PA Environment Digest

An Update On Environmental Issues In PA

Edited By: David E. Hess, Crisci Associates
Winner 2009 PAEE Business Partner Of The Year Award
(Photo: Parker Dam State Park Pumpkin Carving, PA Parks & Forests Foundation)

Harrisburg, Pa

October 31, 2011

Trout Unlimited, Fish Commission, DEP Celebrate West Branch Susquehanna Recovery Trout Unlimited, the nations largest coldwater conservation organization, the Fish and Boat Commission, and the Department of Environmental Protection celebrated improvements to the West Branch Susquehanna River and its many tributaries at an event Monday at Hyner View State Park. A 2009 Trout Unlimited study shows that the overall health of the watershed is greatly improving compared to 25 years ago. Fish and insect populations have increased, and water quality and habitat have improved. Scientists collected data at 90 sites across the watershed to evaluate how abandoned mine restoration has affected the river and its tributaries. The West Branch Susquehanna River and many of its tributaries are showing amazing signs of recovery from severe pollution from mine drainage for nearly a century, said Amy Wolfe, TUs Eastern Abandoned Mine Program Director. There is still an enormous amount of work that needs to be done to achieve full recovery, but these marked improvements prove that the investments of time and money have been well spent. Within the watershed, more than 1,200 stream miles are polluted with mine drainage from abandoned coal mines. TUs study documents that in the past 25 years, the rivers acidity and level of toxic metals have significantly decreased - to levels deemed safe by the DEP between Curwensville in Clearfield County to Renovo in Clinton County. Water quality has also improved due to water treatment systems and as a result, native brook trout are returning to streams that were previously devoid of life due to the mine drainage. Biologists from the PFBC's Fisheries Management Area 3 assisted with the study by conducting fish surveys at nine sites on the river (pictured from left - John Arway, PFBC Executive Director; Dave Kristine, Area 3 Fisheries Biologist; and Jason Detar, Area 3 Fisheries Manager). There were increases in the numbers and variety of fish found at the sites. The most substantial improvement was found at Hyner, where the amount of fish caught increased by more than 3,000% when compared to a similar survey conducted just 10 years ago.

Today marks a milestone in the recovery of the West Branch, said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. This reach of the Susquehanna River has been long considered polluted and beyond repair, a casualty of acid mine drainage. It has taken decades of remediation driven by volunteer groups like TU, state and federal government agencies that provide the funding and industry which now treats wastewater to todays standards. As a result, the West Branch has responded and I am pleased to declare that it is now fishable again. Wolfe and Arway say that protection of water and fishery resources from future sources of potential pollution, such as Marcellus shale natural gas drilling, should be a statewide priority as the West Branch Susquehanna and other streams are restored from historic sources of pollution from coal mining. Additional speakers at the event included John Stefanko, DEP Acting Deputy Secretary for the Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations, and DEP staff Pam Milavec and Michael Smith. The study was funded by the DEP and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. Major project partners, in addition to the PFBC, include the DEP, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and members of the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition. The full technical report is available online. Senate Committee OKs Added Environmental Protection Measures For Drilling The Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday unanimously added an Amendment to Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) which inserts a variety of requirements designed to better protect the environment from the impacts of Marcellus Shale drilling. The bill was then reported to the full Senate and immediately returned to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further amendment. The Committee is set to consider the bill again on Monday, October 31 in an off the floor meeting. Several Senators made it clear this was just the beginning of the process of considering Marcellus Shale issues in Senate Bill 1100. For example, the amendment did not have drilling fee language nor does it represent any final agreement on the issue of preempting local ordinances from regulating drilling operations. These provisions are likely to be added on Monday when the Senate Appropriations Committee again considers the bill. [This is] by no means the final piece of the puzzle, said Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) prime sponsor of the bill. These are very difficult issues we are trying to work through and the fee issue in itself is obviously maybe the most divisive as far as the level of the fee, the type of fee that is imposed and distribution, so in order to give everybody an opportunity to have a fair debate on that, we chose to take it out." "The action taken by the Senate Appropriations Committee today helps move the process forward as we try to pass a comprehensive piece of legislation on natural gas drilling that addresses an impact fee, a distribution plan, and local regulation of natural gas drilling," said Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne), Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. "It is my hope that this committee passage will be the catalyst to move this legislation to the Senate floor for a vote." Here is a quick summary of the provisions included in the amendment--- Removes entire fee structure and distribution from the bill;

-- The increased environmental safeguards impact unconventional wells and do not impact the shallow gas industry; -- Increases setbacks from occupied structures and water wells from 200 feet to 500 feet and public drinking water sources to 1,000 feet; -- Increases the setback distance from an unconventional well and a spring or body of water identified on the most current 7 12 minute topographic map from 100 feet to 300 feet; -- Provides additional notice of permit applications to adjacent landowners, affected municipalities, water supply purveyors, severed mineral rights owners from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet; -- Requires PEMA and the department to adopt emergency regulations directing the operators of unconventional wells to implement a unique GPS coordinate address for each well at the access road entrance and well pad site, as well as developing an emergency response plan; -- Substantially increases well bonding requirements; -- Requires operators to use containment methods on well pad sites to be designed and constructed to prevent spills to the ground surface or spills off the well pad area; -- Clarifies the authority of DEP to revoke/deny permits to bad actors; -- Authorizing DEP to establish additional protective measures for chemicals or hazardous material located on drilling site; -- Enhances water quality and quantity replacement standards to meet applicable water quality standards consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act; -- Expanding distance and duration of rebuttable presumption to better protect public and private water supplies from 1,000 feet/6 months to 3,000 feet/12 months; -- Requiring disclosure of hydraulic fracturing components; -- Requires the department to adopt regulations regarding the transportation of wastewater; -- Increased well completion report data collection and transparency; -- Ensuring qualifications of oil and gas wastewater treatment facility operators; -- Posting inspection reports and cleanup activities online; -- Increases the civil fine for unconventional wells from $25,000 plus $1,000 for each continuing day of violation to $75,000 plus $5,000; and -- Retains language from Senate Bill 1100 regarding a model zoning ordinance. Click Here for a copy of the amendment. Click Here for a summary. NewsClips: Senators Scramble To Finish Gas Drilling Bill 4 Factors To Watch As Senate Vote On Impact Fee Nears Governor Has Deep Divides To Bridge On Marcellus Fee House Republicans To Finally Weigh In On Marcellus Shale Senate Committee Wants To Triple Fines For Shale Drillers Senate Panel OKs Marcellus Bill, Minus Impact Fee Marcellus Bill Moves Forward, But Impact Fee Plan Unclear Senate Panel Approves Marcellus Environmental Amendment PEC Encouraged By Initial Senate Steps On Marcellus Issues, More Changes Needed In response to Senate action this week on Marcellus Shale legislation-- Senate Bill

1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson)-- the PA Environmental Council released a statement Thursday saying, "We are again encouraged by the actions of the Senate to enact greater environmental and public protections." Acknowledging more work needs to be done, PEC recommended a series of additional changes to complete the package, along with the adoption of a drilling fee or severance tax. In its statement circulated to members of the Senate, PEC said, "We are again encouraged by the actions of the Senate to enact greater environmental and public protections. We understand that yesterdays amendment of Senate Bill 1100 (P.N. 1723) was an initial step in an ongoing, albeit concisely timed, process to refine comprehensive changes to environmental and community protection standards and the imposition of an impact fee or severance tax. "If Senate Bill 1100 is the vehicle and will receive further amendment in the days and weeks to follow, the additional measures outlined in this response document must be included in the final package. They represent informed and reasonable protections that have been already endorsed by environmental, industry and agency interests through the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission or other forums. "Pennsylvania must get this right, and it must enact the proper laws to do so now. Thank you for your consideration. "PEC has been deeply involved in these precise issues as a member of the Governors Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission; through our own specific policy and legislative proposals for amending state law and regulation; and through testimony and other discussions at both the state and federal level. " We offer the following detailed comments on Senate Bill 1100 to advocate for additional necessary changes that are critical to getting it right for what will be a multigenerational activity in Pennsylvania. Our perspective is based upon established, open dialog with decision makers and public and private interests involved in shale gas development." The changes recommended by PEC include: -- Include a definition of best management practices to be incorporated into DEP standards and guidance; -- Establish a definition of stream, spring or body of water consistent with other DEP programs; -- Include explicit authority for DEP to require water management plans in the Ohio River Basin; -- Include a definition of "well site" to avoid confusion between a well pad and a well when measuring setback distances; -- Authorize DEP to establish a site assessment and review process to identify key surface features and hazards; -- Include enhanced and inspection and monitoring requirements consistent with the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission report; -- Require operators to give DEP advance notice of the state of key drilling and production activities; -- Tighten up the language protecting sources of public drinking water as recommended by the Governor; -- Include additional flexibility in well site restoration where there is an opportunity for a net reduction in surface or environmental impacts; -- Recommend including an option to establish a Trust Fund by well operators to cover restoration requirements like the coal mining program does, in lieu of a blanket bond approach;

-- Adopt a reasonable drilling fee or severance tax with a significant portion dedicated to addressing the cumulative impacts of drilling and to fund the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener); -- PEC opposes preemption of the ability of local governments to enact appropriate public protection for issues not directly addressed by the Oil and Gas Act and instead the state should provide help for local planning to support local governments. A copy of PEC's recommendations is available online. Senate Bill 1100 was amended and reported to the full Senate this week and immediately returned to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further amendment. The Committee is set to consider the bill again on Monday, October 31 in an off the floor meeting. Chesapeake Bay Foundation Sees Good Changes In Senate Bill 1100, Suggests Additions The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued a statement Friday saying they were encouraged with the changes made to Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) to better protect the environment and water quality from potential impacts by Marcellus Shale drilling and made several suggestions for strengthening the bill. "(W)e are encouraged to see a number of important recommendations from the final Commission Report. Manifesting of wastewater, increased setbacks, increased bonding, expansion of notice requirements and plugging of abandoned wells are just a few of the notable changes to the Oil and Gas Act. "However, at this time we would also like to offer a few areas we believe Senate Bill 1100 could be improved to ensure it addresses all necessary environmental, health and safety concerns The changes recommended by CBF include: -- Include a definition of best management practices to be incorporated into DEP standards and guidance; -- Establish a definition of stream, spring or body of water consistent with other DEP programs; -- Include a definition of "well site" to avoid confusion between a well pad and a well when measuring setback distances; -- Include a definition of floodplain and flood fringe; -- Include enhanced and inspection and monitoring requirements consistent with the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission report; -- Require operators to give DEP advance notice of the state of key drilling and production activities; -- Provide specific statutory language for water management plans; -- Clarify that setbacks are measured from the edge of disturbance; -- Increase the setback distance for wetlands to 300 feet for wetlands of an acre or greater; -- Tighten up the language protecting sources of public drinking water as recommended by the Governor; and -- Adopt a reasonable drilling fee or severance tax with a significant portion dedicated to addressing the cumulative impacts of drilling and to fund the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener). A copy of CBF's recommendations is available online.

