojournsareanationalmodelforconnectingpeopletotheirnatural environmentinafunandeducationalway.ThesojournismadepossiblewithsupportfromDCNRand thePAOrganizationforWatershedsandRivers. ClickHereforascheduleofsojournsaroundthestate. RegistrationinformationcanbedownloadedhereorcallErinPierce,programcoordinatorat 5705227244. (ReprintedfromDCNRsApril3Resourcenewsletter.) April13MarksStatewideOpeningDayOfTroutSeason Anglersfromacrossthestatearegearinguptofishtheirfavoritespotsat8a.m.onApril13,which marksthetraditionalstatewideopeningdayoftroutseason. SincemidFebruary,theFishandBoatCommissionhasbeenbusyreplenishingwaterwayswith afreshsupplyofbrook,brownandrainbowtrout.Andwithmorethan3millionadulttroutstockedin lakesandcreeks,anglerswillhaveplentyofactivetargets.

PFBCExecutiveDirectorJohnArwaysaystheopeningdaytraditionisasmuchaboutgathering withfriendsandfamilyasitisaboutfishing. IwasatOpossumLakeinCumberlandCountyfortheregionalopeningdayandhundredsof peoplehadlinedtheshoresby7a.m.,Arwaysaid.Italkedtoanglerswhoweretherewiththeir buddies,grandparentswhohadtheirgrandkidswiththem,andfamilieswhohadtheirkidsoutforthe firsttime.Theweatherwasbeautifulandeveryonewashavingagoodtime. March30markedtheregionalopeningdayoftroutin18southeasterncounties,including CumberlandCounty. Tobuildexcitementbeforethefishingseasonandtoengageyounganglers,thePFBClaunched anewMentoredYouthTroutDayonMarch23,aweekbeforetheregionalopener. Byeveryindication,thementoredyouthdaywasahugesuccess,saidArway.Morethan 3,000mentorsand5,000youthregisteredforthespecialday.Althoughtheweatherwascolderthan normalthatmorning,fieldstaffreportedthathundredsofpeoplewerelinedupateachofthedozensites forthe8a.m.start. ThePFBChadpartneredwithCabelastoprovideataggedfishcontestduringthisspecialday. Sofar,morethan80tagshavebeenreturnedforprizepackageswhichincluded$20Cabelasgift cardsandalimitededitionZebcorodandreelcombination. Alsothisyear,thePFBChasonceagainteamedupwithPittsburghPiratesbaseballfora specialpromotion.Duringthebaseballseason,2013fishinglicenseholdersareeligibletopurchase discountedoutfieldboxticketsandreceiveafreecustom,limitededitionPiratesballcapwitheach PNCParkgameticket.Theofferisgoodonanydayofbaseball,withtheexceptionofopeningdayand Saturdaygames. Thepromotionalofferisgoodforadvanceticketpurchasesonly.VisitthePirateswebsitefora seatingchart.Thesediscountedticketscanbeordereddirectlyonline.Customersshouldusethe couponcodefish. TicketscanalsobepurchasedbycompletinganorderformonthePFBCwebsiteandmailingit tothePiratesofficeorfaxitto4123254410.Phoneorderscannotbeaccepted.Theonlineform (withmoredetails)canbefoundattheCommissionwebsite. Morethan850,000anglersbuyafishinglicenseeachyear. Forthefirsttimethisyear,anglerscanpurchasemultiyearfishinglicenses,includingaresident threeyearlicensefor$64.70oraresidentfiveyearlicensefor$106.70.Residentthreeyearand fiveyeartroutpermitscost$25.70and$41.70. Aoneyearresidentfishinglicensecosts$22.70andatroutsalmonpermitis$9.70.Alicenseis requiredforanyone16andolderandatroutpermitisrequiredfortroutfishing.Licensescanbe purchasedatsportinggoodsstoresandonline. OpportunityToBidOnDCNRProjectsInBucksCounty TheDepartmentofConservationandNaturalResourcespublishednoticeofanopportunitytobidon constructionprojectsinBucksCounty. HelpWanted:CivilServiceOpensFisheriesBiologistExam