Senate Bill 1100 was amended and reported to the full Senate this week and immediately returned to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further amendment. The Committee is set to consider the bill again on Monday, October 31 in an off the floor meeting. Corbett Marcellus Language Would Eliminate Local Regulation Of Drilling As A Land Use The Corbett Administration this week circulated language to implement its proposed countyadopted drilling fee and to tighten environmental protection requirements around Marcellus Shale drilling they announced earlier this month. The language includes a provision not included in the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission recommendations to eliminate all regulation of any oil and gas well by local governments, except under the provisions of the state Floodplain Management Act. Existing authority in the Oil and Gas Act allows local governments to regulate drilling as a land use under the Municipalities Planning Code, giving them the ability to adopt requirements such as setbacks from other land uses, controlling highway access to drilling sites and other measures to avoid conflicts with existing residential and businesses uses. The Governor's legislative language does include the majority of the recommendations from the Advisory Commission, but a comparison of the Advisory Commission recommendations and the language circulated by the Governor's Office also found--- The recommendation to identify areas of high ecological value was not included; -- No language directing DEP to incorporate best management practices into regulations and operator guidance; -- No language requiring DEP to develop a site assessment checklist; -- No requirement for an additional 100 foot setback from well pads; -- No requirement DEP implement best management practices in high quality or exceptional value watersheds; and -- No definition of "stream" or "body of water." Click Here for the Environmental Protection language circulated by the Governor's Office. Click Here for the county fee language circulated by the Governor's Office. Rep. Ellis Proposes Governor's Marcellus Language, Transfers From Oil & Gas Fund Late Friday, Rep. Brian Ellis (R-Butler) began circulating a co-sponsorship memo announcing his plan to introduce Marcellus Shale drilling fee and environmental protection legislation largely based on Gov. Corbett's proposals. The proposal would give counties the option of adopting a drilling fee of up to $40,000 per well the first year, decreasing to at most $10,000 per well in four years with the same distribution of revenues-- 75 percent for local governments and 25 percent for state agencies. Where it differs from the Governor's proposal is in proposing transfers from DCNR's Oil and Gas Fund to support programs such as Growing Greener, the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program, county conservation districts and the in-lieu of tax payments under the Forest Reserves Municipal Relief Program. With respect to environmental protection, Rep. Ellis said he would be introducing the Governor's proposals for increasing setbacks from streams, water wells and other gas wells,

increasing bond amounts and requiring inspections of erosion and sedimentation control measures prior to drilling a well. Click Here for a copy of Rep. Ellis' co-sponsor memo. Click Here for the Environmental Protection language circulated by the Governor's Office. Click Here for the county fee language circulated by the Governor's Office. This proposal from Rep. Ellis is significantly different from a drilling fee proposal he introduced in June-- House Bill 1715-- which called for a uniform statewide fee starting at $25,000 per well with the proceeds divided between counties, other local governments and school districts hosting Marcellus drilling. Republican, Democratic Lawmakers, Advocates Say Enact Responsible Drilling Tax As momentum builds for enacting a natural gas drilling tax in Pennsylvania, advocates for school children, the environment and struggling families joined state lawmakers today to call for drillers to pay their fair share. At a Capitol press conference Tuesday, speakers said there is strong public support for a drilling tax that protects the environment and invests in Pennsylvanias future, including the education of our next generation. Multi-national gas companies like Exxon Mobil, Andarko, and Shell are reaping billions in Pennsylvania, and we cant pay for math tutors in our schools, said Yesenia Rosado, programs and policy coordinator for Education Voters PA. This is no way to raise the next generation of engineers and scientists right here in Pennsylvania. After the press conference, several volunteers with the Better Choices for Pennsylvania Coalition delivered to state lawmakers a letter with nearly 700 signatures in support of enacting a responsible drilling tax or fee that is commensurate with the scale of this burgeoning industry in Pennsylvania and that supports the investments the state needs for a prosperous future. At the press conference, lawmakers from both parties spoke in favor of enacting a responsible drilling tax that benefits all Pennsylvanians. Republican Representatives Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) and Tom Murt (RMontgomery) discussed their legislation to enact a drilling tax that would support shared statewide priorities like education and human services, as well as local impacts and environmental protection. When I joined Rep. DiGirolamo to offer this legislation, a tax on natural gas, I was motivated not only by a desire to make sure our gas drillers pay their fair share but to make sure this thriving industry contributes to making Pennsylvania a better place, Rep. Murt said. Almost every other state that is taking Marcellus Shale gas out of the ground does already have some type of tax, said Rep. DiGirolamo. We in Pennsylvania do not as of yet. Were trying to figure out whats best for Pennsylvania. Democratic Representative Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) said the Murt-DiGirolamo bill makes sense for all Pennsylvanians. Limited drilling impact fee proposals, touted by the Governor and some lawmakers, fails to recognize that water flows beyond municipal boundaries where drilling occurs and that air blows beyond municipal boundaries where drilling occurs, Rep. Sturla said. The Murt-DiGirolamo plan received support from families of people with intellectual disabilities, like Mary Saunders of Bradford County.

She noted that their bill would help reduce the lengthy waiting list for such services by providing more resources. This will allow people to get the help they need to live independently and contribute to their communities. Without it, families will fall apart under the strains of care giving, Saunders said. Families are forced to quit jobs and stay home to care for their loved ones 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Kim Patterson, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU Healthcare PA, agreed that the Legislature needs to take action to enact a responsible drilling tax. Across the state our members nurses and nursing home workers and other healthcare workers have been taking action to educate our communities and tell the big gas companies and the state legislature that we need a real drilling tax in Pennsylvania, just like every other major gas drilling state, she said. Its time that Harrisburg listened to what people across the state are saying: 'Stop the free ride for gas companies!' For more information, visit the Better Choices for Pennsylvania website. Tioga County, Heart Of Marcellus Country, Supports Renewal Of Growing Greener The Renew Growing Greener Coalition Wednesday applauded Tioga County for passing a resolution calling for the renewal of Growing Greener, the states primary source of funding to help local communities protect water quality, preserve open space and farmland, and enhance parks, trails and other recreational opportunities. More than 100 municipalities and 26 counties representing more than 6.5 million Pennsylvanians have adopted resolutions in support of the program, with the following municipalities joining the list of supporters this week: East Berlin Borough, Adams County; Menallen Township, Adams County; East Rockhill Township, Bucks County; Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County. The chorus of voices calling upon the Governor and legislature to restore funding for Growing Greener continues to grow louder, said Andrew Heath, executive director of the Renew Growing Greener Coalition. County commissioners across the Commonwealth know the benefits Growing Greener has brought to their local communities and are right in sticking up for their constituents by supporting Growing Greener so that future generations have access to clean drinking water, fresh air, parks, trails and green open spaces. Growing Greener is a bipartisan program established in 1999 under Gov. Tom Ridge and later expanded by Governors Schweiker and Rendell. Since its establishment, Growing Greener has created a legacy of success, preserving more than 33,700 acres of Pennsylvanias family farmland, conserving more than 42,300 acres of threatened open space, adding 26,000 acres to state parks and forests, capping more than 2,100 abandoned wells, and restoring over 16,000 acres of abandoned mine lands. Moreover, Growing Greener has contributed and leveraged billions of dollars to the Pennsylvania economy by helping to boost tourism, create jobs and generate revenue. Yet despite the programs accomplishments, funding for Growing Greener projects and grants fell from an average of approximately $150 million per year for the last six years to $27.3 million in the current state budget. This is more than an 80 percent reduction. Among other accomplishments, Growing Greener funds have helped Tioga County to:

-- Clean up the Babb Creek Watershed by investing nearly $4 million in acid mine reclamation and drainage management programs; -- Preserve more than 700 acres of farmland; -- Protect and restore miles of high-quality stream systems that include some of the most outstanding natural areas and fishing waters in the Commonwealth; -- Protect drinking water quality by investing $5.6 million in improving water treatment systems throughout the county; and -- Improve and rehabilitate community and state parks throughout the county. To date, nearly 250 organizations and groups have announced their support for renewing Growing Greener. In addition, 115 government entities, including 26 counties, representing more than 6.5 million Pennsylvanians, have passed resolutions urging the Governor and Legislature to renew Growing Greener funding. The Renew Growing Greener Coalition is the Commonwealths largest coalition of conservation, recreation and environmental organizations representing over 300 organizations and government entities. Did You Know You Can Search 7 Years Of Digests On Any Topic? Did you know you can search 7 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. Also take advantage of these related services from Crisci Associates-Twitter Instant Updates: On Twitter, sign up to receive instant updates from : PAEnviroDigest. PA Environment Daily: 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 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. 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 October 31 November 1, 14, 15, 16 December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 House October 31 November 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 Bill Calendars House (October 31): Senate Bill 303 (MJ White-R-Venango) providing for the disposition of fines under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act; Senate Bill 304 (MJ White-R-Venango) requiring the posting of the state air quality implementation plan on the Internet; House Resolution 70 (Harhart-R-Lehigh) requesting the Department of Transportation to study the potential use of quarry and other mining waste in highway and civil engineering projects. <> Click Here for full House Bill Calendar. Senate (October 31): ; Senate Bill 433 (Leach-D-Montgomery) providing for the incorporation of benefit corporations; Senate Bill 152 (D.White-R-Indiana) amending the PennVEST Act to clarify the eligibility of stormwater and other nonpoint source projects for funding; Senate Bill 477 (Browne-R-Lehigh) compelling the removal of outdoor advertising under the Municipalities Planning Code; Senate Bill 532 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) further providing for penalties and waste permit renewals under the Solid Waste Management Act; Senate Bill 1150 (Smucker-RLancaster) establishing the Historic Rehabilitation Investment Incentive tax credit; Senate Resolution 143 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an economic impact study of water trails in the Commonwealth; Senate Resolution 202 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) urging the oil and gas industry to use acid mine water for fracking; House Bill 608 (Brooks-R-Crawford) providing for the use of bioenergy crops in mine reclamation; House Bill 1054 (Mustio-R-Allegheny) further providing for the licensing of engineers, land surveyors and geologists. <> Click Here for full Senate Bill Calendar. Committees House: the Consumer Affairs Committee holds an informational meeting on Chapter 14 of the PUC Code related to collection of customer receipts. <> Click Here for full House Committee Schedule.

Senate: the Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-RJefferson) setting requirements for Marcellus Shale well drilling. <> Click Here for full Senate Committee Schedule. Bills Introduced The following bills of interest were introduced this week-Gas Well Emergency: House Bill 1924 (Donatucci-D-Delaware) further providing for community alerts and public notification in the event of a gas well emergency. Public Utility-Gas Lines: House Bill 1929 (Preston-D-Allegheny) further defining a public utility with respect to natural gas gathering lines. Mandated Recycling: House Bill 1934 (F.Keller-R-Snyder) including the population of federal facilities in determining municipalities required to recycle.

Senate/House Bills Moving

The following bills of interest saw action this week in the House and Senate-House Recycling Slate: House Resolution 70 (Harhart-D-Westmoreland) requesting PennDOT to study ways to recycle slate waste by-products was removed from the Table and is now on the House Calendar for action. Senate Leasing State Land: Senate Bill 367 (D.White-R-Indiana) providing for the leasing of mineral rights on other state lands and those owned by the State System of Higher Education was amended on the Senate Floor and was passed by the Senate. The bill now goes to the House for action. Limiting Liability For Recreation: Senate Bill 469 (Argall-R-Schuylkill) providing for limiting liability of landowners opening their property for hiking and biking activities was removed from the Table and was passed by the Senate. It now goes to the House for consideration. Stormwater: Senate Bill 152 (D.White-R-Indiana) amending the PennVEST Act to clarify the eligibility of stormwater and other nonpoint source projects for funding was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

Waste Permits: Senate Bill 532 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) further providing for penalties and waste permit renewals under the Solid Waste Management Act was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Water Trails: Senate Resolution 143 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an economic impact study of water trails in the Commonwealth was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Frack Water: Senate Resolution 202 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) urging the oil and gas industry to use acid mine water for fracking was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Mine Reclamation/Biomass: House Bill 608 (Brooks-R-Crawford) providing for the use of bioenergy crops in mine reclamation was reported from the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Regulatory Review: House Bill 1349 (Pickett-R-Bradford) requiring the review of regulations for their impact on small businesses and granting pre-enforcement review of regulations by small businesses aggrieved parties was reported out of the Senate State Government Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Billboard Removal: Senate Bill 477 (Browne-R-Lehigh) compelling the removal of outdoor advertising under the Municipalities Planning Code was reported out of the Senate Local Government Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Beneficial Corporations: Senate Bill 433 (Leach-D-Montgomery) providing for the incorporation of benefit corporations was amended and reported from the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action. Historic Rehabilitation: Senate Bill 1150 (Smucker-R-Lancaster) establishing the Historic Rehabilitation Investment Incentive tax credit was amended and reported from the Senate Finance Committee and is now on the Senate Calendar for action.

News From The Capitol

Senate Passes Bill Allowing Leasing Of Minerals On Other State Lands The Senate Wednesday approved Senate Bill 367 (D.White-R-Indiana) which would provide new options for the leasing of state-owned real property for mining or removal of valuable coal, oil, natural gas, coal bed methane, limestone and mineral resources. Senate Bill 367 gives the Department of General Services the option to make and execute the contracts or leases.

"I appreciate my colleagues' support of this bill. This legislation provides an opportunity currently available only to state game lands, state parks and state forests to generate revenue," said Sen. Don White. "This bill does not require the state to lease or sell any property rights. SB 367 simply opens up that option, which can provide revenue while boosting our state economy through the creation of new jobs. Equally important, much of the revenue generated from these leases will be used to boost Pennsylvania's environmental protection efforts." Currently, only a few state agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission are authorized by law to enter into leases for resource development. Under Sen. White's bill, also known as the "Indigenous Mineral Resources Incentives Development Act," payments or royalties received pursuant to contracts or leases on Stateowned land will be equally apportioned into four areas: the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund; the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority; the Commonwealth Financing Authority's H2O PA program; and, the Oil and Gas Lease Fund. "This distribution formula supports four programs that are in need of funding without making a defined dollar amount commitment to any one area," Sen. White said. "Instead it provides equitable funding and promotes our efforts to maintain and improve Pennsylvania's environment and infrastructure improvement efforts." That formula would only apply to revenues from leases on state-own lands. A separate formula would be used for revenues from leases of land owned by Pennsylvania's state-owned universities. Forty percent of the payments or royalties received pursuant to contracts or leases on State System of Higher Education land would be retained by the university where the resources are located and 60 percent would be allocated for distribution among the member universities where no leases exist under a formula determined by the Board of Governors. Senate Bill 367 requires the universities use the funds for deferred maintenance, or energy efficiency or energy cost savings projects. "This fits well with the proposals made by the Governor when he urged state universities to consider drilling for natural gas below campus to help solve their financial problems," Sen. White said. "This legislation would give SSHE schools that option and allow the system to benefit from the royalties." The bill now goes to the House for consideration. NewsClips: Senate Bill Would Allow State To Lease Out Mineral Rights Senate Approves Mineral Leasing Bill Senate Environmental Committee OKs Nonpoint Source, Water Trail Bills The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday reported out bills and resolutions on a variety of topics for full Senate consideration--- Senate Bill 152 (D.White-R-Indiana) amending the PennVEST Act to clarify the eligibility of stormwater and other nonpoint source projects for funding; -- Senate Bill 532 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery) further providing for penalties and waste permit renewals under the Solid Waste Management Act; -- Senate Resolution 143 (Pippy-R-Allegheny) directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an economic impact study of water trails in the Commonwealth;

-- Senate Resolution 202 (Kasunic-D-Somerset) urging the oil and gas industry to use acid mine water for fracking; and -- House Bill 608 (Brooks-R-Crawford) providing for the use of bioenergy crops in mine reclamation. Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair and Sen. John Yudichak (DLuzerne) serves as Minority Chair. House Committee Considers Proposal To Eliminate Roadblocks To Natural Gas Competition The House Consumer Affairs Committee Thursday held an information meeting on a proposal by independent natural gas suppliers to improve competition and allow natural gas customers to see the benefits of Marcellus Shale gas much sooner in their gas bills. Matt Sommer, Shipley Energy Company, and Bill Barkas, Dominion Retail, told Committee members the natural gas market in Pennsylvania has been open to competition for over 11 years, yet the number of consumers taking advantage of the lower gas prices is just 9 percent, compared to 35 or 40 percent of electric customers. One of the reasons for this low participation rate is the way consumers see the price of natural gas on their monthly bills. Unlike electric customers who have a single price to compare between competitive electric suppliers, natural gas customers have to juggle two separate prices for natural gas on their bill-- the price charged by their default gas provider and the separate, extra cost the utility charges to recover their cost of providing gas over the past year. Under current law utilities adjust the recovery cost-- the difference between what they spend to provide natural gas and what they collect from customers-- once a year. That charge usually results in collecting more from customers plus 6 percent interest. Less often it results in a refund to customers plus 8 percent interest if utilities collect too much money from customers. When a customer looking for a competitive gas supplier compares the utility's price to a competitor, inevitably the price is lower for the utility because it does not include the recovery cost charged by the utility. As a result, fewer customers get to compare the real market price of natural gas when they are making decisions about whether to go with a competitive gas supplier. Shipley, Dominion Retail and other independent natural gas suppliers are promoting legislation being drafted by Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) and Sen. Mike Brubaker (RLancaster) which will require utilities to "true-up" gas price recovery costs every month instead of once a year. This simple change will allow customers to more easily compare the real cost of natural gas between competitive gas suppliers. In addition to helping promote competition, the legislation will allow the average natural gas customer to get the benefits of Pennsylvania's expanding Marcellus Shale natural gas production more quickly than would otherwise be the case. Independent gas providers like Shipley Energy and Dominion Retail buy gas from a variety of sources, including new suppliers offering Marcellus Shale gas to the market. This flexibility means customers will see the impact of Pennsylvania Marcellus production directly on their monthly bills.

Robert Powelson, Chair of the Public Utility Commission, offered his general support for a proposal to allow natural gas distribution companies to adjust their rates more frequently to better reflect the cost of gas to customers. He cited a 2005 PUC report to the General Assembly that concluded that effective competition did not exist in Pennsylvania's retail natural gas market, noting only 9 percent of residential gas customers have switched to independent natural gas suppliers while 20 percent of small businesses and 57 percent of large industrial customers have switched. Chairman Powelson said PUC Commissioners are not divided on the issue on letting rates reflect the cost of natural gas more accurately to customers, but they have differing views on whether adjustments should be made monthly or quarterly. Terrance Fitzpatrick, Energy Association of Pennsylvania, said he does not support the proposal to true-up recovery costs monthly. He expressed a concern that monthly changes in price would result in "big swings" in the costs customers see on their bills. Sonny Popowsky, PA Consumer Advocate, agreed that many parts of Pennsylvania do not benefit from historically low natural gas prices saying he would like to find ways to get extensions of natural gas service to those communities that do not have it now. With respect to monthly reconciliation of recovery costs, he too expressed concern about the potential for price volatility for customers. Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep. Joeseph Preston (D-Allegheny) serves as Minority Chair. Senate Schedules 2nd Round Of Amendments On Marcellus Bill October 31 The Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to again take up Senate Bill 1100 (ScarnatiR-Jefferson) setting requirements for Marcellus Shale natural gas wells on October 31 in an offthe-floor meeting. It is expected an amendment will be offered that includes a drilling fee proposal, language on local ordinances and any changes the Senate feels they need to make to the environmental protection requirements added to the bill last Wednesday. Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) serves as Minority Chair. Senate Committees Set Flood Mitigation, Stormwater Hearings November 15 & 16 The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy and Senate Republican Policy Committees are scheduled to hold two days of hearings on issues related to flood mitigation through stormwater management on November 15 and 16 in Harrisburg. The hearings will be held in the Senate Majority Caucus Room at the Capitol. Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Venango) serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) serves as Minority Chair. Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) serves as Chair of the Senate Republican Policy Committee.