TheFishandBoatCommissionisseekingindividualsinterestedinacareerasafisheriesbiologist.The PFBCcurrentlyhasonevacancyeachforaFisheriesBiologist1,FisheriesBiologist2andFisheries Biologist3inCentreCounty. InterestedindividualshaveuntilSept.21tosubmitajobapplicationwiththeStateCivilService Commission,whichopenedtheFisheriesBiologistexamonMarch20.Applicationsmustbereceived orpostmarkedbySeptember21.Theannouncementandexamwillbesuspendedafterthatdate.Click Herefordetails.

Your2Cents:IssuesOnAdvisoryCommitteeAgendas
Thissectiongivesyouacontinuouslyupdatedthumbnailsketchofissuestobeconsideredinupcoming advisorycommitteemeetingswheretheagendashavebeenreleased Reminder:AllannouncedmeetingsofDEPadvisorycommitteesarenowincludedinthePA EnvironmentDigestUpcomingEventscalendar. April10AgendaReleased.DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipmentin Mines.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00. April11CANCELED.DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoardmeeting.10thFloor ConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice) April11ChangecancelsseconddayApril12.AgendaReleased.DEPRadiationProtection AdvisoryCommitteemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formal notice) RadiationProgramUpdate RadiationControl/LicenseUpdate ReviewofNuclearMaterialEventsDatabase DiscussneedtoreviseRadiologicalHealthRegulations Briefingonnaturalgasproduction,distributionradiationstudy(TENORM) <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts April11CANCELED.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Nextscheduled meetingisJune13.(formalnotice) April16AgendaReleased(postedApril2).EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00. ProposedMedicalandChemotherapeuticWasteRegulations ConsiderationofRulemakingPetitiononCranberryCreek,MonroeCounty ConsiderationofFinalRulemakingTriennialReviewofWaterQualityStandards StatementofPolicyOnSiteSpecificWaterQualityCriteriaForToxicSubstances <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts,presentations

April16AgendaReleased(postedApril3).DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105 RachelCarsonBuilding.11:00. Act13DrillingFeesReceipt&Distribution,PUCCommissionerPamelaWitmer Updateonnaturalgasradiationstudy,commentsonnaturalgasdistributionfacilitygeneralpermit DEPReport CACCommitteereports <>ClickHereforavailablehandouts April16StateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperatorsmeeting.10th FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April17CANCELED.DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.SusquehannaRoomA,DEP SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.(formalnotice) April23DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeetingtocontinuediscussionofChapter78 drillingregulationchanges.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice) April23CANCELED.DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil meeting.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00.(formalnotice) April24DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConference Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April25DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. May7DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.10:00.(formalnotice) June12Noagendayet.DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105Rachel CarsonBuilding.10:00. ClickHereforlinkstoDEPsAdvisoryCommitteewebpages. DEPCalendarofEvents[DEPNoLongerPublishesasingleCalendarofagencymeetings]

Grants&Awards
Thissectiongivesyouaheadsuponupcomingdeadlinesforawardsandgrantsandotherrecognition programs.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.

April10DCNRCommunityConservationPartnershipGrants April12SaveTheChesapeakeBayPhotoContest April15RedevelopmentAssistanceCapitalProgramGrants April30NortheastPAAudubonCollegeScholarship May1KeepPABeautifulSueWisemanScholarshipGrant May10CFAHighPerformanceBuildingFunding May10CFAAlternative,CleanEnergyFunding May13EPATRIUniversityChallengeGrants May17NEW.FriendsOfTheLehighRiverNominations May23DCNRVolunteerFireAssistanceGrants May24KPBGreatAmericanCleanupOfPAVideoContest May28EcoExpressRainGardenVideoTeachingMaterialsContest May31DEPSection902RecyclingGrants NoDeadlineDEPAlternativeFuelVehicleRebates(orbeforeiffundsrunout) June28CFAPennWorksWaterSupply,WastewaterFunding July12PROPRecyclingFilmFest July19CFAHighPerformanceBuildingFunding July19CFAAlternative,CleanEnergyFunding July31CFAAct13AbandonedMine,Watershed,RecreationFunding August9FoundationforPAWatershedGrantsLOI September15CFAHighPerformanceBuildingFunding September15CFAAlternative,CleanEnergyFunding September30DEPRecyclingPerformanceGrant September30NEW.ProjectLearningTreeClassroomGrants October31PRCLensOnLitterContest December31DEPPASunshineRebates(orbeforeiffundsrunout) VisittheDEPGrantsandLoanProgramswebpageformoreideasonhowtogetfinancialassistance forenvironmentalprojects.