News From Around The State

Chesapeake Bay Advocates Concerned About PA Funds In New Federal Farm Bill As a new national farm bill is considered in Congress, there is concern that Pennsylvania farms and municipalities could lose vital funding. The bill is reworked every five years, usually with hearings and public input, but this year, it's being rolled into the budget duties being taken on by the so-called "Super Committee." Doug Siglin, federal affairs director with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, says the new process could jeopardize farm bill funding for vital conservation programs, including the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, which helps control runoff and other pollution that starts upstream and ends up in the Bay. "We're concerned that program might get dropped and that Pennsylvanians might not even get the opportunity to say very much to their representatives about how important that program is to them." He says most farms, and cities and towns for that matter, need all the federal help they can get when it comes to Bay pollution reduction. "Municipalities, townships are going to have to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants and their urban runoff, and farmers are going to have to get their fertilizer under control, and they're being asked to lay out capital to do all those things." It appears Pennsylvania does have some factors in its favor. Republican Senator Pat Toomey sits on the Super Committee, and there are three other Capitol Hill lawmakers from Pennsylvania who are close to the issue. "That's Senator Bob Casey and then Tim Holden and Glen Thompson. Presumably, they're going to be looking out for Pennsylvania's interests and going to be pushing the Super Committee to include things that are in Pennsylvania's interests." Siglin says that even as it stands now the CBWI doesn't have enough funding on hand to help farmers who want to manage their runoff. He says ending the program would cripple efforts to improve water quality in Chesapeake Bay. Click Here for more background and to take action. WPC, Dominion Resources Seek Watershed Mini-Grant Proposals In Western PA The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is now accepting proposals for the 2011-2012 Watershed Mini Grant Program, which provides assistance to the regions grassroots watershed groups. Funding for the program is provided by Dominion. Proposals are due December 16. The Watershed Mini Grant Program supports operating costs, organizational promotion and outreach, and/or watershed restoration projects. Grants of up to $1,000 may be awarded for operating expenses. Up to $2,500 is available for promotion and outreach or restoration projects. A cash or non-cash match is preferred but not required. The program offers funding to watershed organizations in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Bradford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Cumberland, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon,

Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Perry, Potter, Somerset, Tioga, Venango, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland counties. The grant application and proposal guidelines are available online. Please contact the Conservancy to have an application mailed to your organization or to ask questions regarding the application and its required information. Applications should be mailed to: Western PA Conservancy, c/o Stephanie Jellison, 1067 Philadelphia Street, Suite 101, Indiana, PA 15701 call 724-471-7202 x 5109 or send email to: sjellison@paconerve.org. CBF Expresses Concern About Bill To Do Away With Stream Buffer Requirements The Chesapeake Bay Foundation this week expressed concern about legislation Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) plans to introduce which would eliminate the requirement in Chapter 102 of DEP's regulations for riparian forested buffers at construction projects within High Quality and Exceptional Value watersheds. "The Chapter 102 regulation was established to protect Pennsylvanias most pristine and ecologically sensitive streams. The Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) classifies these streams as high quality (HQ) and exceptional value (EV) based on specific water quality criteria. "As you are aware, Northampton County is home to two streams that fall into the HQ or EV categories, both of which are economically and ecologically important to your constituents. Bushkill Creek, a high-quality waterway, and a renowned fishery that beckons thousands of fishermen to its banks each spring, and Catasauqua Creek, an exceptional value waterway that is known as Class A wild trout waters thereby representing the best of Pennsylvanias naturally wild reproducing trout fisheries. Both of these streams, as well as your constituents, would benefit tremendously by maintaining a 150 foot buffer. "Scientific studies have shown that buffers greater than 100 feet or more prevent pollution from entering streams, reduce pollution already in streams, prevent flooding, protect human health and welfare, and improve property values. Thus, the 150-foot riparian buffer requirement is an important part of the puzzle in preventing stream degradation in these waterways. "As a member of the House Game and Fisheries Committee Im sure you understand the significance of healthy habitats for wildlife and aquatic species. The tree canopy created by a streamside buffer contributes to the health of the stream by maintaining cooler water temperatures, and by providing healthier habitats for economically and environmentally important fish species, like the brook and brown trout. These benefits are also extended to a host of other aquatic species, many of which the trout depend upon. "This scientifically justifiable and reasonable requirement for a riparian buffer is essential to water quality and flood control in areas where EV/HQ streams are located. Based on the number of exemptions, limited scope in applicability, and the ability to be granted a waiver from the requirement, we are hard-pressed to see how this requirement creates a negative impact to anyone located in a district where EV/HQ streams can be found." The complete CBF letter is available online. Updated Manure Management Manual Now Available From DEP

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice it now has the final, updated version of the Manure Management Manual available. A copy of the revised guidance Manual, the Rate Charts/Instructions as well as a copy of a fill-in-the-blank Workbook will be available at some point on DEP's Manure Management webpage. Questions regarding this final guidance document can be directed to Kenn Pattison, 717-787-5267 or send email to: kpattison@pa.gov. Oct. 31 Deadline: Call For Presenters For 2012 Schuylkill River Watershed Congress The Delaware Riverkeeper Network is pleased to announce the Call for Presenters for the 2012 Watershed Congress along the Schuylkill. Submissions are due October 31. The 2012 Watershed Congress will be held March 10, at the Montgomery County Community College-West Campus in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. 2012 marks the Watershed Congresss 15th anniversary. With a focus on networking across disciplines and a goal of presenting new information about watershed restoration, the Watershed Congress has become a highly anticipated event for watershed citizens interested in understanding, protecting and restoring their local streams. Every year, a growing and changing group of individuals attends the Congress to gain new knowledge, acquire tools, and practice techniques that will allow them to take active roles in the stewardship of their natural resources. The Watershed Congress Organizing Committee, which is chaired by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, is now accepting session proposals. Sessions must include a question and answer component. Hands-on, interactive presentations are encouraged. The 2012 Schuylkill Watershed Congress is made possible in part by a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservations Community Conservation Partnerships Program, and Pennsylvania Sea Grant. For more information, download the Call for Presenters guidelines and visit the Watershed Congress webpage. Pennsylvania, DEP Sponsor State Of The Lake Ecosystem Conference In Erie Top researchers and decision-makers from government, industry, academia and environmental groups met October 26 and 27 at the ninth State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference at the Erie Sheraton Hotel on the West Bayfront Parkway. The two-day meeting was jointly hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada, with sponsorship from DEP. "Lake Erie is not only a state and national treasure that defines the identity and character of the Erie area, it is also a major contributor to our economic vitality," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "SOLEC is bringing decision-makers and scientists from both sides of the border to our doorstep. This conference will help us make decisions about what actions we can take not just in Erie, but throughout the Great Lakes, to address environmental challenges." The theme for SOLEC 2011 is "Linking Land to the Lakes," with presentations focusing on land-based issues that impact water quality. Using a new framework, environmental

indicators will be used to describe the current conditions of the Great Lakes, recent trends and how human activities are impacting the lakes. The latest information on issues such as pollution, nutrients, invasive species and climate trends will also be discussed. The indicators in the new framework will help guide decisionmakers in taking steps to protect the Great Lakes. Established in 1992 by the United States and Canada, SOLEC is the only forum that comprehensively focuses on the health of all the Great Lakes. It also reports on progress toward achieving the goal of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which is "to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes ecosystem." For more information, visit the SOLEC Conference website. The State of the Great Lakes 2009 report, based on information presented at SOLEC 2008 and other background information, can be found online. Wissahickon Creek November 16 Town Meeting Postponed A Creek in Crisis? A Town Meeting on the Health of the Wissahickon Creek, scheduled for November 16, has been postponed to Spring 2012 due to unexpected scheduling conflicts and unexpected demand for attendance requiring a larger venue. A new date will be announced as soon as it is determined. PennVEST Approves $84 Million In Water Infrastructure Project Funding Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday announced the investment of $84 million in 18 non-point source, drinking water, and wastewater projects in 14 counties by the PA Infrastructure Investment Authority. These investments approved by the PennVEST board will protect Pennsylvania residents from water-borne disease and improve the quality of our lakes and rivers, Corbett said. These investments not only protect our vital natural resources but also contribute to our economic recovery. Of the $84 million total, $69 million is for low-interest loans and $15 million is offered as grants. The awards include a $15.25 million loan to upgrade a drinking water facility in Lancaster County that does not meet drinking water quality standards, as well as significant funding for other projects to prevent the discharge of sewage into waterways during wet weather. The funding approved today comes from a combination of commonwealth funds approved by voter referenda, federal grants to PennVEST from the Environmental Protection agency and recycled loan repayments from previous PennVEST funding awards. Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to PennVEST. A list of projects funded is available online. ECOvanta Opens Electronics Recycling Facility In Philadelphia

Covanta Energy Corporation, a world leader in the development and operation of Energy-fromWaste facilities and other renewable energy projects, Monday announced the launch of a new business to responsibly recycle and dispose of electronic waste (e-waste). ECOvanta, located on 58th Street in West Philadelphia, is a state-of-the-art recycling facility that properly recycles electronic waste such as computers, monitors, mobile phones, printers and televisions. The facility safely manages end-of-life electronics using a combination of manual disassembly and an automated shredding system to separate materials into commodities for recycling. E-waste is the fastest growing segment of the municipal waste stream in the U.S. with over three million tons of electronics generated each year of which only 14 percent is recovered for recycling. The rest typically ends up in landfills. Electronics should not be disposed of in the trash because most contain heavy metals such as lead (avg. monitor contains 4-7 lbs. of lead), mercury and cadmium. It's important to properly recycle electronic waste to ensure we protect our environment from potential harm. Im happy to see that new businesses like ECOvanta are coming to Philadelphia. They are not only providing a solution to this issue, but they are also creating new investment in our community, said Carlton Williams, deputy commissioner of sanitation, City of Philadelphia, Streets Department. ECOvanta has successfully passed audits and has been recommended to receive the R2 and ISO 14001:2004 certifications. These rigorous third-party certifications ensure that e-waste is being recycled responsibly and sustainably. Everything that comes through the ECOvanta facility is sold or recycled as a processed commodity according to R2 standards. ECOvanta also audits all downstream vendors to ensure that they too are recycling correctly. We are excited to be launching this new venture into e-waste recycling. It is a growing market and we see a great opportunity to a provide proper, responsible way to recycle and dispose of these materials as more and more people become aware of its importance, said Seth Myones, Covanta Americas president. ECOvanta also offers secure destruction services for customers who require assured and certified destruction of their electronic equipment. Customers can follow the secure chain of custody process to track and identify material as it moves through the system. The process eliminates risks to information integrity by completely sanitizing hard drives or other storage media using a leading software program that meets all regulated destruction standards prior to manual disassembly and shredding. The facility serves customers throughout the Mid-Atlantic, New York/New Jersey and New England. ECOvanta is a new electronic waste (e-waste) recycling business owned by Covanta Energy Corporation, an internationally recognized owner and operator of Energy-from-Waste and renewable energy projects. Located in Philadelphia, PA ECOvanta provides a one source solution for responsible and sustainable e-waste recycling and secure destruction services. ECOvanta has recently been recommended for Responsible Recycling (R2) and ISO 14001:2004 certifications after completing a third party auditing process. Auditor General Calls For Infrastructure Investment To Improve Safety, Create Jobs

Auditor General Jack Wagner Tuesday called for increased investment in Pennsylvania's crumbling roads and bridges, saying that new spending would improve public safety and the state's economic competitiveness while creating thousands of new jobs for out-of-work Pennsylvanians. Americans are tired of having their hard-earned dollars being spent to build roads and bridges in Afghanistan and Iraq while the bridges in their neighborhood are posted with weight restrictions, Wagner said. I urge the General Assembly to stop debating issues that the public cares little about and focus on those that they do -- like infrastructure and jobs. Wagner noted that two recent independent surveys rated Pennsylvania's bridges as the worst in the nation and the commonwealth's roads as the eighth-worst. According to Gov. Corbett's Transportation Advisory Commission, Pennsylvania has 5,205 bridges that are rated structurally deficient, and it has 8,452 miles of highway that are rated as poor. Wagner said that the longer Pennsylvania delays in making infrastructure investment, the more it will cost taxpayers. In November 2006, Gov. Ed Rendells Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission identified a $1.7 billion annual shortfall in funding for the commonwealths transportation infrastructure and mass transit services. Last year, the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee produced a report that quantified the states unfunded transportation needs at approximately $3.5 billion. That gap is projected to double in 10 years, to $7.2 billion, if nothing is done. Infrastructure investment is supported by many state business organizations, Wagner noted, including the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and the PA Motor Truck Association. Robert Latham, chairman of Transportation Construction Industries, testified before a state house panel in June 2010 that a $2 billion increase in transportation infrastructure spending could lead to the creation of as many as 50,000 jobs. Inadequate infrastructure is not only a threat to Pennsylvania, but it's a major issue for the nation, Wagner said. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the U.S. needs to invest $2.2 trillion to repair highway, transit and water projects after years of neglect. In 2010 alone, the deficiencies in Americas roads, bridges, and transit systems cost U.S. households and businesses more than $129 billion. The time has come to stop putting off infrastructure investment, Wagner said. Not only would infrastructure investment improve public safety, reduce traffic bottlenecks and enhance our economic competitiveness, it would also help address the issue of greatest concern to all Pennsylvanians: jobs. NewsClips: Wagner Calls For Action On Transportation Funding Wagner Urges Transit Spending Boost Legislation Aims To Fund Road, Bridge Fixes Transit Funding Proposals Take Backseat To Other Issues Study: PA Leads In Deficient Bridges Editorial: Corbett Fails To Take Wheel On Transportation

Energy Suppliers To Brief PUC November 9 On Winter Reliability With a roller coaster ride of recent weather, ranging from flooding, to sunshine to an expected round of fall-like temperatures, it's time for the Public Utility Commission to hear from industry experts on what they expect for natural gas reliability for the winter months. The PUC Tuesday announced its annual Winter Reliability Assessment meeting, which provides a snapshot of various conditions that may affect natural gas supply, price and service reliability for the upcoming winter, will be held November 9 in Harrisburg. The Winter Reliability Assessment meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building. Representatives from the PUC, Energy Association of Pennsylvania, UGI Utilities Inc., UGI Energy Services and Spectra Energy Transmission LLC have been invited to speak. An agenda for the meeting is available on the Commission's website. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program To Open November 1 Pennsylvanians who may have trouble paying their home-heating bill this winter can apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning November 1, Secretary of the Department of Public Welfare Gary D. Alexander said Thursday. The federally-funded LIHEAP program offers both cash and crisis grants to those who meet income guidelines. Cash grants help to pay for heating bills and are sent directly to the recipients utility company to offset their bill. Crisis grants help households if there is an emergency and they are in danger of being without heat. Crisis grants may be used to purchase additional fuel or fix broken heating equipment. Especially in difficult economic times, winter conditions can force some people to face the tough choice of putting food on their table or keeping their home warm, said Alexander. If someone is burdened with this concern, I encourage them to apply for LIHEAP. This year, changes to income limits and grant amounts have been made in anticipation of federal funding reductions. The minimum cash benefit recipients may receive is now $100, and the maximum crisis grant amount is $300. Pennsylvanians in need are also urged to stretch their home-heating budget by properly insulating their home and keeping thermostats at a reasonable temperature. For information on how to apply, visit the DPW LIHEAP webpage. FirstEnergy Announces Math, Science, Technology Education Grant Winners FirstEnergy announced Tuesday16 teachers representing 14 Pennsylvania schools have been awarded Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Grants. The grants, of up to $500 each, will be used for a variety of hands-on projects, workshops and teacher development programs throughout the school year. Grant winners include: Mark Johnson, Cambridge Springs Junior/Senior High School, Cambridge Springs; Sharon Doverspike, Rolling Ridge Elementary School, Erie; Vicki Heath and Janet Kiser, Utica Elementary School, Franklin; Joanna Dickert, Central Cambria Middle

School, Ebensburg; Melissa Wilson, Conemaugh Township Middle School, Davisville; Dustin Marshall, Northern Cambria Middle School, Northern Cambria; Bryan Spangler, North Star School District, Boswell; Keri Ann Rubin, Saint Patrick School, Newry; Stacey Hallman, Daniel Boone Middle School, Douglassville; Kim Zippie, Midwestern Intermediate Unit, Hermitage; Christine Rendulich, Clairview School, Greensburg; Bill Hughes, Park Forest Middle School, State College; Amy Fetterhoff, Corpus Christi School, Chambersburg; and Kathleen Huff and Lynn Keyser, Greater Latrobe Senior High School, Latrobe. "FirstEnergy is proud to provide these grants to our winning teachers to promote science, mathematics and technology lessons for our students," said Dee Lowery, vice president of Corporate Affairs and Community Involvement and president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "Each year, we receive outstanding applications and again this year had a difficult time choosing the winners." FirstEnergy offers grants up to $500 to individual teachers and administrators at schools served by its electric utility operating companies and where it has facilities. Grant recipients are recommended by local educators who make up FirstEnergy's Educational Advisory Council. As part of the program, recipients must furnish a written summary and evaluation of their projects that can be shared with other educators in FirstEnergy's service area. For more information, visit FirstEnergy's Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Grants webpage. DEP Awards Over $4.4 Million In Alternative Fuel Grants The Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday it will award more than $4.4 million in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants to 12 projects across the state. The projects will develop the state's natural gas and electric vehicle infrastructure and achieve emissions reductions equivalent to taking 10,000 cars off the road. "These projects are terrific for the state's economy and the environment," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "We have an available, abundant, domestic, economical and clean-burning source of energy under our feet, and these projects put those resources to good use." The grants, funded by a portion of the state's annual utilities gross receipts tax, will encourage new markets for alternative fuels, fleets and technologies across Pennsylvania. In one project, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging will receive $86,500 to convert four mealdelivery vans to reduce costs and better serve the county's older residents while reducing emissions. Waste Management Inc. will receive $400,000 to assist in constructing a compressed natural gas fueling station in Bristol Borough, Bucks County. The facility is expected to reduce the southeast region's annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2,238 tons per year. Williamsport's River Valley Transit will also receive a $400,000 grant to construct a compressed natural gas fueling station that will provide cheaper, cleaner-burning fuel to the city and Lycoming County's police, fire, emergency response, public transit and school bus fleets. The Berks County Intermediate Unit will receive $100,000 to support the continued use of B20 blended biodiesel, a diesel fuel that contains 20 percent biomass, reducing the area's emissions by nearly 633 tons of greenhouse gases per year. A list of projects funded is available online.

EPA Recognizes Carnegie Mellon As Top Green Energy Buyer The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Tuesday Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is on EPA's list of the top 50 largest green power purchasers. Also included on the list is the University of Pennsylvania, BNY Mellon and the City of Philadelphia. Carnegie Mellons green power purchase of more than 120 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) is equivalent to avoiding the yearly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of over 16,000 passenger vehicles or from more than 10,000 average American homes' electricity use. The purchase also qualified the university this year for EPAs Green Power Leadership Club by far-exceeding the organizations minimum purchase requirement. By purchasing renewable energy certificates from national wind sources, Carnegie Mellon University is meeting all its electricity needs with green power. Green power is generated from renewable resources including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, and low-impact hydropower. Carnegie Mellon is making its environmental commitment clear by switching from traditional sources of electricity generation to cleaner, renewable energy alternatives, said EPAs mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. I applaud Carnegie Mellon for making a substantial commitment to sustainability and clean air, and hope many more universities will follow their lead." EPAs Green Power Partnership works with more than 1,300 partner organizations that are voluntarily purchasing green power to reduce the environmental impacts of conventional electricity use. Purchases of green power also help accelerate the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide and produce no net increase to greenhouse gas emissions. Duquesne University Sustainable Business Symposium November 10 The Beard Institute at Duquesne University will hold its 5th Annual Symposium with the theme of Sustainable Business: Responsibility and Results on November 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel, Pittsburgh. Discover a systems approach to sustainability that boosts creativity and innovation. Interact with business leaders who have increased bottom-line results by embracing sustainability best-practices. Learn how to gain competitive advantage in a more sustainabilitydriven business environment. The Green to Gold Award, recognizing an American company that demonstrates commercial success in sustainable business practices, will be presented at the Symposium. The nominees for 2011 are: Colgate Palmolive, 3M, JC Penney, Target and Entergy. To register, contact Dawn Culver at 412-396-5259, send email to: culverd@duq.edu or visit the Symposium webpage. EPA Now Accepting Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup Grant Applications

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is now accepting applications for its 2012 Brownfields Grants to help eligible organizations redevelop former contaminated and abandoned sites. The deadline for applications is November 28. The types of grants available include: Brownfields Assessment Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years; coalitions are funded up to $1,000,000 over three years); Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years); and Brownfields Cleanup Grants (each funded up to $200,000 over three years). For more information, visit EPA's Brownfields Grants webpage. DEP Releases Impact Report On Fukushima Nuclear Accident The Department of Environmental Protection Wednesday announced the completion of its Fukushima Nuclear Accident Report, which highlights DEPs response and findings regarding air and water sources, and the publics health and safety after the March 11 nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi facility in Japan. The report shows that DEPs Bureau of Radiation Protection and Bureau of Water Management were key in our diagnosis and response to this event, DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. The Fukushima event never threatened Pennsylvania, and the samples taken never exceeded DEPs normal standards. The report includes results of air, precipitation, drinking water, surface water and milk sampling. DEP promptly conducted sampling and monitoring to determine whether Iodine-131, an element released in Fukushimas radioactive release, was present in the sources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also conducted air samples, using the agencys RadNet monitoring stations. Relying on previous experience with nuclear accidents, DEPs monitoring program was built on an extensive network of radiation-monitoring programs already in place at Pennsylvanias five nuclear facilities. DEP increased sampling in these programs, added additional monitoring programs for surface water resources and drinking water, and reviewed laboratory data analyses. During testing and monitoring, DEP worked with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, EPA and the state Department of Health to ensure the public was accurately informed. A copy of the report is available online. Genesee & Wyoming's David Powell Wins Professional Environmental Excellence Award Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Vice President of Motive Power David L. Powell Wednesday received the 2011 Professional Environmental Excellence Award from the Association of American Railroads in a ceremony at the University of Illinois. This achievement marks the first time that the AAR's top award for environmental professionals has been won by someone from the short line and regional railroad industry. Powell's accomplishments include organizing GWI's Environmental Team; leading efforts to fund, design and build three ultra-low-emission GenSet locomotives; entering GWI in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "SmartWay" Program; developing GWI's Standard Environmental Procedures; and instituting GWI's annual Earth Day cleanup, hazmat spill reporting and worldwide recycling programs.