Budget/QuickClips
Here'saselectionofNewClipsonenvironmentaltopicsfromaroundthestate EarthConservancyEarnsStatewideEnvironmentalAward Budget DropInNaturalGasPricesHitsDrillingFeeRevenue TownsToSeeFewerDrillingFeeDollars PAWillGet3PercentLessInDrillingFees ImpactFeeProceedsDeclineWithPriceOfGas Walking,BikingGetAVoiceInPARoadsDebate SequestrationHitsDelawareWaterGapPark Other

LancasterRecyclablesUsedInDistantStates,Countries OpEd:BottledWaterIsntWorthEnvironmentalCost HomeCompostingWorkshopsSetInLancaster NaturalGasIndustryThriving,SolarStruggles RegulatorsEyeLostNaturalGas DEPHostsHearingOnLawrenceCountyEnergyProject SolarEnergyCompanyInFindlayGoingBust Editorial:EPAActsToCleanGasoline PittResearchersFindToxicMetalsAffectingBees CountiesGetReadyForWestNileVirusControl DEPTriesToReassureAnglersAboutDeerCreek OpEd:KeepPAMovingOnRailTrails WesternPAAudubonNatureCenterPlans PAFlyFishingMuseumToUnveilExpandedOfferings Column:BatsNeedTreesAsMaternityWards TalkAboutBaldEagleNests PAAshTreesAtMercyOfEmeraldAshBorer CivilServiceOpensFisheriesBiologistExam WilkesBarreMineDisasterHistoricalMarker

MarcellusShaleNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsontopicsrelatedtoMarcellusShalenaturalgasdrilling DropInNaturalGasPricesHitsDrillingFeeRevenue TownsToSeeFewerDrillingFeeDollars PAWillGet3PercentLessInDrillingFees ImpactFeeProceedsDeclineWithPriceOfGas DEPUnveilsMoreDetailsOnNaturalGasRadiationStudy MeetingOnStateForestDrillingForInviteesOnly Letter:DrillingStandardsShouldHaveBroaderScope Editorial:TimeForHigherDrillingStandards NaturalGasIndustryThriving,SolarStruggles InstituteCompletesBaselineHealthSurveyInMarcellusRegion CMUSymposiumExploresEffectOfMarcellusGas MellonFoundationGivesCMU$30MillionForEnergyInstitute PennStateLaunchesWorldsPremierEnergyCenter AtPennState,ANaturalGasExpansion NaturalGasPipelineExpandingInMidstate NoFineForCompressorStationOperator RegulatorsEyeLostNaturalGas PapersSeekMissingCourtDocumentsInFrackingCase

Financial/OtherStates NYAntiFrackersRunAfoulOfLobbyLaw OhioNotPartOfNonbindingFrackingPact PewSurveyFindsMixedFeelingsAboutFracking

Flooding/WatershedNewsClips
HereareNewsClipsonwatershedtopicsfromaroundthestate WyomingAuthorityNutrientRemovalSuccess LehighCountyStudentsRaiseTroutForCreek LackawannaTUGetsEmbraceAStreamGrant TroutHadToBeCoaxedOutOfColdWater PittsburghConservancyPantherHollowRestoration DEPTriesToReassureAnglersAboutDeerCreek UtilitiesOpposeWaterFeesToFishCommission UpperAlleghenyWatershedGroupGetsGrant,SetsMeeting