"This honor is wonderful recognition for David and for everyone at GWI who supports our commitment to protect the environment wherever we operate in North America and worldwide," said Jack Hellmann, GWI president and CEO. Powell joined GWI in 2003 and has more than 35 years of railroad experience. DCNR Marks Completion of Chester County Section Of Schuylkill River Trail Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Deputy Secretary John Giordano Tuesday congratulated Chester County for the completion of a 5.6-mile segment of the Schuylkill River Trail, linking Phoenixville to Pottstown. The vision for the Schuylkill River Trail is that it will be seamless along the Schuylkill River from Delaware County, through Philadelphia, to Montgomery and Chester counties, proceeding on to Reading, Berks County, and eventually to the headwaters of the river in Schuylkill County. Now that this section of the trail is complete, we expect these newly linked towns to see business growth and jobs that are driven by these unique and attractive places, Giordano said. We should see an increased volume of trail users who want to eat, visit the towns, connect to other sites and perhaps spend the night. DCNR invested in the project through a $406,035 Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant to Chester County. The new trail section is 10- to 12-feet wide on a rail bed owned by PECO and under easement to Chester County. It incorporates a number of green features, including using existing hardscape, no tree removals, planting warm-season grasses instead of typical blue grasses, and eliminating excavation during construction by using the existing gravel path and drainage networks. DCNRs grant to the Schuylkill River Trail and associated greenway was made possible through the departments Community Conservation Partnerships Program that is supported by the Keystone Fund. It advances efforts in the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative to work with public and private partners on land conservation, locally-driven planning and community economic revitalization efforts that protect natural resources and cultural assets. In addition to having large populations, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Lebanon, Lancaster, Lehigh and Montgomery counties are home to critical unprotected lands such as source waters and contiguous forested lands and key habitats in what is known as the Hopewell Big Woods. The Schuylkill Highlands effort hopes to protect what is special in this region by saving high-quality lands and connecting people and communities through a network of trails and gateway communities. For more information, visit the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape Initiative webpage. Delaware Valley Regional Commission Approves $5 Million In Trail Grants The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Friday approved over $5 million for 14 trail projects in Greater Philadelphia.

Funded by the William Penn Foundation, the DVRPC Regional Trails Program funds planning, design, and construction projects to complete gaps within Greater Philadelphia's multiuse trail network. Our region has a variety of opportunities to create a connected network of multi-use trails, including both right-of-ways inherited from the areas long history as a hub of railroad activity, and greenway corridors that follow the regions creek buffering and park systems, said Louis Cappelli, Jr., DVRPC Board Chair and Freeholder Director, Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders. These projects capitalize upon these opportunities to help create a truly connected, regional network of multi-use trails with Philadelphia and Camden as its hub. A list of projects funded is available online. Wildlife Center At Sinnemahoning State Park Ready To Welcome Visitors Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard J. Allan Wednesday joined partners and visitors in officially opening the new Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park in Cameron County. The new center is one of DCNR's key investments in the Pennsylvania Wilds, located only a short jump off the Elk Scenic Drive in the heart of the northcentral region. "It was easy to pick a name for our new facility at Sinnemahoning State Park. With so many opportunities in the park to watch wildlife -- from bear and eagles, to otters and a small elk population -- it couldn't be anything other than 'The Wildlife Center,'" Allan said. "Our new center will help educate visitors about regional wildlife watching opportunities and photography, conservation history and stewardship practices, and provide creative ideas for exploration of this unique and rugged section of Pennsylvania." Depending upon the season, visitors to Sinnemahoning State Park could encounter nesting bald eagles; see elk nursing their calves in a small nursery group; hear the howl of a coyote as it advertises its territory; or discover bobcat tracks in the snow. "The Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning State Park joins the Elk Country Visitor Center, Kinzua Bridge State Park walkway and the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, among other investments, to position the region as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and heritage tourism," Allan said. The 9,300-square-foot center includes a new park office; interpretative exhibit space; an artisan gallery; and classroom and meeting room space. The building is working toward Silver LEED certification and incorporates green features that include: energy-efficient lighting and down-lighting for dark skies; geothermal heat; watersaving toilets and faucets; light-colored roofing; sustainably-harvested wood; recycled content products; rain gardens and bike racks. DCNR has the largest number of LEED-rated buildings of any state park system in the nation, and has reduced its carbon footprint by 20 percent in just five years. The cost of the facility was $3.8 million, and was provided from Capital Budget monies and the Keystone Fund, generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax. The general contractor for the project was Lobar, Inc., of Dillsburg, Pa. Surrounded by Elk State Forest, the 1,900-acre Sinnemahoning State Park is on the First Fork of the Sinnemahoning Creek and has picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and

deep valleys. The park features a 142-acre lake created by the George B. Stevenson flood-control dam. For more information, visit the Sinnemahoning State Park webpage or find another State Park near you to visit. State Fly Tying Championship Set For February 11 The Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited and Bass Pro Shops of Harrisburg are once again sponsoring the Pennsylvania State Fly Tying Championship to be held on February 11at the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show at the State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The fly tying competition will begin at 11 a.m. in the Fishing Experience section. Contestants will compete in one of three divisions; Youth, Amateur and Open. Trophies will be awarded for the top three finishers in each category. In addition the winning contestant in the Open Division will receive at least $100 courtesy of the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Prizes for the Youth and Amateur Divisions are being provided by Bass Pro Shop of Harrisburg. Pre-qualification is required for each division. Entrants are required to submit three flies along with their application to be pre-judged. The top five contestants in each category will then be selected to attend the final event at the sport show. Entrants for the Open Division will also be required to submit a $20 non-refundable fee. All applications and flies must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2012. Mail all entries to: CVTU Fly Tying Contest, PO Box 520, Carlisle, PA 17013 At the show the finalists will be required to tie three flies, two which they will know ahead of time and a third mystery fly. The contestants will be required to provide their own tools and materials. For further information, a complete set of rules, flies to be submitted for pre-judging and an application please go to the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show or Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited websites. Trail Improvement Grant Applications Available From Snowmobile Association The PA State Snowmobile Association invites all legally-constituted snowmobile clubs in Pennsylvania to apply for 2011-2012 trail grant applications. Applications will be accepted during three rounds: Round I, applications due November 1; Round II, due January 6; and Round III, due August 1. Grants are to be used for trail maintenance and grooming on any trail considered open for public use. Eligible activities include: -- Maintenance and renovation of existing trails (bridge projects must be approved by DCNR and funded by sources other than PSSA); -- Development/rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and linkages; -- Purchase/lease/rental of trail construction supplies and heavy equipment, purchase of trail maintenance supplies, parts and heavy equipment; -- Purchase of trail maintenance supplies, parts and heavy equipment, excluding hand-held tools, chain-saws, etc.;

-- Reimbursement of receipted expenses for grooming over and above any other sources of support; and -- Reimbursement of receipted expenses for groomer maintenance. The project is financed in part by a cooperative effort of the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, PA Recreational Trails Program, Federal Highway Administration, and DCNRs Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. Applications can be downloaded from PSSAs website or requested by calling 1-888-411-PSSA. If a club needs assistance in the application process, the club's regional director or the PSSA may be contacted for assistance. Contact the PSSA at 1-888-411-PSSA or send email to: pasnow@wannerassoc.com. (Reprinted from DCNR's Resource online newsletter.) State Conservation Areas Now Identified As State Parks Today, Pennsylvania has 120 State Parks. Pennsylvania had the same number in 2004 when Erie Bluffsthat gem of 587 Lake Erie shoreline acres in Erie County -- became the newest State Park. We just didnt say so. At that time, the Bureau of State Parks and DCNR announced Erie Bluffs became the newest State Park, joining the bureaus other 116 state parks across the stateand its three conservation areas. Conservation area: A designation for land donated to the Bureau of State Parks and managed for the purposes of preserving open space, conserving natural resources, and providing opportunities for passive, non-motorized, low density outdoor recreation and environmental education activities. A conservation area is characterized as a large area with few improvements and no through roads. Recreational facilities and development are minimal. Conservation areas are used for low impact recreation and serve as outdoor classrooms. Conservation areas serve as examples of proper stewardship and resource management. Sounds an awful lot like what all our State Parks provide. And therein lies the reason for the emergence of conservation areas as our three newly designated state parks. Dauphin County is blessed with two: -- The 1,025-acre Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area, which straddles Blue Mountain; harbors a diverse population of large trees; and provides habitat for deep-forest dwelling birds, especially warblers. -- The 370-acre Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area enriches Peters Mountain. Dominated by large hardwoods and intertwined by an elaborate trail system, the nearly unbroken forest is a haven for forest warblers and other deep-woods birds and animals. -- In Wayne County, the 343-acre Varden Conservation Area offers pristine woodlands in a once-remote section of the state now pressured by development. It will be protected and used for future generations as a respite from daily life and an outdoors classroom. Conservation. Wildlife habitat. Environmental education. All words applied daily to the other 117 state parks; all words that bring the term conservation area squarely under the definition of a Pennsylvania State Park, says Bureau of State Parks Director John Norbeck.

The definition of a conservation area specifically says we will manage them as a state park, Norbeck said in an October 12 statement. So in reality, we have 120 State Parks. This is not a big deal in the scheme of things, but an easy one to fix. Therefore, from here on out we will be referring to our system as having 120 State Parks. (Reprinted from DCNR's Resource online newsletter.) Insurance Department: November Peak Deer-Vehicle Crash Season October through December is the busiest time of the year for vehicle crashes involving deer, the Insurance Department Thursday reminded Pennsylvania motorists. Consumers have the option to carry additional coverage on their auto policy which pays to repair any deer-related damage to your car, said state Insurance Commissioner Mike Consedine. If you have comprehensive coverage with your policy, your claim will be covered, minus the deductible. While most deer collisions are not severe enough to injure people, PennDOT data shows more than 3,100 people were injured and 43 others died in the more than 14,000 deer-strike crashes reported to the agency between 2006 and 2010. Follow these tips to reduce your risk of striking a deer while behind the wheel: -- Drive with caution in areas known for having large deer populations and in areas where roads divide fields and forests; -- Select more major, well-lit routes if there are alternative routes to travel; -- Allow adequate space between cars to increase braking ability if a deer leaps out; -- When possible, use your high-beam lights to maximize your field of view; -- Be on the lookout for multiple deer running in a herd wherever there is one deer, there are usually others nearby; and -- Always wear your seatbelt most people injured in deer-related crashed were not wearing their seat belts. Hitting a deer should not impact your auto policy premium because the driver generally is not at fault in this type of crash.

Feature Sandhill Cranes: Are They Here To Stay In Pennsylvania?

By Joe Kosack, Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, Game Commission

What in Sam Hill are sandhill cranes doing in Pennsylvania? They don't have much history here; their status was more of a just-passing-through or accidental visitor than anything else. Heck, they don't even have relatives in Pennsylvania. But their growing presence here ensures that those folks who refer to most wading birds as "cranes" will start to be right some of the time! Click Here to watch a video of the Sandhill Cranes. "Sandhill cranes, until relatively recently, weren't part of the state's breeding bird community," explained Dan Brauning, Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Diversity Division chief. "In fact, it's sort of amazing they're anywhere in North America today given the bird's troubled past." A majority of the sandhill crane's global population historically has nested throughout Canada. East of the Mississippi River, they predominantly inhabited the Great Lakes in substantial numbers through the 1800s. But they encountered hard times when increased unregulated hunting pressure and habitat loss limited their productivity. By the start of World War II, it was believed there were only several thousand remaining in North America. Since then, heightened management attention and the bird's increasing and advantageous use of agricultural areas have helped the sandhill regain its standing in the United States. Today, it is the most abundant crane species in the world, and is expanding its range into Pennsylvania and other states. In 1888, when B.H. Warren, who eventually became the Game Commission's first executive director, penned his Birds of Pennsylvania, he referred to the "green-legged, little brown and large white cranes," referring to the names people gave green herons, American egrets and, possibly, bitterns. There was no mention of sandhills. George M. Sutton, who wrote his Birds of Pennsylvania in 1928, only mentioned the "crane" or "sandhill crane" as erroneous identifications of the great blue heron. By the time W.E. Clyde Todd wrote the Birds of Western Pennsylvania in 1940, sandhill cranes were mentioned to have occurred in southwestern Pennsylvania during migration. But the bird was referred to as "very large wading bird," which it can be, but mostly is not. Given the sandhill crane's previous identity problems and existence issues, and its historic nonresident status, it's no wonder most Pennsylvanians really don't know a lot about them. But the birds do have a mysterious side to them according to the International Crane Foundation. Headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the organization works toward a future where all crane species are secure and where people cooperate to protect and restore wild crane populations and their ecosystems. "We've been following sandhill cranes for 20 years and we're still learning things," noted Matt Hayes, a Foundation sandhill crane researcher. In June, Hayes, accompanied by Andy Gossens, from the International Crane Foundation, and Hoa Nguyen, from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, came to Pennsylvania as part of a multistate research project to collect information on and genetic samples from the newest additions to Pennsylvania's limited, but established, sandhill nesting population. Directed by Game Commission staff with assistance from local birders, Hayes focused mostly on possible nesting sites in northwestern counties and another site in Bradford County.

Finding sandhill chicks sometimes referred to as colts in the lush, emergent vegetation of the lowlands in which they prefer to nest was equivalent to sifting through sand for a contact lens in sweltering, humid conditions while serving reluctantly as a lunch wagon for the insect world. "In Pennsylvania, the Foundation's mission mirrors the work of the Game Commission, which is why our organizations immediately recognized the need to partner," Brauning said. "Matt Hayes found plenty of interest among and assistance from local birders and agency field personnel who helped him and his team to nests that were always hard to find. Cooperation was vital to the success of this ambitious fieldwork." "Nests are so hard to find," Hayes explained, "even with a helicopter and plenty of help. The birds paint themselves with mud and when it dries they blend in so well. We try to time our searches to take chicks when they're five to six weeks old, which is when they're easier to handle and can be banded." The Game Commission and the Foundation are interested in learning more about what sandhill cranes are doing in Pennsylvania and charting their range expansion. Their remarkable resurgence follows a horrific population tailspin they seemed unlikely to escape. "The Great Lakes population went through a historic bottleneck in the 1930s," Hayes explained. "We don't know what their previous numbers were, but we do know they were reduced to about 300, including 25 to 30 breeding pairs in and around Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. Today, they are 50,000 cranes strong in the Great Lakes; 650,000 globally." Sandhills currently can be found from Siberia to Cuba. It is believed the migratory Great Lakes sandhill crane population, which nests from Minnesota south and east to Ohio, is spurring the expansion into Pennsylvania, and as far east as New York, Massachusetts and Maine. So these birds, which have inhabited the continent longer than any other extant bird species, now seem to find the Mid-Atlantic States and New England attractive. But why? Why is the bird's nesting frontier Pennsylvania and not also Virginia or Maryland? Is it latitude? Climate? Habitat? Surely, they have areas that resemble Pennsylvania's countryside mix of wetlands, farmlands and fallow fields south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Hayes is quick to point out that cranes can be wanderers and bewildering. "That's why we're interested in their dispersal and movements; how this growing population is expanded its geographic range," Hayes said. "Sorting it out will help us try to better understand the overall population ecology of the sandhill crane. We suspect the main part of the Pennsylvania population is probably from the Great Lakes, but we want to try and understand more about it." Brauning noted that sandhill cranes seemed to have been sizing up Pennsylvania as potential nesting territory since the early 1990s. "Then, in 1993, a pair was observed in Lawrence County doing courtship behavior," Brauning said. "The birds suddenly disappeared for a few months in the summer. The next time they were seen, they had a juvenile crane. We were quite surprised!" Since that 1993 breeding confirmation, sandhills are believed to have been recurring nesters in the state's northwestern and northeastern counties. "A number of sandhill cranes have been observed over the past 10 years, summering in the northwest Butler to Crawford counties and in Bradford and Sullivan counties," Brauning explained. "At times, young were observed, but the state's first confirmed sandhill crane nest was found only in 2009. A nest that was uncovered this spring by Land Management Group

Supervisor Jerry Bish and Northwest Region Land Management Supervisor Jim Donatelli in the Pymatuning region yielded two, two-day-old chicks during this fieldwork." Sandhills nest on the ground; nest materials are usually comprised of whatever vegetation is dominant in the wetland area they chose. The female lays two eggs normally and they hatch in about a month. The young will fledge, or begin to fly, in about 70 days. "The chicks have a pretty long period of vulnerability where they're susceptible to predation," Hayes said. "But once the chicks get to six to seven weeks of age, they tend to do a much better job of defending themselves, especially when their parents are around." Haynes noted that family ties among cranes are pretty strong, especially when it comes to encounters with predators. "We were watching a flock of 20 birds hanging out in a field in August and all of a sudden their heads went up," Hayes explained. "They all started looking around and then circled up like musk oxen do and all the chicks went in the middle. The adults were on the outside with their bills pointing out. A coyote suddenly appeared and ran through the field. After it passed, they broke apart and returned to foraging." The sandhill crane, despite its limited population in Pennsylvania, is not a state endangered or threatened species. "Because sandhills are expanding their range into Pennsylvania, and were not a historic nesting bird here, at this time it seems inappropriate to list them," Brauning said. "That listing process is designed to protect species in decline. We're glad sandhills have become a member of the state's breeding bird community, but their overall population gains make it clear they're not a species of special conservation need." Sandhills have established themselves firmly in Pennsylvania. Their known nesting presence is growing and they've been wintering in increasing numbers in western counties Butler, Crawford, Mercer and Lawrence for almost 20 years. Some also are wintering in eastern Pennsylvania, particularly Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Sandhills seem to be finding the tranquility and that modicum of privacy they both breeders and non-breeders prefer in several areas of the state. "Sandhill cranes are a very watchable wildlife resource, "Brauning said. "There are seasonal chances to see them at the Pymatuning and Middle Creek wildlife management areas, but the best place to watch sandhills in the state is at Pennsy Swamp on State Game Land 284 in Mercer County." If you observe what appear to be nesting sandhill cranes, or adult cranes in summer with juveniles, the Game Commission would like to hear from you. Send an email titled Sandhill Crane Observation to: pgccomments@pa.gov. Include details on the potential nesting or sighting location and contact information. Adult sandhill cranes are 12-15 pounds in size and have a distinct red skin patch on their forehead and crown. Males are slightly larger. In flight, its wingspan is about seven feet. The mostly grayish bird stands at about the same height as a great blue heron (roughly 40 inches) and may be seen foraging for everything from worms and insects to mice and waste grains in agricultural settings. The sandhill's piercing call also is a dead giveaway to its presence and takes a backseat only to its dancing grace when assessing the bird's charms after encounters with it. Sandhill cranes, like all wildlife, are dependent on habitat and a peaceful coexistence with humans to ensure their future. But for now, they have plenty of elbow room in Pennsylvania

and their limited numbers aren't a threat to anyone. That's why they're here; they fit in. And, they're one fine addition!

Grants & Awards

This section gives you a heads up on upcoming deadlines for awards and grants and other recognition programs. NEW means new from last week. October 31-- CFA Business In Our Sites, PennWorks Funding October 31-- CFA Solar Energy Program Funding November 1-- NEW. PA Snowmobile Assn. Trail Improvement Grants November 4-- Fire Company Service Grants November 11-- PPL Energy, Environmental Education Grants November 28-- NEW. EPA Brownfields Assessment, Cleanup Grants November 30-- iConservePA CSI Pennsylvania Super Sleuth Sweepstakes! December 2-- Chesapeake Bay Watershed Groups Capacity Building Grants December 15-- DEP State Clean Diesel Grants December 16-- Coldwater Heritage Partnership Grants December 16-- NEW. WPC, Dominion Western PA Watershed Mini-Grants December 16-- DEP Environmental Education Grants December 30-- DEP Recycling Performance Grants December 30-- EPA Environmental Educator Awards December 31-- DEP Storm Relief Pollution Prevention, Energy Efficiency Grants December 31-- PA Park & Forest Foundation Awards Program December 31-- President's Environmental Youth Awards January 6-- NEW. PA Snowmobile Assn. Trail Improvement Grants August 1-- NEW. PA Snowmobile Assn. Trail Improvement Grants -- Visit the DEP Grants and Loan Programs webpage for more ideas on how to get financial assistance for environmental projects.