Regulations,TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheEnvironmentalQualityBoardmeetsonApril16andwillconsiderProposedMedicaland ChemotherapeuticWasteRegulationsConsiderationofRulemakingPetitiononCranberryCreek, MonroeCountyConsiderationofFinalRulemakingTriennialReviewofWaterQualityStandardsand StatementofPolicyOnSiteSpecificWaterQualityCriteriaForToxicSubstances PennsylvaniaBulletinApril6,2013 ProposedRegulationsOpenForCommentDEPwebpage ProposedRegulationsWithClosedCommentPeriodsDEPwebpage DEPRegulatoryAgendaDEPwebpage

TechnicalGuidance&Permits
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionpublishedanoticeoffinaltechnicalguidanceTheLand RecyclingProgramTechnicalGuidanceManualandpublishednoticeofaproposedrevisiontoawaste generalpermitWMGR081relatedtodisassemblingandmechanicalprocessingofelectronicwaste. TheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturepublishedanoticeannouncingtheavailabilityofadraft environmentalassessmentforimplementationoftheConservationReserveEnhancementPrograminthe DelawareRiverBasin.

Final:DEPID:2530300100.Title:TheLandRecyclingProgramTechnicalGuidanceManual. Description:TheLandRecyclingProgramTechnicalGuidanceManualwaslastrevisedonJune8, 2002.ThismanualprovidesguidanceforimplementingtheChapter250regulationspromulgatedunder theLandRecyclingandEnvironmentalRemediationStandardsAct(Act2of1995). TechnicalGuidanceCommentDeadlinesDEPwebpage RecentlyClosedCommentPeriodsForTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage TechnicalGuidanceRecentlyFinalizedDEPwebpage CopiesofFinalTechnicalGuidanceDEPwebpage

CalendarOfEvents
Upcominglegislativemeetings,conferences,workshops,pluslinkstootheronlinecalendars.Meetings areinHarrisburgunlessotherwisenoted.NEWmeansnewfromlastweek.GototheonlineCalendar webpage. ClickonAgendaReleasedoncalendarentriestoseetheNEWmeetingagendaspublishedthisweek. Reminder:AllannouncedmeetingsofDEPadvisorycommitteesarenowincludedinthePA EnvironmentDigestUpcomingEventscalendar. April8CANCELED.EnvironmentalIssuesForumbyJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollution ControlandConservationCommittee.PresentationonnewwatertreatmenttechnologybyPA AmericanWater,WestmorelandCountyAuthority,Rentricity.Room8EBEastWing.Noon. April9NEW.HouseFinanceCommitteemeetstoconsiderbillsrelatedtotheHouseRepublican MarcellusWorksInitiativeHouseBill301(SaylorRYork)providingforanaturalgasvehiclefleet taxcredit,HouseBill305(DenlingerRLancaster)providingforanaturalgascorridortaxcredit, HouseBill309(GroveRYork)providingforanaturalgasvehicletaxcredit.Room60EastWing. 9:45. April10NEW.HouseEnvironmentalResourcesandEnergyCommitteemeetstoconsiderbills relatedtotheHouseRepublicanMarcellusWorksInitiativeHouseBill302(MoulRAdams) transferringfundsfromtheOilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPforacompetitivegrantprogramtoconvert smallmasstransitbusfleetstonaturalgas,HouseBill303(MoulRAdams)transferringfundsfromthe OilandGasLeaseFundtoDEPforacompetitivegrantprogramtoconvertlargemasstransitfleetsto naturalgas,HouseBill306(PickettRBradford)redirectingtheAlternativeFuelsIncentiveFundto createtheKeystoneFuelIncentiveProgramtofundconversionsofvehiclestonaturalgas,HouseBill