Quick Clips
Here's a selection of NewClips on environmental topics from around the state-Budget Senators Scramble To Finish Gas Drilling Bill 4 Factors To Watch As Senate Vote On Impact Fee Nears Governor Has Deep Divides To Bridge On Marcellus Fee House Republicans To Finally Weigh In On Marcellus Shale Senate Committee Wants To Triple Fines For Shale Drillers Senate Panel OKs Marcellus Bill, Minus Impact Fee Marcellus Bill Moves Forward, But Impact Fee Plan Unclear Senate Panel Approves Marcellus Environmental Amendment

Liquor Sales, Shale Fee Fight For Spotlight Five Issues Jockey For Spot On Legislative Agenda Editorial: What To Do With Oil And Gas Lease Fund Editorial: Growing Greener Needs Funding Editorial: Enough Excuses, Marcellus Issues Must Be Addressed Wagner Calls For Action On Transportation Funding Wagner Urges Transit Spending Boost Legislation Aims To Fund Road, Bridge Fixes Transit Funding Proposals Take Backseat To Other Issues Study: PA Leads In Deficient Bridges Editorial: Corbett Fails To Take Wheel On Transportation Other Gas Drilling Boom At Center Of Environmental Awards Conservancy, Watershed Groups Receive Environmental Awards Green Power Awards Honor Renewable Energy Efforts PA Losing Solar Jobs With End Of Subsidy Solar Jobs, Rising Nationally, Decline In PA Opportunities For Green Jobs In Philadelphia Biofuels Plant Wants To Set Up Shop In Slate Belt Landfill Gas Powers Entire PA Town Lower Macungie Eyes Alternative Energy Law DEP Issues Permit For Tires-To-Energy Plant In Erie Heating Oil Customers Burned By High Prices UGI To Help Low Income Customers Apply For LIHEAP Editorial: College Energy Fund Great Model PPL Hosts Open House On Power Line Project Government, Private Sector Join Forces To Clean Air Breathe Project Launches Clean Air Initiative Personal Monitor Used to Check Out Pittsburgh's Air Quality Op-Ed: Pittsburghers Create New Jobs, Clean The Air Breathe Group Tackles Pittsburgh's Air Quality King Tide Along Delaware A Forecast Of Tides To Come? King Tide Could Cause Flooding In Delaware Estuary Cleanup Crew Pulls Exotic Reptile From Creek Grants For Fire, Ambulance Services May Be In Danger Work to Begin On Two Montour Trail Bridges Ligonier Trail Group Seeks Money Quickly To Span Creek Tinicum Persists In Its Fight To Preserve Rural Character Sunday Hunting Pros, Cons Debated At Hearing House Bill To Permit Sunday Hunting Gets Hearing Newtown Twp EAC Embarks On Bird Town Fundraiser Op-Ed: Wilderness Legacy Too Precious To Destroy Nature's Way: Seed-Saving Work Bears Fruit Wild & Scenic Film Festival Coming To Pottsville A Breakthrough For Bats

Editorial: Kings Gap Expansion Improves Local Gem

Marcellus Shale NewsClips

Here are NewsClips on topics related to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling--Senators Scramble To Finish Gas Drilling Bill 4 Factors To Watch As Senate Vote On Impact Fee Nears Governor Has Deep Divides To Bridge On Marcellus Fee House Republicans To Finally Weigh In On Marcellus Shale Senate Committee Wants To Triple Fines For Shale Drillers Senate Panel OKs Marcellus Bill, Minus Impact Fee Marcellus Bill Moves Forward, But Impact Fee Plan Unclear Senate Panel Approves Marcellus Environmental Amendment Liquor Sales, Shale Fee Fight For Spotlight Editorial: What To Do With Oil And Gas Lease Fund Editorial: Growing Greener Needs Funding Editorial: Enough Excuses, Marcellus Issues Must Be Addressed Report Issued On Impact Of Marcellus Shale Drilling On Water Wells Private Well Survey, Databased Planned In PA In Response To Drilling Study Finds Little Evidence Of Water Contamination From Fracking Study Finds Bromide, But No Fracking Impacts In Water Wells Sen. Yaw Encouraged By Study Of Rural Drinking Water/Drilling Study Looks At Water Quality In Private Wells Near Marcellus Drilling Wilkes Institutes Issue Policy Brief On Governor's Marcellus Plan Wilkes Report Sees Drilling Rules Questionable Senate Bill Would Allow State To Lease Out Mineral Rights Senate Approves Mineral Leasing Bill New Penn State Website Explains Fracking Process PA Air Quality Rule Stirs Gas Well Debate More Protections From Drilling For Water Wells Advised Governor's Proposed Shale Drilling Regulations Not Enough Activist Group Offers Marcellus Policy Recommendations Ohio Drillers Awash In Concern Over Fracking Waste From PA Small Towns Hubs For Big Shale Issues A Look At Drilling And Traffic Drilling Boom Brings Surge In Crime To Small Towns Blair County Could Be Marcellus Shale Hub Dimock Braces For Zombie Invasion Dallas Twp. Approves Amendment Regulating Gas Drilling Newton Twp. Hires Consultant To Create Drilling Ordinance Not In My Backyard, Fayette County Gas Pipeline Gas Drilling And Health On Conference Agenda Philly Mayor Refuses To Join Marcellus Shale Lawsuit

Amphitheater Buyers Willing To Forgo Oil, Gas Rights South Fayette Focus Of Big Marcellus Shale Controversy Peters Twp Officials Beg Voters To Oppose Drilling Ban Gas Development Welcomed In Dallas Twp Driller's Lawsuit Against Dallas Twp Resident Moves Forward Forest Service Denies Drillers' Claim Of Contempt Tunkhannock Man Charged In Frackwater Drinking Incident Gas Drilling Brings More Crime, Carousing Change Allowing Gas Projects Opposed GOP Lawmaker Holds Shale Forum Editorial: Energy Jobs Go Beyond Gas Editorial: Uniform Drilling Guidelines Needed Editorial: Marcellus-Related Industries Can Help Boost Economy Professor Uses Marcellus Shale For Sculpting Other States NJ Governor Has Personal Investment In Fracking Technology New York Delays Fracking Report Financial Cabot Oil 3rd Quarter Net Soars On Higher Production Consol Energy Doubles 3rd Quarter Profit, Raises Dividend EQT Increases Marcellus Drilling In Third Quarter

Watershed NewsClips
Here are NewsClips on watershed topics from around the state-Flooding Municipalities Get Hired Help In Seeking Flood Funding Washington Blvd. To Get Flood Gates Flood Insurance Means A Deluge Of Details King Tide Along Delaware A Forecast Of Tides To Come? King Tide Could Cause Flooding In Delaware Estuary More Property Owners Could Pay Luzerne Levee Fee Buyout Process To Start For Flood-Ravaged Properties Other Watershed NewsClips Chesapeake Bay Advocates Concerned About PA Funds In New Farm Bill Farmers Get Environmental Grants Berks County Gets Loans For Nutrient Reduction Projects Cedar Run Watershed Assessment, Stormwater Retrofit Clear Win For Water, Brandywine Conservancy Great Lakes Conference Coming To Erie Penn State: Bottled Vs. Tap Water, Which Is Better? Chuck Duritsa Named Chair Of ORSANCO

Regulations, Technical Guidance & Permits

No new regulations were published this week. Pennsylvania Bulletin - October 29, 2011 Proposed Regulations Open For Comment - DEP webpage Proposed Regulations With Closed Comment Periods - DEP webpage Rolling Regulatory Agenda - DEP webpage

Technical Guidance & Permits

In a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer alerted the federal agency that Pennsylvania reserves the option to submit its own State Implementation Plan, which would allocate air emission allowances for 2013 under the new EPA Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The Department of Environmental Protection published notice it now has available the latest edition of the Manual Manual and a notice of availability of the NPDES General Permit for Pesticide Application. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice of actions taken on water withdrawal projects. Technical Guidance Comment Deadlines - DEP webpage Copies Of Draft Technical Guidance - DEP webpage Copies of Final Technical Guidance - DEP webpage

Calendar Of Events
Upcoming legislative meetings, conferences, workshops, plus links to other online calendars. Meetings are in Harrisburg unless otherwise noted. NEW means new from last week. Go to the online Calendar webpage. Click on Agenda Released on calendar entries to see the NEW meeting agendas published this week. October 31-- NEW. Senate Appropriations Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 1100 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) setting requirements for Marcellus Shale natural gas wells. Rules Committee Room. Off the Floor.

November 1-- House Consumer Affairs Committee holds an informational meeting on Chapter 14 of the PUC Code related to collection of customer receipts. Room B-31 Main Capitol. 9:00. November 10-- DEP Southwest Regional Office Roundtable meeting. DEP Southwest Regional Office, Waterfront A & B, 500 Waterfront Dr. 10:30. Contact Holly Cairns at 412-442-4116 or send email to: hcairns@pa.gov. (formal notice) November 15-- Agenda Released. DEP Citizens Advisory Council meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 11:00. November 15-- NEW. Senate Environmental Resources & Energy and Senate Republican Policy Committees hold a hearing on issues related to flood mitigation through stormwater management. Senate Majority Caucus Room. 9:00. November 16-- NEW. Senate Environmental Resources & Energy and Senate Republican Policy Committees hold a hearing on issues related to flood mitigation through stormwater management. Senate Majority Caucus Room. 9:00. November 17-- NEW. House Consumer Affairs Committee holds a hearing on House Bill 1580 (Ross-R-Chester) increasing the solar mandate in the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards. Room G-50 Irvis Building. 9:00. November 21-- Delaware River Basin Commission meeting to consider finalizing Marcellus Shale drilling regulations. West Trenton, NJ. 10:00. (formal notice) December 2-- CANCELED. DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators meeting. It has been rescheduled to December 13. (formal notice) December 6-- DEP Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board meeting. Room 105 Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) December 13-- DEP State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators meeting. 10th Floor Conference Room, Rachel Carson Building. 10:00. (formal notice) January 12-- DEP Southwest Regional Office Roundtable meeting. DEP Southwest Regional Office, Waterfront A & B, 500 Waterfront Dr. 10:30. Contact Holly Cairns at 412-442-4116 or send email to: hcairns@pa.gov. (formal notice) DEP Calendar of Events Environmental Education Workshop/Training Calendar (PA Center for Environmental Education) Senate Committee Schedule House Committee Schedule

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

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Send your stories, photos and videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: DHess@CrisciAssociates.com. PA Environment Digest is edited by David E. Hess, former Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and is published as a service to the clients of Crisci Associates, a Harrisburg-based government and public affairs firm whose clients include Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations. For more information on Crisci Associates, call 717-234-1716. PA Environment Digest was the winner of the PA Association of Environmental Educators' 2009 Business Partner of the Year Award.

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