307(EvankovichRArmstrong)amendingtheAirPollutionControlActtoeliminateduplicationof certificationfornaturalgasvehicles,HouseBill308(SaylorRYork)redirecting$6millionannually fromtheCleanAirFundtofinancevehicleconversionstonaturalgas.Room60EastWing.9:00. April10AgendaReleased.DEPTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonDieselPoweredEquipmentin Mines.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00. April11DEPCleanupStandardsScientificAdvisoryBoardmeeting.10thFloorConferenceRoom, RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(2013meetingdates) April11ChangecancelsseconddayApril12.Noagendayet.DEPRadiationProtectionAdvisory Committeemeeting.14thFloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.9:00.(formalnotice) April11CANCELED.DEPAirQualityTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.Nextscheduled meetingisJune13.(formalnotice) April16AgendaReleased.EnvironmentalQualityBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.9:00. April16AgendaReleased.DEPCitizensAdvisoryCouncilmeeting.Room105RachelCarson Building.11:00. April16StateBoardforCertificationofWaterandWastewaterSystemOperatorsmeeting.10th FloorConferenceRoom,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April17NEW.HouseTransportationCommitteemeetstoconsiderHouseBill770(AdolphR Delaware)authorizinganAppalachianTrailvehiclelicenseplate.RoomG50IrvisBuilding.9:30. April17CANCELED.DEPAgriculturalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.SusquehannaRoomA,DEP SouthcentralRegionalOffice,909ElmertonAve.,Harrisburg.10:00.(formalnotice) April23DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeetingtocontinuediscussionofChapter78 drillingregulationchanges.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00.(formalnotice) April23CANCELED.DEPMineFamiliesFirstResponseandCommunicationsAdvisoryCouncil meeting.FayetteCountyHealthCenter,Uniontown.10:00.(formalnotice) April24DEPSmallBusinessComplianceAdvisoryCommitteemeeting.12thFloorConference Room,RachelCarsonBuilding.10:00. April25NEW.HouseGameandFisheriesCommitteeholdsahearingondeermanagement. CoudersportVolunteerFireDepartment,Coudersport.6:00p.m.

April25DEPMiningandReclamationAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. April29NEW.JointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControlandConservationCommitteeholds ahearingonPANaturalDiversityInventory.RoomG50Irvisbuilding.9:00. May6EnvironmentalIssuesForumbytheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControland ConservationCommittee.FishandBoatCommissionExecutiveDirectorJohnArwaywilloffera presentationentitledFishandBoatCommissionFiscalSlope:SpendingReallocationPlanandRevenue GeneratingOptions.Thepresentationwillfocusontheagencysneedtoreduceoperatingcosts,andto fundinfrastructureneeds.Amongpotentialrevenuegeneratingoptionstobediscussedisaproposedfee forconsumptiveuseanddegradationofwater.LTBD.Noon. May7SenateConsumerProtectionandProfessionalLicensureCommitteeholdsahearingonutility stormresponse.HearingRoom1,NorthOfficeBuilding.9:30. June6NEW.HouseDemocraticPolicyCommitteeinformationalbriefingonFishandBoat Commissionfiscalslope.Room418.10:00. June12DEPOilandGasTechnicalAdvisoryBoardmeeting.Room105RachelCarsonBuilding. 10:00. June17EnvironmentalIssuesForumbytheJointLegislativeAirandWaterPollutionControland ConservationCommittee.Dr.DavidJ.Nowak,Ph.D,projectleaderfortheUSDAForestServices NorthernResearchStation,willdiscusstheagencysinnovativeiTreeprogram.Nowakwasthe drivingforcebehinddevelopmentofiTreessuiteofsoftwaretoolsthathelpsusersassessandmanage urbantreepopulationstomakeforeffectiveurbanforestmanagementandbetterunderstandingofthe ecosystemservicesprovidedbycommunitytrees.LTBC.Noon. DEPCalendarofEvents[DEPNoLongerPublishesasingleCalendarofagencymeetings] Note:TheEnvironmentalEducationWorkshopCalendarisnolongeravailablefromthePACenterfor EnvironmentalEducationbecausefundingfortheCenterwaseliminatedintheFY201112state budget.ThePCEEwebsitewasalsoshutdown,butsomecontentwasmovedtothePAAssociationof EnvironmentalEducators'website. SenateCommitteeScheduleHouseCommitteeSchedule YoucanwatchtheSenateFloorSessionandHouseFloorSessionliveonline.

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